Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025, Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book
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Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book
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2025 |
Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]; ; ; ; Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025 Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book, p. 91-91Aim of the study: To examine BMI variation among adults aged 18–64, focusing on physical activity structure (sedentary behavior, light, moderate, and vigorous intensity), sleep duration, emotional intelligence, perceived stress, depression, eating habits, residence (urban/rural), and harmful behaviors (smoking, alcohol).
Methods: Sample: 8 759 participants from Lithuania (6 400 women and 2 359 men). Results: Primary predictors of body mass index (BMI) are age, gender, vigorous physical activity (VPA), overeating, sleep duration, and breakfast consumption. VPA and overeating emerged as the strongest behavioral determinants of BMI, especially with increasing age. The most significant BMI increases occurred in men aged 25–35 and women aged 45–55. In women, BMI was directly associated with perceived stress, but this was not observed in men. Emotional intelligence increases with age, while stress and depression decrease across age groups. Women engaged more in light physical activity, and men in vigorous intensity activities. A decline in MVPA and an increase in sedentary behavior were observed between the ages of 25–45. A notable increase in alcohol consumption occurred among men between the ages of 18 and 45. Conclusions: BMI trajectories are closely linked to changes in physical activity and behavioral patterns. Targeted, age- and gender-specific interventions are needed, emphasizing vigorous physical activity, healthy eating behavior, and mental well-being. Future research should explore longitudinal and causal mechanisms underlying these associations.3 - conference paper[2025][T1e][N010][1]
; Aim of the study: to investigate the interaction between subjective health and the '5' lifestyle factors: whole-body heating, material and spiritual happiness, physical activity and cognitive functioning.
Methods: A total of 710 individuals (of which 558 self-identified as female and 152 as male) aged 18 to 64 years participated in the online survey of a representative sample of Lithuanian adults. The participants were enrolled in this cross-sectional survey, which was conducted as part of the THERMOHORMESIS project, using a snowball sampling method. An online questionnaire was shared through popular social networks and emails within the period October 2024 to February 2025. Individual characteristics, sauna-related habits and subjective health and well-being were assessed using the modified Sauna questionnaire (Hussain et al., 2019). Descriptive analysis, a two-way analysis of variance, and linear regression analysis were used to interpret the data. Results: The survey results showed a significant positive correlation between women and men subjective health and material happiness (with β = 0.554 and p-value = 0.0), number of steps per day (β = 0.239, p-value = 0.0) and negative correlation between subjective health and body mass index (β = –0.285, p-value = 0.0). Conclusions: These preliminary findings highlight that of all five lifestyle factors studied, material happiness and physical activity are the most important determinants of subjective health for Lithuanian women and men of different ages.15 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025 Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book, p. 13-13The quality of interpersonal relationships between coaches, athletes, and parents (C-A-P) plays a fundamental role in shaping athletes‘ behavior and developmental outcomes, including biopsychosocial development, personality growth through sports, and long-term participation in sports. C-A-P relationships are particularly significant as they are fundamental, complex, and dynamic. Each individual is different, and different norms and behaviors shape each generation, so this topic remains relevant and highly research-focused. To date, such C-A-P as a whole phenomenon and system has been extensively researched in the past decade; qualitative and quantitative, as well as mixed methods research and intervention programs, positive as well as negative processes in the development of C-A-P relationship measurement were developed by Lisinskiene (2015–2025) and other well-renowned scholars. In my keynote speech, I will briefly present C-A-P research throughout the decade and the process, progress, and evolution of C-A-P. In addition, I will focus in detail on delivering my latest longitudinal quantitative research study that examines C-A-P over time in a youth sports setting. A most recent qualitative phenomenology research study, in-depth interviews with Olympic and Paralympic athletes on their past C-A-P relationships, will be presented. The future research perspectives on international interdisciplinary research will be discussed, and the practical implications of C-A-P will be outlined.
6 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]; ; ; ; Aim of the study: Due to the higher intensity and distinct technical-tactical demands of 3×3 basketball compared to the traditional 5×5 format, assessing both physiological and psychological characteristics is essential for game-specific training and athlete preparation. This study aimed to compare the physiological and psychological performance characteristics of elite male athletes competing in 3×3 and 5×5 basketball, to support the development of targeted training and monitoring strategies.
Methods: A total of fifteen professional male basketball players participated in the study, including eight 5×5 players and seven 3×3 players. The following physiological variables were assessed: countermovement jump (CMJ) height, isometric knee extension torque, reaction time, and heart rate variability. Psychological indicators included vigour (Profile of Mood States), intrinsic motivation and amotivation (Sport Motivation Scale), perceived stress (Perceived Stress Scale), depression (SelfReport Scale), and impulsivity (Barratt Impulsiveness Scale). Results: The results indicated that 5×5 players demonstrated significantly greater CMJ performance (p = 0.002), while 3×3 players showed significantly higher levels of vigour (p = 0.017) and intrinsic motivation (p = 0.024). Although other psychological variables did not reach statistical significance, small to moderate effect sizes suggest potentially meaningful differences between the groups. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of tailoring both physiological and psychological preparation to the specific demands of each basketball format. Further research is warranted to examine how these characteristics influence in-game performance and long-term athlete development.5 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]; Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025 Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book, p. 51-51Aim of the study: Bouldering is a young and rapidly growing sport characterized by high demands for stability and coordination. During adolescence, biomechanical changes can impair balance, coordination, and increase the risk of injuries. Although the importance of pelvic floor and deep core muscles for stability is well established, the impact of strengthening these muscles in youth bouldering athletes remains under-researched. Aim of the study – to evaluate the effects of a 12-week pelvic floor and deep core muscle strengthening program on static and dynamic balance in 12–18- year-old adolescents engaged in bouldering.
Methods: The study included 24 adolescents (mean age 15 ± 1.69 years) actively participating in bouldering. Dynamic balance was assessed using the Y Balance Test in three directions for both legs (six measurements total). Static balance was evaluated using the Zebris-FTM platform by analyzing center of pressure (COP) movement parameters. Results: Improvements in dynamic balance were observed in both the control and experimental groups; however, the experimental group demonstrated better symmetry between the right and left legs. Following the intervention, statistical significant enhancements in static balance were recorded in the experimental group, evidenced by reductions in center of pressure, path length and ellipse area. No significant correlations were identified between static and dynamic balance parameters. Conclusions: The pelvic floor and deep core muscle strengthening program had a positive effect on both static and dynamic balance in adolescent bouldering athletes and may support adaptation to biomechanical changes during growth.4 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]; ; ; ; Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025 Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book, p. 111-111Aim of the study: Sleep plays a vital role in health and functioning, yet the relative contribution of psychological and lifestyle factors remains unclear. This study aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sleep parameters – duration, latency, bedtime, and wake-up time – considering gender, age, mood, personality, physical activity, and cognitive-emotional traits.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,140 adults (831 women, 309 men) aged 18 65+, who completed validated questionnaires assessing sleep patterns, mood (BRUMS), perceived stress, emotional intelligence, logic, empathy, Big Five personality traits, physical activity (MVPA), and BMI. Results: Higher perceived stress was consistently associated with poorer sleep outcomes: longer latency, shorter duration, and later bedtimes (p < 0.01). Leisure-time MVPA predicted later bedtimes, whereas occupational MVPA and higher BMI were linked to shorter sleep duration (p < 0.05). Gender and age differences emerged: women reported more stress, emotional fatigue, and empathy (p < 0.001), while men showed higher vigor, self-rated health, and independent exercise. Older adults slept less and woke earlier (p < 0.001). Personality traits significantly contributed: neuroticism predicted longer latency and shorter duration, agreeableness was linked to better sleep quality, and conscientiousness to earlier wake-up times. In contrast, cognitive traits—logic, emotional intelligence, and empathy – were not significant predictors of sleep. Conclusions: These findings suggest that sleep is more strongly shaped by stress, physical activity context, mood states, BMI, and personality than by cognitive-emotional capacities. Personalized interventions targeting stress regulation, lifestyle balance, and emotional well-being may be key for improving sleep, particularly in aging and high-stress populations.16 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]; Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025 Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book, p. 98-98Aim of the study: This study aimed to assess the effect of three basketball specific training protocols on changes in physical performance of youth basketball players. Methods: Thirty-eight youth male basketball players (age: 13.9 ± 0.5 y.o.; height: 172.9 ± 9.3 cm.; body mass 57.0 ± 10.9 kg; wingspan: 174.5 ± 10.5 cm.), participated in this study and were assigned to four different groups: small-sided games (SSG), skills development (SKILLS), plyometric training (PLYO), and control group. During an 8-week experimental training period, players followed their regular training schedule with inclusion of 2 weekly experimental training sessions for SSG, SKILSS and PLYO groups. Before and after experimental period, participants completed physical assessment testing procedures and were monitored during a simulated 5x5 basketball matches using VXSport inertial movement devices. Results: Linear-mixed model analysis showed that different training protocols have a different effect on basketball specific movement speed (p < 0.001), maximal oxygen uptake (p < 0.001), distance covered (p < 0.001), and total jumps completed during a simulated match (p = 0.032). Post-hoc analysis showed that SKILLS and PLYO significantly improved basketball specific movement speed (p < 0.05), PLYO significantly increased distance covered during a simulated match (p < 0.001), with no other post-hoc effects found. No effect of applied protocols was found for the assessment of 5-m and 20-m sprint, countermovement jump, drop-jump height and contact time (p > 0.05). Moreover, no effect was found for maximum running speed, number of sprints, accelerations and decelerations measured in simulated matches from pre-to-post experimental period (p > 0.05). Conclusions: This study showed that three different basketball specific training protocols have distinctive effect on physical performance in youth male basketball players.
9 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025 Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book, p. 95-95Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to investigate the attitudes of young dancers towards creativity development in dance sport.
Methods: literature review, semi-structured interview, reflection. Results: The results of the study showed that fostering creativity in the teaching of dance sport is very important. It can be said that the development of creativity in young dancers was perceived as a long-term and dynamic process. The main methods presented by the dancers were: a series of dance classes on the theme of creativity, creative tasks, celebrations, events, competitions. It is also very important for the dancers to emphasise the need for continuous creation and experimentation, as creativity is not only the ability to create, but also a process that is combined with continuous improvement and openness to new ideas. Teachers also need to encourage and support their students in order for continuous growth to take place. Long-term goals need to be set and students need to be constantly inspired and given many examples to inspire them. Creativity development in dance classes was seen as very important because it helps students to realise that creativity is a process that is ongoing and requires effort and openness to new ideas. Conclusions: Methods of fostering creativity used by teachers in dance sport classes include creating a safe environment, giving freedom to experiment, encouraging students' personal uniqueness and providing opportunities to create and interpret dance moves, and often taking students to dance competitions. It is essential to provide a variety of creative tasks, workshops and to keep dancers motivated to create and experiment.3 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]; Expanding horizons in sport science and innovations : the 18th Conference of Baltic Society of Sport Science, April 28–30, 2025 Kaunas, Lithuania : abstract book, p. 31-31Aim of the study: Children who move less and have more screen time are more likely to experience problems with health, behavior, and response inhibition (Shi et al., 2022). It challenges the educational process, family relationships, and the children's emotional well-being (Jusienė et al., 2020; Rakickiene et al., 2021). But can this be reversed with specialized interventions of physical activity? The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of physical exercise programs on the executive functions of 4-6-year-olds.
Methods: The children’s cognitive functions and behavior were assessed before and after the 10- week intervention. The preschoolers were assigned into three groups: (1) experimental (E), who performed specialized exercises daily, incorporating aerobic activity and cognitive elements; (2) active control (AC), who performed simple aerobic exercises daily; and (3) passive control (PC), who did not do additional exercises. Results: 100 preschoolers participated in our study (E N = 35, AC N = 32, PC N = 34). The E and AC groups showed larger improvements on tests that measure inhibition, shifting attention, and cognitive control. The effect sizes for changes in the Head-legs test performance were medium (d = 0.503 (E), d = 0.520 (AC), and d = 0.313 (PC)), and for the changes in the level reached on the Figure School test the effect sizes were medium to high (d = 0.509 (E), d = 0.868 (AC), and d = 0.271 (PC)). Moderate decreases in scores on the SDQ’s Social and Behavioral subscales were observed in the AC group (d = 0.355 and d = 0.332), however, non-significant. Conclusions: We concluded that daily physical activity improves some aspects of preschoolers’ executive functions, but no differences were observed between specialized exercises and general aerobic activity.12 Item type:Publication, conference paper[2025][T1e][S007][1]; ; ; ; ; The aim of the study: This study examines and compares the psychological profiles of Olympic athletes competing in 3×3 basketball and athletes competing in 5×5 basketball within the Lithuanian Basketball League.
Methods: The study involved 15 elite basketball players (7 from 3×3 Olympians and highperformance basketball players and 8 from the 5×5 Lithuanian Basketball League). Psychological assessments included the Big Five Inventory (BFI), Brunel Mood Scale–LTU (BRUMS-LTU), Schutte Self-Report Emotional Intelligence Test (SSREIT), and Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS11). Psychomotor skills were evaluated using the Pegboard Test, and reaction time was measured with a Reactiometer. Results: The 5×5 team scored higher in extraversion, mood (except vigor), and impulsiveness, while the 3×3 team excelled in emotional intelligence. The 5×5 team also scored higher across all three impulsiveness dimensions. A multiple linear regression showed that Managing Others' Emotions, Conscientiousness, Non-Planning Impulsiveness, and Neuroticism significantly predicted pegboard performance, F (4,10) = 25.64, p < .001, explaining 91.1% of the variance (R² = .911). The model showed good fit (SE = .378; Durbin-Watson = 1.675). Conclusions: This study highlights distinct psychological characteristics among elite athletes across different basketball formats. Emotional intelligence emerged as a key strength in 3×3 players, while 5×5 athletes exhibited greater mood variability and impulsiveness. Additionally, specific psychological traits strongly predicted psychomotor performance, emphasizing the role of mental factors in elite athletic performance. These insights may support more targeted psychological training and development strategies within basketball.5