Small-sided recreational soccer or futsal is associated with near maximal heart rates during training and has been shown to induce favourable metabolic and cardiorespiratory adaptations. It remains unclear, however, whether regular participation in futsal among overweight/obese individuals is effective in improving body composition and metabolic health. The purpose of this study was to determine if futsal can be an alternative method of exercise to promote weight loss and improve metabolic health in overweight/obese men. Eight overweight, untrained male participants (age: 29.5 ± 3.1 years; BMI: 31.2 ± 6.6 kg/m2 ) took part in a 12-week intervention consisted of 4-a-side matches, once or twice weekly. Each game lasted for 60 minutes (4 x 10-min) with 3 minutes active rest between each game. All sessions were conducted in a warm-humid outdoor environment. Exercise heart rates, urine specific gravity and ratings of perceived exertion were recorded during each training session. Blood samples were drawn at baseline and post intervention for analysis of fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein (HDL-C) and low density lipoprotein (LDL-C). Similarly, body composition analysis was analysed pre and post intervention. The average of percentage of exercise heart rates across the 12 weeks of training was at 77.8 ± 4% of heart rate maximum. Body weight did not change significantly following the intervention, however, an average of 4.5% reduction in body fat percentage (p=0.006) was observed. TG levels were increased following the intervention (1.9 ± 0.7 vs. 2.4 ± 1.0 mmol/L), but no changes were detected in FBG (5.5 ± 1.1 vs. 5.6 ± 0.9 mmol/L), CHOL (6.0 ± 1.1 vs. 5.9 ± 1.1 mmol/L), HDL (1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 1.0 ± 0.1 mmol/L) and LDL (4.1 ± 0.8 vs. 3.8 ± 0.9 mmol/L) levels, as well as blood pressure. In conclusion, the 4-a-side futsal intervention over a 12-week period resulted in lower body fat percentage in untrained, overweight/obese men, without significant improvements in metabolic health parameters. Due to the intermittent nature of the game, there is a potential for futsal to produce greater benefits if the intensities were maintained at higher intensities.
physical activity ; obesity ; body composition ; cardiovascular risk factors

Introduction: Kratom (Mitragyna speciosa Korth) dependence is a common psychiatric complication associated with regular kratom use in Malaysia. Hence, it is important to assess the severity of kratom dependence among regular kratom users. The Kratom Dependence Scale (KDS) was introduced to evaluate the degree of severity of kratom dependence among users. This study aimed to translate the original English version of the KDS into Malay and examine the psychometric properties of the KDS (Malay) among Malaysian kratom users. Methods: Initially, parallel translation and back translation of the original English version of the KDS was performed. The KDS (Malay) then was administered to 20 active Malaysian kratom users to assess face and content validities in a pilot study. Finally, the final version was administered to 150 active kratom users to evaluate its internal consistency (Cronbach’s α), face and content validities, discriminative validity, and construct validity, i.e. via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Results: The KDS (Malay) Cronbach’s α of 0.94 exhibited excellent internal consistency. It also demonstrated construct validity, as EFA showed that all items of the KDS (Malay) fit into a single domain, similar to the original English version. Discriminative validity was also demonstrated by the KDS (Malay), as it could differentiate kratom dependent users from non-kratom dependent users. Conclusion: The KDS (Malay) has acceptable psychometric properties and is suitable to assess severity of kratom dependence in Malaysian kratom users.

Introduction: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a positive psychological change in life that occurs as a result of struggle with highly challenging life crises. There is a growing need to explore posttraumatic growth (PTG) in cancer patients, as higher PTG may enhance well-being of patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to translate the Posttraumatic Growth Inventory-Short Form (PTGISF) into the Malay language and evaluate its psychometric properties for assessing Malaysian cancer patients in future studies. Methods: Two parallels forward and backward translations of the PTGI-SF into the Malay language were conducted. The test was administered to 195 cancer patients. Reliability was evaluated by testing internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and calculating the test-retest intra-class correlation coefficient, and validity was examined by determining face, convergent, and discriminant validities and using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). Results: The Malay version of the PTGI-SF and its five domains demonstrated good internal consistencies and acceptable test-retest reliability. All 10 items of this version were highly correlated with their own domains and thus exhibited convergent validity. Discriminant validity was achieved, as all domains of the Malay PTGI-SF was not highly correlated with the domains of the Source of Social Support Scale. CFA resulted in a bestfitting 5-factor model. Conclusion: The Malay version of the PTGI-SF is a suitable tool for measuring PTG in Malaysian cancer patients.

Objective: It is important to investigate the association between spousal support and psychology of cancer patients, thus a validated instrument to measure the degree of perceived spousal support is required. We translated and evaluated the psychometric properties of the Sources of Social Support Scale-Malay version (SSSS-Malay) among Malaysian cancer patients. Methods: In this study, the SSSS-Malay and Hope Scale-Malay [used to compare with the SSSS-Malay to assess discriminant validity] were administered to 195 Malaysian cancer patients during baseline assessment. The SSSS-Malay was re-administered 2 months after the baseline assessment during follow-up. Results: The SSSS-Malay total score (Cronbach’s α = 0.70, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.72) and its domains (Cronbach’s α ranging from 0.70 to 0.83, intraclass correlation coefficient ranging from 0.6 to 0.76) exhibited good internal consistencies and good test-retest reliability. The SSSS-Malay also demonstrated good convergent and discriminant validities. However, confirmatory factor analysis of the SSSSMalay showed that it was best fit into a 3-factor model instead of the 4-factor model of the original English version. Conclusion: The SSSS-Malay demonstrated good psychometric properties for use in Malaysian cancer patients.

Hope leads to lower depression and anxiety and is associated with improved quality of life of cancer patients. In thisstudy, Hope Scale (HS) was translated into Malay, and the psychometric properties of the Malay version of the HopeScale were investigated among Malaysian cancer patients. Concurrent translation and back translation of the originalEnglish version of the Hope Scale were performed, and the Malay version was administered to 195 cancer patientswith different cancer diagnoses at baseline assessment and 2 months later at follow-up. The Hope Scale (Malay) totalscore (Cronbach’s α = 0.72; intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.67) and its domains (Cronbach’s α [pathway] =0.7; Cronbach’s α [agency] = 0.7; ICC[Pathway] = 0.64; ICC[Agency] = 0.70) demonstrated acceptable internal consistencies andtest-retest reliability. Convergent and discriminant validities were also achieved by the Hope Scale (Malay). The HopeScale (Malay) demonstrated construct validity, as confirmatory factor analysis demonstrated that the items in the HopeScale (Malay) best fit into two domains, which was true for the original English version. The Hope Scale (Malay) hadacceptable psychometric properties and thus is suitable for assessing hope in Malaysian cancer patients.

The Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) imparted unprecedented negative impact worldwide since it was declared as a global pandemic in 2020 due to its high infectivity and mortality rate. Consequently, those who have been infected with COVID-19 experienced significant amount of social stigma which resulting in deterioration of mental well being. Hence, this study aimed to translate the Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue Stigma Scale (EMIC-SS) into Malay and investigate the reliability and validity of the Malay version (EMIC-SS-M) among COVID-19 survivors in Malaysia. Initially, concurrent translation and back translation of the EMIC-SS was conducted followed by the assessment of its face and content validity. Then, the EMIC-SS-M was administered to 219 COVID-19 survivors recruited from three targeted centers for assessment of its reliability (internal consistency) and validity (convergent and discriminant validity, exploratory factor analysis [EFA] and confirmatory factor analysis [CFA]). The EMIC-SS-M reported an acceptable internal consistency with Cronbach’s α of 0.727, while its domains reported acceptable Cronbach’s α ranged from 0.708 to 0.795. EFA and CFA confirmed that the EMIC-SS-M consisted of 15 items in 4 domains. The EMIC-SS-M exhibited good psychometric properties and ready for use to assess stigma among COVID 19 survivors in Malaysia. It can be adapted for use to assess stigma in other disease conditions among the Malaysian population in future studies.
COVID-19