First signs of elderly gait for women

Background: The aims of this study have been twofold: to attempt to reduce the number of spatiotemporal parameters used for describing gait through the factor analysis and component analysis; and to explore the critical age of decline for other gait parameters for healthy women. Material and Methods: A total of 106 women (aged ≥ 40 years old (N = 76) and ≤ 31 years old (N = 30)) were evaluated using a pressure-sensitive mat (Zebris Medical System, Tübingen, Germany) for collecting spatiotemporal gait parameters. Results: The factor analysis identified 2 factors – labelled Time and Rhythm – that accounted for 72% of the variation in significant free-gait parameters; the principal component analysis identified 4 of these parameters that permit full clinical evaluation of gait quality. No difference was found between the groups in terms of the values of parameters reflecting the temporal nature of gait (Rhythm), namely step time, stride time and cadence, whereas significant differences were found for total double support phase (p < 0.001). Next, seeking evidence of a critical decline in gait, we selected 3 parameters: total double support, stride time and velocity. We concluded that the women taking part in the experiment manifested significant signs of senile gait after the age of 60 years old, with the first symptoms thereof already manifesting themselves after 50 years of age. Conclusions: We show that among 26 spatiotemporal parameters that may be used for characterizing gait, at least a half of them may be omitted in the assessment of gait correctness; a finding that may be useful in clinical practice. The finding that the onset of senile gait occurs in the case of women after the age of 60 years old, in turn, may be useful in evaluating the ability for performing types of physical work that mainly require ambulation. Med Pr 2017;68(4):441–44

Correlation Between Foot Arch Parameters and Body Balance Performance

Wstęp. Stopa jest jedną z najważniejszych struktur anatomicznych ludzkiego ciała. Odpowiada ona głównie za utrzymywanie odpowiedniej pozycji zarówno w statyce jak i w dynamice. Jest to uwarunkowane przez wiele czynników, jednak najważniejszym z nich jest prawidłowe ukształtowanie wysklepienia stopy, które warunkuje jej prawidłowe funkcjonowanie. Każde odchylenie od normy może skutkować zaburzeniem w pełnieniu przez stopę swoich zadań oraz wpływać na funkcjonowanie nawet odległych segmentów ludzkiego ciała. Celem pracy była ocena współzależności pomiędzy wysklepieniem stopy, a sprawnością mechanizmu utrzymywania równowagi w pozycji stojącej. Materiał i metody. W badaniu wzięło udział 48 osób, z czego 21 stanowiły kobiety, a 27 mężczyźni. Ocenę wysklepienia stopy przeprowadzono przy użyciu wskaźnika kątowego Clarke’a, do którego wyznaczenia wykorzystano lustrzany podoskop firmy Podoskop.pl oraz specjalistyczny program komputerowy FREEstep. Ocenę sprawności mechanizmu utrzymania równowagi w pozycji stojącej przeprowadzono na podstawie sześciu prób stabilograficznych. Wyniki. Przeprowadzona analiza statystyczna wykazała istotną zależność między średnią wartością wskaźnika kątowego Clarke’a badanego obunóż, a wynikiem próby stabilograficznej obunóż z zamkniętymi oczami oraz pomiędzy wartością wskaźnika kątowego Clarke’a dla stopy lewej badanego obunóż, a wynikiem próby stabilograficznej obunóż zarówno z otwartymi jak i z zamkniętymi oczami. Wnioski. 1. Istnieje współzależność pomiędzy wartością wskaźnika kątowego Clarke’a badanego obunóż a długością ścieżki parcia stóp na podłoże podczas stania na dwóch KKD. 2. Osoby ze zmniejszonym wysklepieniem podeszwowym stopy mają zmniejszoną sprawność mechanizmu utrzymania równowagi w pozycji stojącej na dwóch KKD zarówno z otwartymi jak i zamkniętymi oczami. Powyższe obserwacje można uogólnić następująco: osoby posiadające bardziej wysklepione stopy lepiej kontrolują równowagę podczas stania na dwóch KKD. 3. Osoby posiadające bardziej wysklepione stopy lepiej kontrolują równowagę podczas stania na dwóch.Background. The foot is one of the most important anatomical structures of the human body. It is mainly responsible for maintaining an appropriate position, both in static and dynamic conditions. This function is conditioned by many factors, the most important being a normal shape of the foot arch, which determines its proper operation. Any deviation from the norm may result in disruption in the performance of the foot and affect the functioning of even distant segments of the human body. The aim of this study was to evaluate the correlation between the foot arches and the efficiency of the balance mechanism in standing. Material and methods. The study enrolled 48 individuals, of whom 21 were women and 27 men. Evaluation of the foot arches was performed using Clarke's angle index, which was determined with the use of a mirror podoscope produced by Podoskop.pl and a specialist computer program FREEstep. The efficiency of the balance mechanism in the standing position was evaluated on the basis of six stabilographic tests. Results. A statistical analysis showed a significant relationship between the mean value of Clarke's angle index in bipedal standing and the result of the stabilographic test for bipedal standing with eyes closed, and between the value of Clarke's angle index for the left foot in bipedal standing and the result of stabilographic tests for bipedal standing both with the eyes open and closed. Conclusion. 1. There is a correlation between the value of Clarke's angle index of the foot in bipedal standing and the length of the foot pressure path on the ground during bipedal standing. 2. Individuals with a reduced plantar vault of the foot have reduced efficiency of the balance mechanism in bipedal standing both with the eyes open and closed. The above observations can be generalised as follows: individuals with more arched feet have better balance control in bipedal standing. 3. Persons with more arched feet have better balance control in bipedal standing

Comparing the effectiveness of myofascial techniques with massage in persons with upper crossed syndrome (preliminary report)

Introduction: Upper crossed syndrome is a postural syndrome, with myofascial and functional imbalance within the shoulder girdle and the cervical spine. The therapy usually includes myofascial techniques or massage. The aim of this work was to indicate which of these forms of therapy is more effective in terms of myofascial release

Lower limb laterality versus foot structure in men and women

Study aim: The aim of the study was to determine connections between the functional asymmetry of limbs and the morphological asymmetry of feet

First signs of elderly gait for women

Background The aims of this study have been twofold: to attempt to reduce the number of spatiotemporal parameters used for describing gait through the factor analysis and component analysis; and to explore the critical age of decline for other gait parameters for healthy women. Material and Methods A total of 106 women (aged ≥ 40 years old (N = 76) and ≤ 31 years old (N = 30)) were evaluated using a pressure-sensitive mat (Zebris Medical System, Tübingen, Germany) for collecting spatiotemporal gait parameters. Results The factor analysis identified 2 factors – labelled Time and Rhythm – that accounted for 72% of the variation in significant free-gait parameters; the principal component analysis identified 4 of these parameters that permit full clinical evaluation of gait quality. No difference was found between the groups in terms of the values of parameters reflecting the temporal nature of gait (Rhythm), namely step time, stride time and cadence, whereas significant differences were found for total double support phase (p < 0.001). Next, seeking evidence of a critical decline in gait, we selected 3 parameters: total double support, stride time and velocity. We concluded that the women taking part in the experiment manifested significant signs of senile gait after the age of 60 years old, with the first symptoms thereof already manifesting themselves after 50 years of age. Conclusions We show that among 26 spatiotemporal parameters that may be used for characterizing gait, at least a half of them may be omitted in the assessment of gait correctness; a finding that may be useful in clinical practice. The finding that the onset of senile gait occurs in the case of women after the age of 60 years old, in turn, may be useful in evaluating the ability for performing types of physical work that mainly require ambulation. Med Pr 2017;68(4):441–44

Hip muscle strength and static balance in patients with snapping hip syndrome – a pilot study

Introduction: Snapping hip syndrome (SHS) occurs in 5-10% of the global population. A back and forth skip of the tendon of the dysfunctional muscle across the osseous prominence is the most common symptom of this condition. Mainly young generation suffers from SHS. Depending on the structures that cause an audible snap, snapping hip syndrome may be classified into intra-articular and extra-articular types. The main aim of the research was to assess the strength of the major hip muscles and static balance in patients with snapping hip syndrome

Uncompleted polymerization and cytotoxicity of dental restorative materials as potential health risk factors

Introduction Composite materials used in dentistry indicate adverse biological effects in laboratory conditions. One reason for this activity is incomplete conversion of their polymer matrix, favoring chemical instability and release of biologically harmful components to the external environment. Aim The aim of the study was to assess the degree of conversion of restorative materials commonly available on the European market and to examine the cytotoxic effects of their eluates in vitro. Material and Methods Using the Fournier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique of analysis, the degree of polymer matrix conversion of 6 restorative materials was examined: Gradia Direct, Arkon, Filtek Z550, Herculite XRV, Tetric Evo Ceram, Charisma, polymerized with LED light. In order to assess the cytotoxicity of eluates of the studied materials obtained after 1 hour , 24 hours and 7 days, the MTT assay was used in cultured 3T3 cells. The results were statistically analyzed at significance level of p=0.05. Results The conversion degree of the assessed polymers ranged from 31.56% for Tetric Evo Ceram to 75.84% for Arcon. The strongest (p=0.05) cytotoxic effect was demonstrated after 7-day observation of Tetric Evo Ceram eluates, reducing the metabolic activity of cells down to 56%. A positive correlation (r(x, y) = 0.62) between the degree of conversion of composite materials and cytotoxic effects of their eluates on cell cultures was confirmed. Conclusions 1. Restorative dental materials are chemically unstable in the conditions of the present study. 2. Polymer-based restorative dental materials available on the European market demonstrate cytotoxic properties constituting a potential threat to the patients’ health

Uncompleted polymerization and cytotoxicity of dental restorative materials as potential health risk factors

Introduction Composite materials used in dentistry indicate adverse biological effects in laboratory conditions. One reason for this activity is incomplete conversion of their polymer matrix, favoring chemical instability and release of biologically harmful components to the external environment. Aim The aim of the study was to assess the degree of conversion of restorative materials commonly available on the European market and to examine the cytotoxic effects of their eluates in vitro. Material and Methods Using the Fournier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) technique of analysis, the degree of polymer matrix conversion of 6 restorative materials was examined: Gradia Direct, Arkon, Filtek Z550, Herculite XRV, Tetric Evo Ceram, Charisma, polymerized with LED light. In order to assess the cytotoxicity of eluates of the studied materials obtained after 1 hour , 24 hours and 7 days, the MTT assay was used in cultured 3T3 cells. The results were statistically analyzed at significance level of p=0.05. Results The conversion degree of the assessed polymers ranged from 31.56% for Tetric Evo Ceram to 75.84% for Arcon. The strongest (p=0.05) cytotoxic effect was demonstrated after 7-day observation of Tetric Evo Ceram eluates, reducing the metabolic activity of cells down to 56%. A positive correlation (r(x, y) = 0.62) between the degree of conversion of composite materials and cytotoxic effects of their eluates on cell cultures was confirmed. Conclusions 1. Restorative dental materials are chemically unstable in the conditions of the present study. 2. Polymer-based restorative dental materials available on the European market demonstrate cytotoxic properties constituting a potential threat to the patients’ health