Background. The study aims to analyze the relationship between body posture and composition, as well as postural stability in Parkinson’s disease patients. Material and Methods. 32 people were evaluated. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Posturology at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce (Poland). Body posture was examined using the optoelectronic body posture Formetric Diers Method III 4D. Postural stability was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System platform. Body composition was assessed with the method of bioelectrical impedance analysis using the Tanita MC 780 MA analyzer. Results. 11 patients (34.37%) had hyperkyphosis, 10 (31.25%) hyperlordosis, and 3 (9.37%) hyperkyphosis-hyperlordosis posture. Scoliosis (>10°) was observed in 28 (87.5%) subjects, whereas 4 (12.5%) presented scoliotic body posture (1–9°). In the examined population, all parameters of postural stability were within normal limits. Conclusions. A significant positive correlation was observed between surface rotation (°), General Stability Index (r=0.4075, p=0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3819, p=0.0310). There was also a significant positive correlation between surface rotation (+max) (°), General Stability Index (r=0.3526, p=0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3873, p=0.0285). Metabolic age also presented a significant positive correlation between metabolic age and General Stability Index (r=0.4057, p=0.0212), as well as Anteroposterior Stability Index (r=0.3507, p=0.0490).

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between the shape of the anteriorposterior spinal curvature and body composition in schoolchildren. The study included 257 children, aged 11–12. Correct spinal curvature was established in 106 (41.08%) subjects. Other types included: decreased kyphosis and correct lordosis—40 participants (15.50%), correct kyphosis and decreased lordosis—24 individuals (9.30%), increased kyphosis and correct lordosis—17 subjects (6.59%), correct kyphosis and increased lordosis—22 children (8.53%), decreased kyphosis and decreased lordosis—32 people (12.40%), decreased kyphois and increased lordosis—four of the examined subjects (1.55%) increased kyphosis and lordosis—13 people (5.04%). In addition, 134 (51.94%) demonstrated scoliotic posture and eight (3.10%) scoliosis. There were significant relationships between the shape of the anteriorposterior curvatures and body composition in schoolchildren. Those with a strong body build (predominance of mesomorphs) were generally characterised by the correct formation of these curvatures. In contrast, lean subjects (with the predominance of ectomorphic factors) were more likely to experience abnormalities. No correlations with body composition were observed in the group with scoliotic posture or scoliosis. Both in the prevention and correction of postural defects, one should gradually move away from one-sided, usually one-system, therapeutic effects. An approach that takes into account both somatic and neurophysiological factors seems appropriate. With the correct body composition and structure, shaping the habit of correct posture is much easier.

Introduction: The analysis of somatic features is an important part of health assessment. Body mass, height, and the size of the support surface are determinants of static mechanical stability Aim of the research: To analyse canonical correlations between somatic features and postural stability in children aged 10-12 years. Material and methods: The study included 301 children aged 10-12 years. Body composition was assessed using the method of bioelectrical impedance analysis, which consists of the evaluation of resistance to the flow of an electric current. Postural stability was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System platform. Postural stability testing was performed with both feet positioned on a stable surface, with open eyes. Results and conclusions: Measurements of somatic traits and body composition, which were compared to norms, showed that the majority of subjects had normal somatic features and body composition. All children during the postural stability test were in research Zone A, and most of them tended to lean to the right and left back (Quadrant III, IV). There were significant correlations between somatic variables and postural stability. On the somatic variables side, the largest share was in body height and muscle mass (%), and the highest shares in the postural stability variables were the total stability index, the percentage of time spent in Quadrant III, and the percentage of time spent in Quadrant IV. Body height and muscle mass (%) were most strongly correlated with variable postural stability. Streszczenie Wprowadzenie: Analiza cech somatycznych jest ważnym elementem oceny stanu zdrowia dzieci. Masa ciała, wysokość i wielkość powierzchni podparcia są wyznacznikami statycznej stabilności mechanicznej. Cel pracy: Analiza korelacji kanonicznych między cechami somatycznymi a stabilnością posturalną u dzieci w wieku 10-12 lat. Materiał i metody: Badaniami objęto 301 dzieci w wieku 10-12 lat. Skład ciała oceniono metodą impedancji bioelektrycznej, która polega na ocenie oporności przepływu prądu elektrycznego. Stabilność postawy badano za pomocą platformy Biodex Balance System. Wykonano test stabilności postawy z obiema stopami ustawionymi na stabilnym tle z otwartymi oczami. Wyniki i wnioski: Pomiary cech somatycznych i składu ciała, które porównywano z normami, wykazały, że większość badanych miała prawidłowe cechy somatyczne i skład ciała. Wszystkie dzieci w czasie testu stabilności posturalnej znajdowały się w strefie badawczej A i większość z nich miała tendencję do wychylania ciała w prawy i lewy tył (kwadrat III, IV). Stwierdzono istotne korelacje między zmiennymi somatycznymi a stabilnością posturalną. Po stronie zmiennych somatycznych największy udział miały wysokość ciała i masa mięśni (%), a po stronie zmiennych stabilności posturalnej-całkowity indeks stabilności, procent czasu przebywania w III kwadracie i procent czasu przebywania w IV kwadracie. Wysokość ciała i masa mięśni (%) były najsilniej skorelowane ze zmiennymi stabilności posturalnej.

Introduction. The aim of this study was to assess the risk factors for falls in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Materials and Methods. The study comprised 53 participants (52.8% women and 47.2% men). The Hoehn and Yahr 5-point disability scale was used to assess the severity of Parkinson’s disease. The Tinetti Balance and Gait Scale were used to evaluate the risk of falls. The Katz scale was used to test the independence of people with PD. The Falls Efficacy Scale-International Short Form (FES-I) was implemented to assess fear of falling. Results. The majority of participants was at a high risk of falls, being at the same level for women and men. A significant relationship was noted between the risk of falls and subjective assessment of mobility ( χ 2 = 31.86 , p < 0.001 ), number of falls ( χ 2 = 37.92 , p < 0.001 ), independence of the subjects ( χ 2 = 19.28 , p < 0.001 ), type of injury suffered during the fall ( χ 2 = 36.93 , p < 0.001 ), external factors ( χ 2 = 33.36 , p < 0.001 ), and the level of fear of falling ( χ 2 = 8.88 , p < 0.001 ). A significant relationship also occurred between the number of falls and the fear of falling ( χ 2 = 33.49 , p < 0.001 ) and between the number of falls and disease severity ( χ 2 = 45.34 , p < 0.001 ). The applied physiotherapy did not reduce the risk of falls ( χ 2 = 3.18 , p = 0.17 ). Conclusions. Individuals who rated their mobility as good or excellent were at a low risk of falls. People who fell more times were at a high risk of falling. People more independent were at a low risk of falls. Previous injuries were the most associated with being at risk of falling. Uneven surfaces and obstacles on one’s path are the external factors most associated with the risk of falling. People with low levels of fall anxiety were at a low risk of falls. Most people with low fall anxiety have never fallen. Additionally, the majority of patients with stage 1 of the disease have not fallen at all. The reason for the ineffectiveness of physiotherapy may be due to the exercise programs used and the lack of systematic implementation of them. PD is different for each patient; thus, it is important to select individually customized physiotherapy depending on motor and nonmotor symptoms, as well as general health of a patient.

The proportion of older people in Poland is higher in rural areas than in urban areas. Thus, we aimed to evaluate treatment rate and factors associated with outcome and safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in rural residents aged ≥80 years admitted to primary stroke centers. Patients and Methods: This study was a retrospective, observational cohort study of 873 patients treated with recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) in primary stroke centers between February 1, 2009 and December 31, 2017. Among them were 527 rural residents and 231 (26.5%) were ≥80 years of age. The analyses between rural and urban patients aged ≥80 and between rural patients aged <80 and aged ≥80 were performed. Results: The proportion of patients aged ≥80 treated with rt-PA was comparable in rural and urban residents (27.9% vs 24.3% p = 0.24). Rural patients aged ≥80 were also characterized by lower incidence of cardiovascular risk factors and better patients' conditions on admission to hospital. Symptomatic intracerebral hemorrhage rate among ≥80-year-old stroke patients was lower in those living in rural areas than in those living in urban areas (5.4% vs 14.3%, p = 0.02); there were no differences regarding mortality and 3-month functional outcome between both populations. The older group of rural patients was characterized by a higher 3-month mortality (28.5% vs 12.6%, p < 0.001) and lower functional independence rate (34.0% vs 50.5%, p < 0.001) than rural younger patients. Antiplatelet (OR 2.43, 95% CI 1.04-5.66, p = 0.04) and anticoagulant therapy before stroke (OR 3.64, 95% CI 1.21-10.99, p = 0.022), early ischemic changes in baseline computerized tomograprpahy (OR 2.65, 95% CI 1.03-6.82, p = 0.043) were associated with unfavorable outcome; and higher National Institute of Health Stroke Scale score on admission (OR 1.01, 95% CI 1.01-1.20, p = 0.039), higher baseline count of white blood cells (OR 1.33, 95% CI 1.10-0.62, p = 0.003) were associated with mortality in rural patients over 80. Conclusion: We suggest that rural patients aged ≥80 may be safely treated with IVT in routine practice. However, lower efficacy and a higher mortality must be considered in former use of Vitamin K antagonist and antiplatelet or high white blood cells count.