PhD studies

Physical activity is an important stimulus of the organism and therefore research of adaptive mechanisms is a basic research in this field. The adaptive response of an organism to physical activity depends on several factors: sex, race, age (children, old …), fitness (athletes and non-sports), state of the organism (pregnancy), illness (presence or absence). Due to this complex research problem, the research of adaptive mechanisms of response to physical activity requires an integrated approach. Therefore, the objective of this course is to examine adaptive mechanisms from all angles and explain to students the basic and potential mechanisms of the body’s response to physical activity. Students will thus be trained to independently spot the scientific problems in this field and solve them.

Course content: Acute response and adaptation of organic systems to occasional or continuous physical activity in population of healthy individuals, athletes, individuals with different diseases and conditions that impair physical activity. Adaptation of the cardiovascular system, Adaptation of the muscular skeletal system, Adaptation of the respiratory system, Adaptation of the humoral system, Adaptation of the immune system, Energy sources for muscle contraction, Nutrition and supplementation. Specificity of the response of organic systems to occasional or continuous physical activity in relation to sex (male, female), at different ages (children, old) and physiological conditions (pregnancy, lactation).

Head of the course: Professor Tomislav Jovanović, Associate Professor Sanja Mazić

Professors: Professor Tomislav Jovanović, Associate Professor Sanja Mazić, Professor Slavica Suzić, Associate Professor Aleksandra Isaković, Assistant Professor Predrag Brkić, Professor Dušan Mitrović, Professor Ljiljana Šćepanović, Associate Professor Aleksandra Rašić Marković, Assistant Professor Igor Pantić, Associate Proffesor Dejan Nešić, Assistant Professor Marina Đelić, Associate Professor Oliver Stojković, Professor Milan Terzić, Professor Branko Jakovljević, Associate Professor Milica Dekleva, Professor Ljubica Konstantinović.

Lectures:

1. Definition and types of physical activity. Acute response and adaptation to different types of physical activity (2)
2. Metabolic system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
3. Nervous system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
4. Musculoskeletal system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
5. Cardiovascular system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
6. Respiratory system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
7. Gastrointestinal system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
8. Urinary system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
9. Hematopoietic system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
10. Humoral immune response and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
11. Immune system and physical activity – mechanisms of acute response and adaptation (2)
12. Influence of short-term and regular physical activity on mental health (2)
13. Applied research on genetic predispositions and adaptation to physical activity (2)
14. Specificity of the response of the organic systems to physical activity in relation to sex (2)
15. Specificity of the response of the organic systems to physical activity at different ages (2)
16. Specificity of the response of the organic systems to physical activity during pregnancy and lactation (2)
17. Efects of ergogenic agents on physical ability (2)
18. Mechanisms of acute response and adaptation of organic systems to physical activity in chronic non-communicable diseases (2)
19. Mechanisms of acute response and adaptation of organic systems to physical activity in diseases and conditions that impair functional ability and motor skills (2)
20. Adaptation of organic systems to occasional or regular physical activity in athletes (2)
21. Mechanisms of acute response and adaptation of organic systems to occasional or regular physical activity in changed ambient conditions – hypobaric (2)
22. Mechanisms of acute response and adaptation of organic systems to occasional or regular physical activity in changed ambient conditions – hypobaric (2)
23. Modalities of weight maintenance in sports competitions in weight categories (2)
24. Biochemical aspects of fatigue and overuse syndrome (2)

As part of the scientific-research field of sports medicine with motor skills, an important part is taken of different functional testing and testing of motor skills. They are especially important from the aspect of scientific research, where, based on certain parameters of functional and motor skills, many events related to the response of the organism to physical activity can be explained. It is therefore important that students get familiar with the possibilities of functional testing and testing of motor skills. Students will be able to apply this knowledge in their further scientific and research work.
Course content: Anthropometric parameters estimation methods. Methods for evaluation of nutritive and hormonal status. Bioenergetic metabolism testing, testing of parameters of anaerobic and aerobic metabolism. Examination of genetic status. Examination of immune status. Examination of the function of the cardiorespiratory system. Examination of musculoskeletal system function. Principles of selection of parameters and musculoskeletal function tests. Clinical and kinematic methods for assessment of motor abilities. The importance of contemporary neurophysiological and visualization methods in motor skills testing. Psychosocial assessment in the functional and motor skills test. Doping control.

Head of the course: Associate Professors Milica Dekleva, Professor Dragana Matanović

Professors: Associate Professors Milica Dekleva, Professor Dragana Matanović
Associate Professor Sanja Mazić, Professor dr Ljubica Konstantinović, Assistant Professor Vladimir Ilić, Associate Professor Aleksandra Isaković, Associate Professor Aleksandra Rašić Marković, Associate Professor Miloš Makismović, Associate Professor Dejan Nešić, Assistant Professor Vera Zdravković, Professor Brana Milneković (Professor Branislava Milenković), Professor Mirjana Šumarac, Professor Vladimir Trajković, Professor Branislav Milovanović, Assistant Pofessor Aleksandra Vidaković, Associate Professor Milica Lazović, Associate Professor Oliver Stojković, Assistant Professor Olivera Vuković, Profеssor Dragan Radovanović

Lectures:

1. Components of functional ability (2)
2. Peripheral and central mechanisms of motor skills. The impact of pain on motor skills. (2)
3. Methods for assessing the degree of physical activity, (2)
4. Parameters of energetic metabolism – research and clinical assessment (2)
5. Biochemical analysis of blood and urine – research and clinical assessment of physically active persons (2)
6. Water and electrolytic homeostasis – research and clinical assessment of physically active persons (2)
7. Research on and clinical assessment of nutritional status of physically active persons (2)
8. Body composition – research on and clinical assessment of physically active persons (2)
9. Research on and clinical assessment of biological and chronological aging of physically active persons (2)
10. Ergometry in the assessment of the cardiorespiratory system in physically active persons (2)
11. Ergospirometry in the assessment of the cardiorespiratory system in physically active persons (2)
12. Research on and clinical assessment of the function of the respiratory system in physically active persons (2)
13. Hormones of physically active persons – research and clinical assessment (2)
14. Immune response of physically active persons – research and clinical assessment (2)
15. Autonomic nervous system physically active persons – research and clinical assessment (2)
16. ICF – International Classification of Functioning, disability and health (2)
17. Paralympic categories and classifications – Classifications of IOC, International Olympic Committee (2)
18. Principles of selection of parameters and tests for motor skills. Assessment of walking and balancing disorders (2)
19. Kinematic methods in assessment of motor skills (2)
20. Clinical assessment of locomotor activity (2)
21. The importance of contemporary neurophysiological and visual methods in motor skills testing
22. Visual methods as assessment of locomotor ability (2)
23. Methods of assessment of genetic factors that effect on functional ability (2)
24. Research on and clinical methods of psychological assessment of physically active persons and athletes (2)
25. Ethical and medico-legal aspects of the use of ergogenic drugs in sports.
26. Specificity of pharmacotherapy in athletes (2)

A large part of the research in sport medicine we can explore using access „Exercise and medicine “. How much physical activity has a positive or negative effect on the health of patients, as well as the fact whether it modulates the response of the standard therapy of the disease, is the subject of numerous expert and scientific debates. It is therefore important that this entire field of research be brought closer to students of doctoral studies to gain new knowledge about how physical activity affects certain clinical syndromes and conditions in the field of sports medicine.

Contents of the course: Introduction to diagnostic principles and therapeutic interventions in clinical syndromes in the field of sports and physical activity. Injuries in sports, mechanisms and specificities related to sports disciplines. Acute and chronic diseases of athletes. Disorders of consciousness among athletes. Sudden cardiac death. Athletic fatigue syndrome. The importance of physical activity in the preservation of health and control of risk factors for chronic non-communicable diseases. Diseases and injuries that impair physical activity. The importance of physical activity in chronic non-communicable diseases (cardiovascular, diabetes). Specificity of sports and physical activity in disabled people.

Head of the course: Professor Ljubica Konstantinović, Professor Dragan Radovanović

Professors: Academic Professor Vladimir Kostić, Academic Professor Dragan Micić, Professor Ljubica Konstantinović, Professor Dragan Radovanović, Associate Professor Sanja Mazić, Assistant Professor Dragana Ćirović, Professor Ivana Petronić Marković, Associate Professor Dejan Nešić, Professor Mirjana Šumarac, Associate Professor Aleksandra Jotić, Associate Professor Milica Lazović, Professor Dragana Matanović, Assistant Professor Nataša Mujović, Assistant Professor Emilija Dubljanin Raspopović, Associate Professor Nađa Marić, Professor Aleksandra Aranđelović, Professor dr Danica Grujičić. Assistant Professor Vladimir Žugić, Professor Marko Bumabaširević,

Lectures:

1. Applied research of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of chronic non-communicable diseases (2)
2. Contemporary research in the field of kinesiology (2)
3. Sports activities in rehabilitation of adults and children (2)
4. Applied researches of exercises programmes that contribute to the correct growth and development of children (2)
5. Specificity of exercise in the elderly (2)
6. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases (2)
7. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of diabetes mellitus (2)
8. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases (2)
9. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of hypertension (2)
10. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of respiratory diseases (2)
11. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of mental disorders (2)
12. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis (2)
13. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of cancers (2)
14. Physical activity in the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases (2)
15. Applied research on physical activity in the treatment of persons with motor and cognitive impairment (2)
16. Specificity of sports and physical activity in functionally disabled people (2)
17. Examination of the role of physical effort in the most common acute and chronic diseases in athletes (2)
18. Research on the mechanisms of sudden cardiac death (2)
19. Disorders of consciousness in athletes – occurrence (2)
20. Research on exercise induce respiratory system diseases (2)
21. Research of exercise induce reproductive system diseases in female athletes (2)
22. Clinical investigations of the causes and treatment of fatigue and overuse syndrome in athletes (2)
23. Investigation of the risk factors for injuries in sport, mechanisms and specificities related to certain sports disciplines (2)
24. Research on modern therapeutic approaches in the rehabilitation of sports injuries (2)
25. Basic and clinical investigations of the influence of balneo-climatic factors on functional ability (2)
26. Research on bioregenerative methods in the treatment of diseases and injuries of the locomotor apparatus (2)
27. New technologies in modulation of motor disability (2)

Final test (30 questions) will be held on 15th day after last lecture

Final grade is based upon total points:

The biophysical and anatomical basis of human movements is a special field of research. The specificities of this field are the application of physical laws, mathematical equations, the basis of mechanics and anatomy in explaining the parameters of the movement of the musculoskeletal system as well as cardiovascular and other systems during physical activity. Students who choose this elective course are expected to be trained in designing and performing various types of modern basic and clinical research into the biophysical and anatomical basis of movement in healthy, athletes and in diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed.

Course content: Fundamentals of mechanics (vector, velocity, acceleration, center of mass, force, moment of force). Lever. Leverage system. Fundamentals of rotational motion (angular velocity, angular acceleration, frequency). Dynamics of fluid. Movement in the fluid. Biomechanical analysis. Morphology and function of the upper limb joints (shoulder joint, elbow and hand), as well as the effect of individual muscles on them. Morphology and function of the lower limb joints (hock, knee joint, lower and upper ankle and transverse joint), as well as the effect of individual muscles on them. Pathological processes leading to partial or incomplete mobility of the upper and lower extremity joints. Correlation of a radiographic finding with a clinical picture in patients with limited movements in the wrist.

Movements during physical activity are facilitated by the association of higher nerve functions of motor cortex but also motor learning. This is a new field of research, insufficiently examined, and open to numerous research on both animals and human populations, but also the inclusion of new information technologies. That is why students who choose this elective course will be introduced to the theoretical and analytical tools necessary to explore the processes and mechanisms underlying movement, motor control and motor learning, as well as methods of research work in the field of motor control and motor learning in healthy, athletes, and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed.

Course contents: Physiology of movement, motor control and motor learning. Structural and integrative organization of the motor system. Basic characteristics of motor learning. Phases of motor learning. Types of motor learning. Plasticity of sensorimotor system and importance in motor learning. Critical factors of motor learning. Instruments for research of motor control in the human population (movement registration, analysis of biomechanical signals, methods of transcranial magnetic stimulation, posturography, electromioneurography, functional magnetic resonances, walk analyzes in the proprioception, motion, and motor learning research).

It is precisely from the fact that motor skills depend on various factors (age, gender, fitness, etc.), and that physical activity modulates motor skills, it is important to investigate whether the application of new technologies helps in modulating this response. Therefore, students who choose this elective course will be introduced to the current fundamental and applied research in the field of motor skills modulation, especially in the application of new technologies in sports medicine and physical activity.

Contents of the course: Physiological basics of different modes of motor skills modulation during the acquisition and development of motor skills, as well as in the condition of impaired motor skills and physical activity due to injury or illness. Phases of development of motor skills. Factors that influence the success of modulation in a complex bio-psychosocial model of health and illness. Specificity of modulation of motor skills in elite athletes. Sensorimotor training. Kinesitherapy modulation techniques. Facilitation techniques in initial and late phases of modulation of motor skills. Possibilities of modern technologies in the field of biomedical engineering and noninvasive cortical stimulation in modulation of motor abilities: transcranial magnetic stimulation, mechatronics and robotics. The importance of modern technologies in the assessment of motor skills. Specificity of the design of research studies in the field of modulation of motor skills and new technologies.

The functional ability of an organism depends on several factors: sex, race, age (children, old …), fitness (athletes and non-sports), illness (presence or absence). Because of such complex factors of functional ability and physical activity, research in this field has an increasing scope in the scientific public. Therefore, students who choose this elective course will be introduced to the application of modern methods of testing factors that affect the functional abilities of healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed.

Course content: Types of physical activity. Special features of sports activities. Determinants of physical form. Anthropometric features and body constitution. Muscle strength and muscular endurance. Flexibility. Functional ability of the cardiovascular system. Aerobic ability and factors that affect aerobic ability. External factors, hematopoietic, endocrine, immune, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular and muscular skeletal system effects. Functional ability in healthy, athletes and in diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed.

It is well known in the professional and scientific public that, the adaptive mechanisms of the organism on continuous physical activity depend on the type of sport. Increasing attention in the scientific public is given to examinations of mechanisms that are specific to a particular type of sport, that is, the type of physical activity, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of a particular type of physical activity. Therefore, students who choose this elective course will be trained to see a huge variety of sports and sports disciplines, and that they will be able to set research goals from which, by appropriate scientific and research procedures, they will make conclusions that can be applied for designing adequate program activities to optimally prepare the organism for achieving top results.

Course content: Distribution of sports disciplines. Basic characteristics of individual sports disciplines. Specificity of physiological mechanisms in the adaptation of the organism to sport activities. Specificity of adaptation to different frequency, intensity, duration and type of physical activity. Physiology of muscular movement. Motor motion control. Bioenergy of muscular activity in sports activities. Specificity of adaptation of organic systems to aerobic and anaerobic physical activity. Phases of motor training. Factors of motor training. The importance of special conditions in which sports activity takes place (ambient, protective equipment, training system and competitions).

Endocrine system diseases, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, diabetes, etc., receive a pandemic character. Physical activity is a measure of prevention but also therapy, which has not reached satisfactory results, and for this reason new research is necessary in this area. Therefore, students who choose this elective course will be able to design and perform various types of modern basic and clinical research mechanisms of the response of the endocrine system to acute and chronic physical activity, the potential application of physical activity in therapeutic interventions of endocrine disorders in healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which physical activity is disturbed.

Course content: Physiological basics of the endocrine system response during acute physical activity. Molecular basis of adaptive changes in the endocrine system. Development and formation of endocrine response to continuous and intense physical activity. Biochemical basics of metabolic response to physical activity. Role of growth hormone in adaptive changes. Adaptation of stress response to physical activity. The role of adipose tissue hormones before, during and after physical activity. The role of orexigenic neuropeptides before, during and after physical activity. Endocrine changes in women’s sports triad. Hormonal imbalance and potential application of physical activity in therapeutic interventions. Modern methods of testing the response of the endocrine system to physical activity.

Active muscles during physical activity are the source of numerous inflammatory and anti-inflammatory agents, to which the immune system need to respond. That’s why the research in this area is in the expansion. By choosing this elective course, students will be trained to better understand and acquire knowledge about mechanisms of the response of the immune system to acute and chronic physical activity, as well as acquiring knowledge in the field of immune processes that take place during acute physical activity, the adaptive response of the immune system to the continuous physical activity and the ability to apply this knowledge in clinical practice.

Contents of the course: The structure and function of the immune system. Basic principles of non-specific immunity. Basic principles of specific immunity, Cytokines and adhesive molecules role in effector functions and circulation of cells of the immune system. Effective mechanisms of immune response. Immune system and acute physical activity. The influence of the type of training on the response of the immune system. Adaptive changes of the immune system to continuous and intense physical activity. Laboratory techniques of molecular and cell biology and their application. Specificity of the design of research studies in the field of adapting the immune system to physical activity.

Due to the of advancing medical science, the life span of a man is prolonged, and we are faced with increasing population of elderly people. The quality of life of the elderly depends on their ability to independently perform basic living needs. Physical activity takes an important place here. Therefore, students who choose this elective course will be trained to better understand current fundamental and applied research in the field of physical activity in the geriatric population.

Course content: Introduction to the physiological basis of aging. Changes in the musculoskeletal system, cardio-respiratory and neuroendocrine system. Psychosocial changes in the geriatric population. Functionality of the elderly and factors that are of significant influence in the biopsychosocial model of health and disease. Physical activity in the elderly and adaptation mechanisms. Methods for assessing functionality and physical activity in the geriatric population. Optimization of individualization and safety of physical activity in the elderly population. Physical activity and physical health. Physical activity and quality of life in the elderly. Physical activity in acute and chronic diseases in the geriatric population.

Reparative and regenerative medicine represents a new scientific field of medical science. The application of this field in sports medicine with motor skills takes an important part, especially in sports injuries, stem cell treatment, hyperbaric medicine. That’s why students who choose this elective course will better get acquainted with novelties in the field of modern regeneration and tissue reparation methods in healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are affected.

Course content: Origin and biology of stem cells of different tissues. Methods of collecting stem cells, cultivation in vitro. Targeted expansion of stem cells. Possibilities for obtaining “synthetic” tissues in laboratory conditions, studies with such tissues and cells in the processes of regeneration and reparation. New directions for stem cell therapy due to the advancement of science on stem cell expansion capabilities. Hyperbaric oxygenation and its application in healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed. Methods of physical medicine in reparation and tissue regeneration in healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed. Therapy of future sports injuries – “synthetic” biological tissue for the repair of damage caused by sports injuries. Application of different approved tissue products as a supplementary therapy.

Genetic aspects of physical activity are used today to explain differences in the adaptive response of physically active individuals. The role of genes has been the subject of research since the beginning of the advancement of sports medicine with motor skills, but the discovery of genetic polymorphisms has enabled these researches to develop. That is why students who choose this elective course will be better acquainted with novelties in the field of modern methods of testing genetic and molecular bases of physiological processes in physical activity and sport and the possibilities of their modulation.

Course content: Understanding the genetic basis of complex characteristics: classical genetic (quantitative genetic studies in families and populations, selection studies on animal models) and molecular genetic aspects (genetic basics of variability in fat, sugar and protein metabolism, role of mitochondrial genes, genes-candidate studies and the association of genetic markers along the genome). Genomic and transcriptomic predictors of fitness abilities of athletes. Molecular mechanisms of remodeling skeletal muscle proteins under the influence of physical activity. Epigenetic control of sports performances: role of mRNA and chromatin structure modification. Genetic predisposition to top-level sports results – an overview of the most common genetic polymorphisms in athletes. Genetic doping in sport – potential genes and goals. Interindividual variations in the body’s response to physical activity: genetics in the search for individualization. Genetic profile of top athletes. Scientific perspective of identification of sports talents: ethical and social implications.

It is known that physical activity contributes to mental health, but also that motivation represents an important part of research in the field of sports medicine with motor skills. Also, an increasing number of studies indicate the importance of physical activity in mental health disorders. Therefore, students who choose this elective course will be able to apply modern methods of testing the correlation between physical activity and mental health based on biological, psychological and social theories in healthy individuals, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed. Also, getting acquainted with methods of testing physical activity as a risk factor vs. protective factor in the etiology of the most common psychiatric disorders and methods of psychological support and techniques of consultative work aimed at improving individual performance in the field of sports and recreation.

Course content: Personality, development and characteristics. Defense mechanisms. Motivation and techniques to improve motivation. Direct effect of physical activity on mental functions, improvement of cognitive functions. Physical activity that helps control in the sphere of emotions, cognition, behavior control. Physical activity that opposes the appearance of depression, the impact on auto-control and hetero-aggressive behavior. Regular physical activity in the attenuation of the effects of aging in the hippocampus. Passivation i.e. a tendency towards physical inactivity as one of the symptoms closely related to the onset and further progression of the disorder. Lack of physical activity as one of the key factors of an increase in the incidence of psychiatric disorders. Aggression and sport. Sports self-confidence and self-esteem. Psychological tests and psychological support of elite athletes. Research methods in the field of sports psychology.

Nutrition and supplements are areas of research that contribute to better results of participants in sports. Especially this is important from the aspect of preventing fatigue and injuries in sports. On the other hand, doping is the negative side of this story, where a top score is achieved by illegal nutrition substances. Therefore, students who choose this elective course will be trained in applying modern methods of testing nutritional factors and supplements that affect the functional abilities of healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed.

Contents of the course: Contemporary knowledge about the elements of proper nutrition. Daily needs of carbohydrates, fats and proteins in healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed, in relation to age and gender. Daily water requirements for healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed, in relation to age and gender. Daily vitamin and mineral requirements in healthy, athletes and diseases and conditions in which functional and / or motor abilities are disturbed, in relation to age and gender. Specificity of nutrition and supplementation before, during and after training. Specificity of nutrition and supplements in power and endurance sports, those playing in open playgrounds and in sports halls. Specificity of nutrition and supplementation in sports with weight limitations. Specificity of nutrition and supplements during travel. Anti-Doping Code, List of Prohibited Substances and Consequences of Anti-Doping Rule Violations. Genetic doping. Research methods in the field of sports nutrition and supplements.

In the fourth semester, students continue with the doctoral dissertation (30 ECTS):

1. Essays and presentations of individual research of candidates, publication (15 ECTS)
2. Preparation of the doctoral dissertation (15 ECTS)

In the fifth and sixth semesters, students continue / complete their doctoral dissertation (30 ECTS).