This manuscript aimed to show the development of gymnastics in Croatia up until 1903. This article provided a chronological description of the growth of gymnastics in Croatia from 1859 to 1903. In Osijek, Croatia's first gymnastics society was founded in 1865. Gymnastics were introduced into schools in the middle of the 19th century as a result of increased interest in physical education based on by the stronger development of civil society. 1874. was founded Croatian Sokol in Zagreb and gymnastics also became a part of a high school program. In Croatia, numerous gymnastics societies started to be established, including the Varaždin Sokol Gymnastic Society in 1878 and the Zadar Gymnastic Society in 1876. In Dalmatia, central Croatia, and Slavonia, new gymnastics societies have been founded. For example, the Croatian Sokol was founded in Bjelovar in 1884 and Makarska in 1894. Additionally, the gymnastics society took part in open workouts in Prague and Pariz. Women's gymnastics started on in 1891 in Croatian Sokol in Zagreb where exercises were conducted in three divisions, including simple exercises and those on the apparatus.

Following the changes in basic anthropological characteristics of the young gymnast can help coaches to recognize how the process of training influence the growth and development of gymnasts. This also can be useful in the specialization of specific apparatus. The aim of this investigation was to find the differences in weight and height between young female gymnasts. The sample consisted of 26 female gymnasts: 10 years old who are competing at different levels – compulsory (16) and free (10) programs. Compulsory program training was three times per week, each lasting two hours. Training in the free program lasted two and a half-hour five times per week. K-S test was used for testing the normality of distribution. Differences between height and weight are calculated by ANOVA at the level of statistical significance of p<0.05. Results show that there is a statistically significant difference in height and weight between categories. Girls from the compulsory program are taller and heavier than girls in free program. The free program is the hardest program and physically more demanding for execution than a compulsory program. It seems that the bigger volume of training influences height and weight. Keywords: artistic gymnastics, anthropological characteristics, children

The aim of this study was to compare differences in run-up velocity between Handsprings, Tsukahara and Yurchenko entry on vault. A sample consisted of 48 jumps performed on vault, 19 Handsprings, 17 Tsukahara and 12 Yurchenko entry on vault. Data were collected on a World Cup competition held in Osijek, 2017. Run-up velocity was measured by speed radar gun (Stalker ATS, S PRO II). Descriptive statistic was calculated for all variables and differences in run-up velocity were determined by one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni post-hoc test at the level of statistical significance at p<.05. Average run-up velocity at Handspring entry was 8,06 m/s, Tsukahara, 8,06 m/s and Yurchenko entry on vault table was 7,66 m/s. ANOVA showed that exist statistical significant differences in run-up velocity between handspring and Yurchenko and between Tsukahara and Yurchenko entry. The results of this study indicated that different entry on vault table has different run-up velocity, which will help coaches and scientists to improve the vault technique.