ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Congenital muscular torticollis (CMT) is an asymmetrical head position resulting from structural changes in the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) muscle that occurs early during a child's development or due to perinatal trauma. Children with CMT exhibit a marked imbalance in tension between the SCMs. In a typical clinical picture, an ultrasound scan is performed to reveal characteristic lesions, such as tissue fibrosis or post-traumatic changes. An early diagnosis of CMT in newborns and the implementation of treatment offer the chance of a complete resolution. Torticollis treatment aims to restore the SCM's normal function. Surgical treatment is performed when conservative methods fail to improve the patient's condition. The indications that surgery is needed include a marked shortening of the SCM, persistent fibrosis in the muscle, constant head and facial asymmetry, and rotation or lateral flexion in the cervical spine restricted by >15°. Of all the newborn and infant anomalies, congenital torticollis is the third most common after hip dysplasia and equinovarus deformities. Some authors demonstrate that torticollis coexists with hip dysplasia. AIM: The aim of this study was to collect data on infants referred to paediatric rehabilitation and to identify the risk factors associated with CMT in this group of patients, as well as to assess demographic and clinical characteristics concerning risk factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The target population for this retrospective study consisted of 111 infants aged 0 to 5 months born in Poland and diagnosed with and undergoing treatment due to CMT. The following were determined: the relationship between the side of the CMT location and the type of delivery (caesarean section vs. vaginal), the relationship between the body weight at birth and the side of the CMT location, the relationship between the extent of SCM thickening and the type of delivery, and the incidence of CMT depending on the order of delivery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The data revealed that CMT is less common in female infants (n = 51, 46%) compared to male (n = 61, 54%) infants, in whom a greater birth weight was reported (p < 005). Seventy-six percent (76%) of the paediatric patients with CMT were the offspring of primipara mothers. More often, children born via vaginal delivery had left-sided torticollis with a more significant broadening of the SCM, as shown on ultrasound scans, than right-sided torticollis. Theories of torticollis development pathophysiology should be deepened and systematised, and further research is needed.
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a 6-month high- or moderate-intensity total-body circuit training (CT) program on physical fitness in prepubertal soccer players. Sixty-seven prepubertal boys with a mean age of 11.2 ± 0.7 years completed the study. Participants from a soccer academy were randomly assigned either to a high-intensity CT group (HCT, n = 22) or a moderate-intensity CT group (MCT, n = 24). A control group (CON, n = 21) comprised age-matched individuals who were not involved in any regular training regime. CT protocols were included in the experimental group's training sessions 3 times per week over 24 weeks as part of their usual weekly training regime. Based on the HR zone method, CT protocols included high- or moderate-intensity (85-95% HRmax or 75-85% HRmax) series of 3 different sets of upper- and lower-body strength exercises with articular and muscular mobilization, all culminated with 40-m sprints. Physical fitness was evaluated by the Eurofit test which included the flamingo balance (FLB), plate tapping (PLT), sit-and-reach (SAR), standing broad jump (SBJ), handgrip (HG), sit-ups (SUP), bent arm hang (BAH), 10×5 m shuttle run (SHR), and the Physical Working Capacity test (PWC170). The two-way ANOVA indicated group×time interaction effects for 5 components: the largest was for the SBJ (F2,63 = 42.895, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.577), and the lowest for the SHR (F2,63 = 5.006, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.137) indicating better improvements in the HCT compared to the MCT group. Furthermore, for HCT and MCT groups the highest pre- to post-intervention percentage changes were for the FLB and the SAR, while in the CON group the changes of all physical fitness components were not significant (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the intensity-controlled total-body CT protocol incorporated into a standard soccer training program is effective for enhancement in physical fitness performance in prepubertal soccer players.
ABSTRACT
(1) Background: The integrated approach to the prevention and treatment of eating disorders (EDs) requires knowledge and can be used only when specific risk factors are known. The aim of this study was to examine the differences in food choices and eating behavior between males and females; (2) Methods: This study comprised 148 females and 27 males aged from 18 to 26-years-old (MEAN ± SD = 21.4 ± 1.86 years old). Information about EDs was obtained from four different measures: the body mass index (BMI), the eating disorder screen for primary care (ESP), a standardized and validated questionnaire called "My Eating Habits" and the food frequency questionnaire with 10 answers (FFQ-10); (3) Results: The risk for developing eating disorders was detected in nearly 67% of respondents. It was also shown that EDs were more common in females and how body weight affected the way individuals feel about themselves. Females showed more unhealthy eating habits, which contributed to dietary restrictions and emotional overeating, as they were also afraid of gaining weight. The frequency of eating meat and drinking alcohol was higher in males, whereas eating legume seeds was less frequent in females. (4) Conclusions: This study opens a new field, which will help health care professionals recognize the problems with eating disorders and treat them based on different sex characteristics.
