Keynote: Dajana Zoretić
Univeristy of Zagreb, Faculty of Kinesiology
Dr. Zoretić is a distinguished expert in the field of kinesiology and sports training, with extensive experience in both scientific research and practical application. As an associate professor of kinesiology at the University of Zagreb, she earned her PhD in exercise physiology and has dedicated her career to researching and enhancing sports performance. Her impressive athletic background includes winning medals for the national swimming team at a high level, as well as securing the title of world vice-champion in freediving, further demonstrating her deep understanding of elite sports demands.
For the past 15 years, she has worked as a strength and conditioning coach for top water polo clubs across Europe, including in Croatia, Georgia, Romania, and France. Her experience with national teams is also remarkable—she served as the strength and conditioning coach for the Georgian water polo team and is currently leading the preparation of the Serbian national team. Under her guidance, Serbia achieved historic success by winning the gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. In recognition of her expertise, she was awarded the title of Best Strength and Conditioning Coach in 2016 in Croatia.
In her lecture, “Planning and Periodization of Strength and Conditioning Training for the Serbian Water Polo Team in Preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” Dr. Zoretić will present the training methodology that led to Olympic gold. Through an analysis of players’ physiological characteristics and a detailed review of training processes, the lecture will offer valuable insights into elite sports preparation strategies.
Keynote: Mladen Marinović
University of Split, Faculty of Kinesiology
Dr. Marinović is an Associate Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Split (retired 2018). He earned his MA in Exercise Psychology at the University of Belgrade and PhD in Exercise Physiology at the University of Split. He published several papers on anthropometry, physiology, and the psychology of rowing and other sports. In addition to his professional engagement, he was head coach of the Croatian Rowing National team (1992-1998) and head coach of the Croatian Kayak-Kanu National team (flatwater, 2004-2008). He cooperated with the Croatian Karate Association (2001-2003) in the background of diagnostics of karate training status and education of karate coaches, and three years of work as fitness coach of Vinko Ugrinović-Glavanović resulted in the winning of the European bronze medal. He collaborated with two Olympic sailors: Mate Arapov (1997-2000) and Ivan Kljaković-Gašpić (2001-2016), who won the EC in the Fin class three times, winning the first medal for Croatian sailing at the WC. For his work, Dr. Marinović was an invited lecturer at the FISA Coaches Conference three times; from 1997 to 2016, he was a member of the Croatian Olympic Committee’s Commission for the Sports Development and Olympic Preparations; and the Croatian Kinesiology Association awarded him the Lifetime Achievement Charter “Meritorious Kinesiologist.”
Lecture:
Title: Psychological profile of Croatian rowers
The lecture is based on the author’s life experience in rowing. Over forty years, rowers, from young juniors to medal winners at the World Championships and the Olympic Games, have been monitored. This lecture will provide insight into the importance of understanding motivation and personality traits for (1) monitoring and selecting rowers for top sporting achievements and (2) maintaining proper communication, especially with young people in their formative years – particularly important in modern life.
Keynote: Philip N. Ainslie
University of British Columbia, Centre for Lung, Heart and Vascular Health
