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Athletics Training Programme For Children Studying In Sports Schools In Poland, Marek Fostiak, Tomasz Frolowicz, Malgorzata Pogorzelska, Joanna Klonowska

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The resolution of any dilemmas related to the implementation of the curriculum must take into account its objectives, generally speaking, developing the readiness of students to participate independently in health-motivated, sporting and aesthetically-motivated physical activity and to take health promoting measures. This article describes the assumptions of the original modular physical education programme for the first stage of education in the aspect of track and field. The physical education programme was designed for use in classes where the number of hours of compulsory physical education classes has been extended or for work with students with special physical abilities.

Finger Range Of Motion And Joint Circumferences In Rock Climbers, Katarzyna Raczynska, Bartosz Trybulec, Kamila Boczon, Paweł Jagielski

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background. Fingers of climbers are an area where operating forces reach the highest values, thus they are susceptible for overloading. The aim of this study was to determine what kind of morphological changes climbing causes in the anatomical structures of climbers’ fingers and whether these changes affect their function. Materials and methods. The study group consisted of 27 climbers and 26 non-climbers as a control group. Research consisted of an original questionnaire and measurements of the range of motion and circumferences of finger joints. Results. Limited finger flexion in all distal interphalangeal (DIP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints in the …

Anaerobic Power And Hydration Status In Combat Sport Athletes During Body Mass Reduction, Anna Kurylas, Jakub Chycki, Tomasz Zajac

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪Hydration is one of the most significant issues for combat sports as athletes often use water restriction for quick weight loss before competition. There is significant evidence to indicate that the hypohydration status impairs anaerobic performance. The aim of this study was to investigate if hypohydration, to reach a weight category, affects anaerobic performance. Material and methods: ‪Six well trained combat sport athletes, classified in the middleweight division, took part in the experiment. The hydration status and anaerobic performance parameters were evaluated at four points in time (t1 – four weeks before fight, t2 – two weeks before fight, …

Comparison Of Body Composition, Physical Fitness Parameters And Skeletal Muscle Damage Indices Among Young Indian Male Soccer & Hockey Players, Surojit Sarkar, Subhra Karmakar Chatterjee, Swapan K. Dey

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪The present study was aimed to evaluate the evidential comparison of anthropometric, body composition, and physical fitness parameters and muscle damage indices between soccer and field hockey players. Material and methods: ‪Forty-one young Indian male players (including soccer, N = 18, and hockey, N = 23) were evaluated for anthropometric parameters (height, weight, BMI, BMR), and physical fitness variables (grip strength, back strength, flexibility, VO2max, anaerobic power) using standard procedures. Body composition (fat mass, fat free mass, cell mass, muscle mass, fluid content, glycogen, minerals, body density) was assessed by using multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA). Muscle damage indices …

The Effect Of A Single Dose Of The Thermo Speed Extreme (Olimp) Thermogenic Supplement On Circulatory Functions And Body Temperatures At Rest In Male And Female Subjects, Ilona Pokora, Lukasz Wolowski, Piotr Wyderka

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪The purpose of the study was to examine the impact of a single dose of the Thermo Speed Extreme (TSE) supplement on circulatory functions at rest and body temperatures in men and women. Material and methods: ‪Twenty-five (male and female) subjects volunteered to participate in this study. Prior to the experiment, the anthropometric characteristics, internal and skin temperatures, the heart rate and blood pressure were measured. Then, the subjects took a single dose of the TSE or placebo (PLA) supplement in a double-blind, randomised, cross-over design. Following the supplement consumption, the same physiological parameters were registered in a seated …

Physical Activity And Dietary Supplementation Intake Among Postmenopausal Women, Angelika Cisek-Wozniak, Kinga Mruczyk, Rafal W. Wojciak

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: In the context of physiological changes that progress over the years and worsen the functioning of their organisms, older people’s physical activity is an increasingly important topic. It is important to be aware that a healthy lifestyle, including proper nutrition, has a positive effect on old age. In general, one of the elements of a healthy lifestyle is physical activity and also the consumption of dietary supplements. The aim of the study was to determine the level of organized physical activity of postmenopausal women and their consumption of dietary supplements. Material and methods: ‪The study involved 100 women aged …

The Effectiveness Of Open Versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercises On Pain, Function And Range Of Motion In Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis, Babatunde Olusola Adegoke, Arinola Olasumbo Sanya, Samuel Olusegun Ogunlade, Oladapo Michael Olagbegi

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The comparative efficacy of open and closed kinetic chain exercises (OKCE and CKCE) on the symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA) has not been exhaustively studied. To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of eight-week open OKCE and CKCE on pain, function and range of motion of patients with knee OA. Material and methods: ‪A quasi-experimental study involved twenty-nine consecutive patients with knee OA allocated to either OKCE or CKCE groups. Participants’ pain intensity (PI), functional score (FS), active range of motion AROM) and knee passive range of motion (PROM) were assessed using the visual analogue scale, the functional index questionnaire and …

Effect Of Grip Width On Exercise Volume In Bench Press With A Controlled Movement Tempo In Women, Mariola Gepfert, Michal Krzysztofik, Aleksandra Filip, Aleksandra Mostowik, Agnieszka Lulinska, Grzegorz Wojdala, Milosz Drozd, Michal Wilk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The bench press (BP) is a complex upper body exercise. Despite numerous scientific studies, it remains unknown which grip width is optimal for the development of strength and power in the bench press. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine the effect of different grip widths on exercise volume, evaluate the time under tension (TUT) and the number of repetitions (REP) completed during 5 consecutive sets of the BP. Material and methods: ‪The study involved 16 women with a minimum of one year of resistance training experience. Two independent experimental sessions were randomly selected. Participants performed 5 …

Preventing Osteoporosis Among Underweight And Obese Sedentary Young Women, Nasim Habibzadeh

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a walking program on bone mass density (BMD) among healthy obese and thin young girls. Material/Methods: Twenty untrained obese (n=10) and thin (n=10) girls, 20-25 years, volunteered to participate in this study. Before and after the training program both groups had an anthropometric measurement, a blood analysis and a BMD evaluation. Each walking session consisted of 30 minutes walking between 50-75% of maximal heart rate, 3 days per week for 2 months. Results: After the exercise program, BMD in both regions (hip (1.1%) and spine (L2- L4) …

The Who Global Tuberculosis 2021 Report - Not So Good News And Turning The Tide Back To End Tb, Chakaya Jeremiah, Eskild Petersen, Rebecca Nantanda, Brenda N. Mungai, Giovanni Battista Migliori, Farhana Amanullah, Patrick Lungu, Francine Ntoumi, Nagalingeswaran Kumarasamy

Department of Paediatrics and Child Health

Objective: To review the data presented in the 2021 WHO global TB report and discuss the current constraints in the global response.
Introduction and methods: The WHO global TB reports, consolidate TB data from countries and provide up to date assessment of the global TB epidemic. We reviewed the data presented in the 2021 report.
Results: We noted that the 2021 WHO global TB report presents a rather grim picture on the trajectory of the global epidemic of TB including a stagnation in the annual decline in TB incidence, a decline in TB notifications and an increase in estimated TB …

Pharmacologic Ascorbic Acid As Early Therapy For Hospitalized Patients With Covid-19: A Randomized Clinical Trial, Dagan Coppock, Pierre-Christian Violet, Gustavo Vasquez, Katherine Belden, Michael Foster, Bret Mullin, Devon Magee, Isabelle Mikell, Lokesh Shah, Victoria Powers, Brian Curcio, Daniel A. Monti, Mark Levine

Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics Faculty Papers

Despite the widespread availability of effective vaccines, new cases of infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2, the cause of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), remain a concern in the settings of vaccine hesitancy and vaccine breakthrough. In this randomized, controlled, phase 2 trial, we hypothesized that high-dose ascorbic acid delivered intravenously to achieve pharmacologic concentrations may target the high viral phase of COVID-19 and thus improve early clinical outcomes. Sixty-six patients admitted with COVID-19 and requiring supplemental oxygen were randomized to receive either escalating doses of intravenous ascorbic acid plus standard of care or standard of care alone. The demographic …

68-Year Old Man With Progressive Weakness And Ventilator Dependent Respiratory Failure: A Case Report Of Sporadic Late Onset Nemaline Myopathy, P. Kirupaharan, Daniel Kramer, Alan Gandler, Lawrence C. Kenyon, Ross Summer

Department of Pathology, Anatomy, and Cell Biology Faculty Papers

Background: Neuromuscular pathologies must be considered when caring for patients with persistent or progressive respiratory failure. Pertinent disease states may involve skeletal muscles of respiration or associated neurologic structures including motor neurons, peripheral neurons and the neuromuscular junction. Diagnosis may require pulmonary function testing, neurophysiologic studies, imaging, and/or muscle biopsy.

Case presentation: A 68-year-old male was transferred to our intensive care unit (ICU) for management of ventilator dependent respiratory failure. Upon further historical review, he described gradually worsening gait instability and muscle weakness, which was previously attributed to vascular Parkinsonism in the setting of known cerebrovascular disease. Upon arrival to …

Different Forms Of Swimmers’ Final Weeks Pre-Competition Preparation, Kamil Sokolowski, Marek Strzala, Arkadiusz Stanula

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

The pre-competition training phase is a period that precedes the main competition. Combined training phases of overload training (OT) and taper (TP) create the most popular pattern of final form preparation among the swimmers despite the methodology difficulties faced by coaches. In the IPC, the duration and training load were strictly set. The main purpose of training in the IPC is to cause a substantial supercompensation effect by the high volume and capacity of the training. However, high volume and intensity fluctuations typical of the IPC may cause performance regression due to overtraining and exhaustion. The main aim of the …

Exercise − A Unique Endogenous Regulator Of Irisin, Bdnf, Leptin And Cortisol Against Depression, Gilmara Gomes De Assis, Pawel Cieszczyk

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Depression is the most prevalent stress-related disorder affecting the population world-wide with potential for an eminent increase after the 2020 pandemic. The mechanisms through which metabolism is involved in depression and stress disorders have been extensively investigated. However, their assessment using exogenous measures is a current limitation. Exercise, as is well reported in animal studies, exerts a critical regulatory influence on the main factors known to participate in these mechanisms. This overview describes the role of cortisol, leptin, irisin and BDNF in the exercise physiology and the known mechanism through which these factors act in anti-depressant mechanisms. Furthermore, the exercise …

The Large And Small Of It: The Microbiome And Metagenomics, Austin Hopkins, Elaina Gollmar, Jessica Fernandez, Shawn Wolf, Austin Hilverding, Andrew M. Roecker

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Metagenomics, the analysis of the microbial genome, permits scientists to understand the influences of external sources including diet, metabolism and antibiotics on the human microbiome. Research has revealed the possibility of a core symbiosis between humans and bacteria. The main role of the human microbiome is to aid in digestion, but identified ancillary roles include immunologic homeostasis and infection prevention. Quantifying the composition and variability of the microbiome will help lead to future treatments or preventive strategies against unhealthy change. A variety of methods may be used to define the microbiome, and 16S amplicon sequencing is primarily utilized today. Probiotics …

Management Of Hyperkalemia To Prevent Cardiac Arrest, Jennifer Harklerode, Amber Paul, Crystal Zheng, Olivia Vanscoy, Olivia Henton, Mark Olah

Pharmacy and Wellness Review

Hyperkalemia is a metabolic problem that may be life threatening if left untreated. Cardiac arrhythmias may develop with the potential to lead to cardiac arrest and death. Hyperkalemia can oftentimes be undiagnosed due to the lack of clear, specific symptoms and inconclusive variations in electrocardiogram (ECG) readings and lab values. Therefore, it is important to recognize risk factors that can potentially in-crease serum potassium levels. Screening for medications that increase serum potassium levels and educating patients are steps that both inpatient and outpatient health care professionals can take to increase early detection and prevention of a hyperkalemic episode. It is …

The Economic And Financial Impact Of The First Phase Of The Covid-19 Pandemic On The Sports Market, Joanna Jedel, Marcin Burchard

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: For the last several months, the world has been dominated by the coronavirus pandemic that effectively stopped the activity of entities in all fields of social life: finance, economy, culture and, broadly defined sport. The dynamic nature of changes and adaptation to a new reality were related to new restrictions and limitations on the functioning of society that were imposed by local governments. Material and methods: The authors analysed available reports that described the general results of the sports market as well as reports and financial statements for the period of the COVID-10 pandemic published by public joint-stock companies …

Physical Activity Patterns And Dietary Habits Of Undergraduate Students, Ebenezer Essaw, Monday Omoniyi Moses, Daniel Afrifa, Isaac Kwaku Acheampong, Winifred Mensah, Lemuel Owusu

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪Data about physical activity report card for Ghanaian children and youth are available but reports on physical activity patterns and dietary habits of undergraduates are scarce. Material and methods: ‪This cross-sectional study sampled 278 participants (161 males, 117 females, mean age = 20.73 ± 1.72 years). Blood pressure, heart rate, physical activity patterns and dietary habits were measured. Results: ‪Most (83.1%) of the sample predominantly engaged in household activities. Time spent on treadmill/ cycling activities is significantly higher in females than males (P = 0.018). Day/week for high intensity sports was higher in males (P = 0.005), while household …

Level Of Knowledge Regarding Health As Well As Health Education And Pro-Health Behaviours Among Students Of Physical Education And Other Teaching Specialisations, Grazyna Kosiba, Maria Gacek, Agnieszka Wojtowicz, Magdalena Majer

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge regarding health and health education as well as the pro-health behaviours of students of physical education and other teaching specialisation. Material and methods: ‪Anonymous and voluntary research was carried out in the years 2013-2014 among a randomly chosen group of Krakow academic youth. The research applied: involved the Inventory of Health Behaviours (IHB) (Polish: Inwentarz Zachowań Zdrowotnych) by Z. Juczyński, a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) and an original test on knowledge regarding health determinants and education. Results: ‪Research has …

A Preparation Cycle In Strength Training As A Form Of Health Training For Adults, Malgorzata Kalwa, Tadeusz Stefaniak, Dariusz Harmacinski, Bartosz Groffik

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪The authors assume that 8-month systematic physical activity with individually selected resistance of progressively increasing volume and intensity will counteract the processes related to regress of motricity and the unfavourable change of body composition in people over 40 years old. Material and methods: ‪The research involved 178 persons (92 women and 86 men) aged 40–61 years old. The participants pursued training with small and medium weights, broken down into a younger (40–50 years) and an older (51–61 years) group. The workout plan was modelled on the adaptive strength training method (ASTM), which is used by weightlifters and bodybuilders. The …

Effects Of Walking Training Performed Using Continuous And Interval Methods On Weight Loss As Effective Strategies Among Postpartum Women, Mohammed Zerf

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: ‪Walking is a fundamental and affordable physical activity that improves entire body and helps women lose weight. However, some studies suggest that walking alone has little or no effect on improving or maintaining body mass and fat mass at the hip and spine. The objective of this study is to estimate the effect of walking intensity (interval training vs. traditional cardio) on weight loss after childbirth. Material and methods: ‪A total of 39 postpartum women [19 experimental subjects (ES) and 20 controls (CS)] participated in this study. Their homogenates were calculated based on their average age of 25 ±2.54 …

The Effectiveness Of Functional Training On Static Balance, Dynamic Balance And Flexibility Of Females With Intellectual Disability, Sakineh Farrokhian, Ghorban Hemati Alamdarloo, Enayatollah Asadmanesh

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Children with intellectual disability (ID) have less balance and flexibility than typically developing peers. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of functional training on static balance, dynamic balance and flexibility of female students with intellectual disability. Material/Methods: The research method was pre-test – post-test with a control group. The statistical population consisted of all female students with ID in elementary school of Shiraz studying under the auspices of the Special Education Organization in 2018–2019. The participants included 30 female students with ID selected through convenience sampling and randomly assigned to the experimental (n = 15) …

Isolated Right Superior Vena Cava Drained To Left Atrium In A Child With Waardenburg Syndrome And Neurofibromatosis Type I, Omer A. Algonaid, Yahya H. Almashham, Abdulrahman S. Almoukirish

Journal of the Saudi Heart Association

Isolated right superior vena cava (SVC) draining to the left atrium (RSVC-LA) is an extremely rare cyanotic congenital heart disease (CHD). Such lesion is easily missed with improper scanning or inattentive interpretation of echocardiography. This can result in potential systemic severe complications. We report a child with RSVC-LA who has two significant non-cardiac co-morbidities, including Waardenburg syndrome and n neurofibromatosis type I (NF1). This patient was referred to cardiology assessment due to unexplained low saturation and was diagnosed as RSVC-LA; however, fortunately not yet showing complications of systemic thromboembolic phenomenon (STEP).

Macronutrients And Water – Do They Matter In The Context Of Cognitive Performance In Athletes?, Ewa Karpecka, Barbara Fraczek

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Proper nutrition is a key factor in physical performance, but there are also indications of an impact of dietary components on the brain function. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the impact of macronutrients and water on cognitive performance. Assumptions of the Mediterranean diet correlate with better global cognition, episodic memory, lower risk of cognitive impairment and neurodegenerative diseases. In turn, a high-fat and high-sugar diet shows the opposite effect. Omega-3 fatty acids could be used as a preventive tool for cognitive decline, but there is still insufficient evidence if supplementation improves cognitive functions. The proper intake …

The Relationship Between Physical Activity Levels And Health-Related Quality Of Life In Elderly Individuals Aged 65 Years And Above With A Chronic Disease, Nevzat Demirci, Pervin Toptaş Demirci, Oktay Zırhlı

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Chronic diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide with increasing prevalence in the population aged 65 years and above. This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity level and health-related quality of life in elderly individuals. Material and methods: The participants aged 65 years and older (46 males and 35 females) were divided into 3 groups according to their physical activity levels: low physical activity (<150 minutes/week), moderate physical activity (150–300 minutes/week) and high physical activity level (>300 minutes/week). Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) was calculated using EQ-5D scale. Spearman's correlation coefficient was used to determine the relationship between physical activity level and HRQoL scores in elderly …

Differences Between All-Around Results In Women’S Artistic Gymnastics And Ways Of Minimizing Them, Almir Atiković, Edina Kamenjašević, Amra Nožinović Mujanović, Edin Užičanin, Muhamed Tabaković, Mijo Ćurić

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: In the present study, the main goal was to establish whether the disciplines are equal and should the Code of Points (COP) women's artistic gymnastics be revised in terms of point standardization on apparatus. Material and methods: The sample included all-around senior female gymnasts who participated in the qualification (C-I) competitions at World Championships held in 2009-2019. Results: The biggest differences are even two points between the two apparatus vault and balance beam. Vault compared to other apparatus is different for 1.559 points. Presentation of correlations between each apparatus the evidence that nothing has changed significantly in recent years, …

The Impact Of Circuit Resistance Training On Serum Glucose, Insulin Resistance And Health Related Physical Fitness In Elderly Men With Type 2 Diabetes, Hamid Arazi, Roghayeh Gholizadeh, Amin Sohbatzadeh, Ehsan Eghbali

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: Obesity and decreased physical activity are the most important factors in the development of type 2 diabetes, which in recent decades has led to an increase in the number of people with this disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of circuit resistance training (CRT) on serum glucose, insulin resistance and health related physical fitness in elderly men with type 2 diabetes. Material and methods: Twenty-two patients with type 2 diabetes (60.99 ±2.93 years) volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided randomly into two groups: training (n = 11) and control (n = …

Effect Of Dynamic And Static Strength Training On Hormonal Activity In Elite Boxers, Eser Ağgön, Özturk Agırbaş, Hamit Hakan Alp, Izzet Uçan, Recep Gürsoy, Anthony C. Hackney

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: The aim of this study was to determine hormonal responses to acute and chronic exposure to static and dynamic strength training programs using resistance bands in boxers. Material and methods: 19 male national boxers participated in the study. Boxers were instructed to perform strength exercises with resistance bands for 3 days a week for 8 weeks involving either dynamic (n=10) or static (n=9) resistance exercises. Blood samples were taken before exercise, immediately after the initial exercise session, and 8 weeks later following the last exercise session. Cortisol, growth hormone, adrenocorticotropic hormone adrenaline and noradrenaline levels were measured. Statistical analyses …

The Effects Of The Body Mass Index On The Physical Function And The Quality Of Life In The Elderly, Raziye Şavkın, Gökhan Bayrak, Nihal Büker

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

Background: As in all age groups, the prevalence of overweight and obesity is gradually increasing in the elderly. The aim of this study is to examine the effect of the body mass index (BMI) on the physical function and the overall quality of life in the elderly. Materials and methods: 265 community-dwelling older adults (131 women and 134 men) were included. BMI, grip strength (hand-held dynamometer), physical performance (Short Physical Performance Battery, SPPB) and overall quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) were assessed. Results: 265 older adults were divided into three groups: normal (n=66), overweight (n=116), obese (n=83). SPPS and WHOQOL-BREF psychological …

Educational Projects – A Way Of Exercising For The Teaching Profession, Magda Petrescu

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

One of the ways to learn and evaluate effectively is to carry out an educational project (individually or in a group); in which case, the teacher becomes a facilitator of learning and training. Materials and methods. This study is based on five projects elaborated by the students from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, West University of Timișoara (master studies), enrolled in the Teacher Training Program. Results. Most groups of projects start from an educational need/problem and, during the process, students establish goals and activities for the implementation of the educational project and estimate the necessary resources. This paper …