Research in preschool children that investigates the impact of different exercise interventions on physical fitness is limited. This pre–post study was aimed at determining if participation in a nine-month structured multisport program (MSG; n = 38) could enhance physical fitness components compared to a formal exercise program (control group (CG); n = 36) among preschool children. Physical fitness was assessed using standardized tests (the standing long jump, sit and reach, 20 m sprint, sit-ups for 30 s, bent-arm hang, medicine ball throw (MBT), grip strength, 4 × 10 m shuttle run, and 20 m shuttle run tests). The structured multisport program involved fundamental/gross and fine motor skills and ball game-based exercises twice a week. The control group was free of any programmed exercise except for the obligatory program in kindergartens. A mixed ANOVA demonstrated significant group-by-time interaction effects for the 4 × 10 m shuttle run, standing long jump, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, grip strength, and sit and reach tests (p < 0.05). There was no significant group-by-time interaction effect for the 20 m sprint test (p = 0.794) or for the 20 m shuttle run test (p = 0.549). Moreover, the MSG and CG performance in the MBT and 20 m shuttle run tests improved to a similar extent from pre- to post-test. Our results indicate that compared to the formal plan, the structured multisport program led to a sustained improvement in physical fitness in healthy 5-to-6-year old children.

Background: : Postural stability (PS) has an important role in many athletic activities. However, modern dance demands a heightened PS because of the required aesthetic quality and speed of movement. The aim of the present study was to compare the static and dynamic PS of young dancers and participants of other sporting activities. Method: : A total of 101 girls (age: 7.91 ± 0.7 year) were divided into a Dance group (N = 53) and a physically active Control group (N = 48). Static PS was assessed with a two-leg standing test on a Force plate, and dynamic PS was assessed with a Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK)a walking backwards test on a balance beam. Results: : Multivariate analysis of variance showed a general difference between the groups (F = 21.95; p ≤ 0.0001). In static PS, the Dance group was better in Total distance of center of pressure (COP) (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = −1.70), Anterior-posterior oscillation (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = −1.40), Medial-lateral oscillation (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = 1.75) and Length in function of surface (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = −0.98). Both parameters of dynamic stability, the KTK test (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = 1.28) and Motor quotients KTK test (p ≤ 0.0001; ES = 1.45), were significantly better in the Dance group. Conclusion: : The results from the present study indicate that children girls who participate mostly in dance develop better static and dynamic PS than children girls who participate in other sport activities. These findings underline the importance of training modification toward the improvement of PS in dance.

This is the first study in Serbia and the region of South-East Europe dedicated to clients' perception of outcome and efficiency of prenatal and reproductive genetic counseling. The primary aim of this study was to assess overall value and success of genetic counseling in prenatal and reproductive care with regard to perceived personal control of clients, reflecting also in a part patient comprehension, knowledge retention, and empowerment in decision-making. The standardized Perceived Personal Control questionnaire (PPC) was used for the assessment of 239 female participants. First, we performed a complete validation of the psychometric characteristics of the Serbian-language version of the PPC questionnaire. The validation of the questionnaire permits other researchers from Serbian-speaking regions of South-East Europe to use this standard instrument to assess the effectiveness of prenatal genetic counseling in their communities and analyze advantages and disadvantages of their counseling models. We also measured social and demographic characteristics of participants. Further, we analyzed effects of our team-based prenatal and reproductive genetic counseling model through (a) calculation of PPC scores at three different stages (before initial, after initial, and before second counseling session), and (b) by assessing participants' responses by indication for referral (advanced maternal age, abnormal biochemical screening, family history of hereditary disorders, maternal exposure to drugs, exposure to radiation, exposure to infective agents, infertility or recurrent abortions, and miscellaneous). The results indicate that participants' knowledge after initial counseling increased significantly and after that remained stable and sustainable. A satisfactory level of confidence among participants had been achieved, in that many felt an increased sense of control over their situation and emotional response to it. Indirectly, these results indicate the success of a team-based prenatal genetic counseling model, which has not been assessed in the literature to date.

Cilj ovog istraživanja je ispitivanje relacija motoričke sposobnosti ravnoteže sa izvođenjem izabranih gimnastičkih elemenata na parteru, kod učenica uzrasta 7-8 godina, kako bi se dao osvrt na trenutno motoričko stanje ispitanika tog uzrasta, konstruisanje prijedloga eventualne izmjene u nastavnom planu rada u tom uzrastu kao i konstruisanje prijedloga dopunjavanja metodike obuke. Na uzorku od 42 ispitanice, bez prethodnog iskustva u izvođenju gimnastičkih elemenata, sprovedena je obuka izabranih gimnastičkih elemenata na redovnoj nastavi fizičkog vaspitanja, pri čemu je prediktorska varijabla testirana pomoću četiri testa za procjenu motoričke sposobnosti ravnoteža. Korišteni set testova za procjenu motoričke sposobnosti ravnoteža pokazao je statistički značajnu prediktivnu vrijednost za izvođenje sva tri gimnastička elementa. Uočljivo je da je vrijednost prediktivnog modela rasla što je izvođen složeniji element ukazujući na složenost motoričkog prostora ravnoteže te na visok i stabilan nivo iste kod ispitanica u vreme testiranja. Govoreći o korištenim testovima može se konstatovati da je test FLAM učestvovao značajno u predikciji uspješnosti izvođenja kod sva tri gimnastička elementa dok su preostala dva testa pokazala svoju prediktivnu vrijednost kod izvođenja stava o šakama. Sa druge strane iz istraživanja je evidentno da korišteni gimnastički elementi trebaju biti upotrebljavani na časovima fizičkog vaspitanja kako bi se doprinijelo podsticanju i daljnjem razvoju svih motoričkih sposobnosti učenika te kao dio pripreme za izvođenje složenijih elemenata na parteru i na spravama u višim razredima.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between motor ability for balance and the performance of selected gymnastic elements on the floor in students aged 7-8 years, to provide an overview of the current motor status of the respondents at this age, and to develop suggestions for possible changes in the curriculum at this age, and to develop suggestions for supplementing training methodology. Training of selected gymnastics elements was conducted on a sample of 42 subjects who had no previous experience in performing gymnastics elements during regular physical education classes, and the predictor variable was tested using four tests assessing motor balance ability. The tests assessing motor balance ability showed a statistically significant predictive value for the performance of all three gymnastics exercises. It is noticeable that the value of the prediction model increased the more complex an item was derived, indicating the complexity of the motor balance space and the high and stable level of the same in the subjects at the time of testing. Regarding the tests used, it can be noted that the test FLAM was significantly involved in the prediction of performance success in all three gymnastic elements, while the other two tests showed their predictive value in the execution of the hand stand. On the other hand, the study shows that the gymnastic elements used should be used in physical education classes to contribute to the promotion and development of all motor skills of students and as part of the preparation for the execution of more complex elements on the floor and apparatus in higher grades.