The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 6-week yoga exercises on balance, flexibility, strength, and body fat percentage in soccer players. The sample group of the study consisted of 26 soccer players in a team, competing in the Turkish 1st League, with a mean height of 180.81 ± 6.87 centimeters (cm), mean body weight of 75.77 ± 9.08 kilograms (kg), and a body mass index (BMI) of 23.10 ± 1.62. Basic-level strength yoga exercise techniques were applied to soccer players for 6 weeks, 4 times a week each for 30 minutes before morning soccer training. The participants' balance, flexibility, and strength measurements were carried out twice, before and after 6-week yoga exercises. An Easytech dynamic balance system was used for balance measurements, a Takei-branded handgrip measuring device was used for strength measurements, and the sit and reach flexibility test was used for flexibility measurements. The data obtained from the study were analyzed using SPSS (Statistical Package for Social Sciences) for Windows 25.0. Descriptive statistical methods (number, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) were used in the evaluation of the data. The paired t-test, which is one of the parametric tests, was applied for the normally distributed parameters. According to the results of statistical analysis, a significant difference was found in the pre-test and post-test balance, flexibility and strength measurements of the participants (p<0.05). However, no statistically significant difference was found in the body mass index (BMI) values of the participants (p>0.05). In conclusion, it can be said that 6-week basic-level strength yoga exercises had a positive effect on balance, flexibility, and strength in soccer players. Furthermore, it may be suggested that yoga exercises to be applied by coaches before the season should be included in training programs considering that they will contribute to the motor development of soccer players.

Long-term regular exercise is associated with physiologic and morphologic alterations in the heart chambers. The aim of this study to evaluate left atrium (LA) phasic functions in professional football players and compare with control subjects. Left atrial volume was calculated at end-systole (Vmax), end-diastole and pre-atrial contraction by echocardiography in 20 professional male football players (mean age, 20.15+2.11 years) and 20 male control subjects (mean age, 22.3+1.49 years). Echocardiographic assessments were performed were performed using the criteria of the American Society of Echocardiography. The following LAVs were measured: maximal volume (Vmax), minimal volume (Vmin) and LAV before atrial contraction (VpreA) at the onset of the P wave of the simultaneously recorded ECG. Left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), expansion index (LAEI), active emptying volume index (LAAEVI) and fraction(LAAEFr), passive emptying volume index (LAPEVI) and fraction (LAPEFr) were calculated. Baseline characteristics, demographics, two dimensional and tissue Doppler echocardiographic parameters were not statistically significant between the groups (Table 1). Both groups were similar in terms of Vmax index but Vmin index and VpreA index were significantly higher in football players. LAEF, LAEI, LAAEVI and LAAEFr were lesser in football player but they were not statistically significant. Also LAPEVI and LAPEFr were similar in both groups (Table 2). Professional football playing can be associated with morphologic alteration in left atrium mechanical functions. Further prospective, randomized, controlled trials with long term follow-up are necessary to make more robust interpretations of this issue.

Bu çalışmada, son dünya kupası şampiyonu Fransa milli takımının şampiyonluk başarısının farklı değişkenler açısından analiz edilmesi amaçlanmıştır. Fransa milli takımının araştırma verileri, WyScout futbol analiz internet sitesinden elde edilmiştir. Maçlarda, atılan toplam şut, başarılı pas, öne pas, başarılı öne pas, isabetli şut, atılan gollerin zaman dilimine göre dağılımı, uzun pas, korner atışı, kanatlardan hücum tehlike düzeyleri, takım boyu, futbolcular arasında yapılan en sık pas kombinasyonları ve top hakimiyeti gibi parametreler ele alınıp analiz edilmiştir. Elde edilen veriler SPSS (20.0) programında kaydedilmiştir, frekans yüzde değerleri ve korelasyon hesaplanarak yorumlanmıştır. Şampiyon Fransa Milli takımının attığı gollerin %66,6'sını ilk yarıda atarken gollerin %50'sini 31-45. dakikalar arasında atmıştır. Fransa turnuva boyunca 77 tane şut atarken bunların 29 tanesi isabetli olmuştur ve %37,66'lık bir başarı oranı sağlamıştır. Turnuva da Fransa Milli takımının başarılı pas oranı %84,93'tür, başarılı ileri pas oranı ise %74,35'dir. Fransa Milli takımının turnuva boyunca maksimum top hakimiyet süresi %66'lık bir orandır ve takım boyu ortalaması 42,57 metredir. Fransa Milli takımının yüksek pas oranı, şut oranı, olumlu pas yüzdesi ve takım boyundaki yakınlık şampiyonluğun oluşumunda önemli olduğu düşünülmektedir. Sonuç olarak; önemli turnuvalarda, başarılı olabilmek için gerekli pek çok unsuru Fransa Milli takımının yüksek oranda yaptığı söylenebilir.

Object ve: Epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) represents a proportion of visceral fat distributed around the heart. Measurement of EAT thickness is important for the diagnosis of visceral obesity. Skinfold thickness has been used in both clinical and research settings for visceral obesity diagnosis. The aim of this study is to evaluate the correlation between skinfold and EAT thickness in healthy professional male soccer players.Mater al and Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted with twenty professional male soccer players (mean age, 22.50+2.80 years). Anthropometric data was collected for all patients and skinfold measurements were obtained with a caliper. EAT thickness was assessed in parasternal long axis view by transthoracic echocardiography.Results: Mean body mass index and waist circumference were 22.81±2.1 kg/m 2 and 78.80±6.59 cm, mean EAT thickness and body fat ratio were 3.45±0.94 mm and 10.89±4.04%, respectively. EAT thickness was significantly correlated with body fat percentage (r=0.518, p=0.019). EAT thickness was also significantly correlated with age, body mass index, body surface area and waist circumference. EAT thickness did not showed any correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure.Conclus on: This study has shown that there was a relationship between body fat ratio and EAT thickness in male soccer players who are considered to be healthy and physically fit.

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