SummaryStudy aim: To identify the physical, physiological and psychological profiles of elite Turkish taekwondo athletes.Material and methods: Twelve players of the Turkish national taekwondo team (age = 22.7 ± 2.8 years, BMI = 22.2 ± 1.4 kg/m2, body fat = 12.8 ± 3.4%) participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements including leg length and foot size were assessed. Maximal oxygen uptake, explosive power of leg extensors, isokinetic peak torque, muscular endurance, anaerobic power, agility, flexibility, maximal speed, reaction time, and postural balance were examined by incremental treadmill running, vertical jump, isokinetic strength, sit-ups and push-ups, Wingate, shuttle run, sit-and-reach, 30-meter sprint, multiple-choice reaction time, and General Postural Stability and Athlete Single Leg stability tests, respectively. Psychological characteristics including mental skills and mood states were evaluated using OMSAT-3 and POMS tests.Results: VO2max, isokinetic peak torque and Wingate test mean power values were 54.1 ± 4.4 mL ∙ kg−1 ∙ min−1, 191.7 ± 19.2 N ∙ m, and 9 ± 0.7 W/kg, respectively. Postural stability index 0.18 ± 0.06, single leg stability index 0.82 ± 0.11, reaction time 0.344 ± 0.032 s, 10 × 5-m shuttle run 17.09 ± 0.68 s, 30-meter sprint 4.60 ± 0.23 s, and vertical jump 43.5 ± 6.1 cm were the other values reported. The highest scores for the 12 mental skills in OMSAT-3 were for goal setting (6.25 ± 0.45) and self-confidence (6.16 ± 0.45). The lowest score was for Imagery (5.64 ± 0.36). The results of six mood states of POMS showed higher scores on the Vigor-activity, Anger-Hostility and Tension-Anxiety scales and lower scores on Depression-Dejection, Fatigue-Inertia and Confusion-Bewilderment than norms.Conclusions: The findings of this study revealed the physical, physiological, and psychological characteristics in taekwondo. The results of the tests could be useful for performance assessment of taekwondo players.

Study aim The aim of this study was to analyze and compare performance data structure in two consecutive EHF Men's EURO competition in 2020 and 2022 in order to highline significance of differences in two-year cycle of European Championships. Material and methods Official game reported data of all 65 games of 24 teams participated in both tournaments was collected and analyzed in order to claim the tendencies in handball development. The data concerns number of attacks and shots regarding its context, on court location and efficiency, turnovers and goalkeeping efficiency. Mean Values (M), Standard Deviation (SD), minimal and maximal values (MIN, MAX) and percentage (%) were used in the analysis. The significance of differences related to the task was determined by the Mann-Whitney U Test. All the calculation and analysis were made using STATISTICA software. Results Significant decrease in the number of distance shots (9m) in EHF EURO 2022 in comparison to EHF EURO 2020 (−24.2%, p < 0.01) was revealed. The disparity within the performed actions of EHF EURO 2022 was found in greater number of shots taken from near distance center area (6 m Center) when compared to EHF EURO 2020 (+20%, p < 0.05). Higher number of breakthrough shots in 2022 than in 2020 (+19.6%) was noticed. Conclusions The analysis revealed changes developing in the characteristic of offensive structure, what should have impact on training routine in order to achieve high level of performance.

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Few studies have been published in Poland concerning body dimensions of firefighters from the State Fire Service although this knowledge is needed for e.g. development of personal protective equipment. The aim of the study was to evaluate body dimensions and weight-to-height ratio in firefighters from the State Fire Service. Using the anthropological procedures, body mass (BM) and body height (BH) were examined in 178 men at the chronological age (CA) of 19.5 to 53 years who were rescuers from the national rescue and fire brigades of the State Fire Service. The study participants were divided into three categories of CA: up to 25 years, between 24 and 44 years, and over 44 years. The results were compared to population standards. It was found that BH of the youngest rescuers was significantly higher (0.05) than in other study participants. Based on the standardized values of BM and BMI, population of firefighters aged over 25 years was found to be characterized by overweight and, in certain cases, even by obesity. The excess level of body mass index (BMI ≥ 25 kgm2) was found in nearly 60% of study participants, with half of the group classified as overweight (n=31, BMI ranging from 25 to 29.9 kg/m2), and 10% classified as obese. Due to the worrying high percentage of cases of excess body mass in firefighters from the State Fire Service, it was found that it is recommended to evaluate the relationships between body height and mass on regular basis during periodical obligatory tests of physical fitness of rescuers from the State Fire Service and to increase the frequency and duration of training sessions.