Authors:Mark A. Romanick, Thomas Schuch, Brett J. Goodwin, Carma Hanson, Dennis Caine Pages: 1 - 14 Abstract: Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine frequency and distribution of sports- and recreation-related injuries (SRIs) affecting children and adolescents who visited a northern tier regional medical center emergency department during a 15-year period. Material and methods: A descriptive epidemiologic design was employed to retrospectively examine age, gender, month and year of injury, location of injury, sport/recreational activity, mechanism of injury, type and severity of injury, hospital admission and length of stay. Frequency of reported injuries were compared in categories of single factors using Chi-square tests of homogeneity. The impact of risk factors – gender, age class, and sport/activity – on incidence ratios were analyzed via Poisson regression. All statistical analyses were run in R. Results: Findings heretofore unreported or inconsistent with previous emergency department (ED) studies include a peak injury occurrence of SRIs during September; a preponderance of head/neck injuries and fractures and a higher percent of admitted patients; frequent occurrence of ice hockey injuries; increased severity of injury during ages 10-14; and a trend during 2000-2014 showing increased injury rate of various types of recreational injuries. Findings consistent with previous ED studies included variable distribution of injuries by age, gender and sport/activity; increased frequency of SRIs during ages 12-15 years and during the warmer months of the year; and trends of increased frequency of SRIs affecting females, increased injury rate of closed head injuries, and decreased occurrence of bicycle injuries during the study period. Further to these findings, several suggestions are made to inform and guide local injury prevention efforts and further research. Conclusions: Our study results provide information on a region-specific occurrence and distribution of SRIs in a northern tier hospital catchment area that can be valuable to guide regional injury prevention efforts and further research to evaluate specific patterns identified and success of prevention efforts. PubDate: 2023-02-09 DOI: 10.55225/hppa.471 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 4 (2023)
Authors:Adrian Gądek Pages: 15 - 26 Abstract: Introduction: The notion of the attitude towards physical culture covers many terms with narrower meanings. A more precisely defined meaning includes all its various elements such as the attitude towards one’s body, its physique, hygiene, fitness, various forms of rest and activity, etc. The aim of the research was to define the attitudes of youngsters graduating from secondary schools towards physical culture, physical education lessons and exercises. Material and methods: The research covered the senior year students from Tarnów who attended grammar schools, secondary technical schools and first degree vocational schools. The survey covered 751 students, 413 (55.0%) males and 338 (45.0%) females. The basic research method was a diagnostic survey. In order to obtain the necessary data which served to verify the hypotheses a survey technique was used with the following research tool: Questionnaire for testing the attitudes of young people towards physical culture S. Strzyżewski’s. Results: As the research showed each index of students’ attitudes towards physical culture was at the medium level, and the values ranged from 2.06 to 2.55 points. The average value of the global index of attitude amounted to 2.28 points. The highest result regarded the cognitive component (2.55), and the lowest average value was recorded in the case of the behavioural component (2.06). The greatest diversity of data was noticed in the behavioural component. Males obtained higher average values of the tested indices of attitudes than females. Conclusions: The obtained data show that the attitudes towards physical culture among the surveyed youngsters are shaped at a satisfying, although medium, level. The surveyed males obtained higher values both in individual components of the attitude and the global index. Secondary technical school students dominated over the other types of school. PubDate: 2023-02-09 DOI: 10.55225/hppa.474 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 4 (2023)
Authors:Andrzej Nosiadek, Barbara Gajer Pages: 27 - 37 Abstract: Objective: The aim of this study was to attempt to analyse the kinematic variables in the different phases of para-swim turnaround in swimming. Material and methods: two athletes with disabilities (classes S6 and S14) aged 16 and 21 years were studied. In each subject, three types of somersaults at different speeds to the wall were individually recorded with GOPRO cameras. The videos were processed using Kinovea software. Results: The phases of the para-swim flip turn were distinguished and the following kinematic variables were analysed: total recurrence time, wall swim speed and rebound speed, distance from the wall, immersion depth and rebound angle. The calculated values of the variables showed individual variation and were related to the type of disability of the athletes. Conclusions: The pivot phase proper, as the longest part of the para-swimming turnaround, together with the analysis of the variables, allows significant changes to be made in order to reduce the time of the para-swimming turnaround. The defined variables and their interrelationships significantly affect the execution of the turnaround. The angle of rebound and the speed of the athlete's rebound from the wall significantly determine the subsequent course and efficiency of the turnaround. The individualised analysis of the kinematic variables makes it possible to observe the overloads occurring during the para-swimming turnaround and thus enable immediate correction and minimise the risk of negative effects of intensive swimming training. PubDate: 2023-03-08 DOI: 10.55225/hppa.480 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 4 (2023)
Authors:Denis Arsovski Pages: 38 - 45 Abstract: Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a debilitating condition that affects the central nervous system and is most common in young people. Over time, the relapses associated with the disease can cause damage, and within ten years of onset, half of patients may experience progressive symptoms. Unfortunately, once a patient enters a progressive stage, there is no longer any improvement or remission, though some patients may experience a longer period of stability. Objectives: The goal of this study is to examine the relationship between social and sexual life in patients with multiple sclerosis, considering the progressive nature of the disease, the fluctuating psychological impact, and the impact on their reproductive abilities. Methods: The study utilized the Multiple Sclerosis Quality of Life Questionnaire to assess the participants. This questionnaire measures quality of life by asking generic and specific questions related to multiple sclerosis, with a total of 18 items addressing specific needs such as fatigue, cognitive function, sexual function, daily activities, social interaction, and more. Results: The results indicated that most women with multiple sclerosis reported decreased lubrication, while men’s main concern was satisfying their partner. The majority of participants reported being neither satisfied nor dissatisfied with their sexual and social life. The frequency of sexual dysfunction was found to be higher in women with multiple sclerosis compared to the general population, with decreased libido being the most commonly reported issue. Individuals with primary progressive multiple sclerosis were found to have significantly increased problems with sexual function. Conclusion: This study found a correlation between social and sexual life for individuals with multiple sclerosis. As their social life worsened, their sexual life and reproductive capacity were also negatively impacted. PubDate: 2023-02-09 DOI: 10.55225/hppa.476 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 4 (2023)
Authors:Markus Tannheimer, Raimund Lechner Pages: 46 - 53 Abstract: Mountain warfare has thousands of years of history and presents numerous challenges to military operations. History proves, that this environment has decreased combat strength, caused more casualties than the enemy in some operations and influenced war tactics significantly. Mountain warfare has an increasing frequency due to withdrawal areas for hostile forces, being home of ethnic minorities, being origin of many water supplies and being a natural frontier between countries. Mountains influence all warfighting functions, but especially movement and manoeuvre (mobility) and force protection (health support). To overcome the hardships of mountain warfare, special mountain units including support elements are mandatory, especially for health service support. PubDate: 2023-02-09 DOI: 10.55225/hppa.466 Issue No:Vol. 21, No. 4 (2023)