Discobolul Vol. 4//2023

The main purpose of this research is to analyse methodological aspects regarding the improvement of the handspring forward with ½ turn (1800 ) in the longitudinal axis, which is known as Tsukahara vault (tempo), for junior gymnasts (levels 2 and 3) aged 10-11 years. The analysed aspects are the basis of an experimental study carried out at the “Steaua” School Sports Club in Bucharest. The study was conducted with a single experimental group consisting of eight female gymnasts selected from the advanced and competitive groups (Women’s Artistic Gymnastics section). The athletes were assessed at the beginning of the research (initial testing) and at the end of the experiment after applying a specific programme aimed at both physical training and technical training. Among the physical tests applied, we mention: 25 m sprint, Sargent test, standing long jump, but the assessment also targeted back and shoulder girdle muscle strength, abdominal strength and the ability to maintain specific positions in vault phases (first and second flights). From a technical point of view, the gymnasts’ performance was evaluated taking into account the specific penalties provided by the International Gymnastics Federation Classification Programme and the requested positions for the 3 vault phases specified in the Code of Points. The objective of this experiment is to highlight how the improvement of physical and technical parameters influences the accuracy and efficiency of execution.

In December 2019, the first cases of COVID-19 appeared in China, and the virus spread rapidly all over the world. In this context, Romanian public authorities implemented specific social distancing measures to prevent or slow down the transmission of the virus, imposing quarantine (16 March to 14 May 2020), travel restrictions, closure of educational institutions and certain work sectors, and banning artistic and sports events. Research has highlighted changes in the lifestyle of the entire population during the COVID-19 pandemic through the emergence of unhealthy behaviours, including among university students worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is one of the most important risk factors for various diseases, hence its recommendations for adult people to do at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity per week. These recommendations for weekly physical activity were often not fulfilled during the pandemic, especially in lockdown periods, as shown by numerous studies conducted on samples of different nationalities. This research aims to emphasise the status of aerobic endurance in female students after attending exclusively online courses for 21 months. The research was conducted at the Politehnica University of Bucharest, and the participants were 125 young women aged 19-21 from the pre- and post-pandemic generations. The assessment was indirectly performed through the 2-Km Walk Test with the purpose of outlining possible gaps between the two generations. Analysing the research results, we could conclude that the pandemic had an impact on raising awareness of the need for movement among young women.

Currently, patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy manage to reach the fourth or fifth decade of life due to advances in the management of different specialties that are involved through evaluations and anticipatory therapies based on a type of suitable approach for identifying specific medical complications as early as possible. The progressive decrease in muscular strength that affects the cardiovascular, respiratory and musculoskeletal systems needs to be constantly managed. The purpose of this case study is to observe to what extent physiotherapy contributes to the modification of North Star Ambulatory Assessment (NSSA), NMScore and Vignos Scale in a 27-year-old patient with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. NSAA is used to monitor disease progression and treatment effects but also to measure various motor skills. The NM-Score classifies functional abilities into three main motor domains. The Vignos Scale measures lower limb function. The scores obtained in the initial assessment were 11/34, 2/4, 1/4, 1/4 and 3/10, and the functional recovery treatment was carried out over a period of 6 months. Specific, non-specific and complex physiotherapy methods were used with the main objectives of improving joint range of motion, gait and balance, reducing muscle contractures, increasing endurance and promoting independence in carrying out daily activities. The final assessment showed improvements in all scores, so the objectives were accomplished. Along with the other medical specialties that help dystrophic patients improve their quality of life, physiotherapy plays an important role because movement is the key to a healthy and long life.

Participation in running sports events has become an increasingly important phenomenon in recent decades, which is more and more present in everyday life. An important role in the growth and development of street running sports events is played by the promotion campaign carried out by the organisers. This paper aims to reveal the opinions of participants in the street running sports events organised by Bucharest Running Club regarding the way of organising these events. Using the questionnaire as a research tool, aspects related to the influence of the media on the conduct of events were identified. An increased proportion of respondents, namely 76.8%, believe that the press influences the development of sports events. The majority of respondents (93.6%) positively assess the quality of the information about the events organised by Bucharest Running Club, which are provided on the website and social media pages of the events, awarding values above 5 in the range from 1 (totally unsatisfied) to 10 (totally satisfied). At the same time, the respondents most frequently gave this aspect the value 10 (34%). The research findings highlight the importance of monitoring how sports events are promoted in correlation with a questionnaire administered to participants, which will reveal the elements that need to be improved, with the ultimate goal of offering athletes an optimal promotion plan for these competitions.

In Romania, women’s football has not enjoyed a development that could ensure this sport a high level of competitiveness. During the communist period, women’s football existed rather at an amateur level, and while the Golden Generation of Romanian men’s football was getting results at international competitions in the 1990s, women’s football was barely starting to be formalised. The purpose of this study is to analyse the perception of female football players on different aspects of their professional life. The sample consisted of 126 women with ages between 12 and 34 years (with a mean age of 18), who completed an online questionnaire with 24 items. The statistical analysis was both quantitative (SPSS) and qualitative (NVivo). Respondents were asked to rate various aspects that interfered with the sports profession (family, society, opportunities, football career) and, although 30% already had a job in sports-related fields, some of them still wanted to focus on other areas of activity. Also, the identification of players with this type of sport shows the highest agreement, with an average of 4.59, and the opportunities for women in this field are considered better than ever, with an average score of 3.56, both items in range 1 to 5. The results emphasise that Romanian women’s football has experienced a significant increase during the last years, but the main problem identified in this sports sector remains the inequality in terms of media coverage and finance as compared to men’s sport.

Breast neoplasm represents an abnormal multiplication of epithelial cells in the breast ducts and mammary lobules; it manifests itself clinically by the appearance of a tumour which, if not treated in time, develops both locally and at tissue distance. Following treatment, patients with breast neoplasm complain of symptoms also present in other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, which can be treated with hydrotherapy. Exercises performed in water have a varied spectrum of applicability, for example, improving joint mobility, increasing muscle strength and reducing chronic pain. The exercises used have the role to improve muscle strength of the whole body, joint mobility and muscle elasticity, but also to facilitate muscle contraction. In this therapy concept, hydrostatic water pressure and buoyancy help apply exercises to a wide range of conditions such as orthopaedic, oncological, neurological and rheumatologic. The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of an aquatic exercise programme for improving upper limb function on the side of the surgery. The research included 5 participants aged between 33 and 39 years, with radical right mastectomy. The functional assessment consisted of three tests. After the final evaluation, the average value of each test decreased, which highlighted an improvement in the functional level of the upper limb. Hydrotherapy has a positive physiological and psychosocial effect because it stimulates socialisation and, in particular, the acceptance of the condition that these people face.

The universality of sport, the altitude, the instability of performance and its ongoing progress towards biological and psychological limits still unknown to man compel reflection and analysis. Specialists are aware that performance does not spring from a cluster of facts and events, but is a product of the effects determined by the concentric action of some objective and subjective factors. In sports science, an important step forward was made by inventorying and measuring these indicators through various objectification procedures, followed by their interpretation. Researchers in the field aim to determine the maximum efficiency of these factors by establishing their value hierarchy, chronological order or the simultaneity of their useful intervention. Thus, the path towards organising the scientific management of sports training for performance achievement is open. Everything else is a matter of methodology and technology. The methods and strategies for training children and juniors are a very much discussed topic due to their different approaches within the most important ski schools worldwide. Children and juniors represent the next generations that will participate in major international alpine skiing competitions. Their technique is still developing and there are very few who master the adult technique. At this age, the main objective of training is the acquisition of a correct basic technique. If the basic technique is not properly acquired, future athletes will not be able to reach a high competitive level, in the sense that their sports results in major competitions will be negatively affected.