Innovative diagnostic approaches to improving kinanthropological characteristics in applied kinesiology (KinezIQ)
The project is a scientifically grounded interdisciplinary study in applied kinesiology, focused on the development, validation and application of innovative diagnostic and training protocols in sport, adapted kinesiology and kinesiology education. Its central aim is to improve the motor and functional capacities of children, athletes and people with disabilities through precise diagnostics and targeted interventions.
In sport kinesiology, the research focuses on balance assessment in rhythmic gymnastics and reactive agility in football and volleyball. It also evaluates the effects of specific training interventions on selected kinanthropological characteristics.
In adapted kinesiology, the project includes developing and validating a specific reactive agility test for wheelchair basketball players, alongside an analysis of the effects of an experimental training protocol on outcome and predictor variables.
In kinesiology education, the project examines the effects of introducing parasport into physical education on motor development, empathy and the attitudes of pupils without developmental disabilities. It also investigates the influence of the all-day school model on the development of fine and gross motor skills in younger primary school pupils.
The project is organised into several work packages, each with clearly defined objectives, methodologically rigorous approaches and validated measurement instruments, to support the scientific relevance and practical applicability of its findings.
- Acronym
- KinezIQ
- Project reference
- 581-UNIOS-77
- Start date
- 1 October 2025
- Research area
- Social sciences
- Total value (EUR)
- 68,590.00 EUR
- Project lead
- Ivan Perić
- Role
- Project lead
- Contact person
- Ivan Perić — Project lead
- ivan.peric@kifos.hr
- Address
- Faculty of Kinesiology Osijek
Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek
Drinska 16a
HR-31000 Osijek, Croatia - Research in focus
- Precise diagnostics for different movement capabilities.
- Research overview
- KinezIQ is an interdisciplinary study in applied kinesiology focused on the construction, validation and application of diagnostic and training protocols. It connects research in sport, work with people with disabilities and educational settings.
Its central aim is to improve the motor and functional capacities of children, athletes and people with disabilities through precise diagnostics and targeted interventions. - Research approach
- From test development to practical application
- Expected contribution
- Knowledge for sport, education and inclusion
Project team
Ivan Perić
Zvonimir Tomac
Tvrtko Galić
Ivana Klaričić
Hrvoje Ajman
Ivica Franjko
Rebeka Stojković
Zoran Špoljarić
Iva Macan
Matej Išasegi
Lorena Jelošek
Publications
Construction and Validation of a Specific Balance Test for Rhythmic Gymnasts: A Pilot Study.
- Authors
- Stojkovic R.; Peric I.; Tomac Z.; Ajman H.; Spoljaric Z.
- Year
- 2026
- Journal / proceedings
- Sports
- Volume / issue
- 14(5)
- Pages / article number
- 178
- DOI
- 10.3390/sports14050178
New Approaches to Physical Education: The Impact of a Para-Volleyball Program on Motor Abilities in Upper Primary School Children.
- Authors
- Špoljarić, Zoran; Tomac, Zvonimir; Macan, Iva; Ajman, Hrvoje; Stojković, Rebeka; Perić, Ivan
- Year
- 2026
- Journal / proceedings
- Education sciences
- Volume / issue
- 16(9)
- Pages / article number
- Article 1442, 17 pages
- DOI
- 10.3390/educsci16091442
Differences in attitudes towards inclusion in physical education according to pupils’ level of competitiveness [translated title; original in Croatian]
- Authors
- Špoljarić, Zoran; Tomac, Zvonimir; Černić, Željko; Perić, Ivan; Ajman, Hrvoje
- Year
- 2026
- Publication type
- Conference proceedings paper
- Journal / proceedings
- 34th Croatian Kinesiology Summer School: Inclusion through Physical Activity. Goran Leko (ed.). Zagreb: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology.
- Pages / article number
- 328-332
The role of balance as a selective predictor of success in rhythmic gymnastics [translated title; original in Croatian]
- Authors
- Perić, Ivan; Stojković, Rebeka; Špoljarić, Zoran
- Year
- 2026
- Publication type
- Conference proceedings paper
- Journal / proceedings
- 34th Croatian Kinesiology Summer School: Inclusion through Physical Activity. Goran Leko (ed.). Zagreb: University of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology.
- Pages / article number
- 712-714
Research themes
Sport kinesiology
- Description
- Research covers balance assessment in rhythmic gymnastics and reactive agility in football and volleyball. It also examines the effects of specific training interventions on selected kinanthropological characteristics.
Adapted kinesiology
- Description
- The project plans to construct and validate a specific reactive agility test for wheelchair basketball players. Alongside the diagnostic test, it investigates the effects of an experimental training protocol.
Kinesiology education
- Description
- The project examines how parasport in physical education affects pupils' motor development, empathy and attitudes. It also studies the influence of an all-day school model on fine and gross motor skills in younger primary school pupils.
Methodology
The project connects the development of measurement instruments, validation of their properties and evaluation of targeted interventions across different areas of applied kinesiology.
- Construction. Diagnostic approaches are developed for the specific demands of sporting and educational activities.
- Validation. Measurement instruments are evaluated, including specific balance and reactive agility tests.
- Application and evaluation. The effects of training and educational interventions are analysed in relation to selected motor, functional and other research variables.
Expected contribution
The project aims to produce scientifically relevant, applicable findings that can improve assessment and the design of targeted interventions.
By connecting sport, adapted kinesiology and education, it is expected to contribute to motor and functional development across different groups, and to a better understanding of the role of parasport in pupils’ empathy and attitudes.