Background: Prolonged computer use and poor ergonomics among IT professionals are considered risk factors for musculoskeletal disorders. This research aims to analyze the degree of forward head posture and workplace ergonomics in young IT professionals to assess the risk for a neck disability. Methods: A prospective study was carried out by assessing the sitting posture at work, neck disability in the cervical region, quality of life, physical activity, and ergonomics of the workspace in 73 young IT professionals (32.56±5.46 years). Results: The score for the cervical functional disability index (NDI) showed a mild neck disability (8.19±7.51). The craniovertebral angle has an average value of 32.01±11.46, corresponding to a light forward head posture, and it positively correlated with age and work experience and negatively correlated with ROSA (r=0.24, p<0.05). The NDI positively correlated with physical activity (r =00.32 p<0.05) and with ROSA (r= 0.24, p<0.05). Conclusions: In IT professionals, neck disability is associated with the lack of workspace ergonomics and the amount of physical activity. Forward head posture correlated with age, work experience, and poor workspace ergonomics. According to our findings, there are real concerns about the influence of head posture and workplace ergonomics on health among IT professionals. We consider that it is necessary to adopt preventive measures to address neck disability and improve workspace ergonomics.

Background and Study Aim. Volleyball requires high vertical jump skills for crucial actions like attacking and blocking, making jump training a focus for players, especially in youth categories. The main goal of the study was to highlight (with some specific data) the strengths and weaknesses of integrating sensory technology into the physical training program, during the entire competitive period. Material and Methods. The study included both an experimental and a control group, each consisting of 16 female athletes from the volleyball section of the Cetate Sports High School in Deva. During the competitive season of 2022/2023, both groups underwent daily training sessions from Monday to Saturday, totaling 120 minutes per day. The BlazePod Flash Reflex Training system was employed in this research. It integrates cognitive training to enhance thinking speed and clarity with physical exercises aimed at maximizing motor skills. Performance evaluations of the athletes utilized eight predefined tests from the OptoJump Next optical measuring system and the Myotest accelerometric system. To analyze the data, paired (dependent) sample t-tests were conducted to compare average parameters between matched samples. Repeated measures ANOVA was utilized to compare the average outcomes, ensuring the participants were consistent across the evaluated conditions. Results. The experimental group showed significant improvements in the height reached from the center of gravity and flight time for the following tests: Countermovement Jump, Countermovement Jump with Arm Swing, Squat Jump, Squat Jump with Arm Swing, and Drop Jump from 30 cm. All improvements reached statistical significance: p<0.05. Significant enhancements were also observed in average jump height, jump power, force of jumps, and ascensional speed, demonstrating statistical significance (p<0.05). Furthermore, the use of an arm swing during jumps notably improved performance compared to when jumps were performed with hands on hips. This indicates that an arm swing can significantly increase the height of the vertical jump (p<0.05). Conclusions. The study confirms that the integration of sensory technology into the training programs for junior volleyball teams is effective in enhancing training outcomes. This approach not only improves the vertical jump capabilities of young athletes but also positively affects their ability to perform technical moves that require elevation from the ground. It underscores the potential of innovative training methods in advancing athletic performance in youth sports.

Fencing is a sport in which speed, agility, explosive power and anaerobic endurance are essential for performance; reaction speed and the accuracy of the hit are also indispensable for achieving an optimal technique. This study aimed to analyse the scientific literature in order to find the most effective training methods for the development of speed in fencing. Google Scholar, PubMed and Web of Science databases were accessed with the purpose of finding original research studies focused on developing different forms of speed in fencing for any technical element of this sport, which were written in English, Romanian or Hungarian and were accessible in full text. Finally, 16 articles were included in the study. The types of training that led to improved fencing speed were: eccentric and plyometric training, strength training, core strength training, speed training, agility training, instability resistance training, fitness training, circuit training, ballistic and dynamic stretch training (during warm-up), functional training, bilateral transfer training, SAQ (speed, agility, quickness) training. These types of training were applied to foil, sabre and épée fencers of both genders, from various age groups and with different levels of training over periods between 1 and 12 months. To date, the exclusive superiority of one method has not been explicitly proven. In conclusion, it can be argued that several types of training can develop different forms of fencing speed, especially reaction and execution speed, which helps to achieve better performance in this sport.

Background. The fencing assault is a fight between two competitors, in which they alternate the offensive with the defensive attitude while attacking and retreating in the hope that one will strike the other with the tip of the blade, with impressive speed and precision. The fencer who is faster will have ...

Introduction: All sports bring health benefits when practiced correctly, but swimming has, without a doubt, some special features that no other aerobic exercises have, due to the special conditions the aquatic environment requires: the position of the body, the stresses imposed on the body necessary for movement in water (floating, immersion etc.). Objectives: Through this study we want to analyze the specialized literature regarding the influence of swimming on body posture and at the same time we wish to observe the effectiveness of posture-correction interventions used and which of them had the best results. Material and method: The present study analyzed articles from the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar and ResearchGate published between 2013 and 2022. After applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 18 articles were selected for analysis. Results: According to selected studies, it was observed that swimming exercises have multiple beneficial effects on the human body, especially in people suffering from various diseases of the lumbar spine. but there are also specialist studies that underline the possible harmful effects on posture. Conclusions: Although many studies have confirmed the positive effects of swimming on postural deficiencies due to the peculiarities of the aquatic environment, more and more studies have recently emerged that contradict them. According to the latter, it is recommended that swimming should be combined with physiotherapy, therapeutic massage and/or hydrokinetic therapy in order to achieve the desired effects in the treatment of postural deficiencies. REZUMAT. Introducere: Toate sporturile aduc beneficii pentru sănătate atunci când sunt practicate corect, dar înotul are, fără îndoială, câteva particularități pe care nu le au alte exerciții aerobice, datorită condițiilor speciale pe care le impune mediul acvatic: poziția corpului, solicitările impuse corpului necesare mișcării în apă (plutire, imersiune etc.). Obiective: Prin acest studiu dorim să analizăm literatura de specialitate în ceea ce privește influența înotului asupra posturii corporale și, în același timp, să observăm eficiența diferitelor intervenții utilizate pentru corectarea posturii. Material și metodă: Au fost analizate articole din următoarele baze de date: PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar și ResearchGate publicate între anii 2013 și2022. În urma aplicării criteriilor de includere și excludere, au fost selectate pentru analiză 18 articole. Rezultate: Conform studiilor selectate, s-a observat că exercițiile de înot au multiple efecte benefice asupra organismului uman, în special la persoanele care suferă de diverse afecțiuni ale coloanei lombare. dar există și studii de specialitate care subliniază posibilele efecte nocive asupra posturii. Concluzii: Deși multe studii au confirmat efectele pozitive ale înotului asupra deficiențelor de postură datorită particularităților mediului acvatic, au apărut, recent, din ce în ce mai multe studii care le contrazic. Conform acestora din urmă, se recomandă ca, pentru a avea efectele dorite în tratamentul deficiențelor posturale, înotul să fie asociat cu kinetoterapia, masajul terapeutic și/sau hidrokinetoterapia. Cuvinte cheie: înot, coloană vertebrală, postură, copii, deficiențe fizice, scolioză, cifoză, plan frontal, plan sagital Received 2022 November 14; Revised 2023 March 24; Accepted 2023 March 27; Available online 2023 May 30; Available print 2023 June 30.

Introduction: Home confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic reduced the physical activity level and exacerbated other unhealthy behaviours such as vices and eating disorders. This study analyses the risk factors predisposing to weight gain in young adults during COVID-19 home confinement. Material and method: Four hundred thirty-three students, aged between 19 and 25, participated in an online survey to understand the factors associated with weight gain. The following lifestyle dimensions were investigated in a regression model: physical activity, personal experiences, occupation, risk of vices. Results: We have found significant associations between weight gain (as a dependent variable), and frequency of physical activity (p = 0.009), occupational performance (p = 0.002), and alcohol consumption (p = 0.002). Male respondents are more likely to have gained weight during isolation. For an increase of one unit in the frequency of playing sports, we expect an odd of 0.25 (p = 0.048) for the respondents’ weight loss. Moreover, if the occupational performance increases by one unit, a weight decrease by a rate of 0.52 (p =0.02) is expected. Conclusion: In conclusion, young adults less engaged in physical activity, who assessed their occupational performance as lower, and who consumed alcohol more often during home confinement are the most likely to have gained weight.