The alteration of oral microbiota before and after training in swimmers.

We aimed to analyze the effect of acute exercise on oral microbiota in regularly trained swimmers. As environmental factors may affect the oral microbiota; we also aimed to analyze the short-duration effect of swimming training on the oral bacteria relative difference in swimmers. Saliva samples of 20 swimmers both before and after the training were used for the oral microbiota metagenesis. The next-generation sequencing method targeting 16S rDNA gene fragments was used for genotyping. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for the statistical evaluation of the taxons. The alfa diversity comparisons were assessed with the One-Way ANOVA, and the Kruskal-Wallis test was used to determine bacterial diversity. Decayed- Missed- Filled total (DMF-T) scores were the indicators of oral hygiene. A comparison of the before and after exercise microbiota of the swimmers gave rise to a statistically significant difference for Firmicutes (p=0.014) and Bacteroidetes (p=0.007) phylum; Clostridia (p=0.006) and Bacilli (p=0.048) classes; Clostridiales (p=0.004), Entomoplasmatales (p=0.009) and Bacillales (p=0.006) for ordo; Lachnospiraceae (p=0.001) family and Stenotrophomonas (p=0.013) genus. Although there were some differences within the other taxa of the bacteria, all were statistically insignificant. Streptococcus, Pseudomonas and Rothia mucilaginosa showed a correlation with the DMF-T values in swimmers. This study was the first in Turkish swimmers to investigate the relative abundance of oral microbiota. We showed that exercise within the pool water changed the oral bacteria's relative abundance. To confirm our results and clarify the effect of pool water on oral bacteria relative abundance, more studies on dietary intake should be carried out.

Dancers and fastball sports athletes have different spatial visual attention styles.

Physical exercise and the training effects of repeated practice of skills over an extended period of time may have additive effects on brain networks and functions. Various motor skills and attentional styles can be developed by athletes engaged in different sports. In this study, the effects of fast ball sports and dance training on attention were investigated by event related potentials (ERP). ERP were recorded in auditory and visual tasks in professional dancer, professional fast ball sports athlete (FBSA) and healthy control volunteer groups consisting of twelve subjects each. In the auditory task both dancer and FBSA groups have faster N200 (N2) and P300 (P3) latencies than the controls. In the visual task FBSA have faster latencies of P3 than the dancers and controls. They also have higher P100 (P1) amplitudes to non-target stimuli than the dancers and controls. On the other hand, dancers have faster latencies of P1 and higher N100 (N1) amplitude to non-target stimuli and they also have higher P3 amplitudes than the FBSA and controls. Overall exercise has positive effects on cognitive processing speed as reflected on the faster auditory N2 and P3 latencies. However, FBSA and dancers differed on attentional styles in the visual task. Dancers displayed predominantly endogenous/top down features reflected by increased N1 and P3 amplitudes, decreased P1 amplitude and shorter P1 latency. On the other hand, FBSA showed predominantly exogenous/bottom up processes revealed by increased P1 amplitude. The controls were in between the two groups.

Assessment of P wave duration and P wave dispersion in high level football referees.

BACKGROUND: P wave dispersion and P wave maximal duration reflect the activation of atrial muscle and is influenced by the mass of the excited tissue. It may reflect atrial remodelling, most likely atrial fibrosis. The purpose of this study was to measure P wave duration and P wave dispersion in the high level football referees. METHODS: We recruited 104 elite and national referees with a training history of many years. The control group was made of 32 healthy sedentary subjects. The difference between P maximum and P minimum durations was defined as P wave dispersion. Echocardiographic parameters such as left atrial diameter were assessed with a Vivid 3 cardiovascular ultrasound system [3S sector probe (1.5-3.6 MHz), GE]. RESULTS: P wave maximum duration, P wave dispersion, left ventricle posterior wall thickness, inter-ventricular septum thickness and left atrial diameter were increased in the football referees as compared with healthy sedentary subjects. There were significant correlations of P wave dispersion with left atrial diameter and left ventricle posterior wall thickness CONCLUSIONS: P wave maximum duration, P wave dispersion and left atrial diameter were increased in the football referees. Also, there was a significant correlation between P wave dispersion and left atrial diameter.

Brain electrical activities of dancers and fast ball sports athletes are different.

Exercise training has been shown not only to influence physical fitness positively but also cognition in healthy and impaired populations. However, some particular exercise types, even though comparable based on physical efforts, have distinct cognitive and sensorimotor features. In this study, the effects of different types of exercise, such as fast ball sports and dance training, on brain electrical activity were investigated. Electroencephalography (EEG) scans were recorded in professional dancer, professional fast ball sports athlete (FBSA) and healthy control volunteer groups consisting of twelve subjects each. In FBSA, power of delta and theta frequency activities of EEG was significantly higher than those of the dancers and the controls. Conversely, dancers had significantly higher amplitudes in alpha and beta bands compared to FBSA and significantly higher amplitudes in the alpha band in comparison with controls. The results suggest that cognitive features of physical training can be reflected in resting brain electrical oscillations. The differences in resting brain electrical oscillations between the dancers and the FBSA can be the result of innate network differences determining the talents and/or plastic changes induced by physical training.

Injury evaluation of the Turkish national football team over six consecutive seasons.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence, mechanisms and anatomic sites of injuries of the Turkish National Men's Football Team over six years. METHODS: The affected anatomic site, incidence rate, type of injury, and applied treatment procedures were recorded by the medical staff. Official and friendly games and training sessions over the period January 2000 - December 2005 were documented daily. Cross- tabulation, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, and chi-square test methods were used in statistical evaluations. RESULTS: In total, 52 official and friendly games were played and 208 training sessions were conducted. The total number of injuries recorded in this period was 108, and the averages per match and training were 1.0 and 0.27, respectively. The most commonly affected anatomic site was the thigh (25%), the most common injury type was contusion (32%) and the most common applied treatment procedure was physical therapy and rehabilitation (89.8%). CONCLUSION: Our results provide valuable information about the incidence, affected anatomical site, and type and severity of injuries in football. This study can serve as reference data for future scientific studies in the field, and also provides information regarding the prevention of injuries.

Assessment of the p wave dispersion and duration in elite women basketball players.

BACKGROUND: P wave dispersion is an independent predictor of atrial fibrillation. P wave dispersion is associated with inhomogeneous and discontinuous propagation of sinus impulses. The purpose of this study was to investigate P wave dispersion and transthoracic echocardiographic findings in elite women basketball players. METHODS: We recruited 27 well-trained woman athletes with a training history of many years (11.9 +/- 3.6 years). All of the athletes were elite women basketball players and they were regularly maintaining sportive activities and training programs. Twenty-six age and sex matched healthy sedentary subjects consisted of control group. The difference between P maximum and P minimum durations was defined as P wave dispersion. The echocardiographic parameters were assessed in detail in the standard left lateral decubitus position. RESULTS: The body height, body weight, body surface area, metabolic equivalent, maximum P wave duration and P wave dispersion were increased in the elite basketball athletes as compared with healthy sedentary subjects. On the contrary; the heart rate, ejection fraction and interventricular septum thickness in diastole were decreased in athletes. The body height (p=0.006, r=0.37), body weight (p=0.04, r=0.28), body surface area (p=0.01, r=0.33) and heart rate (p=0.01, r=-0.32) were correlated with P wave dispersion. CONCLUSIONS: P wave dispersion was increased in elite woman basketball players as compared with healthy sedentary subjects. P wave dispersion was correlated with heart rate, body height, body weight and body surface area.

Effectiveness of Omura's ST.36 point (True ST.36) needling on the Wingate anaerobic test results of young soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the "Omura's ST.36 point" (True ST.36) needling of young soccer players with the Wingate test. The Wingate test is a widely used and very well known ergometric bicycle test to measure anaerobic power. The Bi-Digital O-Ring Test (B.D.O.R.T.) of Yoshiaki Omura, M.D., Sc.D. was used to determine the "Omura's ST.36 point" (True ST.36). Young soccer players (N = 20) between 15-16 years of age (Mean = 15.25 +/- 0.44) were involved in the study. Subjects were divided into two groups (ST.36 and Omura's ST.36) randomly. The groups were statistically similar in respect to their number, age, height and weight respectively, N = 10; 15.40 +/- 0.52, 15.10 +/- 0.32; 171.50 +/- 3.57, 171.00 +/- 4.81; 65.60 +/- 4.01, 61.50 +/- 4.77. The anaerobic power of the subjects were measured using Monark 894E ergometric bicycle. The breaking resistance was 75 g per kg of body weight of the subjects. The peak power, average power, minimum power and power drop were measured as absolute values and per kg of body weight. Subjects were tested twice, with and without acupuncture application. In one group needling was on ST.36, and in the other group it was on "Omura's ST.36 point." Before each test, subjects warmed up for 5 minutes by cycling on the same ergometer at 60 rotations per minute (RPM), without load. Statistically significant increases were measured with the needling of Omura's ST 36 point in peak power (p < 0.01), and relative peak power (p < 0.01) in comparison to Wingate test results without needling. ST.36 needling showed statistically insignificant increases of the same measurements and comparison. We conclude that needling of both points, but especially Omura's ST.36, seem to be effective for increasing the anaerobic power of young soccer players measured with Wingate anaerobic power test. More research is needed to support these findings in all aspects.

Comparison of the effectiveness of the traditional acupuncture point, ST. 36 and Omura's ST.36 Point (True ST. 36) needling on the isokinetic knee extension & flexion strength of young soccer players.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of the Traditional acupuncture point ST.36 and 'Omura's ST.36 Point' ("True ST.36") needling on the isokinetic knee extension & flexion strength of young soccer players. The Bi-Digital O-Ring Test (B.D.O.R.T.) of Yoshiaki Omura, M.D.,Sc.D. was used to determine the "True ST.36". Young soccer players (N = 24) between 16-18 years of age (Mean = 16.92 +/- 0.65) were involved in the study. The extension & flexion strengths of dominant legs were measured with Cybex 350 Extremity System isokinetically. The testing velocity was 60 degrees/sec. The peak torque value in Newton meters (Nm) was evaluated. Subjects were tested 3 times. Extension & Flexion 1 (EXT1, FLEX1) without acupuncture application, EXT2 & FLEX2 after application on the traditional acupuncture point, ST.36 and EXT3 & FLEX3 after application onto the 'Omura's New Foot-point' ("True ST.36"). Before each test, subjects warmed up for 10 minutes by cycling on an isokinetic ergometer at 50 RPM, 75 Watts load followed by stretching exercises of lower extremity. Mean EXT1, EXT2, EXT3 values were 196.92 +/- 28.70: 210.00 +/- 23.00; 224.42 +/- 21.70 respectively, where FLEX1, FLEX2, FLEX3 were 140.88 +/- 22.45; 151.13 +/- 21.27; 161.00 +/- 22.23. Comparisons of EXT1-EXT2, EXT1-EXT3, EXT2-EXT3, FLEX1-FLEX2, FLEX1-FLEX3, FLEX2-FLEX3 strength values showed all very high significance (P < 0.001) in favor of 1) Needling on relevant points and 2) Omura's ST.36 Point ("True ST.36"). We conclude that B.D.O.R.T. can help to determine new (True) Acupuncture points and, both points were effective for increasing the isokinetic knee extension & flexion strength of young soccer players very significantly where as Omura's ST.36 Point ("True ST.36") was more effective than Traditional Acupuncture point, ST.36.

Change of quadriceps angle values with age and activity.

OBJECTIVE: The lines connecting the anterior superior iliac spine to the center of the patella and the center of the patella to the tibial tuberosity make the quadriceps angle (Q angle), and this can be used as data for patellar alignment. We undertook this study to provide detailed information about the change of Q angle values with age and activity. METHODS: The study was conducted on 474 active (AG) (soccer players) and 765 sedentary (SG) boys (N=1239) from the age of 9-19, and the sedentary group also served as control to their age matched active counterparts. The statistical methods used were the student's t-test and the 3 way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study was carried out in the laboratories of the Anatomy Departments and School of Physical Education and Sports, Istanbul and Hacettepe Universities between 2001 and 2003. RESULTS: The right and left Q angle values within both groups were statistically insignificant. The comparison of the groups showed a very high level of significant difference between the groups for both knees (AG right Q angle = 14.54 +/- 4.76, SG right Q angle = 17.98 +/- 3.24; AG left Q angle = 14.41 +/- 4.61, SG left Q angle = 18.12 +/- 3.55). The 3 way ANOVA showed that the age and physical activity had equally highly significant effects on Q angle values with a greater change in the active group's values. CONCLUSION: We conclude that 1) children and adolescents have greater Q angle values than adults, 2) a change in quadriceps strength and tone, caused by both growth and activity, results in a decrease of the Q angle and 3) activity, particularly playing soccer in our study, has a remarkable effect on the Q angle.

Cilazapril treatment in a cohort of seven patients with congestive heart failure: a seven-year follow-up study.

BACKGROUND: Although angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs) have been shown to prolong life in patients with congestive heart failure (CHF), the prognosis of these patients remains poor. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to reevaluate a cohort of patients with CHF after 7 years of follow-up with cilazapril therapy to assess the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), anatomic and functional capacity of the heart, and aldosterone escape. METHODS: Surviving patients from a cohort hospitalized for CHF between January 1994 and December 1994 who were treated with cilazapril in our center were included in this study. Exercise testing was carried out using the Kattus protocol, and breath-by-breath oxygen analysis, echocardiography, and hormonal analysis were done. RESULTS: Seven patients (5 men, 2 women; mean [SD] age, 70.6 [4.4]) were included in the study. Compared with the early effects (at 15 days) of cilazapril therapy, only mean (SD) peak exercise time decreased significantly at the 7-year follow-up (8.9 [2.4] minutes vs 5.1 [1.9] minutes; P = 0.02). Mean (SD) anaerobic threshold (AT) oxygen consumption and AT ratio increased slightly from 15 days, although these changes were not statistically significant (12.86 [3.5] mL/kg·min vs 13.57 [2.6] mL/kg·min; 70.3% [7.7%] vs 78.9% [9.8%], respectively). Compared with the early effect of therapy, patients had slightly lower mean (SD) ejection fractions (EFs), but the decrease did not reach statistical significance (52% [4%] vs 48% [4%]). Aldosterone levels were within normal limits in all patients, and 2 patients had increased RAS activity. CONCLUSIONS: In this study, the observed lack of aldosterone escape, as well as patient survival during ACEI therapy, may be due to selection bias of the surviving patients, who had better EFs and lack of aldosterone escape. Therefore, the remaining issue seems to be the selection of patients who will not show aldosterone escape during chronic ACEI treatment.