Τόμος 2 - 2004
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Physical activity and information processing speed in older women: The role of exercise Vassiliki Zisi, Sofia Ventouri &Evridiki Tsougou Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Hellas
Abstract The present study investigated the effect of physical activity in information processing. Participants were 48 women aged 60-75 years divided in three arithmetically equal groups. Women in the first group (Μ=69.03, SD=4.34 yrs) participated in an exercise program for at least the last nine months and their physical activity, measured using the “Baecke for older adults” questionnaire, was 16.20 ΜΕΤ (SD=2.94). A random sample was used for the selection of women with corresponding age and physical activity (M=15.46, SD=4.56 MET) in order to form the second group. The women from this sample with the lower physical activity scores (M=8.04,SD=2.21 MET) and corresponding age formed the third group. Information processing speed was assessed using three tasks requiring increasingly complex cognitive processing: simple reaction to visual stimuli, choice re- sponse time (using laboratory instruments) and digit symbol substitution test (WAIS-R). According to the re- sults, differences between the first and second group were limited in all three tasks. Low active group scored significantly lower than high active women on simple reaction time task and in the two other tasks they scored significantly lower than the exercisers. It was concluded that participation in exercise programs has more favor- able effects than the high everyday physical activity on those tasks requiring complex cognitive processing.
Key words: active life style, reaction time, digit symbol substitution |
REASONS DANCERS GIVE UP THE DANCING GROUPS
Athanasios Stavridis1 & Filippos Filippou2 112th Primary School of Veria 2Department of Physical Education and Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Hellas
Abstract This research is intended to look into the reasons that caused dancers to abandon the dancing clubs to which they belonged. 200 individuals participated in the survey all of whom had at least five year’s in experience in the clubs’ shows before they left. For the needs of this research a questionnaire has been administered. The survey suggests that luck of free time, family running as well as school commitments, especially among young dancers, are the main setbacks to force them to resign.
Keys words: traditional dance, cultural associations, barriers to attendance |
Fitness Levels Alterations of Primary School Greek Children in Relation to Curricular and Extracurricular Physical Activity
Antonis Christodoulos,1, 2 Helen Douda,2 Constantin Bouziotas3 & Savas Tokakidis2 1 2nd primary School of Agios Stefanos, Attiki, Hellas 2 Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Thrace, Komotini, Hellas 3 Local Educational Authority of Central Macedonia, Prefecture of Imathia and Western Thessaloniki, Veria, Hellas
Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine whether parameters related to physical fitness and health are affected from curricular and extracurricular physical activity levels. A random sample of 155 Greek Primary School pupils (age 8.1±1.3 yr, height 132.8±9.3 cm, weight 30.9±8.2 kg) was subjected to anthropometric, motor (flexibility, standing broad jump, sit ups, agility-speed), and cardiovascular health-related (aerobic fitness, physical activity) fitness assessments, at the beginning of a school year and one year later. Physical activity levels were estimated with questionnaires. Subjects were subdivided into “athletes” (n=76) and “non-athletes” (n=79). “Athletes” were participating in organized extracurricular sport-activities, while “non-athletes” were involved only in school physical education (P.E.) classes. It was found that “athletes” had a better physical fitness and health profile and dedicated more time in high intensity activities (with a metabolic equivalent of >6 METs) than the “non-athletes”. Furthermore, in both measurements a considera- bly higher percentage of children in the “non-athletes” group were classified as obese compared to the “ath- letes” group (22.7% vs. 10.5%, p<.03 and 27.8% vs. 7.9%, p<.001, respectively). It was concluded that (i) higher physical activity levels have a positive effect on selected health- and skill-related fitness parameters, and (ii) P.E. classes in Greek Primary Schools are not sufficient to bring about appropriate physiological adaptations and promote health.
Keywords: health- and skill-related fitness, Physical Education, physical activity levels, Eurofit Test Battery, obesity. |
Exercise as a Mean of Treating Idiopathic Scoliosis in Children and Adolescents: Practical Applications
Athena Akritdou, Evridiki Tsougou, Sofia Ventouri & Vassiliki Zisi Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Hellas
Abstract Idiopathic scoliosis is a three-dimensional deformity of the spine of unknown etiology, which is present in a remarkable percentage of school-age children. This percentage in Greece is up to 1.7%. Early rehabilita- tion of this deformity is very important, since its progressive trend will result to children being suffering from its unpleasant associative symptoms in adulthood. Physical exercises targeting to postural correction with the use of strengthening, flexibility, balance and coordination exercises are considered important in im- proving or inhibiting the progress of scoliosis. Physical exercises have also a significant contribution in im- proving the respiratory function and the limited working capacity in scoliosis patients. This study presents an exercise program for children and adolescents with light or mild idiopathic scoliosis, which is also appli- cable on the Physical Education curriculum at school. The rules, the targets and the rational for the design and application of similar programs are also described.
Key words: rehabilitation, spine, posture |
- Enhancing Forth Graders’ Knowledge on the Ancient Olympic Games through Integrated Movement and Theoretical Approaches
- The Influence of Soccer Skill Level in the Learning of a Novel Balance task
- Underlying structure and internal consistency of the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-Long Form, in Greek preschool and primary school children.
- Osteoporosis and Physical training
