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Effect of KOTZ stimulation on pain, muscle function and disability in individuals with specific lumbar spine pain.
No full textResearch problem. Lumbago with sciatic neuralgia causes lower back pain. often spreading to one or both lower limbs, limitation of functions, deteriorates quality of life. Spinal stabilization exercises, TENS therapy, ultrasound therapy, therapeutic massage and muscle stimulation in KOTZ are often used to reduce pain and improve function. However, it is not clear how the complex application of all these therapies works in case of lumbago with sciatic neuralgia. Research hypothesis. We assume that complex conservative treatment, including muscle stimulation KOTZ in the program will improve the trunk function and reduce pain and its spread in the case of lumbago with sciatic neuralgia. The aim of the research. To determine the influence of KOTZ stimulation on back pain, muscle functional status and disability in the case of lumbago with sciatica. Research tasks: 1. To evaluate the effect of spine stabilization exercises, ultrasound, TENS and massage therapies on back pain, its spread, muscle functional status and disability. 2. To evaluate the effect of KOTZ application with spine stabilization exercises, ultrasound, TENS and massage therapy on back pain, its spread, muscle functional status and disability. 3. To compare the effect of various complex therapy programs on back pain, its spread, muscle functional status and disability. Research methods. The study included 30 individuals diagnosed with lumbago with sciatica of which 14 were men and 16 were women. Subjects' pain intensity was assessed on a numerical analog rating scale (NRS), the Ito test was used to assess back muscle static endurance, the Kraus – Weber test was used to assess the static endurance of the abdominal muscles, the side plank test was used to assess the static endurance of the lateral core muscles, the Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire was used to assess functional condition, and paper human body drawing was used to assess localization of pain. Results. The study and control groups results showed that both groups had a statistically significant improvement in reducing pain intensity (p0.05). Conclusions: 1. After applying spinal stabilization exercises, ultrasound, TENS, and massage therapies, back pain, its’ spread and disability decreased, and static endurance of abdominal, back, and right lateral muscles increased. 2. After applying KOTZ with spinal stabilization exercises, ultrasound, TENS and massage therapies. back pain, its’ spread and disability decreased, static endurance of abdominal, back, right and left lateral core muscles increased. 3. The use of KOTZ stimulation with spinal stabilization exercises, ultrasound, TENS and massage therapy was not more effective than without, i.e. comparing between groups, the results of back pain, disability and muscles static strength endurance were not statistically significant
Elitinių krepšinio žaidėjų mikrociklų treniruočių krūvių modeliavimas.
No full textThe aim of the research to determine and evaluate profile of competitive microcycle training load in elite basketball players. Research problem: Understanding how different microcycle structures in professional basketball affect player wellness, perceived exertion, and heart rate responses is complex and under-researched, particularly within the Lithuanian Basketball League context. Research methods: The research methods for master thesis involved a 4-week observational study of 11 Lithuanian Basketball League players across four distinct microcycles. Data collection included wellness questionnaires, Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scales, and heart rate monitoring to assess the athletes' well-being and training load throughout the different microcycles. Main findings: Microcycles with varied distribution of games and rest days significantly impacted players' exertion levels and wellness scores. More games with fewer rest days in a microcycle led to higher wellness scores, indicating better energy management. However, the inclusion of games resulted in fluctuating heart rates, suggesting added stress and intensity, emphasizing the need to balance competition and recovery in training schedules. Conclusions: 1. The elite basketball players' perceived exertion varied across different microcycles. The microcycle with two games and one rest day was perceived as the most exerting, indicating that balancing the number of games with adequate rest is critical to managing player exertion. The low perceived exertion in the fourth microcycle, despite no rest days, suggests that other factors beyond game and rest schedule might influence perceived exertion; 2. Third microcycle without games and with a day off appear to yield the highest well-being scores, suggesting these conditions may promote a higher level of physical and mental recovery in players. On the other hand, microcycles with two games and a single day off (second microcycle) resulted in the lowest well-being scores, indicating a potential increased strain; 3.Heart rate monitoring revealed variations in heart rate responses across different microcycles, providing valuable insights into the effects of training schedules on the cardiovascular demands of basketball players
Myokines may target accelerated cognitive aging in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic and topical review /
No full textVINTS, W.A.J, O. Levin, N. Masiulis, J. Verbunt, C.C.M. van Laake. Myokines may target accelerated cognitive aging in people with spinal cord injury: a systematic and topical review. NEUROSCI BIOBEHAV REV X(X) XXX-XXX, 2022. - Persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) can suffer accelerated cognitive aging, even when correcting for mood and concomitant traumatic brain injury. Studies in healthy older adults have shown that myokines (i.e. factors released from muscle tissue during exercise) may improve brain health and cognitive function. Myokines may target chronic neuroinflammation, which is considered part of the mechanism of cognitive decline both in healthy older adults and SCI. An empty systematic review, registered in PROSPERO (CRD42022335873), was conducted as proof of the lack of current research on this topic in people with SCI. Pubmed, Embase, Cochrane and Web of Science were searched, resulting in 387 articles. None were considered eligible for full text screening. Hence, the effect of myokines on cognitive function following SCI warrants further investigation. An in-depth narrative review on the mechanism of SCI-related cognitive aging and the myokine-cognition link was added to substantiate our hypothetical framework. Readers are fully updated on the potential role of exercise as a treatment strategy against cognitive aging in persons with SCI
Physical literacy in Europe: The current state of implementation in research, practice, and policy /
No full textBackground/objective The holistic concept of physical literacy (PL) embraces different person-centered qualities (physical, cognitive, affective/psychological) necessary to lead physically active lifestyles. PL has recently gained increasing attention globally and Europe is no exception. However, scientific endeavors summarizing the current state of PL in Europe are lacking. Therefore, the goal of this study was to comprehensively assess and compare the implementation of PL in research, policy, and practice across the continent. Methods We assembled a panel of experts representing 25 European countries. Employing a complementary mixed-methods design, the experts first prepared reviews about the current state of PL in their countries (categories: research, practice/policy). The reviews underwent comparative document analysis, ensuring a transnational four-eyes principle. For re-validation purposes, the representatives completed a quantitative survey with questions reflecting the inductive themes from the document analysis. Results The document analysis resulted in ten disjunct themes (related to “concept”, “research”, “practice/policy”, “future/prospect”) and yielded a heterogenous PL situation in Europe. The implementation state was strongly linked to conceptual discussions (e.g., existence of competing approaches), linguistic issues (e.g., translations), and country-specific traditions. Despite growing scholarly attention, PL hesitantly permeates practice and policy in most countries. Nevertheless, the experts largely anticipate increasing popularity of PL for the future. Conclusion Despite the heterogeneous situation across Europe, the analysis has uncovered similarities among the countries, such as the presence of established yet not identical concepts. Research should intensify academic activities (conceptual-linguistic elaborations, empirical work) before PL may gain further access into practical and political spheres in the long term
Using rational emotive behavior therapy to improve psychological adaptation among future coaches in the post-pandemic era /
No full textThis study aims to demonstrate that applying rational emotional behavior theory (REBT) concepts can help to improve the psychological adaptation of future coaches in the post-pandemic era. The current research utilizes a qualitative approach with a sample of 14 future coaches, namely, students of the study program “Training systems” at Lithuanian Sports University. These students are also active athletes (basketball players). Interview questions were developed based on the ABC(DE) model, and answers were analyzed following the methodology of content analysis. In general, our findings fit the ABC(DE) framework. However, there are several important exceptions. During discussions, participants presented their basic beliefs in the form of statements rather than demands. The ABC(DE) framework predicts the latter. Furthermore, participants’ automatic thoughts are not logical derivatives of their basic beliefs, contrary to the REBT theory. However, it is possible to interpret basic beliefs as an explanation for automatic thoughts, meaning that this interpretation seemingly does not contradict the theoretical principles of REBT. As such, REBT appears to be helpful for better understanding the psychological adaptation problems that arose during the pandemic and are relevant in the post-pandemic era
Didelio meistriškumo krepšininkų treniruočių krūvio ir savijautos stebėjimas didelės treniruočių apimties mikrocikluose.
No full textAims: (1) Deeply investigate load and well-being of the professional basketball players during the competitive high-training-volume microcycle and (2) identify differences in load & well-being and its fluctuation during the microcycle; (3) conclude whether the microcycle(s) was planned optimally. Methods: 11 high-level male basketball athletes (mean±SD, age: 22.9±1.9 years, body mass: 89.2±10.9 kg, BMI: 22.6±1.6, height: 198.4±8.5cm) competing in national first division basketball league [Lietuvos Krepšinio lyga – „BetsafeLKL“] season of 2022/2023 participated in the study. Two of the most inseason repetitive microcycle structures (Microcycle A & Microcycle B) was taken for deeper analysis and different variables regarding players’ wellness & load of high-load day(s) was compared to taper & maintenance and gamedays. Findings: results demonstrated that in analyzed microcycles‘ wellness score does not show clear visible fluctuations throughout the days. Differences were noticed of Muscle Soreness scores on estimated high-load day versus two days prior game (respectively 3.25 (±1.06) vs 2.68 (±0.45)) in microcycle A. Average Sleep quality score on high-load days were lower (p<0.05) compared to two days prior game (respectively 3.74±0.54 vs 3.83±0.29) in microcycle B. Day-wise comparison of sRPE and values of Summated heart rate zones (SHRZ) demonstrated load (AU) differences (p<0.05) between the estimated high-load day(s), taper & maintenance day(s) and gameday(s). Conclusion: Fluctuations of training-load and no fluctuations of wellness occurs across the days in elite professional basket players’ high-volume microcycles. The intention of this study is to contribute to the growing pool of knowledge in sports science, provide valuable insights for coaches and practitioners, and help in enhancing the overall welfare and performance of elite basketball players
Sacroiliac joint dysfunction induced low back pain and the effectiveness of different rehabilitation methods. Systematic literature analysis.
No full textThe aim of work: to evaluate the effects of different rehabilitation methods for sacroiliac joint dysfunction induced low back pain. Tasks of work: 1. to indentify effects of different rehabilitation methods on pain and functional disability in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction induced low back pain; 2. to compare the effects of different rehabilitation methods on pain and functional disability in patients with sacroiliac joint dysfunction induced low back pain. Methods: in this research systematic analysis of the literature was performed using electronic „PubMed“, „EBSCO“, „PEDro“ database, selected articles was written in English and was published in 10 years period. For the selection of the articles, the inclusios criteria were: sacroiliac joint dysfunction induced low back pain, involve different rehabilitation methods approaches, articles also need to include objective or subjective outcome measures. Results: Manual therapy have a high effect size (d≥0.8) in four publications on pain intensity as well as in three publications on functional disability level. Exercises therapy have a high effect size (d≥0.8) in three out of four publication on pain intensity and in two out of three publication on functional disability measurements. Manual therapy comined with exercises therapy showed a high effect size (d≥0.8) in seven out of eight publication on pain intensity and in six out of seven studies on functional disability level. Nevertheless, manual therapy combined with exercises therapy showed better results than the exercises therapy group in pain intensity mesurements and functional disability level. This differences between groups showed to be statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: 1. Manual therapy and exercises therapy was found to be effective on reducing pain intesity and functional disability level in patiens with sacroiliac joint dysfunction induced low back pain. 2. Manual therapy combined with exercises therapy was found be more effective on reducing pain intesity and functional disability level
Acute effects of single high-intensity functional training on cognitive functions on trained adolescents.
No full text:Investigation problem. How does acute high intensity functional training affect the cognitive functions of athletic adolescents and will there be residual effects? The aim. To determine the residual effect of a single high-intensity functional training on the cognitive functions of trained adolescents. Research tasks: 1. To determine the residual effects of a single high-intensity functional training session on processing speed, selective attention, and executive function. 2. To determine the residual effects of a single high-intensity functional training session on basic calculation skills, concentration and working memory. 3. To determine the residual effects of a single high-intensity functional training session on spatial abilities, left-right orientation and problem solving. Hypothesis. Based on the analyzed literature, we hypothesize that cognitive functions will improve immediately after a single high-intensity functional training session in adolescent boys, and the residual effect will remain after two hours. Research methods. 24 teenage boys participated in the study. The subjects were divided into two groups EKS and KON. EKS performed a single HIFT in the group. In the KON group, non-physical exercise was applied. During the EKS group, the subject performed pre-exercise tests, then performed HIFT, followed by 10 min. repeated testing of cognitive functions was performed and after 2 hours. During the KON measurements, the procedure did not differ, but the subjects did not exercise. Results. The residual effect of HIFT exercise improved cognitive function and survival at 2 h. Conclusions: 1. A single bout of high-intensity functional training improved processing speed, selective attention, and executive function in trained adolescents. 2. A single bout of high-intensity functional training improved basic numeracy skills, concentration, and working memory in trained adolescents. 3. A single load of high-intensity functional training had no effect on spatial abilities, left-right orientation and problem solving in trained adolescents
Moral identity, attitudes towards doping and intentions to use it.
No full textAim of study: to find out the moral identity of 16–18-year-old athletes, their attitudes towards doping and their intentions to use it. Hypothesis: the higher the assessment of the moral identity of 16-18-year-old athletes, the more likely it is that the athlete's attitudes towards doping will be negative. Objectives: 1. To reveal the moral identity of 16–18-year-old athletes. 2. To reveal the attitudes of 16–18-year-old athletes towards doping and their intentions to use it. 3. To reveal the connections between the moral identity of 16-18-year-old athletes, their attitudes towards doping and their intentions to use it. Organization of research: The research sample consisted of 310 basketball and athletics athletes aged 16-18 (41.6% girls and 58.4% boys). To find out the athletes' moral identity, attitude towards doping and intentions to use it, a questionnaire was created, it was placed on the google forms platform and the survey was conducted remotely, at a time convenient for the subjects. Conclusions: when assessing the moral identity of 16-18-year-old athletes, in all cases, girls scored higher than boys. A tendency was established that the evaluation points assigned to the statements characterizing attitudes towards doping (positive attitudes towards doping) statistically reliably decreased with the increase in the active sports experience of the interviewed persons (in all cases Kruskal-Wallis; p < 0.05). All this shows that the more years an athlete has been playing sports, the stronger his negative attitudes towards doping. The results of the study revealed a statistically significant negative relationship between attitudes towards doping and moral identity, which shows that athletes with higher moral identity have more negative attitudes towards doping in sports activities