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Baltic Journal of Sport and Health Sciences
Number of Followers: 2

This is an Open Access Journal

Open Access journal
ISSN (Print) 2351-6496 - ISSN (Online) 2538-8347
Published by Lithuanian Sports University

[3 journals]

Correlation of Dance Functional Status with Lower Limb Flexibility, Power
and Dynamic Balance in Recreational Ballet Dancers – A Cross-Sectional
Study
- Authors: Manasi Mane , Neetu Mahapatra
  Pages: 4 - 12
  Abstract: Background: Paediatric ballet dancers are particularly prone to injuries due to the demanding nature of their art form, exacerbated by intensive training during crucial growth and maturation phases. The prevalence of injuries, especially those aﬀecting lower limbs, hampers dancers’ functional capacity. Unlike their professional counterparts, recreational ballet dancers lack specialized training, heightening their vulnerability. The accumulation of repetitive injuries often hampers their ability to attain the highest levels of achievement in their careers, underscoring the necessity to identify and comprehend contributing factors. The aim is to fnd a correlation between the Dance Functional Outcome Survey (DFOS) and critical factors like lower limb ﬂexibility, power, and dynamic balance among recreational ballet dancers. Methodology: 53 recreational ballet dancers aged 10–18 years with at least one year of dance experience were included. Lower limb ﬂexibility was assessed using the sit and reach test, ankle ﬂexibility, and straddle in supine tests, while power and dynamic balance were evaluated through vertical jump tests and Y balance tests. The DFOS questionnaire measured health status. Result: Results revealed statistically significant weak positive correlations between DFOS and various factors: sit and reach test (r=0.3060), ankle ﬂexibility (r=0.3830), straddle in supine (r=0.3270), vertical jump test (r=0.3250), and Y balance composite (Right: r=0.3200; Left: r=0.3420). Conclusion: This study concludes that recreational ballet dancers with greater ﬂexibility, power, and dynamic balance in the lower limb tend to exhibit a higher dance functional status. Keywords: paediatric, ballet dancers, ﬂexibility, power, dynamic balance, Dance Functional Outcome Survey.
  Keywords: Biomechanics
  PubDate: 2024-07-12
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v1i132.1495
Knowledge and Teaching Competencies of Physical Education Teachers on
Students with Special Needs in the Central Region, Ghana
- Authors: Kodwo Owusu, Daniel Apaak, Charles Domfeh, Alexander Kweku Eshun
  Pages: 4 - 13
  Abstract: Background: This research investigated the inclusion of students with special needs during Physical Education lessons in the Central Region, Ghana. Many learners only observe during Physical Education lessons because the teachers simply ignore them or are challenged with how to integrate them into the lessons. There were also challenges with the nature of the facilities and equipment available for lesson delivery. Methodology: A concurrent research design was used thus, combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The design selected presents the best perspective of the issues. Participants were made up of 230 respondents sampled from Senior High Schools purposively consisting of 116 Physical Education teachers and 114 students with disabilities. The qualitative data was thematically analysed according to the objectives. Chi square was used for the analysis of the quantitative data. Results: Many Physical Education teachers perceived inclusive Physical Education as a right to full participation for every learner; therefore, expected full participation by all students irrespective of their physical, mental status, sex orientation ethnic origin but confirmed that they did not have adequate knowledge, expertise and are challenged in other ways to successful integrate students with special needs at their lessons. Conclusion: Physical Education teachers perceived inclusive education as a right for everyone including persons with disability. Though they had some training in inclusive education, they were not equipped enough to handle persons with special in their PE lessons to the appreciable level. They supported the idea of including students with special needs during their lessons due to the benefits they will gain but of the opinion that this most often disrupts the harmony of their teaching because they are unable to handle them the best way. Keywords Inclusive Education, Physical Education Lessons, Students with special needs, In-Service Training
  Keywords: Health, Rehabilitation and Adapted Physical Activity
  PubDate: 2024-01-25
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v4i131.1462
The Effect of Strength Training on the Quality of Life and Cognitive
Functions of Elderly People
- Authors: Ernesta Klimavičiūtė, Sandra Naujalė , Lina Mickevičienė , Erika Krasinskė, Margarita Drozdova – Statkevičienė , Vida Janina Česnaitienė1
  Pages: 13 - 19
  Abstract: Background: The evidence from research shows positive effects of physical exercise, both aerobic and resistance training, and their combination, on cognitive performance. Possible biological mechanisms that may underlie the effectiveness of physical exercise include increased blood flow in the brain, changes in neurotransmitter release, and the process of neurogenesis (Sumińska, 2021). However, there is still a lack of sufficient research on the relationship of physical exertion and aging, and their interaction. New research is looking for the best tools and methods to improve the quality of life of older people. Methods: This study evaluated 65 non-exercising men over the age of 60. The participants were divided into groups of restricted blood flow training (BFRT), concentric training (MDRT) and control groups. Strength training in which leg pressing, leg bending and leg extension exercises were performed lasted 12 weeks. The short version of the World Health Organization (WHO 100) Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life, the subjects’ physical abilities were evaluated using the Fullerton Test set, and ANAM4 cognitive function tests were used to assess cognitive functions Results: When comparing restricted blood flow, concentric training and control groups, the results of the functional test evaluation were improved statistically significantly: standing and walking, standing up from a chair (p<.001). The result of the hand grip test did not change significantly. The results of the quality of life assessment deteriorated statistically significantly in all the groups: in the areas of physical health, social relations and environment (p <.001), and in the area of psychological health (p=0.001). When evaluating cognitive functions we found that only inhibition function (Go/No Go) improved significantly (p<.001). Conclusion: The study found that regardless of the type of strength training, the quality of life of elderly did not improve. Both types of training resulted in statistically significant improvements in cognitive inhibitory function in older adults. Keywords: strength training, elderly, aging, cognitive function, life quality
  Keywords: Health, Rehabilitation and Adapted Physical Activity
  PubDate: 2024-07-12
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v1i132.1496
A Descriptive Analysis of the Fastest Race Courses for Triathletes
- Authors: Mabliny Thuany, David Valero, Elias Villiger, Marilia Andrade , Katja Weiss , Pantelis T. Nikolaidis, Rodrigo Luiz Vancini , Thomas Roseman, Beat Knechtle
  Pages: 14 - 23
  Abstract: Background: For Ironman® triathlon, it has been reported that most of the fnishers and the fastest women and men in Ironman® Hawaii originated from the United States of America (USA). We have, however, no knowledge of
  where the fastest race courses in the Ironman® 70.3 triathlon took place. We aim to analyse where the Ironman® 70.3 races were held and where the fastest split and overall race times were achieved. Methods: The athletes’ sex, age group, country of origin, and split times for swimming, running, cycling, and transitioning were obtained from the official Ironman® website. To investigate the locations of the fastest Ironman® 70.3 competitions between 2004 and 2020, a full sample of 852,721 qualifying records throughout 197 diﬀerent event locations was processed. These race records were aggregated by location, and each location’s split and full finish times were calculated. Data analysis was performed first for the full sample (all race records), and then for an elite sub-sample consisting of the top 100 males and top 100 females records in each location. Results: For the full sample, the fastest overall race times were achieved in Ironman® 70.3 Zell am See (Austria). For the top 100 athletes sub-sample, the Ironman® 70.3 European Championship Elsinore and Ironman® 70.3 World Championship were the fastest courses. Conclusion: These results are useful for athletes’ strategic planning and inform event organisers about the strengths of diﬀerent courses, aiding in the optimisation and promotion of future Ironman® 70.3 races worldwide. Keywords: endurance, performance, half-distance Ironman®, multi-sport, running.
  Keywords: Social Sciences in Sport
  PubDate: 2024-03-31
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v4i131.1463
Assessment of Dynamic Balance, Muscle Strength and Pain in Young Women
with Generalized Joint Hypermobility
- Authors: Rosita Mikalauskaitė, Algė Daunoravičienė, Ernesta Aukštuolytė – Bačienė, Vilma Tamulionytė, Erenesta Gurskienė
  Pages: 20 - 26
  Abstract: This research aims to assess dynamic balance, muscle strength, and pain in young women with generalized joint
  hypermobility.
  Research methods: A cross-sectional research design was used in this study. The Beighton scale was used to
  assess joint hypermobility; the Y test was performed to assess injury risk; a hand-held dynamometer was applied to
  assess upper extremities’ muscle strength; the McGill tests were used for evaluation of the endurance of trunk muscles’ strength; a numeric analog scale and pain map were used to assess pain intensity and localization.
  Participants: Twenty-fve young females (age: 22(18–28; 21,16) years; body mass index: (23, 19,2–24, 23,2)
  kg/m²) participated in this study.
  Results: The median Beighton score value was 7 (4-9;7.48) points. The Y balance test revealed that 36% (n=9)
  of the participants were at risk of injury when standing on the dominant leg, and 64% (n=16) when standing on the
  non-dominant leg. 64% (n=16) of the young women had a normal grip strength of the dominant hand, and 56%
  (n=14) had normal non-dominant handgrip strength. Only 20% (n=5) of young women with joint hypermobility had
  an abdominal-to-back muscle strength endurance ratio within the normal range and lateral muscle endurance ratio
  was within the normal range only in 16% of women.
  Conclusions: Our pilot study showed that young women with joint hypermobility have reduced hand muscle
  strength, an imbalance in trunk muscle static endurance and an increased risk of injury in more than half of the subjects. As many as 76% of the young women in this study reported experiencing pain in diﬀerent areas of the body.
  Keywords: increased range of movement, fitness, injury risk .
  Keywords: Health, Rehabilitation and Adapted Physical Activity
  PubDate: 2024-07-12
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v1i132.1497
Management Criteria Evaluation of Lithuanian Football Academies’
Certification System
- Authors: Kristijonas Vegys, Rita Bagdonienė, Diana Jonaitienė, Irena Valantinė
  Pages: 24 - 36
  Abstract: Background. There is a tendency in the football environment to assess and classify youth football organisations on a national scale to make their activities more efficient, raise the level of football and talent development, and increase competition in the context of international football. Considering the practices of Georgia and Latvia, Lithuania has started testing the certification of football academies since 2021. During the testing stage, it was observed that the certification project helped youth football organisations to improve the quality of their activities and competencies – after a year, the certification system was started to be applied to all Lithuanian football academies. As of 2022, higher certification criteria have been applied to football organisations, which the future of our country depends on. Methods. Analysis of scientific literature, content analysis of official documents, semi-structured interview (qualitative research). Results. Football organisations that participated in the certification process and received the highest evaluations are monitoring the certification process, examining the necessity of criteria through the prism of project improvement, constantly discussing with certification experts, and providing insights into the areas where the certification process should be improved. The research revealed what action plan would bring a higher level of quality to develop and improve a higher level of football in Lithuania. Conclusions: The evaluation of the Lithuanian football academy certification system revealed strengths and weaknesses; Top-rated football academies are committed to improving themselves and football development in the country; Organisations face documentation difficulties and lack of clarity in criteria descriptions; Considering the problems in certain areas of limitations, solutions must be found through the support of Lithuanian Football Federation and governmental institutions; the study provides unique perspective and insights to improve certification system and raise the level of Lithuanian football. Keywords: Lithuanian football, certification system, management criteria, certification system development.
  Keywords: Social Sciences in Sport
  PubDate: 2024-01-29
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v4i131.1464
Effects of Local Heating and Whole-Body Hyperthermia on Neuromuscular and
Cognitive Function in Young and Old Healthy Adults
- Authors: Junli Wang
  Pages: 27 - 28
  Abstract: Background and objectives: Aging population is growing fast in European Union and worldwide (Shimizu et al., 2020). A progressive decline in neuromuscular function (Lexell et al., 1983), structural changes in the brain ( Smith et al., 2010; Zahra et al., 2019)aged 30 to 99 years, were studied with MRI. Age was related to estimated volumes of: gray matter, white matter, and CSF of the cerebrum and cerebellum; gray matter, white matter, white matter abnormality, and CSF within each cerebral lobe; and gray matter of eight subcortical structures. The results were: 1, and inefficiencies in thermoregulatory regulation (Blatteis, 2012; Yamashiro et al., 2020) were found in the old population. We conducted three experiments to investigate the eﬀects of short-term and long-term passive heating on motor performance, as well as the impact of whole-body passive heating on cognitive functioning in both healthy older and young adults. Methods: In the first study, weight (kg), body fat (%), height (cm), body mass index (BMI), skinfold thickness (mm), and the mean subcutaneous fat thickness were calculated (McArdle et al., 1984). Ankle muscle torque production and contractile properties were determined by isometric torque of the ankle plantar ﬂexion and the isokinetic (dynamic) torque of the ankle plantar ﬂexion/dorsiﬂexion muscles using an isokinetic dynamometer (System 4; Biodex Medical Systems, Shirley, NY, USA). In the second study, body surface area, heart rate, muscle temperature, and thermal sensation were measured. Prolactin, interleukin-6, dopamine and cortisol concentrations were obtained via venous blood samples. The isometric torque of ankle plantar ﬂexion muscles was assessed as the first study. In the third study, body weight, sweating rate, rectal temperature, heart rate, physiological strain index (PSI), thermal sensations were investigated. A programmed cognitive test to assess cognitive functioning (Brazaitis et al., 2015). Results: In the first study, for the older adults (vs. younger adults), the application of local heating (vs. control trial) was accompanied by a significant increase in maximal voluntary peak torque, rate of torque development, and isokinetic peak torque of plantar ﬂexion/dorsiﬂexion muscle contraction. In the second study, older males demonstrated greater neuromuscular fatigability resistance and faster maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) torque recovery after a 2-min sustained isometric MVC task under thermoneutral and severe hyperthermic conditions. In the third study, PSI was lower and cortisol concentration was greater after whole-body heating in the older group compared with the younger group. Surprisingly, hyperthermia improved cognitive ﬂexibility only in old adults, whereas short-term and visual recognition memories were maintained in both age groups. Conclusions: In the first study, the spinal and supraspinal reﬂex excitability of older adults increased during local knee-heating application. The improved motor drive transmission observed in older adults was accompanied by increased voluntarily induced torque production of the ankle muscles during isometric/isokinetic contractions. In the second study, neuromuscular performance during fatigue-provoking sustained isometric exercise under severe whole body hyperthermia conditions appears to decline in both age groups, but a lower relative decline in torque production for older males may relate to lower psychological and thermophysiological strain along with a diminished dopamine response and prolactin release. In the third study, A ≈ 2.5 ◦C increase in rectal temperature can improve executive function in old adults, and this increase parallels the increased cortisol concentration and the lower thermophysiological strain under severe whole-body hyperthermia conditions.
  Keywords: Sports Physiology
  PubDate: 2024-07-12
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v1i132.1498
Skeletal Muscle Deoxygenation in 11-13-year-old Children Swimmers During
Arm and Leg Ergometry
- Authors: Aura Mažuolytė–Binderienė, Loreta Stasiulė
  Pages: 37 - 43
  Abstract: Background: This study extends the current knowledge on muscle deoxygenation during arm and leg ergometry in preadolescent swimmers. We aimed to compare the deoxygenation of legs and arms muscles during maximal incremental legs and arms exercises on the cycle ergometer (CE) and arm crank ergometer (ACE) in preadolescent swimmers. Methods: Thirteen preadolescent swimmers (aged 12 ± 1 years) were enrolled in this study. They performed two maximal incremental legs and arms exercises to exhaustion on CE and on ACE. During both exercises, muscles oxygen saturation values (the changes of deoxygenated haemoglobin (Δ[HHb]) and [HHb] thresholds ([HHb] thresholds) of Biceps femoris, Vastus lateralis, Rectus femoris, Triceps brachii, Infraspinatus and Biceps brachii muscles were recorded using the near-infrared spectroscopy method (Moxy oxygen monitor). Results: During maximal incremental legs and arms exercises on CE and ACE Δ[HHb] and [HHb] thresholds did not diﬀer significantly between legs and arms exercises (p>0.05) and between separate muscles (p>0.05) as well. Conclusion: Deoxygenation of legs and arms muscles was similar during incremental exercises on CE and ACE in preadolescent swimmers. Keywords: muscles oxygenation, NIRS, upper and lower body exercise, graded exercise test Keywords: muscles oxygenation, NIRS, upper and lower body exercise, graded exercise test
  
  Keywords: Sports Physiology
  PubDate: 2024-01-12
  DOI: 10.33607/bjshs.v4i131.1465

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