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Fakulteta za šport

slo

 contactcabinettel. int.roles
Jurak Gregor1001501-520-77-83
Starc Gregor1001601-520-78-36
Kovač Marjeta1001601-520-78-36member
Leskošek Bojan1301001-520-77-15member
Markelj Neja1102401-520-77-05member
Meh Kaja1102401-520-77-05member
Potočnik Žan Luca1102401-520-77-05member


RESEARCH GROUP

Janko Strel, Marjeta Kovač, Gregor Jurak, Gregor Starc

The members of the research group are teaching the course Physical education didactics, Physical and motor development of young people and Management in sport at the University of Ljubljana, Faculty of sport. They are active in the sphere of national and international scientific research. They are also co-authors of curriculums for primary and high schools and national programme of sport and collaborate in various expert groups in the field of education and sport at home and abroad: UNICEF, WHO, Expert council of sport of Republic of Slovenia, PE teacher association of Slovenia, Board of physical education at National education institute etc. Their bibliography of the last five years contains more than 700 scientific and expert publications.

 

RESEARCH STUDIES

The research group is continuing reach legacy of studying physical fitness of young people in Slovenia. The first data on physical fitness of Slovenian young people were published in 1903, while representative data on motor and physical development for Slovenia were collected for the first time in 1970 (Šturm & Strel, 1985) and have since been collected within BPS SLO study (Bio-psycho-social characteristics of Slovenian children and youth) approximately every ten years. Some morphological characteristics and motor fitness of the whole population of children and youth have been systematically monitored since 1987 as part of the SLOFIT (Strel et al., 1997a, 2003b), which is also part of the Slovenian school legislation.

 

To get broader picture about factors influencing on physical fitness of young people some other research studies are being conducted:

  • Environmental factors
  • Characteristics of lifestyles of Slovenian high school children
  • Sport participation of young people during holidays
  • Competencies of PE teachers
  • Excuses of students from participation in PE
  • Extracurricular sports programmes
  • Schooling of talented young sportspeople
  • Analyses of political decisions that influence on physical fitness of young people
  • Finances in Slovenian sport
  • School sports halls as learning environment in PE

 

Resent research publications:

Physical Fitness of Slovenian Children and Youth

Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2000). Motor Development of Girls, Aged from 10 to 18. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica 36(1), 39-50.

Strel, J., Kovač, M., Jurak, G., Bednarik, J., & Leskošek, B. (2001). Comparison of physical development of school children between 1990 and 2000 on the basis of the data from the sports educational chart. Anthropological Notebooks 7(1), 11-32.

Strel, J., Kovač, M., & Jurak, G. (2007). Physical and motor development, sport activities and lifestyles of Slovenian children and youth – changes in the last few decades. Chapter 13. In W. D. Brettschneider and R. Naul (eds.), Obesity in Europe: young people's physical activity and sedentary lifestyles (p. 243-264). Sport sciences international, vol. 4. Frankfurt am Main [etc.]: Peter Lang.

Jurak, G., Strel, J., & Kovač, M. (2003). Changes in the latent structure of motor space of boys during puberty. Kinesiologia Slovenica, 9(1), 28-41.

Kovač, M., Jurak, G., Strel, J., & Bednarik, J (2003). Comparison of motor development of boys and girls aged 11-17. Journal of Human Kinetics,  10, 63-75.

Strel, J., Kovač, M., Jurak, G., & Bednarik, J. (2003). Gender differences of Slovenian school children in physical and motor development in the period from 1990 to 2000. Suom. Liik.lääket.. [Online], Retrieved November 3, 2003, from http://ffp.uku. Fi/cgi-bin/edueditor/presenter. Pl?slideshow_id=101&slide_id=1012&language_id=1.

Strel, J., Kovač, M., Jurak, G. (2004). Study on young people's lifestyles and sedentariness and the role of sport in the context of education and as a means of restoring the balance. The case of Slovenia. Ljubljana: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport.

Kovač, M. Leskošek, B., & Strel, J. (2007). Morphological characteristics and motor abilities of boys following different secondary school programmes. Kinesiology, 39(1), 62-73.

Leskošek, B., Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2007). A Comparison of the Physical Characteristics and Motor Abilities of Boys and Girls Attending Different High School Programmes. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica, 42(2), 85-101.

Kovač, M., Leskošek, B., & Strel, J. (2007). Trends of overweight and obesity in Slovenian boys from 1991 to 2006. Gymnica, 38(1), 17-26.

Leskošek, B., Strel, J. & Kovač, M. (2007). Differences in physical fitness between normal-weight, overweight and obese children and adolescents. Kinesiologia Slovenica 13(1), 21-30.

Bizjak, K., Leskošek, B., Kovač, M., Debevc, H., & Strel, J. (2009). How is physical activity connected with academic achievements and BMI of pupils. In S. Loland (ed.). Book of abstracts (p. 152). Oslo: European college of sport science.

Leskošek, B., Kovač, M., Starc, G., & Strel, J. (2009). Effect of obesity on aerobic fitness of children and adolescents. In S. Loland, (ed.). Book of abstracts (p. 392). Oslo: European college of sport science.

Strel, J., Bizjak, K., Starc, G., & Kovač, M. (2009). Longitudinal comparison of development of certain physical characteristics and motor abilities of two generations of children and youth, aged 7 to 18 in Slovenian primary and secondary schools in the period 1990-2001 and 1997-2008. In B. Bokan, International scientific conference Theoretical, methodology and methodical aspects of physical education (p. 21-33). Belgrade, December 11-12, 2008. Belgrade: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education of the Univeristy of Belgrade.

Leskošek, B., Strel, J., & Kovač, M. (2010). Overweight and Obesity in Slovenian Schoolgirls, 1991–2006. Collegium Antropologicum, 34(4), 1303-1308.

 

Relation between Physical Fitness and Other Dimensions of Child's Development

Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The Relations Between Intelligence and Manifest Motor Space. Kinesiology. 32(1), 15-25. 

Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The Relations Between Intelligence and Latent Motor Space. Kinesiologia Slovenica. 6(1-2), 37-46. 

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2003). The Analysis of Correlation Between Motor Abilities at Manifest Level and Aggression at Latent Level in Boys Before, During and After Puberty. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica. 39(2), 91-102.

Jurak, G., Strel, J., & Kovač, M. (2006). Relationships Between Chosen Motor Abilities and Agression of Boys. Journal of Human Kinetics  15, 25-36.

 

Lifestyles of Slovenian Children and Youth

Jurak, G. (2006). Sports vs. the »cigarettes & coffee« lifestyle of Slovenian high school students. Anthropological Notebooks 12(2), 79-95.

Sorić, M., Strel, J., Kovač, M., Jurak, G., Starc, G., & Mišigoj-Duraković, M. (2010). Daily energy expenditure and physical activity levels of 11-year-old girls in Slovenia and Croatia. In M. Kovač, G. Jurak & G. Starc (Eds.), 5th International Congress Youth Sport 2010 – Knowledge for Sport, Book of Abstracts (p. 190). Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2-4 December 2010. Ljubljana: Univeristy of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport.

Starc, G., Jurak, G., Kovač, M., Mišigoj-Duraković, M., Sorić, M., & Strel, J. (2010). Comparison of Energy Expenditure during School-days and Weekends between 11-year-old boys from Ljubljana in Zagreb. In M. Kovač, G. Jurak & G. Starc (Eds.), 5th International Congress Youth Sport 2010 – Knowledge for Sport, Book of Abstracts (p. 192). Ljubljana, Slovenia, 2-4 December 2010. Ljubljana: Univeristy of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport.

Jurak, G., Leskošek, B. & Kovač, M. (2010). Excusing from PE Lessons in the Secondary-school Sport Classes. In M. Kovač, G. Jurak, & G. Starc (Eds.) Proceedings of the 5th International Congress Youth Sport 2010 (p. 235-244). Ljubljana. Faculty of Sport. Access on: http://www.youthsport2010.si

 

Active holidays

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., Strel, J., Majerič, M., Starc, G., Filipčič, T. et al. (2003). Sports Activities of Slovenian Children and Young People during their Summer Holidays (p. 102). Ljubljana: Faculty of Sport.

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2002). Differences in Spending Summer Holidays of Slovenian Children and Youth in different Periods of Schooling. International Journal of Physical Education, 39(2), 34-43.

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2002). How Slovene Primary School Pupils Spend their Summer Holidays. Kinesiologia Slovenica, 8(2), 35-43.

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2002). Spending of Summer Holidays of Slovenian Secondary School Children. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica, 38(1), 51-66.

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., Strel, J., Starc, G., Majerič, M., Filipčič, T., & Bednarik, J. (2003). Gender Differences of Slovenian Children and Youth in Spending Summer Holidays. Suom. Liik.lääket.. [Online], Retrieved November 3, 2003, from http://ffp.uku. Fi/cgi-bin/edueditor/presenter. Pl?slideshow_id=102&slide_id=1029&language_id=1.

 

Assessment of sport skills

Kovač, M. (2002). Physical Education Knowledge External Assessment at the End of 9 Year Primary School. In R. Pišot, V. Štemberger, F. Krpač, & T. Filipčič (Eds.), Zbornik prispevkov 2. mednarodnega znanstvenega posveta »Otrok v gibanju – A Child in Motion« (p. 29-35). Kranjska Gora, October 10-12, 2002. Ljubljana: Pedagoška fakulteta.

Jurak, G., & Kovač, M. (2002). Learning Standards for Swimming at the End of First and Second triad. In R. Pišot, V. Štemberger, F. Krpač, & T. Filipčič (Eds.), Proceedings of 2nd International Symposium »Child in Motion« (p. 254-260). Kranjska Gora, October 10-12, 2002. Ljubljana: Pedagoška fakulteta.

Majerič, M., Kovač, M., Dežman, B., & Strel, J. (2005). Analysis of three different ways of assessing motor abilities with the testing assignment of long jump with approach. In D. Milovanović, &  F. Prot (Eds.), Proceedings book of 4th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology (p. 98-102). Opatija, Croatia, September 7-11, 2005. Zagreb: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology.

Majerič, M., Strel, J., & Kovač, M. (2008). Measuring characteristics of the test questionnaire for the evaluation of sports theoretical knowledge after three years of education. In D. Milanović, F. Prot (Eds.), Proceedings book (p. 718-722). 5th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology, Zagreb, Croatia, September 10-14, 2008. Zagreb: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb.

Kovač, M., Strel, J., & Majerič, Matej. (2008). Conceptual dimensions of evaluation and assesment in physical education-reasons for using different standards and criteria. In I. Prskalo, V. Findak, & J. Strel (Eds.), Kinesiological education-answer of the contemporary school (7-25). Zagreb: Učiteljski fakultet Sveučilišta. ISBN 978-953-7210-17-5.

 

Competences of PE

Kovač, M., Sloan, S., & Starc, G. (2008). Competencies in physical education teaching: Slovenian teachers' view and future perspectives. European physical education Review, 14(3), 299-323.

Majerič, M., Strel, J., & Kovač, M. (2010). Analysis of motives for mentoring students in practical pedagogical training. Gymnica, 40(2), 17-25.

Kovač, M., Strel, J., & Jurak, G. (2008). Competences of General Teachers for Teaching Physical Education – Contrasts Between Implicit and Explicit. In I. Prskalo, J. Strel, V. Findak & V. Šimović (Eds.), Conference proceedings of the First Special Focus Symposium on Kinesiology Education in Pre School and Primary Education, (p. 23-35). Zadar, Croatia, October 25-26, 2007. Zagreb: ECNSI – The European Center for Advanced and Systematic Research.

 

University Sport

Markelj, N., Majerič, M., Kovač, M., & Pučnik, B. (2003). Some Characteristics of University Sport in Slovenia. In Proceedings I. 2003 Daegu Universiade Conference »Facing the challenge« (p. 113-119). Daegu, Korea, August 22-26, 2003. Daegu: FISU, & Yeungnam University.

Majerič, M., Strel, J., Tušak, M., Kovač, M., Markelj, N. (2003). Motivation for Sports Participation of Ljubljana University Students. In Proceedings I. 2003 Daegu Universiade Conference »Facing the challenge« (p. 368). Daegu, Korea, August 22-26, 2003. Daegu: FISU, & Yeungnam University.

 

Management of Sport and Political Decisions

Bednarik, J., Ambrožič, F., Močnik, R., Kolenc, M., & Kovač, M. (2000). Model Characteristics of Olimpic Sport Organisations in Slovenia. Kinesiologia Slovenica, 6(1-2), 5-11.

Bednarik, J., Kovač, M., & Jurak, G. (2001). The Slovenian Model of Sports funding. In J. Bednarik (Ed.), Some Economic Aspects of Sport in Slovenia (p. 48-60). Ljubljana: Committee for Development of Sport of the Council of Europe and Faculty of Sport.

Bednarik, J., Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2001). Some Economic Characteristics of Active Holidays – the case of Slovenia. In J. Bednarik (Ed.), Some Economic Aspects of Sport in Slovenia (p. 90-101). Ljubljana: Committee for Development of Sport of the Council of Europe and Faculty of Sport.

Kovač, M., Kolar, E., Bednarik, J., & Šugman, R. (2003). The Model of Publicity Financing Sport in the Republic of Slovenia. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica, 39(1), 85-97.

Kolar, E., Kovač, M., & Bednarik, J. (2005). Evaluation of Sports Disciplines from the General Public's Point of View. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica, 41(1), 63-76.

Bednarik, J., Šugman, R., Urank, J., & Kovač, M. (2007). Segmentation of Sports Consumers in Slovenia. Kinesiology, 39(1), 74-84.

Jurak, G., Bednarik, J., Kolar, E., Kolenc, M., & Kovač, M. (2008). A Comparison of Sponsorship Potential of the most Popular Sports in Slovenia during 1998 and 2003. In D. Milanović  & F. Prot (Eds.), Proceedings book (p. 334-336). 5th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology, Zagreb, Croatia, September 10-14, 2008. Zagreb: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb.

Kolar, E., Bednarik, J. Bubanj, R., & Kovač, M. (2008). Evaluation of the Elite Sports Result from the viewpoint of different types of public. Gymnica, 38(4), 47-57.

Kolar, E., Bednarik, J., Jurak, G., Bubanj, R., & Kovač, M. (2008). Discovering Differences between Olympic and Non-olympic Sports Disciplines, based on the Top Sports Results. Kinesiologia Slovenica, 14 (3), 15-25. 

Bednarik, J., Jurak, G., Kolenc, M., Kolar, E. (2008). Analysis of the income structure of sports organisations and the expenditure of the Slovenian population for sport as a possible research approach to economic aspects of sport. In D. Milanović, F. Prot (eds.), Proceedings book, 5th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology, pp. 320-329. Zagreb: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb.

Jurak, G., Bednarik, J., & Kovač, M. (2009). The Sponsorship Potential of Slovenian Sport. Acta Universitatis Carolinae Kinanthropologica 45(1), 95-113.

Jurak, G., Bednarik, J., & Kovač, M. (2010). Commercialization of Youth Sport from the Perspective of Sponsors' Interests in Slovenia. In M. Kovač, G. Jurak, & G. Starc (Eds.) Proceedings of the 5th International Congress Youth Sport 2010 (p. 245-252). Ljubljana. Faculty of Sport. Access on: http://www.youthsport2010.si

Kolar, E., Bednarik, J., Kovač, M., & Jurak, G. (2010). Model of Preparation of the National Programme for Sport 2011-2020. In M. Kovač, G. Jurak, & G. Starc (Eds.) Proceedings of the 5th International Congress Youth Sport 2010 (p. 259-268). Ljubljana. Faculty of Sport. Access on: http://www.youthsport2010.si

Kolar, E., Jurak, G., & Kovač, M. (2010). Analiza Nacionalnega programa športa v Republiki Sloveniji 2000–2010. [Analyses of national programme of sport in the Republic of Slovenia 2000–2010]. Ljubljana: Zveza za šport otrok in mladine Slovenije. Access on: http://www.fsp.uni-lj.si/COBISS/Monografije/Analiza.nac.prog.sporta2010_1.pdf.

Bednarik, J., Kolar, E., & Jurak, G. (2010). Analysis of the sport services market in Slovenia. Kinesiology 42(2), 142-152.

Jurak, G. & Bednarik, J. (2010). Leadership in non govermental sports organisations in Slovenia. Acta Univ. Palacki. Olomuc., Gymn., 40(4), 41-51.

Kolar, E., Bednarik, J., Kovač, M., Jurak, G. (2010). The preparation of the proposal of National programme for sport in Slovenia for the next decade. Exercise and quality of life, 2(2), 31-41.

Kovač, M., Jurak, G., Starc, G., Strel, J. (2011). The importance of research-based evidence for political decisions on physical education. In K. Hardman & K. Green (eds.), Contemporary issues in physical education : international perspectives (p. 47-68). Maidenhead [UK]: Meyer & Meyer Sport.

 

Curriculum

Strel, J., & Kovač, M. (2002). Selectivity and Individualization within the Curricula: a Basis of Further Development of School Sport. In D. Milanović, & F. Prot (Eds.). Proceedings book of 3rd International Scientific conference »Kinesiology new perspectives« (p. 70-79). Opatija. Croatia, September 25-29, 2002. Zagreb: University of Zagreb. Faculty of Kinesiology.

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., Strel, J., & Starc, G. (2005). Academic Opportunities for Talented Athletes in Slovenian Secondary Schools. Kinesiologia Slovenica, 11(1), 50-64.

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., Strel, J., & Starc, G. (2005). Combining Elite Sports and Education in Slovenian Secondary Schools. In D. Milovanović &  F. Prot (Eds.), Proceedings book of 4th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology (p. 112-114). Opatija, Croatia, September 7-11, 2005. Zagreb: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology.

Kovač, M. (2006). When Social becomes Biological: the Effect of Different Physical Education Curricula on Motor and Physical Development of High-school Girls. Anthropological Notebooks, 12(2), 97-112.

Kovač, M., Strel, J., Starc, G., & Jurak, G. (2007) Physical Education and Education throuth Sport in Slovenia. In G. Klein and K. Hardman (eds.), Physical Education and Sport Education in European Union (p. 389-404). Paris: Editions Revue EP.S.

Kovač,  M. & Strel, J. (2010). Individualisation and Differentiation in Physical Education Classes. In I. Prskalo, V. Findak & J. Strel (Eds.), Pre-Conference proceedings of the 4th Special Focus Symposium Individualizing Instruction in Kinesiology Education  (p. 11-28). Zagreb, Croatia, November 11-13, 2010. Zagreb: ECNSI – The European Center for Advanced and Systematic Research.

Bizjak, K., Leskošek, B., & Kovač, M. (2010). Do Slovenian High-school Students know Enough about the Benifits of Exercise and Sport. In Korkusuz, F., Ertan, H., Tsolakidis, E. (eds.). Sport science: where the cultures meet - Book of abstracts (p. 491). Köln: European College of Sport Science.

Bučar Pajek, M., Čuk, I., Kovač, M., & Jakše, B. (2010). Implementation of the Gymnastics Curriculum in the Third Cycle of Basic School in Slovenia. Science of gymnastics journal, 2 (3), Access to: http://www.fakultetazasport.si/mma_bin.php?id=2010093010063774.

Jurak, G. & Kovač, M. (2010). Back to the Futuire of PE. In M. Kovač, G. Jurak, & G. Starc (Eds.) Proceedings of the 5th International Congress Youth Sport 2010 (p. 61-72). Ljubljana. Faculty of Sport. Access on: http://www.youthsport2010.si

 

Interventional Programmes

Jurak, G., Kapus, V., Strel, J., & Kovač, M. (2001). Comparison of Three Breaststroke Swimming Instruction Programmmes for 8 to 9 year Old Children. Kinesiology, 33(2), 5-19.

Jurak, G., Kovač, M., & Strel, J. (2006). Impact of the Additional Physical Education Lessons Programme on the Physical and Motor Development of 7- to 10-year-old Children. Kinesiology, 38(2), 105-115.

Bučar Pajek, M., Čuk, I., Kovač, M., Turšič, B., & Bricelj, A. (2007). Influence of Three Month Acrobatic Lessons on Motor Abilities of Female Students at Faculty of Sport in Ljubljana. In N. Smajlović, (Ed.), Zbornik naučnih i stručnih radova (p. 85-87). Sarajevo, 14. i 15. 4. 2007. Sarajevo: Univerzitet u Sarajevu, Fakultet sporta i tjelesnog odgoja.

Starc, G. & Strel, J. (2010). Influence of Competent PE Teaching on Physical Fitness of Children – a 3-year Study. In M. Kovač, G. Jurak, & G. Starc (Eds.) Proceedings of the 5th International Congress Youth Sport 2010 (p. 95-100). Ljubljana. Faculty of Sport. Access on: http://www.youthsport2010.si

 

Sport and National Identity

Doupona Topič, M., & Kovač, M. (2005). Sport as an Important Part of the Slovenian National Identity. In D. Milovanović, &  F. Prot (Eds.), Proceedings book of 4th International Scientific Conference on Kinesiology (p. 730-732). Opatija, Croatia, September 7-11, 2005. Zagreb: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology.

Doupona Topič, M., & Kovač, M. (2006). Does Slovenia identify as a Sport Nation? In H. Itkonen, A. Salmikangas, & E. McEvoy (Eds.), 3rd EASS Conference (European Association for Sociology of Sport) »The Changing Role of Public, Civic and Private Sectors in Sport Culture« (p. 163-169). Jyväskylä: University of Jyväskylä, Department of sport sciences.