The relationships between isometric muscle strength and respiratory functions of the Turkish National Paralympic Goalball Team

Electromyographic analysis of the traditional and spin throwing techniques for goalball games related to ball velocity for selected upper extremity muscles

BACKGROUND

Goalball is a popular sport among visually impaired individuals, offering many physical and social benefits. Evaluating performance in Goalball, particularly understanding factors influencing ball velocity during throwing techniques, is essential for optimizing training programs and enhancing player performance. However, there is limited research on muscle activation patterns during Goalball throwing movements, needing further investigation to address this gap. Therefore, this study aims to examine muscle activity in sub-elite visually impaired Goalball players during different throwing techniques and visual conditions, focusing on its relationship with ball velocity.

METHODS

15 sub-elite Goalball players (2 female, 13 males; mean age of 20.46 ± 2.23 years) participated in the study. Muscle activity was evaluated with the Myo armband, while ball velocity was measured using two cameras and analyzed with MATLAB software. Different visual conditions were simulated using an eye band, and the effects of these conditions on muscle activation and ball velocity were examined.

RESULTS

The flexor muscles were found to be more active during the spin throw techniques with the eyes open (p = 0.011). The extensor muscles were found to be more active in the eyes-closed spin throw techniques compared to the eyes-open position (p = 0.031). Ball velocity was found related to the flexor muscles. Interestingly, no significant differences in ball velocity were observed between different throwing techniques or visual conditions (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Ball velocity, one of the performance indicators of the athlete, is primarily related to upper extremity flexor muscle strength rather than visual acuity. It has less visual acuity, but an athlete with more upper-extremity flexor muscle strength will have an advantage in Goalball game. The spin throw technique, which is reported to provide a biomechanical advantage for professional players in the literature, did not provide an advantage in terms of ball velocity for the sub elite players evaluated in our study. This knowledge can inform the development of targeted training programs aimed at improving technique and enhancing ball velocity in Goalball players.

Chan-Chuang and resistance exercise for drug rehabilitation: a randomized controlled trial among Chinese male methamphetamine users

Objective

To examine the health benefits of Chan-Chuang and resistance exercise.

Methods

We deployed an 8-week randomized controlled trial, in which 76 male methamphetamine users were allocated to control (n = 25), Chan-Chuang (n = 26), and residence exercise groups (n = 25). Our primary outcomes were drug craving, mental wellbeing, sleep quality, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and mean arterial pressure (MAP). Our secondary outcomes were body mass index (BMI), vital capacity, grip strength, balance, and vertical jump.

Results

Chan-Chuang exercise resulted in reduced HR, DBP, and MAP, along with improvements in vital capacity, grip strength, and balance compared to the control group. Resistance exercise reduced SBP and MAP, and also improved vital capacity, grip strength, balance, and vertical jump.

Conclusion

These findings may support the role of Chan-Chuang and resistance exercise in maintaining the physical fitness of methamphetamine users at mandatory detention centers.