Newsletter 1/2016
Physical Activity Review Magazine
Prof. Jacek Wąsik from Poland is one of the members of the AETF Scientific Research Committee. In the today's interview we would like to bring near the magazine, he created, entitled: Physical Activity Review, which is largely dedicated to different martial arts also Taekwon-Do. We encourage you to read the interview.
Jacek Wąsik (4th Degree) born in 1971 in Częstochowa, Poland. He was the Polish Champion in 1988. He is Doctor of physical science, Professor of science on physical education. He specializes in biomechanics of martial arts, especially in Taekwon-Do techniques. He is the author of several dozen of science articles published in the renowned international magazines. Masters grade coach. His most known students are: Ms. Aleksandra Nowak – Individual Senior World Champion, Ms. Magdalena Radomiak and Mr. Slawomir Oglaza – Individual Junior World Champions. His hobby is computer graphics. Currently he is the Head of the Institute of Physical Education, Tourism and Physiotherapy at the Jan Długosz University in Czestochowa.
1. How did you come with an idea to create such a magazine or what did inspire you to establish such a magazine?
During a conversation with one of the editors in chief of one scientific journal I started to advice the person how to carry on such activity. I had a suggestion that I can assist him with editing and that I know how to rise the scoring of the magazine (in Poland the research journals each year receive points from the Ministry). He, being a professional, ignored my proposition. I though it was no surprise. However, I always have in my mind the sentence of Gen. Choi Hong Hi who has said: “Learn to have an active and operational attitude, which does not rely only on words”. Therefore, I’ve decided to show him how it should look like. This way the magazine Physical Activity Review was established.
2. What year was it or when did establish the magazine?
The first issue of the Physical Activity Review was created in 2013. In Poland you can apply for the scoring mentioned earlier, three years after the journal was established. At that time the perspective of 2016 seemed to be a deep abyss. I did not have any funds at disposal but passion only. On one day the dean of my university invited me to a serious talk and asked “how dare you establishing the magazine without asking anyone for approval.” As a subordinate I replied that I did it with the right of the free market. But then I realized that it won’t be an easy task. At that moment I resembled myself late Gen. Choi who used to say: “Always finish what you have started, regardless of it being small or big”. Now, after three years, during the first scoring I noticed my first small “success” which means 5 points from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education and a minor recognition in the world. I would like to mention that the magazine, I competed with, after 15 years of issuing on the market gained its first 1 point, then 2, subsequently 4 and currently 6 points.
3. To what subject is the magazine dedicated?
The journal is dedicated to different manifestations of physical activity. We approve articles from areas of physiology, biomechanics, tourism, physiotherapy and the history of physical education. I always appreciate and accept with pleasure articles about martial arts, and especially Taekwon-Do.
4. How did you acquire co-workers, printing materials etc.?
In the beginning stage I was inviting acquaintances to write. Following that I worked to obtain the cooperation with the organizers of the scientific conferences. Right now I am trying to organize my own congresses. The difficulty is the co-opting of the independent reviewers, who disinterestedly and for free will undertake the assessment of the article being sent. For the sake of the high quality I always strive that the articles will be evaluated by the researchers from different countries.
5. How much time do you dedicate to the development of the magazine?
At the beginning it was a lot of time. Right now it is self- propelling. Most dreams of the editors-in-chief of the scientific magazines is that the journal will be indexed in the Thomson Routers base and receiving so-called IF (Impact Factor).
Impact Factor is in abbreviation the recognition in the world scientific society. It means that the magazine is opinion-forming in a specific field. The assessment takes place based on the numbers of quotations in other magazines of IF. There are only three journals in Poland of the sport science area which possess the Impact Factor.
6. Who are the recipients of the magazine?
The contents of the Physical Activity Review are dedicated to the scientists, coaches and people interested in the broadly defined physical activity. In the journal you will find the articles on the subject of physiology, biomechanics, and theory of sport or the history of physical education.
Here are some examples of articles subjected to Taekwon-Do ITF:
Sport sparring concept in taekwon-do - The Christmas tree diagram
Professional activities of an Olympic martial sports trainer
3rd World Congress of Martial Arts and Sports
Kinetics of the knife-hand strike used in power breaking in ITF Taekwon-do
7. How the magazine is evaluated by the scientific environment?
I am aware of the fact that this is the beginning of the way. However, I am very content to receive texts from different parts of the world – Japan, Korea, Brazil, Iran, Morocco, Slovakia etc. The journal is indexed in nine scientific bases including four international.
8. Was it helpful in any way with your professional advancement?
The work for the magazine did not have any influence in my professional advancement.
9. How do you see the future of your magazine?
I count on - that in time - I will receive more manuscripts and that I will start the cooperation with a bigger number of reviewers. My goal is to be indexed in the base of Thomson Routers and to gain the Impact Factor rate.
