Projects / Programmes
Kinesiology for quality of life
January 1, 2017
- December 31, 2021
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.10.00 |
Social sciences |
Sport |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B580 |
Biomedical sciences |
Skeleton, muscle system, rheumatology locomotion |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
Physical activity, Sport, Health, Aging, Ergonomics
Researchers (25)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Kinesiology for quality of life is gaining on the importance. With evolution and technological development we started neglecting one of fundamental biological needs-movement, and forgotten about the important role it plays and the effects that it has on our the health and function. The general lack of physical activity (PA), the ageing of the population, the earlier onset of degenerative processes, a sedentary lifestyle, an unbalanced diet, environmental and ergonomic effects and extreme workload are factors that directly affect the individual's performance and efficiency and quality of life. The spiral model of effects of physical inactivity (PI) puts at its base 3 fundamental factors: the lack of PA and motor competences and obesity. These factors often work simultaneously, and lead to irrational PA, excessive energy consumption and rapid fatigue, and consequently manifest in negative physical and motor self-esteem, which affect the quality of life, and the alienation from social activity. Based on theoretical considerations and sci. evidence, we established a framework for further research through the prism of 3 periods of motor development: (1) of establishing motor competences; (2) of the usage of motor competences; and (3) of preserving motor competences. Few are aware of the need to consider PI separately from PA. Experts rank PI at the top of the list of mortality factors. In our important publication, we reported that there is a strong combined effect of ageing and PI on the parameters that influence the overall health and causes irreversible changes on the skeletal muscle. In the future, we will be centered on the study of the skeletal muscle adaptation mechanisms to chronic exercise and PI in relation to age, gender and the environment. To achieve this, we will continue to develop new non-invasive diagnostic methods of muscle properties. Since we have used innovative solutions for measuring skeletal muscle properties 15 years ago, we can repeat these measurements on the same population and respond to the causal relationship of the muscle properties developments from childhood to adulthood. We will moreover focus on interventions, based on a greater exploitation of the existing school curriculum, and later also on the introduction of interventions to increase PA. We will study the mechanisms of sports injuries (and predictions), rehabilitation and safe return to sport. We will also be interested in kinesiologic-ergonomic factors of health in the workplace, as the working environment is an example of existing cohorts, in the scope of which we can look for good practice of health care. The effects of ageing or countering the aging and comorbidity will be analyzed through controlled experiments of dimensioning of exercise for different target groups on which to base the development of clinical kinesiology. We believe that the latter will offer young generations a new branch of education, profession and employment opportunities.
Significance for science
Studying competencies of the modern man is one of the most researched fields in the world and in Slovenia. Unfortunately, among the numerous competencies that are relevant for individual's survival and for the survival of the society, we are only rarely aware of the importance of motor competencies and general motor capital of the individual. This usually becomes a relevant and main subject of discussion, when individual's ability to work and independence are jeopardised, or when an individual cannot achieve the competitive level due to the work in a specific environment or if the individual is not satisfied with own body and motor self image. These issues are of our immediate concern and this concern is increasing and becoming more complex from day to day. Modern approaches to resolving the issues call for an interdisciplinary approach and open new research and interdisciplinary fields of work that connect the findings of individual isolated projects and programmes in a complete story.
The lifestyle and quality of life experience negative trends in connection with human development. The development and applicative use of new advanced technological procedures and techniques enables controlled work in the analysis of situation, quality interpretations of results and testing of applied solutions. The proposed programme will be directly included in the technological developmente of new technological solutions for more detailed insight into the assessment of important health parameters as well as for evaluation of interventions effectiveness to counteract those negative trends of lifestyle in all target populations.
Connections that have been defined many times as descriptive will be specified and assessed. On their basis we will make models/simulations of potential stimulations/solutions for preventing negative trends in motor and body development of man on the national and world level. Research will bring many standardised solutions that will be in agreement with modern ergonomic theory and practice and will arise from the research sample of Slovenian population. Here we will have to emphasise the originality of research orientation, since there have been only few similar researches implemented in Slovenia, or they were implemented in the 1970s. The development of the modern society brings psychophysical characteristics of the Slovenian population, therefore, researching this issue is quite necessary today. Similar approaches enable us more original problem considerations, the instruments and similar research equipment ensures reliable findings that can be directly applied.
Studying the impact of motor/sport inactivity on man and energy balance through the prism of motor/sport activity of the target population is most important for studying kinesiology. These approaches contribute to the development of kinesiological sciences that discuss the problems of active lifestyle, nutrition and energy consumption as well as the development of children and adolescents. They also contribute to natural, medical and social scientific aspects of kinesiology.
Significance for the country
Health and health related quality of life play an important role in the entire social development of Slovenia. Weaker health and frequent diseases decrease the ability of the elderly to work and lead to increased absenteeism. The elderly get injured more often, they lose work days, they spend more insurance means, due to which they are more expensive for the work organisation and the state, at the same time they endanger themselves and their coworkers. This is also one of the fields of work of our programme team that is cooperating with Lek, Cimos and Hidria companies in optimising and creating healthy work places. Reducing the occurrence of diseases, absenteeism - absences from work places and presence (inefficiency at arok place), days in hospital, increasing the quality of life and consequently the efficiency at work place are only some positive effects of our work. These factors are mostly relevant for the quality of life of the younger population that will be also dedicated special attention in our research.
Informing expert public on research findings (kinesiologists, sport pedagogues, doctors, teachers, kindergarten teachers, coaches, and workers in tourism) will be of key importance, as well as informing general and political public by organising and attending local and international expert and scientific meetings. Let us mention a few of the most important meetings that we have organised so far: five international scientific meetings "Kinesiology for the Future" (2009-11), periodic on 2-years international scientific and expert symposiums "Child in Motion" (from 2004), yearly scientific meetings "World Kidney Day" (from 2010), yearly "Science for Health Learning about Cardio-Vascular Diseases" (from 2011), yearly "Brain Week " (from 2012), »World Muscle Day« (from 2014). In this way we are also promoting Slovenia.
Our successful work in the past resulted in the application of the patent for the Method for selective and noninvasive detection of skeletal muscles contraction process, which was submitted by the TMG-BMC company. The members of the proposed programme team are also additionally employed in companies that have marketed innovative products and technology for many years, as well as new knowledge in the form of services and products in the field of sports, medicine and rehabilitation. The use and creation of measuring and diagnostic equipment sets the proposed programme team (and also Slovenia) alongside foreign countries. Cooperation that has resulted from such work includes many international projects and other kinds of project cooperation, which has been managed by the proposed programme team during the entire time of its existence.
Within the Applied Kinesiology study programme the members of the programme team educate professionals in kinesiology and ergonomics, also train different sport coaches and teachers. The University Kinesiology Centre and the Laboratory of the Institute for Kinesiology Research also implements measurements on top athletes and recreational athletes for supporting and planning healthy and efficient exercise and training.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
