Differences in all-around result before and after lockdown in men’s artistic gymnastics

Muška sportska gimnastika kao bazičan sport obuhvaća šest sprava gimnastičkog višeboja: tlo, konj s hvataljkama, karike, preskok, paralelne ruče i preču. U mlađim dobnim kategorijama natjecanja se u početcima odvijaju kroz višeboj, a kasnije se, nakon puberteta specijaliziraju pojedine sprave. Kako je uslijed pandemije Covid19 došlo do lockdowna, svijet sporta je morao pronaći alternativu u treninzima ali i kasnije povratku u dvorane i natjecanjima. Stoga je cilj ovoga rada utvrditi razlike u višebojskim rezultatima prije i nakon lockdowna u muškoj sportskoj gimnastici u različitim kategorijama. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 49 natjecatelja u muškoj sportskoj gimnastici, sudionika Prvenstva Hrvatske 2019. godine, prije „lockdowna“ i 2020. godine, nakon „lockdowna“. Razlike u višebojskim rezultatima u 2019. i 2020. godini utvrđene su T-testom za zavisne uzorke na razini statističke značajnosti p<0.05. Rezultati su pokazali da je došlo do statistički značajnih razlika u kategoriji kadeta u „A“ i „C“ programu u višebojskim rezultatima u 2019. i 2020. godini.Men’s artistic gymnastics as a basic sport includes six apparatus of gymnastic all-around: floor, pommel horse, rings, vault, parallel bars, and high bar. In the younger age categories, competitions are initially held like all-around, and later, after puberty, comes specialization. As the Covid19 pandemic led to a lockdown, the world of sports had to find an alternative in training, but also after lockdown in gyms and competitions. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to determine the differences in all-around results before and after the lockdown in men’s gymnastics in different categories. The research involved 49 competitors in men’s gymnastics, participants in the Croatian Championship in 2019, before the “lockdown” and in 2020, after the “lockdown”. Differences in all-around results in 2019 and 2020 were determined by T-test for dependent samples at the level of statistical significance p <0.05. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the category of cadets in the “A” and “C” programs in the all-around results in 2019 and 2020

Differences in motor abilities of pupils by level of physical activity in leisure time

Osnovni cilj ovog istraživanja je utvrðivanje razlika u motoričkim sposobnostima izmeðu učenika koji su podijeljeni prema razini tjelesne aktivnosti u slobodnom vremenu. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 434 dječaka od 5-8 razreda osnovne škole. Uzorak ispitanika obuhvaćao je učenike koji teritorijalno pripadaju gradovima Sisku i Petrinji. U istraživanju je izmjereno 15 mjera motoričkih sposobnosti, 2 mjere morfoloških karakteristika te je pomoću anketnog upitnika procijenjeno vrijeme provedeno u kineziološkim aktivnostima u slobodnom vremenu. Rezultati istraživanja pokazali su da učenici koji se bave dodatnim tjelesnim vježbanjem u slobodno vrijeme imaju bolje rezultate u motorièčkim sposobnostima. Diskriminativnom analizom utvrðeno je da se značajna razlika odnosi na uèenike šestog, sedmog i osmog razreda osnovne škole, dok kod učenika petog razreda nisu pronaðene značajne razlike. Takoðer, utvrðeno je da tjelesno neaktivni uèenici u slobodno vrijeme imaju povećanu tjelesnu masu, a samim time i više vrijednosti indeksa tjelesne mase (ITM). Učenici koji u slobodno vrijeme ne provode kineziološke aktivnosti u trajanju od najmanje 60 minuta dnevno imaju slabije razvijene motoričke sposobnosti, a nesudjelovanje u tjelesnoj aktivnosti doprinosi većim vrijednostima indeksa tjelesne mase (ITM) nego kod učenika koji su tjelesno aktivni u slobodno vrijeme.The aim of this research is to determine the difference in motor abilities between students who were classified according to the level of physical activity in leisure time. The study included 434 boys from 5th- 8th grades of primary school. The sample included the pupils who belong to the territorial towns of Sisak and Petrinja. The study measured 15 tests of motor skills, two measures of morphological characteristics and by using the questionnaire estimated the time spent in kinesiology activities in leisure time. The results showed that pupils who are engaged in additional physical exercise in leisure time have better results in motor abilities. Discriminant analysis has shown that the significant difference between pupils of sixth, seventh and eighth grade, while among the fifth graders significant differences were not found significant differences. Also, it was found that pupils who are physically inactive during leisure time have increased body weight, and therefore more value to the body mass index (BMI). Pupils who do not spend leisure time in kinesiology activities at least 60 minutes a day, have less developed motor skills, and non-participation in physical activity contributes to higher values of body mass index (BMI) than for students who are physically active in their leisure time

HOW CAN XSENS KINEMATIC SUIT ADD TO OUR UNDERSTANDING OF A SLALOM TURN: A CASE STUDY IN LABORATORY AND FIELD CONDITIONS

Traditionally used methods for kinematic analysis of alpine skiing has limitations regarding data collecting and data processing. Also, analysis of measured parameters, interpretation, and implementation in practice are postponed. Therefore, aim of this paper was to determine differences in the performance of slalom turns between three conditions using a relatively new technology that allows fast data collecting and analysis. Twenty kinematic variables were analysed for each turn (both the left and right) and 26 turns were executed in each condition. All turns were performed by a national skiing demonstrator. Differences were determined by MANOVA (F=71.3; p=.00). Tukey’s post-hoc test showed that the turns performed on the ski simulator differed in every variable from the turns performed in other two condition, and the free skiing turns differed from the corridor turns in the following variables: hip joint angle of abduction of the right leg in the left turn, p=.00; distance of the projection of the centre of mass relative to the right foot in the left turn, p=.00; hip joint angle of flexion of the left leg in the left turn, p=.02; hip joint angle of abduction of the left leg in the left turn, p=.01; distance of the projection of the centre of mass relative to the left foot in the left turn, p=.00; knee angle of flexion of the left leg in the right turn, p=.04). The kinematic parameters obtained using the XSENS suit during slalom turns performed on the ski simulator and ski slope suggested significant differences in the position of the lower extremities, which might be important for situational efficiency and technical performance. Our results can be used to improve the alpine skiing technique. They suggest more precise relations between space parameters, such as body position and the angles between different body segments during a slalom turn. Methodology of research and technology used could contribute to the development of new scientific approaches in biomechanical research of top-level sports.</p

Metric characteristics of a new test for the evaluation of dynamic balance

The aim of the study was to determine psychometric characteristics of a new test for the evaluation of dynamic balance in healthy individuals. The research was conducted on a sample of 60 female students (21.18±.86 years). The participants performed three trials of the new test for each of the two different ways of walking. The results of reliability have shown high values of factor loadings (.91-.97) and standardized Cronbach’s alpha values (.87-.98), as well as the average inter-item correlation values (full feet walking, tip toe walking and the number of steps) (.78-.94). High values of factor loadings (.88-.97) and the fact that the total explained variance was very high (93.3%), with a relatively small variability between the attempts, suggests that all the rules for consistency of testing have been satisfied and that the new test is reliable enough for its application in practice

Starenje i tjelesna aktivnost

Jedna od osnovnih ljudskih potreba je potreba za kretanjem. S godinama je uočena tendencija opadanja razine uključenosti u tjelesne aktivnosti. Ovo smanjenje razine tjelesne aktivnosti može negativno utjecati na zdravlje starije populacije (+ 65 godina života), posebice zbog tjelesnih promjena i drugih štetnih faktora vezanih uz starenje. Pojam tjelesna aktivnost, za populaciju +65 godina života, obuhvaća transport, slobodno vrijeme, kućanske poslove, aktivnosti na radnom mjestu, igru, sportske i rekreativne aktivnosti u kontekstu dnevnih, društvenih i obiteljskih aktivnosti. Redovita tjelesna aktivnost kod starije populacije smanjuje rizik od kardiovaskularnih bolesti, moždanog udara, povišenog krvnog tlaka, različitih vrsta raka, demencije, astme, dijabetesa tipa 2 i fraktura. Starije osobe koje su tjelesno aktivne imaju manju prevalenciju bolesti, višu sposobnost kardiorespiratornog i mišićnog sustava, zdraviju tjelesnu masu, gustoću kostiju i manji ukupni mortalitet. Svjetska zdravstvena organizacija je detektirala tjelesnu neaktivnost kao veliki javnozdravstveni problem današnjice. Stoga su objavili skup preporuka, Global recommendations on physical activity for health, s ciljem unaprjeđenja cjelokupnog zdravstvenog statusa i funkcionalnog zdravlja, smanjenja rizika od kroničnih nezaraznih bolesti, depresije i održavanja kognitivnih sposobnosti. Navedene preporuke su primjenjive za sve zdrave odrasle osobe starije od 65 godina, neovisno o spolu, rasi, vjerskoj pripadnosti ili prihodima. Uz ove preporuke Svjetska zdravstvena organizacija ističe potrebu promicanja zdravog starenja na nacionalnoj razini afirmacijom i implementacijom preporuka kroz nacionalne politike

ANTHROPOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AS THE BASIS IN ALPINE SKIING SELECTION

Cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi povezanost morfoloških karakteristika i motoričkih sposobnosti s uspjehom u alpskom skijanju definiranom mjestom na rang listi Hrvatskog skijaškog saveza za kategoriju stariji dječaci u kalendarskoj godini istraživanja. Uzorak je bio sastavljen od 29 hrvatskih alpskih skijaša, testiranih u pripremnom periodu trenažnog ciklusa, prosječne dobi 13.94 godina. Mjereno je jedanaest morfoloških mjera, zatim jedan test za procjenu funkcionalne sposobnosti te četiri testa za procjenu eksplozivne snage. Regresijskom analizom utvrđena je mogućnost postojanja uzročno-posljedičnih odnosa između varijable ranga Hrvatskog skijaškog saveza i primijenjenih testova.. Nakon isključivanja niza varijabli utvrđeno je da je aerobni kapacitet ključan za uspjeh u alpskom skijanju u ovom uzrastu, a time i identifikaciji mladih talenata koji se tek uključuju u alpsko skijanje ili pak pri selekciji mladih sportaša prilikom prelaska u višu kategoriju, odnosno reprezentaciju. Navedeno će dodatno osigurati odabranom broju mladih skijaša kvalitetnije uvjete za trening i natjecanja te mogućnost postizanja vrhunskih sportskih rezultata u seniorskoj dobi.The aim of this research was to determine the relationship between some anthropometric characteristics and motoric abilities with the success in alpine skiing defined by the rank of the older boys in the Croatian Ski Federation for the examined year. Twenty-nine Croatian male alpine skiers were tested on 16 different variables including: eleven morphological parameters, maximal aerobic capacity and four tests to determine the motoric capabilities in the beginning of the season. The possible causative relationship between the success in alpine skiing was determined only for VO2 max. To conclude, aerobic capacity could contribute in the selection of important anthropological characteristics responsible for the success in alpine skiing and identification of young talented alpine skiers, as well as for the promotion of young skiers in the better category or their draft to national representation. The results of this research would also help to provide better training and competitive conditions for the selected young alpine skiers, which could finally lead to the better achievements in the senior age

Učinkovitost intermitentne mehaničke trakcije spram gimnastičkih vježbi kod osoba s križoboljom („lower back pain“)

Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi učinke mehaničke trakcije nasuprot statičkih vježbi kod osoba s križoboljom. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 50 ispitanika, koji su metodom slučajnog odabira podijeljeni u kontrolnu (17 žena, 8 muškaraca) i eksperimentalnu skupinu (13 žena i 12 muškaraca). Ispitanici u kontrolnoj skupini provodili su klasičan fizioterapijski program koji obuhvaća statičke vježbe. Eksperimentalna skupina provodila je mehaničku trakciju u trajanju od 15 minuta. Svi ispitanici dobrovoljno su ispunili anketni upitnik (The Quebec back pain disability scale – QBPDQ) na početku i na kraju testiranja. Osim anketnih pitanja u istraživanju je korišten Thomayerov test te vizualno-analogna skala boli. Za utvrđivanje razlika između početnog i završnog stanja, koristio se Wilcoxonov test, dok su se razlike između dva tretmana utvrdile Man-Whitney testom. Statistička značajnost postavljena je na p<0.05. Rezultati su pokazali kako su se primjenom mehaničke trakcije dogodile značajne promjene u gotovo svim varijablama (p<0.05). U većini varijabli se nisu dogodile značajne promjene primjenom medicinske gimnastike. Razlike između dva tretmana dobivena su samo u Thomayerovom testu, vađenju hrane iz hladnjaka te u pomicanju stola (p<0.05). Zaključno, mehanička trakcija se pokazala kao učinkovitijom metodom za otklanjanje križobolje kod osoba s problemima u donjem dijelu leđa

Differences in Height and Weight in Young Female Gymnasts

Following the changes in basic anthropological characteristics of the young gymnast can help coaches to recognize how the process of training influence the growth and development of gymnasts. This also can be useful in the specialization of specific apparatus. The aim of this investigation was to find the differences in weight and height between young female gymnasts. The sample consisted of 26 female gymnasts: 10 years old who are competing at different levels – compulsory (16) and free (10) programs. Compulsory program training was three times per week, each lasting two hours. Training in the free program lasted two and a half-hour five times per week. K-S test was used for testing the normality of distribution. Differences between height and weight are calculated by ANOVA at the level of statistical significance of p&lt;0.05. Results show that there is a statistically significant difference in height and weight between categories. Girls from the compulsory program are taller and heavier than girls in free program. The free program is the hardest program and physically more demanding for execution than a compulsory program. It seems that the bigger volume of training influences height and weight. Keywords: artistic gymnastics, anthropological characteristics, childre

TESTING HANDSTAND DOMINANT LATERALITY PERFORMANCE ON FEMALE STUDENTS FACULTY OF KINESIOLOGy

Gimnastičke kretnje izvode se anteriorno-posteriorno; oko sagitalne, frontalne, transverzalne osi; lijeve i desne strane tijela. Cilj istraživanja je ispitati utjecaj dominantne strane, preferiranja polazne noge stoja na rukama prema kvaliteti tehnike te usporedba odabira dominantne noge pri izvedbi nekih bazičnih gimnastičkih elemenata na 59 studentica druge godine Kineziološkog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu. Kvantitativni podaci izbora dominantne lateralnosti ukazuju da je 52,5% ispitanica odabralo desnu polaznu nogu pri izvedbi osnovnog gimnastičkog elementa tehnike upora - stoja na rukama, a 47,5% lijevu nogu. Zrcalno simetričan je izbor izvedbe elementa špaga (47,5% desna noga, 52,5% lijeva noga). Pri izvedbi tehničkih elemenata upora na spravama odabir dominantne noge kod ispitanica je desna noga (88,1%- 93,2%), obzirom na vodeći ekstremitet pri vršenju složenih psihomotornih aktivnosti koji je 100% sluèajeva desna orijentacija sudionica. Determinacija dominantne strane tijela utječe na izvedbu tehnike stoja na rukama. Pravilan odabir dominantne strane u promatranoj grupi kroz vidljive pokazatelje ukazuje da ispitanice koje za promatrane elemente odabiru desnu stranu, su ispitanice koje odabiru polaznu nogu sukladno dominantnoj strani vodećeg ekstremiteta te postižu kvalitetniju tehniku izvedbe i bolji rezultat. Definiranje dominantne motoričke strukture u gimnastici u istraživačkom te praktičnom smislu ima primjenjivost u razvoju tehnike, gimnastičkih treninga i nastave Sportske gimnastike Kineziološkog fakulteta.Gymnastic movements are executed anteriorposterior; sagittal, frontal and transversal axis; left and right side of the body. Aim of research is to test influence of dominant side, preferring handstand starting leg according to quality of technique and comparison of dominant leg selection at execution of some basic gymnastic elements for 59 sophomore year female students Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb . Quantitative data on dominant laterality selection indicate that 52.5% of examinees have chosen right starting leg performing basic gymnastics element of hand support technique – handstand and 47.5% have chosen left starting leg. Selection on execution of split element is mirror symmetrical (47.5% right leg, 52.5% left leg). During execution technical elements of hold support on apparatuses dominant leg selection for examinees is right leg (88,1%- 93,2%), considering leading extremity during performance of complex psychomotor activities which is in 100% of cases right orientation of participants. Determination of dominant body side influences performance of handstand technique. Proper selection of dominant side in observed group through visible indicators implies that examinees selecting right side for observed elements, are examinees that select starting leg according to dominant side of the leading extremity and are achieving performance technique of better quality and better result. Defining of dominant motor structure in gymnastics in both research and practical sense is applicable in evolution of technique, gymnastic trainings and teaching of Sports gymnastics at Faculty of Kinesiology