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Copyright of Retos: Nuevas Perspectivas de Educación Física, Deporte y Recreación is the property of Federacion Espanola de Asociaciones de Docentes de Educacion Fisica and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Purpose. Nowadays it is impossible to imagine the training process of highly qualified athletes in various kinds of professional and Olympic sports without the use of innovative fitness technologies with appropriate equipment, tools and techniques. In particular, they are widely used in the educational and training process of gymnasts to improve certain aspects of their physical, functional and technical preparedness. The purpose of this study is to substantiate the feasibility of using innovative tools, methods and related techniques borrowed from health fitness aerobics to improve the technical preparedness of highly skilled athletes in aerobic gymnastics. Materials and methods. The study involved 24 athletes of the national aerobic gymnastics team of Ukraine aged 18 to 26 years old. Qualification of sportsmen: 5 - master of sports of the international class; 13 - master of sports of Ukraine; 6 - candidates for the master of sports of Ukraine. Indicators of technical preparation of participants of experiment were fixed. The reliability of intra-and intergroup differences in the level of technical preparedness between the arithmetic mean values of the indices of technical preparedness was determined in accordance with the program approved by the Ukrainian Federation of Sports Aerobics and Fitness (FUSAF). Results. The technical performance of gymnasts under the influence of the latest training techniques borrowed from health and fitness training, namely Procedos; EXOS; 6-D Sliding: Procedos; EXOS; 6-D Sliding. It is confirmed that the structure and content of the chosen methods meet the basic requirements for the competitive activity of qualified aerobic gymnasts. The data about the known means of improvement and control of parameters of technical training in aerobic gymnastics are supplemented. The effectiveness of the use of innovative methods borrowed from health fitness training in the construction of educational and training process of qualified athletes in aerobic gymnastics is proved. Conclusion. Both the experimental blocks of exercises borrowed from health-improving fitness training and the corresponding innovative methods of practical application of these tools have fully confirmed their effectiveness. The feasibility of using special Procedos, 6-D Sliding, EXOS methods in the programme of technical training of skilled athletes in aerobic gymnastics in the preparatory periods of the one-year training cycle has been experimentally proved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Problem Statement: In football, the task of improving the functional preparedness of highly qualified football players requires the use of special modes of training work, which has little connection with the system of special exercises for football players. Research hypothesis: innovative fitness techniques of functional training of football players will increase the level of their functional state, long-term maintain the necessary conditions during the two competitive periods of the annual training cycle, and thus contribute to a high final result of competitive activities. The objective of the research is to increase the functional conditions of highly skilled football players in the preparatory period of the annual macrocycle by means of fitness training. Participants: The study involved 25 players of FC "Zorya" (Luhansk city) aged 20 to 30 years. Methods: the submaximal bicycle ergometric test PWC170. The absolute value of the total physical working capacity (aPWC170) and the relative value of the total physical working capacity (rPWC170), the absolute value of the aerobic capacity -- maximum oxygen consumption (aMOC) and the relative value of the aerobic capacity (rMOC) were calculated. Results: An experimental program of physical training of highly qualified football players has been developed, the feature of which was the use of three innovative methods of modern fitness training: MAX®, Tabata, HIIT. Statistically significantly better indicators of physical work capacity of football players have been registered in the formative experiment at the end of both preparatory periods of the 2019/2020 season compared to the corresponding periods of the 2018/2019 season -- by 21.7% and 24.1% (p <0.001) and aerobic capacity -- by 13.7% (p <0.001) and 10.9% (p <0.01); at the end of competitive periods -- indicators of physical work capacity by 24.2% and 30.6% (p <0.001) and aerobic capacity -- by 15.8% and 15.9% (p <0.001). Conclusions: The introduction of an experimental program with the use of fitness training innovative means in the training process of highly qualified football players of FC "Zorya" (Luhansk city) improved their physical performance and aerobic capacity. The effectiveness of the program was confirmed by the team of FC "Zorya" winning bronze medals in the championship of the Ukrainian Premier League of the 2019/2020 season. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to identify the features of the development of strength training of highly qualified football referees in the competitive period. Material & Methods: the study involved 30 highly qualified football referees aged 35-42: 4 FIFA referees, 15 Premier League referees and 11 First League referees. Results: the training program for strength development in the competitive period included new fitness training tools using TRX® functional loops, step platform, BOSU hemisphere, 6D sliding. In the preparatory and final part of the training session, we included MFR exercises to fill the muscles with the maximum volume of blood and activate the nerve centers for their additional stretching. The results of testing the physical fitness of highly qualified referees at the beginning and end of the competitive period indicate that the training program developed by us, aimed at developing strength in competitive microcycles, most significantly influenced the increase in the manifestation of strength qualities in flexion and extension of the arms in emphasis. 8% and speed endurance in the YO-YO test - by 15,1%. There was also an improvement in the results in the manifestations of speed by 7.4% and by 2.3% in the 40 m run and the 4x10 m shuttle run, as well as by 5,7% in the speed-strength abilities in the standing long jump test. Conclusions: the results of the study indicate the effectiveness of the strength training program for referees of different levels and qualifications and its use in training microcycles of the competitive period to improve physical fitness.

Copyright of Revista Foco (Interdisciplinary Studies Journal) is the property of Revista Foco and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

A Danish fitness chain recently introduced a new concept called Bubbles & Squat. Here, fitness training is combined with free champagne and music. In this paper, we examine this new way of bringing parties, alcohol and physical culture together by exploring the possible meaning of it through existential philosophical analysis. We draw in particular on Nietzsche’s distinction between the Apolline and the Dionysiac, as well as his account of great health. On this basis, we analyse Bubbles & Squat as a case of Dionysiac intoxication, excess and ecstasy sneaking into contemporary Apolline fitness culture. In the last part of the paper, we raise the question if adding parties and bubbles to fitness training may, perhaps paradoxically, be healthy for the participants in an existential sense because it contributes to existential balance between the Dionysiac and the Apolline. We conclude that the philosophical framework presented in this paper can contribute to a new understanding of a general physical cultural phenomenon that the case of Bubbles & Squat represents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fitness-related benefits result in essential changes in physical fitness level in young women. This study was conducted with fitness centre clients (35 women with an average age of 26.4±2.2 years). The results of the experiment made it possible to evaluate the short-term response of the body to the training loads of different intensities in different blocks of the training session. The following six main blocks were distinguished in the structure of the exercise sessions including: aerobic, dance, variable, corrective, warm-up, and relaxation; and two additional ones. The aerobic and dance blocks were characterized by the highest intensity: HRav was 75.6±1.71% of HRmax, VO2 was 63.5±1.64% of VO2max, and energy expenditure (EE) was ranged from 465.28 to 524.36 kcal/hour. The relaxation block had the low- est intensity: HR was 57.31±0.56% of HRmax, VO2 was 34.2±6.25% of VO2max, and EE was of 252.6±49.24 kcal/h. We found that the percentage contribution of fats to energy production was higher in the warm-up (78.24%), relaxation (68.93%), and corrective (42.65%) blocks. The largest percentage of CHO utilization for energy metabolism was found in additional (92.8%), variable (91.82%), and dance (86.54%) blocks. The data obtained allowed to experimentally substantiate and methodologically structure a number of fitness means used in exercise sessions, by dividing them into specialized blocks that made it possible to selectively effect on different components of the physical condition.

Purpose: To examine the acute effects of generic drills (running drills [RDs]) and specific (small-sided-games [SSGs]) longsprint- ability (LSA) drills on internal and external load of male soccer players. Methods: Fourteen academy-level soccer players (mean ± SD age 17.6 ± 0.61 y, height 1.81 ± 0.63 m, body mass 69.53 ± 4.65 kg) performed four 30-s LSA bouts for maintenance (work:rest 1:2) and production (1:5) with RDs and SSGs. Players' external load was tracked with GPS technology (20-Hz), and heart rate (HR), blood lactate concentration (BLc), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were used to characterize players' internal load. Individual peak BLc was assessed with a 30-s all-out test on a nonmotorized treadmill (NMT). Results: Compared with SSGs, the RDs had a greater effect on external load and BLc (large and small, respectively). During SSGs players covered more distance with high-intensity decelerations (moderate to small). Muscular RPE was higher (small to large) in RDs than in SSGs. The production mode exerted a moderate effect on BLc while the maintenance condition elicited higher cardiovascular effects (small to large). Conclusion: The results of this study showed the superiority of generic over specific drills in inducing LSA-related physiological responses. In this regard production RDs showed the higher postexercise BLc. Individual peak blood lactate responses were found after the NMT 30-s all-out test, suggesting this drill as a valid option to RDs. The practical physiological diversity among the generic and specific LSA drills here considered enable fitness trainers to modulate prescription of RD and SSG drills for LSA according to training schedule. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Huang, Z-H, Ma, CZ-H, Wang, L-K, Wang, X-Y, Fu, S-N, and Zheng, Y-P. Real-time visual biofeedback via wearable ultrasound imaging can enhance the muscle contraction training outcome of young adults. J Strength Cond Res 36(4): 941-947, 2022-Real-time ultrasound imaging (RUSI) can serve as visual biofeedback to train deep muscle contraction in clinical rehabilitative settings. However, its effectiveness in resistance training in sports/fitness fields remains unexplored. This article introduced a newly developed wearable RUSI system that provided visual biofeedback of muscle thickening and movement and reported its effectiveness in improving the training outcomes of muscle thickness change (%) during dynamic contraction. Twenty-five healthy young men participated and performed pec fly exercise both with and without RUSI biofeedback. Statistical analysis was conducted to examine the reliability of the measurements and the immediate effects of (a) RUSI biofeedback of muscle contraction and (b) training intensity (50 vs. 80% of 1-repetition maximum [1RM]) on the pectoralis major (PMaj) thickness change measured by ultrasound images. In addition to significantly high inter-contraction reliability (ICC3,1 > 0.97), we observed significantly increased PMaj thickness change for both training intensities upon receiving biofeedback in subjects, compared with without biofeedback (p < 0.001). We also observed significantly larger PMaj thickness change at 80% of 1RM compared with 50% of 1RM (p = 0.023). The provision of visual biofeedback using RUSI significantly enlarged the magnitude of PMaj thickness change during pec fly exercises, potentially indicating that RUSI biofeedback could improve the ability of targeted muscle contraction of PMaj in healthy young adults. To our knowledge, this study has pioneered in applying RUSI as a form of biofeedback during weight training and observed positive effectiveness. Future iterations of the technique will benefit more subject groups, such as athletes and patients with neuromuscular disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: to identify the features of the development of strength training of highly qualified football referees in the competitive period. Material & Methods: the study involved 30 highly qualified football referees aged 35-42: 4 FIFA referees, 15 Premier League referees and 11 First League referees. Results: the training program for strength development in the competitive period included new fitness training tools using TRX® functional loops, step platform, BOSU hemisphere, 6D sliding. In the preparatory and final part of the training session, we included MFR exercises to fill the muscles with the maximum volume of blood and activate the nerve centers for their additional stretching. The results of testing the physical fitness of highly qualified referees at the beginning and end of the competitive period indicate that the training program developed by us, aimed at developing strength in competitive microcycles, most significantly influenced the increase in the manifestation of strength qualities in flexion and extension of the arms in emphasis. 8% and speed endurance in the YO-YO test - by 15,1%. There was also an improvement in the results in the manifestations of speed by 7.4% and by 2.3% in the 40 m run and the 4x10 m shuttle run, as well as by 5,7% in the speed-strength abilities in the standing long jump test. Conclusions: the results of the study indicate the effectiveness of the strength training program for referees of different levels and qualifications and its use in training microcycles of the competitive period to improve physical fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a combined exercise program focused on the improvement of young women’s physical condition. Materials and methods. The study involved 62 healthy women (an average age of 29.4 years). More than 50 parameters were assessed (anthropometric indicators, physical capacity and motor abilities, functional status of the cardiorespiratory system, etc.). The structure of physical condition of the women was identified using the factor analysis. The transforming experiment lasted for 14 months. Results. The physical development indicators had the largest contribution (33.4%) to the total variance of physical characteristics of the subjects. The second factor related to the functional state and physical performance accounted for 21.6%, the third factor related to coordination abilities accounted for 19.8%, and the fourth factor related to physical fitness accounted for 10.3% of the total variance. Those four factors explained 85.1% of the total variance. The 35 indicators, which were selected by the factor analysis and characterized the women’s physical condition, were used as criteria for the effectiveness of the proposed exercise program. Participation in the exercise program significantly affected the morphological status of women. Functional indicators of the cardiovascular system improved significantly, including resting heart rate decreased by 16.2% (p

Copyright of CBÜ Beden Eğitimi & Spor Bilimleri Dergisi is the property of CBU Beden Egitimi & Spor Bilimleri Dergisi and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the conditions for competitive football around the globe dramatically. Several competitions and leagues have been cancelled or postponed. Players have firstly been forced to training in solitude. In a second stage, players start training in small groups with strict contact restriction and return to competitive play might occur after only few weeks of normal team training preparation. These special circumstances are likely to impact football performance and injury risk in the upcoming competitions. Thus, clubs, coaching and medical staff, as well as players are challenged on the prioritization of fitness and performance, which easily can create several "catch-22-dilemmas". The present article presents views on fitness training, physical preparation and recovery during these uncommon conditions, and how elite football players can return to the competitive field well-prepared for post-crisis football endeavours around the world. Due to the multifaceted physiological demands in elite football, the long recovery requirements after match-play and an upcoming reality with many games within a short period, elite football players, managers and clubs may face extraordinary challenges associated with return to play under the current circumstances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Thermoregulation is highly individual and predictive for potentially cascading pathologies. Altered and deficient thermoregulation is considered an important diagnostic indicator which can be of great clinical utility for specialized screening programs and individualized prediction and prevention of severe pathologies triggered early in life. Working hypothesis: Individual thermoregulation can be objectively assessed by thermovision camera before and after exercises in school children stratified by age and gender that may be of great clinical utility for personalized training early in life in the framework of 3P medicine. Study design: In this study, 60 female and male primary school children were exposed to physical exercises in the form of 45-min general fitness training. The subjects under examination were stratified by age: group 1 (7-year-olds), group 2 (9-year-olds), and group 3 (12-year-olds). Superficial body temperature patterns were measured by means of thermovision camera before and immediately after exercises, as well as after the 15-min recovery time. Temperature patterns were analyzed in 12 areas of the body front and back, covering trunk and upper and lower limbs. Results: The obtained results revealed an individual and age-depended difference in response of the body to exercises. The first measurement prior to exercise (measurement 1) revealed no statistically significant differences in the mean surface temperature of all analyzed areas between 7- and 9-year-old children. Further, 7- and 9-year-old children did not differ significantly in the mean temperature recorded in the trunk compared to the 12-year-old children. However, in 12-year-old children, statistically significant higher values of the mean temperature of the upper and lower limbs, were observed compared to the group of 7-year-olds and significantly higher values of the mean temperature of the lower limbs compared to the group of 9-year-olds. Immediately after exercises (measurement 2), a statistically significant decrease in the temperature was noted in all groups and in all areas of the body. The greatest temperature change was observed in 12-year-olds, while the least one was measured in the youngest subjects. The statistically significant relation between the average trunk temperature of 7-year-old and 12-year-old children was observed: lower values of the mean temperature of the front and back of the trunk were noted in the group of 12-year-old children compared to the group of 7-year-olds. A significantly lower average temperature of the back of the trunk compared to the youngest group was also recorded in 9-year-old children. The study performed after the 15-min recovery time (measurement 3) showed an increase in the average temperature of all analyzed areas. In all subjects, the mean temperature recorded in measurement 3 did not differ significantly from the initial ones (measurement 1, prior to exercises). Only the mean temperature of the trunk back of 12-year-old children was significantly lower after the rest period compared to the initial examination. In all groups, the temperatures after exercises followed by a 15-min recovery returned to the initial ones, except of the trunk backs of 12-year-old children, where the temperature was lower than before exercises. Conclusions and expert recommendations in the framework of 3PM: Thermovision analysis is an effective tool to assess individual thermoregulation and to stratify school children for personalized exercise coaching. Body exercise-based disease prevention early in life is effective when tailored to the person: multi-parametric guidance for prescribing exercises individually is needed. Contextually, proposed individualized training approach should be adapted to the age-dependent particularities and individual thermoregulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fitness-related benefits result in essential changes in physical fitness level in young women. This study was conducted with fitness centre clients (35 women with an average age of 26.4±2.2 years). The results of the experiment made it possible to evaluate the short-term response of the body to the training loads of different intensities in different blocks of the training session. The following six main blocks were distinguished in the structure of the exercise sessions including: aerobic, dance, variable, corrective, warm-up, and relaxation; and two additional ones. The aerobic and dance blocks were characterized by the highest intensity: HRav was 75.6±1.71% of HRmax, VO2 was 63.5±1.64% of VO2max, and energy expenditure (EE) was ranged from 465.28 to 524.36 kcal/hour. The relaxation block had the lowest intensity: HR was 57.31±0.56% of HRmax, VO2 was 34.2±6.25% of VO2max, and EE was of 252.6±49.24 kcal/h. We found that the percentage contribution of fats to energy production was higher in the warm-up (78.24%), relaxation (68.93%), and corrective (42.65%) blocks. The largest percentage of CHO utilization for energy metabolism was found in additional (92.8%), variable (91.82%), and dance (86.54%) blocks. The data obtained allowed to experimentally substantiate and methodologically structure a number of fitness means used in exercise sessions, by dividing them into specialized blocks that made it possible to selectively effect on different components of the physical condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The author reveals the importance of fitness training in improving the female body. Fitness for women includes a range of specially designed exercises that contribute to the change not only physical but also psychological state. Analysis of the reasons for the interest of many women in fitness clubs indicates dissatisfaction with their figure due to excess subcutaneous fat mass. For this reason, many women 18–25 years old prefer to do exercises with aerobic exercise, because it is in this mode of load after the required time actively split fats, and few people pay attention to the state of the muscular system, the weak development of which affects the physical fitness of women and, accordingly, their performance at work, and when performing household chores. If we consider the effectiveness, each direction (strength or aerobic training) brings excellent results.

Objectives: To compare physiological and affective demands of a novel small-sided game designed in intermittent (30s‒30s) regimen opposing 3-a-side field players with 30s‒30s shuttle running and handball match play. Methods: Fourteen elite male handball players (age 23.8 ± 4.4 y; body mass 84.0 ± 7.4 kg; height 188 ± 0.06 m) performed 2 periods of 10-min of each experimental exercise in separate occasions. Physiological demand was assessed using mean heart rate, time spent in heart rate intensity zones and post-exercise blood lactate concentration. The difference between ‘perceived exertion’ and ‘pleasure’ determined the affective balance. Results: Small-sided game and shuttle running drills showed similar mean heart rate (88.8 ±2.4 and 90.4 ±2.8 % of peak heart rate, respectively) and time spent in heart rate zones. The match play elicited lower mean heart rate (86.9 ± 3.4 % of peak heart rate, P ≤ 0.05, large ES) than small-sided game and shuttle running. Peak lactate for small-sided game (6.6 ±2.6 mmol/L) was lower than shuttle running (10 ±2.2 mmol/L, P ≤ 0.05, large ES) whereas no significant difference was observed with match play. The small-sided game showed lower affective balance than shuttle running (P ≤ 0.01, large ES). Conclusions: Coaches can be confident in prescribing the small-sided game as a suitable alternative to shuttle running to provide consistent aerobic stimulus with lower affective balance. The small-sided game may be considered as a specific training method in achieving relevant physiological adaptations for handball match play.

Physical exercise is an activity whose health-related benefits have been promoted by health professionals and social institutions. However, given that the levels of practice are not ideal, the subjective variables - that give meaning, provide continuity and may increase exercise adherence - need to be studied in depth. In this sense, fitness training is analyzed as a form of serious leisure, a body-centered hobby - a way to practice and relate to the activity that leads its practitioners to adhere more to it, orienting them towards a career in acquiring and expressing skills, knowledge and experience. In total, 1,134 people (588 men, 546 women) doing fitness training, aged between 18 and 70 years old (M = 34.7, SD = 13.06), answered a questionnaire about time dedicated to exercise as serious leisure and its derived and complementary benefits. Student's t Coefficient and ANOVA were used to show the significance of the differences among the scores obtained for the rewards related to exercise and the other variables of the study. The results highlight that exercise as serious leisure is an activity whose weekly time investment makes it to acquire a central role when rewarded by sense of accomplishment, contact with others, improved health and being outdoors with the family. To conclude, this study enhances that characterizing fitness training as a body-centered hobby - which shares the principles of serious leisure - implies a new approach to the analysis of exercise while also suggesting new ways of promoting it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to concerns regarding the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19), major sporting events and activities have been temporarily suspended or postponed, and a new radical sports protocol has emerged. For most sports there are few recommendations based on scientific evidence for returning to team-game activities following the lifting of COVID-19 restrictions, the extended duration of lockdown, and self-training or detraining in the COVID-19 environment, and this is especially true for basketball. A post-lockdown return to the basketball court ultimately depends on the teams—coaches, trainers, players, and medical staff. Nevertheless, our current scientific knowledge is evidently insufficient as far as safety and return-to-play timing are concerned. This situation presents a major challenge to basketball competition in terms of organization, prioritization, maintaining physical fitness, and decision-making. While preparing an adequate basketball return program, the players’ health is the major priority. In this article we briefly discuss the topic and propose multiple strategies.

The future of football demands more from players and referees due to heightened match intensity and frequency. To optimize performance and health, collaboration among sport scientists, coaches, and medical staff is crucial. However, match officials often lack the same support as elite players, hindering their development. Granting professional status to referees, implementing evidence-based training, and adopting gender-inclusive methods are vital. Coping with future challenges requires better career support and economic conditions for officials, along with research to enhance their performance and health.

This study examined the relationships among gender, race/ethnicity, physical activity (PA) type, exercise motivation, and frequencies of various exercise intensities. College freshmen (N = 170; 68 male, 102 female) in the southwestern U.S. completed an online survey on exercise motivation and behavior. Chi-square tests indicated that males generally performed more fitness training and less aerobic exercise than females, whereas no differences were foundamong racial/ethnic groups. Descriptive discriminant analyses revealed that sport participation contributed to the most adaptive motivational profileand highest behavioral frequencies, suggesting that sport participation is the most effective PA type for college freshmen to maintain exercise. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the psychological and physiological effects of a 26-week aerobic exercise program on a sample of sedentary older men (n = 26) and women (n = 23). Subjects were randomly assigned to either a high intensity exercise group (80-85% of maximal heart rate reserve), a moderate intensity exercise group (65-70% of maximal heart rate reserve), or a no-exercise control group. Results indicated that subjects in the high intensity exercise group exhibited significant increases in aerobic capacity compared to the moderate intensity group. Both exercising groups improved aerobic capacity and had significant decreases in body weight compared to the control group. Exercising subjects also reported significantly fewer symptoms of depression at the end of the program, but not fewer than the control group. Overall, increases in VO2max were associated with decreases in depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study was to compare exercise recommendations, attitudes, and behaviors of personal trainers toward clients of different weight statuses. Fifty-two personal trainers participated in the study. The data collection was organized into two phases. In phase one, trainers read a profile and watched the video displaying an interview of either an obese or an average-weight client. Profiles and video interviews were identical except for weight status. Then, trainers provided exercise recommendations and rated their attitude toward the client. In phase two, trainers personally met an obese or an average-weight mock client. Measures were duration and number of advices provided by the trainer to a question posed by the client and sitting distance between trainer and client. There were no significant differences in exercise intensity (p = .94), duration of first session (p = .65), and total exercise duration of first week (p = .76) prescribed to the obese and average-weight clients. The attitude of the personal trainers toward the obese client were not significantly different from the attitude of personal trainers toward the average-weight client (p = .58). The number of advices provided (p = .49), the duration of the answer (p = .55), and the distance personal trainers sat from the obese client (p = .68) were not significantly different from the behaviors displayed toward the average-weight client. Personal trainers did not discriminate against obese clients in professional settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of the number of ball touches authorised per game (one touch [T1], two touches [T2], and free touches [FT]) on the players' physical responses throughout the bouts in 4 vs 4 soccer small-sided games (SSGs) with mini-goals (without a goalkeeper). Fourteen professional Polish players (age 23.2±2.7 years, height 177.9±6.1 cm, weight: 73.2±6.9 kg, body fat 12.6±2%, playing experience: 14±5 years) completed nine series of 4 vs 4 SSGs. Each trial included three series of SSGs with a game duration of 4 minutes on an equal sized pitch (30x24 m; 720 m²; individual occupied area per player=90 m²). Differences in physical responses and time-motion characteristics of players were measured with the Global Positioning System (GPS) and assessed using a repeated measures ANOVA to compare the three game conditions and the magnitude-based inference to evaluate the pairwise comparison effects. The results showed that only the variables distance covered at low speed, time walking, time at low speed, and accelerations of >4 m/s² were statistically significantly different among game conditions. The pairwise comparisons only identified significant effects for distance covered at low speed (between FT and T2), for time walking (between FT and T1), for time at moderate and low speed (between FT and T2), and for accelerations of >4 m/s² (between FT and T1). The players' performances are affected by the ball touch constraint during SSGs with mini-goals. The results provide useful information for training and task design that replicate specific physical demands (i.e., accelerations of >4 m/s², time walking or running at a lower speed). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related degenerations in brain structure are associated with balance disturbances and cognitive impairment. However, neuroplasticity is known to be preserved throughout lifespan and physical training studies with seniors could reveal volume increases in the hippocampus (HC), a region crucial for memory consolidation, learning and navigation in space, which were related to improvements in aerobic fitness. Moreover, a positive correlation between left HC volume and balance performance was observed. Dancing seems a promising intervention for both improving balance and brain structure in the elderly. It combines aerobic fitness, sensorimotor skills and cognitive demands while at the same time the risk of injuries is low. Hence, the present investigation compared the effects of an 18-month dancing intervention and traditional health fitness training on volumes of hippocampal subfields and balance abilities. Before and after intervention, balance was evaluated using the Sensory Organization Test and HC volumes were derived from magnetic resonance images (3T, MP-RAGE). Fourteen members of the dance (67.21 ± 3.78 years, seven females), and 12 members of the fitness group (68.67 ± 2.57 years, five females) completed the whole study. Both groups revealed hippocampal volume increases mainly in the left HC (CA1, CA2, subiculum). The dancers showed additional increases in the left dentate gyrus and the right subiculum. Moreover, only the dancers achieved a significant increase in the balance composite score. Hence, dancing constitutes a promising candidate in counteracting the age-related decline in physical and mental abilities.

BACKGROUND: Explosive strength of the lower extremities and agility are important parts of game performance in basketball. Although numerous studies have focused on the assessment of the training effect of plyometric training, studies focusing on elite players are missing. OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to find out what changes in explosive strength of the lower extremities take place after a 6 week strength training with plyometric exercises and resistance exercises in elite basketball players. METHODS: Elite basketball players (n = 12; age 24.71 ± 1.5 years; height 197.0 ± 7.6 cm; weight 95.8 ± 8.1 kg) performed during pre-season a 6 week training program with plyometric exercises and resistance exercises which were conducted biweekly during the pre-season. The changes in explosive strength were measured by the squat jump without arms, the counter movement jump without arms, the counter movement jump free arms and the 2 step run up jump. The players participated in two measurements. The 1st (pretesting) was performed on the first day of pre-season and the 2nd (posttesting) was completed two days after terminating the PT programme. The differences between the average values of the monitored parameters were determined by the Wilcoxon paired test. To calculate the effect size formula according to Fritz, Morris, and Richler (2012): R = Z/√N was used. RESULTS: Analysis of intra-group changes confirmed significant differences between the two measurements in tests of vertical jump squat (Z = 2.58, p = .01, r = .75), vertical jump from the point of the swing arm (Z = 2.49, p = .01, r = .72) and vertical jump from place without the swing arm (Z = 2.75, p = .01, r = .79). In case of the two step run up jump significant differences were not found (Z = 1.60, p = .11, r = .56). Analysis of intra-individual changes showed the significant interindividual differences in the changes of the explosive power of the lower limbs after a 6 week training. The improvement in all tests was observed in nine of the twelve players, oppositelly the deterioration in one player. CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study in elite basketball players have confirmed that the inclusion of plyometric exercises and exercises with additional resistance in the preparatory period may lead to significant changes in explosive power even elite senior basketball players.

Purpose. The aim of the study was to determine if an 8-week-long endurance fitness training with elastic belts would increase the strength-endurance of the inspiratory muscles and lung function characteristics, and to assess whether these changes were consistent with an increase in aerobic power and exercise capacity in healthy young women. Methods. Twenty-two females aged 20-25 years were randomly allocated into 2 groups. The experimental group preformed 8-week-long exercises on stationary bikes with an elastic belt on the lower part of the chest. The control group underwent the same workout, without elastic belts. Vital capacity, forced vital capacity, maximal voluntary ventilation, maximal inspiratory and expiratory pressure, sustained maximal inspiratory pressure, physical activity status, and perceived exertion scores were measured. In the incremental exercise test, work capacity and maximal oxygen uptake were assessed. Tidal volume, minute ventilation (VE), oxygen uptake (VO2), VE/VO2, heart rate (HR), and VO2/HR were continuously monitored. The cycle performance at the power of the ventilatory threshold was evaluated on the following day. Results. The fitness training with elastic belts significantly improved the strength and strength-endurance of the inspiratory muscles, the functional cardio-respiratory capabilities, and aerobic work output. In the control group, the studied parameters were not significantly increased. Conclusions. Applying elastic belts to fitness endurance exercises improves the strength and strength-endurance of inspiratory muscles, cardio-respiratory capabilities, and aerobic power, which additionally raises aerobic work output in fitness training of young women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related degenerations in brain structure are associated with balance disturbances and cognitive impairment. However, neuroplasticity is known to be preserved throughout lifespan and physical training studies with seniors could reveal volume increases in the hippocampus (HC), a region crucial for memory consolidation, learning and navigation in space, which were related to improvements in aerobic fitness. Moreover, a positive correlation between left HC volume and balance performance was observed. Dancing seems a promising intervention for both improving balance and brain structure in the elderly. It combines aerobic fitness, sensorimotor skills and cognitive demands while at the same time the risk of injuries is low. Hence, the present investigation compared the effects of an 18-month dancing intervention and traditional health fitness training on volumes of hippocampal subfields and balance abilities. Before and after intervention, balance was evaluated using the Sensory Organization Test and HC volumes were derived from magnetic resonance images (3T, MP-RAGE). Fourteen members of the dance (67.21 ± 3.78 years, seven females), and 12 members of the fitness group (68.67 ± 2.57 years, five females) completed the whole study. Both groups revealed hippocampal volume increases mainly in the left HC (CA1, CA2, subiculum). The dancers showed additional increases in the left dentate gyrus and the right subiculum. Moreover, only the dancers achieved a significant increase in the balance composite score. Hence, dancing constitutes a promising candidate in counteracting the age-related decline in physical and mental abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of our study was to determine changes in sport and motor performance of competitors in the category of children's fitness as a result of conditioning training intervention. We conducted a two-group simultaneous experiment. Experimental group (EG) and control group (CG) consisted of 18 girls competing in the 12 to 15 years old age categories. EG performed supervised conditioning program over a period of 25 weeks with training frequency 3 times per week. Based on the results of physical tests, competitive and expert assessments of sport performance in the children's fitness category we found significant effect of our conditioning program to increase sport and motor performance in the experimental group. Subsequently, these improvements could lead to success in domestic and international competitions where they occupied the leading positions. Significant relationships (EG = 19; CG = 10) were found between competitive and expert assessments as well as physical tests results, between expert and competitive assessments of physiques and routines. These changes manifested positively not only in the competitive assessment of the physique but also in the expert 'blind' assessment in the competitive discipline of the physique presentation in quarter turns where we observed significant improvements in the EG. Based on the obtained results we recommend to increase the ratio of conditioning training to gymnastic-dance training to 50 %, inclusion of strengthening and plyometric exercises into the training process and monitor regularly the level of general and specific abilities of the competitors in the individual mezocycles of the annual training cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]