Postural control and breathing are mechanically and neuromuscularly interdependent. Both systems- of spinal stability and respiration- involve the diaphragm, transversus abdominis, intercostal muscles, internal oblique muscles and pelvic floor muscles. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of exercises activating deep stabilizer muscles on postural control and quality of breathing movements. Eighteen volunteers (25,7 ± 3,5) were recruited from the general population. All the subjects implemented an exercise program activating deep muscles. Head, pelvic and trunk positions in the sagittal and frontal planes were assessed with the photogrammetric method. Breathing movements were estimated with the respiratory inductive plethysmography. The results indicate that the use of deep muscle training contributed to a significant change in the position of the body in the sagittal plane (p = 0.008) and the increase in the amplitude of breathing (p = 0.001).

The percent of youths classified as overweight and obese has increased in Krakow (Poland). Calculation of body fat percent derived from bioimpedance provides better estimates than the use of Slaughter equations, which tended to overestimates the values.

Hallux valgus is one of the most common foot deformations, which occurs twice as frequently in women than in men. The aim of the study was to evaluate the feet soles pressure distribution pattern of young women with hallux valgus deformity. The study sample consisted of 23 young women (21-27 years). Among the participants, 14 demonstrated the presence of single- or double-sided hallux valgus (study group – a total of 22 feet with hallux valgus) and 15 women had the correct angle of the big toe for one or both feet (control group – a total of 23 feet without deformation). The research tool was the Podoscan 2D platform and the FreeMED force platform (Sensor Medica, Italy). Using the FreeStep Professional software on the plantocontourograms of the feet, the angle of hallux valgus was determined (ALFA angle). In statics the following parameters were assessed: maximal fore- and rear-foot loading, percentage loading of forefoot and the Weissflog indicator, and in dynamics (gait): the percentage loading of forefoot and medial part of the foot, the value of maximum foot pressure and the passage point of the center of pressure line. There were no differences between the study and control group regarding loading of the fore- and rear-foot or pressure distribution pattern on the lateral and medial side of the foot, however, statistically significant differences were observed in the value of the Weissflog indicator and the exit place of the center of pressure line. 1. Hallux valgus deformity changes the foot rollover pattern, in which instead of the big toe as the main place to transfer forces during the fi nal support phase, the increased load is transferred through the second foot ray. 2. hallux valgus promotes fl attening of the transverse arch of the foot. 3. changes in foot pressure pattern observed in the group of women with hallux valgus are not dependent on the valgus angle. Masłoń A., Czechowska D., Szczygieł E., Golec J. Characteristics of static and dynamic loading of the plantar surface of the foot in women with hallux valgus deformity. Med Rehabil 2016; 20(2): 5-12. DOI: 10.5604/01.3001.0009.4804

The head constitutes 6% of the total body weight, which is linked to the cervical spine and all other joints through the kinematic chain by various muscles. The forward head posture is one of the most common postural disorders and seems to be especially dangerous. The goal of the work was to assess the impact of 4 weeks of training neck and nape muscles on the head posture. Material and Methods: The subjects were 20 participants, who performed neck exercises for 20 days. The head posture in a sagittal and frontal plane was assessed photogrammetrically twice: before and after the exercises. The following have been used for the assessment: craniovertebral (CV) angle, head tilt angle (HT), and frontal head tilt angle (FHT). Results: After a 20-day program of neck and nape exercises the values of specific angles were compared. The results indicated significant changes in the head posture. In the sagittal plane: the average value of the CV angle before the training was 47.17°, and 50.82° after the training; the average value of the HT angle before the exercises was at 20.99°, and 24.31° after. In the frontal plane the average value of the FHT angle before the exercises was at 2.71°, and after 20 days of training the average value of this angle decreased to 2°. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that a short, home-based targeted exercise program can improve head posture.

Introduction. Both walking and its faster, running, consist of cyclical subsequent phases of swing and support; however, they differ in their time proportions as well as magnitude of acting forces. There is a lack of studies concerning the longterm consequences of repeated jogging cycles on the function of feet and, above all, on their permanent impact on the shape of foot arches. Objectives. The objective of this study was to answer the question whether regular jogging changes the shape of the transverse and medial longitudinal arches of the feet. Materials and method. The research material consisted of 96 women with an average age of 26.57, and included 50 actively jogging women, and 46 of non-joggers. The study was performed with the use of EMED-SF force platform. The plantar surface of the foot was divided into 10 regions according to Cavanagh, for which peak pressure and contact time were established. Two indicators were defined: metatarsal bone pressure distribution pattern acc. to Kantali, and longitudinal arch index acc. to Cavanagh. Results. The data obtained revealed more frequent occurrence of the greatest pressure under the centrally located metatarsal heads (lack of functional foot transverse arch) among the female joggers, compared with the non-joggers. Moreover, the findings indicate the higher frequency of medial longitudinal foot arch flattening among female runners, with a great deal of consistency between both feet, whereas results for the control group show asymmetrical medial arch shapes with right foot propensity to normal arch shape and left foot tendency for excessive arch. Conclusion. The observed differences in feet arch shapes between female joggers and non-joggers indicate the influence of jogging on feet functional adaptations.