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Ms. Barbara Gilic
-PhD student at Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb; Assisstant/junior researcher at Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split

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0 Agility
0 Child Health
0 Child Nutrition
0 Health & Fitness Writing
0 Performance Analysis

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Short Biography

Ph.D. student at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb. Assistant/junior researcher at the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split. Researcher at the Croatian Science Foundation's project "Preplaned and reactive agility, construction and validation of specific testing protocols, evaluation of impact factors and effectivenes of transformation protocols".

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Journal article
Published: 05 August 2021 in Biology
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Vitamin D level is known to be a factor potentially influencing physical fitness, but few studies have examined this phenomenon among youth athletes. We aimed to evaluate the associations of vitamin D levels (as measured by 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations—25(OH)D) with various physical fitness and motor performance tests in youth football (soccer) players. This cross-sectional study included a total of 52 youth soccer players (15.98 ± 2.26 years old) from Southern Croatia. The participants were evaluated at the end of the winter period and data were collected of anthropometric measures (body mass and body height), vitamin D status (25(OH)D levels), physical fitness tests (sprints of 10 and 20 m, 20 yards test, the countermovement jump, the reactive strength index (RSI)) and motor performance tests (the soccer-specific CODS, the soccer-specific agility, and static balance). Among the studied players, 54% had 25(OH)D insufficiency/deficiency, showing a lack of 25(OH)D is widespread even in youth athletes living at a southern latitude. The 25(OH)D level was correlated with sprint 20 m, 20 yards tests, and RSI, showing a greater role of 25(OH)D in physical fitness tests where energetic capacity is essential than in sport-related motor performance tests where skills are crucial. Our results support the idea that vitamin D can play a determinant role in physical fitness tests with a clear physiological component, but is not crucial in motor performance tests related to specific sports where skills are a key component. Future studies should investigate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the performance in physical fitness and motor performance tests among youth athletes.

ACS Style

Barbara Gilic; Jelena Kosor; David Jimenez-Pavon; Josko Markic; Zeljka Karin; Daniela Domic; Damir Sekulic. Associations of Vitamin D Levels with Physical Fitness and Motor Performance; A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players from Southern Croatia. Biology 2021, 10, 751 .

AMA Style

Barbara Gilic, Jelena Kosor, David Jimenez-Pavon, Josko Markic, Zeljka Karin, Daniela Domic, Damir Sekulic. Associations of Vitamin D Levels with Physical Fitness and Motor Performance; A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players from Southern Croatia. Biology. 2021; 10 (8):751.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barbara Gilic; Jelena Kosor; David Jimenez-Pavon; Josko Markic; Zeljka Karin; Daniela Domic; Damir Sekulic. 2021. "Associations of Vitamin D Levels with Physical Fitness and Motor Performance; A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players from Southern Croatia." Biology 10, no. 8: 751.

Brief report
Published: 05 June 2021 in Healthcare
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It was established that the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in decreased physical activity levels, potentially leading to reduced physical fitness. The aim of this research was to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on fitness indices in adolescents. We observed high school adolescents (33% girls; aged 15–17 years) divided into two cohorts. The first cohort (control; n = 48) included adolescents who were in school during the 2018/2019 year, while the second cohort (lockdown; n = 66) was observed during the school year 2019/2020 when COVID-19 lockdown measures were imposed. Variables included body height, body mass, BMI, sit-ups, and the 600 m dash. Both cohorts were tested at the beginning and at the end of the observed school years. A factorial analysis of variance for repeated measurements evidenced an improvement in sit-ups and the 600 m dash in the control, and a decrease of the same capacities in the lockdown cohort. In the lockdown cohort, a decrease in muscular fitness was more evident in boys than in girls. No differential changes between cohorts were evidenced in anthropometrics. Results suggest that the COVID-19 lockdown negatively influenced muscular fitness status in adolescents, especially in boys.

ACS Style

Mirela Sunda; Barbara Gilic; Ivan Peric; Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic; Damir Sekulic. Evidencing the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Lockdown Measures on Fitness Status in Adolescents: A Preliminary Report. Healthcare 2021, 9, 681 .

AMA Style

Mirela Sunda, Barbara Gilic, Ivan Peric, Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic, Damir Sekulic. Evidencing the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Lockdown Measures on Fitness Status in Adolescents: A Preliminary Report. Healthcare. 2021; 9 (6):681.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Mirela Sunda; Barbara Gilic; Ivan Peric; Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic; Damir Sekulic. 2021. "Evidencing the Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Lockdown Measures on Fitness Status in Adolescents: A Preliminary Report." Healthcare 9, no. 6: 681.

Journal article
Published: 27 May 2021 in International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health
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The physical activity level (PAL) has significantly decreased as a result of the social distancing and lockdown related to the COVID‑19 pandemic, but there is a lack of knowledge on the correlates of PAL during the pandemic. The aim of this research was to examine the influence of pre-pandemic sports participation and substance use and misuse (SUM) on PAL during the COVID‑19 pandemic. The study included 661 high-school students from Bosnia and Herzegovina (aged 15-18 years, 292 females). The investigation included 2 testing waves: before the COVID‑19 pandemic (baseline, January 2020) and during the COVID‑19 lockdown (follow-up, April 2020). The variables included PAL as measured by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents, sports factors, and SUM. Sports factors at baseline were positively correlated with PALs at both baseline and follow-up. Smoking tobacco negatively affected PALs at both baseline and follow-up. Alcohol consumption was positively correlated with PAL at baseline but had no effect on PAL at follow-up. This study confirmed the importance of sports participation in maintaining PAL during challenging situations, such as the COVID‑19 lockdown. The substance-specific influence of SUM on PAL before and during the lockdown points to evident social and cultural aspects of SUM behaviors in adolescents. Further studies evidencing the cumulative effects of PAL decline during the lockdown are warranted.

ACS Style

Barbara Gilic; Natasa Zenic; Vlatko Separovic; Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic; Damir Sekulic. Evidencing the influence of pre-pandemic sports participation and substance misuse on physical activity during the COVID‑19 lockdown: a prospective analysis among older adolescents. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health 2021, 34, 151 -163.

AMA Style

Barbara Gilic, Natasa Zenic, Vlatko Separovic, Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic, Damir Sekulic. Evidencing the influence of pre-pandemic sports participation and substance misuse on physical activity during the COVID‑19 lockdown: a prospective analysis among older adolescents. International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health. 2021; 34 (2):151-163.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barbara Gilic; Natasa Zenic; Vlatko Separovic; Anamarija Jurcev Savicevic; Damir Sekulic. 2021. "Evidencing the influence of pre-pandemic sports participation and substance misuse on physical activity during the COVID‑19 lockdown: a prospective analysis among older adolescents." International Journal of Occupational Medicine and Environmental Health 34, no. 2: 151-163.

Journal article
Published: 03 September 2020 in Children
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Parental and familial factors influence numerous aspects of adolescents’ lives, including their physical activity level (PAL). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the changes in PAL which occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to evaluate influence of sociodemographic and parental/familial factors on PAL levels before and during pandemic in adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina. The sample included 688 adolescents (15–18 years of age; 322 females) who were tested on two occasions: in January 2020 (baseline; before the COVID-19 pandemic) and in April 2020 (follow-up; during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown). Variables included PAL (measured by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents–PAQ-A) as well as sociodemographic-, parental-, and familial factors. A significant decline in PALs was recorded between baseline and follow-up (t-test: 11.88, p < 0.001). Approximately 50% of adolescents underwent sufficient PAL at baseline, while only 24% of them were achieving sufficient PAL at the time of follow-up measurement. Paternal education was positively correlated (OR (95%CI): baseline: 6.63 (4.58–9.96), follow-up: 3.33 (1.19–7.01)), while familial conflict was negatively correlated (baseline: 0.72 (0.57–0.90), follow-up: 0.77 (0.60–0.99)) with PALs before and during the pandemic. This study highlights the importance of the parent–child relationship and parental/familiar support in promoting physical activity both during regular life and during crises and health challenging situations like the COVID-19 pandemic.

ACS Style

Barbara Gilic; Ljerka Ostojic; Marin Corluka; Tomislav Volaric; Damir Sekulic. Contextualizing Parental/Familial Influence on Physical Activity in Adolescents before and during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Analysis. Children 2020, 7, 125 .

AMA Style

Barbara Gilic, Ljerka Ostojic, Marin Corluka, Tomislav Volaric, Damir Sekulic. Contextualizing Parental/Familial Influence on Physical Activity in Adolescents before and during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Analysis. Children. 2020; 7 (9):125.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Barbara Gilic; Ljerka Ostojic; Marin Corluka; Tomislav Volaric; Damir Sekulic. 2020. "Contextualizing Parental/Familial Influence on Physical Activity in Adolescents before and during COVID-19 Pandemic: A Prospective Analysis." Children 7, no. 9: 125.

Journal article
Published: 09 June 2020 in Applied Sciences
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The COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing implemented shortly after influence physical activity levels (PALs). The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the changes in PAL and factors associated with PALs among Croatian adolescents while considering the impact of community (urban vs. rural living environment). The sample included 823 adolescents (mean age: 16.5 ± 2.1 years) who were tested on baseline (from October 2019 to March 2020; before COVID-19 pandemic in Croatia) and follow-up (in April 2020; during the COVID-19 pandemic and imposed rules of social distancing). Baseline testing included anthropometrics, physical fitness status, and evaluation of PALs, while follow-up included only PALs (evaluated by a standardized questionnaire through an internet application). The results showed a significant influence of the living environment on the decrease of PAL, with a larger decrease in urban adolescents. Logistic regression showed a higher likelihood for normal PALs at baseline in adolescents who had better fitness status, with no strong confounding effect of the urban/rural environment. The fitness status of urban adolescents predicted their PALs at follow-up. The differences between urban and rural adolescents with regard to the established changes in PALs and relationships between the predictors and PALs are explained by the characteristics of the living communities (lack of organized sports in rural areas), and the level of social distancing in the studied period and region/country.

ACS Style

Natasa Zenic; Redha Taiar; Barbara Gilic; Mateo Blazevic; Dora Maric; Haris Pojskic; Damir Sekulic. Levels and Changes of Physical Activity in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Contextualizing Urban vs. Rural Living Environment. Applied Sciences 2020, 10, 3997 .

AMA Style

Natasa Zenic, Redha Taiar, Barbara Gilic, Mateo Blazevic, Dora Maric, Haris Pojskic, Damir Sekulic. Levels and Changes of Physical Activity in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Contextualizing Urban vs. Rural Living Environment. Applied Sciences. 2020; 10 (11):3997.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Natasa Zenic; Redha Taiar; Barbara Gilic; Mateo Blazevic; Dora Maric; Haris Pojskic; Damir Sekulic. 2020. "Levels and Changes of Physical Activity in Adolescents during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Contextualizing Urban vs. Rural Living Environment." Applied Sciences 10, no. 11: 3997.

Journal article
Published: 15 May 2020 in Sustainability
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Background: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, global authorities have imposed rules of social distancing that directly influence overall physical activity in populations. The aim of this study was to evaluate the trends of changes in physical-activity levels (PALs) in adolescents and factors that may be associated with PALs among the studied boys and girls. Methods: Participants in this prospective study comprised 388 adolescents (126 females; mean age: 16.4 ± 1.9 years) from southern Croatia who were tested at a baseline (before the imposed rules of social distancing) and at a follow-up measurement (three weeks after the initiation). Baseline testing included anthropometric variables, variables of fitness status (done at the beginning of the school year), and PALs. At the follow-up, participants were tested on PALs. PALs were evaluated over an online platform using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Adolescents. Results: A significant decrease of PALs was evidenced for the total sample (t-test = 3.46, p < 0.001), which was primarily influenced by a significant decrease of PALs in boys (t-test = 5.15, p < 0.001). The fitness status (jumping capacity, abdominal strength, aerobic endurance, and anaerobic endurance) was systematically positively correlated with PALs at the baseline and follow-up among boys and girls, with the most evident association between aerobic and anaerobic endurance capacities and PALs. Correlations between anthropometric and fitness variables with changes in physical activity (e.g., the difference between baseline and follow-up PALs) were negligible. Conclusions: Differences in PAL changes between genders were probably related to the fact that PALs among boys were mostly related to participation in organized sports. Correlations between baseline fitness status and PALs indicated the importance of overall physical literacy in preserving PALs in challenging circumstances, such as the COVID-19 pandemic observed here.

ACS Style

Damir Sekulic; Mateo Blazevic; Barbara Gilic; Ivan Kvesic; Natasa Zenic. Prospective Analysis of Levels and Correlates of Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Rules of Social Distancing; Gender Specific Study among Adolescents from Southern Croatia. Sustainability 2020, 12, 4072 .

AMA Style

Damir Sekulic, Mateo Blazevic, Barbara Gilic, Ivan Kvesic, Natasa Zenic. Prospective Analysis of Levels and Correlates of Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Rules of Social Distancing; Gender Specific Study among Adolescents from Southern Croatia. Sustainability. 2020; 12 (10):4072.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Damir Sekulic; Mateo Blazevic; Barbara Gilic; Ivan Kvesic; Natasa Zenic. 2020. "Prospective Analysis of Levels and Correlates of Physical Activity during COVID-19 Pandemic and Imposed Rules of Social Distancing; Gender Specific Study among Adolescents from Southern Croatia." Sustainability 12, no. 10: 4072.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2020 in Biomedical Human Kinetics
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Summary Study aim: The aim of this study was to determine the fitness profiles of senior and junior futsal players and to identify potential differences between the studied age groups. Materials and methods: 44 male futsal players from 5 professional futsal teams participated in this study. Subjects were divided into two age groups (seniors [>18 years; n = 26] vs juniors [<18 years of age; n = 18]). Players were tested for anthropometrics (body mass, body height and body fat percentage), jumping capacity (countermovement jump and standing broad jump), kicking speed (for dominant and non-dominant leg), sprinting capacity (5- and 10-meter sprints), 20-yard test, futsal-specific reactive agility, and futsal-specific change-of-direction speed tests. Results: No significant differences between age groups were apparent for anthropometrics. Seniors achieved better results than juniors in tests of kicking speed, for both the dominant (106.81 ± 6.94 km/h and 100.94 ± 5.33 km/h, respectively, t-test: 3.02 [p < 0.001], Cohen’s d: 1.02) and nondominant leg (95.54 ± 8.57 km/h and 85.28 ± 8.71 km/h, respectively, t-test: 3.88 [p < 0.001], Cohen’s d: 1.25). Conclusions: Seniors did not achieve significantly better results than juniors in most of the observed variables. Since the maximum biological maturity occurs up to 18 years, and studied juniors were in their late adolescence, we can assume that differences between groups are related to other indices (i.e. technical skills, tactical knowledge).

ACS Style

Damir Sekulic; Barbara Gilic; Nikola Foretic; Miodrag Spasic; Ognjen Uljević; Šime Veršić. Fitness profiles of professional futsal players: identifying age-related differences. Biomedical Human Kinetics 2020, 12, 212 -220.

AMA Style

Damir Sekulic, Barbara Gilic, Nikola Foretic, Miodrag Spasic, Ognjen Uljević, Šime Veršić. Fitness profiles of professional futsal players: identifying age-related differences. Biomedical Human Kinetics. 2020; 12 (1):212-220.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Damir Sekulic; Barbara Gilic; Nikola Foretic; Miodrag Spasic; Ognjen Uljević; Šime Veršić. 2020. "Fitness profiles of professional futsal players: identifying age-related differences." Biomedical Human Kinetics 12, no. 1: 212-220.

Conference paper
Published: 01 January 2020 in Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology
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Purpose: Agility is an important determinant of success in football (soccer), but there is a lack of reliable and valid tests applicable in the evaluation of different agility components in youth football players. In this study we evaluated the reliability and factorial validity of the two newly developed tests of agility in male youth football players. Methods: The sample comprised 44 youth football players (all males, 14–15 years of age) who were tested on anthropometrics (body height and mass), newly developed tests of foot-ball specific reactive agility (FS-RAG) and change of direction speed (FS-CODS), one stand-ard test of CODS (20-yards), and sprinting over 20-m distance (S20M). The relative reliability is evaluated by calculation of Intra-Class-Correlation coeficients (ICC), while the absolute reliability was evaluated by calculation of the coeficient of variation (CV). Further, systematic bias was checked by analysis of variance for repeated measurements (ANOVA). The asso-ciations between studied variables were evidenced by Pearson’s correlation. Finally, factor analysis was calculated to define the factorial validity of agility tests (FS-RAG, FS-CODS, 20-yards). Results: The newly developed football-specific tests were found to be reliable, with better re-liability of FS-CODS (ICC: 0.81, CV: 6%), than of FS-RAG (ICC: 0.76, CV: 9%). The ANOVA evidenced significant (p < 0.05) learning effects for FS-RAG, but post-hoc analysis indicated stabilization of the results until the third testing trial. Factor analysis extracted one significant factor under the Guttmann-Kaiser criterion (Explained Variance: 1.67), showing the appro-priate factorial validity of newly developed tests in comparison to standard agility indicator 20-yards. Meanwhile, the significant correlations between all agility performances with S20M (Pearson’s R: 0.52–0.63; all p < 0.01) revealed that sprinting capacity significantly influence agility performances and that conditioning capacities of youth football players are not yet discriminated. Conclusion: Results showed appropriate reliability and validity of the newly developed tests of football specific change of direction speed and reactive agility. Therefore, here proposed FS-CODS and FS-RAG can be used as reliable and valid measures of agility components in youth football players. Further studies should evaluate the discriminative validity of the here proposed tests (i.e. identification of position-specific or performance-related differences), as well as reliability in younger players than those studied herein.

ACS Style

Nikola Foretic; Barbara Gilic; Damir Sekulic. Reliability and validity of the newly developed tests of football specific change of direction speed and reactive agility in youth players. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Nikola Foretic, Barbara Gilic, Damir Sekulic. Reliability and validity of the newly developed tests of football specific change of direction speed and reactive agility in youth players. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology. 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Nikola Foretic; Barbara Gilic; Damir Sekulic. 2020. "Reliability and validity of the newly developed tests of football specific change of direction speed and reactive agility in youth players." Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology , no. : 1.

Conference paper
Published: 01 January 2020 in Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology
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Purpose: Vitamin D is known to have a significant role in numerous body-system processes. Specifically, it has an impact on muscle functioning and, therefore sports performance. Chil-dren and adolescents have increased need for vitamin D because of its importance in growth and development, and it is evident that they are more susceptible to have vitamin D deficien-cy. Consequently, vitamin D status is particularly important issue in youth competitive sport. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insuficiency (measured as 25(OH)D concentration), and the possible associations between vitamin D, with age, maturity status, sprinting- and jumping-performance among youth soccer players. Methods: The sample of participants in this research comprised 62 youth soccer players (age: 15.7 ± 2.2 years). They were divided into two categories according to 25(OH)D levels measured at the end of the winter season: group with inadequate levels of 25(OH)D (vitamin D deficiency/insuficiency [ 75 nmol/L]). Biological maturity status (maturity offset) was calculated from participants age and height by the following equation: Maturity offset = −7.999994 + (0.0036124 × (age(yrs.) × height(cm)). Performance variables were 10 meters sprint test (S10m) and countermovement jump test (CMJ). Results: Results showed relatively good 25(OH)D concentrations (78.32 ± 23.39 nmol/L), with prevalence of deficiency ( < 50 nmol/L) in 8.06%, and insuficiency (50–75 nmol/L) in 46.77% athletes. Significant correlations were evidenced between the CMJ and 25(OH)D level (R = 0.27, p < 0.05), but chronological age was also correlated with CMJ (R = 0.64, p < 0.05). Further, higher chronological age was found in participants with suficient vitamin D levels (15.1 ± 2.4 vs. 16.4 ± 1.6 years; t-test = 2.43, p < 0.05). However, no significant as-sociation was evidenced between vitamin D and maturity status. Conclusion: Vitamin D groups significantly differed by chronological age but not by maturity status, which collectively with correlation between CMJ and vitamin D status indicates that both vitamin D status and performance in youth soccer players is actually influenced by chronological age. Meanwhile, biological age doesn’t have a significant physiological influ-ence on vitamin D concentration, while some external factors (i.e. time spent outdoors, pa-rental control, sunscreen usage), should be considered important.

ACS Style

Ivan Peric; Barbara Gilic; Mateo Blazevic. Vitamin D status among youth soccer players; association with chronological age, maturity status, jumping and sprinting performance. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology 2020, 1 .

AMA Style

Ivan Peric, Barbara Gilic, Mateo Blazevic. Vitamin D status among youth soccer players; association with chronological age, maturity status, jumping and sprinting performance. Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology. 2020; ():1.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ivan Peric; Barbara Gilic; Mateo Blazevic. 2020. "Vitamin D status among youth soccer players; association with chronological age, maturity status, jumping and sprinting performance." Proceedings of the 12th International Conference on Kinanthropology , no. : 1.

Journal article
Published: 01 January 2020 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Reactive agility (RAG) and change of direction speed (CODS) are important determinants of success in football (soccer), but there is an evident lack of information on reliable and valid football-specific testing procedures which will be applicable in defining sport-specific RAG and CODS in youth players. This study evaluated reliability and construct validity of newly developed tests of football-specific RAG (FS_RAG) and CODS (FS_CODS), which involved the ball kicking football technique. Additionally, factors associated with FS_RAG and FS_CODS were evaluated. The participants were youth football players (n = 59; age: 13.40 ± 1.25 years) divided according to their age into U13 (11–12 years of age; n = 29), and U15 (13–14 years of age; n = 30) categories. Additionally, performance levels (starters [first-team] vs. non-starters [substitutes]) were observed in each age category. The dependent variables were newly developed FS_RAG and FS_CODS tests. The independent variables were sprinting capacities over 10 and 20 meters (S10M, S20M), countermovement jump (CMJ), the reactive strength index (RSI), and a generic CODS test of 20 yards (20Y). The newly developed FS_CODS and FS_RAG were observed as dependent variables. Results showed appropriate intra-testing and inter-testing reliability of the FS_RAG and FS_CODS, with somewhat better reliability of the FS_CODS (ICC=0.82 and 0.79, respectively). Additionally, better reliability was evidenced in U15 than in U13 (ICC: 0.82–0.85, and 0.78-0.80 for U15 and U13, respectively). Independent samples t-test indicated significant differences between U13 and U15 in S10 (t-test: 3.57, p < 0.001), S20M (t-test: 3.13, p < 0.001), 20Y (t-test: 4.89, p < 0.001), FS_RAG (t-test: 3.96, p < 0.001), and FS_CODS (t-test: 6.42, p < 0.001), with better performance in U15. Starters outperformed non-starters in most capacities among U13, but only in FS_RAG among U15 (t-test: 1.56, p < 0.05). Multiple regression calculations indicated nonsignificant association between independent and dependent variables in U13 (FS_CODS: 19%, FS_RAG: 21% of the explained variance, both p > 0.05), but independent variables explained significant proportion of both dependent variables in U15 (FS_CODS: 35%, FS_RAG: 33% explained variance, both p < 0.05). The study confirmed the applicability of newly developed tests in distinguishing studied age categories of players. Results indicate that superiority in all studied fitness capacities is translated into performance level in U13. Meanwhile, FS_RAG seems to be important determinant of quality in U15.

ACS Style

Ante Krolo; Barbara Gilic; Nikola Foretic; Haris Pojskic; Raouf Hammami; Miodrag Spasic; Ognjen Uljevic; Sime Versic; Damir Sekulic. Agility Testing in Youth Football (Soccer)Players; Evaluating Reliability, Validity, and Correlates of Newly Developed Testing Protocols. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2020, 17, 294 .

AMA Style

Ante Krolo, Barbara Gilic, Nikola Foretic, Haris Pojskic, Raouf Hammami, Miodrag Spasic, Ognjen Uljevic, Sime Versic, Damir Sekulic. Agility Testing in Youth Football (Soccer)Players; Evaluating Reliability, Validity, and Correlates of Newly Developed Testing Protocols. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17 (1):294.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Ante Krolo; Barbara Gilic; Nikola Foretic; Haris Pojskic; Raouf Hammami; Miodrag Spasic; Ognjen Uljevic; Sime Versic; Damir Sekulic. 2020. "Agility Testing in Youth Football (Soccer)Players; Evaluating Reliability, Validity, and Correlates of Newly Developed Testing Protocols." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 1: 294.

Journal article
Published: 04 September 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Physical activity, body mass, and dietary habits are known to be important determinants of overall health status, but there is an evident lack of studies that examine these issues specifically in preschool children. The aim of this study was to identify associations that may exist between adhering to the Mediterranean diet (MD), levels of physical activity (PA), and body composition indices in apparently healthy preschool children from southern Croatia. Participants were 5- to 6-year-old preschoolers from the Mediterranean part of the country (the Split-Dalmatia County; n = 260, 126 females). Adherence to the MD was observed by the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), PA level was evaluated by the Preschool-age Children's Physical Activity Questionnaire (Pre-PAQ), and responses were collected from the parents. The participants' waist circumferences (in cm), waist-to-hip ratios, and body mass index (in kg/m2, and in a z-score calculated relative to the normative value for age and sex) were used as indicators of body composition. All children were of the same age and tested over a one-month period of the same year as a part of the regular examination undertaken before attending elementary school. With only 6% of the children having a low KIDMED score, adherence to the MD was high. MD adherence was higher in girls (Chi-square = 15.31, p < 0.01) and children who live on the coast of the Adriatic Sea (Chi-square = 18.51, p < 0.01). A mixed effects logistic regression (with kindergarten as random factor) identified sedentary activity to be negatively associated with MD adherence (OR per point: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44-0.91). High adherence to the MD in the studied sample may be attributed to regulated feeding in kindergarten. Considering that most Croatian elementary schools do not provide food to their students, MD adherence should be investigated later in life and also in other parts of the country where the MD is culturally less prevalent.

ACS Style

Lejla Obradovic Salcin; Zeljka Karin; Vesna Miljanovic Damjanovic; Marko Ostojic; Andrea Vrdoljak; Barbara Gilic; Damir Sekulic; Maja Lang-Morovic; Josko Markic; Dorica Sajber. Physical Activity, Body Mass, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 3237 .

AMA Style

Lejla Obradovic Salcin, Zeljka Karin, Vesna Miljanovic Damjanovic, Marko Ostojic, Andrea Vrdoljak, Barbara Gilic, Damir Sekulic, Maja Lang-Morovic, Josko Markic, Dorica Sajber. Physical Activity, Body Mass, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (18):3237.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Lejla Obradovic Salcin; Zeljka Karin; Vesna Miljanovic Damjanovic; Marko Ostojic; Andrea Vrdoljak; Barbara Gilic; Damir Sekulic; Maja Lang-Morovic; Josko Markic; Dorica Sajber. 2019. "Physical Activity, Body Mass, and Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Analysis in the Split-Dalmatia County (Croatia)." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 18: 3237.

Journal article
Published: 04 September 2019 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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The purpose of this study was to determine the inter- and intra-testing reliability of newly developed tests of the change of direction speed (CODS) and reactive agility (RAG) in competitive futsal players. Additionally, the developed tests were evaluated for their validity with regard to the differentiation of two performance-levels. Thirty-two professional male futsal players (age = 26.22 ± 5.22 years; body height = 182.13 ± 5.99 cm, body mass = 77.43 ± 8.00 kg) participated in the study. The sample was divided into two groups based on their level of futsal performance: A top-level-group (n = 12) and a team-level-group (n = 20). The variables included body height, mass, body mass index, a sprint over a 10-m distance (S10M), and eight newly developed futsal specific CODS and RAG tests. The CODS and RAG tests were performed by dribbling the balls (CODS_D and RAG_D) and without dribbling (CODS_T and RAG_T), and the performances on the dominant and non-dominant sides were observed separately. All CODS, and RAG tests performed on dominant side and RAG_T tests performed on the non-dominant side had good inter-testing (CV = 5-8%; ICC = 0.76-0.89) and intra-testing (CV = 4-9%; ICC = 0.77-0.91) reliability. However, RAG_D performed on the non-dominant side was not reliable (ICC = 0.60, CV = 10%). The top-level-players outperformed the team-level-players in the CODS and RAG tests that involved dribbling (t-test: 4.28 and 2.40, p < 0.05; effect sizes (ES): 0.81 and 1.5, respectively), while the team-level players achieved better results in the CODS_T (t-test: 2.08, p < 0.05; ES: 0.60). The proposed CODS and RAG tests that involved dribbling over a 3.2-m distance, especially on the dominant side, appeared to be reliable, as well as valid for distinguishing the performance level in futsal players.

ACS Style

Damir Sekulic; Nikola Foretic; Barbara Gilic; Michael R. Esco; Raouf Hammami; Ognjen Uljevic; Sime Versic; Miodrag Spasic. Importance of Agility Performance in Professional Futsal Players; Reliability and Applicability of Newly Developed Testing Protocols. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2019, 16, 3246 .

AMA Style

Damir Sekulic, Nikola Foretic, Barbara Gilic, Michael R. Esco, Raouf Hammami, Ognjen Uljevic, Sime Versic, Miodrag Spasic. Importance of Agility Performance in Professional Futsal Players; Reliability and Applicability of Newly Developed Testing Protocols. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2019; 16 (18):3246.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Damir Sekulic; Nikola Foretic; Barbara Gilic; Michael R. Esco; Raouf Hammami; Ognjen Uljevic; Sime Versic; Miodrag Spasic. 2019. "Importance of Agility Performance in Professional Futsal Players; Reliability and Applicability of Newly Developed Testing Protocols." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 16, no. 18: 3246.

Journal article
Published: 08 November 2018 in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
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Vitamin D deficiency is a globally important problem, particularly in children, but there is a lack of information regarding this deficiency in preschool children from southeastern Europe. This study aimed to establish the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and associations of gender, time spent outdoors, physical activity (PA), and body mass index (as predictors) with the 25(OH)D level (outcome) in healthy preschool children. The participants were preschoolers (all 5–6 years of age) from southern Croatia. All the participants were tested during their mandatory medical examination 6–7 months prior to school enrollment. The PA was obtained using the preschool-age physical activity questionnaire (Pre-PAQ), which categorizes PA into five levels (from sedentary to vigorous PA). The prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency was high: 58% of the children had 25(OH)D levels of 75 nmol/L) as the reference value identified gender as the only significant predictor of 25(OH)D status, with boys being at lower risk for 25(OH)D deficiency than girls. These results showed a high prevalence of 25(OH)D deficiency in preschoolers from the southern part of Croatia, which is additionally alarming based on the geographical position of the studied region (42° N) and its high number of sunshine hours (>2600 h per year). Future studies examining other potential correlates of 25(OH)D in the region are warranted.

ACS Style

Zeljka Karin; Barbara Gilic; Daniela Supe Domic; Zdenko Sarac; Katarina Ercegovic; Natasa Zenic; Ognjen Uljevic; Mia Peric; Josko Markic. Vitamin D Status and Analysis of Specific Correlates in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Croatia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 2018, 15, 2503 .

AMA Style

Zeljka Karin, Barbara Gilic, Daniela Supe Domic, Zdenko Sarac, Katarina Ercegovic, Natasa Zenic, Ognjen Uljevic, Mia Peric, Josko Markic. Vitamin D Status and Analysis of Specific Correlates in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Croatia. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2018; 15 (11):2503.

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zeljka Karin; Barbara Gilic; Daniela Supe Domic; Zdenko Sarac; Katarina Ercegovic; Natasa Zenic; Ognjen Uljevic; Mia Peric; Josko Markic. 2018. "Vitamin D Status and Analysis of Specific Correlates in Preschool Children: A Cross-Sectional Study in Southern Croatia." International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 15, no. 11: 2503.