Changes in the Hormonal Profile of Athletes following a Combat Sports Performance.

RESULTS: Following fighting, the adrenaline concentration was significantly higher in all athletes, most markedly in K (p < 0.001). Baseline cortisol and BDNF levels did not differ among the groups and rose significantly in all the groups after the performance. Baseline testosterone concentration was slightly higher in K than in JSW and rose in all the groups to reach similar levels; the increase in T was significantly higher than in K. CONCLUSIONS: Despite substantial differences in the characteristics of the combat sports investigated, including the type of physical effort and the required balance between restraint and aggression, the performance in each of them gives rise to similar hormonal changes with a possible exception of karate showing higher stress hormone levels.

Does the type of foam roller influence the recovery rate, thermal response and DOMS prevention?

PURPOSE: Supporting post-exercise recovery requires choosing not only the right treatment but also the equipment, in which the impact is not always clear. The study aimed to determine the effect of foam rolling on the rate of lactate removal and DOMS prevention and whether the type of foam roller is effective in the context of post-exercise recovery. METHODS: This randomized trial enrolled 33 active healthy males divided into three groups of eleven individuals: foam rolling with a smooth (STH) or grid roller (GRID) or passive recovery (PAS). All the participants performed full squat jumps for one minute. Examination took place at rest (thermal imaging of skin temperature-[Tsk] and blood lactate-[LA]), immediately following exercise (Tsk & LA), immediately after recovery treatment (Tsk) and after 30 minutes of rest (Tsk & LA). Their pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after exercise. RESULTS: The magnitude of lactate decrease depended on the type of recovery used. In the PAS group, the decrease in lactate concentration by 2.65 mmol/L following a half-hour rest was significantly lower than that in the other groups (STH vs. PAS p = 0.042 / GRID vs. PAS p = 0.025). For thermal responses, significant differences between both experimental groups were noted only 30 minutes after exercise. A significant decrease in pain in the STH group occurred between 48 and 96 hours, while the GRID group showed a systematic significant decrease in VAS values in subsequent measurements. Changes in VAS values in subsequent measurements in the PAS group were not statistically significant (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Foam rolling seems to be effective for enhancing lactate clearance and counteracting DOMS, but the type of foam roller does not seem to influence the recovery rate.

Assessment of the Health-Related Behaviors of Men Practicing Combat Sports and Martial Arts.

BACKGROUND: Physical activeness is one of the main elements of lifestyle in terms of preventing civilization diseases. The main purpose of this study was to assess the selected health behaviors of men practicing combat sports and martial arts and to find out what features or variables may have an influence one's lifestyle. METHODS: Overall, 561 men aged 17-35 yr were enrolled and divided into three groups. Studies were conducted from March 2011 to June 2015 in Warsaw, Poland. The main research tool was Juczynski's Health Behaviour Inventory. The questionnaire includes 24 statements - descriptions of various health-related attitudes and behaviours - divided into four categories: proper eating habits, preventive behaviours, positive psychical attitude, and health practices. RESULTS: The persons practicing combat sports and martial arts presented the highest level of health behaviours. The result of Group 1 was significantly higher than the result of Group 2 (P=0.05) and Group 3 (P<0.001). The sportsmen from Group 1 obtained the highest result in the category of psychical attitude (3.5), which was similar to the result of the non-active group (3.29). The men belonging to Group 2 rated highest their eating habits (3.37). All groups obtained the lowest results in the category of preventive behaviours. CONCLUSION: The men practicing combat sports and martial arts showed high general level of health behaviours. It may give evidence to the intellectualization of sport and health training process, as well as to the fact of adopting the desired behaviours in everyday life.

Assessment of the Impact of Kinesiology Taping Application Versus Placebo Taping on the Knee Joint Position Sense. Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Kinesiology Taping is a very popular physiotherapy method. It is used in both healthy people and orthopaedic patients in order to relieve pain, increase range of motion and for other purposes. Many researchers claim that these applications will also improve proprioception and sensorimotor efficiency, which are important for recovery after injuries and orthopaedic surgeries, especially on the knee joint. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the muscle application of Kinesiology Taping on knee joint position sense in active motion. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 50 healthy people (30 men and 20 women). Mean age was 23.2 years (range 18-30 years). The exclusion criteria were past knee injuries and knee surgery that could affect the test results. The participants were divided randomly into two equal groups. The first group (KT group) had a Kinesiology Taping muscle application placed, whereas a placebo application of an adhesive tape was used in the remaining participants (placebo group). Both applications were supposed to support quadriceps muscle activity. Joint position sense (JPS) was evaluated by measuring the error of active reproduction of the joint position (EARJP) of the knee in 45° flexion. The test was performed prior to applying the patch, after the patch was applied, then after 24 hours of wearing it and after removing the tape. The interval between trials before and after application of the patch was not less than 30 minutes. Statistical analysis was performed using Statistica 12.0. Distribution characteristics were calculated and the Wilcoxon test, Friedman's ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U test were performed. RESULTS: The average test scores of JPS in the KT group and the placebo group before applying the KT patch were 3.48° and 5.16° respectively, compared to 4.84° and 4.88°, respectively, with the patch on, 5.12° and 4.96°, respectively, after 24 hours of wearing the tape, and 3.84° and 5.12°, respectively, after removing the patch. Within-group differences at any two time points were not statistically significant. There were also no significant differences between the groups. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Kinesiology Taping application to the quadriceps muscle had no significant effect on knee joint proprioception. Its use in order to improve sensorimotor skills therefore seems unreasonable. 2. The results are the basis for future prospective, randomised trials of larger experimental groups and involving the use of other Kinesiology Taping applications as well as including individuals with lesions of knee joint structures.

Assessment of the Effect of Swedish Massage and Acupressure in Rehabilitation of Patients with Low Back Pain. Preliminary Report.

BACKGROUND: Low-back pain is a common problem in developed societies. The quest for methods to reduce this com-plaint may contribute to improving the quality of life for many people. The aim of the study was to compare the effect of Swedish massage combined with acupressure vs. Swedish massage alone in patients with low back pain. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study involved 20 women and 20 men with lumbosacral pain. The group was clinically ho-mo-geneous. The participants were randomized into two groups: Group 1, which received Swedish massage with acu-pressure techniques, and Group 2, treated with Swedish massage only. The research tools comprised the Laitinen Pain Score, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Roland-Morris Ques-tion-naire, the Thomayer test, and the measurement of lumbar spine extension. Differences between the mea-surements were evaluated with the Wilcoxon test, with the minimum significance level set at p≤0.05. RESULTS: Both groups demonstrated a significant (p<0.05) decrease in pain intensity, improvement in quality of life and increase in physical activity. Increased segmental mobility of the spine was also observed in all patients, with significant changes (p<0.05) noted only in Group 1. In Group 2, the differences tended towards significance. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, Swedish massage combined with acupressure techniques may be more effective as a mo-notherapy in patients with non-specific low back pain than massage alone.

The use of thermal imaging to assess the effectiveness of ice massage and cold-water immersion as methods for supporting post-exercise recovery.

Cold water immersion (CWI) and ice massage (IM) are commonly used treatments to prevent the delay onset of muscle soreness (DOMS); however, little is known on their relative benefits and effectiveness to lower tissue temperature. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of IM and CMI on tissue temperature and potential benefit to preventing DOMS. The research encompassed 36 subjects divided into three groups of twelve depending on the form of recovery: ice massage (IM), cold-water immersion (CWI), or passive recovery (PAS). All the participants were asked to jump as high as possible from a full squat for one minute. Thermal imaging was conducted at rest, immediately following the exercise, immediately after the trial, following the recovery treatment, and after 30min of rest. Their pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After applying the selected method for supporting recovery, the LA level decreased by 4.25mmol/L in the IM group, and by 4.96mmol/L in the CWI group (IM vs. CWI p>0.05). The 2.75mmol/L decrease in lactate concentration in the PAS group was significantly lower than in the other groups (IM vs. PAS p<0.05/ CWI vs. PAS p<0.01). In both groups, Tsk after 30min was significantly lower (ΔTsk~0.5°C) than at rest (p<0.05). In turn, Tsk in the PAS group returned to the resting values (p>0.05). Seventy-two hours after the exercise, a clear decrease in discomfort was observed in the IM and CWI groups compared to the PAS group. The two applied treatments have proven to be effective both in utilizing lactate and preventing DOMS. Depending on training requirements, we recommend the use of IM when athletes experience localized muscle fatigue. One the other hand, CWI is recommended in situations of global or generalized muscle injury or fatigue.

Evaluation of effectiveness of kinesiology taping as an adjunct to rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Preliminary report.

BACKGROUND. Kinesiology Taping (KT) is being increasingly more often used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Kinesiology Taping on rehabilitation outcomes in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study enrolled 26 patients (16 women and 10 men) aged between 20 and 41 years. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (Group 1), which received Kinesiology Taping, and a control group (Group 2), which followed the same rehabilitation protocol except for KT. Student's t test with a minimum significance level at p<0.05 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS. All participants demonstrated a significant improvement in the range of knee flexion and extension in the affected limb as soon as the end of the first week of rehabilitation (p˂0.001). This tendency persisted in the following weeks until Day 28. Thigh measurements revealed a faster increase in thigh circumference in Group 1. Significant swelling reduction was found among patients from the experimental group at all consecutive measurements. The greatest difference (p<0.001) was noted at the beginning of the rehabilitation. After 28 days of rehabilitation, pain intensity and pain frequency had significantly decreased in all patients (p<0.001). Patients from the control group used analgesics significantly more often. CONCLUSIONS. 1. The use of KT contributed to a faster improvement of the range of knee motion, reduction of oedema and greater improvement in thigh circumference. 2. A similar reduction in pain intensity was observed in all patients. However, pain significantly less often forced patients from the experimental group to use analgesics or reduced their activity.