Sürdürülebilir Kalkınma Amaçları
Yayınlar
- MakaleAçık Erişim2025Scopus SJRQ3EUROFIT Reference Values of 7-11 Aged Children in Urban Areas of Kosovo: Relations between Age and Gender
Gjinovci, Bahri; Morina, Besnik; Sporiš, Goran; Nikqi, Valon; Akman, Onur; Jurko, Damir; Osmani, Arta; Grle, Maki; Grle, Ivana; Prlić, Jerko
This study establishes EUROFIT reference values for physical fitness and anthropometric measurements in children aged 7-11 years in urban Kosovo. Analyzing data from 500 participants, the study examines age- and sex-based variations in motor abilities and morphological traits. Data was collected over three months, from April through June 2023, in a typical school setting during regular physical education class times. This environment was typically utilized by students to reduce performance variability caused by external conditions. Results reveal age-related increases in height, weight, and strength measures, consistent with growth trends during childhood. Boys showed higher performance in strength and power tests, while girls exhibited greater flexibility. The EUROFIT battery proved effective for assessing physical fitness across age groups. This research fills a data gap in Kosovo, providing valuable reference values for educators, coaches, and policymakers aiming to promote children’s health and physical activity.
AtıfScopus1OpenAlex1İncele
- MakaleYayıncıda açık erişim2024Scopus SJRQ2The ARK2N (C18ORF25) Genetic Variant Is Associated with Muscle Fiber Size and Strength Athlete Status
Çigirtas, Rukiye; Bulgay, Celal; Kazan, Hasan Hueseyin; Akman, Onur; Sporis, Goran; John, George; Yusupov, Rinat A.; Sultanov, Rinat I.; Zhelankin, Andrey V.; Semenova, Ekaterina A.
Background: Data on the genetic factors contributing to inter-individual variability in muscle fiber size are limited. Recent research has demonstrated that mice lacking the Arkadia (RNF111) N-terminal-like PKA signaling regulator 2N (Ark2n; also known as C18orf25) gene exhibit reduced muscle fiber size, contraction force, and exercise capacity, along with defects in calcium handling within fast-twitch muscle fibers. However, the role of the ARK2N gene in human muscle physiology, and particularly in athletic populations, remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was threefold: (a) to compare ARK2N gene expression between power and endurance athletes; (b) to analyze the relationship between ARK2N gene expression and muscle fiber composition; and (c) to investigate the association between the functional variant of the ARK2N gene, muscle fiber size, and sport-related phenotypes. Results: We found that ARK2N gene expression was significantly higher in power athletes compared to endurance athletes (p = 0.042) and was positively associated with the proportion of oxidative fast-twitch (type IIA) muscle fibers in untrained subjects (p = 0.017, adjusted for age and sex). Additionally, we observed that the ARK2N rs6507691 T allele, which predicts high ARK2N gene expression (p = 3.8 x 10-12), was associated with a greater cross-sectional area of fast-twitch muscle fibers in strength athletes (p = 0.015) and was over-represented in world-class strength athletes (38.6%; OR = 2.2, p = 0.023) and wrestlers (33.8%; OR = 1.8, p = 0.044) compared to controls (22.0%). Conclusions: In conclusion, ARK2N appears to be a gene specific to oxidative fast-twitch myofibers, with its functional variant being associated with muscle fiber size and strength-athlete status.
AtıfScopus8WoS7OpenAlex8İncele

