Sport - nauka i praksa

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS FACTOR IN COPING WITH STRESS AMONG WORKING STUDENTS

2026-03-21T21:26:21+01:00

Stress is one of the major challenges students face during their education, and it is particularly pronounced among those who study and work simultaneously. Chronic stress can negatively affect work performance, focus, professional efficiency, and academic achievement. Physical activity is recognized in literature as an important protective factor that contributes to the preservation of psychophysical health and may mitigate the negative effects of stress. This study aimed to examine the association between physical activity and perceived stress among working students, with a particular focus on the frequency and type of physical activity. The study included 196 participants who were simultaneously students and employed. Perceived stress was assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10), and the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, the independent-samples t-test, and one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results indicate that most working students are affected by a moderate level of stress, with the most common sources being the balancing of academic and work obligations and a lack of free time. Gender-based analyses showed that women report higher average levels of stress compared to men. Students who engage in regular physical activity exhibit significantly lower levels of perceived stress compared to those who exercise rarely or not at all, with group-based forms of physical activity being associated with lower stress levels. The findings highlight the importance of physical activity as a valuable resource for maintaining the mental health of working students and underscore the need to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors within the student population.

IMPLEMENTATION OF SUSTAINABLE STRATEGIES IN SPORTS EVENT MANAGEMENT: ANALYSIS OF SUCCESS FACTORS AND KEY BARRIERS

2026-03-21T21:26:21+01:00

This paper analyzes the implementation of sustainable (“green”) strategies in sports event management. The objective of the study was to identify the key barriers to successful implementation of these strategies and to formulate recommendations for improving practice. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, including structured questionnaires, semi-structured interviews, document analysis, and direct observation. Three sporting events of varying scales held in Serbia in 2023 were analyzed. The implementation of sustainable strategies was found to depend on the size of the event and the available resources. The main obstacles to implementing these strategies were high costs, lack of skilled personnel, and logistical barriers. A positive impact of involving the local community and using digital technologies on the effectiveness of ecological measures was confirmed. The results clearly indicate that organizational capacity and resources are key factors for the successful application of sustainability. The identified barriers suggest the need for a systematic approach, greater institutional support, and continuous staff education. Integrating sustainability into the organization of sporting events requires detailed planning, institutional backing, and education. The recommendations presented in this paper can help organizers to more effectively implement sustainable practices and overcome existing barriers.

RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS AND VERTICAL JUMP PERFORMANCE IN CADET VOLLEYBALL SELECTION

2026-03-21T21:26:21+01:00

Volleyball is a team sport played by two teams on a court divided by a net. It is an intense sport that combines vertical and horizontal movements, involving anaerobic energy systems with short recovery periods. The anthropometric characteristics of athletes are a significant prerequisite for successful engagement in a specific sport, influencing athletic performance and being essential for achieving elite sports skills. The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between anthropometric parameters and vertical jump performance in female volleyball cadets. A research study was conducted to assess motor abilities and physical characteristics of 40 female volleyball players. Anthropometric parameters, including body height, body mass, body fat percentage, muscle mass percentage, and body mass index, as well as arm span, were measured using appropriate instruments. Motor abilities were evaluated through a vertical jump test using the OptoJump system. Pearson correlation coefficients revealed significant positive correlations between countermovement jump (CMJ) and muscle mass percentage (r=0.588, p<0.001), arm span (r=0.515, p<0.001), body height (r=0.502, p=0.001), and body mass (r=0.342, p=0.031). Muscle mass percentage was identified as a statistically significant predictor (B=1.488, p=0.004), while arm span also showed a significant positive association with CMJ (B=0.095, p=0.002). Conversely, body mass (B=0.233, p=0.146) and body height (B=-0.238, p=0.447) were not statistically significant predictors in this model. The multiple regression analysis results indicate the statistical significance of the model (F=6.667, p<0.001), with a multiple correlation coefficient R=0.660. The findings of this study emphasize the need for a multidimensional approach in training processes, which should include not only physical conditioning but also biomechanical and technical factors.

PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AS DETERMINANT OF SATISFACTION WITH LIFE AMONG CADET FOOTBALL PLAYERS

2026-03-21T21:26:21+01:00

The aim of this transversal research was to examine the possibility of predicting the variables of physical activities, and quality of life in interaction with health, physical self-concept, and physical functioning in the context of explaining the criteria of satisfaction with life in cadet football players. The pertinent sample consisted of 160 participants (M _age = 15.74; SD = 1.49). The Satisfaction with Life Scale – SWLS, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – IPAQ-S, the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire – PSDQ, and the Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) were used to collect data. The findings of the hierarchical regression analysis showed that significant predictors – body mass index, physical exercise, as a segment of body image, and physical functioning predict 20% of the variance of satisfaction with life (p ≤ .05). This suggests that the perception of satisfaction with life in adolescents is more relevant for engaging in physical activities than the level of their physical activities. Also, the variables such as body mass index, physical exercise, along with self-concept of physical appearance and physical functioning are important mediators in explaining the construct of satisfaction with life, so they can be guidelines for identifying the perceived level of this dependent variable in the adolescent sport population in the Republic of Serbia. Theoretical contributions and practical implications are interpreted in accordance with the correlational and multiple linear regression findings of previous empirical studies.

SCHOOL-BASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY INTERVENTIONS: EFFECTS ON MOTOR COMPETENCE AND HEALTH-RELATED OUTCOMES IN CHILDREN – A SCOPING REVIEW

2026-03-21T21:26:22+01:00

Insufficient physical activity and declining levels of motor competence among children represent a significant public health concern. Accordingly, the aim of this scoping review was to map and synthesize the existing evidence on the effects of school-based physical activity and physical education interventions on children’s motor competence, while considering their potential role within a public health framework. This scoping review was conducted in accordance with the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. A systematic literature search was carried out across four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar). Two independent reviewers assessed the studies based on predefined eligibility criteria, and disagreements were resolved by consensus. A total of eighteen studies were included in the final review. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed using the Effective Public Health Practice Project (EPHPP) quality assessment tool. The majority of the included studies demonstrated positive effects of school-based interventions on motor competence, particularly in the domains of locomotor and manipulative skills. Interventions of longer duration, as well as those characterized by structured and developmentally appropriate activities, also showed positive and more pronounced effects. School-based physical activity and physical education interventions represent an effective public health strategy for improving motor competence and supporting healthy development in childhood. Strengthening the quality and consistency of school-based movement programs may contribute to long-term health benefits and disease prevention at the population level. This scoping review identifies gaps in the existing literature and proposes directions for future research in the field of school-based motor competence interventions.

LET'S PLAY A GAME: GO IN SERBIA

2026-03-21T21:26:22+01:00

This paper systematically reviews the development of the game of Go in Serbia from 2016 to 2025, based primarily on publicly available data from the European Go Database. It provides a descriptive analysis of the current situation with the game of Go in Serbia. The findings indicate that while the number of Go players in Serbia is relatively small compared to some larger European countries in terms of economy and population, it ranks second among the nations of former Yugoslavia, following only Croatia. The cities of Niš, Belgrade, and Kragujevac have seen the greatest development of the game of Go in Serbia. Niš, as the city with the highest level of popularization, already has three elementary schools committed to offering Go as an extracurricular activity. Serbian players are also actively engaged in exchanges with players from neighboring countries and frequently compete in various open tournaments. Moving forward, the development of Go in Serbia should involve continuing to treat schools as a key platform for promotion, which will require collective participation and long-term investment of multiple stakeholders.

Marić, D. & Bošković, B. (2025). SPORTS ENTREPRENEURSHIP, SPORTS CLUB MANAGEMENT, AND SPORTS MANAGERS

2026-03-21T21:26:22+01:00