Somatic Profile of the Elite Boulderers in Poland.

Ozimek, M, Krawczyk, M, Zadarko, E, Barabasz, Z, Ambrozy, T, Stanula, A, Mucha, DK, Jurczak, A, and Mucha, D. Somatic profile of the elite boulderers in Poland. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 963-970, 2017-The study was designed to determine the values of selected somatic characteristics, body proportions, and the somatotype of elite bouldering climbers in Poland and to establish the relationships between the values of the somatic characteristics and climber's performance in bouldering. The study was conducted in a group of elite sport climbers (n = 10) who were ranked by the Polish Mountaineering Association in 2011, 2012, and 2013. The anthropometric measurements were made according to the relevant rules and standards. The results were used to calculate the values of somatic variables and body proportion indices for the climbers and to establish their somatotype. The results were compared with the data on untrained students (n = 165). The boulderers were found to differ significantly from the controls regarding body height (p < 0.01), body mass (p ≤ 0.05), body density (p < 0.01), fat mass percentage (FM%) (p < 0.01), fat mass (FMkg) (p < 0.01), lean body mass (p ≤ 0.05), arm span (p ≤ 0.05), and leg length (p < 0.01). Body proportions in the groups significantly differed in the arm length index (p < 0.01), arm-to-leg length ratio (p < 0.01), and in the indices of the forearm (p < 0.01), thigh (p < 0.01), and lower leg (p ≤ 0.05) muscles. With regard to the somatotypes of the analyzed groups, the biggest differences were observed for the levels of mesomorphy (NS) and endomorphy, the latter being statistically significant (p < 0.01). The strongest and significant correlations between the competitive level of the climbers and the values of their somatic characteristics were established for FM% (r = -0.81), fat mass (in kilograms) (r = -0.82), body density (r = 0.81), endomorphy (r = -0.74), arm length (r = 0.77), and the arm length index (r = 0.80). The results of linear regression showed that the competitive level of a bouldering climber was significantly explained (p < 0.01) by fat mass (in kilograms) and the value of the arm length index. A high level of performance in bouldering is related to small stature (an ecto-mesomorph somatotype) and a low body fat percentage (low endomorphy). Regarding body proportions, greater than average arm length to body height ratio and well-developed musculature of the limbs are required for a boulderer to perform on a competitive level. High arm length index and low body fat percentage represent the strongest determinants of performance in bouldering. It can be assumed that arm length index has a high diagnostic value for recruitment and selection of climbers.

Doping in Sport-Attitudes of Physical Trainers Students Regarding the Use of Prohibited Substances Increasing Performance.

BACKGROUND: The popularity of using the advice of a personal trainer is increasing in Poland and currently most gyms offer the possibility of training under the supervision of a professional. Personal trainers present a multifaceted nature into physical activity and become their clients' guides in achieving sporting goals. Physical trainers also work in sports clubs and supervise the training of people professionally involved in sport. AIM: Given the professional role that they play, this article aimed to analyze the knowledge and attitudes of personal trainers towards using prohibited measures to improve performance in sport, as well as counteraction measures. METHODS: The study used a questionnaire created by the authors containing closed, semi-open, and open questions. RESULTS: The results of the presented research indicate that most physical trainers and students educated in this field have a negative attitude towards the use of prohibited measures that increase performance but they noticed that doping was common in sport by 88.51% respondents. In the group of personal trainers, the majority (87.14%) admitted that good results in sport could be achieved without the use of doping. They stated that it was unfair (25%), contrary to the fair play principle-16%, while over 11% indicated this as cheating. Only 6% of people pointed out that it was legally prohibited and 3% that it was harmful. These results show that 10.13% of all respondents believe that the use of doping is a necessity to achieve very good results in sport. CONCLUSIONS: The availability of doping substances is statistically correlated with the question of persuading to use doping in both groups of trainers and students and some people justify the use of doping. The research proved that the personal trainers' level of knowledge on doping is still insufficient.

Aerobic Capacity in Relation to Selected Elements of Body Posture.

BACKGROUND: In the 21st century, with the rapid development of many human life areas, physical activity should be prevalent in health maintenance and promotion. Body posture is a motor habit characteristic of every individual. Its correctness depends on numerous aspects, e.g., physical activity, age, mental state, or eating habits. There are numerous reports in the literature on the impact of physical activity on body posture, correct foot arch development, and the level of aerobic capacity in children and adolescents, but there is a noticeable lack of assessments of these characteristics and their correlations in adults. AIM: To evaluate aerobic capacity in males and females in relation to selected body posture elements. METHODS: The study involved 45 females and 46 males aged 20-21 years. The inclusion criteria involved declared good health and no contraindications. Selected somatic traits, body posture, and physical capacity indicators were determined. RESULTS: Physical capacity shows a significant relationship with body mass in both sexes (female: r = -0.346; p = 0.020; male: r = -0.321; p = 0.030). A significant correlation was observed between aerobic capacity and lean body mass in females (r = -0.428; p = 0.003) and body mass (r = -0.461; p = 0.001) and body fat percentage in males (r = -0.443; p = 0.002). A significant correlation was demonstrated between maximal oxygen uptake and Clarke's angle (r = -0.300; p = 0.045) in females, between maximal oxygen uptake and the loaded area of the right foot (r = -0.247; p = 0.098) in the male group, and between maximal oxygen uptake and spine lateral deviation (r = 0.352; p = 0.018) in females. There was no dimorphism between body posture elements and physical capacity except for the level of foot longitudinal arches, feet loading surface, spine lateral deviation, and the range of spine mobility in the sagittal and frontal planes. Aerobic capacity significantly influenced lean body mass (ß = -0.379; p = 0.007) and spine deviation from the anatomical axis in the frontal plane in females (ß = 0.287; p = 0.039) and body fat percentage in males (ß = -0.443; p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Selected body posture elements demonstrate relationships with physical capacity in both sexes. The results should find wide practical applications, e.g., in promoting a comprehensive assessment of body posture and physical capacity as determinants of health maintenance.

Effects of Vibrotherapy with Different Characteristics and Body Position on Post-Exercise Recovery after Anaerobic Exercise.

The aim of this project was to indicate the optimal parameters such as frequency, duration of a single vibrotherapy, and body position, which will be used as a form of recovery modality after physical exercise. Sixteen healthy male volunteers were involved in this study. The aerobic and anaerobic capacity of participants was assessed. Each of the subjects performed a set of intensive physical exercises and then underwent vibrotherapy treatment. In random order, each of the men tested the effectiveness of eight of the combinations of frequency, duration, and body position. The effect of the procedure accelerating recovery was assessed 24 h after physical exercise with the Wingate test. Changes in oxygen saturation and biochemical markers (interleukins: Il-1ß, Il-6, and creatine kinase: CK), hemoglobin (Hb), and hematocrit (Hct) were assessed 1 h and 24 h after the physical effort. Lactate concentrations were measured 3, 15, 30, and 60 min after the end of the vibration. It was indicated that the optimal treatment should be based on lower ranges of frequency values (2-52 Hz). The procedure with raised feet is also more beneficial than the flat, supine position. To improve the overall work, and a number of biochemical markers (CK and Il-1ß), a 45 min treatment will be more efficient, because significantly lower CK activity was indicated for the 45 min treatment. For this duration, higher values of Il-1ß were indicated in the measurement carried out for samples collected 60 min after the treatment and lower in the measurement carried out 24 h after the treatment.

Changes in blood rheological properties and biochemical markers after participation in the XTERRA Poland triathlon competition.

The importance of physical activity in preventing chronic cardiovascular and metabolic diseases and the role of exercise as an adjunct therapy are widely recognized. Triathlon is a typically endurance discipline. Prolonged and intensive exercise is known to cause changes in blood rheological properties and biochemical markers; sometimes athletes participating in strenuous competitions need medical attention. To understand the phenomena occurring in the body in such situations, we decided to study participants' biomarkers after the XTERRA Poland 2017 triathlon competition. The study involved 10 triathletes. The XTERRA Poland 2017 event comprised 1500-m swimming, 36-km cycling, and 10-km mountain running. Blood samples were collected 2 days before, immediately after, and 16 h after the competition. Immediately after the race, white blood cells count, platelets, and uric acid levels were significantly (P < 0.001) increased; haematocrit, Na+, Cl-, and IgA were decreased. On the following day, Na+, Cl-, and C-reactive protein levels were significantly (P < 0.001) increased; white blood cells count, red blood cells count, haemoglobin, haematocrit, mean corpuscular volume, platelets, IgG, and IgA were decreased. Assessing rheological parameters such as erythrocyte deformability and aggregation is useful for monitoring adverse effects of intensive and exhaustive exercise. The study illustrates the change in blood rheological properties and biochemical markers after intensive physical effort. Despite these differences, the indicators were within the reference range for the general population, which may demonstrate normal body function in the studied triathletes.

The Effect of Extreme Cold on Complete Blood Count and Biochemical Indicators: A Case Study.

Regular exposure to a cold factor-cold water swimming or ice swimming and cold air-results in an increased tolerance to cold due to numerous adaptive mechanisms in humans. Due to the lack of scientific reports on the effects of extremely low outdoor temperatures on the functioning of the human circulatory system, the aim of this study was to evaluate complete blood count and biochemical blood indices in multiple Guinness world record holder Valerjan Romanovski, who was exposed to extremely cold environment from -5 °C to -37 °C for 50 days in Rovaniemi (a city in northern Finland). Valerjan Romanovski proved that humans can function in extremely cold temperatures. Blood from the subject was collected before and after the expedition. The subject was found to have abnormalities for the following blood indices: testosterone increases by 60.14%, RBC decreases by 4.01%, HGB decreases by 3.47%, WBC decreases by 21.53%, neutrocytes decrease by 17.31%, PDW increases by 5.31%, AspAT increases by 52.81%, AlAT increase by 68.75%, CK increases by 8.61%, total cholesterol decreases by 5.88%, HDL increases by 28.18%. Percentage changes in other complete blood count and biochemical indices were within standard limits. Long-term exposure of the subject (50 days) to extreme cold stress had no noticeable negative effect on daily functioning.

Effect of Whole-Body Cryotherapy on Morphological, Rheological and Biochemical Indices of Blood in People with Multiple Sclerosis.

The aim of this study was to examine and assess the impact of a series of 20 whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) treatments on the biochemical and rheological indices of blood in people with multiple sclerosis. In this prospective controlled study, the experimental group consisted of 15 women aged 34-55 (mean age, 41.53 ± 6.98 years) with diagnosed multiple sclerosis who underwent a series of whole-body cryotherapy treatments. The first control group consisted of 20 women with diagnosed multiple sclerosis. This group had no intervention in the form of whole-body cryotherapy. The second control group consisted of 15 women aged 30-49 years (mean age, 38.47 ± 6.0 years) without neurological diseases and other chronic diseases who also underwent the whole-body cryotherapy treatment. For the analysis of the blood indices, venous blood was taken twice (first, on the day of initiation of whole-body cryotherapy treatments and, second, after a series of 20 cryotherapy treatments). The blood counts were determined using an ABX MICROS 60 hematological analyzer (USA). The LORCA analyzer (Laser-Optical Rotational Cell Analyzer, RR Mechatronics, the Netherlands) was used to study the aggregation and deformability of erythrocytes. The total protein serum measurement was performed using a Cobas 6000 analyzer, Roche and a Proteinogram-Minicap Sebia analyzer. Fibrinogen determinations were made using a Bio-Ksel, Chrom-7 camera. Statistically significant differences and changes after WBC in the levels of red blood cells (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), elongation index, total extend of aggregation (AMP), and proteins (including fibrinogen) were observed. However, there was no significant effect of a series of 20 WBC treatments on changes in blood counts, rheology, and biochemistry in women with multiple sclerosis. Our results show that the use of WBC has a positive effect on the rheological properties of the blood of healthy women.

Follow-up monitoring of physical activity after rehabilitation by means of a mobile application: Effectiveness of measurements in different age groups.

BACKGROUND: Active monitoring of the level of daily physical activity seems to be a useful element for secondary prevention in public health. Low physical activity increases the incidence of cardiovascular diseases, obesity, diabetes, musculoskeletal diseases, and causes loss of the previously achieved effects of rehabilitation. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to assess the level of physical activity in different age groups of adults with the use of the telemedical system based on a mobile application. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The research covered data collected remotely from 927 individuals of both genders, aged 20-80 years (group I: 20-40 years, group II: 41-60 years, group III: 61-80 years). A monitoring system (Activity Measurement Tool) developed in the Department of General Rehabilitation at the Witold Chodzko Institute of Rural Health (Lublin, Poland) was used to measure home physical activity in the examined group. The system uses a dedicated mobile application, cellular data transmission and web data-showing software. Home physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and simultaneous processing of data from a smartphone accelerometer. RESULTS: The mean level of physical activity in the group of active application users (≥2 days, n = 494), expressed as Metabolic Equivalent of Task (MET)-min/week (IPAQ-SF), was as follows: group I (female participants (F): 5,767.9, n = 73; male participants (M): 4,888.4 n = 251), group II (F: 3,468.7, n = 24; M: 4,053.5, n = 119) and in group III (M: 5,769.3, n = 27; no female participants were involved). In 72.3% of users, the registered physical activity was smaller in relation to IPAQ-assessed/7 days physical activity (sign test: n = 494; percentage of negative differences: 72.3%; Z = 9.9; p = 0.00). CONCLUSIONS: The research findings indicate a high level of self-reported physical activity among the users in all age and gender groups, although it is not reflected in the level of registered activity. Although the level of daily physical activity was evaluated, it was mainly among young and middle-aged men who gladly and regularly made use of the measurement possibilities offered by mobile technology.

Body Posture, Postural Stability, and Metabolic Age in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

BACKGROUND: The study aims to analyze the relationship between body posture and composition, as well as postural stability in Parkinson's disease patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 32 people were evaluated. The study was conducted in the Laboratory of Posturology at Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce (Poland). Body posture was examined using the optoelectronic body posture Formetric Diers Method III 4D. Postural stability was evaluated using the Biodex Balance System platform. Body composition was assessed with the method of bioelectrical impedance analysis using the Tanita MC 780 MA analyzer. RESULTS: 11 patients (34.37%) had hyperkyphosis, 10 (31.25%) hyperlordosis, and 3 (9.37%) hyperkyphosis-hyperlordosis posture. Scoliosis (>10°) was observed in 28 (87.5%) subjects, whereas 4 (12.5%) presented scoliotic body posture (1-9°). In the examined population, all parameters of postural stability were within normal limits. CONCLUSIONS: A significant positive correlation was observed between surface rotation (°), General Stability Index (r = 0.4075, p = 0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r = 0.3819, p = 0.0310). There was also a significant positive correlation between surface rotation (+max) (°), General Stability Index (r = 0.3526, p = 0.0206), and Anteroposterior Stability Index (r = 0.3873, p = 0.0285). Metabolic age also presented a significant positive correlation between metabolic age and General Stability Index (r = 0.4057, p = 0.0212), as well as Anteroposterior Stability Index (r = 0.3507, p = 0.0490).

Knowledge of the Disease, Perceived Social Support, and Cognitive Appraisals in Women with Urinary Incontinence.

Social support and knowledge of the disease have been shown to facilitate adaptation to a chronic disease. However, the adaptation process is not fully understood. We hypothesized that these factors can contribute to better adaptation to the disease through their impact on disease-related cognitive appraisal. To analyze the links between social support and the knowledge of the disease, on one hand, and disease-related appraisals, on the other hand, one hundred fifty-eight women with stress UI, aged 32 to 79, took part in the study. Questionnaire measures of knowledge of UI, social support, and disease-related appraisals were used in the study. The level of knowledge correlated significantly negatively with the appraisal of the disease as Harm. The global level of social support correlated significantly positively with three disease-related appraisals: Profit, Challenge, and Value. Four subgroups of patients with different constellations of social support and knowledge of the disease were identified in cluster analysis and were demonstrated to differ significantly on four disease-related appraisals: Profit, Challenge, Harm, and Value. Different cognitive appraisals of UI may be specifically related to social support and knowledge of the disease, with social support affective positive disease-related appraisals, and the knowledge affecting the appraisal of Harm.