Cardio-Physiological and Anthropometric Profile of Elite International Handball Players from Top Ranking Macedonian Teams / Perfil Cardiofisiológico y Antropométrico de Jugadores Internacionales de Balonmano de Élite de Equipos Macedonios de Primer Nivel

SUMMARY: Monitoring of body composition and cardiophysiological parameters are main part of the general health status of handball players and significant indicators of their physical fitness. The assessment of body components, especially skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass are important because of their influence on sport performance. The aim of this study is to determine the body composition and cardiophysiological characteristics of elite handball players from Republic of North Macedonia. 27 male HB players from two top ranking teams from RNM were tested ergometrically with Bruce protocol for determination of maximal oxygen consumption; body analysis was made with bioelectrical impedance analyzer, InBody 720. Anthropometric parameters were as follows: mean height was 190.4±7.8 cm and weight 96.3±15.5 kg, skeletal muscle mass (SMM)=47.11±6.69 kg; BMI=26.38±3.1; BF%=15.04±6.01 and WHR=0.9±1.8. The result of ergometrical test produce mean VO2 max=43.92 ml/kg/min which is 100.46 % of reference value. The body composition of elite international handball players from the top handball teams in Republic of North Macedonia showed similar body components as other European handball players. The obesity diagnose parameters were negatively associated with exercise time and maximal oxygen consumption.

El seguimiento de la composición corporal y los parámetros cardiofisiológicos son una parte principal del estado de salud general de los jugadores de balonmano y son indicadores importantes de su condición física. La evaluación de los componentes corporales, especialmente la masa muscular esquelética y la masa grasa corporal, son importantes debido a su influencia en el rendimiento deportivo. El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la composición corporal y las características cardiofisiológicas de jugadores de balonmano de élite de la República de Macedonia del Norte. Se evaluaron 27 jugadores masculinos de HB de dos equipos de primer nivel de RNM ergométricamente con el protocolo de Bruce para determinar el consumo máximo de oxígeno; el análisis corporal se realizó con el analizador de impedancia bioeléctrica InBody 720. Los parámetros antropométricos fueron los siguientes: talla media 190,4±7,8 cm y peso 96,3±15,5 kg, masa músculo esquelética (SMM)=47,11±6,69 kg; IMC=26,38±3,1; %GC=15,04±6,01 y RCC=0,9±1,8. El resultado de la prueba ergométrica produce un VO2 máximo medio = 43,92 ml/kg/ min, que es el 100,46 % del valor de referencia. La composición corporal de los jugadores de balonmano internacionales de élite de los mejores equipos de balonmano de la República de Macedonia del Norte mostró componentes corporales similares a los de otros jugadores de balonmano europeos. Los parámetros diagnósticos de obesidad se asociaron negativamente con el tiempo de ejercicio y el consumo máximo de oxígeno.

Correlations Between Red Blood Cells' Variables, Cardio-Pysiological and Anthropological Variables in Young Athletes.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine and analyse the relations between anthropometric parameters, red blood cells' (RBC) variables and cardio-physiological parameters in healthy and physically active children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In this study 625 subjects, (410 males and 215 females; age span 8 to 18 years) underwent body composition analysis (Matiegka method), blood analysis and ergometry testing (Bruce protocol). RESULTS: In both groups, body height and weight were positively correlated with RBC variables. In female group almost all correlations between RBC variables and body components were insignificant. In boys all absolute body mass components showed positive correlations with RBC variables with notice that body fat mass had lowest correlation coefficient. Body fat percent (BF %) did not show any correlation with RBC variables in both gender groups. In boys BF % had moderate negative correlation with aerobic performance: exercise time (ET) and VO2max (rs = -0.41 and rs = -0.39). Lean body components showed weak positive correlations with ET and VO2max. RBC count did not show significant correlation with any cardio-physiological parameter in both groups. Haematocrit and haemoglobin showed weak positive correlations with VO2 max and general endurance (exercise time). In girls all correlations between cardio-physiological and RBC variables were insignificant. The relationship between all body components and all cardio-physiological variables in girls were statistically insignificant. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings revealed that there are some expected positive correlations between lean body mass components, aerobic performance and RBC variables in boys, while in girls such relations were not noticed.

Red blood cell variables and correlations with body mass components in boys aged 10-17 years.

The objective of this study was to analyze the hematologic parameters and their correlation with body composition components in healthy boys at pubertal age. One hundred and ninety physically active male subjects, aged 10 to 17 years, mean age 13.87 ±4.5 years, were included in the study. Capillary blood was drawn from all subjects and the following hematologic parameters were measured: RBC, Hct, Hb, MCV, MCH, MCHC. The following body components derived from Matiegka anthropometric method were assessed: muscle mass (MM), bone mass (BM), and body fat mass (BF). The mean values (±SD) of hematologic parameters were: RBC= 4.87±0.41 x 10 < sup > 12 < /sup > /L, Hb=14.24±1.24 g/dL, Hct=43.83±3.8%. Anthropometric characteristics were as follows: body mass index (BMI) = 20.26± 3.27 kg/m < sup > 2 < /sup > , relative muscle mass (MM%) = 53.18± 3.19%, bone mass (BM%) = 18.83± 2.4% and body fat percentage (BF%) = 15.19± 2.64%. Correlation analysis between hematologic parameters and body composition showed a moderate to strong correlation between RBC, Hb and Hct and all body components. The strongest correlations were found between Hb and Hct, and muscle mass (r= 0.60; r= 0.61) and lean body mass (r= 0.59). The body fat mass showed also a positive association with RBC (r=0.47); Hb (r=0.47) and Hct (r=0.48). Our findings showed that the relationship between anthropometric measures and RBC variables in healthy physically active boys were positively correlated, but the level of association was higher with skeletal muscle mass.

The effect of physical activity on cognition - physiological mechanisms.

The presumption that physical activity, i.e. exercise, as an independent and separated factor influences different aspects of cognitive mechanisms is substantially supported by the literature. The investigations of the influence of physical activity on cognitive functioning have offered several mechanisms which could explain this relationship. Physiological mechanisms including increased cerebral blood flow, changes in neurotransmitter release, structural changes in central nervous system and altered arousal levels are based on physical changes that occur in the body as a consequence of the physical activity. There is evidence that physical training selectively increases angiogenesis, synaptogenesis and neurogenesis. The role of central (BDNF) and peripheral (estrogens, corticosteroids, growth hormone, IGF-1) factors in mediation of the effects of physical exercise on brain functions, has been promoted. Also, there is convergent data on molecular and cellular level, as well as on behavioral and systemic level which support the presumption that physical activity is beneficial to cognition. These data emphasizes the importance of promotion of physical activity during the life span for the prevention of contemporary (obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular) diseases and cognitive decline in humans.