Tanja Petrušič

Light-intensity physical activity (LPA) (a low level of effort with a slight increase in heart rate and breathing) supports children’s cognitive development, particularly in brain regions responsible for attention and executive functions. This study investigated the effects of short-term LPA on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). Thirty-three children aged 10 to 14 years completed seated, light-intensity exercises involving coordination and balance. Hemodynamic changes in oxygenated hemoglobin were recorded in three subregions of the PFC. A significant increase was observed during complex tasks, with mean Z-score changes of 0.68 in the middle PFC and 0.87 in the left PFC (p < 0.05). No significant differences were found between 10- and 20-s durations, suggesting that movement complexity - rather than duration - determines neural activation. These findings indicate that short, structured light-intensity motor tasks elicit measurable prefrontal cortex activation in children. Incorporating brief bouts of light-intensity physical activity into the school day may promote neural engagement of prefrontal regions, although future studies are needed to directly link these neural responses to cognitive performance.

Background: This study examines the effects of physical education on the social capital of university students, focusing on improving family, neighborhood, and academic relationships through group exercise. Methods: In Zagreb, Croatia, 976 participants aged 19–20 years participated in a randomized controlled trial. The intervention group (n = 472) engaged in teamwork exercises, and the control group (n = 504) completed individual exercises. The social capital measured in 6 areas was analyzed using linear regression and variance modeling. Results: Significant improvements in trust and collaboration within the university environment were found in the intervention group. Adjusted analyses showed positive correlations between the physical education intervention and increased trust between teachers and students (β = 0.118, P = .01), among students (β = 0.246, P = .01), and in total social capital (β = 0.617, P = .01). Residence in the parental home was associated with higher social capital. Notably, male and older students reported lower levels of trust and cooperation. Conclusions: Physical activity significantly improves the social capital of university students, suggesting the inclusion of group-based physical activities in higher education curricula to promote social inclusion and well-being. This underscores the importance of such interventions for educational policy and program development.

Background/Objectives: The prefrontal cortex (PFC) plays a crucial role in cognitive functions such as attention, working memory and executive functions. Physical activity (PA), even at light-intensity, has been shown to increase PFC activity. However, most studies have focused on moderate- to vigorous-intensity exercises or on adults, while little data is available for children engaging in light-intensity PA (LPA). The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in the hemodynamics of the PFC during short-term, light-intensity exercises in children using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The secondary aim was to compare the responses between two exercise patterns differing in duration (10 vs. 20 seconds).Methods: Thirty-eight healthy children aged 10 to 14 years from private schools in Barcelona participated in this study. Seven light-intensity exercises were performed in randomized order according to two patterns: Pattern 1 (10 seconds per exercise) and Pattern 2 (20 seconds per exercise). Changes in oxygenated hemoglobin (oxy-Hb) were measured by fNIRS in three PFC regions: right (R-PFC), middle (M-PFC) and left (L-PFC). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was used to determine significant differences, with gender, age and resting oxy-Hb Z-scores as covariates.Results: Significant increases in oxy-Hb Z-scores were observed in the M-PFC during event A (Upward Stretch) and in all PFC regions during event D (Trunk Twist) in pattern 1. Events related to coordination and balance, such as balancing on one leg, also elicited significant activation of the PFC. However, simpler movements, such as hand washing and elbow circles, showed no significant changes. Comparisons between patterns 1 and 2 showed no significant differences, suggesting that duration alone has no effect on PFC activation.Conclusions: Light-intensity coordination and balance exercises stimulate PFC activity, even for short durations. These results emphasize the potential for integrating such exercises in school or rehabilitation settings to promote cognitive and motor development in children.

Background/Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of an 8-week combined plyometric and resistance training program on the physical fitness of adolescent girls aged 12 to 15 years. The objective was to determine whether combined training (CT) would yield greater improvements in performance measures compared to resistance training (RT) alone. Methods: Forty-seven adolescent girls were randomly assigned to either the CT group or the RT group. Performance measures such as the 20-meter sprint, squat jump, vertical jump, handgrip strength, and flexibility (sit and reach test) were assessed before and after the 8-week interven-tion. Changes in these measures were analyzed to compare the effects of the two training ap-proaches. Results: The CT group showed a significant reduction in sprint time (-6.5%) compared to the RT group (-4.1%), although the difference was not statistically significant. Squat jump height im-proved significantly by 5.6% in the CT group compared to 1.1% in the RT group (p < 0.05). Simi-larly, vertical jump height increased by 6.7% in the CT group and by 2.4% in the RT group (p < 0.05). Handgrip strength improved by 7.5% in the CT group and 4.6% in the RT group, with no significant differences between the groups. Flexibility showed slight, non-significant improve-ments in both groups. Conclusions: The findings suggest that combined plyometric and resistance training is more ef-fective in enhancing explosive power, specifically squat and vertical jump performance, in ado-lescent girls compared to resistance training alone. These results highlight the potential of com-bined training programs for improving overall physical performance in this population.

Higher levels of physical activity (PA) during physical education (PE) are important for 6- to 8-year-old children because it can improve their physical health, cognitive skills, academic performance, and social development. The purpose of the study conducted was to determine the effects of incorporating child-designed games and student creativity while waiting for teacher supervision during gymnastics lessons in PE on the quantity and intensity of PA among 1st and 2nd grade students. The sample included 91 1st and 2nd grade students (53 boys) from a Slovenian school. The sample included 91 1st and 2nd grade students (53 boys) from a Slovenian elementary school, of whom 48 (age = 6.8 ± 0.7) participated in the experimental teaching program that included child-designed games and student creativity, while 43 (age = 7.0 ± 0.6) belonged to the control group where traditional teaching continued. They were taught three gymnastics elements that had to be supervised by the teacher: the squat jump on the vault box, the backward roll, and the cartwheel. The results of the nonparametric Mann-Whitney test showed statistically significant differences between groups (EXP vs. CON) in terms of light PA (LPA) and moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) for all three gymnastics elements taught: the squat jump on the vault box (LPA: p=0.001; MVPA: p=0.001), the backward roll (LPA: p=0.001; MVPA: p=0.001), and the cartwheel (LPA: p=0.002; MVPA: p=0.001). Statistically significant differences between groups in terms of vigorous PA (VPA) did not occur for any gymnastics element: the squat jump on the vault box (p=0.462), the backward roll (p=0.833), and the cartwheel (p=0.636). The results show the effectiveness of incorporating child-designed games and student creativity to reduce inactivity while waiting for teacher supervision and to increase the amount of LPA and MVPA in 1st and 2nd grade elementary school during gymnastics lessons in PE.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a 16-week school-based physical activity (PA) intervention on physical fitness (PF) (speed, hand-eye coordination, flexibility) of 8– to 9-year-olds.Methods: A total of seventy-eight boys and girls (boys: n = 45, aged 8.4 ± 4.9 years; girls: n = 42, aged 8.6 ± 0.5 years) from a school in Slovenia were randomly assigned to either a group with an after-school PA program (EXP) or a control group (CON) that participated exclusively in mandatory physical education (PE). The EXP group engaged in the extracurricular PA program for 60 min twice a week for 16 weeks, concurrent with regular PE classes. The program primarily involved elementary PE games that included elements of athletics (e.g., skipping, push- off running, hopping, crossstepping, and jumping) and gymnastics (e.g., handstand, forward roll, backward roll, hand support jumps, squat jump on a vault box, climbing on horizontal bars, incline benches and ropes, crawling, and jumping rope). Standardized tests appropriate for this age group were used to assess PF, including the sit and reach test (SAR), the 30-meter sprint, and the alternate hand wall toss test at distances of 1.0 and 2.0 m (AHWT 1.0 and 2.0).Results: There was a significant group-time interaction for SAR test (EXP group increase: +1.6 cm, +6.3%; CON group decrease: −0.1 cm, −0.4%; p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.361), and the 30 m sprint (EXP group improvement: −0.4 s, −6.3%; CON group decrease: +0.1 s, +1.6%; p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.193). Similarly, the EXP group improved by +2.1 points (+25.6%) in the 1.0 m wall throw with the alternating hand, while the CON group showed only minimal changes (−0.2 points, −2.4%; p < 0.001, ηp² = 0.545). No significant interaction was found for the 2.0 m toss (EXP and CON group both −0.1 points, −2.6%; p = 0.888, ηp² = 0.001). Post-hoc analyses with paired t-tests revealed that the EXP group showed significant improvements in SAR test (p < 0.001), 30 m sprint (p < 0.001) and AHWT 1.0 test (p < 0.001), while the CON group showed no significant changes in SAR test (p = 0.533), 30 m sprint (p = 0.150), AHWT 1.0 test (p = 0.186) and AHWT 2.0 test (p = 0.430).Discussion: The results of the study showed that the extracurricular program with only two additional weekly sessions significantly improved the components of PF in 8- to 9-year olds. Significant improvements were observed in the areas of flexibility, speed and coordination, as shown in the SAR test, 30-meter sprint and 1.0-meter handwall toss tests. However, no similar improvements were observed in the 2.0-meter handwall toss, which illustrates the specific areas of impact of the program.

Achieving the recommended daily level of physical activity (PA) in adolescent boys and girls helps improve their cardiovascular health, maintain a healthy body weight, and promote mental health. The purpose of our study was to determine whether there were statistically significant differences between boys and girls aged 12 to 15 years with respect to age and amount of PA on different days of the week. The sample included 606 7th, 8th, and 9th grade students from four Slovenian elementary schools who participated in the study by completing a questionnaire (IPAQ; International Physical Activity Questionnaire, 2006). We used a quantitative research approach and the method was causal-non-experimental. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used to determine whether the data were normally distributed at a statistically significant level of risk (p > 0.05). Because of the non-normal distribution of the variables (p < 0.001), the non-parametric Mann-Whitney test was used to determine statistically significant differences between genders, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine statistically significant differences between age groups. Boys were statistically significantly more active than girls on all days of the week except Wednesday (Mon.: p=0.018; Tues.: p=0.001; Thurs.: p=0.020; Fri.: p=0.015, Sat.: p=0.012; Sun.: p=0.001). Significant differences in PA levels between seventh-, eighth-, and ninthgraders occurred only on Sundays (p<0.001), with PA levels changing with student age. The study's findings that adolescent boys are statistically significantly more active than girls raise concerns about gender differences in PA participation during this critical developmental period. Such differences may contribute to long-term health consequences and perpetuate gender inequalities in overall fitness and well-being. The observed differences in PA between boys and girls during adolescence highlight the need for targeted interventions and strategies to promote and improve PA among girls. Addressing the underlying factors that contribute to lower activity levels among girls is essential to promoting a more equitable and inclusive approach to PA promotion.

This study summarized the relevant literature and aimed to determine the effect of exercise-based interventions after myocardial infarction in middle-aged and older adults. Studies were identified and analyzed according to the PRISMA guidelines. The following electronic databases were used: Google Scholar, PubMed, Mendeley, Science Direct, and Scopus. The identified studies had to be longitudinal, be published in English, have taken place between 2010 and 2020, involve participants who had suffered myocardial infarction, and address different types of exercise-based interventions to be included. Of the 592 relevant studies identified, 20 were included in the qualitative analysis. After analyzing the results obtained, it could be concluded that different types of exercise-based interventions or their combination have a positive effect after myocardial infarction in middle-aged and elderly adults. It can also be suggested that the combination of a cycle ergometer and a treadmill may be the most effective exercise-based intervention. An adequate choice of intensity and volume is crucial, with the optimal duration of the experimental program and the type(s) of exercises adapted to participants after myocardial infarction.

Regular physical activity and healthy diet have a significant positive impact on children’s health. Lack of physical activity increases the risk of various diseases, while obesity has become an alarming health problem worldwide. The aim of this study is to investigate the patterns of physical activity and diet among 11–14-year-old school children in Serbia. The sample included 623 primary school children, of whom 333 were boys (53.45%) and 290 were girls (46.55%). The children were also divided according to their age/grade: fifth grade/11 years (24.40% (n = 152; M = 84, F = 68)), sixth grade/12 years (25.68% (n = 160; M = 91, F = 69)), seventh grade/13 years (26.81% (n = 167; M = 83, F = 84)) and eighth grade/14 years (23.11% (n = 144; M = 75, F = 69)). Children’s lifestyle was assessed using two subscales of questionnaires based on the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile model II. The Mann–Whitney U test showed no statistically significant difference between boys and girls in the variables Nutrition (p = 0.81) and Physical Activity (p = 0.91). The Kruskal–Wallis test was applied and showed no statistically significant differences between children of different ages, regardless of gender, in the variable Nutrition (p = 0.63). However, differences were evident in the variable Physical Activity (p < 0.001), with the highest mean scores recorded in 12- and 13-year-old children and the lowest in 14-year-old children. Additionally, no statistically significant differences were found among boys as a function of age in the variables Nutrition (p = 0.55) and Physical Activity (p = 0.15), nor among girls in the variable Nutrition (p = 0.43), but in the variable Physical Activity (p = 0.01). In general, it can be concluded that the older primary school children have relatively satisfactory dietary and physical activity habits, but that these behaviors decrease with age, especially the level of physical activity. There is a need for better and more effective education of children about the benefits and importance of proper nutrition and regular physical activity.

This study investigated the effects of the Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) model implemented in physical education classes on volleyball skills and enjoyment in secondary school students. A total of 54 students (18 girls) from two classes participated in this study, of whom 28 (age = 15.5 ± 0.7 years) were randomized to a TGfU model (EXP) group and 26 (age = 15.7 ± 0.6 years) to a control group (CON) that maintained their usual physical-education activities. Four tests for volleyball skills were conducted: service, overhead, and forearm passing and setting. Additionally, the sport enjoyment questionnaire was used the first and the last week of intervention. Results from repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed a significant interaction for overhead passing (F 1, 58 = 5.273, p = 0.025, Partial ƞ² = 0.083) and forearm passing (F 1, 58 = 4.641, p = 0.035, Partial ƞ² = 0.074). When examining the impact of TGfU program on service accuracy, there was a significant main effect for time (p < 0.01) with both groups improving their result after the six-weeks intervention (EXP-ES = 0.32, % change = 9.1% vs. CON-ES = 0.57, % change = 14.4%). There were no significant time or group × time effects for setting (p ˃ 0.05). The EXP group showed significantly better results for enjoyment compared to the CON group (p ≤ 0.05). The findings show the effectiveness of the TGfU model of short duration (12 lessons) in an educational context to improve volleyball skills. We also highlight the importance of enjoyment during these classes compared to traditional physical education classes.