Effect of paddle grip on segmental fluid distribution and injuries occurrence in elite slalom paddlers.

AIM: The aim of this current study was to assess the segmental fluid distribution, grip strength and injury occurrence in elite slalom kayakers and canoeists. METHODS: Ninety three world-cup competitors (72 males; 21 females) took part in the study. Impedance analysis assessed segmental fluid asymmetry and a questionnaire evaluated injury occurrence during the three previous years. The effect of paddle grip (loose/fixed hand in kayakers, lower/upper hand in canoeists), morphological dominance (dominant/non-dominant) and discipline (canoe/kayak) was evaluated by repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: The findings indicated a significant effect of paddle grip in male canoeists on morphological asymmetry in the upper limbs (arm of lower paddle hand, mean fluid distribution 3.17, s=0.47 litres; arm of upper paddle hand mean fluid distribution 3.08, s=0.45 litres; P<0.001, ωp2=0.32). Significant morphological asymmetry was found also in kayakers but the effect of paddle grip was not substantial. Grip strength was not related to paddle grip. Paddlers with arm morphological asymmetry reported upper limb injury occurrence in 60% of cases, which was 3 times more than in paddlers without arm morphological asymmetry. CONCLUSION: As upper-limb asymmetry was directly associated with paddle grip in male canoeists, canoe paddling may lead to higher bilateral morphological asymmetry and therefore, injury occurrence.

Differences in forearm strength, endurance, and hemodynamic kinetics between male boulderers and lead rock climbers.

This study examined differences in the oxygenation kinetics and strength and endurance characteristics of boulderers and lead sport climbers. Using near infrared spectroscopy, 13-boulderers, 10-lead climbers, and 10-controls completed assessments of oxidative capacity index and muscle oxygen consumption (m⩒O2) in the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP), and extensor digitorum communis (EDC). Additionally, forearm strength (maximal volitional contraction MVC), endurance (force-time integral FTI at 40% MVC), and forearm volume (FAV and ΔFAV) was assessed. MVC was significantly greater in boulderers compared to lead climbers (mean difference = 9.6, 95% CI 5.2-14 kg). FDP and EDC oxidative capacity indexes were significantly greater (p = .041 and .013, respectively) in lead climbers and boulderers compared to controls (mean difference = -1.166, 95% CI (-3.264 to 0.931 s) and mean difference = -1.120, 95% CI (-3.316 to 1.075 s), respectively) with no differences between climbing disciplines. Climbers had a significantly greater FTI compared to controls (mean difference = 2205, 95% CI= 1114-3296 and mean difference = 1716, 95% CI = 553-2880, respectively) but not between disciplines. There were no significant group differences in ΔFAV or m⩒O2. The greater MVC in boulderers may be due to neural adaptation and not hypertrophy. A greater oxidative capacity index in both climbing groups suggests that irrespective of climbing discipline, trainers, coaches, and practitioners should consider forearm specific aerobic training to aid performance.

[Fatty acids in chocolate and chocolate products]. / Kwasy tluszczowe w czekoladach i wyrobach czekoladowych.

Fat content as well as fatty acids composition in 46 chocolate both stuffed and hard type as well as 14 chocolate related products from the market in Warsaw area in the years of 1997-1999 has been analysed. As the result of above investigations the considerable difference in fat content (from 6.6 to 40.0%) as well as fatty acids groups has been detected, in particular in stuffed chocolates and chocolate products.

[The fat and fatty acids content in selected sea fish]. / Zawartosc tluszczu i sklad kwasów tluszczowych w wybranych rybach morskich.

The fat content as well as fatty acids in baltic herring, mackerel and salmon from Norway has been determined. The fat content was 7%, 11.6% and 13.2% respectively. Both fat extracted from mackerel and salmon contained much more of polyunsaturated fatty acids in comparison to that extracted from herring. PUFA content in herring fat was 15% whereas mackerel and salmon 29% and 25% respectively. PUFA represented mostly of omega-3 family.

[Fatty acids in confectionery products]. / Kwasy tluszczowe w produktach cukierniczych.

The content of fat and fatty acids in 144 different confectionery products purchased on the market in Warsaw region during 1997-1999 have been investigated. In examined confectionery products considerable variability of both fat and fatty acids content have been found. The content of fat varied from 6.6% (coconut cookies) up to 40% (chocolate wafers). Saturated fatty acids were present in both cis and trans form. Especially trans fatty acids reach (above 50%) were fats extracted from nut wafers, coconuts wafers.

Reduction of radiocaesium transfer to broiler chicken meat by a clinoptilolite modified with hexacyanoferrate.

The effect of RADEKONT (a natural clinoptilolite modified by hexacyanoferrate) on 137Cs uptake into meat was tested in experiments with broiler chickens. Three experiments determined the influence of RADEKONT on radiocaesium transfer after single or repeated applications of artificially contaminated feed mixture and one experiment investigated the effect of RADEKONT when feeding a mixture containing wheat contaminated by the Chernobyl fallout. Independent of the effect of RADEKONT, the uptake of radiocaesium was faster in leg meat than in breast meat. Reduction factors (137Cs transfer without the RADEKONT additive compared with those observed after supplementation of the additive into the feed mixture) of 1.1-1.3 and 1.2-2.3, respectively, were achieved after single and repeated administrations of artificially contaminated feed. No significant differences in reduction between breast and leg meat were observed. RADEKONT was more effective when the chickens were fed with Chernobyl-contaminated wheat (reduction factors of up to 3.7) than an artificial 137Cs source. RADEKONT as a supplement during the decontamination period decreased the biological half-life of 137Cs to less than 1 day. The timing of the application of RADEKONT might be important in determining its effectiveness, especially in young, rapidly growing chickens.