https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136368 2026-04-15T21:48:21Z 2026-04-15T21:48:21Z Spiteri, Georgette Gatt, Daniela Lungaro-Mifsud, Stephen Scerri, Josianne Couto, Jose Guilherme Formosa, Melissa Marie Trapani, Josef Pavli, Foteini https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136361 2025-12-18T08:38:35Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Malta Journal of Health Sciences : volume 12 : issue 1 Authors: Spiteri, Georgette; Gatt, Daniela; Lungaro-Mifsud, Stephen; Scerri, Josianne; Couto, Jose Guilherme; Formosa, Melissa Marie; Trapani, Josef; Pavli, Foteini Abstract: Table of contents: 1/ Rosienne Farrugia - Genetic testing for inherited diseases – it is not just about diagnosis 2/ Heather Galea & Petra Jones - Assessing dietary intake in female adult dancers: a cross-sectional study 3/ Eliza Grech Debattista, Karl Spiteri, John Xerri de Caro, Emanuel Schembri & Maria Aurora Fenech - The perceptions of older persons on exercise 4/ Kristina Caruana, Jessica Falzon, Jose Guilherme Couto, Francis Zarb & Paul Bezzina - Target delineation error assessment for patients treated to the larynx with VMAT: a quantitative study performed at a local Maltese 5/ Emanuel Schembri, Karl Spiteri, Laura Jayne Bonnett & John Xerri de Caro - Prognostic models of non-surgical treatment outcomes for lumbar-related leg pain: a scoping review of systematic reviews

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Farrugia, Rosienne https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136358 2025-07-02T06:56:20Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Genetic testing for inherited diseases – it is not just about diagnosis Authors: Farrugia, Rosienne Abstract: Just over two decades ago, in October 2004, the first complete sequence of the Human Genome was published (International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium, 2004). It was the culmination of a massive and expensive collaboration between 20 sequencing centres across the world, spanning more than a decade of work and at an estimated cost of over €2.5 billion. This first complete genome build made available the sequence of 92% of the 3 billion nucleotides that make up a human genome.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Galea, Heather Jones, Petra https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136354 2025-07-02T06:57:13Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: Assessing dietary intake in female adult dancers : a cross-sectional study Authors: Galea, Heather; Jones, Petra Abstract: Optimal dietary intake supports training and performance and minimises risk of developing disordered eating habits for dancers. Nevertheless, dietary intake data is limited globally. This study aims to assess dietary intake, exercise energy expenditure (EEE) and physical activity level of female, adult dancers. Professional and recreational dancers were conveniently recruited from all dance schools in Gozo, a small Mediterranean island. Dietary intake during weekdays and the weekends was assessed through a 4-day food and beverage diary. Data on EEE was collected using a lifestyle questionnaire adapted from the ‘International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form’. One-sample t-tests compared participants’ intakes to recommended dietary allowances (RDA), while paired-samples t-tests assessed differences in intakes between weekdays and weekends. A total of 14 dancers, 11 recreational and 3 professional, were recruited. The mean energy intake was 1306±348kcal/day with 34.7±5.7% derived from fat. The mean carbohydrate and protein intakes were 2.4±0.8g/ kg and 1.1±0.3g/kg body weight respectively. The mean total EEE was 2034±190kcal/day. Daily mean energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes were lower than the RDA, while mean fat intake was higher. There was no significant evidence of dietary intake variations between weekdays and the weekend (p=0.309 carbohydrates, p=0.596 fat, p=0.956 protein). Recreational dancers were likely to consume sufficient dietary intake. Professionals consumed suboptimal energy, carbohydrate and protein intakes. Dietary fat recommendations were met by half of the participants and exceeded by the rest. This study is the first to assess the dietary intake of dancers in Malta, highlighting the need for further research with a larger cohort of local dancers recruiting diverse age groups and training intensities.

2025-01-01T00:00:00Z Grech Debattista, Eliza Spiteri, Karl Xerri de Caro, John Schembri, Emanuel Fenech, Maria Aurora https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/136353 2025-07-02T07:00:05Z 2025-01-01T00:00:00Z

Title: The perceptions of older persons on exercise Authors: Grech Debattista, Eliza; Spiteri, Karl; Xerri de Caro, John; Schembri, Emanuel; Fenech, Maria Aurora Abstract: Older people are encouraged to remain physically active and engage in exercise to remain independent. An understanding of exercise for older people is needed when promoting exercise in this age group. The study aimed to explore older persons' perceptions of exercise in a Maltese community. It included exploring the incentives to commence/or continue to exercise, and barriers to exercising. An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) was used for data analysis to obtain an in-depth perspective from the participants about exercise. Participants were recruited from an activity day centre and were all residents from one village. Data was collected between July and August 2020 through semi-structured interviews, which were audio-recorded and transcribed. These were used to obtain an in-depth perspective about their exercise perceptions. Purposeful quota sampling was employed, with a sample size of nine participants determined based on data saturation. Data coding followed transcript review, leading to the identification and discussion of emergent themes. The study included nine participants between the ages of 64 and 88; six females and three males. Five main themes emerged i) Perceptions of One's Own Ability, ii) Knowledge on Exercise, Exercising Preference, iii) Adjusting to New Circumstances, iv) Accessibility and v) Opportunities to Exercising. This study showed that older persons had different views and opinions about exercise. Reasons why they wanted to initiate exercising and what kept them doing so varied based on their perceptions. These preferences need to be considered when promoting exercise with older persons.

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