Background.This study was designed to determine whether or not gait training based on the use of treadmill with visual biofeedback and body weight support (BWS) would produce better effects in patients with subacute stroke compared to BWS treadmill training with no visual biofeedback.Materials and Methods.30 patients with subacute stroke were randomly assigned to do body weight supported treadmill training with visual biofeedback (BB group) or BWS treadmill training without visual biofeedback. Their gait was assessed with a 3D system (spatiotemporal gait parameters and symmetry index) and by means of 2-minute walk test (2 MWT), 10-metre walk test (10 MWT), and Timed Up & Go test. Subjects in both groups participated in 15 treadmill training sessions (30 minutes each).Results.The participants from both groups achieved a statistically significant improvement in spatiotemporal gait parameters, walking speed, endurance, and mobility. The average change in the BB group after the end of the programme did not differ significantly compared to the change in the control group. The change in the symmetry index value of stance phase in the BB group was 0.03 (0.02) and in the control group was 0.02 (0.02). The difference was not statistically significant (p=0.902). The statistically significantly higher improvement in the BB group was found in the range of walking speed (p=0.003) and endurance (p=0.012), but the difference between groups was of low clinical significance.Conclusions.The findings do not confirm that BWS treadmill training with the function of visual biofeedback leads to significantly greater improvement in gait compared to BWS treadmill training with no visual biofeedback at an early stage after stroke. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, ID:ACTRN12616001283460.

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a six-week core stability training program on the fundamental movement pattern assessed using the Functional Movement Screen Test in tennis players. The study group consisted of 160 subjects (74 women, 86 men) with a mean age of 20.26 ± 1.55. The Functional Movement Screen Test (FMS™), as well as the core stability tests including the lateral trunk muscles endurance test (the side bridge test), the abdominal muscles endurance test and the trunk extensors muscle endurance test—were used to evaluate the effects of core stability training. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the FMS test scores before and after introducing a core stability exercise program. Initially, the average total score of the FMS test in female tennis players was 14.58 ± 2.91, and after core stability training it was 17.20 ± 1.68 (p < 0.001). In the male group, the total FMS test score was 14.44 ± 2.76 before and 16.91 ± 1.36 after (p < 0.001) in the final assessment. Additionally, statistically significant differences were observed in the core stability test scores before and after introducing a stabilisation training program. The results of the study showed that specific core strengthening exercises could improve the FMS test scores in adult tennis players. This may also have an influence on reducing injury risk in this group, although further studies would be required to test this.

Background: Cerebral palsy (CP) children present complex and heterogeneous motor disorders that cause gait deviations. Clinical gait analysis (CGA) is used to identify, understand and support the management of gait deviations in CP. Children with CP often use ankle–foot orthosis (AFO) to facilitate and optimize their walking ability. The aim of this study was to assess whether the gait deviation index (GDI) and the gait variability index (GVI) results can reflect the changes of spatio-temporal and kinematic gait parameters in spastic hemiplegic CP children wearing AFO. Method: The study group consisted of 37 CP children with hemiparesis. All had undergone a comprehensive, instrumented gait analysis while walking, both barefoot and with their AFO, during the same CGA session. Kinematic and spatio-temporal data were collected and GVI and GDI gait indexes were calculated. Results: Significant differences were found between the barefoot condition and the AFO conditions for selected spatio-temporal and kinematic gait parameters. Changes in GVI and GDI were also statistically significant. Conclusions: The use of AFO in hemiplegic CP children caused a statistically significant improvement in spatio-temporal and kinematic gait parameters. It was found that these changes were also reflected by GVI and GDI. These findings might suggest that gait indices, such as GDI and GVI, as clinical outcome measures, may reflect the effects of specific therapeutic interventions in CP children.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to assess static balance of patients after Total Hip Replacement (THR) compared with the age-matched, asymptomatic control group, considering the subject’s gender and the time since the surgery. Materials and Methods. The Total Hip Replacement (THR) group consisted of 55 subjects (mean age: 56.3±8.7 years) and the control group consisted of 48 subjects (mean age: 58±6.2 years). For the assessment of static balance, a stabilometric force platform was used. All subjects performed two 30-second trials in the double-leg stance position with eyes opened and closed. In the study group, the stabilometric assessment was performed once within the period of 24 to 36 months after the surgery. Results. Subjects from the study group had significantly increased mediolateral COP velocity in the test with eyes opened, as well as the values of most of the COP parameters (excluding COP path area) in the test with eyes closed, compared to the control group. Higher values of the selected COP parameters were observed in the male subjects from the study group. Conclusion. In contrast to a number of papers, our study revealed some deficits in static balance in patients after THR up to 2-3 years after surgery.

Introduction. Diet and physical activity are widely recognized in maintaining health and preventing diseases. Currently, dietary supplements are also commonly believed to play a role in health promotion. However, a dietary supplement lacks single uniform definition within the scope of legal or nutritional sciences. Data on the usage of dietary supplements in Europe are still limited. The aim of this study was to assess subjective and objective knowledge of the inhabitants of south-eastern Poland about diet and supplementation in sport. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted in the south-east of Poland between October 2017 and July 2018 during three events organized by the University of Rzeszów. Initially, the study covered 500 people. During the preliminary analysis, 90 people were excluded from the study because they did not meet the previously well-explained rules of conduct during the study or did not meet the eligibility criteria for the tests. Finally, 410 people were qualified for the study. The survey method was a questionnaire with single-answer option. Results. Our study revealed statistically significant subjective and objective level of knowledge about diet and supplementation in terms of sex. Also, a correlation was found between sex and the fact of being involved in physical activity, as well as the subjects’ knowledge of diet and supplementation in sport. Conclusion. High prevalence of dietary supplement use was found in our study population, but still significant percentage of the study group demonstrate inaccurate information about these products. Hence, there is an urgent need to provide the community with education and access to scientific and unbiased information.

BACKGROUND:The Knee Outcome Survey Activities of Daily Living Scale (KOS-ADLS) is a self-reported questionnaire used for the evaluation of the overall health of patients with knee dysfunctions. The purpose of this study was to perform a cross-cultura...