Digital Commons Network^™

Health Outcomes Of Fitbit, Garmin Or Apple Watch-Based Interventions: A Systematic Review Of Systematic Reviews, Hossein Motahari-Nezhad, Fateme Zare, Hadi Akbari, Aslan Sadeghdaghighi

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: A rising number of systematic reviews of smartwatch clinical effectiveness have been published; however, the findings are conflicting and need further investigation. Our purpose was to assess the methodological and evidence synthesis quality of meta-analyses of the therapeutic efficacy of Fitbit, Garmin, or Apple Watch-based interventions. Material and Methods: Systematic searches were carried out with three electronic databases from inception to October 2021. Full text systematic reviews originally published in English in peer-reviewed journals describing meta-analyses of all clinical outcomes of Fitbit-, Garmin-, or Apple Watch -based interventions were eligible for this study. The Amstar-2 scale and GRADE were …

The Effect Of Core Training On Dynamic Balance And Strength Endurance In Junior Field Hockey Players, Senthilkumar Ramasamy, John Franklin, Pitchaimani Govindhara, Suganya Panneerselvam

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: The objective of this study is to find the effectiveness of core muscle strength training on dynamic balance and muscle endurance among junior field hockey players. Material and Methods: The study was conducted with 30 regular junior hockey players (15 in the control group and another 15 in the experimental group). The modified Star Excursion Balance Test (mSEBT) and Biering-Sorensen muscle endurance tests are used to assess dynamic balance and endurance. In the control group, the participants continued their formal training without undergoing any intervention. At the same time, the players in the experimental group performed the core muscle …

Does A Six-Week Intervention With Added Respiratory Dead Space Volume In Swimming Improve Haematological And Immunological Status?, Stefan Szczepan, Kamil Michalik, Rafał Hebisz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of study was to investigate if differences appeared in haematological parameters after a 6-week moderate-intensity swimming intervention with added respiratory dead space volume (ARDSV) in recreational swimmers.

Material and methods: A sample of 22 individuals were divided into an experimental (E) and a control (C) group, tested for maximal oxygen uptake (VO₂max). The intervention involved 50 min. of front crawl swimming performed at 60%VO₂max twice weekly for 6 weeks. ARDSV was induced via tube breathing (1000ml) in group E during each intervention session. Haematological parameters measured before and after the intervention included red …

The Potential Role Of Selected Body Composition Phenotypes In The Interpretation Of The Exercise-Induced Components Of The Insulin-Like Growth Factor Systems, Gökhan Umutlu, Nevzat Demirci

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction: Increased adiposity leads to impaired physiologic growth hormone secretion and low and high body mass index (BMI) values increase health risks. However, BMI only measures results in variations in fat-free mass (FFM), fat-free mass index (FFMI), normalized fat-free mass index (NFMI), and body fat mass (BFM). This study evaluated the insulin-like growth factor system responses to the given exercise and their interaction with the changes in BMI, FFM, FFMI, and NFFMI in healthy male participants. Material and methods: A randomized controlled trial with a parallel groups study design was used. Thirty healthy male participants (age: 21.33 ±1.24 years) were …

Effect Of Post-Activation Potentiation On The Force, Power And Rate Of Power And Force Development Of The Upper Limbs In Mixed Martial Arts (Mma) Fighters, Taking Into Account Training Experience, Alan Langer, Angelina Ignatieva, Patricia Fischerova, Magdalena Nitychoruk, Artur Gołaś, Adam Maszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. The aim of the study is to determine the optimal load for generating the highest value of force, power and the rate of power and force development (RFD and RPD) in the upper limb of mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters with the use of activation and explosive exercises. The training period of MMA players was included in the research. Material and Methods: Twenty-nine MMA fighters participated in the study and were divided into two groups depending on the length of their training period (under and over 5 years). The subjects did 2 ballistic push-ups before the study and after-wards …

The Effect Of Caffeine On Countermovement Jump Performance In Recreationally Trained Women Habituated To Caffeine, Dawid Gawel, Magdalena Kaszuba, Zuzanna Komarek, Robert Krawczyk, Marta Bichowska, Marcin Jasinski, Robert Trybulski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. The main goal of this study was to examine the effect of acute intake of 3 mg/kg/body mass (b.m.) of caffeine (CAF) on countermovement jump (CMJ) performance in recreationally trained women habituated to CAF. Material and Methods. 17 healthy recreationally trained women habitually using CAF participated in the study. The experiment followed randomized, cross-over, double-blind design under three different conditions: control test (CONT) or consumed placebo (PLAC) or consumed 3 mg/kg/b.m. of CAF (CAF-3). Each participant performed 2 sets of 2 CMJ. The following variables were recorded: concentric peak velocity (PV), peak power (PP) and jump height (JH). Results. …

Fall Risk Prediction Model For Older Men And Women Based On Ambulatory Physical Activity Level – A Cross-Sectional Population-Based Study From The Oporto Region, Paulo Jorge Quintela Cardoso-Carmo, Adjane Maria Pontes César, Manuel Rubim Silva Santos, Maria Joana Mesquita Barbosa De Carvalho

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Introduction. Falls among the elderly are an important community health problem due to its high incidence, functional and social repercussion. Dissimilar results arose in recent studies concerning fall risk and physical activity levels. This study measures the association between physical activity (PA) levels, and fall risk (FR), investigates which levels of PA are influential in FR and presents a fall risk prediction models for the elderly. Material and Methods. One hundred and seventy elderly adults (72.34 ± 6.70 years old, 124 female), completed Performance-Orientated-Mobility-Assessment; PA was assessed by accelerometry. Pearson’s correlation verified the association between FR, Age, and PA. Multiple …

The Effects Of Conventional And Minimalist Footwear On Hip And Knee Joint Kinetics During Maximal Depth Jump, Jonathan Sinclair

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background:‪The aim of the current investigation was to examine the effects of minimalist and conventional footwear on the loads experienced by the hip and knee joints during the depth jump. Material and methods:‪Ten male participants performed depth jumps onto a force platform in each footwear condition. Kinematics of the lower extremities were also quantified using an eight-camera infra-red motion capture system, allowing hip and knee kinetics to be calculated. Differences between footwear were tested using paired samples t-tests. Results:‪Peak hip and knee joint forces were found to be significantly larger in minimalist (hip = 4.62 & knee = 4.74 BW) …

Is The Use Of Pedometers Feasible For Identifying The Volume And Intensityof A Balance Specific Exercise Programme For Older Adults, Darja Rugelj, Renata Vauhnik

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪Exercise programmes consisting of stepping were found to significantly reduce incidence of falls in the elderly. The aim of this case study was to evaluate the feasibility of step counts and to identify a specific dose, i.e. the amount and intensity of stepping during a multicomponent balance specific exercise programme. Material and methods: ‪Thirty fit community-dwelling older adults (69.7 ±6.2 years) participated in the study. The number of steps and the intensity of stepping per training unit was recorded with StepWatch pedometers. Results: ‪The average recorded number of steps per one-hour training unit was 1100 ±215. The intensity level …

Paediatric Physical Activity And Health: Moving Towards A Measure Of Quality, Cain C.T. Clark, Claire M. Barnes

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

It is clear that physical activity, holistically, is linked with several positive factors through the life course. There exists a large evidence base for physical activity quantity, yet there has been little integration of physical activity qualities, and whilst qualityis a nebulous term, recent developments in literature suggest it may be a viable measure in the characterisation of physical activity. The purpose of the study was to comprehensively review the development towards a measure of physical activity quality.‪A review of literature was conducted using online databases: Web of Science, PubMed and Google Scholar. A narrative review was subsequently prepared on …

Physical Activity And Spatial Use During School Breaks In Children Aged Four, Oscar Romero Ramos, Emilio Fernández Rodríguez, Antonio Matas Terrón, Gloria GonzáLe Campos, Robert Podstawski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background:‪The latest studies warn of obesity levels and sedentary lifestyles in children, and of the impact this has on health. This study analyses the quantity of physical activity and the use of space during school breaks, according to gender, in four-year-old pupils. Material and methods:‪Pedometers and behavioural mapping were used as recording tools. Four behavioural categories were identified and 10 spatial categories. The procedure involves the development of primary measures (frequencies of appearance of each category and duration), as well as secondary measures (relative frequency, rate, relative duration and average duration). In addition to these descriptive measures, a correlation analysis …

Changes In Body Composition Of Children Aged Of 9 To 12 Years With Excess Body Weight Under The Influenceof Eight-Week Workout, Tomasz Dudziak, Zbigniew Czubek, Mirosław Grabowski, Robert Urbanski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background:‪The increasing problem of overweight and obesity in children is the reason for taking further actions leading to mass reduction, because, in contrast to adults, the consequences of this pathology in young people are still not well known. The intervention actions that can lead to reduction in mass are not easy to find in literature, and their long-term effects are unknown. The aim of this research was to define the changes in body composition of children with excess body mass after eight-week high intensity workout.Material and methods:‪The study was conducted on 47 children aged 9‒12 years who were overweight or …

Changes In The Symmetry Of The Stabilization Function Of Lower Limbs In Geriatric Women Versus Younger Females, Przemyslaw Bujas, Ewa Puszczałowska Liziz, Dariusz Tchorzewski, Jaroslaw Omorczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background:‪The overall purpose of this study is to define differences in the symmetry of stabilizing function of lower limbs in geriatric women compared to younger females. Material and methods:‪The study evaluated 30 female seniors (aged 82.9 ±6.1), 39 female university students (aged 23.3 ±0.4) and 33 girls (aged 7.4 ±0.3). Stability was evaluated using a stabilographic platform CQ Stab (Electronic System), with the subject standing with eyes open. Anova Kruskal-Wallis test and Wilcoxon test were used for the analysis. Results:‪The average percentage differences in limb loading (LLA) show a slight, not exceeding 2.5% asymmetry in the distribution of body weight. …

Dynamics Of Variation Of Sports Performance In Light Of Time Series Based On Artificial Neural Networks In Swimming, Wojciech Rejdych, Aleksandra Filip, Jakub Karpinski, Magdalena Krawczyk, Jakub Jarosz, Teresa Socha, Adam Maszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background. General availability of sports results, such as current world records, world rankings, and results of the Olympic Games, offers opportunities for the analysis variation in many different competitions and sports. Current trends in the progress in sports performance have been analysed based on e.g. freestyle swimming. The focus of this study is on the analysis of variability of sports results in swimming achieved by women and men in 11 Olympic Games in 1972-2012. Material and Methods. The analysis was based on the results of top eight finalists in all four events. Four 100m sprinting events (men's and women's) included …

Fracture Of The Lateral Tibial Condyle With Depression Of The Articular Surface - A Case Report, Krzysztof Ficek, Paulina Cyganik, Magdalena Strozik, Anna Serniak, Joanna Rajca

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Fractures of the proximal epiphysis of the tibia constitute one of the more frequently occurring types of sports injuries, and at the moment constitute about 1% of all reported bone fractures. They appear mainly as a result of traffic accidents, falls from heights, as well as being observed in groups of physically active people whose disciplines involve high-impact landings. From time to time, improperly executed movements or steps without falling result in injury. Case Report: We present a case study of a 21-year-old male football player with fracture of the lateral tibia condyle with indentation of articular surface. The …

Health Behaviours As Mediators Of Relationships Between The Actual Image And Real And Ideal Images Of One’S Own Body, Anna Lysak, Dominika Wilczynska, Anna Walentukiewicz, Magdalena Podczarska-Glowacka, Karol Karasiewicz

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Health behaviours are consolidated and modified throughout human life; however, adolescence is a significant stage in the process of acquiring them. One of the identifiers of the represented health behaviours is a proper level of body fat influenced by self-assessment of own image. Material/Methods: The authors considered relationships between the real image, health behaviours and self-assessment of own appearance; these were analysed using a sample of randomly selected 830 adolescents. The body composition analysis was conducted by means of bioelectrical impedance, assessment of self-image was done with Stunkard’s Figure Rating Scale, and assessment of health behaviours was done with …

Perceptive Ability Of Female Students Of The University Of The Third Age And Its Links With Physical Fitness And Mood, Joanna Piotrowska, Monika Guszkowska, Ewa Kozdron, Ewa Niedzielska, Anna Les, Bartlomiej Krynicki

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study was to determine the speed and failures of perception and attention among female students of the University of the Third Age (U3A) and their links with physical fitness and mood. Material/Methods: The study involved 114 women aged between 50 and 88 years old (M = 68.17) participating in U3A lectures at the University of Physical Education in Warsaw. Perception ability was investigated using Ciechanowicz and Stańczak’s Attention and Perception Test. Physical fitness was assessed with the Fullerton Fitness Test and the Romberg manoeuvre to evaluate the ability to maintain balance. The participants were also …

Health Disorders And Exercising Behaviour That Characterize The Transitional Stage Of First-Year Students At The Lithuanian University Of Educational Sciences, Vida Juškelienė, Aušra Kalinkevičienė

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Previous studies have revealed high prevalence of students exhibiting unhealthy behaviour, such as insufficient physical activity during their transitional phase from school to university. Research shows that students’ health is worse compared to non-student pears. However, health and its determinants in specific subgroups, such as students –future teachers, have remained largely unexplored. In contemporary society, teachers are expected to fulfil the role of health educators regardless of the subject they teach in school. So they may maintain good health potential and develop healthy lifestyle themselves. The present study aims to estimate the health status of first-year students at the …

Volleyball Players’ Somatic Composition In The Light Of Sports Results At 2014 Fivb Volleyball Men's World Championship, Krzysztof Wnorowski, Karol Cieminski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of the study was to analyse sports results and the somatic composition of participants in the 2014 FIVB Volleyball Men's World Championship held in Poland. Material/Methods: Research material involved volleyball players participating in the World Championships (n = 280). Their age, height, weight, one-arm spike reach, both-arm block reach, and Rohrer’s index were analysed. The mean value of the features and their derivatives in individual teams and groups were calculated and verified using statistical tests (t-Student, Mann-Whitney and Cochran-Cox) if the differences were significant. Results: The subjects’ mean age was 26.33 years (SD = 3.90), body height …

Reliability And Validity Of The International Physical Activity Questionnaire In Lithuania, Alvydas Kalvenas, Ionuţ Burlacu, Karim Abu-Omar

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Purpose of the study was to examine: (1) the criterion validity and test-retest reliability of the IPAQ-LT short-form (SF) and long-form (LF) and (2) its potential over-reporting and energy expenditure over-estimation. Material and methods: 130 participants, aged 18-69 years, wore the Actigraph GT3X accelerometer (ACC) on all waking hours over 7 consecutive days. One day before and after they completed both versions of the back-translated IPAQ-LT. 92 participants were included for the reliability and 81 for the validity tests. Spearman’s rho correlation coefficients were calculated as the measurement of agreement. Results: Only the walking category significantly (p <.05) correlated with the ACC, SF (.22), LF (.20). Compared with ACC data IPAQ-LT averaged 997% (SF) and 1512% (LF) more weekly minutes of PA and 864% (SF) and 1477% (LF) more MET-min/week. The classification of participants as sufficiently active was 87.6% (SF), 90.1% (LF), and 8.7% (ACC). Conclusions: The validity for total PA scored relatively low compared with other studies. Substantial PA over-reporting and EE over-estimation were observed. As such, the evidence is very weak to support the use of IPAQ-LT as a relative or an absolute measure of PA and further work in this regard is amended.

Analysis Of The Athlete Burnout Phenomenon: The Past, The Present And The Future Of Athlete Burnout Research, Alena Akhrem, Zuzanna Gazdowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The paper describes traditional and alternative conceptualizations of athlete burnout, measurement instruments, the most recent studies investigating athlete burnout and potential prevention and intervention strategies. Athlete burnout, being an extremely aversive experiential state, is a serious problem for athletes and their coaches. It needs special treatment and discussion because of the severe consequences it leads to. Burned-out athletes are likely to withdraw from sport despite time, efforts and money they invested into it. However, the decision to leave sport usually does not relieve symptoms of burnout, but may also worsen athletes’ moral state. Therefore, it is not surprising that this …

The Quality Of Life Profile Among Students Of The University Of The Third Age, Ewa Kupcewicz, Malgorzata Kusmierczyk, Barbara Wilk, Agnieszka Zajaczkowska, Aleksandra Zakrzewska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The quality of life is determined by numerous factors, among others, social, biological and psychological ones, whereas satisfaction with life and good self-esteem related to health are one of its main measures. The purpose of the paper was to determine the quality of life of the Third Age University students. Material/Methods: The study group involved 130 students of the University of the Third Age in Kętrzyn and Szczytno. The vast majority were women (90.00%; n = 117), and their mean age was 65.4 ±5.9 years. The study used the author's questionnaire containing questions about socio-demographic data and the WHOQoL-BREF …

Domain-Specific Physical Activity Among Indigenous Overweight And Obese Communities In Sarawak, Ching Thon Chang, Whye Lian Cheah, Helmy Hazmi, Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Physical activity is important to maintain health and to prevent non-communicable diseases. Material/Methods: We evaluated physical activity in four domains (leisure time, occupational, domestic and transportation ones) and its sociodemographic correlates in 351 adult overweight and obese indigenous people in Sarawak, Malaysia. Physical activity was assessed using the Malay version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) long form. The data were analysed using SPSS version 20. Results: More than 40% of the respondents (43.5%) were obese. The overall median total MET-minutes were 6180.0 (IQR = 10229.0). A total of 53% of the respondents were moderately active with the …

Relationship Between Age And Handgrip Strength Indexes In Elderly Women With Low Bone Mass. Preliminary Study, Zbigniew Ossowski, Krzysztof Prusik, Jakub Kortas, Monika Wiech, Lukasz Bielawa, Katarzyna Prusik

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this preliminary study was to characterize handgrip strength indexes in elderly women with low bone mass and determine their relationship with age. Material/Methods: The study sample consisted of 63 postmenopausal women with osteopenia and ostoporosis, aged 60-74. The subjects were divided into three age groups: 60-64 years, 65-69 years and 70-74 years. To perform this study two handgrip strength indexes were used: handgrip strength on body weight (HS/weight) and handgrip strength on body mass index (HS/BMI). Handgrip strength was measured with Jamar hand dynamometer. Results: These studies revealed a significant decrease in handgrip strength indexes between …

Physical Activity In Youth And Level Of Kinesiophobia In Older Adults, Edward Saulicz, Andrzej Knapik, Mariola Saulicz, Pawel Linek, Jerzy Rottermund, Tomasz Wolny, Andrzej Mysliwiec

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Previous physical activity may be a significant motivator for activity at an elder age. There is a lack of research regarding the kinesiophobia phenomenon in the elderly across a wide spectrum of its conditions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the level of kinesiophobia in older adults in the context of their physical activity in youth. Material and methods: The research was performed on a group of 520 people between 65 and 87 years old. Psychometric tools completed by the subjects were used. The tools consisted of two parts: a survey concerning the level of physical activity …

Dependence Between Body Image And Motivation In A Group Of Professional Swimmers And Track-Athletes, Aleksandra Budzisz, Monika Nawrocka

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The human body may be investigated on a variety of levels. This paper deals with the issue of self-perception of the body by sportsmen and motivation strategies they use. The aim of the study was twofold: firstly, to determine whether the sports discipline affects satisfaction with one’s own body and the level of motivation; and secondly, to establish if the type of sports motivation is dependent on the body image. Material and methods: The subject group comprised athletes (n = 42) and swimmers (n = 35). The subjects completed questionnaires. The research tools included the Body Esteem Scale (BES) …

Comparison Of Time-Motion Analysis And Physiological Responses During Small-Sided Games In Male And Female Soccer Players, Zbigniew Jastrzebski, Lukasz Radziminski, Piotr Stepien

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The main purpose of this study was to compare the physiological response and time-motion analysis of male and female soccer players during 4 vs 4 small-sided games. Material/Methods: Thirteen adult, professional, male and fifteen female soccer players, participated in the study. Small-sided games (4 vs 4) were performed in an interval format: 4 x 4 min, 2 min of active recovery. The distance covered by the players during small-sided games and heart rate responses were measured. Results: The average intensity during the small-sided games was between 89.4 and 90.6% HRmax in male and between 88.9 and 90.2% HRmax in …

Physical Activity And Body Image Of Women: Literature Review, Sonia Mosur-Kaluza, Monika Guszkowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

This study represents a review of literature on the relationship between recreational physical activity and the body image. This research encompasses 39 papers published between 2008 and 2015 that were available in the Academic Search Complete database. The results of comparative, prospective, and experimental research are ambiguous. These data suggest both a positive relationship between the body image and physical activity, i.e. a more positive body image among more active people and an improvement in the body image as a result of regular exercise, and a negative relationship, in particular, a more negative body image in persons engaging in “aesthetic” …

The Idiolect Of Fitness Professional Ewa Chodakowska In The Context Of Communication With A Target Group Within The Physical Activity Marketplace, Julia Murrmann

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The paper focuses on the communication with a target group within the fitness industry. The purpose was to analyze the idiolect, meaning the distinctive and unique use of language of a Polish fitness trainer, Ewa Chodakowska, and to characterize the role of her specific linguistic choices in the endeavor of encouraging individuals, primarily females, to participate in workouts. Material/Methods: For the development of categories and an understanding of the relationship between the various concepts, the techniques of a grounded theory were used. The method chosen to investigate Chodakowska’s idiolect was the content analysis, in which both written and oral …

Typology Of Consumer Behaviors During The 2012 Uefa European Championships, Monika Piatkowska, Sylwia Goclowska, Jolanta Zysko

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Facing a growing diversity of needs, preferences and behaviors among sports events consumers, the segmentation of this market has become a key aspect in designing and implementing marketing programs. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to create a 2012 UEFA Euro Championship consumer typology that adopts a segmentation method based on socio-demographic and behavioral variables. Material/Methods: Sample CAPI surveys were conducted among viewers of the 2012 UEFA European Championship (N = 1,000). Consumer profiles were analyzed by adopting basic criteria of marketing segmentation based on socio-economic, demographic and psychographic variables. Due to a hierarchical clustering, authors obtained five …