Browsing by Author "Zusa-Rodke, Anna"

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    The assessment of static balance in children with hearing, visual and intellectual disabilities
    (2017) Klavina, Aija; Zusa-Rodke, Anna; Galeja, Zinta; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
    Background: Balance is a fundamental part of many movement tasks a child performs. Maintaining upright posture is a complex process involving multiple body parts and functional systems. Objective: This study aimed to explore the mean amplitude and velocity of the center of pressure (COP) displacements during static balance tests in children with and without disabilities. Methods: Participants were 34 children (age 8.5 to 10.8 years) including 6 typically developed children, 8 children with hearing, 8 children with visual and 12 children with intellectual disabilities. Static balance data were obtained in 15 s bipedal stance with eyes open and eyes closed, and also in 10 s unipedal stance. A force plate was used to collect data of COP amplitude in anterior-posterior (COPA-P), medio-lateral (COPM-L) directions and COP velocity (COPV). Results: Study outcomes revealed that all subgroups presented larger COP displacement and velocity with eyes closed (p <.001). During bipedal stance with eyes open for results of COPM-L and COPV no significant differences were found between children with and without disabilities (p >.05). Children with intellectual and visual impairments presented significantly larger displacement in COPA-P and COPM-L in comparison with children with hearing impairment and without disability (p <.05). Conclusions: This study provided evidence of comparative outcomes on static stability assessment in elementary school children with and without disability. While in many test items children with disability did not demonstrate a significantly decreased level of postural control outcomes comparing to their peers without disability, the balance assessment should be used for early detection of dysfunction in children, so as to guide the application of appropriate intervention.
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    The Associations Between Problematic Internet Use, Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors and Health Complaints in Adolescents
    (2021-05-04) Klavina, Aija; Veliks, Viktors; Zusa-Rodke, Anna; Porozovs, Juris; Aniscenko, Aleksandrs; Bebrisa-Fedotova, Luize; Latvian Academy of Sport Education (LASE)
    This study aimed to explore relationship between problematic internet use (PIU), healthy lifestyle behaviors and subjective health complaints. Methods: Participants (396 adolescents, aged 11–18 years) from 34 general education schools across Latvia completed online survey. The PIU was assessed by the Problematic and Risky Internet Use Screening Scale (PRIUSS) collecting data on social impairment, emotional impairment, and risky/impulsive internet use. The subjective health complaints assessed were somatic and psychological symptoms. Healthy lifestyle behaviors assessed were daily physical activities, time spent in using information technologies (IT), eating habits, and duration of sleep. Results: This study found that 31.00% (n = 124) of the participants scored at risk for PIU. Correlates associated with PIU were subjective health complaints, low physical activity, lack of meals together with family and disturbed sleeping regimes on weekends (P < 0.001). Stepwise multiple regression analyses showed that 34% of the variance in the PRIUSS scores was explained by psychological health complaints (irritability, depression, and nervousness), screen time use on weekends, physical activity, drinking sweetened soft drinks and unhealthy eating habits. Conclusion: PIU behaviors among adolescents in Latvia are associated with psychological symptoms and unhealthy lifestyle. Further effective measures and interventions are needed to prevent development of psychosomatic health problems.