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Copyright of Timisoara Physical Education & Rehabilitation Journal is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Timisoara Physical Education & Rehabilitation Journal is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. The physical demands of rugby players vary, depending on the control of play, the athlete's position, environmental conditions and many other variables. Strength, explosive power and reaction speed are the main determinants of physical performance in rugby players. Therefore, taking a methodical and scientific approach to improving these conditions is vital. Aims. The study aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of proper testing and training for improving strength, explosive power and reaction speed in rugby players. Methods. The study comprised twenty professional rugby players (age between 18 to 32 years). The subjects underwent measurements of explosive force and power of the lower limbs by performing the Counter movement jump test (using Myotest system, Switzerland) and Complex acoustic reaction test (using Optojump Next system, Italy). The complex reaction was assessed in each subject by making a move outside a perimeter and reaching a target located at a distance of 1 meter and 25 centimeters from the floor. All investigated subjects participated in a 10 week training camp. The training program was based on the concept of periodization, and comprised the following phases: Hypertrophy phase, Maximal strength phase, Conversion phase. On the entire period of training, the reaction speed to optic and acoustic stimuli was trained using coordination and plyometric exercises. Results. After ten weeks of training, we noticed a significant improvement in reaction time to acoustic stimuli (from 1.69±0.06 seconds to 1.41±0.06 seconds, p<0.001). We also noticed, at the end of the training period, a significant increase of leg explosive force (from 21.6±1.8 N/kg to 25.8±3.3 N/kg, p<0.001) and explosive power (from 39.4±7 W/kg to 46.4±8.4 W/kg, p=0.009). Conclusion. The results emphasize that even a short period of training (10 weeks) can improve reaction time required to initiate complex muscular sequence, along with explosive power and strength among rugby players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Timisoara Physical Education & Rehabilitation Journal is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Timisoara Physical Education & Rehabilitation Journal is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Timisoara Physical Education & Rehabilitation Journal is the property of Sciendo and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Background. The Romanian Registry of Rheumatic Diseases (RRBR) is an electronic database that includes information on all patients with immune-mediated rheumatic diseases undergoing innovative therapies. These real-world data include demographics, clinical manifestations, comorbidities, biologic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (bDMARD) treatment regimens, as well as efficacy and safety data, which are analysed annually. Methods. The aim of this report was to analyse the data recorded from patients diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) enrolled in RRBR in 2022, especially considering the updated therapeutic protocol approved by the National Health Insurance Company of Romania, which now includes newly approved therapeutic agents. Results. The findings revealed a relatively constant number of patients included in RRBR compared to previous years. Patients with PsA exhibited numerous comorbidities, with cardiovascular conditions being the most frequently observed. Most patients continued to receive combination therapy with a conventional synthetic disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug (csDMARD), methotrexate being the most commonly used, although at a slightly lower percentage than in previous years. The concurrent use of systemic glucocorticoids was recorded at a very low percentage. There was a trend towards initiating biologic treatment earlier, with 40% of patients having initiated biologic therapy within the first two years after diagnosis. The most commonly prescribed bDMARDs remained TNF blockers, with etanercept (original + biosimilar) being the most prevalent, followed by adalimumab (original + biosimilar), data consistent with previous years, though the prescription percentage of biosimilars increased. Recently, other therapeutic agents with different mechanisms of action, (such as ixekizumab, guselkumab and tofacitinib), have been reimbursed in Romania. These medications were used in 41% of initiated cases and represented the first choice in case of treatment changes. Over 90% of patients included in RRBR exhibited low disease activity or were in remission state. Although the percentage of patients undergoing a tapering regimen remained low, this strategy proved to be a valid option for the majority to whom it was applied. Conclusion. RRBR represents an invaluable tool for assessing real-world data concerning PsA patients and the therapeutic approaches used in Romania. It allows for the integration and interpretation of these findings in the context of similar registries, identifying aspects that could contribute to enhancing the quality of PsA management in our country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. The study aimed at characterizing the evolution of RA treatment with b/tsDMARDs in Romania, since the end of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic and the national approval of JAKi. Methods. Data on RA patients was obtained from the Romanian Registry of Rheumatic Diseases database between January 1st, 2022, and December 31st, 2022, encompassing all Romanian RA patients fulfilling the national criteria for b/ tsDMARD initiation. Results. The RRBR database contained 5396 active RA patients: 83.2% female, 59.9 years mean age, 13 years median disease duration, 86.7% RF positive, 81.7% ACPA positive, with a high prevalence of cardiovascular comorbidities, 89.8% receiving at least one csDMARD, most often methotrexate (48.7%), with 6.3% on glucocorticoids, 78.8% on bDMARDs (especially etanercept - 27.6%, adalimumab - 18.1% and tocilizumab - 14.0%) and 21.2% on JAKi (most often on baricitinib - 11.4%), with a 58.2% DAS28-defined remission rate and a 34.3% SDAI-defined remission rate. Conclusion. The Romanian cohort of RA patients on b/tsDMARDs observed the both classical phenotypic characteristics of RA and local cohort characteristics. JAKi prescription has gained a significant increase. Capturing data on real-world patients filtered by stringent criteria for high disease activity and poor prognosis factors, the RRBR database proves to be an extremely useful insight into the evolution of RA pharmacologic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction. Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic systemic inflammatory disease manifested clinically by pain, stiffness, limitation of joint function, multiple systemic manifestations, disability and implications on the quality of life. Educating patients on active management of the disease is part of the current recommendations of international guidelines. Material and Methods. We performed a quantitative study using a translatedversion of the Educational Needs Assessment Tool questionnaire (ENAT)into romanian language (RoENAT). Translation of the original questionnaire into romanian was done according to cross-cultural adaptation process developed by Beaton et al. 31 patients with rheumatoid arthritis diagnosed according to American College of Rheumatology criteria participated in the study, each patient being asked to complete a RoENAT questionnaire. Results. This is the first study to assess the educational needs of romanian patients with RA using a standardized and validated instrument in several EU countries. „Spearman correlations” between the questions of the same domain were statistically significant (r ranging from .33 to.86 and a p-value = .05), is prove of a good construction of the translated questionnaire. The study group included 6 men and 25 women with a mean age of 55 ± 10 years and mean duration of rheumatic suffering was about 11 years. 93.5% of respondents wanted to be educated about their suffering. Educational needs of romanianpatients with RAwere centered around future concerns, fear of the disease evolution, the implications of the disease development on the family and the correct choice of treatment by the physician. Conclusions. Patients have expressed interest and compliance in completing the RoENAT questionnaire. It proved to be meaningful and in the scope of interest of romanian patients with PR, so we recommend its use in assessing educational needs and developing targeted and individualized treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Assessment of coronary patients' availability to increase their physical activity level, after myocardial revascularization procedure. Materials and methods: Evaluating the daily physical activity level and the availability to participate in a structured exercise program after revascularization procedure (PCI+CABG) according to gender, revascularization method and compliance to cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP). Results: 16 months after myocardial revascularization and initiation of secondary prevention measures, 62% of patients continued to be sedentary and 54% had no intention to adhere at a structured exercise program in order to increase their physical fitness and quality of life. Only one third of them performed moderate or intense weekly physical activity. CABG patients were more inclined to participate in exercise training program than PTCA patients (p<0.05). The percentage of patients included in cardiac rehabilitation program that remained sedentary was significantly lower than in non-participants (p<0.05). Coronary patients that adhered to the cardiac rehabilitation program performed a significantly higher number of weekly METS and were more compliant to a structured exercise training program than non-participants (p<0.05). Conclusions: 16 months after myocardial revascularization and initiation of secondary prevention measures, most patients continued to be sedentary and had no intention to adhere to a structure exercise training program. The patients included in cardiac rehabilitation program were more inclined to perform intense or moderate daily physical activity than patients who did not benefit from this program (p<0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the impact of physical training on central hemodynamic parameters and elasticity of large arteries in hypertensive patients., Patients and Methods: A total of 129 hypertensive patients were divided into two groups: group A followed lifestyle changes and physical training; and group B acted as a control group; seven parameters were recorded: Pulse wave velocity (PWVao), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse pressure (PP), central aortic systolic blood pressure (SBPao), aortic diastolic blood pressure (DBPao), and central aortic pulse pressure (PPao)., Results: The difference between values at 4 months and baseline (Δ) were as follows: ΔPWVao was -1.02 m/s (p<0.001) versus 0.17 m/s (p=0.035), ΔSBPao was -9.6 mmHg (p=0.009) versus 1.6 mmHg (p=0.064), and ΔPPao was -6.8 mmHg (p<0.001) versus 3.2 mmHg, (p=0.029) in group A versus B, respectively., Conclusion: Exercise training improves SBP, PP, SBPao, PPao and may delay arterial ageing., (Copyright © 2016 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved.)