<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Background:</italic> Acetaminophen (also known as Tylenol or Paracetamol) is a very popular drug, that requires no prescription and is usually used as analgesic and antipyretic. A considerable number of previous studies show that acetaminophen has no effects that could alter exercise capacity or performance. On the other hand, there are studies sustaining that exercise performance can be improved with acetaminophen through a reduction in perceived pain, and also a reduction of the body heat produced by the muscle contraction. <italic>Purpose:</italic> The aim of our study was to check if acetaminophen influences reaction speed and power of the lower limbs muscles. <italic>Participants and method:</italic> For this study we recruited twenty-nine males, aged between 19 and 28 years old. We had two testing sessions for each participant, in the same day (the baseline evaluation, and the second evaluation at half an hour after acetaminophen ingestion). The evaluation sequence was: Body composition evaluation, acoustic-visual reaction test for one leg (left and right), Squad jump on one leg (5 jumps on each foot) and Stiffness test (7 jumps on each foot). <italic>Results:</italic> Acetaminophen has no significant influence on visual and acoustic reaction time of left or right leg. The Squat Jump test revealeda significant increase of explosive power on left leg (from 10.19±1.66 to 10.61±1.66 W/Kg, p=0.03) and right leg (10.16±1.59 W/Kg to 10.62±1.84 W/Kg, p=0.02). Another significant result of our study is the increase of reactive power (obtained during the Stiffness test) after the acetaminophen ingestion (from 16.35±4.86 to 17.53±3.79 W/Kg on left leg and from 15.92±4.2 to 17.04±4.26 W/Kg on right leg). <italic>Conclusions</italic>: Acetaminophen ingestion does not influence visual or acoustic reaction time but can improve the exercise performance through an increase in both explosive and reactive power of lower limbs.</abstract>

Master degree student, Physical Education and Sports Faculty, West University of Timisoara

Assistant professor, PhD, Physical Education and Sports Faculty, West University of Timisoara.

Acetaminophen effect on reaction speed and lower limbs power

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Aim</italic>: To demonstrate the effectiveness of a home-based physical therapy program on pain, spine mobility and quality of daily activities in patients with chronic low back pain (CLBP). We also want to show that patients who undergo this program decreased their intake in analgesic and anti-inflammatory drugs. <italic>Methods</italic>: 18 patients with chronic low back pain were assessed with the following tests: VAS pain scale, Schober’s test and Rolland-Morris questionnaire. Acetaminophen and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) consumption was recorded. Over a period of six months all subjects participated in a 45 minutes home-based physical therapy program, three times per week. Before starting this intervention all patients were instructed and exercises were demonstrated in front of them by a physical therapist. Moreover, they received written brochures in order to exercise correctly at home. Follow-up examinations took place at baseline and six months later. <italic>Results</italic>: We obtained significant differences between pre- and post-intervention assessments of pain (p=0.001), lumbar flexion (p=0.0001) and functional status (p=0.0005) in our group. Moreover, the number of patients who were taken analgesics decreased from 7 (39%) to 5 patients (28%). Likewise the number of patients who were taken anti-inflammatory drugs decreased from 11 (61%) to 8 (44%). <italic>Conclusion:</italic> The home-based rehabilitation program was effective in improving the ranges of active lumbar flexion and in decreasing the physical disability caused by low back pain, as well as in reducing the levels of pain. We note that a larger number of patients have given up to the intake of NSAIDs comparative to those who have given up to analgesics.</abstract>

Effectiveness of a home-based physical therapy program in patients with chronic low back pain

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Background:</italic> The physical exertion in the game of rugby is intense and depends on the playing position. This study hypothesized that peculiarities of body composition are important and should be properly interpreted in order to improve fitness and particularly in order to reduce the risk of injuries. <italic>Purpose:</italic> The aim of the present paper is to highlight the importance of body composition evaluation and to underline the usefulness of the data thus obtained for both training individualization and sports injuries risk reduction. <italic>Material and Methods:</italic> Thirty seven senior male rugby players from the former Romanian national team were assessed on body composition using a segmental multi-frequency bio-impedance analyzer InBody 720 (The Body Composition Analyzer – South Korea). We compared the results from both the preseason and the regular season 2012 with the international norms for elite players and we categorized the data by playing positions. <italic>Results:</italic> We have analyzed the amount of lean mass on each limb (kg), body water content (l), percentage of body fat, bone mineral and protein content (kg). We observed that the number of injuries is directly correlated to high levels of body fat percentage, low lean mass, and edema scores. <italic>Conclusions:</italic> The risk of injury can be identified among elite rugby players not only by using fitness tests, but also by using a simple and objective test of body composition. These results show how important it is to monitor the level of body fat, lean muscle mass and muscular development in order to modify nutrition and food habits, individualize trainings and thus reduce the number of injuries.</abstract>

Lecturer, Physical Education and Sports Faculty, West University of Timisoara

Assistant professor, Physical Education and Sports Faculty, West University of Timisoara

Associate professor, Physical Education and Sports Faculty, West University of Timisoara

Injury frequency and body composition of elite Romanian rugby players

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The aim of this paper is to analyze the importance of mental preparation for competition in Romanian tennis players. We collected data from 67 Romanian male tennis players (mean age: 24 years) by means of questionnaires. Thus, we applied two questionnaires: a demographic test and SCAT - Sport Competition Anxiety Test. Data were analyzed using SPSS Statistics version 20.0. The results indicate fourth aspects of the analyze: who is in charge with the mental preparation, if the athletes know the modern technics used by the specialists for the mental training for competition, the opinion about necessity of mental training and some aspects of anxiety and the strategies to combat it. The conclusions indicate that the mental preparation under the supervision of a specialist is not high practiced by the Romanian tennis players. The need for a specialist is demanded especially to control the emotions before the competition. The current practice to combat the anxiety is music listening, separation from the group, praying or respiration exercise. There is a largely need to improve this technics.</abstract>

Associate Professor, West University of Timișoara, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport

Master student, West University of Timișoara, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport

The opinion of Romanian male tennis players about the importance of mental trainining

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">End stage renal disease (ESRD) represents a chronic medical condition that has become a public health problem and requires substantial funding. The number of patients with ESRD is rapidly increasing. From the moment that ESRD is diagnosed, the natural evolution of this pathology is towards mandatory dialysis, in absence of a renal transplant procedure. In order to perform hemodialysis, a vascular access site must be created and maintained functional. A proper vascular access site allows an adequate blood flow through the dialysis machine, in order to obtain the required results. The arterio-venous fistula represents the number one recommended vascular access site procedure. Establishing and maintaining a vascular access represents one of the biggest problems in hemodialysis. The arterio-venous fistula thus becomes the patient’s lifeline. Maintaining a good quality vascular access site is a demanding process and requires cooperation between both the patient and the health care providers. For ESRD patients there is a constant concern regarding the patency of their vascular access. The aim of this paper is to present the postoperative measures that ESRD patients should provide in order to preserve their vascular access. Also, we want to present the main signs of an early complication that patients should recognize and therefore immediately present themselves to the physician. By establishing this type of cooperation and trust between the patient and the medical staff we will be able to reduce the number of surgical procedures required for the creation and maintenance of the vascular access. Our final thought remains that a well-informed patient has better chances of prolonging his “lifeline”.</abstract>

Surgery resident physician, 2nd Surgery Clinic, Timisoara Emergency County Hospital no 1, Timisoara, Romania

Surgery resident physician, Surgical Department, Nephrology Hospital “Carol Davila”, Bucharest, Romania

Assoc. Professor PhD, West University of Timișoara, Faculty of Physical Education and Sports, Romania

Lect. PhD, Departament of General Surgery, University of Medicine and Pharmacy “V. Babeș” Timișoara, Romania

Occupational therapy for patients with an arterio-venous fistula

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Background:</italic> Rhythm as a core element of complex coordination is the key to efficient moulding of motor skills specific to sports activities in curricula. Practicing physical exercise in a varied rhythm and tempo in primary school students moulds the skill of achieving correct movement basics (direction, span, coordination, and expressivity). The use of music in sports classes improves kinetics and vestibular sensitivity. The sense of rhythm and tempo are imperative criteria in vocational schools. <italic>Purpose:</italic> This paper aims to describe a pattern of means selected to develop the sense of rhythm and to allow movements in different sports branches with increased efficiency. <italic>Methods:</italic> The test battery was applied on a sample of 15 students from the 4th grade of the “Ion Vidu” National Arts College in Timisoara, Romania, aged 9-10 years, over an entire school year, using different rhythms and tempos during sports classes, which were later used in gymnastics, athletic events, and basketball. <italic>Results:</italic> Data recorded after the application tests, processed and interpreted confirms the proposed assumption and validates the motor contents used. Conclusions: Sense of rhythm is a component of coordinative capacity that is required to be educated from an early age. Rhythmic movements are easier to automate saving energy and motivating students to an active and conscious participation.</abstract>

Educating the sense of rhythm in primary education students

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">The main purpose of the present review was to examine the scientific literature on the effects of physical education-based stretching programs on hamstring extensibility in schoolchildren aged 6-11 years. For this purpose relevant studies were searched from ten electronic databases dated up through May 2015. Of the 25 potentially relevant articles identified and retrieved for more detailed evaluation, only eight studies were included in the present review because they met the inclusion criteria. The overall results showed that incorporating hamstring stretching as a part of physical education classes produces a significant improvement in the scores of the tests: straight leg raise and classic sit-and-reach, for the experimental groups, but not for control groups. Stretching programs can be included in Physical Education classes, specifically during the warm-up and the cool down periods in order to improve hamstring extensibility. Although it seems that the stretching exercises in the warm-up period could be less effective in gaining flexibility in school children. Studies that use a stretching volume between 4 and 7 minutes per session and 2-4 training classes per week, obtain statistically significant improvements on the levels of hamstring flexibility in the experimental groups. However, after a five-week detraining period, children revert back to their initial flexibility levels. Therefore, it seems appropriate that physical education teachers should implement stretching programs to improve the students’ flexibility during the Physical Education classes.</abstract>

Physical Education Teacher, Secondary School Sagrado Corazon, Malaga, Spain.

Professor, PhD, Universidad de Malaga, Facultad de Ciencias de la Educacion, Spain.

Efficacy of hamstring stretching programs in schoolchildren. A systematic review

<abstract xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><italic>Aim:</italic> In this paper we describe the physical therapy management of a 64-year-old female following a bilateral hip arthroplasty. <italic>Method:</italic> The patient featured in this study, after the surgical intervention had undergone specific recovery treatment consisting of: posture techniques, static (isometric contractions) and dynamic kinetic techniques (passive motion, passive-actives, actives, actives with resistance), massage, respiratory gymnastics and reeducation of walking. <italic>Results:</italic> At the end of the rehabilitation program, hip muscular strength and joint range of motion were improved significantly. The Harris hip score was significantly improved, in comparison to the preoperative one. <italic>Conclusion:</italic> This case illustrates the importance of the rehabilitation management after bilateral hip replacement.</abstract>

The rehabilitation management after hip arthroplasty: a case report

AHEAD OF PRINT

Volume 15 (2022): Issue 29 (December 2022)

Volume 15 (2022): Issue 28 (June 2022)

Volume 14 (2021): Issue 27 (December 2021)

Volume 14 (2021): Issue 26 (June 2021)

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

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

Volume 12 (2019): Issue 23 (December 2019)

Volume 12 (2019): Issue 22 (September 2019)

Volume 11 (2018): Issue 21 (December 2018)

Volume 11 (2018): Issue 20 (September 2018)

Volume 10 (2017): Issue 19 (December 2017)

Volume 10 (2017): Issue 18 (September 2017)

Volume 9 (2016): Issue 17 (December 2016)

Volume 9 (2016): Issue 16 (September 2016)

Volume 8 (2015): Issue 15 (December 2015)

Volume 7 (2015): Issue 14 (June 2015)

Volume 6 (2014): Issue 12 (June 2014)

Volume 6 (2013): Issue 11 (December 2013)

Volume 5 (2013): Issue 10 (June 2013)

Volume 5 (2012): Issue 9 (December 2012)

Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal

 Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal will publish high quality manuscripts covering the entire area of it´s interdisciplinary content; our first goal is to arouse the readers interest about the importance of physical education in order to maintain a good and healthy life of individuals as well as of the population; we also pay attention to prevention, assessment and rehabilitation in pathology, especially in those related to physical activity. The Editorial and Scientific Boards will especially encourage the publication of research studies.Timisoara Physical Education and Rehabilitation Journal is an open access journal which means that all content is freely available without charge to the user or his/her institution. Users are allowed to read, download, copy, distribute, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal without asking prior permission from the publisher or the author. This is in accordance with the BOAI definition of open access. Why subscribe and read    High standard contents  Good publishing quality available in both forms, electronic and printed  Wide range of subjects concerning sport science, physical therapy and rehabilitation    Why submit    Fast, reliable and constructive peer reviews written by the experts  High quality editing  Indexed in four international databases    Rejection Rate   About 10-20%   Archiving  Sciendo archives the contents of this journal in Portico - digital long-term preservation service of scholarly books, journals and collections.  Plagiarism Policy  The editorial board is participating in a growing community of Similarity Check System's users in order to ensure that the content published is original and trustworthy. Similarity Check is a medium that allows for comprehensive manuscripts screening, aimed to eliminate plagiarism and provide a high standard and quality peer-review process. 