This year, I had the opportunity to attend an international scientific conference for the second time as part of my doctoral studies. This time, it was the 10th International Kinesiology Conference in Opatija, Croatia. Unlike my previous experience, where I gave an oral presentation, this year I presented my work in the form of a poster for the first time. It was a slightly different experience that allowed me to explore a new way of presenting my research to experts.
My presentation focused on low energy availability (LEA) in female athletes and the differences in its occurrence across athletes of various performance levels—from recreational athletes to professionals. LEA is a condition where an athlete does not consume enough energy to support health and optimal performance. This condition can have serious health consequences, including menstrual problems and an increased risk of injury. Due to the intense training and pressure to maintain a certain body weight, professional athletes are often thought to be more susceptible to this risk. However, my research findings showed that the risk of LEA does not significantly differ between performance levels, suggesting that other factors, such as insufficient nutritional knowledge, also contribute to the increased risk. This is often overlooked, especially in amateur or recreational athletes.
The poster presentation format allowed me to present my results in detail while engaging in interactive discussions with other experts who came to view the poster. I was able to respond to questions on the spot and share insights immediately, which was a great opportunity to receive direct feedback on my work.
At the conference, I was also awarded second place in the Miloš Mraković Young Researchers Award competition, which was a great recognition and encouragement for my future work. The competition was aimed at young researchers working on topics related to kinesiology, and it took place through both poster and oral presentations.
Overall, attending the conference in Opatija was very beneficial. In addition to presenting my own research, I had the opportunity to follow the latest developments in the field, meet colleagues from different countries, and learn about their projects and experiences. Such meetings are invaluable for young researchers who want not only to improve their presentation skills but also to establish new connections that may lead to future collaborations.
On March 27–28, members of the department of sport took part in the 13th symposium on sports medicine and other sciences in elite sport in Dříteč
