1. Carbon and nitrogen isotopic analysis of the Middle/Late Bronze individuals from Bezdanjača Cave, Lika region, CroatiaMario Carić, Emily Zavodny, Mario Novak, Ivor Janković, Siniša Radović, Sarah B. McClure, 2026, original scientific article Abstract: Almost immediately upon its discovery in 1965, the Middle-Late Bronze Age cave site of Bezdanjača was recognized as one of the earliest, largest, and most important cemeteries in the Lika region of Croatia. Yet, despite its significance, not much is known about the people who were buried there. By combining bioarchaeological and stable carbon and nitrogen isotope analyses of a subset of the burial population, this study aims to (i) systematically reconstruct the diet and health of these individuals, (ii) investigate possible differences in dietary habits within this community based on sex and age, and (iii) contextualize results from Bezdanjača with other Bronze Age assemblages from the surrounding area.
Keywords: Bronze Age, Necropolis, cave, diet, millet, childhood health
Published in RUP: 01.04.2026; Views: 161; Downloads: 6
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2. 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, original scientific article Abstract: 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.
Keywords: musculoskeletal health, physical behaviours, time-use epidemiology
Published in RUP: 30.03.2026; Views: 168; Downloads: 8
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3. A Bibliometric Perspective on Health, Medical, and Wellness Tourism Research : Trends, Themes, and Future DirectionsTayfun Arar, original scientific article Abstract: Although medical tourism, wellness tourism, and health tourism have expanded significantly in recent decades, research has often addressed them separately, limiting comprehensive understanding of their shared development, particularly in response to global health disruptions. This study addresses that gap by conducting a unified bibliometric analysis that maps the thematic evolution, intellectual foundations, and collaboration patterns across health-oriented tourism. A total of 1,717 peer-reviewed articles published between 1974 and 2025 were retrieved through title-based searches from Scopus and Web of Science. Data were cleaned, merged, and analysed using the Biblioshiny 4.0 platform, with performance metrics, co-occurrence networks, thematic mapping, and international collaboration examined. The study also compares recent patterns with earlier bibliometric research to assess the continuity and divergence in the field’s development. The analysis yields three key findings. First, academic interest surged post-2010, particularly after the COVID-19 pandemic. Second, thematic clusters show a shift from treatment-focused medical tourism/health tourism toward wellness, mental health, and preventive care, suggesting a broader emphasis on proactive well-being. Third, co-authorship analysis reveals regionally concentrated networks with limited integration between Global North and South researchers. Theoretically, the study contributes to the Push-Pull Theory of Travel Motivation by integrating health-specific drivers such as affordability, safety, risk perception, and psychological well-being. It also adds to crisis-sensitive tourism literature by linking global disruptions to evolving motivational structures. Practically, the findings provide actionable insights for policymakers and destination managers seeking to align services with shifting post-pandemic traveller priorities and to reposition health-focused destinations in a more resilient global tourism economy.
Keywords: health tourism, medical tourism, wellness tourism, bibliometric analysis, COVID-19
Published in RUP: 06.03.2026; Views: 198; Downloads: 5
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4. Health and performance challenges in the era of human enhancement : insights from sport medicine professionalsKe Hu, Mark R. Hutchinson, Emin Ergen, Norbert Bachl, Petra Zupet, Bertrand Fincoeur, Anca Ionescu, Borja Muniz-Pardos, Andrea Petroczi, Yannis Pitsiladis, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background In the pursuit of sporting success, some elite athletes prioritise peak performance over long-term health, frequently resulting in significant and enduring health consequences. The Enhanced Games (TEG) position themselves as a bold experiment in transhumanism, advocating for the use of performance-enhancing drugs (PEDs), including methods banned by World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA), to push the boundaries of human athletic potential. Objectives The aim of this study is to explore the perspectives of sport physicians, sport scientists, physiotherapists and other allied healthcare professionals on treating and supporting “enhanced athletes”, with the view of informing future guidelines. Methods Participants were invited via email and personal contacts within sport medicine communities to complete a brief anonymous survey via QuestionPro™. Descriptive statistics were performed using Excel™ and RStudio™. Results A total of 323 healthcare professionals responded (82% were sport physicians), among whom 74% expressed a willingness to treat acute lesions and/or chronic diseases in “enhanced athletes”. In comparison, a considerable minority (30%) expressed support for assisting athletes in their use of PEDs and methods under medically supervised conditions, with high consistency across professional roles. A relatively high readiness was observed in sport physicians treating acute (77% versus 58%; p < 0.01) and chronic (75% versus 63%; p = 0.11) diseases for “enhanced athletes”. As far as WADA rules and/or national anti-doping laws apply, this support presupposes compliance with the code and the respective national laws to protect physicians from serious professional, legal and personal consequences. Conclusion The preliminary findings align with the broader goal of fostering a sport culture that values both peak performance and the short- and long-term health of all participants. These results emphasise the necessity of implementing professional guidelines and comprehensive support systems designed to safeguard the long-term well-being of all athletes and underscore the urgent need for further research into the impact of TEG on sport and its community.
Keywords: sport, health, performance
Published in RUP: 23.02.2026; Views: 527; Downloads: 2
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5. Explaining physical activity and self-rated health through motivation and perceived service quality : a structural equation modelVojko Vučković, Klemen Širok, Marta Bon, 2026, original scientific article Keywords: service quality, exercise motivation, physical activity, self-rated health, self-determination theory, SEM, health promotion
Published in RUP: 21.02.2026; Views: 261; Downloads: 4
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6. How to prevent technological issues and maximise technologies acceptance by users before implementing large-scale pilots : pre-validation within the Horizon 2020 Pharaon projectIsabelle Lesterpt, Erika Rovini, Filippo Cavallo, Mateja Erce Paoli, Maria-Victoria Bueno-Delgado, Francisco José Melero Muñoz, Elisabete Pitarma, Femke Nijboer, Mariana Camacho, Ana Perandrés-Gòmez, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background In the context of an ageing population, technological and digital solutions are increasingly emerging in the market to facilitate active and healthy ageing. However, several factors can hinder the acceptance of the solutions by the users. Indeed, during the development of digital solutions, future users are generally involved only when a Large-Scale Pilot is set up. It implies around 1 year and more than 100 people involved and it costs money. Moreover, if technical problems appear during the using of the solutions, the acceptance of it is sub-optimal or even degraded. Methods This paper presents the pre-validation approach developed and executed within the Pharaon European project to pre-evaluate digital solutions before to put in place the planned Large-Scale Pilots (LSP). 1 This pre-validation was defined as a Small-Scale Pilot involving a minimum of 5 users per type (e.g. older adults, caregivers, health professional) during a short period of time (2-hour sessions with users). The process was composed of different steps: 1/ pre-validation of individual technologies; 2/ pre-validation of technologies integration in each pilot platform; 3/ pre-validation of new technologies coming from the Pharaon Open Call. Moreover, 2 types of pre-validation were conducted at the same time: 1/ technological; 2/ willingness to use the digital solutions. A common protocol was delivered to all pilot sites, 2 questionnaires were used for collecting quantitative and qualitative results and the open platform Gitlab was used to report the technical issues. Results The pre-validation was conducted over 6 months in 6 pilot sites with more than 200 users and allowed to highlight 109 technical issues and mixed results concerning the acceptance of using technologies. The qualitative part of the results allowed to notice the needed improvements before setting up the LSP.
Keywords: methodology, pre-validation, technologies users’ acceptance, pilots, older adults, active ageing, health
Published in RUP: 05.02.2026; Views: 351; Downloads: 3
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7. Regional Disparities in Health-Seeking Behaviour in Nigeria : Evidence from the World Bank General Household SurveyUche Abamba Osakede, M. Femi Ayadi, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Regional disparities in socioeconomic factors shape health-seeking behaviour (HSB). This study examined HSB across Northern and Southern Nigeria and the role of socioeconomic factors on HSB. Data was drawn from Wave 4 of the 2018/2019 post-harvest General Household Survey of approximately 5,000 households. Logistic regression and Chi-square (χ2) tests were applied. Findings show that health care is predominantly sought from private providers, especially in the South. No significant regional difference was found between formal and informal care use. Older adults rely on informal care providers such as traditional healers and faith-based centres. Household income significantly influences provider choice, while gender matters mainly in the North, where women utilise public more than private facilities. Longer distances and waiting times increase the likelihood of public facility use, and severe illness drives reliance on public providers. Policy should improve formal health care access for olderadults, strengthen public facilities to manage severe illnesses and women’s health, especially in the North, and tighten oversight of private providers, particularly in the South, to ensure quality health care.
Keywords: health-seeking behaviour, formal and informal health care, public and private health care, Northern and Southern Nigeria
Published in RUP: 16.01.2026; Views: 273; Downloads: 2
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8. Culturally Sensitive and Congruent Digital Learning Initiatives for Health Professions across Europe : Towards an Inclusive European Professional MobilityManuel Lillo-Crespo, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: The importance of digital education seems to have gained momentum since Covid-19 pandemic especially in the field of health professions. Since then more innovative options, new terms, frameworks and uses, introduced in this chapter, have emerged with the aim to assure at least the same quality as the face-to-face traditional educational approaches and recently by including the culturally competent perspective. This progress may contribute positively by avoiding high expenses for organizations and promoting values in digital education such as equity, inclusion and diversity recognition, even when mobility restrictions happen for any reason. The chapter presents the routing guide to developing culturally sensitive and congruent digital learning initiatives for health professionals, according to international organizations and experts, that could be applied worldwide, by outlining the experiential learning and good practices from projects conducted across Europe.
Keywords: Digital health, Cultural Competency, Europe, Education, [Diversity, Equity, Inclusion]
Published in RUP: 22.12.2025; Views: 292; Downloads: 0
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9. Correction : Poštuvan et al. A lonelier world after COVID-19Vita Poštuvan, Nina Krohne, Meta Lavrič, Vanja Gomboc, Diego De Leo, Lucia Rojs, 2025, other scientific articles Abstract: Materials and Methods: A representative sample of 444 participants completed online questionnaires at four time points: 2019 (wave 0), 2021 (wave 1), 2022 (wave 2), and 2023 (wave 3). Results: The results show significant changes in the levels of well-being and emotional loneliness over these periods. In particular, emotional loneliness increased during the pandemic, followed by a later decrease. Well-being appeared to increase after pandemic-related restrictions diminished but decreased again one year later. No significant changes concerning social loneliness and suicidal ideation were observed. 2.2. Participants A stratified sample of the general population of Slovenia was included in this study (see Section 2.1). A total of 1189 participants took part in the study at the baseline (wave 0). Subsequent waves (1–3) were marked by a level of dropout (see Figure 1), leading to the final number of 444 participants. The flowchart of the sample procedure is illustrated in Figure 1. The total dropout rate from wave 0 to wave 3 was 62.66%. Considering the whole sample, gender distribution did not change during this study. There were 211 (47.52%) female and 233 (52.48%) male participants. The age characteristics changed during the years, as the sample aged. These data are presented in Table 1. 2.4. Statistical Analysis Additionally, pairwise comparisons between social and emotional loneliness within each wave were performed using Bonferroni-adjusted post hoc tests. Multivariate tests were used to evaluate effect sizes (partial η2) for these comparisons.
Keywords: COVID-19, loneliness, mental health, well-being, suicide
Published in RUP: 22.12.2025; Views: 469; Downloads: 3
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10. Data from the Researcher Mental Health Observatory STAIRCASE surveyJana Lasser, Stefan T. Mol, Alja Čontala, Ana Slavec, Andreja Zulim de Swarte, Anna Khachatryan, Anna Maria Eleuteri, Anupoma Haque, Baiba Jansone, Blerina Vrenozi, Mateja Erce Paoli, 2025, other scientific articles Abstract: The data presented here derives from the STAIRCASE survey on researcher mental health. The survey reached 4,296 researchers predominantly from European countries who completed an online questionnaire about mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, stress, burnout, and well-being, as well as working conditions and leadership behaviour. Data and materials of the study are available at https://doi.org/10.21249/DZHW:remo:1.0.0 as a fully anonymised downloadable Campus Use File and a pseudonymised Scientific Use File, accessible in a secure remote analysis environment. Data can be reused for secondary analyses, educational purposes, or combined with similar data sets.
Keywords: mental health, occupational health, researchers, working conditions
Published in RUP: 19.12.2025; Views: 463; Downloads: 9
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