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The social importance of continuous training of public officials to maximize governance and democratic governance. Perceptions and debates.
No full textGovernance and democratic governance are crucial analytical categories for the study of contemporary political systems in the twenty-first century. Governance refers to the stability of democracy and its ability to integrate the demands and aspirations of society. On the other hand, governance focuses on the legitimacy of good governance. In this context of political and social debate, the main objective of this scientific article is to describe the social importance of the continuous training of public officials to maximize governance and democratic governance in the twenty-first century. Methodologically, the technique of documentary research and Socratic maieutics were used, where the formulation of intelligent questions is key to reaching the truth of the entities. It concludes that, in an era marked by the growing relevance of technology and transparency, citizens legitimately demand a government that responds to their needs and expectations. Therefore, continuous training becomes an essential requirement for civil servants to adapt to new realities and social demands, which are complex and dynamic
Protein source, dietary fibre intake, and inflammation in older adults: a UK biobank study /
No full textBackground: Chronic inflammation is linked to cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases. Dietary factors like fibre and protein may affect inflammation, but limited evidence exists exploring how they interact. This study investigated associations between dietary fibre, protein sources, and the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein (CRP) in older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional analysis included 128,612 UK Biobank participants aged 60+ years with CRP measurements and dietary data from multiple 24 h recalls. Fibre intake was reported as total fibre (g/day). Protein intake included total, animal, and vegetable protein (g/day). Robust regression analysis examined associations between quintiles of fibre, protein, and CRP, adjusted for demographics, lifestyle factors, and multimorbidity. Analyses were stratified by health status (with and without multimorbidity). Results: Higher fibre and vegetable protein intakes were inversely associated with CRP, while higher animal and total protein were positively associated with CRP in people with no multimorbidity. Specifically, participants in the highest quartile of dietary fibre had CRP levels that were 0.42 mg/L lower compared with the lowest quartiles. In contrast, those with the highest total protein and animal protein intakes had CRP levels that were 0.24 mg/L and 0.40 mg/L higher, respectively. In people with multimorbidity, fibre exhibited an inverted U-shaped association with the strongest association in participants in the highest quintile of intake. Vegetable protein had an inverse association with CRP. Animal and total protein had strong positive linear associations with CRP. Notably, high animal protein coupled with low dietary fibre intake resulted in CRP levels that were 0.65 mg/L higher compared with low animal protein and high dietary fibre intake. Conclusions: Higher fibre and vegetable protein intakes were associated with lower inflammation in older adults. In promoting protein intake to maintain muscle mass and function, future studies should investigate replacing animal with vegetable protein to concomitantly reduce age-related inflammation
High-intensity interval training improves cardiovascular fitness and induces left-ventricular hypertrophy during off-season /
No full textBackground: Well-designed endurance training leads to improved cardiovascular fitness and sports performance in prolonged exercise tasks, with the adaptations depending on multiple factors, including the training modality and the population in question. It is still disputable how the type of training affects myocardial remodeling, and the information on myocardial remodeling by high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is particularly scarce. Methods: The current study investigated changes in cardiac structure after volume-progressive HIIT in running mode. As part of their conditioning program, amateur athletes (mean ± SD age of 18.2 ± 1.0 years) exclusively conducted HIIT in a volume-progressive fashion over 7 weeks (a total of 21 sessions). Peak oxygen uptake as well as 200 m and 2000 m running performance were measured, and transthoracic two-dimensional echocardiography was conducted before and after the intervention. Results: Training improved running performance, increased the peak oxygen uptake and left atrium diameter (from 32.0 ± 2.5 to 33.5 ± 2.3 mm; p = 0.01), and induced ~11% thickening of the left-ventricular posterior wall (7.5 ± 0.7 to 8.2 ± 0.4 mm; p = 0.01) and interventricular septum (7.6 ± 0.7 to 8.6 ± 0.9 mm; p = 0.02), but not the dilation of left-ventricular, right-ventricular, or right atrium chambers. Conclusions: HIIT of just 127 km of running per 8.5 h during 7 weeks was sufficient to improve aerobic capacity and running performance, and induce left-ventricular wall hypertrophy and left atrium dilation, in young healthy athletes
Evaluation of the perspectives of organizing leisure services: the viewpoint of users of Alytus "Leisure centre".
No full textResearch problem: unvalued perspectives of leisure service organization, from the point of view of Alytus “Leisure Centre” users. The constantly changing market, the development of innovations and technological breakthroughs require leisure service organizations to adapt to the changing environment and consumer habits. The transformation of libraries into leisure centres is a emerging trend, so the perspectives of these organizations’ services are closely related to the user‘s evaluation of leisure services. The user is the main priority of any organization providing leisure services, so the viewpoint of Alytus “Leisure Centre” users has a significant impact on the adaptation of innovations and changes in the organization of leisure services of this organization. The purpose of the work: to assess the perspectives for organizing leisure services from the viewpoint of users of the Alytus "Leisure Centre". Work tasks: 1. To reveal theoretical concepts of the organization and perspectives of leisure services; 2. To present the characteristics of a leisure service user from a theoretical perspective; 3. To discuss the leisure organization services of the Alytus Leisure Centre"; 4. To analyze the organization of leisure services at the Alytus "Leisure Centre" from the viewpoint of users and to prepare perscpective‘s guidelines. Research methods: analysis of scientific literature, questionnaire survey, analysis of statistical data. The nature of the research is quantitative. The questionnaire consists of 4 parts: assessment of the organization of leisure services, the need for innovations and changes in the organization of leisure services, perspectives of innovations and needs in leisure services, and demographic questions. The most important results of the study: users of the Alytus "Leisure Centre“ express a need for a wide range of leisure services. The most important perspective of leisure organization services of Alytus "Leisure Centre" is the transformation from a "book house" into an organization organizing cultural and entertainment leisure services, educating the public and mobilizing the community. The organization must respond to changes in market and user needs, apply innovations, improve user experience, ensure appropriate infrastructure, effectively use its resources, maintain a balance between modernity and traditions, and promote local community gatherings
A standard operating procedure for the evaluation of vertical jumps performance through surface electromyography assessment: A scoping review /
No full textIntroduction The Countermovement Jump (CMJ) and the Squat Jump (SJ) are widely adopted tests to assess muscle strength and power. Neuromuscular data of the jump performance could be provided by surface Electromyography (EMG). While from a biomechanical and technical point of view, there are articles that support the two vertical jumps, less is published regarding surface EMG and the jumps. The objective of the present study was to review the literature to better understand the protocols adopted for a surface EMG evaluation during the CMJ and the SJ and eventually to propose a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP). A SOP could be a useful tool to better understand, compare, and interpret the findings. Methods A scoping review was performed. Data were collected on PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus till 20th December 2024. The articles were screened against the eligibility criteria and narratively discussed. Results A total of 54 articles met the eligibility criteria. The articles present important differences in the methodology and the procedures followed. Differences were also detected in the hardware and the data analysis. From the common information of the articles, a SOP was proposed. Conclusions Different methodologies were adopted to evaluate neuromuscular function during the CMJ and the SJ tests. This makes difficult to compare the data. A SOP was proposed with information and guidelines related to muscles, hardware, and data processing. In this way, future studies could follow similar protocols increasing the possibility to compare the findings
Changes in aerobic capacity to prepubertal children in sports 12-month training period /
No full textIntroduction: This study was long-term and lasted for one year. The study aims to determine whether there is a change in aerobic capacity indicators for prepubertal children when playing football. Methods: There were two groups of subjects: children of prepubertal age who trained in football and those who did not attend football. There were 16 participants in the FG (football-trained group) and 15 in the CG (control group) who attended no football lessons. An incremental treadmill test was performed three times with a half-year break to determine the following peak variables: oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, and minute ventilation. Results: After one year of training, the VO2 peak at FG increased from 51.81 ± 6.55 ml/kg/min. to 53.11 ± 5.27 ml/kg/min. (p = 0.0412), stroke volume at FG increased from 41.3 ml/min to 46.4 ml/min. (p = 0.0012), cardiac output (Q) also increased from 8.15 l/min to 9.44 l/min. At stage II and 10.2 l/min at stage III (p = 0.0143) at FG. Conclusions: After one year of football training at FG-related VO2, RR (-respiratory rate), and Q also shifted, SV (-stroke volume) also increased significantly, while at UG, results were the opposite- only a few parameters, such as HR, increased significantly, while the others did not
Exploring digital competence’s impact on faculty well-being through SEM-SVM analysis /
No full textThis research aims to explore the impact of digital teaching competence on faculty career well-being, teacher self-efficacy, and the moderating role of pedagogical content knowledge within the context of colleges in Pakistan. A quantitative approach was adopted, involving 266 faculty members from various academic programs in colleges across Pakistan. Data were collected through an online survey using validated scales adapted from prior research. The study used partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the relationships between constructs. Support vector machine (SVM) analysis was conducted using JASP software to enhance predictive accuracy and identify the importance of key features in the dataset. The results confirm that digital teaching competence significantly impacts faculty career well-being and teacher self-efficacy. Teacher self-efficacy mediated the relationship between digital teaching competence and faculty career well-being, providing deeper insights into this linkage. Furthermore, pedagogical content knowledge moderated the effect of digital teaching competence on faculty career well-being, emphasizing its critical role. The inclusion of SVM analysis revealed the significance of variables such as psychological factors and AI exposure in influencing predictive performance, further validating the robustness of the findings. This study contributes to the existing literature by demonstrating the critical role of digital teaching competencies in enhancing faculty members’ well-being and effectiveness. It underscores the need for targeted professional development programs that integrate technology and pedagogy, ultimately fostering a more supportive educational environment for faculty and improving overall teaching quality
Age-related cardiovascular responses to intermittent back muscle and bicycle ergometer exercise in healthy adults /
No full textBackground and Objectives: Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Regular physical activity (PA) represents a key modifiable factor in CVD prevention. Methods: Fifty-two healthy adult males participated in this study, divided into two groups: aged up to 45 years and over 45 years. The subjects performed a bicycle ergometer exercise and a standardised back muscle workload protocol. ECG, arterial blood pressure (ABP), and muscle oxygen saturation (StO2) measurements were obtained during workload and recovery. Results: During bicycle ergometer workload, heart rate (HR) at minute 2 was significantly lower in participants over 45 years of age compared to the younger group (126.8–109.8 bpm), while diastolic blood pressure (dBP) was significantly lower in the under-45 group during maximal workload (65.4–71.9 mmHg) and the first minute of recovery (54.6–69.3 mmHg). During workload for back muscles, the over-45 group showed significantly lower dBP at the third rest period (87–74.7 mmHg), while StO2 was significantly lower in the over-45 group compared to the under-45 group (54.4–77.8%). Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that both bicycle ergometer exercise and standardised back muscle workload had a significant influence on cardiovascular system (CVS) responses, particularly when stratified by age. Participants over the age of 45 exhibited a higher incidence of functional myocardial ischaemia, reduced StO2 and more pronounced increases in HR during and following exertion
Online physical education: a mixed-methods study of the health perceptions and professional effectiveness of physical education teachers /
No full textThe professional efficacy and health perceptions of physical education (PE) teachers, along with school characteristics, significantly impact their ability to navigate remote teaching challenges, maintain student engagement, and deliver inclusive, effective instruction. Remote teaching has become a widespread instructional method, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, but it also presents unique challenges for PE educators, requiring specialized pedagogical strategies and technological adaptation. This study aims to evaluate the professional efficacy, health perceptions, and pedagogical approaches of PE teachers in the context of remote teaching. Employing an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design, we conducted a cross-sectional web survey (N = 757) followed by in-depth interviews (N = 15). Participants were selected from a list provided by the Israeli Ministry of Education, with inclusion criteria requiring at least one year of PE teaching experience. Quantitative data analysis included chi-square tests, t-tests, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses, while qualitative data were analyzed using conventional content analysis to identify emergent themes. Our analysis reveals that female with higher levels of education, research skills, and advanced knowledge in teaching technologies exhibit significantly greater teaching professional efficacy in remote settings. These findings suggest that educational institutions should develop tailored training programs that account for gender and educational differences, thereby equipping PE teachers with the necessary skills to excel in remote teaching environments. This proactive approach will better prepare PE educators to navigate future challenges in the ever-evolving landscape of education
Psichinio nuovargio poveikis greičio ir tikslumo judesiams.
No full textResearch problem: Mental fatigue's impact on cognitive abilities and thinking skills has been widely studied, but its effect on physical performance has not been thoroughly determined. The main problem is: "How does mental exertion affect physical performance, particularly speed-accuracy movement?" Research aim: To evaluate the effect of two hours of cognitive work on the control of speed-accuracy movements. Research objectives: 1) To determine the effect of mental fatigue on the control of both stable and variable speed-accuracy movements; 2) To assess changes in physiological parameters before and after fatigue; 3) To compare the control of stable and variable speed-accuracy movements before and after fatigue between the control and experimental groups. Methods: The study involved 11 healthy participants aged 18–35 years, randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 6), which completed a 2-hour Go/No-Go task to induce cognitive fatigue, or a control group (n = 5), which engaged in neutral activities during the same period. All participants were assessed both before and after the intervention. Motor control was evaluated using the DPA-1 movement analyzer. To complement behavioral data, pupil diameter was measured while participants performed the motor tasks, both pre- and post-intervention. Pupil size was recorded using a dedicated eye-tracking camera (Gazepoint GP3HD V2, Vancouver, Canada) to capture physiological markers of mental fatigue). Results: Motor performance remained stable following the cognitive fatigue intervention. In the experimental group, no statistically significant changes were observed across key motor parameters, including reaction time, time to target, average speed, maximal speed, time to maximal speed, and distance travelled (p > 0.05). A non-significant trend toward reduced distance travelled was noted (p = 0.068), suggesting a possible fatigue-related effect. In the control group, a significant increase in average speed was observed after rest (p = 0.033), while all other motor outcomes remained unchanged (p > 0.05). Pupil diameter measurements, recorded during motor task performance, revealed no significant changes in either group. The experimental group showed stable pupil size (p = 0.93), while the control group demonstrated a non-significant reduction following rest (p = 0.087). Conclusions: 1. Two hours of cognitive fatigue did not impair performance in a stable motor task. Participants who completed a two-hour cognitive task maintained consistent performance in a standardized, stable motor task. Measures such as reaction time, movement speed, accuracy, and distance remained unchanged, indicating that familiar and well-practiced motor actions are resistant to the effects of short-term cognitive fatigue. 2. Two hours of cognitive work did not significantly affect most parameters in a variable motor task, but showed a potential impact on movement precision. Reaction time, speed, and timing-related measures remained stable after sustained cognitive effort. However, a trend toward reduced total distance traveled was observed in the experimental group, which may reflect early signs of declining precision or movement output under cognitive fatigue, even when overall control is maintained. 3. Pupil diameter remained stable and did not reflect cognitive fatigue. No significant changes in pupil size were observed in either group before or after the intervention