The aim of this study was to identify biomechanical factors affecting successful and unsuccessful snatch attempts in elite female weightlifters during the 2013 World Weightlifting Championships. Fourteen female competitors took part in this study. Their successful and unsuccessful snatch lifts with the same load were recorded with 2 camcorders (50 Hz), and selected points were digitized manually on to the body and the barbell using the Ariel Performance Analysis System. The kinetic and kinematic barbell movement as well as the athlete’s body movement variables during the liftoff phase were examined. The results of this study show statistical differences (p ≤ 0.05) between successful and unsuccessful attempts in relation to the angle values in the knee and hip joints in preparation for the aerial phase position. Similarly, the center of gravity velocity was significantly higher in successful attempts during the catch phase. Thus, coaches should pay particular attention to the accuracy of the execution in preparation for the aerial phase position and to the velocity of the center of gravity of the competitors during the catch phase.

Importance: Physical activity is recognized as one of the most important tools in the management of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Objective: The aim of this review was to compare and analyze regular prenatal exercise programs and examine their effectiveness in the prevention of GDM. Evidence Acquisition: The following databases were used: Academic Search Complete, Health Source–Consumer Edition, Health Source–Nursing/Academic Edition, Master File Premier, MEDLINE, and SportDiscus with full text. The inclusion criteria were as follows: a randomized study, regular training program throughout pregnancy, and supervised by a prenatal activity specialist. Results: The 10 articles selected for the review were divided into 2 groups. The first group comprised 2 studies presenting successful interventions in the prevention of GDM, whereas the second group included 8 articles with no statistically significant effects of the training programs in GDM prevention. Beginning an exercise program at early stages of the pregnancy and high adherence were common features of the effective programs. Conclusions: When designing and carrying out the program, the beginning of the intervention and adherence should be considered. To increase adherence, the program should be attractive and it should meet the participants' needs. Relevance: This review might be used for identifying factors deciding whether an exercise program is an effective intervention to prevent the development of GDM. Moreover, it might also prove useful in the preparation of future guidelines for designing and implementing regular exercise programs effective in preventing GDM in pregnant women by gynecologists, obstetricians, midwives, trainers, and prenatal specialists. Target Audience: Obstetricians and gynecologists, family physicians. Learning Objectives: After participating in this activity, physicians should be better able to compare and analyze regular prenatal exercise programs; identify the most effective exercise programs in the prevention of GDM; distinguish factors decisive in gravid participants' involvement in regular physical activity sessions; and prepare for preparation of the future guidelines regarding regular exercise programs effective in preventing GDM.

Purpose: In the field of research on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the personal dimension is undervalued. Even the most comprehensive and current recommendations focus on biomedical issues and are entirely based on quantitative studies. Reports and narratives presenting people’s preferences, values, views, and opinions, especially of those affected by this health condition, are not considered in those reports. This article’s aim is to present personal experiences of scoliosis screening, diagnosis, and treatment, to contribute to the discussion. Methods: This is an evocative narrative autoethnography study, which allows focusing on the personal story of the author’s experiences of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis management, connecting it to the rehabilitation context. Results: Experiences of non-person-centred rehabilitation resulted in stigmatisation, distress, and emotional upset, including anxiety and fear. In contrast, person-centred therapeutic relationship involved more positive outcomes of care, such as becoming an engaged co-responsible and active partner in rehabilitation. Conclusions: It is strongly suggested to promote biographical research into the personal experiences of all aspects of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, to identify patients’ preferences and values more clearly. Furthermore, screening, diagnosis and treatment processes should be reviewed in terms of person-centredness, to ensure they are responsive to young people’s needs in the vulnerable time of puberty.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supervised physical exercise program on fetal well-being and intrauterine safety. Physical activity is recommended for healthy pregnant women. However, constant evaluation of fetal condition and development is recommended to ensure the safety of the exercise program. Material and methods: Randomized control trial study design. Sixty-six healthy pregnant women (age 24–35) with singleton gestation were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (EG, n = 34) or a non-active control group (CG, n = 32). The exercise program included 81 sessions (moderate intensity, 3 times per week, 50–60 min/session from weeks 13 to weeks 40/41 of pregnancy). Fetal well-being was assessed in weeks 32 and 37 of pregnancy. The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) was calculated to evaluate the safety of the exercise program for the fetus. Results: The differences in the CPR ratio measurements between EG and CG groups in week 37 (p < 0.05) were observed. The increase in the CPR ratio was also shown in week 37 of pregnancy in comparison to week 32 (p < 0.01). Moreover, maternal heart rate was significantly lower in the exercise group as measured at 37 weeks (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that regular and supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy does not affect fetal well-being and is safe for the fetus. Additionally, regular physical activity improves maternal physical fitness and cardiac efficiency which might aid at preparing pregnant women for natural labor. Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a supervised physical exercise program on fetal well-being and intrauterine safety. Physical activity is recommended for healthy pregnant women. However, constant evaluation of fetal condition and development is recommended to ensure the safety of the exercise program. Material and methods: Randomized control trial study design. Sixty-six healthy pregnant women (age 24–35) with singleton gestation were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (EG, n = 34) or a non-active control group (CG, n = 32). The exercise program included 81 sessions (moderate intensity, 3 times per week, 50–60 min/session from weeks 13 to weeks 40/41 of pregnancy). Fetal well-being was assessed in weeks 32 and 37 of pregnancy. The cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) was calculated to evaluate the safety of the exercise program for the fetus. Results: The differences in the CPR ratio measurements between EG and CG groups in week 37 (p < 0.05) were observed. The increase in the CPR ratio was also shown in week 37 of pregnancy in comparison to week 32 (p < 0.01). Moreover, maternal heart rate was significantly lower in the exercise group as measured at 37 weeks (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study confirm that regular and supervised exercise program throughout pregnancy does not affect fetal well-being and is safe for the fetus. Additionally, regular physical activity improves maternal physical fitness and cardiac efficiency which might aid at preparing pregnant women for natural labor.

When I was twelve years old, I attended a routine school posture screening. Following an orthopaedic examination, I was diagnosed with adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Although it turned out for me that it was not a serious and progressive form of scoliosis, the diagnosis impacted my life in a disabling way, resulting in feelings of fear, anxiety, and losing a sense of trust in my own body. I experienced bodily doubt. This was also accompanied by me negatively objectifying my body. This article is an evocative autoethnography presenting my personal story of experiencing a medical diagnosis of scoliosis. The health of my spine was evaluated purely by comparison to a desired aesthetical straight line. The way I felt in my body was never taken into consideration during this process. It is also a story of finding my own ways of healing, which was possible through engaging in dance and somatic practices. They allowed me to experience my body as a living subject – a soma. I was able to find ways to positively objectify my body through practices of deep body listening and developing greater bodily awareness. My healing was also connected to re-gaining a sense of bodily certainty and trust, through experiencing moments of wholeness in spontaneous expressive self-movement. Dance is also vital in my story. The personal evolution of approaching dance presents a healing potential of this art, allowing for the conscious, expressive, and therapeutic nature of the living body to be unveiled.

Introduction Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, the diagnosis and management of this condition, may lead to poorer body image and diminished psychosocial functioning. Furthermore, treatment, especially bracing and surgery as well as screening, remain controversial and debated, with an unclear evidence base. Personal experiences in terms of issues such as person-centred care, shared decision making, and patient and public involvement, are contemporarily recognised as highly valued. Nonetheless, people’s experiences related to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis is an issue underrepresented in current systematic reviews and systematically developed recommendations. There appears a substantial imbalance between a vast amount of biomedical research reports, and sporadic biopsychosocial publications in this field. The objective of this planned scoping review is to explore and map the available evidence from various sources to address a broad question of what is known about experiences of all those touched, directly and indirectly, by the problem of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. Methods and analysis We based our protocol on the Joanna Briggs Institute’s scoping review method, including the Population – Concept – Context framework, to formulate the objectives, research questions, eligibility criteria and conduct characteristics of the study. We will consider any primary study designs, research synthesis reports, as well as narrative reviews and opinion pieces. We will not restrict eligible publications to English language. Search and selection processes will include academic and grey literature searches using multiple electronic databases, search engines and websites, hand searches, and contacting the authors. We will use a customised data charting table and present a narrative synthesis of the results. Ethics and dissemination Scoping review is a secondary study, aiming at synthesising data from publicly available publications, hence it does not require ethical approval. We will submit the report to a peer-reviewed journal and disseminate it among professionals involved in scoliosis management, guideline and recommendation development, and policymaking.