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Background: The evidence from research shows positive effects of physical exercise, both aerobic and resistance training, and their combination, on cognitive performance. Possible biological mechanisms that may underlie the effectiveness of physical exercise include increased blood flow in the brain, changes in neurotransmitter release, and the process of neurogenesis (Sumińska, 2021). However, there is still a lack of sufficient research on the relationship of physical exertion and aging, and their interaction. New research is looking for the best tools and methods to improve the quality of life of older people. Methods: This study evaluated 65 non-exercising men over the age of 60. The participants were divided into groups of restricted blood flow training (BFRT), concentric training (MDRT) and control groups. Strength training in which leg pressing, leg bending and leg extension exercises were performed lasted 12 weeks. The short version of the World Health Organization (WHO 100) Quality of Life Questionnaire was used to assess quality of life, the subjects’ physical abilities were evaluated using the Fullerton Test set, and ANAM4 cognitive function tests were used to assess cognitive functions Results: When comparing restricted blood flow, concentric training and control groups, the results of the functional test evaluation were improved statistically significantly: standing and walking, standing up from a chair (p

Background: The article raises a topical scientific problem regarding the physical inactivity and low physical capacity of the elderly population, the indicators of which, according to researchers in old age, can help predict institutionalization, disability, or even the risk of premature death. Various organizations around the world are striving to increase the number of physically active people by raising awareness and developing preventive measures. In this study, we looked for optimal activities that can effectively improve the physical capacity and quality of life self assessment of older people. Methods: Eurofit tests were used to assess physical capacity (Jones, & Rikli, 2002). The study assessed the physical capacity of elderly people to determine body composition, motor system capacity, skeletal muscle capacity, and cardiovascular capacity. A shortened version of the WHO questionnaire (World Health Organization Quality of Life 100 - WHOQOL-100), WHO-BREF-26 was used to assess quality of life (World Health Organization, 2012). Results: The indicators of quality of life of the subjects did not improve in a statistically significant way after physically energetic activities – exercise, swimming and Nordic walking. The indicators of physical capacity of the subjects improved in a statistically significant way after physically energetic activities. The three-month exercise increased hand muscle strength and body composition, swimming activity increased hand muscle strength, upper body flexibility and motor system performance indicators, Nordic walking statistically significantly improved upper body flexibility. Conclusions: Different physical activity activities significantly improve different components of physicalcapacity. Keywords: physical activity, elderly people, physical capacity.

Background. Negative health-related behaviours among young adults are common worldwide. Most of young males are physically inactive, have poor diets, drink a lot of alcohol or smoke, and such behavior causes physical and mental health disorders (Aubert et al., 2018). Nowadays more mental health problems are diagnosed among young people than a decade. Researchers are trying to determine the causes of harmful behaviour in adults, but the impact of previous physical education on further health-related behaviours in adults has not been studied. Methods. Physical activity, alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking was evaluated according to the 2008 US Department of Defense Survey of Health Related Behaviours (Bray et al., 2009). Adherence to a healthy eating pattern was evaluated using the Mediterranean diet adherence screener (MEDAS). Psychological distress was assessed using the six-item Kessler scale (Kessler et al., 2003). Results. Nearly half of young adults were physically inactive, ate poorly, had harmful habits, one of ten had high psychological distress. Two thirds of the respondents participated in sports in childhood, 61% of young people liked the physical education lessons, 44% of them attended every PE lesson. Lower distress was significantly associated with better nutrition, higher physical activity, lower alcohol consumption, and smoking. Also, significant associations were found between higher alcohol consumption and more frequent smoking. Higher incomes, younger age, better perception and attendance of PE classes in the past, active lifestyle in childhood and adulthood are the predictive factors of more favourable health-related behaviours and better mental health. Conclusions. Harmful health-related behaviours are prevalent among young adults, one of tenth has high psychological distress. Although the majority of young adults were active in childhood, the percentage of active adults decreases significantly. More favourable health-related behaviours are related to less distress. Better economic status, better PE experiences in childhood, sports activities in adulthood lead to better health-related behaviours and less distress. Keywords: young adults, health-related behaviours, mental health, physical education.

Background. It is predicted that in 2060, the number of elderly people in Lithuania (62 and over years of age) will be 31.2% (Tamutienė & Naujanienė, 2013). The maintenance of stable posture requires particular attention because it gets more difficult to sustain it while doing multiple moves at the same time when you are getting older (Woo, Davids, Liukkonen, Chow, & Jaakkola, 2017). The aim of the study was to determine the importance of physical activity for the interplay of motor and cognitive functions in elderly people. Methods. Evaluation of static equilibrium by posturographic method, evaluation of cognitive functions, statistical analysis. Results. The results of the physically active and inactive research subjects were statistically significant (p = .043) in memory task with the eyes closed and in a simple position. A statistically significant difference in the sway velocity (Vsc) between the physical activity groups with eyes closed in simple position was also observed (p = .044). Double task with eyes closed resulted in worse balance performance. Conclusions. 1. Physical activity did not affect the motor function of the elderly. There were no differences between the physically active and inactive subjects in the assessed behavioral indices. 2. Physical activity did not affect the cognitive functions of the elderly. All elderly subjects were equally mistaken in their cognitive memory task. 3. The motor functions of the physically active elderly are controlled statistically significantly better when performing additional cognitive tasks than those of the physically inactive ones. Keywords: balance, elderly, physical activity.

Background. Mood disorders affect the quality of life and functional abilities in older people. The elderly are often physically inactive, suffering from chronic diseases. It is not clear if physical exercise improves quality of life and motor function in patients with depressive and anxiety symptoms. The aim. To determine the impact of physical exercise on depression and anxiety symptoms, quality of life and muscle strength in the elderly. Methods. Eighteen individuals over 60 years of age were studied. Subjects were evaluated before and after physical exercise interventions using the following assessment methods: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale; Short version of the WHO Quality of Life Questionnaire WHOQOL-BREF; Manual muscle testing. Results. Subjects had decreased scores for depression, anxiety, and general psychoemotional area, improved quality of life scores in all areas, and improved muscle strength in all groups studied. The percentage change after exercise intervention was better in functional movements in those who rated their physical health worse before exercise. The percentage change in subjects who rated psychological health better before physical exercise intervention was better in the area of anxiety and overall psychoemotional status than in those who rated it worse. In the area of social relations, the percentage change did not differ between the groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion. After eight weeks of physical exercise intervention in the elderly, depression and anxiety rates were reduced, and quality of life and motor functions were improved in the subjects. Keywords. Physical exercise, depression and anxiety, the elderly, quality of life, motor functions.

Background. Healthy lifestyle skills instilled in childhood remain into adulthood. Parental physical activity skills are directly related to their children’s physical activity which strengthens their children’s physical fitness. The aim of the study was to determine and evaluate the relationship between parents’ and children’s physical activity and to evaluate the links between children’s physical activity and physical fitness. Methods. The study involved 486 primary school children aged 7 to 10 years (240 boys and 241 girls) and their parents from Kaunas district. The study was conducted in 2018 in Kaunas district schools. Parental physical activity was assessed using Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire-GLTEQ (Godin & Shephard, 1985). Physical activity of primary school children was assessed by submitting a questionnaire to parents developed by researchers Bacardi-Gascón, Reveles-Roy, Woodward-Lopez, Crawford, and Jiménez-Cruz (2012). Schoolchildren’s physical fitness was assessed by 9 physical fitness tests (Fjørtoft, Pedersen, Sigmundsson, & Vereijken, 2011). Results. Having assessed the physical activity of children according to WHO (2010) recommendations, we found that the vast majority of the surveyed children (93.6% of boys and 86.3 of girls) were physically active, i.e. they engaged in physical activity for more than 1 hour during the day. Comparing the schoolchildren’s physical fitness by gender we found that boys were more physically fit than girls when performing long jumps, two-legged jumps, throwing a tennis ball, and running for six minutes (p < .05). Comparing the results of schoolchildren’s physical fitness by grades (Table 3), we observed that the older children were, the more physically fit they were. Correlation analysis of the research results showed a statistically significant direct relationship between father’s and mother’s physical activity (r = .487, p = .0001). A significant relationship was found between the results of children’s physical activity and tennis ball throwing (r = .170, p = .018) and the results of 10 * 5m running tests (r = –.150, p = .019). Higher physical activity was directly associated with better scores on these tests. Conclusion. Schoolchildren’s and their parents’ physical activity has no relation with schoolchildren’s physical fitness. Keywords: healthy, lifestyle, physical activity, physical fitness.

Background. Constantly accelerating pace of life, heavy workloads, and new technologies coming into our lives lead to mental health problems - stress, anxiety, and depression, which causes uncontrollable physical health problems. The relationship between individual PA domains and physical activity intensity in middle-aged individuals as well as their psycho-emotional status have not been sufficiently explored. The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between psycho-emotional state and physical activity levels in middle-aged people. Methods. The epidemiological method was chosen for the study. The chosen method of data collection was an anonymous questionnaire survey. Results. Assessing the psycho-emotional state of the subjects, we found that 17.8% of women and men studied were experiencing stress. More women (45%) than men (27.5%) experienced nervous tension, and more men (25.5%) than women (13.7%) experienced stress. High levels of physical activity were found in more than 2/3 of the subjects (73.5%). The distributions of women and men did not differ much according to the level of physical activity (74.3, 72.0%). Conclusion. A higher level of physical activity was associated with a better assessment of nervous tension and stress – more physically active individuals experience less nervous tension and stress. People who spent more time sitting on weekdays and at weekends experienced more nervous tension and stress. Keywords: physical activity levels, psychoemotional state, sedentary lifestyle, physically active lifestyle, nervous tension and stress.

Background. An international study of health literacy among European citizens has shown that 47% of Europeans lack health literacy (Sørensen et al., 2015). Participation in physical activity is associated with health literacy. According to Matsushita, Harada, and Arao (2018), people with a lack of health literacy are less engaged in physical activity. The aim of this study was to evaluate health literacy, physical activity, motivation of people aged 30 to 50 years and barriers to be physically active, so that in the future more effective measures for improving health literacy and promotion of physical activity could be developed. Methods. To collect data, questionnaire survey was applied. Results. Health literacy statistically significantly differed between age and physical activity groups (p < .05). However, there was no statistically significant difference as far as education is concerned (p > .05). There was also a statistically significant (p < .05) relationship between health literacy and physical activity as well as health literacy and motives, namely, enjoyment, competence, appearance, and fitness. The reverse relationship was found between health literacy and internal-external barriers. Conclusions. Forty- fifty-year-olds and physically active individuals had a higher level of health literacy. There was no statistically significant difference in education. A statistically significant relationship between health literacy and physical activity among people aged 30–50 years was identified.

Research background. There are up to 60 percent of community dwelling elderly people which experience falls due to cognitive impairment. It also affects the motor function, especially the balance control. In everyday life, it is often necessary to perform several motor and cognitive tasks at the same time, therefore, the relationship between the risk of falling and cognitive function is very close. A very noticeable change in cognitive function can lead to inappropriate decision making, attention disturbances, which can increase the risk of falls. The aim of the research. To assess the interaction between community dwelling elderly people balance control and cognitive functions. Methods. The evaluation of static balance using “Kistler” platform, the evaluation of dynamic balance with the “Timed Up & Go” test, dual task method. Results. The results showed that the maintenance of static balance deteriorated while performing a cognitive task at the same time in community dwelling people. Dynamic balance control also deteriorated in elderly people while performing a cognitive task, and the subjects went slower 3 meters under such conditions. A cognitive task signifcantly prolonged “Timed Up & Go” test results of dynamic balance. A signifcant interaction between static and dynamic balance control was found while performing a cognitive task. Conclusions. 1) static balance control of the community dwelling elderly people statistically signifcantly deteriorated while performing cognitive task, without visual feedback and also in romberg’s standing position; 2) dynamic balance control of the community dwelling elderly people statistically signifcantly deteriorated while performing cognitive task; 3) a statistically signifcant direct relation was found between static and dynamic balance behaviour while performing a cognitive task in both cases, the balance control is deteriorating. Keywords: balance control, older age, static balance, dynamic balance.

Tyrimo tikslas ― įvertinti amžiaus ir fi zinio aktyvumo poveikį kojų raumenų funkcinei būklei ir pusiausvyrai. Ti- riamosios ― skirtingo amžiaus moterys. I grupė — amžiaus vidurkis 24,5 ± 5,5 m. (n = 15), kūno masės indeksas (KMI) — 20,4 ± 2,4; II grupė — amžiaus vidurkis 44,5 ± 3,5 m. (n = 15); KMI — 25,4 ± 3,9; III grupė — amžiaus vidurkis 72,5 ± 7,5 m. (n = 15); KMI — 25,5 ± 2,9. Buvo atlikti trys funkcinės būklės vertinimo testai: atsistojimų nuo kėdės testas (Rikli, Jones, 1999), „Stotis ir eiti“ testas (Rikli, Jones, 1999), blauzdos raumenų ištvermės testas (Markon et al., 1992; Gaigalienė, 1999). Pusiausvyros tyrimo metu buvo taikyta statinė posturografi ja. Naudota se- rijinės gamybos jėgos platforma ir kompiuterinė įranga signalams registruoti (KISTLER, Šveicarija, Slimline System 9286). III grupės tiriamųjų pasirengimas atlikti fi zinį krūvį vertintas pagal PAR-Q klausimyną, o jų fi zinis aktyvumas nustatytas pagal RAPA anketą (Topolski et al., 2006). Tyrimo rezultatų analizei atlikti taikyta dispersinė analizė. Tiriamųjų požymių vidurkio reikšmingumas tarp grupių buvo tikrinamas Tukey Post Hoc testu. Ištyrus III grupės tiriamųjų funkcinę būklę paaiškėjo, kad fi zinis aktyvumas nepaveikė vyresnio amžiaus moterų „Stotis ir eiti“ testo atlikimo greičio ir kojų raumenų jėgos. Fiziškai aktyvių tirtųjų moterų blauzdų raumenų ištvermė buvo statistiškai patikimai (p < 0,01) didesnė nei fi ziškai neaktyvių tiriamųjų. Skirtingo amžiaus tiriamųjų funkcinės būklės testų rezultatai skyrėsi statistiškai patikimai. Vyresnio amžiaus tiriamųjų „Stotis ir eiti“ testo atlikimo greitis buvo statistiškai patikimai didesnis (p < 0,01) nei jaunesnio amžiaus ir viduti- nio amžiaus tiriamųjų. Jaunesnio amžiaus tiriamųjų kojų raumenų jėga statistiškai patikimai didesnė už vidutinio (p < 0,05) ir vyresnio amžiaus (p < 0,01) tiriamųjų kojų raumenų jėgą. Jaunesnio amžiaus tiriamųjų blauzdos rau- menų ištvermė statistiškai patikimai didesnė už vidutinio (p < 0,05) ir vyresnio amžiaus (p < 0,01) tiriamųjų. Atlikus statinės posturografi jos rezultatų analizę nustatytas neigiamas amžiaus poveikis tiriamųjų pusiausvyrai. Tre- čios grupės tiriamųjų kūno slėgio centro (SC) svyravimai į šonus (dx) statistiškai reikšmingai didesni (p < 0,05) nei pirmos grupės tiriamųjų. Pirmos grupės tiriamųjų SC svyravimai pirmyn — atgal (dy) statistiškai patikimai mažesni nei trečios (p < 0,01) ir antros grupės tiriamųjų (p < 0,05). Tyrimo rezultatai parodė aiškias amžiaus, tiriamųjų kojų raumenų funkcinės būklės ir pusiausvyros sąsajas. Fiziškai aktyvių vyresnio amžiaus tiriamųjų blauzdų raumenų ištvermė buvo didesnė nei fi ziškai neaktyvių tiriamųjų, tačiau pusiausvyros ir kojų raumenų jėgos fi zinis aktyvumas nepaveikė. Didėjant amžiui, tiriamųjų kojų raumenų funkcinė būklė ir pusiausvyra blogėjo. Raktažodžiai: raumenų funkcinė būklė, pusiausvyra, fizinis aktyvumas.

Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklos bendrosiose programose ir išsilavinimo standartuose teigiama, kad sėkminga šiuolaikinės kūno kultūros sklaida neįmanoma be sveikos gyvensenos žinių. Kūno kultūros mokytojo veikla glaudžiai susijusi su sveikatos ugdymu, o asmeninė kompetencija turi didžiulį ugdomąjį poveikį. Taigi kyla probleminis klausi- mas, ar kūno kultūros mokytojai, ugdydami moksleivių sveiką gyvenseną, patys gyvena vadovaudamiesi sveikatingumo kriterijais. Tyrimo tikslas — ištirti kūno kultūros mokytojų mitybą ir fi zinį aktyvumą. Tiriamąją imtį sudarė 320 kūno kultūros mokytojų (184 vyrai ir 136 moterys), atsitiktinai parinktų iš Lietuvos bendrojo lavinimo mokyklų. Tiriamųjų amžiaus vidurkis — 42,5 ± 21,5 metų. Anketinės apklausos metodu buvo tirta kūno kultūros mokytojų mityba ir fi zinis aktyvu- mas. Apklausos metu naudota Respublikos mitybos centro ir Pasaulinės Sveikatos Organizacijos 1997—1998 metais atlikto Lietuvos žmonių gyvensenos ir faktiškos mitybos tyrimo anketa (Kadziauskienė ir kt., 1999). Tyrimo rezultatai išreikšti procentais. Duomenys statistiškai reikšmingi, jei paklaidos tikimybė p < 0,05. Statistinis ryšys vertintas taikant chi kvadrato kriterijų (χ 2). Tyrimas parodė, kad kūno kultūros mokytojai nepakankamai dažnai vartoja šviežių ir virtų daržovių. Šviežias daržoves moterys valgo dažniau nei vyrai. Daugiau nei pusės tirtų kūno kultūros mokytojų pagrindinis maisto produktų pasirin- kimo kriterijus — skoninės savybės. Kūno kultūros mokytojos dažniau nei vyrai vartoja vitaminus ir maisto papildus. Tirti mokytojai vartoja per daug druskos. Pusė visų tirtų kūno kultūros mokytojų vartoja mineralizuotą druską. 39% kūno kultūros mokytojų vyrų ir 35% moterų vartoja gėrimui netinkamą vandenį. Beveik visi tirti mokytojai maistui gaminti vartoja augalinį aliejų, tačiau didžioji dauguma nesilaiko mitybos režimo, užkandžiauja tarp pagrindinių valgymų. Antsvorį turėjo tik 22% tirtų kūno kultūros mokytojų vyrų ir 7% moterų. Kūno kultūros mokytojų fi zinis aktyvumas didesnis nei kitų suaugusių Lietuvos gyventojų. 60% tiriamųjų mano, kad jų tiesioginis darbas yra vidutiniškai sunkus. Laisvalaikiu fi ziškai aktyvesni tirti kūno kultūros mokytojai vyrai nei moterys. 85% apklaustų kūno kultūros mokytojų vyrų ir 75% moterų laisvalaikiu mankštinasi. Raktažodžiai: kūno kultūra, mityba, fizinis aktyvumas.

Bėgant metams ir dėl ligų sutrinka įvairių žmogaus fi ziologinių sistemų prisitaikymo gebėjimai, mažėja stabilumas. Visgi žmogaus organizme kur kas daugiau raumenų masės, neuroninių schemų ir hormonų atsargų, nei reikia išgy- venimui. Šios fi ziologinės atsargos leidžia išlaikyti pusiausvyrą senstant ir ligų metu (Lipsitz, 2004). Pusiausvyros, vienos iš fi ziologinių sistemų, sutrikimas nustatomas tiriamuosius testuojant funkciniais testais arba instrumentiniais pusiausvyros tyrimo metodais (Juodžbalienė, 2006). Vienas dažniausių pusiausvyros vertinimo būdų — statinė postu- rografi ja. Pusiausvyros svyravimų kaitą vertinant netiesinės dinamikos metodais galima nustatyti jų kompleksiškumą (Pincus, 1991). Tyrimo tikslas — išsiaiškinti, kaip amžius veikia pusiausvyros sistemą taikant netiesinės dinamikos metodus kūno slėgio centro (SC) svyravimų kompleksiškumui apibūdinti. Tikslui pasiekti instrumentiniu pusiausvyros tyrimo būdu (posturografi jos metodu) buvo tirtos 45 trijų skirtingo amžiaus (amžiaus vidurkis: 24,5 ± 5,5; 44,5 ± 3,5; 72,5 ± 7,5 m.) grupių moterys. Tiriamosioms ramiai stovint ant jėgos plokštės, buvo registruojami kūno slėgio centro (SC) svyravimai į šonus ir pirmyn—atgal kryptimis. Kūno slėgio centro svyravimų trajektorijos kompleksiškumas vertintas skaičiuojant du dydžius — imties entropiją (SampEn) ir spektro galios tankio priklausomumą nuo dažnio (SpectrSl). Rezultatai parodė, kad bėgant metams kūno svyravimų amplitudė ramiai stovint didėja. Vyresnio amžiaus tiriamųjų svyravimų į šonus ir pirmyn—atgal amplitudė statistiškai patikimai didesnė (p < 0,05) nei jaunesnio amžiaus res- pondenčių. Vertinant pusiausvyros sistemos elgsenos kompleksiškumą nustatyta, kad vyresnio amžiaus tiriamųjų SC svyravimų į šonus SampEn reikšmė statistiškai reikšmingai mažesnė (p < 0,01) nei jaunesnio amžiaus tiriamųjų. SC svyravimų pirmyn—atgal kryptimi SampEn reikšmė vyresnio amžiaus tiriamųjų statistiškai reikšmingai mažesnė (p < 0,01) nei vidutinio ir jaunesnio amžiaus tiriamųjų. Nustatyta, kad vyresnio amžiaus tiriamųjų SC svyravimų pirmyn—atgal SpectrSl reikšmė statistiškai reikšmingai didesnė (p ≤ 0,05) nei jaunesnio ir vidutinio amžiaus tiria- mųjų. Didėjant amžiui, ramiai stovint kūno slėgio centro svyravimų trajektorijos kompleksiškumas mažėja, t. y. svyravimai reguliarėja ir lėtėja. Taikant netiesinės dinamikos metodus galima įvairiapusiškiau ištirti žmonių motorinių sistemų funkcijų kaitą. Raktažodžiai: amžius, pusiausvyra, reguliarumas, kompleksiškumas.

Research background and hypothesis. Nordic Walking is a form of physical activity which is rapidly gaining its popularity and is suitable for people of various ages and health conditions. We hypothesized that after 12 weeks of Nordic Walking exercises elderly people would experience certain changes, including increased flexibility of the lumbar spine area, increased strength endurance of the lower limbs, better aerobic endurance, decreased proportional fat mass. Research aim was to determine and asses the influence of Nordic Walking on the physical capability of elderly people. Research methods. The study included 41 subjects (11 men and 30 women): their average age was 65 ± 5 years. Physical activity of the subjects was evaluated according to their physical activity level and intensity evaluation questionnaire (RAPA). In order to determine physical fitness of the subjects we performed calf endurance test based on P. Mark and S. Tremblay’s (1992) proposed methodology, lumbar spine flexibility was evaluated by the “sit- reach” test, spirometry, aerobic endurance test. The subjects performed Nordic Walking training sessions two times a week. The duration of the study was 12 weeks. Research results. The people who engaged in the Nordic Walking practice sessions showed improved indicators of aerobic endurance, smaller body mass and lower ratio of waist/hip sizes. The flexibility of the lumbar spine area increased for the people who had been physical inactive. Discussion and conclusions. Nordic Walking holds a positive impact on the physical capability of elderly people. Engagement in the Nordic Walking exercises has a more obvious effect on the physical capability of the people who are less physically active than of the people who are more physically active. Keywords: physical activity, training, aging.

Vaizdinė grįžtamoji informacija labai svarbi žmogaus judesių valdymo procese, ypač izometrinių raumens susitrauki- mų metu. Vaizdinės grįžtamosios informacijos pagrindinis uždavinys judesių valdymo procese yra kuo greičiau kore- guoti jėgos dydį ir sumažinti judesio atlikimo laiką, kaitumą. Atliekant judesį be grįžtamosios informacijos, pailgėja jo atlikimo laikas. Vyresniojo amžiaus tarpsniu tai gali sukelti eisenos sutrikimų ir padidinti griuvimo riziką. Šio tyrimo tikslas — nustatyti grįžtamosios informacijos poveikį skirtingo amžiaus moterų pėdos lenkimo ir tiesimo judesių kaitumui ir tikslumui. Buvo tiriama 30 sveikų skirtingo amžiaus moterų. 1 grupė — amžiaus vidurkis 70 ± 5 m. (n = 15), 2 grupė — amžiaus vidurkis 25 ± 5 m. (n = 15). Tiriamosios buvo testuojamos žmogaus kaulų ir raumenų testavimo bei reabilitacijos aparatūra „Biodex Medical System 3“. Jos atliko dešinės pėdos izometrinį lenkimo ir tiesimo judesį suteikiant grįž- tamąją informaciją ir be jos. Judesio tikslumas ir kaitumas buvo skaičiuojamas pagal R. A. Shmidt, T. D. Lee (1999) ir R. A. Magill (2007) pasiūlytą metodiką. Rezultatai parodė, kad visų tiriamųjų maksimaliosios valingos jėgos momentas lenkiant pėdą yra statistiškai reikš- mingai (p < 0,001) didesnis nei ją tiesiant. Jaunesniojo amžiaus tiriamųjų maksimaliosios valingos jėgos momentas lenkiant pėdą yra statistiškai reikšmingai (p < 0,05) didesnis nei vyresniojo amžiaus tiriamųjų. Atliekant pėdos lenkimo ir tiesimo judesius be grįžtamosios informacijos, visų tiriamųjų judesių tikslumas sumažėjo statistiškai reikšmingai (p < 0,05). Vyresniojo amžiaus tiriamųjų pėdos lenkimo ir tiesimo judesių tikslumas statistiškai reikšmingai (p < 0,05) mažesnis nei jaunesniojo amžiaus tiriamųjų. Visų tiriamųjų pėdos lenkimo judesių kaitumui grįžtamoji informacija statistiškai reikšmingo poveikio neturėjo. Atliekant pėdos tiesimo judesius be grįžtamosios informacijos, visų tiriamųjų judesių kaitumas statistiškai patikimai (p < 0,05) padidėjo. Lenkiant ir tiesiant pėdą jaunesnės tiriamosios statistiškai reikšmingai (p < 0,05) tikslesnės nei vyresniojo amžiaus. Raktažodžiai: senėjimas, judesių valdymas, tikslumas, kaitumas.

Background. The effectiveness of outpatient mobile laser intervention on specific treatment goals has not been fully explored. Thus, the aim of the study was to examine the effect of orthopaedic knee brace with laser on knee joint function, pain and swelling. Methods. Volunteers were divided into two experimental groups: chronic pain (n = 20, knee pain > 6 months) and acute pain (n = 20, knee pain < 1 week), and one control (n = 20, placebo) group. Subjects in all groups were immobilized in a knee brace for 4 weeks. In addition, the experimental groups underwent low-intensity laser therapy, whereas control group underwent pseudo-laser therapy, every second day for 10 min. The sequences of the tests were as follows: (a) clinical assessments and evaluation of knee extension and flexion amplitude, swelling, Lysholm subjective assessment questionnaire, VAS pain scale, (b) evaluation of balance using Kistler platform, (c) muscle peak torque and isometric torque variability assessment using isokinetic dynamometry. All tests were performed twice - before and after intervention. Results. Knee brace with laser is effective treatment for the reduction of pain, swelling, and recovering of daily functions (p < .05). Operation of the complex device is particularly effective in treating knee pain in the acute period (p < .05). Conclusions. Knee brace with laser therapy in the rehabilitation period ensures faster healing of patients compared to wearing only knee brace, particularly in acute pain, while muscle strength and proprioception remains depressed. Keywords: mobile laser therapy, range of motion, swelling, muscle strength, proprioception.

Background. Physical fitness in childhood is a marker of health as it reflects the functional status of most the body functions involved in the performance of daily physical activity and/or physical exercise. Measurement and monitoring of these indicators of health beginning from early age is of highest importance. So, the aim of this study is to examine physical fitness in primary school children and test the validity of physical fitness test battery . Methods. A sample of 415 children participated in the study. Physical fitness was measured by the 9-item test battery (Fjørtoft et al., 2011). ANOVA results show that indicators of physical fitness differ across age. In general, older children are more physically fit than the younger ones. Mastering preschool and primary school children’s physical fitness evaluation techniques will allow monitoring the changes in physical fitness in the course of the school year in different age groups. Results. In this study we presented the baseline data of a longitudinal study of 7–10-year-old children in Lithuanian schools. We found a development of achievements in physical functional physical activity across age, the 9–10 years olds being the fittest. We found a pronounced gap in the performance between the age groups of 8–9 years, while the 7–8-year-olds seemed to be more even in their functional fitness competency. The same achievement pattern also was characteristic of boys and girls. Gender differences were found in one test item only (throwing tennis ball), which was explained by different play cultures in boys and girls. Conclusion. Our results indicate a stronger focus on the modernization of physical education programs for children in this age group, particularly for the 8-year-olds. The PE programs should be based on a multivariate sample of basic motor skills of all ages aiming at developing the children’s overall functional physical fitness. Keywords: functional fitness; primary schoolchildren; physical activity.

Background. To obtain changes in postural control the method of static posturography is usually used. The analysis of posturogram lets us determine the character of these changes, presumes that the body balance complexity, which is expressed in body coordinates of the centre of pressure variation, is less in multiple sclerosis patients than in healthy women. This study aimed at determining the effect of multiple sclerosis on changes in balance control of patients. Methods. Twelve women with multiple sclerosis (mean age – 43.0 ± 5.5 years, body mass index – 24.7 ± 4.2 kg/m 2 ) and 15 healthy women (mean age – 44.5 ± 3.5 years, body mass index – 25.5 ± 2.9 kg/m 2 ) were included in this study. The balance of subjects was assessed applying the method of static posturography. We calculated changes in the coordinates of the centre of body pressure displacement in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions. To assess changes in the displacement of the centre of body pressure in the lateral and anterior-posterior directions two characteristics of advanced signal processing methods, i.e. sample entropy and the index of spectral power dependence on frequency were calculated. Results and conclusion. Traditional posturogram analysis does not show statistically significant changes between women with multiple sclerosis and healthy women. The results of the study, applying advanced signal processing methods, have shown that the complexity of the centre of body pressure displacement of women with multiple sclerosis is statistically significantly smaller compared to that of the healthy women studied. This may be a prerequisite for better rehabilitation of stroke control. Keywords: multiple sclerosis, posture control, assesement of posture.

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