Low muscle strength appears to increase balance disorders and the tendency to fall. Diagnostic terms indicate that sarcopenia and risks of falling are related. The aim of this study is to verify which diagnostic tools used for the assessment of muscle strength in sarcopenia can be used for fall risk assessment in older women. The study included 56 females [71.77 ± 7.43(SD)]. The results of handgrip strength (HGS) and knee extensors torque [knee extension strength (KES)] were compared to the results of stabilographic parameters from Biodex Balance System platform in static and dynamic environment. The one-way ANOVA and Pearson correlation were performed. There were significant differences between groups with low and normal HGS in the chair test, and between groups with low and normal KES in the fall risk index, FRI12-6 and chair test (P < 0.05). Static parameters did not differentiate groups, due to a muscle strength of the upper and lower limbs. There was a statistically significant difference in FRI12-6 values between participants with low and normal KES in age groups (P = 0.047). No differences were found in FRI12-6 values between participants with low and normal HGS in age groups (P = 0.949). Statistical analysis showed differences in FRI12-6 between fallers with low KES and non-fallers with normal KES, non-fallers with low KES and non-fallers with normal KES. Results of the study show that there is diagnostic dependence in muscle strength of lower limbs and risk of falls in older women. KES and chair test can be used in fall risk assessment for older women.

Introduction: Diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles (DRAM) is the separation of the two rectus abdominis muscles more than 2 cm wide. It often arises as a result of android obesity, dysfunctional abdominal cramp and pregnancy. Untreated diastasis may lead to dangerous heath consequences such as.: abdominal hernia, lower back pain or disorders in pelvis’s area. The aim of this study was to determinate the effectiveness of novel physiotherapeutic program in women with diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles. Material and methods: The study was conducted on a group of 40 women between 20-45 years old (mean 32,32+5,9 year). They all were qualified in obstetric ward of Szpital Bielański in Warsaw. All of them were in the postpartum between 0-3 days after labor and have DRAM greater than 2 cm (measured by palpation on the umbilicus height, 4,5 cm above and below umbilicus). In research group (included 20 women) applied novel physiotherapeutic program aimed at reduction of DRAM. In controlled group (20 women) there was no therapy but only observation of spontaneous reduction of diastasis. The study took 6 weeks. Results: Data analysis had shown 95% effectiveness of novel physiotherapeutic program. Chi-square test has confirmed the difference in DRAM size in both groups (p<0,0001). A statistically significant correlation was demonstrated between width of diastasis and growth of the mother’s weight gain in pregnancy, waist-to-hip ratio, BMI, number of delivery and mother’s physical activity before and during pregnancy (p0,05). Conclusions: It seems that spontaneous reduction of diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles is very rare. New physiotherapeutic program is an effective method in DRAM’s reduction. The research should be continued in larger group of women and after effectiveness confirmation, program should be introduced in obstetric wards.

Background: Evidence suggests that COVID-19 infection can cause lasting health consequences. Multidisciplinary rehabilitation services have been recommended to reduce the sequalae. However, the effectiveness of physical exercise interventions remains insufficiently documented. The aim of this study was to develop and implement a specific and well-tolerated protocol-based intervention to reduce muscle weakness in older adults impacted by COVID-19. Methods: Forty-six older adults were randomized into intervention and control groups. Isometric and isokinetic strength assessments were conducted for selected muscle groups using a JBA Staniak^® torquemeter and Biodex System 3 dynamometer. Functional abilities were evaluated with the Time Up and Go test and Chair Stand Tests. Results: Men in the intervention group demonstrated a significant improvement in static conditions for knee flexors (KFs), trunk extensors (TEs) and trunk flexors (TFs) and in dynamic conditions for knee extensors (KEs). Women in the intervention group showed a significant improvement in static conditions for EFs, KFs, TEs and TFs and in dynamic conditions for a KE and a KF. The interaction GROUP × TESTING SESSION was significant for the Chair Test (s) and Chair Test (n). Conclusions: Our results demonstrate the effectiveness of a well-tolerated, protocol-based approach that can be used to diminish long-lasting functional deficits in post-COVID survivors.

Although there is growing evidence that kinesiophobia is correlated with temporomandibular disorders (TMD), its relationship with other characteristic TMD comorbidities, such as depression, anxiety, functional limitations, and pain in the TMD population, has rarely been investigated. This study aims to evaluate the relationship between kinesiophobia, emotional state, functional state and chronic pain in subjects both with and without TMD. A total of 94 subjects participated in the study and were divided into two groups (47 subjects each)—TMD (subjects with temporomandibular disorders) and nTMD (asymptomatic controls)—on the basis of the RDC/TMD protocol. All measurements were taken with self-administered questionnaires: TSK-TMD for kinesiophobia, PHQ-9 and GAD-7 for psychoemotional state, JFLS-20 for jaw functional limitations, and GCPS for chronic pain. The prevalence of kinesiophobia in the TMD group was 38.3% for moderate risk, and 61.7% for high risk. The TMD group showed significantly higher scores in all categories (kinesiophobia, depression, jaw functional limitations and chronic pain), with the exception of anxiety which was right at the cut-off point. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between kinesiophobia (TSK-TMD) and jaw functional limitations (JFLS-20). Results of this study could provide new insight into the relationship between kinesiophobia and TMD, further improving the diagnosis process.

Background and Aim. This study is aimed at comparing the Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed Up and Go (TUG), and a modified Unterberger test with stabilographic parameters (Biodex Balance System—BBS), to assess fall risk (FR) in older women. Methods. Fifty‐five females were examined (May 2018‐June 2019). Stabilographic examinations were performed with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC). An analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Spearman rank correlation were performed to determine the relationships and differences between the above tests. Results. The results of the TUG correlate with the overall stability index (OSI) EO (r = 0.314), medial‐lateral stability index (MLSI) EO (r = 0.297), and fall risk index (FRI6‐2; r = 0.435) in stabilographic examinations and the FRT (r = −0.399). The results of the modified Unterberger test correlate with MLSI EO (r = 0.276), OSI EC (r = 0.310), and MLSI EC (r = 0.378). There are statistically significant differences between faller and nonfaller groups in TUG (p = 0.0068), FRT (p = 0.001), and MLSI EO (p = 0.0118). Conclusions. The modified Unterberger test and TUG can be considered effective in functional FR assessment in older women. Using at least two different functional tests may improve the assessment of FR.

Introduction: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is one of the most common peripheral upper limb’s neuropathy. It can affect up to 4% of the human population. There is not one specific CTS’s reason. Predisposing factors include: injuries and overloading of the wrists, frequently repetitions of the same activities, pregnancy and acromegaly. The ENG and USG are gold standards in the diagnosis of CTS. CTS treatment includes surgical and physiotherapeutic conservative treatment. Physiotherapists uses manual therapy techniques, neuromobilization, fascial manipulation, osteopathy and other kinds of physical therapy Material and methods: A systematic review of the literature was based on publications from the last 5 years. Articles concerned the physiotherapy of people with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Publications from the PubMed and ScienceDirect scientific databases have been analyzed. The inclusion and exclusion criteria were introduced and based on an analysis of the titles and abstracts related to carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Results: Out of over 28,000 CTS articles, 8 were selected to meet all inclusion and exclusion criteria. The publications concerned physiotherapeutic treatment in the conservative treatment of CTS. The analyzed publications examined the effectiveness of wrist manual therapy, median nerve mobilization, kinesiotaping, soft tissue therapy and fascial manipulations as well as other physiotherapy treatments. Conclusions: The reviewed publications show that physiotherapeutic procedures bring significant benefits and improve CTS symptoms within the hand. The development of physiotherapy and research on rehabilitation in the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) allow for more effective conservative treatment. This increases the chance of avoiding or delaying surgical intervention.