The aim of this systematic review was to investigate the effects of combined resistance and aerobic exercise on arterial stiffness in postmenopausal women. Two databases, PubMed and Google Scholar were searched to identify relevant studies. The methodological quality was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Only seven studies met the eligibility criteria, and their outcomes were presented. Four studies demonstrated the effects of combined resistance and aerobic training, while three showed the effectiveness of exercise with both training components, aerobic and resistance. In all studies, arterial stiffness was measured by brachial–ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV). Participants were middle-aged or older postmenopausal women of various health statuses (hypertensive, with comorbidities or healthy). The results unequivocally show that combined training reduces arterial stiffness. The most important finding of this review paper is that the applied type of exercise decreased baPWV in the range of 0.6–2.1 m/s. Moreover, combined resistance and aerobic exercise for 12 weeks, performed three times a week for about 60 min per training session, at a moderate intensity (40–60% HRR or HRmax), may be clinically meaningful to the cardiovascular system. In conclusion, we can say that combined resistance and aerobic training, or exercise with resistance and aerobic components, have important health implications for the prevention of cardiovascular disease and the maintenance or improvement of health in middle-aged and older postmenopausal women with different health conditions.

Background: The research objective of the study is to determine the differences in the manifestation of the motor status of normally fed preschool test subjects, classified into groups according to foot status. Methods: This is a simple, comparative observational study. Preschool children included in this study have been subjected to anthropometric measurements in order to determine BMI, tests for motor skills assessment (running at 20 m from a high start, standing broad jump, backwards polygon, rectangular seated forward bend, plate tapping, sit-ups for 60 s, and bent arm hang), and a determination of foot status. The total sample was comprised of 202 test subjects who attended a regular sports program, aged 3.9 to 6.5 years of decimal age (M = 141; Age = 5.3 ± 0.74; Height = 117.3 ± 7.1; Weight = 22 ± 3.7; F = 61; Age = 5.1 ± 0.73; Height = 114.9 ± 7.4; Weight = 21.2 ± 3.8), of which 153 (75.7%) were normally fed, 6 (3%) were undernourished, 30 were overweight (14.9%), and 13 were obese (6.4%). Results: In the total sample, 30 (14.9%) subjects had normal arch feet, 90 (44.6%) high arched feet, and 41 (20.3%) flat feet. We found 41 (20.3%) subjects who had different left and right foot statuses within this sample. The data were processed by means of nonparametric tests (the Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests) at a significance level p ≤ 0.05. Conclusion: The results show that there is a statistically significant difference between groups of subjects with different foot statuses in the manifestation of motor status in most tests, with a significance level of p ≤ 0.01, and in tests of sit-ups for 60 s and the bent arm hang, there is a statistically significant difference, the level of which is p ≤ 0.05. It is only in the inclination test of rectangular seated forward bend that no statistically significant difference was displayed.

Functional movement is an important part of developing athletes’ but also untrained individuals’ performance. Its monitoring also proved useful in identifying functional limitations and asymmetries, and also in determining the intervention effects. The quasi-experimental pre-test post-test study investigated the effects of core stability training program on the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) score in untrained students after six weeks. The intervention (INT) and control (CG) groups included 73 and 65 male students, respectively. Functional movement patterns were evaluated using the FMS including seven components scores representing seven basic functional patterns. Both groups significantly improved almost all FMS components scores, but the INT increased the mean performance of the hurdle step (partial ŋ² × 100 = 4%, p = 0.02), in-line lunge (partial ŋ² × 100 = 3%, p = 0.05), rotatory stability (partial ŋ² × 100 = 4%, p = 0.02) and total FMS (partial ŋ² × 100 = 3%, p = 0.04) significantly more than the CG. This justifies that core strengthening can improve FMS in untrained individuals even with the short duration programs.

Introduction. Kyphosis is a deformity of the spine characterized by excessive backward curvature of the thoracic spine. The normal range of thoracic kyphosis in teenagers is 20 - 40 degrees, and the diagnosis of hyper-kyphosis is beyond 45 degrees. The aim of this review was to assess the magnitude of the effects of various corrective exercises on kyphotic angle reduction. Material and Methods. The Web of Science and PubMed were searched to retrieve relevant literature. Ten studies were included in our systematic review and meta-analysis. Results. The magnitude of the effects of corrective exercises on the kyphotic angle correction was estimated and the results showed a statistical significance in standardized mean difference (-0.504, P < 0.001). The analysis of the subgroups regarding the age showed a heterogeneity that was not statistically significant and the magnitude of the effects in different age groups. Conclusion. The results of our meta-analysis may be useful to many physiotherapists and clinicians in solving problems in patients with kyphosis and hyper-kyphosis.

Introduction. The aim of this paper was to determine the attitudes of physical education teachers and primary school teachers towards inclusive physical education in Serbia. Material and Methods. The research included 132 examinees of both genders: 59.09% females and 40.91% males. Data were collected using an anonymous questionnaire with a 4-point Likert scale. The questionnaire dealt with teachers’ previous experience, their qualifications for implementation of inclusive physical education, support and additional training for realization of inclusive physical education. Data were processed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences 20. Normality distribution was tested by Kolmogorov-Smirnov and Shapiro-Wilk test, whilst the differences between groups (sexual dimorphism, environment, professional orientation) were examined using Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests at the significance level of p ≤ 0.05. Results. The findings showed that the average scores were inclined towards positive attitudes to inclusive physical education. The findings also showed that there was no statistically significant gender-related difference of attitudes between physical education teachers and primary school teachers. However, there was a statistically significant difference related to geographical background in terms of qualification levels (p = 0.02) for work with children with disorders and disabilities, as well in terms of additional training (p = 0.02) and professional orientation, since physical education teachers have less experience working with students with developmental disorders. Conclusion. Both physical education teachers and primary school teachers have positive attitudes towards inclusion. Physical education teachers have less experience working with challenged students than primary school teachers, therefore additional training programs may be required.

Introduction. Osteoporosis, a disease characterized by the progressive loss of bone tissue, is one of the most common complications of aging. Epidemiology. According to some calculations, there were 25% of women and 4% of men older than 50 years with osteoporosis in the world in 2010. It is assumed that the number of patients with osteoporosis will increase by 30% in every 10 years in the 21st century. There are many reasons for that: the world?s population is growing older, diet is getting poorer in vitamins and minerals and physical activity is decreasing. The Quality and Quantity of Bone Tissue. Developing bones are much more responsive to mechanical loading and physical activity than mature bones. This suggests that training in early childhood may be an important factor in the prevention of osteoporosis in later life. It is important to note that the quality of bone achieved by training at younger age cannot be maintained permanently if it is not supported by physical activity later in life. Adapted physical activity represents physical activity individually tailored according to the psychosomatic capabilities of a person and the goal to be achieved. It can be applied at any age in order to maintain strong bones and reduce the risk of fracture. Adapted physical activity is different for men and women, for different age, as well as for the individuals. Aerobic exercises, which lead to an acceleration of breathing, increased heart rate and mild perspiration, as well as resistance exercises and exercises against resistance done by stretching elastic bands, for hands, legs and torso have been proven to increase bone density and improve bone strength. Coordination and balance exercises are important in an individual workout program. An explanation of the action of adapted physical activity is the basis for the theory of control and modulation of bone loss, muscle strength, coordination and balance. Physical activity is very effective in reducing sclerostin, which is known to inhibit bone formation. In addition, physical training enhances the levels of insulinlike growth factor, which has a very positive effect on bone formation. Conclusion. The aim of adapted physical activity is to improve bone formation in youngsters, to preserve the bone mass in adults and to prevent the bone loss in the elderly thus reducing the risk of falls and resulting fractures; in other words, to minimize the disability caused by fractures and improve the quality of life.