General Physical Performance Research Articles

Relación entre las características de la composición corporal y el rendimiento físico general y específico en competidores de taekwondo chilenos de nivel nacional de ambos sexos: un estudio observacional

Introducción: El objetivo fue examinar la relación entre las características de la composición corporal y el rendimiento físico general y específico en competidores de TKD de nivel nacional de Chile de ambos sexos. Material y métodos: Diseño observacional con 14 competidores de diferentes categorías de peso corporal y que compiten habitualmente en torneos de nivel regional y nacional edad 19 (3) años; talla 164 (10) cm; peso corporal 62 (10) kg; años de experiencia 7,2 (2,9) años participaron en este estudio. Se evaluaron el peso corporal (kg) (PC), la masa grasa (kg), (MG), el porcentaje de masa grasa (%MG), la masa muscular (kg) (MM) y el índice de masa corporal (kg/m2) (IMC). Variables del RF general incluyeron squat jump (cm) (SJ), countermovement jump (cm) (CMJ), velocidad lineal en 5-m (s) (5-M) y 20-m shuttle run test (min) (20MSR) y de forma específica la prueba de agilidad específica en taekwondo (s) (TSAT) y la prueba de velocidad de frecuencia múltiple de patadas (FSKTMULT), específicamente el índice de disminución de patadas (FSKTMULT KDI %) y el número máximo de patadas ejecutadas (FSKTMULT MAX). Resultados: Se documentó una relación grande significativa (p < 0,00) entre el %MG, la MG y la MM y la mayoría de las variables de rendimiento físico general analizadas. Relaciones grandes significativas (p < 0,05) se observaron entre %MG, la MG y la MM y la prueba TSAT. Una relación grande significativa se documentó entre la MM y FSKTMULT MAX (p<0,03) y entre la MG y FSKTMULT KDI % (p<0,04). Correlaciones moderadas a bajas se observaron entre el PC y el IMC en la mayoría de las variables de rendimiento físico analizadas. Conclusiones: Los datos sugieren que un bajo %MG y MG seguido de una adecuada MM están relacionados con el rendimiento físico general específico en competidores chilenos de TKD de nivel nacional de ambos sexos.

Physical therapy of athletes with diaphysis shin bone fractures after intramedullary osteosynthesis (based on team sports games)

The aim of the work was to evaluate the effectiveness of a physical therapy program for athletes specializing in team sports games with diaphysis fractures of the shin after intramedullary osteosynthesis.Materials and methods. Experimental studies were conducted with athletes in game sports (n = 58) with diaphyseal fractures of the tibia, who were treated in the Department of Traumatology and Orthopedics of the Clinical Hospital № 7, Kyiv, SI “Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics NAMS of Ukraine”, sports clinic injuries of NUFVSU during 2014–2019. Methods of analysis and generalization of literature sources were used; method of anthropometric measurements to determine the comprehensiveness of a healthy and injured limb; goniometry method for measuring the available range of motion in the knee joint of a healthy and injured limb; myotonometry method to determine the tone of the quadriceps femoris; testing to calculate the symmetry index of the lower extremities (LSI ‒ Lower Extremity Symmetry Index); methods of mathematical statistics.Results. The developed complex program of physical therapy is a cycle of restorative measures that meet the achievement of previous functionality, meets the requirements for the level of motor skills, general and special physical performance of athletes, and meets their personal ideas about the quality of life. Evaluation of the effectiveness of the physical therapy program allows us to state that in BG the normative values were reached by 25 out of 29 athletes (86.21 %), in CG ‒ 19 athletes out of 29 (65.52 %), which indicates the high efficiency of the proposed physical therapy program.Conclusions. In the process of forming physical therapy programs for patients ‒ athletes with diaphysis fractures of the tibia after intramedullary osteosynthesis, therapeutic exercises should be grouped depending on the specific objectives of rehabilitation measures and their predominant focus: to restore motor function; to restore general physical fitness; to restore special physical fitness; to restore basic motor skills and abilities; to restore special motor skills and abilities in accordance with the specifics of training and competitive activities in sports games.

The effect of dual-task training on cognition of people with different clinical conditions: An overview of systematic reviews

BackgroundThe number of patients with cognitive impairment increases as the population becomes older. This perspective may persist a burden on health care systems unless considered new options of prevention and treatment. The aim of this meta-synthesis is to analyze different systematic reviews on the effectiveness of dual-task training (DTT) on cognition and motor function of different people. MethodsA systematic search of systematic reviews published until October 2019 was conducted in PubMed/Medline, Scopus and Cochrane databases addressing studies which investigated the effect of DTT compared to control or other intervention on cognitive functions of healthy or unhealthy individuals. Three steps were followed to retrieve studies: reading title, abstract and full text. Checklist Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) was used to assess the quality of selected articles. ResultsIn terms of quality of evidence, according to AMSTAR, 62.5 % of the reviews were rated as being “low” and 37.5 % were graded as “moderate” quality. Two main themes were identified among the studies’ outcomes: Improvement on mobility performance or postural stability; and beneficial effect on cognitive function. In terms of effect size, there were reported an important variation, having more significant results for findings involving mobility and modest effect for findings regarding cognitive function. ConclusionPeople with different clinical conditions could benefit from dual-task training. The benefits may encompass general cognitive functions, memory, physical performance, gait and balance, to name a few aspects.

Physical and performance variables for talent identification in water polo.

The aim of this work was to compare anthropometric and general physical performance variables in young water polo athletes of three competitive levels, to identify the characteristic qualities and, therefore, the best variables for the identification of talent. Fifty-seven young male water polo players between 12 and 14 years old were recruited for the study: 18 were recreational level (REC), 18 sub-elite level (SE) and 21 elite level (EL). To assess anthropometric characteristics the following measurements were used: body mass, height, waist circumference, hip circumference, chest circumference and arm span. Five general performance measures were used: counter movement jump (CMJ), triple hop jump (THJ), push up, chin up and sit up. Relative age was assessed. The whole sample was homogeneous by age (REC 13.1±0.4, SE 13.2±1.0, EL 13.3±0.7 years old) but not in terms of relative age: most of the members of the SE and EL groups were born in the first half of the year. Body mass values (REC 48.2±11.6, SE 59.3±11.6, EL 69.1±4.2 kg) show statistically significant differences between all three competitive levels (REC vs. SE P=0.007, REC vs. EL P=0.001, SE vs. EL P=0.009). As regards the other anthropometric measurements differences were mainly observed between REC and the two other groups: SE and EL had statistically significant higher values in almost all of the measurements carried out. Among the performance measures, lower limb strength (CMJ and THJ) seems to better differentiate between groups: REC group had lower values than the others and EL had the highest values. Anthropometric characteristics are useful to distinguish the basic level of youth categories from higher competitive levels and should be used for talent selection. The performance results confirm that the subjects' capacity to be trained and sporting practice are essential to reach the elite level.

Correlations of time indicators of thigh rheogram with anthropometric dimensions in volleyball players of different somatotypes

The constitutional features of the organism are an essential lever of sports performance, because they affect the general and special physical performance, aerobic productivity and efficiency of energy supply systems, in particular the indicators of central and peripheral hemodynamics. The aim of the study was to establish the features of the relationships between the temporal parameters of the rheovasogram of the thigh and anthropometric indices in highly qualified young women volleyball players, who belong to different constitutional types. An anthropo-somatotypological study of 113 high-level volleyball players of youth age (from 16 to 20 years old) was conducted. Anthropometric research was carried out by the method of V.V. Bunak (1941), somatotypological – by the calculated modification of the method of Heath-Carter (1990). According to the results of somatotyping, it was found that 29 volleyball players belonged to the mesomorphic type of constitution, to the ectomorphic type – 26 volleyball players, to the ecto-mesomorphic type – 27 volleyball players, to the middle intermediate type – 26 volleyball players, to endo-mesomorphic type – only 5 people. Rheovasographic parameters of the thigh were determined using tetrapolar rheocardiography on a computer diagnostic complex. Estimation of temporal rheovasographic parameters was performed according to the method of Ronkin and Ivanov [1997]. The analysis of the obtained results was performed in the licensed program “Statistica 5.5” using Spearman’s correlation analysis. We found that in volleyball players of mesomorphs with indicators of external body structure, the temporal parameters of the thigh rheovasogram had few reliable mostly medium strength, direct correlations, except for the time of the ascending part of the rheogram and slow blood supply. In volleyball players of ectomorphic somatotype, the established relationships indicate that with increasing diameters of the pelvis and girth of the forearm, crus, thighs, there will be an elongation of the time parameters of the rheovasogram of the thigh. Volleyball players with an ecto-mesomorphic somatotype of the body showed a fairly large number of reliable inverse correlations, the thickness of the skin and fat folds is inversely proportional to the most time parameters of the thigh rheovasogram, except for the time of slow blood supply. Volleyball players of the intermediate somatotype, compared with other observation groups, found the most numerous relationships between anthropometric size and time indicators of the rheovasogram.

Effects of Caffeine on High-Intensity Functional Training Performance

Caffeine demonstrates an ergogenic effect on endurance exercise performance, however, limited information exists establishing its efficacy during high-intensity functional training (HIFT). HIFT is an exercise program that incorporates a variety of multi-joint movements performed at a relatively high-intensity and designed to improve parameters of general physical fitness and performance. PURPOSE: Our study aimed to determine the effects of caffeine on HIFT performance. METHODS: 13 HIFT-trained men (age = 28.5 ± 6.6 years, HIFT experience = 4.1 ± 3.0 years, body weight= 84.3 ± 9.9 kg) were randomized in a double-blind, crossover design. After consent, participants completed two HIFT sessions separated by a 7-day washout period, 60-minutes after consuming 5mg/kg of caffeine or a placebo. During HIFT sessions, participants completed as-many-rounds-as-possible in 20 minutes of 5 pull-ups, 10 push-ups, and 15 air squats, with performance measured as the number of rounds completed (30 repetitions = 1 round). Paired-samples t-tests were used to compare HIFT performance between the caffeine and placebo conditions and to test for a potential learning effect between the first and second sessions. RESULTS: Participants significantly improved HIFT performance during the caffeine trial (15.3 ± 3.6 rounds) as compared to placebo (14.3 ± 3.0 rounds), t(12) = -2.783, p < 0.05. The eta squared statistic (0.39) indicated a large effect size. Moreover, no significant learning effect was identified between the first and second sessions (14.9 ± 3.2 vs. 14.7 ± 3.5 rounds, p = 0.73). CONCLUSION: Caffeine elicited an ergogenic response during HIFT in HIFT-trained men, with no identifiable learning effect, which is useful for competitive HIFT athletes aiming to optimize performance. However, future investigations should establish the efficacy of caffeine during varying-duration HIFT sessions and among female HIFT athletes.

Testing Specific Physical Performance in Male Team Handball Players and the Relationship to General Tests in Team Sports.

Wagner, H, Sperl, B, Bell, JW, and von Duvillard, SP. Testing specific physical performance in male team handball players and the relationship to general tests in team sports. J Strength Cond Res 33(4): 1056-1064, 2019-Team handball is exemplified by frequent changes in intensities and different complex movements during games, whereas physical performance has often been tested predominantly using standardized general tests. The study aimed (a) to determine the relationship between specific and general physical performance as well as between specific aerobic capacity and agility, and (b) to ascertain the relevance of these tests for strength and conditioning professionals. Seventy-two male indoor court players performed a game-based performance test (GBPT) including team handball-specific techniques, upper-body and lower-body strength tests, a 30-m sprint test, a countermovement jump Abalakov (CMJA) test (with arm swing), and an incremental treadmill-running test. To assess the specific physical performance using the general test performance, we used linear regression calculations. In addition, a principal component factor analysis was calculated. Linear regression analyses revealed a low correlation (R < 0.5) between specific and general aerobic performance, 30-m sprinting time and specific agility in the GBPT, jump height in the CMJA test and jump height in the jump shot, as well as isokinetic shoulder rotation torque and ball velocity in the jump shot. However, a moderate correlation (R > 0.5) was found between specific aerobic performance and specific agility in the GBPT. Principal component factor analysis yielded separate components for specific and general physical performance with a cumulative variance of 69%. The results of this study clearly indicated that general and team handball-specific performance are separate components. Recommendations to strength and conditioning professionals and coaches in team handball were presented.

The Effect of Physiotherapy in the Treatment of Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis

Background. Juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) is the most common and most diffcult chronic rheumatic disease in children. Exercise helps to avoid joint deformities or corrects them, also reduces pain and disease activity, normalizes physical function, growth and development, improves the patient’s quality of life. So far, there is no consensus on what kind of exercise is appropriate for children with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Goal of the research. To defne the most often applied physiotherapy techniques and their impact on the treatment of children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis analysing and summarizing scientifc articles. Methods. Twelve articles have been analysed. Systemic literature overview involved the articles on clinical research which were selected in the light of the following criteria: children with juvenile’s idiopathic arthritis; classic clinical tests performed; application of different physical exercises and survey of their accessibility; Childhood Health Assessment questionnaire; language and year of publication (2000–2015). Results. Research participants in the selected articles were 525 research children and adolescents with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Their mean age ± SD was 11.2 ± 2.9 years (range 4–21 years). There were 348 (66%) girls and 177 (34%) boys. Aquatic therapy and Pilates workout had the strongest effect on pain relief, general physical performance and life quality, whereas balance and proprioception exercises had the best effect on balance and mobility. The results showed that regular physical exercises did not increase pain, they reduced the number of swollen joints, they were safe and effcient, also, that high-intensity aerobic exercises did not provide additional benefts, so it may suggest that low-intensity exercise program is more suitable for children with JIA because it is a slow and mild. Conclusion. Analysis of 12 articles have shown that general physical exercises (33.5%) and aquatic therapy (33.5%) are used most often, whereas balance-proprioception exercises are less frequent (17%), Pilates workout (8%) and Qigong relaxation (8%) are used very rarely. The most effcient methods for the improvement of general physical performance, quality of life, and reducing pain include aquatic therapy, Pilates workout and Qigong therapy. Balance-proprioception exercises are proved to be most effective in the improvement of mobility and balance.Keywords: juvenile idiopathic arthritis, physical exercises, training, physiotherapy, physical condition, life quality.

Neutronic analysis of silicon carbide cladding accident-tolerant fuel assemblies in pressurized water reactors

In resonance with the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident lesson, a novel fuel design to enhance safety regarding severe accident scenarios has become increasingly appreciated in the nuclear power industry. This research focuses on analysis of the neutronic properties of a silicon carbide (SiC) cladding fuel assembly, which provides a greater safety margin as a type of accident-tolerant fuel for pressurized water reactors. The general physical performance of SiC cladding is explored to ascertain its neutronic performance. The neutron spectrum, accumulation of 239Pu, physical characteristics, temperature reactivity coefficient, and power distribution are analyzed. Furthermore, the influences of a burnable poison rod and enrichment are explored. SiC cladding assemblies show a softer neutron spectrum and flatter power distribution than conventional Zr alloy cladding fuel assemblies. Lower enrichment fuel is required when SiC cladding is adopted. However, the positive reactivity coefficient associated with the SiC material remains to be offset. The results reveal that SiC cladding assemblies show broad agreement with the neutronic performance of conventional Zr alloy cladding fuel. In the meantime, its unique physical characteristics can lead to improved safety and economy.

Architectural and functional specifics of the human triceps surae muscle in vivo and its adaptation to microgravity.

Long-term exposure to microgravity (μG) is known to reduce the strength of a skeletal muscle contraction and the level of general physical performance in humans, while little is known about its effect on muscle architecture. Architectural and contractile properties of the triceps surae (TS) muscle were determined in vivo for male cosmonauts in response ( n = 8) to a spaceflight (213.0 ± 30.5 days). The maximal voluntary contraction (MVC), tetanic tension ( Ро), and voluntary and electrically evoked contraction times and force deficiency (Pd) were determined. The ankle was positioned at 15° dorsiflexion (-15°) and 0, 15, and 30° plantar flexion, with the knee set at 90°. At each position, longitudinal ultrasonic images of the medial (MG) and lateral (LG) gastrocnemius and soleus (SOL) muscles were obtained while the subject was relaxed. After a spaceflight, MVC and Pо decreased by 42 and 26%, respectively, and Pd increased by 50%. The rate of tension of a voluntary contraction substantially reduced but evoked contractions remained unchanged. In the passive condition, fiber length ( Lf) changed from 43, 57, and 35 mm (knee, 0°; ankle, -15°) to 34, 38, and 25 mm (knee, 0°; ankle, 30°) for MG, LG, and SOL, respectively, and Θf changed from 27, 21, and 23° (knee, 0°; ankle, -15°) to 43, 29, and 34° (knee, 0°; ankle, 30°) for MG, LG, and SOL, respectively. Different Lf and Θf, and their changes after spaceflight, might be related to differences in force-producing capabilities of the muscles and elastic characteristics of tendons and aponeuroses. NEW & NOTEWORTHY The present work was the first to combine measuring the fiber length and pennation angle (ultrasound imaging) as main determinants of mechanical force production and evaluating the muscle function after a long-duration spaceflight. The results demonstrate that muscles with different functional roles may differently respond to unloading, and this circumstance is important to consider when planning rehabilitation after unloading of any kind, paying particular attention to postural muscles.

Chemotherapy-induced fatigue estimation using hidden Markov model

Chemotherapy-induced fatigue undermines the physical performance and alter gait behaviour of patients. In clinics, there is not a well-established method to objectively assess the effects of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on gait characteristics. Clinical trials commonly use 6 Minute Walking Tests (6MWT) to assess patients’ gait. However, these studies only measure the distance that patients can walk. The distance does not provide comprehensive information about variations in ambulatory motion characteristics and body postural behaviour which can more appropriately describe the fatigue effects on general physical performance. Gait characteristics provide a manifestation of relationships between muscular and cardiovascular fitness status and physical motions. Hence, an assessment of gait characteristics provides more appropriate information about the effects of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on gait behaviour. A novel approach is proposed to objectively assess the impacts of chemotherapy-induced fatigue on cancer gait by analysing the gait characteristics during 6MWT. The joint angles of the lower body segments are measured by inertial sensors and modelled through a Hidden Markov Model (HMM) with Gaussian emissions. A Gaussian clustering method classifies the joint angles of first gait cycle to determine the six gait phases of a normal gait as initial training values. A comparison of gait characteristics before and after chemotherapy-induced fatigue determines the gait abnormalities. The method is applied to four cancer patients and outcomes are benchmarked against the gait of a healthy subject before and after running program-induced fatigue. The results indicate a more accurate quantitative-based tool to measure the effects of chemotherapy-induce fatigue on gait and physical performance.

Physical Performance in Elite Male and Female Team-Handball Players.

Biological differences between men and women are well known; however, literature addressing knowledge about the influence of sex on specific and general performance in team handball is almost nonexistent. Consequently, the aim of the study was to assess and compare specific and general physical performance in male and female elite team-handball players, to determine if the differences are consequential for general compared with specific physical performance characteristics and the relationship between general and specific physical performance. Twelve male and 10 female elite team-handball players performed a game-based performance test, upper- and lower-body strength and power tests, a sprinting test, and an incremental treadmill running test. Significant differences (P < .05) between male and female players were found for peak oxygen uptake and total running time during the treadmill test, 30-m sprinting time, leg-extension strength, trunk- and shoulder-rotation torque, and countermovement-jump height, as well as offense and defense time, ball velocity, and jump height in the game-based performance test. An interaction (sex × test) was found for time and oxygen uptake, and except shoulder-rotation torque and ball velocity in women, the authors found only a low relationship between specific and general physical performance. The results of the study revealed that male players are heavier, taller, faster, and stronger; jump higher; and have better aerobic performance. However, female players performed relatively better in the team-handball-specific tests than in the general tests. The findings also suggest that female players should focus more on strength training.

Physical development and general physical performance of children at the age of 5 – 10 years

Physical development and general physical performance of children at the age of 5 – 10 years

CSM 2017 Orthopaedic Section Platform Presentations (Abstracts OPL1–OPL64)

CSM 2017 Orthopaedic Section Platform Presentations (Abstracts OPL1–OPL64)

Lower Magnetization Transfer Ratio in the Forceps Minor Is Associated with Poorer Gait Velocity in Older Adults.

Gait disturbances in the elderly are disabling and a major public health issue but are poorly understood. In this multimodal MR imaging study, we used 2 voxel-based analysis methods to assess the voxelwise relationship of magnetization transfer ratio and white matter hyperintensity location with gait velocity in older adults. We assessed 230 community-dwelling participants of the Austrian Stroke Prevention Family Study. Every participant underwent 3T MR imaging, including magnetization transfer imaging. Voxel-based magnetization transfer ratio-symptom mapping correlated the white matter magnetization transfer ratio of each voxel with gait velocity. To assess a possible relationship between white matter hyperintensity location and gait velocity, we applied voxel-based lesion-symptom mapping. We found a significant association between the magnetization transfer ratio within the forceps minor and gait velocity (β = 0.134; 95% CI, 0.011-0.258; P = .033), independent of demographics, general physical performance, vascular risk factors, and brain volume. White matter hyperintensities did not significantly change this association. Our study provides new evidence for the importance of magnetization transfer ratio changes in gait disturbances at an older age, particularly in the forceps minor. The histopathologic basis of these findings is yet to be determined.

Cognitive-Behavioral–Based Physical Therapy for Patients With Chronic Pain Undergoing Lumbar Spine Surgery: A Randomized Controlled Trial

The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of a cognitive-behavioral–based physical therapy (CBPT) program for improving outcomes in patients after lumbar spine surgery. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 86 adults undergoing a laminectomy with or without arthrodesis for a lumbar degenerative condition. Patients were screened preoperatively for high fear of movement using the Tampa Scale for Kinesiophobia. Randomization to either CBPT or an education program occurred at 6 weeks after surgery. Assessments were completed pretreatment, posttreatment and at 3-month follow-up. The primary outcomes were pain and disability measured by the Brief Pain Inventory and Oswestry Disability Index. Secondary outcomes included general health (SF-12) and performance-based tests (5-Chair Stand, Timed Up and Go, 10-Meter Walk). Multivariable linear regression analyses found that CBPT participants had significantly greater decreases in pain and disability and increases in general health and physical performance compared with the education group at the 3-month follow-up. Results suggest a targeted CBPT program may result in significant and clinically meaningful improvement in postoperative outcomes. CBPT has the potential to be an evidence-based program that clinicians can recommend for patients at risk for poor recovery after spine surgery. PerspectiveThis study investigated a targeted cognitive-behavioral–based physical therapy program for patients after lumbar spine surgery. Findings lend support to the hypothesis that incorporating cognitive-behavioral strategies into postoperative physical therapy may address psychosocial risk factors and improve pain, disability, general health, and physical performance outcomes.

The psychometric viability of measures of functional performance commonly employed for older adults with dementia: a systematic review of measurement properties protocol.

REVIEW QUESTION / OBJECTIVE Are the measures of functional performance that are used within populations of adults with dementia psychometrically sound? More specifically, the objective is to: Review the reliability, validity and responsiveness of common measures of functional performance that are used in exercise interventions for adults with dementia. INCLUSION CRITERIA Types of participants Participants will be adults, aged 65 years and older, with a confirmed medical diagnosis of dementia. While no specific aetiology of disease will be targeted, any study that provides such details will be reported on. Studies that include dementia as only part of the sample will be included in this review, but will be differentiated from dementia specific studies. Types of intervention(s)/phenomena of interest The following measures have been identified as common measures used within exercise-based interventions for older adults with dementia from a recent JBI systematic review. General physical function Performance Orientated Mobility Assessment Senior Fitness Test Short Physical Performance Battery Strength 1RM Leg Press Grip Strength Standing from Floor Balance BERG Balance Test 1 Leg Balance Mobility 2min walk 6min walk 800m walk Gait parameters of Stride Length, Cadence and Double Limb Support Time Walk Speed Stair climbs Timed Up and Go Flexibility Sit and Reach Back Scratch Test These are the main outcome measures that are of interest to this review because they are commonly employed and presented on in dementia and exercise intervention literature. Types of outcomes Studies that examined the reliability, validity and sensitivity/responsiveness of measurement tools TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS

The Level of General Physical Performance and Physical Development of 10-Year-Old Pupils

The Level of General Physical Performance and Physical Development of 10-Year-Old Pupils

The level of general physical performance and physical development of 7 and 10-year-old boys and girls

Cillik, I., Kollar, R., Kremnický, J., Pivovarnicek, P., & Mandzakova, M. (2015). The level of general physical performance and physical development of 7 and 10-year-old boys and girls. J. Hum. Sport Exerc., 9(Proc1), pp.S259-S268. This contribution deals with the level of general physical performance and physical development of 7 and 10-year-old pupils attending primary schools. The sample consisted of pupils from all primary schools in Banska Bystrica: 492 pupils attending the 1 st grade and 433 pupils attending the 4 th grade. The following indicators of general physical performance were monitored: sit-andreach, standing long jump, sit-ups in 30 s, flexed arm hang, shuttle run 4x10 meters, endurance shuttle run. Also basic somatic indicators such as body height, body weight and BMI were found out. In both age categories we found out that male pupils achieved better level in five tests of general physical performance: standing long jump, sit-up, flexed arm hang, shuttle-run 4 x 10 m and endurance shuttle-run. At the age of 7, male pupils are statistically significantly better in three tests (p<0.05) and at the age of 10, they are better in four tests (p<0.05). Girls achieve statistically significantly better level of trunk flexibility (p<0.05). 7-years old boys and girls achieve better level of joint flexibility than10-years old boys and girls. In other tests, the 10-year-old boys and girls are better. Key words: PHYSICAL EDUCATION, PRIMARY SCHOOLS, THE 1ST GRADE PUPILS, THE 4TH GRADE PUPILS, TESTING OF GENERAL PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE, SOMATIC INDICATORS

The application of the pulsed low-frequency electrostatic field for the combined treatment of the children presenting with bronchial asthma

The objective of the present study was to develop a scientifically sound rationale for the application of the pulsed low-frequency electrostatic fields (PLIESF) for the combined treatment of the children presenting with bronchial asthma and the comparative assessment of the effectiveness of the use of this method either as monotherapy or together with therapeutic physical exercises based on the immediate and long-term results of the treatment. The dynamic clinical observations and special investigations were carried out on 101 children at the age varying from 5 to 15 years who suffered from bronchial asthma. PLIESF were shown to produce the beneficial effect on dynamics of clinical symptoms in the children manifested as the disappearance or reduced frequency of episodes of laborious respiration and the improvement of sputum discharge, auscultation picture, bronchial patency, and respiratory excursions of the chest. The application of PLIESF significantly increased the level of the general physical performance in the children with bronchial asthma, improved the functional conditions of the cardiovascular system, normalized both the cardiac rhythm and the heart rate. It was shown based on the analysis of the short-term and long-term outcomes of the treatment that the combined therapy with the use of the two physical factors, i.e. the pulsed low-frequency electrostatic fields and therapeutic physical exercises, ensures the significantly higher effectiveness of the treatment than the separate application of either of them.