<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title>Study aim: The purpose of the current study was to determine whether existing pre-performance routines had an effect on free throw shooting accuracy in high school pupils as compared to shooting without a pre-performance routine.
Materials and methods: Participants were 34 freshman high school basketball players. Twenty male (n = 20) and fourteen female (n = 14) of various ethnic backgrounds were randomly assigned to a condition and were asked to implement a pre-performance routine in one condition and a non-pre-performance routine in another condition for free throw shooting. A within subjects crossover design was used to analyse the data based on a pre-performance routine and a non-pre-performance routine framework. The pre-performance routine conditions were considered the experimental conditions. A Missed-Made Shots table was used to track performance (miss-made shots) for the shots in both conditions.
Results: There were differences between the experimental condition (pre-performance routine) and the comparison condition (non-pre-performance routine) Z(22) = –4.61, p &lt; 0.01 with the experimental condition’s median scores out-performing the comparison condition scores; however the differences were very small.
Conclusions: These findings suggest that there were differences between the experimental condition (pre-performance routine) and the comparison condition (non-pre-performance routine). Results suggest that there may be additional relevant factors in addition to pre-performance routines that should be considered in helping youth develop closed motor skills (e.g., mental imagery, physical exertion, outside factors – audience).</abstract>

Doctoral Student, College of Applied Health Sciences, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Illinois, USA

Pre-
performance routines followed by free throw shooting accuracy in secondary basketball players

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>External and internal sport motivations of young adults</title><italic>Study aim</italic>: To determine and evaluate the spectrum of sport motivation of young adults.<italic>Material and methods:</italic> A group of 600 subjects, aged 17 - 19 years, participated in the study. An <italic>ad hoc</italic> questionnaire was applied to assess the 4 motivational factors: competition and success-oriented motivation, external accommodation, physical fitness and health + sportsman-like attitude, and hedonistic.<italic>Results:</italic> Competition, contest, victory and beating own benchmark were the important factors for male students. The female students preferred external adequacy and others' opinion. They believed in the importance of healthy living, physical strength and sports give them better appearance. The motivational factors had more importance amongst active than inactive youths. Young active students believed that sport performance would guide them to success.<italic>Conclusions:</italic> It is important to keep healthy lifestyle and sport motivation before teenage years since it is a guidance to preserve the health and adequate personality development.</abstract>

Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest

Institute of Behavioural Sciences, Semmelweis University, Budapest, Hungary

Department of Physical Education, Selye University, Komarno, Slovakia

External and internal sport motivations of young adults

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title><italic>Study aim:</italic> External focus of attention is considered as a critical factor in the OPTIMAL theory of motor learning. This theory proposes that external focus of attention facilitates motor performance and learning because it promotes focusing on the task goal. However, the effects of external focus of attention on focusing on the task goal are not well understood. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effects of an external focus of attention versus an internal focus of attention on motor learning and promoting focus of the learner on the task goal.<italic>Material and methods:</italic> Thirty-six right-handed male students (mean age 21.16 ± 1.85 years old) with no prior experiences with the motor task were randomly assigned to three groups: external focus, internal focus, and control groups. Participants were asked to throw darts at a target during an acquisition phase (10 blocks of six trials each) and during subsequent retention and transfer tests. Throwing accuracy and focus on the task goal were measured as dependent variables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures as well as a one-way ANOVA was used to analyze the differences in accuracy scores between groups during the acquisition phase as well as retention and transfer tests, respectively. The significance level was set at <italic>p</italic> &lt; .05. The author supervised all phases of the experiment.<italic>Results:</italic> The results showed that adopting an external focus promoted a focus on the task goal and resulted in significantly better motor learning than adopting an internal focus and control conditions (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05).<italic>Conclusions:</italic> The findings of the present study provided support for the propositions of the OPTIMAL theory and showed that adopting an external focus of attention promotes focus of the learner on the task goal. The results are discussed in terms of benefits of external focus instructions for facilitating motor learning and goal-action coupling.</abstract>

The effects of external and internal focus of attention on motor learning and promoting learner’s focus

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title><italic>Study aim</italic>: Evidence supports female sex hormones have an influencing effect on amultitude of physiological and psychological systems related to exercise. Little is known, however, whether is effect persist into the recovery from exercise. Our objective was to examine aspects of muscle damage/inflammation process during recovery in healthy, exercise-trained women following endurance activity at the mid-follicular (MF; low sex hormone level) and mid-luteal (ML; elevated sex hormone levels) phases of their menstrual cycle.<italic>Material and methods</italic>: The MF and ML exercise sessions consisted of running for 90 minutes at 70% VO2max on atreadmill in a controlled laboratory environment. Menstrual cycle phase was hormonally confirmed, diet and physical activity was control throughout the study. Outcome measures were: blood creatine kinase (CK) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) assessed at immediate-post exercise (IP), 24-hour and 72-hour into recovery. Statistics involved ANOVA procedures.<italic>Results</italic>: At 24-hours and 72-hour into recovery CK activity was greater in MF than ML (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05) while for IL-6 at IP, 24-hour and 72-hour responses were significantly greater at MF than at ML (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.05).<italic>Conclusions</italic>: Amore robust recovery CK and IL-6 response occur in the MF of the menstrual cycle when female sex hormones are reduced. This finding suggests female sex hormone changes due to menstrual cycle phase affect the physiologic responses during the extended recovery period from intensive exercise in eumenorrheic women.</abstract>

Female sex hormones and the recovery from exercise: Menstrual cycle phase affects responses

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Study aim</italic>: This study aims at examining the impact of Mindfulness and mental skills on competitive anxiety in athletes.
<italic>Material and methods</italic>: The present study is quasi-experimental with a pretest-posttest design. Participants were 45 19–30 years old male shooters randomly assigned to three groups with 15 people. The test consisted of six 60-minute mindfulness training/Mental skills/control that lasted six weeks. Measurements included competitive state anxiety based on the competitive state anxiety inventory in two pretest and post-test stages. Data were analyzed using statistical software at a confidence level of 0.05 using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS).
<italic>Results</italic>: The results showed that cognitive interventions of Mindfulness and mental skills reduced competitive state anxiety (P &lt; 0.05), but there was no difference between the effectiveness of these methods. (P &lt; 0.05).
<italic>Conclusions</italic>: Six weeks of mindfulness and mental skills training can help improve athletic performance by reducing anxiety levels.
</abstract>

The impact of Mindfulness and Mental Skills Protocols on Athletes’ Competitive Anxiety

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Summary</title><italic>Study aim</italic>: To assess the effect of one term of stretching exercise on primary dysmenorrhea in high school students.<italic>Material and methods:</italic> 179 single girls aged 15-17 years with moderate-to-severe primary dysmenorrhea were selected
from 6 high schools located in 2 different city zones. The students were non-athletes and volunteered for the study.
The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an experimental group (n = 124) and a control group (n = 55).
In the intervention group, the subjects were requested to complete an active stretching exercise for 8 weeks (3 days
per week, 2 times per day, 10 minutes each time) at home. In the pre-test, all of subjects were examined for pain intensity
(10-point scale), pain duration, and the use of sedative tablets in 2 continuous menstruation cycles. The posttest
was examined 8 weeks later.<italic>Results</italic>: After 8 weeks, pain intensity was reduced from 7.65 to 4.88, pain duration was decreased from 7.48 to 3.86
hours, and use of sedative tablets was decreased from 1.65 to 0.79 tablets in the experimental group (p&lt;0.05). In the
control group, a significant decline was only noted for pain duration (p&lt;0.001).<italic>Conclusions</italic>: Stretching exercises are effective in reducing pain intensity, pain duration, and the amount of painkillers
used by girls with primary dysmenorrhea.</abstract>

Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, University of Arak, Iran

Physiotherapy Department, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences,
Iran

Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Department, Okan University, Tuzla Kampusu Istanbul, Turkey

Effects of stretching exercises on primary dysmenorrhea in adolescent
girls

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Study aim</italic>: The aim of this study was to examine the mediating role of secondary school students’ physical activity attitudes between health-related fitness knowledge (HRFK) and physical activity (PA).
<italic>Materials and methods</italic>: The research employed a quantitative research method, using the relational survey model. The participants of the study consisted of a total of 603 (female = 295, male = 308) secondary school students from six different secondary schools in Isparta and Burdur provinces in the fall semester of the 2023–2024 academic year. The data of the study were collected with a personal information form, the Turkish HRFK Test, the Physical Activity Attitude Scale for Secondary School Students and the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C). The analysis of the data was made using the Process Macro v3.3 plug-in with model 4 and 5000 resampling methods with a 95% confidence interval.
<italic>Results</italic>: It was found that students’ HRFK had significant positive effect on their physical activity attitudes and physical activities. It was observed that physical activity attitudes also positively affected physical activity. Additionally, physical activity attitudes were found to have a mediating role between HRFK and physical activity.
<italic>Conclusions</italic>: To conclude, it was found that secondary school students’ HRKF affected their participation in physical activity. However, our research showed that the effect of HRFK on physical activity of secondary school students may occur indirectly through physical activity attitudes. It can be concluded that the HRFK level of secondary school students is important for participation in physical activity.
</abstract>

Health-related fitness knowledge, physical activity attitude and physical activity in secondary school students: A mediation analysis

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Study aim</italic>: This study aimed to compare the acute and prolonged effects of three different Kinesio Taping (KT) techniques (underactive/overactive muscle correction [UMC]/[OMC] and functional correction [FC]) on hip ROM in the sagittal plane and compare them to those of the placebo Kinesio Taping (PKT) application.
<italic>Materials and methods</italic>: The sample consisted of 56 young healthy participants of both genders who were randomly divided into four equal groups. Measurements were performed using Kinovea software for video analysis during the performance of an active straight leg raise and the modified Thomas test at three timepoints: before the intervention and 60 min and 48 h after the intervention.
<italic>Results</italic>: Mixed-model ANOVA revealed a statistically significant interaction between group and timepoint (F = 6.210; p &lt; 0.001; ηp2 = 0.285 for ipsilateral hip extension ROM; F = 2.064; p = 0.036; ηp2 = 0.117 for contralateral hip flexion ROM). The results revealed acute and prolonged ROM changes after the application of three different KT techniques compared to those after the control procedure, but these changes were not significant.
<italic>Conclusions</italic>: These findings support the use of KT as a modality for enhancing ROM. In muscle techniques, the factor of the anchor placement direction, with the same percentage of Kinesio tape tension, generates different effects. These effects were greater after 48 h than immediately after application. In changing the segmental posture or joint alignment, FC proved to be more intense than the KT muscle techniques, with an immediate effect that persisted even after two days.
</abstract>

Acute and prolonged hip kinematic changes after three different Kinesio Taping® interventions: A randomized placebo-controlled trial

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Study aim</italic>: This study clarified the relationship between sex and dominant and non-dominant feet during landing movements in the vertical drop jump (VDJ).
<italic>Materials and methods</italic>: The participants were 16 healthy adults (8 men, 8 women) with no orthopedic history. A three-dimensional motion analyzer and a floor reaction force meter were used for measurement. The exercise task was a VDJ in which the participants jumped from a 30-cm-high platform, and the relationship between sex, dominant leg, and non-dominant leg was compared.
<italic>Results</italic>: In terms of joint angle, the main effect of sex on the internal/external knee joint angle was observed. No significant differences were observed in the other parameters.
<italic>Conclusions</italic>: A sex difference was found in the internal/external angles of the knee joint during the landing of the VDJ from 30 cm. However, there were no differences in the kinematic and kinetic data between the dominant and non-dominant legs.
</abstract>

Effects of kinematics and kinetics parameters of the vertical drop jump test on differences between the sexes and dominant and non-dominant feet

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Study aim</italic>: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of milk consumption with different temperatures after resistance training on appetite and energy intake (EI) in active girls.
<italic>Material and methods</italic>: Ten healthy female athletes (age: 21.9 ± 3.07 years) completed 2 trials with 1 week apart in conter-balance and crossover fashion. In overnight fasting state, subjects did resistance exercise (70% of 1RM for 5 movements) and then consumed 250 ml of milk at 60°C or 2°C. One hour after exercise, a meal was served to all subjects for lunch. Subjects filled in the appetite questionnaire 4 times and calorie intake was measured on the day of exercise and 24 hours after.
<italic>Results</italic>: Paired t-test showed that the lunch EI after consuming cold milk was significantly lower than hot milk (p = 0.003). Also, the 24h EI in exercise day was significantly lower in cool vs. hot milk consumpion (p &lt; 0.001) and this reduction was not offset the next day. There was no significant difference in next 24h EI, macronutrient composition and appetite between the two situations.
<italic>Conclusions</italic>:The results of the present study showed that consuming low temperature milk after resistance exercise can be a useful strategy to reduce EI that can be used for weight loss programs.
</abstract>

The effect of milk consumption with different temperatures after resistance exercise on appetite and energy intake in active girls: A pilot study

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Study aim</italic>: The aim of this study was to explore empathy and mental toughness as predictors of match performance of young basketball players.
<italic>Material and methods</italic>: The correlation design was used in order to meet the research goals. The research was conducted on a sample of 40 female basketball players, with average age of 16.15 ± 1.02 years, members of the four best teams of the National First Women’s Cadet League. Half of the players in the sample were also national team members. The independent variables empathy and mental toughness were assessed with the Interpersonal Reactivity Index and Sports Mental Toughness Questionnaire. The dependent variable match performance was assessed through match performance analysis based on indicators from official league statistics by calculating the performance index rating (PIR).
<italic>Results</italic>: The results of the hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that by adding empathy to the model of mental toughness, the percentage of PIR variance explained increased from 21% to 46%.
<italic>Conclusion</italic>: Adding empathy to the model of mental toughness increased its predictive value. The model of mental toughness and empathy, as predictors of match performance of young basketball players, was found to be very effective. The results are not unambiguous and indicate the need for further research in this area, as it could have a positive impact on the selection system in sport. Also, the research represents a step towards greater integration of sports and collective creativity studies.
</abstract>

Mental toughness and empathy as match performance predictors of high-level female basketball players

<abstract>
<title style='display:none'>Abstract</title>
<italic>Study aim</italic>: Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) is the greatest rate at which the body can use oxygen and is an indicator of aerobic power. Although aerobic fitness is such a valuable determinant of health, there is limited research with established normative values for a healthy young adult Canadian population. The purpose of the study was to develop normative reference values for a Canadian young-adult population.
<italic>Material and methods</italic>: 550 undergraduate student (280 male and 270 female) participants, with a mean body mass (BM) of 72.08 ± 15.05 kg, mean age of 21.16 ± 1.26 years old and mean height of 171.95 ± 10.25 cm completed a VO2max test using the Bruce treadmill protocol. Male and female classifications were established for the total exercise time in minutes and for the measured VO2max using percentiles and a seven-category classification system.
<italic>Results</italic>: There were statistically significant differences between the sexes for VO2max values (p &lt; 0.001). The measured assessment for the healthy young Canadian adults showed a mean VO2max value of 40.90 ± 7.50 mL/kg/min for females and 49.89 ± 9.20 mL/kg/min for males. Females were able to withstand the exercise protocol for a mean of 11.92 ± 1.97 minutes, while males exercised for an average of 14.33 ± 2.40 minutes before the test was terminated.
<italic>Conclusions</italic>: This study provides specific normative values for the aerobic fitness of a university aged Canadian population which can be used as reference values for cardiovascular health and fitness assessments.
</abstract>

Determining cardiovascular fitness normative reference values in a university aged Canadian population using maximal exercise testing

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Teacher-coach role conflict in school-based physical education in USA: a literature review and suggestions for the future</title>Teaching and coaching are two different occupational roles, and teachers who also coach have stressful work environments common to all educational settings, but each occupational role has specific stress and burnout problems. The responsibilities of physical education (PE) teachers and coaches are distinguishable from one another. These different roles and role conflicts may create stress among PE teachers who also coach. The history of physical education shows that there are contextual factors that promote PE teacher-coach role conflict. The aim of this paper is to analyse these contextual factors via using a literature review analysis and to provide suggestions about teacher-coach role conflict for school-based physical education in USA.</abstract>

Department of Kinesiology, Sport Studies & Physical Education, The College at Brockport, State University of New York, USA

School of Sport Sciences & Technology, Pamukkale University, Denizli, Turkey

School of Physical Education and Sport, Turkish Republic of North Cyprus, The American University Girne

School of Physical Education and Sport, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey

School of Sport Sciences & Technology, Ankara, Turkey, Hacettepe University

School of Physical Education and Sport, Anadolu University, Eskişehir, Turkey

Teacher-coach role conflict in school-based physical education in USA: a literature review and suggestions for the future

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Abstract</title> Study aim: To measure the effects of Pilates and aqua fitness training on functional fitness and quality of life in older individuals. Material and methods: A total of 54 participants (M = 66.4 ± 6.2 years) from a club for retired people in Eger, Hungary, were randomly assigned to 3 groups: one did Pilates 3 times/week (n = 22); one did aqua fitness 3 times/week (n = 17); and a control group (n = 15). The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (FFFT) was used to measure functional fitness pre - and post-program. Quality of life was measured by WHO’s quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL). Results: In the FFFT, significant improvement was found in 5 out of 7 variables: lower and upper body strength, lower body flexibility, physical mobility (especially dynamic balance), and aerobic endurance by the Pilates group. Shoulder flexibility improved significantly in the Aqua fitness group. Lower body strength improved in the control group. BMI did not change significantly in any of the groups. WHOQOL showed improvement in perception and autonomy in the Pilates group; sociability in the Aqua group. The between-subject analyses yielded a significant main effect of the experimental group F(1, 52) = 4367 (p &lt; 0.001). Discussion: A 6-month intervention program is an appropriate tool to improve overall physical performance of healthy, inactive older adults, regardless of the type of exercise concerning Pilates or Aqua fitness, but might improve only some aspects of QOL. There is a strong need for well-designed intervention programs for the elderly.</abstract>

Eszterházy Károly College – Institute of Sport Sciences, Eger

Semmelweis University Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Budapest

University of Debrecen, Faculty of Child and Adult Education, Hajdúböszörmény, Hungary

Effects of Pilates and aqua fitness training on older adults’ physical functioning and quality of life

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>The influence of juggling on mental rotation performance in children</title><italic>Study aim:</italic> To assess the influence of juggling training on mental rotation performance in children.<italic>Material and methods:</italic> Two groups of girls aged 6 - 14 years were studied: experimental (EG; n = 26) and control (CG; n = 24). All girls solved a mental rotation task with 3-D block figures on computer screen (pre-test). After the initial test, EG girls participated in juggling training for 3 months; the CG girls participated in light strength training with theraband stretch bands. After 3 months, all girls solved the mental rotation task again (post-test). The post-pre differences in the mental rotation performance were recorded.<italic>Results:</italic> Children who learned juggling performed the mental rotation task significantly (p&lt;0.05 - 0.01) faster, in terms of reaction time, at non-zero angular disparity than their mates who were strength-trained.<italic>Conclusions:</italic> Since mental rotation skills enhance spatial imagination, problem solving and mathematical skills, it may be assumed that juggling training enhances also other cognitive domains and is worth implementing in the education process.</abstract>

Institute of Sport Science, University of Regensburg

Department of Anaesthesiology, Charité University of Medicine, Berlin

Institute of Experimental Psychology, University of Düsseldorf, Germany

The influence of juggling on mental rotation performance in children

<abstract><title style='display:none'>Summary</title>Study aim: The aim of the present study was twofold: firstly, to examine the effect of age on a 20 m sprint performance; and secondly, to establish normative data for the 20 m sprint performance by age in football players.
Material and methods: The anthropometric characteristics of 474 football players (aged 16.81 ± 5.35 yrs, range 9.02–35.41 yrs) were examined and their 20 m sprint performance (with 0–10 and 10–20 m splits) was monitored by a photocell system (Brower Timing Systems, Utah, USA).
Results: A one-way analysis of variance revealed significant differences between the yearly age groups with regards to the sprint time (p &lt; 0.001, η2 = 0.584), as well as the 0–10 m (p &lt; 0.001, η2 = 0.361) and 10–20 m split times (p &lt; 0.001, η2 = 0.635). The older groups scored better than the younger groups. The time attained in the 20 m sprint, and the 0–10 m and 10–20 m splits correlated moderately to largely with the athlete’s age (r = –0.53, –0.40 and –0.57, respectively, p &lt; 0.001).
Conclusions: In summary, the speed ability of the football players improved with age until 15 years old, where it reached its peak. On the other hand, the other age groups U16 to U35 revealed no major differences in the speed over a 20 m sprint. The reference values presented in this study might help football coaches and fitness trainers in monitoring training and in the selection of players. Moreover, since this is the first study of this kind to compare adult age groups, sport scientists focusing on relevant topics might use it as a reference in future studies.</abstract>

Department of Physical and Cultural Education, Hellenic Army Academy, Greece

Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Nikaia, Greece

Instutute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Switzerland

Instituto Politécnico de Viana do Castelo, Escola Superior de Desporto e Lazer, Portugal

Area of Corporal Express, Faculty of Humanities and Science Education, University of Jaen, Spain

Reference values for the sprint performance in male football players aged from 9–35 years

<abstract xml:lang="en"><title style='display:none'>Postural variables in girls practicing volleyball</title><italic>Study aim:</italic> To assess body posture of young female volleyball players in relation to their untrained mates.<italic>Material and methods:</italic> A group of 42 volleyball players and another of 43 untrained girls, all aged 13 - 16 years were studied with respect to their body posture indices by using computer posturography. Spinal angles and curvatures were measured, and asymmetry and body posture type were assessed. Body height and mass, BMI and body fat content (by bioimpedance technique) were determined.<italic>Results:</italic> As compared with untrained girls, the volleyball players were more slender, the positions of shoulders and pelvis being more symmetrical, and shoulder blades and waist triangles were more asymmetrical. Volleyball players were predominantly kyphotic, their lumbar lordosis was flattened and head protruded, especially in those having longer training experience.<italic>Conclusions:</italic> The observed asymmetries brought about by unilateral training loads and progressing thoracic kyphosis call for applying corrective and/or yoga exercises to adolescent female volleyball players.</abstract>

Postural variables in girls practicing volleyball

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Biomedical Human Kinetics

The Journal of University of Physical Education, Warsaw

Indexed in Clarivate Analytics (ESCI).  The leading idea is the health-directed quality of life. The journal thus covers many biomedical areas related to physical activity, e.g. physiology,...

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Indexed in Clarivate Analytics (ESCI).  The leading idea is the health-directed quality of life. The journal thus covers many biomedical areas...