Geographical, cultural, and socio-economic factors create a different lifestyle. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to identify the differences in anthropometric and fitness characteristics among adolescents living in Montenegro and Kosovo in order to optimize the physical fitness as a consequence of the proactive behavior. Anthropometric characteristics and fitness level measures were assessed by Eurofit testing battery among 600 Kosovar and 600 Montenegrin students, equally distributed by gender. Differences between countries, gender, and age group (13, 14 and 15 years) were assessed with multivariate and univariate analysis of variance. The results showed that Montenegrin students are taller, heavier, and achieve better results in the sit-ups and 20-m endurance shuttle-run tests. Kosovar students achieve better results in the standing broad jump and 10 × 5 m shuttle-run tests. Males achieve significantly better results in all tests, excluding the sit-and-reach test. Statistically significant differences among age groups were found for all variables, regardless gender and country (except for the flamingo and sit-and reach tests). This study is of importance to physical education teachers and curriculum authors to optimize students’ proactive behavior based on the identified anthropometric and physical fitness differences between the two countries, age groups, and genders.

The aim of this paper is to examine the role of physical education (PE) teacher and classmate support in relation to sex and BMI status in adolescents’ physical activity (PA) in Kosovo. A Classmate and Teacher Support Scale (with additional questions) was used on a cross-sectional sample of 608 girls and 620 boys aged 15–18, randomly selected from secondary schools of seven major municipalities in Kosovo. PA level was determined with a Physical Activity Screening Measure questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a three-way ANOVA, along with Tukey’s HSD post hoc test, were employed. The findings showed the levels of teacher and classmate support to be important factors in stimulating adolescents’ PA. It was found that boys with normal weight, high support from teachers, and medium or high support from classmates were more physically active, compared with girls.

Article: Sense of coherence, physical activity and its associations with gender and age among Kosovar adolescents: a cross-sectional study - The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2017 July-August;57(7-8):1023-32 - Minerva Medica - Journals

Study purpose. This study purpose was to investigate whether health-related physical fitness is associated with total and central body fat in school children aged 6–10 years. Materials and methods. A total of 2197 Macedonian children aged 6–10 years (1096 boys and 1101 girls) participated in the study. Health-related physical fitness was measured by the modified EUROFIT test battery: the 20 m shuttle run test (cardiorespiratory fitness); the handgrip strength test, the standing long jump and the 30 s sit-ups tests (muscular strength); the 4×10 m shuttle run test (motor fitness) and the sit and reach test (flexibility). Body mass index, body fat percentage and waist circumference were used as markers of total and central body fat, respectively. Results. The standing long jump, the 30 s sit-ups, the 4×10 m shuttle run and the 20 m shuttle run tests were negatively associated with all markers of total and central body fat in boys and girls after controlling for age (p<0.01). The handgrip strength test was positively associated with all markers of total and central body fat (p<0.01). No statistically significant correlation was established between the markers of total and central body fat and the sit and reach test. Conclusions. The present study broadens previous findings in children and adolescents which demonstrate correlations between the health-related physical fitness components, chiefly the muscle strength, the agility and cardiorespiratory fitness and total central adiposity. Fitness assessment should be introduced in future epidemiological and intervention studies in school children because it seems to be an important factor determining health.

This study aimed to investigate how were the peer and physical education (PE) teacher variables associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) among Kosovar teenagers (13-15 years of age), and the role of age and gender in these associations. Cross-sectional data was gathered through a study conducted in seven major municipalities of Kosovo. 632 girls (aged 14.3 ± 0.8) and 664 boys (aged 14.2 ± 0.8) were examined using the adjusted Classmate and Teacher Support Scale and the Physical Activity Screening measure. A three-way (support*age*gender) ANOVA was used to compare the individuals' MVPA level with the different levels of support they received, with different age in groups of girls and boys. Boys reported higher levels of MVPA than girls in all age categories. A higher level of MVPA was reported by boys receiving high or medium support from classmates. In case of PE teacher support, high, medium and even low support correlated with high MVPA in all age categories. In girls only 13 year olds reported receiving high levels of both classmate and PE teachers support which correlated with a higher level of MVPA. It appears that engagement in MVPA among young Kosovar adolescents is relatively high in boys, regardless of the level of classmate or PE teacher support, whereas in girls the level of MVPA decreased over their time at school. Support from both classmates and PE teachers turned out to be the most significant factor in 13 years old girls, before they moved from primary to secondary school. This issue requires more detailed insight, considering traditional ethnical and religious barriers to engagement of young female adolescents in physical activity.

Background. Physical inactivity is associated with poor physical fitness and weight gain. Organized sports activities can be a significant component in providing adequate fitness which, on its part, is an important aspect of general health and well-being. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between participation in organized sports activity and obesity as well as physical fitness of 6–10-year-old children from the region of the city of Skopje in the Republic of North Macedonia. Materials and methods. The height, weight, body mass composition, and various components of physical fitness were measured in 940 children (aged 8.98 ± 3.39). The sports participation and confounding variables, such as parents’ education and body weight as well as parents’ sports activities, were estimated through a questionnaire completed by parents. In order to achieve the study purpose, the study used the multinomial logistic regression analysis and the multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). Results. Less-than-once-a-week sports participation was established in 41.1% of the children, once or twice a week – in 48.4%, and more often – in 10.5%. Obesity was established in 38.1% of the children. Children that had organized sports activity 1-2 times a week or more often showed a higher physical fitness level. Conclusions. Even though causality cannot be established, facilitation of organized sports activities may be a crucial aspect in public health efforts addressing the growing problems associated with overweight and obesity.