Occupational Burnout and Pro-Health Behaviours of Pre-School Teachers from Kraków

Preserving and improving human health potential is fostered by a healthy lifestyle, in particular a rational diet, recreational physical activity, effective coping with psychological stress, avoidance of psychoactive substances and risky sexual contacts, and the use of preventive examinations. The aim of the study was to assess health-related behaviours and professional burnout of pre-school teachers from Kraków. Anonymous research, by means of diagnostic survey, was conducted in 2018 among a randomly selected group of teachers from public (n = 139) and non-public (n = 43) preschools in Kraków. The Occupational Burnout Questionnaire (MBI) based on the concept of Ch. Maslach was used to assess the structure of professional burnout (emotional depletion, depersonalisation and sense of professional achievement). Using the Inventory of Pro-health Behaviours (IZZ) by Z. Juczyński, four categories of pro-health behaviours were assessed: correct eating habits, preventive behaviours, positive mental attitude and health practices. The results of correlation analysis using Pearson’s r showed a relationship between three out of four scales of the Inventory of Pro-health Behaviours (preventive behaviours, positive mental attitude, health practices) and a general indicator of health behaviours and the results of the MBI questionnaire. The obtained data suggest that people who present health-related behaviours to a lesser extent are characterised by a higher level of burnout components

Physical activity, psychological and functional outcomes in non-ambulatory stroke patients during Rehabilitation : a pilot study

Despite the extensive literature on stroke rehabilitation, there are few studies that comprehensively show non-ambulatory stroke patients. The aim of the study was to explore the dynamics of the change in physical activity (PA), psychological and functional outcomes, and the correlation between them in non-ambulatory patients during early in-patient post-stroke rehabilitation. Measurements were taken on 21 participants at the beginning of and 6 weeks post-conventional rehabilitation with the Barthel Index (BI), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Trunk Control Test (TCT), Stroke Impact Scale (SIS), General Self-Efficacy Scale, Stroke Self-Efficacy Questionnaire (SSEQ), the original scale of belief in own impact on recovery (BiOIoR), Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Acceptance of Illness Scale and when the patient could walk—Time Up & Go and 6 Minute Walk Test. Daily PA was assessed over 6 weeks using a Caltrac accelerometer. Only outcomes for BI, BBS, TCT, SIS, and SSEQ significantly improved 6 weeks post-rehabilitation. PA energy expenditure per day significantly increased over time (p < 0.001; effect size = 0.494), but PA only increased significantly up to the third week. PA change was correlated with BiOIoR post-treatment. Self-efficacy in self-management mediated improvement in SIS. The BiOIoR and confidence in self-management could be important factors in the rehabilitation process

Effect of Variable-Intensity Running Training and Circuit Training on Selected Physiological Parameters of Soccer Players

Proper planning of the training process based on individual LT and AT metabolic thresholds is essential to improve athletic performance. Development of endurance in soccer players is mainly based on continuous runs and variable-intensity runs, supplemented with strength conditioning and sport-specific training. The aim of the study was to analyse selected parameters of physical capacity of soccer players after 8-week variable-intensity running training and circuit training. The experiment was carried out in a group of 34 soccer players aged 21 to 26 years. The athletes were divided into two groups: 17 people in the experimental group and 17 people in the control group. The experimental group was involved in 30-minute tempo runs two times a week for 8 weeks with variable intensity at AT. In the same period, the control group performed two 60-minute continuous runs at the intensity of 70-75%HRmax. The determination of metabolic thresholds used two indirect tests: the multistage shuttle run test (beep test) and maximal lactate steady state test (MLSS) with author's own modification. In order to evaluate maximal heart rate (HRmax), the research procedure was started from the beep test (distance: 20 m). The speed at the first level was 8.5 km/h and increased with each level by 0.5 km/h. Training of the experimental group where variable exercise intensity was used caused a statistically significant increase in HRmax (by 1.9%) and blood lactate levels at the AT (by 20.5%). The training in the experimental group led to the statistically significant (p < 0.05) increase in the parameters of the following variables: HRmax (by 1.9%); lactate level (by 7.85); HR at the AT (by 1,9%); lactate level at the AT (by 20.5%). The assumptions of the experimental training did not cause statistically significant changes in pretest vs. posttest HRmax and blood lactate levels for the LT. Endurance training with high intensity is more effective in soccer players compared to training with moderate intensity. Development of special endurance in soccer should also assume the intensity and method of working similar to the method used during sport competition

The effects of pain expectancy and desire for pain relief on the memory of pain in half trail marathon runners

Purpose: It has been shown that the memory of pain induced by running might be underestimated. Our previous study showed the contribution of emotional factors to this process. This study aimed to investigate the cognitive factors that might influence the memory of this type of pain, ie expectancy of pain intensity, expectancy of pain unpleasantness, and desire for pain relief. Participants and Methods: A total of 49 half-marathon runners rated the intensity and unpleasantness of pain immediately after completing a run and one month later. Participants rated the expected intensity and unpleasantness of the upcoming pain before starting the run, as well as the desire for pain relief after its completion. Those who also participated in the previous edition of the half marathon were asked to recall the pain experienced due to that run. Results: Participants underestimated remembered pain intensity and unpleasantness. The desire for pain relief mediated the memory of pain intensity (p < 0.05), while expectancy of pain intensity influenced memory of pain intensity (a × b) through its effect on the experienced pain (bootstrapped point estimate = 0.08; 95% CI: 0.02-0.32). The remembered intensity of pain experienced during the previous half marathon affected the current pain experience directly (p < 0.05) or indirectly (a × b) by generating pain-related expectancy (bootstrapped point estimate = 0.11; 95% CI: 0.01-0.46). The cognitive variables did not influence the memory of pain unpleasantness. Conclusion: The memory of pain induced by sports activity may change due to cognitive factors; however, further research is needed to investigate their role in shaping the memory of the sensory and affective dimensions of pain

Pro-health behaviors of pre-school education teachers from Krakow

Cel badań. Celem badań była charakterystyka zachowań prozdrowotnych krakowskich nauczycieli wychowania przedszkolnego. Materiał i metody. Anonimowe badania przeprowadzono w 2018 r. w losowo wybranej grupie nauczycieli z krakowskich przedszkoli publicznych (n = 139) i niepublicznych (n = 43) metodą sondażu diagnostycznego. Za pomocą Inwentarza Zachowań Zdrowotnych Juczyńskiego oceniono cztery kategorie zachowań prozdrowotnych: prawidłowe nawyki żywieniowe, zachowania profilaktyczne, praktyki zdrowotne i pozytywne nastawienie psychiczne. Wyniki. Badani nauczyciele uzyskali najwyższy średni wynik w zakresie prawidłowych zachowań żywieniowych oraz pozytywnego nastawienia psychicznego, niższy w zakresie zachowań profilaktycznych, a najniższy w obszarze praktyk zdrowotnych. Wskaźnik zachowań zdrowotnych nauczycieli przedszkoli publicznych jest wyższy w porównaniu z nauczycielami placówek niepublicznych. Wnioski. Nauczyciele edukacji przedszkolnej wybiórczo przejawiają korzystne dla zdrowia zachowania, istnieje zatem konieczność (chociażby poprzez różne formy doskonalenia zawodowego) modyfikacji ich prozdrowotnych zachowań, szczególnie w tych obszarach, które są przez nich najbardziej zaniedbane: codziennych praktyk zdrowotnych i zachowań profilaktycznych.Background. The aim of the research was to characterize health behaviors of pre-school teachers from Krakow. Material and methods. Anonymous research was conducted in 2018 in a randomly selected group of teachers from public kindergartens in Krakow (n = 139) and non-public (n = 43) by means of a diagnostic survey. Using the Inventory of Health Behavior (IZZ) by Juczyński, four categories of pro-health behaviors were assessed: correct eating habits, preventive behaviors, and health practices and positive psychological attitude. Results. The surveyed teachers obtained the highest average score in the scope of proper eating behavior and positive mental attitude, lower in the scope of preventive behaviors, and the lowest in the area of health practices. The index of health behavior of public kindergarten teachers is higher in comparison to teachers of non-public institutions. Conclusions. The pre-school teachers selectively pursue behaviors beneficial for health, so there is a necessity (for example through various forms of professional development) to modify their pro-health behavior, especially in those areas that are most neglected by them: everyday health practices and preventive behaviors

Training Load and Training Effectiveness in The Preparatory Phase by the Case of Kickboxing Fighters of UKS Gladiator Club

The aim of the paper it to analyze the effectiveness of training of fighters of UKS Gladiator Club in the preparatory phase and to analyze training loads used during that time. Participants included a group of 12 fighters of UKS Gladiator Club who have achieved high sports results – this group includes medalists of Polish Championships and of the Cup of Europe. Test were carried three times in the preparatory phase. Physical fitness parameters have been evaluated by means of selected tests of EUROFIT testing battery. Summing up, it should be noted that an important cognitive element of the research carried out is an observation of improvement of the level of physical fitness in case of the majority of investigated features, which was the intended effect of training in the preparatory phase. The adopted training load has caused an average increase of investigated parameters, which proves training effectiveness