The aim of this study was to investigate the possible kinematic and muscular activity changes with maximal loading during squat maneuver. Fourteen healthy male individuals, who were experienced at performing squats, participated in this study. Each subject performed squats with 80%, 90%, and 100% of the previously established 1 repetition maximum (1RM). Electromyographic (EMG) activities were measured for the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, rectus femoris, semitendinosus, biceps femoris, gluteus maximus, and erector spinae by using an 8-channel dual-mode portable EMG and physiological signal data acquisition system (Myomonitor IV, Delsys Inc., Boston, MA, USA). Kinematical data were analyzed by using saSuite 2D kinematical analysis program. Data were analyzed with repeated measures analysis of variance (p<0.05). Overall muscle activities increased with increasing loads, but significant increases were seen only for vastus medialis and gluteus maximus during 90% and 100% of 1RM compared to 80% while there was no significant difference between 90% and 100% for any muscle. The movement pattern in the hip joint changed with an increase in forward lean during maximal loading. Results may suggest that maximal loading during squat may not be necessary for focusing on knee extensor improvement and may increase the lumbar injury risk.

Football is a complex game that requires combined technical, tactical, and psychological skills. The effect of training methods on players is crucial to improve their performance significantly. Different training methods can improve certain performance; however, the effect of combined training methodologies has not been sufficiently investigated. This study aimed to investigate the differential effects of small-sided games (SSGs), strength training (ST), and a combined training model (CTM) on the physical performance of soccer players. In this study, we analyzed 60 players in three groups. Two groups were trained independently with two single-training methods, small-sided games and a strength training model, and one group was trained independently with a double-training method, a combination of single-training methods. Before each training session, each group was given theoretical education specific to the training program they would perform. Eighteen physical measurements of the players were obtained using sensitive devices before and after they were completed. Four tree-based machine learning models, decision tree, random forest, gradient boosting, and extreme gradient boosting, were applied to solve the complex pattern of training strategies using the measurements. Extensive and comparative experiments were conducted to distinguish the groups of players. The distinction between the initial and final measurements was analyzed separately, and the extreme gradient boosting model achieved 0.73–0.80 and 1.00 accuracy for initial and final tests by outperforming other models. A superior model, XGBoost, was used to analyze the effective decisive factors that improved after the training sessions. The results showed that players in the double-training group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in skill performance compared to both single-training groups. In contrast, the skill gains observed in the single-training groups were modest and partially overlapping, indicating limited differentiation between them. These results suggest that integrated training programs may offer more comprehensive benefits and can inform evidence-based decision-making for coaches seeking to optimize physical development in soccer players.

Background and Objectives: The use of anabolic–androgenic steroids (AASs) by competitive and recreational athletes has been studied and well documented. There are numerous studies showing its effects on personality traits and risky behaviors like aggression. The relationship between AAS use, aggression, and narcissism is complex and intricate. We examined this relationship in male bodybuilders who use AASs. Materials and Methods: A total of 319 healthy subjects aged 18–44 years (33.4 ± 9.4) who have been regularly training at bodybuilding for at least 3 years participated voluntarily in the study and completed a demographic data inventory, the Five-Factor Narcissism Inventory Short Form (FFNI-SF), and the Buss–Perry Aggression Scale anonymously. Demographic data were given as percentages, comparisons of aggression and narcissism scores according to AAS use were performed by using an independent sample t test, and effects of narcissism and aggression levels on AAS use was assessed by using logistic regression analysis. All analyses were performed by using SPSS Statistics 22.0. Results: Results showed that AAS users had significantly higher scores on the overall FFNI-SF Scale (p < 0.001) and all sub-dimensions of narcissism (p < 0.001) and on the overall Buss–Perry Aggression Scale (p < 0.001) and all sub-dimensions of aggression (p < 0.001). It was also shown that there were significant and positive correlations between the FFNI-SF overall score (p < 0.001) and both the vulnerable narcissism and grandiose narcissism sub-dimensions (p < 0.001) and the scores of the Buss–Perry Aggression Scale (p < 0.001), physical aggression (p < 0.001), anger (p < 0.001), hostility (p < 0.001), and verbal aggression (p < 0.001) sub-dimensions. Conclusions: These results show a strong relation between AAS use, narcissism, and aggression in bodybuilders. However, it is not clear whether AAS use leads to aggression and narcissism or whether narcissistic and/or aggressive people tend to use AASs. Furthermore, including a lot of potential third variables shows that it does not have to be either one or the other way around. There is a need to conduct future studies to determine this causality.

Adolescent,athletes,nutritional supplements,motivation

This study was conducted to determine whether the psychological flexibility and state anxiety levels of individuals who exercise regularly differ from those of sedentary individuals and to determine whether exercise has a mediating role on psychological flexibility and state anxiety levels. The participants of the study, which was conducted using the causal comparison model, consisted of 100 people aged 18 years and over who exercised regularly, selected by purposive sampling method, and the sedentary group consisted of 100 people aged 18 years and over who had no exercise history, selected by random sampling method. Personal information form, Beck Anxiety Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used in the study. The findings of the study show that there is a significant difference between the anxiety levels of regular exercisers and sedentary individuals. Another result of the study is that there is a significant negative relationship between both anxiety and state anxiety levels and psychological flexibility levels of participants who exercise regularly. In addition, it was determined that the total scores of the Psychological Flexibility Scale predicted the Beck Anxiety Scale and State Anxiety Inventory scores statistically significantly and negatively in individuals who exercised regularly. As a result, it can be said that regular exercise may positively affect psychological flexibility and may be a factor that reduces both state and general anxiety levels

This study was conducted to determine whether the psychological flexibility and state anxiety levels of individuals who exercise regularly differ from those of sedentary individuals and to determine whether exercise has a mediating role on psychological flexibility and state anxiety levels. The participants of the study, which was conducted using the causal comparison model, consisted of 100 people aged 18 years and over who exercised regularly, selected by purposive sampling method, and the sedentary group consisted of 100 people aged 18 years and over who had no exercise history, selected by random sampling method. Personal information form, Beck Anxiety Inventory and State-Trait Anxiety Inventory were used in the study. The findings of the study show that there is a significant difference between the anxiety levels of regular exercisers and sedentary individuals. Another result of the study is that there is a significant negative relationship between both anxiety and state anxiety levels and psychological flexibility levels of participants who exercise regularly. In addition, it was determined that the total scores of the Psychological Flexibility Scale predicted the Beck Anxiety Scale and State Anxiety Inventory scores statistically significantly and negatively in individuals who exercised regularly. As a result, it can be said that regular exercise may positively affect psychological flexibility and may be a factor that reduces both state and general anxiety levels.