Objective: The present study aimed to analyze the relationships between the perceptions of footwear comfort with fear of falls in younger-old women and men. Participants: the population sample involved 100 free-living community dwellers aged 65–74. Design: the Falls Efficacy Scale-International and a visual analogue scale to assess perception of footwear comfort were used as research tools. Results: there were statistically significant differences in the FES-I results in people who suffered a fall in the last year compared to those who did not experience a fall (p < 0.001), as well as in the subjective assessment of mediolateral control in people who have suffered and have not suffered a fall in the last year (p = 0.033). In women, statistically significant relationships were found in the subjective assessment of shoe comfort in terms of arch height (p = 0.025) and material properties of the footwear (p = 0.036) with the results of FES-I. Conclusions: People who have fallen show a higher level of fear of falling. The assessment of footwear comfort in terms of mediolateral control was lower in the younger-old who had experienced a fall in the last year. In women, a worse assessment of arch height and material properties of the footwear is accompanied by greater fear of falling.

Background: The issue of the relation betweeen training loads on the shape of the spine of young players is of significant importance, as with the advancement of training seniority, unfavorable changes may be perpetuated resulting in possible consequences in the next stages of ontogenesis. The aim of this study was to assess the formation of the sagittal curvatures of the spine in girls practicing volleyball versus their nonpractising peers. Methods: We examined 60 girls aged 10–13 years, including 30 volleyball players and 30 untrained peers. The Baseline Bubble inclinometer was applied as a research. The data were analyzed based on Mann–Whitney U test and Pearson Chi-square test. Results. There were statistically significant intergroup differences in lumbar lordosis curvature values (Z = −2.67; p = 0.007). The prevalence of correctness values of the thoracic kyphosis curvature, was group-dependent (χ²(1) = 4.34; p = 0.037). Group also determined the prevalence of lumbar lordosis normalities (χ²(1) = 5.41; p = 0.020). Conclusions. Volleyball has a beneficial effect on the formation of the thoracic kyphosis, while the lumbar lordosis is shallowed under the influence of training. This indicates the need for a holistic approach to player training and the need to supplement the technique and tactics training with exercises to strengthen the muscles that stabilize the lumbar spine, improve spinal mobility, learn how to control the anterior tilt of the pelvis and train the fascia.

The aim of this study was to analyze the characteristics of foot structure in girls and boys in the final stage of early childhood, taking into account the half-yearly age ranges. The study was carried out among 800 children aged 3. The research tool was the podoscope CQ-ST. The collected research results were analyzed with the use of Student’s t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. Statistically significant sex differences in the length of the right and left foot, the width of the right and left foot and Clarke’s angle of the right and left foot in each of the identified age groups were found. There were statistically significant differences in the length of the right and left foot, the width of the right and left foot, and the Clarke’s angle of the right and left foot were noted separately in girls and boys. Sexual dimorphism in foot length, foot width, and Clarke’s angle occurs in 3-year-old children. In each of the age groups, boys are characterized by longer and wider, and lower arched right and left foot. Characteristic features differentiating children in the 1st and 2nd age group are foot length, foot width and Clarke’s angle. Girls and boys in the 2nd age group have longer and wider, and higher arched right and left feet. This indicates a high dynamic of increases in the value of these features.

Wprowadzenie: Wzrost świadomości współczesnych społeczeństw na temat niekorzystnych konsekwencji siedzącego trybu życia ma wpływ na zwiększanie się zainteresowania rekreacją ruchową. Celem pracy była analiza zachowań prozdrowotnych kobiet i ich opinii na temat jakości usług fitness, w zależności od doznanych urazów układu mięśniowo-szkieletowego. Materiał i metody: Badaniami metodą sondażu diagnostycznego objęto 100 kobiet w wieku 35-55 lat, będących klientkami klubu fitness „EUROGYM” w Krośnie, Polska. Narzędzie badawcze stanowiła ankieta autorska, obejmująca 3 sekcje tematyczne. Analizę zebranego materiału wykonano przy użyciu testów: U Manna-Whitneya i Chi-kwadrat Pearsona. Wyniki: Deklaracje na temat konsultacji lekarskiej przed decyzją o korzystaniu z oferty klubu fitness były zależne od grupy (p=0,044). Większość kobiet, niezależnie od grupy, nie korzystała z zabiegów odnowy biologicznej (p=0,086). Większość respondentek, niezależnie od grupy, oceniła kompetencje instruktora jako wysokie (p=0,080). Wnioski: Istnieje konieczność wdrażania programów popularyzujących potrzebę konsultowania stanu własnego zdrowia z lekarzem przed rozpoczęciem uczestnictwa w zajęciach fitness. Ponadto niezbędne jest upowszechnianie znaczenia odnowy biologicznej dla regeneracji tkanek i niwelowania efektów zmęczenia organizmu kobiet podejmujących trening fitness.

Purpose: The present study aimed to assess physical performance and its relationship with age and BMI in young male football players with Down syndrome and mild intellectual disability compared to their untrained peers.Methods: The study included 60 boys with Down syndrome and mild intellectual disability aged 11-13 years, assigned to the study group (trained football at the Futbol+ Sports Academy) and the control group (untrained peers). Research tools was the Eurofit Special test. The data were analyzed based on the using chi-square test, Student's t-test for independent variables, or Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s linear correlation or Spearman's rank correlation.Results: Young male football players with Down syndrome scored better for Standing Long Jump (p<0.001), Bent Knee Sit-ups in 30 seconds (p<0.001), 2 kg Medicine Ball Forward Push with one hand (p<0.001), and Walking on a Gymnastic Bench in the Upright Position (p=0.001), while for 25 m Run from a High Start, boys from the control group achieved better results (p<0.001). There were no statistically significant relationships of Eurofit Special test results with age and BMI.Conclusions: Football training improves physical performance of boys with Down syndrome and mild intellectual disability, especially dynamic balance, muscle strength of the lower limbs, upper limbs and abdomen. It can therefore be assumed that these characteristics are the most important indicators of the effectiveness of football training in these individuals. Age and BMI should not be considered as determinants of motor fitness in children and adolescents with Down syndrome and associated mental retardation.

Introduction: Down syndrome is one of the most common chromosomal abnormalities. It is caused by trisomy of chromosome 21.Objectives: The study aim is to evaluate motor fitness and its relationship to BMI in children with Down syndrome and moderate intellectual disabilities, compared to their typically devel-oping peers.Material and Methods: The study involved 40 children aged 7 to 8 years, including 20 with Down syndrome and 20 typically developing peers. The following research tools/tests were used: Eurofit Special, Single-Leg Stance, Timed Up & Go, and Box and Block. Additionally, to assess hand-eye coordination, children were asked to throw a bean bag into a hula hoop from a distance of 1.5 meters. The results were analysed using the chi-square test, Student’s t-test for independent samples, the Mann-Whitney U test, Pearson’s linear correlation coeffi-cient, and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient.Results: Children from the study group performed worse in motor skills tests than children from the control group, with the exception of the Seated Forward Bend test. No statistically significant relationships were found between the Eurofit Special test results and BMI (p>0.05).Conclusions: Flexibility is the only trait that does not differentiate 7-8-year-old children with Down syndrome from their typically developing peers. BMI should not be considered a de-terminant of motor fitness in children with Down syndrome and co-occurring intellectual dis-ability.