Volume 27 (2020): Edizione 3 (September 2020)

Introduction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of learning a complex gymnastic routine with different frequencies of externally imposed and self-controlled model demonstration.

Material and Methods. Thirty undergraduate physical education (PE) students were randomly assigned to 3 groups: G100 (100% frequency), GS (self-controlled frequency) and GC (control group). Each participant from groups G100 and GS performed 150 trials of a complex gymnastic routine during 10 practice sessions. The learning effect was evaluated on the basis of the mean absolute error value and measured during pre-acquisition (baseline), acquisition (practice sessions) and post-acquisition (retention and transfer tests) phases.

Results. It was revealed that observational learning with self-controlled and high externally imposed frequency of model demonstration proved to be equally effective. The differences were found during the acquisition phase only. The self-controlled group achieved higher outcomes than the externally imposed group.

Conclusions. This study indicates that performance during practice sessions does not always reflect the permanency and adaptability of the motor skill learning process.

Introduction. Campus recreation programs play a key role in students’ academic success and personal development. The main purpose of this exploratory study was to explore the moderating effect of campus recreation participation on the relationship between education satisfaction and self-esteem.

Material and methods. In this research, which adopted positivist paradigm, a quantitative method was used. The suitability of the measurement model was tested with confirmatory factor analysis, and hierarchical regression analysis was used in testing the moderator effect. The research data were obtained from 454 tourism students through the questionnaire form.

Results. In the findings of the study, the evidence of the moderator role of campus recreation participation was determined in the relation between education satisfaction and self-esteem. It was concluded that the level of relationship between students’ education satisfaction and self-esteem differs according to whether they participate in campus recreation activities or not.

Conclusion. The research findings revealed that participating in campus recreation activities increases students’ self-esteem and protects self-esteem in the event of education dissatisfaction. The present findings reveal that campus recreation participation should be given importance both in terms of student engagement, retention and personal development of students.

Introduction. The present study was aimed to compare the cardiorespiratory fitness levels (VO₂max) between university level male and female volleyball players and to find its correlation with percentage body fat.

Material and Methods. In the present cross-sectional study, male and female volleyball players (n = 15 each) aged 18-25 years were randomly selected from Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad, India. An equal number of sedentary individuals were also selected who did not indulge in any vigorous physical activity or training. Body height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), % lean body mass of players and sedentary individuals were recorded using standard methods. Percentage body fat was calculated using the sum of four skinfolds and VO₂max was recorded using Queen’s college step test. Data were analysed using SPSS software version 20.0. Unpaired t-test was used for comparison between players and sedentary individuals and two-way ANOVA was used to examine interaction of status (active players and sedentary individuals) and gender on VO₂max.

Results. Players had higher mean values for % lean body mass and VO₂max. Statistically, highly significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between male and female players for all variables except BMI. Players had better cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max) as compared to their sedentary counterparts.

Conclusions. Significant differences exist between players and sedentary individuals for percentage body fat and percentage lean body mass. Cardiorespiratory fitness of players is negatively correlated with percentage body fat. Players have higher VO2max as compared to their sedentary counterparts.

Introduction. The article contains an analysis of landscape changes taking place as a result of the development of tourism in the areas of Lake Białe and Lake Glinki (eastern Poland).

Material and methods. The paper refers to the results of research covering the years of 1960-1990 and shows the changes in space that took place until 2017. In the first stage of the research, the methods of analysis of archival materials and land use plans were used. In the last period, remote sensing methods were applied – the orthophotomap from 2017 and cadastral data were used to classify land use.

Results. In the first period of the development of the recreational region (until 1990), a decrease in the area of meadows and pastures, forest areas and arable land was noticed in favour of areas occupied for collective and individual recreational buildings. The most recent changes in the landscape show a decreasing importance of the agricultural function (mainly a decrease in the arable land area) and an increase in colonisation space, related to summer buildings and areas with a recreational function (wooded areas).

Conclusions. With a view to further development of tourism in the area of Lake Białe and Lake Glinki, particular emphasis should be placed on harmonising land use and spatial development.

Introduction. This paper explores the influence of country image on the evaluation of a destination’s attributes from the perspective of inbound tourists to South Africa - within the context of both business and medical tourism.

Material and methods. Data were generated from a self-administered questionnaire distributed as part of a survey of inbound tourists visiting South Africa’s Table Mountain. Factor analysis and multiple regression were employed to determine the factors and establish their relationship, respectively.

Results. The results suggest that South Africa’s image as a country influences tourist’s perception of the country and its destination attributes. More intriguingly, the results show that South Africa’s image is subject to both stereotypes and the country-of-origin effect.

Conclusion. The paper concludes that country image is a significant heuristic cue in the appraisal of the destination attributes that motivate inbound tourist travel behaviour. More so, it is aspects such as the ability to manage its affairs, nationally branded exports and the availability of international business-related opportunities that may be most influential to South Africa’s perceived image in tourist decision-making.

Introduction. Unethical consumer practices in the hotel industry pose a global problem. They are encountered in countries and regions with a rapidly developing tourism sector and a growing number of tourists. Demanding or even impolite customers pose a challenge for hotel employees. These problems are also encountered in Poland.

Materials and Methods. In the presented case study, a mixed method model combining qualitative and quantitative analyses was applied to investigate unethical tourist practices in Polish hotels. Five four-star hotels belonging to the same capital group in north-eastern Poland were analyzed.

Results. The study demonstrated that hotel staff members, in particular frontline employees, are confronted with unethical customer behaviors. Five types of unethical practices that are most often encountered by hotel employees, in particular young staff members, have been identified.

Conclusions. The ability to deal with difficult customers is one of the most highly valued skills in frontline employees. Hotel employees should have an opportunity to participate in regular training programs on hospitality ethics and strategies for coping with difficult situations. These skills will play a pivotal role after the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic when hotels will be struggling to bring back clients. However, excessive leniency towards guests in difficult times could have adverse consequences when businesses resume normal operations.