Lviv State University of Physical Culture

Research using latent profile analysis (LPA) has yielded inconsistent results regarding the number of personality profiles among athletes, the specific configuration of the Big Five traits, and their interpretation. This study seeks to explore personality types by excluding additional variables from the LPA model, aiming to assess how well personality profiles are universal (independent of gender and cultural context) and can predict academic achievement in student athletes. A cross-sectional study was conducted using a paper-and-pencil questionnaire among 424 student athletes from two universities in Poland and Ukraine. The average age of participants was 20 years old (M = 20.01; SD = 2.48), 62% were male, 53% lived in Poland, and 58% studied Sports Sciences vs. 42% Physical Education. The Mini-International Personality Item Pool (Mini-IPIP) was used to assess the Big Five personality traits, and grade point average (GPA) was used to measure students' academic achievements in the last semester. The LPA identified four personality profiles: (1) Restrained Neurotic (Profile 1, 32%), Open Extravert (Profile 2, 42%), Competitive Neurotic (Profile 3, 17%), and Cooperative Perfectionist (Profile 4, 8%). Profiles 1, 3, and 4 showed similarly low levels of emotional stability, extraversion, and intellect but differed significantly in agreeableness and conscientiousness. Gender and country differences across athletes representing specific profiles were also noted. Profile 2 showed the strongest link with academic achievement. Hierarchical multiple linear regression showed that LPA profiles explained only 2% of GPA variance, compared to Big Five personality traits (9%) and demographic variables, such as sex, country, and study major (8%), which were also included in the following steps in the regression model, explaining only 9% and 8%, respectively. Most student athletes (52%) with personality profiles 1 (Restrained Neurotic), 3 (Competitive Neurotic), and 4 (Cooperative Perfectionist) may require psychological training to better cope with negative emotions and stress arising in competitive and academic settings. Profile 2 (Open Extravert) seems to be the most adaptive and potentially successful personality type. Personality types are, at least to some extent, related to gender and country of residence. More cross-cultural research is required to further verify the types of athletic personalities.

Aim: To review information resources on this problem for the provision of modern knowledge in the pathogenesis of this pathology. Materials and Methods: An analysis of data from literary sources and medical articles in Pub Med was carried out in order to clarify the influence of cortisol and testosterone on the development of metabolic syndrome. The search was conducted over the last 5 years, but there is material from 2001, 2018, and 2019. Total volume of the number of sources: 17. Conclusions: The metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a collection of abnormalities that predispose individuals to diabetes, atherosclerosis, and cardiovascular disease (CVD). Patients with metabolic syndrome exhibit hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system, resulting in «functional hypercorticism.» Stress is thought to play a significant role in this interaction by increasing the sensitivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis. The enzyme 11-betahydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11HSD1), which is involved in glucocorticoid metabolism in peripheral tissues (particularly adipose tissue and liver), has been implicated in metabolic syndrome and central obesity. Overexpression of 11HSD1 in adipocytes is observed in metabolic syndrome and central obesity, leading to increased conversion of cortisone to cortisol and excessive tissue-specific glucocorticoid activity.

Relevance. Functional differentiation of player activities is a core characteristic of high-performance team-based esports and a critical determinant of competitive success. In modern first-person shooter environments, increasing tactical complexity and accelerated decision-making requirements intensify the need for narrow specialization. Despite its relevance for coaching and performance optimization, positional stratification remains insufficiently systematized from a theoretical perspective, particularly within contemporary esports ecosystems. Purpose and Methods. The study substantiates the theoretical foundations of positional asymmetry in elite esports through an integrated interdisciplinary framework. The research employs a comprehensive narrative and analytical review methodology, systematically synthesizing findings from sports science, cognitive psychology, applied performance analysis, and esports pedagogy. Comparative analysis examines specific demands, cognitive profiles, and tactical responsibilities, with attention to decision-making structures. Results. The analysis identifies distinct operational profilesIn-Game Leader, Entry Fragger, Lurker, Support, primary sniper, and Anchoras differentiated systems of cognitive load, tactical responsibility, and communication patterns. Role-specific asymmetries significantly influence information processing speed, risk management strategies, spatial awareness, and team coordination mechanisms. The findings also highlight methodological parallels between esports and traditional sports, alongside evolutionary shifts in competitive requirements. Conclusions. Differentiation in esports should be conceptualized as a multidimensional construct integrating cognitive, psychological, and tactical components. The study substantiates the absolute necessity of developing adaptive analytical models and pedagogical strategies in esports training. It further proposes specific directions for future empirical validation using advanced performance telemetry and experimental designs.

This study examines spirituality’s role in the People Power Revolution, which restored democracy in the Philippines after the Marcos dictatorship. A historical methodology is used in which articles, reports, and other relevant documents are located and critically examined to construct an account of events. A conceptual model, informed by sociological theory, indicates that spiritually inspired transformative change occurs through three interconnected pathways: (a) individual actions, (b) programmatic efforts, and (c) structural change initiatives. The findings illustrate that spirituality is not just an interior phenomenon but also facilitates the creation of democratic structures. Implications include the importance of engaging spirituality in work with individuals, families, and communities; and supporting human rights—such as freedom of religion, speech, and association—which counter authoritarian impulses.

The tourism sector today needs to review management approaches in order to increase inclusiveness to maximize the needs of tourists with special needs, including low-mobility population groups. Tourism infrastructure and the hospitality sector need to be upgraded to ensure the accessibility of recreational services and eliminate social barriers. The article is devoted to the formation of a comprehensive approach to the development of inclusive practices in the tourism industry in Ukraine, drawing on successful international experience. The study found that the development of ecological and inclusive tourism services involves the stimulation of “green” routes, rural tourism and ecological trails, the development of programs to support interaction between stakeholders, attracting investment, and adapting industry infrastructure to fully serve and meet the needs of clients with disabilities and special needs. The impact of digitalization on changes in the tourism business has been clarified, the need to create a barrier-free information environment has been proven by forming target hubs and platforms, developing special mobile applications and “smart” service solutions, which, in synergy, will allow for maximum personalization of services and increase their accessibility for all social groups. The development of the tourism and hospitality sector in Ukraine in the context of environmental friendliness and inclusiveness should be based on the implementation of online information platforms and mobile applications for better feedback and independent travel planning. It is also important to adapt infrastructure and transport provision to maximize the needs of the audience, which requires combining offers in the tourism industry and in the hospitality sector.

BackgroundDespite substantial evidence supporting the benefits of physical activity (PA) for older adults, participation rates remain low due to physical, psychological, social, and institutional barriers. Recruiting older adults for PA studies thus presents significant challenges, particularly for socially vulnerable populations and those facing digital literacy limitations in technology-assisted PA interventions. The present study aimed to articulate and establish a consensus among multidisciplinary and multinational PA experts regarding key considerations and requirements for designing and implementing recruitment of older adults for PA studies.MethodsThis study employed a mixed-methods consensus approach integrating a structured formal consensus process with a two-round Delphi survey. Through face-to-face and online discussions, an expert panel group formulated 104 initial recommendations regarding the recruitment of older adults for PA studies. In the first Delphi round, 42 external experts assessed the relevance of each recommendation, and recommendations with a ≥ 70% agreement threshold were considered consensual. The second round included 60 refined recommendations that were evaluated by 31 experts. A final consensus was reached through iterative expert panel discussions.ResultsOf the 104 initial recommendations, 52 (50%) met the inclusion threshold during the first round. In the second round of Delphi, 36 of the 60 revised recommendations (60%) achieved consensus, with agreement ranging from 71.0 to 96.8%. The final consensus process established 34 key recommendations categorized into four domains: (1) ethical principles (71.7–93.5%), (2) informed consent (71.0–96.8%), (3) stakeholder engagement (61.3–83.9%), and (4) recruitment strategies for technology-assisted PA interventions (74.2–87.1%). However, there remains a lack of consensus on the extent to which sociocultural diversity and differences in sample representation should be addressed.ConclusionsThis study provides expert-driven, consensus-based recommendations to improve the recruitment of older adults for PA studies. Adherence to ethical considerations, informed consent procedures, stakeholder collaboration, and tailored strategies for technology-assisted interventions were highlighted. These findings offer practical guidance for researchers and practitioners in planning and obtaining adequate participation in PA studies involving older adults.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12874-025-02659-2.

Quality management of tourist services is a determining factor in the effective operation of enterprises within the tourism sector, requiring continuous improvement and consideration of current trends. In today’s world, tourism activity is defined by the level of competitiveness, and quality serves as the key competitive advantage for tourism enterprises. The aim of this article is to substantiate modern approaches to quality management in tourist services. To achieve this goal, the following research methods were used: analysis and synthesis, comparison, and generalization. It has been established that effective quality management of tourist services requires a comprehensive approach that integrates all processes and functions aimed at achieving a high level of customer service. It is established that the quality of tourist services is a important factor, as it provides an assessment of the service provision process, which in turn affects customer loyalty and positive feedback. Equally important is the fact that high service quality contributes to enhancing the economic efficiency of tourism enterprises and improving their market reputation. It has been established that providing a high level of tourist services contributes not only to increasing the economic efficiency of enterprises, but also to the development of sustainable tourism, which is an important component of the tourism industry development strategy. The main and modern approaches to managing the quality of tourism services include: implementation of international quality standards; customer orientation; digital transformation; competitive market analysis and study of tourist requests. It is noted that service lies at the core of tourist services. The main components of a high level of service are staff professionalism, communication culture, quick response to the needs of tourists and an attentive attitude towards each tourist. It has been established that improving the quality of service is crucial. Among the key tools for improving service quality are: regular professional training of staff, self-directed learning, the implementation of employee motivation systems, and conducting customer surveys. It is determined that competitiveness is defined by two main indicators: primarily the quality level of the product and the pricing level.

The work examines the meaning of the definitions "economic space" and "territorial community". It is known that the process of decentralization of power has become an active beginning of the development of territorial communities, currently territorial communities are independent budgetforming bodies of self-government. Their economic development mostly depends on the natural potential of the territorial community. Therefore, it is currently important to support the development of territorial communities, monitor the preservation of historical monuments located on the territory, and thanks to this, territorial communities will be able to actively develop, provide jobs for their residents, and this will preserve the trend of the development of the region.

The purpose of this study is to quantitatively evaluate the combined effects of sports massage, blood flow restriction (BFR), and cold therapy on quadriceps recovery in mixed martial arts (MMA) athletes following eccentric exercise, focusing on muscle biomechanical properties, pain, and strength. This randomized, single-blind clinical trial involved 36 men and women MMA-trained participants, divided into three groups: massage (n = 12) received massage, BFR/cool (n = 12) received combined BFR and cooling, and control (n = 12) received passive rest as a control. The fatigue protocol involved MMA fighters performing five sets of plyometric jumps on a 50 cm box until exhaustion, with 1-min breaks between sets. After that, the massage group received a 20-min massage overall using standardized techniques; BFR/cool underwent a 20-min alternating blood flow restriction (200 mmHg) and cooling treatment with ice bags on the quadriceps; and the final group served as the control group with passive rest and no intervention. Participants were assessed four times-before exercise, immediately after exercise, 24 h post-exercise (after two recovery sessions), and 48 h post-exercise (after four recovery sessions)-for perfusion unit (PU), muscle elasticity, pressure pain threshold (PPT), reactive strength index (RSI), and total quality recovery (TQR). The statistical analysis revealed significant effects of both massage and BFR/cooling interventions across key recovery outcomes, with large effect sizes for time-related changes in RSI (p < 0.0001; η2 = 0.87), elasticity (p < 0.0001; η2 = 0.84), and PPT (p < 0.0001; η2 = 0.66). Notably, post-exercise 48 h values for RSI, elasticity, PU, and TQR were significantly improved in both the massage and BFR/cool groups compared to control (p < 0.05)), while no significant group differences were observed for PPT. The study concludes that both massage and combined blood flow restriction with cooling interventions significantly enhance post-exercise recovery-improving muscle perfusion, elasticity, reactive strength, and perceived recovery-compared to passive rest.

This study aims to analyze the differences in Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES) scores and exercise intensity across small-sided games (SSGs) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) formats among soccer players from Tier 2 and Tier 3 competitive levels. Utilizing a cross-sectional design, 77 male players (20.64 ± 1.56 years) participated in four training sessions under controlled conditions. Enjoyment was assessed with PACES, while exercise intensity was monitored through heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE). The training formats included 1 v 1 and 5 v 5 SSGs and long and short HIIT formats. Players were categorized as Amateur (Tier 2) or Competitor (Tier 3) based on training volume and performance level. The training formats included 1 v 1 and 5 v 5 SSGs and long and short HIIT formats. The present study revealed significant differences in PACES scores across the different training formats (p < 0.001), with the 5 v 5 format yielding the highest scores and long HIIT the lowest. A significant interaction between training format and competitive level was observed (p = 0.011). Tier 2 players reported higher PACES scores in the 5 v 5, 1 v 1, and Short HIIT formats compared to Tier 3 players. SSGs and HIIT formats significantly influence enjoyment, with smaller-sided formats (1 v 1) and short HIIT showing the highest enjoyment levels. Tier 2 players reported higher enjoyment and physical efforts than Tier 3 players, in 5 v 5, 1 v 1, and short HIIT formats. These findings show the importance of programming training sessions according to the competitive level of athletes to maximize enjoyment and manage effort in soccer training programs.