The Effect of Eight Weeks of Combined Training (Endurance-Intermittent Resistance and Endurance-Continuous Resistance) on Coagulation, Fibrinolytic and Lipid Profiles of Overweight Women

Introduction. Inflammatory and coagulation factors are among the various factors that are involved in the development of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of eight weeks of combined training (endurance-intermittent resistance and endurance-continuous resistance) on coagulation, fibrinolytic and lipid profiles of overweight women. Material and Methods. This was a quasi-experimental study of 36 overweight women, who were divided into three groups of endurance-intermittent resistance training (n = 12), endurance-continuous resistance training (n = 12) and control (n = 12). The training was performed during eight weeks, three times a week, and each session lasted for 80 to 90 minutes. Blood samples were analyzed for the concentrations of coagulation, fibrinolytic and lipid profiles before and after the completion of the training program. Results. Fibrinogen levels, prothrombin time (PT), partial thromboplastin time (PTT) and platelet count decreased significantly at the end of the training in both intervention groups. However, serum levels of D-dimer increased significantly in both training groups. Also, the levels of triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) decreased significantly, while the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) increased significantly. Conclusions. Combined exercise improved most coagulation factors and lipid profiles at the end of the training period. Therefore, the results of our research suggest that a combined exercise program can improve the health of overweight women.

Relationship Between Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test-Level 1 and Match Running Performance in Soccer: Still on the Right Path?

Introduction. The Yo-Yo Intermittent Endurance Test-Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) is considered a valuable measurement tool in assessing specific soccer endurance. However, there is a lack of recent research validating this test with regard to match running performance (MRP) in elite-level soccer. Material and Methods. The aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of Yo-Yo IR1 in predicting MRP during elite-level soccer matches. The participants were soccer players who competed in the highest-level Croatian soccer league (23.57 ± 2.84 years, 181.9 ± 5.17 cm, 78.36 ± 4.18 kg), and they were all tested using Yo-Yo IR1 in the middle of the season 2019/2020. The players’ MRP (n = 71) was measured using the Global Positioning System over one-half season, and included the total distance covered, the distance covered in different speed zones, accelerations and decelerations. The association between MRP and Yo-Yo IR1 was identified with Pearson’s correlation. Results. The results indicated that central midfielders and fullbacks achieved significantly higher results in Yo-Yo IR1 than forwards and central defenders (F-test: 29.80; p < 0.01; large effect size). Higher results in Yo-Yo IR1 were correlated with the match amount of (i) the total distance covered (r = 0.65); (ii) high-speed running (r = 0.42); (iii) high-intensity distance covered (r = 0.36); (iv) total accelerations (r = 0.37); and total decelerations (r = 0.42). Conclusions. The established associations between Yo-Yo IR1 and MRP in this study confirmed the validity of Yo-Yo IR1 in predicting MRP in professional soccer today.

Relative Age Effect and Talent Identification in Youth Volleyball Players from the Polish Volleyball Federation Sports School

Introduction. This study sought to determine differences in the quarterly age distribution of young Polish volleyball players from the Sports School of the Polish Volleyball Federation (SS PVF), to investigate quarterly differences in anthropometric characteristics and jump test results. Material and Methods. RAE of young players from SS PVF (n = 232) born between 1989 and 2002 was identified in the course of the research. Furthermore, the study included anthropometric characteristics and jump test results (attack jump – AJ). Results. The chi-square test (χ2) revealed the overrepresentation of volleyball players born in quarters 1 and 2, both in the case of graduates (χ2 = 27.32, p < 0.0001) and students who did not finish school (χ2 = 17.95, p < 0.0005). Two-way ANOVA for unbalanced data for the Group factor showed significant differences in the value of estimated marginal means in the case of AJ (F(1,214) = 5.907, p < 0.016) and body mass (BM) (F(1,214) = 5.348, p < 0.022). Conclusions. These results point to the need for better understanding of RAE in order to avoid dropping out or the loss of potential talent, which will contribute to even greater development of volleyball in Poland.

Sports Consumption Behavior: Discovering Typologies of Amateur Cyclists

Introduction. Cycling is one of the most popular and practiced sports both in Europe and globally. However, management studies aimed at defining cyclists’ consumption behavior are still limited. The most recent contributions describe cycling consumption as an activity heavily influenced by the intensity and sociality of its practice but do not highlight the importance of expenditures related to participation in amateur cycling events and cycle tourism experiences. Starting from these behavioral dimensions, the article proposes an original segmentation of the sport and leisure market, leading to the identification of different profiles of amateur cyclists. Material and methods. The research was conducted on a sample of 182 cyclists located in one single Italian region to ensure a high level of social, economic and cultural uniformity. The data was collected by conducting a questionnaire, and its resulting information relating to sport and consumer behavior was processed through a cluster analysis procedure. Results. The results reveal the existence of five different amateur cyclists’ profiles (the parsimonious, the competitive, the ostentatious, the sociable and the experiential), each distinguished by specific behavior in terms of the intensity and way of conducting the sports activity and the propensity to incur different types of expenditure. Conclusions. From a theoretical point of view, the results confirm the effectiveness of behavioral segmentation in the market of sports consumption. From an operational point of view, they provide useful marketing indications for businesses operating in the sport-system chain and destination management operators.

Effect of Small Sided Game Duration with Floater Player on Internal and External Load of Female Handball Players

Introduction. The present study deals with the effect of the duration of small-sided games (SSGs) with a floater player on the external (covered distance) and internal (heart rate) load of the elite female players. Material and methods. The research group consisted of nine professional elite female team handball field players (age 22.8 ± 4.5 years) playing in the first international league for female players in the Czech Republic. Their height was 170.4 ± 6.4 cm, weight 67.7 ± 9.2 kg, and maximal heart rate 200.2 ± 3.3 beats∙min-1. The duration of the SSGs was 4 (SSG4) minutes, 5 (SSG5) minutes, and 6 (SSG6) minutes. Results. The highest heart rate value of 177.2 ± 9.9 beats / minute resp. 88.5 ± 4.4% HRmax was measured in SSG5. The lowest mean heart rate values were measured at SSG6 of 172.01 ± 15.7 beats / min resp. 85.9 ± 6.8% HRmax. Most time 38 resp. 34% of the drill time, players were in the 85-90% HRmax load intensity zone of SSG4 and SSG5. There was a statistically significant difference in load intensity zones of 80-85% HRmax and ≥ 95% HRmax between SSG5 and SSG6 and p = .008 (η2 p = 0.22) and .013 (η2 p = 0.26), respectively. In the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) evaluation, there was a statistically significant difference in SSG6 and SSG4 p = .003 (η2 p = 0.27) and between SSG6 and SSG5 p = .004 (η2 p = 0.25). The total longest distance in SSG6 was 786.8 ± 41.9 m, but in the one-minute drill the longest average distance in SSG4 was 136.2 ± 21.1 metres per minute. Conclusions . SSGs with a floater are a suitable means for training technical and tactical activities in handball with an overlap into fitness training in women’s handball. According to our results, the intensity of the load will not decrease if we increase the game time to six minutes and also the covered distance will not decrease during the game.

Time Budget of Inhabitants of Large Cities in Poland During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Introduction. The aim of the research is to determine the structure of the day – the time devoted to various activities – of the inhabitants of large cities in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account the workweek-weekend cycle. Material and methods. Time budget studies – using qualitative research methods (structured interview, including self-reporting) – were conducted in December 2020 among residents of selected 9 large cities in Poland. The research was based on self-reporting by the respondents for one week. The results were analysed using three parameters: the average duration of the activity, the average time of performing the activity, the percentage of people performing the activity. Results. The daytime structure of inhabitants of large cities during the pandemic included 9.19 h (39% day time) for physiological activities, 8.30 h (36%) for duties, 5.49 h (24%) for leisure time and 0.20 h (1%) for commute. Relative to the 2013 GUS survey, there was a decrease in the amount of time spent commuting to work/school (72% decrease), physiological needs (15% decrease) and housework (15% decrease), More time than before the pandemic (51% increase in the amount of time) was devoted to work, and leisure time was spent on sports and recreation (125% increase in the amount of time) and using mass media (16%). Conclusions. COVID-19 pandemic and the associated restrictions have significantly impacted our daily lives and how we use our time.

Effect of Neurodynamic Mobilisation Plus Core Stability on Pain and Motor Nerve Conduction Velocity in Athletes with Lumbar Radiculopathy

Introduction. Lumbar radiculopathy (LR) is a common debilitating disorder of neuromuscular origin that affects athletes. Material and Methods. This study was a parallel group design and a total of 24 clinically diagnosed athletes with LR were recruited for the study and randomly assigned to one of the two groups, i.e. neurodynamic mobilisation plus core stability group (NDS plus CS) and core stability group only (CS). NDS plus CS underwent neural mobilisation of the tibial nerve and core stability exercises, while CS group performed core stability for a total of 14 sessions on alternate days. The outcome measures of motor nerve conduction velocity (m NCV) of the tibial nerve and pain intensity were recorded before the start of the intervention, at midpoint (7th session) and at the end of the intervention (14th session). Results. Baseline scores of pain and m NCV (NDS plus CS: 6.75 ± 0.62, 38.10 ± 7.21 and CS: 6.58 ± 0.79, 38.92 ± 6.37) were non-significant. The outcome measures improved significantly during treatment in NDS plus CS group (baseline to 7th session, 7th to 14th session and overall mean change for pain and m NCV was found to be 4.74 ± 0.37 and -6.43 ± 3.08, respectively. Non-significant improvement was reported for CS group. Two-way repeated measures (2 x 3) ANOVA was used to analyse the change in the outcome measures and revealed that NDS plus CS group showed statistically significant main effects for group on pain level (F (2, 5.34) = 0.89, p < 0.001 and m NCV (F (2, 5.21) = 0.40, p < 0.03. Significant time and group x time interaction effects were also found. Conclusions. The findings of the study revealed that neurodynamic mobilisation plus core stability were found effective in improving pain level and motor nerve conduction velocity of the tibial nerve in athletes with lumbar radiculopathy.

Sustainable Urban Tourism Development and Quality of Life: A Case of Kampung Bharu, Kuala Lumpur

Introduction. With the transformation of Kuala Lumpur as a mega city and the boom of Malaysian urban tourism, understanding the interaction between tourism and local community livability is important for sustainable urban tourism development. Material and methods. Founded in 1899, Kampung Bharu is a famous traditional Malay village facing conflicting urban development and local community livability issues. Thus, to understand the local community perception of urban tourism development and its effect on their quality of life, this study investigates the effect of sustainable tourism development on the local Kampung Bharu community’s quality of life. This study collected 364 valid responses from the local community through a self-administered survey. Results. The study confirms that economic and environmental impacts of urban tourism development deteriorate the local community’s quality of life. However, the socio-cultural impacts of urban tourism development positively and significantly enhance the quality of life of the local community in Kampung Bharu. Conclusions. The study highlighted the importance of the local community’s perceptions, community attachment, and perceived quality of life to destination managers responsible for planning and developing future tourism projects. Several limitations and recommendations for future research are presented.

Corporate Security in Tourism: The Example of Slovenia

Introduction. Tourism is part of the global security space and is the largest global industry with the highest levels of annual growth. In recent years, the issue of security has begun to significantly impact the development of tourism. This requires answers regarding the satisfaction of tourists from security, cultural, economic and sociological perspectives. Material and Methods. Our research problem is aimed at corporate security in health resorts (one of the conditions for establishing a health resort is e.g. the surrounding environment, natural mineral water), which differs from the security present in hotels or other tourist facilities. In order to achieve the purpose of this study, we developed a new theoretical model of corporate security in health resort tourism where we applied both a qualitative and quantitative paradigm in this research. In the qualitative part of this study, we collected data using the methods of document analysis and interviews and processed it in the software Atlas.ti. In the quantitative part, we collected data using a survey questionnaire and analysed the results using the SPSS software Results. The study will contribute an original theoretical model of corporate security in Slovenian health resort tourism to the treasure trove of knowledge and it will be possible to theoretically verify it and apply it in health resorts. Conclusions. In this way, we opened up the theoretical and practical dimensions of poorly researched field of security in Slovenian health resorts and, in doing so, contribute to the better understanding and improving of models of corporate security in health resort tourism.

Predicting Sports Facility Revisit Intentions Based on Experience and Mediating Effects of Perceived Value

Introduction. Several factors, such as program offerings, atmosphere and provided amenities, motivate repeat visits to sports destinations, with continued patronage most often associated with perceived value. Material and Methods. This study sought to determine the extent to which perceived value in sports facilities influenced revisit intentions, for which a path analysis model was used and a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire was completed by 384 recreational sports facility visitors. Results. Visit experience and perceived value were found to influence revisit intentions, with nearly 50% of the direct effect being because of perceived value. Conclusions. The results of this study inform both academic practice and managerial decisions.