The aim of the article is to present the activities of the administrative structures of the State Office of Physical Education and Military Training in the territories of the Lwów, Stanisławów, and Tarnopol Voivodeships, as reflected in the Lwów-based periodical "Sport" in the years 1932–1933. The articles and materials examined addressed the role of the administrative structures of the State Office of Physical Education and Military Training in the formation of Voivodeship, County, and Municipal Committees of Physical Education and Military Training; the activities of the District Offices of Physical Education and Military Training of Corps District Command No. VI in Lwów and Corps District Command No. X in Przemyśl; the development of sports infrastructure, particularly the construction of new sports facilities; the training of instructors in physical education, sport, and military training; the organization and conduct of physical education and military training camps; the organization of sporting competition, including the Festivals of Physical Education and Military Training; and the role and organization of tests undertaken to obtain the State Sports Badge. In 1932–1933, new sports facilities were built, mainly in Lwów and Przemyśl, including sports halls and swimming pools. Courses, training sessions, and camps in physical education, sport, and military training were organized. The development of sporting competition was fostered, including the Festivals of Physical Education and Military Training, as well as competitions and tests conducted for the purpose of obtaining the State Sports Badge.
Winter seasonal physical activities are an integral part of physical and sports education, within which ski training courses are commonly organized at primary schools. As with all school-based physical activities, the teacher’s role is crucial. This study aims to identify and analyze the opinions of physical and sports education primary school teachers regarding the popularity, frequency and skill levels in alpine skiing. The research was conducted using an online questionnaire with data collected from March 2023 to March 2024. A total of 653 physical and sports education teachers teaching at the lower secondary level of primary schools across Slovakia participated in the study. Descriptive statistics and hypothesis testing were conducted using IBM® SPSS® Statistics v29. The results show that alpine skiing is the most popular winter sport among teachers. Nearly 49% of the respondents reported participating in recreational skiing 1–2 times per month, while only 12.86% engage in it every weekend. No statistically significant differences were found between gender and the frequency of recreational alpine skiing. These findings confirm that alpine skiing remains a widely favored winter activity, offering numerous physical benefits and contributing meaningfully to the physical education objectives within schools.
The development of tourism has created an opportunity to enhance special forms of tourism tailored to specific interests of tourists, which also promote the sustainability of rural tourism and contribute to the economic prosperity of the tourist destination. The paper investigates the hypothesis that caving experiences, when aligned with eco-friendly and niche adventure tourism principles, can significantly enhance the sustainable tourism development of destinations, specifically using Grotte di Castellana as a model and exploring the potential of Sokobanja’s caves. The study identifies three key motivational factors for tourists visiting Grotte di Castellana: Mythic Trails, Purposeful Adventure, and Cave Insights, which highlight the various ways tourists connect with cave environments. Additionally, the research evaluates the effective tourism infrastructure at Grotte di Castellana as a benchmark for developing caving tourism in Sokobanja and offers recommendations to improve the sustainability and appeal of Sokobanja’s speleological resources through eco-friendly tourism initiatives. Future research should focus on creating and monitoring development strategies in order to prevent further inadequate management of Sokobanja’s speleological resources. The research and the study itself should encourage the local government and the management of the Sokobanja tourist destination to look at show cave tourism as a potential for development.
The article examines football from the perspective of a phenomenon that goes beyond mere sporting competition. As one of the most popular sports disciplines in the world, football has become a space in which the interests of states, football organizations, players, and supporters intersect and often clash. It is used not only to build state image and promote political ideas, but also to strengthen national identity, legitimize political authority, and divert public attention from controversial reforms and internal challenges. Football plays a particularly significant role as an instrument of soft power, enabling states to shape a positive international image without resorting to coercive measures. It may also function as a means of social communication, reinforcing national bonds and mobilizing citizens, especially in regions striving for independence. The analysis does not adopt rigid temporal boundaries. The selected examples aim to capture the evolution of the phenomenon across diverse socio-political and cultural contexts. The study is structured into three parts: the involvement of organizations, players, and supporters in political life; football as an element of state power; and football as an opportunity for achieving international recognition. The aim of the article is to integrate dispersed strands within the existing literature and to identify the mechanisms linking football and politics. The study fills a research gap by demonstrating how three levels of analysis – organizational, societal, and state-level – interact, whereas they have previously been examined separately.
The global tourism industry continues to face significant challenges stemming from recent and ongoing crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, inflationary pressures, and geopolitical instability. One of the most pressing issues is the lack of a unified and practical training framework for tourism managers and staff. This gap reduces the sector’s ability to respond swiftly and effectively to crises, placing businesses at greater risk. This article presents ten universal principles for successful tourism management, combining theoretical foundations with actionable strategies aimed at improving resilience, operational performance, and adaptability. The principles serve as a flexible framework for developing training programs that prepare tourism professionals to handle uncertainties while maintaining high service standards. The key areas addressed include the integration of innovation, digital technologies, personalized customer service, staff development, and community engagement. By applying these principles, tourism businesses can strengthen their ability to anticipate change, respond to disruptions, and recover more efficiently. Emphasis is placed on the long-term benefits of sustainability, strategic investment, and risk management. Ultimately, this article offers a consolidated resource for both academics and practitioners seeking to build more agile and crisis-resilient tourism operations in an increasingly volatile global environment.
Celem artykułu jest przedstawienie działalności administracyjnych struktur Państwowego Urzędu Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego na terenach województw lwowskiego, stanisławowskiego i tarnopolskiego w świetle lwowskiego czasopisma „Sport” w latach 1932–1933. Artykuły i materiały publikowane w periodyku dotyczyły roli administracyjnych struktur Państwowego Urzędu Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego w kształtowaniu wojewódzkiego, powiatowych i miejskich Komitetów Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego; działalności Okręgowych Urzędów Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego Dowództwa Okręgu Korpusu nr VI we Lwowie oraz Dowództwa Okręgu Korpusu nr X w Przemyślu; rozwoju infrastruktury sportowej, głównie w zakresie budowy nowych obiektów sportowych; kształcenia instruktorów wychowania fizycznego, sportu i przysposobienia wojskowego; organizacji i przeprowadzania obozów wychowania fizycznego i przysposobienia wojskowego, organizacji współzawodnictwa sportowego, w tym Świąt Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego; roli i organizacji prób w celu zdobycia Państwowej Odznaki Sportowej. W latach 1932–1933 wzniesiono nowe obiekty sportowe, głównie we Lwowie i w Przemyślu, m.in. hale sportowe i pływalnie. Organizowano kursy, szkolenia, obozy z zakresu wychowania fizycznego, sportu i przysposobienia wojskowego. Promowano rozwój współzawodnictwa sportowego, m.in. Święta Wychowania Fizycznego i Przysposobienia Wojskowego, jak również zawody i próby w celu zdobycia Państwowej Odznaki Sportowej.
To determine the effectiveness of CrossFit training on the central hemodynamic profile in youth wrestlers, intervention study was attended by 48 wrestlers during the specialized foundational training stage. The average age of the studied wrestlers was 14.5 ± 0.3 years. The CrossFit group comprised 24 wrestlers participating in the CrossFit training aimed at enhancing functional state of the cardiovascular system. Meanwhile, the control group comprised 24 wrestlers following the standard program. Wrestlers engaged in CrossFit workouts three times a week for one hour over a six-month period as part of their physical conditioning. After CrossFit intervention the significant increase was observed in the CrossFit group by actual stroke volume by 12.98 ml/beat (р<0.001); cardiac output by 0.92 l/min; stroke index by 0.43 ml/beat/m² (р<0.001); left ventricular power by 1.05 W (р<0.01). Comparison of the post-training indicators of the rheography cardiovascular system showed the presence of probable differences between the studied groups (p<0.05-0.001). Advantages were observed in the wrestlers of the CrossFit group by all indicators compared to the wrestlers of the comparison group. The stroke volume value was higher in the wrestlers from the main group compared to the control group by 10.26 ml (p<0.01), while cardiac output was higher by 0.62 l/min (p<0.05). The results have indicated that the incorporation of high-intensity multifunctional CrossFit methods during the study resulted in positive dynamics in the preparedness level of wrestlers during the specialized foundational training stage.
The article presents the organizational structures and personal composition of the boards of youth political and social organizations established at the University of Physical Education (AWF) named after General Karol Świerczewski (currently named after Józef Piłsudski) in Warsaw: the Academic Union of Polish Youth (1948–1950) and the Union of Polish Youth (1948–1956). To the extent dependent on the preserved source base, the organization and activity of the above organizations and the scope of tasks imposed on AWF students by party bodies, both in the sphere of sports activity, social activities, and ideological training, have been presented. The Academic Union of Polish Youth at the AWF in Warsaw was established in October 1948 and operated until October 1950, when the Union of Polish Youth was established on its basis. The management of both organizations, implementing the guidelines of the party leadership, mobilized the academic youth to participate in mass events, political actions and social work, striving to educate in the spirit of socialist “values” and subordination to state authority. The Academic Union of Polish Youth, and later the Union of Polish Youth, was a common organization among students of the Warsaw AWF. This resulted both from the need to adapt to the realities of political reality, implemented by the party leadership of the university, but also from the benefits and privileges for its members. For committed students, membership facilitated and accelerated the path of a professional career at their alma mater or in offices related to physical culture.
Alojzy Ehrlich (1914-1992) – an outstanding table tennis player of Jewish origin. He won his first gold medal at the Polish Championships in 1933 (Lviv). He triumphed in the Makkabi Games (Prague, 1933). He was a three-time individual runner-up and a two-time bronze medalist in singles and team events at the World Championships in the 1930s. He made world table tennis history, among other things, after his match with a Romanian table tennis player, Farkas Paneth, with whom he battled for the first point for 132 minutes at the World Championships in Prague (1936). He was a delegate of the Polish Table Tennis Association (PZTS) to the International Table Tennis Federation (ITTF) Congresses. He was a correspondent for “Przegląd Sportowy.” He was selected as one of the ten most popular Polish athletes in “Przegląd Sportowy” (1934). He played 46 matches for the Polish national team. He permanently resided in France. During World War II, he supported the French resistance against the Germans. He was captured and deported to the Auschwitz-Birkenau and Dachau concentration camps. He survived in the camps for 10 months. After World War II, he continued his career as an athlete, coach (in seventeen countries), inventor of a ping-pong robot, and manager of companies producing table tennis equipment. He was a frequent guest at major table tennis events in Europe and around the world. He spoke six languages. He remained faithful to the table tennis ball and racket until the end of his life.
The Czechoslovak Physical Education Union was established in Prague in 1946, replacing the originally planned Central National Physical Education Committee. Its members included central physical education unions operating in Czechoslovakia, which focused on physical education, sports, tourism, or scouting, as well as the Czechoslovak Olympic Committee. However, each sport could only be represented in the Union by one central organization. Individual members voluntarily cooperated in promoting their own programs. The Union's purpose was to promote the expansion of physical education among the broadest segments of the population, to improve its quality, and to protect related interests in Czechoslovakia and abroad. In pursuing these objectives, attention was paid to ensuring adequate representation of both Czechs and Slovaks. Member unions and their affiliated lower organizational units retained their legal independence according to their statutes and regulations. At the same time, they were obliged to adhere to the rules and regulations issued by the Czechoslovak Physical Education Union. The Union was intended to serve as the organizational foundation for unifying physical education at a federal level. However, the actual unification of Czechoslovak physical education occurred only after the communist coup in 1948, after which the need for the existence of the Czechoslovak Physical Education Union ceased.
Częstochowa County has considerable tourism potential, stemming not only from the landscape values of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (the Polish Jura), but also from its well-developed tourism infrastructure. Of particular importance is tourism development, comprising accommodation, catering, transport, and complementary facilities. The region offers numerous hiking and cycling routes, bathing areas, horse-riding centres, a golf course, a speedway track, and sports halls. The municipalities of Janów and Olsztyn stand out for their extensive accommodation and catering base, whereas smaller municipalities, such as Starcza or Kruszyna, have limited infrastructure. A well-developed road and rail network ensures the region’s accessibility, while proximity to the airport in Pyrzowice further enhances its attractiveness. Gastronomy based on local products and culinary traditions, supported by Rural Housewives’ Associations, enriches the tourism offer. Despite its many advantages, tourism development is constrained by uneven investment patterns, seasonality, and the absence of an integrated tourist information system. Nevertheless, the county retains substantial potential for further growth due to the diversity of attractions and the involvement of local communities.
In the context of the war in Ukraine, researching the resilience of rural communities becomes essential. This study examines the role of sustainable marketing in promoting digitalized donation tourism to bolster rural resilience and sustainable development in post-war Ukraine. Despite the growing potential of digitalization and donation-based tourism, these aspects remain underexplored, particularly in regions affected by war. This research aims to assess how the strategic marketing of digitalized donation tourism can influence the resilience of rural areas in Ukraine. The study employs cluster analysis and statistical evaluation of resilience indices of rural communities. Data was collected through online platforms and applications, and an analysis of hospitality management software from the Capterra website. The research demonstrated a correlation between the digitalization level and rural communities' resilience. Implementing digital technologies increased economic activity by 20-25% and enhanced social cohesion by 10%. Donation-based tourism contributed to a 30% increase in income and strengthened the local economy. The results confirm that digitalization and donation-based tourism are key factors in the resilience of rural communities during wartime. It is recommended that investment in digital infrastructure and community-led initiatives be prioritized to enhance resilience. International cooperation is also crucial in supporting rural communities in Ukraine.
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) under hypoxia has been demonstrated to increase sealevel athletes’ performance, but limited evidence exists regarding moderate-altitude runners. This study aimed to examine 8-week HIIT at low (~1,220 m) and moderate (~2,850 m) altitudes on physiological (maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and velocity associated with VO2max (vVO2max)) and functional (5,000 m running time (5kRT)) adaptations. Forty-two trained long-distance runners were randomly assigned to one of three groups: HIIT at 1,220 m (HIIT1220m, n=14), HIIT at 2,850 m (HIIT2850m, n=14) or control group at 2,850 m (CG2850m, n=14). While all participants maintained regular training at ~2,850 m, the HIIT groups completed two weekly sessions (4x4-minute work interval at 100% vVO2max, 3-minute recovery at 70% vVO2max). Both interventions had significant improvements over time (p < 0.05) in vVO2max, VO2max, and 5kRT, with greater gains in the HIIT1220m (+1.2%, +1%, –1.8%) than HIIT2850m (+0.6%, +0.8%, –1.4%), respectively. In addition, a strong correlation was observed in the HIIT2850m between changes in 5kRT and vVO2max (r=-0.64, p=0.013) and VO2max (r=0.74, p=0.002). In conclusion, HIIT at low altitudes induced greater functional improvements than it did at moderate altitudes. Thus, moderate-altitude long-distance athletes and coaches may benefit more when HIIT is strategically managed at lower altitudes.
The purpose of the work is to analyze the development of resorts and health tourism in interwar Poland, using the example of balneological resorts located in the Lwów, Wołyń, and Tarnopol Voivodeships. The study employs a historical method, which allows to trace the main stages of the development of resort infrastructure, medical specialization, and treatment methods, as well as to identify trends in the organization of tourism and leisure at these resorts during the interwar period. For the first time, the article presents a systematic compilation of information about the resorts in these voivodeships, their medical characteristics, available treatment methods, accommodation infrastructure, as well as the level of attendance, prices and tourist flows. Special attention is given to the role of balneological treatments in the treatment of diseases and health restoration, as well as the cultural and recreational aspects that attracted tourists to these resort areas. The results of the study may serve as a foundation for further scholarly research on the history of healthcare, tourism, and cultural life in Poland and Ukraine, as well as for comparative analysis of the development of the resort industry in interwar Central and Eastern Europe.
The aim of this article is to provide information on the achievements of Poles in combat sports: boxing, fencing, judo, karate, modern pentathlon, taekwondo, and wrestling at the modern Olympic Games. Official data from the International Olympic Committee was used. Poland's significant achievements in combat sports were compared with those of other Central and Eastern European countries. The analysis was based on the total number of medal points won by representatives of individual countries for the conversion coefficient (5 points – gold medal, 3 points – silver medal, 1 point – bronze medal). In addition, geopolitical changes throughout the analysed period were taken into account. Medals won by athletes from the USSR, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, or the Commonwealth of Independent States were assigned to individual countries according to the nationality of the athlete. The results are presented in the form of maps and tables. Among the Olympic combat sports analysed, Poles were most successful in boxing, fencing, and modern pentathlon, and among Far Eastern combat sports, only in judo A comparative analysis with other Central and Eastern European countries showed that these countries have the greatest achievements in wrestling, boxing, and judo, and the least in karate and taekwondo.
This editorial reflects on the past, present, and future of Sport i Turystyka (Sport and Tourism Central European Journal). Established in 1997, the journal has developed from a locally rooted annual publication into a quarterly scholarly journal with a distinct Central European profile and steadily growing international visibility. The editorial outlines this evolution, emphasizing the journal’s current thematic diversity, editorial maturity, open-access model, and alignment with contemporary standards of scholarly publishing. It also highlights recent progress in internationalization, including the increasing share of English-language articles, the broader international representation of authors and reviewers, the growing geographical diversification of contributions, and the journal’s expanding visibility within the international indexing environment. Finally, the text identifies key priorities for future development, including further strengthening scientific quality, editorial selectivity, international positioning, digital infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. Together, these elements illustrate the journal’s ongoing institutional maturation and its ambition to consolidate its place within the international scholarly landscape.
The application of differentiated instruction in physical education to improve the functional state of school-aged youth is a relevant issue. This study investigated the effectiveness of using differentiated instruction in physical education classes, taking into account indicators of the cardiovascular system's functional state and the endurance level of students aged 13–15. A total of 226 students aged 13–15 (107 boys and 119 girls) were examined. Three experimental and three control groups were formed. The baseline assessment revealed a below-average level of cardiovascular regulation, an average response level of the cardiovascular system to standard physical load, and a low level of endurance development among 13–15-year-old students. Following the implementation of a system of differentiated instruction exercises aimed at improving functional readiness, positive changes in cardiovascular system indicators were observed (p<0.05–0.001), along with a statistically significant improvement in endurance development results in the experimental groups (p<0.001). In the control groups, no significant changes were found in any of the studied parameters (p>0.05). As a result, the functional state of the cardiovascular system improved from below average to average, and the level of endurance development increased from low to below average in the experimental groups.
This study aims to analyze the scope, structure, and perceived benefits of innovations implemented by spa businesses in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic over a period spanning the pre-COVID-19, pandemic, and post-pandemic phases (2018–2022). The basis of the study was a questionnaire survey, in which spa establishments were approached, including spa owners, general directors, financial managers, marketing managers, innovation/development managers, and customer relations managers. In the results, we show the development of four types of innovation with a cross-country comparison between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Dynamic innovation changes could be noted in the year of the outbreak of COVID-19 or in the post-pandemic phases. A significant drop in product innovations was observed. Conversely, organizational innovations increased during the COVID-19 outbreak, while marketing innovations experienced a significant increase after the COVID-19 outbreak. Innovations in the Slovak Republic appear to be more dynamic than in the Czech Republic. The obstacles to the introduction of innovations in spa establishments are financial and economic barriers, but not all establishments use the possibility of subsidies. Although innovations in spa establishments mean higher costs and, surprisingly, do not increase labor productivity, they bring a higher service quality and higher incomes.
The aim of the article is to present skiing in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic as reflected in the journal Sport (1922–1927). The journal Sport served as the press organ of the Carpathian Ski Society (Karpackie Towarzystwo Narciarzy). In 1922–1927, the main centre shaping the development of skiing in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic was Lviv. Three dynamic skiing sections operated there: the Carpathian Ski Society, the First Lviv Sports Club (I Lwowski Klub Sportowy, LKS) Czarni, and LKS Pogoń Lwów - each affiliated with the Polish Ski Association. Beyond Lviv, in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic, skiing was less developed. One piece published in Sport provides information on the activities of the Skiing and Tourism Section (Sekcja Narciarsko-Turystyczna, SNT) of Rewery Stanisławów. The skiing sections organised skiing courses in Lviv as well as in ski resorts where mountain shelters were located, including Sławsko, Tuchla, and Worochta. With regard to sports infrastructure, the opening of the ski jump on Zniesienie (Lviv) in December 1926 was of particular importance. Clubs and societies, as well as school authorities, organised sporting competitions at the local, regional, nationwide, and international levels. In this respect, it is worth noting the growing number of skiers, the increasing number of competition participants, and the improvement of sporting results. Lviv skiers took part annually in the Polish championships, achieving good results. These results placed the Lviv centre second in Poland (after the Zakopane centre). Janina Loteczkowa achieved very good results at both national and international levels in cross-country skiing.
