The psychophysiological differences between expert and novice rifle shooters during the aiming period

Purpose: Determination of mental status of the rifle shooters during the shooting performance is critical for the development of mental training programs according to their skill levels. The purpose of this study was to investigate the psychophysiological differences of expert and novice rifle shooters. Material: Fourteen expert (age: 28.08±9.12 years, height: 176.12±4.24 cm, weight: 73.56±5.28 kg) and twenty novice shooters (age: 21.08±3.12 years, height: 177.42±3.74 cm, and weight: 71.56±3.57 kg) participated in the current study. The participants performed five shootings from a distance of 10m. The averages of each shooter’s five shooting scores, values of attention and meditation, and heart rate between 5-sec before shooting and shooting moment were obtained. Results: It was determined that shooting scores (10.02 ±0.49 vs. 7.6±2.86, p<0.01, respectively) and meditation level (71.50±21.05 vs. 52.93±20.54, p<0.05, respectively) were significantly higher in the experts while attention level (73.63±21.11 vs. 59.76±21.26, p<0.05, respectively), and heart rate (105.34±12.12 vs. 98.67±7,12 bpm, p<0.05, respectively) were found higher in the novices. Conclusions: The novices and experts present different psychophysiological responses during the aiming period. It is suggested that the psychophysiological differences can be useful to categorize shooters and to provide feedback in training because it is important to develop programs according to group levels, especially in the development of mental training programs. Besides, it is determined that the mobile EEG device is an effective method for determining the mental status of athletes in sports specific activities.

Investigation of the effect of supramaximal eccentric contractions on muscle damage and recovery between the dominant and non-dominant arm

Purpose: This research aimed to examine the effects of supramaximal eccentric contractions on the damage of muscle and recovery between the dominant and non-dominant arm. The study was participated by ten male volunteer students who do not have any musculoskeletal and metabolic compliant. This research designed as a cross-over type research. Material: Venous blood samples were drawn before the bout, immediately after the bout one min., moreover, at the 6th, 24th, 48th, and 72nd hours after training. Data were analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 statistical software package. After exercise, the non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test was used to decide the dominant and non-dominant arm influence. Statistical significance for all analyses was accepted at p< 0,05. Results: There was a significant statistical difference in the right, and left arm Creatine Kinase (CK) values at the time when exercise start, 48th and 72nd hours (p<0,05). There was no statistically significant difference in right and left arm Lactate Dehydrogenase values after exercise (p>0,05). Conclusions: There was an increase in muscle damage at 24th and 48th hours after supramaximal eccentric exercise, and it was turned back the start level at 72nd hours. While the arm which is non-dominant recovery is faster than the dominant arm.

The effects of tow protocol cold water immersion on the post match recovery and physical performance in well-trained handball players

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare two cold water immersion (CWI) protocols, continuous and fractionated, to optimize the recovery of Handball players after on recovery from exercise resulting in exercise-induced muscle damage. Material: Ten male Handball players (age: 15 ± 1.4 years, mass index: 67.2 ± 5.1 kg, height: 176.6 ± 7.30) voluntarily participated in the study. After three 90-minute training sessions (average heart rate 160 ± 15.81, 156 ± 5.53 and 156 ± 12.24 bpm) per week, participants were divided into 03 groups. The first experimental group (GE1) in continuous immersion (CWIC) of (12 minutes, 12± 0.4° C), a second experimental group (GE2) in fractional immersion (CWIF) of (4 x 2 min at 12 ± 0.4° C + 1 min out of water) and a control group (GC) in passive recovery. Body mass indices (BMI), countermovement (Countermovement jump) and muscle pain (Intensity of pain in the thighs) were measured. Results : The results concerning the percentage differences in the variation of the CMJ occurred respectively at 24h (Z = 12.62, p = 0.004) and 48h (Z = 16.22, p <0.001) compared to the control group. In addition, the results for muscle volume did not report any significant interaction (F (5.64) = 3.42, p = 0.078). The results of both protocols showed their effectiveness in reducing pain intensity by 24 and 48 hours after intense training (F (3.54) = 2.91, p = 0.016, p2 = 0.24). Conclusion: In conclusion, continuous and fractionated cold water immersion is beneficial for neuromuscular recovery 24 hours after intense exercise. The results also demonstrate a rapid recovery of handball players from their physical potential required in high level competitions.

Comparative study of anthropometric measurement and body composition between soccer players from different competitive levels, elite and sub-elite

Background and Study Aim: The purpose of this study was to describe anthropometric characteristics and body composition of soccer players from different competitive levels, elite and sub-elite as well as to make comparison between them. Material and Methods: Seventy-seven subjects were enrolled in this study, divided into three groups: twenty-six elite soccer players, twenty sub-elite soccer players and thirty-one healthy sedentary subjects. All subjects were assessed for anthropometric measurements required for the calculation of body composition variables using standardized procedures which were recommended by previous studies. Data was analyzed by using SPSS and the descriptive statistics were expressed as a mean (SD) for each variable, while the ANOVA and the LSD Post Hoc tests were carried out to discover effects of each type of sport. Results: The results showed that a significant difference was found in weight, body mass index, bone content and body fat, while a significant difference was not found in two remaining variables, height and muscle mass. Conclusions: Therefore, these findings may give coaches from the region better working knowledge and thus provide knowledges for soccer experts which will help them to select talented players as best as possible.

Validity of testing and training using the kayak ergometer

Background and Study Aim. The paper is dedicated to the problem of the strength testing and training using the ergometer rowing performance in the flat water kayak sport. The aim of the research was to create a model of validity based on the relationship between the ergometer and on-water performance competition rowing. Material and Methods. Nineteen 15-17 years old male kayak rowers during the off-season were randomly divided into two groups. An experimental group trained according the same program as the control group, but two times a week a part of the common strength training exercises was substituted with a high-intensity strength training using the ergometer rowing. A whole amount of strength loading on all the rowers of the two groups was equal. Validity of testing and training of the ergometer rowing in the kayak sport was evaluated using interclass correlation between competition performance on 500 m on-water kayak and ergometer rowing. Results. Strong significant correlation is revealed between competition performance of on-water kayak and ergometer rowing before and after the off-season (| r | = 0.892, 0.902, p <0.001), that shows rather good validity. Other result of the correlation analysis shows good prognostic ability of the ergometer performance regarding competition performance of on-water kayaking (| r | = 0.913). Conclusions. The proposed model based on the relationship between the ergometer and on-water performance competition rowing shows rather good validity of the strength testing and training in the on-water kayak sport.

The effects of physical education on changes of basic motor skills of female students in the fifth grade of elementary school

Purpose: Thanks to the positive health effects of physical exercise, physical education is an integral part of the education system, with two hours per week, which is insufficient to achieve an optimal effect in transforming the anthropological status of children. The aim of the research was to determine the effects of regular and modified physical education with the application of contents from sports games (basketball, volleyball and handball) in the duration of one semester to changes in basic motor skills in pupils of the fifth grade of elementary school. Material: The study included N = 106 students of the V class, aged 10 to 11 years, clinically and mentally healthy, and with no pronounced morphological and locomotor impairments. The sample of examinees was divided into two subgroups. The first was an experimental group of 53 students, who carried out physical education classes according to the modified plan and program of sports games (basketball, volleyball and handball) for a semester. The other was a control group of 53 students who attended regular classes from physical education according to the current curriculum. Results: The results of the research at the descriptive level showed noticeable differences between the same groups in the final versus the initial measurements. Based on the results of the t-test for the control and experimental group, it can be concluded that there have been statistically significant changes in values on all variables of basic motor in the final compared to the initial measurement. By analyzing the results of the t-tests, it can be seen that the groups differ in the initial measurement only in one basic motor variable, MTAPN, and this difference is statistically significant in favor of the control group. In the final measurement, there are no significant differences between the control and the experimental group in the average values of all variables of basic motoring. Conclusions: Improving basic motor skills depends on the teacher's ability, the ability to transform the age with which he is working, and the success of certain training processes. The modified program of the experimental group has led to changes and thus proves the significant effect of the group's work program.

Impact of coordination training on the development of speed among young judokas from 10 to 12 years old

Purpose: Judo is a combat sport requiring physical qualities that include speed and coordination. They are essential for brief and intense attacks. Study the impact of a training based on coordination adapted to the age group (10 to 12 years) on the development of speediness among young’s judokas. Materials: The study was conducted at Svelty Club, sports association in Kenitra, city in north-western Morocco, from March 2nd, 2019 to May 5th, 2019, on a sample of 12 young judoka aged from 10 to 12 years divided into two groups, control group and experimental group. At first both groups received two tests, 10m speed test and Uchi Komi test, which we considered initial tests. The experimental group had a training program spread over 12 weeks that focused on the development of speed through coordination. For the control group, we followed the regular training of the club. Both tests were re-administered after the end of the training program (final tests). Results : The initial test value for the experimental group for Uchi Komi test was 7 ± 0.9, and the final test was 8.7 ± 1.03, which shows a significant difference according to the T test, (p = 0.001≤ 0.05) in contrast to the control group (p = 0.23≥0.05). For the 10m speed test, the experimental group showed a significant difference between the value of the initial test and the final test (p = 0.003≤0.05), unlike the control group (p = 0.93≥0.05). Conclusion: The development of physical qualities is still the primary goal of coaches; however this development is more decisive for young athletes. Our study has shown that a coordination training adapted to each athlete’s age can help coaches better develop other qualities namely speed.

Identifying control structure of multi-joint coordination in dart throwing: the effect of distance constraint

Background: This study used the uncontrolled manifold (UCM) approach to study joint coordination underlying the control of task-related variables important for success at dart throwing skill. Success at a task can be achieved, in principle, by always adopting a particular joint combination. In contrast, we adopt a more selective control strategy: variations of the joint configuration that leave the values of essential task variables unchanged are predicted to be less controlled (i.e., stabilized to a lesser degree) than joint configuration changes that shift the values of the task variables. Objectives: How this abundance of motor solutions is managed by the nervous system and whether and how the throwing in different distances affects the solution to joint coordination was investigated in this study. Methods: Our experimental task involved dart throwing to a target under three conditions (standard, short and long distance) that it performed by fifteen dart professional and semiprofessional athletes. The four joint angles of the arm were obtained from the recorded positions of markers on the limb segments. The variability of joint configurations was decomposed into components lying parallel to those sets and components lying in their complement with respect to control of the path of the arm’s center of mass and spatial position of the hand. Results: When performing the task in all three different conditions, fluctuations of joint configuration that affected arm’s center of mass and spatial position variables were much reduced compared with fluctuations that did not affect these variables. The UCM principle applied to arm’s center of mass and spatial position thus captures the structure of the motor control system across different parts of joint configuration space as the movement evolves in time. Moreover, constraints representing an invariant arm’s center of mass or the spatial position structured joint configuration variability in the early and mid-portion of the movement trajectory, but not at the time of throwing. This specific control strategy indicate a target can be hit successfully also by controlling irrelevant directions in joint space equally to relevant ones. Conclusion: The results suggests a specific control strategy in which changes of joint configuration that are irrelevant to success at the task are selectively released from control. As a result, the method can be successfully used to determine the structure of coordination in joint space that underlies the control of the essential variables for a given task.

Anthropometric characteristics of professional football players in relation to the playing position and their significance for success in the game

Background: Football is a game in which anthropometric characteristics are important factors for specific player positions, where morphological characteristics differ in relation to the competitive level and the position in the game. Body composition is an important indicator of the physical fitness and general health of athletes so today its often discussed in scientific literature. The aim of the research was to determine the differences in the anthropometric characteristics of the professional football players in relation to the player's position and to determine their importance in the game. Material: Twenty-nine male football players of the national team of Serbia participated in the research, in which the body height, weight and Body mass index were measured. Results: The results of the study indicate that statistically significant differences in body height and body weight were recorded between goalkeepers and midfielders (p <0.01) and goalkeepers and attackers (p <0.05) in favor of goalkeepers, while no statistically significant differences were recorded in the Body Mass Index. The lowest height, weight and BMI were recorded in the midfielders. Conclusions: Based on the results of the research it can be concluded that the morphological characteristics have a vital role in determining the success of athletes. Football coaches can use the results of this study as a means to better understand and interpret anthropometric characteristics and their importance in relation to the gaming position. The acquaintance of noticed differences could improve the training process as well as the selection at the early age.

The influence of cardiac rehabilitation according to the C model on exercise tolerance and hemodynamic indices in patients after cardiac incident

Background and Study Aim: Cardiovascular diseases are currently classified as civilization diseases. The number of cases since the 20th century has dramatically increased. Currently, as many as 46% of all deaths in Poland are caused by diseases of the circulatory system. The aim of the study is to assess the impact of cardiac rehabilitation according to the C model on exercise tolerance and hemodynamic indices in patients after a cardiac incident. Material and Methods: The research was carried out in the Department of Cardiac Rehabilitation in Szymbark. The study group consisted of 32 patients who, after physical examination at admission, were qualified for the preliminary assessment of physical fitness on the basis of 6MWT. The test was carried out the day after the admission, according to current standards. Subsequently, the examined persons underwent a 28-day cycle of early cardiac rehabilitation according to the C model. Results: As a result of a 4-week cardiac rehabilitation, a statistically significant improvement in physical performance was obtained, with a distance increase of 68.34 m on average. A statistically significant change in the level of fatigue according to Skala Borga after the completion of the rehabilitation cycle was demonstrated. Patients with normal body weight, overweight and obesity received a similar increase in 6MWT results due to the rehabilitation cycle. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate the urgent need to educate patients in the prevention and prevention of cardiovascular disease and to increase the availability of rehabilitation for all people after a cardiological incident.