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Purpose: This work aimed to develop a novel indicator of upper limb manipulative movements. A principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm was applied to kinematic measurements of movements of the upper limbs performed during an everyday activity. Methods: Kinematics of the upper limb while drinking from a mug were investigated using the commercially available Xsens MVN BIOMECH inertial sensor-based motion capture system. The study group consisted of 20 male patients who had previously suffered an ischaemic stroke, whilst the reference group consisted of 16 males with no disorders of their motor organs. Based on kinematic data obtained, a set of 30 temporal and kinematic parameters were defined. From this, 16 parameters were selected for the determination of a novel indicator, the Upper Body Index (UBI), which served the purpose of assessing manipulative movements of upper limbs. Selection of the 16 parameters considered the percentage distribution of the parameters beyond the standard, the differences in mean values between the reference group and the study group, and parameter variability. Results: Analysis of kinematics allowed for the identification and selection of the parameters used in the development of the new index. This included 2 temporal parameters and 14 kinematic parameters, with the minimum and maximum angles of the upper limb joints, motion ranges in the joints, and parameters connected with movement of the spine recorded. These parameters were used to assess motion in the shoulder and elbow joints, in all possible planes, as well as spine movement. The values of the UBI indicator were as follows: in the case of the reference group: 13.67 ± 2.40 for the dominant limb, 13.71 ± 3.36 for the non-dominant limb; in the case of the stroke patient group: 130.86 ± 75.07 for the dominant limb, 155.58 ± 170.76 for the non-dominant limb. Conclusions: The developed UBI made it possible to discover deviations from the standard performance of upper limb movements. Therefore, the index may be applicable to the analysis of any sequence of movements carried out by the upper limb.

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SummaryObjective. The main objective of the research was to analyse the influence of the body build of the Silesian University of Technology students on the values of maximal muscle torque in the elbow and knee joints.Material. The research included 133 individuals (39 females and 94 males), all the Silesian University of Technology students. None of the participants were professional athletes.Methods. To perform measurements of maximal muscle torque in the elbow and knee joints during flexion and extension a special device, produced by the ACCURO SUMER Company, was used. Mathematical modelling (variance and regression analyses) enabled the creation of fitness profiles of the subjects.Results. Correlations between maximal muscle torque measured for the lower and upper limbs and LBM of the whole body are much stronger than the correlation between torque and BMI. In the case of women, the significant correlation was not found only between general muscle mass and maximal torque in the left elbow joint. The correlations between muscle torque and muscle masses in the group of men are much clearer.Conclusions. The results obtained and analyses conducted confirm that methods used in biomechanics can be also used to estimate physical possibilities. The reliability of body composition estimation by means of electrical impedance not only for the whole body, but also for individual parts of body (trunk, limbs) seems to be at least satisfactory.The objective of this paper was to present the methodology of measurements of muscle torque under isometric conditions and perform the comparative analysis of the results obtained for examined students and results measured by other researchers, as well as carry out an analysis of Body Mass Index and Lean Body Mass influence on maximal muscle torque. These measurements and analyses are the part of a project, the aim of which is to carry out multifactor diagnosis and estimation of the fitness level of the Silesian University of Technology students.

Purpose: This work aimed to define the impact of the introduction of power and speed dry-land training in female swimmers aged 15–16 on the rise of time results at a distance of 200 m and on the increase of the strength level of the muscle groups in the elbow joint. Method: The investigations were conducted on a group of 28 junior female swimmers: group 1 (aged 13–14) with speed and endurance training based on “water” exercises; group 2 (aged 15–16) with extra power and speed dry-land training. The following parameters were analyzed: time results, the moments of muscle forces in the elbow joint at the extension and flexion movements in isokinetic conditions and the ratio of the values of moments of muscle forces of flexors in relation to extensors. Results: Statistically significant differences between groups were found for the following parameters: the time results from swimming 200 m with (p < 0.001) and without using lower limbs (p = 0.031), the ratio of the moments of muscle forces of flexors to extensors (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of the correlation analysis show that the higher the moments of muscle forces of flexors and extensors of the elbow joint, the shorter the time obtained in swimming 200 m in the freestyle stroke.