Objective This study aims to investigate the impact of integrated training on kinematics variables and defensive accuracy in volleyball, focusing on enhancing balance and muscle tension control through proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) exercises. Methods The sample consisted of 14 male volleyball athletes from the first volleyball league of Al-Jaish Sports Club were divided into experimental (n=7) and control group (n=7). In the pre- and post-intervention periods, dynamic balance, muscle tension control and kinematic variables (during a lateral reaching task) as well as defensive performance accuracy upon fatigue onset of recoil laser strikes were assessed. Exposure the intervention program was carried out for six weeks, and the following measuring tools were used to assess performance, Y-Balance Test as well as sEMG and kinematic variables using Kinovea. Results Compared with the control- group, individuals in the experimental- group demonstrated significantly improved performance at balance (Y-Balance Test, Cohen's d = 1.42), muscle activity and tension control (sEMG, Cohen's d = 1.38) and defensive ability accuracy (Cohen's d = 1.60). Kinematic variables revealed moderate to large enhancements in knee, hip, shoulder, elbow ankle and trunk angles where effect size ranged from 1.03 to 1.49 (Cohen's d). Control group, as expected, showed mild changes in all studied variables. Conclusion The combined training program enhanced volleyball players’ biomechanical efficiency and defensive performance, highlighting its potential to boost performance, reduce injury risk, and improve coaching effectiveness.
Seepage through earth dams is one of the most popular causes for earth dam collapse due to internal granule movement and seepage transfer. In earthen dams, the core plays a vital function in decreasing seepage through the dam body and lowering the phreatic line. In this research, an alternative soil to the clay soil used in the dam core has been proposed by conducting multiple experiments to test the permeability of silty and sandy soil with different additives materials. Then the selected sandy soil model was used to represent the dam experimentally, employing a permeability device to measure the amount of water that seeps through the dam's body and to represent the seepage line. A numerical model was adopted using Geo-Studio software i
... Show MoreThis research utilized natural asphalt (NA) deposits from sulfur springs in western Iraq. Laboratory tests were conducted to evaluate the performance of an asphalt mixture incorporating NA and verify its suitability for local pavement applications. To achieve this, a combination of two types of NA, namely soft SNA and hard HNA, was blended to create a binder known as Type HSNA. The resulting HSNA exhibited a penetration grade that adhered to Iraqi specifications. Various percentages of NA (20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%) were added to petroleum asphalt. The findings revealed enhanced physical properties of HSNA, which also satisfied the requirements outlined in the Iraqi specifications for asphalt cement.
Consequently, HS
... Show MoreThis study aims to compare the response of reinforced concrete (RC) T-beams strengthened with carbon fibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composite with that of non-strengthened control beams when subjected to monotonic two-point loading until failure for flexural once and shear again. The experimental programme tested eight RC T-beams, which included two reference beams without strengthening and six strengthened beams. The eight beams were divided into two main groups according to strengthening (flexural and shear). Experimental analysis was performed to study the effect of the CFRP laminate width in the flexural group and the spacing of CFRP U-wrap sheets in the shear group on the ultimate load capacity, load-strain relationship, and l
... Show MoreThe double-skin profiled composite wall (DSPCW) system, filled with concrete material, is favorable in modern structures due to its high strength and ductility. Openings may be required within this composite wall (DSPCW) for various reasons, similar to a conventional bearing wall, which can lead to a reduction in bearing capacity. Therefore, to avoid changes in the geometry, materials, and thickness of this DSPCW wall, a new internally stiffening concept has been suggested by providing embedded cold-formed steel tube (CFST) columns. For this purpose, two full-scale DSPCW specimens were tested under static axial load, one of which was fabricated with a large opening size and stiffened with two octagonal CFST columns, while the other
... Show MoreChallenges facing the transition of traditional cities to smart: Studying the challenges faced by the transition of a traditional area such as Al-Kadhimiya city center to the smart style
The aim of this study was to increasing natural carotenoides production by a locally isolate Rodotorula mucilagenosa M. by determination of the optimal conditions for growth and production of this agents, for encouragest to use it in food application permute artificial pigments which harmfull for consumer health and envieronmental. The optimal condition of carotenoides production from Rhodotorula mucilaginosa M were studied. The results shows the best carbon and nitrogen source were glucose and yeast extract. The carotenoids a mount production was 47430 microgram ̸ litter and 47460 microgram ̸ litter, respectively, and the optimum temperature was 30°C, PH 6, that the carotenoides a mount was 47470 microgram ̸ litter and 47670 microgr
... Show MoreThe study aimed to prepare a nanocapsules formulation from the acetonic extract of Moringa oleifera leaves, using polymeric capsules, and test its toxicity against the third instar larvae of Culex pipiens mosquitoes. The leaf extract was prepared using acetone as a solvent, and the nano polymeric capsules were prepared using the synthetic polymer polyethylene glycol 4000. The results showed the successful preparation of nano polymeric capsules from the leaf extract, with an average particle size of 259.2 nm, and a nanocapsule diameter of 263.83 nm, as determined by DLS and SEM analysis, respectively. The toxicity results indicated that the nano polymeric capsules of the leaf extract exhibited higher mortality rates, reaching 97.6% a
... Show MoreThe term ‘photometry’ refers to the accurate determination of the apparent brightness of an astronomical object. Until roughly 1980, nearly all astronomical photometry was done by means of analog measurements of photographic plates, or by analog or digital (photon-counting) techniques with photomultipliers. These photometers produced brightness readings which were typically displayed on dials, plotted on strip charts or printed on strips of paper, and it was often quite practical to analyse these raw data with pencil, paper and a slide rule or table of logarithms. However, during the late 1970s electronic area detectors for astronomy became more advanced: first, for a brief period, television-type cameras were employed, but these were s
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