1. High-intensity interval exercise enhances vascular function to a greater extent than moderate-intensity continuous aerobic exercise : a case study reportArmin Paravlić, Simon Iskra, Gašper Turnšek, Kristina Drole, 2025, other component parts Abstract: This case study compared the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on vascular and microva-scular function in a healthy male subject (age: 34 yrs; body mass index: 25.82 kg/m2). Key vascular parameters were assessed, including augmentation index (AIx), ca-rotid-femoral and brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (cfPWV, baPWV), flow-mediated slowing (FMS%), and tissue saturation index (TSI) recovery slope. HIIT induced a greater reduction in baPWV (mean difference [MD]: 0.9 m/s) and a higher increase in FMS% (MD: 8%) compared to MICT, indicating more favourable changes in periphe-ral arterial stiffness and endothelial function. Additionally, the reoxygenation slope for TSI was more pronounced after HIIT, suggesting improved microvascular recove-ry. Interestingly, AIx increased following MICT (MD from baseline: 11%) but slightly decreased after HIIT (MD from baseline: −5%). These findings suggest that exercise intensity plays a critical role in determining vascular adaptations, with HIIT showing superior acute benefits Keywords: HIIT, MICT, endothelial function, pulse-wave velocity, endothelial stiffness Published in DiRROS: 10.09.2025; Views: 198; Downloads: 117
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2. Validacija testa IFT 30-15 pri vojakih Slovenske vojskeArmin Paravlić, 2025, independent scientific component part or a chapter in a monograph Abstract: Cilji te študije so bili raziskati zanesljivost intermitentnega testa telesne pripravljenosti 30-15 (30-15IFT) pri vojakih ter preveriti povezanost končnega rezultata s pomembnimi parametri telesne kompozicije, kot je odstotek mišične mase (MM%) in maščobne mase (FM%). Med udeležence je bilo vzorčeno vpoklicanih 34 pripadnikov pehotne enote SV. Udeleženci so opravili dva testa 30-15IFT in izmerili so jim telesno sestavo. Za meritve 30-15IFT so bile opažene zelo visoke ocene zanesljivosti, in sicer končna hitrost teka VIFT (ICC = 0,971), maksimalni srčni utrip (HRmax) HRmaxIFT (IC = 0,960) in največja relativna poraba kisika VO2max (ICC = 0,975). Ugotovljeni sta visoka pozitivna povezanost med VIFT in MM% (r = 0,82, p < 0,001) in visoka negativna povezanost VIFT s FM% (r = –0,70, p < 0,001). Poleg tega je bila ugotovljena zmerna in pozitivna povezanost med ITM in FM%. Rezultati te študije kažejo, da je test 30-15IFT zanesljivo orodje za ocenjevanje srčno-žilne zmogljivosti v oboroženih silah. Rezultati poudarjajo pomen mišične mase pri izboljšanju vzdržljivostne zmogljivosti, medtem ko presežek maščobne mase negativno vpliva na rezultate testa 30-15IFT. Keywords: aerobna kapaciteta, srčno-žilna funkcija, terenski test, 30-15 IFT, telesna sestava Published in DiRROS: 19.05.2025; Views: 400; Downloads: 263
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3. Frequency of physical activity-related injuries among adolescents : an umbrella reviewKerrtu Toivo, Peter Bakalár, Mari Leppänen, Jari Parkkari, Ensar Abazović, Boštjan Šimunič, Kaja Teraž, Marta Malinowska-Cieślik, Jaroslava Kopčáková, Aurel Zelko, Agnieszka Michalska, Dagmar Sigmundova, Rado Pišot, Armin Paravlić, 2025, review article Abstract: Objectives: The aim of this umbrella review was to investigate the frequency of physical activity-related injuries (PARI) among adolescents. Our secondary objective was to describe the available reviews of injuries in three settings: organized sports, leisure time physical activity (PA), and school physical education (PE). Methods: We conducted an overview of reviews consistent with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement guidelines on the frequency of physical activity related injuries in adolescents. Results: We identified 19 systematic reviews with at least moderate quality to include in the review. We were not able to pool data from reviews and conduct meta-analysis due to heterogeneity of injury definitions, exposure times, and sample demographics. All reviews included studies of injuries sustained in organized sports, and injury incidence was higher during matches than training. No systematic reviews were found focusing on leisure time or school-based PA injuries. Conclusion: High-quality research is essential to understand the frequency of various types of physical activity related injuries among adolescents in organized sports, PE, and leisure time activities to develop more effective prevention strategies. Keywords: physical activity-related injuries, sports injuries, adolescence, frequency, prevalence, incidence Published in DiRROS: 22.01.2025; Views: 671; Downloads: 350
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4. The influence of lifestyle interventions and overweight on infertility : a systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trialsAna Glavač, Vedran Hadžić, Cécil J. W. Meulenberg, Ensar Abazović, Mateja Videmšek, Tanja Burnik Papler, Armin Paravlić, 2023, review article Keywords: sport, physical activity, infertility, intervention, overweight, pregnancy, ovulation Published in DiRROS: 20.11.2024; Views: 711; Downloads: 388
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5. The effectiveness of neuromuscular training warm-up program for injury preventionin adolescent male basketball playersArmin Paravlić, Peter Bakalár, Katarina Puš, Saša Pišot, Miloš Kalc, Kaja Teraž, Luka Šlosar, Manca Peskar, Uroš Marušič, Boštjan Šimunič, 2024, original scientific article Abstract: This study evaluated the effects of a neuromuscular training (NMT) warm-up program on injury incidence,neuromuscular function, and program adherence, maintenance and acceptance in adolescent basketballplayers. A total of 275 players from 20 Slovenian teams (15 ± 1.7 years of age), were randomized into anintervention group (IG, n=129) and a control group (CG, n=146). Over three months, the IG incorporatedNMT into their warm-ups, while the CG followed their usual practice. Measurements of body anthro-pometry, muscle contractile properties, and balance were taken before and after the intervention. Also,the injury incidence, training adherence and maintenance were reported. Both groups showed improvedbalance, with no significant difference between them. However, IG demonstrated reduced delay times inspecific muscles, indicating improved neuromuscular function. Injury prevalence proportion (%) duringthe whole study period was higher in the control group compared to intervention (IG: 10.9% vs. CG:23.3%), and incidence rate. Moreover, the incidence rate ratio for sustaining an injury was 2.6 on average(ranging from 0.88 to 7.07 for tendon and muscle injuries, respectively), indicating significantly lowerinjury risk in IG than CG. These findings highlight the effectiveness of NMT warm-ups in reducing injuryrisk and enhancing neuromuscular function, emphasizing the value of structured injury preventionstrategies in youth sports. Keywords: muscle contractile properties, balance, injury prevalence, training adherence Published in DiRROS: 18.11.2024; Views: 784; Downloads: 442
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6. Effects of digital-based interventions on muscular strength in adults : a systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials with quality of evidence assessmentArmin Paravlić, Luka Šlosar, Ensar Abazović, Uroš Marušič, 2023, review article Abstract: Background: In the last three decades, both medical and sports science professionals have recognized the considerable potential of digital-based interventions (DBI) to enhance the health-related outcomes of their practitioners.Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness and potential moderators of DBI on measures of muscular strength.Methods: Six databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SportDiscus, Embase, Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials and Google Scholar) were searched for eligible studies up to June 2022. The GRADE, PEDRO, and TIDieR checklists were used to assess the quality of evidence, methodology, and completeness of intervention descriptions, respectively.Results: A total of 56 studies were included in the meta-analysis (n = 2346), and participants were classified as healthy (n = 918), stroke survivors (n = 572), diagnosed with other neurological disorders (n = 683), and frail (n = 173). The DBI showed a small effect (standardized mean difference [SMD] = 0.28, 95% CI 0.21 to 0.31; p < 0.001) on strength, regardless of the type of intervention, control group, or tested body part. More specifically, while splitting the studies into different subgroups, a meta-analysis of 19 studies (n = 918) showed a small effect (SMD = 0.38, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.63; p = 0.003) on strength in the asymptomatic population. Similarly, small but positive effects of DBI were observed for stroke survivors (SMD = 0.34, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.56; p = 0.002), patients diagnosed with other neurological disorders (SMD = 0.17, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.32; p = 0.021), and the frail population (SMD = 0.25, 95% CI 0.0 to 0.5; p = 0.051). Sub-group analysis and meta-regression revealed that neither variable modified the effects of the DBI on measures of strength.Conclusions: Overall, DBI may serve as an effective method to improve measures of strength in adults, regardless of their health status as well as the type of digital device, the presence of human-computer interaction, and the age of participants. In addition, the DBI was found to be more effective than traditional training or rehabilitation methods. Keywords: cognitive training, physical function, strength, neurodegenerative disorders, older adults Published in DiRROS: 07.08.2023; Views: 1374; Downloads: 765
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7. The use of tensiomyography in older adults : a systematic reviewKatarina Puš, Armin Paravlić, Boštjan Šimunič, 2023, review article Abstract: Introduction: Aging of skeletal muscles results in a cascade of events negatively affecting muscle mass, strength, and function, leading to reduced mobility, increased risk of falls, disability, and loss of independence. To date, different methods are used to assess muscle mechanical function, tensiomyography (TMG) being one of them. The aim of this review was twofold: to summarize the evidence-based usefulness of tensiomyography in older adults and to establish reference values for the main tensiomyography parameters in older adults. Methods: The PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and tensiomyography databases were searched from inception until 25 December 2022. Studies investigating older adults (aged 60+ years) that reported tensiomyographyderived parameters such as contraction time (Tc) and/or maximal displacement (Dm) were included. Methodological quality was assessed using the Quality Assessment Tool for Observational Cohort and Cross-Sectional Studies. Results: In total, eight studies satisfied the inclusion criteria. Tensiomyography has been used on different groups of older adults, including asymptomatic, master athletes, patients with peripheral arterial disease, and patients with end-stage knee osteoarthritis with a mean age of 71.5 ± 5.38 (55.7% male subjects). The most evaluated were leg muscles such as vastus lateralis (VL), gastrocnemius medialis (GM), and biceps femoris (BF). The present review demonstrates that tensiomyography is used to assess neuromuscular function in asymptomatic and diseased older adults. When compared to asymptomatic individuals, power master athletes, knee osteoarthritis patients, and patients diagnosed with peripheral arterial disease have the shortest Tc in BF, VL, and GM muscles, respectively. On the other hand, endurance master athletes showed the longest Tc in all three evaluated muscles. Less mobile, nursing-home residents showed higher Dm in VL and BF, while lower Dm in GM than the asymptomatic group. The knee osteoarthritis group showed the largest Dm in BF and VL while having the smallest Dm in GM. Conclusion: Tensiomyography can serve as a valuable tool for assessing neuromuscular function in older adults. The method is sensitive to muscle composition, architecture, and (pre) atrophic changes of the skeletal muscles and might be responsive to muscle quality changes in aging and diseased populations. Keywords: sport, muscle function, elderly, neuromuscular function, normative values, TMG Published in DiRROS: 27.06.2023; Views: 1249; Downloads: 778
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8. Diagnostic accuracy of tensiomyography parameters for monitoring peripheral neuromuscular fatigueMiloš Kalc, Katarina Puš, Armin Paravlić, Jure Urbanc, Boštjan Šimunič, 2023, original scientific article Abstract: The diagnostic accuracy of tensiomyography (TMG) parameters compared to the gold standard in neuromuscular fatigue evaluation using voluntary and electrically induced muscle activation is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of TMG parameters to detect individual changes after interventions that were designed to induce central or peripheral fatigue. Nineteen males (age: 32.2 ± 9.3 years) performed two interventions, consisting of maintaining 25% of maximal voluntary contraction (MViC25%) and a 30 s all-out cycling test (Wingate), respectively. TMG parameters, maximum voluntary contraction (PtMViC), voluntary activation (VA%) and electrically elicited double twitches (Dtw) were assessed on the knee extensors before (PRE), one minute (POST) and seven minutes after (POST7) the intervention. The diagnostic accuracy (AUC) of TMG parameters were evaluated in comparison to two criteria measures (PtMViC and Dtw). RM ANOVA revealed a significant interaction between the effects of intervention and time on VA% (p = 0.001) and Dtw (p < 0.001) but not for PtMViC (p = 0.420). AUC showed that TMG parameters had a good ability in detecting muscular fatigue assessed by Dtw but not by PtMViC. The results of the current study suggest that TMG parameters can be used to monitor peripheral neuromuscular fatigue. Keywords: tensiomyography, vastus lateralis, MVC, twitch Published in DiRROS: 13.06.2023; Views: 1254; Downloads: 731
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9. Combining physical and virtual worlds for motor-cognitive training interventions : position paper with guidelines on technology classification in movement-related researchLuka Šlosar, Claudia Voelcker-Rehage, Armin Paravlić, Ensar Abazović, Eling D. de Bruin, Uroš Marušič, 2022, review article Abstract: Efficient movements require intact motor and cognitive function. There is a growing literature on motor-cognitive interventions to improve the overall quality of life of healthy or diseased older people. For such interventions, novel technological advances are crucial not only in terms of motivation but also to improve the user experience in a multi-stimuli world, usually offered as a mixture of real and virtual environments. This article provides a classification system for movement-related research dealing with motor-cognitive interventions performed in different extents of a virtual environment. The classification is divided into three categories: (a) type of digital device with the associated degree of immersiveness provided; (b) presence or absence of a human-computer interaction; and (c) activity engagement during training, defined by activity >1.5 Metabolic Equivalent of task. Since virtual reality (VR) often categorizes different technologies under the same term, we propose a taxonomy of digital devices ranging from computer monitors and projectors to head-mounted VR technology. All immersive technologies that have developed rapidly in recent years are grouped under the umbrella term Extended Reality (XR). These include augmented reality (AR), mixed reality (MR), and VR, as well as all technologies that have yet to be developed. This technology has potential not only for gaming and entertainment, but also for research, motor-cognitive training programs, rehabilitation, telemedicine, etc. This position paper provides definitions, recommendations, and guidelines for future movement-related interventions based on digital devices, human-computer interactions, and physical engagement to use terms more consistently and contribute to a clearer understanding of their implications. Keywords: extended reality, virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, exergaming, taxonomy, classification Published in DiRROS: 21.12.2022; Views: 1294; Downloads: 769
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10. Dose-response relationship between endurance training prescription variables and increases in aerobic performance of healthy and unhealthy middle and very old individuals aged 70 years and older : a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trialsSarah Cheour, Chouaib Cheour, Nicola Luigi Bragazzi, Liye Zou, Armin Paravlić, Maamer Slimani, Foued Cheour, 2021, review article Abstract: Background: The objectives of this systematic review and meta-analysis were to quantify the effectiveness of endurance training (ET) on aerobic performance (i.e., peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak)) in healthy and unhealthy middle and very old adults aged 70 years and older, and to provide dose response relationships of training prescription variables (in terms of frequency, and volume). Methods: Several scholarly databases (i.e., PubMed/MEDLINE, SpringerLink, ScienceDirect Journals, and Taylor & Francis Online Journals) were searched, identifying randomized controlled studies that investigated the effectiveness of ET on VO2peak in older adults. Standardized mean differences (SMD) were calculated. Results: In terms of changes differences between experimental and control group, ET produced significant large effects on VO2peak performance (SMD = 2.64 (95%CI 0.97%4.31)). The moderator analysis revealed that health status variable moderated ET effect onVO2peak performance. More specifically, ET produced larger SMD magnitudes on VO2peak performance in healthy compared with unhealthy individuals. With regard to the dose response relationships, findings from the meta-regression showed that none of the included training prescription variables predicted ET effects on VO2peak performance. Conclusions: ET is an effective mean for improving aerobic performance in healthy older adults when compared with their unhealthy counterparts. Keywords: aging, elderly, physical activities, physical endurance, exercises, training prescriptions, meta analysis Published in DiRROS: 16.09.2022; Views: 1437; Downloads: 961
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