Masaryk University Journals / Časopisy Masarykovy univerzity
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The Effect of Criminal History on Sentencing and its Multiple Counting
Get PDFTrestní minulost hraje klíčovou roli při ukládání trestů v České republice, přesto nebyl její vliv dosud v české odborné literatuře ani detailně teoreticky prodiskutován ani empiricky prozkoumán. V tomto článku představujeme teoretické a empirické poznatky o přídatku za trestní minulost, tedy o zvýšení trestu recidivistům oproti prvopachatelům. Nejdříve představujeme různé teoretické koncepce stojící za vyššími tresty pro recidivisty. Z jejich rozboru nalézáme, že ani utilitární (relativní) ani proporcionalistické (absolutní) teorie neumožňují obhájit významné přídatky pro recidivisty. Následně dokumentujeme silný vliv trestní minulosti a její několikanásobné zohlednění jak v českých trestních předpisech, tak v praxi. Trestní minulost je jednou z nejvýznamnějších okolností ovlivňujících ukládání trestů a v některých případech hraje významnější roli než typová závažnost trestného činu. V závěru představujeme opatření ke snížení nepřiměřeného vlivu trestní minulosti na ukládání trestů, a to jak z hlediska možné změny zákona, tak změny přístupu praxe bez nutnosti legislativních úprav.Criminal history plays a key role in sentencing in Czechia. However, its influence has not yet been discussed in detail theoretically or empirically in Czech scholarship. In this article, we present theoretical, normative and empirical findings on criminal history enhancements, i.e., the increase in imposed sentences for repeat offenders compared to first-time offenders. We first discuss possible theories behind such enhancements. We find that neither utilitarian (relative) nor proportionalist (absolute) theories providing a justification for significant enhancements for recidivists. We document strong influence of criminal history in both Czech criminal law and practice. Criminal history is one of the most important factors influencing whether to imprison an offender or not and in some cases distorts the ordinal proportionality of imposed sentences. We conclude the article by presenting measures to reduce the disproportionate influence of criminal history on sentencing, both in terms of possible changes in the law and changes in the approach of practice without the need for legislative changes
The relationship between usage of social networking sites and meaning in life: Anonymous versus identifiable contexts
No full textSocial networking sites (SNSs) allow people to choose how they want to engage with others. Some behaviours are more associated with aspects of well-being (i.e., meaning in life) than others. Online environments also afford people the opportunity to interact with other people at varying levels of anonymity and identifiability, which could further impact well-being. However, whether people use SNSs differently when they are anonymous versus identifiable – and how this relates to their meaning in life – has not been investigated. To test this, we sampled 192 participants (Mage = 19.72) to investigate differences in how people use and post on SNSs while anonymous and identifiable. Furthermore, we assessed how these behaviours were associated with meaning in life. We found that: (1) People were most likely to use SNSs passively across anonymous and identifiable environments. (2) People were most likely to post about life updates/social activities in identifiable environments, and intellectual or negative topics in anonymous environments. (3) Passive usage was negatively associated with meaning in life in identifiable environments. (4) Active-targeted usage (behaviours that are directed towards a specific person or a small group) and posting about life updates/social activities were positively associated with meaning in life, but only in identifiable environments. We demonstrate that meaning in life is related to how people use SNSs, but also the specific online environments they seek out
Bystanders’ perceptions on online hate speech: Investigating the effects of perpetrators’ justifications and the bystander’s role on bystanders’ attitude and prosocial intervention intentions
No full textOn social media, users are exposed to online hate speech (OHS), which is a type of speech that attacks a person or a group based on a group characteristic, e.g., gender identity or sexual orientation. Not every bystander evaluates OHS as offensive and/or feels the need to intervene, which can lead to the continuation of OHS and damaging consequences for victims. The goal of the present study was to understand attitudinal and behavioral components of bystanders’ perceptions on OHS by investigating content-related, contextual, and personal characteristics. More precisely, the effects of the presence or absence of online moral disengagement strategies or moral excuses in OHS messages (e.g., “I’m posting this because it doesn't hurt if I share my opinion online”) and the bystander’s role (pure bystander or vicarious victim) on bystanders’ attitudes and behaviors were tested, while controlling for previous experience with OHS and connectedness with the target group. To this aim, a repeated measures experiment (5x2x2 mixed design) was conducted among 633 adults aged 18–25. The results indicated no difference in bystanders’ perceived offensiveness of OHS and intention to intervene when exposed to OHS containing a moral excuse compared to OHS without. When bystanders were vicarious victims (being exposed to OHS targeting an individual with whom the bystander shares the targeted group characteristic), OHS was perceived as more offensive and bystanders had a higher intention to intervene with prosocial bystander behavior, compared to when bystanders did not share the group characteristic. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed
Hyporesponse: The hidden challenge in coping with stress
Get PDFTento článek se zabývá úlohou hyporeakce při zvládání stresu. Představuje koncept svalové odpovědi na stres – týkající se jak hyperreakce (napětí), tak hyporeakce (vzdávání se, ochabnutí) – a toho, jak se tyto dvě obranné strategie vzájemně ovlivňují a snadno polarizují. Jako strategie, jak modifikovat hyporeakci, jsou předloženy techniky zvyšování energie a přesnosti v dávkování energetické nálože. Prostřednictvím použití těchto technik lze snížit riziko ztráty kontaktu s částmi sebe sama v různých fázích stresové reakce. Článek řeší vzájemnou souvislost mezi stavy vysoké aktivace autonomního nervového systému – jak hyper-, tak hyporeakcí – a vzorci svalové reakce. Zvláštní pozornost je věnována možným důsledkům hyporeakce při přechodech mezi různými úrovněmi vzrušení, které se vyskytují v každodenním životě.This article addresses the role of hyporesponse in stress management. The concept of muscle response is presented—regarding both hyperresponse (tension) and hyporesponse (giving up) —and how these two defensive strategies interact and easily polarize. Building up energy and precision in dosing is presented as a strategy to modify hyporesponse and, through that, lower the risk of losing contact with parts of the self in different phases of stress. Interconnectedness between high arousal states—both hyper- and hypoarousal— and muscle response patterns are addressed, and special attention is given to potential consequences of hyporesponse in the transitions between the different levels of arousal that occur in daily life
Gender-Specific Analysis of Anthropometric Measures and Motor Performance in School-Aged Children
Get PDFThis research investigates the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and motor performance in school-aged children, addressing a significant gap in existing literature. A sample of 250 students (130 boys and 120 girls) aged 12 to 16 years from four schools in the Dhaka Region was analyzed using stratified random sampling. Different anthropometric measures included body height, mass, BMI, and various limb dimensions, whereas motor performance was evaluated through different tests i.e. hand tapping, sit and reach, standing long jump, and agility tasks. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS V26, employing normality test, independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The results showed significant gender differences, with girls showing greater measurements in several anthropometric parameters, while boys outperformed girls in strength-based tasks like the standing long jump. Conversely, girls excelled in flexibility tests. The correlation analysis emphasised that specific anthropometric measures, such as leg and arm length, positively influenced motor performance, whereas a higher BMI negatively impacted agility and endurance. The study accentuates the importance of couture physical education programs to individual anthropometric profiles, considering gender disparities and specific physical attributes, to enhance motor performance among school-aged children. This research contributes valuable insights for the development of effective physical education strategies
Initial study on Hand Grip Asymmetry in Lebanese Adults: An Advanced Model Integrating Maximal and Explosive Strength
Get PDFThis study introduces a refined model of hand grip asymmetry tailored to the Lebanese population, incorporating both maximal strength (Fmax) and explosive strength (RFDmax). Unlike previous models that primarily focused on maximal strength, this dual-parameter approach provides a more comprehensive assessment of hand grip asymmetry, offering insights into functional health and injury risk. Given the absence of prior data on this population, the model establishes baseline asymmetry thresholds to support clinical evaluations and performance assessments.
A total of 393 healthy adults (241 males, 152 females) from various Lebanese regions underwent hand grip assessments measuring Fmax and RFDmax for both the dominant (DH) and non-dominant hands (NDH). Asymmetry levels were computed separately for handgrip strength and handgrip explosive strength, and participants were classified into four asymmetry groups: low (0–10%), moderate (10.1–20%), high (20.1–30%), and very high (>30%) based on asymmetry percentage thresholds.
Results indicated that males demonstrated approximately 44% greater hand grip strength (Fmax) and 47% higher RFDmax than females across both hands (p < 0.001). A dominant hand advantage was observed, with a 6.9% higher Fmax in males and a 7.9% difference in females (p < 0.001). While overall asymmetry did not differ significantly between genders, females exhibited slightly higher asymmetry in RFDmax. Notably, explosive strength asymmetry was more pronounced than maximal strength asymmetry, suggesting it may serve as a stronger indicator of neuromuscular control and injury risk.
This model serves as a key reference for understanding hand grip asymmetry in the Lebanese population, establishing normative benchmarks that may aid in health risk identification and functional assessments. Future research should explore age-related trends and cross-population comparisons to further evaluate the impact of hand grip asymmetry on performance and health outcomes
An Innovative Model of Physical Education Teaching Based on Audio Visual Media to Minimize Bullying Cases in School
Get PDFThis research aims to explore the effect of an innovative model that integrates the Numbered Head Together (NHT) cooperative model with an audiovisual media-based reciprocal teaching style in minimizing bullying behavior of grade VIII students of SMP Muhammadiyah 1 Banjarbaru. The method used was a quasi-experiment with a pretest-posttest control group design. A total of 58 students were divided into two groups: experimental and control. The pretest showed quite high bullying behavior, which was then intervened for four weeks. The results of the descriptive analysis showed that the experimental group experienced a significant decrease in the bullying dimension, while the control group did not show any significant changes. The paired sample t-test shows the Sig value of 0.000 (P < 0.05) in the experimental group, indicating a significant difference before and after the intervention. In contrast, the control group did not show a significant difference (Sig. 0.772 > 0.05). However, the results of the independent sample t-test did not show a significant difference in value (Sig. 0.08 > 0.05). However, the results of other observations and statistical analyses strengthen the effectiveness of this intervention in creating a more inclusive learning environment. These results confirm that the application of a cooperative learning model with an audiovisual media-based reciprocal approach is effective in reducing bullying behavior in the school environment. This research makes an important contribution to the development of bullying prevention strategies among adolescents.
Diagnosis of kinematic parameters of running stride and acceleration of U13 and U15 basketball players using Optojump Next device
Get PDFThe aim of our study is to substantiate and confirm the importance of the level of running stride parameters and explosive power of the lower limbs of young basketball players in achieving acceleration speed. The research population consisted of U13 (n = 11) and U15 (n = 16) players who have been participating in a regular specialized training program for at least 2 years. Testing was conducted using the Optojump next device in the 15 m acceleration race. The literature refers to the 1st and 2nd running steps as key. In our study, we focused on the evaluation of the first 6 running steps. We performed 3 vertical jump protocols (CMJ (counter movement jump), CMJ- free arms and SQ (squat jump)) to determine the level of explosive power of the lower limbs. We observed a significant relationship between the level of acceleration velocity and CMJ (p < 0.05, r = -0.610), CMJ-free arms (p < 0.05, r = -0.728) in the U13 category. In the U15 category, a significant relationship was found in CMJ (p < 0.01, r = - 0.720), CMJ-free arms (p < 0.01, r = - 0.688) and SQ (p < 0.01, r = - 0.872). In the U13 category, we observed a significant relationship between the level of acceleration speed at 15 m and pad contact time in the 4th (p < 0.01, r = 0.740) running stride. Running stride length was not significant with acceleration speed level in the U13 category. In the U15 category, we observed a significant relationship between the level of acceleration speed at 15 m and the contact time with the mat in the 1st (p < 0.05, r = 0.619), 3rd (p < 0.01, r = 0.709), 5th (p < 0.01, r = 0.783) and 6th (p < 0.05, r = 0.593) running stride. Running stride length in relation to acceleration velocity was not significant in either running stride in the U15 category
Changes in Velocity Decrement at Different Phases of a 30-Meter Resisted Sprint
Get PDFResisted sprint training is one of the most studied methods for developing speed capabilities, especially for elite-level athletes. While traditional sled training relies on a fixed load based on the percentage of body mass, recent research suggests that resistance based on velocity decrement (Vdec) may be a more practical option. This study examines whether Vdec at a given resistance remains consistent or varies across different phases of a 30 m sprint. Twelve male participants with a speed-focused training history were involved in this study. Participants performed 30 m sprint trials, with time splits recorded at 10 m intervals (0–10 m, 10–20 m, 20–30 m) and additional segmental analysis for distances 0–20 m, 10–30 m and the entire 0–30 m sprint. Each participant completed two repetitions at five different resistance levels provided by a cable-driven motorised resistance system (1080 Sprint). The analysis of horizontal force-velocity-power parameters showed moderate variation in force generation of the subjects, with an average theoretical maximal force of 6.33 ± 0.85 N/kg and a relatively consistent maximal velocity of 9.39 ± 0.42 m/s. The study revealed a statistically significant difference in % Vdec (p ≤ 0.05) across different sprint phases, with higher resistance leading to increased differences in the individual phases of the run. Segmental analysis showed a greater % Vdec as sprint distance increased across all resistance levels. These findings highlight the need for a deeper understanding of resisted sprint training for more effective speed development
Public Funding and Elite Success in Czech Team Sports: A Penalized Logistic Regression Approach
Get PDFInternational sporting success is widely regarded as a symbol of national prestige and effectiveness in sport policy, motivating many countries to allocate significant public funding to elite and youth sport programs. However, the direct impact of such investments on competitive outcomes remains ambiguous, particularly in the context of team sports where success is infrequent and influenced by multiple factors. This study examines the relationship between public funding and international sporting success in the Czech Republic, focusing on four major team sports: football, basketball, ice hockey, and volleyball. Using a panel dataset aggregated across Olympic cycles (2010–2013, 2014–2017, and 2018–2022) and applying a penalized logistic regression model, we assess whether higher investments in national representation and youth development increase the probability of achieving top 8 placements at major international tournaments. This study aims to evaluate the extent to which public funding for national representation and youth development contributes to elite sporting success, measured by top 8 placements in international competitions. The analysis reveals that, despite considerable financial support, neither national representation nor youth development funding demonstrates a positive association with elite success. These findings raise critical questions regarding the design and strategic targeting of public investment policies in sport and contribute to the broader discourse on the efficiency of resource allocation in sport systems