Aim: The aim of this study was to determine and analyse the relations between anthropometric parameters, red blood cells’ (RBC) variables and cardio-physiological parameters in healthy and physically active children and adolescents. Material and Methods: In this study 625 subjects, (410 males and 215 females; age span 8 to 18 years) underwent body composition analysis (Matiegka method), blood analysis and ergometry testing (Bruce protocol). Results: In both groups, body height and weight were positively correlated with RBC variables. In female group almost all correlations between RBC variables and body components were insignificant. In boys all absolute body mass components showed positive correlations with RBC variables with notice that body fat mass had lowest correlation coefficient. Body fat percent (BF %) did not show any correlation with RBC variables in both gender groups. In boys BF % had moderate negative correlation with aerobic performance: exercise time (ET) and VO2max (rs = -0.41 and rs = -0.39). Lean body components showed weak positive correlations with ET and VO2max. RBC count did not show significant correlation with any cardio-physiological parameter in both groups. Haematocrit and haemoglobin showed weak positive correlations with VO2 max and general endurance (exercise time). In girls all correlations between cardio-physiological and RBC variables were insignificant. The relationship between all body components and all cardio-physiological variables in girls were statistically insignificant. Conclusions: Our findings revealed that there are some expected positive correlations between lean body mass components, aerobic performance and RBC variables in boys, while in girls such relations were not noticed.

In the handball game players occupied specific position which requires unique physiological and physical attributes relating to technical and tactical requirements of each position in order to maximize sport performance on the court. The aim of this study was to quantify anthropometrical and physiological characteristics in elite Macedonian handball players and compare them regarding four different playing positions. In this study were included55handball players, different nationality, from RNM, participated in ergometry testing with Bruce protocol and body mass analysis with bioelectrical impedance analyzer, InBody 720. The players were divided in four groups according to playing position: wings (W), backs (B), pivots (P) and goalkeepers (G). Anthropometric parameters for all players were following: mean height was 186.3±7.1 cm, weight =85.37±13.7 kg, skeletal muscle mass (SMM) = 42.04 ± 6.2 kg; BMI = 24.54±2.8; BF%=13.4 ± 4.75 and WHR = 0.85± 0.06. Regarding the position, B/W/P/G for height were: 187.14 cm /180.0 cm/191.77 cm/186.8 cm; weight: 85.72 kg/72.67 kg/ 99.67 kg/85.33 kg; body fat percent: 12.26 %/11.92 %/16.3 %/14.7 %. The mean values for maximal oxygen consumption for B/W/P/G were 48.86/44.31/44.09/47.78 ml/kg/min. The BIA parameters of body composition in handball players regarding the playing position, showed statistically significant differences for all lean body mass parameters and obesity diagnose parameters, except for the body fat percent. According the cardio-physiological parameters derived from Bruce protocol handball players at different playing position had similar aerobic capacity.

The aim of this study was to analyze the possible differences in the endurance of soccer players, based on parameters obtained by Bruce protocol, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. We designed a retrospective case-control study. Sixteen male soccer players, aged from 18 to 35 years, were included. According to the anamnestic data players were divided into two subgroups: infected (N=10) and non-infected (N=6). The general endurance and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) were assessed utilizing the Bruce sub-maximal treadmill test. Cardio-physiological parameters were taken during the pandemic period (May/ June 2021) and one year later (June 2022). The heart rate (HR) at rest showed no statistical difference between the two cohort groups before (p=0.8996) and after the pandemic (p=0.6968). HR at recovery also did not show significant difference between the cohort groups before (p=0.3719) and after the pandemic (p=0.6930). ET (exercise time) and VO2max values were without a significant difference between the groups at the two testing periods (p=0.2860; p=0.9835 and p=0.4957; p=0.9469, respectively). The difference between VO2max values for the whole soccer team before and after the pandemic was statistically significant and higher (+2.42 mL/kg/min) at the second testing point (p=0.04). The cardio-physiological parameters obtained with Bruce protocol following SARS-CoV-2 infection in male soccer players manifested no significant difference compared to non-infected participants from the same soccer club and compared to the period before pandemic. The single parameter that was different and higher after the pandemic was maximal oxygen consumption for the whole team regardless the COVID-19 status.

Monitoring of body composition and cardiophysiological parameters are main part of the general health status of handball players and significant indicators of their physical fitness. The assessment of body components, especially skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass are important because of their influence on sport performance. The aim of this study is to determine the body composition and cardiophysiological characteristics of elite handball players from Republic of North Macedonia. 27 male HB players from two top ranking teams from RNM were tested ergometrically with Bruce protocol for determination of maximal oxygen consumption; body analysis was made with bioelectrical impedance analyzer, InBody 720. Anthropometric parameters were as follows: mean height was 190.4±7.8 cm and weight 96.3±15.5 kg, skeletal muscle mass (SMM)=47.11±6.69 kg; BMI=26.38±3.1; BF%=15.04±6.01 and WHR=0.9±1.8. The result of ergometrical test produce mean VO2 max=43.92 ml/kg/min which is 100.46 % of reference value. The body composition of elite international handball players from the top handball teams in Republic of North Macedonia showed similar body components as other European handball players. The obesity diagnose parameters were negatively associated with exercise time and maximal oxygen consumption.

Background/Objectives: Previous studies have linked chronic conditions and multimorbidity to lower physical activity, but evidence across individual movement behaviours remains limited. We examined associations between the number of self-reported chronic diseases and conditions and transport-related walking, leisure time physical activity, muscle-strengthening activity and sedentary behaviour among people aged ≥15 years in Serbia. Methods: Nationally representative 2019 Serbian National Health Survey data were analysed (n = 13,076 with complete information on 17 conditions). Complex sample logistic regression models were sequentially adjusted for sociodemographic characteristics, body mass index, functional mobility and self-rated health. Additional analyses assessed linear trends and departures from linearity using all covariates except self-rated health. Results: Overall, 51.4% reported no condition, 18.0% one and 30.6% two or more. All outcomes were associated with condition status before adjustment, but most associations were attenuated after including functional mobility. After full adjustment, an overall association remained only for muscle-strengthening activity on <2 days/week (Wald F = 5.13; p = 0.006). Compared with no condition, one condition was associated with higher odds (aOR 1.60, 95% CI 1.18–2.16), but two or more were not. Each additional condition was associated with 4.5% higher odds of sitting or reclining for ≥6 h/day (aOR 1.045, 95% CI 1.006–1.087; p = 0.025). No other linear trends were identified; muscle-strengthening activity showed a departure from linearity (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Associations differed across movement behaviour domains and were attenuated particularly after including functional mobility. The number of conditions alone only partially accounted for observed differences in movement behaviours.