Studia sportiva

Aerobic Endurance - Finding Optimal Rowing Ergometer Settings to Match Physiological Demands of Running

Petr Kellner, Michal Polách, Jiří Sekanina, Jiří Zháněl — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Assessing aerobic endurance is crucial for evaluating fitness levels, with the Cooper 12-minute test widely recognized as a benchmark. However, indoor rowing on the Concept2 rowing ergometer lacks a standardized equivalent, prompting this study to explore the potential of a 12-minute rowing test as an alternative. Despite differences in muscle groups, rowing shares foundational aerobic capacities with running. The investigation centers around the rowing drag factor, hypothesizing its role in aligning rowing performance with the physiological demands of running. The study involved 56 healthy male soldiers (age: 22.89 ± 2.28 years) undergoing 12-minute running and three drag factor rowing tests. While basic anthropometrics showed limited influence, height correlated positively with rowing performances, and weight negatively affected both running and rowing at low resistance and positively at higher resistances. The closest correlation between running and various drag factor rowing tests, and also the only one with no statistically significant difference in distance covered, was found at damper setting 1 of the ergometer, representing the lowest drag factor. The relatively low coefficient of determination (r² = 0,18) suggests diversity in the performance foundations of the 12-minute running and rowing. Therefore, further analysis is needed before the rowing test can be considered a valid alternative to the Cooper test.

Use of Inertial Measurement Units in Handball: A Review

Roman Cuberek, Martin Kovář — Fri, 26 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

In handball research, inertial measurement units (IMUs) have emerged as a popular tool for quantifying athlete movement. Despite their widespread use, there is a lack of consensus on data collection methods and data processing techniques in handball. This review aims to evaluate the current use of IMUs in handball research, focusing on the movement metrics considered and the attributes of IMU usage. A search was conducted across four online databases (EBSCO, PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science) employing seven inclusive and six exclusive criteria. The gathered data was categorized into several areas: the purpose of using IMUs, the devices and sensors used, the number of devices utilized and their placement on the body, and the settings of the sensors. From this search, 28 studies were selected for review. These studies predominantly used IMUs to assess external loading (primarily employing the PlayerLoad™ metric), identify movement phenomena, and evaluate changes in movement following medical interventions. While complex diagnostic systems were typically used to assess loading, smaller IMUs were employed for investigating movement phenomena. The findings highlight inconsistencies in both the setup and the placement of the devices on the body. The results indicate that IMUs can serve as a valuable tool in handball research.

The Effect of Augmented Feedback on the Hit Accuracy of Foil Fencers

Manal M. Bayyat, Anas AlKayeed — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The study aims to investigate the effect of augmented feedback on the hit accuracy of foil fencers. A total of 10 fencing players, juniors and cadets registered at the XX fencing federation were divided into control and experimental groups. The ‘Fencing Scouting Sheet / Foil’ instrument was developed to collect the required data divided into ‘Touches scored’, ‘Touches received’, ‘Touches scored out of target’ and ‘Touches received out of target’. Each player of the experimental and control group played 20 bouts; each bout was scouted and calculated by the coach using a scouting sheet. The total of each group member (experimental and control) was calculated (100 games for each group). Coaches provided the experimental group players with the proper augmented feedback based on each player’s performance. Individually or in group before, during, or after the bouts. The results of the study indicated that the experimental group was 37.4 % higher than the control group in ‘Touches scored’, but less by 36.7%, 59.3% and 19.3% in ‘Touches received’, ‘Touches scored out of target’ and ‘Touches received out of target’ respectively. We encourage future studies to implement the scouting sheet developed to enhance the quality of training sessions and the players' performance.

Examining Diversity and Team Satisfaction: A Quantitative Analysis in Czech Urban and Rural Contexts

Amar Khairi — Wed, 26 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The historical evolution of the Czech Republic reveals significant regional disparities in cultural, social, occupational, and recreational activities, among others. Taking into account the varied ages, social backgrounds, residences, and ethnicities of individuals within the region, the study formulated a null hypothesis: women residing in smaller cities experience higher satisfaction within teams compared to individuals in larger cities aged over 45. The study's contribution lies in comparing satisfaction levels with team affiliation across regional, gender, and age variations, within the context of urban size. An original contribution of the study is its research applied to diverse teams focusing on work performance, sports, and leisure activities, where varying degrees of collectively and individuality are present. The research was conducted on 113 respondents from five cities in the Czech Republic, spanning across ten teams. These teams, ranging from sports-oriented to work-related, were situated in two major cities, Prague and Brno, as well as three smaller towns: Šumperk, Hustopeče, and Otrokovice. Respondents included both women and men aged between 25 and 68 years. Data collected from the questionnaire survey underwent analysis using the Kruskal-Wallis test, ultimately refuting the null hypothesis. The research took place throughout the year 2022, employing both paper-based and online surveys, the latter facilitated through the Survio platform. Survey questions, grounded in an understanding of regional disparities, were designed to enable confirmation or rejection of the null hypothesis. The null hypothesis has been confirmed.

Regional Disparities Among Teams in Selected Countries with a Focus on Age Variations

Amar Khairi — Thu, 11 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The aim of this article is to investigates the impact of age and geographical differences on
team satisfaction and interaction within selected European countries. In the context of an
increasingly multicultural society, characterized by diverse ethnicities, cultures, races, religions,
ages, and genders, this study examines the impact of internal disparities influenced by
regional factors on social dynamics, with a particular focus on team dynamics across different
geographical locations and their influence on social cohesion. Amid demographic and
technological shifts emphasizing the growing significance of age, this research investigates
whether individuals under the age of 36, residing in major urban areas, experience lower
levels of team satisfaction and interaction compared to their older counterparts and those
from smaller towns. Utilizing a dataset comprising 250 participants from leisure, work, and
sports teams across Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary, and Germany, the study explores variations
in team satisfaction among different age groups and regional backgrounds. This paper
contributes to the understanding of how multicultural environments affect team dynamics,
highlighting the importance of considering both age and regional factors in assessing team
satisfaction within both work and recreational settings.

Dynamic Balance in Parkinson´s Disease Can be Ameliorated by External Focus of Attention

Rudolf Psotta, Jolana Semencová, Daniel Dostál — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Most studies on balance training in individuals with Parkinson´s disease (PD) reported ambiguous effects. Therefore the study aimed to investigate the effect of an attentional focus and severity of PD on dynamic balance. In the study, 31 patients with idiopathic PD in stage I-III, aged 69.6 ± 6.6 years, performed the five times sit-to-stand (FTSS) task two times in each of three conditions: control, i.e., with no attentional focus instruction, the external focus of attention (IFA) induced by the instruction: „concentrate on quick movement of shoulders up and down“, and external focus of attention (EFA) induced by the instruction: „ concentrate on quick movement of the tape markers up and down“ (the markers glued on one´s shoulders). As a result, the FTSS time was shorter and the number of symptoms of imbalance manifested during performing of the task was lower in the EFA condition as compared to control and IFA conditions. No significant interaction between the focus of attention and severity of PD operationalized as the Hoehn and Yahr´s PD stage and the risk of falls suggested the generalizability of the effect of focus of attention on dynamic balance across the PD stages I-III and regardless of whether moderate risk of falls or no risk in PD patients. This study also provided evidence that these individuals with PD can adopt task-specific instructions to perform movement skills.

Measuring the Technical Efficiency of Hockey Legends: Who is the Best NHL Player of All Time?

Natalie Pelloneová — Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The aim of the research is to determine the technical efficiency of legendary hockey players in the National Hockey League (NHL), to create a ranking of these players and to reveal the best NHL players of all time. The research uses statistical data on 379 players from the 1944/45 season to the 2023/24 season. The methodology is based on multi-criteria analysis, specifically the concept of data envelopment analysis (DEA). The DEA provides an objective measure of the overall playing profile of hockey players and can help supplement the information in rankings provided by sports journalists. Andersen and Petersen's model is used to evaluate the data collected, providing super efficiency scores by aggregating NHL statistics related to various aspects of the game to produce a final ranking of hockey legends. The concept of data envelopment analysis works with multiple variables and allows for greater objectivity to be incorporated into the rankings. The number of games played is chosen as one of the model's input variables. The output variables include: number of goals scored, number of assists, plus/minus, inverse of penalty minutes, points per game, number of shots, number of individual awards, and number of Stanley Cups won. The research named Wayne Gretzky, Butch Goring and Serge Savard as the best players in the NHL historically in terms of technical efficiency. Among other things, the ranking of legendary hockey players revealed that players with a high number of games played or points scored are not necessarily technically efficient.

Kiteboarding Injuries

Mateja Orlović, Mate Maglov, Tomislav Krčelić, Goran Vrgoć, Nikola Prlenda — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The aim of this paper was to determine the type and frequency of injuries in kiteboarding, and to define causes of injuries in recreational and professional athletes engaged in kiteboarding. The research was conducted on the sample of 93 kiteboarders, of which 74 were male and 19 were female. Online questionnaire was applied with clearly defined completing instructions. In overall sample of examinees (93), there were 51 who were injured during kiteboarding. Out of total percentage of injured (54.8%), as many as 30.1% had more than one injury. Depending on the method of initial learning and training, 70% of examinees who were self-taught were injured, among those who were taught by a friend with kiteboarding experience 68.18% were injured, then there were 58.82% of injured among those who passed the kiteboarding course with an instructor without a valid license, and, finally, the smallest percentage of injured, 43,18%, among those who took the kiteboarding course with an instructor having a valid license. The most frequent injuries are foot and knee injuries (59.65%) and more than half of injuries (57.91%) is related to strains of ligaments and muscles. Most of the injuries happen during the performance of more advanced technical elements, particularly jumps (33.3 %), while the second most frequent cause of injuries is insufficient kite control (23.7%). Kiteboarders taught by licensed instructors had the smallest risk of injury, while the greatest risk of injury was for self-taught individuals. Mentioned data clearly suggests how important it is to take a verified course with educated instructors to reduce the risk of injuries to a minimum.

Analysis of University Students' Perspectives on Physical Activity and Mandatory Physical Education

Milan Šipl, Emanuel Hurych — Wed, 10 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The decline in physical activity levels during the transition from high school to college is evident, despite the known impact of youth and adolescent physical activity on later life. Observable trends reveal a decline in enthusiasm for sports activities and a notable decrease in motivation for engaging in physical activity. The college environment plays a pivotal role in shaping students' engagement with physical activity, presenting an opportunity to significantly enhance their quality of life. This study's primary objective is to analyse university students' attitudes toward physical activity and assess their satisfaction with compulsory physical education at Masaryk University, comparing results spanning nearly two decades. In adherence to contemporary research methodologies, a questionnaire survey combining standard quantitative and qualitative analysis procedures was conducted. The survey questions focused on examining various facets of physical activity, including volume, intensity, sports preferences, and attitudes toward mandatory physical education at Masaryk University in Brno. A total of 1,293 respondents (422 men and 871 women) with an average age of 20.7 years participated in the study. The findings underscore a notable inclination among almost 73% of students to welcome an extension of compulsory physical education to 2 or more semesters (currently set at 2 semesters at MU). Moreover, over 75% of students express contentment with the spectrum of mandatory sports activities offered in physical education. The study reveals a growing interest among students in individual physical activities and a burgeoning enthusiasm for unorganized sports. These outcomes furnish valuable insights into students' perceptions regarding the organization of physical and sports education activities within university settings.

A Content Validity of Freediving Recreation (Without fins) Training to Improve Psychological Conditions and Physical Health

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The aim of this research is to construct a theoretical concept, theme “Recreational Freediving Program without fins” for beginners, which will be used to improve psychological conditions vital and lung capacity through an 8-week training program. The research participants were Yogyakarta State University students who were over 18 years old and had anxiety disorders as measured using the DASS-21 instrument. The reason for choosing a recreational freediving training program that does not use fins is because it is cost-effective and easy to do. Also, consider the recommended freediving training principles

This research uses mixed methods. This study combines two approaches, namely qualitative and quantitative. The seven experts' participation was determined by criteria of freediving, Sport aquatic expert, sport coaching expert and phycological expert. The qualitative stage for data collection uses the Delphi technique. This research was conducted with content validity with Aiken's V index.

Based on the research Aiken's analysis results compared with the value of the V table in the evaluation using 7 expert judgments with 5 alternative scales at a significance and level of 5% is V ^Score(0.79 to 0.89) > V^table 0,75, it mean the freediving recreational exercise program with no fins that conduct to increase phycological condition and lung capacity is valid. This finding underscores some of the essential skills that are necessary for a successful and safe freediving experience for beginners who have anxiety.

The Influence of Physical Education Teacher Specialization on Instruction

Lucie Grajciarová, Marcela Janíková — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0200

School Physical Education (PE) is a crucial component of the educational process, significantly influencing students' physical, psychological, and social development. To ensure its effectiveness, teachers should thoroughly consider both the content and organizational aspects of instruction. As a part of their education, teachers should acquire adequate skills, knowledge and abilities for teaching in this way. Teacher specialization indicates their official education for teaching respective school subject (here Physical Education), which plays a pivotal role in this context. The main objective of the research presented in this article is to analyze the influence of teacher specialization in PE on PE regarding the recommended structure of lessons and on effective time use in instruction. The research methodology is based on a quantitative approach, especially video-based analysis and the chronometry method were used. The recommended structure was observed in 21 out of 35 PE lessons. In the remaining 14 lessons, the concluding part was missing, which is crucial in terms of concluding moderate-intensity physical activity, as expected during PE instruction. Since even specialized teachers did not include the concluding part, it cannot be conclusively argued in favor of their education as PE teachers. Furthermore, it was found that PE lessons were on average shortened by 12 minutes and 59 seconds, not lasting the full 45 minutes – we introduced the working term "unused time" in the text to describe this phenomenon. Regarding the use of time in PE lessons, it was surprising to find that specialized teachers had a higher average loss time by 10.2% compared to non-specialized teachers.

An International Comparison of Strength and Conditioning Coach Education

Richard Sporina, Vladimír Jůva, Associate professor, Juraj Szigeti — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0200

The paper deals with coaching bachelor degrees for strength and conditioning coaches in selected universities in Canada, Norway, Czech Republic and Slovakia. All participating countries of the research set are full members of the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. Based on a content analysis of curricular documents, we identify and describe similarities and differences in approaches to strength and conditioning coaching bachelor degrees. They were apparent primarily in the qualification, content and practicum profile. The study shows that the coach's bachelor's degree has different qualifications, content and practicum profiles. It is even in sharp contrast to the bachelor's level in sports coaching in the Czech Republic and Slovakia, compared to the bachelor's level in kinesiology in Canada and sports science in Norway. The more specifically designed strength and conditioning coach bachelor level of education in the Czech Republic and Slovakia differed from schooling in Canada and Norway. The fundamental difference is the longer duration of the study program and the minor number of credit units at a Canadian institution compared to European institutions. The difference in the number of optional subjects is also striking. In European institutions, they make up a maximum of 16%; in Canadian institution, it represents almost half of all courses in the study program. An automatic CSCS (NSCA) certification program option is available in Canada.

Effect of Resistance on 20 m Running Performance

Adam Lipčák, Tomáš Kalina — Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 +0200

Introduction: Sprinting is a key component in the development and final results in many individual and team sports. According to recent findings on the mechanical determinants of sprint performance, resistance sprinting (RSS) may be a suitable method to improve sprint performance in the acceleration and maximum velocity phases. Methods: Sports science students (183.6 ± 5.1 cm; 85.8 ± 6.8 kg; 24.5 ± .9 yrs), who are primarily involved in collective sports, performed two-day testing. The first testing included tests of maximal strength, isometric mid-tight pull (IMTP) and explosive lower limb strength, countermovement jump with no arm movement (CMJ). The second testing was completed 48 hours later and included unresisted sprint (URS) and resisted sprint (RSS) over 20 m with three different resistances (8 oz, 12 oz, 2 lb). Results: A significant correlation was found between CMJ and speed tests (URS, RSS 8 oz, RSS 12 oz). The same applied for the relationship with IMTP and speed tests, with only one difference being that IMTP correlated also with RSS 2 lb (r = -0.58). However, observing the relationship of velocity decrease (V_dec) and performance parameters, showed the highest correlation between V_dec 8 oz and URS 20 m (r = -0.572), and also between V_dec 12 oz and CMJ (r = -0.370). At V_dec 2 lb, of all the performance parameters, IMTP (r = -0.260) was the only one which correlated. Conclusion: The results of the study demonstrate a relationship between CMJ and IMTP with unresisted sprint. Also between maximal strength test, IMTP and heavy resisted sprint.