Purpose – The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between selected physical-physiological parameters and efficiency of pistol shooting. Design/methodology/approach – In all, 237 male volunteers, studying at a Turkish Police Academy within the age range of 19-20 years old were investigated. The physical fitness levels were evaluated by valid and reliable test batteries. The efficiency of pistol shooting was evaluated by the total points of the bullets which hit the target from 10 m. Findings – Significant differences were found between the sets of students according to shot accuracy groups for wrist circumference, biceps circumference, femur diameter, hand grip strength, flexibility, aerobic capacity, reaction time, balance, coordination, state anxiety level, anxiety variability, average heart rate, maximal heart rate and heart rate changes. The correlation coefficient between the pistol shooting result and change in heart rate, anxiety variability, mean heart rate during shooting, coordination, state anxiety, maximal heart rate during shooting, balance, hand-grip strength, biceps circumference, femur diameter, wrist circumference and flexibility was significant. Practical implications – This research identified parameters which were important in profiling a good shooter. In addition, this result could be used for choosing marksmen and guiding shooting training for athletes and police in which shooting skills are important. It was reported that joining simple field physical fitness tests and simple devices such as heart rate polar meters may have an advantage in selecting good shooters. These would save police departments both time and money. Originality value – This is the most comprehensive study to date which has evaluated physical fitness in relation to shooting efficiency.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between body composition, anaerobic performance and sprint performance of amputee soccer players. Fifteen amputee soccer players participated in this study voluntarily. Subjects’ height, body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage (Jackson and Pollock formula) and somatotype characteristics (Heath-Carter system) were determined. The sprint performance at 10m, 20m and 30m was evaluated, whereas the counter movement jump (CMJ), relative CMJ (RCMJ), squat jump (SJ) and relative SJ (RSJ) tests were used for the determination of anaerobic performance. The results of the Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis indicated that body composition was significantly correlated with CMJ and SJ (p < 0.01), on the other hand, no measure of body composition was significantly related to the other component (p > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between CMJ, RCMJ, SJ, 10 m, 20 m and 30 m sprint performance (p < 0.05); whereas, in contrast, no measure of body composition was significantly related to the 10 m, 20 m and 30 m sprint performance (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that sprint performance was described as an essential factor in anaerobic performance whereas body composition and somatotype play a determinant role in anaerobic and sprint performance in amputee soccer players.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between daily physical activity (PA) level and low back pain (LBP) in young women. Material and Methods: Two hundred forty three female, desk-job workers aged 20-40 voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were assessed by the use of Oswestry Disability Index for measuring LBP disability and by the use of the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for PA assessment. The 1-way ANOVA test was used for comparing the mean values according to the physical activity level groups. Correlations between the average LBP disability score and all the other variables were obtained using Pearson's correlation analysis. The level of statistical significance was p < 0.05. Results: Significant differences were found for LBP disability score between the results of 3 different PA groups (p < 0.05) (low, moderate and high PA groups). The correlation between the average LBP disability score and body weight (r = 0.187, p < 0.01), body mass index (r = 0.165, p < 0.01), vigorous MET score (r = 0.247, p < 0.01) and total PA MET score (r = 0.131, p < 0.01) were significant. Conclusions: The main finding of this study is that there is a U-shaped relationship between PA and LBP disability score in young women. A moderate level of daily physical activity and preventing body weight and fat gain should be recommended in young, female desk-job workers in order to prevent and manage low back pain.

No abstract

Start speed, acceleration, and speed performance are critical factors affecting directly football player's performance. The aim of our study was to examine the relationship among these three abilities. 79 football players voluntarily participated in the study (height: 177,96 ± 5,4cm; weight 73,72 ± 7,85kg; training age: 10,59 ± 2,94 years; age: 21,90 ± 2,66 years). Participant's tests have been taken on non-consecutive days in RT (visual reaction test, Lafayette, Moart Reaction and Movement), Speed (Total 15m; Fusion Sport, Smart Speed), Start speed (0-5m; Fusion Sport, Smart Speed), and acceleration (5-15 m; Fusion Sport, Smart Speed). The first 5m is start speed, 5-15m is acceleration phase and total 15m is speed. Significant correlation has been found between star speed and speed (p<0,01); training age and start speed (p<0,05); height and last 5m performance. Otherwise, the adverse correlation has been found between the second 5m and last 5m performances (p<0,01). There is no significant correlation between reaction time and 15m speed performance (p>0,05). There is significant correlation between acceleration and 15m speed (p<0,05), and between second 5m (p<0,01) and third 5m performances. The football players who have good rates of start speed times have good speed performance due to their physical capabilities. The rate of ground reaction forces is the most important factor that affects acceleration. Hence it's recommended that activities including Olympic weightlifting be performed to increase the rate of ground reaction forces.

This research focused on evaluation of dissociative lives of male disabled athletes who played in teams of amputee football league and regional wheelchair basketball league. In this research; general survey method, one of the descriptive research methods, was used. As data collection tools; "Personal Information Form", "Household Income Form" and "The Dissociation Scale Questioner" were used. A total of 92 male disabled participants (55 amputee football players and 37 wheelchair basketball players) were included in the study. There were no significant statistical differences between participants' dissociation levels and age, educational status, marital status, whether or not being a national player and employment status. However; there was statistically significant difference in terms of use of prostheses-use, sportive branch, household income and time of disability. It may be argued that acquired traumatic events that occur after birth have stronger traumatic life levels/effects compared to congenital traumatic events that occur before or during birth

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare values of aerobic performance in the 1-mile run test (1-MRT) using different formulae. Material and Methods: Aerobic capacities of 351 male volunteers working for the Turkish National Police within the age range of 20-23 years were evaluated by the 1-MRT and the 20-metre shuttle run (20-MST). VO 2max values were estimated by the prediction equations developed by George et al. (1993), Cureton et al. (1995) and Kline et al. (1987) for the 1-MRT and by Leger and Lambert (1982) for the 20-MST. Results: The difference between the results of the different formulae was significant (p = 0.000). The correlation coefficient between the estimated VO 2max using Cureton's equation, George's equation, Kline's equation and the 20-MST were 0.691 (p < 0.001), 0.486 (p < 0.001) and 0.608 (p < 0.001), respectively. The highest correlation coefficient was between the VO 2max estimated by the 20-MST and Cureton's equation. Similarly, the highest correlation coefficient (r = -0.779) was between the 1-mile run time and the VO 2max estimated by Cureton's equation. Conclusions: When analysing more vigorous exercise than sub-maximal exercise, we suggest that Cureton's equation be used to predict the VO 2max from 1-mile run/walk performance in large numbers of healthy individuals with high VO 2max . This research compares the use of 3 different formulae to estimate VO 2max from 1-mile run/ walk performance in male law enforcement officers aged 20-23 years for the first time and reports the most accurate formula to use when evaluating aerobic capacities of large numbers of healthy individuals.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anxiety, heart rate and efficiency of pistol shooting. In this study, 291 male volunteers working for the Turkish National Police within the age range of 20-23 years participated. The efficiency of pistol shooting was evaluated by the total points of the bullets which hit the target from 10 metres. The State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) was used to assess anxiety. The "Polar Team2 Pro" device for heart rate was used. Significant differences were found between the sets of participants according to shot accuracy groups for state anxiety level, anxiety variability, average heart rate, maximal heart rate and heart rate changes. The correlation coefficient between the pistol shooting result and change in heart rate, anxiety variability, mean heart rate during shooting, state anxiety and maximal heart rate during shooting was significant. However, there was no significant correlation between shot accuracy and resting heart rate and trait anxiety. Based on the findings, it was concluded that as a result of the higher state anxiety levels, the tremor which is caused by increased heart rate negatively affects the shooting performance in police. ÖzetBu çalışmanın amacı tabanca atış başarısı, kaygı düzeyi ve kalp atım hızı arasındaki ilişkileri araştırmaktır. Bu çalışmaya Türk Polis Teşkilatında görev yapan 20-23 yaş arasındaki 291 gönüllü erkek katılmıştır. Tabanca atış başarısı 10 metre mesafeden hedef üzerine isabet eden fişeklerin toplam puanı üzerinden değerlendirilmiştir.Kaygı düzeylerinin değerlendirilmesi için Durumluk ve Sürekli Kaygı Envanteri (STAI) kullanılmıştır. Kalp atım hızı ölçümü için "Polar Team2 Pro" cihazı kullanılmıştır. Atış başarısı gruplarına göre katılımcıların durumluk kaygı düzeyi, kaygı düzeyi değişimi, atış ortalama kalp atım hızı, maksimal kalp atım hızı ve kalp atım hızı değişimi arasında anlamlı farklılık bulunmuştur. Tabanca atış başarısı sonuçları ile kalp atım hızı değişimi, kaygı düzeyi değişimi, atış ortalama kalp atım hızı, durumluk kaygı düzeyi, maksimal kalp atım hızı arasındaki korelasyon katsayı anlamlı bulunmuştur. Ancak atış başarısı ile dinlenik kalp atım hızı ve sürekli kaygı düzeyi arasında herhangi korelasyon bulunmamıştır. Araştırmanın bulgularına dayanarak, durumluk kaygı düzeyi yükseldikçe artan kalp atım hızının yarattığı sarsıntının polislerin atış yeteneklerini olumsuz etkilediği sonucuna varılmıştır.