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Background The aim of the study was to assess the inter-rater and intra-rater agreement of measurements performed with the Luna EMG (electromyography) multifunctional robot, a tool for evaluation of upper limb proprioception in individuals with stroke. Methods The study was conducted in a group of patients with chronic stroke. A total of 126 patients participated in the study, including 78 women and 48 men, on average aged nearly 60 years (mean = 59.9). Proprioception measurements were performed using the Luna EMG diagnostic and rehabilitation robot to assess the left and right upper limbs. The examinations were conducted by two raters, twice, two weeks apart. The results were compared between the raters and the examinations. Results High consistency of the measurements performed for the right and the left hand was reflected by the interclass correlation coefficients (0.996–0.998 and 0.994–0.999, respectively) and by Pearson’s linear correlation which was very high (r = 1.00) in all the cases for the right and the left hand in both the inter-rater and intra-rater agreement analyses. Conclusions Measurements performed by the Luna EMG diagnostic and rehabilitation robot demonstrate high inter-rater and intra-rater agreement in the assessment of upper limb proprioception in patients with chronic stroke. The findings show that Luna EMG is a reliable tool enabling effective evaluation of upper limb proprioception post-stroke.

Abstract The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of hypertension and to investigate risk factors linked to hypertension in older adults. An observational study was conducted in a group of adults between 60 and 85 years of age, living in south-eastern Poland. In line with the specific inclusion criteria, 80 women and 29 men were enrolled for the study (109 adults). Participants’ body weight, height, and body fat percentage (BFP) were assessed using a bioelectrical impedance analysis, blood pressure was measured using automated oscillometric sphygmomanometer, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary time were assessed using a tri-axial accelerometer, whereas data related to socio-economic and lifestyle factors were collected using a self-report technique. Arterial hypertension was found at a rate of 16% in participants with normal body weight, 22% in those with overweight and 85% in those with obesity. Body mass index (BMI) and BFP correlated significantly with systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). The highest median SBP and DBP values were found in the group of participants with obesity, and the lowest values were identified in those with normal body weight. Out of all the investigated socio-economic risk factors linked to hypertension, education level was the only one that showed significant associations. A logistic regression analysis was performed to check which factors were most strongly associated with hypertension in the study group. The stepwise method showed that hypertension was more common in participants with a higher BMI, and BFP and in those who did not meet MVPA recommendation.

Background The aim of the study was to assess the effects of rehabilitation in post-stroke patients, or post-stroke patients with simultaneous COVID-19 infection, in relation to: improved locomotion efficiency, improved balance, reduced risk of falling as well as the patients’ more effective performance in everyday activities. Methods The study involved 60 patients in the early period (2–3 months) after a stroke. Group I consisted of 18 patients (30.0%) who, in addition to a stroke, also contracted COVID-19. Group II consisted of 42 patients (70%) post-stroke, with no SARS-CoV2 infection. The effects were assessed on the basis of: Tinetti test, Timed Up & Go test and Barthel scale. Results Both groups achieved a statistically significant improvement in their Barthel score after therapy (p < 0.001). The Tinetti test, assessing gait and balance, showed that participants in Group I improved their score by an average of 4.22 points. ±4.35, and in Group II, on average, by 3.48 points ± 3.45 points. In the Timed Up & Go test over a distance of 3 m, significant improvement was achieved in both groups, as well but the effect was higher in Group I (p < 0.001). Conclusions Hospital rehabilitation in the early period after stroke improved locomotion efficiency and balance, and reduced the risk of falls in post-stroke patients, both with and without COVID-19 infection.

Abstract Lower levels of physical activity are associated with an increased overall cardiometabolic risk, as well as the risk or being overweight. It is difficult to determine the optimal level of physical activity that protects the needs of children and young people. Studies on the required number of steps, as well as approximating the daily volume of physical activity, are gaining increasing credibility in research and practice. Researchers propose a "rule" of ≥ 11,500 steps per day, for children and teenagers of both sexes. The aim of the study was to assess whether 11,500 steps a day is sufficient to maintain normal blood pressure among children and adolescents. 1002 children and adolescents aged 4–15 were included in the study. To assess physical activity, measured in the number of steps per day, the Actigraph accelerometer wGT3X-BT was used. The normal number of steps was defined as greater than or equal to 11,500 steps per day for children and teenagers, for both girls and boys. In the entire study group, a significantly lower risk of hypertension was observed when the number of steps was normal (OR is 0.45 and the upper confidence limit for OR is 0.71). The study confirmed the beneficial protective role of physical activity against hypertension in older children and adolescents. However, it should be emphasized that no such relationship has been demonstrated in the case of preschool children. The presented norms of the number of steps should be promoted to the wider community to make prevention of cardiovascular diseases even more effective.

Abstract Background The outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has created a number of obstacles to daily functioning, which have led to a need for major changes in lifestyles. The aim of the study was to assess whether and to what extent the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic has affected the health behaviours of young adults. Methods 506 people aged 18 to 34 ( x ¯ $$ \overline{x} $$ =24.67 years ±4.23 years) who filled in an online survey were qualified for the study. Assessment was made of eating habits (a modified Food Frequency Questionnaire, FFQ), physical activity and sedentary behaviours (International Physical Activity Questionnaire, short form IPAQ-SF), sleep quality (The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, PSQI), and generalized anxiety (Generalized anxiety Disorder, 7-item, GAD-7 scale). Results During the pandemic, young adults changed their dietary preferences toward sweets and cereal products, increased alcohol (p

Objective The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and the incidence of abnormalities in selected parameters measured in the trunk area.Design Cross-sectional studies.Setting The research was conducted in a primary school in the Trzebownisko Municipality, a rural area in south-eastern Poland.Participants A group of 464 children, ranging in age from 6 to 16 years (234 boys and 230 girls), was recruited to participate in the study.Outcome measures The examination of their body postures was conducted with the use of the Zebris system. Body mass was determined using a body mass analyser Tanita MC-780 MA. BMI was calculated based on the acquired data.Results It was noticed that the children with overweight and obesity tended to have an incorrect position of the shoulders and pelvis in comparison to children with normal body weight. It was found that greater body mass (higher BMI) coincided with a larger distance of the scapulae from the frontal plane (p=0.009).Conclusions Increase in children’s BMI produces adverse effects in the position of the shoulder blades, reflected by their greater distance from the frontal plane. Increase in BMI is not significantly related to the position of the shoulder joints or pelvis; however, the subjects with overweight or obesity presented a greater difference in the position of the shoulder joints and pelvis.

The main goal of our study was to determine how the age of children, puberty and anthropometric parameters affect the formation of body composition and faulty body posture development in children. The secondary goal was to determine in which body segments abnormalities most often occur and how gender differentiates the occurrence of adverse changes in children’s body posture and body composition during puberty. The study group consisted of 464 schoolchildren aged from 6–16. Body posture was assessed with the Zebris system. The composition of the body mass was tested with Tanita MC 780 MA body mass analyzer and the body height was measured using a portable stadiometer PORTSTAND 210. The participants were further divided due to the age of puberty. Tanner division was adopted. The cut-off age for girls is ≥10 years and for boys it is ≥12 years. The analyses applied descriptive statistics, the Pearson correlation, stepwise regression analysis and the t-test. The accepted level of significance was p < 0.05. The pelvic obliquity was lower in older children (beta = −0.15). We also see that age played a significant role in the difference in the height of the right pelvis (beta = −0.28), and the difference in the height of the right shoulder (beta = 0.23). Regression analysis showed that the content of adipose tissue (FAT%) increased with body mass index (BMI) and decreased with increasing weight, age, and height. Moreover, the FAT% was lower in boys than in girls (beta negative equal to −0.39). It turned out that older children (puberty), had greater asymmetry in the right shoulder blade (p < 0.001) and right shoulder (p = 0.003). On the other hand, younger children (who were still before puberty) had greater anomalies in the left trunk inclination (p = 0.048) as well as in the pelvic obliquity (p = 0.008). Girls in puberty were characterized by greater asymmetry on the right side, including the shoulders (p = 0.001), the scapula (p = 0.001) and the pelvis (p < 0.001). In boys, the problem related only to the asymmetry of the shoulder blades (p < 0.001). Girls were characterized by a greater increase in adipose tissue and boys by muscle tissue. Significant differences also appeared in the body posture of the examined children. Greater asymmetry within scapulas and shoulders were seen in children during puberty. Therefore, a growing child should be closely monitored to protect them from the adverse consequences of poor posture or excessive accumulation of adipose tissue in the body.

Background: Rehabilitation-oriented therapy after a stroke must continue in various forms as a life-long effort. Aim: The study investigated the impact of spa rehabilitation on the quality of life and functional efficiency in patients after an ischemic stroke at a chronic stage of recovery. Methods: The assessment was carried out in a spa resort in southeastern Poland. It involved 32 patients with strokes who participated in a three-week rehabilitation program. Three examinations were performed: upon admission, on the day of discharge and at a two-month follow-up. The quality of life and functional efficiency were assessed with the WHOQOL-BREF and Barthel Index. Results: The quality of life was significantly higher in Exam II compared with Exam I (p < 0.001), and improvement was retained at the follow-up. The Barthel scores were higher in Exam II compared with Exam I (79.84 vs. 68.59), while the differences between the scores in Exams II and III were small (p = 0.039). Conclusions: Three-week spa rehabilitation seems to favorably affect the functional efficiency and quality of life after a stroke. The effects appear to be long-term. The gender, age and time from stroke onset do not seem to impact short-term effects. However, long-term effects are related to the time from stroke onset.

Background and Objectives. The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationship between children’s birth weight/length and a risk of overweight and obesity. Materials and Methods. The study involved 747 children from kindergartens, as well as primary and middle schools from southeastern Poland. All the subjects were examined on fasting status. Each child was examined for body mass and height, in order to calculate their body mass index (BMI), and BMI centile. The parents completed a questionnaire related to basic information about the child and the family. Results. In the study group, the male infants presented greater birth body weight and birth body length. A comparison of the distribution of birth weights and lengths between the children with normal BMI and with high BMI showed statistically significant differences only in the case of birth length of 12−15-year-old children and in the group of boys aged 12−15 years. In the case of the female children and the group of 7−11-year-olds a statistically significant difference was found in the BMI centile at a later age—a higher centile was found in the girls and in the children aged 7−11 years classified as adequate for gestational age (AGA). Conclusions. Birth body weight is positively related to BMI centile; however, no significant differences were found in birth weight between children with overweight/obesity and children with normal body weight. Birth length is associated with a lower BMI centile only in boys aged 12−15 years, and lower birth length is found in boys with overweight and obesity.

Introduction: Children and adolescents with intellectual disabilities (ID) are more likely to have problems related to body mass than typically developing pediatric population. Compared to the great number of studies focusing on children and adolescents without ID, evidence regarding body composition among young populations with ID is scarce. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence rate of body composition disorders among school-aged children and adolescents with ID in the Podkarpacie region. Material and methods: A cross-sectional study of 461 students aged 4-18 years was conducted in special education institutions in southeastern Poland. Body mass index (BMI) was assessed. Based on BMI values, the BMI percentile of each participants was calculated using Polish age- and sex-specific BMI charts. The physical measurements included also waist circumference (WC) and body fat percentage (BFP) which was estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Analysis was performed to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and obesity, excess adiposity, and abdominal obesity (AO). Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity based BMI was 28,2% and 17,4%, respectively. Obesity was diagnosed more often in girls (24,1%) compared to boys (13,7%). The prevalence of excess adiposity (BFP = 95th percentile) was 25,6% (37,6% among girls and 19,1% among boys). Prevalence of AO (WC = 90th percentile) was 39,5%, higher in girls compared to boys (49,3% vs. 34,1%, respectively). Conclusions: Results indicated that the prevalence of obesity among school-aged children and adolescents with ID was remarkably high. Obesity was diagnosed more often in girls. Therefore, future research should focus on reducing and preventing obesity of this population in Poland. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of rehabilitation using Functional Proprioceptive Stimulation on balance and functional efficiency. in patients after stroke. Material and methods: The pilot study included a group of 28 patients after a stroke undergoing rehabilitation (1 hour of individual therapy, 1 hour of upright positioning and 30 minutes of Functional Proprioceptive Stimulation 5 days a week during 1 month) at the Donum Corde Rehabilitation Center. The control group received the same rehabilitation dimension and Functional Proprioceptive Stimulation - placebo. To assess the effects, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), ADL scale, IADL scale, Trunk Control Test, ICF categorical set, reaching test (FR) and postural stability assessment using the Alfa platform were used. The study was carried out twice - before the start and after the completion of the rehabilitation program. Results: The conducted research showed significant differences between the average results of the assessment of balance, daily activities, postural control and functional efficiency after rehabilitation. Balance and functional efficiency improved significantly in the study group compared to the control group (p>0.05). Conclusions: Supplementing standard physiotherapy with Functional Proprioceptive Stimulation may contribute to faster motor recovery and accelerate the return of independence in activities of daily living in stroke patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of the study was to assess the external and internal compliance of the Luna EMG multifunctional robot as a tool for assessing upper limb proprioception in people after stroke. Material and methods: The study was conducted among people in the late phase after stroke. A total of 126 respondents participated in the study, including 78 women and 48 men. The median age recorded was nearly 60 years. Proprioception measurements were performed using the Luna EMG diagnostic and rehabilitation robot to assess the left and right upper limb. The study was conducted by 2 researchers, twice, 2 weeks apart. The results were compared between the researchers and the studies. Results: High compliance of the measurements performed for the right hand was confirmed by the interclass correlation coefficients ICC (0.996-0.998) and for the left hand ICC (0.994-0.999) as well as Pearson's linear correlation, which in all cases, both when examining the compliance between the studies and between the researchers, was recorded at a very high level. level (r=1.00) for the right and left hand. Conclusions: Measurements performed by the multifunctional Luna EMG robot demonstrate high internal and external compliance in the assessment of proprioceptive sense of the upper limb in people after stroke. Studies have shown that the diagnostic and rehabilitation robot is a reliable tool in assessing upper limb proprioception in people after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]