Journal of Applied Sports Sciences

3-21

Authors: Xuan Pan

The outbreak of COVID-19 has spread worldwide and become the world’s leading health concern. Individuals are advised to stay inside and do exercise at home to avoid exposure to the disease and their psychological state is concerned. This study aims to investigate physical exercise behavior and psychological states during COVID-19, and to provide helpful suggestions for making right policies or designing effective intervention programs to help the mass respond to the pandemic.Methods: we tested the hypotheses by conducting a national survey among 542 individuals, the data covered 28 provinces in China. Information about physical exercise habits, psycho-logical states, perceived infection likelihood, perceived threat, attitudes towards exercise, and demographics was collected. A series of T-tests were applied to test the hypotheses.Results: The individuals who do exercise both before and during COVID-19 outbreak in-creased the physical exercise frequency and reduced the categories of physical activities during COVID-19. Individuals who perceive high-level threat increased future exercise time and consumption, whereas individuals surrounded by more confirmed cases (high-level objective threat) increased current exercise frequency and intensity. With the company of family members, individuals’ exercise intention, frequency, intensity and the possibility of future exercise time and activities was significantly higher.Conclusion: Under the threat of COVID-19, proximal defense (self-preservation) and distal defense (self-esteem enhancement) motivate individuals to increase exercise frequency. Individuals reduce types of physical activities and do exercise with family members to receive psycho-logical security. Terror management theory and behavioral immune system provide theoretical explanations on individuals’ exercise behavior and psychology.

39-45

Authors: Viktor Kostiukevych, Oksana Shynkaruk, Natalia Shchepotina, Valentina Voronova, Larysa Shevchenko, Olena Zmievska, Vadym Stasiuk, Halyna Gordiichuk, Galina Putiatina, Andrii Drachuk, Petro Danchuk

Introduction and aim. The problem of constructing a training process for highly skilled players at the special preparation phase is not researched well enough. The special preparation phase should involve the specificity of the competition calendar, development of the structure and content of the corresponding types of micro cycles, and scientifically based selection of methods of training. The aim of the research is to analyze the structure and content of the training process of highly skilled football players during the special preparation phase of the preparation period at the first macrocycle of the annual cycle. Materials and methods. 22 highly skilled football players of Kamianets-Podіlskyi National Ivan Ohiienko University aged 18-23 participated in the research. All of them are MA students and elite athletes. Methods of analysis of scientific literature, pedagogical observation, timing of training work, and mathematical statistics were used in the research. Results and conclusions. The special preparation phase consists of two mesocycles. The basic stabilizing (control and preparation) mesocycle - the volume and intensity of training sessions - was characterized by the widespread use of special-training exercises. In comparison with previous mesocycles, considerably more trainings were devoted to technical, tactical and game preparation. Technical and tactical training was carried out in the form of adaptive training exercises along with special physical training. Pre-competition mesocycle rolled up the preparation of the athletes for the competition period. The reparation in this mesocycle had an expressed “integral” character. In this mesocycle, one should not forget about maintaining the level of special physical fitness. Maintaining it throughout the mesocycle is one of the important prerequisites for the steady growth of athletes’ physical state, but the composition of the means significantly changed by increasing the proportion of special technical and tactical exercises being held. In this mesocycle, the largest number of control games, starts, competitions, etc. were carried out. A special place in pre-competition mesocycle was taken by tactical and psychological training. The proportion of theoretical training also increased.

64-76

Authors: Antonio Antonov, Dafina Zoteva, Olympia Roeva

The penalty corner (PC) is one of the most important game situations in hockey (both out-doors and indoors), which results in 30 – 40% of all goals. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of the quasi-experimental methodology on the dynamics in the development of indicators characterizing the accuracy of shooting when performing PC in the potentially effective goal zones. Through the application of InterCriteria Analysis (ICrA), the research team sought to establish relationships and directions of dependencies between indicators reflecting the accuracy of zone shooting.Four elite female indoor hockey players from the team of the National Sports Academy in Bulgaria, participants in the European Indoor Hockey Clubs Challenge, were involved in the examination sessions. According to the requirements of the quasi-experimental “Push & Flick” methodology, the duration of the specialized training was set to 16 weeks. Each player per-formed 4,800 shootings, or approximately 300 shootings each week. Tests were carried out at the beginning (the first week) and at the end (the sixteenth week) of the experiment in order to determine the accuracy of the shooting – push/flick from a penalty corner spot (9 meters, central from the goal line). We used InterCriteria Analysis and Variance Analysis to analyze the results.The results of the study provide valuable information related to the training and specialization of elite hockey players profiled in the execution of a penalty corner.

87-98

Authors: Tatiana Yordanova

One of the characteristics of modern figure skating is the progressive complication of the competitive programs. This process develops, in particular, in the way of athletes’ mastery of complex coordination elements and compounds of a rotating nature, which appear to be a strong irritant to the vestibular analyzer. The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of anthropometric factors on the balance stability of female figure skaters. The study’s tasks, which are divided into three groups, as well as the subject and object of the study, are presented. The used methods are described. The methodology of the study is separated and detailed. Also, the different abilities of the body for balance resistance, in various motor actions are described. One of the main used methods is called Stabilometry. The design of the study is followed. The results are visualized in six tables, which are illustrated by five figures. In conclusion, the dependence of Anthropometric status is noted in accordance with the height and length of the lower limbs and the width of the pelvis. The dynamic retention of the balance in landing position is more effective than the static balance in the Romberg posture, which is explained by the specificity of the sport figure skating. There is a worsening of the balance in the increase of anthropometric parameters – height, weight and chest circumference. Balance fluctuations in the Romberg position are significantly dependent on the weight and chest circumference, while the height of the skaters affects the balance – with increasing amplitude there is also an increase in balance fluctuations in the landing position after a jump, i.e. the balance is unstable, which is explained by a higher placement of the center of gravity of the body.

113-124

Authors: Konstantinos G. Papageorgiou

Background: communication between trainer and athlete has been studied in terms of feed-back, 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 codifi cation between athlete and trainer that also provides a number of incidental benefi ts: it helps adjust the Degrees of Freedom & Contextual Interference of a drill, it employs cognitive functions, fosters active par-ticipation 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 dis-cussed.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.

3-21

Authors: Maria Theodorou, Russell Kabir

Background: Obesity is a life-threatening condition linked to various diseases in all ages. Most common interventions focus on physical activity though there are some drawbacks limiting peoples’ participation in exercise. Swimming targets these limitations offering promising results to people who wish to improve their lifestyle.Objectives: The aim of this review is it to investigate the effects cold water can have on the obese population. This will be done by examining the physiological effects of swimming, under-standing if different water temperatures can result in different outcomes and finding any other benefits that come along with swimming exercise.Search Strategy: PubMed, EbscoHost and Google Scholar are used as search engines to find the appropriate papers using the words obese, overweight, swim, aquatics, water immersion. A systematic review summarises the findings of primary research papers. This review is based according to the PICO guidelines and all the selected papers are evaluated using the CASP tool. A meta-synthesis summarises the results of the papers.Results: Results indicated that swimming helps people lose weight while providing additional benefits such as decreasing joint pain in people suffering from osteoarthritis. Further-more, positive results are seen in anthropometric measures, physiological responses, and body composition. Conclusions: It is concluded that water-based exercise can prove an effective intervention for obese people wishing to lose weight. Results were seen from different protocols and water temperature was difficult to monitor. Future research should use the same exercise design in various water temperatures to fully understand the differences in the results.

37-45

Authors: Maria Gateva

In sports such as gymnastics it is difficult to monitor the fitness and endurance level of the athletes. In rhythmic gymnastics it is proven that the competitive program is in anaerobic regime of work. Some authors state that there is no contribution by the aerobic energy system in gymnastics. Very few attempts have been undertaken to create specific anaerobic tests in the different gymnastics disciplines. That’s why the aim of this study was to create a laboratory test to measure the fitness level (specific endurance) of the rhythmic gymnasts competing at national and international level. Twelve high level gymnasts aged 15.7 (±2.1) were involved in this study. Two tests were performed in the laboratory – VO2max and submaximal 2-min test (author’s test) and one field test – competitive routine was carried out. Two min min submaximal treadmill test with constant load (95% of the maximal test)requires a 2-min run on a treadmill with a constant speed of 8,4 km/h and individually set up incline of 95% of the maximum for each athlete. The incline is fixed on the basis of: reached HR and incline during the maximal test; extrapolation of the incline as 100% from the theoretical maximal pulse and calculation of the 95% of the incline for each gymnast. Rhythmic gymnastics routine clearly showed better results in the competitive period and is an indicator for tapering into peak performance. We received some contradictory information as regards the laboratory results. Heart rate during the whole load on the treadmill test was lower (significantly proven). This means that in the next stage of the investigation, the experiment needs to be done with the same duration, but we should increase the load to 100%.

55-62

Authors: Aleksandra Suprun, Elena Medvedeva, Anna Titova, Vera Borisova

Starting from 2018 the judges began to evaluate the level of difficulty of the compositions with an open scale according to the rules of the competition. The article is devoted to the evaluation of the compositional difficulty of competitive compositions of group routines in rhythmic gymnastics. One of the factors that determines both the difficulty of the composition and the synchronization of motor interaction execution by sportswomen in group routines is defined. The purpose of this research is to justify the necessity of taking into account tempo-rhythmic abilities of gymnasts that predetermine difficulty of compositional decision of competitive program in group routines. The objective of this study is to reveal the correlational interconnections be-tween tempo-rhythmic abilities and expert evaluations of synchronicity of group motor activity. The methods that were applied in are an expert evaluation that assesses the synchronization of motor actions of gymnasts in group routines and testing that consists of listening to and playing of parts of pieces of music of different rhythmic patterns. The revealed correlational interconnections allow increasing the synchronicity of motor actions of gymnasts in group routines that will make competitive programs more qualitative and spectacular.

77-85

Authors: Ivan Ivanov, Vladimir Kotev

Introduction: In the game of volleyball, game efficiency is based not only on physical preparation and technical skills. A great deal of it depends on the players’ abilities to cooperate, communicate and adapt to the psycho-social aspects of team group dynamics. In this study we attempt to establish the players’ behavior in conflict situations, their basic personality characteristics and how these influence some game indicators.Methodology: 1) Background information; 2) Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (1977); 3) Big Five Personality Test developed by Goldberg (1992). Results: The results of our research reveal that the scale with the highest result is Com-promising, which is the trait described by both assertiveness and cooperativeness. We have significant differences between teams and age groups in terms of the scale Competing from the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument and Conscientiousness and Agreeableness from the Big Five Personality Test.Conclusions: The younger players are more open and try to find more information about the sports environment and learn more about the game and their personal growth. The higher the qualification and the age, the more the players prefer competing and being assertive in their interpersonal relationships. The lower level players prefer clearer rules and instructions. The players from Maritza are more sport aggressive and with a higher winners’ attitude.

3-12

Authors: Maria Gateva

Several attempts have been made in the past years to create adequate tests in order to de­terminate the fitness level of the athletes in the gymnastics disciplines. Considering the high-intensity movements and the total routine time, we hypostatized that anaerobic metabolism is a determinant for rhythmic gymnastics performance. Based on the physiological indicators of a competitive routine the aim of this study was to create a reliable and valid specific field test to measure the fitness level (specific endurance) of the rhythmic gymnasts competing at national and international level. 12 high level gymnasts aged 15.7 ± 2.1 were involved in this study. The testing was done twice – once in the preparatory and second time in the competitive period. Two tests were performedin the field – the specific anaerobic test and a competitive routine. The heart rate and the blood lactate were recorded during and after the load. Specific endurance gymnastics field test is a sim­ple routine including specific but very basic rhythmic gymnastics exercises from each body group– steps; waves; balances; pivots; leaps and acrobatic elements with very low level of difficulties.The maximal blood lactate concentration levels recorded in both tests and periods did not show any significant difference and varied between 7.2 to 8.4 mmol/l. All of the heart rate values after the loads indicated high work intensity – above 185 bpm. There were significant differences in both exercises (specific test & routine) between the preparatory and the competitive routine. The heart rate clearly showed adaptation of the cardiovascular system towards the load when tapering into the peak performance period. The suggested test is a standard field test suitable for active, mid to high level rhythmic gymnasts aged above 12 years which can measure the current specific endurance of a gymnast and compare it with her previous testing or gymnasts.

26-38

Authors: Georgi Sergiev

One of the main purposes of this paper is to perfect sports preparation in artistic gymnastics at the stage of initial sports specialization. This stage coincides with the sensitive period for development of flexibility. This manuscript deals with the issue of flexibility being one of the most significant motor qualities. High level of flexibility development guarantees the successful performance with maximum amplitude of a great number of exercises in artistic gymnastics.The aimof the research was updating the system for tracing the improvement and evalua­tion of young male gymnasts’ flexibility. The main tasks of the survey were selecting suitable tests for evaluation of the quality flexibility as well as carrying out testing with competitors of all age groups. In the end, a 50-grade scale for evaluation of flexibility was designed along the different indexes (tests). The research was done among 38 male 10-12-year old gymnasts with the help of 8 tests. On this basis specification tables were designed for each test with the use of a 50-grade (point) scale. The specification tables allowed for the quick evaluation of competitors along a certain test right after their measurement.On the basis of the conducted research, testing, collected information and specification tables made, it will be possible to improve the evaluation of the temporary state of competitors’ flexibility at each stage of the preparation. We will also be able to evaluate (notice) the smallest changes (increase) in the indexes during the preparation both in positive and negative aspect.

53-65

Authors: Nikolina Tankoucheva

Changes in socio-economic life are related to new challenges affecting the growing children as well. Reduced motor activity as a consequence of the ubiquitous presence of new technolo­gies, urbanization and social changes, increasing of schooling activity and others, lead to deg­radation of the physical health, changes in the physical development and fitness of the younger generation.The purpose of the study is to establish whether there is a difference in the manifestation of motor coordination abilities of 9-10-year-old boys from different regions of Bulgaria classified by population.Backwards ball throw test, Low jump test and Orientation shuttle run test were used for measurement of the motor coordination abilities of 9-10-year-old-boys.The demographic factor was determined forming 5 groups depending on the population.The results provide clear evidence that thereare statistically significant differences in mani­festation of the motor coordination abilities of 9-10 years-old boys depending on the number of townpopulation.The most significant practical difference was observed for Orientation shuttle run test or for kinesthetic ability of the low limbs. Multiple comparisons showed that for the first test - Backwards ball throw test there were not statistical differences between small cities and Sofia city. Probably the pupils from the small cities are as talented to perform the coordination exercises as those in Sofia city. For the second test – Low jump test results showed statistically significant differences for almost all compared pairs. The same conclusion is valid also for Orientation shuttle run test. This means that the number of the population can be a differentiating factor for the manifestation of various motor skills, including motor coordination abilities.

77-84

Authors: Mariana Borukova

Physical activity is an important element and criterium for a healthy lifestyle. The level of physical ability determines the degree to which an organism adapts to its environment and therefore the development and condition of all the other personal qualities depends greatly on it. One of the elements of physical ability and fitness is the main motor qualities – speed, strength, endurance, agility, flexibility, balance, coordination of movements. The aim of that study is to reveal the major factors of physical ability of 13-14-year-old pupils, as well as to determine to what extent gender differences influence the level of physical ability between boys and girls of one age group. We used variation, factor and comparative analyses when we processed the results. According to the general conclusions, for both boys and girls there are three major factors with a very high percentage to the initial dispersion of the surveyed phenomenon. We can sum up that in this age group the established gender differ­ences have a very big impact on the physical ability of the pupils, and these differences regard mostly the explosive power of the lower limbs, the speed abilities and the endurance of the kids, the advantage being totally in favor of the boys.

91-98

Authors: Ivaylo Lazarov

Modern athletics is developing with incredible dynamics. In sports science and practice there are a number of proven methodological approaches that are related to the diagnosis of the training effects. One of the tasks of functional diagnostics in sports is researching and tracing the body changes related to energy supply in a certain training activity. The aim of the research is to increase the effectiveness of the mid-distance training exercise through the creation of criteria for assessing the adaptation effects of the workloads. The subject of the study is the adaptation changes in the level of HR, VO2max and La in the conditions of the training activity. The research was done among 27 male middle distance competitors. The test was performed on the athletics track with the use of a special K4 set which recorded the pulse frequency and oxygen consumption dynamics. The concentration of lactate in capillary blood was recorded immediately after the run. The results show that the speed of recovery of the pulse frequency in the phases of the short­ened rest is the correct adaptation marker for the determination of the individual tolerance in running loads and the level of athletes’ training. The recommended quantitative values of the respiratory and metabolic adaptation markers and their associated running speed are as follows: aerobic threshold - 2 mmol/l at a running speed of less than 4.10 m/sec. and a heart rate up to 157 HR.; anaerobic threshold - 4 mmol/l at a running speed between 4.10 and 5.13 m/s and a pulse limit of 157-178 HR - an effective aerobic zone (economic zone); over 178 HR and the running speed over 5.13 m/s.

108-121

Authors: Petar Peev, Vasil Tsvetkov, Nestor Youroukov

The focus of the research is the motion characteristics of the teams which participated in the World cup 2018 in Russia. For the purpose of the research we collected the data from all the matches in the knock out phase of the tournament. We divided the results for every position during the halves and calculated the total distance covered. This way we could get an idea of the intensity and the profile of elite soccer players. In the analyses we included 273 players that played in the knock out phase. As a result of the research, we found that the goalkeeper had total distance covered of 4061,59 metеrs; defenders had a 9352 metеrs; midfielders had a 10708 metеrs and strikers had a 9731 metеrs. It is interesting that the total distance covered during the second half is greater than in the first one. Conclusion of the research is that the total distance covered is different for all of the researched positions which is a predisposition for disclosing the motor profile of the players. From the study of motor activity in football at world championships we can draw the following conclusions:1) The results are coнfirmation that even at a World Cup the performance characteristics are greatly influenced by position of play; 2) The higher total distance covered during the second half suggests extremely high aero­bic capabilities of elite football players.

131-149

Authors: Sam Chenjerai Mugandani

Sports is a large industry with vibrant leagues running in many countries. Some of the most popular sports are soccer, rugby, cricket and netball. To meet the demand for better performance of athletes and sustain this growing industry, coaches and trainers have depended on the manip­ulation of factors such as physical and physiological parameters, nutrition, tactics, techniques and psychological factors to try and improve the performance of athletes. These have been referred to as the environmental or nurture constraints. The quest for better performance contin­ues hence microtechnology such as accelerometers, heart rate monitors and global positioning systems are also being used to gather data to determine some of the physical and physiological demands of games. Evidence from studies with twins revealed that there are performance traits which are genetically determined. Research also shows that more than 60% of performance in sport and exercise is genetically determined. The unraveling of the human genome and advances in molecular biological studies resulted in the quest for knowledge relating to the influence of genes at the molecular level on performance in exercise and sport. The human genome project established approximately 20 000 genes in humans. To date, the gene map for performance and health-related fitness phenotypes has identified more than 200 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with some performance and fitness linked traits. Among the most studied gene polymorphisms are the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene, the human α- actinin-3 (ACTN3) gene and the adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD1) gene, as they relate mostly to anerobic and aerobic related activities. The use of hematological and biochemical indicators to identify injuries and exercise stress calls for exploration of association between gene polymorphisms and indicators such as C-reactive protein, uric acid and blood parameters such as red blood cells and sub-components of leukocytes.

157-163

Authors: Yannis Georgiou, Aggeliki Fotiou

The aim of the present study was to investigate the prediction of the General Health from Burnout Syndrome’s (BS) dimensions, and from the employment status of the private health and fitness center employees. We used a stratified random sampling method, and a sample of 205 private health and fitness centers employees completed the Maslach Burnout Inventory–Gen­eral Survey (MBI–GS), and the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and the Demographic Questionnaire. The statistical analysis showed that gender and employment status do not predict decrease in General Health (GH) levels, while exhaustion and depersonalization dimensions of BS create the background for emergence of the GH levels’ decrease.

3-11

Authors: Albena Alexandrova, Radoslav Penov, Lubomir Petrov, Dilyana Zaykova

Successful performance in the Kumite discipline of Karate-do requires well developed aerobic and anaerobic cell-systems for supplying energy. Therefore, more and more often over the recent years, the preparation of martial arts athletes has included intensive interval training sessions following the Tabata method. The objective of this survey was to create a highly-intensive Tabata-based circuit training that is suitable for the functional preparation of Karate competitors and for defining the physiological and the biochemical characteristics of the training load through measuring the heart rate and the concentration of lactate in the peripheral blood. A group of six Karate practitioners, all Kumite competitors, took part in the survey. They performed tree times 10 exercises with Karate-technique elements following the classical Tabata scheme of 20 seconds work with a maximum number of repetitions and 10 seconds of break. The results proved that; 1) The heart rate increased after each circuit and exceeded 180 bpm, and in the break time it went down to 120-140 bpm; 2) The lactate concentration in the blood rose progressively after the first two circuits, and after finishing the last circle an overall decrease was registered regarding this indicator (9.3 ± 3.32 vs 13.4 ± 2.39 vs 11.8 ±1.63 mmol/L, respectively). In conclusion, the intensity of the latter circuit training model is very high because the levels of blood lactate after performing each circuit of the training were higher than the respective concentrations after Kumite competition matches at the same heart rates.

21-34

Authors: Radoslav Penov, Milen Chalakov

This article presents the development of an experimental methodology that aims to improve the speed of the front-hand punch in karate. The rationale behind developing this methodology is that the speed of the front-hand punch in karate is one of the most important criteria for the successful defeat of the opponent. In addition, the front-hand punch is one of the most commonly used punches during matches. The objective that we set was to study the effect of the application of the methodology we developed for the purpose of improving the speed of the front-hand punch (Kizami Tsuki) in karate. To accomplish this study, we used a computerized video system to register and analyze the speed of karate punches performed by the participants in the experiment. The results regarding the speed of the straight-hand punch were measured in the same way in order to provide identical conditions. Input data was processed by means of applied software for kinematic analysis. To prove the credibility of the registered data, we used statistical analysis methodology. We hope that by presenting our methodology in this article, more coaches will begin to use modern tools and methods in order to improve the quality of training in karate.

43-58

Authors: Vladimir Angelov

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using difficult conditions in the balance training program through virtual reality glasses and glasses simulating alcohol consumption. According to the hypotheses of the study, the application of the balance training program with applying additional difficulty on the vestibular apparatus through technical means will lead to a greater training effect. The object of the study was the balance stability. The research was done among twenty-six Bulgarian students from the National Sports Academy. A pedagogical experiment was conducted to prove the hypothesis of the study. The testing session included two balance exercises. The collected data from the study were statistically processed with the variance analysis and t-criterion of Student. The results of the research were statistically significant and showed a greater increase in the parameters of the experimental group (FE: 33,3℅; P=100℅; SE: 14,3℅; P=99,9℅) than in those of the control group (FE: 14,7℅; P=99,9℅; SE: 8,3℅; P=99,9℅). The analysis of the results justified the hypothesis of the research. The study found out that the usage of the balance training program that applies additional difficulty on the vestibular apparatus through virtual reality glasses and glasses simulating alcohol use leads to a better balance stability.

73-80

Authors: Antoaneta Dimitrova, Kristin Grigorova-Petrova, Daniela Lubenova, Milena Nikolova

Chronic spinal disc disease has a large socioeconomic impact on the health care system. A lot of researchers confirm that physiotherapy (PT) is an effective choice of treatment for many patients. The aim of the present study is to evaluate the combined effect of physiotherapy and balneotherapy thetreatment of lumbar disc disease and to compare the results with those obtained only after physiotherapy. Twenty patients with lumbar disc disease in the chronic period, divided into two groups – experimental and control were studied. The experimental group did exercises in a thermal mineral pool and underwent a general PT program for ten days, while the control group had only general PT program for ten days. The general PT program was the same for both groups. Before and after the treatment the Schober test and the static part of the Kraus-Weber test were conducted. We revealed significant positive changes in the lumbar flexibility, endurance and strength of the back muscles, mm. glutei, abdominal muscles and the hip flexors among the patients from the experimental group, objectified by the increased time to perform the static test positions of Kraus-Weber Test and Schober test. We recommend our program with PT and balneotherapy as appropriate when dealing with patients with chronic lumbar spine disease in balneological resorts and SPA hotels.

3-13

Authors: Ognyan Miladinov, Vladimir Velin

Abstract The drop jump is a frequently used and widely examined training exercise aimed at the development of one of the most important qualities in sports with speed-strength character – the explosive power. The common options for execution of this exercise suppose the general development of the explosive power of the lower limbs without taking into consideration the kinematics and dynamics related to a certain kind of sport or sports discipline. The main aim of the research is to reveal reliable interdependencies of kinematic and dynamic parameters of movements between the drop jump on an inclined platform and the take-off from the board in the long jump and the triple jump. The research is aimed at modeling the parameters of execution of this exercise so that it can meet the kinematics and dynamics of the take-off in the horizontal athletics jumps. We examined some kinematic and dynamic parameters of movements in the drop jump on an inclined platform with different angle of inclination and made a comparison with the same parameters in the take-off in the competitive events long jump and triple jump. We determined significant differences and conformities between the researched parameters. On the base of the conclusions made we designed a piece of training equipment so that this exercise can be implemented in practice.

21-29

Authors: Borislava Petrova

In this study, we:(a) developed allometric exponents for scaling Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) power data that are effective in controlling body mass(BM) influence; and (b) established a normative WAnT data set for young soccer players. Forty-six players completed a standard WAnT. Allometric exponents and percentile ranking for peak power (PP), average power (AP) and power output for 30 s (W 30 s) were established. Allometric exponents “b” for PP, AP and W (30 s) scaled for BM were 0.72,0.78 and 0.85 respectively using braking force 75 g.kg-1, markedly higher from the theoretical suggested of b=0.67. The study shows the possibilities of applying the allometric scaling in the coaches practice. If these exponents in allometric scaling of young soccer players are used, WAnT power values will provide coaches with valid means for comparing power production between individuals without the confounding influence of BM.

37-44

Authors: Petar Peev, Marin Gadev

Focus of this research is the relationship between the motor abilities. The interest in this topic is dictated from the fact that there isn’t enough information about it in elite female football. For the purpose of the research we made tests to define the level of development of the motor abilities of 68 elite female football players. We also made a descriptive statistics and correlation analysis and we received the following results: descriptive statistics shows that the researched indicators are highly homogeneous (in range of V% =2,67 to 5,05); the correlation between accelerative abilities and maximal sprinting abilities is moderate and positive (r= 0,634); the correlation between power abilities with explosive character and other researched abilities is moderate and negative (r= -0,430, r= -0,494, r= -0,455); the speed endurance abilities have moderate to strong and positive correlation with the accelerative and maximal sprinting abilities (r= 0,600, r= 0,809). Conclusions: 1) Improving the power abilities with explosive character creates beneficial conditions in development of the other motor abilities; 2) Improving of the speed abilities is a major component of the conditioning in female soccer; 3) The most important factor for improving the speed endurance is creating a “speed reserve”.

53-63

Authors: Tatiana Iancheva, Galina Domuschieva – Rogleva, Milena Kuleva

The activities performed by people who go on military missions or on Antarctic expeditions to Livingston Island often arise various questions and interpretations. On the one hand, they suppose a tendency toward risky acts; on the other hand, they require discipline and balance in one’s behavior. The aim of our study was to examine the peculiarities of the need of security and the need of sensation seeking as basic personal variables of participants in military missions in Afghanistan and Bulgarian Antarctic expeditions and to examine their relation to the coping strategies applied. The research was done among 141 individuals (107 participants in Bulgarian military contingent which took part in an international NATO mission in Afghanistan in 2017 and 34 participants in two Bulgarian Antarctic expedition on Livingston Island in 2014/2015 and 2016/2017. All the individuals researched were divided into groups according to their age, gender and rank. We used: 1) Need of security assessment test (A. Velichkov, M. Radoslavova, S. Vassileva, V. Todorov, 1998). 2) Coping Orientations to Problems Experienced Scale – COPE – 1 (Carver, et al, 1989), adapted for Bulgarian conditions (M. Georgiev et al, 2003) and 3) Research methods of psychic instability and sensation seeking, adapted by A. Velichkov and M. Radoslavova (2005). It is based on M. Zuckerman’s methods (1979, 1994). The researched participants in military missions and the explorers from Antarctic expeditions showed significant differences along the indexes between the two groups. The participants in military mission have lower values along all scales of the need of sensation seeking in comparison with the established norms for the Bulgarian sample and higher values of the need of security. The results of the participants in the Antarctic expeditions are particularly interesting. Regardless of their pronounced inclination to adventurous experiences and risky behavior, to hasty and impulsive actions, when subjected to tension, uncertainty and stress they revert to cognitive engaged coping strategies, which suppose active coping, planning, mobilization and a sense of control over the situation. The established regularities are a valuable reference point both for the selection of the participants in military missions and expeditions and for the insurance of their safety.

70-87

Authors: Gerrit Jan Breukelman, Cornelia Johanna Du Preez, Trayana Djarova-Daniels, Albertus Kotze Basson

Diabetes is a worldwide health problem and is prevalent in both developed and developing countries. Type 2 diabetes is characterized as being insulin resistant with inadequate insulin response to maintain a normal concentration of glucose in the blood. It is estimated that Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90–95% of all diabetes. Type 2 diabetes can be described as a chronic and progressive disease, caused by a combination of resistance to insulin action and impaired insulin secretion, where obesity and overweight, due to excess body fat with fat distributed in the upper body are the main complications of insulin resistance. With the dramatic increase in obesity, low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat diets have become increasingly popular. Diets limiting the amount of carbohydrate intake have been called low-carbohydrate or very-low-carbohydrate, high-protein, high-fat, Banting and ketogenic diets, and are characterized by 50g or less carbohydrates per day. High fat low carbohydrate diets have been found to be different from the traditional diets of most cultures. Recent studies however show that there are potential benefits associated with reducing carbohydrates and increasing fat intake. Low-carbohydrate diets have become very popular for weight loss. Although they may improve some metabolic markers, particularly in Type 2 diabetes mellitus, they seemingly have an effect on body weight, glycemic control and cardiovascular risk factors as well. Research shows that by reducing aerobic exercise capacity; poor glycemic control, increase in cardiovascular risk and elevated glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) are common with Type 2 diabetics. Aerobic exercise capacity and glycemic control in Type 2 diabetes can be improved by being physically active. Regular physical activity along with diet therapy provides health benefits and has been found to be essential for primary and secondary prevention of most metabolic disorders.