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AbstractReflexology is based on the digital pressure on certain reflex points situated on the sole of the foot, which represents a "map" of the entire body. The aim of this paper is to highlight the importance of reflexology in low back pain treatment. To accomplish the objectives of this paper, a lot of 12 patients, of both genders, with low back pain, was formed. Out of these patients, 66.67% were male and 33.33% were female, the majority coming from an urban area (75%). The average age ± the standard deviation of the patients was 43.58±13.02 years. The group of patients was subdivided into an experimental group, composed of 7 patients (58.33%), who, besides the classic drug treatment, also underwent reflexology, and a control group, composed of 5 patients (41.67%), who underwent only drug treatment. The treatment linked to reflexology was conducted by a single practitioner of reflexology, using the Morrell technique. Both in the case of the experimental group and in the control one there was a statistically significant reduction in finger to ground index (p < 0.01, respectively p< 0.05). Also, there was a highly statistically significant reduction of pain (p<0.01). Due to the small number of patients involved in the study, the data obtained cannot be generalised, as further studies are required to highlight the beneficial effect of reflexology in the case of low back pain. Key words Key words Key words Key words: reflexology, low back pain, finger to ground index Rezumat Rezumat Rezumat RezumatReflexoterapia se bazează pe exercitarea digitală a unei presiuni asupra anumitor puncte reflexogene situate în talpa piciorului, aceasta reprezentând o "hartă" a întregului corp. Scopul lucrării este reprezentat de evidenţierea importanţei reflexoterapiei în tratarea pacienţilor cu durere lombară joasă. Pentru realizarea obiectivelor cercetării am constituit un lot de 12 pacienţi, de ambele sexe, cu diagnosticul de durere lombară joasă. Dintre aceştia, 66,67% au fost de sex masculin şi 33,33% de sex feminin, majoritatea provenind din mediul urban (75%). Vârsta medie ± deviaţia standard a pacienţilor a fost de 43,58±13,02 ani. Lotul de pacienţi a fost subîmpărţit într-un lot experimental, format din 7 pacienţi (58,33%), care pe lângă tratamentul clasic medicamentos au urmat şi reflexoterapie şi un lot martor, format din 5 pacienţi (41,67%), care au urmat doar tratament medicamentos. Tratamentul reflexoterapeutic a fost efectuat de un singur reflexoterapeut, utilizând tehnica Morrell. Atât la pacienţii lotului experimental, cât şi la pacienţii lotului martor, s-au produs reduceri foarte semnificative statistic (p<0.01) ale durerii finale faţă de cea iniţială, dar totodată, s-au produs îmbunătăţiri foarte semnificative statistic (p<0.01) ale valorilor indicelui degete-sol la pacienţii lotului de cercetare, pe când în cazul pacienţilor din lotul martor, îmbunătăţirea acestui indice a fost doar semnificativă statistic (p<0.05). Datorită numărului mic de pacienţi luaţi în studiu, datele obţinute nu...

Polyunsaturated omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids are essential fatty acids that cannot be produced by the body itself and therefore must be provided through nutrition. Omega-6 and particularly omega-3 fatty acids have important roles in the organism, contributing to the maintenance and promotion of health. The optimal proportion of omega-6/omega-3 fatty acids is 2:1, or even better 1:1. They are involved in normal growth and development, play a role in the prevention of coronary and cardiovascular diseases, of diabetes mellitus, of arterial hypertension, arthritis and cancer. Omega-3 fatty acids mainly have an anti-inflammatory effect, but also act as hypolipidemic and antithrombotic agents. A potential role of omega-3 fatty acids is that of increasing physical performance. Their role in the physical activity refers on one side to the global health of athletes and on the other side to their anti-inflammatory effect, as high intensity physical exercise induces increased free-radical production and microtraumas, with the induction of an inflammatory status. The anti-inflammatory effect of these fatty acids manifests through an increased production of endogenous antioxidant enzymes, through decreasing the production of prostaglandins metabolites, decreasing the production of leukotriene B4, etc. They are also effective on reducing muscle pain post eccentric exercise and on decreasing the severity of bronchoconstriction induced by exercise, as well as improving pulmonary function variables. In conclusion it seems that supplementing diets with omega-3 fatty acids, apart from having benefic effects on health and on the prevention and management of certain affections, proves to be a beneficial for physical activity and athletic performance.

Drug abuse among athletes is a current and very important issue, both ethically and in terms of health risks. In addition to the drugs prescribed for the treatment of some diseases, athletes can also use substances that artificially increase their performance, such as: stimulants, anabolics, opioids, erythropoietin, diuretics as well as substances used to mask the prohibited substances. The aim of this study is to review the data from the literature about the use of various drugs by athletes, for therapeutic purposes, or to increase sports performance. Methods: We identified several studies using the on-line databases, and the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Searches were limited to full-text English-language journal articles published between 2003 and 2014. Results: After the primary analyses we selected a total of 30 relevant studies on this topic. Even if there is progress in detecting prohibited substances that increase sports performance, doping prevalence persists in sport. Conclusion: In order to prevent and disrupt drug abuse, appropriate measures should be taken by physicians and coaches, such as warning about the risks of doping, appropriate training, appropriate nutrition and an appropriate psychological approach. RezumatAbuzul de medicamente printre sportivi este o problemă actuală și foarte importantă, atât din punct de vedere etic, cât și din punct de vedere al riscurilor pentru sănătatea acestora. Pe lângă medicamentele care le sunt prescrise pentru tratamentul unor suferințe, sportivii pot utiliza și substanțe care să le crească artificial performanțele sportive, cum ar fi: stimulante, anabolizante, opioide, eritropoietină, diuretice și alte substanțe folosite la mascarea altor substanțe interzise. Scopul acestui studiu este acela de-a trece în revistă datele din literatura de specialitate privind folosirea medicamentelor de către sportivi, în scop terapeutic sau pentru creșterea performanței sportive. Metode: folosind cercetarea bazelor științifice on-line și utilizând criterii de includere și excludere, am identificat câteva studii relevante. Căutările au fost limitate doar la articole complete din reviste scrise în limba engleză, publicate între anii 2003 și 2014. Rezultate: după o analiză primară am selectat 30 de studii relevante în ceea ce privește aceste subiecte. Chiar dacă există progrese în detectarea substanțelor prohibite care cresc performanța sportivă, totuși persistă o prevalența a dopingului în sport. Concluzie: pentru prevenirea și întreruperea abuzului de medicamente este necesară luarea de către medici și antrenori a unor măsuri corespunzătoare, cum ar fi atenționarea asupra riscurilor dopajului, antrenament corespunzător, nutriție adecvată și o abordare psihologică adecvată.

Background: Kinesio Taping (KT) is a widely used treatment method in the clinical practice that is also largely applied as a therapy for lumbar pain. The method was invented in 1970 by Kenzo Kase et al. and is represented by the application of adhesive tapes on the skin, that are very thin and with elasticity similar to the skin. Although it is frequently used, the efficacy of kinesio taping is still to be proven, and the mechanism it is based upon still remains unclear. Lumbar pain is a very important health issue worldwide; it is pain in the lumbar-sacral region, at the L4-L5 level. Chronic lumbar pain has a high prevalence across the world, affecting especially patients that are over 45 and being associated with high medical and social costs. The aim of this paper is to present a systematic literature analysis regarding the effects of kinesio taping on lumbar pain and on the degree of disability it can lead to. Materials and methods: The research is based on the analysis of relevant scientific studies on the effects of kinesio taping on lumbar pain published in different data basis such as NCBI, PubMed, Crossref, Cochrane Library, Scope Med, Net Journals, and Research Gate between 2012 and 2017. Results: 30 articles were included in the study out of the total number on the topic, articles that correspond with the aim of the study and that present the most recent advancements in the field. Conclusions: KT generally has effects that are similar with those of traditional treatment methods for lower back pain and for the disabilities it can produce, but results appear much faster; moreover, the efficacy is higher when KT is associated with traditional treatment options.

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