Lithuanian Sports University Virtual Library
Not a member yet
4708 research outputs found
Sort by
Streso ir nerimo prognozės tarp universitetų studentų.
No full textMental health issues, particularly anxiety and stress, are increasingly common among university students. This study examines how lifestyle factors such as alcohol consumption, nicotine dependence, physical activity, and social support predict students' mental health. This study aims to examine how lifestyle factors predict stress and anxiety among university students, with objectives focused on evaluating the relationship between physical activity, substance use, social support, and demographic factors on the levels of stress and anxiety including their prevalence among University students as well as identifying the key predictors of stress and anxiety. Methods: An online survey was conducted, collecting data from 405 university students (149 males and 256 females) in Lithuania. Participants completed standardized psychological scales measuring anxiety, stress, alcohol use, nicotine dependence, physical activity, and social support. Jamovi software was used to conduct the statistical analysis. Results: Key findings show that higher nicotine dependence and alcohol use were strongly linked to increased anxiety and stress, while social support predicted lower stress and anxiety levels. Physical activity did not significantly predict mental health. Male students reported higher anxiety than females, and smokers experienced more stress than non-smokers. The results highlight the need for interventions targeting substance use reduction and improved social support to protect student mental health. Conclusions: Higher nicotine dependence and alcohol use were linked to increased anxiety, while strong social support brought about lower levels of stress and anxiety. Physical activity showed no significant effect on mental health, possibly due to work-related exertion like cycling in delivery jobs, especially among males, justifying the need for further study. Further research should explore whether leisure or work-related physical activity better supports student well-being
The association of n-3 fatty acid intake with muscle mass and strength in older adults: A cross-sectional analysis of the UK biobank data /
No full textObjectives The main aim was to investigate the association of n-3 fatty acid intake and the n-6/n-3 fatty acid intake ratio with muscle mass and strength in older adults. Methods This study included 61,381 individuals (28,187 men and 33,194 women) aged ≥60 years. Grip strength and muscle mass index were assessed and n-3 and n-6 fatty acid intake were determined. Regression models adjusted for age, deprivation index, ethnicity, month of assessment, total energy intake, multimorbidity, lifestyle factors and physical activity. A sensitivity analysis was conducted in participants aged ≥65 years and in people with sarcopenia. Results Data are presented as trend for quintiles from fully adjusted models. Higher n-3 fatty acid intake was associated with a higher grip strength in both men (0.114 kg; 95% CI: 0.02 to 0.21) and women (0.115 kg; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.18). Similar results were reported for grip strength index, with no associations observed for muscle mass index. No associations were seen in people ≥65 years. In people with sarcopenia no associations of n-3 fatty acid intake with grip strength or grip strength index were seen, but a positive association with muscle mass index was noted in men (0.197 kg/m²; 95% CI: 0.05 to 0.33). The n-6/n-3 fatty acid intake ratio was associated with grip strength in women (0.081 kg; 95% CI: −0.16 to 0.000) and with muscle mass index in men (−0.016 kg/m²; 95% CI: −0.02 to 0.00), no other associations were observed. No associations were seen in people with sarcopenia or people ≥65 years. Conclusion Higher n-3 fatty acid intake, with no consistent association with the n-6/n-3 fatty acid intake, was modestly associated with grip strength, with effects varying by sex and age, suggesting limited benefit for sarcopenia prevention at typical intake levels in older adults
Motivational characteristics of adolescents participating in non-formal education and their relationships with socio-demographic indicators.
No full textMotivation is one of the key factors encouraging athletes to pursue goals, overcome challenges and improve. It determines a person‘s dedicatioon to sport and their desire to achieve results. A motivating environment that promotes effort, cooperation and personal development helps fulfill basic psychological needs and positively influences behavior. Coaches‘ ability to create a supportive atmosphere plays and essential role in students motivation. Two main types of motivation are destinguished – intrinsic and extrinsic. Intrinsic motivation arises from enjoyment and curiosity, while extrinsic motivation stems from the desire for praise ar to avoid pressure. In sport, where achievements ar often emphasized, it is important that individuals do not become discouraged if they are not the best. Therefore, it is crucial to continously update knowledge about athletes‘ motivational characteristics and their needs. Research aim: To reveal the motivational characteristics of students involved in non – formal education in relation to age, gender and sports experience. Hypotheses: 1. It is assumed that boys participating in non – formal education have stronger sports motivation than girls (Portela-Pino et al., 2019). 2. It is assumed that students with sports achievements ar more motivated than those without (Moradi et al., 2020). Methods: The study used Sport Motivation Scale, adapted for use in Lithuania. It consists of 28 statements divided into 7 subscales covering intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation and amotivation. Responses were rated on a 5 – point Likert scale from 1 (never) to 5 (always). This tools was chosen due to its reliability, validity and widespread use in sports motivation research across different age groups and contexts. Participants: The study involed 112 adolescents aged 16 to 20, selected through convenience sampling from three sports centers. Among the participants, 52 percent were boys and 48 percent girls, with an average age of 17,54 years. Results: 1. No statistically significant gender differences were found in intrinsic motivation. Girls showed significantly higher scores in extrinsic motivation and amotivation compared to boys. 2. No sstatistically significant differences were found between the motivation types of younger and older adolescents. 3. No significant differences were found between motivational components and either sports experience or sports achievements. 4. Strong and very strong positive significant correlations were found between intrinsic motivation components and between extrinsic motivation and amotivation components. Additionally, sports experience showed weak but statistically significant correlation with intrinsic motivation to learn and greater sports experience was associataded with higher sports achievements
Socialinės žiniasklaidos vaidmuo kuriant sportininkų prekės ženklą.
No full textThis study explores the role of social media in athlete branding, analyzing how digital presence shapes fan engagement, brand perception, and sponsorship appeal. A quantitative approach was adopted, gathering data from 400 participants via an online survey to examine fan interactions, content preferences, and branding effectiveness using statistical analysis in SPSS. The research objectives included assessing the theoretical significance of social media in athlete branding, evaluating fan perceptions of branding strategies, identifying the most impactful content types, and determining the relationship between social media activity and marketability. The findings highlight that athletes who share authentic, diverse content—such as training insights, personal stories, and interactive posts are perceived as more relatable and inspiring, strengthening their brand image. Instagram and TikTok emerged as the most effective platforms for engagement, with fans valuing direct interactions like Q&A sessions and behind-the-scenes content. While social media significantly boosts brand awareness and emotional connections, its influence on purchasing decisions remains moderate unless paired with strong personal credibility. The study underscores the importance of balancing promotional content with genuine storytelling to maintain fan trust and long-term loyalty. Key conclusions emphasize that social media has transformed athlete branding by enabling direct fan communication and narrative control. Authenticity and consistency in content are critical for fostering deeper connections, with performance-related and personal updates being the most engaging. A strategic, platform-specific approach is essential for maximizing reach, while excessive commercialization risks alienating audiences. These insights offer practical guidance for athletes, marketers, and sports organizations seeking to optimize digital branding strategies in an increasingly competitive landscape
Aktyvių pertraukų įtaka kaklo skausmo mažinimui biuro aplinkoje: sisteminė apžvalga.
No full textBackground. Non-specific neck pain (NSNP) is a prevalent musculoskeletal condition among office workers, primarily associated with prolonged static postures and sedentary work. Implementation of structured active or exercise breaks within the workday schedule have been suggested as a practical approach to alleviate the effects of prolonged sitting. Aim. This literature review aims to synthesise current evidence on the effectiveness of active or exercise-based breaks in reducing NSNP among office-based populations.Methods. A literature review was conducted using databases including PubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and PEDro. Eleven peer-reviewed studies published between 2014 and 2024 were selected based on eligibil-ity criteria focusing on adult office workers experiencing NSNP and interventions involving active or exercise breaks during working hours. Methodological quality was assessed using standardised critical appraisal tools.Results. Many studies reported positive effects of active breaks on reducing neck pain intensity. Interventions typi-cally included brief sessions of stretching, postural exercises, or mobility drills performed during working hours at the workplace. Despite some heterogeneity in intervention protocols and outcome measures, the collective findings indicate that active breaks are beneficial for managing NSNP in sedentary occupational settings.Conclusions. Active breaks represent a feasible and effective strategy for alleviating non-specific neck pain among office workers. The findings support the integration of movement-based interventions into daily work routines to en-hance musculoskeletal health, improve quality of life, and boost occupational productivity in a short period. Further research with standardised protocols is needed to confirm long-term efficacy and optimise intervention design
Low back pain, pain-related limitations, and health-related quality of life.
No full textLower back pain is a disease of the musculoskeletal system that causes public health, socio -economic problems. Lower back pain is one of the main causes of disability to reduce the welfare and productivity of employees (Mengist, Demmm, Alem, 2021). Objective: To assess the pain of the lower back, the restrictions incurred by pain and health -related life Methodology: In determining the links between the lower back pain, the restrictions on pain and health-related life, a questionnaire consisting of three parts was selected: 1. SF36 Questionnaire. 2. Rolland-Morris Functional Disability Questionnaire First question. 3. Visual pain scale questionnaire (VAS). The study included two respondents working in two Kaunas institutions at 120, 21-70 years. Results and conclusions: 1. The lower back pain was felt by 50 percent of women studied and 60.3 percent of men studied. 45.2 percent. women and 54.8 percent. Men suffered daily restrictions on lower back pain. The pain of the lower back and its restrictions were more common in a group of men. 2. Feeling pain in the lower back worse assessed their physical activity related to health -related quality of life, and a weak statistically significant negative correlation link between physical activity assessment and pain intensity was found. 3.The subjects who have suffered daily restrictions on lower back pain in the lower back of their overall quality of health have been a weak statistically significant negative correlation between Ands restrictions and general health and social functioning assessments
Impact of a congested match schedule on internal load, recovery, well-being, and enjoyment in u16 youth water polo players /
No full textThis study aimed to monitor internal load, well-being, and recovery status in U16 male water polo players during a congested competitive period. Fourteen athletes from an Italian club played 12 matches (seven friendly, five official) over 7 days. The internal match load was measured using the session-RPE method (s-RPE). Perceived enjoyment was measured with the Enjoyment Likert Scale (ENJ), while recovery and well-being were evaluated using the Perceived Recovery Scale (PRS) and the Hooper Index (HI), respectively. No significant main effects were found on s-RPE, PRS, and HI considering friendly and official matches. However, ENJ was significantly higher during official matches (p < 0.005). PRS values were significantly affected by daytime matches (p < 0.005), with better perceived recovery reported for morning matches. Linear mixed model analysis revealed significant associations between s-RPE and HI (p = 0.001), the fatigue item (p = 0.001), and the PRS (p = 0.004). These results suggest that as internal load increases, players experience higher fatigue and report lower recovery and well-being scores. Employing simple, non-invasive tools like the RPE, PRS, and HI can help coaches and support staff to identify early signs of overtraining or insufficient recovery, allowing for more individualized load management and injury prevention in youth water polo athletes
Effects of digital physical activity interventions on muscle mechanical function in community-dwelling older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis /
No full textAim: To investigate the effect of digital exercise interventions on muscle mechanical function in community-dwelling older adults aged 60 and above. Methods: Systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE (Ovid), the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Web of Science until end of March 2024. The Cochrane RoB2.0 tool and GRADE were employed for quality assessment. We performed meta-analysis using random-effects model and sub-group and meta-regression analyses to investigate the robustness of the findings. GRADE was used to assess the overall certainty of the evidence. Results: Thirty RCTs, comprising 1697 participants with a mean age of 71.27 years, were included in the data analysis. The meta-analysis revealed a significant overall effect of technology-based physical activity intervention on muscle mechanical function (Hedge's g = 0.27, p = < 0.001). In the sub-analysis, 18 studies focused on interactive interventions on handgrip strength (SMD 0.10, 95% CI -0.17 to 0.38) and leg strength (SMD 0.56, 95% CI 0.19 to 0.93). The overall certainty of the evidence was deemed low. Conclusion: Digital interventions focusing on physical activity interventions have generally shown small but significant improvements in older adults. Interactive and semi-interactive interventions were effective, while passive ones were not
Co-creating and testing a self-management digital solution for bladder health and urinary continence among people aged 50 and over: protocol for the international KOKU Bladder project /
No full textIntroduction The ageing population in Europe is experiencing a significant rise in urinary incontinence (UI), which affects millions and incurs substantial healthcare costs. While conservative treatment (eg, behavioural strategies, pelvic floor exercises) can help manage UI, there is a need for evidence-based eHealth solutions to improve adherence and treatment outcomes. The KOKU Bladder project aims to co-create, develop and test an eHealth intervention to improve bladder health (BH) and UI in adults aged 50 and over. Methods and analysis Phase 1 will consist of the co-creation and technological development of the eHealth solution. First, a rapid review will be undertaken to identify eHealth solutions (ie, technologies and websites), including behaviour change techniques (BCTs) and elements of gamification for self-management of BH and UI in adults aged 50 and over. Also, a consultation with eight experts on BH/UI and/or BCTs will be conducted to explore recommendations for the new eHealth solution. The PROSECO framework will facilitate an assessment of the co-creation process. Phase 1 will additionally include the conduction of at least six focus groups, to be held in Kaunas (Lithuania), Catalonia (Spain) and Manchester (UK) to co-create the contents of the digital solution. Each focus group will include 10–12 community-dwelling adults aged 50+, with different physical conditions and continence status, as well as health professionals and other stakeholders. The information collected will be analysed thematically. First, we will hold three focus groups, one in each country, to find out the opinion of the participants. Once the focus groups are finished and the first version of the technological solution is created, participants will test it and provide feedback in three additional focus groups. Participants’ opinions will be taken into account to make modifications to the solution and co-create the final version. Gamification methods and the Honeycomb model for user experience will be followed in order to achieve a technological solution that is adequate for its target population. Phase 2 will consist of a multicentre pilot study with a mixed method (quantitative and qualitative) approach to assess the feasibility and acceptability of the newly developed technological solution. At least 120 participants (40 per country) will be recruited and randomised into two groups: intervention (KOKU Bladder) and control (indirect health education). The primary outcome will be the severity of UI, according to the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-UI short form. Secondary outcomes will include quality of life (EuroQol 5-Dimension, 5-Level), life-impact related to UI (Incontinence Impact Questionnaire-7), lower urinary tract symptoms (Symptoms of Lower Urinary Tract Dysfunction Research Network Symptom Index-10 (LURN SI-10)), International Consultation Questionnaire on Incontinence Bowel Score, Patient Global Impression of Improvement; levels of physical activity and sedentary behaviour (accelerometer), as well as satisfaction with treatment (Client Satisfaction Questionnaire (CSQ-8)). The latter, together with recruitment, adherence, retention, attrition and data loss, will be used for measuring intervention feasibility and acceptability. Statistical and clinical significance, as well as effect size, will be calculated. Ethics and dissemination The project is approved by the Research Ethics Committee of IRIS-CC approved the project on 9 January 2025 (code 24/095), the Research Ethics Committee of Hospital Universitari Arnau de Vilanova of Lleida on 27 January 2025 (CEIC-3201), the Commission on Research Ethics of Lithuania on 3 March 2025 (SMTEK-31) and the Research Ethics Committee 3 of the University of Manchester on 13 August 2025 (2025-23619-43258). Participation and withdrawal will be voluntary. Informed consent will be obtained from candidates willing to join the project. Study results will be disseminated via publication of scientific articles, presentations at professional workshops, webinars and congresses, as well as through social media and lay summaries for participants and the general public
Relationship between students lifestyle ant health literacy.
No full textThe problem of the research: Human health depends on their lifestyle (Javtokas, 2009). The main factors which influence it are physical activity, diet, harmful habits, work and rest mode, stress (Farhud, 2015). Physical activity impacts health in a positive way – it improves cognition and academic achievements (Ni et al., 2025), as well as sleep quality, mood and decreases stress (Erickson et al., 2019). It is important to mention, that habits of healthy lifestyle, including balanced diet and regular physical activity are related to high academic results (Neuman et al., 2024), that is why they are very important for the students. Health literacy positively corelates with knowledge about nutrition: the higher level of health literacy is, the better knowledge about healhy diet the person has (Bhawra et al., 2023). Rosário et al., (2024) claim that students‘ health litercy is low therefore they are too vulnerable to different health problems. The aim of the research: to evaluate the links between students‘ lifestyle and their health literacy. The goals of the research: 1. to determine specialities of students‘ lifestyle 2. to assess general health literacy of the students. 3. to evaluate the links between students‘ lifestyle and their health literacy. The methods of the research: the research was based on questionnaire survey method and questionnaire about health literacy and heathy lifestyle was prepared. Lithuanian Sports University students took part in the survey (n=229). Conclusions: The analysis of physical activity determined that 81,7 % of participants belong to the group of moderate and high physical activity. While evaluating students‘ eating habits the survey resuts showed that 59,4 % of students follow healthy diet principles and significant difference among gender was also identified: males followed healthy diet more often than females. While evaluating prevalence of harmful habits it was observed that most students are non-smokers. Only 14,4 % of the students claimed that they smoke. The analysis of health evaluation showed that most of the observants affirmed that their health condition was “good” and “very good”. The average BMI among them was 24,68 which shows that they belong to the group of normal weight. The level of health literacy was assessed as high, and gender analysis showed that it is a little bit higher among the women. General health literacy positively correlated with physical activity