Mirosław Mrozkowiak

Comparison of parameters of spinal curves in the sagittal plane measured by photogrammetry and inclinometry.

BACKGROUND. The photogrammetric method and inclinometer-based measurements are commonly employed to assess the anteroposterior curvatures of the spine. These methods are used both in clinical trials and for screening purposes. The aim of the study was to compare the parameters used to characterise the anteroposterior spinal curvatures as measured by photogrammetry and inclinometry. MATERIAL AND METHODS. The study enrolled 341 subjects: 169 girls and 172 boys, aged 4 to 9 years, from kindergartens and primary schools in Rzeszów. The anteroposterior spinal curvatures were examined by photogrammetry and with a mechanical inclinometer. RESULTS. There were significant differences in the α angle between the inclinometric and photogrammetric assessment in the Student t test (p=0.017) and the Fisher Snedecor test (p=0.0001), with similar differences in the β angle (Students t p=0.0001, Fisher Snedecor p=0.007). For the γ angle, significant differences were revealed with Students t test (p=0.0001), but not with the Fisher Snedecor test (p = 0.22). CONCLUSIONS. 1. Measurements of inclination of particular segments of the spine obtained with the photogrammetric method and the inclinometric method in the same study group revealed statistically significant differences. 2. The results of measurements obtained by photogrammetry and inclinometry are not comparable. 3. Further research on agreement between measurements of the anteroposterior spinal curvatures obtained using the available measurement equipment is recommended.

The impact of physical activity in the ‘Keep your body straight” program on the selected features of body posturę in sagittal plane in children aged 7-9 years

Increasing attention is being paid to health and healthcare of pupils in Polish schools. The aim of the study was determining the impact of physical activity in the correction ‘Keep your body straight’ program on incorrect body postures in children aged 7-9 years. The study included 1864 children. The children participated in corrective activities within the ‘Keep your body straight’ program. Methodology of carrying out the analysis involved the measurement of physiological spinal curvatures and torso verticality in the habitual posture using a photogrammetric method in six half-year editions under the 3-year research program. Gender-based differences are statistically insignificant as regards: the inclination angle of the thoracic-lumbar spine (Beta) and the upper thoracic spine (Gamma), depth of lumbar lordosis (GLL-), depth of thoracic kyphosis (GKP), thoracic kyphosis length (DKP), height (RKP) and angle (KKP), lumbar lordosis length (DLL), height (RLL) and angle (KLL), torso flexion angle (KPT-). Statistically significant differences concerned: the inclination angle of the lumbar-sacral spine (Alfa), the sum of partial angles Delta (Alfa, Beta, Gamma) and torso extension angle (KPT). Conclusions Corrective activities in the ‘Keep your body straight’ program combined with education of parents are effective means in the correction process of body postures concerning physiological spinal curvatures in children aged 7-9 years. Physical activity applied within the program significantly influenced all the features describing lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and trunk verticality. The effectiveness of the program can be enhanced by an individual approach to every ‘incorrect’ posture in a child, which could not be achieved due to insufficient school funds.

Assessment of the cognitive functions in kayakers of the national team after a training cycle combined with whole body cryotherapy

Introduction. Using the Quick Mind Testing method, the efficiency of cognitive functions in kayakers after physical training combined with whole body cryotherapy was assessed. Material and methods. The athletes (n = 17) performed the Quick Mind Testing on the first day and at the end of a 2-month training cycle, as well as before and after whole body cryotherapy conducted between the 5th and the 15th day of the cycle. Cryotherapy was administered twice a day, before and after training (20 sessions altogether). One cryotherapy session lasted 3 mins with the temperature gradually decreased from the initial -120 o C to the final -145 o C. Results. After the training period, the kayakers committed approx. 2 times less incorrect Go and NoGo reactions, and approx. 12% more correct NoGo (p < .004) reactions, as well as gave more correct answers in the ATTENTION test (p < .004) than on the first day of training. After cryotherapy, as compared with the results obtained before the cryochamber stimulation, the kayakers gave more correct answers in the ATTENTION test. Conclusions. Physical training combined with whole body cryotherapy increases the mental efficiency of kayakers, which may affect the efficiency of physical exercise.