Betul Sekendiz

Effects of Swiss-Ball Core Strength Training on Strength, Endurance, Flexibility, and Balance in Sedentary Women

Sekendiz, B, Cuğ, M, and Korkusuz, F. Effects of Swiss-ball core strength training on strength, endurance, flexibility, and balance in sedentary women. J Strength Cond Res 24(11): 3032-3040, 2010-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of Swiss-ball core strength training on trunk extensor (abdominal)/flexor (lower back) and lower limb extensor (quadriceps)/flexor (hamstring) muscular strength, abdominal, lower back and leg endurance, flexibility and dynamic balance in sedentary women (n = 21; age = 34 ± 8.09; height = 1.63 ± 6.91 cm; weight = 64 ± 8.69 kg) trained for 45 minutes, 3 d·wk−1 for 12 weeks. Results of multivariate analysis revealed significant difference (p ≤ 0.05) between pre and postmeasures of 60 and 90° s−1 trunk flexion/extension, 60 and 240° s−1 lower limb flexion/extension (Biodex Isokinetic Dynamometer), abdominal endurance (curl-up test), lower back muscular endurance (modified Sorensen test), lower limb endurance (repetitive squat test), lower back flexibility (sit and reach test), and dynamic balance (functional reach test). The results support the fact that Swiss-ball core strength training exercises can be used to provide improvement in the aforementioned measures in sedentary women. In conclusion, this study provides practical implications for sedentary individuals, physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists who can benefit from core strength training with Swiss balls.

Use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs) in managing risk and liability in health/fitness facilities

Health/fitness facilities are considered higher risk sites for sudden cardiac arrest (SCA), however, no legislation or industry standards in Australia mandate the use of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). In this light, the purpose of this study was three-pronged. The main purpose of the study was to outline the health/fitness industry standards in the USA in relation to the use of AEDs. The second purpose was to demonstrate the possible consequences of a failure to meet the industry standards requiring the use of AEDs. The third purpose was to show the possible impact of Good Samaritan type legislation in Australia as supporting the deployment of AEDs in the local industry without fear of legal liability. The conclusions of this paper suggest that standard setting organisations in the fitness industry and the local governments should work in collaboration to increase awareness about the life-saving benefits of AEDs and the immunity protection granted by Good Samaritan laws that can have a positive impact on the wide spread use of AEDs in health/fitness facilities.

Cardiac Emergency Preparedness in Health/Fitness Facilities in Australia

Abstract Background: Health/fitness facilities are popular venues for physical activity, where increasingly more individuals at risk of cardiovascular events exercise to achieve positive health outcomes. The aim of our study was to analyze cardiac emergency preparedness in health/fitness facilities in Queensland, Australia. Design: Cross-sectional survey of health/fitness facilities in Queensland. Methods: A risk management questionnaire was administered over 7 months, July 2009 to January 2010, using an online or paper-based version. The data are presented as the proportion of survey respondents giving specific responses to questionnaire items related to cardiac emergency preparedness, especially the provision of automated external defibrillators (AEDs). Results: Fifty-two health/fitness facility managers responded to the survey. Most of the surveyed facilities conducted pre-activity screening (92%). Of those with a written emergency plan (79%), only 37% physically rehearsed their emergency response systems at regular intervals. Ninety-five percent of the facilities had fitness employees with a current first aid/cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate and training. Of the 10 (19%) facilities with an on-site AED, only 6 had staff qualified to use the AED in an emergency, and only 6 had the AED as part of a public access defibrillator program. Conclusion: This is the first study to report that cardiac emergency preparedness is not optimal in the health/fitness facilities in Australia. Development of policies and procedures for training health/fitness professionals in emergency procedures is needed to minimize the risk when exercise-induced cardiac events occur at health/fitness facilities.

EQUIPMENT AND ENVIRONMENT OF FITNESS FACILITIES: THE PERSPECTIVE OF FITNESS INDUSTRY EMPLOYEES

Background Fitness facilities provide an avenue for people to engage in physical activity, however it is important that these facilities do all in their power to reduce the likelihood of injuries occurring. The attitudes and practices of those employed in the fitness industry with respect to risk management are important for implementation of injury prevention measures, as are risk management procedures currently in place. Objective To identify views of the fitness industry employees about injury risks and hazards associated with equipment and training environments within fitness facilities and their risk management and hazard identification practices in relation to them. Design A 6-week nationwide online survey. Setting Australia-wide fitness industry. Participants 1 178 adults across Australia who own, manage or work in the fitness industry. Main outcome measurements Responses to 6-point Likert scale questions. Results 79.1% of survey respondents held the safety of the fitness premises in high importance, and 80.2% stated that the location and condition of their facility (access, lighting, floor surfaces etc.) was very/extremely safe. The layout of equipment in the facility was very/extremely good in 61.9% of cases, and fitness equipment maintenance was reported to have been conducted frequently by 68.5% of the respondents. Fitness employees frequently observed hazardous conditions of the exercise areas with respect to objects lying around (43.8% of cases), equipment misuse (41.9% of cases), and facility users lifting weights that were considered too heavy (47.8% of cases). Conclusion The findings suggest that facility users should be provided with further education regarding their physical activity programs and behaviours that could reduce injury risk, and that guidelines for using the facility should be made more obvious. The findings also indicate that fitness industry employees should be given risk management training, and that in facilities where hazards were observed and hazardous practices are engaged in, that risk analysis and management protocols need to be implemented.

Utilisation of Formative Peer-Assessment in Distance Online Education: A Case Study of A Multi-Model Sport Management Unit.

ABSTRACT Higher education system has been globally evolving over time with the development of courses that offer distance online models of delivery to meet the changing needs of students in an era of technology-driven transformation. However, one of the biggest challenges of distance online education has been higher attrition rates mostly due to difficulties in engaging the students in the learning process adequately. In this regard, peer-assessment has been recommended in the literature as an interactive method to optimise student engagement and learning in collaborative environments. This study demonstrates how formative peer-assessment was utilised in an online multi-model sport management unit to enhance engaged learning outcomes.

A comprehensive observational audit tool for use in Australian fitness facilities

ABSTRACT A purposely designed observational audit tool (OAT) was developed following review of literature and international standards/guidelines for fitness facilities. The OAT was trialled to assess the physical environment of a sample of fitness facilities and determine its inter-rater reliability. Ten Victorian fitness facilities were visited to test the tools inter-rater reliability, then 22 metropolitan and regional facilities in Victoria ranging in size and type were audited. A high degree of reliability was found (inter-rater reliability κ = 0.659 (p < 0.005); 95% CI (0.633, 0.685)); intra-class correlation = 0.985 (F474,948 = 67.226, p < 0.005, 95% CI (0.983, 0.987)). On average, facilities were colder and darker than international standards/guidelines specified. Distances around cardiovascular equipment varied between facilities. Free equipment was observed lying on floors in 66% (n = 21) of facilities. Twenty-seven facilities had signs instructing users to replace weights after use (66%). Only 19 (59%) facilities enforced towel use; however, 94% (n = 30) had disinfectant stations. The auditing of fitness facilities indicates more should be done at facilities to reduce injury risk.