Countermovement jump (CMJ) performance is widely used to assess explosive lower-limb function in football players. Although knee isokinetic strength is frequently measured in elite sport environments, the extent to which it relates to CMJ performance remains unclear, particularly when CMJ is performed with free arm movement. Therefore, the aim of this study was to examine the relationship between knee isokinetic muscle strength characteristics and CMJ performance in elite male football players. Twenty-four elite male football players (age 23.83 ± 5.98 years) participated in this cross-sectional study. CMJ height was assessed using an optical measurement system (Optojump Next). Concentric knee extensor and flexor peak torque was measured using an isokinetic dynamometer at angular velocities of 60°/s and 180°/s and expressed as peak torque/body weight% (PT/BW,%). Pearson correlation and linear regression analyses were used to examine associations between isokinetic strength variables and CMJ performance. Bilateral differences, hamstring-to-quadriceps (H/Q) ratios, and inter-limb asymmetries were also analyzed. Significant positive correlations were observed between CMJ height and knee extensor peak torque expressed as PT/BW (%) at both angular velocities. Stronger relationships were found at 180°/s (r = 0.558–0.642, p ≤ 0.005) compared with 60°/s (r = 0.483–0.500, p < 0.05). Regression analyses showed that knee extensor strength at 180°/s explained up to 41.2% of the variance in CMJ height. Hamstring strength demonstrated weaker and less consistent associations with CMJ performance, while H/Q ratios and inter-limb asymmetries were not significantly related to jump height. Quadriceps isokinetic strength expressed as PT/BW (%) was significantly associated with CMJ performance in elite male football players, with stronger relationships observed at higher angular velocity. These findings suggest that knee extensor strength assessed at higher angular velocity is meaningfully associated with explosive lower-limb performance and may provide useful complementary information within routine neuromuscular monitoring in professional football.

Background: Neuromodulation encompasses a range of methods aimed at selectively modifying nervous system function to enhance motor and neurophysiological processes. Although neuromodulation suits have shown benefits in clinical populations, their application in sports remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this case study was to examine the acute effects of a neuromodulation suit on the contractile properties of the rectus femoris muscle in an elite football player. Methods: The subject was an 18.8-year-old male professional football player. After conducting an anthropometric evaluation, initial tensiomyography (TMG) was carried out to evaluate the contractile properties of the rectus femoris, such as delay time (Td), contraction time (Tc), sustain time (Ts), relaxation time (Tr), and maximum radial displacement (Dm), in both legs. The athlete then donned a neuromodulation suit set to 20 Hz for a duration of 60 min. Following this, the same TMG measurements were repeated to assess post-intervention changes. Results: The right leg showed a reduction in Tc from 33.33 to 31.93 milliseconds (ms); Dm increased from 6.61 to 11.17 millimeters (mm). Conversely, the left rectus femoris exhibited prolonged Tc from 26.84 to 29.45 ms. Conclusions: A single 60 min session of neuromodulation suit application produced acute changes in muscle contractile properties. Findings suggest a potential positive effect on rapid force production and reduced muscle stiffness, alongside notable inter-limb variability.

Background: Wound healing is a complex physiological process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling. Erythrocyte and platelet parameters, along with erythrocyte morphology including poikilocytosis, are valuable indicators of systemic responses to injury and therapeutic interventions. Manuka honey and chlorine dioxide (ClO2) are known for their antimicrobial and reparative properties, yet systemic hematological effects following topical application remain poorly characterized. Aim: This study aimed to evaluate systemic hematological responses in Wistar rats with surgically induced wounds following the topical application of manuka honey and ClO2, compared with gentamicin treatment and untreated controls, focusing on erythrocyte and platelet parameters and poikilocytosis. Methods: Sixty Wistar rats were randomly assigned to four groups: control (C, n=15), gentamicin (AB, n=15), manuka honey (MH, n=14), and chlorine dioxide (ClO2, n=15). Under full anesthesia, a 4 cm abdominal incision was surgically induced in all rats, followed by twice-daily topical treatment for 14 days. On day 14, peripheral blood samples were collected for hematological analysis, including red blood cell count (RBC), hemoglobin concentration (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), platelet count (PLT), plateletcrit (PCT), and poikilocytosis. Statistical comparisons were performed using the Kruskal-Wallis test, significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Most hematological parameters remained within expected physiological ranges. Significant intergroup differences were observed for HGB, HCT and PLT. Post hoc Dunn comparisons showed that HGB was significantly higher in the AB group than in the C group (p=0.011), ClO2 (p=0.015), and MH (p=0.006) groups. HCT was significantly higher in the AB group compared with the C (p=0.037), ClO2 (p=0.015), and MH (p=0.011) groups. PLT was significantly higher in the ClO2 group compared with the C (p=0.041), AB (p=0.019) and MH (p=0.014) groups. Poikilocytosis was minimal in all groups, primarily absent to mild, with the most frequent forms being anulocytes and stomatocytes. Conclusion: At the evaluated endpoint, topical application of manuka honey and ClO2 did not reveal marked systemic hematological disturbances in Wistar rats with surgical wounds. ClO2 had the most pronounced effect on platelet parameters among the tested treatments. Minimal poikilocytosis further supports the relative hematological stability observed at the evaluated endpoint. These findings provide valuable insights into systemic responses to topical treatments applied to surgically induced wounds and support further studies incorporating leukocyte profiling, complementary hematological, immunological, and histopathological assessments.

The aim of this research was to determine the connection between body composition and explosive power of the lower extremities in top karate players, representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina, and to identify the differences between men and women in these parameters. Correlation analysis was performed between body composition variables and lower extremity explosive strength, with additional use of independent samples t-test to examine gender differences. The results showed a significant positive correlation between body mass, muscle mass, total amount of water and jump height, while the percentage of fat tissue had a negative correlation with jump height. Also, significant gender differences were identified in variables such as fat tissue percentage (.004), muscle mass (.000), total water volume (.000) and jump height (.000), with men achieving better results. These differences indicate that body composition and explosive power are key factors in karate and highlight the need to adapt training and nutritional strategies to gender specificities in order to optimize results.

This study aimed to compare the anthropometric and performance characteristics of U16 and U18 male basketball players to better understand post-peak height velocity (PHV) developmental differences. A total of 31 athletes from the local international basketball academy participated in the research—15 from the U16 category (15.25 ± 0.86 years) and 16 from the U18 category (17.46 ± 0.34 years). Measurements included body composition, sprinting (with and without the ball), agility, and jump performance. The results revealed significant between-group differences in most anthropometric variables (p < 0.001), including body mass, BMI, skeletal muscle mass, fat-free mass, total body water, and segmental muscle mass. However, there were no significant differences in body height and body fat percentage. Performance comparisons showed that U18 players outperformed U16 players in agility (p = 0.026), 10 m and 20 m sprints (p = 0.045 and p = 0.016, respectively), and 20 m dribbling sprints (p = 0.011), while no significant differences were observed in jumping ability. These findings suggest that physical maturation strongly influences anthropometric parameters and partially affects performance characteristics. The results highlight the importance of age-appropriate training strategies that consider biological development stages in youth basketball.

This study aimed to examine position-specific physical demands among elite U19 football players competing in a 4-3-3 formation, using data collected via STATSports GPS technology. A total of 23 players from a top-tier Bosnian club, FK “Sarajevo”, were monitored during 26 official matches in the 2024/2025 season. Match data included total distance, distance in six speed zones, high-speed running (HSR), sprint distance, number of sprints, maximum speed, and acceleration/deceleration events. One-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc analyses revealed significant positional differences across all performance metrics (p < 0.05). Central midfielders (CMs) covered the greatest total distance and distance per minute, while side defenders (SD) and forwards (FWs) recorded the highest values in sprint distance, HSR, and sprint frequency. Central defenders (CDs) consistently demonstrated the lowest outputs in high-speed and sprint metrics. These findings highlight the distinct physical profiles required for each playing position in a 4-3-3 system and provide practical insights for designing position-specific training and load management strategies in elite youth football.

This study aimed to examine the habits, attitudes, and consumption patterns of food supplements (FS) among gym users in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, with respect to gender, age, and training experience. Understanding these behaviors is essential given the rising global trend in FS use, often without professional guidance, which can have implications for individual health and public awareness. By investigating local patterns, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the motivations and risks associated with supplement consumption, contributing to evidence-based recommendations and policy-making in the field of fitness and nutrition. Methods: Cross-sectional data were collected from various fitness centers using an online questionnaire composed of 21 questions divided into three segments. A total of 614 participants (mean ± SD: 32.77 ± 9.82 years), including both male (67.8%) and female (32.2%) gym users, took part in the study. Results: Participants predominantly belonged to the 36–45 age group, with 70.0% (p < 0.001) reporting more than one year of regular gym attendance, and 40.4% indicating regular FS consumption (p < 0.05). Supplements were mainly used to support faster recovery (29.1%, p < 0.05) and muscle growth (25%, p < 0.05). Magnesium was the most commonly used supplement, equally favored across genders and age groups. Creatine, fish oil capsules, and multivitamins were also frequently consumed (p < 0.05). Self-prescription emerged as the predominant method of FS use (40.3%, p < 0.05), followed by advice from gym coaches (21.8%), with only 5.6% of participants receiving guidance from a nutritionist. Conclusions: The findings highlight a societal trend toward self-directed FS use, often influenced by informal sources, underscoring the importance of further research and the development of targeted, evidence-based educational strategies. Males reported higher FS consumption, with younger users more focused on muscle gain and older individuals prioritizing health maintenance. The reliance on non-expert recommendations raises concerns about the safety and effectiveness of FS usage in the fitness community.

Methods: A experimental study involved the participation of 207 soccer coaches (B, A and PRO UEFA coaching license). The subscale of the questionnaire refers to coaching and leadership competencies, contains 47 items and was created from the existing questionnaires. Responses to the items of the third subscale are also given in the form of a five-point Likert scale, where respondents were required to indicate the level of agreement with the given statements. The questionnaire examines coaching and leadership competencies contained in 6 groups of competencies. Each competency (communication competencies, football and other competencies, organizational competencies, leadership competencies, technical and motivational competencies, training technology competencies - performance monitoring and training/match analysis) consists of 7 or 8 items. The validation of the developed instrument in this empirical study was conducted using two procedures: (1) factor analysis (PCA with oblique rotation) and (2) an internal consistency assessment (Scale Reliability Analysis – Cronbach's Alpha). Results: By applying principal component factor analysis to the data of the "coaching and leadership competencies" subscale with oblimin factor rotation, 7 significant factors with a Kaiser value greater than 1 and 64.671% of the total variance were identified. Conclusions: The non-objectivity of the respondents was established by applying a self-evaluation scale, and it was confirmed that such questionnaires cannot be used to assess the accuracy of an individual's assessment. It is noticeable that the general opinion of coaches about the importance of certain competencies is probably wrong.

Background: Different dietary components can affect hematological and biochemical profiles, potentially causing pathohistological changes in liver and kidney tissue. Aim: The animals in the experiment consumed various bakery and meat products, and ultimately, the potential effects on hematological, biochemical, and pathological parameters were evaluated. Methods: The study involved 24 clinically healthy adult rats, randomized into three groups of eight rats each, as follows: rats that consumed meat products (group M), rats that consumed bakery products (group H), and a control group that consumed conventional rodent food (group K) for 7 weeks. After 7 weeks, hematological and biochemical blood analyses were conducted along with pathohistological examinations of the liver and kidneys. Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed among groups for several hematological and biochemical parameters, including creatinine (CREA), urea, blood urea nitrogen /CREA, calcium, alanine transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, and lipase. Consuming meat products had a less favorable impact on the occurrence of kidney function disorders. Group H exhibited significant differences in leukocyte and platelet counts compared with groups M and K. Extreme echinocytosis was recorded in group M, whereas sideropenic anemia was prominent in group H. Analysis of the livers of rats in groups K and H did not show significant differences in the observed parameters (gamma-glutamyl transferase and total bilirubin), whereas group M had a significantly higher degree of hepatocyte degeneration and steatosis, and the observed infiltrate was also more pronounced, but not significantly. The kidneys of group M showed discrete alterations of the microstructure, i.e., slightly increased cellularity of renal corpuscles and hypertrophy of proximal nephrocyte, whereas the kidney tissue of group K had a regular appearance. Conclusion: Consuming meat products was associated with adverse liver and kidney changes, whereas bakery products led to sideropenic anemia and altered hematological values.

The occurrence of spinal deformities during periods of rapid growth in children has been increasingly recognized as a significant issue within the broader community. This study aimed to evaluate the spinal posture during one of the most critical phases of physiological development in a specific group of preschool children. The research involved 153 preschool aged 4 to 6 years (mean age ± standard deviation: 4.6 ± 1.1 years) residing in Sarajevo. Postural assessment was conducted using the method proposed by Napoleon Wolanski (1975), which evaluates segmental relationships through the following parameters: head posture assessment (HPA), shoulder posture assessment (SPA), scapular posture assessment (SBPA), chest posture assessment (CPA), scoliotic posture evaluation (SCP), abdominal posture assessment (APA), leg posture assessment (LPA), and foot posture assessment (FPA). Deviations were categorized based on severity, assigned negative points as follows: 0 points for no deviation, 1 point for mild deviation, and 2 points for significant deviation. The associations between the eight parameters were analyzed using Spearman’s correlation coefficient (rho). The highest degree of correlation was observed between the variables of abdominal posture assessment and head posture assessment (0.536). Poor abdominal posture, often linked to weakened core muscles or imbalances in the lumbar region, can result in compensatory shifts in the head and neck to preserve balance and visual orientation.