Strength values of shoulder internal and external rotators in junior tennis players

Character of modern tennis game in the last decade has become significantly more dynamic, fast and powerful, which brings high strain to joint and muscular system. The aim of this research was to establish strength level of external and internal shoulder rotators, and to compare the competitive tennis players group of boys (TEN, n=10, aged 12-14 years) and boys who did not perform any sport activity at competitive level (CS, n=10, aged 12-14 years) as well as to assess lateral differences in both groups. Using isokinetic dynamometry method (Humac Norm CSMI Stoughton, MA, USA), we tested strength level of external and internal shoulder rotators (180°/s, 300°/s). The TEN and CS group are comparable from the aspects of age, body height and body weight. Comparison of isokinetic strength values in TEN and CS groups proved significantly higher strength level of external and internal rotators in both (dominant and non-dominant) extremities for the TEN group. The lateral difference assessment proved the insignificant difference in external and significant difference in internal rotators in the TEN group, and the insignificant difference in both the external and internal rotators in the CS group. A lower strength level was found in the internal rotators in comparison with the external rotators in both groups (for both the dominant and non-dominant extremity), whereas in the TEN group lower differences between the external and internal rotators of the dominant extremity were proved. Although researches on adult highly skilled tennis players refer to a higher strength level of the upper extremity internal rotators, this fact has not been pronounced in the TEN group. An ideal external/internal rotators̕ ratio in adult players is considered within the interval of 66 75%. Significantly higher values obtained in the TEN group might be attributed to lower age and also lower performance level. It can be said that the level of isokinetic strength in the TEN the group is significantly higher than in the CS group, due to the influence of long-term game and training load

Association between Body Composition and Cardiovascular Fitness

The purpose of this study was to examine associations between body composition measures and cardiorespiratory fitness in Slovak high school students. Data on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness were obtained from students attending 14 high schools in Presov self-governing region. Body composition was measured using a direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer InBody 230 (Biospace, 2006). Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by multistage shuttle run and Ruffier test. The results showed that boys had higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness indicated by VO2max and Ruffier index than girls across all age groups. Overall, maximal oxygen uptake of both boys and girls increased with age. According to VO2max the level of cardiorespiratory fitness was poor for boys and girls. The physical development was found to be normal as expressed by BMI. Mean values of WHR and VFA showed normal degree of abdominal obesity and visceral fatness. Correlation analysis showed inverse association of percent body fat and waist-hip ratio with performance in multistage shuttle run for both genders. Body height of girls negatively correlated with performance in Ruffier test. There were no statistically significant associations between Ruffier index and body composition measures for boys.The purpose of this study was to examine associations between body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in Slovak high school students. Data on body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness were obtained from students attending 14 high schools in Presov self-governing region. Body composition was measured using a direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyser InBody 230 (Biospace, 2006). Cardiorespiratory fitness was determined by multistage shuttle run and the Ruffier test. The results showed that boys had higher level of cardiorespiratory fitness indicated by VO2max and Ruffier index than girls across all age groups. Overall, maximal oxygen uptake of both boys and girls increased with age. According to VO2max the level of cardiorespiratory fitness was poor for boys and girls. The physical development was found to be normal as expressed by BMI. Mean values of WHR and VFA showed normal degree of abdominal obesity and visceral fatness. Correlation analysis showed inverse association of percent body fat and waist-hip ratio with performance in multistage shuttle run for both genders. The height of girls negatively correlated with performance in Ruffier test. There were no statistically significant associations between Ruffier index and body composition measured in boys

Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology

Proceedings of the 12th Conference of Sport and Quality of Life 2019 gatheres submissions of participants of the conference. Every submission is the result of positive evaluation by reviewers from the corresponding field. Conference is divided into sections – Analysis of human movement; Sport training, nutrition and regeneration; Sport and social sciences; Active ageing and sarcopenia; Strength and conditioning training; section for PhD students

Key Parameters Affecting Kick Start Performance in Competitive Swimming

The study aims to determine the contribution of kinematic parameters to time to 5 m without underwater undulating and kicking. Eighteen male competitive swimmers started from three weighted positions and set the kick plate to positions 1–5. We used SwimPro cameras and the Dartfish© software. In the on-block phase, we found significant correlations (p < 0.01) between the front ankle angle and block time. The correlations between start phases were statistically significant (p < 0.01) between block time and rear ankle angle, respectively, to time to 2 m; rear knee angle and glide time; block time and time to 5 m; time to 2 m and time to 5 m; and flight distance and glide distance. The multiple regression analysis showed that the on-block phase and flight phase parameters, respectively, contributed 64% and 65% to the time to 5 m. The key block phase parameters included block time and rear knee angle. The key flight phase parameters determining time to 5 m included take-off angle and time to 2 m. The key parameters determining the performance to 5 m during the above-water phase include rear knee angle, block time, takeoff angle, and time to 2 m

Leg Dominance and OSB12 Kick Start Performance in Young Competitive Swimmers

The purpose of this study was to examine differences in starting and kick-plate positions, pointing to an effect on kick-start performance with the dominant and non-dominant feet placed on the front edge of the OSB12 starting block. The sample included 20 female competitive swimmers whose average age was 16.1 ± 0.6 years. To assess swimmers’ lower body explosive strength and determine leg dominance, a triple hop distance test was administered. We determined the swimmers’ preferred starting position on a starting block in terms of the kick-plate setting and body position on the starting block. The results of our study demonstrate the importance of leg dominance and positioning on the OSB12 starting block. After the preferred starting position was determined, the optimal position for the kick start was selected. When the dominant leg was placed on the front edge of the starting block (p < 0.05; Cohen’s d—large effect), swimmers produced shorter block times and times to 2 and 5 m. For most of the tested swimmers, the optimal basic position on the starting block included neutral- and rear-weighted positions with the kick plate set to positions 3–4 and the right leg placed on the front edge of the OSB12 starting block

First report card on physical activity for children and adolescents in Slovakia: a comprehensive analysis, international comparison, and identification of surveillance gaps

Abstract Background National surveillance of physical activity (PA) is essential to establish public health policy actions for PA promotion and evaluation, thereby promoting accountability. The main goal of this study is to comprehensively analyse surveillance data on PA behaviours, outcomes, and influencing factors among Slovakian children and adolescents by using the methodology of the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrix (AHKGA-GM) project. Secondary goals are to provide comparisons with international data and the identification of surveillance gaps. Methods A comprehensive multilevel search strategy for data about 10 core indicators and 1 additional indicator published between 2015 and 2020 (solely pre-COVID-19-pandemic data) was used. The data were then synthesised, and a set of standardised benchmarks was used to assign grades according to The Global Matrix 4.0 Grading Rubric. Results A total of 552 potentially relevant data resources were retrieved, of which 34 were identified as eligible for data extraction. Grade B was assigned to four core indicators, grade C to five core indicators, and grade D to one core indicator. The additional Sleep indicator was graded a C–. Compared with the average grades from countries with high Human Development Index scores, Slovakia received higher grades in five core indicators (Overall Physical Activity, Active Transportation, Sedentary Behaviours, School, Government), and in the aggregate Behavioural average and Overall average. Compared with global averages, Slovakia had higher grades in the aforementioned core and aggregate indicators, and in the Community and Environment core indicator and aggregate Sources of Influence average indicator. Numerous surveillance gaps were identified. Conclusions The overall grading of the available surveillance data suggests the need for improvement in all 10 surveilled core indicators, and in additional Sleep indicator. Despite the fact that numerous identified surveillance gaps limit the overall informative value of the current grade, they provide the important information needed to enhance surveillance of PA-related indicators in Slovakia. For instance, the focus should be put on younger children and parents, on obtaining the device-measured data on various movement behaviours, on the topic of outdoor physical activities, and policy evaluation

BRAIN. Broad Research in Artificial Intelligence and Neuroscience-Is the Gaze Behavior During Stair Walking Affected by Pregnancy?

<p>During stair walking, there is an increased risk of falling among pregnant women. A<br> substantial contribution for the foot placement and balance control during stair walking is provided<br> by vision. The purpose of this study was to determine whether there are any pregnancy-related<br> changes in gaze behavior during the stair ascending and stair descending. Six women participated in<br> this study during their pregnancy, at the 14, 27, 31and 38 gestational weeks. Each data collection<br> consisted of descending and ascending a 22-treads staircase, one tread at a time. To monitor the<br> gaze location, a SensoMotoric Instruments eye-tracking glasses system (SMI, Inc.) was used. To<br> compare the differences in the stair descent and stair ascent between the first, second, third and<br> fourth data collection sessions effect size obtained by Cohen’s d was used. Results of the gaze<br> vector analysis revealed the turn of the gaze toward the handrail placement (gaze vector x) and<br> toward the stair treads (gaze vector y), suggesting a wider awareness of the safety facility and a<br> stronger need of the foot placement control during advanced phases of pregnancy.</p