IntroductionPrecision of movements responsible for maintaining balance deteriorates with age due to natural involutionary processes, thus prompting a research question whether the values of gender-related stability indicators might differ significantly among the study subjects over 60 years of age.MethodsThe study group comprised 136 seniors (89 women, 47 men; aged 60–90 years). The CQ-Stab 2P 2-platform posturograph was used as the main research device, whereas the Mann–Whitney U-test was used to evaluate the gender-related differences in the average level of variables.ResultsIn the open-eye test, significant gender-related differences were observed with regard to the statokinesiogram’s path length in the mediolateral (ML) direction in the subjects aged 60–69 years (p=0.004), mean frequency of center of pressure (COP) displacement and number of COP displacements in the ML direction in the subjects aged 70–79 years (p=0.028, p=0.019), and mean COP displacement in the anteroposterior (AP) direction in the subjects aged 80–90 years (p=0.026). When the subjects were deprived of visual control, gender-related differences were observed with regard to the mean frequency of COP displacement, number of COP displacements in the ML direction in the subjects aged 60–69 years (p=0.045, p=0.049), and the statokinesiogram’s path length in the AP direction in the subjects aged 70–79 years (p=0.015). In the oldest age group, the differences were noted in the statokinesiogram’s path length in the AP direction (p=0.001), a sway area delimited by the COP point (p=0.003), range of AP stability (p<0.001), and range of ML stability (p=0.048).ConclusionGender-related differences affecting postural stability were found in the elderly. Men were characterized by a lower level of postural stability when compared with women. This highlights the need to have the gender-related differences taken into account, when developing various preventive and therapeutic programs specifically aimed at compensating certain involution-dependent deficits.

ObjectiveUnderstanding the factors and mechanisms that determine balance in seniors appears vital in terms of their self-reliance and overall safety. The study aimed to determine the relationship between the features of feet structure and the indicators of postural stability in the elderly.MethodsThe study group comprised 80 seniors (41F, 39M; aged 75–85 years). CQ-ST podoscope and the CQ-Stab 2P two-platform posturograph were used as primary research tools. The data were analyzed based on Spearman’s rank correlation and forward stepwise regression.ResultsAnalysis of forward stepwise regression identified the left foot length in females and Clarke’s angle of the left foot in men as significant and independent predictors of postural up to 30% of the variance of dependent variables.ConclusionsLonger feet provide older women with better stability, whereas in men, the lowering of the longitudinal arch results in postural deterioration. In the elderly, the left lower limb shows greater activity in the stabilizing processes in the standing position than the right one. In gerontological rehabilitation special attention should be paid to the individually tailored, gender-specific treatment, with a view to enhancing overall safety and quality of seniors’ lives.

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to assess the association between foot deformities and type of shoe regularly worn at work.Material/MethodsWe studied 150 employed women ages 30–40 years and divided them into 3 groups according to type of footwear worn: women in Group I wore flat-soled shoes, women in Group II wore mid-heeled shoes (heels 4.0±0.5 cm), and women in Group III wore high-heeled shoes (heels 10.0±0.5 cm). We used the CQ-ST podoscope for measurements.ResultsWe found significant differences in right foot γ angle between Groups I and III (p=0.033) and between Groups II and III (p=0.040). For the left foot, differences were noted between Groups I and III (p=0.012). Group III subjects had higher values of α angle compared to Group I (p=0.000) and Group II (p=0.000). Significant correlations were also found between specific type of footwear worn and the incidence of hallux valgus of the right foot (p=0.010) and left foot (p=0.000), and the varus deformity of the fifth toe (β) of the left foot (p=0.015).ConclusionsThe feet of women wearing high-heeled shoes were significantly flatter transversely, with a more laterally flexed hallux, as compared to those wearing low-heeled or flat-soled shoes. Wearing high-heeled shoes was associated with higher incidence of hallux valgus. The incidence of varus deformity of the fifth toe was associated with wearing high-heeled shoes.

Background: The human foot is shaped throughout all life in a way that is individual for every human being. Footwear fitting in the process of foot development is the issue covered by a limited range of empirical studies. This prompted the authors to undertake this subject of the study aimed at the influence of fitting of regularly worn inside the school footwear on feet morphology in primary schoolgirls. Methods: The study group comprised 100 girls aged 9. Feet characteristics were recorded by CQ-ST podoscope. The footwear fitting to the feet of the examined girls was tested using the Clevermess device. The data were analyzed based on the Student's t test, Wilcoxon test and regression analysis. Results: Appropriately fitted right indoor footwear was worn by 48% of the subjects while the left one by 43% of the group. Appropriate fitting in relation to the left and right foot width was noted in 23% of the group. The statistically significant combined effect of predictors characterizing footwear on the value of Wejsflog index of the right (p < 0.001) and left (p < 0.001) foot and influence of the length excess on the heel angle of the left foot (p = 0.006) were found. Conclusions: Most examined girls wear poorly fitted indoor footwear. The length excess of the indoor footwear has connections with the Wejsflog index of the right and left foot and the heel angle of the left foot. The larger the length excess, the lower the transverse arch. In the production of indoor footwear the differences in the feet width should be taken into account.

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Wprowadzenie i cel pracy. Zajęcia w szkole rodzenia mają na celu przygotowanie ciężarnej do porodu i rodzicielstwa. Jednym z założeń psychoprofilaktyki porodowej jest nabycie umiejętności wspomagania naturalnych mechanizmów rodzenia ze szczególnym uwzględnieniem wsparcia ze strony bliskiej osoby. Cel pracy stanowiła próba wykazania, czy edukacja przedporodowa w szkole rodzenia ma wpływ na przebieg ciąży, porodu i wczesne macierzyństwo. Materiał i metody. Sondażem diagnostycznym objęto 60 pierworódek w wieku 20-30 lat, w tym 30 kobiet uczestniczących w zajęciach szkoły rodzenia przy NZOZ KEMED Sp. z o.o. w Jaśle (grupa badana) i 30 kobiet niebiorących udziału w zajęciach szkoły rodzenia (grupa kontrolna). W analizie zastosowano nieparametryczny test niezależności chi-kwadrat (χ 2). Wyniki. Stwierdzono statystycznie istotną zależność pomiędzy uczestnictwem w zajęciach szkoły rodzenia a umiejętnością wykorzystania w praktyce metod łagodzących dolegliwości bólowe (p=0,003) oraz umiejętnością zsynchronizowania oddechu z rytmem skurczów macicy w czasie porodu (p=0,001). Aż 97% uczestniczek szkoły rodzenia podjęło decyzję o porodzie rodzinnym. Wszystkie pierworódki uznały kurs przedporodowy za przydatny w przygotowaniu ojców do aktywnego uczestnictwa w porodzie i sprawowania opieki nad noworodkiem. Wnioski. Uczestnictwo w zajęciach szkoły rodzenia wpłynęło na poprawę jakości życia ciężarnej. Przyczyniło się do sprawnego przebiegu porodu, wzmocniło więź pomiędzy małżonkami oraz ułatwiło opiekę nad noworodkiem. Wskazuje to na potrzebę popularyzowania szkół rodzenia w celu podnoszenia świadomości przyszłych rodziców.

Background. Lower back pain is one of the most common problems in the human body relat-ed to the disturbances of the motor organ’s structure and function. It challenges contemporary physiotherapy which aim is to reduce or, when possible, eliminate pain, restore fitness for eve-ryday life and prevent recurrences. The aim of the study was to compare two physiotherapy programmes in terms of lowering pain intensity, improvement of lumbar and thoracolumbar spine mobility, as well as functional ability in females with lumbar spine discopathy. Material and methods. The study included 100 women aged 45-50 with lumbar spine disco-pathy being treated in outpatient conditions. The patients were divided into two 50-subject groups depending on the programme used. The physiotherapy programme for group I patients included classic massage, kinesiotherapy and interferential currents, and in group II: classic massage, kinesiotherapy and ultrasound. The research tool was the Numeric Pain Rating Scale (NRS), the Roland Morris Disability Questionnaire (RMDQ) and measurements of lumbar and thoracolumbar spine mobility. The Wilcoxon and Mann-Whitney U tests were used for the analysis. Results. After completion of the physiotherapy programme, the women in group I experi-enced significantly lower pain (p=0.037) and higher functional efficiency (p=0,001). The range of improvement, assessed by the difference in the results of study II and III, was signif-icantly higher for the II group of women (p=0,002). One month after completion of therapeu-tic treatment, there were no statistically significant differences between the groups (p=0,169, p=0,067). Conclusions. The use of interferential currents in the physiotherapy of individuals with lum-bar spine discopathy compared to ultrasound therapy allows for greater improvement in reduc-ing pain intensity, lumbar and thoracolumbar spine mobility, as well as higher functional effi-ciency. The effectiveness of ultrasound had increased over time since the end of therapy and only after one month in the case of both physiotherapy programmes, similar effects could be observed.

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