Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Hamed Fahimi; Hassan Gharayagh zandi; Fazlallah Bagherzadeh; Ali Moghadamzadeh; Davood Homanian SharifAbadi
Abstract
.Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of strategic self-talk on volleyball players' performance and visual attention.Methods: This quasi-experimental research employed a pre-test/post-test design with a control group. Participants included 54 novice male volleyball ...
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.Introduction: The present study aimed to investigate the effect of strategic self-talk on volleyball players' performance and visual attention.Methods: This quasi-experimental research employed a pre-test/post-test design with a control group. Participants included 54 novice male volleyball players selected via convenience sampling. They were randomly assigned into five groups: instructional self-talk (n=10), motivational self-talk (n=11), instructional-motivational self-talk (n=10), motivational-instructional self-talk (n=11), and control (n=12). The self-talk intervention was conducted over 12 weeks, with three sessions per week. In both the pre-test and post-test phases, serving scores were recorded by the researcher, and participants' gaze behavior was measured using an eye tracker while performing a simple volleyball serve task. Data were analyzed using the Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc tests.Results: The findings revealed that strategic self-talk had a significant effect on simple serve performance (P=0.0001) and quiet eye duration (P=0.0001). Bonferroni post-hoc tests indicated that instructional self-talk improved motor performance and increased quiet eye duration. Combined self-talk groups (instructional-motivational and motivational-instructional) also exhibited enhanced motor performance and prolonged quiet eye duration. However, motivational self-talk alone had no significant effect on motor performance and quiet eye duration.Conclusion: The results underscore the importance of instructional self-talk in enhancing performance and visual attention in novice volleyball players, supporting the attentional mechanisms underlying self-talk.
Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Narges Abdoli; Aireza Saberi Kakhki; Hamid Reza Taheri Torbati; Majid Ghoshuni
Abstract
Introduction: Previous studies have reported inconsistencies regarding changes in brain waves during the learning process. Since the underlying cognitive-motor and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance require further investigation, the present study aimed to compare Mu rhythm power in expert ...
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Introduction: Previous studies have reported inconsistencies regarding changes in brain waves during the learning process. Since the underlying cognitive-motor and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance require further investigation, the present study aimed to compare Mu rhythm power in expert and novice golfers.Methods: This study included 15 novice university students with no prior golf experience in the novice group and 15 experienced golfers in the expert group. Participants' brain waves were recorded during 20 practice trials of the golf putting skill. Data were processed using Independent Component Analysis (ICA). A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with a 2×3 design (group × area) was employed for data analysis.Results: The MANOVA results revealed a significant difference in Mu rhythm power (8–13 Hz) across three central brain areas (C3, Cz, C4) between novice and expert golfers (P≤0.05). Specifically, the expert group exhibited higher mean Mu rhythm power than the novice group.Conclusion: The findings suggest that brain function in expert and novice golfers differs in the sensory and motor cortices. Functional changes in the brain during the learning of the golf putting skill may underlie the superior motor control and performance observed in experts. These results emphasize the importance of understanding learning processes to enhance daily motor control and specialized skill performance. The study contributes to the understanding of neurocognitive and neural-motor mechanisms of skill performance, offering insights for professionals in motor skill training and rehabilitation.
Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Maryam Mousavi Sardashti; Sedigheh Rezaei Dehnavi
Abstract
Introduction: Individuals with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) include those whose IQ is in the range of 70 to 85, lower than normal individuals and higher than those diagnosed with mental retardation. Research has shown that individuals with BIF often exhibit weaknesses in their executive ...
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Introduction: Individuals with borderline intellectual functioning (BIF) include those whose IQ is in the range of 70 to 85, lower than normal individuals and higher than those diagnosed with mental retardation. Research has shown that individuals with BIF often exhibit weaknesses in their executive functions. Executive functions are the highest level of the cognitive and metacognitive functions of the brain, which form the basis of children's social, academic, and cognitive development. This study aimed to investigate the effect of perceptual-motor training on executive functions of children with BIF.Methods: This study was quasi-experimental with a pre-test, post-test, and a control group design. Thirty students diagnosed with BIF were selected through purposive sampling and were assigned into two experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups. The experimental group was trained and performed perceptual-motor training for ten weeks, two 45-minute sessions per week. The data collection instrument was the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF, 2000). The data was analyzed using one-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) in SPSS version 26.Results: The findings showed that perceptual-motor training leads to the improvement of executive functions, including inhibition, attention, emotional control, initiation, working memory, planning, organization, and control (P<0.01) of children with BIF.Conclusion: To enhance the executive functions of children with BIF, educational programs that include perceptual-motor training are recommended.
Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
vahid hassaspour; Alireza Farsi; Mahin Aghdaei
Abstract
Introduction: For many years, researchers have sought different ways to improve the sports activity of the elderly. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of motivational music and video stimuli on cardiorespiratory responses in the elderly during walking.
Methods: The current ...
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Introduction: For many years, researchers have sought different ways to improve the sports activity of the elderly. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of motivational music and video stimuli on cardiorespiratory responses in the elderly during walking.
Methods: The current research was applied quasi-experimentally with a within-subject design. The participants of this research included 24 elderly individuals aged 65 to 75 years old. Then the participants walked on the treadmill at 3 to 5 km/h for 5 to 8 minutes. Participants were assessed under three different conditions (motivational music, motivational video, and no intervention) using a respiratory gas analysis device (resting calorie consumption, total body energy expenditure rate, ventilation-to-oxygen uptake ratio, ventilation-to-carbon dioxide ratio) and the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale to record each individual's perception of effort and activity.
Results: The results of repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni's post hoc test showed that in the motivational music condition, there were significant differences in variables such as resting calorie consumption, perceived exertion, total body energy expenditure rate, and ventilation-to-oxygen uptake ratio compared to the motivational video and no-intervention conditions. However, no significant difference was observed in the ventilation-to-carbon dioxide ratio variable.
Conclusion: It seems that walking with motivational music improves cardio-respiratory response variables in the elderly.
Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
morteza pourazar; Morteza Homayounnia Firouzjah
Abstract
Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to a class of non-progressive neurological disorders that permanently affect individuals' sensory-motor abilities and typically appear in infancy or early childhood. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of linear and nonlinear training methods on ...
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Introduction: Cerebral Palsy (CP) refers to a class of non-progressive neurological disorders that permanently affect individuals' sensory-motor abilities and typically appear in infancy or early childhood. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of linear and nonlinear training methods on the static balance ability of children with hemiplegic CP.
Methods: A total of 20 boys with hemiplegic CP, aged 7-12 years, were selected through convenience sampling and they were assigned into experimental and control groups. The Sharpened Romberg test was used to measure static balance scores. The linear and nonlinear training groups performed specific exercises for four weeks, three days a week, and one hour per session for each method. Multivariate Analysis of Covariance (MANCOVA) and univariate Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were conducted at a significance level of P≤0.05.
Findings: The results showed a significant difference between the linear and nonlinear training methods in at least one of the static balance variables (p=0.001). Additionally, considering the higher scores of the nonlinear group, this training method resulted in better static balance scores (with eyes open and closed) compared to the linear method in children with hemiplegic CP.
Conclusion: Overall, the findings of this study emphasize the importance of the nonlinear training method in improving the static balance of children with hemiplegic CP and support the constraint-led approach
Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Kosar Abbaspour; Moahammadtaghi Aghdasi; Zahra Fathirezaie; Seyed Hojjat Zamani Sani; Stefan Schneider
Abstract
Introduction: Although vision is the dominant sensory system in sports, many situations require multisensory integration. It is noteworthy that the effect of auditory stimuli with visual stimuli in athletes has not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the ...
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Introduction: Although vision is the dominant sensory system in sports, many situations require multisensory integration. It is noteworthy that the effect of auditory stimuli with visual stimuli in athletes has not been comprehensively investigated. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the effect of unisensory and multisensory information processing on decision-making under pressure.Methods: The study was conducted as a quasi-experimental design with a statistical population of elite male badminton players. Thirteen of them were selected by simple random sampling. The players were required to respond correctly in a badminton spatial decision-making task under four conditions (visual stimulus, auditory stimulus, congruent visual-auditory stimulus, and incongruent visual-auditory stimulus) in two normal and under-pressure conditions. PsychoPy software was used to design the task and assess decision-making accuracy, and for statistical analysis, repeated measures variance (2×4) was used at a significance level of 0.05.Results: The results indicated that the decision-making accuracy of elite badminton players in the congruent visual-auditory condition (multisensory) was significantly better than the unisensory visual and auditory conditions separately, especially under pressure. Additionally, decision-making accuracy in the incongruent visual-auditory condition was significantly lower than in the other three conditions.Conclusion: It can be concluded that multisensory integration (visual-auditory) enhances decision-making accuracy in elite badminton players more than unisensory processing (either visual or auditory), which can be explained based on information processing theory. The results also showed that decision-making in all four sensory conditions under pressure was better than in normal conditions, which can be attributed to the high level of experience and skill of athletes in pressure conditions.
Research Paper I Open Access I Released under CC BY-NC 4.0 license
Saleh Nasiri; jalal Dehghanizade
Abstract
Introduction: Obesity adversely affects the mental and physical health of children and adolescents. Obese children participate less in social and sports activities compared to their normal-weight peers, leading to a decline in their physical fitness and sports performance. The present study aimed to ...
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Introduction: Obesity adversely affects the mental and physical health of children and adolescents. Obese children participate less in social and sports activities compared to their normal-weight peers, leading to a decline in their physical fitness and sports performance. The present study aimed to compare the effects of the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGFU) model and traditional pedagogy methods on futsal performance, selected physical fitness factors, and physical activity levels in obese students.
Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design with a pre-test/post-test approach. A total of 24 obese students were purposively and conveniently selected as the sample and randomly divided into two groups of 12 individuals: a traditional pedagogy group and a TGFU group. Data were collected using a futsal skill test, the 4×9 meter agility test, the 20-meter shuttle run endurance test, the 10×5 meter shuttle run test, and a physical activity questionnaire. Data analysis was performed using Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) at a significance level of P<0.05.
Results: The results of the ANCOVA indicated significant differences between the traditional and TGFU groups in futsal performance, cardiovascular endurance, agility, speed, and physical activity levels (P≤0.05). Furthermore, the TGFU group showed significantly better results than the traditional pedagogy group (P≤0.05).
Conclusion: The TGFU model enhances participants' adaptive behaviors in competitive settings and improves their capacity to solve various performance-related challenges, thereby helping to promote their overall development. Therefore, TGFU can be utilized in school physical education programs to enhance physical fitness factors and sports performance in obese students, replacing traditional pedagogy methods.
