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Tissue flossing is an increasingly popular method in physiotherapy and sports. There is a belief that tissue flossing can improve range of motion and muscle strength, shorten muscle recovery time, and reduce the risk of injury. The aim of this study was to analyse the effectiveness of tissue flossing for immediately improving muscle strength in recreational athletes when it is performed during warm-up. All participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 36) or a control group (n = 34) using a random number generator. The experimental group (n = 36) performed an intervention comprising exercises with muscle tissue flossing and exercises without flossing. The control group (n = 30) performed the same protocol without a floss band. Muscle strength was measured for knee flexion end extension at three speeds (60, 120, and 180 °/s) 3 times. Analysed parameters include peak torque, work, and power related to body weight, flexors–extensors ratio, and time to peak torque. There were no significant changes in the muscle strength parameters from before to after the warm-up in either group (p > 0.05). Significantly lower values of peak torque, work, and power were observed in the experimental group during the warm-up with the floss band applied to muscles (p < 0.05). No clinically significant changes in time to peak torque or flexors–extensors ratio were observed. A single application of flossing does not improve muscle strength or power and can even reduce individuals’ maximum muscle strength capabilities.

Total knee replacement (TKR) is the treatment of choice for advanced stages of osteoarthritis but it requires good postoperative rehabilitation. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of exercises using virtual reality to improve gait parameters in patients after TKR. Fifty-nine patients 7–14 days after TKR surgery were divided into a study group (VRG, n = 38) and a control group (CG, n = 21). Both groups underwent the same 4-week rehabilitation protocol. The VRG group had 12 additional nonimmersive virtual reality game sessions on the Virtual Balance Clinic prototype system at 30 min each, focusing on gait and balance improvement. Spatiotemporal, force and foot plantar pressure parameters were collected on an instrumented treadmill during a 30 s walk. The most significant improvement was in the symmetry indices of forefoot force, maximum forefoot force, loading response time, and preswing time (p < 0.05) in both groups. Gait speed increased by 31.25% and 44% in the VRG and CG groups, respectively (p < 0.005). However, the extra exergaming sessions did not significantly improve rehabilitation outcomes. Therefore, additional VR training does not improve gait better than standard rehabilitation alone, but the improvement of gait, especially its symmetry, is significant within the first six weeks after surgery.

The aim of the work was to study the body reaction to high intensity interval training. The study included 92 women aged 18 to -35. People who have been engaged in organised, regular physical activity (at least twice a week) were qualified to Group 1. Group 2 were physically inactive persons. All subjects performed interval training in the Tabata formula - two 4-minute sequences. The exercise carried out in the first part is elevating the legs from the “plank” position, in the second part, the hands were elevated from the same position. The pulse rate, the Borg Scale and the VAS pain rate scale (24, 48, 72 and 96 h after exercise) were used to assess the exercise intensity. The respondents from both groups performed the training at a similar intensity: the average heart rate after workout was 131 beats per minute. The highest pain of all muscle groups (when added together) was recorded 24 hours after training. The highest pain intensity during the four days after the training concerned the back and abdominal muscles in Group 1 and the muscles of the abdomen, back and arms (front and back). The intensity of abdominal and arm muscle pain (front) was significantly higher in Group 2. The proposed 15-minute workout planned in the form of Tabata evoked similar cardiovascular reactions in both groups and a similar subjective evaluation of intensity. Individuals who were physically active before the introduction of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic had less pain in the muscular system after the applied training.

Study aim: Warm-up is an indispensable element of sports training. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of warm-up exercises with Swedish, classic sports massage and Chinese self-massage on functional limitations of the locomotive system. Materials and methods: The study included 42 women and 13 men aged 19 to 22. They all performed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test, without a warm-up, and then (after a week) performed it again after either a standard warm-up with sports massage (Group 1) or a warm-up with Chinese self-massage (Group 2). Results: Both groups obtained significantly higher results in the second measurement (FMS test), preceded by a standard warm-up with sports massage (Group 1, p = 0.003) and warm-up with Chinese self-massage (Group 2, p = 0.000). In Group 1, statistically significant differences were observed in the results of the exercises: hurdle step and push-ups. In Group 2, the difference was significant in the attempts to sit down deep, walk over the fence and pump. Conclusion: There were no significant differences between the groups that used massage and self-massage. Both methods can improve movement functionality.

Introduction Patients after hip arthroplasty (THR) load the feet asymmetrically during standing or walking. Many reports indicate effectiveness of the Virtual Reality (VR) training in reeducation of postural stability, gait parameters and symmetry. The aim of this study was to assess if VR training programme based on non-walking exercises improve gait parameters or change foot pressure distribution. Materials and methods 56 patients after THR were randomly assigned to an experimental group (30 people) and a control group (26 people). The control group (CG) attended a standard post-operative rehabilitation programme, while 12 sessions of VR training were added to the standard programme in the experimental group (EG). Each patient performed standing with eyes opened and gait test on Zebris FDM-T treadmill. We calculated spatio-temporal parameters, foot pressure distribution and CoP displacement. The results were considered significant for p Results In the static tests, the force on the forefoot and the rearfoot of the operated limb increased in EG (p Most of the gait parameters improved significantly in both groups (p Conclusions 1. The significantly better gait performance parameters obtained in the experimental group indicate a better movement capacity in these patients. This suggests that using VR in motor re-education in patients after THR may enhance the effects of rehabilitation. 2. Further studies are necessary to assess the influence of VR training on pressure distribution both in static and dynamic tests.

Introduction Virtual Reality (VR) training is becoming an increasingly popular form of exercise aiding in re-education of body balance. Many reports have demonstrated its effectiveness, greater patient involvement in exercise and better outcomes compared to traditional rehabilitation [1]. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the additional training in VR on body balance in patients after total hip replacement. Material and Methods 56 patients randomly assigned to an experimental group (30 people) and a control group (26 people) was included in the study. All patients had undergone THR within 2 to 12 weeks before the beginning of the study. The control group underwent standard post-operative rehabilitation, while a VR training programme was used in the experimental group as an additional rehabilitation tool. Balance was assessed with the VBC system and the AMTi AccuSway plate. The results were considered significant for p Results CoP displacement in the frontal plane was reduced in both groups in tests with eyes closed (p Conclusions 1. Postural stability training in VR primarily involves dynamic aspects of the maintenance of balance. 2. Improvement in functional tests may indicate a better clinical outcome of rehabilitation in patients who have additionally trained in VR. 3. The improvement obtained in static tests most probably results from improvement in muscle strength and static stability resulting from the rehabilitation.

The COVID-19 pandemic is currently one of the major global health and economic challenges. An efficient method for reducing the transmission of the virus is a still unmet medical need. Existing experimental data have shown that coronavirus survival is negatively impacted by ozone, high temperature, and low humidity. Therefore, it is feasible to use area ozonation in pharmacies - the front line of the healthcare system. Nevertheless, further work is needed to evaluate the effectiveness of ozone disinfection to reduce the transmission of this virus in pharmacies, hospitals, and other public environments. Med Pr. 2021;72(5):529-34.

To determine the effect of virtual reality (VR) games on improving balance in different groups of neurological patients with a particular focus on the study quality and to determine the gold standard in VR training in these groups.A systematic review of controlled trials published between January 2009 and December 2017 was conducted. The PubMed, SCOPUS, SPORTDiscus, and Medline databases were searched. Studies involved patients with stroke or Parkinson's disease or children with cerebral palsy. The Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to assess the methodological quality of the included studies.A total of 20 studies met the inclusion criteria. The PEDro scores ranged from 4 to 8 points. Analysis of the rehabilitation programs revealed a very large discrepancy in the planned volume of exercises in different subgroups of patients.Overall, the comparison of VR interventions between conventional rehabilitation and no intervention exhibited significantly better results. However, these results should be interpreted with great caution due to the large diversity of the systems, games, and training volume used in the VR therapy. In all included studies, only several articles included objective methods to assess the effect of VR. In addition, most of the articles showed a high risk of bias, such as a lack of randomization and blinding or a small sample size. That is why further well-designed randomized control trials are required to evaluate the influence of VR on balance in different groups of neurological patients.

Summary Study aim: The objective of the study was to reveal the functional limits of the motor system in women practising combat sports and team sports. Material and methods: 102 women (mean age 25.2 years, body mass 62.2 kg, body height 168.3 cm) practising competitive ITF (International Taekwon-Do Federation) taekwon-do (n = 22), Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) (n = 15), football (n = 35) and basketball (n = 30) participated in the study. The assessment tool was the FMS test, comprising 7 movement patterns scored on a scale of 0–3. Results: The studied female athletes earned medium scores. Women practising combat sports scored generally higher in the FMS test, although the difference was not significant (combat sports – mean value 15.57 ± 2.39, team sports – mean value 14.72 ± 1.93, difference – p = 0.07). Statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in the second (hurdle step) and the fifth pattern (active straight leg raise – ASLR). The aggregated FMS results of female taekwon-do (15.77) and BJJ athletes (15.22) were similar. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed in one pattern (ASLR). Women practising football (14.77) and basketball (14.67) attained a similar level of results in the test. Statistically significant differences were noted in two trials: footballers scored higher in the ASLR task (p < 0.05), and basketball players scored higher in rotary stability (p < 0.01). Conclusion: A statistically significant result in the FMS test was obtained by martial arts athletes, which may point to a higher level of functional movement, which may be a result of more universal training.

Tissue flossing, also called voodoo flossing, is becoming a popular adjunct to athletic training to improve joint range of motion and muscle strength. The authors of this technique believe that tissue flossing can be used during warm-up. This study investigated the effect of tissue flossing during warm-up on the range of motion in the sit and reach test.The study enrolled 40 recreational athletes divided into an experimental and control group consisting of 20 participants each. The range of trunk flexion was assessed with the sit and reach test. Participants were tested before as well as immediately and 15, 30 and 45 minutes after completing the 9-minute warm-up. During the warm-up, athletes in the experimental group wore a floss band on the thigh muscles, while athletes in the control group exercised without wearing a floss band.The sit and reach test revealed an improved range of motion after the warm-up in both groups (P0.05). The improvement was noted at all time points. Regression analysis showed no effect of any of the study parameters (group assignment, sex, age, body mass index, pain intensity on a visual analogue scale) on the improvement in the sit and reach test results.The similar results obtained in both groups indicate that there may not be a rationale for using tissue flossing during warm-up to improve trunk and hip flexibility.

Background. Kinesiology Taping is a very popular physiotherapy method. It is used in both healthy people and orthopaedic patients in order to relieve pain, increase range of motion and for other purposes. Many researchers claim that these applications will also improve proprioception and sensorimotor efficiency, which are important for recovery after injuries and orthopaedic surgeries, especially on the knee joint. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the muscle application of Kinesiology Taping on knee joint position sense in active motion. Material and methods. The study involved 50 healthy people (30 men and 20 women). Mean age was 23.2 years (range 18-30 years). The exclusion criteria were past knee injuries and knee surgery that could affect the test results. The participants were divided randomly into two equal groups. The first group (KT group) had a Kinesiology Taping muscle application placed, whereas a placebo application of an adhesive tape was used in the remaining participants (placebo group). Both applications were supposed to support quadriceps muscle activity. Joint position sense (JPS) was evaluated by measuring the error of active reproduction of the joint position (EARJP) of the knee in 45° flexion. The test was performed prior to applying the patch, after the patch was applied, then after 24 hours of wearing it and after removing the tape. The interval between trials before and after application of the patch was not less than 30 minutes. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 12.0. Distribution characteristics were calculated and the Wilcoxon test, Friedman‘s ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test were performed. Results. The average test scores of JPS in the KT group and the placebo group before applying the KT patch were 3.48° and 5.16° respectively, compared to 4.84° and 4.88°, respectively, with the patch on, 5.12° and 4.96°, respectively, after 24 hours of wearing the tape, and 3.84° and 5.12°, respectively, after removing the patch. Within-group differences at any two time points were not statistically significant. There were also no significant differences between the groups. Conclusions. 1. Kinesiology Taping application to the quadriceps muscle had no significant effect on knee joint proprioception. Its use in order to improve sensorimotor skills therefore seems unreasonable. 2. The results are the basis for future prospective, randomised trials of larger experimental groups and involving the use of other Kinesiology Taping applications as well as including individuals with lesions of knee joint structures.

Objective To determine how the role of physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists in healthcare is perceived by physiotherapy students. Design Cross-sectional observational study. Subjects A total of 677 physiotherapy students and 519 final year medical students at the largest university-level educational institutions in Warsaw, Poland. Methods Questionnaire about knowledge of the role of physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists in the healthcare system. Results The definition of physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists was known to 32.9% of medical students and 19.9% of physiotherapy students. Misconceptions most frequently resulted from an inability to distinguish physical and rehabilitation medicine from physiotherapy. The leading role of physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists in team management of persons with disabilities was identified by 25.4-55.5% of medical and 5.8-9.0% of physiotherapy students. Discussion Inadequate perception of the role of physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists in healthcare may result from recent changes in the management of rehabilitation services, tendencies towards professional independence among health professionals, and insufficient formative education. Conclusion Perception of the role of physical and rehabilitation medicine specialists in healthcare was found to be inadequate among physiotherapy students. Changes in health professional education are warranted to maintain an effective patient-centred collaborative practice. Further research is needed at national and international levels to address the mutual perception of competencies and roles among students of health professions.

Background and purpose Muscle energy techniques (METs) are used to reduce tension in neck muscles and therefore, can be used together with Swedish massage to enhance its effect. The aim of this study was to assess if using METs combined with massage could improve sleep quality. Materials and methods In this prospective, randomised controlled trial forty patients with chronic cervical spine pain were divided into two equal groups. Both groups attended 10 sessions of Swedish massage, and the study group additionally attended MET-sessions. Sleep disturbances were assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results A significant improvement in terms of sleep disturbances was seen in both groups. The MET group demonstrated improvement in all PSQI components. In the control group, the improvement included only 4 components of the index. Conclusion Massage therapy combined with relaxing METs may be more effective than massage therapy alone in this group of patients.

Introduction. The high demands imposed by judo with regard to physical fitness can predispose athletes practising this sport to injury. The aim of the current study was to determine the relationship between the degree of functional limitations and performance outcomes in judo athletes. Material and methods. The study involved 23 judo athletes aged 17-27 years. For the purpose of carrying out comparative analyses, the judokas were divided into two groups according to their level of achievement. The first group consisted of medallists in international tournaments and Polish championships, and the second group was composed of non-medallists. The research tool used was the Functional Movement Screen test battery, which included seven exercise tests whose performance was rated on a scale from 0 to 3. Relationships between variables were assessed using Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients. Inter-group differences were determined by means of the Mann-Whitney U test, and differences between the left and right side of the body in bilateral tests were examined using the Wilcoxon test (statistical significance was set at p ≤ 0.05). Results. The total score for the FMS test was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in judo athletes who had a higher level of achievement. Scores below 14 points, which were indicative of high susceptibility to injury, were received by two athletes from the group of medallists and 8 non-medallists. Major asymmetries were not found in the subjects; significant differences were observed only in the shoulder mobility test in senior judokas (p < 0.05) and non-medallists (p < 0.01). Conclusions. Judo athletes who had better performance outcomes in competitions had higher scores in the FMS test. Functional limitations can have an impact on the outcomes of performance in judo; their degree is indicative of the quality of the movement as well as of susceptibility to injury.

Introduction. The high requirements in terms of physical fitness of hockey players may be a factor predisposing to injuries. The purpose of the study was to determine the functional limitations of the locomotor system of children practicing ice hockey. Materials and methods. 104 children took part in the study, including 16 girls and 88 boys, divided into two groups. The first group consisted of children practicing hockey (n=38). The second group consisted of children who do not practice hockey (n=66). The research tool was the FMS test consisting of seven movement activities graded on a 0-3 scale. The MannWhitney U test was used to evaluate the differences between particular groups, and the Wilcoxon’s test was used to evaluate the differences between the sides. The relationships between the variables were established based on the rho Spearmann correlation. The minimal statistical significance was set at p≤0.05. Results. The boys practicing hockey obtained a significantly higher total result than the boys who are not hockey players (p=0.008). The girls practicing hockey obtained a result close to their peers who do not play hockey. A significant positive correlation was observed between the age of the players and the result obtained in the FMS test in the group of hockey players (r=0.77; p

Introduction. Being physically active is a desired element of a lifestyle in terms of avoiding civilizational diseases, but may also promote a risk of occurring damages of the locomotor system. The research objective was to obtain the information on the spinal joints, hip joints and shoulder joints mobility that may predispose to suffering physical injuries by men practicing capoeira and bodybuilding. Materials and methods. The study consisted of 43 men practicing capoeira and bodybuilding. The research tool consisted of: a series of tests evaluating the flexibility (the Dega test, Thomas test, Thomayer test and Zipper Back Scratch Test), and of a custom-made survey on training methods, the number, types and circumstances of contracted injuries, as well as their treatment methods. Results. One studied person from the first group and eleven persons from the second group showed a negative Thomayer test result. Iliolumbar muscle spasms were identified in the case of two men practicing capoeira and sixteen bodybuilders. Seven men practicing capoeira and thirteen men practicing bodybuilding obtained negative Dega test results. Negative Back Scratch Test results were observed in the case of five capoeira adepts and fifteen bodybuilders. The differences between the results of all the tests were statistically significant (p

Summary Study aim: To determine the effect of foam rolling on the functional limitations of the musculoskeletal system. Material and methods: The study encompassed 37 healthy and physically active women divided into two groups. Group 1 comprised women who performed self-massage with a foam roller after physical effort twice a week, for two months. Group 2 (control) comprised women who did not undergo any exercises or treatment after physical effort. The study used the following research tools: the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test, the Core Muscle Strength and Stability Test (CMS&ST), and the Sit and Reach Test. Results: The study revealed that foam rolling minimized functional limitations (as measured with the FMS test). The differences between the first and second measurement in Group 1 were statistically significant (p=0.014). In the control group, the results of both measurements were similar. In the CMS&ST, the maximal result of three minutes was not achieved. Moreover, no improvement of results was observed. In the Sit and Reach Test, a statistically significant improvement in the flexibility of the posterior muscles of the thigh was noted in Group 1 (right lower limb p=0.009, left lower limb p = 0.007). Conclusions: 1. Foam rolling may minimize the functional limitations of the musculoskeletal system. It is recommended to incorporate self-myofascial release techniques after physical effort into training. 2. Using foam rolling helped maintain the results obtained in the Core Muscle Strength and Stability Test. Therefore, foam rolling may help maintain the achieved core stability.

Background: Physical activeness is one of the main elements of lifestyle in terms of preventing civilization diseases. The main purpose of this study was to assess the selected health behaviors of men practicing combat sports and martial arts and to find out what features or variables may have an influence one’s lifestyle. Methods: Overall, 561 men aged 17-35 yr were enrolled and divided into three groups. Studies were conducted from March 2011 to June 2015 in Warsaw, Poland. The main research tool was Juczyński’s Health Behaviour Inventory. The questionnaire includes 24 statements – descriptions of various health-related attitudes and behaviours – divided into four categories: proper eating habits, preventive behaviours, positive psychical attitude, and health practices. Results: The persons practicing combat sports and martial arts presented the highest level of health behaviours. The result of Group 1 was significantly higher than the result of Group 2 (P=0.05) and Group 3 (P

Exercises in virtual reality (VR) have recently become a popular form of rehabilitation and are reported to be more effective than a standard rehabilitation protocol alone. The aim of this study was to assess the efficacy of adjunct VR training in improving postural control in patients after total knee replacement surgery (TKR). Forty-two patients within 7&ndash, 14 days of TKR were enrolled and divided into a VR group and a control group (C). The C group underwent standard postoperative rehabilitation. The VR group additionally attended twelve 30-min exercise sessions using the Virtual Balance Clinic prototype system. Balance was assessed on the AMTI plate in bipedal standing with and without visual feedback before and after the four-week rehabilitation. Linear measures and sample entropy of CoP data were analyzed. After four weeks of rehabilitation, a significant reduction in parameters in the sagittal plane and ellipse area was noted while the eyes remained open. Regression analysis showed that sample entropy depended on sex, body weight, visual feedback and age. Based on the sample entropy results, it was concluded that the complexity of the body reaction had not improved. The standing-with-eyes-closed test activates automatic balance mechanisms and offers better possibilities as a diagnostic tool.

Summary biological regeneration in athletes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the application of lymphatic kinesiotaping in reducing delayed onset muscle soreness of biceps brachii. Material and methods: The study included 34 women, aged 18–27. In the test group of patients (n = 17) a lymphatic KT application was used. All of the women performed the arm strength trial (with IPFT) and arm muscle training (with a repeat of the trial 5 times 60–80% max). Other study tools used were an sEMG, VAS (pain assessment) and the Borg scale (subjective assessment of the intensity of effort). The measurements (arm muscles strength, sEMG, pain intensity, exercise intensity) were repeated at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after performing the exercise. Results: The weakest results for the arm strength test were recorded in the second measurement in the test group, and in the third measurement in the control group. The pain level declared in the first measurement was similar in both groups. In the third measurement (48 hours after the exercise), the level of pain in the test group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in the control group. Discussion: The kinesiotaping method can assist in reducing delayed muscle soreness, which was confirmed by the results of the tests. However, there is no evidence about the impact of specific types of KT applications on the reduction of the DOMS symptoms.

The aim of the present study was to define if the athletes may vary their warm-up according to the specific demands of event they are preparing for and that higher-level athletes may differ in their thermal responses than lower-level athletes. Ten top level Polish male decathletes (19.9 ± 3.0 yr, 187.9 ± 4.7 cm, 82.7 ± 6.7 kg) who participated in the study were examined with a thermographic camera. Thermal imaging of each athlete was undertaken three times: at rest before the warm-up began, immediately after the general warm-up, and immediately after the specific warm-up. As significant changes in skin surface temperatures were observed between rest and both general and specific warm-ups (p The present findings suggest that in sporting competitions characterized by the need for specificity of warm-up of different muscular segments, thermal imaging can be useful observe thermoregulatory responses. Due to these observed individual thermal reactions to the physical effort of warm-up, the present findings suggest it is possible to individually adapt the warm-up to the needs of both the event being prepared for and the level of athlete.

Background. Low-back pain is a common problem in developed societies. The quest for methods to reduce this com­plaint may contribute to improving the quality of life for many people. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of Swedish massage combined with acupressure vs. Swedish massage alone in patients with low back pain. Material and methods. The study involved 20 women and 20 men with lumbosacral pain. The group was clinically ho­mo­geneous. The participants were randomized into two groups: Group 1, which received Swedish massage with acu­pressure techniques, and Group 2, treated with Swedish massage only. The research tools comprised the Laitinen Pain Score, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Roland-Morris Ques­tion­naire, the Thomayer test, and the measurement of lumbar spine extension. Differences between the mea­surements were evaluated with the Wilcoxon test, with the minimum significance level set at p≤0.05. Results. Both groups demonstrated a significant (p

This paper discusses key aspects of the use of functional scores, including their reliability conditions, differences between subjective and objective assessment and types. Functional scores used for assessing patients following total knee replacement, both objective and those including elements of patient-reported subjective evaluation, are discussed in detail, including scales that can be used in pre-operative assessment.

Background: Pregnancy is a period of time when women tend to suffer from the weakening of their psychophysical fitness. This research evaluated several selected elements of the lifestyle of pregnant women compared to those of non-pregnant women. Methods: Overall, 482 women attended to the Childbirth School in Gynecological-Obstetric Hospital “Inflancka” in Warsaw, Poland, in the years 2011–2013; Group 1 contained 214 pregnant, and Group 2 contained 268 non-pregnant completed a survey inquiry. The research tool applied was Juczyński’s “Inventory of Health Behaviour” (Inwentarz Zachowań Zdrowotnych). In this tool, the author evaluates health behaviors through four separate categories: dietary habits, prophylactic behaviors, mental attitude, and health behaviors. The differences between the data were defined through the Student’s t-test for independent groups, with a minimal level of significance set at P ≤ 0.05. Results: Pregnant women take care of following a healthy lifestyle. The general health behaviour index figure was significantly higher in Group 1 as compared with the Group 2 (P

Introduction . Martial arts and combat sports are practical sports that are being practised by an increasing number of women. The aim of this study was to examine the relationship between the ability of female judo, taekwondo and karate competitors to fall safely and their susceptibility to injuries during falls. Material and methods . A total of 120 persons participated in the research. The study group consisted of 45 female judo, taekwondo (WTF) and karate Shotokan competitors; in the control group there were 75 persons who did not practise sport professionally. The research tools included the Test of Susceptibility to Injury during Falls (TSIDF) developed by Kalina and a questionnaire designed by the authors. Results . The female martial arts competitors had considerably lower TSIDF results (p Conclusions . Women practising combat sports and martial arts made significantly fewer errors in the Test of Susceptibility to Injuries During Falls, which can be seen as evidence for the practical usefulness of the training they are undergoing.

Background Non-specific low back pain is an increasingly common musculoskeletal ailment. The aim of this study was to examine the utility of craniosacral therapy techniques in the treatment of patients with lumbosacral spine overload and to compare its effectiveness to that of trigger point therapy, which is a recognised therapeutic approach. Material and methods The study enrolled 55 randomly selected patients (aged 24-47 years) with low back pain due to overload. Other causes of this condition in the patients were ruled out. The participants were again randomly assigned to two groups: patients treated with craniosacral therapy (G-CST) and patients treated with trigger point therapy (G-TPT). Multiple aspects of the effectiveness of both therapies were evaluated with the use of: an analogue scale for pain (VAS) and a modified Laitinen questionnaire, the Schober test and surface electromyography of the multifidus muscle. The statistical analysis of the outcomes was based on the basic statistics, the Mann-Whitney U test and Wilcoxon's signed rank test. The statistical significance level was set at p≤0.05. Results Both groups demonstrated a significant reduction of pain measured with the VAS scale and the Laitinen questionnaire. Moreover, the resting bioelectric activity of the multifidus muscle decreased significantly in the G-CST group. The groups did not differ significantly with regard to the study parameters. Conclusions 1. Craniosacral therapy and trigger point therapy may effectively reduce the intensity and frequency of pain in patients with non-specific low back pain. 2. Craniosacral therapy, unlike trigger point therapy, reduces the resting tension of the multifidus muscle in patients with non-specific lumbosacral pain. The mechanism of these changes requires further research. 3. Craniosacral therapy and trigger point therapy may be clinically effective in the treatment of patients with non-specific lumbosacral spine pain. 4. The present findings represent a basis for conducting further and prospective studies of larger and randomized samples.

Objective : Kinesiotaping (KT) is a method being increasingly more often applied in rehabilitation of movement system. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of kinesiotaping on the rehabilitation result in patients with damaged meniscus. Material and methods : The study enrolled 23 patients (14 women and 9 men) aged between 20 to 41 years. The patients were at random divided into two groups: Group 1 (the experimental group) which received kinesiotaping application, and Group 2 (the control group), which had similar rehabilitation protocol except for the KT application. Results : All participants demonstrated a significant improvement in the range of knee flexion and extension of the injured limb as soon as the end of the first week of the rehabilitation (p

Purpose. Massage therapy is one of most commonly applied treatments during athletic training. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of sports massage therapy on reducing post-exercise quadriceps muscle soreness. Methods. A sample of 29 women aged 24-26 years was divided into an experimental group (n = 15) receiving classic sports massage therapy and a control group (n = 14) given no treatment. An exercise session consisting of five sets of deep squat jumps was administered after which lower limb power as assessed via the vertical jump test. Muscle soreness was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and exercise intensity with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale. Subsequent measurements of lower limb power and muscle soreness were performed 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the exercise session. Differences between the measurements were assessed by the Friedman and least significant difference tests while between-group comparisons involved the Mann-Whitney U test. Results. The largest decrease in lower limb power was observed between the first measurement after the exercise session and 24 h later (p < 0.01). The smallest decrease in power was observed in the massage group. The highest levels of muscle soreness were noted 24 h post-exercise in the massage group and 48 h post-exercise in the control group. The experimental group showed a decrease in muscle soreness in each subsequent measurement, with the results close to zero on the VAS 96 h postexercise. Conclusions. Massage therapy quickened recovery and improved muscle efficiency post-exercise and may serve as an effective treatment of muscle soreness. The analgesic effect of massage suggests it should be widely applied in sport, physical therapy and rehabilitation.

The sensorimotor system is a complicated tool allowing for maintaining body balance and responding to changing environmental conditions to prevent injury. It is difficult to objectively assess the function of balance control mechanisms due to the multidimensional nature of the sensorimotor system and multitude of variables that may interfere with the measurement. The function of the sensorimotor system is considerably compromised in osteoarthritis, including gona­rthro­sis. The knee is the second most common location of osteoarthritis, after the hip, and total or partial replacement surgery of the knee joint represents the therapy of choice in advanced stages of the condition. As average life expectancy increases and state-of-the art medical technology develops, the number of total knee replacement surgeries is increasing dramatically and the re-education of the sensorimotor system is of fundamental impo­rtance for restoring function in the patients. This paper describes the current methods for objective assessment of proprioception, sensorimotor function and balance in the knee. The current literature is also reviewed to discuss the use of such examinations in pa­tients with gonarthrosis before and after knee replacement surgery.

Background. The sacroiliac joints have complicated biomechanics. While the movements in the joints are small, they exert a significant effect on gait. This study aimed to assess how sacroiliac joint manipulation influences selected gait parameters. Material and method. The study enrolled 57 healthy subjects. The experimental group consisted of 26 participants diagnosed with dysfunction of one sacroiliac joint. The control group was composed of 31 persons. All subjects from the experimental group underwent sacroiliac joint manipulation. Results. The experimental group showed significant lengthening of the step on both sides and the stride length in this group increased as well. Moreover, the duration of the stride increased (p=0.000826). The maximum midfoot pressure was higher and maximum heel pressure decreased. The differences were statistically significant. Conclusions. 1. Subclinical dysfunctions of the sacroiliac joints may cause functional gait disturbance. 2. Manipulation of the iliosacral joint exerts a significant effect on gait parameters, which may lead to improved gait economy and effec­tiveness. 3. Following manipulation of one iliosacral joint, altered gait parameters are noted on both the manipulated side and the contralateral side, which may translate into improved quality of locomotion.