Contemporary top-division soccer is characterized by high-intensity activity throughout the entire match, which also requires high levels of a wide range of the players' functional and motor ...abilities. Furthermore, motor and functional requirements vary in relation to the players' position on the pitch. In view of the above, the objective of this study was to determine any differences in body composition and specific motor abilities in relation to position. Twenty elite female soccer players (age: 20.90 ± 3.70 years; height: 166.95 ± 5.83 cm; weight: 58.97 ± 7.50 kg; training experience: 9.50 ± 4.11 years) were recruited for the purpose of this study. Based on their position within the team, the players were divided into three groups: defenders (N-7), midfielders (N-6), and forwards (N-7). The instruments used included the InBody770 (for body composition assessment), Optojump and Polar for the assessment of specific motor abilities. The results obtained indicate a strong link between the parameters body composition and specific motor abilities; however, the level of significance varies, as do the variables concerning specific motor abilities and body composition in relation to the players' position on the pitch. In accordance with these results, coaches and others working in the soccer industry should be apprised of the necessity of a tailored approach when it comes to planning the development of specific motor abilities, as well of with the importance of balanced body composition as prerequisites for achieving top results.
The aimed of study is analyse the differences in some anthropometric characteristics and body composition be- tween footballers of two clubs in Kosovo, FC Feronikeli and SC Gjilani. The first sample ...consisted of 21 footballers of FC Feronikeli (22.62±3.46 years), current champion, cup and super cup winner in Kosovo at the time of the mea- surement in January 2020. The second sample consisted of 24 footballers of SC Gjilani (26.38±5.62 years), who was the leader of the Superleague of Kosovo at the time of the measurement in February 2020. Anthropometric characteristics were evaluated with following variables: body height, body weight, triceps skinfold, biceps skin- fold, skinfold of the back, abdominal skinfold, upper leg skinfold and lower leg skinfold. The body composition was evaluated with following variables: body mass index, fat percentage and muscle mass. The parameters of descriptive statistics all variables were calculated. The differences between the footballers of FC Feronikeli and SC Gjilani in the following variables were determined using a t-test. It was found that the footballers of the FC Feronikeli and SC Gjilani don’t have statistically significant differences by the variables.
The present study was designed to evaluate the cardioprotective effects of melatonin (a single dose of 50 mg·kg
–1
), a naturally occurring polypharmacological molecule, in Wistar rats acutely ...exposed to carbon tetrachloride (CCl
4
). This was done for the first time by tracking different biochemical parameters that reflect rat heart antioxidative and oxidative capacities, nitric oxide and arginine metabolism, and the glutathione cycle. Additionally, the extrinsic apoptosis pathway related parameters were studied. Acute exposure to CCl
4
led to an increase in the studied tissue oxidant parameters (hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and carbonylated protein content), as well as the activity alteration of antioxidant (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxidase) and glutathione-metabolizing (glutathione peroxidase, S-transferase, and reductase) enzymes. Furthermore, CCl
4
caused a disturbance in the tissue myeloperoxidase, nitric oxide, citrulline, arginase, and inducible nitric oxide synthase content and activities and in two apoptosis-related parameters, caspase-3 and FAS ligand. Melatonin as a post-treatment prevented the changes induced by CCl
4
to a differing extent, and in some cases, it was so potent that it completely abolished any tissue disturbances. This study is a promising starting point for further research directed to the development of melatonin treatment in cardiac tissue associated diseases.
Background: Plyometric training is used to improve human neuro-muscular function and performance in sports. Agility as a necessary motor ability, which is one of the physical components of success in ...many sports, is especially important for the optimal performance of soccer players. Due to changes in direction and movement during the game, soccer players shows the ability to quickly change direction, stop quickly and perform through fast, accurate, and precise repetitive movements. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of plyometric training on the agility in male soccer players, based on studies that have dealt with the effects of plyometric training. Methods: The search and analysis of the studies were done in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyzes (PRISMA) guidelines. A literature search of 4 databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Web of Science and Research Gate) was conducted using all available studies by November 2021. The identified studies had to meet the following criteria: original longitudinal studies written in English, active male soccer players as sample of participants, experimental treatment of plyometric training with at least two groups of subjects, studies that covered the impact of plyometric training, and studies containing agility tests. Results: A total of 21 studies were included in the systematic review. Improvements in agility tests were small, moderate, and large and ranged from 2% to 14.63%. The greatest improvement in agility was shown in soccer players after a two-week and six-week plyometric program, where the agility test showed a significant improvement of 14.63%. Programs lasting six and eight weeks proved to be the most effective plyometric training program. Plyometric training related to jumps with a progressive increase in intensity and a series of exercises for activation of the lower extremities, there was an improvement of 0.41 s to 0.90 s. Conclusions: Based on the analysis of the included studies, it can be concluded that according to the duration of the program, the minimum period where there can be an improvement in agility and other motor skills is six weeks, and that the usual weekly load is two to three pieces of training.
Physical capacity of athletes is an important element of success in sports achievements. Aerobic capacity has been accepted as its major component. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) has been regarded by ...majority of authors as the best indicator of aerobic capacity of an organism, and at the same time, the best indicator of an athlete's physical capacity. The aim of the investigation was to analyze the aerobic capacity as an indicator of physical capacity of athletes, differences in their aerobic capacity with regard to the kind of sport they are practicing, as well as the differences obtained when compared to physically inactive subjects. The investigation included the determination of absolute and relative VO2max in the total of 66 male examinees. The examinees were divided into two groups of active athletes (football players (n=22) and volleyball players (n=18) of different profiles, while the third group of non-athletes served as control group. Maximal oxygen uptake was determined by performing the Astrand 6 minute cycle test. Peak values of VO2 max were recorded in the group of football players (4,25+/-0,27 l/min), and they were statistically significantly higher (p<0,001) compared to other examined groups. In the group of volleyball players the oxygen uptake was 3,95+/-0,18 l/min, while statistically significantly lower values were reported in the group of non-athletes compared to the groups of athletes (p<0,01). A similar ratio of VO2 max values was also shown by the analysis of values expressed in relative units. Our results showed that peak values of VO2 max were obtained in football players, and that football as a sport requires higher degree of endurance compared to volleyball. Having considered the morphological and functional changes which are the consequence of the training process, it can be concluded that VO2 max values are statistically significantly higher in the groups of athletes compared to the group of non-athletes.
The author analyzes the pedagogical aspects and ideas in the prolific creative work of Đorđe Tasić, a renowned Serbian educator, lawyer, theorist, and sociologist. As an exceptional educator and ...professor, Tasic excelled in imparting his knowledge and thoughts to younger generations, making abstract concepts understandable and relatable. He viewed his work as a life and destiny activity, not just a professional task. The paper examines both the pedagogical aspects of his creativity and connections with the ideas and values of significant Serbian educators such as Vinćenije Rakić and Sreten Adžić. Tasić, as a prominent professor and advocate for democracy, is remembered as an expert in the field of legal sciences and sociology. He was an inspiration to younger generations on how to strive for truth and humanity in science, as well as benevolence in life, which speaks to his noble nature and humanity. His life, largely dedicated to science, makes him a giant who contributed to the enrichment of intellectual heritage, especially in the context of the educational system.
(1) Background: Shooting performance is one of the most important determinants of basketball success and is strongly influenced by vertical jump performance. A lot of research attention has been paid ...to training programs that may improve the vertical jump. However, the literature regarding the improvement of accuracy during the jump shot is limited. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of the combination of two training programs on explosive power of the lower extremities during the made jump shot. (2) Methods: A total of 61 male basketball players were assigned into training group (T,
= 31, age 15.32 ± 0.65) which was conducting a specific, i.e., experimental training program, and control group (C,
= 30, age 16.3 ± 0.71 years) involved in a regular training program. The experimental training program included specific plyometric training with shooting training which lasted for 10 weeks. The obtained data were processed by nonparametric statistics to determine the differences in the vertical jump outcomes, as well as to determine the level of impact of the experimental training program. Wilcoxon and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used. (3) Results: A significant improvement (
≤ 0.05) was noticed in the T group, in every vertical jump variable (flight time, height of the jump, power, and speed of the jump during a jump shot for two and three points), while there was no improvement within the C group. (4) Conclusions: The combination of plyometric and shooting training has a positive impact on the explosive power of the lower extremities during the jump shot.
(1) Introduction: This research was conducted with the aim of assessing whether an alternative physical education (PE) program could effectively substitute for the traditional PE curriculum and aid ...in accomplishing the essential goals and objectives of PE among younger elementary school children. (2) Materials and Methods: This longitudinal 6-month study included third-grade elementary school children of both genders, who were healthy, lived in urban areas, and were involved in an alternative PE program, as well as the regular PE classes. The sample of participants comprised 214 students, with 105 participants in the experimental group and 109 participants in the control group, who underwent pre- and post-intervention measurements. For the purposes of this study, 11 variables were applied to assess the parameters of growth and development, motor abilities, and physical and health education. MANCOVA and ANCOVA methods were used to determine the effects resulting from the alternative and regular PE programs, and differences between the groups, respectively. The data are reported as the mean and standard deviations, and were analyzed using the statistical package SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Armonk, NY, USA). (3) Results: Based on the research results obtained for motor abilities and physical and health education, it was concluded that both the alternative and regular PE programs had positive effects in achieving the goals and objectives of PE, but without statistical significance at the multivariate and univariate levels. The differences between the two groups were found to be negligible (effect size, ES < 0.2). (4) Discussion: Sports and PE have distinct objectives and approaches. While sports emphasize competition and winning, PE aims to impart fundamental skills and knowledge, prioritizing inclusivity among younger students. Success in PE is measured by the number of students meeting these goals, potentially affecting both talented and struggling learners. (5) Conclusions: The results obtained from the conducted research indicate that both the alternative PE program and the regular PE program influence changes in motor abilities and physical and health education to a limited extent. The alternative PE program proposed in this study, with its modifications to the structure of existing, regular PE program, can fully replace the latter in schools that do not meet the required spatial and material standards.
Investigating of the athletes’ motivation for sports practice is necessary to encourage them to participate in sport, and continue exercising. During the Covid-19 pandemic period due to changes in ...athletes’ routines, the role of motivation to play sports could be even more important. The research aimed to determine the motivation structure for sports practice in football players with the help of factor analysis. The sample of respondents consisted of 360 professional football players (21.71±4.42 years) from the Premier League of Bosnia and Herzegovina. A questionnaire on motivation for sports during the Covid-19 pandemic period was used, consisting of 18 items related to motivation to play sports and modified according to the Participation Motivation Questionnaire (PMQ). A five-point Likert scale was used in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was in electronic form and was sent to the football players via Google form. Factor analysis identified six dimensions: ‘Sport success’, ‘Support’, ‘Social status’, ‘Friendship’, ‘Physical health’, and ‘Sports activities’. These six dimensions explain the total manifest motivation participation space with 62.26% of the total variance. In conclusion, this study contributed to the understanding of the motivational structure of professional football players for playing sports. That is, the main motivational dimensions for engaging and committing to sports during the Covid-19 pandemic were singled out. This all points to the importance of this research and may serve future studies that will examine the motivational structure of professional athletes.
Background and Study Aim. Since its inception in 1988, the EUROFIT database network has expanded significantly. This expansion has facilitated the use of standardized test batteries to evaluate ...physical fitness across diverse groups. This study therefore aimed to determine possible differences in EUROFIT scores between rural and urban male children in Kosovo aged 7 to 11 years and to suggest the underlying factors besides the differences. Material and Methods. The study involved 500 schoolchildren from Kosovo, both rural and urban, aged between 7 and 11 years. They were equally distributed within the total sample. Measurements were conducted using EUROFIT and anthropometric tests. The results were subsequently analyzed and compared using a Student's t-test. Results. The data revealed that urban children have a better starting point, benefiting from greater access to organized physical activities. Their diets, while less healthy, may enhance physical power. The rural environment fosters healthier growth and skill development in boys, particularly before and during the onset of puberty. Conclusions. Urban children should maintain their regular organized physical activities throughout the school period. This will help them match their rural peers in terms of motor and functional abilities. However, morphological traits are becoming more similar between these groups as they enter the prepubertal stage. Future studies should investigate potential differences in female samples. They should also extend to other countries and regions to provide a broader perspective.
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