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The study investigated behavioral measures of social distance (i.e., desired proximity between self and others in social contexts) as an index of stigma against those with mental illness among medical students in the Republic of North Macedonia, Turkey, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Poland, using the Reported and Intended Behavior Scale (RIBS), a standardized, self-administered behavioral measure based on the Star Social Distance Scale. The students' responses to standardized clinical vignettes on schizophrenia, and depression with suicidal ideation, were also assessed. A total of 257 North Macedonian (females, 31.5%; 1-4 grades, 189; 5-6 grades, 68); 268 Turkish (females, 43.3%; 1-4 grades, 90; 5-6 grades, 178); 450 Kazakh (females, 28.4%, 71.6%; 1-4 grades, 312; 5-6 grades, 138); 512 Azerbaijani (females, 24%; 1-4 grades, 468; 5-6 grades, 44; females, 24%), and 317 Polish (females, 59.0%; 1-4 grades, 208; 5-6 grades, 109) students were surveyed. The responses on the RIBS social distance behavior measures did not improve with advancing medical school grade, but students across all sites viewed schizophrenia and depression as real medical illnesses. The results support the development of enhanced range of integrated training opportunities for medical student to socially interact with persons with mental illness sharing their experiences with them.

Physical activity (PA) is stimulatory physiologic stress for the human body and regular PA induces significant changes in many physiological, biochemical and anthropological parameters. The aim of this study is to determine the values and the differences among the cardio-physiological, hematological and anthropological parameters for different age and gender subgroups in healthy physically active children and an adolescent population. An anthropometric evaluation (Matiegka protocol), hematological analysis i.e., red blood cells count (RBC), hemoglobin level, hematocrit, and ergometrical testing (Brus protocol) were made. Regarding mass and height until the age of 12 (U12), girls were heavier and taller than boys. The mean values for relative muscle mass in all the groups of boys and girls of different ages are in the optimal range (>50%) and indicate well developed muscle mass. There are no differences between the same age subgroups for this anthropometric parameter between the boys and girls. All the subgroups of girls of different ages showed higher body fat percent than their male siblings. Among the girls, RBC variables did not show a difference in the age subgroups. Regarding gender, all RBC variables were significantly higher among the male groups, except the U12. Cardio-physiological parameters of heart frequency at rest, exercise time duration and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), were significantly higher among the boys. In all age-based male subgroups VO2max was higher among the older boys. Conclusion: This study has shown age related changes in anthropological, hematological and ergometrical parameters in a male and female young active population. The girls showed significantly lower levels of cardio-physiological fitness which can be contributed either to gender and lower volume of PA.

The aim of the paper was to asses changes in body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) methodology in members of national karate team after teen week preparatory training period. The investigation was carried out on 11 male karate contestants, aged 18 to 28 years mean age (21.82± 3.58). The body composition was analyzed with In Body 720. The BIA outcomes were divided in 3 group of variables: body fluid and body composition variables, obesity diagnose variables and segmental analysis variables. All BIA variables were insignificantly higher at second measuring (p>005). Only Body mass index (BMI=24.1 vs 24.55); mineral (4.69 kg vs 4.77 kg) and osseous (3.85 kg vs 3.92 kg), were significantly higher (p≤0.05) after preparatory period. Body fat mass (BFM=10.34 kg vs 10.75 kg, p=0.329) and body fat percent (BF%= 12.73 vs13.22%) insignificantly increased after preparatory period. The skeletal mass has changed from 40.03kg to 40.55kg (p=0.276). Body composition analysis, changes in weight, BMI and body fluids are essential for weight categories dependent sports such as karate. Positive changes in body components and in body fluids suggest that the training process during the preparatory period did not show negative effects on body components and the hydration of the karate athletes.

Objectives: The focus of this study is on anthropometric characteristics of footballers in the Republic of Macedonia, and the aim is to provide normative data for selected anthropometric parameters for adult male footballers in our country. Material and method: The study included eight hundred (800) adult male footballers, aged 24.06 ± 4.8y (age range 18–35y), who have undertaken routine sport medical examinations over a ten-year period. The football players were divided into six age – specific subgroups (“up to 20”; “up to 22”; “up to 24”; “up to 26”; “up to 28” and “over 28” years). Anthropometric measurements were made by Matiegka's protocols and body composition components were determined. Results: Average values of body height (178.8 ± 6.7 cm), body weight (77.72 ± 7.9 kg), lean body mass (66.21 ± 6.36 kg), body components (MM% = 53.04; BM% = 17.15; FM% = 14.7%) and a large series of anthropometric measurements which define the footballers' anthropometric dimensions were obtained. The distribution of the adipose tissue regarding the body and limbs showed that the skinfolds were thickest on the lower limbs and thinnest on the arms. Conclusions: The adult football players in Republic of Macedonia were insignificantly variable in height and body mass from their counter parts from European and American teams. The football players up to 20 year, who played in the senior national football league were lighter and smaller than their older colleagues. The football players aged from 20 to 35 years were insignificantly variable in height, body mass, and anthropometric dimensions of limbs and trunk.

The aim of this study was to assess the level of overall career satisfaction in relation to various personal and work-related factors among the dentists in the Republic of Macedonia.The sample comprised 118 registered dentists, working in different conditions (34 public practice dentists, 32 completely private, 42 private dentists who work with a health insurance fund and 10 concessioners). All of them filled in a questionnaire which contained 16 items, divided into five groups. The different clusters of questions were related to various working conditions and personal factors. The first four groups of questions were answered with a--point Likert format with a score range from 1 (very dissatisfied) to 4 (very satisfied). In the fifth group, dentists chose one of four offered answers. The statistical analyses were made by one-way ANOVA and chi-square tests.Significant differences related to working conditions were found between public practitioners (moderately dissatisfied) and private practitioners (very satisfied) (F=41.41 (df=3); p0.01). A high prevalence of dentists (89.83%) had felt stressed on their work place and 61.8% of public dental health practitioners had felt stressed at work "very often". The main sources of job-related stress for public dental practitioners were their supervisors (50%) and patients (26. 47%), while private practitioners were mostly stressed by inspectors (76.19%) and patients (21.87%) (χ2=44.5 (df=9); p0.01).The findings in our study showed overall low levels of career satisfaction among the dentists (public and private) in the Republic of Macedonia. The finding that high percentages of dentists feel stress at their work place very often requires further exploration.

In comparison with the number of studies which have examined the physical activity influence on the cognitive capabilities with the adults (above 60 years of age), researches for children, adolescents and young adult population are rarely done. The examination of the potential connection, role or influence between Physi-cal Activity and cognition during early age (the first third of the human life) is very complex and subtle due to a large number of external factors which are present in the period during which the cognitive capabilities are still being developed. Regular physical activity improves the physiological and psychological aspect of human health. Due to the well known advantages and benefits from the physical activity, one would expect it to be more present in the life of contemporary man. But it is a fact that the level of physical activity with people decreases in the course of life-time, especially in the period when young people move from secondary school to university. The decrease of the physical activity additionally increases the pressure over the young academic persons. There is not enough literature which examines the connection of the neuropsychological indicators and physical activity with young adults. It is obvious the need for further researches in this field which will create a solid base for the connection of the physical activity and cognition, the same one that is found for the adult population. Within the frame of positive role the physical activity has over the cognitive health, it is suggested as a means of reducing the risk of developing cognitive decrease connected with getting old. Future vast random-ized researches and interventions would have to test the quantity and the type of physical activity which would be recommended in order to prevent or postpone the cognitive decrease.