Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation, Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Education, General Health Professions
15
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
EUROFIT Reference Values of 7-11 Aged Children in Urban Areas of Kosovo: Relations between Age and Gender , Bahri Gjinovci, Besnik Morina, , Goran Sporiš, , Valon Nikqi, , Onur Akman, , Damir Jurko, , Arta Osmani, , Maki Grle, , Ivana Grle, , Jerko Prlić, , Robert Citozi, and Sport Mont, 2025 This study establishes EUROFIT reference values for physical fitness and anthropometric measurements in children aged 7-11 years in urban Kosovo. Analyzing data from 500 participants, the study examines age- and sexbased variations in motor abilities and morphological traits. Data was collected over three months, from April through June 2023, in a typical school setting during regular physical education class times. This environment was typically utilized by students to reduce performance variability caused by external conditions. Results reveal age-related increases in height, weight, and strength measures, consistent with growth trends during childhood. Boys showed higher performance in strength and power tests, while girls exhibited greater flexibility. The EUROFIT battery proved effective for assessing physical fitness across age groups. This research fills a data gap in Kosovo, providing valuable reference values for educators, coaches, and policymakers aiming to promote children’s health and physical activity.
Age-stratified EUROFIT scores and differences of rural and urban male children in Kosovo Besnik Morina, Valon Nikqi, Rrezon Krasniqi, Matej Babić, Tomislav Vlahović, Adem Preljević, Marko Žigman, Goran Sporiš Pedagogy of Physical Culture and Sports, 2024 Background and Study Aim. Since its inception in 1988, the EUROFIT database network has expanded significantly. This expansion has facilitated the use of standardized test batteries to evaluate physical fitness across diverse groups. This study therefore aimed to determine possible differences in EUROFIT scores between rural and urban male children in Kosovo aged 7 to 11 years and to suggest the underlying factors besides the differences. Material and Methods. The study involved 500 schoolchildren from Kosovo, both rural and urban, aged between 7 and 11 years. They were equally distributed within the total sample. Measurements were conducted using EUROFIT and anthropometric tests. The results were subsequently analyzed and compared using a Student's t-test. Results. The data revealed that urban children have a better starting point, benefiting from greater access to organized physical activities. Their diets, while less healthy, may enhance physical power. The rural environment fosters healthier growth and skill development in boys, particularly before and during the onset of puberty. Conclusions. Urban children should maintain their regular organized physical activities throughout the school period. This will help them match their rural peers in terms of motor and functional abilities. However, morphological traits are becoming more similar between these groups as they enter the prepubertal stage. Future studies should investigate potential differences in female samples. They should also extend to other countries and regions to provide a broader perspective.
THE RELATIONS BETWEEN BLOOD PRESSURE AND HANDGRIP STRENGTH IN CHILDREN Gentiana Beqa Ahmeti, Besnik Morina, Georgi Georgiev, Seryozha Gontarev Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 2023 Background. Studies, previously completed, announce that the handgrip strength as a measurement for assessing muscle fitness is associated with cardiovascular risk factors. Yet, the relation of handgrip strength to the blood pressure in children is inconsistent. Therefore, we conducted the present research aiming to establish the relation of the handgrip strength to the blood pressure in Macedonian children from the Skopje region. Materials and methods. The research was conducted on a sample of 1076 children (534 boys and 542 girls), whereby the following characteristics were measured: blood pressure, handgrip strength, weight, height, body fat percentage, waist circumference and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated. General linear models were used to examine the association between handgrip strength and the outcome variables. Results. After the adjustment of age, gender, BMI, body fat percentage and waist circumference, the handgrip strength was statistically significantly positively associated to both systolic (P<0.0001) and diastolic (P=0.02) blood pressure. There was a growing trend of the systolic blood pressure as the handgrip strength increased from the lower quartile to the upper quartile with 3,7 mm Hg difference between the upper and lower quartile (P for trend = 0.03). In this research, it was not established a statistically significant trend of the diastolic blood pressure as the hand grip strength increases from the lower quartile to the upper quartile (P for trend=0.09). Conclusions. The muscle fitness has a positive correlation with the blood pressure in the respondents. The implications and the basic mechanisms of these results require further research studies.
Total and Abdominal Adiposity are Lower in Overweight and Obese Children with High Cardiorespiratory Fitness , Besnik Morina, Florian Miftari, , Georgi Georgiev, , Seryozha Gontarev, and Sport Mont, 2022 The study goal was to determine the impact of cardiorespiratory fitness on the total and abdominal adiposity in a sample of children aged 6 to 10. It was hypothesised that high cardiorespiratory fitness would result in lower total and abdominal obesity. The research was conducted on a sample of 1432 respondents where 717 (50.1%) are boys, and 715 (49.9%) are girls aged 6 to 10. The average age of the respondents was 8.72±1.4 years. Three anthropometric measures (body height, body weight and waist circumference) were considered and the body composition was determined by BIA. Body mass index sex - and age-specific cut-off points were used for overweight and obesity definition and children were placed in two groups: overweight/obese and non overweight. Cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) was assessed with the endurance shuttle-run test. Participants were grouped into high and low CRF based on age and sex distributions. The results were statistically analyzed by using t-tests and a χ2 test, analysis of covariance, Pearson correlation and hierarchical linear regression. On the basis of the obtained results, one can conclude that children who are overweight or obese and have a high level of cardiorespiratory fitness, have lower body mass index values, lower waist circumference, lower body fat percentage and a higher muscle mass percentage compared to children who are classified in the same BMI category, but have low values of cardiorespiratory fitness. The results of this study suggest that an appropriate level of cardiorespiratory fitness can reduce the threats of obesity among the pediatric population.
Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Adults In Kosovo Besnik Morina, Shqipe Bajçinca Brestovci Sportske Nauke I Zdravlje, 2022 Purpose: Monitoring overweight and obesity is important for evaluating targeted interventions, preventing or reducing overweight and obesity. The purpose of this research was to confirm the hypothesis H: A if there are or not statistically significant differences between the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and the weight status of the respondents in Kosovo. Methods: Participants were 200 male-female persons, of which 100 male-female persons were from urban areas, 100 male-female persons were from rural areas, the material was collected during March 2021. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from self-reported height and weight. Results: The results show that the percentage of underweight was 1.2%, normal weight 30.8%, overweight 46.5%, and obesity included 21.5% of respondents. More males than females were overweight (54.6% vs 37%) of the women surveyed. Category >60 years - older people were significantly more overweight (53.4%) and obese (34.1%) of respondents than middle-aged and younger adults. Retired people make up a larger share of overweight and obesity (82.0%) of respondents, compared to employees, unemployed and students. People from urban areas were significantly more overweight than people in rural areas (49.3 vs 33.3%) and obese (23.3 vs 13.3%). Conclusion: In accordance with the research objective and hypotheses, we also obtained the research results show that the hypothesis H: A is proved which shows that there are statistically significant differences between the socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and the weight status of the respondents in Kosovo.
HEALTH-RELATED PHYSICAL FITNESS IS ASSOCIATED WITH TOTAL AND CENTRAL BODY FAT IN CHILDREN AGED 6 TO 10 YEARS Malsor Gjonbalaj, Besnik Morina, Seryozha Gontarev, Georgi Georgiev Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 2022 Study purpose. This study purpose was to investigate whether health-related physical fitness is associated with total and central body fat in school children aged 6–10 years.Materials and methods. A total of 2197 Macedonian children aged 6–10 years (1096 boys and 1101 girls) participated in the study. Health-related physical fitness was measured by the modified EUROFIT test battery: the 20 m shuttle run test (cardiorespiratory fitness); the handgrip strength test, the standing long jump and the 30 s sit-ups tests (muscular strength); the 4×10 m shuttle run test (motor fitness) and the sit and reach test (flexibility). Body mass index, body fat percentage and waist circumference were used as markers of total and central body fat, respectively.Results. The standing long jump, the 30 s sit-ups, the 4×10 m shuttle run and the 20 m shuttle run tests were negatively associated with all markers of total and central body fat in boys and girls after controlling for age (p<0.01). The handgrip strength test was positively associated with all markers of total and central body fat (p<0.01). No statistically significant correlation was established between the markers of total and central body fat and the sit and reach test.Conclusions. The present study broadens previous findings in children and adolescents which demonstrate correlations between the health-related physical fitness components, chiefly the muscle strength, the agility and cardiorespiratory fitness and total central adiposity. Fitness assessment should be introduced in future epidemiological and intervention studies in school children because it seems to be an important factor determining health.
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN CLUB SPORTS PARTICIPATION AND PHYSICAL FITNESS OF 6-10-YEAR-OLD MACEDONIAN CHILDREN Besnik Morina, Malsor Gjonbalaj, Seryozha Gontarev, Georgi Georgiev Physical Education Theory and Methodology, 2022 Background. Physical inactivity is associated with poor physical fitness and weight gain. Organized sports activities can be a significant component in providing adequate fitness which, on its part, is an important aspect of general health and well-being. The purpose of the study was to establish the relationship between participation in organized sports activity and obesity as well as physical fitness of 6–10-year-old children from the region of the city of Skopje in the Republic of North Macedonia.Materials and methods. The height, weight, body mass composition, and various components of physical fitness were measured in 940 children (aged 8.98 ± 3.39). The sports participation and confounding variables, such as parents’ education and body weight as well as parents’ sports activities, were estimated through a questionnaire completed by parents. In order to achieve the study purpose, the study used the multinomial logistic regression analysis and the multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA).Results. Less-than-once-a-week sports participation was established in 41.1% of the children, once or twice a week – in 48.4%, and more often – in 10.5%. Obesity was established in 38.1% of the children. Children that had organized sports activity 1-2 times a week or more often showed a higher physical fitness level.Conclusions. Even though causality cannot be established, facilitation of organized sports activities may be a crucial aspect in public health efforts addressing the growing problems associated with overweight and obesity.
Gender differences in social cognitive factors and physical activity of kosovо college students Shqipe Bajçinca Brestovci, Besnik Morina, G. P. Georgiev, Seryozha Gontarev, J Bergier, et al. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 2021 Aim: Despite the numerous physical and psychological benefits of physical activity, the prevalence of achieving physical activity recommendations decreases in college students.Therefore, this study was conducted to identify the factors that influence physical activity in male and female college students.Methods: A quantitative, transversal research design was used to examine the factors that affect physical activity in male and female Kosovo students.The research was conducted on a sample of 973 (459 males and 514 females) students randomly selected from several faculties of the State University of Kosovo.Participants completed measures of physical activity, perceived benefits/barriers to PA, PA self-efficacy, parental support, peer support, and PA enjoyment.Results: Based on the obtained data, male students perceive a higher level of PA self-efficacy and social support from friends, they perceive more benefits from exercising, less barriers, and enjoy physical activity more.A higher percentage of male students have the recommended physical activity level as compared to female students.With the male students, it is the predictor variables that have statistically significant influences on the physical activity PA self-efficacy (OR = 1.61, 95% CI = 1.22-2.13,p = 0.001) and perceived benefits (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01-1.05,p = 0.003).For female students, a statistically significant influence on the physical activity was presented with the predictor variables of PA self-efficacy (OR = 1.54, 95% CI = 1.17-2.04,p = 0.002), perceived barriers (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.93-0.99,p = 0.010), and perceived benefits (OR = 1.03, 95% CI = 1.01-1.05,p = 0.001).Conclusions: Our study results suggest that future studies should develop a school-based program that focus on PA self-efficacy, given that this has the largest influence on college students' PA, because colleges and universities are an appropriate setting to promote sports activities.
Fitness level differences between students in Kosovo and Montenegro Besnik Morina, Florian Miftari, Dana Badau Education Sciences, 2021 Geographical, cultural, and socio-economic factors create a different lifestyle. Accordingly, the aim of this research was to identify the differences in anthropometric and fitness characteristics among adolescents living in Montenegro and Kosovo in order to optimize the physical fitness as a consequence of the proactive behavior. Anthropometric characteristics and fitness level measures were assessed by Eurofit testing battery among 600 Kosovar and 600 Montenegrin students, equally distributed by gender. Differences between countries, gender, and age group (13, 14 and 15 years) were assessed with multivariate and univariate analysis of variance. The results showed that Montenegrin students are taller, heavier, and achieve better results in the sit-ups and 20-m endurance shuttle-run tests. Kosovar students achieve better results in the standing broad jump and 10 × 5 m shuttle-run tests. Males achieve significantly better results in all tests, excluding the sit-and-reach test. Statistically significant differences among age groups were found for all variables, regardless gender and country (except for the flamingo and sit-and reach tests). This study is of importance to physical education teachers and curriculum authors to optimize students’ proactive behavior based on the identified anthropometric and physical fitness differences between the two countries, age groups, and genders.
Some indicators of fatness and fitness in Kosovian and Montenegro adolescents Besnik Morina, Georgi Georgiev, Rasid Hadzic International Journal of Morphology, 2018 The aim of the research was to determine the full and age specific differences in obesity and motor abilities by adolescents from two countries in two western Balkan countries in south-eastern Europe: Kosovo and Montenegro. The research was realized on a sample of 1200 respondents. Of these, 600 were from Kosovo and Montenegro, a total of 6 groups from each state (100 respondents in each groups) age (13, 14 and 15 years) and sex (boys and girls). Body height, body weight, body mass index, flamingo balance, plate tapping, sit-and-reach, standing broad jump, handgrip test, sit-ups in 30 seconds, bent arm hang, 10 x 5 meter shuttle run and 20 m endurance shuttle-run were used in the analysis. The differences in fitness tests, anthropometric measures by Kosovian and Montenegro Adolescents were examined by one-way analysis of covariance. Montenegrin and Kosovo girls and Kosovo boys indicate a smaller overweight and obesity in comparison with peer group from Europe, while boys from Montenegro are placed near to their counterparts from western and southern Europe. Kosovo adolescents of both sexes and Montenegrin male adolescents aged 13 and 14 achieve on average poorer results in the test standing broad jump and 20 meters endurance shuttle-run, but achieving better results of the test pull ups stamina compared to European peers. Montenegrin female adolescents achieve poorer results in the test standing broad jump, but better results of the test pull ups stamina compared to European colleagues.
Homogeneity of applied eurofit test battery with 13-year-old pupils from Kosovo and Montenegro Sport Science, 2015
How is classmate and PE teacher support associated with the level of physical activity in young adolescents from Kosovo? The role of gender and age Central European Journal of Public Health, 2015
RELIABILITY OF EUROFIT TEST BATTERY WITH PUPILS FROM KOSOVO AND MONTENEGRO Sport Science, 2015
