Authors:Mario Oršolić, Petar Barbaros, Dario Novak Abstract: The process that athletes go through is complex and intertwined with various negative life events they are faced with. However, it is considered that overcoming challenges at an early age is connected with success in later years. Therefore, the aim of this qualitative study was to research the various negative life events (injuries, lack of financial resources, failure to be selected for the national team) of various tennis players and the way in which these events influenced their tennis career. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with three categories of male tennis players (N = 30), these being: (1) Grand Slam winners, (2) players ranked between position 150 and 300 on the professional men’s tennis rankings, and (3) players ranked between position 500 and 1500 on the professional men’s tennis rankings. Data analysis was imple-mented by using reflexive thematic analysis. Three topics were generated that included: injuries and the way they dealt with them, financial resources and how this affected their sports development, and failure to be selected for their national team. The obtained results indicate that the differences between the different level of success among tennis players refer more to the overcoming of various negative life events (injuries, lack of financial resources, failure to be selected for the national team) that the players faced during their tennis careers.doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.1 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.1 Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Vincenzo Rago, Magni Mohr Abstract: Obesity and low cardiorespiratory fitness are major risk factors for numerous non-communicable diseases and mortality, and efficient treatment protocols to counteract these conditions are highly warranted. We evaluated the effect of high-intensity circuit training (CIT) on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness of sedentary overweight individuals. Cardiorespiratory and body composition were assessed before and after a 8-week circuit training (CIT; four sessions of full-body CIT per week; age, 38 ± 9 years old; height, 174 ± 10 cm; body mass, 93.1 ± 22.2 kg; n = 32), and 8-week inactiv-ity (CON; neither training nor lifestyle changes from week; 0–8 age, 39 ± 7 years old, height, 168 ± 8 cm, body mass, 89.5 ± 17.5 kg; n = 33). The two-way repeated-measures ANOVA revealed moderate to large reductions were observed in body mass, BMI, and fat percentage after CIT (d=0.43–0.81; P<0.05). In contrast, all body composition parameters remained stable after 8-week inactivity (P<0.05). A small to moderate group x moment interaction was found for body mass, BMI and % fat (d=0.10–0.60; P<0.05). Small improvements in VO2max were observed after CIT (d=0.48 [0.11–0.85]; P=0.010), while small to moderate reductions were observed in VO2max and PV were observed after inactivity (d=0.47 [0.11–0.83] and 0.64 [0.26–1.01], respectively; P<0.05). A small moment x group interaction was observed for VO2max (d= 0.19 [0.13–0.26]; P<0.001). Our findings suggest that 8-week of full-body circuit training may improve cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition in sedentary overweight individuals.doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.2 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.2 Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Marcos Goncalves Maciel, Ricardo Ricci Uvinha Abstract: Physical activity is recognized as an important means for promoting health and quality of life. However, the discussion regarding this practice as a human right needs to be expanded. The objective of this study was to analyze the perceptions of professionals from two scientific institutions in Brazil regarding leisure-time physical activity as a social right. The research was descriptive, documentary, cross-sectional, and exploratory in nature, with non-probabilistic sampling. A semi-structured questionnaire was adopted in Google Forms format, and content analysis was used for data analysis. The sample consisted of 80 participants. The main results highlight the recognition of leisure time and health as social rights, as well as the existence of barriers such as social inequalities in the realization of these rights. However, there is evidence of progress in public policies in Brazil that aim to democratize leisure-time physical activity as a social right. doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.3 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.3
Authors:Velibor Viboh, Iva Sklempe Kokić, Dario Novak Abstract: Top-level athletes use a large number of recovery methods for achieving the best possible results. Current literature points to the presence of positive effects in using recovery methods in relation to the improvement of sports performance, as well as to results. The aim of this study was to research the types and frequency of recovery methods utilisation between professional and recreational tennis players. The research included a total of 80 professional and recreational male and female tennis players (average age 24.1±12.1 years old), among which 44 (55%) male respondents and 36 (45%) female respondents. A standard anonymous survey questionnaire on the methods and means of recovery was used. The results point to the existence of a significant difference between the respondents from the professional and recreational playing categories in the types and frequency of recovery methods. Likewise, a higher frequency of utilising selected recovery methods was proven in professional tennis players. The largest difference was found for dietary supplementation (3.5±1.5 vs. 1.7±0.9; p<0.001), then for use of Kinesio Tape (2.3±1.1 vs 1.1±0.4; p<0.001), as well as for massages which were more often used by professionals in comparison to recreational tennis players (3.3±1.1 vs. 2.2±1.1; p<0.001). A better understanding of the types and frequency of utilising recovery methods, particularly from the aspect of differences between professional and recreational tennis players, is of great importance, both for tennis players, as well as for their accompanying staff members (i.e. coaches, physical therapists, parents, etc.). doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.4 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.4 Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Mudit Kapoor, Shamika Ravi, Rockli Kim, Subi V. Subramanian Abstract: In this paper, we use the nationally representative Time Use Survey (TUS) data from India to estimate the proportion of people that spend any time of the day exercising. We found that overall, less than 7% of the adult population (age ≥18 Years) spent any time of the day exercising. Our estimates also revealed that the proportion of population exercising varied Across states, by rural and urban sectors, and by social and religious groups. We also estimated logistic regressions to Model the probability of people exercising. We found that males had three times higher odds of exercising than females. Relative to less educated people (primary school and below), those with educational level of graduate and above had almost 2.5 times higher odds of exercising. People in the higher strata of consumption class, the top 10%, had 1.7 times higher odds of exercising relative to the bottom 50%. From a public policy perspective, the low level of exercise across all geographies and social, economic, and demographic characteristics indicates the need for population-wide interventions in India to encourage exercise.Doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.5 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10. Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Xueshuang Wang, Filip Svalina, Brigita Mieziene Abstract: Social capital has been shown to have positive effects on multiple health outcomes among young people. Studies suggest that social capital is an important predictor of health and wellbeing of children and adolescents, including their mental health. This research examined the correlation between different domains of social capital – in the family, in the neighborhood, and at school – and the level of psychological distress among high school students in China. A cross-sectional survey among 501 high school students (217 males and 284 females), aged 15–19 years old, was carried out in the 2020–2021 school year. Logistic regression was used to examine the association of family, neighborhood, and school social capital with the risk of high psychological distress, measured by the Kessler–6 scale. The findings in this study suggest that young people with a higher level of family support, higher level of neighborhood trust and higher level of teacher-student interpersonal trust are less likely to report high psychological distress. Social connectedness within the family, neighborhood and school thus appear to be important factors influencing mood among young people. doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.6 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.6 Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Thordis Gisladottir, Jorgelina Ramos, Miloš Petrović Abstract: Basketball is a highly anaerobic game, that consists of high-intensity efforts, such as jumping, landing, change of direction and sprinting, followed by lower-intensity efforts. Postural deformities can be a limiting factor in achieving maximal performances in basketball. Flat feet are one of the most common postural deformities and they can lead to poorer performances, discomfort, and pain. In this research we investigated the differences in certain sports performances among Icelandic basketball players in relation to the status of longitudinal arch of the feet. A sample of 143 basketball players (23 girls, age 12.7±1.4 and 97 boys, age 12.9±1.4 – development group; 14 women playing in the first Icelandic Division, age 21±6.6 and 9 men, age 22.2±3.7 playing in the first Icelandic division) were tested on a podoscope to establish the degree of feet flatness and all participants performed countermovement jump, drop jump, 20m sprint and T-test for agility. To assign players in group with or without flat feet, Clark’s angle has been used. Except in 20m sprint test, no differences were found between the groups with and without flat feet, which indicates that feet flatness was not a limiting factor in jumping and change of direction tasks but was in sprinting. We state that only strong and healthy feet might lead to excellent performance.Doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.7 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10. Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Filip Sinković, Dario Novak, Nikola Foretić Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of anthropometric variables and motor abilities in change of direction speed and reactive agility performance in young tennis players. 50 tennis players (age 12.3 ± 1.2 years, height 156.7 ± 12.8 cm, body mass 45.9 ± 8.9 kg), who were ranked within the top 50 ranking places of the National Tennis Association, as well as within the top 300 on the international "Tennis Europe" rankings, participated in the study. The sample of anthropometric variables in this study comprised the measurement of participant height, body mass, body mass index and percentage of body fat. Also, participants performed tests assessing speed (5, 10, and 20 m sprints), agility (20 yards, 4x10 yards, T–test, TENCODS, and TENRAG), and explosive power (countermovement jump, single-leg countermovement jump, squat jump, standing long jump and single-leg triple jump). The results showed that there is a statistically significant correlation of agility with anthropometric characteristics, running speed tests and horizontal explosive power variables, whereas there was no significant correlation with vertical explosive power variables. In conclusion, the results of this research confirmed the hypothesis that there is a significant correlation in almost all anthropometric variables and motor abilities in change of direction speed and reactive agility performance in young tennis players. Thus, our findings provide useful information for coaches to create a wide range of tennis-specific exercises to develop performance, especially in a players neuromuscular fitness.doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.8 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.8 Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Erika Zemková Abstract: Given the importance of core stability and strength in athletic performance and in the activities of daily living, its assessment should be considered an integral part of functional diagnostics. This paper presents our approach to assessing the power performance during exercises involving muscles of the core, such as lifting tasks and trunk rotations under a variety of conditions and in various population. Experience showed that core stability and strength tests are able to reveal within and between-group differences in core performance and the effectiveness of training or rehabilitation programs in competitive athletes, as well as in general population of different age and physical fitness. doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.9 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.9 Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
Authors:Thomas Skovgaard, Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen Abstract: In this article, we discuss the importance of leadership when implementing innovations. A particular focus point is the seminal work by Everett Rogers on the spread and upkeep of new ideas. Furthermore, we examine current scientific works on implementation leadership in relation to initiating and maintaining health enhancing physical activity programs. Among other things, we point out how many people and groups are sympathetic towards new innovations if they meet a recognized need, contribute to relevant developments, make sense in concrete situations, and can be mastered individually and collectively. Implementation leaders need to ensure that premises such as these are met while taking into account that innovations are absorbed at different speeds and ways by different stakeholders. Rogers' five adopter categories can be used by implementation leaders to develop effective change communication that is meaningful to differentiated groups. First-line leaders can, for instance, use their dense knowledge of the organization's needs and circumstances to support staff and manage stakeholders during the implementation process. Delegating substantial implementation responsibility to early adopters can also prove beneficial in keeping the process on track.doi:10.5671/ca.47.1.10 PubDate: 2023-03-30 DOI: 10.5671/ca.47.1.10 Issue No:Vol. 47 (2023)
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