Introduction The aim of the TALENT project is to promote equality in education, prevent exclusion, support dual careers (sport and school), create new role models for the benefit of young talents and prepare them for lifelong learning and professional sport from an early age. It is promoted by a European consortium of 7 partner institutions and runs from December 2022 to May 2025. It consists of five work packages. In the first work phase, developing the WP2 (from December 2022 to October 2023), under the coordination of UNIPA, NIS University, KMOP and EAS standards for talent recognition were identified and validated. Methods Initially, 12 focus groups were conducted with teachers (77 teachers) and coaches (73 coaches) on creating talent identification standards; subsequently, workshops were held with dual career experts to validate these standards. This was a key piece of work that enabled the establishment of clear guidelines and protocols to identify and support talented young people in their dual careers. Results A final list of 41 shared statements was identified: 20 related to teachers and 21 related to coaches. For example, teachers emphasized the need for multidisciplinary approaches and early identification of talent, while coaches underlined the importance of psychological readiness and collaboration with schools and families. Discussion These statements not only provide structured reference points for talent identification but also highlight actionable needs across educational and sport systems. As such, they represent a solid foundation for developing standard operating procedures in talent recognition and dual career support.

This study aims to evaluate and comparatively assess the incidence and burden of knee ligament match injuries in the top five European football leagues (Italy, France, Germany, Spain, and England) throughout the 2022–2023 season. Beyond that, knee ligament match injury classification is based on layoff days and injury severity patterns for each registered injury. A total of 3015 players from “the big” five (UEFA, 2023) European football leagues (with a total of 98 football clubs), namely, Bundesliga, La Liga, Ligue 1, Premier League and Serie A, with an average of 30.8 players, a mean age of 25.1 (SD ± 4.6) years, were included in the study, also with an average of 14451.4 minutes exposure hours per league. The total exposure amounted to 71,382.7. The medical team recorded individual player time-loss knee ligament match injuries. In this investigation, descriptive and inferential statistical analysis methods were deployed. The football players' injury characteristics, along with other variables, were statistically evaluated using descriptive statistics of means, standard deviations (SDs), and frequencies. Based on descriptive statistics concerning the knee ligament match injury severity patterns, the data reflect that the Premier League (43.86%) and Ligue 1 (43.1%) have the highest percentage of severe injuries, suggesting that both leagues have a larger burden of severe injuries. Although they are still over 40%, the severe injury rates in the Bundesliga and Serie A are marginally lower. While the Premier League has the lowest percentage of mild injuries (15.79%), La Liga separates with a comparatively higher percentage of moderate injuries (30%) than the other leagues, indicating that injuries in the Premier League tend to be more severe in nature. In general, Minimal injuries are rare; the lowest percentage is found in Ligue 1 (3.45%). The collected data wasn't in line with a normal distribution therefore the non-parametric Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess the incidence and burden of knee injuries within the five leagues. Subsequently, Dunn’s test was performed to determine exactly which leagues are different, the pairwise comparisons assessed differences in detail between every pair of leagues. The null hypothesis, as defined by which there is no difference in the knee ligament match incidence or knee ligament match burden of injuries between the leagues, was examined for every comparison. We reject the null hypothesis for the two analyses since the p-values for the incidence and burden of knee ligament match injuries are both 0.000, indicating substantial differences between the leagues for the knee ligament match injury incidence and burden

The aim of this research was to examine whether there is a statistically significant relationship between shoulder flexibility, anthropometric characteristics and swimming speed short distance in kinesiology students. The study included 16 participants 22 years old, male and female with an average body weight 77.7±16,42 kg and 179±9 cm. All students included in the research attended swimming class in the third semester at the Faculty of Kinesiology University of Sarajevo. The study was applied to 5 measuring instruments: measuring instruments for the assessment of flexibility (2); Measuring instruments for the evaluation of morphological characteristics (2); Measuring instrument for the assessments of swimming speed (1). Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the level of interconnection for assessing the relationship between two variables. Data collection for shoulder flexibility was measured using a shoulder elevation test, and stick rotation test, while swimming speed was measured with a digital stopwatch. The analysis of the results did not demonstrate a single significant feature that would allow the confirmation of the assumptions about the significant relations between flexibility and performance in swimming.

In this study we analyzed the effects of swimming on the posture of preschool children. The sample for this study consisted of 153 preschool boys and girls children aged 4-6 years (standard deviation= 1.1 years) living in Canton Sarajevo and divided into two groups of boys and girls, with one attended swimming school (n=61) and other did not (n=92). In order to evaluate the postural status, we used a reduced Napoleon Wolanski method with eight variables for the observed body parts: assessment of head posture (HPA), assessment of shoulder posture (SPA), assessment of scapular posture (SBPA), assessment of chest posture (CPA), scoliotic posture (SCP), assessment of abdominal posture (APA), assessment of leg posture (LPA), and assessment of foot posture (FPA). The results indicated a great effect of swimming on posture. We concluded the paper with some suggestions on how to incorporate swimming programs into regular school curricula.

Running speed in the form of sprinting is one of the most important abilities that can significantly define performance success in many sports. From the perspective of genetically inherited motor functions, running speed can be classified as a primary phylogenetic human movement, manifested in the form of a “threesegment model” consisting of speed, power, and coordination. By comprehensively analyzing the general and partial predictive contributions of dynamic-kinematic parameters of running, speed-power abilities, and morphological characteristics, on a sample of 80 boys aged 10-12 years, it can be concluded that regardless of the choice of criteria, achieved maximal speeds (KVMAX) or results in children’s athletic sprint over 50 meters (KT50m), the same or related predictor variables contributed to the explanation. The variable running time for 20m from a flying start (KTLS20m) has the greatest predictive contribution (β=0.83, p<0.001) to explaining both criteria, which may indicate the importance of conducting this test in the identification and selection for athletic sprint. Additionally, the selection of tests to assess speed-power abilities is extremely important for the identification and selection for athletic sprint. It can be concluded that tests of horizontal and vertical jumps are significant for identification, as well as tests for assessing neuro-muscular excitation. Tests for assessing continuous horizontal jump are also important, although there is an impression that, in boys aged 10-12 years, coordinatively simpler tests should be used. In the analysis of morphological characteristics, variables that significantly contributed to the explanation of criteria at a partial level were body height, back skinfold, and ankle diameter, indicating that in the identification of talented individuals, it should be considered that elite sprinters are characterized by light bones, optimal muscle mass, and low levels of subcutaneous fat tissue.

The issue of spinal deformities, which occurs during phases of intense growth in children, has been recognized within the broader community. Certain categories of children are particularly vulnerable to long-term health risks in this regard, making it important to find ways to intervene early and identify such cases. This study was conducted to assess the current state of spinal posture during one of the most sensitive phases of physiological development in a special group of preschool children. In this case, the sample included 92 preschool children aged 4 to 6 years, who have been living and growing up from an early age in the SOS Children's Village in Sarajevo, without the presence of their biological parents. The assessment of poor posture was applied according to Napoleon Wolanski (1975), which is based on determining the relationships between segmental dimensions as follows: D1 – assessment of head posture (HPA), D2 – assessment of shoulder posture (SPA), D3 – assessment of chest posture (CPA), D4 – assessment of scapula posture (SBPA), D5 – assessment of spinal posture (SP), D6 – assessment of abdominal posture (APA), D7 – assessment of leg posture (LPA), D8 – assessment of foot posture (FPA). Deviations are classified according to their severity and are assessed with so-called negative points, where: 0 points indicate no deviation, 1 point indicates a mild deviation, and 2 points indicate a significant deviation. The posture results show that 15.2% of the children have scoliosis, while 13.0% have lordosis, and 7.6% of preschoolers have kyphosis. Additionally, 30.4% of the children have flat feet, which predisposes them to long-term spinal problems, and 33.7% have significant deviations in leg posture. Numerical values of the results indicate that none of the children included in the testing had an ideal shoulder posture, i.e., a score of 0, which implies no deviation from normal, while the head posture results were also extremely poor.

Athletic performance is affected by numerous factors such as genetic makeup, environmental factors, and psychological factors. The goal of the present study was to examine the effects of fine motor skills and BMI on athletic performance of college students. The sample for this study consisted of 31 students (mean age 19 years, SD- 1.1 year; 7 females, 24 males) recruited from the Faculty of Kinesiology at the University of Sarajevo. The students were given Purdue Pegboard test of motor skills and Test of Athletic performance consisting of 8 tests: sprint running, high/low start, relay running, hurdle racing, high jump, long jump, shot put, and javelin throw. We assessed the impact of their BMI and fine motor skills on the Athletic performance. The results revealed a statistically significant effect of fine motor skills and BMI on Athletic performance. More specifically, these two factors explained around 30% of the variance in Athletic performance. These findings could be beneficial for designing more effective training programs that not only focus on general physical fitness but also consider the role of fine motor skills and body composition in improving overall athletic performance.

High handgrip strength in men’s artistic gymnastics is crucial, mainly for improving performance and to potentially prevent injuries, as well as for the fact that gymnasts body movements are around immovable apparatuses (pommel horse, rings, parallel bars and high bar) for the extended period of time. Since there are not so many studies that have dealt with this topic and on actual competition, we have aimed to examine the handgrip strength influence on the competition result in elite male artistic gymnasts. The sample of participants were conducted of 37 elite male artistic gymnasts (8–21 years old), from 8 different countries as national team competitors at the International Competition “Laza Krstić and Marica Dželatović” held in Novi Sad, Serbia. Basic anthropometric measurements were included (body height, body weight and Body Mass Index (BMI)), along with training experience and handgrip strength measurement (both dominant and nondominant hand). Kolmogorov-Smirnov Z test (p < 0.05) was used for distribution normality, along with regression analysis with Model 1 (participants age, training experience, body height, body weight and BMI), Model 2 (Model 1 + dominant handgrip strength) and Model 3 (Model 1 + nondominant handgrip strength). SPSS v.20 was used for all statistical analysis. Our study have revealed that there is significant influence of all 3 Models on the parallel bars final result (p = 0.33; p = 0.49; p = 0.31, respectively), in terms of all set of variables, whereas body weight Beta scores (28.6%; 30.3%; 32.7%, respectively) moslty explains the results. Both dominant and nondominant handgrip strength are influential factors only on the parallel bars final result. Since both hands are contributing equally, bilateral training is necessary. In order to expand the knowledge on this topic and completely understand the influential factors, future studies are needed on this sample. Regardless of our main findings, our results should be taken with caution.

The aim of this research was to determine the differences in specific race performance characteristics of male swimmers in the 50-m and 100-m freestyle at the Serbia Open Championship 2017 (long-course). The overall sample included in this study consisted of 40 swimmers divided by a K-Means Cluster Analysis into three groups in relation to the results in the 50-m freestyle (G1_50, T50=23.53±.27 s, n=6; G2_50, T50=24.54±.33 s, n=18; G3_50, T50=25.52±.33 s, n=16), and 55 swimmers also divided into three groups in relation to the results in the 100-m freestyle (G1_100, T100=50.99±.82s, n=10; G2_100, T100=53.41±.48 s, n=17; G3_100, T100=56.13±1.32 s, n=28). The research results indicate that there is a difference in the specific race performance characteristics in relation to the achieved results in the 50-m freestyle, including: t10_50 (F=16.79, p=.000), SL2_50 (F=4.44, p=.019) and SI2_50 (F=13.49, p=.000), also in the 100-m freestyle, including: t10_100 (F=36.45, p=.000), SL1_100 (F=5.77, p=.005), SL2_100 (F=17.47, p=.000), SL3_100 (F=7.72, p=.001), SL4_100 (F=9.84, p=.000), SI1_100 (F=5.12, p=.009), SI2_100 (F=45.97, p=.000), SI3_100 (F=13.86, p=.000), SI4_100 (F=31.23, p=.000), SR1_100 (F=4.12, p=.022) and SR2_100 (F=6.37, p=.003). Based on these results we can draw the conclusion that swimmers who have better control over their race performance characteristics during all the segments of the race, including stroke length, stroke index and stroke rate have the potential of being faster in the 50-m and 100-m freestyle.

Uvod Poznato je da starenje za posljedicu ima opadanje tjelesnih sposobnosti čovjeka, što je uz globalni problem hipokinezije, jedan od vodećih savremenih problema društva (Čaušević, Ormanović, Doder, & Čović, 2017; Ćirić, Čaušević, & Bejdić, 2015). Individualni aerobni fi tness se smanjuje za 8-10% tokom svake decenije života, dok veoma aktivni ljudi mogu smanjiti ovaj nivo na 2-3%. Opadanje snage je osjetno u šezdesetim, a posebno u sedamdesetim godinama života (15% odnosno 30%), (Sharkey & Gaskill, 2008). Takođe u brojnim studijama, utvrđeno je da su promjene koje nastaju kao posljedica biološkog starenja, povezane sa smanjenim stepenom fi zičke aktivnosti osoba starije dobi, a koje za posljedicu imaju smanjenje mišićne mase i tjelesne funkcije. Poznato je da organizovano tjelesno vježbanje ima mnogo pozitivnih efekata na organizam čovjeka u cjelini, te da ima jasan i prioritetan fi zički i zdravstveni uticaj na osobe i njihove radne aktivnosti. Međutim, bez obzira na to šta osoba radi – bilo da se bavi prostim fi zičkim poslom (nošenjem, podizanjem, poljoprivrednim radom) ili vrši fi zičke vježbe, njen mišić ni, kardio-vaskularni, respiratorni i centralni nervni sistem aktivno funkcionišu. Shodno tome će fi zička aktivnost, bilo kao tjelesna vježba ili fi zički rad, uvijek uticati na naše tijelo i tako dovesti do poveć anog nivoa funkcionisanja (Bjelica & Krivikapić, 2019). S druge strane, neaktivnost uzrokuje 9% prerane smrtnosti, što brojem iznosi više nego 5,3 od 57 miliona smrtnih slučajeva širom svijeta tokom 2008. godine (Lee i sar. 2012). Istoimeni autori navode da ukoliko neaktivnost nije eliminisana ali jeste umanjena za 10% ili 25%, onda bi se smrtnost tokom svake godine mogla izbjeći za više od 533 000 odnosno za više od 1,3 miliona slučajeva. Ovakav navod potvrđuje i činjenica da Abstract

The aim of the research is to determine the relationship between morphological characteristics and dynamic parameters of running in the case of boys aged 10-12 years. The study was conducted on a sample of 75 respondents, who are separated from the fourth-grade elementary school population. Morphological characteristics are measured by a set of fifteen variables: longitudinal dimensionality (3 variables), transversal dimensionality (4 variables), volume and body mass (4 variables), fatt tissue (4 variables), and body mass index. Dynamic parameters of running were estimated by measuring the passing time at 5m segments of the whole distance. Variables of dynamic running parameters have achieved statistically significant correlation with variables of transversal dimensionality, volume and body mass and fat tissue (p<0.05). Also, statistically significant correlation (p<0.01) of mean intensity was obtained between body mass index and all variables of dynamic running parameters. Based on the results of dynamic running parameters it can be concluded that the analyzed sample of boys aged 10-12 years is characterized by the following pattern of running structure at 50 meters: the acceleration phase lasts from the start to the fifteen meters section; stable running phase lasts from 15 to 40 meters, indicating that the maintenance length of the maximum speed level is 25 meters; and the deceleration phase of running lasts from 40 to 50 meters.