Work-related musculoskeletal disorders in Polish sonographers-A questionnaire study.

PURPOSE: The ultrasound specialists face a substantial issue with work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs), characterized by occupation-related pain, reaching an estimated frequency of up to 90.5%. The type and location of pain vary depending on the sonographers specialty and the specific anatomical areas being examined. Our study aimed to assess the prevalence and intensity of pain among Polish doctors from various specialties conducting ultrasound examinations. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study has been performed between July and December 2023, involving 90 participants (51.9% women) actively practicing ultrasound diagnostics. The data collection process utilized a structured questionnaire developed by the researchers for this study. The questionnaire covered personal factors, including gender and age, and work-related aspects like workplace, specialty, sonography experience, and the types of examinations conducted. Statistical analysis involved both descriptive statistics and correlation analysis. RESULTS: The age distribution ranged from 26 to 74 years, with mean (SD) of 43.1 (12.2) years. The leading specialties among physicians were radiology (22.2%) and internal medicine (22.2%). Among all physicians, 65.6% reported pain during or after ultrasound scans, with a mean (SD) pain intensity of 6.17 (2) in a 1-10 scale. The analysis indicated no correlation between age and gender and the occurrence of discomfort. CONCLUSIONS: WMSDs pose a significant risk to Polish sonographers, especially those specializing in vascular surgery, general surgery and obstetrics and gynecology specialties. The study underscores a notable deficit, with only 10% of the personnel reporting training in ergonomics for ultrasound work.

Effectiveness of the power and speed dry-land training in female swimmers aged 15-16.

PURPOSE: This work aimed to define the impact of the introduction of power and speed dry-land training in female swimmers aged 15-16 on the rise of time results at a distance of 200 m and on the increase of the strength level of the muscle groups in the elbow joint. METHOD: The investigations were conducted on a group of 28 junior female swimmers: group 1 (aged 13-14) with speed and endurance training based on "water" exercises; group 2 (aged 15-16) with extra power and speed dry-land training. The following parameters were analyzed: time results, the moments of muscle forces in the elbow joint at the extension and flexion movements in isokinetic conditions and the ratio of the values of moments of muscle forces of flexors in relation to extensors. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences between groups were found for the following parameters: the time results from swimming 200 m with ( p < 0.001) and without using lower limbs ( p = 0.031), the ratio of the moments of muscle forces of flexors to extensors ( p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the correlation analysis show that the higher the moments of muscle forces of flexors and extensors of the elbow joint, the shorter the time obtained in swimming 200 m in the freestyle stroke.

Classic and indicative methods in the analysis of the foot arch and foot loads in professional folklore dancers on the basis of stabilographic tests.

PURPOSE: The proper shape of the foot determines its proper functioning and efficiency, which is significant as far as dancers are concerned. The aim of the study was to identify the arch of feet based on the Arch Index (AI), ability to maintain balance on the basis of stabilometric parameters and the distribution of loads acting on the feet of professional folk dancers. METHODS: The study group was composed of 37 folk dancers and the reference group consisted of 56 healthy adults aged 19-45. Balance measurements were performed using the Zebris FDM-S measurement platform, Romberg test with eyes open. Test results were exported to the Matlab 2019b computing environment. The algorithm developed by the Authors in relation was used to calculate Arch Index for the right and left foot, for each test participant separately. RESULTS: Statistical tests did not reveal statistically relevant differences between stabilometric parameters and loads affecting feet in the reference group and that of the dancers. The statistical tests revealed that the value of the AI differed significantly in the reference group and in the group of professional folk dancers ( p = 0.05). The differences were also observed in the group of females ( p = 0.003). No statistically relevant differences were observed in relation to the group of males ( p = 0.116). The percentage of the feet with high arch in the group of dancers amounted to 26%; 33% of dancers' feet were classified as the feet with low arch. CONCLUSIONS: The feet of professional folk dancers have a statistically more arched foot than the reference group.