Parental/familial factors are important determinants of the physical activity level (PAL) in children and adolescents, but studies rarely prospectively evaluate their relationships. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in physical activity levels among adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina over a two-year period and to determine parental/familial predictors of PAL in early adolescence. A total of 651 participants (50.3% females) were tested at baseline (beginning of high school education; 14 years old on average) and at follow-up (approximately 20 months later). The predictors included sociodemographic characteristics (age, gender) and parental/familial factors (socioeconomic status of the family, maternal and paternal education, conflict with parents, parental absence from home, parental questioning, and parental monitoring). Physical activity levels were evidenced by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents (PAQ-A; criterion). Boys were more active than girls, both at baseline (t-test = 3.09, p < 0.001) and at follow-up (t-test = 3.4, p < 0.001). Physical activity level decreased over the observed two-year period (t-test = 16.89, p < 0.001), especially in boys, which is probably a consequence of drop-out from the sport in this period. Logistic regression evidenced parental education as a positive predictor of physical activity level at baseline (OR [95% CI]; 1.38 [1.15–170], 1.35 [1.10–1.65]), and at follow-up (1.35 [1.11–1.69], 1.29 [1.09–1.59], for maternal and paternal education, respectively). Parents with a higher level of education are probably more informed about the importance of physical activity on health status, and thus transfer this information to their children as well. The age from 14 to 16 years is likely a critical period for maintaining physical activity levels in boys, while further studies of a younger age are necessary to evaluate the dynamics of changes in physical activity levels for girls. For maintaining physical activity levels in adolescence, special attention should be paid to children whose parents are less educated, and to inform them of the benefits of an appropriate physical activity level and its necessity for maintaining proper health and growth.

The main aim of this research was to determine the influence of fundamental movement skills on the performance of specific rhythmic gymnastics skills in different stages of motor learning in 6-year-old children. Seventy preschool children participated (30 girls and 40 boys; mean age 6±0.5y; height 122.5±5.0 cm, weight 24.49±3.78 kg). A battery of 20 rhythmic gymnastics skills tests (5 tests with each of the apparatus: rope, hoop, ball and ribbon) was constructed and evaluated by experienced judges. Fundamental movement skills were measured using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, second edition (short form). Children exercised for approximately 6 months, three times a week for 35 minutes. Three measurements of specific rhythmic gymnatics skills were carried out: initial (first week), transitive (ninth week) and final (nineteenth week). The level of fundamental movement skills was tested in the first week of the treatment. The results of multiple regression analyses indicate the existence of statistically significant influence of fundamental movement skills on the degree of specific rhythmic gymnastics skills acquisition for all apparatus and all measurement points (p value ranging from 0.00 to 0.02). Partially, the verbal-cognitive phase of learning specific rhythmic gymnastics skills is characterized by the influence of precise motor skills. In the motor phase of learning, hand coordination, as well as bilateral coordination, becomes more and more important. Finally, at the advanced motor stage of learning, the influence of significant predictors is changed. These changes are reflected in the increasing influence of bilateral coordination, hand coordination and strength, and also the same, or somewhat smaller, impact of precise motor skills.

Glavni cilj istraživanja je utvrđivanje postojanja transfera znanja analizom utjecaja predznanja koreografije narodnih plesova na usvajanje koreogra

The research conducted on a sample of dancers from around the world is a step forward in gathering global information on dancers’ health status. Health care related information can help in injury prevention and be useful to thousands of dancers around the world who participate in similar training procedures. This study has confirmed the set hypothesis which stated that female dancers would avoid consulting a physician so as not to stop training and thus jeopardize their prospects in a competition. Lower back, ankles/feet, neck and knees are especially risky topological areas for injuries caused by long-term dance training. Age-progressive and frequent (54.9 %) incidence of knee pain is a prominent risk factor in achieving long-term dancing careers.