This study compared self reported physical activity (PA) (MET min/week) with
pedometer determined PA (steps/day). Participants in this study were 300 adults, (25 - 56 years
of age). PA was assessed with the IPAQ long form and the number of steps was assessed with
the Yamax model SW-200. Participants wore the pedometer for 7 consecutive days. Data
(categorical score) was analyzed using cross-tabs analysis. Two-way ANOVA (gender 2 x level
of PA 3) was performed on the number of steps/day. Significant main effect was reported only
for the factor ìlevel of PAî with adults in the moderate and the high activity group performing
more steps/day than adults in the low PA group. Adults in Greece performed less steps/day than
the international recommendations PA suggest even though the majority of them were assigned
by IPAQ long form at the moderate and very high PA groups.

The risks of developing diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease could be reduced by increasing the number of individuals receiving adequate levels of physical activity (PA). Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that about 30% of Americans do not engage in any PA and about 40% engage in some levels of PA, but still not meeting the recommended levels defined by the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). Studies have shown that the greatest declines in PA occur during the transitions from high school to college and beyond. Thus, it is important to identify students at young age that are at health risk due to lack of PA, so that specific steps could be taken toward helping these individuals develop a healthier lifestyle. We used data on 100 college students to develop a preliminary computer program (using a backpropagation multilayer neural network approach) to automatically identify individuals at risk of being not sufficiently physically active. Besides various types of demographic variables, data included information on the association between studentsí self-reported levels of PA and Social Cognitive Theory (SCT) constructs (e.g., self- efficacy, self-regulation, social support, expectations), as predictors of participation in PA. The results of this study indicated that the backpropagation multilayer neural network identified and classified individuals at risk of being not sufficiently physically active into right categories (atrisk individuals or not at-risk individuals) 77% of the time. Collecting additional data points that contain more at-risk individuals will improve the neural network's prediction of at-risk individuals.

Skeletal muscle is extremely adaptable to various stresses which can be placed upon it. In spite of importance of skeletal muscles, little is known about genetic factors which demonstrate high influence to muscle size, function, strength and adaptation to various environmental factors. Because endurance performance is a multifactorial trait, the list of candidate genes which could account for human variation in related phenotypes is extensive. One of the first characterized and most frequently studied genetic variant is a polymorphism in the angiotensin converting enzyme I gene. The ACTN3 gene is the first structural skeletal muscle gene with a relation between its genotype and elite sprinterí performance. Nevertheless, current genetic testing cannot provide an extra advantage over existing testing methods in determining sports selection in young athletes. The main challenge still remains to identify other, complex polygenetic variants and their interactions with environmental factors which could provide benefit in the sports selection and existing talent identification.

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effect of a 7-week shoulder specific strength training program additional to tennis training sessions on the service velocity of junior tennis players. Initially 60 junior tennis players (29 boys and 31 girls) with at least 2 years of tennis experience and never followed a routine strength program, volunteered to participate in the study. All the subjects followed a regular tennis training session (75 min). The subjects were randomly assigned into three groups: i) group-A, which practiced in addition 15 min service after the tennis session, ii) group-B which practiced a 7-week strength training program (15 min per session, 3 times per week) after the tennis session, and iii) a group-C, control group, which did not follow any extra programs after the tennis session. Two-way repeated measures analysis of variance was performed to detect differences in each group before and after the experimental period. The independent variable was the group (two experimental groups with different training protocol and the control group with only tennis training), and the repeated factor was the ìtestî (pre and post test, before and after the training period). Statistical significance was accepted at p<.05. It was measured an overall significant quantitative improvement on service performance while, the qualitative findings showed significant improvement in service technique only in group A. 

Physical activity (PA) levels of community-dwelling adults aged 60 and over were assessed in Greece, in order to determine age and gender effects. PA was assessed using the PA Scale for the Elderly in 591 persons (287 males and 304 females), (Ã=74.04, SD=5.46). Participants were assigned into two age groups: A=65-75 and B=76-86 years. According to two way ANOVA, no significant differences were reported in total PA between men and women (p>.05) even though a significant age effect was reported with participants in Group A having higher scores than participants in Group B (p<.001). Men reported greater participation in recreational activities of moderate intensity (p<.001) and in exercises for muscular strength and endurance (p<.05). Women were more active in PA related to household (p<.001). Age effects resulted in favor of older adults in Group A 61-70 years when compared to older adults in Group B for walking, for recreational activities and for housework (p<.001). In conclusion, both gender and age affect PA participation of older adults in Greece.

Women generally live longer than men because of both biological and behavioural advantages; still womenís longer lives are not necessarily healthy lives. Considering that women from rural areas are often recognized as particularly vulnerable social groups concerning quality of life and physical activity, the study was conducted aiming to determine physical functioning and general health of women from urban and rural areas, as well as to examine differences between them in these health domains. Sample comprises of females aged 30 to 60 yrs, totally 146 participants (73 from urban areas, 73 from rural areas). For the purposes of this study two scales, Physical functioning and General health perceptions, from the SF-36 Health Survey. The results obtained show that significant differences between two groups of participant exist in both domains, with more positive self-perceptions of physical functioning in urban females and more positive global health perceptions in rural females. These results confirm that personal satisfaction and perception of oneís global health are affected not merely by the physical functioning, but by other health components as well.

The aim of this study was to evaluate body fat content (BF) of elite athletes obtained by two different field methods for body composition measurements and to compare it with body mass index (BMI) values. The research was conducted on 40 male athletes (20 runners and 20 handball players) and 30 non athletes. BF was calculated from the skinfold values (BFsft) and estimated using a hand-held impedance analyzer (BFbia%). Body mass index, waist to hip ratio (WHR) and waist to stature ratio (WSR) were calculated from adequate anthropometric values. Comparing the BF content between non athletes and two different sport groups, significant difference was found in all parameters between runners and non athletes (p < 0.05). Significant difference was found between BF values of runners and handball players (p < 0.05). Runners have had significantly lower BF, estimated by both methods. They also have had significantly lower WHR and WSR (p < 0.05). In the group of athletes and non athletes with BMI higher than 25 kg/m 2 , or lower than 20 kg/m 2 , comparing with others, no significant difference was found in BFsft and WHR. BMI is not a good predictor of BF, because it does not provide specific information about body fatness, but rather body heaviness. Bioimpedance and anthropometry methods could be used to monitor non obese subjects in clinical routine and population based studies. For BF estimation in athletes, we recommend anthropometry, rather than bioimpedance because of inter individual and inter sports variations in arms length and regional masculinity.

In dance, biomechanical methodologies are used to improve aspects of dance technique. Therefore the aim of our study was to gain knowledge of the kinematic structure of the feather step in slow fox routine. Material and methods: Four top level dance couples were involved in the study. To examine the routine biomechanically we have filmed the particular dance figures by high speed camera with frequency of 50 frames per second. Subsequently, we processed and evaluated digitalized images by 2D analysis. The path of gravity and angular changes in knee joint in the particular dance figures phases were evaluated and compared between partners and pairs together. Results: Dancing couples in the same conditions reached different readings in angle of the knee joint as well as trajectory of the centre of gravity during motion.

Development of inclusive education model in Serbia, evident during last decade, is in accordance with national strategic documents and corresponding international legislative. Special role in inclusive education development belongs to intradepartmental commissions, established to implement inclusive politics at local level. In paper, the normative framework for intradepartmental commissions work is analyzed, as well as first experiences from Vojvodinaís intradepartmental commissions. According to data submitted by commissionsí coordinators from 30 local communities, the greatest challenge in commissionsí work is implementation of suggested individual plan of support. Problems with implementation could be referred to additional educational support, including physical education as well. In inclusive physical education perspective, the commissioní opinion is invaluable, because it contains a complete insight into childís needs for additional support. Identification of barriers child and its family is faced with, as well as supports they have in educational domain, presents the first step in inclusive teaching planning. Data obtained show that within children referred to commissions boys, primary school children and mentally disturbed individuals, represent a majority.

The Outdoor activities course is an important and very specific segment of study programs which prepare future teachers of physical education and recreation, instructors and similar professional profiles. With the purpose of creating a new concept of course or improve the existing one according to the attitude college students have to the Outdoor activities course, students of the Faculty and Sport and Physical Education were surveyed. The sample consisted of 191 college students of both gender who attended the Outdoor activities courses during the academic years 2000/2001, 2001/2002, 2002/2003. The sample was evaluated by the Likert scale and the following aspects were included: attitude towards the conditions of course delivery, content, organisation and implementation of the lessons of skiing and camping. Majority of students expressed the affirmative attitudes towards skiing and camping. The obtained results were used in a new conceptualisation of the Outdoor activities course.