R. Razman

Spotlight on Athletes With a Disability: Malaysian Newspaper Coverage of the 2012 London Paralympic Games

This study analyzed newspaper coverage of the 2012 London Paralympic Games by 8 Malaysian newspapers. Articles and photographs from 4 English-language and 4 Malay-language newspapers were examined from August 28 (1 day before the Games) to September 10, 2012 (1 day after the Games closing). Tables, graphs, letters, fact boxes, and lists of events were excluded from analysis. A total of 132 articles and 131 photographs were analyzed. Content analysis of the newspaper articles revealed that most (62.8%) of the articles contained positive reference to the athletes with a disability. There were equal numbers (39.1%) of action and static shots of athletes. More articles and photographs of Malaysian (58%) than non-Malaysian (42%) athletes with a disability were identified. Only 14.9% of the articles and photographs were related to female athletes with a disability.

ANTHROPOMETRIC AND STRENGTH CHARACTERISTICS OF TENPIN BOWLERS WITH DIFFERENT PLAYING ABILITIES

The primary purpose of this study was to investigate the strength and anthropometric characteristics of elite and semi-elite tenpin bowlers as compared to non-bowlers, and to establish whether it was possible to discriminate playing level through selected predictor variables. Elite and semi-elite bowlers were distinguished by their bowling score average (BSave), with participants scoring 200 pin falls and above assigned to the elite group. Eighteen elite bowlers (M=10, F=8; BSave 213.2±6.80), 12 semi-elite bowlers (M=7, F=5; BSave 181.3±9.36) and 33 sedentary university students (M=14, F=19) were recruited. Anthropometric measurements were taken and isometric arm strength was recorded. Between-group differences were identified through a two-way ANOVA, while discriminant analysis was used to predict group membership. For anthropometric characteristics, the results indicated that the elite bowlers were heavier, had longer lower leg and hand length and had a wider arm span as compared to the non-bowlers. The elite group also had stronger forearm/wrist internal rotation compared to non-bowlers. In addition, the male elite group were stronger than the non-bowling group for arm flexion. There appeared to be a 54% success rate for predicting group membership from selected anthropometric and strength discriminating variables, with forearm/wrist internal rotation strength being the best discriminating variable. It is suggested that coaches should benefit by selecting larger built bowlers with long limbs. Furthermore, bowlers could potentially gain by paying extra attention to increasing the strength levels of forearm/wrist internal rotators and arm flexors during training. These findings also provide normative data for elite and semi-elite bowlers.

Temporal Characteristics of the Final Delivery Phase and Its Relation to Tenpin Bowling Performance

Spatial and temporal variability in the execution of skills has been analyzed in many sports. An expert performer is commonly referred to as being more consistent in the execution of skills compared to a novice. The purpose of this study was to analyze temporal characteristics and variability of the final delivery phase and examine how it is related to bowling level and performance. Two level of bowlers were used in this study - 18 elite (Male=10, Female=8; B ave 213.2±6.80; BR vel 17.66±0.85mph) and 12 semi-elite bowlers (Male=7, Female=5; B ave 181.3±9.36; BR vel 16.90±1.46mph). The final delivery phase consisted of three major events which were the arm swing, front foot slide and ball release. The temporal variable that was measured was execution time and the between-trial temporal variability, while average bowling score and ball release velocity represented the performance criteria. In general, the results indicate that the temporal characteristic between the two groups were quite similar, but in terms of relationship to bowling performance, front foot slide time was correlated with bowling average. Variability wise, the elite group was less consistent in front foot slide execution time. There were no significant differences or correlations for the other variables. It was concluded that lower temporal variability was not indicative of higher playing level or better bowling performance.

Comparison of Vertical Jump Height Using the Force Platform and the Vertec

Vertical jump height is often being measured in many ways to evaluate the ability of an individual to jump, and to provide an estimation of lower limb muscle power. The various jump tests and apparatus each have their advantages and disadvantages. The main purpose of this study was to compare and explore the relationship between the two more popular test apparatus - the force platform and the Vertec. Sixty-nine university students, 32 females and 37 males between the ages of 20 to 23 (M age 22.01±0.66 years) were recruited to participate in this study. They were required to perform countermovement jumps on the force platform and using the Vertec. Both jump tests were run on the same day, with a 10-minute interval between tests. Results showed that the jump height values obtained from the force platform were significantly lower compared to jumping with the Vertec. The mean jump height for the force platform was 0.36m ±0.094 and for the Vertec was 0.55m ±0.120 respectively. Although the mean jump height differs significantly, both the force platform and Vertec displayed a significant correlation (r=0.826, p<0.01). It was concluded that both devices are suitable to be used to measure jump height because those who obtained a high jump height at the Vertec also obtained a high value of jump height on the force platform. An important difference between both devices was the presence of a target of achievement for the Vertec.

Ball height during backswing and its influence on tenpin bowling performance

In tenpin bowling, it is common for coaches to suggest that bowlers display a higher backswing in order to generate higher peak ball velocity during swing (PBvel). This stems from the assumption that the swing is akin to a pendulum, whereby the speed of the ball is dependent on the potential energy gained from its starting height. The primary objective of this study was to ascertain whether maximum ball height (BHNorm) during backswing is related to PBvel or bowling score average (BSave). The study also compared BHNorm between elite and backup bowlers. Participants were assigned into two groups based on their BSave over three tournaments, with those averaging above 200 pin falls placed in the elite group. There were 18 elite (M=10, F=8; BSave 213±7) and 12 backup bowlers (M=7, F=5; BSave 181±9). Ball height and velocity data were derived from Kwon3D system utilising four 100 Hz cameras. BHNorm was the vertical distance between the maximum ball height during backswing and the lowest point during swing, normalised to subjects height. PBvel was the maximum linear forward velocity of the ball near release. Participants aimed for a strike at each of the four trials, the mean scores were used. In terms of relationship to bowling performance, BHNorm had no significant (p<0.05) relationship to BSave (r=0.00) and PBvel (r=0.01). Comparisons of BHNorm between the elite and backup group also yielded no significant differences. Contrary to the popular notion that raising the ball higher will lead to higher release velocity, the height a ball is raised during backswing does not seem to correspond with higher ball speeds, nor does it relate to better bowling scores. The latter is supported by the fact that there was no significant difference in BHNorm between the different level bowlers. It can be suggested that the ball height during backswing is more of a choice of individual preference rather than the need to generate more ball speed.