Aggression Dimensions Among Athletes Practising Martial Arts and Combat Sports.

Purpose: The main aim of the research was to analyse aggression dimensions among athletes practising martial arts and combat sports. Material and Methods: There were 219 respondents. The Buss and Perry Aggression Questionnaire (BPAQ) in the Polish adaptation by Siekierka was applied. Results: Martial arts apprentices turned out to present a statistically significantly lower level of hostility (p < 0.001) and of the general aggression index (p = 0.04) than combat sports athletes. It turned out that lower level of aggression was noted in female participants (physical aggression (p < 0.001), verbal aggression (p = 0.004), hostility (p < 0.001), and the general aggression index (p < 0.001). Analysis revealed that the training experience and the training rank did not differentiated the level of the respondents' particular aggression dimensions. Conclusions: It would be advisable to perform parallel analyses in other areas of Poland and take into account the respondents' education and place of residence.

Beta-Alanine Supplementation and Sport Climbing Performance.

BACKGROUND: Supplementing ß-alanine (BA) improves exercise performance in efforts that are highly dependent on anaerobic glycolysis. As it has not yet been established whether it relates to climbing, the current study aimed to investigate the effects of BA on climbing-specific performance. METHODS: Fifteen elite climbers performed intermittent high-force high-velocity campus board exercise, and two bouldering traverses, hard and easy. They ingested 4.0 g·d-1 BA or placebo for four weeks in a double-blind, pre/post experimental design. RESULTS: In the campus board trial, ANOVA revealed a tendency toward significance (p = 0.066). Post hoc analysis revealed that there was a significant (p = 0.002) and "large" (d = 1.55) increase in the total number of "slaps" in the BA group. No significant supplementation × group interaction was found in "hard" traverse and a significant interaction for mean changes in number of moves (p = 0.025) and in time to failure (p = 0.044) on an "easy" traverse. Post hoc analysis revealed that only the BA group significantly improved from baseline in number of moves (+9.5) and time to failure (+32 s). Effect sizes were d = 1.73 and d = 1.44, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Four weeks of BA supplementation can improve performance during continuous climbing lasting about 1 min and repeated bouts of upper body campus-like movements. However, it failed to enhance climbing of a shorter duration.

Sexual functions and depressive symptoms after photodynamic therapy for vulvar lichen sclerosus in postmenopausal women from the Upper Silesian Region of Poland.

INTRODUCTION: Although lichen sclerosus (LS) may affect women's physical functioning, mood, and quality of life, restricting their physical activities, sexual, and non-sexual contacts, there are limited data on the sexual functioning of women diagnosed with LS. AIMS: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of photodynamic therapy for vulvar LS on sexual functions and depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women from the Upper Silesian Region of Poland. METHODS: A total of 65 women aged 50-70 visiting an outpatient clinic for assessment of vulvar dermatoses were screened for the clinical trial. Finally, 37 women who met all the inclusion/exclusion criteria were included in the study. All the subjects were treated by topical laser therapy (photodynamic therapy). Sexual functions and depressive symptoms were assessed before and after the therapy using Female Sexual Function Index and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Sexual behaviors, sexual functions, and depressive symptoms in females after photodynamic therapy for vulvar LS. RESULTS: The total FSFI score was significantly lower after the treatment of vulvar LS as compared with the baseline (median 24.6 vs. 15.9). However, the prevalence of clinically significant FSD was stable throughout the medical intervention except lubrication disorders (higher prevalence after the treatment: 40% vs. 68.57%). Although the scores of BDI at the baseline dropped significantly after the photodynamic therapy (median 12.0 and 9.0, respectively), there were no significant differences in the prevalence of depressive symptoms (48.65% vs. 45.94%). CONCLUSIONS: Topical laser therapy for vulvar LS has a good clinical outcome, especially in the context of no major negative effects on sexual functioning and the positive impact on the severity of depressive symptoms in postmenopausal women. However, patients should be informed about the possible lubrication disorders following the treatment.

[Female sexual response cycle]. / Cykl reakcji seksualnej u kobiety.

The key to understand female sexual response cycle is a multidimensional approach to sexual reactions, where emotional satisfaction (emotional intimacy with the partner) might be more important than physical satisfaction (orgasm). Such holistic approach might in fact make the diagnosis and treatment of female sexual dysfunctions, which are becoming increasingly common in clinical and gynecological practice, easier and more effective. The aim of the study is to present contemporary model of female sexual response cycle and to encourage specialists to view female sexuality in more broad and holistic perspective.

[Phytoestrogens--an alternative to hormonal replacement therapy]. / Fitoestrogeny--alternatywa hormonalnej terapii zastepczej.

Perimenopausal period is associated with the reduction of endogenous estrogens which might lead to many disorders of general health in women. Traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is effective for controlling vasomotor symptoms and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. However, according to the latest studies, many women are reluctant to initiate this therapy because of concerns regarding the benefits and risks considering contraindications and side effects of it. Therefore, a lot of studies were carried out to find the influence of phytoestrogens on menopausal symptoms. Phytoestrogens are defined as naturally occurring compounds, found in plants; they have a variety of activities: estrogenic and antiestrogenic. Could phytoestrogens be used as an alternative to hormonal therapies for the management of menopausal symptoms?

[Family planning--the role of general practitioner in abortion prophylaxis]. / Planowanie rodziny--rola lekarza w profilaktyce aborcji.

According to World Health Organization, abortion is defined as an induced termination of pregnancy by use of medications or surgical interventions after implantation of the embryo and before the fetus is able to survive outside the maternal organism (before 22nd week of pregnancy). More than 75 millions of women experience unwanted pregnancy every year. Contraception for that group was either unavailable or the information about contraceptives use possibility was not efficient. Lack of conversation about family planning with the partner, rapes and inefficiency of contraceptives (8 to 30 millions women a year) might be other reasons. More than two-third such pregnancies are terminated by abortions. The number of women in reproductive age (15-44) is 1.38 million. Most of them are sexually active but not willing to have progeny. The decision of abortion is taken every year by 35 per 100 females (26 millions of legal abortions each year, 20 millions of illegal). By 1986, 36 countries introduced liberal abortion law that gives permission for abortion only for social, medical and personal reasons. The main law regulating the permission of abortion in Poland is a resolution of Family planning, embryo protection and conditions for conducting pregnancy termination from 1993, modified in 1997. In 1999, 151 abortion procedures were performed and that number is decreasing gradually. The development of so called "abortion basement", where unsafe abortion is usually performed, is a consequence of restrictive policy about the abortion law. In the last few years the holistic and individual approach to the patient has started to play an important role. Unfortunately, in the case of sexual education and knowledge of conscious family planning, medical services, and medical doctors especially, play only the minimal role. It seems to be essential in gynecological and general medicine practice to give information about different methods of family planning and protection against sexual transmitted diseases as well as to control patient's health when using contraceptives.