The Concept of the Implementation of Present Evidence-based Knowledge and Technology into the Preparation of Sport Professionals

AbstractThe study assesses the feasibility of the concept of professional preparation of sport teachers and instructors that attempts to connect education and research activities with the emphasis on presenting evidence-based knowledge and new technologies. The seven-year-long international study involved 670-850 university students annually. Students participated directly in the research activities that were in compliance with the curricula of sport education study programs. The presented educational model describes possibilities and major limits how to provide dozens evidence-based knowledge of prospective sport professionals in the areas of physical activity monitoring, self-assessment of physical fitness and evaluation of sport preferences

Self-Assessment of physical fitness in adolescents

Purpose: Physical fitness is an important indicator of the current and future health condition in adolescents. In comparison with institutional testing, self-assessment of physical fitness offers a number of benefits, including minimization or elimination of possible negative experience with inter-individual comparison in the context of motor diagnostics. The main objective of this paper is to determine the distribution normality of the resulting data and the intersexual differences in self-assessment of physical fitness using selected test items of the INDARES battery in adolescents. Method: The study involved a total of 626 adolescents (345 boys and 281 girls) aged 11 to 19 years (14.56 ± 1.95 years) from selected cities in the Czech Republic. The participants performed self-testing of physical fitness by means of selected motor tests (push-ups, modified curl-ups, V-sit and reach and shoulder stretch) from the INDARES test battery. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine the distribution normality of the self-testing data; the Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the significance of inter-sexual differences in the average self-testing results. Results: The results showed normal data distribution in most motor tests except the push-up motor test (in boys older than 15 years normality was confirmed). The analysis confirmed the published findings concerning significantly better outcomes of flexibility in girls compared with boys. Conclusion: The present study suggests that the results of self-testing roughly correspond with the published findings based on institutional physical fitness assessment

A Comparison of Two Motion Sensors for the Assessment of Free-Living Physical Activity of Adolescents

This study assessed and compared the daily step counts recorded by two different motion sensors in order to estimate the free-living physical activity of 135 adolescent girls. Each girl concurrently wore a Yamax pedometer and an ActiGraph accelerometer (criterion measure) every day for seven consecutive days. The convergent validity of the pedometer can be considered intermediate when used to measure the step counts in free-living physical activity; but should be considered with caution when used to classify participants’ step counts into corresponding physical activity categories because of a likelihood of ‘erroneous’ classification in comparison with the accelerometer

The motor performance progression of future undergraduate students of physical education [Vývoj motorické výkonnosti u uchazečů o vysokoškolské studium tělesné výchovy]

BACKGROUND: In our opinion, the complex interactions between social change, growing inactivity and obesity, and further negative processes also contribute to changes in the motor performance level of future undergraduates. Therefore, long term changes to motor performance need to be considered in order to be a mirror of today's life style of the above mentioned population. OBJECTIVE: The main aim of this study was to describe a long term trend in two chosen motor presumptions in the population entering university physical education study. METHODS: The sample comprised 2,012 males and 1,705 females aged Mdn = 19 years. The subjects were future undergraduate students. The measurements took place by means of entrance exams in the time period from 1991 to 2001 and in the year 2006. Their swimming performance was assessed by means of a 100 m swim test and their dash performance by means of a 100 m dash. RESULTS: In all four cases (two motor tests, two genders) our analysis indicated non zero trends of performance (all the verified between years differences were significant; p < 0.001). Polynomial functions constantly show an initial convex followed by a concave composition (change taking place during the 1998–1999 period) in cases of the dash and swimming (male only) performance. The female swimming performance trend increases throughout the whole period. The concavity of the polynomial functions denotes the possibility of increasing performance, which mostly decreased during the period 1993–2001 (for the dash) and 1996–1999 (for swimming). CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of our findings we had to reject our research hypothesis and submit evidence of change to both swimming and dash performance in a specific population. We found out positive (female) and mostly positive (male) trends of swimming performance in the observed time period. No purely positive nor purely negative trend of dash performance was found. After the increase during the initial 3 years of observation; the level of dash performance mostly decreased. However, the last measurement in 2006 indicates some tendency of increasing performance as well as concavity of polynomial functions (trend function) at the end of the observed time period. [VÝCHODISKA: Komplex sociálních změn, vzrůstající inaktivity a obezity a dalších negativních faktorů se dle našeho názoru přirozeně projevuje také ve změnách úrovně motorické výkonnosti budoucích vysokoškolských studentů. Dlouhodobý trend motorické výkonnosti proto považujeme za vhodný obraz současného životního stylu uvažované populace. CÍLE: Hlavním cílem této práce bylo popsat dlouhodobý trend dvou vybraných motorických předpokladů u populace uchazečů o vysokoškolské studium TV. METODIKA: Soubor tvořilo 2 012 mužů a 1 705 žen (uchazečů o vysokoškolské studium TV) ve věku Mdn = 19 let. Úroveň plavecké a sprinterské výkonnosti byla zjišťována dvěma motorickými testy (plavání 100 m a běh 100 m) u příležitosti přijímacího řízení v letech 1991 až 2001 a v roce 2006. VÝSLEDKY: Ve čtyřech případech (dva motorické testy, dvě pohlaví) analýza ukazuje na nenulový trend výkonnosti (ve všech případech byl alespoň jeden meziroční rozdíl signifikantní na p = 0,05). V případě sprinterské a plavecké (pouze muži) výkonnosti vykazují polynomické funkce trendu v počátku konvexní, později konkávní průběh (změna průběhu v letech 1998–1999). Trend plavecké výkonnosti žen je rostoucí v celé periodě. Konkávnost polynomické funkce naznačuje možnost opětovného nárůstu výkonnosti, jež byla v období 1993–2001 (sprint) a 1996–1999 (plavání) převážně klesající. ZÁVĚRY: Na základě našich zjištění zamítáme výzkumnou hypotézu a konstatujeme tak existenci významných změn v úrovni plavecké a sprinterské výkonnosti v průběhu sledované periody. Byl zjištěn pozitivní (ženy) a převážně pozitivní (muži) trend plavecké výkonnosti. Naopak sprinterská výkonnost nevykazuje čistě pozitivní či negativní tendenci. Po nárůstu výkonnosti v úvodních třech pozorovaných letech tato výkonnost převážně klesá. Přesto poslední měření v roce 2006 naznačuje možnou tendenci opětovného růstu sprinterské výkonnosti, podobně jako konkávnost trendové funkce v tomto období.

Heart rate and time-motion analyses in top junior players during basketball matches

<strong>BACKGROUND</strong>: Basketball performance can be classified as an intermittent physical activity due to the changing situational game conditions and the number of intervening variables. It is necessary to have detailed knowledge about the performance of basketball players during a match as a background for more specific planning of the training process. <strong>OBJECTIVE</strong>: The aim of this study was to analyse the indicators of internal and external load of basketball player&rsquo;s performance during a match of U18 top men basketball players as a background for the planning of specific training processes. <strong>METHODS</strong>: Thirty-two Czech top junior basketball players (male, aged 16.88 &plusmn; 0.72 years) participated in this research. The heart rate was recorded and time-motion analysis was conducted during six warm-up matches. <strong>RESULTS</strong>: The average heart rate was measured to be 167.47 &plusmn; 13.01 beats &bull; min.&ndash;1, which corresponded to 85.06 &plusmn; 6.40% of peak heart rate. The percentages of the total time spent over and under 85% were 63.12% and 36.88%, respectively. Average distance covered was measured to be 5,880.91 &plusmn; 831.01 meters. The average work : rest ratio was 1 : 7.95 &plusmn; 1.83, ranging from 1 : 4.80 to 1 : 10.92. <strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong>: The results from these matches suggest that the exercise intensity and sprint activity observed during junior basketball are dependent on the player's position and partly on the level of the performance. The heart rate during a match was not dependent on the positions, however, time-motion analysis revealed significant differences between three basketball positions during a match. The combination of heart rate and time-motion analysis is recommended

The correlation between isokinetic strength of knee extensors and vertical jump performance in adolescent soccer players in an annual training cycle

<strong>BACKGROUND</strong>: Isokinetic testing is often used to provide coaches with important information about the physical status of athletes. Therefore, a number of studies focused on the assessment of the relationship between isokinetic and functional tests including soccer. The results of a limited number of studies indicate that the relationship changes in different training periods. <strong>OBJECTIVE</strong>: The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the characteristics of the isokinetic strength of knee extensors and vertical jump performance in three different periods of the annual training cycle in adolescent soccer players. <strong>METHODS</strong>: A group of adolescent soccer players (n = 16; average age 16.7 ± 0.7 years) was tested at the end of the competitive season, at the beginning of the off-season and during the sixth week of a new competitive season. The isokinetic concentric peak torque (PT), peak power (Pmax) and time to peak torque (TPT) of the dominant leg and non-dominant leg were measured at angular velocities of 60°•s–1, 180°•s–1, 360°•s–1. The explosive strength of the lower extremities was measured using the countermovement jump with free arms (CMJF) method and countermovement jump with the arms crossed over the chest. Based on literary reviews, a logically significant value of the correlation was set at > 0.30. <strong>RESULTS</strong>: The correlations between the isokinetic strength characteristics and vertical jump performance irrespective of the training period were low to moderate; 56% of the correlations were > 0.30. In the different periods of the annual training cycle, the occurrence of correlations > 0.30 as well as their value varied – 67% at the end of the competitive season, 31% at the beginning of the off-season and 64% at the beginning of the competitive season. For both types of jumps, the correlations for Pmax and PT parameters were the lowest during the second measurement in most cases; no trend was observed for the TPT parameter. For CMJF the highest correlation values were observed during the third measurement for the Pmax parameter in the dominant leg at 180°•s–1 and 360°•s–1; for CMJ during the first measurement for the Pmax and PT parameters at 180°•s–1 in the dominant leg. <strong>CONCLUSIONS</strong>: The results of the study indicate that the significance of the information obtained by measuring the strength of isokinetic extension of the knee joint to assess the jumping ability in soccer players can change during the annual training cycle and that, from this perspective, measurement at 180°•s–1 or at higher velocities should be preferred

Adaptation and validation of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) among Czech children.

The study aimed to adapt the standardized Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children (PAQ-C) into the Czech language and assess its psychometric properties. A forwards-and-backwards translation method was carried out to prepare the Czech PAQ-C version (PAQ-C/CZ), followed by adjustments based on socio-cultural aspects. In the next phase, participants (n = 169) wore accelerometers for seven days. On the 8th day, participants completed the PAQ-C/CZ in school so that it was possible to determine the concurrent validity (correlation between the accelerometer and PAQ-C/CZ data, Spearman's r), internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha), item/scale properties (corrected item-total correlations, CITCs), and factor structure (exploratory factor analysis, EFA) for PAQ-C/CZ. In the last phase, participants (n = 63) completed the PAQ-C/CZ twice on two consecutive school days in the morning to determine the test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient, ICC; independent sample T-test). The PAQ-C/CZ indicated moderate internal consistency (alpha = 0.77), acceptable item/scale properties (CITCs = 0.29-0.61), and good test-retest reliability (ICC = 0.73-0.94). The EFA findings suggested a single factor model (factor load = 0.32-0.73) for PAQ-C/CZ, with items 2, 3, and 4 contributing low to the total score. Results on concurrent validity showed low but significant association (r = 0.28, p < 0.05) between accelerometer and PAQ-C/CZ data. Considering the study results, the PAQ-C/CZ can be recommended as a tool for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity assessment in large-sample research studies only, but with an emphasis on the interpretation of the correct results

Gender-Specific Associations between Perceived Neighbourhood Walkability and Meeting Walking Recommendations When Walking for Transport and Recreation for Czech Inhabitants over 50 Years of Age

Few studies have investigated the different effects that the built environment may have on the physical activity behaviours of men and women. Therefore, the aim of this study was to estimate the gender differences in meeting walking recommendations in relation to perceived neighbourhood walkability attributes within the active transportation and leisure-time domains for Czech inhabitants over 50 years of age. The sample included 1,417 men and 1,422 women who were randomly selected. The Abbreviated Neighbourhood Environment Walkability Scale (ANEWS) was used to obtain information about the perceived environment. The self-administered long version of the IPAQ was used to assess physical activity levels. When walking for transport, men living in neighbourhoods with high street connectivity (OR = 1.47, CI = 1.04–2.9) and higher traffic and crime safety (OR = 1.28, CI = 1.02–1.6) and women living in neighbourhoods with high proximity (OR = 1.36, CI = 1.04–1.77) and high neighbourhood aesthetics (OR = 1.36, CI = 1.04–1.76) were more likely to meet recommended levels of walking. No environmental attributes were found to significantly influence the accomplishment of walking recommendations by men or women when walking for leisure. The study results indicate the gender-specific associations between transportation-related walking and the environment factors. The consideration of those factors in the design of gender-specific walking interventions for Czech inhabitants may help the interventions to be more effective in promotion of physical activity

Reliability of specific on-ice repeated-sprint ability test for ice-hockey players

Background: Repeated sprint ability tests are today widely used to evaluate the performance capability in team sports. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the reliability of a specific ice hockey test, which indicates the agility and repeated-sprint ability of the players. Methods: Twenty four highly trained junior ice hockey players (age&#8239;=&#8239;17.68&#8239;&#177;&#8239;1.52&#8239;years; BMI&#8239;=&#8239;23.8&#8239;&#177;&#8239;1.92&#8239;kg . m-2) participated in the study. Each participant was assessed for specific on-ice repeated-sprint ability test 12&#8239;×&#8239;54&#8239;m with 30&#8239;s rest. Intraclass correlation coefficient (association between two repeated measurements) and coefficient of variation were calculated to assess the reliability of the test. Results: All intraclass correlation coefficients were .78 for sprint decrement and .98 for total time and the best time, the coefficient of variation was 1.52% for best sprint time, 1.31% for total time and 19.3% for sprint decrement variable. Conclusions: The results suggest the high reliability of the ice hockey agility test expressed by the best sprint time and repeated-sprint ability by the total time and less reliability of sprint decrement