Seasonal Variations in Ocular Axial Length Increase among Children in the Czech Republic.

In recent decades, the prevalence of myopia has increased worldwide as well as in European countries, and it has become an important medical and socioeconomic problem. Our prospective single-center study analysed the changes in ocular axial length (AXL) in a population of Central European schoolchildren from 2016 to 2019. The study included 528 eyes of 264 children with a mean age of 12.2 years at the beginning of the study. Visual acuity, ocular AXL, anterior chamber depth, and the questionnaire were examined at 6-month intervals (in spring and autumn, following the winter and summer periods, respectively). The average ocular AXL was 23.329 mm (median: 23.315 mm) at the beginning of the study and 23.525 mm (median: 23.505 mm) at the end of the study. The change in ocular AXL per month was significantly higher (p < 0.0001) during the winter period (average: 0.013 mm, median: 0.011 mm) than during the summer period (average: -0.001 mm, median: 0.000 mm). We observed a significantly higher increase in ocular AXL in a Caucasian population during the winter period (with lower daylight exposure) than the summer period.

A Thirty-Minute Nap Enhances Performance in Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Tests during and after Ramadan Observance.

The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of a 30 min nap (N30) on the Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) both during and after Ramadan. Ten physically active kickboxers (age: 21.20 ± 1.61 years, height: 174.80 ± 4.34 cm, body mass: 73.30 ± 7.10 kg and body mass index (BMI): 24.00 ± 2.21 kg/m2) voluntarily performed the RAST test after an N30 and in a no-nap condition (NN) during two experimental periods: the last ten days of Ramadan (DR) and ∼3 weeks after Ramadan (AR). During each DR-NN, DR-N30, AR-NN and AR-N30 protocol, kickboxers performed RAST performance. A statistically significant difference was found between Ramadan periods (DR vs. AR) in terms of max power (W) (F = 80.93; p1 < 0.001; η2p = 0.89), minimum power (W) (F = 49.05; p1 < 0.001; η2p = 0.84), average power (W) (F = 83.79; p1 < 0.001; η2p = 0.90) and fatigue index (%) results (F = 11.25; p1 = 0.008; η2p = 0.55). In addition, the nap factor was statistically significant in terms of the max power (W) (F = 81.89; p2 < 0.001; η2p = 0.90), minimum power (W) (F = 80.37; p2 < 0.001; η2p = 0.89), average power (W) (F = 108.41; p2 < 0.001; η2p = 0.92) and fatigue index (%) results (F = 16.14; p2 = 0.003; η2p = 0.64). Taking a daytime nap benefits subsequent performance in RAST. The benefits of napping were greater after an N30 opportunity for DR and AR.

Quality of stereoscopic vision in Czech U18 top level athletes and nonathletes.

BACKGROUND: The peak sports performance of elite athletes is the result of talent and long-term, systematic training. Only minor differences among athletes determine the results in sport today. In selected sports events, stereoscopic vision has a fundamental influence on the executed sports performance. METHODS: The quality of stereopsis was determined in 2 groups of top-level athletes at the age of 16-18 years (21 pole vaulters and high jumpers and 25 swimmers) and in a control group of 25 nonathletes in the same age category. Two measured parameters (results and time in the stereopsis test) were compared among the studied groups. To determine the quality of stereopsis, the "Fly-S Stereo Acuity Test with LEA Symbols" field stereoacuity test was used. RESULTS: The average level of stereopsis in the pole vaulters and high jumpers reached the value of 9.9 (max. 10), and the average time needed for performing the stereopsis test was 11.6 seconds. The group of swimmers and control group showed worse results in both measured parameters (the average level of stereopsis: 9.4, resp. 9.1, the average test time: 30.0 seconds, resp. 36.1 seconds). A significant difference between the group of pole vaulters and high jumpers and swimmers was confirmed in both monitored parameters. No significant differences were found between the group of swimmers and nonathletes. CONCLUSIONS: On the basis of the stereopsis test results, we can say that top-level pole vaulters and high jumpers have a high quality of stereopsis and very fast identification and decision-making abilities in spatial orientation.

Effectiveness of Resistance Training with the Use of a Suspension System in Patients after Myocardial Infarction.

The aim of the study was to assess the effects of resistance training with the use of a suspension system on exercise tolerance, evaluated through an exercise test, and the changes in selected echocardiographic parameters of patients after myocardial infarction. The study involved 44 males. The subjects were divided into two groups: Standard (20) and Suspension system (24). All the subjects had undergone an angioplasty with stent implantation. The standard and suspension system groups carried out a 24-day improvement program comprising 22 training units. Each session consisted of endurance, general stamina and resistance training. Instead of resistance training, the experimental group made multijoint exercises with a suspension system. Statistically significant changes in both groups were observed in the parameters of the echocardiographic exercise test, such as test duration (p = 0.000), distance covered (p = 0.000), MET (p = 0.000), VO2max (p = 0.000) and SBPrest (p = 0.013). Additionally, SBPmax in the suspension system group improved (p = 0.035). The echocardiographic test revealed significant improvement of Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction in both groups (SP group p = 0.001, standard group p = 0.005). The lipid profile test in the SP group revealed statistically significant improvement of TC (p = 0.003), HDL (p = 0.000) and LDL (p = 0.005). Training with the suspension system had a positive effect on the change of exercise tolerance level, left ventricular function and blood lipid profile.

Myopia Progression Risk: Seasonal and Lifestyle Variations in Axial Length Growth in Czech Children.

The growth in the prevalence of myopia leads to the growth of socioeconomic stress in society. It is important to detect any potential risk factors leading to myopia onset and progression. Among the potential risk factors, the lack of natural daylight exposure and the lack of the physical activity together with excess of near-work activities in children are the most prevalent. In the study, the axial length growth depending on the season and the type of behaviour was measured. The assessment was performed in 12-year-old children, 398 eyes of whom were included and measured during the winter and summer period. The children were categorized by the amount of time spent on near-work, physical, and outdoor activity. Results. Statistically significantly higher (p < 0.0001) axial length growth was observed during the winter period. Statistically significantly (p < 0.0001) more frequently, the eyeball growth has been proved during the winter season. According to the way of spending leisure time, no statistically significant difference was reported within the individual subgroups in the development of the eyeball length during the observed period. However, statistically significant differences were ascertained in the eyeball initial length within various groups. Conclusion. The lack of daylight exposure may lead to myopia progression.