Comparison of choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal vascular indices, and foveal avascular zones: Martial arts athletes vs healthy non-athletes.

AIM: The study aims to compare choroidal thickness, deep and superficial retinal capillary plexuses, and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameters in elite martial arts athletes and a healthy sedentary control group. METHODS: The study included martial arts athletes (32 individuals, 64 eyes) and healthy sedentary persons (43 individuals with healthy sedentary lifestyles, 86 eyes) aged 18-35 years. In this single non-repeated observational and cross-sectional study, choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses, and FAZ measurements were measured using Swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) and compared between groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found (p > 0.05) in age, IOP, AL (axial length), and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) parameters between groups. There were no statistically significant differences between the groups in choroidal thickness, superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses, and FAZ parameters determined by the OCTA method (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: In our study, we observed that the retinal and choroidal structures of martial art athletes and healthy sedentary individuals were similar. This observation implies that the putative microvascular effects on the choroid and retina in martial arts, especially those based on the anaerobic energy system, may reflect similar outcomes to those observed in individuals with sedentary lifestyles characterized by healthiness.

Effects of Electro-Muscle Stimulation Exercise Combined with Mat Pilates on Pain, Anxiety, and Strength in Sedentary Females with Fibromyalgia: A Single-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Fibromyalgia syndrome (FM) is a chronic pain disorder that is ranked as one of the four most common rheumatological diseases in the world. This study aims to investigate the effects of an eight-week mat Pilates and electro-muscle stimulation (EMS) with combined mat Pilates exercises on pain, depression, anxiety, and strength in sedentary women. METHODS: This study is a single-blind randomized controlled trial. A total of 30 sedentary female patients (Pilates (n = 15), EMS (n = 15)) diagnosed with FM were included in the study. The patients were subjected to Beck Depression (BDIs) and Anxiety Inventories (BAIs); a Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ); five different Single-Leg Hop Tests (SLHTs); modified push-up (MPU), Handgrip Strength (HGS), Deep Squat (DSQ), V-Sit Flexor, bent-arm hang (BA), sit-up and Biering-Sørensen tests; and anthropometric tests before and after the 8-week exercise program. RESULTS: The eight weeks of mat Pilates exercises combined with mat Pilates and EMS revealed significant results (p < 0.05) in anthropometric data (abdomen, lower abdomen, hips) (p < 0.05) except for the results of chest circumference measurements (p > 0.05). In addition, there were statistically significant positive results in BDIs, BAIs, FIQs, lower extremity (all SLHTs and DSQ), upper extremity (MPU, HGS, BA), and core (V-SIT, sit-up, Biering-Sørensen test) strength test findings (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combining the mat Pilates exercises with EMS is an effective and reliable method to improve the pain, anxiety, depression, and strength of female patients diagnosed with FM.

Examination of anthropometric characteristics of police academy students / Examen de las características antropométricas de los estudiantes de la academia de policía

SUMMARY: Anthropometric data, which is highly correlated with health and high level of physical capacity, is very important for police officer. The aim of this study was to examine the anthropometric data of police college students and compare in terms of gender. Fifty-two police college students (32 females and 20 males) participated in the present study. Index calculations were made by applying anthropometric test measurements to all participants. The data included anthropometric (length measurements, width measurements, circumference measurement) and index [Body Mass Index (BMI), Cormic Index (C-Index), Body Adiposity Index (BAI), Ponderal Index (PI), Conicity Index (Con-Index) Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR)] parameters. The Independent Sample T-Test was used to analyze the difference in groups. A statistically significant difference was found in all parameters except leg length in length measurements (p<0.05). The mean of all width measurements except shoulder width of females was higher than that of male participants. Differences were obtained in all variables except hand and hip-width (p<0.05). In circumference measurements, there was a difference between the groups in the measurement values of the relaxed arm, maximum arm, wrist, shoulder, chest, and hip circumferences (p<0.05). The BAI, PI, WHtR, and Con-Index values were significantly different between groups (p<0.05). In conclusion, the length, width, circumference, and kinanthropometric indexes of male and female police candidates differ. Although male have higher mean values in length and circumference measurements, female have a higher mean for width measurements. Females have higher mean values in general in terms of index values and they are inincreased risk group in terms of WHtR index. It can be recommended for all participants, especially females, to participate in regular physical activity after they start working.

RESUMEN: Los datos antropométricos que están fuertemente correlacionados con la salud y el alto nivel de capacidad física, son muy importantes para el oficial de policía. El objetivo de este estudio fue examinar los datos antropométricos de estudiantes universitarios de policía y compararlos en relación al género. En el estudio participaron 52 estudiantes universitarios de policía (32 mujeres y 20 hombres). Los cálculos de los índices a los participantes se realizaron aplicando mediciones de pruebas antropométricas. Los datos antropométricos incluyeron (medidas de longitud, ancho y circunferencia) además de índice [Índice de masa corporal (IMC), Índice córmico (Índice C), Índice de adiposidad corporal (IAC), Índice ponderal (IP), Índice de conicidad (Con-Índice) y Relación cintura-altura (WHtR)]. Se utilizó la prueba T para muestras independientes para analizar la diferencia entre los grupos. Se encontró una diferencia estadísticamente significativa en todos los parámetros excepto en la longitud de las piernas (p<0,05). La media de todas las medidas de ancho excepto el ancho de los hombros de las mujeres fue mayor que la de los hombres. Se obtuvieron diferencias en todas las variables excepto en el ancho de manos y caderas (p<0,05). En las medidas de circunferencia, hubo diferencia entre los grupos en el brazo relajado, brazo máximo, muñeca, hombro, pecho y cadera (p<0,05). Los valores de BAI, IPI, WHtR y Con-Index fueron significativamente diferentes entre los grupos (p<0,05). En conclusión, los índices de largo, ancho, circunferencia y cineantropométricos de los candidatos a policías difieren entre hombres y mujeres. Aunque los hombres tienen valores medios más altos en las medidas de longitud y circunferencia, las mujeres tienen una media más alta en las medidas de ancho. Las mujeres tienen valores medios más altos en general, en términos de valores de índice, y se encuentran en un grupo de mayor riesgo en términos de índice WHtR. Se puede recomendar a todos los candidatos y candidatas a policía, especialmente a las mujeres, que participen en actividades físicas regularmente después de comenzar a trabajar.