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Introduction: Stretching exercises are important in both the prevention and treatment of nonspecific low back pain (NLBP). The aim of this trial was to determine whether an 8-week active hamstring stretching protocol combined with core stabilization and education regarding the maintenance of a neutral lumbar spine during activities could reduce NLBP and low back discomfort during prolonged sitting among young people. Methods: Participants (52 students aged 18–25) were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the Experimental group (the hamstring stretching group) and the Control group (only education). The intervention was conducted for 8 weeks. The primary outcome measures were pain intensity (VAS), low back discomfort (LBD), and functional disability (ODI). The secondary outcome measures were satisfaction with the intervention (GPE) and flexibility of the hamstring (SLR). Results: After the 8-week intervention in the E-group, results of VAS, ODI, and LBD were significantly lower comparing to baseline. In the C-group, no significant differences were observed. After the exercises program, there were differences between the E-group and C-group in VAS, LBD, GPE, and SLR tests (p < 0.05, p < 0.05, p < 0.05, and p < 0.0001, respectively). Conclusions: In conclusion, our study provides compelling evidence that an eight-week program of active hamstring stretching and core stabilization exercises can significantly reduce NLBP and musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting in young adults. These findings highlight the importance of targeted exercise interventions in managing and preventing NLBP, particularly among sedentary populations. Further research is warranted to confirm these findings and explore their applicability to broader populations and over extended periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Participants will be recruited from the Faculty of Physical Education and randomly assigned to either the hamstring stretching group or the control group with education only. The primary outcome measures will be pain intensity, musculoskeletal discomfort, and functional disability. Secondary outcome measures will be satisfaction with the intervention and flexibility of the hamstring. A total of 44 participants fulfilling the inclusion criteria will complete the study. As an increase in LBP frequency is observed, it seems justified to determine effective interventions for LBP and musculoskeletal discomfort in young people. The findings of this study will provide information about the effect of an 8-week intervention involving active hamstring flexibility exercises with hip flexion mobilization on the reduction of LBP and musculoskeletal discomfort during prolonged sitting in young adults. We hope this study will add to the development of ergonomic recommendations for young people with LBP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the field of research on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the personal dimension is undervalued. Even the most comprehensive and current recommendations focus on biomedical issues and are entirely based on quantitative studies. Reports and narratives presenting people's preferences, values, views, and opinions, especially of those affected by this health condition, are not considered in those reports. This article's aim is to present personal experiences of scoliosis screening, diagnosis, and treatment, to contribute to the discussion. This is an evocative narrative autoethnography study, which allows focusing on the personal story of the author's experiences of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis management, connecting it to the rehabilitation context. Experiences of non-person-centred rehabilitation resulted in stigmatisation, distress, and emotional upset, including anxiety and fear. In contrast, person-centred therapeutic relationship involved more positive outcomes of care, such as becoming an engaged co-responsible and active partner in rehabilitation. It is strongly suggested to promote biographical research into the personal experiences of all aspects of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, to identify patients' preferences and values more clearly. Furthermore, screening, diagnosis and treatment processes should be reviewed in terms of person-centredness, to ensure they are responsive to young people's needs in the vulnerable time of puberty. Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, including the treatment, and even the diagnosis, may be stigmatising and may lead to emotional and psychosocial harms Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis screening, diagnosis and treatment processes need to be person-centred, recognising young people's needs for privacy and support in the vulnerable time of puberty Emotional support from therapists ought to be part of the professional relationship based upon being with another person An explication of experiences of living with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis should be considered as a legitimate contribution to the practical and scientific understanding of this health condition [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction 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. Material and Methods. 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. Results. 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. Conclusions. 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. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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An abstract of the study "ERGONOMICS OF PHYSIOTHERAPIST THEORETICAL ASSUMPTIONS AND REALITY," by Olga Nowotny-Czupryna, Janusz Nowotny, Maciej Płaszewski , Anna Famuła, and Anna Brzęk is presented.

An abstract of the article "MOVEMENT ACTIVITY AND BODY STABILITY AS A PART OF LIFE STYLE IN DIFFERENT AGE," by Anna Famula, Olga Nowotny-Czupryna, Janusz Nowotny, and Maciej Plaszewski is presented.

Objective: Health-related quality of life in adults, who in adolescence participated in a scoliosis-specific exercise program, was not previously studied. Design. Cross-sectional study, with retrospective data collection., Material and Methods: Homogenous groups of 68 persons (43 women) aged 30.10 (25-39) years, with mild or moderate scoliosis, and 76 (38 women) able-bodied persons, aged 30.11 (24-38) years, who 16.5 (12-26) years earlier had completed scoliosis-specific exercise or observation regimes, participated. Their respiratory characteristics did not differ from predicted values. The WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire, Oswestry Disability Questionnaire, and pain scale (VAS) were applied., Results: The transformed WHOQOL-BREF scores ranged from 54.6 ± 11.19 in the physical domain in the mild scoliotic subgroup to 77.1 ± 16.05 in the social domain in the able-bodied subgroup. The ODQ values did not generally exceed 5.3 ± 7.53. Inter- and intragroup differences were nonsignificant. Age, marital status, education, and gender were significantly associated with the ODQ scores. Significant association between the ODQ and WHOQOL-BREF social relationships domain scores with the participation in exercise treatment was found., Conclusions: Participants with the history of exercise treatment generally did not differ significantly from their peers who were only under observation. This study cannot conclude that scoliosis-specific exercise treatment in adolescence alters quality of life in adulthood.

Introduction: 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., Material and Methods: 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., Results: 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., Conclusions: 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.

Multiplicity and variety of chest physical therapy (CPT) methods for increasing bronchial clearance in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) require an assessment of validity and reliability of the available clinical evidence. The aim of the review was to evaluate publications on CPT in COPD patients and to establish the basis (objective criteria) on which given methods and techniques are recommended or refuted. Systematic reviews, narrative reviews, and clinical practice guidelines, published in English between January 1, 2000 and July 1, 2010, were identified from the PubMed/MEDLINE and Cochrane (DARE, CRD, The Cochrane Airways Review Group Register) databases. The PEDro and SIGN scales were used to assess the quality and grade of recommendations for selected papers. Generally, the papers that we identified were based on small studies, limited to short-term outcomes, mostly using crossover designs, and rarely including sham therapy. Recommendations from clinical guidelines were mainly grade C or D. Health-related quality-of-life analyses, including working and exercise capacity, are lacking. The evidence from the studies in patients with cystic fibrosis cannot be directly extrapolated to COPD subjects. Despite the lack of convincing evidence, clinical practice supports the value of CPT in COPD. However, when making a clinical decision, potential side effects should be considered.

Background. Static exercise leads to a greater heart rate increase than comparable dynamic effort, which matters in cardiovascular disorders. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is an alternative to volitional isometric exercise. Heart rate increases following both kinds of static effort to knee extensor muscles were compared. Material and Methods. 65 healthy volunteers (33 males, 32 females), aged 20 - 22 (mean 20.94) years, completed the trial. Isometric exercise and electrical stimulation were performed randomly, with 48 hours' rest period. Each repetition's peak contraction forces were measured. Heart rate was recorded at rest and post- effort. Results. Contraction forces decreased in subsequent repetitions. First and last repetition measurements were 380.7 N (+/-6.9), 349.2 N (+/-51.9), 635.3 N (+/-120.0) and 562.1 N (+/-102.7), in females and males, respectively. In the same manner, electrically evoked contraction forces were as follows: 126.7 N (+/-84.5), 137.63 N (+/-7.1), 28.2 N (+/-102.81) and 262.2 N (+/-117.7). Heart rate increased immediately after exercise in females by 52.2 beats/min and differences (p< 0.001, p< 0.01) existed for 2 minutes during recovery. In males the increase was 56.9 beats/min and differences were significant (p< 0.001, p< 0.01) for 3 minutes post-exercise. Heart rate increased immediately after stimulation by 12,9 beats/min (p<0.001) in females and by 9,9 beats/min (p<0,001) in males. Conclusions. In young, healthy males and females, intensive voluntary isometric exercise leads to bigger and more prolonged heart rate increase than Russian electrical stimulation.