Agnieszka Nawrocka

Health-oriented physical activity in prevention of musculoskeletal disorders among young Polish musicians

ObjectivesMusicians represent a very specific professional group, which due to some occupational hazards is exposed to different health problems known as playing-related musculoskeletal disorders (PRMDs). The aim of this study was to assess correlations between the level of physical activity, and the occurrence of musculoskeletal pain among young instrumentalists.Materials and MethodsTotal of 225 Polish musical school students were investigated. To assess the study participants’ physical activity level, the moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) index was used. To assess pain complaints on the side of the musculoskeletal system, Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) was applied. The NMQ questionnaire was complemented by adding a visual-analog scale (VAS), which also allowed to assess pain intensity on a numerical scale 1–10.ResultsThe pain localized in neck, shoulders, upper and lower back was reported significantly more often by the participants who did not meet standard criteria for the recommended or minimal physical activity level.ConclusionPerforming the recommended health-oriented physical activity may reduce the prevalence of musculoskeletal pain in young musicians.

Assessment of Startle Response and Its Prepulse Inhibition Using Posturography: Pilot Study

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility of using static posturography in the assessment of sensorimotor gating. Subjects and Methods. Fourteen subjects took part in the experiment. The inhibitory mechanisms of startle reflex were used as the measure of sensorimotor gating. It was evoked by a strong acoustic stimulus (106 dB SPL, 40 ms) which was preceded by the weaker similar signal (80 dB SPL, 20 ms). A stabilographic platform was used to measure sensorimotor gating. Results. Results of static posturography show that the postural sway caused by the reaction to a strong acoustic stimulus is significantly smaller when this stimulus is preceded by the signal of lower intensity (prepulse). Such assessment is only possible in eyes open conditions. Conclusions. Static posturography can be simple and effective method used for diagnosis of sensorimotor gating in humans.

Recommendations for health-enhancing physical activities in type 2 diabetes patients

[Purpose] Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disease of civilization with epidemiological coverage. An integral component of a comprehensive process of type 2 diabetes mellitus prevention and treatment is reasonably proportioned exercise. The aim of the study was to evaluate the weekly physical activity of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and healthy subjects with respect to recommendations of the American College of Sports Medicine and American Diabetes Association. [Subjects] The study involved 31 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (treatment duration 9 ± 0.8) and 31 healthy people. [Methods] Physical activity levels were determined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. A χ2 test was applied to determine the percentage of people who met recommendations. [Results] Analysis of the obtained results demonstrated that the intensity of physical activity in patients with diabetes was moderate or low. The men in the control group met the recommendations for standard health-related activities significantly more often than the patients with diabetes. In women, there was no such relationship, since most of the women were insufficiently physically active. [Conclusion] The conclusion to be drawn is that there is an urgent need to develop and implement effective programs to enhance physical activity among people at risk of diseases of civilization, including type 2 diabetes.

Physical activity of male and female adolescents living in a town and a city in the context of public health recommendations

Physical activity of male and female adolescents living in a town and a city in the context of public health recommendations Study aim: To assess the physical activity of male and female adolescents from Poland living in a town (Czechowice-Dziedzice) and in a city (Katowice). Material and methods: The research involved 431 high school students aged 16-18 years (249 from Czechowice-Dziedzice and 182 from Katowice). Physical activity was measured by the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The volume of the different levels of physical activity was calculated in units of MET min/wk. Results: The total volume of weekly physical activity was higher among high school students living in a town (Czechowice-Dziedzice) than students living in a city (Katowice). Only 31.5% of the students met the criteria for recommended physical activity. Conclusions: The level of physical activity varies by place of residence. Students living in towns are more physically active than youth living in cities. Most high school students (64%) included in the research can be considered to be insufficiently physically active.

Applicability of pedometry and accelerometry in the calculation of energy expenditure during walking and Nordic walking among women in relation to their exercise heart rate

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of pedometry and accelerometry in the measurement of the energy expenditures in Nordic walking and conventional walking as diagnostic parameters. [Subjects and Methods] The study included 20 female students (age, 24 ± 2.3 years). The study used three types of measuring devices, namely a heart rate monitor (Polar S610i), a Caltrac accelerometer, and a pedometer (Yamax SW-800). The walking pace at the level of 110 steps/min was determined by using a metronome. [Results] The students who walked with poles covered a distance of 1,000 m at a speed 36.3 sec faster and with 65.5 fewer steps than in conventional walking. Correlation analysis revealed a moderate interrelationship between the results obtained with a pedometer and those obtained with an accelerometer during Nordic walking (r = 0.55) and a high correlation during conventional walking (r = 0.85). [Conclusion] A pedometer and Caltrac accelerometer should not be used as alternative measurement instruments in the comparison of energy expenditure in Nordic walking.

The caloric cost of combat sports and martial arts training in relation to health recommendations – initial research

Background The aim of study was to expand the knowledge about the caloric cost (CC) of trainings in selected combat sports and martial arts, in the context of daily recommended physical activity necessary for health. Material & Methods: The study was conducted in a total of 89 men who recreationally trained 3–4 times a week aikido, capoeira, jujutsu, kick boxing, kyokushin karate, traditional karate, vma (various martial arts). For the measurements of training CC, “Caltrac Monitor” accelerometers (Muscle Dynamics, Inc. Torrance, CA, USA) were used. CC of three 60-minute workouts was monitored in each of the seven tested combat sports and martial arts, and the average results were given in kilocalories per hour (kcal/h) (absolute CC of exercises). The intensity of exercises was measured by multiplicity of metabolic equivalent (MET) (index of relative CC of trainings). Absolute and relative values of CC in each martial arts were compared to health-oriented physical activity (PA) recommended by the American College of Sports Medicine. Results: We have demonstrated that the majority of men taking part in combat sports and martial arts trainings met the criteria of daily physical activity for health. Conclusions: In the further studies on CC of combat sports and martial arts practice, measurement devices should be used that allow estimation of the ratio of training exercises with low, moderate, high and very high intensities.

Objective Assessment of Adherence to Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health in Relation to Spirometric Values in Nonsmoker Women Aged 60–75 Years

The purpose of this study was to determine the strength of the relationship between forced expiratory spirometric tests and physical activity levels in older women divided into two groups based on whether they met or did not meet guidelines for weekly physical activity according to the Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health (WHO, 2011). Research included 61 healthy, nonsmoker female seniors (Mage = 66 years, SDage = 4.4 years). Weekly physical activity was assessed using an ActiGraph GT3X triaxial accelerometer. To evaluate pulmonary function, forced spirometry tests were performed. The women who met criteria of physical activity for health achieved significantly higher values for forced vital capacity (FVC), t(59) = -1.58, p < .001, and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1), t(59) = -3.33, p = .002. Meeting criteria of Global Recommendations on Physical Activity for Health is associated with better FVC and FEV1 parameters in healthy older women.

Leisure-time Physical Activity of Polish White-collar Workers: A Cross-sectional Study

Objective/Background The aim of this study was to assess the leisure-time physical activity of Polish white-collar workers in relation to various health recommendations. Methods The study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 482 white-collar workers from Poland. Researchers recorded the leisure-time physical activity logs for 7 consecutive days of the week. Physical activity level was interpreted in relation to the World Health Organization and the American College of Sports Medicine recommendations. Results Among the workers, 42% of women and 53% of men declared moderate physical activity for at least 150 minutes per week, but only 23% of women and 18% men undertook activity in at least 5 days. Conclusion The results of the physical activity identified were significantly different from the American College of Sports Medicine and World Health Organization recommendations. The lower percentage of workers who met American College of Sports Medicine recommendations was caused by insufficient frequency of physical efforts.

The relationship between meeting of recommendations on physical activity for health and perceived work ability among white-collar workers

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between meeting recommendations on physical activity for health in leisure-time and the ability to work among Polish white-collar workers. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional design with a convenience sample of 360 white-collar workers. Participants recorded 7-day physical activity logs, including form, duration and intensity of leisure-time physical activities. The results were compared to health recommendations. A standardized Work Ability Index (WAI) questionnaire was used in assessing the ability to work. Results: Participants who met health recommendations achieved higher scores of the WAI (mean score = 41.93) in comparison to those who were not sufficiently physically active (mean score = 39.35) (p < .001). The results of binary logistic regression show that meeting health-related physical activity recommendations almost double the odds of reaching at least good work ability (OR = 1.94, 95% CI = 1.12–3.36). Conclusions: Meeting leisure-time physical activity recommendations (especially the criterion of vigorous physical activity) is significantly related to higher self-assessed ability to work among white-collar workers.

The relationship between physical activity and work ability – A cross-sectional study of teachers

OBJECTIVES To assess relationship between physical activity (PA) and perceived work ability amongst teachers from the Upper Silesia, Poland. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved 171 teachers (129 women, 42 men) of primary and secondary schools of the Upper Silesia, Poland. Physical education teachers were excluded from the study. The level of PA was estimated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version, and perceived work ability was estimated using Work Ability Index (WAI). RESULTS Male teachers had significantly higher levels of vigorous-intensity PA, moderateintensity PA, and total weekly PA than female teachers. The recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO) met 46% of studied women and 74% of men. Work ability did not differ between male and female teachers. Work ability was related to age, body mass index (BMI), and PA (vigorous-intensity PA, moderate-intensity PA, total weekly PA). The female teachers with excellent or good WAI had significantly higher levels of vigorous-intensity PA, moderate-intensity PA and total weekly PA than female teachers with moderate or poor WAI. CONCLUSIONS The teachers involving in high or moderate intensity PA could improve their work ability. Further studies should focus on relation between physical activity and work ability among teachers of various age and seniority, from both, urban and rural schools. Int J Occup Med Environ Health 2018;31(1):1-9.