Projects / Programmes
THE ANALYSIS OF THE INFLUENCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS ON SPORT AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BY MEASURING ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN 11 TO 15 YEAR OLD CHILDREN IN THE PERIOD 2006-2010: AN INTERNATIONAL COMPARISON (USA, CROATIA, SLOVENIA)
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.10.00 |
Social sciences |
Sport |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S273 |
Social sciences |
Physical training, motorial learning, sport |
quality of life, environment factors, children and adolescents, energy expenditure, capability, nutrition, overweight, physical education, prevention, max oxygen expenditure, social relations
Researchers (22)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
This research studies a problem of too little physical activity of children (as well as adults) and excessive growth of body weight, which has negative consequences on health. Researching the problem will bring out some suggestions of how to change the habits of children as well as bring changes wider to environment.
The research will be carried out on stratified sample of children of both genders, in the period of four years. With such longitudinal approach we are going to see more clearly the changes in the development of the children.
We will try to determine if there are any factors, which prevent children to be more physically active and to eat healthier. With questioners, for children and their parents, we will try to find out what are the characteristics of physical activities in or out of school. Our goal is to determine what kinds of opportunities have children in the surrounding where they live and at their schools.
We are going to measure physical activity with hart rate monitors and calorie monitors. Children will be measured during the school days and weekends. Each child is going to carry calorie monitor around his arm, elastic band around his chest and heart rate monitor on the wrist for four days in a row, including Saturday and Sunday. The complete collection will include data of body development, motor characteristics and measurement of oxygen expenditure with telemetric measurement devices.
One of the questioners is going to establish, the nutritional habits of children. With it we will gather iformation that will allow us to investigate school lunches and types of snacks that are available in schools. Parallel to all these measurements we are going to determine the quality of nutrition, level of activity and body fat are on recommended level for healthy children and if there are any possibilities of improving nutritional and physical habits of the children.
Significance for science
1. In the area of monitoring of physical and motor development of children the research group belongs to one of the most effective in the world since its database in 2011 includes more than 5 million measured children and the use of this data is growing with more and more physical education teachers in the Slovenian educational system utilysing them to plan the lessons and adjust the contents to the level of their pupil’s abilities.
2. European research project Children obesity SURVEILLANCE under the supervision of WHO, 2006-ongoing
3. The research project Determination of energy consumption of children in everyday life, from the Faculty of kinesiologists Michigena (USA), 2006-ongoing
4. Inter-institutional cooperation with the Faculty of Physical Education in Skopje, 2007-2009
5. Programming Research project for the development of transformational proceses for development of programes for physical fitness, Faculty of Zagreb kinesiologists
6. Inter-institutional cooperation with the Austrian Institute for Eastern and Southeastern Europe and the University of Graz, Department of Psychology, Austria
7. The project for the state government: Information database Slofit - mandatory data collection on physical characteristics and motor abilities of Slovenian children and youth, the Ministry of Education and Sports, 1987 - ongoing
8. Project for other clients: Information portal and online magazine www.youthsport.org Youth Sports, the Foundation for Sport, 2008-2009
9. Project for other clients: Computerisation database Slofit and a system of information and advice for parents of gifted children's sports, the Foundation for Sport, 2008-2009
10. Project for other clients: professional training for professionals in education and training in social and civic competences in 2008 - 2011, University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education
Significance for the country
School physical education, organized physical activity and proper diet are components of effective strategies to curb the problem of excessive increase in body weight. Extensive research has a very good basis for change by argument that our society needs in order to improve the health of Slovenian youth. Changing of established system is complex and responsible process, which requires a well-supported arguments. Information about the seriousness of the problem will have a direct impact on increasing the quality of work in the school system, the system of sports clubs and private individuals in the field of sport.
The study of this problem will also enable the wider changes in the child's environment. For reasons that prevent children to be sufficiently active, we will try to find solutions. Information on food quality will enable the programs to raise awareness for the entire Slovenian population. Recording of the composition and types snacks, which are available in school vending machines, and school lunches we will influence the adoption of measures for change and improving their quality in this area.
Sports equipment must be followed by negative trends occurring in our society so that it can effectively eliminate the effects of modern living. The study was supported by a leading Slovenian companies in the field of sports equipment - Elan Inventa. The purpose of this cooperation is to jointly search for solutions better controlled, which will have positive effects on our youth and find concrete solutions for development of sports equipment that will indirectly or directly in the capacity of the programs of sports training.
Most important scientific results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2008,
2009,
final report,
complete report on dLib.si
