The purpose of the study was to assess core stability and to determine age-related diff erences in the unilaterality of limb movements in hockey players. The sample included 152 hockey players aged 12 to 35 years. Every player performed the upper quarter and the lower quarter Y-balance tests. Performances of players showed high degree of individuality, which was expressed as the composite score. The diff erence greater than 4 cm in movements performed by a left or right limb indicates imbalance and higher risk of injury. Of 152 players, 27 and 26 players showed a diff erence higher than 4 cm for the lower quarter and the upper quarter, respectively. Of all age categories, 61% of senior players showed muscle imbalance. This may have been caused by factors present at school age because 52% of U13 players showed imbalance. We conducted statistical analysis to determine diff erences for each of the directions in relation to limb length. The cross-sectional data have shown non signifi cant diff erences between age categories studied. For the development of ice hockey players, it is important to eliminate movement imbalance. The results have shown that the category at risk includes the U13 players, who may suff er from movement imbalance in the senior category.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate selected chronic diseases patients with different educational attainment regarding their awareness of and compliance with recommended physical activity. Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2018 to February 2019 in cooperation with chronic diseases clinics in eastern Slovakia. The study involved 893 patients. Results: People with higher education apparently recognise to a greater extent the importance of nutrition, diet, and the role of physical activity in treating their disease. Moreover, they have knowledge of physical exercises appropriate for their disease. Conversely, a noticeably higher number of less educated patients reported receiving general, respectively detailed information about the importance of physical activity in treating their disease. Differences in awareness of appropriate exercises and their implementation were not statistically significant. Conclusions: The results fail to prove educational attainment being a key determinant of chronic diseases. However, it can be reasonably argued that lower educational attainment may be a reliable risk signal of chronic diseases in later life.

No abstract

No abstract

(1) Background: Joint and back pain are enormous and important clinical and public health problems that significantly affect people of all ages. Although the epidemiology of pain in the general population is well documented, less information is available in athletes. While in the general population joint and back pain have predominantly functional origin, in athletes, pain is a consequence of not only functional, but very often structural changes in the spine, joints, and related tissues. Depending on the sports specialization, character of the training activity, exercises, training load, and many other factors, athletes are exposed to various injuries accompanied by pain. (2) Aim: This study is aimed at evaluating the prevalence of spinal and limb injuries, and back pain and joint pain among athletes of various specializations. A questionnaire survey on back pain, quality of life, and physical activity will be used to collect data from Slovak athletes. The outcomes of the survey will be compared to a physically active group. This article presents a study protocol that aims to evaluate the relationship between back pain and injury prevalence in athletes of various specializations.