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Objective There is no existing standard, evidence-based, scientific model for motor ability improvement in Huntington's Disease (HD) patients aimed at maintaining independent gait for as long as possible, or performing activities of daily living, the effectiveness of which would be supported by the results of studies using objective research tools. Under these circumstances, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of motor ability rehabilitation on the spatial-temporal parameters of gait in HD patients. Design It was an experimental trial. The studied group consisted of 30 patients (17 women and 13 men) with HD. In hospital conditions, the patients participated in the 3-week motor ability l rehabilitation programme tailored to individual needs. The study group was tested using the Vicon 250 three-dimensional gait analysis system before and after the physical exercise programme. Results Walking speed after therapy increased for the left lower limb from 1.06 (SD 0.24) [m/s] to 1.21 (SD 0.23) [m/s], and for the right lower limb from 1.07 (SD 0.25) [m/s] to 1.20 (SD 0.25) [m/s]. The cycle length increased after the applied therapy for the left lower limb from 1.17 (SD 0.20) [m] to 1.23 (SD 0.19) [m]. Conclusion The three-week motor ability rehabilitation programme positively influences spatial-temporal gait parameters in HD patients.

The purpose of this work was to assess the differences of the values of body posture indices, measured with the Moire's method, between girls and boys aged 13 and the relationships of these values with the results of the Y-Balance Test.The study involved a group of healthy volunteers attending junior high schools in Cracow. The group consisted of 20 girls and 35 boys. Basic somatic parameters were measured within this work: body height and weight. Body posture was assessed according to the general methodology of the Moire's technique and 14 body posture indices were obtained as a result: 6 in the sagittal plane, 1 in the axial plane and 7 in the coronal plane. Postural stability was assessed with the Y-Balance Test (YBT).The studied girls and boys had practically the same body posture - statistical differences were found only in 3 out of 14 assessed indices measured with the Moire's technique. Scoliosis was found in as many as 51% of the subjects, however, mean values of deviations from the C7-S1 line were not large.In the group of girls, the set of blades (below - above) was statistically significantly correlated with the global YBT result for the right inferior extremity, and in the group of boys - the set of the waist triangles (below - above) was statistically significantly correlated with the global YBT results for the right and left inferior extremities.

Background and purpose Although Parkinson disease (PD) patients suffer falls more frequently than other old people, only a few studies have focused on identifying the specific risk factors for falls in PD patients. The aim of this study was to assess the incidence and risk factors of falls in a prospective study in comparison to a control group. Material and methods One hundred patients with PD were recruited to the study along with 55 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. Both groups were examined twice; the second examination took place one year after the first one. Examination of the PD group included: medical history including falls, neurological examination, assessment of the severity of parkinsonism [Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), Schwab and England scale (S&E), Hoehn and Yahr scale (H&Y), Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)], Hamilton scale and quality of life scales (SF-36, EQ-5D) and Freezing of Gait Questionnaire (FOG-Q). In both groups falls were recorded over the 12 months. Frequent fallers are defined as having more than 3 falls a year. Results Over the year falls occurred in 54% of PD patients and 18% of controls. In a prospective study 28% of PD patients fell more frequently than in retrospective analysis. Frequent fallers were found in 20% of patients and in 7% of controls. Fallers showed higher scores in UPDRS, H&Y, S&E, MMSE, and Hamilton scale than non-fallers. Independent risk factors for falls were: age, previously reported falls and higher score in the FOG-Q. Conclusions Falls in PD patients occurred three times more frequently than in controls. Independent risk factors for falls were: high score in FOG-Q, older age and presence of falls in medical history.

Background Scoliosis, the most prevalent orthopaedic condition affecting children and adolescents, may have lasting physical, psychological and social consequences. With limited evidence-base, scoliosis-specific exercise therapies are an option. Objective An overview of the subject and description of a long-term follow-up study including adults who in adolescence were treated with a scoliosis-specific exercise programme investigating the association of the exercise regime with present physical activity, physical functioning and subjective wellbeing. To the authors' best knowledge, this is the first long-term outcome study on scoliosis-specific exercises, in opposition to a number of studies in adults who were braced or treated surgically in adolescence. Methods Observational, registry-based case-control study. Adult subjects who in adolescence were treated with an exercise programme or were under observation are invited. Spine and trunk deformity, respiratory function, physical capacity and trunk muscles' function are measured. Health-related quality of life with generic and condition-specific instruments, general mental health, depression and anxiety symptoms, disability due to low back problems and physical activity are assessed. Conclusions The report is believed to provide the readers with an overview of this controversial aspect of rehabilitation, and that the proposed protocol will assist researchers designing their studies.

Background. The question of how to correct and rehabilitate scoliosis remains one of the most difficult problems of orthopaedics. Controversies continue to arise regarding various types of both symmetric and asymmetric scoliosis-specific therapeutic exercises.Objective. The aim of the present paper was to conduct an electromyographic assessment of functional symmetry of paraspinal muscles during symmetric and asymmetric exercises in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis.Materials and Methods. The study was conducted in a group of 82 girls, mean age 12.4 ± 2.3 years with single- or double-major-idiopathic scoliosis, Cobb angle 24 ± 9.4°. The functional biopotentials during isometric work of paraspinal muscles in “at rest” position and during two symmetric and four asymmetric exercises were measured with the use of the Muscle Tester ME 6000 electromyograph.Results. In general, asymmetric exercises were characterised by larger differences in bioelectrical activity of paraspinal muscles, in comparison with symmetric exercises, both in the groups of patients with single-curve and double-curve scoliosis.Conclusion. During symmetric and asymmetric exercises, muscle tension patterns differed significantly in both groups, in comparison with the examination at rest, in most cases generating positive corrective patterns. Asymmetric exercises generated divergent muscle tension patterns on the convex and concave sides of the deformity.

The dynamics of performance in professional sport requires a systematic improvement of the training process. Such activities should also include optimizing the children and youth training in these disciplines, where an early specialization operates. The main aim of this paper was to search for the relationship between swimmer's segmental kinematics (segmental velocities, stroke rate, stroke length, stroke index); the relationship between swimmer's technical skill level (in four competitive swimming techniques) and training overloads taking into consideration gender and age effect. The study group consisted of 121 swimmers (69 female and 52 male), of the Polish 12-15 age group swim team, volunteered to serve as subjects. Video-based methods and video equipment are being applied to assist qualitative and simple quantitative analysis for immediate feedback and research in swimming. Both technical skill level preparation and segmental kinematics of 12-15 year old swimmers proved to be highly conditioned by implemented training intensity (p0.001), as well as the volume of training (high and average trade at a level of significance p0.001). Implemented training overloads expressed by both volume and intensity of training showed high and very high correlation with the swimming efficiency, presented segmental kinematics and technical skill level, however, there appeared particularly pronounced relationship with the size of kinematic parameters taken into account in four competitive swimming techniques, components of the 100 m individual medley.

Symmetrical loading and asymmetrical stretching of trunk extensors are applied in scoliosis physiotherapy management. Conflicting evidence is available on trunk erectors' bioelectrical activity during such static exercise, especially in adult subjects. Our purpose was to identify the profile of bioelectrical activity of trunk extensors during static contractions against symmetrical loading with body mass in young adult females with single curve scoliosis, who participated in adolescence in a scoliosis-specific physiotherapy program.Thirty five females, aged 30.6±2.7 years, with body weight of 56.8±4.4 kgs and height 1.64±0.05 m with single curve thoracic scoliosis, 11-36° Cobb, who in adolescence had attended a scoliosis-specific physiotherapy program, participated. Braced and/or surgically treated subjects were excluded. Characteristics of the integrated EMG were collected and analysed. The measurements were conducted on a subject in prone position at rest, during 20 second static symmetrical erectors' contractions while sustaining elevated trunk and during the same effort, while stretching trunk erectors on the concave side of the curve by extending and reaching the corresponding arm forward.The biopotentials measured on both sides of the spine differed significantly (p.001) during asymmetrical stretching of the erector muscles on the concave side while extending the trunk. We did not observe such differences in measurements obtained while at rest and during symmetrical contractions without stretching.We observed a beneficial scheme of muscle activity during trunk extension and stretching of the erector muscles on the concave side of the curvature in lying prone position, while extending and reaching forward an arm on the convex side. Significance. These findings could provide a useful remark for exercise prescription for adult patients with single thoracic scoliosis. However, the assumptions need wider studies.

The purpose of the study was to evaluate the influence of extremities length improvement in the form of special shoe orthoses on the walking energy cost of the leading Polish representative in race walking. Before a proper study, the aerobic capacity of the subject was evaluated. The test consisted of two walking efforts performed on a mechanical treadmill. The subject was walking for 12 minutes with shoe orthoses at constant speed (12 km/h) and then the rest phase allowed for the total covering of the oxygen debt. Then the trial was repeated without orthoses. Simultaneously with measuring physiological variables, there was made 3D recording of the athlete's movements on the treadmill applying the Vicon system. There were chosen vertical oscillations of the body center of gravity and work of the subject's system of motion connected with kinetic and potential energy changes regarding the movements of COM during gait. The energy cost of walking at speed related to anaerobic threshold (starting) using shoe orthoses was slightly lower compared to energy expenditure during gait without improvement. No significant differences were noticed in the range of summary vertical COM oscillations during walking in both variants of the measurement. However, considerable asymmetries appeared in the value of COM kinetic energy changes that were lower for the right leg. This testifies to a strongly fixed asymmetrical scheme of individual athlete's technique.

The main goal of this study was to estimate the influence of knee arthroplasty on angular changes of pelvis movement in three planes. The three-dimensional analysis of locomotion was carried out with 13 patients afer total knee replacement aged 47-74, using Vicon system. The first examination took place before knee operation and the second examination 6 months after arthroplasty. The results were represented at the background of biomechanical gait parameters of 30 healthy people aged 50-70. The angular changes of pelvis movement in each gait phase were taken into consideration. After knee arthroplasty the results of patients examinations were similar to the biomechanical norm in sagittal and transversal plane. In the sagittal plane the difference between the results of the first and the second research was 15 degrees. The first examination of pelvis movement in transversal plane showed that the distinction between patients results and biomechanical norm was 17 degrees in initial contact and terminal swing; after total knee replacement the movement amplitude was similar to the biomechanical norm. The biggest change of the hip joint movement after knee replacement was noticeable in transversal plane but there was only slight improvement in sagittal and frontal plane. There was also noticeable change in the knee movement in frontal plane and the results of the two research sessions in sagittal and transversal plane was similar to the biomechanical norm.

The main goal of this study was to estimate the variability of gait parameters in patients diagnosed with arthroplasty of the knee joint. Angular changes of the knee joint in three planes, and spatio-temporal parameters of gait were analysed.A three-dimensional analysis of locomotion patterns was carried out using the Vicon 250 system in 33 patients aged 48-74.The most significant biomechanical deviations from the norm were revealed in the transverse and horizontal planes. Walking speed was visibly decreased, leading to noticeable changes in other spatio-temporal parameters.1. Degenerative disease of the knee joints markedly affects the normal gait pattern, resulting in deviations from the biomechanical norm with regard to angular change in the knee joints in the three planes of movement. 2. The abnormal locomotion pattern was most evident in the frontal and transverse planes. 3. Gonarthrosis also changed the values of particular spatio-temporal parameters. 4. Statistical analysis revealed significant (p0.05) differences from the biomechanical norm in variables determined in the frontal and transverse planes, and in the sagittal plane in the group with a varus knee deformity.

Planning and verification of progress of efficacious physiotherapeutic effect on Parkinson's disease depends notably on the right identification of areas and scope of dysfunction of motoric systems. Biomechanical evaluation of motoric organ disability made by means of three-dimensional motion analysis using the "Vicon" system can make it considerably easier. A sample of three patients (two women and one man of average age of sixty-four) with idiopathic parkinsonism has been examined for the purpose of this evaluation. Based upon results of the three-dimensional motion analysis of these patients, dominant individual movement disorders were determined and individual therapeutic rehabilitation using the PNF method was planned. Within therapy, using the PNF method, they applied special techniques using motor patterns for the pelvis, upper and lower limbs in order to improve movement through an approach of assessed parameters to the biomechanical standard. After three weeks of therapy, specific characteristics of gait were examined again. On the basis of research results before therapy, it was found that these patients had none or limited scope of plantar flexion of feet, excessive dorsal flexion of feet, lengthened duration of stance phase, considerable excessive external rotation of shanks and excessive anteversion of the pelvis during gait cycle. Also big differences in values for spatiotemporal parameters (such as walking speed and frequency, stride length and time of single limb support) between the patients and healthy people were observed. After therapy, there has not been a marked variability in the scope of angular changes to the above-mentioned dysfunction. Only proportions between the duration of stance phase and swing phase have improved noticeably, so that they have directly resulted in better rhythm of gait. They have considerably approached the standards of frequency and speed (p = 0.05). However, stride length and duration of single limb support has not changed significantly.