Head of the Centre
Assoc. Prof. Marija Lorger, PhD, Department of Kinesiology Education, marija.lorger@ufzg.hr
Associates at the Faculty of Teacher Education
Prof. Marko Badrić, PhD, Deputy Head of the Centre
Purpose and Objectives
The Diagnostic Centre for Research in Kinesiology Education was established in 2021, when the Rules of Procedure of the Centre were adopted on 14 September 2021. On 25 January 2022, the members of the Centre’s Programme Council were appointed, comprising a total of 15 members. Prof. Ivan Prskalo, PhD, was appointed Head of the Centre and, in accordance with the Rules of Procedure, also served as Chair of the Programme Council.
In addition to the Chair, the members of the Programme Council were: Prof. Predrag Zarevski, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Marko Badrić, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Vatroslav Horvat, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Ivan Šerbetar, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Jasna Kudek Mirošević, PhD; Assoc. Prof. Davor Žilić, PhD, Professor of Art; Assistant Professor Draženko Tomić, PhD; Assistant Professor Srna Jenko Miholić, PhD; Assistant Professor Marija Lorger, PhD; Assistant Professor Ivana Nikolić, PhD; Assistant Professor Mateja Kunješić Sušilović, PhD; Assistant Professor Snježana Mraković, PhD; Assistant Professor Marijana Hraski, PhD; and Igor Bokor, Senior Lecturer.
Today, the Diagnostic Centre has 13 active members. The Head of the Centre and, by virtue of her position, the Chair of the Programme Council is Assoc. Prof. Marija Lorger, PhD.
Physical inactivity among children and school-age students has become an increasingly prominent issue over the past twenty years. One of the most common causes of this behaviour among children and young people is the emergence and widespread use of new technologies, which has contributed to declining levels of physical activity.
Scientific evidence indicates a direct link between declining physical activity and the prevalence of overweight and obesity, which is also associated with reduced levels of motor and functional abilities among children and school-age students. These abilities represent a critical determinant of their overall development. Excess body weight is one of the limiting factors for participation in physical activities, particularly in kinesiology-related activities, which constitute an important and particularly beneficial component of physical activity. Consequently, this condition may further limit the development of motor and functional abilities.
The proportion of overweight and obese children and young people has been increasing significantly in most European countries, largely due to the varying influence of lifestyle factors on physical activity status. It is therefore important to investigate all relevant aspects of these interrelationships, including physical fitness, sedentary lifestyles and obesity status.
The Department of Kinesiology Education has successfully implemented a range of projects addressing these issues and has developed a substantial body of scientific and professional publications demonstrating the expertise and competencies of its researchers.
Diagnostics in kinesiology education encompasses a series of diagnostic procedures used to determine the current status of children’s and students’ anthropometric characteristics, motor and functional abilities, as well as their level of acquired motor skills. These procedures provide information on the extent to which children and students deviate from expected, planned or desired values across different measurements.
The information obtained through diagnostic procedures is used to improve the health of children and students, promote physical activity, plan and design educational programmes in kinesiology education within the education system, and monitor the anthropological status of children and students.
All of these activities are undertaken with the aim of establishing the Faculty of Teacher Education as a reference centre for research in kinesiology education among younger age groups, building on the highly successful activities of the Department of Kinesiology Education to date. The Centre also aims to monitor the epidemiological status of children and young people in this area, with the ultimate goal of preventing the negative effects of physical inactivity and withdrawal from kinesiology-related activities, particularly from significant forms of physical activity.
The results obtained through these activities provide a foundation for contemporary, scientifically based teaching at the undergraduate, integrated undergraduate and graduate, and postgraduate levels. The integration of students into the research process represents an additional positive contribution to the educational process. In this way, the proportion of research-based teaching is increased and research competencies are developed among future teachers, preschool teachers, as well as other professionals and researchers enrolled in study programmes at the Faculty of Teacher Education, University of Zagreb.
Research Areas Include
- Research on the morphological characteristics of children and school-age students
- Measurement and assessment of the amount and prevalence of physical activity among children and school-age students
- Research on the motor abilities of children and school-age students
- Research on the functional abilities of children and school-age students
- Postural assessment
- Assessment of the level of acquired motor skills
Scientific and Professional Projects
2024/2025 – Inclusiveness and Support of the Educational Environment and Resilience of Children and Young People – Project Leader: Prof. Jasna Kudek Mirošević, PhD (Support for and Promotion of Scientific Work)
Physical Fitness and Physical Activity in Primary Education – University of Zagreb Support Programme (Project Leader: Prof. Marko Badrić, PhD)
Motor Production and Rhythm Discrimination in Preschool and Early School-Age Children – University of Zagreb Support Programme (Project Leader: Assoc. Prof. Ivan Šerbetar, PhD)
