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PURPOSE This study sought to investigate the effects of passive warm-up on flexibility, exercise performance, and lactate oxidation rate in track and field athletes. METHODS A total of eight male athletes with more than three years of athlete experience were recruited as participants, and passive warm-up (PW) and active warm-up (AW) treatments were conducted in a single-group crossover study design. The participants performed thermal stimulation at 40°C for 20 minutes as a PW and performed a 60-70% HRmax cycle as an AW. Flexibility and exercise performance were measured after each treatment. Anaerobic power was measured using the Wingate test, and lactic acid concentration was measured. RESULTS Body temperature significantly increased in both PW and AW, and no significant difference was observed in exercise performance between treatments. Flexibility and lactic acid oxidation rate were significantly higher in PW than in AW. CONCLUSIONS In track and field sprinters, PW did not exhibit any significant difference in anaerobic power and exercise performance compared to AW even though no physical exercise was performed, and PW was effective in body temperature, lactic acid oxidation rate, and flexibility. PW suggests the possibility of replacing AW.

PURPOSE The purpose of this study is to section the stages of performance development based on the track and field athletes' performance records, derive the performance development span, which was a continuum of the development stages, and extract the psychological experience of the performance development span. METHODS In this study, 56 retired track and field athletes were provided with competition records, and 10 athletes participated in in-depth interviews. With the stage of performance development partitioned using long and short-term moving averages and regression slope in PRR, a continuous of performance development span was derived. To extract psychological experiences in the performance development span, a subject analysis was conducted after an in-depth interview. RESULTS First, the track and field athletes' performance development stage calculated short and long-term moving averages in the PRR. Based on the average difference in the regression slope of the initial 20% CPR in which the long-term moving average was not calculated, it was divided into beginning, rising, peak, and decline periods. Second, the performance development span was a continuum of the stage was of performance development, and the beginning period was 0 < PRR ≤ 7, it was a time when the competition record rises sharply. The rising period was 7 < PRR ≤ 60, which was a virtuous cycle time of growth athlete. The peak period was 60 < PRR ≤ 74, which was a time when the peak record was maintained. The decline period was 74 < PRR ≤ 100, which was a time when the competition record was downward. Third, throughout the performance development span physical intelligence of track and field athletes was based on their natural physical superiority, the technical skills rises and remains at its peak and then enters a downward trend. Competitional Intelligence aims to become personalization as it matures gradually while its competition management capability and game knowledge are immature. Psychological intelligence overcomes the initial psychological atrophy to form confidence, and after experiencing psychological burden at the peak, confidence decreases. In the environmental context, the competition record rises in the early stages, continues to rise, peaks, and enters a downward trend. CONCLUSIONS Track and field athletes' performance development span was implemented as a continuum of beginning, rising, peak, and decline periods, and the psychological experience of the performance development span formed a span of physical intelligence, competitional intelligence, psychological intelligence, and environmental context.

Abstract Cloud computing and the Internet of Things (IoT), are popular technologies on the Internet. They can connect everything with the Internet and have a huge role in promoting social development. This paper aimed to conduct an in-depth study on the common sports injuries of track and field athletes by studying the related algorithms of cloud computing and the IoT, and selected the cluster analysis method, so that it can better serve the analysis of human movement. The problem studied in this paper is to find out how to improve the efficiency of clustering algorithms, especially the ability to process high-dimensional data. A motion algorithm system that is suitable for analyzing human sports injuries. This paper gave a general introduction to the cluster analysis algorithm in cloud computing and IoT, made a detailed analysis of the common sports injuries of track and field athletes, and applied the cluster analysis method to the analysis of human sports injuries. The basic principle is to use mathematical methods to quantitatively determine the relationship between samples based on their own attributes and certain similarity or difference indicators, and cluster the samples according to the degree of this relationship. The introduction of this method greatly enhances the efficiency of clustering algorithms, especially the ability to process high-dimensional data, which is suitable for analyzing human sports injuries. Based on the experiments in this paper, it can see that this paper took 70 track and field athletes from a high school as the research object, and conducted a more detailed analysis of the nature, location and causes of their common sports injuries. The computational and Internet of Things (IoT) based research method for common athletic injuries among track and field athletes proposed in this article is higher than the multi-level model method, with a speed of about 10% faster and an accuracy of 18% higher than the multi-level model method. The experimental results in this paper showed that using cloud computing and IoT as the basic methods to study common sports injuries of track and field athletes can obtain richer experimental data and make the analysis of results more scientific and credible, which has practical significance for the study of human sports injuries.

BackgroundAlterations in posture, lumbopelvic kinematics, and movement patterns are commonly seen in patients with low back pain. Therefore, strengthening the posterior muscle chain has been shown to result in significant improvement in pain and disability status. Recent studies suggest that thoracolumbar fascia (TLF) has a major impact on the maintenance of spinal stability and paraspinal muscle activity, and thus is likely to have an equal impact on deadlift performance.ObjectiveAim of the study was to evaluate the role of thoracolumbar fascia deformation (TFLD) during spinal movement in track and field athletes (TF) as well as individuals with and without acute low back pain (aLBP).MethodsA case–control study was performed with n = 16 aLBP patients (cases) and two control groups: untrained healthy individuals (UH, n = 16) and TF (n = 16). Participants performed a trunk extension task (TET) and a deadlift, being assessed for erector spinae muscle thickness (EST) and TLFD using high-resolution ultrasound imaging. Mean deadlift velocity (VEL) and deviation of barbell path (DEV) were measured by means of a three-axis gyroscope. Group differences for TLFD during the TET were examined using ANOVA. Partial Spearman rank correlations were calculated between TLFD and VEL adjusting for baseline covariates, EST, and DEV. TLFD during deadlifting was compared between groups using ANCOVA adjusting for EST, DEV, and VEL.ResultsTLFD during the TET differed significantly between groups. TF had the largest TLFD (−37.6%), followed by UH (−26.4%), while aLBP patients had almost no TLFD (−2.7%). There was a strong negative correlation between TLFD and deadlift VEL in all groups (r = −0.65 to −0.89) which was highest for TF (r = −0.89). TLFD during deadlift, corrected for VEL, also differed significantly between groups. TF exhibited the smallest TLFD (−11.9%), followed by aLBP patients (−21.4%), and UH (−31.9%).ConclusionTFLD maybe a suitable parameter to distinguish LBP patients and healthy individuals during lifting tasks. The cause-effect triangle between spinal movement, TFLD and movement velocity needs to be further clarified.Clinical trial registrationhttps://drks.de/register/de/trial/DRKS00027074/, German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00027074.

High concentrations of PM2.5 will not only lead to a decline in lung function, but also increase the incidence and mortality of respiratory diseases, and even affect people who engage in outdoor physical exercise. Long-term exposure to high concentrations of PM2.5 will have an impact on athletes' health and sports performance. By taking sprinters from a track and field team of a university in Shanxi as the research object and analyzing the changes of atmospheric PM2.5 on athletes' lung function indicators before and after training under different loads, this study aims to explore the short-term health effects of atmospheric fine particles on athletes' lung function under different loads. The results of testing athletes' lung function show that the athletes do not have abnormal pulmonary ventilation and weakened small airway function under medium and low load training, while athletes might have weakened small airway function under heavy load training. Under different loads, PM2.5 has a certain short-term negative effect and lag in the impact of various indicators reflecting the large and small airway functions of athletes, especially under heavy load. The impact of functional indicators is more obvious. This article provides a basis for reasonable systematic training of athletes in the environment of high atmospheric pollution in North China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: tto identify potential pedagogical causes for disorders in the functional state of the musculoskeletal system in young track and field athletes. Materials and methods: following activities were performed: analysis of 10 training programs used across Russia for young track and field athletes in terms of physiological, biomechanical and pedagogical content; study of results from questionnaire survey conducted among coaches of young track and field athletes; interpretation of the data obtained with the aim to identify key pedagogical risk factors resulting in physiological and biomechanical preconditions for chronic and acute injuries of musculoskeletal system in young track and field athletes. Results: analysis of 550 exercises recommended for general and special conditioning of young track and field athletes was instrumental in determining 6 sets of exercises subject to special attention or absolute forbidding in the said athletes. Exercises included in the sets amounted to about 10%. The findings of the survey conducted among 11 coaches revealed that the greatest challenges for them represented physiology and bioenergetics of youth sports as well as pedagogical concepts for minimizing chronic and acute injuries of the musculoskeletal system. Conclusions: there are risk factors that may be of great importance as deduced from the study in addition to those considered by earlier literature references. They include common weak aspects in the training programs, grave errors in deciding on conditioning and special exercises for these cohorts, lack of adequate competencies among coaches.

The Sport Drug Control Model (SDCM) is likely to be the model which most explicitly represents the theoretical paradigm of the psychological study of the use of doping in sport. This model can be further developed through its analysis in different populations and cultures. The main aim of this study was to empirically test the SDCM while analyzing for the first time the intentions and attitudes toward doping in Spanish track and field athletes. A secondary aim was to assess the extent to which the variables in the model together predict attitude, susceptibility, and behavior toward the use of performance-enhancing substances. Participants were 281 Spanish elite and national-standard track and field athletes from whom 80.1% were 18-28 years old and 49.5% were females. Participants completed the SDCM questionnaire measuring morality, legitimacy, benefits appraisal, threat appraisal, self-efficacy to refrain from doping, reference groups' endorsement of doping methods/substances, use of legal supplements, availability and affordability of doping, attitudes toward doping, susceptibility to doping and, self-reported use of banned performance-enhancing substances or methods. Structural equation modeling supported a good fitness of the SDCM and confirmed that positive attitudes toward doping predicted high susceptibility to doping (β = 0.55, p < 0.001), which is in turn associated with the use of prohibited substances and methods (β = 0.12, p < 0.05). The factors that have most influence on attitudes toward doping are morality (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and reference group opinion (β =0.62, p

The Sport Drug Control Model (SDCM) is likely to be the model which most explicitly represents the theoretical paradigm of the psychological study of the use of doping in sport. This model can be further developed through its analysis in different populations and cultures. The main aim of this study was to empirically test the SDCM while analyzing for the first time the intentions and attitudes toward doping in Spanish track and field athletes. A secondary aim was to assess the extent to which the variables in the model together predict attitude, susceptibility, and behavior toward the use of performance-enhancing substances. Participants were 281 Spanish elite and national-standard track and field athletes from whom 80.1% were 18-28 years old and 49.5% were females. Participants completed the SDCM questionnaire measuring morality, legitimacy, benefits appraisal, threat appraisal, self-efficacy to refrain from doping, reference groups' endorsement of doping methods/substances, use of legal supplements, availability and affordability of doping, attitudes toward doping, susceptibility to doping and, self-reported use of banned performance-enhancing substances or methods. Structural equation modeling supported a good fitness of the SDCM and confirmed that positive attitudes toward doping predicted high susceptibility to doping (β = 0.55, p < 0.001), which is in turn associated with the use of prohibited substances and methods (β = 0.12, p < 0.05). The factors that have most influence on attitudes toward doping are morality (β = 0.46, p < 0.001) and reference group opinion (β =0.62, p <0.001). Self-reported doping use was 9.6%. These findings confirm SDCM reproducibility and variability (as it accounts for several variables) in Spanish track and field competitive athletes. It is recommended to implement preventive programs which allow athletes to acquire a strong moral stance against doping and coaches to employ the tools required to instill and educate their athletes in rejecting these illegal practices that corrupt the integrity of competitive sport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achievement motivation is a distinguishing disposition in elite and non-elite athletes. Implicit theories and competence perception influence the types of achievement goals and constitute separate achievement motivation dispositions. The context of sport promotes various achievement goals and implicit theories about athletic competence. For this reason, scientific research should focus on the intrapersonal profiles of achievement motivation dispositions (achievement goals, implicit theories, and competence perception) instead of specifying only one of them. This study explores differences between elite and non-elite athletes in terms of intrapersonal profiles of achievement motivation dispositions. 54 elite and 50 non-elite track and field athletes took part in the study. The results suggest that athletes tend to perceive their competence accurately. Cluster analysis of the studied dispositions was conducted. The clusters present sets of achievement dispositions that vary in intensity. Moreover, the results present trends of the differences between elite and non-elite athletes in two of the three clusters obtained in the study.

Background: The purpose of this study is threefold: (1) compare differences in countermovement jump (CMJ) variables and squat jump (SJ) variables in male track and field athletes; (2) explore the correlation of Fast Twitch Fibers (FT), Effect of Pre-stretch (EP) and other variables during the CMJ in male track and field athletes; (3) explore the correlation of SJ variables in male track and field athletes. Methods: 96 male university athletes (21.25 ± 1.04 years; 71.96 ± 8.58 kg; 180.05 ± 5.66 cm) in track and field volunteered to participate in this study. They are from Capital University of Physical Education and Sports, and all athletes are above the national standard at the second level. Subjects sequentially completed 3 CMJs and 3 SJs on the force plate. Throughout the entire range of motion, the CMJ and SJ were performed with both hands on the hips. In a laboratory, all of the individuals were assessed at the same time. SPSS 25.0 (Chicago, IL, USA) was used to run independent samples t-test and Pearson correlation analysis. Results: The vertical jump displacement (VJD) (p < 0.01), squat displacement (SD) (p < 0.01), peak velocity (PV) (p < 0.01), peak power (PP) (p < 0.05), average power (AP) (p < 0.01) were significantly higher during the CMJ than during the SJ. The peak force (PF) (p < 0.01) was significantly smaller during the CMJ than during the SJ. The FT and EP during the CMJ were associated with low test-retest reliability (coefficient of variation (CV): 9.73–8.86%). VJD, SD, PF, PP, and AP produced high test-retest reliability (CV: 2.29–4.48%) during both the CMJ and SJ movements. The correlation results were as follows, the VJD during the CMJ was significantly related to SD, PF, PP, AP (r = 0.21, r = 0.42, r = 0.8, r = 0.69, respectively). The PF during the CMJ was significantly related to PP and AP (r = 0.87, r = 0.72, respectively). The PV during the CMJ was significantly related to PP and AP (r = 0.63, r = 0.79, respectively). During the CMJ, there were significant connections between PP and AP (r = 0.94). Except for SD showed no significant relationships and the results for the correlation of other variables were the same as CMJ during the SJ. Furthermore, the Fast Twitch Fibers (FT) during the CMJ was significantly related to PP and AP (r = 0.49, r = 0.46, respectively). The Effect of Pre-stretch (EP) during the CMJ was significantly related to PV, PP, AP and FT (r = 0.36, r = 0.24, r = 0.27, r = 0.22, respectively). Conclusions: Our results indicate that both FT and EP were highly significantly correlated with PP in CMJ, and both FT and EP were significantly correlated with AP in CMJ. In addition, FT and EP data have good reliability. It means that FT and EP may be important indicators of lower limb strength in male track and field athletes under certain conditions. This will inform the training of male track and field athletes.

The article was considered the features of autonomic regulation of heart rate in athletes. Modern level of sporting achievements puts forward the necessary conditions for study and evaluation of functional states and adaptive capacity of all body systems in interconnection, taking into account the autonomic regulation of the heart, the problem is actual enough. In the study were surveyed sportsmen playing sports and track and field athletes, using a method of HRV. It was studied the basic of time, spectral and HRV parameters (in R. Baevskyi) and established the predominant type of of vegetative regulation of cardiac activity. Athletes of team sport were characterized by a decrease in indexes of time than heart rate. he analysis of of spectral indexes has shown increasing values in track and field athletes. It was established predominant type of sympathetic autonomic regulation of the heart in sportsmen playing sports, and the track and field athletes found predominant type of parasympathetic autonomic regulation. Obtained results are confirm lowering mechanisms of self-regulation and activation energy centers metabolic for sportsmen playing sports. In track and field athletes were established a higher level of physical fitness and note the decrease in activity of the central control loop.

Background: The Marathon runners must have the proper technical preparation to reach excellence and to achieve adequate psychological preparation for the race. Against this background, the current study aims to describe the implementation results of a cognitive-behavioral intervention based on psychological skills training for marathon runners.Methods: Fourteen amateur male marathoners with an average age of 30 (SD = 5.75) were trained with various emotional and cognitive control techniques to enhance their performance in competition. Various psychological variables, related to the subjects level of perceived stress, and to qualitative characteristics of their thoughts were measured before and after the target marathon race. Results were analyzed through non-parametric tests for two related samples. The Cohen's d effect size for single-group pretest-posttest repeated measures were also performed.Results: Statistical analysis reveals that, controlling for age and running experience, the intervention decreased significantly the level of perceived stress and the occurrence of negative thoughts before the race, during, and after the race.Conclusion: Training in cognitive control and relaxation techniques, as part of the psychological skills training could determine the quality of performance of marathon runners.

Background: The Marathon runners must have the proper technical preparation to reach excellence and to achieve adequate psychological preparation for the race. Against this background, the current study aims to describe the implementation results of a cognitive-behavioral intervention based on psychological skills training for marathon runners. Methods: Fourteen amateur male marathoners with an average age of 30 (SD = 5.75) were trained with various emotional and cognitive control techniques to enhance their performance in competition. Various psychological variables, related to the subjects level of perceived stress, and to qualitative characteristics of their thoughts were measured before and after the target marathon race. Results were analyzed through non-parametric tests for two related samples. The Cohen's d effect size for single-group pretest-posttest repeated measures were also performed. Results: Statistical analysis reveals that, controlling for age and running experience, the intervention decreased significantly the level of perceived stress and the occurrence of negative thoughts before the race, during, and after the race. Conclusion: Training in cognitive control and relaxation techniques, as part of the psychological skills training could determine the quality of performance of marathon runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Functional Movement Testing of Female Track and Field Athletes Before and After an Indoor Season. JEPonline 2021;24(1):54-72. Track and Field (TF) athletes compete in short- and long-distance running events and field events that require specific skills and techniques. TF involves repetitive movements to enhance skills that may increase the likelihood of overuse injuries. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of participation in a competitive, indoor TF season on functional movements. NCAA Division I, TF female athletes (N = 21) were grouped by three event categories: (a) throwers (THR); (b) distance runners (DR); and (c) other competitors (sprinters, hurdlers, and jumpers; SHJ). The athletes were measured before and after a 7-wk indoor season using the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) and Y Balance Test (YBT). Time (2)  Event Group (3) mixed model ANOVAs and other statistics were calculated. FMS mean composite scores improved significantly after the season: Pre-, 14.8 ± 2.5; Postseason, 15.6 ± 2.2 with no differences among event groups. Postseason FMS task scores improved for Deep Squat and Right Shoulder Mobility while the Left Hurdle Step mean score was poorer. There were no differences in YBT composite scores after the season by event group or bilaterally. However, YBT each of the relative reach distances were statistically significantly different by event group and among each of the reach directions [anterior, posteromedial (PM), and posterolateral (PL)]. THR were greater for PM and PL mean relative reach distances than DR. After a demanding competitive season of TF participation, Division I female athletes improved their functional movement and maintained dynamic balance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background Inversion injury to the ankle and hamstring injuries are common problems in most sports. It is not known whether these injuries constitute a predisposing factor or a precursor of injury or re-injury of these anatomical locations. Therefore, we wished to test the hypothesis that a previous inversion ankle injury exerted a significant effect on the chance of an athlete suffering from a subsequent ipsilateral hamstring injury and vice versa. Methods In an observational cohort study over 17 years (1998–2015), 367 elite track and field athletes, were grouped according to their first traumatic isolated ankle or hamstring injury. Fifty athletes experienced both injuries. The Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests (p

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to gain information about the incidence of mechanical Low Back Pain (MLBP) injuries etiology in elite track and field athletes and to assess the recurrence rate. BACKGROUND: The prevalence and the etiology of Low Back Pain (LBP) in athletic populations at the elite level of competition lack of longitudinal studies focused on certain sport fields. The present study evaluates MLBP incidents in elite track and field athletes visiting National Track and Field Centre in Thessaloniki, Greece and classifies MLBP according to etiology. METHODS: One hundred and thirty Elite Track and Field Athletes with MLBP injuries were included in a 20-year observational cohort study recording the initial MLBP etiology according to a classification system based on mechanical diagnosis. It was examined if age, gender and sport category predispose the incidence of the initial MLBP etiology and if they consist risk factors for MLBP recurrence. RESULTS: Discogenic MLBP in elite track and field athletes was significantly higher at 46.9% (α = 0.05) compared with the other MLBP etiologies under consideration. Secondary findings of the present study regarding the incidence of MLBP etiology categories did not reveal significant associations with gender, age and contest categories (α = 0.05). Additionally, recurrence pathophysiology showed that discogenic MLBP obtained high recurrence rates at 0.48 (14 athletes from 29 athletes recurred) compared with other etiologies, followed by back elements injury recurrence rate at 0.24 (7 athletes out of 29). CONCLUSIONS: The study provided us with evidence of higher incidence of discogenic etiology of MLBP in elite track and field athletes. Further research is suggested in the use of etiology related LBP classification system in order to evaluate causes, prevalence and epidemiology of MLBP in athletic populations of specific sport categories. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The IL-6 -174G/C single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) functionally affects IL-6 activity, with the G-allele associated with increased IL-6 levels. The C-allele was found to be associated with exercise-induced skeletal muscle damage. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between the IL-6 -174G/C polymorphism and athletic performance among elite swimmers and runners. The study sample included 180 track and field athletes and 80 swimmers. Track and field athletes were assigned to three sub-groups: long-distance runners, middle-distance runners and short-distance runners. Swimmers were assigned to two subgroups: long-distance swimmers and short-distance swimmers. The control group consisted of 123 non-athletic healthy individuals. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood following a standard protocol. Genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The CC genotype and C-allele frequency were significantly higher in the long-distance swimmers (18 and 43%, respectively) compared to the long-distance runners (3 and 14%, respectively, p < 0.001); middle-distance runners (4 and 22%, respectively, p < 0.001); and controls (5 and 19%, respectively, p < 0.001). In addition, the CC genotype and C-allele frequency were significantly higher (p < 0.001) in long-distance swimmers compared to short-distance swimmers (18 versus 5% and 43 versus 29% for the CC genotype and C-allele frequency, respectively). The higher frequency of the C-allele and CC genotype among long-distance swimmers suggests that the rarity of exercise-associated rhabdomyolysis among swimmers is probably related to other sports-specific or water-related protective mechanisms. It is possible that swimming selection in talented endurance athletes who are C-allele carriers represents an example of genetically-dependent sports selection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

IN JUNE 2019,three high-school female track athletes from Connecticut filed a complaint with the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights. They claimed that Connecticut's policy of allowing transgender [...]

Training remedies in a system of preparation of athletes and representatives of force kinds of sports are construed. Sportsmen of 14 years participated in research. Training programs in week microcycle of preparation of juvenile weightlifters in a preparatory period are presented. Special exercises for developing force and speed at athletes and sportsmen of force kinds of sports are exhibited. It is established, that draft on funds of heavy athletics in preparation of athletes and sportsmen of force kinds of sports promotes developing and perfecting of physical preparation of sportsmen.

The aim of this study was to compile a sport psychological skills profile of track and field athletes and to compare the psychological skill levels of successful and less successful track athletes during the 2011 University Sport South Africa Athletics Championships. The participants included 143 athletes (age= 21.6±2.32 years). Their perceived importance and need for psychological skills training, as well as their perceived ability to be mentally prepared for training sessions and competitions were investigated. Practical significant differences were observed between the top (n=21) and bottom (n=21) sprinters for Peak Performance Profile (PPP) total and stress control, Psychological Skills Inventory (PSI) total and achievement motivation, as well as between the top (n=21) and average (n=20) sprinters for PPP total, concentration, stress control, PSI total, achievement motivation, maintaining self-confidence and concentration. The successful (n=21) middle- and long-distance athletes recorded significantly higher achievement motivation values than their less successful (n=21) counterparts. Collectively, these results confirm a relationship between psychological skills and track and field success. The effect of psychological skills training programmes on psychological skills development and performance enhancement requires further empirical studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between anaerobic power and vertical jump performance in adolescent athletes. Twenty four track and field athletes participated in this study (mean age: 15.79±0.83 years; height: 166.78±9.77 cm; weight: 57.44±13.42 kg; BM: 20.45±3.01 kg/m2; body fat percentage (%): 18.80±5.55). The 12 minute Cooper test was performed to estimate VO2max (41.73±6.92 ml/kg.min). After 3-7 days the subjects applied counter movement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) for the following parameters: (1) the maximum jumping height [SJh and CMJh], (2) the total work produced by the body in each jumping condition [SJw and CMJw: weight (kg) × jump height (m)] and (3) the anaerobic performance [CMJpower and SJpower (kg.m/s): P= √4.9 × weight (kg) × √jump height (m)]. The Wingate anaerobic test was applied to determine peak power, average power and fatigue index. The jumping performance variables (height, total work and anaerobic power) and VO2max did not relate significantly to the fatigue index (p>0.05). All jump performance variables had a significant relationship with peak power and mean power (p<0.05 and p<0.01). Although both the absolute and relative Wingate test variables were significantly correlated with all jump performance variables, the r values for the relative variables were lower than their absolute counterparts. The results of the present study indicated that in field conditions the trainers may predict anaerobic performance using the jumping properties and when the subjects' body weight was incorporated, this led to a more representative indicator of the subjects jumping abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a proprietary program for increasing self-efficacy among track and field athletes through vicarious experience and successful control over excitation and to determine the changes in the cognitive dimensions related to self-efficacy: dispositional optimism, hope of success and locus of control. An experimental two-group design with a pre-test and a post-test in the experimental and control groups was used. Forty-two athletes (29 women and 13 men) aged 17 to 24 years randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups took part in the study. The General Scale of Self- Efficacy, Hope for Success Questionnaire, Life Orientation Test Revised, and Internal- External Locus of Control Scale were used. The study's results indicate that the program was effective. Participants in the intervention group demonstrated a substantial increase in self-efficacy ( P = 0.001). This was not observed in the control group ( P = 0.732). After the completion of the program, athletes in the intervention group had significantly higher levels of self-efficacy ( P = 0.001) and optimism ( P = 0.017). They also had more internal locus of control compared to the control group ( P = 0.001). Contrary to expectations, athletes in the intervention group demonstrated a substantially lower level of propensity in pathways ( P = 0.001) as well as in agency ( P = 0.001) (both components of the hope for success). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents the study which investigated the influence of cross-sectional areas (CSA) of quadriceps femoris (QF), hamstrings and psoas major in junior sprinter athletes. A calculated mean values of the CSA of the left and right muscles in male and female athletes and used the regression analyses in finding the relationship between CSA variables and running speed. It found that in both genders, higher development of psoas major relative to thigh muscularity, is the primary factor in achieving better running performance in 100 meter race.