Lithuanian Sports University e-Journals
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Intra- and Inter-Limb Isokinetic Strength Asymmetry in Competitive Judokas: Differences in Magnitude Across Competition Levels and Sex
Get PDFPurpose: Inter-limb asymmetry is generally perceived by practitioners to increase injury risk and reduce sport performance. However, it remains unclear whether the magnitude of these asymmetries differs between judokas of varying competitive levels and sexes, potentially increasing the risk of injury or performance decline in certain groups. Therefore, this cross-sectional study aimed to examine differences in the magnitude of lower intra- and inter-limb asymmetry across competitive levels (i.e. regional, national, and international) and between sexes in competitive judokas.
Methods: The magnitude of lower intra-limb (i.e. hamstring/quadriceps ratio [H/Q]) and inter-limb (i.e. quadriceps/quadriceps ratio [Q/Q], hamstring/hamstring ratio [H/H], hamstring/quadriceps:hamstring/quadriceps ratio [H/Q:H/Q], and percentage difference method [PDM] for knee extension and flexion) isokinetic strength asymmetry was assessed in 30 male and 24 female judokas aged 14–58 years. Range of motion was individually set, spanning from maximal knee flexion to maximal knee extension. The angular velocity was set at 90°/sec. To assess differences in descriptive characteristics, as well as intra- and inter-limb asymmetry across competitive levels and sex, a two-way ANOVA was conducted. If significant main effects or interactions were found, post hoc pairwise comparisons were performed using Tukey’s test. In cases where normality assumptions were violated, non-parametric alternatives were used: the Kruskal–Wallis H test for competitive-level comparisons for males and females separately, and the Mann–Whitney U test for post hoc analysis of the Kruskal–Wallis H test or sex-based differences.
Results: No significant differences in the H/Q ratio, H/H ratio, Q/Q ratio, H/Q:H/Q ratio, or PDM for knee extension and flexion were found across competitive levels (p = 0.403–0.979). However, male judokas showed a significant Q/Q difference (p = 0.035), with international athletes (97.00 ± 3.34) having lower values than regional (92.59 ± 4.64, p = 0.032) and national (90.86 ± 7.18, p = 0.026) judokas. No significant sex-based differences in asymmetry were observed (p = 0.467–0.774).
Conclusion: Since most asymmetry indices did not significantly vary by competitive level or sex, and overall asymmetry magnitudes were relatively low, reducing lower limb asymmetry with regard to injury prevention and sport performance may not be a priority for male and female judokas at any level
Longitudinal Change in Physical Activity Components Among Community-Dwelling Older Adults
Get PDFPurpose: Complexity of physical activity (PA) and health effects are not fully captured using common measures such as duration and intensity. Extending these measures with the PA components of strength, mechanical strain, and turning actions might offer a more complete picture of PA in older adults. We explore the course and heterogeneity of the PA components over time.
Methods: Prospective data from the Longitudinal Ageing Study Amsterdam (LASA) cohort study (1992–2019) were used. We included all participants with at least one follow-up measure, resulting in a sample of n = 5,002. PA component scores of strength (range 1–4), mechanical strain (range 1–3), turning actions (range 1–3), intensity (range 2.5–6.5) were assigned to each self-reported activity. Duration was self-reported and recalculated into minutes/day (range 0–960). All five scores were categorised into tertiles. We applied sequence analysis to plot the trajectories of the PA components and optimal matching algorithms to identify groups with similar trajectories over time. Analyses were stratified for men and women to account for sex differences in PA behaviours.
Results: Our sample had a mean baseline age of 66 years (standard deviation (SD) = 8.6) and 52% were women. The mean follow-up time was 11.1 years (SD = 8.5), and 22% of the respondents died during the 10-year follow-up. For the duration component, 119 distinct trajectories were identified over the 10-year follow-up. OM on these trajectories resulted into six clusters of similar trajectories: stable long, stable medium, stable short, decreasing duration, early deceased, late deceased.
Discussion: A solution of six clusters of similar trajectories could be fitted to all components for the 10-, 20-, and 30-year follow-up periods. However, PA component trajectories differed between components, as well as between sexes within the same component. These findings show that PA components have different trajectories over time, and the importance of these differences in association with health outcomes should be studied in future research.
Support/Funding Source: This research was financed internally at the University, and did not receive any specific grant or funding from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors
MAintAining Activity in Arthritis Following a Physiotherapy-Led Exercise Programme: A TDF-Guided Qualitative Exploration of Barriers and Facilitators
Get PDFPurpose: Despite the wealth of evidence demonstrating benefits of physical activity (PA), people with arthritis commonly do not meet recommended PA levels. In Ireland, there are exercise classes available to support people with arthritis to become active, such as the “Be Active with Arthritis” physiotherapy-led programme. Evidence suggests that many attendees of such classes reduce PA levels after programme completion. PA maintenance is critical to sustain benefits and protect long-term health. This study aimed to explore barriers and facilitators to PA maintenance in those living with arthritis after completion of a physiotherapy-led exercise programme.
Methods: Three focus groups were conducted with people who had completed “Be Active with Arthritis” (n = 11, 100% female). Data were analysed using the Framework Approach. Statements related to factors enabling/inhibiting PA maintenance were mapped to the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF).
Results: Facilitators were identified across 14 TDF domains (100%), and barriers were identified in 11/14 domains (79%). Salient facilitators included: 1. Environmental context and resources: Participants described having local, affordable resources/opportunities suitable for people with arthritis as an enabler. 2. Beliefs about consequences: Participants felt PA maintenance is important for their physical/mental health, as well as arthritis management. 3. Social influences: Having peers or professionals encourage and support activity was an acknowledged facilitator. Relevant barriers included: 1. Beliefs about capabilities: Participants described low confidence in their abilities due to fear of injury/causing a flare in their condition. 2. Environmental context and resources: Participants noted that cold, wet weather and rural living act as a barrier to staying active. 3. Emotion: The burden and frustration of living with a long-term condition and feeling ‘out-of-place’ in exercise facilities for the general public were seen as barriers to PA maintenance.
Conclusion: This study identifies the complexity of factors enabling and inhibiting PA maintenance for those living with arthritis. There are clear gaps to be addressed in future interventions and service delivery such as managing the emotional consequences of living with a long-term condition and identifying suitable local resources for people with arthritis to continue being active.
Support/Funding Source: Health Research Board/Arthritis Ireland (HRCI-HRB Joint Funding Scheme, HRCI-HRB-2022-010)
Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviour After Critical Illness: A Scoping Review of Device-Based Instruments
Get PDFIntroduction: The use of devices to measure both physical activity and sedentary behaviour after critical illness has advanced in recent years. Researchers and clinicians will need to be able to accurately select the appropriate devices and use consistent processes for data analysis to evaluate physical activity engagement, and assess the effectiveness of interventions designed to change physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Aims: This review aimed to explore the current use of device-based instruments to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviour during and following critical illness.
Methods: A scoping review was conducted following the Arksey and O’Malley (2005) framework and reported according to the PRISMA-ScR. A comprehensive search of four electronic databases (MEDLINE, ProQuest, Scopus, and CINAHL) was conducted using pre-agreed search terms from inception to December 2023. Two independent reviewers conducted screening and data extraction.
Results: Twenty-two studies were included, with the majority being observational (n = 12) while one randomised control trial was conducted. Studies covered the continuum of critical illness from intensive care admission to 18 months post-hospital discharge. A total of 11 devices (e.g. Actiwatch and activPAL) were used to assess physical activity and sedentary behaviour, with many different processing decisions used for data analysis. There was an inconsistent approach to device-based measurement in the intensive care unit (ICU), making it difficult to compare across different studies. Physical activity levels were low, coupled with high levels of sedentary behaviour in the ICU, and these patterns remained following discharge from intensive care.
Conclusion: The use of device-based measurement in critical illness is an emerging research area, with several devices available to measure physical activity and sedentary behaviour in this cohort. This review highlights the need for an agreed protocol(s) to guide the use, processing, and analysis of data for people after critical illness. Further consensus is required on important processing decisions, such as valid wear-time and cut-points for ICU survivors. Investment is also needed to support the recovery of physical activity and reduce sedentary behaviour following discharge from the hospital setting
Step by Step: Development of a Self-Audit Tool to Promote Health-Enhancing Physical Activity Policies in Psychiatric Care Institutions in Flanders
Get PDFPurpose: Patients in psychiatric care often face complex health issues limiting their ability to engage in physical activity. Pharmacological treatments may further reduce their capacity to exercise. Despite these challenges, physical activity is essential for improving both mental and physical health.
Investing in health promotion and disease prevention – specifically by encouraging physical activity in psychiatric care institutions – is crucial for reducing comorbidities and improving patient wellbeing. However, such efforts remain underexposed.
This study aims to provide Flemish psychiatric care institutions with a Self-Audit Tool to support developing and implementing a preventive, health-enhancing physical activity policy.
Project Description: Development: Drawing on literature and theoretical frameworks on preventive health policy, we developed quality criteria for a physical activity policy. These include (1) criteria assessing concrete actions, and (2) criteria evaluating how physical activity is structurally embedded in the institution. To develop the criteria, we used the 7-stappenplan from the Vlaams Instituut Gezond Leven [Fleming Institute for Healthy Living], a practical model for creating health-promoting policies. This framework guided us in formulating items related to key steps such as setting priorities and objectives, evaluation, and structural embedding. Based on these criteria, we drafted a Self-Audit Tool.
Implementation: Several Flemish psychiatric care institutions and experts in physical activity and policy were invited to provide feedback by email or during a live workshop. We asked for input on (1) relevance and (2) feasibility of the questions, (3) clarity of questions and answer options, and (4) completeness of questions, answers, and criteria.
Evaluation: Based on feedback, we revised the tool. Experts were given a second opportunity to respond, and their input was incorporated into the final version.
Dissemination: In summer 2025, all Flemish psychiatric care institutions (n = 54) will be invited to complete the Self-Audit Tool online, serving as a baseline measurement at the Flemish level for policy actors.
Conclusion: We will provide a Self-Audit Tool that supports psychiatric care institutions in reflecting on and improving their physical activity policy. Disseminating the tool as an online questionnaire across Flanders will offer insights into current integration of preventive health promotion and disease prevention and help stimulate further policy development
The Associations of Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity With Musculoskeletal Disorders in Hybrid-Office Workers: A Compositional Data Analysis
Get PDFPurpose: The aims of the present study are (1) to examine sedentary behaviour and physical activity patterns in hybrid-office workers in home and office contexts, and (2) to assess the associations of such activity patterns with musculoskeletal symptoms.
Methods: The present study collected data from hybrid-office employees from Ireland, Slovenia, Spain, and the Netherlands. Device-based measures (i.e. activPAL) were used for assessing sitting, standing, light and moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity, and sleeping in different contexts, while self-reported data assessed the musculoskeletal symptoms (i.e. Standardised Nordic Questionnaire). A compositional data analysis was employed to determine activity patterns and investigate its associations with employees’ musculoskeletal symptoms.
Results: A total of 163 hybrid office workers (39 years old, interquartile range (IQR): 19; 71.8% females) were enrolled in the study. Most of them (80%) worked from home from 2 to 4 days a week. On average, participants work 8.08 hours at home and 8.39 in the office (p = 0.012). However, occupational sitting time during home-office work is higher than during location work (6.61 h/8 h workday and 6.27 h/8 h workday, respectively; p < 0.001). Occupational sitting time is spent mainly in short bouts (<30 minutes; 3.06 h/8 h workday in the office location and 2.61 h/8 h workday at home). However, home-office workers spend sitting time in longer bouts (>60 minutes) than in the office location (1.94 h/8 h workday and 1.18 h/8 h workday, respectively), but non-statistically significant differences were identified. Regarding physical activity, differences between home-office and location work were found for light-intensity (0.28 and 0.27 hours per 8 hours of workday, respectively; p < 0.001) and moderate-to-vigorous intensity of occupational physical activity (0.08 and 0.18 hours, respectively; p < 0.001). Higher time spent for occupational sitting time was associated to greater risk of suffering any musculoskeletal symptom (p = 0.023), especially those days that employees work from home (p = 0.016).
Conclusion: This is one of the first studies providing evidence on the dynamic hybrid setting after the COVID-19 pandemic, which may inform policy guidelines and act as a starting point for future interventions targeting this context.
Support/Funding Source: Click2Move project (ERASMUS-SPORT-2021-SCP-101050490)
The FIT FIRST 10 Dose–Response Study: Evaluating Implementation Outcomes
Get PDFPurpose: Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, promoting physical activity (PA) in schools requires scalable and sustainable strategies. This study evaluated the implementation of FIT FIRST 10 (FF10), a Danish multi-sport programme designed to enhance PA, fitness, and wellbeing among 2nd and 3rd graders. We assessed implementation fidelity, feasibility, and determinants of sustainability, with a focus on how programme dosage influenced real-world delivery.
Methods: FF10 was implemented over 20 weeks in a cluster randomised controlled trial involving 27 schools. Schools were randomised to full dose (3 × 40 min/week, n = 9), half dose (1.5 × 40 min/week, n = 9), or control (n = 9). Intervention teachers received a one-day training course, printed manuals, and sports equipment. Fidelity was tracked through weekly teacher logbooks. Implementation outcomes – acceptability, appropriateness, feasibility – and COM-B-based determinants were measured via online questionnaires. Descriptive statistics were used to compare mean scores across groups.
Results: Eighteen intervention schools (38 classes) participated: nine schools (18 classes) in the full-dose group and nine schools (20 classes) in the half-dose group. On average, teachers in the full-dose group delivered 2.8 sessions per week (standard deviation (SD) = 0.4), while those in the half-dose group delivered 2.0 sessions (SD = 0.5), indicating high fidelity relative to assigned dose. Teacher scores for implementation outcomes were moderate to high. In the half-dose group, mean scores were: acceptability: 4.0, appropriateness: 3.7, and feasibility: 3.8. In the full-dose group, the corresponding scores were: 3.7, 3.6, 3.7. Social opportunity was rated highly in both groups (>4.0), indicating strong perceived support and norms for delivering the programme. However, motivation was generally lower (<3.5), particularly regarding perceived benefit and ease of integration into existing timetables.
Conclusion: FF10 was delivered with relatively high fidelity across both intervention arms. However, barriers such as time constraints, limited facilities, and low teacher motivation challenge sustainability. Although the half-dose group showed slightly more favourable feasibility scores, differences were modest. Given the small sample size (n = 18 per group), the study may have lacked power to detect statistically significant differences. Therefore, findings should be interpreted cautiously. Future studies with larger samples are needed to better assess how dose influences implementation.
Funding: Novo Nordisk Foundation (Grant Number NNF22SH0077612)
Association of BMI and Sex With Moderate and Vigorous Physical Activity in Baltic Adolescents: Insights From the 2018 HBSC Study
Get PDFPurpose: To examine the association of the overlap of body mass index (BMI) and sex with moderate (MPA) and vigorous (VPA) physical activity among adolescents in the Baltic Region.
Methods: This study analysed data from the 2018 HBSC study, including 12,934 adolescents (mean age: 13.6 ± 1.6 years) from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. MPA was self-reported and categorised as ≤6 dayS/week or 7 days/week, while VPA was classified as daily or non-daily. BMI was derived from self-reported height and weight and categorised into underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. Descriptive statistics were presented as relative frequencies with 95% confidence interval (CI).
Results: Overall, 82.4% (95% CI = 81.6%–83.0%) of adolescents engaged in moderate physical activity <7 days per week. For MPA, boys with overweight or obesity had a higher prevalence of engaging in MPA <7 days per week [85.1% (95% CI = 82.8–87.0)] compared to boys with normal weight [78.4% (95% CI = 77.1%–79.7%)] or underweight [78.8% (95% CI = 75.0%–82.1%)]. Similarly, girls with overweight or obesity also showed higher MPA <7 days per week [88.3% (95% CI = 85.9%–90.3%)] than girls with normal weight [84.6% (95% CI = 83.4%–85.6%)] or underweight [82.8% (95% CI = 80.0%–85.2%]. For VPA, no significant differences were found in <7 days per week among boys across BMI categories [underweight [87.3% (95% CI = 85.3%–88.9%)]; normal weight [85.4% (95% CI = 84.6%–86.2%)]; overweight or obesity [88.9% (95% CI = 87.4%–90.3%)]]. On the other hand, girls with overweight or obesity had a higher prevalence of VPA <7 days per week [91.2% (95% CI = 89.0%–92.9%)] than girls with normal weight [89.1% (95% CI = 88.1%–90.0%) or underweight [88.3% (95% CI = 85.9–90.3)].
Conclusion: This study highlights significant differences in moderate and vigorous physical activity patterns among adolescents in the Baltic Region based on sex and BMI. While the high prevalence of insufficient physical activity is well known, examining the overlap of contributing factors can provide a more comprehensive understanding of the most vulnerable subgroups. Additionally, the limited number of studies focusing on vigorous physical activity (VPA) underscores the relevance of this study in addressing this gap
Associations Between Motor Competence and Selected Body Composition Variables in Czech School-Aged Children: A Comparative Study
Get PDFPurpose: This study aimed to understand the associations between motor competence determined using the product-oriented Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition, complete form, and selected body composition variables determined using the BIA methods in Czech school-aged children.
Methods: The motor competence level in 601 children aged 6.0–11.0 years (46.6% girls) was evaluated using BOT-2 – Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency and variables: Total motor composite and subcategories of fine and gross motor skills: fine manual control, manual coordination, body coordination, and strength and agility. Body mass was measured using the body composition analyser InBody (InBody Co., Ltd., Korea), and body height using portable measuring equipment (InBody Co., Ltd., Korea), suitable for use in the child population. The variables analysed were body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and fat-free mass.
Results: The motor competence level was generally average. Seventy-one percent of children had at least a satisfactory level of motor competence. However, we found significantly below-average results in almost one-third of children and a prevalence of developmental coordination disorder in 7%. Body weight was: mean (M) = 30.67 kg, standard deviation (SD) = 9.02. Body mass index percentile: M = 54.05, SD = 30.57. All individuals with a BMI percentile of 100 were found to have body fat percentage in the obesity category. Below-average scores in motor competence were achieved by 10 of these children, Body fat percentage: M = 16.91, SD = 8.50; fat-free mass: M = 24.95, SD = 5.33.
Conclusion: Low levels of motor competence and gross and fine motor skills appear to be a potential risk factor for overweight and obesity as assessed by body fat and BMI. The amount of muscle mass significantly influences performance in gross motor skills. Fine motor skills appear to be relatively independent of limitations due to excess body weight.
Support/Funding Source: The Technology Agency of the Czech Republic supported this work under Grant TA ČR Éta 3 TL03000221.
 
Prevalence of Chronic Nonspecific Neck Pain Among Office Workers
Get PDFPurpose: There is a lack of comprehensive research in Lithuania examining the prevalence of chronic nonspecific neck pain among office workers and its impact on daily activities. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of chronic nonspecific neck pain among office workers and evaluate its effects on various aspects of daily functioning.
Methods: A total of 172 office workers participated in the study by completing a structured questionnaire. The survey collected data on demographic variables (gender, age), duration of sedentary work, presence of neck pain, lower back pain, headaches, use of pain medication, history of neck injuries, as well as the duration and intensity of neck pain. Participants were also asked about the impact of neck pain on personal hygiene, lifting objects, reading, concentration, work performance, driving, sleep, and leisure activities.
Results: Of the respondents, 72.4% were women and 27.6% were men, with 95.9% aged between 21 and 65 years. A majority (69.2%) reported working in a sedentary position for more than five years. Neck pain had been experienced at least once in their lifetime by 78% of office workers, and 79.4% had experienced lower back pain. Currently, 7.1% use medication to relieve back pain, while 27.1% reported chronic neck pain lasting longer than three months. According to the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), 10.8% reported neck pain intensity of 4. At the time of the survey, 27.8% experienced mild neck pain and 11.8% experienced moderate pain. Regarding functional activities, 21.2% performed personal hygiene independently but with mild neck pain; 32.4% experienced mild neck pain when lifting weights; 34.1% while reading; 30.4% while driving. Additionally, 49.4% reported sleep disturbances, and 26% experienced mild neck pain during leisure activities.
Conclusion: Chronic nonspecific neck pain is highly prevalent among office workers. Although it does not significantly impair daily functioning for the majority of individuals, mild to moderate pain is frequently reported during various daily activities. Further research will continue to explore the effectiveness of incorporating short breaks during work hours as a potential strategy for managing symptoms and improving musculoskeletal health in this population