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The purpose of this study was to determine the test–retest reliability of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) for older adults in Serbia. Six hundred and sixty older adults (352 men, 53%; 308 women, 47%; mean age 67.65±5.76 years) participated in the study. To examine test–retest reliability, the participants were asked to complete the IPAQ on two occasions 2 weeks apart. Moderate reliability was observed between the repeated IPAQ, with intraclass correlation coefficients ranging from 0.53 to 0.91. The least reliability was established in leisure time activity (0.53) and the most reliability in the transport domain (0.91). Men and women had similar intraclass correlation coefficients for total physical activity (0.71 versus 0.74, respectively), while the biggest difference was obtained for housework in men (0.68) and in women (0.90). Our study shows that the long version of the IPAQ is a reliable instrument for assessing physical activity levels in older adults and that it may be useful for generating internationally comparable data.

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the kinematic parameters between the grab and track starts and the differences in these two starts between genders. A total of 27 swimmers at the competitive level participated in the study, 13 boys (mean ± SD: age 15.8 ± 0.8 years, body mass 67.7 ± 7.7 kg and body height 178.6 ± 5.7 cm) and 14 girls (mean ± SD: age 16 ± 0.8 years, body mass 59.2 ± 6.6 kg and body height 166.2 ± 6.7 cm). Each swimmer performed three attempts for both start techniques. The best attempt of the grab start and the track start was taken for further analysis. The following kinematic parameters were analysed: flight distance, flight time, flight velocity, entry angle and reaction time. The males had greater numeric values for the results in all kinematic parameters for the grab start compared with the track start, except for flight velocity and entry angle (flight time 0.42 vs. 0.41 s, flight distance 3.21 vs. 3.14 m, flight velocity 7.76 vs. 7.83 m/s, entry angle 44.22 vs. 43.85 degrees and reaction time 0.86 vs. 0.81 s). The females also had greater numeric values for the results in all kinematic parameters for the grab start compared with the track start, except for flight time (flight time 0.38 vs. 0.38 s, flight distance 2.82 vs. 2.73 m, flight velocity 7.47 vs. 7.31 m/s, entry angle 45.18 vs. 44.79 degrees and reaction time 0.88 vs. 0.82 s). These results indicate that the males had significantly better results for flight time and flight distance compared with the females for the grab start (flight time 0.42 vs. 0.38 s, flight distance 3.21 vs. 2.82 m). In the case of the track start, the males had significantly better results for flight distance (3.14 vs. 2.73 m). Exploring the characteristics of the two starts did not lead to any significant kinematic differences. Therefore, a conclusion that demonstrates the superiority of one of the techniques cannot be reached. The coach, together with each swimmer individually, should devote some time to decide after some tests what type of start is better for the body type and general qualifications of the swimmer.

The aim of the research was to determine the influence of sprint performance and explosive strength on ball throwing velocity in Goalball. The sample of participants consisted of 12 nationally and internationally ranked Goalball players, with an average age of (25.17±8.03). To evaluate sprint performance, the 5 and 10 meter sprint tests were used. To evaluate explosive strength, the standing long jump and seated medicine ball throw were used. The results of the regression analysis have indicated that the entire system of applied variables is statistically significantly connected and influences ball throwing velocity. At the same time, we evaluated the statistically significant influence of the seated medicine ball throw variable. We can conclude that as part of the fitness training of Goalball players, it is necessary to work on improving sprint performance and explosive strength due to the ability of rapid transition of the players from the defensive phase to the attack phase. It is especially important to develop upper-body explosive strength in order to increase ball throwing velocity and create the possibility for greater effectiveness of Goalball players.

SUMMARYThe aim of this study was to determine the differences in physical fitness in men older than 60. Two hundred and seventy-two subjects were included in this study. All subjects were divided into five age categories, as follows: 90 subjects aged 60−64 (33%), 70 subjects aged 65−69 (26%), 50 subjects aged 70−74 (18%) 41 subjects aged 75−79 (15%) and 21subjects over the age of 80 (8%). All subjects performed a battery of tests called the senior fitness test. The test consists of six measures of physical fitness: 1) Back scratch, 2) Chair sit and reach, 3) 8 foot up and go, 4) 30 sec stand from the chair, 5) Arm curl, 6) 2-minutes step test. Results of body mass index showed that all subjects were overweight regardless of age category. There is no statistically significant difference (p > .05) in flexibility between subjects of different age groups after the age of 60. The greatest differences were found in lower and upper extremities strength. The subjects aged 60−64 significantly differ in the strength of the lower extremities (p < .05) compared to subjects aged 70−74 and 75−79 years of age. The greatest heterogeneity was found in the parameters of aerobic endurance, with values progressively decreasing from the age of 60 (78.60 ± 42.00) to 80 (73.68 ± 35.62). It could be concluded that there was increase of fat tissue, with reduced level of muscle activity. In addition, it could be stated that aging process decrease muscle strength and endurance in elderly people.