Effects in Perceptual Learning Modes in Dance Education

Katarina Šimunović — 2026-03-15

Purpose: The main goal of the research is to establish whether there is a difference between the research groups (visual, kinaesthetic, and auditory) in progressing through the cognitive stage of learning in dance classes. Additionally, effectiveness of self-assessment as a part of the student-centered approach in dance education, metric characteristic of newly constructed test for assessing the level of dance performance and preferences in perceptual modes separately by gender were analysed.

Methods: The study was carried out on a sample of 61 students, aged between 20 and 24, divided in three groups: visual (N=21), kinaesthetic (N=21) and auditory (N=19) in which a different perceptual strategy of learning was implemented. The learning progress in initial cognitive stage of learning and the assessment of dance performance was monitored through three measurement points. External and internal evaluation of dance skills level of performance was conducted.

Results: Results suggested satisfactory metric characteristic of sensitivity and objectivity of newly constructed test for assessing external and internal level of dance performance. According to Repeated Measures ANOVA and Tukey Post Hoc Test between three measurements points with two categorical variables of gender and perceptual learning modes, statistical significance was found F (4,110) = 5.442 (p<0.00).

Conclusions: The obtained results suggest that the auditory perceptual learning strategy is the most effective method for learning dances in cognitive stage of learning. Perceptual learning strategy of following the rhythm and tempo of music is more effective for creating memory patterns formed in the initial stage of learning than relying on visual or kinaesthetic imputations for learning dance patterns. Self-evaluation as well as possibility of choosing the effective perceptual learning strategy are student-centered forms of teaching dances that should be given priority in the learning process.

Keywords: student-centeredness, gender differences, cognitive stage of learning

Match-Induced Dehydration and Its Association with External Load in Elite Academy Football Players

Marta Tomljanović — 2026-05-21

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate pre- to post-match changes in hydration status and examine associations
between dehydration markers and GPS-derived external load variables in elite academy football players during official
competition.
Methods: Thirty-eight elite male academy football players (15–19 years) participated in the study, resulting in 69 match
observations collected across 10 official matches. Hydration-related variables included pre- and post-match body mass
(BM), urine specific gravity (USG), handgrip strength (HS), percentage dehydration (%deh), fluid intake (W), and estimated
rehydration requirements (REHA). External load was monitored using 10-Hz GPS devices and included total distance
covered, relative running intensity, maximal velocity, high-intensity running distance, sprint distance, and accelerations/
decelerations. Pre- to post-match differences were assessed using paired-samples t-tests, while associations between
dehydration and GPS variables were analyzed using Spearman’s rank correlation coefficients.
Results: Significant reductions in body mass were observed following match play (P < 0.001), with players losing 0.9 ± 0.5 kg
on average, corresponding to a mean dehydration level of 1.2 ± 0.7%. Urine specific gravity increased significantly post-match
(P = 0.001), indicating deterioration in hydration status. Although mean dehydration remained below the commonly cited
2% threshold, 11.6% of observations exceeded this value. Fluid intake during matches (1.0 ± 0.5 L) appeared insufficient
relative to estimated rehydration requirements (2.9 ± 1.1 L). A significant positive correlation was observed between %deh
and total distance covered (rho = 0.283, P = 0.019), whereas no significant associations were found for other GPS variables.
Midfield players demonstrated significantly greater relative running intensity than defenders and forwards (P < 0.001),
although no positional differences in dehydration were identified.
Conclusions: Elite academy football players demonstrated significant match-induced deterioration in hydration status
during official competition. Individualized hydration monitoring and fluid replacement strategies may be important for
optimizing recovery and reducing exercise-induced fluid deficits in elite youth football.

Acta Kinesiologica

Effects in Perceptual Learning Modes in Dance Education

Match-Induced Dehydration and Its Association with External Load in Elite Academy Football Players