Introduction: Achilles tendon rupture is an injury resulting from occasional excessive physical activity that is undertaken in the absence of an adequate level of preparation. The calcaneal tendon forms the end of the triceps surae muscle which consists of the gastrocnemius and the soleus. The aim of the research was to evaluate the level of functional performance of the operated limb one and two years after the Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery. Material and methods: The study group comprised of 20 men (age-47.2±8.3 years; height-182±7cm; weight-88±12kg) who have undergone the Achilles tendon reconstruction surgery. The measurement of plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle torques was conducted in both extended-and flexed-knee position under isometric and isokinetic conditions. Results: The measurements of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle torques in the extended knee position performed one and two years after the surgery did not reveal any significant differences between the healthy and operated limb. The tests performed one year after the surgery in the flexed-knee position showed significantly lower values of the plantar flexor and dorsiflexor muscle torques in the operated limb measured under isokinetic conditions. The results obtained two years after the reconstruction surgery proved that muscular deficit was still visible; however, there were no statistically significant differences. Conclusions: The angular knee joint position affects the plantar flexor muscle torque in the operated limb. Due to the muscle strength deficit observed two years after the surgery, additional training should be implemented after the rehabilitation has been completed. The main focus should be on dynamic exercises performed in the flexed-knee position which help to rebuild deep muscles such as the soleus.

Purpose. snowboarding requires a lateral positioning of the body. Moreover, a person must continuously control their balance and use this in order to manoeuvre on the slope applying properly pressure on the lower limb closest to the nose of the board (the leading leg). The present study is an attempt to determine the interdependencies between side preference while snowboarding and laterality when performing other tasks. The dynamic stability in the neutral standing position, as well as in the lateral positions (left or right) was also evaluated. Methods. The survey participants (100 active snowboarders) answered a set of questions concerning laterality while carrying out basic everyday tasks and while doing sports. The respondents were divided into two groups based on their preferred leading side in snowboarding. Additionally, in the case of 34 people, muscle torques values of the lower limbs were measured under static conditions and the postural stability was evaluated using Accusway AMTI platform and biodex balance system platform. Results. Over 90% of the participants declared right-handedness and right-footedness. However, with regard to snowboarding, only 66% indicated their right leg as leading. No significant dependence was found between the directional stance on the board and the leading hand, dominant leg, or leading eye. The stability measurements revealed statistically significant differences between the neutral stance and the lateral positioning. Conclusions. based on the study results, it may be assumed that the declared directional stance on the snowboard is not contingent on the person's basic laterality, and that the lateral stance on the board significantly affects the posture control.

SummaryStudy aim: In alpine skiing, balance is one of the key elements that determine the effectiveness of the ride. Because of ski boots, the foot and ankle joint complex is excluded from the process of maintaining the stability of the body. The aim of the study was to determine to what extent a few days of skiing activities and the level of technical skills affect the skiers' level of postural stability. Material and methods:The study involved 10 beginner (20.7 ± 1.1 years, 76.4 ± 8.7 kg, 184.4 ± 6.1 cm) and 10 advanced (20.5 ± 0.5 years, 80.5 ± 13.7 kg, 184.5 ± 9.5 cm) skiers, who participated in a nine-day ski training camp. Measurements of the postural stability were taken on the first and last days of the camp, on an AccuSway (AMTI, USA) stabilometric platform. Results: In both groups, a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in stability was observed after the training camp only while standing in ski boots. While standing on two feet, the participants were more stable barefoot (p < 0.05), and when standing on one foot they were more stable in the ski boot trial (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Skiing had a positive effect on the postural stability only in measurement conditions that were similar to those in which this stability was practiced, i.e. in measurements involving ski boots. The restriction of mobility within the ankle joint significantly influenced the training-induced changes in the postural stability of both beginner and advanced alpine skiers.

Introduction. Snowboarding is a sports discipline in which postural control is key to achieving an effective technique. The body is positioned sideways on the snowboard, with only the head facing forward. This study evaluated the effect of several days of intense snowboarding on the parameters of static and dynamic body stability in persons with different levels of skill. Material and methods. A nine-day snowboarding course was designed and conducted with beginner (N = 16) and advanced snowboarders (N = 14) in the mountains in winter. Before and after the course, dynamic body stability was measured on a Biodex Balance System (USA) platform with an unstable surface, and static body stability was measured on a FreeMed Sensor Medica (Italy) stabilometric platform. Results. Measurements on an unstable surface showed significantly weaker (p < 0.01) values of body stability in a lateral stance in the snowboarding stance than in a forward stance and a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in performance after the course. On a stable surface, the improvement in performance (p < 0.05) occurred only among the beginners, in the snowboard basic position. Conclusions. The results confirm that snowboarding, or continuous unstable balance, improves postural control, which leads to the conclusion that the lateral stance on the snowboard is a clearly disruptive factor in natural postural control. This constitutes a considerable difficulty, especially for beginners, who in addition to learning new technical skills, must adapt to continuously shifting balance.

Introduction: Primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease (PPNAD) is a rare form of ACTH-independent Cushing’s syndrome (CS). Half of patients with PPNAD are sporadic cases and the other half familial. Material and methods: We present two patients with PPNAD confirmed by genetic analysis. Results: In both patients there were no abnormal findings on diagnostic imaging of both adrenals and heart. Patients underwent bilateral two-stage adrenalectomy. Histopathological examination confirmed PPNAD. Genetic testing showed the following mutations in the PRKAR1A gene coding for the regulatory subunit type 1A of the protein kinase A enzyme: c.125dupG (patient 1) and c.15dupT (patient 2). Both these defects lead to inactivation of the PRKAR1A protein and are consequently causative of PPNAD in these patients. Conclusions: The novel mutations presented in this article are considered to be pathogenic for PPNAD.