The Effect of Sport Activities on Self-Confidence Levels of 13-14 Year-Olds

This study is conducted to determine the effect of the sport activities on the self-confidence levels of 13-14 year-olds. Self-confidence formation starts especially at ages of 13-14 and affects the success of the individuals. Therefore, whether sport activities have any effects on self-confidence and whether the demographic characteristics affect self-confidence are analyzed in our study. Total of 272 individuals, 159 individuals participating in sport activities and 113 individuals not participating in sport activities at Ilkadım, Carsamba and Bafra Youth Centers providing services under the scope of the sport activities by the Samsun Youth and Sports Provincial Directorate in the season of 2018-2019 have participated voluntarily in this study. In this research, survey method among the methods used in applied research is preferred. As the data collection tool, a survey form consisting of two sections is used. In the first section the ‘Personal Information Form’ prepared by the researcher is used. In the personal information form, demographic information as father’s employment status, mother’s employment status, mother and father’s marital status, number of siblings and familial income status are included. In the second section, the ‘Self-confidence scale’ developed by Akın (2007) is used. Acquired data is tested at 95% confidence level with the aid of SPSS program and the significance level is determined as 0.05. In the light of the date in the study, before the statistical analysis was begun, normality assumption and homogeneity tests are applied, as the result of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Levene tests conducted it is determined that the data has normal distribution (p > 0.05). As the data shows normal distribution, it is decided to conduct parametric analysis. In comparison of the groups, independent sample t-test and one way ANOVA analyses are used. According to the acquired data and the analyses conducted, as the result of comparison of the Internal and External Self-confidence scores of the individuals participating in the sport activities according to the father’s employment status, mother’s employment status, mother and father’s marital status, number of siblings and familial income status, it is concluded that there is no significant differences. Whereas in the gender variable, while there is no significant difference in the Internal Self-confidence sub dimension, in the External Self-confidence sub dimension it is found out that the males have significantly higher scores compared to the females. Also it is seen that the self-confidence levels of individuals participating in sport activities are statistically higher than the ones who do not participate in the sport activities (p < 0.05).

Assessment of Social Competence Perceived in Martial Arts and Tendency towards Sport Activities

Considering that the socially perceived competence in athletes shall continue not only the tendency to the sport activities but also the mutual effects of showing more effort and participation in sport activities, our aim is to assess the perceived competence and tendency towards sport activities in martial arts athletes.The study is composed total of 220 athletes, 92 males and 128 females, in the branches of Kickboxing, Taekwondo, and Boxing. In the research, in order to determine the “Tendency towards Sports Activities” and the “Perceive Social Competence” levels of the athletes are used. The analysis of the data is performed utilizing SPSS 22.0 package program. In group comparisons, the Mann-Whitney U Test, Kruskal-Wallis Test are used. The analysis of the data is assessed at 95% confidence interval and p < 0.05 significance level.There are significant differences determined in perceived social competence, total score of tendency towards sports and emotion search sub dimension based on the genders of the athletes. Based on the branch variable of the athletes, in perceived social competence, general scale tendency towards sports, socializing sub dimension and emotion search sub dimension, significant differences are determined.As a result, it is concluded that they follow up-to-date sports regularly and this increases the social competence and sports tendency of the athletes; that Kickboxing athletes, the one who started the sport on their own will and male athletes have higher social competence and sport tendencies.

TRENDS OF “FIRE SOULS” MOTIVATIONAL FACTORS RELATED TO SPORT CLUB ESTABLISHMENT

The analysis was performed while participating and doing research in a project “Villages on the Move Go (VOMGO)” which is focused on one of the main objectives of EU sport policy: promote awareness and healthenhancing physical activity (HEPA). Motivation is widely-researched in sport psychology and other fields. Motivation for participation in sport is an important object of sport research, therefore it is important to apply reliable research tools. Aim of the research – to identify trends of “Fire Souls” motivational factors related to sport club establishment. Method. This paper analyses the results of open-ended questions, which are presented in quantitative terms (descriptive statistics) and statistical correlation analysis. Participants. The study involved 43 persons who are strongly related with the activities of sport clubs. They have established these clubs and are currently the enthusiasts of these clubs, as they represent them by participating or managing their activities, organizing various activities at the national and / or international level. In the “Villages on the Move Go” project and in this article, they are named as “Fire Souls”. Fire Souls are representing seven European countries: Finland, Lithuania, Cyprus, Slovenia, Hungary, Belgium and Portugal. All of the “Fire Souls” involved in this study were experts with extensive experiences in sport and physical activity. Results. The most frequently mentioned motivational factors for “Fire Souls” to run the sport clubs were participation in sport activities from childhood and search for innovative sport activities or benefits to the community. “Fire Souls” who once volunteered at the sport clubs practiced winter sports. The factor “personal life changes” is related to activities with vulnerable groups, implication of the sport education is related to gymnastics, acrobatics, active lifestyle and achievements are related with cycling. The factor “search for the innovative sport activities for the community” correlates with dancing, search for the innovative sport activities for the community is related with the occupation as physical education teacher. The most common motivational factors for men and women “Fire Souls” are participation in sport activities from childhood, search for innovative sport activities and benefits to the community. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors were almost indistinguishable from “Fire Souls” experience in sport activities. Conclusions. Intrinsic and extrinsic motivational factors of “Fire Souls” determine sport and active leisure activities for individuals seeking professional and nonprofessional athletic performance, contributing to the promotion of public health and quality of life.

Psychophysiological features of the sport's influence on the regulatory and adaptive abilities of teenagers

It is shown, that sport activities and shooting extremelly increase workability, self-control, impact on development of blood circulation's adaptation and optimization. Key words: teenage, floorball, stand shooting, brain abilities, psychophysiological comfort, cardiovascular system.

SIGNIFICANCE OF SPORT ACTIVITIES FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Although there are numerous categorizations and large differences in the specific characteristics between individual categories of disabilities, they all have something in common - barriers that people with disabilities deal with. Social, physical and mental limitations can be reduced or removed through sport, which can significantly improve the quality of life of people with disabilities, as we will try to document in this paper by research findings. Unfortunately, even today, the usual societal attitude about the quality of life of people with disabilities is not focusing on specific social and cultural context affecting disability. Instead, we are still focusing on individual coping strategies and behaviors in response to difficulties arising from biological limitations. Psychology is one of the sciences whose contribution to this topic can be important, especially in providing a framework for evidence-based practice. Simultaneously, promoting this topic can, hopefully, contribute to improving relevant policy.

Methodical principles of classes of health - developing orientation

On the basis of generalizing theoretical and methodical postulates of healthing and analysis of the results of their introduction to practice it is necessary to note the main methodical principles of the lessons of healthing exercises. The graduality of increasing an intensity and duration of loads. The variety of applied means. The constancy of the lessons. Dosing on relative values the quantity of physical loads. Dosing on the frequency of cardial strikes. Dosing at accordance with energy expenses. Dosing on the number of the repetitions of physical exercises. The necessity at the lessons of physical exercises of healthing direction is conditioned with a state of functional systems and psychophysical preparation as well as understanding demand of their improvement. These factors themselves conditions an appearance of a human to healthing physical culture. It is necessary the systematical application of special means and physical exercises of various nature and direction even when a state of an organism is optimal; it gives possibility to sustain such optimal state and to apply a state at professional and applied or sport activities creating a base for achievement higher level of functional possibilities. Nowadays, new trends in health-improving physical culture have appeared, which give a health-improving effect. These include health aerobics and its varieties: step, slide, dance aerobics (net jam, hip-hop), cycling, aerobics with a load shaping, fitness, stretching. The choice of one or another method of physical exercises with a health focus is the relationship with the real circumstances, opportunities, requirements, sometimes a matter of individual taste and interest. Exercise activates and improves metabolism, improves the activity of the central nervous system, ensures the adaptation of the cardiovascular, respiratory and other systems to the conditions of muscular activity, accelerates the entry and functioning of the circulatory and respiratory systems, and reduces the length of functional recovery after shifts caused by exercise. In addition to the health effect, exercise has a training effect on the human body (increase mental and physical performance), increase the level of physical qualities, affect the formation and further improvement of vital motor skills (swimming, skiing, etc.). The health, therapeutic and training effects of exercise on the body become more effective if they are properly combined with hardening in the form of water treatments, sun and air baths, as well as massage. Thus, regular use of exercise and hardening factors improves the vitality of the body, the general state of the immune system, the functions of the autonomic systems, performance and prevents premature aging.

Confirmed COVID-19 Cases per Economic Activity during Autumn Wave in Belgium

Some occupational sectors, such as human health and care, food service, cultural and sport activities, have been associated with a higher risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection than other sectors. To curb the spread of SARS-CoV-2, it is preferable to apply targeted non-pharmaceutical interventions on selected economic sectors, rather than a full lockdown. However, the effect of these general and sector-specific interventions on the virus circulation has only been sparsely studied. We assess the COVID-19 incidence under different levels of non-pharmaceutical interventions per economic activity during the autumn 2020 wave in Belgium. The 14-day incidence of confirmed COVID-19 cases per the Statistical Classification of Economic Activities in the European Community (NACE–BEL) sector is modelled by a longitudinal Gaussian-Gaussian two-stage approach. This is based on exhaustive data on all employees in all sectors. In the presence of sanitary protocols and minimal non-pharmaceutical interventions, many sectors with close contact with others show considerably higher COVID-19 14-day incidences than other sectors. The effect of stricter non-pharmaceutical interventions in the general population and non-essential sectors is seen in the timing of the peak incidence and the width and height of the post-peak incidence. In most sectors incidences returned to higher levels after the peak than before and this decrease took longer for the health and care sector. Sanitary protocols for close proximity occupations may be sufficient during periods of low-level virus circulation, but progressively less with increasing circulation. Stricter general and sector-specific non-pharmaceutical interventions adequately decrease COVID-19 incidences, even in close proximity in essential sectors under solely sanitary protocols.

Clinical Replacement Strategies for Meniscus Tissue Deficiency

Meniscus tissue deficiency resulting from primary meniscectomy or meniscectomy after failed repair is a clinical challenge because the meniscus has little to no capacity for regeneration. Loss of meniscus tissue has been associated with early-onset knee osteoarthritis due to an increase in joint contact pressures in meniscectomized knees. Clinically available replacement strategies range from allograft transplantation to synthetic implants, including the collagen meniscus implant, ACTIfit, and NUSurface. Although short-term efficacy has been demonstrated with some of these treatments, factors such as long-term durability, chondroprotective efficacy, and return to sport activities in young patients remain unpredictable. Investigations of cell-based and tissue-engineered strategies to treat meniscus tissue deficiency are ongoing.

The Ankle Energetic Effect of Functional Insoles on Walking

Background：Although insoles made of various materials and shapes have been developed to improve performance in sport activities, few objective evaluations on their effectiveness have been conducted. We investigated the effect of insoles supporting the cuboid bone and anterior part of the calcaneus in healthy individuals.Methods:The subjects included 18 healthy males and females. They walked in standardized shoes with a flat insole (a flat insole made of polyurethane without an arched shape on the surface) and a functional insole (made of carbon and supporting the cuboid and anterior part of the calcaneus). We used a three-dimensional motion analysis device and a force plate to analyze gait and quantitatively compared the effect of functional insoles.Results:There was no difference in the parameters of gait analysis (walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length) between flat insoles and functional insoles. The functional insoles reduced ankle power without reducing walking ability. A comparison between Group A (n = 7), in which the left-right difference in ankle power was more than 20%, and Group B (n = 11), in which the left-right difference in ankle power was less than 20%, indicated that the use of functional insoles reduces the left-right difference of ankle power in the group with a larger difference in power.Conclusion：We believe that the use of functional insoles reduced ankle power without reducing walking ability and equalized left-right power. It may therefore reduce the burden on the muscles of the unilateral lower limbs and improve sport performance.Trial registration：The medical research ethics review committee for individuals at Gunma University (study number HS2017-229) Registered 20 febluary 2018, https://upload.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000034362

Collegiate Athlete Experiences with COVID-19 and Attitudes About Returning to Sport

When COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic, collegiate athletic departments faced the difficult decision to postpone or cancel sport activities. Aside from concerns of transmission, disruptions in sport impacted college athletes broadly. This study was designed to investigate athletes’ experiences during the pandemic toward developing a better understanding of athletes’ attitudes about COVID-19 and returning to sport. Participants included 245 varsity collegiate athletes across NCAA sports and divisions who voluntarily completed an online survey between August and October 2020. Collegiate athletes reported significant impacts of COVID-19 on areas including mental health, physical fitness, and academic progress. Approximately one in four participants reported that they had tested positive for COVID-19 at some point between the onset of the pandemic and completing the survey. Less than half of the respondents, however, endorsed worry about exposure to COVID-19 while participating in their sport. Most collegiate athletes reported satisfaction with their athletic department’s response to COVID-19 and adherence to guidelines and recommendations. Temperature checks, sanitation of equipment and regular COVID-19 testing were among the top recommended procedures endorsed by participants. Some athletes, however, reported concerns about feasibility of safety procedures for their particular sport. Overall, respondents demonstrated eagerness to return to sport despite COVID-19 related risks.