Relative age effect (RAE) is a worldwide phenomenon described as consequences of age variations between individuals competing in the same cohort. RAE is based on systems that use January 1 as a cut-off date, probably used to attempt to minimize developmental differences between ages and to ensure a more equitable competition. Previously, in artistic gymnastics, a majority of studies on RAE was conducted in gymnasts of national levels. This study analysed RAE both among and between elite female (NF=1268) and male gymnasts (NM=1186) who participated at all Olympic Games held from 1964 to 2016. By using χ2 test, significant difference were found: 1) within frequencies of total sample of male gymnasts born in a certain month (p<0.001); 2) within frequencies of groups of male gymnasts apparatus finalists born in a certain month (p<0.005); 3) within frequencies of groups of male apparatus finalists born in a certain quarter of the year (p<0.005); 4) within frequencies of groups of male apparatus finalists born in a certain half of the year (p<0.005). As far as female gymnasts are concerned, significant differences have not been found within frequencies of any female group born in a certain month, quarter or halves of the year. Regarding differences between genders, no significant differences have been obtained between frequencies of male and female gymnasts born in certain month, quarter and halves of the year. Despite certain differences among and between genders, the general conclusion was that RAE is not present in elite gymnasts of both genders.

The study was conducted using the long version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and the aim of this research is to determine the level of physical activity and differences among students, of the University of Tuzla, in relation to gender. The study was conducted on a sample of 813 students (321 male and 492 female) 1st cycle of studies at the University of Tuzla. The results of present study showed that average level of total physical activity for male students was 6013.493 MET-minutes/week, while female students showed average level of total physical activity was 4619.381 MET-minutes/week. We conclude that the total data indicates that in this group of students the physical activity level is sufficient and that there is a lower physical activity among females than males. Also there is a need to continuously take measures for promoting the sports at Universities with the aim of raising the health status of students to a higher level.

The main goal of a gymnast’s career is participation in the Olympic Games (OG) at least once. Survey results determined a significant difference between genders in the number of gymnasts who competed in only one OG (277 males and 408 females); also, between those who consecutively participated in two OG (104 males and 70 females), three OG (28 males and 11 females), and four OG (six males and zero females). There were no gender differences found in the number of those who consecutively participated in five OG (one male and one female) and six OG (zero males and one female). For both genders, for consecutive participants of three and more OG longevity of high-quality performance, seen through their rank in different finals, was presented showing how it is not endangered with their above average age. The obtained results should be the encouragement for the coaches to plan quality training for more than one Olympic cycle during which the constant increase in the quality of the performance, for both genders, can and should be expected.

Background Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) competitions are determined by the rules of the Code of Points (CoP) which experience changes in each new Olympic Games (OG). One of the WAG CoP rules states that in the Vault Finals, gymnasts need to perform two different vaults. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of the vault performances and the differences between them during Vault Finals at all major competitions held from 2008 to 2016. Numerically higher values of Difficulty Scores, Execution Scores and Final Scores of the first vault compared to the scores of the second vault have been determined at all the analysed competitions. Results The differences between the scores during different competitions have been determined as significant, but they have not been determined as significant between the scores achieved at the OG held in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Significant differences between the Difficulty Scores of the first and the second vaults have been determined at the World Championships (WC) 2010 and OG2012; and within Final Scores of the first and the second vaults at WC2009, WC2010, OG2012 and WC2015. Conclusions It was concluded that female Vault Finalists performed two structurally different vaults of similar Difficulty Value equally well.

Background Women’s Artistic Gymnastics (WAG) competitions are determined by the rules of the Code of Points (CoP) which experience changes in each new Olympic Games (OG). One of the WAG CoP rules states that in the Vault Finals, gymnasts need to perform two different vaults. The aim of this study was to determine the quality of the vault performances and the differences between them during Vault Finals at all major competitions held from 2008 to 2016. Numerically higher values of Difficulty Scores, Execution Scores and Final Scores of the first vault compared to the scores of the second vault have been determined at all the analysed competitions. Results The differences between the scores during different competitions have been determined as significant, but they have not been determined as significant between the scores achieved at the OG held in 2008, 2012 and 2016. Significant differences between the Difficulty Scores of the first and the second vaults have been determined at the World Championships (WC) 2010 and OG2012; and within Final Scores of the first and the second vaults at WC2009, WC2010, OG2012 and WC2015. Conclusions It was concluded that female Vault Finalists performed two structurally different vaults of similar Difficulty Value equally well.

Study aim was to analyze the difference in motor abilities for assessing coordination in rhythm and frequency of movement, between those girls whose only physical activity is clasess of physical and health education at school and those which are for two or more years involved with aesthetic activities, ie. sports such as dances, rhythmic gymnastics and majorette dance. The participants in this research were 62 girls, from 8-10 years of age, out of which 31 girls engaged with aesthetic activities and 31 of them are girls who are not involved in any sports except regular classes of physical and health education. Using Independent Samples T-Test we see that the examinees differ on a statistically significant level in most variables for assessment coordination in rhythm and frequency of movement, and that all values in used variables for girls engaged with aesthetic activities are higher than the values in girls who are not engaged in aesthetic activities, for which it can be said that the results are in favor of girls engaged in aesthetic activities.

The aim of research was to analysis development and age structure of male and female participants at the Olympic Games (OG) and World Championships (WC) from 2003 until 2016. The total number of analyzed WC participants in men's artistic gymnastics (MAG) was 2678 and the women's artistic gymnastics (WAG) was 1981; while at the OG in MAG 391 and in WAG 389. In the last 15 years, there has been identified linear and second-order polynomial-regression increase in the age structure of participants in MAG and WAG in the largest world competitions. In analyzed period of time, MAG and WAG age of gymnasts increased. The male gymnasts from 2003 to 2016 are on average older for 2.3 years and female gymnasts for 3.3 years. In the upcoming period, we do expect (with apparatus specialization) that age will rise.

Background: Physical inactivity and intensive sports activity have been found to be associated with LBP. The aim of this study is the presents the data about the prevalence of LBP in young adults and its associations with vitality, physical activity and emotions. We also studied the impact of low back pain on daily activity. The study sample presented (n=323) students from the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the chronological age of 21.06 ± 1.93 years. The current study assessed the level of LBP amongst students of Faculty of Sport with the level of physical activity in last six months. Methods: We used the questionnaire, which included the Graded Chronic Pain Scale (GCPS) for the evaluation of levels of chronic pain. With a Short Health Survey (SF-36) we tried to measure the health status. Results: A total of (n=323) of all students had pain intensity at some point in last six months. All students reported (n=236, 73.0%) prevalence of LBP. In this study body mass index, level of physical activity were not significant independent predictors of intensity and disability scores. Conclusion: 3/4 of all respondents said to have had any episode LBP. The results of our study can be used by officials in the area of prevention to support efforts to improve health of the student population and to reduce the LBP risk.