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Cardiorespiratory performance is one of the most important determinants of success in sports activities. In order to better prepare for sports challenges, the athletes must be exposed to appropriate training which should be based on individualized physiological parameters during activity. Even though training intensity can be determined in many different ways, the endurance training intensity is often quantified by the lactate thresholds obtained from the blood sampling or the ventilator thresholds obtained from the gas exchange. These data represent delayed indirect indicators of an increased anaerobic ATP resynthesis. The muscle oximetry, based on near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), represents non-invasive method that enables the information about the changes in oxygenation in hemoglobin, and potentially represents a very suitable technique to detect a critical exercise threshold directly in the exercising muscle.

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.

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.

Extended lifespan is one of the greatest achievements of Humanity, but is also accompanied by tremendous challenge. Biological aging is associated with a common process of reducing physical performance, which consequently leads to a decrease of the capacity of the organism. One of the most recognizable consequences of poor physical performance is movement disability. Physical performance is closely related to muscle strength, which decreases with aging. Decrease in muscle strength is a significant health loss contributor and can be a cause of walking mechanics disorders, falls, hip joint fractures and loss of ability to independently perform basic daily activities. It was previously thought that the loss of skeletal muscle mass largely explains muscle weakness commonly observed in older adults. However, recent longitudinal and experimental studies have suggested that muscle atrophy has a relatively small contribution to reduced muscle strength and that other physiological factors independent of tissue size, play an important and, likely, larger role in anticipating individual development of muscle weakness (dynapenia). Reduction in muscle strength with aging is more pronounced than reduction in muscle mass. Resistance training is an effective way for improving strength and size of muscles in healthy adults. It is well-documented that such training positively improves mobility, stability, muscle contraction velocity, magnitude of applied force, etc. However, the guidelines for strength training for adults with significant muscular weakness are not sufficiently precise and detailed. In order to successfully apply such training to people with reduced muscular strength, longitudinal controlled studies are needed with evaluation of biological contributors to muscle weakness, in the context of development an effective program for prevention and treatment of this condition.

As a result of modern sedentary lifestyles, which entails passive leisure activities, young people are also often not physically prepared for the rigors of youth sports activities. On the other hand, there has been a significant increase of participation in organized youth sport, which has been accompanied by dramatic increase in sport-related injuries. Inadequate physical preparation is believed to be a risk factor in most sports-related injuries in young athletes, and physical preparation that includes strength and neuro-muscular training is therefore a part of strategy for prevention of sport injuries. As the benefits of physical preparation for young athletes are known and recognised, the aim of this review article is to point out some specificities of the youth training processes, as well as the various aspects of physical preparation of young athletes for organized competitive sports activities.

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.

A survey was conducted in Novi Sad in the preschool institutions of 'Radosno detinjstvo' on a sample of 423 preschool children of both sexes, ages 6 and 7. The subject of this paper are postural disorders on the spinal column in the sagittal and frontal planes, as well as foot deformities. The aim of the research is to determine the frequency of disorder of postural status of the spine (kyphosis, lordosis and scoliosis) and deviation from the normal status of the foot, and the analysis of the differences between boys and girls. Assessment of the postural status of the feet was performed by means of using the Pedikom computer system for digital computerised pedography. Assessment of spine postural status was done by means of SpineScan portable device. Data were analysed according to the frequency for the assessment of spinal status, the status of the foot, all according gender. Significance of the gender-conditioned differences was determined by the Chi-square test. The results indicate that in the examined population, the most common posture is lordotic bad posture, 41.31% with male examinees and 36.66% with female examinees. A statistically significant difference in relation to sexual dimorphism was found for the parameter of scoliotic bad posture (Sig. = 0.008). In terms of deviation from the normal status of the feet, in the examined population, pronating foot level I accounts for 43.23%, pronating foot level II accounts for 16.66% and high-arched foot accounts for 10.16%. Quantitative results indicate the need for corrective gymnastic to correct but also prevent postural deformities by introducing of the same as an everyday directed activity of preschool population.

Physical activity has been positively associated with reduction of risk of cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, pulmonary disease, etc. Although much of the research related to physical activity has been conducted with adults, data related to the activity levels and fitness status of children appear to be as alarming. From 1990 until today, there has been a downward trend in the amount of physical activity in children of all age groups. One major problem in conducting research related to physical activity in children is the absence of accurate and reliable measures of physical activity. When we look at the majority of the used test batteries, we can notice that all of them measure the same components: cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle fitness, flexibility, and body composition. On the other hand, one of the most common types of measurement of physical activity is self-report. The aim of the research is to determine the level of components of physical fitness of preschool children using the recommended testing procedure and evaluation of leisure physical activity with self-report. This research provides information about physical fitness of preschool children and the relation between the volume of leisure time physical activity and physical fitness. Results indicate that children, even at this age, show poor condition of some components of physical fitness related to health. In addition to that, it was established that children were not sufficiently physically active in daily and weekly sport and recreational activities.

On sample of 757 pupils, 379 boys and 378 girls, school age from 3rd to 6th class, nutrition status, according BMI, and motor status were analyzed by using 8 variables (3 for valuation of morphological and 5 for evaluation of motor abilities status). In the overall sample, 66.3% established a normal nutritional status 18.4% was overweight, 15.3% were obese. Obesity is the most vulnerable children in third grade (21.8%), and overweight in fourth (20.1%) and fifth (20.9%) grade. The results indicate a statistically significant difference between the third and sixth grades, and no statistically significant differences in the frequency of overweight and obesity in all grades, or in relation to sex. Overweight has a negative correlation with explosive leg strength and muscle strength of arms and shoulders, while obesity has a negative correlation with the strength of muscles of arms and shoulders, running speed, strength of trunk muscle and explosive leg strength. Significant statistical relation was lacking in fl exibility. The results show a statistically significant difference in the speed of running, muscle strength of arms and shoulders, trunk muscle strength and explosive leg strength between the overweight and obese pupils. A significant difference was not observed in the test to assess the value of flexibility. Generally, children who are overweight and obese have significantly reduced motor skills compared to normal children too soon, especially with regard to the manifestation of strength and speed.

Research has shown and constantly confirms the fact that people are less and less physically active due to rapid technological development, which has a direct consequence of an increased risk of developing various diseases, especially non-infectious chronic ones. Reduced levels of physical activities were equally observed, both in children and young people and in adults. The aim of the work is to point out the problems that arise due to the physical inactivity of the student population and point out possible solutions that can be applied in practice. To some extent, the education system in the Republic of Serbia, which abolished regular physical education classes at universities, contributed to this, which worsened the situation even more. Some faculties include sports and recreational activities in their curricula and teaching plans. The conclusion is that there are examples of good practices and solutions that promote the physical activity of students, but everyone should be involved, starting from state institutions, clubs, and associations, and all the way to the family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this research was to determine the relations and influence of morphological characteristics on the performance of some elements of basketball technique of 7th and 8th grade elementary school students. 85 respondents, students of the 7th and 8th grade of Elementary School "Prekounje" from Bihać participated in the research. The system for assessing the morphological status was represented by 7 variables that included all four latent spaces (longitudinal dimensionality of the skeleton, transferal dimensionality of the skeleton, volume and mass of the body, subcutaneous fat tissue), while 4 situational-motor tests were used to evaluate the success of performing elements of the basketball technique: (1. Throwing the ball with both hands against the wall and catching it for 30 seconds (BHLR30), 2. Dribbling the ball with the hand in a slalom (VLRS), 3. Throwing the ball into the basket for 30 seconds (ULK30), 4. Lay-ups for 30 seconds (PNK30). Basic central and dispersion parameters were calculated for all variables which confirmed the normality of the distribution, and the relations between spaces were determined by using the canonical correlation analysis. The values obtained by canonical correlation analysis indicate a medium-high correlation between morphological characteristics and situational-motor abilities. Two significant pairs of canonical factors were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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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.)