Weight-to-height ratio and aerobic capacity in 15-year-old male taekwondo martial artists.

INTRODUCTION: Martial arts are growing in popularity throughout the whole world. Their beneficial influence on physical development and fitness is noteworthy. Martial arts are an attractive form of physical recreation, constitute a perfect means for combating stress, and have a positive effect on general health, including during rehabilitation. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study is to assess physical development and aerobic capacity in boys who practice taekwondo and to determine the relationships between results of a fitness test and particular parameters of physical development. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Study participants comparised 51 boys aged 15 years who practiced taekwondo (with training experience ranging from 1 to 6 years). Volkov´s modification of the Harvard Step Test was used to assess body height and body mass. BMI was also calculated. Centile charts were used to assess weight-to-height ratio and the level of measured parameters. BMI was analyzed according to the Cole classification system. Dispersion was calculated using a coefficient of variation. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between selected parameters was also calculated. RESULTS: Most study participants had normal BMI, but 30% showed overweight and 13% showed underweight or emaciation. Weight-to-height ratio differed significantly from the norm in 33% of the boys when compared to centile charts. All participants had average aerobic capacity. However, when weight-to-height ratio was compared to the results of the Harvard Step Test, boys with normal body proportions performed much better in the test than boys with abnormal body mass (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Study participants showed abnormal weight-to-height ratio mainly in terms of overweight. The boys had greater body height and body mass compared to the general Polish population. Aerobic capacity differed considerably between participants.

Symmetry and asymmetry of reaction time and body tissue composition of upper limbs in young female basketball players.

INTRODUCTION: The role of psychomotor abilities and their relationship to the morphofunctional characteristics of athletes is becoming more and more emphasized in studies on the subject, especially for disciplines that require athletes to notice and to respond to signals originating in dynamically changing conditions. At the same time, athletes who perform symmetrically are more effective and less likely to sustain an injury through unilateral strain. AIM OF THE STUDY: Assessment of the degree of symmetry and asymmetry of reaction time to stimuli in the central and peripheral visual fields, and assessment of body composition of upper limbs in young female basketball players. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Participants of the study comprised 17 young female basketball players. Their average age was 18.11-0.8 years. On average, they had been training basketball for 6.83-1.75 years. Body tissue composition was measured using the bioelectrical impedance method. The degree of symmetry and asymmetry of reaction time to signals in the central and peripheral visual fields were measured using the Reaction Test (RT-S1) and a modified Peripheral Perception (PP) test within the Vienna Test System. RESULTS: An analysis of body tissue composition of the upper right and upper left limbs found an asymmetry (p<0.01 and p<0.05) in the FAT [%], FAT MASS [kg], and FFM [kg] parameters. The values of these parameters were higher for the non-dominant arm. No statistically significant differences were found in reaction time and motor time for the dominant and non-dominant arm. A correlation was found between motor time and the FFM [kg] (r=-0.62; p<0.05) and PMM [kg] (r=-0.63; p<0.05) parameters. CONCLUSIONS: A significant asymmetry was found in the body tissue composition of the upper limbs. Asymmetry of reaction time was found only for signals in the peripheral visual field.

[Somatic constitution and the ability to maintain dynamic body equilibrium in girls practicing rhythmic gymnastics].

INTRODUCTION: The greatest similarities in body constitution were noted in competitors practising the same discipline. The similarities increase with the training level. A typical body constitution for a given discipline not only favourably affects athletic performance, but is also the factor preventing sportsrelated contusions. The ability to maintain body equilibrium, together with somatic constitution, are the basic selective criteria in rhythmic gymnastics. AIM OF THE STUDY: The objective of this paper was to determine somatotypes, to evaluate the ability to maintain dynamic body equilibrium in girls practicing rhythmic gymnastics and to develop model characteristics enabling early diagnosis of the disorders equilibrium system function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The sample comprised 19 girls aged 8-11 years, practising rhythmic gymnastics. For the evaluation of the competitors' somatotypes, the Heath-Carter method was used, based on the classic concept of Sheldon's body constitution components. Body equilibrium level was evaluated by means of posturography. RESULTS: The mean values of the endomorphic component I, mesomorphic component II and ectomorphic component III in the gymnasts were 2.65+/-1.29, 2.45+/-0.37 and 3.95+/-0.64 respectively. The mean body mass index (BMI) value for this cohort was 15.32, which means advanced slimness. The level of dynamic equilibrium is determined by the following mean values: the time of reaching the equilibrium, the way of reaching it and the duration of stay at the defined point. The model of above mentioned indicates was developed based on the analysis of it's best results. CONCLUSION: Body constitution type in the qualified gymnasts is characterised by the prevalence of the ectomorphic component. The study results indicate that female gymnasts are generally slim and lean. It is necessary to monitor BMI in order to exclude weight-related disorders and to observe the changes with age. The poorest result was found when the gymnasts bent in the backward direction as this body position is most difficult to assume and to maintain body equilibrium as compared to all other directions.

[Assessment of physical fitness in children and teenagers with type 1 diabetes]. / Ocena sprawnosci fizycznej dzieci i mlodziezy chorej na cukrzyce.

INTRODUCTION: Physical activity is regarded as one of the four basic factors influencing the concentration of glucose in the blood of diabetic patients. Despite this, concerns about hypoglycaemia and exposure of chronically ill children to excessive fatigue mean that their physical activity is frequently inadequate. Until now, physical endurance of diabetes mellitus patients has been assessed more frequently than their physical fitness. AIM OF THE STUDY: An attempt to assess physical fitness of a group of children and teenagers suffering from type 1 diabetes (DM1). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Physical fitness was assessed in 40 children with DM1: mean age for girls (n=20) was 10.58±2.63 years old (7.03-16.11), and for boys (n=20) 12.25±2.62 years old (7.23-16.52). Physical fitness was assessed on the basis of the result of 8 out of 9 tests from the European test of physical fitness (Eurofit) set. The results of individual trials were expressed as percentile measurements read against percentile grids designed by Stupnicki, Przeweda and Milde. RESULTS: When compared against healthy peers, girls with DM1 achieved significantly lower scores in balance maintenance, long jump and hand grip tests. Boys with DM1 were fitter than girls with DM1 in tests assessing balance, hand grip and agility, yet they were less fit than their healthy peers in balance and hand grip tests. CONCLUSIONS: Physical fitness of children and teenagers suffering from DM1 differs between the sexes. In boys it was assessed as being close to that of their healthy peers, while in girls it was assessed as being inadequate. It is likely that the girls' poorer physical fitness results from both their state of health and environmental conditions, which were not defined in this study. It seems that diabetic girls should be especially encouraged to take part in regular physical exercise, since it is regarded as one of the key components of correct therapeutic procedures in diabetes.

[Assessment of anaerobic capacity for subjects with short, normal and tall stature between 18-23 years of age]. / Ocena wydolnosci beztlenowej nisko-, normo- i wysokoroslych osób w wieku 18-23 lat.

INTRODUCTION: Until now it has not been established whether anaerobic capacity of subjects with short stature, statistically comprising 10% of the population, differs from those of normal and tall stature (> 90 centile). No results of studies comparing anaerobic capacity for subjects with a range of body heights have been published in literature. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 435 (women 57%, men 43%) healthy young adults ranging between 18-23 years of age. Physical parameters for anaerobic capacity (work, maximum generated power and duration) have been marked during a 10-second exercise burst carried out on a cycloergometer. Subjects were classified into three body height categories: < 10 centile (ct)--short stature; between 10-90 ct--normal stature; > 90 ct--tall stature. RESULTS: Short stature was noted in 5% subjects, with a height deficiency (≤ -2.0 SDS) noted in 0.7% subjects. Tall stature was noted among 22% subjects. In both sexes the cohort included a significantly greater than expected (p < 0.001) number of tall-statured subjects and a significantly lower number (p < 0.01) of short-statured subjects. No differences were found in the mean parameters of anaerobic capacity for subjects of short, normal and tall stature, with the exception of women of tall stature whose results were significantly better than those for women of normal stature. CONCLUSIONS: No significant differences were found in the capacities of subjects with short, normal and tall stature. However, with regard to women, in particular those of tall stature, a correlation between body height and anaerobic capacity was observed. It must be noted that the majority of the worst results were noted among the short-statured subjects, indicating that caution must be taken during interpretation of anaerobic capacity levels among this population. In order to correctly interpret results of anaerobic capacity studies, a standard needs to be put in place for the national population taking into regard sex and age, while for people of short stature the causes of their short stature must be established.

[Functional and dynamic asymmetry of simple reaction time in female fencers]. / Asymetria funkcjonalna i dynamiczna czasu reakcji prostej u zawodniczek trenujacych szermierke.

THE AIM OF THE STUDY: was to assess the functional and dynamic components of asymmetry in the simple reaction time in female fencers, holders of the master, first or second sport class. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A group of 45 female fencers, classified into 3 groups according to the sport class were studied. Dynamic asymmetry was assessed with the use of the Viennese Test System. The time of reaction and of simple movement to visual and acoustic stimuli was determined. RESULTS: Master class fencers exhibited a high (40%) left-side domination while those from the other two groups had right-side asymmetry (80%), the difference in the median reaction time between those groups being significant (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The pronounced dynamic asymmetry observed in master class fencers was due to a highly specific, one-sided training. It should be emphasised that asymmetrical exercises combined with very high training loads applied in the contemporary sport may lead to overloads of extremities, spine deformations and injuries.