József Bognár

A preliminary study to investigate the influence of different teaching styles on pupils’ goal orientations in physical education

Via a Greek sample of 75 sixth grade pupils, the influences of teaching styles on pupils’ goal orientations were investigated. LAPOPECQ was distributed twice, before and after the application of the teaching programme consisting of four teaching style groups. Employing a paired samples t test, the results indicated significant pre-to-post changes. Thereafter, a two-way independent analysis of variance and post-hoc Bonferroni tech niques resulted in significant differences in the pre-to-post changes of pupils’ goal orientations. The effect of gender differed only for the knowledge assimilation (KAG) and mainly for the production (KPG) groups, examined with the use of independent t tests. Pearson product-moment correlations were applied to determine the degree of relationships in the changes of LAPOPECQ components for each teaching group and for the whole sample. The results indicated that the teaching group denoting reproduction of knowledge (KRG) affected negatively pupils’ perceived motivational orientations towards learning/task, while the teaching groups implying assimilation (KAG), discovery (KDG) and production (KPG) of knowledge revealed a positive effect.

The Coach-Athlete Relationship in Successful Hungarian Individual Sports

The purpose of this qualitative study of coach-athlete relationships was to utilise perspectives and experiences of four well-known male coaches and one male Olympic medalist from each of the following successful individual sports in Hungary: kayaking, swimming and wrestling. Using relationship constructs of Closeness, Co-orientation and Complementarity, it seems that in coach-athlete relationships are based more on the characteristics and needs of the individual athlete than the characteristics of the given sport discipline.

Effects of Pilates and aqua fitness training on older adults’ physical functioning and quality of life

Abstract Study aim: To measure the effects of Pilates and aqua fitness training on functional fitness and quality of life in older individuals. Material and methods: A total of 54 participants (M = 66.4 ± 6.2 years) from a club for retired people in Eger, Hungary, were randomly assigned to 3 groups: one did Pilates 3 times/week (n = 22); one did aqua fitness 3 times/week (n = 17); and a control group (n = 15). The Fullerton Functional Fitness Test (FFFT) was used to measure functional fitness pre - and post-program. Quality of life was measured by WHO’s quality of life questionnaire (WHOQOL). Results: In the FFFT, significant improvement was found in 5 out of 7 variables: lower and upper body strength, lower body flexibility, physical mobility (especially dynamic balance), and aerobic endurance by the Pilates group. Shoulder flexibility improved significantly in the Aqua fitness group. Lower body strength improved in the control group. BMI did not change significantly in any of the groups. WHOQOL showed improvement in perception and autonomy in the Pilates group; sociability in the Aqua group. The between-subject analyses yielded a significant main effect of the experimental group F(1, 52) = 4367 (p < 0.001). Discussion: A 6-month intervention program is an appropriate tool to improve overall physical performance of healthy, inactive older adults, regardless of the type of exercise concerning Pilates or Aqua fitness, but might improve only some aspects of QOL. There is a strong need for well-designed intervention programs for the elderly.

Anxiety and Coping of Hungarian National Ice Hockey Players

The purpose of this study was to identify those major psychological factors that affect ice hockey performance. The exploration of the differences in CSAI-2, ACSI-28 and STPI-Y psychometric measures targeted the adult national team members and the U-18 age-group of ice hockey players in Hungary. U-18 (n = 27) and adult national ice hockey players (n = 25) filled out the tests during a training camp before international preliminary round matches. It was found that State Anxiety, Cognitive Anxiety and Somatic A-State were significantly lower in the adult national team players than in the U-18 group of players. Also, the adult team demonstrated a significantly higher score in relation to Peaking under Pressure and also in Freedom from Worry than the 18 year-old group. Discriminant analysis showed that Cognitive A-State, Trait Curiosity, Coachability, State Anger, Freedom from Worry, and State Depression differentiate the adult team from the U-18 players. We can conclude that the members of the adult team are generally in a more beneficial state from the standpoint of anxiety pressure, and worry than the U-18 group. It seems that the experienced players can better manage unexpected events (stress situations) than the younger players.

The new system of the talent development program in Hungarian soccer

Summary Study aim: due to a series of failures and the drastic reduction in the quality of Hungarian soccer, greater emphasis should be put on coaches’ professional development and talent development programs. The aim of this study was to present the newly established Hungarian Soccer Development Program that focuses on the development of youth talent. Methods: document analysis and in-depth interviews were utilized during the research process. All Program leaders were interviewed in the Hungarian Soccer Development Program (N = 5). The interviews were preceded by thorough document analysis of the Program and the new strategies and plans of the Hungarian Football Federation. The authors systematically examined the Program and were able to prepare systematically for in-depth interviews whose focus was the specific areas that weren’t present in the document. Results: the main aim of this Program is to give a mass base for the selection of soccer talent and to promote the development of Hungarian soccer in the long run. The measurement and evaluation systems chosen for the identification is a complex process: children go through several selection phases until they achieve the best in their age cohort. For the successful realization of this Program, there is a need for a change in attitude and also for the development of a mass base in Hungarian soccer. The number of players under the age of 18 years should reach a solid 200,000 players. Those who established the Program also introduced a control and assessment system to improve efficiency, which helps to keep the different programs and sessions of the Program at a high level. Coaches’ education and professional development is also in a focus: the Program’s content and methodology is specific for the age cohort and constantly changing for better practices. Discussion and conclusions: the Program reinforced opinions that emphasized that selection is a long-term and systematic process in which regular tests and measurements are needed. Gifted young soccer players should not be selected simply for their physical outlook but rather on those conditions that are difficult to measure: the way they play the game, their skills, and their motivation for success. Talent selection and management should depend on their individual and team abilities and skills, technical skills, and assertiveness. Only those coaches with high-level understanding, competencies, and motivation can make changes in the sport.

Physical performance, body composition, and quality of life in elderly women from clubs for the retired and living in twilight homes

Physical performance, body composition, and quality of life in elderly women from clubs for the retired and living in twilight homes Study aim: To explore how elderly people with different living conditions are characterized by their fitness, body composition, and quality of life. Material and methods: Women aged 60 years and over (n = 60; age = 76.2 ± 7.6 years) were examined in cross-sectional study from a medium-sized city in western Hungary. Participants were chosen from a twilight home (n=27, age = 79.4 ± 7.7years) and clubs for retired people (n = 33, age = 73.7 ± 6.6 years). Physical fitness status was assessed by Fullerton Functional Fitness Test - Senior Fitness Test (FFFT); body composition (BC) with Inbody-720 bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy; and quality of life with WHOQOL-OLD questionnaire. Data were analysed with the use of t-test for independent samples and stepwise discriminant analysis. Results: FFFT shows significant differences in each variable: lower and upper body strength, aerobic endurance, upper and lower body flexibility, and dynamic balance. These variables were significantly higher in the clubs for retired people. The BC of twilight home residents was significantly lower in height and fat-free mass. Regarding quality of life, there were significant differences in perception, autonomy, and sociability for the favour of elderly in clubs; however, there were no differences in activities of past, present and future, or differences in attitudes towards death or intimacy. Conclusions: A sedentary and institutionalized lifestyle with little variety in daily activity and programing has a negative effect on physical fitness status, body composition, and quality of life. Self-motivation, active lifestyle, and regular and varied programs seem to have leading roles in the quality of life in elder population.

Health awareness, motor performance and physical activity of female university students

Health awareness, motor performance and physical activity of female university students Study aim: To assess body composition, health awareness and cardiorespiratory fitness in female university students differing in volume of obligatory physical activity classes. Material and methods: 109 female students of the University of West Hungary volunteered to participate in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups according to frequency and volume of obligatory physical activity: students of recreation and health education programmes (RHE; n = 27) and of social pedagogy, tourism and catering, and teacher training programmes (STT; n = 82). Basic somatic characteristics were measured, body composition was assessed by bioelectrical impedance, cardiorespiratory fitness was evaluated using the Rockport Fitness Walking Test and health behaviour was assessed by questionnaire method. Students t-test for independent samples, the U Mann Whitney test or chi-square test were used in data analysis. Results: RHE students had higher values of percentage muscle mass (p<0.05) and of cardiorespiratory performance (p<0.001), they also declared significantly more frequently (p<0.001) practicing leisure physical activity as compared with the STT group. However, in both groups the symptoms of unhealthy behaviour were observed. Conclusions: Although beneficial effects of augmented physical activity on body composition, cardiorespiratory performance and attitudes towards taking up leisure-time activity was noted, attention should be paid to symptoms of unhealthy behaviour observed in female students. This support the need for including obligatory physical education classes in university curriculum and the importance of education and promotion of healthy behaviour among the students.

Motivation and motivational climate among elite hammer throwers

Summary Study aim: The purpose of the study was to explore the characteristics of the motivational factors and the motivational climate of elite hammer throwers in the most prestigious and most successful club in Hungary. Material and methods: The Sport Motivational Scale (SMS) and the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire (PMCSQ) were used to assess the motivation and motivational climate among hammer throw athletes (N=23). Data were analysed with descriptive statistical methods. The independent sample t-test was applied for the determination of differences as related to success level, age, and gender. Also, correlation was used to find out what relationships exist among the variables. Results: Amotivation tends to be at low levels (M=2.48±1.40), while extrinsic motivation (M=4.68±0.79) and intrinsic motivation (M=4.40±0.95) can be considered to be at medium levels in the sample. There were no differences in motivation between elite and non-elite athletes and between athletes under and over 18 years of age. However, male throwers had a significantly higher level of intrinsic motivation (t=2.941, p=.008) and a significantly lower level of amotivation (t=-2.428, p=0.025) than female athletes. The sample had higher values of Task orientation (3.97±0.40) than Ego orientation (2.63±0.47). There were no differences detected in success level, gender, and age in the athletes’ motivational climate. The correlation in all cases seems to be generally low. Conclusions: The coach of this successful club focuses on creating a positive climate in which the athletes’ skill levels, goal orientation, age, and gender are matched with challenges and expectations. The relatively few differences in motivation and motivational climate prove that the coach provides continuous support on both the individual and group level. The coach does it not only with the athletes’ skills and conditioning, but also with their motivation and motivational climate.

Quality of life, assertiveness, and personality dimensions in elderly men

Quality of life, assertiveness, and personality dimensions in elderly men Study aim: To assess quality of life, assertiveness associated with aging personalities, and personality dimensions as related to age, highest level of qualification, and place of residence of elderly males. Material and methods: Elderly (n = 1269) men were chosen from the clubs for the elderly from settlements in one of the poorest counties in Hungary. The sample was divided into groups according to their age (60-69 years old; 70 years old and above), education (primary, secondary/higher), and place of residence (village-town). Quality of life was assessed by Quality of Life – OLD (WHOQOL-OLD), assertiveness was measured by the Rathus assertiveness schedule, and personality characteristics were measured by the Big Five Questionnaire. Results: Predominantly, relatively low levels of the quality of life, assertiveness, and personality of elderly males were noticed. In none of the scales, no significant gender- or education-related differences were found; however, men living in a town had higher (p<0.05) levels of Sociability (3.49 vs. 3.42), Emotions (3.01 vs. 2.94), Openness (3.18 vs. 3.08), and Conscientiousness (3.37 vs. 3.30) and lower levels of Self-efficacy (0.31 vs. 0.69) than those living in villages. Conclusions: Age and level of education do not seem to have a meaningful effect on elderly men’s quality of life, assertiveness, and personality characteristics; however, elderly living in villages have fewer opportunities for successful ageing.

Lifestyle and Living Standards of Elderly Men in Eastern Hungary

Lifestyle and Living Standards of Elderly Men in Eastern Hungary This present study intends to deal with the lifestyles and living standards of elderly men. The health-related lifestyle was examined including a closer look at how elderly people value their own living standards, and how it is connected to the present state of their condition and activities. Our main goal was to highlight all lifestyle elements, because such an age, lifestyle has a decisive role in improving living standards. It seems reasonable to take several aspects - physical activity, change of lifestyle, and age differences - into consideration when health-cultural behaviour is examined because all of them can influence elderly peoples lifestyles and quality of life. Data were collected in eastern Hungary, in Hajdú-Bihar County, among elderly males above 60 years old (N=1,269; M=70.23; min: 60; max: 99; SD±7.095) through questionnaires. Our survey contained questions in three main topics: demographic profile (age, sex, education, financial status, living conditions, and occupation), health status (subjective health status, health awareness, mental health status), and health behaviour (physical exercise, smoking, and alcohol consumption). Different sub-patterns were examined during the analysis: different qualifications, age, and settlement types.