Netanya Academic College

Background Isokinetic studies of wrist flexion and extension (WFE) have been conducted mostly in the concentric mode. However, the eccentric counterpart is of specific importance in strength profiling while both modes are differently expressed in women and men. Objective to characterize the isokinetic concentric and eccentric isokinetic strength of the dominant side WFE, in a group of healthy young women and men and explore their respective internal and external relationships. Methods 20 women and 20 men were tested while standing with forearm in neutral position, using a RoM of 60° and a speed of 120°/s for both contraction modes. Isometric grip strength was measured using a standard apparatus. Results Men were significantly stronger than women, the flexors significantly stronger than the extensors and the eccentric strength significantly higher than its concentric counterpart. A correlation matrix based on the concentric and eccentric peak moments of the WFE revealed that men had significantly higher correlation coefficients compared to women. Conclusions While supporting the efficiency of the test position, the significant sex-related difference in the strength correlations pattern may reflect an acquired-adaptive trait but this assumption requires further research.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a thermo‐mechanical fractional device for the treatment of photodamaged skin. Methods and Materials Twenty‐five subjects received three thermo‐mechanical fractional device treatments at monthly intervals. Low treatment settings of a 5 ms pulse duration and 100 μm tip protrusion were administered in 1–2 passes. Digital images were evaluated for improvement on the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Classification Score 3 months after the final treatment. Secondary efficacy endpoints included ratings on a Global Aesthetic Improvement Score and Subject SatIsfaction Questionnaire. Results Forty‐eight percent of subjects demonstrated a ≥ 1 score improvement in the Fitzpatrick Wrinkle Classification Score, and 96% of subjects demonstrated a good to excellent Global Aesthetic Improvement Score. Sixty‐eight percent of subjects were “satisfied” to “very satisfied” with treatment results. Conclusions The thermo‐mechanical fractional device at low settings is safe and effective for improving signs of photodamage with minimal patient discomfort.

Background Elite gymnasts are exposed to high levels of physical stress, during both childhood and adolescence, with significantly late maturation and high injury prevalence. Here, we compare the physiological characteristics of female gymnasts in 2 age groups: young (9-12 years) and adolescent (≥13 years) in 3 disciplines of competitive gymnastics. Hypothesis Participants’ physiological characteristics will differ by age group and by gymnastic discipline. Study Design Cohort study. Level of Evidence Level 2. Methods The study included 274 gymnasts, aged 11.8 ± 1.9 years. Data collection included anthropometric measures, Tanner stage, and menarche age; ultrasound assessments were used to assess bone properties, including bone strength, skeletal age, and final-height prediction. Results Univariate analysis of variance showed age × discipline interactions for body mass index (BMI) percentiles ( F (2, 266) = 4.379; P = 0.01), skeletal age ( F (2, 241) = 3.808; P = 0.02), and final-height prediction ( F (2, 240) = 3.377, P = 0.04). Moreover, in both age groups, artistic gymnasts exhibited significantly higher BMI percentiles than rhythmic gymnasts ( P < 0.05). In the adolescent group, final-height prediction for rhythmic gymnasts was significantly greater than that of artistic gymnasts ( P < 0.05). Finally, in adolescent gymnasts, regression lines showed that skeletal age was lower than chronological age ( P < 0.05). Conclusion Artistic gymnasts were shorter than rhythmic and acrobatic gymnasts. Despite similar BMI and body fat, maturity patterns, and training-volume history, artistic gymnasts had lower bone-strength than rhythmic and acrobatic gymnasts. Combined with their high-impact and intensive training, this could increase their risk of musculoskeletal injuries. Clinical Relevance The current study may help athletic trainers and medical teams define “norms” for different age groups and gymnastic disciplines, based on what may be expected during the athletes’ early and late maturation. This knowledge can be used to modify, individualize, and optimize training programs.

Bassan’s article on the posthumous use of sperm presents a complicated picture of Israeli law. ¹ On the one hand, as previous reviews show, ² Israel is unique in terms of the extent of this phenomenon. The number of applications to the courts to approve the use of sperm posthumously is substantial and has been increasing since the outbreak of the war on October 7. On the other hand, there is no clear legal policy in this area. In other words, Bassan’s article shows that the rights of relevant parties in this context are not adequately regulated. This, as elaborated below, is the result of a lack of primary legislation, together with disagreement among relevant policymakers. The outcome is feelings of frustration, confusion, and even anger among the deceased’s close relatives.

The aftermath of the Second World War and the Holocaust triggered mass migration of Jewish refugees to British Mandatory Palestine and, after 1948, the nascent State of Israel. Responding to this crisis, Jews in the Diaspora increased their commitment to facilitate immigration to Israel, particularly by supporting medical services to the Yishuv (pre-state Jewish Settlement). This paper explores the critical role played by Hadassah and other organizations in establishing direct medical services for Jewish immigrants during two key periods of Israel’s history: the end of British Mandatory Palestine (1944–1948) and the early years of the State of Israel (1948–1953). While the Immigrant Medical Services organization faced numerous challenges, this organization was essential in addressing the pressing healthcare needs of a burgeoning population amid morbidity and mortality concerns. An emphasis is placed on the challenges faced by these organizations and the commitment and resourcefulness of all involved, which ultimately shaped the foundation of Israel’s healthcare infrastructure.

Background and objectives This is a protocol for a living systematic review and meta-analysis. This review will assess the effects of state-of-the-art exercise interventions designed to promote functional mobility. Therefore, after identifying all potential interventions, we will use the F.I.T.T. principles (frequency, intensity, time, type) as well as the physical and health status of the participants as moderators to analyse the mechanisms for the positive benefits of exercise interventions. The main research questions are: Which exercise types are most beneficial for improving functional mobility in various populations of older adults? Which physical exercise characteristics in terms of frequency, intensity, time and duration will achieve the greatest benefit in terms of the defined outcomes, i.e, the functional mobility of older adults? Methods The systematic literature research according to PRISMA guidelines will search databases like MEDLINE, APA Psych-Info and Web of Science. Inclusion criteria are: healthy older people ≥ 50 years, randomized-controlled trials including exercise intervention and a walking or mobility assessments (eg., TUG, SPPB) as an outcome measure. A preliminary search revealed more than 33,000 hits that will be screened by pairs of independent reviewers. The results will be summarized according to the effects regarding functional mobility and potential dose-response relations via respective meta-analysis. Conclusion The systematic review will comprise the knowledge of the existing literature with regards to the effects of the physical activity interventions compared to an active or inactive control group. We will summarize the effects with respect to the F.I.T.T.. They provide a foundation for structuring an optimal exercise training program. If possible, we will also compare interventions from the different categories (eg. cardiovascular, resistance, motor-coordinative, multicomponent or mind-body exercise) as a network analysis and report the influence of moderator variables. Based on the results evidence-based guidelines following GRADE for physical exercise interventions to improve functional mobility in older adults will be provided.

Purpose Studies have shown mixed findings regarding the impact of stress on the success of fertility treatments. To the best of our knowledge, stress in the context of the workplace has not been investigated to date in relation to the success of fertility treatments. This research investigates the impact of work-related stress and emotional exhaustion experienced by both partners on in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment outcomes. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study that included 44 heterosexual couples (N = 88) in which both partners filled out the research questionnaire. The couples were recruited in a hospital IVF unit in the center of Israel. Results Women’s job-related stress and emotional exhaustion lowered their chances of achieving pregnancy when undergoing IVF treatments. Moreover, when partners’ emotional exhaustion was relatively low, the job-related stress of women did not affect pregnancy outcomes. Conclusion This is the first study to explore whether job-related stressors of both partners may have an impact on success rates of IVF treatments. We propose some practical implications as to how to eradicate their negative impact on IVF outcomes.

This cross-sectional study examined 177 Israeli parents of children with special needs (SEN). It focused on parental perceptions of how school closures impacted their children’s internalising, externalising, and attention problems. These perceptions were evaluated using the Achenbach Assessment (ASEBA). Parents’ views were gathered post-lockdown and retrospectively during and before the lockdowns. Results showed behavioural problems peaked during the lockdown and decreased after returning to school, remaining higher than pre-COVID. The child’s behavioural problems during and after the lockdown were explained by the child’s cooperation with remote learning and parental assistance. Parental satisfaction with remote learning and their education level were associated with children’s behavioural problems only during the lockdown, becoming non-significant afterwards. The child’s difficulty level was linked to behavioural problems post-lockdown but became non-significant when remote learning variables were considered. There was no difference between autistic children and those with other difficulties. The study indicates that lockdowns may have a prolonged effect on children with SEN. Negative family dynamics, characterised by parents who are heavily involved in their child’s remote learning or a child’s uncooperative behaviour, are associated with behavioural problems even after returning to in-person learning. The child’s diagnosis was not found to affect this association

Background and objectives Public healthcare systems face constraints in financial and professional resources. The Mandatory Tenders Law 5752 − 1992 stipulates that before entering into a contract for the supply of a service or product, public authorities and government corporations must undergo a public tender process. The authors sought to identify and contextualize the trends observed in tenders for healthcare services over the past decade amid increasingly stringent resource constraints. What prevails over what: quality or price? Methods All tenders for services provided by health professionals published by the Ministry of Health and health maintenance organizations between 2013 and 2023 were collected. Each tender was assessed for the quality and price components. Trends in the quality and price percentage were evaluated. Results A total of 224 tenders were analyzed. A statistically significant weak negative correlation was found between the quality percentage and years (r=-0.185, p < 0.01), indicating that quality percentages tended to decrease over the years. The quality percentages statistically significantly decreased by 10.14% points during the COVID-19 period (p < 0.05). The median quality percentage of tenders for health services directly impacting patients over extended periods was statistically significant higher compared with the median quality percentage of tenders for health services having indirect impacts on patients (p < 0.05). Conclusions Despite healthcare organizations prioritizing quality and seemingly assigning it a higher weight in tenders, price is often the decisive factor. Effective mechanisms to safeguard the quality and safety of healthcare services in addition to incorporating economic considerations into tender processes should be established.

This article examines the trends and trajectories of the nursing profession and healthcare practices in Israel from a historical perspective, following the enactment of the 1995 National Insurance Health (NHI) Law, which entitled every Israeli resident to healthcare services. Since then, Israel's health funds have become more competitive and services to patients have improved. Nurses in Israel have taken on new roles in the healthcare system, including working with professional colleagues to develop efficient teamwork that serves patients’ needs. Nursing in Israel has also become increasingly academized, with all nursing training taking place in universities or academic colleges as of 2024. These changes mirror global trends in nursing and demand new thinking about the role of nurses, including how nursing can best serve patients and the wider healthcare system.

Background: Children are encouraged to spend 60 min each day performing moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. In this study, we assessed the impact of an intervention throughout the school year on physical activity, sports performance, and school climate in fifth–sixth-grade children from schools in a disadvantaged neighborhood. Methods: The intervention group (n = 44) participated in six weekly 45 min physical education classes; an athletic subgroup of these students participated in two additional weekly athletic classes. The control group (n = 73) participated in two standard weekly physical education classes. Pre- and post-intervention Eurofit Physical Fitness Tests were conducted. Results: Significant improvements were seen in the stand-and-reach test among girls in the intervention group [M = −0.47(7.71)–1.26(8.02) cm] compared to the control group [F(1,54) = 14.86, p < 0.01, η2 = 0.22]. No differences were seen between the groups in their daily physical activity, screen time, or school climate (p = 0.13, p = 0.17, and p = 0.35, respectively). Improvements were seen in the shuttle-run beep test, yet only in the athletic subgroup [F(1,93) = 60.38, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.39]. A trend towards significance for the largest improvement was seen in the athletic subgroup, who participated in eight weekly physical activity classes [F(2,93) = 3.75, p = 0.027, η2 = 0.07). Conclusions: Physical education curricula should enhance their focus on athletic performance, while increasing the number of weekly physical education classes in schools, to include daily lessons throughout the school week, each lasting at least 45 min.

Background Among those with common mental health disorders (e.g. mood, anxiety, and stress disorders), comorbidity of substance and other addictive disorders is prevalent. To simplify the seemingly complex relationships underlying such comorbidity, methods that include multiple measures to distill which specific addictions are uniquely associated with specific mental health disorders rather than due to the co-occurrence of other related addictions or mental health disorders can be used. Methods In a general population sample of Jewish adults in Israel ( N = 4002), network analysis methods were used to create partial correlation networks of continuous measures of problematic substance (non-medical use of alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, and prescription sedatives, stimulants, and opioid painkillers) and behavioral (gambling, electronic gaming, sexual behavior, pornography, internet, social media, and smartphone) addictions and common mental health problems (depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder [PTSD]), adjusted for all variables in the model. Results Strongest associations were observed within these clusters: (1) PTSD, anxiety, and depression; (2) problematic substance use and gambling; (3) technology-based addictive behaviors; and (4) problematic sexual behavior and pornography. In terms of comorbidity, the strongest unique associations were observed for PTSD and problematic technology-based behaviors (social media, smartphone), and sedatives and stimulants use; depression and problematic technology-based behaviors (gaming, internet) and sedatives and cannabis use; and anxiety and problematic smartphone use. Conclusions Network analysis isolated unique relationships underlying the observed comorbidity between common mental health problems and addictions, such as associations between mental health problems and technology-based behaviors, which is informative for more focused interventions.

Purpose: Despite evidence that sports arenas are grooming ground for sexual harassment, consensus is still lacking what this term constitutes. The aim of this study is to examine how athletes of different levels and non-athletes perceive sexual harassment in sports through the lens of the Institutional Theory. Method: Hundred and thirty pre-service physical education teachers (competitive and non-competitive athletes) and 53 Olympic athletes, rated 27 items divided into four levels of sexual harassment regarding men coaches' behaviors towards women athletes, on a scale of 1 (does not constitute sexual harassment) to 4 (constitutes sexual harassment to a great extent). Findings: Non-Olympic athletes rated the behaviors as constituting sexual harassment to a greater degree than Olympic athletes, in all categories, as did women participants compared to man. Both genders rated sexual harassment and exploitation as the most severe factor followed by Sexist behavior, yet the more competitive the athletes, the less they perceived such behaviors as disturbing. The Professional contact factor was rated as the least disturbing, with women rating it as less disturbing than men. Conclusions: The study underscores the ambiguity surrounding the definition of sexual harassment in sports, emphasizing the necessity for clear boundaries to establish acceptable behavior. Such clarity is essential to ensure that all athletes feel safe within the sporting environment. It emphasizes the importance of zero tolerance for all harassing behaviors, regardless of severity, and the implementation of comprehensive policies and training programs in sport organizations. Moving forward, promoting respect, safety, and awareness, along with ongoing research and evaluation, are crucial for creating inclusive and safe sporting environments.

This paper examines the short- and potential long-term economic costs and benefits to Israel from its war with Hamas and Hezbollah that began in October 2023. As of October 2024, Israel’s economy has not returned to its pre-war level of output, and Israel’s government’s debt is increasing to pay for the war. The long run effect of the war will depend on its outcome, but there is potential for a very negative economic effect since the war might cause or contribute to a brain drain of young and talented Israelis. Israel is very vulnerable to a brain drain since it has many high-tech workers who have a comparatively easier time in re-locating to new countries than other workers since with their skills, they should be able to find well-paying jobs in other countries.

Time is a Pandora's box that international lawyers have long been reluctant to fully open. Perhaps unwilling to tackle the complexities this elusive concept presents, or loath to confront past wrongs and future threats that might arise from the fabled box, international jurists have left core questions of time and international law largely underexplored. In so doing, however, they have overlooked time and temporality as useful analytical lenses through which to gain new and deeper understandings of international law as a discipline and governance system. After all, international law is entangled with time in various and multifaceted ways. International law does not simply exist in time, having its own past, present, and future. Rather, like law generally, international law is constantly being shaped, organized, and reconstructed by time, while also creating, embedding, and perpetuating temporal standards and understandings. Yet, whereas domestic law scholars have in recent decades devoted considerable attention to the complex time-law relationship, international lawyers have so far investigated this relationship in only a limited manner, focusing primarily on doctrinal and procedural questions, while leaving many theoretical issues unaddressed.