The aim of the study was to assess selected cognitive abilities depending on age, anthropometric parametres, physical fitness and technical skills in the group of young players training football. The study covered a group of 258 young players practicing football (age: 12.1± 2.03), who were divided into 5 age categories (8–9 years old, 10–11 years old, 12–13 years old, 14–15 years old, 16–17 years old). Selected cognitive abilities include: simple reaction time (SIRT), complex reaction time (CHORT), hand-eye coordination (HECOR) and spatial orientation (SPANT). Studies were performed using Test2Drive computer tests. In addition, the level of physical fitness was measured using: The standing long jump, 30 m sprint, 20 m shuttle run test (without and with the ball) and slalom (without and with the ball). The analysis showed a statistically significant relationship between age and cognitive abilities. There was also a statistically significant correlation between fitness tests and reaction time in individual cognitive tests. There were no statistically significant relationships between technical skills and cognitive abilities. The study confirms that age and physical fitness affect the level of cognitive abilities.

Combat tasks involving special units often put a mental and physical strain on the soldiers. During the military operation, soldiers may struggle with multiple difficulties such as extreme physical effort, sleep deprivation, weather conditions, limited access to food and stress. These circumstances require a high level of cognitive ability (including psychomotor abilities) to overcome the physiological stress response and to be able to quickly and efficiently make decisions under stressful situations, especially in combat. The aim of the study was to assess the level of the psychomotor abilities of candidates for the Polish Special Forces. The study comprised 48 candidates for the Polish Special Forces (age: $$30.06 \pm 2.87$$ 30.06 ± 2.87 ), 40 athletes (age: $$27.93 \pm 3.91$$ 27.93 ± 3.91 ) and 40 non-athletes (age: 24). The study was performed using Test2Drive software. Four computer-based tests were used to assess the following psychomotor abilities: simple reaction time, choice reaction time, hand-eye coordination and two-dimensional visuomotor coordination/spatial orientation test (SPANT). The analysis demonstrated statistically significant differences in reaction time and motor time between the study groups. The shortest reaction time in each test was observed in athletes, while the shortest motor time was observed in soldiers. All the psychomotor tests, except for the number of correct answers in SPANT, demonstrated statistically significant differences between the studied groups. It was also found that military training had a positive effect on the motor time in every psychomotor test. As regards the reaction time, it was observed that the athletes were characterised with better reaction times than the special forces candidates. The study has confirmed that military training and sports training have a positive effect on the level of psychomotor abilities, especially motor time.

The purpose of this study was to report sex- and age-specific physical fitness level in Polish children aged 4 to 7. 11.709 children participated in the study, including 5.684 girls and 6.025 boys aged 4 to 7 who attended kindergarten institutions throughout Poland. Physical fitness was assessed using four tests developed by Sekita including shuttle run 4 × 5 m with moving the block, standing long jump, throwing 1 kg medicine ball with two hands above the head and 20 m run. Percentile charts were developed separately for males and females using the LMS method. Boys showed higher physical fitness values than girls. In addition, an increase in the level of physical fitness was observed along with the age of the subjects. The developed reference values by age and sex in the field of physical fitness can be used for diagnostic purposes and assessing the level of physical fitness of preschool children. In addition, they can be helpful for healthcare professionals, parents and teachers to develop children’s motor activation programs and monitor their physical fitness.

People with mobility disabilities especially those after spinal cord injury experience significant changes in body composition. Limited physical activity among people with physical disabilities often leads to overweight or obesity. The practice of sport by these people can compensate for the lack of daily physical activity and thus prevent metabolic diseases. The aim of the present study was to evaluate body composition components in disabled hand cyclists using plethysmography. The study group consisted of nine disabled hand cyclists, competing in various disability categories and representing Poland internationally in road cycling. The research was carried out as part of the Academic Integrative Sport project carried out at the Institute of Physical Culture Sciences, College of Medical Sciences, University of Rzeszów and financed as part of the competition 'Social responsibility of science. Popularisation of science and promotion of sport’. Analysis of the collected data showed that all measured parameters are characterised by statistical significance, and individual subgroups (H2-3 and H4-5) differ from each other in terms of mean values of diagnosed parameters.

Background: Blood tests are a common health assessment for diagnosing diseases and bodily disorders. Aims: The aim of the work was to analyze the suitability of sampling and assessing athletes’ blood-borne biomarkers in a search for ways to optimize their football training. Methods: In the prospective study, the results of 14 football players from a youth football team competing at the highest national level ‘blood tests were evaluated before (P1), immediately after (P2) and 24 hours after (P3) playing a football match. The all players were divided into two groups based on the length of time they were on the field during the game: FMP - (8 players) participation in the match for 90 minutes, and PMP - (6 players) participation in the match for 30-75 minutes. Results: In the FMP group, at P2, the following statistically significant (p<0.001) differences were observed: an increase in the leukocyte count; decreases in erythrocytes (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), and hematocrit (HCT), and increases in creatine kinase (CK), cortisol and lactates. At P3 when comparing the FMP and PMP group results, we observed an increase in CK (p=0.03) and decrease in cortisol (p=0.02) in the former group. The concentration of cortisol<356.04nm/L at P3 was the most sensitive and specific (PPV=0.83; NPV=0.88) difference characterizing the group of FMP players compared with the players of the PMP group. In the FMP group compared with PMP at P3 we showed a significantly increased levels of CK (p=0.002). Conclusions: The blood cortisol levels below 356.04nm/L and CK concentrations below 500UI/L taken 24 hours after the football game in the players from a youth football team competing at the highest national level are characteristic of players with a greater potential for physical exercise.