Gait-lines, or the co-ordinates of the progression of the point of application of the vertical ground reaction force, are a commonly reported parameter in most in-sole measuring systems. However, little is known about what is considered a "normal" or "abnormal" gait-line pattern or level of asymmetry. Furthermore, no reference databases on healthy young populations are available for this parameter. Thus the aim of this study is to provide such reference data in order to allow this tool to be better used in gait analysis.

Introduction: Degenerative changes are one of the most often appearing causes of the affliction located in the locomotor system where the hip joint is one of the most common locations. One can observe such symptoms as: limited movement, pain and muscle weakness. One of the therapy methods that are aimed at improving movement and reducing the affliction are techniques used in manual therapy (e.g. mobilization). The Kaltenborn-Evjenth method has been applied in physiotherapy practice for many years. The aim of the research was to assess the effectiveness of mobilization techniques directed at the synovial capsule (manual therapy) while treating degenerative changes of the hip joint. In literature no report that refers precisely to the subject mentioned above was found. Being assessed was the influence of therapy on the range of the joints movement and the level of pain. Material and methods: A group of 20 people with degenerative changes of the hip joint were examined (16 women and 4 men, average age - 65 years). Measurements of the hip joint range movement were performed (the flexion, extension, abduction, adduction and rotation) and the assessment of the level of felt pain (VAS) before and after the therapy. The therapy using mobilization techniques taken from the Kaltenborn-Evjenth concept was conducted in a series of 6 therapy sessions lasting 2 weeks. Results: In all comparisons of the range of motion in the hip joint an increasing was stated (p < 0.001) after the therapy. In the case of pain level a decreasing was observed (p < 0.001) after the therapy. Conclusions: It seems right to use manual therapy techniques in physiotherapy proceedings in the course of the degenerative disease of the hip joint, aimed on for e.g. the synovial capsule.

Study aim: This pilot study aimed to quantify acute and short-term pre- to post-session changes in the mechanical properties of shoulder girdle muscles in volleyball players during an in-season preparatory mesocycle. Material and methods: Eight male volleyball athletes competing at the national academic level underwent assessments once per week across a 3-week in-season preparatory mesocycle immediately preceding the Polish Academic Volleyball Championships. At each session, MyotonPRO was used to measure tone (Hz), stiffness (N/m), and elasticity (log. decrement, D) before and after standardized 120-min training. Upper-body explosive power was assessed via the seated medicine-ball throw. Week-specific pre–post comparisons were tested with paired t -tests (Cohen’s dz , 95% CI). Two-way repeated-measures ANOVAs examined Time (pre/post) × Week effects. Results: Upper trapezius tone increased significantly post-training across all weeks ( dz = 0.90–1.01, p < 0.05). Lower trapezius elasticity improved consistently ( Δ = –0.13 to –0.17, dz ≈ –1.0, p < 0.05), while infraspinatus elasticity improved only in Week 3 ( dz = –1.13, p = 0.015). Exploratory repeated-measures ANOVA also identified a Time effect for upper trapezius tone ( F (1,7) = 12.1, p = 0.010, η p 2 {\eta }_{\text{p}}^{2} = 0.634), although ANOVA-based effect sizes should be interpreted cautiously given the pilot sample. Conclusions: Preliminary data suggest that selected shoulder stabilizers exhibited short-term pre- to post-session changes in tone and elasticity during the monitored in-season preparatory mesocycle. Given the pilot sample, these localized changes should be interpreted cautiously.

Background: The aim of this study was a qualitative assessment and quantitative assessment, i.e., the assessment of time to stability (TTS) before and after fatigue test, of landing in patients with chronic ankle instability, referred to as “copers”, in comparison to a control group of healthy persons. The indirect aim of the study was to develop a new method to assess more time precise measurement of TTS. Methods: The study involved 60 physically young active individuals aged 18 to 35 years. They were divided into three groups: the study population of 29 copers was divided into: I—14 persons with chronic one side ankle instability, study population II—15 persons with chronic bilateral ankle instability, and the control group included 31 persons without ankle instability. The study involved quantitative assessment of time to stability (TTS) after single-leg landing onto the HUR stabilometric platform from a 30 cm high platform before and after fatigue tests based on a modified Short-Term Fatigue Protocol. To conduct qualitative assessment of landing and to verify time to stability with video imaging, a video analysis was conducted. We used three cameras and two markers: on the malleolus lateralis of the fibula and on the malleolus medialis of the tibia. Each landing was subjectively assessed by a physiotherapist on a four-degree scale. A further biomechanic analysis was conducted only for the trials with a correct landing. The trials were repeated after a fatigue test. Results: There were significant differences before and after the fatigue test in qualitative landing analysis (p < 0.001) only for one jump for the right leg. In groups with unilateral and bilateral ankle instability, there was a higher percentage of landings with a considerable shift or unstable landings. The conducted dynamic test (TTS assessment) did not reveal significant differences between groups or after the fatigue test. Conclusions: Copers develop effective mechanisms of compensation, allowing them to participate in physical activities without symptoms of joint instability. Determining biomechanical differences between athletes who return to their sport and patients who develop chronic instability is important in the context of introducing adequate physiotherapy.