The adaptations in muscle architecture following whole body vibration training.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the effect of 8-week whole-body vibration (WBV) added to conventional training on muscular architecture, dynamic muscle strength and physical performance compared to controls in young basketball players. METHODS: Sixteen young basketball players between the ages of 14-16 years were randomly assigned to whole body vibration group (VG) or control group (CG). Both groups were trained with a conventional program. Pennation angle (PeA), fascicle length and muscle thickness of Rectus Femoris (RF) and Vastus lateralis were measured by ultrasonography. Isokinetic dynamic muscle testing at 180 °/s and 60°/s, squat jump (SJ) and flexibility were evaluated before and after 8 weeks of training programs. Primary outcome measure was the fascicle length. RESULTS: Fascicle length of RF, SJ height and flexibility increased significantly within VG compared to pretraining (p<0.05). SJ height increased in VG compared to CG significantly following training (p<0.05). PeA, fascicle length, muscle thicknesses, strength and flexibility did not differ between groups. CONCLUSION: Eight weeks of WBV training improved fascicle length of RF, SJ height, and flexibility compared to pre-training. Addition of WBV to conventional training did not cause improvement in muscle architecture, strength and flexibility compared to conventional training alone.

Theoretical study of the structure-properties relationship in new class of 2,5-di(2-thienyl)pyrrole compounds.

Detailed studies of the structure-property relationships for conductive polymers are important for the proper understanding of the impact of morphological details on chemical and physical properties. This understanding is necessary for the development of realistic theoretical models. The particular cases of thienyl pyrroles are described. Ab initio methods based on Hartree-Fock (HF) and Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations with the basis set of 6-31G(d) are performed to determine the molecular structural properties and to calculate FT-IR and NMR spectrum of the title molecule. Moreover, assignments of the vibrational modes are made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED). Furthermore, the correlations between the observed and calculated frequencies are found to be in good agreement with each other as well as the correlation of the NMR data. A comparison of the experimental and theoretical calculations can be very useful in making correct assignment and understanding the properties and molecular structure relations.