Zsolt Bálint Katona
57387902300
Publications - 8
A Pilot Study of the Effect of Locomotor and Mechanical Loads on Elite Rowers During Competition Days
Publication Name: Sports
Publication Date: 2025-08-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 8
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
(1) Background: Fatigue impacts neuromuscular performance, especially in endurance sports like rowing. The aim is to explore how continuous workload affects explosiveness and fatigue progression. This study examines acute fatigue during repeated race events by assessing vertical jump height, force output, and subjective fatigue over three consecutive days at the 2024 Hungarian National Rowing Championships. (2) Methods: Nine rowers (five women, four men; mean age 20.17 ± 1.73 years) competed in multiple 2000 m races over three days. Lower limb explosiveness was measured via countermovement jump (CMJ) using a Kistler force plate, pre- and post-race. Heart rate data were recorded with Polar Team Pro®. Subjective fatigue was assessed using the ‘Daily Wellness Questionnaire’. (3) Results: We found a significant difference in the pattern of the medians of the force exerted by males during the jump between the results of the Thursday preliminaries (ThuQMe = 13.3) and the second final (ThuF2Me = −75.5). Women showed no notable changes. (4) Conclusion: Repeated high-intensity races induce neuromuscular fatigue in men, reflected in reduced explosiveness and increased subjective fatigue. Future research should incorporate biochemical markers to deepen the understanding of fatigue mechanisms.
Open Access: Yes
Body Mass and Aerobic Capacity are Robust Predictors of the 2000m Ergometer Rowing Performance: A Laboratory Study
Publication Name: International Journal of Kinesiology and Sports Science
Publication Date: 2025-01-01
Volume: 13
Issue: 2
Page Range: 78-85
Description:
Purpose: Predicting performance in sports competitions is a popular topic in research. However, only a few studies exist in rowing sports, which suggest that some anthropometric and performance indices might predict performance in various situations. Methods: This work expands past research by examining the effects of five anthropometric measures, such as body mass index (BMI), height, weight, fat, and muscle, and three performance indicators, such as aerobic capacity, maximum speed, and force, while also considering the training history of 38 elite rowers (Mag e = 16.89 ± 1.85, range 14.7 to 22.6 years, 61% males) participating in a national championship. Results: Apart from BMI, all measures correlated statistically significantly with the 2000m rowing time. A bootstrapped forward multiple regression yielded the best model with only two predictors (R2 =.995), aerobic capacity and body mass, accounting for 99.5% variance in the 2000m rowing time. Conclusions: While the results support previous findings, such robust prediction has not been reported in the literature. We conjecture that the differences from other past works rest with the high-pressure 2000m performance preceding a national championship. If these findings could be replicated, their practical implication is substantial in preparatory training for rowing contests.
Open Access: Yes
Analysis of the Laboratory and In-Competition Characteristics of Adolescent Motocross (MX) Riders: An In Situ Case Study
Publication Name: Applied Sciences Switzerland
Publication Date: 2024-09-01
Volume: 14
Issue: 18
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Motocross is one of the most popular high-speed motorcycle races, which takes place on a naturally closed track with significant challenges. This study aimed to characterize anthropometric, circulatory, and lower and upper limb muscle properties based on laboratory and race-recorded characteristics. Male competitors (n = 3) aged 14 years (MX) were included in the study. All three boys have national and international experience. Metabolic characteristics (ventilation, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide production) and heart rate (HR) were measured in the laboratory while HR and speed were measured while racing. No significant difference was found between the three competitors in terms of HR during the race. In terms of number of sprints (No. sprint) and maximum speed (Speedmax), we found the most successful runner (highest finisher) to have the most sprints and maximum speed. Comparing the metabolic characteristics, it was found that racing was between the respiratory breakpoint (VT1 ) and the respiratory compensation point (RCP), but, in several cases, crossed the anaerobic threshold. While motocross riders are exposed to extreme conditions and high physical demands, in motorsport, victories depend not only on the athlete’s physical abilities but also on several factors such as driving technique, mental effort, equipment efficiency and resistance, race strategy, and team competence.
Open Access: Yes
DOI: 10.3390/app14188232
Psychological Characteristics of Young Motocross (MX) Riders Based on Hungarian Championship Races †
Publication Name: Engineering Proceedings
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 79
Issue: 1
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Motocross (MX) requires physical and psychological fitness, so the performance of the individual is crucial to success. The aim of this study is to describe psychological characteristics measured under competitive conditions among successful adolescent MX riders. Methods: Eight young Hungarian MX riders were analyzed using the Individual Zones of Optimal Functioning (IZOF) model. Results: The pleasure component was lower, while tension and stressors were almost always greater after the race than before, regardless of the result achieved. Conclusion: Further research is needed to ensure the outstanding performance of riders combined with high-quality technical training and psychological preparation.
Open Access: Yes
Psychometric Properties of the Hungarian UCLA Loneliness Scale Among Adolescents: A Search for the Meaning of Loneliness in the Young Population
Publication Name: European Journal of Mental Health
Publication Date: 2024-01-01
Volume: 19
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Introduction: Loneliness has been considered a major public health and policy concern, with substantial physical and mental health impacts.The University of California and Los Angeles Loneliness Scale (UCLA-LS) is one of the most widely used scales for measuring loneliness but it does not have robust psychometric properties among adolescents.Aims: To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Hungarian UCLA-LS among adolescents.Methods: The sample includes a total of 2508 students, 57.3% females, aged between 14 and 21 years.Studying psychometric properties, internal reliability and criterion-related validity were measured.The sample was randomly divided into two parts to examine the factorial structure: one part was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the other was used for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA).Results: The UCLA-LS showed good internal consistency.Its total score and the single-item measure showed a small correlation, and also indicated a significant moderate association with hopelessness and self-reported well-being.Based on the EFA, we identified two factors with 51.7% of the total variance explained.In the CFA, the two-factor model demonstrated a good fit.Conclusions: The findings suggested that the Hungarian UCLA-LS can be a reliable and valid tool for adolescents to measure some dimensions of loneliness.We confirmed the non-normal, relatively skewed distribution of the scale.We can conclude that the UCLA-LS measures a trait characteristic of loneliness.In the adolescent population, it is recommended to use further measures of loneliness to gain more information about the frequency and nature of the multi-faceted mental representation of loneliness.
Open Access: Yes
A large sample cross-sectional study on mental health challenges among adolescents and young adults during the COVID-19 pandemic at-risk group for loneliness and hopelessness during the COVID-19 pandemic
Publication Name: Journal of Affective Disorders
Publication Date: 2023-03-15
Volume: 325
Issue: Unknown
Page Range: 770-777
Description:
Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges for societies. Emerging data have indicated that the younger population are the most vulnerable group to the development of mental health problems during this pandemic. The present study aimed to examine the effects of the changes in health behaviors on mental health problems to identify an at-risk group among adolescents and young adults. Methods: In the present cross-sectional study, secondary school students (N = 2556) ages 15–21 years participated in Hungary. A self-report questionnaire was developed to measure the changes in health behaviors. Mental health problems were measured by the Beck Hopelessness Scale and the 20-item UCLA Loneliness Scale. Results: A significant proportion of the students showed moderate/severe hopelessness or high loneliness which were more pronounced among adolescent females. An at-risk group was identified among adolescents and young adults. Students who have a lower number of friends, spend less time in front of a screen, and feel lonely often/very often are more likely to have moderate/severe hopelessness with high loneliness. Limitations: All data were collected online, and students completed the questionnaires voluntarily. Cross-sectional, non-preregistered study. Conclusions: Loneliness and hopelessness were prevalent in the young population during the COVID-19 pandemic. The at-risk group of adolescents characterized by moderate/severe hopelessness with high loneliness highlights the need for follow-up mental health to avoid future poor mental and physical health. It is also recommended to develop effective interventions targeted to gender and age, with the promotion of resiliencies and buffers against vulnerabilities of negative life events.
Open Access: Yes
Assessing physical activity and subjective health status among Hungarian secondary school students during the distance learning period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic
Publication Name: Orvosi Hetilap
Publication Date: 2022-04-24
Volume: 163
Issue: 17
Page Range: 655-662
Description:
Introduction: High school education took place in the form of distance learning during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic worldwide, including Hungary. Decreased physical activity and an increase in inactive behaviours may lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Objective: Our study focused on changes in physical activity (aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening, team sports) and subjective perceptions of health status in adolescents and young adults during the pandemic. Method: High school students in 66 public schools in 37 cities in Hungary (n = 2508) were surveyed. Questionnaire items on physical activity and subjective perceptions of health were adapted from the WHO Health Behaviour of School-aged Children Survey and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey. 2 × 2 × 4 factorial ANCOVA was used to test the effect of gender and/or age and region on changes in subjective perceptions of physical activity and health before and during distance education. Results: The majority of the high school students reported a decrease in physical activity frequency during the dis¬tance learning period, with an average of 2-3 fewer days of physical activity per week regardless of region. Nearly a quarter of them rated their health as worse during distance learning than before. A higher proportion of those who reported a subjective decline in health also reported a decline in physical activity. Conclusion: A decline in physical activity during the period of distance learning is associated with a decline in subjec¬tive perceptions of health, especially among rural adolescent girls.
Open Access: Yes
Physical activity and screen time among hungarian high school students during the COVID-19 pandemic caused distance education period
Publication Name: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Publication Date: 2021-12-01
Volume: 18
Issue: 24
Page Range: Unknown
Description:
Background: High school education took place in the form of distance learning during SARS-CoV-2 pandemic worldwide, including Hungary. Decreased physical activity and an increase in inactive behaviours may lead to an increased risk of obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Aim: Our study targeted changes in physical activity (aerobic exercise, muscle strengthening) and screen time in adolescents and young adults during the pandemic. Methods: High school students were interviewed in 66 public schools in 37 Hungarian cities (N = 2508). Survey items on physical activity and screen time were derived from the WHO Health Behaviour of School-aged Children Survey and the Centers for Disease Control Youth Risk Behavior Survey. A 2 × 2 factorial ANCOVA was used to test the effects of gender (male vs. female) and/or age (adolescents vs. young adults) on the reported changes in physical activity and screen time before and during lockdown (covariate: BMI Z-score). Results: The majority of the cohort indicated less physical activity. Aerobic and muscle-strengthening type of exercises significantly decreased, and screen time increased during distance education. Male individuals showed a higher decrease in the level of aerobic exercise, and young adults reported a higher increase in the time spent in front of the screen.
Open Access: Yes
