european college of sport science

Saturday, June 27th, 2009
HOW DOSE TIMING TRAINING AFFECT GOLF PERFORMANCE?
SOMMER, M., RÖNNQVIST, L.
UMEÅ UNIVERSITY
Introduction: Timing in terms of intra- and inter-limb coordination and control is an important factor for motor skills. It’s also a well-built
belief in the golf branch that timing is crucial for optimal golf performance. However, it is surprisingly few empirical studies investigating
the timing properties of the golf swing and its effect on the outcome accuracy. Hence, the main purpose of this study was to investigate if
training by means of synchronized metronome training (SMT), do affect golf performance accuracy. An additional purpose was to investigate
the effect of a task-specific swing training method (Explanar®) in comparison with the non-task specific SMT training method.
Methods: Twenty-six experienced male golfers (mean age 27 years; mean golf hcp 12.6) completed pre- and post-test of golf performance.
Investigations were made by use of a P3ProGolf simulator and measurements made from the outcome of golf shots and by use of
three different golf clubs (investigating the overall accuracy, length versus direction accuracy and outcome variability). The golfers were
randomized into two groups: one non-task specific metronome training group, and one task-specific swing training group. Golfers in the
metronome group completed a 4-week intervention (Interactive Metronome, 2008) designed to improve their timing/rhythmicity by reducing
the latency in their response to a synchronized metronome beat. Golfers in the swing group completed training designed to improve
their golf swing characteristics during the same period.
Results: It was found that he golfers’ in the non-task specific metronome training group showed a significant effect of SMT training by
means of improvements in their motor timing and synchronizations. Additionally, they significantly improved their scores on selected golf
accuracy variables and with evidently decreased variability after the 4-week training period. No such improvements were found for the
golfers in the swing training group.
Discussion: In agreement with previous findings by Libkuman et al. (2002), this study provides further evidence that timing training leads
to improvements in golf performance accuracy. One possible explanation is that SMT increased accuracy because the temporal properties
of the golf swing were improved. An alternative explanation is that SMT training does improve the golfers’ ability to concentrate and
stay in focus. The online motor correction based on feedback may contribute to optimization of timing and organized actions. Thus, IM
training seems to affect the person’s abilities to inhibit irrelevant stimuli and distracters. These findings have interesting implication for
developing complementary “timing training methods” also associated to other sports than golf.
References
Interactive Metronome [Equipment]. (2008).(www.interactivemetronome.com)
Libkuman TM, Otani H, Steger J. (2002). J Gen Psy, 129, 17-20.
CARDIOVASCULAR RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH SOCIO-GEOGRAPHIC ENVIRONMENT IN AFRICAN CHILDREN
AND YOUTH FROM MOZAMBIQUE
PRISTA, A., DAMASCENO, A., MAIA, A., NHANTUMBO, L., SARANGA, S., SEABRA, A., WILLIAMS-BLANGERO, S., BEUNEN, G.
FACULTY OF PE AND SPORTS SCIENCES, UNIVERSIDADE PEDAGÓGICA
Associated with abrupt changes in lifestyle, the importance of cardiovascular disease in morbidity and mortality in Africa is increasing,
which recommends surveillance in school-age children and youth. The aim of the present study was to describe, interpret and establish
age, sex and socio-geographic trends for cardiovascular risk factors in school age population from Mozambique. Three cross sectional
surveys were carried out in the year 1992, 2000 and 2005. Studies were done in an urban and a rural area from Mozambique. Sample’s
includes a total of 1 939 boys and 2 037 girls , aged 7 to 17 years, classified in 4 socio-geographic groups namely ELITE, URBAN,
PERYPHERY and RURAL. Cardiovascular risk factors include BMI, % of FAT, Blood pressure (BP), Cholesterol (CHOL), Cardiorespiratory
fitness (CRF) were measured at the three studies using the some standard protocols. Standard criteria for risk classification were used for
each variable. Physical activity (PA) was measured by a questionnaire. Prevalence of risk was: BMI =5.4%, FAT=9.6%, CHOL=1.2% and
CRF=9.6%. Higher prevalence was in BP (SBP = 16.4; DBP = 11.8). Patterns of CVRF were different according to age, gender and sociogeographic
groups and variable. Trend from urban sample’s from 1992 to 2000 indicates increasing risk for excess of FAT, BP and low
CRF while no changes in CHOL have been observed. PA were significantly associated with CRF and FAT although interacting with sociogeographic
position. It was conclude that CVRF are already present in this young age group of sub-Saharan African country, indicating
that a rapid epidemiological transition is taking place.
10:15 - 11:45
Oral presentations
OP-PH09 Physiology 9
LOW CORE BODY TEMPERATURE DURING ENDURANCE CYCLING: ASSOCIATED NON-OSMOTICALLY REGULATED
CHANGES IN URINARY OUTPUT
PETERS, E.M., PILLAI, P.
UNIVERSITY OF KWAZULU-NATAL
Introduction: Our previous field study identified the possibility of different mechanisms contributing to hydration status when cycling in hot
and cold environmental conditions (Rose and Peters, 2008). This cross-over laboratory study therefore examined selected vasopressininduced
cardiovascular and renal adaptations to differences in core body temperature during endurance cycling when serum osmolality
remained constant.
Methods: After voiding their bladders, 13 well-trained male road cyclists (age: 29.2 ± 6.5 yrs) completed two 90-minute trials at 60 - 65%
VO2 max in warm (28.2ºC), humid (72.1% relative humidity) and cool (18.3ºC), windy (4- 5 m/s) conditions. Subjects were required to
OSLO/NORWAY, JUNE 24-27, 2009 533