Biomechanical evaluation of jumping: the role of laterality, arm swing, muscle contraction mode and movement direction

U ovoj su disertaciji istraživane vrijednosti u kinetičkim varijablama koje opisuju pojedine vrste skokova klasificirane s obzirom na sljedeće zadane kriterije: smjer kretanja, lateralnost, korištenje zamaha rukama i režim mišićnog rada. Cilj je bio utvrditi hoće li se grupe skokova klasificirane na temelju zadanih kriterija značajno razlikovati u kinetičkim varijablama koje se odnose na vrijednosti vršne sile reakcije podloge, vršnog gradijenta sile i impulsa sile. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je osmero hrvatskih atletičara (5 muških i 3 žene) od kojih se šestero bavi skakačkim, a dvoje sprinterskim atletskim disciplinama. Ispitanici su bili ili su trenutno aktualni članovi hrvatske nacionalne atletske selekcije s iskustvom nastupanja na brojnim i velikim međunarodnim natjecanjima. Prosječna dob ispitanika za vrijeme mjerenja iznosila je 28,1 godinu, prosječna visina tijela 1,77 m dok je prosječna masa tijela iznosila 72,8 kg.Ispitanici su tijekom mjerenja izveli 159 različitih vrsta skokova. No, ukupan broj skakačkih entiteta u obradi podataka je bio 195 zbog normaliziranja opterećenja po jednoj nozi. Na taj se način broj entiteta povećao za 36 zbog zasebnih i različitih rezultata prednje i stražnje noge kod bilateralnih asimetričnih skokova te unutrašnje i vanjske noge kod bilateralnih skokova s promjenama smjera. Zbog toga se mjerenje provodilo uz pomoć dvije platforme za mjerenje sile reakcije podloge.Rezultati su potvrdili postavljenu temeljnu istraživačku hipotezu za svaki od korištenih kriterija klasifikacije skokova. Konkretno, kinetičke varijable izvedene iz sile reakcije podloge statistički značajno razlikuju pojedine skupine skokova, klasificirane temeljem odabranih kriterija. Ispostavilo se da svaka od jedanaest istraživanih kinetičkih varijabli može značajno razlikovati skupine skokova u barem jednom od odabranih kriterija. Varijable vršne sile reakcije podloge, vršnog gradijenta sile i impulsa sile imaju prethodno dokazanu visoku pouzdanost te ovi nalazi potvrđuju važnost i korisnost primjene kinetičkih varijabli sile reakcije podloge u opisivanju, vrjednovanju i klasifikaciji skakačkih sadržaja. Rezultati ove studije ukazuju da bi se klasifikacija skokova po intenzitetu ubuduće trebala fokusirati na temelju dva kinetička kriterija: vršna sila reakcije podloge i vršni gradijent sile. Te dvije mjere zajednički najbolje opisuju intenzitet skokova. S praktičnog stajališta, rezultati ove studije pokazuju da je prilikom odabira skokova na temelju intenziteta potrebno voditi računa o vršnoj sili reakcije podloge u kombinaciji sa vršnim gradijentom sile. No, osim toga, vrlo je važno i poznavanje modaliteta izvedbe skokova (lateralnost, zamah rukama, režim mišićnog rada, smjer kretanja, vrsta kontakta stopala s podlogom). S praktičnog stajališta u smislu prevencije od ozljeda, ovo istraživanje je utvrdilo da se skokovi sa cik-cak promjenama smjera te lateralni skokovi u kretanju mogu smatrati vrlo rizičnim.Informacije iz ovog istraživanja će pomoći u kreiranju programa koji su specifični prema pojedinim sportskim aktivnostima, cilju rehabilitacijskog procesa, prevenciji ozljeda i metodici poučavanja skakanja kod mlađih sportaša. Razlikovanje i rangiranje grupa skokova uz pomoć kinetičkog pristupa i prema odabranim kriterijima zasigurno mogu pomoći u praksi.In this dissertation, we investigated the values of the kinetic variables that describe various types of jumps, classified according to the following criteria: direction of movement, laterality, use of the arm swing, and the type of a muscle action. The aim was to determine if the groups of jumps classified according to the set criteria would be significantly different in terms of the observed kinetic variables, specifically, the ground reaction force, the peak force gradient, and the impulse. The sample consisted of eight Croatian track and field athletes (5 males and 3 females) out of which six competed in jumping events and the remaining two competed in sprinting events. The participants were current or former members of the Croatian national track and field team and had a history of competing in numerous international track and field competitions. The average age of the participants at the time of the study was 28,1 years, their average height was 1,77 m, and their average body mass amounted to 72,8 kg.The participants performed a total of 159 various types of jumps. However, the total number of entities in data processing was 195, due to the load normalization to a single leg. In this way, the number of entities increased by 36 due to the individual results of forward and backward leg in bilateral asymmetrical jumps as well as inner and outer leg in bilateral jumps that included change of direction. This is the reason all the measurements in the study were performed using two force platforms.The results confirmed the main research hypothesis for each of the criteria used to classify jumps. Specifically, kinetic variables derived from the ground reaction force were statistically significant in discriminating the various types of jumps classified according to the chosen criteria. We noticed that each of the eleven observed variables could significantly discriminate groups of jumps in at least one of the chosen criteria. Variables corresponding to peak ground reaction force, peak force gradient as well as impulse had all been previously shown to exhibit high reliability, and these findings confirm the importance and usefulness of the application of kinetic ground reaction force variables in description, evaluation and classification of various jumping techniques. The results of this study point toward the fact that the classification of jumps, according to intensity, should in the future focus on two main kinetic criteria: (a) peak ground reaction8force, and (b) peak force gradient. Taken together, these two variables proved to be the best descriptors of the intensity of a jump. In practical terms, the results of this study point toward the fact that, when selecting jumps according to intensity, it is necessary to take into account peak ground reaction force in combination with peak force gradient. However, it is also very important to be familiar with the modality of the execution of a jump (i.e. laterality, arm swing, type of muscle action, movement direction, type of contact with the ground). In practical terms, and with regard to injury prevention, this research has determined that the jumps that include a zig-zag change of direction as well as lateral jumps in motion may be considered to pose a high injury risk.The findings of this study may help in devising training regimens that are specific according to a sports activity, the aim of a rehabilitation treatment, injury prevention as well as jumping skill acquisition in young athletes. Discrimination and classification of groups of jumps according to the kinetic approach as well as chosen parameters could certainly be helpful in the real-world setting of applied kinesiology

Biomechanical evaluation of jumping: the role of laterality, arm swing, muscle contraction mode and movement direction

U ovoj su disertaciji istraživane vrijednosti u kinetičkim varijablama koje opisuju pojedine vrste skokova klasificirane s obzirom na sljedeće zadane kriterije: smjer kretanja, lateralnost, korištenje zamaha rukama i režim mišićnog rada. Cilj je bio utvrditi hoće li se grupe skokova klasificirane na temelju zadanih kriterija značajno razlikovati u kinetičkim varijablama koje se odnose na vrijednosti vršne sile reakcije podloge, vršnog gradijenta sile i impulsa sile. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je osmero hrvatskih atletičara (5 muških i 3 žene) od kojih se šestero bavi skakačkim, a dvoje sprinterskim atletskim disciplinama. Ispitanici su bili ili su trenutno aktualni članovi hrvatske nacionalne atletske selekcije s iskustvom nastupanja na brojnim i velikim međunarodnim natjecanjima. Prosječna dob ispitanika za vrijeme mjerenja iznosila je 28,1 godinu, prosječna visina tijela 1,77 m dok je prosječna masa tijela iznosila 72,8 kg.Ispitanici su tijekom mjerenja izveli 159 različitih vrsta skokova. No, ukupan broj skakačkih entiteta u obradi podataka je bio 195 zbog normaliziranja opterećenja po jednoj nozi. Na taj se način broj entiteta povećao za 36 zbog zasebnih i različitih rezultata prednje i stražnje noge kod bilateralnih asimetričnih skokova te unutrašnje i vanjske noge kod bilateralnih skokova s promjenama smjera. Zbog toga se mjerenje provodilo uz pomoć dvije platforme za mjerenje sile reakcije podloge.Rezultati su potvrdili postavljenu temeljnu istraživačku hipotezu za svaki od korištenih kriterija klasifikacije skokova. Konkretno, kinetičke varijable izvedene iz sile reakcije podloge statistički značajno razlikuju pojedine skupine skokova, klasificirane temeljem odabranih kriterija. Ispostavilo se da svaka od jedanaest istraživanih kinetičkih varijabli može značajno razlikovati skupine skokova u barem jednom od odabranih kriterija. Varijable vršne sile reakcije podloge, vršnog gradijenta sile i impulsa sile imaju prethodno dokazanu visoku pouzdanost te ovi nalazi potvrđuju važnost i korisnost primjene kinetičkih varijabli sile reakcije podloge u opisivanju, vrjednovanju i klasifikaciji skakačkih sadržaja. Rezultati ove studije ukazuju da bi se klasifikacija skokova po intenzitetu ubuduće trebala fokusirati na temelju dva kinetička kriterija: vršna sila reakcije podloge i vršni gradijent sile. Te dvije mjere zajednički najbolje opisuju intenzitet skokova. S praktičnog stajališta, rezultati ove studije pokazuju da je prilikom odabira skokova na temelju intenziteta potrebno voditi računa o vršnoj sili reakcije podloge u kombinaciji sa vršnim gradijentom sile. No, osim toga, vrlo je važno i poznavanje modaliteta izvedbe skokova (lateralnost, zamah rukama, režim mišićnog rada, smjer kretanja, vrsta kontakta stopala s podlogom). S praktičnog stajališta u smislu prevencije od ozljeda, ovo istraživanje je utvrdilo da se skokovi sa cik-cak promjenama smjera te lateralni skokovi u kretanju mogu smatrati vrlo rizičnim.Informacije iz ovog istraživanja će pomoći u kreiranju programa koji su specifični prema pojedinim sportskim aktivnostima, cilju rehabilitacijskog procesa, prevenciji ozljeda i metodici poučavanja skakanja kod mlađih sportaša. Razlikovanje i rangiranje grupa skokova uz pomoć kinetičkog pristupa i prema odabranim kriterijima zasigurno mogu pomoći u praksi.In this dissertation, we investigated the values of the kinetic variables that describe various types of jumps, classified according to the following criteria: direction of movement, laterality, use of the arm swing, and the type of a muscle action. The aim was to determine if the groups of jumps classified according to the set criteria would be significantly different in terms of the observed kinetic variables, specifically, the ground reaction force, the peak force gradient, and the impulse. The sample consisted of eight Croatian track and field athletes (5 males and 3 females) out of which six competed in jumping events and the remaining two competed in sprinting events. The participants were current or former members of the Croatian national track and field team and had a history of competing in numerous international track and field competitions. The average age of the participants at the time of the study was 28,1 years, their average height was 1,77 m, and their average body mass amounted to 72,8 kg.The participants performed a total of 159 various types of jumps. However, the total number of entities in data processing was 195, due to the load normalization to a single leg. In this way, the number of entities increased by 36 due to the individual results of forward and backward leg in bilateral asymmetrical jumps as well as inner and outer leg in bilateral jumps that included change of direction. This is the reason all the measurements in the study were performed using two force platforms.The results confirmed the main research hypothesis for each of the criteria used to classify jumps. Specifically, kinetic variables derived from the ground reaction force were statistically significant in discriminating the various types of jumps classified according to the chosen criteria. We noticed that each of the eleven observed variables could significantly discriminate groups of jumps in at least one of the chosen criteria. Variables corresponding to peak ground reaction force, peak force gradient as well as impulse had all been previously shown to exhibit high reliability, and these findings confirm the importance and usefulness of the application of kinetic ground reaction force variables in description, evaluation and classification of various jumping techniques. The results of this study point toward the fact that the classification of jumps, according to intensity, should in the future focus on two main kinetic criteria: (a) peak ground reaction8force, and (b) peak force gradient. Taken together, these two variables proved to be the best descriptors of the intensity of a jump. In practical terms, the results of this study point toward the fact that, when selecting jumps according to intensity, it is necessary to take into account peak ground reaction force in combination with peak force gradient. However, it is also very important to be familiar with the modality of the execution of a jump (i.e. laterality, arm swing, type of muscle action, movement direction, type of contact with the ground). In practical terms, and with regard to injury prevention, this research has determined that the jumps that include a zig-zag change of direction as well as lateral jumps in motion may be considered to pose a high injury risk.The findings of this study may help in devising training regimens that are specific according to a sports activity, the aim of a rehabilitation treatment, injury prevention as well as jumping skill acquisition in young athletes. Discrimination and classification of groups of jumps according to the kinetic approach as well as chosen parameters could certainly be helpful in the real-world setting of applied kinesiology

Biomechanical evaluation of jumping: the role of laterality, arm swing, muscle contraction mode and movement direction

U ovoj su disertaciji istraživane vrijednosti u kinetičkim varijablama koje opisuju pojedine vrste skokova klasificirane s obzirom na sljedeće zadane kriterije: smjer kretanja, lateralnost, korištenje zamaha rukama i režim mišićnog rada. Cilj je bio utvrditi hoće li se grupe skokova klasificirane na temelju zadanih kriterija značajno razlikovati u kinetičkim varijablama koje se odnose na vrijednosti vršne sile reakcije podloge, vršnog gradijenta sile i impulsa sile. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je osmero hrvatskih atletičara (5 muških i 3 žene) od kojih se šestero bavi skakačkim, a dvoje sprinterskim atletskim disciplinama. Ispitanici su bili ili su trenutno aktualni članovi hrvatske nacionalne atletske selekcije s iskustvom nastupanja na brojnim i velikim međunarodnim natjecanjima. Prosječna dob ispitanika za vrijeme mjerenja iznosila je 28,1 godinu, prosječna visina tijela 1,77 m dok je prosječna masa tijela iznosila 72,8 kg.Ispitanici su tijekom mjerenja izveli 159 različitih vrsta skokova. No, ukupan broj skakačkih entiteta u obradi podataka je bio 195 zbog normaliziranja opterećenja po jednoj nozi. Na taj se način broj entiteta povećao za 36 zbog zasebnih i različitih rezultata prednje i stražnje noge kod bilateralnih asimetričnih skokova te unutrašnje i vanjske noge kod bilateralnih skokova s promjenama smjera. Zbog toga se mjerenje provodilo uz pomoć dvije platforme za mjerenje sile reakcije podloge.Rezultati su potvrdili postavljenu temeljnu istraživačku hipotezu za svaki od korištenih kriterija klasifikacije skokova. Konkretno, kinetičke varijable izvedene iz sile reakcije podloge statistički značajno razlikuju pojedine skupine skokova, klasificirane temeljem odabranih kriterija. Ispostavilo se da svaka od jedanaest istraživanih kinetičkih varijabli može značajno razlikovati skupine skokova u barem jednom od odabranih kriterija. Varijable vršne sile reakcije podloge, vršnog gradijenta sile i impulsa sile imaju prethodno dokazanu visoku pouzdanost te ovi nalazi potvrđuju važnost i korisnost primjene kinetičkih varijabli sile reakcije podloge u opisivanju, vrjednovanju i klasifikaciji skakačkih sadržaja. Rezultati ove studije ukazuju da bi se klasifikacija skokova po intenzitetu ubuduće trebala fokusirati na temelju dva kinetička kriterija: vršna sila reakcije podloge i vršni gradijent sile. Te dvije mjere zajednički najbolje opisuju intenzitet skokova. S praktičnog stajališta, rezultati ove studije pokazuju da je prilikom odabira skokova na temelju intenziteta potrebno voditi računa o vršnoj sili reakcije podloge u kombinaciji sa vršnim gradijentom sile. No, osim toga, vrlo je važno i poznavanje modaliteta izvedbe skokova (lateralnost, zamah rukama, režim mišićnog rada, smjer kretanja, vrsta kontakta stopala s podlogom). S praktičnog stajališta u smislu prevencije od ozljeda, ovo istraživanje je utvrdilo da se skokovi sa cik-cak promjenama smjera te lateralni skokovi u kretanju mogu smatrati vrlo rizičnim.Informacije iz ovog istraživanja će pomoći u kreiranju programa koji su specifični prema pojedinim sportskim aktivnostima, cilju rehabilitacijskog procesa, prevenciji ozljeda i metodici poučavanja skakanja kod mlađih sportaša. Razlikovanje i rangiranje grupa skokova uz pomoć kinetičkog pristupa i prema odabranim kriterijima zasigurno mogu pomoći u praksi.In this dissertation, we investigated the values of the kinetic variables that describe various types of jumps, classified according to the following criteria: direction of movement, laterality, use of the arm swing, and the type of a muscle action. The aim was to determine if the groups of jumps classified according to the set criteria would be significantly different in terms of the observed kinetic variables, specifically, the ground reaction force, the peak force gradient, and the impulse. The sample consisted of eight Croatian track and field athletes (5 males and 3 females) out of which six competed in jumping events and the remaining two competed in sprinting events. The participants were current or former members of the Croatian national track and field team and had a history of competing in numerous international track and field competitions. The average age of the participants at the time of the study was 28,1 years, their average height was 1,77 m, and their average body mass amounted to 72,8 kg.The participants performed a total of 159 various types of jumps. However, the total number of entities in data processing was 195, due to the load normalization to a single leg. In this way, the number of entities increased by 36 due to the individual results of forward and backward leg in bilateral asymmetrical jumps as well as inner and outer leg in bilateral jumps that included change of direction. This is the reason all the measurements in the study were performed using two force platforms.The results confirmed the main research hypothesis for each of the criteria used to classify jumps. Specifically, kinetic variables derived from the ground reaction force were statistically significant in discriminating the various types of jumps classified according to the chosen criteria. We noticed that each of the eleven observed variables could significantly discriminate groups of jumps in at least one of the chosen criteria. Variables corresponding to peak ground reaction force, peak force gradient as well as impulse had all been previously shown to exhibit high reliability, and these findings confirm the importance and usefulness of the application of kinetic ground reaction force variables in description, evaluation and classification of various jumping techniques. The results of this study point toward the fact that the classification of jumps, according to intensity, should in the future focus on two main kinetic criteria: (a) peak ground reaction8force, and (b) peak force gradient. Taken together, these two variables proved to be the best descriptors of the intensity of a jump. In practical terms, the results of this study point toward the fact that, when selecting jumps according to intensity, it is necessary to take into account peak ground reaction force in combination with peak force gradient. However, it is also very important to be familiar with the modality of the execution of a jump (i.e. laterality, arm swing, type of muscle action, movement direction, type of contact with the ground). In practical terms, and with regard to injury prevention, this research has determined that the jumps that include a zig-zag change of direction as well as lateral jumps in motion may be considered to pose a high injury risk.The findings of this study may help in devising training regimens that are specific according to a sports activity, the aim of a rehabilitation treatment, injury prevention as well as jumping skill acquisition in young athletes. Discrimination and classification of groups of jumps according to the kinetic approach as well as chosen parameters could certainly be helpful in the real-world setting of applied kinesiology

TYPES AND MANIFESTATION OF INJURIES IN ATHLETICS

Razumijevanje mehanizama nastanka sportskih ozljeda te poznavanje utjecaja i interakcije unutarnjih i vanjskih rizičnih faktora temelj su za preventivno djelovanje u svrhu smanjenja broja i ozbiljnosti sportskih ozljeda. Cilj ovog rada je utvrđivanje vrste i učestalosti pojavljivanja ozljeda u atletici te identificiranje uzroka njihovog nastanka s obzirom na atletsku disciplinu. Istraživanje je provedeno na uzorku od 84 aktivnih atletičara (45 atletičara i 39 atletičarki) iz 14 klubova prosječne dobi 23,44 godine uz prosječno 10,58 godina aktivnog treninga u atletici ispunjavanjem anonimnog anketnog upitnika koji je sadržavao 16 općenitih i 9 specifičnih čestica. Rezultati istraživanja ukazuju kako je ruptura mišića (17%) najučestalija ozljeda, a zatim slijede sindrom prenaprezanja (14%) i istegnuće mišića (13%) dok su mišići stražnje strane natkoljenice (20%) i stopalo (19%) najčešći zahvaćeni anatomski lokaliteti. Rupture i istegnuća mišića stražnje skupine mišića natkoljenice najčešće su u sprinterskim disciplinama, dok su u skakačkim disciplinama najzastupljenije distorzije skočnih zglobova, sindrom prenaprezanja te rupture i istegnuća mišića. U bacačkim disciplinama dominiraju sindrom prenaprezanja, uklještenja živca te istegnuća i rupture mišića. Najučestaliji uzroci nastanka ozljeda su niska razina tehnike izvođenja, loši uvjeti treniranja, vlastita neopreznost atletičara i visoka razina umora, a najveći broj ozljeda dogodio za vrijeme ljetnog natjecateljskog perioda i pripremnog perioda za ljetni natjecateljski period. Rezultati istraživanja bi trebali unaprijediti sustav prevencije najčešćih ozljeda za hrvatske atletičarke i atletičare.Understanding the mechanism of sports injuries and knowledge about the influence and interaction of internal and external risk factors are the grounds for preventive activities to reduce the number and severity of sports injuries. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to establish the type and frequency of injuries in athletics and to identify the causes and the time of their occurrence with regard to the athletics discipline. The study was conducted on a sample of 84 active athletes (45 male and 39 female) from 14 Croatian clubs (average age of 23.44 years with an average of 10.58 years of active practice in athletics) filling out an anonymous questionnaire containing 16 general and 9 specific particles. The research results indicate that the muscle rupture (17%) is the most common injury, followed by overuse syndrome (14%) and muscle strain (13%), while the hamstring (20%) and foot (19%) are the most frequently affected anatomical parts. Hamstring rupture and strain are predominant in the sprint events, while in the jumping disciplines, the most common are ankle sprain, overuse syndrome and muscle rupture and strain. Dominant injuries in the throwing events are overuse syndrome, nerve injury and muscle rupture and strain. The most common causes of injuries are the low level of technique performance, poor training conditions, own carelessness of the athletes and high level of tiredness. Most of injuries occurred during the summer competition period and preparatory period for summer competition period. Result of this study should improve the prevention system for Croatian track and field athletes

Test-Retest Reliability of Unilateral Horizontal Drop Jump in Children

Jumps are an indispensable activity for the development of coordination, muscle strength and power, especially in children. Positive effects of horizontal drop jump (HDJ) proved to be very important in improving individuals performance. HDJ presents a specific movement pattern that has similarities with running gait and take-off in different horizontal jumps. Influence and effect of implementating HDJ in children is yet to be determined. The aim of this research was to determine the test–retest reliability of the unilateral horizontal drop jump (UHDJ) in children of early school age (6–7 years). Participants (n = 31; 19 girls and 12 boys) were school-age children that regularly attended Physical Education classes (Girls: mean age 7.5 ± 0.3 years, mean height 127.1 ± 6.8 cm and mean weight 25.8 ± 5.2 kg; Boys: mean age 7.5 ± 0.2 years, mean height 127.5 ± 6.9 cm and mean weight 27.6 ± 7.1 kg). UHDJ was performed from an elevation of 30 cm relative to the platform with starting position 120 cm from the middle of the platform. A jump on the platform and a unilateral take-off in the distance were performed, followed by a bilateral landing on the mat. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine the reliability between the two days of measurements. Test–retest reliability was calculated for all observed variables, and a good correlation was found between the performed measurements (ICC = 0.76–0.89). The α coefficient indicates good to excellent (0.86–0.94) internal consistency. These findings suggest the usefulness of applying a UHDJ in school-age children. Moreover, it can be used to identify children talented for sports, monitor the effects of training and discover and direct individuals towards suitable sports disciplines

Comparison of Standard and Newer Balance Tests in Recreational Alpine Skiers and Ski Novices

Alpine skiers should physically prepare for skiing due to the specific body movements it requires. As balance is essential for the success of competitive alpine skiers, we investigated its importance during preparation for alpine skiing in recreational skiers. We included 24 male participants; twelve recreational skiers just after 10 days of alpine skiing, and twelve alpine ski novices. All participants were tested with two balance tests (BAL40 and GYKO). Participants of the two groups did not differ significantly in the results of the BAL40 standard balance test. In contrast, we found significant differences in four out of six variables measured with the GYKO test performed on BOSU trainer during the two-feet stand. Participants specifically differed in the variables overall average body tilt (p=0.02), overall average deviation of body tilt (p=0.00), overall medio-lateral average body tilt (p=0.01), and overall medio-lateral average deviation of body tilt (0.00). Average results were lower for participants of the group of recreational skiers than for participants of the novice alpine ski group, suggesting that balance is important for recreational skiers, either as an acquired trait during skiing, or the result of conditioning training in the preparation period for skiing. According to the results, we would advise recreational skiers as well as people planning to be involved in alpine skiing as a new recreational activity to include balance exercises in the preparation period

7th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology: Fundamental and applied kinesiology - steps forward : proceedings

It is our pleasure to greet you on behalf of the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb. Quite a number of significant anniversaries in this year are related to sport, physical education and kinesiology in Croatia. The most important anniversary is the 55th birthday of the College of Physical Culture/Faculty of Physical Culture/Faculty of Kinesiology establishment in 1959. However, the tradition of physical education teachers’ education in Croatia is much longer than that. Namely, in 1874, the Croatian Falcon (Hrvatski sokol) was founded and in 1894, first course for gymnastic teachers was organised as the first higher education course in the field of kinesiology in Croatia. Along with these important anniversaries, this year we are marking the 17th birthday of our Conference on kinesiology, dear Reader, and you are one of the most important reasons why is this so. From the first Conference in Dubrovnik in 1997 up nowadays, many changes in our science have occurred as well as in the practice of physical exercise and sports along with innumerable changes in political and social dimensions of modern life. However, we are deeply convinced that one thing has remained unchanged; that is the passion for investigation and knowledge acquisition, the need for new discoveries and love for kinesiology as the main field of our research. Also, we are assured that our ideas about the conference as a meeting point of distinguished scientists, leading researchers in different fields of our science and young investigators have become reality. We expect discussions and exchange of ideas that should result, as they have before, in new research ideas, insights, and research teams and projects the eventual outcome of which would be further advances in kinesiology and in cognate and adjacent scientific areas. The Conference will work under the motto “Fundamental and applied kinesiology - steps forward” in usual plenary and parallel sessions addressing ten comprehensive kinesiological topics: adaptation of human organism to disuse and ageing; adapted physical activity and kinesitherapy; biology and medicine of sport and exercise; biomechanics and motor control; physical education; kinesiological (sports) recreation; kinesiology of top-level sport; management of sport; kinesiology and social sciences (sociology, psychology, history, philosophy) and kinesiology in physical conditioning. Certain areas will be addressed at the Conference for the first time, like adaptation of human organism to disuse and ageing. All the papers that have got positive reviews, performed by at least two respectable referees, are published in these proceedings. The best papers, so recognized by the peer reviewers, will be published in the journal Kinesiology supplement. Two significant satellite symposiums are going to be held during this year Conference under the titles: University Sport and Health Kinesiology. Both symposia are aiming at provoking experts from these areas to find solutions and answers to recent problems in these specific fields From the very beginning, the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts has been giving its high patronage to the Conference, thus underpinning the recognition of kinesiology in the structure of different areas in science. We are proud to have partners and cooperating institutions like Beijing Sports University (China), Faculty of Sport Studies Masaryk University, Brno (the Czech Republic), Science and Research Centre, University of Primorska (Slovenia) and Lithuanian Sports University. Also, our conference is supported by a number of important organisations in the field of kinesiology such as: the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP), International Federation of Physical Education (FIEP), and International Network of Sport and Health Sciences (INSHS). This year the assembly of kinesiologists from 32 countries will discuss diverse aspects of a variety of kinesiological issues presented in 220 papers and abstracts written by 514 authors. The Proceedings and Abstract Book is a reminder of the research findings accomplished in the field of kinesiology, or sport sciences, or kinetics, or kinanthropology throughout the past three years. The presented papers are a basis and a probable starting point for future findings and inferences since they cover a wide range of anthropological (understood in the widest sense), methodological and didactic investigations in the areas of physical education, competitive sport, kinesiological recreation, and kinesitherapy. We wish to express exceptional gratitude to all the authors of papers, reviewers, conference participants, members of the Organising and Programme Committee, Section Editors and technical support staff for their contributions, time and effort inbuilt in quality of the 7th Conference on Kinesiology and its Proceedings. Looking forward to meeting you again at the 8th International Conference on Kinesiology in 2017. Organising Committe

7th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology: Fundamental and applied kinesiology - steps forward : proceedings

It is our pleasure to greet you on behalf of the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb. Quite a number of significant anniversaries in this year are related to sport, physical education and kinesiology in Croatia. The most important anniversary is the 55th birthday of the College of Physical Culture/Faculty of Physical Culture/Faculty of Kinesiology establishment in 1959. However, the tradition of physical education teachers’ education in Croatia is much longer than that. Namely, in 1874, the Croatian Falcon (Hrvatski sokol) was founded and in 1894, first course for gymnastic teachers was organised as the first higher education course in the field of kinesiology in Croatia. Along with these important anniversaries, this year we are marking the 17th birthday of our Conference on kinesiology, dear Reader, and you are one of the most important reasons why is this so. From the first Conference in Dubrovnik in 1997 up nowadays, many changes in our science have occurred as well as in the practice of physical exercise and sports along with innumerable changes in political and social dimensions of modern life. However, we are deeply convinced that one thing has remained unchanged; that is the passion for investigation and knowledge acquisition, the need for new discoveries and love for kinesiology as the main field of our research. Also, we are assured that our ideas about the conference as a meeting point of distinguished scientists, leading researchers in different fields of our science and young investigators have become reality. We expect discussions and exchange of ideas that should result, as they have before, in new research ideas, insights, and research teams and projects the eventual outcome of which would be further advances in kinesiology and in cognate and adjacent scientific areas. The Conference will work under the motto “Fundamental and applied kinesiology - steps forward” in usual plenary and parallel sessions addressing ten comprehensive kinesiological topics: adaptation of human organism to disuse and ageing; adapted physical activity and kinesitherapy; biology and medicine of sport and exercise; biomechanics and motor control; physical education; kinesiological (sports) recreation; kinesiology of top-level sport; management of sport; kinesiology and social sciences (sociology, psychology, history, philosophy) and kinesiology in physical conditioning. Certain areas will be addressed at the Conference for the first time, like adaptation of human organism to disuse and ageing. All the papers that have got positive reviews, performed by at least two respectable referees, are published in these proceedings. The best papers, so recognized by the peer reviewers, will be published in the journal Kinesiology supplement. Two significant satellite symposiums are going to be held during this year Conference under the titles: University Sport and Health Kinesiology. Both symposia are aiming at provoking experts from these areas to find solutions and answers to recent problems in these specific fields From the very beginning, the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts has been giving its high patronage to the Conference, thus underpinning the recognition of kinesiology in the structure of different areas in science. We are proud to have partners and cooperating institutions like Beijing Sports University (China), Faculty of Sport Studies Masaryk University, Brno (the Czech Republic), Science and Research Centre, University of Primorska (Slovenia) and Lithuanian Sports University. Also, our conference is supported by a number of important organisations in the field of kinesiology such as: the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education (AIESEP), International Federation of Physical Education (FIEP), and International Network of Sport and Health Sciences (INSHS). This year the assembly of kinesiologists from 32 countries will discuss diverse aspects of a variety of kinesiological issues presented in 220 papers and abstracts written by 514 authors. The Proceedings and Abstract Book is a reminder of the research findings accomplished in the field of kinesiology, or sport sciences, or kinetics, or kinanthropology throughout the past three years. The presented papers are a basis and a probable starting point for future findings and inferences since they cover a wide range of anthropological (understood in the widest sense), methodological and didactic investigations in the areas of physical education, competitive sport, kinesiological recreation, and kinesitherapy. We wish to express exceptional gratitude to all the authors of papers, reviewers, conference participants, members of the Organising and Programme Committee, Section Editors and technical support staff for their contributions, time and effort inbuilt in quality of the 7th Conference on Kinesiology and its Proceedings. Looking forward to meeting you again at the 8th International Conference on Kinesiology in 2017. Organising Committe

8th international scientific conference on kinesiology: 20th anniversary : proceedings

We are exceptionally happy that we can greet you once more on this occasion. The Faculty of Kinesiology, as a proud member of the University of Zagreb and a higher education institution that is 57 years old, is organizing The International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology for the 8th time. Identically as three years ago, this is a good opportunity to remember some important anniversaries. First of all, this year we celebrate 160 years since Nicolas Dally published his work in 1857 under the title “Kinesiology – Science of Movement in Relation to Education, Hygiene and Therapy”. This was the first book that introduced Kinesiology as a science of movement. The second important anniversary is 20 years since the establishment of our Conference. In 1997 the first International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology was held in Dubrovnik. Until today a great number of leading experts in the field of contemporary kinesiology were keynote lectures and presenters of the most important scientific breakthroughs in the field. Once again, the Conference will be a great opportunity for broadening of scientific insights into this miraculous, beautiful phenomenon of physical activity and its effects – its perfection when performed by sport artists, as seen at the XXXI Olympic Games, its joyfulness when happy children enjoy being competent to be in motion, or when we see eager people who enjoy life and nature because they have enough energy and they are healthy thanks to an active lifestyle. We are especially proud of the 17th place on the medal list thanks to the ten Olympic medals won by Croatian athletes. All fundamental and applied fields of our science will be discussed within 10 tentative sessions and 3 Satellite symposiums. The ultimate purpose of papers or abstracts published in this Proceedings book is to know and understand human beings and to apply the findings in everyday practice of education, sports, health promotion, recreation, sports management and kinesitherapy. The Proceedings Book contains 249 contributions, which were submitted by the submission deadline, written by 557 authors from 30 countries from all over the world. We expect a number of graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students from Croatia and abroad for whom the Conference School of Kinesiology for Postgraduate and Doctoral Students will be organised during the Conference. From the very beginning the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts has given its highly respected patronage to the Conference, thus underpinning the recognition of kinesiology in the structure of sciences. Special thanks go to our partner institutions: Beijing Sports University, China and the Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, to our collaboration institutions: the Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, Lithuania, the Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany and the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Serbia. We wish to express much gratitude to all the authors, reviewers, participants, members of the Organisation and Program Committee, Section Editors, technical support staff, and sponsors for their contributions, time and effort inbuilt in the quality of the 8th International Conference on Kinesiology and its Proceedings. We wish success in the conference work to all the participants and a pleasant time in Opatija. Convinced that the Conference will give the expected impetus to further cooperation between scholars and institutions, we are looking forward in advance to meeting you again at the 9th International Conference on Kinesiology in 2020. Organising Committe

8th international scientific conference on kinesiology: 20th anniversary : proceedings

We are exceptionally happy that we can greet you once more on this occasion. The Faculty of Kinesiology, as a proud member of the University of Zagreb and a higher education institution that is 57 years old, is organizing The International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology for the 8th time. Identically as three years ago, this is a good opportunity to remember some important anniversaries. First of all, this year we celebrate 160 years since Nicolas Dally published his work in 1857 under the title “Kinesiology – Science of Movement in Relation to Education, Hygiene and Therapy”. This was the first book that introduced Kinesiology as a science of movement. The second important anniversary is 20 years since the establishment of our Conference. In 1997 the first International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology was held in Dubrovnik. Until today a great number of leading experts in the field of contemporary kinesiology were keynote lectures and presenters of the most important scientific breakthroughs in the field. Once again, the Conference will be a great opportunity for broadening of scientific insights into this miraculous, beautiful phenomenon of physical activity and its effects – its perfection when performed by sport artists, as seen at the XXXI Olympic Games, its joyfulness when happy children enjoy being competent to be in motion, or when we see eager people who enjoy life and nature because they have enough energy and they are healthy thanks to an active lifestyle. We are especially proud of the 17th place on the medal list thanks to the ten Olympic medals won by Croatian athletes. All fundamental and applied fields of our science will be discussed within 10 tentative sessions and 3 Satellite symposiums. The ultimate purpose of papers or abstracts published in this Proceedings book is to know and understand human beings and to apply the findings in everyday practice of education, sports, health promotion, recreation, sports management and kinesitherapy. The Proceedings Book contains 249 contributions, which were submitted by the submission deadline, written by 557 authors from 30 countries from all over the world. We expect a number of graduate, doctoral and postdoctoral students from Croatia and abroad for whom the Conference School of Kinesiology for Postgraduate and Doctoral Students will be organised during the Conference. From the very beginning the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts has given its highly respected patronage to the Conference, thus underpinning the recognition of kinesiology in the structure of sciences. Special thanks go to our partner institutions: Beijing Sports University, China and the Faculty of Sports Studies, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic, to our collaboration institutions: the Lithuanian University of Educational Sciences, Lithuania, the Otto-von-Guericke University, Magdeburg, Germany and the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, Serbia. We wish to express much gratitude to all the authors, reviewers, participants, members of the Organisation and Program Committee, Section Editors, technical support staff, and sponsors for their contributions, time and effort inbuilt in the quality of the 8th International Conference on Kinesiology and its Proceedings. We wish success in the conference work to all the participants and a pleasant time in Opatija. Convinced that the Conference will give the expected impetus to further cooperation between scholars and institutions, we are looking forward in advance to meeting you again at the 9th International Conference on Kinesiology in 2020. Organising Committe