Introduction: Intense training activity and competing in contests are the basic blocks that build the competitor's character. We should always use some elements of systemic and targeted educational work in order to give the process a more comprehensive and active shape during all stages of sports training. Punishment is one of the most controversial methods, especially concerning its application in the process of educational training and contest participation. Methodology: The aim of this study was to survey students' attitude towards punishment as an educational method applied by their coaches in cases of systematic violations of discipline and norms. We used the inquiry method and conducted an alternative analysis of the data. Students of both sexes at "Coaches" Faculty at the National Sports Academy of Bulgaria were Subjects of the study. Results: We found that punishments are commonly applied in many sports. In our opinion, the misuse of this method could lead athletes to a psychic block. Discussion: Using punishment as an educational method affects positively athletes' behavior and motivation. As a result the performance could be improved both during training and during competition. Conclusions: A successful coach should be a master at combining systematically different complex educational methods. Adopting such an approach is the most important determinant of the rate of progress of the training process.

Introduction: The rate of obesity escalated in many countries in recent years. A lot of different methodologies have been implemented to address this problem. A relatively new approach is using weight management computer software. Methods: Our aim was to evaluate the impact of software driven process of calorie counting and exercise tracking on weight changes in overweight and obese people. We compared the results to those of applying a conventional approach for losing weight-following the instructions of a dietitian and a fitness instructor. 60 participants were randomly assigned to 3 groups-two experimental and one control. The experimental groups underwent an energy deficient diet plan and exercised for about 90 min. a week. No dietary restrictions were imposed on the subjects in the control group. The study was 24 weeks long. Results. We compared the differences in body mass and fat tissue percentage within and between the groups. We found significant differences between the initial and the final values of these variables in both experimental groups (bigger ones in the first group). No significant differences were found for the subjects in the control group. Discussion: All experimental participants, who successfully finished the experiment, reduced their weight and body fat. Conclusions: There is preliminary evidence for a superiority of the implemented software in the process of weight reduction for overweight and obese people. Further studies are necessary for reaching more convincing results.