Paweł Tomaszewski

Background: Quantitative assessment of postural parameters in all anatomical planes may help clarify the potential role of posture in the pathomechanism of low back pain (LBP) in tennis players and support the development of preventive and rehabilitation strategies. This observational cross-sectional study aimed to compare selected pelvic and spinal posture parameters of amateur tennis players with LBP, amateur tennis players without LBP, and physically active controls without LBP who did not participate in asymmetric sports. Methods: The study included 116 participants (52 women and 64 men): amateur tennis players with self-reported tennis-limiting LBP within the previous 6 months, amateur tennis players without such a history, and physically active controls who did not participate in asymmetric sports and were free of LBP. Spinal and pelvic posture parameters were assessed using the DIERS Formetric 4D rasterstereography system. Group comparisons were performed using ANOVA or the Kruskal–Wallis test, as appropriate. Results: Across most analysed body posture parameters, no clear and consistent between-group differences were detected in this sample. Among men, significant between-group differences were observed in pelvic rotation and maximum right vertebral rotation. Men in the TBP (Tennis Back Pain) group showed a mean left-sided pelvic rotation compared with a mean right-sided rotation in those in the TNBP (Tennis No Back Pain) group, and lower maximum right vertebral rotation than men in the PAC (Physically Active Control) group. Among women, a significant between-group difference was observed for coronal imbalance, with higher left-sided values in the TBP group than in PACs. No consistent between-group differences were found across the remaining pelvic and spinal parameters. Conclusions: In this sample of amateur tennis players, static body posture parameters showed limited and non-uniform associations with LBP. The observed differences were selective and of uncertain clinical relevance, and the analyses did not reveal a single consistent postural pattern clearly associated with LBP in this sample.

Background: Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a widespread practice among judo athletes seeking to compete in lower weight categories. Restrictive nutritional and behavioral strategies used to achieve short-term reductions in body mass may impair physiological and psychological functioning. This study aimed to assess dietary behaviors, weight-cutting methods, and short-term physical and psychological effects of RWL among competitive judo athletes. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between August and December 2024 among 70 judo athletes (17 women, 53 men) competing at national and international levels. Data were collected using an author-designed questionnaire addressing anthropometric variables, training history, RWL strategies, dietary restrictions, hydration manipulation, and post-weigh-in eating behaviors. Physical and psychological symptoms were assessed using frequency-based self-report measures. Results: Most athletes (95.7%) reported engaging in RWL, typically beginning between ages 13 and 16 years (65.7%). Athletes reduced an average of 3.64 ± 1.74 kg (2–5% of body mass). Common strategies included decreasing meal frequency (74.29%), increasing training load (72.86%), restricting fluids (68.57%), and using saunas (62.86%). Reported physical symptoms included weakness (71.43%), headaches (51.43%), and dizziness (45.71%), while psychological symptoms included irritability (57.14%), reduced motivation (40%), and tension (38.57%). Post-weigh-in binge eating occurred in 65.71% of athletes and was significantly associated with higher RWL magnitude (p < 0.05). Discomfort during competition related to overeating (55.71%) or insufficient intake (41.43%) was also frequent. Conclusions: RWL is highly prevalent among judo athletes and often begins early in training history. The strategies used are associated with adverse physical and psychological symptoms and maladaptive compensatory behaviors. These findings highlight the need for evidence-based nutritional education and individualized weight-management approaches to support athlete health and performance.

The primary aim of this study was to assess the impact of fluid intake on hydration status indices in men at work. The secondary aim was to determine the type of fluids drunk at work in different thermal conditions. Fifty-nine male foresters were examined before and after one working day during summer, autumn, and winter. Before and after work, urine and blood samples were obtained from foresters. Immediately after a shift, participants completed a questionnaire regarding fluid intake during one working day. The amount of fluid consumed affects the hydration urine indices. Urine specific gravity and urine osmolality significantly decreased with increasing fluid intake (r = − 0.385 and r = − 0.405, respectively). Moreover, an impact of season on the type of fluids consumed by workers was observed. Tea was significantly more often chosen by workers to drink in winter (68%) than in summer (32%) (p = 0.026). The consumption of any non-alcoholic fluids contributes to the daily total water intake, but it is necessary to create individualized fluid replacement plans. Workers should know how much and what types of drinks to consume at work.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different seasons of the year and the time of day (before work vs. after work) on hydration status in men. The study involved sixty foresters who spent most of the work outdoors. During three seasons of the year (summer, autumn, and winter), indices of hydration status (body mass (BM) and percentage change of BM, total body water (TBW) and percentage change of TBW, serum osmolality (S_osm) and percentage change of S_osm, urine osmolality, urine-specific gravity (USG), urine color, and thirst) were determined before work on the first day (time point 1 used as baseline), immediately after work on the first day (time point 2), and before work on the following day (time point 3). USG decreased at time point 2 compared to time point 1 (p < 0.001) and time point 3 (p = 0.03). At time point 2 (p = 0.002) in winter and time point 3 in autumn (p = 0.049), serum osmolality was higher than in summer. In conclusion, the differences in hydration status depended on the time of day and season. A large percentage of foresters come to work inadequately hydrated, especially in colder seasons compared to summer.

Due to the occurrence among musicians of musculoskeletal problems associated with playing a musical instrument, it is necessary to use prophylaxis. The aim of the study was to compare the effectiveness of two physioprophylaxis methods: chair massage and an original set of exercises. The study lasted four weeks and consisted of eight 15-min meetings (chair massage/exercises). The study was conducted on 44 music students assigned to three groups (chair massage/exercise program/control group). The algometric measurements and questionnaire were conducted. Health problems associated with playing an instrument was reported by 86.4% of the participants. The largest changes in pain threshold concerned the trigger points of the muscles with the highest pain sensitivity, i.e., upper part of trapezius ones, and reached 25–34% in relation to the initial values. For the trigger points of the levator scapulae and lower part of trapezius, the increase in the pain threshold was between 20 and 28%. Raising the pain threshold was observed both after each session and meeting by meeting, and these differences were most visible in the massage group. This effect was particularly visible from the fourth treatment. Chair massage and exercise should be used regularly, and significant results can be obtained after two weeks.

In athletes, no reliable indices exist for an unambiguous evaluation of hematological and iron status. Therefore, the utility of some new red blood cell (RBC) parameters was explored in 931 elite male athletes aged 13–35 years. To diagnose iron status, the values of ferritin and soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR), total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and basic blood morphology were determined in blood. The new hematological markers included among others: mean cellular hemoglobin content in reticulocytes (CHr), percentage of erythrocytes (HYPOm) and reticulocytes (HYPOr) with decreased cellular hemoglobin concentration, percentage of erythrocytes (LowCHm) and reticulocytes (LowCHr) with decreased cellular hemoglobin content, mean volume of reticulocytes (MCVr), and percentage of erythrocytes with decreased volume (MICROm). Despite adverse changes in reticulocyte hypochromia indices (CHr, LowCHr, HYPOr; p < 0.001) in the iron depletion state, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC-ROC) values calculated for them were relatively low (0.539–0.722). In iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE), unfavorable changes additionally concern microcythemia indices in both reticulocytes and erythrocytes (MCVr, MCV, MICROm, and red cell volume distribution width—RDW), with especially high values of AUC-ROC (0.947–0.970) for LowCHm, LowCHr, and CHr. Dilutional sports anemia was observed in 6.1% of athletes. In this subgroup, only hemoglobin concentration (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and RBC (all dependent on blood volume) were significantly lower than in the normal group. In conclusion, the diagnostic utility of the new hematology indices was not satisfactory for the detection of an iron depletion state in athletes. However, these new indices present high accuracy in the detection of IDE and sports anemia conditions.

This study aimed to determine the degree of adiposity and prevalence of weight disorders in short children and to assess relationships between selected birth parameters and actual body fat content and body mass indicators. The study encompassed 85 girls and 97 boys, aged 7–14 years, with height below the 10th centile of the age and sex standard. In addition, 609 normal-height children (height between 25th and 75th centile) served as a comparison group. The children underwent measurements of body mass and height, skinfold thickness, and waist circumference. Detailed history on pregnancy and neonatal status of short children was collected. Body mass index, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat percentage (%FAT) were assessed. We found that about 27% of short children had insufficient %FAT and about 14% of them had excessive %FAT, regardless of sex. In terms of BMI, 24% of short children were underweight and only 6% were overweight or obese, while in normal-height children these percentages were 6 and 27.5%, respectively. Abdominal obesity was observed in about 5% of short children and 18% of normal-height children (p < 0.001). There was no association between birth parameters and somatic indicators in short children. We conclude that the prevalence of overweight and obesity, including abdominal obesity, among short children is much lower than that in normal-height children. The insufficient fat tissue and body mass, observed in one out of four short children, are particularly disturbing in the context of ensuring their correct development.

The aim of the study was to determine the degree of adiposity and the incidence of body mass disorders, including abdominal obesity, in healthy short children and children with growth hormone deficiency. The study included 134 short children (height < 10th percentile) aged 7–15. In this cohort there were 63 (31 boys and 32 girls) children without diagnosed hormonal disorders and 71 patients (35 boys and 36 girls) with growth hormone deficiency. Basic somatic features were assessed and the study participants were categorized according to the percentage of body fat (%FAT), body mass index (BMI), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR). We found that there were no significant differences in %FAT and the incidence of body weight disorders depending on gender or diagnosis. %FAT deficit was observed in 12–21% of the participants and underweight in almost every fourth child Overweight involved 3–14% of the participants and obesity was diagnosed in isolated cases (0–3%); both were considerably lower compared to the estimates based on %FAT. Using the cut-off points of WHtR, abdominal adiposity was observed in 3–15% of the participants. In conclusion, quite a large number of short children (between 25 and 50%) are characterized by abnormal body fat or body mass index values. The results indicate a limited usefulness of BMI in evaluating the incidence of overweight and obesity in children characterized by a height deficit.

Introduction: Cardiac surgery and cardiac interventions are associated with the risk of iatrogenic complications, including hemothorax. Minimally invasive methods of evacuating hemothorax include video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS). Aim: This paper presents this method and provides...