Despite the general agreement that the interdisciplinary model of physical education (PE), based on the incorporation of core academic subjects into the PE curriculum, stimulates the holistic development of students, there is still a lack of methods for its implementation. Therefore, Eduball was created, i.e., a method that uses educational balls with printed letters, numbers, and other signs. Numerous studies have shown that children participating in activities with Eduballs can develop their physical fitness while simultaneously improving their academic performance, particularly in math and language, including some writing skills. However, little is known about the effects of Eduball on children’s graphomotor skills, which are key for the academic performance of students throughout the entire schooling process. Here, we investigate whether 6-month participation in PE with Eduball stimulates graphomotor skills in primary school students, such as drawing prehandwriting letter patterns on unlined or lined paper and rewriting text on unlined or lined paper. Our results show that the Eduball class (N = 28) significantly improved these skills compared to the control class (N = 26) participating in traditional PE. For example, students from the experimental group wrote with a lower pen pressure and better stability of the line, in contrast to those from the control group. Therefore, this study demonstrates that the Eduball method successfully supports teachers in developing graphomotor skills in children. More broadly, our findings make clear once again that there is the need to integrate physical and cognitive development in education, which can be achieved by using an interdisciplinary model of PE.

We investigated different specific jumping performances of high-level male volleyball players. The aim of this study was to assess covered jumping distance, jump height, and number of jumps performed at certain positions by volleyball players competing at the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship in Poland. A total of 140 male volleyball players from national teams participated in the study. The analysis was performed for jumping flying distance (JFD), jump serve height (SJH), attack jump height (AJH), block jump height (BJH), and quantity of jumps (JC). The analysis of JFD of attack jumps showed that the middles covered a shorter distance than the other players. When analyzing the block jump lengths, distance during jump performance covered by the receivers (R1) was shorter than that of the opposites. Analysis of SJH by volleyball players at various positions showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) among the middles (M1, M2), receivers (R1, R2), and opposites (O). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05) in BJH were found between the middles and the rest of the players. The results of the experiment show a high degree of reliability for jump height during serve and attack, jumping flying distance covered during an attack, and number of block jumps. The strongest relationship was seen between jump components, which predominantly depend only on a volleyball player performing a specific action (e.g., jump serve or attack jump).

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the level and changes in the level of temporal-spatial orientation in first-grade pupils from elementary schools who participated in Physical Education classes integrated with subject-related contents that used Edubal educational balls. Material/Methods: Research material comprised first-grade pupils from two classes in an elementary school in Wroclaw, Poland. The study was carried out during the second term of the 2013/2014 school year. Fifty-four pupils (26 girls and 18 boys) were diagnosed in total. The study employed the method of a pedagogical experiment that used the parallel groups technique (experimental class and control class). Results: In the first examination, pupils from the control group obtained better results compared to pupils from the experimental group (p=0.04). In the second examination, pupils from the experimental class obtained better results compared to those from the control group. However, the difference between the results obtained in both groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.87). Conclusions: The results obtained in the study lead to a conclusion that it is justified to carry out further studies in order to evaluate the level and possible changes in temporal-spatial orientation in first-grade pupils from elementary school who participate in Physical Education classes that use Edubal educational balls and to search for the relationships between the pupils’ temporal-spatial orientation and school performance.

The purpose of this article was to determine the internal and external loads experienced by volleyball players in a weekly cycle during the competitive season. Using accelerometers, as well as subjective rating perceived exertion (RPE) and total quality recovery scale (TQR) questionnaires, eleven female athletes were monitored during five days of training sessions over the course of the 2021 season. The data were evaluated for trends during the start period in preparation for the championship tournament. Analysis of the accelerometer data revealed a relationship between RPE and session rating perceived exertion (s-RPE), as well as the number of total accelerations. It was reported that on the training days of the same well-being level, the jump number values were significantly different. The results suggest that monitoring athletes for the number of accelerations can be used to understand the needs of volleyball players and to improve the design of training and recovery days to optimize athletes’ well-being.

IntroductionThe research examines the relationship between marathon performance and muscle stiffness changes from pre to marathon in recreational runners aged 50+ years.MethodsThirty-one male long-distance runners aged 50–73 years participated in the experiment. The muscle stiffness of quadriceps and calves was measured in two independent sessions: the day before the marathon and 30 min after the completed marathon run using a Myoton device.Results and DiscussionThe 42.195-km run was completed in 4.30,05 h ± 35.12 min, which indicates an intensity of 79.3% ± 7.1% of HRmax. The long-term, low-intensity running exercise (marathon) in older recreational runners and the low level of HRmax and VO2max showed no statistically significant changes in muscle stiffness (quadriceps and calves). There was reduced muscle stiffness (p = 0.016), but only in the triceps of the calf in the dominant (left) leg. Moreover, to optimally evaluate the marathon and adequately prepare for the performance training program, we need to consider the direct and indirect analyses of the running economy, running technique, and HRmax and VO2max variables. These variables significantly affect marathon exercise.