Studia Kinanthropologica, 2025 (vol. 26), issue 1
The toss of successful and unsuccessful flat serves of female tennis players
J. Carboch, & D. Hrychová
Studia Kinanthropologica 2025, 26(1):7-13 | DOI: 10.32725/sk.2025.003 
The flat serve reaches the highest speeds. To execute it successfully, the key is to toss the ball correctly and hit it. The aim is to determine the relationship between the toss and the success of the flat serve in female tennis players. We observed 8 competitive female adult tennis players who served 40 flat serves each. They were videotaped on a high-speed camera (200Hz) from the side view. On the basis of 2D kinematic analysis, we evaluated the racket-ball impact during 1) successful serves 2) serves into the net 3) serves fault–long 4) serves fault–wide. Using repeated measures ANOVA, the results showed that the toss peak was significantly...
Body height development and other trends in elite tennis from 2003 to 2023
J. Carboch, & A. Vašíčková
Studia Kinanthropologica 2025, 26(1):15-22 | DOI: 10.32725/sk.2025.004
The aim of this study is to investigate the developmental trends of selected somatic factors in elite male and female tennis players over the period from 2003 to 2023. The research sample consisted of players who were ranked in the Top 20 of the ATP and WTA rankings, and the analysis focused on body height, weight, and BMI. The results showed that between 2003 and 2023, the mean body height of male players increased by 5 cm, while the height of female players rose only slightly. In men, no trend of increasing body weight was observed, and in recent years, weight has even decreased. A decrease in Body Mass Index (BMI) was also observed, suggesting that...
The effect of the Buteyko method on resting spirometry in an active population
T. Loosová, E. Vrzalová, & L. Počtová
Studia Kinanthropologica 2025, 26(1):23-30 | DOI: 10.32725/sk.2025.005
Buteyko method is well-known for its techniques of conscious breath control, which focus on improving respiratory system function. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the Buteyko method on resting spirometry in an active population. Participants in the study were students of the University of South Bohemia (n = 22, age = 23.23 ± 2.39 years; weight = 73.23 ± 12.33 kg; height = 174.72 ± 9.76 cm), who were randomly assigned to either the intervention (n = 11) or control (n = 11) group. The intervention group underwent a six-week breathing exercise program based on the Buteyko method, which included reduced breathing and breath-holding...
Block and variable skills training in school physical education
R. Peřinová
Studia Kinanthropologica 2025, 26(1):31-37 | DOI: 10.32725/sk.2025.006
The aim of the study was to determine whether variable practice is feasible in a mainstream school setting and whether our research population, consisting of a school classroom, would lead to a higher rate of skill retention compared to block practice. The study was based on previous research focusing on the influence of contextual interference, but it took a new didactical perspective on this issue in the context of a standard Czech school environment. Thirty-eight sixth grade elementary school pupils participated in the research investigation. The effectiveness of block and variable drills in the acquisition of three specific movement skills was...