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Senior police officers' tactical gaze control and visual attention improve with an individual video-based police firearms training. To validate the efficacy of said intervention training, a previous experiment was systematically replicated with a sample of N = 52 second-year police cadets. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention training that focused on situational awareness, tactical gaze control, and visual attention, or an active control training that addressed traditional marksmanship skills. In a pre- and post-test, they had to engage in dynamic shoot/don't shoot video scenarios in an indoor firing range. Overall, the previous findings were replicated: Baseline levels of performance were elevated, yet the intervention group significantly improved their response time and time until the first hit. False positive decision-making cannot be reported at all; false negatives were marginal in the pre-test and eliminated after training. Further, the outcomes of the previous sample of senior officers and the present sample of cadets are compared and lead to the conclusion that the presented approach is a valuable extension of current training standards for both senior police officers and police cadets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article aims for a conceptual model of how crises and events function together and apart, starting from the view that the two are not interchangeable. I therefore define events as structural transformations that can be the object of empirical knowledge, but which are not self-evident or known to all as they take place. Crisis-claims, meanwhile, are performative judgments or demands for a different future. Given that structural transformations are not self-evident in the moment, a crisis-claim, in this sense, is a guess that an event is taking place. This distinction is elucidated through a computational text analysis of U.S. media reporting on shootings, focusing on the month before and the month after George Floyd's death. Building on this conceptual distinction, I argue that events and crises can coincide, constitute, and even modify the other. But crises can occur without reference to events, and events can take place which are not deemed to be crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the validity and reliability of the power slap test (PS) as an assessment for upper body pulling power to predict water polo functional performance and competitive experience of female water polo players. Seventeen female water polo players from the national and development squads were recruited. Subjects completed test-retest sessions of PS testing and 1 session of functional performance tests for the 15-m arms-only sprint (15 mAOS) and the 5-m maximum shooting velocity (5 mMSV). All PS, 15 mAOS and 5 mMSV results were compared for predictability. Power slap scores demonstrated high reliability for left PS (intraclass correlations [ICC]: 0.96, 90% confidence interval [CI]: 0.91-0.98), right PS (ICC: 0.96, 90% CI: 0.90-0.98), left and right center of mass (COM) displacement (ICC: 0.98, 90% CI: 0.96-0.99; ICC: 0.95, 90% CI: 0.88-0.98), and summed PS (ICC: 0.96, 90% CI: 0.92-0.99). All absolute PS scores and left COM displacement (COMdispL) demonstrated large correlations with the 15 mAOS times (r520.542 to 20.52, r2 5 0.27-0.29, p, 0.05). No performance parameters of the PS were correlated with the 5 mMSV performance (p. 0.05). This study validates the reliability of the PS as a dryland assessment tool for upper body pulling power. Only absolute PS scores and COMdisp were validated as weak predictors of the arms-only sprint times over 15 m. Its predictive power significantly improved when considered in combination with shooting performance. All absolute and normalized kinetic and kinematic PS parameters did not predict functional performance and competitive experience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Mental training, widely recognised in sports psychology, has not been fully utilised to address broader mental health concerns among athletes, especially in India. This study examines the Psychological Capacity Building Program (PCB P) for Indian shooters and archers, focusing on key psychological variables such as motivation, grit, emotions, and well-being. The four-phase program includes sports analyses, individual assessments, motivational tasks, a one-week psychoeducational phase on mental skills, and two weeks of applying these skills in the athlete’s daily training routines. Methods Psychometric tools such as the Sports Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II), Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), Sports Emotion Questionnaire (SEQ), and Grit Scale were used to measure pre- and post-intervention scores of 122 athletes, divided into experimental (n = 60) and control ( n = 62) groups. Within-group and between-group analyses were conducted, along with effect size calculations. Results The experimental group showed significant improvements in happiness ( p < 0.001), emotional well-being ( p = 0.017), intrinsic motivation ( p = 0.006), and grit ( p = 0.004), alongside reductions in dejection ( p = 0.001) and non-regulation (p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group experienced increased anger ( p = 0.005) but no other significant changes. Between-group comparisons revealed greater reductions in anxiety ( p < 0.001) and significant improvements in happiness ( p < 0.001), emotional well-being ( p < 0.001), social well-being ( p < 0.001), and grit ( p = 0.004) in the experimental group. Conclusions PCB P shows promise for enhancing the athlete’s mental health, but further research with larger samples is needed to confirm its effectiveness and long-term adaptability across diverse sports.

In basketball, shooting stands out as a vital technique directly affecting the game results. Identifying shooting mechanics early in a basketball player's career can significantly develop shooting performance in subsequent years. This study aimed to explore shooting percentages based on angular positions of joint parts in the shooting techniques of youth basketball players. Fifteen male participants (average age: 14.1±0.7 years, height: 180.7±7.9 cm, body weight: 65.4±10.0 kg, sports experience: 4.7±0.4 years) voluntarily participated in the study. They were divided into high shooting rate (n: 7) and low shooting rate (n: 8) groups. Both groups attempted 60 shots from the free throw line (20 shots), right forward position (20 shots), and left forward position (20 shots). Joint angle values during the initial and final shooting phases were compared between groups using Independent t-tests. Significant differences were found between groups in the shoulder part during the beginning phase and the wrist part during the final shooting phase (p

Purpose: Mental training, widely recognised in sports psychology, has not been fully utilised to address broader mental health concerns among athletes, especially in India. This study examines the Psychological Capacity Building Program (PCB P) for Indian shooters and archers, focusing on key psychological variables such as motivation, grit, emotions, and well-being. The four-phase program includes sports analyses, individual assessments, motivational tasks, a one-week psychoeducational phase on mental skills, and two weeks of applying these skills in the athlete’s daily training routines. Methods: Psychometric tools such as the Sports Motivation Scale-II (SMS-II), Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF), Sports Emotion Questionnaire (SEQ), and Grit Scale were used to measure pre- and post-intervention scores of 122 athletes, divided into experimental (n = 60) and control (n = 62) groups. Within-group and between-group analyses were conducted, along with effect size calculations. Results: The experimental group showed significant improvements in happiness (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p = 0.017), intrinsic motivation (p = 0.006), and grit (p = 0.004), alongside reductions in dejection (p = 0.001) and non-regulation (p < 0.001). In contrast, the control group experienced increased anger (p = 0.005) but no other significant changes. Between-group comparisons revealed greater reductions in anxiety (p < 0.001) and significant improvements in happiness (p < 0.001), emotional well-being (p < 0.001), social well-being (p < 0.001), and grit (p = 0.004) in the experimental group. Conclusions: PCB P shows promise for enhancing the athlete’s mental health, but further research with larger samples is needed to confirm its effectiveness and long-term adaptability across diverse sports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Shooting simulations provide an excellent opportunity to train use-of-force decisions in controlled environments. Recently, military and law enforcement organizations have expressed a growing desire to integrate physiological measurement into simulations for training and feedback purposes. Although participants can easily wear physiological monitors in these scenarios, direct implementation into training may not be simple. Theoretical problems exist in the ultra-short heart rate variability windows associated with use-offorce training, and practical problems emerge as existing scenario libraries at training organizations were not designed for physiological monitoring. Methods: The current study explored the challenges and possibilities associated with direct implementation of physiological monitoring into an existing library of firearms training scenarios. Participants completed scenarios in a shooting simulator using existing military training scenarios while wearing a device to monitor their heart rate. Results: The results revealed lower heart rate variability (approximately 6%) occurred in scenarios where participants did not have to fire weapons, indicating that don't-shoot scenarios may actually impose more cognitive stress on shooters. Additional evidence further demonstrated how both behavioral and physiological factors could be used concomitantly to predict unintentionally firing on non-hostile actors. However, behavioral measures were more predictive (e.g., χ = .221) than physiological measures (e.g., χ = -.132) when the latter metrics were limited to specific scenarios. Qualitative results suggest that simply applying physiological monitoring to existing shooting simulations may not yield optimal results because it would be difficult to directly integrate physiological measurement in a meaningful way without re-designing some elements of the simulations, the training procedure, or both. Discussion: Future use-of-force shooting simulations should consider designing novel scenarios around the physiological measurement rather than directly implementing physiological assessments into existing libraries of scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Femoroacetabular impingement (FAI), particularly cam morphology, is highly prevalent among elite hockey athletes. Moreover, hip and groin pain has become a common issue in hockey, with approximately 50% of European professional athletes reported to experience a hip or groin problem during a season. While most athletes will not miss training or competition due to this, restricted competitive performance and increased risk of reduced physical and psychological well-being are likely. Recent research suggests that the development of cam morphology is related to the repetitive shear stresses experienced at the hip joint during adolescence from skating. This condition likely increases the potential for intra-articular and extra-articular injuries in these athletes later in their careers. Research also indicates that the hip joint mechanics during forward skating substantially increase the possibility of sustaining a labral tear compared to other sports. Such an injury can increase femoral head movement within the joint, potentially causing secondary damage to the iliofemoral ligament, ligamentum teres and joint capsule. These injuries and the high density of nociceptors in the affected structures may explain the high prevalence of hip and groin pain in hockey athletes. Compensatory adaptations, such as reduced hip strength, stability, and range-of-motion (ROM) likely increase the opportunity for core muscle injuries and hip flexor and adductor injuries. Specifically, the limited hip ROM associated with cam morphology appears to exacerbate the risk of these injuries as there will be an increase in pubic symphysis stress and transverse strain during rotational movements. It is hoped that this article will assist practitioners currently working with hockey athletes to develop evidence-informed monitoring strategies and training interventions, aimed at reducing the incidence and severity of hip and groin problems, ultimately enhancing athlete performance and well-being. Therefore, the purpose of this clinical commentary was to examine current evidence on common hip pathologies in hockey athletes, exploring potential associations between hip and groin pain and the biomechanics of hockey activities. Level of Evidence 5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Data regarding rural youths' experience with firearms, including safety training, is highly limited despite their frequent presence in homes. Our objective was to investigate rural adolescents' use of firearms and whether they had received formal firearm training. Methods: A convenience sample of 2021 National FFA (formerly Future Farmers of America) Convention & Expo attendees were given an anonymous survey at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital injury prevention booth. The survey explored their use of rifles/shotguns and handguns and whether they had completed a certified firearm safety course. Descriptive and comparative analyses, including multivariable logistic regression analyses, were performed on compiled data. Results: 3206 adolescents ages 13–18 years participated with 45% reporting they lived on a farm or ranch. The vast majority of participants (85%) had fired a rifle/shotgun; 43% reported firing them > 100 times. Of those that had fired rifles/shotguns, 41% had done so before 9 years old. Most had also fired a handgun (69%), with 23% having fired handguns > 100 times. Of those that had fired handguns, 44% had done so before 11 years. Average age for first firing rifles/shotguns was 9.5 (SD 3.1) years, and 11.1 (SD 3.0) years for handguns. Males, non-Hispanic Whites, and those living on farms or in the country had significantly greater percentages who had fired a rifle/shotgun or a handgun. Significant differences were also seen by U.S. census region. Over half (64%) reported having gone hunting. Of those that had used a firearm, 67% had completed a firearm safety training course. Overall, 23% were/had been members of a school or club shooting team and of these, 87% had taken a safety course. Conclusions: Most FFA member participants had fired both rifles/shotguns and handguns, many at very young ages. Significant differences in firearm use were noted by demographic factors including the home setting (i.e., farms and ranches) and their U.S. census region. Nearly one-third of adolescent firearm users had not received formal safety training. Promoting firearm safety should include advising families on when it is developmentally appropriate to introduce youth to firearms and on the importance of firearm safety training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeNeurofeedback (NF) typically involves an operant conditioning or other reinforcement protocol aimed at self-regulating patterns of brain activation. Endogenous Neuromodulation, characterized by the absence of discrete reinforcers, has emerged over the last two decades with the extension of training into the infra-low frequency regime, i.e., below 0.1 Hz. Specifically, Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) Neurofeedback training has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing the self-organization and regulation of the central nervous system in considerable generality. The present study explores a pivotal question: Can Infra-Low Frequency (ILF) Neurofeedback, acknowledged for its influence on arousal, vigilance, and emotional states, effectively enhance both attention generally and shooting performance specifically? Additionally, we explored whether the training exerted beneficial effects on three attentional networks—Conflict, Orienting, and Alerting.MethodsTo assess shooting performance, we employed the Shooter’s Coordination Analysis Target Training (SCATT), while attention networks were gauged through the Attention Network Test (ANT). Twenty semi-skilled pistol shooters, aged 28–40, underwent both the ANT and SCATT assessments before and after completing 20 half-hour ILF-Neurofeedback sessions. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups: an ILF NFB group, which underwent 20 sessions of ILF NFB training, and a control group that received no NFB.ResultsOur findings revealed that ILF-Neurofeedback significantly enhanced performance. In the ANT, the training led to a reduction in Conflict and an increase in Orienting and Alerting.ConclusionThe study demonstrates the effectiveness of ILF-Neurofeedback in improving shooting performance, and in positively impacting all three attention networks assessed by the ANT.

The purpose of the research is to examine the distinctive characteristics of the process of filming television programmes in the interior and their impact on visual art and audience perception. In order to gain insight into the crucial elements that shape the quality of the resulting television content, this study will investigate the use of light, shot composition and mise-en-scène. Furthermore, this study will examine the factors that influence the choice of interior locations for filming, including financial constraints, availability of resources and equipment, and the specifics of the programme content itself. Research methodology. The following methods were employed: a theoretical approach was used to analyse existing scientific literature and publications within the field of media studies. This enabled the concepts that reveal the essence and functionality of camera crews filming television programmes to be systematised and organised. The empirical method was employed to conduct practical research, collect data and conduct interviews with experts. The resulting data was then processed and analysed to study the impact of these programmes on the audience and their perception. The system-analytical method was used to analyse the relationships between various elements of authoring television programmes and their effect on viewers. The scientific novelty. The article presents a novel scientific contribution to the field. The study emphasises the necessity of comprehending and considering these elements for professionals producing television programmes and visual arts. It also identifies potential avenues for enhancing the quality of television content and optimising its impact on the audience, ultimately determining the programme's success. Conclusions. The study highlights the necessity for further advancement and enhancement of knowledge in the domain of television programme production within interior settings. Examining the author’s programmes illustrates the significance of lighting and shot composition for creating premium television content. A comprehensive comprehension of the constraints and prospects of interior filming is a pivotal element in enhancing its quality and impact on viewers.

The purpose of the research is to analyse the peculiarities of the implementation of the director’s idea in fiction and documentary films using new hybrid genres that influence the specifics of contemporary audiovisual art, to determine the role of the mockumentary genre in modern cinema and to understand its impact on the creation of a film product. To explore the psychological impact of documentary films on the viewer’s perception and change of their worldview. To outline the standard and distinctive features of the director’s approach to making documentaries and fiction films. The research methodology is based on the following scientific methods: theoretical – for analysing the psychological factors that influence the perception of an audiovisual work, understanding outstanding examples of world cinema; comparative – for drawing parallels between fiction and documentary cinema. The research also uses structural-systemic and general scientific theoretical research methods (analysis, synthesis, induction, deduction, generalisation, classification, etc.) The scientific novelty is that, for the first time, the approaches to documentary and fiction filmmaking are compared; the details of the phenomenon of the hybrid cinematic genre of mockumentary are established, and its psychological impact on the viewer is studied; the influence of the mockumentary genre on the formation of an audiovisual work through associative editing is outlined. Conclusions. The article analyses the embodiment of the director’s idea in fiction and documentary cinema with the help of new hybrid genres that influence the specifics of contemporary audiovisual art. The role of the mockumentary genre in modern cinema is determined, and its influence on the creation of a film product is studied. The psychological factors of the viewer’s perception of documentary cinema, which help to change their worldview, are investigated.

Senior police officers' tactical gaze control and visual attention improve with an individual video-based police firearms training. To validate the efficacy of said intervention training, a previous experiment was systematically replicated with a sample of N = 52 second-year police cadets. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention training that focused on situational awareness, tactical gaze control, and visual attention, or an active control training that addressed traditional marksmanship skills. In a pre- and post-test, they had to engage in dynamic shoot/don't shoot video scenarios in an indoor firing range. Overall, the previous findings were replicated: Baseline levels of performance were elevated, yet the intervention group significantly improved their response time and time until the first hit. False positive decision-making cannot be reported at all; false negatives were marginal in the pre-test and eliminated after training. Further, the outcomes of the previous sample of senior officers and the present sample of cadets are compared and lead to the conclusion that the presented approach is a valuable extension of current training standards for both senior police officers and police cadets.

Background: With the increase in basketball competition intensity, video image analysis-based methods have been increasingly applied to improve the technical level of basketball players. Methods: Taking the example of one-handed set shoulder shooting (the basketball player spreads legs apart at shoulder width, holds the ball over the right shoulder, extends the right hand along with lower body movement, and releases the ball softly using fingers), this study compared the technical differences between 20 level 2 basketball players (level 2 group) and 20 basketball specialized students (specialized group) by capturing video images using a high-speed camera and conducting independent sample t-tests. Results: The level 2 group had a significantly higher shooting percentage than the specialized group (p=0.005). Additionally, the level 2 group had shorter dribbling time and longer shooting time compared to the specialized group (p=0.032; p=0.021). The amplitude of variation in the knee, hip, and elbow joints was significantly greater than that of the specialized group (p=0.008/0.016/0.031). The flexion angles of the index finger and middle finger after striking in the level 2 group were significantly higher than those of the specialized group (p=0.021/0.036). The level 2 group also had a smaller striking angle and a larger striking height and speed than the specialized group (p=0.001; p=0.005/0.006). Conclusion: Athletes of different levels show differences in phase duration and joint angles when performing one-handed set shoulder shooting, providing a basis for athletes' training.

Background and Study Aim. The development of throwing is one of the most important basic skills. This throwing skill is very important for elementary school-age children. Failure to master throwing skills will lead to an inability to learn new movements related to the transfer of learning movements that require throwing movements, such as in volleyball, badminton, table tennis, field tennis, and other sports. This study aims to analyze the development of shooting motion in elementary school students aged 6–11 years. Materials and Methods. This research is a quantitative study, and the research design conducted is cross-sectional. Totaling 244 students 112 boys and 132 girls. The shooting test is given, with each child getting 10 opportunities with 3 attempts before doing it. Used a size 5 basketball ball specifically for children. The data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2019 and SPSS IMB Series 22. Descriptive statistics were used to see the development of shooting ability, and the Kruskall-Wallis non-parametric test was used to see differences between upper and lower class groups. Results. The results showed that boys have higher shooting mastery development than girls. Boys until the age of 8 years show an increase in the development of throwing ability; at the age of 9 years, there is a slight decrease in development; and at the ages of 9 years, 10 years, and 11 years, the development begins to increase again. Likewise with girls, their development is not much different and has increased linearly from the age of 6 years to 11 years. Conclusions. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that it clearly proves that the shooting achievement ability of children aged 6–11 years is developmentally different. Keywords: Shooting, throwing, basketball, students, elementary school

Introduction/purpose: The paper presents the method of applying multi-criteria decision-making methods in order to improve shooting and select the most favorable conditions for shooting. Alternatives were ranked by individual multi-criteria decision-making methods AHP and VIKOR by experts, and then the most favorable alternative was selected using the Borda method of group decision making. The aim of the work is to select the most efficient way of shooting with minimal human fatigue, consumption of movable things and in the shortest possible time through a combination of multi-criteria decision-making methods, which will ensure the accuracy and precision of the rifle for subsequent shooting and other operations. Methods: The paper presents one of the ways of using multidisciplinary methods of multi-criteria decision making for a specific problem in the field of tactics with weapon systems. Experts from the field of armaments, using the AHP and VIKOR methods of individual multi-criteria decision making, selected the most favorable alternative in accordance with four given criteria. Then, by applying the Borda method of group decision making, the the most favorable alternative was selected - the most favorable conditions for the execution of preparatory shooting at serial number one with a 12.7 mm long range rifle. The alternatives are four shootings, namely, two ways of performing preparatory shooting with a 12.7 mm long range rifle at serial number one, one from the current Instructions and Program of Shooting with Infantry Weapons and the other newly proposed method, as well as two ways of realizing shooting for testing the accuracy and precision of a long range rifle. Results: The selection of the most effective conditions for the execution of the first initial preparatory shooting at serial number one with a long range rifle, which will ensure maximum accuracy of the weapon and the minimum consumption of resources - time, ammunition, targets, and personnel fatigue. Conclusion: The solution takes into account the simultaneous optimization of several criteria in order to select the most efficient way of performing preparatory shooting at serial number one in order to ensure rested and trained personnel as well as accurate and precise long range rifles for subsequent shootings, which leads to the maximum saving of resources, the satisfaction of personnel, and precise weapons.

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of biomechanical mental imagery training analysis in improving the ability of Petanque Sports Shooting Game. Materials and methods. This review study was performed following the PRISMA standards for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The studies were required to have been published within the previous four years, from January 2020 to July 2023. (1) petanque shooting; (2) mental imagery analysis were the keywords used in the search process. To conduct the study, the database Scopus and SINTA (Science and Technology Index) were used. Results. The findings of the literature review yielded a final sample comprising 7 relevant articles. Specifically, 3 articles focused on imagery training for enhancing petanque shooting results, while 4 articles examined the effects of petanque shot improvement on the shooting game abilities of this sport. Conclusions. This study revealed that mental imagery exercise analysis significantly improved the performance of petanque athletes in the match phase, enhancing their performance, motivation, and concentration, making it a valuable method for achieving positive effects on physical and mental performance in petanque athletes.

Objective: This study aims to analyze the effects of plyometric training (PT) on physical fitness and skill-related performance in female basketball players. Method: Five databases, including Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar, were used to select articles published up to 20 December 2023, using a combination of keywords related to PT and female basketball players. The risk of bias and the certainty of evidence in included articles were assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias (RoB2) tool and “The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation” (GRADE). Results: Ten studies were included for the systematic review, and eight for the meta-analysis, totalling 246 female basketball players aged 14.5–22.5 years. Most of these players were highly trained. Most of the included studies exhibited concerns regarding the risk of bias. The PT programs lasted 4–8 weeks, conducted 2–3 sessions per week, with sessions lasting 20–90 min and including 29–190 jumps. In the systematic review, most studies showed that PT significantly improved performance in countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ), Sargent jump, standing long jump, lateral hop, medicine ball throw, t-Test, Illinois agility, lane agility drill, linear 20-m sprint, stable and dynamic leg balance, dribbling, passing, shooting, and various basketball-specific tests, as well as increased muscle volume and thigh cross-sectional area. However, some studies showed PT to induce no significant changes in performance during CMJ, t-Test, Illinois agility, knee extensor/flexor strength, linear sprint, and single leg balance tests. In the meta-analysis, CMJ height (ES = 0.37; p = 0.036), vertical jump (VJ) peak power (ES = 0.57; p = 0.015), VJ peak velocity (ES = 0.26; p = 0.004), and t-Test performance time (ES = 0.32; p = 0.004) were significantly improved with small effects following PT. Conclusion: The effect of PT on performance in female basketball players was mixed. Most studies indicated that PT could improve various measures of physical fitness and skill-related performance, but performance remained unchanged in some tests. More studies with established tests are needed to investigate the effect of PT on female basketball players in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activity simulation protocols offer useful applications in research and practice; however, the specificity of such protocols to basketball game-play is currently lacking. Consequently, this study aimed to develop a game-specific basketball activity simulation protocol representative of typical playing durations and assess its reliability and discriminant validity. The simulation protocol was modified from an original version (i.e., Basketball Exercise Simulation Test) to incorporate regular breaks indicative of time-outs, free-throws, and substitutions. Twelve competitive male and female adult basketball players competing in the fourth or fifth Spanish basketball division underwent repeated trials of the simulation protocol (min. 4 to max. 14 days apart) for reliability analyses. In turn, 13 competitive male (fifth division), 9 competitive female (fourth division), and 13 recreational male adult basketball players completed the simulation protocol to assess discriminant validity via comparisons between sexes (competitive players) and playing levels (males). A range of physical, technical, and perceptual-physiological variables were collected during and following the simulation protocol. Several physical and heart rate variables displayed the strongest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] = 0.72-0.96; coefficient of variation [CV] = 1.78-6.75%), with physical decrement, technical, blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) variables having the weakest (ICC = 0.52-0.75; CV = 10.34-30.85%). Regarding discriminant analyses between sexes, males demonstrated significantly greater physical outputs in several variables and lower RPE compared to females (p < 0.05, moderate-to-large effects). Comparisons between playing levels revealed competitive males had significantly greater physical outputs across many variables, alongside higher mean heart rate and lower RPE than recreational males (p < 0.05, moderate-to-large effects). This study presents a novel game-specific basketball activity simulation protocol replicating actual playing durations and game configurations that might be successfully applied for both training and research purposes. Reliability statistics are provided for several variables to inform end-users on potential measurement error when implementing the simulation protocol. Discriminant validity of the simulation protocol was supported for several variables, suggesting it may hold practical utility in benchmarking or selecting players. Future research on this topic is encouraged examining wider samples of male and female basketball players at different levels as well as additional forms of validity for the protocol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: Imagery is commonly used to enhance psychological aspects and improve specific skills in sports. However, determining the most effective type of imagery based on varying levels of self-confidence still needs to be explored. Purpose: This research aims to analyze the impact of imagery training and self-confidence on shooting skills in futsal. Methods: A factorial experiment employing a two-way ANOVA design was used to explore two types of imagery perspectives, internal and external, and two levels of self-confidence, high and low. The study involved 44 male senior high school students randomly selected from classes X and XI participating in futsal extracurricular activities (age: 16.76 ± 0.43 years, weight: 64.80 ± 2.84 kg, and height: 167.64 ± 2.54 cm). Participants were divided into four treatment groups for internal and external imagery training based on their level of self-confidence. The imagery training was implemented for ± 4 weeks with a frequency of 3 weekly meetings. Self-confidence data was obtained from questionnaires and shooting skills from the penalty kick test. Then, two-way ANOVA and Tukey's advanced test were used to analyze it (Sig. < 0.05). Result: External imagery training is better than internal imagery for shooting skills in futsal (Sig. < 0.05), where the average is A2 (28.68) > A1 (27.68). A significant interaction between imagery training and self-confidence was also found (Sig. < 0.05). The results of shooting skills in futsal that apply external imagery training are better than internal imagery for participants who have a high level of self-confidence (Sig. < 0.05), where the average is A2B1 (30.45) > A1B1 (28.00). Then, participants who had a low level of self-confidence showed that there was no significant difference between the two imagery exercises applied (Sig. > 0.05). However, the results of shooting skills in futsal will be better if internal imagery training is applied for participants with low levels of self-confidence, where the average is A1B2 (27.36) > A2B2 (26.91). Conclusions: External imagery exercises are more appropriate for participants with high self-confidence, and both imagery exercises can be applied for participants with low self-confidence. However, the results will be better for internal imagery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim. The main objective of the study is to investigate and establish the relationship between shooting accuracy to the goal and final ranking in the top football divisions of three Balkan countries. The study was done for Romania. Croatia and Turkey for the season 2023/2024. Methods. Collecting data from the three leagues surveyed for the 23/24 season and analyze the resulting metrics using mathematical and statistical methods. Comparing the three leagues and drawing conclusions and recommendations. Results. The results were obtained after analyzing all 680 matches from the observed professional leagues. The data was analyzed using Pearson correlation of coefficient. A high correlation was found between average age and goalshooting accuracy towards the final ranking. Conclusions. We can conclude that shooting at goal is not of particular importance, and the accuracy and frequency of accurate shots on goal in 90 minutes are fundamental to the final ranking. Average age is strongly correlated with accurate shots on goal, proving that more experienced players would contribute to a better ranking at the end of the championship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Copyright of Military Technical Courier / Vojnotehnicki Glasnik is the property of Military Technical Courier / Vojnotehnicki Glasnik and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article is devoted to the consideration of effective methods of training police officers to conduct fire operations in situations with limited visibility. The study analyzed modern challenges in policing in difficult conditions of limited visibility, such as night operations or bad weather conditions. In turn, the training of qualified specialists should be aimed at the formation of skills and abilities that correspond to the professional and qualification characteristics of the work of police officers, the tasks that are set before them by society and correspond to the realities of the practical component of official activity. The quality of professional training is directly dependent on the forms and methods of training that are chosen to achieve the set goals. These forms and methods should be professionally oriented. Taking this into account, practical exercises in fire training in conditions of limited visibility can be considered as a special type of training. The article examines various aspects of firearms training, such as shooting in the dark, the use of infrared technology, and specialized equipment for police officers. The authors offer optimal methods and strategies for improving the effectiveness of professional training of graduates of higher education institutions of the National Police of Ukraine, in particular, taking into account the features of limited visibility and the risks associated with these conditions. On the basis of the conducted research, a set of measures has been developed that contribute to increasing the effectiveness of conducting fire training with cadets in the dark, in conditions of smoke and other factors of limited visibility. The results of the study can be the basis for improving the fire training programs of higher education graduates of the National Police of Ukraine and contribute to increasing their readiness to act in conditions of limited visibility and to quickly make appropriate decisions during the performance of professional duties in under normal conditions, conditions of time limitation, and sometimes resource limitation, in the dark, critical and extreme situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In basketball, shooting stands out as a vital technique directly affecting the game results. Identifying shooting mechanics early in a basketball player's career can significantly develop shooting performance in subsequent years. This study aimed to explore shooting percentages based on angular positions of joint parts in the shooting techniques of youth basketball players. Fifteen male participants (average age: 14.1±0.7 years, height: 180.7±7.9 cm, body weight: 65.4±10.0 kg, sports experience: 4.7±0.4 years) voluntarily participated in the study. They were divided into high shooting rate (n: 7) and low shooting rate (n: 8) groups. Both groups attempted 60 shots from the free throw line (20 shots), right forward position (20 shots), and left forward position (20 shots). Joint angle values during the initial and final shooting phases were compared between groups using Independent t-tests. Significant differences were found between groups in the shoulder part during the beginning phase and the wrist part during the final shooting phase (p<0.05). These findings underscore the potential for targeted enhancement of shooting mechanics among young basketball players through posture analysis (joint angle parts) using both performance assessments and electronic software tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With innovative force plate technology being available to many sports organizations worldwide that allow for time-efficient in-depth neuromuscular performance assessment, the purpose of the present study was to examine the relationship between some of the most commonly analyzed countermovement vertical jump (CVJ) force-time metrics and basketball playing time and efficiency. Twenty-four professional male basketball players volunteered to participate in the present study. The CVJ testing procedures were conducted within the first quarter of the competitive season span. Following a standardized warm-up protocol, each athlete stepped on a dual uni-axial force plate system sampling at 1,000 Hz and performed three maximum-effort CVJs with no arm swing. To minimize the possible influence of fatigue, each jump trial was separated by a 10–15 s rest interval and the average value across three jumps was used for performance analysis purposes. Basketball playing efficiency and average playing time were obtained at the end of the regular season competitive period from the coaching staff records and the official team records. Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients (r) were used to examine the strength of the relationships between force-time metrics and basketball playing time and efficiency, separately for each dependent variable (p < 0.05). A significant positive association was observed between playing efficiency and eccentric mean force and eccentric mean and peak power (r = 0.406–0.552). Similarly, an increase in eccentric mean power was positively correlated with the number of minutes played during the competitive season (r = 0.464). Moreover, the aforementioned relationship remained present even when eccentric mean power was expressed relative to the player’s body mass (r = 0.406). Thus, the findings of the present study indicate that, at the professional level of men’s basketball competition, CVJ eccentric strength and power have a positive impact on both playing time and efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to examine differences in game-related statistics between winning and losing game outcomes and determine which performance parameters have the greatest impact in classifying winning from losing game outcomes at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-I men's basketball level of competition. The data scraping technique was used to obtain publicly available data over a 2018-2019 season span. The total number of games examined was 5,147. Independent t-tests were used to examine statistically significant differences between winning and losing game outcomes, while a full model discriminant function analysis was used to determine the relative contribution of each game-related statistic and its ability to classify winning from losing game outcomes (p < 0.05). Alongside scoring a greater number of points at the end of the game, the findings of the present study indicate that winning teams: (a) attempted and made more field goals, three-point, and free-throw shots, (b) accumulated more defensive and total rebounds, assists, steals, and blocks, (c) had fewer turnovers and personal fouls, and (d) secured greater field goal, three-point, and free-throw shooting percentage. Moreover, the top three performance parameters discriminating winning from losing game outcomes were field goal percentage, defensive rebounds, and assists, accounting for 16.8%, 12.2%, and 12.0% of the total percentage of explained variance, respectively (i.e., 41.0% combined). Overall, these findings support the expected roles of offensive and defensive gamerelated statistics and provide further insight into how they work together to optimize the chances of securing the desired game outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether variations in technical and neuromuscular performance occur across different times of the day in basketball players. Methods: Twenty semiprofessional, female basketball players (23 ± 4 years) competing in a second-division national basketball competition completed separate testing batteries in the morning (08:30) and in the afternoon (17:30) in a randomized counterbalanced order. Testing sessions consisted of a free-throw accuracy test to assess technical performance, as well as flexibility (ankle dorsiflexion range-of-motion test), dynamic balance (modified star excursion balance test), vertical jump height (squat jump, countermovement jump with and without arm swing), strength (isometric handgrip), change-of-direction speed (V-cut test), and linear speed (20-m sprint) tests to assess neuromuscular performance. Mechanism variables were also obtained including tympanic temperature, urinary specific gravity, and rating of perceived exertion at each session. Results: Squat jump height (6.7%; p =.001; effect size (ES) = 0.33), countermovement jump height with (4.1%; p =.018; ES = 0.27) and without arm swing (5.9%; p =.007; ES = 0.30), and 20-m sprint time (−1.4%; p =.015; ES = -0.32) were significantly superior in the afternoon compared to morning. Tympanic temperature was significantly higher in the afternoon than morning (1.4%; p <.001; ES = 1.31). In contrast, no significant differences between timepoints were evident for all remaining variables (p >.05; ES = -0.33 to 0.16). Conclusions: Some neuromuscular variables exhibited a time-of-day effect with better jump and sprint performance in the afternoon compared to morning in semiprofessional, female basketball players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Context: Feral cats are responsible for the decline and extinction of species globally. Predation by feral cats is identified in Australian legislation as a key threatening process. However, clear guidance to local land managers on feral cat management techniques and their impacts, limitations and potential costs can be difficult to find. Aims: In this study, feral cat management experts from around Australia identified available management techniques and their average environmental, social, and economic impact for different ecoregions and land-use types. Methods: We convened a 1-day structured elicitation workshop with 19 experts and five facilitators. Experts identified the techniques used for feral cat management; the effectiveness, impact, and cost of each method; and the key knowledge gaps associated with feral cat management. Facilitators aided in the design and format of the workshop, led the discussion at each stage and collated the results. Key results: Experts identified the following 10 techniques currently used in Australia: aerial baiting; ground baiting; leghold trapping; cage trapping; shooting; tracking with detector dogs; tracking by Indigenous Rangers; habitat modification; resource modification; and exclusion fencing. In general, experts highlighted that permits, legislation and scale of application constrained many of these techniques. Aerial baiting was considered the most effective technique for reducing feral cat populations in natural and production systems. Cage trapping, shooting, or tracking with detector dogs were considered more effective in residential areas. For all techniques, efficacy estimates varied according to the following three broad vegetation structural regions: (1) deserts and xeric shrublands; (2) forests and woodlands; and (3) grasslands, savannas and shrublands. Techniques considered to have the lowest social tolerance and highest impact to non-target native species included aerial baiting, ground baiting and leghold trapping. Techniques considered to have high social tolerance and low impact on non-target species included tracking by Rangers, tracking with detector dogs, and habitat and resource modification. Conclusions: Estimates of management action efficacy differ among land-use types and at least three vegetation structural regions. However, social licence, logistic and legislative constraints are the key drivers of the availability of methods for these areas. Implications: Feral cat management programs should consider how program strategy can be prioritised on the basis of technique availability, region of use and expected impact. Feral cats have caused the decline of many native Australian species, but cat management remains challenging with programs being variable in their success. Experts from Australia identified the techniques currently used in cat management and the environmental, economic, and social impacts influencing their success. We summarise the impacts that vegetation, land-use, legislation, and social licence can have on the efficacy of different management techniques. Image by Guy Ballard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The purpose of this study was to determine the role of biomechanical mental imagery training analysis in improving the ability of Petanque Sports Shooting Game. Materials and methods. This review study was performed following the PRISMA standards for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. The studies were required to have been published within the previous four years, from January 2020 to July 2023. (1) petanque shooting; (2) mental imagery analysis were the keywords used in the search process. To conduct the study, the database Scopus and SINTA (Science and Technology Index) were used. Results. The findings of the literature review yielded a final sample comprising 7 relevant articles. Specifically, 3 articles focused on imagery training for enhancing petanque shooting results, while 4 articles examined the effects of petanque shot improvement on the shooting game abilities of this sport. Conclusions. This study revealed that mental imagery exercise analysis significantly improved the performance of petanque athletes in the match phase, enhancing their performance, motivation, and concentration, making it a valuable method for achieving positive effects on physical and mental performance in petanque athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Evidence suggests that functional training (FT) positively impacts physical fitness and sports performance. However, a systematic review addressing the effects of FT on basketball players remains absent. This systematic review aims to explore the influence of FT on physical fitness and skill-related performance in basketball players. Methods: We searched six databases: Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), EBSCOhost, and Google Scholar. The search utilized a combination of keywords related to FT, physical fitness, and basketball. The Eligibility Criteria of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines were followed in this systematic review. Results: 11 studies were ultimately included in this review, collectively recruiting 333 basketball players. These studies demonstrated that FT significantly improved muscle strength, linear speed, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, balance, and muscular endurance. However, the effects of FT on power, change-of-direction speed, and basketball-related performance were inconsistent. Most studies showed FT significantly improves these three variables, but a small number of studies did not find positive effects of FT using specific tests including standing long jump, Sargent jump, touch high, lane agility, lateral shuffle, dribbling line drill, and free-throw tests. Conclusion: FT is an effective training method for enhancing physical fitness including muscle strength, linear speed, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, balance, and muscular endurance. However, the effects of FT on power, change-of-direction speed, and basketball-related performance were divergent. Some tests were not improved after FT potentially due to the short program lengths and training session durations, varied athletic levels of players examined, and different foci of the FT exercises administered. The collective evidence suggests FT programs, especially the specific exercises prescribed, should be tailored to the desired training objectives. More studies investigating the effects of FT on physical fitness and basketball-related performance with established tests are encouraged in the future to expand the current evidence base. Systematic Review Registration: https://inplasy.com/, Identifier INPLASY202360072. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sometimes, policing requires a quick and correct assessment of potentially hazardous situations. The training of tactical gaze control and visual attention, and its positive impact on efficient shoot/don’t shoot decisions in police cadets’ use of firearms has recently been demonstrated. On this basis, we designed an individual video-based police firearms training that was grounded on the Four-Component Instructional Design Model (4C/ID). We shifted toward an individual blended learning approach where we applied an intervention training focused on situational awareness, tactical gaze control, and visual attention. In a preregistered lab experiment, N  =  45 senior police officers were randomly allocated to the intervention training or an active control training that resembled a traditional police firearms training. Both groups watched a self-produced educational video before proceeding to the practical training in our indoor firing range. In a pre- and post-test, they engaged in realistic shoot/don’t shoot video scenarios. Both groups did very well regarding decision-making, the optimal muzzle position, and the tactical conduct to keep both eyes open before shooting. Although both groups performed on a comparable level in the pre-test’s shoot scenarios, the intervention group significantly improved their response times and time until the first hit. Overall, we were able to provide an adapted, didactically based police firearms training that supplements current standards. We demonstrated that experts are still susceptible to innovative training concepts and therefore substantiate the recommendation to devote more attention to approaches that emphasize the importance of situational awareness, tactical gaze control, and visual attention in police firearms training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aiming point analysis systems (APAS) are commonly used in sports shooting but face four main challenges: they do not account for intra-session variations, they overlook inter-individual shooter preferences, they ignore compensation mechanisms of technical features, and they do not respect the real shot location at the target. Methods: To address the first three challenges, we developed and validated an automated approach detector algorithm (ADA) for movement phase detection. When compared to three independent expert ratings, the ADA demonstrated a high correlation (r = .811). Building on the ADA and addressing challenge 3 and 4, this study applied cluster-analysis and ANOVA to determine the performance relevance of compensation-sensitive shot styles using datasets from a single athlete and 26 advanced to elite level athletes. Results: Significant performance differences in shot styles for both datasets, with each shot style distinctively differing from the others could be found. Conclusions: Shot styles which allow for compensation and intra-individual movement phase differences exhibit performance variations. Coaches and athletes should emphasize holistic training, focusing on combinations of features that allow for compensation.

IntroductionShooting simulations provide an excellent opportunity to train use-of-force decisions in controlled environments. Recently, military and law enforcement organizations have expressed a growing desire to integrate physiological measurement into simulations for training and feedback purposes. Although participants can easily wear physiological monitors in these scenarios, direct implementation into training may not be simple. Theoretical problems exist in the ultra-short heart rate variability windows associated with use-of-force training, and practical problems emerge as existing scenario libraries at training organizations were not designed for physiological monitoring.MethodsThe current study explored the challenges and possibilities associated with direct implementation of physiological monitoring into an existing library of firearms training scenarios. Participants completed scenarios in a shooting simulator using existing military training scenarios while wearing a device to monitor their heart rate.ResultsThe results revealed lower heart rate variability (approximately 6%) occurred in scenarios where participants did not have to fire weapons, indicating that don't-shoot scenarios may actually impose more cognitive stress on shooters. Additional evidence further demonstrated how both behavioral and physiological factors could be used concomitantly to predict unintentionally firing on non-hostile actors. However, behavioral measures were more predictive (e.g., β = .221) than physiological measures (e.g., β = −.132) when the latter metrics were limited to specific scenarios. Qualitative results suggest that simply applying physiological monitoring to existing shooting simulations may not yield optimal results because it would be difficult to directly integrate physiological measurement in a meaningful way without re-designing some elements of the simulations, the training procedure, or both.DiscussionFuture use-of-force shooting simulations should consider designing novel scenarios around the physiological measurement rather than directly implementing physiological assessments into existing libraries of scenarios.

Masalah terpenting dalam upaya peningkatan prestasi dalam permainan futsal adalah peningkatan kualitas pemain. Upaya peningkatan kualitas pemain, diperlukan peningkatan kualitas pembinaan dan pelatihan. Selain penguasaan teknik dasar permainan futsal, ada pula penguasaan teknik shooting yang perlu diutamakan dalam rangka pencapaian prestasi yang optimal. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui pengaruh latihan sasaran terhadap ketepatan shooting pada atlet Akademi Futsal Cirebon. Metodelogi dari Penelitian ini menggunakan jenis penelitian eksperimen dengan pendekatan kuantitatif. Desain penelitian dalam penelitian ini menggunakan desain One-groups pretest-posttest design. Adapun populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah atlet yang berjumlah 58 peserta. Teknik yang digunakan adalah purposive sampling dengan jumlah sampel atlet kategori usia 15 tahun dengan jumlah 15 atlet. Instrumen penelitian menggunakan Tes Bobby Charlton. Analisi data dengan menguji rata-rata dan simpangan baku, normalitas, homogenitas serta hipotesis. Hasil penelitian menunjukan bahwa nilai signifikansi sebesar 0.00, karena nilai signifikansinya kurang dari 0.05 maka Ho ditolak dan Ha diterima. Jadi dapat disimpulkan bahwa latihan sasaran menggunakan tes Bobby Charlton memberikan pengaruh yang signifikan dalam meningkatkan ketepatan Shooting futsal. Bagi peneliti selanjutnya agar menambahkan variabel.

Study Purpose. The purpose of this study was to determine how biomechanical analysis can be used in petanque shooting techniques. Materials and methods. This review study followed the PRISMA standards for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Studies had to be published within the previous five years, from January 2019 to July 2023. (1) shooting petanque; (2) biomechanical analysis were the keywords used in the search process. Scopus and the Science and Technology Index (SINTA) were used for study. Results. This review consists of nine studies. In five research articles, motion analysis was considered, which resulted in a discussion of the direction and angle of petanque throw biomechanics. Four research articles deal with the analysis of petanque shooting accuracy, leading to a discussion of angle, direction, arc, and focus. Conclusions. Biomechanical analysis helps to understand intensity, speed, and posture for better bidding, improved performance, and reduced risk of injury, while increasing speed and efficiency, preventing muscle imbalances, and achieving better technical positions in shooting petanque sports.