European Championship Research Articles

Facebook посланията на предизборната парламентарна кампания’2021

Abstract: For the Bulgarians, as a result of the epidemic of COVID-19, the election year 2021 passed in the conditions of virtual communication. They voted three times for a national parliament and once again - for president. The hard political confrontation of the pre-election campaigns was accompanied by such factors as the European Football Championship, summer vacations and strong inflationary trends. Internet platforms and especially social networks have been more and more popular channels for politicians to communicate with voters. That is why the study focuses on the dynamics of the pre-election online communication. The object is the specifics of the internet connection between audiences and MP candidates during the three campaigns preceding the regular elections on 04.04.21 and the tow snap elections - on 11.07.2021 and 14.11.2021. The subject refers to the digital election messages of the leaders of the political forces, presented in their Facebook profiles. The methodology is a comparative analysis and empirical study conducted by an academic research team from the Faculty of Journalism and Mass Communication of Sofia University St. Kliment Ohridski. The scope of the research includes the political forces that passed the 4% electoral threshold. The results are indicative of those interested in digital political communication during social isolation during a pandemic. Keywords: parliamentary election campaign, Facebook, digital commu¬nication.

Start Fast, Swim Faster, Turn Fastest: Section Analyses and Normative Data for Individual Medley.

The aims of the study were to provide benchmarks and normative data for 100 m, 200 m, and 400 m short-course individual medley (IM) races, investigate differences between the various swimming strokes and turns involved in IM, and quantify the effect and contribution of various race sections on swimming performance. All IM races (n = 320) at the 2019 European Short-Course Swimming Championships were video monitored and digitized with interrater reliability described by a mean intra-class correlation coefficient of 0.968. Normative data were provided for the eight finalists of each event (FINA points = 886 ± 37) and the eight slowest swimmers from each event (FINA points = 688 ± 53). Contribution and effects of race sections on swimming performance were investigated using stepwise regression analysis based on all races of each event. Regression analysis explained 97-100% of total variance in race time and revealed turn time (β ≥ 0.53) as distinguishing factor in short-course IM races in addition to swim velocity (β ≥ -0.28). Start time only affected 100 m (β ≥ 0.14) and 200 m (β ≥ 0.04) events. Fastest turn times were found for the butterfly/backstroke turn. Breaststroke showed slowest swim velocities and no difference between fastest and slowest 100 m IM swimmers. Therefore, breaststroke may provide largest potential for future development in IM race times. Correlation analyses revealed that distance per stroke (r ≥ -0.39, P < 0.05) rather than stroke rate (r ≤ -0.18, P > 0.05) is a performance indicator and may be used by coaches and performance analysts to evaluate stroke mechanics in male IM swimmers despite its more complex assessment. Performance analysts, coaches, and swimmers may use the present normative data to establish minimal and maximal requirements for European Championship participation and to create specific drills in practice.

STUDY ON TEMPERAMENT AND THE OCCURRENCE OF JOINT INJURIES IN FOOTBALL-TENNIS

Abstract. The game of football-tennis appeared in 1922 in the former Czechoslovakia, being called at that time football over the rope. The first official rules were written in 1940. Football-tennis is a relatively young sport that has grown in popularity since the 1980s. This sports game can be played individually or in teams and includes five events: simples, doubles and triples, plus mixed doubles and triples (men + women). In a football-tennis match, the technique of kicking the ball differs from the techniques used in football and tennis, which indicates that the name of this sport as well as its theoretical and practical foundations are independent of football and tennis. Although not widely promoted in the media, football tennis is nationally represented in Romania by the National Championship (for seniors - both men and women - and juniors) and the Romanian Cup, and at international level, by the World Championships, European Championships and tournaments organised by sponsors on different occasions. The occurrence of joint injuries in the life of a non-athlete is not a drama, but the same cannot be said about an elite athlete who is forced to interrupt their sports activity for a shorter or longer period, depending on the severity of trauma. That is why we must first know the causes in order to prevent injuries. This paper provides an overview of the correlation between the type of temperament, age, seniority in sport and injury severity.

Study on temperament and the occurrence of joint injuries in football-tennis

The game of football-tennis appeared in 1922 in the former Czechoslovakia, being called at that time football over the rope. The first official rules were written in 1940. Football-tennis is a relatively young sport that has grown in popularity since the 1980s. This sports game can be played individually or in teams and includes five events: simples, doubles and triples, plus mixed doubles and triples (men + women). In a football-tennis match, the technique of kicking the ball differs from the techniques used in football and tennis, which indicates that the name of this sport as well as its theoretical and practical foundations are independent of football and tennis. Although not widely promoted in the media, football tennis is nationally represented in Romania by the National Championship (for seniors - both men and women - and juniors) and the Romanian Cup, and at international level, by the World Championships, European Championships and tournaments organised by sponsors on different occasions. The occurrence of joint injuries in the life of a non-athlete is not a drama, but the same cannot be said about an elite athlete who is forced to interrupt their sports activity for a shorter or longer period, depending on the severity of trauma. That is why we must first know the causes in order to prevent injuries. This paper provides an overview of the correlation between the type of temperament, age, seniority in sport and injury severity.

Evaluating the Quality of Life for People with Locomotor Disabilities by Practicing a Certain Sport

This present article describes the importance of practicing performance sport for people with disabilities, along with the benefits and changes in the quality life that the latter bring. The purpose of this paper has been to focus our attention on the way people with certain afflictions can overcome the bridge of disability by practicing a sport, taking into account relevant examples, such as participating in two European Handball Championships for athletes in wheelchairs for the Romanian National team. As a leading method of research, we have used a questionnaire which aims to understand the way in which disabled people cope with performance sports and how these activities influence their lives, generally, further analysing auxiliary aspects such as the quality of sleep, adopted diet and social life, to name a few. The questionnaire has been distributed to all players who participated in the two European Championships from 2018 to 2019, from 8 European Union countries, with a sample group of 59 disabled people. Based on this implemented method of action, we have examined the results and have had discussions regarding the significant role of performance sport in the life of people with disabilities, concluding that sport is not merely an isolated subject in their day to day routine, but a quintessential element in many aspects of their contemporaneous living. Sport represents a stable platform for shaping and sustaining certain healthy habits with recommendations that people with disabilities engage in such an endeavour thus managing their physical and mental health and also their social and community lives.

Small-Sided Games in Elite Football: Practical Solutions to Replicate the 4-min Match-Derived Maximal Intensities.

Riboli, A, Esposito, F, and Coratella, G. Small-sided games in elite football: practical solutions to replicate the 4-min match-derived maximal intensities. J Strength Cond Res 37(2): 366-374, 2023-The purpose of the study was to determine the area per player (ApP, m 2 ·player -1 ) to replicate the maximal 4-min match-play period (4-min Peak ) using small-sided or large-sided games (SSGs) lasting the same duration in elite football players. Twenty players (age: 26 ± 5 years) competing in European championship and international UEFA competitions were monitored during SSGs with (SSG with ) or without (SSG without ) goalkeepers, both lasting 4-min. A total of 1,724 and 561 individual observations for SSG with and SSG without across 99 and 34 different SSGs formats were undertaken. Whole (90-min avg ) and 4-min Peak match demands were calculated. Relative (m·min -1 ) total, high-speed (HSRD), very high-speed (VHSRD), sprint, and acceleration/deceleration distance were collected. For both SSG with and SSG without , ApP was small -to- very-largely correlated with TD, HSRD, VHSRD, and sprint, whereas an inverse trivial -to- small correlation with acceleration/deceleration was found. In SSG with , the ApP to replicate 4-min Peak was larger ( p < 0.001, effect size [ES]: 0.33-5.80) than that to mimic 90-min avg for total distance, HSRD, VHSRD, and sprint, whereas for acceleration/deceleration the ApP was lower ( p < 0.001, ES: -3.13 to 0.48) for 4-min Peak . In SSG without , the ApP to replicate 4-min Peak was larger ( p < 0.001, ES: 0.04-3.72) than that to mimic 90-min avg for HSRD, VHSRD, and sprint. Some positional differences ( p < 0.05, ES: 0.22-1.10) in ApP were found. The ApP to replicate 4-min Peak was higher for SSG with than SSG without ( p < 0.001, ES: 0.67-3.58). These findings may help practitioners to recreate the 4-min Peak to manage ApP during SSGs in elite football.

HISTORICAL PREREQUISITES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF ATHLETICS IN KHERSON REGION

The article analyzes the historical preconditions for the development of athletics in the Kherson Region. The state of physical culture and sports activities during the twentieth century is revealed. It is determined that athletics was one of the most popular sports in the former USSR. Before the Second World War, athletics clubs emerged in all sports clubs. Moreover, already in 1938 the improvised team of the best athletes of Kherson took part in the republican championship in Kharkiv. It was revealed that in the personal championship of Kherson Nadiya Shapar fulfilled the normative requirements of the title "Master of Sports of the USSR" in cross-country. She became the first master of sports in Kherson. Before the start of the war, there were 11345 athletes in the Kherson region, who were united in 102 sports organizations. It was established that in the postwar period, the organization of physical culture work in educational institutions was built on the principle of a sports club, and only in October 1957, the first three grassroots societies of the student GOST "Petrel" were established in Kherson. Constant sports work was carried out in 26 sports. This company was a leader in athletics in the region for a long time. Under the leadership of GOST "Petrel" sports games, athletics, various relay races were held among students and working youth of Kherson region. Students of Kherson universities were constantly members of the athletics teams of the region and the republic.&#x0D; Valery Borzov became the most famous athlete among the representatives of Kherson region. He entered the history of world sports as the first Soviet European champion in athletics. The victory at the Olympics in Munich in the 100- meter race was brilliant. After winning the Olympics from 1975 to 1977, three times in a row Valery won the title of European champion in the short distance of 60 meters indoors. At the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, the athlete won medals again, but this time bronze. The success of one athlete could not change the state of affairs in the sports economy of the region, and in the late 80’s it became obvious. Only more than 30 years later, another outstanding athlete was able to represent the Kherson Region on the same high level at the Olympic Games – Yuriy Bilonog.

Race level comparison and variability analysis of 100 m freestyle sprinters competing in the 2019 European championships

ABSTRACT This study aimed to (i) compare the race performance of the swimmers with better performances and poorer performances during all sections of a 100 m freestyle event and (ii) compare stroke kinematics variables between tiers and analyse their stability in each tier. The sample was composed of 88 swimmers that participated in the 100 m Freestyle event at the 2019 LEN European Junior Championships. Speed achieved the largest difference between tiers in section (S) S0-15 m of lap #1 (mean difference = −0.109 s, p < 0.001). During the clean swim and finish phases, the stroke length and stroke index presented significant differences (p < 0.05) between tiers in all sections of the race (stroke frequency did not). Significant variances were noted for both tiers in all variables in both laps. Swimmers in tier #1 were significantly faster than swimmers in tier #2 especially in sections related to the push-off against a solid (block or wall), and finish. A significant variance was noted by both tiers during the race with a moderate-to-high normative stability. Coaches are advised to analyse and understand the swimmers' within-lap stability, which can give deeper details about their swimmers’ behaviour during the 100 m freestyle race.

Analyzing the Relationship Between Game Factors and Psychological Pressure During a Penalty Kick

A Penalty Kick is the most advantageous dead ball situation in soccer. It is a direct spot kick twelve yards away from the goal with only the goalkeeper to beat. Instead of an issue with soccer technique or skill that causes professional players to miss penalty kicks, it is hypothesized that the psychological pressure infiltrating the penalty kick taker creates self-doubt, freezing up, and uncharacteristic errors, preventing them from striking the ball into the goal using their highest potential. Forty-six total penalty kick cases that occurred either during the 2018 Men’s FIFA World Cup or 2020 Men’s European Championships were analyzed along with a questionnaire sent out to players on the 2021/2022 Pine Creek High School Men’s Varsity Soccer Team to determine the specific game factors that influence the most psychological pressure. The conclusion of this study is that the time of when the penalty kick occurs during the match has the greatest impact on the psychological pressure a player experiences and has the most influence on the outcome of the penalty kick. The pressure a player experiences increases as the game goes on, with the most pressure and lowest level of penalty kick performance happening at the end of a game.

Training Load, Maturity Timing and Future National Team Selection in National Youth Basketball Players.

Despite its importance to the management of training stress, monotony and recovery from exercise, training load has not been quantified during periods of intensity training in youths. This study aimed to (1) examine and quantify the training load (TL) in youth national team basketball players during a 2-week training camp according to maturity timing and (2) determine which parameters were related to under-18 (U18) national team selection. Twenty-nine U-16 national team basketball players underwent an anthropometric assessment to determine maturity timing. Players were categorised by maturity timing (early vs. average), whilst TL parameters during a 2-week training camp (i.e., 21 sessions) prior to FIBA U16 European Championship were used for group comparison and to predict future U-18 national team selection. The early-maturing players, who were taller and heavier (p < 0.05), experienced greater training strain in week 1 (p < 0.05) only. Irrespective of maturity timing, training loads in week 2 were predictive of onward selection for the U-18 national team. Conclusion: Based on present findings, practitioners are encouraged to develop their athletes’ ability to tolerate high weekly loads, but also to be mindful that athletes’ perceived exertion during national team training may be influenced by maturity timing.

Validity of Performance Assessment Methods in Elite Paracanoeists.

The problem of valid and reliable research methods in paralympic sports seems of great significance, thus the aim of this study was to evaluate the validity of the Wingate test (WAnT) in assessment of anaerobic performance in elite paracanoeists competing in 200 m races. Seven paralympic athletes (32.6 ± 7.76 years), medal winners and finalists of the Paralympic Games, World and European Championships, as well as World Cups were examined. The evaluations were conducted during a competition which was held at the paralympic distance of 200 m, and included the WAnT for upper limbs and the anaerobic threshold test (ATT). Correlations of selected indices of mechanical work and power in the WAnT, as well as anaerobic threshold (AT) power, with the time recorded during the competition were used to determine indices which affected paracanoeing performance. The results indicated strong negative correlations with time achieved in the competition between peak power and total work in the WAnT, and AT power (R = -0.796 p = 0.032; R = -0.882 p = 0.009; R = -0.900 p < 0.001, respectively). The research confirmed the validity of the WAnT for the upper limbs to assess the performance level of paracanoeists. It may be concluded that the WAnT and ATT may be used for monitoring performance during the paralympic 200 m race.

Comparison of Kinanthropometric Profiles of Elite Turkish Taekwondo Players With or Without Medals in European Championships

Comparison of Kinanthropometric Profiles of Elite Turkish Taekwondo Players With or Without Medals in European Championships

Differences in Specific Power Performance among Playing Positions in Top Level Female Handball

Since all activities in handball should be performed as fast and as powerful as possible, power is involved in almost all players’ movements. There is an evident lack of studies that monitored this ability during matches. The study aimed to determine the situational differences in power among playing positions in top-level female handball. Variables included: body height, average game time, fastest shot, fastest sprint, and highest jump. Subjects were 227 female handball players that participated in the European handball championship 2020. Analysis of variance with the post-hoc Scheffe test was calculated. Results showed significant differences among playing positions in body height, fastest sprint and highest jump performed in real game situations. The largest differences were noticed in anthropometrics, with significant differences between back- and pivot-players on one side, and wing-players on the other. The fastest sprinting was recorded for wingers (26.5±1.12 km/h), who were significantly faster than other players. Jumping performance was most diverse among playing positions, with back-players being superior in this performance (47.24±17.61 cm, 48.44±20.71 cm, and 50.35±16.76 cm for centre-backs, leftbacks, and right-backs, respectively). Evidenced differences are explainable knowing the specific positions’ roles and typical game situations which players encounter during the match.

Long-Term Monitoring of Training Load, Force-Velocity Profile, and Performance in Elite Weightlifters: A Case Series With Two Male Olympic Athletes

Sandau, I and Granacher, U. Long-term monitoring of training load, force-velocity profile, and performance in elite weightlifters: a case series with two male Olympic athletes. J Strength Cond Res 36(12): 3446-3455, 2022-The aim of this case series approach was to analyze weekly changes in force-velocity relationship (FvR) parameters (v̅0, F̅0, P̅max) and theoretical snatch performance (snatchth) assessed through a specific snatch pull test in preparation of the European and World Championships in 2 male elite weightlifters. A second aim was to examine associations of training load (volume, volume load, average load), barbell FvR-parameters, and snatchth over a period of 2 macrocycles in preparation of the same competitions. FvR-parameters, snatchth, training load data, and body mass were assessed weekly over 40 weeks. Using the smallest real difference approach, significant (p ≤ 0.05) decreases in v̅0 and increases in F̅0, P̅max, and snatchth were found within macrocycles. However, the large significant loss in body mass (≈11%) in athlete 1 during macrocycle 2 represents most likely a main factor for diminished P̅max, and snatchth in macrocycle 2. Based on cross-correlation analyses, barbell FvR-parameters and snatchth were significantly (p ≤ 0.05) associated with maximal strength, muscle power, and speed training load variables. Moderate correlations (0.31-0.47) were found between training load and P̅max and snatchth in athlete 2. It can be concluded that the applied training loads elicits improvements in P̅max and snatchth because the athlete approached the main competitions. However, because of the large loss in body mass, the relations between training load and barbell FvR-parameters and snatchth were less clear in athlete 1. It seems that a loss in body mass as a result of a change in bodyweight category mitigates P̅max development during the macrocycle and hindered to reach peak snatchth at the main competitions.

Shooting Speed Differences between Playing Positions in Top Level Handball

Scoring the goal in handball is performed by shooting action. Shooting speed is one of the most important attacking elements that influences successful performance in handball. Anyhow, there is a lack of scientific data considering shooting speed between different playing positions. The main aim of this study was to determine differences in shooting speed between playing positions in top level male handball players. Data used in this study was collected from official match reports of European handball championship held in Austria, Norway and Sweden 2020. Seven hundred and eighty-four (784) shoots were analyzed and variables included were shooting speed and playing position. Shooting speed was collected with iBall (SELECT, Denmark), with a built-in chip that tracks and distributes data in real time (Kinexon, Germany). Differences between playing positions were calculated with Kruskal-Wallis test. Significant difference in shooting speed was noticed between playing positions (Chi-Square=67.34). Post-hoc analysis revealed that line positions (wings and pivots) shoot significantly slower than outfield positions. No differences were noticed between wings and pivots, nor between left, right and center back. On the first sight, results of the study are biomechanically contradictable since faster shoots are from longer distances. Anyway, results could be easily explained if game dynamic is analyzed. Namely, line shoots are executed from narrow angle situations which more often require creative and wise, than strong shooting performance.

Factors Associated with Potential Doping Behaviour in Windsurfing

Windsurfing is dynamic water Olympic sport in which surfer is using wind force to generate forward motion on the water while maintaining balance on the board. Although is fast-raising and popular sport, previous studies have not addressed the issue of doping in this sport. The main aim of this study was to identify predictors of potential doping behaviour in windsurfing. The sample of participants included 48 senior windsurfers (40 males, 8 females, average age 31.1) in slalom class. The testing occurred during European Championship 2014. The participants filled previously validated questionnaires that included socio-demographics and doping- related factors variables. Descriptive statistic parameters were calculated and binary logistic regression was used to determine association between predictors and criterion (potential doping behaviour). Only 60% participants showed negative attitude towards potential usage of doping, while the rest of them were positive or neutral. Logistic regression identified only opinion about penalties for doping offenders as a predictor of potential doping behaviour in windsurfers (OR: 2.99, 95% CI: 1.44-6.2). The results of this study showed that windsurfers who advocate higher penalties for doping offenders are less likely to use doping. The lack of association of other variables with the criterion can probably be attributed to the heterogeneous sample of windsurfers since most of them are recreational sailors. In future studies windsurfers for other disciplines and additional predictor variables should be included.

Optoelectronic analysis of technical factors and performance of elite-level air pistol shooting.

Technical elements are related to shooting performance; however, the importance of each factor regarding performance, especially in elite-level pistol shooters, remains controversial. The objective of this study was to determine the technical factors that influence pistol performance. One elite-level shooter was analysed during the season before the Olympic classification European championship through a total of six competitions (n = 360 shots). Aiming point trajectories were measured with the SCATT optoelectronic system. Variables were classified into six categories: performance; aiming time; stability of hold; aiming accuracy; cleanness of triggering and shooting delta. Principal component analysis, multiple regressions, Pearson correlations and ANOVAs were used to analyse the data. The results showed that five components (aiming time, stability of hold, aiming accuracy, cleanness of triggering and shooting delta) determined a total of 79.68% of the shooting variance. Specifically, aiming accuracy and cleanness of triggering explained up to 25% of the shooting score, with cleanness of triggering serving as the determining factor. Correlations were found among the performance and stability of hold, aiming accuracy, cleanness of triggering and shooting delta. Last, significant differences were found among 8-score, 9-score and 10-score shots. We conclude that while aiming accuracy seems to be related to the performance, cleanness of triggering could be the most critical technical element; furthermore, while stability of hold does not seem to be a determining factor of the score, it could be a general prerequisite to achieve high levels of performance in elite-level air pistol shooters.

An early form of European champions? Banking clubs between European integration and global banking (1960s–1990s)

Between the late 1950s and the mid-1970s, most large European commercial banks created European banking clubs, which were hybrid cooperative organisations meant to respond to American competition and to the progress of European integration. Based on the archives of several commercial banks from France and the UK, this article examines how the three main European clubs (EBIC, Europartners, and ABECOR) emerged and developed in the 1960s and 1970s, and continued to exist despite increasing challenges in the 1980s. The article argues that banking clubs were an early attempt at creating truly ‘European’ banks, or European champions, even though their experience was abandoned. They also participated in European integration in a different way than the one the European Commission promoted. These clubs were an important institutional response of European banks to both globalisation and European integration.

Analysis of the competitive activity of qualified judoists in standing wrestling

This article considers the features of the use of techniques in wrestling in a standing position by judoists in the pre-competitive period. The effectiveness of the use of various combat tactics is being discussed. The results of competitions of international level, world level and European championships are analyzed. Identified are the main areas of training which are used to plan preparation for competitions.

Kultura fizyczna w Uniwersytecie Humanistyczno-Przyrodniczym im. Jana Długosza w Częstochowie w latach 1971–2021 (zarys problematyki)

For almost fifty years students and academics scholars are contributing to the growth and development of physical culture in the University. An important role in this process is played by academic teachers of the Physical Education &amp; Sport Centre. In the researched period, the number of teaching hours of physical education was systematically reduced from 240 hours to 30 hours (ministerial central decisions). Sports classes at the University are supplemented by sports sections in selected disciplines. Students training in such sports sections have won already 434 medals in Polish Academic Championships and lecturers from the Physical Education &amp; Sport Centre significantly contributed to those results. The Centre’s personnel consist of specialists in team games and individual sports. Their results in World, European and Polish Academic Championships have contributed to the promotion of Jan Długosz University in Europe and the world. The best section of KU AZS (Academic Club of University Sports Association) is women’s table tennis (9 medals in Polish Team Championships, 8 Polish Cups, 46 matches played in the European Cup). The sport activists of KU AZS together with the Physical Education &amp; Sport Centre in Częstochowa organized 28 Academic Championships of Poland. In the 20th century tourism and camping were withdrawn as compulsory classes. Since 2008 students of UJD have had excellent conditions for practicing sports and recreation (Academic Sports Center).