This study compares two versions of progressive muscle relaxation (PMR) training (7 and 16 muscle groups) on oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rates, rating of perceived exertion and choice reaction time. Football (soccer) players (N = 26; M age = 13.4 yr., SD = 0.5) were randomly assigned to either 7 muscle groups PMR, 16 muscle groups PMR, or a control group. PMR training requires the participants to tense a muscle, hold the muscle contraction, and then relax it. Measurement was conducted prior to and after the completion of 12 sessions of PMR. The dependent variables were measured following four bouts of intermittent exercise consisting of 12 min. of running at 60% VO2max for 10 min. followed by running at 90% VO2max for 2 min. with a 3-min. rest for each bout. Lower VO2, heart rate, perceived exertion, and quicker reaction time were expected in both relaxation groups compared to the control group. The results revealed a significant reduction in heart rates and choice reaction time for both relaxation groups, but the longer version produced significantly quicker choice reaction time.
High-intensity exercise acutely improves suppression of appetite in populations with normal body mass index (BMI). However, whether moderate intensity exercise (MIE) and high-intensity exercise (HIE) can elicit similar (or greater) appetite suppression effects for obese populations are still relatively unknown. The main aim is to investigate the acute effects of MIE and HIE on the appetite score, eating behaviour and blood glucose regulation among the obese population. Twelve obese participants (age: 20.8 ± 1 yr, BMI: 34.1 ± 3 kg·m-2, V̇o2max: 30.7 ± 3 ml·kg·min-1) were randomly allocated, in a crossover manner, with a 7-day interval in between (1) MIE (cycling at 60-75% HRmax), (2) HIE (cycling at 80-95% HRmax, 8-sec sprint x 12 sec rest) and (3) control (CON) condition after a 10-hr overnight fast. Physiological (fasting blood [glucose] and 24-hr calorie intake) and psychological responses (Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-R18, TFEQ-R18, and appetite score using Visual Analog Scale, VAS) were recorded prior to and after exercise interventions. Both MIE and HIE significantly reduced the calorie intake compared to CON (P0.05). A difference was found in fasting blood [glucose] level between trials in MIE (P0.05). In response to acute intervention, both MIE and HIE improved some psychological appetite score and attenuated daily energy consumption; these positive effects could benefit obese and diabetic populations.
Motivation is an internal force or desire that drives an individual to meet personal and organizational goals. Motivation consists of two categories, intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Generally, motivation is an important psychological factor that is often associated with athletes’ sports involvement. The purpose of this study was to identify the different types of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation based on Self-Determination Theory (SDT) from a gender perspective. The study sample consisted of 63 Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) athletes (n = 63; male = 30, female = 33) who participated in the MASUM Sports Carnival. The instrument used to measure athlete’s motivation is the Sport Motivation Scale (SMS-28) questionnaire, which includes intrinsic motivation subscales (to know, to accomplish, to experience stimulation), extrinsic (external regulation, introjected regulation, identify regulation) and amotivation (demotivation). The results showed that UKM athletes were more intrinsically motivated (M = 4.43 ± 0.38) than extrinsically motivated (M = 4.19 ± 0.44). However, there were no significant differences in the dimensions of intrinsic and extrinsic motivation between gender (p> .05). Overall, this study shows that intrinsic motivation is the key factor of UKM athletes sports involvement