Browsing by Author "Pļaviņa, Liana"

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Analysis of cadets’ anthropometric characteristics
    (2017-09-18) Pļaviņa, Liana; Umbraško, Silvija; Department of Morphology; Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology
    Anthropometric data reflect the quality of life, high working capacities and potentiality of individual creative abilities. The physical working and physical fitness capacities depend on physical health, physical development level, physical activity and healthy lifestyle. The aim of the paper is to evaluate the principal anthropometric characteristics, levels of physical activity and sports tests results in a group of cadets. We assessed the principal anthropometric characteristics (height, body mass) as well the anthropometric indices (body mass index) of cadets of the National Defence Academy in their 1st year of study and in the same group of cadets after three years, in their 4th year of study. We provided a questionnaire for the cadets in the study group concerning their physical activity and analysed the data of the standardized Nordic Questionnaire about Musculoskeletal Symptoms. The average values of the main anthropometric characteristics of the respondents in the 1st year of study were the following: height – 180.4±1.3 cm and body mass – 79.5±1.7 kg. After three years, we fixed the changes of body mass in the examined group: in 53% of cadets, the body mass had increased by more than two kg, but in 47% of respondents, body mass had remained at the same level. The average data in the study group of the 4th year students were: height 181.2±1.3 cm and body mass – 81.3±2.5 kg. Physical fitness is an indispensable part in the daily routine of each cadet. Physical fitness characterizes an individual’s cardiorespiratory status, muscular strength and endurance as well as velocity and coordination. The fitness level of a person determines the results of the annual sports tests (sit-ups, push-ups and cross-country race). The results were stable for 68% of respondents. We also included the questions related to musculoskeletal symptoms (pain). Musculoskeletal pain symptoms have an impact on each individual’s physical fitness level. The physical activity levels in the respondents’ group were high. They were closely associated with physical fitness, 76% of the respondents showed high results in annual physical fitness tests.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Analysis of musculoskeletal symptoms (pain) and characteristics of the anthropometric parameters in the military personnel
    (2015-10-21) Pļaviņa, Liana; Umbraško, Silvija; Department of Morphology; Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology
    Musculoskeletal disorders are connected to external and internal factors. External conditions in the military environment are characterized with a high physical load and psychological load. Internal factors are connect to individual health capacity, anthropometric characteristics, posture and foot state or the deviation from the standard. The pain is a common subjective sign of musculoskeletal pathology. The pain symptoms could be the initial symptom of musculoskeletal pathology which is an important cause of morbidity in the military service [6, 7]. The nature of the musculoskeletal problems suggests that a combination of ergonomic and individual/organizational intrinsic and extrinsic factors are associated with the military environment. We have provided for the analysis of cadets of the national Defence Academy in the period 2013–2014 the anthropometric parameters, the calculation of the body fat range according to the Guidelines of WHO and the data of the standardized Nordic Questionnaire for the Analysis Musculoskeletal Symptoms. The analysis of the average value of the body mass index fixed differences between the respondents’ groups. The assessment of the range of the body mass index revealed that the number of the individuals related to the overweight problems increased with the age about 1.5 times. Evaluations of the body fat range have shown that the number of the individuals with the healthy assessment of the body fat range decreased about two times with the age. Military training conditions with the combination of the intrinsic (individual) factors form the risk for musculoskeletal disorders. The most common problematic areas of pain are the lower back region, the hip joint region, the knee joint region, but the largest problem is the combined pain for the lower back and the knee joint region. The analysis of anthropometric parameters and evaluation of data Questionnaire for Analysis Musculoskeletal Symptoms may be important to provide preventive measures to reduce the risk of musculoskeletal disorders linked to a specific job and the treatment at the early stage where the combination of the extrinsic factors condition and intrinsic factors is present.
  • No Thumbnail Available
    Item
    Analysis of physical fitness tests and the body composition of the military personnel
    (2016-06-22) Pļaviņa, Liana; Umbraško, Silvija; Department of Morphology; Institute of Anatomy and Anthropology
    The Body composition is related to higher physical performance and a lower risk of health problems, it connects to external and internal factors. Military activities are characterized with a high physical load and a psychological load, physical fitness and the body composition have an adverse effect on military performance. The primary purpose of the body composition and physical fitness is related to the selection of individuals the best suited to the demands of military service [2,10]. The proper body mass supports good health capacity [11,13]. The maintenance of body composition and appropriate physical fitness standards by the military personnel is affected by the intrinsic factors such as the individual’s genetic factors, development history, social background, and extrinsic factors, environmental changes and institutional, systemic changes. The effects of the excess body mass are widespread, raise the variety of concerns relevant to the health and performance of the military personnel [1,3,4,5]. The diabetes mellitus, hyperlipidemia, hypertension and heart disease increased with the obesity [6,7,9,12]. The individuals with overweight have more medical complication than the individuals with the standard body mass. The higher body mass index was associated with higher morbidity and mortality [8]. We have classified individuals according to the age into subgroups and provided the evaluation of the body composition on the basis of the main anthropometric characteristics as well the analysis of the standard physical fitness tests results. The analysis of the average value of the body mass and the Body Mass Index have shown large individual changes inside the subgroups and between the subgroups. The assessment of the results of physical fitness tests is provided differentially according to the individual corresponding age subgroup. The analysis of the respondent data reveals the overweight and obesity problem that became actual with the increasing the age of individuals. Physical fitness tests results have shown that the excellent physical fitness evaluation is received by about 33–44% of the military personnel that reflects a high unit of operational readiness.