Temporomandibular dysfunctions are a heterogeneous group of conditions involving the temporomandibular joints (TMJs) and periarticular musculoskeletal structures. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a physiotherapy program for TMJ dysfunctions and the relationship with cervical spine. The study design was a non-randomized clinical trial with two parallel treatment groups: 33 subjects in the experimental group that underwent conservative drug treatment and physiotherapy treatment, and 31 subjects in the control group that underwent only conservative drug treatment. The participants were examined at baseline and re-examined after 3 months. In this study there was a higher incidence of female subjects. After 3 months of treatment of the TMJs and cervical spine, pain decreased in both groups (p = 0001). Muscle testing at the cervical spine and temporomandibular level showed a decrease in pain and muscles spasms. The average percentage values of the Neck Disability Index (NDI) and the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale 8 (JFLS 8) decreased significantly in both groups, but especially in the experimental group (p = 0.001). Physiotherapy treatments could maintain the functional state at the temporomandibular and cervical levels, thus contributing to increasing the quality of daily life.

This study aims to introduce a resistance training protocol (6 repetitions × 70% of 1 maximum repetition (1RM), followed by 6 repetitions × 50% of 1RM within the same set) specifically designed for postmenopausal women with osteopenia/osteoporosis and monitor the effect of the protocol on bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine, assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA). The subjects included in the study were 29 postmenopausal women (56.5 ± 2.8 years) with osteopenia or osteoporosis; they were separated into two groups: the experimental group (n = 15), in which the subjects participated in the strength training protocol for a period of 6 months; and the control group (n = 14), in which the subjects did not take part in any physical activity. BMD in the lumbar spine was measured by DEXA. The measurements were performed at the beginning and end of the study. A statistically significant increase (Δ% = 1.82%) in BMD was observed at the end of the study for the exercise group (0.778 ± 0.042 at baseline vs. 0.792 ± 0.046 after 6 months, p = 0.018, 95% CI [−0.025, −0.003]); while an increase was observed for the control group (Δ% = 0.14%), the difference was not statistically significant (0.762 ± 0.057 at baseline vs. 0.763 ± 0.059, p = 0.85, 95% CI [−0.013, 0.011]). In conclusion, our strength training protocol seems to be effective in increasing BMD among women with osteopenia/osteoporosis and represents an affordable strategy for preventing future bone loss.

One way to find the perceptions about physical education (activity) among students is to apply some questionnaire. By applying physical activity index questionnaire to the students, we will be able to determine the level of physical activity practiced and their perception about physical education in their daily life. The study involved 166 undergraduate and master students (age 22.83±5.80) from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, whose distribution was as follows: undergraduate male - 61, undergraduate female - 58; master male - 28, master female – 19. It should be mentioned that their academic activity includes between 1 and 6 hours of practical activities and some of the participants practice various sports, which means additionally between 6 and 10 hours of training per week. The questionnaire was applied to the subjects in January 2018. The results for ANOVA analysis between gender indicated significant differences between males and females in all three analyzed situations (undergraduate, master and overall), but the analysis made inside gender (undergraduate, master) did not show any statistical difference. The study is limited to the number of participants (166), but it can be a benchmark for other studies aiming at the physical education for youth and students and their impact on health-related fitness and an active lifestyle. In the future it is necessary to assess the subjects with some practical tests to see if there is any correlation between questionnaire scores (a subjective evaluation) and the results of the tests, where we are talking about objective evaluation; this is necessary to determine if the reliability of the questionnaire is adequate to the Romanian students and to be used as benchmark in the future.

We investigated the anthropometric characteristics associated with specific handball skills in competition. The body anthropometric profiles differ significantly among the playing positions in handball due to the specific tasks. The aim of this study is to identify the anthropometric patterns for each playing position by collecting data from elite male handball players. To determine the anthropometric profile of the elite handball players for each playing position, we used descriptive statistics for every indicator in order to identify the optimal patterns for elite handball players from the top-four ranked teams at the most important competitions over a period of 18 years (2004–2021). Over time, the anthropometric indices evolved: the average height increased (from 190 to 192.6 cm) but less than weight increased (from 90.5 to 95.28 kg), and these affected the body mass index (increase from 25.2 to 25.67). The novelty of our study is that we identified an anthropometric pattern for each playing position and for all teams in elite male handball. Our study also covered a period of 18 years to give our results more accuracy and reliability.

Nowadays, a descending trend concerning physical activity levels among youth has been recorded, as well as differences between males and females; more than half recorded a low level of the physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the social and educational sustainability of physical education and to determine the level of physical activity by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form for Romanian undergraduate and graduate students. In our study, we included students and applied the IPAQ short form anonymously. They gave their consent to use these personal data only for scientific purposes. Overall, two thirds of the subjects (according to the IPAQ scoring protocol) and more than half (according to the World Health Organization recommendation for physical activity) consider themselves to be active. The present study showed that there is a prevalence of insufficient physical activity among Romanian University students (around 40%). The situation seems to be better than in other countries, but in self-evaluation, many people tend to overestimate their potential. To avoid this aspect and gain some objectivity, it is better to use a gadget in order to measure the level of their physical activity.

The benefits of physical activities associated with physical fitness are positive at certain levels. The aim of this research is to determine students physical fitness level by using EUROFIT test battery and as a result, to design a physical activity program that they have to carry out in their daily activities. The research subjects are students (male) from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Stefan cel Mare University of Suceava, in a number of 20 (height 179,90±8,44 cm; weight 79,58±12,04 kg). The research was conducted in sports facilities including: sports games hall, gym, swimming pool and outdoor artificial ground. The statistical significance of 0.05 threshold in ANOVA test was obtained in two cases and concerning the correlation, in 5 out of 10 cases it indicated a very strong correlation, while in 3 cases the value indicated a strong correlation and only in 2 tests there was recorded a moderate correlation. This good level of the physical fitness is the result of practicing exercises for at least 9 hours per week, but it is needed to focus on those physical fitness components with poor results at EUROFIT tests and also to maintain the body mass index below 25. These reference values will allow comparisons between students during physical activities and provide a baseline against which progress in physical fitness among Romanian youths and students could be compared.