Means of orienteering in education of junior schoolchildren with intellectual disability

The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of the adapted methods of basic training in orienteering (BTIO) on the correction of physical fitness and mental development of junior schoolchildren with intellectual disability (ID). Methods. The following methods were used: theoretical analysis of literature, generalization, «forming» experiment, mathematical statistics, testing of physical qualities, psychological testing and pedagogical observation. Results and scientific novelty. The conditions of basic training in orienteering for junior schoolchildren with intellectual disability are determined wherein the correction of physical fitness and mental functions through the means of orienteering will be the most effective. Methods of basic training were substantiated and adapted for the capabilities of junior schoolchildren with ID. The author has defined the effect of orienteering exercises on the development of speed-andstrength qualities, overall endurance, movement speed, coordination; fine motor skills; stability, volume and switching of attention, volume of picturesque and verbal memory, representational thought and verbal-logical thinking; volitional qualities. The study has revealed wholesome influence of orienteering on correction of physical fitness and mental functions of schoolchildren of 9–10 years with intellectual disability. Practical significance. The results could be used for education of junior schoolchildren with ID during extra classes in special (correctional) schools of Type-7 and during remedial classes (remedial and developing teaching) in schools of general education. The results could also be applied for training of teachers of additional education. The adapted methods of BTIO for junior schoolchildren with ID could be used for normally developing children of younger age. Practical recommendations on the organization and conditions of orienteering exercises for junior schoolchildren with ID, games and intellectual exercises could also be proposed for other sportsЦель исследования, изложенного в статье, – рассмотреть влияние применения адаптированной методики начального обучения спортивному ориентированию (НОСО) на коррекцию физической подготовленности и психического развития младших школьников с задержкой психического развития (ЗПР). Методики и методы. В работе применялись следующие методы исследования: теоретический анализ литературных источников, обобщение, формирующий эксперимент, методы математической статистики. Использовались методики тестирования физических качеств, психологического тестирования и педагогического наблюдения. Результаты и научная новизна. Определены условия начального обучения спортивному ориентированию младших школьников с ЗПР, при которых коррекция физической подготовленности и психических функций за счет применения средств спортивного ориентирования будет наиболее эффективной. Обоснована и адаптирована под возможности младших школьников с ЗПР методика начального обучения спортивному ориентированию. Результаты исследования показали целесообразность использования средств спортивного ориентирования для коррекции физической подготовки и психических функций школьников 9–10 лет с задержкой психического развития. Практическая значимость. Результаты исследования могут быть использованы на дополнительных занятиях в специальных (коррекционных) школах 7-го вида, в классах выравнивания (коррекционно-развивающего обучения) общеобразовательных школ и при обучении педагогов дополнительного образования. Предлагаемая методика приемлема и для нормально развивающихся детей более младшего возраста. Разработанные практические рекомендации по организации занятий спортивным ориентированием, описанные автором игры и интеллектуальные упражнения могут быть применены в тренировках по другим видам спорт

Proceedings of the 11th International Conference on Kinanthropology

The 11th International Conference on Kinantropology was held on the Nov 29 – Dec 1, 2017 in Brno and was organized by the Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University and the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb. This year was divided into several themes: sports medicine, sport and social science, sport training, healthy lifestyle and healthy ageing, sports management, analysis of human movement. Part of the conference was also a symposium Atletika and Ortoreha that gathered specialists in physiotherapy

Association between school based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance

When children and adolescents participate in the recommended level of physical activity\u2014at least 60 minutes daily\u2014multiple health benefits accrue. Most youth, however, do not engage in recommended levels of physical activity. Schools provide a unique venue for youth to meet the activity recommendations, as they serve nearly 56 million youth. At the same time, schools face increasing challenges in allocating time for physical education and physical activity during the school day.There is a growing body of research focused on the association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance among school-aged youth. To better understand these connections, this review includes studies from a range of physical activity contexts, including school-based physical education, recess, classroom-based physical activity (outside of physical education and recess), and extracurricular physical activity. The purpose of this report is to synthesize the scientific literature that has examined the association between school-based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance, including indicators of cognitive skills and attitudes, academic behaviors, and academic achievement.Revised Version \u2014 July 2010 (Replaces April 2010 Early Release)This publication was developed for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention\u2019s (CDC) Division of Adolescent and School Health (DASH) under contract #200 2002-00800 with ETR Associates.Suggested citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The association between school based physical activity, including physical education, and academic performance. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; 2010.2010200 2002-0080

Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities

This Special Issue entitled ”Health Promotion in Children and Adolescents through Sport and Physical Activities” was developed after I received an interesting phone call from Giuseppe Musumeci, a friend and colleague who, in my opinion, is brilliantly driving JFMK to success. Giuseppe motivated me to manage a Special Issue ( SI), and after a short interaction with him and some personal study, I decided to address the topic of this SI to the area mentioned above. Although the title of this SI may seem a bit broad, since the beginning, my intention has been clear: to try to collect more information about the impact that human movement has on the physical and psychological conditions of subjects during all stages of development, also known as the pediatric age. I admit I was surprised when submissions started rolling in. There were many exciting works (unfortunately, we had to reject a few of them for a variety of reasons), and in the end we collected 13 contributions in a short period. In brief, I will present here the core message that this SI book aims to share with the readers. The first part of the book contains three interesting editorials that fit perfectly with the SI’s purposes. Sarah West et al. point out the importance of “research that longitudinally assesses how lifelong physical activity () contributes to life expectancy and mortality”, while Ambra Gentile presents an interesting project supported by the European Commission addressing sports and human movement as valid methods of preventing violence and social exclusion. The third editorial by Marianna Alesi et al. also reports on a European initiative concerning cognitive and motivational monitoring during enriched sports activities. Interestingly, these three articles have many common points, and the central role of human movement is the driving factor. Among the subsequent contributions, readers will find an interesting review by Riggs Klika et al., in which the terms cancer, pediatric age, and exercise have been properly investigated and presented. Laura Kabiri et al. presents data that support the importance of being active at a young age, while Ryan D. Burn and You Fu investigated the interrelationships among motor competence and health-related variables during the pediatric age. The matter of motor competence is addressed by Charlotte JH Hall et al., who suggest that good motor competence is an important correlate of children meeting physical activity guidelines for health. In an original investigation, Yolanda Demetriu et al. provide first insights into how a sports-oriented school can promote students’ physical literacy and optimal cognitive performance. Cain CT Clark et al. investigated motor skills in children and highlighted the importance of gender differences, while the work of Michael PR Sheldrick et al. reports that sufficient MVPA and excessive screen time were associated with healthy and unhealthy factors, respectively, with relationships sometimes differing by sex. Ewan Thomas and Antonio Palma report that it is possible to consider age-related performance measures to develop exercise interventions that follow the growth characteristics of schoolchildren, while Francisco Tavares et al., in their original investigation, encourage the development of power capacities in the late youth phase when preparing athletes for the senior competition level. Now, at the end of this journey through all the scientific contributions that I had the honor of managing, I want to say thank you to all the lovely people at the MDPI Editorial Office. I felt supported and encouraged to be creative and productive, and I will definitely request a second edition of this successful and interesting Special Issue

Health and wellbeing in an outdoor and adventure sports context

While the world responds to the latest health issue, it is perhaps timely that we think broadly about human and planetary health and wellbeing. Across the globe, there is a call for a different future, one that prioritises wellbeing. Even before the COVID-19 crisis, governments such as those in Bhutan, Wales and New Zealand had recognised the importance of wellbeing and working within natural systems. Ultimately, human beings are a part of nature, and our health and wellbeing depend on the health and wellbeing of our planet’s ecosystems. This book explores how an important emerging sector, adventure and outdoor sports, plays a part in providing for the health and wellbeing of people in relation to the natural world. From a human perspective, health involves more than managing disease: it includes the potential for optimum wellbeing and flourishing. Globally, there are still challenges that require focused attention. For example, in 2010, mental illness and substance abuse combined were the leading cause of non-fatal illness worldwide, and the fifth-biggest cause of death and disease. In September 2015, the United Nations recognised mental health and wellbeing as priorities within the global development agenda. The natural environment has been presented as an important aspect of the global health improvement plan. The last two decades have witnessed a plethora of research from a vast array of fields—including public health, ecology, geography, forestry, psychology, education, sport science and psychiatry—suggesting that physical activity in nature and a feeling of being part of nature enhance health and wellbeing. The relationship between being in nature and good health and wellbeing is recognised anecdotally, and research evidence on outcomes is growing. However, theoretical approaches that can support the interpretation of findings and the design of interventions and experiences are still developing. Research is beginning to consider the importance of individual differences, such as in feelings of connection to nature and the person–environment relationship. Outdoor and adventure sports and activities (from forest schools to extreme sports and more) are, potentially, ideal examples of physical activity in nature, and are perhaps best placed to reconnect people to the natural world. For this manuscript, we adopted a broad definition of sport, including the dimensions of self-development and recreation. Specifically, sports are considered to be multi-faceted, boundary-crossing activities, which do not necessarily involve structured competitive activity, regulated performance environments, rules or institutions. This manuscript brings together cutting-edge research and thought on the role of outdoor and adventure activities in enhancing mental health and psychological wellbeing. We are very grateful for the foresight of Mark Robinson and Carnegie Great Outdoors for their support in ensuring the publication of this collection.Ye