Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) has been frequently used to supplement the rehabilitation of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The aim of this study was to compare the effect of WBC and traditional rehabilitation (TR) on clinical parameters and systemic levels of IL-6, TNF-αin patients with RA. The study group comprised 25 patients who were subjected to WBC (−110°C) and 19 patients who underwent a traditional rehabilitation program. Some clinical variables and levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) were used to assess the outcomes. After therapy both groups exhibited similar improvement in pain, disease activity, fatigue, time of walking, and the number of steps over a distance of 50 m. Only significantly better results were observed in HAQ in TR group (p< 0.05). However, similar significant reduction in IL-6 and TNF-αlevel was observed. The results showed positive effects of a 2-week rehabilitation program for patients with RA regardless of the kind of the applied physical procedure.

(1) Background: Idiopathic scoliosis is a deformity of the growing spine. It affects 2–3% of adolescents; yet its cause is still unknown. At the early stage of idiopathic scoliosis (IS), the signs are not very noticeable. That is why the primarily school-based screening for scoliosis is so important. (2) Methods: This was a cross-sectional analysis of 6850 respondents. Participants were elementary school students in the metropolitan area of Poland. The suspicion of IS was based on detection of three-dimensional deformity of the spine using scoliometer. (3) Results: Respondents were divided into two groups: Angle of trunk rotation (ATR) = 0–3º and ATR > 3º. Presented research using a referral criterion of 5º ATR showed that in the group of participants who had ATR > 3º the largest percentage of 5 degree values was recorded at the second and third measurement level of the spine (30.5%, 31.1%, respectively). Analyzing the differences between the two groups of girls (ATR = 0–3º, ATR > 3º), statistically significant differences were recorded between 9 and 11 years of age (p = 0.0388). Girls with ATR > 3º at all measuring levels are significantly slimmer than girls with ATR 0–3º; (4) Conclusions: Age; sex, and risk of developing angle of trunk rotation are very closely associated. The main thoracic (level 2) and thoraco-lumbar (level 3) level of measuring of the spine appears to be the most differentiating in the diagnosis of scoliosis. Girls with a lower degree of trunk deformity (4–6º trunk rotation), which can present mild scoliosis and those with a higher degree (7º trunk rotation) have lower body mass than girls within the norm.

[Purpose] To assess the effect of 12-weeks Nordic walking training on gait parameters and some elements of postural control. [Subjects and Methods] Sixty-seven women aged 65 to 74 years were enrolled in this study. The subjects were divided into a Nordic Walking group (12 weeks of Nordic walking training, 3 times a week for 75 minutes) and a control group. In both study groups, a set of functional tests were conducted at the beginning and at the end of the study: the Forward Reach Test (FRT) and the Upward Reach Test (URT) on a stabilometric platform, and the analysis of gait parameters on a treadmill. [Results] The NW group showed improvements in: the range of reach in the FRT test and the URT test in compared to the control group. The length of the gait cycle and gait cycle frequency also showed changes in the NW group compared to the control group. [Conclusion] A 12-week NW training program had a positive impact on selected gait parameters and may improve the postural control of women aged over 65 according to the results selected functional tests.

BACKGROUND: Regular Nordic Walking training could improve fitness and reduce tenderness in selected muscle groups in office workers. OBJECTIVE: An assessment of the effects of a 12-week Nordic Walking training program on the perceived pain threshold

Article: Influence of 12-week Nordic Walking training on biomarkers of endothelial function in healthy postmenopausal women - The Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 2017 September;57(9):1178-85 - Minerva Medica - Journals