The development of scientific research projects is one of the key indicators of the growth and international recognition of the Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Split. In the past five years, the Faculty has made visible progress in project activities through the successful implementation and application of projects funded from national and international sources, including the Croatian Science Foundation, the Erasmus+ program, and the National Recovery and Resilience Plan. This further strengthens the research capacities of the Faculty, ensures the development of new research topics, and opens up space for stronger involvement of teachers, young researchers, and doctoral candidates in project work.
The Faculty’s strategic development is focused on further increasing the number of competitive projects, strengthening institutional support for their preparation and implementation, and stronger linking of project work with research groups, laboratories, international partners, and knowledge transfer to the community. Special emphasis is placed on interdisciplinarity, international cooperation, the inclusion of doctoral candidates and young researchers, and the systematic visibility of project results through websites, conferences, and other dissemination activities.
Projects currently being implemented at KIFST:
NPOO projects
1. B-BAND – Classification of young athletes according to biological age (bio-banding) in the process of talent detection and selection
The B-BAND project (CroRIS ID 16772; code IP-UNIST-22 ) runs from 1. 10. 2025. until 30. 9. 2029., and its total value is 132,000.00 EUR . The project leader is the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split , with partners the University of Split and the University Department of Professional Studies . The project manager is Assistant Professor Ante Rađa, Ph.D. . In terms of content, the project focuses on the development and application of a bio-banding system, i.e. the classification of young athletes according to biological , not just chronological age. The goal is to enable fairer talent selection, more individualized training planning, and reduce developmental inequalities among young athletes. The project includes extensive field testing of motor, functional, anthropometric, and psychological characteristics using technologies such as 3D body scanners, force plate platforms, photocells, cognitive instruments, and GPS systems . Based on this, a digital database of athlete profiles will be created and the effects of bio-banding on fairness, satisfaction, and performance will be evaluated.
2. OP&ZG – Open Space and Closed Years: Transformational Potentials of Natural Environment and Combined Physical Exercise in Older Women
The OP&ZG project (CroRIS ID 17284; code IP-UNIST-23 ) runs from 1. 10. 2025. until 30. 9. 2029., with total funding of 131,400.00 EUR . The project leader is the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split , and the project manager is Prof. Dr. Sc. Damir Sekulić . The main objective of the project is to examine the effects of a multi-component kinesiological transformational procedure carried out in an open space on the health and functional-motor status of women over 60 years of age. The study plans to include 60 women , divided into a control and experimental group, where the program will include a combination of aerobic activities, strength, balance and flexibility exercises , two to three times a week, over two three-month cycles. The project additionally analyzes the influence of sociodemographic factors, physical and health literacy on changes in health and functional status.
3. HeLoS – Health, biological age and sport
The HeLoS project (CroRIS ID 15577; code IP-UNIST-24 ) runs from 1. 10. 2025. to 1. 10. 2029. according to the CroRIS record, and its total value is 132,248.75 EUR . The project leader is the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split , and the Faculty of Law in Split , FESB and the University Department of Professional Studies are listed as related entities. The project manager is Prof. Dr. Sc. Dražen Čular . The project aims to connect scientific knowledge and digitalization of data collection with practical interventions to optimize health status, biological age and sports development . It includes research on samples of children, students, athletes, people with special needs and the general population , and specific objectives include developing tools for monitoring health status and biological age, raising awareness of the importance of physical activity and a healthy lifestyle, and connecting stakeholders to strengthen research capacities in the field of health and sports. Data will be collected using field research and digital tools.
HRZZ projects
1. PL&PAH – Physical Literacy in Preadolescents and Younger Adolescents: Effects of Targeted Intervention on Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Health Outcomes
The PL&PAH project (CroRIS ID 17054 , code UIP-2025-02-3974 ) is led by Dr. Barbara Gilić Škugor , and the project holder is the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split . The project runs from 19. 2. 2026. up to 18 2. 2031., and the total funding amounts to 229,520.00 EUR . The team also includes Mirela Šunda , Petra Rajković Vuletić and Marijana Geets-Kesić . In terms of content, the project focuses on the concept of physical literacy and its connection with physical education and health education, physical activity, physical fitness, health literacy and the health status of children. The main objectives include the analysis and validation of measurement instruments, the assessment of the compliance of the PE curriculum with the concept of physical literacy, and the development and implementation of an intervention for grade and subject students. The expected contribution of the project is an objective evaluation of the curriculum and verification of the effectiveness of interventions in improving physical literacy and children’s health.
2. TWINSWINS – The Interplay of Genetics, Biological Age, and Muscle Fiber Characteristics in Talent Development and Athletic Performance: “A Twin Study”
The TWINSWINS project (CroRIS ID 12107 , code IP-2024-05-8340 ) leads Prof. Dr. Sc. Dražen Čular , and the project is carried out by the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split . The project lasts from 20. 12. 2024. until 19. 12. 2027., and the total value of the project is 199,200.00 EUR . The project investigates the interaction of genetics, biological age and muscle fiber characteristics in the development of sports talent and sports performance, with a special emphasis on a sample of monozygotic and dizygotic twins . The research uses modern, non-invasive technologies such as tensiomyography, thermography, MyotonPRO device, MRI measurement of muscle characteristics and ultrasound assessment of bone age , and the goal is to improve diagnostic tools for more precise monitoring and development of young athletes. The project should contribute to a better understanding of the relative effects of age, biological maturation and genetic predispositions in sports, with practical benefits for coaches, clubs, federations and educational institutions.
3. FLIP – Fire, Light, Ice and Pressure: Development of muscle age assessment methods and investigation of the impact of specific protocols on aging biomarkers
The FLIP project (CroRIS ID 15923 , code IP-2025-02-8546 ) is led by Prof. Dr. Sc. Dražen Čular , and the project holder is the Faculty of Kinesiology in Split . The project runs from 20. 12. 2025. until 19. 12. 2028., with a total funding of EUR 199,937.00 . The team includes, among others, Vladimir Ivančev, Tea Gutović, Ana Kezić, Tea Bešlija, Ivica Zelić, Matej Babić and Marijana Čavala . The project focuses on developing innovative methods for assessing muscle age and examining the effects of specific interventions such as cold water immersion, infrared sauna, red light therapy and hyperbaric oxygen therapy on biomarkers of aging. Key objectives include the establishment of the Croatian Laboratory for Longevity and Health , analysis of the relationship between biomarkers of aging and functional indicators of skeletal muscle, and improvement of the methodology for assessing muscle age using advanced diagnostic tools such as TMG, EMG, MyotonPRO, thermography, Sonicbone and bodyscanner . The expected contributions of the project relate to sports science, rehabilitation and preventive medicine.