SWIMMING CLASSES IN JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS’ OPINION

The role of modern physical education is not only to develop motor abilities of the students, but most of all prevent them from epidemic youth diseases such as obesity or postural defects. Positive attitudes to swimming as a long-life physical activity, instilled in adolescence should be beneficial in adult life. The group of 130 boys and 116 girls of 7th grade junior high school (mean age 14.6) was asked in the survey to present their opinion of obligatory swimming lessons at school. Students of both sexes claimed that they liked swimming classes because they could improve their swimming skills (59% of answers) and because of health-related character of water exercises (38%). 33% of students regarded swimming lessons as boring and monotonous, and 25% of them complained about poor pool conditions like chlorine smell, crowded lanes, too low temperature. Majority of the surveyed students saw practical role of swimming in saving others life

El efecto de las vacaciones de verano sobre la composición corporal y la fuerza muscular respiratoria en nadadores púberes

[Abstract] Changes in daily routine and decrease in physical activity during summer holidays period, often result in body weight gain in school-age children. However, the impact of summer break on body composition in athlete children has not been thoroughly investigated. The current study was aimed at identifying possible changes in body composition and respiratory muscle strength after an 8-week summer break in age-group swimmers. Eighteen girls and fifteen boys ages 10-13 years (mean 11.6±1.0) participated in the study. The measurements were taken in June and repeated in September the same year. Body composition was assessed with an InBody 720 analyzer, and respiratory muscle strength was assessed with a MicroRPM device. A fifty-meter front-crawl test was conducted to induce respiratory muscle fatigue. All analyzed body composition parameters; i.e., body mass, body mass index, tissue, and muscle components increased substantially after the summer break (p0.05). It can be concluded that 8-week summer break had an effect on body composition parameters in juvenile swimmers, but no effect on their respiratory muscle strength was apparent. Studies involving a greater number of participants engaged in various sports activities are needed to better understand the effect of summer break on anthropomorphic and respiratory parameters in youth athletes.[Resumen] Los cambios en la rutina diaria y la disminución de la actividad física durante el periodo de vacaciones de verano, suelen provocar un aumento de peso corporal en los niños en edad escolar. Sin embargo, no se ha investigado a fondo el impacto de las vacaciones de verano en la composición corporal de los niños deportistas. El presente estudio tenía como objetivo identificar los posibles cambios en la composición corporal y la fuerza muscular respiratoria tras unas vacaciones de verano de 8 semanas en nadadores jovenes. Dieciocho niñas y quince niños de 10 a 13 años (media de 11.6±1.0) participaron en el estudio . Las mediciones se realizaron en junio y se repitieron en septiembre del mismo año. Se evaluó la composición corporal con un analizador InBody 720 y la fuerza muscular respiratoria con un dispositivo MicroRPM. Se realizó una prueba de crol frontal de cincuenta metros para inducir la fatiga de los músculos respiratorios. Todos los parámetros de composición corporal analizados, es decir, la masa corporal, el índice de masa corporal, el tejido y los componentes musculares, aumentaron sustancialmente tras el descanso estival (p0.05). Se puede concluir que las vacaciones de verano de 8 semanas tuvieron un efecto sobre los parámetros de composición corporal en los nadadores juveniles, pero no se observó ningún efecto sobre su fuerza muscular respiratoria. Se necesitan estudios con un mayor número de participantes que practiquen diversas actividades deportivas para comprender mejor el efecto de las vacaciones de verano en los parámetros antropomórficos y respiratorios de los deportistas juveniles

Exceptionally cold and warm spring months in Kraków against the background of atmospheric circulation (1874-2022)

In the changing climate, exceptionally warm (EWMs) and dry spring months are increasingly observed. At the same time, exceptionally cold months (ECMs) are less frequent, although their impact on a warming climate becomes significant. Due to the role that such climatic anomalies play in the environment and their effects on human activity, it is very important to explain the causes of their occurrence. For this reason, in this study, the authors have attempted to determine the circulation conditions favourable to the occurrence of extremely cold (ECM) and warm (EWM) spring months in Kraków in the years 1874-2022. The study used the average temperature of individual spring months (March-May), as well as types of atmospheric circulation and air masses from the daily Calendar of Atmospheric Circulation Types for southern Poland. A distinct increase in spring air temperature (0.181 $^{\circ}C$/10 years) and its individual months (0.162-0.191 $^{\circ}C$/10 years) was confirmed. It was accompanied by a significant increase in the occurrence of EWM and a decrease in ECM. It was also found that the direction of air advection and the related temperature characteristics of air masses have the greatest impact on the occurrence of exceptionally cold or warm months. A slight positive effect of zonal circulation on the temperature increase at the beginning of the spring season and the advection of air from the south in April and east in May was found. In the case of the coldest months (ECMs), low temperatures most often developed in the presence of advection from the NW-N-NE directions

FROSTY, FREEZING AND SEVERE FREEZING DAYS AND THEIR SYNOPTIC IMPLICATIONS IN MAŁOPOLSKA, SOUTHERN POLAND, 1951–2000

This study discusses the occurrence of days with unique thermal  characteristics for the period 1951–2000. The authors investigated longterm  variability, probability of occurrence and synoptic conditions favourable  to frosty (tmin≤0˚C ∧ tmax>0˚C), freezing (tmax<0˚C) and severe freezing  (tmax<-10˚C) days at six stations in the southern part of Poland. The occurrence  of frosty days is characterized by the highest diversity, both in spatial  and temporal terms and these days depend on the landform to the highest  degree. The number of freezing days ranged from 28–30 in the foothills of  the Carpathians to 147 at 2000 m a.s.l. in the Tatra Mountains, with severe  freezing days from ca. 2 to ca. 18 days respectively, though no distinct trends  were noted in their long-term progression. The anticyclonic situations and  air mass advection from the southern sector (frosty days), from the east,  south-east and north (freezing and severe freezing days) were the most favourable  for the days examined.  

Strong anticyclones and deep cyclones over Svalbard in the years 1971–2015

This paper presents annual and long-term variability in the occurrence of cyclone and anticyclone centres over Svalbard during the period 1971–2015. The study is based on average daily air pressure values at sea level for 12 grid points and on the typology of synoptic situations. Particular emphasis is placed on the occurrence of deep and very deep cyclones (with a pressure of ≤ 990 hPa and ≤ 970 hPa, respectively) and strong and very strong anticyclones (with a pressure of ≥ 1030 hPa and ≥ 1035 hPa, respectively). On average there were about 17.5 days with a cyclone and 4.9 days with an anticyclone centre over Svalbard annually. The results of the analysis show no clear trend in the number of cyclones moving over the study area, but there was an observable increase in the frequency of anticyclones. There were also no major changes in the annual maximum of occurrence of the pressure systems under study

Frosty, Freezing and Severe Freezing Days and Their Synoptic Implications in Małopolska, Southern Poland, 1951–2000

This study discusses the occurrence of days with unique thermal characteristics for the period 1951–2000. The authors investigated longterm variability, probability of occurrence and synoptic conditions favourable to frosty (tmin≤0˚C ∧ tmax>0˚C), freezing (tmax<0˚C) and severe freezing (tmax<-10˚C) days at six stations in the southern part of Poland. The occurrence of frosty days is characterized by the highest diversity, both in spatial and temporal terms and these days depend on the landform to the highest degree. The number of freezing days ranged from 28–30 in the foothills of the Carpathians to 147 at 2000 m a.s.l. in the Tatra Mountains, with severe freezing days from ca. 2 to ca. 18 days respectively, though no distinct trends were noted in their long-term progression. The anticyclonic situations and air mass advection from the southern sector (frosty days), from the east, south-east and north (freezing and severe freezing days) were the most favourable for the days examined