Piotr Majcher

Impact of discopathic lumbosacral pain on body posture. A pilot study.

INTRODUCTION Lumbosacral back pain is the most prevalent musculoskeletal condition. The aim of this study was to examine the impact of discopathic lumbosacral pain on displacement of the bodys centre of gravity and foot-ground pressure. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study involved 30 patients (20 females and 10 males) with discopathic lumbosacral pain at the L(4)-L(5) and L(5)-S(1) levels, who underwent physiotherapeutic rehabilitation in the Rehabilitation Centre in Zamość. The mean age of the patients was 50.03 years ±16.15 (females - 47.5 ±16.8; males - 61.1 ±12.33). A Stability 2.0 stabilometric platform was used to assess the displacement of the bodys centre of gravity and foot-ground pressure. RESULTS The results revealed that the amplitude of centre of gravity displacement was significantly lower in the frontal plane than in the sagittal plane, irrespective of whether the test was performed with closed or open eyes. All study participants showed a predominance of posterior tilt. As regards deviations in the frontal plane, 66.67% of the patients favoured the right lower limb, while 33.33% put more weight on the left lower limb. CONCLUSIONS 1. Discopathic lumbosacral pain influenced the displacement of the bodys centre of gravity and the symmetry of lower extremity loading. 2. Physiotherapy in patients with discopathic lumbosacral pain should be aimed at restoring the bodys displaced centre of gravity and ensuring symmetrical loading of the lower extremities.

Evaluation of influence of stretching therapy and ergonomic factors on postural control in patients with chronic non-specific low back pain

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES The vertical orientation of the body in the upright standing position is maintained by keeping the bodys centre of gravity (COG) upright, above the base of support, by a dynamic interplay of visual, vestibular, and somatosensory control systems. The objectives of this study were: to compare the postural control strategy between people with and without low back pain (LBP), to estimate the influence of the stretching therapy on the postural control strategy, and to discover the relationship between the restriction of spine mobility and occurrence of some ergonomic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS The study consisted of 32 patients with LBP and 25 healthy controls. Postural characteristics of the subjects were measured with the use of a computerized force platform. The software programme filters and measures COG sway velocity in different conditions. Additional measurements and tests were conducted in patients after stretching therapy. Based on survey research, all individuals were selected and evaluated from the aspect of ergonomics. RESULTS The results of the COG sway velocity vary under the testing conditions. From the aspect of ergonomic attitude and influence of the rehabilitation, results varied in the groups. CONCLUSIONS Ergonomic factors are often accompanied by the appearance of LBP. The restrictions within the musculoskeletal system cause disorders in muscle synergies, which is expressed by an increase in the angular velocity of the COG. In patients with chronic back pain syndrome, selected stretching therapy techniques improves the range of motion of the spine and reduces pain.

The Dopamine Receptor D4 Gene (DRD4) and Financial Risk-Taking: Stimulating and Instrumental Risk-Taking Propensity and Motivation to Engage in Investment Activity

The Dopamine receptor D4 gene (DRD4) has been previously linked to financial risk-taking propensity. Past works demonstrated that individuals with a specific variant of the DRD4 gene (7R+) are more risk-seeking than people without it (7R−). The most prominent explanation for this effect is the fact that 7R+ individuals are less sensitive to dopamine and thus seek more stimulation to generate “normal” dopaminergic activity and feel pleasure. However, results about this relationship have not been conclusive, and some revealed a lack of the relationship. In the current work, we tested if those unclear results might be explained by the motivation that underlies the risk-taking activity; i.e., if people take risks to feel excitement or if they take risk to obtain a specific goal. In our study we tested the differences in risk-taking between 7R+ and 7R− among people who are experienced in financial risk-taking (113 investors) and non-experienced financial decision makers (104 non-investors). We measured risk-taking propensity with the Holt-Laury test and the Stimulating-Instrumental Risk Inventory. Moreover, we asked investors about their motivations for engaging in investment activity. Our study is the next one to report a lack of differences in risk-taking between 7R+ and 7R− individuals. As well, our results did not indicate any differences between the 7R+ and 7R− investors in motivation to engage in investment activity. We only observed that risk-taking propensity was higher among investors than non-investors and this was noticed for all measures. More research is needed to better understand the genetic foundations of risk-taking, which could answer the question about the substantial variation in the domain of risky financial decisions.

Differences in myoelectric manifestations of fatigue during isometric muscle actions

INTRODUCTION Muscle fatigue has been studied for a long time with the use of a wide variety of exercise models, protocols and assessment methods, among which surface electromyography (sEMG) is most commonly used. The main sEMG parameters (amplitude and frequency) are prevalently used to evaluate the level of muscle fatigue in static and dynamic contractions. OBJECTIVE The purpose of this study is to determine and compare 2 separate indices: IF1 basis of the sEMG signal amplitude analysis and IF2 basis of the sEMG median frequency analysis, related to muscles fatigue during an isometric contraction. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study was performed on 60 professional runners divided into 2 equal groups. The first group comprised sprinters, competing in short distance track and field events (100 and 200 meters). The second group consisted of middle-distance runners, competing in middle-distance track and field events (800 and 1,500 meters). The electrical activity of the VMO muscles of the right and left lower limbs was recorded simultaneously during isometric activity in a squatting position. The sEMG data was used to determine and compare IF1 and IF2 indices. RESULTS During isometric measurement, sprinters presented a much more significant increase in the mean amplitude of sEMG signal in comparison to middle-distance runners (mean IF1 difference: 0.228; p=0.007). Analysis of the median frequency did not show significant differences between the 2 groups (mean IF2 difference: 0.037; p=0.12). CONCLUSIONS Change in sEMG amplitude during isometric exercise may be related to muscles fatigue. The use of fatigue indices, based on sEMG amplitude, as an objective indicator of the efficacy of an endurance training programme for sportsmen requires further research.

Difference in vertical jumping abilities, endurance and quickness of regeneration lower extremity muscle groups after physical effort between CrossFit and climbing athletes

Abstract Introduction. Productive sporting performance in various sports disciplines often heavily depends on jumping abilities as well as on lower limb muscles power and endurance of the athletes involved. Both CrossFit, a popular high-intensity training program and sport climbing require lower extremity muscular power and endurance. Aim. The aim of this study was to compare vertical jumping abilities, endurance and quickness of the regeneration in gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), vastus medialis (VMO) and gluteus maximus (GM) muscles in CrossFit athletes and sport climbers. Material and methods. The study comprised 20 male athletes aged 24.3±4.7, divided into two equal groups: training CrossFit (CF) and sport climbers (SC). Vertical jump test was recorded by Vicon® motion capture system and AMTI® biomechanics force platforms. The myoelectric activity of the GL, VMO and GM muscles was recorded by myon®. Results. Significant difference in height of vertical jump in CrossFit athletes and sport climbers was observed (SC: 125.43 cm, 120.92 cm; CF: 110.42 cm, 110.86 cm; p<0.05). The endurance of the GL muscles in athletes using CrossFit training is significantly higher in comparison to sport climbers. Athletes training CrossFit have a better ability to recover GL, GM and VMO muscles than sport climbers. Conclusions. Sport climbers have better results in vertical jump tests than the athletes doing CrossFit. The endurance of the GL muscles in athletes doing CrossFit is higher in comparison to sport climbers. Athletes doing CrossFit have also better ability to muscles recover than sport climbers.

Use of common stimulants and awake bruxism – a survey study

Abstract Introduction. Bruxism, the most detrimental parafunctional activity of the masticatory system can cause various temporomandibular joint disorders, as well as masticatory muscle disorders. It is important to identify factors aggravating bruxism, which can be easily eliminated and ease control of the disorder. Aim. The aim of the study was to analyze the association between the use of common stimulants - nicotine, caffeine and selfreports of awake bruxism. Material and methods. 113 dental students (83 females, 30 males) aged 21-29 were examined. In order to diagnose awake bruxism subjects were asked questions from the Oral Behaviors Checklist. Patients were also asked about daily/weekly frequency of cigarette smoking and coffee as well as caffeine-containing beverages consumption. Results. Cigarette smoking was positively associated with self-reported awake bruxism. There was no link found between caffeine consumption and parafunctional activities. Conclusion. Cigarette smoking, but not caffeine consumption, may be a risk factor for awake bruxism. However, this association should be further assessed in the presence of confounding factors, such as psychological distress.

Torque values of antagonistic muscles of the hipjoint. Pilot study.

BACKGROUND The hip joint is a multiaxial articulation and the most mobile joint of the lower extremity. It can be subject to overloading by the repetition of a motor pattern produced by imbalanced muscle groups. OBJECTIVES To determine mean torque values of the external forces acting on the hip joint in various age groups; to compare the relations between the torque values of antagonistic hip muscles; to correlate changes in mean torque values of the hip muscles with age. MATERIAL AND METHODS The study involved a group of 120 women aged 19-85 years divided into 6 age groups of 20 subjects each. The presence of knee or hip pathology was an exclusion criterion. The tests were carried out in the Zamość Rehabilitation Department of CMPA in an SPB2-FM unit. RESULTS The highest mean torque values for all muscle groups were seen in women aged 19-25 years. The values gradually decreased with age. CONCLUSIONS 1. The SPB2-FM unit is an objective tool for evaluating torques of the hip muscles and makes it possible to monitor changes occurring in the process of rehabilitation, as well as to diagnose risks resulting from a decrease in hip muscle strength. 2. The present study of healthy subjects provides baseline data for further comparisons with patients suffering from hip pathology and preliminary input for determining reference values of pelvic girdle muscle strength.