The study aimed to estimate the ability to tolerate body balance disturbance in relation to selected changes in the sagittal plane of the spine in early school-age children. The study involved 189 children with an average age of 8.3 ± 0.7 years (aged 7–10). The tests included an interview, clinical examination (measurement of body weight and height, assessment of the course of the spinous processes of the thoracic and lumbar vertebrae, assessment of the location of selected anatomical landmarks of the torso), and a physical examination in which the shape of the spine surface was examined with the use of the photogrammetric method and the moiré effect projection. Body balance disturbance tolerance skills (BBDTS) were measured with the rotational test (RT). In the rotational test, the results of body balance disturbance tolerance skills show a slight but statistically significant correlation with the bodyweight of the examined children (Rs = 0.35, p < 0.001). This relationship was also statistically significant in the groups by gender. Among the measured indicators of the curvature of the spine in the sagittal plane, the correlation with the RT test result was mostly related to the α angle and the value was Rs = 0.15 (p = 0.04). In the group of girls, this correlation was stronger and amounted to Rs = 0.26 (p = 0.015). Among other measured correlations, the dependence of variables such as the bodyweight of the subjects and the α angle was shown. In conclusion, increasing lumbar lordosis results in the deterioration of balance disturbance tolerance skills. As body weight increases, body balance disturbance tolerance skills decrease.

Benefits related to doing martial arts go beyond health-related and constitute very useful life skills. One of them is ability to fall safely. It is an important skill since falls are a common cause of injuries. The aim of the study is knowledge regarding the burden of falls in a population of farmers. This systematic review was prepared according to PRISMA guidelines. A literature search was conducted in PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Springer Link, Web of Science. A total of 21 articles met eligibility criteria. The common general observation was that fall (regardless of type) caused various body injuries in populations of agriculture workers. Fall was the leading cause of injuries in only one population, and the most frequently classified second or third causes among all other listed injuries. People employed in the agriculture sector constitute an occupational group with an increased risk of injury as a result of accidental fall, which may lead to disability or even death (in extreme situations). Safe fall training would be an important addition to traditional fall prophylaxis applied on farms. The authors indicate the limitations of judo as a base of such a program, such as with superficial analysis of this issue in scientific publications. There is a need for a critical and wary approach to recommendations that are limited to prophylaxis of the effects of accidental falls that are founded on judo or other combat sports and martial arts.

Background and Study Aim. Falling is an increasingly frequent problem. Assessment of the ability to control the body parts that are most susceptible to injury during a fall is the primary goal of prevention of fall-related injuries. The susceptibility test of the body injuries during a fall (STBIDF) is of note. To date, investigations of the STBIDF have been limited to validity assessment. Aim. Verify the reliability and objectivity of the STBIDF test. Material and Methods. Thirty-five female physiotherapy students participated in this study voluntarily. The sample was selected from 45 males and females undertaking their first-degree studies during the fifth semester of 2017–2018 at Podhale State College of Applied Sciences (PSCAS) in Nowy Targ, Poland. The STBIDF questionnaire was applied. Each student was recorded during STBIDF test performance. The STBIDF reliability assessment was performed using the test-retest method. The STBIDF objectivity assessment was performed using the Delphi method, with a panel consisting of three experts. Results. A significant correlation (rs = 0.865, p < 0.001) between the IndexSBIDF scores for the test and retest was observed. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test result did not reveal any significant differences between the test and retest. Conclusions. The STBDIF is characterized by reliability and objectivity; therefore, it is a good tool for analysis of the susceptibility to injury of the body parts most exposed during falls in people from different risk groups. This non-apparatus test is a reliable and easy to use tool, available for experts dealing with falls and their consequences, and preventive approaches. It can also be used in medical, pedagogical, and athletic environments.

Skutki niezamierzonego upadku człowieka są postrzegane jako poważny problem zdrowia publicznego. Celem poznawczym pracy była argumentacja oparta na dowodach, że radykalny postęp profilaktyki skutków niezamierzonych upadków jest możliwy pod warunkiem przełamywania mentalnych barier wśród podmiotów o potencjalnych kompetencjach dokonania zmian od mikro do makro skali. Jako metodę zastosowano przegląd narracyjny publikacji dokumentujących osiągnięcia ekspertów „Polskiej Szkoły Bezpiecznego Upadania” mających związek z mentalnymi aspektami powszechnego wdrożenia metod redukujących zjawisko podatności na uszkodzenia ciała podczas upadku w całej ontogenezie. Uczestnicy najważniejszych eksperymentów pedagogicznych deklarowali, że: nauczanie technik bezpiecznego upadania miało sens zarówno w przypadku osób zdrowych, jak i osób z grup wysokiego ryzyka (95% odpowiedzi studentów fizjoterapii); wszystkie osoby po amputacji i 83% pacjentów z wadą wzroku było przekonanych, że nauczanie technik bezpiecznego upadania w grupach o podwyższonym ryzyku upadków ma sens; jedna odpowiedź pacjenta z wadą wzroku (16%) brzmiała „nie wiem” i nikt z badanych nie zaprzeczył celowości nauczania technik bezpiecznego upadania. Naturalną zdolność ochrony rąk i głowy podczas niezamierzonego upadku dziecko zaczyna zatracać w trzecim roku życia. Dlatego umiejętność bezpiecznego upadania jest najpewniejszym ze sposobów redukowania w przyszłości liczby osób, które na skutek obrażeń doznanych podczas upadku spędziłyby resztę życia w niepełnosprawności.

Purpose: The aim of the study was to find out whether safe falling programs for patients with visual impairment or limb amputees, as a prospective modern adapted physical activity, gained acceptance from physiotherapy students and people with disabilities. Material: The study consisted of three stages. The sample included 189 participants. The preset inclusion criterion (adequate attendance during the training) was met by 134 students and all the participants with visual impairment (n = 6) and after limb amputation (n = 8). Results: The opinions that implementation of STSFT programs for patients with visual impairment or after limb amputation, expressed by physiotherapy students (about 94% and 95% of students at stages I and II respectively) and patients with disabilities (100% of amputees and 83% of patients with visual impairment at stage III), who learned to protect their bodies during collisions with the ground, indicate that the aforementioned empirically verified programs are effective. Conclusions: 1. Implementation of safe falling programs as an adapted physical activity for patients with visual impairment or after limb amputation may adversely affect their feeling of safety and motivation for practicing sports, tourism or other physical activities. 2. Physiotherapy students specializing in safe falling will contribute to a growing number of new workplaces and innovative services, both for able-bodied people and people with disabilities. Such a specialty will be essential for public health including improvement of the patient’s quality of life.