Amputee soccer is one of the types of soccer designed for the disabled, especially those who have undergone amputations, as well as those with extremity dysfunction. The objective of the study was to find the relationship between hand grip strength and sprint time in amputee soccer players. Thirteen field amputee soccer players participated in the study. A SAEHAN hydraulic hand dynamometer manufactured by Jamar was used for hand grip strength measurements. The sprint running test was conducted over a distance of 30 m. The Fusion Smart Speed System was employed for running time measurements. No statistically significant relationships were found between hand grip strength of the left or right hand, and sprint times over 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 m. Analysis of the running velocity curve of the subjects showed an interesting profile characterized by a 15 meter-long acceleration phase and a significant velocity increase over a distance of 20 – 25 m. The study suggests that there is no relationship between hand grip strength and sprint effectiveness in amputee soccer players. The specificity of locomotion with the use of elbow crutches among elite Polish amputee soccer players probably accounts for the profile of the sprint velocity curve. Extension of the acceleration phase in the sprint run and a velocity increase in the subsequent part of the run were observed.

Background: The aim of the study was to identify whether participation in a short series of modern dance (hip-hop) workshops could improve the level of temporospatial orientation in persons with moderate intellectual disabilities. Material and methods: The group consisted of 10 persons aged 14-23 (M=19.5, SD= 2.87). A quasi-experiment was prepared in a one-group plan which consisted of a series of nine modern dance workshops lasting 60 minutes each and held twice a week. The following test layout / testing regime was used: pretest–posttest to check the temporospatial orientation level of dance workshop participants before and after the workshop. A “ball run” spatial orientation test was used in the study. The test was adapted to the cognitive abilities of the subjects. Results: Student’s t-test for dependent samples showed that the mean level of temporospatial orientation in persons with moderate intellectual disabilities before their participation in nine hip-hop dance workshops (M=32.32; SD=3.98) is significantly higher than the mean level of temporospatial orientation (M=29.74; SD=5.45) after completion of workshops, t(9)=2.61; p<0.05 Conclusion: Modern dance (hip-hop) classes improve temporospatial orientation in persons with moderate intellectual disabilities.

PurposeThe aim of this study was to define the relationship between gender identity, the perception of the body, depressiveness, and aggression in female football players who represent different levels of competence (playing in the premier league vs. second league) and seniority in sport.MethodsResearch was carried out on female football players (aged 16-31 years) playing in the premier league (N = 49) and second league (N = 45). Data were obtained with the use of: the Body Image Evaluation Questionnaire by Mandal, developed on the basis of Franzoi's concepts; Kuczyńska's Gender Assessment Inventory (IPP) adapted from the Bem Sex Role Inventory (BSRI), which diversifies individuals in terms of their gender identity in accordance to the Gender Schema Theory by Bem; the Beck Depression Inventory, translated by Lewicka and Czapiński; and the Buss-Durkee Inventory, adapted by Kosewski with comments from Stanik. To find a relationship between the mentioned variables, statistical analysis was carried out by use of ANOVA, the t test, the χ2 test and correlation coefficients.ResultsThe obtained research results indicate that, among female football players, the following occurs: a predominance of androgynous gender identities and a deficiency of its other types, a higher level of masculinity than among non-training women, a more favorable perception of body-as-process, a higher evaluation of body-as-object, along with an increase of masculinity and a decrease in indirect aggression at higher competition levels.ConclusionsThe application of the masculinity dimension by female football players with androgynous gender identity is probably an effective strategy for survival in conditions that are unsuitable and gender-inappropriate in typical masculine sports.

The objective of this paper was to determine the relationship between hand grip strength and movement time (locomotor efficiency in a seated position using the upper and lower extremities) in sitting volleyball players. In addition, a comparison was made between the velocity curves for forward and backward locomotion. Nine male members of the sitting volleyball team participated in the study. Hydraulic and spring manual dynamometers were used to measure hand grip strength. Movement times were registered for distances of 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 10-m with the use of the Smart Speed System photocells. Significant relationships between hand grip strength of the left (rs=-0.78) and right (rs=-0.73) hands and the forward movement time over a distance of 1-m were found. Hand grip strength had no significant relationship with either forward movement times at other distances or backward movement times. Results suggest that hand strength is linked to locomotor efficiency of sitting volleyball players. High hand grip strength makes the start easier by pushing away from the ground with the upper limbs.

Background:The aim of this study was to identify and evaluate significant differences in the resiliency level in investigated mainstream school teachers and special school teachers with particular regard to physical education teachers.Material/Methods: The study was conducted among 198 teachers from Lower Silesia and Silesia provinces, including 26 physical education teachers from special schools, 62 teachers of other subjects from special schools, 44 physical education teachers from mainstream schools and 65 teachers of other subjects from mainstream schools. A diagnostic survey was the research method, a survey was the technique, and the Resiliency Questionnaire in a Polish adaptation of Ego Resiliency Scale was the tool (Kaczmarek, 2011).Results: The highest level of resiliency was demonstrated by physical education teachers from special schools.They differ significantly statistically in terms of a higher level of resiliency from teachers of other subjects from special schools and physical education teachers from mainstream schools. Conclusions:It is supposed that a higher level of resiliency may be an extremely helpful trait of personality, especially in teachers working with persons with intellectual disabilities, owing to which the negative impact of the difficult working conditions can be reduced.