The main goal of this study is to determine the differences among table tennis and tennis players... more The main goal of this study is to determine the differences among table tennis and tennis players in chosen health indicators determined during routine medical examinations. For this purpose, we have used the data from Polyclinic for Occupational Health and Sport, from 574 male tennis and 224 male table tennis players, and 290 female tennis and 76 female table tennis players, stratified by gender and by four age groups. Collected data included height, body mass, body mass index, blood pressure (diastolic and systolic), heart rate, vital capacity of the lungs, haemoglobin, haematocrit, leukocytes, thrombocytes, electrocardiogram (ECG) and speed of sedimentation rate. The results of Mann Whitney and Chi-square tests indicated relatively small number of differences among table tennis and tennis players in chosen health indicators. The results are described in terms of desirable morphological characteristics, as well as in terms of specific functional capacities, for each sport (tennis ...
Knjiga predstavlja potreban dio strucne literature. Usmjerena je edukaciji studenata, nastavnika ... more Knjiga predstavlja potreban dio strucne literature. Usmjerena je edukaciji studenata, nastavnika i trenera radi sirenja opcih spoznaja o ucenju i upoznavanju sa stolnoteniskom igrom.
This study compares the levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety between male and female arch... more This study compares the levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety between male and female archers across different competition stages. Fifty-seven professional recurve archers (28 men, 29 women) who participated in the Asian Archery Championships were recruited as participants. Their levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety were recorded during the stages of qualifying, individual elimination, and team competition using the Sport Grid-Revised. The results showed no sex-based differences in competitive anxiety when competition stages were considered. However, the female archers demonstrated higher levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety than the male archers across the different stages. Further, all archers regardless of sex showed higher cognitive anxiety in the individual elimination and team competition stages than the qualifying stage. The findings show sex-based differences in felt arousal and cognitive anxiety before competitions. In addition, increasing cognitive anxiety is likely associated with fundamental differences in levels of competition pressure at various stages of a match. It seems beneficial for athletes to focus on reducing gender stereotypes through preventive interventions and developing effective coping strategies toward competitive anxiety.
Substance use and misuse (SU&M) is regularly studied in sports, but we have found no such data fo... more Substance use and misuse (SU&M) is regularly studied in sports, but we have found no such data for table tennis. We have studied SU&M in athletes competing at the Slovenian Nationals 2008-2009 (responding rate was 100%; 50 males and 29 females; aged 18 years or older). The anonymous questionnaire for studying SU&M and corresponding educational, socio-demographic, and sport factors was used. More than 90% of all the athletes included in our study do not rely on coaches' and/or physicians' opinion regarding nutritional supplements and doping. Chi-square test revealed higher prevalence of binge drinking, cigarette smoking, and potential doping behavior in males. In both genders, with the advancement of the sport status, the probability for potential doping behavior increases. In conclusion, we strongly suggest permanent SU&M educational programs for table tennis athletes as well as for their coaches and physicians.
Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 2017
Th e goals of the research were to determine the construct validity and reliability of two psycho... more Th e goals of the research were to determine the construct validity and reliability of two psychological instruments (AIMS) and (PSICA) applied on samples of college sport students ; the correlations between the students’ competition rank, years of engaging in sport, and level of physical exercise ; the differences among the universities in different countries, as well as among students from different years of study. Th e stratified sample included students from six universities, in total 1498 female and male college sport students, with an average age of 20.35±1.76 years (males) and 20.14±1.55 years (females). Both psychological measuring instruments showed very satisfactory psychometric properties. Reliability is particularly high for males for AIMS, while the reliabilities for PSICA are mainly moderate to high and lower than for AIMS. Th e results could be explained in terms of cultural and organizational differences, and provide the information about directions in designing effi...
Aim: The aim of this investigation was to study the physical fitness differences between two qual... more Aim: The aim of this investigation was to study the physical fitness differences between two qualitative levels of junior water polo players, with regard to their playing positions. Methods: The sample (N.=54, males; 16-18 years of age) comprised 13 members of the Junior National Squad (JNS; 5 centres and 8 perimeter players), and 41 team athletes (TA; 11 centres and 30 perimeter players). The sample of variables included: body height, body mass, BMI and body fat percentage, 20 metres sprint swimming, maximal dynamometric force in eggbeater kick (DF), on-water vertical jump, drive-shoot-speed, and swimming-endurance-test (SET). Differences between JNS and TA were analysed by t-test for independent samples and by a magnitude-based Cohen's effect size (ES) statistic with modified qualitative descriptors. Forward conditional logistic regression (FCLR) was calculated to determine the impact of the physical fitness variables on the dichotomous criterion (JNS vs. TA). Results: All variables were found to be reliable. The JNS perimeter players performed better (P<0.05) in SET, DF, and sprint-swimming than the TA perimeter players. No significant differences were found for centres. FCLR revealed drive-shoot-speed as the only significant predictor of qualitative level (Y=-12.925 + 1.188 * DSHOOT; OR: 1.023-1.380) CONCLUSION: Fitness capacities are more important as determinants of quality among perimeters than among centres. The results highlight the need for position-specific training programmes in junior water polo.
Conducted researches recognize various risk factors, as well as protective factors against doping... more Conducted researches recognize various risk factors, as well as protective factors against doping behaviour in different sports i.e. sports disciplines or activities. The main goal of this research was to identify the correlation between selected socio-demographic, health-related, and sports-related predictors with doping factors in three different types of sports, which are (1) highly energetic demanding sports (weightlifting), (2) highly technical demanding sports (racquet sports), and (3) highly tactical demanding sports (sailing). The research consisted of three separate studies, each one of them researching one of the sports. The sample of subjects included altogether 293 athletes, senior level competitors (older than 18years of age). In total, the sample comprised three homogenous sub-samples, as follows: athletes in highly energetic demanding sports (weightlifters and power lifters; N=27), athletes in highly technical demanding sports (table tennis, tennis and badminton players; N=188), and athletes in highly tactical demanding sports (sailing; N=78). The first study involved weightlifters where we should point out the existence of high doping behaviour In this study, religiousness was interpreted as the most significant protective factor against doping behaviour, while sports factors are not found to be significantly related to doping. The study involving racquet sport athletes suggests a high risk of doping behaviour among those athletes who observe doping behaviour in their sport. We noticed low levels of athletes' trust in their coaches' and physicians' opinions on doping issues. This is an issue which should be researched in the future, because the underlying cause has not been studied as yet. Briefly, it seems that either the athletes are not convinced of their coaches '/physicians' expertise regarding doping issues, and/or they do not believe in their good intentions. It is particularly important, as the previous research has shown that with the increased trust in coaches and physicians, the chance that an athlete will use doping decreases. As expected, it is characteristic for sailing that it has a low likelihood of potential doping behaviour, although the consumption of dietary supplements is high. Substance abuse in sports spreads beyond those that enhance athletic performance. All of these issues should be studied in more detail in the future and, if appropriately validated, incorporated into anti-doping intervention programs.
There is evident lack of studies which investigated morphological influence on physical fitness (... more There is evident lack of studies which investigated morphological influence on physical fitness (PF) among preschool children. The aim of this study was to (1) calculate and interpret linear and nonlinear relationships between simple anthropometric predictors and PF criteria among preschoolers of both genders, and (2) to find critical values of the anthropometric predictors which should be recognized as the breakpoint of the negative influence on the PF. The sample of subjects consisted of 413 preschoolers aged 4 to 6 (mean age, 5.08 years; 176 girls and 237 boys), from Rijeka, Croatia. The anthropometric variables included body height (BH), body weight (BW), sum of triceps and subscapular skinfold (SUMSF), and calculated BMI (BMI = BW (kg)/BH (m)2). The PF was screened throughout testing of flexibility, repetitive strength, explosive strength, and agility. Linear and nonlinear (general quadratic model y = a + bx + cx2) regressions were calculated and interpreted simultaneously. BH and BW are far better predictors of the physical fitness status than BMI and SUMSF. In all calculated regressions excluding flexibility criterion, linear and nonlinear prediction of the PF throughout BH and BW reached statistical significance, indicating influence of the advancement in maturity status on PF variables Differences between linear and nonlinear regressions are smaller in males than in females. There are some indices that the age of 4 to 6 years is a critical period in the prevention of obesity, mostly because the extensively studied and proven negative influence of overweight and adiposity on PF tests is not yet evident. In some cases we have found evident regression breakpoints (approximately 25 kg in boys), which should be interpreted as critical values of the anthropometric measures for the studied sample of subjects.
Nutrition and doping issues are rarely studied in the sport of tennis. The aims of this investiga... more Nutrition and doping issues are rarely studied in the sport of tennis. The aims of this investigation were to determine knowledge on doping (KD) and knowledge on sport nutrition (KSN), and corresponding socio-demographic-, sport-, and sport-nutrition- and doping-factors among an international sample of high-level tennis players of both sexes (43 females; 22 years old on average). In the first phase of the investigation, the KSN and KD questionnaires were studied for their reliability and validity. The consumption of NS is found to be very high, with almost of all the females and 80% of the males using NS at least occasionally. The athletes showed a low tendency regarding future doping usage, although most of them are convinced that doping does exist in tennis. Since athletes declared that their coaches are their main source of information about NS and doping, future studies should investigate what coaches actually know about such problems. KSN has been found to be protective against potential doping behavior in the future. Males are found to be more prone to doping than females. Therefore, in order to prevent doping behavior in tennis we strongly suggest intensive educational programs on sports nutrition and doping-related problems. Key PointsThe incidence of nutritional supplementation use among the tennis players is found to be very high, especially among the females.Although most of the subjects are of the opinion that the doping behavior is present in tennis circuit, we have found a low tendency regarding future doping usage, and high levels of athletes' trust in their coaches with regard to nutritional supplementation and doping.There are indices that the knowledge about nutrition is protective factor against potential doping behavior. It clearly reinforces the need to include a wide educational program on sports nutrition in tennis, but also in other sports.
The main goal of this study is to determine the differences among table tennis and tennis players... more The main goal of this study is to determine the differences among table tennis and tennis players in chosen health indicators determined during routine medical examinations. For this purpose, we have used the data from Polyclinic for Occupational Health and Sport, from 574 male tennis and 224 male table tennis players, and 290 female tennis and 76 female table tennis players, stratified by gender and by four age groups. Collected data included height, body mass, body mass index, blood pressure (diastolic and systolic), heart rate, vital capacity of the lungs, haemoglobin, haematocrit, leukocytes, thrombocytes, electrocardiogram (ECG) and speed of sedimentation rate. The results of Mann Whitney and Chi-square tests indicated relatively small number of differences among table tennis and tennis players in chosen health indicators. The results are described in terms of desirable morphological characteristics, as well as in terms of specific functional capacities, for each sport (tennis ...
Knjiga predstavlja potreban dio strucne literature. Usmjerena je edukaciji studenata, nastavnika ... more Knjiga predstavlja potreban dio strucne literature. Usmjerena je edukaciji studenata, nastavnika i trenera radi sirenja opcih spoznaja o ucenju i upoznavanju sa stolnoteniskom igrom.
This study compares the levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety between male and female arch... more This study compares the levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety between male and female archers across different competition stages. Fifty-seven professional recurve archers (28 men, 29 women) who participated in the Asian Archery Championships were recruited as participants. Their levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety were recorded during the stages of qualifying, individual elimination, and team competition using the Sport Grid-Revised. The results showed no sex-based differences in competitive anxiety when competition stages were considered. However, the female archers demonstrated higher levels of felt arousal and cognitive anxiety than the male archers across the different stages. Further, all archers regardless of sex showed higher cognitive anxiety in the individual elimination and team competition stages than the qualifying stage. The findings show sex-based differences in felt arousal and cognitive anxiety before competitions. In addition, increasing cognitive anxiety is likely associated with fundamental differences in levels of competition pressure at various stages of a match. It seems beneficial for athletes to focus on reducing gender stereotypes through preventive interventions and developing effective coping strategies toward competitive anxiety.
Substance use and misuse (SU&M) is regularly studied in sports, but we have found no such data fo... more Substance use and misuse (SU&M) is regularly studied in sports, but we have found no such data for table tennis. We have studied SU&M in athletes competing at the Slovenian Nationals 2008-2009 (responding rate was 100%; 50 males and 29 females; aged 18 years or older). The anonymous questionnaire for studying SU&M and corresponding educational, socio-demographic, and sport factors was used. More than 90% of all the athletes included in our study do not rely on coaches' and/or physicians' opinion regarding nutritional supplements and doping. Chi-square test revealed higher prevalence of binge drinking, cigarette smoking, and potential doping behavior in males. In both genders, with the advancement of the sport status, the probability for potential doping behavior increases. In conclusion, we strongly suggest permanent SU&M educational programs for table tennis athletes as well as for their coaches and physicians.
Montenegrin Journal of Sports Science and Medicine, 2017
Th e goals of the research were to determine the construct validity and reliability of two psycho... more Th e goals of the research were to determine the construct validity and reliability of two psychological instruments (AIMS) and (PSICA) applied on samples of college sport students ; the correlations between the students’ competition rank, years of engaging in sport, and level of physical exercise ; the differences among the universities in different countries, as well as among students from different years of study. Th e stratified sample included students from six universities, in total 1498 female and male college sport students, with an average age of 20.35±1.76 years (males) and 20.14±1.55 years (females). Both psychological measuring instruments showed very satisfactory psychometric properties. Reliability is particularly high for males for AIMS, while the reliabilities for PSICA are mainly moderate to high and lower than for AIMS. Th e results could be explained in terms of cultural and organizational differences, and provide the information about directions in designing effi...
Aim: The aim of this investigation was to study the physical fitness differences between two qual... more Aim: The aim of this investigation was to study the physical fitness differences between two qualitative levels of junior water polo players, with regard to their playing positions. Methods: The sample (N.=54, males; 16-18 years of age) comprised 13 members of the Junior National Squad (JNS; 5 centres and 8 perimeter players), and 41 team athletes (TA; 11 centres and 30 perimeter players). The sample of variables included: body height, body mass, BMI and body fat percentage, 20 metres sprint swimming, maximal dynamometric force in eggbeater kick (DF), on-water vertical jump, drive-shoot-speed, and swimming-endurance-test (SET). Differences between JNS and TA were analysed by t-test for independent samples and by a magnitude-based Cohen's effect size (ES) statistic with modified qualitative descriptors. Forward conditional logistic regression (FCLR) was calculated to determine the impact of the physical fitness variables on the dichotomous criterion (JNS vs. TA). Results: All variables were found to be reliable. The JNS perimeter players performed better (P<0.05) in SET, DF, and sprint-swimming than the TA perimeter players. No significant differences were found for centres. FCLR revealed drive-shoot-speed as the only significant predictor of qualitative level (Y=-12.925 + 1.188 * DSHOOT; OR: 1.023-1.380) CONCLUSION: Fitness capacities are more important as determinants of quality among perimeters than among centres. The results highlight the need for position-specific training programmes in junior water polo.
Conducted researches recognize various risk factors, as well as protective factors against doping... more Conducted researches recognize various risk factors, as well as protective factors against doping behaviour in different sports i.e. sports disciplines or activities. The main goal of this research was to identify the correlation between selected socio-demographic, health-related, and sports-related predictors with doping factors in three different types of sports, which are (1) highly energetic demanding sports (weightlifting), (2) highly technical demanding sports (racquet sports), and (3) highly tactical demanding sports (sailing). The research consisted of three separate studies, each one of them researching one of the sports. The sample of subjects included altogether 293 athletes, senior level competitors (older than 18years of age). In total, the sample comprised three homogenous sub-samples, as follows: athletes in highly energetic demanding sports (weightlifters and power lifters; N=27), athletes in highly technical demanding sports (table tennis, tennis and badminton players; N=188), and athletes in highly tactical demanding sports (sailing; N=78). The first study involved weightlifters where we should point out the existence of high doping behaviour In this study, religiousness was interpreted as the most significant protective factor against doping behaviour, while sports factors are not found to be significantly related to doping. The study involving racquet sport athletes suggests a high risk of doping behaviour among those athletes who observe doping behaviour in their sport. We noticed low levels of athletes' trust in their coaches' and physicians' opinions on doping issues. This is an issue which should be researched in the future, because the underlying cause has not been studied as yet. Briefly, it seems that either the athletes are not convinced of their coaches '/physicians' expertise regarding doping issues, and/or they do not believe in their good intentions. It is particularly important, as the previous research has shown that with the increased trust in coaches and physicians, the chance that an athlete will use doping decreases. As expected, it is characteristic for sailing that it has a low likelihood of potential doping behaviour, although the consumption of dietary supplements is high. Substance abuse in sports spreads beyond those that enhance athletic performance. All of these issues should be studied in more detail in the future and, if appropriately validated, incorporated into anti-doping intervention programs.
There is evident lack of studies which investigated morphological influence on physical fitness (... more There is evident lack of studies which investigated morphological influence on physical fitness (PF) among preschool children. The aim of this study was to (1) calculate and interpret linear and nonlinear relationships between simple anthropometric predictors and PF criteria among preschoolers of both genders, and (2) to find critical values of the anthropometric predictors which should be recognized as the breakpoint of the negative influence on the PF. The sample of subjects consisted of 413 preschoolers aged 4 to 6 (mean age, 5.08 years; 176 girls and 237 boys), from Rijeka, Croatia. The anthropometric variables included body height (BH), body weight (BW), sum of triceps and subscapular skinfold (SUMSF), and calculated BMI (BMI = BW (kg)/BH (m)2). The PF was screened throughout testing of flexibility, repetitive strength, explosive strength, and agility. Linear and nonlinear (general quadratic model y = a + bx + cx2) regressions were calculated and interpreted simultaneously. BH and BW are far better predictors of the physical fitness status than BMI and SUMSF. In all calculated regressions excluding flexibility criterion, linear and nonlinear prediction of the PF throughout BH and BW reached statistical significance, indicating influence of the advancement in maturity status on PF variables Differences between linear and nonlinear regressions are smaller in males than in females. There are some indices that the age of 4 to 6 years is a critical period in the prevention of obesity, mostly because the extensively studied and proven negative influence of overweight and adiposity on PF tests is not yet evident. In some cases we have found evident regression breakpoints (approximately 25 kg in boys), which should be interpreted as critical values of the anthropometric measures for the studied sample of subjects.
Nutrition and doping issues are rarely studied in the sport of tennis. The aims of this investiga... more Nutrition and doping issues are rarely studied in the sport of tennis. The aims of this investigation were to determine knowledge on doping (KD) and knowledge on sport nutrition (KSN), and corresponding socio-demographic-, sport-, and sport-nutrition- and doping-factors among an international sample of high-level tennis players of both sexes (43 females; 22 years old on average). In the first phase of the investigation, the KSN and KD questionnaires were studied for their reliability and validity. The consumption of NS is found to be very high, with almost of all the females and 80% of the males using NS at least occasionally. The athletes showed a low tendency regarding future doping usage, although most of them are convinced that doping does exist in tennis. Since athletes declared that their coaches are their main source of information about NS and doping, future studies should investigate what coaches actually know about such problems. KSN has been found to be protective against potential doping behavior in the future. Males are found to be more prone to doping than females. Therefore, in order to prevent doping behavior in tennis we strongly suggest intensive educational programs on sports nutrition and doping-related problems. Key PointsThe incidence of nutritional supplementation use among the tennis players is found to be very high, especially among the females.Although most of the subjects are of the opinion that the doping behavior is present in tennis circuit, we have found a low tendency regarding future doping usage, and high levels of athletes' trust in their coaches with regard to nutritional supplementation and doping.There are indices that the knowledge about nutrition is protective factor against potential doping behavior. It clearly reinforces the need to include a wide educational program on sports nutrition in tennis, but also in other sports.
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