IntroductionDysmenorrhoea is a common gynaecological problem among teenage and young adult females. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesiotaping for treating menstrual pain.MethodsThe subjects were 44 women with complaints of pain during menstruation. The participants were randomly assigned to 3 groups: group 1 (<i>n</i> = 16), in which a kinesio tape was applied to the abdominal area; group 2 (<i>n</i> = 14), in which an identically looking inelastic tape was applied; and group 3 (<i>n</i> = 14), in which no intervention occurred. The degree of menstrual discomfort was assessed by a visual analogue scale, modified Laitinen questionnaire, and Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory.ResultsIn all groups, within 24 hours after tape application, pain intensity diminished by approximately 50%. In groups 1 and 2, the reduction of pain occurred 2–4 hours after the application of the tapes. In contrast, in group 3, an initial increase of pain intensity was observed, and pain decrease began after 11 hours. However, the differences between the groups did not reach statistical significance. The values obtained with the Laitinen pain questionnaire revealed that kinesiotaping significantly reduced the intensity (<i>p</i> = 0.004) and incidence (<i>p</i> = 0.006) of menstrual pain between the first and fifth day.ConclusionsPainful menstruation severely limits everyday functioning. The application of a kinesio tape to the abdominal area may reduce the severity of pain in women with complaints referring to menstruation.

Authors' contribution Wkład autorów: A. Study design/planning zaplanowanie badań B. Data collection/entry zebranie danych C. Data analysis/statistics dane-analiza i statystyki D. Data interpretation interpretacja danych E. Preparation of manuscript przygotowanie artykułu F. Literature analysis/search wyszukiwanie i analiza literatury G. Funds collection zebranie funduszy Summary Background. Regular physical activity allows maintenance of physical fitness at an optimal level and also contributes to greater care for other elements of a healthy lifestyle. The promotion of physical activity should be one of the tasks of health professionals, including physiotherapists. The aim of this study was to assess physical activity levels of physiotherapy students. Material and methods. This study involved 853 students (634 women and 219 men) of the Faculty of Physiotherapy of the Medical University of Warsaw (444 first-year students and 409 second-year students). The research tools were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short version (IPAQ-SF) and the author's own survey to obtain information on the type of physical activity and reasons for taking it up or not. Results. Men had significantly higher levels of physical activity than women (p<0.001). The physical activity levels of second-year female students were higher than those of first-year female students (p=0.026). Among men, there was no significant difference between first and second-year students. Conclusions. More than half of those surveyed do not engage in any physical activity outside of curriculum activities. The results obtained in this study may form the basis for continuing research with the participation of various groups of subjects and using more advanced technologies and research tools.

Objective Pregnancy-related pelvic girdle pain (PGP) may persist or occur postpartum and negatively affects women’s lives. There is uncertainty regarding the association between the structures of the bony pelvis, diastasis recti abdominis (DRA), pain processing, and PGP and to what extent these factors should be considered during physical therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the differences between women with and without PGP shortly after delivery regarding the separation of a pubic symphysis, DRA, and pain catastrophizing. Methods Women diagnosed with PGP 24 to 72 hours after vaginal delivery were matched to pain-free controls according to age and parity. Ultrasound evaluations of diastasis recti (interrecti distance) during rest and curl-up task and pubic symphysis (interpubic width) were performed. The Pain Catastrophizing Scale was used to assess the level of catastrophizing. A special Cox regression model was used to fit a conditional logistic regression for a 2-to-1 matched case–control study. Results Thirty-five women with clinically diagnosed PGP and 70 matched controls were included in the study. The PGP group had a significantly higher pre-pregnancy body mass index than the control group. After adjusting for body mass index in multiple conditional logistic regression, the interpubic distance (odds ratio [OR] = 1.64; 95% CI = 1.22-2.20) and interrecti distance during curl-up (OR = 2.01; 95% CI = 1.08-3.74) were significantly associated with PGP. Pain catastrophizing and interrecti distance at rest were not associated with PGP in univariable or multivariable analysis. Conclusions Pain catastrophizing is similar for women with and without PGP early postpartum. However, the degree of the pubic symphysis and rectus abdominis separation during the curl-up task are positively associated with PGP shortly after delivery.

Study aim: Warm-up is an indispensable element of sports training. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of warm-up exercises with Swedish, classic sports massage and Chinese self-massage on functional limitations of the locomotive system. Materials and methods: The study included 42 women and 13 men aged 19 to 22. They all performed the Functional Movement Screen (FMS) test, without a warm-up, and then (after a week) performed it again after either a standard warm-up with sports massage (Group 1) or a warm-up with Chinese self-massage (Group 2). Results: Both groups obtained significantly higher results in the second measurement (FMS test), preceded by a standard warm-up with sports massage (Group 1, p = 0.003) and warm-up with Chinese self-massage (Group 2, p = 0.000). In Group 1, statistically significant differences were observed in the results of the exercises: hurdle step and push-ups. In Group 2, the difference was significant in the attempts to sit down deep, walk over the fence and pump. Conclusion: There were no significant differences between the groups that used massage and self-massage. Both methods can improve movement functionality.

Introduction: In 2020, the whole world was overwhelmed by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus threat. In order to prevent the spread of the virus, national governments introduced restrictions of movement in public space, closing schools, universities, many companies switched to remote working. In addition to the obvious benefits of the above changes, numerous side effects can be observed. One of them is pain in the locomotive organs caused by the sedentary lifestyle. Objective: The main objective of the study was to assess the relationship between physical activity during quarantine, caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the occurrence of spinal pain. Material and methods: The study was attended by 55 people (29 women and 26 men) who attended physiotherapeutic consultations due to low back pain. For comparison purposes, they were divided into two groups: Group 1 (n=24) includes active persons, Group 2 (n=31) includes inactive persons. The survey was conducted in June 2020. The study used the reading of pedometers from mobile phones and the Rolland-Morris Questionnaire, Laitinen’s Pain Scale and author’s own questionnaire. The respondents were asked to share the pedometer results from given weeks before, during and after restriction causes by the COVID-19. Results: Physically active persons (those performing health training) performed more steps before introducing restrictions (p<0.001). After the introduction of restrictions, all-day activity decreased significantly in both groups. The evaluation of pain characteristics revealed significant differences (between groups) in two categories – pain intensity and physical activity limitation. Group 2 individuals also reported greater functional limitations. Conclusion: In physically inactive people, the intensity of low back pain was much higher. This proves the relationship between activity levels and pain.

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There is uncertainty regarding the association between abdominal morphology, pelvic floor function, and psychological factors in women with postpartum pelvic girdle pain (PGP). The aim of this case-control study was to evaluate the differences between women with and without persistent PGP regarding pelvic floor function, diastasis recti, and psychological factors 6–24 weeks postpartum. Pelvic floor manometry, palpation examination of abdominal muscles, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire Short Form, The Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale—21, and the Pain Catastrophizing Scale were used. The PGP group presented with lower vaginal resting pressure (p < 0.001), more tenderness (p = 0.018) and impaired voluntary activation of pelvic floor muscles (p ≤ 0.001). Women with pain also had more distortion on the level of the anterior abdominal wall (p = 0.001) and more severe diastasis recti (p = 0.046) when compared to pain-free controls. Lower vaginal resting pressure was the strongest factor explaining PGP (OR 0.702, 95%CI 0.502–0.981). There were no differences in terms of the pelvic floor strength, endurance, severity of urinary incontinence and reported distress between the groups. Women with PGP 6–24 weeks postpartum differ in pelvic floor and abdominal muscle function from the pain-free controls. Vaginal resting pressure may be an important factor in pelvic girdle pain shortly postpartum. Further studies are needed to see a trend in changes over time.

The aim of the work was to study the body reaction to high intensity interval training. The study included 92 women aged 18 to -35. People who have been engaged in organised, regular physical activity (at least twice a week) were qualified to Group 1. Group 2 were physically inactive persons. All subjects performed interval training in the Tabata formula - two 4-minute sequences. The exercise carried out in the first part is elevating the legs from the “plank” position, in the second part, the hands were elevated from the same position. The pulse rate, the Borg Scale and the VAS pain rate scale (24, 48, 72 and 96 h after exercise) were used to assess the exercise intensity. The respondents from both groups performed the training at a similar intensity: the average heart rate after workout was 131 beats per minute. The highest pain of all muscle groups (when added together) was recorded 24 hours after training. The highest pain intensity during the four days after the training concerned the back and abdominal muscles in Group 1 and the muscles of the abdomen, back and arms (front and back). The intensity of abdominal and arm muscle pain (front) was significantly higher in Group 2. The proposed 15-minute workout planned in the form of Tabata evoked similar cardiovascular reactions in both groups and a similar subjective evaluation of intensity. Individuals who were physically active before the introduction of restrictions related to the COVID-19 pandemic had less pain in the muscular system after the applied training.