Physical Rehabilitation and Recreational Health Technologies

Program of therapy and rehabilitation of persons with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine

Olexii Nikanorov, Dmytro Tkachenko — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. The purpose of the work is to study the functional state, activity and participation of people with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine (NSPS); taking into account the obtained data, to develop a program of therapy and rehabilitation of people with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine according to the principles of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) and within the framework of a multidisciplinary approach to its implementation in a fitness center.

Material & Methods. Study of the functional state (review, anamnesis, study of the pain level using the visual analogue scale (VAS), goniometry, electrospondylography), activity and participation (Neck Disability Index (NDI), Well-Being, Activity, and Mood Scale (WAM) and Quality of Life Questionnaire (MOS SF-36)) 68 people (44 women and 24 men, mean age 38,42±6,3 years) with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine, who underwent therapy and rehabilitation at the Olympic Rehabilitation Center or the Planet Fitness Fitness Club, Kyiv, in the period from 2022 to 2024, were conducted according to the ICF.

Results. According to the obtained results, the characteristic signs of NDI were: pain in the neck with or without irradiation; the presence of myofascial pain syndrome and/or damage to the intervertebral facet joints; chronic course with periods of exacerbation and relapse; hyperlordosis of the cervical spine; decreased range of active and passive movements of the cervical spine; decreased ability to cope with everyday activities (personal hygiene, lifting, reading, headache, concentration, work, driving, sleep and rest); decreased well-being, daily activities and mood, as well as all components of quality of life (physical functioning, role activity, physical pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, emotional state, mental health, physical component of health, mental component of health).

Conclusions. Based on the obtained data influencing the nature and direction of rehabilitation measures, as well as data from literary sources, we developed and implemented a program of therapy and rehabilitation of individuals with non-specific pain syndrome in the cervical spine, which was implemented in two stages: adaptation and stabilization. The main objective of the program was to reduce the intensity of pain syndrome, the fastest possible return of the patient to an active lifestyle, prevent chronicity and repeated exacerbations, and improve the quality of life. The developed program is based on the following principles of providing rehabilitation services: application of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability, and Health (ICF); adherence to a multidisciplinary approach; client-centric (personalized) approach; formation of goals in the SMART format; comprehensive approach; staged interventions; systematicity and duration. The foundation of the developed program was a combination of elements of the most effective means and methods of therapy and rehabilitation used in people with NDI: therapeutic exercises; recreational exercises; manual techniques; patient training; occupational therapy measures.

Effects of hippotherapy on gross motor activities and function performance of children with cerebral palsy: a pilot study

Dilip G, Sathya Siva, Boopathy D, Kingsley J, Prathap Suganthirababu — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. Cerebral palsy a neurological condition affecting movement, postural abnormalities and cognitive issues affects 8,000-10,000 children annually. Hippotherapy enhances motor function and gross motor function in children. This study looked at how hippotherapy affected children with cerebral palsy’s functional performance and gross motor function.

Material & Methods. In this study, 34 children between the ages of 3 and 12 were split into two groups: the conventional group and the experimental group. While the experimental group received hippotherapy for two sessions each week for eight weeks, the conventional group received two sessions of traditional physical therapy. The children's performance was measured using the Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM) 66 and Paediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory both before and after the 8-week intervention.

Results. In contrast to conventional physical therapy the study found that hippotherapy significantly improved functional performance and gross motor ability in children with cerebral palsy. Following the intervention, the experimental group had a substantial rise in their GMFM-66 and PEDI scores.

Conclusions. Hippotherapy had proven to be an effective treatment for children with cerebral palsy. Enhancing gross motor function and functional performance. According to the results hippotherapy can be used in rehabilitation programmes to help children with cerebral palsy develop their motor skills fully. There were no adverse events during the intervention.

Dynamic monitoring of functional status in athletes performing physical loads in vertical and horizontal planes with equivalent energy supply for muscle training

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. To dynamically monitor the functional state of athletes undergoing physical loads in vertical and horizontal planes with similar energy demands during the training cycle.

Material & Methods. A total of 47 athletes were examined, including 27 runners at the 400 m distance and 20 swimmers at the 100 m distance in the preparatory and competition periods of the training process. Heart rate variability and central hemodynamics were measured using the automated diagnostic platform Cardio+. Physical performance was assessed on the Corival Lode cycle ergometer using the submaximal PWC170 test.

Results. During the competitive season, runners exhibited a trend towards increased parasympathetic influence and decreased sympathovagal index. Significant decreases were found in heart rate and cardiac index, with a shift in circulation type from eukinetic to hypokinetic. Analysis of circulation type distribution revealed an increase in hypokinetic circulation and the elimination of hyperkinetic circulation. Physical performance significantly improved, with increases in PWC170/kg and physical fitness index. A negative correlation was observed between performance metrics and cardiac index during the preparatory period. Swimmers showed trends towards increased parasympathetic activity and decreased sympathetic activity, though these changes were not statistically significant. A trend towards decreased cardiac index was observed. Circulation type distribution shifted towards hypokinetic circulation. PWC170/kg and physical fitness index significantly increased. Highly-trained runners demonstrated significant decreases in cardiac index and increases in performance metrics during the competitive period. Negative correlations were found between performance metrics and cardiac index. No significant correlations were observed in lower-level athletes.

Conclusions. During the competitive period, compared to the preparatory period, runners and swimmers exhibited a statistically significant increase in physical performance and an improved physical fitness index. Analysis of heart rate variability parameters, however, revealed no statistically significant differences. Correlation analysis revealed that, in the competition period, a decrease in cardiac index to a physiologically advantageous hypokinetic circulatory profile in runners was associated with increased physical performance, while in swimmers, it was associated with a shift in autonomic nervous system vegetative balance. A beneficial outcome of appropriate sports training is the enhancement of functional capacity within the body’s primary systems. This leads to improved athletic performance, as demonstrated by gains observed in runners and swimmers.

Analysis of publications on adaptive judo: bibliometric analysis

Natalya Boychenko, Yrui Tropin, Vyacheslav Romanenko, Valerii Holokha — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. To conduct a bibliometric analysis of publications on adaptive judo using the VOSviewer software tool in the PubMed web database.

Material & Methods. Bibliometric analysis of PubMed database data was used to create a sample of studies as of 03/17/2025. The phrase «Adaptive judo» was used for the search. The analysis of publications was conducted from 1988 (date of first publication) to March 17, 2025. The program VOSviewer 1.6.20 was used: keyword analysis and direct citation analysis with the construction of bibliometric maps, visualization of cluster density and citation weight. The program also identified 817 organizations from which the authors studied problems in adaptive judo.

Results. Using VOSviewer 1.6.20, 1317 authors were found. The analysis included 7153 authors whose link strength was greater than 0. The authors were grouped into 16 clusters. The most popular authors were: Franchini Emerson (24 publications), Ouergui Ibrahim, Detanico Daniele (9 publications), Bouhlel Ezdine (8 publications), Bouassida Anissa, Chtourou Hamdi (7 publications), Fukuda David (6 publications), Pierantozzi Emanuela, Kons Rafael Lima, Ardigò Luca Paolo (5 publications). To visualize the network, 107 keywords were selected. The keywords formed 5 clusters. The network includes 2258 links with a total number of 9105. The most popular studies in the field of adaptive judo are highlighted. These studies are devoted to women's health, the use of health-improving techniques (cluster 1), adaptation to physical activity in people with disabilities and people with special needs (cluster 2), the study of injury problems, age and gender characteristics of young athletes (cluster 3), biomechanical aspects, asymmetry of movements, posture control and muscle balance in athletes with disabilities (cluster 4), and body weight regulation (cluster 5).

Conclusions. The bibliometric analysis of publications in the PubMed database allowed us to identify trends in scientific research and determine priority areas. In the studied period, there is a tendency to increase the number of publications every year. The organizations in which the leading authors were engaged in the study of problems in adaptive judo were identified. The main areas of scientific research include: development of wellness practices for women; adaptive judo for people with special needs; injury prevention and safety of training in children's and Paralympic sports; biomechanical aspects of motor activity; features of weight loss and physical fitness of adult athletes. This demonstrates a broad interdisciplinary approach to the study of physical activity for people with disabilities through adaptive judo.

Cardiorespiratory responses and specificity of effectiveperformance in dance and pairsof dancers

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. The aim of the study: to identify the model characteristics of the functional reserve of elite dancers taking into account cardio-respiratory reactions.

Material & Methods. The study involved 12 male and 12 female partners (24 pairs) aged 24.3±2.1 (boys) and 22.3±2.2 (women) years. The body weight and height of men were 74.4±2.9 kg and 181.9±2.1 cm, and women – 52.2±2.1 kg and 163.9±2.2 cm. All athletes have international qualifications. Energy performance indicators were recorded using MetaMax 3B and Biosen+ gas analyzers.

Results. As a result, statistically significant differences were obtained in the variables VO₂ max, VE/VO₂, VE/VCO₂ between male and female partners (p<0.05). In male, VO₂ max is significantly higher (55.8 vs. 41.0, p<0.001). At the same time, in female, VE/VO₂ and VE/VCO₂ are significantly higher. The variables % excess of VE, T50VO₂, T50VCO₂, T50VE and La VO₂ max did not show significant differences (p>0.05). According to some ideas, the assessment of the level of special functional training of elite dancers only by the VO2 max and La max indicators is insufficient. The level of functional readiness depends on the physiological functions that provide the functional basis for the manifestation of individual and paired skills of dancers.

Conclusions. The predominance of aerobic power (VO2 max) supports the specific performance of male dancers. In female dancers, the deterioration of aerobic power indicators is compensated by an increase in the efficiency of the use of the glycolytic reserve. This is accompanied by high efficiency of respiratory processes, high efficiency of oxygen consumption, pulmonary ventilation volume and respiratory compensatory reaction of metabolic acidosis.

Volumetric respiratory variability as a criterion of body recovery after physical load

Oleksandr Romanchuk, Oksana Guzii, Anatolii Panenko, Oleksandr Tykhorskyi — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. The aim of this study was to determine changes in volumetric respiratory variability in physically fit individuals during recovery after physical exercise.

Material & Methods. To achieve the goal with the spiroarteriocardiorhythmograph (SACR) device, 101 male athletes aged 22.3±2.4 years were examined. The procedure for studying the respiratory system included conducting measurements in a sitting position using the SACR device for 2 minutes. The initial measurement was carried out immediately before the start of training (c1), 5-7 min. After the training session, a second registration (C2) was carried out the following morning on an empty stomach. A third registration (C3) was carried out the next morning after training.

Results. Considering the received data, the changes in the TP_R (L×min^-1)² and HF_R (L×min^–1)² indicators, which characterize the effect of physical load, are worth noting. For TP_R (L×min^–1)², at c1 – 327.6 (210.3; 538.2), at c2 – 497.3 (309.8; 1036.8) and at c3 – 302.8 (179.6; 458.0), f=18.1 and p=0.000. It is noteworthy that there were no significant changes in the LF_R (L×min^-1)² indicator, which characterizes low-frequency effects on breathing, which, in our opinion, is associated with reflex stimulation of sympatho-adrenal mechanisms during physical load at the level of hemodynamic support, when the role of central mechanisms is significantly reduced. The VLF_R (L×min^–1)² indicator, which is associated with central effects on breathing, has a certain informative value. 5-7 minutes after physical load, its values are significantly different from the initial VLF_R (L×min^–1)², at c1 – 2.0 (1.0; 3.6) vs. c2 – 3.2 (2.0; 6.8), f=4.7, p= 0.007. However, the next morning (c3) it has intermediate values that do not significantly differ from the previous ones (c1 and c2).

Conclusions. The results of the volumetric respiratory variability study suggest that TP_R (L×min^–1)² and HF_R (L×min^–1)² are clearly related to physical load and recovery after it, which complements information on the impact of physical activity on the respiratory system and its recovery after it.

Effect of external sensory integration on motor functional disorder in children with attention deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD)

Chhavi Kumar Sharma, Shahiduz Zafar — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, often associated with motor impairments affecting balance, coordination, and overall motor function. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of conventional physiotherapy alone versus conventional physiotherapy combined with sensory integration therapy in improving motor function in children with ADHD in India.

Material & Methods. A total of 102 children with ADHD (aged 3–12 years) were recruited and randomly assigned to either the control group (conventional physiotherapy, n=51) or the experimental group (conventional physiotherapy + sensory integration therapy, n=51). The intervention lasted six months, with five sessions per week, each groups. Motor function and ADHD symptoms were assessed pre- and post-intervention using 60 minutes Conner’s Teacher Rating Scale, Gross Motor Function Measure (GMFM), and the Developmental Coordination Disorder Questionnaire (DCDQ).

Results. Post-intervention, the experimental group showed significant improvements in ADHD symptoms (p=0.002), gross motor function (p=0.001), and coordination skills (p=0.01) compared to the control group. Both groups demonstrated high adherence rates (p>0.05), indicating the feasibility of integrating sensory therapy into routine physiotherapy.

Conclusions. The findings suggest that sensory integration therapy, when combined with physiotherapy, significantly enhances motor function and reduces ADHD symptoms more effectively than physiotherapy alone. These results support the incorporation of sensory-based interventions into ADHD rehabilitation programs in India. Further research with larger sample sizes is recommended.

Twelve-Week MSRT Effects on Heart Rate, Blood Pressure and Sleep Quality in Injured National Athletes

Sohom Saha, Harish Singh, Cicelia Mohan Thomas, Awesh Khati, Debajit Karmakar — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. Athletic injuries often lead to both physiological and psychological impairments, necessitating holistic rehabilitation strategies. Mind Sound Resonance Technique (MSRT), is a yoga-based meditative technique, that has shown promise in enhancing autonomic regulation and psychological resilience. However, its impact on cardiovascular health and sleep quality in injured athletes remains unexamined. This study aimed to examine the effects of a 12-week MSRT intervention on heart rate, blood pressure, and sleep quality in national-level injured athletes.

Materials and methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 36 injured athletes (aged 18-25 years) assigned to either a Yoga Practice Group (YPG) and a Control Group (CG). The YPG underwent supervised MSRT sessions for 12 weeks, while the CG followed their standard rehabilitation routine. Heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and sleep quality (SQ) were assessed at baseline, 4th, 8th, and 12th weeks using validated instruments, including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Data were analyzed using Repeated Measures ANOVA.

Results. Significant time × group interaction effects were observed in HR (F=87.44, p<0.001, η²p=0.72), SBP (F=42.06, p<0.001, η²p=0.55), DBP (F=48.76, p<0.001, η²p=0.58), and SQ (F=71.31, p<0.001, η²p=0.67). The YPG exhibited a notable decrease in HR (62.88±1.49 bpm to 55.44±1.46 bpm), SBP (124.27±1.48 mmHg to 120.61±0.69 mmHg), and DBP (84.11±0.75 mmHg to 80.55±0.61 mmHg). Sleep quality improved significantly (PSQI: 17.27±0.89 to 11.44±1.04, p<0.001), whereas the CG showed minimal changes.

Conclusions. The findings suggest that MSRT is an effective adjunct to conventional rehabilitation, promoting cardiovascular recovery and sleep enhancement in injured athletes. Future studies should explore the sustained effects of MSRT benefits over time and its relevance to various injury profiles.

Investigating the Role of Yogic Practices in Enhancing Respiratory and Cardiovascular Function: An Intervention Study

Aminur Rahaman, Tarak Nath Pramanik — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. Optimal respiratory and cardiovascular health is essential for well-being. Yogic practices, through breathing and postures, show promise in enhancing these functions. Purpose: This study investigated the effects of a twelve-week structured yogic intervention on selected respiratory and cardiovascular parameters in male students.

Material & Methods. The study was conducted at Shyampahari Government Primary Teacher Training Institute, Birbhum, West Bengal, India, with 24 male participants aged 17–22. A control group (n=12) and an experimental group (n=12) were randomly assigned to the participants. The experimental group practiced an organized yogic practice that included relaxation, asanas, pranayama, and suryanamaskar. The control group, on the other hand, continued their usual activities. The following metrics were measured before and after the intervention: respiratory rate, resting pulse rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, positive and negative breath-holding times. Using IBM SPSS (version 25), the statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, paired t-tests for within-group differences, independent t-tests for between-group comparisons, and Shapiro-Wilk and Levene's tests for normality and variance at α=0.05.

Results. The experimental group showed substantial improvements in all measures, including systolic and diastolic blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, and positive and negative breath-holding times, according to paired t-tests. In contrast, there were no significant changes in these parameters in the control group. Independent t-tests of pre-test showed no significant differences between the experimental and control groups across any variables. However, post-test comparisons between the groups showed significant differences in pulse rate and positive breath-holding time, favoring the experimental group, conversely, no significant differences were observed for other variables (p>0.05).

Conclusions. A twelve-week yogic intervention significantly enhanced respiratory and cardiovascular function in the experimental group, supporting yoga’s role as a complementary practice for improving physiological health. Incorporating yogic practices into fitness programs may yield substantial benefits for young adults.

The Comparison of Massage Techniques in Preventing Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness among Futsal Players

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0300

Purpose. This study aimed to assess the effect of a combination of effleurage with shaking vs. effleurage with tapotement on DOMS.

Material and Methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 30 participants, randomly assigned to the effleurage with tapotement massage group (n=10), the effleurage with shaking massage group (n=10), and the control group (n=10). Participants conducted high-intensity circuit training incorporating eccentric contraction movements to induce DOMS. The knee joint flexion ROM was assessed using a goniometer while CK was evaluated with blood serum and determined using the UV kinetic methods. Muscle soreness was assessed using a pain numeric rating scale (NRS). All measurements were conducted 8 hours after the exercise, immediately following treatment, and 24 hours after treatment. The data were analysed using One-way Repeated Measures ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, Friedman and Kruskall-Wallis tests.

Results. The study revealed that all three groups initially displayed a rise in creatine kinase levels post-treatment, followed by a decline at 24 hours after treatment. Muscle soreness significantly decreased in both treatment groups immediately and after 24 hours, while the control group experienced a notable increase. Both treatment groups also exhibited a substantial increase in knee joint range of motion, as opposed to the control group, which demonstrated a decrease.

Conclusion. The application of both massage combinations showed efficacy in reducing, preventing, and managing DOMS compared to the non-treatment.