Mehmet Akif Ziyagil

Left-Handed Wrestlers are More Successful

It has been reported that there is a high proportion of left-handers among top athletes in different sports. In this study, the goal was to examine the rate of left-handedness in the top wrestlers at the world championships for achievement by left-handed wrestlers. The rate of left-handedness was higher in wrestlers with medal honors compared to wrestlers without medals for both men and women. The winning numbers and match degrees were higher in the left-handed wrestlers than in both right- and mixed-handed wrestlers among top international wrestlers.

Handedness and Footedness: Relations to Differences in Sprinting Speed and Multiple Sprints Performance in Prepubertal Boys

Physical performance and movement skills are differentiated by brain hemispheric dominance. Relations of handedness and footedness to differences in sprint speed and multiple sprints performances were investigated in 362 prepubertal, male, novice wrestlers. Participants with two months of irregular training experience were grouped by hand and foot preferences and matched on age and anthropometry. Mean running speed was associated with the number of sprints and handedness, but not with footedness. The decrease in sprint speed was less for right-handed subjects, who also had better sprinting speed and multiple sprint performance. Symmetrical arm and leg strength development for left-handers should be emphasized.

The relation of physical activity to physical and mental health level in adolescents

Aim: The promotion and increasing participation of physical and sports activities at high schools can play an active role in increasing the health and academic achievement of young people. This study aims to investigate the effects of regular physical activity on physical and mental health in male and female high school students. Material and Methods: Data were collected from 1350 high school students. Short form- health scale (SF- 12) were used for physical health scores (PHS) and mental health scores (MHS). A physical activity stage of change questionnaire was used for activity level. Results: Results of this study showed that the percentages of physical activity level were 41.6 % for male and 27.72% for females. There were significant differences in the means of MHS and PHS depending on physical activity level in male and females. Significant differences were only observed in the means of age, body height in females not male. PHS and MHS were more significantly correlated with physical activity levels in females than male. Conclusion: An inactive life style of high school students leads to lower their health scores. So, regular physical activity is a need to enhance and maintain PHS and MHS.