Understanding dual career views of European university athletes: The more than gold project focus groups

Previous studies have found that student-athletes (S-As) have difficulties in achieving dual career (DC) success. However, no studies have analysed the opinion of the S-As on the functioning of DC with a qualitative methodology. The aim of the present work was to collect the opinions of elite university S-As in relation to DC policy adopted by their academic institutions in different European countries. In total, 77 athletes (F = 35, M = 42; age range: 20-25 years) participated in 15 national face-to-face focus groups in five different countries, to discuss aspects that higher education institutes should implement in relation to: 1) the athletes' needs; 2) assistance/tutorship: 2) curricula requirements; 3) financial support; 4) logistic support; 5) social support; and 6) dual career policies. Fifty of the athletes competed in individual sports and twenty-seven team sports. Of them, 57 was enrolled at undergraduate, 17 was enrolled in a master and 3 in a PhD. The athletes were presented with 13 open-ended questions one by one, and were ensured freedom to interact. All the discussions were recorded. After this, a general discussion took place in which the participants identified and agreed on a final list of statements from their focus group deemed to be relevant to DC athletes as university students. Then, at a consensus meeting, the findings were combined, repetitions were eliminated, and fragmented statements were condensed into broader ones. A final list of 31 statements, organized in six related content units, were identified in relation to the athletes' needs (n = 5), assistance/tutorship (n = 5), curricula requirements (n = 4), financial support (n = 4), logistic support (n = 4), social support (n = 6), and DC policies (n = 3), respectively. In conclusion, this cross-national qualitative research study synthesized the S-As views about their needs and the most relevant DC policies and provisions that higher education institutes should provide to ensure them with positive academic experiences towards the achievement of a degree

The Level of Physical Activity of University Students

AbstractMany studies paid attention to the worldwide decline in physical activity (PA) and increase the sedentary and obesity. The inactivity at different ages it is a major problem for most countries. The aim of the study is to investigate the level of physical activity of university students. In according with the results will see how active they are and what kind of measure may propose to increase the data obtained. Self administrated International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were used to investigate how active are the university students. Questionnaires were interpreted as: 1) vigorous activity; 2) moderate activity; 3) walking, and 4) sitting in last seven days. A total of 334 students were participated at this study. Anthropometrics measurements were report as height, weight and body mass index (BMI). Most of students have a normal body weight. Physical activity was reported for all group and by genders. Male students are most active comparative with female students. The findings show reasonable basis for health and active life style among students

Influences of Psychomotor Behaviors on Learning Swimming Styles in 6–9-Year-Old Children

The aim of this study was to identify the existence of some relationships between certain psychomotor behaviors, which we consider specific to swimming, and learning to execute the technique of some swimming styles (front crawl and backstroke). The study was carried out for 10 months and included 76 children (40 boys and 36 girls) aged between 6 and 9 years who practice recreational swimming in a city in Romania. Several tools were used: the Tapping test for manual dexterity, the Goodenough test for body schema, the Flamingo test for static balance, and the horizontal buoyancy test for body balance on the water. The results indicated better ratings on all psychomotor behaviors analyzed according to gender (in favor of girls compared to boys). The levels of all analyzed psychomotor behaviors have a direct relationship to the subjects’ age. Also, we identified moderate positive correlations for manual dexterity (rs = 0.63 in the front crawl style; rs = 0.57 in the backstroke style) and strong correlations for body schema, static balance and buoyancy, coordination with the learning of the two swimming styles (r or rs between 0.77 and 0.85). In conclusion, psychomotor behaviors can be predictors for learning swimming styles

The Quantification of Salivary Flow and pH and Stomatognathic System Rehabilitation Interference in Patients with Oral Diseases, Post-Radiotherapy

Xerostomia is a common complication post-radiotherapy in patients with oral cancer. The acute and long-term side effects can considerably reduce the patient’s quality of life. The aim of our study was to perform analysis of salivary flow and pH in patients after radiotherapy. Methodology: Clinical and laboratory evaluations were conducted in the 2014–2019 period; out of a total 58 subjects aged between 45 and 84, 28 individuals with oral cancer were selected from St. Spiridon Hospital, Clinic of Maxillo-facial Surgery and Oncology Hospital, Iasi post-radiotherapy. Results: Significant downsized mean values of the hydrogen ion concentration (pH) in saliva (p < 0.001) were recorded in patients after radiotherapy, pH value = 4.580 (±1.051). The mean value of resting salivary flow (MRSF) was significantly lower for the group of patients with radiotherapy (MRSF) = 0.145 mL/min. In 89.29% of cases (25 post-radiotherapy cases), in order to perform oral complex rehabilitation treatment, several endodontic and periodontal treatments were performed. A total of 78.57% of the cases received complex oral rehabilitation as mobile or hybrid prostheses or fixed solutions. Conclusion: Understanding post-radiotherapy salivary biochemic modifications in patients with oral cancer could be of critical importance, in view of related oral disorder prevention