Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy (kwestionariusz "Badz Aktywna w Ciazy") to support physical activity among pregnant women in Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity during pregnancy is established to derive clinically meaningful improvements in pregnancy, childbirth, and postpartum health outcomes. Evidence-based pre-screening tools have been developed to support the implementation of physical activity programmes, and enhance communication between health care providers, exercise professionals and pregnant women. The Get Active Questionnaire for Pregnancy (GAQ-P) and the Health Care Provider Consultation Form for Prenatal Physical Activity (HCPCF) empower pregnant women to identify whether they require additional counselling from their obstetric health care provider in terms of physical activity. However, these tools are not available in Polish. This work details the process taken to translate the GAQ-P and HCPCF into Polish. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We followed the translation process outlined by the Translation and Cultural Adaptation International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research (ISPOR) guidelines between August 2022 and August 2023. We formed an expert group that included representatives of the Polish Society of Sports Medicine, The Polish Society of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians, practitioners, and scientists in physical activity during pregnancy. We implemented 9 of the 10 steps recommended by ISOPR in the translation process. At the Cognitive Debriefing stage, we collected opinions on the Polish version of GAQ-P and HCPCF from 70 stakeholders on the clarity and cultural appropriateness of the translation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Target users have positively evaluated the Polish version of GAQ-P and HCPCF. Thanks to the ISPOR methodology, we obtained a trustworthy, evidence-based screening tools, which can reduce the barriers for most women to be physically active during pregnancy.

Phase angle cutoff value as a marker of the health status and functional capacity in breast cancer survivors.

Accurate predictive tools are key factors for cancer care. Phase angle (PhA) has been proposed as a marker of cellular health, particularly of cell-membrane integrity. Cutoff values have been proposed, including for cancer survivors. This study aimed to assess the usefulness of the proposed PhA cutoff, as a marker of bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) assessed health-status, and functional capacity in breast cancer (BC) survivors. This cross-sectional study included 25 women (50.6 ± 8.6 yrs) survivors of BC, divided into two groups according to the PhA reference value of 5.6° (group 1 [G1]: PhA ≤ 5.6° [n=13]; group 2 [G2]: PhA > 5.6° [n=12]) (Gupta et al. 2008). BIA-assessed health status parameters included: extracellular water (ECW), intracellular water (ICW), total body water (TBW), PhA, body mass, fat-free mass, muscle mass, body cell mass (BCM). Four functional tests were performed: 30 s chair-stand test, timed up and go test, ball throw test and 6-minute walking test. Results showed G2 had lower ECW/ICW ratio (p=0.001; ES=1.2), ECW/BCM ratio (p=0.001; ES=3.2) and ECW/TBW ratio (p=0.001; ES=4.8). There was no difference in functional capacity between groups. The results of the present study show that patients with higher PhA values have a higher ICW values and preservation in the ECW/ICW ratio, suggesting it's a better cell membrane quality and integrity. Relation of both PhA and cell membrane integrity with functional capacity warrants further research.

Responsiveness of the Calf-Raise Senior test in community-dwelling older adults undergoing an exercise intervention program.

INTRODUCTION: Mobility significantly depends on the ankle muscles' strength which is particularly relevant for the performance of daily activities. Few tools are available, to assess ankle strength with all of the measurement properties tested. The purpose of this study is to test the responsiveness of Calf-Raise Senior Test (CRS) in a sample of elderly participants undergoing a 24-week community exercise program. METHODS: 82 older adults participated in an exercise program and were assessed with CRS Test and 30-second chair stand test (CS) at baseline and at follow-up. Effect size (ES), standardized response mean (SRM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) measures were calculated for the CRS and CS tests scores. ROC curves analysis was used to define a cut-off representing the minimally important difference of Calf-Raise Senior test. RESULTS: Results revealed a small (ES = 0.42) to moderate (SRM = 0.51) responsiveness in plantar-flexion strength and power across time, which was lower than that of CS test (ES = 0.64, SRM = 0.67). The responsiveness of CRS test was more evident in groups of subjects with lower initial scores. A minimal important difference (MID) of 3.5 repetitions and a minimal detectable change (MDC) of 4.6 was found for the CRS. CONCLUSION: Calf-Raise Senior Test is a useful field test to assess elderly ankle function, with moderate responsiveness properties. The cutoff scores of MDC and MID presented in this study can be useful in determining the success of interventions aiming at improving mobility in senior participants.

An mHealth intervention programme to promote healthy behaviours and prevent adolescent obesity (TeenPower): A study protocol.

AIM: This paper describes the design and rationale of multicenter practice-based research that aims to develop and evaluate an innovative mobile health (mHealth) intervention programme directed to promote healthy behaviours and prevent adolescent obesity. DESIGN: This study is designed as a non-randomized controlled trial with a three-arm structure. METHODS: Twelve to 16 years old participants will be recruited from schools, with access to the Internet and smartphone/tablet devices. The intervention group will be invited to engage in the TeenPower mHealth programme and divided into two subgroups: Group A (additionally engaged in a structured school-based intervention programme) and Group B (only engaged in the mHealth programme). The mHealth app includes educational resources, self-monitoring, social support, interactive training modules and motivational tools. The control group will only follow the structured school-based intervention programme. The intervention length will be 3 months, including the direct support of an interdisciplinary team (nursing, nutrition, sports, psychology, among others). This research was approved and funded in August 2017. DISCUSSION: The positive evaluation of the intervention programme will stimulate the inclusion of technologies in the promotion of salutogenic behaviours and obesity prevention. IMPACT: Adolescent obesity reached epidemic proportions. It is urgent to find effective prevention strategies to induce change at the individual, family and community level. If effective, this protocol can be used by health and exercise professionals in improving community interventions tailored to teenagers.

Calf-raise senior: a new test for assessment of plantar flexor muscle strength in older adults: protocol, validity, and reliability.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop a new field test protocol with a standardized measurement of strength and power in plantar flexor muscles targeted to functionally independent older adults, the calf-raise senior (CRS) test, and also evaluate its reliability and validity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Forty-one subjects aged 65 years and older of both sexes participated in five different cross-sectional studies: 1) pilot (n=12); 2) inter- and intrarater agreement (n=12); 3) construct (n=41); 4) criterion validity (n=33); and 5) test-retest reliability (n=41). Different motion parameters were compared in order to define a specifically designed protocol for seniors. Two raters evaluated each participant twice, and the results of the same individual were compared between raters and participants to assess the interrater and intrarater agreement. The validity and reliability studies involved three testing sessions that lasted 2 weeks, including a battery of functional fitness tests, CRS test in two occasions, accelerometry, and strength assessments in an isokinetic dynamometer. RESULTS: The CRS test presented an excellent test-retest reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] =0.90, standard error of measurement =2.0) and interrater reliability (ICC =0.93-0.96), as well as a good intrarater agreement (ICC =0.79-0.84). Participants with better results in the CRS test were younger and presented higher levels of physical activity and functional fitness. A significant association between test results and all strength parameters (isometric, r=0.87, r2=0.75; isokinetic, r=0.86, r2=0.74; and rate of force development, r=0.77, r2=0.59) was shown. CONCLUSION: This study was successful in demonstrating that the CRS test can meet the scientific criteria of validity and reliability. The test can be a good indicator of ankle strength in older adults and proved to discriminate significantly between individuals with improved functionality and levels of physical activity.