Female swimmers participate in intensive swimming training during their menstrual periods, and they may appreciate additional understanding and flexibility regarding their training volume/intensity. Male coaches often view menstruation contemptuously as an unfortunate state that “is not a disease,” and high-performance female swimmers perceive coaching methods differently. Our study aimed to examine menstrual status and perceived coaching and training methodology. In a cross-sectional study, members of the Slovenian women’s national swim team (n = 14, age: 16.6 ± 3.1 years, body mass index: 20.1 ± 1.9 kg/m2) competing at international and national levels were included. The menstrual status (i.e., regularity, duration, perceived pain before and during menstruation, bleeding) and the opinion of these female swimmers regarding training during their menstrual periods were assessed via our in-depth questionnaire, and the athletes responded to additional questions pertaining to the motivation of swimming, coaching strategy and training methods via a questionnaire. All swimmers included in our study had experienced their first menstrual period, and the majority (85%) reported moderate or heavy menstrual bleeding. Most swimmers (93%) reported that their swimming training was “undisturbed” during their menstrual period; however, 64% of swimmers requested a reduction in training frequency or at least the usual training volume/intensity. In terms of the motivation for swimming, 74% of swimmers reported that they like swimming and like spending time with their friends. In terms of coaching and training methods, the swimmers reported polarized responses, probably because most of them are members of two major swimming clubs with different coaching styles. To conclude, when executed correctly, a similar kind of systematic screening method (i.e., anonymously and perhaps by experienced psychologists) may serve as a valuable tool to further modify training methods at a high-performance level. Moreover, unpleasant issues related to menstrual periods from the athlete’s perspective (i.e., pain, bleeding, malaise, discomfort, inability to achieve maximum effort) should not be ignored, left for swimmers to handle alone, or taken for granted. Male coaches need to seek to understand the impact of menstruation and work with athletes to maximize training.

The paper presents the results of field research on the population of dancers – members of the hip-hop community who are “contestants” in battles. The field research was carried out in April 2022 on a sample of dancers aged 17 to 40 (N = 31). The research results indicate that the hip-hop community in Serbia is small, but that such battles in specific forms contribute to the community’s maintenance and expansion. Battles also play a significant role in the progression and expression of dancers as individuals. Dancers consider hip-hop to be not only an art form but much more, hip-hop is synonymous with a lifestyle and a “way of looking at the world” for dancers. Although the research was carried out on a small sample, it represents the author’s pioneering contribution to a deeper understanding of the hip-hop community in Serbian society. It also indicates the need to carry out compatible research in the future.

The purpose of the study was to explore the effect of varying doses of caffeine intake on the physiological responses among university hockey players in performance. A total of sixty-four (64) hockey players consisting of 32 males and 32 females participated in the study. The hypotheses are that there would be no significant difference in the responses of different doses of caffeine intake on resting systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, heart rate, vital capacity, and Maximum Oxygen uptake of hockey players in tertiary educational institutions in Edo State. The test instrument used was an adaptation of a 3-Cone shuttle drill fitness testing exercise battery as developed by Koen, Honkemper, and Pietrispens (2001). A quasi-Experimental research design was used for the study. Hockey players in the three experimental groups made up of 16 players (8 males and 8 females) each were subjected to the ingestion of three (3) separate doses of 260mg, 520mg, and 780mg respectively of strong black unsweetened coffee in cups, one hour before testing. The control group of 16 players (8 males and 8 females) was not exposed to the ingestion of coffee but the ingestion of locally prepared “zobo” drink. Descriptive statistics of mean, range, and standard deviation as well as One-Way Analyses of Variance (ANOVA) were respectively used to descriptively analyze the data and test the hypotheses at a 0.05 significant level. The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the players’ responses to caffeine intake on the resting systolic blood pressure, resting diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate, and Maximum Oxygen Consumption (VO2max) among the hockey players. No significant difference was recorded in the responses to caffeine intake on the vital capacity of the hockey players. Specifically, although each of the three various doses (260mg, 520mg, and 780mg) was able to effect significant physiological positive changes, a dose of 260mg was spotted as the best dosage for effective physiological improvements in hockey performance.

The aim of this research was to examine the contribution of body mass index (BMI), motor skills and physical self-concept in explaining the physical activity (PA) of adolescent karatekas (N=148). The average age of participants was 16,56 years (± 1,14). The following measuring instruments were used: Body Mass Index (BMI), Eurofit Physical Fitness Test Battery, Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ), and Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A). The Cronbach's alpha coefficient was used to determine the internal consistency of the questionnaires. The results of the hierarchical analysis showed that the predictor variables explained 18,5% of the total variance of the criterion PA of junior karatekas. With their positive direction, the independent variables of the physical self-concept strength (β = 0.049; p < 0.01), flexibility (β = 0.037; p < 0.01) and self-respect (β = 0.019; p< 0.05) showed the maximum statistically significant contribution to predicting the variability of the participants' PA, which means that junior karatekas who manifest the higher level of perception on those variables exhibit the higher level of PA. This study confirmed that the applied instruments are valid and suitable to predict PA among adolescent athletes in Serbia.

Studies have shown that the performance of scheduled physical activity is positively related to a higher quality of life related to health. The objective of this study was to evaluate the level of physical activity according to the quality of life in the adult population of Paraguay in the period from November to December 2020. A descriptive, analytical cross-sectional design study, which included 211 adults of both sexes. Sociodemographic data such as age, sex and origin were collected, as well as data on physical activity (IPAQ/METS questionnaire) and quality of life (EuroQol-5D questionnaire). The predominant sex was female (89%), 53.5% resided in Gran Asunción and the average age was 34.6±10.6. The level of physical activity was mostly moderate (36.5%). The quality of life index was 0.67±0.15 and the perception of health was 79.12±18.35. Within the dimensions of quality of life, it was observed that 23% had moderate pain or discomfort and that 33% had moderate depression or anxiety. Significant differences were found between the level of physical activity and the quality of life index and the perception of health. The level of physical activity is a determinant of health-related quality of life, the greater the intensity of physical activity, the better the quality and perception of health indices in adults.

The purpose of this research was to examine the reliability and validity of Bull’s Mental Skills Questionnaire (BMSQ), measuring seven psychological skills resulting in a total scale score, within Turkey. The sample consisting of 163 males and 131 females, totaling 294 athletes, completed the 28 item BMSQ. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were undertaken. EFA results yielded a satisfactory seven-factor solution, the same as the English version. Cronbach alpha (α) reliability indices were as follows: concentration ability (0.71), anxiety and worry management (0.63), relaxation ability (0.69), imagery ability (0.73), self-confidence (0.72), motivation (0.64) and mental preparation (0.52). The BMSQ explained 62% of the total variance. Moreover, model fit indices calculated during CFA for the 28 item and 7 sub-dimensions model of BMSQ indicated an acceptable fit [Chi-Square (ꭓ²)=541.2, df=328, ꭓ²/df=1.65, Root Mean Square Error Approximation (RMSEA)=0.05, Comparative Fit Index (CFI)=0.95, Goodness of Fit Index (GFI)=0.90, Normed Fit Index (NFI)=0.89, and Non Normed Fit Index (NNFI)=0.90]. Thus, the original 7-factor solution was supported with the data collected from Turkish participants. Results demonstrated that the BMSQ is a valid and reliable instrument for the Turkish population.

The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the effectiveness of proprioceptive training in the prevention of lower extremity injuries, especially the ankle and knee joint, in team athletes. PRISMA recommendations were applied for this research. PubMed, ScienceDirect, and BioMed Central were used to identify relevant studies. The methodological quality of studies was assessed using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database-PEDro scale. Only 7 research met the eligibility criteria, and their outcomes were presented. Proprioceptive training has been shown to be very effective in preventing ankle injuries, especially in recurrent ankle sprains. However, in 3 of 4 studies lacked the effects of proprioceptive training in the prevention of knee and ACL injuries. Based on the results of the analyzed research, I can conclude that proprioceptive training is a very effective training tool in the prevention of ankle sprains in the population of team athletes, but proprioceptive training is not sufficient as the only training component in preventing knee injuries.

This study aimed to investigate whether the exercise-based amputee rehabilitation program improves postural control and quality of life in people with unilateral transtibial amputation (TTA). Twenty middle-aged men (48.4±3.8 y) with lower limb amputation, in a randomized-controlled longitudinal design, volunteered to participate in the study and were divided into experimental (EXP, n=10) and control (CON, n=10) groups. Before and after 8 weeks of the exercise training program, postural control performance, using one-leg standing (OLS) and Y-balance tests, was measured. The quality of life was also assessed before and after 8 weeks training period using standard questionnaires. Group x time interactions were observed for the EXP group in OLS and Y-balance tests and quality of life scores in comparison to pre- training values and the CON group (p<0.05). People with unilateral TTA who received exercise-based amputee rehabilitation program demonstrated significant improvement in balance performance with significant effects on quality of life.

The aim of this study was to establish whether there are differences between weight categories in different anthropometric measurements and handgrip strength between elite Serbian male and female sambo athletes divided into weight categories. A total of 70 elite Serbian sambo athletes participated in the study, who were participants of the World Cadet Sambo Championship held in Novi Sad. Athletes are classified into categories according to gender and official weight categories. Using anthropometry, we calculated somatotypes and hand-grip strength. For statistical analysis, we used a one-way analysis of variance and Tukey’s post hoc tests to compare group differences by weight categories. Somatotype analysis shows that a typical somatotype in male sambo athletes was endomorphic mesomorphs. In female groups, the most common somatotype in the lightest categories was mesomorphic ectomorphs, and in the heaviest categories were endomorphic mesomorphs. Examining the handgrip for both left and right hand, as well as in total, shows that there is a statistically significant difference between the categories. In total, the strength of the handgrip increases progressively in groups. In male categories, the difference exists between the first 4 groups and -78kg, as well as between -42kg and -46kg and the heaviest weight category. Differences between weight categories in female athletes were found between the lightest group and last six groups in total, in favor of the last six. Anthropometric measurements revealed a statistically significant difference between weight categories. Mesomorphy was the most dominant somatotype in male categories, while female athletes differed concerning weight category. The achieved results can serve as data to compare the somatotype and handgrip strength of elite sambo athletes on a national and international level. These findings suggest that the handgrip strength and somatotypes are the keys to success in relation to the weight category.

The evolution of basketball made the game faster, leading coaches to increase the use of pick and roll cooperation in offense. The purpose of this research was to investigate the performance time of the pick and roll every five minutes, the pair of players who participated in the pick and roll and the offensive action of the ball handler after the screen, in the European Men's Championship of 2017. The sample of the research was the sixteen games of the second round of the Championship. The instrument used for the analysis of the matches was the SportScout STA Version 3.2. Analysis with ꭓ2 (Chi-square) was used. In the results analysis, a total of 714 screens were found, of which 356 were successful (49.9%) and 358 (50.1%) failed. Most pick and rolls were performed in the second five-minute span of the third period of the games (14.8%) and in the first five-minute span of the first period (14.1%). Regarding the pairs of players participating in the action, most of them had the guard as the ball handler and the center as the screener (63.4%). In about 60% of the pick and rolls the ball handler chose to finish the action himself either by driving to the basket (31.8%) or with a shot (28.6%). The results of this study provide more information and directions to basketball coaches in order for them to better organize their training and maximize the offensive performance of their teams.