The influence of whole-body cryotherapy or winter swimming on the lipid profile and selected adipokines.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a series of 20 whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) sessions and 20 winter swimming sessions on the lipid profile and selected adipokines. MATERIALS/METHODS: The experimental group consisted of 30 people who underwent a series of WBC treatments and 30 people who underwent a winter swimming. The control group consisted of 30 people - without intervention. Study 1: on the day of the commencement of whole-body cryotherapy / at the beginning of the winter swimming season; and Study 2: after a series of 20 cryotherapy sessions / at the end of the winter swimming season. The control group was also tested twice (4-week break). There were 20 WBC treatments - 5 times a week (4 weeks) and 20 cold water baths - once a week (20 weeks). RESULTS: A statistically significant increase in the concentration of adiponectin, resistin and leptin in women and resistin and leptin in men was observed after the winter swimming season. Differences were also found in the second study between the groups of women using WBC and the control group, as well as the groups of women swimming and the control group. In men, however, these differences were observed in WBC and the control group. The significance level of α = 0.05 was adopted in the analyzes. CONCLUSIONS: The use of WBC may changes in the lipid profile and selected adipokines in men. Regular winter swimming may changes of selected adipokines in both women and men.

The effect of a series of whole­body cryotherapy treatments on the activity of antioxidant enzymes in healthy women and women with multiple sclerosis.

The study aimed to compare the effect of a series of 20 sessions of whole­body cryotherapy (WBC) on the level of CAT, GPx and SOD in women with multiple sclerosis and healthy women. The consent of the Bioethics Committee at the Regional Medical Chamber in Krakow was obtained, and the trial was registered in the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry. Thirty people took part in the study: the study group (MS) and the control group (CONT). All subjects participated in 20 cryotherapy sessions. Venous blood was collected for analysis before the WBC session and after 20 sessions. There were no changes in the examined parameters (CAT, GPx, SOD) after using WBC in the MS or control groups. There were also no differences between the groups in the first or the last study. There were no adverse changes in the parameters tested - WBC appeared to be a safe form of therapy, although the mechanisms of hypothermic protection are not fully understood.

Stereometric and Tribometric Studies of Polymeric Pin and Ceramic Plate Friction Pair Components.

Tw o complementary approaches should be used for the full characterisation of friction pair components. The first approach consists of stereometric studies of machined as well as worn surface topography of the friction components with multiple measurement methods used. The second approach, tribometric studies, enables the tribological characteristics of the friction pair. This work presents the complete characterisation of polymeric pin and ceramic plate friction pair components based on studies with the use of three research instruments: an interference microscope, a scanning electron microscope and a tribological tester. The results of the studies showed that the same treatment conditions used for different but similar ceramic materials did not provide exactly the same characteristics of both the machined and worn surface topography. Moreover, the results showed that the material properties and machined surface topography of the ceramic component significantly affected the friction coefficient and linear wear as well as the wear intensity of the polymeric component. Connecting the two approaches, stereometric studies and tribometric studies, allowed for a better identification of the wear mechanism of the polymeric pin (i.e., abrasion, fatigue and adhesion wear) and the kind of wear products (polymeric material).