Background: To study the peculiarities of changes in functional indicators and body composition parameters of mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes of strike fighting style and a number of biochemical blood indicators during two months of using different intensity training load regimes, and to determine the most informative criteria for assessing adaptive body changes in these training conditions. Methods: We examined 40 MMA athletes (men) aged 20–22, who used mainly strike fighting style in their competitive activity, and divided them into 2 research groups (A and B), 20 athletes in each group. Group A athletes used medium intensity (R_a = 0.64), and group B—high intensity (R_a = 0.72) training load regime. To assess the adaptive body changes we applied methods of control testing of maximum muscle strength growth (1 RM), special training (the number of accurate kicks on the mannequin for 30 s), and bioimpedansometry. By monitoring biochemical parameters (testosterone, cortisol, creatinine, phosphorus, calcium, cholesterol, LDH) in the blood serum of athletes, we determined the peculiarities of adaptive-compensatory body reactions in response to training loads. Results: The obtained results of special training increased during the study period by an average of 10.5% in group B athletes, but group A participants’ results had no significant changes compared to basal data. The largest increase in the development of maximum muscle strength growth by an average of 44.4% was recorded after 2 months of research in group B. Group B athletes also had positive changes in body fat and fat-free mass indicators during the study which were two times higher than the results of group A. The laboratory studies and correlation analysis showed informative biochemical markers (cortisol, testosterone and creatinine) for assessing the condition of athletes in both groups before using high and medium training load regimes. The biochemical markers for assessing the adaptive-compensatory reactions of athletes in response to high-intensity physical stimuli at the beginning of the study were indicators of LDH and cholesterol, and in conditions of medium intensity it was LDH, testosterone and cortisol. After 2 months of study the set of biochemical markers assessing the adaptation processes before the load completely changed only in group B athletes and consisted of LDH, phosphorus, cholesterol, and calcium. At the same time, the set of biochemical criteria for assessing adaptive-compensatory reactions after training in group B athletes was completely changed compared with the data recorded at the beginning of the study. Conclusion: Defining the optimal set of criteria for assessing the adaptive-compensatory changes in MMA athletes of strike fighting style will allow in the shortest possible time to correct the parameters of the training load regime for accelerating the body functionality in the process of special power training.

Background: The research was aimed at comparing the effect of using two types of training load different in intensity and energy supply. We studied the influence of the proposed load variations (machine and free weight exercises) on long-term adaptation of the body at the stage of specialized basic training in bodybuilding.Methods: A total of 64 athletes aged 18–20 years were examined. The research participants were randomly divided into four groups, 16 athletes in each group. Athletes of group 1 and 3 used a complex of free weight exercises. Group 2 and 4 participants performed machine exercises. Bodybuilders of group 1 and 2 were trained in conditions of medium intensity training load (R_a = 0.58) in the anaerobic-glycolytic mode of energy supply. Athletes of the 3rd and 4th groups used high intensity load (R_a = 0.71) in the anaerobic-alactate mode of energy supply. We managed to determine the nature of adaptation processes using methods of control testing of strength capabilities, bioimpedansometry, anthropometry, biochemical analysis of blood serum (LDH, creatinine).Results: The study showed that the difference in the dynamics of the participants’ maximum strength development (on example of chest muscles) did not depend on the content of machine or free weight exercises, but on the features of training load regimes. Thus, the controlled indicator of strength capabilities in athletes of groups 3 and 4 increased by 5.1% compared to groups 1 and 2. During all stages of the study, the indicators of the projectile working mass in athletes of groups 3 and 4 exceeded the results observed in groups 1 and 2 by 25.9%. At the same time, the amount of load in a set is on average 2 times higher in athletes of groups 1 and 2. Group 4 athletes, who used machine exercises and high intensity training load, increased the circumferential body measurements by 3.8 times (the chest), compared to the results recorded in group 1 athletes. Athletes of group 1 and 2 showed increasing in body fat by 3.4% compared to the initial level on the background of large load volume. The basal creatine level in bodybuilders of groups 3 and 4 increased by 3.7 times after 12 weeks of study, which indicates an accelerated growth of muscle mass.Conclusion: The most pronounced adaptive body changes in bodybuilders at the stage of specialized basic training occurred during high intensity training load and anaerobic-alactate energy supply mode. Machine exercises contributed to increasing the morpho functional indicators of athletes more than free weight exercises.

Purpose To study the peculiarities of adaptive and compensatory reactions in mature women after prolonged hypokinesia using various kinesiological models of the neuromuscular system readaptation. Material and methods 52 women of mature age (39-46 years) after long-term (6-7 years) hypokinesia took part in the study. Group A used a kinesiological model based on free weight exercises with changes in kinematic and dynamic characteristics. Group B used a model based on machine exercises. The following methods were used to monitor adaptation processes: bioelectrical impedance analysis, anthropometry, testing of strength capabilities, biochemical blood analysis (cortisol and creatinine concentration). Results The dynamics of the studied indicators differed significantly between the groups using the proposed kinesiological models for 12 weeks. Thus, the fat-free and body cell mass indicators were 5 times higher in group A women compared to group B participants. The body fat mass decreased by 5 times in group A participants. The circumference measurements reduced in all participants, but in group A the rate of change was 1.8 times faster. The level of strength growth was almost the same in all study participants; it fluctuated within 10-25% compared to the initial data. The cortisol concentration in the blood serum increased only in group B during all stages of control. At the end of the research, the cortisol level did not change in response to stress in the women of group A, which indicates increasing of their resistance level. The basal level of creatinine grew by 4% in group A women after 12 weeks of training, but it did not change in group B participants. These changes indicate an accelerated growth of muscle mass in group A women. Conclusions Pronounced adaptive changes occurred in women of mature age after prolonged hypokinesia in case of using the kinesiological model of the neuromuscular system readaptation with free weight exercises. Applying this model helps to increase the functional capabilities of the body, to strengthen the level of resistance to a stress stimulus, and to improve the morphometric parameters of the body.

Background and Study Aim. The study intends to estimate the theoretical and applied perspectives of the Kinesiology discipline in the field of Sport and Physical Education science. Material and Methods. A total number of 127 subjects (students of the Physical Education and Sport Department in the University of Pitești) participated in this research. There are 59 students in Physical Education and Sport (PES), 37 in Sport and Motor Performance (SMP) and 31 in Physical Education and Sport Conversion (PESC). The research was conducted during COVID-19 pandemic, in the academic year 2021-2022. The teaching and evaluation activity in the Kinesiology discipline was carried out online by means of Zoom program. The monitoring of the teaching activity was done with the help of the university e-learning platform. The opinions of the subjects on the discipline taught and the assessment of the teaching staff by the students were analyzed using Google Forms questionnaire. The fundamental basic knowledge in Kinesiology was evaluated using the following indicators: S1 (periodically evaluated activities) = A1 (40%) +A2 (20%), final evaluation (FE) – examination (40%), S2 – sum of the fractions of grade obtained at the periodic evaluations and those from the final verification. Results. The analysis of the subjects’ opinions regarding the topic of the discipline taught reveals 5% moderate opinions, 16% - good and 79% very good ones. The evaluation of the basic fundamental knowledge in Kinesiology highlights the following values of the indicators: A1 (40%) – an average of 8.05 points between groups (p0.05); S1 – an average of 4.81 points (p<0.05). The final evaluation (40%) in the exam shows an average of 3.36 points (p<0.01); S2 has 8.17 points (p<0.01); the final grade between groups has an average of 8.29 points, with differences of rounding in student’s favor (p<0.05). The analysis of students’ opinions concerning the teaching activity in Kinesiology discipline shows that 76% rate it as excellent, 14% - very good, 6.7% - good, 1.9% - satisfactory and 1.4% unsatisfactory (extracurricular activity). Conclusions. There were shown the subjects’ opinions on the Kinesiology discipline topics and the weight of meeting the minimum and maximum performance standards. The preferred or practiced sports chosen in the researched study programs were presented. The results of the evaluation of the basic fundamental knowledge highlight the value of the averages between groups for the evaluated indicators. These results also reveal the opinions of the students about the didactic activity carried out by the professor in the discipline studied.

It is stated that there is a general crisis condition of contemporary culture due to globalization and the resulting weakening of the ideological competence of the person. The peculiarities of this situation in sport are analysed. It is stressed the importance of the psychological component in adequate understanding by a person of the current state of things. It is noted the necessity of modernization of this component in the case of sports psychology, which involves the convergence of sport psychology with philosophy primarily with the philosophical anthropology and ethics. It is justified the possibility of "new psychology" of profound understanding of such fundamental issues in the theory of sports such as the essence of sports activities, nature of competitive relations, the impact of sports on personality, physical action of the athlete, psychological preparation of a person in sport.

Background: The capacity for effort and recovery in performance sports can be increased by means of modern methodological strategies. This capacity to recover after intense matches and training helps to determine the performance in soccer. Using the Yumeiho technique will accelerate the exercise capacity recovery of the soccer players specialized in central zone positions. Methods: The research was conducted with the C.S. Internațional Bălești team, formed of 16 players, aged 19–37 years, divided into two groups: experimental group A, n = 8 with central area players and control group B, n = 8 with players from side zones. Measurement and assessment tests: determining lactic acid level (LAC) in blood; 60 m sprinting speed motor test (ST); anaerobic lactic exercise; Gacon Test for evaluating the aerobic power; VO2max test; Dorgo Test for determining the individual recovery capacity; Sleep Quality and Efficiency Index (PSQI) and sleep duration. Means used in the recovery strategy: easy running, static stretching, cryotherapy; Yumeiho therapy was applied only to group A to accelerate the recovery. Results: The anaerobic lactic capacity was evaluated by 60 m sprint test at the beginning and the end of the research. The results highlight the increase of the sprinting speed by 0.08 s in group A (p < 0.001). The aerobic capacity evaluated by means of Gacon Test in both groups shows the value 23.7%, namely a well-prepared level (p < 0.001). VO2max value in the soccer players of group A shows 87.5% good aerobic power, while the players of group B have 50% good aerobic power (p < 0.001). The concentration of LAC after exercise has a higher value in group A (p > 0.05). The level of recovery after exercise is improved in both groups, with larger differences in group A (very good level, p < 0.001). The PSQI grew by 20.37% in group A and by 11% in group B. The sleep duration increased in both groups (p < 0.001). The results of the correlation analysis in the soccer players of group A highlight strong connections of 14.8% while in group B the value is 12.5%. Conclusion: The assessment of effort capacity in soccer players specialized in different playing positions at the beginning and the end of the research highlights the increase of the anaerobic lactic effort and aerobic effort. This assessment also shows the improvement of the individual recovery capacity. A higher PSQI and the increase of sleep duration in both groups, with greater differences of group A were found, which determined their level of capacity for effort and recovery. The use of the Yumeiho technique in the program of post-exercise recovery accelerates the aerobic and anaerobic lactic effort capacity of the soccer players specialized in the central zone positions. It positively influences exercise capacity recovery in general.