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Strength training and other modes of physical activity may be beneficial in osteoporosis prevention by maximizing bone mineral accrual in childhood and adolescence. This study focuses on the impact of the nine-month long program of resistant exercises with different level of external loads (low, middle and high) on the lower limbs explosive strength and bone tissue density in athletes adolescents aged 17 to 18 years. Sixty healthy, male athletes and non-athletes, divided into experimental (ES, sprinters, N = 45) and control sub-sample (CS, non-athletes, N = 15), were included in study. ES examinees (EG1, EG2 and EG3) were subjected to the program of resistance exercises with low level (60% of the One Repetition Maximum-1RM), middle level (70% 1RM), and high level (85% 1RM) of external loads, respectively. Bone Density values were determined by the use of a clinical sonometer „Sahara” (Hologic, Inc., MA 02154, USA). Explosive strength values of hip extensors and flexors, knee extensors and flexors, and ankle plantar and dorsiflexors were determined by the use of accelerometer „Myotest” (Sion, Switzerland) and the means of Counter Movement Jump without arms swing (CMJ) and half squat. ANOVA method for repeated measures and ANCOVA method were used to determine significant differences and resistance program effects on the lower limbs explosive strength and bone tissue density. Resistance exercise does impact the explosive strength and bone parameters in a way to increase half squat 1RM values, but decreases CMJ values, and increases speed of sound (SOS), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and bone mineral density (BMD) values in athletes-adolescents, aged 17-18 years.

The modern way of life has led to an increase in the population of the elderly. This occurrence has led to the need for further research on the factors whose action enables the elderly to fulfill their everyday needs by themselves. Some of the more significant factors include physical abilities, which are expressed by the parameters of physical fitness and body mass. With the aim of determining the differences in the indicators of physical fitness depending on the size of the Body Mass Index (BMI) of the elderly, we used the battery of the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), which consisted of the 8- Foot Up-and-Go, Back Scratch, Chair Sit-and-Reach, 2-Minute Step Test, 30-Second Chair Stand, and the Arm Curl (Rikli & Jones, 2001). The study was carried out on a sample of 1288 participants (594 men and 694 women) aged from 60 to 80, who live in their own homes in the cities or villages of Central, Eastern and South Serbia. On the basis of the value of their BMI, the participants were divided into three sub-samples: (1) participants with normal body weight, (2) participants with increased body weight (overweight) and (3) obese individuals. Further subsamples of men and women were isolated. The calculation of the statistical significance of the difference between the subsample of men and women was determined based on the unifactorial ANOVA analysis ANOVA (P≥0.05). The results are shown in tabular form, while the discussion and conclusions point out the significant difference in the indicators of SFT between the subsamples determined based on the BMI in favor of participants with normal weight.

The investigation was conducted in order to develop and provide evidence of some metric characteristics (reliability, homgenity and sensitivity) of the Multidimensional Body Image Questionnaire (MBIQD) designed for dancers. The MBIQD questionnaire was administrated to 77 female and male participants (average age was 19.81) from Croatia, and Serbia. The scale consisted of 43 items with a 5-point response format and eight possible subscales (Attractiveness, Strength, Joy, Bad health/Weakness, Flexibleness, Body efficacy, Nervousness, and Masculinity) according to precious investigations. The internal consistency (Cronbach alpha coefficient) of the items assigned to each of the eight MBIQD subscales was high and satisfactory (from . 64 to .86). Seven of eight MBIQD subscales (Attractiveness, Strength, Joy, Bad health/Weakness, Flexibleness, Body efficacy, Masculinity) had satisfactory metric characteristics of reliability on the sample of elite Standard and Latin dancers. According to two-factorial structure of three MBIQD subscales (Attractiveness, Joy and Bad health/Weakness) ; the metric characteristics of homogeneity of those subscales were questionable. According to sensitivity measures (KS test, range of results, skewness and kurtosis) the seven of eight MBIQD subscales (with exception of Masculinity) had satisfactory characteristics of sensitivity.

Participation in various forms of physical activity is under the influence of complex interactive socio-demographic, physical, psychological and social factors as well as the environmental factors which surround us. This study had as its aim to investigate the participation in physical activities of the elderly in Southeast Serbia. The sample of participants consisted of 612 individuals, 364 of whom were men, and 266 of whom were women over the age of 60 (average age 68.3±5.7). In order to calculate the statistical significance of the differences of the deviations from the hypothetical values, the Chi-square test (χ2) for the evaluation the quality of the match was used, and in order to determine the differences between the groups of men and women, the Chi-square test (χ2) of independence was used (conclusions were drawn at the level of 0.05). On the basis of the results and the discussion, it was concluded that no statistically significant difference was found at the levels of physical activity between men and women, that generally both men and women are not very physically active and that there are barriers which are the same for both men and women, and which prevent them from taking part in physical activities.

The sample, consisted of 30 girls and boys, between age 5 and 6 was used to investigate the influence of dance training kinesiological treatment on the development of motor abilities. The subjects attended experimental training programme for preschool children, lasting for four months (three times a week). The motor abilities were tested before and after the treatment. The sample of variables consisted of nine tests of basic motor abilities. With the aim of confirming the changes of subject’ s motor abilities (difference between initial and final measurement), coefficients of T- test and Wilks’ Lambda were calculated, separately for boys and girls subjects. According to the research results, the applied dance programme evokes positive change with both of genders but with certain specific differences. The girls were dominant in performing tests for assessing flexibility and coordination ( in both initial and final measurement ), while the boys achieved better results in performing tests for assessing explosive strength and frequency of movement. The only test without significant positive changes in the development of the motor abilities of both genders was the test of assessing frequency of movement (HT). Other applied tests (flexibility, coordination, balance, explosive strength) showed significant positive changes, but in different proportion with boys and girls.

Childhood obesity has taken on epidemic proportions and is currently one of the most common public health problems. Being overweight negatively affects the fitness parameters of children of younger school age. The aim of this study was to determine the relationships and influences of anthropometric characteristics on the fitness parameters of boys aged seven to ten years. The sample of respondents was taken from the populations of overweight and obese boys, and a total of 931 respondents participated. Groups of subjects were selected based on the degree of nutrition determined by BMI. To determine the anthropometric characteristics of the subjects, parameters were used to assess the longitudinal, transverse and circular dimensionality of the skeleton, as well as body weight and subcutaneous adipose tissue. The assessed fitness parameters are muscle fitness, body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness. Appropriate statistical procedures have been applied for statistical data processing. Canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and fitness parameters. Regression analysis was applied to determine the influence of anthropometric characteristics on fitness parameters. By analyzing the results, it can be concluded that in each group of subjects, body weight is an interfering factor when it comes to fitness parameters. The results of the canonical correlation analysis show a statistically significant correlation between anthropometric characteristics and fitness parameters at each age tested. By analyzing the results of regression analysis, it can be concluded that there is a statistically significant influence of anthropometric characteristics on the fitness parameters of boys aged seven to ten years.

Istraživanje je sprovedeno sa ciljem da se utvrdi da li alternativni program nastave fizičkog vaspitanja u trajanju od 6 meseci može u potpunosti da zameni postojeći nastavni program i doprinese ostvarivanju potrebnog cilja i zadataka nastave fizičkog vaspitanja u mlađim razredima osnovne škole. Za potrebe istraživanja primenjeno je 11 varijabli za procenu parametara rasta i razvoja, motoričkih sposobnosti i sportsko–tehničkog obrazovanja, kao i procena stavova učenika. Populacija iz koje je izveden uzorak definisana je kao populacija učenika trećeg razreda osnovne škole oba pola, koja živi u gradskoj sredini, koji su zdravi i koji su obuhvaćeni redovnom nastavom fizičkog vaspitanja i alternativnim programom. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je 209 učenika, u eksperimentalnoj grupi 105 ispitanika, dok je uzorak kontrolne grupe činilo 109 ispitanika. Na osnovu dobijenih rezultata istraživanja, zaključeno je da alternativni program ima pozitivne efekte u ostvarivanju cilja i zadataka nastave fizičkog vaspitanja, i da ne postoji statistički značajna razlika u rezultatima merenja u odnosu na redovan program. Takođe, zaključeno je da alternativni program ima isti uticaj na razvoj segmentarne brzine, eksplozivne snage, statičke sile, repetitivne snage i sprinterske brzine, kao i redovan progam nastave fizičkog vaspitanja. Nisu utvrđene razlike u napretku dece u odnosu na pol kod sportsko-tehničkog obrazovanja, kao ni kod stavova učenika kod alternativnog programa u odnosu na redovni program nastave fizičkog vaspitanja. The study has been taken aiming to determine whether an alternative teaching program of physical education classes in the duration of 6 months can completely replace the existing curriculum and to contribute in achieving the required objectives and tasks of physical education classes in younger grades of elementary schools. For the purposes of this research, 11 variables have been applied for assessing the parameters of children’s physical growth and development, their motor skills and sport–technical education, as well as an assessment of evaluation the physical education teaching. The population from which the sample is performed is defined as a population of the third grade elementary schoolchildren of both gender, living in an urban environment, healthy and that are included in both regular physical education classes and an alternative program. The examinee sample is consisted of 209 schoolchildren, 105 examinees in the experimental group, while the sample control group is consisted of 109 examinees. Based on the obtained research results, it was concluded that an alternative program has positive effects on reaching the objectives and goals of physical education teaching classes, and that there is no statistical significant difference in the results of measurement from the regular program. It was also concluded that an alternative program has the same impact on the development of segmentary speed, explosive power, static force, repetitive strength and sprint speed as the regular program of the physical education teaching classes. The differences were not determined in the progress of schoolchildren in relation to gender at sport–technical education as well as in the evaluation of physical education teaching classes at the alternative comparing to the regular teaching program of physical education classes.

Conducted research was focused on obtaining relevant information about the level of physical activity, physical fitness and quality of life of elderly urban and rural women. A sample of 974 respondents, aged 60 to 80 years, divided into two subgroups, according to the place of residence (622 respondents from urban areas and 352 respondents from rural areas), and in relation to BMI into: women with normal weight (n=298), overweight (n=255), and obese women (n=10). The level of physical activity of women, estimated by international IPAQ questionnaire, which contained four types of physical activity: work-related, transport, housework/ poultry and leisure time. Physical fitness was assessed using the Senior fitness Test- SFT (containing: back scratch, chair sit and reach, 8 foot up and go, 30 seconds stand from chair, arm curl and 2-minute step test). Quality of life was assessed by shorter version of the questionnaire of the World Health Organization- WHOQOL, which contained 26 questions grouped into four domains: physical health, psychological health, social relations and environment. To determine differences between groups, we used a multivariate and univariate analysis of variance (Manova/Anova), a test was performed differences t- test. The impact of physical activity on physical fitness and quality of life was assessed by regression analysis. Based on the set of objects, objectives and tasks of the research concluded that in certain domains of physical activity, physical fitness and quality of life, there are differences between women and urban and rural areas, protects the nutritional level. Also, it was found that physical activity significantly affects the physical fitness and quality of life of elderly women and urban and rural areas. It is necessary to work on raising awareness about the importance of physical activity for the health of women and the importance of a healthy lifestyle, especially practicing regular physical activity in this population group.

Prepubescent age is a very sensitive developmental period. Development of physical characteristics is determined by many factors, and performance of motor tasks, among others, depends on the physical characteristics of children. One of the important aspects of development, which is associated with physical and motor development, is nutritional status. Nutritional status of children is one of the most important indicators of health, mental and physical capabilities and potential for normal and healthy growth and development. Increased body mass in overweight and obese children was often associated with a delay in motor development and creation of motor habits. Aims of this transversal study were to: 1) Determine the trend of changes in morpho-motoric status in subjects of different ages, depending on nutritional status; 2) Determine the differences in morpho-motoric status; 3) Determine the trend of relations of morphological characteristics and motor abilities. The overall sample consisted of 418 subjects, aged 7 to 10, who attended elementary schools in the town of Nis. Based on age, subjects were divided into four subsamples. Subjects were also divided into three groups, depending on nutritional status (BMI). The first group consisted of normal weight, the second of overweight, and the third of obese subjects. The evaluation of morphological characteristics was determined by measures of longitudinal dimensionality (body height, leg length, arm length), transversal dimensionality (shoulder width, pelvic width and hip width), circular dimensionality (thorax volume, upper arm volume, thigh volume and calf volume) and body weight, as well as with measures of subcutaneous fat tissue (triceps skin folds, sub-scapular skin folds, abdominal skin folds, thigh skin folds and medial calf skin folds). Motor abilities (explosive strength, coordination and speed), were determined by applying a battery of nine tests. For the assessment of explosive strength, measuring instruments in the form of Plyometric jump, Hyperextension-twist-throw and Standing depth jump were used. Coordination skills were evaluated by using measuring instruments Horizontal jump rope, 20 sidesteps with a baton and Running and rolling. For the evaluation of speed, measuring instruments Hand tapping, Foot tapping against a wall and 5×10 meter run were used. For all variables, depending on age and nutritional status, basic parameters of descriptive statistics were calculated. Differences between the groups were determined using MANOVA/ANOVA and LSD Post Hoc test. Relations between morphological characteristics and motor abilities were determined by cross-correlation matrices and canonical correlation analysis. Trends of changes were identified based on the mean values, while their statistical significance was determined by using ANOVA. Trends of relations were established on the basis of first canonical correlation coefficients between corresponding pairs of canonical factors, as well as on the basis of determination coeficients of canonical factors. The results indicate that trends of changes in morpho-motoric status show growth, regardless of nutritional status, but continued growth and development of morphological characteristics and motor abilities was recorded only in normal weight subjects. Nutritional status is an important factor for harmonious growth and development of physical characteristics and motor abilities in prepubescent girls. Generally speaking, in all age groups, depending on nutritional status, significant differences in almost all morphological characteristics were determined, especially in pelvic width, hip width, voluminosity and body mass, as well as in subcutaneous fat tissue. Quantitatively, the obese subjects had the highest values, followed by overweight subjects, while normal weight subjets had the lowest values. The established differences in motor abilities indicate that normal weight subjects achieved significantly better results in explosive leg strength, running speed and coordination (running and rolling), compared to the overweight and obese subjects. Overweight subjects were significantly better than the subjects of normal weight in frequency speed, as well as in explosive leg strength, compared to obese subjects. Obese subjects were significantly better in explosive arm strength, compared to normal weight and overweight subjects. These differences in morpho-motoric status generated morphological and motor structures in normal weight and overweight girls, as per the analyzed ages, whose relations had different statistical significance (due to the insufficient number of obese subjects,only trends of relations between normal weight and overweight subjects were observed). There were no significant relations between morphological characteristics and motor abilities in normal weight subjects aged seven, eight and nine years, which indicates that the level of motor abilities is independent of morphological characteristics. Significant relations recorded at the age of 10 indicate that the growth of bone tissue, especially in length, with proportionally increase in body weight and soft tissue volume, allows achieving better results by normal weight subjects in strength, coordination and speed. In overweight subjects a high level of correlation between the level of motor abilities and morphological characteristics was determined in almost all age groups, except for the group of nine year old subjects. Generally speaking, relations indicate that the growth of bone tissue, accompanied by disproportionate enlargement of body mass and volume, acts as a disrupting factor in the realization of motor tasks used for the assessment of explosive leg strength, coordination and speed, while has a positive effect on explosive arm strength. Based on the values of the determination coefficients between the first pairs of canonical factors in each age group, it can be concluded that the relations between morphological characteristics and motor abilities are significant in overweight subjects of all age groups analyzed. More significant changes, in the form of continuous decrease in trend of relations during the ages, were recorded in normal weight subjects. Based on the foregoing, it can be concluded that nutritional status is an important factor for harmonious growth and development of morphological characteristics and motor abilities in prepubescent girls aged 7 to 10. Increased body mass in overweight and obese subjects has a negative impact on the realization of motor tasks that require explosive leg strength, speed and coordination, and a positive impact on tаsks that require explosive arm strength. In all age groups, obtained relations between morphological characteristics and motor abilities were much more significant in overweight girls. Due to the greater development of fat tissue, negative influence of growth and development of morphological characteristics on explosive leg strength, coordination and speed was noted, as well as a positive effect on explosive arm strength.