Prevalence of osteoporosis and risk factors in different age categories in adult women

Muscle power (FxV, explosive strength or explosive power) is an element of fitness level that influences the quality and efficiency of movements. Most of the studies that address plyometrics identify the effectiveness of this method at the level of performance athletes with different specializations and muscle power requirements. We considered that we can also study the possibility of using plyometrics in physical education lessons. The research identifies the benefits of implementing plyometric exercises for non-athlete university students on lower body muscle power indicators in curricular physical activities. The group of analyzed students (327 subjects/undergraduate level, of which 143 female and 184 male) participated in physical education lessons during one academic year (1 activity per week). The plyometric exercises used were jumping variants, diversified and adapted in dosage to the motor possibilities of the non-athlete students (on one or both legs, lateral, on ladder rungs or boxes, over hurdles, over cones, vertical and horizontal jumps). Their usefulness and effectiveness were verified by 3 successive tests: at the beginning, middle, and end of the academic year, through a battery of 7 lower body muscle power tests. The statistical calculation identifies significant increases in performance for both genders for all tests applied, both between the initial and final tests (T1-T3) and over the shorter time intervals/T1-T2 and T2-T3 (p <0.05). For males, we found greater progress in the second semester of the year (T2-T3) for 5 of the 7 tests, so their adaptation is better and they respond to plyometric training better in the second part of the academic year. For females better progress in semester 2 (T2-T3) for 3 of the tests, respectively greater differences at the end of semester 1 (T1-T2) for 3 tests, especially for endurance power and 10 m acceleration. The research results confirm the effectiveness of plyometric exercises in increasing muscle power indicators for the studied student groups and are a useful option for improving fitness levels. The attractiveness and diversity of the used exercises ensured good student engagement in the lessons. Although the improvements are statistically significant, the results do not indicate spectacular increases and are still weaker than the values recorded in most other research. This is because the students involved in our study are not at all concerned about engaging in leisure time physical activities, except for curricular physical education activities, sedentarism being a major problem among young people.

Improving lower body muscle power indicators for non-athlete university students through plyometric exercise

Mocanu,

Parvu,

Murariu

et al. 2024

Preliminary analysis of patient assessment within a study on the impact of hydrokinetotherapy on body composition and metabolic disease risk in an adult population segment

Cobuz,

Silișteanu,

Cobuz

et al. 2024

In clinical and research settings, the accurate and reliable evaluation of body composition is necessary. Existing methods present various challenges, either in measurement meth-odology or in the assumptions they rely on.The purpose of this study is to conduct a preliminary analysis of patient assessment within a study concerning the impact of hydroki-netotherapy on body composition and metabolic disease risk in an adult population seg-ment. Methods: The research was carried out at the Diabetes Ambulatory Clinic of the Suceava County Hospital in January 2024. An essential component of this investigation involves evaluating body composition parameters measured using the Tanita 738 device and assessing metabolic risk factors such as diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. In parallel with this research, a hydrokinetotherapy model adapted to this population is proposed for development. Results: The interpretation of BMI data for wom-en aged 40-60 revealed significant variability in this group’s body composition, as was al-so observed in women aged 61-80. Among women aged 61-80, there was a significant proportion of participants with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 40). Similarly, the BMI data for men aged 40-60 indicated notable variability in body composition, consistent with the findings for men aged 61-80. Both age groups in men exhibited significant overweight and obesity, highlighting the need for increased attention to weight management and metabolic health among men. Conclusions: The study on body composition and metabolic disease risk among adults aged 40 to 80, participants at the Diabetes Ambulatory Clinic of the Suceava County Hospital, demonstrated significant findings in both women and men. Implement-ing a 4-month hydrokinetotherapy program indicates an approach aimed at optimizing participants’ health. A personalized approach and careful management of hydrokineto-therapy exercises are necessary. Weight loss through diet and physical exercise is proven to be the most effective treatment strategy for obese and overweight elderly subjects, facili-tating the maintenance of muscle mass and promoting functional recovery.

Comparative analysis of paraclinical parameters in the as-sessment of osteoporosis: an integrative approach

Antonescu,

Silisteanu,

Venter

et al. 2024

Osteoporosis is the most common metabolic bone disease with serious physical, psychosocial and economic consequences. It is a chronic, asymptomatic, progressive disease with multifactorial aetiology, characterized by reduced bone mineral density and microarchitectural deterioration of bone tissue; A retrospective study was conducted, which included an initial cohort of 243 patients hospitalized between January 2023 and December 2023 at the County Emergency Hospital of Sibiu, Clinical Endocrinology Department ; Study results suggest that assessment of bone mineral density (BMD) remains a primary standard in the diagnosis of osteoporosis, as measured by T and Z scores from DXA densitometry. However, biomarkers such as total calcium, ionic calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus, PTH and bone degradation markers (e.g. Beta Crosslaps) play a significant role in assessing bone metabolism and identifying fracture risk; The study highlights the importance of screening in postmenopausal women and the need for calcium and vitamin D supplementation in patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia.