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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 4
Copyright ® 2008 Medicina Sportiva
Comparison of lumbar and abdominal muscles activation pattern in two different skill level golf players: an EMG analysis
Ashish Aggarwal, Shweta Shenoy, Jaspal S. Sandhu
Read article »
REDUCING SHORTENED MUSCLES IN 10-12-YEAR-OLD BOYS THROUGH A PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAMME
Janka Kanásová
Read article »
A MODEL FOR DEFINING THE OPTIMAL AMOUNT OF EXERCISE CONTRIBUTING TO HEALTH AND AVOIDING SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH
Thomas D. Fahey, George D. Swanson
Read article »
ASSOCIATION OF PRO-ANTIOXIDANT STATUS WITH IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN HEALTHY MEN AFTER ORAL N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE ADMINISTRATION
Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny, Malgorzata Slowinska-Lisowska, Zbigniew Szygula, Kazimierz Witkowski
Read article »
THE INFLUENCE OF THE WATER BATHS WITH OR WITHOUT OZONE ASSOCIATED WITH KINESITHERAPY ON LOWER LIMBS MUSCLES PERFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH GONARTHROSIS
Jolanta Kujawa, Joanna Szmagaj, Kamila Gworys, Katarzyna Dudek, Marta Chrzanowska, Adrian Woźny, Ireneusz Pieszyński, Przemysław Gworys, Zbigniew Maziarz, Mariusz Gadzicki, Wiesław Tryniszewski
Read article »
INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE HEALTH CONDITION OF PEOPLE AFTER ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
Artur Pupka, Tomasz Płonek, Krzysztof Lewicki, Jakub Maroszyk
Read article »
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF LYMPHATIC INSUFFICIENCY
Katarzyna Ochałek
Read article »
REPEATED SAUNA BATHING EFFECTS ON MALES’
CAPACITY TO PROLONGED EXERCISE-HEAT PERFORMANCE
Aleksander Tyka, Tomasz Pałka, Anna K. Tyka, Zbigniew Szyguła, Tomasz Cisoń
Read article »
SECONDARY PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN SCHOOL
SPORTS - DOES THE SPORT TEACHER’S FIRST AID EDUCATION MEET THE DEMANDS AT SCHOOL?
T. Küpper, C. Patig, St. Hotz, N. Netzer, V. Schöffl
Read article »
HEART RATE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE DURING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION COMPARED TO SINUS RHYTHM: IMPLICATIONS FOR DETECTING OCCULT AF AND FOR REDUCING AF BURDEN
Don R. Swanson
Read article »
THE IMPORTANCE OF OXYGEN TRANSPORT, STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY IN MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE OF THE ELDERLY
Roy J. Shephard, M.D., Ph.D., D.P.E., LL.D. (hon. caus.)
Read article »
COMPARISON OF LUMBAR AND ABDOMINAL MUSCLES ACTIVATION PATTERN IN TWO DIFFERENT SKILL LEVEL GOLF PLAYERS: AN EMG ANALYSIS
Ashish Aggarwal, Shweta Shenoy, Jaspal S. Sandhu
Introduction: Golf is a popular sport and golf swing is a complex movement which requires a coordinated sequence of muscle activity. Two types of skill level exists i.e. “High” and “Low”. The more skilled golfer displays less variability in the golf swing. A relationship exists between variability of muscle activity and skill level, which is important when considering their effects on the lower back.
Aim of the study: The present study compared muscle activation amplitudes in the trunk region of two different skill level golfers during golf swing.
Materials and Methods: 22 right handed male golfers (21.5 years ±3.4). 11 high skilled (0-8 handicap) and 11 less skilled (10-18 handicap) were instructed to perform golf swing and surface EMG activity was recorded from external oblique (E.O.), internal oblique (I.O.), and erector spinae (E.S.) muscles of both sides.
Results: Results showed that when both groups performed golf swing the high skilled level players showed lower EMG activity of left E.S. and right E.O. during all the phases of golf swing, but right E.S. showed decreased activity only during backswing phase. All the other muscles i.e. left E.O. and both side I.O. showed higher activity in high skill level players.
Conclusions: The above findings showed that muscle activity does not consistently show any uniform patterns during the golf swing, thus the results were not irrefutable. EMG evidence proposes that the there is a lack of subjective and objective relationship between skill level and EMG activity of lumbar and abdominal muscles as determined by SEMG.
Key Words: EMG, high skill, low skill, abdominal obliques, erector spinae
Read article »
REDUCING SHORTENED MUSCLES IN 10-12-YEAR-OLD BOYS THROUGH A PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAMME
Janka Kanásová
Introduction: Shortened muscles, is one of the components of muscular disbalance that can have a dominant position in the development of muscular instability. Therefore, this is the focus of our research study a school population. We attempted to investigate the state of shortened muscles and implement stretching exercises to improve shortened muscle status by the school physical education.
The work has been elaborated based on the pedagogical research. The purpose of this study was to obtain and expand knowledge regarding the prevelance of shortened muscles in 10–12-year-old boys within their physical education lessons.
Material and methods: The subjects of our study group were 49 (forty-nine) boys from two primary schools in Nitra, Slovakia. Subjects were observed for a time period of two school years. Durying the 5th year of school there was no intervention and during the sixth years, we initiated a programme of Physical Education lessons. In the childrens‘ fifth year of elementary school without Physical Education lessons and in 6th year with the experimental variable with the programme of the school Physical Education lessons. Shortened muscles were examined using the method by (1), modified for the purposes of physical education practice by (2). We observed 11 muscles with the tendency to shorten, where muscles and muscle groups separately on the right and left sides were examined: m. trapezius, pars superior (upper part), m. levator scapulae, m. pectoralis major, m. iliopsoas, m. rectus femoris, m. tensor fasciae latae, lumbal joint adductors, hamstrings, m. quadratus lumborum, m. erector spinae, m. triceps surae.
Results: We found a high prevelance of shortened muscles in the tested 10 –12 year-old pupils. In some muscles and muscle groups (hamstrings) up to 89%. The prevelance of shortened muscles in pupils in 5th year of elemetary school at a standard contents of Physical Education lessons has markedly increased. In the same pupils in sixth grade, after implementing goal-oriented exercises focused on the removal of shortened muscles within the Physical Education lessons. After a year of implementation of the programme we recorded favorable changes in the functional state of the motor system. The frequency of occurence of shortened muscles, which ranked one to five, in boys decreased by 30 to 34%.
Conclusions: Timely and appropriate initiation of a focused exercise programme within the Physical Education lessons at school can positively influence the removal of shortened muscles.
Key words: muscular disbalance – muscular balance, shortened muscles, qualitative levels
Read article »
A MODEL FOR DEFINING THE OPTIMAL AMOUNT OF EXERCISE CONTRIBUTING TO HEALTH AND AVOIDING SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH
Thomas D. Fahey, George D. Swanson
Background and Aims: Sudden cardiac death is the first symptom of heart disease in 25 to 40% of people. This paper introduced a model that can help determine the optimum amount of exercise in relation to a categorical outcome variable such as sudden death, stroke, inflammation or infection.
Methods: We illustrated its utility using data from the Physicians’ Health Study to predict the optimal exercise patterns that protect people from coronary artery disease while minimizing the risk of sudden cardiac death during exercise. The model extended the utility of case-crossover methods, which yield an odds ratio of dying while exercising compared to rest.
Results: With the assumption that the relative frequency of sudden death during exercise is linearly related to the proportion of time spent exercising, the analysis rendered a ”U-shaped” curve between the relative risk of sudden death and the weekly volume of moderate intensity exercise. The model predicted that men 40 to 80 yr should exercise 30 minutes a day (≥ 6 METS) six days a week to receive the benefits of exercise and minimize the risk of sudden death.
Conclusions: These results were consistent with exercise recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Lower or higher amounts of exercise increased the risk of sudden death. Exercise is extremely safe in the absence of heart disease. Heart disease often has no symptoms, so people have no way of knowing definitively if they are in the high-risk cohort. This model is useful for other “U” shaped phenomena, such as exercise induced inflammation, stroke, and upper respiratory infection.
Key words: exercise, sudden death, heart, coronary artery disease, sport, epidemiology
Read article »
ASSOCIATION OF PRO-ANTIOXIDANT STATUS WITH IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN HEALTHY MEN AFTER ORAL N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE ADMINISTRATION
Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny, Malgorzata Slowinska-Lisowska, Zbigniew Szygula, Kazimierz Witkowski
Introduction: N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), as an antioxidant and precursor of glutathione, decreases in the capacity of neutrophils and macrophages to generate RONS, increases phagocytosis, reduces the extracellularly produced oxidative metabolites, modulates immune cells activity and interleukin level.
Aim of the study: This study was designed to assess the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on plasma pro-antioxidant status, immune cells number, and to demonstrate the relationship between total antioxidant status and the immunological response in healthy men exposed to routine incremental exercise.
Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy men were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control (CON, placebo) or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 1200 mg.d-1 for 8 days prior to and 600 mg on the day of exercise trial). To measure the ergogenic effectiveness of NAC, subjects performed incremental cycle exercise until exhaustion.
Results: NAC administration significantly elevated the resting and post-exercise plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) by more than 30%. The lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein carbonylation (PC) products as well as creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were considerably reduced by NAC at rest and/or post-exercise period. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) did not change in response to NAC. The immune cells variously responded to NAC i.e. number of lymphocytes significantly decreased whereas neutrophils and monocytes increased compared with CON. Lymphocytes inversely correlated (P<0.0001) with TAS, and directly with TBARS and PC whereas monocytes demonstrated the opposite relations with pro-antioxidant parameters. NAC administration, in the contrary to expectations, did not significantly affect exercise performance.
Conclusions: These data show that modification of blood antioxidant status and reduction of oxidative damage by eight-day oral NAC application simultaneously influences on immune cells number, and suggest the possibility of N-acetyl-L-cysteine using to modulate immunological response in healthy men exposed to intense exercise.
Key words: N-acetyl-L-cysteine, immune cells, muscle damage, interleukin-6
Read article »
THE INFLUENCE OF THE WATER BATHS WITH OR WITHOUT OZONE ASSOCIATED WITH KINESITHERAPY ON LOWER LIMBS MUSCLES PERFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH GONARTHROSIS
Jolanta Kujawa, Joanna Szmagaj, Kamila Gworys, Katarzyna Dudek, Marta Chrzanowska, Adrian Woźny, Ireneusz Pieszyński, Przemysław Gworys, Zbigniew Maziarz, Mariusz Gadzicki, Wiesław Tryniszewski
Introduction: Ozone therapy is a frequently applied physiotherapy method. There are reports that ozone has a wide spectrum of possible effects.
Aim: The aim of the study was to examine a possible influence of the water baths with ozone on lower limbs muscles perfusion in patients with gonarthrosis.
Materials and methods: 30 patients (mean age 62,3±11,0 years) with gonarthrosis (II-III degree according to Seyfried’s scale) were included in the study. The patients were assigned to three groups:
Group A (10pts) – water massages with ozone + exercises (kinesitherapy) were applied in this group
Group B (9pts) - water massages without ozone + exercises (kinesitherapy) were applied
Group C (11pts) – kinesitherapy alone was applied.
All the patients realized the same kinesitherapy program. Radioisotopic examinations of the lower limbs muscles perfusion in rest were performed before and after the treatment.
Results: the study revealed a significant lower limbs muscles perfusion increase in the group A (water massages with ozone were applied in this group). A slight perfusion increase was also observed in other groups (B and C) but the differences were not statistically significant. No patient had any adverse reaction after the applied treatment.
Conclusions: The study revealed a significant lower limbs muscles perfusion increase after hydrotherapy with ozone procedures. The results confirm that ozone has a positive influence on microcirculation. Ozonetherapy can be recognized as a safe method as no adverse reactions during and after the treatment were observed in the study.
Key words: ozone therapy, water massages, perfusion, gonarthrosis
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INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE HEALTH CONDITION OF PEOPLE AFTER ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
Artur Pupka, Tomasz Płonek, Krzysztof Lewicki, Jakub Maroszyk
Introduction: Transplantation has become a very important part of the treatment of organ failure in the last decades. Patients after transplantation can lead an almost normal life and they do not have to give up physical activity. The article presents the results of a questionnaire, which was carried out among 63 kidney and 2 liver transplant patients.
Aim: Our aim was to study the effects of physical activity after transplantation and specifically to evaluate whether such treatment might course deterioration in health.
Results: Our results indicate that physically to receipt did not cause any deterioration in general will and general health physical efficiency the bar treat tests. Psychological well-being was not evaluated. Data from international medical publications concerning professional sportsmen who had undergone organ transplantation (heart, lung, kidney and liver recipients) have also been evaluated the evidence from this survey and that of the courses confirms that physically committee should be recommended to transplant recipients.
Conclusions: It is an important part of the antiatherogenic and antiosteoporotic prophylaxis, especially for people after kidney transplantation. Indeed, participation in sports should be advised for all organ recipients whose general health gives no cause for concern .
Key words: sport, transplantation, physical activity
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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF LYMPHATIC INSUFFICIENCY
Katarzyna Ochałek
Introduction: Regular, intensive physical effort performed within an adequate period of time is considered to be an important factor in the prevention and treatment of lymphatic and vein insufficiency. Untreated lymphedema regarded as a result of the mechanical insufficiency (low output failure) of the lymphatic system, always has a tendency to progression and in the later stages of the disease causes physical, mental and social disabilities.
Aim: The purpose of the paper was to present current knowledge on the importance of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of lymphatic insufficiency.
Methods: The first part of this article provides an outline of the pathophysiology and aetiology of lymphedema and its treatment, the next discusses the significance of physical exercise in the prevention and treatment of this condition, the mechanism of the muscle pump and the optimal exercise program. The third part presents different types of physical activities which are recommended or non recommended.
In literature there is agreement on the indispensability of physical effort as a preventive and therapeutic factor in the management of lymphedema. However, the type, intensity and frequency of exercises safely reducing swelling are not fully defined.
Conclusion: Both a lack of physical effort as well as too vigorous and prolonged sporting activity are factors increasing the risk of developing or increasing oedema.
Key words: Lymphatic system, lymphedema, lymphoedema, chronic venous insufficiency, compression therapy, physical exercise
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REPEATED SAUNA BATHING EFFECTS ON MALES’
CAPACITY TO PROLONGED EXERCISE-HEAT PERFORMANCE
Aleksander Tyka, Tomasz Pałka, Anna K. Tyka, Zbigniew Szyguła, Tomasz Cisoń
Introduction: Exercise in a hot and humid environment causes several changes in human body; these include deterioration in the circulatory, thermoregulatory and endocrine systems which have negative impact on athletes’ performance. In order to compensate for such conditions, humans use various coping strategies.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated sauna bathing on males’ capacity to exercise at higher ambient temperature.
Methods: Various measures of work, both anaerobic and aerobic, have been used to measure power, work and exercise capacity. Maximal anaerobic power (MAP) and total work (TW) were measured in Wingate test (1) while maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), total work (TWST), total work to threshold of decompensated metabolic acidosis (TWTDMA) were measured in exercise test to exhaustion. The primary experiment (I) occurred two days before the first sauna bathing while the secondary experiment (II) occurred three days after the last heat exposure. Rectal (Tre) and thympanic temperatures (Tty), body water loss (ΔBM) and sweating rate (SR) were collected and evaluated during sauna bathing. Subjective perception of inconvenience during exercise test to exhaustion was evaluated by the Borg’s scale (2).
Results: Repeated sauna bathing influenced subjects’ ability to prolonged exercise; in particular we observed increases of total TWST, TWTDMA and prolonged exercise duration (DE). This study showed no significant differences in MAP and TW in Wingate test.
Conclusion: Repeated heat exposure caused significant increase in capacity to prolonged exercise at higher ambient temperature.
Key words: sauna bathing, thermoregulation, maximal oxygen uptake, maximal work load, anaerobic threshold
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SECONDARY PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN SCHOOL SPORTS - DOES THE SPORT TEACHER’S FIRST AID EDUCATION MEET THE DEMANDS AT SCHOOL?
T. Küpper, C. Patig, St. Hotz, N. Netzer, V. Schöffl
Objective: We investigated whether the actual knowledge of sport teachers in Germany was sufficient to deal with the reality of school sport accidents.
Material and methods: Based on an analysis of school sport accidents, a multiple-choice questionnaire was piloted. This questionnaire was answered by class 5-13 school sport teachers (n=25). These results were compared with a control group (n=25) who were mountaineers or ski instructors with similar age and sex distribution, but with a sports specific First Aid education.
Results: There was a general lack of knowledge in first aid procedures by both test groups, especially in basic techniques like bedding, the diagnosis of limb fractures, pain treatment, the problems of back injuries and hypothermia.
Conclusions: To improve safety in school sport we suggest a First Aid course specifically designed for sport teacher as an integral part of the teacher’s education followed up by a refresher course every three years.
Key words: school sports, accidents, first aid, prevention, education
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HEART RATE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE DURING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION COMPARED TO SINUS RHYTHM: IMPLICATIONS FOR DETECTING OCCULT AF AND FOR REDUCING AF BURDEN
Don R. Swanson
Elite athletes who have maintained competitive fitness for many years appear to have abnormally high risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), a risk that may apply also to recreational runners who have competed for years in long distance races. Because asymptomatic AF episodes may be far more frequent than symptomatic AF, I propose an approach to both detection and nonmedical treatment of occult paroxysmal AF through heart-rate controlled exercise. Detection is based on studies showing that heart rate response to light exercise is exaggerated during AF episodes compared to response in sinus rhythm. This differential response can be detected by the athlete with the help of a Polar monitor, and hence it can signal the need for a medical diagnosis, or it can serve as a method of screening in the context of a clinical trial to measure the prevalence of occult AF. A runner or other athlete diagnosed with AF is faced with a dilemma. Exercise, even if it does increase the risk of AF, also has indisputable health benefits. It is worth exploring therefore whether altering and controlling the intensity of exercise might maintain health benefits while reducing the added risk of arrhythmia. This paper proposes an approach based on keeping heart rate below an individually adjusted threshold, and suggests that this criterion may be of use in striking a balance between maximum competitive fitness and optimal cardiac health.
Key words: atrial fibrillation; heart rate; exercise; running; overtraining
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THE IMPORTANCE OF OXYGEN TRANSPORT, STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY IN MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE OF THE ELDERLY
Roy J. Shephard, M.D., Ph.D., D.P.E., LL.D. (hon. caus.)
This brief review looks at the importance of maximal oxygen transport, muscle strength and flexibility as factors in maintaining the independence of elderly people. The progressive deterioration in these functions observed in middle-aged adults continues at least equally rapidly during the retirement years. Institutionalization seems necessary if maximal oxygen intake drops below a critical threshold, about 18 ml·kg-1·min-1 in men, and 15 ml·kg-1·min-1 in women. A loss of muscle strength and power also increases the risk of institutionalization, particularly in women, although it is less clear whether this risk is independent of effects due to the loss of aerobic power. Regular physical activity can slow or reverse deterioration in oxygen transport, strength, flexibility and balance, thus reducing biological age by 10 or more years. It seems likely that the need for institutional support will be postponed in parallel fashion. It is still necessary to clarify the importance of a deterioration in oxygen transport, strength and flexibility relative to other possible reasons for institutionalization, such as a catastrophic illness. Nevertheless, regular physical activity should be recommended to all seniors, since it can enhance fitness and counter other problems that might lead to institutionalization.
Key words: activities of daily living, aging, functional capacity, independence, physical limitaions
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Indexed in: SportDiscus; EMBASE/Excerpta Medica; Index Copernicus
Comparison of lumbar and abdominal muscles activation pattern in two different skill level golf players: an EMG analysis
Medicina Sportiva 2008 vol. 12, Issue 4
Copyright ® 2008 Medicina Sportiva
Ashish Aggarwal, Shweta Shenoy, Jaspal S. Sandhu
Read article »
REDUCING SHORTENED MUSCLES IN 10-12-YEAR-OLD BOYS THROUGH A PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAMME
Janka Kanásová
Read article »
A MODEL FOR DEFINING THE OPTIMAL AMOUNT OF EXERCISE CONTRIBUTING TO HEALTH AND AVOIDING SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH
Thomas D. Fahey, George D. Swanson
Read article »
ASSOCIATION OF PRO-ANTIOXIDANT STATUS WITH IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN HEALTHY MEN AFTER ORAL N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE ADMINISTRATION
Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny, Malgorzata Slowinska-Lisowska, Zbigniew Szygula, Kazimierz Witkowski
Read article »
THE INFLUENCE OF THE WATER BATHS WITH OR WITHOUT OZONE ASSOCIATED WITH KINESITHERAPY ON LOWER LIMBS MUSCLES PERFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH GONARTHROSIS
Jolanta Kujawa, Joanna Szmagaj, Kamila Gworys, Katarzyna Dudek, Marta Chrzanowska, Adrian Woźny, Ireneusz Pieszyński, Przemysław Gworys, Zbigniew Maziarz, Mariusz Gadzicki, Wiesław Tryniszewski
Read article »
INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE HEALTH CONDITION OF PEOPLE AFTER ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
Artur Pupka, Tomasz Płonek, Krzysztof Lewicki, Jakub Maroszyk
Read article »
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF LYMPHATIC INSUFFICIENCY
Katarzyna Ochałek
Read article »
REPEATED SAUNA BATHING EFFECTS ON MALES’
CAPACITY TO PROLONGED EXERCISE-HEAT PERFORMANCE
Aleksander Tyka, Tomasz Pałka, Anna K. Tyka, Zbigniew Szyguła, Tomasz Cisoń
Read article »
SECONDARY PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN SCHOOL
SPORTS - DOES THE SPORT TEACHER’S FIRST AID EDUCATION MEET THE DEMANDS AT SCHOOL?
T. Küpper, C. Patig, St. Hotz, N. Netzer, V. Schöffl
Read article »
HEART RATE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE DURING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION COMPARED TO SINUS RHYTHM: IMPLICATIONS FOR DETECTING OCCULT AF AND FOR REDUCING AF BURDEN
Don R. Swanson
Read article »
THE IMPORTANCE OF OXYGEN TRANSPORT, STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY IN MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE OF THE ELDERLY
Roy J. Shephard, M.D., Ph.D., D.P.E., LL.D. (hon. caus.)
Read article »
COMPARISON OF LUMBAR AND ABDOMINAL MUSCLES ACTIVATION PATTERN IN TWO DIFFERENT SKILL LEVEL GOLF PLAYERS: AN EMG ANALYSIS
Ashish Aggarwal, Shweta Shenoy, Jaspal S. Sandhu
Introduction: Golf is a popular sport and golf swing is a complex movement which requires a coordinated sequence of muscle activity. Two types of skill level exists i.e. “High” and “Low”. The more skilled golfer displays less variability in the golf swing. A relationship exists between variability of muscle activity and skill level, which is important when considering their effects on the lower back.
Aim of the study: The present study compared muscle activation amplitudes in the trunk region of two different skill level golfers during golf swing.
Materials and Methods: 22 right handed male golfers (21.5 years ±3.4). 11 high skilled (0-8 handicap) and 11 less skilled (10-18 handicap) were instructed to perform golf swing and surface EMG activity was recorded from external oblique (E.O.), internal oblique (I.O.), and erector spinae (E.S.) muscles of both sides.
Results: Results showed that when both groups performed golf swing the high skilled level players showed lower EMG activity of left E.S. and right E.O. during all the phases of golf swing, but right E.S. showed decreased activity only during backswing phase. All the other muscles i.e. left E.O. and both side I.O. showed higher activity in high skill level players.
Conclusions: The above findings showed that muscle activity does not consistently show any uniform patterns during the golf swing, thus the results were not irrefutable. EMG evidence proposes that the there is a lack of subjective and objective relationship between skill level and EMG activity of lumbar and abdominal muscles as determined by SEMG.
Key Words: EMG, high skill, low skill, abdominal obliques, erector spinae
Read article »
REDUCING SHORTENED MUSCLES IN 10-12-YEAR-OLD BOYS THROUGH A PHYSICAL EXERCISE PROGRAMME
Janka Kanásová
Introduction: Shortened muscles, is one of the components of muscular disbalance that can have a dominant position in the development of muscular instability. Therefore, this is the focus of our research study a school population. We attempted to investigate the state of shortened muscles and implement stretching exercises to improve shortened muscle status by the school physical education.
The work has been elaborated based on the pedagogical research. The purpose of this study was to obtain and expand knowledge regarding the prevelance of shortened muscles in 10–12-year-old boys within their physical education lessons.
Material and methods: The subjects of our study group were 49 (forty-nine) boys from two primary schools in Nitra, Slovakia. Subjects were observed for a time period of two school years. Durying the 5th year of school there was no intervention and during the sixth years, we initiated a programme of Physical Education lessons. In the childrens‘ fifth year of elementary school without Physical Education lessons and in 6th year with the experimental variable with the programme of the school Physical Education lessons. Shortened muscles were examined using the method by (1), modified for the purposes of physical education practice by (2). We observed 11 muscles with the tendency to shorten, where muscles and muscle groups separately on the right and left sides were examined: m. trapezius, pars superior (upper part), m. levator scapulae, m. pectoralis major, m. iliopsoas, m. rectus femoris, m. tensor fasciae latae, lumbal joint adductors, hamstrings, m. quadratus lumborum, m. erector spinae, m. triceps surae.
Results: We found a high prevelance of shortened muscles in the tested 10 –12 year-old pupils. In some muscles and muscle groups (hamstrings) up to 89%. The prevelance of shortened muscles in pupils in 5th year of elemetary school at a standard contents of Physical Education lessons has markedly increased. In the same pupils in sixth grade, after implementing goal-oriented exercises focused on the removal of shortened muscles within the Physical Education lessons. After a year of implementation of the programme we recorded favorable changes in the functional state of the motor system. The frequency of occurence of shortened muscles, which ranked one to five, in boys decreased by 30 to 34%.
Conclusions: Timely and appropriate initiation of a focused exercise programme within the Physical Education lessons at school can positively influence the removal of shortened muscles.
Key words: muscular disbalance – muscular balance, shortened muscles, qualitative levels
Read article »
A MODEL FOR DEFINING THE OPTIMAL AMOUNT OF EXERCISE CONTRIBUTING TO HEALTH AND AVOIDING SUDDEN CARDIAC DEATH
Thomas D. Fahey, George D. Swanson
Background and Aims: Sudden cardiac death is the first symptom of heart disease in 25 to 40% of people. This paper introduced a model that can help determine the optimum amount of exercise in relation to a categorical outcome variable such as sudden death, stroke, inflammation or infection.
Methods: We illustrated its utility using data from the Physicians’ Health Study to predict the optimal exercise patterns that protect people from coronary artery disease while minimizing the risk of sudden cardiac death during exercise. The model extended the utility of case-crossover methods, which yield an odds ratio of dying while exercising compared to rest.
Results: With the assumption that the relative frequency of sudden death during exercise is linearly related to the proportion of time spent exercising, the analysis rendered a ”U-shaped” curve between the relative risk of sudden death and the weekly volume of moderate intensity exercise. The model predicted that men 40 to 80 yr should exercise 30 minutes a day (≥ 6 METS) six days a week to receive the benefits of exercise and minimize the risk of sudden death.
Conclusions: These results were consistent with exercise recommendations from the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Heart Association. Lower or higher amounts of exercise increased the risk of sudden death. Exercise is extremely safe in the absence of heart disease. Heart disease often has no symptoms, so people have no way of knowing definitively if they are in the high-risk cohort. This model is useful for other “U” shaped phenomena, such as exercise induced inflammation, stroke, and upper respiratory infection.
Key words: exercise, sudden death, heart, coronary artery disease, sport, epidemiology
Read article »
ASSOCIATION OF PRO-ANTIOXIDANT STATUS WITH IMMUNOLOGICAL RESPONSE IN HEALTHY MEN AFTER ORAL N-ACETYL-L-CYSTEINE ADMINISTRATION
Agnieszka Zembron-Lacny, Malgorzata Slowinska-Lisowska, Zbigniew Szygula, Kazimierz Witkowski
Introduction: N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC), as an antioxidant and precursor of glutathione, decreases in the capacity of neutrophils and macrophages to generate RONS, increases phagocytosis, reduces the extracellularly produced oxidative metabolites, modulates immune cells activity and interleukin level.
Aim of the study: This study was designed to assess the effect of N-acetyl-L-cysteine on plasma pro-antioxidant status, immune cells number, and to demonstrate the relationship between total antioxidant status and the immunological response in healthy men exposed to routine incremental exercise.
Materials and Methods: Fifteen healthy men were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control (CON, placebo) or N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 1200 mg.d-1 for 8 days prior to and 600 mg on the day of exercise trial). To measure the ergogenic effectiveness of NAC, subjects performed incremental cycle exercise until exhaustion.
Results: NAC administration significantly elevated the resting and post-exercise plasma total antioxidant status (TAS) by more than 30%. The lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and protein carbonylation (PC) products as well as creatine kinase (CK) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were considerably reduced by NAC at rest and/or post-exercise period. Interleukin-6 (IL-6) did not change in response to NAC. The immune cells variously responded to NAC i.e. number of lymphocytes significantly decreased whereas neutrophils and monocytes increased compared with CON. Lymphocytes inversely correlated (P<0.0001) with TAS, and directly with TBARS and PC whereas monocytes demonstrated the opposite relations with pro-antioxidant parameters. NAC administration, in the contrary to expectations, did not significantly affect exercise performance.
Conclusions: These data show that modification of blood antioxidant status and reduction of oxidative damage by eight-day oral NAC application simultaneously influences on immune cells number, and suggest the possibility of N-acetyl-L-cysteine using to modulate immunological response in healthy men exposed to intense exercise.
Key words: N-acetyl-L-cysteine, immune cells, muscle damage, interleukin-6
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THE INFLUENCE OF THE WATER BATHS WITH OR WITHOUT OZONE ASSOCIATED WITH KINESITHERAPY ON LOWER LIMBS MUSCLES PERFUSION IN PATIENTS WITH GONARTHROSIS
Jolanta Kujawa, Joanna Szmagaj, Kamila Gworys, Katarzyna Dudek, Marta Chrzanowska, Adrian Woźny, Ireneusz Pieszyński, Przemysław Gworys, Zbigniew Maziarz, Mariusz Gadzicki, Wiesław Tryniszewski
Introduction: Ozone therapy is a frequently applied physiotherapy method. There are reports that ozone has a wide spectrum of possible effects.
Aim: The aim of the study was to examine a possible influence of the water baths with ozone on lower limbs muscles perfusion in patients with gonarthrosis.
Materials and methods: 30 patients (mean age 62,3±11,0 years) with gonarthrosis (II-III degree according to Seyfried’s scale) were included in the study. The patients were assigned to three groups:
Group A (10pts) – water massages with ozone + exercises (kinesitherapy) were applied in this group
Group B (9pts) - water massages without ozone + exercises (kinesitherapy) were applied
Group C (11pts) – kinesitherapy alone was applied.
All the patients realized the same kinesitherapy program. Radioisotopic examinations of the lower limbs muscles perfusion in rest were performed before and after the treatment.
Results: the study revealed a significant lower limbs muscles perfusion increase in the group A (water massages with ozone were applied in this group). A slight perfusion increase was also observed in other groups (B and C) but the differences were not statistically significant. No patient had any adverse reaction after the applied treatment.
Conclusions: The study revealed a significant lower limbs muscles perfusion increase after hydrotherapy with ozone procedures. The results confirm that ozone has a positive influence on microcirculation. Ozonetherapy can be recognized as a safe method as no adverse reactions during and after the treatment were observed in the study.
Key words: ozone therapy, water massages, perfusion, gonarthrosis
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INFLUENCE OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY ON THE HEALTH CONDITION OF PEOPLE AFTER ORGAN TRANSPLANTATION
Artur Pupka, Tomasz Płonek, Krzysztof Lewicki, Jakub Maroszyk
Introduction: Transplantation has become a very important part of the treatment of organ failure in the last decades. Patients after transplantation can lead an almost normal life and they do not have to give up physical activity. The article presents the results of a questionnaire, which was carried out among 63 kidney and 2 liver transplant patients.
Aim: Our aim was to study the effects of physical activity after transplantation and specifically to evaluate whether such treatment might course deterioration in health.
Results: Our results indicate that physically to receipt did not cause any deterioration in general will and general health physical efficiency the bar treat tests. Psychological well-being was not evaluated. Data from international medical publications concerning professional sportsmen who had undergone organ transplantation (heart, lung, kidney and liver recipients) have also been evaluated the evidence from this survey and that of the courses confirms that physically committee should be recommended to transplant recipients.
Conclusions: It is an important part of the antiatherogenic and antiosteoporotic prophylaxis, especially for people after kidney transplantation. Indeed, participation in sports should be advised for all organ recipients whose general health gives no cause for concern .
Key words: sport, transplantation, physical activity
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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN THE PREVENTION AND TREATMENT OF LYMPHATIC INSUFFICIENCY
Katarzyna Ochałek
Introduction: Regular, intensive physical effort performed within an adequate period of time is considered to be an important factor in the prevention and treatment of lymphatic and vein insufficiency. Untreated lymphedema regarded as a result of the mechanical insufficiency (low output failure) of the lymphatic system, always has a tendency to progression and in the later stages of the disease causes physical, mental and social disabilities.
Aim: The purpose of the paper was to present current knowledge on the importance of physical activity in the prevention and treatment of lymphatic insufficiency.
Methods: The first part of this article provides an outline of the pathophysiology and aetiology of lymphedema and its treatment, the next discusses the significance of physical exercise in the prevention and treatment of this condition, the mechanism of the muscle pump and the optimal exercise program. The third part presents different types of physical activities which are recommended or non recommended.
In literature there is agreement on the indispensability of physical effort as a preventive and therapeutic factor in the management of lymphedema. However, the type, intensity and frequency of exercises safely reducing swelling are not fully defined.
Conclusion: Both a lack of physical effort as well as too vigorous and prolonged sporting activity are factors increasing the risk of developing or increasing oedema.
Key words: Lymphatic system, lymphedema, lymphoedema, chronic venous insufficiency, compression therapy, physical exercise
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REPEATED SAUNA BATHING EFFECTS ON MALES’
CAPACITY TO PROLONGED EXERCISE-HEAT PERFORMANCE
Aleksander Tyka, Tomasz Pałka, Anna K. Tyka, Zbigniew Szyguła, Tomasz Cisoń
Introduction: Exercise in a hot and humid environment causes several changes in human body; these include deterioration in the circulatory, thermoregulatory and endocrine systems which have negative impact on athletes’ performance. In order to compensate for such conditions, humans use various coping strategies.
The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of repeated sauna bathing on males’ capacity to exercise at higher ambient temperature.
Methods: Various measures of work, both anaerobic and aerobic, have been used to measure power, work and exercise capacity. Maximal anaerobic power (MAP) and total work (TW) were measured in Wingate test (1) while maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), total work (TWST), total work to threshold of decompensated metabolic acidosis (TWTDMA) were measured in exercise test to exhaustion. The primary experiment (I) occurred two days before the first sauna bathing while the secondary experiment (II) occurred three days after the last heat exposure. Rectal (Tre) and thympanic temperatures (Tty), body water loss (ΔBM) and sweating rate (SR) were collected and evaluated during sauna bathing. Subjective perception of inconvenience during exercise test to exhaustion was evaluated by the Borg’s scale (2).
Results: Repeated sauna bathing influenced subjects’ ability to prolonged exercise; in particular we observed increases of total TWST, TWTDMA and prolonged exercise duration (DE). This study showed no significant differences in MAP and TW in Wingate test.
Conclusion: Repeated heat exposure caused significant increase in capacity to prolonged exercise at higher ambient temperature.
Key words: sauna bathing, thermoregulation, maximal oxygen uptake, maximal work load, anaerobic threshold
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SECONDARY PREVENTION OF ACCIDENTS IN SCHOOL SPORTS - DOES THE SPORT TEACHER’S FIRST AID EDUCATION MEET THE DEMANDS AT SCHOOL?
T. Küpper, C. Patig, St. Hotz, N. Netzer, V. Schöffl
Objective: We investigated whether the actual knowledge of sport teachers in Germany was sufficient to deal with the reality of school sport accidents.
Material and methods: Based on an analysis of school sport accidents, a multiple-choice questionnaire was piloted. This questionnaire was answered by class 5-13 school sport teachers (n=25). These results were compared with a control group (n=25) who were mountaineers or ski instructors with similar age and sex distribution, but with a sports specific First Aid education.
Results: There was a general lack of knowledge in first aid procedures by both test groups, especially in basic techniques like bedding, the diagnosis of limb fractures, pain treatment, the problems of back injuries and hypothermia.
Conclusions: To improve safety in school sport we suggest a First Aid course specifically designed for sport teacher as an integral part of the teacher’s education followed up by a refresher course every three years.
Key words: school sports, accidents, first aid, prevention, education
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HEART RATE RESPONSE TO EXERCISE DURING ATRIAL FIBRILLATION COMPARED TO SINUS RHYTHM: IMPLICATIONS FOR DETECTING OCCULT AF AND FOR REDUCING AF BURDEN
Don R. Swanson
Elite athletes who have maintained competitive fitness for many years appear to have abnormally high risk of atrial fibrillation (AF), a risk that may apply also to recreational runners who have competed for years in long distance races. Because asymptomatic AF episodes may be far more frequent than symptomatic AF, I propose an approach to both detection and nonmedical treatment of occult paroxysmal AF through heart-rate controlled exercise. Detection is based on studies showing that heart rate response to light exercise is exaggerated during AF episodes compared to response in sinus rhythm. This differential response can be detected by the athlete with the help of a Polar monitor, and hence it can signal the need for a medical diagnosis, or it can serve as a method of screening in the context of a clinical trial to measure the prevalence of occult AF. A runner or other athlete diagnosed with AF is faced with a dilemma. Exercise, even if it does increase the risk of AF, also has indisputable health benefits. It is worth exploring therefore whether altering and controlling the intensity of exercise might maintain health benefits while reducing the added risk of arrhythmia. This paper proposes an approach based on keeping heart rate below an individually adjusted threshold, and suggests that this criterion may be of use in striking a balance between maximum competitive fitness and optimal cardiac health.
Key words: atrial fibrillation; heart rate; exercise; running; overtraining
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THE IMPORTANCE OF OXYGEN TRANSPORT, STRENGTH AND FLEXIBILITY IN MAINTAINING INDEPENDENCE OF THE ELDERLY
Roy J. Shephard, M.D., Ph.D., D.P.E., LL.D. (hon. caus.)
This brief review looks at the importance of maximal oxygen transport, muscle strength and flexibility as factors in maintaining the independence of elderly people. The progressive deterioration in these functions observed in middle-aged adults continues at least equally rapidly during the retirement years. Institutionalization seems necessary if maximal oxygen intake drops below a critical threshold, about 18 ml·kg-1·min-1 in men, and 15 ml·kg-1·min-1 in women. A loss of muscle strength and power also increases the risk of institutionalization, particularly in women, although it is less clear whether this risk is independent of effects due to the loss of aerobic power. Regular physical activity can slow or reverse deterioration in oxygen transport, strength, flexibility and balance, thus reducing biological age by 10 or more years. It seems likely that the need for institutional support will be postponed in parallel fashion. It is still necessary to clarify the importance of a deterioration in oxygen transport, strength and flexibility relative to other possible reasons for institutionalization, such as a catastrophic illness. Nevertheless, regular physical activity should be recommended to all seniors, since it can enhance fitness and counter other problems that might lead to institutionalization.
Key words: activities of daily living, aging, functional capacity, independence, physical limitaions
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