Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine

5-12

Authors: Mandic, Sandra; Wilson, Hamish; Clark-Grill, Monika; O’Neill, Diana

The effectiveness of physicians in providing advice to patients about physical activity (PA) is influenced by their own understanding of the links between PA and health, as well as by their own PA habits. This study involved pre-clinical medical students in New Zealand, examining their baseline knowledge, skills, and attitudes towards advising patients about PA, as well as eliciting their personal exercise habits. A total of 234 students (age 20.9±2.9 years; 46% males; participation rate: 99%) completed a paper questionnaire assessing their awareness of current PA guidelines, the benefits of PA, their attitudes toward PA advising, perceived competence and importance of PA-advising skills, and personal PA habits. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Most students were aware of the benefits of PA and were regularly active. Students perceived PA advising as a high priority in general practice (79%) but only 37% felt confident in their ability to provide PA advice. At this point in their training, students considered PA advice to be important (4.7±0.8 out of 6), yet perceived themselves to be only moderately competent in providing patient-oriented exercise prescriptions (3.1±0.8 out of 6). However, students who had regular exercise felt more confident in providing PA advice (3.0±0.9 vs. 3.3±0.9, p=0.009). In conclusion, medical students were generally active and had a good understanding of the links between PA and health, but were lacking skills for PA advising. Competence and skills in PA counselling need to be further developed within clinical training as part of an overall curriculum strategy.

19-26

Authors: Šiljeg, Klara; Sindik, Joško; Leko, Goran

Swimming tests are used in every training cycle and seasons with purpose of estimating swimming performance and evaluate certain training types. The focus of this study is an attempt to distinguish between the potential short-distance and longer-distance swimmers, as well as the swimmers who could have desirable profiles for particular swimming styles. For this purpose, several aims are given: () to determine the latent dimensions of the performances in swimming tests, conducted on various distances and performed using different swimming styles; 2) to determine the correlations between speeds on various distances using different swimming styles; 3) to determine the differences in various distance speeds at the same swimmers ; 4) to determine the profiles of swimmers, based on the various distance speeds (4). Male swimmers (N=68), aged 14 to 16 from five Zagreb clubs were tested. Four swimming tests were used to measure speed (25-m freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly), five swimming tests measured speed endurance (50-m freestyle, 100-m freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke, butterfly), while only one test measured endurance (800-m freestyle). The results revealed two interpretable and highly reliable latent dimensions of swimming tests. Factor analysis of the scores in swimming tests differentiated the variables of swimming tests that describe breaststrokes and other strokes. Most of the scores in the swimming tests are positively correlated (in range 0.25–0.85), while no differences in various distance speeds among the same swimmers are found. The results indicate the importance of using swimming tests, especially in breaststrokes styles, because of their specific motor structure.

35-41

Authors: Loureiro, Manuel; Hurst, Marta; Valongo, Beatriz; Nikolaidis, Pantelis; Laporta, Lorenzo; Afonso, José

A deeper understanding of the factors behind performance and their interactions is essential to promote better training practices. Notwithstanding, the focus often relies on the outcomes of players’ actions (e.g., efficacy rates), whereas the nature and variations of particular classes of actions remain largely unexplored. Our purpose was to conduct a systemic analysis of categorical game variables and their interactions using Social Network Analysis. Game actions were counted as nodes and their interactions as edges. Eigenvector centrality values were calculated for each node. Eight matches of the Men’s World Cup 2015 were analysed, composing a total of 27 sets (1,209 rallies). Four game complexes were considered: Complex 0 (Serve), Complex I (Side-out), Complex II (Side-out transition) and Complex III (Transition). Results showed that teams frequently play in-system when in Complex I (i.e. under ideal conditions), but present reduced variation with regard to attack zones and tempos, whereas in Complex II teams most often play out-of-system. Based on these findings, it was concluded that practicing with non-ideal conditions is paramount for good performance in Complex II. Furthermore, most literature combines Complex II and Complex III as a single unit (counter-attack); however, our results reinforce the notion that these two game complexes differ and should be analysed separately.

49-56

Authors: Luptáková, Gabriela; Antala, Branislav

Collaborative learning has been shown to be a useful tool for improving several social skills in students; however, it is very difficult to set up the initial conditions that guarantee its effectiveness. Since group projects are made for students and, most importantly, by students, we should not forget to take their opinions based on previous experience into consideration, which might increase the efficiency of their own learning. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate what secondary school students learn from and think about group projects in Physical Education. A total of 94 secondary school students (46 girls and 48 boys) participated in the study carried out in the 2015/2016 school year. The participants were given the assignment to create a video exercise, which they were working on in small groups in PE. A questionnaire was designed to investigate students’ learning outcomes, participation, evaluation, and attitudes towards the project. Differences for selected categorical variables were determined using the Chi-square test. The majority of the students reported improvement in selected social skills and better relationships with their teammates. In addition, several significant differences in students’ opinions with respect to age and gender were found.

67-74

Authors: Kozinc, Žiga; Sarabon, Nejc

Runners are particularly prone to developing overuse injuries. The most common running-related injuries include medial tibial stress syndrome, Achilles tendinopathy, plantar fasciitis, patellar tendinopathy, iliotibial band syndrome, tibial stress fractures, and patellofemoral pain syndrome. Two of the most significant risk factors appear to be injury history and weekly distance. Several trials have successfully identified biomechanical risk factors for specific injuries, with increased ground reaction forces, excessive foot pronation, hip internal rotation and hip adduction during stance phase being mentioned most often. However, evidence on interventions for lowering injury risk is limited, especially regarding exercise-based interventions. Biofeedback training for lowering ground reaction forces is one of the few methods proven to be effective. It seems that the best way to approach running injury prevention is through individualized treatment. Each athlete should be assessed separately and scanned for risk factors, which should be then addressed with specific exercises. This review provides an overview of most common running-related injuries, with a particular focus on risk factors, and emphasizes the problems encountered in preventing running-related injuries.