ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The previous review of physical activity (PA) among Croatian children and adolescents was conducted a decade ago. Therefore, the aim of this study was to summarize recent evidence on PA of Croatian children and adolescents and associated personal, social, environmental, and policy factors. METHODS: Eighteen experts reviewed the available evidence and provided ratings (from the lowest grade "F" to the highest grade "A+") for the 10 Global Matrix indicators. A systematic search with 100 keywords was conducted in Hrcak, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science for documents published from January 01, 2012, to April 15, 2022. We also conducted internet searches and secondary analyses of data (relative frequencies) from 6 studies. RESULTS: After assessing 7562 references, we included 90 publications in the review and 18 studies (83.3% of medium-to-good quality) in evidence synthesis. We found a high prevalence of insufficient PA (especially among girls) and excessive screen time (especially among boys). PA participation of children and adolescents in Croatia has declined over time. The following grades were assigned to the indicators for Croatia: B- for overall PA, C- for organized sport and PA, C for active play, C- for active transportation, D+ for sedentary behavior, inconclusive for physical fitness, D+ for family and peers, B- for school, B- for community and environment, and D+ for government. CONCLUSIONS: Coordinated actions are needed across sectors to improve PA promotion, with a focus on increasing PA among girls, reducing sedentary screen time among boys, improving parental support for PA, and further development of national PA policies.
Subject(s)
Exercise , Health Promotion , Male , Female , Humans , Child , Adolescent , Croatia/epidemiology , Prevalence , Environment Design , Health PolicyABSTRACT
Soccer players are usually selected based on their anthropometry characteristics rather than their performances. Therefore, the purpose of this cross-sectional study was to examine the relationship between morphological and match performances among junior soccer players. Thirty seven junior soccer players were randomly selected using as stratification criteria age and playing role. Skinfolds (mm) were measured at six sites: triceps skinfold thickness, subscapular skinfold thickness, thigh skinfold thickness, calf skinfold thickness, supraspinal skinfold thickness and abdominal skinfold thickness. In addition, total distance covered during the match, as well as the distance traveled by walking, jogging, moderate and high intensity running and sprinting was determined. The total distance covered was associated with subscapular and abdominal skinfolds. In addition, the subscapular skinfolds were significantly related to high intensity running and sprinting. No other statistically significant correlations were found among other skinfold and performance parameters. The present study showed no significant relationships between morphological and match performances among junior soccer players. Our study supports the conclusions that beside the anthropometry advantage, psychological and soccer-specific skills should be also considered in the selection of soccer players.
Los jugadores de fútbol suelen ser seleccionados sobre la base de sus características antropométricas en lugar de sus actuaciones. Por lo tanto, el propósito de este estudio transversal fue examinar la relación entre la morfología y las coincidencias entre los jugadores de fútbol junior. Treinta y siete jugadores de fútbol junior fueron seleccionados al azar utilizando como criterios de estratificación la edad y el papel de juego. Se midieron pliegues cutáneos (mm) en seis sitios: grosor de pliegue tricipital, grosor de pliegue subescapular, grosor de pliegue de muslo, grosor de pliegue de la pantorrilla, grosor de pliegue supraespinal y grosor de pliegue abdominal. Además, se determinó la distancia total cubierta durante el partido, así como la distancia recorrida por caminar, trotar, corrida de intensidad moderada y alta y sprint. La distancia total cubierta se asoció con los pliegues cutáneos subescapulares y abdominales. Además, los pliegues cutáneos subescapulares se relacionaron significativamente con la corrida de alta intensidad y el sprint. No se encontraron otras correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre otros pliegues cutáneos y parámetros de rendimiento. El presente estudio no mostró ninguna relación significativa entre la morfología y el rendimiento de partidos entre los jugadores de fútbol menor. Nuestro estudio apoya las conclusiones de que, además de la ventaja de la antropometría, las habilidades psicológicas y específicas del fútbol también deben considerarse en la selección de jugadores de fútbol.
