Acute effects of static stretching and massage on flexibility and jumping performance.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of static stretching and the application of massage on flexibility and jump performance. METHODS: Thirty-five athletes studying Physical Education at University (mean age 23.6±1.3 years, mean height 177.8±6.3 cm and mean weight 72.2±6.7 kg) performed one of three different warm-up protocols on non-consecutive days. Protocols included static stretching [SS], combined static stretching and massage [SSM], and neither stretching nor massage [CONT]. The athletes performed flexibility, countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ) tests. RESULTS: SS and SSM protocols demonstrated 12% (p<0.05) and 16% (p<0.05) respectively greater flexibility than the CONT protocol. SJ and CMJ performances were significantly decreased 10.4% (p<0.05) and 5.5% (p<0.05) respectively after the SS protocol. There was no significant difference between SSM and CONT protocol in terms of SJ and CMJ performance. CONCLUSION: This research indicates that whereas static stretching increases the flexibility it decreases the jumping performance of the athletes. On the other hand, the application of massage immediately following static stretching increases flexibility but does not reduce jumping performance. Considering the known negative acute effects of static stretching on performance, the application of massage is thought to be beneficial in alleviating such effects.

Relationship between daily physical activity level and low back pain in young, female desk-job workers.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between daily physical activity (PA) level and low back pain (LBP) in young women. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Two hundred forty three female, desk-job workers aged 20-40 voluntarily participated in the study. The participants were assessed by the use of Oswestry Disability Index for measuring LBP disability and by the use of the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire for PA assessment. The 1-way ANOVA test was used for comparing the mean values according to the physical activity level groups. Correlations between the average LBP disability score and all the other variables were obtained using Pearson's correlation analysis. The level of statistical significance was p < 0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were found for LBP disability score between the results of 3 different PA groups (p < 0.05) (low, moderate and high PA groups). The correlation between the average LBP disability score and body weight (r = 0.187, p < 0.01), body mass index (r = 0.165, p < 0.01), vigorous MET score (r = 0.247, p < 0.01) and total PA MET score (r = 0.131, p < 0.01) were significant. CONCLUSIONS: The main finding of this study is that there is a U-shaped relationship between PA and LBP disability score in young women. A moderate level of daily physical activity and preventing body weight and fat gain should be recommended in young, female desk-job workers in order to prevent and manage low back pain.

Comparative analysis of the 1-mile run test evaluation formulae: assessment of aerobic capacity in male law enforcement officers aged 20-23 years.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare values of aerobic performance in the 1-mile run test (1-MRT) using different formulae. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Aerobic capacities of 351 male volunteers working for the Turkish National Police within the age range of 20-23 years were evaluated by the 1-MRT and the 20-metre shuttle run (20-MST). VO2max values were estimated by the prediction equations developed by George et al. (1993), Cureton et al. (1995) and Kline et al. (1987) for the 1-MRT and by Leger and Lambert (1982) for the 20-MST. RESULTS: The difference between the results of the different formulae was significant (p = 0.000). The correlation coefficient between the estimated VO2max using Cureton's equation, George's equation, Kline's equation and the 20-MST were 0.691 (p < 0.001), 0.486 (p < 0.001) and 0.608 (p < 0.001), respectively. The highest correlation coefficient was between the VO2max estimated by the 20-MST and Cureton's equation. Similarly, the highest correlation coefficient (r = -0.779) was between the 1-mile run time and the VO2max estimated by Cureton's equation. CONCLUSIONS: When analysing more vigorous exercise than sub-maximal exercise, we suggest that Cureton's equation be used to predict the VO2max from 1-mile run/walk performance in large numbers of healthy individuals with high VO2max. This research compares the use of 3 different formulae to estimate VO2max from 1-mile run/walk performance in male law enforcement officers aged 20-23 years for the first time and reports the most accurate formula to use when evaluating aerobic capacities of large numbers of healthy individuals.

The relationship between body composition, anaerobic performance and sprint ability of amputee soccer players.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the relationship between body composition, anaerobic performance and sprint performance of amputee soccer players. Fifteen amputee soccer players participated in this study voluntarily. Subjects' height, body weight, body mass index, body fat percentage (Jackson and Pollock formula) and somatotype characteristics (Heath-Carter system) were determined. The sprint performance at 10m, 20m and 30m was evaluated, whereas the counter movement jump (CMJ), relative CMJ (RCMJ), squat jump (SJ) and relative SJ (RSJ) tests were used for the determination of anaerobic performance. The results of the Pearson Product Moment correlation analysis indicated that body composition was significantly correlated with CMJ and SJ (p < 0.01), on the other hand, no measure of body composition was significantly related to the other component (p > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between CMJ, RCMJ, SJ, 10 m, 20 m and 30 m sprint performance (p < 0.05); whereas, in contrast, no measure of body composition was significantly related to the 10 m, 20 m and 30 m sprint performance (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the findings of the present study indicated that sprint performance was described as an essential factor in anaerobic performance whereas body composition and somatotype play a determinant role in anaerobic and sprint performance in amputee soccer players.