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The impact of aquatic physiotherapy on the motor development of 5-month-old infants: parental knowledge, expectations, and experiences.
No full textBackground. Early motor development is one of the most critical and intensive stages in a human’s life, significantly influenced by parents’ age, education, and knowledge.Aim. To assess parents’ knowledge of infant developmental milestones, their expectations and experiences with aquat-ic physiotherapy, and the effect of aquatic physiotherapy on the rolling function of five-month-old infants.Methods. An anonymous 18-question survey was used to assess the knowledge and expectations of parents (n = 65) regarding infant development, the benefits and perceived need for aquatic physiotherapy. The Alberta Infant Motor Scale was used to evaluate the motor skills of infants (n = 33).Results. Parents with higher education, older age, or more children had more knowledge about infant motor develop-ment compared to younger, less-educated parents or those with fewer children. The older the parents, the more they emphasised the importance of motor development and the more likely they were to choose aquatic physiotherapy for their infants. Parents of older infants more often observed improved muscle tone and trunk control, while those with higher education more frequently noticed better social development in their child. The rolling-to-prone function of five-month-old infants who participated in aquatic physiotherapy was rated better compared to those who did not attend such sessions.Conclusions. Older parental age, higher education level, and a larger number of children in the family are statistically significantly associated with better parental knowledge about infant motor development. Compared to younger par-ents, older parents more often emphasise the importance of motor development and are more likely to choose aquatic physiotherapy to support it. Parents with higher education more frequently observe positive changes in their infant’s social development. Parents of older infants are more likely to report improvements in muscle tone and trunk control following aquatic physiotherapy sessions. Aquatic physiotherapy is associated with improved rolling function in in-fants
Evaluation of the level of leg muscle power indices in Lithuanian schoolchildren.
No full textAim of the work - to assess the performance of Lithuanian general education and sports school students in high jump and sprinting. Subject of the study - general education and sports school students. Research problem - there is a lack of knowledge about the differences in muscular performance of Lithuanian schoolchildren in terms of body composition, age, gender, place of residence and school type, which calls for a comprehensive assessment of the influence of these factors on physical performance. Research objectives: 1. To determine and compare the jump height and sprinting speed of schoolchildren according to body composition 2. To determine and compare the jump height and sprinting speed of students by place of residence. 3. To determine and compare students' jump height and sprint speed by school type. Research methods: 1. Analysis of scientific literature 2. Body composition testing, strength and speed tests - vertical jump without a bridge and 10 m and 20 m running. 3. Methods of mathematical statistics Conclusions: 1. Students' performance in the high jump and sprint is significantly affected by body composition. Boys and girls with lower body fat have better performance in the jump and sprint. Participants in the obese category jumped lower and ran slower than the normal or underweight groups. Body fat content had a greater influence on physical performance than age, especially in the girls' group. 2. Schoolchildren's jump and sprint performance varied according to place of residence. The best physical performance indicators were in Vilnius County, while the worst - in Kaunas County. 3. The study showed that the type of school has a significant influence on the physical abilities of pupils. Pupils from general education schools showed better results in jumping and sprinting than pupils from sports schools, although the latter were generally more physically active
Relationships between adolescents' attitudes towards physical activity, body image evaluation and psychological state.
No full textThe aim: To determine adolescents' body image, psychological state, physical activity and their associations with attitudes toward physical education teachers. Research Tasks: 1. To explore adolescents' body image evaluation based on gender, age, and place of residence. 2. To assess adolescents' psychological state based on gender, age, and place of residence. 3. To determine adolescents' participation in physical education classes and extracurricular physical activities, as well as their attitudes toward physical education teachers. 4. To examine the links between participation in physical education classes and extracurricular physical activities, attitudes toward physical education teachers, body image evaluation, and psychological state. Hypothesis: Body image evaluation and psychological state are related to attitudes toward physical education classes (Jankauskiene, 2001). Research Methodology: 1. Survey questionnaire. 2. Statistical analysis. The Body Image Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is used for assessing body image evaluation. The Mood and Feelings Questionnaire (MFQ) is used for assessing psychological state. Results: It was found that older adolescents rate their body image more positively. Boys have better psychological states than girls. It was determined that 92.7% of adolescents participate in PE classes, with most attending twice a week (60.1%). Most adolescents rate PE teachers as "good" (34.3%), with boys tending to rate them more favourably than girls. In small towns, both participation in PE classes and evaluation of PE teachers are better. It was found that the evaluation of mood and emotions has a strong direct correlation with body image evaluation (r = 0.560**). Conclusions: The study found that older adolescents rate their body image more positively. Boys have better psychological state compared to girls. Adolescents rate PE teachers as good, with boys tending to rate them more favourably than girls. Adolescents' physical activity habits, attitudes toward body image, and psychological health have direct correlational links
Pratimų ir manualinės terapijos poveikis, palyginti su vien pratimais, kelio skausmui ir sąnarių funkcijai postmenopauzės amžiaus moterims, sergančioms kelio osteoartritu.
No full textBackground and Objective: Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) is the primary cause of pain and functional impairment in postmenopausal women, which limits mobility and reducing quality of life. This study aims to evaluate and compare the effects of combined exercise and manual therapy versus exercise alone on knee pain and functional outcomes in postmenopausal women with KOA. The objectives of this study are to assess the effect of exercise alone on knee pain, and joint function, to determine the outcomes of exercise combined with manual therapy and compare the effectiveness of these two interventions in postmenopausal women with KOA. It is hypothesized that exercise combined with manual therapy would be more effective than exercise alone. Methods: This randomized controlled trial recruited 40 participants assigned into two equal groups. Both groups followed an eight-week physiotherapy program, while one group also received manual therapy techniques. Pain (VAS), joint function (WOMAC), range of motion (goniometry), and physical performance (TUG test) were assessed pre- and post-intervention. Findings: Results showed that both interventions significantly reduced pain and improved mobility. Exercise combined with manual therapy led to greater improvements in pain reduction, range of motion, and functional mobility compared to exercise alone. However, no significant between-group difference was found in joint function as measured by the WOMAC Index. Conclusions: Adding manual therapy to physiotherapy exercises can make treatment more effective for postmenopausal women with knee osteoarthritis
The relationship between lower limb biomechanics and muscle strength with non-specific low back pain.
No full textBackground. The rising incidence of low back pain (LBP) poses a challenge in terms of pain-related healthcare costs and reduced work capacity. The main researched causes of LBP are such sociocultural and demographic aspects as sedentary work and age. Changes in body and step biomechanics have been found to be involved in the onset of LBP as well. However, analysis of lower limb biomechanics and muscle strength in relation to non-specific low back pain (NSLBP) is insufficient, thus the present study aims to explore this topic from a biomechanical and muscle strength perspective. Aim. To determine the relationships between lower limb biomechanics, gluteal and thigh muscle strength, and NSLBP. Methods. The study involved 34 participants (19 men and 15 women) divided into two groups. The first group consisted of individuals who experienced NSLBP (n = 17), while the second group included those who reported only minimal discomfort or no pain at all (n = 17). Pain intensity was assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale. The range of motion of the calf and thigh was measured with a goniometer, dynamic balance was evaluated using the Y Balance Test, lower limb biomechanics were assessed with a Step-Down Test, and the strength of the gluteal and thigh muscles was measured using the DIERS Myoline Professional system. Results. NSLBP had no effect on thigh and calf range of motion or on dynamic balance results. Participants without NSLBP had significantly greater hip adductor strength compared to control group (p = 0.01). Calf flexor strength was significantly lower compared to extensor strength (p < 0.05), and hip abductor strength was significantly lower than adductor strength, regardless of NSLBP presence (p < 0.05). Functional knee instability during the Drop Jump Test was observed in participants experiencing NSLBP (p < 0.01). Conclusions. The subjects’ thigh and calf range of motion and dynamic balance indicators were independent of perceived NSLBP. However, functional instability of the knee joint was observed in individuals with NSLBP. The strength of the thigh adductor muscles was greater in those without back pain. The strength of the calf flexors and thigh abductors was lower than that of their antagonists, regardless of the presence of low back pain
The effects of a home-based resistance training programme on body composition and muscle function during weight loss in people living with overweight or obesity: a randomised controlled pilot trial /
No full textBackground Obesity continues to grow as a public health concern and although dietary interventions can be effective at reducing body mass and improving cardiovascular risk factors, they also result in undesirable losses of lean tissue. The aim of this randomised controlled pilot trial was to investigate the effects of a home-based resistance training exercise programme on body composition and muscle function in people living with overweight or obesity undergoing dietary weight loss. Methods Participants (n = 48) from Glasgow were randomly assigned to either a diet-induced weight loss group (WL) or a diet plus home-based resistance training exercise group (RT + WL) for 12-weeks. Body composition, muscle strength, and physical function were assessed at baseline and post-intervention. Results There was no effect of the resistance exercise training programme (all p > 0.05) on body composition including body mass index, total body mass, fat mass, fat free mass or muscle thickness during weight loss. However, the resistance training group showed improvements in muscle and physical function compared to the weight loss only group, resulting in higher grip strength (RT + WL: Delta 2.65, 95% CI: 0.44, 4.86; WL: Delta-0.26, 95% CI: -2.04, 1.51:p = 0.046), maximal voluntary contraction force (RT + WL:Delta 23.61, 95% CI: 3.39, 43.84 WL: Delta-11.95, 95% CI: -35.37, 11.48;p = 0.019), and sit-to-stand test scores (RT + WL:Delta 5.9, 95% CI: 4.27, 7.53 WL: Delta 1.47, 95% CI: 0.13, 2.82; p < 0.001). Conclusions These findings suggest that incorporating home-based resistance training into weight loss programmes can preserve, or even enhance, muscle function without negatively impacting the effectiveness of dietary weight loss interventions, highlighting its potential to mitigate muscle function losses during weight loss in people living with overweight or obese
Activity and social correlates of physical fitness in Lithuanian schoolchildren /
No full textPhysical fitness (PF) is an important marker of health and well-being. This study aimed to quantify associations of social environment and physical activity (PA) related factors with different aspects of PF among adolescents. The cross-sectional study included 4925 (51% girls) schoolchildren aged 11–18 years. Participants were tested for PF using the Eurofit battery (covering 8 aspects of PF), with their social environment (parents’ education, family’s and friends’ support for PA), personal motivation for PA, actual PA level, and sports participation status were self-reported. Age- and sex- adjusted body mass index (BMI) cut-points were used to classify weight status as overweight or normal weight. Associations were quantified using hierarchical linear regression analysis. Up to 45% of the variability in PF was explained by BMI and environmental factors. While age, sex, BMI and parents’ education associated with PF most strongly, personal motivation for PA (R2 = 0.007 on average per aspect of PF), friends’ support for PA (R2 = 0.009) and especially sports participation (R2 = 0.014) were also significant correlates of PF. However, familial support for PA and current PA level were typically non-significant correlates. In conclusion, parents’ education, sports participation, personal motivation and friends’ support for PA should be promoted to foster PF of adolescents
Compatibility of physical education curricula with physical literacy across 40 European countries /
No full textAlthough the student-centred concept of physical literacy (PL) has been emphasized by UNESCO, knowledge about its adoption/implementation into PE remains scant. Therefore, the goal of this study was to evaluate and compare the compatibility of PE curricula with PL in Europe. We collaboratively gathered a panel of experts encompassing 40 European countries. In the first step, the experts were invited to freely specify the compatibility of country’s PE curricula with PL. The reports were subjected to six-step reflexive thematic analysis. In the second step, we theoretically derived, psychometrically explored, and descriptively analysed 15 curricular-didactical items, each containing a spectrum of statements with high versus no/insufficient PL compatibility. We synthesized both data sources following an explanatory sequential mixed-methods design. While few PE curricula explicitly adhered to PL in Europe, most documents exhibited content and aims marking elements of PL. However, we registered large differences in PL-compatibility between four European regions for the deep structure of the curricula (η2=.27, p=.01). While the quantitative survey suggested no differences in PL compatibility between anglophone versus non-anglophone countries, the qualitative material revealed conceptual and terminological challenges across Europe. The European countries have hesitantly followed the UNESCO call to align PE with the holistic PL concept
Myostatin knockout mice have larger muscle fibers with normal function and morphology /
No full textINTRODUCTION: We assessed whether muscle fibers in myostatin knockout (MSTN-/-) mice are just larger or also exhibit morphological, metabolic, and functional differences from MSTN+/+ mice. METHODS: We compared single fiber contractile properties and histological fiber properties in muscles from MSTN-/- and MSTN+/+ mice. RESULTS: Even though in permeabilized muscle fibers from the extensor digitorum longus and soleus muscle maximal force was higher (p < 0.001) there were no significant differences in specific power (power per unit volume), specific tension (force per cross-sectional area), maximal shortening velocity, or curvature of the force-velocity relationship between MSTN-/- and MSTN+/+ mice. In histological sections of the soleus muscle, fibers were larger (p < 0.001), but the succinate dehydrogenase staining intensity and capillary density did not differ significantly between MSTN-/- and MSTN+/+ mice, which was explicable by the larger number of capillaries around a fiber (p < 0.001). A model showed no significant differences in soleus muscle oxygenation. DISCUSSION: The larger force-generating capacity of fibers from MSTN-/- mice is explicable by the larger fiber cross-sectional area. The data indicate that muscle fibers from MSTN-/- mice are quantitatively, but not qualitatively different from muscle fibers from MSTN+/+ mice. Myostatin inhibition may help increase muscle mass in conditions accompanied by muscle weakness without a detrimental impact on muscle quality, but systemic side effects need to be considered
The specifics of applying systemic psychotherapy to team sports games /
No full textHigh-level team sports competition creates considerable degree of mental workload for the players, particularly in teams with prominent players displaying characteristics of subclinical narcissism. This affects team effectiveness, which is contingent upon the harmonization of the players’ personalities. This perspective examines the specific application of systemic psychotherapy in team sports games. We analyze key factors including team compositions, therapeutic processes, and the factors that contribute to the onset and persistence of pathological symptoms. Our analysis reveals that while systemic psychotherapy effectively addresses team dynamics by treating the team as a unified system, its success depends on multiple variables that influence treatment outcomes. Understanding these specifics enables more effective implementation of systemic psychotherapy in a team sports, though its effectiveness is not constrained by universal patterns. This perspective contributes to expanding the therapeutic approaches in competitive team sports