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e-ISSN 1734-2260 from 2005
ISSN 1429-0022 from 1997 till 2004
Indexed in: SportDiscus; EMBASE/Excerpta Medica; Index Copernicus
Medicina Sportiva 2008 vol. 12, Issue 3
Copyright ® 2008 Medicina Sportiva
Correlation between circulatory and somatic variables in young and elderly men
Wiesław Pilis, Wiktor Niewiadomski, Janusz Wojtyna, Marek Chorąży, Józef Langfort
Read article »
ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in professional sportsmen (extreme sports condition)
Małgorzata Mrowicka, Elżbieta Gałecka, Katarzyna Malinowska, Elżbieta Miller
Read article »
Effects of physical training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Necat Yılmaz, Esin Eren, Sadık Özmen
Read article »
Physiological impact of hypohydration on thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, and substrate usage during exercise
Trey Hoyt, Inza L. Fort, Michael I. Kalinski
Read article »
Changes of morphological characteristics of 7 year old boys based on variables of motor abilities under the influence of physical exercise treatment
Stipe Blažević, Dobromir Bonacin, Marta Zalewska
Read article »
The secular trend in the somatic development and motor performance of 7-15-year-old girls
Miroslav Kopecký, Miroslava Přidalová
Read article »
The occurence and distribution of cardiovascular system diseases risk factors among youth with different levels of physical activity
Krzysztof Mazurek, Anna Czajkowska, Grażyna Lutosławska, Piotr Żmijewski, Marzena Malara
Read article »
Growth-related changes in the acute immune response to exercise in healthy boys
Brian W. Timmons and Oded Bar-Or
Read article »
Changes of thermoemission of upper extremities in female handball players - the preliminary study
Monika Chudecka, Ewa Szczepanowska, Agnieszka Kempińska
Read article »
The influence of hyperthermia exposure in sauna on thermal adaptation and select endocrine responses in women
Wanda Pilch, Zbigniew Szyguła, Masafumi Torii, Anthony C. Hackney
Read article »
Correlation between circulatory and somatic variables in young and elderly men
Wiesław Pilis, Wiktor Niewiadomski, Janusz Wojtyna, Marek Chorąży, Józef Langfort
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to find out, whether arterial blood pressure measured at rest correlates with chosen somatic parameters in healthy young and elderly men.
Materials and Methods: In the study participated 3 groups of different age (12 healthy men each group): Group I: 23.9 ±4.2 years, Group II: 51.7 ±5.5 years, Group III: 66.5 ±5.7 years. Resting systolic pressure (RRs [mmHg]), diastolic pressure (RRd [mmHg]) and heart rate (HR [beats/min]) were determined in finger using non-invasive, compensation method (Portapres). Body weight (BW [kg]) and body height (BH [cm]) were measured and the body mass index (BMI [kg/m2]) was calculated. Body fat (BF [%]), body fat mass (BFM [kg]), fat-free mass (FFM [kg]), and total body water (TBW [kg]) were determined using electric impedance measurement performed with Analyzer – Tanita TBT 300 (Japan). Basal metabolic rate (BMR [kJ/24h] estimate was calculated by the device.
Results: The highest arterial pressure measured in Group I: RRs: 141.6 ±22.5 mmHg, RRd: 92.0 ±19.5 mmHg, exceeded the cut-off value for normal arterial pressure. The arterial pressure in the two other groups was within range of normality. Correlation between arterial blood pressure and somatic parameters were found for the Group I and when three groups were pooled. In Group I (young subjects) RRs positively correlated with following parameters strongly and significantly (in order of strength of correlation): TBW, FFM, BW, BMR, BMI, BF. RRd correlated with these parameters slightly less, and the same order of correlation strength was preserved. For all subjects pooled into one group age correlated negatively with RRd, somatic parameters correlated more strongly with RRd than with RRs, however generally order of correlation strength was retained.
Conclusions: Our results differ from those, which would be predicted on the ground of commonly accepted view: arterial blood pressure was negatively correlated with age and correlated least with the indices of body fat. Our results rise the possibility, that other causes, than those commonly accepted, may be instrumental in causing elevation of arterial blood pressure in young subjects.
Key words: blood pressure, heart rate, somatic variables
Read article »
Ros generation and lipid peroxidation in professional sportsmen (extreme sports condition)
Introduction: Too intensive physical exercise may lower NO bioactivity as a result of excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion radical (O2•–). This can lead to the intense peroxidation of cell membrane lipids in erythrocytes.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of dosed maximal exercise on the plasma nitric oxide content and the level of malonyl dialdehyde in red blood cells in professional sportsmen and in individuals of normal physical activity.
Materials and Methods: 41 rugby players and 21 men of normal physical activity (control group) were the subject of the study. NO and MDA concentrations were determined in three time points: before an effort, 1 minute after dosed maximal exercise and after 30-minute restitution period. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was evaluated with Griess’s indirect method and malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) concentration was measured with Placer’s method.
Results: Mean NO concentration increased in the exercise phase and decreased after 30-minute restitution in all three studied groups. The highest MDA level was observed in the first minute of exercise in all studied groups.
Conclusions: Results of determination of plasma NO concentration does not confirm reduction of its bioactivity. Plasma NO level rose 1 minute after maximal exercise in all three groups of studied subjects. In trained professional sportsmen, adapted to the physical effort, this kind of load enables protection of cell structures against peroxidation process by the antioxidant barrier, which is reflected by the lower concentration of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) in the red blood cells in comparison to the control group.
Key words: nitric oxide, malonyl dialdehyde, dosed maximal physical exercise
Read article »
Effects of physical training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Necat Yılmaz, Esin Eren, Sadık Özmen
Background and aims:.We hypothesized that low physical activity status (PAS) and increased Hcy concentrations stimulate osteoclastic activity, leading to increased collagen I breakdown in postmenopausal women.
Methods: Osteoporotic postmenopausal women (OP) and healthy postmenopausal women (NOP), age matched was included in the study.
Results: In patients with OP; plasma t-Hcy, urine Deoxypyridinoline were significantly higher than those found in NOP controls. In addition patients with OP also had lower PAS than the controls, which represent the insufficient physical activity. Pearson correlation analysis revealed negative correlation between t-Hcy and PAS, r=-0.42, p<0.03. Furthermore significant negative correlation was found between the levels of PAS and the BMD values for the spine in OP patients (r = -0.45, p<0.03).In contrast, was demonstrated significantly positive correlation between t-Hcy and cigarette smoking in OP patients, r =0.57, p<0.02.
Conclusions: We were able to show that OP group had a lower PAS, whereas the elevated t-Hcy was different from that of the NOP group. Slightly elevated homocysteinemia may contribute to increase osteoclastic activity and reduced osteoblastic activity in OP group. However; our results suggested a weak but negative relationship between PAS and BMD. Further investigation is needed to examine the relationship of PAS as an endogenous bioactive molecule to bone loss in postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these findings.
Key words: osteoporosis, homocysteine, physical activity, deoxypyridinoline, DEXA
Read article »
Physiological impact of hypohydration on thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, and substrate usage during exercise
Trey Hoyt, Inza L. Fort, Michael I. Kalinski
Water is an essential nutrient for life and the intake of fluid before and during prolonged exercise is key for optimal performance. Hypohydration, a condition of fluid deficit, can adversely affect the body’s response to physical work. Hypohydration hinders both dry and evaporative heat loss, impairing the body’s thermoregulatory processes during exercise. Associated with hypohydration is a decline in plasma volume which negatively affects cardiovascular function, resulting in a depressed stroke volume. Additionally, modifications in fuel usage may occur during exercise in a hypohydrated state with a shift toward a greater dependency on carbohydrate. These hypohydrated-induced impairments in thermoregulation and cardiovascular function, combined with modified fuel substrate utilization, result in decreased maximal oxygen consumption, exercise performance, and exercise capacity. This review discusses the basic concepts regarding hypohydration and the associated physiological impact it has on responses to exercise. Additionally, the review includes an introduction into the less explored area of hypohydration and the possible fuel substrate alterations that occur during exercise.
Key words: dehydration, body temperature regulation, cardiovascular physiology, energy metabolism
Read article »
Changes of morphological characteristics of 7 year old boys based on variables of motor abilities under the influence of physical exercise treatment
Stipe Blažević, Dobromir Bonacin, Marta Zalewska
Introduction: Identification of the motor abilities in relation to initial biomotor variables based on two sources of variability (natural development and treatment programme effects) establishes global principles of general support for growth and development of children.
Aim of the study: The innovative approach of this research was to separate the natural and the intentional processes of morphological characteristics based on different initial motor abilities. The focus of the study was on biological processes, we were not especially interested in local data as elementary statistical indicators.
Materials and methods: The investigation concerned 249 boys (7 years old) who were divided into three groups: motorically inferior, moderate, superior and who participated in a transformational process lasting 18 months. They were measured three times and described by 26 biomotor variables. Their morphological status, as well as its changes, were to a great extent characterized by the initial motor configuration. Discriminant analysis was used to data which were first transformed into universal range (1.0-5.0). Only the common variability in the space of morphological measures was retained for further procedures.
Results: For measurements repeated three times, two discriminant functions were computed: first, more pronounced, differentiated the inferior from the superior subjects exclusively on the basis of fatty tissue measures; second, somewhat less pronounced, differentiated the motorically moderate subjects on the basis of all other morphological indicators.
Conclusions: The programme ensured the conditions for better improvement for the motorically poorer, in contrast with the motorically more proficient subjects, so inferior boys got better support for their growth and development then superior.
Key words: changes, morphological variables, boys, motor abilities, influence, treatment
Read article »
The secular trend in the somatic development and motor performance of 7-15-year-old girls
Miroslav Kopecký, Miroslava Přidalová
Introduction: From anthropologic researches of somatic parameters a positive secular trend is established. Researches which deal with the issue of the motor performance of school youth rather refer to stagnation or a declining tendency of a secular trend in the motor performance of present population of children and youth.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to compare a somatic development and motor performance of the present 562 girls in the age of 7 to 15 years with reference data about the performance of Czechoslovak youth of 1966.
Materials and Methods: The representative sample consisted of 562 girls from 7 to 15 years of age. In each subject, we measured the somatic parameters (body height, weight) and we investigated the general motoric performance (in 50 m run, long jump, heavy ball throw with both hands).
Results: We have found that for the past 36 years there was a positive secular trend in the body height and weight. In the area of the development of speed and dynamic-explosive strength abilities - the stagnation of the motor performance was confirmed, indicating rather a negative secular trend.
Conclusions: In conclusion, there is an asymmetry in the somatic and motor performance of 7-15-year-old girls. Stagnation up to decline found in the motor performance of the set of girls under observation is probably caused by the action of a complex of factors reflecting a fast transformation of the present society, where in also a lack of physical activity is demonstrated in today’s population of children and youth.
Key words: somatic development, motor performance, secular trend
Read article »
The occurence and distribution of cardiovascular system diseases risk factors among youth with different levels of physical activity
Krzysztof Mazurek, Anna Czajkowska, Grażyna Lutosławska, Piotr Żmijewski, Marzena Malara
Introduction: The majority of modifiable risk factors depends on the level of physical activity.
The aim of the research: The purpose of this study is to assess the occurrence, distribution, and intensification of risk factors in the development of circulatory system diseases in students and the correlation between physical activity and the appearance of risk factors.
Materials and methods: 162 students (75 females and 87 males) were recruited for the study. The subjects’ physical activity (PA) was assessed by using the Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (SDPAR) questionnaire. The participants were divided into two subgroups: with a low (LPA) and a high (HPA) level of physical activity. The assessed factors were measured: resting pulse rate, arterial blood pressure, serum lipid and glucose concentration, tobacco smoking, and the family history concerning the occurrence of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus.
Results: The subjects’ average values BMI were normal. The average PA among women presented was as follows: LPA value was 4.62 hours/week (1315.52 kcal/week) and HPA value was 18.88 hours/week (6739.09 kcal/week). The LPA males spent 6.47 hours/week (2456.77 kcal/week) on physical activity whereas the HPA males spent 17.32 hours/week (8653.48 kcal/week). Males and females in HPA subgroup, when compared with subjects from LPA subgroup, showed lower average resting pulse rate values and lower average systolic/diastolic arterial blood pressure values in men, and diastolic arterial blood pressure in women. In the case of HPA subgroup, in both men and women, lower average values of glucose, TC, LDL, TC/HDL, and higher average HDL values were recorded. Dyslipidemia was found among 58 subjects (0.35), including 31 males (0.35) and 27 females (0.36). Dyslipidemia turned out to be more frequent in the case of LPA women than in the case of HPA women (0.42 and 0.21, respectively). Among male subjects, dyslipidemia was found in 5 LPA and 5 HPA males. 7 women and 4 men were tobacco smokers (2 HPA women and no HPA men). The positive family history of cardiovascular diseases was reported by 31 subjects (0.19) and the positive family history of diabetes mellitus was reported by 16 subjects (0.09).
Conclusions: Subjects in the HPA group, when compared with LPA group, showed lower average resting heart rate values, lower average systolic/diastolic arterial blood pressure values among men, and diastolic arterial blood pressure among women, as well as lower concentration of glucose, TC, LDL cholesterol and lower values of TC/HDL indicator, and higher HDL cholesterol concentration. The most frequently reported risk factors were dyslipidemia and tobacco smoking among women as well as dyslipidemia and hypertension among men. Negative correlation was found between the level of physical activity and resting pulse rate among men and women as well as between the level of physical activity and glucose concentration among women. No correlation was found between the level of physical activity expressed in energy expenditure and lipid fractions, and between the level of physical activity and arterial blood pressure.
Key words: youth, physical activity, risk factors, cardio-vascular diseases
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Growth-related changes in the acute immune response to exercise in healthy boys
Brian W. Timmons and Oded Bar-Or
Previous cross-sectional comparisons have found that the magnitude of exercise-induced changes in some immune factors is related to age and maturation in healthy children. The aim of this paper is to describe growth-related changes in the acute immune response to exercise in the same children in a longitudinal manner.
Methods: On two occasions (T1 and T2) separated by ~2 years, seven boys (initially 9.6 ± 0.5 years) performed cycling exercise for 60 min at an intensity equivalent to 70% of their peak aerobic power. Before, immediately after and 60 min after (REC) exercise, blood samples were collected and analyzed for cellular and soluble components of the immune system known to be responsive to exercise.
Results: The magnitude of the neutrophil response to exercise tended (p = 0.08) to be greater at T2 vs. T1 by 64%. The boys experienced exercise-induced suppression of lymphocyte (p = 0.03) and T cell (p = 0.004) counts by 11% and 13%, respectively, during REC at T2, but not T1. Boys who experienced the greatest gain in height from T1 to T2 demonstrated the greatest increase in the degree of T cell suppression during REC (r = 0.80, p = 0.03). At T2, IL-6 remained 88% above resting values during REC, but was unchanged from rest at T1.
Conclusion: Consistent with previous cross-sectional studies, we conclude that the acute immune response to exercise is related to growth in healthy boys.
Key words: exercise, immune, children, maturation
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Changes of thermoemission of upper extremities in female handball players - the preliminary study
Monika Chudecka, Ewa Szczepanowska, Agnieszka Kempińska
Introduction: Thermovision is non-invasive, and non-contact method using infrared camera to register heat emitted by human skin
Aim of study: The aim of work was an attempt to evaluate temperature changes of upper extremities in female handball players, before and after training session, and an attempt to establish a relation between these temperatures and selected morphological features and body mass components.
Methods: The subject groups consisted of 17 female handball players. During the study anthropometrical features and body mass components by bioimpedance method were measured. In each female player three series thermograms were done.
Results: The greatest decrease of Tmax and Tmean of studied parts of body appeared in female players in a series immediately after the training session.
Conslusions: The lowest temperature changes in consecutive series (not statistically significant) have been observed in left arm back. It can suggest that muscles in this body part have performed during training lower work than muscles of right extremity (arm front and arm back). There is probably a relation between mean temperature differences before and 10 min. after the training (Tmean.right.arm.front.s.1-3) of dominant upper extremity and a ratio of body mass to examined body surface on this extremity (expressed by a correlation with body mass and length of upper extremity). This relation shows energy expenditure of an organism.
Key words: thermoemission, thermovision, handball, female players, training
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The influence of hyperthermia exposure in sauna on thermal adaptation and select endocrine responses in women
Wanda Pilch, Zbigniew Szyguła, Masafumi Torii, Anthony C. Hackney
Introduction: The physiological responses to single and repeated hyperthermia exposure in men are well described in the literature, but less information is available on the effects of repeated thermal exposure in women.
Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of single and repeated sauna exposure on selected endocrine responses in women.
Methods: Ten healthy, eumenhorreic, female volunteers (19-21 yr old) were exposed to sauna bath seven times every second day. In all women the experiment started in the early follicular phase.
Results: Body mass decreased by 0.68 kg and by 0.67 kg after the first and the last sauna respectively. Rectal temperature increased by 1.1şC and 0.8şC after the first and the last heat exposure. Plasma volume decreased by 4.6% after the first sauna, and by 6.1% after the last one. Statistically significant decrease in plasma T3 concentration was observed after the last sauna exposure, whereas more than a threefold increase in hGH was observed after the first and more than twofold increase was noted after the last sauna. There were significant increases in ACTH and cortisol after each sauna bath, however the rise in these hormones was less pronounced after the last sauna.
Conclusion: Less pronounced changes in core temperature as well as in the level of stress hormones may be the evident of adaptation to the thermal stress in women similar to that seen in men.
Key words: women, heat exposure, sauna, core temperature, stress hormones, thyroid hormones, acclimatization
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Indexed in: SportDiscus; EMBASE/Excerpta Medica; Index Copernicus
Correlation between circulatory and somatic variables in young and elderly men
Medicina Sportiva 2008 vol. 12, Issue 3
Copyright ® 2008 Medicina Sportiva
Wiesław Pilis, Wiktor Niewiadomski, Janusz Wojtyna, Marek Chorąży, Józef Langfort
Read article »
ROS generation and lipid peroxidation in professional sportsmen (extreme sports condition)
Małgorzata Mrowicka, Elżbieta Gałecka, Katarzyna Malinowska, Elżbieta Miller
Read article »
Effects of physical training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Necat Yılmaz, Esin Eren, Sadık Özmen
Read article »
Physiological impact of hypohydration on thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, and substrate usage during exercise
Trey Hoyt, Inza L. Fort, Michael I. Kalinski
Read article »
Changes of morphological characteristics of 7 year old boys based on variables of motor abilities under the influence of physical exercise treatment
Stipe Blažević, Dobromir Bonacin, Marta Zalewska
Read article »
The secular trend in the somatic development and motor performance of 7-15-year-old girls
Miroslav Kopecký, Miroslava Přidalová
Read article »
The occurence and distribution of cardiovascular system diseases risk factors among youth with different levels of physical activity
Krzysztof Mazurek, Anna Czajkowska, Grażyna Lutosławska, Piotr Żmijewski, Marzena Malara
Read article »
Growth-related changes in the acute immune response to exercise in healthy boys
Brian W. Timmons and Oded Bar-Or
Read article »
Changes of thermoemission of upper extremities in female handball players - the preliminary study
Monika Chudecka, Ewa Szczepanowska, Agnieszka Kempińska
Read article »
The influence of hyperthermia exposure in sauna on thermal adaptation and select endocrine responses in women
Wanda Pilch, Zbigniew Szyguła, Masafumi Torii, Anthony C. Hackney
Read article »
Correlation between circulatory and somatic variables in young and elderly men
Wiesław Pilis, Wiktor Niewiadomski, Janusz Wojtyna, Marek Chorąży, Józef Langfort
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to find out, whether arterial blood pressure measured at rest correlates with chosen somatic parameters in healthy young and elderly men.
Materials and Methods: In the study participated 3 groups of different age (12 healthy men each group): Group I: 23.9 ±4.2 years, Group II: 51.7 ±5.5 years, Group III: 66.5 ±5.7 years. Resting systolic pressure (RRs [mmHg]), diastolic pressure (RRd [mmHg]) and heart rate (HR [beats/min]) were determined in finger using non-invasive, compensation method (Portapres). Body weight (BW [kg]) and body height (BH [cm]) were measured and the body mass index (BMI [kg/m2]) was calculated. Body fat (BF [%]), body fat mass (BFM [kg]), fat-free mass (FFM [kg]), and total body water (TBW [kg]) were determined using electric impedance measurement performed with Analyzer – Tanita TBT 300 (Japan). Basal metabolic rate (BMR [kJ/24h] estimate was calculated by the device.
Results: The highest arterial pressure measured in Group I: RRs: 141.6 ±22.5 mmHg, RRd: 92.0 ±19.5 mmHg, exceeded the cut-off value for normal arterial pressure. The arterial pressure in the two other groups was within range of normality. Correlation between arterial blood pressure and somatic parameters were found for the Group I and when three groups were pooled. In Group I (young subjects) RRs positively correlated with following parameters strongly and significantly (in order of strength of correlation): TBW, FFM, BW, BMR, BMI, BF. RRd correlated with these parameters slightly less, and the same order of correlation strength was preserved. For all subjects pooled into one group age correlated negatively with RRd, somatic parameters correlated more strongly with RRd than with RRs, however generally order of correlation strength was retained.
Conclusions: Our results differ from those, which would be predicted on the ground of commonly accepted view: arterial blood pressure was negatively correlated with age and correlated least with the indices of body fat. Our results rise the possibility, that other causes, than those commonly accepted, may be instrumental in causing elevation of arterial blood pressure in young subjects.
Key words: blood pressure, heart rate, somatic variables
Read article »
Ros generation and lipid peroxidation in professional sportsmen (extreme sports condition)
Introduction: Too intensive physical exercise may lower NO bioactivity as a result of excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), such as superoxide anion radical (O2•–). This can lead to the intense peroxidation of cell membrane lipids in erythrocytes.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of dosed maximal exercise on the plasma nitric oxide content and the level of malonyl dialdehyde in red blood cells in professional sportsmen and in individuals of normal physical activity.
Materials and Methods: 41 rugby players and 21 men of normal physical activity (control group) were the subject of the study. NO and MDA concentrations were determined in three time points: before an effort, 1 minute after dosed maximal exercise and after 30-minute restitution period. Nitric oxide (NO) concentration was evaluated with Griess’s indirect method and malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) concentration was measured with Placer’s method.
Results: Mean NO concentration increased in the exercise phase and decreased after 30-minute restitution in all three studied groups. The highest MDA level was observed in the first minute of exercise in all studied groups.
Conclusions: Results of determination of plasma NO concentration does not confirm reduction of its bioactivity. Plasma NO level rose 1 minute after maximal exercise in all three groups of studied subjects. In trained professional sportsmen, adapted to the physical effort, this kind of load enables protection of cell structures against peroxidation process by the antioxidant barrier, which is reflected by the lower concentration of malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) in the red blood cells in comparison to the control group.
Key words: nitric oxide, malonyl dialdehyde, dosed maximal physical exercise
Read article »
Effects of physical training on bone mineral density in postmenopausal women
Necat Yılmaz, Esin Eren, Sadık Özmen
Background and aims:.We hypothesized that low physical activity status (PAS) and increased Hcy concentrations stimulate osteoclastic activity, leading to increased collagen I breakdown in postmenopausal women.
Methods: Osteoporotic postmenopausal women (OP) and healthy postmenopausal women (NOP), age matched was included in the study.
Results: In patients with OP; plasma t-Hcy, urine Deoxypyridinoline were significantly higher than those found in NOP controls. In addition patients with OP also had lower PAS than the controls, which represent the insufficient physical activity. Pearson correlation analysis revealed negative correlation between t-Hcy and PAS, r=-0.42, p<0.03. Furthermore significant negative correlation was found between the levels of PAS and the BMD values for the spine in OP patients (r = -0.45, p<0.03).In contrast, was demonstrated significantly positive correlation between t-Hcy and cigarette smoking in OP patients, r =0.57, p<0.02.
Conclusions: We were able to show that OP group had a lower PAS, whereas the elevated t-Hcy was different from that of the NOP group. Slightly elevated homocysteinemia may contribute to increase osteoclastic activity and reduced osteoblastic activity in OP group. However; our results suggested a weak but negative relationship between PAS and BMD. Further investigation is needed to examine the relationship of PAS as an endogenous bioactive molecule to bone loss in postmenopausal women. Further studies are needed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these findings.
Key words: osteoporosis, homocysteine, physical activity, deoxypyridinoline, DEXA
Read article »
Physiological impact of hypohydration on thermoregulation, cardiovascular function, and substrate usage during exercise
Trey Hoyt, Inza L. Fort, Michael I. Kalinski
Water is an essential nutrient for life and the intake of fluid before and during prolonged exercise is key for optimal performance. Hypohydration, a condition of fluid deficit, can adversely affect the body’s response to physical work. Hypohydration hinders both dry and evaporative heat loss, impairing the body’s thermoregulatory processes during exercise. Associated with hypohydration is a decline in plasma volume which negatively affects cardiovascular function, resulting in a depressed stroke volume. Additionally, modifications in fuel usage may occur during exercise in a hypohydrated state with a shift toward a greater dependency on carbohydrate. These hypohydrated-induced impairments in thermoregulation and cardiovascular function, combined with modified fuel substrate utilization, result in decreased maximal oxygen consumption, exercise performance, and exercise capacity. This review discusses the basic concepts regarding hypohydration and the associated physiological impact it has on responses to exercise. Additionally, the review includes an introduction into the less explored area of hypohydration and the possible fuel substrate alterations that occur during exercise.
Key words: dehydration, body temperature regulation, cardiovascular physiology, energy metabolism
Read article »
Changes of morphological characteristics of 7 year old boys based on variables of motor abilities under the influence of physical exercise treatment
Stipe Blažević, Dobromir Bonacin, Marta Zalewska
Introduction: Identification of the motor abilities in relation to initial biomotor variables based on two sources of variability (natural development and treatment programme effects) establishes global principles of general support for growth and development of children.
Aim of the study: The innovative approach of this research was to separate the natural and the intentional processes of morphological characteristics based on different initial motor abilities. The focus of the study was on biological processes, we were not especially interested in local data as elementary statistical indicators.
Materials and methods: The investigation concerned 249 boys (7 years old) who were divided into three groups: motorically inferior, moderate, superior and who participated in a transformational process lasting 18 months. They were measured three times and described by 26 biomotor variables. Their morphological status, as well as its changes, were to a great extent characterized by the initial motor configuration. Discriminant analysis was used to data which were first transformed into universal range (1.0-5.0). Only the common variability in the space of morphological measures was retained for further procedures.
Results: For measurements repeated three times, two discriminant functions were computed: first, more pronounced, differentiated the inferior from the superior subjects exclusively on the basis of fatty tissue measures; second, somewhat less pronounced, differentiated the motorically moderate subjects on the basis of all other morphological indicators.
Conclusions: The programme ensured the conditions for better improvement for the motorically poorer, in contrast with the motorically more proficient subjects, so inferior boys got better support for their growth and development then superior.
Key words: changes, morphological variables, boys, motor abilities, influence, treatment
Read article »
The secular trend in the somatic development and motor performance of 7-15-year-old girls
Miroslav Kopecký, Miroslava Přidalová
Introduction: From anthropologic researches of somatic parameters a positive secular trend is established. Researches which deal with the issue of the motor performance of school youth rather refer to stagnation or a declining tendency of a secular trend in the motor performance of present population of children and youth.
Aim of the study: The aim of the study is to compare a somatic development and motor performance of the present 562 girls in the age of 7 to 15 years with reference data about the performance of Czechoslovak youth of 1966.
Materials and Methods: The representative sample consisted of 562 girls from 7 to 15 years of age. In each subject, we measured the somatic parameters (body height, weight) and we investigated the general motoric performance (in 50 m run, long jump, heavy ball throw with both hands).
Results: We have found that for the past 36 years there was a positive secular trend in the body height and weight. In the area of the development of speed and dynamic-explosive strength abilities - the stagnation of the motor performance was confirmed, indicating rather a negative secular trend.
Conclusions: In conclusion, there is an asymmetry in the somatic and motor performance of 7-15-year-old girls. Stagnation up to decline found in the motor performance of the set of girls under observation is probably caused by the action of a complex of factors reflecting a fast transformation of the present society, where in also a lack of physical activity is demonstrated in today’s population of children and youth.
Key words: somatic development, motor performance, secular trend
Read article »
The occurence and distribution of cardiovascular system diseases risk factors among youth with different levels of physical activity
Krzysztof Mazurek, Anna Czajkowska, Grażyna Lutosławska, Piotr Żmijewski, Marzena Malara
Introduction: The majority of modifiable risk factors depends on the level of physical activity.
The aim of the research: The purpose of this study is to assess the occurrence, distribution, and intensification of risk factors in the development of circulatory system diseases in students and the correlation between physical activity and the appearance of risk factors.
Materials and methods: 162 students (75 females and 87 males) were recruited for the study. The subjects’ physical activity (PA) was assessed by using the Seven-Day Physical Activity Recall (SDPAR) questionnaire. The participants were divided into two subgroups: with a low (LPA) and a high (HPA) level of physical activity. The assessed factors were measured: resting pulse rate, arterial blood pressure, serum lipid and glucose concentration, tobacco smoking, and the family history concerning the occurrence of coronary heart disease and diabetes mellitus.
Results: The subjects’ average values BMI were normal. The average PA among women presented was as follows: LPA value was 4.62 hours/week (1315.52 kcal/week) and HPA value was 18.88 hours/week (6739.09 kcal/week). The LPA males spent 6.47 hours/week (2456.77 kcal/week) on physical activity whereas the HPA males spent 17.32 hours/week (8653.48 kcal/week). Males and females in HPA subgroup, when compared with subjects from LPA subgroup, showed lower average resting pulse rate values and lower average systolic/diastolic arterial blood pressure values in men, and diastolic arterial blood pressure in women. In the case of HPA subgroup, in both men and women, lower average values of glucose, TC, LDL, TC/HDL, and higher average HDL values were recorded. Dyslipidemia was found among 58 subjects (0.35), including 31 males (0.35) and 27 females (0.36). Dyslipidemia turned out to be more frequent in the case of LPA women than in the case of HPA women (0.42 and 0.21, respectively). Among male subjects, dyslipidemia was found in 5 LPA and 5 HPA males. 7 women and 4 men were tobacco smokers (2 HPA women and no HPA men). The positive family history of cardiovascular diseases was reported by 31 subjects (0.19) and the positive family history of diabetes mellitus was reported by 16 subjects (0.09).
Conclusions: Subjects in the HPA group, when compared with LPA group, showed lower average resting heart rate values, lower average systolic/diastolic arterial blood pressure values among men, and diastolic arterial blood pressure among women, as well as lower concentration of glucose, TC, LDL cholesterol and lower values of TC/HDL indicator, and higher HDL cholesterol concentration. The most frequently reported risk factors were dyslipidemia and tobacco smoking among women as well as dyslipidemia and hypertension among men. Negative correlation was found between the level of physical activity and resting pulse rate among men and women as well as between the level of physical activity and glucose concentration among women. No correlation was found between the level of physical activity expressed in energy expenditure and lipid fractions, and between the level of physical activity and arterial blood pressure.
Key words: youth, physical activity, risk factors, cardio-vascular diseases
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Growth-related changes in the acute immune response to exercise in healthy boys
Brian W. Timmons and Oded Bar-Or
Previous cross-sectional comparisons have found that the magnitude of exercise-induced changes in some immune factors is related to age and maturation in healthy children. The aim of this paper is to describe growth-related changes in the acute immune response to exercise in the same children in a longitudinal manner.
Methods: On two occasions (T1 and T2) separated by ~2 years, seven boys (initially 9.6 ± 0.5 years) performed cycling exercise for 60 min at an intensity equivalent to 70% of their peak aerobic power. Before, immediately after and 60 min after (REC) exercise, blood samples were collected and analyzed for cellular and soluble components of the immune system known to be responsive to exercise.
Results: The magnitude of the neutrophil response to exercise tended (p = 0.08) to be greater at T2 vs. T1 by 64%. The boys experienced exercise-induced suppression of lymphocyte (p = 0.03) and T cell (p = 0.004) counts by 11% and 13%, respectively, during REC at T2, but not T1. Boys who experienced the greatest gain in height from T1 to T2 demonstrated the greatest increase in the degree of T cell suppression during REC (r = 0.80, p = 0.03). At T2, IL-6 remained 88% above resting values during REC, but was unchanged from rest at T1.
Conclusion: Consistent with previous cross-sectional studies, we conclude that the acute immune response to exercise is related to growth in healthy boys.
Key words: exercise, immune, children, maturation
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Changes of thermoemission of upper extremities in female handball players - the preliminary study
Monika Chudecka, Ewa Szczepanowska, Agnieszka Kempińska
Introduction: Thermovision is non-invasive, and non-contact method using infrared camera to register heat emitted by human skin
Aim of study: The aim of work was an attempt to evaluate temperature changes of upper extremities in female handball players, before and after training session, and an attempt to establish a relation between these temperatures and selected morphological features and body mass components.
Methods: The subject groups consisted of 17 female handball players. During the study anthropometrical features and body mass components by bioimpedance method were measured. In each female player three series thermograms were done.
Results: The greatest decrease of Tmax and Tmean of studied parts of body appeared in female players in a series immediately after the training session.
Conslusions: The lowest temperature changes in consecutive series (not statistically significant) have been observed in left arm back. It can suggest that muscles in this body part have performed during training lower work than muscles of right extremity (arm front and arm back). There is probably a relation between mean temperature differences before and 10 min. after the training (Tmean.right.arm.front.s.1-3) of dominant upper extremity and a ratio of body mass to examined body surface on this extremity (expressed by a correlation with body mass and length of upper extremity). This relation shows energy expenditure of an organism.
Key words: thermoemission, thermovision, handball, female players, training
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The influence of hyperthermia exposure in sauna on thermal adaptation and select endocrine responses in women
Wanda Pilch, Zbigniew Szyguła, Masafumi Torii, Anthony C. Hackney
Introduction: The physiological responses to single and repeated hyperthermia exposure in men are well described in the literature, but less information is available on the effects of repeated thermal exposure in women.
Aim of the study: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of single and repeated sauna exposure on selected endocrine responses in women.
Methods: Ten healthy, eumenhorreic, female volunteers (19-21 yr old) were exposed to sauna bath seven times every second day. In all women the experiment started in the early follicular phase.
Results: Body mass decreased by 0.68 kg and by 0.67 kg after the first and the last sauna respectively. Rectal temperature increased by 1.1şC and 0.8şC after the first and the last heat exposure. Plasma volume decreased by 4.6% after the first sauna, and by 6.1% after the last one. Statistically significant decrease in plasma T3 concentration was observed after the last sauna exposure, whereas more than a threefold increase in hGH was observed after the first and more than twofold increase was noted after the last sauna. There were significant increases in ACTH and cortisol after each sauna bath, however the rise in these hormones was less pronounced after the last sauna.
Conclusion: Less pronounced changes in core temperature as well as in the level of stress hormones may be the evident of adaptation to the thermal stress in women similar to that seen in men.
Key words: women, heat exposure, sauna, core temperature, stress hormones, thyroid hormones, acclimatization
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