This work is based on the results of Cross-sectional experimental study results, which was implemented in Study-Year 2015/2016 within female students of the third year of Basic Academic Studies (BAS) at the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education (FSPE), University of Niš. This pilot study is for the first time realized with application of “Eurofit-Test" by [1] during the course of Rhythmic gymnastics (RG), on the end of sixth semester of the study year 2015/2016 (3+3 classes weekly / 45+45 Theory + Practice in Total/per semester). The testing was carried out in the framework of the teaching practice, as one of the pre-exam requirement, based on which the student can achieve a maximum 10 out of 60 possible points. Other pre-exam obligations include the mandatory RG compositions, implemented in form of three practical exams, followed by seminar work, regular presence at the theoretical and practical lessons, including lectures with bonus points for interactive teaching. The total sample of examinees includes 28 PE female students especially selected at the entrance exam course (as compared to the assumed above average motor status), turned them into the regular curriculum in accordance with the Bologna Declaration. For the purpose of this study nine items of the “Eurofit-Test" battery was applied in regard to the physical fitness status evaluation. The research results were compared within the sample of PE female student’s and analyzed as individual case studies and Total sample with the graphical presentation of the Figures for each test item separately.

This study aimed to explore whether a 16-week Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) volleyball intervention could improve primary school students’ physical fitness and body composition. Eighty-eight primary school students (age 13.3 ± 0.3 years) were randomized to a TGfU volleyball intervention group (VG) or a control group (CG). The CG attended three regular physical education (PE) classes per week, while the VG attended two regular PE classes and a TGfU volleyball intervention that was implemented in the third PE class. Body composition components (body weight, body mass index, skinfold thickness, body fat percentage, and muscle mass percentage) and physical fitness (flexibility, vertical jumps (squat and countermovement jump—SJ/CMJ), 30 m sprint, agility, and cardiorespiratory fitness) assessments were performed pre-and post-intervention period. Significant interaction effects between VG and CG and pre- and post-test were found for the sum of five skinfolds (p < 0.0005, ŋp² = 0.168), body fat % (p < 0.0005, ŋp² = 0.200), muscle mass % (p < 0.0005, ŋp² = 0.247), SJ (p = 0.002, ŋp² = 0.103), CMJ (p = 0.001, ŋp² = 0.120), 30 m sprint (p = 0.019, ŋp² = 0.062), agility T-test (p < 0.0005, ŋp² = 0.238), and VO_2max (p < 0.0005, ŋp² = 0.253). Further examination revealed a greater improvement among VG students compared to CG students in certain body composition and physical fitness outcomes. Implementing a TGfU volleyball intervention in the physical education curriculum appears to have effective stimuli for reducing adiposity and promoting physical fitness levels in seventh-grade primary school students.

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects of a skill-based exercise program on the body composition of adolescents. The study was conducted on 90 participants, (age, 13±6 years), divided by gender then randomly assigned into two sub-samples: the experimental [SS1, N=39 (EG1, 19 girls and EG2, 20 boys)] and the control group [SS2, N=51 (CG1, 24 girls and CG2, 27 boys)]. Body composition parameters were assessed by a caliper (skinfold thickness) and bioelectrical impedance analyzer Omron BF511 (percentage of body fat tissue and muscle tissue). After conducting the 16-week program of skill-based exercises and small-sided games (SSG) related to volleyball, certain body composition parameters statistically significantly increased in the experimental groups (except body fat percent in girls, and body fat mass in both genders). In the experimental period, the SS2 increased in body fat tissue (both genders) and in muscle tissue (girls), while a decrease in muscle tissue was recorded among the boys. The results of this study showed no significant differences in the effects of the two programs on body composition at the multivariate level for both genders. Furthermore, at the univariate level it was noted that the students following the experimental program (SS1) had better results compared to the SS2 of students in terms of the decrease of body fat tissue, as well as the increase of muscle tissue for both genders. The obtained results indicate that the program of skill-based exercises and SSG related to volleyball is suitable for adequate intensification of PE classes and improvement of body composition parameters of elementary school students.

Objectives: This single-arm, pre–post intervention study with a three-month follow-up aimed to determine whether a ten-day outdoor camp combining mixed-modality physical activity and time-restricted feeding elicits positive changes in multiple body-composition outcome measures and whether those changes persist at three-month follow-up. Methods: Forty healthy undergraduates (18 male, 22 female) participated in a 10-day outdoor camp that combined multi-modal physical activities (rock climbing and bouldering, swimming, hiking, applied paddling, survival skills, etc.) with a 13 h daily time-restricted feeding window. Body fat percentage, skeletal muscle percentage, body mass, total body-water percentage, visceral fat level, and skeletal muscle index were measured using the InBody 270 at baseline, immediately post-camp, and at the three-month follow-up. Results: Mixed-effects models with random intercepts for subject revealed significant reductions in body fat percentage (β = −1.63, p < 0.001) and visceral fat level (β = −0.72, p = 0.001), alongside increases in skeletal muscle percentage (β = 1.02, p < 0.001), skeletal muscle index (β = 0.30, p < 0.001), and total body-water percentage (β = 1.19, p < 0.001) from baseline to post-camp; no outcomes differed between baseline and follow-up and no time × sex interactions were observed. Conclusions: These findings indicate that a brief, intensive nature-based intervention can drive rapid, multidimensional improvements in body composition, but structured maintenance is required to sustain benefits.

With the aim to investigate the association between body composition of adolescents and cardiorespiratory fitness, this research was carried out on a sample of seventh grade primary school students (38 female and 44 male students). The sample of measuring instruments for body composition assessment were: body mass index, triceps, subscapularis and suprailiac subcutaneous adipose tissue, body fat percentage, muscle mass percentage and fat-free mass. The “Beep” test was used for the assessment of cardiorespiratory fitness. At the multivariate level the results have shown that body composition, as a system predictor, explained 51% (p= .000) of variance of cardiorespiratory fitness of the total sample of students, 29% (p= .021) of the girls and 51% (p= .000) of the boys. At the univariate level of the total sample it was noticed that the sum of three skinfolds (t= -4.91; p= .000) and fat-free mass (t= 4.54; p= .000) had a high influence on system prediction. The sum of three skinfolds in the total sample, sample of girls and sample of boys had a negative impact on cardiorespiratory fitness. For the girls, body fat percentage had a positive impact on cardiorespiratory fitness, while in the total sample and sample of boys, fat-free mass had a positive impact on cardiorespiratory fitness. It could be concluded that the association between body composition components and VO2max was clearly demonstrated in adolescents.

Self-determination theory is a dominant conceptual frame in the research of sports motivation, while the original Sport motivation scale, SMS-28, is adapted in many languages. The aim of this research was to translate and adapt the original scale into the Serbian language and to conduct a preliminary factor analysis in order to confirm a seven-factor solution. The sample included 608 active athletes on an international, national or lower competition level in different individual or team sports, of both genders, with a Median value for age of 18 years, an average of 10 years of sports experience. The results indicated good internal consistency of the Serbian version (Mean alpha 0.86), with only an amotivation subscale with a low alpha value (0.54). A simplex pattern of the self-determination continuum was confirmed. The confirmatory factor analysis suggested some good fit indices (X²/df=4.26; SRMR=0.07; RMSEA=0.07; GFI=0.85; AGFI=0.81), while some indices did not meet the criteria of good model fit (CFI=0.81; NFI=0.77). We suggest further research should examine the scale on a more homogeneous sample in regard to competition level. Key words: motivation, sport motivation scale, intrinsic motivation, extrinsic motivation, factor analysis