Interlimb and trunk asymmetry in the frontal plane of table tennis female players.

Background: An interesting and little-reported problem in the literature is the scale of asymmetry in table tennis players, the magnitude of which should perhaps be treated as a risk for injury. Determining the degree of asymmetry in table tennis players can indicate the need to appropriately manage the training process, including compensatory or corrective exercises in the training program, especially since recent studies confirm that training interventions can reduce sporting asymmetries and improve performance. This study aimed to assess the amount of asymmetry in the trunk regarding the frontal plane and the difference between limb circumferences in female table tennis players compared to the control group (non-athletes). Methods: Twenty-two women took part in the study. Ten of them were table tennis professionals with an average training experience of 7 ± 4.3 years (the exclusion criterion of the study was a minimum of 3 years of training experience). As a comparison group, the study included 12 female students who did not participate in competitive sports. Body posture was assessed in all subjects using equipment for computer analysis of asymmetry in the torso using the photogrammetric method. Additionally, all the subjects had their upper and lower limb circumferences measured. Results: The results of the conducted research showed asymmetry in the frontal plane in the table tennis player group. As many as six parameters-regarding the pelvic rotation angle, angle of trunk inclination, the height of the angles of the lower shoulder blades and their distance from the spine, as well as the waist triangles, difference in the width and height of the waist triangles and the angle of trunk inclination-indicated asymmetry in this group but significantly differed from the control group (p ≤ 0.05) only in the first parameter given above. The calculated differences in circumference between the right and left sides in the individual groups were statistically different in several cases (p ≤ 0.05). This concerned the circumferences of the arms, forearms, elbows, and knees of table tennis players. Conclusions: The research carried out in this study allowed us to determine the occurrence of asymmetry in the frontal plane of the trunk and between the limbs of table tennis players. According to some studies, this may be a risk factor for injury. However, despite the lack of uniform views in the literature on the importance and threats resulting from asymmetries, it appears that, if only for aesthetic reasons, table tennis would require compensatory or corrective training aimed at developing symmetry of the body structure.

Distribution of Plantar Pressure in Soccer Players.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the static and dynamic distribution of foot pressure on the ground and to investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and mean variables of plantar pressure between soccer players and their non-athlete peers. (2) Methods: The study involved 18 first-division Polish soccer players and 30 non-athlete physiotherapy students. The research experiment was conducted using the FreeMed platform. Basic descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize the variables. Additionally, in the static and dynamic tests, Spearman's rank correlations between body mass index (BMI) and plantar load were calculated. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences between groups were observed in the loading of the dominant limb. A statistically significant correlation between BMI and loading of both limbs was found in the static test and between BMI and loading of the dominant limb in the dynamic test. (4) Conclusions: The baropodometric mat used in our study helped determine the plantar pressure distribution of soccer players and their non-athlete peers. Correlation analysis revealed that BMI was only associated with the mean plantar pressure of the dominant limb in the control group. Further research on a larger group of athletes is needed to determine how much sporting activity may affect the development to modifications within feet in soccer players.

Plantar Pressure Distribution in Female Olympic-Style Weightlifters.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate differences in static and dynamic plantar pressure and other foot geometry variables between female Olympic-style weightlifters and an age- and sex-matched control group. Methods: The study involved 24 national-level competitive weightlifters and 24 physical education students. Leg dominance was determined and baropodometry was used to assess plantar pressure and foot posture during quiet standing and walking. For all variables basic descriptive statistics were calculated (mean ± standard deviation). Student's t test was used to compare the between-group differences. Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated to determine the association between BMI (Body Mass Index) and average and peak plantar pressure. Results: No significant differences were observed in plantar pressure distribution between the two groups. A moderate correlation was found between BMI and non-dominant limb peak and average plantar pressure in the group of weightlifters in the static condition and in the control group in the dynamic condition. Conclusions: Olympic-style weightlifting may affect plantar pressure distribution and foot posture in female weightlifters. BMI may also correlate with peak and average plantar pressure in this population. Further research is needed to determine if Olympic-style weightlifting may affect plantar pressure distribution and foot posture in female weightlifters.

Examining relationships of the anterior pelvic tilt angle with the anterior-posterior curvatures and elongation of the spine.

PURPOSE: A pelvic tilt may lead to body posture disturbances. The aim of the study was to determine relationships between the anterior pelvic tilt angle and the curvature and mobility of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis. METHODS: The angles of anterior pelvic tilt, lumbar lordosis, thoracic kyphosis and spinal elongation were measured with the use of Posturometr-S device. The posturometric measurements were carried out with the pointing stick of the device moving along spinous processes (from C7 to L5) and marking the selected anthropometric points. RESULTS: In the studied group of boys, the angles in a free-standing position and the thoracic kyphosis angle during elongation were significantly greater than the corresponding lordosis angles. In all measured variables the range of measured angles was characteristically wide. The greatest individual differences were found in the lumbar lordosis angles. All the boys featured a significant increase in body height during linear elongation. The measurements of angles at baseline and during elongations of lumbar lordosis and thoracic kyphosis in a standing position in the entire study group revealed that the anterior pelvic tilt had no significant impact on lumbar lordosis in a free-standing posture and its elongation. In the case of thoracic kyphosis, the correlation was statistically significant, although it was not strong. CONCLUSIONS: The anterior pelvic tilt angle is correlated with the subject's age, body mass, body height and the size of thoracic kyphosis.

Static and dynamic plantar pressure distribution in amateur marathon runners.

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to compare the static and dynamic plantar pressure profiles of amateur marathon runners with sedentary cohorts. RESEARCH QUESTIONS: Are there differences in the plantar pressures of these two populations? Is there a correlation between body mass and BMI with plantar loading? METHODS: The study involved 43 runners involved in marathon training and 30 age-matched untrained individuals. Plantar pressure was measured using a baropodometric system. RESULTS: The marathon runners showed greater forefoot plantar pressure of the dominant extremity in the static condition and reduced medial plantar pressure of both extremities in the dynamic condition. A correlation was observed between body mass and BMI with mean plantar pressure only in the marathon group and only for the dominant extremity in the dynamic condition. CONCLUSIONS: Marathon training may modify the forefoot plantar loading characteristics of the dominant extremity during static conditions and increase lateral plantar pressure of both extremities in a dynamic (gait) condition.

Spinal range of motion and plantar pressure in sport climbers.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to investigate the range of motion (ROM) of lumbar and thoracic articulations and static and dynamic plantar pressure in sport climbing athletes. METHODS: The sample included 30 sport climbers with a minimum of 2 years training experience and 30 physical education students who served as an active untrained control. ROM was assessed by a Saunders digital inclinometer and plantar pressure by a baropodometric platform. RESULTS: Mean spinal ROMs were greater in the sport climbers with an exception of extension, rotation, and lateral thoracic flexion, with a high degree of statistical significance obtained in the majority of the analyzed ROMs. The climbers exhibited increased mean forefoot pressure (smaller rearfoot pressure) in both the dominant and nondominant extremities, with significant intergroup differences found in dominant forefoot/rearfoot pressure distribution. CONCLUSIONS: Sport climbers present increased lumbar and thoracic ROM. The characteristics of climbing may also affect transverse arch structure and plantar pressure distribution.

Effectiveness of diadynamic currents and transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation in disc disease lumbar part of spine.

BACKGROUND: Back pain has multi-factorial etiology and is modified by environmental influences, character of work, and individual predispositions. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to compare the efficiency of analgesic DD current therapy and TENS in low back discopathy. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Eighty patients (age, 45-60 years) with diagnosed low back pain syndrome due to discopathy were subjected to therapy. In the first group (DD) of 40 people, DD current therapy was applied. In the second group (TENS) of 40 people, TENS was applied. The third group of 40 people was a control group in which a functional fitness test was performed for comparison purposes. The control group was in this case an equivalent to a norm. Before the beginning and on the completion of therapy in all patients, a pain level measurement and functional fitness test were performed. RESULTS: On the basis of research conducted it was stated that both therapies reduce pain level effectively. Obtained analyzed results conclude that both therapies applied have an analgesic effect. CONCLUSIONS: DD current and TENS therapies in low back discopathy have an analgesic impact and improve functional fitness. The applied therapies have a comparable impact on researched parameters.

The influence of corrective exercises in a water environment on the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine and on the functional status of the locomotor system in children with Io scoliosis.

BACKGROUND: There has been a growing interest in studies examining the importance of the aquatic environment in non-invasive treatment of scoliosis. The water environment is an important element in the correction of body posture abnormalities. The aim of this paper is to evaluate the influence of corrective exercises in a water environment on the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine and on the functional status of the locomotor system of children with Io scoliosis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved a group of 94 children aged 8-13 years with Cobb Io scoliosis. Computer-aided photogrammetry was used to analyse the shape of the antero-posterior curves of the spine. The functional evaluation of the children's musculoskeletal system involved several functional tests: the Dega wall test, Thomas test, Lasegue test, and Kraus-Weber test. The tests were carried out twice: before a 6-month programme of corrective exercises in a water environment, and immediately on completion of the rehabilitation programme. The programme included swimming and corrective exercises in water. RESULTS: A statistical analysis of the dimensions of the anterio-posterior curves of the spine revealed a significant increase in the total length of the spine and the length of thoracic kyphosis. Besides, the bending angle of the trunk, the angle of thoracic kyphosis and the angle of lumbar lordosis were reduced. The analysis also showed an increase in the bending angle of the upper spine. Shoulder mobility also increased significantly following the programme of corrective aquatic exercises. CONCLUSIONS: 1. The programme of corrective exercises had an influence on the length and angle of thoracic kyphosis. 2. The muscle strength of the lower part of the erector spinae also increased, as did shoulder mobility measured by the Dega test.