Background: Perfectionism and its effects on individual behavior have been extensively studied in the field of sports. However, research on this topic in the context of dance, particularly regarding the validation of measurement tools, is limited. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the structural validity of the Short Almost Perfect Scale (SAPS) in a sample of adult amateur dancers participating in organized dance activities. A further objective was to investigate the effects of dancers' sex and age on levels of perfectionism. Methods: A total of 415 male and female dancers completed the SAPS. Of these, 198 participated in Exploratory Factor Analysis (EFA) and 217 in Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). The SAPS consists of eight items divided into two factors. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, EFA and CFA, reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha, convergent validity, t-tests for independent samples, and one-way analysis of variance. Results: The CFA results indicated a statistically significant chi 2 (92.93), Normed Fit Index (.96), Comparative Fit Index (.96), Non-Normed Fit Index (.95), and Goodness of Fit Index (.91). The approximation error indices (Root Mean Square Error of Approximation = .069, Standardized Root Mean Square Residual = .036) further support an acceptable model fit. Both factors demonstrated significant reliability and convergent validity, as the Composite Reliability and Average Variance Extracted indices received values of >=.894 and >= .680, respectively. Age, but not sex, significantly differentiated the two SAPS factors. Conclusions: The findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the structural validity and internal consistency of the Greek SAPS for adult amateur dancers. Additionally, age differentiated levels of perfectionism, with older participants exhibiting lower personal standards but higher levels of self-criticism in cases of failure.
Background: Interlimb asymmetry has been associated with increased injury risk and impaired performance in athletes. Objective: This study aimed to analyse positional differences in interlimb asymmetry and unilateral functional performance among elite male youth futsal players. Methods: Eighty-three youth futsal players (age 17.2 +/- 0.8 years) were assessed according to playing position (right/left winger, pivot, defender). Participants performed unilateral countermovement jump (CMJ), horizontal jump (HJ), and the 505 change of direction (COD 505) tests. Interlimb asymmetry was calculated for each test. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare asymmetry levels across positions. Pearson's correlations were computed to explore relationships between test-specific asymmetries. Players were also classified into high (>= 10%) or low (<10%) asymmetry groups, and Chi-square tests were applied to assess associations with position. Results: No significant differences in interlimb asymmetry were observed between positions in CMJ (p = .61), HJ (p = .13), or COD 505 (p = .26), though HJ showed greater variability (eta(2) = .07). A significant correlation was found between CMJ and HJ asymmetries (r = .31, p < .001), suggesting shared neuromuscular demands. No association was found between asymmetry level and position in CMJ, HJ or COD 505. Additionally, 38.9% of pivots and 40.7% of right wingers exceeded the 10% asymmetry threshold in CMJ. Conclusions: Although interlimb asymmetries did not significantly differ across positions, the presence of asymmetries >= 10% in a notable proportion of players highlights the relevance of individualised monitoring in youth futsal. These findings support the use of asymmetry assessments as part of injury prevention strategies in elite and developmental settings.
Background: The reviewed literature underscores the increasing importance of developing the physical abilities that underpin competitive performance in rhythmic gymnastics, with muscular strength identified as a key determinant of success and talent identification. Objective: The aim was to analyze the effects of a 12-week specific strength-training program on performance in young rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: Thirty-five gymnasts (14.23 +/- 1.80 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Both groups continued their regular training, while the EG additionally performed a specific strength-training program. Performance was evaluated through six rhythmic gymnastics technical elements assessed before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using mixed model analysis of variance, and effect sizes were calculated with partial eta squared. Results: Statistically significant pre-post changes were observed in balance and jump performance in both groups, with the relative changes being greater in the EG than in the CG. No statistically significant changes were found in rotation performance in either group. Conclusions: A specific strength-training program appears to be effective in enhancing balance and jump performance in young rhythmic gymnasts, while having limited impact on rotational skills.
Background: Accurate classification of physical exercise is essential for individualised training and rehabilitation. Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) offer a data-driven way to cluster movement patterns. Objective: To extract the most informative acceleration-and angular-velocity features from children's movements and use SOM to build a map and visualize the similarity structure among exercises based on trunk dynamics. Methods: Eighty-one children (9-11 years) performed eight dynamic tasks while 3-D accelerometers and gyroscopes recorded kinematics. The performed tasks are Shuttle Run, Crawling, Progressive Cone Shuttle Run, Ring Collection and Placement Run, 10x Position Change Drill, 10x Head-to-Foot Hoop Crawl, 10x Bench Jumping, Crawling (repeat). Data were collected in a single session using one back-mounted inertial sensor; the SOM solution with seven super-clusters yielded a mean Silhouette width of 0.36, indicating moderate cluster separation. Time series (records) were described with Recurrence Quantification Analysis, autocorrelation and Fourier transforms. XGBoost selected 27 key features that guided SOM optimisation and clustering. Results: With 27 optimised features, the SOM exceeded 90% accuracy and organised the seven movement tasks, including one repeated task, into seven coherent clusters. For instance, 10x Head-to-Foot Hoop Crawl and 4x 10m Shuttle Run exercises were found to differ primarily due to the presence of locomotion and rapid acceleration changes in the latter, while the former exhibited higher angular velocity during trunk bending. 10x Position Change Drill exercise was characterized by dynamic transitions between standing, prone, and supine positions, whereas Crawling exercise involved steady, low acceleration movements. Conclusions: Advanced feature extraction combined with XGBoost-guided selection yields a compact, informative descriptor set that enables SOM to map children's exercises with high accuracy. This workflow offers a practical, data-driven approach to mapping and organizing exercises based on similarity in trunk dynamics, rather than a discrete classification.
Background: Time spent near VO2max has been suggested as an optimal stimulus for the promotion of greater VO2max improvements. Thus, this study aimed to compare time spent above 90% (t90VO2max) and 95% of VO2max (t95VO2max) during three cycling interval training protocols with decreasing, increasing, or constant work rate distributions within each exercise interval. Methods: After an incremental test to determine VO2max and peak power output (Ppeak), ten physically active male individuals (age 28 +/- 5 years, VO2max 48.4 +/- 8.1 mL & centerdot;kg-1 & centerdot;min-1) performed in a random order three work-matched cycling interval training sessions comprising 8 & times; 60 s efforts with 60 s passive recovery. The power output was held constant (100%Ppeak; ITCON), decreasing (from 110 to 90%Ppeak; ITDEC), or increasing (from 90 to 110%Ppeak; ITINC) throughout each work interval. Time sustained above 90% and 95% of VO2max, above 90% and 95% of maximal heart rate (t90HRmax; t95HRmax), blood lactate concentrations (BLC), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured. Results: There was no difference in t90VO2max among sessions (ITCON 152 +/- 72 s, ITDEC 157 +/- 81 s, ITINC 161 +/- 81 s, p = .857), t95VO2max (ITCON 84 +/- 65 s, ITDEC 86 +/- 87 s, ITINC 99 +/- 73 s, p = .585), t90HRmax (p = .204), t95HRmax (p = .119), BLC (p = .694), or RPE (p = .482). Conclusions: Short-duration cycling interval training around Ppeak induces similar time spent near VO2max, regardless of the work rate distribution.
