The aim of the study was to determine the effects of proprioceptive training (PT) on balance, strength, agility and dribbling in adolescent soccer players. In this research, we included an experimental (n = 48) and a control (n = 48) group (CG) with 14 years old players. The experimental group (EG) participated in an 8 week PT program, with four 30 min sessions per week. The experimental program included 12 bosu ball exercises to improve balance, stability and strength which were grouped into two subprograms: the first not using the soccer ball, the second subprogram using the soccer ball. The subprograms were implemented alternately during 16 proprioceptive training sessions, on two types of firm and foam surfaces. Pre- and post-tests included the static balance [Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)], vertical, horizontal, and lateral jumping, and the completion of agility (“arrowhead”) and dribbling (“short dribbling”) tests. Regarding the total BESS score, the CG has demonstrated progress between the pre- and the post-test, with 0.780 ± 0.895, fewer errors, while the EG had 5.828 ± 1.017 fewer errors. The difference between the two groups was of 5.148 fewer errors for the EG who had practiced the proposed program of proprioceptive training. The highest difference registered between the pre- and the post-test was at the test “single-leg forward jump with the right leg”, with a result of 1.083 ± 0.459 cm for the CG and of 3.916 ± 0. 761 cm for the EG. Through the analysis of average differences between the pre- and the post-tests, we observe that, regarding the “Agility right side test”, the EG has progressed with 0.382 s in comparison with the CG; regarding the “Agility left side test”, the EG has progressed with 0.233 s compared to the CG; regarding the “Agility right and left side test”, the EG has progressed with 0.196 s compared to the CG; in the “Short dribbling test”, the EG has progressed with 0.174 s compared to the CG. The highest progress was made at the “Agility right side test”, of 0.402 s for the EG, while the CG registered 0.120 s. Most of the results in all tests for both experimental groups show an effect size ranging from small to medium. The progress made by the experimental group in all tests was statistically significant, while in the control group the progress was mostly statistically insignificant for p < 0.05. The results suggest that a PT program performed at about 14 years of age could be successfully implemented in the training regime of soccer players to improve components of fitness along with dribbling skills. The results of the study revealed that sports training on the foam surfaces determined a superior progress of the development of proprioception compared to the increased training on the firm surfaces.

The purpose of the research was to identify the impact of peripheral (unilateral and bilateral) vision on manual reaction time to visual stimuli in handball, basketball and volleyball players by implementing a 6-week experimental program of specific exercises and some adapted tests using Fitlight technology. The research included 412 players (212 male—51.5%; 200 female—48.5%) from three team sports: basketball—146 (35.4%), handball—140 (40%) and volleyball—126 (30.6%). The experimental program carried out over 6 weeks was identical for all handball, basketball and volleyball players participating in the study; two training sessions per week were performed, with each session lasting 30 min; 15 exercises were used for the improvement of manual reaction time to visual stimuli involving peripheral vision. Through the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA), we identified statistically significant differences between the arithmetic means of the samples of handball, basketball and volleyball players, as well as according to general samples also of gender (male and female), p = 0.000. Male and female handball samples achieved the greatest progress in manual reaction time to visual stimuli involving peripheral vision for the Reaction time test with a unilateral right visual stimulus (30 s) and the Reaction time test with a unilateral left visual stimulus (30 s), while general sample also of male and female basketball samples, for the Reaction time test with bilateral visual stimuli (30 s) and the Reaction time test with six Fitlights (1 min); male and female volleyball samples recorded the lowest progress in all tests compared to handball and basketball groups. According to our results, female samples made greater progress in reaction time than male groups for all four tests of the present study. The implemented experimental program led to an improvement in manual reaction time to visual stimuli due to the use of Fitlight technology and the involvement of peripheral vision for all research samples.

This study critically examines the multidimensional differences in body image perceptions among female students who participate in regular sports activities compared to their sedentary counterparts. The investigation involved a sample of 436 female students divided into two distinct groups: the sports group (GS, n = 180), consisting of participants from physical education and sports disciplines, and the non-sports group (GNS, n = 256). Anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) were systematically taken, along with the administration of three validated psychometric tools: the Silhouette Rating Scale (SRS) to assess body perception and satisfaction, the Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBC) to evaluate body objectification, and the Ideal Body Stereotype Scale-Revised (IBIS-R) to analyze perceptions of ideal body stereotypes. Notably, body dissatisfaction (SRS-D) showed the strongest correlation with BMI in both groups, with the non-athletic group displaying slightly higher correlation coefficients (r = 0.940) compared to the athletic group (r = 0.904; p < 0.001). Additionally, stereotypes related to the ideal body (IBIS-R) were strongly correlated with BMI in the non-athletic group (r = 0.846), whereas the athletic group showed a slightly lower correlation (r = 0.805). The body objectification measure (OBC) demonstrated moderate correlations, with the non-athletic group showing stronger associations (r = 0.394 vs. r = 0.352). Linear regression analysis revealed that non-athletic individuals exhibited higher predictive validity, characterized by greater R² values and stronger correlations between physical and psychosocial factors. The results indicate that participation in sports serves as a protective factor against negative body image, shown by weaker correlations in the sports group. This research suggests that engaging in physical activities is associated with healthier body profiles and a more positive body image, leading to greater satisfaction and more realistic perceptions of body size.

Background. The emergence, the development and the affiliation of the Romanian sports structures (such as the Romanian Olympic Committee, the sports federations, the Sports Associations) to similar international organizations have created the favorable framework for the modernization and adaptation of sporting and competitive activity within the sports branches in accordance with international regulation. The training of specialists (coaches, medical doctors, scientific researchers, psychologists etc.) as well as the development of the infrastructure was also targeted, which contributed to the involvement of the Romanian athletes in the European and World Competitions. The Romania's integration into the systems of international sports competitions took place in the first decades of the 20th century, with its debut at the Summer Olympics in 1924. An important contribution to the affirmation of the Romanian sport at the world level was brought by the representatives of the Romanian sports, elected in the governing structures and in the committees of the international sports organizations. In the following decades of the 20th century, Romania's international sports exchanges have enjoyed a wide development and diversification, both at sports clubs and at sports federations level, through sports activities organized in the country at all levels of sports and with external correspondence. The involvement of many Romanian cities in the organization of international sports events has also increased. An important contribution of Romania to the promotion of sport in the world was the organization of many European and world competitions, as well as meetings of international sports organizations in all these years. The '80s and '90s represent the culmination of Romanian sport, in terms of the active federations and sports clubs, but especially of the impressive number of titles and medals obtained in international sports competitions. Objectives. The paper aims to highlight the participation, involvement and permanent collaboration of all Romanian sports structures in the last century, in order to develop and diversify their relations with international forums, as well as the progress of the Romanian sport on a global level. Methods. The research is an ascertaining type, aiming to highlight Romania's international evolution in the last century, with emphasis on its results in the representative sports competition: the modern Olympic Games. Results. The international evolution of Romanian sports in the last century is evidenced by the active attendance of this country in the important international competitions, materialized in results that have known both the apogee and the decline, the essential data that contribute to the formation of the history of Romanian sport in this era. Conclusion. Through the constant participation in European, World and Olympic Games championships, but especially through the achievement of remarkable results over time, Romania has become world-renowned as one of the countries with a real sporting potential, the craftsmanship and the record of the athletes making an extraordinary image of the country. At the same time, Romania has proved its constructive vocation in the international sporting life, contributing to the development of sports relations between nations, to the progress of various areas of contemporary sport, to the strengthening of the unity of the international Olympic and sports movement.

Background. Streetball was included for the first time in history at the 2012 Olympics - Tokyo. The qualification of the 3x3 teams at the Olympic Games is based on the ranking obtained by each team after participating in as many matches as possible. Each participation is counted in the Event Maker free web application and at the end of the qualification period, the application generates the final ranking of the teams qualified for the Olympics. FIBA is developing 3x3 with a Click& Brick approach. The Brick are the actual events. The Click is FIBA’s Digital Platform [6] that is supported with the Event Maker free web application. Event Maker is a web application, developed specifically for 3x3 and customized to help event organizers with the organization of their 3x3 events. All basketball sporting events, created with the Event Maker application are published on the play.fiba3x3.com website, being visible globally. Objectives. Through this study, we aim to highlight the importance of using the web application in obtaining sports performance, respectively the qualification of the Romanian team at the Olympics. Methods. Based on the organization and participation in sports events, and by using the web application, important data were obtained on the activity of the 3x3 women team in the two pre-Olympic years. Results. The data provided by the Event Maker application contributed to the orientation of the competition organization process, so that, at the end of 2019, Romania will be in the world ranking in the first four teams qualified for the Olympics. Conclusion. The data generated in due time by this free web application formed the basis for designing the activity of organizing and participating in streetball competitions, so that coaches have continuously updated information regarding the world ranking at any time during the qualifying stage.

Background: The paper wants to continue the research undertaken in this field by which we try to propose a set of specific exercises on Pilates Apparatus as an alternative method of physical training of the swimmers. Objectives. The objective of the paper is to select and propose some physical training exercises on the Pilates Apparatus in the training of swimmers. The aim of the paper is to highlight the impact of programs on the Pilates Apparatus on the fitness and performance of swimmers. For this, we propose a set of exercises on Pilates, which can be applied by swimmers in physical training in the gym. Methods. It was used a set of physical exercises on Pilates Apparatus, which contribute to: technique correction, muscle toning, breath control, optimization of posture, body and mental balance, as well as joint mobility.