Projects / Programmes
Kinesiology for quality of life
January 1, 2013
- December 31, 2016
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 5.10.03 |
Social sciences |
Sport |
Kinesiology - biomechanical, biometrical aspect |
| 5.10.01 |
Social sciences |
Sport |
Kinesiology - pedagogical aspect (sport, training, motorial learning) |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| S273 |
Social sciences |
Physical training, motorial learning, sport |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 3.03 |
Medical and Health Sciences |
Health sciences |
Researchers (22)
Organisations (2)
Abstract
Kinesiology for the quality of life is a meaningful title of the research programme, which already at its establishment pierced right in the problem of the modern society which is increasing from day to day. The spiral model of motor/sport inactivity (physical passivity) factors focuses on three basic factors - causes: the lack of movement, excessive body weight - obesity and the lack of motor competencies. These mostly act simultaneously thus leading to irrational motor/sport activity, excessive use of energy and rapid fatigue, consequently causing negative self image and poor motor self image that impacts poor quality of life and alienation from social activities.
Through history motor development was discussed in the context of human development and in accordance with the comprehension of this development or theories that were predominant in each period of time. Quite early, the awareness on the role and meaning of harmonised and quality physical - phyisica, motor and psychical - mental development of the individual was formed. There were notions that the combination of body constitution, strength, nutrition and exercise creates an appropriate and complete scheme, which should receive the right attention by considering the season, wind changes, individual's age and domestic situation, as well as that the lack of food or exercise causes diseases (Hippocrates, 480 BC). With evolution and technological development, man managed to alienate one of the fundamental requirements - namely movement and man also forgot about the role and fundamental effects of movement on health and the conformity of the organism. General lack of motor/sport activity, the ageing of population, the emergence of degenerative processes in the first life period, sedentary lifestyle, inappropriate nutrition, climate and ergonomic influences, as well as extreme burdens at work are only a few of the factors that directly influence individual's success at work and efficiency, consequently impacting individual's comprehension of the quality of life in general.
Physical and psychical condition, good immune system and general endurance as well as motor efficiency act in extreme connection and have an important impact on people's well being and the ability to work. Here motor competencies hold a special place, since they are of key importance for an individual's complete development; in the process of ensuring health and during all life periods, they substantially contribute to the general quality of human life. Based on theoretical standpoints, preliminary studies, and mostly based on direct research experience and findings we managed to offer a model of human motor development based on the role and importance of motor competencies in individual life periods. The verification and analysis of the multi-dimensional competence model of motor development that determines the individual from the aspect of three fundamental periods: (1) establishment - formation of motor competencies; (2) use - application of motor competencies; and (3) deterioration - preservation of motor competencies set the framework for further research which has been drafted for the near future.
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 programme was directly involved in the technological development 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. Research brought many standardised solutions that are 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 cooperated 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) was 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: 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 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
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Annual report
2013,
2014,
2015,
final report
