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The effects of different intensity resistance training with blood flow restriction training on the the physical capacity in elderly men.
No full textInvestigation problem. Does subjectively perceived intensity of resistance training correlate with physical performance in olderly men? The aim. To determine the relationship of different intensities of resistance training to rating of percieved exertion. Research tasks. To determine the effects of resistance training in the elderly male on physical capacity. To determine the relationship between physical capacity and subjectively perceived exertion in elderly man. Research methods. Twenty-one healthy older male adults (aged 60-74 years) were randomized to 12 weeks of lower body low-intensity resistance exercise training with BFR and high-intensity resistance training (HIRT). In both groups, subjects performed the following exercises: leg curl, leg press and leg extension. Muscle strength was assessed by performing one-repetition maximum (1RM). Subjective exercise intensity was measured using rating of perceived exertion (RPE) with modified Borg scale. Results. Muscle strength statistically increased in both groups. Muscle strength in leg curl and leg press was not significantly different between groups. Muscle strength in leg extension was significantly different between groups (p<0.001). The HIRT group achieved higher results compared to the BFR group. RPE in leg curl and leg press was not significantly different between groups. In leg extension, RPE was significantly different between groups (p=0.024) with lower RPE scores in HIRT training. Conclusions. Statistically significantly better 1RM results in the HIRT group indicate greater strength gains compared to the BFR group. The lower RPE scores in the HIRT group suggest that older men perceive BFR training as easier compared to HIRT training
Possibilities of artificial intelligence use in a tourism company: from the point of view of tour operators.
No full textResearch title: Possibilities of artificial intelligence use in a tourism company: from the point of view of tour operators Keywords: artificial intelligence, big data, tourism Research object – artificial intelligence use possibilities Research aim – to determine the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in a tourism company: from the point of view of representatives of tour operators Research problem: what are the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in a tourism company? Research tasks: 1. Identify ways of applying artificial intelligence in the tourism sector. 2. Identify the advantages of artificial intelligence in the tourism market. 3. Identify the threats and challenges posed by artificial intelligence. 4. To reveal the possibilities of using artificial intelligence from the point of view of representatives of Lithuanian tour operators. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature, structured interview, thematic content analysis. Conclusions: It has been established that artificial intelligence in tourism is used for marketing purposes, customer recognition, data analysis, customer service, creating unique and tailored services, in travel mobile apps, language translation, route planning, weather and traveler flow forecasts. Artificial intelligence has been shown to improve the customer experience by creating more accessible, unique and personalized services. It helps to make decisions faster, increases work efficiency by analyzing large amounts of data, uses virtual travel assistants to serve faster and at any time of the day, allows to optimize processes and provides a competitive advantage. It has been established that the accuracy of the analysis provided by artificial intelligence technologies depends on the quantity and quality of data, systems require constant maintenance and updates, there is a risk of disruptions and failures, technologies are expensive and there is still a lack of specialists capable of maintaining and developing technologies. It has been established that tour operators use artificial intelligence for marketing purposes, analyzing the market, forecasting demand, getting to know customers, providing personalized services to customers, using virtual travel assistants in customer service and ensuring cyber security
Підвищення якості дозвілля та спортивного клубу.
No full textDecreasing physical activity encourages business organizations in the sports industry to establish more sports clubs and facilities, strengthen sports infrastructure. Organizations providing sports services face numerous challenges, which prompt decision-making aimed at encouraging customers to be interested in the services offered and to use them. Therefore, it is essential for all levels of management personnel and shareholders to remain creative, original, innovative, flexible, and most importantly – innovative (Howieson et al., 2019). Currently, an increasing number of studies show that the success of sports center management and maintaining competitiveness requires more effective and modern management (Álvarez – García et al., 2019). With increasing competition in the service sector of leisure and sports clubs, the satisfaction of customer expectations with the service becomes a priority. Managing a positive customer experience by increasing customer loyalty is an important aspect to stay in a competitive environment. Therefore, it is important that sports organizations dedicate time and effort to understand and assess the expectations and needs of their unique segment of customers when using the services of a sports club. Research problem question: What is the gap between customers' expectations and the actual quality of service, and what are the ways to address quality gaps? Research aim: To determine the quality of sports club services from the perspective of customers. Research objectives: define the factors influencing the quality of leisure and sports club services and improvement directions; evaluate the quality of leisure sports club services from the perspective of customer expectations and the actual service received. Research Methods: literature review and synthesis, quantitative research – questionnaire survey, statistical data analysis, descriptive statistical analysis. Conclusion: The service of the sports club is at a sufficiently high level, but quality improvement solutions are needed for modernization and expansion of premises and updating equipment. Additional services (nutritionist, masseuse, solarium service) and expand group workouts have been established. The study found that when assessing the quality of services in terms of tangibleness, reliability, certainty, responsiveness, empathy for clients, empathy is the lowest valued empathy. The ability of employees to implement the needs of visitors, the allocation of individual attention to the visitor, the solution of problems that have arisen in the problems encountered by the client, the implementation and qualification of special needs, the provision of equipment for services are evaluated with lower scores
Motives and barriers of active transportation as a sustainable physical activity among young Lithuanian adults /
No full textActive transportation (AT) as a sustainable form of physical activity that contributes to both personal health and the environment is of the utmost importance. However, the prevalence of AT and its related predictors are still understudied. So, this study aims to identify motives and barriers for AT among the Lithuanian adult population. The study seeks to answer what drives people to use AT and what prevents them from using it
Changes in self-esteem and social skills of men experiencing exclusion.
No full textRelevance of the research. Research on social exclusion makes it possible to formulate and present a definition of personal exclusion (Evans, Pelletier and Szkola, 2017), to analyze the phenomenon of exclusion (Levidow and Papaioannou, 2018), to highlight the reasons for the separation of a person or group from family, community, society and normative practices (Tereškinas, Bučaitė-Vilkė, 2015). Analysis of exclusion experiences (Dingle, Cruwys and Frings, 2015), the extent of exclusion (Wilson, Jacues, Johnson and Brotherton, 2017), studies of the personal harm caused by exclusion (Saridi et al., 2017) encourage attention to socially vulnerable groups (Tangcharoensathien et al. al., 2018), invites you to consider the perspectives of inclusion (Valtorta, Kanaan, Gilbody, Ronzi and Hanratty, 2016). Research on social exclusion highlights the problematics of the research field in this area - the most obvious, measurable cause of social exclusion is poverty (Valtorta, Kanaan, Gilbody, Ronzi and Hanratty, 2016). Social exclusion should be seen not only as material deprivation (Evans, Pelletier and Szkola, 2017), it is formed by discrimination (Hall, 2018), which limits a person's participation in social and cultural processes of society (Schmidt, 2014), loss of work, relationships with loss of loved ones (Becker, 2014), imprisonment (Barkauskaitė-Lukšienė and Gudžinskienė, 2013), addiction to alcohol and drugs (Amesberger et al., 2019), loss of health (Kastenbutt, Legnaro and Schmieder, 2014). The study of the problematic field of social exclusion is particularly narrowed by the lack of research on men as a specific social group. Studies rarely analyze the exclusion of men on the basis of society's stereotyping, their social exclusion is rarely viewed as psychosocial insecurity, experienced psychological discomfort (Albert, 2016), experienced feeling of shame, lack of self-confidence, undermining of respect, dignity and self-worth (Panadero et al., 2017). There is an even greater lack of research on the inclusion of marginalized men, their involvement in social life through social activities that bring them together. Research (Schneider & Diehl, 2014; Nelson, Kling, Wängqvist, Frisén & Syed, 2018) has revealed that one of the activities that reduces the social exclusion of men, emphasizes masculinity, helps men to better self-esteem, more self-confidence and involvement in purposeful, social life is sport (Amesberger, Finkenzeller, Muller and Wurth, 2019). However, in order to reduce and overcome long-term social exclusion (Baumer and Meek, 2018), which deeply traumatizes men's personality (Peters, 2018), sports activities alone are often not enough. Making socially significant, positive decisions requires secure social connections (Hall, 2018; Psychou et al., 2019), interpersonal support (Barry et al., 2018). Men can expect this in the groups of social skills development (Warkentin, 2017; Barry et al., 2018), personal growth and social change (Canal-Domínguez, Muñiz, & Suárez-Pandiello, 2017). During such groups (Allen, 2017; Burrmann, 2018; Cronin, De Vita, Donini, & Iovino, 2019), closer interpersonal communication (Coakley, 2015; Carthy & McGilloway, 2015), sharing of sensitive experiences (Trakšelys, 2012; Sami, Mahmoudi and Aghaei, 2015; Fernández-Gavira, HuetteGarcia, & Velez-Colon, 2017; Enright & Gard, 2016), development of opportunities for social inclusion (Šniras, 2013; Noak, Kauper, Benbow, & Eckstein, 2013) are observed. On the basis of the lack of examination of men's social exclusion, self-esteem, and social skills issues, a problematic question was raised - how sports activities and social change group contribute to increasing the self-esteem and social skills development of men experiencing social exclusion? The purpose of the study is to reveal the educational effects of the sports activity and the social change group on the self-esteem and social skills of men experiencing social exclusion.. Research tasks: Name the factors leading to men's social isolation, low self-esteem, lack of social skills; To theoretically base the social skills and self-esteem development model of men experiencing exclusion and to prepare a program of educational impact and monitoring based on it; To determine and evaluate the impact of the sports activities, social skills and self-esteem development program on the social skills and selfesteem of men experiencing exclusion. Research hypothesis. Participation of socially excluded men in sports and social change group activities increases their self-esteem and develops social skills of these men. Research data were collected using a written survey (the questionnaire consists of ten statements about self-evaluation). An interview survey was applied (the change in social skills was recorded using a semi-structured interview). An educational experiment was carried out (possibility to check the change in men's self-esteem and social skills during the group of sports activities and social changes). The study included men selected through purposive sampling (Palinkas, Horwitz, Green, Wisdom, Duan, & Hoagwood, 2015). Two essential criteria were set for this targeted selection: the first criterion – men experiencing social exclusion due to the use of alcohol, psychotropic, narcotic substances, going through a divorce, losing their job, experiencing isolation, in prison, longer or shorter prison sentences and/or serving a probation sentence. The second criterion - men had to participate in an educational experiment for half a year: some men participated in the group of sports activities and social changes for half a year (70 men), other men participated only in sports activities (30 men). The method of quantitative and qualitative data analysis was used for the analysis of research data. The scientific novelty of the dissertation is based on the fact that the analysis of scientific literature, research, and studies made it possible to identify and substantiate the characteristics, causes, and consequences of men's social exclusion, to recognize the uniqueness of men and the needs of this unique social group. Essential theoretical findings are highlighted in the dissertation: research tools and methodologies for assessing social exclusion; methods of organizing sports activities to reduce social exclusion; rograms for social changes, social activities and social decision groups, increasing self-esteem and developing social skills. Using these theoretical findings, the future educational experiment was constructed. The monitoring system developed in the dissertation is intended for monitoring the changes in self-esteem of men experiencing social exclusion and the development of social skills, and establishes the practical significance of the dissertation. The half-year educational experiment, aimed at increasing men's self-esteem and developing social skills, is the first and so far the only one in Lithuania, which has collected empirical data valuable for science. 1. The participation of men experiencing social exclusion in sports activities and in a social change group increases their self-esteem and develops social skills.. 2. Men's participation only in sports activities increases their selfesteem and develops social skills, but not as much as men who participated in the social change group too. Dissertation conclusions, practical recommendations, empirical research data obtained during this dissertation study can be useful for psychologists, social workers, educators, andragogists, sports and other specialists who work with men experiencing social exclusion. Application of the monitoring model in practice can ensure systematic, consistent work in providing assistance to men experiencing social exclusion, increasing their inclusion, integrative perspectives. CONCLUSIONS 1. The analysis of the factors causing men's social exclusion, low self-esteem, and lack of social skills revealed that: men experience social exclusion due to insufficient education, lack of a job, poorly paid work, loss of health, divorce, breakdown of family relationships, separation from friends, relatives, their usual, important activities, hobbies, use of alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic substances, forced short-term or long-term isolation in prison, discriminatory behavior of society towards men, lack of social skills, low self-esteem; men's low self-esteem is shaped by society's stereotypical attitude towards them, men react painfully to society's comments towards them due to their social and emotional vulnerability, low economic status; men's lack of social skills manifests itself in undeveloped social and emotional self-awareness, understanding, self-expression, selfmanagement, limited opportunities to effectively communicate and act, cooperate and make socially responsible decisions. 2. Based on the theoretical basis of the model of social skills and self-esteem development of men experiencing discrimination, and the development of an educational impact and monitoring program based on it, it was revealed that: after highlighting the importance of men's physical self-awareness and positive self-evaluation based on the scientific literature analysis, it became clear that physical activity not only has a strengthening effect on physical health, it defines biopsychosocial health and psychological wellbeing. Therefore, one part of the social skills and self-esteem development model for marginalized men consists of group and individual physical activities during which men can develop social skills and increase self-esteem; another part of the social skills and self-esteem development model of men experiencing exclusion is given meaning by the activities of the social change group. Because stereotypical norms of masculinity, masculine ideology isolate men from psychological support specialists who can help them find more targeted social solutions, but this does not prevent them from talking about their problems in a safe environment of people with similar experiences, and the activities of a social change group are one of such opportunity (empowering vulnerable men to participate in group activities aimed at appropriate social solutions). Therefore, the skills of establishing and maintaining social connections can be strengthened in social decision-making, interpersonal activities, interpersonal support groups, wherever sensitive, but everyone connecting experience can provide psycho-emotional and social strength; a six-month long educational impact and monitoring program based on a theoretically based model of social skills and self-esteem development of men experiencing exclusion can help develop social skills of self-relation (intrapersonal skills), social skills of relationship with the environment (interpersonal skills), social skills of relationship with activities skills (making a self-help plan), analyze and adjust the selfhelp plan (review, analysis, adjustment of the activity plan); evaluate intrapersonal skills and interpersonal skills in terms of self-evaluation (strengthening of self-esteem); evaluate the skills of the relationship with the activity (strengthening of self-esteem). 3. The application of the sports activities, social skills and selfesteem development program had a positive effect on the change of selfesteem and social skills of men experiencing social exclusion. After analyzing the results of the educational experiment, it can be seen that the experimental group of men who took part in both educational and behavioral correction activities - sports and the social change group - experienced extremely positive changes in self-esteem. Men in the experimental group who participated in social change group activities demonstrated better intrapersonal, interpersonal, and relational skills than men in the control group who did not participate in social change group activities. A control group of men who engaged in only sports activities also experienced positive changes in self-esteem, only the changes were less pronounced than in the group that engaged in both activities and whose experimental education was based on a combination of two different methods of education and correction
No ageing‐related increase in fibre type grouping in sprint‐trained masters runners: A 10‐year follow‐up study /
No full textPrevious research suggests that an ageing‐associated remodelling and loss of motor units due to motor neuron death contributes significantly to muscle weakness in old age. In histological sections, motor unit remodelling is reflected by increased fibre type grouping. While regular exercise may not attenuate the loss of motor units during ageing, it has been suggested to facilitate reinnervation resulting in larger motor units, and a higher number and larger fibre type groups in histological sections of muscles from aged individuals
CELAC у міжнародних відносинах Латинської Америки (2010-2023).
No full textThe purpose of the research paper is to highlight the formation, development, and results of CELAC’s activities, as well as to define its place in international relations at both the regional and global levels. The scientific novelty is in the comprehensive analysis of the place and role of the regional international organization CELAC, its failures, and successful initiatives. The authors analyze the formation of CELAC as a representative body in relations with key world political actors – China, the EU, an d Russia. Conclusions . CELAC continues to be an important factor in international relations, especially in the context of the desire of Latin American and Caribbean countries to strengthen cooperation and coordination. The establishment of CELAC was one of the vivid manifestations of the ‘ left turn ’ with its state - nationalist bias and emphasized interest in solving pressing social problems in domestic politics by the state from the top - down and ensuring its independence from global actors, primarily the Uni ted States. CELAC is not a replacement for the cooperation and integration groups – Mercosur, CARICOM, ALCA, etc. The desire for CELAC to be an alternative body – especially to the OAS (The Organization of American States) – does not enjoy regional consens us and it would be difficult to achieve with the resources this body currently has at its disposal. Although in general, CELAC ’ s activities were ineffective (most of the region ’ s problems had not been solved, including poverty, corruption, crime, etc.), th ere were examples of successful implementation of its decisions in 2013 - 2018. In recent years, we have observed the intensification of CELAC ’ s international activities, aimed, first of all, at establishing mutually beneficial and partnership relations with the key actors of world politics and economy – the EU, the USA, and China. But Russia ’ s aggression towards Ukraine, its desire for self - isolation, the sanctions of the Western world, and the condemnation of aggression by the UN – all this pushes the Carib bean countries away from Russia, although it does not completely negate their cooperation
Concurrent validity of four activity monitors in older adults /
No full textSedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) have been shown to be independent modulators of healthy ageing. We thus investigated the impact of activity monitor placement on the accuracy of detecting SB and PA in older adults, as well as a novel random forest algorithm trained on data from older persons. Four monitor types (ActiGraph wGT3X-BT, ActivPAL3c VT, GENEActiv Original, and DynaPort MM+) were simultaneously worn on five anatomical sites during ten different activities by a sample of twenty older adults (70.0 (12.0) years; 10 women). The results indicated that collecting metabolic equivalent (MET) data for 60 s provided the most representative results, minimising variability. In addition, thigh-worn monitors, including ActivPAL, Random Forest, and Sedentary Sphere—Thigh, exhibited superior performance in classifying SB, with balanced accuracies ≥ 94.2%. Other monitors, such as ActiGraph, DynaPort MM+, and GENEActiv Sedentary Sphere—Wrist, demonstrated lower performance. ActivPAL and GENEActiv Random Forest outperformed other monitors in participant-specific balanced accuracies for SB classification. Only thigh-worn monitors achieved acceptable overall balanced accuracies (≥80.0%) for SB, standing, and medium-to-vigorous PA classifications. In conclusion, it is advisable to position accelerometers on the thigh, collect MET data for ≥60 s, and ideally utilise population-specific trained algorithms
Effects of chronic physical exercise on executive functions and episodic memory in clinical and healthy older adult populations: a systematic review and meta-analysis protocol /
No full textExecutive functions (EFs) and episodic memory are fundamental components of cognition that deteriorate with age and are crucial for independent living. While numerous reviews have explored the effect of exercise on these components in old age, these reviews screened and analyzed selected older adult populations, or specific exercise modes, thus providing only limited answers to the fundamental question on the effect of exercise on cognition in old age. This article describes the protocol for a systematic review and multilevel meta-analytic study aiming at evaluating the effectiveness of different types of chronic exercise in improving and/or maintaining EFs and long-term episodic memory in older adults
Mindful monitoring and accepting the body in physical activity mediates the associations between physical activity and positive body image in a sample of young physically active adults /
No full textIntroduction: The study aimed to extend research on the possible mechanisms that explain the associations between physical activity (PA), mindfulness during PA and positive body image. In the present study, we tested the mediating role of state mindfulness during PA in the association between PA and trait body appreciation. We also explored the moderating roles of sex and body mass index (BMI) in these associations. Methods: In total, 759 students participated in the study but after applying the inclusion criteria 539 questionnaires were approved for analysis, with a mean age of 23.3 ± 7.2 years (49.7% were women). Study participants completed the online survey, which included sociodemographic details, PA data, the State Mindfulness Scale for Physical Activity 2 (SMS-PA-2) and the Body Appreciation Scale 2 (BAS-2). Results: Monitoring and accepting the body during exercise mediated the association between PA and body appreciation. BMI moderated the association between accepting the body during exercise and body appreciation: for heavier individuals with BMI > 24.99 kg/m2, the associations between accepting the body during exercise and body appreciation were higher (B = 0.53, p < 0.001) compared to those whose body weight was in the normal range (B = 0.21, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Strengthening mindfulness and promoting mindful body acceptance during exercise might enhance a positive body image, especially in individuals with a higher BMI