Jarosław Omorczyk

Foot Structure in Boys with Down Syndrome

Introduction and Aim Down syndrome (DS) is associated with numerous developmental abnormalities, some of which cause dysfunctions of the posture and the locomotor system. The analysis of selected features of the foot structure in boys with DS versus their peers without developmental disorders is done. Materials and Methods The podoscopic examination was performed on 30 boys with DS aged 14-15 years. A control group consisted of 30 age- and gender-matched peers without DS. Results The feet of boys with DS are flatter compared to their healthy peers. The hallux valgus angle is not the most important feature differentiating the shape of the foot in the boys with DS and their healthy peers. In terms of the V toe setting, healthy boys had poorer results. Conclusions Specialized therapeutic treatment in individuals with DS should involve exercises to increase the muscle strength around the foot joints, enhancing the stabilization in the joints and proprioception. Introducing orthotics and proper footwear is also important. It is also necessary to monitor the state of the foot in order to modify undertaken therapies.

Postural stability in women in the eighth and ninth decades of life.

PURPOSE The purpose of this paper was an attempt to evaluate changes in the level of static equilibrium and the impact of visual information on the effectiveness of postural reactions of women in geriatric age. METHODS 36 senior female residents of L.A. Helc Nursing Home in Cracow, Poland, were examined. Considering the age, 2 groups were distinguished: group I - women at the age 71- 80 and group II - women aged 81-87. Their balance was assessed with stabilographic platform CQ Stab 2P. Measurements of the body stability were made in free standing position, with eyes open and eyes closed. Comparison of selected indicators of stability between the groups of the women was made with the Mann-Whitney U test. To assess the significance of differences between the results obtained in the test with eyes open and without visual control the Wilcoxon test was used. RESULTS Statistically significant differences between the results obtained in the groups concerned the length of the statokineziogram path on the X-axis, as well as the average speed of the COP movement on the X-axis. In the test without the visual control both groups showed statistically significant deterioration in most indicators of stability. CONCLUSIONS Loss of postural control as a result of progressive involutional changes in the aging process is characterized by the intensity of the body instability in the frontal plane. These results indicate the need of applying in the rehabilitation programmes for elderly people adequate solutions, including the exercises directed at developing new or enhancing the decaying adjustment mechanisms.

High-frequency video capture and a computer program with frame-by-frame angle determination functionality as tools that support judging in artistic gymnastics.

PURPOSE The main aim of this study was to verify the usefulness of selected simple methods of recording and fast biomechanical analysis performed by judges of artistic gymnastics in assessing a gymnasts movement technique. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study participants comprised six artistic gymnastics judges, who assessed back handsprings using two methods: a real-time observation method and a frame-by-frame video analysis method. They also determined flexion angles of knee and hip joints using the computer program. RESULTS In the case of the real-time observation method, the judges gave a total of 5.8 error points with an arithmetic mean of 0.16 points for the flexion of the knee joints. In the high-speed video analysis method, the total amounted to 8.6 error points and the mean value amounted to 0.24 error points. For the excessive flexion of hip joints, the sum of the error values was 2.2 error points and the arithmetic mean was 0.06 error points during real-time observation. The sum obtained using frame-by-frame analysis method equaled 10.8 and the mean equaled 0.30 error points. CONCLUSIONS Error values obtained through the frame-by-frame video analysis of movement technique were higher than those obtained through the real-time observation method. The judges were able to indicate the number of the frame in which the maximal joint flexion occurred with good accuracy. Using the real-time observation method as well as the high-speed video analysis performed without determining the exact angle for assessing movement technique were found to be insufficient tools for improving the quality of judging.

Comparison of Back Handspring Technique Performed by Advanced Artistic Gymnasts – A Case Study

Introduction. The aim of this case study was to compare selected kinematic parameters that characterise the back handspring technique performed by advanced artistic gymnasts. Material and methods. Three elite gymnasts with varied training experience were examined in the study. The athletes performed back handsprings video-recorded at a frequency of 120 Hz. The values of selected kinematic parameters were determined using SkillSpector v.1.3.2 computer software. Results. The most substantial differences between athletes were found in the values of the horizontal velocity of the centre of mass (CoM) at the end of the back handspring. The athlete with the longest training experience achieved values which were three times higher (1.04 m/s) than those obtained by the other two athletes with shorter experience (Gymnast 2: 0.36 m/s; Gymnast 3: 0.37 m/s). The horizontal CoM velocity at the end of the back handspring declined for all the gymnasts, with the smallest decrease observed for the athlete with the longest training experience (two-fold decrease from 1.95 to 1.04 m/s) and the biggest one found for the athlete with the shortest training experience (six-fold decrease from 2.18 to 0.37 m/s). The vertical CoM velocity increased in all the athletes in the consecutive phases of the back handspring; this increase was the biggest for the athlete with the longest training experience (five-fold increase from 0.71 to 3.42 m/s) and the lowest for the athlete with the shortest training experience (three-fold increase from 1.08 to 3.24 m/s). Conclusions. The results obtained in this study demonstrated both similarities and substantial differences in the technique of performing the back handspring in artistic gymnasts with many years of training experience. In most cases, the directions of linear CoM velocities and angular velocities were similar in the joints analysed. Very similar values of angular positions were also obtained. Furthermore, the values which turned out to be the most varied were those recorded for angular velocity.

Effect of Changes in Cycle Ergometer Settings on Bioelectrical Activity in Selected Muscles of the Lower Limbs

Abstract Introduction. The aim of this study was to measure the duration of biopotentials in selected muscles of the lower limbs, evaluate the time of elevated bioelectrical activity in these muscles, and identify similarities and differences in electrical phenomena that occur in the muscles for various external settings of a cycle ergometer. Material and methods. The study examined 10 healthy people (5 women and 5 men) aged from 20 to 30 years. A cycle ergometer and EMG apparatus were used in the experiment. The bioelectrical activity of six muscles of the lower limbs (rectus femoris, vastus medialis, tibialis anterior, biceps femoris, gastrocnemius caput mediale, and gastrocnemius caput laterale) was recorded for four different settings of the cycle ergometer (variable saddle height and method of foot attachment to pedals). The EMG records were presented with reference to the bicycle crankset rotation cycle. Conclusions. The study found that changing the height of the saddle of the cycle ergometer and the use of toe clips in the pedals caused changes in bioelectrical activity in the muscles. The adjustment of saddle height affected the duration of potentials more noticeably than the use of toe clips. Furthermore, only one period of elevated electrical activity in the muscles of the lower limbs was found in the pedalling cycle. The longest time of the presence of action potentials was recorded for the m. gastrocnemius caput laterale, whereas the shortest time was observed in the m. vastus medialis.

Feet deformities are correlated with impaired balance and postural stability in seniors over 75

Objective Understanding the factors and mechanisms that determine balance in seniors appears vital in terms of their self-reliance and overall safety. The study aimed to determine the relationship between the features of feet structure and the indicators of postural stability in the elderly. Methods The study group comprised 80 seniors (41F, 39M; aged 75–85 years). CQ-ST podoscope and the CQ-Stab 2P two-platform posturograph were used as primary research tools. The data were analyzed based on Spearman’s rank correlation and forward stepwise regression. Results Analysis of forward stepwise regression identified the left foot length in females and Clarke’s angle of the left foot in men as significant and independent predictors of postural up to 30% of the variance of dependent variables. Conclusions Longer feet provide older women with better stability, whereas in men, the lowering of the longitudinal arch results in postural deterioration. In the elderly, the left lower limb shows greater activity in the stabilizing processes in the standing position than the right one. In gerontological rehabilitation special attention should be paid to the individually tailored, gender-specific treatment, with a view to enhancing overall safety and quality of seniors’ lives.

Effects of 6-week basketball training using the modified circuit weight method

Article statistics Word count: 3,745; Tables: 6; Figures: 0; References: 36 Received: November 2017; Accepted: November 2017; Published: December 2017 Full-text PDF: http://www.balticsportscience.com Copyright

Influence of experimental training with external resistance in a form of “kettlebell” on selected components of women’s physical fitness

Article statistics Word count: 2,630; Tables: 2; Figures: 1; References: 28 Received: September 2016; Accepted: December 2016; Published: March 2017 Full-text PDF: http://www.balticsportscience.com Copyright

The Level of technical and specific skill efficiency in youth class female artistic gymnasts

Research aim. Evaluation of the level of technical efficiency in youth class female gymnasts based on the results of selected specific fitness tests. Material and methods. The research included 24 girls aged 7-8 who practice artistic gymnastics in TS Wisła Kraków. In order to diagnose the level of technical efficiency and specific fitness, tests developed by the Methodology and Training Commission of the Polish Association of Female Gymnastics (PZG) were used. Results. A high level of technical efficiency was found in each all-around gymnastic event. A low performance in some specific fitness tests was observed. There were statistically significant relationships between the technique of exercises in particular gymnastic events and specific fitness test results. Summary. All tested gymnasts are characterized by high and similar levels of technical efficiency. Most specific fitness tests show significant differences between results obtained by the gymnast. The observed statistically significant correlations indicate that in women’s artistic gymnastics specific fitness tests should be used as early as at the stage of basic training.

Sexual dimorphism in motor coordination in students at Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum

****** Prof. Dr Habil., Department of Anthropomotorics, University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland ****** PhD, Department of Anthropomotorics, University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland ****** MSc, Department of Physical Fitness, Jagiellonian University Collegium Medicum, Krakow, Poland ****** PhD, Department of Gymnastics, University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland ****** PhD, Department of Theory and Methodology of Winter Sports, University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland ****** PhD, Department of Anthropology, University School of Physical Education, Krakow, Poland