Sport Physiology and Management Investigations
Year:2019 | Volume:11 | Issue:1 |Papers Count:13

An attractive atmosphere is one of the most important motivations of spectators to attend a sport event. The aim of this study was to identify the most important formative indicators of atmosphere in football stadiums with marketing approach which was conducted with the qualitative method. So, after the literature review, semi-structured and deep qualitative interviews with elites were carried out. Interviews continued until theoretical saturation and identification of all indicators (N=15). Totally, 194 formative indicators of atmosphere in football stadiums were identified and categorized in 6 main factors: factors related to advertising activities (with two items: media and statements and celebrations), factors related to stadium (with two items: physical facilities of stadium and stadium architecture), factors related to event (with two items: event attributes and players and coaches), factors related to event organizer (with two items: stadium entertainment programs and event management), factors related to society (with two items: club position in society and football position in society) and factors related to spectators. The proposed conceptual framework in this study can be used as guidance to the activity of marketers and sport event managers and future research.

Increasing the anaerobic threshold reduces lactate accumulation, postpones fatigue and improves exercise performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of acute L-carnitine supplementation on the anaerobic threshold during maximum activity in collegiate runners. For this purpose, 12 trained collegiate runners participated voluntarily in this study (exercise experience: at least 3 years, mean age: 23. 33 ± 2. 93 years, weight: 66. 00 ± 7. 21 kg, height: 176. 00 ± 6. 49 cm, body mass index 21. 27 ± 1. 35 kg/m2). The subjects were divided randomly into two groups: placebo and supplement. The study design was crossover and double-blind. Subjects in supplement group received 2g of L-carnitine while the control group received placebo 90 minutes before the exercise protocol. Blood samples were collected before and after the CONCONI protocol to measure blood lactate changes. The gas analyzer was used to estimate the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and heart rate deflection point. After a 7-day period, the position of the two groups changed, and the previous steps were repeated again. One-way ANOVA and LSD post hoc test were used to analyze the data at a significance level less than 0. 05. The results of this study showed that L-carnitine supplementation significantly improved the running time (P=0. 001), the distance traveled until the anaerobic threshold (P=0. 001), respiratory exchange ratio (P=0. 001), and lactate accumulation (P=0. 001) compared with the placebo group. But, it had no significant effect on delaying the heart rate deflection point at higher speeds (P=0. 173). According to these results, it can be concluded that acute L-carnitine supplementation delays fatigue and improves the performance of runners.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of mass media in the development of attitudes, culture and institutionalization of public sport in Tehran and provide solutions to the media. The method of present research was survey, in terms of goal, application development, and a field study conducted to collect data. The study population consisted of 100 people, including sport experts and media whom their points used in researcher-made questionnaire. Descriptive statistics was used to describe data, and to search for hypotheses to be meaningful inferential statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov tests, Confirmatory factor analysis, Friedman and binomial were conducted. From experts’ point of view, indicators of visual media (public sports-themed TV series, TV sports programs on public sport, special public sport News on TV, broadcast educational public sport teaser on TV, play educational subtitle of public sport on TV, broadcast educational animated movies on public sport on TV, Satellite sports programs on public sport), audio media (Sports Radio and other State radio networks), print media (sports press, other press, scientific-sports books, scientific-sports posters, published brochure on public sport, install billboards on public sport, writing short educational sentences on public sports on buses, writing short educational sentences on public sports in the subway), virtual media (sports web sites and sites, other web sites, News, social networks, sports blog), art media (public sports-themed movies, sports-themed theater) are effective in the development of attitudes, culture and institutionalization of public sport in Tehran Metropolis.

The main problem in both developed and undeveloped countries in the public health sector is physical inactivity. On the other hand, FIFA research results provide compelling reasons for promoting soccer as an exercise that has improved health as well as social behavior. The present study intended to investigate the effect of 6 weeks of SSGs on some health indicators and telomere length in men aged between 35 and 41. In this semi-experimental study, the statistical population consisted of men aged between 35 and 41 in 2 groups: control (n=8) and experimental (n=10). The subjects played soccer according to the exercise protocol for six weeks, two 45-minute sessions per week. To check the intergroup data, independent sample t test was used and paired sample t test with SPSS 25 was applied for within-group data at significance level of P<0. 05. Real Time PCR was used to measure the telomere length; the fat percentage was measured by the caliper and the VO2max by the Rockport Field Test. The results indicated that there was a significant change in the fat percentage and VO2max following 6 weeks of SSGs while no significant changes were observed in the BMI, telomere length and weight. It can be cautiously concluded that 6 weeks of SSGs improves health in men aged between 35 and 41 by affecting their fat percentage and VO2max and does not have an effect on their telomere length.

The aim of this study was to design an organizational entrepreneurship model in the Ministry of Sport and Youth of the Islamic Republic of Iran. Organizational strategy and structure (the internal organizational factors affecting entrepreneurship) were considered as the predicting variables and the psychological empowerment was considered as the mediator factor. The statistical population included all experts and managers of the Ministry of Sport and Youth (N=430) and 203 subjects were selected as the samples by stratified random sampling method. To assess internal organizational factors and organizational entrepreneurship, Haghshenas questionnaire (reliability =0. 87) and to assess psychological empowerment of employees, Spritzer questionnaire (reliability coefficient=0. 81, 12 items) were used. For the analysis of data, statistical methods including one-sample t test and path analysis were used. Finally, the LISREL software was used to design the model. The results showed that the levels of structure, strategy, organizational entrepreneurship and psychological empowerment were less than average. Also, there was a positive and significant relationship between each of the internal organizational factors and the organizational entrepreneurship and psychological empowerment. The model of their relationship had a good fit. These results indicate that the Ministry of Sport and Youth lack the entrepreneurial structure and strategy.

Ischemia increases the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and oxidative stress which leads to cellular damage, either through directly affecting membrane and proteins or indirectly stimulating apoptotic pathways. One of the plants with anti-oxidative effect is Jujube, which can decrease the production of free radicals. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of interval aerobic training and Jujube extract on apoptotic factors in rats with myocardial infarction. In this experimental study, 36 male wistar rats which received myocardial infarction with cardiac ischemia induced by subcutaneous injection of Isoprenaline were selected. The rats were then randomly assigned to one of the following six groups: control-healthy, control infraction, sham, control infraction + jujube extract, interval aerobic training + infarction, interval aerobic training + infarction + jujube extract. The interval aerobic training protocol consisted of five 4-min. sets at 70-75%Vo2max, and five 4-min. sets of active rests with 55-60%Vo2max. Data were analyzed applying Shapiro– Wilk test, One-way ANOVA, and Tukey post-hoc test at >α 0. 05. The results showed that Isoprenaline-induced infarction significantly increased the caspase3 levels of the heart tissue in the infarction group compared with the healthy group (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference between interval aerobic training, jujube extract and training + extract group and infarction group in this index (P>0. 05). Interval aerobic training + jujube extract showed a significant increase in Bcl-2 index of heart tissue (P<0. 05). However, no significant changes were observed in other groups in this index (P>0. 05). Therefore, it seems that interval aerobic training and jujube extract can help to suppress heart cell apoptosis after myocardial infarction and also decrease the damage to the heart tissue by increasing Bcl-2 in the heart tissue.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of participation in the outdoor sport activities on environmental knowledge and behavior. The statistical population consisted of those who had come to the suburbs to participate in the outdoor activities such as hiking, trekking, biking in the nature, etc. and 241 available subjects were selected randomly as the sample. The environmental behavior questionnaire by Zafeiroudi & Hatzigeorgiadis (2012) and environmental knowledge questionnaire by Cottrell (2003) were used to collect the data. The structural equation modeling and SmartPLS. 2 software were used to analyze the research data. The results showed that the outdoor sport activities affected the social environmental behavior but these activities did not affect the personal environmental behavior and environmental knowledge. Also, the environmental knowledge affected the social and personal environmental behaviors. In general, this study showed that the participation in the outdoor sport activities helps people to create a more direct contact with the environment

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of three warm-up methods (half squat, sled towing and traditional) on some physiological variables and anaerobic power performance in elite athletes. Subjects were 14 trained male athletes. Athletes performed the three protocols in three different days: 1-traditional warm-up 2-PAP warm-up with one set with 3 repetitions of half SQ 3-sled towing PAP warm-up. After each warm-up protocol, the RAST test was conducted. Following the RAST test, subjects’ blood samples were collected to evaluate lactate. For data statistical analysis, analysis of variance with repeated measures was used (significance level: P<0. 05). Results showed that the duration of the RAST test reduced after both PAP warm-up protocols compared with traditional warm-up protocol (P=0. 001, P=0. 006). The maximal anaerobic power reduced in both PAP warm-up protocols compared with traditional warm-up protocol (P=0. 001, P=0. 005). Lactate level increased only in the sled towing warm-up compared with traditional warm-up protocol (P=0. 007). Results showed that both PAP warm-up protocols (half squat, sled towing) can improve RAST test in athletes.

The aim of this study was to compare those factors affecting the equity of domestic and foreign sport brands. The study was a descriptive survey. 210 elite athletes in Ahvaz city were randomly selected as the sample using Morgan and Krejcie Table (N = 450). A researcher-made questionnaire was used. Its validity was measured and evaluated by a number of professors and its reliability was calculated as 0. 91. SPSS software was used for descriptive and inferential analysis. The results of the comparison of the brand equity and the marketing mix of domestic and foreign sport brands showed that the amount of the equity of foreign brands and the amount of knowledge, expected quality and trying to buy them again were far more than domestic brands and also marketing mix (product, price, distribution and promotion) were more implemented in foreign brands. The most important factor of the foreign product's preference to the domestic product was the quality, hence the domestic sport manufacturers should promote their product quality higher or equal to its foreign model.

Even though endothelial dysfunction and reduction of nitric oxide are considered to be responsible for postmenopausal hypertension, the underlying mechanisms are not yet to be fully recognized. Adropin has been shown to play a key role in this regard. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of combined training on adropin, serum nitric oxide as well as blood pressure in hypertensive postmenopausal women. For this purpose, 20 postmenopausal women with satge-1 hypertension were randomly divided into two groups: training and control. The training group participated in combined exercise (walking with a moderate intensity of 60-70% of maximum heart rate (HRmax)) and resistance training with an intensity of 10 repetitions maximum (equivalent to 70% of 1RM) 3 sessions per week for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after training intervention. Adropin concentration was measured by sandwich ELISA method and serum nitric oxide was measured by calorimetric method. Dependent and independent t tests were used to analyze and compare the differences within groups and between groups respectively. The significance level was set as α <0. 05. The results indicated thatadropin and serum NO levels significantly increased in the training group compared with the control group (P=0. 000). Furthermore, systolic and diastolic blood pressures were significantly lower in the training group compared with the control group (P=0. 000). In conclusion, it seems that combined training contributes to the reduction of blood pressure in postmenopausal women through an increase in serum adropin and nitric oxide.

The aim of the present study was to determine the casual relationship of sensory marketing with sensory experience satisfaction and loyalty of consumers of swimming pools in Tehran city. The research method was descriptive-correlation conducted as a survey. The population included all males and females who used swimming pools in Tehran city in 2014, and 385 subjects were selected as the sample by Cochran formula. The researcher-made questionnaire of sensory marketing, the questionnaire of sensory experience satisfaction by Bitner and Hubbert (1994) and the questionnaire of loyalty by Liu (2008) were used to collect data. For data analysis, Partial Least Squares (PLS) was used. Findings showed that among the five senses, sight and hearing senses had significant casual relationships with sensory experience satisfaction and loyalty of swimming pools consumers, but the sense of taste, touch and smell had no significant causal relationship. It was also found out that the sense of sight was the most important and taste was the least important. Therefore, it is essential to involve the senses of taste, touch and smell in order to have higher effect on consumer behavior.

Sport performance is affected by various individual and environmental factors. But often the same factor exerts effects on individuals differently which proposes the probability of the role of other effective mediating factors. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of temperament type and sodium bicarbonate supplementation on anaerobic power and fatigue index. For this purpose, 200 students volunteered to participate in the study, and 40 students who had distinct cold and hot temperaments and other inclusion criteria were selected and divided into cold (n=20) and hot (n=20) groups based on their temperament. Subjects participated in two sessions of RAST test by one-week interval, after consuming placebo or supplementation in a crossover method. Sodium bicarbonate supplementation increased maximum and mean anaerobic power in hot group and mean anaerobic power in cold group, but it did not significantly affect fatigue index in both groups. A comparison between hot and cold temperament groups indicated that following supplementation, maximum and mean anaerobic power was higher in hot temperament group than cold temperament group, but fatigue index was lower in cold temperament group than hot temperament group. Temperament type (without supplementation) did not have a significant effect on maximum and mean anaerobic power and fatigue index. In conclusion, temperament type per se does not have an effect on anaerobic power indices, but sodium bicarbonate supplementation improves anaerobic power in hot temperament group, and significantly decreases fatigue index in cold temperament group more than hot temperament group.

Rapid population growth and low production potentials have led to unemployment crisis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between investment and employment statusin the swimming pools in Tabriz city. In this descriptive method-analytical study, the statistical population included all of the working swimming pools (N=49) in Tabriz, and 43 swimming pools were randomly selected as the sample. The data were collected by a researcher-made questionnaire with acceptable validity and reliability (α =0. 89). To analyze the data, descriptive and inferential statistics (Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, phi and Cramer Correlation Coefficients, Kendall’ s tau-b, U Mann-Whitney) were used at α ≤ 0. 05. The results indicated that the mean investment in the pools was about 643-919 billion Rials and 436 jobs were created. Based on these results, there was a direct relationship between the initial investment (t=0. 576, P=0. 006) and net income (t=0. 394, P=0. 004) of the pools and number of employees. Also, the number of employees in public swimming pools were significantly more than private swimming pools (z=2. 338, P=0. 029). Therefore, it is essential to pay more attention to the attraction of investment in private sector in sport.