Background: Personality represents a relatively consistent and unique sum of psychological, cognitive and physical characteristics of an individual. Sensation seeking is defined as an action, ...characterized by the search for different, new, complex and intensive emotions and experiences and preparedness to take physical, social, legal and financial risks in order to achieve these experiences.Objective: We were looking for differences in personality and sensation seeking between high-risk sports athletes and recreational athletes and the correlation between one's purpose to participate in high-risk sports and actual participation.Method: The data was acquired using three different questionnaires: Sensation Seeking Scale (forms SSS - V and SSS - VI) and the Big Five Questionnaire. The sample consisted of 76 high-risk sports athletes and 51 recreational athletes. Data was analyzed using the SPSS statistical program.Results: The results were unexpected because we noticed differences between the two groups in which recreational athletes received higher results, especially in openness. Mostly results from such research show the converse - athletes of high-risk sports are more open. We did not find any difference between the two groups in sensation seeking. We found some correlations between personality traits and factors of Sensation Seeking Scale (SSS - V and SSS - VI). Openness and the Thrill and adventure seeking factor correlated in both versions of SSS.Conclusions: We conclude that high-risk sports athletes differ from recreational athletes, especially in openness. Also, we can confirm that both used versions of SSS are equally effective for analyzing sensation seeking.
We investigated how acclimatization effects achieved during a high-altitude alpinist expedition influence endurance performance, ventilation (
) and blood oxygen saturation (SaO
) in normoxic (NOR) ...and hypoxic conditions (HYP). An incremental testing protocol on a cycle ergometer was used to determine the power output corresponding to the Lactate (P
) and Ventilatory Threshold (P
) in NOR and HYP (FiO
=0.13) as indirect characteristics of endurance performance in both conditions. Furthermore, changes in
, SaO
, blood pH and P
were measured at a similar absolute exercise intensity of 180 W in NOR and HYP conditions. Seven experienced alpinists (mean ± SD: age: 50 ± 6 yrs; body mass: 76 ± 5 kg; body height: 175 ± 8 cm) volunteered to participate in this study after they had reached the summit of Gasherbrum II and Ama Dablam. They had therefore experienced the limitations of their acclimatization. Individual differences of P
between values reached after and before the expedition (∆P
) correlated (r = 0.98, p = 0.01) with differences of SaO
(∆SaO
) in HYP, and differences of P
(∆P
) correlated (r = -0.83, p = 0.02) with differences of
in HYP. The results suggest that the acclimatization may not have an equivocal and simple influence on the performance in hypoxia: enhanced blood oxygen saturation may be accompanied by increased endurance only, when the increase exceeded 2-3%, but enhanced ventilation, when increased more than 10 l/min in HYP, could detrimentally influence endurance.
Some alterations, reached during acclimatization on a high-altitude alpinist expedition, return towards pre-altitude levels at different rates during the deacclimatization phase after returning to ...normoxia. The aim of the study was to ascertain whether three specific adaptation characteristics – alterations in body weight (BW), arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2) and heart rate (HR), showed that deacclimatization was completed a month after having reached the summit of Gasherbrum II. Four experienced alpinists (age 45±8 years, BW 75±5 kg and body height 171±9 cm) were tested in the conditions of normoxia and normobaric hypoxia prior to and following a month of deacclimatization after a high-altitude climbing expedition. The results showed that BW was still decreased by about 8 kg (p less than .05) a month after reaching the summit. Data obtained during exercise with similar absolute intensity of 202±28 W showed that SaO2 rose from 89±1 to 91±1% (p less than .05) during testing in conditions of hypoxia after the high-altitude expedition. When the data were analysed at the same relative intensity of 2.7±.2 W/kg, the SaO2 showed an even higher increase to 92±1 % during testing in conditions of hypoxia (p less than .05). HR remained similar during testing at a similar absolute intensity in conditions of normoxia (153±19 min-1 pre- vs 154±15 min-1 post-expedition) and hypoxia (155±21 min-1 pre- vs 158±20 min-1 post-expedition), however, at the reduced BW during post-expedition testing. HR decreased significantly (p less than .05) during similar relative intensity in conditions of hypoxia (155±21 min-1 pre- vs 145±19 post-expedition). HR decreased systematically in all subjects in spite of the fact that it was not significantly different during testing in normoxic conditions. The results showed that deacclimatization, which was observed during submaximal intensity exercise in normoxic conditions and hypoxia, was not completed even a month after the high-altitude alpinist expedition.
The research investigated personality traits of high-risk sports athletes. The aim was to investigate the personality dimensions and compare the results to the results of non-risk sports athletes and ...non-athletes. Thirty eight high-risk sports athletes participated in the research (alpinists, sky divers, paragliders, white-water kayakers, downhill mountain-bikers, motocross riders, downhill skiers and ski jumpers). The non-risk sports athletes consisted of 38 swimmers, track athletes, sailors, flat-water kayakers, rowers, Nordic skiers, sports climbers and karatekas. The non-athletes were equalled with both groups in age and education and included 76 non-athletes. The Big Five Observer Scale was used. It was found that high-risk sports athletes scored highest in emotional stability, they were followed by the non-athletes and the lowest scores were achieved by non-risk sports athletes. The same order of groups was shown in conscientiousness and energy. Openness was highest in the non-risk sports athletes, followed by the non-athletes and the lowest score was achieved by the high-risk sports athletes. The differences in acceptability were not significant. Four out of five hypotheses were accepted.
Cílem našeho výzkumného projektu bylo zavést srdeč ní frekvenci jako jeden z možných indikátorů zátěže při sportovním lezení. Za účelem našeho výzkumu absolvovalo 11 sportovních horolezců tři trasy o ...různých stupních náročnosti. Byla měřena srdeční frekvence horolezců a počítána zátěž při lezení. Při analýze výsledků jsme sledovali, zda naměřené hodnoty skutečně odrážejí zvýšenou zátěž, nebo zda jsou znakem nějakého jiného jevu, který nebyl monitorován. Změny srdeční frekvence při sportovním lezení mohou nastat v důsledku různých faktorů, které nelze v úplnosti kon trolovat. Monitorování srdeční frekvence jako indikátoru zátěže při sportovním lezení se tedy jeví jako značně pochybné.
Cílem našeho výzkumného projektu bylo zavést srdeč ní frekvenci jako jeden z možných indikátorů zátěže při sportovním lezení. Za účelem našeho výzkumu absolvovalo 11 sportovních horolezců tři trasy o ...různých stupních náročnosti. Byla měřena srdeční frekvence horolezců a počítána zátěž při lezení. Při analýze výsledků jsme sledovali, zda naměřené hodnoty skutečně odrážejí zvýšenou zátěž, nebo zda jsou znakem nějakého jiného jevu, který nebyl monitorován. Změny srdeční frekvence při sportovním lezení mohou nastat v důsledku různých faktorů, které nelze v úplnosti kon trolovat. Monitorování srdeční frekvence jako indikátoru zátěže při sportovním lezení se tedy jeví jako značně pochybné. The objective of our research project was to introduce heart rate during sport climbing as one of the possible indicators of climbing intensity. For the purpose of our research, 11 sport climbers climbed three routes of varying grades of difficulty. The heart rate of the climbers was measured and climbing intensity was calculated. It was shown that, in spite of high local climbing intensity, general climbing intensity was rather low. Analysing the results, we wondered if the measured values actually reflected increased intensity or if they were a sign of some other phenomenon that was not monitored. Changes in heart rate during sport climbing can appear due to various factors, which can not all be completely controlled. Therefore, monitoring heart rate during sport climbing as an intensity indicator seems quite dubious.
Neke promjene fizioloških parametara, postignute aklimatizacijom tijekom alpinističke ekspedicije na veliku nadmorsku visinu, u fazi “deaklimatizacije” na povratku u normalne visinske uvjete, ...različitim se tempom vraćaju na razinu kakva je bila prije odlaska na ekspediciju. Cilj je ovog istraživanja bio utvrditi da li tri specifične karakteristike adaptacije na nadmorsku visinu – promjene u tjelesnoj težini, zasićenost arterijske krvi kisikom i frekvencija srca – pokazuju da je proces aklimatizacije završio mjesec dana nakon osvajanja vrha Gasherbrum II. Četiri iskusna alpinista (u dobi od 45±8 godina, tjelesne mase 75±5 kg i tjelesne visine 171±9 cm) testirana su u uvjetima normoksije i normobarične hipoksije prije alpinističke ekspedicije na veliku nadmorsku visinu i mjesec dana nakon povratka s ekspedicije. Rezultati su pokazali da je mjesec dana nakon osvajanja vrha tjelesna težina još uvijek bila niža za oko 8 kg (p<,05). Podaci prikupljeni tijekom vježbanja sličnim apsolutnim intenzitetom od 202±28 W u uvjetima hipoksije nakon ekspedicije pokazuju da se zasićenost arterijske krvi kisikom povećala sa 89±1 na 91±1% (p<,05). Analiza podataka zasićenosti arterijske krvi kisikom pri istom relativnom intenzitetu rada od 2.7±.02 W/kg pokazala je još veće povećanje (na 92±1%) tijekom testiranja u uvjetima hipoksije (p<,05). Frekvencija srca ostala je ista tijekom testiranja pri istom apsolutnom intenzitetu u uvjetima normoksije (153±19 o/min prije u odnosu na 154±15 o/min nakon ekspedicije) i hipoksije (155±21 o/min prije u odnosu na 158±20 o/min nakon ekspedicije), ali ne smijemo zaboraviti smanjenu tjelesnu težinu nakon ekspedicije. Frekvencija srca opala je statistički značajno (p<,05) tijekom vježbanja jednakim relativnim intenzitetom u uvjetima hipoksije (155±21 o/min prije u odnosu na 145±19 o/min nakon ekspedicije). Frekvencija srca se sustavno snizila u svih ispitanika, unatoč činjenici da se u uvjetima normoksije nije statistički značajno razlikovala. Rezultati su pokazali da “deaklimatizacija”, koja se procjenjivala vježbanjem submaksimalnim intenzitetom u uvjetima normoksije i hipoksije, nije završila čak ni mjesec dana nakon povratka s alpinističke ekspedicije na veliku nadmorsku visinu.
Naše pojednání se zaměřuje na odlišnosti ve vyhledávání prožitku (”sensation seeking”) u sportovkyň a sportovců, kteří se věnují vysoce rizikovým sportům. Existuje několik studií (Cox, 1994; Tušak & ...Tušak, 2001; Erjavec, 2002), jež udávají, že sportovkyně a sportovci si jsou podobnější než ženy a muži v obecné populaci, tj. sportovkyně vykazují více ”tradičně mužských” charakteristik. Tyto studie se zaměřují zejména na osobnost, úzkost a agresi; těmito otázkami jsme se chtěli zabývat v oblasti vyhledávání prožitku. Vyhledávání prožitku bylo v oblasti vysoce rizikových sportů dobře prozkoumáno-u mužů byly zaznamenány vyšší potřeby vyhledávání prožitku, ale rozdíly mezi pohlavími v oblasti vysoce rizikových sportů doposud nebyly dobře probádány. Našeho výzkumu se zúčastnilo 33 horolezců, z toho 15 mužů a 18 žen a nepřihlíželo se k věkovým rozdílům. Použili jsme Zuckermanův dotazník Sensation seeking scale IV, jenž zkoumá vyhledávání prožitku za pomoci 5 faktorů, jimiž jsou všeobecný faktor; faktory podstoupení rizika; faktor hledání zkušenosti; faktor odtlumení (disinhibice) a faktor vnímavosti nudy. Mezi horolezkyněmi a horolezci nebyly nalezeny rozdíly s výjimkou tendence ke statistické významnosti u faktoru odtlumení, jenž je v souladu s některými předchozími výzkumy. Náš závěr je ten, že horolezkyně a horolezci ve Slovinsku jsou si rovni v potřebách vyhledávání prožitku a lze je považovat za homogenní vzorek.
Naše pojednání se zaměřuje na odlišnosti ve vyhledávání prožitku ("sensation seeking") u sportovkyň a sportovců, kteří se věnují vysoce rizikovým sportům. Existuje několik studií (Cox, 1994; Tušak & ...Tušak, 2001; Erjavec, 2002), jež udávají, že sportovkyně a sportovci si jsou podobnější než ženy a muži v obecné populaci, tj. sportovkyně vykazují více "tradičně mužských" charakteristik. Tyto studie se zaměřují zejména na osobnost, úzkost a agresi; těmito otázkami jsme se chtěli zabývat v oblasti vyhledávání prožitku. Vyhledávání prožitku bylo v oblasti vysoce rizikových sportů dobře prozkoumáno - u mužů byly zaznamenány vyšší potřeby vyhledávání prožitku, ale rozdíly mezi pohlavími v oblasti vysoce rizikových sportů doposud nebyly dobře probádány. Našeho výzkumu se zúčastnilo 33 horolezců, z toho 15 mužů a 18 žen a nepřihlíželo se k věkovým rozdílům. Použili jsme Zuckermanův dotazník Sensation seeking scale IV, jenž zkoumá vyhledávání prožitku za pomoci 5 faktorů, jimiž jsou všeobecný faktor; faktory podstoupení rizika; faktor hledání zkušenosti; faktor odtlumení (disinhibice) a faktor vnímavosti nudy. Mezi horolezkyněmi a horolezci nebyly nalezeny rozdíly s výjimkou tendence ke statistické významnosti u faktoru odtlumení, jenž je v souladu s některými předchozími výzkumy. Náš závěr je ten, že horolezkyně a horolezci ve Slovinsku jsou si rovni v potřebách vyhledávání prožitku a lze je považovat za homogenní vzorek. Our paper focuses on differences in sensation seeking between male and female athletes who engage in high risk sports. There are several studies (Cox, 1994; Tušak & Tušak, 2001; Erjavec, 2002), which indicate that male and female athletes are more similar than males and females in the general population, female athletes thus show more "traditionally male" characteristics. These studies mainly focus on personality, anxiety and aggression; we wanted to address these issues in the area of sensation seeking. Sensation seeking has been well researched in the area of high risk sports – males seem to have higher sensation seeking needs, but gender diff erences in high risk sports have been quite poorly investigated. Of 33 mountain climbers who participated in our research, 15 of them were male and 18 female and diff erences in age were not signifi cant. We used Zuckerman's Sensation seeking scale IV, which examines sensation seeking in terms of 5 factors – a general factor, factors of adventure and risk taking, an experience seeking factor, a disinhibition factor and a boredom susceptibility factor. There were no diff erences found between male and female mountain climbers, except for a tendency toward statistical signifi cance in the factor of disinhibition, which is consistent with some previous research. We conclude that male and female mountain climbers in Slovenia are equal in sensation seeking needs and can be treated as a homogenous sample.