SUMMARY Aim:To compare the effects of exergames (EGs) using the Xbox KinectTM device and home exercise (HE) on balance, functional mobility, and quality of life of individuals aged 65 years or older.Method: One hundred participants who met the inclusion criteria were randomized to the EG or HE group. The EG group took part in a 6-week programme using the Xbox360Kinect TM device, and the HE group took part in a 6-week balance exercise programme at home 5 days a week. The Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to assess balance, the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was used to evaluate functional walking, and the Short Form 36 (SF-36) was used to assess quality of life.Results: Forty-eight participants in the EG group and 42 participants in the HE group completed the study. The groups were similar in terms of age, sex, and pretreatment values of BBS, TUG, and SF-36. Although the BBS scores of both groups improved significantly (all p < 0.05), the post-treatment scores of the EG group were better than those of the HE group. The TUG scores improved only in the EG group (p < 0.05). The increase in the BBS scores and decrease in the TUG test scores were significant only in the EG group (all p < 0.05). A significant improvement was also observed in the quality of life parameters of physical functioning, social role functioning, physical role restriction, general health perceptions, and physical component scores in the post-exercise evaluations of the EG group. The participants commented that they found the EG programme very entertaining.Conclusion: The EG can be considered a safe, entertaining and sustainable alternative to HE programmes, and it may have positive effects on balance, functional walking and quality of life in geriatric subjects.

The aim of this study is to evaluate sprinting ability, density of acceleration, and speed dribbling ability of professional soccer players with respect to their positions.A total of 243 professional soccer players were examined. These soccer players are playing in different leagues of Turkey. The F-MARC test battery, which was designed by FIFA, was used for soccer players. We did not find any statistical differences for 30-m sprint test and four-line sprint test values with respect to positions of soccer players (p > 0.05). On the other hand, there was a statistical difference for speed dribbling test values in terms of positions of soccer players (p < 0.05). It was found that the test values of defense players, midfielders, and forwards were better than the test values of goalkeepers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study, which was done during the training season, shows that there is a similarity between the abilities of professional soccer players for 30-m sprint and four-line sprint tests. Therefore, it is believed that there must be fast players in all positions in terms of sprint ability. There is a similarity among defenders, midfielders, and forwards in terms of speed dribbling ability; in contrast, the speed dribbling ability of goal keepers is different from the players in those three positions. Although there are many more speed dribbling exercises within the training programs of defenders, midfielders, and forwards, the speed dribbling ability test is not used much for goal keepers. Correspondingly, speed dribbling ability is not a specific indicator for goal keepers, and this test should not be used for the choice of goalkeepers.

The professional and amateur soccer players were tested to determine the running speed and agility performance by playing positions. The sample included 108 professional male soccer players at the national level and 79 amateur male soccer players at a regional level on teams from 10 clubs in Turkey. The study involved the players being assessed by the 10- x 5-m shuttle run test ( 10 x 5 SRT) on a soccer field in a soccer season.The difference between the mean scores of the professional and amateur players is significant. Differences between mean scores according to playing positions of soccer players are not significant.In conclusion, professional soccer players' running speed and agility performances are higher than amateur soccer players. In addition, these results indicate that all soccer players have the same running speed and agility performance in accordance with their different playing positions. Coaches should consider individual training programs based on the positional role of soccer players.

The aim of the study was to investigate whether a fatiguing exercise on treadmill affects balance performance in recreationally active men and women. Nineteen subjects, aged 18-26 years, were assessed before and after a fatiguing exercise, using the Balance Error Scoring System (BESS). Fatiguing exercise was performed on treadmill using the Bruce protocol. A significant effect of fatigue was present in men (P < 0.05) and women (P < 0.05). Women performed at a significantly lower total BESS scores than men at both pretest (P < 0.05) and posttest (P < 0.05). The mean difference (posttest-pretest) between men and women was not significant (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that a fatiguing exercise induced by means of treadmill increases postural sway in healthy subjects, and that this increase in postural sway is sex-independent.

(r = 0.755, p < 0.01; r = 0.664, p < 0.05; r = 0.713, p< 0.01, respectively). Standing broad jump performance correlated with foam surface, tandem leg and total BESS score (r = 0.737, p < 0.01; r = 0.692, p < 0.05; r = 0.617, p< 0.05, respectively). There was a statistically significant relationship among the single leg BESS score and vertical jumping performance (r = -0.596, p<0.05). In conclusion, the activities requiring explosive power may reflect the ability of managing a balanced posture but the activities in which time period is longer may not.