Search

"Introduction: Institutionalized children are at risk in terms of their integration into society, as the lack of educational and financial resources hinders the development of their cognitive and non-cognitive skills. Sports activities contribute to the development of interests and influence the general education of the children, which can be stimulated through music and dance - the most representative artistic field that allows the psychomotor development of children. Objective: The aim of this study is to ascertain the differences between the institutionalized children and the dancers who come from families in terms of their interests and values. Materials and Methods: Fifty-five children aged 11-12 participated in the study, including 30 children in foster care who do not participate in organized extracurricular physical activities and 25 performance dancers who come from organized families. Results: The interest in the various activities in which children are asked to participate is more obvious in dancers, particularly from an artistic and social point of view, and children in foster care are preoccupied with free time and social relations, with authority being the least valued. Conclusions: The influence of dance on children’s development can be noticed in the results of the psychological tests assessing their interests and values, which suggest that dancers are more interested in extracurricular activities compared to children in foster care centers and they are more concerned about their future employment situation. Keywords. dance, interests, values, institutionalized children "

This paper examines how the corruption heritage of South-Eastern European sport can be used as content for educational strategies designed to improve the ethics and integrity in today’s sport. Hidden or dark history is useful when considering an education for a sustainable development approach to improving athletes’ moral skills. In education, examining mistakes can be a useful tool for preventing their recurrence as they provide examples for study and content for evidence-based learning. At the same time, it is a useful process, aiming to develop critical thinking and the decision-making skills in the area of sports. This paper provides examples on how narratives can be used in the field of sport moral education and what patterns reflecting the lack of integrity in sport can be identified. Because it has perpetuated and altered the image and principles of sports competition, diminishing trust in sport sustainability, it is important to identify how this effect can be approached from the perspective of the education for sustainable development (ESD), as applied to the area of sports. However, it is essential that sports integrity be valued by society and that all sports actors (athletes, coaches, officials) promote ethics and fair play.

Fixed football matches are a widely analysed phenomenon and in order to better understand it, it is useful to follow its historical trajectory. In this direction, the Romanian case is important to ...

This study aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the XR challenges, opportunities, and future trends that will impact higher educational institutions. The article discusses (using observation, participatory observation and as well as document analysis) the potential for augmented reality to be used in higher education, having in mind characteristics of Millennials (Generation Y) and Post-Millennials (Generation Z) and raises issues about responsible innovation, the future of work, and formal education. Additionally, survey research was completed among students in Serbia and Romania (103 respondents) within selected generations regarding their knowledge of extended reality and their attitudes towards opportunities and challenges of extended reality in Higher Education Institutions, and thus this paper also utilises quantitative analysis. A correlation matrix, composite reliability, and regression model were used to code the data and extract knowledge. A thorough review of the existing literature on one hand and primary research as well, using the chosen scientific methods, the planned purpose of the research will be obtained: to gain a better-understanding of the education needs of Generation Y and Generation Z and the potential use of XR as a response to the needs observed. The results of the quantitative analysis confirmed our starting assumptions: XR is an excellent technology facilitating the teaching processes allowing learners to more actively control their learning strategies and supporting the interactivity and connectivity that students and faculties experience. Furthermore, Generation Z students are more applicative for stating XR’s opportunities (instead of challenges) in higher education institutions.

The main focus of this projectImproving Social Innovation Competencies of Sports Professionals through Increasing Quality of VET(SPIN-VET) is to develop an innovative course curriculum that can be implemented by organizations (universities, Vocational Education and Training [VET] institutes, NGOs) responsible for vocational training of sports professionals in order to meet these needs. However, the development of open and innovative educational resources needed by trainers/lecturers responsible for vocational education and training of sports managers is one of the priorities of the project. SPIN-VET has focused on increasing the capacities of sports vocational education and training stakeholders (universities, institutes, VET providers, trainers, lecturers, mentors, etc.) through course curricula and innovative educational resources to be developed for the improvement of the social innovation competencies of sports managers. SPIN-VET project therefore seeks to address the following identified needs ofVET for sport field in social innovation at the European Union (EU) level: Current curricula implemented by VET institutions responsible for VET of sports professionals are insufficient to train qualified sports managers to meet theneeds of the sports labor market. Social innovation in sports is a relatively new but rapidly developing field. There is no innovative course curriculum on social innovation that VET institutions inthe field of sport can apply. Trainers/lecturers responsible for VET of sports managers need innovativeeducational resources on social innovation. The social innovation competencies of the sports professionals in the labormarket are not sufficient. Sports professionals in the labor market need open and digital learning platforms and training resources to improve their social innovation knowledge,skills and competences. With this scope, the overall objectives of the project are to contribute to smart, sustainable and inclusive growth in Europe by: Supporting professional development of VET trainers/lecturers in sport field. Developing social innovation competencies for sportsprofessionals workingin sport organizations (non-profit and for profit). The specific aims of the project are: To develop a course curriculum that addresses the challenges faced by sportsmanagers in the development and delivery of innovative products, services and processes for the sports sector in order to contribute the solving of social problems. To improve the social innovation competencies of sports managers with digital,open and innovative learning platform and training resources. The target groups of the project who benefit from the project products and tookpart in the projects’ activities are as follows: Direct target group: sports managers, sport professionals, VET trainers/lecturers in the sport field, partner organizations and their staff. Indirect target group: Sport organizations, VET organizations/institutions, universities, training providers, trainers/lecturers of target organizations. Project results are: Literature Review Report on Social Innovation Status in Sport (EuropeanPerspective and Examples from Norway, Spain, Romania and Poland). Course Curriculum on Social Innovation in Sport in 5 languages (English,Norwegian, Spanish, Romanian, Polish). Gamification Strategy for the eLearning Platform. Gamification Based Interactive Learning Platform for Sport Professionals

In Arab countries, physical inactivity among adults varies from 33% to 86%. Qatar shows an inactivity prevalence of 41.6%. This study describes the evaluation of 2 phases community-based intervention in university campuses in Qatar, Step into Health (SIH), designed to engage adults from campuses in Qatar into healthy lifestyle through walking. This evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness of mobile technology usage to increase participation in registered adult within the walking program. This study involved 397 eligible students and staff (aged 18-64 years), from 15 university campuses. The mobile technology-based interventions were implemented in 2 phases, (January - May 2018) - 288 participants, and (January - May 2019) - 109 participants with 104 common members that joined both phases of the program. Step counts were assessed by program coordinators using pedometers and mobile applications linked to a web-database. This study provided evidence that a systematic approach of the activism successfully engages adults from campuses in Qatar into a healthy lifestyle This intervention engaged inactive, low active, and active students into the walking program by the use of mobile technology. Results showed a significant increase in steps uploads during phase one of walking intervention when participants received reminders, awareness sessions, and technical support related to mobile technology use. Although these 104 members were committed to a long period of time, (10 months) to perform walking at the low physical activity level, they did not register a significant improvement of the physical efforts over time. The step uploads result for both intervention phases demonstrated a higher level of motivation amongst participants.

Anti-doping education is among the most important tasks of the specialized organizations in this area. A while ago the emphasis was placed on testing actions aimed to identify if the athletes use forbidden substances. Nowadays, the national anti-doping agencies, independently or in partnership with different organizations of the formal (preuniversity or university level) or non-formal education system, have expanded their methods and means designed for anti-doping education. Web-based learning methods in anti-doping education is a new trend in this educational field specific to performance sport. The obvious advantages of these methods convinced the anti-doping organizations to develop and to use on-line tools. Some of the most relevant e-learning platforms are ADel (Alpha, Coach true, Sport Physician Kit On line, Ado Kick Start, Parents' Guide to Support Clean Sport), edu.anad.ro (Romanian Anti-Doping Agency), e-Learning Germany (National Agency from Germany), e-Learning England (AntiDoping Agency from England), iLiftClean Education Platform (Weight Lifting International Federation). The paper intends to emphasize the awareness level of the anti-doping training programs based on web learning methods among Romanian athletes. For this purpose, we organised a survey based on a questionnaire, with the following variables: level of knowledge among athletes about the on-line educational anti-doping tools, the frequency of accessing these tools, the level of efficiency perceived by the athletes who use them, the advantages and disadvantages perceived by the athletes. The research was applied to 150 athletes, aged from 15 to18 and practicing different sports (track and field, artistic gymnastics, handball, swimming, judo, wrestling, volleyball, ice-hockey, ice-skating, cross country skiing, alpine skiing, escalade, snowboard), who accepted to participate in this survey. The conclusions of the paper emphasize some characteristics of the anti-doping education among Romanian athletes and allow us to recommend possible measures to improve the anti-doping educational actions of the Romanian Anti-doping Agency.

The technological and informational development of the last decades has also been an opportunity for the physical exercises field to benefit from the computer-based games effects, through the integration of functional indicators into a set of educational stimuli that aim to motivate and train people for a healthy and sustainable physical activity. Inspired by the characteristics of motor activities, both in structural terms and in physical and psychological demands, computer-based games are now widely used as specific learning tools as serious games and exergames. Nowadays both type of games contributes to the achievement of the specific objectives of different motor activities. The paper aims to present an analysis of the serious games and exergames used in the field by applying a series of scientific criteria and to highlight their contribution at the specific learning process and fitness development. On the other hand, literature review has enabled authors to highlight the main research directions of using computer-based games in motor activities, providing important milestones for expanding the research area. The conclusions of the paper are consistent methodological landmarks for specialists who want to modernize the training process through the use of computer-based games, as well as for the IT specialists who can develop new technologies and software products for this area. ++++++++ serious game, exergame, computer-based games, physical exercises, sports serious game, exergame, computer-based games, physical exercises, sports serious game, exergame, computer-based games, physical exercises, sports serious game, exergame, computer-based games, physical exercises, sports serious game, exergame, computer-based games, physical exercises, sports serious game, exergame, computer-based games, physical exercises, sports serious game, exergame, computer-based games, physical exercises, sports

In this paper we aim to investigate the effectiveness of the rehabilitation and postural correction method called Backfix on a group of 20 office workers in a high-tech company, who perform their work in sitting positions over 8 hours per day. The Backfix method, which is currently the European trademark registered by MediSport SRL, has two components: the evaluation part, which measures the muscle imbalances - agonist-antagonist chains (with two coefficients) and the level of mechanical work where the balance can be achieved; and the correction part, which uses highly effective learning software to control the muscular rebalancing trajectory. All subjects have been evaluated in terms of the groups of muscles involved in maintaining the posture of the trunk, and subsequently subjected to a correction program with the following objectives: restoring the right co-operation of antagonists - agonists across the entire range of motion; making the transition from the motion programs of the articulation to the motion of the joint; improving proportional coefficient values that describe the steady state muscles of the spine; increasing the level of force and amplitude, that is, mechanical work, in which the balance of the muscles that stabilize the spine can be maintained. The results were evaluated by comparing the set of biomechanical parameters characteristic of the method (motion amplitude, mean force, maximum force, and mechanical work). The level of achievement of the motor reinforcement parameters was appreciated by a computerized scoring system. After 10 sessions of physical exercise, the subjects have been re-assessed. The result analysis indicates a positively significant evolution of the whole group for all parameters demonstrating the ability of the method to efficiently cover a very wide range of variables as age, gender, personal history, etc., which are normal in a functional group of people with office work.

The existing needs and challenges have guided the community of physical education and sport specialists to the online environment: sports blogs, social networks that promote interactive communication, photo sharing, thematic forums, internet websites, wikis or YouTube videos. Seen as a resource for the educational process, social media has become in the recent years an important learning tool. Numerous studies highlight the increasing use of open-learning resources in physical education and sports education such as YouTube, Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr or Edmodo. The integration of social media resources into initial and continuing education is an approach that provides accurate, applied and constantly updated information. The purpose of this paper is to highlight the frequency and the impact of using social media resources in the skills training process of the physical education and sports specialists. In order to achieve the proposed goal, an on-line questionnaire survey was applied to both teachers and students, enrolled at various training programs in the field. The main variables were the people expectations and skills in using social media resources in this area; the frequency of using social media as a learning tool, during the classroom and individual learning activities; the relation of all these variables with the experience of teaching in the field and level of studies (initial and continuing education). The conclusions of the paper outline the active role of social media resources in generating and sharing educational content and in facilitating interactivity within the community and also, in developing opportunities for the field.

One of the major components of the life quality is represented by the active lifestyle. The school educative programs should build up a series of competences allowing the young people to practice physical exercises also in their leisure time. The positive effects of this kind of activities will be reflected at all personality levels (physical, cognitive, emotional, and social). But nowadays, one of the most alarming aspects concerning the young people lifestyle is the increased tendency to adopt sedentary habits early at the age. That is the reason for why in this paper we approach the necessity to identify an evaluation model of the teenagers’ activism. The novelty of this evaluation approach is conferred by the missing demarches interested in calibrating the biomonitoring equipment’s that measure the indicators of the active lifestyle at adolescents’ level (heart rate, number of steps/day, number of calories, active time, distance). We have chosen this target group because, in some previous studies, there were identified a decreasing tendency of their cardiovascular fitness and an increasing tendency to become overweight. This information is also presented in the literature, often being associated with the analysis of other diseases. Starting from the aspects mentioned above, we present in this paper how it is possible to integrate a technological component represented by a Smart Sport Watch (designed with integrated GPS and heart rate monitor), in a evaluation model designed to objectify the adolescents’ active lifestyle and to offer a functional model able to put the basis for a referential database specific for this population.

Today computer games are being developed more than for entertainment of the players. In the field of health and education, serious games aim to improve the level of the cognitive abilities, in a more attractive manner. Among the mental process, the concentration and the relaxation are the basic cognitive abilities in tennis. The timely monitoring and the levels of these abilities are important when the performance enhancement is concerned. Mental preparation of tennis players represents an essential aspect of the modern training process. In order to increase its efficiency, the mental preparation uses more often than before biofeedback systems, able to provide an objective and augumented feedback concerning the capacity to control and to maintain the mental abilities at a certain level, during a task. One of the biofeedback systems is represented by Neuroharmony, an electroencephalographic system, that uses also an educational software able to improve the cognitive abilities of the users, through different serious games. In this paper we present one case study concerning the use of Neuroharmony serious games in the mental training of a 16 years old tennis player, who participated in 12 computer assisted lessons. Each lesson was 30 minutes and was held twice per week, before the practical training lessons. We were focused on the following experimental variables: the games results, the variation of the brain waves in the computer tasks and the constancy of the forehand, in a court test. The results reflect some characteristics of the mental training in tennis and the effect of this approach on the practical training efficiency.

In order to develop the effort capacity, the relationship between the effort rate and the physiological response of the body is a defining aspect of the physical training process. To achieve this objective it is necessary to obtain a constant feedback from the subject. The perception of physical exertion issues from a subjective assessment of physiological answers. The integration of this information provides fine-tuning of the exertional responses. One method to build the individual capacity of self-assessment and self-regulating of involvement in the effort is the rate of perceived exertion (RPE). The RPE scale measures feelings of effort and fatigue experienced during the training process. This method is based on the interaction between physiological and perceptual manifestations of the subject and proved to be effective in guiding different types of activities (physical education, sports and leisure activities). This paper aims to present the role of modern technology in the development of the capacity to perceive the effort intensity, when it is used as a supporting tool for the above mentioned method. The research was conducted on a group of four athletes aged 12 - 14 years, practicing tennis at Steaua Bucharest Club, who participated for 2 months in 16 training lessons. In 8 of such activities it have been used also the heart rate monitor watches in order to compare the RPE scale results with the body's physiological responses expressed in terms of the heart rate. The research results highlight the application of technologies in improving the perception of effort, but also the accuracy of this perception in relation to the objective data.

This manifesto elaboration was dictated by the necessity of rendering aware and consolidating, amongthe people and the decision bodies, the role of physical education and sports1 in the modern Romanian society, asa health, education and social integration factor.The formative-educative motor activities are confronted with newly-issued dangers and challenges thathave imposed this approach:- the statistics about the population’s health state, particularly among the young people, emphasizealarming increases of the morbidity ratio, sedentariness and obesity being the main factorsresponsible for the onset of different physical and psychical disorders;- the perspective of a population with a precarious health and the diminution of people’s motorcapacity jeopardize the durable economic development and the national security;- the diminution of people’s perception upon the formative role played by physical education andsports, which is reflected by the reduced number of physical education lessons in the corecurriculum,for certain categories of pupils, as well as by the reduced time allotted to sportspracticing;- the alarming reduced number of children and young people who practice sports, under differentforms;- the diminution of the Romanian sports performances at the international level, especially whencompeting in major contests - Olympic Games, World Championships and EuropeanChampionships;- the lack of consistency when applying the legislation in force, in relation with physical educationand sports, as well as the disharmonic points of view expressed by the decision factors (ministries,agencies etc.);- the alarming increased number of violence and corruption acts on the sports arenas and outsidethem, the young athletes’ exploitation, doping, racism, facts that are detrimental to the sportsphenomenon very essence.This document aims at stimulating the elaboration of some social policies and developmental strategiesat the national and local levels, meant to encourage and support the different forms of physical education andsports practicing.

Simulator training for swimmers is a well established practice by now. The increasingly valuable results are based on the progress of the athletes following the simulator training. The literature presents a range of training objectives and methodical instructions on its use in various stages of preparation. In terms of methodology, focus shifted on the integration of the simulator training in a training plan for swimmers designed to improve the active phase of the motion. This paper aims to achieve this objective by finding simulator load steps that are similar to the resistance to motion in water, corresponding to the different means of training. The advantage of this approach is that the simulator allows very detailed analytic measurements that cannot be performed in the natural environment. These measurements can point out the swimmers' movement stereotypes characterizing the active phase of the motion in the water - the propulsion. In order to conduct the study, a WEBA Swim model was used. The device belongs to the Performer Sport Club (Bucharest). The method depicted in this paper allows the identification of an equivalence coefficient of the strain on the simulator, comparable to the strain in water, and it consists in going through successive stages of practice and evaluating the effect of strain on the motion's structure. This equivalence allows the identification of the propulsion structure on the simulator, and the error correction in the motor execution, with a high rate of transfer in the implementation in the water. Based on the information obtained the training strain can be programmed depending on the preparation period of the athletes, and thus a better match with the competition effort can be secured.

In Romania, the training of sports professionals using the advantages of e-learning is just beginning, despite its many benefits. The most consistent attempts in this direction were made by AFAN, in the project "E-learning for social partners" (2010 - 2013). This project, financed by the ESF through SOP HRD, developed and tested a blended-learning training system for several occupations in sports (sports adviser, manager of sports companies, organizer of sporting events, sports steward, referee) or in sport-related fields (diet and nutrition, sports journalism or personal branding). This paper aims to highlight some features of the learning process, as they were experienced by the target group while using the new training system. To achieve this goal, we analyzed the attitudes of 242 students in relation to the learning tasks of the courses, in conjunction with the results of the respective program evaluations, and their profiles. The attitude of the participants was reflected in the following variables: frequency and regularity of accessing the platform and the type of actions performed, number of hours spent on the platform, participation in specific courses, the most used types of interactive exercises. In addition, we assessed the impact of technology use on the students, as the e-learning platform recorded events resulting from improper use of the work interfaces. The final evaluation of the students was made by each specialist, course lecturer. Data were obtained from reports generated by the Moodle platform developed within this project. The conclusions of the paper are methodological landmarks; they may underlie the design of blended-learning programs aimed at the training for occupations in sports

Sport training is one of the main applications of computer science in sport. The benefits of computer use can be observed in the training programs of athletes, as they are reflected by the optimization of results. In swimming, the sport discipline where specific training, in water, must be permanently completed and linked with nonspecific dry-land training of swimmers, computer training has become a constant. Considering the unstable support of water and, thus, lacking strong support paddle, dry-land exercises are strongly required. It is very important to follow the motion stereotype of swimming movements, which is possible with an ergometer workout program (WEBA Swim model). Computerized environment destined to improve the motor process is eminently appropriate to the performance sports sector. It's well known that combining new technologies with learning skills can refine during the time all athletes' abilities. Considering these premises, this paper highlights the importance of modeling certain sets of exercises on a computerized training machine. More specifically, we analyze the possibility of transferring particular aspects of certain motor structures from the fluid environment onto dry-land. We assessed, by experimental study, the results of seven (7) junior swimmers after some specific modeling of dry-land training sets: basic endurance - marathon and Fartlek (core strength), threshold endurance (anaerobic threshold resistance), overload endurance (lactate tolerance), Australian heart-rate repeats (individualized repetitions increasing from iteration to another the heart rate). Along with the effects on physical training there were also significant aspects related to the satisfaction of athletes using such devices and the results of their use in the motivation to carry out the workout program.

In the training of specialists in Physical education and sports field, the utilization of Web-based tools represents a relatively recent methodological approach. In the context in which a part of the students attending the initial preparation program participate in performance sports training, but the specialists involved into an educational process don't have any more the opportunity to take part in presential continuing training sessions, we think that we should initiate a new methodological approach to the process of building-up specific competences. The present paper aims at checking the efficiency of a Web-based tool utilization to build up the planning competences of the future physical education teachers. In this context, in order to design and develop the training activity, we used the exeLearning software, a tool that facilitates the creation and administration of the specific contents, but also the construction of some knowledge self-assessment questionnaires. The learning object was used by 80 students in the final year of their psycho-pedagogic training program, participants in the Computer-Assisted Instruction course. Following the application utilization, students were asked to draw up a planning document and to express their opinion about the used tool efficiency. To this purpose, we created and administered an opinion questionnaire made up of 12 items grouped in 4 categories - attitude toward the utilization of such learning tools, benefits and difficulties related to the utilization of the created learning object, possible directions of application to different study disciplines (bachelor's level), effects on the learning efficiency. Answers were correlated to students' competence level resulted from their evaluation in the Computer-Assisted Instruction exam. The conclusions of this paper highlight the possibilities to use the Web-based tool in the training of the future specialists in Physical education and sports field and they are accompanied by a series of proposals the application of which would bring real benefits to students.

ICT development has determined in the latest decades important changes in all the activity fields, including education. These changes are also reflected in the curriculum assigned to teachers’ initial and continuing training. Disciplines such as IT and computer-assisted instruction, specific to the initial training, or purposely designed programs for the continuing training come to meet this exigency of our contemporary society. In the above-mentioned context, this paper aims at highlighting the professionals’ opinion about the opportunity of using ICT in teaching, as well as the characteristics of one of the ICT main applications to the instruction in physical education and sports field, namely to support the motor action assessment process. Starting from the data provided by the survey conducted on 126 physical education teachers and coaches participating in the training program “ICT applications to physical education and sports teaching” (developed within the POSDRU grant 19/1.3/G/13096, Professionalization of teaching career in physical education and sports from the perspective of continuing learning), the paper emphasizes the specialists’ interest in objectifying the assessment of motor actions by means of specialized software, as well as the main functionalities of the software programs for the motion graphical analysis (measuring the motion angles, biomechanical analysis of motions, frame-by-frame motion analysis, measuring the action times and distances, comparing two motor performances, information saving and storage, importing pictures and movies, processing possibilities). The advantages and limitations of practically using such software in our field are also emphasized. Conclusions synthesize the main competencies acquired by the specialists using these tools and which represent the basis for some proposals meant to optimize the training process.

This paper aims to highlight the professional opinion on whether teachers use ICT in teaching and the characteristics of one of the main applications of ICT in education in physical education and sports, namely, to support the evaluation of motor actions.