Identifying talented handball players – the possibilities of examining the players by means of speed-force and coordination tests

The main aim of this thesis was to assess the usefulness of the chosen tests of motor skills (focused mainly on the work of the lower and upper limbs) and the computerized motor skills tests in identifying the talented handball players. To examine them, the players’ results from two junior teams were compared. The first test was performed before the players started high school, that is, at the age of sixteen. The results were compared with the sport level examined during the second test, performed when the players reached the senior age (nineteen years old). The Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient among the ranking results (sport level), somatic features and motor skills, was used in the analysis, with the level of statistical significance being p<0,05. Significant statistical correlations were discovered between the level of anaerobic force of the examined handball players when they are sixteen, and their sport level when they are nineteen years old. The significant statistical correlations may be one reason to use the tests of speed-force skills to identify the talented handball players described in this thesis. Among the coordination skills, only the multitasking ability proved to have significant statistical correlations with the players’ sport level

Fitness and Somatic Conditioning of a Sports Level in a Women’s Volleyball Team at the Championship Level

There is a significant complexity of movements and an ability to adapt to changing situations during a match, hence, a factor which decides about sports rank of a player is their motor fitness. The assessment of muscle power output and abilities of coordination in high-rank players can be one of the most essential model indicators either in the process of athlete selection or in the process of sports training. The research question is: How the measured indicators of a somatic body construction and motor fitness condition the sports level of volleyball players who specialize in different tactical functions? The paper demonstrates the test results of 12 volleyball players from MKS Muszynianka – a vice-champion of Poland in 2009. Basic features of a somatic body construction were measured; the indicators of muscle dynamic strength, visual perception and visual-motor coordination were tested. The comparative analysis of the applied somatic and fitness indicators in the study explains both the model of choice of tactical specializations in the game and sports hierarchy of volleyball players at championship level. Lengthwise predispositions of a body construction are prominent in the model; however, fitness skills (muscle dynamic strength and visual-motor coordination) may well compensate for insufficient somatic indicators

MOTOR SKILLS OF TEN TO TWELVE-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN FROM POLISH FAMILIES WHO LIVE IN LONDON IN COMPARISON WITH THEIR PEERS WHO LIVE IN POLAND

Migracja Polaków na Wyspy Brytyjskie jest na tyle znaczna, że coraz częściej podejmowane są badania naukowe dotyczące tej grupy społecznej. Także rosnąca liczba dzieci z polskich rodzin uczęszczających do szkół na Wyspach Brytyjskich wymaga zainteresowania badaczy reprezentujących różne dziedziny nauki. Dlatego za główny cel pracy przyjęto próbę oceny poziomu rozwoju somatycznego i motorycznego dzieci w wieku 10–12 lat, pochodzących z rodzin polskich mieszkających w Londynie, oraz porównanie wyników badań z analogicznymi pomiarami dziewcząt i chłopców mieszkających w Polsce. Materiał opracowania stanowią wyniki pomiarów 113 dzieci pochodzenia polskiego mieszkających w Londynie oraz 151 dzieci mieszkających w Polsce. Badania przeprowadzono jesienią 2012 roku. Analizie poddano poziom wybranych cech somatycznych (wysokość ciała, masę ciała, masę ciała szczupłego – LBM, procentową zawartość tłuszczu w organizmie) oraz poziom sprawności motorycznej mierzonej przy zastosowaniu wybranych prób Europejskiego Testu Sprawności Fizycznej – EUROFIT (szybkość biegowa, siła mięśni brzucha, siła ramion, siła statyczna, gibkość kręgosłupa). Wystąpiły wyraźne różnice w zakresie składu budowy ciała pomiędzy dziećmi z rodzin polskich mieszkających w Wielkiej Brytanii a dziećmi badanymi w kraju. U dziewcząt i chłopców w wieku 11 i 12 lat z Londynu znacząco większy niż u rówieśników z polskiej grupy porównawczej był udział masy tłuszczu w ogólnej masie ciała. Dzieci mieszkające w Londynie, choć nie ustępowały poziomem wysokości i masy ciała rówieśnikomz Polski, to charakteryzowały się znacznie niższym poziomem sprawności motorycznej, co szczególnie widoczne było w zakresie szybkości, wytrzymałości siłowej, a także siły eksplozywnej i gibkości.The migration of Polish people to the British Isles is so significant that the research concerning this social group is increasingly common. Moreover, the increasing number of children who come from Polish families and attend British schools requires attention of experts in all sciences. Therefore, the main aim of this article is an assessment of the somatic and motor development of ten to twelve-year-old children from Polish families who live in London and a comparison of the results with the analogical measurements of girls and boys who live in Poland. The research is based on the results of the measurements of 113 children of Polish origin who live in London and 151 children who live in Poland. The research was performed in the autumn of 2012. Selected somatic features (body height, body mass, lean body mass – LBM, the percentage of fat in the body) and the level of motor skills (measured by selected tests of the European Physical Fitness Test – EUROFIT: running speed, abdomen muscles’ force, shoulders’ force, static force, spine flexibility) were analyzed. There are significant differences between the body composition of children from Polish families who live in London and of those who live in Poland. Eleven and twelve-year-old children from London are characterized by a significantly higher percentage of fat in the total body mass than the children who live in Poland. Although children from London do not have a lower level of body height and mass than the children from Poland, they are characterized by a significantly lower level of motor skills, which was visible especially in case of speed, power endurance, explosive power, and flexibility

Assessment of somatic and motor development level of 10-12 year old children

SUMMARY Introduction. Therefore, the main aim of this dissertation is an assessment of the somatic and motor development of ten to twelve-year-old children from Polish families who live in London and a comparison of the results with the analogical measurements children live in Poland. Material and methods. The material of the research are the results of the measurements of 113 children of Polish origin who live in London and 151 children who live in Poland. The research was performed in the autumn of 2012. Chosen somatic features (body height, body mass, lean body mass – LBM, the percentage of fat in the body) and the level of motor skills (measured by the use of chosen tests of the European Physical Fitness Test – EUROFIT: running speed, abdomen muscles force, shoulders force, static force, spine flexibility) were analyzed. Results. There are significant differences between the body composition of children from Polish families who live in London and of those who live in Poland. Eleven and twelve-year-old children from London are characterized by a significantly higher percentage of fat in the total body mass than the children who live in Poland. Although children from London do not have a lower level of body height and mass than the children from Poland, they are characterized by a significantly lower level of motor skills, which was visible especially in case of speed, power endurance, explosive power and flexibility.   STRESZCZENIE Wstęp. Za główny cel pracy przyjęto próbę oceny poziomu rozwoju somatycznego i motorycznego 10–12-letnich dzieci z rodzin polskich mieszkających Londynie oraz porównanie wyników badań z analogicznymi pomiarami dzieci mieszkających w Polsce. Materiał i metody badań. Materiał opracowania stanowią wyniki pomiarów 113 dzieci pochodzenia polskiego mieszkających w Londynie oraz 151 dzieci mieszkających w Polsce. Badania przeprowadzono jesienią 2012 roku. Analizie poddano poziom wybranych cech somatycznych (wysokość ciała, masę ciała, masę ciała szczupłego – LBM, procentową zawartość tłuszczu w organizmie) oraz poziom sprawności motorycznej mierzonej przy zastosowaniu wybranych prób Europejskiego Testu Sprawności Fizycznej – EUROFIT (szybkość biegowa, siła mięśni brzucha, siła ramion, siła statyczna, gibkość kręgosłupa). Wnioski. Wystąpiły wyraźne różnice w zakresie składu ciała pomiędzy dziećmi z rodzin polskich mieszkających w Wielkiej Brytanii a badanymi w kraju. U dziewcząt i chłopców w wieku 11 i 12 lat z Londynu znacząco większy niż u rówieśników z polskiej grupy porównawczej był udział masy tłuszczu w ogólnej masie ciała. Dzieci mieszkające w Londynie, choć nie ustępowały poziomem wysokości i masy ciała rówieśnikom z Polski to charakteryzowały się znacznie niższym poziomem sprawności motorycznej, co szczególnie widoczne było w zakresie szybkości, wytrzymałości siłowej, a także siły eksplozywnej i gibkości

Post-Isometric Back Squat Performance Enhancement of Squat and Countermovement Jump

The effectiveness of isometric conditioning activity (CA) is not well described in terms of the level of performance enhancement and the presence of a stretch and shortening cycle in subsequent explosive tasks. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a maximum isometric squat as the CA and a subsequent squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) height. A total of 31 semi-professional handball and soccer players were randomly assigned to two different conditions: (i) 3 sets of 3 repetitions (each lasting 3 s) of maximum isometric back squats (EXP), and (ii) no CA (CTRL). The jump height measurements were performed 5 min before the CA and approximately at the 4th and 8th minute following the completion of the CA. Due to the high inter-individual variability in the potentiation responses, the best value obtained post-CA was also analyzed. The SJ height significantly increased from baseline to the 8th minute post-CA (p = 0.004; ES = 0.31; Δ = +3.1 ± 5.0%) in the EXP condition. On the other hand, the CMJ height was significantly higher in the 4th (p = 0.001; ES = 0.23; Δ = +2.7 ± 3.7%) and 8th minute post-CA (p = 0.005; ES = 0.32; Δ = +3.6 ± 5.7%) in comparison to baseline during the EXP condition. Furthermore, SJ height significantly increased from baseline to the best time-point during the EXP (p < 0.001; ES = 0.47; Δ = +4.9 ± 4.9%) and CTRL (p = 0.038; ES = 0.21; Δ = +2.5 ± 5.8%) condition. Moreover, the CMJ height was significantly higher at the best time-points than at the baseline during EXP (p < 0.001; ES = 0.53; Δ = +5.6 ± 4.7%) and CTRL (p = 0.002; ES = 0.38; Δ = +3.1 ± 5.2%) condition. The findings from this study indicate that a maximum isometric squat, used as a CA, effectively improved SJ and CMJ height. This suggests that the presence or absence of a stretch and shortening cycle in both CA and post-CA tasks does not significantly impact the post-activation performance enhancement response

Acute Effects of Percussive Massage Treatment on Drop Jump Performance and Achilles Tendon Stiffness

This study aimed to investigate the impact of Achilles tendon (AT) mechanical percussion massage (PM) on the passive stiffness of that tendon and subsequent drop jump kinematics. Eleven physically active participants performed two conditions in random order: (i) 60 s of PM applied to each AT (EXP) and (ii) no PM (CTRL). Measurements were performed 5 min before, immediately after, and 5 min following the completion of the PM. In the CTRL, measurements were performed at the same time point but no massage was applied. The two-way ANOVA indicated that there was no statistically significant interaction effect on contact time (p = 0.786), reactive strength index (p = 0.914), and relative peak power (p = 0.896). However, a statistically significant interaction on peak velocity (p = 0.046) and jump height (p = 0.03) was found. Despite that, there was no significant post-hoc comparisons for jump height, it slightly decreased 5 min post-PM (p = 0.136; ES = −0.25; Δ = −3.1%) compared with the CTRL condition (p = 1.00; ES = 0.11; Δ = +1.5%). Friedman’s test did not show significant differences in dominant (p = 0.073) and non-dominant limb (p = 0.091) AT stiffness. Although not significant, numerically, the dominant limb AT (p = 0.126; ES = −0.64; Δ = −7.8%) had a larger reduction in stiffness immediately post-PM compared with the non-dominant limb (p = 0.294; ES = −0.26; Δ = −3.6%). The results of this study indicated the temporary effect of PM on the reduction in tissue stiffness. Moreover, these findings show that a mechanical PM might slightly hinder subsequent explosive athletic performance

Sleep knowledge, beliefs and practices in youth sports coaches and science support staff

Background: The primary purpose of this study was to assess sleep hygiene knowledge among coaches and sports science support staff working with youth athletes, their sleep practices implemented with athletes, and their sleep education. Materials and methods: A sample of 139 Polish coaches and sports science support staff working with youth athletes volunteered to complete a survey focused on sleep monitoring, hygiene practices, and sleep education. The Sleep Beliefs Scale (SBS) was also included. Results: Overall sleep hygiene knowledge was inadequate for the whole sample (14.86 ± 2.70, score range 0 - 20; mean ± SD). However, the overall SBS score for science support staff was adequate (15.44 ± 2.71) and significantly higher than the inadequate score obtained by coaches (14.48 ± 2.65, p = 0.013). Less than half (48%) of coaches and science support staff promoted or administered sleep hygiene strategies, and only 17% monitored sleep of youth athletes. Most coaches and science support staff (only 35% of "Yes" responses) were not educated in sleep knowledge. However, there were significant differences between coaches and science support staff (28 % vs 46 %, respectively; p = 0.030) in their education in the field of sleep hygiene. Conclusions: Coaches working with youth athletes had inadequate overall sleep hygiene knowledge, while sports science support staff’s knowledge was adequate. Sleep hygiene strategies, sleep monitoring practices, and sleep education of coaches and science support staff seemed to be limited. We suggest that a broader approach to sleep education in youth sports staff might be necessary to improve sleep practices in youth athletes

The Effect of Caffeinated Chewing Gum on Volleyball-Specific Skills and Physical Performance in Volleyball Players

No previous study analyzed the effect of caffeinated chewing gum on volleyball-specific skills and physical performance in volleyball players. Twelve volleyball players participated ina randomized, crossover, and double-blind experiment after ingestion of (a) ~3.2 ± 0.4 mg/kg of body mass (BM) of caffeine via chewing gum or (b) non-caffeinated chewing gum (placebo) and performed: (a) a countermovement jump, (b) a squat jump, (c), an attack jump, (d) a block jump, (e) 5 and 10 m sprints, (f) a modified agility t-test, (g) an attack and service speed test, and (h) a spike and serve accuracy test. Compared to the placebo, the caffeine chewing gum supplementation significantly improved the accuracy of the attack (15 ± 4 vs. 18 ± 3 points, p = 0.02). However, the ingestion of caffeinated chewing gum had no effect on the remaining other performance tests (p from 0.12 to 1.00). A caffeine-containing chewing gum with a dose of ~3 mg/kg BM effectively improved the attack’s accuracy in volleyball players. However, this effect was not observed in better results in jumping, running, and other skill-based volleyball tests

SPORTS AND OTHER FORMS OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE REHABILITATION OF THE DISABLED

The axiological values of sport are a cultural element uniting individuals in the rehabilitation of people with disabilities. Sport also plays an important role in the comprehensive restoration of lost functions, and its dissemination through media has led to it reaching a larger number of disabled people, influencing their choices and perceptions of reality. This is particularly important in view of the decreasing number of handicapped persons interested in practicing various sports or other forms of physical activity. Representation and the publicising of biographies and the achievements of athletes with disabilities and other people in what is broadly understood as physical culture is a proper method of promoting movement, which in the case of the disabled, becomes an additional means of their revalidation. Unfortunately, media coverage of many sporting events and other physical activities of people with disabilities has been underrepresented. There is also a lack of competition transmissions, including the Paralympic Games. This is because the media, in the pursuit of profit, do not shape proper attitudes towards disability in the public eye and poorly promote the profiles and achievements of disabled athletes

Chosen individual factors of adolescents’ physical development in their leisure time

The aim of the research was to diagnose chosen individual factors of adolescents’ physical development (motor skills, physical fitness, motor activity needs) and their influence on their actual level of physical activity in their leisure time. The subjects of the research were students of Cracow’s junior high schools. The probability sample of 295 girls and 329 boys were examined. The method used was a survey. The results of the examinations showed that the chosen individual factors had an influence on the actual level of physical activity in their leisure time. The boys’ motor skills (in contrast with the rest of the factors) correlated the least with the increase of the actual level of physical activity in leisure time, and in case of the girls, they did not correlate at all. Youngsters’ individual predispositions to undertake physical activity in their free time were at a medium-high level. Nevertheless, their internalization did not take place because more than a half of the subjects undertook physical activities at a low level (51.0%) or not at all (7.4%)