No disadvantages in sport performance originating from flat-footedness were confirmed. Children with flat and children with "normal" feet were equally successful at accomplishing all motor tests; thus, we suggest that there is no need for treatment of flexible flat feet with the sole purpose of improving athletic performance, as traditionally advised by many.

No abstract

Aim:To determine the possible influence of high physical load in the workplace on the physical fitness of employees. Methods: The subjects (494 men) were tested by means of Baecke's questionnaire for evaluation of the Work Index, measuring occupational physical load. The EUROFIT battery of tests was used for testing the functional and motor abilities of the subjects. Results: Subjects with a higher Work Index (n = 274) performed worse than the subjects with a lower Work Index (n = 220), indicating that high physical load in the workplace does not necessarily mean improvement in functional and motor abilities. The ''heavy'' workers were only found to have a stronger handgrip. This could be attributed to the fact that physical activity performed at the workplace did not have adequate intensity, volume, and duration to effect positive changes in other motor and functional capacities. L ow physical fitness is one of the major factors contributing to an increased incidence of cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, and musculoskeletal problems. There is evidence that changes in physical activity that increase physical fitness can decrease that risk.

No significant differences among the four proposed blood saving methods were determined.

With a low rate of hypoglycaemia crisis and better glycemic control the proposed programme was found to be satisfactory but the downside was that the duration of the effects was too short. With no participation in organised exercise programmes and with absence of controlled nutrition, the beneficial effects of the camp disappeared within 2 months after the camp.