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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.

The essential oil of Hypericum hirsutum was analysed for the first time. Twenty-seven components were identified. The non-terpene compounds had the highest contribution (46.6%). A low monoterpenes content (1.3%) characterized the oil. The major constituents were n-undecane (32.2%), patchoulene (11.8%) and caryophyllene oxide (9.3%), which are not significantly represented in the essential oils of other species of the genus Hypericum examined. Copyright

SummaryBy determining the prevalence of postural disorders among eighth grade school students it is possible to indicate the state of these disorders at the end of the elementary school level of education, and compare it to the results obtained by applying corrective treatments on high school students. Thus, the aim of the research was to determine the prevalence of postural disorders among eighth grade school children. The research was carried out on a sample of 101 eighth grade students of both genders, aged 14. The photometry method was used to determine the presence of any postural disorders. The research results indicated that a proportionally statistically significant large number of participants with postural disorders were identified. Of the total number of participants, 60.4% had postural disorders, the most prevalent of which was flat back (22.8%), kypho-lordosis, (20.8%), lordosis (9.9%) and kyphosis (6.9%). Analyzed in terms of gender, the percentage of the girls with postural disorders is statistically significantly greater than that of the boys. Due to the large number of children with postural disorders, the recommendation is that the evaluation of the postural status of students should take place not only at the elementary school age, but also at the high school age. In addition, evaluation alone is insufficient, and exercise programs to correct postural disorders are required as well.

The aim of this study is to determine the state of postural disorders in the sagittal and frontal planes of the spinal column, as well as any gender differences in first-year elementary school students. The participant sample comprised 138 school children, 73 male and 56 female participants, all from the territory of the municipality of Knjaževac, Serbia. The measuring instrument, the Formetric 4D System, Diers, Germany was used for the assessment of postural disorders of the spinal column. The testing results were presented in terms of frequencies and percentages, while the chi-square independence test was used to determine differences in spinal deformity incidence between male and female participants. The results obtained indicate that, in the sagittal plane, deformity was present in a total of 73.9% of the sample (72.6% among the male and 75.4% among the female participants), whereas in the frontal plane this percentage amounted to 84.1% (84.9% among the male, and 83.1% among the female ones). Moreover, the results indicate that no statistically significant differences were found in terms of the incidence of postural disorders between male and female participants in the sagittal plane (sig=0.859) and in the frontal plane of the spinal column (sig=0.949). In view of the results obtained, it can be concluded that a high incidence of spinal postural disorders in both the frontal and sagittal planes was equally present in participants of both genders.

Objectives: We aimed to identify characteristics of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) patients associated with good self-management skills in the transition readiness process and to investigate the readiness of JIA patients and their families for the transition into the adult healthcare system. Patients and methods: Between March 2021 and June 2021, a total of 44 JIA patients (9 males, 35 females; median age: 15.1 years; range, 12.3 to 19.3 years) admitted to the pediatric rheumatology outpatient and inpatient clinics and their parents were included. Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire (TRAQ) was cross-culturally adapted. The TRAQ was administered to all JIA patients and their parents at one point. Demographic and clinical data were collected. Results: Fourteen (31.8%) of 44 JIA patients had a concomitant disease, while 10 (22.7%) of them had uveitis. Eleven (25%) of them had a family history of autoimmune diseases. In total, 21 (47.7%) of JIA patients were receiving biologics. There was a strong correlation between older age and total TRAQ scores among patients (ρ=0.799, p<0.001) and a moderate correlation between older patient age and total TRAQ scores among parents (ρ=0.522, p<0.001). Patient and parent total TRAQ scores were strongly correlated (ρ=0.653, p<0.001). There was no significant association of JIA patient characteristics (JIA disease subtypes, disease duration, gender, concomitant diseases, uveitis, family history of autoimmune diseases, number of hospitalizations, and treatment with biologics) with TRAQ scores and JIA patients' and parents' readiness for transition. Conclusion: Transition readiness of JIA patients increases with advancing age. There is no significant difference between transition readiness for JIA patients and their parents.

The essential oil of Hypericum olympicum L. was analysed for the first time and was compared to the essential oil of Hypericum perforatum L. from the same location. Eighteen components were common for both species. The main components of H. olympicim oil were (E)-anethole (30.7%) andˇ-farnesene (12.4%), and for H. perforatum oil they wereˇ-caryophyllene (14.2%) and 2-methyl-octane (13.1%).

The aim of the research was to contribute to better understanding of the correlation between postural disorders and muscle power in primary school children. The sample of respondents consisted of 1,120 children, aged 7 to 12 years (549 boys and 571 girls) from the territory of the municipality of Knjaževac. In the assessment of the spinal column status, the device "Spinal Mouse" (Switzerland) was used, while in the analysis of the status of the feet, the podoscope "Pedic" (Hungary) was used. A handheld dynamometer "Lafayette" (USA) and tensiometric force platform "Vernier Force Plate" (USA) were used in the analysis of muscle power. Spinal column and feet status were measured in the static condition, with children being in the upright standing position. Muscle power status was measured in both static (a clinician was applying muscle force to the dominant upper extremity of a child trying to overcome or "break" the child's muscle resistance) and dynamic conditions (Counter Movement Jump). Descriptive statistics and correlation analysis were used in data processing by the means of the SPSS software version 24. Results revealed poor postural and muscle power status, and correlations suggesting to possible kinetic chain reaction causing the disruption of the normal postural status in primary school children. Determined postural disorders are characterized by the early functional stage that can be reduced by appropriate corrective exercise programme application and augmented level of proper physical activity. Those programmes and activities are being guided and implemented by physicians and PE teachers in the municipality of Knjaževac.