Objectives: The aim of this article is to synthesize current evidence on childhood myopia and unify key findings and recommendations for its prevention or mitigation. Methods: A review of studies examining myopia prevalence and progression in school-age children was conducted, focusing on age, gender, family history, screen time, sleep duration, near-work demands, and ergonomic factors in school settings. Results: Myopia was more common in older children, in girls, and in those with a parental history of myopia. Increased near work—reading, writing, and digital device use—was strongly linked to progression, while poor posture and inadequate lighting further contributed. Interventions such as regular outdoor activity, reduced recreational screen use, and maintaining proper reading distance showed beneficial effects. Conclusion: Childhood myopia is shaped by both genetic and environmental influences. A multifactorial approach, including proper ergonomics, balanced academic load, outdoor time, and healthy sleep routines, appears most effective, though further research is needed to refine prevention strategies.

Introduction Musculoskeletal disorders associated with muscular strain on the neck and shoulders affect women in administration more often than men. Ergonomic guidelines have historically been derived from male models, often ignoring biomechanical differences between the sexes. This study aims to quantify the acute mechanical response of the neck muscles of men and women to a standardized writing task at university desks of the same height and 0° inclination. Methods: The research involved 57 healthy university students (34 women, 23 men; age 19–24 years). Muscle tone (F), stiffness (S), and viscoelastic decrement (D) in the sternocleidomastoideus muscle (SCM), trapezius muscle (UT), and semispinalis capitis muscle (SSC) were assessed by the non-invasive MyotonPRO device before and after 20 min of continuous writing. Results: In the entire cohort, a significant change before and after exercise was found only in the UT decrement (p = 0.021). Gender differences were found in the change in muscle tone (ΔF), SCM (p = 0.031), and SSC (p = 0.039). On average, SCM tone increased slightly in men (+0.120 Hz) and decreased in women (−0.294 Hz), while SSC tone decreased in men (−0.374 Hz) and increased in women (+0.450 Hz). Conclusions: A twenty-minute writing task at a university desk with a fixed height was associated with measurable acute changes in selected mechanical properties of the neck muscles and with differences between the sexes in the direction of change in the tone of SCM and SSC. The clinical relevance of these findings remains unclear and should be validated in larger studies with detailed anthropometric and ergonomic evaluation and longer follow-up.

Background: Early detection and monitoring of pediatric foot deformities are crucial for preventing long-term musculoskeletal complications. This study aimed to analyze the prevalence of foot deformities in six-year-old children from the Visegrad Group (V4) countries. Material and methods: We evaluated 300 six-year-old children from Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, including 50 girls and 50 boys from each country. Foot assessments were performed using a CQ-ST podoscope, and data were analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: The majority of children exhibited normal longitudinal arch height (girls: 62-78%; boys: 44-68%), transverse arches (girls: 56-70%; boys: 42-70%), and hallux alignment (girls: 74-94%; boys: 78-94%). The country of residence significantly influenced deformity prevalence (p<0.05). Flatfoot (longitudinal and transverse) and fifth toe varus predominated in Poland. High-arched feet predominated in Slovakia for both sexes and in Czech boys, whereas Czech girls frequently exhibited hallux valgus. Boys’ hallux alignment was independent of the country of residence. Conclusions: Country of residence significantly differentiates foot deformity profiles in V4 preschoolers. These regional variations highlight an urgent need for tailored, national preventive and therapeutic programs, focusing on flatfoot in Poland and high-arched feet in Slovakia.

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Background: The regions of the Visegrad Group (V4) share comparable levels of economic development and broadly similar lifestyle patterns. Nevertheless, they may differ with respect to specific indoor footwear practices (such as fit and duration of use), parental health education, and the availability and selection of children’s footwear. The aim of this study was to evaluate foot morphology and indoor footwear fit among 6-year-old children from selected regional cohorts of V4. Methods: A total of 300 children (150 girls and 150 boys) aged 6, attending preschools in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic, were included in the study. Foot morphology was assessed using the CQ-ST podoscope, and footwear fit was evaluated using the Clevermess device. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis test for continuous variables, and the Pearson chi-square test for categorical data. Results: Clarke’s angle was higher in Slovak girls than in their Polish (MD range: 9.28–10.92°, 95% CI: 5.45–14.88°) and Czech peers (MD: 6.68–6.92°, 95% CI: 3.31–10.32°), while Polish girls exhibited a higher heel angle than Slovak girls (MD: 1.30–1.60°, 95% CI: 0.18–2.41°). Among boys, Clarke’s angle was lowest in Poland (vs. Slovakia MD: 15.64–16.04°, 95% CI: 11.44–20.35°; vs. Czech Republic MD: 9.64–11.02°, 95% CI: 5.57–15.11°) and higher in Slovak than their Czech peers (right foot MD: 6.00°, 95% CI: 2.19–9.81°). Similar to girls, Polish boys showed a higher γ angle than Slovak boys (MD: 2.16–2.44°, 95% CI: 1.28–3.29°). Conclusions: In this sample, foot morphology and footwear fit variations presented as descriptive trends among boys and girls from specific cohorts in Poland, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic. These exploratory observations suggest that regional, subgroup-specific characteristics, as well as specific indoor footwear factors (including material and footwear types, current fit, and duration of use), should be considered with caution when promoting proper shoe fitting during early childhood.

Backround: Musculoskeletal disorders associated with muscular strain on the neck and shoulders affect women in administration more often than men. Ergonomic guidelines have historically been derived from male models, often ignoring biomechanical differences between the sexes. The study aims to quantify the acute biomechanical response of the neck muscles of men and women to a standardized writing task. Methods: The research involved 57 healthy university students (34 women, 23 men; age 19–24 years). Muscle tone (F), stiffness (S), and viscoelastic decrement (D) in sternocleidomastoideus muscle (SCM), trapezius muscle (UT), and semispinalis capitis muscle (SSC) were assessed by the non-invasive MyotonPRO device before and after 20 minutes of continuous writing. Results: The results were statistically quantified and showed significant differences in muscle strategy between the sexes (p < 0.05). While women experienced a fatigue decrease in tone after exercise, the SCM as a superficial neck flexor and the deeper neck extensor SSC recorded a significant compensatory increase in tone, the opposite was true for men. Conslusion: These objective data show that identical office work causes a different physiological burden in women. Prevention of musculoskeletal disorders should therefore abandon a one-size-fits-all approach and move towards gender-specific solutions.