Kineziologija

Emotional relationships are crucial for an accurate prediction and control of the impact of emotions on athletic performance. The Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model attempts to describe and explain emotions related to individually successful and poor performances (Hanin, 1997, 2000). The participants were 617 Greek athletes (424 males and 190 females) from five different sports. Their ages ranged from 18 to 30 years (M=24.30, SD=3.70). All athletes completed the questionnaire on emotions (IZOF, Hanin, 2000), which was translated into Greek (Hanin, Papaioannou & Lukkarila, 2001). The aim of the study was the examination of a possible relationship between emotions and confidence and among different competitive sports in Greece. The results supported the good psychometric properties of the assessment tool. Additionally, the results indicated statistically significant differences among sports in almost all the questionnaire variables: (a) in optimal-pleasant emotions s...

The research was conducted to determine the latent structure of the variables of characteristics of the sports preparation process and preparedness of basketball players of both sexes. The system for data collection was based on an expert assessment of the influence of the classes of conditioning preparation contents on certain characteristics of both the preparation process and the status of preparedness. The sample of entities (127) consisted of training contents aimed at the development of the motor, physiological and morphological characteristics of athletes, whereas the sample of variables (49) involved the characteristics of the preparation process. Eight factors were extracted by means of the factor analysis of attributes or variables under the G-K criterion. The factors exhausted 85.5 % of the total variance of the manifest space. The isolated latent dimensions (factors) were named as the factor of speed-related attributes of basketball, the factor of multilateral preparation of basketball players, the factor of an aerobic regimen of work and exertion of maximal force, the factor of basic preparation of basketball players, the factor of improving the soft tissues of basketball players, the uninterpretable factor, the factor of specific explosive strength of a vertical jumping ability type, and the factor of ball control.

Emotional relationships are crucial for an accurate prediction and control of the impact of emotions on athletic performance. The Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model attempts to describe and explain emotions related to individually successful and poor performances (Hanin, 1997, 2000). The participants were 617 Greek athletes (424 males and 190 females) from five different sports. Their ages ranged from 18 to 30 years (M=24.30, SD=3.70). All athletes completed the questionnaire on emotions (IZOF, Hanin, 2000), which was translated into Greek (Hanin, Papaioannou & Lukkarila, 2001). The aim of the study was the examination of a possible relationship between emotions and confidence and among different competitive sports in Greece. The results supported the good psychometric properties of the assessment tool. Additionally, the results indicated statistically significant differences among sports in almost all the questionnaire variables: (a) in optimal-pleasant emotions s...

The research investigated personality traits of high-risk sports athletes. The aim was to investigate the personality dimensions and compare the results to the results of non-risk sports athletes and non-athletes. Thirty eight high-risk sports athletes participated in the research (alpinists, sky divers, paragliders, white-water kayakers, downhill mountain-bikers, motocross riders, downhill skiers and ski jumpers). The non-risk sports athletes consisted of 38 swimmers, track athletes, sailors, flat-water kayakers, rowers, Nordic skiers, sports climbers and karatekas. The non-athletes were equalled with both groups in age and education and included 76 non-athletes. The Big Five Observer Scale was used. It was found that high-risk sports athletes scored highest in emotional stability, they were followed by the non-athletes and the lowest scores were achieved by non-risk sports athletes. The same order of groups was shown in conscientiousness and energy. Openness was highest in the non...

Recent evidence has suggested that relationship between approach speed and distance jumped may not be linear. The aims of this study were (1) to test the hypothesis that using a short approach (6-8-10-12 strides) of increasing length, performance variables will be non-linearly related to distance jumped, (2) to investigate the nature of these relationships for a group of long jumpers and individuals within the group, and (3) to use the regression analysis to determine the optimum number of run-up strides and predict the jumping distance that would be achieved with an optimum length run-up for an individual jumper. Eight male long jumpers with different skill levels (body mass: 75.2±2.2 kg and body height: 188.0±4.2 cm) performed a series of short-approach maximal jumps and the full-length approach in a competition. Kinematic data were collected from video analysis. The relationship between the number of approach strides and velocity, and distance jumped were shown to be best represe...

It is instinctively known that changing conditions on the ski course affect competitors' performances. It may be furthermore affirmed that the effect of changing conditions cannot be avoided completely in outdoor , natural circumstances. This project is based on 3D kinematical measurements taken on the slalom ski course with an investigation of five world cup level ski racers. It deals with an investigation of the effect of changing conditions on several kinematic parameters such as the centre of gravity's and arithmetic mean of the skis' velocity, the length of the centre of gravity's and arithmetic mean of the skis' trajectory, the horizontal as well as vertical point of the beginning and end of the turn and the time needed to complete a turn. The results show a significant effect on several of the inspected parameters that give us a basic idea about the consequences.

The aim of this research was to investigate the causes of the emergence of sports injuries and to explain the differences in psychological response with regard to the severity of the injury. We examined 68 competing Slovene athletes with surgically treated knee injury. The estimated time of rehabilitation of the more severely injured athletes was six months, while those who sustained less severe injuries faced a month-long rehabilitation. We measured the athletes' personality traits, their athletic identity, coping with pain, rehabilitation beliefs, motivation and social support provided by their family and their coach as well as their colleagues. The results showed that the group of more severely injured athletes demonstrated behaviour that is less inhibited in response than the group of athletes with less severe injuries. The psychological response proved to be almost the same in both groups, except for the higher levels of catastrophizing, and a higher individual coping respo...

The aim of this paper was to re-introduce the issue of football supporters in Croatia, after two decades of absence from sociological field research, in four steps: first, by giving a brief explanation of the changes in Croatian society, secondly, by giving a brief overview of changes in modern football, thirdly, by describing the theoretical and methodological framework of Croatian research done in the past as well as by describing the contemporary theoretical context in which our research has been performed, and finally, by presenting the preliminary results of our ongoing research within the FP7 MYPLACE (Memory, Youth, Political Legacy and Civic Engagement) project. Croatian society passed through the painful process of war and transition, and football supporters strengthened their role as social actors particularly regarding their own formal structure which was not imaginable in a one-party system, as well as regarding social actions like protests, boycotts, demonstrations, peti...

Some alterations, reached during acclimatization on a high-altitude alpinist expedition, return towards pre-altitude levels at different rates during the deacclimatization phase after returning to normoxia. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether three specific adaptation characteristics – alterations in body weight (BW), arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and heart rate (HR), showed that deacclimatization was completed a month after having reached the summit of Gasherbrum II. Four experienced alpinists (age 45±8 years, BW 75±5 kg and body height 171±9 cm) were tested in the conditions of normoxia and normobaric hypoxia prior to and following a month of deacclimatization after a high-altitude climbing expedition. The results showed that BW was still decreased by about 8 kg (p<.05) a month after reaching the summit. Data obtained during exercise with similar absolute intensity of 202±28 W showed that SaO2 rose from 89±1 to 91±1% (p<.05) during testing in conditions o...

Abstract: The purpose of this research was to identify the changes in tests assessing speed-explosiveness abilities after a completed proprioceptive training programme. The research included 75 physically active men divided into the experimental (n = 37) and the control (n = 38) group. The first group underwent the proprioceptive training programme lasting ten weeks (60 minutes three times a week). The training programme consisted of one-leg and double-leg static and dynamic balance drills. The demands and duration of those exercises increased progressively. The control group continued to carry out their daily activities during the experiment. The explosive jumping strength and agility were estimated by nine tests at the beginning and at the end of the experiment. For each variable the central and dispersion parameters were calculated as well as the basic metric features. The differences between groups and time points in certain variables were determined by the repeated measure anal...

Although previous studies have found that body height and body mass are relevant for the selection of handball goalkeepers, there is still a dilemma whether taller goalkeepers actually have any advantage over the shorter goalkeepers in certain performance characteristics. Therefore the purpose of this study was to evaluate the chosen anthropometric characteristics and psycho-motor abilities of Slovenian handball goalkeepers with a particular emphasis on the group of taller goalkeepers. Goalkeepers were classified into two groups: a group of taller goalkeepers (TG˃185 cm, n=24) and a group of shorter goalkeepers (SG≤185 cm, n=18). Different tests were used to assess hip flexibility, agility, explosive arm and leg strength and basic sensory functions. Differences in the selected variables between the groups were tested with independent samples t-test. Correlations between the variables were established using Pearson's correlation coefficient statistic. The level of significance was set at p<.05. The taller goalkeepers generated more energy (p≤.05) in squat jump and countermovement jump performance than the shorter goalkeepers. The two groups of goalkeepers did not differ significantly either in body mass or in body mass index (BMI). The established correlations for the whole sample of goalkeepers revealed that body height had a negative influence only on the average simple reaction time. Likewise, body mass and BMI had a negative influence on the scores in the explosive leg strength tests. The results confirmed the opinion of handball experts that taller goalkeepers should be preferred in the process of selecting athletes for goalkeeping in handball. However, the values of body mass should specifically be considered, as well as certain motor and perceptual abilities.

Athletes improve performance when an optimal balance between training stress and recovery exists. If out of proportion, overtraining syndrome (OTS) can ensue. Currently several biomarkers are used to detect OTS, but none meets all prespecified criteria for definite diagnosis. The purpose of the study was to investigate the effects of eight week endurance running training program on biochemical, hormonal, and psychological parameters in female runners. Seventeen runners were recruited for the physical training that consisted of two three-week progressive overload periods, each followed by a week taper period, and concluded with a 10 or 21km competitive run. Blood sampling was conducted at six time-points during the eight-week training program: Baseline (Baseline), after the first and second three-week training loads (Load1, Load2), after each taper week (Taper1 and Taper2), and post-study (Recovery). At each testing, the subjects were asked to complete the Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ). At the completion of the program significant improvement of physical performance was observed (VO2max +4.3%; p=.03). At Recovery the cortisol values significantly decreased compared to Baseline (p=.002) and to Taper2 (p=.008). In RESTQ we found that the recovery subscales sum was significantly lower at the recovery period when compared to the second taper period, and self-efficiency increased at Taper2. We also found significantly higher selfregulation during resting periods when compared to baseline. The main finding of the current study indicates that the performed training was well-balanced between stress and recovery periods, resulting in a positive training effect. It seems that psychological parameters are more sensitive markers than biochemical and hormonal one for the detection of changes in stress/recovery. The RESTQ may provide a practical tool for recognizing OTS in its early stages.

Diafas, V. et al.: WEATHER CONDITIONS IN ATHENS OLYMPIC ROWING ... ... WEATHER CONDITIONS DURING ATHENS OLYMPIC ROWING AND FLATWATER CANOE-KAYAK REGATTA AT THE OLYMPIC ROWING CENTER IN SCHINIAS ... Vassilios Diafas1, Socratis Kaloupsis1, ...

Although previous studies have found that body height and body mass are relevant for the selection of handball goalkeepers, there is still a dilemma whether taller goalkeepers actually have any advantage over the shorter goalkeepers in certain performance characteristics. Therefore the purpose of this study was to evaluate the chosen anthropometric characteristics and psycho-motor abilities of Slovenian handball goalkeepers with a particular emphasis on the group of taller goalkeepers. Goalkeepers were classified into two groups: a group of taller goalkeepers (TG˃185 cm, n=24) and a group of shorter goalkeepers (SG≤185 cm, n=18). Different tests were used to assess hip flexibility, agility, explosive arm and leg strength and basic sensory functions. Differences in the selected variables between the groups were tested with independent samples t-test. Correlations between the variables were established using Pearson&#39;s correlation coefficient statistic. The level of significance wa...

The aim of the study was to determine whether there was a difference in anaerobic endurance between soccer, handball and basketball players. One hundred fifty players (mean age: 22.35±4.31 years), 50 from each sport (mean age: soccer, handball and basketball players 23.54±4.19, 20.42±4.48, 23.10±3.63 years, respectively), pertained to the highest level of their sport in Croatia; some were even members of respective national teams. Participants undertook the 300 yard shuttle run test (300Y) and maximal blood lactate test (BL). Results showed that there were significant differences in both the 300Y and BL scores between the soccer, handball and basketball players. Basketball players achieved the best results in the 300Y test (57.04±3.41s), followed by soccer (57.06±2.27s) and then handball players (59.53±2.65sl). Post-hoc tests indicated that the soccer players (14.70±2.07) had significantly (p<.05) higher maximal lactate values (BL) than the handball players (13.70±1.83). It is not possible to say that these three sports require equal levels of anaerobic endurance, but it is certainly an important component of performance in each and every one of them. We have concluded that the required anaerobic abilities are different in all the three investigated sports, which means that the sport-specific demands could influence athletes' anaerobic capacity.

Some alterations, reached during acclimatization on a high-altitude alpinist expedition, return towards pre-altitude levels at different rates during the deacclimatization phase after returning to normoxia. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether three specific adaptation characteristics -alterations in body weight (BW), arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO 2 ) and heart rate (HR), showed that deacclimatization was completed a month after having reached the summit of Gasherbrum II. Four experienced alpinists (age 45±8 years, BW 75±5 kg and body height 171±9 cm) were tested in the conditions of normoxia and normobaric hypoxia prior to and following a month of deacclimatization after a high-altitude climbing expedition. The results showed that BW was still decreased by about 8 kg (p<.05) a month after reaching the summit. Data obtained during exercise with similar absolute intensity of 202±28 W showed that SaO 2 rose from 89±1 to 91±1% (p<.05) during testing in conditions of hypoxia after the high-altitude expedition. When the data were analysed at the same relative intensity of 2.7±.2 W/kg, the SaO 2 showed an even higher increase to 92±1 % during testing in conditions of hypoxia (p<.05). HR remained similar during testing at a similar absolute intensity in conditions of normoxia (153±19 min -1 pre-vs 154±15 min -1 post-expedition) and hypoxia (155±21 min -1 pre-vs 158±20 min -1 post-expedition), however, at the reduced BW during post-expedition testing. HR decreased significantly (p<.05) during similar relative intensity in conditions of hypoxia (155±21 min -1 pre-vs 145±19 post-expedition). HR decreased systematically in all subjects in spite of the fact that it was not significantly different during testing in normoxic conditions. The results showed that deacclimatization, which was observed during submaximal intensity exercise in normoxic conditions and hypoxia, was not completed even a month after the high-altitude alpinist expedition.

A coach is a key to developing an athlete’s career and one of the most important factors in his/her success. The career of a coach is a stressful one, it requires a lot of work and dedication, and a great amount of involvement. The goal was to find any differences that might arise between coaches who were in this profession for a longer time and were thus older and those who worked as coaches for a shorter period of time. We assumed that such differences occur in coaches due to the stressfulness of the occupation. Our hypothesis was confirmed by the results obtained on the sample of 275 Slovene coaches. The group of younger coaches consisted of those who were up to 34 years old, whilst the older coaches were 35 years of age or older. Their personality traits, social skills, leadership styles, achievement motivation and self–motivation, emotional competences and attitudes were measured. The younger coaches are more accurate, more open to novelties, more conscious, more agreeable and they know how to manage their emotions better. The older coaches behave in a more democratic manner, but they more frequently behave autocratically as well. The older coaches report more frequently that working as a coach is a source of problems for them.

Handball is a fast, dynamic sport and the role of the goalkeeper is especially exposed. However, little attention is paid in science to the development of the goalkeeper. This research is focused on the psychological characteristics of handball goalkeepers, specifically with regard to aggression, anxiety, reaction times, fluid intelligence and concentration. More and less successful goalkeepers were compared in these characteristics. 46 participants were included-23 of them were more successful and 23 less successful, according to an expert evaluation. The more successful goalkeepers were also significantly older. The data was collected in 2010 and 2011. The instruments used were Buss Durkee aggression questionnaire, Spielbereger's anxiety inventory (STAIX-1 and 2), the Test of Series for measuring fluid intelligence, the Test of Attention for measuring concentration, and the CRD Series for measuring reaction times. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare both groups. Several significant differences between both groups were found-the less successful goalkeepers had a faster simple reaction time and made fewer mistakes when reacting to simple stimuli. They were also quicker in response times to simple visual orientation stimuli and seemed to lose less time when reacting to different stimuli. It thus seems that neither reaction times, fluid intelligence nor concentration, anxiety or aggression has influence on the quality of handball players. The obtained result is easily explained with the age of the participants, since the investigated abilities gradually decrease over time.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the perceived quality, satisfaction and the perceived value among customers of public and private professional sports services in Spain, and to establish prediction models for satisfaction and perceived value. The sample was comprised of 2,027 users of Spanish sports services, of whom 66.1% were men and 33.9% were women. All users completed a self-administered questionnaire. The psychometric properties of the questionnaire ensured a valid measurement of perceived quality, satisfaction and value. The results obtained revealed that the quality of the sports service received was good, and that the technical factors and service staff received the highest evaluations, however, information provided to users was the weakest point. Customer satisfaction and perceived value were also assessed positively. Significant differences were found in these three constructs depending on the activity group that the users were in. Combat activities scored high...

The research investigated personality traits of high-risk sports athletes. The aim was to investigate the personality dimensions and compare the results to the results of non-risk sports athletes and non-athletes. Thirty eight high-risk sports athletes participated in the research (alpinists, sky divers, paragliders, white-water kayakers, downhill mountain-bikers, motocross riders, downhill skiers and ski jumpers). The non-risk sports athletes consisted of 38 swimmers, track athletes, sailors, flat-water kayakers, rowers, Nordic skiers, sports climbers and karatekas. The non-athletes were equalled with both groups in age and education and included 76 non-athletes. The Big Five Observer Scale was used. It was found that high-risk sports athletes scored highest in emotional stability, they were followed by the non-athletes and the lowest scores were achieved by non-risk sports athletes. The same order of groups was shown in conscientiousness and energy. Openness was highest in the non-risk sports athletes, followed by the non-athletes and the lowest score was achieved by the high-risk sports athletes. The differences in acceptability were not significant. Four out of five hypotheses were accepted.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain whether the backward extrapolation method can be used to calculate the pulmonary ventilation (V E ) appropriate in two different breathing conditions during swimming: with and without reduced breathing frequency. Five trained swimmers swam 400 m front crawl at Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) velocity taking a breath every stroke cycle (normal breathing NB). Then they repeated 400-m front crawl at NB velocity and with NB stroke frequency taking a breath every second stroke cycle (restricted breathing RB). The measures included the parameters of blood acidbase status (pH, Po 2 , Pco 2 , [HCO 3 -]) and pulmonary ventilation (V E ). Pulmonary ventilation during swimming was obtained by the backward extrapolation method (V Ee ) and by a theoretical model (V Et ). There was no significant difference between V Ee and V Et in NB. But the paired t-test showed a significant (p<0,05) difference between these two parameters in RB. Pco 2 was also significantly higher after RB than after NB. It may be concluded that the backward extrapolation method could be used to determine the V E during swimming without reduced breathing frequency. If exertion is caused by hypercapnia and/or acidosis (reduced breathing frequency during swimming) then the backward extrapolation method is questionable.

Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) has often been overlooked both in school practice and in everyday work with children. DCD is one or all of the heterogeneous range of development disorders affecting the initiation, organization, and performance of action. The aim of this article, therefore, was to draw attention to this problem and prove how teachers of different subjects can easily recognize pupils with DCD. Prompt recognition enables fast intervention, resulting in progress in the movement abilities of pupils with DCD. Our research has shown that we can discriminate between pupils with learning difficulties and those without them on the basis of 20 tasks of the Bergès-Lézine's Test of Imitation of Gestures. In particular, we wish to emphasize three tasks (12, 17, and 20) in which pupils had to cross the vertical midline of the body. Individuals with DCD face problems in spatial orientation and in complex imitation of gestures. Pupils can be classified into two groups (with and without motor coordination and learning difficulties) based on differences found in tasks requiring them to cross the vertical midline of the body and rotate their hands. Learning difficulties can be predicted by pupils' performance doing such specific tasks. School teachers, especially physical education teachers, can recognize pupils with motor coordination difficulties in informal tasks, and organize appropriate psychomotor activities for them.

The performance of elite rowers is, beside others, determined by their physical characteristics. Anthropometric data for adult rowers emphasise the importance of body mass and body size for rowing performance. Little is known concerning the importance of proportional length development. At the 1997 World Junior Rowing Championships anthropometric measurements (body mass and 6 length dimensions) were performed on 383 elite male junior rowers. Based on these measurements several proportional length dimensions were calculated. Data on boat type were obtained by questionnaire and data on competition level were based on the results obtained during the championship. The results indicate that these rowers were heavier (Mean = 82.2±7.4 kg) and taller (Mean = 187.4±5.8 cm) and had a larger sitting height (Mean=96.8±3.2 cm) and longer legs (Mean= 90.7±3.8 cm) than a reference population. Finalists had significantly larger length dimensions than non-finalists and sweep rowers had in general larger length dimensions than scullers. No differences existed when the length dimensions were expressed proportional to the stature of the rowers. It can be concluded that elite junior rowers have larger length dimensions compared to less successful rowers, but these top athletes do not differentiate from the sub-elite athletes regarding proportional length development. Differences could be observed between sweep rowers and scullers with larger length dimensions in favour of sweep rowers.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain whether the backward extrapolation method can be used to calculate the pulmonary ventilation (V E) appropriate in two different breathing conditions during swimming: with and without reduced breathing frequency. Five trained swimmers swam 400 m front crawl at Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) velocity taking a breath every stroke cycle (normal breathing NB). Then they repeated 400-m front crawl at NB velocity and with NB stroke frequency taking a breath every second stroke cycle (restricted breathing RB). The measures included the parameters of blood acidbase status (pH, Po 2 , Pco 2 , [HCO 3-]) and pulmonary ventilation (V E). Pulmonary ventilation during swimming was obtained by the backward extrapolation method (V Ee) and by a theoretical model (V Et). There was no significant difference between V Ee and V Et in NB. But the paired t-test showed a significant (p<0,05) difference between these two parameters in RB. Pco 2 was also significantly higher after RB than after NB. It may be concluded that the backward extrapolation method could be used to determine the V E during swimming without reduced breathing frequency. If exertion is caused by hypercapnia and/or acidosis (reduced breathing frequency during swimming) then the backward extrapolation method is questionable.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the effect of a respiratory valve (RV) and tubes during three different swimming tests (submaximal and maximal 200m front crawl swim and front crawl swimming to exhaustion) on a breathing frequency, selected biomechanical parameters such as stroke rate and number of breaths, and parameters of blood acid-base status and blood lactate concentration. Twelve former competitive male swimmers performed each swimming test twice: first, with an RV, and second, without an RV. Swimming with an RV induced a slower maximal 200m front crawl swim and shorter front crawl swimming to exhaustion in comparison with swimming without an RV. Furthermore, patterns of the breathing frequency during the submaximal and maximal swimming tests also differed between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV. Significant differences of [LA -] after maximal 200m front crawl swimming between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV (p≤0.05) were found. Significant differences in [LA -] and after swimming to exhaustion between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV (p≤0.01 and p≤0.05, respectively) were also found. Therefore, it may be concluded that when an RV is used for measuring respiratory parameters during swimming, a different pattern of breathing (comparing to swimming without an RV) may occur.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the effect of a respiratory valve (RV) and tubes during three different swimming tests (submaximal and maximal 200m front crawl swim and front crawl swimming to exhaustion) on a breathing frequency, selected biomechanical parameters such as stroke rate and number of breaths, and parameters of blood acid-base status and blood lactate concentration. Twelve former competitive male swimmers performed each swimming test twice: first, with an RV, and second, without an RV. Swimming with an RV induced a slower maximal 200m front crawl swim and shorter front crawl swimming to exhaustion in comparison with swimming without an RV. Furthermore, patterns of the breathing frequency during the submaximal and maximal swimming tests also differed between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV. Significant differences of [LA -] after maximal 200m front crawl swimming between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV (p≤0.05) were found. Significant differences in [LA -] and after swimming to exhaustion between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV (p≤0.01 and p≤0.05, respectively) were also found. Therefore, it may be concluded that when an RV is used for measuring respiratory parameters during swimming, a different pattern of breathing (comparing to swimming without an RV) may occur.

Emotional relationships are crucial for an accurate prediction and control of the impact of emotions on athletic performance. The Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model attempts to describe and explain emotions related to individually successful and poor performances . The participants were 617 Greek athletes (424 males and 190 females) from five different sports. Their ages ranged from 18 to 30 years (M=24.30, SD=3.70). All athletes completed the questionnaire on emotions (IZOF, Hanin, 2000), which was translated into Greek . The aim of the study was the examination of a possible relationship between emotions and confidence and among different competitive sports in Greece. The results supported the good psychometric properties of the assessment tool. Additionally, the results indicated statistically significant differences among sports in almost all the questionnaire variables: (a) in optimal-pleasant emotions swimmers had higher scores than Graeco-Roman and freestyle wrestlers, (b) in optimal-unpleasant emotions swimmers had higher scores than taekwondoists and water polo players, and (c) in dysfunctional-unpleasant emotions swimmers had lower scores than taekwondoists and water polo players. On the other hand, in dysfunctional-pleasant emotions and in confidence no statistically significant differences among the sports were found. According to previous research, it is also important to indicate that emotional content and intensity are different in training practice and competitions and that they vary across the pre-, mid-, and post-event performance situations . Possible future research might replicate and extend the study's findings, explore an athlete's anxiety, goal-orientations, motivation and performance, and develop effective intervention strategies.

The aim of the present research was to investigate the relations of 7 variables of power and 12 variables of morphological characteristics with the kinematic indicators (stride frequency, stride length, foot-ground contact duration, flight duration) of maximal speed running. The research was conducted on a sample of 133 physical education male students, 19 to 24 years (age 21.7 p ; ; ; ; 1.08 ; body height 180.8 p ; ; ; ; 6.98 ; body weight 76.6 p ; ; ; ; 7.62), freshmen at the Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb. By means of the component model of factor analysis under the GK-criterion and non-orthogonal rotation under the promax criterion the following factors were obtained: three morphological factors (skeleton dimensionality, in which the longitudinal component prevailed, body voluminosity and subcutaneous fatty tissue) and two factors of power (power of jumping type and ballistic power). Canonical analysis of the morphological factors and power factors with kinematic pa...

Understanding the role of emotions is critical if we are to explain, control and predict athletic performance. The Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model attempts to describe and explain emotions related to an individual"s successful and poor performances (Hanin, 1997, 2000). The participants were 300 male wrestling athletes (160 greco-roman wrestlers and 140 freestyle wrestlers). Their ages ranged from 18 to 30 years (M=24.30, SD=3.70). All athletes completed the questionnaire on emotions (IZOF, Hanin, 2000), which was translated into Greek (Hanin, Papaioannou & Lukkarila, 2001). The aim of the study was the examination of a possible relationship between emotions and confidence in greco-roman and freestyle wrestlers in Greece. The results supported the psychometric properties of the assessment tool. Additionally, the results indicated statistically significant correlations, but no statistical significant differences in emotion categories of the questionnaire and confidence, between greco-roman and freestyle wrestlers. According to previous research, it is also important to indicate that emotional content and intensity are different in practice and competitions, and that they vary across pre-, mid-, and post-event performance situations (Hanin & Stabulova, 2002). Possible future research might replicate and extend the study"s findings, exploring an athlete"s anxiety, goal-orientations, motivation and performance, and developing effective intervention strategies.

In this study we evaluated the effect of concurrent resistance and endurance training on body composition, aerobic power and muscular endurance in college students and compared the two concurrent exercise protocols. Forty-two male students (22.02±1.91 years of age) were divided into three groups: Concurrent Distinct Endurance-Resistance (CDER), Concurrent Parallel Endurance-Resistance (CPER) and No Training controls (C). The subjects performed two training protocols per week for 12 weeks. In CDER group, resistance training and endurance training were performed on different days each week (two and two days per week). CPER group performed endurance and resistance training on the same days each week (two days per week). After a 12-week training period, fat-free mass, muscular strength [weight lifted in squat and bench press (kg)], muscular endurance [pull-ups and sit-ups (numbers)], aerobic power, flexibility and Sargent jump height increased similarly in both experimental groups (CDER and CPER). Also, decreases in body fat percentage, mean time in 60 m running and agility occurred in CDER and CPER. A significant difference in body fat percentage was seen in CPER when compared to CDER and C. Body mass increased significantly in CPER when compared to CDER and C. Although body mass increased only after the CPER protocol application, it can be concluded that both CDER and CPER protocols were similarly effective in positive transformation of body composition, aerobic power and muscular endurance.

Handball is a fast, dynamic sport and the role of the goalkeeper is especially exposed. However, little attention is paid in science to the development of the goalkeeper. This research is focused on the psychological characteristics of handball goalkeepers, specifically with regard to aggression, anxiety, reaction times, fluid intelligence and concentration. More and less successful goalkeepers were compared in these characteristics. Forty-six participants were included – 23 of them were more successful and 23 less successful, according to an expert evaluation. The more successful goalkeepers were also significantly older. The data was collected in 2010 and 2011. The instruments used were Buss-Durkee Aggression Questionnaire, Spielberger’s Anxiety Inventory (STAIX – 1 and 2), the Test of Series for measuring fluid intelligence, the Test of Attention for measuring concentration, and the CRD Series for measuring reaction times. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare ...

Although previous studies have found that body height and body mass are relevant for the selection of handball goalkeepers, there is still a dilemma whether taller goalkeepers actually have any advantage over the shorter goalkeepers in certain performance characteristics. Therefore the purpose of this study was to evaluate the chosen anthropometric characteristics and psycho-motor abilities of Slovenian handball goalkeepers with a particular emphasis on the group of taller goalkeepers. Goalkeepers were classified into two groups: a group of taller goalkeepers (TG˃185 cm, n=24) and a group of shorter goalkeepers (SG≤185 cm, n=18). Different tests were used to assess hip flexibility, agility, explosive arm and leg strength and basic sensory functions. Differences in the selected variables between the groups were tested with independent samples t-test. Correlations between the variables were established using Pearson’s correlation coefficient statistic. The level of significance was se...

The multi-stage 20-m shuttle run test (MSRT) is one of the most popular field tests using equations based on test results or the final speed for an indirect estimation of maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2max). The aim of this study was to compare the real VO 2max value to the predicted value of VO 2max by MSRT and rate the usefulness of the MSRT as a predictor of VO 2max in young football players. Fifteen young football players, nominees for the 2004/2005 national Under-18 team, were included in this study. The subjects were 17.9±.2 years old, had an average height of 178.8±7 cm and an average weight of 71.8±7.5 kg. The players came from different Slovenian junior premier football league clubs and trained on average 4 to 5 times per week. Testing was conducted on all subjects over two days, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., on synthetic turf. A mobile device for the measurement of O 2 and CO 2 in expired air and ventilation during MSRT was used. On the basis of the test result (the number of levels and repetitions between them) VO 2max was calculated. The correlation between the measured and predicted VO 2max was determined with Pearson's correlation coefficient. The comparison of both mean values showed that the measured value was significantly higher (p<.05), by as much as 8.5 ml O 2 kg-1 •min-1 , than the MSRT-predicted VO 2max. Variables were statistically correlated, but the correlation coefficient amounted to only .58. This study has shown that an indirect evaluation of aerobic capacity based on the multi-stage 20 m shuttle run test can lead to wrong conclusions in young soccer players. The correlation observed between the measured and predicted VO 2max was too weak to predict the aerobic capacity of young football players with certainty.

This study examined physical activity, sedentary behaviours, location of electronic media and snacking among children from five countries. These variables were assessed by ecological momentary assessment (EMA) using a free-time diary. Data were obtained from 812 secondary-school students (348 male, 464 female) aged from 12 to 18 years in United Kingdom, China, Hungary, Romania and Slovakia. We found that less than half the students met the recommended guideline of 60 minutes daily physical activity (48% of British, 40% of Romanian, 34% of Slovakian, 20% of Hungarian and only 4% of Chinese students met this criterion). Ninety-six percent of British and 86% of Hungarian youth had more than one TV set in their home, followed by Romanian (64%), Slovakian (64%) and Chinese (29%) counterparts. Most British (73%) youths had televisions in their bedroom, followed by Hungarians (66%), Romanians (37%), Slovakians (35%) and Chinese (4%). When compared to females, male students spent significan...

Brain-computer interfaces (BCI) are devices that enable communication between a computer and humans by using brain activity as input signals. Brain imaging technology used in a BCI system is usually electroencephalography (EEG). In order to properly interpret brain activity, acquired signals from the brain have to be classified correctly. In this paper EEG signals are transformed by means of discrete wavelet transform. Thus the obtained signal features are used as inputs for a neural network classifier that should separate five different sets of EEG signals representing various mental tasks. Mean classification accuracy for the recognition of all five tasks was 90.75% and mean classification accuracy for the recognition of two tasks (baseline and any other mental task) was 99.87%. The same procedure was also used on the motor imagery dataset. A mean classification accuracy of 68.21% suggests alternative methods of feature extraction for motor imagery tasks.

The aim of the study was to determine whether there was a difference in anaerobic endurance between soccer, handball and basketball players. One hundred fifty players (mean age: 22.35±4.31 years), 50 from each sport (mean age: soccer, handball and basketball players 23.54±4.19, 20.42±4.48, 23.10±3.63 years, respectively), pertained to the highest level of their sport in Croatia; some were even members of respective national teams. Participants undertook the 300 yard shuttle run test (300Y) and maximal blood lactate test (BL). Results showed that there were significant differences in both the 300Y and BL scores between the soccer, handball and basketball players. Basketball players achieved the best results in the 300Y test (57.04±3.41s), followed by soccer (57.06±2.27s) and then handball players (59.53±2.65sl). Post-hoc tests indicated that the soccer players (14.70±2.07) had significantly (p<.05) higher maximal lactate values (BL) than the handball players (13.70±1.83). It is not possible to say that these three sports require equal levels of anaerobic endurance, but it is certainly an important component of performance in each and every one of them. We have concluded that the required anaerobic abilities are different in all the three investigated sports, which means that the sport-specific demands could influence athletes' anaerobic capacity.

The aim of this study was to examine the association between physical self-concept and physical activity, the intention to be physically active, life satisfaction, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in adolescents. A total of 1,808 Spanish adolescents (12-16 years of age) participated in this cross-sectional study. Physical Self Questionnaire, Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity Screening Measure, Intention to be Physically Active Scale, Satisfaction with Life Scale, and Mediterranean Diet Quality Index were administered. The boys with a lower physical self-concept showed higher odd ratios of being inactive, having low intentions of being physically active, poor life satisfaction and low adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Similarly, most of the associations were also statistically significant in girls as well. In conclusion, the study reveals that having a low level of physical self-concept increases the risk of being inactive and of having a low level of intention to be physically active, life satisfaction and adherence to the Mediterranean diet in adolescents.

The aim of this paper was to reintroduce the issue of football supporters in Croatia, after two decades of absence from sociological field research, in four steps: first, by giving a brief explanation of the changes in Croatian society, secondly, by giving a brief overview of changes in modern football, thirdly, by describing the theoretical and methodological framework of Croatian research done in the past as well as by describing the contemporary theoretical context in which our research has been performed, and finally, by presenting the preliminary results of our ongoing research within the FP7 MYPLACE (Memory, Youth, Political Legacy and Civic Engagement) project. Croatian society passed through the painful process of war and transition, and football supporters strengthened their role as social actors particularly regarding their own formal structure which was not imaginable in a one-party system, as well as regarding social actions like protests, boycotts, demonstrations, petitions and other forms of resistance to the local and national political-economic elites of the new consumer society.

To identify the gender-specific influence of dominant laterality of motor abilities on taekwondo techniques performed to the right and left body side, thirty-nine male and eighteen female taekwondoists (age range 10±2 years) underwent two testing sessions to evaluate ambidexterity: (1) motor abilities measured on the left and the right body side; (2) quality of performance of taekwondo leg technique (front kick and roundhouse kick) measured on the right and the left body side. The results of t-test indicated gender differences in the taekwondo technique acquisition and flexibility and defined the body asymmetry differences in motor abilities assessed by the variables grip strength, frequency of alternate leg movements and alternate hand movements (p<.05). According to the regression analysis results for male athletes, motor abilities measured on both the left and the right side of the body were defined with strong linear correlation with taekwondo basic techniques' performance to both body sides (MC from .75 to .81), while in female athletes, motor abilities measured on the right side of the body were not significant. Gender-based success-related dominant motor abilities profile structure does not condition their influence when it comes to the asymmetric taekwondo performance.

Recent evidence has suggested that relationship between approach speed and distance jumped may not be linear. The aims of this study were (1) to test the hypothesis that using a short approach (6-8-10-12 strides) of increasing length, performance variables will be non-linearly related to distance jumped, (2) to investigate the nature of these relationships for a group of long jumpers and individuals within the group, and (3) to use the regression analysis to determine the optimum number of run-up strides and predict the jumping distance that would be achieved with an optimum length run-up for an individual jumper. Eight male long jumpers with different skill levels (body mass: 75.2±2.2 kg and body height: 188.0±4.2 cm) performed a series of short-approach maximal jumps and the full-length approach in a competition. Kinematic data were collected from video analysis. The relationship between the number of approach strides and velocity, and distance jumped were shown to be best represented by second order polynomial equations. When applied on an individual basis, the predicted jump distances (6.95±.61 m) agreed very well with those found in actual competition (6.96±.58m). As a result, these individual relationships were used to comment on individual optimal approach lengths and to evaluate an individual's potential for performance in the long jump event. It was concluded that the short approach model of performance is a valuable paradigm for investigating long jump behaviour and the performance potential of individuals. The findings also supported the simplified mathematical model proposed in the literature for the study of long jump performance.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain the effect of a respiratory valve (RV) and tubes during three different swimming tests (submaximal and maximal 200m front crawl swim and front crawl swimming to exhaustion) on a breathing frequency, selected biomechanical parameters such as stroke rate and number of breaths, and parameters of blood acid-base status and blood lactate concentration. Twelve former competitive male swimmers performed each swimming test twice: first, with an RV, and second, without an RV. Swimming with an RV induced a slower maximal 200m front crawl swim and shorter front crawl swimming to exhaustion in comparison with swimming without an RV. Furthermore, patterns of the breathing frequency during the submaximal and maximal swimming tests also differed between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV. Significant differences of [LA -] after maximal 200m front crawl swimming between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV (p≤0.05) were found. Significant differences in [LA -] and after swimming to exhaustion between swimming with an RV and swimming without an RV (p≤0.01 and p≤0.05, respectively) were also found. Therefore, it may be concluded that when an RV is used for measuring respiratory parameters during swimming, a different pattern of breathing (comparing to swimming without an RV) may occur.

The purpose of the present study was to ascertain whether the backward extrapolation method can be used to calculate the pulmonary ventilation (V E ) appropriate in two different breathing conditions during swimming: with and without reduced breathing frequency. Five trained swimmers swam 400 m front crawl at Onset of Blood Lactate Accumulation (OBLA) velocity taking a breath every stroke cycle (normal breathing NB). Then they repeated 400-m front crawl at NB velocity and with NB stroke frequency taking a breath every second stroke cycle (restricted breathing RB). The measures included the parameters of blood acidbase status (pH, Po 2 , Pco 2 , [HCO 3 -]) and pulmonary ventilation (V E ). Pulmonary ventilation during swimming was obtained by the backward extrapolation method (V Ee ) and by a theoretical model (V Et ). There was no significant difference between V Ee and V Et in NB. But the paired t-test showed a significant (p<0,05) difference between these two parameters in RB. Pco 2 was also significantly higher after RB than after NB. It may be concluded that the backward extrapolation method could be used to determine the V E during swimming without reduced breathing frequency. If exertion is caused by hypercapnia and/or acidosis (reduced breathing frequency during swimming) then the backward extrapolation method is questionable.

The aim of this research is to analyze the activities and events preceding and enabling to establish system of education and training of personnel for delivering physical education (PE) classes in Croatia after the introduction of obligatory PE classes in the Croatian education system in 1874. The archival materials, mostly unprocessed until now, of the Croatian State Archives, the Croatian Sports Museum and the National and University Library in Zagreb were used. The beginnings of education of PE professionals in Croatia are related to the introduction of PE as an obligatory subject into the elementary school curricula in the Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia in 1874. Until then PE teaching was mainly optional and delivered by foreign gymnastic teachers (Germans, Austrians, Czechs), who implemented the principles of the German and later Czech gymnastic system. Most of the other teachers in the elementary schools, however, did not have even a minimal knowledge for conducting PE classes nor was there any reference or literature from which they could attain basic knowledge of the prescribed PE curriculum. We recognized two parallel systems of training introduced in 1875. First system consisted of short training courses for the elementary school teachers that were already teaching at the schools. Second was the introduction of Gymnastics as an obligatory course/ subject in the teachers training colleges. Twenty years after the obligatory PE classes had been introduced into the Croatian schools, Franjo Bučar (1866-1946), after he had returned from his two-year education at the Royal Central Gymnastic College in Stockholm (Sweden), organized and managed a two-year Course for the Secondary School Gymnastic Teachers (1894-1896). In fact, it was the first high school (college) for PE in Croatia and in this region of Europe. The curriculum and syllabus, devised by Franjo Bučar, were modern and comparable to any curriculum of the most popular European schools of that time. In the three-semester course thirty attenders (one woman among them-Ivana Hirschmann) took 16 theoretical and practical course subjects. The beginnings of education and training of personnel for conducting PE classes in Croatia was very important not only for the development of PE but also for the development of sports and exercise movement in Croatia. However, all activities regarding education and training for PE were also powerfully influenced by political circumstances in the 19 th century Croatia.

Sports reporters have journalistic duties and as a rule they should thus be objective. However, they often fail to comply with reporting standards and they become subjective. Such subjectivity can influence the spectator’s perception of events. In this pilot study, we analysed recorded broadcasts of a top-level basketball match aired by the national television broadcasters from the participating teams’ countries. We ascertained that half of all the remarks made by both commentators were facts. Approximately every fourth remark expressed an opinion, while every fifth remark was related to statistical data. Half of the commentators’ remarks related to the team perceived to be ours, 30% of the remarks related to the other team, 10% of the remarks related to the game time and score, while 10% of the remarks involved other comments. The commentators’ discourse was obviously imbalanced. During international competitions commentators evidently favour teams from their own country. Sports co...

As the Olympic Games developed and their popularity and relevance grew, winning medals also became important and a matter of national and political prestige. Despite the International Olympic Committee's refusal to recognize country rankings by medals, the medal table is updated on a regular basis and plays a dominant role in media coverage and public interest (Rathke & Woitek, 2007). This has led researchers to explore the socioeconomic , cultural and geographic background of Olympic achievements. The aim of this paper was to review the current state of the research on factors that influence national Olympic Games success. The majority of studies consider variables like: population size, GDP and GDP per capita, hosting or neighbouring country advantage, political system, sports system, health expenditure per capita, climate, etc., as factors that potentially have impact on a country's medal count. The research has shown that the economic factor, mainly GDP per capita, and political system have a statistically significant influence on the explanation of the numbers of medals won by a certain country at the Olympic Games, but the influence of population size was not confirmed. Keeping in mind the mentioned factors, it is unlikely for Croatia to increase significantly its number of Olympic medals in the future.