Jitka Marencakova

Many studies reported positive effects of physical exercise on the condition of dialysis patients. The insufficient value of those changes makes it difficult to interpret their clinical relevance. This study aimed to assess the influence of selected training (endurance, resistance, tai chi) on cardiopulmonary fitness and muscle function, as well as to analyze the factors having the most significant effect on cardiopulmonary fitness in a group of dialysis patients. Ninety-eight patients agreed to participate in the study. Selection of the type of training was done by cluster randomization. Group 1 were patients in a cluster with an endurance exercise program, and group 2 in a cluster with resistance exercises. Group 3 consisted of patients who took part in a tai chi program (non-cluster randomization). Exercise programs with each of the 3 groups were conducted for a period of 6 months, 3 times a week (groups 1 and 2) and twice a week (group 3), up to 60 min for 1 session. The full exercises was completed by 45 patients: group 1 - 16; group 2 - 15; group 3 - 14. The significance of the observed difference in the cardiopulmonary function was confirmed only in endurance group for absolute oxygen concumption (VO2) and heart rate (HR). Measurements of peak torque (PTQ) and total work (TW) performed at a speed of 60°/s showed a significant increase in the measured values only in the resistance training group. Measurements of PTQ and TW performed at 180°/s showed a significant increase in the measured values in the endurance and resistance group. The 6 months of training resulted in a slight improvement in cardiopulmonary parameters only in the endurance group. The above results seem to confirm the observed limited potential for improving aerobic capacity in dialysis patients. The results of strength and speed parameters shows the specificity of each training, expressed by selective improvements in isometric and both isokinetic tests.

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in golf swing execution in terms of the parameters of the pelvis and thorax movement between the sexes in junior golfers and their relation to the golf club velocity. Elite female and male players (age: 15.4 ± 1.0 and 15.8 ± 1.7 years, respectively) performed 10 golf swings with a driver under laboratory conditions. Pelvis and thorax movement parameters and golf club velocities were measured using a three-dimensional motion capture system. Statistical parametric mapping analysis of pelvis–thorax coupling revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) between boys and girls during backswing. Analysis of variance showed a significant effect of sex on the parameters of maximal pelvic rotation (F = 6.28, p = 0.02), X-factor (F = 5.41, p = 0.03), and golf club velocity (F = 31.98, p < 0.01). No significant relationship was found between pelvis and thorax movement parameters and golf club velocity in the girls. We found a significant negative relationship between the parameters of maximal thorax rotation and golf club velocity (r = −0.941, p < 0.01) and between X-Factor and golf club velocity (r = −0.847, p < 0.05) in the boys. We suggest that these negative relationships in males were caused by the influence of hormones during their maturation and biological development, where there is decreased flexibility (lower shoulders rotation and X-factor) and growth of muscle strength (higher club head velocity).

In the case study, gait asymmetry changes in different speed of walking with ankle-foot prosthesis were identified for developmental tibial deficiency. Joint kinematic, spatial-temporal, and kinetic gait parameters were collected using 3D motion capture system and 3D treadmill simultaneously. Mean values, SD, and symmetry index were calculated for selected gait parameters and descriptively analysed. Results show gait asymmetry of all of the measured parameters. Kinematic joint angular ranges increase with increasing walking speed. Inverse dynamic results present changes in step length and duration which enhance changes in ground reaction force characteristics. The symmetry index shows gait asymmetry, which increases with faster gait speed. Further research is needed to verify this suspect gait asymmetry increasing tendency and to generalise results to ankle-foot prosthesis population with congenital tibial deficiency or transtibial amputation.

Natural independent walking mostly occurs during infant´s everyday explorations of their home environment. Gait characteristics of infant walkers at different developmental stages exist in literature, however, data has been only collected in laboratory environments, which may reduce gait variability, therefore mask differences between developmental stages of natural gait. The aim of the study was to provide the first data set of temporal and functional gait characteristics of novice and improver infant walkers in familiar environment conditions in their home. We hypothesised that familiar environment conditions may effectively demonstrate natural gait characteristics and real differences in gait variables differing between 2 groups of developing infant walkers. In a cross-sectional design; we used open-source videos of infants in their home environments: twenty videos of 10 novice (5 girls, 5 boys, 7–12 months) and 10 improver (4 girls, 6 boys, 8–13 months) walkers were chosen from an open-source website. 2-D video gait analysis was undertaken for these parameters: falls frequency, frequency of stops, gait cadence, and time of stance phase, swing phase, and double support. Between groups comparison for novice versus improver was investigated by Mann-Whitney U tests (p ≤ 0.05) with determination of effect size of Pearson r correlation. Statistically significant differences between groups with large effect sizes were found for these parameters: falls frequency (p = 0.01, r = 0.56); cadence (p = 0.01, r = 0.57); stance phase duration of right leg (p < 0.01, r = 0.63); stance phase duration of left leg (p = 0.01, r = 0.56); and double support phase duration (p < 0.01, r = 0.69). Novices scored higher in comparison with improver walkers in all the parameters except cadence. This study presents the first data set of functional and temporal gait parameters of novice and improver infant walkers in their home environments. As an addition to recent research, novice infants walk with lower cadence and higher falls frequency, stance phase time and double support in their familiar environments. With increasing experiences, infant´s cadence increases while the other parameters decrease.

The unique foot morphology and distinctive functions facilitate complex tasks and strategies such as standing, walking, and running. In those weight-bearing activities, postural stability (PS) plays an important role. Correlations among foot type, PS, and other musculoskeletal problems that increase sport injury risk are known. However, long-term associations among the foot type, the PS, and body weight (BW) distribution are lacking. Thus, the purpose of this study was to longitudinally identify changes in foot morphology, PS, and symmetry in BW distribution during adolescence among elite male soccer players. Thirty-five Czech elite male soccer players (age, 15.49 ± 0.61 years; BW, 64.11 ± 6.16 kg; body height, 174.62 ± 5.71 cm) underwent foot type, PS, and BW distribution measurements during 3 consecutive years (T1, T2, T3). The Chippaux-Smirak index (CSI), BW distribution, and centre of pressure (COP) displacement (total traveled way [TTW]) of each player for the preferred (PL) and non-preferred leg (NL) were acquired. Repeated-measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA), Bonferroni´s post hoc tests, and partial eta-squared (η_p²) coefficient were used for investigating the effect of time on selected variables and effect size evaluation. Statistically significant effect of time on CSI values (PL: F_2,68 = 5.08, p < 0.01, η_p² = 0.13 and NL: F_2,68 = 10.87, p < 0.01, η_p² = 0.24) and COP displacement values (PL: F_2,68 = 5.07, p p² = 0.13; NL: F_2,68 = 3.53, p p² = 0.09) for both legs over 3-years period was identified. Furthermore, the Bonferroni´s post hoc analysis revealed a significant improvement of PS values in the PL (TTW_T1 = 1617.11 ± 520.22 mm vs. TTW_T2 = 1405.29 ± 462.76, p < 0.05; and between TTW_T1 = 1617.11 ± 520.22 mm vs. TTW_T3 = 1370.46 ± 373.94, p < 0.05). Only BW distribution parameter showed no significant differences, although slightly improved over time. We observed changes in foot typology, PS, and BW distribution in young elite male soccer players during 3 consecutive years. Results demonstrated that changes in PS and body weight distribution under the high-load sport conditions during adolescence may improve with aging, except for foot morphology. Therefore, foot morphology should be carefully monitored to minimize sport injury risk in professional young soccer players during adolescence. Further research is necessary to determine more clear associations between these parameters, soccer-related injuries, and sport performances.

The protocol describes guidelines and steps for taking repeated measurements of sportive population: postural stability, body weight distribution during quiet stance, and the foot type diagnostic. The parameters calculated from repeated measurements can be used for separate analyses: analysis of center of pressure displacement, represented by total travelled way parameter; analysis of body weight distribution and loading of the lower limbs; and foot typology. The guidelines are mostly based on recommendations of the literature, partly on our own research experiences. It is important to remain consistent during all of the measurements and follow the guidelines as they control important aspects of the measurements. Any changes of any aspects can signifficantly alter the final results.

Background: The foot plays a key role in a standing posture, walking and running performance. Changes in its structure or function may alter upper segments of kinematic chain which can lead to formation of musculoskeletal disorders. Although functional clinical typology provides a complex view of foot kinesiology there is a lack of knowledge and evidence about influences of different foot types on human gait. Objective: The aim of the study was to analyse differences of kinematic gait parameters of lower extremity joints and pelvis between functional clinical foot types in healthy young men. Methods: Three-dimensional kinematic analysis by the Vicon Motion Capture MX System device in synchronization with 2 Kistler force platforms was used to obtain kinematic data from 18 healthy men (mean age 23.2 ± 1.9 years). The functional clinical foot type was clinically examined and sorted into 3 basic foot type groups - forefoot varus (FFvar), rearfoot varus (RFvar) and forefoot valgus (FFvalg). Peak angular values and range of an angular displacement in all of three movement planes were analysed for pelvis, hip, knee and ankle joint. For statistical analysis of kinematic gait parameters differences between foot types Mann Whitney U test at a statistical significance level p < .05 and Cohen's coefficient d for effect size were used. Results: This study showed that functional clinical foot type can affect kinematic parameters of gait in the joints of the lower limb and pelvis. Significant differences were presented in the FFvar in comparison with other two foot type groups with middle and high size of effect. The most alterations were observed in pelvis area and in a sagittal plane of movement. Nevertheless, significant differences between FFvalg and RFvar foot types were not noticed. Conclusions: Functional clinical foot typology provides one of the possible methods to describe foot structure and function. Our results showed that foot type could alter gait. Forefoot varus foot type has more significant influence on kinematic gait parameters then other foot types. These effects should be considered by clinicians during examination of musculoskeletal system disorders especially in lower extremities