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The influence of physiotherapy on motor skills and cognitive functions in children with autism spectrum disorder.
No full textResearch Problem: What is the difference between the effect of physiotherapy with music and just physiotherapy on motor skills and cognitive function for children with autism spectrum disorder? The aim of the study: To assess the influence of physiotherapy on motor skills and cognitive functions for children with autism spectrum disorder. Tasks: 1. To evaluate balance, coordination and concentration of attention before and after physiotherapy sessions with music. 2. To evaluate balance, coordination and concentration of attention before and after physiotherapy sessions without music. 3. To compare the effects of physiotherapy sessions with and without music on balance, coordination and concentration of attention. 4. Determine the interdependence between balance, coordination and concentration of attention. Research hypothesis: Background music during physiotherapy session improves concentration, helps to plan and perform movement faster (Marquez-Garcia et al., 2021). Thus, we hypothesize that physiotherapy sessions combined with music will have a greater impact on motor skills and cognitive functions than without. Methods: • Children's balance scale (modified Berg scale) – to assess balance. • Non-equilibrium coordination samples (based on Schmitz, 1988) – to assess coordination. • "Burdon - Anfimov" methodology - to assess the concentration of attention. Results: After the study, children with ASD had statistically significant improvements in balance, coordination, and concentration (p 0.05). Conclusions: No difference was found between physiotherapy sessions with music and just physiotherapy sessions on motor skills and cognitive functions
The impact of digital technology on the physical health of older workers: protocol for a scoping review /
No full textBackground: Digital technologies have penetrated most workplaces. However, it is unclear how such digital technologies affect the physical health of older workers. Objective: This scoping review aims to examine and summarize the evidence from scientific literature concerning the impact of digital technology on the physical health of older workers. Methods: This scoping review will be conducted following recommendations outlined by Levac et al and will adhere to the PRISMA-ScR (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis extension for Scoping Reviews) guidelines for reporting. Peer-reviewed papers written in English will be searched in the following databases: MEDLINE, Cochrane, ProQuest, Web of Science, Scopus, APA PsycInfo, and ERIH PLUS. The web-based systematic review platform Covidence will be used to create a data extraction template. It will cover the following items: study and participant characteristics, health measures, digital tool characteristics and usage, and research findings. Following the Population, Concept, and Context (PCC) framework, our review will focus on studies involving older workers aged 50 years or older, any form of digital technology (including teleworking and the use of digital tools at work), and how digital technologies affect physical health (such as vision loss, musculoskeletal disorders, and migraines). Studies that focus only on mental health will be excluded. Study selection based on title and abstract screening (first stage), full-text review (second stage), and data extraction (third stage) will be performed by a group of researchers, whereby each paper will be reviewed by at least 2 people. Any conflict regarding the inclusion or exclusion of a study and the data extraction will be resolved by discussion between the researchers who evaluated the papers; a third researcher will be involved if consensus is not reached. Results: A preliminary search of MEDLINE, Epistemonikos, Cochrane, PROSPERO, and JBI Evidence Synthesis was conducted, and no current or ongoing systematic reviews or scoping reviews on the topic were identified. The results of the study are expected in April 2025. Conclusions: Our scoping review will seek to provide an overview of the available evidence and identify research gaps regarding the effect of digital technology and the use of digital tools in the work environment on the physical health of older workers
Aerobic capacity in swimming, cycling and arm cranking in swimmers aged 11–13 years /
No full textBackground This study aimed to compare the aerobic capacity in swimming, cycling and arm cranking in swimmers aged 11–13 years. Methods Eleven swimmers (mean age, 12.1 ± 1.0 years) performed three incremental exercise tests. One of the tests was performed under specific conditions (front crawl swimming), and the other two were under non–specific conditions (cycling and arm cranking). Data on the pulmonary gas exchange were recorded using the portable analyser MetaMax 3B (Cortex, Leipzig, Germany). One-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was employed to test the null hypothesis and determine statistically significant differences between the indicators obtained under specific and non–specific testing conditions. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was calculated to assess the relationships between the indicators of the pulmonary gas exchange. Results The relative peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak) value during swimming was 49.3 ± 6.2 mL/kg/min, which was higher than that during arm cranking (39.6 ± 7.3 mL/kg/min; P < 0.01) but lower than that during cycling (54.3 ± 7.8 mL/kg/min; P < 0.01). The peak minute ventilation (V̇Epeak) value during swimming (84.9 ± 12.6 L/min) was higher than that during arm cranking (69.4 ± 18.2 L/min; P < 0.01) but lower than that during cycling (98.4 ± 15.4 L/min; P < 0.01). Strong positive correlations were observed in the absolute and relative V̇O2peak values between swimming and cycling (r = 0.857, P < 0.01; r = 0.657, P < 0.05) and between swimming and arm cranking (r = 0.899, P < 0.01; r = 0.863, P < 0.05). A strong positive correlation was also observed in V̇Epeak values between swimming and arm cranking (r = 0.626, P < 0.05). Conclusion Swimmers aged 11–13 years showed V̇O2peak and V̇Epeak values during the specific swimming test greater than those during arm cranking but lower than those during cycling. However, aerobic capacity parameters measured during specific swimming conditions correlated with those measured during non–specific arm cranking and cycling conditions
Is it time to rethink the communication of physical activity messages with adolescents? Findings from the Active School Flag programme /
No full textThe Active School Flag (ASF) is a multi-stage, multi-component, whole-of-school physical activity (PA) programme in Ireland. This study assessed health literacy, PA knowledge, beliefs about consequences of PA and programme awareness among ASF secondary school students. Survey findings prompted an inquiry with ASF programme implementers to explore the communication of PA in the school
An examination of changes in an academic year in the Post-primary whole-school physical activity program /
No full textWhole-school physical activity (PA) programmes are widely recommended for PA promotion by the international society of PA for health. In Ireland, the Active School Flag (ASF) is such a programme and is supported by both Departments of Education and Health with the purpose of increasing PA opportunities for the whole school community, focusing mainly on students. The ASF programme is research informed acting at multi-levels (students, staff and management) with multi-components including peer-led activities, student voice, environmental changes and whole-school events throughout the year. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes between intervention and control schools after one year
Perceptions of the #Wethe15 campaign to promote rights of physical activity among people with disabilities /
No full textSince 1948, the Paralympic Games are a platform that gives opportunities to persons with disabilities for competitions akin to the Olympic games. This may be seen as fulfilment of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities . Article 30, where people with disabilities have the to participate in cultural life, recreation, leisure and sport on an equal basis with others. It is less known, how the disability community see the acceptability of these games. A campaign to raise awareness is through the #Wethe15 campaign. This study aimed to investigate the initial perceptions of the #Wethe15 campaign after the 2021 Paralympic Games
Philosophy of the smart economy as an integration of creativity, creativity and innovation in the context of globalization and the digital era.
No full textThe relevance of the research topic is that the philosophy of the smart economy as an integration of creativity, creativity, innovation in the context of globalization and the digital era explores the transformation of the modern economy. The focus is on the smart economy, which combines creativity, innovative solutions and entrepreneurship, creating new opportunities for the development of society under the influence of digital technologies and creative thinking. The purpose of the study is to conceptualize the philosophy of the smart economy as an integration of creativity, innovation, and creativity in the context of globalization and the digital era. We try to define the smart economy as an engine of innovation and a basis for economic development that has an impact on entrepreneurial activity. We also analyze the integration of creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship, which contributes to the formation of a competitive and sustainable economic model. Attention is paid to social and environmental aspects, which are an integral part of a smart economy focused on sustainable development. Methodology. The analysis is based on the importance of a comprehensive approach to economic development that takes into account not only technological innovations but also human capital, social responsibility and environmental sustainability; systemic, structural, and institutional analysis. The results of the study indicate the prospects for the development of a smart economy as an integrative model capable of responding to modern challenges and ensuring the long-term development of society. The scientific novelty is based on the idea of integrating creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship as key elements of economic growth. Creativity becomes the driving force behind innovation, which in turn stimulates entrepreneurship. This integration allows for the creation of new business models and products that meet the requirements of the modern market. The practical significance of the study is that it has been proven that in a smart economy, new management approaches based on the use of digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and process automation, are emerging. These approaches help to increase management efficiency, optimize decision-making processes, and ensure the organization's flexibility in the face of rapid change
Development of mental toughness among basketball sports school students /
No full textThe development of mental toughness in student athletes within sports schools is crucial for identifying strengths and improving weaknesses to optimize performance. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a mental toughness development program for basketball sports school students. Sixty-two male student athletes, aged 15.83 ± 0.37 years, participated, with 30 in the experimental group and 32 in the control group. They completed the Mental Toughness Questionnaire 48 (MTQ48) before and after the 6-week intervention program. Pearson’s correlations were calculated for study variables. A repeated measures MANOVA followed by one-way ANOVA analyzed differences in mental toughness skills between groups and over time. Results showed a significant effect of the intervention program on mental toughness skills, with small and medium effect sizes. Post-program, the experimental group exhibited higher levels of various skills compared to controls, including skills related to challenge, commitment, emotional control, life control, overall control, self-confidence in interpersonal interactions, self-confidence in one’s abilities, overall self-confidence, and total MTQ48. These findings underscore the utility of interventions for enhancing mental toughness among basketball sports school students, emphasizing the importance of tailored approaches in such intervention programs
Skeletal muscle deoxygenation in 11-13-year-old children swimmers during arm and leg ergometry /
No full textBackground: This study extends the current knowledge on muscle deoxygenation during arm and leg ergometry in preadolescent swimmers. We aimed to compare the deoxygenation of legs and arms muscles during maximal incremental legs and arms exercises on the cycle ergometer (CE) and arm crank ergometer (ACE) in preadolescent swimmers. Methods: Thirteen preadolescent swimmers (aged 12 ± 1 years) were enrolled in this study. They performed two maximal incremental legs and arms exercises to exhaustion on CE and on ACE. During both exercises, muscles oxygen saturation values (the changes of deoxygenated haemoglobin (Δ[HHb]) and [HHb] thresholds ([HHb] thresholds) of Biceps femoris, Vastus lateralis, Rectus femoris, Triceps brachii, Infraspinatus and Biceps brachii muscles were recorded using the near-infrared spectroscopy method (Moxy oxygen monitor). Results: During maximal incremental legs and arms exercises on CE and ACE Δ[HHb] and [HHb] thresholds did not differ significantly between legs and arms exercises (p>0.05) and between separate muscles (p>0.05) as well. Conclusion: Deoxygenation of legs and arms muscles was similar during incremental exercises on CE and ACE in preadolescent swimmers
Exploring the effect of prolonged fasting on kynurenine pathway metabolites and stress markers in healthy male individuals /
No full textBACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prolonged fasting triggers a stress response within the human body. Our objective was to investigate the impact of prolonged fasting, in conjunction with stress, on kynurenine pathway metabolites. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Healthy males were divided into fasting group (zero-calorie-restriction) for 6 days (FAST, n = 14), and control group (CON, n = 10). Blood and saliva samples were collected at baseline, Day 2, Day 4, Day 6 during fasting period, and 1 week after resuming regular diet. Plasma levels of kynurenine pathway metabolites were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Plasma and salivary samples were analyzed for stress markers. RESULTS: A pronounced activation of the kynurenine pathway in individuals on FAST trial was revealed. Concentrations of picolinic acid (PIC), kynurenic acid (KYNA) and 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) were significantly increased, with peak levels observed on Day 6 (P < 0.0001). Conversely, concentrations of tryptophan (TRP) and quinolinic acid (QUIN) decreased (P < 0.0001), while kynurenine (KYN) and nicotinamide (NAM) levels remained stable. Cortisol and noradrenaline concentrations remained unchanged. However, adrenaline levels significantly increased on Day 4 within FAST compared to CON (P = 0.005). Notably, all deviations in kynurenine pathway metabolite levels returned to baseline values upon resuming regular diet following the 6-day fasting regimen, even when weight and BMI parameters were not restored. CONCLUSIONS: Extended fasting over 6 days induces the kynurenine pathway and has minimal effects on stress markers. Restoration of metabolite concentrations upon regular feeding implies rapid adaptation of the kynurenine pathway synthetic enzymes to maintain homeostasis when faced with perturbations