1. Test–retest reliability of postural sway measures using a portable low-cost force plate in healthy adultsMiha Vindiš, Žiga Kozinc, Nenad Nedović, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Background and Purpose Center of pressure (CoP) metrics derived from force plates are widely used to quantify postural control, but laboratory-grade systems limit routine clinical and field implementation. Portable low-cost force plates could enable physiotherapists to monitor balance longitudinally, provided that their measurements are sufficiently reliable and clinically interpretable. This study addresses a gap in the literature by systematically comparing the test–retest reliability of CoP outcomes across bipedal and single-leg stance conditions using a portable low-cost force plate, providing device-specific and task-specific validation data relevant to clinical and field-based implementation. Methods This test–retest reliability study included 27 healthy young adults who completed two laboratory sessions 7–10 days apart. In each session, participants performed three 30-s trials of bipedal quiet stance and three 30-s trials of single-leg stance on each leg barefoot with standardized arm position and visual fixation. Mean values across repetitions were analyzed. Relative reliability was assessed using two-way mixed-effects ICC for absolute agreement (3,1), with 95% confidence intervals. Absolute reliability was quantified using typical error (TE) and coefficient of variation (CV). Paired t-tests evaluated systematic between-session differences. Results Across all outcomes, single-leg stance demonstrated substantially higher inter-session reliability compared to bipedal stance. Measures of total CoP displacement and velocity during single-leg stance exhibited good to excellent reliability (ICC = 0.85–0.90) and low absolute error (CV ≈ 8%), with direction-specific displacements showing similarly consistent results (ICC = 0.83–0.90; CV generally < 10%). In contrast, the CoP ellipse area and standard deviation measures were considerably less stable (ICC = 0.57–0.79) and displayed markedly higher variability (CV ≈ 16%–23%). The contrast was even more pronounced in the bipedal stance, where reliability was poor to moderate across all parameters (ICC = 0.39–0.65), with the ellipse area exhibiting excessive variability (CV > 60%). Notably, no systematic between-session differences were observed for most outcomes, further supporting the consistency of the measurements. Discussion In healthy young adults, single-leg stance provides more reliable CoP measures than bipedal quiet stance when using a portable low-cost force plate. Displacement- and velocity-based outcomes during single-leg stance appear most suitable for repeated assessments and monitoring. MDC95 values should be interpreted strictly as measurement-error thresholds and not as indicators of clinical responsiveness or meaningful clinical change because responsiveness was not evaluated.
Keywords: balance, reliability, force plate
Published in RUP: 08.07.2026; Views: 85; Downloads: 7
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2. Effects of dance-based exercise on health indicators in cancer patients : a systematic review and meta-analysisSara Zgonc, Aleksandra Ilić, Matej Plevnik, Žiga Kozinc, Saša Jovanović, 2026, review article Abstract: Introduction:Dance-based exercise has been increasingly explored as a complementary intervention in oncology, with potential benefits for physical, psychological, and social health. However, evidence remains inconsistent, and the overall strength of evidence has not been clearly established. The purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the effects of dance-based exercise on health indicators in individuals with cancer. Methods:A systematic search of the literature was conducted in April 2025. Randomized controlled trials investigating dance-based interventions in adults with cancer were included. Outcomes of interest were quality of life, depression, and stress. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale, and certainty of evidence was evaluated using the GRADE approach. Where outcome measures were comparable, random-effects meta-analyses were performed using standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. Results:Meta-analytic results indicated that dance-based exercise significantly improved physical aspects of quality of life (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.61, 95% CI [0.07, 1.15], P = .03). A positive but non-significant trend was observed for the social/family component of quality of life (SMD = 0.87, 95% CI [−0.21, 1.95], P = .11). Heterogeneity across studies was high for both analyses. For depression and stress, pooled results did not reach statistical significance, although several individual trials reported improvements, particularly among participants with higher baseline stress levels. Evidence was very low to low quality. Conclusions:Overall, findings suggest that dance-based exercise represents a feasible and beneficial complementary intervention that can enhance selected dimensions of quality of life among cancer patients. Further research employing standardized intervention protocols and consistent outcome measures is needed to better characterize the magnitude and specificity of effects across psychological and physical health domains.
Keywords: cancer, dance interventions, quality of life, physical activities, stress, depression
Published in RUP: 30.06.2026; Views: 147; Downloads: 8
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3. Primerjava telesnih značilnosti, silovitosti in izbranih dejavnikov hoje z obremenitvijo šolske torbe pri otrocih, starih 8–12 let : primer študije Slovenija – Bosna in HercegovinaŽana Bešić, 2026, master's thesis Keywords: parametri hoje, šolski otroci, šolski nahrbtnik, dominantnost zgornje okončine, telesne značilnosti, magistrske naloge
Published in RUP: 22.06.2026; Views: 205; Downloads: 8
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9. Early rehabilitation after total hip or knee joint replacement : a narrative reviewManca Zupančič Opara, Žiga Kozinc, Helmut Kern, Klaus Müller-Hohenstein, Stefan Loefler, Nejc Šarabon, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: When conservative treatment of osteoarthritis is not effective, patients may undergo total joint replacement. Postoperative rehabilitation is a crucial component of recovery, and early rehabilitation plays a particularly important role in optimizing outcomes, with the aim of enabling patients to return to independence and work as soon as possible. The aim of this paper is to summarize the role of early rehabilitation after total knee and hip joint replacement, including its main goals, key components, optimal timing, potential risks, and the evidence comparing early with delayed rehabilitation. Current evidence indicates that early inpatient rehabilitation contributes to faster recovery of mobility, improved joint range of motion and muscle strength, fewer postoperative complications, and shorter hospital stays. Early outpatient rehabilitation initiated soon after discharge may further support recovery by increasing daily physical activity, improving joint mobility, and reducing rehabilitation costs. Although some studies report similar clinical outcomes between early and delayed physiotherapy, earlier initiation may allow patients to achieve comparable functional recovery sooner. Overall, early rehabilitation represents a safe and effective approach that should be integrated into standard postoperative care pathways
Keywords: knee, hip, rehabilitation
Published in RUP: 07.06.2026; Views: 237; Downloads: 9
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10. Acute effects of Nordic hamstring exercise and Romanian deadlift on hamstring shear modulus and flexibilityKlemen Kalc, Amadej Jelen, Masatoshi Nakamura, Konstantin Warneke, Živa Jovanović, Leja Budja, Žiga Kozinc, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effects of Romanian deadlift (RDL) and Nordic hamstring exercise (NHE) on the stiffness and flexibility of hamstring muscles. We hypothesized that a) the RDL would have a greater acute effect on increasing the flexibility, b) the NHE would have a greater acute effect on the increase in stiffness of the biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST) in comparison to the semimembranosus (SM), and c) RDL would have a greater acute effect on the increase in stiffness of the SM in comparison to the ST. Twelve young, healthy participants (6 females; 22.8±3.0 years) performed RDL, and 12 participants (8 females; 22.8±3.1 years) performed NHE, with both interventions comprising 5 sets of 10 repetitions. Baseline and post-intervention stiffness was measured using shear– wave elastography, and flexibility using the passive straight leg raise test. There were no significant main effects of time (p=0.744), group (p=0.202), nor the interaction between time and group (p=0.131) for shear modulus. Similarly, no significant main effects of time (p=0.717) and group (p=0.856), nor an interaction between time and group (p=0.444), were observed for flexibility. These findings suggest that neither RDL nor NHE induce immediate measurable changes in hamstring muscle stiffness or flexibility. However, given the small group-specific sample size, the absence of significant effects should be interpreted cautiously and cannot be generalized beyond young, healthy recreationally active individuals.
Keywords: hamstring muscles, stiffness, ultrasound
Published in RUP: 01.06.2026; Views: 296; Downloads: 8
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