To determine if targeted exercise could reduce overweight and obesity in schoolchildren, a 12-week study was conducted with 60 randomly assigned participants. One group (n=30) received an enhanced exercise intervention, consisting of two extra athletic training sessions per week in addition to their regular physical education. The control group (n=30) continued with the standard curriculum and twice-weekly physical education. Key measurements, including height, weight, waist circumference, body fat, and BMI, were taken as outcome measures. After 12 weeks, the exercise group showed significant improvements in all measured outcomes (p<0.05), indicating the program's success in combating overweight and obesity.

Background: This study aimed to examine the relationships between anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness performance among adolescent male football academy players in Bayelsa State, Nigeria. Understanding these associations could inform player development and training strategies in youth football. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical design was used to assess 20 male football players aged 15–25 years. Anthropometric variables measured included height (170.62 ± 3.16 cm), weight (62.95 ± 1.92 kg), waist-hip ratio (0.83 ± 0.01), body fat (%), and limb lengths. Fitness attributes evaluated were speed (40-m sprint), agility (Illinois agility test), endurance (Yo-Yo test), flexibility (sit-and-reach), core strength (plank test), and power (standing long jump). VO₂max was estimated using the Siri equation, with Body Density derived from the Jackson and Pollock 3-site formula. Results: The players demonstrated moderate agility (17.87 ± 0.20 sec), sprint speed (5.71 ± 0.06 sec), and VO₂max (35.25 ± 6.12 mL/kg/min). Notably, goalkeepers’ height and VO₂max were perfectly correlated (r = 1.000, p = 0.008), and lower limb length significantly correlated with VO₂max (r = 1.000, p = 0.030). Midfielders' lower limb length strongly predicted sprint speed (r = 0.886, p = 0.019). Other correlations across positions were weak or not statistically significant. Conclusion: Anthropometric traits, particularly limb lengths and height, significantly influence select aspects of physical fitness in football players, varying by playing position. These findings support tailored conditioning programs based on player morphology.

Anthropometric characteristics are critical determinants of football performance, yet their associations with fitness outcomes remain inconsistent, particularly in understudied regions like Sub-Saharan Africa. This study assessed anthropometric and physical fitness profiles of 20 male football academy players in Bayelsa State, Nigeria, and explored correlations between these variables. Using a correlational design, standardized protocols (International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry guidelines) measured height, weight, limb lengths, circumferences, and waist-hip ratio. Fitness tests included the Illinois Agility Test, 40-m sprint, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test, sit-and-reach, standing long jump, and plank hold. Pearson correlations and regression analyses identified relationships between variables. Results revealed a mean thigh circumference of 52.77 ± 1.32 cm and Illinois Agility Test time of 17.87 ± 0.20 seconds. Thigh circumference significantly correlated with agility (r = 0.543, p = 0.013), with regression equation Y = 0.08x + 13.50 explaining 29.5% of variance (R² = 0.295). Conversely, limb length, weight, and calf circumference showed no significant associations with speed, endurance, or power. These findings align with studies highlighting thigh musculature’s role in agility, though contrasts exist in contexts prioritizing vertical power. The study higlights thigh circumference as a key predictor of agility in Nigerian youth players, advocating targeted lower-body strength training for talent development. Future research should explore biomechanical mechanisms and socioeconomic barriers in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Context: This study identifies a set of professional criterion for evaluating online Physical Education (PE) lectures and empirically tests their efficacy on 128 students at Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education (HCMUTE). Findings: Six professional criteriion (PC) were selected through two rounds of expert interviews and Wilcoxon signed-rank testing (P > 0.05): (1) Lecture Introduction; (2) Lecture Content; (3) Learner Interaction; (4) Teaching Materials; (5) Multimedia Usage; and (6) Assessment & Evaluation. The resulting scale demonstrated high internal consistency (Cronbach’s α = 0.809). After eight weeks of implementation, the combined mean score across all six criterion was 3.96/5 (“Agree”), with the highest subscore for Lecture Content (4.13 ± 0.83) and the lowest for Multimedia Usage (3.69 ± 0.97). Coefficients of variation (Cv) fell below 25 % for most criterion, indicating strong consensus among students. Discussion: These findings confirm both the feasibility and professional effectiveness of online PE lectures while suggesting that multimedia design should be further improved to enhance the learning experience.

Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) has seen a surge in popularity in Kenya, with athletes from various backgrounds participating in the sport. However, with this growth comes an increased risk of performance-enhancing substances (PES) use. The intense physical demands of MMA may drive athletes to seek an edge through these substances, leading to significant concerns about health risks and sports integrity. The aim of this study is to assess the practices regarding PES, traditional herbs (TH), and food supplements (FS) among Kenyan MMA athletes. Additionally, the study explores the sources of PES, the factors motivating their use, and the efficacy of current anti-doping testing practices. To conduct the study, a cross-sectional survey design was employed, sampling 800 athletes from a target population of 4,000 across six MMA federations. Data were collected using structured questionnaires adapted from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) with pre-testing to ensure reliability. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics and One- and Two-Way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) using SPSS version 22. The results indicate that the majority of MMA participants are male (79.9%), with a median age of 25 years and a mean age of 26.8±4.1 years. Over half of the athletes perceived PES as a problem, but less than one-third viewed traditional herbs as a concern. Food supplements were used by nearly a fifth of the athletes, with bodybuilders showing the highest usage rate (44.4%). Coaches, team doctors, and physiotherapists were primary sources of these substances, while some athletes reported chemists and medical practitioners as suppliers of PES. The study found that the primary reasons for using PES and FS were to boost economic status through prize money, with additional pressures from coaches, family, and colleagues. Anti-doping testing revealed that 20.6% of athletes had been tested out of competition, while 34.4% believed they could provide a sample that wasn't theirs, indicating flaws in the testing process. The study concludes that while many MMA athletes recognize the risks associated with PES, there is a lack of consistent understanding regarding the risk of taking traditional herbs and food supplements. This inconsistency, combined with external pressures, may lead to risky behavior, compromising the athletes' health and the sport's integrity. To address these issues, the study recommends implementing comprehensive education programs for MMA athletes, coaches, and support personnel to raise awareness of PES risks. Strengthening anti-doping regulations and monitoring sources of PES and FS is also crucial. Additionally, promoting ethical coaching practices and addressing external pressures can foster a safer environment and uphold the values of fair competition in Kenyan MMA.

Background: The use of performance-enhancing substances (PES), food supplements (FS), and traditional herbs (TH) has become increasingly common among athletes worldwide, often leading to inadvertent doping violations and health risks. In Kenya, mixed martial arts (MMA) disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, Taekwondo, karate, weightlifting, and bodybuilding have seen rapid growth. However, limited data exists regarding athletes’ knowledge of PES, FS, and TH and the methods employed in their application. Objective: To investigate the levels of knowledge on performance-enhancing substances, food supplements, traditional herbs, and methods of administration among mixed martial arts athletes in Kenya. Methodology: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 771 registered MMA athletes across 23 counties in Kenya. Stratified proportionate random sampling was used to select participants from six disciplines. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire with 16 knowledge-related items. Descriptive statistics were computed, and one-way ANOVA and independent samples t-tests were used to examine differences in knowledge levels across sports disciplines and gender. Results: Knowledge scores varied significantly across disciplines (F(5, 765) = 9.87, p < .001). Wrestlers had the highest mean knowledge score (M = 14.05, SD = 2.41), while bodybuilders and Taekwondo athletes recorded the lowest scores (M = 10.93 and 11.10, respectively). Male and female athletes did not differ significantly in knowledge scores. Misconceptions were common, with more than 60% of respondents incorrectly believing that banned substances would be listed on supplement labels and only 37.2% aware that the Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) does not approve nutritional supplements. Conclusion: The study reveals substantial knowledge gaps regarding PES, FS, and TH among Kenyan MMA athletes. While some disciplines demonstrate higher awareness, others remain vulnerable to misinformation and potential doping violations due to limited access to accurate information. Recommendation: Targeted anti-doping education programs should be implemented with an emphasis on disciplines showing low knowledge levels. ADAK and sports federations should develop sport-specific and accessible learning resources and increase the frequency of workshops to improve athletes’ knowledge and safeguard their health and careers.