Influence of walking as a physiological training to improve respiratory parameters in the elderly population.

Walking as physiological training is reported to be an effective activity in order to beneficially influence and slow the onset of aging in healthy elderly people. However, insufficient evidence exists on how walking influences lung function in seniors. In our study, we aim to evaluate the effect of different types of walking on lung function in healthy seniors. The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EBSCO Essentials databases were searched, while the methodological quality was assessed by the RoB2 tool. A total of seven studies (RCTs) published between 2002-2022 that met the eligibility criteria were analysed in this review. All participants were older adults without any specific associated disease, aged 60 and above. The interventions included structured physical activity; a high/moderate exercise program; long-term regular walking; walking as a part of functional movement training; walking sideways, backward and forward as a part of aerobic training; fast walking; Stepper walking; walking on a treadmill combined with incentive spirometry; and Nordic walking. Overall, most of the mentioned types of walking led to improved lung function in healthy elderly subjects. However, the prescribed Stepper walking program did not improve lung function in healthy seniors

The Effects of Elastic Band Exercises with PNF on Shooting Speed and Accuracy in Ball Hockey Players during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has affected life and left one of the strongest negative effects on sport. The aim of our study was to evaluate how a simple exercise performed with elastic resistance during the COVID-19 pandemic, when athletes cannot train, affects the basic shooting characteristics of ball hockey players. Extra-league ball hockey players (N = 30, age 19–37 years) were randomly divided into an experimental group, which performed elastic resistance exercises with Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) elements for eight weeks, and a control group, which did not perform any exercises. Before the start of the experiment and after it was completed, the speed and accuracy of shooting were measured. In experimental group, there was no decrease after 8 weeks in the shooting speed, and in the control group, there was a statistically significant decrease. There was a deterioration in the accuracy of shooting in both groups; however, in the experimental group, the deterioration was not significant. The results show that even three simple exercises with elastic resistance according to the PNF concept performed 10 times per day for eight weeks can maintain the level of basic skills of ball hockey players—the speed and accuracy of shooting—even when no other training is performed

EMG analysis of the influence of a water environment on the rehabilitation of patients with Parkinson’s disease

The main goal of the experiment was to compare electrical activity in selected muscles: m. tibialis anterior, m. gastrocnemius, m. rectus femoris, m. biceps femoris and mm. erectores spinae, at the TH/L transition level patients with Parkinson’s disease when walking on dry land and in a water environment, using surface electromyography. The experimental set consisted of five subjects, two men and three women, aged 67.4 ± 7.1. A surface EMG was used to measure muscle activity in the m. tibialis anterior, m. gastrocnemius, m. rectus femoris, m. biceps femoris and mm. erectores spinae at the TH/L transition level. The resultant EMG signal was rectified and then the normalized muscle activity level was evaluated for walking in various environments: on dry land and in water. Results showed identical normalized activity of monitored muscles in a water environment, which indicates a permanent effect of the pathological central programme accompanying Parkinson’s disease, where the coordination pattern typical for a water environment fails to occur

Effect of Mental Task on Sex Differences in Muscle Fatigability: A Review

Previous research demonstrated that there are observable sex differences in developing muscle fatigue when mental task during fatiguing activity is present; however, there is no available review on this matter. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize the findings of previous studies investigating the effect of mental task on muscle fatigue in men and women. To conduct the review, we utilized searches using the electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO Cinahl Ultimate. The studies included had no limited publication date and examined the effects of mental task on muscle fatigue in a healthy adult population of any age. The evaluation was performed using the following criteria: time to failure, or subjective scale in various modifications (visual analog scale—VAS, rate of perceived effort—RPE, rate of perceived fatigue—RPF, rate of perceived discomfort—RPD). A total of seven studies met the set criteria, which were subsequently analyzed. Heavy mental task (more demanding math tasks) can reduce the time to failure for both men and women, with the reduction being more pronounced for women than for men. For light mental task (simple math tasks), no reduction in time to failure was observed to a great extent. The mental task in any of the included studies did not affect the subjective perception of fatigue, effort, discomfort, or pain. Although the studies investigating the effect of mental task on sex differences in muscle fatigability are limited, based on our findings we can assume that in jobs requiring heavier mental task, women may be more prone to the faster development of muscle fatigue; thus, employers might consider paying attention to the possibility of adequate rest

Analysis of Intracerebral Activity during Reflex Locomotion Stimulation According to Vojta’s Principle

Vojta’s therapy is a widely used approach in both the prevention and therapy of musculoskeletal disorders. Changes in the musculoskeletal system have been described repeatedly, but the principles of the approach have not yet been clarified. The objective of our study was to evaluate changes of intracerebral activity using electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) that arise during reflex locomotion stimulation of the breast trigger zone according to Vojta’s therapy. Seventeen healthy women took part in the experiment (aged 20–30 years old). EEG activity was recorded 5 min prior to the reflex locomotion stimulation, during stimulation, and 5 min after the stimulation. The obtained data were subsequently processed in the sLORETA program and statistically evaluated at the significance level p ≤ 0.05. The analysis found statistically significant differences in the frequency bands alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 between the condition prior to stimulation and the actual stimulation in BAs 6, 7, 23, 24, and 31 and between the resting condition prior to stimulation, and the condition after the stimulation was terminated in the frequency bands alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 in BAs 3, 4, 6, and 24. The results showed that reflex locomotion stimulation according to Vojta’s therapy modulates electrical activity in the brain areas responsible for movement planning and regulating and performing the movement

Onset Timing of Hyoid Muscles Activation during Cervical Flexion Is Position-Dependent: An EMG Study

Due to the high prevalence of neck pain, considerable attention is paid to the function of cervical flexor muscles. Although the deep and superficial cervical flexor muscles have been evaluated, the impact of hyoid muscles on cervical flexion is still not well known. We, therefore, aimed to investigate the activation of hyoid muscles during physiological cervical flexion, and to determine the impact of different starting positions on cervical flexion muscle activation. The activities of bilateral sternocleidomastoid, scalene, suprahyoid, and infrahyoid muscles were evaluated by surface electromyography (EMG) in twenty young healthy volunteers. They performed a repetitive cervical flexion-extension movement, from neutral position of the head to the maximum flexion with the same speed set at eight seconds in a cycle, in three various positions (sitting, standing, and supine). In sitting and standing positions, the group of suprahyoid muscles was activated in advance of other cervical flexor muscles despite only significant differences were found in scalene muscles, and the activation of the group of infrahyoid muscles was time-synchronous with sternocleidomastoid muscles. On the other hand, in supine position, the activation of all measured cervical flexor muscles was significantly earlier and longer than in the other two positions. This study confirmed the empirical suggestion that hyoid muscles contributed to cervical flexion, and it confirmed that muscle activation was position dependent, even if the given movement is nearly identical

Effect of Blood Circulation in the Upper Limb after Flossing Strategy

A very popular method in the field of prevention, sports, and therapy is flossing, working with an elastic band. A number of effects have been reported with this approach, but there are so far only a few studies to objectivize the declared effects. The aim of our study was to determine the change in the blood supply to the musculus biceps brachii during and after the flossing method applied to the upper limb in the area of the shoulder joint. The study recruited 27 healthy respondents (23.3 ± 2.8 years old). Measurement of the blood flow was performed on a Précisé 8008 (Ulrichstein, Germany) a device for measuring transcutaneous oxygen (tcpO2) before, during the 2-min compression therapy applied in the area of the shoulder joint, and after. We noted that both upper limbs, the limb where the application was performed and the opposite limb reached significant changes in the blood flow in musculus biceps brachii. Due to the significant depression of perfusion after only 2 min of flossing, great caution is required when performing the flossing method. The “sponge effect,” which means that after the occlusion is removed, the perfusion increases rapidly, was not confirmed by our study

Absolute Reliability and Concurrent Validity of the Modified Goniometric Platform for Measuring Trunk Rotation in the Sitting Position

The modified goniometric platform (MGP) is a novel instrument used to measure trunk rotation while sitting. A lack of reliable and valid evidence has been reported to measure trunk rotation using MGP. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities and validity of the MGP for measuring trunk rotation while sitting. Methods: Seventeen participants performed right trunk rotation followed by left trunk rotation (three repetitions for each trial) and two random measurements at 40-minute intervals. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Validity was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: The test and re-test inter-rater reliabilities for right trunk rotation were 0.990 and 0.986, respectively, and those for left trunk rotation were 0.989 and 0.978, respectively. The intra-rater reliabilities for right trunk rotation were 0.949 and 0.954, respectively, and those for left trunk rotation were 0.944 and 0.946, respectively. The right and left trunk rotation validities were 0.986 and 0.981, respectively. Conclusion: MGP is reliable and valid for measuring right and left trunk rotations while sitting

Data_Sheet_1_Quality of life and quality of education among physiotherapy students in Europe.docx

BackgroundThe study of physiotherapy is challenging and can affect the students’ well-being and quality of life. The aim of this study was to describe and compare factors that could affect well-being among students across Europe.MethodsIn this descriptive cross-sectional study using an online questionnaire survey, students of bachelor’s physiotherapy programs from 23 European faculties, from 8 countries, were interviewed on mental health and stress burden, sleep quality, dietary habits, and physical activity.ResultsAlthough 75% of students rated their quality of life positively and 47% were satisfied with their mental health, 65% showed higher levels of stress and 51% described impaired sleep quality. The minimum physical activity of 150 min weekly was described by 79% of students, within which 67% engaged in strengthening twice a week. Students with a higher stress load/worse psychological health also showed worse sleep quality and lower amount of physical activity, women were significantly worse off. In terms of physical activity and sleep quality, students from Finland and Kosovo achieved the best results, while students from Italy, Greece, and Portugal achieved the worst. Students from Italy indicated the greatest dissatisfaction with the organisation of the study system and communication with teachers, while in Kosovo students rated the communication and study organisation the highest. All students had a problem with adhering to nutritional habits. Students from Italy and Spain, with the lowest body mass indexes and weight averages, were closest to the nutrition recommendations.ConclusionWe demonstrated that physiotherapy students are burdened with stress, suffer from sleep disorders, and do not follow the recommendations regarding nutrition nor physical activity. There are significant differences between universities and countries in some aspects.</p