Volume 13 (2020): Edizione 24 (September 2020)

Introduction: Trigger points are defined as exquisitely tender spots in discrete taut bands of hardened muscle that produce symptoms. Trigger point therapy is increasingly accepted in the medical literature. Clinical and electrophysiological research has provided biological plausibility for the existence of trigger points.

Aim: The main purpose of this study was to determine the additional benefit of trigger point therapy on cervical pain, mobility and functionality in cervical spondylosis patients treated with physiotherapy.

Materials and methods: We conducted a 3-week interventional study on eighteen patients diagnosed with cervical spondylosis addressed to a physiotherapy clinic for treatment. After signing an informed consent, patients were randomly allocated into two groups: the study group - which had trigger point therapy added to the common physiotherapy treatment protocol and the control group - which benefited from common physiotherapy treatment only. All patients were evaluated using the Visual Analog Scale, Neck Disability Index and cervical mobility. All evaluations were made before treatment, after 2 weeks and 3 weeks of treatment.

Results: Both the study and control groups had significantly improved in pain, cervical mobility and physical function. The pain and functionality comparison at the end of the study, did not find significant differences between groups.

Conclusion: The study shows that adding trigger point therapy to common physiotherapeutic treatment is not followed by additional improvement in pain, mobility or physical function of patients with cervical spondylosis.

Introduction: Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, autoimmune, debilitating disease that affects the central nervous system, and the affected population is predominantly young. Over time, patients with multiple sclerosis end up developing an inability to perform physical activities, even the most basic, innate, such as walking or even coordination.

Purpose: Physical recovery of patients with multiple sclerosis, in fact, recovery from fatigue is the main goal of this study, because fatigue is a prevalent factor among these individuals, producing negative effects on the physical, mental, but also on the emotional status.

Method: We analyzed, from the point of view of the Modified Fatigue Impact Scale Test - 5-Item Version (MFIS-5), the level of fatigue in a group of 75 patients with multiple sclerosis, before and after a period of one month, where patients were divided into three groups and every group practiced one of the following sports activities: yoga, Tai Chi and aerobics.

Results: The effectiveness of each sport was analyzed, from the point of view of the level of fatigue, having as reference the first measurement performed before the beginning of the sports programs. A significant difference in effectiveness was found in the group of patients with multiple sclerosis who used yoga.

Conclusion: Our results provided evidence for the association of exercise methods that can affect beneficially the level of fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients, the most effective one being yoga.

Introduction: The bio-banding (BB) concept refers to the practice of grouping athletes based on attributes associated with growth and maturation instead of chronological age. Lately, the advantages and disadvantages of bio-banding are widely debated in the world of sports. Supporters of this method consider that this is a more correct way of grouping athletes giving greater equality in selection, training, and competition and so, decreasing the risk of injury. This paper

aims to increase awareness and interest in bio-banding and for this reason, we analyzed the existent evidence on this topic to highlight the benefits, implications, limitations, importance, and impediments when it comes to applying it in the sports field.

Methods: For the literature review, we used Google Academic as a search engine and bio-banding as the main keyword. We chose to document this concept only regarding boys because approaching both genders is much more complex if we take into account the differences in terms of growth and maturation. To have a clear line of research, we chose to study this concept in terms of applicability in football, being a sport that is highly popular in our country.

Results: After the primary analysis we selected a total of 20 relevant studies that were analyzed and discussed to establish and highlight the advantages and disadvantages of this method of selection and grouping in sports.

Conclusion: Bio-banding can be a missing jigsaw of the training for youth athletes but further longitudinal studies are needed in order to clarify the advantages of bio-banding use.

Introduction. There are only few articles in the literature that discuss or present the complications that occur after primary infection with Varicella-Zoster Virus. Most studies present the complications after the virus reactivates in people with shingles. Their approaches shows only the immediate medical perspective and not the intervention on the remaining of sequelae. The varicella-zoster virus can affect both children and adults, and the most effective way to prevent it is to administer the vaccine.

Aim. The purpose of this paper is to present the case of a 28-year-old young male who had a first infection with the Varicella-Zoster virus and he developed a series of symptoms (migraines, vertigo, tinnitus, insomnia, anxiety) that have seriously affected his quality of life.

Method. The Visual Analogue Scale of pain (VAS),Neck Disability Index-Vernon and Mior Cervical Spine Questionnaire (NDI) were used in the case assessment. As established treatment, Trigger Points Therapy, myofascial stretching (15 sessions) and physical therapy (10 sessions) were performed.

Results. Following the initial, intermediate and final evaluation, there was a marked decrease in the value of the VAS scale as well as the value of the DNI questionnaire, which represents the decrease of pain and increase of quality of life.

In conclusion, Trigger Points Therapy and myofascial stretching along with exercise can significantly reduce migraine pain and can help eliminate other symptoms such as tinnitus, vertigo, adynamism, even though, they occurred secondary to a viral infection.

Introduction: In basketball, ball possession can begin and end in many different ways, for example, ball possession may begin with an out-of-bounds, a stolen ball, a rebound etc, and may also end with a throw, a turnover or when the attack time has expired.

Aim: Starting from the working hypothesis that the backboard rebounds represent an important factor in gaining ball possession, we have proposed to identify and analyze the game parameters recorded in the national basketball leagues.

Material and methods: The theoretical documentation included explaining, based on specialized literature, terms related to ball possession. Also, in order to accomplish the purposes of this research, we have used statistical analysis (possession, arithmetic mean, amplitude) and graphical representation. This study focused on all teams participating in the 2019-2020 season of the National Basketball Leagues (16 men’s and 13 women’s teams).

Results: Following the analysis and centralization of the game parameters from the 146 games played in the men’s league and 144 games in the women’s league, we have identified the main ways of gaining ball possession.

Conclusions: Backboard rebounds represent the main way of gaining ball possession (which confirms the hypothesis).

Aim: The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the types of laterality and level of general intelligence in primary school children, aged six to eight years.

Methods: The sample consisted of 120 students, both boys and girls. General intelligence was measured using Raven’s Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM), while laterality was assessed using the Harris Test for lateral dominance.

Results: The results obtained highlight that the dominant type of laterality is RRR - completely right-handed with stably accomplished laterality (81 subjects), followed by RLR - crossed ocular-manual and stably accomplished laterality (29 subjects). The proportion of those with LLL laterality - completely left-handed with stably accomplished laterality is small (4 subjects). In terms of general intelligence, most participants had IQs that can be classified in the category of those with a higher level of intelligence (65 subjects), succeeded by those with a superior medium level (27 subjects).

Conclusion: Identifying the type of laterality and level of intelligence of children participating in physical education and sports classes is needed in order to leverage the intervention on the psychomotor components and to facilitate the process of adaptation of the child to the school environment.

Introduction: The COVID-19 Pandemic started in December 2019 in China and it affected millions of people, forcing them to radically change their lifestyle.

Aim: Thus, the idea of starting a study that evaluates the effects of the online media transfer on the life routine of PESF-WUT students was outlined, becoming the purpose of the present paper.

Material and methods: This study consisted of analyzing a developed questionnaire applied on a study group of 334 students from PESF–WUT, which evaluated 3 aspects of our students’ life: the educational aspect, physical activity and leisure time.

Results: The results revealed that COVID-19 Pandemic was a major life changing factor for our students, affecting all aspects of their daily routines. The evaluation of behavior regarding physical activity revealed that this component of our students’ life is of great importance in both the educational and leisure aspects of life.

Conclusion: The study revealed that face to face, interpersonal contact has a great impact for both educational performance and the psychological and social aspect, by keeping the level of motivation at high standards. Last but not least, physical activity performed even in unusual conditions, such as Pandemic lockdowns has a great influence on stress management.

Introduction: The close relationship between technology and sports is not necessarily modern. The ancient Greeks had the idea of sculpting and making an extraordinarily aerodynamic object in the form of a disc, an early masterpiece that has remained largely unchanged to this day.

Purpose: This paper aims to show the importance of monitoring training using technological tools, so as to result in a beneficial effect on athletes.

Materials and methods: In order to carry out this research, 32 athletes, boxing practitioners for at least two years, and with at least one year of preparation for participating in domestic and international competitions, were selected. Subjects were divided into two groups, one that was subjected to research (experimental) composed of 12 athletes aged 15 to 18 years, and the other composed of 20 athletes aged between 15 and 18 years.

Results: The average scores for the four parameters of the experiment group (N= 12) (Forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), M = 6.95, AS = 0.53; peak expiratory flow (PEF) M = 9.43, AS = 1.35; Right direct punch (MYO_DRP) M = 588.33, AS = 181.94; respectively the left direct punch (MYO_STG) M = 546.75, AS = 136.82) were significantly higher than those of the control group (N=20) (FEV, M = 5.46, AS = 1.22; PEF M = 7.33, AS = 1.43; MYO_DRP M = 426.55, AS = 151.68; MYO_STG M = 406.50, AS = 139.13, respectively).

Conclusions: Based on the analysed data, we can say that our hypothesis that continuous implementation and monitoring of training plans using technological means will lead to the improvement of the indices pursued in the research, is confirmed. Thus, the group that underwent a training regime using certain technological tools recorded significantly higher values at the end of the programme in comparison with the control group. However, we could see that the use of devices during training, which require them to be fitted every time on the athlete, leads to an extension of training duration and takes the athlete out of the training state. To remove this shortcoming it would be useful to integrate these equipments into a system that incorporates them all.

Introduction: In adulthood, the stages of personality formation and definition continue. This represents the age of full assertion and achievement of individuality, both professionally and in terms of self-devaluation. Also, during this period, physical effort becomes an important factor in maintaining and balancing all body functions.

The aim of the paper consists of a comparative analysis of the personality of adults who practice sports activities and of those who do not practice sports activities.

Methods: in order to achieve the proposed objectives, two questionnaires were used to identify the level of stress and self-esteem in people involved in research, who practice sports and who do not practice sports.

Results: We found that people who practice sports activities have a high self-esteem, compared to those who do not practice sports activities. Also, concerning the same subjects, the level of stress is higher in people who do not practice a sport, compared to those who practice a sport.

Conclusions: We consider that this study is useful for all people who want to practice sports, to realize the physical and mental benefits.