Differences and Relationship between Body Composition and Motor Coordination in Children Aged 6-7 Years.

BACKGROUND: The primary goal of this study was to investigate the relationship between body composition and motor coordination performance, and the secondary goal was to determine sex differences in body composition and motor coordination of preschool children. METHODS: Forty-eight children (23 boys and 25 girls) underwent assessments for body composition and motor coordination using the Köperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK). RESULTS: Linear regression analysis revealed significant associations between body composition and motor coordination in boys (p < 0.05) but not in girls. In boys, Body height (p = 0.01), Total muscle mass (p = 0.03), Total fat (p = 0.03), and Total water (p = 0.02) show statistically significant influence on single-leg jumps. Similar results were obtained for lateral jumps where there was a statistically significant influence of Body height (p = 0.01), Total muscle mass (p = 0.03), and Total water (p = 0.02). Interestingly, predictive variables showed no statistically significant influence on KTK overall score in boys (p = 0.42) nor in girls (p = 0.90). CONCLUSIONS: The predictive system of morphological variables demonstrated significance only among boys in this age group and sample. Girls outperformed boys due to early maturation, resulting in better average KTK scores.

Efficiency of an Alternative Physical Education Program for the Lower Grades of Elementary School Children.

(1) Introduction: This research was conducted with the aim of assessing whether an alternative physical education (PE) program could effectively substitute for the traditional PE curriculum and aid in accomplishing the essential goals and objectives of PE among younger elementary school children. (2) Materials and Methods: This longitudinal 6-month study included third-grade elementary school children of both genders, who were healthy, lived in urban areas, and were involved in an alternative PE program, as well as the regular PE classes. The sample of participants comprised 214 students, with 105 participants in the experimental group and 109 participants in the control group, who underwent pre- and post-intervention measurements. For the purposes of this study, 11 variables were applied to assess the parameters of growth and development, motor abilities, and physical and health education. MANCOVA and ANCOVA methods were used to determine the effects resulting from the alternative and regular PE programs, and differences between the groups, respectively. The data are reported as the mean and standard deviations, and were analyzed using the statistical package SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Armonk, NY, USA). (3) Results: Based on the research results obtained for motor abilities and physical and health education, it was concluded that both the alternative and regular PE programs had positive effects in achieving the goals and objectives of PE, but without statistical significance at the multivariate and univariate levels. The differences between the two groups were found to be negligible (effect size, ES < 0.2). (4) Discussion: Sports and PE have distinct objectives and approaches. While sports emphasize competition and winning, PE aims to impart fundamental skills and knowledge, prioritizing inclusivity among younger students. Success in PE is measured by the number of students meeting these goals, potentially affecting both talented and struggling learners. (5) Conclusions: The results obtained from the conducted research indicate that both the alternative PE program and the regular PE program influence changes in motor abilities and physical and health education to a limited extent. The alternative PE program proposed in this study, with its modifications to the structure of existing, regular PE program, can fully replace the latter in schools that do not meet the required spatial and material standards.

The Role of Motivation and Physical Self-Concept in Accomplishing Physical Activity in Primary School Children.

BACKGROUND: The goal of this research is to identify correlations of motivation and physical self-concept with physical activity among students of younger school age, as well as the level of prediction of motivation and physical self-concept with physical activity of students in physical education classes. METHODS: The sample of respondents consisted of 411 students of the third and fourth grades from the territory of the Zlatibor district. A modified Self-Regulation Questionnaire was used to assess students' motivational orientations, while appropriate subscales of the Self-perception Profile for Children measuring instrument were used to assess physical self-concept. Physical activity is shown as volume and intensive physical activity (vigorous physical activity (VPA)), measured with a Suunto memory belt pedometer and heart-rate monitor. RESULTS: Boys' motivational predictor variables accounted for 14% (volume) and 28% (VPA) of their physical activity in class, with intrinsic motivation, introjective regulation (just for the level of physical activity), and identified regulation as the most important determinants of physical activity. For girls, the identified regulation variable (from the system of motivational predictor variables) was shown to be the primary predictor variable on both criterion variables (R2 = 0.34 and 0.36). CONCLUSION: The teaching of physical education for students of younger school age should be conceived by creating a motivational climate, in order to encourage physical activity.

The Applicability of Provocative Functional Tests in the Diagnosis of Rotator Cuff Muscle Injuries of the Best University Athletes.

Rotator cuff disease, external and internal impingement syndromes, low shoulder stability, various types of trauma, and overuse injuries are all related to sports activities. In order to check symptoms in patients with disability and shoulder pain, clinicians use different methods and diagnostic imaging assessment. The research is aimed at evaluating whether there is a difference between provocation function tests (PFT) and ultrasonographic (US) testing of muscles within the rotator cuff in elite collegiate athletes. Patients (n = 184) were recruited from university team sports selections and tested with a standardized US examination of the shoulder and five PFTs (Speed's test, Neer's test, Hawkins test, lift-off test, Yergason's test). Based on the VAS pain assessment scale, 60 subjects had some pain, which was taken for further processing in the work (124 subjects did not have the presence of pain and were excluded from further processing). The US examination was conducted using Voluson 730 apparatus, by a linear probe, with the frequency in the range of 6-12 MHz. The chi-square test showed significant differences between PFT and the occurrence of shoulder muscle tendinitis for the following variables: Speed's test and subscapularis tendinitis (p = 0.02) and Speed's test and infraspinatus tendinitis (p = 0.01); Neer test and biceps brachii caput longum tendinitis (p = 0.01), Neer test and supraspinatus tendinitis (p = 0.02) and Neer test and infraspinatus tendinitis (p = 0.01); lift-off test and subscapularis tendinitis (p = 0.05); and Yergason's test and biceps brachii caput longum tendinitis (p = 0.03) and Yergason's test and subscapitis tendinitis (p = 0.01). The greatest effect of differences was observed in Neer's test and biceps brachii caput longum tendinitis (φ = 0.60), while the other effects can be described as medium and small in most cases. It can be concluded that functional tests are good predictors of soft tissue changes in the muscles of the rotator cuff of the shoulder. Further monitoring and analysis are needed on a larger number of athletes.

Can Kinesiological Activities Change "Pure" Motor Development in Preschool Children during One School Year?

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of an additional, organized, and more intensive kinesiological treatment on "pure" motor abilities in preschool children. In the present study an experimental treatment was carried out on a sample of 37 preschool boys by applying kinesiological activities. The 60 minute treatment was applied over a period of one school year (9 months), twice a week. A control group of 31 boys were trained according to the regular program for preschool institutions. Treatment effects were assessed by 8 motor ability tests and 5 anthropometric measures. The significant differences between the groups, which were observed after the final measurement and compared to the initial one, proved that the kinesiological treatment had a positive impact on the general development of "pure" motor abilities. The most significant effect of experimental kinesiological treatment was the improvement in whole body force, flexibility and coordination of preschool boys. These findings, obtained only in one school year, point to the importance of physical exercise and the application of additional kinesiological activities with various modalities, to improve motor development, even morphological growth and development in preschool children. The effects of the perennial application of kinesiological activities, under the supervision of kinesiological professionals, could be beneficial and could form the basis for a better biological and motor development in older age.

Changes in intellect area in war veterans with developed PTSD.

INTRODUCTION: The previous neuropsychological studies have pointed to a significant understanding of the neurobiological correlates of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder with deficits in the functions of the intellect. AIM: To establish the existence of intellectual changes in war veterans with developed PTSD and their relationship to PTSD. METHODS: War veterans are divided into two groups: Group A, war veterans with PTSD and "B" groups, veterans without PTSD. Were used: Wechsler's Adult Intelligence Scale (WB-F2); Trauma Questionnaire (UT-PTSD); Questionnaire-socio-biographical data RESULTS: The severity of stress and severity of post-traumatic stress disorder is directly associated with the intellectual functions. War veterans, who had more severe traumatic experience, with a strong and destructive PTSD compared to veterans without PTSD had significantly lower ratio of general, verbal and non-verbal intelligence quotient of mental efficiency, a high level of mental deterioration with significantly pronounced oscillations in intratest and insidetest variability. Veterans with PTSD showed significantly lower scores in the immediate memory capacity, efficient attention, concentration under conditions of mental activity, visual perceptual skills predicted exactly bit of trivial things, of associative elasticity of thinking and short-term learning abilities. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that deficits in the intellect, are not primarily the result of low intelligence, of premorbid states, but it occurs under the devastating impact of PTSD, which influencing changes in certain centers in the brain and changes in intellectual functioning.

Psychological problems sequalae in adolescents after artificial abortion.

UNLABELLED: STUDY AND OBJECTIVES: Controversy exists over psychological risks associated with unwanted pregnancy and consecutive abortion. The aim of this study was to assess the psychological health of female adolescents following artificial abortion up to 12(th) week of pregnancy. DESIGN: The control case study. SETTING: The study was carried out in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, University Clinical Center Tuzla, in Bosnia-Herzegovina. PARTICIPANTS: We assessed 120 female adolescents. The mean (SD) age of the patients was 17.7 (1.5) years experiencing sexual intercourse in the age of 14-19 years for trauma experiences, presence of posttraumatic stress symptoms, depression and anxiety as state, and anxiety as trait. Sixty adolescents had intentional artificial abortion and 60 had sexual intercourse but did not become pregnant. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: We used the PTSD Questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, and the Spielberger State Trait Anxiety Inventory (Form Y) for assessment of anxiety in adolescents. Basic socio-demographic data were also collected. RESULTS: PTSD presented significantly more often in adolescents who aborted pregnancy (30%), than in adolescents who did not abort (13.3%) (odds ratio = 4.91 (95%CI 0.142-0.907) P = 0.03). Anxiety as state and as trait were significantly higher in the abortion group, as the mean (SD) anxiety score of patients was 59.8 (8.9), 57.9 (9.7) respectively, than in non-abortion group 49.5 (8.8), 47.3 (9.9) respectively (t = 6.392, P < 0.001; t = 5.914, P < 0.001, respectively). Adolescents who aborted pregnancy had significantly higher depression symptoms severity 29.2 (5.6) than controls 15.2 (3.3) (t = 8.322, P < 0.001), and they presented significantly more often depression (75%), than adolescents who did not abort (10%) (χ(2) = 53.279, P < 0.001). Logistic regression showed that only experience of life threatening(s) and injury of other person(s) reliably predicted PTSD, whereas abortion and experience of life threatening(s) reliably predicted depression. CONCLUSION: Adolescents who aborted pregnancy presented significantly greater prevalence of PTSD and depression, and significantly greater depression severity and anxiety as state and trait than those who did not abort. Abortion predicted depression only, and did not predict PTSD.

[Immunological assays in the diagnosis of tuberculosis infection at the beginning of 21st century].

A subject infected by tubercle bacilli may immediately develop the disease (primary tuberculosis), witch occurs in a few number of infected persons, or may overcome the primary infection (a latent carrier of the infection). Nowadays there are about two milliard people with a latent tubercular infection. About 10% of them will develop active tuberculosis during their lifetime. Detection of latent tuberculosis and its treatment decreases the risk of developing the active form of the disease. Until recently, the tuberculin test was a single screening method to identify the subjects with tubercular infection. In recent years, some novel in vitro tests to diagnose the tubercular infection have been designed. These tests measure the cell-mediated immune response quantifying the emission of interferon gamma by T cells in response to stimulation by Mycobacterium tuberculosis specific antigens. These tests are more sensitive and specific than the tuberculin skin test, but they are just an accessory tool, i.e., a link in the diagnostic chain of the tubercular infection.

Relationship between anger, alcoholism and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorders in war veterans.

PURPOSE: Studies among veterans indicate that veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) express anger, hostility and aggression as well as alcohol and substance abuse more then veterans without PTSD. The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between anger, use of alcohol and symptoms of PTSD in war veterans in Bosnia and Herzegovina (B&H). METHOD: Comparing a group of veterans (n = 54) with PTSD who use alcohol and a group of veterans (n = 46) who do not use alcohol, the analyzed were dimensions of anger related to PTSD symptoms and alcohol usage. Medical records of patients treated at the Department for Psychiatry in Tuzla, B&H, Harvard Trauma Questionnaire (HTQ)--version for Bosnia and Herzegovina, State-Trait Anger Expression Inventory (STAXI), Structured Clinical Diagnostic Interview (SCID-I) were used in this study. The basic socio-demographic data were also collected. RESULTS: A significant correlation is found between alcohol usage, and state and trait of anger (P < 0.001), angry temperament (P = 0.001), anger-in expression (P < 0.001), anger-out expression (P < 0.001), and anger control (P < 0.001). PTSD hyperarousal cluster symptoms were significantly correlated to state anger, anger-in expression (P < 0.05), and use of alcohol (P = 0.010). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that there is a significant correlation between PTSD arousal symptom with anger dimensions, as well as between anger dimensions and use of alcohol in war veterans with PTSD.

Autoantibodies in patients treated for active pulmonary tuberculosis.

The genesis of auto-immune antibodies directed against the own tissue antigens of a host may be due to the host's immune response to mycobacteria. The prospective study included 110 patients treated for active pulmonary tuberculosis and the control group of 60 healthy subjects, volontary blood donors. Applying the method of indirect immnunofluorescence and cryostat sections of rat organs and human larynx cancer epithelial cell line (HEp-2 cells), the prescence of the following autoantibodies in the serum of the examined patients was examined: anti,nclear (ANA), anticardiac (ACA), antimitochondrial (AMA), antiparietal (APA), anti smooth muscular (ASMA), antithyroidal (ATA), rheumnatoid factor (RF). These autoantibodies were determined in the course oftreatment and five years later. Low levels of some examined autoantibodies were detected in the serum of a number of the examined patients. No significant difference in the presence of the analysed antibodies was registered between the sexes. In the course of the treatment a reversible hyper-gammaglobulinemia developed, which was at least partially due to the presence of autoantibodies in the patients blood serum. Besides possibly involved mechanisms of molecular mimicry and polyclonal lymphocyte activation, the presence of antinuclear antibodies in the patient's serum is at least partially due to isoniazide treatment. The finding of other autoantibodies is nonspecific and not related to the mycobacterial infection or antituberculosis drug administration.

Differential diagnosis of tuberculous and malignant pleural effusions: what is the role of adenosine deaminase?

The objective of this study was to evaluate the utility of invasive and noninvasive diagnostic procedures in tuberculous pleurisy (TPE) in an area with intermediate incidence of tuberculosis. The aim was to determine the cutoff value for adenosine deaminase (ADA) and the sensitivity and specificity of ADA and evaluate pleural fluid cytology and pleural biopsy in the differential diagnosis of malignant and tuberculous pleurisy. The study included 121 patients. TPE was confirmed in 54 patients and malignant effusion in 67 patients. Criteria used for TPE diagnosis were positive cultures of effusion or biopsy specimen, tuberculous granulomas, or positive sputum cultures without other explanation for pleural effusion. Malignancy was diagnosed by either cytology or biopsy. The cutoff value of ADA in TPE was 49 U/L, sensitivity was 89.2%, specificity was 70.4%, positive predictive value (PPV) was 84.4%, and negative predictive value (NPV) was 78.4%. ADA activity below 16 U/L suggests that TPE is highly unlikely with sensitivity=38.5%, specificity=100%, PPV=100%, and NPV=57.4%. ADA effusion/serum ratio reached a cutoff in TPE of 1.7 (sensitivity=84.6%, specificity=72.2%, PPV=81.4%, NPV=71.4%). Sensitivity, specificity, PPV, and NPV of cytology evaluation for TPE are 72.2%, 70.1%, 66.1%, and 75.8%, respectively. Pleuroscopy-guided pleural biopsy had sensitivity=66.7%, specificity=100%, PPV=100%, and NPV=78.8%. In 27.8% of TPE cases, pleural fluid cultures were positive. There is no doubt that pleuroscopy-guided biopsy is of great value for TPE diagnosis; however, sensitivity and specificity of noninvasive tests, especially ADA, can help to distinguish between TB and malignancy.

Acculturation and psychological problems of adolescents from Bosnia and Herzegovina during exile and repatriation.

AIM: To estimate the frequency, type, and severity of psychological trauma among Bosnian refugee adolescents during the process of repatriation after the 1992-1995 war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. METHODS: A sample of 239 pupils (120 girls and 119 boys), with a mean age (+/-standard deviation) of 15.2+/-2.1 years were assessed for war traumatic events, acculturation and repatriation maladjustments, school behavioral problems, and presence of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The sample consisted of adolescents who were in the process of repatriation after exile in a foreign country (n=120) and internally displaced adolescents (n=119). RESULTS: Adolescents who had been exposed to severe psychological war trauma still had high level of trauma more than three years after the end of war. The level of recalling traumas they experienced (mean+/-standard deviation=3.9+/-1.2 on a scale from 0 to 5) and frequency of PTSD symptoms (1.5+/-1.0 on a scale from 0-5) were significantly lower among repatriated than internally displaced adolescents (4.4+/-0.7 and 2.2+/-1.1, respectively; P<0.001). The prevalence of PTSD did not differ between repatriated (56.7%) and internally displaced adolescents (68.1%). Returnees with more acculturation problems reported more functional and relational problems after return but less psycho-emotional dysfunctions. Those who adapted to the culture in the exile country had difficulties in adapting back to the culture in the home country. CONCLUSIONS: PTSD was still very frequent among Bosnian refugee adolescents 3.5 years after the end of war. Adolescents who had spent more than five years as refugees in foreign countries had significantly lower level of experienced trauma recall and frequency of PTSD symptoms, as well as less anxious/depressed and withdrawn/depressed behavioral problems, and somatic complaints. Returnees who had more acculturation problems in exile reported more functional and relational problems but less psycho-emotional problems after repatriation. Schools and other institutions involved in the education of adolescents should develop programs to address these issues.

Comorbidity of the posttraumatic stress disorder and the depression in ex-prisoners of war.

The interest in investigating the war related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) has increased both in the world and in Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) over the last decades. Extensive literature indicates the association between PTSD and other psychiatric disorders. The most frequent disorders associated with PTSD are: depression, anxiety disorder and the abuse of psychoactive substances and alcohol. Some studies show that the depression is the most frequent disorder which follows PTSD. We studied the comorbidity of PTSD and depression in ex-war prisoners and in war veterans five years after the end of the war in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The study sample was divided into two groups. The first group is composed of 100 ex-prisoners of war, and the second one consists of 60 war veterans who were not confined in camps. The questionnaires under the criteria DSM IV were used to diagnose PTSD and depression. All the respondents were males and all of them were in good health before the war. The results obtained show a statistically significant higher representation of PTSD and depression in the prisoners of war as compared with the war veterans at the level of p<0.05. We also found a significant association of PTSD and depression, both in the prisoners of war and in the war veterans, however, there is no statistically signifficant difference between the studied groups.

Assessment of health effects in workers at gasoline station.

The aim of this study was to made assessment of health effects in 37 workers exposed to gasoline, and its constituents at gasoline stations between 1985 and 1996. Thirty-seven persons who had been exposed to gasoline for more than five years were examined. The evaluation included a medical / occupational history, haematological and biochemical examination, a physical exam, standardized psychological tests, and ultrasound examination of kidneys and liver. The groups were identical in other common parameters including age, gender (all men), and level of education (P<0. 05). The data were compared to two control groups: 61 healthy non-exposed controls and 25 workers at gasoline stations exposed to organic lead for only nine months. Peripheral smear revealed basophilic stippling and reticulocytosis. We found in chronic exposed gasoline workers haematological disorders: mild leukocytosis (7 of 37), lymphocytosis (20 of 37), mild lymhocytopenia (3 of 37), and decrease of red blood cells count (11 of 37). Results indicated that they have suffered from liver disorders: lipoid degeneration of liver (14 of 37), chronic functional damages of liver (3 of 37), cirrhosis (1 of 37). Ultrasound examination indicated chronic kidney damages (8 of 37). These results significantly differed from those of controls (P< 0.05). In 13 out of 37 workers at gasoline stations exposed to gasoline for more than 5 years the symptom of depression and decreased reaction time and motor abilities were identified. The summary of diseases of workers exposed to organic lead and gasoline are discussed.