International Competition Research Articles

Setting sail for Paris 2024: Retrospective analysis of world-class ILCA 7 Olympic sailors' cardiorespiratory fitness (2015-2020).

The aim of this retrospective analysis was to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the cardiorespiratory profile of world-class ILCA-7 sailors (n=3, all males), through a longitudinal evaluation offering real-world data on physiological profile and exercise intensity domains. The cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed by the same researchers using the same equipment during the study. Assessments took place twice a year, aligning with major international competition preparations. Participants trained and competed at the same sailing club in Split, Croatia, under consistent supervision from the same team throughout the study, winning a total of 21 medals at major international competitions. The recorded ranged from 51.7±1.6 to 61.9±3.0mLmin-1kg-1, respectively. Similarly, peak power output varied from 352±10 to 426±34W. The changes in physiological responses at the ventilatory thresholds were proportional to the changes in peak cardiorespiratory fitness capacity. Interestingly, the oxygen pulse measured in 2015 was 25±1mLO2beat-1. Over the subsequent 6 years, the O2 pulse marginally increased and appeared to stabilize at 27±1mLO2beat-1 in 2020, when these athletes were 32±3 years old. This work offers a broader understanding of world-class Olympic sailors' cardiorespiratory fitness, going beyond the standard assessment of peak to incorporate an analysis of ventilatory thresholds. While a direct link between cardiorespiratory fitness and competitive success remains ambiguous, the importance of a well-rounded aerobic capacity for excellence in ILCA-7 sailing class is evident. HIGHLIGHTS: What is the central question of this study? What are the temporal changes in the physiological profiles of three world-class ILCA-7 sailors? What is the main finding and its importance? Data on oxygen pulse adjustments suggest the involvement of compensatory cardiovascular mechanisms, likely associated with the isometric and quasi-isometric contractions inherent in ILCA-7 sailing. This is evidenced by the absence of an age-related increase in oxygen pulse, a phenomenon often observed in endurance athletes throughout their competitive careers.

Modeling and Analyzing of Financial Data within Digital Transformation Era and its Impact on Balanced Scorecards Utilizations: A Theoretical Review

The present theoretical review outlines the interaction between digital transformation and financial data modeling and the use of Balanced Scorecards in improving strategic management in organizations. Considering the context of rapid technological processes and the growing influence of international competition, the principle question of this work is how current management accounting methods, most of which are inspired by digitization, shift the theoretical perspective of how organizations use (BSCs) for strategic forecasting and performance assessment. By conducting a thorough review of the literature within the realms of management accounting, information systems, and strategic management, this theoretical review identifies the main trends, the rationale, and the challenges behind the use of (BSCs) and digitization. The current finding indicates that the implementation of digital technologies into the process of financial data modeling substantially increases the potential of (BSCs) by offering real-time, useful information for strategic decision-making. At the same time, the implementation process raises a set of challenges, such as security issues, hefty financial investments into technological infrastructures, and human factors of organizational change. Despite these hurdles, the potential benefits of digitally-enhanced (BSC) framework-such as improved decision-making accuracy, strategic agility, and operational efficiency-underscore the importance of adopting a holistic approach to digital transformation in strategic management practices. This review calls for a balanced perspective that considers both the technological and cultural dimensions of implementing digital innovations within (BSC) frameworks. It concludes with recommendations for future research, emphasizing the need for empirical studies to validate theoretical insights presented and explore the practical implications of digital transformation organizations-BSCs effectiveness in diverse organizational context.

Measurement of Training and Competition Loads in Elite Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Systematic Literature Review

In the long-term performance development of rhythmic gymnasts aged 16–17, athletes enter a high-performance training phase, marked by increased training loads and preparation for international competitions. This study aimed to (1) provide an overview of methods used to capture external and internal training/competition loads in elite rhythmic gymnasts, and (2) identify measurements of external and internal training/competition loads and their responses during monitored periods. Conducted according to PRISMA guidelines, the systematic review included 6 studies out of the 815 initially identified. The most common methods for calculating external training load were hours or minutes per week. Internal measures varied and included objective methods such as heart rate monitoring and biochemical, hormonal, and hematological assessments from saliva and blood samples. Among subjective methods, session-RPE was most frequently used, along with other questionnaires examining recovery, well-being, sleep, and competition anxiety. The analyzed studies integrated diverse external and internal training load variables, delving into their impact on athlete’s biochemical parameters, recovery, and well-being. Pre-competitive and competitive training periods were the focal points of measuring loads. The complex training structure of rhythmic gymnastics can complicate the calculation of training loads. Therefore, more studies are needed to explore the dose-response relationships between training load and training adaptations, fatigue, and recovery.

CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES IN OPTIMIZING PHYSICAL TRAINING: IMPACT ON COMPETITIVE PERFORMANCES IN DANCE SPORT

These instructions are formulated for presenting the template used for editing the articles for the scientific journal Bulletin of Transilvania University of Braşov. The material presents the camera ready form of the articles. The abstract should synthetically outline all the pertinent results, in a short but intelligible form. The abstract should begin through clearly stating the purpose of the paper and should end by formulating the most important conclusions. There will be used short, direct and complete sentences, written in a single paragraph, without “tab”-s. The abstract will have 7...10 lin The arbitration criteria in sport dance, established by the WDSF and FRDS regulations, form the basis for the activities that referees undertake to assess the technical, artistic, and sports performance quality of dance couples. The research aims to analyze the results of 16 Romanian dancers (aged 15-18) in official competitions, specifically the finalist couples of the National Section Championship, Youth Latin – 2022. This includes their participation and results at DanceMasters, Bucharest 2022 – WDSF Open Youth Latin, WDSF World Championship – 2022, WDSF European Championship – 2022 (for the two couples representing Romania), and the National Section Championship, Youth Latin – 2023, considering their placement in the competition, performance in the rumba dance, and the scores awarded by each judge in the competition jury. Using IBM SPSS Statistics 20, we compared the results recorded from one competition to another throughout a competitive year, specifically between National Section Championships. The analysis highlights the importance of close collaboration between physical preparation and athletes’ performance. The obtained results demonstrate the validity of the working hypothesis that the dynamics of performances in national and international competitions can effectively influence the physical training efficiency of sports dancers.

Do Chinese secondary schools develop global citizens?

ABSTRACT This paper examines the nature of global citizenship education in Chinese secondary schools by investigating what kind of global citizens these institutions try to develop in the twenty-first century. Drawing on qualitative data from six high schools in China, the study reveals a distinctive Chinese perspective shaping the understanding of global citizenship. Educators purposefully harmonise the attributes of global citizens with cultural and traditional values inherent to the Chinese context, actively seeking common ground while adhering to national government policies. The research underscores a deliberate effort to connect global citizenship with the necessity of adapting to international competition and China’s role in world leadership. Furthermore, notable variations emerge among schools in their conceptualisations of developing global citizens, reflecting diverse expectations aligned with the different strata of students within China’s highly centralised education system. This exploration provides insights into the nuanced nature of global citizenship education in Chinese secondary schools.

Colonial legacies and the British geological survey in cold war South Asia: 1960s–1980s

ABSTRACT This article explores change and continuity in the institutional objectives and actions of the British Geological Survey across independent South Asian countries, namely India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Ceylon/Sri Lanka, and Burma/Myanmar. By focusing on this geographical space from the 1960s, the article tells a political tale of adjustment, in which the colonial background of the British presence in the region was overlain by the Cold War foreground of international competition. The Geological Survey had the required pedigree to prolong the British presence in important technical arenas of these emerging nation-states, albeit within the redefined parameters of development, overlapping interests, and competing benefits. The article sketches the Survey’s history of exchange and collaboration across South Asian countries (except Bhutan), as its projects adapted to national preferences and global pressures. It traces how and why its proposals prioritised certain interactions over others and tracks the ways-and-means through which it pursued geological and attendant commercial aims. The article also attempts to situate these interplays within regional and ideological frames, within which politically conscious technocrats sought capital and influence to reorient earth science objectives so that these could simultaneously accrue national products and generate neo-colonial prestige.

Implementation of economic and didactic opportunities of the educational university-based technology park in the training of engineers for the food industry

Introduction. With the advent of a new component in the system of continuous education – the children’s and youth leisure technology park (technopark) at engineering universities – the task arose to identify its niche in this system, to determine educational and mentoring opportunities. Research purposes are to determine the economic and didactic capabilities of university educational technology parks and to describe the principles of advanced education. Materials and methods. The research material was the activities of the technology park in the field of training personnel for the food industry. Systemic, personal, activity-based and axiological methodological approaches were used. Project-oriented learning and the research-based teaching method, collaboration technology, methods of collective and creative project activity, STEM education technologies, and collaborative learning were applied. Results. Leisure education in the technology park for schoolchildren with engineering inclinations is aimed at the students’ individual development in a creative team, project activities under the guidance of a mentor, demonstration of their scientific and technical achievements at international competitions, active search for their creative “I” and choice of direction for further professional development within the walls a specific university and an already chosen specialty. The technology park is also considered from the perspective of economic pedagogy. The “product” that the technology park offers is the skills of creative work, the ability to combine knowledge obtained from various fields of technical and technological sciences to generate new knowledge and create unique industries, i.e. as an intellectual “good” in the format of skills for its use and skills for ethical assessment of the results of future achievements (axiological aspect of training and education). STEM education technologies are optimally combined with the use of remote access laboratory installations for research, which makes it possible to conduct physical and chemical experiments in real time in real installations, remotely controlling the operation of the installation. This makes it possible to form a clear idea of natural phenomena and their role in technological processes. Conclusion. The creation of university-based technology parks is promising for the actively developing technology industry, it provides the opportunity to form a talented personnel reserve and develop environmental thinking.

Balancing Quality and Equity in Education: Finnish Education Experience and Implications

In the 21st century, rapid technological development and changes in the times have made international competition increasingly fierce. The Finnish education system has been highly regarded for its excellent quality of teaching, unique education concepts, and innovative education policies. Through comparative analyses of the Finnish education system, this study finds that the key to its success lies in its unique 'all-inclusive' education system, flexible and reasonable education policies, and comprehensive financial aid system. Compared with Finland, China's education is developing continuously, but there are still many problems. For example, unequal distribution of education resources, uneven quality of education, and poor implementation of education policies are still prevalent. Therefore, this study needs to draw inspiration from Finland's successful experience to further improve China's education system and policies. Taking into account the Finnish experience in reforming the education system, China can carry out education reform by upgrading the links between vocational and academic education, formulating reasonable and flexible education policies, and establishing a sound system of relevant student subsidies.

Mechanism of strategic remoulding of high-dimensional industrial eco-economy and the reconstruction of carbon neutral industrial chain

Considerable changes in the international society, fierce international competition and unpredictable economic changes are currently observed. Since then, the epidemic has had a far-reaching impact, and many industrial and supply chains have suffered from ‘broken chains’, ‘blocked chains’ and ‘poor chains’. The European Union (EU) has also sounded the alarm on China’s ‘card neck’ restrictions and ‘entity list’. Therefore, pursuing the integration of dual carbon landscape planning and industrial chain and addressing the key high-dimensional ecological economy ‘neck-choking’ problem path have become important tasks. National ministries and commissions have issued a number of documents to promote the integration and innovation of the industrial chain, high-, medium- and low-dimensional enterprises, and guide such industries to take the road of ‘high dimensional’ development. This paper takes eco-economic strategy as the starting point to reshape the systematic theoretical analysis framework of economic strategy mechanism. In response to the high-dimensional industrial transformation adaptation path and carbon neutral industry chain development model of the academic inquiry, the ‘profit model’ is set as the core and configuration complementary, alternative management thinking analysis path and model. Simultaneously, the high-dimensional industrial eco-economic industrial chain adaptation path is identified. The effects of high-dimensional industry ‘five forces’, ‘colouring map’ and ‘new tools’ are explored and then integrated and refined to improve the implementation efficiency of the carbon neutral industrial chain. Finally, focusing on the high-dimensional ecological economic strategy reshaping mechanism, the formation of sustainable development of the ‘carbon neutral’ industrial chain, unified standards and the realisation of the chain length system is investigated.

СОВРЕМЕННЫЕ НАПРАВЛЕНИЯ ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЙ ИНТЕГРАЦИИ КЫРГЫЗСТАНА В ЕАЭС

This article discusses the development of Kyrgyzstan in international economic relations and the advantages of integration in the Eurasian Economic Union. Based on the statistical data of Kyrgyzstan, an analysis of foreign trade in recent years and export-import operations with the EAEU countries has been carried out. As a result, the reasons for the decline in the republic's foreign trade turnover with the EAEU countries were established and measures were outlined for their further growth. A considerable contribution to the integration process of Kyrgyzstan with the Russian Federation is made by the russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund, which provides significant assistance in financing and lending for the modernization and formation of the Kyrgyz economy. To further promote effective integration projects, investments are needed through financing from the Eurasian Development Bank. Despite some problems and shortcomings from Kyrgyzstan's accession to the EAEU, the country is developing, and integration gives the national economy of the republic great opportunities for market openness, division of labor and international competition.

Research and Practice of Curriculum System Reform of Water Conservancy Major in Colleges and Universities

The analysis of the current situation of the curriculum system of water conservancy major in colleges and universities shows that the backward traditional curriculum, backward teaching methods, unbalanced teacher structure and other problems significantly affect the quality of education. Therefore, this paper discusses the reform plan of the curriculum system based on the concept of internationalization and foresight, aiming at improving students' practical ability and international competitiveness, and promoting the sustainable development of the field of hydraulic engineering.

Influence of infrastructure institutions on the dynamics of agricultural production development in Kazakhstan

Object: to assess the impact of infrastructural institutions on the development of rural production, as well as to investigate the present results in agricultural production and its prospects. Methods: the system-functional approach was used as a general method, as well as general scientific methods: abstract-logical, dialectical; methods of statistical analysis. Results and conclusions. Findings: technology, infrastructure, and market strategies all play a role in fostering agricultural growth for the benefit of the broader population at all developmental phases. Insufficient infrastructure stands out as a significant barrier to the effective advancement of the agro-industrial sector. Investing public funds into infrastructure holds significance in establishing favorable conditions for financial markets to operate effectively in rural regions. Enhancing rural infrastructure also incentivizes commercial entities to extend favorable loan terms to farmers, as the associated risks diminish. Furthermore, a pivotal determinant of international competitiveness lies in the presence of sufficient and efficient national infrastructure. Conclusions: enhancing national infrastructure can bolster international competitiveness through several avenues, including boosting price competitiveness, enhancing non-price competitiveness, and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI).

ŽENSKA ORODNA TELOVADBA V BRAZILIJI: NJENE POTI OD 1966 DO 2021

Brazilian men’s and women’s Artistic Gymnastics (AG) has been in the spotlight due to the results of some outstanding athletes in the most important international competitions over the last 20 years. However, the development of this sport in the national context does not reflect these achievements. This article performs a critical analysis of Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) in Brazil, reviewing the trajectory of the main gymnasts and their achievements in the World Championships and Olympic Games from 1966 to 2021, as well as relevant contextual facts during this historical period. Medals in major events have been won since 2001, with gradual and unstable growth, placing Brazil among the most prominent countries. Nevertheless, the data suggest that the achievements were based on concentrated investment in elite gymnasts, mainly in the Olympic team, with the support of already established clubs. The development is still centralized in a few clubs, without showing a sustainable increase in the number of clubs and gymnasts. In this scenario, there is a need for a long-term plan that can sustain the development of the national ecosystem (clubs, local competitions, provincial federations) across all age-group categories and in connection with the national teams..

IMPORTANCE OF HISTORICAL BACKGROUND OF THE PLACE AND CULTURAL AWARENESS IN DESIGNING COMPETITION PROJECTS DURING STUDENTS’ WORKSHOPS

This article’s primary objective is to illustrate how an understanding of the historical and cultural context of a location can significantly enhance students’ academic workshops, fostering interdisciplinary knowledge acquisition and aiding them in designing projects for international architectural competitions. Frequently, such projects tend to conform to global trends, often imitating fashionable patterns without regard for the local context, traditions, or cultural nuances. The first section of this article describes the methodology employed in international student workshops. The second section delves into the application of the problem-based learning method (PBL) when conceiving projects for architectural competitions, emphasizing the importance of factoring in historical and cultural heritage when selecting design concepts. The third section provides a comprehensive analysis of the workshop outcomes and initiates a discussion on the pivotal role of historical context and the significance of cultural awareness in this educational context.

Analysis of the international competitiveness of domestic metallurgical enterprises

Introduction. The relevance of the research topic is determined by the globalization trends of economic development, the growing competitive activity of enterprises, the increase in competitive tension in world markets, the formation of specific forms of competition. The purpose of the paper is to determine and structure the factors of international competitiveness of domestic metallurgical enterprises at the mega-, macro-, meso- and micro-levels, to identify the most priority positions for winning and maintaining the market. Results. Based on the analysis of the dynamics of metal products production during 2021-2023, the current state of operation of the largest metallurgical enterprises, the dynamics of foreign investments in the metallurgical industry of Ukraine, the main reasons for the deterioration of the competitive positions of the domestic MMC on the international market of metal products are determined. The negative and positive factors that determine the international competitiveness of MMC of Ukraine at the mega-, macro-, meso- and micro-levels are analyzed. The result of the analysis is the conclusion regarding the absolute predominance of the influence of external factors in the conditions of full-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation, the significant dependence of the development of MMC of Ukraine on the state of world markets. And vice versa, domestic metallurgy has an inverse effect on the global production of metal products, because it has significant resource, production and scientific potential. Considering the specifics of metallurgical enterprises, the state of the world economy and globalization processes, the factors of competitiveness of metallurgical enterprises are structured according to the degree of susceptibility to changes in the conditions of globalization (flexible, difficult to change) and according to the degree of influence on the level of global competitiveness (moderate influence, significant impact). Conclusions. The analysis of the factors of international competitiveness of the domestic metallurgy showed that in the conditions of its sharp decline, the priority for the industry is not to lose its own competitive advantages, including through the search and effective use of positive factors of international competitiveness. At the same time, the basis of increasing the international competitiveness of the metallurgical industry is to increase the competitiveness of domestic metallurgical enterprises both on the domestic and international markets. It has been proven that when developing a strategy for increasing international competitiveness, it is appropriate to determine the result of focusing on the factors of a more intensive manifestation of the classification feature, that is, on flexible factors of significant influence.

Towards NATO Membership: Looking into the End of Sweden's Neutrality Amidst Strategic Shift in Europe

The year 2022 marked the re-outbreak of a chaotic war, between Russia and Ukraine, in Eastern Europe. While military attacks between the two warring countries were not directed to countries around the region, and Sweden does not have a shared border with both countries, Sweden decided to apply for NATO membership a few months after the war began. This decision contradicted with Sweden’s long-standing tradition of neutrality in foreign affairs for almost two centuries. Using the framework of neoclassical realism along with the concept of alliance, the shifting stance is explained through systemic incentives and intervening variables, which comprised of (1) the inconsistency in the utilization of Russian military capabilities and (2) the European Union's defense challenges; (3) the Swedish military posture, (4) the Swedish Prime Minister's perception, and (5) the majority support within the Riksdag (Swedish Parliament). This research also indicates that Sweden’s neutrality would be maintained during international competition or the growth of alliances with significant power capabilities in the region. However, the neutrality did not extend to non-military aspects such as trade and transportation access.

Case study based on ball trajectory and motion analysis of international long-drive distance golf player

This study aimed to measure the ball trajectory, club face control, and body movements of a long-drive distance golf player (LDP) who excels in international competitions. The participant randomly executed 10 shots of three trajectory types—straight, draw, and fade—using a driver in an indoor facility. The results indicated that the fade shot exhibited a significantly longer ball carry distance (S: 329.7 ± 31.7, D: 301.8 ± 30.6, F: 345.7 ± 18.4 yards). The offline distance also showed a significant increase (S: 3.6 ± 37.3, D: −12.0 ± 26.4, F: 30.8 ± 42.2 yards) for the fade shot. If shots exceeding the 60-yard width of the offline distance resulting in invalid attempts were counted, there were 2 of 10 attempts for straight, 0 of 10 attempts for draw, and 4 of 10 attempts for fade. Analysis of the ball trajectory of draw shots revealed a statistically significant trend towards lower peak height and descent angle. In all three trajectories, there were no significant differences observed in ball speed (S: 189.3±6.3, D: 192.1±5.0, F: 193.3±4.1 mph) and club head speed (S: 137.2 ± 1.6, D: 137.0 ± 1.2, F: 137.7 ± 2.2 mph). For the draw shots, the club path exhibited in-to-out trajectory, moving the club face, and the face angle was open during the ball impact. It is evident that even in golf players aiming for the maximum distance in a single shot, club head speed and grip speed tend to remain relatively constant. The findings indicate that the LDP executes precise movement and face control tailored to the three ball trajectories, demonstrating sophisticated motor control.

Effect of Body Composition on Aerobic Capacity Level and Post-Workout Restitution during the Training Camp Preparing for the European Wrestling Cadet Men’s Championships

Background: The cognitive objective of the study was to determine the relationship between body composition and aerobic capacity levels at the beginning and end of the training camp and to demonstrate the relationship between body fat levels, free-fat mass levels, and total body water levels and the change in post-workout restitution during the training camp period in preparation for an international wrestling championship competition. Methods: Athletes of the Polish National Team in classical-style wrestling (n = 16) during a training camp before the European Cadet Men’s Championships. Aerobic capacity was analyzed using the Maximal Multistage 20 m Shuttle Run Test (Beep-Test). Post-workout restitution was calculated using the Klonowicz coefficient of restitution. Body composition was analyzed using the electrical bioimpedance method. Results: Significant associations were found between body composition and aerobic capacity and between body composition and post-workout restitution changes during the grouping period. Conclusions: It is necessary to regularly monitor the process of puberty, body composition, and co-occurring adaptive relationships during the period of direct preparation for championship competitions in wrestlers in the cadet age group.

An Alternative Model for International Competition: The First Women’s World Field Hockey Tournament, Copenhagen 1933

The International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) held its inaugural tournament in Copenhagen, Denmark, from 6–10 September 1933. It was the first in a series of triennial (later four-yearly) tournaments that would run for the next 50 years, bar 1939–1945, and that came to be regarded as the women’s world field hockey championships. Until 1975, however, there was no title to be won or trophy to be lifted – a unique situation among major team sports. Influenced by the post-World War I peace movement and wary of anything that smacked of professionalism, the IFWHA organized its tournament more like a festival: the social aspect was at least as important to the players and administrators as results on the pitch, although teams competed fiercely for the best results. At a time when that other great festival of sport – the Olympic Games – was increasingly the focal point of international rivalries and political grandstanding, IFWHA’s Copenhagen tournament represented an alternative vision for elite sport. That it was entirely female-run only adds to its importance as a sporting milestone, and the women who organized and played in it deserve wider recognition for their role in the progress narrative of women’s sport.

FuSeBMC v4: Improving Code Coverage with Smart Seeds via BMC, Fuzzing and Static Analysis

Bounded model checking (BMC) and fuzzing techniques are among the most effective methods for detecting errors and security vulnerabilities in software. However, there are still shortcomings in detecting these errors due to the inability of existing methods to cover large areas in target code. We propose FuSeBMC v4, a test generator that synthesizes seeds with useful properties, that we refer to as smart seeds , to improve the performance of its hybrid fuzzer thereby achieving high C program coverage. FuSeBMC works by first analyzing and incrementally injecting goal labels into the given C program to guide BMC and Evolutionary Fuzzing engines. After that, the engines are employed for an initial period to produce the so–called smart seeds. Finally, the engines are run again, with these smart seeds as starting seeds, in an attempt to achieve maximum code coverage/find bugs. During seed generation and normal running, the Tracer subsystem aids coordination between the engines. This subsystem conducts additional coverage analysis and updates a shared memory with information on goals covered so far. Furthermore, the Tracer evaluates test-cases dynamically to convert cases into seeds for subsequent test fuzzing. Thus, the BMC engine can provide the seed that allows the fuzzing engine to bypass complex mathematical guards (e.g., input validation). As a result, we received three awards for participation in the fourth international competition in software testing (Test-Comp 2022), outperforming all state-of-the-art tools in every category, including the coverage category.