Search the repository

A+ | A- | | SLO | ENG

Abstract: (1) Background: This study aimed to examine whether an experimental acrobatics curriculum, conducted three times a week, could lead to greater improvements in specific components of motor fitness—coordination, balance, agility, and speed—compared to the standard physical education program; (2) Methods: The research was conducted over a 16-week period and included 50 seventh-grade students, divided into an experimental group (EG, n = 25) and a control group (CG, n = 25). The experimental group participated in a program of acrobatics and skipping twice a week, while the control group followed the standard physical education curriculum. Motor skills tests were administered before and after the intervention using standardized methods; (3) Results: Results from the ANCOVA analysis showed significant improvements in flexibility, coordination, balance, and agility in the experimental group, with large effect sizes, confirming the effectiveness of the acrobatics and skipping program. However, the impact on speed was variable, indicating the need for specific exercises to improve this ability; (4) Conclusions: The findings are consistent with previous research, highlighting the superiority of specialized acrobatic exercises in enhancing overall motor performance in adolescents. Further research is needed to optimize acrobatics and skipping programs for maximum benefits in the development of motor skills and physical education.
Keywords: physical education program, motor skill development, exercise intervention, physical activity, training adaptations, skill acquisition
Published in DiRROS: 14.05.2025; Views: 497; Downloads: 303
Full text (514,84 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: As burnout affects teachers’ health and well-being, as well as their teaching understanding interventions beneficial for prevention is crucial. In this study, we explored possible predictors of the decrease in the dimensions of burnout (emotional exhaustion, physical fatigue, cognitive weariness) after the HAND: ET intervention. We used following predictors: teachers’ experience (professional experience and previous experience of activities supporting emotional competencies) and baseline emotional competencies (self-awareness (operationalised as mindfulness), and self-management (operationalised as emotional self-efficacy)). We used data gathered from the Shirom−Melamed Burnout Questionnaire, the Mindful Attention Awareness Scale, the Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, and a set of demographic questions in a Slovene sample of in-service teachers (N = 185). Teachers’ experiences were not significant predictors of a decrease in any of the dimension of burnout, while baseline emotional competencies, were significant predictors of emotional exhaustion. The findings support the universal nature of the HAND: ET intervention as well as the importance of continuous support for teachers’ emotional competencies.
Keywords: Slovenia, teachers, burnout, intervention, experiences, emotional competencies, HAND:ET
Published in DiRROS: 21.01.2025; Views: 639; Downloads: 346
Full text (964,44 KB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: It is necessary to improve the understanding of thermal comfort to reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling in heritage buildings, which are often energy inefficient and where interventions are limited. Personal thermal comfort models based on measurements of environmental conditions and the individual's physiological and subjective responses represent a potential solution to ensure the optimization of existing systems. Past research shows that lighting could impact thermophysiology and subjective perception of thermal conditions, but it is not clear whether the impact is sufficient to make light adaptation an appropriate solution to reduce energy consumption in heritage buildings, where people live and work. The research conducted under realistic semi-controlled conditions in an office environment of an existing building addresses this research gap. The paper presents the first partial simplified analyses and preliminary results of a wider ongoing study, mainly showing a correlation between skin temperature and air temperature and a partially promising effect of light on subjective thermal perception. Our research on the effect of light on thermal comfort does not provide definitive conclusions but rather highlights the need for further investigation in actual heritage buildings.
Keywords: heritage buildings, minimal intervention renovation, thermal comfort, light
Published in DiRROS: 19.12.2024; Views: 730; Downloads: 422
Full text (1,49 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: The present single-arm pilot study investigates the effects of a video-based dance intervention on physical outcomes in elderly individuals utilizing sports and dance rol-lators. In addition, the dance videos used in the current study are intended to integrate into the future Intercommunication Technology (ICT)-Rollator for the elderly. The aim is to evaluate the physical outcomes (such as gait, balance, mobility, and hand grip strength) during guided movement training (dance) using a video projected in a labora-tory setting. The pilot study involved six elderly rollator users (aged 85 and above). In the initial assessment, subjects were screened for mobility and coordination limitations prior to pre-testing using a four-square-step test and the SF-36 questionnaire. Both pre-testing and post-testing included assessments of mobility, balance, and spatiotem-poral gait parameters using the Timed Up-and-Go (TUG) test, Berg Balance Scale (BBS), and the Optogait system, respectively. Hand grip strength was measured using a hand dynamometer and reaction time was measured using a pipe-drop test. Blood pres-sure was monitored every 15 minutes during the training sessions to prevent adverse events, maintaining an upper range of 140-150/90-96. Adherence rates were measured based on the total duration of activity, calories burned per session, and dropout rates. Post-session questionnaires were administered to verify the respondents’ qualitative evaluations of their degrees of exhaustion, enjoyment, impediments, facilitators, and suggested changes. The intervention included heart rate monitoring, which revealed gradual and slight increases in heart rate intensity and gradual decreases in heart rate ranges (HRR) during the dance sessions. The results indicate improvements in balance, mobility, gait, and adherence rates. Future longitudinal research will further examine the effectiveness of the dance intervention using the ICT-Rollator, comparing it to a control group using a conventional rollator. The ICT-Rollator could be a unique rehabilitation aid for the elderly, offering promising improvements.
Keywords: intercommunication technology rollator, dance intervention, scoping review, future longitudinal study, home-based technology interventions
Published in DiRROS: 28.10.2024; Views: 559; Downloads: 376
Full text (1,29 MB)
This document has many files! More...