Portable MP3 player as low-cost data logger

Non-audio signals have been recorded in the flash ROM memory of a portable MP3 player, in WAV format file, to examine the possibility of using these cheap and small instruments as general-purpose portable data loggers. A 1200-Hz FM carrier modulated by the non-audio signal has replaced the microphone signal, while using the REC operating mode of the MP3 player, which triggers the voice recording function. The signal recovery was carried out by a PLL-based FM demodulator whose input is the FM signal captured in the coil leads of the MP3 player's earphone. Sinusoidal and electrocardiogram signals have been used in the system evaluation. Although the quality of low frequency signals needs improvement, overall the results indicate the viability of the proposal. Suggestions are made for improvements and extensions of the work.

REFEREE PERSONAL MEANING: PERCEPTION of FOOTBALL OFFICIALS

The aim of this study was to evaluate the personal meaning of refereeing for Portuguese football referees. Participants were 47 football referees from the 1st Portuguese Professional Football League evaluated through an open question: "Write down what refereeing means to you". The analysis was made according to Miles & Huberman (1994) procedures. The 5 categories are: relation with the football; costs of the practice; emotion for the arbitration; social interaction and way of life. The results show that be connected to the world of the football, passion and the relationship with other referees are important motivational factors, with that the referees have a high grade of excitement and pleasure in his labor activity. on the other hand the task of refereeing is generating of stress and burnout.

Coping strategies among brazilian professional and amateur football players

To identify coping strategies used among professional and amateur Brazilian football players. The Ways of Coping Scale (WOCS) was completed by 134 male football players (71 professionals: mean age = 22.77 ± 3.98 years; 63 amateurs: mean age = 17.18 ± 0.84 years) from three teams that participated in the Campeonatos Estaduais da Primeira Divisão (the state championships for the first division of football). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the type of coping strategy they used (e.g., problem-focused, emotion-focused, fantasy thoughts, religious practices and social support). Problem-focused coping was the most frequently used strategy by all of the players and social support was the least frequently used strategy. Both professional and amateur players failed to focus on the development of adequate coping strategies. Further studies are needed to better understand the impact that Brazilian athletes experience has on their choice of coping strategies during pre-competitive and competitive phases of their sport. © JPES.

Registrador de sinais analógicos usando MP3 player portátil com entrada para voz

Neste trabalho se propôs a utilização do MP3 player portátil para gravação de sinal nãoáudio em sua memória, utilizando-se seu recurso para gravação de voz. Para avaliar a proposta, retirou-se o microfone de eletreto do MP3 player e em seu lugar injetou-se um sinal de FM, com portadora de áudio de 1200 Hz modulada pelo sinal de interesse. O sinal é gravado no aparelho em arquivo no formato WAV. Sua recuperação se fez usando um demodulador de FM a PLL cuja entrada é o sinal de FM captado nos terminais da bobina do fone de ouvido do MP3 player. Nos testes, usou-se sinal senoidal e sinal de eletrocardiograma. Embora a qualidade dos sinais de baixa freqüência precise ser melhorada, em geral os resultados apontam para a viabilidade da proposta. Fazem-se sugestões para melhorias e extensões do trabalho.

Efeito da utilização do coringa no treinamento em campo reduzido em jogadores de futebol universitário

Soccer is the most popular sport in Brazil and one of the most popular in the world. Within this context, the practice of university soccer has increased the number of practitioners. A methodology widely used in the training of high performance teams are games reduced field ( JCR). The objective of this study was to evaluate the intensity of physical effort of football players during a small side game, 4x4, check the correlation between [La], HR PSE and the players and the floater influence on the intensity of the small side game. We analyzed eight players of UNESP in Bauru mean age 21.2+1.5 years, weight 75.8+11.6 kg, height 1.77±8cm, body fat percentage 12.3+5.5%, VO2max 37.1 ml/kg/min. The training was performed in 4 x 6 min with an interval of between one minute for recovery. The [La] and PSE were collected between the second and third time and after the end of training, the HR was measured every five seconds throughout the training through the RS400 heart rate monitor. A training session player floater participation (4x4+1) and the other not (4x4). The results presented showed no correlation with the HR [La] and PSE. HR significantly different, being 157+10 in the game 4x4+1 and 146+13 in the game 4x4. The percentage of HRmax in the game with floater was 81.3% and 75.7% in the game without. The players were most of the time in a higher intensity in the JCR with a floater, 37.8% of playing time over 85% HRmax, and 22.5% of playing time over 85% of HRmax in the JCR without floater, demonstrating that the use of a floater player made the game more intense and efficient to increase the intensity of the game

Estratégias de enfrentamento em jogadores de futebol

The aim of this study was to identify scores of interest related to coping strategies used by professional and amateur football players. Participants were 134 male football players, 71 professionals (age=22,77±3,98 years) and 63 amateurs (age=17,18±0,84) from three teams participating on the First Division State Championship). The players answered individually to the Coping with Problems Scale. Significance level was P<0.05. When coping strategies were compared based on game position and player category (professional or amateur), lateral player amateurs used more wishful thinking /religious practices (P=0.042) than professionals. Coping Focused Problem was the most used strategy used by both the professionals and amateurs, except the amateur laterais, who used more wishful thinking /religious practices.