bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
MOST USED TAEKWONDO KICKING TECHNIQUES
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Mihaylov Dimitar , Petkov Iliya ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT In the recent years, taekwondo has become a global sport, gaining international reputation and prestige, establishing itself amongst the official sports of the Olympic Games. With the globalization of taekwondo worldwide, the increasingly demanding requirements for practicing athletes, coaches and judges are inevitable. The aim of our study is to determine the types of kicking techniques used in a taekwondo match, as well as their quantitative dimensions. Based on the videos from the Sofia Grand Prix 2019 in taekwondo, we established the number (3939) and the types (29) of kicks used in the matches of the -68 kg category for men. The preferred kicks of the competitors were identified, as well as the individual style of play of the winner of the category. The point efficiency of the surveyed athletes for all their matches was calculated (22.63%). The number of blows inflicted on average per match was determined (140.67), as well as the coefficient of intensity of inflicting kicks in each round (2.55). We used observation, video analysis, expert evaluation, and statistical processing. The results showed that the competitors mainly used their front leg to strike. This has a serious impact on the training methodology. The number of kicks executed in a match and respectively in a taekwondo championship can have significant impact on the training methodology, as well.
THE CORRELATIONS BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND MOTOR SKILLS AMONG FEMALE VOLLEYBALL PLAYERS AT AGE 11–13 YEARS OLD IN ALBANIA
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Muka Enkeleda , Antonova Vera ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Andonov Hristo ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT This study aims to identify a correlation between anthropometric characteristics and motor skills in female volleyball players aged 11–13. Methodology: The study examined the anthropometric characteristics and indicators of a special performance in volleyball of 20 volleyball players from Albania. Height, weight, BMI, and standing reach with one and both arms (blockade), indicators that are important for volleyball athletes, were measured when determining the anthropometric indicators. The special performance of volleyball players was determined by a test battery that included eight tests. The Pearson correlation coefficient (p-value) was used in the data calculation to find the relationship between the variables. Conclusions: The results obtained from statistical data processing through the Anova platform show no correlations between anthropometric parameters and the T-test. Otherwise, they show a significant relationship between speed endurance and height (r = -.47, p = .03) and between speed endurance and the standing reach test (r = -.48, p = .02). The results indicate that there are no significant correlations between height with blocking jump and running vertical jump (p more than .05), among standing reach with blocking jump and running vertical jump (p more than .05), and also among blockade with blocking jump and running vertical jump (p more than .05). It is noted that there is a significant relationship between BMI and vertical jump (r = -.5, p = .01) and also between some anthropometric parameters and medicine ball throwing (p less than .05).
BODY COMPOSITION ANALYSIS OF YOUTH FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Ivanov Danail , Dimova Iva ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Gadjev Milen ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Stoilov Ivan ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Football is the most popular game and is one of the most dynamically developing sport regarding training means, methods, and use of technologies. We are witnessing constant improvement of sport selection, increasing dynamics in both training process and speed of playing, etc. We find a lot of information regarding body composition of elite football players, but such information for adolescents is fragmentary. The aim of the following study is to reveal real data of youth football players using special equipment (In Body 270) measuring in total 13 indexes. Respondents are players from the youth academy of PCS “Levski” Sofia in U13, U14 and U15 teams. All data is subject to statistical and expert analysis. The total number of respondents is 57 divided by three age groups. The fundamental anthropometric indexes height and weight reveal logical increase as follows: average height increases from 159 cm (U13), 167 cm (U14) to reach 175 cm (U15). The corresponding average weight vary between 45,9 kg (U13) to 62,1 kg (U15). One of the easiest to measure index is BMI have average values for studied teams as follows: 17,9 (U13), 19,0 (U14) and 20,3 (U15). All other indexes as body fat, skeletal and muscle weight are analyzed in detail for the three age groups. Based on received data and the development of evaluation tables we can control objectively body composition of youth football players. This way we can improve sport selection and training process. All experimental data must be used applying the individual approach for assessing the anthropometric and sexual development of the player.
NEURO-MUSCULAR CONTROL OF GYAKO ZUKI FIGHTING TECHNIQUE AS A MEASURE OF SHOTOKAN KARATE ATHLETE’S SKILLS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Rusimova Galina , Zagorski Dimitar ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Specialization in terms of motor skills is perhaps one of the most decisive factors for solving sport-related methodological tasks and achieving victories in modern sports era. The aim of this study is through a detailed analysis of selected fighting technique (Gyako Zuki) to assess intermuscular coordination, mark specific deficiencies in execution, and thus-avoid training faults and prevent possible injuries occurring with a certain frequency in the upper extremities of Bulgarian Karate fighters. Methods and methodology of the study: For this purpose, a kinematic analysis was performed by video registration and subsequent image processing to measure kinematic parameters with a specialized program. A total of 29 Bulgarian Karate Shotokan athletes have taken part in our initial experiment. The results of our study presented important information for coaches and the practicing Karate Shotokan fighters about the emergence and consistency of muscle synergy contraction patterns while training. This we expect to be useful for a better understanding of available strategies in the execution management of the Karate punch Gyako Zuki and be further developed in the future as even more appropriate training protocols.
OBJECTIFICATION OF THE RELIABILITY AND STABILITY OF BALANCE ACROBATIC EXERCISES PERFORMING
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Angelov Vladimir , Hristov Oleg ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Introduction. The “reliability” and “stability” as terms are related to technical preparation in sports with a stable kinematic structure. According to the hypothesis of this study, the objectification of the reliability and stability of balance acrobatic exercises through biomechanical analysis will allow collecting information not only about the technique of the studied exercise, but also about the level of motor habit and psycho-physiological characteristics of the performer. This will help to improve the training methodology and increase the competitive realization of the athlete. Method. The research was carried out with the help of Bertec Force Plates that can be digitally integrated with the myo FORCE software module. The object of study is a basic individual acrobatic exercise – hand standing. It was performed by an athlete aged 22 years. 25 repetitions of the studied exercise were performed with an interval between them of 2-3 minutes. The subject of the study is biomechanical parameters in key positions such as linear, angular and velocity characteristics, Contact force (N), fluctuation of Gravity center, the dynamics of the positive, negative, and borderline attempts, and others. Results. The collected data were statistically processed. A comparative analysis of the studied attempts performed in one training session was performed. The study proved that 17 repetitions were positive, 6 negative, and 2 borderlines. In percentage, this ratio is 56: 32:12. A long series of 6 consecutive positive attempts was found in the second half of the experiment. Conclusion. Based on the data collected in this study, it can be concluded that the researched athlete achieves peak reliability and stability when performing an individual balance exercise with small difficulty after 10 repetitions. This finding can be taken into account when preparing the athlete to participate in a competition through adjustments in the special warm-up.
A STUDY COMPARISON FOR MOTOR ABILITIES FOR BOYS’ BASKETBALL PLAYERS U14 & U16 IN TIRANA
Authors:   Sports University of Tirana, Albania, Bilali Afrim ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dasheva Daniela ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Basketball is a dynamic game, and as such, it requires that players must develop their motor abilities, especially at young ages, when the attention should be higher. The aim of this study is to compare motor abilities performance in basketball at age groups U14 and U16. To obtain the objectives of this study, field test measurements was performed on 110 boys’ basketball players from 8 teams U14 and U16 randomly selected in Tirana city (Capital of Albania). In this study, 53 basketball players were in U14 age group, and 57 were in U16 age group. These measurements were done at respective motor abilities; anthropometric such as (body weight, height, and waist circumference), explosive power (long jump standing), flexibility (sit and reach test), speed (sprint 20m), agility (T-test and 10x5m), aerobic fitness (20m shuttle run test). Comparing data analysis between group ages shows that all motor abilities performance in the U16 age group had higher results (p less than .05) than U14, except flexibility, where no statistically significant difference was observed. At this point, two questions are raised for further analysis by researchers: whether such a difference is because of the biological differentiations among the two age groups or that coaches of U16 focus more on motor abilities development during their practices rather than at U14.
DIFFERENCES IN THE MOTOR ABILITIES AND ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUTH FOOTBALL AND BASKETBALL PLAYERS
Authors:   Faculty of Sport and Physical Education - University of Niš, Serbia, Antonievic Maša , Stankovivć Dušan ,   Faculty of Sport and Physical Education - University of Niš, Serbia, Velikovic Petar ,   Faculty of Sport and Physical Education - University of Niš, Serbia, Antonievic Sonja ,   Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Priština, Leposavić, Serbia, Đorđević Dusan ,   Faculty of Sport and Physical Education - University of Niš, Serbia, Đorđević Stefan ,   Faculty of Sport and Physical Education - University of Niš, Serbia
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Enhancing motor skills has a significant impact on athletes’ field performance. Both sports depend on a combination of highlevels of physical, technical, and tactical ability. Тhe aim of this study was to examine the differences in the motor abilities and anthropometric characteristics of the football and basketball players aged 13-15 years. Thirty-six participants were divided in two groups (football players, (n=18; height:1.71 ± 8.5m; body mass: 20.1± 2.2 kg; age: 14.7 ± 0.3 years) and basketball players, n=18; height: 1.69± 10.9; body mass 3.4 ±20.6; age:0.7 ±14.1) aged 13-15 years old. Conducted motor abilities were 10m and 20m sprint, agility t-test, countermovement jump (CMJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJa) and squat jump (SJ), while anthropometric characteristics were fat percentage, body mass index, muscle percentage, height, weight. Independent sample T-test revealed statistical significance only in fat percent-age (p=.003), muscle percentage (p=.002), agility (p=.000), and sprint (p=.000), while in the countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arm swing, squat jump, body mass index, height, and weight, there were no statistical significance. Athletes who play different sports have performed different results in agility test, speed test, fat percentage and muscle percentage. Football players achieved better results compared to basketball players, which is due to the character of the game, where players move within a wider space, as well as the different structure of the training process.
A STUDY OF THE PHYSICAL LOADS OF MIDWIVES IN THEIR WORK PROCESS WITH PATIENTS
Authors:   Medical University - Sofia, Bulgaria, Ivanov Vladimir
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Midwives belong to one of the largest groups of healthcare professionals working at multiple hospitals in Bulgaria. They are an essential part of the treatment and diagnostic process of recovery and healing among women with gynecological problems, pregnant women, women in and after labor, and newborns (Hadzhideleva, 2014). In their daily work, midwives face various situations requiring quick and precise responses and adequate professional behavior. This suggests the occurrence of numerous psychologically stressful situations as well as physical strain in the process of work. This survey aims to assess the volume of the physical strain of midwives while working with patients by measuring their heart rates, the number of steps, and the distance covered. The study was conducted by applying combined measurements, including indicators such as age, height, weight, heart rate, number of steps, and distance covered within a single workday of 15 midwives from three medical institutions who participated in the survey. In order to increase the precision of data measurements, HUAWEI - Watch Fit, Body Composition Fat Scale 3, and Polar products were used. The data analysis indicates that the average distance covered by a health worker in a single workday is 6.70 km and the maximum heart rate at the end of the workday reaches up to 159 bpm with an average of 106 bpm, which indicates that midwives are subjected to significant workloads that lead to excessive fatigue and stress. According to the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work, stress is the second most significant factor that causes health problems among health workers, and almost one in every four has been affected by this factor (OSHA, 2022) The conclusions that can be drawn are that the specifics of the midwives’ work entail multiple tasks and obligations and high intensity of physical load, which leads to excessive physical and emotional fatigue. In order to keep up the quality of work of health workers, it is necessary to take measures that aim to optimize the work process and improve the working conditions at medical institutions by observing recess times.
MENTAL TRAINING OF SAMBO ATHLETES THROUGH APPLICATION OF INSTRUMENTAL METHODS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Yancheva Mariya , Domuschieva-Rogleva Galina ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Georgiev Michail ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT A number of methods for mental training have been developed and approved in sports practice - progressive muscle relaxation, autogenic training, visualization, mental imagery, and different forms of meditation. In order to be mastered and efficiently used, however, they should be applied continuously and repeatedly. In recent years, the efforts of mental training specialists have been aimed at developing and implementing machine instrumentation methods, which prove to have more powerful effects and accelerate the processes of mental training. The basis of these methods is biofeedback. The aim of this study is to research the impact of cognitive training through machine instrumentation methods on significant for sports performance psychological factors. We used: Thoughtstream Stand-Alone System – a personal biofeedback training system, and Procyon Light and Sound Mind Machine - Full Spectrum Audio-Visual Synthesizer. The research was done among three groups (66 sambo athletes, 49 men, 17 women) with a mean age of 19,2 years (±4.2). Different machine instrumentation methods were applied to the two experimental groups. The first group undertook 10 sessions of a mixed program of 15-minute duration with Procyon Light and Sound Mind Machine. The second group undertook 8 mental training sessions with The Thought Stream Personal Biofeedback System. The third group used autogenous training as a relaxation method. Two measurements were made to evaluate the experiment results – before and after the impact. The indexes of sensorimotor coordination, time-movement anticipation, reaction test, and risk choice behavior were measured. The measurements were made with the help of the Vienna test system. The comparative analysis (Wilcoxon) establishes significant differences between the first and second testing in the two experimental groups regarding sensorimotor coordination, time anticipation, reaction test, and risk choice behavior. The obtained results from the research show that the apparatus methods for mental training are more efficient than the traditional ones, such as the autogenic training applied in the control group.
EMOTIONS, FEELINGS, AND EXPERIENCES IN A MULTICULTURAL CLASSROOM
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Georgiev Mihail , Vladova Ina ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT The Bulgarian educational system is multicultural – in terms of ethnicity, religion, and mother language. The common ethnic groups in the country are Roma, who are the most heterogeneous minority community, Bulgarian Turks, Pomaks, Jews, Vlachs, Armenians, and others. Roma students often have learning difficulties with various etiologies. In these populations, some students do not speak or have a poor command of the Bulgarian language, both in writing and sometimes in spoken language. However, these children and young people need to be educated. Roma students and their parents need active communication and cooperation in this regard. The report presents the results of a study of the emotions and feelings experienced by teachers when working with Roma students and non-Roma students, as well as the emotions and feelings experienced by teachers in communication with the parents of these two groups of students. The research methodology contains eleven concepts characterizing different emotions and feelings and a five-point Likert-type scale measuring their degree of expression. The study was conducted on a sample of 193 teachers. The research results show that teachers often experience stress, fatigue, helplessness, and nervousness when working with Roma students. Joy, serenity, and enthusiasm are too low. When communicating with the parents of Roma students, the emotions experienced are identical. The work of the same teachers with non-Roma students is accompanied by positive emotions and experiences – joy, enthusiasm, vigilance, and calm. Negative emotions and experiences are of low expression. Teachers feel the same emotions and experiences, but in a different order, during their communication with parents of non-Roma students.
INFLUENCE OF PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS ON MENTAL SKILLS OF TAEKWONDO ATHLETES
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Slavev Svetislav , Savcheva Evelina ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

Our research is based on the need for more in-depth studies of the relationships and the impact of personal characteristics and mental skills on the successful performance of athletes. The present study aims to examine the connections and interrelations among personality traits of Big-Five factor markers, International Personality Item Pool - IPIP, (Goldberg, 2001): extraversion, conscientiousness, agreeableness, emotional stability, and openness to experience on mental skills related to successful performance in sport (Thomas, Murphy, Hardy, 1999). The research was done among 28 Bulgarian taekwondo athletes (WTF, ITF; 12-46 years old), divided into groups according to their age, gender, and sports qualification. There are significant differences depending on gender, age, and qualification (medalists and non-medalists). Analysis showed statistically significant correlations between extraversion and goal setting (r=.374; p˂.05), emotional control (r=.458; p˂.01); visualization (r=.441; p˂.05), activation (r=.375; p˂.05) and self-talk (r=.406; p˂.05) in competition; conscientiousness and negative thinking (r=-.487; p˂.01), goal setting (r=.418; p˂.05), automaticity (r=.391; p˂.05) in practice; openness to experience and goal setting (r=.466; p˂.05), self-talk (r=.482; p˂.01) in competition and goal setting (r=.382; p˂.05) in practice; emotional stability and emotional control (r=.657; p˂.01) and relaxation (r=.504; p˂.01), negative thinking (r=-.546; p˂.01) in competition, emotional control (r=.645; p˂.01), attention (r=.464; p˂.05) in practice. The results of the study enrich the knowledge of the mental preparation of taekwondo athletes. Still, some limitations are related to the relatively small number of researched individuals.
PERCEIVED MOTIVATIONAL CLIMATE AND SATISFACTION OF SPORTS ACTIVITY AMONG COMPETITORS FROM TEAM SPORTS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Doneva Viktorija , Domuschieva-Rogleva Galina ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Satisfaction is seen as an important determinant of motivation for sports. The motivational climate is related to the subjective assessment of environmental factors. The aim of this study was to reveal the relationships between motivational climate and satisfaction of athletes differentiated by sex, kind of sport, and sports results. The research was done among 101 athletes practicing team sports (70 men, 31 women) with a mean age of 2.3 years (±5.4). We used the following questionnaires: Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire-2 (PMCSQ-2) and Athlete Satisfaction Questionnaire (ASQ). Satisfaction with individual performance is enhanced by a perceived motivational climate oriented towards mastery (β=.440**), cooperative learning (β=.424**), the importance of each athlete for the success of the team (β=.201*), investment of effort and improvement (β=.411**). The structuring of team actions through training and instruction is enhanced by perceiving a motivational climate oriented towards mastery (β=.208*) and cooperative learning (β=.263**). Unequal recognition reduces satisfaction with team performance (β=-.232*), but collaborative learning (β=.298**), effort and improvement (β=.267**), and mastery of motivational climate (β=.283**) increase it. Satisfaction with personal treatment decreases with the dominance of a performance motivational climate (β=-.216**) and application of punishment for mistakes (β=-.208**) and increases with effort and improvement (β=.283**). The results of this study give grounds to assume that the perceived motivational climate plays a significant role in shaping satisfaction with sports activities. They are a guide to creating an appropriate motivational climate related to optimal sports performance and satisfaction.
STUDYING SELF-REGULATION AMONG KARATE COMPETITORS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Penov Radoslav , Marinov Todor ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT The efficiency of Karate athletes’ actions in competitions depends on the condition of their pre-trained psychological, physical and technical, and tactical readiness. The psychological readiness is in the lead of this process as it determines the activities and the abilities for practical realization of specific motions and actions that lead to achieving an advantage over the opponent. Self-regulation is of great importance in this process since it relates to the ability of the Karate athlete to manage their actions during a competition based on the basis of their operational optimization of athletes’ mental readiness. This is the core assumption used in the study, as it relates to studying the self-regulation of Karate competitors. To achieve the objectives of the study, we used a Self Regulation Questionnaire, which allows to determine self-regulation through assessing the emotional, behavioral, and cognitive regulation. The results show that the studied karate athletes have high levels of self-regulation, with some variations according to the level of qualification and their realization in sports. In comparison with the self-regulation among team-sports competitors, karate athletes display much-better abilities to manage their behaviors, emotions, and thinking. The results of the study provide an idea of the ability of the test participants to effectively realize their technical and tactical actions in a competition. In the pre-competition period, it is necessary to pay attention to the Karate athletes who have lower levels of self-regulation.
THE INFLUENCE OF GENDER ON COACHING EFFICACY AND LEADERSHIP STYLE AMONG BULGARIAN FOOTBALL PLAYERS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Prodanov Gancho , Iancheva Tatiana ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT According to a number of authors, athletes ‘perceptions and evaluations of their coach’s effectiveness and behavior (real and preferred) influence athletes’ behavior and performance. The aim of the present study is to examine coaching efficacy expectations and leadership style among Bulgarian football players. Methods: The research was done among 73 football players (female-28, male-45) aged between 16 and 26 years. In order to fulfill the aim, we used: 1) Coaching Efficacy Scale (CES), Feltz et al., 1999; 2) Revised Leadership Scale for Sport (RLSS), Zhang et. el., 1997. Results and discussion: The results from the variation analysis showed similar levels in some of the components of coaching efficacy and leadership style. The comparative analysis revealed significant differences depending on the gender of the game strategy subscales and the way the coach makes decisions. There are established significant differences in the preferred behavior of the coach from the players on the social support and positive feedback subscales. The correlation analysis did not reveal strong relationships between the coaching efficacy subscales and the leadership style subscales. Accordingly, our results differ from the data published in the literature. The results from the regression analysis reveal that coaching efficacy does not directly affect the subscales of the leadership style, which differs from what is reported in the literature.
PSYCHOLOGICAL DETERMINANTS OF BEHAVIOR AND COPING STRATEGIES OF ATHLETES IN CONDITIONS OF PANDEMIC COVID-19
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Iancheva Tatiana
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT The pandemic COVID 19 and the related restrictions regarding sports activities, social isolation, unclear prospects, and fear of being infected led to an abrupt change in athletes’ rhythm of life and the need to adapt. The aim of this study was to investigate Psychological Capital and Perfectionism as an essential personal resource, their influence on the domineering psychic states, and athletes’ preferred coping strategies during the pandemic COVID-19, and to outline their specificity depending on gender, kind of sport, and level of qualification. The research was done among 119 athletes aged between 18 and 35 years, divided into groups according to their gender (54 men and 65 women), kind of sport, and level of qualification. The research methods included: 1) Psychological Capital Questionnaire (Luthans, Youssef, Avolio, 2007); 2)Multidi-h mensional Perfectionism Scale (FMPS, Frost, Marten, Lahart, Rosenblate, 1990), adapted for Bulgarian conditions by T. Iancheva, 2009; 3) Profile of Mood States (McNair, Lorr, Droppleman, 1971); 4) Approach to Coping in Sport Questionnaire (ACSQ-1; Kim 1999; Kim, Duda, 1997). There are significant differences depending on gender and the kind of sport. The specific role of adaptive and maladaptive perfectionism and psychological capital was viewed in relation to the dominant psychic conditions during social isolation and the preferred coping strategies.
SOME GENDER ISSUES AROUND SPORTS OFFICIALS IN THE CONTEMPORARY BULGARIAN SOCIETY
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Angelova-Igova Boryana , Slavchev Ivan ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Sport is a mirror of the culture in which it develops, therefore analyzing the problems and trends in sport we have the opportunity to see a simplified model of society itself. The subject of our study is to understand how much our society is a subject of a gender stereotypes and to which extent contemporary women and men are free to express themselves in any public sphere of their choice. The case with sports officials sheds light on this problem. In the period May 2021 - January 2022, we conducted a study, within the international project Raising the growth and participation of female sports officials in Europe (WINS Project), supported by the Erasmus + Sport program, on the state and attitudes of Bulgarian sports officials, in all sports. We noticed several facts, typical for the modern Bulgarian society: Bulgarian women do not suffer from strong gender stereotypes regarding what is a “male” or a “female” occupation. However, we notice a low level of involvement of women as officials in “men’s sports”, such as football, boxing and taekwondo and very high in “women’s sports”: almost 99% in rhythmic gymnastics. Yet there is a positive trend in terms of women’s involvement in “men’s” sports. There has been an increase in recent years of women officials in sports such as taekwondo, boxing, football, weightlifting, but we are still very far from the desired equality. Bulgarian women occupy a large part of the low-level sport officials’ positions in athletics, but there are few women occupying higher positions and women also have lower salaries. In sports refereeing there are no legal differences that give privileges to one or the other sex, but this “equality” in some cases harms women who, due to motherhood or various ailments, have specific needs and requirements for working hours and work environment.
EPIDEMIOLOGY PROFILE OF INJURIES OF ELITE AND SUB-ELITE MALE ARTISTIC GYMNASTS IN SOFIA, BULGARIA
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Zaykova Dilyana , Konchev Mihail ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Yanev Iliya ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dimitrova Leyla ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Introduction: Artistic gymnastics is an Olympic sport in which male artistic gymnasts perform on six apparatuses. The number of weekly training sessions can reach to 12, with 36 hours overall load. Methodology: The research was conducted among 15 elite and 16 sub-elite gymnasts on international and national level from Sofia, Bulgaria. The participants filled in a questionnaire about the type, severity, location, and reasons for the appearance of injuries. Results: We calculated injury incidence at 93.33% for elite and 87.50% for sub-elite male artistic gymnasts. The injury rate for elite gymnasts was 2.19/1000 gymnastic exposures and 2.87 injuries per gymnast for the year. The injury rate for sub-elite gymnasts was 3.78/1000 gymnastic exposures and 2.13 injuries per gymnast for the year. The acute injuries dominated in all participants. Shoulder is the most often injured anatomical location as a result of the exercises performed on rings and horizontal bar. Ankle is the next often traumatized location because of the exercises done on floor and vault (landing phase). Conclusions: Literature describing injuries in male artistic gymnasts is scarce, which makes it relatively difficult to compare gender data. Injury rates in the male artistic gymnasts we studied fall within the range described in the sports literature.
RISK FACTORS FOR STRESS FRACTURES IN MALE ATHLETES
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dimitrova Diana , Miloshova Evelina ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Stress fractures (SF) are common injuries in athletes caused by overuse and repetitive activity. The prevalence and risk factors for SF in male athletes are not well documented as they are assumed to be more common in female athletes. Our study was aimed at establishing the prevalence of SF among male athletes and analyzing the selected risk factors for their occurrence. Ninety-three randomly selected volunteer male athletes from different sports aged 19.2±2.8 years participated in this cross-sectional study. The participants provided information about their demographic data, history of SF, and lifestyle risk factors and completed the Eating attitude test (EAT-26) for identifying eating disorders risk. Crude odds ratios (OR) of the groups with and without a history of SF were calculated to assess the association of SF with the studied factors. A total of 23 (24.7%) of the athletes reported at least one SF in the past, and 23.7% of them have had two or more SF. Most of the injuries (69.6%) were located in the lower extremity, and 60% were in the foot and ankle. Participation in competitions and weight loss of more than 10 kg in the past were identified as the only significant factors associated with SF incidents in male athletes (OR 24.8, 95% CI: 1.4-425.4; OR 153.3, 95% CI: 8.5-2770.6, respectively). These results suggest that engagement in competitive sports, which is associated with higher training volume and extreme weight loss practices, should be considered as a factor for increased risk of SF in male athletes.
OXYGEN SATURATION AND HEART RATE VARIABILITY DURING ORIENTEERING RACES
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Pedev Todor , Mladenov Ljubomir ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Gochkov Anton ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Shandurkova Silvia ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Orienteering is a hard, physically demanding sport. The combination of running and map reading tests competitors’ mental and physical endurance. The high speed during races requires an intense oxygen uptake. This paper discusses oxygen deficiency during orienteering races. Competitors’ oxygen saturation and heart rate values were monitored by smart watches and pulse oximeters. A group of eight male elite orienteers were tested from March 2021 to October 2021 through laboratory and terrain tests. The laboratory spiroergometry was carried out on a treadmill. Spiroergometric parameters and gas analysis results were recorded in real time (breath-by-breath) with a Meta Max 3B metabolic analyzer. The terrain tests - pulmometry and measurement of oxygen levels in the blood (SpО2) were taken by Huawei GT Pro 2 watches. Indicators of movement, speed per kilometer, average and maximum heart rate values were collected. Field studies to monitor oxygen levels in the blood (SpO2) were conducted during orienteering competitions for the first time in Bulgaria. Descriptive statistics, hypothesis testing, and correlation analysis were used for data analysis. The research results revealed that the orienteers do not suffer oxygen deficiency during orienteering races, which led us to the conclusion that the level of oxygen in the blood (SpО2) does not influence technical errors during the competitions. Statistically significant differences in the average heart rate values of the subjects for forest versus sprint disciplines were observed, which implies specialization of the competitors by discipline. Further studies should be done for interpreting and comparing the terrain tests data with the laboratory functional tests by taking into account the individual characteristics of each competitor.
OXYGEN CONSUMPTION IN SHORT-, MIDDLE- AND LONG-DISTANCE YOUNG SWIMMERS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Iossifov Rumen , Kachaunov Mihail ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT The aim of the study was to compare the maximal oxygen consumption of highly trained adolescent swimmers competing in short, middle, and long distances, taking into account their skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass. These data may be useful for better assessing the aerobic capacity of young swimmers and better planning their training loads. A total of 92 swimmers (31 girls and 61 boys) aged 15–17 years who were part of the Bulgarian Youth National Swim-ming Team were included in the study. The participants were divided into groups according to the distance of their main event: short (50 and 100 m), middle (200 and 400 m), and long (800 and 1500 m) distances. Height, weight, muscle mass, and body fat mass of swimmers were measured to assess their physical development and body composition. Maximal aerobic test was performed on a cycle ergometer. There was only one statistically significant difference between female groups – in maximal oxygen consumption per body weight between short- and middle-distance female swimmers. There was a difference in muscle mass in percentages between short- and long-distance male swimmers. Differences between the means of three variables from the maxi-mal aerobic capacity test were revealed: between maximal workload per body weight of short-distance swimmers and middle-distance swimmers, between maximal oxygen consumption per body weight of short-distance swimmers and middle- and long-distance swimmers, and between maximal oxygen consumption per muscle mass of short-distance swimmers and middle- and long-distance swimmers. In summary, short-distance swimmers had lower maximal oxygen consumption than middle- and long-distance swimmers. The results suggest that maximal oxygen consumption per muscle mass can be used to assess the aerobic capacity of swimmers. The differences in this variable were more pronounced compared to the differences in maximal oxygen consumption per body weight, and in boys, they were even more statistically significant.
PROTOCOL OF HEART RATE AND BLOOD LACTATE MONITORING IN RHYTHMIC GYMNASTICS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Gateva Maria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT After several years of investigations of the training load in rhythmic gymnastics unification of testing in the field is need-ed. The aim is to implement a protocol for monitoring the physiological parameters. Two high-level rhythmic gymnasts aged 17 (Seniors) took part in this study. The physiological changes of the gymnasts were followed by measuring HR and blood lactate. At first, we tested the minute at which the peak of the blood lactate concentration appeared in order to take only one sample after the routines. In the literature different minutes are given to assess the peak value. Heart rate was recorded during each training for the duration of one micro cycle (a week) and the heart rate and the blood lactate were tested on a certain day of the week (Wednesday) for the duration of one mesocycle (month). The testing was carried out at the end of the preparatory and the beginning of the competitive period. The aim was to check the reliability of the testing with high-level athletes and to implement it into practice. The peak values of the heart rate and blood lactate were taken a few times during the training – before the start of the training; after the warm-up; before 1st routine (specific warm-up with apparatus); after the first, middle, and last routine of the day. The aim was to reduce the number of blood samples taken for each gymnast during the training sessions and also to optimize and simplify the procedure of the testing. With the implementation of this protocol in practice, it will be much more accurate to make a comparison among gymnasts or between the periods of the preparation for the same athlete. However, pilot studies should not be used to test hypotheses. Since the appropriate level in elite sport is measured we consider carrying on with further testing with a bigger number of gymnasts to prove the results.
BIOMECHANICAL ANALYSIS OF THE FIGHT BY FRONTAL HEAD PRESSURE ON THE CHEST OF THE OPPONENT IN SUMO
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Hristov Hristo
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT Introduction. The Sumo sport discipline is characterized by incomparable by the nature and character force interactions. The briefness of the fight requires the sumo wrestlers to possess a wide range of sports and technical, almost automated skills to manage their motor action depending on the opponent’s qualification. The present study aims to establish the phase structure, functional features, and mechanical principles of the sport-technical skills of the fight by frontal head pressure on the opponent’s chest in sumo. Methodology. For the purposes of the analysis, the fight is divided into separate phases, using a video computer system for determining the kinematic and energetic parameters of the movements. Results. Taking into account the fact that the mass of the defeating athlete is 23.5% lower and he is 0.05 m shorter than the opponent, the results show three basic mechanical conditions that contribute to his victory during the fight: generating a powerful power torque from the lower limbs to raise and guide the upper body through the initial acceleration phase; creating and increasing the detour force arm in order to disturb the balance of the opponent in the sagittal plane and use its inertia of movement. Discussion and Conclusion. The results of the study, on the one hand, justify the use of this sport technique against opponents with higher stature and mass. On the other hand, the resulting quantitative values of the parameters can serve to improve the training process, providing guidance on the qualities required for the competitors to use this technique and also for defensive actions.
BIOMECHANICAL EVALUATION OF MOTOR ACTIONS AT THE GRIP “SHOULDER THROW” IN THE SPORT OF WRESTLING
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Dimitrova Nikolina , Nikolova Anna ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Pavlov Hristo ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT An “active” experiment was performed for kinematic and dynamographic analysis of the motor actions at one of the main wrestling grips “shoulder throw”. The general principles of ensuring the success of the grip as well as the individual features demonstrated in the performances of elite athletes are traced. The purpose of this study is to explore and perform a biomechanical analysis of the grip “Shoulder throw”. The kinematic characteristics are assessed quantitatively by using a video-computer methodology, and the dynamic ones by measuring the support reactions on a dynamo platform. The object of the study are fighters for whom “shoulder throw” is the main grip. Both general biomechanical regularities and significant individual features in sports and technical mastery have been experimentally derived. The obtained results raise questions before the training process regarding the measure between the standardization and individualization of sports and technical mastery. In our opinion, these results are of great interest as they reveal a new and sensitive indicator for the coordination abilities and respectively for the sports and technical mastery of the athletes.
KINEMATIC ANALYSIS OF BACKWARD UPRISE AND 5/4 SALTO FWD STRADDLED TO HANG ON PARALLEL BARS
Authors:   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria, Yanev Iliya , Stoimenov Emil ,   National Sports Academy “Vassil Levski”, Sofia, Bulgaria
Published: November 2022

ABSTRACT The technique of gymnastics elements is an important factor for the development in gymnastics. Parallel bars is one of the six apparatuses in men’s artistic gymnastics all-around. Each gymnastic combination should include elements from four structural groups, which are: Elements in support or through support on 2 bars, elements starting in upper arm position, long swings in hang on 1 or 2 bars, and underwings and dismounts. Gymnasts strive to increase the difficulty of the per-formed combination over time by including elements with higher difficulty in the 10 (8 for juniors) elements included in the difficulty score. Due to its complexity and the specificity of the starting position, the elements from second structural group on parallel bars appear to be a crucial factor in the formation of difficulty score in the competitive exercises. A new element in group two is backward uprise and 5/4 salto fwd straddled to hang on parallel bars. The purpose of this study was to explain the mechanics of the Backward uprise and 5/4 salto fwd straddled to hang on Parallel Bars, and to identify how the release conditions were created. 2D video-based data was used to analyze the new element recorded at NSA Sofia. APAS was used for digitizing and DLT techniques were used (APAS-Edition 2020, version 14.3.7). The space was calibrated with 8 points with previously known coordinates, and the movement digitized with 7 points of the main joints and the head. Hip action was characterized by a double large input which peaked close to the horizontal on the downswing and after the down vertical due to the active swing action, followed by a smaller positive arms power contribution as the release was approached. Because of swing action, the ankles velocity peaked close after the down vertical. The dominant role of positive hip extension, swing and arms pushing action was highlighted as a major factor contributing to the creation of the final body orientation and desirable release conditions.