This study evaluated the effects of a single exercise session of Self-Myofascial Release (SMR) on the posterior muscular chain flexibility after one hour from the intervention. Thirty-six participants performed SMR using a rigid ball under the surface of both feet. Participants were tested with the Sit and Reach (S&R) test at four different times: before (T0), immediately after (T1), 30 (T2), and 60 (T3) minutes after the SMR intervention. The sample (n = 36) was categorized into three groups: (1) flexible, (2) average, and (3) stiff, based on the flexibility level at T0 (S&R values of >10 cm, >0 but <10 cm and <0 cm, respectively). For the whole sample, we detected significant improvements in the S&R test between the T1, T2, and T3 compared to T0. The stiff group showed a significant (p < 0.05) improvement between T1–T2 and T1–T3. Results were similar between the average group and the whole sample. The flexible group did not show any significant difference (p > 0.05) over time. In conclusion, this investigation demonstrated that an SMR session of both feet was able to increase posterior muscular chain flexibility up to one hour after intervention. Considering that a standard training session generally lasts one hour, our study can help professionals take advantage of SMR effects for the entire training period. Furthermore, our results also demonstrate that physical exercise practitioners should also assess individuals’ flexibility before training, as the SMR procedure used in this work does not seem necessary in flexible individuals.

Nordic walking (NW) is a popular physical activity used to manage chronic diseases and maintain overall health and fitness status. This study aimed to compare NW to ordinary walking (W) with regard to pole length and to identify kinematic differences associated with different poles’ length (55%, 65% and 75% of the subject’s height, respectively). Twelve male volunteers (21.1 ± 0.7 years; 1.74 ± 0.05 m; 68.9 ± 6.1 kg) were tested in four conditions (W, NW55, NW65 and NW75) at three different speeds (4-5-6 km∗h⁻¹). Each subject performed a total of twelve tests in a random order. Three-dimensional kinematics of upper and lower body were measured for both W and NW, while oxygen consumption levels (VO₂) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured only for NW trials with different poles’ length. NW showed a higher step length, lower elbow motion and higher trunk motion (p < 0.05) compared to W. Additionally, NW65 did not show any kinematic or RPE differences compared to NW55 and NW75. Only NW75 showed a higher elbow joint (p < 0.05) and lower pole (p < 0.05) range of motion compared to NW55 and a higher VO₂ (p < 0.05) compared to NW55 and NW65 at 6 km∗h⁻¹. In conclusion, the use of the poles affects the motion of the upper and lower body during gait. Poles with shorter or longer length do not produce particular changes in NW kinematics. However, increasing the length of the pole can be a smart variation in NW to increase exercise metabolic demand without significantly affecting the kinematics and the RPE.

Physical and mental health enhances pupils’ mood, their attention and labor power, increases knowledge assimilation ability. Motricity is a means of educating closely interlinked with the intellectual and emotional sides of the individual, and hides behind it an entire universe. The importance of knowing the psychological aspects of motricity increases provided that the analysis has been done in the context of its relationship with intellectual and emotional sides of the subject's personality, becoming thus a means of education. The full expression of the relations described is psycho-motricity and its importance in developing future pupils and preschool children. Purpose of Study: The research has been conducted on a group of children represented by the Experiment Group and a Control Group, boys and girls, grade I. I mention that the children have started, at least theoretically, with the same psycho-motric potential. Research Methods: Bibliographic study method, observation method, experimental method, method of measurements and records, statistical and mathematical method, graphical method. Findings: The research purpose was to verify the importance and role in the development of motric activities of preschool children, future pupils, and how we can positively influence the course of their intellectual and motric skills in grade I, by practicing motric activities since kindergarten- for preschool group. Conclusions: This research confirms that motric activities, in preschool children's - future pupils - program develops psycho-motricity and makes school training superior as compared to other children of the same age, missing additional physical supplementary activities in kindergartens.

Problem Statement: “Creativity, specific to human beings, is of a vital importance in the evolution of culture and society, was considered for a long period of time, a quality or a characteristic which, mysteriously, was given to a person” (Horst H. S., 2000, p. 99). Today, as a result of research undertaken, this capacity is recognized as a “personality factor existing in any one of us” (Horst H. S., 2000, p. 99) in a smaller or bigger proportion, according of one's stimulation or practice upon it. Evaluation of creativity can be done through several tests. These tests can determine: the wealth of the lexical fund, the fluidity of lexical association, divergent thinking, visual creativity, etc.). In the present study, in order to demonstrate the hypothesis, we have chosen to evaluate the richness of the lexical fund and fluidity of lexical association, each addressing other dimension of the creative power of individuals and how this creative dimension is influenced by the participation or lack of it at physical activities within physical education lessons. Purpose of Study: This research has started from the hypothesis according to which people who constantly participate at physical activities have a much developed creative capacity, as compared to those who refuse to make effort and have medical exempts. This research has been realised on a group of students involved in the educational process from the Petroleum-Gas University in Ploiesti. Research Methods: Bibliographic study method; observation method; investigation method (conversation, questionnaire, scale Fl, scale Al, etc.); pedagogical experiment method; statistical-mathematic method; graphical method. Findings and Results: Creativity is the recombination of concepts that existed or still exist in the human mind, hidden in the subconscious and which could be activated as needed. Creativity seems to be more developed in people who regularly participate in physical activities. Conclusions and Recommendations: It is widely known that innovation can not exist outside creativity. On a market that can not be satisfied, creativity and intelligence are very rare qualities, sought in all areas of activity, being very well paid. For this reason we believe that the proposed theme is very new in the research field, that it opens new research perspectives and the statement that physical activities stimulate creativity, values it and represent a manner of lifelong training-learning, thus confirming the hypothesis. As a consequence, we recommend the existence of physical education lessons even since kindergarten

To get to shape the behavior, a transition through the cognitive subsystem is required, which is operational and improvable through accumulating, adapting and fully assimilating information. Being aware of these aspects we will witness the implications of cognition on training students in the non-profile activity of Physical Education. Given our real possibilities, the initial research referred to the reflection of the psycho-behavioural aspects of students from the Petroleum-Gas University of Ploiesti, enrolled in the 1st and 2nd years of non-profile faculties, with regard to: the practice of physical exercise and how the global effect of introducing cognitive objectives among other objectives improved, the way in which their attitude changed under the influence of a special designed program during the training. The backgrounds taken into consideration for determining the hypotheses derived from the reference literature and the experience gained during the course of the training process

Motor skill development is crucial in human growth, evolving with the maturation of the nervous and musculoskeletal systems. Quantifying these skills, especially coordinative abilities, remains challenging. This study aimed to assess the performance of five motor tasks in children and adolescents using high-speed video analysis, providing data for movement and health professionals. Seventy-two volunteers were divided into three age groups: 27 first-grade primary school students (19 males and 8 females, aged 6.5 ± 0.5 years), 35 fourth-grade primary school students (16 males and 19 females, aged 9.2 ± 0.4 years), and 28 s-year middle school students (16 males and 12 females, aged 13.0 ± 0.3 years). Participants performed five motor tasks: standing long jump, running long jump, stationary ball throw, running ball throw, and sprint running. Each task was recorded at 120 frames per second and analyzed using specialized software to measure linear and angular kinematic parameters. Quantitative measurements were taken in the sagittal plane, while qualitative observations were made using a dichotomous approach. Statistical analysis was performed using the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney tests with Bonferroni correction. Significant differences were observed across age groups in various parameters. In the standing long jump, older participants exhibited a longer time between initial movement and maximum loading. The running long jump revealed differences in the take-off angle, with fourth-grade students performing the best. Ball-throwing tests indicated improvements in the release angle with age, particularly in females. Sprint running demonstrated the expected improvements in time and stride length with age. Gender differences were notable in fourth-grade students during the running long jump, with females showing greater knee flexion, while males achieved better take-off angles. Video analysis effectively identified age-related and gender-specific differences in motor skill performance. The main differences were measured between first-grade primary school and second-year middle school students while gender differences were limited to all age groups. This method provides valuable insights into motor development trajectories and can be used by professionals to objectively assess and monitor the technical aspects of motor skills across different age groups.