The Importance of Physical Activity in Preventing Fatigue and Burnout in Healthcare Workers.

The workers of the health sector are important to the country's economy in many ways. Healthy and rested workers are highly valuable to the public health sector and give a good perception of their work to patients and society. It is thus important to have a sufficient number of healthy working staff in healthcare institutions who do not have work fatigue and burnout. A total of 987 employees-doctors, professional staff, and others-of a large healthcare institution in Hungary voluntarily participated in a survey regarding their lifestyle and physical activity habits and answered the questions anonymously. Women reported less leisure time (p < 0.02), with 54.9% of female respondents saying that they did not exercise regularly, and fatigue was more common among them (p < 0.001). In this respect, the healthcare workers' responses did not differ from those of the overall population. The most common sports were cycling (17.7%), running (15.4%), and working out in a gym (12.3%). Reasons for not participating in sports included lack of time (70.2%) and fatigue (43.9%) as the most frequent responses. Healthcare workers are exposed to a number of risks that require particular attention to maintain their health. Employers should thus focus on implementing programs that prevent burnout and promote healthy lifestyles.

Model of the Performance Based on Artificial Intelligence-Fuzzy Logic Description of Physical Activity.

The aim of the study was to build a fuzzy model of lower limb peak torque in an isokinetic mode. The study involved 93 male participants (28 male deaf soccer players, 19 hearing soccer players and 46 deaf untraining male). A fuzzy computational model of different levels of physical activity with a focus on the lower limbs was constructed. The proposed fuzzy model assessing lower limb peak torque in an isokinetic mode demonstrated its effectiveness. The novelty of our research lies in the use of hierarchical fuzzy logic to extract computational rules from data provided explicitly and then to determine the corresponding physiological and pathological mechanisms. The contribution of our research lies in complementing the methods for describing physiology, pathology and rehabilitation with fuzzy parameters, including the so-called dynamic norm embedded in the model.

Elbow Joint Position and Force Senses in Young and Adult Untrained People and Gymnasts.

Joint position (JPS) and force senses (FS) are the proprioception modalities. While the development of JPS was investigated both in children/adult and athlete/untrained conditions, there is a lack of insight into the development of FS. Overall, 28 gymnasts and 25 untrained controls underwent proprioception testing. They were divided into two groups: 9 to 11-year-old boys (13 gymnasts and 10 non-athletes) and 18 to 25-year-old adults (15 gymnasts and 15 non-athletes). The testing was performed at an isokinetic dynamometer and included elbow JPS and FS (20% and 50% maximal voluntary contraction) tasks. Children had two times higher error in JPS (p < 0.01) and 50% higher errors in FS of both flexor (p < 0.001) and extensor muscles (p < 0.05) in comparison with adults. Only in the 50% maximal voluntary contraction task, gymnasts showed 33% lower error than the controls (p < 0.01). Untrained boys presented 54%, 132%, and 169% higher error for elbow flexor performance than young gymnasts, untrained adults, and adult gymnasts, respectively (p < 0.01). The 9 to 11-year-old participants were characterized by a lower precision of JPS and FS performance in comparison with adults. Gymnastic training can possibly accelerate the development of FS when higher loads are considered.

Measurement of maximal isometric torque and muscle fatigue index of the knee muscles in male athletes.

PURPOSE: The aim of the paper was to analyse variables related to the force and fatigue of knee muscles in the right and left lower limbs among 17 male athletes. METHODS: For both muscle groups, maximal isometric torque (Fmax) was determined with the use of Biodex System 4 Pro and the values of muscle fatigue index (FATI1-3) were calculated. RESULTS: A significant difference was observed between the groups of short- and long-distance runners in the values of all fatigue indices of knee joint extensor muscles in the right limb. In turn, between the groups of athletes who had trained for 2-4 years or for 4.5-7 years and the group who had trained for 7.5-13 years, significant differences were observed in the values of all fatigue indices of knee joint flexor muscles in the right limb. The group training for 3-12 hours per week and the group training for 12.5-18.0 hours per week in the sports club differed significantly in the value of the maximal isometric torque of knee joint flexor muscles in the right limb and in the values of some fatigue indices (FAT1, FAT3) for knee joint flexor muscles in the right limb. The study reported numerous positive correlations between the assumed characteristics and the investigated variables of knee joint extensor and flexor muscles in the right and left lower limbs. CONCLUSIONS: Athletes present certain changes in variable values and positive correlations between some characteristics and investigated variables of selected knee muscles.

The biomechanical characteristics of elite deaf and hearing female soccer players: comparative analysis.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to examine the differences in body composition, strength and power of lower limbs, height of jump measured for the akimbo counter movement jumps, counter movement jump and spike jumps between deaf and hearing elite female soccer players. METHODS: Twenty deaf (age: 23.7±5.0 years, hearing loss: 96±13.9 dB) and 25 hearing (age: 20.3±3.8 years) participated in the study. Their WHR and BMI were calculated. Body fat was measured using the BIA method. The maximal power and height of jump were measured by force plate. Biodex dynamometer was used to evaluate isokinetic isometric strength of the hamstrings and quadriceps. RESULTS: Significant differences between hearing and deaf soccer players in anthropometric values were for the waist and calf circumferences and the WHR index ( p < 0.01, effect size 0.24-0.79). Statistically significant differences were observed for flexion of the lower limb in the knee joint for the relative joint torque and relative power obtained for the angular velocity of 300 degˑs-1 for both lower limbs (p < 0.01, effect size 0.19-0.48) and for 180 degˑs-1 during flexion of the left limb (p = 0.02, effect size 0.13). The hearing female football players developed significantly greater MVC in all the cases. Statistically significant differences between deaf and hearing athletes were found for spike jump for maximal power (1828.6 ± 509.4 W and 2215.2 ± 464.5 W, respectively; p = 0.02, effect size 0.14). CONCLUSIONS: Hearing impairment does not limit the opportunities for development of physical fitness in the population of deaf women.