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The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of two different exercise intervention protocols – dance movement therapy exercises (DMT) and general rehabilitation exercises (GRE) – on selected hematological, rheological, and biochemical indicators in older women. The study encompassed two groups of women (mean age: 67 years), who were subjected to a three-month exercise intervention program: DMT (n = 20) or GRE (n = 19). Blood samples from all of the women were examined both prior to the study and directly after the end of the program. DMT and GRE did not cause statistically significant differences in hematological indicators. DMT affected the rheological parameters of blood in women, reducing the half-time of total aggregation. Plasma viscosity decreased after GRE. Neither DMT nor GRE changed the concentration of fibrinogen and glutathione levels in older women. However, in the DMT group, the study revealed a statistically significant increase of G6PD. DMT and GRE modulate selected rheological and biochemical properties in the blood of older women.

Background:The aim of this study was to determine the type of medial longitudinal arch (MLA) in students of Krakow universities, investigate the relationship between physical activity and the shaping of the feet, and examine the relationship between hallux valgus angle and the type of footwear chosen most often.Methods:The study group consisted of 120 students, of which 56 respondents were students of the University School of Physical Education in Krakow, whereas the remaining 64 respondents were students of the Pedagogical University of Krakow. To evaluate the MLA, a podoscope was used, which allowed us to determine the length and width of the foot, and calculation of the Clarke angle, heel angle γ, and the angle of hallux valgus. All students were also subjected to a measurement of body weight and height.Results:There was a statistically significant relationship between physical activity and the Clarke angle in the group of women studying at the University School of Physical Education. There was no correlation between the hallux valgus angle and the type of footwear chosen most often in the research groups.Conclusions:The most frequently diagnosed type of longitudinal and transverse arch foot in the research group was normal MLA. There was no relationship between physical activity and transverse arch foot in any of the research groups.

Background: We sought to evaluate the influence of obesity level on the medial longitudinal arch (MLA) of the foot in 7- to 12-year-old children.Methods: The study group consisted of 925 children (450 girls and 475 boys). All of the children were subjected to podoscopic foot examination and measurement of weight, height, three skinfolds, fat weight, and fat-free body weight.Results: The most common type of MLA was high-arched foot, which was observed in the left foot of 523 children (56.5) and in the right foot in 592 children (64). In almost all of the age groups, high-arched foot was the most common disorder. High-arched foot was more common in girls than in boys, and boys displayed a higher percentage of flatfoot. Also, sex-related differences were more prominent in urban children. There was a strongly positive correlation between obesity level and MLA in the examined group.Conclusions: These results suggest that the type of foot arch is influenced by parameters such as age, sex, and obesity level. High-arched foot seemed to be the most frequent pathologic abnormality in the examined group, and flatfoot, which was predominant in boys and obese children, diminished with age. High-arched foot was a more common MLA type than flatfoot regardless of obesity level assessed on the basis of body mass index and sum of three skinfolds.