DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.11

Authors: Keisuke Onodera

Abstract: Change-of-direction (COD) ability is a critical component of performance in many team sports, yet practical methods to acutely enhance COD remain underexplored. This study aimed to determine whether adding a brief, targeted warm-up focused on gluteal muscle activation to a general warm-up could acutely improve COD performance in university athletes. Seventeen male athletes participated in a two-day, parallel-group controlled trial. On both days, all participants completed a standardized general warm-up. On the second day, the experimental group performed an additional three-minute targeted warm-up (band squats, band lateral walks, skater hops), while the control group proceeded directly to testing. COD performance was assessed using the Lane Agility Drill before and after intervention. The main result was that only the experimental group, which received targeted activation exercises, showed a significant improvement in COD performance (p < .01), whereas the control group showed no significant change. These findings suggest that a short, muscle-specific warm-up can effectively and immediately enhance COD ability, even without high-intensity or specialized equipment. The study’s limitations include a small, homogeneous sample of male university athletes and the use of a single COD test, which may restrict generalizability. Future research should examine whether similar effects occur across other populations and sports, and with various COD assessments. Practically, the protocol offers a simple, time-efficient approach for coaches and athletes to optimize performance in settings where rapid directional changes are essential. The originality of this study lies in demonstrating that acute performance gains can be achieved through accessible, field-based exercises integrated into existing warm-up routines.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.10

Authors: Hongxiang Huang, Amirali Salehi, Seyed Houtan Shahidi

Abstract: Background: Increasing evidence suggests that repeated sprint training (RST) enhances performance in male basketball players, yet findings have not been quantitatively synthesized.Purpose: To meta-analyze the effects of RST on countermovement jump (CMJ), linear sprint, and change-of-direction (COD) performance versus control.Methodology: Systematic searches of PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus identified peer-reviewed controlled trials of basketball players with baseline and follow-up measures. A random-effects meta-analysis was performed; study quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Prespecified moderators were age, program duration, training frequency, inter-sprint recovery, and sprint direction; subgroup analyses explored heterogeneity.Results: Nine studies (n = 213) met the inclusion criteria. Pooled effects were small-to-moderate: CMJ (ES = 0.39, 95% CI 0.04–0.74; Z = 2.19; p = .03), linear sprint (ES = -0.40, 95% CI -0.75 to -0.06; Z = 2.29; p = .02), and COD (ES = −1.11, 95% CI −1.73 to −0.50; Z = 3.54; p = .0004). Most subgroup differences were not significant (p = .0004–1.00), but in COD performance, the sprint subgroup (ES = −1.02, p = .002) and the COD subgroup (ES = −1.68, p = .02) showed larger effects and reached statistical significance.Conclusions: RST can improve CMJ and COD in male basketball players, with a borderline improvement in linear sprint speed; the largest gains appear in COD. While most subgroup differences were non-significant, larger improvements in COD were observed in specific sprint and COD subgroups.Limitations and Consequences: Evidence is limited by few trials, modest samples, and protocol variability, which may constrain generalizability.Practical Implications: Adult athletes using ≤30-s inter-sprint recovery and <3 weekly sessions may experience larger benefits; coaches can integrate RST accordingly.Originality: This is a focused quantitative synthesis of RST-induced neuro-muscular adaptations in male basketball players.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.9

Authors: Yavor Asparuhov

Abstract: Information on coaching practices related to specialized training programs that affect speed and strength qualities in 14-15-year-old basketball players is scarce. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of a specialized, periodized training program on the development of speed-strength qualities in 14-15-year-old boys playing basketball. Nineteen basketball players aged 14.5± 0.5 years who participated in a regular, well-organized training program were studied. A specialized methodology was applied for 5 months, from October 2024 to March 2025. Training sessions were held three times a week, with a wave distribution of intensity: Monday – high-intensity pure strength; Wednesday – explosive focus with variations and sprints; and Friday – emphasis on contrasting methods, including plyometrics and medicine ball throws. To determine the effect, a test battery of 10 tests was applied, including anthropometric measurements (height, weight, horizontal and vertical stretch) and physical fitness indicators (10 m and 20 m running, 5-0-5 test, long jump, push-ups with hands on hips, and isometric pull from mid-hip). The trainings were held three times a week, with a wave distribution of intensity: Monday – high-intensity pure strength; Wednesday – explosive focus with different variations and sprints; and Friday – emphasis on contrasting methods, including plyometrics and medicine ball throws. To determine the effect, a test battery of 10 tests was applied, including anthropometric measurements (height, weight, horizontal and vertical stretch) and physical fitness indicators (10 m and 20 m running, 5-0-5 test, long jump, push-ups with hands on hips, and isometric pull from mid-hip).After implementing the program, the basketball players showed statistically significant improvements in agility (5-0-5 test), upper-body strength, and lower-body strength (hands-on-hips jump and isometric pull from mid-hip). Positive developments were also observed in speed and explosive lower limb strength across other indicators, such as the 10 m and 20 m sprints and the long jump, although these improvements were not statistically significant.The results confirm the positive impact of a specialized, periodized strength-training program, which has been proven to enhance the development of speed-strength qualities in 14-15-year-old basketball players. This contributes to higher sports performance and injury prevention.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.8

Authors: Paulo Marchetti, Rex Ruswick, Colin Stas, Charles Lopes

Abstract: This investigation examined how performing multiple-set resistance training (RT) acutely influences maximal repetitions (MNR), muscle thickness (MT), echo intensity (EI), peak force (PF), and perceived exertion (RPE) in recreationally trained subjects. Twenty-one recreationally resistance-trained subjects (16 males and five females) performed a unilateral biceps curl with eight sets of 10RM, and 2-minute rest. During each set, MNR was recorded, and RPEset was assessed. PF at 90° elbow flexion and ultrasound measurements of the elbow flexors (MT and EI) were obtained before and immediately after each set of the RT session. Session RPE (sRPE) was reported 15 minutes after completion of the RT session. One-way ANOVAs were used to examine differences across sets for all dependent variables. Findings showed a progressive rise in RPEset, MT, and EI across sets, while both MNR and PF declined (p < .05). In summary, performing multiple RT sets reduced MNR and PF but elevated RPEset, EI, and MT, with MT stabilizing after the fifth set. Coaches should prioritize not only the chronic effects of RT but also the effective prescription and control of each RT session by implementing multiple sets per exercise, monitoring physical performance and perceived exertion to regulate neuromuscular fatigue, emphasizing high-intensity loading, and ensuring adequate recovery to maximize muscle responses after each RT session.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.7

Authors: Georgi Sergiev

Abstract: This study was conducted to make changes to improve the system for assessing special physical and technical preparation. These changes applied to competitors aged 13–16 in artistic gymnastics. The age (13–16) covers a very important period in the gymnasts’ many years of sports training. These periods were targeted sports training and a period of sports improvement. Along with age-related development and changes in gymnasts’ psychological characteristics, their training was restructured entirely during these periods. At this age (13-16), the training process moved to a new, higher quality level. This level is characterized by the study of more complex exercises, connections, and entire combinations. Also, profound changes were observed in the training load in terms of volume and intensity as basic indicators of the training load. This implies a high level of physical qualities of gymnasts, which must be monitored and evaluated promptly. All this has also required optimizing the change methods known to date for controlling and assessing competitors’ preparation during these periods. In terms of sports training, according to famous authors, specialized physical and technical training was particularly important. That is why the subject of this study was how to control and successfully evaluate the indices, providing information about the level of technical and physical training at every moment of the gymnasts’ sports preparation. Furthermore, the unified program and methodology for training and practice in artistic gymnastics for men in the Republic of Bulgaria were established in 1987 (Yordanov, D. et al., 1987) and now require updating to address contemporary challenges faced by gymnasts.Purpose of the study. After a long period during which 298 gymnasts were tested, changes were made to the system for the control and assessment of special physical and technical sports preparation by optimizing the existing normative tables (50-grade scale) and changing the indices.Methodology. The research methods used were testing and registering the indices, subsequent statistical analyses, such as variance analysis, and the sigma method.Expected results. The results of the study would help artistic gymnastics specialists in their practical work by enabling the preparation of gymnasts to be qualitatively evaluated and controlled at every moment of sports preparation, as well as enriching their theoretical preparation with upgraded normative tables.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.6

Authors: Johanna Weber

Abstract: Sports performance is influenced by several factors. Psychological factors are a main contributor to sports performance, but are themselves influenced by the athlete’s environment, e.g., social environment, financial situation, and so on. It is therefore necessary to assess the influence of environmental factors on competitive performance, which is likely to occur through psychological mechanisms. To this purpose, 592 athletes between 13 and 65 years of age (28.04 ± 9.15, 357 female, 204 male, 2 of unspecified gender) at various performance levels were surveyed using a set of questionnaires (MIPS, CSAI, GSE, TDEQ5 and additional questions) regarding their psychological and competitive performance as well as their perceptions of their social situation and social environment. Differences in environmental and psychological factors were found between different athlete groups, e.g. according to gender (e. g. self-efficacy being higher in male participants, p ≤ .010, η = .114), handedness (e. g. left-handers perceiving their social surroundings as more perfectionistic), and sport involved (e. g. higher values for CSAI worry in team sports, p ≤ .038, η = .009). Connections between performance and several environmental factors (e.g., highest competitive level and family, p ≤ .017, r = -.102) and intercorrelations among psychological scales, such as MIPS and CSAI, were also found. Self-efficacy correlated with highest competitive level in the current main sport (p ≤ .006, r = -.120) as well as CSAI worry (p ≤ .002, r = -.138), thus showing a probable effect of expected self-efficacy and CSAI worry on sports performance, while self-efficacy itself correlated with and was therefore most probably influenced by several environmental factors, for instance social environment (p ≤ .001, r = -.170), finances (p ≤ .001, r = -.206) and sleep quality (p ≤ .001, r = -.252), amongst others, and CSAI worry was influenced by perfectionism of the environment (e. g. MIPS coach, p ≤ .001, r = -.3420). Therefore, it can be said that sports performance is most likely influenced by a set of environmental factors (e.g., family, social surroundings, perfectionism of family, coach, and team) via psychological factors such as self-efficacy and CSAI. Psychological performance itself is a factor that influences sports performance, but it is most likely also the link through which environmental factors influence sports performance.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.5

Authors: Nina Adjanin, Ilina Arsova, Anton Schulz, Gordon Brooks

Abstract: Sports climbing, as both recreation and competition, has reached a level of popularity that demands physical and psychological strength, as well as a high level of commitment. This study expands upon widely accepted models of sports identity by testing the prediction of athletic identity from sports commitment and enjoyment, as well as from social constraints for climbers, a relationship well known in sports but rarely tested in climbing. A total of 131 climbers from 31 countries took part in a validated online survey. Using multiple regression and path analysis, the model explained 55% of the variance in athletic identity. Sports commitment was the strongest predictor (r = .72, p < .05; β = .636), while sports enjoyment showed no significant direct effect. Furthermore, enjoyment indirectly influenced athletic identity through its impact on commitment and social constraints. The model explained 26% of the variance in sports commitment. Climbers who competed reported significantly higher levels of athletic identity, sports commitment, and social constraints than climbers who did not compete, while they reported similar levels of enjoyment. The implications of this study suggest that, inclimbing, identity is more strongly linked to commitment than to enjoyment, which could be important for developing athletes. Although this study was naturally limited by its cross-sectional design and reliance on self-reported data, it offers some possibilities and insights into how social and psychological factors influence athletic identity in less well-tried sports. There is practical value in the information provided for coaching and outdoor programs designed to foster deeper motivation and commitment among climbers.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.4

Authors: Michael Oldham, Vic Ben-Ezra, Kyle Biggerstaff, Nate Mills, Sarah Deemer, Matt Sokoloski, Chris Irvine, Ryan Gordon, Gena Guerin, Manisha Rao, Matt Brisebois, Lauren Rhodes, Todd Castleberry

Abstract: Introduction: Disruptions in cortisol awakening response (CAR), changes in Profile of Mood States (POMS), and decreases in heart rate variability (HRV) have been associated with fatigue and strenuous exercise. Whey protein isolate (WH) may improve stress responses. Purpose: To determine the effects of WH supplementation on CAR, POMS, and HRV after strenuous exercise. Methodology: Eleven recreationally active females (19 ± 2 yrs) completed a double-blinded, placebo-controlled crossover trial. Placebo (PL) was maltodextrin, and the intervention was 25 g of maltodextrin with 25 g of WH consumed prior to exercise. Exercise was 30 min at 70-75% VO2peak (M = 21.7, SD = 0.1 ml/kg/min), 5 min rest, and 30 s Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT). HRV and POMS were recorded the following morning. Repeated measures ANOVA determined differences (p < .05) in 60 min salivary cortisol AUCg (CAR), POMS, HRV, and WAnT fatigue index (FI). Pearson’s correlation and multiple regression identified associations between CAR, POMS, HRV, and FI. Results: CAR was significantly different (p = .033) between Placebo (33.4 ± 2.0 pg/dL*hr) and WH (30.9 ± 0.8 pg/dL*hr), with no significant differences in POMS, HRV, or FI. There was a significant correlation between POMS and FI on Day 3 during PL (r = -.582, p = .030). Neither CAR, POMS, nor HRV was able to predict FI (all p > .05). Conclusions: Whey protein isolate may decrease CAR, but may have no effect on POMS, HRV, or FI, and no effect on short-duration sprint cycling performance. Limitations: WAnT performance was not affected; therefore, any association with reducing the physiological effects of central fatigue may be minimal. Practical applications may include a viable methodology for suppressing CAR in this type of participant. Originality: The current study is unique in combining nutritional supplementation, exercise, and salivary cortisol post-exercise with female participants.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.3

Authors: Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Damjana Cabarkapa, Dragan Mirkov, Olivera Knezevic, Quincy Johnson, Minh Nguyen, Marko Smrkic, Andrew Fry

Abstract: While sprinting capabilities are crucial for success in futsal, there is a lack of research on how they relate to countermovement vertical jump (CMJ) force-time metrics during both the eccentric and concentric phases of the movement. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between short-distance sprint speed and acceleration capabilities over 5m and 10m sprint distances and CMJ performance within a group of professional athletes. Twenty-two male futsal players competing in the top-tier national league volunteered to participate in this study. Following completion of the warm-up protocol, athletes stepped onto a uni-axial force plate and performed two non-consecutive CMJs with no arm swing, followed by two 10m sprints. The body mass-dependent force-time metrics were analyzed in both absolute and relative terms, while sprint analysis included 5m and 10m sprint speed and average acceleration over 0-5m and 5-10m sprint distances. Pearson product-moment correlation coeffi cients (r) were used to examine the strength of the relationship between performance parameters of interest (p<.05). The results revealed that 10m sprint speed was positively associated with CMJ concentric peak velocity (r=.455; p=.032) and jump height (r=.457; p=.033). Besides providing sports practitioners working with this specific group of athletes with referent values about sprint and jump performance characteristics, the findings of this study suggest that athletes capable of generating greater CMJ concentric peak velocity and jump height tend to attain greater 10m sprint velocities.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.2

Authors: Slavka Durlević, Milica Filipović, Marija Durlević, Ina Marković Obrenov, Igor Ilić

Abstract: Basketball is a highly popular and complex sport classified as a monostructural activity. Various anthropometric parameters determine elite performance achievement in basketball. Morphological characteristics and motor abilities have been established as the most significant predictors of basketball success. Consequently, this study aimed to determine the influence of longitudinal dimensionality on explosive strength in young basketball players. Accordingly, this study aimed to determine the impact of longitudinal dimensionality on the explosive strength of young basketball players. The sample comprised 15 cadet-level basketball players (age: 15.8 ± 0.6 years; body weight: 77.86 ± 8.37 kg; body mass index: 23.99 ± 1.01 kg/m²). The set of measurement instruments included four variables for assessing explosive strength: Standing Long Jump (LJ), 20-Meter Sprint (RUN20m), Medicine Ball Throw from Supine Position (TMBL), and Medicine Ball Throw from Seated Position (TMBS); and five variables for measuring longitudinal dimensionality: Body Height (BH), Forearm Length (FL), Upper Arm Length (UAL), Lower Leg Length (LLL), and Upper Leg Length (ULL). The impact of longitudinal dimensionality on explosive strength in young basketball players was assessed using linear regression. Statistical analyses were conducted using the IBM SPSS Statistics software (Version 20). Linear regression analysis confirmed a statistically significant impact of longitudinal dimensionality on the explosive strength of young basketball players.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.02.1

Authors: Rich Kite, Harry O’Brien, Emma Vickers

Abstract: Talent identification (TID) within sport provides extensive development opportunities to enhance the potential for senior success. However, little is known about the effectiveness of TID in table tennis. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to examine current research and practice in TID in table tennis, identify commonalities, disparities, and gaps in the literature, and provide directions for future research on TID in table tennis. A search of the electronic databases (EBSCOhost, Scopus, Web of Science, PubMed, and SPORTDiscus) was conducted from September 2023 to March 2025. The search terms utilized represented table tennis, talent, performance, giftedness, and athlete selection. In accordance with the PRISMA guidelines, 31 articles were thoroughly reviewed. The results established three common themes: morphological qualities, performance profiles, and player characteristics. A key finding established maturation bias as a limitation in talent identification within table tennis, highlighting the importance of maturational assessments in future initiatives. Furthermore, given that most studies used a cross-sectional design, future research should consider longitudinal designs to provide a more accurate assessment of talent and development.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.11

Authors: Iryna Skrypchenko, Olena Dorofieieva, Kseniia Yarymbash, Yevhenii Strykalenko, Valeria Tyshchenko

Abstract: Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and engaging in suffi cient physical activity contribute to the preservation of health and personal growth in young students. These issues are very relevant today for Ukrainian society, due to the long quarantine and Russian military aggression, which have signifi cantly changed the way of life of young people and limited the opportunity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of our study was to determine the lifestyle profi le and physical activity of students in adverse ecological and psychological conditions during the war.Materials and Methods: The research, conducted over a three-year period (2021-2024), involved 84 students from three universities in Ukraine. We employed a method that involved analyzing scientifi c literature, synthesizing and systematizing the fi ndings, generalizing the results, surveying applicants (online using the Google Forms application), testing the profi le for a healthy lifestyle, and applying mathematical statistics. The results of the test showed that during the year, under the infl uence of the change in the socio-ecological state of the environment caused by military actions in Ukraine, fi ve indicators changed among students: Health Responsibilty, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Spiritual Growth, and Stress Management. The use of modifi ed and adjusted physical education methods for distance learning contributed to a gradual increase in students’ physical activity. Conclusion: It was determined that the behavioral constructs (responsibility for health, physical activity, and nutrition) and the cognitive-emotional component of young students (spiritual growth, interpersonal relationships, and stress management) were above average and changed as a result of the environmental factors and long-term military environmental factors (p≤.01). The choice of physical activity is determined by the availability of fi nancial resources, the availability of sports infrastructure, conditions for independent training at home, employment, and motivation for a healthy lifestyle. The existence of signifi cant relationships between physical activity and all indicators of a healthy lifestyle has been mathematically proven (r=.514-.796).

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.10

Authors: Voja Milosavljević, Vladimir Kitanović, Miloš Milošević, Željko Rajković

Abstract: Early identifi cation and selection of candidates with the potential to become elite players are among the most common concepts in modern football. The goal of this research is to evaluate the predictive value of a wide battery of tests measuring the anthropometric, motor, and psychological characteristics of young elite soccer players during their youth phase, and to construct an eff ective predictive model of career success based on the results obtained. Anthropometric, motor, and psychological characteristics of 111 football players-members of the national teams from U13 to U18 of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia (comprising the Republic of Serbia and the Republic of Montenegro) at the time of initial data collection were retrospectively analyzed in relation to the career outcomes over a 23-year follow-up period, culminating with the offi cial retirement of the last participant.Quantifi ed data were processed using descriptive statistics, multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA), and canonical discriminant analysis with the SPSS 20 software package. Limitations of this study include: the small number of top-class players, which limits the ability to draw general conclusions; player selection was done chronologically instead of biologically, there is a lack of transitive testing, the choice of players for the team is determined by the coach’s personal taste, the factors of the social environment that infl uenced players’ development are not known, and there are not enough similar studies for comparison. The principal fi nding of this study is the eff ective diff erentiation of participants into distinct categories based on their anthropometric, motor, and psychological characteristics. The predictive model, derived from these variables, demonstrated a high level of accuracy in classifying players according to their subsequent career success.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.9

Authors: Shaher A. I. Shalfawi, Henrik Egeland

Abstract: Background: This study investigated training distress and perceived exertion among Norwegian upper secondary school students in sports and physical education programs. Specifi cally, it sought to explore whether diff erent Athlete Self Report Measures (ASRM) provided similar indications of training distress. Methods: Ninety-four upper secondary school students who enrolled in a sports and physical education program were followed over time using a longitudinal research design. For 12 weeks, participants reported the duration and Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) for each training session. Concurrently, the students completed the Multi-Component Distress Scale (MTDS) and the Oslo Sports Trauma Research Centre (OSTRC-H2) injury/illness questionnaire once a week. Results: A marked correlation was observed between the MTDS and RPE scores among Grade 3 students (graduate students), with girls contributing the most to the statistically signifi cant correlations. The most considerable diff erences in training distress between boys and girls were observed among Grade 3 students, recreational athletes, and football players. Additionally, the data suggested that girls experienced higher injury and illness rates than boys. Conclusions: The study found that the MTDS was more eff ective than RPE in assessing weekly training distress among Grade 3 students. Moreover, the results showed that an increase in physical distress, as measured by the MTDS, was associated with a higher likelihood of injury and/or illness among Grade 3 girls. In contrast, psychological distress was linked to a greater risk of injury and/or illness among Grade 3 boys. Although both ASRM instruments used in this study have been validated, we recommend that the MTDS be used as a supplementary tool rather than the primary instrument for assessing training distress.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.8

Authors: Johannes Wunder, Maximilian Priem, Gert G. Wagner, Oliver Stoll

Abstract: This study investigates the life satisfaction of basketball coaches, addressing a gap in research on sports professionals. Using data from the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP), it examines life satisfaction scores among basketball coaches, categorized by license level, and compares them to teachers and managers. While previous research leads to the assumption of above-average life satisfaction of coaches due to specifi c personality characteristics, e.g., higher extraversion and lower neuroticism, the results do not support these suggestions. However, no signifi cant similarities were found between A-license coaches and managers or C-license coaches and teachers. In contrast, both managers and teachers report above-average levels of life satisfaction. Although no signifi cant diff erence between A- and C-license coaches was found, the results indicate that higher license levels can be associated with greater life satisfaction.Considering current research and the results of this study, practical suggestions state that structured career development and professional support could enhance coaches’ life satisfaction. Drawing from eff ective models in related professions, recommendations emphasize mentorship, experiential learning, and innovative training strategies. The study acknowledges limitations, including its reliance on cross-sectional data and potential external infl uences such as pandemic-related restrictions. Future research should explore these dynamics in various contexts and sports disciplines to develop targeted strategies for improving coaching environments, benefi ting individual coaches, teams, and the broader sports community.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.7

Authors: Stoyan Bahchevanski

Abstract: This study aimed to determine the typical anthropometric profi le of elite ILCA 6 class sailors at the Olympic Games. To achieve this goal, trends in key anthropometric indicators, such as weight, height, body mass index (BMI), and age of the competitors in this class were analyzed, along with their impact on the fi nal results at the Olympic Games. A sample of 150 Olympic ILCA 6 class sailors took part in this study, with an average age of 25.59 ± 4.83 years, a body height of 171.51 ± 5.02 cm, a body weight of 66.15 ± 3.88 kg, and a BMI of 22.5 ± 1.48 kg/m². These sailors participated in the Olympic Games of 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2021. The data were collected from offi cial results books published by the Organizing Committees of the Olympic Games, which included the age, height, and weight of all sailors. Means and standard deviations were calculated, and Spearman correlation was used to determine the relation between fi nal performances and age, height, weight, and BMI. The fi ndings revealed a moderate negative correlation between performance and age (r = -.336) among female ILCA 6 sailors at the Olympic Games. The results suggested that the dominant anthropometric characteristics were ages between 20 and 28 (63.8%), height between 1.65m and 1.76m (81.4%), and weight between 62 kg and 70 kg (82.7%).

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.6

Authors: Iveta Bonova, Bozhiya Noeva

Abstract: Anthropometric characteristics and anaerobic fi tness are recognized as key factors for successful sports performance. Data thereof are used for more thorough analysis and a better understanding of the results of sports performance. However, the needed data regarding adolescent girls in many sports are still scarce or absent. The aim of this study was to make a comparative assessment of the anthropometric parameters and the characteristics of the anaerobic fi tness of 15-year-old female football players and track and fi eld athletes. The study included 32 subjects who had competed in national championships in Bulgaria. We used established standards to determine the anthropometric characteristics. To determine the anaerobic power, we applied the Wingate test to assess anaerobic fi tness, which is particularly important for sports such as football and track and fi eld athletics – sprint disciplines. The two groups of studied subjects did not diff er signifi cantly in age and height, but there were statistically signifi cant diff erences between the groups in terms of weight, BMI, and Fat%. The Wingate test results also showed a statistically signifi cant diff erence between the two samples regarding the indicators Relative Peak Power (RPP) (W/kg) and Relative Average Power (RAP) (W/kg). The 15-year-old female football players studied were characterized by height that was higher than average for the age, BMI and Fat% that were average for the age, and average RPP values. The studied 15-year-old female track and fi eld athletes were characterized by height that was average for the age, BMI and Fat% that were low for the age, and high RPP values. This study is the fi rst in Bulgaria to focus on adolescent female football players and track and fi eld athletes.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.5

Authors: Angeleau Scott, Michael Wilson, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Andrew Fry, Mary Fry

Abstract: Tennis is a sport that requires a mix of both anaerobic and aerobic energy systems. Many studies have quantifi ed performance metrics of tennis populations related to sprinting, jumping, aerobic endurance, and other metrics, but no studies have quantifi ed performance and endocrine measures during live gameplay. The purpose of this study was to analyze the eff ects of multiple tennis matches on selected measures of performance and physiological responses in male adult tennis players. Eleven amateur male adult tennis players participated in fi ve 70-minute (3 single and 2 doubles) matches with ~30 minutes of rest between matches. Testing included: agility, 20-yard sprint times, service speed, dominant hand grip strength, vertical jump height (VJH), peak power derived from jump height (PPj), mean power derived from jump height (MPj), and performance on a 10-sec modifi ed Wingate test which resulted in the determination of peak power (PP) and mean power (MP). Serum concentrations of cortisol, testosterone, IgA, IgM, and IgG were also collected. Results of repeated measured ANOVA (p < .05) indicated that (mean ± SE) agility (13.17 ± 0.68-10.41 ± 0.24 sec), VJH (45.95 ± 2.59-44.91 ± 2.18 cm), PPj (7608.47 ± 43.90-7531.50 ± 119.79 Watts), MPj (1460.84 ± 54.42-1430.73 ± 48.75 Watts), PP (949.55 ± 30.85-783.32 ± 27.99 Watts) and MP (823.61 ± 27.77-783.32 ± 30.36 Watts) signifi cantly decreased by the end of the simulated tournament. Results suggest that there is a signifi cant demand for short-term aerobic power and capacity after playing multiple tennis matches. Therefore, training programs need to be adopted by amateur male adult tennis players to meet these demands.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.4

Authors: Sebastian Puschkasch-Möck, Michael Keiner, Klaus Wirth, Andreas Konrad, Konstantin Warneke

Abstract: Investigations into the maximum strength capacity of the plantarfl exors have gained interest. An excellent intraclass correlation coeffi cient (ICC) for the standing calf raise-1RM has been reported. However, research has shown that ICC alone does not suffi ciently refl ect measurement reliability.The aim of this study was to reassess the reliability of the standing calf raise-1RM. Fifty-six physical education students performed standing calf raises on two occasions. ICC, standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC) were calculated, as well as mean absolute error, mean absolute percentage error, and typical error. A dependent t-test was performed to assess systematic error, and a Bland-Altman plot was created.Low levels of both absolute and relative error were observed. Comparing the diff erent measures, previous criticisms of the ICC and measures calculated from it, such as SEM and MDC, are highlighted. Researchers are advised to report various independent measures to illustrate the accuracy of their procedures.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.3

Authors: Nicholas Ripley, Jack Fahey, Paul Comfort

Abstract: Introduction. There is an increasing frequency of single joint isometric assessments using force plates within team sports to inform training decisions; however, limited methodological consistency has been identifi ed within the literature, including onset threshold (muscle contraction initiation). Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine the eff ect of diff erent onset thresholds on force-time characteristics during a 90:90 isometric hamstring assessment. Methodology: Twenty female soccer players (age: 20.7 ± 4.7 years; height: 168.7 ± 5.9 cm; body mass: 64.4 ± 6.7 kg) completed three maximal trials per limb. Five thresholds assessed, including fi ve standard deviations (SD) of system weight (SW, which included limb weight and any pretension) (SW5SD), SW plus 15 N (SW15N), and 10-, 20-, and 30% of SW. Results: Moderate relative reliability and excellent absolute reliability for force at 100 ms (F100) and 200 ms (F200), and rate of force development (RFD) was observed for SW5SD and SW15N, outperforming percentage-based thresholds. 10-, 20- and 30% of SW resulted in increased F100, F200, and RFD values, with large eff ects observed (η²p ≥ 0.166). Conclusions: SW5SD and SW15N were identifi ed as the most reliable and consistent methods for assessing time-related force variables. Practical implications: Sport scientists, strength and conditioning coaches, and medical staff who regularly use isometric hamstring assessments to monitor training and return to sport objectives are recommended to use either SW5SD and SW15N thresholds to ensure valid and accurate results on the hamstrings force generating that can be used to inform training.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.2

Authors: Jie Zhang, Johnny LM Blaschek, Matthew Hutchinson, Daniel Kinghorn, Richard S. Metcalfe, Elliott C.R. Hall, Kerry L Bartie, Niels B.J. Vollaard

Abstract: The magnitude of the benefi cial increase in plasma interleukin-6 (IL-6) with exercise is greater with continuous exercise of higher intensity and longer duration. However, it is unknown whether a greater volume of supramaximal interval exercise also enhances the IL-6 response. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the eff ects of two sprint interval training (SIT) protocols involving different volumes of sprint exercise on plasma IL-6 levels. Nine healthy young men (age: 24±4 y, BMI: 23.3±3.1 kg·m-2, V̇ O2max: 42±6 mL·kg-1·min-1) completed three experimental trials in randomised order, including ‘classic’ SIT (4x30-s ‘all-out’ cycle sprints within a 22-min session), reduced-exertion high-intensity interval training (REHIT; 2x20-s ‘all-out’ cycle sprints within a 10-min session), and a control condition (seated rest). Blood samples were collected before exercise and at 0-, 30-, and 90-min post-exercise, and analyzed for lactate and IL-6. Blood lactate levels peaked directly post-SIT (1.5±0.2 mM to 11.9±2.5 mM; p<.001) and REHIT (1.7±0.4 to 9.1±3.1 mM; p<.001). Plasma IL-6 levels peaked 30-min post-exercise (0.84±0.12 to 1.31±0.17 pg·mL-1 for SIT, p=.003; 0.75±0.09 to 1.18±0.36 pg·mL-1 for REHIT, p=.028). Compared to the con-trol trial, IL-6 iAUC was signifi cantly higher for both SIT (p=.002) and REHIT (p=.013), with no signifi cant diff erence between SIT and REHIT. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the increase in plasma IL-6 levels is similar for the two SIT protocols involving a 3-fold diff erence in sprint exercise volume (120 s vs. 40 s). Our data provide support for a possible role of glycogenolysis in the IL-6 response to SIT.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2025.09.01.1

Authors: Anamika Lohiya, Himanshu Kataria, Himanshu Gupta, Diganta Bohra, Vineet Jain

Abstract: Background: Weak quadriceps after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) may derail patients’ return to sport or regular physical activity levels. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) activates muscles in precise sequence and magnitude to directly accomplish functional tasks. This prospective comparative study compared the outcomes of rehabilitation post-ACLR with and without NMES.Methods: A total of 70 post-ACLR patients were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 received the standard rehabilitation protocol, and Group 2 received additional NMES therapy twice weekly for 6 weeks. Patients were evaluated for Thigh circumference, Quadriceps Strength, and Single and Triple leg hop. Results: The thigh girth in the NMES groups showed a consistent increase throughout the follow-up period, whereas in the control group, it showed an initial dip and later improved. The diff erence was signifi cant at 3 and 6 weeks follow-up (p < .001). The two groups had no signifi cant diff erence in Quadriceps strength at 6 months (p = .545). At 6 months, the single leg hop, triple leg hop, Lysholm score, IKDC score, and KT readings gave comparable results between the control and NMES groups.Conclusions: The addition of NMES in post-ACLR rehabilitation better restored the quadriceps muscle mass in the early phase but gave comparable results at 6 months in terms of quadriceps strength and functional scores.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.8

Authors: Yuliya Krasmik, Tatiana Iancheva, Bolat Rahmalin

Abstract: Paralympic sport enables people with disabilities to significantly develop their functional abilities, improving their opportunities for full personal development and social integration. One of the main challenges for athletes is maintaining their internal motivation for sport and withstanding the stress and difficulties throughout the preparation and competition period. The relationship between resilience and motivation in the context of Paralympic sports is paramount for this group of athletes.The aim of this study was to examine the characteristics of motivation and its relationship with resilience in Paralympic athletes. The study was conducted on the grounds of the Federation of Paralympic Sports of Kokchetav, Shymkent, Taraz. Sixty Paralympic athletes participated in the study. The methodology of the study included: 1) Methodology to study the motives for sports activity of V.I.2) Motives for Sports Activity (MSA) questionnaire by E. I. Tropnikov. А. E. Kalinin’s Motives for Motivation Test; S. Maddy, adaptation of D. А. Leontiev and E. I. Raskazova.The results revealed the motivation and resilience of Paralympic athletes, depending on gender and level of sports qualification. It was found that control and the integral indicator of resilience act as key constructs within the motivational system of Paralympic athletes.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.7

Authors: Johannes Wunder, Maximilian Priem, Gert Wagner, Oliver Stoll

Abstract: This research examines the risk behavior of German basketball coaches to understand how risk propensity varies across coaching license levels. Addressing gaps in previous studies on coaches’ psychological traits, the study compares basketball coaches with teachers, managers, and the general population. Data from 360 coaches and the German Socio-Economic Panel (SOEP) were analyzed. Results show that A-license coaches exhibit higher risk-taking, similar to managers, while C-license coaches align more with teachers and the general population. These findings reveal a link between risk preferences and coaching license level, emphasizing the value of large-scale surveys in exploring professional personality traits and the need for further research across sports.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.6

Authors: Ntsako Mboweni, Mosa Selepe, Sylven Masoga

Abstract: Introduction: Soccer is a popular sport in the Xikundu area. However, soccer players’ dietary intake remains unknown.Objective: To determine soccer athletes’ energy and macronutrient intakes in the Xikundu area in Limpopo province, South Africa.Methodology: Ninety-seven (97) competitive soccer athletes were randomly sampled from five soccer teams in the Xikundu area, Limpopo province. The dietary intake of athletes was collected using multiple 24-hour-recall questionnaires on different days. The body Mass of the athletes was measured to calculate nutrient requirements. SAMRC Food Finder was used to analyze meal intakes, and mean nutrient intake from the three recalls was considered. The dietary and demographic data were exported onto the SPSS (v.28), and descriptive statistics were applied. Results were compared to the sports nutrition guidelines. Pearson test was used to correlate data, and a probability value (p) of ≤ .05 was a significant criterion to correlate variables.Results: All athletes were young males aged 21.6±4.2 years. The majority (84.5%) had grade 12 certificates and a few (4.1%) - degrees. More than half (60%) participated in soccer for >4 years. Athletes (74%) trained once per day in a week. Athletes consumed energy (23.0±6.6 kcal/kg/day), carbohydrates (3.0±0.9 g/kg/day), and protein (1.0±0.3 g/kg/day) suboptimal, while fat consumption was optimal (0.7±0.5 g/kg/day). No significant correlation (p>.05) was found between dietary intake with demography and anthropometry.Conclusion: The soccer athlete’s energy and macronutrient intakes were mostly suboptimal to the sports nutrition recommendations.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.5

Authors: Dimitar Avramov

Abstract: Flexibility is one of the key components of success in Taekwondo, and, due to the demands of human anatomy, should be developed appropriately. The aim of this study was to determine the level of flexibility in male and female Taekwondo athletes and to identify any significant difference between the two genders in this physical quality. A total of a hundred and forty-one Taekwondo athletes took part in the research. Thirty-nine males and forty-three females aged 7 to 9 years old and forty-one male and 18 female athletes aged 10 – 11 years old. All of them had at least 2 years of Taekwondo training. The acquired data showed that the female participants in both age groups outperformed males in both tests. The average results were X1 males 7-9 = 12.94 cm and X2 females 7-9 = 6.26 cm and X1 males 10-11 = 14.41 cm and X2 females 10-11 = 6.11 cm on the “Side Split” test. For the “Stand and Reach” test, the average results indicated values of X1 males 7-9 = 1.48 cm, X2 females 7-9 =7.70 cm and X1 males 10-11 = 4.6 cm, and X2 females 10-11 = 8.5 cm. The differences were statistically significant for the 7-9 years old group, with Cohen’s d = 1.01 and P(t)= 99.94 on the “Stand and Reach” test, Cohen’s d = .74 and P(t)= 99.99 on the “Side split” test. The 10 – 11 years old group also showed a significant difference with Cohen’s d = 0.71, P(t)= 98.89 on the “Stand and Reach” test, and Cohen’s d = 0.91 and P(t)=99.89 on the “Side Split” test. These results could serve as a starting point for creating an evaluation system for flexibility in Taekwondo athletes.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.4

Authors: Tereza Marinova, Diana Popova-Dobreva

Abstract: Introduction. Flexibility, or joint range of motion, is often highlighted as a crucial aspect of physical fitness. It is commonly believed that improving flexibility can enhance performance and help lower the risk of injury.Methodology. This study involved a sample of 30 Track and Field athletes who were tested once before the stretching programs were applied (April 2024) and once after (October 2024).Results. The data from descriptive analyses for both tests before and after the application of stretching programs showed slight improvements in the SLJ, VJ, BOMBT, and SSPMBT metrics. The results from the comparative analysis of the VJ, SLJ 30-meter Flying Start, and BOMBTS indicators showed a statistically significant improvement from Test 1 to Test 2.The data from the descriptive analysis: M. Triceps Surae: Test 1 mean of13.27 and Test 2 mean of 16.57 for the right limb; Test 1 mean of 13,2 and Test 2 mean of 17,4 for the left limb; Hamstring: Test 1 mean of 79.47 and Test 2 mean of 86.3, for right limb. Test 1 mean 79.37 and Test 2 mean 85.87 for the left limb; M. Rectus Femoris: Test 1 mean 151.33 and Test 2 mean 153.83 for the right limb. Test 1 mean of 150,9 and Test 2 of 154 for the left limb; M. Erector Spinae: Test 1 mean of 26.77 and Test 2 mean of 28.9.The improvement in the M. Triceps Surae R/L flexibility (The t-value of-2.35/-2.81 at a significance level of α = .05 suggests a statistically significant difference between the two test results, indicating the effectiveness of the applied intervention or training program.Conclusions. The comparative analysis of the Vertical Jump, Standing Long Jump, 30-meter Flying Start, and Backward Overhead Medicine Ball Throw indicators showed a statistically significant improvement from Test 1 to Test 2, indicating a positive effect on the development of speed and strength qualities during the application of the stretching programs. Additionally, Welch’s t-test results highlighted the effectiveness of the intervention program, demonstrating a statistically significant improvement in the flexibility of the M. Triceps Surae R/L between Test 1 and Test 2.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.3

Authors: Walid Grine, Yacine Belfritas, Oussama Kessouri

Abstract: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects many individuals worldwide and is diagnosed by various accompanying symptoms. Its treatment focuses on alleviating and reducing the severity of symptoms, with exercise being one of the suggested treatments. This study aims to determine the effect of moderate-intensity weight training (MIWT) and home training (HT) on quality of life in non-athletic males with IBS.The sample included 16 non-athletic Algerian males who were diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome using the Rome III criteria. They were randomly divided into two groups: MIWT group (n = 8) and HT group (n = 8). Each group practiced their training three times a week for 35-40 minutes per session over 8 weeks. The IBS Quality of Life Questionnaire (IBS-QOL) was used to collect data. Both t-test and two-way ANOVA were used for statistical analysis.Study results showed an improvement in quality of life in all domains of IBS- QOL (total score; dysphoria; activity interference; body image; health anxiety; food avoidance; social reactivity; sexual; relationships) for both groups (p < .05). Only one interference with activity showed greater improvement in the MIWT group compared to the HT group (p<.05).Both MIWT and HT contribute to improved quality of life in non-athlete males with IBS, with a superiority of MIWT over HT in the variable interference with activity only. Therefore, researchers recommend using both methods to alleviate the symptoms of IBS.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.2

Authors: Jennifer Bunn, Andrew Thornton, Paula Parker

Abstract: Introduction: Daily assessments of wellness via short quantitative surveys are becoming a mainstay across professional and collegiate sports. The data typically provide a numerical value on a scale indicating negative and positive scores across several wellness domains. However, little has been reported on why athletes indicate negative scores in wellness. Purpose: This study evaluated reasons reported for low wellness scores in sleep quality, stress, and nutrition, as well as differences in reasons for low wellness among sports and by sex. Methodology: Collegiate athletes from women’s volleyball (n=67), men’s and women’s soccer (n=119), men’s and women’s swimming (n=79), and men’s and women’s basketball (n=87) completed daily assessments of wellness. With a negative wellness score (≤ 3 on a 5-point scale), athletes were prompted to provide a reason for feeling unwell. Results: Chi-square analyses indicated a sex difference for reasons provided for poor sleep and a difference by sport for females and males (all p < .001). Reasons cited for poor sleep quality were late night (23.7%) and “other” (22.3%). For stress, analyses showed differences by sex and sport for females and males (all p < .001). Academic/work stress was the most common reason for poor stress (60.2%). For nutrition, analyses indicated differences by sex (p < .001) and by sport for females (p < .001) and males (p = .008). Consuming fewer than three meals/snacks per day (26.2%) and low fluid intake (21.9%) were the top two reasons for poor nutrition. Conclusions: These data shed light on reasons why athletes experience low wellness. Coaches and support staff can target specific reasons to enhance athlete wellness and the student-athlete experience.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.02.1

Authors: Liam Younger, Darryl Cochrane

Abstract: Post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) is a phenomenon that has been used as a warm-up strategy to enhance subsequent muscular performance. The purpose of this study was to examine the efficacy of a flywheel warm-up to elicit a PAPE effect in eight male youth rugby athletes. Participants completed three warm-up interventions (flywheel, stationary cycle, and no warm-up) across three days, each separated by 24 hours. A 5-minute rest followed each warm-up before assessing posterior chain flexibility, countermovement jump (CMJ), and linear acceleration. The results showed a significant increase (p < .05) in poste- rior chain flexibility and 10 m sprint performance following the flywheel warm- up compared to stationary cycling and no warm-up. However, the interventions had no significant differences in CMJ peak power or jump height (p > .05). The current findings suggest that the flywheel warm-up is effective in improving pos- terior chain flexibility and sprint performance in youth rugby players.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.8

Authors: Khutso Ramokolo, Sylven Masoga, Sefora Makuse

Abstract: Female soccer sport is recently gaining popularity across the world. However, there remains little research on nutritional recommendations devoted to this group. This can pose a challenge for sports and health practitioners when conducting interventions in this group. A few authors suggested nutritional recommendations for energy and macronutrients close or similar to those used in males, usually around 7 – 12 g/kg/day for carbohydrates, 1.2 -1.7 g/kg/day for protein, 0.5 – 1 g/kg/day for fat and different resting energy expenditure formulas for energy. Still, these recommendations have not been made quite clear or at least emphasized for use amongst female soccer athletes, including the timing of these macronutrients before, during, and after training or competition. Noting the physiological and body composition differences between males and females, this review aims to explore available nutritional recommendations for female athletes so that they, coaches, and sports practitioners have a clear guide for adherence during training and intervention sessions.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.7

Authors: Ivan Ivanov, Yordanka Gluhcheva, Emilia Petrova

Abstract: Nutritional supplements are often used by athletes to support their performance. However, if there is no nutrient deficiency, supplementation may not improve performance and may even have a detrimental effect on both performance and health. The aim of this study was to review the influence of sodium nitrite (NaNO2) and zinc (Zn) on the hemorheological status of different types of blood cells with application in sports. Sodium nitrite, known as food preservative E250, and zinc are proven modulators of the biomechanical properties of blood, influencing its hematometric and hemorheological properties. Our previous experimental results demonstrated that intraperitoneal injection of NaNO2 in mature rats had a diverse effect on the leukocyte and platelet populations. After the treatment, the number of monocytes and granulocytes decreased significantly, thus increasing the susceptibility to infections. The number of platelets increased, altering the coagulation status of blood. Scientific research data show that the proper intake of NaNO2 and Zn improves glucose metabolism, a key factor in maintaining energy levels during physical activity, muscle strength, and endurance. Zn also exhibits protective effects against bone loss. Excessive intake of zinc for long periods may interfere with other essential elements of metabolism. This review proves that hemorheological parameters such as whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, as well as the main hematometric indices are suitable quantitative biological markers for monitoring nitrite and/or zinc supplementation.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.6

Authors: Lubomir Petrov, Mihail Kachaunov, Albena Alexandrova

Abstract: Introduction: Iron deficiency is a common feature in athletes, and optimizing iron levels may become a contributing factor to improved athletic performance.Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate body iron stores and their relationship with sports performance. It also sought correlations between the swimmers’ hematological, hormonal, anthropometric, and functional status and their sports achievements.Methodology: The research involved 19 athletes (11 women and 8 men) from the Bulgarian national swimming team. They were tested for maximal aerobic capacity on a cycle ergometer and had blood samples taken to determine iron status and hematological and hormonal markers. Their swimming achievements (Swimming points) were evaluated as a percentage of the world records in the respective discipline.Results: There were statistically significant differences between the female and male swimmers for Unbound Iron Binding Capacity (UIBC) and ferritin. A higher UIBC in women indicated lower iron levels in them. Among female swimmers, five had ferritin levels below 40 ng/mL. In women, a highly reliable correlation between the Swimming points and ferritin concentration (r = .68) was observed. All male swimmers had ferritin values above 40 ng/ mL, and there was no reliable correlation between ferritin concentration and Swimming points, probably because ferritin was in the optimal range and is no longer a significant performance factor.Conclusions: In swimmers, the optimal serum ferritin concentration is probably in the range of 40–90 ng/mL. Many female swimmers have a relative iron deficiency with sub-optimal ferritin values. In competitive female swimmers, low ferritin level is an indicator of both iron deficiency and inadequate diet. It can be expected that an adequate nutritional regime in athletes with low ferritin values will lead both to the replenishment of iron stores and to an increase in muscle mass and, ultimately, to an improvement in sports performance.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.5

Authors: Micky Oloo, Edwin Wamukoya, James Oloo

Abstract: Background. In Kenya, falls among individuals over 60 years of age are a major concern. Despite physical activity being known to reduce fall risks, existing studies face challenges like high drop-out rates and limited exercise types. The Lebed Method, a dance program originally developed for breast cancer survivors by Sherry Lebed Davis, has shown potential to improve physical and emotional well-being. This study aimed to explore its effectiveness in improving physical stability among the elderly in Kakamega County.Methods. The study involved a community-based randomized control trial with 30 participants aged 60 and older, selected based on low social support scores. They were divided into intervention and control groups, meeting specific inclusion criteria. Baseline functional stability (mobility and balance) was assessed by Timed Up and Go (TUG), Berg Balance Scale (BBS) scores, gait speed time, and de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI) score. To ensure the reliability of the study, biases such as selection, performance, detection, attrition, and reporting biases were addressed. Changes in physical stability between the groups were analyzed using the Analysis of Covariance, accounting for baseline differences, while within-group changes were evaluated using the dependent sample t-test. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.Results. The findings showed that the intervention group improved significantly in physical stability compared to the control group. Specifically, notable enhancements were observed on TUG times (p < .001, ηp2 = 0.53, d = 3.38), BBS scores (p < .001, ηp2 = 0.64, d = 1.97), gait speed (p < .001, ηp2 = 0.65, d = 1.99) and DEMMI score (p < .001, ηp2 = 0.38, d = 1.94).Conclusions. The intervention significantly improved mobility and balance among participants, demonstrating the effectiveness of the Lebed method for elderly individuals. Future research could explore specific components of dance based therapy that contribute to functional mobility and balance improvements.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.4

Authors: Dace Eikena, Tatiana Iancheva

Abstract: In recent years, sports psychology researchers have shown a growing interest in exploring various facets of sports careers, career transitions, the personal qualities profile of athletes who achieve peak sports performance, and the existing models and distinctions within career stages.This research aimed to examine the link between the mental qualities and skills and the sports careers of elite Latvian athletes and to seek potential differences dependent on sports career stages, level of qualification, and gender. The research was done among 109 elite athletes from Latvia aged 17 to 40, practicing 19 sports – 71 men and 38 women. For the purposes of the research, the subjects were divided into groups according to two criteria: 1) depending on the different stages of their sports career and 2) depending on the type of development of their sports career. The research methods included: Latvian personality survey (LPA-v3, Perepjolkina et al., 2011); Sports et al. (SMTQ; Sheard et al., 2009), adapted for Latvian conditions by Astaficevs et al. (2020); Psychological Performance Inventory Alternative version (PPI-A; Golby et al., 2007), adapted for Latvian conditions by Astafi cevs et al. (2020.); General et al. (GSE; Schwarzer & Jerusalem, 1995), adapted for Latvian conditions by Astafi cevs et al. (2020); Psychological Skills Inventory for Sports (PSIS-R5), adapted for Latvian conditions by Fernāte Andra, 2008.The obtained results revealed some differences in the personal profiles of the Latvian athletes depending on the stages and type of their sports careers, level of qualification, and gender. We found higher results along the factors conscientiousness, honesty and modesty, and the lowest results along the factor neuroticism among the elite athletes. We found significantly higher values of the mental skills: anxiety control, concentration, mental preparation, motivation, self-confidence, and control among the men.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.3

Authors: Mariana Borukova, Ivan Kalinov

Abstract: In the basketball game, lower extremity strength plays a key role in various game actions. The jumping mat (Chronojump), an open-source (free software and open hardware), is available to the public on official servers, emphasizing peer review and corrections by the user community. The aim of this study was to establish the explosive power of the lower limbs of 16-year-old female basketball players from the Bulgarian National Basketball Team. We used specialized software, a signal transducer, and an electro-contact mat Chronojump. The subject of the study was the explosive power of the lower limbs of 16-year-old female basketball players from the national team of Bulgaria. The object of the study was the performance of the Chronojump platform tests to establish the explosive strength of the lower limbs. The study was conducted among 16 active female basketball players selected for the Bulgarian national team. Each participant performed all jumps at the same time of day. They performed CMJ - 90-degree squat jump; SJ - Squat, two-second hold, and jump; CMJAT - Jump with arms extended forward and up; RCMJ - Manipulative 90-degree squat jump; Stiff ness - Manipulative ankle jump. The test’s mathematical-statistical results were processed with variance analysis and One-way ANOVA, with a critical value of the F-criterion (F = 2.38) and high statistical reliability (Pt ≥ 95%). Results showed that hand involvement is key in rebounding. In terms of jumping endurance and explosiveness quotient, female athletes had a lower level of development. This research has the potential to significantly impact the training and performance of female basketball players.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.2

Authors: Petar Peev, Oleg Hristov, Anisa Nurja, Serafim Lazov, Petya Petkova, Milena Zdravcheva, Vera Antonova, Vlаdimir Kotev, Hristo Andonov

Abstract: There are a large number of publications related to conditioning in volleyball and in general. However, a very small part of them are related to the development of motor abilities in an age aspect. Such a study would be very difficult to implement, but at the same time, it would be beneficial in terms of the selection and sports orientation of youth volleyball. Volleyball as a sport has developed extremely dynamically in recent years, which makes it even more demanding in terms of fitness. The basic skills necessary for successful implementation in sports are complex and based on the athletes‘ ability to jump, sprint, and hit. From this point of view, the interest in this research was dictated, with the primary goal of determining the values of the main signs related to the volleyball game and compiling normative tables for control and assessment of preparedness. The research tasks also arise from the goal set in this way. To investigate the differences in the main essential characteristics of the volleyball game regarding age. To propose standards of control and evaluation. The methods we used to solve the problems are anthropometry, chronometry, tensiometry, speedometry, and mathematical-statistical methods (frequency, variation analysis, and sigma method). Results: The most significant increase in women was observed in the results of the jump tests and the speed of the serve (over 20 %) and smaller within 10% in the running tests. We attribute these results to the fact that the listed movements emphasize the training and competition process. Based on the obtained results, norms for evaluating the readiness of the contestants have been drawn up.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2024.01.1

Authors: Darryl Cochrane

Abstract: Resisted and assisted training methods aim to increase neural activation, or post-activation potentiation (PAP), to enhance sprint performance. A preloaded stimulus causes a temporary performance increase that is more significant than what warm-up alone can provide. Resistance activities have traditionally been used to induce post-activation potentiation. Little is known when assisted and resisted sprints are combined and their effect on PAP. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the acute potentiating effect of combined resisted and assisted sprints on subsequent 20 m sprint performance. Sixteen physically active young males performed a baseline 20 m sprint followed by four assisted 20 m and four 20 m resisted sprints using a bungee cord. After the assisted-resisted stimulus, the participants performed one 20 m sprint at 4, 6, and 8 minutes. There was no significant improvement in 5, 10, or 20-m sprint times following the assisted-resisted stimulus. Therefore, the additive effect of assisted-resisted sprints failed to induce post-activation potential. The additive effect of assisted-resisted sprints could not induce post-activation potential to enhance subsequence sprint performance.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.9

Authors: Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Drake Eserhaut, Anthony Ciccone, Damjana Cabarkapa, Nicolas Philipp, Andrew Fry

Abstract: In a sport-specific setting, the external load represents the cumulative amount of stress placed on the athlete during a specific activity, while the internal load describes the athlete’s individual physiological response to that particular activity. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between external load measured with a tri-axial accelerometer and salivary testosterone (T), cortisol (C), and testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (T/C) as measures of internal load during a 5-on-5 basketball game. Six professional male basketball players volunteered to participate in the investigation (age=28.3±1.9 years; height=193.3±10.6 cm; body mass=90.7±10.7 kg). Upon completing a standardized warm-up protocol, athletes played a simulated basketball game composed of four 10-minute quarters with the Elam Ending. Each athlete wore a tri-axial inertial measurement unit (StriveTech, Bothell, WA, USA) embedded within tightly fitted compression shorts throughout the competitive period. The salivary samples were collected immediately upon arrival at the gym and immediately after each quarter. To determine the relationship between the external load and T, C, and T/C, separate restricted maximum likelihood linear mixed-effects models were fitted (p

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.8

Authors: Emilia Vitanova

Abstract: The Munich Olympic Games in 1972 were organized and held in the atmosphere of political and ideological controversies, which directly affected the organization and the Olympic Torch Relay along the route Olympia – Munich. This article aims to present newly found evidence about Bulgaria’s participation in planning the overall route of the Olympic Torch Relay across the country. The manuscript includes various documents and scientific and popular publications systematized through content analysis, comparative analysis, and critical analysis. In the course of the research, we also found 32 articles in periodicals. We researched some books and publications by foreign and Bulgarian authors, documents preserved in the regional libraries, the central state archive, the regional archives, and the archives of the Bulgarian Union for Physical Culture and Sport (BUPCS) and “Bulgarian Photography”. The research traced the difficulties and influences making the Bulgarian Olympic Committee (BOC) doubtful about the organization of the Olympic Torch Relay. On the basis of the newly found documents, we can have a clearer view of the political and ideological influences on BOC determining the decision on this matter.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.7

Authors: Yuliya Krasmik, Tatiana Iancheva, Bolat Rahmalin

Abstract: Athletes’ true self-realization depends on the degree of mobilization of personal resources, particularly the motivational ones, which act as long-term regulators of athletes’ activity. The optimal management of motivation at each stage of the sporting career, both in elite and amateur sports, predetermines athletes’ self-realization to a great extent. The aim of the research was to examine the motivational determinants, resilience and self-realization components and their specificity among elite athletes, amateurs, and para-Olympians. The research was conducted among 180 athletes: 60 elite athletes, 60 amateurs, and 60 para-Olympians. For the purposes of the study, we used: Questionnaire for researching the motives of sports activity, Tropnikov; Questionnaire “Motives of Sports activity”(MSA), Kalinin, adapted by Y. Krasmik (2022); Psychic Resistance Test, Muddy, adapted by D. A. Leontiev and E. I. Raskazova; Multidimensional questionnaire on personality self-realization, Kudinov. The results revealed different motivational profiles of elite athletes, amateur athletes, and para-Olympians and a specific hierarchy of motives. The level of self-realization of the athletes belonging to the three groups corresponds to the adaptive one. The established differences showed a higher level of self-realization in the group of elite athletes.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.6

Authors: Robyn Aitkenhead, Lewis Kirkwood, Geraint Florida-James, Lesley Ingram-Sills

Abstract: Female physiology is unique and driven by fluctuations in sex hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle. These hormones present myriad mechanisms that may influence physiological systems, potentially implicating exercise performance. However, research exploring the MC in athletes is limited. This study investigated if training status (well-trained/elite) influenced MC-related symptoms, training schedules, sleep quality, arousal, and alertness of elite and welltrained female mountain bike, road, and cyclocross athletes. Fifteen well-trained (n= 7) and elite (n= 8) cyclists (age: 29 ± 7yrs, height: 1.7 ± 0.1m, body mass: 61.9 ± 7.7kg) tracked their MC symptoms, basal body temperature, body mass, sleep, arousal, and alertness measures daily for three months. The MC was split into two phases, follicular and luteal, and participants were provided ovulation kits to identify the phases. The most reported symptoms were fatigue, bloating, abdominal pain, and cramping. Athletes’ BBT was significantly greater (p0.05) in body mass, sleep duration and quality, alertness and arousal were observed between well-trained and elite athletes. Further, no significant differences between statuses for any training variables, average or maximum heart rate, training load (bTRIMP), average or maximum speed, and rate of perceived exertion were observed. The MC did not influence physiological responses and training variables in well-trained and elite mountain bike, road, and cyclocross female athletes. Nevertheless, individual fluctuations were present, and it is recommended that athletes monitor their own MC to optimize training and ultimately performance.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.5

Authors: Kornelia Naydenova

Abstract: Reduced motor activity and impaired physical fitness are among the great problems of modern society. Many authors point out that one solution to this problem is creating a lasting interest in motor activity before the age of 10-11 when the child has a natural need for movement. At the same time, in Bulgaria and many other countries, physical education in preschool and primary school age is taken over by teachers who are not specialists in physical education and sports. This study aimed to track changes in acquiring motor abilities such as speed and endurance for pupils in the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd grades, aged 7 to 9 years, with whom specialists with different specializations have worked. The research was carried out with 11 pupils at a primary school. Running 30 m and Shuttle Running 4 x 50 m tests were used. The testing and mathematical-statistical methods (variation analysis and comparative analysis with t-criterion of Student) were used in the study. The analysis showed a significant difference in students’ results between physical education and non-specialist teacher training. Undoubtedly, training by a non-specialist teacher leads to a decrease in the values of the considered indicators in the pupils’ physical fitness.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.4

Authors: Marina Petrova, Emil Videv

Abstract: Coordination abilities are an important element of human physical ability. They are part of the motor abilities and represent relatively consolidated and generalized qualities of the course of specific processes for regulating movements. Well-developed coordination abilities are a prerequisite for correctly and quickly learning new movements. The aim of this study was to improve the rhythmical abilities of pupils at primary schools using exercises from basic gymnastics and folklore dances with musical accompaniment. The research was carried out with 92 students at a secondary school in the city of Sofia. We used a test battery containing information about the rhythmical abilities to realize it. The battery includes four tests: frontal kicking with legs and arms on the wall, jumps in four squares, crossover jumps in four squares, and kicking with legs and arms. The methods used in this study are the testing, pedagogical experiment, and mathematical-statistical methods (variation analysis, comparative analysis with t-criterion of Student). The analysis of the results showed that the differences observed in the pupils from the experimental group, obtained before and after the experiment, were statistically significant for all indicators of rhythmical abilities. Such a difference was also found between the two studied groups at the end of the experiment. The research showed that the program we applied had a positive effect on developing rhythmical abilities.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.3

Authors: Gerasimos Grivas, Antonios Vantarakis

Abstract: Physical fitness is important to the general population, but for naval cadets, achieving a high level of physical fitness may be essential for success in their jobs. The purpose of this review was to summarize the current literature on physical fitness and body composition in naval cadets narratively and examine the effects of training programs on their physical fitness and body composition. The length of time that the personnel is on a ship cannot always be determined. For this reason, cadets must follow an exercise program to increase or maintain their physical condition during their voyages on a warship. This review revealed that endurance and strength training programs lasting 8 weeks to 12 months improved naval cadets’ physical capacity, body composition, and BMI. In conclusion, this review provides practical suggestions for improving naval cadets’ physical fitness and body.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.2

Authors: Tereza Marinova

Abstract: To better understand the selection processes and a controversial orientation in track and field, we set ourselves the goal of Establishing the periods of the highest age-related increase in speed and power abilities in adolescent athletes. The following tasks of the study were derived from that goal: (1) To determine the dynamics of increase in the explosive power, and (2) To determine the main periods of its development. The study population consisted of 245 children between 7 and 12 years of age. The measured indicators were reported by Optojump Next and the obtained results were subject to statistical analysis. Jump height ranged between 20.5 cm and 29.1 cm for boys and between 22.6 cm and 31.0 cm for girls. The RSI was in the range of 0.50-1.26 for boys and 0.71-1.24 for girls. Conclusions: (1) The period around the age of 10 appears to be sensitive for developing the explosive power abilities of adolescents; (2) Drop jump from a height of 30 cm is a more suitable speed and power exercise for girls.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.02.1

Authors: Antonios Vantarakis, Gerasimos Grivas, Stamatios Kalligeros, Konstantinos Karakatsanis, Nikolas Theodorou, Nikolaos Vezos, Anthia-Dimitra Vantaraki, Sotirios Vantarakis

Abstract: Introduction. The military readiness of the naval personnel serving on a warship requires a high level of physical health and fitness which is considered a given capability, regardless of the service they serve. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a weight training program (WTP) on the physical fitness of Greek naval cadets during a training trip on a warship. Material & Methods. The sample consisted of 21 male Greek cadets of the Hellenic Naval Academy (HNA) (age: 21.0 ± 0.83 years, height: 177.9 ± 6.9cm, body mass: 78.2 ± 7.1kg). The cadet team that participated for four weeks on the trip performed 20 training sessions lasting 60-80 min each, five times a week. The measurements of the participants before and after 4 weeks of a weight exercise training program were related to body mass (BM), body fat percentage (% BF), body mass index (BMI), number of sit-ups (SU1) and push-ups (PU1) done in one minute, one repetition maximum (1RM) in a squat (SQ) and bench press (BP), and the 30m run and 5m rope climb. Results. The results of the study showed that the WTP did not affect BM (t20 = -0.412, p = .685 > .05) and BMI (t20 = -0.477, p = .639>.05). Respectively, no significant difference was observed in %BF in all cadets between the measurements (t20 = -0.962, p > .05). The number of PU1 significantly increased by 10.82% (t20 = -4.191, p < .01). The SU1 significantly increased by 9.34% (t20 = -4.613, p < .01). The 1RM increased on BP by 5.71% (t20 = -5.769. p < .01) and SQ by 7.73% (t = 20, p < .01). The time on 30m sprint decreased by 1.33% (t20 = 7.640, p < .01) and for 5m rope climb decreased by 3.15% (t20 = 6.663, p < .01). Conclusion. The results of this study showed that it is necessary for the naval cadets to follow a WTP during their trips in the sea on a warship to increase their physical condition/fitness and sustain their body composition.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.8

Authors: Emil Videv

Abstract: For the purpose of this research, experienced stuntmen were given the task of performing an extreme action - a jump from a height of 11 meters. Some psycho-physiological and biochemical reactions were studied, giving indications of the changes in the activity of the sympathetic nervous system of the subjects in such an extreme situation. One of the tasks of the study was to determine how such a stressor affects their sense of time. In the publication, we present the conclusions drawn on the basis of the obtained results. The research included work in normal and extreme situations. In the first case, it took place in a hall, while in the second one, it took place on the edge of an 11 meters platform. The experiment was conducted in two variants. In the first, the subjects were required to count the time between two sound signals issued by a computer, and in the second variant - to jump off the edge of the platform at a randomly determined by the computer second after the first signal. In the hall, they jumped from a height of 20cm and in the extreme situation - from 11m. The results were subjected to a mathematical-statistical processing with SPSS 20. Some of our findings overlapped with findings made by other researchers, but some were diametrically opposed. We noticed that in an extreme situation, the subjectively calculated time of the person changes its course. For those motivated to act, it slowed down its course, and for those motivated to give up, it accelerated.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.7

Authors: Milena Kuleva

Abstract: As technology advances, virtual reality (VR) becomes more prevalent in various fields of endeavor. Virtual reality is frequently associated with entertainment for adolescents. This is not always the case, however. Military, medicine, education, and architecture could all benefit from virtual reality, and in these fields, with complete confidence, sports and physical activity could also be added. As the origins of virtual reality are examined, it could be confirmed that people have always desired to recreate reality, beginning with drawings and progressing through cinema and photography to modern technologies that attempt to recreate the environment, real objects, states, etc., as accurately as possible. This study aims to analyze the available and accessible literature that has examined the application of different types of virtual reality. In order to fulfill the set objective, access through the virtual library of SUNY Empire State College was used. The researched databases were ProQuest, MEDLINE (with Full Text), PloS ONE, JSTOR, Library and Information Science and Technology Abstracts with FullText, EBSCOhost, LearnTechLib, Sage Journals, and Science Direct. The PRISMA guidelines were utilized to guide the review’s conduct. The total number of sources studied was 2800, and through the PRISMA model, the final amount of analyzed articles was reduced to 11. According to the set inclusion and exclusion criteria, the articles considered comprehensively explained the methodology employed and delved into the effects of virtual reality on sports and physical activity among the participants. Virtual reality technology provides a personalized experience by adapting to the individual’s interests and abilities. It has been discovered that immersive VR exergames can result in the same or greater exercise intensity than conventional exercise conditions. Exergaming in virtual reality could be especially beneficial for promoting physical activity and overall societal health.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.6

Authors: Mariana Borukova

Abstract: Human physical development is a complex and intricate concept that can be viewed as a dynamically changing state from the moment of birth till death. The purpose of this study was to determine the level of physical development and physical fitness of 8-year-old students and to apply a comparative analysis along the factor gender. The study sample consisted of 95 primary school students (44 boys and 51 girls) in the city of Varna. The applied methods were a review study of specialized literature and sports-pedagogical testing along 18 indicators that carry information about the children’s physical development and some motor qualities. Mathematical-statistical data were processed by means of variation and comparative analyses, which gave us grounds to assert that the differences obtained from all indicators that carry information about physical development and physical fi tness, the advantage was in favor of the boys. For three of the characteristics, the differences were statistically significant

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.5

Authors: Tatiana Iancheva, Doychin Boyanov, Nikolay Panayotov

Abstract: The interest in behavior, psychological changes, stress coping strategies, and polar expedition members’ functioning has been growing in recent years. The third group of the XXXI Bulgarian Antarctic expedition in Livingston Island at the beginning of 2023 included participants from three fields – scientists, logisticians, and builders. Participants’ activities are greatly dependent on extreme environmental conditions. The aim of this study was to examine the sensation-seeking need, major stress factors, and preferred stress coping strategies of the participants in XXXI Bulgarian Antarctic expedition in Livingston Island. The research was done among 28 participants from XXXI Bulgarian Antarctic expedition, aged between 30 and 71 years. To fulfill the aim of the research, we used: 1) Methodology for researching psychic instability and sensation seeking, adapted by Velichkov & Radoslavova, 2005; 2) Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced scale – COPE – 1, Carver et al., 1989, adapted for Bulgarian conditions (Georgiev et al., 2003); 3) Methods for researching stress sources among participants in Antarctic expeditions. The results showed that the subscale functional impulsivity had the highest values. It was followed by the subscales of sensation seeking and dysfunctional impulsivity. The factor Interpersonal relationships and an abrupt change in the familiar environment had the highest values as a stress source. The emotional coping strategies were domineering, followed by the active coping strategy. The strategy of Cognitive and Emotional disengagement had the lowest values. There were signifi cant diff erences from the results obtained from previous Bulgarian expeditions. The results can help adaptation and adequate prevention to decrease participants’ psychological stress.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.4

Authors: Iliya Kiuchukov

Abstract: Visualization of the movement is crucial both for research and pedagogical activities. The aim of this study was to introduce some methodology for the visualization of the movement on the basis of the data obtained from conducting numerical experiments when studying various movements and exercises. The main task was to design a program module for the visualization of spatial movements. The visualization of the results from the conducted simulations allows for having an idea of the studied movement in the course of solving the equations of motion. The program module for the visualization of an athlete’s movement is working in the MATLAB Computing Environment. We have constructed an anthropomorphic structure (model) which resembles the shape of a human body. The model possesses a high degree of mobility which makes it suitable for applying various movements and actions. A set of artistic gymnastics exercises was provided as an example. The visualization of the current results from the simulated movement contributes to the detailed analysis and facilitates the interpretation of the obtained results. The model can also be applied to research activities for movements in other sports.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.3

Authors: Kazumasa Nakagawa, Shin Okazaki

Abstract: The purpose of this study was to compare and examine gait parameters, hip joint angle, and lower extremity muscle activity during normal walking before and after Nordic walking (NW) intervention. Nineteen healthy male participants (age 26.3 ± 2.4 years) were included in the study. During walking, we measured gait parameters using the footprint-measuring gait analysis system. Аngular changes of the hip joint were measured with an IMU-type portable three-dimensional motion analyzer and the EMG activity of each muscle. The measurements above were performed before and after a one-hour NW training course. The hip joint angle, muscle activity, and gait parameters were compared before and after the intervention with the same participants. In gait parameters, the stride length and walking speed were significantly greater after the intervention, while the cadence decreased significantly. Both hip flexion and extension angles were significantly greater after the intervention. In terms of muscle activity, the rectus abdominis, the tibialis anterior, and the gastrocnemius were very different after the intervention. According to previous reports, employing a large stride length during NW would affect the normal gait after the training. The use of the Nordic pole may have stimulated a substantial forward movement in the lower extremities using the large range of motion of the hip joints. The benefits of NW include enhanced forward propulsion during gait and additional stability during the stance phase due to the greater support surface provided by the poles.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.2

Authors: Katharina Zebura, Stefan Fuhrmann, Astrid Mathy, Christoph Triska, Klaus Wirth

Abstract: Swimmers reach the highest accelerations during starts. These are initiated by a high amount of force produced by the lower limbs in a short amount of time. It is established in senior athletes that there is a relationship between lower-body maximum strength and swim start performance. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between lower-body maximum strength and swim start performance up to 5 and 15 m in elite youth swimmers. Twenty-two (10 females, 12 males) well-trained adolescent swimmers executed a one repetition maximum (1RM) back squat test, a counter movement jump (CMJ), a squat jump (SJ) test, and two trials of a swim start following a freestyle sprint up to 15 m. Bivariate Pearson correlation analyses were used to assess the relationship between strength and jumping performance and start performances up to 5 and 15 m. The level of significance was set at p < .05. Strength and jumping performance explained 55–73% of the variance in start performance up to 5 and 15 m. Strong correlations were found between resulting forces on the block and times to 5 and 15 m as well as between 1RM back squat test, CMJ, and SJ and times to 5 and 15 m (all between r = –.75 and r = –.86; p < .01). This study demonstrates that strength parameters of the lower limbs aff ect jumping performance off the block in swimming. Therefore, these parameters are usable predictor variables in assessing start performance up to 5 and 15 m in swimmers.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2023.01.1

Authors: Michail Michailov, Jiří Baláš

Abstract: The rate of upper limb force development (RFD) is one of the important performance factors in sport climbing. The aim of this study was to investigate the reliability and validity of various force-time indicators for the assessment of finger and shoulder girdle strength in climbing. Ten male lead climbers (climbing ability: advanced; IRCRA: 22 ± 2) performed two RFD and two maximal strength tests for the finger fl exor and shoulder girdle muscles (one-arm finger hangs and lock-off s, respectively). The maximal strength tests were used to assess maximal force (Fmax). The RFD tests were used to assess: peak force (Fpeak); time for reaching force representing 25%, 50%, and 75% of the body weight (T25%BW, T50%BW, T75%BW ); and absolute and relative RFD indicators (e.g., RFD at 200 ms and 95% Fpeak, respectively). The reliability of the finger fl exor RFD indicators was high (intrasession intraclass correlation coefficients - ICC between .760 and .973; intersession ICC between .883 and .955). Intersession reliability of the finger fl exor T50%BW and T75%BW reached excellent values (ICC = .949 and ICC = .978, respectively). Reliability of the finger fl exor and lock-off Fpeak and Fmax was also high (ICC between .850 and .966). Consistency between Fpeak and Fmax was not satisfactory, though. These variables differed significantly (p = .035) in the finger flexor tests, and ICC was moderate (.605) in the lock-off tests. Most of the lock-off force-time indicators had moderate or poor reliability. Finger flexor and lock-off Fmax/kg and T50%BW correlated significantly (p < .05) with the climbing ability (R = .805, R = .653, and R = -.703, respectively), while lock-off force-time indicators did not. T50%BW was the most reliable and valid force-time indicator in advanced climbers. RFD indicators were reliable, but muscle strength appeared more important than RFD in advanced climbers

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.9

Authors: Finn Janning

Abstract: In this paper, I would argue for a mindful sports philosophy that stresses that wisdom does not emerge from abstract thinking; instead, it requires that we become attentive to what is concrete: our everyday life and how we spend it. Do we spend our life wisely or not? Answering this question requires that we know ourselves sufficiently — that is to say, have we explored and examined our own life by paying attention to it while we are living it? Am I aware of how my life constantly intervenes with life in general and vice versa? To exemplify this philosophical approach, I will refer to examples from modern football coaching that illustrate how they play themselves and their team into certain thoughts, not the other way around. However, a crucialю part of coaching and leading in sports relies on self-knowledge, not as something that only emerges from the inside out but equally from how the outside affects us. In this paper, I will argue how a mindful sports philosophy understands self-knowledge as both an introspection and “interiosation” of the outside with the quest of becoming worthy of what happens.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.8

Authors: Ivan Ivanov

Abstract: Physical exertion and sport cause changes of different nature and degree (positive or negative, strong, weak, moderate) in blood and blood cells’ biomechanical and fluid properties. The aim of this minireview was to attempt to summarize the main red blood cell deformability alterations during and after physical activity classified as follows: erythrocyte geometric shape; erythrocyte membrane rheological properties; biochemical and structural properties of erythrocyte membrane lipids and proteins; hemoglobin concentration; calcium ion concentration; intracellular diffusion and osmosis; nitric oxide and erythrocyte nitric oxide synthase; erythrocyte ATP synthase; erythrocyte age and degree of erythrocyte cell maturation; body and erythrocyte temperature. It is essential to study and evaluate the individual hemorheological response profile of erythrocyte deformability during physical activity because it is strongly personal. This is one of the major erythrocyte properties determining oxygen supply to working muscles. The multiple hemorheological changes during physical activity and their interconnectedness and strong personality make their differentiation very difficult. It is reasonable to weigh their effects (with specific quantitative measurements) to simplify the analysis and increase the likelihood of obtaining valid conclusions. But there will always be the probabilistic nature of these conclusions, determined by the complex and strictly individual picture of the hemorheological effects of physical exercises and activities.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.7

Authors: Gustavo Api, Danilo Arruda

Abstract: Periodization has been used for years in the sports domain as a method of controlling and planning training to reach the highest performance and decrease injury risk. Several periodization models have been developed, such as traditional, block, and undulating. Those models are theoretical training structures designed to facilitate understanding, study, and organization of training. Based on studies, certain models have shown to be superior to others. For instance, block periodization seemed to be more efficient for advanced athletes than traditional and undulating models. While for novice athletes, the chosen model has not seemed to affect their development. Although periodization has been largely studied, the experiments have several limitations, such as considering only training variation as periodization, using short-term investigations, and disregarding the technical and tactical components. Therefore, this critical review aimed to describe and discuss the contents related to traditional, block, and undulating periodization models and to provide coaches with a practical application of each of those models to develop strength, power, and endurance for novice and advanced athletes.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.6

Authors: Tatiana Yordanova

Abstract: Figure skating is the most subjective winter sport. If in other competitions, the result of the athlete is clearly monitored by a stopwatch, here the judges give marks for the performance. Judges are people who can be biased in judging or simply can make mistakes. 2002 was a turning point in figure skating judging. After the 2002 Salt Lake City USA Winter Olympics scandal, the so-called six-zero scoring system was replaced by a new judging system. The purpose of the research is to analyze the judges’ scores and dependencies between the final result and the separate segments of the evaluation when the ISU judging system was introduced in 2004. In order to achieve the set goal, the judging protocols of the Winter Olympic Games in women’s figure skating were studied after the introduction of the ISU judging system in 2004. After the introduction of the ISU judging system, the evaluation of the programs has become much more precise, where each element is evaluated separately. Expanding the scale for evaluating technical elements from -5 to +5 after the Winter Olympic games in 2018, according to the analyses carried out, leads to a greater weighting of the judging panel, which consists of 9 judges, rather than the technical panel, consisting of 3 specialists. This could ultimately lead to more objective judging in figure skating.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.5

Authors: Marina Petrova

Abstract: Sport and physical activity contribute to people’s physical, mental, and social health. The state of students’ physical ability is an accurate and objective indicator, with the help of which the influence and efficiency of the educational process in physical education and sports can be revealed. The aim of this study was to determine the level of development of the physical ability of students in 5th and 6th grade, through analysis and evaluation, according to the new regulatory system for evaluation. The research was carried out with 75 pupils at a secondary school in the city of Sofi a. To realize it, we used a test battery that carries information about the significant indexes of physical fitness. The battery includes five tests: running 30 m., standing long jump with both feet, 3 kg medicine ball throwing with both hands from a standing position, running 200 m., and agility and spatial coordination test. The testing and mathematical-statistical methods (variation analysis comparative analysis with t-criterion of Student and sigma evaluation method) were used in our study. The analysis of the results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the students from 5th and 6th grade, only in terms of the indicator of agility and spatial coordination. Such a difference was found in the same test, by gender and age, among the boys from the two study groups. Our research showed that the state of physical ability of the students participating in the study was at a good level, which corresponds to the average in the country

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.4

Authors: Iliya Iliev

Abstract: The research aimed to establish the level of variability of some major indicators characterizing the physical development of adolescent wrestling competitors’ basic motor qualities. The research was carried out in 2021 with the age group 12-14 years, and the results had to be compared with those obtained from a survey in 2012. The research was done among 22 coaches and wrestling specialists (part of whom are Olympic, World, and European champions) and 79 boys, divided into three age groups as follows: U12 –25, U13 –32, and U14 –22. Sports-pedagogical testing and an interview were used for the purposes of the research, as well as a review of literary sources and their theoretical analysis. The results from the research were processed statistically with Microsoft Office Excel 2016 and IBM SPSS Statistics - v23. We applied the following statistical methods: variation analysis, comparative analysis with Student’s t-criterion, Cohen’s d, Kolmogorov-Smirnov, and Shapiro-Wilk tests. The summary of the data and the analysis made for the three researched groups established variability of some basic indicators characterizing the physical development of basic wrestling qualities. There were three main groups of indicators in the three groups of researched individuals: indicators with low variability, relatively high variability, and very high variability. There was a decrease in the difference in the coefficient of variation in most physical indicators and an improvement in the mean values from U12 to U14. The hypothesis was confirmed that the final results after the surveys held in 2021 would be lower than those obtained in 2012. The obtained data are interesting for the specialists because they enrich training methods with new facts, which are essential for increasing the efficiency of sports preparation in sports clubs and national teams.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.3

Authors: Oleg Hristov, Milena Zdravcheva, Borislava Petrova

Abstract: Adolescents’ physical activity is and must be an essential part of their daily routine for proper and balanced growth and development. The use of accelerometry, a method that records the motor activity time spent in a lying or sitting position over twenty-four hours, is well-known. The actual data about a person’s movements enables us to be accurate and even to analyze the quantity and quality of those movements. We examined 135 children (mean age 129 months) with accelerometers Axivity model AX3, positioned around the wrist around the non-dominant arm. Based on consults, we established average values per twenty-four hours, namely – an average of 38.32% of the time children spent in a sitting position, 6.41% (92 min) they were engaged in a low activity, 15.42% (222 min - in a moderate activity, 1.79% (26 min) - in a high activity; and 38.06% of the time they spent sleeping. We found a weak correlation dependence r = -.263 (95%) between the body fat and the duration of the time spent in high activity.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.2

Authors: Nicolas Philipp, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Drake Eserhaut, Damjana Cabarkapa, Andrew Fry

Abstract: Basketball is a sport that relies heavily on an athlete’s ability to rapidly decelerate in order to change direction, avoid a defender, or create space. Recent literature has proposed novel ways of measuring maximal horizontal deceleration using radar technology. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between different countermovement jump (CMJ) force-time characteristics and metrics related to maximal horizontal deceleration for a sample of professional male basketball players. To gain further insight into performance qualities that influence horizontal deceleration performance, athletes were separated into high- and low-performance groups for all horizontal deceleration metrics, using a median split analysis, and differences in CMJ force-time metrics were investigated between groups. The results revealed no significant correlations between any CMJ force-time metrics and horizontal deceleration performance. However, athletes’ height and body mass were correlated with different deceleration performance measures, such as average deceleration, horizontal deceleration impulse, and time to stop. Higher performing athletes with regards to average horizontal deceleration and horizontal braking impulse relative to body mass generated greater concentric power (effect size (ES) = 1.04, ES = 0.86) and concentric velocities (ES = 1.17, ES = 0.97), as well as greater jump heights (ES = 1.19, ES = 0.99). Reactive Strength Index modified values were also greater in the higher performing group for horizontal braking impulse relative to body mass (ES = 1.06). On the other hand, higher-performing athletes with regard to horizontal braking impulse generated greater eccentric deceleration force (ES = 0.81) and eccentric power values (ES = 0.88) in the CMJ. Findings may be of interest to practitioners physically preparing basketball players for the sport-specific deceleration actions they may encounter.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.02.1

Authors: Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Michael Deane, Damjana Cabarkapa, Grant Jones, Andrew Fry

Abstract: Knowing how to design training regimens and modify offensive and defensive strategies to accurately resemble on-court competitive demands can help the team secure the winning game outcome. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine differences in game-related statistics between winning and losing teams at the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division-II level of men’s basketball competition and determine which performance parameters have the greatest impact in differentiating between winning and losing game outcomes. The data scraping technique was used to obtain publicly available box scores during the 2018-19 competitive season. The total number of games examined in the present investigation was 4630. The findings of the present study indicate that winning teams: a) made more field-goal and three-point shots; b) attempted and made more free-throw shots; c) attained superior free-throw, two-point, and three-point shooting efficiency; d) accumulated more assists, steals, blocks, and offensive, defensive, and total rebounds; e) had fewer turnovers and personal fouls. Moreover, field-goal percentage, defensive rebounds, and assists showed to be the top three game-related statistics capable of discriminating winning from losing game outcomes on the NCAA Division-II level of competition, accounting for 17.0%, 12.7%, and 12.6% of the total percentage of the explained variance, respectively.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.9

Authors: Lyubomira Toteva, Evgeniya Dimitrova

Abstract: Proximal humerus fractures are the third most common fractures in adult patients. In developed economies, there is a tendency to increase the number of these fractures due to the aging population. Physical therapy is recognized as an important component in the management regardless of the fracture type or treatment protocol. The purpose of this blind, randomized study was to compare the effectiveness of two physical therapy interventions on the shoulder range of motion and function after surgical treatment of proximal humerus fracture: 1) supervised therapeutic exercise only (Control group – CG), 2) supervised therapeutic exercise with manual soft tissue mobilization and massage (Experimental group – EG). Ninty-six subjects diagnosed with proximal humerus fracture treated operatively were randomly assigned to one of these two groups. The rehabilitation included four phases, in each of which the patients underwent ten procedures. Shoulder range of motion was assessed with a universal goniometer for flexion, extension abduction, internal rotation and external rotation. International SFTR method of measuring and recording joint motion was used. The results were analyzed with the statistical program SPSS Statistics 19. At the end of the study, we found statistically significant better results in the EG in fl exion (152.8° ± 22.3°), abduction (145.3° ± 24.2°), external (61.1° ± 11.8°) and internal (75.3° ± 11.6°) rotations, compared to CG: fl exion (140.7° ± 22.0°), abduction (130.6° ± 24.4°), internal (51.8° ± 15.6°) and external (63.5° ± 14.1°) rotations with statistical significance (p < 0.05). The extension showed improvement in both study groups, within the EG results being 52.9° ± 15.9° and in the CG 49.9° ± 5.5° - with no statistically significant difference between them. The DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand) scale was used for functional assessment of upper extremity. We established that the application of manual soft tissue mobilization with massage in the postoperative rehabilitation of patients with proximal humerus fractures leads to more effective restoration of shoulder joint function.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.8

Authors: Mihail Georgiev, Ina Vladova

Abstract: The lack of a validated methodology severely hampers the study of violence among athletes. Questionnaires and surveys with unproven psychometric characteristics used in various studies cast doubt on the results obtained. The current study presents the results of the construction of a test to investigate violence among athletes. The test is based on the questionnaire for the study of violence among athletes proposed by Vertommen et al. (2016), as its final version is a modified methodology. The study includes 314 current and former athletes. The survey was conducted online. Exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis were applied to the empirical data. The analysis results provide the basis for adopting a two-factor test structure with corresponding physical and emotional abuse subscales.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.7

Authors: Leyla Dimitrova

Abstract: The aim of the research was to establish the actual interrelations and interdependencies between the traditional (face-to-face) and online forms of chess training sessions among 10-13-year-old chess players. The research was done among 37 competitors with Elo rating 1050-1400 points from four chess clubs in Bulgaria. They were divided into two groups. In one of the groups, the sessions were conducted only online, and in the other group – only in a training hall. A unifi ed lecture course was created for the purpose of the research. It consisted of the obligatory elements of two-component education – lectures on 15 basic chess topics (10 about chess tactics and 5 about chess strategy) and tests-exercises for each of them. At the end of the lecture course, through a suitable set of chess indexes, we measured the degree to which the material had been learnt by the participants in the two groups. The applied Student’s t-test for two independent samples showed that the difference in the results from the two forms of testing was insignificant, i.e., it was not a consequence from the form of testing but from fortuitous factors. The result from this research can help chess coaches working with this age group to take a much more professionally conscious choice regarding the degree of presence of the two types of chess practices during their training sessions.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.6

Authors: Georgi Angelov

Abstract: For the period 2015 - 2019 in Bulgaria a significant number of children’s football camps were organized in partnership with some of the biggest football clubs in Europe. These events aroused great interest among children, adults, and media, because for the Bulgarian audience clubs such as AC Milan, FC Inter, FC Barcelona and Juventus FC are the embodiment of world football. This article aims to review, describe, and analyse football camps in Bulgaria in terms of their history, management, and organization, which in turn will contribute to increasing the number and quality of football grassroots projects. This type of event is increasingly finding its place in the field of sport, which suggests a more in-depth study.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.5

Authors: Iveta Bonova, Stefan Kolimechkov, Petko Mavrudiev, Dimcho Mitsov, Daniela Dasheva

Abstract: Athletic talent represents a high level of trainability in a certain type of sport. The earlier the level of trainability is identified, the more effective the sports training of the athlete will be. The aim of this study was to establish the effect of trainability on the physical fitness of adolescent athletes as a consequence of an applied training program adequate to the age and sports experience of the athletes. This study included 52 young athletes (24 boys and 28 girls), divided into 4 groups: male athletes from the control group (n = 10, mean age 14.88 ± 1.29 years), male athletes from the experimental group (n = 14, mean age 13.72 ± 1.15 years), female athletes from the control group (n = 14, mean age 15.69 ± 1.00 years), and female athletes from the experimental group (n = 14, mean age 13.41 ± 1.68 years). The experimental groups followed a specialized 12-week program signed for the purposes of the study. All participants completed the Alpha-Fit physical fitness test battery in addition to specific fitness tests before and after the training intervention. This study showed significant differences with larger effect sizes in nearly all components of health-related and specific physical fitness for the experimental groups after the training intervention in contrast to the control groups. The results of the standing long jump in the male (184.57 ± 19.79 cm vs 200.79 ± 20.01 cm, effect size = 0.8) and female athletes (179.07 ± 18.56 cm vs 183.93 ± 16.26 cm, effect size = 0.3) from the experimental groups showed significantly better values after the intervention, which indicated that strength is highly trainable for both genders at this age (13-14 years of age). The results of this study showed that the effect of trainability on physical fitness was greater for the athletes who were following the specialized training program based on the expected transfer of development in physical qualities.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.4

Authors: Nicolas Philipp, Trent Herda, Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Andrew Fry

Abstract: The implementation of resistance training to enhance muscular strength alongside other physical performance tasks such as linear speed or agility is a primary goal for strength and conditioning practitioners working with American football athletes. This study aimed to investigate changes in body weight, relative and absolute lower body strength, as well as linear speed ability and sprint momentum over three collegiate American football seasons. Additionally, relationships between change scores within the previously mentioned metrics, as well as the effect of Season-1 baseline strength levels on subsequent improvements in strength and linear speed were analyzed. Significant increases in body weight as well as relative and absolute lower body strength and sprint momentum were observed between Season-1 and Season-3. However, no significant improvements in linear speed were observed. Further, only change scores in body weight were found to be significantly related to change scores in the linear speed. Lastly, the group of athletes with lower Season-1 strength levels experienced significantly greater improvements in linear speed (i.e., reduction in 40-yard dash times), compared to the group with higher Season-1 strength levels. Our results indicate that athletes within our sample were able to experience increases in strength and body weight. However, such increases were not accompanied by improvements in the linear speed. While speculative, the significantly greater improvement in linear speed within the group with lower Season-1 relative strength levels may indicate that improvements in linear speed align with increases in strength, until athletes reach a certain level of strength.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.3

Authors: Mihail Konchev, Dimcho Mitsov

Abstract: The aim of this case study was to develop and verify a math model of running index (RI) for evaluation and control of specific efficiency and tracing the fatigue level in long distance running. The suggested RI was modelled on the basis of polynomial function between the running velocity and the change in heart rate frequency (V=f(HR)). The method was designed in such a way that the infl uence of denivelation of the terrain was removed when calculating RI. The research was done among 19 highly qualified athletes competing in long distance running events (16 men and 3 women), with a mean age of 28 years (SD±8), BMI 20 (SD±2), maximum oxygen consumption 67 ml/min/kg (SD ±5). The participants in the research were subjected to two lab and two terrain surveys. In a period of one week after the testing, RI was traced and calculated on the basis of the data taken from the major training loads. The model was verified only for the studied subjects - highly qualified competitors in long-distance running. RI was tested for validity through comparing the values obtained from the lab and terrain tests. The obtained results showed there was no significant difference between the values of RI measured during the lab testing and the terrain testing compared to the values of the velocity of ventilatory and lactate anaerobic threshold (VAnT). The results from this research revealed that the suggested method for calculation of the running index is more accurate than the previous ones. This manuscript discusses the possible implications of this new method for measurement of RI. Future scientific research is needed to prove its efficiency and applicability in sport.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.2

Authors: Rupak Singh, Jayant Rastogi, Chandra Guru, Varad Apte, Karuna Datta, Atul Sharma

Abstract: Background: Nationwide lockdown was enforced due to the spread of the new Coronavirus-19. This resulted in cessation of all sports training across the country, including elite athletes. This COVID-19 lockdown was hypothesized to result in detraining effects on elite athletes. Aim: We aimed to study the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on athletes’ physiological and anthropometric sports performance parameters. Methodology: Seventy-five athletes (age: 23.25 ± 3.9 years, training experience 7.49 ± 3.5 years) from different sports participated voluntarily. International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to grade home-based non-supervised physical activity undertaken during COVID-19 lockdown (137.81 ± 39.20 days). We compared the measured anthropometric, aerobic, and anaerobic performance parameters post-lockdown with pre-lockdown competitive phase recordings using Kruskal Wallis non-parametric test. Parameters were expressed as mean ± SD with level of significance fixed at p < .05. Results: Statistically significant reduction of 33.28% was observed in aerobic capacity post- COVID-19 lockdown (p = .01). We did not find any statistically significant variation in the other anthropometric and physiological performance parameters, namely weight (↑17.50 %), body mass index (↑20.69 %), body fat mass (↑20.76 %), waist (↑21.07 %), hip (↑19.13 %), waist: hip ratio (↑10.71 %), peak power (↑11.32 %) and mean power (↑5.17 %). Conclusions: We found that the athletes exhibited generalized detraining features despite maintaining home-based physical activity. Compared to other performance parameters, there was a significant decrease in the aerobic capacity post-lockdown. This shows the importance of incorporating an indoor-based supervised program including aerobic exercises to guide and monitor athletes. Practical Implications: Off -season/home confinement requires a remotely supervised tailored exercise program with optimal stimuli to maintain training adaptations. Awareness and incorporation of these findings would aid coaches and trainers in designing training programs to promote athletes’ injury-free gradual return to sports.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2022.01.1

Authors: Mason Mcintosh, Robbie Cochrum, Ryan Conners, Vanessa Moreno, Michael Black, James Heimdal

Abstract: Introduction: Multi-ingredient dietary supplements have been developed to increase nitric oxide (NO) production, with the expectation of improving resistance training performance. Many of these supplements contain ingredients and/ or ingredient amounts that have yet to be studied for their synergy or efficacy in increasing NO production and thus, resistance training performance. Purpose of the study: A randomized crossover design was used to investigate the effect of a citrulline malate (CM) based non-stimulant nitric oxide pre-workout supplement (NOPWS) blend or placebo on Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA) bench press performance. Applied Methodology: Thirty-minutes were provided between NOPWS or placebo ingestion and YMCA bench press assessment. Pre/post heart rate was taken following each condition. Two- and one-way repeated measures ANOVAs (α = 0.05) were run to determine the effect of each condition on heart rate (HR) and the number of repetitions performed (respectively) during the bench press test. Achieved major results: There was a significant two-way interaction between the treatment and time for HR, F(1, 20) = 6.82, p = .017. Resting HR was significantly higher during the supplement session (M = 74.67, SE = 2.54 bpm) than during the placebo session (M = 69.14, SE = 2.31 bpm), F(1, 20) = 8.19, p = .010, ηp 2 = .290. No significant difference was found between conditions for number of repetitions performed. Leads: A specific CM-containing NOPWS blend had no significant effect on a standardized assessment of upper body muscular endurance. Practical implications: These findings highlight the need for consideration of the minimum eff ective dosage and assimilation timing of each respective ingredient when developing or researching pre-workout supplement blends. Originality/Value: This is the first known research to study the effectiveness of this specific blend of ingredients on resistance training performance. Thus, this study provides necessary foundational knowledge for future research in this area.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.8

Authors: Jörg Schenk

Abstract: The German Carl Diem is considered one of the most outstanding sports personalities and Olympic promoters of modern times and was not only relevant to sports development in and for Germany but also abroad. His work unfolded especially in the first half of the 20th century but led to highly contradictory assessments of his person and his work due to the circumstances of the time and political developments in Germany and Europe. It becomes apparent that in contrast to Germany, where Diem is now almost forgotten despite an almost incalculable oeuvre and is only known to sports historians, in Bulgaria, where he created the essential basis for the establishment and structure of the “State Higher School for Physical Education”, later “National Sports Academy ‘Vasil Levski’”, and thus the academic training of sports teachers with his “Organizational Plan for Physical Education in Bulgaria”, there was initially no mention of him after 1944 and only from the 1990s of the last century at least some few mentions. This article uses an overview of the academic literature to shed light on Diem’s changed reception in Germany as well as the deficient research situation on him in Bulgaria.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.7

Authors: Trayan Popkochev, Valeri Tsvetkov

Abstract: The end of the crisis in Bulgarian football is discussed through the perspective of solving the problems in youth football. Although organizational culture is essential for effectiveness within organizations, few studies are related to the organizational culture in (youth) football clubs in Bulgaria. The article aims at studying the organizational culture in three clubs from the Youth-17 League in the South-West Bulgaria Zone 1 and Zone 2. 60 players and 3 coaches participated in a survey conducted through OCAI (Cameron and Quinn). The weight of certain factors considered important for achievement in clubs was measured through dispersion analysis. The hierarchy and clan types are predominant in the club’s profiles. According to the analysis, the present state is characterized by fewer distractions than the desired state. ANOVA shows that the team success factor has the strongest influence regarding the differentiation of the clan (present state) and market (desired state) types of cultures. The competing experience factor has a lesser effect and differentiates the market and the adhocracy type of cultures (the desired state). The prospect factor differentiates between the clan and market type in the desired state. Both groups surveyed have similar preferences for the types of organizational culture in the teams, with the “strength” of the preference criteria having higher value with the coaches. The typical team sport profile of organizational culture is observed. Coaches can influence the sports training activities and manage the organizational culture in the clubs through the factors mentioned above when players are still young. The study is not representative of the South-West League and Bulgaria as a whole. Organizational culture significantly influences competing efficiency and good youth football players’ making.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.6

Authors: Polina Hadjiyankova, Tatiana Iancheva

Abstract: In the last years, the issue concerning individualism and collectivism in sport has increasingly attracted researchers’ attention. The relation between individualism-collectivism and performance has been surveyed (Cox et al., 1991, Mann, 1980, Wagner, 1995), the stability of teamwork (Kiffin-Petersen & Cordey, 2003, Kirkman, 1996, Kirkman & Shapiro, 2001), team performance (Karsh, 1984, Smith, 1984). This study aimed to examine individualism and collectivism and their relation to goal orientation among athletes with different levels of qualification practicing six different kinds of sport. The research was done among 160 athletes practicing six sports – three (3) team sports and three (3) individual sports. To fulfill the aim of the research, we used: 1. Scale for measuring the horizontal and vertical individualism and collectivism INDCOL of Singelis, Triandism Bhawuk, & Gelfand, 1995; 2. Task and Ego Orientation in Sport Questionnaire – TEOSQ, Duda & Nicholls, adapted for Bulgarian conditions by Domuschieva-Rogleva, 2003. 3. Psychological Collectivism Measure – Jackson et аl., 2006. We established significant differences among competitors practicing individual and team sports and differences depending on the qualification, club affiliation, gender. The influence of individualism and collectivism on goal orientation in sport was revealed.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.5

Authors: Mariana Borukova

Abstract: The introduction of an updated test battery, covering tests accessible for all age groups and with duration of one training session is needed for the execution of effective control on the growing up basketball players. The purpose of the study was to create an updated test battery for basketball players (boys and girls) of U12, U14, and U16, including three groups of indicators: for physical development, physical preparedness, and technical skills. Three hundred and ten children from the clubs in the country (137 boys and 173 girls) participated in the sport-pedagogical tests. We applied a new test battery, covering 21 indicators, divided into three groups: for physical development, physical preparedness, and technical skills. The results were processed with a variation analysis and comparative analysis by the t-criterion of Student. The results showed statistically important differences for both sexes between U12 and U14 for the physical development and physical preparedness signs and for some tests in relation to the technical preparedness. An important difference was observed between U14 and U16 from both sexes for some of the sings only; as far as the technical skills were concerned, the differences for the boys were due to occasional reasons; for the U16 girls, they were considerably better than the U14 girls. The new test battery objectively reflects the real status of the level of all U12, U14, and U16 competitors. Normative tables will be developed to help the work of the coaches in relation to the optimization of the school-training process.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.4

Authors: Borislava Petrova

Abstract: Soccer is a high-intensity intermittent team sport where both the aerobic and anaerobic energy systems contribute to the physiological demands of the game. The study aims to search and determine relationships between the values of cardiopulmonary and gas exchange indices during frequently used laboratory tests - the CardioPulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) and the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT), exploring the capacity of the energy systems. Forty-seven soccer players (15.06 ± 0.84 years of age) performed both tests as Oxygen uptake (VO2 ), Oxygen pulse (O2 HR), Pulmonary ventilation (VE), Volume of expired air (VTex), and Breath frequency (BF) were measured online using a breath-by-breath cardiopulmonary exercise testing system. Ergometric achievements during WAnT: PP (Peak Power) 662.4 ± 121.2 W; AP (Average Power) 494.67 ± 98.5 W; FI (Fatigue Index) 61.2 ± 28.7%. There was no correlation between WAnT PP and AP and maximum power output in CPET. WAnT VE and VTex correlate significantly with CPET VO2 max (r = .676 and r = .772, respectively). The main finding was a presence of approximately identical maximal values of cardiopulmonary parameters achieved in the very different in duration and intensity CPET and WАnT: insignificant differences between CPET versus WAnT: VO2 max (55.97 ± 2.02 versus 56.02 ± 17.3 ml.kg.min-1); VEmax (133.96 ± 21.77 versus 126.77 ± 24.77 l.min-1); VTex max (2.19 ± 0.37 l versus 2.06 ± 0.43 l); BFmax (62.20 versus 75.43.min-1). We assume that when conducting WAnT with simultaneous registration of respiration, together with the indices of athletes’ power output, reliable information about the magnitude of VO2max and other cardiopulmonary parameters of players could be obtained. This will greatly facilitate the ongoing control of the exercise conditioning status of athletes

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.3

Authors: Dimitar Avramov

Abstract: The aim of this study was to determine aerobic fitness through the VO2 max treadmill test of elite Bulgarian taekwondo players with international results, and to determine whether the aerobic system had an effect upon the sports result in taekwondo. Fourteen elite taekwondo athletes, members of the Bulgarian national team (8 male and 6 female) were tested using a continuous progressive treadmill test. Physiological characteristics such as maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), blood lactate and heart rate were measured. The male athletes recorded 58.2±3.4 ml kg–1 min–1 and the female 46.0±2.8 ml kg–1 min–1. The lactate level reached its highest at the 6’ after the VO2 maxwith results for the males of 11.5±3.7 (mmol l-1) and 9.9±4.1 (mmol l-1) for the females respectively. A comparison between our results, regarding VO2 max and previously reported was made using the One-way ANOVA for independent samples. It showed no significant difference between the male subjects (58.2±3.4 versus 60.7±3.3 ml kg(-1) min(-1), p>.05) and significant difference between the female ones (46.0±2.8 versus 49.8±2.8 ml kg(-1) min(-1), p

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.2

Authors: Sebastian Möck, René Hartmann, Klaus Wirth

Abstract: A high level of sprinting performance is relevant in various sports. Because of the transition of movement patterns in different sprint sections there is a shift in the relevance of speed-strength of the knee and hip extensors, and stretch-shortening cycle performance seems conceivable. Fifty-six physical education students (23.70 ± 3.00 years, 176.9 ± 8.10cm, 74.20 ± 10.30kg) were investigated. They performed sprints up to 30m in which different sections were analyzed and vertical jumps (squat jump, countermovement jump, drop jump from different dropping heights). Vertical jumping tests in squat jump and countermovement jump revealed mean values of 31.95 ± 6.56cm and 34.28 ± 7.47cm, respectively, while the drop jumps showed mean RSI values between 155.11 ± 36.77 and 168.24 ± 36.29 dependent on the dropping height. The sprint test showed a mean performance of 4.464 ± .343s (30m). The correlational analysis showed significant correlations (p < .01) for vertical jumping height with all sprinting sections (r = -.652 to -.834). Drop jump performance also showed significant correlations (p < .01) with all the sections (r = -.379 to -.594). The results let us hypothesize that the observed sample generated similar ground-reaction forces in the sprint and drop jump from a height of 40 cm.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.02.1

Authors: David Suprak, Tal Amasay

Abstract: Introduction. Countermovement jump is common in sport and testing and performed from various starting positions. Little is known about effective contributions to maximal countermovement jump height from various starting positions. Purpose and Objectives. Determine effective jump height predictors and effect of starting position on countermovement jump height. Applied Methodology. Forty-nine collegiate athletes performed maximal height countermovement jumps from upright and squatting positions with arm movement. Several variables were calculated from kinetic data. Correlation and regression determined variables related to and predictive of jump height in both conditions. Paired t-tests evaluated differences in jump height. Achieved Major Results. Upright condition jump height positively correlated with peak force and power, eccentric and concentric impulses, and countermovement depth. Jump height prediction included peak force and power, and eccentric and concentric impulses. Squat condition jump height positively correlated with peak force and power, mean rate of force development, force generated at the beginning of propulsion, and concentric impulse. Jump height prediction equation included mean rate of force development, force at the beginning of propulsion, and peak power. Jump height was higher in the upright condition. Conclusions. Higher jumps are achieved from the upright position. Peak force, peak power, and concentric and eccentric impulses best contribute to upright jump height. Mean rate of force development, force at the beginning of propulsion, and peak power best predicted squat jump height. Limitations. We did not restrict arm movement, to encourage natural motion. Depth was not controlled, rather advising a comfortable depth. Subjects were recruited from various collegiate sports. Practical implications. Maximal jump height from various positions may be achieved through efforts to maximize jump peak power and increase musculotendinous loading in sport-specific starting positions. Originality/Value. This is the first study to explore the predictors of upright and squat countermovement jumps. These results can guide jump performance training.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.9

Authors: Nina Atanasova, Emil Atanasov

Abstract: Football attracts the attention of a number of researchers who study the management of football clubs and academies in different countries. The focus is on the managerial philosophy, goal setting, organization of the sports training process and others. An important element in the business management of football clubs is the use of marketing techniques - active communication, targeted promotional activities, the choice of communication constants to impose corporate identity and reputation. The purpose of this research was to examine the experience and operational capabilities of some football academies in Bulgaria in creating a corporate identity and establishing a football brand. The research tasks were related to: researching literary and documentary sources on the problem under study, conducting expert research with heads of football academies (14 people) in connection with the application of brand management as a form of brand management and enforcement, researching and analyzing the experience of PFC “Levski” in the policy of imposing the brand among the fans. As part of our work we used different research methods, such us: content analysis, survey method, with a strong expert focus and case studies. During the research we analyzed the promotional tools used by football academies, their policy to create a club identity, the importance of quality in the creation and supplying the service of teaching and the professional training of young players. A study of similar nature is a novelty for sports management practice in football. The conclusions and final recommendations can be used as a starting point in order to upgrade and diversify the forms of promotional policy of football academies.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.8

Authors: Zornitza Mladenova

Abstract: Nowadays our global society faces big challenges and threats in the times of the first major pandemic. The outbreak of COVID-19 has forced governments to impose the lock-down policies around the world. Social isolation became a new normal form of living. After the first confirmed case on the 8th of March in Bulgaria, the government announced on the 14th of March the lock-down as a preventive strategy for the whole Bulgarian population. Under such circumstances, the big issue became the question of how to maintain the physical and mental health of people, and how to cope with the new reality. Based on this evidence the aim of the joint research study with Ohio State University, USA, entitled “Psychological Responses, Coping Strategies, and Physical Activity during the COVID – 19 Pandemic” has been proposed from the Bulgarian perspective as follows: 1. Investigate psychological responses, coping strategies, and physical activity during the COVID – 19 lock-down periods. 2. Examine the influence of physical activity as a coping strategy in psychological health and overall well-being during social isolation. To this end, an online questionnaire containing an adapted version of the short-form of International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF) has been used to assess the practiced level of physical activity and Metabolic Equivalents (MET) energy expenditure, PROMIS Item Bank v1.0 Emotional distress-Anxiety, Herth Hope Index (HHI) (Herth, 1992), and Brief Resilient Coping Scale BRCS (Sinclaire, Wallston, 2004) to evaluate psychological well-being during the social isolation. Evidence suggests that regular participation in physical activity helps decrease overall levels of anxiety and depression as a reliable coping strategy to overcome the social isolation and, as a whole, the negative aspects of lockdown.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.7

Authors: Yavor Asparuhov, Mariana Borukova

Abstract: It is often needed in basketball practice to evaluate the stage of the young basketball players‘ preparation. In this way the necessary information is received which serves as a landmark about the level of their development – whether they have the necessary physical qualities and basketball skills, whether they go forward within the educational and training process and whether there is a perspective for their development as highly qualified competitors in the future. The disclosure of the factor structure of the physical development and the specific workability of growing up basketball players has high informative value for the optimization of the educational and training process. The aim of the study is to optimize the training process for growing basketball players by revealing the factor structure and identifying the main factors of sports preparedness in the age range of 15-16 years. The subject of research is the sports training of growing basketball players. The object of the study is the signs of physical development, the special physical and specific techno-tactical preparation. The research was done among 65 basketball players (15-16 years old). Sport and pedagogical tests as per 20 indicators, bearing information about the basic symptoms of the physical development and the specific basketball workability, were made for the needs of the study. The results of the tests were subjected to processing by descriptive statistics, correlation and factor analysis. Results: At the beginning of the study, seven main factors were identified that characterize the specific preparedness in basketball, while at the end of the study, the derived components were five.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.6

Authors: Konstantinos Salonikidis, Aikaterini Mantziou, Konstantinos Papageorgiou, Fotini Arabatzi

Abstract: Background: The anatomy, origin, function, and appearance of the Palmaris Longus Muscle (PLM) in different populations are well studied. However, little is known about its contribution to wrist flexion movements in sports. This study investigates whether the existence or absence of the PLM affects maximal torque output or torque consistency of submaximal wrist flexion moment. Methods: One hundred ninety-seven well-trained sports students were clinically examined to ascertain the presence of the PLM. Forty of them from different sport disciplines were assigned to two groups (athletes in handgrip sports: HG, athletes in non-handgrip sports: NHG). Their 80 upper limbs were divided based on the PLM-presence/absence and hand-dominance/non-dominance. Maximal Isometric Torque (MIT) at 150º, 180º, and 210º wrist angle, and torque steadiness at 150º and 180º, at 25%, 50%, and 75% of MIT were measured on a Humac Norm dynamometer. Results: In all MIT tests, HGs significantly surpassed NHGs, independently of the dominant or non-dominant side in presence of the PLM (p

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.5

Authors: Radoslav Penov, Milen Chalakov

Abstract: This article presents a methodology aimed at increasing the force of the rear-hand straight punch at the torso-level (gyaku zuki chudan). To accomplish the tasks of the survey, a video-computerized system was used to record and analyze the parameters of the punches performed by the participants. The results concerning the force of the torso-level rear-hand straight punch were registered in identical ways for each of the participants in order to make sure that the survey was performed under uniform conditions. The input data was processed by means of kinematics analysis software. To prove the credibility of the data registered the necessary statistical analysis methods were applied. If more and more coaches start using modern tools and methods to develop the sports and technical skills of their entrusted athletes, this will increase the quality of the karate training process.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.4

Authors: Nikola Nikolov

Abstract: It is widely assumed that wrestling is a sport posing high requirements as regards one’s physical qualities strength and endurance. A lot of specialists, however, point out the necessity of harmonious and balanced development of all motor qualities, including flexibility. This research is aimed at wrestlers’ physical preparation and more specifically the dynamics in the physical quality flexibility. We attempted to find out whether altitude influences the manifestation of the physical quality flexibility and to what extent. The research was done among 13 wrestlers from Bulgarian National team, Greco-Roman style, men. We measured the flexibility of the spinal cord and coxofemoral joint during training camps held at low and high altitude. The tests used (Т1, Т2, Т3 and Т4) are easy to be applied. The results were processed statistically and further discussed. It is clear that there were statistically significant differences only along T2, and there was no reliable difference in the results along the rest of the tests - Т1, Т3 and Т4 at a low and high altitude.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.3

Authors: Sasho Chanev

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to reveal the average level and variability of the signs of physical development and specific working capacity of 17-19-year-old Bulgarian handball players and, on this basis, to develop an up-to-date norm framework for control and optimization of sports training in the studied age group. The object of the study is the characteristics of physical development, specific physical fitness, technical and tactical skills, and some mental characteristics. The research was done among 115 handball players between the age of 17 and 19 from the top 10 teams, participating in the national championship for juniors under 19 years old. Anthropometric measurements and sports-pedagogical testing were conducted for the needs of the study with a total of 34 indicators for establishing the level of physical development, specific physical and technical-tactical preparation and some mental characteristics and qualities of the handball players of the studied age group. The following research methods were applied to solve the purpose and tasks of the research: review study and theoretical analysis of the specialized literature, anthropometry, manual dynamometry, sports-pedagogical testing and ascertaining psychological experiment. Frequency analysis and descriptive statistics, sigma estimation method, and index method were used for mathematical-statistical data analysis. The applied approach allowed developing normative tables for evaluation of the results of each competitor or team, based on which, person or team optimization models could be developed, revealing both strengths and weaknesses in their preparation.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.2

Authors: Dimitrije Cabarkapa, Andrew Fry, John Poggio, Michael Deane

Abstract: Despite its importance and significant contribution to the final game outcome, the free throw shooting motion is greatly understudied. The purpose of this study was to examine kinematic differences between proficient and non-proficient free throw shooters and to determine which variables have the greatest impact on successful free throw shooting performance. Thirteen healthy recreationally active males volunteered to participate in this study. Each participant shot three sets of ten consecutive free throws from the regulation distance from the basket. Each set was performed under 3 minutes with 1-2-minute rest between each set. A high-definition camera recording at 30 fps captured the free throw shooting motion from a sagittal point of view. Video analysis software was used to analyze the following kinematic variables: knee angle, elbow angle, hip flexion, ankle flexion, release angle, shoulder angle, hand release height, and elbow height. The findings of this study suggest that lower elbow positioning influenced by greater knee, ankle, and hip flexion during the preparatory phase of the shooting motion may lead to improvements in free throw shooting accuracy. Moreover, greater ball release height and release angle, as previously suggested, could decrease the margin of error and enhance free throw shooting performance. By using these kinematic variables to create the discriminant function projection model, it is plausible that proficient free throw shooters can be accurately classified in 94% of cases.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2021.01.1

Authors: Subhojit Chatterjee, Usra Hasan, Subhra Chatterjee

Abstract: Introduction: Physiological and body composition variables have important role for assessment of training status and evaluation of health status of athletes. Regular monitoring of these variables during training may provide valuable information to coaches for training and selection of players’ training protocol participating in both team sports and individual events. Purpose and objectives of the study: The aims of this study were to compare physiological and body composition variables between male athletes participating in team sports (football) and individual sprint event and also to correlate training duration (both in years and hours per week) of male athletes participating in both team sports as well as sprint with physiological and body composition variables. Applied Methodology: The study was carried out with thirty-year-old (n=30) and BMI matching male Indian athletes participating in team sports (football, n=16) and individual sprint event (n=14), having minimum 2 years of official training. They were in post competitive phase during the test. Several physiological and body composition variables were assessed such as height, weight, body mass index, training age (years), training time (hours/week), fat mass, fat-free mass, body cell mass, muscle mass, VO2 max, maximal power, training intensity and fatigue index following standard protocol. Achieved major results: The sprinters were found to possess significantly more fat-free mass (p < .01), body cell mass (p < .01), muscle mass (p < .01), less fat mass (p < .05) and more average anaerobic power (p < .01) than their peers - football players. However, no significant correlation was found between any of the measured physiological and body composition parameters and the training status of these players. Conclusion: This study would provide useful information for assigning training protocols to the athletes participating in team sports and individual sprint events on the basis of physiological and body composition parameters.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.9

Authors: Veselin Vasilev, Nikolay Boyadjiev

Abstract: The selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMs) are androgen receptor ligands that bind to androgen receptors on target cells and exhibit a more pronounced anabolic effect at the expense of the androgenic effect on the latter. The aim of the article is to explain what SARMs are and how they are connected with sports. We used over 300 articles for the last 20 years connected with SARMs. Recently, the interest in these new molecules and their use has grown significantly, including in sports, which has led to their listing on the WADA prohibited list. In recent years, a lot of data have been gathered, both on the mechanism of action of a number of steroidal and non-steroidal representatives of this class of substances and on the adverse side effects of their use, as the latter should be well-known to sports doctors and especially to amateurs practicing in their free time and willing to increase their muscle mass with a view to preventing any potential health risks.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.8

Authors: Martin Eremiev, Bobi Krumov, Irena Lyudmilova, Nadezhda Popova, Daniela Lubenova

Abstract: Objective: Тo study the potential effectiveness of individual physiotherapy program for wheelchair athletes with shoulder girdle persistent pain and dysfunctions. Materials and methods: Thirteen athletes, members of the Bulgarian National Teams in wheelchair basketball and track and field athletics, with mean age 40.6 ± 10.9 participated in the study. The studied athletes had had a history of persistent pain and shoulder girdle dysfunctions for more than 6 months. Individual physiotherapy programs were applied to the participants for a period of two weeks. The selection of techniques was based on the initial assessment and evaluation. The participants were evaluated before treatment, after the first week of treatment, and at the end of the period with the use of the following specific questionnaires and tests: Goniometry of shoulder flexion and horizontal adduction, Apley’s Scratch test, Active compression test of O’Brien (ACT), Athletic shoulder outcome rating scale and Wheelchair User’s Shoulder Pain Index (WUSPI). Results: Post­treatment effects demonstrated a significant (p<.05) increase in shoulder fl exion (14.6° for the right and 12.7° for the left) and horizontal adduction (21.9° for the right and 18.8° for the left). A corresponding increase in the scores for the Athletic shoulder outcome rating scale was found with 10.92 points difference to the initial score (p<.05). The WUSPI demonstrated a non­signifi cant improvement of 0.69 points. The results of ACT and Apley scratch test showed a non­signifi cant decrease of 23.1% for the right shoulder and, 15.4% decrease for the left shoulder after 7 days of treatment. Those results remained unchanged in post-treatment testing. Conclusion: This study showed that the individual physiotherapy programs are effective in the management of wheelchair athletes with chronic shoulder pain. The involvement of Mulligan’s manual therapy techniques combined with other types of exercises for the shoulder and the trunk are beneficial for wheelchair athletes with chronic shoulder pain.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.7

Authors: Sergey Ranchev, Ivan Ivanov, Ivan Iotov, Stoyan Stoytchev

Abstract: Stretching is a common activity used by athletes, elderly, rehabilitation patients, people involved in fitness programs and many others. In isometric stretching an elongation in the linear dimensions of the kinematic chain of the upper limbs is observed. The aim of this study is to show the importance of intra­articular processes as response of isometric stretching force, аs well as to mark the basic factors which define the joint answer to stretching, describing experimental data, relative to these factors. The present work has a programmatic character in terms of the directions in which the answer to the laid aims should be sought. The main focus is on the biomechanical processes in the joints involved in the obtained kinematic chain extension.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.6

Authors: Ruzha Nedkova-Ivanova, Yuri Valev

Abstract: The competitive pairs of horse and rider in the endurance discipline of equestrian sport in Bulgaria have ranked, in the past several years, amongst the elite contestants in Europe and the world, which has necessitated deeper studies in the areas of training methods and the ways of achieving high sport results. Therefore, this study is focused on 6 Bulgarian horses (Arabian horse and Shagya, Table 1) that are preparing for European and World championships. They were trained together under the same conditions (climate, time zone, terrain, speed) by riders with the necessary qualifications and experience. Seven training rides were performed, and the pulse was measured at the moment of the highest load, as it is the most indicative of the horse’s level of effort. By studying the pulse of horses during a training session, the research aimed to determine the efficacy of the short­term training program in the prep season. The results showed that 2 to 4 minutes after coming to a full stop, regardless of the terrain, speed (in this research between 5.2 km/h and 22.5 km/h) or distance travelled by the horses, their pulse varied between 36 and 99 bpm (beats per minute) and they improved their physical condition and increased their stamina without this leading to trauma or more serious injuries, which is a main priority in the equestrian sport and allows for the successful completion of every race. In the long run, such a training methodology will allow the horses to be trained and ready to race at any time. Monitoring the heart rate and keeping it within the studied limits showed that this was the optimal option for a training regime for the six examined horses. In the situation with the COVID-19 pandemic, this is a possible solution for maintaining athletic fitness in endurance horses.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.5

Authors: Tatiana Yordanova

Abstract: Jump Elements in figure skating are an integral part of motor activity. One of the conditions for their good performance is great height and length. Criteria for this are the indicators of speed and power qualities. The aim of this research work is to analyze the relationship between anthropometric indicators and those for jumping takeoff of young female figure skaters of the basic level of training. Seventeen female skaters aged 10-14 years old (prepuberty) from ice skating clubs in Bulgaria voluntarily participated in the study. The age of the participants was 10 to 14 years old, which is considered favorable for the development of speed and strength abilities. They were subjected twice to 8 anthropometric measurements and 5 different types of takeoff, conducted in office conditions. To achieve the goal of the survey, the following research methods were used: theoretical analysis and generalization of data in specialized scientific and methodological literature, pedagogical observation, pedagogical testing, anthropometric research methods and methods of mathematical statistics for processing the results of the study. The results showed significant intragroup dependences for the anthropometric and biomechanical parameters for all types of jumps takeoff in the first study and a decrease in the correlation coefficients in the second measurement. The maximum force in all types of jumps increases with increasing indicators of height, weight, length of the lower limbs, chest circumference, shoulder width, while the width of the pelvis does not affect the strength of the takeoff. The height of the jumps with the help of the arms depends on the width of the shoulders – r = .497, and for vertical jump with the hands on the hips – r = .664.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.4

Authors: Marin Gadev, Petar Peev, Oleg Hristov

Abstract: Football is an intermittent sport with a great number of short and explosive actions. These characteristics of the game require a good level of anaerobic power. The main field tests used as indicators of the development of the anaerobic energy system were the jumps in the vertical plane. The same tests also measured the strength of the lower limbs. We presume that the explosive power of the lower limbs characterizes the development of the alactic anaerobic energy system and strength capacity at the same time. In that case the explosive power of the lower limbs was an important component of the conditioning and strength training of football players. There was a great variety of methods and devices which registered vertical jump height. From this point of view, we wanted to add our study to the research work in the specialized literature. The purpose of this study was to analyze the differences of the jump height measured via two devices. We used the following methods of research: accelerometry, chronometry and statistical analysis. We studied the vertical jump height of 32 football players of the Youth Academy of PFC “Levski”– Sofia at the age of 13,4. In the research the participants performed three jump tests (squat jump [SJ], counter movement jump [CMJ] and counter movement jump with arm swing [CMJA]) as the jump height was measured via accelerometer and Infrared platform. The results from these two devices were compared via Bland Altman plot and calculation of Intraclass correlation coefficients [ICC]. The results of ICC between the two devices showed very strong correlation of the results for the three tests (SJ (R= .91), CMJ (R= .92) and CMJA (R= .87)). The results of the ANOVA showed statistical difference between the measured jump heights (p< .05 for all test, systematic bias was equal to: SJ=15.6; CMJ=15.2; CMJA= 19.5 and effect size (η2 ) was large SJ= .65; CMJ= .69; CMJA= .65) for the three different types of jump. Conclusions:1) Both of the devices showed good consistency of the collected results; 2) The data collected from the two devices showed significant difference of the jump heights.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.3

Authors: Igor Shishkov

Abstract: The article is devoted to the study of effectiveness of building training and competitive loads of women’s national team of the Republic of Belarus for the European Indoor Hockey Champion ship (Indoor Hockey). The study was conducted at a separate, three-month stage of the annual training cycle. The Purpose of the study: To find optimal ratio between training and competitive loads using block training system for highly qualified hockey players. To achieve the goal, the following Tasks were set: 1. To determine the structure of training of Belarus national hockey players in clubs and during the training camps of the national team before the European Championship; 2. To evaluate training and competitive process as two separate areas of training for highly qualified hockey players; 3. To identify necessary volume and evaluate effectiveness of the use of non­specifi c loads of anaerobic orientation in shock microcycles during training process of hockey players and final result. Research hypothesis: it was assumed that control and test games, as well as non­specifi c loads of anaerobic orientation in shock microcycles, may have a positive effect on the efficiency of using block system for preparing highly qualified hockey players for a short-term tournament. An analysis of the training structure of the women’s national team of the Republic of Belarus is presented from the perspective of the modern block system of periodization. Thus, it can be stated that the polycyclic principle of building the training process in Indoor hockey game sport is approved today. The obtained data on the structure of training of hockey players can be used as model characteristics.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.2

Authors: Milena Tarnichkova, Marina Petrova

Abstract: Physical activity is an important criterion for a healthy lifestyle and a prerequisite for improving the motor abilities of adolescents. The aim of this study is to establish the level of development of physical quality agility in all stages of school education. In order to fulfill the set aim of the research, we used sports­pedagogical testing. The research was carried out with 232 pupils from 1st to 12th grade. We used variation analysis and comparative analysis with t-criterion of Student for independent samples to process the study results. Following the dynamics of the development of the studied indicator between the different classes, we report a positive increase six times, and a decrease in the result - three times (from 2nd to 3rd grade; from 7th to 8th grade and from 10th to 11th grade). Between grades 5th – 6th and 8th – 9th there was no increase in the results. The average number of points reported for each class ranged between 9 and 13 points, which according to the evaluation table means a “GOOD” assessment of agility development. Our study shows that the dynamics of the mean level of the researched indicator in the age aspect changes regressively, with the values decreasing from 1st to 12th grade. Comparing the changes in the mean values of pupils divided by class and gender, we established that, overall, boys are faster than girls when performing the test.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.02.1

Authors: Valentin Panayotov

Abstract: Introduction. Presently, obesity is endemic in many countries. Many obese patients also suffer from diseases of high social impact, such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Generally, therapies combining energy­deficient diets and physical activity protocols are used for treating obesity. Nonetheless, presently, no universal intervention with exact parameters exists. The complexity of the problem is further exacerbated by difficulties associated with long-term weight maintenance following weight reduction therapies. Purpose and objectives of the study. This analysis attempts to assess the impact of duration of combined diet-and-exercise weight reduction protocols on changes in body mass in overweight and obese people. Applied methodology. 3142 publications in total were retrieved by filtering the database of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health USA by keywords (“weight loss”, “diet” and “exercise”) for the period between 01.01.2008 and 01.01.2018. After a selection procedure was applied, 56 of them were included in this meta-regression analysis and were grouped into three strata according to duration. Achieved major results. The results showed that therapies of short to moderate duration are the most effi cient for weight reduction, with regard to both overall effects and the amount of weight reduced per week. These findings were visualized by graphical representations of the studied data. Conclusions. On our opinion, short or moderately long weight reduction therapies with scheduled interruptions should be used for treating obesity. This strategy would successfully maintain patients’ psychological wellbeing, as well as prevent relapses and “yo-yo” effects. Originality/Value. Obesity is a problem of complex origins and simple approaches such as calorie counting are rarely effective. This study proposes a “spiral” methodology – short to moderately-long hypo-caloric regimens with scheduled interruptions.

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DOI: 10.37393/JASS.2020.01.9

Authors: Konstantinos Papageorgiou

Abstract: Background: communication between trainer and athlete has been studied in terms of feedback, but not in terms of codifying information for instruction; here implications for cognition and cognitive skills are also discussed. Purpose: to present a new tool, motowords, a tool for verbal codification between athlete and trainer that also provides a number of incidental benefits: it helps adjust the Degrees of Freedom & Contextual Interference of a drill, it employs cognitive functions, fosters active participation of the athlete, and bridges the gap between serial and random practice. Moreover, we intend to theorize how the positive effects of motowords are multiplied when combined with drill-synthesis and drill-structure, in addition to differentiated (self)training, concepts that aim at increasing the ecological validity of training sessions. Method: the theoretical background supporting the effectiveness of these tools is discussed. Leads: to a broader vision about the important role of cognitive and emotional skills within a holistic context, aiming at developing “literate” individuals rather than just motor experts, both of which are at the very core of the Distal Method for expertise attainment.

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