The study aimed to determine the effect of reactive agility with the FITLIGHT training system on the speed of the visual reaction time and dribbling skill of basketball players. Participants were divided into an experimental group (n = 10; age, 14.80 ± 0.79 years; height, 163.80 ± 3.46 cm; weight, 55.90 ± 0.99 kg; training, 4.50 ± 0.53 years) and a control group (n = 10; age, 14.60 ± 0.70 years; height, 163.30 ± 3.47 cm; weight, 56.10 ± 0.74 kg; training, 4.30 ± 0.48 years). Reactive agility was assessed through a modified t-test, visual reaction time was assessed using the Li Lafayette instrument Visual Reaction Time Apparatus 63014 response panel, and dribbling skills were assessed through dribbling testing. The results showed improved agility through the modified agility t-test (11%; p = 0.001), an increased speed of visual reaction time for both the right and left hands (23–31%), and improved dribbling skills (19%; p = 0.001) for the experimental group using the FITLIGHT reactive agility software. The results also showed increased skills of the experimental group when compared to the control group. Differences in variability emerged between 6 and 14.1% in favor of the experimental group. Therefore, the researchers recommended that attention should be paid to activating the role of the FITLIGHT reactive agility training to improve and develop the physical, visual, and skill capabilities of basketball players. The researchers propose that FITLIGHT can be effectively used in the basketball training process.

This article explores the research question: ‘What are ChatGPT’s human-like traits as perceived by society?’ Thematic analyses of insights from 452 individuals worldwide yielded two categories of traits. Category 1 entails social traits, where ChatGPT embodies the social roles of ‘author’ (imitating human phrasing and paraphrasing practices) and ‘interactor’ (simulating human collaboration and emotion). Category 2 encompasses political traits, with ChatGPT assuming the political roles of ‘agent’ (emulating human cognition and identity) and ‘influencer’ (mimicking human diplomacy and consultation). When asked, ChatGPT confirmed the possession of these human-like traits (except for one trait). Thus, ChatGPT displays human-like qualities, humanising itself through the ‘game of algorithms’. It transcends its inherent technical essence and machine-based origins to manifest as a ‘semi-human’ living actor within human society, showcasing the emergence of semi-humans. Therefore, researchers should redirect their attention towards the ‘sociology of semi-humans’ (studying their socio-political traits) beyond the ‘biology of semi-humans’ (examining their technical traits). While medieval society was captivated by mythical semi-human beings (e.g. mermaids), modern society finds itself increasingly captivated by computational semi-human beings like ChatGPT. Ethical concerns arise as semi-humans impersonate human traits without consent or genuine human existence, blurring the boundaries between what is authentically and artificially ‘human’.

Exercises for the core can be categorized as promoting core-stability, core-strength, or functionality, as these are crucial aspects of most sports activities. This study aimed to examine the effects of using core complex training (CCT), complex training (CT), and core exercise (CE) on some aspects of muscle strength and shooting performance in basketball players. The 36 participants were divided into three groups of 12 each, and then the experimental approach was applied to each group. The groups were labeled as follows: the core complex training group (N = 12; age, 18.58 ± 0.67 years; height, 178.08 ± 0.79 cm; weight, 76.42 ± 1.38 kg; training age, 7.42 ± 0.51 years); the complex training group (N = 12; age, 18.50 ± 0.52 years; height, 177.92 ± 1.31 cm; weight, 76.67 ± 1.78 kg; training age, 7.33 ± 0.49 years); and the core exercise group (n = 12; age, 18.42 ± 0.52 years; height, 177.75 ± 1.29 cm; weight, 76.58 ± 1.38 kg; training age, 7.42 ± 0.67 years). For ten weeks, each of the three groups participated in three training sessions every week. This study investigates the impact of core complex training on basketball shooting ability and muscle strength. The eight-week program, consisting of weight training, plyometric exercises, and core exercises, yielded improvements in muscle strength and shooting accuracy. In tests of muscular strength and basketball shooting ability, the CCT group outperformed the CE and CT groups. The F value varied from 3.75 to 58.77, which are function values with a p < 0.05 significance level. The core complex training group exhibited superior muscle strength to that of both the complex training group and the core exercise group, in some areas. This is shown in the results of the javelin quadrathlon medicine ball test, the core muscle strength and stability test, the sit-up abdomen test, the sit-up back test, the standing long jump test, the Sargent jump test, and the shooting test (p < 0.005). Due to the effect of the core complex training program on improving performance efficiency and muscle strength, which affects the results of matches, we have recommended using the proven basic strength training program at other age stages, with the objective of including the concept, importance, and design of compound basic strength training in training programs used by basketball coaches.

Introduction: The aim of this research is to identify the effect of Small-sided games using the FITLIGHT training system on some of the harmonic abilities and some of the basic skills of basketball Players.Methods: The researchers used the experimental method on 24 basketball players. They were randomly divided into two groups: one experimental (n = 12, age = 10.92 ± 0.79 years; height = 138.50 ± 2.78 cm; weight = 40.25 ± 2.01 kg) and a control group (n = 12, age = 11.17 ± 0. 72 years; length = 139.92 ± 3.53 cm; weight = 40.50 ± . 1.73 kg). The homogeneity between the two groups was calculated and showed that there were no differences between the two samples. In the research variables, the proposed program was applied for 10 weeks at the rate of 4 weekly training units.Results and Discussion: The proposed training program had a positive impact on the harmonic abilities and basic skills of basketball players and the differences in improvement rates for all variables were in favor of the experimental group. Therefore, the research suggests that Small-sided games using FITLIGHT positively affect all the variables under research. This leads to significant differences between the post-tests and benefits the experimental group.

Overproduction of date fruits with limited industrial utilization leads to huge waste and losses, especially in bisr (the first stage of date maturity). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the potential of using bisr date powder (BDP), which is rich in dietary fiber, flavonoids, and phenolic and antioxidant compounds, as a replacement for breadcrumbs in the beef burgers. The beef burger samples were produced by replacing breadcrumb powder with different concentration levels of BDP (0.0, 25, 50, 75, and 100%). All the samples were evaluated for their quality characteristics, including chemical composition, cooking properties, texture profile, organoleptic characteristics, and microbial profile. The results revealed that the gradual replacement of breadcrumbs with BDP in beef burgers significantly decreased moisture, protein, and lipid contents and significantly increased ash and carbohydrate contents compared to the control. The substitution of breadcrumbs with BDP at 50, 75, and 100% significantly decreased the cooking yield and increased the cooking loss and shrinking percentage of a beef burger. On the other hand, the textural profile of all beef burger samples showed a significant decrease in burgers’ hardness, gumminess, and chewiness with increasing substitution levels of breadcrumbs by BDP compared to the control. However, the treatment containing 25% BDP was more resilient than the control. In addition, the replacement of breadcrumbs with BDP up to 100% did not significantly affect the organoleptic properties of beef burger products compared to the control. Moreover, the microbiological analysis revealed that all beef burger treatments were safe with acceptable levels of bacterial load according to the Council of the European Communities’ standard specifications. In conclusion, there is a possibility of using BDP as a promising natural replacer of breadcrumbs to produce beef burgers without deteriorating the quality profile and safety of the product.