Search Results (5)

Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is a popular treatment in prevention as well as post-injury therapy. The parameter used to assess the risk of injury is the ability of the human body to absorb and recover energy (elasticity). Therefore, this study aimed to assess the impact of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) at 1 and 3 min intervals on the bioelectric activity of lower-limb muscles and countermovement jumps (CMJs) using trained subjects. A total of 24 individuals participated in the study. The mean age of the study group was 27.9 ± 7.9 years, mean body weight was 77.9 ± 8.8 kg, and mean body height was equal to 181 ± 6 cm. The training routine included 2–4 training sessions per week that lasted for at least 2 h at a time (mainly football). Along with the surface electromyography (sEMG) test of the rectus femoris, the BTS G-Sensor inertia measurement device was applied. After three minutes of WBC, a 6% difference in take-off force was noted, with a 7% (p < 0.04) decrease in elasticity. In the bioelectrical activity of the rectus femoris after MVC normalization, differences (p < 0.05) were noted 3 min after WBC. In this conducted study, a reduction in flexibility of the lower-limb muscle groups in the CMJ task was noted after 3 min of WBC. Full article

Psychomotor development in the first year of life is possible due to activity and then integration of primitive (neonatal) reflexes. The presence of active primitive reflexes (APRs) in preschool and school-aged children indicates neuromotor immaturity. Studies show dependencies between the preserved activity of primary reflexes and developmental problems such as learning difficulties (problems with reading, writing, reduced mathematics skills, and dyslexia), difficulties with coordination, and attention deficit. The primary purpose of this study is to present the activity of three tonic reflexes in a sample of 112 Polish children aged 4–6 in relation to their motor skills. The children were examined for the presence of the asymmetric tonic neck reflex (ATNR), symmetric tonic neck reflex (STNR), and tonic labyrinthine reflex (TLR). Motor performance was examined with the MOT 4–6. Statistical analysis shows an inverse correlation between the score in the test of reflexes and motor efficiency (MOT 4–6) at p < 0.05 (−0.33). Children with increased reflex activity presented a lower level of motor efficiency. The multiple regression model showed that with the older age of the child and the decrease in the level of reflex activity, the motor skills of children improve. Thus, there is a need for early screening of primitive reflexes in children. Properly selected exercises and therapeutic activities aimed at integrating APRs in children with developmental difficulties can improve their motor skills, perceptual abilities, and emotional behavior. Full article

The presence of active primitive reflexes (APRs) in healthy preschool children can be an expression of immaturity in the functioning of the nervous system. Their trace presence may not significantly affect the quality of child functioning. They may also undergo spontaneous and complete integration within the stages of child development. However, a higher level of active reflexes and their significant number can disturb sensory-motor development and lead to additional problems in a child’s motor activities, social life, and education. The main purpose of this study was to examine the types of sensory disorders noticed by parents of children, if any, that accompany the presence of active primitive reflexes. The study was conducted in a group of 44 preschool children (aged 4–6 years). The sensory profile of children was determined using Child Sensory Profile Cards, and Sally Goddard-Blythe tests were used to measure their primitive reflexes. The coefficient of determination (R-squared) indicated that the level of reflex activity was most strongly associated with sensory disorders such as dyspraxia, sensory-vestibular disorders, and postural disorders, at a level of p < 0.005. The obtained research results show that the examination of non-integrated reflexes might be a screening tool for children of preschool age. Knowledge of the subject of reflexes and their impact on sensory-motor functions may contribute to more accurate diagnoses of the causes of problems and higher effectiveness of possible therapy. Full article

This study involved a comparison of the perception of developmental difficulties in a child by the parents, the teacher, and through the child’s self-assessment. Based on the Institute for Neuro-Psychological Psychology (INPP) questionnaire according to S. Goddard Blythe, three groups were examined: schoolchildren, parents, and teachers. Each of them answered a set of 21 questions and assessed the degree of occurrence of a given difficulty for the child on a scale from 0 to 4. The questions concerned psychomotor problems related to balance, motor coordination and concentration, as well as school skills. In total, 49 questionnaires from children and parents and 46 from teachers were used for the study. The mean answer to each question was calculated within the following groups: child–parent, child–teacher, and parent–teacher. The sum of the children’s answer points was significantly higher than the sum of the parents’ answer points (p = 0.037). Children assessed their developmental difficulties more strongly than teachers, but this difference was not statistically significant. The individual difficulties of the children were assessed significantly more seriously or more gently than by the National Scientific Conference “Human health problems—causes, present state, ways for the future” speeches by 44 teacher participants on 5 June 2020. Parents and teachers also assessed the children’s difficulties significantly differently (p = 0.044). The biggest difference in answers concerned the question of maintaining attention. The obtained results indicate a significant difference in the perception of difficulties occurring in the same child by the teacher and the parent. The child’s behavior in school and home environments may be different and, depending on the requirements, assessed differently. Children perceive their difficulties much more seriously than adults. Talking and the support of adults can make it easier for a child to overcome developmental difficulties. Full article

Gait is one of the examined functions in child development. It should be economical and symmetrical. One test increasingly used by physiotherapists and pediatricians is asymmetrical tonic neck reflex (ATNR). Physiologically, it is observed from in utero up to six postnatal months. This reaction is inhibited with the growing maturation of the central nervous system (CNS). In some children, when the natural process of development is incorrect, ATNR manifests later in life, when it is observed as an automatic response of muscle tension to head rotation. Analysis of pelvis symmetry in the gait of children with active ATNR is important for better understanding their specific movements. In the gait of children with persistent ATNR, some variations are observed. The aim of the study was to investigate the gait symmetry of preschool children and the influence of persistent ATNR. Fifty preschool children with a trace form of ATNR were examined. The distribution of the gait parameters was determined using a BTS G-SENSOR measurement instrument. ATNR negatively influences pelvic obliquity and pelvic rotation (p < 0.01). Younger children have a statistically higher symmetry index of pelvis obliquity in the examined group (p = 0.015). Boys obtain a higher result of symmetry in pelvic tilt than girls in the group (p = 0.027). ATNR affects walking symmetry in preschool children, thus evaluation of the reflex activity and then proper therapy is required to support proper development. Full article