Review of research on the impact of physical activity on mental state of the elderly

The aim of the review was to find the factors correlated to the state of mental and physical health of the elderly as well as the factors, behaviours and activities that can be influenced and potentially modified. We performed an analysis of results of research conducted in many places all across the world among the persons after the age of 50. The results of this research indicate a significant role of physical activity in functioning of the elderly. They show how it influences their performance of everyday activities, their mood and health. We discuss the research taking into account the diagnostic tools used, the interventions performed and their effectiveness.

Children’s perception of human body

The subject of this article is the perception of the modern human body by young people, more specifically pupils of primary school. I based my research on the assumption that the human body, like the entire human being, is the result of a certain stage in the evolutionary process and it is entangled in social relationships. One may define it as nature functioning within culture. Throughout the centuries, various assets of the human body have been held in high esteem, according to the demands of the natural world and social norms imposed in a given society, arising out of the aesthetic canon. But the closer we get to the modern times, the less important is the value of the natural factor, and the more important is the cultural creation. The aim of my research was to answer the following questions: How do ten-year-olds perceive the modern human body of a woman and of a man, how do they describe it, what features do they pay attention to and in what order, and additionally, does this image correspond to the image of “ideal” body pursued by post-modern society and promoted in the mass media. The research encompassed 124 pupils.

Long-term results of physiotherapy in treatment of bronchial asthma – case study

Bronchial asthma is a common disease in this day and age, but despite our vast knowledge on it, it still represents a great challenge for contemporary medicine. The paper describes a case of a bronchial asthma patient from the moment of diagnosis until the present day. Based on extensive documentation of multiple stays in sanatoriums, and of outpatient treatment, the paper shows the course of the disease, as well as the applied treatment, rehabilitation and diagnostic tests (spirometry, blood gas test, radiography) that gave grounds for objective assessment of patient’s health and demonstrated the improvement.

Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire in medical practice and health promotion

The prevention of chronic diseases, especially metabolic disorders, is based on modification of behavioural risk factors, in particular eating habits and physical activity. Numerous population studies have demonstrated a relationship between regular physical activity and decreased levels of risk factors for CVD (cardiovascular disease), type 2 diabetes and some cancers. Increasing the level of physical activity as part of the programs implemented for disease prevention or health promotion for selected populations requires a behavioural diagnosis, whereby an essential element is the preferred leisure-time activity in terms of the structure of negative health indicators. Evaluation of physical activity under population studies requires a simple, validated and inexpensive tool to be used in medical practice or health promotion. The Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) is a tool currently often used and validated with laboratory methods. Standard MLTPAQ allows for assessment of the level of physical activity undertaken in leisure time. The authors present an algorithm for assessing leisure-time physical activity level based on MLTPAQ. The paper also reviews the practical application of the MLTPAQ questionnaire on healthy and patient populations in Poland and other countries by specialists in public health, health promotion and in medical practice.

Types and incidences of sport injuries in male volleyball and handball players

Sport training has many positive aspects but it may also cause negative results. Injuries are intrinsic to the practice of physical exercise. The aim of the study was to determine the types and incidence of injuries in volleyball and handball players. Subject and methods. 71 professional volleyball and handball players took part in the study. The age of sportsmen ranged between 19 and 40 years. The authors’ own questionnaire used in the study-composed of two parts. One incorporated demographic data, and the other contained questions related to types of sport injuries, their locations, types of treatment, and the length of the injury-related break from training. Results. Handball players suffered more injuries than volleyball players. The most frequent injury in both studied groups was ankle sprain. Tearings of muscles, tendons, and ligaments, fractures, and bruising are more common in handball players than volleyball players. Lower limbs were the most affected body parts in both disciplines. Landing was the main reason of damage. The majority of respondents used physiotherapy treatment after the sport injury. Conclusion. There was an average of 3.7 injuries among handball players and 2.9 among volleyball players. The principal injury in both groups was ankle sprain. Tearings of muscles, tendons, ligaments, as well as fractures and bruising are more common in handball players than volleyball players. Lower limbs were the most affected body parts in both groups. Injury to the trunk, head, and neck appeared the least frequently. In both groups of respondents, the injuries were mostly incurred during landing. The majority of participants used physiotherapy treatments after injury. Laser treatment and cryotherapy were the most frequently chosen physiotherapy treatments, with manual therapy used the least.

The conflict between mind and body – the case of Mrs. R.

Dissociative psychopathology is understood as an immature defence mechanism of personality, based on the techniques of reality distortion. The natural cause of a disorder reflects the lack of sense of coherence between identity, memory, awareness, perception and consequently - goal orientated action. Its symptoms manifest the separation of emotions, thoughts and behaviours bound with an event in order to maintain an illusory sense of control of demanding and unbearable experience.We describe the case of a 57-year-old woman suffering from broad range of dissociative symptoms from early childhood. Decomposition of integrity between memories, a sense of self-identity and control of the body has become the cause of numerous suicide attempts, multiple psychiatric hospitalizations and not fully effective therapy attempts. Destructive influence of psychopathological symptoms negatively influenced patient’s life course, decisions made as well as family, work and social life.

Motor performance of Roma pupils in the first grade of primary schools in Slovakia

The aim of research was to Roma pupils in the first grade of primary schools ascertain the essential characteristics somatometric and their level of physical performance. The research was done at the end of the school year 2013/2014. The sample included from 188 students aged 7th to 10th years in primary schools in the districts of Rimavská Sobota and Rožňava. Physically we investigated the performance test battery EUROFIT. Our research group was compared with a nationwide non-Roma pupils by Moravec et al. [11]. Test battery EUROFIT: flamingo balance test, plate tapping, hand dynamometer, sit-ups 30 s, standing broad jump, bent arm hang, shuttle run 10 × 5 meters, shuttle endurance run. When comparing the performance of our group of Roma boys and girls aged 7-10 years to the general population by Moravec et al. [11], we found out that Roma pupils were significantly worse.

Experiences and prophylactic of panic attacks. The case of magnetic resonance imaging

The MRI apparatus, which is the most popular in present clinical settings, looks like a massive tube or the entrance to a mysterious alien spaceship. The patient has to enter this machine and remain motionless during the entire procedure. Placement in constraining space can cause a claustrophobic reaction. Under these circumstances, some patients experience panic attacks - some of them for the first time in their life. State of mental panic and panicky bodily movements may result in abortion of the procedure or cause the generation of distorted images which can negatively affect accuracy of diagnosis. Such situations result in economic waste and psychological distress. The author of this article attempts to review on the basis of the example of magnetic resonance the issues which often influence medical procedures, such as negligence of psychological dimension, which may play a paramount role and result in the success or failure of any medical procedure.

Alexithymia and body-self relations among patients with alopecia areata

The aim of the study: The aim of the study was the assessment of alexithymia and body-self relations among patients with alopecia areata.Material and methods: The study included 79 people: 30 with alopecia areata and 49 healthy individuals, showing no psychodermatological disorders (control group). During the study, Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-26) and the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ) were used.Results: The subjects had a high level of alexithymia. Moreover, the persons less satisfied with their bodies dominated in the group diagnosed with alopecia areata.Conclusions: Alexithymia and lesser satisfaction with own is characteristic for patients with alopecia areata. These data suggest that it is necessary to make a proper psychological evaluation for integral treatment of alopecia areata.

Physical activity and functional shortening of the muscles of the lower limbs in pupils aged between 14-16

Aim of the study: The aim of this study was to evaluate how sports activity influences the extent and incidence of muscle shortening in lower limbs in physically active and inactive young women. Material and methods: A group of 30 pupils aged between 14-16 was tested. Fifteen pupils out of the group regularly played volleyball in TRS Siła Ustroń sports club, while the remaining fifteen were physically inactive. The Functional Movement Screen (FMS) system was used to assess the level of motor ability, and four functional tests were used to measure the length of lower limbs muscles based on the use of V-Rippstein plurimeter. In addition to tests the students also filled out a questionnaire. Results: The results of the analysis showed that among the physically inactive pupils the muscle shortening occurred more frequently in comparison to the students who played volleyball. Moreover, the results of the FMS indicated that the young women who took up sports had a higher level of motor ability than their peers. Conclusions: Regular physical activity improves and maintains normal length of muscles of lower limbs.