Volume 26 (2019): Issue 4 (December 2019)

Introduction. The aim of the study was to determine whether the level of psychomotor skills differentiates the actions of hand-ball goalkeepers in the situation of throws from the wing position.

Material and methods. The research material was a video recording of goalkeepers’ saves during throws from wing positions. The research covered 11 goalkeepers who play in PGNiG Men’s Superleague (Poland). Psychomotor skills tests were conducted based on the Vienna Test System. The RT test version S.1 was used to measure simple reaction time, while the RT test version S.3 was used to measure choice reaction time. The ZBA test version S.3 in the linear form was used to measure time-space anticipation. The analysis of saves was carried out according to Norkowski’s concept.

Results. We showed a difference in the number of throws after reducing the defensive area between the goalkeepers with higher and lower reaction time values. A high correlation was found rs = 0.62 p < 0.05 between reaction time (RT) and saves after reducing the defensive area with a step out/dive. There is a strong relationship between DT motor time and saves after reducing the defensive area with a step out/dive rs = 0.74, p < 0.05. There is a high correlation between a fast-paced save after a delay and time anticipation rs = 0.64, p < 0.05.

Conclusions. The level of psychomotor abilities is a factor that differentiates handball goalkeepers’ actions in saves from the wing position. The level of psychomotor skills and the actions of handball goalkeepers are interconnected.

Introduction. The purpose of this study was to examine whether 6-week daily consumption of honey from Apis mellifera and Apis cerana species would affect performance and reduce blood lactate in futsal athletes.

Subjects and Methods. In this study, 30 male futsal athletes volunteered to be subjects. A group of 15 futsal athletes volunteered for random blind assignment to either an Apis mellifera honey (AM) group or an Apis cerana honey (AC) group. Each group completed tests pre- and post-supplementation for 20 m sprint test and agility t-test. Additionally, blood lactate was measured before and immediately after the tests.

Results. Independent t-test revealed significant changes from before to after supplementation in the AC group (p=0.009) for lactate post. Conversely, independent t-test revealed no significant changes in the AM group (p=0.698) for lactate post. Regarding 20 m sprint performance, there were statistically significant differences for time (p=0.036) and group main effects (p=0.009). Specifically, independent t-test showed significant changes from before to after supplementation just in the AC group (p=0.018). For the t-test, independent t-test revealed significant changes from before to after supplementation in the AC group (p=0.013).

Conclusions. We demonstrated that 1.14 g/kg of Apis cerana honey given once a day at breakfast for 6 weeks is more effective in reducing blood lactate concentration and enhancing agility t-test performance than 1.14 g/kg of Apis mellifera honey in futsal athletes.

Introduction. This paper tries to elucidate the possible differences in time distribution in a classical dance (CLD) class, depending on whether it is taught using recorded music (CD) or live music played by the piano teacher accompanying the dance (PD).

Material and methods. In this work, different temporal categories have been compared according to the style of dance of 89 female students divided into two groups: classical-contemporary dance and Spanish-flamenco dance, with CD or PD.

Results. Higher values were obtained in most of the categories in the classical-contemporary group than in the Spanish-flamenco group, and the differences were maintained according to the musical resource used, with better results when using live music.

Conclusions. PD in CLD classes can result in more profitable sessions for both students and teachers due to more cost-effective use of time during classes.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to examine women participating in fitness activities regarding their level of disability in daily activities and lumbar lordosis.

Material and methods. Data were collected from 68 females between the ages of 25-70 participating in fitness exercises. The Oswestry Disability Index was applied to measure the level of disability due to the low back pain in everyday life. The angle of lumbar lordosis was measured using a Saunders’ digital inclinometer.

Results. The results of the study confirmed the existence of problems related to low back pain in people performing sedentary work. There were no correlations between lumbar lordosis angle and the level of disability in daily activities of the groups. The low back pain increases especially among people performing sedentary work.

Conclusions. The results of this study suggest that work in a sitting position is not associated with a decrease in the angle of lordosis in relation to another work than in a sitting position. Sitting work can be an indirect cause of back pain and slight disability in everyday life by weakening postural muscles.

Introduction. In recent years, the growing number of marathon runners in the world has raised questions about the factors which motivate them. The main purpose of this study was to investigate the motivations of runners and to examine how sex, age, level of experience, and number of kilometers run per week affect motivation.

Material and methods. Motivation was assessed in 240 subjects using a questionnaire (the Polish adaptation of the Motivations of Marathoners Scales), which was completed during the three biggest marathons held in Poland in 2016.

Results. The results revealed that in general people taking part in marathon races were primarily motivated by health and well-being, women had greater endorsement of health and psychological motives, and younger runners were motivated by competition, personal goal achievement, and self-esteem. The importance of the last two motives decreased with experience. Personal goal achievement and life meaning were predictors of training volume. Surprisingly, weight concern was a predictor of lower weekly training mileage.

Conclusions. The present findings indicated that particular motives differed between females and males and between younger and older participants. The research results are going to help to develop effective techniques to enhance exercise motivation, depending on age, sex, and training characteristics.

Introduction. This paper examines the nature tourism satisfaction of tourists visiting Okomu National Park (ONP) in Edo State, Nigeria.

Material and methods. Questionnaires were randomly administered to tourists visiting the park. Factor analysis was employed to identify the major issues influencing tourist satisfaction when visiting national parks.

Results. The results indicated that the majority of the tourists were youth and were first-time visitors. Furthermore, the results revealed that management, interpretation, accessibility, and expectation are the major requirements for ensuring a good experience and satisfaction when visiting national parks.

Conclusion. The results of the research reveal that in order to promote tourist satisfaction, managers of national parks need to pay attention to the proper management of the flora and fauna, including the interpretation of natural features.