Sports Studies Commons^™

Motivations For Undertaking Physical Activity By First-Year Students Of Faculty Of Physical Education In 2000 And 2010, Alicja Nowak-Zaleska, Ryszard Zaleski, Barbara Wilk, Anna Walentukiewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: During the last several years, diametrical difference in attitude to physical activity in youth has been noticed. Engagement in any form of physical activity always goes together with motivation for its undertaking, most often connected with realization of personal expectations. Its sources are perceived, among others, in interior factors, such as: joy resulting from participation in physical activity itself, personal achievements, and pleasure of finding release in movement or social contacts, e.g. spending time with friends. The present paper attempts to assess the motivation for additional physical activity undertaken by first-year students of the Faculty of Physical Education at …

Motivations And Effects Of Practicing Nordic Walking By Elderly People, Andrzej Knapik, Edward Saulicz, Andrzej Mysliwiec, Mariola Saulicz, Aneta Warmuz-Wancisiewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: As a result of numerous advantages of Nordic Walking such as the movement simplicity, its affordability and availability for people of various ages and with different levels of fitness, this relatively young physical activity has been developing remarkably for several years. It has the potential of increasing physical activity among elderly people. Defining to what extent practicing Nordic Walking (NW) influences the general level of physical activity and the quality of life of elderly people. Material/Methods: 161 people were examined (93 women and 68 men) at the age of 60 or above. In this group 48 practised NW: 33 …

Daily Step Counts And Selected Biological And Psychological Variables In 16-18-Year-Old Girls, Adam Kantanista, Pawel Lisowski, Agata Glapa

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between the number of steps a day and biological (body fat, lean body mass, BMI and estimated VO2 max) and psychological (self-efficacy, enjoyment of PA and self-perception of body image) factors in 16-18-year-old girls. Material/Methods: The study included data from 60 girls, aged 16-18. Voluntary participants were selected from a public high school in Poland. Number of steps was measured with a pedometer Yamax Digi-Walker, model SW 701, during 7 days. Girls were classified into three groups: low active, slightly active and active (5,000-7,499; 7,500-9,999; ≥ 10,000 steps/day, respectively). …

Changes In Maximal Aerobic Fitness And Students’ Attitude Towards Physical Effort During Outdoor And Indoor School Lessons Of Physical Education, Marcin Pasek, Monika Michalowska-Sawczyn, Alicja Nowak-Zaleska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the research was to determine an influence of an increased number of outdoor lessons of Physical Education on aerobic fitness and to evaluate students’ attitude towards endurance efforts. Material/Methods: In the presented research project a group of students participated in a school program of Physical Education on the basis of a higher number of lessons realized in the natural environment in the vicinity of school. The subjects were a group of 220 students from 4 schools of the Pomeranian Voivodeship, who were subjected to initial and final measurements during two school years. The most important assumption …

Influence Of Strength, Endurance And Concurrent Training On The Lipid Profile And Blood Testosterone And Cortisol Response In Young Male Wrestlers, Seyed Javad Mirghani, Hamid Agha Alinejad, Mohammad Ali Azarbayjani, Ahmad Mazidi, Seyed Ali Mirghani

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: There is little information regarding the effects of concurrent training (endurance and resistance training) on the fat profile, blood testosterone and cortisol response. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of eight weeks of concurrent training on the fat profile, blood testosterone and cortisol response in young male wrestlers. Material/Methods: Twenty-four young male wrestlers voluntarily participated and were randomly assigned to three groups, namely: endurance training (ET, N=8), strength training (ST, N=8) and concurrent training (CT, N=8). The groups did their training programs three sessions per week. Results: The findings of this study showed that high-density …

An Assessment Of A Volleyball Player’S Loads In A Match On The Basis Of The Number And Height Of Jumps Measured In Real-Time Conditions, Krzysztof Wnorowski, Piotr Aschenbrenner, Jerzy Skrobecki, Mirella Stech

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The value of volleyball players’ reach is often critical to their efficient functioning in the game. It depends on the jumping ability factor and the player’s body build. An analysis of this parameter is particularly difficult to carry out in real conditions of the game. The objective of the research was to determine the height of reach in basic technical and tactical actions of leading Polish volleyball players during a match in regard to their maximum values measured in laboratory conditions. Material/Methods: The study involved five volleyball players, Polish representatives of different specialization in the game: the attacker, the …

Religiousness And Health Locus Of Control In Polish Physical Education Students, Monika Guszkowska, Anna Kuk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this research was to determine relationships between religious commitment and health locus of control (HLC) for the group of students of the University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Poland, including gender and study faculty differences. Material/Methods: Full-time students (n = 247) of the Warsaw University of Physical Education were investigated. Religious Commitment Scale (RCS) and Multidimensional Health Locus of Control Scale (MHLC) were used. Results: Few and weak relationships between religious commitment and health locus of control were found; they were stronger within the group of male and physical education students. Cluster analysis by the Ward …

Differences In Bioelectrical Activity Of Quadriceps Muscle During Various Types Of Contraction, Bartlomiej Niespodzinski, Malgorzata Lukowicz, Jan Mieszkowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study was to estimate differences in bioelectrical activity between rectus femoris (RF) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles of each lower limb. Material/Methods: 29 female and 18 male adult subjects participated in the study. Each subject performed the following quadriceps contractions with each lower limb: concentric, isometric, eccentric and 30-sec. long maximal voluntary isometric contraction. 3 parameters were obtained in surface electromyography (SEMG): mean RMS amplitude (RMS), mean percentage value of maximal voluntary contraction (%MVC) and mean frequency (MF). Results: RF occurred to have a lower percentage activity (-28.43%) and absolute amplitude (-36.57%) value than VM …

Generic Versus Specific Sprint Training In Young Soccer Players, Zbigniew Jastrzebski, Lukasz Radziminski, Robert Dargiewicz, Ewelina Jaskulska, Wojciech Barnat, Pawel Rompa

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of two 8-week sprint training programs on the speed and sport-specific skills of young soccer players and to determine additional effects of 8 weeks’ whole body rotation. Material/Methods: Twenty-two Under-18 soccer players were divided into two groups: a running group (RG) and a ball group (BG). The RG completed sprint training without the ball, whereas the BG members trained with the ball. The 5-, 10-, 15-, 20- and 30-m sprint times and the level of soccer-specific skills were measured before and after completing the training programs. Results: A significant …

Kinematic Analysis As A Part Of Objective Method Of Functional Classification In Disability Swimming – Pilot Studies, Alicja K. Dziuba, Agata Kolodziej, Anna Zurowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: A new functional classification system (FCS) of disability swimming is based only on functional abilities in water. The aim of this research was to evaluate the possibility of kinematic analysis to supplement the FCS. Material/Methods: The investigations were carried out during the Polish Winter Disability Swimming Championships in 2008 and involved recording the results of the 100 m freestyle swimming event. Participants included 10 women and 11 men aged 21.7 ± 6.6. Results: The averages and standard deviations (SD) of stroke length (SL), stroke rate (SR), clean swimming speed (CSS) and stroke efficiency index (SI) were calculated. There is …

The Influence Of Lower Extremity Coronal Plane Movements On The Passive Regulation Of Instantaneous Loading Mechanics During Running, Jonathan Kenneth Sinclair, Paul John Taylor, Sarah Jane Hobbs

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The repetitive transmission of impact forces may contribute to the aetiology of overuse injuries. Therefore determining the mechanisms that regulate impact loading has potential clinical significance. This study aimed to determine the influence of lower extremity coronal plane kinematics on the regulation of impact loading during running. Material/Methods: Thirty-six participants ran at 4.0 m.s-1striking the centre of a piezoelectric force platform with their dominant limb. Coronal plane angular kinematics about the hip, knee and ankle joints were measured using an eight-camera motion analysis system operating at 250 Hz. Regression analyses with instantaneous loading rate magnitude as a criterion were …

Sports Arena Vs. Crowd Psychology – A Psychosocial Analysis Of Polish Football Fans’ Participation In Uefa Euro 2012, Leslaw Kulmatycki

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

With reference to the arena in the ancient Greek ritual theater, the Roman circus, or later the medieval arena as the venue of tournaments of knights, the author recalls the changeability of social functions of public spectacles. Together with the expansion of corporeality and the spirit of competition that started at the beginning of the 20th century, when a sports arena became a place of testing human physical possibilities, also the idea of a modern football stadium is born. The aim of this paper is to synthesize psychosocial aspects of Polish fans’ participation in UEFA EURO 2012. In his paper …

The Image Of A Football Fan As Depicted In Research Literature And The Present Study, Franciszek Makurat

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The issue of spectator behaviour at sporting events remains ever current and in need of a lot of interdisciplinary research which would take into account the needs of the contemporary society. The following paper is an attempt at this in the context of the author’s own research and EURO 2012. Material/Methods: The study made use of The Adjective Check List (ACL) by H.B. Gough and A.B. Heilbrun in two versions – Real Self and Ideal Self – as well as a self-designed survey. One hundred and twenty people took part in the study, 45 of them were supporters of …

Situational And Personal Determinants Of Corruption In Sport, Jacek Gracz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Maximization of action, social acceptance, long-lasting training, competition, and motor activity are usually mentioned among situational dimensions. Taking into account that all human actions, inclusive of the corruptive ones, have their psycho-social aspect and, according to the paradigm of interactive psychology, belong at the same time to the social and psychological reality, it might be expected that the dimensions of a competitive sport situation may be significantly decisive to the manner of formulation and realization of sport goals. In conclusions of the research the author presents that the level of inclination to corruption is significantly differentiated among particular sports and …

Psychological Aspects Of The Polish National Team Performance At Euro 2012 Tournament In The Opinion Of Students From Sports- And Humanities-Oriented Universities, Daniel Krokosz, Magdalena Jochimek, Mariusz Lipowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this study was to explore the perception of psychological preparation of Polish football players by the spectators possessing direct involvement with psychology and sports. Moreover, we tried to determine who was assigned the blame for the defeat. Material/Methods: The study involved164 psychology students from University of Gdansk and 201 students from Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport, aged between 19 and 32 years. The participants completed EURO 2012 survey in October 2012. Results: The students of the sports-oriented university were more interested in football on a daily basis and showed greater interest in the EURO …

Motivation For Undertaking Extracurricular Physical Activity In Adolescents, Izabela Droblinska, Agata Hejmowska, Natalia Mazurkiewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Motivation is what drives all aspects of human functioning – from the physiological needs to self-realization. It has, therefore, great impact upon undertaking physical activity and may be connected with various factors such as attitudes and role models taken from home, but also with social influences later in life e.g. peers’ opinion. Material/Methods: 400 students of the lower-secondary schools in Gdynia and Gdańsk took part in the research. Each of them received a questionnaire with questions regarding their and their parents’ / ’guardians’ physical activity. In statistical analysis Cross Tabulation (χ2 statistics) and Frequency Tabulation were used. Results: Undertaking …

Risk Factors For Disagreement Between Self And Proxy Reports On Physical Activity Of Children And Young Adolescents, Aleksander Galas, Marzena Florek

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The study was conducted during the 2012 UEFA European Football Championships between 8 and 19 June. It aimed at longitudinal investigation into the dynamics of Polish fans’ emotions related to the performance of their national football team. Special focus was laid on investigating the evaluation of organizational preparedness to the tournament as a broader context for sport events, and relating it to fans’ emotions. Material/Methods: Over 700 individuals took part in 3 waves of the study which corresponded to Polish team’s games in the group stage of the tournament. Participants were contacted immediately after the final whistles, receiving e-mails …

Polish Fans’ Emotions During Euro 2012, Ina Wilczewska, Pawel Boski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The study was conducted during the 2012 UEFA European Football Championships between 8 and 19 June. It aimed at longitudinal investigation into the dynamics of Polish fans’ emotions related to the performance of their national football team. Special focus was laid on investigating the evaluation of organizational preparedness to the tournament as a broader context for sport events, and relating it to fans’ emotions. Material/Methods: Over 700 individuals took part in 3 waves of the study which corresponded to Polish team’s games in the group stage of the tournament. Participants were contacted immediately after the final whistles, receiving e-mails …

Functional Conditions Of Three-Dimensional Correction Of Side Curvatures Of The Spine, Andrzej Suchanowski, Andrzej Stolarz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: This paper sets out to present theoretical and methodological premises for the therapeutic mode of conduct which utilizes FED and PNF improvement methods complemented by introduction of correctional re-education basing on the biofeedback mechanism. Material/Methods: Authors develop and present an original mode of treatment of children with the SCS, which can be divided into the following stages and targets: 1. Elimination of biomechanical pathologies of the passive stabilizing. 2. Restoration of the structure and function of local muscles and balance among muscles from the first and second reference arrangement and structures around the spine, both on the concave and …

Correlations Between Individual Factors And Long-Term Nature Of Tourist Trips Amongst Urban Single People, Elzbieta Biernat, Adrian P. Lubowiecki-Vikuk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The analysis of socio-demographic factors that determine the duration of tourist trips among urban single people. Material/Methods: The research included 598 randomly selected single people from Warsaw and Poznan. The study was conducted using the survey method. The relation between trips for ≥ 10 days and the variables characterizing the demographic structure of the respondents were assessed using log-linear analysis. The significance of the impact of the factors examined in the analysis was determined by chi-squared test. Results: Single people from Poznan with secondary and higher education are, respectively, more than 4-fold and 7-fold likely to go on longer …

Examining Body Image And Its Relationship To Exercise Motivation: An 18-Week Cardiovascular Program For Female Initiates With Overweight And Obesity, Erin S. Pearson, Craig R. Hall

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: A healthy body image is related to better psychological well-being and can also impact one’s likelihood to engage in health promoting behaviours such as exercise. To date, there has been a paucity of research investigating the relationship between body image and Self-Determination Theory’s motivational regulations as a function of exercise participation. The purpose of this study was to examine these constructs over the course of an 18-week cardiovascular-based program for female initiates aged 18-45 with overweight and obesity. Material/Methods: Participants (n = 37; mean weight = 83.8 kg; mean waist circumference = 38.3 inches) were provided with a personalized …

The Somatic Physique Versus The Sports Result Of Tennis Players Of The Pupils’ Sports Club “Return” Lomza, Poland, Kazimierz Kochanowicz, Tomasz Waldzinski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Individuals who take up professional sport must comply with requirements dependent on the character of the discipline. The requirements refer to motor skills, mental state and somatic physique. A lot of authors claim that somatic physique in tennis is a factor which helps to achieve the highest sports results. Superiority of arms range in the attacking zone makes a game easier for tall players who are more effective in offensive actions as well. The purpose of the research was to estimate the somatic physique of children and youth who play tennis in the Pupils’ Sports Club “Return” Lomza. Material/Methods: …

Physical Activity And The Impacts Of Built Environment On The Use Of Neighboring Sports Equipment By Elementary And High Schools: The Case Of The “Blue, White, Move” [Bleu, Blanc, Bouge] Skating Rink In Montreal-North, Romain Roult, Jean-Marc Adjizian, Sylvain Lefebvre, Lucie Lapierre

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Evaluate how neighboring sports equipment is used by elementary and high schools to reinforce physical activity among youth. Analyze the impacts of built environments on the forms of use of this type of equipment and attempt to distinguish the positive and negative effects of its installation. Material/Methods: 22 semi-led interviews were undertaken among elementary and high school participants and managers of the skating rink. 33 phases of observation were made with the SOPLAY grid. Data from the interviews was analyzed with Atlas software in order to categorize the information. The information from the observations was processed with SPSS software …

Physical Fitness And Selected Parameters Of The Respiratory System And Other Somatic Components Among 12-Year-Old Children, Marcin Pasek, Janusz Jerzemowski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The purpose of the study was to present components of fitness and body composition and to determine the correlation between parameters of biological development in a group of schoolchildren. Material/Methods: Analysis of somatic features of 12-year-old children, of both sexes, from the Pomeranian province in Poland (99 boys and 96 girls) included basic parameters of the respiratory system, body fat, height and body weight. Functional indicators, i.e. components of motor abilities, have been tested. Results: Boys had significantly better results of endurance and jumping ability, and girls dominated in flexibility and somatic components like height, weight and skinfold thickness …

Physical Activity And Bmi In Students Beginning Their Studies At The Gdansk University Of Physical Education And Sport In The Academic Year 1999/2000 And 2009/2010, Alicja Nowak-Zaleska, Ryszard Zaleski, Barbara Wilk, Anna Walentukiewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study was to assess physical activity undertaken by the students of Gdansk University of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk, Poland (AWFiS) in their free time in the academic year 1999/2000 and 2009/2010 and the direction of changes in this scope. Material/Methods: Students at the Faculty of Physical Education at AWFiS were subject to research in the academic years 1999/2000 and 2009/2010. 639 students were examined (42% women, 58% men). The research was based on a diagnostic survey with an author’s own questionnaire containing questions from the scope of physical activity and participation in its …

Development Of Model Mesocycles Of One - Year Training Of Young Judokas In The First Training Year At The Stage Of Primary Training, Timur Gayratovich Shatursunov

Eurasian Journal of Sport Science

Purpose: Experimental substantiation of the methodology for training young judokas of the first year training at the primary stage by introducing the developed 12 model mesocycles of one-year training.

Methods: Analysis and generalization of scientific and methodological literature, questioning, pedagogical observations, pedagogical testing, pedagogical experiment, methods of mathematical statistics (arithmetic mean, arithmetic mean error, Student's t-test).

Results: Analysis of the increase in the results of young judokas of the experimental group during a one-year training in the first year of training at the stage of primary training showed positive significant differences at a significance level of p

Conclusion: The developed …

Investigation Of Athletes' Health Disorders Risk Models, Fikrat Azizovich Kerimov, Davronbek Zikrullaevich Narzullaev, Alisher Tulkunovich Tursunov, Gaffor Bobosharipovich Yomgirov, Bekzod Boyqobilovich Karimov

Eurasian Journal of Sport Science

Purpose: Development and theoretical-experimental substantiation of the risk model for the health impairment of athletes in order to further automation of the process of training highly qualified athletes, as well as optimizing the construction of the training process based on the use of innovative technologies that increase its efficiency with optimal expenditure of time and energy of athletes.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of applied automation and modeling methods, questionnaires of athletes and coaches, sports testing, applied pedagogical experiment, methods of mathematical statistics.

Results: Students of physical culture universities (athletes) are more likely to encounter syndromes that characterize a violation of the …

Gender Inequalities In Polish And International Sports Organisations, Zbigniew Dziubinski, Natalia Organista

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this article is to check whether gender inequalities occur in Polish sports organisations and what the scale of those inequalities is in comparison to international organisations. Other aims relate to verification whether there exists a policy to align these inequalities: provisions prohibiting discrimination due to gender, rules and regulations providing women with a specified number of seats in the crucial positions of the organisation and activity of women’s sports committees. Material/Methods: The study used methods characteristic of sociology, especially methods of examining official documents: on the one hand, information generated by other empirical data from official …

Methods To Encourage Healthy Eating In Children: Review Of Current Findings, Reda Moceviciene, Apolinaras Zaborskis

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Healthy eating, especially fruit and vegetable consumption, is a major contributor to the prevention of chronic non-communicable diseases. The multiple benefits of healthy food and nutrition in childhood and adolescence reinforce the need for studies encouraging young people to healthy nutrition. The present review increases understanding of what methods (interventions) should be performed to encourage healthy eating in children and adolescents. Material/Methods: A scientific literature review of Medline (Pubmed) database was performed, a total of 615 publications were found. Of these, only 15 papers were selected for the analysis. Results: The multi-component interventions (encouraging of fruit and vegetable consumption …

Factors Affecting Recreational Activity Of Young People From Secondary Schools, Agnieszka Wartecka-Wazynska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The paper discusses factors which determine young people’s recreational activity in their leisure time. Learning about the factors of recreational activity will support efficient promotion of active lifestyles, improvement in health condition and education of young people, and participation in different forms of recreation. Material/Methods: In order to conclude on the statistical significance of the relationships and the strength of correlation between the variables, the author used Pearson's chi-square test for independence and Cramer's V coefficient. The research hypothesis was tested at two levels: α = 0.01 (denoted in the paper as **) and α = 0.05 (denoted in …