Prevalence of overweight and obesity in children aged 6–13 years—alarming increase in obesity in Cracow, Poland

This study in children aged 6–13 years (n = 1,499) was performed between October 2008 and March 2009. Height and weight measurements were taken to calculate BMI. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was determined by means of IOTF cut-offs with respect to age. Alarming is the fact that the percentage of obese children in Cracow increased dramatically from 1.04% in boys and 0.20% in girls in 1971 to 7% in boys and 3.6% in girls in 2009. In this report, a higher percentage of overweight boys was observed in rural boys (28.14%) than in urban ones (27.31%). Obesity was identified in an almost twice as high percentage of urban boys (7.78%) as in rural ones (3.52%). A higher percentage of overweight girls was registered in rural areas (16.49%) than in urban ones (16.09%). Obesity was prevailing in rural girls (4.12%) relative to their urban counterparts (3.44%). The highest number of overweight urban boys was diagnosed in the group of 12-year-olds (n = 48) and rural boys in the group of 10-year-olds (n = 39), as well as in urban girls aged 11 (n = 17) and rural girls aged 9 (n = 9). The highest number of obesity was observed in rural boys aged 12 (n = 3) and in urban boys aged 9 and 10 (n = 9 in both groups). In the group of girls, obesity prevailed in urban 9-year-olds (n = 5) and in rural 7-year-olds (n = 5). Conclusions: Overweight and obesity affect boys almost twice as frequently as girls. Obesity is twice as frequent in urban boys as in their rural peers

Analiza wpływu wieku oraz stażu pracy na zdolności palpacyjne u masażystów z dysfunkcją wzroku oraz masażystów widzących

Introduction: Palpation is a basic diagnostic tool. However, difficulties in obtaining unambiguous results make it less reliable. Questions about the reliability of palpation are still valid. The abilities of people who use this type of examination and factors which affect palpation must also be taken into consideration. Aim: Analysis was conducted by means of an experimental study without randomisation. Its aim was to determine the influence of age and work experience on the palpatory skills of massage therapists. Materials and methods: 58 people were studied. They were divided into 2 groups. The first group consisted of 45 massage therapists (students or practitioners). The control group consisted of 13 people with no massage experience. The studied people were subjected to the “hair test”, the “weight test” and the measurement of Static Two-Point Discrimination (STPD) within the thumb-middle fingertips, the thenar and hypothenar. Results: The level of STPD worsens with age in the index and middle fingertips. In the study group, work experience positively influenced the “hair test” and STPD within the thumb and the index finger. In the other tests, the factor of age and work experience did not determine the results. Conclusions: In the research, it is indicated that there are factors affecting palpation skills. However, it is not possible to observe the influence of the analysed factors in each test. This is due to a variety of tests and areas to be measured. Work experience was considered a factor positively affecting palpation skills. Age was considered a factor worsening the tested abilities.Wstęp: Palpacja jest podstawowym narzędziem diagnostycznym. Jednak występujące trudności w uzyskiwaniu jednoznacznych wyników i ich rejestracji zmniejszają jej wiarygodność. Ciągle aktualne są pytania o rzetelność palpacji, nasuwają się także pytania o predyspozycje osób wykorzystujących to badanie, o rodzaj czynników wpływających na palpację oraz o możliwość ich modyfikacji. Cel: Przeprowadzona analiza była badaniem eksperymentalnym bez randomizacji mającym na celu określenie wpływu wieku i stażu pracy na zdolności palpacyjne masażystów. Materiał i metody: Przebadano 58 osób, które podzielono na 2 grupy. Pierwszą grupę stanowiło 45 masażystów (uczniów lub praktyków). Do grupy kontrolnej zakwalifikowano 13 osób niezwiązanych z masażem. W celu określenia zdolności palpacyjnych respondenci poddawani byli testowi włosa, testowi wagi oraz pomiarowi dyskryminacji dwupunktowej (STPD) w obrębie opuszek palców I-III, kłębu i kłębiku. Wyniki: Poziom dyskryminacji dwupunktowej pogarsza się wraz z wiekiem w obrębie opuszki palca II i III. W badanej grupie staż pracy wpływał pozytywnie na rezultaty testu włosa oraz poziom dyskryminacji dwupunktowej w obrębie kciuka i II palca. W pozostałych testach czynnik wieku i stażu pracy nie warunkował wyników. Wnioski: Głównym wnioskiem płynącym z badań jest to, iż istnieją czynniki kształtujące zdolności palpacyjne. Jednakże nie w każdym teście można zaobserwować wpływ analizowanych czynników na uzyskane wyniki. Jest to spowodowane zróżnicowaniem testów i obszarów poddanych pomiarom. Na podstawie badań staż pracy uznano za czynnik wpływający pozytywnie na zdolności palpacyjne. Wiek został uznany za czynnik pogarszający testowane zdolności

The Association between Symmetrical or Asymmetrical High-Arched Feet and Muscle Fatigue in Young Women

The foot arches are responsible for proper foot loading, optimal force distribution, and transmission throughout the soft tissues. Since the foot arch is an elastic structure, able to adapt to forces transmitted by the foot, it was reported that low arch is related to excessive foot pronation, while high arched foot is more rigid and inflexible. Therefore, it is also probable, that foot arch alterations may change the force transmission via myofascial chains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of symmetrical and asymmetrical excessive feet arching on muscle fatigue in the distal body parts such as the lower limbs, trunk, and head. Seventy-seven women (25.15 ± 5.97 years old, 62 ± 10 kg, 167 ± 4 cm) were assigned to three groups according to the foot arch index (Group 1—both feet with normal arch, Group 2—one foot with normal arch and the other high-arched, Group 3—both feet with high-arch). The bioelectrical activity of the right and left hamstrings muscles, erector spine, masseter, and temporalis muscle was recorded by sEMG during the isometric contraction lasting for 60 s. The stable intensity of the muscle isometric contraction was kept for all the time during the measurement. Mean frequency difference (%), slope (Hz), and intercept (Hz) values were calculated for muscle fatigue evaluation. No differences were observed in fatigue variables for all evaluated muscles between the right and left side in women with symmetrical foot arches, but in the group with asymmetric foot arches, the higher muscle fatigue on the normal-arched side compared to the high-arched side was noted. Significantly greater values of the semitendinosus—semimembranosus muscle frequency difference was observed on the normal-arched side compared to the high-arched side (p = 0.04; ES = 0.52; −29.5 ± 9.1% vs. −24.9 ± 8.4%). In the group with asymmetric foot arches, a significantly higher value of lumbar erector spinae muscle frequency slope (p = 0.01; ES = 1.32; −0.20 ± 0.04 Hz vs. −0.14 ± 0.05 Hz) and frequency difference (p = 0.04; ES = 0.92; −7.8 ± 3.1% vs. −4.8 ± 3.4%) were observed on the high-arched foot side compared to the side with normal foot arching. The thoracic erector spine muscle frequency slope was significantly larger in women with asymmetrical arches than in those with both feet high-arched (right side: p = 0.01; ES = 1.25; −0.20 ± 0.08 Hz vs. −0.10 ± 0.08 Hz); (left side: p = 0.005; ES = 1,17; −0.19 ± 0.04 Hz vs. −0.13 ± 0.06 Hz) and compared to those with normal feet arches (right side: p = 0.02; ES = 0.58; −0.20 ± 0.08 Hz vs. −0.15 ± 0.09 Hz); (left side: p = 0.005; ES = 0.87; −0.19 ± 0.04 Hz vs. −0.14 ± 0.07 Hz). In the group with asymmetric foot arches, the frequency difference was significantly higher compared to those with both feet high-arched (right side: p = 0.01; ES = 0.87; −15.4 ± 6.8% vs. 10.4 ± 4.3%); (left side: p = 0.01; ES = 0.96; 16.1 ± 6.5% vs. 11.1 ± 3.4%). In the group with asymmetric foot arches, a significantly higher value of the masseter muscle frequency difference was observed on the high-arched side compared to the normal-arched side (p = 0.01; ES = 0.95; 6.91 ± 4.1% vs. 3.62 ± 2.8%). A little increase in the longitudinal arch of the foot, even though such is often not considered as pathological, may cause visible changes in muscle function, demonstrated as elevated signs of muscles fatigue. This study suggests that the consequences of foot high-arching may be present in distal body parts. Any alterations of the foot arch should be considered as a potential foot defect, and due to preventing muscle overloading, some corrective exercises or/and corrective insoles for shoes should be used. It can potentially reduce both foot overload and distant structures overload, which may diminish musculoskeletal system pain and dysfunctions

Prevalence of generalised joint hypermobility in relation to selected medical and training indicators in swimmers: Randomised control study

Generalised joint hypermobility (GJH) is characterised by the range of motion that exceeds normal limits in multiple joints. GJH is relatively common. When it is accompanied with other manifestations, it is defined as a health-related disorder, like Joint Hypermobility Syndrome (JHS) or the Ehlers–Danlos Syndrome - Hypermobile Type (hEDS). The prevalence of GJH is higher in sporting than in the general population. The aim of the study was to investigate the prevalence of GJH in competitive swimmers and its relation to the number and type of injuries, pain and selected anthropological and training indicators. The research group consisted of 97 competitive Polish swimmers (50 males; 47 females) aged 15-24 years. Body stature and body mass was measured. Participants completed a questionnaire to collect demographic data and information on previous injuries. Concerning joint hypermobility, participants were examined with the Beighton Scale. Spearman’s rank correlation test was applied for analysis. GJH is an often-occurring symptom among the researched group. There was no correlation between selected acute injuries nor chronic pain and GJH in the study group. Several other correlations were noted. Keywords: Generalised joint hypermobility; Swimmers; Pain; Injurie

The Association between Symmetrical or Asymmetrical High-Arched Feet and Muscle Fatigue in Young Women

The foot arches are responsible for proper foot loading, optimal force distribution, and transmission throughout the soft tissues. Since the foot arch is an elastic structure, able to adapt to forces transmitted by the foot, it was reported that low arch is related to excessive foot pronation, while high arched foot is more rigid and inflexible. Therefore, it is also probable, that foot arch alterations may change the force transmission via myofascial chains. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of symmetrical and asymmetrical excessive feet arching on muscle fatigue in the distal body parts such as the lower limbs, trunk, and head. Seventy-seven women (25.15 ± 5.97 years old, 62 ± 10 kg, 167 ± 4 cm) were assigned to three groups according to the foot arch index (Group 1—both feet with normal arch, Group 2—one foot with normal arch and the other high-arched, Group 3—both feet with high-arch). The bioelectrical activity of the right and left hamstrings muscles, erector spine, masseter, and temporalis muscle was recorded by sEMG during the isometric contraction lasting for 60 s. The stable intensity of the muscle isometric contraction was kept for all the time during the measurement. Mean frequency difference (%), slope (Hz), and intercept (Hz) values were calculated for muscle fatigue evaluation. No differences were observed in fatigue variables for all evaluated muscles between the right and left side in women with symmetrical foot arches, but in the group with asymmetric foot arches, the higher muscle fatigue on the normal-arched side compared to the high-arched side was noted. Significantly greater values of the semitendinosus—semimembranosus muscle frequency difference was observed on the normal-arched side compared to the high-arched side (p = 0.04; ES = 0.52; −29.5 ± 9.1% vs. −24.9 ± 8.4%). In the group with asymmetric foot arches, a significantly higher value of lumbar erector spinae muscle frequency slope (p = 0.01; ES = 1.32; −0.20 ± 0.04 Hz vs. −0.14 ± 0.05 Hz) and frequency difference (p = 0.04; ES = 0.92; −7.8 ± 3.1% vs. −4.8 ± 3.4%) were observed on the high-arched foot side compared to the side with normal foot arching. The thoracic erector spine muscle frequency slope was significantly larger in women with asymmetrical arches than in those with both feet high-arched (right side: p = 0.01; ES = 1.25; −0.20 ± 0.08 Hz vs. −0.10 ± 0.08 Hz); (left side: p = 0.005; ES = 1,17; −0.19 ± 0.04 Hz vs. −0.13 ± 0.06 Hz) and compared to those with normal feet arches (right side: p = 0.02; ES = 0.58; −0.20 ± 0.08 Hz vs. −0.15 ± 0.09 Hz); (left side: p = 0.005; ES = 0.87; −0.19 ± 0.04 Hz vs. −0.14 ± 0.07 Hz). In the group with asymmetric foot arches, the frequency difference was significantly higher compared to those with both feet high-arched (right side: p = 0.01; ES = 0.87; −15.4 ± 6.8% vs. 10.4 ± 4.3%); (left side: p = 0.01; ES = 0.96; 16.1 ± 6.5% vs. 11.1 ± 3.4%). In the group with asymmetric foot arches, a significantly higher value of the masseter muscle frequency difference was observed on the high-arched side compared to the normal-arched side (p = 0.01; ES = 0.95; 6.91 ± 4.1% vs. 3.62 ± 2.8%). A little increase in the longitudinal arch of the foot, even though such is often not considered as pathological, may cause visible changes in muscle function, demonstrated as elevated signs of muscles fatigue. This study suggests that the consequences of foot high-arching may be present in distal body parts. Any alterations of the foot arch should be considered as a potential foot defect, and due to preventing muscle overloading, some corrective exercises or/and corrective insoles for shoes should be used. It can potentially reduce both foot overload and distant structures overload, which may diminish musculoskeletal system pain and dysfunctions