Earticle

The purpose of this study was to examine the differences in specific physical fitness of the national amateur women’s boxer. The Korean women’s national amateur boxers were classified into the lightweight category (LWC, n=21) and middleweight category (MWC, n=13), and body composition (percentage body fat and body mass index) and spe-cific physical fitness (maximal muscle strength, anaerobic power, isoki-netic muscle strength, cardiopulmonary endurance) were measured. The Mann–Whitney U-test was conducted to determine the differences in the body composition and specific physical fitness in women’s box-ers. The percentage body fat (P=0.004) and body mass index (P<0.001) were significantly higher in the LWC compared to MWC. In addition, LWC showed significantly higher isokinetic muscle strength (P<0.001), upper anaerobic mean power (P=0.002), maximal muscle strength (P=0.003), and maximal heart rate at anaerobic threshold (P=0.029), maximal oxygen consumption (P<0.001) and the 20-m shuttle-run exer-cise (P=0.004) compared to MWC. In conclusion, the body fat percent-age and body mass index levels among body composition were signifi-cantly higher in the MWC than in the LWC, and the constant muscle strength, maximum muscle strength, and cardiopulmonary endurance levels were significantly higher in the LWC than in the MWC. The re-sults of this study are expected to provide useful data for planning fu-ture strategies for efficient and scientific training programs for each weight category.

This study aimed to examine the differences in physical activity (PA) level, fundamental movement skill (FMS), and obesity-related factors in preschoolers. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 426 preschool children aged 3–5 years. Participants were assigned to the low PA group (LPAG), moderate PA group (MPAG), and high PA group (HPAG) according to the total score obtained in the PA questionnaire for young children. FMS and obesity-related factors were also analyzed. PA was compared by age and sex, and FMS and obesity-related factors were compared between groups. Significant differences were found accord-ing to sex. Boys were more active than girls in the 3–4 years age group, but no significant differences were observed at the age of 5 years. LPAG showed lower FMS than MPAG and HPAG, although this was not statistically significant. However, body mass index (BMI), BMI z-score, body fat, and muscle mass showed significant differences in terms of PA levels. Consideration of age and sex is crucial in promoting PA among preschoolers. Additionally, better obesity-related factors are associated with higher PA levels, and FMS may be a useful tool in evaluating health and fitness.

The rehabilitation process of people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS) is a challenge, and decision-making requires a thorough assessment to in-crease the chances of success in rehabilitation planning. The aim of this study was to investigate the importance of the neuro-orthopaedic check-Up (NOChU) for gait prognosis. Participated in the study 105 PwMS with different levels of impairment. The NOChU includes measurements of passive range of motion (ROM), muscle strength, and spasticity. Addi-tionally, was carried out the spatial-temporal analysis of the walking, Timed Up and Go test, and 6-min walk test. ROM remained relatively preserved to perform daily life activities except for ankle dorsiflexion. Muscle strength was also relatively preserved. Spasticity affected es-pecially the ankle muscles, clearly the sural triceps. Among the NOChU measurements the catch seemed to have the most impact on walking on its different phases and on other activities. Accurate NOChU measure-ments play a crucial role in clinical settings, guiding informed decisions in rehabilitation planning. Future research endeavours could focus on exploring the correlations between NOChU deficiencies and the decline in walking capabilities among PwMS, with the goal of proposing per-sonalized treatment strategies that address their specific requirements.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the immediate effects of vi-bration foam rolling on dorsiflexion range of motion (ROM), balance, and gait in stroke patients. Thirty stroke patients volunteered to partici-pate and were randomly assigned to the vibrating foam roller group (n=15) and the foam roller group (n=15). The vibrating foam roller group performed a 30-min foam roller exercise program, with participants sub-jected to vibration at 28 Hz. The foam roller group performed the same exercise program as the vibrating foam roller group, but without vibra-tion. Dorsiflexion lunge test, limits of stability, and Timed Up and Go were used to evaluate dorsiflexion ROM, balance, and gait before and after each intervention. The results revealed that the vibration foam roller group showed significant differences in dorsiflexion ROM and gait after the intervention, while the foam roller group exhibited a significant dif-ference only in dorsiflexion ROM (P<0.05). In comparisons between the vibration foam roller group and the foam roller group, significant differ-ences were observed in dorsiflexion ROM and gait (P<0.05). However, there were no significant differences in balance, both before and after the intervention, as well as in the comparisons between the two groups (P>0.05). This study confirmed that a single-session vibrating foam roll-er exercise program improves dorsiflexion ROM and gait in stroke pa-tients. Further studies with extended exercise program durations are needed to address limitations and explore long-term effects.

The determination of precise exercise intensity is essential for effective exercise rehabilitation. The Borg rating of perceived exertion category ratio (CR) scale is utilized to prescribe an appropriate level of exertion intensity. A Borg CR of approximately 13 coincides with the ventilatory aerobic threshold (VAT). Patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) exhibit vari-ous symptoms. We hypothesized that the workload at Borg CR13 (Borg CR13-Watt) differs from the workload at the VAT level (VAT-Watt) in AF patients with restored sinus rhythm (SR) following ablation. According-ly, the relationship between Borg CR13-Watt and VAT-Watt was studied in patients with restored SR. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) was performed at 101±88 days after ablation in 150 patients using a bi-cycle ergometer. No adverse events were observed during CPET. Borg CR13-Watt was significantly higher than VAT-Watt (67.2±27.8 Watt vs. 54.7±17.6 Watt, P<0.0001). Borg CR13-Watt showed significant linear regression with VAT-Watt (regression coefficient, 0.49, P<0.01; correla-tion coefficient, 0.80, P<0.01). Higher Borg CR13-Watt was associated with greater differences between Borg CR13-Watt and VAT-Watt (ΔWatt). The Bland–Altman plot showed nonconcordance between the two. Male sex, use of antiarrhythmic drugs, and smoking had contributed to the in-creased ΔWatt. Duration from ablation to time of CPET did not correlate with ΔWatt. Therefore, Borg CR13-Watt did not coincide with VAT-Watt in patients with restored SR. Higher Borg CR13-Watt was associated with greater ΔWatt. Prescribing exertion intensity as determined solely by perceived exertion is inadequate. CPET is required to determine the precise exercise intensity in AF patients with restored SR after ablation.