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2. Postural sway in multiple sclerosis patients : interaction of vision, surface, and fatigue effectsŽiga Kozinc, Eva Žura, Gregor Brecl Jakob, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: Postural control impairments are common in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), resulting in postural instability and increased fall risk. Sensory inputs are crucial to maintain balance adequately. Additionally, fatigue is one of the common and most disabling symptoms of MS, possibly contributing to postural deficits. Previous studies have examined the effects of fatigue and altered sensory conditions on postural control in patients with MS. The present study aimed to extend this knowledge by jointly assessing these factors within the same experimental framework, providing additional insight into how fatigue modulates sensory contributions to balance. Methods: A total of 21 patients with MS (age = 41.1 ± 10.1 years; EDSS = 1.9 ± 1.0; disease duration = 6.8 ± 4.9 years) completed balance assessments on firm and compliant surfaces with both eyes open and eyes closed, before and after a 6-min walk test used to induce fatigue. Postural sway was quantified using sway velocity and root mean square (RMS). Results: There was a significant effect of surface on sway velocity (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.60), with a greater sway on the compliant surface compared to the firm surface. Fatigue significantly increased sway RMS (p = 0.023, η2 = 0.23) but did not affect sway velocity (p > 0.05). The absence of visual input (eyes closed) also significantly increased sway RMS (p = 0.001, η2 = 0.46). There was a significant interaction between surface and vision for sway RMS (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.54), with a larger effect of surface instability in the eyes-closed condition. Discussion: Patients with MS face increased challenges in maintaining postural control under conditions of fatigue, surface instability, and lack of visual input. Sway RMS may be more sensitive to these effects than sway velocity.
Keywords: balance control, sensory integration, proprioception, motor impairments, fall prevention, neurological disorders, physical fatigue
Published in RUP: 27.10.2025; Views: 421; Downloads: 7
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3. Preserving health : the main motive for exercising in the senior exercise park for a nursing home residentsMitja Gerževič, Marko Vidnjevič, Matej Plevnik, Andrej Raspor, Tjaša Gerževič, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the motives and attitudes of the Nursing Home residents for exercising in Senior Exercise Park (SEP). Methods: Fifty volunteers (79.3 ± 8.4 years; 80% women; 50% exercising in SEP) were interviewed. Beside the descriptive statistics, a one-sample t-test and a chi-square test were used. Results: The results showed that physical activity (PA) performed by the respondents in the past was not significantly (p>0.05) related to their engagement in the SEP. More than a half of those who had been exercising in the SEP were exercising five or more times per week, which was also significantly (p<0.05) more frequent than the recommended three times per week. The majority of those who exercised in the SEP spent up to 30 minutes for each exercise session. The most frequent motives for exercising in the SEP were medical/health factors, challenge/benefit and curiosity. Among the reasons why some Nursing Home residents had not engaged in the SEP exercise, the most frequently mentioned were health problems, physical difficulties and lack of interest. The main benefit of the SEP exercise was the ability to perform everyday tasks much easier, feeling better and being in a better mood. Discussion and Conclusions: Installation of SEPs in the Nursing Homes is reasonable and could represent an important home’s achievement, as it can significantly contribute to the increase in PA of its residents. Moreover, it can also have an indirect positive effect on their health and overall home\'s atmosphere.
Keywords: elderly, physical activity, outdoor exercise, motives, attitudes
Published in RUP: 25.07.2025; Views: 717; Downloads: 0 |
4. “Goldilocks day” : identifying the optimal awake movement behaviour composition for predicted cardiometabolic health outcomes in youthJoey Murphy, Charlotte Lund Rasmussen, Javier Brazo-Sayavera, Ademola Victor Damilola, Nastja Podrekar, Aoko Oluwayomi, Luís Bettencourt Sardinha, Niels Wedderkopp, Elaine M. Murtagh, 2025, original scientific article Abstract: Background Most research focuses on the relationship of individual movement behaviours, neglecting how different compositions throughout the day associate with cardiometabolic health outcomes. Aim The aim of this study was to explore the optimal awake movement behaviour composition associated with predicted cardiometabolic health outcomes in youth. Subjects and methods The study included participants (N = 1,310 participants; 11.1 ± 2.5 [range = 7.98–17.1 years]; 55.9% female; 100% European) from the International Children’s Accelerometry Database. Accelerometer measured sedentary behaviour (SB), light-(LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) defined the awake movement behaviour composition. Four cardiometabolic health outcomes (lipid profile, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and body mass) were assessed through nine parameters. These were regressed against the awake movement behaviour composition, adjusting for relevant covariates to estimate the optimal awake movement behaviour composition for each predicted cardiometabolic health outcome (i.e. “Goldilocks Day”). Results The final models found a significant relationship between the awake movement behaviour composition and cardiometabolic health outcome, excluding lipid profile indicators. For indicators of glucose metabolism, blood pressure and body mass, the Goldilocks Day consisted of less SB (–12 to −39 min), LPA (–8 to −32 min) and more MVPA (+44 to 47 min) when compared to the sample mean. Conclusion These findings concur with current guidelines that more MVPA and less SB are better, but the optimal time youth should spend in each behaviour depends on the health outcome of interest. This indicates that one size does not fit all when making recommendations for multiple cardiometabolic health outcomes.
Keywords: ICAD, physical activity, adolescents, children, sedentary behaviour
Published in RUP: 20.07.2025; Views: 883; Downloads: 8
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7. The mind-body connection : how physical activity and physical fitness affect academic performanceVedrana Sember, Shawnda A. Morrison, 2018, scientific monograph Abstract: Physical activity is behavior and is influenced by many factors. These factors are classified into four levels: physiological, psychological, sociocultural, and ecological (Lindquist, Reynolds, & Goran, 1999). Many experts note that additional hours of physical education have a positive impact on the academic success (Shephard, 1997) since learning of complex movements stimulates the frontal cortex in the brain, which is also active in learning and problem solving (Jensen, 2005). The results of these studies suggest a positive relationship between physical and academic achievement (Singh, Uitjtdewilligen, Twisk, Van Mechelen, & Chinapaw, 2012). Indeed, how physical activity affects the intellectual development or academic performance of the child and how academic performance changes through different quantities of physical activity and time are explored in this work.
Keywords: sport, physical activity, physical education, physical fitness
Published in RUP: 09.11.2021; Views: 3388; Downloads: 33
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