Gymnastik- och idrottshögskolan, GIH

The 1945 census was the last to record ethnicity in Sweden, and in 1973, registering ethnicity became virtually illegal. Swedish population statistics and official health and social registers therefore do not contain information on the ethnic background of the people registered. Exploring socio-medical and epidemiological research in Sweden from the 1940s to the 1980s, the chapter discusses the tension between ethical and legal constraints on the one hand, and the scientific, administrative, and political need for accurate information on minority and ethnic groups on the other. Three alternative research strategies to substitute for the lack of data on ethnicity are identified: using alternative but related categories such as nationality, country of birth, or immigrant status; “reading ethnicity” from pre-existing data collections; and conducting time-consuming and costly special studies designed to enable researchers to bypass the proscription of ethnic registration. These strategies have produced new epidemiological and socio-medical understandings concerning ethnicity and health/disease. However, as certain groups and categories have been statistically more available or visible in society than others, an uneven body of knowledge has evolved. In effect, some minorities have been spotlighted while others have remained hidden in plain sight.

Aim

The aim of this study was to determine knee extensor (Q) and flexor (H) muscle strength characteristics in a group of professional Swedish hockey players, including maximal isokinetic torque and any asymmetries seen in these. 

Method

This study was designed to measure strength and power performance during unilateral movement involving the lower extremities in open chain.  The contribution of each leg were discerned for subsequent comparison of left to right quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H), mean and peak value of hamstrings to quadriceps (H/Q ratio) and dominant to non-dominant legs for the purpose of examining imbalances between the legs.  The dominant leg (D) was defined as the strongest leg (either right or left) from the collected torque data for each player and then calculated as one value for the whole group. Subjects had a defined warm-up session and any static stretching that subjects feel necessary to assist them in performing the tests was also permitted. Maximal concentric (con) and eccentric (ecc) quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength was obtained by measuring maximal force moments (torque) during isokinetic knee extension and flexion movements both in 90°·s^-1and 300°·s^-1. An Isomed2000 (D&R Ferstl GmbH, Germany) was used for the measurements.

Results

In a comparison of D to ND, significant differences were obtained in peak torque for Q (p=0,0005) and H at con 90°·s^-1(p=0,027) and H at ecc 90°·s^-1(p=0,014). When comparing mean torque between D and ND significant differences were obtained for Q for con 90°·s^-1(p=0,026) and H at ecc 90°·s^-1(p=0,007). When looking at H/Q ratio between right and left sides a significant difference was seen for peak torque at con 90°·s^-1and moderate relationship was seen at mean values at con 90°·s^-1and ecc 90°·s^-1. 

Conclusions

The result shows that the elite hockey players in the tested group seem to have one significant stronger leg and a week hamstrings compared to quadriceps. This means that they tend to be asymmetrical which might affect performance but may also increase the incidence of injury.   This has to be evaluated with further research.

Aim and scientific issues

The aim was to identify potential health risks, for full-time working parents with small children, caused by time shortage. The intention was to better understand and help this particularly time-pressured group in society to achieve a healthier lifestyle. The identification was built upon their own opinions about possible health risks and upon an interpretation of the health risks from a health promoter’s perspective.

• How do full-time working parents with young children handle time-shortage in a health perspective, specified in the categories: sleep, recovery, nutrition, physical activity, social health and mental health?
• What consequences for health does time–shortage have for full-time working parents with young children?
• What do parents with young children think could help them to obtain a better health in everyday life?

 Method

The study was based on a literature overview and semi-structured interviews with 6 people who were strategically selected: the interview objects were all full-time working or studying, had one child under 7 and lived together with a partner. All interviews were recorded using two dictaphones and were implemented, transcribed and analyzed by both writers of this essay to increase the reliability of the results.

Results

Time shortage is shown to be handled especially through priorities in the respondent’s lives. Depending on individual preferences, knowledge and lifestyle the interview objects give up different activities. Common for all respondents was that they gave up activities necessary for their health in the long term. The consequences of time shortage for their health therefore depended on what kind of activity they gave up. It is clear that time-shortage signifies an increased risk for lifestyle diseases in the long term.

The parents’ own suggestions for improvements included household services, economic help, social networks, a more flexible working market and a more flexible society.

Conclusions

Time shortage is a problem for parents with small children and the consequences of it are that crucial activities for promoting a long-term good health are given up. Input from the community is needed and the health educator can be a part in the work of teaching parents –to-be about lifestyle changes that could occur. Based on the results of this study, different methods can be used for the solution of specific problems in different families.

Sammanfattning

Syfte och frågeställningar

Syftet med studien var att kartlägga sjukgymnasters användning av specifik träning av djupa nackmuskler vid behandling av nacksmärta. Frågeställningarna var: ”I hur stor utsträckning använder sig sjukgymnaster av träningsmoment som syftar till specifik träning av djupa nackmuskler i behandlingen av nacksmärta?”, ”Förekommer det något samband mellan hur stor utsträckning sjukgymnaster använder denna specifika träning, och deras specialistkompetens inom idrottsmedicin respektive ortopedisk manuell terapi?”, ”Vilken övning används mest?” och ”I vilken utsträckning anser sjukgymnaster att specifik träning av djupa nackmuskler är relevant vid behandling av nacksmärta?”

Metod

Metoden var en enkätstudie. Utifrån studiens syfte och frågeställningar utformades en webbenkät. Enkäten testades på fyra sjukgymnastkollegor och reviderades därefter flera gånger. Enkäten skickades ut till 161 sjukgymnaster. Enkätundersökningen genomfördes under tidsperioden februari-mars 2014.

Resultat

Av 161 utskick registrerades 53 svar (33%). Specifik träning av djupa nackmuskler ansågs vara relevant i större utsträckning jämfört med specifik träning av ytlig nackmuskulatur vid behandling av nacksmärta. Hållningskorrigering var den övning som förekom i störst utsträckning. Träning av ledpositionsminne och  uthållighetsträning med hjälp av trycksensor, förekom minst. Signifikanta skillnader observerades mellan sjukgymnaster med och utan specialistkompetens när det gällde deras användning av uthållighetsträning av djupa nackflexorer med hjälp av en trycksensor, samt träning av nackens ledpositionsminne. Specialistsjukgymnaster inriktade mot ortopedisk manuell terapi använde ögonmotorisk träning i signifikant större utsträckning än specialistsjukgymnasterna inriktade mot idrottsmedicin.

Slutsats

Bland de 53 sjukgymnaster som besvarade enkäten, användes hållningsträning i störst utsträckning. De övningar som förekom i minst utsträckning var träning av nackens ledpositionsminne samt  uthållighetsträning med hjälp av trycksensor. Skillnad förekom mellan specialister och ickespecialister i användningen av övningar. Sjukgymnasterna ansåg inte att grundutbilningen gav dem tillräckliga kunskaper om träning vid nacksmärta.

Vilka konditionstestvärden har elitspelare i fotboll, ishockey och basket? Och hur tränar man effektivast sinkondition om man är bollidrottare? Mikael Mattson, doktor i fysiologi vid GIH, reder ut begreppen.

Physiological factors that influence soldier’s ability to sustain performance level in prolonged continuous work are such as A) initial physical level; B) ability to carry; and C) ability to sustain performance level over prolonged periods of time.

A) General fitness level is obviously crucial, such as strength and aerobic capacity, but so is also being completely healthy when the effort initiates. We have presented an immunological profile that might be useful to determine which soldiers that will underperform. Before a 6-day military training course expression of CD3 on CD8+ lymphocytes and percent CD8+CD3 lymphocytes was lower, whereas CD4/CD8 ratio was higher among soldiers who failed compared to those who completed the training (Ekblom et al. 2011).

B) It is well know that energy expenditure increases with increased carried weight, but at heavier loads (>30 kg) we found a disproportionate increase. Our hypothesis is that this is due to inaccurate technique, caused by insufficient strength relative to the carried weight, which may lead to unusual tiredness. In our preliminary results all soldiers had a point, carried weight, above which the work economy decreased. Therefore, it would be relevant to determine each soldier’s maximum optimal weight to carry.

C) Fatigue and performance in ultra-endurance exercise, such as military efforts, is determined by (in part) other factors compared to traditional endurance sports. One of the most important aspects is energy balance. The total energy expenditure for a 24-h Adventure Race can be as high as 18-20 000 kcal (Enqvist et al. 2010). One reason for fatigue is the substantial energy deficit. Partly because that the profile of amino acids in blood and muscle change (Borgenvik et al. 2012), muscle damage (Wichardt et al. 2011), hormonal changes (Berg et al 2008), and immunological responses (Wallberg et al. 2011, Marklund et al. 2013). This combined indicates that specific supplementations may be needed. We have recently examined the energy balance in military situations. Two situations were 100 h, 78 km by foot in summer alpine terrain (6200 kcal/24h), and 187 h of mixed military tasks (5600 kcal/24h). Even though the allotment of rations was sufficient to cover the energy expenditure the actual intake was substantially lower, energy deficit being approximately 50 % and 33 %, respectively. However, we see large individual differences. If possible, energy availability should be individualized so that heavier soldiers and those with heavier tasks have opportunities to get higher energy supply compared to soldiers with lighter tasks and lower weight.

Sammanfattning

Syfte och frågeställningar

Syftet med studien var att undersöka hur kostvanor som eftersträvade en medelhavslik kost med nordisk inriktning kunde påverka riskfaktorerna för det metabola syndromet, till följd av en genomförd kurs i livsstilsförändring. De frågeställningar som användes för arbetet var;

 Har det skett någon förändring i kursdeltagarnas kostvanor som har haft betydelse för det metabola syndromet?

 Hur såg korrelationen ut mellan förändring i kostvanor, livsstilsfaktorer och metabola riskfaktorer?

 Hur såg oberoende kopplingar ut mellan förändringar i kostvanor och livsstilsfaktorer och förändringar i riskfaktorer för det metabola syndromet efter kontroll för potentiella confounders som fysisk aktivitet och socialt tillstånd?

Metod

Den longitudinella kvasiexperimentella kvantitativa studien genomfördes under tolv månader och bestod av tre individuella träffar med en sjuksköterska samt fem gruppundervisningstillfällen i livsstilsförändring. Vid livsstilskursens start deltog 99 individer i studien. Vid sista mättillfället var deltagarantalet 64 individer.

Resultat

Resultaten visade på att det skett en signifikant förändring i majoriteten av de undersökta kostvariablerna för kursdeltagarna. Huruvida dessa kostvariabler hade betydelse för det metabola syndromet kunde däremot inte avläsas i denna frågeställning. Korrelationen mellan de tre undersökta kategorierna visade på samband mellan variablerna inom kategorierna däremot inte många korrelationer mellan kategorierna. För de regressionsanalyser som genomfördes visade ett antal kostfaktorer och fysiologiska mätvärden ha oberoende kopplingar till de fyra signifikanta fysiologiska riskfaktorerna. De fyra signifikanta riskfaktorerna var BMI, systoliskt blodtryck, midjemått och vikt.

Slutsats

Resultaten av studien visade att fysiologiska riskfaktorer för det metabola syndromet förändrats i riskreducerande riktning och att kosten delvis kan ha påverkat förändringarna till följd av kursen i livsstilsförändring.