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This study examined the psychophysiological responses of players to mental fatigue (MF) during simulated badminton matches. Sixteen badminton athletes (age = 19.06 ± 1.29 years) participated in this study voluntarily. Before starting the measurements, the players were informed about the measurements, and anthropometric measurements were performed. Official badminton competition rules and formats were used. Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS) responses were recorded before and after the games. At the end of each set, the players' perceived exertion (RPE), visual analogue scale (VAS), and enjoyment scale values were determined. Mental fatigue increased perceived exertion and mental fatigue levels during the match, and at the same time, the enjoyment of badminton players decreased (p<0.05). Based on mood responses, an increase in negative moods, such as anger and fatigue, was observed after MF, whereas a decrease in vigour mood occurred (p<0.05). However, no mood change was observed before or after the match without MF (p>0.05). After the game was played with MF, only a decrease in the feeling of vigour was detected compared to the game without fatigue (p<0.05). The results may help coaches and sports psychologists better understand their athletes and take appropriate measures when necessary. Understanding the effect of MF on athlete performance may help athletes direct their training programs directly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current paper summarizes the health status correlated with physical fitness of students from the University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and technology "George Emil Palade" from Targu Mures. A total of 301 university students aged between 18-24 years old voluntarily participated in the research. Health status and physical fitness level were investigated based on (1) anthropometric measurements (height, waist girth and hip girth); (2) bioelectrical impedance (body mass index, weight and body fat percentage); (3) fitness level (30m running speed, standing long jump, sit up, trunk extension). The data were processed with SPSS 22.0 for windows. Descriptive statistics, Independent Samples T Test and bivariate correlations were performed. Findings demonstrate normal limits in terms of BDI for 71.79% and 61.79% normal limits for body fat percentage according to age. Additionally, it was found associations between health indicators and physical fitness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The knowledge-based approach of the PE subject involves the achievement of a mix between a theoretical and a practical component. This approach aims to provide the student with the necessary theoretical notions for an in-depth understanding of the role that practical activity plays in maintaining health. In this way, PE becomes a meaningful school subject for the student. Aim: This paper aims at testing the following hypotheses, built on the conclusions of previous studies: (1) PE teachers consider the theoretical content as less important than the practical one; (2) teachers would rather not deal with the implementation of theoretical content. Method: A data collection tool was devised taking as reference a group of 210 PE teachers, selected by mixed randomization from 7 counties of Romania. The obtained data were then analysed using the statistical programming language R (see 4.1.3). Results and discussions: Teachers value practical content more (4.948) than theoretical content (4.082). And we find this difference even after analysing the data according to the seniority of the teachers within the department. The lowest value is recorded when teachers were asked for their opinion related to the necessity of a PE textbook (3.063). Conclusions and future implications: The two components (theoretical and practical) are not equally appreciated by specialized teachers. This fact highlights the need to emphasise the role of theoretical knowledge within the PE lesson in the training of future teachers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the current period, there is a growing interest in finding solutions for the new generation to have a more physically active life. One of the main tools we can act is the physical education lesson. Purpose: This paper aimed to find out if there is a new approach to the physical education class, one with a much more pedagogical (knowledgebased) character than the traditional approach based on competition and physical performance (sport-based). Method: Based on the PRISMA statement's guidelines, several 105 papers were selected. Results and Discussion: The most commonly used terms to describe this new approach are: "physical literacy", "conceptual physical education" and "fitness education". The main role of this knowledge-based approach is to complete the practical activity and not to replace it. To achieve this, the theoretical component of physical education provides the student with knowledge of concepts, principles and methods, essential for effectively managing physical activity. The last part of the paper presents the main barriers that make teachers reject this knowledge-based approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Psychomotricity is a broad term that encompasses different approaches to bodily action to support children and adolescents to reach their highest motor and cognitive potential. The aim of the study was to highlight gender differences in the manifestation of psychomotor behaviors in 8-9-year-old children who practice sports swimming. The subjects (N=52, 26 males, 26 females) are children aged 8.0-9.11 years (M = 8.80; SD = ±0.65) who practice swimming in one of the swimming pools of a city in Romania. They were tested, using specific instruments, to assess the level of manual dexterity, body schema, hand laterality, body balance, body balance on water/buoyancy, general coordination. For four of the variables (manual dexterity, body schema, hand laterality and spatial orientation) no statistically significant differences were found, while for the other three (body balance, body balance on water and general coordination) statistically significant differences were recorded. The results indicate differences between the two genders, girls in this age group who practice swimming having more developed psychomotor skills compared to boys. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to identify the existence of some relationships between certain psychomotor behaviors, which we consider specific to swimming, and learning to execute the technique of some swimming styles (front crawl and backstroke). The study was carried out for 10 months and included 76 children (40 boys and 36 girls) aged between 6 and 9 years who practice recreational swimming in a city in Romania. Several tools were used: the Tapping test for manual dexterity, the Goodenough test for body schema, the Flamingo test for static balance, and the horizontal buoyancy test for body balance on the water. The results indicated better ratings on all psychomotor behaviors analyzed according to gender (in favor of girls compared to boys). The levels of all analyzed psychomotor behaviors have a direct relationship to the subjects' age. Also, we identified moderate positive correlations for manual dexterity (rs = 0.63 in the front crawl style; rs = 0.57 in the backstroke style) and strong correlations for body schema, static balance and buoyancy, coordination with the learning of the two swimming styles (r or rs between 0.77 and 0.85). In conclusion, psychomotor behaviors can be predictors for learning swimming styles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This article re-examines the initial training of physical education teachers with the purpose of pinning down its professional significance. The author maintains that we have lost, in part, its meaning, and, in an attempt to recover it, offers two initial strategies: to revisit two basic concepts: education in general and physical education in particular. Purposes: To seek answers to the following questions:What does being a real ‘physical educator’ actually mean? Although it is not easy to answer his question due to the breadth it would encompass and the multitude of issues it would cover. What training should a physical educator have and how should it be delivered? Another question we must consider along with those mentioned previously is what training is relevant to teachers of physical education? Any teacher who delivers physical education (or any other subject) must receive both personal and professional training (covering the curriculum and methodology).

The current paper summarizes the results of the study which carried out between September 2021 and January 2022, in order to determine to what extent, the use of interactive didactic strategies can achieve the cognitive performance of the target group, the students of the High School with Sports Program in Iași, Romania. The study included two groups of students from two parallel 10th school classes, A and B, aged 16-17. The number of subjects participating in our study was 56, of which 28 in each class. All subjects participating in the study passed the 9th school class at the same high school, having continuity, because the Theoretical Sports Training discipline is also taught in the previous school class. The methods used challenged and supported the students in the experimental group to successfully complete the learning tasks throughout the lessons. We observed that: acquisition facilitation was achieved; students were actively involved in their own learning, using their own intellectual and practical skills; students were less reluctant to present and argue their own opinions, capitalized on their prior knowledge experience, communicated efficiently; students cooperated within the group, obtaining benefits in the cognitive, motivational, social, affective plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: This paper examines the convergence of the opinions of European higher education institution (HEI) experts on possible implementation of dual career policies and provision areas at university level. Methods: An online 32-item questionnaire encompassing 26 dual career aspects collected the opinion of European HEI experts as the last phase of a Delphi method preceded by i) focus groups with student-athletes who aimed to identify needs for dual careers and ii) a workshop with 21 dual career experts to generate the statements to be included in the survey. Seventy-one HEI experts from 12 EU member states participated in the survey, rating each dual career aspect identified in previous phases. Results: The relative position of each aspect has been plotted based on relevance (x-axis) and feasibility (y-axis). The Quadrant IV of the resulting scatterplots identified the following nine aspects rated as highly relevant and highly feasible for implementation: tutorship/mentorship, psychological support, programmes based on integration of academic departments and sports services, and adaptable programmes to the needs of each student-athletes (assistance/tutorship area), individual study plans and distance learning (curricula requirements area), publicity for student-athletes and initiatives for increasing the awareness of student-athletes and knowledge of dual career issues (social support area), and access to educational facilities (logistic support area). Discussion and conclusions: The HEI experts' views represent a coherent and useful starting point to develop a deep understanding of the considered 26 aspects founded on a phenomenological lifeworld-led approach and emphasizes the need for a minimum standard for dual career policies and provisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have found that student-athletes (S-As) have difficulties in achieving dual career (DC) success. However, no studies have analysed the opinion of the S-As on the functioning of DC with a qualitative methodology. The aim of the present work was to collect the opinions of elite university S-As in relation to DC policy adopted by their academic institutions in different European countries. In total, 77 athletes (F = 35, M = 42; age range: 20–25 years) participated in 15 national face-to-face focus groups in five different countries, to discuss aspects that higher education institutes should implement in relation to: 1) the athletes' needs; 2) assistance/tutorship: 2) curricula requirements; 3) financial support; 4) logistic support; 5) social support; and 6) dual career policies. Fifty of the athletes competed in individual sports and twenty-seven team sports. Of them, 57 was enrolled at undergraduate, 17 was enrolled in a master and 3 in a PhD. The athletes were presented with 13 open-ended questions one by one, and were ensured freedom to interact. All the discussions were recorded. After this, a general discussion took place in which the participants identified and agreed on a final list of statements from their focus group deemed to be relevant to DC athletes as university students. Then, at a consensus meeting, the findings were combined, repetitions were eliminated, and fragmented statements were condensed into broader ones. A final list of 31 statements, organized in six related content units, were identified in relation to the athletes' needs (n = 5), assistance/tutorship (n = 5), curricula requirements (n = 4), financial support (n = 4), logistic support (n = 4), social support (n = 6), and DC policies (n = 3), respectively. In conclusion, this cross-national qualitative research study synthesized the S-As views about their needs and the most relevant DC policies and provisions that higher education institutes should provide to ensure them with positive academic experiences towards the achievement of a degree. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research analyses the relation between the constructs quality of managers and internal communication and the dependent variable belonging to the institutional visual identity within the Faculties of Physical Education and Sport, funded by the State Budget, in Romania. The data within this study come from a research based on the survey method, with a questionnaire-based tool, reprised from the scientific literature and validated through Alpha Cronbach's coefficient, ensuring the internal reliability analysis of each construct: the quality of managers, the internal communication, belonging to the institutional visual identity. The research was carried out on a sample of 261 persons from a population of 452 teaching staff members within the faculties of physical education and sport, funded by the State Budget, in Romania. The research was carried out on two directions: one concerning the correlation between the quality of managers and belonging to the institutional visual identity; and the other concerning the correlation between the internal communication and the same belonging to the institutional visual identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the student-athletes' capability to face the academic, sport, and social challenges during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and to disclose novel aspects of dual careers. A 32-item online survey encompassing demographic characteristics, sport and university engagement, support and dual-career benefits, physical activity, sitting time, and the time deemed necessary to recover the previous level of performance was developed. Four hundred sixty-seven student-athletes (males: 57%, females: 43%) from 11 countries, competing in 49 different sports (individual: 63.4%, team: 36.6%) at regional (17.5%), national (43.3%), and international (39.2%) levels, and enrolled at high school (21.9%) and university (78.1%) levels completed the survey. During the lockdown, the respondents decreased the time dedicated to sport and academics, although they maintained an active lifestyle. Student-athletes from countries under severe contagion were more likely to train at home, dedicate to academics, and receive support from the coach but less likely receive support from their teachers. With respect to their team sport counterparts, athletes competing in individual sports trained more and were more likely to receive support from their coaches. International athletes showed the highest training time and support from their coaches and as student-athletes. High school students received more support from their coaches and teachers, whereas university students were more likely considering dual careers useful to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. This study substantiates the relevant role of competitive sports participation in the maintenance of active lifestyles, with student-athletes considering home training and e-learning valuable resources during the lockdown. Furthermore, their sport and academic commitments helped student-athletes cope with the emergency of the COVID-19 pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of the present paper is to observe the application of the assessment system within secondary school education in Romania. The study was conducted between 2015 and 2018, in the rural area, the subjects of the study being 7th and 8th grade pupils. Pupils were tested at the beginning and at the end of the school year by using 4 trials chosen from the National Assessment System. PE lessons were conducted during the school year according to the planning documents approved by the school management. Practical activities were focused on the development of motor skills and the learning of new, basic, applicative skills from different sports. We noticed an inconsistency between the pupils’ performance and their note at the end of each semester. The average performances obtained in the trials were variable depending on the particularities of each one. The average of the results obtained in all 4 trials was equivalent to note between 6 and 6.5. At the end of each semester the pupils obtained the note 10. The obtained performance has a weight of about 60% of the final note obtained by the pupils. Other scoring factors, which do not have a real foundation or an assessment scale, have contributed to this. They are subjective factors used in order to justify the significant difference between the performance and the final note. The current scoring system is not objective and does not reflect pupils’ competencies or their value-based ranking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research has as main purpose to analyse the dependent variable known as institutional visual identity consistency within higher education institutions that have Physical Education and Sports, and Kinetotherapy departments within Romania, with the means of the independent variables known as institutional organisation characteristics (knowledge strategy, methods and support). Given the survey and the hypotheses used are adapted from the academic literature, this research has as purpose to identify the connections between these constructs and the effects the independent variables have on the dependent variables. The research was undergone in seven departments with a physical education and sports and kinetotherapy profile from the following cities: Iasi, Bacau, Suceava, Galati, Craiova, Cluj-Napoca and Oradea. The survey has been applied on full-time professors with at least three years experience within these academic institutions. This study is trying to confirm or infirm the following statement: the positive or negative connection between the institutional organisation characteristics and the consistency of institutional visual identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper presents the theoretical aspects related to the topic of psychomotricity and the way in which it is reflected in the domain-specific literature worldwide. The purpose of the study was to clarify the concepts, to identify specific classifications for the different application areas of psychomotricity, to generalize the components of psychomotricity and to identify evaluation methods for psychomotricity belonging to several domains. The study was carried out with the help of traditional means, in libraries and in the online environment. We accessed international databases that are acknowledged for the field of Sport Science and Physical Education in Romania. These databases are also acknowledged by other related research domains. 637 specialized bibliographic references were identified, out of which 584 online sources. In the present analysis we described the common aspects found in 50 bibliographic sources as well as definitions and concepts about psychomotor activity, stages of motor development and components of psychomotor activity and some psychomotor evaluation methods. The conclusion of the study is that the field of psychomotricity is very wide. The multidimensional approach of this subject is found in various fields of activity such as medicine, psychology, physiology, recreational or educational activities organized within a formal framework. Depending on the particular features of the psychomotor exercises, the educational values take multiple forms. The results in some domains interfere with those in other domains by the way in which the transfer between the motor and the cognitive components, between the physical and the psychological components is performed or vice versa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper we aimed at presenting the new secondary school curriculum for Physical Education and Sport in Romanian education and the changes proposed by it in relation to the previous curriculum. The new curriculum was developed in 2017 while the previous document regulated PE practical activities since 2009. For this we performed the conceptual comparative analysis of the content elements and of the assessment system. From a conceptual point of view, the general competencies formulated in the new curriculum still focus on using physical exercise as a means of maintaining health. The content elements are mostly represented by specific skills in sports disciplines. The content elements do not have a different connection to conceptual objectives. Content requirements are fully taken from the previous curriculum. The new curriculum proposes a new assessment system. It is based on the testing of general competence and is in line with the conceptual objectives. The new assessment system relies on the previous performance-based assessment system, although performance scales have not been developed. This makes it difficult to apply the new assessment system. The new curriculum proposes as a total novelty element the use of the PE textbook as a support for the theoretical notions that can be found in the practical activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Starting from the idea that in the public hospitals in Romania, in time, was formed an ever-increasing gap in terms of funding, we performed an analysis to identify whether the level of funding for similar hospital services depends on the costs incurred by treatment with the same type of patient. Analysis of the correlation between the complexity of diagnoses treated and quantitative indicators of a hospital allowed us to identify how these parameters affect finally efficiency and performance of the hospital. Our approach used advanced statistical analysis to study four hospitalized morbidity indicators based on diagnostic groups (number of patients discharged, average length of stay, number of days of hospitalization and case-mix index) and an indicator of organizational structure of the hospital (number of beds) for the 61 municipal hospitals in Romania in 2013. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify the students' motivation for participating to sports competitions in school. For this approach, we have identified a stratified random sample made up of 515 boys and 338 girls. The questionnaire we have used has included three categories of reasons for the participation to sports actions: social motives, sports motives and health-promotion motives, intrinsic and extrinsic. The data obtained have emphasized positive results for both genders, on the three motivation directions: "fun and joy"; "the wish of being healthy"; "the wish of being part of a team". Motivations such as "the wish of being the best, of being a champion"; "the wish of being popular"; "the wish to compete" were frequent among boys, while girls have mostly social and recreational motives: making new friends, maintaining a health body, fitness. Hence, the combination of the pleasure to participate to the competition and the wish to make new friends are the ways through which we can also increase the number of girls who participate to school competitions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contemporary society, with all its notable technological, medical and political developments, also leads to a regress in the level of outdoor activity, a fact which will have a negative impact on future generations that are currently in the educational system. As such, when the word „technology” is mentioned, one automatically thinks about well-known developments: automobiles, tablets, phones and TVs, all of which limit our motive activities. Medical technology and pharmaceutical products have invaded the media space with rapid promises of spectacular and immediate results. Discussions on this matter are quite obvious. The political space, as it is segmented in four-year intervals, brings to our attention many strategies and initiatives, each one more utopian than the last. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Moral education is determined by the social phenomenon, which confers its content and represents a component of general education; it contributes to the formation and development of moral conscience and behaviour, to shaping the moral profile of the personality, and to the elaboration of social-moral behaviour. In many European countries, there are educational policies that promote the social and moral development of young people. According to the provisions of the National Curriculum currently into effect in our country, all the areas in the curriculum have the obligation of contributing to the social and moral development of young people. In this sense, researchers in the field pinpoint that physical education and sport - mostly physical education and sport teachers - have an important role in reaching this objective. Nonetheless, there is only scanty conclusive evidence to support this theory. In addition, scientists consider the social and moral field differently. Currently, there is too little information on the way in which physical education and sport teachers become aware of their responsibility in the social and moral development of the students through the discipline they teach. There is also insufficient information of the way they understand and apply the objectives of moral education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]