Purpose: The aim of the study was to compare the results of six balance tests collected on AMTI AccuSway Plus ACS force platform between healthy female and male children and adolescents. We also searched for possible correlation of the balance measures with subjects’ age. Methods: 228 healthy 6- to 18-year-old subjects (111 boys and 117 girls) participated in the study. Six balance tests were performed with the use of AMTI AccuSway Plus ACS platform: quiet standing for 30s, maximal voluntary sways of the body in the sagittal plane (anterior-posterior – AP test) for 30 s, and in the frontal plane (left-right – ML test) for 30s. All tests were performed in two conditions: eyes open and eyes closed. Results: During quiet standing with eyes open, most balance measures were lower in girls (p < 0.05). In AP and ML tests with eyes open, a few balance parameters were different between boys and girls (p < 0.05). In quiet standing, AP and ML tests with eyes closed, there were no between-gender differences (p > 0.05). In quiet standing with eyes open and closed most balance parameters were negatively correlated with age (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Quiet standing postural sway characteristics depended on gender under normal visual conditions and it was similar in boys and girls under visual deprivation conditions. The vision was differently used by females and males in balance tasks. Static postural stability improved with age regardless of visual conditions.

Introduction:According to the latest UNICEF report, Polish children put on weight at the highest pacein Europe. The number of overweight children has doubled in the last decade. The aim of the work was to assess the effects of kinesiotherapy implemented during a 3-week rehabilitationcamp on changes in motor skills parameters measured on the Leonardo dynamometric platform (Novotec Medical) and on body mass in patients with simple obesity. Materialand methods:The study group included 32 children and youth aged 7-16 with simple obesity who underwent an exercise programme during a 3-week rehabilitation camp. The subjects were examined twice, i.e. at the beginning and at the end of the camp. The control group consisted of 70 healthy children within the same age range who were examined once. Body mass and body height were measured and the BMI was calculated (taking into account centile charts) for all the study participants. Motor skills were assessed on the basis of avertical jump performed on the Leonardo GRFP (GroundReaction Force Platform). The following data were registered: jump velocity, maximum jump height, strength, power, power with reference to body mass and the Esslinger Fitness Index (EFI). Daily kinesiotherapy included exercises in the form of circuit training and water exercises. All the patients participated in meetings with a dietician and a clinical psychologist. Results:Statistically significant reduction in body mass after a 3-week rehabilitation camp was noted in 27 patients with simple obesity (84.1%) (p<0.05). Motor parameters did not improve significantly. Conclusions:Regular physical activity resulted in weight loss only. However, physical activity did not bring about positive changes in motor parameters.

Introduction: Exercise-based approaches exist; however, it is unclear whether these approaches are based on scientific findings in the literature on trunk muscle deficits in scoliosis that could be targeted by exercises. The aims of this study were to systematically review the literature to understand the functional muscular properties of paraspinal muscles in AIS to determine: 1) differences in functional outcomes between patients with AIS and controls, 2) differences in functional outcomes between sides (concave and convex) in patients compared to controls 3) differences between concave and convex sides as well as levels in subjects with AIS, 4) differences in functional outcomes between different curve types. 5) Associations between functional outcomes and curve characteristics, and 6) associations between functional characteristics and progression. Design: Systematic review Methods: A search was conducted in EMBASE, MEDLINE, SPORTdiscus, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science, for keywords describing functional properties of paraspinal muscles and measurement tools including: scoliosis, spinal deformity, spinal muscles, erector, rotatores, longissimus, spinalis, illiocostalis, force, strength, endurance, fatigability, and muscle fatigue. Two reviewers independently reviewed abstracts and then full-text articles to determine if they met selection criteria. Two reviewers used an extraction form to extract information and appraise the quality during the full-text review. Levels of evidence were determined for summarized results for each of the 6 objectives. Results: Our search yielded 316 unique records. Inter-reviewer agreement for abstract selection was Kappa = 0.73 and was 0.77 for full-text inclusion. Full-text review was done for 48 papers and 24 were included. A large amount of heterogeneity was observed in sample studied and assessment methodology. Quality appraisal revealed that no study met a minimum of 50 % of the relevant quality criteria. Studies recruited consistently low sample sizes and samples were largely heterogeneous. Limited evidence was noted supporting, a prolonged bilateral EMG activation during gait between AIS and controls; elevated heterolateral:homolateral activity ratios during side-bending; overall weakness in those with scoliosis compared to controls; no asymmetry in normalized muscle activity during submaximal isometric contractions; prolonged latencies on the side of the spine opposite of the curve and bilaterally in response to an unloading reflex; strength & muscle volume differences are most commonly pronounced in double curves; Axial rotation of the UEV is correlated with a high convex:concave activity ratio at the LEV; no correlation between latency and curve severity, but a correlation between latency and progression and higher convex:concave EMG ratios and progression, this is more pronounced in sitting positions. Conclusions: Evidence is limited on most of our six objectives due to low quality evidence and lack of research about muscle impairments in scoliosis. Current exerci...

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Background Screening has been shown to be effective in reducing CRC incidence and mortality. Adherence to the guidelines of surveillance after polypectomy is considered key. In most countries including Poland general practitioners (GPs) are responsible for referring patients for surveillance colonoscopy. The aim of the study was to examine the knowledge of post-polypectomy surveillance among GPs in Poland. Methods We have designed five scenarios of post-polypectomy surveillance based on European guidelines adapted by the Polish Society of Gastroenterology. The scenarios described different risk groups based on the characteristics of the removed polyps requiring different time intervals of surveillance colonoscopy. They were supplemented with basic demographic data of the surveyed GP. The questionnaire was carried out by surveyors during a national congress of GPs. Results A total of 340 questionnaires were filled by GPs. None of the surveyed doctors gave correct answers in all questions. The knowledge of post-polypectomy surveillance is very unsatisfactory (correct answers 1.2%-55.0%). One year surveillance interval was the most commonly chosen interval regardless risk groups based on the characteristics of the removed polyps. In 4 of 5 scenarios the surveillance overuse ranged 42.1%-98.5%. In a high risk group scenario surveillance was underused in 45.0%. Conclusions Post-polypectomy surveillance schemes are not known to GPs with a significant trend towards overuse. Strict adherence to guidelines should be pursued to include written recommendation on surveillance program in the final endoscopy report. Efforts should be made by public health policy makers to increase knowledge of surveillance schemes among GPs.