Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of 10 weeks of bodyweight training on selected elements of body composition (body mass, muscle mass, and the percentage of body fat and water) and components of physical fitness (strength, strength endurance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity) of women aged 21-23 years who do not practise sports professionally. Material and methods. The study involved 15 women whose mean age was 22 years 2 months. Their body mass and composition were assessed using a TANITA BC-1000 scale, and the following parameters of physical fitness were measured: the strength and power of the upper and lower extremities; the strength endurance of the shoulders, shoulder girdle, and trunk; as well as their flexibility and physical capacity. The assessment was performed twice, that is before and after the completion of the 10-week programme. Results. The study revealed that the 10-week bodyweight training programme had caused a minor increase in body mass (1.16%) and body fat percentage (2.43%), while muscle mass and body water percentage had not changed. As far as physical fitness is concerned, the bodyweight exercises had had a positive impact on all of the elements of physical fitness which were measured, including statistically significant increases in the explosive strength of the lower extremities (5.6%; p<0.01), strength endurance of the trunk (10.7%; p<0.01), and aerobic capacity (33.3%; p<0.05). Conclusions. Without a properly balanced diet and nutrition control, the bodyweight training programme had a small impact on the parameters of body composition. It was, however, an effective way of enhancing general physical fitness: apart from improving muscle strength and endurance, it also increased physical capacity and flexibility.

The aim of this research was to determine whether there is any association between leg bias and bipedal locomotion in young male soccer players. 227 participants, members of a Polish football club, were tested. Leg dominancy and maximal specific power of each leg were recorded.

Purpose. the aim of the study was to identify differences in fitness abilities and technical skills between young right-footed and left-footed soccer players. Methods. the measurements included data collected from 111 male footballers aged 12-17 years (divided into 3 age categories: U13, U15, U17). Fitness abilities (5-m, 10-m, 30-m sprint, envelope run, standing long jump) and technical skill (dribbling, juggling, short passes, long passes) were measured. Results. the results failed to show significant differences (p > 0.05) in speed, agility, or explosive strength of lower limbs between right-and left-footed soccer players in the U13, U15, and U17 categories. No significant differences between soccer players (right-footed, left-footed) were found in the dominant leg performance (p > 0.005), whereas for the non-dominant leg, left-footed U15 players had higher performance in juggling (p < 0.05) and long passes (p < 0.01). regardless of age category, left-footed players were characterized by a lower range of asymmetry in all technical skills. significant differences were observed only for dribbling skills in U13 (p < 0.05). Conclusions. the type of lateral dominance (right-footedness, left-footedness) does not differentiate between young soccer players in terms of fitness abilities. Left-footed footballers are more symmetrical in technical preparation compared with the right-footed ones. With age and experience in training, a reduction in functional asymmetry in technical skills is observed between lower limbs in both right-and left-footed soccer players. regardless of the type of lateral dominance, young players have their reserves in terms of symmetrical technical preparation.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to identify differences in the level of fitness and technical skills of young soccer players depending on age. Material and methods. The study examined 140 male elite soccer players from the Polish Sport Academy aged 12 to 18 years. Body mass, body height, fitness abilities (5-m, 10-m, and 30-m sprint; envelope run; standing long jump; pull-ups; and beep test) and technical skills (ball handling, juggling alternately with the leg and the head, short passes, and long passes) were measured. Results. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) differences indicating improvement with age were found in older players in speed (15.5%-18.8%), agility (5.7%), lower limb explosive power (39.4%), upper limb strength (254.3%), and cardiorespiratory endurance (31.9%). With regards to technical skills, the greatest progress was documented for long shots (passes) with the internal instep from the ground (140.6% for the dominant leg, DL, and 730.3% for the non-dominant leg, NDL). Slightly lower results were obtained for short shots (passes) with the central instep from the air (128% for DL and 103.6% for NDL) and short shots (passes) with the medial part of the foot (52.1% for DL and 82.8% for NDL), and the lowest were recorded for ball handling with direction change (32.3% for DL and 29.9% for NDL). Conclusions. In the process of talent identification and monitoring of training effects, coaches should take into account the differences in the rate of the development of fitness and technical skills of young athletes.

Aim. The aim of the study was to evaluate changes on body compositions and physical fitness in young males performing 10-week bodyweight training. Material and Methods. The study examined body height and composition (body mass, fat percent and body water) in 15 healthy male adults (23.4 ± 3.3 years, 180.3 ± 6.8 cm, 75.7 ± 7.6 kg). The physical parameters included: running speed, agility, explosive power and strength endurance, flexibility and cardiorespiratory capacity. The examinations were conducted before and after 10-week bodyweight training. Results. Results indicated no significant changes in body composition in the men examined. Improvements were observed in measured parameters of physical fitness, agility (4.1%, p<0.01), dynamic strength of the shoulder girdle muscles, the back and the abdomen (by 12.1%, p<0.01), static strength of the right hand (6.7%, p<0.05), strength endurance of the upper limbs (by 30.1%, p<0.01), strength endurance of the body trunk muscles (7.0%, p<0.01), flexibility (20.1%, p<0.05) and cardiorespiratory capacity (6.1%, p<0.05). Conclusion. Bodyweight training without a properly balanced diet has an insignificant effect on changes in body composition of young men. The training concept based on performing bodyweight exercises leads to the significant improvements in muscle strength and endurance, flexibility, agility and cardiovascular endurance. The bodyweight training by Lauren and Clark, due to the high frequency and intensity, is recommended for young people with a high physical fitness level and perseverance.