Volume 62 (2022): Issue 2 (November 2022)

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the temporal effects of static and dynamic post-activation potentiation (PAP) conditioning activities on agility performance.

Material and Methods: Fourteen male adolescent soccer players participated in the study. Participants performed three different conditioning activities randomly on non-consecutive days. Conditioning activities consisted of static, dynamic, and control protocols. The dynamic protocol was performed with the dynamic squat at 85% of 1-repetition maximum while the static protocol was performed 3 repetitions x 3 seconds of the isometric squat. The control protocol only completed a standardized warm-up. After the baseline measurements were taken, all protocols completed the agility test in 15^th seconds, 2,4,6,8,10,12,14^th minutes. Repeated measures in ANOVA were used to determine differences between PAP protocols and the Bonferroni post hoc test was employed to determine which protocol caused a significant difference.

Results: There was no significant difference between protocols in baseline (p<.925, ηp2 = 0.006), however, the control protocol caused a significant difference in 15^th seconds and 2^nd minutes compared to static and dynamic protocols (p<.001, ηp2 = 0.73, 0.72, respectively). In the 4^th and 6^th minutes static and dynamic protocols caused a significant difference compared to control (p<.001, ηp2 = 0.46-0.89, respectively), and in the 8^th-minute static and dynamic protocols reached the peak performance (p<.001, ηp2 = 0.96). Although in the 10-12-14^th minutes static and dynamic protocols’ performance values gradually reduced. However, they always were better compared to the control protocol (p<.001, ηp2 = 0.91-0.93-0.96, respectively).

Conclusions: Adolescent soccer players can benefit from both static and dynamic PAP protocols before competition or halftime to improve performance.

In Germany, different ministries are responsible at state level for sport and physical education. The same applies for Covid-19 pandemic decrees. As a result, different rules and regulations have to be followed depending on the place of residence. The same applies to regulations of physical activity in various settings – kindergarten, school, clubs, municipality. The periods of Covid-19 lockdowns have been marked by nationwide closures of kindergartens, schools and in- and outdoor sport facilities. Resulting in an increase in screen time and sedentary activities (Langmeyer et al. 2020) and a notable decrease in children’s daily physical activity to 23.9 minutes (Schmidt et al. 2020). However, during the first lockdown (22. 03. 2020 – 04. 05. 2020), participation in daily activity increased from 108.8 min. per day before the pandemic to 146.8 minutes per day (Schmidt et al. 2021). This development in more casual sporting activities was not sustained into the second lockdown. Daily activity decreased to 62.2 minutes per day (Schmidt et al. 2021). Only organized sport showed a slight increase from 0.0 to 3.7 minutes per day in lockdown two (Schmidt et al. 2021). This was in spite of the fact that high-level athletes were allowed to train and some sport clubs changed to online offerings.

The objective of the study was to determine the prevalence of self-perceived fatigue symptoms during 48 hours after different physical loads in young male boxers. The research sample comprised a total of 21 adolescent male boxers (mean age 14.00±2.05 years), members of the Slovak club named “Best boxing cub” in Devínska Nová Ves (Slovakia). For 48 hours after one-day national championship and five-day training camp, were young male boxers asked to observe symptoms of fatigue on themselves. The level of self-perceived fatigue (S-PF) was measured with the Training Distress Scale (TDS). In young male boxers was found a very low rate of S-PF during 48 hours after the different physical loads. A lower rate of S-PF was declared after the national championship compared to the 5-day training camp. At both events, fatigue was reported with the same three symptoms of muscle soreness, heavy feelings in arms or legs, and lack of energy. Significantly higher S-PF during 48 hours after 5-day training camp compared to national championship was showed in heavy feelings in arms or legs, restless sleep, being unusually tired during the day, and insomnia. No significant differences in overall TDS between different physical loads were found.

In this commentary/short communication we build upon our existing research and viewpoints related to the deleterious effects that AAS/Androgen use has, and the growing body of work and case studies/reports that identify the substantially increased risks that AAS/Androgen use presents to those who have (or have had) COVID-19. We position this commentary/short communication then, as one that builds on our prior calls for public health policy to be in part framed by, or at least to recognise the risks, of AAS/Androgen use. This is of particular contemporary importance now that COVID-19 is endemic, and we report on how long COVID-19 (Post COVID-19 syndrome) can present a wide range of lasting cardiovascular problems, a particular issue given that AAS/Androgen use may well exacerbate future health risks aligned to COVID-19.

Background: Crossminton is characterized by the repetition of specific one-side movements that is the determining factor of the development of muscle asymmetry and damage to the musculoskeletal system.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to identify the lateral symmetry between the dominant and nondominant upper limb of crossminton players and to compare the muscle profile of the players with the recommendation values of tennis players.

Methods: Four elite crossminton players with world ranking position in top 10 participated in our study. We used a tensiomyography to measure the occurrence of functional disorders of the upper limb muscles. Tensiomyography measures were obtained for 8 muscles: m. deltoideus posterior, m. deltoideus anterior, m. pectoralis major, m. biceps brachii, m. triceps brachii, m. brachioradialis, m. flexor digitorum, m. extensor digitorum. We represented the parameters of overall lateral symmetry, maximal displacement (Dm) and contraction time (Tc) for each player individually.

Results: Individual TMG-derived parameters such as Tc, Dm and lateral symmetry were different between the dominant and non-dominant upper limb. The major finding of this study was that in each crossminton player was found a significantly overall lateral asymmetry of m. triceps brachii. Interestingly, Tc and Dm values were higher in the non-dominant limb in m. triceps brachii compared to the dominant limb for all the crossminton players.

Conclusions: According to the results of this study, finding the occurrence of muscle asymmetry between the upper limbs, we recommend carry out regular diagnostics of the musculoskeletal system and the inclusion of compensatory exercises, which would prevent or reduce the occurrence of muscle imbalance.

The purpose of the study was to extend knowledge about physical fitness levels and their development among first-grade elementary school students as a result of school physical and sports education. A total of 23 children participated in the study, and nine physical fitness tests were administered to determine their physical fitness levels (Měkota & Blahuš, 1983; Šimonek, 2015). The t test for dependent samples was used to determine changes in physical fitness levels for both sexes. Boys showed significant improvements in the 20-meter dash, repeated routine with a pole, standing long jump and 4 x 10 m shuttle run. Girls showed significant improvements in the 20-meter dash test and a repeated routine with a pole. The results have confirmed the necessity to enhance physical fitness levels in children and systematically develop all motor abilities in physical and sports education classes.

The aim of our work was to find out the level of explosive force of lower extremities and the rate of muscular fatigue of lower extremities of artistic female gymnasts. The research file consisted of 8 female competitors of B category (year of birth: 2010.5 ± 1.20, physical height 148 ± 10 cm, body weight 36.25 ± 5.44 kg, BMI 16,46 ± 0,68 kg/m²). In our ex post facto research, which took place in gymnastic club PAVLO Trencin, we used measuring device FiTRO Jumper that has been placed on floor exercise. In input and output measurement we found out the parameters of jumps by two standardized tests. The female probands had 2 attempts (IO: 2´) in each motoric test we recorded the better attempt on the tables. We measured the height of upward leap (V.V.) [cm] in vertical jump with countermovement (VVsPP) without swing work of arms. In 10s test of repeated upward leaps without the aid of arms we measured power in active phase of take-off (P_max) in [W.kg⁻¹] and fatigue index (I.U.) in [%]. Among measurements the female gymnasts underwent the circular training with 10 exercises (IZ: 40 s, IO: 15 s) and acrobatic preparation. For processing of results we used non-parametric Wilcoxon´s T-test and paired T-test in which we found up significance at the level p ≤ 0.01, p ≤ 0.05 and p ≤ 0.10 of statistical significance level. By comparison of obtained results at the beginning of training unit (TJ) in tests of VVsPP (V.V.= 26 ± 2.12 cm), 10s test of repeated upward leaps (P_max= 40.64 ± 7.6 W.kg⁻¹, I.U.= 23.79 ± 8.01 %) and at the end of TJ in tests of VVsPP (V.V.= 24.08 ± 1.36 cm), of 10 s test of repeated upward leaps (P_max= 40.71 ± 5.16 W.kg⁻¹, I.U.= 29.46 ± 10.2 %) we found out that the statistical significance was confirmed at the 0.05 % level of statistical significance only in the height of upward jump in VVsPP where significantly lower values were measured at the end of the training unit. Differences in parameters performance and fatigue index did not manifest themselves at the level of statistical significance.

In April 2021 the “common welfare oriented sports club culture” has been awarded by German UNESCO intangible cultural heritage (ICH). To maintain this award, there has to be a future vision for the immaterial cultural heritage in terms of inclusive, equal opportunity, high-quality education.

In Germany, sports clubs cooperate with (primary) schools in after-school programmes, often organized by the school (ASPO). However, offers of sports clubs are understood as offers for pastime and day-care, on the contrary, offers of other partner of cooperation are regarded as offers of education.

During Corona crises grassroots sports in Germany was forbidden and more than that, ASPO and PE were cancelled immediately, with consequences e.g. for common welfare and health. “Existing concepts no longer work!” (Pühse, oral comment Bratislava 2021). P.E. teachers experimented with homework, but failed. However, exercise instructors and coaches came up with new motivating ideas and sports clubs seem to take over the role of high-quality education. Can the UNESCO award be part of a creative change not only for sports club culture but also for ASPO and excessively so to understanding PE in its multi-perspective? Let´s finally consider it in a future workshop, based on scenario, which reflects the relevant developments.

The study aimed to evaluate the effect of an integrated muscle strengthening program on the improvement of muscular and technical parameters in young football players.

There were two objectives, scientifically to measure the impact of integrated muscle strengthening on young players, and practically to present an educational tool for coaches and students to understand this concept of training. To carry on this research, we proceeded to a development of the 8-week program applied to a sample of 24 well-trained players of the first division under 18 years. The hypotheses put forward, were confirmed through the educational intervention and the results obtained were significant. Our results have increased the importance of strength training integrated into the training of young footballers. The margin progress of the experimental group was significant compared to the control group, and the impact of this concept proved to be positive in the approach to the physical preparation of young footballers. It is recommended to pay attention to the concept of integrated muscle building, with all its technical components.

This study investigates between-gender differences in trunk rotational power produced at various loads in athletes of gymnastic and dance sports. A group of 24 female and 15 male competitive aerobic and acrobatic gymnasts, ballroom and rock & roll dancers completed two trials of standing trunk rotations at each side with a barbell of different weights (increasing from 1 kg by ~5 kg up to max. of 20 kg) placed on their shoulders. The power produced during trunk rotations was evaluated using the FiTRO Torso Premium. Results showed significantly higher mean power in the acceleration phase of trunk rotations in male than female athletes at loads of 10.5 kg (206.8 ± 22.0 W and 165.4 ± 17.8 W respectively, p = 0.033), 15.5 kg (231.8 ± 27.5 W and 155.6 ± 24.4 W respectively, p = 0.001) and 20 kg (196.9 ± 25.3 W and 111.4 ± 20.9 W respectively, p = 0.001). Similar significant between-gender differences for angular velocity at weights ≥10.5 kg were observed. Alternatively, power and force were greater at lower velocities in male than female athletes. However, some females were able to produce slightly greater power and force at higher velocities in spite of their lower values at lower velocities when compared to males. This may be ascribed to both the genetic predispositions and the specificity of their acrobatic and dance elements including trunk rotations at various velocities under different load conditions.

In order to meet a wide variety of social policy objectives (such as health, educational attainment, community cohesion etc.), ensuring wide access to community and youth sport programmes remains an objective of many governments. In the UK, the post 2012 Olympic Legacy Strategy, overseen by Active Partnerships under the auspices of Sport England, promoted Sportivate and Satellite Clubs programmes (aimed at increasing participation levels) through most of the rest of the decade. In order to ensure minimum standards of operation and to develop the skills of the local coaching workforce, Active Sussex (one of the Active Partnerships) commenced a Coach Support Officer (CSO) scheme with the support of the University of Chichester from 2013 to (through various iterations) time of writing. Through a longitudinal reflection/summary of the various interventions and data collection points over the last nine years, we present an overview of this scheme. Further, we outline a clear philosophy, guidelines, and accompanying set of values that extol what can be considered good (best) practice for sustainable community sport and physical activity programmes.