Ten-year work of medicine and sports physiology department within Yugoslav institute for physical culture

A decision about Yugoslav Institute for Physical Culture made by Federal Executive Council in 1963, initiated the creation of a significant chapter in the area of implementation of sports and medical profession, which undoubtedly was great encouragement for development of Yugoslav sports and physical culture generally. Even though the period of activity of this, at that time one of the most reputable institution in the state, lasted for ten years (1963-1973), Yugoslav Institute and specifically formed Medicine and Sports Physiology Department, contributed by their work the acquisition of conditions for faster development of sports medicine and setting foundations for its further superstructure. Based on the analysis of collected data from the most important historic sources, using the historic as well as descriptive method, insight in versatile activities of Department for Medicine and Sports Physiology within Yugoslav Institute was enabled, which in the end was the goal of this research. Research results showed that the work on sports and medical protection gradually developed, especially in the direction of preparation for organizing long-term research within sports medicine. Basic task of Medicine and Sports Physiology Department referred to the research of preparedness of top-level sportsmen and training process improvement. The department was able to follow modern trends of sports medicine and successfully perform its tasks and realize extremely important numerous scientific research projects in the scope of sports - medicine, diagnostics and prognosis in sports, thanks to the modern conditions. Large number of critically reviewed data obtained during this research, led us to the conclusion that in the mentioned period this institution gave significant social contribution and that the need for such an activity in physical culture, and before all development of top-level sports was justified.