Acta Gymnica, 2026 (vol. 56)
Difference in metabolic responses and hemorheological properties during submaximal aerobic exercise and recovery in nonobese and obese men
Jisoo Seo, Wonil Park, Eunjoo Lee, Jae-Ho Choi, Yerin Sun, Seungyeon Woo, Sung-Woo Kim, Hun-Young Park
Acta Gymnica e2026.015 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.015 
Background: Obesity is associated with metabolic dysregulation and impaired hemorheological function, which may affect oxygen delivery during exercise. However, how hemorheological properties change during submaximal exercise under controlled cardiovascular load remains unclear. Objective: This study compared hemorheological and metabolic responses during and after submaximal endurance exercise performed at a clamped heart rate (HR) in nonobese and obese Korean men. Methods: Twenty-four men participated: 12 in the obese group (OG; body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2 and body fat percentage ≥ 25%) and 12 nonobese (NG) according to Korean...
The historical development of fencing in the Czech lands up to 1948: Institutionalisation, clubs, personalities, and the international context
Tomáš Tlustý
Acta Gymnica e2026.014 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.014
Background: Fencing represents a traditional component of European physical culture, yet its development in the Czech lands has not been comprehensively examined within broader social and institutional contexts. Previous research has tended to focus on individual personalities or specific periods, while the long-term continuity between military tradition, associational life, and modern sport has remained outside systematic analysis. Objective: The aim of this study is to analyse the development of fencing in the Czech lands from the Middle Ages to the second half of the twentieth century, with emphasis on processes of institutionalisation, professionalisation...
A pilot cross-sectional study of physical activity and digital engagement among older adults in conflict-affected Eastern Ukraine
Natalia Chukhlantseva, Inna Cherednychenko, Vasyl Mazin
Acta Gymnica e2026.013 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.013
Background: Adequate physical activity (PA) is crucial for healthy ageing, but evidence on digital tools for PA among older adults in conflict-affected settings remains limited. Objective: To quantify PA levels and the use of digital tools for tracking PA (DTPA) among older adults in conflict-affected eastern Ukraine, and to identify sociodemographic and health-related predictors of both outcomes. Methods: This pilot cross-sectional study included 223 community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older. PA was assessed by self-report using the Rapid Assessment of Physical Activity questionnaire. Use of DTPA was a binary outcome. Analyses used age- and...
Perfectionism and psychological (in)flexibility as predictors of coping strategies in fencers
Félix Arbinaga, Jara Durán-Andrada, Eduardo José Fernández-Ozcorta
Acta Gymnica e2026.011 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.011
Background: Coping strategies refer to the repertoire of behaviors used to manage challenging and stressful relational situations. Objective: The aim was to examine the association between perfectionism, psychological inflexibility, and coping strategies in fencers, taking gender differences into account. Methods: Psychological inflexibility was assessed using the Acceptance and Action Questionnaire-II; perfectionism with the Multidimensional Inventory of Perfectionism in Sport; and coping strategies with the short version of the Coping Inventory for Competitive Sport. Seventy-eight fencers took part, with a mean age of 29.19 (SD 10.68) years,...
Fan behavior in childhood: Age and gender differences at 10 and 14 years
Ivan Šerbetar
Acta Gymnica e2026.009 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.009
Background: Engagement in youth sports can enhance feelings of belonging and identity, although in certain environments, it may also promote hostile behaviors. The late childhood and early adolescence stages are crucial periods when social identity dynamics and peer influences determine how fandom is demonstrated. Objective: To examine age- and gender-related differences in fan behaviors among Croatian primary school children. Methods: In a cross-sectional school survey, 222 students (101 boys, 121 girls) from fourth grade (age ~10 years) and eighth grade (~14 years) completed the Croatian version of the Fan Behavior Questionnaire (three 8-item scales;...
The effect of SPARK exercises combined with pivotal response treatment on balance and executive function in children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorder: A follow-up study
Habibeh Arefinia, Seyedeh Saeideh Babazadech-Zavieh, Daryoush Khajavi, Mahboubeh Ghayournajafabadi
Acta Gymnica e2026.008 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.008
Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and interaction, repetitive behaviors, and strong genetic associations. Objective: This study examines the impact of SPARK exercises combined with pivotal response treatment (PRT) on enhancing executive function and balance in children with high-functioning ASD, who are faced with challenges in communication, cognition, and motor skills. Methods: A total of 24 boys aged 7-10 years with high-functioning ASD were randomly divided into two groups of 12. The experimental group participated in 18 sessions of SPARK exercises using...
Structural validation of the Short Almost Perfect Scale (SAPS) among adult amateur dancers in Greece: Exploring sex and age differences
Aikaterini Koupani, Kyriakoula Emmanouilidou, Athina Pitsi, Grigorios Masadis, Konstantinos Filippou, Anastasia Cheli, Zoe Mavridou, Filippos Filippou
Acta Gymnica e2026.007 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.007
Background: Perfectionism and its effects on individual behavior have been extensively studied in the field of sports. However, research on this topic in the context of dance, particularly regarding the validation of measurement tools, is limited. Objective: The aim of the present study was to examine the structural validity of the Short Almost Perfect Scale (SAPS) in a sample of adult amateur dancers participating in organized dance activities. A further objective was to investigate the effects of dancers' sex and age on levels of perfectionism. Methods: A total of 415 male and female dancers completed the SAPS. Of these, 198 participated in Exploratory...
Positional differences in interlimb asymmetry in elite youth male futsal players
Oscar Villanueva-Guerrero, Bruno Travassos, Rafael Albalad-Aiguabella, Elena Mainer-Pardos
Acta Gymnica e2026.006 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.006
Background: Interlimb asymmetry has been associated with increased injury risk and impaired performance in athletes. Objective: This study aimed to analyse positional differences in interlimb asymmetry and unilateral functional performance among elite male youth futsal players. Methods: Eighty-three youth futsal players (age 17.2 ± 0.8 years) were assessed according to playing position (right/left winger, pivot, defender). Participants performed unilateral countermovement jump (CMJ), horizontal jump (HJ), and the 505 change of direction (COD 505) tests. Interlimb asymmetry was calculated for each test. One-way analysis of variance was used to...
Effects of a three-month specific strength-training program on performance in young rhythmic gymnasts
Elena Sierra-Palmeiro, María Fernández-Villarino, Carmen Sobrado-Pardo, Rebecca Freire-Maceiras
Acta Gymnica e2026.005 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.005
Background: The reviewed literature underscores the increasing importance of developing the physical abilities that underpin competitive performance in rhythmic gymnastics, with muscular strength identified as a key determinant of success and talent identification. Objective: The aim was to analyze the effects of a 12-week specific strength-training program on performance in young rhythmic gymnasts. Methods: Thirty-five gymnasts (14.23 ± 1.80 years) were randomly assigned to an experimental group (EG) or a control group (CG). Both groups continued their regular training, while the EG additionally performed a specific strength-training program....
Essential time series characteristics for human motion analysis based on Self-Organizing Map clustering
Andrii Patrikei, Roman Cuberek, Radek Halfar, Tomáš Martinovič
Acta Gymnica e2026.004 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.004
Background: Accurate classification of physical exercise is essential for individualised training and rehabilitation. Self-Organizing Maps (SOM) offer a data-driven way to cluster movement patterns. Objective: To extract the most informative acceleration- and angular-velocity features from children's movements and use SOM to build a map and visualize the similarity structure among exercises based on trunk dynamics. Methods: Eighty-one children (9-11 years) performed eight dynamic tasks while 3-D accelerometers and gyroscopes recorded kinematics. The performed tasks are Shuttle Run, Crawling, Progressive Cone Shuttle Run, Ring Collection and Placement...
Different work rate distributions elicit similar time spent near V̇O2max during short-duration interval sessions
Tiago Turnes, Daiane Wommer, Thiago P. Ventura, Jean C. Pauleti, Lucas D. V. Lanzarini, Bruno Spiess, Fernando K. Borszcz, Luiz G. A. Guglielmo
Acta Gymnica e2026.003 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.003
Background: Time spent near V̇O2max has been suggested as an optimal stimulus for the promotion of greater V̇O2max improvements. Thus, this study aimed to compare time spent above 90% (t90V̇O2max) and 95% of V̇O2max (t95V̇O2max) during three cycling interval training protocols with decreasing, increasing, or constant work rate distributions within each exercise interval.Methods: After an incremental test to determine V̇O2max and peak power output (Ppeak), ten physically active male individuals (age 28 ± 5 years, V̇O2max 48.4...
Unveiling meaning in movement: A phenomenological study on students' physical activity preferences
Rolan L. Mancha
Acta Gymnica e2026.002 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.002
Background: Physical inactivity has become a pressing global concern, posing significant risks to public health. University students, in particular, experience a marked decline in physical activity (PA) levels as they transition to independent living, often due to motivational, social, and environmental barriers. In the Philippines, the Commission on Higher Education has introduced the Physical Activity Towards Health and Fitness (PATHFit) program to address this concern by offering diverse activity options based on student preferences. Objective: This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of PATHFit students, focusing on how they derive meaning...
The effect of calf muscle fatigue on cutting maneuver kinematics in female athletes with and without dynamic knee valgus
Mahla Dashkhaneh, Rahman Sheikhhoseini, Hashem Piri, Mohammadreza Seyedi, Elahe Shadi, Ebrahim Ebrahimi
Acta Gymnica e2026.001 | DOI: 10.5507/ag.2026.001
Background: Calf muscle fatigue has been shown to affect movement patterns and may contribute to increased injury risk, particularly in the knee joint. Objective: This study aims to investigate the effect of calf muscle fatigue on lower limb kinematics during cutting maneuvers in female athletes with and without dynamic knee valgus (DKV). Methods: This case-control study included female athletes with (n = 12) and without dynamic knee valgus (n = 12). The cutting maneuver kinematics were measured with 10 cameras motion analysis before and after calf muscle fatigue, which was induced using an isokinetic dynamometer through repeated maximal...