The effect of deep tissue massage on respiratory parameters in healthy subjects-A non-randomised pilot study.

Background: Deep tissue massage (DTM), based on deep palpation and elimination of fascia restrictions, can reduce symptoms resulting from fascial disorders. The goal of this study was the analysis of the DTM effect on respiratory parameters in healthy people. Material and methods: The study involved a group of 40 people divided into two subgroups. The experimental group underwent a single DTM session. Classic massage was performed in the control group. Before and after treatment the chest circumference and oxygen saturation were measured and a spirometry test was performed. Results: The chest expandability significantly increased in both groups with greater effect in DTM group. Vital capacity and saturation, significantly increased in the experimental group. No significant changes in dynamic parameters were noticed in the control group, while FVC slightly decreased in the experimental group. Conclusions: In this study, deep tissue massage appeared to improve chest expendability and vital capacity with simultaneous decrease of FVC in healthy subjects. Further studies are needed to specify the effect of DTM on the respiratory system.

The Application of Manual Techniques in Masticatory Muscles Relaxation as Adjunctive Therapy in the Treatment of Temporomandibular Joint Disorders.

Temporomandibular disorders (TMD) are primarily characterized by pain as well as disorders concerning the proper functioning of individual elements of the stomatognathic system (SS). The aim of the study was to compare the degree of relaxation of the anterior part of the temporal muscles and the masseter muscles, achieved through the use of post-isometric relaxation and myofascial release methods in patients requiring prosthetic treatment due to temporomandibular joint disorders with a dominant muscular component. Sixty patients who met the inclusion criteria were alternately assigned to one of the two study groups, either group I-patients received post-isometric relaxation treatment (PIR), or group II-patients received myofascial release treatment (MR). The series of ten treatments were performed in both groups. The comparative assessment was based on physiotherapeutic examination, a surface electromyography (sEMG) of the anterior temporal and masseter muscles and the intensity of spontaneous masticatory muscle pain, assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). We observed a significant decrease in the electrical activity of examined muscles and a significant drop in the intensity of spontaneous pain in the masticatory muscles both in group I and II. There were no significant differences between groups. Both therapeutic methods may be used as successful forms of adjunctive therapy in the prosthetic treatment of TMD. The trial was registered with an international clinical trials register.

Assessment of the level of static and dynamic balance in healthy people, practicing selected Latin American dances.

PURPOSE: The balance, known as the ability to independently maintain the body in a certain position and return to the starting position, can be divided into static and dynamic balances. Social Latin American dances (salsa, bachata) require dancers to do a characteristic figure, however, they are not trained as intensively as dancing sports. The aim of the study was to assess the static and dynamic balances of dancers, who are regularly dancing those selected Latin American dances, by comparison with those who do not. METHODS: The study was conducted among 34 dancers from a Krakow Dancing School and, 37 students of the Jagiellonian University, aged 21-35. A SIGMA balance platform was used to measure static and, the Y-Balance Test platform to assess dynamic balance. The Student's T-test, Mann- Whitney U-test and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used in statistical analysis. RESULTS: There were neither significant differences between right and left lower limbs of dancers, nor between values of tilts on the YBT platform in both investigated groups. Non-dancers, however, showed a slightly higher positive correlation between the deviations in the sagittal and frontal planes and the surface area, as well as between the path length and the surface area on the SIGMA platform when compared to dancers. CONCLUSIONS: The level of dynamic and static balances of dancing people is similar, when compared to non-dancers. The influence of practicing Latin American dances on the sense of balance require further studies.

Causes and differentiation of injuries depending on the positions taken on the pitch among American Football players in Poland.

BACKGROUND: American Football (AF) players are assigned to positions by specific abilities and responsible for different tasks on the field; this may result into wide differentiation in experienced injuries. The aim of this study was to analyze the causes of injuries and their differentiation depending on the position on the pitch. METHODS: Original questionnaire was used to investigate 150 Polish amateur AF players who had suffered from 189 injuries. The questionnaire detailed the following positions: offensive line (OL), defensive line (DL), quarterback (QB), running back (RB), wide receiver (WR), linebacker (LB), defensive backs (DB). The results were statistically analyzed by SofaStas v. 1.4.5 (SOFA Statistics, San Jose, CA, USA) and then had been interpreted. RESULTS: Over 90% of all investigated AF players had self-reported injury history with the injury rate 1.27 injury per player. No statistically significant relationship was stated between position on the pitch and the occurrence rate, type and location of the injury. Significant relationship (P=0.030) was stated between the injury circumstances and position on the pitch - QB were mostly injured in collision with opponent, OL in direct sport fight while WR and RB due to a fall. CONCLUSIONS: Occurrence and type of injuries in AF players does not depend on position on the pitch in AF. Relationship between the injury location or injury circumstances and position on the pitch requires further studies. The most common location of injury is the knee joint, and the most common type of injury is sprain while the most common causes of injury were collision with opponent and direct sport fight.

[Incidence of musculoskeletal disorders in police officers riding motorcycles while on duty]. / Wystepowanie dolegliwosci ze strony narzadu ruchu u policjantów pelniacych sluzbe na motocyklach.

BACKGROUND: Riding a motorcycle involves a risk of suffering from ailments of the musculoskeletal system. These can be caused, i.a., by long-term persistence of a unfavorable body position, vibrations or the necessity of wearing a protective helmet. One of the occupational groups that use motorcycles are road traffic police officers. There are few literature reports of ailments related to riding a motorcycle, especially as regards police officers using these vehicles while on duty. The key objective of this research was to investigate the occurrence of locomotor system disorders during a motorcycle ride or after it, among Polish police officers who actively ride motorcycles. Factors which can affect the occurrence and characteristics of those disorders were also verified. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A survey including 42 questions was used in the research. After obtaining the consent from the Police Commander-in-Chief, 485 questionnaires were distributed to selected Provincial Police Headquarters, 377 of which were eventually approved for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In 57.37% of the investigated police officers who regularly rode motorcycles while on duty, ailments of the locomotor system were reported, which most often appeared after a long ride (53.46%), and usually disappeared within a few hours after its end (60.65%). The ailments were found to mostly occur in the lumbosacral (76.17%) and cervical spine (50.93%); however, the highest intensity was observed in the lumbosacral spine (5.86%) and knee joints (5.11%). Also, there was a direct connection between pain and years of service on a motorcycle (p = 0.014), the average monthly distance (p = 0.036), and past motorcycle accidents (p = 0.001), or other accidents (p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: The Polish police officers experience locomotor system disorders related to riding a motorcycle while on duty. The factors affecting their occurrence include experience in riding a motorcycle, the monthly distance covered, and accidents. Med Pr. 2020;71(2):177-86.