Vol. 2 (2014)

s. The aim of this investigation was to determine the effectiveness of rating of perceived exertion (RPE) scale to measure plyometric exercise intensity during low (L), moderate (M) and high (H) intensity. Fourteen physically active students (age; 21±1.1 y, height; 178.7±8.2 cm and body mass; 74.6±9.1 kg) volunteered to participate in this study and performed each intensity once separated with 24 h recovery. The H consisted of 1 set of 5 repetitions at 90% of the subject’s vertical jump height (VJH). The M consisted of 10 repetitions at 70% VJT, and the L consisted of 1 set of 15 repetitions at 50% VJH. RPE was measured following the completion each intensity using 0-10 Borg RPE scale. Data was analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA and the level of significant was set at p < 0.05. The results indicated increases in RPE following enhancing exercise intensity (p < 0.05). Performing fewer repetitions at a higher intensity was perceived to be more difficult than performing more repetitions at a lower intensity. The results of the current investigation revealed that the RPE method is effective in monitoring different plyometric exercise and training intensities and it can be recommend that strength and conditioning professionals and athletes use the RPE method based on the effectiveness tool for monitoring their plyometric exercise and training sessions at different intensities.

s. The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of a physical education-based stretching program performed during warm-up and cool-down periods on hamstring extensibility in schoolchildren aged 9-10 years. A sample of 73 schoolchildren, 36 boys and 37 girls, aged 9-10 years old from three classes were clustered randomly assigned to a no-training group (n = 24), warm-up group (n = 25), or cool-down group (n = 24). During physical education classes, the students of the warm-up and cool-down groups performed a four-minute stretching program twice a week for ten weeks during the warm-up and the cool-down periods, respectively. Hamstring extensibility was estimated by the classic sit-and-reach test at the beginning and at the end of the stretching intervention program. The results of the ANOVA showed that both the warm-up and cool-down students had statistically significant higher values on the hamstring extensibility than the no-training students (p < 0.05). The warm-up and cool-down groups did not show statistically significant differences. Nevertheless, the cool-down students obtained a slightly higher magnitude effect when compared with the warm-up group (g = 0.67 and g = 0.56, respectively). In addition to the slight higher improvement during the cool-down, due to the negative effect of static stretching on performance as previously found in the literature, it seems that physical education teachers should improve students´ flexibility during the cool-down period of the sessions.

s. On 1st June 1975 a new two-tier administrative division of the country was introduced creating 49 new provinces. One of the newly created provinces was sieradzkie. On the territory of the sieradzkie province the development of tourism was coordinated and supervised by the department for physical education and tourism (the name of the department during the period changed repeatedly). The main factors for the development of tourism in the sieradzkie province included: the amount of funding spent on tasks related to tourism, tourism infrastructure (accommodation and catering), qualified tourist staff, as well as activities in the field of information and promotion of tourism.

s. Postural defects are the real blight of the contemporary world. The scientific research has shown that the more inactive and sedentary lifestyle one leads, the faster their muscular system becomes dysfunctional. It also loses the ability of active spinal stabilization, which results in postural defects, a serious 21st century problem among young generation. Postural defects are believed to be caused by the lack of physical activity. Undoubtedly, physical education and sport play an important role in prevention and correction of poor posture as in this way particular body systems are affected, which consequently can lead to the elimination of postural defects or at least to their reduction. The objective of the article is to justify the need for corrective exercise during physical education classes as well as to show the role of sport and physical activity in maintaining good body posture and in correcting the existing defects.

s. The objective of this study was to determine body composition of university students using four different methods and to find out the extent of agreement between these methods regarding the measurement of body fat percentage in body composition. The study group consisted of 52 students of the P.J. Šafárik University in Košice (29 males and 23 females) whose average age was 22.4 ± 1.9. The study group was formed by convenience sampling. Basic somatometric parameters (body height and weight) were determined and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. The body fat percentage was determined by indirect methods, that is by measuring skinfold thickness at 10 locations on the body using calliper Best II.K501 and by bioimpendance method using devices Bodystat 1500, Omron BF511 (tetra-polar electrode configuration) and Omron BF300 (bi-polar electrode configuration). Profile analysis based on one-sample Hotelling’s test with chi-squared approximation was used for assessing agreement among given four methods of body fat measurements. Statistical analysis of differences among methods was supplemented by the Bland-Altman graphical method with the Wilcoxon paired test. The whole statistical analysis was performed using Excel and software R. Hotteling’s Test (p < 2.2e-16) rejected the hypothesis of agreement between the methods. The greatest influence on this rejection was attributed to the Omron BF511 method. In addition, the results of Wilcoxon’s matched pairs test confirmed the difference of the Omron BF511 method from the other three measurement methods. Bland-Altman graphical analysis showed that the Omron BF511 provided clearly higher values in comparison to the three remaining measurement methods of body fat percentage. The skinfold measurement, the Omron BF300 and the Bodystat 1500 were almost identical. For all the indirect methods it is necessary to validate the accuracy of their measurements using reference methods for the current local population. The skinfold thickness measurement method by Pařízková meets this requirement. Based on our results, the values determined by the devices Omron BF300 and Bodystat 1500 can also be considered applicable. The Omron BF511 does not provide results that could be considered sufficiently accurate for the purposes of research. In order to verify this conclusion the larger group of probands (n = 100 - 300) and a method of repeated measurements would be necessary.

s. Among factors that positively underlie physical education process, provide stimuli during exercise sessions, increase interest, effectiveness and esthetic character are various nontraditional games as well as nontraditional exercise equipment. Nontraditional sports games have effect on physical fitness and motor performance, promote health, social and moral development of children. We aimed to provide further evidence on nontraditional sports games, their rules, basic methods, forms and means used in teaching school physical education to prepubertal children. These means were used to develop coordination abilities of general population. The statistical significance of changes was determined using paired samples t-test for the following abilities: rhythmical abilities, reaction abilities, balance abilities, kinesthetic-differentiation ability (spatial, strength), frequency ability, coupling ability and reorganization ability. The use of nontraditional movement games was found to have effect on behavior change of children with ADHD. To determine changes in behavior, Vanderbilt rating scale was used. Statistically significant improvements determined by Wilcoxon test was found for the following subscales: following instructions/rules, assignment completion and organizational skills.

The goal of the thesis was to identify and then compare the incidence of muscle imbalance at 3rd grade students in the academic years 2012/2013 and 2013/2014 at EF CPU in Nitra. The object of our monitoring were 78 students in decimal age from 20.21 to 27.58 years. We analyze the overall incidence of muscle imbalance in the two academic years, the frequency of shortened muscles, weakened muscle and movement stereotypies disorder. At the same time we compare identical characteristics among all female students and among male students as well. We examined the muscle imbalance according to method of Janda (1982) modified by Thurzová (1992) for the purpose of physical education. Based on the measurements, we discovered a high occurrence of overall muscle imbalance at every tested subject in both academic periods. We noticed that the occurrence of shortening in shortened muscles was the highest in the first period in m. rectus femoris and in 78.4 % of subjects and next period at m. quadratus lumborum in 82.4 % of subjects. The frequency of muscle weakened was the highest in both periods the extensors of hip joint in 83 % of subjects first period, 85.3 % of subjects of the second period. When movement stereotypies we observed a high incidence of breaches of movement stereotypies in extension in hip joint in both academic years and 83% (2012/2013) and 82.4 % (2013/2014) subjects. Based on the identified results, we can deduce that not only in individuals that lead hypokinetic way of life but also for students who are regularly engaged locomotor activity but no emphasis on thorough compensation tends to develop muscle imbalances.

s. Steady decline in habitual physical activity in children and youth has resulted in an increase in body weight with age and a decline in functional ability. Hypokinesia in conjunction with poor diet and stress levels are prerequisites of lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and obesity. In this partial research, being part of the VEGA research No. 1/1343/12 "Selected risk factors of obesity and exercise prevention", we looked at the incidence of health problems related to BMI and physical activity in college students. We calculated BMI based on anthropometric measurements of body height and weight. Using the questionnaire method, we collected data concerning subjectively assessed incidence of health problems and overall representation of physical activity (PA) in the lifestyle of respondents. The study group comprised 1,963 students, including 1,169 female and 794 male undergraduates from two Slovak universities. Health problems with the largest incidence were back pain, alergy, low blood pressure, headache, palpitation and respiratory diseases. Our research confirms that a greater representation of PA in students' lives positively relates to a lower BMI. The results of logistic regression confirm a significant relation between BMI and the following health problems: back pain, palpitation, high blood pressure, obesity, low blood pressure and respiratory illnesses. PA significantly corresponds with the occurence of health problems related to upper respiratory tract and high blood pressure.

s. The sport is considered one of the greatest social phenomena of the century. The society is facing a phenomenon that, like all social phenomena, is historically conditioned and culturally determined. The objective of this work is to demonstrate that the modern sport, plus all the benefits already known, can also affect decisively and warp human character. We tried to make a critical analysis on the subject today, having the Olympics as the main event analyzed. After the professionalization of the sport, this came to experience a real transformation with the establishment of a causal relationship between money and sports performance. If the genesis of the modern Olympic movement participation itself was a form of victory and coronation, at the beginning of the XXI century the prevailing pursuit of victory at any cost, even using illegal and unethical means, such as the use of doping. Thus the athlete who cannot win the first place and play the desired performance, often feels defeated. The consequences of the defeat are not sufficiently studied, which contributes to an attitude of denial about this situation on the part of members of the sports universe.