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The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a six-week core stability training program on the fundamental movement pattern assessed using the Functional Movement Screen Test in tennis players. The study group consisted of 160 subjects (74 women, 86 men) with a mean age of 20.26 ± 1.55. The Functional Movement Screen Test (FMS™), as well as the core stability tests including the lateral trunk muscles endurance test (the side bridge test), the abdominal muscles endurance test and the trunk extensors muscle endurance test­were used to evaluate the effects of core stability training. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences in the FMS test scores before and after introducing a core stability exercise program. Initially, the average total score of the FMS test in female tennis players was 14.58 ± 2.91, and after core stability training it was 17.20 ± 1.68 (p < 0.001). In the male group, the total FMS test score was 14.44 ± 2.76 before and 16.91 ± 1.36 after (p < 0.001) in the final assessment. Additionally, statistically significant differences were observed in the core stability test scores before and after introducing a stabilisation training program. The results of the study showed that specific core strengthening exercises could improve the FMS test scores in adult tennis players. This may also have an influence on reducing injury risk in this group, although further studies would be required to test this.

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Mastic asphalt (MA) has been particularly popular in recent years for bridge pavements due to many advantages such as easy application, good waterproofing properties, and high durability. However, the drawback of mastic asphalt in comparison to other asphalt mixtures is its lower resistance to permanent deformation. Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) is often applied to make mastic asphalt resistant to permanent deformation. Practical experience demonstrates that serious failures may occur if MA pavement design and materials selection is not taken into account sufficiently. Therefore in this study, the influence of two parameters: zero shear viscosity (ZSV) of TLA-modified binder and mastic composition described by the filler-binder ratio, on the permanent deformation resistance of the MA mixture was evaluated. The primary purpose of determining the ZSV of the TLA-modified binders was to evaluate the rutting potential of the binders. The permanent deformation (rutting) resistance of the MA mixtures was evaluated based on static and dynamic indentation tests. The optimum content of TLA in the base bitumen and the optimum filler-binder ratio in the MA mixture were obtained based on multiple performance evaluations for modified binder, mastic and MA mixtures, i.e., 20% and 4.0, respectively.

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The application of various modifiers has emerged in recent years to improve conventional petroleum-based bitumen properties. The natural asphalt called Trinidad Lake Asphalt (TLA) has been applied very often due to its consistent properties, high viscosity and density, and superior rheological properties, and effective blending with other bitumen. However, most studies on TLA-modified binders always focused on physical and rheological properties in the original (unaged) condition, but the details about aging properties are often neglected. This study aimed to investigate the effect of short-term aging on the physical and rheological characteristics of the 35/50 base bitumen modified by the addition of two different TLA contents. The conventional physical tests and dynamic shear rheological tests were undertaken before and after aging to measure the penetration and softening point, complex shear modulus, and phase angle of the modified binders, as well as to calculate the zero shear viscosity using the Cross model fitting procedure. Based on the results of the above-mentioned comprehensive testing, the effect of aging on TLA-modified binder properties was evaluated using aging indices, as well as a direct comparison of results. The tests revealed that the short-term aging of TLA-modified binders did not worsen or reduce the pavement resistance to permanent deformation or the load-bearing capacity of the asphalt mixture.

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Introduction. Diet and physical activity are widely recognized in maintaining health and preventing diseases. Currently, dietary supplements are also commonly believed to play a role in health promotion. However, a dietary supplement lacks single uniform definition within the scope of legal or nutritional sciences. Data on the usage of dietary supplements in Europe are still limited. The aim of this study was to assess subjective and objective knowledge of the inhabitants of south-eastern Poland about diet and supplementation in sport. Materials and Methods. The research was conducted in the south-east of Poland between October 2017 and July 2018 during three events organized by the University of Rzeszów. Initially, the study covered 500 people. During the preliminary analysis, 90 people were excluded from the study because they did not meet the previously well-explained rules of conduct during the study or did not meet the eligibility criteria for the tests. Finally, 410 people were qualified for the study. The survey method was a questionnaire with single-answer option. Results. Our study revealed statistically significant subjective and objective level of knowledge about diet and supplementation in terms of sex. Also, a correlation was found between sex and the fact of being involved in physical activity, as well as the subjects' knowledge of diet and supplementation in sport. Conclusion. High prevalence of dietary supplement use was found in our study population, but still significant percentage of the study group demonstrate inaccurate information about these products. Hence, there is an urgent need to provide the community with education and access to scientific and unbiased information.

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BACKGROUND: This study was designed to determine whether or not gait training based on the use of treadmill with visual biofeedback and body weight support (BWS) would produce better effects in patients with subacute stroke compared to BWS treadmill training with no visual biofeedback. MATERIALS AND METHODS: 30 patients with subacute stroke were randomly assigned to do body weight supported treadmill training with visual biofeedback (BB group) or BWS treadmill training without visual biofeedback. Their gait was assessed with a 3D system (spatiotemporal gait parameters and symmetry index) and by means of 2-minute walk test (2 MWT), 10-metre walk test (10 MWT), and Timed Up & Go test. Subjects in both groups participated in 15 treadmill training sessions (30 minutes each). RESULTS: The participants from both groups achieved a statistically significant improvement in spatiotemporal gait parameters, walking speed, endurance, and mobility. The average change in the BB group after the end of the programme did not differ significantly compared to the change in the control group. The change in the symmetry index value of stance phase in the BB group was 0.03 (0.02) and in the control group was 0.02 (0.02). The difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.902). The statistically significantly higher improvement in the BB group was found in the range of walking speed (p = 0.003) and endurance (p = 0.012), but the difference between groups was of low clinical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The findings do not confirm that BWS treadmill training with the function of visual biofeedback leads to significantly greater improvement in gait compared to BWS treadmill training with no visual biofeedback at an early stage after stroke. This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, ID: ACTRN12616001283460.

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