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This research aimed to determine differences in pace strategies between the two groups of elite swimmers at the 2019 World Championships in the 100m butterfly. The overall sample included in this study consisted of 16 male participants of the World Swimming Championships in South Korea, who were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of finalists (22.88 ± 3.83 years; n = 8), and the second group of semifinalists (24.63 ± 4.93 years; n = 8). The results are taken from the official results from the omega timing website. A T-test was used to determine the differences between groups. Finalist were faster than semifinalists for first lap (23.82 ± .45 vs. 24.26 ± .30 s, p= .035), second lap (27.34 ± .31 vs. 27.78 ± .34 s, p= .018) as well as final time (51.16 ± .74 vs. 52.04 ± .26 s, p= .007) but not in drop off (3.53 ± .22 vs. 3.51 ± .59 s, p= .946). Finalists of the 100-m butterfly event at international competitions swam a faster first and second lap compared to their competitors in the semifinal group. Both groups are elite swimmers and showed abilities to maintain swimming velocity in first and second laps, therefore minimizing the drop-off from the start to the end of the race. The pacing strategies of elite swimmers remain relatively stable. The obtained results can be a good starting point in the learning process and education of teachers who coach young swimmers.

Study Design This is a cross-sectional study. Introduction Muscular strength has been known as a powerful marker of health in children. Normative data are important for health screening and prevention of future diseases; however, up-to-date data are lacking. Purpose of the Study The purpose of this study was development of normative data for grip strength measured with a bulb dynamometer in children, by gender and age. Methods The study sample consisted of 1602 healthy Serbian boys and girls, aged from 4 to 10 years. Grip strength was measured by a baseline pneumatic squeeze bulb dynamometer (Baseline, USA) in five preschools and three elementary schools across the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. Results Age- and gender-specific normative data for muscular strength are provided. Boys showed significantly higher strength than girls both in the dominant (mean difference: 0.25 Psi, p = .028) and nondominant hand (mean difference: 0.26 Psi, p = .008). Grip strength of both hands increased with age in girls and boys. However, no significant differences were found in boys between ages 4 and 5 years and between 8 and 9 years for both dominant and nondominant hand (p > .05). The dominant hand showed better performance than the nondominant hand (mean difference: 0.42 Psi, p = .001). Conclusion Our findings provide comparison data for muscular strength and fitness level, considering age and gender in children.

School-based programmes have shown promising results in the reduction of aggressive behaviour, but the effectiveness of physical activity modalities among adolescents remains to be determined. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of a school-based soccer programme on physical fitness and aggression in adolescent students. One hundred and five high school students were randomized to a small-sided soccer training group (SG) or a control group (CG). In addition to the regular physical education classes performed as part of a curriculum, the SG completed eight months of small-sided soccer training twice a week after school. Aerobic fitness (YYIR1), vertical jump (VJ), backward overhead medicine ball throw (BOMBT), and Buss and Perry’s aggression questionnaire were evaluated before and after eight months of training. Greater improvements were observed in the SG than in the CG in the BOMBT (%diff=4.3, η p 2 =.308) and YYIR1 tests (%diff=2.2, η p 2 =.159), and physical aggression subscale (%diff=-12.1, η p 2 =.144). Extra, school-based recreational soccer for adolescents was accompanied by a significant improvement in physical fitness, compared to physical education classes only. Moreover, the implementation of recreational soccer into regular physical education classes seems to be a potentially appropriate stimulus for reducing aggression in high-school students.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of innovative and traditional physical education classes on motor abilities of children of younger school age. The sample consisted of 42 students (26 males and 16 females), aged 8 (M = 8.54), second grade of the Elementary School "Laza Kostić" in Kovilj near Novi Sad. The experimental group consisted of 22 students (52.3%) involved in a twelve-week innovative exercise program whose characteristics were changing the content of the class and the fact that it consisted of teaching units that with their form, scope and intensity focus on development of these abilities, while the control group consisted of 20 (47.7%) students who attended traditional physical education classes in accordance with the current curriculum of the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Serbia. Motor skills were assessed using six tests (Sprint from a high start at 20 meters - speed; Long jump from the board - explosive power of the lower extremities; Backwards polygon and Skipping and pulling - whole body coordination; Test T for agility and Running 4x10 meters - agility). The results showed that there is a statistically significant effect on all tested variables of motor skills in students who attended innovative classes (Sprint from a high start at 20 meters) (p = .00, ES = -.14); Long jump from the board (p = .,00, ES = .,71); Back polygon (p = .00 ES = -.44); Skipping and dragging (p = .00, ES = -.20); T test for agility (p = .01, ES = -0,22); Running 4x10 meters (p = .00; ES = -.43), while this was not the case with students who attended traditional physical education classes.

The aim of this study was to determine the isokinetic profile of shoulder internal and external rotators in judo and karate female elite athletes.; Methods: Study sample consisted of senior 13 female karate athletes (21.23 ± 2.83 years) and 13 female judokas (21.00 ± 2.51 years). For testing the isokinetic muscle strength of the external and internal rotation of the shoulder joint, the HUMAN NORM isokinetic dynamometer has been used. Testing the maximum muscle strength of subjects was carried out at an angular speed of 60º / sec and 180 º / sec; Results: Judo female athletes had higher isokinetic peak torque for right and left shoulder internal rotators than karate athletes at 60º/s and 180º/s, with a large effect size, Cohen’s d = 0.89, 1.02, 0.97, 0.95, respectively. Also, large differences were observed between the judo and karate subjects in peak muscle torques of the right shoulder external shoulder rotator muscles of both limbs were greater in judokas than karate athletes. Isokinetic testing should be an integral part of training process in combat sports because in order to decrease the number of injuries and improve performance.

The aim of this research was to determine the differences between the finalists and semifinalists of the 2019 World Championships in the 100 m breaststroke. The total sample of subjects included in the study consisted of 23 male participants of the 2019 World Swimming Championships, who were divided into two groups. The first group consisted of finalists (24.75 ± 1.58 years; n = 8), and the second group of semifinalists (25.00 ± 3.38 years; n = 15). The results are taken from the official website of the International Swimming Federation (FINA). The variables analyzed in this study are: Split 1 - first passing time of the 100 m breaststroke, Split 2 - second passing time of the 100 m breaststroke, T100 - total time of the 100 m breaststroke. All data were processed by statistical analysis one‐way ANOVA. The results of the research showed that there are no statistically significant differences between the final and semifinal groups in any of the examined variables, but there are evident numerical differences that are more pronounced in the Split 2 (F = 2.063; p = .166). Based on these results, it can be concluded that swimmers who excel in their abilities in the other 50 m of the race, or achieve better times in this segment of the race, will achieve a better final result.

The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness in preschool children. A total of 72 children (36 boys) and 92 children (47 boys) composed the experimental (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. We used the PREFIT battery access physical fitness. In EG, participants had 45 minutes of organized physical activity 5 days per week. The CG continued their usual routine with 30 minutes of structured physical activity two times per week. The EG improved the mean performance of grip strength (η p 2 =0.08) and sit-ups in the 30s ( p 2 =0.16) to a significantly greater extent as compared to the CG. In boys, the improvements of mean performance of handgrip strength (η p 2 =0.13), 4x10m shuttle run η p 2 =0.09), standing long jump (η p 2 =0.05), sit-ups in 30s (η p 2 =0.17) were significantly greater in EG than in the CG. However, girls in EG only had significant improvements in the sit-ups in the 30 s test compared to CG (η p 2 =0.14). Overall, our study shows that after 6 months of daily exercise programme, preschool children improved muscular strength compared to those peers allocated in the control group. No significant differences between groups were found in the remaining fitness components analysed.

Il presente manuale è frutto di un’attenta analisi da parte di esperti del settore sportivo a livello internazionale (Austria, Bosnia ed Erzegovina, Croazia, Lituania, Serbia, Spagna). Esso rappresenta il punto di partenza per una riflessione profonda riguardo tematiche quali violenza ed esclusione sociale, in contesti sportivi e scolastici. Il suo intento è quello di essere una guida pratica per tecnici ed operatori che si trovano quotidianamente a formare ed educare i ragazzi sulla gestione delle relazioni all’interno del gruppo (sportivo e non), sulla presenza di fenomeni frequenti (ad es., il pregiudizio) e di eventuali conflitti. Inoltre, il manuale fornisce conoscenze aggiuntive per gli studenti di scienze motorie e psicologia che si trovano a dover mettere a frutto gli insegnamenti appresi in ambito accademico. La struttura schematica ed intuitiva è pensata per una rapida consultazione ogniqualvolta ve ne sia la necessità, mentre i casi studio offrono la possibilità di riconoscere situazioni conflittuali ed ottenere suggerimenti su come risolverle.

Il presente manuale è frutto di un’attenta analisi da parte di esperti del settore sportivo a livello internazionale (Austria, Bosnia ed Erzegovina, Croazia, Lituania, Serbia, Spagna). Esso rappresenta il punto di partenza per una riflessione profonda riguardo tematiche quali violenza ed esclusione sociale, in contesti sportivi e scolastici. Il suo intento è quello di essere una guida pratica per tecnici ed operatori che si trovano quotidianamente a formare ed educare i ragazzi sulla gestione delle relazioni all’interno del gruppo (sportivo e non), sulla presenza di fenomeni frequenti (ad es., il pregiudizio) e di eventuali conflitti. Inoltre, il manuale fornisce conoscenze aggiuntive per gli studenti di scienze motorie e psicologia che si trovano a dover mettere a frutto gli insegnamenti appresi in ambito accademico. La struttura schematica ed intuitiva è pensata per una rapida consultazione ogniqualvolta ve ne sia la necessità, mentre i casi studio offrono la possibilità di riconoscere situazioni conflittuali ed ottenere suggerimenti su come risolverle. Riconoscendo l’importanza della tematica

There is a strong relationship between body composition and performance in male soccer players. This study aimed to display an optimal body height and weight, and body composition profile of male soccer players for four competitive age groups. This cross-sectional study included four groups: U-15 (n = 152), U-17 (n = 154), U-19 (n = 61), and seniors (n = 27). Body height and weight were measured under standard conditions, and the bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA) analyzed body composition. On average, soccer players in the U-15 group had significantly lower body height, weight, body mass index, skeletal muscle mass, fat-free mass, total body water and basal metabolic rate than U-17, U-19 and seniors, but a higher percentage of body fat than U-17 and U-19, p &lt, 0.05. In addition, the results show significant non-linear increases in body height, weight and body composition as the age of soccer players increases, with the exception of the percentage of body fat mass, which tends to significantly decrease with age. The main findings of this study are that body fat mass remains stable and similar across all age groups, including in the senior squad.

Background. There are numerous benefits to undertaking regular physical activity on health. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends for young people to undertake at least 60 minutes of moderately intense physical activity daily. Despite the well-known health benefits of exercise, the levels of physically inactive young people are continuously increasing. A large number of studies have found a relationship between socio-economic status and chronic disease. The aim of our study was to examine: the association between family socio-economic status and adolescent physical activity and also to assess the link between social support and adolescents’ physical activity and finally to examine whether there are any gender differences. Material and methods. There were 3396 final year secondary school students from 33 randomly selected secondary schools from Zagreb included in our study. The study was conducted from April 2015 to June 2016. Physical activity was measured using a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ-SF). Socio- economic status and family social support was assessed using questionnaires. Results. Boys were significantly more physically active than girls. The results of the logistic regression analysis did not determine a statistically significant association between the socioeconomic status and physical activity of the participants. Conclusions. Family social support and socio- economic status were not positively related to physical activity in Croatian adolescents.

Postural stability (PS) has an important role in many athletic activities. However, modern dance demands a heightened PS because of the required aesthetic quality and speed of movement. The aim o...

Functional movement is an important part of developing athletes&rsquo, but also untrained individuals&rsquo, performance. Its monitoring also proved useful in identifying functional limitations and asymmetries, and also in determining the intervention effects. The quasi-experimental pre-test post-test study investigated the effects of core stability training program on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score in untrained students after six weeks. The intervention (INT) and control (CG) groups included 73 and 65 male students, respectively. Functional movement patterns were evaluated using the FMS including seven components scores representing seven basic functional patterns. Both groups significantly improved almost all FMS components scores, but the INT increased the mean performance of the hurdle step (partial ŋ2 &times, 100 = 4%, p = 0.02), in-line lunge (partial ŋ2 &times, 100 = 3%, p = 0.05), rotatory stability (partial ŋ2 &times, 100 = 4%, p = 0.02) and total FMS (partial ŋ2 &times, 100 = 3%, p = 0.04) significantly more than the CG. This justifies that core strengthening can improve FMS in untrained individuals even with the short duration programs.

The early detection and continuous monitoring of children&rsquo, s motor competence levels and physical fitness is very important. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in motor coordination of children enrolled in soccer and multisport activities. The participants of this study included 147 boys and girls (mean age 7.60 &plusmn, 0.85 years). The total sample of subjects was composed of two subgroups: children who were enrolled in organized exercise programs&mdash, multisports (n = 77), and children who were engaged in soccer training (n = 70). Motor coordination was evaluated with the Kiphard&ndash, Schilling body coordination test (KTK). Physical fitness was assessed with a 20 m shuttle run test, 4 &times, 10 m shuttle run test, standing long jump, and handgrip strength. The ANCOVA showed significant differences (p &lt, 0.05) with large effect size between groups for tests hopping for height (d = 0.93), total motor quotient (d = 1.31), jumping sideways (d = 1.32), and moving sideways (d = 1.59), after adjusting for age and gender. There were no significant differences between groups in the physical fitness tests. It can be concluded that children enrolled in multisport activities have higher levels of motor coordination than children who are enrolled only in soccer. Therefore, multiple sport training programs should be considered and encouraged by parents, educators, and other training professionals.

The pathogenesis of predominantly neurological decompression sickness (DCS) is multifactorial. In SCUBA diving, besides gas bubbles, DCS has been linked to microparticle release, impaired endothelial function, and platelet activation. This study focused on vascular damage and its potential role in the genesis of DCS in breath-hold diving. Eleven breath-hold divers participated in a field study comprising eight deep breath-hold dives with short surface periods and repetitive breath-hold dives lasting for 6 h. Endothelium-dependent vasodilation of the brachial artery, via flow-mediated dilation (FMD), and the number of microparticles (MPs) were assessed before and after each protocol. All measures were analyzed by two-way within-subject ANOVA (2 × 2 ANOVA; factors: time and protocol). Absolute FMD was reduced following both diving protocols (p < 0.001), with no interaction (p = 0.288) or main effect of protocol (p = 0.151). There was a significant difference in the total number of circulating MPs between protocols (p = 0.007), where both increased post-dive (p = 0.012). The number of CD31+/CD41– and CD66b+ MP subtypes, although different between protocols (p < 0.001), also increased by 41.0% ± 56.6% (p = 0.050) and 60.0% ± 53.2% (p = 0.045) following deep and repetitive breath-hold dives, respectively. Both deep and repetitive breath-hold diving lead to endothelial dysfunction that may play an important role in the genesis of neurological DCS.

SUMMARY: The aim of this research was to determine the difference in Calcaneus quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and body composition according to physical activity in preschool children. We recruited 296 healthy children (112 girls and 184 boys) from different kindergartens in Vojvodina, Serbia. Children were evaluated for body composition. Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) measurements of the heel were performed using the Speed of sound, Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation, Quantitative Ultrasound Index and Estimated bone mineral density for further analysis. Furthermore, children were divided into three groups according to physical activity. Apart from the differences in Body fat % and body mass, there were no significant group differences for BMI, waist circumference and abdominal skinfold (p>0.05). The ANOVA showed significant differences (p

Studies concerning the effects of different invasion games on physical fitness in school children are scarce. Consequently, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the application of invasion games on physical fitness in primary school children. A total of 62 primary school children aged 10-12 years voluntarily participated in this study. They were divided into experimental (32) and control (30) group. Physical fitness of children was estimated by the following tests: Standing broad jump, Vertical jump, Bent-arm hang, Sit- ups, Pushups, Medicine ball test and Andersen test. The experimental group had twice per week invasion games on non-consecutive days for 12 weeks. Participants in control group did not perform specific program but attended their regular PE class twice per week. Compared with initial measurement, there was a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in vertical jump test for both groups. Furthermore, the group that participated in the invasion games program made significantly greater gains compared to the control group (p < 0.05) in Standing broad jump (8.2% ; ES=0.56 vs. 3% ; ES=0.2) and Medicine ball test (8.2% ; ES=0.6 vs. 3% ; ES=0.3). There was a significant improvement in bent arm hang, sit ups and push-ups in experimental group. Compared with initial measurement, there was a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in Andersen test in invasion games group, which was not the case with control group (p>0.05). To conclude, invasion games were an effective way of improving physical fitness in primary school children, because the results of this study indicate that this method was more effective for physical fitness than traditional school program

Background Soccer as a sport has a very high injury rate and low back pain (LBP) is considered to be the most common overuse injury typically occurring in the back and spine in elite soccer players. Objective This study aimed to investigate differences in knee muscle strength and muscle imbalances in soccer players according to lower back pain. Methods One hundred and thirty-six male professional soccer players (20.49 ± 3.73 years, 76.57 ± 8.24 kg, 182.63 ± 6.73 cm) volunteered for the study. The isokinetic dynamometer PrimaDOC (EASYTECH, Italy) was used to assess the hamstring and quadriceps strength at the selected speeds of 60∘/s, whereas the Roland-Morris Disability Questionnaire (RDQ) was used as a health status measure to assess physical disability caused by low back pain. Results A univariate analysis of variance has shown that there is a statistically significant difference among the groups divided into Absolute peak torque right knee flexors, Absolute peak torque left knee flexors, Ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength right leg, and Ratio between hamstrings and quadriceps strength left leg based on the RDQ scores. On the other hand, no other significant differences among the groups were found in other parametersCONCLUSION: The current study indicates that knee muscle strength variables, resulting from an isokinetic testing, have the potential to discriminate between soccer players with and without a history of low back pain. However, low back pain is a multidimensional phenomenon and knee muscle strength or imbalance alone cannot be expected to explain low back pain.

The research was conducted with the aim of using experimental methods, scientifically determine whether an additional physical exercise program in regular working conditions of a preschool institution could result in significant changes in the motor skills of preschool children with an average age of 6.21±0.56 years. There were enrolled a total of 64 pre-school children, girls (n=28) and boys (n=36) of preparatory preschool groups in preschool "Cukarica" in Belgrade. A preexperimental research plan was used, specifically a single-group design, pretest-posttest. A sample of measuring instruments of motor skills was compiled according to a reduced theoretical model (Kurelic et al., 1975; Gredelj et al., 1975) taken from the research of Bala & Popovic (2007). The experimental factor was realized with a total of 48 terms of 35 minutes and lasted for a 24-week time interval. The results of the study indicate that the quantitative changes in the final measurement are reflected in the repetitive force of the torso and coordination in favor of better average values of the boys. Two hypothetical motor factors were isolated on initial and final measurements, which can still be interpreted as one general Motor Factor. Qualitative changes in the structure of both extracted factors on the final measurement were not observed. The authors believe that a regular physical education program in pre-school institutions is not sufficient for a preparatory preschool group, and that additional kinesiological activities achieve better results in the mechanism for structuring the movement and regulating the duration of excitation, especially if it is directed towards the development of biotic motor knowledge. On the other hand, they believe that newer and more meaningful solutions must be found in terms of differentiated physical exercise programs for children, and that only such solutions could lead to qualitative changes in the structure of isolated factors. Key words : coincidence of factor saturation; differences; kinesiological activities; motor skills; pre-school children. Istraživanje je provedeno s ciljem znanstvenog utvrđivanja da li dodatan program tjelovježbe u redovitim uvjetima rada predskolske ustanove može rezultirati znacajnim promjenama u motorickim sposobnostima djece predskolske dobi s prosjecnom dobi od 6,21±0,56 godina. Ukljuceno je ukupno 64 djece predskolske dobi, djevojcica (n=28) i djecaka (n=36) predskolskih skupina u predskolskoj ustanovi "Cukarica" u Beogradu. Upotrijebljen je pre-eksperimentalni plan istraživanja, konkretno dizajn jedne skupine, pretest-posttest. Uzorak motorickih mjernih instrumenata sastavljen je prema reduciranom teorijskom modelu (Kurelica i sur., 1975; Gredelja i sur., 1975) uzeti iz istraživanja Bale i Popovica (2007). Eksperimentalni faktor bio je realiziran s ukupno 48 termina od po 35 minuta i trajao je u vremenskom intervalu od 24 tjedna. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da se kvantitativne promjene u finalnom mjerenju odražavaju u repetitivnoj snazi trupa i koordinaciji u korist boljih prosjecnih vrijednosti djecaka. Izolirana su dva hipotetska motoricka faktora na inicijalnom i finalnom mjerenju, koji se mogu interpretirati jos uvijek kao jedan i to Generalni motoricki faktor. Nisu opažene kvalitativne promjene u strukturi oba ekstrahirana faktora na finalnom mjerenju. Autori smatraju da redoviti program tjelesnog odgoja u predskolskim ustanovama nije dovoljan za pripremnu predskolsku skupinu, te da dodatne kinezioloske aktivnosti daju bolje rezultate u mehanizmu za strukturiranje pokreta i reguliranju trajanja ekscitacije, posebno ako je usmjeren na razvoj biotskog motorickog znanja. S druge strane, oni vjeruju da se u smislu diferenciranih programa tjelesnih vježbi za djecu treba pronaci novije i znacajnije rjesenje, a samo takva rjesenja mogu dovesti do kvalitativnih promjena u strukturi izoliranih faktora. Kljucne rijeci: kinezioloske aktivnosti; motoricke sposobnosti; predskolska djeca; razlike; usklađenost faktorskih zasicenje.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to analyze the impact of intelligence, motor skills, and morphologic characteristics on performance of gymnastic elements, and to define interrelationships between applicable tests. METHODS: Itelligence test used was the Figure Reasoning Test, there were 16 anthropometric variables, 25 motoric tests and 12 gymnastics elements, in a sample of 200 male students from University of Prishtina, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: From the results of the study, it is proved that students who were shorter in length and less subcutaneous adipose tissue had better performance in gymnastic elements as opposed to those that were longer and more subcutaneous adipose tissue. Furthermore, this study shows a strong correlation between succes in gymnastics, with all motor tests on the probability level p ≤ 0:01, and that motor skills were important predictors of success in performance in gymnastics. In this study the multiple analysis of linear regression results, that Intelligence did not appear to be a significant predictor of success in gymnastics.

Generalized Joint Hypermobility (GJH) is suggested as a contributing factor for injuries in young athletes and adults. It is presumed that GJH causes decreased joint stability, thereby increasing the risk of joint and soft tissue injuries during sports activities. The aim of this study was to determine the correlation between the hypermobility rate (using the Beighton`s modification of the Carter-Wilkinson criteria of hypermobility) in gymnasts and injury rate, during the period of one year. This study observed 24 artistic gymnasts (11-26 years old), members of Qatar National Team in artistic gymnastics. We examined the Beighton joint hypermobility screen and a seasonal injury survey. The gymnasts characteristics (age, gender) and gymnastics characteristics (training per day and number of years in training artistic gymnastics) and its’ relations to injury rate were also included. The most common injury was the lower back pain injury, followed by knee, shoulder, hip and ankle injuries. We found strong correlation of number of years gymnastics training and injury rate (p0.05). According to this study there is no correlation between GJH rate and injury rate in artistic gymnasts in Qatar. Total training period in gymnastics have greater contribution in injury rate.

The research was conducted with the aim to, using experimental methods, scientifically determine whether an additional physical exercise program in regular working conditions of a preschool institution could result in significant changes in the motor skills of preschool children with an average age of 6.21±0.56 years. A total of 64 preschool children, girls (n=28) and boys (n=36), enrolled in preparatory preschool groups in "Čukarica" preschool in Belgrade. A pre-experimental research plan was used, specifically a single-group design and pretest - posttest. A sample of measuring instruments of motor skills was compiled according to a reduced theoretical model (Gredelj et al., 1975; Kurelić et al., 1975) taken from the research of Bala and Popović (2007). The experimental factor was realized with a total of 48 lessons lasting 35 minutes over a 24-week time interval. The results of the study indicate that the quantitative changes in the final measurement are reflected in the repetitive force of the torso and coordination in favor of better average values of the boys. Two hypothetical motor factors were isolated in initial and final measurements, which can still be interpreted as one general Motor Factor. Qualitative changes in the structure of both extracted factors in the final measurement were not observed. The authors believe that a regular physical education program in preschool institutions is not sufficient for a preparatory preschool group, and that additional kinesiology activities yield better results in the mechanism for structuring the movement and regulating the duration of excitation, especially if it is directed towards the development of biotic motor knowledge. On the other hand, they believe that newer and more meaningful solutions must be found in terms of differentiated physical exercise programs for children, and that only such solutions could lead to qualitative changes in the structure of isolated factors., Istraživanje je provedeno s ciljem znanstvenog utvrđivanja može li dodatan program tjelovježbe u redovitim uvjetima rada predškolske ustanove rezultirati značajnim promjenama u motoričkim sposobnostima djece predškolske dobi s prosječnom dobi od 6,21±0,56 godina. Ukupno je uključeno 64 djece predškolske dobi, djevojčica (n=28) i dječaka (n=36) predškolskih skupina u predškolskoj ustanovi "Čukarica" u Beogradu. Upotrijebljen je predeksperimentalni plan istraživanja, konkretno dizajn jedne skupine, predtest – posttest. Uzorak motoričkih mjernih instrumenata sastavljen je prema reduciranom teorijskom modelu (Kurelića i sur., 1975; Gredelja i sur., 1975) preuzetom iz istraživanja Bale i Popovića (2007). Eksperimentalni faktor bio je realiziran s ukupno 48 termina od po 35 minuta i trajao je u razdoblju od 24 tjedna. Rezultati istraživanja pokazuju da se kvantitativne promjene u finalnom mjerenju odražavaju u repetitivnoj snazi trupa i koordinaciji u korist boljih prosječnih vrijednosti dječaka. Izolirana su dva hipotetska motorička faktora na inicijalnom i finalnom mjerenju, koji se mogu interpretirati još uvijek kao jedan i to Generalni motorički faktor. Nisu opažene kvalitativne promjene u strukturi oba ekstrahirana faktora na finalnom mjerenju. Autori smatraju da redoviti program tjelesnog odgoja u predškolskim ustanovama nije dovoljan za pripremnu predškolsku skupinu, te da dodatne kineziološke aktivnosti daju bolje rezultate u mehanizmu za strukturiranje pokreta i reguliranju trajanja ekscitacije, posebno ako je usmjeren na razvoj biotičkog motoričkog znanja. S druge strane, oni vjeruju da je u smislu diferenciranih programa tjelesnih vježbi za djecu potrebno pronaći novije i značajnije rješenje, a samo takva rješenja mogu dovesti do kvalitativnih promjena u strukturi izoliranih faktora.

The aim of this study was to examine the differences in motor competence among children of different school ages, as well as whether there is a negative trend in the decline of these values with increased age. The research was conducted in a school environment, the sample consisted of 151 male and female children, age 7-11 years, divided into four approximately equal subsamples: first grade children N=36 (7.4±0.3 years, Mean±SD), second grade children N=41 (8.5±0.3 years, Mean±SD), third grade children N=40 (9.4±0.3 years, Mean±SD) and fourth grade children N=34 (10.4±0.3 years, Mean±SD). The Körperkoordinations test (KTK) assesses the coordination of the whole body and is intended for children aged 5-14 years. The test is internationally standardised and consists of 4 subtests from which the following variables emerged: single-leg hopping, walking backwards, two-legged lateral jumping, lateral movement platforms and Total KTK. The multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) revealed statistically significant differences between children of all ages in all tested variables, in the total (P=.00) and individual (p=.00) system of variables. These findings also indicated a negative trend of declining motor competence of children with increasing age. A similar trend was observed in the individual variables of the KTK battery. The increased involvement of physical education teachers and children in physical education classes is recommended in order to increase the development of children's motor competence through regular physical activities on a daily basis.

Many authors have studied the influence of sports training on postural status and nutritional status of children, finding that there are positive and negative aspects, depending on the given sport. The aim of this study was to determine differences in postural and nutritional status of children who play football and their peers who are not involved in sports. Our sample comprised 141 male respondents, 79 respondents who play football for three years and more, and 62 respondents who do not play sports. Postural status was assessed using a modified method of Napoleon Wolanski, while the nutritional status was determined using the BMI formula. Differences in postural and nutritional status were analyzed by x2 test (p≤0.05). Statistically significant differences in postural status between football players and non-sportsmen were found in postural disorder winged blades (p=0.005), (there was a greater oercentage of this disorder in respondents who play football) where it was determined that this postural disorder had a higher percentage of respondents who play football. Statistically significant differences were found in nutritional status (p=0.005), confirming a better nutritional status of football players. Early detection of postural disorders, prevention and education of children about proper posture and nutrition are very important. Children's participation in organized physical activities can produce positive effects, but only with the good work of professionals, and with a combination of corrective exercises and specific sports.

Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have identified swimming ability classifiers in preschool children. This pilot cross-sectional study aimed to find anthropometric (AM) and motor competence (MC) predictors of swimming ability in preschool children, by building classifiers of swimming ability group (SAG) membership. We recruited 92 children (girls n = 45) aged 5&ndash, 6 years and took the AM and MC measurements in accordance with the reference manual and using the KTK battery test (motor quotient, MQ), respectively. A linear discriminant analysis tested a classification model of preschoolers&rsquo, swimming ability (SAG: POOR, GOOD, EXCELLENT) based on gender, age, AM, and MC variables and extracted one significant canonical discriminant function (model fit: 61.2%) that can differentiate (group centroids) POOR (&minus, 1.507), GOOD (0.032), and EXCELLENT (1.524). The MQ total was identified as a significant classifier, which absolutely contributed to the discriminant function that classifies children&rsquo, s swimming ability as POOR (standardized canonical coefficient: 1.186), GOOD (1.363), or EXCELLENT (1.535) with an accuracy of 64.1%. Children with higher MQ total ought to be classified into higher SAG, thus, the classification model of SAG based on the MQ total is presented.