Papers by Agnieszka Opala-Berdzik
Background: With the increased interest in inter-recti distance measurement using ultrasound imag... more Background: With the increased interest in inter-recti distance measurement using ultrasound imaging, there is a question of measurement reliability, and the importance of the examiner’s experience. Methods: The study aimed to investigate the reliability of the inter-recti distance measurement performed offline by an experienced radiologist on linea alba images captured by two novice examiners. Additionally, it was aimed to determinethe number of image repetitions that provide an acceptable measurement reliability level. Ultrasound images were acquired by two novice examiners on repeated occasions (sessions A and B) in twenty-eight nulliparous women of reproductive age. Five images were captured at supraumbilical, umbilical, and infraumbilical points during each session. Results: The excellent intra-examiner reliability of inter-recti distance measurements was shown at the supraumbilical and umbilical levels (ICC=0.894-0.983). Infraumbilical measurements had good to excellent reliab...
Insights into Imaging
Background Inter-recti distance (IRD) measurement using musculoskeletal USI has been used in phys... more Background Inter-recti distance (IRD) measurement using musculoskeletal USI has been used in physiotherapy research, in particular, to investigate pregnancy-related diastasis recti abdominis (DRA) and to seek its effective treatment methods. Severe and untreated diastasis may result in the formation of umbilical or epigastric hernias. Objective This study aimed to systematically map physiotherapy-related research articles that included descriptions of IRD measurement procedures using USI to present their similarities and differences, and formulate recommendations on the procedure. Design A scoping review was conducted according to PRISMA-ScR guidelines, including 49 of 511 publications from three major databases. Publications were selected and screened by two independent reviewers whose decisions were consulted with a third reviewer. The main synthesized data items were: the examinees’ body position, breathing phase, measurement sites, and DRA screening methods. The final conclusion...
To cite: Chmielewska et al. Dry needling for physical therapy of scar. A protocol for a systemati... more To cite: Chmielewska et al. Dry needling for physical therapy of scar. A protocol for a systematic review. Inplasy protocol 202310058.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
It has been speculated that elite athletes are more likely to have obstetric interventions during... more It has been speculated that elite athletes are more likely to have obstetric interventions during labor and delivery. So far, the impact of many years of competitive sports participation on childbirth characteristics has not been well-established. This preliminary retrospective case–control study aimed to determine whether the first labors of elite judo competitors required obstetric interventions more frequently and were longer than those of non-athletes. The study comprised 32 parous women: 16 elite judo athletes and 16 non-athletes. Women were included if they had access to the following obstetric data (from their first childbirth hospital discharge reports and/or first child’s health record books): induction and augmentation of labor, mode of delivery, the duration of labor and its second stage, episiotomy, perineal tear, and the neonate’s Apgar score. Electronic surveys were completed concerning childbirth characteristics, level of “eliteness” (judo athletes), and recreational ...
Functional stability is necessary for everyday activities. The studies have indicated the deterio... more Functional stability is necessary for everyday activities. The studies have indicated the deterioration of functional stability during standing in the obese adults. This study aimed to determine whether the three-month weight-loss program that resulted in body mass reduction equal to or greater than 5% of the initial body mass would improve functional stability in young obese women. For the purpose of this study, the data of 30 females were included. Their mean age was 35.8±9.2. The women performed the anterior limit of stability test on the force platform twice: before and after weight-loss program. Their BMI at two sessions was 36.1±5.1 and 32.3±5, respectively. After the weight loss program, the COP velocities were increased in both phases of the anterior limit of stability test: the dynamic transition from standing to maximal forward-leaning and the maintenance of maximal forward-leaning position (p<0.05). No significant changes in the values of the COP parameters were found ...
Scientific Reports
Functional stability is necessary for everyday activities. The studies have indicated the deterio... more Functional stability is necessary for everyday activities. The studies have indicated the deterioration of functional stability during standing in the obese adults. This study aimed to determine whether the 3-month weight-loss program that resulted in body mass reduction equal to or greater than 5% of the initial body mass would improve functional stability in young obese women. For the purpose of this study, the data of 30 females were included. Their mean age was 35.8 ± 9.2. The women performed the anterior limit of stability test on the force platform twice: before and after weight-loss program. Their BMI at two sessions was 36.1 ± 5.1 and 32.3 ± 5, respectively. After the weight loss program, the COP velocities were increased in both phases of the anterior limit of stability test: the dynamic transition from standing to maximal forward-leaning and the maintenance of maximal forward-leaning position (p < 0.05). No significant changes in the values of the COP parameters were fo...
Gait & Posture, 2015
Spatiotemporal gait cycle characteristics were assessed at early (P1), and late (P2) pregnancy, a... more Spatiotemporal gait cycle characteristics were assessed at early (P1), and late (P2) pregnancy, as well as at 2 months (PP1) and 6 months (PP2) postpartum. A substantial decrease in walking speed was observed throughout the pregnancy, with the slowest speed (1±0.2m/s) being during the third trimester. Walking at slower velocity resulted in complex adaptive adjustments to their spatiotemporal gait pattern, including a shorter step length and an increased duration of both their stance and double-support phases. Duration of the swing phase remained the least susceptible to changes. Habitual walking velocity (1.13±0.2m/s) and the optimal gait pattern were fully recovered 6 months after childbirth. Documented here adaptive changes in the preferred gait pattern seem to result mainly from the altered body anthropometry leading to temporary balance impairments. All the observed changes within stride cycle aimed to improve gait safety by focusing on its dynamic stability. The pregnant women preferred to walk at a slower velocity which allowed them to spend more time in double-support compared with their habitual pattern. Such changes provided pregnant women with a safer and more tentative ambulation that reduced the single-support period and, hence, the possibility of instability. As pregnancy progressed a significant increase in stance width and a decrease in step length was observed. Both factors allow also for gait stability improvement.
Rehabilitacja Medyczna, 2019
Aim of study: Diastasis recti abdominis is a widening of the linea alba leading to separation of ... more Aim of study: Diastasis recti abdominis is a widening of the linea alba leading to separation of the recti muscles. This abnormality concerns mainly women during their perinatal period. The objective of this study is to determine the incidence of diastasis recti abdominis in women during their early postpartum period. We also attempted to verify the relationship between the women's linea alba width and the number of their deliveries. Methods: In this study, data from medical interviews as well as the results of a diastasis recti test among 52 women between their 3rd and 5th day after delivery were analysed. Pearson's Chi2 and Spearman's correlation tests were used to search for relationships between variables. Results: Among the 52 women, 33 (63%) demonstrated increased separation of recti muscles (a positive diastasis recti test at the level of the umbilicus). Statistical analysis indicated a moderate positive correlation between the width of linea alba and the number o...
Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research, Jan 8, 2014
The purpose of the study was to determine whether women who exercised during and after pregnancy ... more The purpose of the study was to determine whether women who exercised during and after pregnancy had better static postural stability compared to those who did not exercise. Posturographic tests were performed in 31 women at 34-39 weeks gestation, and again at 6-10 weeks postpartum. The center of pressure mean velocity (with directional subcomponents) and sway area were computed from 30-s quiet standing trials on a stationary force plate with eyes open or closed. The women were surveyed about their lifestyle and physical activity in the perinatal period. Based on the survey, 12 of the women were assigned as regular exercisers and 19 as non-exercisers. A Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare data of the exercisers and the non-exercisers in their advanced pregnancy and again at 2 months postpartum. Postural sway measures were not significantly different between the exercisers and the non-exercisers in advanced pregnancy and at 2 months postpartum (p>0.05). Individually performed ...
PLOS ONE, 2015
This longitudinal study aimed to compare static postural stability in women between early pregnan... more This longitudinal study aimed to compare static postural stability in women between early pregnancy, advanced pregnancy, and at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Forty-five pregnant women were enrolled and 31 completed the protocol. Data were collected at 7-16 and 34-39 weeks gestation, and at 6-10 and 26-30 weeks postpartum. For each subject, the center of foot pressure path length and mean velocity (with directional subcomponents) were computed from 30-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate with eyes open or closed. The body mass, stance width, and sleep duration within 24 h before testing were also recorded. Static postural stability was not different between pregnancy and postpartum, except for the anterior posterior sway tested in the eyes-closed condition, which was significantly increased in late pregnancy compared to that at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Pregnant/postpartum women's body mass weakly positively correlated with anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-closed condition and their stance width weakly positively correlated with the anterior-posterior sway in the eyes-open condition. No effect of sleep duration on postural sway was found. Our findings indicate that under visual deprivation conditions women in advanced pregnancy may have decreased static stability compared to their nonpregnant state.
Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 2018
The aim of the study was to determine whether 10- to 13-year-old, national-level, female acrobati... more The aim of the study was to determine whether 10- to 13-year-old, national-level, female acrobatic gymnasts present a different quiet standing postural control (with and without visual cues) than untrained female peers. The mean velocity of the center of pressure (in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions) was computed from 60-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate in fifteen 10- to 13-year-old female acrobatic gymnasts and thirteen sex- and age-matched non-athletes. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA (acrobatic gymnasts vs. non-athletes and eyes open vs. eyes closed) was used for the anterior-posterior and mediallateral COP mean velocity. The relation between subjects' body mass and COP mean velocity was tested with the used Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient. Postural sway (represented by COP mean velocity) was not significantly different between the acrobatic gymnasts and the non-athletes ( p > 0.05), except for the faster medial-lateral...
Acta of Bioengineering and Biomechanics, 2019
The impact of pregnancy on the anterior-posterior sacral orientation and its relation to lumbopel... more The impact of pregnancy on the anterior-posterior sacral orientation and its relation to lumbopelvic pain and weight gain has not been fully recognized. This longitudinal study aimed to compare the sacral inclination angle in women between their early and advanced pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. The authors also searched for a correlation between the sacral inclination and lumbopelvic pain, BMI and change in body mass. Thirteen healthy women participated in the study. Data were collected at 8-16 and 35-38 weeks of gestation, and at 27-31.5 postpartum weeks. At each session, the women's sacral inclination angles were measured using the Saunders digital inclinometer. Data were also collected on lumbopelvic pain, BMI and body mass gain/loss. There was no effect of the evaluation period on the sacral inclination (p > 0.05); however, various individual values of the sacral inclination in pregnancy and postpartum were noted. In advanced pregnancy, 61.5% of the women had recur...
This longitudinal study aimed to compare static postural stability in women between early pregnan... more This longitudinal study aimed to compare static postural stability in women between early pregnancy, advanced pregnancy, and at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Forty-five pregnant women were enrolled and 31 completed the protocol. Data were collected at 7–16 and 34– 39 weeks gestation, and at 6–10 and 26–30 weeks postpartum. For each subject, the center of foot pressure path length and mean velocity (with directional subcomponents) were com-puted from 30-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate with eyes open or closed. The body mass, stance width, and sleep duration within 24 h before testing were also recorded. Static postural stability was not different between pregnancy and postpar-tum, except for the anterior posterior sway tested in the eyes-closed condition, which was significantly increased in late pregnancy compared to that at 2 and 6 months postpartum. Pregnant/postpartum women’s body mass weakly positively correlated with anterior-poste-rior sway in the eyes-cl...
PLoS ONE, 2021
The primary aim of the study was to assess intraday and interday reliability of surface electromy... more The primary aim of the study was to assess intraday and interday reliability of surface electromyography (sEMG) reflex activity of the pelvic floor muscles during synchronous whole-body vibration (S-WBV) of two intensities (30Hz/2mm; 40Hz/4mm) using band-stop filter and high-pass filter signal processing. The secondary aim of the study was to assess intraday and interday (test-retest) reliability of sEMG obtained from maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) test. We evaluated the intraday reliability of sEMG recordings obtained during sessions 1 and 2 performed on the same day. The sessions consisting of maximal voluntary pelvic floor muscle contraction and synchronous vibration sets with 1-hour rest in-between sessions 1 and 2 in healthy nulliparous women. The next intraday reliability was evaluated between the results of sessions 3 and 4 performed on the same day but followed at an interval of 4 weeks. to include the entire menstrual cycle. The interday reliability was determined base...
Acta of bioengineering and biomechanics, 2019
PURPOSE The impact of pregnancy on the anterior-posterior sacral orientation and its relation to ... more PURPOSE The impact of pregnancy on the anterior-posterior sacral orientation and its relation to lumbopelvic pain and weight gain has not been fully recognized. This longitudinal study aimed to compare the sacral inclination angle in women between their early and advanced pregnancy and at 6 months postpartum. The authors also searched for a correlation between the sacral inclination and lumbopelvic pain, BMI and change in body mass. METHODS Thirteen healthy women participated in the study. Data were collected at 8-16 and 35-38 weeks of gestation, and at 27-31.5 postpartum weeks. At each session, the women's sacral inclination angles were measured using the Saunders digital inclinometer. Data were also collected on lumbopelvic pain, BMI and body mass gain/loss. RESULTS There was no effect of the evaluation period on the sacral inclination (p > 0.05); however, various individual values of the sacral inclination in pregnancy and postpartum were noted. In advanced pregnancy, 61.5...
BMC Sports Science, Medicine and Rehabilitation, 2021
Background Gymnastics training enhances the development of postural control in children and adole... more Background Gymnastics training enhances the development of postural control in children and adolescents. In competitive gymnastics, the training regimen is specific to the given gymnastic discipline and is usually followed from the early years of practicing. This study aimed to determine whether postural steadiness differed between young gymnasts practicing two distinct disciplines, and whether it was related to the duration of their training experience, age, and their anthropometric characteristics. Methods Thirty 10–13-year-old females ̶ ten artistic gymnasts, ten acrobatic gymnasts (training as “tops”), and ten non-athletes ̶ were examined during 60-s quiet standing trials on a force platform with the eyes open and closed. Their postural sway was represented by directional components of centre of foot pressure mean velocity. Mann-Whitney U, Wilcoxon and Spearman’s ρ tests were used for analyses. Results Anterior-posterior and medial-lateral centre of foot pressure mean velocities...
The purpose of the paper is to present the problems related to various biomechanical changes taki... more The purpose of the paper is to present the problems related to various biomechanical changes taking place in the musculoskeletal system in pregnant women concerning body posture and pain problems and especially low back pain. The changes of the functional motion range of the trunk as well as the limitations and diffi culties in daily life activities and work performance are taken into consideration. The infl uence of pregnancy on postural stability and gait is also presented in the paper. The knowledge gathered in the article should be helpful to those who provide the child birth classes as well as to physicians and physical therapists in prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal complaints of women during pregnancy and post partum.
Acta of bioengineering and biomechanics, 2018
PURPOSE The aim of the study was to determine whether 10- to 13-year-old, national-level, female ... more PURPOSE The aim of the study was to determine whether 10- to 13-year-old, national-level, female acrobatic gymnasts present a different quiet standing postural control (with and without visual cues) than untrained female peers. METHODS The mean velocity of the center of pressure (in anterior-posterior and medial-lateral directions) was computed from 60-s long quiet-standing trials on a stationary force plate in fifteen 10- to 13-year-old female acrobatic gymnasts and thirteen sex- and age-matched non-athletes. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA (acrobatic gymnasts vs. non-athletes and eyes open vs. eyes closed) was used for the anterior-posterior and mediallateral COP mean velocity. The relation between subjects' body mass and COP mean velocity was tested with the used Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient. RESULTS Postural sway (represented by COP mean velocity) was not significantly different between the acrobatic gymnasts and the non-athletes ( p > 0.05), except for t...
Uploads
Papers by Agnieszka Opala-Berdzik