Relationship of the results from fitness test and points for performance in alpine skiing of the Czech national team of U14 and U16 categories in the season 2018/2019

The main motivation for the research is a verification of applicability of the fitness test as a predictor for specific alpine skiing performance of the Czech national team of U14 and U16 categories. We want to verify if the results from the fitness test correspond with points for the performance in alpine skiing disciplines (slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom). In total, 42 men and women (U14 and U16 categories), members of the Czech national team, participated in the research. Participants were grouped by gender (women n=21, age 14.23 (± 1.04), men n = 21, age 14.19 (± 1.07)). Fitness test consisted of six individual tests and was used as a tool to examine the level of motor abilities (jumping over the Swedish bench, shuttle run 4 × 10m, standing long jump, hurdles agility run - boomerang test, twist test, 20m shuttle run - beep test). Points for the performance in alpine skiing show the best result from a single competition transferred to the points. In our research we were looking for relationship between the points from three different disciplines (slalom, giant slalom, super giant slalom) and the results from the fitness test. In the men category we found high correlation (at the significance level of p ˂ 0.05) between super giant slalom and standing long jump (r = -0.73; r² = 0.53), between super giant slalom and boomerang test (r = 0.62, r² = 0.38) and between super giant slalom and shuttle run 4 × 10m (r = 0.61, r² = 0.37). Small correlation was found between slalom and box jump test (r = -0.31, r² = 0.1), between slalom and twist test (r = -0.33, r² = 0.11) and between super giant slalom and twist test (r = -0.34, r² = 0.12). In women category we did not found high correlation (at the sig-nificance level of p ˂ 0.05). Small correlation was found between slalom and box jump (r = -0.31, r² = 0.1), between giant slalom and twist test (r = 0.01, r² = 0.0001), between super giant slalom and standing long jump (r = -0.03, r² = 0.0009) and between slalom and shuttle run 4 × 10m (r = -0.05, r² = 0.0025). Twist test had very small correlation in both men and women categories. We can say that it is not relevant for prediction of alpine skiing per-formance. Based on different significance of correlations between men and women (super giant slalom and standing long jump; slalom/super giant slalom and shuttle run 4 × 10m) it might be necessary to adjust fitness testing as a predictor of alpine skiing performance according to a gender.

On selected problems of low representation of women in coaching

Coaches play a crucial role in the development of sport at all levels. However, there is often talk of a lack of coaches. This problem is compounded by the fact that female coaches make up only a much smaller part of the coaching staff. Significant deficits of woman are particular-ly noticeable in senior coaching positions (e.g., among head or national coaches). The issue of female representation in coaching has received considerable attention for forty years, es-pecially within the broader topic of women and sport. At the same time, the literature reflects an interesting paradox. Political and sporting bodies at the international and national level address the shortage of female coaches, and many projects promoting women in coaching have emerged. Research but shows that female representation in coaching is practically not improving. Many organizational and interpersonal problems and myths about the possibilities of women trainers remain. Also, in the Czech Republic, in the last two decades, political and research activities pay considerable attention to the topic of women in coaching. Our study builds on Czech empirical findings in the field of women in sport from the first decade of the 21st century. Apartial goal of our more extensive research was to find out the reasons for the low representation of women among sports coaches. We addressed women (questionnaire survey, n=103, average age 24.3 years), who at the performance or top-level are engaged in various sports and who are – at the same time – feel “at the end” of their active sports track, and realistically think about the professional future after finishing their sports career. We pro-cessed the results using statistical analysis and open coding. The most common reasons that negatively affect the continuation of the addressed female athletes as coaches, respondents report low financial remuneration of coaching work and loss of leisure time. Other reasons why women do not consider coaching include the lack of their professional ambitions and re-spect from sports associations and sports clubs. Research carried out shows that about half of the addressed female athletes are interested in staying in the sport as a coach, but they are aware of many obstacles in this area at the same time.

Eficiency of Jumping Preparation in Younger Pupils in Athletics

The aim was to find out, compare and evaluate the eficiency of take-off preparation for selected indicators of motor performance in athletes in the category of younger pupils. The monitored group consisted of 5 girls (average age 12.4 ± 0.22 year) and 4 boys (average age 12.9 ± 0.12 year) regularly participating in the training process three times a week. During 8 weeks in the racing period, take-off preparation was applied in the training pro-cess, consisting of two different batteries of take-off drills. The take-off preparation took place two to three times a week, taking into account the participation of athletes in the race. We performed the following tests to determine the eficiency of the take-off preparation to change the level of motor performance in selected indicators: 50m run, 20m cursory run, standing long jump, vertical jump with countermovement without arm swing and repeated vertical take-off drills without arm swing in 10s. We found that in the output measurement, the athletes of monitored group achieved an improvement in motor performance in tests for explosive power of lower limbs and the maximum running speed tests.

The effect of classical ballet, Slovakian folklore dance and sport dance on static postural control in female and male dancers

Purpose: Classical ballet, Slovakian folklore dance, and sport dance training differ in their way how to master the art of dance; however, postural control is essential for the correct exe-cution of complex movements used in all types of dance. The aim of this study was to analyse the differences in static postural control between classical ballet dancers, Slovakian folklore dancers and sport dancers and to analyse the effect of body mass, body height and toe grip strength on postural control. Methods: 68 dancers, between 17 to 28 years of age, participated in this study: 21 dancers from Slovakian folklore dance group VSLPT Poľana Brno (12 females, 9 males), 22 dancers from Brno Dance conservatory (16 females, 6 males) and 25 sport dancers competing at Brno Dance Open 2019 (12 females, 13 males). All participants were asked to stand upright, barefooted, arms along the body, both feet on the Emed-at platform (Novel GmbH, Germany) for 10 seconds with their eyes open to obtain the length of COP line (cm), average velocity of COP (cm/s), the elliptic area (mm2) and numerical eccentricity of the ellipse. The toe grip strength was measured for each foot when sitting using toe grip dynamometer (Takei Scien-tific Instruments, Niigata, Japan). To analyse the effect of dance style, to grip strength, body mass, body height, and gender on postural control variables, Kruskal Wallis test, and Spear-man Rank Order Correlation were used. Results: Abetter postural stability measured by the length and average velocity of COP was observed in sport dancers, compared to classical ballet and Slovakian folklore dancers. Sport dancers are used to a greater load on the forefoot and to a special foot roll-of pattern when dancing, which may lead together with a constantly changing environment during competi-tions to their enhanced postural stability. Despite the differences in dance training and dance footwear of female and male dancers (high-heel shoes in sport and Slovakian folklore female dancers, pointe shoes in female ballet dancers), no statistically significant difference in pos-tural variables between genders was observed. Similarly, in analysed dancers, no effect of age, body mass, and body weight on postural control were observed. The toe grip strength was not observed to affect the postural variables in this study. The greatest toe grip strength was observed in female ballet dancers, despite their younger age. Ballet dance training in-cludes repetitive exercises focused on foot and toes such as battement tendu or demi-pointe and en pointe positions probably resulting in the greater strength of the toes. Conclusion: In this study, better postural stability measured by the length and average ve-locity of COP was observed in sport dancers, compared to classical ballet and Slovakian folklore dancers. In analysed dancers, no effect of body mass, body weight, gender, and toe grip strength on postural control variables was observed. Future studies focused on postural stability changes in non-dancers after a sport dance, classical ballet and Slovakian folklore dance training program would provide additional knowledge about the process how each type of dance enhance the balance and other coordinative skills.

Boom of road races in the Czech Republic – sport for all or luxury amusement?

Nowadays, similar to worldwide trends, running has become very popular in the Czech Republic. Since the mid of 1990s, the business sector has become very active in this area. Private companies organise many road races for the public, including participation of top level runners (i.e. Prague International Marathon). In 2016, within the framework of the international project IRNIST, we realised an empirical descriptive study of the Mattoni ½ Marathon in Ústí nad Labem, a middle size town. The IRNIST questionnaire was used. Analysing data on 491 runners (of 2,238 runners finished the race) we found that concern-ing socio-economic status of respondents, 56.9% of runners have a university education, one third advanced secondary education; and 63% earn more than the average wage. Participant were able to spend quite a lot of money for participation costs. These results raise the issue if the privatization and commercialization of running for the masses does not cause limit for sport participation for all.

Doping knowledge and doping attitudes in competitive bodybuilding

Purpose: Bodybuilding becomes more visible and acceptable within mainstream society thanks to social media, which is promoting, and developing grooving interest in bodies, fit-ness and active lifestyle. However, this is concerning knowing that according to the latest world anti-doping agency report bodybuilding is one of two sports with the highest number of Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) committed by athletes. This study aimed to evaluate doping attitudes and correlates of doping attitudes in top level body builders. Methods: Study included 26 competitive bodybuilders form Croatia. Variables were collect-ed by a previously validated Questionnaire of Substance Use (QSU). Statistical procedures included means and standard deviations (for parametric variables), frequencies and percent-ages (for ordinal and nominal variables). Spearman’s correlations were calculated to deter-mine associations between studied variables. Results: The most positive attitudes are found towards injectable anabolic steroids (mean ± standard deviation; 4.00 ± 1.52), followed by fat burners (3.73 ± 1.46), growth hormone (3.69 ± 1.64), and estrogen blockers (3.60 ± 1.22), oral anabolic steroids (3.58 ± 1.27). Sig-nificant correlation was identified between: (i) result achieved in bodybuilding (RBB) and alcohol consumption, (R= -0.57 p < 0.05) (ii) RBB and subjective knowledge on nutrition (R=0.66, p < 0.05), (iii) RBB and subjective knowledge on doping (R=0.72, p < 0.05). Conclusion: The lack of correlation between self-perceived competence and objectively eval-uated knowledge on nutrition is alarming due to the possible “anchoring effect”, accordingly even though objective knowledge is not correlated with attitudes towards doping substances, it is important to properly educate athletes who are in the misconception of their true knowl-edge.

Relationships between physical activity, motor performance and body composition in school-age children

Introduction: Physical activity (PA) performed at recommended levels is associated with mul-tiple health benefits. However, as indicated by the available studies, the volume of habitual physical activity of children continuously decreases. Aim: The aim of the study was to assess the relationships between physical activity per-formed by school-age population and indicators of motor performance and body composition. Methods: The research group consisted of 144 students of the primary school assigned into groups according to the years of study (first, fifth and eighth-year students). The amount of physical activity was examined through a non-direct method, using Fels PAQ, recording four scores, namely sport index, leisure index, work (chore) index and total score. Body composition was tested using a direct segmental multi-frequency bioelectric impedance analysis (DSM-BIA). Motor performance was assessed in four categories. Endurance and strength endurance were assessed using Jacik’s motor test; strength abilities were measured using a hand grip test; speed abilities were tested in linear sprints at 5 and 10 meters and in the test of speed with changes of direction at 4 x 10 m and, finally, explosive strength was assessed from results of the countermovement jump (CMJ), squat jump (SJ) and 10-second repeated jumps tests. The strength of association between the selected factors was determined from the results using the Spearman’s rank correlation analysis. Results: The amount of physical activity was mainly associated with the indicators of active body mass (fat free mass, skeletal muscle mass) in all age categories. Low association was found in the parameters of adipose tissue (body fat percentage, visceral fat level). When assessing the strength of association between the characteristics of motor performance and physical activity performed, we observed various courses of associations, based on which it is not possible to determine the tendency. When assessing the relationship between the amount of physical activity and motor performance of students regardless of age, we found medium association only with indicators of strength abilities (hand grip test) and characteris-tics of speed abilities. Conclusions: The results are not explicit but they point to some tendencies in relationships between habitual physical performance and body composition indicators. With respect to mo-tor performance, it is not possible to consider these results decisive; therefore, further data collection and more accurate assessment of relationships are necessary.

Sport participation should not be observed as protective against smoking and drinking in adolescence; cross-sectional cluster-based analysis in Croatian southern regions

Purpose: Sport participation in adolescence is frequently observed as being protective against consumption of psychoactive substances (e.g. cigarettes and alcohol), but limited number of studies directly examined this problem while simultaneously observing consump-tion of cigarettes and alcohol. The aim of this study was to evidence the possible associations which may exist between different factors explaining participation in sports, and consumption of cigarettes and alcohol in adolescents from Croatia. Methods: The sample comprised 436 adolescents from coastal regions in Croatia (202 fe-males) aged 15–17 years who were tested by previously validated closed structured ques-tionnaire on sport factors (experience in sports [four point scale from “never participated” to “ > 5 years”], sport competitive achievement [four point scale ranging from “never competed” to “national/international competitive achievement”], number of sport training sessions per week [four point scale ranging from “didn’t participate” to “sometimes even twice a day”]), cigarette smoking (four point scale ranging from “never smoked” to “more than 10 cigarettes per day”), and alcohol consumption (measured by Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – AUDIT). Cluster analysis calculated on the basis of cigarette smoking and AUDIT results was used to form homogenous groups (substance misuse clusters – SMC). The Kruskall Wallis analysis of variance (KWA) was calculated to identify the differences between SMC in studied sport factors. Results: Four SMC were formed indicating: (i) high alcohol + high cigarettes (SMC1: n=42), (ii) high alcohol + low cigarettes (SMC2: n=115), (iii) low alcohol + low cigarettes (SMC3: n=226), and (iv) low alcohol + high cigarettes consumption (SMC4: n=53). When calculat-ed for total sample of participants, the KWA revealed significant differences among SMC, with significant post-hoc differences between SMC1 and SMC3 in all sport-factors (H test: 9.5-to-17.5, p 80% of all SMC1 members). Gender-specific KWA did not reveal significant differences among SMC in studied sport factors. Conclusion: Study results do not support the theory of protective effects of sport participation against substance misuse in adolescence. Even more, there are some indices that sport par-ticipation may be observed risk factor for consumption of cigarettes and alcohol in this age group. Social acceptance of smoking and drinking in sport-society in the region is probable reason for relatively high rates of substance misuse in adolescents who are actively involved in sports.

Monitoring Heart Rate Variability As A Biomarker Of Fatigue In Young Athletes

Purpose: Many high performance and especially top athletes are still at risk or suffer from total fatigue. Therefore, sports science seeks to develop an objective, sensitive and reliable method of early diagnosis of this fatigue (e.g. heart rate variability – HRV as a modern ob-jective method). The aim of the study was to evaluate whether the HRV monitoring could be a complementary diagnostic tool for overreaching / overtraining in young athletes. Already introduced “classical” indicators of HRV, such as spectral performance and its density in the established frequency ranges, are a part of athlete monitoring in the scope of overreaching prevention We were monitoring the heart rate variability parameters at three different phases of the year-long training cycle and to find out whether in one of these phases we could find athletes showing symptoms of overreaching. Methods: 48 young athletes (33 boys 14.8 ± 1.5 years, 15 girls 14.9 ± 1.7 years) were involved in the study, consisting of 38 boys and 10 girls. There were 15 swimmers (with training volume 9x 1.5‒2 hours a week), 12 artistic gymnasts (with training volume 9x 2‒2.5 hours a week) and 21 badminton players (with training volume 4x weekly 1.5‒2 hours a week). Monitoring was carried out in athletes in three training periods: at the end of the transition period, at the end of the prepared period, at the end of the competition period. Measurements were carried out in the morning. The DiANS PF8 system was used to measure the heart rate variability, the measurements were performed at five-minute intervals: lying-standing-lying. Time and spectral parameters of HRV were monitored. Results: Results of HRV in three periods (HR + rMSSD in lying). Boys: HR (61 ± 8, 64 ± 7, 64 ± 8), rMSSD (85 ± 64; 80 ± 54; 88 ± 59), TS (-0.56 ± 1.53; -0.87 ± 1.4; -0.42 ± 1.44). Girls: HR (65 ± 8; 64 ± 7; 65 ± 8), rMSSD (74 ± 37; 79 ± 35; 83 ± 43), TS (-0.58 ± 1.57; -0.72 ± 1.35); -0.18 ± 0.18). Statistically significant differences (at the significance level = 0.05) among sports were found in Kruskal-Walls ANOVAby Ranks: boys in LF-standing, HF standing, FV, SVB and TS; girls in HF-lying, HF-standing, rMSSD, TP-lying, TP-standing, FV, VA and TS. Conclusion: Monitoring of heart rate variability seems to be a practical tool for prevention of overtraining even in young age. To monitor heart rate variability, we recommend monitoring these parameters: RR, rMSSD, VA, SVB, TS.

Differences in the level of body equilibrium by sex in early school-age children

Equilibrium represents the motor capability responsible for the performance of virtually all functional movements. Thus, the importance of early diagnosis of equilibrium levels in boys and girls was recognized as the key factor for the prevention of motor deficits and muscles misbalances later in life. Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to show the difference between boys and girls aged 7‒10 years in the level of unilateral static balance of the take-off leg. Methods: Research was conducted at the Kvarner Athletics Club Rijeka, and it involved 80 children aged 7‒10 years (38 boys and 42 girls). Measurement of static unilateral equilibrium was obtained using Gyko Inertial System (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). Three attempts were made in 20 seconds and two motor variables were observed: medio-lateral and antero-posterior trajectories of the body. For both variables, the arithmetic mean, the minimum and maximum score and standard deviation were calculated. Moreover, a non-parametric method of the Mann-Whitney U test was used to determine statistical significance between boys and girls. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Statistically, girls have significantly better results compared to boys, both in the medio-lateral trajectory variable (M_Sumg = 335.1, M_Sumb = 479.34) and the antero-posterior trajectory variable (M_Sumg = 291.14, M_Sumb = 411.71). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that girls aged 7‒10 years achieved significantly better results compared to boys in observed motor variables (medio-lateral and antero-posterior trajectory of the body), when performing a static unilateral take-off leg balance test. These results are consistent with previous research. Indications for such results stem from different perspectives, among which the most common one refers to the earlier maturation of the systems responsible for postural control in female bodies. Recommendation for further research is to conduct examination on a larger sample of subjects, in younger children (pre-school age) and with both legs.