Health Promotion & Physical Activity

The impact of sleeping in an elevated upper body position during acclimatization to high altitude on acute mountain sickness and pulmonary artery systolic pressure

Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Background: The effect of sleeping positions during acclimatization to high altitude on Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS) and High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE) is unknown. We tested whether sleeping with the upper body raised by 5° reduces prevalence and severity of symptoms of AMS as well as of elevated pulmonary artery systolic pressure (PASP) values as a risk factor of HAPE.

Methods: Randomly assigning trekking tourist volunteers n = 44 (25 m, 19 f; mean age 42.9 yr) sleeping at 4280 m or 5170 m to the experimental group (upper body elevated by 5°), or to the control group. After exclusion of other reasons for AMS-like symptoms those assumed to be related to AMS were rated by Lake Louise Score questionnaire in the evening and the following morning of the study. Transthoracic echocardiography was performed on both occasions to estimate PASP.

Results: In the study group, symptoms of AMS were significantly reduced in younger subjects (p = 0.021), prevalence of AMS was reduced in women (p = 0.156), and PASP values were significantly reduced in older subjects and men (p = 0.032; p = 0.031 respectively).

Conclusion: Results suggest that sleeping with the upper body in elevated position during a high altitude ascent may benefit those suffering from AMS or at risk of HAPE due to elevated PASP values.

Functional training as a therapeutic approach for chronic low back pain

Aleksandra Adamik, Edyta Mikołajczyk — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the applied functional training on pain level, lumbar spine range of motion, pelvic anterior tilt, and limitations in daily functioning caused by chronic pain.

Material and methods: Twenty women aged 20–24 with chronic low back pain participated in a 12-week therapy in the form of a functional training program. Both before and after the intervention period, measurements of lumbar spine range of motion and pelvic anterior tilt were taken for all participants. Pain levels were quantified using the VAS Scale, and disability levels were measured using the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. Statistical analysis were conducted using Statistica 13.3 (Student’s t-test, Wilcoxon’s signed-rank test, Pearson linear correlation).

Results: The proposed training program significantly reduced the pain level (p < 0.05) from 4.80 to 1.35. There was a significant improvement in the overall assessment of disability caused by spinal pain in the Oswestry Disability Index questionnaire. The lumbar spine range of motion changed significantly (p < 0.05) in each of the examined planes. A significant decrease in the pelvic anterior tilt angle in the neutral position was observed in the subjects.

Conclusions: The proposed functional training program contributed to reducing the perceived level of pain, improving the range of spinal motion and decreasing the degree of pelvic anterior tilt. The obtained results demonstrate the effectiveness of using functional training as a form of therapy in the treatment and prevention of low back pain and in improving the quality of participants’ lives.

Changes in gait parameters and pelvic movement during gait under the influence of light loads carried symmetrically or asymmetrically — preliminary research

Katarzyna Wódka, Sylwia Łachut, Agnieszka Jankowicz-Szymańska — Mon, 11 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Walking is one of the basic human activities. Taking care of the correct gait pattern is important for maintaining proper body posture and preventing dysfunctions of the musculoskeletal system. Since walking often involves carrying a load, the study aimed to evaluate changes in gait parameters and pelvic movement during gait under the influence of light loads carried symmetrically or asymmetrically in a bag or backpack.

Material and methods: The group of 11 women and 15 men aged between 19 and 25 were examined. The BTS G-Sensor device was used. The basic gait parameters were examined, as well as the symmetry coefficient of pelvic motion and the range of pelvic motion in each of the three planes. The test involving walking 30 meters was repeated four times: while walking without a load, with an additional load worn in a backpack on both shoulders, in a bag on the right shoulder, or in a bag worn diagonally on the left shoulder. Each time the load was equal to 10% of the participantʼs body weight.

Results: Walking speed, stride length to body height ratio, gait symmetry coefficient, and left and right foot propulsive speed did not change significantly during walking while carrying a load of 10% of body weight, regardless of the method of carrying a bag or backpack.

Conclusions: Although carrying a light bag or backpack does not change the basic gait parameters, even such a small load reduces the symmetry of pelvic movement and the range of pelvic motion in the frontal and transverse planes during walking.

A new hand dynamometer activforce isometric muscle activation on single joint muscle force of volleyball players

Yeliz Kahraman — Fri, 23 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Isometric muscle activation of single joint to volleyball players is critic on sport performance to produce potential muscle force, however isometric measurement limited in isokinetic muscle activity measurement of volleyball players. Indeed, hand dynamometers commonly use in various body isometric force. Professional volleyball players age 16.23 ± 0.59 yr, body mass 60.22 ± 4.64 kg, hight 1.69 ± 0.04 m participated to peak and average isometric force measurement over 8 week pre and post test. Accordingly, single joint muscle force production measurement of volleyball players tested on isometric muscle activation using a new hand dynamometer activforce 2. Isometric muscle activation tests consisted of 24 body region from upper and lower compartment. For this isometric muscle action test detected on peak force outcomes (SEM: 37.90; CV: 1.79) and average force outcomes (SEM: 33.62; CV: 1.84). The high isometric muscle action joint loading performing mechanical test application recommended on athletic population to using isometric potential high contraction model by strength training performance separately in-season and off-season measurement modeling. Conclusion, peak and average force production progressive isometric modeling of volleyball athletes worked to current sport–health condition. As out, conclusion must be advanced isometric force measurement proper work in sport-specific tasks. The proper isometric force must be repeat sport performance outcome in different sport modalities.

Frostbite incidence is a selective term and dependable on methodology — a narrative review

Berenike Schneider, Jurij Gorjanc — Wed, 28 Feb 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Introduction: Frostbite is freezing of the tissue that mostly affects skin but also the underlying tissues. It results from prolonged exposure to temperatures below the freezing point of water (0°C). One of the many consequences of climate change is extreme cold events, which increase the risk of frostbite in the general population, particularly among individuals who are involuntarily exposed to cold for prolonged periods of time. Although frostbite has been a known phenomenon for a long time, occurring as early as 5000 years ago, the exact incidence of frostbite is not known. This is partly due to variable internal (frostbite susceptibility, hydration status, protective garments) and external etiological factors (wind chill, precipitation, altitude), that never coincide all at the same time.

Objectives: The objective was to compare the incidence rates of frostbite in the published studies that focused on frostbite incidence.

Methods: Out of a total of 61 studies using the keywords “frostbite” and “incidence” on PubMed, we selected seven that dealt with frostbite incidence over 20 years. We briefly summarized and compared the results of the studies.

Results: The comparison of the seven studies shows a great variability of frostbite incidence depending on the population, its size, and the method of data collection. Studies that included civilian populations have significantly lower frostbite incidence rates than studies focusing on individuals who are exposed to temperatures below 0°C for extended periods, such as mountaineers, military personnel, workers in cold storage houses or homeless people. The results highlight different incidence rates for different populations and indicate that retrospectively collected data are insufficiently comparable among studies. Frostbite incidence, expressed as the ratio of injured individuals to non-injured inhabitants, is only comparable in studies using the same methodology. Enhanced frostbite susceptibility is a confirmed fact and was generally not considered in most of the studies.

Conclusions: Frostbite incidences of the included studies are insufficiently comparable to draw any conclusions on possible general frostbite incidence in a population. To enhance our ability to estimate or predict frostbite occurrences within the general population, establishing an international or national frostbite registry in high-risk countries could be helpful.

Being old during the COVID-19 pandemic in Turkey — a case study

Sinan Vatansever, Birsen Altay — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 00:00:00 +0100

Pandemics affect millions of people and cause many deaths worldwide. Undoubtedly, the most affected vulnerable group in the epidemic has been the elderly. The elderly population is a very heterogeneous population with various combinations of geriatric syndromes, comorbidities, and disabilities. According to the WHO report, 89% of the mortality in the COVID-19 virus is seen in individuals aged 65 and over, called the elderly. For older people, the risk of transmission is higher due to the health conditions associated with aging. The weak immune system in the elderly and the advanced state of chronic diseases can cause COVID-19 disease to be experienced more severely. The social isolation measure of the elderly during the COVID-19 process has caused physiological, physical and psychological problems. At the same time, due to the social isolation measure, the routine treatment plans of the elderly were disrupted and they were deprived of the necessary treatment. The aim of this study is to address the physiological, physical and psychological problems experienced by the elderly during the pandemic process and to determine the effects of the pandemic on the elderly.