Level of oxytocin prior to rugby and handball matches: An exploratory study among groups of Polish players

The aim of the present exploratory study was to assess the changes in urinary oxytocin (OT) concentration during the period between five days before, and on the day of match, among rugby and handball players. Nine male rugby players with a mean age of 27.62 years (SD = 4.21) and 18 male handball players with a mean age of 17.03 years (SD = 0.57) participated. Urinary oxytocin level was measured by ELISA immunoassay as a ratio to the concentration of creatinine [mg/ml] measured through colorimetric detection. The relative level of OT to creatinine (OT/CRE) significantly differed between the type of player (rugby or handball) but not between times of measurements. Significant differences were only between OT/CRE level in a day of match in rugby players and in 5 days before match in handball players (p<0.05). There was no change in oxytocin levels during the time periods between five days before and on the day of a match, in either of the two kinds of players. The change in oxytocin might be traceable during the match but not before a match and this perhaps depends on a more subtle context of competition, but not on the assumption of competition. Further studies are needed based on more homogenous group with higher number of matches

The organization of P.E. in upper secondary schools in Wrocław

Background. The aim of the study was to identify the organization of physical education in the new core curriculum. The research material consists of the professional qualifications of 32 physical education teachers, the sports infrastructure and the method of the physical education implementation were diagnosed. Material and methods. The primary research method was a diagnostic survey and survey technique. Moreover, a teacher personal questionnaire of physical culture and a questionnaire to assess working conditions for the implementation of school physical education were applied. To identify how to implement physical education classes in schools and how to offer a variety of classes for the students to choose from, a personal questionnaire (RZWF) was used. It was created independently on the basis of the Decree of the Minister of National Education of 23 December 2008 on the core curriculum and general education in particular types of schools. Results. The study which diagnosed the professional qualifications of the physical education teachers showed that all of them graduated from the University School of Physical Education, and the highest percentage of the teachers have been working for over 21 years. Half of the diagnosed teachers have a chartered teacher status. Half of the teachers have at least an instructor certificate in a single discipline. Among those teachers, most people have a coach or instructor licence to conduct classes in basketball, volleyball, swimming, soccer and downhill skiing. The study on the diagnosis of the ways of implementing physical education classes showed that five secondary schools implemented a traditional classroom- lesson system, and four schools – a mixed system (classes in the classroom-lesson system, and activities to be chosen by a student). Conclusions. The research has shown that in more than half of the diagnosed secondary schools in Wroclaw some new opportunities for the organization of physical education have been introduced

Qualifications of physical education teachers and physical activity interests of high school students

Background. The aim of the study was to identify the interests in physical activity of students attending senior high schools and the organization of physical education in the new core curriculum. The research material consists of the results of students’ physical activity from nine randomly selected senior high schools in Wrocław. Material and methods. In addition, in those randomly selected schools, the professional qualifications of 32 physical education teachers, sports infrastructure and the method of physical education implementation were diagnosed. Results. The study revealed significant differences in the interest of senior high school students. The differences in physical activity forms among students involved gender, age and school they attended and the seasons in which the survey was held. Students showed the greatest interests in swimming, team sports and downhill skiing. The most popular among the girls were swimming, dancing, skating and roller skating, whereas among the boys were team sports, swimming, martial arts and downhill skiing. The study which diagnosed the professional qualifications of PE teachers showed that all of them graduated from a University School of Physical Education, and most of them have been working for over 21 years. Half of the diagnosed qualified teachers have a professional degree. Half of the teachers have more than trainer’s or instructor’s qualifications in one discipline Among the teachers, most people have a trainer’s or instructor’s license to conduct classes in basketball, volleyball, swimming, soccer and downhill skiing. Conclusions. The study on the diagnosis of the ways of implementing PE classes showed that five senior high schools implemented a traditional classroom-lesson system, and in four schools – a mixed system (classes in the classroom-lesson system, and activities to be chosen by a student).The study has shown that in more than half of the diagnosed senior high schools in Wroclaw some new opportunities for the organization of physical education are introduced

The Wrocław secondary school students’ interest in physical activity

Background. The decrease of active participation and students` reluctance to physical education have prompted research on students’ interests in physical activity. The implementation of physical education to curriculum in 2009 was to improve the existing situation: low attractiveness of physical education at school. The program requires physical education classes to be taught according to students’ interests. The aim of our study was to examine the interest in physical activity of the students from selected secondary schools in Wroclaw. Material and methods. The study comprised 197 students (112 girls and 85 boys) from 2 secondary schools in Wrocław. A diagnostic opinion poll and standardized survey questionnaire “Students’ interest in physical activity” were used. Results. The research proved that most of the students were interested in swimming, dancing and sport games. Among girls the most popular were dancing, swimming and skiing, while boys were interested in sport games, motor sports, swimming and martial arts. Conclusion. The results showed that physical education classes in secondary schools should include the most popular forms of students’ physical activity. Secondary schools should examine the students’ interests in physical activity and incorporate the most popular sport disciplines into physical activity classes

The forms of physical activity Wroclaw senior high school students are interested in

Purpose. Forms of physical activity people take up depend on sex, place of residence, age, season of the year and many other factors. The aim of the study was to find out what forms of physical activity senior high school students in Wrocław are interested in, and analyze them. It was assumed hypothetically that their interests depend upon sex, age and school the participants attended. In order to verify this hypothesis, the following research questions were posed: 1. Which forms of physical activity are senior high school students in Wrocław interested in? 2. Which of them are girls interested in and which are boys interested in? 3. Which forms of physical activity are students in various grades interested in (grades one, two and three)? 4. Which forms of physical activity are students of one school interested in and do they differ from those of students attending other schools? 5. Do interests in forms of physical activity depend upon age, sex and school? Methods. The study comprised 789 students (486 girls and 303 boys) of grades 1–3 of six senior high schools in Wrocław. The basic research method was a diagnostic survey and the technique was a questionnaire. For the purpose of determining their interests in forms of physical activity, a standardized survey questionnaire was used: ‘Interests in the scope of physical activity’

Sex differences in relationship between body composition and digit length ratio (2D:4D) in students of military courses

It is believed that the second to fourth finger length ratio is an indirect indicator of fetal testosterone levels. It is pointed out that there is a relationship between the 2nd to 4th finger length ratio and the body structure in women and men. Studies on the relationship between body composition and 2D:4D finger length among military students have not been carried out so far. The work aims to determine the dependence of body composition and the quotient of the 2nd and 4th fingers length of military students. The research material has been gathered as a result of examinations of women and men studying military subjects. The study involved 55 women and 65 men. The tests included anthropometric measurements (body height, body weight, length of the second and the fourth fingers) and body composition measurements. As a result of the tests, no dimorphic differentiations in the digit length ratio (2D:4D) was indicated. The BMI, muscle mass, lean body mass and water in the body demonstrated higher values in men than in women. However, the fat content in men was low. It was found that the relationship exists between muscle mass, lean mass and total water content in the body and the 2D:4D finger length ratio in the left hand in women. A higher level of fetal testosterone, characterized by lower values of the 2nd to 4th finger length ratio, may be associated with a higher content of muscle mass, lean body mass and water in the body of adult women leading a similar lifestyle

Investigations of TiO₂, Ti/TiO₂, and Ti/TiO₂/Ti/TiO₂ coatings produced by ALD and PVD methods on Mg-(Li)-Al-RE alloys substrates

Magnesium alloys have recently become increasingly popular in many sectors of the industry due to their unique properties, such as low density, high specific strength, vibration damping ability along with their recyclability and excellent machinability. Nowadays, thin films have been attracting more attention in applications that improve mechanical and corrosion properties. The following alloys were used for the coated Mg-Al-RE and the ultra-light magnesium-lithium alloy of the Mg-Li-Al-RE type. A single layer of TiO2 was deposited using the atomic layer deposition ALD method. Multiple layers of the Ti/TiO₂ and Ti/TiO₂/Ti/TiO₂ type were obtained by the MS-PVD magnetron sputtering technique. Samples were investigated by scanning and a transmission electron microscope (SEM, TEM) and their morphology was studied by an atomic forces microscope (AFM). Further examinations, including electrochemical corrosion, roughness and tribology, were also carried out. As a result of the research, it was found that the best electrochemical properties are exhibited by single TiO2 layers obtained by the ALD method. Moreover, it was found that the Ti/TiO₂/Ti/TiO₂ double film has better properties than the Ti/TiO₂ film