The aim of this research was to determine the level of morphological characteristics and motor skills of seven-year-old boys of various nutritional status. The sample of participants consisted of 254 boys aged 7 divided into 3 groups in terms of their weight category (participants with normal body weight n=168, overweight participants n=47 and obese participants n=39). In order to measure their morphological characteristics we used the following measures: body height, leg length, arm width, shoulder width, pelvic width, body mass, average thorax volume, extended upper arm volume, thigh volume, lower leg volume, upper arm skinfold, back skinfold, abdominal skinfold, thigh skinfold and upper leg skinfold. In order to evaluate their motor skills, 9 variables were used: the plyometric jump, the standing depth jump, the forward bend - bend back - push press, 20 forward steps with a baton, horizontal skip rope, running and rolling, hand tapping, leg tapping against a wall and the 5x10 meter sprint. For all of the data obtained by testing we calculated the Mean and standard deviation (SD). In order to determine the differences between the groups we used a one factor univariate analysis of variance, the ANOVA and LSD Post Hoc test. After summarizing the results of the morphological characteristics of the participants aged 7, the lowest values were noted for the participants with normal weight, higher for those participants who were overweight, and the highest for obese participants. In the area of motor skills, the group of participants with normal weight achieved the best results for the variables used to evaluate the explosive strength of the lower extremities, coordination in space, arm coordination, running speed with a change in direction and the speed and frequency of leg movement. Overweight participants scored better values on the tests for the evaluation of speed and frequency of arm movement and coordination of the lower extremities, while obese participants were scored highest in the explosive strength of the upper extremities. The greatest statistically significant differences were noted between the group of participants with normal body weight and obese participants. From all the above, we can conclude that obesity is negatively correlated to the development of most of the motor skills of seven-year-old boys.

The research included 50 female students aged from 22 to 25, 25 of whom made up the experimental group, and 25 participants who made up the control group. We studied the effects of an aerobic exercise model on cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition. The exercise model was realized three times a week, with an overall number of 36 training sessions. Each individual training session lasted 60 minutes, consisting of a warm-up (10 minutes), the aerobic part (35 minutes), strength increasing exercise (5-10 minutes) and the cool-down (10 minutes). To evaluate cardiorespiratory fitness, systolic and diastolic blood pressure were measured, along with resting heart rate and heart rate under strain, and VO2max. Body composition was measured using the following parameters: BMI, ∑ skinfolds, Body Fat %, Muscle Mass % and Lean Body Mass %. The basic statistical parameters were calculated, and to determine the differences between the initial and final measuring we used the Cohen effect size (ЕС). The effects of the realized program were determined using a univariate analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). The evaluation of the data was performed using Statistica 6.0. Between the initial and final measuring, a statistically significant difference was determined among the applied variables for the evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition among the participants of the experimental group, while in the case of the control group no statistically significant difference was found. The implemented model of aerobic exercise had positive effects on cardiorespiratory fitness and body composition of the participants of the experimental group. This research has confirmed that the existing conclusions about the positive effects of aerobic exercise, if it is realized with the appropriate intensity, time and duration.

A reduced level of work abilities of a police officer caused by the reduced level of physical abilities have an adverse influence on the efficient and safe performance of a wide range of complex police measures. The aim of this paper was to determine whether morphological characteristics (MC) and motor abilities (BMA) before the beginning of specialized physical education (SPE) are on the same level as during the entrance exam, that is, the effects of an eight-month-long period during which the students of the Academy of Criminalistic and Police Studies did not have organized SPE. 137 candidates participated in the study (67 male and 70 female candidates). BH, BW and BMI were observed to determine MC and for estimation of BMA: Push-ups 10 seconds (PU), Sit-ups 30 seconds (ABD), Standing long jump (LJ), Abalak (VJ) , as well as Isometric dead lift(F max BE), for the males, and Hand grip (F max HG) for female candidates. The results of the MANOVA have shown that between both measurements it was not determined that there are statistically significant differences for MC in candidates of both genders (female p=0.160; male p=0.203), generally, while for BMA it was determined that there are significant differences in candidates of both genders (female p=0.003; male p=0.033). Individually by variable, during the eight-month-long period, of the MC among the female, BMI statistically significantly increased (3.97%; p=0.029), and among the male candidates (2.53%, p=0.034), respectively; concerning BMA among the  female, a significantly poorer result was achieved in F max HG (6.99%; p=0.006), LJ (4.59%; p=0.024) and VJ (7.3%; p=0.006) and in male candidates in LJ (2.83%; p=0.035) and VJ (4.27%; p=0.031), respectively. It can be concluded that the eight-month-long period without any  organized SPE classes had a bad influence on BMA.

Abstract . The nutritional status of children is an important indicator of their physical and motor development, as well as one of the factors that affects their morpho-motoric status. The aim of this study was to determine differences in morphological characteristics and motor abilities in nine-year-old girls with varying degrees of nutritional status. The research was conducted on a sample of 89 third grade elementary school students in Nis, aged 9.01 ± 0.28. Based on the BMI, three sub- samples were formed (normal weight, overweight and obese participants). Morphological status was determined by measuring the parameters of longitudinal, transversal and circular dimensionality, body weight and subcutaneous fatty tissue. Motor abilities (explosive strength, coordination and speed) were determined by a battery of nine tests. Differences in morphological and motor variables were determined by using MANOVA/ANOVA and LSD Post Hoc test. The results indicate that, in regards to the BMI, there are significant differences in morpho-motoric status in nine-year-old girls. Higher values of morphological characteristics, but also a lower level of explosive strength, speed and coordination were recorded in overweight and obese participants. Key words : nutritional status, morphological characteristic, motor abilities, differences, girls.

AIM The aim of the study was to determine the effects of Greek folk dancing on postural stability in middle age women. METHODS Sixty-three women aged from 47-53 participated in this study. All participants were randomly divided into the experimental group - 33 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.13 ± 12.07 cm, body mass=63.81 ± 10.56 kg), and the control group - 30 participants (mean ± SD; body height=160.63 ± 6.22 cm, body mass=64.79 ± 8.19 kg). The following tests were used to evaluate the motor balance and posture stability of participants; the double-leg stance along the length of a balance beam (eyes open), the double-leg stance along the width of a balance beam (eyes open), the single-leg stance (eyes open) and the double-leg stance on one's toes (eyes closed). The Functional Reach Test for balance and the Star Excursion Balance Test were used to evaluate dynamic balance. RESULTS The multivariate analysis of covariance of static and dynamic balance between participants of the experimental and control group at the final measuring, with neutralized differences at the initial measuring (Wilks' λ=0.45), revealed a significant difference (p<0.05). The intergroup difference at the final measuring was also found to be significant (p<0.05) for the following variables; the double-leg stance on one's toes, the Functional Reach Test, balance of the right anterolateral, balance of the right posterolateral and balance of the left posteromedial. CONCLUSION An organized dance activity programme does lead to the improvement of static and dynamic balance in middle aged women.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of recreational soccer (SOC) compared to moderate-intensity continuous running (RUN) on all health-related physical fitness components in healthy untrained men. Sixty-nine participants were recruited and randomly assigned to one of three groups, of which sixty-four completed the study: a soccer training group (SOC; n = 20, 34±4 (means±SD) years, 78.1±8.3 kg, 179±4 cm); a running group (RUN; n = 21, 32±4 years, 78.0±5.5 kg, 179±7 cm); or a passive control group (CON; n = 23, 30±3 years, 76.6±12.0 kg, 178±8 cm). The training intervention lasted 12 weeks and consisted of three 60-min sessions per week. All participants were tested for each of the following physical fitness components: maximal aerobic power, minute ventilation, maximal heart rate, squat jump (SJ), countermovement jump with arm swing (CMJ), sit-and-reach flexibility, and body composition. Over the 12 weeks, VO2max relative to body weight increased more (p<0.05) in SOC (24.2%, ES = 1.20) and RUN (21.5%, ES = 1.17) than in CON (-5.0%, ES = -0.24), partly due to large changes in body mass (-5.9, -5.7 and +2.6 kg, p<0.05 for SOC, RUN and CON, respectively). Over the 12 weeks, SJ and CMJ performance increased more (p<0.05) in SOC (14.8 and 12.1%, ES = 1.08 and 0.81) than in RUN (3.3 and 3.0%, ES = 0.23 and 0.19) and CON (0.3 and 0.2%), while flexibility also increased more (p<0.05) in SOC (94%, ES = 0.97) than in RUN and CON (0–2%). In conclusion, untrained men displayed marked improvements in maximal aerobic power after 12 weeks of soccer training and moderate-intensity running, partly due to large decreases in body mass. Additionally soccer training induced pronounced positive effects on jump performance and flexibility, making soccer an effective broad-spectrum fitness training intervention.

The aims of this study were: 1) To determine the effects of a 12-week recreational soccer training programme and continuous endurance running on body composition of young adult men and 2) to determine which of these two programmes was more effective concerning body composition. Sixty-four participants completed the randomized controlled trial and were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a soccer training group (SOC; n=20), a running group (RUN; n=21) or a control group performing no physical training (CON; n=23). Training programmes for SOC and RUN lasted 12-week with 3 training sessions per week. Soccer sessions consisted of 60 min ordinary five-a-side, six-a-side or seven-a-side matches on a 30-45 m wide and 45-60 m long plastic grass pitch. Running sessions consisted of 60 min of continuous moderate intensity running at the same average heart rate as in SOC (~80% HRmax). All participants, regardless of group assignment, were tested for each of the following dependent variables: body weight, body height, body mass index, percent body fat, body fat mass, fat-free mass and total body water. In the SOC and RUN groups there was a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in body composition parameters from pre- to post-training values for all measures with the exception of fat-free mass and total body water. Body mass index, percent body fat and body fat mass did not differ between groups at baseline, but by week 12 were significantly lower (p < 0.05) in the SOC and RUN groups compared to CON. To conclude, recreational soccer training provides at least the same changes in body composition parameters as continuous running in young adult men when the training intensity is well matched.

The aim of this research was to determine the trend of relations between the system of body characteristics and the system of explosive strength variables. 402 subjects aged 7 to 10 participated in this study. There were applied 17 measures for assessing the anthropometric characteristics and 4 test to assess explosive strength. Based on the obtained results on the relation of body characteristics and explosive strength it has been determined that there are significant relations of the two studied areas on the subsamples of subjects aged 8, 9 and 10. Relations on the subsample of subjects aged 7 are not statistically significant (p<0.05).  When it comes to the trend of relations between the ages of 7 to 10 a permanent increase is evident, except for the subsample of subjects aged 8, which shows a slight decline compared to the subjects aged 7. Based on the cross-correlation of the two studied area, it can be concluded that voluminosity and skinfolds measures appear negative (interfering) to tasks performance which highlights the explosive leg strength in all the subsamples of subjects.

The aim of this research was to determine whether there is a connection between anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities in normal and overweight seven year old girls. The sample consisted of 75 first grade girl students of elementary schools in the town of Nis, which were classified based on their BMI values in normal weight group (N = 47) and overweight group (N = 28). Anthropometric characteristics were determined by measuring 16 parameters of longitudinal, transversal, circular dimensionality and body mass, and subcutaneous fatty tissue by measuring skin fold thickness . For the assessment of motor abilities (explosive strength, coordination and speed), a battery of nine tests was applied. Relations between anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities were assessed by canonical correlation analysis. The results indicate that the correlations were statistically significant only in the group of overweight children (p = 0.00), and defined by three pairs of canonical factors. Factors of canonical correlation between anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities in a group of overweight girls indicate that body voluminosity and subcutaneous fatty tissue hinder the realization of motor tasks that require lifting or transferring body mass , while higher parameter values of longitudinal dimensionality contribute to a better performance in explosive strength of arms and legs, but impair coordination

The aim of this research was to determine the trend of relations between the system of body characteristics and the system of explosive strength variables. 402 participants aged 7 to 10 participated in this study. Seventeen measures for assessing anthropometric characteristics were applied and 4 tests for assessing explosive strength. Based on the obtained results on the relation of body characteristics and explosive strength it has been determined that there are significant relations of the two studied areas on the subsamples of participants aged 8, 9 and 10. The relations on the subsample of participants aged 7 are not statistically significant (p<0.05). When it comes to the trend of relations between the ages of 7 to 10 a permanent increase is evident, except for the subsample of participants aged 8, which shows a slight decline compared to the participants aged 7. Based on the cross-correlation of the two studied areas, it can be concluded that voluminosity and skinfolds measures appear to be negative (interfering) with tasks performance which highlights explosive leg strength in all the subsamples of participants.

Background Soccer is the most popular sport worldwide, with a long history and currently more than 500 million active participants, of whom 300 million are registered football club members. On the basis of scientific findings showing positive fitness and health effects of recreational soccer, FIFA (Fédération Internationale de Football Association) introduced the slogan ‘‘Playing football for 45 min twice a week—best prevention of non-communicable diseases’’ in 2010. Objective The objective of this paper was to perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature to determine the effects of recreational soccer on maximal oxygen uptake ( _ VO2 max). Methods Six electronic databases (MEDLINE, PubMed, SPORTDiscus, Web of Science, CINAHL and Google Scholar) were searched for original research articles. A manual search was performed to cover the areas of recreational soccer, recreational physical activity, recreational small-sided games and _ VO2 max using the following key terms, either singly or in combination: recreational smallsided games, recreational football, recreational soccer, street football, street soccer, effect, maximal oxygen uptake, peak oxygen uptake, cardiorespiratory fitness, _ VO2 max. The inclusion criteria were divided into four sections: type of study, type of participants, type of interventions and type of outcome measures. Probabilistic magnitude-based inferences for meta-analysed effects were based on standardised thresholds for small, moderate and large changes (0.2, 0.6 and 1.2, respectively) derived from between-subject standard deviations for baseline fitness. Results Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria and were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. Mean differences showed that _ VO2 max increased by 3.51 mL/kg/min (95 % CI 3.07–4.15) over a recreational soccer training programme in comparison with other training models. The meta-analysed effects of recreational soccer on _ VO2 max compared with the controls of no exercise, continuous running and strength training were most likely largely beneficial [effect size (ES) = 1.46; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.91, 2.01; I = 88.35 %], most likely moderately beneficial (ES = 0.68; 95 % CI 0.06, 1.29; I = 69.13 %) and most likely moderately beneficial (ES = 1.08; 95 % CI -0.25, 2.42; I = 71.06 %), respectively. In men and women, the metaanalysed effect was most likely largely beneficial for men (ES = 1.22) and most likely moderately beneficial for women (ES = 0.96) compared with the controls. After 12 weeks of recreational soccer with an intensity of 78– 84 % maximal heart rate (HRmax), healthy untrained men improved their _ VO2 max by 8–13 %, while untrained elderly participants improved their _ VO2 max by 15–18 %. Soccer training for 12–70 weeks in healthy women resulted in an & Peter Krustrup pkrustrup@nexs.ku.dk 1 Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Niš, Niš, Serbia 2 Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Sarajevo, Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina 3 Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia 4 Sport and Health Sciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, UK 5 Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Copenhagen Centre for Team Sport and Health, University of Copenhagen, The August Krogh Building, Universitetsparken 13, Copenhagen 2100, Denmark 123 Sports Med (2015) 45:1339–1353 DOI 10.1007/s40279-015-0361-4 improvement in _ VO2 max of 5–16 %. Significant improvements in _ VO2 max have been observed in patients with diabetes mellitus, hypertension and prostate cancer. Conclusion Recreational soccer produces large improvements in _ VO2 max compared to strength training and no exercise, regardless of the age, sex and health status of the participants. Furthermore, recreational soccer is better than continuous endurance running, albeit the additional effect is moderate. This kind of physical activity has great potential for enhancing aerobic fitness, and for preventing and treating non-communicable diseases, and is ideal for addressing lack of motivation, a key component in physical (in)activity.

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The level of motor abilities strongly affects optimum growth and development of children, as well as their health. In order for the motor abilities to reach an optimum level, children need to have regular and continual physical exercise. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine differences in motor abilities of pupils with regard to their nutritional status. The sample of subjects was composed of 434 primary school boys aged 11-14. Subsamples defined by age were divided into two subsamples: 11-12 years (11.77 ± 0.69) 224 pupils, 13-14 years (13.66 ± 0.64) 210 pupils. Sample of variables in this study consisted of 15 motor ability tests. Two morphological anthropometry tests were used to measure the body height and body weight of each pupil. Based on the calculated body mass index (BMI), subjects were classified into three groups according to the nutritional status: normal body weight, overweight and obese. The results showed that over 28% of pupils were overweight. Looking at the age of the subjects, it can be seen that the prevalence of obesity is higher at a younger age group (15%) compared to the older boys (8%). Significant differences in motor abilities were measured in both subsamples between the three groups of subjects of different nutritional status. Research results indicate that boys who are obese have less developed motor abilities. The biggest differences were measured with respect to the abilities that require mobility of the body, including the lifting of the body or moving the body.