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La superación de la crisis medioambiental como factor para lograr la sostenibilidad económica en el contexto del curso verde europeo.
No full textBy means of the modeling methodology, the object of the study was the theoretical and practical aspects of overcoming environmental crises as a factor to achieve sustainability. In today's world, several crises are combined: social, political, cultural and moral, the crisis of democracy, ideology and the general crisis of the capitalist system. More specifically, the economic and environmental crises are linked to the financial crises and the existing disorientation is due, to a large extent, to the financial risks that have affected the ecological footprint of civilization. As a result of the tasks set, the concept of planetary boundaries has emerged as an effective means of measuring the state of the planet and its threats. In this sense, the concept of an economy in need of transformation has been formed, as environmental growth and technological progress are accompanied and even accelerated by economy and resource efficiency. It is concluded that, current trends on Earth are not sustainable, and traditional responses to these problems often depend on the type of economic growth that is strongly associated, simultaneously, with additional resource consumption and the policies that make it possible
Comparative analysis of motor skills between 10–12-year-old boys volleyball players and physically inactive peers.
No full textBackground. The gross motor function of team sports athletes is superior to that of peers who do not participate in additional physical activity, but it is not clear to what extent motor skills differ between boys who attend volleyball training and those who do not attend training. The aim. To compare the motor skills and functional stability of the trunk of 10–12-year-old volleyball-playing and physically inactive boys. Methods. 30 subjects, boys aged 10–12, participated in the study. The research group consisted of boys playing volleyball (n=15), the control group – physically inactive boys (n=15). Test tools: Bruininks Oseretsky Motor Skills Proficiency Test, 2nd Edition and Matthiass Functional Trunk Stability Test. Results. Boy volleyball players showed significantly better results in only three of ten evaluated motor tasks compared to inactive boys: side jumps with legs together (8.07±1.03 points vs. 7.27±0.88, p=0.026) and push-ups (5.93±1.28 points vs. 4.53±0.99, p=0.002), and V-up (4.73±1.28 points vs. 3.20±1.27, p=0.009). The result of functional stability test was better in volleyball players than in non-play-ers (24.67±9.26 points vs. 16.53±9.34, p=0.013). Conclusions. Boys who play volleyball had significantly better motor skills in strength and agility tasks compared with boys who are physically inactive. No significant differences were found in bilateral coordination, balance and upper extremity coordination tasks between volleyball players and physically inactive boys, but the functional stability of the trunk of boys who play volleyball was significantly better than that of physically inactive boys
Myokines as mediators of exercise-induced cognitive changes in older adults: protocol for a comprehensive living systematic review and meta-analysis /
No full textBACKGROUND: The world's population is aging, but life expectancy has risen more than healthy life expectancy (HALE). With respect to brain and cognition, the prevalence of neurodegenerative disorders increases with age, affecting health and quality of life, and imposing significant healthcare costs. Although the effects of physical exercise on cognition in advanced age have been widely explored, in-depth fundamental knowledge of the underlying mechanisms of the exercise-induced cognitive improvements is lacking. Recent research suggests that myokines, factors released into the blood circulation by contracting skeletal muscle, may play a role in mediating the beneficial effect of exercise on cognition. Our goal in this ongoing (living) review is to continuously map the rapidly accumulating knowledge on pathways between acute or chronic exercise-induced myokines and cognitive domains enhanced by exercise.
METHOD: Randomized controlled studies will be systematically collected at baseline and every 6 months for at least 5 years. Literature search will be performed online in PubMed, EMBASE, PsycINFO, Web of Science, SportDiscus, LILACS, IBECS, CINAHL, SCOPUS, ICTRP, and ClinicalTrials.gov. Risk of bias will be assessed using the Revised Cochrane Risk of Bias tool (ROB 2). A random effects meta-analysis with mediation analysis using meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) will be performed. The primary research question is to what extent exercise-induced myokines serve as mediators of cognitive function. Secondarily, the pooled effect size of specific exercise characteristics (e.g., mode of exercise) or specific older adults' populations (e.g., cognitively impaired) on the relationship between exercise, myokines, and cognition will be assessed. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023416996).
DISCUSSION: Understanding the triad relationship between exercise, myokines and cognition will expand the knowledge on multiple integrated network systems communicating between skeletal muscles and other organs such as the brain, thus mediating the beneficial effects of exercise on health and performance. It may also have practical implications, e.g., if a certain myokine is found to be a mediator between exercise and cognition, the optimal exercise characteristics for inducing this myokine can be prescribed. The living review is expected to improve our state of knowledge and refine exercise regimes for enhancing cognitive functioning in diverse older adults' populations.
REGISTRATION: Systematic review and meta-analysis protocol was registered with the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) on the 24th of April 2023 (registration number CRD42023416996)
Виховання критичного мислення студентів ВНЗ.
No full textIn order to fully understand the environment and the processes taking place in it, it is necessary to be able to think critically. The importance of developing critical thinking is manifested in the fact that a young person will be ready to purposefully choose and apply cognitive methods, safely research, consistently, logically, critically think, analyze and solve problems by drawing reasonable conclusions (Osipovič, 2019). Employers expect specialists who, after graduating from universities, have the ability to make decisions, think analytically, and know how to work in a team. There is a lack of research that reveals the characteristics of sports management students’ critical thinking, so it is necessary to evaluate the possibilities of developing sports management students’ critical thinking, which allows us to say that this topic is relevant in both theoretical and practical aspects. Scientific problem: To what extent does the information visualization technique (argumentation diagram) enable the development of critical thinking of university students? The object of the article is the development of critical thinking of university students. The purpose of the article is to reveal the aspects of critical thinking education of university students, reflecting the experience gained during the study process. Research tasks: 1. To reveal the theoretical justification of critical thinking and its development in the process of university studies. 2. To discuss the opportunities for the development of critical thinking of university students, experiential reflections, assumptions. Research methods. The method of theoretical analysis examines psychological, andragogic, etc. scientific didactic literature, defining and scientifically justifying the concepts and meanings of critical thinking, the conditions, strategies, methods, etc. of critical thinking education. in the process of university studies
The influence of websites quality on users e-loyalty in the online store /
No full textThe change caused by Industry 4.0 has fundamentally changed our leisure, learning, internet browsing and operations of organizations. The study is novel in its focus on the impact of website quality on consumer loyalty in an online store, specifically in the context of Industry 4.0. The objective of the article is to determine the impact of website quality on consumer loyalty in an online store. The data were obtained from 406 completed questionnaires from Lithuania website consumers. All research participants were introduced to the online store. The analysis is based on quantitative methodology, regression and statistical analyses were used. Based on the results it can be concluded that the implementation of website quality is a huge part of website store success. System quality had the biggest impact on consumer satisfaction. Consumer satisfaction had a significant impact on consumer loyalty towards the website. From a practical point of view, the research identifies that if website managers want to increase consumer satisfaction first, they have to invest into system quality
The effects of high-velocity hamstring muscle training on injury prevention in football players /
No full textBackground: Explosive and fast body movements, sprints, jumps and quick changes of direction, which are characteristic of the football training, place considerable strain on the hamstring muscles. Due to the high occurrence of hamstring injuries, new preventive strategies are required that focus on high-velocity training. The purpose was to assess the effectiveness of high-velocity elastic-band training in reducing the occurrence of hamstring injuries in football players
Mindfulness, physical activity and sports participation: validity evidence of the Lithuanian translation of the state mindfulness scale for physical activity 2 in physically active young adults /
No full textThe aim of the present study was to examine the psychometric properties of the Lithuanian translation of State Mindfulness in Physical Activity (SMS-PA-2) in a sample of physically active students. A total sample of 539 students from universities and colleges (50.3% men; mean age 23.3 ± 7.2 years) were asked to provide demographical data, report physical activity (PA) and PA habits and fill in measures of trait awareness, autonomous motivation in physical activity, trait body appreciation, trait body functionality appreciation and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours and self-esteem via an online anonymous survey. Students also provided information about their participation in organized team sports, organized individual sports, recreational sports and home exercise. Results. The SMS-PA-2 replicated the original four-factor structure, with good internal consistency (except for the Accepting Mind subscale). Invariance analyses across sex groups revealed an acceptable fit of the configural, metric and scalar models. However, in the multi-group analysis, metric invariance and scalar invariance were not confirmed. The SMS-PA-2 was positively associated with leisure-time PA, PA habits, more self-determined motivation for exercise, trait awareness, trait body appreciation, trait body functionality appreciation and self-esteem. A negative association was observed between the SMS-PA-2 and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours. Home exercisers and students engaged in team sports demonstrated lower levels of state mindfulness in PA than those engaged in organized individual and recreational sports. The Lithuanian version of the SMS-PA-2 is a reliable and valid instrument for measuring state mindfulness in PA. This instrument is recommended for researchers who aim to investigate the role of state mindfulness in the PA in Lithuanian-language-speaking samples of young adults. Future studies should explore the Lithuanian version of the SMS-PA-2 by asking participants to fill questionnaires in immediately after the PA session, and measurement invariance between sexes should be further tested
Physical activity para report card for children and adolescents with disabilities in Lithuania /
No full textDespite the recognized benefits of physical activity (PA) for children and adolescents with disabilities (CAWD), collective information on this is lacking in Lithuania. The purpose of this study was to investigate the current "state of the nation" PA levels of CAWD, based on the 10 indicators from the Active Healthy Kids Global Alliance Global Matrix 4.0 methodology. Scientific articles, practical reports, and published theses related to the 10 indicators from the Global Matrix 4.0 on CAWD age 6-19 years were reviewed, and data were converted to grades from A to F. (A) Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats analysis was carried out to interpret the grades by four experts. Data on organized sport participation (F), school (D), community & environment (D), and government (C) were available. Data on other indicators are largely missing yet are needed for policymakers and researchers to be aware of the current state of PA among CAWD
Exploring the preliminary effects of resistance training on total brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in elderly individuals: a pilot study /
No full textBackground: Studies have shown that exercise modulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels, and resistance training, in particular, has received increasing attention for its potential to enhance BDNF production. Most studies investigating exercise-induced BDNF changes have focused on free or mature BDNF, while the measurement of total BDNF, encompassing both proBDNF and mature BDNF, may provide a more comprehensive understanding of BDNF regulation. This pilot study aimed to explore the preliminary effects of resistance training on total BDNF levels in elderly individuals participating in a resistance training program. Methods: A small sample of participants (n=6) was recruited and engaged in a structured resistance training program for 12 weeks, with 6 participants in a control group. Total BDNF levels were measured at baseline and post-intervention using reliable laboratory assessments. Additionally, an isokinetic dynamometer was used to determine muscle strength to explore the effect of the resistance training program on muscle performance. Results: The findings revealed a significant increase in total BDNF levels following the 12 week resistance training intervention (p<0.05). However, improvements in physical performance measures, knee extension peak torque and isometric maximal voluntary contraction, were not observed. Conclusion: In conclusion, this pilot study provides preliminary evidence of the positive effects of a 12 week resistance training intervention on total BDNF levels. The measurement of total BDNF levels serves as an important marker in assessing the response to resistance training. Further research with larger sample sizes and longer intervention periods is warranted to further explore the relationship between resistance training and total BDNF levels and to confirm these preliminary findings. Understanding the impact of resistance training on total BDNF levels can have implications for optimizing training programs and potentially improving exercise-related outcomes. Keywords: muscle strength, exercise, brain-derived neurotrophic factor, neuroplasticity, healthy ageing
Association between motivation in physical education and positive body image: mediating and moderating effects of physical activity habits /
No full textConcerns about body image might prevent adolescents from participating in physical education (PE) classes and physical activities during leisure-time. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the relationships between teacher support of autonomy, student motivations for PE, and positive body image, in a sample of Lithuanian adolescents. A total of 715 adolescents (51.89% girls) participated in the study. Ages ranged from 14 to 18 years, with a mean age of 16.00 (SD = 0.79) for girls and 15.99 (SD = 0.75) for boys. The questionnaire consisted of demographic questions, the Learning Climate Questionnaire, the Revised Perceived Locus of Causality in Physical Education Questionnaire, the Body Appreciation Scale-2, the Self-Report Habit Index for Physical Activity (PA), perceived physical fitness (PPF), and Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire. The results showed that teacher support for students’ autonomy was associated with higher positive body image. In adolescent girls, autonomous motivation for PE was the mediator between teacher support of autonomy and positive body image. The associations between self-determined motivation in PE and positive body image were mediated by PPF on one hand, and through PA habits and PPF on the other hand of the structural equation model (in girls). PA habits moderated associations between PE motivation and PPF. Associations between PE motivation and PPF were stronger in girls with the lowest PA habits compared to girls with mean PA habits. These results suggest that PE classes are important for promoting students’ positive body images. PE teachers are advised to use pedagogical strategies that promote the self-determined motivation of students for PE. Increased self-determined motivation for physical education might be an effective strategy for physical self-perception and positive body image promotion in adolescent girls, especially those with low PA habits