Taekwondo techniques and competition characteristics involved in time-loss injuries.

The purpose of this study was to assess time-loss injuries in young and adult taekwondo athletes. Participants were 2739 children (11-13 years), Junior (14-17 years) and adult males and females (18 years and older) competing in the national Greek championships. Injury data were collected by project staff with all diagnoses made by the tournament physician.

The role of rehabilitation in the treatment of balance disorders.

The vestibular system registers changes in head position, gravity, vibration, acceleration and deceleration. This information is then transmitted to the central nervous system, where additional information from the visual and auditory systems, muscles, tendons, joints and skin, serve to regulate and maintain the equilibrium and orientation of the system. Vision plays the most obvious part in continual monitoring of the environment.

The effects of a physiotherapeutic programme on bone mineral density, in individuals of postpuberty age (18--30 years), with cerebral palsy.

Celebral palsy (CP), unlike many other neurodevelopmental disorders, is associated with abnormalities of pregnancy and birth, particularly "birth asphyxia" and low birthweight. The aim of this research was to define and evaluate the degree up to which the physiotherapeutic treatment after puberty, when the musculoskeletal system is almost developed, can have a positive influence on bone mineral density (BMD). In the research 26 individuals having different forms of CP, 13 males and 13 females, participated.

Atrial natriuretic factor responses to submaximal and maximal exercise.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the plasma concentration of atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), K+, Na+, blood lactate, heart rate, and blood pressure in moderately trained women. Ten healthy women were studied on a cycle ergometer during 20 min of constant submaximal and maximal exercise, as well as during recovery. The ANF concentration was determined by radioimmunoassay.

Knowledge of and attitudes towards children with special needs by selected groups.

To explore knowledge of and attitudes about children who have special needs, a questionnaire was submitted to 1145 persons (305 lyceum students, 94 teachers of secondary education, 247 medical students, 354 physical education students, and 145 persons having an exceptional child in their families). Questions concerned the knowledge of categories of children with special needs, acceptance of them in regular classrooms, and willingness to work with them. Analysis showed that most people including teachers had limited awareness of exceptional children, their problems, education, and integration.