Does the PPARA Intron 7 Gene Variant (rs4253778) Influence Performance in Power/Strength-Oriented Athletes? A Case-Control Replication Study in Three Cohorts of European Gymnasts.

Athletic ability is influenced by several exogenous and endogenous factors including genetic component. Hundreds of gene variants have been proposed as potential genetic markers associated with fitness-related phenotypes as well as elite-level athletic performance. Among others, variants within the PPARA gene that code for the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α are of potential interest. The main goal of the present study was to determine PPARA (G/C, rs4253778) genotype distribution among a group of Polish, Lithuanian and Italian international level male gymnasts and to compare our findings with those of previous research on the frequency of the PPARA intron 7 C allele/CC genotype in power/strength-oriented athletes. A total of 464 male subjects (147 gymnasts and 317 controls) from Poland (n = 203), Italy (n = 146) and Lithuania (n = 107) participated in the study. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the analyzed cohorts. However, a significantly higher frequency of the CC genotype of the PPARA rs4253778 polymorphism was observed when all gymnasts were pooled and compared with pooled control using a recessive model of inheritance (OR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.18-10, p = 0.022). It is important to know that we investigated a relatively small sample of male European gymnasts and our results are limited only to male participants. Thus, it is necessary to validate our results in larger cohorts of athletes of different ethnicities and also in female gymnasts to find out whether there is a gender effect.

How To Win the Basketball Euroleague? Game Performance Determining Sports Results During 2003-2016 Matches.

The main aim of this study was to establish game-related statistics that determined sport results in the Basketball EuroLeague between 2003 and 2016. The study encompasses matches played by 10 teams during 13 consecutive seasons of the EuroLeague. Twenty-two offensive and defensive game related variables were registered. Calculations were performed to establish which of the variables determined performance in the Basketball EuroLeague matches within the analysed period. Based on a number of mathematical and statistical analyses, the elements of play that had the highest effect on sports success were selected. The following determinants displayed the most significant correlations with sport results in the EuroLeague within the analysed period: two-point shots made (2PT-made), two-point shot attempts (2PT-attempts), three-point shots made (3PT-made), one-point shots made (1PT-made), one-point shot attempts (1PT-attempts), assists, fouls and field goals made. The game outcome in basketball is influenced by many variables which may not always be significant in a given match. However, the continuous effort to maintain these variables at the highest possible level is advantageous over less-organised teams.

Kinematic Analysis of Volleyball Attack in the Net Center with Various Types of Take-Off.

The aim of the study was to describe and compare kinematics in two types of execution of attack hit, the goofy approach and regular approach. The research group consisted of players from the Czech Republic's top league (n = 12, age 28.0 ± 4.3 years, body height 196.6 ± 5.6 cm, body mass 89.7 ± 6.7 kg) divided into two groups according to the individual type of approach in the attack. Analysis of movement was performed by 3D kinematics video analysis, space coordinates were calculated by the DLT (Direct Linear Transformation) method together with interpretation software TEMA Bio 2.3 (Image Systems AB, Sweden). The players started their run-up from a distance of about 4 - 4.5 m from the net with similar maximal vertical velocity (2.91 - 2.96 m⋅s-1). The trajectory of players with goofy approach seemed to be convenient for the rotation of shoulders and hips in the moment of ball contact. Differences between both groups were observed. Players with a goofy approach had a longer flight phase compared to regularly approaching players.

Performance and Kinematic Differences in Putting between Healthy and Disabled Elite Golfers.

Golfers with disability are limited in the execution of the full golf swing, but their performance in putting may be comparable because this stroke does not demand significant strength, balance and range of motion. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare putting performance, kinetic and kinematic consistency between golfers with different disabilities and healthy athletes. The participants consisted of three disabled athletes (perinatal cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, below knee lower limb amputee) and three healthy golfers (age 34 ± 4.5 years, body height 178 ± 3.3 cm, body mass 83 ± 6.2 kg). The golfers' movements were recorded by active 3D markers for kinematic analyses; the subjects performed 10 trials of a 6 m putting task while standing on separate force platforms placed under each lower limb. Putting performance was measured by the distance of the final ball position to the centre of the hole. ANOVA analyses did not show any differences in clubhead speed and total ball distance from the hole. The consistency of those two parameters expressed by the coefficient of variation (CV) was CV = 0.5% or better in both groups for clubhead speed and ranged from CV = 0.40 to 0.61% in healthy and CV = 0.21 to 0.55% in disabled athletes for total error distance. The main effect ANOVA showed differences in weight shift, hip and shoulder kinematics (p < 0.05) between healthy players and all players with disability. All disabled athletes shifted their weight toward the healthy side (towards the healthy lower limb) and alternated the end of the swing. The player with below knee amputation had the lowest range of motion in the shoulder joint during the putting stroke. The players with perinatal cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis had the largest range of motion in the hips. Putting performance of disabled golfers was similar to healthy athletes. During training of disabled players, coaches should pay attention to the specificity of a particular disability when focused on putting performance. However, individual technique should achieve the same consistency as observed in healthy players.

The Impact of the Progressive Efficiency Test on a Rowing Ergometer on White Blood Cells Distribution and Clinical Chemistry Changes in Paralympic Rowers During the Preparatory Stage Before the Paralympic Games in Rio, 2016 - A Case Report.

There is a large gap in knowledge regarding research on post-exercise blood changes in disabled athletes. There are relatively few data on adaptive mechanisms to exercise in disabled athletes, including disabled rowers. Two rowers from a Polish adaptive rowing settle TAMix2x that qualified for the Paralympic Games in Rio, 2016 took part in this study. They performed a progressive test on a rowing ergometer until exhaustion. The cardiorespiratory fitness measures, complete blood count, white blood cells' distribution and 30 clinical chemistry variables describing laboratory diagnostic profiles and general health were determined. The extreme effort induced changes in all studied metabolites (glucose, creatinine, urea, uric acid, total and direct bilirubin), albumin, total protein levels in both participants. Furthermore, a post-exercise increase in aspartate transaminase activity, yet a 2-fold decrease during the recovery time in both rowers were found. White blood cell count increased 2-fold after the test. The percentages of natural killer cells were higher and total T lymphocytes were lower after the exercise protocol. There were higher percentages of suppressor/cytotoxic and lower percentages of helper/inducer T lymphocyte subsets in both studied rowers. No changes in B lymphocytes distribution were observed. Lack of inflammatory symptoms during the experiment suggests a high level of rowers' biological adaptation to the physical effort. The different changes in physiological, biochemical and immunological variables are related to the adaptive mechanism to physical exercise allowing for improvement of performance.