Background and Study Aim. Physical activity (PA) is regarded as a critical component of a healthy lifestyle and disease prevention. Different constraints placed upon social interaction and public spaces due to COVID-19 could decrease PA and academic performance in physical education (PE) in student population. The purpose of the research was to assess overall and sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE in a sample of university students pre- to post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and Methods. Participants (n=209) – university students (19-20 years old). The overall period of the research is September-December 2020. All participants (male–n=106 and female–n=103) were divided into approximately equal groups: humanities students (male–MG-1, female–FG-1), medicine students (male–MG-2, female–FG-2), technical students (male–MG-3, female–FG-3). The main research tools: modified student self-reported questionnaire (on the base of IPAQ), academic grading (scores for self-completed PE tasks). In surveys, all participants self-rated overall and sport/fitness PA level pre- to post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. The participants had to complete 32 special PE tasks, during the research period. PE teachers rated participants by a special grading scale. Results. For the male and female students’ groups there were no significant differences of overall PA, sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE pre-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. All participants significantly (p≤0.05) decreased overall PA, sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE post-cancellation. There was a significant (p≤0.05) large amount of overall PA level in MG-2 students and sport/fitness PA level in MG-1 students’ post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. For the male students there were no significant differences of grading in PE pre- to post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes between participants groups. There was a significant (p≤0.05) large amount of overall PA level post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes in FG-2 students. There was a significantly (p≤0.05) lower amount of sport/fitness PA level post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes in FG-3 students. There was a significant drop in mean grading scores in PE post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes in students. FG-2 participants had significantly (p≤0.05) higher grading scores in PE post-cancellation of face-to-face PE classes. Conclusions. The universities closure and cancellation of face-to-face PE classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic decreased overall PA, sport/fitness PA level and academic performance in PE in all participants. It is important to note that the proportional decrease in overall PA for the male students was actually large, then decrease in overall PA for the female students was less. The findings highlight the need for active interventions of PA promotion targeted at the student population in the context of self-isolation measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Level of physical exercises’ mastering in structure of 11-13 yrs age boys’ motor fitness

Background and Study Aim. Biomechanics is a fundamental component of Kinesiology, offering critical insights into the mechanics of human movement. As the demand for comprehensive educational programs in Kinesiology grows, understanding the role and effectiveness of biomechanics within these programs becomes increasingly important. The aim of the study is to investigate and highlight the role and importance of biomechanics in the context of higher education, with an emphasis on the discipline of Kinesiology. Material and Methods. This study involved 71 students from the Department of Physical Education and Sport at Pitești University Center. It included 43 students specializing in Physical Education and Sport (PES) and 28 in Sports and Motor Performance (SMP). The research utilized the university's e-learning platform to monitor teaching and evaluation activities within the Kinesiology discipline. The evaluation of fundamental Kinesiology knowledge was assessed through various indicators. Google Forms-Questionnaire sought to gauge student opinions on the thematic content of Biomechanics as applied to Kinesiology and to evaluate the teaching staff. The nonparametric Kruskal-Wallis Test was employed to analyze differences in means across the groups. Results. The study revealed a diverse interest in sports across the Physical Education and Sport (PES) and Sports and Motor Performance (SMP) programs. Soccer, basketball, and handball were the most popular among students. Comparative analysis of academic performance showed no significant differences between the groups in various assessments (p>0.05). The overall student feedback on the "Fundamentals of Biomechanics of Physical Activities and Sports" course was predominantly positive. Over 50% of the students rated it as very good. Areas for improvement in teaching methods were also identified to enhance the academic experience. Conclusions. This study highlights the effective integration of biomechanics within the Kinesiology discipline at the higher education level. Findings suggest that well-structured educational programs can enhance students' understanding and application of biomechanics. This contributes positively to their academic and professional development in sports sciences. Continuous curriculum assessment and refinement are crucial for maintaining the relevance and effectiveness of such programs.

Background: To study the peculiarities of changes in creatinine concentration in blood serum of untrained men during the prolonged usage of training loads different in volume and intensity, and to determine the value of this biochemical marker for the assessment of adaptive body changes during fitness training. Methods: We examined 50 untrained men aged 18–20 years who had no contraindications for practicing fitness. Taking into account the aim of the research, we divided these people into two groups: group A and group B. The research participants used training load regimes different in volume and intensity: representatives of group Aused low intensity training load regime (Ra = 0.53) and representatives of group B used high intensity training load regime (Ra = 0.72). To assess the adaptive body changes in the examined contingent, we used the anthropometry method (circumference body size) and bioimpedansometry (body composition indicators). We also determined the features of adaptation-compensatory body reactions to different training loads by means of biochemical control of creatinine concentration in blood serum. Results: The obtained results showed a significant increase in basal level of creatinine concentration in blood serum (by 17.6%) of group B representatives fixed after 3 months of practicing fitness in high intensity training load regime (R_a = 0.72). This group representative also revealed the most pronounced manifestation of adaptive body changes confirmed by the results of the maximal muscle strength growth (1RM) and circumference body size, which was almost 2.5 times higher than the results of group A representatives for the same period of time. The parameters indicating the load volume in a set (Wn) were almost 62.0 % higher in group A representatives in comparison with group B during all stages of control. Nonetheless, the highest creatinine concentration in blood serum (by 11.1 % (p < 0.05) was fixed in group A representatives in response to training load after 3 months of practicing. This fact testifies to the important role of the creatine phosphokinase mechanism of energy supply of muscular activity in the conditions of high volume and low intensity training load regime (R_a = 0.53). Conclusion: The analysis of the results obtained during a series of experimental studies indicates the need and feasibility of using the indicator of basal level of creatinine concentration in blood during fitness training, especially in the conditions of high intensity and low volume training load regime (R_a = 0.72), as an informative marker for assessing the process of long-term adaptation.

The Application of the Index Method to Assess the Condition of Armwrestling Athletes with Different Levels of Sports Mastery

Purpose. To evaluate the changes in circumference sizes of bodybuilders using machine and free weight exercises in conditions of different load regimes at the stage of specialized basic training. Methods. 64 bodybuilders aged 20±1.2 years were divided into 4 study groups. The stage of specialized basic training lasted 12 weeks. Group 1 and 2 participants used free weight and machine exercises in conditions of medium-intensity training load (Rа=0.58). Group 3 and 4 athletes performed the same exercises in conditions of high-intensity training load (Ra=0.71). The changes in circumference measurements (shoulder, hip and shin) were recorded every 30 days. Non-parametric methods of mathematical statistics were used in the study. The results. Using free weight exercises in the regime of high-intensity loads (Rа=0.71) contributed to the greatest increase in the body circumference (by 4.9%) compared to the initial data. The smallest increase in the controlled indicators (by 1.8%) was found in athletes using machine exercises in the regime of medium-intensity loads (Ra=0.58). Performing free weight exercises in different load regimes led to more than double increase in the body circumference measurements. The dependence of the controlled indicators dynamics on the load regimes was observed when using machine exercises. The dynamics of body circumference depends on the features of the training load regimes but not on the type of exercises. Conclusions. At the stage of specialized basic training in bodybuilding, the use of high-intensity training loads (Ra=0.71) was the main factor that affected the accelerated increase in body circumference of athletes. Combination of machine strength exercises with high-intensity loads allowed achieving the most pronounced adaptive changes.