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AIMS: To compare the differences in bone mineral density (BMD) at loaded and non-loaded skeletal sites in professional ballet dancers. We hypothesized that in both male and female elite ballet dancers, a significant difference in BMD will be observed between impact and non-impact sites. METHODS: 44 elite ballet dancers, 22 men (age 26.4±5.9 yrs) and 22 women (age 24.9±5.3 yrs), were examined. BMD measurements were performed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry at three skeletal sites—forearm (FA), lumbar spine (LS), and femoral neck (FN)—and analyzed using t-tests, ANOVA, and linear regression models. Information about career duration, training volume, health habits, and menstrual disorders (women) was collected. RESULTS: Z-scores for LS and FN were significantly higher in men than in women. However, Z-scores for FA were similar in men and women and fell below the expected range for age (

PURPOSE The main purpose was to determine the values of spatio-temporal parameters and ground reaction forces during the swingthrough crutch gait. METHODS Eighteen male patients with unilateral injury within the foot, ankle or shank (age: 25.4 ± 7.7 years, body height: 1.79 ± 0.06 m, body mass: 76.1 ± 11.5 kg) participated in the study. In the experiment, 6-camera optoelectronic motion capture system and force platform were used. The measurements of spatio-temporal parameters and ground reaction force (GRF) were performed for uninjured lower extremity (ULE), crutch on the ULE side (CrU) and crutch on the injured lower extremity side (CrI). RESULTS Analysis demonstrated a significantly longer stance phase and a significantly shorter swing phase for ULE than crutches ( p < 0.05), and a significantly longer first, compared to the second, double support phase ( p < 0.05). Comparisons showed also significantly higher maximum values of the vertical GRF and extreme values of the horizontal antero-posterior GRF for ULE than crutches ( p < 0.05) as well as for CrI than CrU ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present study provides biomechanical data related to the spatio-temporal parameters and GRFs for the swing-through crutch gait in patients with the lower extremity injuries.

Objectives. Cut-off points (COPs) for appendicular lean mass (ALM) index, essential to define low muscle mass (LMM) in the elderly, have never been officially defined for Poland. The aim of the study was to establish them. Additionally, the significance of body mass index (BMI) for correctly defining the COPs in a young, healthy reference group was assessed.Methods. The study was composed of reference group (n=1113) and the elderly group (n=200). In all subjects, body composition was assessed by bioimpedance analysis, and ALM index was calculated. Next, COPs (kg/m2) were set up for the whole reference group and for particular subgroups with different BMIs separately. They were used to diagnose sarcopenia in the elderly.Results. COP for all young females was 5.37 (COP-F), while it was equal to 5.52 (COP-F2) when only those with a recommended BMI (18.50–24.99 kg/m2) were taken into consideration. For males, it was 7.32 and 7.29, respectively. Only 7% of elderly females had LMM based on COP-F and 15% had LMM based on COP-F2P<0.05; for males, the percentages were 18% and 16%, respectively.Conclusions. COPs for LMM for Poland are 5.52 kg/m2(females) and 7.29 kg/m2(males). The reference group BMI is an important factor in establishing COPs for low muscle mass.

Knee strength ratios are related to the movement patterns, sport-specific training and knee injuries in athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the ratios in the concentric isokinetic strength of the hamstrings and quadriceps and the isometric strength of the knee extensors. In female basketball players (n = 14) and female volleyball players (n = 12) were evaluated: the hamstrings to quadriceps peak torque ratio (H/Q) and side-to-side peak torque ratio (TR) for hamstrings and quadriceps; the ratio of the maximal bilateral strength to the summed maximal unilateral strength (B/U) and side-to-side maximal strength ratio (SR) for knee extensors. For the H/Q values, a 2 × 2 × 3 mixed-factorial analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc test were computed. The H/Q values increased from 48.0 (3.9)% at 60°/s to 70.4 (7.9)% at 300°/s. Furthermore, there were significant differences in the H/Q values between 300°/s and 180°/s, 300°/s and 60°/s in basketball and volleyball athletes, and between 180°/s and 60°/s only in basketball athletes (p < .05). Significantly higher H/Q results at 60°/s demonstrated basketball players than volleyball players (p < .05). Differences in the TR and SR mean values ranged from 4.4% to 8.6% and indicated no significant side-to-side strength deficits (p > .05). In both groups, greater isometric strength developed bilaterally was found (B/U > 100%). The findings revealed the magnitude of knee strength ratios in female athletes determined by sport-specific movements in basketball and volleyball. This study highlighted the importance of the bilateral strength deficit and muscular balance between the hamstrings and quadriceps in basketball and volleyball athletes in activities related to their movement patterns and specific training.

Volleyball is a source of direct injuries and chronic overloads of the joints, which indirectly results in traumas and permanent dysfunctions. This applies particularly to: knee joints, ankle joints, shoulder joints and small joints of the hand, as well as the joints of the lower spine regions. Each league team should employ a physiotherapist who would be responsible for the implementation of an injury prevention program as well as for choosing the right training loads.The purpose of this study is to analyze the frequency and the type of knee joint injuries occurring in people practicing Volleyball at competitive level as well as to propose the usage of elements of modern physiotherapy in order to prevent these injuries.The tests were performed over a group of 19 volleyball players from Poznan. In order to propose measures that would prevent injuries, the authors carried out a review of modern physiotherapy methods and suggested the implementation of certain therapeutic techniques for the region of the knee joint. RESULT ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION: As much as 79% of the subjects reported having chronic pain and knee joint injuries in the past. All of them, due to their conditions, declared having used various forms of physiotherapy treatment. It seems that in a professional sports club not only the presence of a massage therapist but first of all a qualified physiotherapist is indispensable.

After total laryngectomy and after complete treatment (radiotherapy) there are many functional disorders in the range of head and neck. These decrease muscle strength and flexibility of muscles of cervical spine. This causes disorders of physiological range of motions of this area. The introduction of the stretching techniques (postisometric relaxation) to the physiotherapy program allows to decrease negative effects of treatment, mentioned above. The therapy of main cervical muscles was carried out during a two week rehabilitation camp. Biomechanical-kinesiological tests were used to assess the effect of the physiotherapy program. The application of postisometrical relaxation and the massage of the cervical and arm muscles increased the average motor ranges and muscle strength. Cervical muscles disbalance was decreased at the same time.

After total laryngectomy and after complementary treatment (radiotherapy) there are many functional disorders in the range of head and neck. It was observed, that muscles of this area became weakened with simultaneous increase of their rest tension. These changes affect reduction of physiological motor range of the cervical spine. Comparison of function of cervical muscle between patients after total laryngectomy and healthy people allows to characterize defects of neck movements. Detailed estimation of muscle strength and move range in cervical spine after total laryngectomy will enable application of effective physiotherapy program.