Finding tennis talents in Greece

The aim of the present study is to investigate motor skills in children ages 6-11 in Greece with the focus on tennis. Motor abilities in tennis is the main condition for future high performance. A series of tests of ΑSΤ (Allgemeiner Sportmotorischer Test 1990) were used for the purposes of the present study. Participants included 124 primary school students. These tests included six tasks: running (20 meters, hurdles and 6’ running) and throwing (tennis ball throwing to a target, ball throwing on the wall and medicine ball throwing). Results did not show significant differences between boys and girls. Differences found between boys and girls focused mainly on motor coordination and ball handling. The explanation for such differences is based on the fact that boys are more used to play with balls in relation to girls

Different electromyographic features of the gastrocnemius and the tibialis anterior muscles when comparing three types of service among young sportsmen and sportswomen

This study examines the electromyographic activity of lower extremities and, in particular, of the tibialis anterior among young tennis players aged 12-16 years when performing three types of service, namely flat, slice and topspin. The study sample included 9 athletes. In order to record the muscle electric activity, three active surface electrodes were used with a pre-amplifier (Motion Control Co). Fluctuation analysis did not show statistically significant differences between parameters. Differences were observed in the activation sequence between the two muscles. In the flat service, the gastrocnemius is the first one activated, followed by the tibialis anterior. Maximum activation of the gastrocnemius occurs at initial lift-off, while the tibialis anterior towards the end of lift-off. In slice service, the two muscles are activated together and their maximum activation occurs when lift-off starts. In topspin service, the gastrocnemius is the first one activated, followed by the tibialis anterior. Maximum activation of the gastrocnemius occurs at initial lift-off, while the tibialis anterior towards the end of lift-off. Maximum activation of the two muscles occurred at the start of lift-off in all three service modes. In conclusion, young athletes need training to strengthen the tibialis anterior so as to improve lift-off velocity/acceleration in the service motion. Additionally, strengthening the tibialis anterior is a tool to improve foot lead. Such techniques are of the utmost importance during training so that skills as elaborate as those required for tennis service may be developed among young players

The effect of task and ego orientation to athletic identity and anti social behavior of students and athletes

The present study examined the affect of task and ego orientation on athletic identity and anti social behavior of students and athletes. A total of 156 students (86 males and 70 females with a mean age of 16,5 years) and 150 athletes (90 males and 60 females with a mean age of 18,5 years) participated at the study. The study was conducted from December 2012 to February 2013 during a basketball school tournament at the premises of Anatolia College for students and during local championships for athletes. TEOSQ (The Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire) by Nicholls (1989) was used for the assessment of goals, the A.I.M.S. (Athletic Identity Measurement Scale) by Brewer et al,(1993 ) for athletic identity and the questionnaire by M.Kavussanu (pro-social and antisocial behavior 2006) was used for antisocial behaviour. All questionnaires have been previously used for similar studies in Greece. Results showed that task and ego orientation as well as identity affect antisocial behavior. Differences among athletes and students were observed only on athletic identity, while regarding the two sexes boys showed higher scores on antisocial behavior and aggression in relation to girls

Learning tennis skill through game Play and Stay in elementary pupils

This study aimed to examine the effect of Play and Stay tennis program on learning the service skill on Elementary School pupils and the development of their satisfaction. Sixty-two (62) 5th class Elementary pupils, aged 11 years (Mean Age=11.13, SD=0.33) took part. The pupils, from four classes of two national elementary schools (two classes from each school), were divided into two groups: the experimental group which followed the Play and Stay program, and the control group which followed the traditional teaching method. The four-week course was held during the Physical Education lessons, (20 min of 3 hours/week). A quantitative evaluation was made on 10 trials at the service by each pupil. The qualitative evaluation of the technique was made (video-taping, observation, and a 5-element skill assessment) for service learning, comprising of: an initial test at the beginning, a final test at the end, and a retention test one week after completing the program without any practice. At the end of the course, all participants completed a feedback questionnaire on the level of satisfaction with the program. ANOVA repeated measures revealed significant interaction between groups and measurements for technique evaluation (F(2.120)=30.82, p<0.01), as well as the outcome of service skill (F(2.120)=10.44, p<0.01). The t-test analysis for independent samples showed significant differences between the experimental and the control group in four of the six variables on the satisfaction questionnaire. These findings indicate that the Play and Stay tennis teaching program was effective in helping pupils to learn the service skill, while simultaneously having fun and enjoying the procedure. This suggests that students will be motivated to become more involved in tennis as a sport, since enjoyment and satisfaction stimulate interest in participation

The affect of task and ego orientation to athletic identity and anti social behavior of students and athletes

The present study examined the affect of task and ego orientation on athletic identity and anti social behavior of students and athletes. A total of 156 students (86 males and 70 females with a mean age of 16,5 years) and 150 athletes (90 males and 60 females with a mean age of 18,5 years) participated at the study. The study was conducted from December 2012 to February 2013 during a basketball school tournament at the premises of Anatolia College for students and during local championships for athletes.  TEOSQ (The Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire) by Nicholls (1989) was used for the assessment of goals, the  A.I.M.S. (Athletic Identity Measurement Scale) by Brewer et al,(1993 ) for athletic identity and the questionnaire by M.Kavussanu (pro-social and antisocial behavior 2006) was used for antisocial behaviour. All questionnaires have been previously used for similar studies in Greece. Results showed that task and ego orientation as well as identity affect antisocial behavior. Differences among athletes and students were observed only on athletic identity, while regarding the two sexes boys showed higher scores on antisocial behavior and aggression in relation to girls

The managerial capacity of physical education teachers – principals: The case of Greece

The purpose of the present study was to identify and compare the management skills that relate to school efficacy of Physical Education Teachers (PETs) who work as junior and senior high school principals. A total number of 580 teachers of 12 junior high schools and 12 senior high schools participated. The teachers rated their principals’ skills using the Principal Instructional Management Rating Scale-PIMRS, after being adapted to the Greek reality. Independent samples t-test was used for data analysis. Results showed statistically significant differences between junior and senior high school principals in certain managerial skills. Specifically, senior high school teachers believe, more than their junior high school colleagues, that their principals demonstrate school management skills concerning a) parent involvement, b) professional development, and c) curriculum. Contrary to that, the two groups of teachers presented no significantly different perceptions of their principals’ skills on a) student progress and b) school climate factors. These findings could be used in improving school effectiveness as well as today’s and future school principals’ managerial capacity in different school level

Evidence of a Redox-Dependent Regulation of Immune Responses to Exercise-Induced Inflammation

We used thiol-based antioxidant supplementation (n-acetylcysteine, NAC) to determine whether immune mobilisation following skeletal muscle microtrauma induced by exercise is redox-sensitive in healthy humans. According to a two-trial, double-blind, crossover, repeated measures design, 10 young men received either placebo or NAC (20 mg/kg/day) immediately after a muscle-damaging exercise protocol (300 eccentric contractions) and for eight consecutive days. Blood sampling and performance assessments were performed before exercise, after exercise, and daily throughout recovery. NAC reduced the decline of reduced glutathione in erythrocytes and the increase of plasma protein carbonyls, serum TAC and erythrocyte oxidized glutathione, and TBARS and catalase activity during recovery thereby altering postexercise redox status. The rise of muscle damage and inflammatory markers (muscle strength, creatine kinase activity, CRP, proinflammatory cytokines, and adhesion molecules) was less pronounced in NAC during the first phase of recovery. The rise of leukocyte and neutrophil count was decreased by NAC after exercise. Results on immune cell subpopulations obtained by flow cytometry indicated that NAC ingestion reduced the exercise-induced rise of total macrophages, HLA+ macrophages, and 11B+ macrophages and abolished the exercise-induced upregulation of B lymphocytes. Natural killer cells declined only in PLA immediately after exercise. These results indicate that thiol-based antioxidant supplementation blunts immune cell mobilisation in response to exercise-induced inflammation suggesting that leukocyte mobilization may be under redox-dependent regulation

The impact of physical activities on the development of the females' character

Nowadays, the participation of females in exercise/ sport is unchallengeable. In addition, the established impacts of the above mentioned activities on females as well as on people in general are far too many. The present study, within the framework of a literature review, aims at the tracing of the impacts of participation in physical activities on the development of female character. The results of this review have revealed that physical activities affect some significant traits of personality, such as its pneumatic, moral and social qualities. The conclusion deriving from such a finding is that physical activities can constitute a means for the development of the females’ character