31. Myotonometric assessment of achilles tendon and gastrocnemius stiffness in recreationally active young adults : reliability, impact of sex, and links to linear sprintMatic Sašek, Petra Brnelić, Žiga Kozinc, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study examined the relationship between passive Achilles tendon (AT) and gastrocnemius (GAS) stiffness, measured by myotonometry, and 40-m sprint performance across acceleration and maximal velocity phases, while accounting for sex differences. Twenty-one student athletes (10 males, 11 females) underwent bilateral passive stiffness assessments of the AT and GAS using MyotonPRO, followed by 40-m sprint testing with 10, 20, 30, and 40 m splits. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and coefficient of variation (CV). Sex differences were examined with independent t-tests. Partial correlations controlling for sex were used to assess associations between passive stiffness and sprint performance. Passive stiffness and sprint variables demonstrated excellent within-session reliability (ICC = 0.95–0.99; CV < 5%). Males showed significantly greater passive GAS stiffness bilaterally (p = 0.006–0.049) and faster sprint times at 30 m (p = 0.040) and 40 m (p < 0.001), while passive AT stiffness did not differ significantly between sexes. Partial correlations indicated that greater passive AT stiffness in both legs was associated with faster sprint times at 10 m (r = -0.46 and -0.58, p = 0.008 and 0.043) and 20 m (r = -0.49 and -0.58, p = 0.008 and 0.029). No associations were observed at 30 m or 40 m, nor between passive GAS stiffness and sprint performance. Myotonometry provides reliable measures of AT and GAS stiffness. Greater passive AT stiffness is associated with faster acceleration sprint performance independent of sex.
Ključne besede: stiffness, muscle, tendon, sprint
Objavljeno v RUP: 06.04.2026; Ogledov: 463; Prenosov: 15
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32. Prosthetic memory and film-induced dark tourism in the specific post-conflict context : a divergent young adults’ perspectiveMetod Šuligoj, Jasna Hartman, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: The present postmodernist study explores how widely accessible films depicting tragic historical sites/events influence prosthetic memories and film-induced dark tourism among Western Balkan (the ‘region of memory’) young adult new-age platform users with no personal war experience. A heterogeneous list of ten internation - ally known historical films, compiled with the help of informants, was the basis for discussion in three nationally diverse focus groups (Croatian, Serbian, Bosnian- Herzegovinian) and then compared with a comparison group from a less stressed environment. The results of the content analysis with triangulation are discussed, and explaining the missing prosthetic memory, factual knowledge and film-induced dark tourism nexus among young adults in a peculiarly toxic post-conflict atmosphere. The study thus identifies historical film and dark tourism abstainers and explains deviations not pre - viously reported in studies of the above concepts, taking into account the specific social environment and age group.
Ključne besede: prosthetic memory, learning history, dark tourism, film-induced tourism, post-conflict society, young adults
Objavljeno v RUP: 02.04.2026; Ogledov: 586; Prenosov: 9
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33. Occupational and non-occupational device-measured movement behaviours and low back pain : a compositional isotemporal substitution analysisKaja Kastelic, Nejc Šarabon, Michael David Burnard, Željko Pedišić, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: Physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep were shown to be independently associated with low back pain (LBP). The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the associations between 24-hour movement behaviour compositions and the occurrence, severity, and estimated level of LBP impact on an individual’s life. Methods: A convenience sample of 197 adults (40% females, 37 ± 11 years of age) were asked to wear an activPAL accelerometer for at least 7 consecutive days to assess their time-use composition consisting of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA), light- intensity physical activity (LPA), sedentary behaviour (SB), and sleep and to complete a questionnaire on LBP and sociodemographic characteristics. Compositional isotemporal substitution analyses were conducted separately for the non-domain-specific and domain- specific (including occupational and non-occupational domains) movement behaviour compositions. Results: Reallocating time from MVPA to any other movement behaviour or from sleep to LPA was associated with a higher LBP impact score. For example, reallocating 60 min/day from MVPA to LPA was associated with on average 17 points (95% CI: 6 to 28) higher LBP impact score (on a 0-70 scale). We did not find significant associations between the domain- specific time-use composition and LBP impact score (p = 0.060). We also did not find significant associations of the time-use compositions with occurrence and severity of LBP (p- value range: 0.067 to 0.649). Conclusion: Our study suggests that LBP sufferers with higher MVPA and sleep better cope with LBP. The differences in the LBP impact scores associated with theoretical reallocations between movement behaviours may be deemed clinically important. Future longitudinal and experimental studies in population-representative samples are needed to confirm our findings.
Ključne besede: musculoskeletal health, physical behaviours, time-use epidemiology
Objavljeno v RUP: 30.03.2026; Ogledov: 585; Prenosov: 13
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34. Targeting skeletal muscle melatonin-MT2 signaling to attenuate the obesity-cancer axis : a metabolic perspectiveMihaela Jurdana, Lovro Žiberna, 2026, pregledni znanstveni članek Opis: Obesity and metabolic syndrome promote malignancies through chronic inflammation and sustained activation of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling. Skeletal muscle is central to this tumor-promoting milieu because it governs insulin-stimulated glucose disposal, lipid oxidation, and endocrine crosstalk. This narrative review explores whether melatonin signaling in skeletal muscle, particularly via melatonin receptor 2 (MT2), represents a modifiable node within the obesity–cancer axis. Experimental evidence indicates that melatonin activates MT2-linked Gi/o and calcium-sensitive pathways converging on phosphoinositide 3-kinase–protein kinase B (PI3K–Akt), extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK), and calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II–adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase–peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (CaMKII–AMPK–PGC-1α) signaling. These pathways enhance insulin sensitivity, mitochondrial function, and lipid partitioning while reducing myosteatosis and cellular stress. By improving muscle quality, melatonin may lower systemic insulin and IGF-1 drive and inflammatory adipokine tone that fuel tumor-promoting PI3K–Akt–mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling. However, human evidence remains limited and timing-dependent. Melatonin exposure in the fed state or near carbohydrate intake may worsen glycemia, particularly in carriers of melatonin receptor 1B (MTNR1B) risk alleles. Chronobiology-informed, genotype-guided trials with detailed muscle phenotyping and cancer-relevant endpoints are warranted.
Ključne besede: melatonin, melatonin receptor 1, melatonin receptor 2, melatonin receptor 1A gene, melatonin receptor 1B gene, skeletal muscle, insulin resistance, myosteatosis, sarcopenic obesity, myokines, obesity-related cancer
Objavljeno v RUP: 26.03.2026; Ogledov: 601; Prenosov: 33
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35. Effects of foot strengthening exercises with or without a toe spacer on hallux alignment, foot mobility, and balance : a randomized controlled trialSara Gloria Meh, Miha Pešič, Žiga Kozinc, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background: Intrinsic foot muscle strengthening and orthotic devices such as toe spacers are commonly used to improve foot alignment and function. However, evidence regarding the combined effects of strengthening exercises and interdigital spacers remains limited. Objective: To examine whether adding a silicone toe spacer to a foot strengthening exercise program provides additional benefits compared with exercise alone. Design: Randomized controlled trial. Setting: University biomechanics laboratory. Participants: Twenty-five healthy adults (mean age 23.8 ± 1.3 years) without lower limb injury or neurological disorders were randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups. Interventions: Participants performed a six-week foot strengthening program (22 sessions). One group performed exercises alone, while the second group performed the same exercises while wearing a silicone interdigital toe spacer. Main outcome measures: The primary outcome was hallux valgus angle. Secondary outcomes included active and passive hallux range of motion (ROM), ankle dorsiflexion ROM (weight-bearing lunge test), navicular drop, and postural stability during single-leg stance assessed using center-of-pressure (CoP) measures. Results: Both groups demonstrated improvements over time in hallux valgus angle (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.361), active hallux range of motion (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.545), and ankle dorsiflexion (p < 0.001). However, no significant between-group differences were observed for the primary outcome or most secondary outcomes. A significant time × group interaction was observed only for passive hallux range of motion (p = 0.040, η2 = 0.170), indicating greater improvement in the exercise-only group. Navicular drop and postural stability variables did not change significantly. Conclusions: A six-week foot strengthening program improved hallux alignment, hallux mobility, and ankle dorsiflexion in healthy adults. The addition of a silicone toe spacer did not provide additional short-term benefits compared with exercise alone.
Ključne besede: foot, orthosis, thumb
Objavljeno v RUP: 26.03.2026; Ogledov: 1182; Prenosov: 23
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36. Start detection in resisted sprinting : a validity and reliability analysis of encoder- and sensor-based methodsOskar Cvjetičanin, Matic Sašek, Živa Mesec, Nejc Šarabon, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: This study evaluated the validity and reliability of start detection methods for determining 5-m sprint time using a resistance device with an encoder. Seventeen recreationally trained participants completed 12 resisted 5-m sprints across two sessions. Sprint start was identified using three encoder-based methods (position, velocity [MEv], and acceleration), a rear-foot release sensor and hip-marker kinematics (KIN) as a proxy for forward center-of-mass displacement. Reliability was evaluated using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV), typical error (TE), standard error of measurement (SEM), and minimal detectable change (MDC), while agreement was examined using Pearson correlations and Bland-Altman analysis. All methods showed moderate to excellent reliability (ICC = 0.54–0.93; CV ≤ 11.1%) and strong agreement with KIN (r = 0.90–0.94). MEv showed the smallest bias (−0.00 ± 0.07 s) and narrowest 95% limits of agreement, and is therefore preferred for sprint start detection in practical settings.
Ključne besede: resisted sprinting, sprint start, encoder, performance monitorin
Objavljeno v RUP: 26.03.2026; Ogledov: 632; Prenosov: 24
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38. Adherence and metabolic outcomes of early and late time-restricted eating with energy restriction vs. energy restriction alone : a 6-month follow-upTanja Črešnovar, Bernarda Habe, Nina Mohorko, Saša Kenig, Zala Jenko Pražnikar, Ana Petelin, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: Background/Objectives: Long-term weight maintenance remains challenging with conventional dietary strategies due to various barriers. Time-restricted eating (TRE) has recently attracted attention as a potential approach to improve adherence, but evidence on long-term maintenance is limited. We investigated the 6-month follow-up (6FU) of early time-restricted eating with energy restriction (eTRE + ER), late time-restricted eating with energy restriction (lTRE + ER) and energy restriction alone (ER). Methods: This 6FU included 69 of 93 participants from a previously conducted 3-month intervention (3INT). After the intervention, participants returned to free-living conditions without dietary guidance. Outcomes included adherence, perceived barriers, body composition, blood pressure, cardiometabolic risk factors, metabolic hormones, subjective appetite, and dietary intake. Results: Adherence of at least ≥5 days per week was low: 7.7% (eTRE + ER), 18.2% (lTRE + ER), and 9.5% (ER). Reduced adherence during the 6FU was associated with a partial reversal of improvements in body mass, body composition, cardiometabolic risk factors, metabolic hormones, and subjective appetite observed during the 3INT. Analysis of perceived barriers showed that environmental and psychosocial barriers were significant predictors of changes in body mass during the 6FU, while environmental and behavioral barriers were associated with extension of the eating window. These associations were most pronounced in the eTRE + ER group. Conclusions: During the 6FU, differences between dietary strategies gradually diminished, although some remained clinically meaningful. Long-term adherence was low across all three dietary strategies, with psychosocial, environmental, and behavioral barriers particularly evident in the eTRE + ER group. Further research is needed to confirm long-term adherence before TRE + ER interventions can be widely applied in clinical practice.
Ključne besede: early time-restricted eating, late time-restricted eating, energy restriction, overweight, obesity
Objavljeno v RUP: 22.03.2026; Ogledov: 957; Prenosov: 26
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39. Machine learning identifies distinct movement control impairment clusters in patients with chronic neck painŽiva Majcen Rošker, Jernej Rošker, 2026, izvirni znanstveni članek Opis: atients with chronic neck pain experience various impairments, with reduced movement control suggested as a significant contributing factor. The heterogeneity of this patient population and suboptimal rehabilitation outcomes suggests the existence of latent subgroup characteristics. The aim of this study was to identify distinct groups among patients with neck pain based on the movement control test and pain intensity and to provide information on cluster-specific impairments. 135 patients with idiopathic neck pain performed a movement control test (the Butterfly test) at three difficulty levels and were assessed for pain intensity, providing 13 different parameters (classifiers). Louvain, hierarchical and k-means clustering methods were applied and the number of clusters determined by observing the symmetry and size of silhouette scores. Further, different machine learning algorithms were applied to develop and evaluate a classification framework (based on AUC, classification accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity) and to provide information on individual cluster characteristics using the Shapley Additive Explanations. The k-means and deep learning neural network methods provided the most efficient clustering and classification performance extracting 4 meaningful clusters. Patients between groups differed in the amount of impairment, with cluster 2 and 1 representing the most severe impairments and with clusters 3 and 4 the least severe impairments. Additionally, specific motor control impairments were observed in individual clusters suggesting distinct neck movement control adaptations. Identifying subgroups of patients with neck pain and their specific characteristics based on the results of the Butterfly test may inform future development of targeted rehabilitation strategies.
Ključne besede: neck pain, kinesthesia, proprioception clustering, machine learning
Objavljeno v RUP: 16.03.2026; Ogledov: 685; Prenosov: 7
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