The Differences of Technical Elements between European National Volleyball Men and Women Teams and Their Impact in Predicting the Match Winners

The purpose of this study was to identify the technical volleyball elements participating and contributing to the victory in the qualifying matches for the 2021 CEV European Men's and Women's Championship and lead to the best scoring position and qualification to the final stage. The sample consisted of the matches of the 8 teams (4 Men and 4 Women) who participated in the qualifying matches for the European Men's and Women's Championships Confédération Européenne de Volleyball (CEV) 2021. The data was analyzed using the official software of the European Confederation (CEV) (Data Volley 2 Professional). The data was then further analyzed using the SPSS 21.0 statistical package with the help of descriptive statistical analysis. Statistically significant differences were found between the teams that won and qualified for the European Championship of CEV 2021 in ‘‘reception error’’ and ‘‘attack error’’ and between the men's and women's volleyball teams in service error attack points. In addition, based on the results of this study, all coaches should focus and organize training with exercises related to these technical skills that lead to victory and qualification to improve the ability of their players to win the matches

From autographs to fan-celebrity selfies: A new media genre in the evolving participatory media culture

Drawing on empirical data derived from an online survey, this paper examines the fan-celebrity relationship within participatory media culture through an examination of the fan-celebrity selfie and the classic type of autograph-taking. We argue that the fan-celebrity selfie is a new media genre whose value emanates from the possibilities of online publication and sharing, provided by the increasing number of digital platforms with user-generated content. Although both autographs and selfies signify a conquest on the part of fans, the achievement of a coveted or long-awaited contact with the celebrity world, selfies provide fans with an enhanced experience of a greater proximity, paving the way to a more intimate relationship

Cross-cultural adaptation of the VISA-P questionnaire for Greek-speaking patients with patellar tendinopathy

Objectives To cross-culturally adapt the VISA-P questionnaire for Greek-speaking patients and evaluate its psychometric properties. Background The VISA-P was developed in the English language to evaluate patients with patellar tendinopathy. The validity and use of self-administered questionnaires in different language and cultural populations require a specific procedure in order to maintain their content validity. Methods The VISA-P questionnaire was translated and cross-culturally adapted according to specific guidelines. The validity and reliability were tested in 61 healthy recreational athletes, 64 athletes at risk from different sports, 32 patellar tendinopathy patients and 30 patients with other knee injuries. Participants completed the questionnaire at baseline and after 15-17 days. Results The questionnaire's face and content validity were judged as good by the expert committee, and the participants. Concurrent validity was almost perfect (rho=-0.839, p< 0.001). Also, factorial validity testing revealed a two-factor solution, which explained 85.6% of the total variance. A one-factor solution explained 80.8% of the variance when the other knee injury group was excluded. Known group validity was demonstrated by significant differences between patients compared with the asymptomatic groups (p< 0.001). The VISA-PGR exhibited very good test-retest reliability (ICC=0.818, p< 0.001; 95% CI 0.758 to 0.864) and internal consistency since Cronbach's a analysis ranged from alpha=0.785 to 0.784 following a 15-17 days interval. Conclusions The translated VISA-P-GR is a valid and reliable questionnaire and its psychometric properties are comparable with the original and adapted versions

The evolution of conspicuous consumption

Abstract: Purpose – Conspicuous consumption refers to the competitive and extravagant consumption practices and leisure activities that aim to indicate membership to a superior social class. Studies examining the symbolic role of luxury brands and status symbols, and the importance of interpersonal relations and upward social mobility via consumption choices, have been widely discussed in the marketing and consumer behaviour literature. There is, however, limited research on how the all-encompassing concept of “conspicuous consumption” has evolved since the introduction of the term by Thorstein Veblen in 1899 in The Theory of the Leisure Class. This paper seeks to review some of the issues. Design/methodology/approach – Using a chronological periodization the paper examines and discusses the impact of wider institutional and socio-economic forces on the evolution of conspicuous consumption phenomena. The paper adopts a historical framework related to economics and marketing. Findings – The paper shows how the concept of “conspicuous consumption” has been reinvented with different terminology during the twentieth century by marketing and consumer behaviour theorists. Originality/value – The paper discusses and examines the socio-economic factors behind the changing consumption patterns of “conspicuous consumers” throughout the twentieth century. It is valuable for marketing academics, students and marketing practitioners interested in the evolution of status symbols

Technical skills leading in winning or losing volleyball matches during beijing olympic games

Volleyball is included in sports where individual success of final efforts such as a successful attack or an effective block, is achieved by the harmonious collaboration of the preceded players' efforts. The purpose of this present study was to evaluate the importance of technical skills that led to the success of the national teams that took part in the Olympic Games of Beijing 2008. The sample was constituted by all the matches of the volleyball men teams that participated in the Beijing Olympic Games. Overall, 29 games were videotaped and evaluated. Collection of data included the use of the statistical recording program Data Volley 2. The parameters that were evaluated were: a) service, b) service reception, c) attack, and d) attack blocked. The statistical treatment of data was realised through non parametric statistical analysis. The results showed that, service points, reception errors, and attacks blocked emerged as important factors that were decisive for wining or losing a match. © JPES

Attitudes of Greek physical education teachers toward inclusion of students with disabilities

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of Greek physical education teachers toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in regular education settings and to compare the results with the findings of similar studies. The sample consisted of 93 participants, all physical education teachers working at different schools of Athens. Each subject completed the Teacher Integration Attitudes Questionnaire (Sideridis and Chandler, 1997), which assesses scores for four factors: skills, benefits, acceptance and support. The results of the study showed that the attitudes of physical education teachers toward the inclusion of students with disabilities in their regular classes are related to the level of knowledge that the teachers believe they have for the special needs conditions; in addition, they doubt that inclusion could be workable, due to the lack of appropriate support services. In the light of the findings, the concept of inclusion was further analysed

Attentional focus training program and soccer skills

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of an attentional focus training program (AFTP) on improvement in soccer ability of young male soccer players at two age levels. The subjects for the study (N=40) were volunteers recruited from a youth soccer league. The subjects were divided into two age groups (8 to 10, and I I to 13) and then randomly assigned to one of two subject groups : (a) control group (CG), and (b) experimental group (EG). Assignment to the CG or the EG was on a random basis by lot. Coaches' subjective assessment determined that the CG and EG were comparable in skill levels. The pre- and post-test procedure consisted of three soccer ability tests (throw-in, dribbling and place kick). The CG's program consisted of 24 sessions watching films of soccer games and videotape replays of their actual games. The EG's AFTP consisted of a 24-session program including relaxation, imagery, affirmations, meditation and concentration. Statistical significance was demonstrated by the EG on the soccer throw-in measure and the place kick measure, both beyond the 0.001 level. No statistically significant differences in soccer dribbling measure were noted

Teachers' perceptions toward education of gifted children in Greek educational settings

The purpose of this study was to examine the attitudes of school teachers regarding the education of gifted students in Greek educational settings and to identify the factors affecting such perceptions. The sample consisted of 245 teachers (70 men and 145 women) of primary (N = 85) and secondary (N = 150) education who completed the questionnaire «Opinions about the gifted and their education» of Gagné & Nadeau (1991). The results showed that the perceptions of teachers concerning gifted children and their education are influenced by factors such as prior teaching experience with gifted students, knowledge in pedagogy and special education issues, and the area of teachers' expertise. Overall, attitudes of educators in this sample seem consistent with similar studies conducted in other countries with any differences attributed to cross-cultural and educational differences between states and the early transition period of recent Greek legislation concerning gifted students and their education. © JPES