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Volume 18, Issue 2, 2026

Online ISSN: 2406-1379

ISSN: 1821-3480

Volume 18 , Issue 2, (2026)

Published: 16.06.2026.

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Author(s). Title of the article. Exercise and Quality of Life. Advance online publication. DOI:10.31382/xxxx

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Contents

22.01.2025.

Original scientific paper

Comparison of the effects of isoinertial and traditional strength training in male tennis players

The goal of the research was to determine the effects of six weeks of isoinertial training on explosive strength, speed, and agility compared to traditional strength training in tennis players. The subjects, thirty male tennis players aged 20 to 35, were divided into three groups: the experimental group 1 (E1; n=10), which performed strength training on an isoinertial device; the experimental group 2 (E2; n=10), which performed traditional strength training; and the control group (C1; n=10). E1 and E2 groups had a total of six weeks of training with two training sessions per week, with three exercises per training session performed in four series for six to eight repetitions. The results showed that isoinertial strength training has a positive effect in the variables squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-meter sprint (5M), 20-meter sprint (20M), agility T-test (T-test), and 505 agility test (505). Post hoc analysis revealed that there are significantly better effects of isoinertial training compared to isodynamic training in the countermovement jump (CMJ), 5-meter sprint (5M), and 20-meter sprint (20M). The E1 group had significantly better results than the C1 group in all tests. The E2 group had significantly better results compared to the C1 group in the variables SJ, 20M, and T-test. The results also show that six weeks of isoinertial training produce better results in the development of variables CMJ and 20M compared to the traditional strength training group. Accordingly, fitness and tennis coaches should also use this training method when working with tennis players.

Dušan Ćorilić, Boris Karasek, Mladen Mikić

02.05.2025.

Original scientific paper

Interdependence of neck pain prevalence with neck disability and sleep quality among Nigerian seamstresses

Seamstresses, due to the nature of their profession, often face ergonomic challenges stemming from prolonged sitting, repetitive motions, and the adoption of awkward postures. These factors could affect sleep quality and contribute to an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders, including but not limited to, carpal tunnel syndrome, neck and back pain, and shoulder strain. It seems necessary, therefore, to evaluate the association of neck pain prevalence with neck disability and sleep quality among Nigerian seamstresses. 169 participants of ages 18 and above with varying levels of experience were recruited using a convenience sampling technique. The measure employed has 4 sections containing socio-demographics, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire, the Sleep Quality aspect of the Pittsburgh sleep quality index and Neck Disability Index. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies, and percentages were used to summarize the data and provide an overview of the respondents’ prevalence of neck pain. Pearson’s Chi square was used to test the association of neck pain prevalence with sleep quality and neck disability at 0.05 alpha level. The lifetime and 12-month prevalence of neck pain were 83.4% and 73.4% respectively. 39 (23.1%) reported good sleep quality. About 45.6% of the respondents’ reported no neck disability. There is no statistically significant relationship between neck disability and the prevalence of neck pain (X2 = 6.416, p = 0.601). However, a significant relationship was observed between the prevalence of neck pain and sleep quality (X2= 4.411, p = 0.036). Seamstresses have a high prevalence of neck pain due to long hours of static positions. Poor sleep quality was also associated with neck pain. Nonetheless, there was no significant relationship between neck disability and pain prevalence, although, sleep quality, pain intensity, and neck disability are interconnected in the present study.

Jehurat Abdulahi, Adebisi Hammed, Nicholas Oghumu, David Akintayo, Solomon Ogbouma, Martins Okhawere, Imuwahen Mbarie, Ayobami Fasuba, Kayode Oke

27.04.2025.

Original scientific paper

The impact of exercise habits on quality of life among emergency medicine physicians: A cross-sectional study

Physician quality of life is a critical factor influencing overall health, wellness, occupational stress, and burnout.  Exercise has been demonstrated to enhance quality of life through multiple mechanisms, positively impacting physical, psychological, and social health domains.  The objective of this study was to examine the exercise habits of emergency medicine physicians and their association with quality of life.  A quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional design was employed to study 103 attending emergency medicine physicians.  Participants completed an online questionnaire comprising the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) survey to assess physical activity levels and quality of life, respectively.  There was no significant difference between compliance with moderate and vigorous physical activity and quality of life across domains.  However, strength training compliance was statistically significant (p = 0.041) and correlated with improved physical health and quality of life scores.  Quality of life among this cohort was slightly elevated in the physical health domain but lower in psychological, social, and environmental health domains compared to population averages.  Furthermore, age and the number of hours worked per week were not statistically different in any quality of life domains. Exercise compliance among emergency physicians showed no statistically significant impact on quality of life, except for strength training, which was found to significantly enhance the physical health domain of quality of life.

Gregory Gibbons, Aaron Aslakson, Bridget Melton, Helen Bland

22.06.2025.

Original scientific paper

Influence of sociodemographic variables on patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options for Parkinson's disease

Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) experience motor and non-motor symptoms that decrease their quality of life. The non-pharmacological management of PD is imperative to improve the quality of life for patients with the disease. Non-pharmacological management options such as exercise, medical, and surgical interventions can improve function and independence in patients with PD. Many non-pharmacological management options target specific symptoms commonly associated with PD. The Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) model was adapted to develop a questionnaire that assesses patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options for PD. The questionnaire consisted of 11 questions. To assess the relationship between sociodemographic variables and patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options likelihood-ratio chi-squared, Spearman's correlation, simple logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed on the collected data. Six hundred and forty-one participants completed the questionnaire. For patients (n = 492) and practitioners (n = 149), the most widely known non-pharmacological management option was regular exercise, and the least-known was subthalamotomy. Compared to patients, practitioners were more likely to have knowledge of most non-pharmacological management options (OR 1.73 - 7.36). Higher education level (OR 3.10 - 10.96), younger age (OR 0.09 - 0.32), geographical location (North America OR 0.05 - 0.49, Europe OR 2.24), employment status (OR 4.81 - 12.02), and sex (OR 0.59) had a significant relationship with patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options. Practitioners were more likely to have knowledge of most non-pharmacological management options for PD compared to patients. Several sociodemographic variables impacted one's ability to identify non-pharmacological management options in both populations. Increasing patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options could improve the care and quality of life of patients with PD.

Paula Abola, Benjamin Wolden, Mitchell Wolden

16.08.2025.

Review scientific paper

A systematic review entrepreneurial competence of sports students for entrepreneurship after graduation

Recently, entrepreneurship has become increasingly attractive to sports and physical education students. As a result, many students recognize entrepreneurship as an opportunity for career development and the achievement of professional goals. This study examines the entrepreneurial preparedness of sports and physical education students, revealing significant gaps in essential business skills despite high entrepreneurial interest. The findings highlight the need for enhanced educational programs to better equip graduates for successful entrepreneurial endeavors. Based on previous research, to analyze the readiness and understanding of entrepreneurship among students, assess their entrepreneurial capabilities, and evaluate their level of competence in running their own business. The following academic databases were used for literature search: Scopus (158 sources) and Web of Science (104 sources). A total of 262 references were found. After removing duplicates, 234 references remained. The following inclusion criteria were applied: 1. Articles published since 2010; 2. Studies written in English; 3. Research focused on the topic of entrepreneurship in sports and student entrepreneurship. The results of this study indicate that entrepreneurship in sports faces significant challenges, including limited employment opportunities and a lack of essential entrepreneurial skills among students. These challenges hinder the development of successful entrepreneurial initiatives in the sports sector, as students often lack adequate training in the areas of starting and managing a business. Moreover, the job market in sports offers relatively few employment opportunities, further complicating students' ability to find jobs or start their own entrepreneurial projects in this specialized field.

Marko Ubović

07.09.2025.

Original scientific paper

User satisfaction through improvements of the sports information system in the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina

This study examines user satisfaction with the upgraded eSavezi sports information system of the Provincial Secretariat for Sports and Youth, Autonomous Province of Vojvodina (APV). The 2024–2025 upgrade introduced advanced search, multi-format data export, faster processing, expanded cloud storage, a universal cost management module, standardized financial planning, program consolidation, and centralized document upload. A cross-sectional survey was conducted from May 5–20, 2025, with 257 provincial sports association administrators (~12% coverage). Data were collected via an online five-point Likert scale questionnaire and analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics.Results indicate high satisfaction with all features, particularly data export, storage capacity, and administrator support. All eight hypotheses were confirmed, demonstrating the system’s contribution to operational efficiency, transparency, and digital transformation in sports administration.

Dragan Veličković

28.07.2025.

Review scientific paper

Service quality in football: A systematic review

This systematic review analyses the existing research on service quality in football academies, focusing on its impact on user satisfaction and loyalty. Several factors can influence user satisfaction in football academies. Some of them are: academy infrastructure, quality of training, expert and professional staff, location and environment of the academy, status and reputation of the academy, levels of competition, as well as prospects in terms of career progression and career management in youth football. All of these factors contribute to better service and directly influence the increase in user satisfaction and loyalty, i.e., future members of the academy. For this reason, it is necessary to analyse the existing research on this topic to understand the measurement of service quality and the impact it has on the value and satisfaction of athletes. This systematic review aims to investigate service quality and to analyze the current state and factors that influence quality in the management of football academies. For this research, the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to find relevant articles on this topic. The following inclusion criteria were applied during the search: only topics related to service quality, scientific papers covering the field of management, papers written in English, papers published from 2009 to the present, and full-text papers available. The results of the selected studies for this research showed that service quality is a key factor in achieving a high level of user loyalty towards a football academy.

Rade Milić

12.07.2025.

Original scientific paper

Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on recovery from fatiguing exercise

This study investigates the potential benefits of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy for recovery following a fatiguing exercise protocol in recreational athletes. Despite growing interest in PEMF therapy for athletic recovery, few studies have evaluated its effects across a wide range of performance and recovery measures, particularly among recreationally active individuals. This study is the first-ever investigation to examine the effects of PEMF therapy on recovery from fatiguing exercise across multiple performance outcomes, including maximal strength, power, vertical jump height, and muscle soreness, in a sample of recreationally active college-aged individuals. Thirty participants (mean age: 23.7 ± 3.7 years; 19 males, 11 females) were randomly assigned to one of three recovery conditions: PEMF therapy (n=10), placebo (n=10), or control (n=10). The fatigue protocol used in this study was the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1), designed to induce neuromuscular fatigue. Recovery was assessed through quantitative measures of performance (peak power, peak cadence, vertical jump, and isometric strength) and qualitative measures of muscle soreness. No statistically significant differences were observed between the recovery groups in terms of performance outcomes. However, PEMF therapy did show trends toward improved recovery, particularly in peak power at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise, and was the only group to show consistent reductions in muscle soreness. These findings underscore the need for further research in this area and suggest that PEMF therapy may offer marginal recovery benefits, particularly for perceived recovery and power restoration. This study addresses a crucial gap in the scientific literature by providing empirical evidence on the efficacy of PEMF therapy for recreational athletes, suggesting potential applications in non-elite athletic populations, though further research is required to confirm its mechanisms and long-term effects.

S M Nazmuz Sakib

18.07.2025.

Review scientific paper

The impact of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy

Female reproductive hormones such as progesterone and estrogen play an important role in the body as they orchestrate functions of numerous cells including skeletal muscle cells. Onset of menses marks the beginning of reproductive life, whereas menopause marks its cessation. We distinguish three phases of the 28-day menstrual cycle namely follicular, ovulatory and luteal phases. The follicular phase is characterised by marked increases in estrogen, which triggers ovulation. During this phase, estrogen peaks, whereas progesterone levels are low. Following ovulation, the luteal phase commences marked by high progesterone levels and reduced estrogen. Indeed, these periodic fluctuations in reproductive hormones may affect rates of muscle protein synthesis and hence hinder sought adaptations such as skeletal muscle hypertrophy in female athletes. With the introduction of hormonal contraceptives, female athletes were able to have ameliorate the negative effects of the menstrual cycle by reducing menstrual cramping and bleeding. Hormonal contraceptives are constituted of a single or multiple synthetic hormones namely estrogen and progestin. Nevertheless, the impact of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy remains elusive. In this review, we aim to present the potential implications of hormonal contraceptives on skeletal muscle hypertrophy.

Nevena Markov, Matevž Arčon

16.12.2025.

Original scientific paper

The Effect of Schroth Exercises and Orthotic Bracing on Changes in Sagittal Balance and Sagittal Index in Patients with Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis

Introduction: Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is a three-dimensional spinal deformity characterized by lateral curvature, vertebral rotation, and sagittal imbalance. It affects 2–4% of adolescents, predominantly females (7:1 ratio). Progressive deformity can cause respiratory dysfunction, chronic pain, and psychosocial distress. Developing effective conservative treatments remains a major challenge in orthopedic rehabilitation. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of combined Schroth therapy and 3D-Chêneau bracing in managing AIS, focusing on sagittal alignment, postural control, and functional improvement. Material and Methods: A prospective quasi-experimental study was conducted with 60 adolescents (mean age 13.3 ± 1.6 years) diagnosed with AIS (Cobb angle 20°–47°). The intervention consisted of two phases: an intensive 3-week supervised Schroth exercise program (21 sessions) followed by continued home exercises combined with a custom 3D-modified Chêneau brace. Assessments were performed at baseline, 4 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months. Primary outcomes included sagittal balance (mm) and sagittal index (mm), evaluated by standardized plumb-line analysis. Results: After six months, significant improvements were observed in sagittal alignment (p < 0.001). Sagittal balance increased toward the physiological reference (~20 mm), indicating improved postural symmetry and trunk stability. Sagittal index values reflected curve-specific and localization-dependent adaptations, particularly in thoracic deformities. Conclusion: Combined Schroth therapy and 3D-modified Chêneau bracing effectively enhanced sagittal spinal alignment in adolescents with AIS. This integrated conservative approach demonstrated measurable improvements in physiological balance and postural organization, supporting its role as a functional, noninvasive intervention for AIS management.

Nikola Jevtić, Vanja Dimitrijević, Bojan Rašković, Samra Pjanić, Theodoros B. Grivas, Nachiappan Chockalingam, Borislav Obradović