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Performance-based tests are commonly used by strength and conditioning coaches to assess athletes and the purpose can ranged from functional diagnostic to decision making in return-to-sport. Although these individual tests provide precise information on the strengths and weaknesses of each athlete, the large amount of such data can complicate communication between various stakeholders. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the utility of a composite score called total score of athleticisms (TSA) in Malaysian football players and to examine the predictive ability of the TSA to identify group membership. A total of ninety-five male Malaysian football players participated in this study and their performance in vertical jump, 30-m sprint and yoyo intermittent recovery level 2 were measured. The result of each performance test was converted to a standard score and averaged to create the TSA of each athlete. The results from independent t-test indicated significant differences of moderate to large effect sizes (Cohen’s d of 0.69 to 1.07) in age, height, body mass and TSA scores (p ≤ 0.001) between senior and developmental players. Logistic regression analysis showed that TSA score was able to distinguish between senior and developmental players (χ2 (1, n = 95) = 23.763, p < 0.001). The TSA score accounted for 29.5% of the variance in group membership and correctly classified 70.5% of the players. When TSA scores were divided into tertiles, the Cochran-Armitage analysis indicated a statistically significant trend in the number of senior players across tertiles (z = 19.432, p < 0.001) with the percentage of senior players being the highest (77.1%; 27/32) in the high TSA tertile followed by medium (40.6%; 13/32) and low (29.0%; 9/31) TSA tertiles. The ability of the TSA to differentiate between senior and developmental players could be attributed to power indicators being a significant predictor of successful performance among elite football players and hence, highlights its potential use by coaches to streamline collaborative communication and for team selection.

Adventure tourism is increasingly popular in ecologically rich destinations like Malaysia offering immersive experiences that foster place attachment. This study explores the impact of place attachment on tourist satisfaction among adventure tourists in Malaysia, conceptualizing attachment into four dimensions: place affect, place identity, place dependence, and place social bonding. A quantitative approach was employed, with survey data collected from 402 adventure tourists in Gopeng, Perak, ensuring robust statistical analysis. Using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), the study found that place affect (β = 0.704, p < 0.001) and place identity (β = 0.122, p = 0.031) positively influence satisfaction, emphasizing the role of emotional and self-identity connections in enhancing tourist experiences. In contrast, place dependence (β = -0.095, p = 0.108) and place social bonding (β = -0.097, p = 0.028) had insignificant or negative effects, suggesting that functional reliance and social interactions are less critical in adventure tourism satisfaction. The model explained 45% of the variance (R² = 0.45) in satisfaction, with place affect exhibiting the highest predictive power (f² = 0.290). Findings underscore the need for destination managers to prioritize emotional engagement, storytelling, and immersive experiences to strengthen attachment and satisfaction. The study contributes to sustainable tourism management by highlighting the significance of emotional and identity-based connections. Future research should adopt longitudinal and qualitative approaches to examine evolving place attachment dynamics over time.

The global COVID-19 pandemic caused enormous changes in the educational system, with students shifting to distance learning and experiencing significant changes in their academic norms. Presently, the pandemic’s transition to online learning has raised concerns about students' general state after COVID-19 pandemic, particularly their academic performance and well-being. The overarching purpose of this study is to determine the effects of physical activity and mental health on academic performance among students at the University of Technology Mara, Pahang Branch, Jengka Campus after COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from 354 students, including 196 diploma and 158 degree-level students, using questionnaires. The analysis was conducted using Spearman’s rank correlation. This study utilized the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) and the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) to assess psychological distress and physical activity levels, respectively. The study shows that a significant majority of students engage in moderate physical activity, while sedentary behavior is prevalent. Concerningly, a sizable proportion of students reported signs of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety, and stress. The findings also show that there is no substantial association between physical activity and academic performance. However, the study does find a small but statistically significant inverse relationship between mental health and academic performance, implying that students with higher total mental health scores may have slightly lower CGPAs. As a result, the findings highlight the significance of encouraging physical activity and treating mental health problems among university students, particularly in the post COVID-19 pandemic era. These findings are beneficial for encouraging the development of strategies and support services to focus at enhancing students' overall well-being and academic success.

In recent years, athlete satisfaction has emerged as a critical component in promoting optimal performance and overall well-being in sports. Understanding the variables that contribute to athletes' satisfaction is essential, particularly in the context of youth and state-level athletes. This study investigated athlete satisfaction among Pahang State hockey players to enhance understanding of the factors influencing athletes’ well-being. The study utilized a quantitative research design, employing the Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASQ) to assess satisfaction levels among 46 Pahang State hockey players aged 18–23. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze overall satisfaction, while an independent samples t-test examined gender-based differences, ensuring a comprehensive data analysis The descriptive statistics revealed a notably high level of satisfaction among the participants. The independent samples t-test disclosed no statistically significant gender-based differences in athlete satisfaction (p > 0.05). Thus, the authors recommend prioritizing the maintenance of robust task-involving features within the social environment to enhance athlete satisfaction and address fundamental needs conducive to overall well-being. Furthermore, the necessity of avoiding downplayed should be emphasized. This study contributed valuable insights for optimizing athlete satisfaction, with implications for enhancing athletes’ holistic development in sports. It is recommended for future researchers to expand the scope of this study by incorporating a larger sample size from different regions or sports disciplines to gain a more comprehensive understanding of athlete satisfaction. 

Physical inactivity is a public health concern, as 1 in 4 adults in Malaysia is inactive. On the other hand, being able to cope with stress and adverse experiences was referred to as resilience. Being active prove to be one of the protective factors for better resilience. However, many other factors contributed to individual resilience. Therefore, this research aims to investigate the correlation between psychological resilience and the level of physical activity involvement among athletes in UiTM during the MASUM sports carnival, factors that contribute to better resilience, and the difference in psychological resilience between male and female athletes among UiTM MASUM's contingent. Purposive sampling was used to identify 206 (N=206) UiTM athletes involved in the MASUM sports carnival. A correlational study was used to help the researcher gain an in-depth view of the proposed topic. The data was analysed using Pearson correlation and T-test. Findings indicate no significant correlation between the level of physical activity involvement and psychological resilience. Besides, social resources, such as family, were the main factors contributing to better psychological resilience, and there was no difference between male and female athletes regarding psychological resilience. In conclusion, this study sheds light on the correlation between the level of physical activity involvement and psychological resilience, factors contributing to better psychological resilience and the difference between male and female students regarding their psychological resilience. For future research, it is advisable to widen the sample to include other universities and use a qualitative method to generalise the results better.

This study investigated the dynamics of anxiety experienced by Indonesian pencak silat athletes leading up to competition. As part of Indonesia's global cultural heritage, pencak silat is often hampered by anxiety that affects athletes' performance. Psychological aspects such as the ability to overcome obstacles and maintain concentration are crucial in the management of this anxiety. Coaches have an important role in supporting athletes to recognise and address their anxiety patterns and in designing effective coping strategies. The research approach used was qualitative, with informal interviews as the main method to explore the athletes' experiences in depth. The research participants consisted of 10 Indonesian pencak silat athletes (6 males and 4 females) who had varying levels of experience and competition, including in singles, doubles, and team categories at the elite level. Data were collected through in-depth interviews as well as visual methods such as images and diagrams, which were then thematically analysed. The main objective of this study was to deepen the understanding of the fluctuations in anxiety experienced by athletes leading up to competitions and the coping strategies they use. Research findings revealed that female athletes tend to experience higher anxiety than male athletes, which is influenced by biological factors such as hormonal changes. At national and regional levels, athletes often feel pressure to perform and fulfil expectations, which is a major cause of their anxiety. With a creative visual approach, athletes can increase their understanding and ability to express their anxiety experiences, allowing coaches to gain greater insight to develop more effective coping strategies.

This study aims to analyze the differences in fatigue that occur in the explosive power of the arm and leg muscles after a 3x3 basketball game. Muscle fatigue is an important factor that affects player performance, especially in sports that rely on explosive muscle strength, such as basketball. This study uses a pre-experimental design with a quantitative approach, involving 12 participants as the sample. The data obtained from the measurement of arm and leg muscle explosive power were analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test to examine data distribution normality, Levene's test for homogeneity, and paired sample t-tests to identify significant differences between pre-test and posttest data. The results show a significant decrease in arm and leg muscle explosive power after the game, with significance values of 0.047 (t = -2.235) for arm muscles and 0.046 (t = -2.247) for leg muscles. This decrease indicates that muscle fatigue from the 3x3 game significantly affects player performance. This study highlights the importance of managing muscle fatigue to improve basketball player performance, especially in competitions that rely on explosive muscle strength.

Increased muscle strength can be achieved through strength and flexibility training. The objective of this research study is to investigate the effectiveness of Steam Bomb on body flexibility and to examine the satisfaction of volunteers with steam treatment using the herbal steam bomb product formulated by Mr. Somkid Chuaynukul, a traditional healer in Pa Bon district, Phatthalung province. The study involved 30 volunteers, divided into an experimental group of 15 and a control group of 15. The control group received regular steam treatment, while the experimental group received steam treatment using the Steam Bomb product. Muscle flexibility levels were compared before and after the test and between the groups by using the Sit and Reach Test. The results showed that both the control and experimental groups had significantly increased average muscle flexibility after using herbal steam treatment, with a statistical significance at the p<0.05 level. However, the two groups had no significant difference in average muscle flexibility after the fifth trial. Therefore, it can be concluded that steam treatment with the Steam Bomb product is as effective as regular steam treatment. The satisfaction assessment of the volunteers revealed that they were highly satisfied with various aspects of the Steam bomb treatment, including muscle flexibility, relief of body aches, product fragrance, and respiratory effects. This study can add value to herbal products and serve as a guideline for future health business ventures such as fitness centres, spa, etc.

Tennis is one of the sports that requires a high level of physical requirements, including speed, agility, strength, endurance, power, flexibility, footwork, and hand-eye coordination, just to successfully serve or receive a ball. In Malaysia, a total of 13 different tournaments, organized locally, and internationally, are available for young tennis athletes to participate in, where they are required to attend various scheduled and intensive training sessions prior to their tournament, ranging from 12 to 48 hours per month in different age groups. Given the chronic stressors including high training load, academic demands, and expectations from coaches, family, and the athletes themselves, young tennis athletes are predisposed to overtraining and burnout occurrence. Overtraining is defined as a longer period of negative unintentional consequences of training, resulting in decreased performance, which lasts longer than just a few days. Burnout is defined as a psychophysiological response to exhaustion, involving three components, including psychological, physical, and behavioural components, which manifests in three features including emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced sense of accomplishment and sport devaluation. Hence, this study aims to identify the risk factors of burnout and overtraining in young tennis athletes, to provide actionable recommendations to parents, coaches, and paediatricians, and in supporting young athletes’ wellbeing. A total of five articles which studies the correlation between training load or training volume and occurrence of burnout in young tennis athletes were included in this study. Results yielded were inconclusive to recommend the optimum duration of recommended training hours or training load in young tennis athletes, to avoid the occurrence of burnout, highlighting the need for further research to be conducted to establish the relationship between training load and burnout occurrence in young tennis players in Malaysia.

This study investigated the effect of sports drink ice slurry ingestion during recovery on cycling performance and thermoregulatory responses in a warm and humid environment. A randomized crossover study design with two separated visits of trials, 7 male Kelantan state cyclist ingested 1.25 g/kg body weight of sport drink ice slurry (0.4°C) and plain water (27°C) during 30-min recovery period after fixed-intensity cycling and time trial exercise bouts (Exercise 1) but before exercising the next subsequent exercise bouts (Exercise 2) in the warm and humid laboratory setting (30.86 ± 0.14°C, 69.32 ± 0.72% RH and 31.01 ± 0.21°C, 67.83 ± 1.29% RH). The average of work performed, rectal and skin temperature, heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), thermal sensation, and thermal discomfort ratings were measured. The average work completed in the 15-minute time trial for ice slurry (146.9 ± 22.2 kJ) was higher than the control (134.7 ± 28.6 kJ), but it was not significantly different. The heart rate response in Exercise 2 ice slurry was elevated, but there was no significant difference between the two trials, p = 0.572. There was no significant mean difference in core temperature during both exercise bouts between trials, p = 0.512. However, there was a reduction in core temperature with ice slurry in Exercise 2. During exercise, there was a significant difference in mean skin temperature between ice slurry and control trials, p = 0.02. Ice slurry ingestion during recovery did not significantly change RPE (p = 0.543), thermal discomfort (p = 0.972), and thermal sensation (p = 0.732). Ingestion of sports drinks ice slurry improved cycling performance in subsequent exercise compared to plain water ingestion. In addition, ice slurry also attenuated the skin temperatures during the subsequent exercise in a warm and humid environment. However, ice slurry ingestion during recovery did not affect core temperature, heart rate, RPE, thermal discomfort, and thermal sensation in subsequent exercise

The literature on gender roles and sports participation highlights the persistent global issue of gender disparity, with women historically underrepresented and facing limited opportunities, despite recent shifts towards inclusion. In Cambodia, cultural attitudes, lack of female role models, limited access to facilities, and inadequate support from family and community hinder female sports participation. However, there is a research gap concerning the specific challenges adolescent girls in Cambodia face. This qualitative study explores the individual, relational, and social factors influencing adolescent females’ sports participation in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, noting the numerous benefits of sports for adolescent girls and the decline in participation due to societal norms and limited opportunities. Using the socio-ecological model, we conducted semi-structured focus-group interviews with 22 teenage females aged 15 to 25 who had engaged in male-dominated sports, with some having dropped out of school. Thematic analysis revealed key themes: lack of knowledge, skills, and motivation; time constraints; relational and social factors; and environmental or organizational barriers by using the ALAS.ti software program. Participants noted the absence of tailored sports programs and expressed inadequacy regarding their skills. Academic and familial responsibilities and excessive screen time further hindered participation. Social support from family, friends, and teachers was crucial, as those lacking such support were less likely to engage in sports. Other barriers included inadequate school facilities and safety concerns. Despite these challenges, participants acknowledged sports' health and psychological benefits and emphasized the need for better infrastructure and supportive programs. This study suggests important approaches to enhance female sports participation, including boosting intrinsic motivation, providing social relationship opportunities, educating parents and teachers, challenging gender stereotypes, and offering accessible sports facilities and programs. Creating inclusive and supportive environments can significantly increase sports participation among adolescent females in Cambodia.

Tennis, a widely played and highly competitive sport, has become increasingly popular globally. In Malaysia, ROG, a new tennis junior development programme collaborating with the International Tennis Federation (ITF), had been introduced in 2024 to provide foundational tennis education, targeting children aged 8 to 10. Young tennis players face various obstacles, including demanding training loads, academic requirements and expectations from parents and coaches. In this context, sport psychology, which applies the psychological expertise in promoting athletes’ mental wellbeing, plays a pivotal role in optimizing athletic performance and mental strength in competition. This narrative review aims to evaluate the effectiveness of mental health assessment methods and mental health interventions. A total of 19 articles addressing the objective of this review were included. The study results suggested that various tools and interventions, particularly the Sport Anxiety Scale-2 and motor imagery training, can be implemented in current training routine. However, further research needs to be conducted as there is a lack of studies focusing on Malaysian- translated versions of mental health assessment tools and mental health interventions for young tennis players in Malaysia.

Sedentary lifestyle is a global problem. Although, many awareness campaigns have been carried out but the issue of physical inactivity  still remained as a challange. Hence, more information is needed to increase the level of awareness among the sedentary population to change their lifestyle. Comparing quantitatively the most important features in their daily lives is an option. The objective of this research was to quantify the advantages of archery training to the body’s essential elements in performing daily activities which are core strength, balance ability and gait analysis. Thirty (n=30) young adults aged between 13 and 21 years old were recruited and assigned into archer and sedentary groups for this study. Comparisons were made between archer and sedentary groups for core strength, balance ability and gait analysis using curl-ups test, uni-pedal stance test and gait velocity. Results from this study showed that there were significant advantages by training archery regularly. Core strength test showed that the archer group were able to perform more average curl ups which is 34 repetitions per minute compared to 24 repetitions per minute by the sedentary group (p<0.05). Significant difference shown in balance ability in open eyes condition with a median result of 160.00 s for archer group while the sedentary group was 96.25 s (p<0.05). The archer group also had higher gait velocity compared to the sedentary group (p<0.05). Based on the results, sports training seems to provide better standing ability, stronger core and lower limb strength which will ease daily activities.

In recent years, the opponent's serve has become faster in sepaktakraw, resulting in the defensive work becoming a much harder task. Therefore, an effective training method to improve the defensive skills in sepaktakraw is imperative. Due to this reason, we have developed a new sepaktakraw ball launcher that can support sepaktakraw defence training. The aim of this study is to model and verify the ball’s speed launched from the device. The prototype ball launcher was developed based on a parametric model of the launcher mechanism and real-world sepaktakraw ball kinematics. The prototype ball launcher’s capability to launch sepaktakraw balls that reach real-world ball velocity was verified using a high-speed (480 Hz) camera motion analysis at four different launcher’s speed capacities (70%, 90%, 95% and 100%). The results showed that the launched ball speeds from the experiment were lower than the theoretical launched ball speed for all speed capacities, only reaching the maximum speed of 59.4 km/h at 100% speed capacity. It can also be observed that the differences between the experimental and the theoretical speeds were increased at higher motor speed capacities, indicating that lower motor efficiency could be one of the possible causes of the launcher producing low ball speeds during launch. Though the top speed of the launched ball was close enough to the real-world average ball speed during a serve (60 km/h), based on the launcher’s overall performance, further improvements are required before it is ready to be used for the training of elite athletes. Thus, several improvements to the ball launcher were suggested to increase the launched ball speed.