Kineziologija i održiva budućnost

Abstract

On the basis of a series of definitions (Findak, 1995; Klavora, 2008; Momirović, 1969; Mraković, 1971, 1992, 1997), Kinesiology as a science "studies the effectiveness of human movements, the controlled process of exercise, its principles and its consequences on human body in the broadest sense" (Prskalo & Sporiš, 2016, p. 12), and strives to realize its futuristic role in securing the future of humankind, especially with reference to its most sensitive and vulnerable members. This role is realized through all its applied areas and branches, and especially through kinesiology education, which is the only one that, in the course of every individual’s compulsory education, includes the entire population within the compulsory school subject Physical and Health Education. Apart from the already consensually accepted values ​of physical and health education: biological, economic, health, cultural and pedagogical (Findak, 1999), the same author (2014) highlighted the importance of changing the name Physical and Health Education to Kinesiology Education, which would reflect the attitudes of the fundamental science and profession; however, this change has not happened yet. In addition to the values realized through the school subject, whose name should be Kinesiology Education because of its scientific foundations, the value of kinesiology education has been confirmed in accomplishing a series of anthropological and educational tasks, and has even become the basis of different virtues including religion (Prskalo, 2017), which may be defined as a subjective mental state, a certain lifestyle and consistency in faith (Enciklopedijski teološki rječnik, 2009). Prskalo (2018) points out that the issues of sustainable development contained in the Millennium Declaration of the United Nations with goals attainable by 2015 and the ones applicable today (Državni zavod za statistiku et al., 2006; Pavić-Rogošić, 2016), such as world without poverty and hunger, health and wellbeing, quality education, gender equality, clean water and sanitation, affordable energy from clean sources, dignified work and economic growth, industry, innovation and infrastructure, reducing inequality, sustainable cities and communities, responsible spending and production, climate protection, preservation of life on Earth, peace, justice and strong institutions, and consolidation of global partnership for sustainable development, are not exclusively related to one ​​scientific area or discipline. On the contrary, these issues belong to the field of kinesiology and all its applied fields.

Key words: kinesiology, Kinesiology Education, sustainable development, students.