The exploratory study is grounded in field research, utilizing semi-structured interviews with active, former, and recreational athletes in combat sports. The first section outlines key theoretical frameworks that address everyday life, lifestyles, and the issue of doping. The second section presents the main findings from the field research. Interviewees detailed the positive effects of doping on athletic performance while also acknowledging significant side effects, including physical and psychological consequences. Participants highlighted that the availability of information on doping has increased with the advent of the Internet and specialized retail outlets. The testimonies indicate that the culture of doping is driven not only by the pursuit of enhanced sports performance but also by aesthetic considerations and social pressures, underscoring the complexity of doping use in both professional and recreational sports. The study concludes that doping is a pervasive issue in combat sports, necessitating comprehensive social action and collaboration among policymakers, social stakeholders, and researchers across multiple disciplines, with a prominent role for physical education and sports sciences.

Previous research indicates that vestibular perception is related to muscle tone regulation. Muscle tone influences auditory and visual perception. Research findings suggest that the functioning of primitive reflexes affects the maturation and condition of the vestibular organ. The goal of the study is to examine whether the primitive reflex profile can be influenced by appropriate exercises and whether inhibition of persistent primitive reflexes affects vestibular functions. The sample consisted of 506 children aged 5–8 years (237 boys and 269 girls). In kindergartens and schools, 443 participants performed reflex inhibition exercises 3–5 times a week for 7 months. A control group of 63 individuals attended only regular PE lessons. Input and output results were compared using the Mann-Whitney test, and effect sizes were calculated. Input primitive reflex profile and vestibular maturity: not significant. Effect size: primitive reflex profile: 0.109; vestibular maturity: 0.052. Output: primitive reflex profile: p <0.001; vestibular maturity: p <0.001. Effect size: primitive reflex profile: 0.572; vestibular maturity: 0.306. The results obtained with appropriate non-parametric measurements show that children participating in the intervention achieved statistically significantly higher scores in all tested variables of primitive reflex profile and vestibular maturity compared to the control group. The children in the intervention group showed significant improvement in both primitive reflex profile and vestibular maturity: p <0.001; effect size: primitive reflex profile: 0.714; effect size: vestibular maturity: 0.664; while there was no significant improvement in the control group: effect size primitive reflex profile: 0.01; vestibular maturity: 0.06. We found a strong, significant correlation between the inhibition of primitive reflexes and vestibular maturity: r=0.000; rho (ρ)=0.000. Based on this study we recommend incorporating these exercises into physical education for 5–8-year-old children.

Proprioception and kinesthesia refer to the sense of joint position and movement, assessable through joint position sense (JPS). We evaluated the potential of the KEMTAI software system in tracking and quantifying shoulder movement by examining 40 subjects (ages 22-68) divided into three age groups. Subjects, blindfolded, performed shoulder flexion, stopped on voice command and by their own at predefined angles measured by the software. Our findings indicated no significant differences in JPS accuracy across age groups, although precision improved with external cues, and a decline in JPS memory over short intervals was observed, suggesting further exploration is needed.

 The COVID-19 outbreak and svift policy response affected the everyday lives of youth in Serbia, challenging their mental well-being. Aiming to examine the relationship between physical activity level (PAL) and mental well-being of adolescents during the strictest lockdown in Serbia, in April 2020, we analyzed data collected through the national online survey (N = 3089). According to the self-reported moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), participants were divided into three groups: 1) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes every day; 2) engaged in MVPA for at least 60 minutes on 4-6 days per week; and 3) engaged in the same amount of MVPA on 0-3 days per week. Mental well-being measures included life satisfaction, self-rated health, and health complaints. An one-way ANOVA detected a significant effect of adolescents’ PAL on their life satisfaction, F(3,27) = 49.64, p = 0.000. The Tukey test showed that the mean life satisfaction was significantly higher in the most active group (M = 8.66, SD = 1.56) than in the moderately active group (M = 8.27, SD = 1.56), and the least active group (M = 7.93, SD = 1.76). The chi-square tests revealed significant associations between adolescents’ PAL and health complaints; less active adolescents were more likely to experience symptoms like headache, nervousness, feeling low, irritability, sleep difficulties, and dizziness (p ≤  0.00). They also experienced multiple health complaints more frequently and self-rated their health less favorably. Therefore, physical activity should be promoted as a protective factor for adolescents’ mental well-being, particularly in emergencies. 

The purpose of this research was to examine the effects of certain technico-tactical elements of the Baskin game as a predictor of the achieved result in the 2nd European Cup matches. The following variables were analyzed: number of balls brought to the side basket, saved balls by role 2, saved balls by other roles, three-point shots by role 2, scored points from the corner by the role 2, role 2 misses, number of points by roled 1-5. The Mann-Whitney test was used to evaluate the differences in relation to the outcome of the match (win, loss) and certain technico-tactical elements. The obtained results indicate statistically significant differences between the winning and losing teams in fourteen analyzed games for points scored from the points scored by players with role 3.

Physical fitness (PF) is an exceptional indicator of health in childhood and prevents chronic conditions in adulthood. Various exercise modalities have been studied for their impact on children's PF, but rhythmic-based exercises have received less attention. Hence, we structured the rhythmic-based exercise program to provide an approach to developing children's PF over ten months. The non-randomized pre-post-controlled 2x2 design included 154 children (REG, rhythmic-based exercise group, n=75, CG, control group, n=79). We assessed PF performance using the modified 20 m shuttle run test, the standing long jump, the 30-second sit-up test, and the sit-and-reach test before and after 10 months of rhythmic-based exercise program. The 2x2 mixed ANCOVA showed that all PF test performances improved significantly more in REG than in CG from a small (Standing long jump for 3%), across medium (Sit-ups for the 30s for 12%), to a large extent (Modified 20 m shuttle run test for 14% and Sit and reach for 23.1%). The rhythmic-based exercise program provoked extensive flexibility and overall muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness developments. Further randomized controlled trials should be conducted to support or contrast our results.

Although sedentary behavior (SB) is still an under-researched area, some studies have shown a significant association between prolonged sitting and an increased risk of mortality, due to various causes, independent of physical activity. Despite the health risks, there are currently no specific guidelines for individuals to self-assess their SB. A pilot observational study was conducted as part of the »Knowledge for Health« event. A short online quiz “Sedentary meter” was developed, consisting of a pictorial scale to help event participants assess their daily sedentary time and to promote a better understanding of the associated health risks. The quiz questions were formulated based on the WHO definition of SB. The participants’ task was to subjectively estimate the amount of sedentary time in various types of SB on a typical day. The results obtained for SB could then be immediately compared with the figurative scale based on the WHO guidelines. The analysis confirmed SB (533.0±224.7 min/day) in all age groups, although possible differences according to the type of SB were noted. Despite statistically non-significant differences, those between age groups may indicate the extent to which SB can be individualized. The differences between age groups may indicate the importance of considering SB which can be targeted based on each age group's daily routine. The simple tool for accessing SB raised awareness of which specific type of SB accounts for the majority of participants' daily sedentary time. The self-critical acceptance of the “poor results” across all age groups shows the effectiveness of the initiative in raising awareness of SB issues.

The purpose of the present study was to compare game-related statistics between men's and women's under-17 (U-17) basketball teams and to identify game-related statistics that discriminate between winning and losing teams for both sexes. Games with a final score difference greater than 30 points were excluded from the analysis, so the final sample consisted of 196 games (109 men's and 87 women's games) from the 2022/2023 season of the Triglav Cadet League of Serbia. The following game-related statistics were gathered from the official box scores of the Basketball Federation of Serbia: 2- and 3-point field-goals (successful and unsuccessful), free throws (successful and unsuccessful), defensive and offensive rebounds, assists, steals, turnovers, blocks (committed and received), and fouls (committed and received). Men's teams had significantly better values than women's teams in successful and unsuccessful 2-point field-goals, successful 3-point field-goals, successful and unsuccessful free throws, assists, and turnovers. Women's teams had statistically better values than men's teams in unsuccessful 3-point field-goals, offensive rebounds, steals, and committed fouls. The discriminant factors between winning and losing teams in close games, were successful 2-point field-goals, defensive rebounds and assists for both sexes, and offensive rebounds for men's teams. In balanced games, discriminant factors were assists for both sexes and successful 2-point field-goals for women's teams. In unbalanced games, discriminant factors were assists for both sexes, defensive rebounds for men's teams, and successful 2-point field-goals for women's teams. These findings suggest that there are notable differences in game-related statistics for U-17 men's and women's basketball teams.

Swimming speed depends on anthropometric characteristics, biomechanics factors, physical fitness, physiological components, and genetics. Therefore, this study aimed to identify which anthropometric characteristics influence swimming speed in adolescent competitive swimmers. Thirty-eight male swimmers (aged 16.94 ± 0.8 years; body height: 178.3 ± 5.4 cm; body weight 67.7 ± 9.6 kg) and thirty-five female swimmers (aged 17.12 ± 0.7 years; body height: 175.1 ± 6.6 cm; body weight 59.9 ± 7.1 kg) participated in the study. All swimmers have competed at the national level in Serbia for at least three years and have at least five years of training experience. Fifteen variables were measured: arm length, hand length, leg length, foot length, seat height, wrist diameter, ankle joint diameter, elbow diameter, chest circumference, triceps skinfold, forearm skinfold, abdominal skinfold, subscapular skinfold, thigh skinfold, calf skinfold. The measurements were taken by the Martin anthropometer, Omron digital scale BF511, and John Bull caliper. Swimming speed was measured during 50-m and 100-m front crawl swimming. Multiple regression analysis revealed that arm length, wrist diameter, and chest circumference, all together, accounted for 77% of 100-m front crawl swimming speed in male swimmers, while abdominal skinfold accounted for 90% of 100-m front crawl swimming speed in female swimmers. Results showed that anthropometric characteristics could not account for adolescent swimmers' 50-m front crawl swimming speed. However, anthropometric characteristics can influence the result in swimming (100-m front crawl swimming speed) in adolescents and thus should be considered a diagnostic tool in selecting young swimmers.

This transversal study aimed to examine the contribution of predictor variables of the construct of health status (objective and subjective assessment of health) to the variability of the criteria satisfaction with life, emotional dimensions (positive affect, negative affect), and emotional factor of distress (depression, anxiety, and stress) in junior handball players. The pertinent sample consisted of 132 junior handball players in – Serbian First League. The average age of participants was 18.25 ± 0.90 years of age. The following measuring instruments were used: 1) the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale – DASS-21, 2) De Jong Gierveld Loneliness Scale – DJGLS, 3) the Satisfaction with Life Scale‒ SWLS, and 4) The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule – PANAS showed satisfactory internal consistency. The conducted multiple regression analysis explained 51% of the proportion variance of the dependent variable satisfaction with life, positive and/or negative affectivity, and cognitive aspect of distress, where the only statistically significant negative predictors were loneliness and subjective assessment of health status. At the same time, when it comes to the assessment of loneliness in adolescents, these independent variables achieved significant interaction with the subjective assessment of health. This would mean that handball players, who subjectively assess their health as bad, and feel lonelier. On the other hand, the regression model did not confirm the role of the predictor variable objective assessment of health status and loneliness. This regression study has contributed to the existing literature and empirical data on the significance of the rarely explored relations between the constructs of health and well-being in the adolescent sports population. Theoretical contributions and practical implications for future research were also discussed.