Jumps are an indispensable activity for the development of coordination, muscle strength and power, especially in children. Positive effects of horizontal drop jump (HDJ) proved to be very important in improving individuals performance. HDJ presents a specific movement pattern that has similarities with running gait and take-off in different horizontal jumps. Influence and effect of implementating HDJ in children is yet to be determined. The aim of this research was to determine the test–retest reliability of the unilateral horizontal drop jump (UHDJ) in children of early school age (6–7 years). Participants (n = 31; 19 girls and 12 boys) were school-age children that regularly attended Physical Education classes (Girls: mean age 7.5 ± 0.3 years, mean height 127.1 ± 6.8 cm and mean weight 25.8 ± 5.2 kg; Boys: mean age 7.5 ± 0.2 years, mean height 127.5 ± 6.9 cm and mean weight 27.6 ± 7.1 kg). UHDJ was performed from an elevation of 30 cm relative to the platform with starting position 120 cm from the middle of the platform. A jump on the platform and a unilateral take-off in the distance were performed, followed by a bilateral landing on the mat. Intraclass correlation coefficient was used to determine the reliability between the two days of measurements. Test–retest reliability was calculated for all observed variables, and a good correlation was found between the performed measurements (ICC = 0.76–0.89). The α coefficient indicates good to excellent (0.86–0.94) internal consistency. These findings suggest the usefulness of applying a UHDJ in school-age children. Moreover, it can be used to identify children talented for sports, monitor the effects of training and discover and direct individuals towards suitable sports disciplines.

The aim of this study was to examine the perception and gender typing of sports among students at the University of Zagreb Faculty of Kinesiology. The study was conducted on a sample of 268 students, with respondents categorizing 19 sports as male, female, or equally male and female. Data processing included descriptive statistics in the form of frequencies and percentages and the chi-square test with Bonferroni correction to test differences between groups for categorical variables. Differences in gender typing (perception) between two groups of participants based on gender were tested using the t-test. Five sports (rugby, formula, boxing, water polo, and soccer) were predominantly categorized as “male”, three sports as “female” (rhythmic gymnastics, aerobics, and synchronized swimming), and as many as eleven as “neutral” (athletics, skiing, swimming, tennis, karate, beach volleyball, gymnastics, handball, volleyball, sailing, and basketball). Regardless of active participation in a particular sport, the perception of gender typing of sports remained constant. The results indicate that in Croatia there is still a separation in the perception of sports that are either suitable for men, for women, or for both genders.

Balance in childhood has a significant impact on proper growth, the development of postural control and the learning of new motor tasks. Since activities such as running and jumping require a stable body position, the aim of this study is to determine the effects of specific plyometric exercises on unilateral balance performance of the take-off leg in children. This research involved 41 children (17 boys and 24 girls) aged from 7 to 11 years old (Mean ± SD, 9.08 ± 1.32). The children had an average height of 137.51 ± 10.28 cm and weight of 32.72 ± 7.76 kg. The study observed variables related to balance ability. During testing, antero-posterior length (AP), medio-lateral length (ML), and overall mean distance (D) of body movement were observed. Repeated measures univariate analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine differences between measurements. Tukey post hoc test was used to further analyse differences of each variable across different time periods. ANOVA results showed significant differences in observed variables (F=5.95; p=0.00; η2=0.51). Significant differences were found for AP between the initial and final measurements (p=0.04). Additionally, there was a difference in AP between the final testing and delayed training effects (p=0.02). Presented results had positive effect, respectively, children maintain better static balance after training program. No differences were found for D and ML variables. These findings suggest that plyometric training could be integrated into regular physical education programs to enhance balance and motor skills in children.