Journal of Applied Sports Sciences

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.