George Tzetzis

Background/Objective : Manual dexterity is critical for maintaining functional independence and quality of life in older adults, yet limited research has explored training interventions to enhance this skill. This study examined the effect of rhythmic gymnastics (RG) exercise programs, with and without apparatus, on the manual dexterity of older women. Methods : Seventy-six women, aged over 65 (68.47 ± 3.34), without serious health or mobility issues, and no prior RG experience, were randomly assigned to two experimental and one control group. Each experimental group followed a 12-week intervention program (three sessions/week, 1 hr each). The first group (A) followed an RG program with the use of sport’s apparatus and the second one (B) an RG exercise program using only body movements, without any apparatus. The control group (C) followed their typical everyday schedule. Manual dexterity was assessed three times (before the intervention, immediately after, and 20 weeks later for retention) using the Pegboard and Box and Blocks Tests. Results : Group A showed a significant improvement in manual dexterity from pre to postintervention, with performance maintained at the retention test. Group B and the control group did not exhibit significant improvements across all measures. Conclusion : The RG program with apparatus significantly improved manual dexterity in older women and maintained these improvements over time. Significance/Implications : RG programs with apparatus can enhance manual dexterity in older women and, in turn, promote functional independence in older adults, supporting its inclusion in exercise programs for this population. Future studies should also include male participants and frail populations.

This study examined the effect of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) environmental intervention program on members’ perceptions of economic, social, and environmental responsibility, as well as trust and loyalty, in a tennis club. It further explored whether membership duration influenced these perceptions, with a focus on environmental initiatives. A three-month intervention focusing on environmental initiatives was carried out, involving 250 tennis club members who completed a questionnaire on social, environmental, and economic dimensions before and after the intervention. Data were analyzed using non-parametric tests and repeated measures ANOVA. The findings indicated a significant improvement in perceptions of environmental responsibility, highlighting the effectiveness of targeted CSR environmental intervention. However, perceptions of economic and social responsibility, as well as trust, remained unchanged. Loyalty was negatively affected. Contrary to the literature, membership duration did not significantly influence CSR perceptions. These results emphasized the importance of designing and effectively communicating CSR initiatives that resonate with member priorities. Sports organizations can leverage such environmental intervention programs to improve their image and align with societal values. However, to foster trust and loyalty, CSR efforts across multiple dimensions are necessary. This study contributes to the literature on CSR in participatory sports by demonstrating the measurable impact of environmental interventions and providing a framework for future CSR program development and evaluation in similar settings.

There has been a noticeable shift towards sustainability in participatory sport, emphasizing practices such as corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. However, a credible international evaluation tool for assessing the effectiveness of CSR initiatives in sport and recreation services is lacking. This study aimed to adapt and validate a CSR questionnaire for Greek participatory sport, focusing on tennis. The influence of CSR on consumer trust and loyalty was also investigated. A sample of 250 tennis players from a private club in a Greek city participated. A questionnaire assessing CSR in environmental, economic, and social dimensions, was selected after an extensive literature review. Statistical analyses confirmed the questionnaire as a valid and reliable tool for assessing CSR among recreational sports participants. The results indicated that CSR initiatives significantly enhance participants’ trust in the club, which in turn bolsters the club’s credibility. However, CSR initiatives do not directly influence participants’ loyalty; instead, trust mediates the relationship between CSR and loyalty. This underscores the need to strategize on how to convert trust into sustained loyalty. The findings highlight the importance of CSR in building trust, protecting corporate reputation in times of crisis, and supporting long-term sustainability. They provide valuable insights for researchers and sport and recreation managers.

This study aimed to develop a test for measuring athletes’ performance. Logical, content, construct, criterion validity, as well as reliability, were examined. Three beach volleyball experts evaluated how well the test evaluates the shot skill accuracy according to their judgment (logical validity). A group of eight beach volleyball experts analyzed the test and rated it on a scale of 1 to 7 regarding the relevance of the content as a measure of beach volleyball athlete’s accuracy, the average score was calculated at 6.75 (SD=0.46) (content validity). 60 beach volleyball players divided into three equal groups of novices, intermediates, and experts were asked to undergo the test on two separate days. A one-way ANOVA between the three groups was performed, which indicated that the mean scores of the three groups differed significantly (p<0.001 for both days): experts achieved better scores than intermediates who in turn scored better than novices (construct validity). The athletes’ scores were correlated with their proficiency level, using the Pearson Correlation test, which indicated very high positive (Day-1: r=0.956, n=60, p<0.001; Day-2: r=0.953, n=60, p<0.001) (criterion validity). The intraclass correlation coefficient was calculated between Day-1 and Day-2 and was found equal to 0.980 for average measures (p<0.001) and 0.961 for single measures (p<0.001). In conclusion, the requirements for logical, content, construct, criterion validity, and reliability have been met. Therefore, the line shot attack test can be used as a valid and reliable measurement instrument for evaluating the performance of beach volleyball athletes.

Several researchers studying focus of attention have concluded that the external focus is superior to the internal in learning motor skills in adults. However, there is limited research concerning the effect of different focus of attention on learning fundamental movement skills in kindergarten children. The present study aimed to compare the effectiveness of internal and external focus of attention on learning and transfer of a throwing skill in kindergarten children. Participants were 51 children (5-6 years), boys and girls, who were randomly selected and assigned into three groups: two experimental (internal and external focus respectively) and one control group. The movement form and the outcome of a throwing task were evaluated. It was found that both experimental groups improved over time, in both movement form and outcome. During the transfer test, the external focus group was better than the internal focus group in movement form; however, there were no differences in movement outcome. It is concluded that both the external or internal focus of attention improved over time the movement outcome and form of the throwing skill. Since the acquisition of sports skills requires the acquisition of fundamental motor skills, further research is needed to investigate the effect of the external or internal focus of attention on fundamental movement skills in kindergarten children.

Human movement is a complex phenomenon. For people involved in teaching motor or perceptual skills in sports, effective models of training in children are a major challenge. Topics related to learning and the development of motor or perceptual skills help people involved in learning movements (coaches, physical education teachers, kinesiologists, physiotherapists) to have a deeper knowledge of the learning processes. An attempt is made to combine theory and practice so that this chapter can be a simple but useful tool for learning, evaluation, proper guidance, planning practice, and providing simple practical approaches to make the work of professionals more effective.

Purpose: The purpose of this research was to develop a scale to measure the football league brand associations such as the “UEFA Champions League” and to investigate their influence on brand loyalty.Design/methodology/approach: A questionnaire was developed and tested through a pilot test (N = 120) and the final questionnaire was administered among Greek sport spectators (N = 460). The factor structure was tested through an exploratory factor analysis and a regression analysis was used to examine the predictability of fans' brand loyalty by the league brand association dimensions.Findings: Six brand association factors were revealed through the exploratory factor analysis: elite management, entertainment, elite-sportsmanship participants, escape, elite refereeing and corporate identity. In addition, new brand associations and elements were found: elite refereeing which included fast football and the league anthem was found to coexist with logo. Elite management, entertainment, escape and corporate identity were found to influence brand loyalty variables.Practical implications: The study revealed a useful tool to measure sport leagues' brand associations, to measure their influence on Greek fans' loyalty and build strong, unique and favourable consumer-based brand associations.Originality/value: The paper contributes to the sports brand associations research by examining brand associations in the context of European leagues and elite-level football competitions. It also contributes by identifying and revealing new brand associations and new elements to co-exist with other already known sports brand associations. Finally, it examines the influence of the new brand-specific associations to the brand loyalty of the “UEFA Champions League” competition for Greek sport fans.

Comparison of three different feedback methods using information about the correct execution of the technique, errors of execution, and a combination of these on the acquisition and retention of two badminton skills of different difficulty were examined. Participants were 48 young male athletes, 10 to 14 years of age, with 2 to 4 years of training. They were divided into three equal groups and instructed on the long forehand serve, a more difficult serve than the short backhand. The first group received instructions for correct execution, the second group received instructional cues on errors of execution, and the third group received instructions on errors and how to correct them. The training program lasted 12 practice units. There was a pretest, a posttest after the end of the 10-wk. training program, and 2 wk. later, a retention test. A three-way (2 difficulty × 3 groups × 3 measures) analysis of variance with repeated measures on the last factor was applied to analyze scores with the three practice methods of corrective feedback for the two badminton skills. Analysis showed the group receiving correct technique information had increased scores on both skills. The group receiving information on errors increased their scores on the less difficult skill. The group receiving information on errors and correct technique increased their scores on the more difficult skill. Physical education teachers or coaches teaching skills to young participants should consider difficulty of skills and use appropriate corrective feedback for better acquisition and retention of sport skills.