Introduction and objective: Low levels of physical activity (PA) and sedentary lifestyle have become a major public health problem in developed countries, even among the young population. The aim of the study was to determine and compare physical activity levels, health-related quality of life...

Motor skills in students can be developed or improved through regular physical activity such as walking in nature, Nordic walking, hiking, cycling and swimming. This study aimed to examine the relationship between motor skills and various anthropometric and health-related factors, and to appraise any differences in motor performance and body mass index (BMI) on a sample of university students from Croatia. A total of 122 students (73 of them in health programs and 49 in non-health programs) aged 18 to 44 years participated in the study. Motor abilities were evaluated using standardized motor tests, while body composition was assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis, which measured fat tissue, muscle and bone mass, metabolic age, degree of obesity, total body water, and BMI. While the groups were similar in terms of BMI and weight, students in non-health-related study programs had significantly higher values across a wide array of detailed body composition measures, particularly related to fat and muscle mass. Significant negative correlations were observed between body fat percentage and trunk lift performance (r = −0.55, p < 0.01), as well as between metabolic age and trunk lift performance (r = −0.44, p < 0.01) in health students. In non-health students, the strongest negative correlation was found between body fat percentage and flexibility (r = −0.47, p < 0.01). Higher muscle mass was a positive predictor of motor performance while higher fat mass and metabolic age were significant negative predictors. These findings underscore the impact of body composition on motor performance, particularly strength and flexibility, and highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies among university students. The study supports the implementation of early interventions promoting physical activity and healthy body composition to preserve motor abilities and long-term functional health in this critical age group—especially since lifestyle habits formed during university years tend to persist into adulthood.

Introduction: Aging is an inherent and progressive process affecting all living organisms, characterized by physical, mental, and psychological changes. With the societal changes that involve rapid information exchange, there is also a change in the behavior of older individuals. The aim of this study is to analyze the level of health locus of control in older adults participating in exercise programs and its association with certain sociodemographic factors. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2018 to March 2019. A total of 200 individuals aged 65 and older, who were participating in free exercise programs, were included. Among them, 190 were female, and only 10 were male. For the purposes of this study, the Health Locus of Control Scale (Croatian- ZLK-90) and a general questionnaire on demographic characteristics were used. The questionnaire was completed in a traditional pen-and-paper format. Results: The results of the Health Locus of Control Scale revealed that, among the respondents, the Eo scale (Circumstances) component had the highest median score of 21.00, while the Evd scale (Important Others) showed the lowest median at 18.00. Furthermore, the findings indicated statistically significant differences in certain subscales of the Health locus of control scale. Specifically, there was a significant difference in the Eo scale (Circumstances) associated with the respondents’ level of education, with the highest ranks found among individuals with the lowest education level. A statistically significant difference was also observed in the factor related to respondents’ living arrangements, demonstrating a significant variation in the I scale (Internal Locus) for those who live alone. Conclusion: This study unveiled the health-related locus of control level and its correlation with demographic characteristics in older adults engaged in exercise programs. The findings provide valuable insights into the relationship between the health locus of control and specific traits of the active older population.

Motor skills in students can be developed or improved through regular physical activity such as walking in nature, Nordic walking, hiking, cycling and swimming. This study aimed to examine the relationship between motor skills and various anthropometric and health-related factors, and to appraise any differences in motor performance and body mass index (BMI) on a sample of university students from Croatia. A total of 122 students (73 of them in health programs and 49 in non-health programs) aged 18 to 44 years participated in the study. Motor abilities were evaluated using standardized motor tests, while body composition was assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis, which measured fat tissue, muscle and bone mass, metabolic age, degree of obesity, total body water, and BMI. While the groups were similar in terms of BMI and weight, students in non-health-related study programs had significantly higher values across a wide array of detailed body composition measures, particularly related to fat and muscle mass. Significant negative correlations were observed between body fat percentage and trunk lift performance (r=–0.547, p<0.01), as well as between metabolic age and trunk lift performance (r=–0.444, p<0.01) in health students. In non-health students, the strongest negative correlation was found between body fat percentage and flexibility (r=–0.467, p<0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that higher muscle mass was a positive predictor of motor performance (β=0.565, p<0.001), while higher fat mass and metabolic age were significant negative predictors (β=–0.858, p=0.049; β=–0.911, p=0.003, respectively). Students with excessive body weight consistently exhibited higher fat mass, metabolic age, as well as poorer motor outcomes. These findings underscore the impact of body composition on motor performance, particularly strength and flexibility, and highlight the need for targeted preventive strategies among university students. The study supports the implementation of early interventions promoting physical activity and healthy body composition to preserve motor abilities and long-term functional health in this critical age group – especially since lifestyle habits formed during university years tend to persist into adulthood.

According to Eurostat data, in 2022, 21.1% of the EU-28 population was older than 65 years. The population of the EU-28 will continue to age. As the population structure changes, European countries will face two challenges: rising costs of care for the elderly and a shortage of health workers to provide care to all those who need help. This scenario highlights the need for solutions that can reduce costs, reduce the burden on healthcare and social care workers (both professional civil servants and private care providers), and offer effective assistance to those in need. The significance of the education and application of safe transfer techniques stems from the fact that people with impaired physical function need help during activities of daily life, such as performing transfers from bed to chair, etc. Therefore, the goals of education in safe transfer techniques are multiple: to expand and develop the competencies of educators involved in teaching healthcare workers, increasing applicability and transferability from training/classroom to everyday work, focusing on safety and rehabilitation approach for the patient in a transfer situation, implementation of assisted living technologies to reduce injuries at work. The application of safe transfers can have a long-term effect on patient safety, reducing the outflow of people involved in the care of people with mobility difficulties, reducing injuries at work, and improving education and the working environment in the health and social care sectors. At the same time, with the growing number of the population requiring help in care, there are also difficulties in hiring health workers. Health workers who are involved in providing care during their work are exposed to physical effort, as a result of such physically demanding activities, many health workers suffer from back pain, exhaustion, or even injuries at work. Improving the education of healthcare workers and people involved in care in safe transfer techniques aims to make their working environment safer for users as well as for caregivers. The aim of this work is to present the international's project's outcomes in safe transfer techniques. Eurostat, Population structure and ageing. (pristupljeno 28.5.