Sport and Tourism Central European Journal
NEW SUBMISSION GUIDELINESS WITH NEW REFERENCE FORMATTING STYLE The Sport and Tourism Central European Journal (STCEJ) is an open-access, peer-reviewed journal primarily focused on the broad field of sport, leisure, and recreation history. However, it also addresses topics related to sports theory and health determinants. The journal serves as a significant platform for Central and Eastern European researchers, introducing readers to research from this region. It has been published since 1997 and was formerly known as the "Research Papers of the Jan Długosz University of Częstochowa – Physical Culture Studies and Research." Starting in 2018, it adopted its current title. The journal publishes original articles, reviews, survey reports, humanistic research, and polemic papers. It employs a double-blind peer-review process for all submitted articles. Beginning in January 2021, the journal shifted to primarily publishing content in English. The journal received 40 points on the Polish list of scientific journals and reviewed materials from international conferences as of January 5, 2024.
From 1997 to today: the past, present, and future of Sport i Turystyka
This editorial reflects on the past, present, and future of Sport i Turystyka (Sport and Tourism Central European Journal). Established in 1997, the journal has developed from a locally rooted annual publication into a quarterly scholarly journal with a distinct Central European profile and steadily growing international visibility. The editorial outlines this evolution, emphasizing the journal’s current thematic diversity, editorial maturity, open-access model, and alignment with contemporary standards of scholarly publishing. It also highlights recent progress in internationalization, including the increasing share of English-language articles, the broader international representation of authors and reviewers, the growing geographical diversification of contributions, and the journal’s expanding visibility within the international indexing environment. Finally, the text identifies key priorities for future development, including further strengthening scientific quality, editorial selectivity, international positioning, digital infrastructure, and long-term sustainability. Together, these elements illustrate the journal’s ongoing institutional maturation and its ambition to consolidate its place within the international scholarly landscape.
BIOGRAMS, DISCUSSIONS, POLEMICS, REVIEWS, REVIEW OF PUBLICATIONS, REPORTS
Tourism and Recreational Development in Częstochowa County (rural) – An Outline of Key Issues
Częstochowa County has considerable tourism potential, stemming not only from the landscape values of the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland (the Polish Jura), but also from its well-developed tourism infrastructure. Of particular importance is tourism development, comprising accommodation, catering, transport, and complementary facilities. The region offers numerous hiking and cycling routes, bathing areas, horse-riding centres, a golf course, a speedway track, and sports halls. The municipalities of Janów and Olsztyn stand out for their extensive accommodation and catering base, whereas smaller municipalities, such as Starcza or Kruszyna, have limited infrastructure. A well-developed road and rail network ensures the region’s accessibility, while proximity to the airport in Pyrzowice further enhances its attractiveness. Gastronomy based on local products and culinary traditions, supported by Rural Housewives’ Associations, enriches the tourism offer. Despite its many advantages, tourism development is constrained by uneven investment patterns, seasonality, and the absence of an integrated tourist information system. Nevertheless, the county retains substantial potential for further growth due to the diversity of attractions and the involvement of local communities.
The importance of innovation in the Czech and Slovak spa industry: the COVID-19 era and beyond
This study aims to analyze the scope, structure, and perceived benefits of innovations implemented by spa businesses in the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic over a period spanning the pre-COVID-19, pandemic, and post-pandemic phases (2018–2022). The basis of the study was a questionnaire survey, in which spa establishments were approached, including spa owners, general directors, financial managers, marketing managers, innovation/development managers, and customer relations managers. In the results, we show the development of four types of innovation with a cross-country comparison between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic. Dynamic innovation changes could be noted in the year of the outbreak of COVID-19 or in the post-pandemic phases. A significant drop in product innovations was observed. Conversely, organizational innovations increased during the COVID-19 outbreak, while marketing innovations experienced a significant increase after the COVID-19 outbreak. Innovations in the Slovak Republic appear to be more dynamic than in the Czech Republic. The obstacles to the introduction of innovations in spa establishments are financial and economic barriers, but not all establishments use the possibility of subsidies. Although innovations in spa establishments mean higher costs and, surprisingly, do not increase labor productivity, they bring a higher service quality and higher incomes.
Digitalized donation tourism: a catalyst for rural resilience and sustainable development in post-war ukraine
In the context of the war in Ukraine, researching the resilience of rural communities becomes essential. This study examines the role of sustainable marketing in promoting digitalized donation tourism to bolster rural resilience and sustainable development in post-war Ukraine. Despite the growing potential of digitalization and donation-based tourism, these aspects remain underexplored, particularly in regions affected by war. This research aims to assess how the strategic marketing of digitalized donation tourism can influence the resilience of rural areas in Ukraine. The study employs cluster analysis and statistical evaluation of resilience indices of rural communities. Data was collected through online platforms and applications, and an analysis of hospitality management software from the Capterra website. The research demonstrated a correlation between the digitalization level and rural communities' resilience. Implementing digital technologies increased economic activity by 20-25% and enhanced social cohesion by 10%. Donation-based tourism contributed to a 30% increase in income and strengthened the local economy. The results confirm that digitalization and donation-based tourism are key factors in the resilience of rural communities during wartime. It is recommended that investment in digital infrastructure and community-led initiatives be prioritized to enhance resilience. International cooperation is also crucial in supporting rural communities in Ukraine.
The differentiated training and its impact on the functional state of the cardiovascular system and the level of endurance development of 13–15-year-old pupils
The application of differentiated instruction in physical education to improve the functional state of school-aged youth is a relevant issue. This study investigated the effectiveness of using differentiated instruction in physical education classes, taking into account indicators of the cardiovascular system's functional state and the endurance level of students aged 13–15. A total of 226 students aged 13–15 (107 boys and 119 girls) were examined. Three experimental and three control groups were formed. The baseline assessment revealed a below-average level of cardiovascular regulation, an average response level of the cardiovascular system to standard physical load, and a low level of endurance development among 13–15-year-old students. Following the implementation of a system of differentiated instruction exercises aimed at improving functional readiness, positive changes in cardiovascular system indicators were observed (p<0.05–0.001), along with a statistically significant improvement in endurance development results in the experimental groups (p<0.001). In the control groups, no significant changes were found in any of the studied parameters (p>0.05). As a result, the functional state of the cardiovascular system improved from below average to average, and the level of endurance development increased from low to below average in the experimental groups.
THEORY AND METHODOLOGY OF SPORT EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCE
Physiological and functional adaptations of high-intensity interval training at two altitudes in moderate-altitude endurance runners: a randomized controlled trial
High-intensity interval training (HIIT) under hypoxia has been demonstrated to increase sealevel athletes’ performance, but limited evidence exists regarding moderate-altitude runners. This study aimed to examine 8-week HIIT at low (~1,220 m) and moderate (~2,850 m) altitudes on physiological (maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) and velocity associated with VO2max (vVO2max)) and functional (5,000 m running time (5kRT)) adaptations. Forty-two trained long-distance runners were randomly assigned to one of three groups: HIIT at 1,220 m (HIIT1220m, n=14), HIIT at 2,850 m (HIIT2850m, n=14) or control group at 2,850 m (CG2850m, n=14). While all participants maintained regular training at ~2,850 m, the HIIT groups completed two weekly sessions (4x4-minute work interval at 100% vVO2max, 3-minute recovery at 70% vVO2max). Both interventions had significant improvements over time (p < 0.05) in vVO2max, VO2max, and 5kRT, with greater gains in the HIIT1220m (+1.2%, +1%, –1.8%) than HIIT2850m (+0.6%, +0.8%, –1.4%), respectively. In addition, a strong correlation was observed in the HIIT2850m between changes in 5kRT and vVO2max (r=-0.64, p=0.013) and VO2max (r=0.74, p=0.002). In conclusion, HIIT at low altitudes induced greater functional improvements than it did at moderate altitudes. Thus, moderate-altitude long-distance athletes and coaches may benefit more when HIIT is strategically managed at lower altitudes.
Polish achievements in combat sports at the modern olympic games and their position compared to other countries in central and eastern europe
The aim of this article is to provide information on the achievements of Poles in combat sports: boxing, fencing, judo, karate, modern pentathlon, taekwondo, and wrestling at the modern Olympic Games. Official data from the International Olympic Committee was used. Poland's significant achievements in combat sports were compared with those of other Central and Eastern European countries. The analysis was based on the total number of medal points won by representatives of individual countries for the conversion coefficient (5 points – gold medal, 3 points – silver medal, 1 point – bronze medal). In addition, geopolitical changes throughout the analysed period were taken into account. Medals won by athletes from the USSR, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia, or the Commonwealth of Independent States were assigned to individual countries according to the nationality of the athlete. The results are presented in the form of maps and tables. Among the Olympic combat sports analysed, Poles were most successful in boxing, fencing, and modern pentathlon, and among Far Eastern combat sports, only in judo A comparative analysis with other Central and Eastern European countries showed that these countries have the greatest achievements in wrestling, boxing, and judo, and the least in karate and taekwondo.
Czechoslovak Physical Education Union: the Central Czechoslovak Physical Education Organization in 1946–1948
The Czechoslovak Physical Education Union was established in Prague in 1946, replacing the originally planned Central National Physical Education Committee. Its members included central physical education unions operating in Czechoslovakia, which focused on physical education, sports, tourism, or scouting, as well as the Czechoslovak Olympic Committee. However, each sport could only be represented in the Union by one central organization. Individual members voluntarily cooperated in promoting their own programs. The Union's purpose was to promote the expansion of physical education among the broadest segments of the population, to improve its quality, and to protect related interests in Czechoslovakia and abroad. In pursuing these objectives, attention was paid to ensuring adequate representation of both Czechs and Slovaks. Member unions and their affiliated lower organizational units retained their legal independence according to their statutes and regulations. At the same time, they were obliged to adhere to the rules and regulations issued by the Czechoslovak Physical Education Union. The Union was intended to serve as the organizational foundation for unifying physical education at a federal level. However, the actual unification of Czechoslovak physical education occurred only after the communist coup in 1948, after which the need for the existence of the Czechoslovak Physical Education Union ceased.
unification of Czechoslovak physical education
Health Tourism in Interwar Poland: A Study of Balneological Resorts in Lwów, Wołyń, and Tarnopol Voivodeships
The purpose of the work is to analyze the development of resorts and health tourism in interwar Poland, using the example of balneological resorts located in the Lwów, Wołyń, and Tarnopol Voivodeships. The study employs a historical method, which allows to trace the main stages of the development of resort infrastructure, medical specialization, and treatment methods, as well as to identify trends in the organization of tourism and leisure at these resorts during the interwar period. For the first time, the article presents a systematic compilation of information about the resorts in these voivodeships, their medical characteristics, available treatment methods, accommodation infrastructure, as well as the level of attendance, prices and tourist flows. Special attention is given to the role of balneological treatments in the treatment of diseases and health restoration, as well as the cultural and recreational aspects that attracted tourists to these resort areas. The results of the study may serve as a foundation for further scholarly research on the history of healthcare, tourism, and cultural life in Poland and Ukraine, as well as for comparative analysis of the development of the resort industry in interwar Central and Eastern Europe.
Exploring the Relationship Between Employee Engagement and Service Quality On Performance in Luxury Hotels in South India
The primary focus of this research is to investigate and understand the relationships between employee engagement, service quality and performance in luxury hotels in South India. The methodology employed in this research utilized a sample of 350 respondents from different luxury hotels. Quantitative research methods were utilized in this study. The target population of this research was essentially the customers and employees of the luxury hotels of South India. Correlation Regression analysis was also used in this research. The findings of this research suggest that employee engagement and the quality of services offered have a significant positive effect on luxury hotel industries in South India. The practical implications suggest that investments in employee engagement initiatives directly impact service quality and set a chain reaction that positively influences the performance in motion. The originality and the value this research findings can offer are the actionable insights to enhance employee engagement strategies, improve service quality, and optimize performance in the Southern city luxury hotels.
Investigating Legal Issues and Financial Crimes in Iran’s Sports Industry
This study analyzes the legal issues and financial crimes in Iran's sports industry in terms of their applied nature and data collected by field method. Using snowball sampling, in-depth interviews were conducted with 25 legal experts. The findings indicate that economic crimes in Iran's professional sports have created problems for clubs, teams and athletes. The final research model encompasses seven different levels. The analysis of the influence power of these factors shows that situational prevention criteria operate independently but have low effectiveness and efficiency. In contrast, social prevention, legal contracts, and economic factors are influenced by other elements and are identified as effective and dependent components from a systemic perspective. Criteria related to establishing a legal framework, intellectual property law, and supervision and inspection fall into the cluster linkage category, meaning they significantly impact other criteria but are less dependent on other factors. The results suggest that establishing a legal framework can improve all indicators. Specifically, drafting comprehensive and effective legal frameworks can play a crucial role in reducing economic crimes in the sports industry. These frameworks can serve as a foundation for preventing and managing financial crimes in Iran's professional sports, enhancing the efficiency and financial integrity of the industry.
Determinants of Participation and Non-Participation in Physical Education Classes of Secondary School Students
The aim of the research is to explore the opinions of students from secondary schools in Biała Podlaska on the subject matter of Physical Education classes. The authors decided to check to what extent these classes meet the students’ expectations and whether they constitute any encouragement to undertake physical activity in their free time. The study used a diagnostic survey method with a questionnaire consisting of 23 questions. In this way, 383 responses were collected. The research showed that only 32% of the students participate in PE lessons systematically. For 36% of the respondents, the most frequent reason for skipping PE lessons is lack of desire and motivation. 73% of the students rated the conditions for physical activity at their school as good or very good. 85% of the students undertake physical activity in their free time. The research results point to the fact that the students emphasise too little variety in physical activities offered during PE classes. The research shows that the reason for the lack of willingness to actively participate in Physical Education classes may be the mismatch between the forms of physical activity and the interests of students. There is a further need to diagnose this phenomenon in order to adjust PE curricula so that both more and less active students’ needs are addressed.
The Effect of Moral Perfectionism and Moral Identity on Desirable Social Behaviour and the Success of School Sports-Athletes
The purpose of this research was to examine the effect of moral perfectionism and moral identity on desirable social behaviour and the success of school sports athletes in Iran. The research study used an applied and descriptive survey design. Statistical data was collected from male (n=536) and female (n=456) student-athletes in Iran. The measurement tools were standard questionnaires, whose validity was determined using diagnostic, convergent and divergent validity criteria. The reliability of moral perfectionism, moral identity, desirable social behaviour, and sports success questionnaires was determined using Cronbach's alpha coefficient, reporting 0.74, 0.81, 0.85 and 0.71 respectively, showing good reliability. The findings of the research showed that moral perfectionism has a significant effect on desirable behaviour (β = 0.34; p < 0.001), it also impacts sports success (β = 0.45; p < 0.001), whereas moral identity influences desirable social behaviour (β = 0.77; p < 0.001), and sports success (β = 0.50; p < 0.001). Therefore, it can be concluded that achieving desirable social behavior and success in sports requires a combination of personal effort, a strong moral character, and a deep understanding of the principles of moral perfectionism and moral identity.
The origin and activities of the Marshal Józef Piłsudski Association for Social and Educational Work in Częstochowa in the years 1927–1939
The article analyzes the origins, structure, and activities of the Stowarzyszenie Pracy SpołecznoWychowawczej im. Marszałka Józefa Piłsudskiego (Society for Social and Educational Work named after Marshal Józef Piłsudski) in Częstochowa during the years 1927–1939. Based on archival sources, official documentation, and press materials, the study reconstructs the process of the organization’s formation and its role in the local social and sporting life. Operating within the framework of the Sanation ideology and the state program of civic education, the Society pursued educational, cultural, and athletic objectives, culminating in the construction of the Ognisko Obrony Niepodległości (“Center for the Defense of Independence”) a complex of both symbolic and educational significance. A particularly important role within the Society was played by the sports club Brygada, whose athletic achievements and ideological orientation reflected the broader aims of the Second Polish Republic. The analysis presents the Society as an example of how state ideology permeated the sphere of physical culture, contributing to the development of local sports institutions that combined athletic, educational, and patriotic functions.
Press Coverage of Jagiellonia Bialystok Football Matches in the Context of the Corruption Scandal Related to the 2003/2004 Season
The popularity of football impacts the development of pathological phenomena such as corruption. At the beginning of the 21st century, one of the biggest corruption “scandals” was initiated in Polish league games. Press made a significant contribution into the unmasking of those involved in this practice. The main aim of the article is to analyse press coverage of Jagiellonia Białystok football matches in the season of 2003/2004 in the context of detecting unfair sports competition by journalists of the time. The research was based on the comparative and philological methods. In case of social history or the history of sport, it undertakes a novel, previously unexplored subject matter. The analysis of football matches was based on the list of descriptions from national and local daily newspapers, i.e. “Przegląd Sportowy” and “Kurier Poranny”. It was enriched with publicised information regarding a broadly-understood corruption scandal in sport of the first decade of the 21st century. The results of the analysis pertaining to the first aforementioned title showed doubt about two out of 16 matches (13%), whereas in the local Białystok press this statistics was higher and equalled 6 out of 16 games (38%). Those considerations led to the demonstration of the problem concerning the identification of corrupt match connections, especially in national press, which shows the difference in engagement of journalists often unrelated to the region. It is confirmed by the local daily which achieved a much higher rate of unmasked corrupt behaviour.
Wrestling in the Rural Sports Teams Association in Podlasie as an example of success in the international arena (1947–1989)
Wrestling in Podlasie was initiated in 1947 at the Railway Sports Club in Białystok. With the advent of successes and their promotion in the local press, activists of the Voivodeship Council of the Rural Sports Teams Association became interested in this discipline. With its organizational and financial support, seven years later the first Rural Sports Team Centre (LZS) with a wrestling section was established in the Choroszcz Commune. In the following years, other centers were founded – Rural Sports Clubs Starosielce, “Promień” Mońki, “Narew” Łomża, "Warmia" Grajewo. Their graduates successfully represented the region in numerous national competitions and international tournaments. They also competed in the European Championships. Ryszard Grzegorzewski was the first to receive this honor in 1970, fighting on the wrestling mats in Husqvarna (Sweden). Athletes from Podlasie also tried their hand at: Oulu (Finland, 1978); Łódź (Poland, 1984); Bologna (Italy, 1985); Malmö (Sweden, 1986) and Wałbrzych (Poland, 1988). Three LZS representatives also competed in the world championships: Wiesław Joszczyk – Haparanda (Sweden, 1979); Zbigniew Kuźnicki – Schifferstadt (Germany, 1986); Krzysztof Czyżewski – Budapest (Hungary, 1989). A few competitors also went down in the Olympic Games history. Among the leading training centers was LKS Starosielce, which after organizational changes, had been functioning for several years as the Voivodeship Rural Sports Club "Podlasie" Białystok.
Skiing in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic in the Light of the periodical Sport (1922–1927). An Outline of the Issues
The aim of the article is to present skiing in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic as reflected in the journal Sport (1922–1927). The journal Sport served as the press organ of the Carpathian Ski Society (Karpackie Towarzystwo Narciarzy). In 1922–1927, the main centre shaping the development of skiing in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic was Lviv. Three dynamic skiing sections operated there: the Carpathian Ski Society, the First Lviv Sports Club (I Lwowski Klub Sportowy, LKS) Czarni, and LKS Pogoń Lwów - each affiliated with the Polish Ski Association. Beyond Lviv, in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic, skiing was less developed. One piece published in Sport provides information on the activities of the Skiing and Tourism Section (Sekcja Narciarsko-Turystyczna, SNT) of Rewery Stanisławów. The skiing sections organised skiing courses in Lviv as well as in ski resorts where mountain shelters were located, including Sławsko, Tuchla, and Worochta. With regard to sports infrastructure, the opening of the ski jump on Zniesienie (Lviv) in December 1926 was of particular importance. Clubs and societies, as well as school authorities, organised sporting competitions at the local, regional, nationwide, and international levels. In this respect, it is worth noting the growing number of skiers, the increasing number of competition participants, and the improvement of sporting results. Lviv skiers took part annually in the Polish championships, achieving good results. These results placed the Lviv centre second in Poland (after the Zakopane centre). Janina Loteczkowa achieved very good results at both national and international levels in cross-country skiing.
Adaptation and Psychometric Validation of the Indonesian Version of the Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire
Mental health symptoms (MHS) are a significant concern in competitive sports, as athletes frequently experience high levels of stress, making them susceptible to mental health disorders. The Athlete Psychological Strain Questionnaire (APSQ) is among the recommended tools for early detection of MHS; however, previous psychometric analyses have yielded inconsistent structural models, including a unidimensional model, a three-factor model, and a second-order model. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Indonesian adaptation of the APSQ (APSQid) by comparing these three models. A sample of 375 Indonesian athletes (241 males, 134 females; mean age = 19.22 ± 5.13 years) participated in the study. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the second-order and three-factor models (CFI = 0.950, TLI = 0.929, GFI = 0.959, SRMR = 0.044, RMSEA = 0.062) provided better fit indices compared to the unidimensional model. All the APSQid items exhibited acceptable factor loadings (λ = 0.53–0.72). Internal consistency reliability was satisfactory for the self-regulation factor (ω = 0.729, α = 0.728) and performance factor (ω = 0.713, α = 0.713), but lower for the external coping factor (ω = 0.531, α = 0.559). Overall reliability of the APSQid was excellent (ω = 0.819; α = 0.822). The findings indicate that the APSQid is a valid and reliable instrument for detecting mental health symptoms among Indonesian athletes.
HEALTH DETERMINANTS, PRO-HEALTH ATTITUDES, QUALITY OF LIFE
Determinants of Transfer Success in European Football: Insights From Croatia
Due to being a key source of income for the clubs in smaller leagues and its positive impact on national teams, talent export in European football is a critical subject. Many clubs from the smaller leagues of Europe rely on transfer income for their financial stability. Despite numerous attempts to identify the determinants of transfer fees, surprisingly there have been no attempts to identify the factors that influence a player’s success. This study aims to identify the factors that influence a transfer’s success. Using data from the Croatian top flight (N=205), a logistics regression and a linear regression model are estimated to find the determinants of successful transfers in European football. The results suggest that the transferred player’s market value at the time of the transfer, the transfer window, being transferred to one of the Big 5 leagues influence the probability of being successful. In addition, climate factors (temperature and precipitation) also impact the transferred players’ success. No differences were found with respect to the nationality, age or the position of the players. Contributions, limitations and future directions of the study are also presented.
Undergraduate Students’ Perspective on Learning Aerobic Dance
This qualitative study explored the experiences and factors influencing aerobic dance skills, and teaching courses from the perspective of 31 Physical Education students. Data were collected through observation, concept maps, critical incidences, and interviews. Data were inductively analyzed using a constant comparison method and data triangulation. There were two main topics. The first topic includes positive experiences such as (1) learning new skills that can be beneficial in the future and (2) engaging in activities and learning with friends. Negative experiences include feeling pressured when required to assume a leadership position. The second topic encompasses supporting factors such as (1) help from classmates, (2) teacher guidance and feedback, (3) personal motivation and dedication. The hindering factors include (1) fast-paced teaching and use of specialized terminology needed to be understood by students, (2) lack of ready equipment for learning, (3) difficulty and assistance required in comprehending the rhythm of the music, (4) long waiting period during the learning process (5) unfavorable learning environment (6) unclear evaluation methods. Conclusion: Instructors and peers play a crucial role in supporting the learning of aerobic dance. Additionally, appropriate teaching methods and assessment procedures shall help enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning aerobic dance.
Army Combat Fitness Test Evaluation for Air Forces Liaison Servicemen
The Armed Forces of Ukraine still use Physical Fitness tests from the former Soviet system of military physical training, developed in the last century. The article is assigned to solve an actual issue of Army Combat Fitness Test application for Physical Military Readiness evaluation in Armed Forces of Ukraine. The study was directed on ACFT mastering by servicemen, physical fitness evaluation and assessment of Military Tasks Performance and investigation of relationships between ACFT results and Military Tasks Performance. 78 servicemen (male, the average age – 27.7 years) from Air Forces Liaison units were engaged. An 8-week study demonstrated improvement in ACFT performance by Air Forces Liaison personnel. Leg tuck results demonstrated 36.6 % increase, Push-ups – 26.4 % increase, 3-Repetition maximum deadlift – 12,7 % increase, Standing Power Throw – 7.3 % increase and 2-mile Run demonstrated 4.5 % improvement. ACFT events (except of Leg tuck) demonstrated correlation (from 0.31 to 0.7) with the results of Military Tasks. In general, total ACFT scoring showed significantly moderate correlation with Military Tasks Performance. The results of the conducted experiment proved the possibility of using the ACFT to assess the Physical Military Readiness of servicemen in Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Teachers’ Preferences of Teaching Gymnastics in Primary Education: Differences in Length of Teachers’ Career Levels
Teachers (educators) maintain the misunderstanding that teaching gymnastics in primary education is full of challenges (risks, complications). Regardless of whether you are a beginner and/or an experienced teacher in primary education, leading students (pupils) to mastering gymnastics may be challenging. Because many gaps remain in literature, in terms of Slovak scale (to the best of the authors' knowledge), the present study was aimed at analyzing and comparing teachers' preferences of teaching gymnastics in primary education. A 3-question survey (teachers' preferences of teaching gymnastics) was carried out during 18 weeks (June 1 – September 30, 2023), aiming at 1246 (100%) teachers in primary education: (i) Beginning teachers (490, 39.32%); (ii) Experienced teachers (756, 60.68%). Descriptive (percentage – %, arithmetic mean – x)̄ and inferential (chi-square test – χ2) statistics was used to evaluate the data (Ibm Spss Modeler). 30.50% (380) of teachers in primary education believe that teaching gymnastics (dance) is demanding, compared to outdoor adventure (108, 8.60%) (χ2(4) = 3.08 E-05; p = 26.04). 786 (62.34%) of teachers in primary education use traditional gymnastics equipment, compared to 1.92% (24) who do not teach gymnastics (at all) (χ2(3) = 19.54; p = 0.0002). 42.78% (532) of teachers in primary education believe that material equipment (available) in teaching gymnastics in sufficient, compared to 20.14% (250) who take the opposite view (insufficient) (χ2(3) = 0.64; p= 1.68). Despite the challenges, incorporating gymnastics in primary education may offer advantages, in particular, developing coordination and balance, fostering teamwork and cooperation. Adequate preparation and access to resources may help teachers navigate the challenges of teaching gymnastics and provide learning experiences.
The Impact of International Contacts on the Development of Sport for the Blind and Visually Impaired in Poland in the 1970s
In the 1970s, sport for the blind and visually impaired became a full participant in the international sports movement of people with disabilities. During this period, blind and visually impaired athletes made their debut at the Paralympic Games (Toronto 1976) and specialist committees were established within the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind and the European Regional Committee of the World Council for the Welfare of the Blind to develop sport among blind people. In Poland, in the period discussed, the organization coordinating and supervising the development of sport for the blind and visually impaired was the Sports Association of the Workers' Cooperative “Start”, in the structures of which the Subcommittee for Sport for the Blind operated. The “Start” Association was an organization representing the community of blind and visually impaired athletes in international contacts, which were maintained on two levels. The first one was organizational, legislative and educational cooperation pursued by activists and coaches. Representatives of Poland took an active part in the work of sports committees operating at the above-mentioned international organizations, as well as established contacts with national organizations dealing with sport for the blind and visually impaired. In turn, the second level consisted in the contacts of athletes maintained through sports competition. In the period discussed the representatives of Poland took an active part in the most important sports events dedicated to the blind and visually impaired, including: the Paralympic Games, the Games of the Disabled with Various Conditions or the European Sports Games of the Blind, which Poland hosted.
Activity of the Dąbrowa Basin District Football Association in the Years 1946–1962
The aim of the study is to present the activities of the Dąbrowa Basin District Football Association (DBDFA) in the years 1946-1962. The decision to establish it was taken by the general meeting of delegates to the Polish Football Association (PFA) who met on 16-17 February 1946. However, the beginnings of the DBDFA – taking into account the period after 1945 – are connected with the Dąbrowa Basin Football Subdistrict (DBFS), which was subordinate to the Silesian District Football Association. In turn, on July 28, 1945, the autonomous DBFS was established subordinate directly to the PFA. Subsequent organizational changes took place in 1951. At that time, PFA was dissolved, and the Football Section (FS) was established in its place at the Central Committee of Physical Culture (CCPC). Thus, District Football Associations (DFA) were replaced with FS at the Provincial Committees of Physical Culture. The process of change began again in the autumn of 1956, and it took place, among other things, in sport. Owing to to these changes, DBDFA was reactivated on 13 January 1957 (and existed until 1962). Considering the period discussed, the best years for Dąbrowa Basin football were 1946-1950. In turn, the period in which FS CCPC existed (1951-1956) was unfavourable. Therefore, after the reactivation of DBDFA, activists set out to work to rebuild Dąbrowa Basin football despite organizational difficulties continuing unabated.
Dąbrowa Basin District Football Association
Football in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic in the Light of the periodical Sport (1922–1927). An Outline of the Issues
The aim of this article is to present football in the South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic as reflected in the periodical Sport(1922–1927). Sport served as the press organ of the Lwów District Football Association (LZOPN). The Lwów ZOPN’s territorial scope covered the Stanisławów and Tarnopol voivodeships and a large part of the Lwów voivodeship. It is worth emphasizing the fairly dynamic development of the Lwów ZOPN and its internal structures—one of the most organized districts in Poland. Between 1922 and 1927, the number of football clubs within the LZOPN increased. The Lwów ZOPN ran Class A, Class B, and Class C competitions. The leading football teams included LKS Pogoń Lwów, 1. LKS Czarni Lwów, Hasmonea Lwów, and Lechia Lwów; among the “provincial” sides were Polonia Przemyśl and Rewera Stanisławów. From 1922 to 1926, the strongest team in the LZOPN—and in Poland—was Pogoń Lwów, which won the Polish championship four times. The breakthrough year for the sport was 1927, when the Polish Football League was inaugurated. Among the fourteen top clubs, the LZOPN was represented by three sides (Pogoń, Czarni, Hasmonea). Players from the Lwów ZOPN also took part in matches of the Polish national team and participated in intercity fixtures as well as international and domestic games (inter-club friendlies).
South-Eastern Borderlands of the Second Polish Republic
Sport in theatre! An unknown source for the history of the inter-war Academic Sports Association (Gustaw Bolesław Baumfeld’s Sports Vows)
Gustav Baumfeld's „Sports Vows” (published in Lviv under the pseudonym Gustav Drzewopolski) has so far attracted no attention from experts in literature, theatre or sports historians. This minor humoresque has probably never been staged even on amateur stage. However, this does not deprive it of the value of a historical source, just like other, few stage works from the period 1918-1939 dealing with sports. „Vows” deserves attention mainly because it is set in an academic environment, and although it is difficult to decide whether it is about an AZS club (if it is, it is probably about the Poznań club from the period after 1926 and until 1929), this humoresque does stand out against the background of official and reporting sources of usually archival provenance dominating research on the AZS. It is one of those rare testimonies that capture the climate and atmosphere of academic sport, including its organisation, at a time when it began to play a leading role in Polish sport. The aim of this article is therefore not to assess Baumfeld's play from the perspective of literary history or theatre history. The aim is to extract from oblivion an original source which, if interpreted prudently, supplements the knowledge about the poorly understood aspects of the functioning of academic sport in Poland (and probably not only in this environment) in the late 1920s. One can also tentatively formulate a thesis that this minor work was, after all, a form of ennoblement of sport at a time when its role was often depreciated as trivial entertainment for the masses.
Sprawozdanie Z Konferencji Naukowej „Sportowcy W Źródle Archiwalnym”, Kielce, 29 Maja 2024 R
Impact of Food Service Quality on Guest Satisfaction in Five-Star Hotels: an Exploratory Study
We have conducted an exploratory study and looked at the relationship between food service quality and guest satisfaction to determine the DINESERV tools of food service quality that contribute to guest satisfaction in the hotel industry. This research applies qualitative methods and comprises a focus group of eight people and in-depth interviews of 32 restaurant guests from 11 hotels in Bangladesh. This study aims to shed light on DINESERV tools in the hotel industry and contribute to future research initiatives while examining the relationship between food service quality and guest satisfaction. This paper provides the best practices for improving food service quality for hotel food service outlets for guest satisfaction. Assurance, empathy, and tangibles are the three factors that guests consider most significant when evaluating the quality of the food service; as a result, these factors may benefit guest satisfaction. Besides, reliability and responsiveness were less influential factors in guest satisfaction. Again, overall satisfaction has a more significant impact on the food service quality of five-star hotels. These practical and theoretical implications contribute to the knowledge of food and beverage managers on how to improve food service quality and enhance guest satisfaction while advancing the theoretical understanding of the DINESERV tools influencing guest satisfaction in the five-star hotel context.
Counselors of Summer Camps for Children and Adolescents – Between Expectations and Reality
Counselors play a key role in fostering positive behaviors and organizing leisure activities, and they should have the required experience and knowledge for working with minors. Therefore, this study was undertaken to identify counselors’ motives for working at summer camps, and to elicit counselors’ opinions about their profession and work environment. The study involved a survey of 175 summer camp counselors. The vast majority of the participants (86%) were women; 34% were professionally active teachers, and 23% were Polish Scouts instructors. The results of the survey were analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics, and Pearson’s chi-squared test of independence. 88% of the respondents took summer camp jobs because they enjoyed working with children. Remuneration was a critical factor in the choice of specific job offers (42%), but 70% were not satisfied with the offered wages; 91% of the respondents had completed training courses for camp counselors, but 66% were of the opinion that training does not adequately prepare counselors for the job. Training courses do not thoroughly prepare counselors for working with underage campers. Therefore, obligatory training or internship opportunities for entry-level camp counselors should be considered. Counseling work is a demanding profession, but the offered wages are not proportional to camp counselor’s duties and responsibilities.
Impact of a New Year Break in Physical Activity on Body Composition in Physically Active Older Women: a Retrospective Observational Pilot Study
Regular physical activity is crucial for maintaining health at every stage of life. This study aimed to assess the impact of a 14-day pause from regular physical activity during the New Year Break (NYB) on body mass components in physically active women over 60 years old. The study sample consisted of 26 females, divided into two groups: 12 who continued their physical activity (the Continuous Activity Group, CAG) and 14 who paused during the NYB (the Break Group, BG). Body mass, body fat percentage (BF%), and body mass index (BMI) were measured using the bioimpedance method, and the fat mass index (FMI) was calculated. A two-way mixed-model ANOVA revealed significant interactions between the NYB condition and time for BMI, BF%, and FMI (P < 0.05). These results suggest that changes in these body composition metrics over time were influenced by the NYB condition, with women who discontinued physical activity experiencing significant increases in BMI, body fat percentage, and fat mass, as confirmed by post-hoc tests (P < 0.05). Conversely, women who maintained regular physical activity showed no significant changes in body composition (P > 0.05). These findings underscore the importance of continuous physical activity in mitigating adverse changes in body composition among older women.