The effects of specific exercise program on anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of preschool children / Efectos del programa de ejercicios específicos sobre las características antropométricas y las habilidades motrices de los niños de edad preescolar

In order to determine the effects of specific exercise program on anthropometric characteristics and motor abilities of preschool children, a battery of eight anthropometric measures and 7 motor tests were applied. The current study was conducted on a sample of 60 preschoolers (31 in the experimental and 29 in the control group), aged 4 to 5. They were the respondents in the project implemented by the Faculty of Sport and Physical Education in Novi Sad. The obtained data was analyzed by multivariate analysis of covariance (MANCOVA). It can be concluded that the application of experimental and control models of exercise resulted in substantial improvement of certain motor skills in the experimental group compared to the control group. In regard to the anthropometry there was no statistically significant difference between the groups. In fact, the practical value of this work is to analyze the model of kinetic activities, which as such can be applied to all clubs and schools that work with children of preschool and early school age.

Con el fin de determinar los efectos de un programa de ejercicios específicos sobre las características antropométricas y las habilidades motrices de los niños en edad preescolar, se aplicó una batería de 8 medidas antropométricas y 7 pruebas motrices. El presente estudio se realizó en una muestra de 60 niños en edad preescolar (31 en el grupo experimental y 29 en el grupo de control), de 4 a 5 años. Los niños en este estudio forman parte del proyecto implementado por la Facultad de Deporte y Educación Física de Novi Sad. Los datos obtenidos se analizaron mediante análisis multivariante de covarianza (MANCOVA). Se puede concluir que la aplicación de modelos experimentales y de control de ejercicios resultó en una mejora sustancial de ciertas habilidades motoras en el grupo experimental en comparación con el grupo control. En cuanto a la antropometría, no hubo diferencias estadísticamente significativas entre los grupos. De hecho, el valor práctico de este trabajo es analizar el modelo de actividades cinéticas, que como tal puede aplicarse a todos los clubes y escuelas que trabajan con niños en edad preescolar y escolar.

Cross-cultural measurement invariance of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale across 11 world-wide societies.

BACKGROUND: In order to compare estimates by one assessment scale across various cultures/ethnic groups, an important aspect that needs to be demonstrated is that its construct across these groups is invariant when measured using a similar and simultaneous approach (i.e., demonstrated cross-cultural measurement invariance). One of the methods for evaluating measurement invariance is testing for differential item functioning (DIF), which assesses whether different groups respond differently to particular items. The aim of this study was to evaluate the cross-cultural measurement invariance of the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS) in societies with different socioeconomic, cultural, and religious backgrounds. METHODS: The study was organised by the International Child Mental Health Study Group. Self-reported data were collected from adolescents residing in 11 countries: Brazil, Bulgaria, Croatia, Indonesia, Montenegro, Nigeria, Palestinian Territories, the Philippines, Portugal, Romania and Serbia. The multiple-indicators multiple-causes model was used to test the RCADS items for DIF across the countries. RESULTS: Ten items exhibited DIF considering all cross-country comparisons. Only one or two items were flagged with DIF in the head-to-head comparisons, while there were three to five items flagged with DIF, when one country was compared with the others. Even with all cross-culturally non-invariant items removed from nine language versions tested, the original factor model representing six anxiety and depressive symptoms subscales was not significantly violated. CONCLUSIONS: There is clear evidence that relatively small number of the RCADS items is non-invariant, especially when comparing two different cultural/ethnic groups, which indicates on its sound cross-cultural validity and suitability for cross-cultural comparisons in adolescent anxiety and depressive symptoms.

Portable medicine chests in Serbia during the 19th and the first half of the 20th century.

Portable medicine chests could be considered as the oldest type of pharmacy in the 19th century Serbia. Historically their emergence could be associated with the appearance of the first physicians who kept post in Serbia. They were foreigners engaged on a contract to work during the reign of Prince Milos Obrenovic. According to the data preserved at the State Archive of Serbia (Chancellery of the principality, State Council, Home Office - Medical Department), medicine chests existed as late as the middle of the last century. They were an important source for health protection of the Serbian people as well as for distribution of drugs during the course of the 19th century. This article aims to analyse the content of these chests, based on the archive data records referring to the regular supervision of the medicine chests conducted every fourth year by the district physician. The legal aspect of keeping the portable medicine chest will be discussed as well.