Introduction Achilles tendon rupture is an injury resulting from occasional excessive physical activity that is undertaken in the absence of an adequate level of preparation. The calcaneal tendon forms the end of the triceps surae muscle which consists of the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The aim of the research was to evaluate the level of functional performance of the operated limb one and two years after the Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery. Material and methods The study group comprised of 20 men (age – 47.2±8.3 years; height – 182±7cm; weight – 88±12kg) who have undergone the Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery. The measurement of plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle torques was conducted in both extended- and flexed-knee position under isometric and isokinetic conditions Results The measurements of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle torques in the extended knee position performed one and two years after the surgery did not reveal any significant differences between the healthy and operated limb. The tests performed one year after the surgery in the flexed-knee position showed significantly lower values of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle torques in the operated limb measured under isokinetic conditions. The results obtained two years after the reconstruction surgery proved that muscular deficit was still visible; however, there were no statistically significant differences Conclusions The angular knee joint position affects the plantar flexor muscle torque in the operated limb. Due to the muscle strength deficit observed two years after the surgery, additional training should be implemented after the rehabilitation has been completed. The main focus should be on dynamic exercises performed in the flexed-knee position which help to rebuild deep muscles such as the soleus
Introduction Strength is a primary component of human motor skills and one of the most frequently trained motor abilities. Handball belongs to a group of sports in which handgrip strength plays a key role. The aim of the study was to assess handgrip strength of children and adolescents handball players. This research may prove useful due to the need to monitor the training process. It will enable coaches and therapists to compare the results of children and adolescents with regard to age, gender and body dimensions as well as plan strength training programmes for handball. Material and methods The study was carried out on a group of 99 handball players from the “Handball Club” in Radzymiński Centre of Culture and Sport. The study included both boys and girls aged 9 to 16 who regularly and actively participated in handball training. The work presents basic anthropometric characteristics of the study participants and the results of handgrip strength measurements of both hands with the use of a hydraulic dynamometer. Results Handgrip strength increases with age in both girls and boys. Handgrip strength is greater in boys than in girls, which is connected with greater body mass, body height, relative body weight and phalanx length. Conclusions The given values of handgrip strength will enable coaches and therapists to compare the results of children and adolescents with regard to age, gender and body dimensions in order to monitor strength and plan strength training program in handball.
Introduction.Efficient locomotion in a wheelchair is of great importance for the life quality of people with diseases that make them unable to walk, and also in many sport disciplines for the handicapped. The aim of this study was to compare the grip strength with the force of propulsion of a constrained wheelchair for different positioning of the hand on the wheel, and to observe the influence of grip strength and static propulsion force of the wheelchair on the results of a test ride on a given box-shaped path. Materials and methods. 84 healthy subjects took part in the test (52 female and 32 male), each being a Physiotherapy student of the Joseph Rusiecki Academy in Olsztyn. The grip strength measurement was conducted using a tensometric dynamometer in a sitting position. The propelling force was measured in static conditions with a dynamometer in three different hand positions on the push rim. The ability to move efficiently on a wheelchair was assessed on a “box” shaped track with measured completion times. Results. It was observed that women have lower grip strength of both hands than men and that their middle phalanx is shorter. In both groups a significant correlation was observed between grip strength and anthropometric parameters: body height, body weight, length of middle phalanx and between grip strength of the left and right hands. It has been found that grip strength is significantly correlated with the propulsion force of the wheelchair in almost all positions of the hand on the wheel. There was no significant correlation between the force generated with the left hand on the middle of the rim and the grip strength measured with a dynamometer. Men also achieved better results during the “box” test. A significant positive correlation was observed between body mass of both male and female subjects and the time of completing the “box” test. No correlation was found between the time of completing the “box” test and the propulsion force measured in constrains. Conclusions. Men achieve higher values of propulsion force than women in all cases of hand positioning on the wheel. Both men and women achieve highest values of propulsion force when positioning the hands in front of the rim. In all measured positions the average propulsion force was higher for men. In the case of healthy people who are not accustomed to using a wheelchair, the time of completing the “box” test depended mostly on their technical abilities and not their physical strength.
Introduction Snapping hip syndrome (SHS) occurs in 5-10% of the global population. A back and forth skip of the tendon of the dysfunctional muscle across the osseous prominence is the most common symptom of this condition. Mainly young generation suffers from SHS. Depending on the structures that cause an audible snap, snapping hip syndrome may be classified into intra-articular and extra-articular types. The main aim of the research was to assess the strength of the major hip muscles and static balance in patients with snapping hip syndrome. Material and methods The research was carried out on 10 untrained females and 10 untrained males with extra-articular snapping hip syndrome. An average age was approximately 25 years. The research was conducted with the use of interview questionnaire, clinical examination, balance assessment on the JBA Staniak 4P dynamometric platform and measurements of the hip muscle strength on the JBA Staniak SPB2 set. Results Patients with SHS manifested an increased tension in iliotibial band, while significant weakening of internal and external rotator muscle strength was noted in women and significant weakening of external rotator muscle strength was observed in men. No correlations between hip muscles strength and stabilographic test results in patients with snapping hip syndrome were found. Conclusions Individuals with SHS and healthy persons demonstrate similar balance levels. The treatment of snapping hip syndrome should include: 1) restoring internal rotator muscle strength in women, 2) restoring external rotator muscle strength both in women and in men, as well as 3) restoring iliotibial band flexibility.
Flat foot is caused by subtalar joint hypermobility which leads to changes in foot mechanics while walking. It results in increased load of the musculoskeletal system of the foot. It is proved by the literature which presents flat foot as an etiological factor responsible for numerous overuse injuries in this region. In particular, they concern the structures which support the longitudinal arch of the foot, i.e. Achilles tendon, tendons of tibialis posterior muscle, plantar fascia, sesamoid bones, hallux, metatarsal head and metatarsal bones. Due to the fact that foot loads and mechanics change during different gait phases, the magnitude of forces affecting particular tendons and ligaments also varies at its specific phases. Therefore, it is important that the findings of the latest studies on flat foot be collected in order to develop appropriate programmes of functional rehabilitation of the indicated deformity as well as therapeutic programmes for overuse injuries. Although this deformity and its consequences are a common problem, the foot still remains an unexplored area at the level of kinematics and kinetics. In particular, it is necessary to conduct research regarding correlations between the foot structure and its functions. It will be possible to broaden the knowledge in this field owing to the development or identification of the mathematical foot model taking into account common kinesiological problems with lower limbs that stem from flat foot.
Study aim: The aim of the study was to determine connections between the functional asymmetry of limbs and the morphological asymmetry of feet. Material and methods: The study population consisted of 56 students: 30 females (mean age 20.29 ± 0.59 years) and 26 males (mean age 20.41 ± 0.78 years). The measurements of body build were taken with classical instruments. Body build was assessed on the basis of body height, body mass, and BMI. Seven features of the foot and 8 indices of foot arches were assessed. Assessment of laterality in upper and lower limbs was conducted on the basis of data from repeated interviews, and then verified with simple motor tests that imitated characteristic functions of the limbs. Asymmetry indices were calculated in order to determine asymmetries of the features. Mollison’s index was applied to assess dimorphic differences. Results: Features that were statistically different in the foot of the dominant limb and in the foot of the non-dominant limb were: among the group of females, the foot length without hindfoot, and the Clarke’s angle; among the group of males - the foot length without toes. Analyses of results of this study do not allow for a claim that laterality of lower extremities has a considerable impact on indices of longitudinal and transverse foot arches. Conclusions: The following conclusions were formulated on the basis of the conducted analysis regarding the group of subjects with homogeneous right laterality: - in females, the dominant limb’s foot is characterized by a shorter bone arm lever for dorsiflexors; - in males, the dominant limb’s foot is characterized by a shorter bone arm lever for plantaflexors.
Introduction Upper crossed syndrome is a postural syndrome, with myofascial and functional imbalance within the shoulder girdle and the cervical spine. The therapy usually includes myofascial techniques or massage. The aim of this work was to indicate which of these forms of therapy is more effective in terms of myofascial release. Material and methods The study group consisted of 18 individuals (12 females and 6 males) with upper crossed syndrome who were randomly assigned to one of the two groups. In group 1 (8 females, 1 male), rehabilitation protocol involved myofascial techniques, while in group 2 (4 females, 5 males), massage was performed. In both groups, the therapy consisted of five 30-minute daily sessions. Prior to the therapy, on the 1st and the 5th day of the therapy immediately after the intervention as well as 14 days after the therapy completion, suprasternale height was measured and the cervical spine mobility was examined. Results It was revealed that both forms of the therapy resulted in an increase in the range of motion of the cervical spine, particularly in the case of the right flexion and right rotation. Effects were still present two weeks after the therapy. After 5 days of rehabilitation, both forms of the therapy led to a significant increase in suprasternale height (p<0.05). Conclusions Both myofascial techniques and massage result in an increase in the cervical spine and chest mobility in the longitudinal dimension in persons with upper crossed syndrome.
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Wstęp Zespół skrzyżowania górnego to zespół posturalny, w którym występuje nierównowaga strukturalna mięśniowo-powięziowa oraz funkcjonalna w obrębie obręczy barkowej i odcinka szyjnego kręgosłupa. Terapia w tym przypadku polega najczęściej na zastosowaniu techniki mięśniowo-powięziowych bądź masażu klasycznego. Celem pracy było wskazanie, która spośród wskazanych form terapii wykazuje większą skuteczność w rozluźnianiu kompleksu mięśniowo-powięziowego. Materiał i metody Grupę badaną stanowiło 18 osób (12 kobiet, 6 mężczyzn) z zespołem skrzyżowania górnego, które w sposób losowy zostały przydzielone do jednej z dwóch grup. W Grupie I (8 kobiet, 1 mężczyzna) przeprowadzono rehabilitację za pomocą technik mięśniowo-powięziowych, zaś w Grupie II (4 kobiety, 5 mężczyzn) zastosowano masaż klasyczny. Terapia składała się z pięciu 30 minutowych sesji, odbywających się codziennie, przez 5 dni. Przed terapią, 1 dnia i 5 dnia bezpośrednio po terapii oraz 14 dnia od zakończenia terapii, zbadano wysokość punktu suprasternale klatki piersiowej ruchomość odcinka szyjnego kręgosłupa. Wyniki Wykazano, że obie formy terapii wpływają na zwiększenie zakresu ruchu odcinka szyjnego kręgosłupa, w szczególności skłonu bocznego w prawo oraz rotacji w prawo. Uzyskane efekty występowały również 2 tygodnie od zakończenia terapii. Po 5 dniach usprawniania, obie formy terapii wpłynęły na znamienne zwiększenie wysokości suprasternale.(p<0,05). Wnioski Zarówno techniki mięśniowo-powięziowe, jak i masaż klasyczny wpływają na zwiększenie ruchomości odcinka szyjnego kręgosłupa oraz poprawę ruchomości klatki piersiowej w wymiarze długościowym u osób z zespołem skrzyżowania górnego.
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