Visual function,performance,and processing of basketball players vs.sedentary individuals

Background:Athletes tend to have better visuo-motor performance than do sedentary individuals.However,several basic visual-function and perceptual parameters remain unexplored to date.In this study,we investigated whether differences exist in visual function,performance,and processing between basketball players and individuals without a sport-involvement background.Methods:A total of 33 healthy men with no visual impairment or pathology were divided into 2 groups,depending on the involvement in sport(semi-professional basketball players and sedentary individuals).We tested their baseline heart-rate variability in the resting position apart from subjective questionnaires to determine their physical fitness level,and we checked their visual function,performance,and processing through an extended battery of optometric tests.Results:The 2 groups differed in resting heart-rate variability parameters(p<0.001),confirming their dissimilarities in regular time practising sports per week.The basketball players showed a closer breakpoint and recovery nearpoint of convergence,a higher fusional-vergence rate,better discriminability halos,and better eye-hand coordination(all p values<0.05).Conclusion:These results show evidence that athletes,basketball players in this case,exhibit better performance in several visual abilities in comparison to a group of individuals without sporting backgrounds,suggesting an improvement due to the systematic involvement of those skills during basketball practice.

Performance on the Functional Movement Screen in older active adults

Background:The Functional Movement Screen(FMS^(TM)) has become increasingly popular for identifying functional limitations in basic functional movements.This exploratory and descriptive study was undertaken to confirm feasibility of performing the FMS^(TM) in older active adults,assess prevalence of asymmetries and to evaluate the relationship between functional movement ability,age,physical activity levels and body mass index(BMI).Methods:This is an observational study;97 men(n = 53) and women(n = 44) between the ages of 52 and 83 participated.BMI was computed and self-reported physical activity levels were obtained.Subjects were grouped by age(5-year intervals),BMI(normal,over-weight,and obese)and sex.Each participant's performance on the FMS^(TM) was digitally recorded for later analysis.Results:The youngest age group(50–54 years) scored highest in all seven tests and the oldest age group(75+) scored lowest in most of the tests compared to all other age groups.The subjects in the 'normal weight' group performed no different than those who were in the 'overweight' group;both groups performed better than the 'obese' group.Of the 97 participants 54 had at least one asymmetry.The pairwise correlations between the total FMS^(TM) score and age(r =-0.531),BMI(r =-0.270),and the measure of activity level(r = 0.287) were significant(p < 0.01 for all).Conclusion:FMS^(TM) scores decline with increased BMI,increased age,and decreased activity level.The screen identifies range of motion-and strength-related asymmetries.The FMS^(TM) can be used to assess functional limitations and asymmetries.Future research should evaluate if a higher total FMS^(TM) score is related to fewer falls or injuries in the older population.