Aim. This paper aims to investigate the qualitative and quantitative composition of the gut microbiota in primary school-aged children with varying levels of physical activity. Materials and methods. Three groups of apparently healthy children (n = 12 per group; balanced by sex and age, 8-10 years) without symptoms of acute illness were studied. Group 1 consisted of children with no additional physical activity; Group 2 comprised children who attended taekwondo classes for three to six months; Group 3 included children with taekwondo practice for more than two years. Fecal samples were collected in the morning and transported to the laboratory for total genomic DNA isolation. All DNA samples were subsequently shipped frozen to the Genomed laboratory for sequencing. Results. Across all phyla, a distinctive trend was observed in Group 3 relative to Groups 1 and 2 (Group 1 and Group 2: approximately 80 % Firmicutes, 0.6 % Actinobacteria, and 14 % Bacteroidetes). In Group 3, Firmicutes increased to 83 %, while Actinobacteria decreased to 0.2 % and Bacteroidetes to 10 %. Faecalibacterium remained the dominant genus in all groups, though its relative abundance gradually declined with systematic physical activity. In Group 2, the relative abundance of Eubacterium and Gemmiger rose to 6 %, with a concomitant similar to 2.5 % reduction in Bacteroides. In Group 3, the dominant genera shifted qualitatively; in addition to Eubacterium and Gemmiger, Roseburia and Akkermansia emerged. Conclusion: Enhanced physical activity modulates the qualitative and quantitative structure of the gut microbiota in primary school-aged children. Prolonged, regular taekwondo training induces adaptive microbial changes characterized by a decreased proportion of Faecalibacterium and Bacteroides and an increased proportion of Eubacterium, Gemmiger, Roseburia, and Akkermansia. These alterations may reflect a positive microbiota adaptation associated with improved metabolic health and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity under regular, intensive physical activity.
Aim. This study aims to analyze the training load and the preparatory phases for major competitions during the first macrocycle of short-course swimming. Materials and Methods. This seventeen-week study involved two elite female swimmers. It analyzed the volume and content of training loads within the macrocycle (using quantitative methods) and competitive performance results. Based on the obtained data, recommendations were developed. Results. The analysis showed that training loads were focused on the de-mands of competition rather than on specific stroke technique. The primary training volume was performed using the front crawl, with the tasks implemented sequentially: developing aerobic capacity, special endu-rance at the anaerobic threshold level, competitive speed-strength endurance and maintaining the achieved levels of aerobic endurance and absolute speed. The total swimming volume was 846 km over 162 on-water training sessions and 38 gym sessions. The mean weekly training frequency was 9.53 +/- 0.45 sessions, with a mean volume per session of 5.22 +/- 0.51 km and a mean weekly volume of 50.07 +/- 6.02 km. The mean training volume per week by training periods was as follows: 5.7 +/- 1.92 km and 51 +/- 17.1 km in the first period; 5.58 +/- 0.83 km and 55.9 +/- 8.33 km in the second period; 5.18 +/- 1.2 km and 51.75 +/- 12 km in the third period; and 4.39 +/- 1.75 km and 41.65 +/- 18 km in the fourth period. All female athletes showed positive dynamics in their competitive results. Conclusion. Performance enhancement in elite female swimmers is facilitated by a six-week high-volume aerobic phase, a subsequent three-week intensification phase at the anaerobic threshold level, and a mixed-model pre-competitive taper involving a progressive (smooth to sharp) reduction in training volume over three weeks.
Aim. This study aims to identify the relationships between football referees' experience and job position and their working memory and attention indicators; as well as to establish the correlations between multiple-object tracking ability, working memory capacity, and the speed of attention switching. Materials and methods. The study involved 55 football referees who were assessed for multiple-object tracking accuracy, working memory capacity under time constraints, and the speed of attention switching. Results. The results showed no differences between referees and assistant referees on the cognitive test scores. Correlation analysis revealed no significant relationships between the cognitive test results and the referees' experience. However, a significant correlation was established between multiple-object tracking ability and both working memory capacity and the speed of attention switching. Conclusion. The results do not support the hypothesis that developing domain-specific skills influences abilities measured in non-domain-specific cognitive paradigms. Therefore, employing ecologically valid paradigms appears to be a promising direction for future research on referees' cognitive skills. The data indicate that working memory and the speed of attention switching may play a role in multiple-object tracking.
Aim. This study aims to select and develop an algorithm for implementing sets of cognitively oriented active games during physical education classes for elementary school students. These games are intended to develop children's perception, memory, attention, and imagination. Materials and methods. The study involved 417 third-grade students from five elementary schools in Irkutsk. The study methods included a structured analysis of active games, surveys, testing, a pedagogical experiment, and statistical data analysis. Results. A structured integration of cognitively oriented active games was proposed for elementary school physical education classes. As methodological support, a teaching manual was developed and presented. It contains sets of active games with descriptions of their organization and delivery, as well as diagnostic tools for assessing specific components of the students' intellectual development. A pedagogical experiment involving third-grade students was conducted to determine the efficacy of these specialized active games in developing the intellectual sphere of elementary school students. The results proved that the level of intellectual development achieved a value of 177.639, with a critical chi 2 value of 16.812 (& rcy; < 0.01). Conclusion. The analysis of the final results assessing the development of the intellectual domain in elementary school students confirmed the hypothesis that the use of specialized active games leads to a substantial improvement in memory, perception, attention, and imagination.
Aim. This study aims to identify the features of postural control in a person with transfemoral amputation during walking under dual-task conditions incorporating active biofeedback. Materials and methods. A participant with unilateral transfemoral amputation of the left limb was examined on an experimental setup comprising a combination of methods for assessing sensorimotor reactions and postural balance in both static and dynamic conditions (on a treadmill) at various walking speeds. The cognitive load was implemented via sensorimotor tasks with error-induced biofeedback. Results. The identified features of postural control in the participant with transfemoral amputation are determined by walking speed and the nature of the cognitive task. The conditions of static tremorometry have the least destabilizing effect on postural balance due to focused attention. Conversely, the Reaction to a Moving Object test is the most difficult task and causes the greatest destabilization. Conclusion. The study findings demonstrate that there is no single risk zone because the risk of falling under dual-task conditions changes drastically depending on walking speed and the nature of the cognitive load. The results obtained are of particular importance for understanding the mechanisms of postural balance in amputees and can be used in habilitation practice to develop more effective walking training programs for real-world conditions.
Aim. This paper aims to develop and substantiate a comprehensive protocol for the assessment of postural balance in persons with lower-limb immobilization under dual-task conditions. Materials and methods. The key study methods included the following: analysis, to justify the relationships between assessment procedures; synthesis, to generalize findings and establish the sequence and structure of the examination; and forecasting, to form the prerequisites for developing an assessment algorithm and a model. Results. The study resulted in a detailed protocol comprising four key assessment conditions for postural balance and the autonomic nervous system: 1. in a standing position; 2. during a battery of sensorimotor tests; 3. during treadmill walking; and 4. during walking while simultaneously performing sensorimotor tests. The protocol presumes a simultaneous recording of force platform measurements using an inertial sensor unit, electrocardiographic monitoring, and psychophysiological assessment. Special attention was paid to safety measures, subject inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the procedure for adaptation to immobilization. Conclusion. The proposed protocol provides a standardized monitoring algorithm and enhances the safety for participants and the reliability of the obtained data. A comprehensive analysis of gait patterns, postural balance, psychomotor functions, and autonomic regulation under dual-task conditions allows for revealing the specific features of the mechanisms of voluntary movement control. These findings are of practical importance for the optimization of rehabilitation programs for persons with musculoskeletal disorders, including lower-limb amputees.
Aim. This paper aims to identify the specific features of non-contact infrared thermometry for assessing the training process in kickboxers. Materials and methods. The study involved 22 kickboxers (mean age: 18.70 +/- 3.10 years) with different training experience. Temperature and body composition measurements were obtained with a thermal imaging camera (BALTECH TR-01500) and a body composition analyzer (Tanita BC-418, Japan). Statistical analysis was performed using the specialized BALTECH-expert software package. Results. The examination of kickboxers with different training experience revealed a statistically significant increase in skin temperature in the areas of the muscles that were maximally involved in physical activity. Conclusion. This study presents the application of non-contact infrared thermometry for assessing the training process in acyclic sports.
Aim. This paper aims to identify the characteristics of postural control during sensorimotor tests in both static and dynamic conditions in individuals with lower-limb immobilization. Materials and methods. The study involved fourteen apparently healthy male adolescents. Testing was performed under two conditions: with the knee joint of the dominant leg immobilized and without immobilization. Postural balance was evaluated with the inertial sensor recording acceleration parameters (S, Jerk, Path, Range) in three planes. The cognitive load was implemented through sensorimotor tests (Static Tremorometry, Reaction to a Moving Object, and Discrimination Reaction) under both static (standing) and dynamic (treadmill walking) conditions. Results. Under static conditions, immobilization resulted in a change in postural strategies: under high cognitive load (Static Tremorometry), coarse corrective movements were observed, whereas under moderate load (Reaction to a Moving Object, Discrimination Reaction), rigidity was noted, particularly in the sagittal plane. Under dynamic conditions, the results demonstrated a fundamental deficiency in postural control: stability parameters during walking were significantly lower in the immobilization group even under baseline conditions. The impairment of postural control was evident in all planes, which indicates the inefficacy of compensatory mechanisms and an elevated energy cost of walking. Conclusion. The findings underscore the necessity of incorporating into rehabilitation training programs exercises aimed at developing adaptive balance strategies, particularly under conditions of dynamic load and during the combination of walking and cognitive tasks.
Aim. This paper aims to determine biophysical and hemodynamic parameters in athletes with different types of autonomic regulation. Materials and methods. The study involved 81 male martial artists (mean age 20.9 +/- 0.36 years) from the Republican Center for Sports Training of National Teams in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia). The methodology included anthropometric measurements, bioimpedance analysis (to determine resistance, reactance, and phase angle), and hemodynamic assessment (heart rate, blood pressure, and derived index calculations). The type of autonomic regulation was assessed using the Kerdo index. Results. Sympathetic dominance was observed in 65.4% of the participants, while 33.4% exhibited parasympathetic dominance. Bioimpedance analysis revealed statistically significant increases in resistance and reactance in the sympathetic group compared to the parasympathetic group. This finding suggests differences in cellular membrane structure and hydration status. Hemodynamic assessment showed that the parasympathetic group had a lower heart rate and elevated diastolic pressure, whereas the sympathetic group demonstrated higher values for cardiac performance. Circulation efficiency coefficients were above reference values in both groups, with a more pronounced elevation in the sympathetic group. Conclusion. The obtained data highlight the importance of autonomic regulation for the assessment of cardiovascular status and the development of individual training programs.
Synchronized skating is a highly technical team sport that has gained significant popularity among both participants and audiences in recent decades. However, there is a notable lack of normative reference data for assessing the anthropometric characteristics and body composition of female synchronized skaters. Aim. This paper aims to develop model characteristics of body composition for adult female synchronized skaters. Materials and methods. Twenty-two adult female synchronized skaters (mean age: 21.4 +/- 4.5) were examined using anthropometric measurements and bioimpedance analysis. Results. Individual analysis revealed that the athletes had a skeletal muscle mass ranging from 18 to 26.5 kg, compared to a population norm of 17-18 kg (15(th) centile) to 24-25 kg (85(th) centile), depending on age. Body fat percentage ranged from 20 to 37%. The examination results showed that half of the athletes had latent obesity. Conclusion. The standard for skeletal muscle mass in this group of athletes can be set at values above 22 kg (above the 60th centile), while the standard for fat percentage is 20-25%, which corresponds to the 15(th)-50(th) centile intervals of the population norm.
Aim. This paper aims to evaluate the psychophysiological characteristics of first-year students from Central, South, and Southeast Asia to identify their individual traits and develop recommendations for adapting to new living and academic conditions. Materials and methods. A comprehensive assessment was performed using the facilities of the Center for Sports Science and the Department of Theory and Methods of Physical Education and Sport (Institute of Sport, Tourism, and Service; South Ural State University). The sample included students of three different ethnic backgrounds. Anthropometric, body composition, and pressure measurements were performed with a computer system (Omega-M, Dinamika, Saint-Petersburg), a blood pressure monitor (A&D, Japan), a body composition analyzer (BC-418 MA, Tanita, Japan), and an electronic height measurement tool (RS-232, REP, Russia). Sociopsychological adaptation was assessed with the Social-Psychological Adaptation Inventory (by C. Rogers and R. Dymond, adapted by A. Osinsky, 2004). The following parameters were obtained: heart rate variability (HRV), cardiovascular adaptation potential (AP), physical state level (PSL), body mass index (BMI), and indicators of sociopsychological adaptation. Results. The study of the adaptive capacity of international students from three Asian regions revealed a complex profile of physiological adaptation to new climatic and geographical conditions. The identified regional differences may be explained by dietary factors, metabolic patterns, and acculturative stress. Attention should be paid to a risk group (12.3-15.8%, depending on the sample) with a combination of BMI > 27, SBP > 135 mmHg, and PSL < 0.4. Conclusion. The study revealed significant variability in the adaptive capacity of students from different regions and underscored the key role of anthropometric indicators in the adaptation process. The study findings highlight the necessity for developing differentiated programs of comprehensive medical and psychological support that account for the region-characteristics of students.
Aim. This paper aims to identify the gender differences of long-term hemodynamic adaptation in successful cross-country skiers. Materials and methods. Gender differences in hemodynamic adaptation were identified in successful competitive cross-country skiers of both sexes, divided into five age groups (9-10; 12; 15; 18; and 20 years). Hemodynamic monitoring was used to assess the following parameters: heart rate (HR), stroke volume (SV, ml), end-diastolic index (EDI, ml/m(2)) during an active orthostatic test, and systolic blood pressure (SBP, mmHg). Results. Female cross-country skiers aged 9-12 years demonstrated superior hemodynamic adaptation compared to their male peers. No statistically significant differences were recorded in fifteen-year-old athletes. Hemodynamic superiority of male cross-country skiers was first recorded after 18 years, whereas female athletes achieve hemodynamic adaptation in cardiac volumes by the age of 18. A statistically significant increase of EDI in male athletes was observed until the age of 20. In both male and female athletes, this increase occurs incrementally and progressively, starting with an increase in EDIsupine, followed by an increase in EDIstanding as a result of orthostatic adaptation. Conclusions. The observed gender differences in long-term hemodynamic adaptation can be used for the enhancement of training programs for both male and female athletes.
Aim. This study aims to investigate the developmental pathways of children aged 5 to 7, considering their anthropometric characteristics, cognitive abilities, and the development of fine and gross motor skills under different conditions of physical activity. Materials and methods. The study involved 348 children aged 5 to 7, including 58 children not involved in regular physical activity and 290 children from closed-or open-skill sports. The assessment protocol included anthropometry and skinfold measurements. Cognitive testing evaluated visual-logical and verbal-logical reasoning, visuospatial processing, and analytic-synthetic thinking (Raven's Progressive Matrices), attention (Dot Cancellation Test), and mediated memory. Gross and fine motor skills were assessed via a tapping test, simple and complex visuomotor reaction tests, a 30-meter sprint, a 3 & times;10-meter shuttle run, and a variable 30-meter run (comprising a 10-meter straight sprint, 2 & times;5-meter lateral shuffles, and a 10-meter backward run). Strength measurements included handgrip strength and the ability to regulate effort at 50%, 75%, and 25% of maximum performance in a jump test. Cardiovascular measurements included heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and heart rate variability, recorded in both supine and standing positions. Statistical analysis was performed using stepwise discriminant analysis. Results. For children aged 5 to 7 at the sports and health enhancement stage, a focus on open skills promotes the development of the cognitive sphere and visuospatial processing, whereas a focus on closed skills primarily enhances gross and fine motor skills. Age differences between the children not involved in regular physical activity are limited to height and the lability of nervous processes. The development of autonomic cardiac regulation mechanisms is influenced by physical activity patterns; specifically, early involvement in sports leads to an accelerated development of the parasympathetic system. Conclusion. The developmental trajectory of children aged 5 to 7-with regard to their physique, cognitive sphere, and motor skills-is largely determined by the characteristics of their physical activity, while also acknowledging the influence of individual maturation rates. This dictates the necessity for a comprehensive monitoring of a child's physical and mental state, as well as their physical readiness, starting from the sports and health enhancement stage of long-term athletic development.
Aim. This paper aims to identify functional and adaptive capacities of the cardiovascular system in young women depending on their trait anxiety and physical activity levels. Materials and methods. For the purpose of the study, two groups of young women aged 18-20 were formed (n=48). Group 1 comprised female dancesport athletes with five years of training experience. Group 2 consisted of female students from the Kazan Federal University engaged in physical education within a standard university program. Trait anxiety was evaluated with the Spielberger-Hanin State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Blood pressure, cardiac pumping function, and peripheral vascular resistance were assessed with a blood pressure monitor (& Ocy;mron M2 Basic, HEM 7121-RU) and a rheograph (Rheo-Spectrum, Neurosoft). A standardized physical load was administered using the Martin & eacute;t-Kushelevsky Test. Results. The results show that female dancesport athletes with high levels of trait anxiety demonstrated statistically significant increases in systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) and stroke volume (SV). Their acute hemodynamic adaptation to a standardized physical load was characterized by the most pronounced and simultaneous increase in heart rate (HR) and SV, the values of which failed to return to baseline by the 5(th) minute of recovery. It was also shown that more than half of the female athletes exhibited a hypertonic type of cardiovascular response, characterized by a significant increase in SBP, DBP, and SV concurrent with an increase in total peripheral resistance (TPR) at the 3(rd) and 5(th) minutes of the recovery period. Conclusion. Thus, for highly anxious young women aged 18-20, intensive physical exercise is an additional stress factor that leads to adverse shifts in the cardiovascular system and a decrease in its adaptive capacity. This dictates the necessity for a thorough professional selection of girls for dancesport and the careful dosing of exercise intensity based on their anxiety levels.
Aim. This study investigates a shift in the economic behavior of senior tourists from a savings-oriented model towards increased consumption. Materials and methods. Using data from a sociological survey, the authors calculated the average and marginal propensity to consume and save among seniors. The study used general scientific and economic methods. This included description, theoretical analysis, structural-functional analysis, and comparative analysis. Results. The analysis demonstrates a shift among senior tourists from accumulating liquid savings toward higher consumption, particularly on tourism services. However, the changes in consumption and saving levels among seniors from 2018 to 2022 were not pronounced. The crisis phenomena of recent years, including those caused by the pandemic, impeded the trend of more active growth in tourism spending by senior tourists. Conclusion. Over the past five years, seniors have demonstrated a decline in their average propensity to save and a rise in spending on goods and services, including tourism. This indicates a shift in their financial behavior from a traditional savings model to increased consumption driven by evolving attitudes toward aging and longevity.
Aim. This study evaluates the efficacy of floorball-based training interventions in enhancing students' coordination abilities. It is assumed that floorball's dynamic nature-characterized by diverse motor actions and variable intensity-facilitates the development of both general and sport-specific coordination abilities while stimulating neurodynamic processes, reaction latency, decision-making speed, and psychomotor performance. Materials and methods. This study was conducted during the 2024 summer semester with first-and second-year students (n = 30) at the Humanities Institute of Northern (Arctic) Federal University (Severodvinsk). The experimental protocol incorporated floorball-specific training within physical education curricula. Baseline and post-study assessments included the Romberg test (maximum static endurance), stickhandling accuracy, ball dribbling performance, and shooting accuracy. Results. The findings demonstrate that regular floorball training induces statistically significant improvements in both general and sport-specific coordination abilities. Conclusion. The implementation of diverse sports games in university physical education programs facilitates the development of students' coordination abilities.
Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feasibility of using psychophysiological indicators for monitoring the transfer of skills from a digital environment to physical reality, using esports athletes as a case study. Materials and methods. The study involved 20 male esports athletes aged 18-25. Participants specialized in two distinct esports disciplines, differing in their focus, gameplay mechanics, and required skills. Data analysis accounted for variability in participants' competitive experience. A battery of tests was employed to assess the strength of neural processes, information flow management capacity, attentional reserves, situational or long-term mental states, and the lability of neural processes. Results. A comprehensive set of psychophysiological indicators enables an objective assessment of skill transfer from digital to physical environments. The intensity of online activity influences changes in key skills and abilities. Additionally, the chosen esports discipline affects the level of psychophysiological metrics. Conclusion. Psychophysiological markers of corporeality serve as a reliable tool for analyzing the relationship between physical and cognitive processes in the context of digital skill transfer.
Aim. This study aimed to develop a structured fitness program for women aged 17-20 years and assess its effects on health-related outcomes. Materials and methods. The study was conducted at an athletic gym, involving female participants aged 17-20 (n = 28) with <= 1 month of prior fitness experience. Participants were allocated into two groups: the experimental group (EG, n = 14) and the control group (CG, n = 14). The study lasted for 9 months, with 1.5-hour sessions conducted 3 times weekly. The EG followed a structured five-stage program. The preparatory stage included the collection of medical, physical activity, and general health histories. The diagnostic stage involved the assessment of physical development, cardiorespiratory function (CVS and external respiration), physical performance (PWC 170/kg test), and physical fitness. An integrated physical health score was calculated. The analytical stage consisted of data-driven development of a tailored fitness program. The implementation stage involved execution of the individualized fitness regimens. The monitoring stage consisted of a repeated evaluation of health parameters and progress tracking via self-reported diaries (documenting well-being, physical activity, exercise tolerance, heart rate, and body weight). The CG followed a conventional fitness program based on baseline assessments. Results. The EG demonstrated statistically significant improvements in body composition, muscular strength, physical performance, and overall fitness. Key findings included reduced chronotropic response and double product, enhanced circulatory efficiency and integrated physical health score. The CG exhibited only slight improvements in select CVS parameters, PWC 170/kg, integrated physical health score, and fitness metrics, without statistical significance. Conclusion. The study confirms that a structured, multi-stage fitness program, incorporating individualized assessment and continuous monitoring, enhances health outcomes more effectively than conventional approaches.
Aim. The study aims to analyze the factors contributing to the use of doping in a digital society and to develop corresponding legal measures to counter it. Materials and methods. The research employs several methodological approaches: doctrinal legal research is used to specify the factors contributing to the spread of doping; the structural functional method is applied to develop solutions to the identified problems; and the proposed measures are grounded in practical enforcement through an analysis of law enforcement practices. Results. The study reveals several key factors that lead athletes to use doping within the digital context: the widespread availability of criminal online content that advertises the efficacy of doping substances and facilitates their purchase; the possibility of anonymous and contactless acquisition of prohibited drugs; and the instrumentalization of anti-doping measures as a tool of political pressure, which undermines athletes' motivation for fair competition. Conclusion. Effectively countering the spread of doping in the digital environment requires a multi-faceted approach: strengthening legal penalties for internet crimes related to doping; protecting athletes from criminal content through automated systems that utilize artificial intelligence to legally evaluate and block such websites; and depoliticizing international anti-doping organizations to eliminate nationality discrimination in sport.
Aim. This paper aims to evaluate the injury patterns of large joint damage among junior athletes in the Russian Federation national teams through an analysis of clinical medical records. Materials and methods. The study was conducted through a retrospective analysis of medical records for 70 professional athletes aged 10-17 years, with data extracted from medical excerpts. A review of scientific literature (58 full-text publications) and current regulatory frameworks on pediatric sports injuries was performed. Descriptive statistics were calculated, and data was processed using Excel. Results. A data extraction form was developed for retrieving medical record information, followed by an analysis to identify the injury patterns and structural damage to large joints among junior athletes in the Russian Federation national teams. The majority of injuries were to the knee (45.7%) and ankle (22.86%) joints, with 59% of cases resulting from overloading. The study identified the most prevalent MRI findings of large joint injuries and established mean VAS scores characteristic of minor trauma. Conclusion. The descriptive epidemiological data on sports-related large joint injuries among junior athletes align with international findings. However, establishing a unified health information system with standardized statistical methods and nationwide data integration is essential for a systematic approach to personalized medical care for underage athletes.
