Background. The aim of the study was to evaluate differences in body image across different types of sports in highly trained female athletes. Methods. 242 female individuals, aged 13–30 years (M=20.0, SD = 4.5), representing aesthetic sports (n=56) and nonaesthetic sports (n=186), were recruited from different sports clubs in Poland. Body image, BMI, age, the level of competition attained, and the training background of participants were recorded. Results. One-way ANOVA showed differences in the body image of athletes engaged in different types of sport (F(11,230)=4.10, p<0.001, and η2=0.16). The model predicting the body image of female athletes was significant (F(5,236)=10.40, p<0.001); the adjusted R2=0.163. Type of sport explained 7.1% (β=–0.263, p<0.001), age explained 4.5% (β=0.341,p<0.001), BMI explained 3.6% (β=–0.230,p<0.001), and level of competition explained 0.9% (β=0.153, p<0.05) of variance in body image. Conclusions. The findings provide vital new knowledge which can be used by researchers and practitioners in designing educational programs on weight-related behaviors in female athletes. Such programs should be implemented especially in young female athletes participating in high-level sporting activities at an early stage.

The aim of this paper addresses the problem of the quality of life of elderly people by presenting the energy of Latinos that arouses optimism in European citizens and provides them with joy through Latin dances on a regular basis. The research covered 163 people in the old, so-called third, age, from the European countries with the highest aging rate, namely: Italy, Germany, Greece and Poland. Results shows that physical activity in the form of Latin American dances has a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. Not only does it allow for maintaining physical fitness and inhibiting the development of many ailments and diseases, but also stimulates the brain to constant activity, which results in improvement of the ability to make associations, concentration and, above all, memory. It is also a way to fill the gap that arises as a consequence of the completion of certain life stages. Through making new social contacts, it is possible to forget about loneliness, stagnation and the monotony of everyday life. However, above all, Latin dance is a source of satisfaction, joy and happiness, i.e., determinants of the quality of life.

Nowadays, dance plays an important role in the modern tourism industry. Today, the craze for dancing creates great opportunities for cultural tourism. However, it should be remembered that there is a great danger of losing the most important meaning of dance by commercializing and reducing its essence. Dance tourism as discussed in the article is understood as travel for the purpose of learning about dance and its culture in places where given dance styles were born, or where they play an important national role as well as enjoying great popularity among the local community. This article is an introduction to the issue of dance tourism in an anthropological context. It presents potential attractions related to dance in the perspectives of cultural and sports tourism, it has an illustrative and descriptive character while its method is a literature review and presentation of popular examples.

This article presents triathlon as a modern form of sports consumption. The theoretical part underlines the importance of triathlon events for the development of tourism and the promotion of health and physical activity, whereas the empirical part presents the results of research carried out at the Środa Wielkopolska Triathlon 2018 event. The socio-demographic profile of the participants of the event (N=109) and their motives for participation were determined. The information contained may be of value for those involved in the development of sport and tourism in smaller towns in Poland.

During dance, endorphins, the so-called happiness hormone, are released–a fact that undoubtedly favors contacts with others as well as is an excellent opportunity to establish or strengthen them. Nowadays, with dynamically progressing digitization, dance has also found its place on the Internet. Both individual users and organizations see the advantages of online activities in terms of promotion. Due to the coronavirus epidemic, the transfer of dance classes to virtual space has resulted in the reorganization of all dance education. This forces us to deepen our understanding of the interpersonal dynamics of a group.

Nowadays, in the times of the popularity and commercialization of dance, special attention should be paid to the situation of dance teachers. In different countries there are different possibilities to become a dance teacher. Such qualifications can be obtained at both sports and artistic universities. It is also possible to take up courses organized by national organizations, societies and dance associations. Many private schools and dance clubs organize training for dance instructors. In recent years, it has been even possible to acquire such qualifications via the Internet. Due to the various possibilities of gaining the qualifications of a dance teacher, there seems to be a need for verification, on the basis of which it will be possible to organizationally reconstruct dance schools and the substantive education process, all in order to develop the teaching staff. Research showed that it is necessary to verify people employed at dance schools, both in terms of theory and practice of sport as well as social competences. The context under study is the Polish one, however in close connection to international work in the area of dance education in Central Europe..