No abstract

SUMMARY:The purpose of this study was to investigate the predictors contributing to be in the first three places with right and left arm in armwrestling. Seventy-three male senior armwrestlers competed in Turkish National Championship voluntarily participated in this study. Some participants competed with both arms. Two samples were composed of according to the participant competition category, for right (69 participants) and left arm (65 participants). The data were collected from eight different weight classes. Handgrip strength, auditory reaction time, forearm length, and forearm circumference were determined as the predictors. All the measurements were taken after weigh-ins had been done and before the first day of national championship competition. Logistic regression analysis was conducted to predict whether a competitor in armwrestling would be in the first three places either with right or left arm, to be a winner or non-winner. Relative handgrip strength was found a significant predictor for both right and left arm ranking (p < 0.05). Auditory reaction time was found a significant predictor only for right arm ranking (p < 0.05) and forearm circumference was found a significant predictor only for left arm ranking (p < 0.05). These results suggest that strength can be viewed as the main predictor in left arm ranking; however, auditory reaction time is also an important factor to be in the first three places in right arm ranking. Thus, competitors should also focus to improve this perceptual skill.

The aim of this study is to analyse the corner kicks taken in the matches played in the FIFA 2018 World Cup. A total of 606 corner kicks that were used in 64 matches in the competitions were analysed. The data were analysed in terms of the parameters of the direction in which the corner kick is taken (right, left), the time interval in which the corner kick is taken (1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90), the region where the ball falls in the penalty area (1 st , 2 nd , 3 rd , 4 th , 5 th , 6 th .), the player whom the ball meets in the penalty area (goalkeeper, defender, striker), the body part which contacts the ball (head, foot, hand), attack result (goal, out, corner kick, clearing the ball, goalkeeping) and the body part with which the goals are scored (head, foot). The results indicated that in FIFA 2018 World Cup competitions, the right and left corner kicks were almost evenly distributed, but unlike previous matches, the corner kicks were taken from the left between the 16 th and the 30 th minutes, and from the right between the 61 st and the 75 th minutes. Contrary to the previous World Cups, it was found that fewer corner kicks were taken by spreading the game to both wings, the time interval changed in the search for goals from corner kicks, the target area was used predominantly, and the attacking players stood out compared to the defence players, and an equal number of goals were scored with the head and foot.

The aim of this study is to investigate rs1805086 and rs1805065 polymorphisms of MSTN gene of national and amateur Turkish arm wrestlers and people leading a sedentary lifestyle, and the anthropometric properties such as hand, wrist, and forearm circumferences of national and amateur Turkish arm wrestlers are aimed to be explored. In this study, a total of 79 volunteers who were 24 national (7 females, 17 males) Turkish arm wrestlers, 21 amateur (7 females, 14 males) Turkish arm wrestlers and 34 sedentary people (12 females, 22 males) participated. To analyse the data, Statistical Package for the Social Sciences, SPSS 22 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA) was used. As a result of the study, when data on rs1805086 and rs1805065 polymorphisms of MSTN gene were examined respectively, it was found out that MSTN 153KK genotype was 100.0% dominant in both national (n=24) and amateur (n=21) arm wrestlers, and it was 94.12 % dominant in sedentary people. KR genotype was observed in 5.88 % of the sedentary people. The data from the other rs1805065 polymorphism of MSTN gene showed that all participants (n = 45, 100.0 %) were carriers of normal homozygous genotype. Furthermore, for both female group and male group, there found to be statistically significant difference in terms of anthropometric properties. It can be concluded that though there was no significant difference between national and amateur Turkish arm wrestlers in terms of their MSTN gene characteristics; in terms of anthropometric properties, significant differences were discovered. It was found out that on these athletes, not MSTN gene polymorphisms but anthropometric properties were effective.

The correct torque ratio between the knee joint extensor and flexor muscle groups can effectively prevent injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament and hamstring strain. However, it is unclear whether a high torque ratio of the knee joint flexor muscles to the extensor muscles is beneficial for sport performance. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the relationship between the hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) ratio and sprint times (10- and 30-m) and jump heights (CMJ—countermovement jump and SJ—squat jump) in soccer players. The study examined 26 young elite soccer players (age: 18.1 ± 0.7 years; body height: 1.77 ± 0.05 m; body mass: 72.7 ± 5.7 kg). Knee joint flexor and extensor peak torques were assessed using the Cybex dynamometer (at 60°/s, 120°/s and 180°/s). Additionally, each participant performed the CMJ, SJ, and 30 m sprint. A significant relationship was obtained between the H/Q ratio (60°/s) and 30 m sprint time (r = 0.47). The positive direction of this relationship may indicate an important role of knee joint extensors in sprinting performance. Moreover, the H/Q ratio was not significantly associated with the CMJ, SJ or 10 m sprint performance. The H/Q ratio should be considered together with the peak torque values in terms of the assessment of sprinting and jumping performance.