recreational team games on untrained males in post COVID-19 scenario

Objective of the study was to examine the effect of small-side mixed recreational games on physical characteristics of university youth. Methods: Twenty-six male chosen and divided randomly into experimental (n=16) and control group (n=9). Experimental group was offered mixed recreational games thrice a week for 12 weeks. Mixed games included small sided football, basketball and handball. Training was given for 30 minutes. Independent Ttest was used to check group differences at start and post intervention. Product Moment Correlation was used to check correlation between aerobic capacity and body fat. Results: Body fat percent (t23= -2.123, P= 0.045), aerobic capacity (t23= 2.220, P= 0.037), oxygen saturation (t23 = 2.182, P = 0.040) and resting heart rate (t23= 2.123, P= 0.045). Significant relationship between body fat and aerobic capacity was seen in the intervention group (r= -0.675, n=16, p= 0.004). Conclusions: It can be concluded that mixed recreational games are effective and should be promoted among youth for better health. Unstructured and supervised recreational games are effective in promoting physical health and are enjoyed by young participants.

More than just a game: Using Loteria in play therapy with Mexican/Mexican American clients

The therapeutic value of games in therapy has been well-established and is a common practice among clinicians, especially those working with children and families. However, an underlying assumption is that games are universal, without attention to the role of culture. The incorporation of traditional cultural games, such as Loteria, brings the benefits of game play with the addition of cultural sensitivity. Loteria is a traditional Mexican game, similar to Bingo, that is recognizable and accessible within the Mexican/Mexican American community. Mental health disparities among Latinx populations, and Mexican/Mexican Americans specifically, have been well-documented and exacerbated with the COVID-19 pandemic. In this article, we will discuss how the game Loteria helps to address the needs of this community, outlining the theoretical underpinnings of the approach, providing a detailed didactic application of the game, as well as presenting a case study to illustrate these components. This is all framed within the context of the pandemic, attending to both in-person and virtual applications. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2022 APA, all rights reserved)