Male National Team Research Articles

The Association between Body Composition and the Parameters of Muscle Fitness in Selected Young Judokas

This study aimed to determine the influence of body composition on the muscle fitness of selected judokas. This study was conducted on a sample of 23 judokas (cadets n = 12, juniors n = 11), members of the male national team of Serbia. The assessment of body composition was performed using the InBody 720 (Biospace Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea) and calipers. Muscle fitness was assessed using “Optojump” (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), Fitrodine Premium (Fitronic, Bratislava, Slovakia), and a digital force instrument IMADA Z2H-1100 (Imada Inc., Northbrook, IL, USA). Regression analysis revealed a notable association between muscle mass and measures of explosive strength (countermovement jump (CMJ) p = 0.023; drop jump (DJ) p = 0.026). Moreover, this study’s results showed that back extension (p = 0.006; R2 = 0.61) and hand grip (p = 0.009; R2 = 0.52) provide a strong positive association with muscle mass. The findings suggest that tailored training and nutritional strategies that improve muscle mass might significantly enhance muscle fitness in young judokas, optimizing their performance.

Study protocol for a prospective cohort study describing the injury characteristics in elite gymnasts in TeamGym: the Swedish TeamGym Injury Cohort – STIC

IntroductionGymnastics consists of several different disciplines, whereof TeamGym is one. TeamGym is a young discipline with sparse research. The aim of the study is to investigate the injury characteristics in...

Development of Cycling Performance Variables and Durability in Female and Male National Team Cyclists: From Junior to Senior.

This study investigated the development of power profiles and performance-related measures from the junior level (<19 yr) via U23 (19-23 yr) to senior level (>23 yr) in 19 female and 100 male Norwegian national team cyclists. A total of 285 tests were performed in a 3-d laboratory-standardized testing regime. The tests included power profiles with shorter duration (6-60 s) and longer durations (12-30 min) together with performance-related measures: critical power (CP), work capacity above CP (W'), power output at 4 and 2 mmol·L -1 [BLa - ] (L 4 and L 2 ), maximal aerobic power (W max ), and maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2max ), gross efficiency (GE), and pedaling efficiency. Females and males evolve similarly when maturing from junior via U23 to senior categories (all P > 0.07), except for V̇O 2max , which increased in females (but not males) from junior to senior level (534 ± 436 mL·min -1 , P = 0.013). In general, only performances of longer durations improved with age (12 and 30 min, P = 0.028 and P = 0.042, respectively). Performance-related measures like W max , V̇O 2max , CP, L 4 , L 2 , and pedaling efficiency in the fresh state improved with age (all P ≤ 0.025). Importantly, performance in the semifatigued state during a 5-min maximal test was also improved with age ( P = 0.045) despite a higher external energy expenditure before the test ( P = 0.026). Junior cyclists show highly developed sprint abilities, and the primary improvements of absolute power outputs and performance-related measures are seen for durations >60 s when maturing to U23 and senior categories. However, the durability, i.e., the capacity to maintain performance in a semifatigued state, is improved with age.

Personality and Age of Male National Team of Ukraine in Kyokushin Karate-Pilot Study.

This article is a continuation of the research on personality in combat sports in karate. The authors’ goal was to verify the relationship between personality and age of kyokushin karate practitioners. The male national team of Ukraine in karate kyokushin (N = 7) participated in the personality study with the use of the Big Five model. The NEO-FFI (NEO Five-Factor Inventory) Personality Questionnaire was applied as a research tool and the package of statistical methods IBM SPSS Statistics 27.0 (IBM Polska, Warszawa, Poland) was used to compute the research results. The study showed that there were differences in the intensity of openness to experiences between individual samples only at the level of the statistical trend. Masters showed a higher level of openness to experiences in relation to juniors (p = 0.081) and seniors (p = 0.097). Also, a negative and strong correlation between the intensity of neuroticism and conscientiousness among the respondents was noted. A conclusion was drawn that, with age, karatekas probably manifest greater openness to experience, which is the result of their sports experience, high sports level and pro-health values of karate. On the other hand, good emotional adaptation of karatekas is strictly related to conscientiousness.

Characterizing the Thermal Demands and Mobility Performance During International Wheelchair Rugby Competition.

ObjectiveTo determine the thermoregulatory responses and mobility performance of wheelchair rugby (WCR) players during international competition.MethodsEleven male National Team WCR players volunteered for the study. Testing occurred during a four game series against international competition (temp 24.7 ± 0.7°C, relative humidity 50.1 ± 3.6%), with movement time (MT) and gastrointestinal temperature (Tgi) recorded continuously.ResultsThe mean maximal Tgi was 38.6 ± 0.6°C (37.9–39.7) and did not significantly differ among Low-Class, Mid-Class, and High-Class athletes (p > 0.05). Moreover, there was a strong and significant relationship between minutes (min) played per quarter of the game and change in Tgi (r = 0.36, p = 0.01). Athletes moved a total of 27:43 ± 9:40 min:seconds (s), spent a total of 15:02 ± 8.23 min:s in Zone 1 (53.5%), 8:19 ± 3:20 min:s in Zone 2 (31.7%), and 5:59 ± 1:51 min:s in Zone 3 (21.3%). There were no differences among classification in total movement time (p = 0.169) or for speed in Zone 1, Zone 2, or Zone 3 (p > 0.05). The relationship between peak forward speed and total movement time was strong (p = 0.021, r = 0.68).ConclusionThis study demonstrated that the time spent in absolute movement zones is not classification dependent, the change in core temperature is related to movement time per quarter. Furthermore, peak speeds obtained on-court were linked to overall movement time which suggests athletes should warm-up before going on court.

Relationships between perceived measures of internal load and wellness status during overseas futsal training camps.

Exercise and sport practitioners frequently utilize rating of perceived exertion (RPE) to evaluate the players' psychophysiological strains during training sessions. The subjective rating of physical exertion level during sports training has been shown to have a reciprocal relationship with wellness status during periodic training or competitive seasons. However, the relationship between subjective physical exertions and wellness status during short-term overseas training camps (OTCs) has not been extensively investigated. This study aimed to examine the perceived responses of physical exertions [session-RPE (sRPE), training monotony, and training strain] and wellness status (fatigue, sleep, delayed onset muscle soreness, stress, and mood) measures in elite young adult futsal players from four separate OTCs with different training tasks. Twenty-seven U-20 male national team futsal players voluntarily participated in this study. The players recruited for OTCs were based on their performance during domestic training camps and the tactical demand of the team. The task of each OTCs was defined as: 1) 1st OTC = game-based camp (n = 14); 2) 2nd and 3rd OTC = training-based camp (n = 20 and n = 17, respectively); and 3) 4th OTC = pre-tournament camp (n = 14). The OTCs consisted of 11 training sessions (18.9 hours) and 16 friendly matches (23.8 hours). During daily training sessions and friendly matches, sRPE was used to quantify training load (TL). Additionally, a five-elements general wellness questionnaire was used to evaluate daily wellness status in the morning. The results demonstrated that the mean and sum sRPE in the game-based OTCs were significantly lower compared to the mean sRPE [p < 0.01, effect size (ES) = -4.8; p < 0.01, ES = -2.9] and sum sRPE in the training-based OTCs (p < 0.01, ES = -3.6; p < 0.01, ES = -3.1). The mean (p = 0.01; ES = -2.0) and sum sRPE (p < 0.01; ES = -3.4) in the game-based OTC were also lower than that in the pre-tournament OTC. Conversely, the wellness scores in the game-based OTC were higher compared to the training-based (p = 0.01; ES = 1.8) and the pre-tournament OTCs (p < 0.01; ES = 1.6). There was a negative relationship between mean and sum sRPE and all wellness scores (mean sRPE = r = -0.441 ~ -0.575, p < 0.001; sum sRPE = r = -0.41 ~ -0.559, p < 0.001). Our findings suggested that responses to training sessions, derived from mean and sum sRPE and wellness scores, are dependent upon the task-specific nature of OTCs among elite futsal players. Utilization of mean and sum sRPE and wellness measures to monitor the psychophysiological health during short-term OTCs is recommended.

Effective Determination of Speed Strength Development Exercises for Male National Team badminton Players Aged 13 - 15

The results of determining the effectiveness of 45 groups of exercises/exercises to develop strength and speed for male badminton players of the Vietnamese team aged 13-15 after one year of experimentation have brought a difference. The performance of 6 test tests of the experimental group increased significantly over the training period. The percentage of standard ratings of the experimental group was higher and different from that of the previous year's athletes.

Perceiving, reporting and managing an injury – perspectives from national team football players, coaches, and health professionals

ABSTRACT Background Injury perceptions and related risk-mitigating interventions are context-dependent. Despite this, most injury surveillance systems are not context-specific as they do not integrate end-users perspectives. Purpose To explore how Maltese national team football players, coaches, and health professionals perceive a football-related injury and how their context influences their perceptions and behaviours towards reporting and managing a football injury. Methods 13 semi-structured interviews with Maltese female and male national team football players (n = 7), coaches (n = 3), and health professionals (n = 3) were conducted. Data were analysed using thematic analysis. Results Three themes were identified: (1) How do I perceive an injury? Consisted of various constructs of a sports injury, yet commonly defined based on performance limitations. (2) How do I deal with an injury? Encapsulated the process of managing the injury (3) What influences my perception, reporting and management of an injury? Comprised personal and contextual factors that influenced the perception and, consequently, the management of an injury. Conclusion Performance limitations should be used as part of future injury definitions in injury surveillance systems. Human interaction should be involved in all the processes of an injury surveillance framework, emphasising its active role to guide the injury management process.

Agreement of Ultra-Short-Term Heart Rate Variability Recordings During Overseas Training Camps in Under-20 National Futsal Players.

Background: Monitoring the daily change in resting heart rate variability (HRV) can provide information regarding training adaptation and recovery status of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) during training camps. However, it remains unclear whether postural stabilization is essential for valid and reliable ultra-short-term (HRVUST) recordings in short-term overseas training camps.Design: Observational and longitudinal study.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate ultra-short-term heart rate variability recordings under stabilization or post-stabilization periods in four overseas training camps.Participant: Twenty-seven U-20 male national team futsal players voluntarily participated in this study.Method: Resting HRV was evaluated for 10 min during the early morning of each training camp. The natural logarithm of the root mean square of successive normal-to-normal interval differences (LnRMSSD) was used for comparisons. Time segments of HRV were divided into two periods with three measures within each: (1) the first 30-s (1st_30 s LnRMSSD), the first 60-s (1st_60 s LnRMSSD), and the 5-min standard (1st_5 min LnRMSSD) during stabilization; (2) the first 30-s (2nd_30 s LnRMSSD), the first 60-s (2nd_60 s LnRMSSD), and the 5-min standard (2nd_5 min LnRMSSD) after stabilization.Result: The results demonstrated trivial to small ES (−0.03; 0.46), very large to nearly perfect ICC (0.76; 0.98), and narrow range of SEM (0.06; 0.31) when all time segments of HRVUST were compared to the 1st_5 min and 2nd_5 min HRV. Furthermore, the magnitude of the correlation coefficients ranged from very high to nearly perfect for all the time segments (r = 0.83; 0.97). The HRVUST posted excellent agreement in all time segments (bias = −0.05; 0.12) with/without postural stabilization. Trivial to small levels of effect size in all time segments of LnRMSSDmean (0.02; 0.41 ES) and LnRMSSDcv (−0.49; −0.02 ES) across overseas training camps was identified.Conclusion: The first 30 or 60-s LnRMSSD recordings can be used to evaluate daily cardiac-autonomic function during overseas training camps in futsal players. The process for stabilization seems to be unnecessary for measuring the morning resting LnRMSSD in overseas training camps among young adult futsal players.

EFFECT OF ANAEROBIC POWER ON AGILITY AND QUICKNESS IN MALE NATIONAL TAEKWONDO ATHLETES

The aim of this study was to determine the effect on anaerobic power on agility and quickness male national taekwondo athletes. The sample included 16 national male taekwondo athletes. These taekwondo athletes were from Turkey male national team. Athletes characteristics were as follows: age = 21.81 ± 3.229 years, height = 1.82 ± 0.088 m, body weight = 73.75 ± 14.187 kg, and sport age = 11.94 ± 3.454 years. To determine the quickness and agility performance of taekwondo athletes, a 5-m quickness test and T test was used. Wingate anaerobic test was used for anaerobic power. There is no a significantly relationship between agility with anaerobic peak power (w) and anaerobic power mean (w). There is a significantly relationship between agility with anaerobic peak power (w.kg-1) and anaerobic peak power mean (w.kg-1). Anaerobic peak power (w.kg-1) and anaerobic peak power mean (w.kg-1) in a unit change affect agility performance (respectively, -0.23 and -0.34 rate) (P&lt;0.05). There is a significantly relationship between quickness with anaerobic peak power (w) and anaerobic peak power mean (w). Anaerobic peak power (w) and anaerobic peak power mean (w) in a unit change affects quickness performance (respectively, 0.0004 and 0.0001 rate) (P&lt;0.05). . There is no a significantly relationship between quickness with anaerobic peak power (w.kg-1) and anaerobic peak power (w.kg-1).In conclusion, this results have reported that male taekwondo athletes produce a high level of power during a short momentary situation and relative power is more important in momentary change of direction when the distance increases.

Muscle Metabolism and Fatigue during Simulated Ice Hockey Match-Play in Elite Players.

The present study investigated muscle metabolism and fatigue during simulated elite male ice hockey match-play. Thirty U20 male national team players completed an experimental game comprising three periods of 8 × 1-min shifts separated by 2-min recovery intervals. Two vastus lateralis biopsies were obtained either during the game (n = 7) or pregame and postgame (n = 6). Venous blood samples were drawn pregame and at the end of the first and last periods (n = 14). Activity pattern and physiological responses were continuously monitored using local positioning system and heart rate recordings. Further, repeated-sprint ability was tested pregame and after each period. Total distance covered was 5980 ± 199 m with almost half the distance covered at high skating speeds (>17 km·h). Average and peak on-ice heart rate was 84% ± 2% and 97% ± 2% of maximum heart rate, respectively. Muscle lactate increased (P ≤ 0.05) more than fivefold and threefold, whereas muscle pH decreased (P ≤ 0.05) from 7.31 ± 0.04 pregame to 6.99 ± 0.07 and 7.13 ± 0.11 during the first and last periods, respectively. Muscle glycogen decreased by 53% postgame (P ≤ 0.05) with ~65% of fast- and slow-twitch fibers depleted of glycogen. Blood lactate increased sixfold (P ≤ 0.05), whereas plasma free fatty acid levels increased 1.5-fold and threefold (P ≤ 0.05) after the first and last periods. Repeated-sprint ability was impaired (~3%; P ≤ 0.05) postgame concomitant with a ~10% decrease in the number of accelerations and decelerations during the second and last periods (P ≤ 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that a simulated ice hockey match-play scenario encompasses a high on-ice heart rate response and glycolytic loading resulting in a marked degradation of muscle glycogen, particularly in specific sub-groups of fibers. This may be of importance both for fatigue in the final stages of a game and for subsequent recovery.

Repeated-Sprint Training in Hypoxia in International Rugby Union Players.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of repeated-sprint training in hypoxia vs in normoxia on world-level male rugby union players' repeated-sprint ability (RSA) during an international competition period. Methods: A total of 19 players belonging to an international rugby union senior male national team performed 4 sessions of cycling repeated sprints (consisting of 3 × eight 10-s sprints with 20 s passive recovery) either in normobaric hypoxia (RSH, 3000m; n = 10) or in normoxia (RSN, 300m; n = 9) over a 2-wk period. Before and after the training intervention, RSA was evaluated using a cycling repeated-sprint test (6 × 10-s maximal sprint and 20-s passive recovery) performed in normoxia. Results: Significant interaction effects (all P < .05, ) between condition and time were found for RSA-related parameters. Compared with Pre, maximal power significantly improved at Post in RSH (12.84 [0.83] vs 13.63 [1.03]W·kg-1, P < .01, ) but not in RSN (13.17 [0.89] vs 13.00 [1.01]W·kg-1, P = .45, ). Mean power was also significantly enhanced from Pre to Post in RSH (11.15 [0.58] vs 11.86 [0.63]W·kg-1, P < .001, ), whereas it remained unchanged in RSN (11.54 [0.61] vs 11.75 [0.65]W·kg-1, P = .23, ). Conclusion: As few as 4 dedicated specific RSH sessions were beneficial to enhance repeated power production in world-level rugby union players. Although the improvement from RSA to game behavior remains unclear, this finding appears to be of practical relevance as only a short preparation window is available prior to international rugby union games.

Upper-body repeated-sprint training in hypoxia in international rugby union players

This study investigated the effects of upper-body repeated-sprint training in hypoxia vs. in normoxia on world-level male rugby union players’ repeated-sprint ability (RSA) during an international competition period. Thirty-six players belonging to an international rugby union male national team performed over a 2-week period four sessions of double poling repeated-sprints (consisting of 3 × eight 10-s sprints with 20-s passive recovery) either in normobaric hypoxia (RSH, simulated altitude 3000 m, n = 18) or in normoxia (RSN, 300 m; n = 18). At pre- and post-training intervention, RSA was evaluated using a double-poling repeated-sprint test (6 × 10-s maximal sprint with 20-s passive recovery) performed in normoxia. Significant interaction effects (P < 0.05) between condition and time were found for RSA-related parameters. Compared to Pre-, peak power significantly improved at post- in RSH (423 ± 52 vs. 465 ± 69 W, P = 0.002, η²=0.12) but not in RSN (395 ± 65 vs. 397 ± 57 W). Averaged mean power was also significantly enhanced from pre- to post-intervention in RSH (351 ± 41 vs. 388 ± 53 W, P < 0.001, η²=0.15), while it remained unchanged in RSN (327 ± 49 vs. 327 ± 43 W). No significant change in sprint decrement (P = 0.151, η² = 0.02) was observed in RSH (−17 ± 2% vs. −16 ± 3%) nor RSN (−17 ± 2% vs. −18 ± 4%). This study showed that only four upper-body RSH sessions were beneficial in enhancing repeated power production in international rugby union players. Although the improvement from RSA to game behaviour remains unclear, this finding appears of practical relevance since only a short preparation window is available prior to international games.

Relative Age Effect and the Re-Selection of Danish Male Handball Players for National Teams.

The relationship between the date of birth and expertise in various sports among both elite and youth level athletes is well established, and known as the relative age effect (RAE). However, new results in for example Canadian Hockey and British cricket and rugby have indicated a reversal of RAE among selected talents where the youngest athletes are more likely to remain selected than their older peers. As such, RAE may therefore depend on the age and the level of competition. The purpose of this study was therefore to analyse RAE from the youth to senior national level in a sample of successful Danish male national teams. The sample included 244 players from Danish under-19, under-21 and senior national levels. These players have been part of successful teams, winning 18 medals at 24 youth European and World championships and 8 medals during 12 years at the senior level. The results showed a significant RAE on both youth and national levels. However, RAE was less marked from the under-19 to under-21 and further to the senior national level. Results show that at the national youth level talent selection favours the relatively older players, of whom a larger proportion fails to be re-selected to the senior level compared to their younger peers. RAE appears to play a central and reversing role in the identification and re-selection in Danish male handball. The results also show that the presence of both a constant and constituent year structure affects RAE, even when introduced at late adolescence.

Exercise Induced Electrocardiogram Abnormalities In Elite Swimmer

HISTORY: A 17-year-old male national team swimmer came for an intake examination at The Academy for Sports Excellence at Wingate Institute. He reported being a non- symptomatic carrier of familial long QT mutation of the LQT2 type (KCNH2 mutation (R744X)) which was diagnosed through a family screening examination. He is taking Bisoprolol 2.5 milligrams once daily since he was 10 years old. Three other family members were diagnosed with the same long QT mutation (brother, mother and maternal grandfather). None of the family members have ever developed cardiac symptoms or arrhythmia, except for the grandfather who had one event of Torsade de Pointes at an old age, following acute MI. The whole family was screened following this event. PHYSICAL EXAMINATION: PE revealed no pathological finding, including normal cardiac examination. Resting ECG at supine position was within normal limits (Herat rate (HR)=49/min, QTc=415 msec). QT interval became elongated (HR=88/min, QTc=550 msec) at the first minute on the treadmill stress test. During the stress test the swimmer was asymptomatic, had a normal blood pressure response and reached maximal oxygen consumption of 65ml/min/Kg. Exercise ECG showed two patterns of wide premature beats with few bigeminis that started at a HR of 95/min. DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS: 1- Benign ventricular pre-mature beats during exercise. 2- Electrical myocardial instability, due to channelopathy. 3- Co-existence of CPVT in the family. TESTS AND RESULTS: 1- Repeated resting ECG, normal. 2- Echo-cardiography, normal. 3- Repeated family history and family ECG examination. No evidence of any cardiac symptoms except for the index event of the maternal grandfather. 4- Repeated 24h holter, normal. 5- Expert consultation. WORKING DIAGNOSIS: Asymptomatic elite swimmer. A carrier of benign familial LQT2 type mutation. No evidence of QT elongation on resting ECG and therefore does not meet QTc elongation criteria. Exercise induced ventricular pre-mature beats should be evaluated separately. Channelopathy expert physicians concluded that there is no justification for disqualification. TREATMENT AND OUTCOME: Cleared for swimming with no limitations. Repeated stress test and switching to a non-selective beta-blocker drug was recommended.

Effect of Cleat Position during Cycling on Running Performance in Elite Triathlete

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effect of cycle shoes cleat position during cycling on subsequent running time in simulated duathlon in elite triathletes. METHODS: Nine male national team caliber triathletes (25.9±2.4 yrs, 69.1±4.4 kg, 176.1±3.7 cm) participated in two occasions of simulated duathlon. In each occasion, they cycled 20 km on a fixed bicycle immediately followed by running 5 km on a treadmill. During cycling, they wore cycle shoes of either traditional cleat position (TCP) or middle cleat position (MCP, approximately 5 cm behind of TCP). During cycling and running, they changed and controlled the speed as well as the cycle gear combinations. The testing order was balanced. They were asked to perform their best. During the exercises, distance, time, speed, the transit time, and heart rate (HR) were recorded. The distance of running was divided into three phases; as 0-2, 2-4, and 4-5 km, and the time record was compared. RESULTS: The total time record of the exercises excluding the transit was 3126±137 in TCP and 3096±103 sec in MCP (p>0.05). The cycling time was 1956±69 in TCP and 1967±54 sec in MCP (p>0.05). The running time was 1170±88 in TCP and 1129±66 sec in MCP (p>0.05). The running time was faster in MCP than TCP by 5.4% at the phase of 0-2 km (460±24 in MCP vs. 486±40 sec in TCP, p<0.05), but not at 2-4 km (447±25 in MCP vs. 462±37 sec in TCP, p>0.05). The average HR was 166.7±8.8 in MCP and 165.5±7.0 bpm in TCP during cycling, and 175.3±11.6 in MCP and 175.4±8.1 bpm in TCP during running. No differences were found in HR during the exercises. CONCLUSION: The cleat position did not change the total time record of simulated duathlon in elite triathlete. However, the time record of early stage of running following cycling was faster when they cycled with the shoes of middle cleat position. It appears that cleat position during cycling have some influence on muscle recruitment during running in trained elite triathletes.

Investigation of the Effects of the Different Training Program to the Success Applied to Long Distance Athletes With Athletics Sports in Ağri

The main purpose of this research is to demonstrate the alternative training programs applied to professional national athletes performing athletics in Agri and the effects of such training programs upon the athletes’ success. For this purpose, the related literature has been examined in order to give detailed information about the research problem. Within the scope of the research, an alternative training program was applied to national athletes performing athletics and a solution to the research problem is sought through the obtained findings. 10 male national team athletes among 23-25 age group, regularly exercising the alternative training program developed by M. Sirin Gonen participated in the study. The study is divided into 2 phases. The first phase is taken as the Preparation Phase while the second one is the Competition Phase. 1st and 2nd phases continued for three months (November-December-January) during which same training programs were repeated by the athletes each month. At the end of January, the athletes were given a 5.000 meters of a test run and the results obtained were recorded. In the Competition Phase, a new training program for the competition period was developed and applied to the athletes through the obtained data. The grades obtained before and after the practice have been determined, compared and evaluated. The Preparation Periods and the Competition Periods of the training athletes and the time intervals they have achieved after the training are shown in Table 1-2-3-4. The results of the competition has been announced on Turkish Athletics Federation official web page.

The inspirational effect of sporting achievements and potential role models in football: a gender-specific analysis

This study examines the trickle-down effect of potential role models and sporting achievements, respectively. Specifically, we look at the inspirational effect of same-sex and opposite-sex role models on male and female participation in German amateur football. Longitudinal data on club memberships and amateur teams were collected for 21 regional football associations over a 15-year-period. The results of panel regression models show that the achievements of the 2006–2010 male national teams have a significant positive effect on the number of female club memberships and teams, supporting the notion of gendered heroism. Yet, male achievements in 2002 have a negative effect. Thus, sporting success does not automatically lead to the development of positive role models and inspirational effects, indicating that other factors (e.g. age, personality, and style of play) may play a role as well. Sporting achievements of female teams have no measurable inspirational effect on both male and female participation.

Аналіз ефективності змагальної діяльності висококваліфікованих баскетболістів на етапі максимальної реалізації індивідуальних можливостей

Purpose: to identify the factors of efficiency of competitive activity of highly skilled basketball players at the stage of maximum realization of individual potential. Material and Methods: in order to identify the factors that have supported the performance of Ukraine's male national team in the European Championship, data analysis and generalization of scientific and technical literature and online data, analysis of official protocols of competitive activities, analysis and generalization of best pedagogical practices, pedagogical supervision, methods of mathematical statistics were used. Results: the efficiency of competitive activity of basketball players was analyzed using such indicators as team roles, won and lost matches, scored and missed points, technical, tactical and age indicators. Conclusions: the factors of efficiency of competitive activity of highly skilled basketball players at the stage of maximum realization of individual potential were identified with regard to age indicators

Acute hyperextension/valgus trauma to the elbow in top-level adult male water polo goalkeepers: a cause of osteochondritis disecans of the capitellum?

We report on 2 cases of hyperextension/valgus elbow injuries in two adult male national team water polo goalkeepers. Both were healthy and had never sustained any major injuries of the elbow. Mechanism and type of injury in both of them was identical. Different medical treatment protocols of these injuries possibly have led to different outcomes, with one of them developing osteochondritis dissecans (OCD). Inadequate medical treatment of acute impact elbow injuries could lead to osteochondritis disecans of the elbow in top-level adult male water polo goalkeepers.