Adolescence is considered to be the most important period for the prevention of substance use and misuse (SUM). The aim of this study was to investigate the problem of SUM and to establish potentially important factors associated with SUM in Kosovar adolescents. Multi-stage simple random sampling was used to select participants. At the end of their high school education, 980 adolescents (623 females) ages 17 to 19 years old were enrolled in the study. The prevalence of smoking, alcohol consumption (measured by Alcohol Use Disorder Identification Test–AUDIT), and illegal drug use (dependent variables), as well as socio-demographic, scholastic, familial, and sports-related factors (independent variables), were assessed. Boys smoke cigarettes more often than girls with daily-smoking prevalence of 16% among boys and 9% among girls (OR = 1.85, 95% = CI 1.25–2.75). The prevalence of harmful drinking (i.e., AUDIT scores of >10) is found to be alarming (41% and 37% for boys and girls, respectively; OR = 1.13, 95% CI = 0.87–1.48), while 17% of boys and 9% of girls used illegal drugs (OR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.35–2.95). The behavioral grade (observed as: excellent–average-poor) is the factor that was most significantly correlated with SUM both in boys and girls, with lower behavioral grades among those adolescents who consume substances. In girls, lower maternal education levels were associated with a decreased likelihood of SUM, whereas sports achievement was negatively associated with risky drinking. In boys, sports achievement decreased the likelihood of daily smoking. Information on the factors associated with SUM should be disseminated among sports and school authorities.

Background/Objectives: Physical literacy (PL) is globally recognized as a foundational determinant of health status in children, but the effects of interventions based on PL were rarely studied in preadolescent children. The aim of this quasi-experimental, school-based study was to evaluate the potential effects of a PL intervention delivered during regular school hours on physical fitness (PF), physical literacy (PL), and physical activity (PA) in children aged 9 to 11 years from southern Croatia. Methods: Participants were 125 preadolescents (57 girls), and were grouped into a control group (C = 70), and an experimental group (E, n = 55). The E group participated in a specific PL-focused education, integrated into regular physical education (PE) lessons as a 5–6 min substitute for standard PE content, over 12 weeks (36 PE classes in total). The C group participated in the standard PE curriculum. A pre–post–retention design was used, and the observed variables included anthropometrics (height, weight, BMI), PF (jumping power, abdominal strength, upper body strength, flexibility, mobility, and cardiovascular endurance), PL (evaluated by the PLAYself questionnaire), and indirectly measured PA (estimated via the PAQ-C questionnaire). Multivariate (MANOVA and univariate (ANOVA) analyses of variance for repeated measurements were used with time, gender, and group as the main effects, including their interactions. Results: MANOVA calculated for a set of PF variables revealed significant main effects for time (F = 1361, p < 0.001) and a significant time × group interaction (F = 2.98, p < 0.05). Univariate ANOVA indicated specific intervention effects for jumping power and abdominal strength, favoring the E group. No significant differential effects were observed for PL or PA. Conclusions: The study demonstrated small, but statistically significant, improvements in PF indicators among children exposed to the PL-based intervention. Notably, the intervention was conducted in authentic school settings using standard resources, supporting the ecological validity and real-world applicability of the findings.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the role of participation in adaptive sports in the process of social reintegration among individuals with acquired physical disabilities, with a specific focus on para alpine skiing. Particular attention was given to the development of athletic identity and life satisfaction. Methods: This qualitative study formed part of a broader sequential mixed-method investigation. Following a quantitative phase involving 129 para alpine skiers, semi-structured interviews were conducted with six purposively selected elite para alpine skiers who participated in the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympic Games to complement and deepen the quantitative findings. Data were analysed using qualitative content analysis informed by grounded theory principles, allowing for the identification of key categories and relationships within the resocialisation process. Results: The findings indicate that participation in adaptive sports, particularly para alpine skiing, plays a central role in social reintegration after disability. Athletes reported significant improvements in life satisfaction, driven by increased independence, structured daily routines, and meaningful goal-oriented activity. The reconstruction of athletic identity emerged as a key mechanism underlying psychological adaptation, contributing to enhanced self-concept and self-efficacy. In addition, participation in adaptive sports facilitated the expansion of social networks and strengthened interpersonal relationships, supporting broader social reintegration. However, the process was influenced by contextual factors, such as financial constraints and access to sports infrastructure. Conclusions: Adaptive sports participation represents a critical pathway for social reintegration, promoting life satisfaction and athletic identity development among individuals with disabilities. These findings highlight the importance of reducing structural barriers and ensuring equitable access to sport as part of comprehensive rehabilitation strategies.

Expert modelling has been represented as an important part of planning and conducting training and analysing the effects of training of different categories of competitors in Alpine skiing in Slovenia. On the basis of a heuristic approach, a model of success was formed. In the category of older boys (U16), the model consists of 17 dimensions of a motor subsystem and of 8 dimensions of a morphological subsystem; on the other hand, competitive success (the criterion variable) was assessed based on the calculation of points won in the Rauch Cup competitions in the 2015/16 season. Motor and morphological dimensions were measured on a sample of 31 active competitors in the category of older boys (U16). With the help of the SMMS program package, marks were calculated at all the levels of a potential model of success. Marks calculated for an individual competitor as well as for the whole group are used by coaches as a useful orientation when planning and conducting the training process. In the second part of the survey, we intended to establish a connection between the marks calculated by means of the expert system method (heuristic approach) and the criterion variable. The calculated Pearson’s correlation coefficient confirmed the statistically significant connection between the calculated marks (expert system method) and the actual success (points won in the Rauch Cup competitions). The result obtained (r=0.47) is a relevant indicator of the validity and appropriate configuration of a reduced model of potential success.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between physical characteristics and performance in young alpine skiers in the Super-G discipline. Methods: A sample of 42 U16 alpine skiing competitors (23 boys and 19 girls) aged 14-15 years participated in the study. The physical characteristics were measured using the Inbody 720 Body Composition Analysis and 3D Body Scan devices. Performance data was obtained from official records of the Ski Association of Slovenia for the 2018/19 U16 competitive season. Variables such as body height, body weight, thigh circumference, waist circumference, chest circumference, shoulder circumference, muscle mass percentage, fat mass percentage, body mass index, and body fat percentage were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between the physical characteristics and Super-G performance. Results: Significant correlations were found between body weight, thigh circumference, chest circumference, muscle mass percentage, and Super-G performance in boys. For girls, waist circumference, chest circumference, and body fat percentage were significantly correlated with performance. The multiple regression model explained 73% of the variance in the boys' performance and 59% in the girls', although the model itself was not statistically significant for predicting performance. Conclusion: Physical characteristics, especially muscle mass percentage and body circumferences, are significantly associated with Super-G performance in young alpine skiers. These findings underscore the importance of tailored training programs that consider individual physical characteristics to optimize competitive success in alpine skiing.