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Browsing by Author "Grants, Juris"

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Āra rekreācijas aktivitāšu ietekme uz taekvondo sportistu stresa līmeni un psihisko noturību sacensību periodā. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums
(Latvijas Sporta pedagoģijas akadēmija, 2023) Boobani, Behnam; Grants, Juris; Litwiniuk, Artur
Saskarsme ar dabu var ietekmēt mūsu domas, jūtas un darbības, lai tās darbotos efektīvāk. Cilvēkus iedvesmo daba, un daba un dabiskās sistēmas tiek izmantotas kā resurss jaunu produktu vai risinājumu radīšanai (Kim, Kim, Pegard, Oh, Kagan, Fleischer, & Loo, 2012). Pētījumi ir parādījuši, ka dažādas saskarsmes formas ar dabu mums sniedz dažādu labumu (Bowler, Buyung-Ali, Knight, & Pullin, 2010; Capaldi, Dopko, & Zelenski, 2014; Grinde, & Patil, 2009). Tomēr daži pētnieki (Collado, Staats, & Sorrel, 2016; Von Lindern, Bauer, Frick, Hunziker, & Hartig, 2013) ir parādījuši, ka daži cilvēki norādīja uz nozīmīgāku atjaunošanās ietekmi, atrodoties dabā, nekā citi. Šie pierādījumi liecina, ka saskarsmi ar dabu var ietekmēt citi faktori, kas saistīti ar dabisko vidi (piemēram, sajūta, ka esat prom no ikdienas rutīnas). Pētījumi par saskarsmes ar dabu kognitīvo ietekmi ir saistīti ar uzmanības procesiem. Ohly, White, Wheeler, Bethel, Ukoumunne, Nikolaou, & Garside (2016) ir apgalvojuši, ka nav skaidrs, tieši kuri uzmanības procesi izskaidro novēroto terapeitisko efektu. Attiecībā uz iespējamām kognitīvajām funkcijām ir jābūt lielākai skaidrībai par to, vai tiek izmantoti citi garīgi produkti. Atchley, Strayer, & Atchley (2012) minēja, ka nav skaidrs, vai pozitīvas radošuma sekas ir saistītas ar atrašanos dabiskajā vidē vai citiem ar šādu vidi saistītiem faktoriem. Spēja izteikt emocijas un pielietot profesionālās iemaņas stresa situācijās rada atšķirību starp spēcīgiem un vājiem sportistiem. Kallus & Kellmann (2000) apgalvoja, ka stress, tā pārvarēšana un atjaunošanās nosaka sportista stāvokli, kas savukārt nosaka sportista reakciju uz turpmākajiem stresa faktoriem un ietekmē sniegumu. Būtisks faktors ir ne tikai stresa intensitāte, bet arī stresa ilgums, sadalījums laikā un stresa raksturs. Saskaņā ar Gucciardi, Daniel, Sandy Gordo, James, & Dimmock (2009), ja sportista fiziskā, tehniskā un taktiskā sagatavotība ir vienādā līmenī, šiem mentālajiem faktoriem ir izšķiroša nozīme uzvarā vai zaudējumā. Paaugstinot savu psihisko noturību, sportisti ar labām fiziskajām īpašībām un sporta veidam nepieciešamajām prasmēm var palielināt savas iespējas gūt stabilus panākumus sacensībās. Zinātniskajā literatūrā psihiskā noturība ir viens no sporta psiholoģijas visplašāk lietotajiem, bet vismazāk izprastiem terminiem. Daži sporta psihologi sportista psihisko noturību sacensību laikā saista ar psihisko regulējumu – sportista spēju atslābināties un regulēt gan mentālā stresa ietekmi, gan paša psihoemocionālo stāvokli un uzvedību (Weinberg, Joanne Butt, & Culp, 2011). Taekvondo kā olimpiskais sporta veids ir cīņas sporta veids, kas ietver zinātniskus un tehnoloģiskus aspektus. Lai sasniegtu labākos starptautiskos rezultātus, valstis meklē informāciju par dažādiem sporta procesā iesaistītajiem mainīgajiem lielumiem. Mūsdienu taekvondo sportisti, tāpat kā to senie priekšteči, ievēro noteiktu filozofiju (Park, & Gerrard, 2000), un treniņos bieži tiek iekļauti psiholoģiskie, fiziskie un garīgie aspekti (Lee, 2010). Lai labāk ievērotu cīņas mākslas pamatprincipus, praktizētāji gaida cieņu pret sevi un citiem, trenē pazemību, neatlaidību, savaldību un godīgumu (Park et al., 2000). Pētījums par taekvondo ietekmi uz psiholoģisko veselību liecina, ka ir saistība ar vairākiem pozitīviem rezultātiem. Tie ietver pastiprinātu kognitīvo un afektīvo pašregulāciju un prosociālo uzvedību bērniem (Lakes, & Hoyt, 2004) un samazinātu agresīvu uzvedību jauniešu un pusaudžu vidū (Harwood, Lavidor, & Rassovsky, 2017). Pētījumi liecina arī par taekvondo sportistu garastāvokļa uzlabošanos (Yang, Ko, & Roh, 2018) un stratēģiju stresa pārvarēšanai pilnveidi (Petrovic, 2017). Tomēr taekvondo sporta veidā plašu psiholoģisko pētījumu nav. Gāzizlādes vizualizācija (GDV), kuras pamatā ir Kirliana efekts, ir zinātniska metode individuālā stresa novērtēšanai (Korotkov, 2017). Mērījumu, izmantojot GDV, veic, stimulējot elektronus plaukstu pirkstu galos. Tā ir elektronu plūsma no pētījumu objekta augstas intensitātes frekvences (1024Hz) elektromagnētiskā impulsa ietekmē, kas gaisā rada gāzes fotonu starojumu (spīdumu) (Hacker, 2005). Šis spīdums rodas, jonizējot gāzveida molekulas apkārtējā gaisā, izmantojot no pirkstu galiem izlādētos elektronus. Tiek fiksēts uzlādētas-savienotas ierīces ( CCD) kameras mirdzums (Korotkov, Williams , & Wisneski, 2004). GDV attēlu iegūst no desmit abu roku pirkstiem divos veidos ar un bez filtra. Filtrs ir plāna plastmasas plēve, kuru mērījuma laikā novieto starp pirkstu un dielektrisko plāksni. Filtrs novērš svīšanas ietekmi uz simpātiskām un psihosomatiskām reakcijām un nodrošina fizioloģisko stāvokli (Korotkov, Shelkov , Shevtsov , Mohov , Paoletti, Mirosnichenko, 2012). Salīdzinot šos attēlus ar un bez filtra, veidojas aktivizācijas koeficients, cilvēka stresa līmeņa kvantitatīvs novērtējums, kas balstīts uz autonomā līdzsvara novērtējumu (Korotkov, 2002). GDV mērījumu datu rezultāti liecina, ka GDV var izmantot, lai izmērītu autonomās reakcijas aktivitāti. Moss (2012) norāda, ka pēdējos gados liela uzmanība ir pievērsta attiecībām starp dabu un pusaudžiem, un parāda, ka pusaudžu atrašanās dabā laiks samazinās. No otras puses – palielinās laiks, ko viņi pavada telpās. Daudzos pētījumos ir pētīta kaitīgā ietekme, ko rada pusaudžu pastiprināta tehnoloģiju lietošana (Von Marees, & Petermann, 2012). Tomēr ir nedaudzi pētījumi par to, kāpēc pusaudži pavada laiku mobilajos tālruņos un spēlējot datorspēles. Lietojot mobilos tālruņus, pusaudži galvenokārt uzturas iekštelpās, nevis iesaistās citās aktivitātēs dabā. Daži pētījumi šajā jomā ir veikti laboratorijas apstākļos. Dalībniekiem tika prezentēti attēli un video ar neparastu fonu, un tika izmantotas pašnovērtējuma anketas, lai novērtētu viņu vēlmes un sniegtās atbildes (Valtchanov, & Ellard, 2010). Turklāt pētnieki ir dokumentējuši psihiskās noturības labvēlīgo ietekmi uz sniegumu sportā. Tomēr Truelove (2014) pētījumā minēts, ka tikai 5-10% sportistu treniņu laika ir paredzēti būtisku psiholoģisko prasmju, piemēram, psihiskās noturības, attīstīšanai. Arī psiholoģiskie mainīgie ir būtiski pozitīvi ietekmējuši sportisko sniegumu. Psihiskā noturība tiek uzskatīta par ļoti svarīgu. Otrs iemesls, lai pētītu taekvondo sportistu psihisko noturību, ir pētījumu trūkums. Kad nav gūti sekmīgi rezultāti attiecībā uz sacensībām un sniegumu, daudzi sportisti un viņu treneri plāno vairāk strādāt fiziskās vai tehniskās sagatavotības virzienā. Viņi uzskata psiholoģisko aspektu par mazāk svarīgu. Taekvondo un daudzos citos sporta veidos sportisti smagajos fiziskajos treniņos un sacensībās var nepievērst uzmanību psiholoģiskajam treniņam saistībā ar stresu. Psiholoģiskā, sociālā vai nesportiskā fiziskā stresa pievienošana var izraisīt allostatisku slodzi, kas pārsniedz adaptācijas slieksni, izraisot fizisku nepareizu adaptāciju un stresa un noguruma uzkrāšanos (Polman, & Houlahan, 2004). Tāpēc, lai nodrošinātu optimālu atjaunošanos pēc stresa un adaptāciju un līdz ar to uzlabotu sniegumu, taekvondo sportistiem ir īpaši jātrenējas, lai pielāgotu izvēlētās spējas atbilstoši sporta veida izpildei un līdz minimumam samazinātu nespecifisku psihosociālo stresa faktoru ietekmi ar atbilstošu atjaunošanos; optimālam sacensību sniegumam sportists var trenēties ar nepieciešamo intensitāti un/vai pabeigt slodzi nākamajā treniņā. Taekvondo ir sporta veids telpās, un sportisti dod priekšroku visu veidu treniņiem klubā, piemēram, ja ir kardiotreniņš, viņiem patīk to veikt uz skrejceliņa klubā, bet neiet ārā skriet vai soļot, un pēc treniņa viņi dodas mājās un spēlē datorspēles vai pavada laiku ar mobilajiem tālruņiem. Tādēļ viņi galvenokārt atrodas telpās, nevis iesaistās citās aktivitātēs dabā. Stress, tā pārvarēšana un atjaunošanās nosaka sportista stāvokli, kas savukārt nosaka viņa reakciju uz turpmākajiem stresa faktoriem un ietekmē sniegumu. Paaugstināta stresa un nepietiekamas atjaunošanās dēļ sportists piedzīvo vēl vairāk stresa. Ja atjaunošanās nenotiek pilnvērtīgi, sportists būs saspringts, kas var radīt neveiksmi, un viņam, iespējams, būs jāatrod citi veidi, kā tikt galā ar stresu. Nelīdzsvarotība starp stresu un atjaunošanos var izraisīt sportistu snieguma īstermiņa un ilgtermiņa samazināšanos. Nepietiekama atjaunošanās un paaugstināts stress var izraisīt pārtrenēšanās sindromu. Pārtrenēšanās sindroms rodas no nepietiekamas atjaunošanās, pārmērīgi augstas intensitātes treniņa, palielinātas treniņu slodzes un ar treniņu nesaistītiem stresa faktoriem. Pārtrenēšanās var palielināt uzņēmīgumu pret traumām un slimībām, palielināt negatīvo garastāvokli un samazināt sniegumu. Pamatojoties uz iepriekš minēto, tika pētīta promocijas darba tēma “Āra rekreācijas aktivitāšu ietekme uz taekvondo sportistu stresa līmeni un psihisko noturību sacensību periodā”.
Blood lactate concentrations after losing or winning a boxing match in junior athletes
(2022-11-30) Litwiniuk, Artur; Grants, Juris; Obmiński, Zbigniew; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
Bacground and Study Aim: A three-round, refereed boxing bout (3 x 3 min.) with one-minute breaks is an exercise with a high proportion of anaerobic metabolism. Weight category-dependent differences in the concentration of the metabolite studied have been reported (the highest intensity of the fight is in the medium categories). There are few studies of the metabolic response in athletes who won and lost their first or subsequent bouts. There is a lack of publications reporting on the exercise metabolism of both opponents of a fought bout with respect to different weight categories. The aim of this study is to know the post-exercise blood lactate concentrations in pairs of opponents, one of whom wins and the other loses the same three-round fight. Material and Methods: The study was conducted during the Polish Junior Boxing Championships in different categories: 49kg, n = 4; 52kg-2; 56kg-4; 60kg-4; 64kg-2; 69kg-2; 69kg-2; 75kg-4; 81kg, 4; 91kg-4. In the fifth minute after the end of the first fight, capillary blood was collected under aseptic conditions from both fighters from the earlobe using disposable automatic lancets into heparinised glass capillaries, from where the material was transferred directly to the DR-LANGE analyser, Germany. A total of 60 athletes were tested (30 who won and 30 who lost bouts). The normal distribution of results in both sub-groups mandated the use of parametric statistical tests. Results: Conclusions: There was not a single fight interrupted by the ring judge, as none of the fighters tested were knocked out. The mean La concentration expressed in mmol/L (mM) was 12.9 ±3.4 with a range of 7.1 to 21.4 in the winners, and 12.4 ±2.8 with a range of 6.0 to 17.8. There were no significant differences between these averages. A significant correlation coefficient, r = 0.408, was noted between La and body weight in the losers’ and winners’ groups. Post-fight lactate (La) concentrations in junior boxers fall within a fairly wide concentration range, which may indicate significant variation in physical activity throughout the fight between the two opponents and differences in their aerobic capacity. There are no differences in mean La between the winners and losers. The positive correlation of La in the blood and body weight of the losing and winning boxers is evidence of a similar intensity of exertion of the two opponents at identical times, so this indicator cannot serve as an argument to explain the reason for the outcome of the boxing fight (losing ÷ winning).
Body composition and knowledge about a healthy lifestyle of selected combat sport athletes
(2022) Litwiniuk, Artur; Grants, Juris; Boobani, Behnam; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
Introduction. Nowadays, the level of physical condition as well as the proper composition of the body gains special importance in terms of proper psychomotor development of children and adolescents. The aim of this research was to obtain knowledge about body tissue composition and selected elements of a healthy lifestyle of combat sports athletes. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 21 taekwondo athletes. The age of the respondents was 17-18.5 years, training experience M=5.2 years, body height M=175.05 cm and body weight M=71.9. The tool that was used to assess the body composition was the BCA Tanita 545N device and a specially constructed interview questionnaire regarding information on a healthy lifestyle. Results. in the body composition of combat sports athletes, it was found that both partial results and averages are at an adequate level for combat sports athletes to systematic training. Conclusion. It was observed that all individual results of the subjects diagnosed with the BCA Tanita 545 N device are correct and fall within the norms of physically active people, such as people training combat sports. This proves the application of the principles of a healthy lifestyle. We can say that the level of knowledge of taekwondo athletes about a healthy lifestyle is high, because they are able to make a diagnosis, interpret the results and, in the case of values outside the health norm, use a repair algorithm in a professional sense.
Effect of different sports on young athlete's posture swimmers and cyclists
(2023-08-30) Solovjova, Jelena; Boobani, Behnam; Grants, Juris; Jakubovskis, German; Avotina, Ilze; Obminski, Zbigniew; Litwiniuk, Artur; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
Background & Study Aim: In each sports discipline morphological characteristics, elements of technical, tactical, and psychological preparation can be distinguished whose high level may affect sports results. The aim of this study is knowledge about the express diagnostic program and the possibility of detecting changes in musculoskeletal posture in young athletes practicing various sports disciplines. Material & Methods: The participants were 38 athletes from sports clubs in Riga, Latvia, swimmers (n = 19), and cyclists (n = 19) aged 14-15 years old with experience in National competitions. Body posture was assessed once before the training for visual diagnostics and muscular functional testing. A diagnostic program was developed from these methods, which included measuring the changes of 8 sagittal points from the vertical plane and functional testing of 8 muscle groups. The analyses were conducted using IBM SPSS version 26. The Shapiro-Wilk test, an independent t-test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyse the data. Results: The results showed that both groups (n = 38); standing posture was falling forward. There were significant differences between the two groups. Cyclists demonstrated significant results than swimmers for the following posture indicators - External Ear Opening (EEO), Radial Point (RP), Highest Point of the Iliac Crest (HPIC), M. Pectoralis Major Upper part (MPMU), Outer Points of the Palm (OPP), Acromion (ACR), Trochanter (Tro), Upper End of Fibula Bone (UEFB), M. Rectus Abdominis (MRA) and Blade Fixators (BF). There were significant results for swimmers in M. Quadriceps Femoris (MQF) and M. Gluteus Medium (MGM) at the 5% level. There was not a significant difference between the two groups in Hamstring Muscles (HM) and for M. Iliopsoas (MI). Conclusions: It can be concluded that each sport leads to postural changes in athletes due to specific functional muscle changes, as the results highlighted changes in both groups. Early postural changes in young athletes can be identified by applying express diagnostics. Early detection should lead to the prevention of injury.
Effect of Local Vibration on Road Cyclists
(Rēzeknes Tehnoloģiju akadēmija, 2020) Ciekurs, Kalvis; Krauksts, Viesturs; Krauksta, Daina; Grants, Juris; Lubkina, Velta; Kaupužs, Aivars; Znotiņa, Daina; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
In sprint distance probably the most important factor for a good result is the athletes achievements in power of cycling, because the athletes, who ride with a very high frequency, but cannot put in a cycle solid force in competitions. Consequently is need for new resources or means to increase the strength expressions, to be able to compete successfully with highlevel athletes. One of such is the local vibration. In our study we use the local vibration in development of cyclists strength expressions and power the aim of study is to determine influence of local vibration on cyclists peak anaerobic power. The subject of study is 15years old 2 cyclists. To carry out experiment, we arranged both cyclists, was made an anaerobic power test, when the athletes were given an unlimited time to warm up and achieve the highest possible power. Maximum power test results before the local vibration showed that the average power of the test group was 906 W, after application of local vibration peak power was 975W. A study has confirmed our allegation that application of local vibration can significantly improve the results of sprint cycling. Local vibration as an innovative training mean has proved its reliability in training process, as the random-level athletes improve their anaerobic power.
Effect of outdoor recreation activity on mental toughness of taekwondo athletes in competition period
(2023-07-10) Boobani, Behnam; Grants, Juris; Boge, Iveta; Glaskova-Kuzmina, Tatjana; Bula-Biteniece, Inta; Jagiello, Wladyslaw; Litwiniuk, Artur; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
Background & Study Aim: Taekwondo mixes mental and physical training into a helpful leisure activity. The research focusing on the impact of taekwondo on psychological health, although limited, suggests it is associated with several positive outcomes. These include increased cognitive and affective self-regulation and prosocial behaviour in children and reduced aggressive behaviour in the youth and teenager population. The aim of this study is knowledge about the effect of outdoor recreation activity (walking in nature) on mental toughness components (confidence, control, and constancy) of taekwondo athletes during the competition period. Material & Methods: The participants of this study were 12 Latvian taekwondo athletes, including males (n = 6) and females (n = 6), aged 17-23. The experiment was held four weeks before the International Sweden Taekwondo Competition (2022). The participants had twelve sessions, including 40 minutes of outdoor recreation (walking in nature), in zones 1 and 2 (HR 101-141 bpm). The Sport Mental Toughness Questionnaire (SMTQ) measured the mental toughness components (confidence, constancy, and control). The data was analyzed using the mean, standard deviations, the Shapiro-Wilk test, and paired sample t-test. Results: The outdoor recreation activity (walking in nature) did not significantly affect the component of mental toughness (confidence t (11) = 0.451 as the p-value 0.837 >0.05, for constancy t (11) = −0.233; as the p-value 0.820 >0.05 and control t (11) = 0.117; as the p-value 0.909 >0.05) at the 5% level. Conclusions: Gender disparities exist in the mental toughness components of confidence, constancy, and control among Latvian taekwondo athletes. In particular, male athletes revealed higher average scores in confidence and constancy, with control scores remaining consistent across both male and female athletes. Furthermore, male athletes showed less variability in their confidence and constancy scores when compared to their female counterparts.
Effect of Outdoor Recreation Activity on Stress Level and Mental Toughness on Taekwondo Athletes in the Competition Period. Doctoral Thesis
(Latvian Academy of Sport Education, 2023) Boobani, Behnam; Grants, Juris; Litwiniuk, Artur
Contact with nature may influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions to function more effectively. People are inspired by nature, and nature and natural systems are used as a resource to create new products or solutions (Kim, Kim, Pegard, Oh, Kagan, Fleischer, and Loo, 2012). Research has demonstrated that various contact forms with nature benefit us differently (Bowler, Buyung-Ali, Knight, and Pullin, 2010; Capaldi, Dopko, and Zelenski, 2014; Grinde, and Patil, 2009). However, some researchers (Collado, Staats, and Sorrel, 2016; Von Lindern, Bauer, Frick, Hunziker, and Hartig, 2013) have shown that some people reported more significant restoration effects of being in nature than others. This evidence suggests that contact with nature may be affected by other factors associated with natural environments (e.g., a sense of being away from daily routine). Research on the cognitive impacts of contact with nature is on attentional processes. Ohly, White, Wheeler, Bethel, Ukoumunne, Nikolaou, and Garside (2016) have argued that it is unclear which precise attentional processes explain the observed therapeutic effects. Regarding the potential cognitive functions, there needs to be more clarity about whether other mental products are used. Atchley, Strayer, and Atchley (2012) mentioned that it is not clear that positive creativity effects are due to exposure to the natural environment or other factors associated with such an environment. The ability to express emotions and apply professional skills in stressful situations makes a difference between strong and weak athletes. Kallus and Kellmann (2000) stated that stress, coping with it, and recovery determine the athlete's state, which determines the athlete’s reaction to subsequent stressors and influences performance. Not only is the intensity of the stress an essential factor, but the duration, distribution over time, and the nature of the stress play important roles. According to Gucciardi, Daniel, Sandy Gordo, James, and Dimmock (2009), if the athlete's physical, technical, and tactical training is at the same level, these mental factors play a crucial role in victory or loss. By increasing their mental toughness, athletes with good physical qualities and the skills necessary for their sport can increase their chance of achieving stable success in competitions. In scientific literature, mental toughness is one of sports psychology's most widely used but least understood terms. Some sports psychologists associate an athlete's mental toughness during competitions with psychic regulation – an athlete's ability to relax and regulate both the effects of mental stress and one's own psycho-emotional state and behavior (Weinberg, Joanne Butt, and Culp, 2011). As an Olympic sport, Taekwondo is a combat sport involving scientific and technological aspects. Countries seek information from the different variables involved in the sport process to achieve the best international results. Present-day taekwondo follows a philosophy like its ancient predecessor's (Park, and Gerrard, 2000), with psychological, physical, and spiritual aspects often incorporated into training (Lee, 2010). Practitioners expect to display respect for themselves and others, humility, perseverance, self-control, and honesty to better refer to the guiding principles of martial art (Park et al., 2000). The research focusing on taekwondo's impact on psychological health, suggests it is associated with several positive outcomes. These include increased cognitive and affective self-regulation and prosocial behavior in children (Lakes, and Hoyt, 2004) and reduced aggressive behavior in youth and teenager’s population (Harwood, Lavidor, and Rassovsky, 2017). Studies have also shown improvements in mood (Yang, Ko, and Roh, 2018) and enhanced strategies for coping with and managing stress (Petrovic, 2017) in taekwondo athletes. However, taekwondo has not been widely examined in psychological research. Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV) based on the Kirlian effect is a scientific method to assess individual stress (Korotkov,2017). The measurement through GDV is performed by stimulation of electrons at the fingertips. It is the flow of electrons from a conducting object under the influence of a high-frequency (1024 Hz) electromagnetic pulse of high intensity, which creates photon radiation (glow) in the gas air (Hacker, 2005). This glow results from ionizing gaseous molecules in the surrounding air through the discharged electrons from the fingertips. A chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera's glow is captured (Korotkov, Williams , and Wisneski, 2004). The GDV image is obtained from ten fingers of both hands in two ways, with and without a filter. A filter is a thin plastic film placed between the finger and the dielectric plate during the measuerment. The filter removes the effects of sweating on sympathetic and psychosomatic responses and gives the physiological state (Korotkov, Shelkov , Shevtsov , Mohov , Paoletti, Mirosnichenko, 2012). Comparison of these images with and without filter forms an Activation Coefficient, a quantitative assessment of a person's stress level based on the evaluation of autonomic balance (Korotkov, 2002). The data findings of GDV measures suggest that GDV can be used to measure the activity of autonomic response. Moss, 2012 points out that the relationship between nature and adolescents in recent years got a great deal of attention and shows that adolescents have a declining relationship with nature. On the other hand, the time they spend indoor increses. Many studies have examined the detrimental effects of adolescents' increased engagement with technology (Von Marees, and Petermann, 2012). However, some studies try to understand why adolescents spend time on cell phones and playing computer games. Cell phones keep them primarily indoors when they might be engaging in other activities in natural environments. Some research in this area was in laboratory settings, with images and videos of unusual backgrounds presented to participants and self-report questionnaires used to evaluate their preferences and measure their affective responses (Valtchanov, and Ellard, 2010). Besides, researchers have documented the beneficial effects of mental toughness on sports performance. Still, Truelove’s research (2014) mentioned that only 5-10% of athletes' training time is for developing essential psychological skills such as mental toughness. Also, psychological variables have been one of the crucial facilitators in terms of sports performance. Mental toughness has been considered very important. The other reason to study the mental toughness of taekwondo athletes is the absence of studies. When the results are not successful regarding the competition and performance, many athletes and their coaches plan to work more on the physical or technical fitness routine. They neglect the psychological aspect as less critical. Athletes in heavy physical training and competition may be limited to non-training stress in taekwondo and many sports. Adding psychological, social, or non-athletic physical stress may result in an allostatic load over the adaptation threshold, leading to physical maladaptation and an accumulation of stress and fatigue (Polman, and Houlahan, 2004). Therefore, for optimum stress recovery and adaptation and ultimately improved performance, taekwondo athletes must train specifically to adapt selected capacities relevant to event performance and minimize the impact of non-specific psychosocial stressors with appropriate recovery; the athlete can train at the required intensity and or complete the load at the next training session for optimal competition performance. Taekwondo is an indoor sport, and athletes prefer to do all kinds of training inside the club, for example, if there is cardio training, they like to do it on the treadmill inside the club but not go outdoors for jogging or walking and after training they go home and play computer games or spend their time on cell phones. Cell phones keep them primarily indoors when they might be engaging in other activities in natural environments. Stress, coping with it, and recovery determine the athlete's state, which determines their reaction to subsequent stressors and influences performance. Increased stress demands and insufficient recovery lead to the athlete experiencing more stress. If recovery demands cannot be met, the athlete will be stressed beyond the point of failure and may need to find other ways of coping with the stress. Imbalances between stress and recovery can lead to short-term and longterm reductions in the athletes’ performance. If recovery is not adequate and increased stress may result in overtraining syndrome. The overtraining syndrome results from insufficient recovery, excessive high-intensity training, increases in training load, and non-training stressors. Overtraining can increase susceptibility to injury and illness, increase negative mood states, and decrease performance. Based on the above, the doctoral thesis topic, "Effect of outdoor recreation activity on stress level and mental toughness on taekwondo athletes in the competition period," was studied.
Effect of Outdoor Recreation Activity on Stress Level and Mental Toughness on Taekwondo Athletes in the Competition Period. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
(Latvian Academy of Sport Education, 2023) Boobani, Behnam; Grants, Juris; Litwiniuk, Artur
Contact with nature may influence our thoughts, feelings, and actions to function more effectively. People are inspired by nature, and nature and natural systems are used as a resource to create new products or solutions (Kim, Kim, Pegard, Oh, Kagan, Fleischer, and Loo, 2012). Research has demonstrated that various contact forms with nature benefit us differently (Bowler, Buyung-Ali, Knight, and Pullin, 2010; Capaldi, Dopko, and Zelenski, 2014; Grinde, and Patil, 2009). However, some researchers (Collado, Staats, and Sorrel, 2016; Von Lindern, Bauer, Frick, Hunziker, and Hartig, 2013) have shown that some people reported more significant restoration effects of being in nature than others. This evidence suggests that contact with nature may be affected by other factors associated with natural environments (e.g., a sense of being away from daily routine). Research on the cognitive impacts of contact with nature is on attentional processes. Ohly, White, Wheeler, Bethel, Ukoumunne, Nikolaou, and Garside (2016) have argued that it is unclear which precise attentional processes explain the observed therapeutic effects. Regarding the potential cognitive functions, there needs to be more clarity about whether other mental products are used. Atchley, Strayer, and Atchley (2012) mentioned that it is not clear that positive creativity effects are due to exposure to the natural environment or other factors associated with such an environment. The ability to express emotions and apply professional skills in stressful situations makes a difference between strong and weak athletes. Kallus and Kellmann (2000) stated that stress, coping with it, and recovery determine the athlete's state, which determines the athlete’s reaction to subsequent stressors and influences performance. Not only is the intensity of the stress an essential factor, but the duration, distribution over time, and the nature of the stress play important roles. According to Gucciardi, Daniel, Sandy Gordo, James, and Dimmock (2009), if the athlete's physical, technical, and tactical training is at the same level, these mental factors play a crucial role in victory or loss. By increasing their mental toughness, athletes with good physical qualities and the skills necessary for their sport can increase their chance of achieving stable success in competitions. In scientific literature, mental toughness is one of sports psychology's most widely used but least understood terms. Some sports psychologists associate an athlete's mental toughness during competitions with psychic regulation – an athlete's ability to relax and regulate both the effects of mental stress and one's own psycho-emotional state and behavior (Weinberg, Joanne Butt, and Culp, 2011). As an Olympic sport, Taekwondo is a combat sport involving scientific and technological aspects. Countries seek information from the different variables involved in the sport process to achieve the best international results. Present-day taekwondo follows a philosophy like its ancient predecessor's (Park, and Gerrard, 2000), with psychological, physical, and spiritual aspects often incorporated into training (Lee, 2010). Practitioners expect to display respect for themselves and others, humility, perseverance, self-control, and honesty to better refer to the guiding principles of martial art (Park et al., 2000). The research focusing on taekwondo's impact on psychological health, suggests it is associated with several positive outcomes. These include increased cognitive and affective self-regulation and prosocial behavior in children (Lakes, and Hoyt, 2004) and reduced aggressive behavior in youth and teenager’s population (Harwood, Lavidor, and Rassovsky, 2017). Studies have also shown improvements in mood (Yang, Ko, and Roh, 2018) and enhanced strategies for coping with and managing stress (Petrovic, 2017) in taekwondo athletes. However, taekwondo has not been widely examined in psychological research. Gas Discharge Visualization (GDV) based on the Kirlian effect is a scientific method to assess individual stress (Korotkov,2017). The measurement through GDV is performed by stimulation of electrons at the fingertips. It is the flow of electrons from a conducting object under the influence of a high-frequency (1024 Hz) electromagnetic pulse of high intensity, which creates photon radiation (glow) in the gas air (Hacker, 2005). This glow results from ionizing gaseous molecules in the surrounding air through the discharged electrons from the fingertips. A chargedcoupled device (CCD) camera's glow is captured (Korotkov, Williams , and Wisneski, 2004). The GDV image is obtained from ten fingers of both hands in two ways, with and without a filter. A filter is a thin plastic film placed between the finger and the dielectric plate during the measuerment. The filter removes the effects of sweating on sympathetic and psychosomatic responses and gives the physiological state (Korotkov, Shelkov , Shevtsov , Mohov , Paoletti, Mirosnichenko, 2012). Comparison of these images with and without filter forms an Activation Coefficient, a quantitative assessment of a person's stress level based on the evaluation of autonomic balance (Korotkov, 2002). The data findings of GDV measures suggest that GDV can be used to measure the activity of autonomic response. Moss, 2012 points out that the relationship between nature and adolescents in recent years got a great deal of attention and shows that adolescents have a declining relationship with nature. On the other hand, the time they spend indoor increses. Many studies have examined the detrimental effects of adolescents' increased engagement with technology (Von Marees, and Petermann, 2012). However, some studies try to understand why adolescents spend time on cell phones and playing computer games. Cell phones keep them primarily indoors when they might be engaging in other activities in natural environments. Some research in this area was in laboratory settings, with images and videos of unusual backgrounds presented to participants and self-report questionnaires used to evaluate their preferences and measure their affective responses (Valtchanov, and Ellard, 2010). Besides, researchers have documented the beneficial effects of mental toughness on sports performance. Still, Truelove’s research (2014) mentioned that only 5-10% of athletes' training time is for developing essential psychological skills such as mental toughness. Also, psychological variables have been one of the crucial facilitators in terms of sports performance. Mental toughness has been considered very important. The other reason to study the mental toughness of taekwondo athletes is the absence of studies. When the results are not successful regarding the competition and performance, many athletes and their coaches plan to work more on the physical or technical fitness routine. They neglect the psychological aspect as less critical. Athletes in heavy physical training and competition may be limited to non-training stress in taekwondo and many sports. Adding psychological, social, or non-athletic physical stress may result in an allostatic load over the adaptation threshold, leading to physical maladaptation and an accumulation of stress and fatigue (Polman, and Houlahan, 2004). Therefore, for optimum stress recovery and adaptation and ultimately improved performance, taekwondo athletes must train specifically to adapt selected capacities relevant to event performance and minimize the impact of non-specific psychosocial stressors with appropriate recovery; the athlete can train at the required intensity and or complete the load at the next training session for optimal competition performance. Taekwondo is an indoor sport, and athletes prefer to do all kinds of training inside the club, for example, if there is cardio training, they like to do it on the treadmill inside the club but not go outdoors for jogging or walking and after training they go home and play computer games or spend their time on cell phones. Cell phones keep them primarily indoors when they might be engaging in other activities in natural environments. Stress, coping with it, and recovery determine the athlete's state, which determines their reaction to subsequent stressors and influences performance. Increased stress demands and insufficient recovery lead to the athlete experiencing more stress. If recovery demands cannot be met, the athlete will be stressed beyond the point of failure and may need to find other ways of coping with the stress. Imbalances between stress and recovery can lead to short-term and longterm reductions in the athletes’ performance. If recovery is not adequate and increased stress may result in overtraining syndrome. The overtraining syndrome results from insufficient recovery, excessive high-intensity training, increases in training load, and non-training stressors. Overtraining can increase susceptibility to injury and illness, increase negative mood states, and decrease performance. Based on the above, the doctoral thesis topic, "Effect of outdoor recreation activity on stress level and mental toughness on taekwondo athletes in the competition period," was studied.
Effects of breathing exercises on young swimmers’ respiratory system parameters and performance
(2024-09-24) Jakubovskis, Germans; Zuša, Anna; Solovjova, Jeļena; Boobani, Behnam; Glaskova-Kuzmina, Tatjana; Grants, Juris; Žīdens, Jānis; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
Breathing exercises are widely used to enhance respiratory function and athletic performance. This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a modified exercise regimen on respiratory parameters and its effect on the performance of young swimmers in competition. Thirty-one swimmers aged 16–17 from various clubs in Latvia were selected, comprising an experimental group (n = 15, height: 174.36 ± 7.85 cm, weight: 65.80 ± 9.35 kg, body mass index: 21.60 ± 1.54) and a control group (n = 16, height: 180.78 ± 7.05 cm, weight: 69.90 ± 6.49 kg, body mass index: 21.40 ± 1.56). With an average of eight years of experience, participants trained for approximately 43–45 weeks annually (pool and gym sessions), with an average training duration of 20 ± 2 hours per week. Measurements were conducted on days one and 30, involving spirometry and swimming performance assessment based on the best results in the freestyle 100-meter distance. The experiment consisted of a modified breathing exercise performed thrice weekly for four weeks. Significant improvements were observed in the experimental group compared to the control group in forced vital capacity (p = 0.02), peak inspiratory flow (p = 0.001), and performance (p = 0.001), with p-values < 0.05. However, no significant changes were noted in peak expiratory flow (p = 0.46 > 0.05). The findings indicate that modified breathing exercises effectively enhance respiratory parameters and performance in competitive swimmers.
EFFECTS OF OUTDOOR ACTIVITY, ELECTRO PHOTONIC IMAGING TECHNIQUE ON STRESS LEVEL AND MENTAL TOUGHNESS ON LATVIAN TAEKWONDO ATHLETES
(2022) Boobani, Behnam; Grants, Juris; Boge, Iveta; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
Research investigating sources of stress in athletes has identified physical, social, environmental, general life and secondary (emotional/cognitive/goal oriented) events which cumulatively and interactively contribute to allostatic load. The purpose of this study is 1) to compare measurements made with an Electro Photonic Imaging (EPI) technique before and after an outdoor recreation activity on Taekwondo athletes’ stress level, and 2) to find out the effects of outdoor activity on mental toughness in Taekwondo athletes. Forty Taekwondo athletes who will volunteer to participate in the research (15-19 years old, at least for 2 years have participated in national or international competitions) for 5 weeks walking (3 sessions per week /40 minutes) in the nature, in pre-competition phase will be selected. The current athletes’ stress level and mental toughness will be assessed by Bio-Well pro 2.0 camera and the mental toughness questionnaire (SMTQ). In the procession and analysis of the results MS. Excel software and methods of descriptive statistics will be used. Methods are based on scientific literature review of outdoor activities, questionnaire, and then using statistical analysis. The results and conclusion of the study will be according to the analysis.
Emociju regulācija fiziskajās rekreācijas aktivitātēs sievietēm pieaugušā vecumposmā. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums
(Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2024) Ulme, Gundega; Grants, Juris; Dadeliene, Rūta
Eiropā un pasaulē arvien lielāks uzsvars tiek likts uz psihisko slimību profilaksi un veselības veicināšanu, jo valstis ir apzinājušās ne tikai problēmas aktualitāti, bet arī ekonomiskos ieguvumus no garīgi veselas sabiedrības (Slimību profilakses un kontroles centrs [SPKC], 2011), kurā fiziskās aktivitātes ir viens no rīkiem, kā uzturēt fizisko un psihisko veselību, kas ir viens no veselības stūrakmeņiem. Tomēr dati saistībā ar cilvēku emocionālajām grūtībām ir satraucoši. Saskaņā ar Pasaules Veselības organizācijas [PVO] (World Health Organization [WHO]) sniegto informāciju depresija ir viena no izplatītākajām slimībām neinfekciju slimību grupā, kas kopumā rada vislielāko slogu sabiedrības veselībai, izraisot darba nespēju. Trauksme un depresija ir izplatītākie psihiskās veselības traucējumi Eiropas Savienībā [ES], kas katru gadu ietekmē 20,9 % (t. i., 99,4 miljonus) cilvēku. Statistikas dati norāda, ka klīnisku trauksmi piedzīvo 40 miljonu Amerikas iedzīvotāju jeb 18 % populācijas (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008). Psihiskās veselības profilakse ir arī katra cilvēka paša atbildība, tāpēc spēja novērtēt un prasme regulēt savas emocijas var būt viens no rīkiem gan fiziskās, gan psihiskās veselības uzturēšanai. Vienlaikus ir būtiski piedāvāt sabiedrībai idejas un zinātniski pārbaudītas metodes emociju regulācijai. Pētījumi norāda uz skaidru sakarību starp fizisko aktivitāšu ieradumiem un psihisko veselību, tomēr statistikas dati liecina arī par fizisko aktivitāšu, tostarp fizisko rekreācijas (angl. recreation) aktivitāšu, nepietiekamību – sabiedrība kļūst fiziski arvien kūtrāka ar visām no tā izrietošajām sekām. Fizisko aktivitāšu trūkums ir ceturtais izplatītākais nāves cēlonis pasaulē (Kohl et al., 2012). Mazkustība pakļauj cilvēku lielākam riskam iegūt dažādas saslimšanas (piemēram, kardiovaskulāras slimības, diabētu u. tml.), kā arī negatīvi ietekmē psihisko veselību, kas savukārt cilvēku var pakļaut stresam jeb spriedzei, trauksmei un depresijai (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). Cilvēks pieaugušā vecumposmā ir darbspējīgā vecumā. Darba nespējas iemesli raisa nacionāla līmeņa interesi iesaistīt cilvēkus tādās fiziskajās aktivitātēs, kuru mērķis ir atjaunošanās. Brīvā laika fiziskās aktivitātes pozitīvi ietekmē cilvēku emocionālo stāvokli un pozitīvi korelē ar laimi (Lyubomirsky & Layous, 2013). Pētījumi pierāda, ka fiziskās aktivitātes var būt saistītas arī ar stresu, t. i., regulāras fiziskās aktivitātes var gan veicināt stresa noturību jeb stresa toleranci, gan arī izraisīt stresu atkarībā no vingrinājumu slodzes, intensitātes u. c., piemēram, sociālajiem, faktoriem. Nav viennozīmīgu pētījumu par to, kāda veida fiziskās aktivitātes un kādā intensitātē būtu veicamas, lai regulētu emocijas, mazinātu trauksmi un distresu, kā arī paaugstinātu subjektīvo vitalitāti. Piemēram, ja emociju regulācijai tiek ieteikts lietot monotonas un ritmiskas fiziskās aktivitātes mērenā intensitātē, tad stresa noturības veicināšanai tiek ieteiktas aktivitātes, kas ir samērā neprognozējamas, neparedzamas, tādējādi radinot cilvēku pie stresa. Fiziskās rekreācijas aktivitātes ir mazbudžeta nodarbes un notiek dabā. To mērķis ir prieks un labizjūta (angl. wellbeing), savukārt daba nodrošina emociju regulāciju, stabilizējot pozitīvās emocijas. Plānojot rekreācijas aktivitātes dabā atbilstoši zinātniskajā literatūrā jau izstrādātajām rekomendācijām, ir iespējams rūpēties par savu psihisko veselību, vienlaikus iegūstot pozitīvas emociju izmaiņas (valenci), mazinot trauksmi un paaugstinot subjektīvo vitalitāti. Veicot teorētisko pētījumu, zinātniskās literatūras analīzē iegūtie rezultāti izmantoti rekomendāciju izstrādei fizisko rekreācijas aktivitāšu modeļa īstenošanai. Ņemot vērā ieteikumus emociju, trauksmes un subjektīvās vitalitātes regulācijai, cilvēkam ir iespējams ikdienā apzināti rūpēties par savu psihisko veselību neatkarīgi no ienākumiem un darba laika, tādējādi uzņemoties atbildību par savu veselību un vienlaikus veicinot visas sabiedrības veselību.
Emociju regulācija fiziskajās rekreācijas aktivitātēs sievietēm pieaugušā vecumposmā. Promocijas darbs
(Rīgas Stradiņa universitāte, 2024) Ulme, Gundega; Grants, Juris; Dadeliene, Rūta
Eiropā un pasaulē arvien lielāks uzsvars tiek likts uz psihisko slimību profilaksi un veselības veicināšanu, jo valstis ir apzinājušās ne tikai problēmas aktualitāti, bet arī ekonomiskos ieguvumus no garīgi veselas sabiedrības (Slimību profilakses un kontroles centrs [SPKC], 2011), kurā fiziskās aktivitātes ir viens no rīkiem, kā uzturēt fizisko un psihisko veselību, kas ir viens no veselības stūrakmeņiem. Tomēr dati saistībā ar cilvēku emocionālajām grūtībām ir satraucoši. Saskaņā ar Pasaules Veselības organizācijas [PVO] (World Health Organization [WHO]) sniegto informāciju depresija ir viena no izplatītākajām slimībām neinfekciju slimību grupā, kas kopumā rada vislielāko slogu sabiedrības veselībai, izraisot darba nespēju. Trauksme un depresija ir izplatītākie psihiskās veselības traucējumi Eiropas Savienībā [ES], kas katru gadu ietekmē 20,9 % (t. i., 99,4 miljonus) cilvēku. Statistikas dati norāda, ka klīnisku trauksmi piedzīvo 40 miljonu Amerikas iedzīvotāju jeb 18 % populācijas (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008). Psihiskās veselības profilakse ir arī katra cilvēka paša atbildība, tāpēc spēja novērtēt un prasme regulēt savas emocijas var būt viens no rīkiem gan fiziskās, gan psihiskās veselības uzturēšanai. Vienlaikus ir būtiski piedāvāt sabiedrībai idejas un zinātniski pārbaudītas metodes emociju regulācijai. Pētījumi norāda uz skaidru sakarību starp fizisko aktivitāšu ieradumiem un psihisko veselību, tomēr statistikas dati liecina arī par fizisko aktivitāšu, tostarp fizisko rekreācijas (angl. recreation) aktivitāšu, nepietiekamību – sabiedrība kļūst fiziski arvien kūtrāka ar visām no tā izrietošajām sekām. Fizisko aktivitāšu trūkums ir ceturtais izplatītākais nāves cēlonis pasaulē (Kohl et al., 2012). Mazkustība pakļauj cilvēku lielākam riskam iegūt dažādas saslimšanas (piemēram, kardiovaskulāras slimības, diabētu u. tml.), kā arī negatīvi ietekmē psihisko veselību, kas savukārt cilvēku var pakļaut stresam jeb spriedzei, trauksmei un depresijai (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). Cilvēks pieaugušā vecumposmā ir darbspējīgā vecumā. Darba nespējas iemesli raisa nacionāla līmeņa interesi iesaistīt cilvēkus tādās fiziskajās aktivitātēs, kuru mērķis ir atjaunošanās. Brīvā laika fiziskās aktivitātes pozitīvi ietekmē cilvēku emocionālo stāvokli un pozitīvi korelē ar laimi (Lyubomirsky & Layous, 2013). Pētījumi pierāda, ka fiziskās aktivitātes var būt saistītas arī ar stresu, t. i., regulāras fiziskās aktivitātes var gan veicināt stresa noturību jeb stresa toleranci, gan arī izraisīt stresu atkarībā no vingrinājumu slodzes, intensitātes u. c., piemēram, sociālajiem, faktoriem. Nav viennozīmīgu pētījumu par to, kāda veida fiziskās aktivitātes un kādā intensitātē būtu veicamas, lai regulētu emocijas, mazinātu trauksmi un distresu, kā arī paaugstinātu subjektīvo vitalitāti. Piemēram, ja emociju regulācijai tiek ieteikts lietot monotonas un ritmiskas fiziskās aktivitātes mērenā intensitātē, tad stresa noturības veicināšanai tiek ieteiktas aktivitātes, kas ir samērā neprognozējamas, neparedzamas, tādējādi radinot cilvēku pie stresa. Fiziskās rekreācijas aktivitātes ir mazbudžeta nodarbes un notiek dabā. To mērķis ir prieks un labizjūta (angl. wellbeing), savukārt daba nodrošina emociju regulāciju, stabilizējot pozitīvās emocijas. Plānojot rekreācijas aktivitātes dabā atbilstoši zinātniskajā literatūrā jau izstrādātajām rekomendācijām, ir iespējams rūpēties par savu psihisko veselību, vienlaikus iegūstot pozitīvas emociju izmaiņas (valenci), mazinot trauksmi un paaugstinot subjektīvo vitalitāti. Veicot teorētisko pētījumu, zinātniskās literatūras analīzē iegūtie rezultāti izmantoti rekomendāciju izstrādei fizisko rekreācijas aktivitāšu modeļa īstenošanai. Ņemot vērā ieteikumus emociju, trauksmes un subjektīvās vitalitātes regulācijai, cilvēkam ir iespējams ikdienā apzināti rūpēties par savu psihisko veselību neatkarīgi no ienākumiem un darba laika, tādējādi uzņemoties atbildību par savu veselību un vienlaikus veicinot visas sabiedrības veselību.
Emotion Regulation During Physical Recreational Activities among Adult Women. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
(Rīga Stradiņš University, 2024) Ulme, Gundega; Grants, Juris; Dadeliene, Rūta
In Europe and the world, the stress is increasingly laid on psychic disease prophylaxis and health promotion, as the countries gained awareness not only of the topicality of the problem, but also of the economic advantages of an emotionally healthy society, with physical activities being one of the tools for maintaining physical and emotional health as one of the cornerstones of health. Still, data related to emotional problems in people are worrying. According to the information provided by the World Health Organization [WHO], depression is one of the most widespread non-infectious diseases, which overall generates the greatest load on social health by causing inability to work. Anxiety and depression are the most widespread psychic health disorders in the European Union [EU], with annual impact on 20.9% (that is, 99.4 million) people. Statistical data shows that clinical anxiety is experienced by 40 million of American residents or 18% of the population (Ratey & Hagerman, 2008). Psychic disease prophylaxis is the responsibility of every person, thus the ability to assess and the capacity to regulate one’s emotions can be one of the tools for maintaining both physical and emotional health. Simultaneously, it is essential to offer to the society ideas and scientifically verified methods for emotion regulation. Studies indicate a clear relation between physical activity habits and emotional health, but statistical data also indicates that physical activities, including physical recreational activities are insufficient, as the society is becoming increasingly sedentary with the ensuing consequences. Lack of physical activities is the fourth most common cause of death (Kohl et al., 2012). A sedentary lifestyle leads to an increased risk of various diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, etc., as well as having negative impact on psychic health, leading to a greater probability of a person succumbing to stress, anxiety and depression (Warburton, Nicol & Bredin, 2006). An adult person is at the age when he or she is capable of working. Sick leaves give rise to the national-level interest in engaging people in physical activities that aim at recreation. Leisure physical activities have a positive impact on a person’s emotional condition and have positive correlation with happiness (Lyubomirsky & Layous, 2013). Studies show that physical activities can be related to stress; in other words, regular physical activities can both facilitate stress resistance or stress tolerance and cause stress, depending on the intensity of the exercise and other factors, such as social factors. There are no unambiguous studies on the type and intensity of physical activities needed to regulate emotions, reduce anxiety and distress and increase subjective vitality. For instance, whereas monotonous and rhythmic physical activities of moderate intensity are recommended for emotion regulation, activities that are rather unforeseeable and unpredictable are recommended for stress regulation promotion, as these activities habituate people to stress. Physical recreational activities are low-cost undertakings that take place in nature. Their aim is to achieve joy and well-being, with nature providing emotion regulation by stabilising positive emotions. By planning outdoor recreational activities according to recommendations already developed in scientific literature, it is possible to take care of one’s emotional health while gaining positive emotions, reducing anxiety and raising subjective vitality. In conducting a theoretical study, the results gained in analysing scientific literature were used for developing recommendations for a physical recreational activities model. In view of recommendations for regulating emotions, anxiety and subjective vitality, people are able to take daily and conscious care of their emotional health irrespective of income and working hours, thus taking on responsibility of their health and simultaneously promoting health in the society as a whole.
EVALUATION OF THE EMOTIONAL STATE IN THE OUTDOOR RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES
(2021) Ulme, Gundega; Boobani, Behnam; Arne, Daina; Grants, Juris; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
The aim of the study is to evaluate the emotional state of volunteer participants in outdoor recreational activities (downhill skiing, cycling) by analysing their facial expressions and self-assessments of emotional state before and after the outdoor recreational activities. Twenty-four volunteers (8 women and 16 men with the average age of 38 years old) participated in the study. The emotional state of the participants was assessed by using Sports Emotion Questionnaire (SEQ) and a software "Face Reader 3.0."
Exploring Cross-Cultural Differences in Fundamental Motor Skills Proficiency Between Polish and Latvian Children
(2023-09-01) Makaruk, Hubert; Grants, Juris; Bodasińska, Anna; Bula-Biteniece, Inta; Zieliński, Janusz; Dravniece, Irēna; Starzak, Marcin; Ciekurs, Kalvis; Piech, Krzysztof; Makaruk, Beata; Žīdens, Janis; Kalniņš, Kārlis; Sadowski, Jerzy; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE); Department of Management and Communication Science; Latvian Academy of Sport Education Platform
Introduction. Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are a critical component of success in various sports and lifelong physical activity (PA). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the FMS proficiency levels of 7-9-year-old children from Poland and Latvia, providing insights into the current state of motor competence in these populations. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study design was utilized, incorporating a sample of 163 boys and girls. The FUS test (Fundamental Motor Skills in Sport), a comprehensive, qualitative, and process-oriented assessment tool was used to assess FMS. The FUS test encompassed a range of movement tasks, including hurdles, jumping rope, forward roll, ball bouncing, ball throwing and catching, and kicking and stopping a ball that allows for a thorough evaluation of FMS proficiency. Results. The study revealed alarmingly low FMS proficiency levels in both countries, with 93.3% of students displaying 'insufficient FMS proficiency'. The Mann-Whitney U test showed that Latvian boys outperformed their Polish peers in jumping rope and forward roll (p < 0.05), while Polish boys exhibited superior results in kicking and stopping a ball (p < 0.05). In contrast, Polish girls achieved significantly higher scores in hurdles and kicking and stopping a ball (p < 0.05) compared to Latvian girls, who scored higher in jumping rope (p < 0.05). Conclusions. These findings highlight the urgent need for effective, evidence-based interventions to improve motor competence in both countries, emphasizing the importance of incorporating FMS development into physical education curricula and promoting regular PA for children.
Falls are the leading cause of injuries among farmers—Limitations of practicing judo in preventing these incidents
(2021-08-02) Blach, Wieslaw; Dobosz, Dawid; Gasienica-Walczak, Bartlomiej; Grants, Juris; Litwiniuk, Artur; Department of Skiing, Shooting, Orienteering, Rowing, Tourism and Recreation
Benefits related to doing martial arts go beyond health-related and constitute very useful life skills. One of them is ability to fall safely. It is an important skill since falls are a common cause of injuries. The aim of the study is knowledge regarding the burden of falls in a population of farmers. This systematic review was prepared according to PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Springer Link, Web of Science. A total of 21 articles met eligibility criteria. The common general observation was that fall (regardless of type) caused various body injuries in populations of agriculture workers. Fall was the leading cause of injuries in only one population, and the most frequently classified second or third causes among all other listed injuries. People employed in the agriculture sector constitute an occupational group with an increased risk of injury as a result of accidental fall, which may lead to disability or even death (in extreme situations). Safe fall training would be an important addition to traditional fall prophylaxis applied on farms. The authors indicate the limitations of judo as a base of such a program, such as with superficial analysis of this issue in scientific publications. There is a need for a critical and wary approach to recommendations that are limited to prophylaxis of the effects of accidental falls that are founded on judo or other combat sports and martial arts.
Fiziskā rekreācija 45-55 gadus vecu cilvēku labsajūtas uzlabošanai. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums / Physical Recreation to Improve the Well-being of 45-55 Years Old People. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
(Latvian Academy of Sport Education, 2015) Kundziņa, Ieva; Grants, Juris
Technology in our modern society is highly developed. Rapid integration of achievements of the science and technology into the life of a modern human life has opened up the possibility of higher standards of living and improved quality of life, affecting human lifestyle in different ways. The Western societies are becoming more and more urbanized, the work that people are doing is becoming less and less related to farming, agriculture or cattle-breeding. The need of a human being to move is rapidly decreasing, and in fact, it can be argued that a person's physical activity in everyday life disappears. During the second half of the twentieth century the attention was focused on epidemiology of physical activities and health and in many countries lack of physical activity or hypodynamic has been recognized as an important and now already a global public health problem. Too little physical activity and the lack of it has an adverse effect on human health, because one of the basic human needs is a movement. Physical activity not only safeguards the public health, but also protects the environment and is an important contribution to the future generations (Biddle, Mutrie, 1991, 2002, 2007). The topic of the Doctoral thesis is chosen taking into account the rapid increase in prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle, affecting more and more people, and causing serious consequences for public health in general. Comparing the data of the Eurobarometer published in 2010 and in 2014 in the age group of 40- 54 year old people the percentage of the number of those people who are not engaged in any physical activity at all has increased by 4%. (Eurobarometer, 2010, 2014). Physical activity has an important impact on health at any age. One of the factors influencing health is the amount, duration and intensity of the physical activity in which a human being is engaged on a daily basis. Typically with increase of age the amount of a physical activity decreases, but it does not happen to people who are engaged in a physical activity on a regular basis, so it is important to motivate the public to do regular physical activities at any age. Lack of a physical activity interferes with normal functioning of the body and contributes to a chronic energy imbalance, creating a risk of hypokinetic diseases - health problems caused by lack of physical activity. The main reason for morbidity, disability and mortality in Latvia are non-communicable diseases. More than a half of all death cases in Latvia is caused by circulatory diseases and the occurance of death as a result of a heart-vascular diseases begin to rise rapidly after the age of 40. One of the risk factors for heart and circulatory diseases is hypodinamy. A regular physical exercise with a proper load intensity is important for prevention of cardio-vascular diseases prevention are important (60-90 % of the maximum pulse rate); duration (20-60 minutes); regularity (3-5 days a week) involving large amount of muscle groups through rhythmical and aerobic activity (Pollock et al, 1990). Quality of life, physical activity and health are inter-related factors. Human health includes both ? the promotion of well-being and the absence of an illness. Physical activity plays a fundamental role not only in improving the physical health, but also in increasing the well-being (Biddle, Mutrie, 2002, 2007; Diener, 2009; Ryff, Keyes, 2006; Dierendonck et al, 2008; Garcia et al, 2014; Sylvester et al., 2012; Reed, Buck, 2009; Springer et al, 2011; Ekkekakis, 2003; Ryan, Deci, 2001; Sheldon et al, 1996). The human body is not just the bones, joints and muscles; it's not just the blood or the transportation system of other body fluids. Human beings have always been curious on the question of what is the good life. Often a good life is directly related to the well-being and happiness. Well-being is a dynamic and multi-faceted concept. There are several types of well-being: physical, social and psychological, as well as sometimes the "spiritual" well-being is also being added (Cummins, 1999; Maxwell et al., 2011; Šķestere, 2012). Maxwell and other resarchers (Maxwell et al., 2011) provides five key recommendations for improving the well-being: socialization, physical activity, alertness, learning, re-skilling and giving. The same as the well-being types, also the factors contributing to well-being influence each other directly – by socialization person gives and receives, shares the experiences, gets to know oneself better, learns to be alert and other new skills. All of these five factors listed here can be implemented by doing a physical activity, thus enhancing the level of well-being. Happiness is a complex condition characterized by profound feelings such as confidence, fulfillment, success, unity and courage. From the biological point of view well-being and happiness are not abstract psychological or physiological states. Those are biochemical processes, i.e., the experience of a physical body and among others the biochemical substances that creates the feeling of happiness are endorphins - endogenous opioids that are secreted by the pituitary gland and are acting like opiates - morphine and heroin, by blocking pain impulses and creating a relaxed psychological condition such as analgesia or euphoria. In order to explain the beneficial effects of physical activity on well-being, several hypotheses have been put forward - such as distraction hypothesis; selfeffectiveness hypothesis; social interaction hypothesis; endorphin hypothesis. Researchers have discovered a relationship between physical activity and increased endorphin levels in blood plasma. Beta-endorphin release during physical activity depends on intensity and duration of the physical activity (Donevan, Andrew, 1987). For example Pierce and other researchers (Pierce et al, 1993) argues that 70% of maximum oxygen consumption should be achieved in order to increase endorphin levels in blood plasma. Results from clinical trials with measured endorphin levels during exercise, as well as before and after exercise, are controversial: some studies have shown a significant increase, but some do not. Discrepancies in procedures and in the ways of defining, as well as in observations have prevented the established conclusions, and since the discovery of endorphin level elevations are so ambiguous, researchers are constantly changing experimental strategies and searching for a single answer as to why the body produces endorphins and as to how these peptides are acting in the central nervous system. (Boecker et al, 2010; Stych, Parfitt, 2011; Dishman, O`Connor, 2009; Biddle, Mutrie, 2007; Leuenberger, 2006; Kenneth, 1999; Ekkekakis, 2003; Peluso, 2005; Pierce et al., 1993). In this thesis the outdoor recreation is chosen as a type of physical activity, since the trends how people spend their leisure time change every year, but they have a common theme - the desire to leave the city and to be in nature, alone, to relax, to have fun and to recreate. Recreation is a branch of science that studies the human leisure time and how it is spent. Between the recreation movement and the development of industrial society there always existed a close relationship. For the notion of "recreation" to appear the civilizations have to reach a certain (usually quite high) level of economic and cultural development. Many different recreational theories, definitions and explanations exist out there. They can not be classified into any clear or logical categories. The most common definition, which also are used by the most of the recreation providers, is that recreation is defined simply as an activity that people carry out in their spare time (Torkildsen, 1999; Pigram, Jenkins, 2007; Luck, 2008). People have always had a need for nature, since we are part of it. It can provide a sense of a well-being and satisfaction, growth, creativity, a sense of balanced competition, character development, mental development and physical improvement, socialization, and the ability to "cope with life." It can be concluded that by improving, promoting and satisfying people's involvemnt in physical and recreational activities in the right intensity and amount, their well-being and quality of life can be improved (Clawson, Knetsch, 2011; McLean et al., 2008; Reeder, Brown, 2005; Jenkins, Pigram, 2003).
Fiziskā rekreācija 45-55 gadus vecu cilvēku labsajūtas uzlabošanai. Promocijas darbs
(Latvijas Sporta pedagoģijas akadēmija, 2015) Kundziņa, Ieva; Grants, Juris
Mūsdienu sabiedrība ir tehnoloģiski augsti attīstīta. Ātrā zinātnes un tehnoloģijas sasniegumu integrācija modernā cilvēka dzīvē pavērusi iespēju augstākiem dzīves standartiem un uzlabotai dzīves kvalitātei, kas dažādos veidos ietekmē cilvēka dzīvesveidu. Rietumvalstu sabiedrības kļūst arvien vairāk urbanizēta, cilvēku darbs kļūst mazāk saistīts ar zemkopību, lauksaimniecību, lopkopību. Cilvēkiem nepieciešamība kustēties strauji samazinās, un būtībā, var apgalvot, ka fiziskā aktivitāte cilvēka ikdienā izzūd. Divdesmitā gadsimta otrajā pusē uzmanība tika pievērsta fizisko aktivitāšu un veselības stāvokļa epidemioloģijai un daudzās valstīs nepietiekama fiziskā aktivitāte jeb hipodinamija ir atzīta kā svarīga un, nu jau globāla sabiedrības veselības problēma. Nepietiekamai fiziskai aktivitātei un tās trūkumam ir nelabvēlīgs iespaids uz cilvēka veselību, jo viena no cilvēka pamatvajadzībām ir - kustība. Fiziskā aktivitāte ietver sevī ne tikai sabiedrības veselību, bet arī aizsargā apkārtējo vidi un ir kā ieguldījums nākamajām paaudzēm (Biddle, Mutrie, 1991, 2002, 2007). Promocijas darba tēmas izvēle pamatojama ar mazkustīga dzīvesveida izplatības strauju pieaugumu, skarot arvien vairāk cilvēku, un radot nopietnas sekas uz sabiedrības veselību kopumā. Salīdzinot Eirobarometra 2010. un 2014. gadā publicētos datus, vecuma grupā no 40-54 gadiem par 4 procentpunktiem ir pieaudzis to cilvēku skaits, kas ar fiziskajām aktivitātēm nenodarbojas vispār (Eurobarometer, 2010, 2014). Fiziskai aktivitātei ir svarīga ietekme uz veselību jebkurā vecumā. Viens no veselības ietekmējošajiem faktoriem ir fizisko aktivitāšu, kurās persona iesaistās ikdienā, daudzums, ilgums un intensitāte. Parasti palielinoties vecumam, fiziskās aktivitātes apjomi samazinās, taču tā nenotiek ar cilvēkiem, kas ar fizisko aktivitāti nodarbojas regulāri, tādēļ ir būtiski motivēt sabiedrību regulārām fiziskām aktivitātēm jebkurā vecuma periodā. Nepietiekama fiziskā aktivitāte traucē normālai organisma darbībai un veicina hronisku enerģijas disbalansu, radot risku, un, veicinot hipokinētiskās saslimšanas, kas ir veselības problēmas, ko izraisījis fizisko aktivitāšu trūkums. Latvijā galvenie saslimstības, invaliditātes un mirstības iemesli ir neinfekcijas slimības. Vairāk nekā pusei no visiem nāves gadījumiem Latvijā cēlonis ir asinsrites slimības un nāves gadījumu biežums, kuru iemesls ir sirds-asinsrites saslimšanas, strauji sāk pieaugt pēc 40 gadu vecuma. Kā viens no riska faktoriem sirds-asinsrites slimību izplatībā ir hipodinamija. Sirds-asinsrites slimību profilaksē svarīgas ir regulāras fiziskās aktivitātes, ievērojot pareizu slodzes intensitāti (60-90 % no maksimālā pulsa); ilgumu (20-60 minūtes); regularitāti (3-5 dienas nedēļā) un iesaistot muskuļu grupas plašā apjoma, veicot ritmiskas un aerobas aktivitātes (Pollock et al, 1990). Dzīves kvalitāte, fiziskā aktivitāte un veselība ir savstarpēji saistīti faktori. Cilvēka veselība ietver sevī gan labsajūtas veicināšanu, gan slimību neesamību. Fiziskai aktivitātei ir fundamentāla nozīme ne tikai fiziskās veselības uzlabošanā, bet arī labsajūtas paaugstināšanā (Biddle, Mutrie, 2002, 2007; Diener, 2009; Ryff, Keyes, 2006; Dierendonck et al, 2008; Garcia et al, 2014; Sylvester et al., 2012; Reed, Buck, 2009; Springer et al, 2011; Ekkekakis, 2003; Ryan, Deci, 2001; Sheldon et al, 1996). Cilvēka ķermenis nav tikai kauli, locītavas un muskuļi; tas nav tikai asins vai citu ķermeņa šķidrumu transportēšanas sistēma. Cilvēkus vienmēr nodarbinājis jautājums par to, kas ir laba dzīve. Bieži vien laba dzīve ir tiešā veidā saistīta ar labsajūtu un laimi. Labsajūta ir dinamisks un daudzpusīgs jēdziens. Literatūrā tiek izdalīti vairāki labsajūtas veidi – fiziskā, sociālā un psiholoģiskā, kā arī dažkārt tiek pieskaitīta “garīgā” labsajūta (Cummins, 1999; Maxwell et al., 2011; Šķestere, 2012). Maksvells, u.c. (Maxwell et al., 2011) sniedz piecus būtiskākos ieteikumus labsajūtas uzlabošanai: socializēšanās, fiziskā aktivitāte, vērīgums, mācīšanās, jaunu prasmju apgūšana un došana. Tāpat kā labsajūtas veidi, arī labsajūtas veicinošie faktori viens otru tiešā mērā ietekmē – socializējoties cilvēks dod un saņem, apmainās ar pieredzi, iepazīst labāk sevi, mācās vērīgumu un citas jaunas prasmes. Visi šie pieci uzskaitītie faktori var tikt realizēti nodarbojoties ar fizisko aktivitāti, tādējādi veicinot labsajūtas līmeni. Laime ir sarežģīts stāvoklis, kam raksturīgas tādas dziļas jūtas kā pārliecība, piepildījums, panākumi, vienotība un drosme. No bioloģijas viedokļa labsajūta un laime nav abstrakti psiholoģijas vai fizioloģijas stāvokļi. Tie ir bioķīmiski procesi, t.i., fiziskā ķermeņa pieredze, un viena no bioķīmiskajām vielām, kas rada laimes sajūtu, ir endorfīni, - endogēnie opioīdi, ko izdala hipofīze un, kas darbojas līdzīgi kā opiāti - morfīns un heroīns, bloķējot sāpju impulsus un, radot tādu relaksētu psiholoģisku stāvokli kā analgēziju, eiforiju. Lai izskaidrotu fizisko aktivitāšu labvēlīgo ietekmi uz labsajūtu, ir izvirzītas vairākas hipotēzes -, piemēram, uzmanības novēršanas hipotēze; pašefektivitātes hipotēze; sociālās mijiedarbības hipotēze; endorfīnu hipotēze. Pētnieki ir atklājuši saistību starp fizisko aktivitāti un paaugstinātu endorfīna līmeni asins plazmā. Beta-endorfīnu izdalīšanās fizisko aktivitāšu laikā ir atkarīga no fizisko aktivitāšu intensitātes un ilguma (Donevan, Andrew, 1987). Piemēram, Pīrss u.c. (Pierce et al, 1993) apgalvo, ka jāsasniedz 70 % no maksimālā skābekļa patēriņa, lai būtiski paaugstinātu endorfīna līmeni asins plazmā. Klīnisko pētījumu rezultāti, kuros mērīts endorfīna līmenis fiziskas slodzes laikā, kā arī pirms un pēc tās, ir pretrunīgi: dažos pētījumos konstatēts būtisks pieaugums, bet dažos ne. Nesakritības procedūrās, definēšanas veidos, kā arī novērojumos ir kavējušas vispāratzītu secinājumu izdarīšanu, un, tā kā atklājumi par endorfīna līmeņa paaugstināšanos ir tik neviennozīmīgi, pētnieki pastāvīgi maina eksperimentālās stratēģijas, meklējot vienotas atbildes par to, kāpēc ķermenis ražo endorfīnus, un par to, kā šie peptīdi darbojas centrālajā nervu sistēmā (Boecker et al, 2010; Stych, Parfitt, 2011; Dishman, O`Connor, 2009; Biddle, Mutrie, 2007; Leuenberger, 2006; Kenneth, 1999; Ekkekakis, 2003; Peluso, 2005; Pierce et al., 1993). Promocijas darbā kā fiziskās aktivitātes veids tiek izvēlēta rekreācija brīvā dabā, jo cilvēku laika pavadīšanas tendences mainās katru gadu, tomēr tām ir kopējas iezīmes – vēlme pamest pilsētu, atrasties dabas tuvumā, vienatnē, atpūsties, izklaidēties un atjaunoties. Rekreācija ir zinātnes nozare, kas pēta cilvēka brīvo laiku un tā izmantošanu. Starp rekreācijas kustību un industriālās sabiedrības attīstību vienmēr pastāvējusi cieša saikne. Lai varētu parādīties tāds jēdziens kā “rekreācija”, civilizācijām ir jāsasniedz noteikts (un parasti visai augsts) ekonomiskās un kultūras attīstības līmenis. Literatūrā atrodams daudz dažādu rekreācijas teoriju, definīciju un izskaidrojumu. Tos nevar iedalīt nekādās skaidrās vai loģiskās kategorijās. Visizplatītākās definīcijas, ko visvairāk pieņem arī rekreācijas pakalpojumu nodrošinātāji, definē rekreāciju vienkārši kā aktivitātes, ko cilvēki veic savā brīvajā laikā (Torkildsen, 1999; Pigram, Jenkins, 2007; Luck, 2008). Cilvēkiem vienmēr bijusi vajadzīga daba, jo mēs esam tās daļa. Tā var sniegt labsajūtas un līdz ar to apmierinājuma sajūtu, izaugsmi, radošumu, līdzsvarotu konkurences sajūtu, rakstura attīstību, prāta spēju attīstību, kā arī fiziskā stāvokļa uzlabošanos, socializēšanos un spēju „tikt galā ar dzīvi”. No tā var secināt, ka, uzlabojot, veicinot un apmierinot cilvēku iesaisti un vajadzības fiziskās rekreatīvās aktivitātēs pareizā slodzes apjomā un intensitātē, uzlabosies viņu labsajūta un dzīves kvalitāte (Clawson, Knetsch, 2011; McLean et al., 2008; Reeder, Brown, 2005; Jenkins, Pigram, 2003).
Holistiskā pieeja ģimenes sportā pirmsskolas izglītībā. Promocijas darba kopsavilkums / Holistic Approach in Family Sport in Pre-School Education. Summary of the Doctoral Thesis
(Latvian Academy of Sport Education, 2011) Bula-Biteniece, Inta; Grants, Juris
People are social beings and feel greater or smaller belonging to some social group: family, school, formal or informal organization, and try to become their integral part. Social environment for human beings is an arena, in which is examined their understanding of behavior and their activity, because the experience, obtained in social environment, influences their activity and the formation of personality. Strong dimension of social environment is family; the functioning of it takes place in close connection with changes in society. Main factors, creating for children difficulties in learning and behavior, and later in finding their place in life, is inability to adapt, insecure inner feeling and being afraid from not being accepted (Dreikur, 1964; Boulbijs, 1998; Brown, 2007). In family and at school more and more often appear children with apathetic or hyperactive behavior, who lack motivation to learn or pursue physical activities. Professional pedagogues struggle with the consequences of this process, trying to improve school Curricula, introducing interactive learning methods, optimizing study plans. To attract youngsters to active lifestyle are organized Sport Days and other events, including physical activities, the final result of which not always is sufficient in at aspect of health promotion and personality development (Jansone, Fernāte, 2008). The number of families, in which parents go in for sports together with children, diminishes. In 2008 were organized Latvian family sporting festival in Riga, in which participated about 300 families from the whole Latvia; about 40 families from Kurzeme district participated in Kuldiga, in Rezekne participated about 80 families, in Lielvarde: only 17 families. In families word "sport" due to stereotypes, formed in society, is associated with competition one against another, not with competition, in which people compete with them, and their aim is to promote their health. European Sport Charter defines: "Sport denotes all kinds of physical activity, which with unorganized or organized participation promotes the maintenance or improvement of physical and mental health, well-being, the formation of social relations and reaching results in all kinds of competitions." But from the data, obtained in the investigation in Latvia, carried out in market and public opinion investigation centre "SKDS” (December, 2007) about "Sporting habits of Latvian inhabitants", can be concluded that 49% from respondents do not pursue physical activities, because of "the lack of time" and due to the opinion that "it is not necessary to pursue physical activities". In democratic society more and more is expressed an opinion that parent task is to help their children to become such human beings, who are able to adapt to fast changing environment, work creatively and independently seek for solutions. To enable child to learn independently and be successful in life, one should start with family, and one of the means, which will help to carry out this task, is family sport. Main task of sport is to maintain and improve health, promote physical development, toughen one's body, develop physical abilities. Every Sport class opens possibilities to instill in children creative initiative, devotion to work, responsibility about the results of the work, develop social skills and acquirements (Grants, 1997, 2003, 2007; Špona, 2006; Jansone, Krauksts, 2005). Such a many-sided problem needs united, wholesome or holistic approach. The investigations with the help of holistic approach show that many-sided problems can be solved in one perspective, supplementing each other. Holistic education is connected with social responsibility. We want our children to think critically about social, political and economical problems. From holistic view sustainable democratic society needs free and socially responsible person. Education in democratic society means allowing child to develop freely in accordance with his or her uniqueness, age group and interests. Pedagogues supporting holistic education believe that everything is mutually connected, unity through diversity as spirituality of all live bodies. - Main contradictions: - Society is being informed about the necessity of physical activities and their importance in health promotion, but surveys indicate that the attendance of physical activities is little, people excuse themselves with busyness. - Physical activities mostly are connected with physical development, paying less attention to psychical and social development. - Upbringing environment, which suits children the best, is family. Successful child development takes place, when parents show an example and involve together in physical activities, however more often parents delegate this function to pre-school education establishments, but the task of pre-school pedagogues is to perfect basic skills, acquired in family, and prepare child for learning in primary school, which cannot always be carried out, because preschool has to perform functions of the family. Main contradiction prompted the theme of PhD thesis: "Holistic approach in family sport in pre-school education".
Holistiskā pieeja ģimenes sportā pirmsskolas izglītībā. Promocijas darbs
(Latvijas Sporta pedagoģijas akadēmija, 2011) Bula-Biteniece, Inta; Grants, Juris
Cilvēki ir sociālas būtnes un izjūt lielāku vai mazāku piederību kādai sociālai grupai – ģimenei, skolai, formālai vai neformālai organizācijai – un cenšas tajā iekļauties. Sociālā vide cilvēkam ir uzvedības izpratnes un darbības pārbaudes lauks, jo tajā gūtā pieredze ietekmē viņa darbību un personības veidošanos. Spēcīga sociālās vides dimensija ir ģimene, kuras funkcionēšana notiek ciešā saistībā ar izmaiņām sabiedrībā. Galvenie faktori, kas rada bērniem grūtības mācībās un uzvedībā, vēlāk arī atrast savu vietu dzīvē, ir nespēja pielāgoties, iekšēja nedrošība un bailes no atstumtības (Dreikur, 1964; Boulbijs, 1998; Brown, 2007). Ģimenē un skolā arvien biežāk parādās bērni ar apātisku vai hiperaktīvu uzvedību, nemotivēti mācīties un nodarboties ar fiziskajām aktivitātēm. Profesionāli pedagogi cīnās ar šā procesa sekām – mēģinot uzlabot skolas mācību programmas, ieviešot interaktīvas mācīšanas metodes, optimizējot mācību plānus. Lai piesaistītu jauniešus aktīvam dzīvesveidam, tiek organizētas sporta dienas un citi fizisko aktivitāšu pasākumi, kuru gala rezultāts ne vienmēr ir pietiekams veselības un personības veidošanās aspektā (Jansone, Fernāte, 2008). Samazinās to ģimeņu skaits, kurās vecāki darbojas kopā ar bērniem. 2008. gadā organizētajos Latvijas ģimeņu sportošanas svētkos Rīgā piedalījās vidēji 300 ģimeņu no visas Latvijas, Kuldīgā vidēji 40 ģimeņu no Kurzemes reģiona, Rēzeknē vidēji 80 ģimeņu, Lielvārdē tikai 17 ģimeņu. Ģimenēs, dzirdot vārdu „sports”, sabiedrībā izveidojošo stereotipu rezultātā uzskata, ka tās ir sacensības citam ar citu, nevis sacensības pašam ar sevi savas veselības sekmēšanai. Eiropas Sporta Harta definē: „Sports apzīmē visu veidu fizisko aktivitāti, kura ar neorganizētu vai organizētu piedalīšanos sekmē fiziskās un garīgās veselības, labsajūtas saglabāšanu vai uzlabošanu, sociālo attiecību veidošanu vai rezultātu sasniegšanu visu līmeņu sacensībās.” Tomēr kā liecina pētījuma dati Latvijā no tirgus un sabiedriskās domas pētījuma centra „SKDS” (2007. gada decembris) par „Latvijas iedzīvotāju sportošanas paradumiem”, secinām, ka 49% no aptaujātajiem iedzīvotājiem nenodarbojas ar fiziskajām aktivitātēm, jo „nepietiek laika” un „nav nepieciešams nodarboties ar fiziskajām aktivitātēm”. Demokrātiskā sabiedrībā arvien biežāk tiek pausts viedoklis, ka galvenais vecāku uzdevums ir palīdzēt saviem bērniem veidoties par cilvēkiem, kuri spēs piemēroties strauji mainīgajai videi, varēs radoši un patstāvīgi meklēt risinājumus. Lai bērns varētu veiksmīgi mācīties un sasniegt dzīvē panākumus, ir jāsāk ar ģimeni, un viens no līdzekļiem, kas palīdzēs risināt šo uzdevumu, ir ģimenes sports. Galvenais sporta uzdevums ir saglabāt un nostiprināt veselību, veicināt fizisko attīstību, norūdīt organismu, attīstīt fiziskās īpašības. Jebkura sporta nodarbība paver iespējas ieaudzināt bērnos radošu iniciatīvu, darba mīlestību, atbildību par darba rezultātiem, attīstīt sociālās prasmes un iemaņas (Grants, 1997, 2003, 2007; Špona, 2006; Jansone, Krauksts, 2005). Uz tik daudzšķautnainu problēmu nepieciešamas vienots, vesels jeb holistisks skatījums. Holistiskās pieejas pētījumi rāda, ka iespējams daudzslāņainas problēmas risināt vienotā skatījumā, papildinot citai citu. Holistiskā izglītība ir saistīta ar sociālo atbildību. Mēs vēlamies, lai mūsu bērni kritiski domātu par sociālajām, politiskajām un ekonomiskajām problēmām. No holistiskā viedokļa dzīvotspējīgai demokrātiskai sabiedrībai ir nepieciešama brīva un sociāli atbildīga persona. Demokrātiskajā sabiedrībā izglītība nozīmē ļaut bērnam brīvi attīstīties saskaņā ar viņa unikālo būtību, atbilstoši savam vecumposmam un interesēm. Holistiskās izglītības pedagogi uzskata, ka viss ir savstarpēji saistīts, vienotība caur daudzveidību, kā visu dzīvo būtņu garīgums. Galvenās pretrunas: - Sabiedrība tiek informēta par fizisko aktivitāšu nepieciešamību un nozīmi veselības veicināšanā, bet aptaujas norāda, ka fizisko aktivitāšu apmeklējums ir neliels, cilvēki aizbildinās ar aizņemtību. - Fiziskās aktivitātes lielākoties tiek saistītas ar fizisko attīstību, mazāk pievēršot uzmanību psihiskai un sociālai attīstībai. - Bērnam piemērotākā audzināšanas vide ir ģimene. Vecākiem rādot piemēru un iesaistoties kopīgās fiziskās aktivitātēs, notiek sekmīgāka bērna attīstība, tomēr biežāk šo funkciju vecāki uztic pirmsskolas izglītības iestādēm, bet pirmsskolas izglītības pedagogu uzdevums ir pilnveidot ģimenē apgūtās pamatprasmes un sagatavot bērnu pamatizglītības ieguvei, ko ne vienmēr var realizēt, jo ir jāpilda ģimenes funkcijas.

Browsing by Author "Grants, Juris"

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