Prevalence of upper extremity pain and disability in elite football, ice hockey and floorball players

In athletes, injuries and medical conditions affecting the upper extremities are quite common. However, there has been limited research on the occurrence of joint pain in the peripheral upper extremities among elite athletes. Thus, this study aimed to determine how prevalent upper limb pain and disability are among team sports players, particularly in football, ice hockey and floorball. We also aimed to compare the severity of pain and disability among these sports and assess the risk of developing upper limb pain in athletes. This cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2021 and September 2022, involving 388 male elite athletes from national-level sports clubs. The prevalence of shoulder pain and disability was determined using the Shoulder Pain and Disability Index (SPI). Assessment of elbow pain and disability was conducted using the Oxford Elbow Score (OES), while wrist pain and disability were evaluated through the Patient-Rated Wrist Evaluation (PRWE). Significant differences in total SPI, OES and PRWE scores were observed among all groups. Ice hockey players experienced the highest levels of shoulder and wrist pain. Compared to football and floorball players, ice-hockey players had a 2.13 times higher risk of shoulder pain, with a pain incidence of 40.8%. Ice hockey also had a 1.71 times higher risk of wrist pain than football, with a pain prevalence of 26.3%. Notably, floorball players exhibited the most pronounced elbow pain, with a 13.18-fold higher risk than football and ice-hockey players and a pain prevalence of 67.2%. The study findings suggest that ice hockey players experience the highest pain levels in their right limbs, whereas football players have the lowest pain levels, underscoring the importance of dedicating more attention to developing innovative, effective and advanced preventive programs for athletes

Current Situation in Teaching Physical Education at Universities in the Slovak Republic

The aim of the study was to draw an accurate picture of the current situation in teaching physical education at universities in the Slovak Republic. The authors seek further ways of sustaining and developing it as a prerequisite for a healthy lifestyle of the university population. The analysis confirmed that technical universities in Slovakia show a substantially more positive approach towards physical education in their curriculum than social and natural sciences universities. Of the 105 monitored faculties of public universities, physical education is listed as a compulsory subject at 13 out of 27 faculties of technical universities and only at 9 out of 78 faculties with a humanities focus. Physical edu- cation is present at every faculty of technical universities in our research; the situation is much less favorable at all other universities, where as many as 45 faculties do not offer physical education in their curriculum. Among them are faculties that educate future primary and secondary school teachers. We further found that directly affiliated university departments of Physical Education have a better chance of maintaining sport and physical activity at university, whether as compulsory part of the higher education curricula or as extracurricular optional sporting activities

Обізнаність хворих з метаболічними порушеннями про роль фізичної активності в контексті їх захворювання

Non-communicable chronic diseases, including metabolic diseases, represent a major cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Regular physical activity is considered a crucial component of improving the health condition of people suffering from metabolic diseases. Prescription of physical activity by the general physician or other medical specialist can influence patientsˈ behaviour in a significant way. Objective: To get acquainted with the fulfilment of recommendations for performing physical activities by patients with metabolic diseases. Methods: The study group consisted of 407 patients diagnosed with some of the metabolic diseases. One of the important criteria for inclusion in the study was the fact that the diagnosis did not prevent performance of physical activity. To obtain the research data we used the questionnaire method - a questionnaire compiled for the needs of this particular research. Results: Patients involved in our study, in the prevention and treatment of their health problems, put particular emphasis on nutrition and eating habits. In terms of priorities, physical activity is only ranking third in this respect. The vast majority of patients involved in the study had been informed about the importance of purposeful physical activity by physicians; however, nearly half of the patients admitted their lack of willingness to carry out any form of it. The most common activities that patients undertake are domestic chores and walks. Conclusions: The data obtained suggest that some patients are not sufficiently physically active, a number of them are not even aware of the role and importance of physical activity in the treatment of their disease. There are even patients who do not consider such information relevant. This study was supported by Grant project 1/0825/17 «Recommendations for physical activities in prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and their implementation in the eastern part of Slovakia», implemented at Pavol Jozef Šafárik University in Košice.Неинфекционные хронические заболевания, включая метаболические заболевания, является главной причиной заболеваемости и смертности во всем мире. Регулярные физические нагрузки считаются важнейшим компонентом улучшения состояния здоровья людей, страдающих метаболическими заболеваниями. Назначение физической нагрузки врачом общей практики или другим медицинским специалистом может существенно повлиять на поведение пациентов. Цель: ознакомиться с выполнением рекомендаций по выполнению физических нагрузок у пациентов с обменными заболеваниями. Методы. Исследовательская группа состояла из 407 пациентов с диагнозом некоторых метаболических забо­леваний. Одним из важных критериев для включения в исследование было то, что диагноз не мешал выполнять физические нагрузки. Для получения данных об исследовании мы использовали метод анкетирования - анкету, составленную для нужд этого конкретного исследования. Результаты. Пациенты, принимающие участие в нашем исследовании, в профилактике и лечении своих проблем со здоровьем, делают особый акцент на пита­нии и пищевых привычках. По приоритетам физическая активность занимает лишь третье место в этом плане. Подавляющее большинство пациентов, участвовавших в исследовании, были проинформированы о важности целенаправленных физических нагрузок врачами; однако почти половина пациентов признали отсутствие го­товности выполнять любую ее форму. Наиболее распространенными видами деятельности, которыми занима­ются пациенты, есть домашние дела и прогулки. Выводы. Полученные данные говорят о том, что некоторые пациенты недостаточно физически активны, а ряд из них даже не осознает роль и значение физических нагрузок в лечении своей болезни. Даже есть пациенты, которые не считают такую информацию актуальной. Это исследование было поддержано грантовым проектом 1/0825/17 «Рекомендации по физическим занятиям по профилактике и борьбе с незаразными заболеваниями и их реализацией в восточной части Словакии», реали­зованным в университете Павла Юзефа Шафарика в Кошице.Неінфекційні хронічні захворювання, включаючи мета­болічні захворювання, є головною причиною захворюваності та смертності в усьому світі. Регулярні фізичні навантаження вважаються найважливішим компонентом покращення стану здоров’я людей, які страждають на метаболічні захворювання. Призначення фізичного навантаження лікарем загальної практики або іншим медичним фахівцем може суттєво вплинути на поведінку пацієнтів. Мета: ознайомитись з виконанням рекомендацій щодо виконання фізичних навантажень пацієнтами з обмінними захворюваннями. Методи. До­слідницька група складалася з 407 пацієнтів з діагнозом деяких метаболічних захворювань. Одним з важливих критеріїв для включення в дослідження було те, що діагноз не заважав виконувати фізичні навантаження. Для отримання даних про дослідження ми використовували метод анкетування − анкету, складену для потреб цього конкретного дослідження. Результати. Пацієнти, які беруть участь у нашому дослідженні, у профілактиці та лікуванні своїх проблем зі здоров’ям, роблять особливий акцент на харчуванні та харчових звичках. За пріо­ритетами фізична активність займає лише третє місце в цьому плані. Переважна більшість пацієнтів, які брали участь у дослідженні, були проінформовані про важливість цілеспрямованих фізичних навантажень лікарями; однак майже половина пацієнтів визнали відсутність готовності виконувати будь-яку її форму. Найпошире­нішими видами діяльності, якими займаються пацієнти, є домашні справи та прогулянки. Висновки. Отримані дані говорять про те, що деякі пацієнти недостатньо фізично активні, а ряд із них навіть не усвідомлює роль та значення фізичних навантажень у лікуванні своєї хвороби. Навіть є пацієнти, які не вважають таку інформацію актуальною. Це дослідження було підтримано грантовим проектом 1/0825/17 «Рекомендації щодо фізичних занять по профілактиці та боротьбі з незаразними захворюваннями та їх реалізацією у східній частині Словаччини», реалізованим в університеті Павола Юзефа Шафарика в Кошице

Dietary Habits of Female University Students in Eastern Slovakia in the Context of Sports Activity

(1) Background: The aim of the research was to expand the current knowledge about the diets of female university students in relation to the frequency of their sports activity (SA). We were specifically interested in the eating frequency, the distribution of the amount of food during the day, including breakfast in the diet, and the timing of dinner before bedtime. (2) Methods: The sample in this cross-sectional research consisted of 1055 female freshmen university students from the two universities in eastern Slovakia. Data were obtained through a set of selected questions from a questionnaire battery. (3) Results: We found a significant rank–order correlation between the frequency of meals during the day and the level of SA, as well as between the consumption of breakfast and SA. Furthermore, we found a significant indirect dependence on the distribution of meals during the day and SA. The results indicate a better dietary pattern of the more active female students in terms of the frequency of meals. (4) Conclusions: “The healthy behaviour”, which includes proper diet and regular SA, was monitored in the cross-sectional research we conducted, the results of which consistently point to opportunities for further improvement. There is a need for universities to develop professionally targeted programmes that will enable novice students to modify their health behaviours during their studies

Association between Educational Level and Physical Activity in Chronic Disease Patients of Eastern Slovakia

Aims: This study aimed to investigate selected chronic diseases patients with different educational attainment regarding their awareness of and compliance with recommended physical activity. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to February 2019 in cooperation with chronic diseases clinics in eastern Slovakia. The study involved 893 patients. Results: People with higher education apparently recognise to a greater extent the importance of nutrition, diet, and the role of physical activity in treating their disease. Moreover, they have knowledge of physical exercises appropriate for their disease. Conversely, a noticeably higher number of less educated patients reported receiving general, respectively detailed information about the importance of physical activity in treating their disease. Differences in awareness of appropriate exercises and their implementation were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The results fail to prove educational attainment being a key determinant of chronic diseases. However, it can be reasonably argued that lower educational attainment may be a reliable risk signal of chronic diseases in later life

Program of Movement Activity for Seniors

Lack of exercise reduces the necessary stimuli for the optimal psychosomatic development of seniors, which is why a large part of society has a need to participate in organized and planned physical exercises. It is advisable to offer an approach to the movement that would encompass the physical, mental and social spheres of the human being. The aim of the work is to present an offer for a physical activity program for older women. We focus mainly on practical recommendations for physical activity of seniors, emphasizing health and thus their quality of life. Each year, a number of new therapeutic methods and modern forms of treatment are intro-duced that affect the extension of life expectancy and reduce the mortality of older people. The use of more and more new diagnostic methods allows for a more effective diagnosis of older people, which is closely related to determining the appropriate directions of work with this group. New action strategies related to physical exercises present connectivity with the growing health potential. Physical activity as part of a lifestyle is an enrichment of the quality of life, an expression of the culture of man and the culture of society. VEGA Nr. 1/0825/17: Recommendations for physical activities in prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and their implementation in the eastern part of Slovakia.Brak ruchu powoduje redukcję niezbędnych bodźców dla optymalnego spowolnienia procesów inwolucyjnych, dlatego też duża część społeczeństwa ma potrzebę udziału w zorganizowanych i planowanych ćwiczeniach fizycznych. Wskazane jest, aby oferować takie podejście do ru-chu, które by objęło równocześnie sferę fizyczną, psychiczną i socjalną człowieka. Celem pracy jest przedstawienie oferty programu aktywności fizycznej dla kobiet w star-szym wieku. Skupiamy się głównie na praktycznych zaleceniach dotyczących aktywności fizycznej seniorów, kładąc nacisk na zdrowie, a tym samym na ich jakość życia. Każdego roku wprowadza się szereg nowych metod terapeutycznych oraz nowoczesnych form leczenia, które wpływają na przedłużenie życia oraz zmniejszenie śmiertelności u osób w starszym wieku. Korzystanie z coraz nowszych metod diagnostycznych pozwala na skuteczniejszą diagnozę osób starszych, co pozostaje w ścisłym związku z wyznaczaniem odpowiednich kierunków pracy z tą grupą. Nowe strategie działania związane z ćwiczeniami fizycznymi przedstawiają związek z ro-snącym potencjałem zdrowotnym. Aktywność fizyczna jako część stylu życia jest wzbogaceniem jakości życia, wyrazem kultury człowieka i kultury społeczeństwa. VEGA nr. 1/0825/17 pod tytułem: Zalecenia dotyczące aktywności fizycznej dla ryzyko-wych grup i ich realizacji we wschodniej Słowacji

Relationship between diet and body fat percentage in female undergraduates

At the turn of the millennium obesity has become the most common metabolic disease due to changes in life conditions and lifestyle. The rise of overweight and obesity is the result of inadequate energy intake relative to its expense. Only 2 to 5% of all cases of overweight or obesity have objective medical causes. In view of energy balance, equally important to the amount of calories consumed is their distribution throughout the day. Other cases are clearly the result of improper lifestyle. A basic remedy to this condition appears to be an increase in the volume of regular physical activities and the establishment of an active healthy lifestyle. The aim of the research under the grant VEGA No. 1/1343/12 "Selected risk factors of obesity and its physical prevention" was to determine the relationship between selected factors of diet and the amount of body fat in female undergraduates. The study group consisted of female students at P.J. Šafarik University (n=620, average age=20.8 years). We examined the eating habits applying a non-standardized questionnaire compiled by ourselves. We followed the frequency of meals and their regularity, (breakfast, dinner), the time and quantity of the meals consumed in the evening hours. We determined the percentage of body fat using an Omron BF51 scale. We calculated the basic statistical characteristics (arithmetic mean, median). In order to detect statistically significant differences between particular variables, we applied the non-parametric Kruskal - Valis analysis of variance (H - test) and the Man - Whitney U test. Statistically significant differences in the percentage of fat was found in students divided into groups according to their responses regarding the variable "Frequency of meals" (p = 0.023), "Dinner regularity " (p = 0.001) and "Dinner time before bedtime" (p = 0.001). The research results show the importance of diet regularity and its optimal frequency. Especially important is the regularity of dinner, while the last meal should not be consumed later than 2 hours before bedtime

Demographic factors and physical activity of female undergraduates

Introduction: University years play an important role in building healthy lifestyle patterns and attitudes towards physical activity (PA) and sport. Regarding PA, female students are a riskier group than males. The environment can play an important role both as a barrier but also as support for PA. While researching PA in individual population groups, an ecological approach has to be taken into account. The aim of the research was to broaden knowledge about the underlying physical activity of female undergraduates in relation to selected demographic indicators, namely to urban and rural residence, its size in terms of population and the person's current place of residence during her studies. In monitoring PA, we focused on the frequency of sports activity, including exercise. Methods: The cohort of this cross-sectional study consisted of 1.630 female undergraduates from two universities in Eastern Slovakia. The research was carried out as part of the grant-aided VEGA Project No. 1/1343/12 "Selected risk factors of obesity and its prevention through physical activity" addressed by the Institute of Physical Education and Sport at P.J. Šafárik University (UPJŠ) in Košice. Data on frequency and regularity of doing sports, including exercise, during the previous half a year, the place of residence (city/country), population of residence, and the current place of residence during their studies were collected via a set of questions in a survey questionnaire designed for the purposes of the above research study. Data were processed using SPSS 23 software program. To find out the correlation between doing sport activities and selected demographic variables, the Spearman Chi quadrate test and the Cramer coefficient of association were used. Results: Female students of both universities demonstrated low levels of engagement with sport activity and exercise in terms of the frequency and regularity of its performance in a week over the previous half year. We found significant correlation between the frequency of the sports activity by the undergraduates and the place of their permanent residence, with a result favouring city dwellers against the countryside. Paradoxically, there is no significant correlation regarding the number of inhabitants at the place of residence, although we can observe a certain positive tendency in favor of agglomerations with a population of over 50,000. The factor of the current place of residence during university studies proved to be insignificant

Incidence of health problems in relation with BMI and physical activity of college students

Steady decline in habitual physical activity in children and youth has resulted in an increase in body weight with age and a decline in functional ability. Hypokinesia in conjunction with poor diet and stress levels are prerequisites of lifestyle diseases such as cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and obesity. In this partial research, being part of the VEGA research No. 1/1343/12 "Selected risk factors of obesity and exercise prevention", we looked at the incidence of health problems related to BMI and physical activity in college students. We calculated BMI based on anthropometric measurements of body height and weight. Using the questionnaire method, we collected data concerning subjectively assessed incidence of health problems and overall representation of physical activity (PA) in the lifestyle of respondents. The study group comprised 1,963 students, including 1,169 female and 794 male undergraduates from two Slovak universities. Health problems with the largest incidence were back pain, alergy, low blood pressure, headache, palpitation and respiratory diseases. Our research confirms that a greater representation of PA in students' lives positively relates to a lower BMI. The results of logistic regression confirm a significant relation between BMI and the following health problems: back pain, palpitation, high blood pressure, obesity, low blood pressure and respiratory illnesses. PA significantly corresponds with the occurence of health problems related to upper respiratory tract and high blood pressure

Effects of lifestyle on physical health in Slovak university students

Overweight and obesity in childhood and young people represent a large global health problem. Therefore, the main aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of overweight/obesity by body mass index (BMI) and its associated lifestyle factors among university students in Slovakia. The BMI index was examined in relation to nine life factors for both sexes, respectively, in a sample of 200 (108 men and 92 women) young university students from Slovakia. The data were obtained using anthropometric measurements and by means of a questionnaire. The results for BMI values confirmed that both sexes were classified into the “about right” weight category. Analysis of the BMI values and questionnaire data showed different results for both sexes. While the type of daily activity and type of physical activity were associated with greater obesity for men, in women, tobacco intake was an important