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Effectiveness of home-based stretching and strengthening training for improving flexibility, strength, and physical function in older adults with leg tightness and/or suspected sarcopenia /
No full textBackground/Objectives: The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of flexibility or strengthening exercises to improve flexibility, strength, muscle architecture, and functional performance in older adults with leg tightness and/or suspected sarcopenia. Methods: Ninety adults with leg tightness and/or suspected sarcopenia (age: 66.8 ± 4.9 years) were randomly allocated to two subtypes of intervention at home: resistance-band exercise (RE) or eccentric exercise (ECC) for those with weakness; static or dynamic stretching for those with tightness; and static stretching plus ECC or no exercise for those with both muscle tightness and weakness. The program consisted of 3–6 weekly sessions over eight weeks. Blinded outcome assessments before and after the eight-week program and at the three-month follow-up included mobility performance via Timed Up-and-Go (TUG), and flexibility and strength tests, as well as measurement of stiffness. Results: All groups had increased peak torque after eight weeks and improved TUG at the three-month follow-up (p < 0.05). Improved plantar flexor strength persisted at the three-month follow-up (p = 0.009). In addition, the RE and ECC groups had increased muscle thickness by 4.0 and 8.7% after eight weeks (p < 0.05). Hamstring flexibility increased in all exercise groups, except the RE group. Moreover, all six groups showed improved calf flexibility, whereas no changes in stiffness were noted. Conclusions: Increases in mobility performance, strength, and flexibility appeared due to learning effects and increased physical activity, rather than the specific training impact. However, strength-based programs may be recommended for older adults with suspected sarcopenia, as they provide additional benefits, such as short-lasting muscle hypertrophy
Validity confirmation of the Lithuanian form for mental toughness questionnaire among sport schools’ students /
No full textCurrently, there is a growing interest in measuring mental toughness in Lithuania, but there are no validation measures in place which take contextual factors into account. The scientific problem deals with a limited availability of psychometrically tested mental toughness assessment tools in student populations, specifically within Lithuanian sport schools’ context. Therefore, the purpose is to confirm validity of the Lithuanian form for mental toughness questionnaire (MTQ48) among young sport schools’ participants. The study involved 581 participants aged 15-18 from various Lithuanian basketball sports schools. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) of the questionnaire were performed. Six factors were identified by applying an EFA which explained 63.0% of the total variance. Modelling of the structural equations showed that the six-factor MTQ48 model has a reasonable fit. Analyses of reliability and validity demonstrated a strong internal consistency among the factors. With these suitable reliability and validity characteristics, adapted mental toughness measurement (MTQ48) is suitable for use in research investigating mental toughness among students within Lithuanian sport schools’ contexts
The characteristics and interrelations of school-aged girl's emotional intelligence and their relationships with parents, teachers, and peers.
No full textResearch Problem: It is widely acknowledged in the scientific literature that the emotional development of school-aged children is closely linked to their relationships with their immediate social environment — parents, teachers, and peers. However, there remains a lack of comprehensive research that systematically examines the associations between emotional intelligence and the relationships of girls in this age group with parents, teachers, and peers (Brackett, Rivers, & Salovey, 2019). Object of the Research: The Characteristics and Interrelations of School-Aged Girls’ Emotional Intelligence and Their Relationships with Parents, Teachers, and Peers. Aim of the Research: To reveal the characteristics and interrelations of school-aged girls’ emotional intelligence and their relationships with parents, teachers, and peers. Research Objectives: 1. To examine the characteristics and level of emotional intelligence in school-age girls. 2. To investigate school-age girls’ relationships with parents, teachers, and peers. 3. To determine the associations between school-age girls’ emotional intelligence and their relationships with parents, teachers, and peers. Research Methodology: A review of scientific literature; a survey of research participants; statistical data analysis. Research Hypothesis: Higher emotional intelligence in adolescent girls is significantly associated with more positive relationships with parents, teachers, and peers. Research Results and Conclusions: The study found that school-aged girls demonstrate a moderate level of emotional intelligence, which is positively influenced by emotion regulation support in both family and school contexts. Notably, emotional climate at home and school well-being play key roles. The strongest correlation among interpersonal relationships was observed between relationships with parents and peers. Emotional intelligence was most strongly associated with positive relationships with parents and peers, and to a lesser extent with teachers. Among emotional intelligence components, well-being (e.g., self-esteem, optimism) was linked to parent relationships, while self-regulation and sociability were most closely related to peer relationships
Well-being of physical education teachers in Tauragė County.
No full textResearch problem. How does the physical activity, health status, and lifestyle choices of physical education teachers in Tauragė District affect their physical and emotional well-being, and what factors influence their level of physical activity and well-being? The aim of the research is to assess the physical activity, health status, and behavioral habits of physical education teachers in Tauragė District. Research tasks: 1. To evaluate the health characteristics of physical education teachers in Tauragė District. 2. To evaluate the personal behavior habits of physical education teachers in Tauragė District. 3. To evaluate the level of physical activity and its forms during leisure time among physical education teachers in Tauragė District. Research methods: Scientific literature analysis and the quantitative research were carried out from 2024.11.02 to 2025.01.02 through a questionnaire survey of physical education teachers in Tauragė County. The questionnaire (Trinkūnienė, 2014) consists of 18 questions (Appendix 1). The survey was conducted remotely. The questionnaire was created with the help of www.apklausa.lt and distributed by contacting the methodologists of the Tauragė Education Centers, who oversee physical education. They shared the active questionnaire link with the respondents. Collaboration was also established with the Lithuanian Physical Education Teachers Association. Results and Conclusions: physical education teachers exhibit health-conscious lifestyle habits – they generally rate their health positively, rarely smoke or consume alcohol, and remain physically active, although most engage in exercise irregularly and without the goal of achieving athletic results. Motivation for physical activity and levels of work-related stress vary slightly by gender and years of service, but most of the observed differences are not statistically significant
Logotipo keitimo įtaka prekės ženklo lojalumui vartotojų požiūriu.
No full textThesis problematic question. How does a logo redesign affect consumer brand loyalty? Methods of the thesis. Analysis of scientific literature, statistical analysis, online survey, analysis of the results of the study. Aim of the thesis. Identify how does a logo redesign affect consumer brand loyalty. The goals of the thesis: 1. To review the importance of the brand logo for consumer loyalty; 2. Analyse the level of investigation of the impact of logo change on the brand; 3. To investigate the influence of logo change on brand loyalty in the case of Kaunas „Žalgiris“; 4. To evaluate the impact of the Kaunas “Žalgiris” logo change on fan loyalty by examining consumer emotions, loyalty indicators (satisfaction, engagement, recommendation), and differences in perceptions across various consumer groups. Hypotheses of the thesis: H1 – The logo redesign had a significant impact on consumer behaviour toward the brand. H2 – Trust in the brand, perceived professionalism of the logo, and emotional connection to the brand following the logo redesign are significant predictors of consumers’ intention to recommend the brand. H3 – Consumers’ attitudes toward the return of the previous logo are statistically significantly associated with their self-reported brand loyalty. H4 – There are statistically significant differences in the perception of the logo redesign across different consumer age groups. The conclusion of the results formulated in the thesis. Based on the conducted research, the study revealed that logo redesign significantly influences brand loyalty, particularly in the sports context. The case of Kaunas “Žalgiris” demonstrated that changes in visual identity affect consumer trust, emotional connection, and willingness to recommend the team. Loyalty indicators vary depending on consumers’ demographic characteristics and their perception of the logo change. The findings confirmed that logo updates can serve either as an opportunity to strengthen loyalty or as a risk to diminish it; therefore, strategic communication and alignment with audience expectations are essential when implementing visual brand changes
The relationship between physical activity and anxiety in individuals with physical disabilities.
No full textResearch problem. Individuals with disabilities are twice as likely to be physically inactive compared to those without disabilities, increasing the risk of chronic illnesses, muscle atrophy, cataracts, and depression, all of which impact both physical and mental health (Carty et al., 2021). Anxiety is highly prevalent among individuals living with long-term physical disabilities. This population experiences significantly higher rates of such disorders (Battalio, Huffman, & Jensen, 2020). While the relationship between physical activity and anxiety has been widely studied in the general population, research focusing specifically on individuals with physical disabilities remains limited (Ginis et al., 2021). Research aim. To examine the relationship between physical activity and anxiety in adults with long-term physical disabilities. Research objectives: 1. To review the scientific literature on the relationship between physical activity and anxiety in individuals with physical disabilities, analyzing the concept of physical activity, its benefits, promotion strategies, and assessing the impact of physical activity on anxiety reduction 2. To conduct a questionnaire-based survey and assess the nature of physical disabilities, the level of physical activity, and the frequency of anxiety symptoms among participants with physical disabilities. 3. To compare anxiety levels among adults with long-term physical disabilities engaging in physical activity of varying intensity. Research hypothesis. Physical activity reduces symptoms of anxiety in adults with long-term physical disabilities. Research methodology. A six-week intervention involving group aerobic and strength training activities of varying intensities, along with a questionnaire survey of participants. Results and conclusions: 1. Physical activity has significant health benefits, reducing the risk of various illnesses. Despite these benefits, many individuals, including in Lithuania, do not meet recommended physical activity levels. Regular physical exercise, including aerobic training, resistance training, and yoga, can significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. 2. Many study participants experience mobility impairments and use assistive devices such as wheelchairs or crutches. While some engage in physical activity occasionally or regularly, for others this is challenging due to disability-related limitations, lack of motivation, or fear of injury. Additionally, some individuals experience anxiety related to their physical condition. 3. The research data revealed that the intensity of physical activity has a statistically significant relationship with the reduction of anxiety levels. It was found that moderate and high-intensity physical exercise significantly reduces anxiety symptoms. High-intensity workouts significantly decreased anxiety levels (p < 0.001), while moderate-intensity workouts also had a significant effect (p < 0.001). However, the differences between moderate and low-intensity workouts were not significant (p = 0.104). The greatest effect was observed after high-intensity training, with anxiety levels decreasing to a minimum. The effect of low-intensity workouts on anxiety reduction was insignificant
Comparison of three different therapeutic interventions in the management of knee osteoarthritis: randomized controlled parallel group pilot trial /
No full textObjective The study aimed to compare the effectiveness of different physical interventions on pain intensity, knee function, and quality of life in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods This pilot trial involved 63 patients (45-55 yrs.) in a rehabilitation center. Patients were randomly assigned to three groups: therapeutic exercise alone (TE, n=21), TE and cryotherapy (TE-Cr, n=21), and TE and joint mobilization (TE-JM, n=21). The primary outcome was pain intensity, secondary outcomes included knee joint function (WOMAC), muscle strength, knee joint range of motion (ROM), and quality of life (SF-36). Data were collected at baseline and after 18 days of inpatient rehabilitation. Results There were no significant between-group differences in the primary outcome at baseline. After 18 days, all intervention groups showed significant improvements (p < 0.05). The TE-JM group reported lower (p < 0.05) pain levels (3.24 ± 1.04) compared to the TE-only (4.76 ± 0.77) and TE-Cr (4.86 ± 0.57) groups. The TE-Cr group had a lower (p < 0.05) SF-36 total score (52.81 ± 10.50) than the TE (62.00 ± 9.74) and TE-JM (66.62 ± 2.87) groups. No significant between-group differences were observed in ROM or muscle strength. The WOMAC total score was lower (p < 0.05) in the TE-JM group (27.3 ± 13.9) compared to the TE-Cr group (40.1 ± 10.7). Conclusion Although all three interventions had beneficial short-term effects, leading to reductions in knee pain and improvements in physical function and quality of life, but no single intervention demonstrated superior effectiveness across all assessed outcomes. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov, http://www.clinicaltrials.gov, NCT05636059
Sexual dysfunction in women who received breast cancer treatment: a cross-sectional study /
No full textBreast cancer has a major impact on global public health. This cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the prevalence and associated factors of sexual dysfunction in women who received breast cancer treatment (BCT). Data were collected from sexually active adult women in Natal, Brazil, who had completed at least one year of BCT. The Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI) was used to assess sexual function in 88 participants. The prevalence of sexual dysfunction was found to be 76.1%, with the most affected domains being sexual desire and vaginal lubrication. Factors associated with sexual dysfunction included difficulty adjusting to post-surgery body changes, pre-existing comorbidities, and the absence of breast reconstruction. These findings highlight the significant impact of BCT on sexual function and underscore the need for targeted prevention and treatment interventions to address the sexual health needs of women undergoing this experience
Effects of heat exposure on kynurenine pathway metabolism—comparison between exertional and exogenous heating of the human body /
No full textBackground: The kynurenine pathway (KP) plays a pivotal role in many diseases that involve distinct pathological mechanisms. Objectives: Since KP metabolites are potential disease biomarkers, it is crucial to investigate their fluctuations under physiological conditions. As the KP is stress-responsive, this study examines how peripheral KP metabolites change with core temperature increases induced by two different modalities. Methods: In this randomized cross-over study, 11 young healthy males were subjected to (a) exogenous heating via hot water immersion (44°C, EXO), and (b) exertional heating via exercise (EXE), until rectal temperature (Trec) reached 39°C, followed by a recovery phase. Blood samples were collected at baseline and at every 0.5°C Trec increment during both the heating and recovery phases. Plasma levels of KP metabolites, stress, and metabolic markers were measured. Correlation analyses between kynurenine pathway metabolites and stress markers were computed over the course of the trials. Results: EXE and EXO trials induced the KP, but to different extents. Most plasma KP metabolite concentrations (kynurenic acid, picolinic acid, 3-hydrokynurenine, quinolinic acid) increased. Stress markers were elevated in both trials. Changes in KP metabolites, stress, and metabolic markers were not persistent, and returned to baseline following recovery. Conclusion: An elevation in body temperature by heat exposure or exercise increases peripheral concentration of several KP metabolites that return to baseline upon trial cessation, suggesting that KP enzymes are adaptable to physiological stressors
Psychometric evaluation of the Persian version of the return-to-sport scale after shoulder instability in Iranian athletes /
No full textBackground Psychological readiness is critical for successful return to sport (RTS) after shoulder instability, yet no validated Persian-language tool exists for this purpose. This study aimed to translate, adapt, and evaluate the psychometric properties of the Persian Shoulder Instability–Return to Sport Index (SI-RSI-Pr) in Iranian athletes. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted with 93 athletes (mean age = 27.8 ± 5.0 years) with unilateral shoulder instability. The SI-RSI-Pr was translated using forward–backward procedures. Structural validity was assessed via exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Construct validity was evaluated through correlations with the Western Ontario Shoulder Instability Index (WOSI), Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia (TSK-17), and Walch-Duplay Score (WDS). Known-groups validity compared athletes who returned to sport versus those who did not. Reliability was tested via internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) and test–retest reliability (ICC) over a 7–10-day interval. Results EFA confirmed a three-factor structure (Confidence in RTS, Fear and Anxiety about RTS, Psychological Burden of RTS), explaining 78% of variance with strong factor loadings (0.744–0.955) and good model fit (RMSEA = 0.070, TLI = 0.966). The SI-RSI-Pr showed high internal consistency (α = 0.89–0.94) and test–retest reliability (ICC = 0.90–0.95). Construct validity was supported by correlations with WDS (r = 0.74), TSK-17 (r = -0.58), and WOSI (r = -0.57). Known-groups validity was confirmed, distinguishing returners from non-returners (AUC = 0.765, cut-off = 61.67, specificity = 92.86%). The scale exhibited strong feasibility and minimal floor/ceiling effects. Conclusions The SI-RSI-Pr, rigorously adapted for Persian-speaking athletes, is a reliable and valid tool for assessing psychological readiness to RTS after shoulder instability, supporting return-to-sport decisions in Persian-speaking athletes