Nikola Milošević

Recreational football is a versatile and intense form of physical activity that can be considered an excellent alternative to traditional continuous exercise forms such as running, cycling, and swimming. This type of exercise offers numerous health benefits, including improvements in body composition, functional abilities, and motor skills. The aim of this paper is to provide a systematic review of existing research on the impact of recreational football on body composition, functional, and motor abilities. By analyzing data from relevant scientific databases such as Google Scholar, SCOPUS, and the Serbian Citation Index, studies examining the effects of recreational football in different populations, including children, adults, and the elderly, were included. The results of numerous studies indicate that recreational football can lead to a reduction in body fat, an increase in muscle mass, and improvements in cardiorespiratory endurance. Additionally, this form of physical activity contributes to enhanced coordination, speed, agility, and explosive power. The conclusion of this research is that recreational football is a highly effective form of physical activity that can contribute to the improvement of health and physical abilities, regardless of age, gender, or fitness level. It's diversity makes it an attractive type of training that not only enhances physical parameters but also encourages social interaction and the long-term adoption of an active lifestyle.

This study explores the relationship between weight categories and personality traits among male judokas, focusing on psychological differences alongside well-documented physical and performance-related attributes. The aim was to compare emotional competence, personality traits and perceived self-efficacy across lightweight, middleweight, and heavyweight judo categories. The sample included 28 male judokas with over seven years of training and national competitive success, divided into lighter (n=15; -60kg, -66kg, -73kg and 81kg) and heavier (n=13; -90kg, -100kg and +100kg) categories. Psychological traits were assessed using the Emotional Competence Questionnaire, HEXACO-PI-R, PANAS, and the Perceived Social Self-Efficacy Scale. Statistical analyses included independent samples t-tests, Pearson correlations, and canonical discriminant analysis. The findings revealed significant differences in emotionality, with lightweight and middleweight judokas exhibiting higher levels compared to heavyweights. Heavier judokas displayed lower emotional expressiveness and a lower ability of managing emotions, along with reduced negative affect. In contrast, lighter judokas demonstrated higher openness to experience, conscientiousness, and cooperativeness. Additionally, conscientiousness correlated positively with age. These results highlight the need for tailored coaching approaches to address the distinct psychological profiles of judokas in different weight categories. While heavyweight judokas may require support to identify and manage latent psychological needs, lightweight athletes could benefit from enhanced emotional support.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of resistance training on stable versus unstable surfaces on strength performance in young judokas. Methods: The study included 18 young judokas (age: 13.2 ± 1.2 years) with 4.7 years of training experience assigned to either the URT (unstable resistance training) group or the STG (stable resistance training) group. Both groups performed the bench press and squat exercise for 12 weeks (3 sessions/week, 30–40 min each), with one group performing on the stable surface and the other on the unstable surface. The tests included the 1RM bench press and squat, maximal power output during bench press and squat (Pmax), abdominal strength test (AB60), and the standing long jump (SLJ). Results: Statistical analyses revealed a group × time interaction for AB60 (p < 0.02) in favor of the URT group. Significant main effects of time (p < 0.01) for the 1RM bench press, 1RM squat, bench press power, AB60, and SLJ were found. There were no significant effects for squat maximal power in both groups (p ˃ 0.05). Conclusions: Both unstable and stable resistance training effectively improved maximal strength and performance in adolescent judokas, with unstable training offering additional benefits in abdominal strength.

This cross-sectional study examined parents’ attitudes, their support, and perceptions of school involvement in school sports using a newly developed Parental Attitudes and Support for School Sports and Perceptions of School Involvement Questionnaire (PASSIQ). The study also examined the association between parents' gender and children's sports participation concerning these attitudes and support levels. A total of 380 parents were included in the study, with 341 valid responses analyzed. Our findings indicate that higher levels of parental support are strongly associated with more positive attitudes toward school sports (p < 0.001). While perceptions of school support showed a marginally significant positive relationship (p = 0.083), extended participation in sports was generally associated with lower parental attitudes, potentially reflecting concerns about burnout or shifting perceptions over time. Notably, the interaction between parents' gender and children's sports participation revealed that for male parents, extended sports participation of their children significantly enhanced positive attitudes toward school sports (p = 0.004). These results highlight the importance of considering parental support and gender-specific responses when developing strategies to promote positive attitudes and support for school sports. The PASSIQ proved to be a reliable and valid tool for assessing these constructs, providing a foundation for future research and interventions to foster supportive environments for children's physical activity.

This study aimed to determine the influence of body composition on the muscle fitness of selected judokas. This study was conducted on a sample of 23 judokas (cadets n = 12, juniors n = 11), members of the male national team of Serbia. The assessment of body composition was performed using the InBody 720 (Biospace Co., Ltd., Seoul, Republic of Korea) and calipers. Muscle fitness was assessed using “Optojump” (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy), Fitrodine Premium (Fitronic, Bratislava, Slovakia), and a digital force instrument IMADA Z2H-1100 (Imada Inc., Northbrook, IL, USA). Regression analysis revealed a notable association between muscle mass and measures of explosive strength (countermovement jump (CMJ) p = 0.023; drop jump (DJ) p = 0.026). Moreover, this study’s results showed that back extension (p = 0.006; R² = 0.61) and hand grip (p = 0.009; R² = 0.52) provide a strong positive association with muscle mass. The findings suggest that tailored training and nutritional strategies that improve muscle mass might significantly enhance muscle fitness in young judokas, optimizing their performance.

The aim of this research was to systematize the available literature on the types and frequency of locomotor injuries in combat sports. The sample consisted of martial arts athletes (judo, karate, wrestling, boxing and taekwondo) of both sexes, aged 11-49 years. Survey questionnaires and medical reports were used as measuring instruments for assessing injuries in the research. The found data, presented numerically and in percentages, were used for further analysis. The results of this research show that the characteristics of injuries of the locomotor system in martial arts usually do not depend on the sex of the respondents. There is a higher frequency of injuries in competitions and lower in training (except for under-18s). The most common locations of injuries (head and neck, extremities and joints), types of injuries (contusions, bruises and fractures), and severity of injuries (mild, moderate, or severe) depended on the characteristics of martial arts (sports techniques, tactics, physical and mental fitness, etc.). By applying additional methods, by improving physical preparation that is adequately dosed with the improvement of technical and tactical elements, injuries to athletes could be prevented.

Ionizing radiation is electromagnetic or particle radiation that has sufficient energy to cause ionization of atoms. The effects of radiation depend on the energy and type of radiation, the matter through which the radiation passes, the radiation dose and the phase of the cell cycle. The nature of ionizing radiation contributes to the importance of the topic of radiological examinations of pregnant women, i.e. the possible risk for pregnancy and the fetus. The risk of fetal damage depends on the absorbed dose of radiation and the stage of pregnancy. The risk is highest during organogenesis and in the early fetal period, it is slightly lower in the second trimester and the lowest during the third trimester of pregnancy. The aim of this review article is to present the dilemmas and ethical problems faced by clinicians and pregnant women in everyday radiological practice. The radiologist is obliged to inform the patient about the planned procedure, the way it is performed and possible complications, but communicating the diagnosis and proposing therapy, if necessary, should be the responsibility of the doctor who referred the patient for examination. When considering the use of radiation in pregnant women, the International Commission on Radiological Protection advises that the fetus be considered a member of the general population and that general radiation dose limits apply. Accordingly, in evaluating the risks and benefits of medical radiation exposure, two persons must be considered, the mother and child. When everything is taken into account, the risk of a radiological examination for the pregnant woman and the fetus, i.e. the relationship between the benefit and the risk is assessed in relation to each individual case separately, in agreement between the doctor, the pregnant woman and other interested persons.

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) effect on recovery in high-level judokas. Methods: The sample of participants consisted of 10 male judokas (Age = 20 ± 2.1 years) who are judo masters (black belt holders) with a minimum of 10 years of training and competition experience. The study was designed as a double-blinded crossover design with the order of treatments being randomly assigned. The washout period was 72 h. All subjects received a dose of sodium bicarbonate (0.3 g/kg body weight) or a placebo 120 min before the fatigue caused by the special judo fitness test (SJFT). Lactate concentration (LC), countermovement jump (CMJ), hand grip strength and degree of perceived fatigue on Borg’s scale (RPE) were tested two times before SJFT and four times after SJFT. Results: There was no interaction between groups and type of recovery at any time during the two types of recovery for RPE, grip strength, VJ and lactate concentration (p > 0.05). However, there was a main effect of time for dominant grip strength (F_(1,8)= 3.3; p = 0.01; η² = 0.25, (small)), non-dominant grip strength (F_(1,8) = 3.2; p = 0.01; η² = 0.24, (small)), CMJ (F_(1,8) = 8.8; p = 0.01; η² = 0.47, (small)), and LC (F_(1,8) = 124.2; p = 0.001; η² = 0.92, (moderate)). Conclusions: The results of the present study show no significant difference between the NaHCO3 and placebo groups in RPE, handgrip strength, CMJ, and lactate concentration.

Oesophageal and gastric cancers are among the ten most common malignancies in the world. These are diseases of the elderly population, and more common in men. These cancers are multifactorial diseases, with the influence of genetically inherited syndromes and acquired factors such as smoking, obesity, Barrett's oesophagus, and Helicobacter pylori infection. The clinical symptoms include dysphagia, weight loss, mediastinal and abdominal pain, nausea, and malaise. CT examinations of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis, and also esophagogastroduodenoscopy with biopsy and histopathological verification are needed for a complete diagnosis. The most common histological type of oesophageal cancer is squamous cell carcinoma, and most common gastric carcinoma is adenocarcinoma. Screenings for these cancers are not performed routinely, except in countries with a high incidence rate. The most widely accepted TNM classification is used to determine the stage. Oesophageal and gastric cancer treatment is multimodal and includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy. Surgery is the first line of treatment in these cancers, especially in the local stages. Chemotherapy is used in almost all stages of the disease. Radiotherapy has its place in treatment, especially in locally advanced stages. It can be used as postoperative and preoperative radiotherapy, usually in combination with chemotherapy. Treatment of oesophageal and gastric cancers in the future will develop in the direction of advancing diagnostics, surgical procedures, immunotherapeutic agents as well as new radiotherapy techniques.

Malignant tumors of the maxillofacial and oral region are relatively rare and form a very heterogeneous group of tumors whose incidence is constantly increasing. It is a disease of the elderly population, with a slight prevalence of males. The most common histological type is squamous cell carcinoma, and the most common localization of the tumor is on the skin and mucous membranes of this region. In the treatment of these tumors, the cooperation of different specialties is necessary. According to all modern recommendations for treatment, surgery is the first method of treatment, and radiotherapy has its place in both adjuvant and definitive approaches. Chemotherapy with limited effect is used for disseminated disease. The aim of the study was to present the role of radiotherapy in multidisciplinary treatment of malignant tumors of the oral and maxillofacial region.