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Qualitative investigation of athletes’ perceptions of cheating in sport
Get PDFBackground. The aim of the present study was to give voice to elite athletes exploring their perceptions of cheating in sport.Methods. Utilizing a purposeful sampling technique, 11 athletes were interviewed – one woman and 10 men from football (F, n = 6), rugby league (R, n = 2), and three from athletics (A). Athletes’ perceptions related to cheating in sport were explored by individual semi-structured interviews. Interpretive thematic data analysis was conducted in several stages, beginning with the exploration of the recorded materials. Credibility of the results was established by member checking. For data transferability and repeatability, we described the process of data collection, processing and analysis in detail.Results. Analysis of interview data allows to distinguish the following broad themes: the perceived forms of cheating in sport, causes of cheating, initiators of cheating, and ath-letes’ views on the evaluation of cheating, and as a separate theme – athletes’ insights on cheating in children’s sport.Conclusions. The findings offer insights of adult athletes on cheating in sport. Athletes are aware of the prevalence of cheating in all sports, emphasizing that it is an illegal phenomenon and associate it with the potential financial benefits, corruption, match fixing, and the use of doing. The study highlights financial insecurity of athletes as a reason for cheating. When evaluating cheating, athletes are not categorical or tend to cheat themselves, but they would justify it more if it helped a team. As to cheating in children’s sport, adult athletes noted the role of a coach and especially the parents in cheating in order to gain an advantage for their child. Also, the focus on the protective factor of children against cheating was emphasized. Keywords: cheating, athletes’ perceptions, adult sport, children sport
Emotional Intelligence and Stress Coping Strategies Among Students of Physical Education and Sport Study Programs
Get PDFBackground. Studies of various scholars confirm the relation between the application of stress coping strategies and emotional intelligence, but there is a lack of research about the relationship between individual coping strategies and emotional intelligence levels among the first- and the fourth-year students. The aim of the research was to reveal peculiarities of emotional intelligence and stress coping strategies of undergraduate students of physical education and sport study programs.Methods. The Shutte Self-Assessment Questionnaire was used to measure the level of emotional intelligence of the participants (Schutte & Malouff, 1999). The questionnaire composed by Grakauskas and Valickas (2006) was used to identify the stress coping strategies. It consists of four factors: social support factor, problem-solving factor, emotional discharge factor and avoidance factor. The research was based on the following ethical principles: confidentiality, anonymity, impartiality and privacy. The first- and the fourth-year students of the Lithuanian Sports University and Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, Physical Education and Sports Programs were surveyed. The research sample consisted of 123 participants. Male participants comprised 66.7% of the sample, and the female participants comprised 33.3%. of the sample. The first-year undergraduates made up 57.7% of the sample, and the fourth-year undergraduates made up 42.3% of the sample.Results. Analyzing the data on the stress coping strategies according to the participants studying experience, it was found that the fourth-year students used the social support strategy more frequently in comparison with the first-year students. In addition, the fourth-year students applied emotional discharge and avoidance strategies more often than the first-year students. Comparing stress coping strategies and emotional intelligence according to the gender of participants, no statistically significant differences were found. There was a statistically significant relationship between the stress coping strategy and the ability to evaluate and express one’s emotions.Conclusions. Comparing emotional intelligence of the first- and the fourth-year students of physical education and sports study programs, no statistically significant differences were found. Comparison of stress coping strategies applied by the first- and the fourth-year students of physical education and sports degree programs revealed that the fourth-year students tended to use social support, emotional discharge and avoidance strategies more frequently than the first-year students. Comparison of stress coping strategies and emotional intelligence according to gender did not show any statistically significant differences. However, there was a statistically significant relationship between stress coping strategies and emotional intelligence, though it was a weak, but significant difference between emotional intelligence components such as the ability to express and manage emotions and problem-solving focused stress coping strategy.Keywords: stress, stress management strategies, emotional intelligence
Sėdimą darbą dirbančių moterų kaklo ir pečių komplekso skausmo intensyvumo, raumenų jėgos ir judesių amplitudės kaita taikant raumenų tempimo ir stiprinimo pratimus
Get PDFResearch background. During the rapid development of science and technology in the world, number of people suffering from pain in the neck-shoulder complex is increasing. Musculoskeletal disorders are influenced by non-ergonomic adaptation of the workplace, rapid decline in physical activity and other factors. The research aim was to evaluate the effect of stretching and strengthening exercises on work related neck/shoulder pain, muscle strength, range of motion in female blue-collar workers. Methods. The study involved 16 participants with neck-shoulders complex pain. The women were aged between 35–55 years. Participants rated their worst neck-shoulder pain during the previous week on a numerical rating scale from 0 to 10. Participants’ active range of motion of neck and humerus movements were measured with a goniometer, latent trigger point pain thresholds was measured with an algometer and muscle strength of upper trapezius, scalenus and sternocleidomastoideus muscles was evaluated with a dynamometer. The frst group (stretching exercise group) consisted of 9 participants, the second group (strengthening exercise group) – of 7 participants. Results. After 5 weeks stretching and strengthening exercise programs, the changes were statistically signifcant in both groups. Comparing pain intensity and muscle strength between groups, statistically signifcant changes were found in muscle strengthening group. Statistically signifcant latent trigger point pain threshold and range of motion changes were found in both groups (p < 0.05). Before the study, differences were found between the groups that could have had an effect on the results. Conclusion. Muscle strengthening exercises are more effective for blue – collar workers reducing muscular pain, increasing muscle strength and functional ability. Muscle strengthening exercise had a greater influence of pain intensity and muscle strength then stretching exercises.Keywords: neck-shoulder pain, stretching exercise, strengthening exercise.Tyrimo pagrindimas. Spartaus mokslo ir technologijų pasaulio vystymosi laikais pastebimas didėjantis skaičius asmenų, besiskundžiančių kaklo ir pečių komplekso skausmais. Griaučių ir raumenų sistemos pažaidai įtakos turi neergonomiškas darbo vietos pritaikymas, sparčiai mažėjantis žmonių fizinis aktyvumas ir kiti veiksniai. Kyla klausimas, kuri reabilitacijos programa leistų efektyviau kovoti su jau esamu kaklo ir pečių komplekso skausmu. Tyrimo tikslas – nustatyti tempimo ir raumenų stiprinimo pratimų įtaką moterų kaklo ir pečių komplekso skausmo intensyvumo, raumenų jėgos bei judesių amplitudės kaitai. Metodai. Tiriamųjų (n = 16) subjektyvus kaklo ir pečių komplekso skausmas vertintas remiantis Vizualiąja analogijų (VAS) skale, goniometru matuoti aktyvūs viršutinės kūno dalies judesiai. Raumenų latentinių trigerinių taškų skausmo slenksčiai matuoti algometru, raumenų jėga vertinta dinamometru viršutiniame trapeciniame, laiptiniuose ir galvos sukamajame raumenyje. Tiriamosios atsitiktinės atrankos būdu buvo suskirstytos į dvi grupes: raumenų tempimo (n = 9) ir raumenų stiprinimo pratimų (n = 7). Rezultatai. Po 5 savaičių raumenų stiprinimo ir raumenų tempimo pratimų programų visi vertinti rodikliai statistiškai reikšmingai pagerėjo abiejose grupėse. Po taikytų pratimų programų, lyginant rezultatus tarp grupių, nustatyta, kad raumenų stiprinimo pratimai turėjo didesnės įtakos subjektyvaus skausmo intensyvumui ir raumenų jėgai, nei raumenų tempimo pratimai. Statistiškai reikšmingų latentinių trigerinių taškų skausmo slenksčių ir judesių amplitudžių pokyčiai nustatyti abiejose grupėse (p < 0,05). Prieš tyrimą buvo aptikta skirtumų tarp grupių, kurie, manoma, galėjo turėti įtakos rezultatams. Išvados. Raumenų stiprinimo pratimai yra efektyvesnė priemonė sėdimą darbą dirbančių moterų raumenų skausmui mažinti, raumenų jėgai ir funkciniam pajėgumui gerinti. Raumenų stiprinimo pratimai turėjo didesnę įtaką visų vertintų rodiklių kaitai, nei tempimo pratimai. Raktažodžiai: kaklo ir pečių skausmas, tempimo pratimai, stiprinimo pratimai
Political Economy Theories in the Context of Defence Industry
Get PDFObject of the analysis. Increasing defence expenditures bring back a discussion weather the national defence industry is necessary to sustain economic welfare of a country, boosts innovations and enhances own military sector. Investigation problem. The use of political economy theories in that case could facilitate further research steps and guide scientists that will look for a precise answer to this issue. The aim of this manuscript is to review political economy theories that can be used in defining defence industry as such, and consider practical applicability options of different methodological approaches in the context of defence industry. To reach this aim, following objectives were designed: 1. Describe political economy phenomena and define its evolution; 2. Evaluate traditions of political economy and define their practical significance; 3. Assess methods used in actual analysis of defence industry and define the main findings. Research methods. While writing this article, the comparative literature analysis method was used. The famous scientists such as R. Abdelal, C., Adam, S. Dercon, G. Agostino, J. P. Dunne, L. Pieroni, M. Blyth, G. Browning, A. Kilmister, J. P. Dunne, E. Skons, D. Braddon, A. Gilpin, A. Goldstein, R. Jacson, G. Sorensen, S. Jevons, R. O. Keohane, C. W. Mitchell, I. D. Salavrakos, A. Sen and R. M. Smith were cited and referenced. All used literature is referenced. This article is structured into two big parts. The first part is devoted to the analysis of political economy subject itself and its approaches towards empirical research. The second part is designed to reveal possible application options of different theoretical political economy approaches in the context of defence industry. Outcomes and conclusions. In the context of current analysis of different political economy theories, different approaches on methodology, analytical side, linkage with defence industry, defence spending and possible insights about investigation possibilities the following conclusions were found: Political economy that originated in the XVII–XVIIIth century and currently is adopting different theoretical approaches in most cases is still relying on “grand” theories such as realism (mercantilism), liberalism, and Marxism. The existing variety of research methodologies and tools suggests the “correct” way to examine features of situation based on selected theory. Researches should be aware that even a proper methodology does not guaranty the reliability of research results due to the complexity of political economy subject itself and its interdependency to both political and economic science features. There are different scholars explaining trends and proposing different theoretical approaches to analyse defence sector and its connections (influence) with state. Current dynamics of defence industry led to renewed debates over whether the increase of the military expenditure enhances or deteriorates economic growth and welfare of the state. There have been numerous studies done in defining military expenditure (also research and development programs in the military sector) impact on local and state economies. Regardless of different methodologies used (econometric analyses, macro econometric models, time series models, demand side model, supply side model, cross-country correlation analyses and historical case study) there was no strong evidence that military expenditure is likely to have the negative economic effects on states. Keywords: political economy, defence industry, military expenditure, defence.Object of the analysis. Increasing defence expenditures bring back a discussion weather the national defence industry is necessary to sustain economic welfare of a country, boosts innovations and enhances own military sector. Investigation problem. The use of political economy theories in that case could facilitate further research steps and guide scientists that will look for a precise answer to this issue. The aim of this manuscript is to review political economy theories that can be used in defining defence industry as such, and consider practical applicability options of different methodological approaches in the context of defence industry. To reach this aim, following objectives were designed: 1. Describe political economy phenomena and define its evolution; 2. Evaluate traditions of political economy and define their practical significance; 3. Assess methods used in actual analysis of defence industry and define the main findings. Research methods. While writing this article, the comparative literature analysis method was used. The famous scientists such as R. Abdelal, C., Adam, S. Dercon, G. Agostino, J. P. Dunne, L. Pieroni, M. Blyth, G. Browning, A. Kilmister, J. P. Dunne, E. Skons, D. Braddon, A. Gilpin, A. Goldstein, R. Jacson, G. Sorensen, S. Jevons, R. O. Keohane, C. W. Mitchell, I. D. Salavrakos, A. Sen and R. M. Smith were cited and referenced. All used literature is referenced. This article is structured into two big parts. The first part is devoted to the analysis of political economy subject itself and its approaches towards empirical research. The second part is designed to reveal possible application options of different theoretical political economy approaches in the context of defence industry. Outcomes and conclusions. In the context of current analysis of different political economy theories, different approaches on methodology, analytical side, linkage with defence industry, defence spending and possible insights about investigation possibilities the following conclusions were found: Political economy that originated in the XVII–XVIIIth century and currently is adopting different theoretical approaches in most cases is still relying on “grand” theories such as realism (mercantilism), liberalism, and Marxism. The existing variety of research methodologies and tools suggests the “correct” way to examine features of situation based on selected theory. Researches should be aware that even a proper methodology does not guaranty the reliability of research results due to the complexity of political economy subject itself and its interdependency to both political and economic science features. There are different scholars explaining trends and proposing different theoretical approaches to analyse defence sector and its connections (influence) with state. Current dynamics of defence industry led to renewed debates over whether the increase of the military expenditure enhances or deteriorates economic growth and welfare of the state. There have been numerous studies done in defining military expenditure (also research and development programs in the military sector) impact on local and state economies. Regardless of different methodologies used (econometric analyses, macro econometric models, time series models, demand side model, supply side model, cross-country correlation analyses and historical case study) there was no strong evidence that military expenditure is likely to have the negative economic effects on states. Keywords: political economy, defence industry, military expenditure, defence
Kineziterapijos vandenyje asistuojant delfinams poveikis asmens, patyrusio hemoraginį galvos smegenų insultą, motoriniams įgūdžiams (atvejo analizė)
Get PDFBackground. Stroke is one of the leading causes of morbidity, mortality and long-term disability worldwide. In terms of innovative technologies which help to recover from stroke one of the newest and least researched methods is physiotherapy in the water assisted by dolphins. Such an innovative case study was conducted in Lithuania. A great variety of scientifc literature on animal assisted therapies and interventions can be found worldwide, however, concerning research on human-animal interaction mechanisms a scientifc gap is still existing as presented in various journals of different felds (Beetz et al., 2012). The aim of the study was to determine the effectiveness of healing exercises in the water assisted by dolphins for motor skills of patients with haemorrhagic stroke. Methods. The study was carried out at the Dolphin Therapy Centre of the Lithuanian Sea Museum. The study lasted two weeks. The sample was a man diagnosed with a haemorrhagic stroke. The research data was collected on motor skills in the water, leg muscle strength, coordination, balance and gait. The patient participated in ten therapeutic activities in the water, assisted by dolphins (length of one activity – 30 minutes). The physiotherapist working with the patient applied balance and coordination exercises in the water. The status of the patient was evaluated four times: before activities with dolphins, after fve activities with dolphins, after ten activities with dolphins, and follow up in three weeks after ending the activities with dolphins. Results. The muscle strength of legs increased signifcantly in the foot group and slightly in the lower limb muscle group. The greatest result in balance was registered after ten therapeutic activities with dolphins in the water. The greatest improvement in coordination and walking occurred later. Assessing motor skills in the water, a signifcant positive change in equilibrium was observed. Conclusions. The results of the study showed that physiotherapy exercises in the water assisted by dolphins might help to achieve improvements in motor skills.Keywords: haemorrhagic stroke, motor skills in the water, balance, gait, therapeutic activities for assisting dolphins, physiotherapy in water.Tyrimo pagrindimas. Galvos smegenų insultas yra viena iš pagrindinių sergamumo, mirtingumo ir ilgalaikės negalios priežasčių visame pasaulyje. Kalbant apie inovatyvias technologijas, kurios padeda atsigavimui po galvos smegenų insulto, vienas iš naujausių ir mažiausiai ištirtų metodų yra kineziterapija vandenyje asistuojant delfnams. Naudojant šią metodiką, tyrimas Lietuvoje atliktas pirmą kartą. Nemažai mokslinės literatūros gyvūnų terapijos tema, bet tyrimų, kurių metu būtų tiriami žmogaus ir gyvūno tarpusavio sąveikos mechanizmai, dar trūksta arba jie pateikiami skirtinguose žurnaluose ar skirtingų mokslo sričių literatūroje. Tikslas – įvertinti kineziterapijos vandenyje asistuojant delfnams poveikį asmens, patyrusio hemoraginį galvos smegenų insultą, motoriniams įgūdžiams. Metodai. Tyrimas atliktas Lietuvos jūrų muziejaus Delfnų terapijos centre. Tyrimas truko dvi savaites. Buvo tiriamas vyras, kuriam diagnozuotas hemoraginis galvos smegenų insultas. Vertinami motoriniai įgūdžiai vandenyje, pažeistos kojos raumenų jėga, koordinacija, pusiausvyra ir eisena. Ligoniui buvo skirta 10 terapinių užsiėmimų vandenyje asistuojant delfnams (vieno trukmė – 30 min). Jų metu taikomi gydomieji pusiausvyros ir koordinacijos pratimai vandenyje. Įvertinimai atlikti keturis kartus: prieš užsiėmimus, po penkių, po dešimties užsiėmimų ir atokiuoju periodu (praėjus trims savaitėms po užsiėmimų). Rezultatai. Pažeistos kojos raumenų jėga akivaizdžiai padidėjo pėdos tiesiamųjų raumenų, nedaug – blauzdos lenkiamųjų raumenų grupėje. Didžiausias pusiausvyros pagerėjimas – po visų terapinių užsiėmimų vandenyje. Didžiausias koordinacijos ir eisenos pagerėjimas – atokiuoju periodu. Vertinant motorinius įgūdžius vandenyje, pastebimas akivaizdus pusiausvyros išlaikymas vandenyje. Išvados. Tyrimo rezultatai rodo, kad asmenims, sergantiems hemoraginiu galvos smegenų insultu, kineziterapija vandenyje asistuojant delfnams padeda pasiekti geresnių rezultatų norint pagerinti motorinius įgūdžius.Raktažodžiai: hemoraginis insultas, motoriniai įgūdžiai vandenyje, pusiausvyra, eisena, terapiniai užsiėmimai asistuojant delfnams, kineziterapija vandenyje
Judesių stebėjimo terapija pagerina vyresniojo amžiaus žmonių eiseną, bet neveikia pusiausvyros
Get PDF Research background. Action observation therapy has been successfully applied in treatment of gait and balance problems in neurological patients, however its effects on gait and balance in older adults remains equivocal. Research aim. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of action observation therapy on gait and balance in older adults. Research methods. The study included 20 older adults. They were randomly assigned to control (usual physiotherapy plus nature recordings observation) and intervention (usual physiotherapy plus action recordings observation) groups. The interventions consisted of a 60-min program fve times a week, for 8 weeks. Gait and balance were evaluated before and after interventions. Research results. Both interventions signifcantly improved (p < 0.05) gait and balance. Greater gait improvement (p < 0.05) was observed after usual therapy plus action recordings observation compared with usual therapy plus nature recordings observation, whereas no differences in intervention effects on balance were observed. Conclusions. Action observation therapy can be used as an effective intervention to improve gait in older adults, whereas it has no effect on balance.Keywords: action observation, motor function, elderly, mirror neurons.Tyrimo pagrindimas. Įvairiomis neurologinėmis ligomis sergančių žmonių tyrimai parodė, kad judesio stebėjimo terapija gali būti taikoma lavinant eiseiną ir pusiausvyrą, tačiau judesio stebėjimo terapijos poveikis vyresniojo amžiaus žmonių pusiausvyrai ir eisenai išlieka neaiškus. Tikslas – nustatyti judesių stebėjimo terapijos poveikį vyresniojo amžiaus žmonių eisenai ir pusiausvyrai. Metodai. Buvo tiriama 20 vyresniojo amžiaus žmonių, kurie suskirstyti į kontrolinę (taikyta įprastinė kineziterapija ir gamtos vaizdų stebėjimas) ir tiriamąją (taikyta įprastinė kineziterapija ir judesių stebėjimas) grupes. Abiejų grupių užsiemimai vyko 8 savaites, 5 kartus per savaitę, užsiėmimo trukmė – 60 minučių. Prieš intervencijas ir po jų buvo vertinama eisena ir pusiausvyra. Rezultatai. Pusiausvyra ir eisena reikšmingai pagerėjo (p < 0,05) abiejose grupėse. Po intervencijų įprastinė kineziterapija stebint judesius labiau pagerino (p < 0,05) eiseną, nei įprastinė kineziterapija stebint gamtos vaizdus, o pusiausvyros skirtumų tarp grupių nenustatėme. Išvados. Judesių stebėjimo terapija gali būti naudojama kaip efektyvi priemonė, gerinanti vyresniojo amžiaus žmonių eiseną, bet ji neveikia pusiausvyros.Raktažodžiai: judesių stebėjimas, motorinė funkcija, senyvas amžius, veidrodiniai neuronai
Naktinėse pamainose dirbančių slaugytojų su sveikata susijusi gyvenimo kokybė
Get PDFResearch justifcation. Physical and mental fatigue and emotional exhaustion experienced by night nurses are key factors affecting their health and quality of life. Sleeplessness not only increases the risk of various diseases, but also leads to an exacerbation of chronic diseases. The goal of research was to analyse the health-related quality of life of nurses working night shifts. The methods of research. Sixty night shift nurses were investigated. The 36-item Short Form Survey (SF-36) was used in the work. Statistical data was processed by using Microsoft Excel 2007 Spreadsheet and SPSS 17 for Windows. The survey was done in accordance with ethical principles. The results of research. Night nurses who used sleeping pills had low physical activity level; their duties were seriously restricted due to physical and emotional problems or physical pain. Moreover, they performed a lower social function and had worse health assessment in comparison with nurses who never or hardly ever took sedatives. The quality of life of night shift nurses was directly related to physical and psycho-emotional health. Physical activity was much better assessed by younger nurses than older ones, especially when comparing the 50–59-year-old nurses with other age groups; 30–39-year-old nurses were less restricted by pain; general health was evaluated better by 30–39-year-old nurses than the older ones. While evaluating the quality of life related to mental health, the radical difference was noticed in social function assessment based on the age of nurses, i.e. 30–39-year-old nurses assessed the social function better than the older ones. Conclusion. Physical and psycho-emotional health influences the quality of life of night shift nurses.Keywords: the quality of life, psycho-emotional health, physical health, sleep disorders, nursing.Tyrimo pagrindimas. Slaugytojų, dirbančių naktinėse pamainose patiriamas fzinis ir psichinis nuovargis bei emocinis išsekimas yra pagrindiniai veiksniai, darantys įtaką jų sveikatai ir gyvenimo kokybei. Sutrikęs miegas ne tik padidina įvairių ligų riziką, bet ir lemia lėtinių ligų paūmėjimą. Tikslas – išanalizuoti, slaugytojų, dirbančių naktinėse pamainose, su sveikata susijusią gyvenimo kokybę. Metodai. Buvo tiriama 60 slaugytojų, dirbančių naktinėse pamainose. Naudotas modifkuotas SF-36 klausimynas. Duomenys apdoroti naudojant „Microsoft Excel 2007“ skaičiuoklę ir statistinį paketą „SPSS 17 for Windows“. Tyrimas atliktas laikantis etikos principų. Rezultatai. Slaugytojų, dirbančių naktinėse pamainose ir vartojančių migdomuosius preparatus, fzinis aktyvumas buvo kur kas mažesnis, veikla labiau apribota dėl fzinių, emocinių problemų ir skausmo, prastesnė jų socialinė funkcija ir bendra sveikata nei tų, kurios niekada arba retai vartoja migdomuosius preparatus. Slaugytojų, dirbančių naktinėse pamainose, gyvenimo kokybė buvo susijusi su fzine ir psichoemocine sveikata. Fizinį aktyvumą kur kas geriau vertino jaunesnio amžiaus slaugytojos nei vyresnio, ypač lyginant 50–59 metų slaugytojas su kitomis amžiaus grupėmis. Mažiau apribotos dėl skausmo ir geriau vertinančios bendrąją sveikatą buvo 30–39 metų slaugytojos nei vyresnės. Vertinant gyvenimo kokybę, susijusią su psichine sveikata, nustatytas socialinės funkcijos vertinimo skirtumo priklausomumas nuo slaugytojų amžiaus: 30–39 metų slaugytojos socialinę funkciją vertino kur kas geriau nei vyresnės. Išvada. Slaugytojų darbas naktinėse pamainose turi įtakos fzinei, psichoemocinei sveikatai ir gyvenimo kokybei.Raktažodžiai: gyvenimo kokybė, psichoemocinė sveikata, fzinė sveikata, miego sutrikimai, slauga
Foreign Language Anxiety in University Learning: Self-Perceptions of Students Engaged in Sports
No full textBackground. Research aimed at the analysis of self-perceptions of students of foreign language anxiety in the classroom context in relation to its effect on foreign language acquisition. It focused on foreign language, as a skill needed for versatile education, which would lead to a successful career in sports or would aid in pursuing health enhancing leisure activities later in life.Methods. The qualitative approach of research was adopted in this study. Twenty subjects involved in the study programs as Sports Coaching at the Lithuanian Sports University and Medicine at the University of Health Sciences participated in the research. A semi-structured interview was conducted by the researchers based on 10 open-ended questions about foreign language anxiety.Results. Although the perceptions of students’ own English language competence were found to be an important source of anxiety for the interviewed students, most of the respondents perceive the necessity of trying to cope with stress and anxiety themselves. In addition, instructors appeared to be creating the feeling of relaxation rather than being the anxiety-provoking ones in the classroom.Conclusion. Awareness of the fact that FLA really exists and appears to be an obstacle for students’ academic achievement needs to be acknowledged. To address this issue, collaboration rather than competition must be implemented as a tool in classes for further advancement in learning. Therefore, these measures might help to reinforce self-esteem and achieve better results in the foreign language classroom and, thus, in the overall goal of studies in the student learning process
Gender Differences Related to Lifestyle Behaviour of University Students
Get PDFBackground. A healthy lifestyle is the one of the most relevant subjects in a modern society comprising three factors – healthy diet, sufficient physical activity, and absence of harmful habits (Strukčinskienė et al., 2014). It has been pointed out that healthy lifestyle behavioural patterns contribute to the prevention of diabetes mellitus type II, cardiovascular, and oncological diseases (Javtokas et al., 2014).Studies performed in different countries have discovered that students’ dietary habits do not correspond to the recommendations of the World Health Organization on healthy diet (Akhtar Zareen, & Sarmad, 2018; Česnavičienė, Proškuvienė, & Motiejūnaitė, 2015). In their study, Sigmundova, Chmelik, Sigmund, Feltlova, & Frömel (2013) found that the lowest level of physical activity was reached by only two thirds of students. The prevalence of harmful habits was also very high: more than half of students used tobacco during the last 12 months, and about 92% of students used alcohol over the last year (Dobrovolskij & Stukas, 2014).Literature review revealed that recently a number of studies analysing students’ lifestyle patterns were performed, however, there is still a lack of studies on lifestyle behaviour among the Lithuanian Sports University students.Methods. Questionnaires and statistical analysis.Results. The results showed that meat consumption was indicated by twice more males than females (p < .05). More males consumed ice cream, while yoghurt was preferred more frequently by females (p < .05). Fried potatoes were used more frequently by males (p < .05). With the respect to sedentary lifestyle, high intensity activity and moderate intensity activity, there were no differences between males and females, however, more females than males walked (p < .05). Beer consumption was more prevalent between males while wine consumption was more common between females (p < .05)
Lietuvos respublikos švietimo politikos įgyvendinimo kontūrų brėžties aspektas. Kauno rajono atvejis.
Get PDFResearch background. Education is one of the most important factors which determine society development. Moreover, it is continuously affected by the change of globalization. In Lithuania, during more than two decades, some positive changes took place in forming and carrying out education policy. However, some mistakes and drawbacks were not avoided, such as education segment nonconformity, globalization, changes and innovations ignorance, school’s bureaucratization, insufficiently and inefficiently distributed and controlled education funding, inefficient education strategies, the ignorance of innovations, globalization, etc. According to the most important documents of education policy in Lithuania, it has the priority and must determine general society development but still not achieved. The aim of the research. The purpose of the research is to analyse the realization system of education policy in Lithuania, also identify its main drawbacks and suggest recommendations to solve them as it is expedient to view and update the concept analysis of educational policy, taking more attention to the continuously changing spread contours of this conception. The research object is educational policy implementation in Lithuania. Methodology. The applied research methods were the analysis of theoretical literature, documents, law acts, interviewing the experts and comparative analysis. The research was carried out in March 2016 in Kaunas city and Kaunas district areas. The experts were chosen by the area of expertise and the location. There were six experts: two scientists, two representatives of the Kaunas district municipality and two experts of the administrational level. To ensure the confidentiality of these experts in this research, we used the method of data encryption: experts named “Expert A–F”. The main instrument was the interview guide which was made up to know experts’ opinions on each analysed area. The received data was systematized and presented in research areas as practical confirmation of the theoretical thesis. Results and conclusions. As a result, it was identified that the present realization system of education policy is not effective because of such reasons as the financing shortage in educational institutions, its inappropriate distribution, avoiding taking responsibility for mistakes and giving the incorrect information. Therefore, some problems in school bases, network, teaching staff and trainings are obvious. Moreover, it was offered to guide honest and clear principles, keeping sequence policy, defining problems more precisely, developing co-operation between institutions, reviewing students’ financing, taking into account the importance of school maintenance in small villages. The most important part is to distinguish the educational system as a priority in different areas. It should be guided by the implementation of political will.Keywords: educational policy, system, educational policy implementation.Svarbiausieji Lietuvos švietimo politikos dokumentai teigia, kad švietimas yra prioritetinė šalies sritis ir turi lemti bendrąją visuomenės raidą. Kol kas to nėra pasiekta. Kodėl? Taigi, tikslinga peržiūrėti ir aktualizuoti švietimo politikos sampratą, atkreipiant dėmesį į besikeičiančius šios sampratos erdvės kontūrus. Tyrimo tikslas –išanalizuoti Lietuvos Respublikos švietimo politikos įgyvendinimo sistemą, nustatyti esminius jos trūkumus ir pateikti rekomendacijas joms spręsti.Raktažodžiai: švietimo politika, sistema, švietimo politikos įgyvendinima