Loss of muscle mass of the lower limbs and of the spine extensors markedly impairs locomotor ability and spine stability in old age. In this study, we investigated whether 8 w of neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) improves size and architecture of the lumbar multifidus (LM) and vastus lateralis (VL) along with locomotor ability in healthy older individuals. Eight volunteers (aged 65 ≥ years) performed NMES 3 times/week. Eight sex- and age-matched individuals served as controls. Functional tests (Timed Up and Go test (TUG) and Five Times Sit-to-Stand Test (FTSST)), VL muscle architecture (muscle thickness (MT), pennation angle (PA), and fiber length (FL)), along with VL cross-sectional area (CSA) and both sides of LM were measured before and after by ultrasound. By the end of the training period, MT and CSA of VL increased by 8.6% and 11.4%, respectively. No significant increases were observed in FL and PA. LM CSA increased by 5.6% (left) and 7.1% (right). Interestingly, all VL architectural parameters significantly decreased in the control group. The combined NMES had a large significant effect on TUG (r = 0.50, p = 0.046). These results extend previous findings on the hypertrophic effects of NMES training, suggesting to be a useful mean for combating age-related sarcopenia.

Vojta’s therapy is a widely used approach in both the prevention and therapy of musculoskeletal disorders. Changes in the musculoskeletal system have been described repeatedly, but the principles of the approach have not yet been clarified. The objective of our study was to evaluate changes of intracerebral activity using electromagnetic tomography (sLORETA) that arise during reflex locomotion stimulation of the breast trigger zone according to Vojta’s therapy. Seventeen healthy women took part in the experiment (aged 20–30 years old). EEG activity was recorded 5 min prior to the reflex locomotion stimulation, during stimulation, and 5 min after the stimulation. The obtained data were subsequently processed in the sLORETA program and statistically evaluated at the significance level p ≤ 0.05. The analysis found statistically significant differences in the frequency bands alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 between the condition prior to stimulation and the actual stimulation in BAs 6, 7, 23, 24, and 31 and between the resting condition prior to stimulation, and the condition after the stimulation was terminated in the frequency bands alpha-1, alpha-2, beta-1, and beta-2 in BAs 3, 4, 6, and 24. The results showed that reflex locomotion stimulation according to Vojta’s therapy modulates electrical activity in the brain areas responsible for movement planning and regulating and performing the movement.

Walking as physiological training is reported to be an effective activity in order to beneficially influence and slow the onset of aging in healthy elderly people. However, insufficient evidence exists on how walking influences lung function in seniors. In our study, we aim to evaluate the effect of different types of walking on lung function in healthy seniors. The PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus and EBSCO Essentials databases were searched, while the methodological quality was assessed by the RoB2 tool. A total of seven studies (RCTs) published between 2002–2022 that met the eligibility criteria were analysed in this review. All participants were older adults without any specific associated disease, aged 60 and above. The interventions included structured physical activity; a high/moderate exercise program; long-term regular walking; walking as a part of functional movement training; walking sideways, backward and forward as a part of aerobic training; fast walking; Stepper walking; walking on a treadmill combined with incentive spirometry; and Nordic walking. Overall, most of the mentioned types of walking led to improved lung function in healthy elderly subjects. However, the prescribed Stepper walking program did not improve lung function in healthy seniors.

A very popular method in the field of prevention, sports, and therapy is flossing, working with an elastic band. A number of effects have been reported with this approach, but there are so far only a few studies to objectivize the declared effects. The aim of our study was to determine the change in the blood supply to the musculus biceps brachii during and after the flossing method applied to the upper limb in the area of the shoulder joint. The study recruited 27 healthy respondents (23.3 ± 2.8 years old). Measurement of the blood flow was performed on a Précisé 8008 (Ulrichstein, Germany) a device for measuring transcutaneous oxygen (tcpO₂) before, during the 2-min compression therapy applied in the area of the shoulder joint, and after. We noted that both upper limbs, the limb where the application was performed and the opposite limb reached significant changes in the blood flow in musculus biceps brachii. Due to the significant depression of perfusion after only 2 min of flossing, great caution is required when performing the flossing method. The “sponge effect,” which means that after the occlusion is removed, the perfusion increases rapidly, was not confirmed by our study.

The modified goniometric platform (MGP) is a novel instrument used to measure trunk rotation while sitting. A lack of reliable and valid evidence has been reported to measure trunk rotation using MGP. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the intra- and inter-rater reliabilities and validity of the MGP for measuring trunk rotation while sitting. Methods: Seventeen participants performed right trunk rotation followed by left trunk rotation (three repetitions for each trial) and two random measurements at 40-minute intervals. Inter-rater and intra-rater reliabilities were calculated using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs). Validity was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: The test and re-test inter-rater reliabilities for right trunk rotation were 0.990 and 0.986, respectively, and those for left trunk rotation were 0.989 and 0.978, respectively. The intra-rater reliabilities for right trunk rotation were 0.949 and 0.954, respectively, and those for left trunk rotation were 0.944 and 0.946, respectively. The right and left trunk rotation validities were 0.986 and 0.981, respectively. Conclusion: MGP is reliable and valid for measuring right and left trunk rotations while sitting.

Previous research demonstrated that there are observable sex differences in developing muscle fatigue when mental task during fatiguing activity is present; however, there is no available review on this matter. Therefore, this review aimed to summarize the findings of previous studies investigating the effect of mental task on muscle fatigue in men and women. To conduct the review, we utilized searches using the electronic databases Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and EBSCO Cinahl Ultimate. The studies included had no limited publication date and examined the effects of mental task on muscle fatigue in a healthy adult population of any age. The evaluation was performed using the following criteria: time to failure, or subjective scale in various modifications (visual analog scale—VAS, rate of perceived effort—RPE, rate of perceived fatigue—RPF, rate of perceived discomfort—RPD). A total of seven studies met the set criteria, which were subsequently analyzed. Heavy mental task (more demanding math tasks) can reduce the time to failure for both men and women, with the reduction being more pronounced for women than for men. For light mental task (simple math tasks), no reduction in time to failure was observed to a great extent. The mental task in any of the included studies did not affect the subjective perception of fatigue, effort, discomfort, or pain. Although the studies investigating the effect of mental task on sex differences in muscle fatigability are limited, based on our findings we can assume that in jobs requiring heavier mental task, women may be more prone to the faster development of muscle fatigue; thus, employers might consider paying attention to the possibility of adequate rest.