Volume 13 (2020): Edizione 25 (December 2020)

The level of anxiety can influence the performance obtained by the group and can also affect the communication and cohesion of the team. Recent studies proved that a high level of anxiety could lead to failure in sports performance and disturbance in group relationships.

The study aimed to analyze and reduce the level of anxiety in a basketball team U18 of CSM Medias, following the idea that reducing the personal anxiety level of each player can lead to better group cohesion and performance.

The research methods used in our experiment were the SCAT questionnaire and psychological therapy, that analyzed the level of anxiety in sports competition.

The results of the investigation showed that after discovering the initial level of anxiety (22.42), using the SCAT questionnaire, and by performing several sessions of psychological therapy and group therapy, we managed to reduce the anxiety level at the final examination (20.83). Also, we achieved an improvement in group cohesion and communicational level.

Anxiety level can affect group performance and team results; our study highlighted the idea that the early discovery of malfunction in group collaboration and also in individual anxiety levels can lead to better team performance and also improve the cohesion and communication level.

Women’s artistic gymnastics is a sport that has experienced a continuous evolution over the years, both from a technical point of view and from the point of view of the correctness of the executions. Flexibility, strength, dexterity, and many other motor qualities are present in this sport. Danilova or “free (aerial) walkover forward” is an acrobatic flight element in artistic gymnastics. This element can be executed both on the floor and on the balance beam, but most frequently on the beam, being an element of difficulty D (0.4 points).

13 artistic gymnasts, components of junior and senior Romanian Olympic teams (age: 14 ± 1.93 years, height: 149.35 ± 7.94 cm, weight: 40.01 ± 7.41 kg) were recruited for the study. The gymnasts performed the free (aerial) walkover forward (Danilova) element on the floor. To record the element for obtaining the three-dimensional kinematic data analysis, gymnasts have been equipped with a multiple sensor suit. Data collection consisted of gathering data simultaneously from all 17 sensors. In order to get accurate data regarding the range of motion in joint angles, motion trackers were positioned on segments, in special locations.

Our data show that during the final phase of the execution of the free (aerial) walkover forward element, all gymnasts presented the extension of the spinal column, at two different moments: i) when the foot comes in contact with the ground, in the landing phase and ii) when lifting the torso in the final stage of the landing phase, respectively. Our results revealed that the second extension is significantly greater than the first one in all gymnasts (maximal spinal extension (M.S.E.): -46.76 ± 2.521) vs. spinal extension at foot contact (S.E.F.C.)-39.32 ± 2.309, p<0.05). The data analysis showed that there is no correlation between the S.E.F.C and the length of the Danilova element. The hip joint angle was in moderate positive correlation with the M.S.E. (Pearson r= 0.5808, R²= 0.3374), but not with the S.E.F.C. (Pearson r= -0.304, R²= 0.09243). The completion of the element is the result of either mobility of the spine or compensation due to hip extension. The length of the Danilova element was not found to be correlated with neither of the parameters (hip extension S.E.F.C, M.S.E.). A lower degree of mobility of the lumbar area is not an impediment in performing an accurate Danilova element, some gymnasts being able to perform a significantly shorter element (the found length range of the Danilova element within the study group is 0.94-1.43 m).

A good performance of free (aerial) walkover forward is possible either in the case of increased mobility at the level of the lumbar spine or, with the help of compensation in the mobility of the hip joint. The secondary spinal extension is presented as a cofactor with an assistance role during the stage of returning to the initial position.

Back pain in adolescents has become an increasingly common cause of presenting oneself for examination at the medical recovery service for diagnosis and appropriate therapeutic conduct, sometimes being the first and only symptom present.

We conducted a retrospective study that took into consideration the quantification of the number of adolescents suffering from back pain secondary to idiopathic scoliotic deviation for a 3-year period, and the identification of favoring/determining factors of this pathology, as well as highlighting the importance of the rehabilitation treatment applied to them.

67 adolescents with back pain secondary to idiopathic scoliosis participated in medical rehabilitation programs of 10 daily sessions, every 6 months in the Medical Rehabilitation Department of the “Louis Țurcanu” Emergency Clinical Hospital for Children in Timișoara for a period of 12 months (from 02.2019 to 01.2020) and daily at home - individualized/adapted exercise programme.

We emphasize the importance of the medical rehabilitation team in the management of back pain secondary to idiopathic scoliosis in adolescents, and the identification and fight against the factors that favor it.

Physical exercise must be performed on the long-term; it must be started as soon as the condition is diagnosed, with periodic evaluations and its periodic adjustment according to results and disease evolution.

The following research highlighted the importance of the TECAR therapy in recovering after anterior cruciate ligament surgery in performance athletes.

The study took place at Fizionova Medical Recovery Center in Targu Mures, on a period of 6 weeks between 24.01.2020 and 07.03.2020, on a sample of 10 subjects with anterior cruciate ligament surgery (5 subjects in the experiment group that followed the TECAR recovery program and 5 subjects that only followed a physiotherapy program for recovering from anterior cruciate ligament surgery), 7 male subjects and 3 female subjects with ages between 24 and 44 years. The research method was mostly experimental. We worked with TECAR therapy, muscular electrostimulation, and a series of kinesiotherapy exercises. For the statistical interpretation, we used the GraphPad Prism program using the Shapiro-Wilk test, t-Student test, Mann-Whitney, and Wilcoxon tests.

The results of the investigation showed statistically significant differences between the experiment and control group after 4 and 6 weeks of a TECAR and kinesiotherapy recovery program.

The conclusions of our investigation highlighted the importance of implementing a supplementary kinesiotherapy program using the TECAR therapy in athletes who recover from anterior cruciate ligament surgery.

To compare pelvic floor muscle strength, severity of urinary incontinence symptoms and health related quality of life between parous and nulliparous women; and to investigate the efficacy of pelvic floor muscle training in improving symptoms of urinary incontinence and health related quality of life in the previously mentioned two groups.

Initially, 67 women were included in the study. Pelvic floor muscle strength and endurance were evaluated pre-treatment using the Pelvic floor exerciser. Participants were assessed before and after 10 weeks of pelvic floor muscle training by using The International Consultation of Incontinence Questionnaire – Short Form for symptoms severity, and The King’s Health Questionnaire for health related quality of life.

The final sample included 32 participants: sixteen parous and sixteen nulliparous women between 18 and 50 years of age. Before the intervention, parous women (75%) were 2 times more likely to report urinary incontinence than nulliparous women (37.5%). They also had significantly lower pelvic floor muscle strength (p=.001), pelvic floor muscle endurance (p=.001), and more severe symptoms related to urinary incontinence (p=.009). Additionally, parous women had poorer disease specific quality of life in all domains. After the intervention, symptoms severity scores decreased significantly among both parous (p=.007) and nulliparous women (p=.038). Regarding quality of life, both groups had major improvements in all domains.

Our results suggest that urinary incontinence is more common among parous women. They experience more severe symptoms and have lower health related quality of life. Additionally, pelvic floor muscle training seems to be effective for improving symptoms of urinary incontinence and health related quality of life among both parous and nulliparous women.