Lithuanian Sports University Virtual Library
Not a member yet
4708 research outputs found
Sort by
Assessment of functional indexes in children with the retarded speech development and their associations.
No full textBackground. Motor skills are key factors in children's play and interaction with others and influence their subsequent social environment with their peers. Poor or atypical motor development may be an important contributing factor to the problems in language, social communication and understanding, and social interaction that characterise some neurodevelopmental disorders. The purpose. To assess the functional indexes in children with the retarded speech development and their associations. Research task: 1. To assess the gross motor functions in children. 2. To assess the static and dynamic balance in children. 3. To assess the coordination abilities in children. 4. To assess the fine motor functions in children. 5. To determine the interrelations of functional indexes in children with retarded speech. Methods. 30 children (4 to 6 years old) with retarded speech development. To assess the functional indicators of children with language delay, the following testing instruments will be used: gross motor skills were assessed with the TGMD-2 test, balance with the modified Berg scale and the "up and go" test, the coordination test consists of samples which do not require any coordination of balance(according to Schmitz 1988) and fine motor skills were assessed with a standardised test based on the methodology of the N. Ozeretsky test. Results. Children with retarded speech development have difficulty to perform a jump with one foot, a jump with a big step or knock around a ball. The assessment of the object control abilities was lower than the of locomotor abilities. Younger children with retarded speech suffered from worse static and dynamic balance and coordination. Significant fine motor impairment was found in more than a tenth of children with delayed language development. Conclusions. The gross motor functions in children with retarded speech makes a significant impact on the locomotor and object control abilities, the dynamic balance is related with the static balance and coordination which does not require any balance and the fine motor functions affect the object control abilities
Kraujo tekėjimo ribojimo treniruotės kineziterapijos procese.
No full textResearch problem: Muscle atrophy is one of the most prominent problems in the elderly population, and blood flow restriction training (BFRT) seems to be a useful method of treating it, however the exact effects are not known, especially how it influences specific muscle fibre types. Research aim: The present study aimed to identify the changes in muscle contractile properties after a 12-week blood flow restriction training protocol and comparing them with a control group which did not perform any training intervention over a same period of time in healthy male older adults. Methods: Twelve male subjects completed in total 24 sessions of BFRT over the course of 12 weeks. The session consisted of three exercises – leg extension, leg press and leg curls. The occlusion pressure was set at 40% of the lower limb occlusion pressure and the load was determined at 40% of 1RM. Tensiomyography was used to measure muscle contractile properties. The results were compared with a control (CON) group, which did not perform any specific intervention. Results: Statistically significant differences were noticed in the Tc parameter of the rectus femoris and the vastus lateralis muscle, as well as in the Td parameter of the vastus lateralis in the BFRT group. There were no statistically significant differences between both groups. However, a statistically significant increase in the %MHC-1 was found in the BFRT group, while a non-significant decrease was noticed in the CON group. Conclusion: A 12-week blood flow restriction training intervention increases the number of type I muscle fibres in the vastus lateralis muscle
Strenght training effect on older adults motor functions.
No full textintroduction: aging negatively effects balance control, reaction time and manual dexterity; however, there is a lack of research evaluating the direct effects of strenght training on motor function in older adults of different genders; aim: evaluate strenght training effect on motor functions of older adults; objectives: evaluate strenght training effect on balance control, reaction time, manual dexterity and compare it between sexes; participants: 39 older adults (≥ 60 years old); women (n = 24); men (n = 15). methods: intervention group participated in strenght training, which lasted for 12 weeks (2 times/week); we included only lower limb exercises in strenght training protocol; strenght was measured with isokinetic dinamometer; we measured maximal voluntary contraction and peak torque of knee flexion and extension at 60°/s and 120°/s; hand grip strenght was measured as well; balance control was measured with static posturography. manual dexterity was measured with purdue pegboard test (ppt); choice reaction time (mms) was measured with one of anam4 tests; motor functions and strenght were measured before and post intervention; results: strenght training increased regularity of balance control before intervention intervention (0.5 ± 0.05 a.u.); post intervention (0.47 ± 0.07 a.u.) (p = 0.017); tendency in sway speed was observed as well, before intervention (21.22 ± 7.46 mm/s), post intervention (18.01 ± 7.05 mm/s) (p = 0.051); strenght training effect on reaction time and manual dexterity was not statistically significant (p > 0.05); strenght training had significant effect on older woman balance control before intervention (22.5 ± 8.7 mm/s), post intervention (19.9 ± 8.2 mm/s) (p 0.05); conclusions: strenght training increased balance control among older women, contrary, reaction time and manual dexterity were not significantly affected
Assessment of incoming tourism during the crisis period of the covid-19 pandemic: the case of "Vytautas Mineral SPA" of Birstonas.
No full textThe aim of the work: Evaluating the incentive of inbound tourism during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Birštonas "Vytautas Mineral SPA". Work tasks: 1. Reveal the theoretical concept of tourism and inbound tourism. 2. Discuss the essence of pandemic perception and identification of consequences in tourism. 3. To introduce the provision of services of Birštonas "Vytautas Mineral SPA" during the pandemic. 4. To analyze inbound tourism during the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Birštonas "Vytautas Mineral SPA" from the point of view of employees. Research methodology: A qualitative study was conducted - semi-structured interviews. During the research, five company employees who contribute to the promotion of inbound tourism were interviewed. Results: The research conducted showed that it is important to encourage the arrival of tourists. He emphasized that the period of the pandemic was the most difficult and complicated. It is necessary to ensure quality rest. The attitude of employees is that standing out from others and investing in advertising will help attract incoming tourists
Evaluation of mobile applications using artificial intelligence in sports.
No full textMain goal of the study: to evaluate mobile applications using artificial intelligence in sports and to find out their benefits and features of use. The problem of the research: how effective is exercising with applications based on artificial intelligence, when more and more people choose to exercise individually with the help of smart devices. Hypothesis: mobile sports and wellness applications with artificial intelligence integration contribute to the personal motivation of individuals. Research methods: 1. Analysis of scientific literature; 2. Questionnaire survey; 3. Data processing in IBM SPSS and Microsoft Excel. Tasks: 1. To examine the theoretical aspects of the use of artificial intelligence in sports. 2. Find out how artificial intelligence improves the user experience using mobile sport applications. 3. To evaluate the benefits of mobile applications using artificial intelligence. Conclusion: Based on the obtained data, several insights related to the user experience can be found. Artificial intelligence algorithms can analyze user data to deliver personalized content - news, highlights and statistics - that are relevant to them. Personalized and personalized data, according to respondents, is one of the aspects they trust the most. AI-powered sports apps can help users improve their activities and achieve their fitness goals more effectively, making them a valuable tool for athletes and sports enthusiasts
Fiziologinių, fizinių ir psichologinių 3x3 krepšinio ir HIIT poreikių palyginimas tarp sėsliai gyvenančių suaugusiųjų moterų.
No full textTeam sports activities have been researched as an alternative to High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) due to their contribution to health-related aspects for sedentary people (SP). However, there is no research on basketball games' impact on sedentary female adults. Therefore, the aim of the present study was at assessing and comparing the physiological [(percentage of maximal heart rate (%HRmax), blood lactate (BLa), creatine kinase (CK)], enjoyment, [rating of perceived exertion (RPE)] and physical [percentage of moderate-to vigorous physical activity (%MVPA) and vigorous activity (%VA)] responses of recreational 3×3 basketball (3x3BB) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in sedentary female adults. Twelve healthy, adult sedentary women, (age: 37 ± 14 y; body mass: 66 ± 19kg; stature: 162 ± 13 cm; fat mass: 27.5 ± 12.5%) executed a 3x3BB match and HIIT with comparable duration. While BLa was assessed both before and after each session, %HRmax, %MVPA, and %VA were measured during the protocols. RPE and enjoyment were evaluated at the conclusion of each experiment, whereas CK was measured prior to protocols and after 48 hours. 3x3BB elicited higher %HRmax (p<0.001; d=-1.64, Large), %MVPA (p<0.001; d=7.17, Very Large), %VA (p=0.001; d=2.91, very large), while no difference was found in enjoyment (p=0.233; r - value= 0.250, small), and RPE (p=1; r value = -0.000, no effect) compared to HIIT condition. Greater BLa values were observed in the HIIT post-condition when compared to the 3x3BB post-condition (p=0.018; r-value=-0.624, Large) (P adjusted by Bonferroni), whereas CK analysis revealed no significant difference in general (p=0.216; r-value=-0.449, Medium) (P adjusted by Bonferroni). In conclusion, In comparison to HIIT, 3x3BB produces greater %HRmax, physical activity intensities, similar enjoyment, RPE, CK and lower BLa in sedentary female adults
Efficacy of electrostimulation and pelvic floor muscle exercises in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women: randomised controlled trial.
No full textBackground. Pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) is the most commonly used physiotherapy method in the treatment of female stress incontinence; pelvic floor muscles (PFM) can be trained not only with exercise but also with electrostimu-lation. The aim. To determine the efficacy of four weeks of pelvic floor muscle exercises and electrical stimulation in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence in women. Methods. The study involved 24 subjects who were randomly divided into two groups: pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) and pelvic floor muscle exercises combined with electrostimulation (PFMES). Before and after the interventions, women’s quality of life (QoL) was assessed according to the International Incontinence Counselling Questionnaire – Short Form. Perineometry with Pelvexiser perineometer was used to measure pelvic floor muscle strength, endurance and vaginal resting pressure. Results. Both interventions significantly reduced urinary incontinence episodes and improved the subjects’ quality of life. PFM strength improved after the interventions in the PFMT group from 12.33±3.37 to 19.97±3.38 mmHg (p=0.0008, d=2.26) and in the PFMES group from 8.31±2.41 to 11.84 ±2.78 mmHg (p=0.003, d=2.6). PFM endurance improved in the PFMT group from 3.50±1.15 to 4.53±1.12 s (p=0.03, d=0.9), and in PFMES from 2.92±0.47 to 3.67±0, 52 s (p=0.001, d=1.45). Resting vaginal pressure in the PFMT group improved from 5.3±0.85 to 6.44±1.03 mmHg (p=0.005, d=1.25) and in the PFMES group from 4.4±0.70 to 6.14± 1.47 mmHg (p=0.001, d=1.5). Conclusions. PFMT and PFMES interventions significantly improved subjects’ PMF strength, endurance, resting vaginal pressure, and quality of life. Both applied interventions can be applied in the treatment of stress urinary incontinence, as they were safe and well tolerated by the patients. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05871281
Kinetics of plasma cell-free DNA under a highly standardized and controlled stress induction /
No full textPsychological stress affects the immune system and activates peripheral inflammatory pathways. Circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) is associated with systemic inflammation, and recent research indicates that cfDNA is an inflammatory marker that is sensitive to psychological stress in humans. The present study investigated the effects of acute stress on the kinetics of cfDNA in a within-subjects design. Twenty-nine males (mean age: 24.34 ± 4.08 years) underwent both the Trier Social Stress Test (TSST) and a resting condition. Blood samples were collected at two time points before and at 9 time points up to 105 min after both conditions. The cfDNA immediately increased 2-fold after the TSST and returned to baseline levels after 30 min after the test, showing that a brief psychological stressor was sufficient to evoke a robust and rapid increase in cfDNA levels. No associations were detected between perceived stress, whereas subjects with higher basal cfDNA levels showed higher increases. The rapid cfDNA regulation might be attributed to the transient activation of immune cells caused by neuroendocrine-immune activation. Further research is required to evaluate the reliability of cfDNA as a marker of neuroendocrine-immune activation, which could be used for diagnostics purposes or monitoring of treatment progression
Physiological variables that contribute to aerobic fitness in boys during early adolescence in the context of basketball training and the maturity level /
No full textThe aim of this study was to assess physiological variables that contribute to aerobic fitness in respect to basketball training and the maturity level in adolescent boys. Our subjects were 28 basketball-trained and 22 control-group boys (average age: 11.83 ± 0.43 years). An incremental treadmill running test to exhaustion was performed twice with a 1-year interval between the sessions to determine the following peak aerobic fitness variables: oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, minute ventilation, and others. Maturity offset was used to evaluate the maturity level. The basketball-trained group exhibited a higher peak ratio-scaled oxygen uptake (1st session: 50.55 ± 6.21 and 46.57 ± 5.68 ml/kg/min in basketball and control-group boys, respectively, p = 0.024; 2nd session: 54.50 ± 6.50 and 45.33 ± 5.99 ml/kg/min, respectively, p < 0.001) during both testing sessions. During the 2nd session, the basketball-trained group also showed a significantly higher peak arteriovenous oxygen difference (basketball-trained boys: 14.02 ± 2.17 ml/100 ml; control-group boys: 12.52 ± 2.49 ml/100 ml; p = 0.027) and peak minute ventilation (basketball-trained boys: 96.08 ± 21.71 l/min; control-group boys: 83.14 ± 17.85 l/min; p = 0.028). The maturity level among the basketball-trained boys was correlated with peak variables: oxygen uptake, stroke volume, cardiac output, and minute ventilation, but not with the ratio-scaled oxygen uptake. In conclusion, basketball training at a young age among boys improved aerobic fitness compared with sedentary boys. More mature basketball players were not superior to their less mature peers regarding aerobic fitness after adjusting for body dimensions
Physical therapy methods in pain treatment of primary dysmenorrhea: a sistematic review and meta-analysis.
No full textThe aim of the research: to analyze the effectiveness of some physical therapy methods for pain intensity in primary dysmenorrhea. Objectives. 1) To determine the most effective physical therapy method in the treatment of primary dysmenorrhea through a systematic review and a meta-analysis. 2) To determine physical therapy methods impact on pain intensity and duration in treatment groups. Hypothesis. Heat therapy reduce pain intensity during painful menstruation. Methods: 1) systematic analysis; 2) meta-analysis. Results: as a result of systematic analysis and meta-analysis of the literature, we determined, that after 24 h from the start of the research the highest effect size in pain intensity reduction was found after microwave therapy application on the lower abdomen compared to control group (ES: 1,12; CI 0,48 to 1,75). In terms of permanence (after 2 months) the highest effect sizes in pain intensity shows aerobic training program (ES: 2,60; CI 2,06 to 3,14), as well stretching exercises (ES: 1,79; CI 1,28 to 2,31) and abdominal muscles strength exercises (ES: 1,79; CI 1,28 to 2,30). Meta-analysis shows benefits of abdominal muscles strength exercise program and (ES: 4,61; CI 3,78 to 5,44) and stretching exercises programs (ES: 4,31; CI 3,52 to 5,10) for pain duration reduction compared with control groups. Research conclusion. The most effective physical therapy method in order to quickly decrease pain intensity during painful menstruation was found to be microwave therapy application on the lower abdomen, in terms of permanence and pain duration - physical exercises are most effective remedy for painful menstruation management