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Volume 18, Issue 1, 2026
Online ISSN: 2406-1379
ISSN: 1821-3480
Volume 18 , Issue 1, (2026)
Published: 17.12.2025.
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Contents
17.12.2025.
Original scientific paper
Internal consistency reliability of the Serbian version of the EMI-2 questionnaire in the fitness population
Although it is crucial to know the motivation underlying engaging in various activities, including physical ones, there is no Serbian version of a questionnaire for assessing motivation for exercise. The aim of this study is to evaluate the internal consistency reliability of the Serbian version of the EMI-2 questionnaire (Markland & Ingledew, 1997) in the fitness population. The research sample consisted of 1087 participants who exercise in fitness centers in the territory of the Banja Luka region. The integrated measuring instrument is made up of two parts: the first, self-created part of the questionnaire was used to describe the participants, and the second, standardised EMI-2 questionnaire was used to evaluate motivation for exercise. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the participants and the subscales. The Cronbach's alpha test was used to test the reliability of the EMI-2 scales, and Pearson correlation was used among the EMI-2 subscales. The results indicate a good reliability of the subscales in the range 0.606-0.850 and an overall reliability of 0.932. Pearson's correlation coefficient indicates a statistically significant correlation between the subscales except for Social Recognition with Positive Health and Nimbleness. The Serbian version of the EMI-2 has satisfactory internal consistency reliability and interrelatedness of the subscales.
Stefan Janković, Tatjana Tubic
17.12.2025.
Original scientific paper
Multidimensional Effects of COVID-19 Lockdowns on Youth Athletes: Evidence from Slovenian Coaches
The COVID-19 pandemic, which emerged in early 2020, caused widespread disruptions to youth sport, including curriculum-based physical activity, organized sports, and active transportation. This study investigated the impact of repeated lockdowns on organized youth sport participation, physical fitness, skill development, and psychosocial well-being in Slovenia. An online survey was conducted between November and December 2021 with 116 coaches of U13–U19 athletes across multiple sports disciplines. Descriptive statistics and non-parametric analyses were employed to examine participation trends, training adaptations, and perceived athlete outcomes. Following the first lockdown, 14.6% of athletes dropped out, while 6.5% of teams reported increased membership. After the summer break, participation rebounded, and the second lockdown had a smaller impact, indicating partial resilience in youth sport engagement. Training frequency and modality were substantially affected, with 20% of coaches not implementing remote sessions and fewer than half conducting post-lockdown fitness assessments. Coaches reported declines in general physical fitness (71%) and sport-specific skills (70%), heterogeneous changes in body mass, and reduced self-confidence and motivation in over 50% of athletes, whereas team spirit remained relatively stable. A significant association between perceived changes in body mass and motivation highlighted the role of physical self-concept in supporting engagement. These findings demonstrate that prolonged interruptions to organized youth sport have multidimensional effects on physical, technical, and psychosocial development. Future research should explore long-term consequences, identify effective mitigation strategies, and consider sport-specific, age, and gender-related factors to enhance resilience in youth sports systems under exceptional circumstances.
Saša Pišot, Ivana M. Milovanović, Kaja Teraž
04.06.2025.
Original scientific paper
Sport-specific patterns of vascular compression in athletes with entrapment syndrome: A comparative analysis of endurance versus non-endurance athletes
Vascular entrapment syndromes of the lower extremities represent a diagnostic challenge in athletes, with emerging evidence suggesting sport-specific presentations. This study aimed to characterize and compare patterns of vascular compression, anatomical variants, and hemodynamic consequences across different sporting disciplines. We conducted a retrospective analysis of 210 athletes with confirmed vascular entrapment syndrome from a 10-year cohort (2014-2023). Athletes were categorized as long-distance runners (n=87), cyclists (n=71), triathletes (n=24), soccer players (n=19), and other sports (n=9). All participants underwent standardized clinical assessment and vascular imaging during provocative maneuvers. Multivariable analyses and latent class analysis were performed to identify independent predictors and distinct phenotypes. Sport-specific patterns of vascular compression were identified. Long-distance runners exhibited highest compression during plantarflexion (85.7±8.6%), predominantly with Type III gastrocnemius variants (60.9%). Cyclists demonstrated highest compression during knee extension (79.2±11.4%), with predominant Type II variants (49.3%). Soccer players exhibited primarily Type I variants (57.9%) with lower compression severity. Latent class analysis identified three distinct phenotypes: "runner phenotype" (43.8%), "cyclist phenotype" (37.1%), and "low compression phenotype" (19.0%), each with characteristic anatomical, hemodynamic, and clinical features. Sport category remained an independent predictor of compression severity after adjusting for potential confounders (p<0.001). Vascular entrapment syndrome manifests with distinct sport-specific patterns reflecting the interplay between anatomical predisposition and functional demands. The identification of sport-specific phenotypes provides a framework for tailored diagnostic approaches and management strategies. Recognition of these characteristics may enhance diagnostic accuracy, inform individualized treatment, and improve outcomes for affected athletes across diverse sporting disciplines.
Dragan Nikolić, Milan Cvetković, Marijana Basta Nikolić, Boris Popović, Vladimir Manojlović, Aleksandar Đuričin
16.08.2025.
Review scientific paper
A systematic review entrepreneurial competence of sports students for entrepreneurship after graduation
Recently, entrepreneurship has become increasingly attractive to sports and physical education students. As a result, many students recognize entrepreneurship as an opportunity for career development and the achievement of professional goals. This study examines the entrepreneurial preparedness of sports and physical education students, revealing significant gaps in essential business skills despite high entrepreneurial interest. The findings highlight the need for enhanced educational programs to better equip graduates for successful entrepreneurial endeavors. Based on previous research, to analyze the readiness and understanding of entrepreneurship among students, assess their entrepreneurial capabilities, and evaluate their level of competence in running their own business. The following academic databases were used for literature search: Scopus (158 sources) and Web of Science (104 sources). A total of 262 references were found. After removing duplicates, 234 references remained. The following inclusion criteria were applied: 1. Articles published since 2010; 2. Studies written in English; 3. Research focused on the topic of entrepreneurship in sports and student entrepreneurship. The results of this study indicate that entrepreneurship in sports faces significant challenges, including limited employment opportunities and a lack of essential entrepreneurial skills among students. These challenges hinder the development of successful entrepreneurial initiatives in the sports sector, as students often lack adequate training in the areas of starting and managing a business. Moreover, the job market in sports offers relatively few employment opportunities, further complicating students' ability to find jobs or start their own entrepreneurial projects in this specialized field.
Marko Ubović
12.07.2025.
Original scientific paper
Effect of pulsed electromagnetic field therapy on recovery from fatiguing exercise
This study investigates the potential benefits of Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF) therapy for recovery following a fatiguing exercise protocol in recreational athletes. Despite growing interest in PEMF therapy for athletic recovery, few studies have evaluated its effects across a wide range of performance and recovery measures, particularly among recreationally active individuals. This study is the first-ever investigation to examine the effects of PEMF therapy on recovery from fatiguing exercise across multiple performance outcomes, including maximal strength, power, vertical jump height, and muscle soreness, in a sample of recreationally active college-aged individuals. Thirty participants (mean age: 23.7 ± 3.7 years; 19 males, 11 females) were randomly assigned to one of three recovery conditions: PEMF therapy (n=10), placebo (n=10), or control (n=10). The fatigue protocol used in this study was the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (YYIRT1), designed to induce neuromuscular fatigue. Recovery was assessed through quantitative measures of performance (peak power, peak cadence, vertical jump, and isometric strength) and qualitative measures of muscle soreness. No statistically significant differences were observed between the recovery groups in terms of performance outcomes. However, PEMF therapy did show trends toward improved recovery, particularly in peak power at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise, and was the only group to show consistent reductions in muscle soreness. These findings underscore the need for further research in this area and suggest that PEMF therapy may offer marginal recovery benefits, particularly for perceived recovery and power restoration. This study addresses a crucial gap in the scientific literature by providing empirical evidence on the efficacy of PEMF therapy for recreational athletes, suggesting potential applications in non-elite athletic populations, though further research is required to confirm its mechanisms and long-term effects.
S M Nazmuz Sakib
28.07.2025.
Review scientific paper
Service quality in football: A systematic review
This systematic review analyses the existing research on service quality in football academies, focusing on its impact on user satisfaction and loyalty. Several factors can influence user satisfaction in football academies. Some of them are: academy infrastructure, quality of training, expert and professional staff, location and environment of the academy, status and reputation of the academy, levels of competition, as well as prospects in terms of career progression and career management in youth football. All of these factors contribute to better service and directly influence the increase in user satisfaction and loyalty, i.e., future members of the academy. For this reason, it is necessary to analyse the existing research on this topic to understand the measurement of service quality and the impact it has on the value and satisfaction of athletes. This systematic review aims to investigate service quality and to analyze the current state and factors that influence quality in the management of football academies. For this research, the electronic databases Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar were searched to find relevant articles on this topic. The following inclusion criteria were applied during the search: only topics related to service quality, scientific papers covering the field of management, papers written in English, papers published from 2009 to the present, and full-text papers available. The results of the selected studies for this research showed that service quality is a key factor in achieving a high level of user loyalty towards a football academy.
Rade Milić
22.06.2025.
Original scientific paper
Influence of sociodemographic variables on patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options for Parkinson's disease
Patients with Parkinson's Disease (PD) experience motor and non-motor symptoms that decrease their quality of life. The non-pharmacological management of PD is imperative to improve the quality of life for patients with the disease. Non-pharmacological management options such as exercise, medical, and surgical interventions can improve function and independence in patients with PD. Many non-pharmacological management options target specific symptoms commonly associated with PD. The Knowledge Attitude Practice (KAP) model was adapted to develop a questionnaire that assesses patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options for PD. The questionnaire consisted of 11 questions. To assess the relationship between sociodemographic variables and patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options likelihood-ratio chi-squared, Spearman's correlation, simple logistic regression, and multiple logistic regression analyses were performed on the collected data. Six hundred and forty-one participants completed the questionnaire. For patients (n = 492) and practitioners (n = 149), the most widely known non-pharmacological management option was regular exercise, and the least-known was subthalamotomy. Compared to patients, practitioners were more likely to have knowledge of most non-pharmacological management options (OR 1.73 - 7.36). Higher education level (OR 3.10 - 10.96), younger age (OR 0.09 - 0.32), geographical location (North America OR 0.05 - 0.49, Europe OR 2.24), employment status (OR 4.81 - 12.02), and sex (OR 0.59) had a significant relationship with patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options. Practitioners were more likely to have knowledge of most non-pharmacological management options for PD compared to patients. Several sociodemographic variables impacted one's ability to identify non-pharmacological management options in both populations. Increasing patient and practitioner knowledge of non-pharmacological management options could improve the care and quality of life of patients with PD.
Paula Abola, Benjamin Wolden, Mitchell Wolden
20.01.2025.
Original scientific paper
Characteristics of the Health-Related Physical Fitness Questionnaire: Serbian version
Modern directions in the development of physical education in the world emphasize the importance of health-related physical fitness (HRPF), with special attention to the development and monitoring of knowledge about HRPF through the application of a targeted questionnaire. The main goal of this research was to analyze the characteristics of the HRPF questionnaire adapted to the Serbian language. After adjustment to Serbian language and terminology, questionnaire was administered to a sample of 270 children, 175 children of the fifth grade (11 to 12 years) and 95 children f the eighth grade (14 to15 years). In both subsamples, the questionnaire has shown good internal consistency (Cronbach's α was 0.73 for fifth grade and 0.67 for eighth grade) and good features of most questions. The results also suggested problems with three questions which needed adjustment for further use: Question Q2 - Jana wants to do something after school what would help her to become successful in the football team she plays in, she should; Question Q11 - Volleyball is good; Question Q25 - If you want to be stronger, you should. After that kind of implementation, the questionnaire can be recommended for evaluation of HRPF of older primary-school children.
Velimir Miličković, Željko Krneta
09.06.2025.
Review scientific paper
Effectiveness of pilates exercise on quality of life in older adult women: A scoping review
This scoping review investigates the effects of Pilates exercise interventions on health and quality of life of older adult women. Through a comprehensive examination of existing literature, this review identified key areas where Pilates has shown to significantly benefit physical capabilities such as strength, balance, and flexibility, alongside mental health improvements, including reduced symptoms of depression and anxiety, and enhanced sleep quality. Thus, this scoping review emphasizes a possible role of Pilates in addressing age-related physical and psychosocial challenges, and suggests it as suitable low-impact exercise for promoting healthy aging. Despite the methodological heterogeneity among studies, the overall evidence suggests that Pilates may be a valuable component of geriatric healthcare strategies. The findings advocate for further research to expand the evidence and further guiding healthcare professionals in integrating Pilates into exercise prescriptions for older adult women.
Iva Weingerl, Žiga Kozinc, Dorjana Zerbo Šporin
20.01.2025.
Review scientific paper
Effects of combined exercise program on happiness and life satisfaction on physically active older adults
Well-being is the assessment of individual experiences with pleasant feelings like happiness and life satisfaction. Combined training is recommended for older adults to decrease age-related psychological changes and functional limitations. This systematic review aimed to assess the effects of a combined exercise program on happiness and life satisfaction in physically active older adults. The electronic databases of Google Scholar, Web of Science, and PubMed were searched between 2000 and 2023 for available literature. The searched keywords were: older adults, training, exercises, happiness, and life satisfaction. After completing the investigation, 931 publications were found. Inclusion criteria comprised physically active participants aged 60 years and above, along with studies composed in English. Studies in which participants had obesity, diabetes, and other non-communicable diseases were excluded from investigation. The qualitative analysis involved eight studies. These studies ranged in publication date from 2008 to 2022. The participants in the studies were men and women aged from 60 to 79 years. The sample size was 1849 and ranged from 35 to 656 participants. Physical activity was a combination of aerobic training, strength training, stretching exercises, and balance exercises. The most used questionnaire was the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS). The findings indicate that older adults of both genders who underwent combined training programs had higher levels of happiness and life satisfaction. Research has shown that leading an active lifestyle enhances older persons' happiness and satisfaction with life. These results support the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle to improve the mental and emotional well-being of older adults.
Romina Herodek, Mladen Živković, Aleksandra Ilić, Katarina Herodek, Aleksandra Catić Đorđević