Nagoor Meera Abdullah

Motives of Outdoor Recreational Activities

Outdoor recreation involves voluntary participation in free-time activity, occurs in outdoors and embraces the interaction of people with the natural environment. A few researches have indicated that taking part in outdoor recreational activities can enhance a person’s quality of life in psychological well-being. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the quality of psychological well-being obtained by athletes by taking part in outdoor recreational activities. Besides that, the present study also will identify types of outdoor recreational activities participated by the athletes. Psychological Well-being of Outdoor Questionnaire (PWOQ), which contains 20 items, was used to collect the data. Five psychological well-being factors were derived from the questionnaire. They are personal satisfaction and enjoyment, socialization, positive attitude, aesthetics and sensation seeking. 98 athletes from Universiti Teknologi MARA were randomly chosen to take part in this study. Overall, the athletes are pursuing their degree courses and aged between 19 and 22 years. Based on gender, the male (N = 53) and female (N = 45) respondents took part voluntarily in this study. The highest psychological well-being obtained by the participants in outdoor activities was socialization (M = 3.73), followed by personal satisfaction and enjoyment (M = 3.65), positive attitude (M = 3.38), aesthetics (M = 3.17) and sensation seeking (M = 3.10). Male respondents were higher than the female respondents in personal satisfaction and enjoyment (t = 2.51, p 0.05) and positive attitude (t = 1.33, p > 0.05). The results revealed that the outdoor activity designers should emphasize on the outdoor activities for socialization environment.

The assessment of gross motor skills development among down syndrome children in Klang Valley

Gross motor skills is one of the precursors for successful involvement in any sports and physical activities performance. This study investigated the gross motor skills development among Down syndrome children in Klang Valley. 30 children (16 boys and 14 girls) participated in this study with the age range from 3–10 years old. They were assessed on locomotor and object control skills. It includes running, galloping, hoping, leaping, horizontal jumping, and sliding, striking, dribbling, kicking, catching, throwing and underhand roll. 10.0% of the children scored Above Average on the ratings, 30.0% Average, 23.3% Below Average, 20% Poor and 16.67% Very Poor. The mean score for boys on locomotor skills was 5.8 (SD 3.8) while for girls 6.3 (SD 2.8). The mean score for boys on object control skills was 9.6 (SD 3.5) while for the girls 9.5 (SD 3.93). There was no significant difference between boys and girls in locomotor skills. Results for object control skills also showed no significant different between boys and girls. The result shows that there was positive relationship between locomotor skills and object control skills among boys and girl. Suitable intervention strategies have to be implemented to improve the gross motor skills development among the participants.

Level of Cognitive and Somatic Anxiety on Performance of University Kebangsaan Malaysia Athletes

The main purpose of this study was to examine the levels of anxiety of somatic and cognitive among student-athletes. The participants of this study were recruited from University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The instrument used for the study comprised of a 27-item Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 and Sport Performance Questionnaire (SPQ), which had been distributed during MASUM (sport between Universities) competition to the student-athletes. The participants of this study were recruited from University Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). The sample consisted of 106 athletes, with national athletes (N = 33), state athletes (N = 35), university athletes (N = 21), and district athletes (N = 17). The results showed that elite or national athletes exhibited lower levels of somatic and cognitive anxiety than non-elite athletes. The result also showed that there exits negative correlation between cognitive anxiety and sport performance, and somatic anxiety and sport performance. Sport psychologists, sport counselors, and coaches should use the present findings to recommend coping strategies to university- and district-level athletes that are appropriate for dealing with their athletes’ cognitive and somatic anxiety.

The reliability of the general sporting ability (GSA) protocols to identify sports talent among persons with blind and visually-impaired in Klang valley, Malaysia

The purpose of the study is to investigate the reliability of the general sporting ability (GSA) protocols to identify sports talent among persons with blind and visually-impaired and also aimed to examine the differences in general ability among persons with blind and visually-impaired on selected general sporting ability protocols in Klang Valley, Malaysia. 77 persons with blind and visually-impaired (33 male and 44 female) from special school for the blind, Kuala Lumpur participated the study and been choose through purposive sampling. Subjects went through test-retest method of 19 general sporting ability protocols. The study was analyzed used SPSS version 19. Intra-class Correlation (ICC) had been used to test the reliability of the test-retest for each protocol. Independent t-test was used to compare the differences in general sporting ability among persons with blind and visual impaired (totally and partially blind) on general sporting ability protocols in Klang Valley, Malaysia. According to the result, ICC showed more than 0.70. So, there are a strong correlation between test and retest result. There are significant difference between blind and the visually-impaired group based on the test protocols. There are need to create several appropriate tests to identify the ability especially for the blind group.

Effective Drug Policy on Athletes

The rationale for an antidrug policy in sports concern on legal consideration, ethical issues related with cheating and creating an unfair performance, and medical problems. The aim of this research was to evaluate the best policy to curb drug usage among athletes. The sample consisted of 127 athletes, with national (N = 54), state (N = 35), district (N = 21), and university ranking athletes (N = 17). The sample was chosen from Universiti Teknologi MARA, Malaysia. A 20-item questionnaire called drug policy for athletes was used. The factors which derived from the questionnaire were punishable by fines, punishable by imprisonment, banned for one to three years, and banned for life and rehabilitation. The results showed that the most effective drug policy to prevent drug usage among athletes was banned for life (mean = 4.51), followed by punishable by imprisonment (mean = 4.16), banned for one to three years (mean = 3.95), and punishable by fines (mean = 3.10). Athletes indicated rehabilitation as the least effective policy on combat drugs. Apparently, significant differences emerged for the athletes having different skills at sports except for rehabilitation. In order to implement drug policy through sanction process, drug testing should carry on at the major sport events such as Majlis Sukan Universiti Malaysia (MASUM), Sukan Malaysia (SUKMA), and Majlis Sukan Sekolah Malaysia (MSSM). Drug testing can be a particularly powerful behavioral controller when the threat of dismissal or some other serious penalty accompanies a positive drug test.

The Differences in Physical Fitness Levels Between Hearing and Visually Impaired Students

The purpose of the study is to identify the differences of fitness profile between students with hearing impairment and students with visual impairment at secondary schools. A number of 62 subjects from two types of disabilities with 30 students who have hearing impairment (male = 21; female = 9) and 32 students with visual impairment (male = 18; female = 14) voluntarily participated in the study. A fitness profile was determined to identify the fitness level between two types of disabilities. Seven fitness tests were conducted on both groups such as 1600-m run test, 10-m agility run test, standing broad jump test, vertical jump test, handgrip strength test, sit and reach test, and sit-up test. The findings showed that students who are visually impaired performed better in sit-up test (36.50 ± 11.02), 1600-m run test (11.53 ± 2.26), and sit and reach test (31.09 ± 5.04) and students with hearing impairment performed better in handgrip strength test (right hand 29.27 ± 10.57) (left hand 27.48 ± 9.55), standing broad jump test (176.03 ± 43.26), and vertical jump test (40.00 ± 12.81) but with both groups showed similar strength in agility test. There was a significant difference in the sit-up test between two groups (0.0000, p ˃ 0.05), whereas other tests did not show much difference.

Predicting the Physical Fitness Level Among Students with Hearing Impairment

Physical fitness is defined as his or her ability to perform in physical activities without fatigue. Children with disabilities including with hearing impairment indicate lower physical fitness than their hearing peers and place them at risk for non-communicable diseases (NCD). Deafness or hearing impairment is referred as sensory disability with hearing loss exceeding than 55 dB. Almost children indicated hearing impairment have demonstrated lower physical fitness levels than their hearing peers. The objective of the study is to compare between physical fitness levels and gender among students with hearing impairment. The demographic data consist of age group, gender, health status concerning the diseases, and physical fitness of health-related and skill-related fitness using the convenient sampling. The total of hearing impairment students from a primary and a secondary school is n = 170 (males 122, females 48). Demographic data were collected by questionnaire. Physical fitness test batteries carried out 10-m shuttle run, standing vertical jump, sit-ups, handgrip strength, sit-and-reach test, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Significant differences were found in body composition, sit-and-reach vertical jump, and handgrip strength between age–gender groups. In evaluation of health-related fitness, males are better in primary school compared to females in the same age. However, females performed better than males in fitness variable of flexibility, abdominal strength, and endurance in secondary school. In cardiovascular endurance, females achieve higher result than males. Meanwhile, skill-related fitness in agility, females are significantly better than males in both schools, while in muscle leg power and handgrip strength, the findings illustrate that males were significantly greater than females in both age groups. The findings in terms of physical fitness revealed variations in body composition, flexibility, cardiovascular function, and muscle power between the two groups. The findings of this study may enhance the identification of fitness level of hearing impairment children which may improve health outcomes in children.

The Effects of Rahim Training Model on Psychological Performance Among Malaysian Junior Tennis Players

This study investigated the effects of RAHIM Training Model as an intervention program on psychological performance among Malaysian junior tennis players. Twenty four (n = 24) nationally ranked junior tennis players between the age of 12–16 years old (18 males and 6 females, mean age 14.29 ± 1.65 years) were selected using purposive sampling method and were equally divided into training and control groups. The training group performed 4 sessions of intervention every week for eight weeks while control group performed a normal training sessions and match play for the same frequency and duration. All participants completed a 42 items Psychological Performance Inventory (PPI) Questionnaire one day before and after the intervention. The results of independent t-test analysis proved that most of the psychological performance variables showed significant difference between the training and the control groups after the intervention program. Therefore, it validates the positive effect of the RAHIM Training Model in enhancing the psychological performance of junior tennis players. The training group showed higher improvement results which dictate the optimistic effect of intervention training program developed in this study. Based on this study, RAHIM Training Model can be used as guideline for Malaysian coaches to formulate a more structured and effective training program.

Attitude and Perceived Constraints Towards Physical Activity Among Gender in Alor Setar, Kedah

This study aims to identify attitudes among adults on physical activity and also identify key constraints in physical activity among gender in Alor Setar, Kedah. The study was conducted in Pekan Rabu and Star Parade Shopping Mall on 151 adult male and 237 female adults between the ages of 25–59 years. Data were collected using administered questionnaire, which adapted from Kenyon Attitude Towards Physical Activity Questionnaire [13] and the Perceived Constraints to Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire [14] . Results showed respondents had high attitude towards physical activity (M = 3.68, SD = 0.35), and they also perceived high constraints in participating physical activity (M = 3.67, SD = 0.87). Data also showed significant differences for gender on attitude for catharsis domain (t = 1.11, p < 0.02) and ascetic experience domain (t = 2.23, p < 0.03), as well as partners domain in the perceived constraints (t = 2.31, p < 0.02). Most respondents have positive attitude and believe that physical activity helps to improve their health and fitness. They also reported that they are busy with their family and friends; therefore, they do not have enough time to do physical activity sufficiently. In conclusion, even if they have a good attitude towards physical activity, but because they still perceived a lot of constraints, then, participation in physical activity became low. To encourage continuing participation, certain aspects need to be addressed by the parties through providing activities, programmes, places and guideline that can be used either in the home or workplace in connection to physical activity participation.

Inclusive Outdoor Recreation: Transformation of the Social Acceptance and Outdoor Experience of Person with Disabilities

This paper aims to give persons with and without disabilities an opportunity to share their experiences in an inclusive outdoor recreation (IOR) program, thus to expand the knowledge of understanding their emotion and identifying the outcomes. This study employed a qualitative design to respective sample n: 20 with disabled and n: 10 without disabled people in inclusionary outdoor programs. People without disabilities transform their social communications and developed better perceptive toward IOR program. Persons with disabilities have been positively accepted by the society and this increased their personal growth.