The aim of this study was to examine the gender-specific criterion validity of the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C) in a sample of urban Croatian early school-age children. The participants were 80 children (aged 9-11 years; 36 girls, 44 boys) from southern Croatia. The PAQ-C was used to indirectly measure physical activity (PA), whereas the GENEActiv accelerometers were used to obtain data on PA directly. Spearman’s correlations between variables, and forward multiple regressions were calculated separately for boys and girls. The differences in the studied variables between genders were established via a t-test for independent samples. Boys reported higher PAQ-C scores (t test = 3.6, p<0.05), had more vigorous PA (t test =3.87, p<0.05), and performed more steps than girls did (t test =3.44, p<0.05). The correlations between the PAQ-C and accelerometer-derived data were similar in magnitude across genders. Vigorous PA was determinant of the PAQ-C in boys (Beta =0.44, p<0.05), and moderate PA was found to be a determinant of the PAQ-C in girls (Beta =0.51, p<0.05). While the criterion validity of the PAQ-C is similar for both boys and girls, by acknowledging and addressing potential gender differences in activity patterns associated with questionnaire-based scores, we can develop more effective strategies to encourage PA in children.

Physical literacy (PL) is the foundation for lifelong participation in physical activity. Most previous research concentrated on PL examinations in younger groups, while such research is scarce in the adult population. This study aimed to determine the PL levels of the Croatian adult population. Also, the aim was to investigate whether individuals with longer participation in organized physical activity have higher PL levels and do males and females differ in PL levels. The sample comprised 561 individuals (321 females, 240 males) aged 27.65±12.13 years. PL levels were assessed by the Croatian version of the Perceived Physical Activity Questionnaire (PPLQ-Cro). Demographic characteristics included age, gender, and years of involvement in organized physical activity. Gender differences were calculated using the Mann-Whitney U test and effect sizes. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to determine associations between study variables. Males had significantly higher PL levels compared to females (83.10±16.17 for males and 74.27±20.07 for females, Z=-6.88, p=0.001). Years of organized physical activity were associated with PL levels (R=0.48, p=0.001) in the total sample as well in males (R=0.55, p<0.001) and females (R=0.24, p<0.01) separately. The finding that years of organized physical activity are associated with total PL supports the theory that PL is the cornerstone for participating in lifetime physical activity. The results of this study emphasize the importance of introducing the concept of PL in numerous institutions and organizations connected with organized physical activity.

Factors associated with doping in sports are frequently studied, but sport specific, gender-stratified investigations are rare. This study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic and sport factors associated with doping tendency (DT) in professional handball players. The participants were handball professionals from Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina (n=173; 22.12±3.11 years of age, 64 females and 109 males) who were tested on sociodemographic variables (gender, age, education), sport factors (experience in sport, achievement at the junior and senior level), and doping factors (personal opinion on the problem of doping, doping knowledge, and personal DT). Logistic regressions with sociodemographic- and sport-factors as predictors were calculated for binarized outcome (positive DT vs. negative DT). A greater likelihood of having a positive DT was found for males than for females (OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.16-2.12) and for those who achieved success at the junior level (OR=1.21, 95% CI: 1.02- 1.95). Among females, positive DT increased with experience in handball (OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.11-1.55). Male players who achieved better competitive/sport results at a younger age were more prone to doping (OR=1.50, 95% CI: 1.21-1.83). While a greater tendency toward doping in males might be expected due to sociocultural factors, the gender-specific associations indicated specific factors that must be noted in the development of anti-doping strategies in this sport.

Peripartum depression (PPD) has been the focus of many studies, clinical interventions and policymaking over the past decades, yet more work is needed in order to mitigate this disorder and its negative consequences. This symposium offers an examination, through various review techniques, of five emerging understudied topics related to PPD diagnosis, treatment and policy implications. Through a scoping review, the first presentation considers how economic evaluation can inform the development of mental health policy strategies and guidelines and identify implications for preventive, screening and treatment strategies for PPD. The second presentation increases understanding of PPD disorder diagnosis through a synthesis of current literature on issues regarding PPD diagnosis in different aspects. The third presentation focuses on Paternal PPD (P-PPD) and presents a consensus report on emerging issues and questions on the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of P-PPD The fourth presentation presents, through an umbrella review of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, an overarching synthesis of the literature regarding complementary and alternative therapies (CATs) to treat PPD, while assessing the extent to which CATs are associated with depressive symptoms reduction during pregnancy or after childbirth. The fifth presentation focuses, through a systematic review, on the effectiveness of Third Wave cognitive behavioral psychological interventions in treating peripartum depression. All five presenters will discuss the major findings of their work as well as potential implications for research, clinical practice and policy. Collectively, this set of papers advances the understanding of PPD diagnosis, prevention and treatment and of implications for clinical practice, research and policy.

This study investigated achievement goal orientation profile differences between youth swimmers on perceived competence and enjoyment, and the contribution of goal orientation and perceived competence to enjoyment in swimming. Male and female swimmers (n=302), aged 10-18 years (M=12.7; sd=2.25) completed a questionnaire assessing goal orientation, perceived competence and enjoyment in swimming. Cluster analysis revealed four goal orientation profile groups: high task/high ego, moderate task/low ego, high task/moderate ego and low task/moderate ego. MANOVA was conducted and a significant multivariate effect was found (Wilks=0.762; F=14.370; p=0.000; ES=0126). Further, Scheffe’s post-hoc comparisons tests revealed that swimmers scoring relatively high in both task and ego orientations, with a balance between the two, reported high values for perceived competence and enjoyment. Finally using two-way factorial MANOVA it was found that the interaction between the perceived competence and goal orientation profiles was not significant. Emphasizing task orientation for young athletes is a means to increase enjoyment in sport, regardless of their level of perceived competence.