Current issue
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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Contents
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
22.01.2025.
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
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
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
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
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
15.06.2024.
Original scientific paper
Sports injuries in athletes with disabilities
The aim of the study was to determine the type and localization of sports injuries in people with disabilities who play sports professionally or recreationally and to examine whether there was a difference in sports injuries between these two categories of para-athletes. The research sample consisted of 30 men with an average age of 40.96 years. The sample had two subsamples. The first group consisted of 13 respondents who participated in para-sports professionally. The second group comprised of 17 respondents who take part in para-sports recreationally. The respondents trained individual and team para-sports (parashooting, parataekwondo, paraswimming, paracycling, para-athletics, para-table tennis, sitting volleyball and wheelchair basketball). A questionnaire was created to gather overall demographic data, and a part of the Musculoskeletal Discomfort Form was used to localize musculoskeletal complaints. Descriptive statistics, measures of central tendency, the Mann-Whitney U test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were applied. The results showed that 76.6% of all para-athletes have suffered at least one injury, with most injuries occurring during training (63.3%). Shoulder trauma and soft tissue injuries were the most common. Both subsamples reported that they had experienced the most problems in the form of pain, discomfort and numbness in the neck and lower back. As far as people with disabilities are concerned, participation in para-sports carries inseparable and associated risks. Therefore, the data achieved in this study can be used in order to understand the risk factors leading to injury which are specific to para-athletes (disability-sport) and to develop injury prevention programs.
Ivana Sretenović, Goran Nedović, Srećko Potić
15.06.2024.
Original scientific paper
Correlation between acute muscle damage and oxidative protection enzymes during different aerobic exercises
Different types of aerobic exercise can cause different disorders of homeostasis. This cross-over experiment aimed to determine the muscle fatigue and the antioxidative protection of female basketball players following a load caused by three different aerobic-type exercises (low-intensity continuous, high-intensity continuous, and high-intensity interval training). Twelve female basketball players (age 17.7±4.3 years; weight 67.3±9.8 kg; height 178.0±7.4 cm) voluntarily participated in the study. A wash-out period of 7 days between single sessions of different training was provided. Venous blood was drawn right before and immediately after each exercise session. The parameters that were analyzed are markers of muscle damage and enzymes of antioxidant protection. As a marker of muscle damage, myoglobin (F=2.884; p=0.065) and lactates (F=5.254; p=0.008) have higher values and statistically significant differences between training types. Creatinine shows higher values after each training session (F=4.053; p=0.022). Results of enzyme activity for oxidative protection show statistically significant differences between groups for catalase (F=5.811; p=0.005) with different types of training intervention. At the beginning of the preparatory period, parameters of acute muscle damage values are high. During the season, in response to different types of training, those parameters decrease in response to the body's adaptation to exercise-induced stress. Training leads to maintenance of physiological balance in the body and oxidative stress is not a necessary phenomenon of high aerobic training load. The inclusion of antioxidant protection enzymes decreases as the body adapts to a certain type of exercise.
Bojana Marić, Sandra Vujkov