Physical Education and Sport Through The Centuries

PILATES MODALITY AND WELL-BEING: A COMPARATIVE EVALUATION OF SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC AND QUALITY OF LIFE INDICATORS IN WOMEN

Tijana Purenović-Ivanović, Danijela Živković, Anđela Đošić, Milica Filipović — Sat, 20 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Due to the everyday life stress, many individuals seek to enhance their quality of life (QoL) through physical activities that engage the whole body. Among the increasingly available techniques, the Pilates method stands out as a therapeutic and preventive model with the potential to improve QoL. The aim of this study was to examine and compare socio-demographic characteristics and QoL of women practicing Mat Pilates (MP, n=38) and Reformer Pilates (RP, n=38), aged 21–67. The analyzed baseline characteristics included age, anthropometric indicators (body height, body mass, BMI), age at menarche and menopause, duration of a single training session, and perceived exertion according to Borg’s scale. Additionally, socio-demographic factors (education level, employment, marital and living status, number of children, menstrual status, use of tobacco, alcohol or illicit substances) and Pilates-related variables (training frequency and length of practice) were collected. QoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, which evaluates four domains—physical health, psychological health, social relationships, and environment—as well as overall perception of QoL and general health. The data were analyzed (descriptive statistics, Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Mann Whitney U test) using SPSS 26.0. The obtained results showed statistically significant between-group differences (p>0.05) only in participants’ age and perceived exertion. Nevertheless, RP participants showed slightly higher QoL scores in the physical health domain (16.48±1.90 vs. 15.93±1.94), environment domain (14.33±2.30 vs. 14.09±1.96), and overall perceptions of QoL and general health (15.42±2.54 vs. 15.05±2.36). MP participants, however, scored marginally higher in psychological health (15.75±1.96 vs. 15.32±2.73) and social relationships (15.33±2.03 vs. 15.19±2.85). Overall, both groups expressed satisfaction with their QoL, with the highest levels noted in the physical health domain and the lowest in the environment domain, which encompasses financial resources, safety, health and social care, home environment, transport, etc. These findings across socio-demographic factors and QoL domains suggest that both forms of Pilates are equally accessible and beneficial forms of mind–body training among adult women.

APPLYING DANCE-BASED ACTIVITIES TO ENHANCE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND CREATIVITY IN PRESCHOOLERS – PILOT STUDY

Jozef Zentko, Ľuboslav Šiška, Jaromír Sedláček — Fri, 19 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Creative movement and dance-based activities are increasingly recognized as valuable tools for supporting motor development and creativity in early childhood. However, empirical evidence documenting their impact in preschool settings remains limited. This study examined the effects of a structured dance-movement program on physical activity levels and movement creativity in preschool children, and compared outcomes between children with and without previous dance experience. A total of 100 children aged 3–4 years participated in a single-session dance-movement intervention lasting 50 minutes, delivered in six preschool institutions in the city of Ružomberok (Slovakia). Children were categorized into two equivalent groups: those with prior dance experience (n = 50) and those without such experience (n = 50). Physical activity (PA) and creativity (CR) were assessed using systematic direct observation during 10-minute pretest and posttest movement sequences. Two independent raters evaluated each child using a 10-point scale. Data were analyzed using Descriptive statistics, Intraclass Correlation Coefficient and repeated-measures ANOVA. Inter-rater reliability was high across all measures (ICC = .60–.91). Significant improvements were observed from pretest to posttest in both PA and CR for all children (p < .01). Additionally, children with prior dance experience consistently scored higher in both domains compared with their non-experienced peers. The dance group demonstrated greater overall movement variety, rhythm responsiveness, and creative expression. A brief, structured dance-movement program effectively enhanced physical activity and creative motor expression in preschool children. Prior dance experience further amplified these outcomes. These findings support the integration of dance-based activities into early childhood education.

SPORT PARTICIPATION, SOCIAL MEDIA USE, AND MENTAL HEALTH OF SERBIAN ADOLESCENTS

Lidija Marković, Višnja Đorđić, Tatjana Tubić, Milan Cvetković, Boris Popović — Tue, 30 Dec 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Adolescents today encounter numerous challenges to their physical and mental well-being, particularly due to insufficient physical activity and intensive social media use. The aim of this study was to examine differences between students who engage in sports and those who do not. Indicators included self-rated health, life satisfaction, frequency of psychosomatic complaints, and the risk of social media use. The sample consisted of 1,761 students (843 males) from the 5th and 7th grades. About 72% participated in organized sports, and over half had been active for more than three years. Overall, 61% rated their health as excellent and 31% as very good, while 70% reported high life satisfaction. The most common psychosomatic complaints were nervousness (56%), irritability (43%), and sleep problems (35%). YouTube was the most frequently used platform (90%), followed by Viber, TikTok, and Snapchat. Regarding problematic social media use, 39% were at moderate risk, and 55% were not at risk. Compared to their non-athletic peers, student-athletes demonstrated better self-rated health, higher life satisfaction, fewer psychosomatic symptoms, and a lower likelihood of problematic social media use.

INFLUENCE OF REGULAR PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON ALPINE SKIING SKILL ACQUISITION IN CHILDREN

Eva Procházková, Gabriela Luptáková, Ema Pinkošová — Sun, 04 Jan 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Regular participation in physical activity is widely recognized as a catalyst for developing the motor prerequisites necessary for specialized sports skills. This study specifically investigated the impact of regular, organized physical activity on fundamental alpine skiing skill acquisition in school-aged children. Materials and methods: Twenty children (9 girls, 11 boys; age 9.25 ± 1.65 years) were divided into physically active (n = 10) and inactive (n = 10) groups based on their participation in organized sports. Participants were assessed using a battery of ski school-validated tests for fundamental skiing skills, including dynamic balance, turning control, gliding stability, coordinated uphill movement, and the ability to edge the skis. Due to the nonparametric nature of the data, a Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the performance of the two groups. Results. Statistical comparisons revealed no significant differences in age, height, weight, or body mass index between the active and inactive groups. Most importantly, physically active children demonstrated significantly superior performance in all fundamental skiing skill assessments (p values ranging from 0.001 to 0.007). Specific tests showing significant differences included the Forward Tandem Walking Test, Turning on Skis Test, Sliding Steps Straight Test, and Uphill Sidestep on the Slope Test. Conclusions. These findings emphasize the beneficial role of physical activity in developing skiing-related motor skills and improving alpine skiing performance in school-aged children.