University of Zagreb

Faculty of Kinesiology

SUPPORTED BY:


Project details

Project title: Croatian Physical Activity in Adolescence Longitudinal Study

Project code:  9926

Leaderprof. dr. sc. Marjeta Mišigoj-Duraković

Institution: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology

Duration01.12.2016 - 30.11.2020


Research areas

Physical activity

Participants fulfill several questionnaires that will give us answers to questions about quantity and types of physical activity they are engaged in, motives for physical exercise and obstacles for doing physical activity.

Beyond that, in some schools students wear Senswear Armband physical activity monitors (Bodymedia inc., USA) during 5 days. This multi-sensor device, measures various physiological parameters (longitudinal and trasnversal acceleration, skin temperature, environmental temeprature, galvanic skin resistance, heat spreading) and estimates daily energy expenditure and intensity of physical activity. That way we collect objectively measured data about the levels of physical activity of our participants, along with daily and weekly patterns of activity.

Nutrition

We use 24-h recall method to assess nutritional habits. Through short, 15 minute interviews, we record the type and the amount of food consumed during one day. We also take into consideration the place, time and the context of consuming meals.

Health

Participants fill in the questionnaire about personal health and quality of life. The second part of the questionnaire is dedicated to mental health of children, specifically their behavior, relationship with other peers and emotional problems.

Along with that, we measure body weight, height and waist circumference, that enables us to estimate weight status of our participants. For the same purpose, we measure skinfolds to estimate the quantity of  fat in the body.

Finally, we measure arterial blood pressure, which is the most important risk factor to develop chronic cardiovascular diseases.

Parents

Parents represent the important part of our research. Through short set of questionnaires, we discover about the level of parents' physical activity, their nutritional status and how important physical activity is to them for their children. In that way, we will also analyze the socioeconomic status of the families and life habits of children.

News in 2015.

Along with standard measurements that are repeated yearly, in the second wave we managed to measure additional characteristics of our participants:

1. Fitness

We measured cardioresporatory endurance of our participants. We also measured muscle endurance by doing ab exercises and explosive strength through standing broad jump. Finally, we measured flexibility of lower part of the back and legs.

2. Functional movement

We performed the functional movement screen which is a set of 7 tests developed to detect limitation or asymmetry during some fundamental movement patterns. Full movement function is necessary for safe and comfortable participation in physical activity.

News in 2017.

As a part of the 3rd and the 4th wave, we also collected the data about injuries and atopic diseases.