LUMBAR SPINE DYNAMIC STABILITY EVALUATION – A NEW FIELD TEST

The aim of this study was to design a new field test that measures dynamic stability of lumbar spine joints (controlled range of motion). It was also a goal to determine the metric characteristics of the newly designed test on two groups of subjects differing on their physical preparedness. The sample was composed of 35 girls aged 9-20 years from Zagreb, Croatia. Fifteen of them were rhythmic gymnasts who at average trained 8.93 hours per week, for at least 5 years. The other group consisted of 20 female pupils of the secondary school “Borovje” who were not engaged in any regular sport activity beside physical education classes. The subjects performed 2 tests for the evaluation of lumbar spine dynamic stability. One well known and with estabilished metric characteristics (F-1), and the other one, newely constructed (F-2). The normality of the distributions was examined using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test (KS). Validity and reliability were estimated with the Factor analysis. The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) was used for homogeneity evaluation. for independent samples was used to establish the capacity of the new test to discriminate the lumbar spine dynamic stability of trainees and nontrainees. The obtained results showed that the new test has high sensitivity, validity, reliability and homogeneity, tested on two groups of same age but different level of physical preparedness. Such results stress the wide applicability of the newly constructed test regardless on the level of physical preparedness or the work conditions. It is thus usable in sports as well as in physical therapy practice.Glavni cilj ovog istraživanja bila je konstrukcija i validacija mjernog instrumenta za procjenu dinamičke stabilnosti lumbalnog dijela kralježnice (kontrolirani opseg pokreta). Također je bilo u interesu ovog rada provjeriti njegovu valjanost na dva uzorka ispitanika koja su se razlikovala u razini fizičke pripremljenosti. Uzorak ispitanika činilo je 35 djevojaka iz Zagreba u dobi od 9-20 godina. Petnaest od njih bile su ritmičarke koje treniraju u prosjeku 8,93 sati tjedno, u period od najmanje 5 godina. Drugu je skupinu činilo 20 učenica Osnovne škole “Borovje” koje pored nastave tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture nisu aktivno sudjelovale u niti jednoj sportskoj aktivnosti. Provedena su dva testa za procjenu dinamičke stabilnosti lumbalnog dijela kralježnice. Jedan poznati (F- 1), i drugi novokonstruirani test (F-2). Mjere asimetrije ( ) i izduženosti ( ) distribucije korištene su za provjeru osjetljivosti novog mjernog instrumenta. Normalnost distribucije provjerena je pomoću Kolmogorov–Smirnov (KS) testa. Valjanost i pouzdanost provjerene su pomoću Faktorske analize. Koeficijent interkorelacije uzet je kao pokazatelj homogenosti F-2 testa. za nezavisne uzorke provjerena je mogućnost novokonstruiranog testa za razlikovanjem dinamičke stabilnosti lumbalnog dijela kralježnice između trenirane i netrenirane populacije. Dobiveni rezultati pokazuju da je novo konstruirani (F-2) test osjetljiv, valjan i pouzdan bez obzira na razinu treniranosti izmjerenih pojedinaca. Test je također jednostavan i primjenjiv u svim uvjetima rada. Temeljem dobivenih rezultata moguće je preporučiti korištenje novokonstruiranog mjernog instrumenta za procjenu dinamičke stabilnosti lumbalno

Model values of motor abilities of junior rhythmic gymnasts in the Republic of Croatia

Knowing the current status of rhythmic gymnasts’ motor abilities allows a valid objective evaluation of their competitive preparedness and facilitate planning of their further development. The main objective was to determine possible differences in motor abilities of rhythmic gymnasts regarding program level they were competing in, their age and national ranking. Three groups of junior rhythmic gymnasts, competing in either A, B, or C level programs, were investigated. Both the multivariate analysis of variance and univariate analysis of variance showed statistically significant differences in the selected motor abilities regarding the program level (flexibility, strength and coordination). A-level rhythmic gymnasts scored best in all the tests assessing flexibility, coordination and strength. The differences in motor abilities between junior rhythmic gymnasts with regard to their national ranking showed no statistical significance, whereas age was statistically significant. The Pearson’s correlation coefficient revealed significant relations between certain motor abilities among rhythmic gymnasts in A, B and C level programs. The higher the level of a program, the higher the correlatives, and vice versa. Two tests had the largest contribution to the success achieved in the competition: the figure of eight with bending and forward bent on the bench. The scientific value of the proposed research is aimed at better planning, programming and control of training process in rhythmic gymnastics

Postura u vrhunskih hrvatskih ritmičarki

The main goal of the study was to determine the influence of the long-term rhythmic gymnastics training process on certain motor abilities and on the posture of elite Croatian rhythmic gymnasts. The sample was composed of 35 girls aged 12.89 (±2.32) years from Zagreb, Croatia. Fifteen of them were rhythmic gymnasts who have trained 8.93 hours per week on average, for at least 5 years. The control group consisted of 20 female pupils of the primary school “Borovje” who were not engaged in any regular sporting activity beside physical education classes. The measures consisted of 17 postural variables and 8 tests assessing motor abilities. The t-test for independent samples showed marked statistical differences in arithmetic means between the two groups for all the motor variables. Mann-Whitney U test showed no differences between the two groups in all the posture variables, but one. The two groups differed significantly only in the variable kyphosis, showing that poor kyphotic posture was more frequent in non-trainees (p=.03). The variables Lorenz’s triangle and frontal shoulder position almost reached statistical significance (p=.06 and p=.07, respectively). Although the mentioned results failed to fall within the range of statistical significance, they are of substantial clinical importance, showing the tendency to a greater frequency of poor scoliotic posture in rhythmic gymnasts. The obtained results pointed out the positive side of sport: a good level of motor abilities and a minor incidence of poor kyphotic posture. Clinically, the results also indicate some sport-specific postural problems that may occur due to asymmetric overload. However, since statistical significance was not reached, there is a need to investigate further the influence of persistent asymmetric overloading of the spine on rhythmic gymnasts` posture.Glavni je cilj ovoga istraživanja bio utvrditi utjecaj dugoročnoga treniranja ritmičke gimnastike na posturu i neke motoričke sposobnosti vrhunskih hrvatskih ritmičarki. Uzorak ispitanica činilo je 35 djevojaka iz Zagreba u dobi od 12,89±2,32 godina. Petnaest su bile ritmičarke koje treniraju u prosjeku 8,93 sati tjedno, u periodu od najmanje 5 godina. Kontrolnu skupinu činilo je 20 učenica Osnovne škole “Borovje” koje osim nastave tjelesne i zdravstvene kulture nisu aktivno sudjelovale ni u jednoj dodatnoj sportskoj aktivnosti. Praćeno je 17 posturalnih i 8 motoričkih varijabla. T-testom za nezavisne uzorke utvrđene su značajne razlike između skupina u svim motoričkim sposobnostima. Mann-Whitneyjevim U testom utvrđena je značajna razlika između kontrolne i eksperimentalne skupine samo u posturalnoj varijabli kifoza (p=0.01) koja je bila učestalija u kontrolnoj skupini. Razlike između kontrolne i eksperimentalne skupine u varijablama Lorenzov trokut (p=.06) i položaj ramena frontalno (p=0.07) na granici su statističke značajnosti. Iako se rezultati u tim varijablama samo približavaju statističkoj značajnosti, za kliničku su praksu važni jer pokazuju tendenciju pojave skoliotičnoga lošeg držanja u ritmičarki. Dobiveni rezultati ukazuju na pozitivne učinke dugogodišnjega bavljenja sportom (bolja razina motoričkih sposobnosti i manja učestalost kifotičnoga lošega držanja). Klinički gledano, rezultati također upućuju na specifične posturalne probleme do kojih bi u budućnosti moglo doći nastavi li se asimetrično opterećenje. Ipak, s obzirom na to da statistička značajnost nije postignuta, postoji potreba za daljnjim istraživanjem utjecaja ustrajnoga asimetričnoga opterećenja kralježnice na posturu ritmičarki

DIFFERENCES IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BETWEEN MEN AND WOMEN SUFFERING FROM DIABETES MELLITUS

Tjelesna aktivnost jedan je od najvažnijih dopunskih čimbenika u liječenju šećerne bolesti. Usprkos preporukama liječnika dio oboljelih ipak se ne odlučuje uključiti u sportsko-rekreativne programe. Ovo istraživanje je provedeno kako bi se utvrdilo u kojoj mjeri se oboljele osobe bave nekom tjelesnom aktivnošću i kako to utječe na njihovo opće stanje, te da se utvrde razlike u tjelesnoj aktivnosti između muškaraca i žena. Uzorak se sastojao od šezdeset i pet ispitanika (37 žena, 28 muškaraca) prosječne dobi 44 godina, koji su bolovali od šećerne bolesti najmanje dvije godine. Ispitanici su ispunili anketni upitnik sastavljen od 13 pitanja. Rezultati su obrađeni deskriptivnom statistikom, t-testom i multiplom regresijskom analizom. Od ukupnog uzorka 78,5 % oboljelih redovno provodi neku vrstu tjelesne aktivnosti, uglavnom samostalno, neorganizirano i neprogramirano, uključujući i redovite šetnje. Većina ispitanika obaju spolova (84,3%) primijetila je da tjelesna aktivnost pozitivno utječe na smanjenje doze lijekova i na opće bolje osjećanje. Muškarci značajno više provode neki oblik tjelesne aktivnosti od žena (p<0,01). Multipla regresijska analiza pokazala je da su muški spol i tip dijabetesa jedini značajni prediktori za bavljenje tjelesnom aktivnošću dok dob, vrsta terapije i preporuke liječnika nemaju statistički značajni utjecaj. Ne postoji značajna razlika između aktivnih oboljelih muškaraca i žena u učestalosti vježbanja, te u prosjeku vježbaju 5 puta tjedno. Može se zaključiti da zadovoljavajući broj oboljelih ispitanika provodi neku vrstu tjelesne aktivnosti, ali uglavnom samostalno i neprimjereno po intenzitetu i trajanju. Kako bi 64,6% od ukupnog broja ispitanika bilo voljno uključiti se u neki organizirani oblik vježbanja kada bi takav postojao, od neophodne je važnosti omogućiti provedbu takvih sportsko-rekreativnih programa za oboljele od šećerne bolesti.Physical activity is one of the most important factors in treating diabetes mellitus. Even though many physicians strongly recommend it, some of the patients are reluctant to enroll. Aim of this study was to determine the amount of the physical activity in diabetic patients and to explore for differences according to gender. The sample of 65 patients (37 women and 28 men), on average 44 years old, who had suffered from diabetes for at least two years, filled in a questionnaire consisting of 13 items. The results were analyzed by using descriptive statistics, t-test and multiple regression analysis and showed that 78.5% of patients perform some kind of physical exercises, but mostly not in an organized way, but on their own. The majority of the patients (84.3%) had noticed that physical exercises had a positive influence on their wellbeing. Men performed more physical activity than women (p<0.01). The multiple regression analysis had shown that the gender and the type of diabetes were the only factors relevant for activity, while the age, type of therapy and the physicians\u27 recommendations were not of importance. There was no significant difference in frequency of doing exercises between men and women and both genders reported frequency of 5 times a week. It could be concluded that a significant number of diabetics do exercises, but not in an organized or adequate way when it comes to the duration, intensity and the type of the activity. As 64.6% of diabetics would be willing to participate in an organized physical activity, if it had been available, such programs should be carried out

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

6th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology: Integrative power of kinesiology : proceedings book

The Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb is organising the International Conference on Kinesiology for the sixth time. Everything began more than 15 years ago when the initiators – Prof. Milanović, still bursting with new ideas, and the late Prof. Mraković, started to advocate the idea of an international conference as a forum for kinesiologists or sport scientists, as a place where their research findings could be presented and discussed, as a meeting point of globally recognized scientists, or authorities in their field of research and research novices. In those days, in 1997, before the First Conference in Dubrovnik, it all seemed so surreal. However, this conference is alive; it grows and becomes ever more sophisticated. Therefore, it is feasible to expect that the forthcoming discussions, talks, dialogues, or whatever kind of idea exchange will result, as they have until now, with new research ideas, insights, research teams and projects the eventual outcome of which is further advances in kinesiology and the cognate and adjacent scientific areas. The motto of this year’s conference is the “Integrative Power of Kinesiology“. It indicates the close relationships among various scientific fields when they contribute to the promotion of physical exercise and various kinds of physical activities in the areas of kinesiological education, high performance sports, kinesiological recreation, health-enhanced kinesiology, kinesitherapy and rehabilitation, sport for physically and mentally challenged persons, school sports, military kinesiology, and many others. Simultaneously with the organisation of the 6th Conference, the Faculty of Kinesiology is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the publication of the scientific journal KINESIOLOGY. Nowadays it is a recognized international scientific journal with an IF of 0.525 for the year 2010. The Conference and the journal KINESIOLOGY have contributed considerably to the affirmation of the name “kinesiology” in the neighbouring European areas. Although both are focused on science, the Conference and the accompanying regular KINESIOLOGY International Editorial Board meetings have also been opportunities for scholars and institution delegates from all over the world to establish close personal contacts, thus opening doors for joint research projects. The basic scientific concept of the Conference, with the working sections that cover the fundamental and applicative disciplines of kinesiology, has been kept from the beginning. This year’s conference will have 12 oral and poster sections in the framework of which the delegates will present 220 full text contributions and abstracts written by 300 authors from 32 countries. Each presented and published paper or abstract has been subjected to a review process performed by at least two prominent referees. For the first time the Conference is hosting a satellite symposium HEPA (Health Enhanced Physical Activity). The purpose of the symposium is to inform delegates from the neighbouring countries, which have not yet become HEPA association member countries, with the basic principles and directives of the movement and to encourage them to become promoters of the idea of health-oriented physical activity in their communities. The World Health Organization has stimulated the design of the Croatian National Action Plan for the implementation and improvement of HEPA in the Republic of Croatia. A presentation of the Action Plan and the planned round table should also be stimulating to colleagues to undertake similar steps in their communities. From the very beginning the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts has given its highly respected patronage to the Conference, thus underpinning the recognition of kinesiology in the structure of sciences. The organisation of such conferences would not be viable without the powerful support from the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sport and the University of Zagreb. The patronage and support are indicators of a notable position the Conference and its organiser, the Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb (established in 1959), have in the Croatian academic and research community. We wish to express much gratitude to all the authors of the papers, reviewers, conference participants, members of the Organisation Committee, Section Leaders, Section Secretaries, technical support staff, and sponsors for their contributions, time and effort inbuilt in the quality of the 6th Conference on Kinesiology and its Proceedings. Our special gratitude goes to the Croatian Office of the World Health Organization. We wish success in the conference work to all the participants and enjoyable time in Opatija. We are convinced the Conference will give the expected impetus to further cooperation between scholars and institutions. Looking forward in advance to meeting you again at the 7th International Conference on Kinesiology in 2014

6th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology: Integrative power of kinesiology : proceedings book

The Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb is organising the International Conference on Kinesiology for the sixth time. Everything began more than 15 years ago when the initiators – Prof. Milanović, still bursting with new ideas, and the late Prof. Mraković, started to advocate the idea of an international conference as a forum for kinesiologists or sport scientists, as a place where their research findings could be presented and discussed, as a meeting point of globally recognized scientists, or authorities in their field of research and research novices. In those days, in 1997, before the First Conference in Dubrovnik, it all seemed so surreal. However, this conference is alive; it grows and becomes ever more sophisticated. Therefore, it is feasible to expect that the forthcoming discussions, talks, dialogues, or whatever kind of idea exchange will result, as they have until now, with new research ideas, insights, research teams and projects the eventual outcome of which is further advances in kinesiology and the cognate and adjacent scientific areas. The motto of this year’s conference is the “Integrative Power of Kinesiology“. It indicates the close relationships among various scientific fields when they contribute to the promotion of physical exercise and various kinds of physical activities in the areas of kinesiological education, high performance sports, kinesiological recreation, health-enhanced kinesiology, kinesitherapy and rehabilitation, sport for physically and mentally challenged persons, school sports, military kinesiology, and many others. Simultaneously with the organisation of the 6th Conference, the Faculty of Kinesiology is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the publication of the scientific journal KINESIOLOGY. Nowadays it is a recognized international scientific journal with an IF of 0.525 for the year 2010. The Conference and the journal KINESIOLOGY have contributed considerably to the affirmation of the name “kinesiology” in the neighbouring European areas. Although both are focused on science, the Conference and the accompanying regular KINESIOLOGY International Editorial Board meetings have also been opportunities for scholars and institution delegates from all over the world to establish close personal contacts, thus opening doors for joint research projects. The basic scientific concept of the Conference, with the working sections that cover the fundamental and applicative disciplines of kinesiology, has been kept from the beginning. This year’s conference will have 12 oral and poster sections in the framework of which the delegates will present 220 full text contributions and abstracts written by 300 authors from 32 countries. Each presented and published paper or abstract has been subjected to a review process performed by at least two prominent referees. For the first time the Conference is hosting a satellite symposium HEPA (Health Enhanced Physical Activity). The purpose of the symposium is to inform delegates from the neighbouring countries, which have not yet become HEPA association member countries, with the basic principles and directives of the movement and to encourage them to become promoters of the idea of health-oriented physical activity in their communities. The World Health Organization has stimulated the design of the Croatian National Action Plan for the implementation and improvement of HEPA in the Republic of Croatia. A presentation of the Action Plan and the planned round table should also be stimulating to colleagues to undertake similar steps in their communities. From the very beginning the Croatian Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts has given its highly respected patronage to the Conference, thus underpinning the recognition of kinesiology in the structure of sciences. The organisation of such conferences would not be viable without the powerful support from the Croatian Ministry of Science, Education and Sport and the University of Zagreb. The patronage and support are indicators of a notable position the Conference and its organiser, the Faculty of Kinesiology University of Zagreb (established in 1959), have in the Croatian academic and research community. We wish to express much gratitude to all the authors of the papers, reviewers, conference participants, members of the Organisation Committee, Section Leaders, Section Secretaries, technical support staff, and sponsors for their contributions, time and effort inbuilt in the quality of the 6th Conference on Kinesiology and its Proceedings. Our special gratitude goes to the Croatian Office of the World Health Organization. We wish success in the conference work to all the participants and enjoyable time in Opatija. We are convinced the Conference will give the expected impetus to further cooperation between scholars and institutions. Looking forward in advance to meeting you again at the 7th International Conference on Kinesiology in 2014

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