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A large number of human movement studies have focused on functioning of complex biological systems. These systems can be observed as one muscle-tendon unit or one muscle fiber, one limb or joint, or a whole locomotor system presented as a kinetics chain. A muscletendon unit may generate forces in two distinctly different ways: as an elastic-like spring in stretch-shortening motion and as converters of metabolic energy into mechanical work. Furthermore, during movement a muscle-tendon unit can be stiff or compliant. Understanding these conditions during movement would provide important information that could be used for sports performance improvement and injury prevention planning.

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Background/Aim. Osteoporosis is a systemic disease of the skeleton characterized by a decrease in bone mass and changes in the bone structure. An increased tendency of the bone tissue for fractures occurs as a consequence of these changes. The initial phase of physiological aging of the bones that gradually leads to osteoporosis is osteopenia. This paper tracks the effects of a specific kind of physical exercise program in women with osteopenia. The aim was to quantify the impact of this program on: the concentration of bone metabolism blood markers, muscle strength, aerobic capacity, and physical dimensions. Methods. The sample consisted of 26 women in postmenopause (age 46–58) divided into two groups – experimental group (n = 15) and control group (n = 11). A combined program of exercise consisting of aerobic activities and strength training was applied in the experimental group, while the control group did not join in the exercise program. The program lasted for 7 weeks, three times a week with a break day between the trainings. The intensity of the aerobic training was in the span of 60% to 70% of heart rate reserve (HRR), and the intensity of the strength training was in the span of 60% to 85% of one repetitive maximum (1RM). Osteopenia was diagnosed prior to the experiment by applying a dual energy X-ray absorptiometry of the lumbar spine and the hip. The following was measured before and after the experiment: the level of biochemical markers in the serum [Beta-aspartic acid β-cross laps (CTx), total procollagen type 1 N-terminal peptide (tP1NP) and bone isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), 1RM of leg extensors, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max), bodily height and mass, and a calculated Body Mass Index (BMI). Results. Significant changes were determined only in the experimental group. During the experimental period, there was a significant increase of muscle strength and VO2 max, with a decrease of Beta-CTx concentration. No statistically significant changes were recorded in the control group. Conclusion. A 7- week period of systematic exercise showed to be sufficient to increase muscle strength and VO2 max, partially also to decrease bone resorption, but insufficient to alter bone volume, bodily mass, and BMI.

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Christianity has never denied the importance of the body, but unlike the West where the cult of the body and the physical is present, it has always given precedence to the spirit. This is where the essence lies - in the balance between mind and body in the identity of man. Hence, the seemingly redundant analysis when the ontology of the Church is concerned, but it is, simply, the modality in which this is presented in the language of Orthodox ontology. Therefore, as a principle assumption, it can be argued that sport is nothing but a secularized form of Christianity. This is confirmed by many examples, both in the literature of the philosophy of sport (primarily), and likewise in everyday practice. Although these examples, for the most part, are secular in nature, they, nevertheless, demonstrate a high degree of that which is complimentary with the principles of the Christian asceticism. Hence, the asceticism (Orthodox) and sport present the deepest aspirations of the human soul, viz. body, namely: perfection, harmony, beauty, goodness, truth, holiness. With asceticism, a Christian is elevated above the level of animal rationale, and what else does sport do, if not the same. Asceticism exhausts its essence in man's inherent aspiration towards Beauty (God) and beauty (of the soul), while sport represents this identical aspiration through physical feat and skill. This work, through the form of a descriptive study, in its basis, deals with the topic of comparative considerations/display of kinetic phenomena in sport (mainly) and in the experiment (experience) of ascetic practice, as basic guiding threads of Orthodox ontology.

The bones play an important structural role in the organism. They provide mobility, support, and protect the body, and the place where the storage essential minerals. Healthy bones have a crucial impact on the overall health of a person, and activities that promote health and preventive influence on the formation of bone disease are crucial in maintaining a strong and healthy skeletal system. Physical inactivity affects the decrease in function of bone, and the most common disease of bone osteoporosis. Osteoporosis is a systemic skeletal disorder that results in low bone density and micro-architectural deterioration of bone tissue, that results in less bone density, and may lead to fracture. Physical activity is essential for bone health and prevention of osteoporosis. Based on available information, the best effect to maintain and stimulate the formation of bone mineral density is a combination of dynamic exercises with resistance training that engage multiple joints, large muscle groups, and have influence on the spine and hips. The results suggest that exercises with axial loading, such as running, jumping, and power exercise, promote the positive gains in bone mineral density. Therefore, training should focus on the adaptation of specific parts of the body that is most susceptible to injury, and should be sufficiently intense that exceeds the normal loads.

Since the middle of the last century, the human population has increased exponentially. This trend is evident today. Human population has, for more than half a century been undergoing the period of its intensive development, increasing in number and the average length of life, creating the impression of a better life standard. Looking at the man as a bio-psycho-social being and the interactions it ones through the human population growth is brought in connection with its impact on the environment. In such an environment, one does not only face infectious diseases, but also the misery and poverty in developing countries and massive noninfectious diseases, in developed countries. These facts introduce evidence about the possible effects of physical activity as to prevent the consequences of mass noninfectious diseases, as well as to strengthen the competence of people in general. Therefore, in a holistic, synergic concept of interpretation of human life, it is significant to include biological indicators that have an impact on the growth of the world population and may be associated with the kinesiology. Quantitative indicators of the trend of human development on this planet are the basic research unit observed in this paper. At the same time, the subjects of observation are also other indicators that can be causally linked to the development of the human population and are especially valuable evidence of the contribution of physical activity to the human development. The data that is associated with the theoretical considerations and the results of various statistics are presented based on the rules of ex-post-facto analysis. It is concluded that the value of physical activity has long had to have the equal status with one's chances of being better prepared for life on this planet ontogenetically and phylogenetically, and for the life conditions that will become even more extreme and that increasing older humans will face.

The treatment of clients in health spa resorts entails various forms of hydrotherapy. Due to specific properties of water, especially thermal mineral waters, hydrokinesitherapy has a positive effect on the locomotor system, aerobic capabilities of organism and overall quality of human life. The effects of use of water in movement therapy are related to the physical and chemical properties of water. The application of hydrotherapy entails precautionary measures, with an individual approach in assessment and prescription. The benefits of treatment in thermal mineral water should be emphasized and protected, as all thermal mineral waters differ in composition. All physical properties of water are more pronounced in thermal mineral waters due to its mineralisation, hence its therapeutical efficiency is greater, as well.

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Facta Universitatis: Series Physical Education & Sport is the property of Facta Universitatis, Series Physical Education & Sport and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Muscular strength and anaerobic power could be assessed by single and multiple vertical jump testing procedures. Anaerobic capacity measured by vertical jump testing is highly correlative with athletic performance, as compared to other anaerobic testing procedures. The most frequently used protocol with contact mat or force platform consists of single jump (i.e., squat jump, drop jump, countermovement jump) and serial jump testing with different duration. Measured variables include jump height and duration along with absolute and relative peak muscular power. Several investigators have clearly shown superior jump performance variables in elite athletes as compared to non-elite subjects. Differences obtained could be due to genetic factors and acute or prolonged effects of training regimen. with