Introduction: A coach’s managerial and pedagogical tasks in the sports training process constitute the substantive core of their work, while decision-making serves as the fundamental method underpinning these tasks. Some decisions made by coaches result from deliberate, analytical thinking, which involves extensive information gathering, analysis, and discussion. Others, however, are made quickly and spontaneously, triggered by unforeseen situations during training or competition that demand immediate action. Consequently, the purpose of this study is to develop a conceptual framework for understanding coaches’ decision-making behavior in conventional sports. This framework aims to establish appropriate relationships between the various decisions coaches make during the training process and theoretical concepts related to decision-making, both in general and within the coaching context.Methods: To design the research, we used the methodology of a conceptual paper and a “model paper” approach, which seeks to build a theoretical framework that predicts relationships between distinct research concepts and scientific disciplines, aiming to integrate them into a cohesive model of coaches’ decision-making behavior.Results: The proposed conceptual framework encompasses a comprehensive range of situations that may arise during the sports training process and potential ways to address them. This framework identifies different types of decisions and characteristics associated with coaches’ decision-making behavior. It incorporates various sport-specific and general theories of decision-making and cognitive functioning to offer a deeper understanding of how coaches process and execute decisions in diverse contexts.Discussion: The developed conceptual framework outlines three primary types of decisions—strategic, tactical, and operational—each playing a distinct role in the broader sports training process. These decisions are based on different cognitive processes, which manifest in varied decision-making behaviors and are reinforced by specific leadership styles. The practical value of this framework lies in its potential application for selecting appropriate experts to address the diverse decision-making scenarios encountered in sports training. This ensures the alignment of decision-making styles with the requirements of specific training situations, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and outcomes of the coaching process.

(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.

(1) Background: This study aimed to examine the differences in the kinetic energy of the body’s center of mass between successful and unsuccessful attempts at transitioning from a basket to a handstand on the parallel bars. Special attention was given to the analysis of kinetic energy as a key factor in the efficient execution of this complex element. (2) Methods: The sample consisted of 10 successful and 10 unsuccessful attempts performed by an elite gymnast (a multiple-medalist in World and European Championships). All attempts and kinematic data were recorded and analyzed using high-frequency cameras (300 Hz) and the Ariel Performance 3D video system, respectively. Successful and unsuccessful performances were compared using a paired-sample t-test. (3) Results: Significant differences in kinetic energy were observed in the first part of the anti-gravitational phase of movement between successful and unsuccessful attempts. Successful attempts demonstrated a more favorable position at the beginning of this phase, allowing better utilization of accumulated kinetic energy—a higher position of the feet and hips, and a smaller shoulder joint angle at the moment the shoulder passed through the lower vertical. (4) Conclusions: Successful attempts in gymnastics are characterized by better biomechanical optimization and efficient kinetic energy use, achieved through an earlier entry into the second phase of movement with optimal body positioning, leading to greater peripheral and angular velocities crucial for performance.

Purpose: Due to its numerous positive effects on individuals and society as a whole, sport has become an important socio-economic subsystem of the national environment. To regulate, develop, and monitor the impact of sport at national, regional, and local levels, countries often develop and adopt various strategic documents, which can be found under the name of national program or strategy for sport development at the national level. Due to the importance of understanding the substantial comprehensiveness of national sports strategies (NSS) and the precision of the methodological-processual approach, the purpose of the present paper is to present a methodological and substantive view of the process of creating NSS and to develop a comprehensive concept (model) that appropriately places the substantive part in the phases of the process. Method: The methodology of writing conceptual research papers was used. This approach provides a bridge or link between different concepts and scientific disciplines. The methodological approach was the “model paper” which aims to provide a theoretical framework that predicts relationships between concepts. A model paper identifies connections between constructs and introduces new constructs. Findings: The development of the substantive model for the preparation of the NSS revealed that the comprehensive sport system at the national level can be understood within the framework of five substructures (financial, organizational, developmental, material, and program) that contribute significantly to the development and implementation of activities related to sport and physical activity. They are interconnected and interdependent and are surrounded by a so-called integrity framework that protects the sport system from the deviations of modern society. The methodological process model reveals that for the implementation of the process of NSS preparation, the most appropriate is the strategic management methodology, which enables accurate and efficient management of planning, organization, implementation, and control of the NSS. The combination of both perspectives (substantive and methodological) enables the development of a comprehensive concept (model) of NSS preparation. Conclusions: The developed concept (model) of the NSS preparation comprehensively covers the issue of the NSS preparation management and is dialectical, open, flexible, and repeatable, enabling future users to manage the NSS preparation in a substantive-holistic and process-effective manner.

The complicated dance between the decision-making (hereinafter: DM) process, which is shaped by the individual psychological constructs and internal cognitive processes, and the methodological process of strategic management (hereinafter: SMP), which can be understood as a framework that defines decision context, raises pertinent questions about their coherence. The purpose of this study is to propose an integrative model of the strategic decision-making process (hereinafter: SDM), which links the cognitive processes of decision-makers with the rigour of strategic management and identifies and mitigates potential risks at each stage of the holistic process. To design the research, we used the "model paper" approach which seeks to build a theoretical framework that predicts relationships between research concepts. The developed comprehensive model connects four independent concepts, creating a holistic framework for SDM in organizations. The comprehensive model reveals a high degree of consistency between the SMP, knowable decision-making cycle and cognitive processes. Throughout the entire process, decision-makers need to be mindful of the interplay between System 1 and System 2 thinking. While System 1 thinking may provide quick insights and initiate creative thinking, it is important to complement it with the deliberate and analytical reasoning of System 2 thinking, which can be supported by a proper application of different strategic management tools and methods.

Kognitivna psihologija je v zadnjih desetletjih doživela izjemen razvoj, ki je poglobil razumevanje mišljenja ter njegovega vpliva na čustva, zaznave, odločitve in vedenje; prav odločanje, kot vsakdanji, a kompleksni proces, razkriva bistvo človekove osebnosti, saj vključuje presojo, tveganje, negotovost ter preplet racionalnosti in intuicije. Obravnavana monografija se tega področja loteva celovito in sistematično, saj povezuje kognitivne, organizacijske in strateške vidike odločanja ter presega poenostavljene modele z analizo realnih, večplastnih situacij sodobnega managementa. Avtor jasno predstavi razmerja med individualnim in kolektivnim odločanjem ter med teorijo in prakso, pri čemer posebno vrednost prispeva razvoj teoretičnega modela kognitivnih procesov pri managerjih, ki je podprt z empiričnimi ugotovitvami in uporaben tako v organizacijskem kot osebnem kontekstu. Delo poudarja tudi pomen zavedanja kognitivnih omejitev, pristranskosti in čustev za kakovostnejše odločitve ter izpostavlja, da je vsako odločanje neločljivo povezano s človekovimi vrednotami, izkušnjami in odgovornostjo. Monografija tako ne predstavlja le pomembnega znanstvenega prispevka in mostu med disciplinami, temveč bralca spodbuja k refleksiji in osebnemu razvoju, saj omogoča globlje razumevanje sebe kot odločevalca, vodje in posameznika.