International Journal of Physical Education, Fitness and Sports

Assessment of Body Composition in Young Rhythmic Gymnasts

Semir Mašić — 2024-02-20

The primary aim of this study was to examine the body composition of young female rhythmic gymnasts and draw comparative insights from the collected data. Additionally, the results were compared with other studies that shared identical or analogous research objectives. 36 girls divided into three age groups participated in the research: Group 1 (age: 8.57 ± 0.66), group 2 (age: 10.32 ± 0.48) and group 3 (age: 12.90 ± 0.74). Body composition was determined using an octopolar bioelectrical impedance analysis device InBody 370. Among the various variables assessed, the groups exhibited statistically significant differences across most parameters, with exception of body fat (%). Our results, consistent with prior research studies, revealed that our participants also exhibited the characteristic body composition commonly observed in rhythmic gymnastics. These findings suggest that rhythmic gymnastics primarily affects body weight and the percentage of body fat tissue, while also contributing to the development of muscle mass over years of training and sports experience.

Dance Pedagogy used by Physical Education Teachers in Enhancing Skill Acquisition, Mastery and Self-Image

Sheila Marie C. Magat — 2024-03-11

Effective teaching practices in dance cover a variety of theoretical and practical approaches and techniques and individual teaching and learning styles. This study focused on dance pedagogy used by physical education teachers in enhancing skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. Specifically, the study investigated the extent of the use of dance pedagogy by physical education teachers in five teacher education institutions to enhance skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. The total number of participants of the study was twenty-three (23) wherein fifteen (15) were females and eight (8) males and with experiences in teaching ranging from 1 to 25 years. A questionnaire comprising 65 items that exemplify the sixteen dance teaching guidelines for strengthening students' dance skill acquisition, knowledge, and self-image was used to gather data supported by classroom observation. The items were adapted from the sixteen guidelines for teaching and learning identified by Mainwaring and Krasnow, which were categorized into three major areas: process and goals, influences that affect dancers' progress, and structure and content of the class. The data were treated using descriptive statistical tools. The results showed that the physical education teachers always practice dance pedagogies that enhance dance skill acquisition, mastery, and self-image. Dance pedagogies are needed to maximize the potential of every learner who wants to progress and become their best.

Evaluation of the oxidative profile in leukocytes of jiu jtisu athletes

Peixoto B.E — 2024-03-20

Oxidative stress is a process where there is an increase in reactive species, both oxygen and nitrogen. This can happen at both systemic and mitochondrial levels. One of the physiological conditions currently associated with oxidative stress is high-performance physical activity. In this way, it is possible to relate that this problem impacts on sports competitions, especially in Jiu-Jitsu, a growing sport in the world and which demands intense physical effort. Thus, the objective was to evaluate the level of mitochondrial and systemic oxidation in leukocytes of jiu-jitsu athletes. 20 adult men were selected for the control group and 13 athletes for the experimental group. A blood collection was performed to perform MTT and chemiluminescence assays for an analysis of mitochondrial and systemic oxidation, respectively. In addition, two reactive nitrogen species were measured: nitric oxide and peroxynitrite. The evaluation of the leukocyte reducing capacity by MTT showed that the athletes presented a greater reducing environment compared to the control. On the other hand, the chemiluminescence evaluation showed that the athletes' leukocytes showed greater systemic oxidation. There was an increase in both reactive nitrogen species in alteta leukocytes. Given this, it was possible to notice that the athletes presented greater systemic oxidative stress, but with mitochondria with better adaptive capacity to the cell's metabolic demands.

Injury Occurrence and Localization in Tennis: Perspectives on Prevention and Physiotherapy

Jan Carboch — 2024-03-28

Injuries happens in sports involving human movement, with the heightened demands of the sport often correlating with increased injury risk. Tennis, in particular, presents notable challenges as the repetitive motions involved can lead to muscle imbalances and varying levels of strain across different parts of the body. In this narrative literature review, we included 69 studies with the aim of providing a comprehensive overview of tennis-related injuries and offering insights into physiotherapy interventions for prevention and recovery. The first part of our review is on the most prevalent tennis injuries and their anatomical localization. It is noteworthy that injuries predominantly occur during matches rather than in training sessions. These injuries span a wide range, encompassing both acute and chronic conditions, affecting various parts of the body. Notably, muscle-tendon injuries are common, with frequent occurrences in areas such as the thigh, ankle, knee, and shoulder. Furthermore, it is observed that men suffer from back injuries compared to women. In the subsequent section, we delve into specific body regions and their associated injuries in greater detail. Our analysis leads to the recommendation that tennis players should engage with physiotherapists early in their sports careers for injury recovery and mainly for prevention measures. Collaboration with physiotherapists can significantly mitigate the risk of injuries and enhance overall performance and longevity in the sport.

Navigating Covid-19 Challenges – How Physical Education Teachers Skillfully Applied Their Expertise

Dennis Mokyat Daw-as — 2024-02-29

Physical education (PE) is challenging to teach in a face-to-face setup due to its rigorous physical activities (PA). This challenge intensified with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, prompting a shift toward exclusively adopting distance learning education (DLE) or online education (OE). Since there is a lack of elaboration on the challenges encountered by PE teachers in teaching the subject in such a setup and understanding the solutions they have implemented for its successful delivery, this study reviews available studies to understand this case. Using a systematic literature review (SLR) bounded by inclusion-exclusion criteria, 39 Philippine studies were screened and considered for review. Despite PE teachers confronting a series of challenges and these hurdles demanding a paradigm shift in teaching strategies, particularly in maintaining physical engagement and connection in a virtual setting, these challenges spurred resilience and innovation. In particular, interprofessional collaboration for pedagogical resilience, adaptation of innovative pedagogies, improving technological proficiency, and dealing with remote environments are commendable actions that PE teachers demonstrated in times of DLE/OE. The study concludes that PE teachers demonstrated a commitment to collective success, similar to other subjects, by providing students with a diverse educational journey despite the nature of the subject.