Leisure, Recreation, Entertainment, Athletics: Issues Meaning And Their Relationships

Charilaos Kouthouris

Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas

Abstract

The present study examined the meaning and the limits between the words "leisure”, “recreation”, “entertainment” and “athletics”, especially in the Greek environment. The study also, supported a model which expressed the relationships between the above issues. The legalism of free time in present days, for each global citizen, testifies as a human conquest and represents the establishment of a huge commercial marketin our planet. Greece as a destination, in the centre of world history, and their citizens has tested all the potential forms that received “leisure” issue across the centuries.The contents and the meaning of the term “leisure”changed always accordingly the values and the occasions,which each political system imposed.Generalizing the present study supported that “leisure”meanings in each different society, comes by the correspondence dominant philosophy,policy,technology and economy level.

Key words: free time, leisure, recreation, entertainment, sports & athletics

Preliminary Investigation of a Questionnaire, Based On the Model of Stages and Processes of Change towards Exercise - Physical Activity

Athanasios Papaioannou,1 Evangelos Bebetsos,2 Soultana Kafetzi,2 Alexandros Sagovitch2

Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas

Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Hellas

Abstract

The study was based on the model of stages, where people according to the strategies/procedures that they adopt towards exercise, are classified on the preconteplation, contemplation, preparation, action and maintenance stages of exercise. The aim of this study was the preliminary investigation of the validity of the exercise stages of change questionnaire. The sample consisted of 482 physical education students. Although the results of the exploratory factor analysis supported the factorial validity of the questionnaire, further im- provement is needed. As it was shown, the procedures assorted the sample to the stages of change according to the theory, but only half of these procedures contributed to this classification. Students, who exercised regularly, had higher scores than the students who exercised less or not at all, in all changes’ procedures. The results are supportive not only on the validity of this instrument, but also on the implication of the model on the enhancement of exercise and physical activity in Greece.

Key words: stages of change questionnaire, physical activity.

Physical Activity Patterns of Greek Adults Aged 60 – 90 years: Age and Gender Effects.

Maria Michalopoulou,1 Nikos Aggeloussis,1 Vassiliki Zisi,2 Maria Ventouri,Thomas Kourtessis,1 & Paraskevi Malliou1

1Department of Physical Education & Sport Science, Democritus University of Thrace, Komotini, Hellas

2Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, University of Thessaly, Trikala, Hellas

Abstract

Τhe aim of the present study was to evaluate physical activity levels of community-dwelling adults aged over 60 in Greece and find age and gender effects. Physical activity was assessed using the Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly Questionnaire (Washburn et al., 1993) in 486 persons (281 men and 205 women) aged 60 –90 yrs (Μ=74.6, SD= 6.82). They were assigned into three age groups: A=61-70, B=71-80, and C= 81-90 years.According to two way analysis of variance, females had significantly higher physical activity total scores when compared to males (p<.01). Men reported a greater participation in activities of moderate intensity (p<.01) and women were significantly more active in physical activities related to household and carrying for others (p<.001).Age effects in physical activity resulted in favor of older adults aged 61-70 years when compared to older adults aged 81-90 years (p<.001). Respective differences were reported for physical activities of moderate intensity (p<.05), for recreational physical activities (p<.01) and for walking (p>.01), although additional differences were reported for walking between older adults aged 71-80 years and 81-90 years. In conclusion, advancing

age results to limitation of all forms of physical activities. Sex plays an important role in the type and intensity of physical activities that the elderly are involved.

Key words: elderly, older adults, PASE, type and intensity of physical activity, elderly, age and gender effects

Biomechanical Analysis of Shooting in Basketball: Relating Research with Training Practice

Vasiliki Kouvelioti,1 Nikolaos Stavropoulos,2 & Eleftherios Kellis2

1Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences at Serres, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hellas

2Department of Physical Education and Sports Sciences, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Hellas

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate shot's and jump shot's basic characteristics, in basketball, as

they appear in qualitative and quantitative (biomechanical) studies. The angle, height and velocity of ball release, the angle of ball insertion into the hoop, the balance and the center of mass of the body, are the main biomechanical characteristics of shooting. The optimal angle of ball release varies from 35ο up to 48° and depends on the height, distance and velocity of ball release. The angle of insertion is a combination of various factors, mainly ball spin, ball trajectory, velocity, and the range of the hoop. A shot is successful when the ball falls into the basket at a range of angle relative to basket. As shot distance increases, the height of ball release decreases and the angle of ball release remains the same. Guards and forwards seem to have a greater extension and flexion range for the basic joints, than the centres. There are also differences in the shooting technique, between males and females. Further investigation on motor control and muscle activity patterns during basketball shooting is required. The alteration of shooting technique in game and fatigued conditions is not investigated.

Key words: basketball game, kinematics, kinetics, technique