Barbara Długołęcka

INFLUENCE OF TRAINING ON ANAEROBIC POWER AND CAPACITY OF UPPER AND LOWER LIMBS IN YOUNG GRECO-ROMAN WRESTLERS

The aim of the present study was to examine the effect of training on selected markers of anaerobic capacity of upper and lower limbs in male, Greco-Roman wrestlers from 16 to 19 years of age. The study was conducted four times at one-year intervals on the same group of male competitors (n=12). Every year at the beginning of the second preparatory period all wrestlers performed arm cranking and leg cycling 30 s Wingate tests. The relative peak and mean power of upper limbs were higher in 17-, 18-, and 19-year-old wrestlers compared to 16-year-old ones, but were similar in 17- and 18-year-old athletes. The highest peak and mean power of legs were found in 19-year-old wrestlers. In 18-year-old athletes, the peak power was lower than in 17-year-olds and was similar to 16-year-old wrestlers. The relative mean power in the group of 18-year-old athletes was lower compared to 16- and 17-year-old ones, but it was similar in 17- and 19-year-old wrestlers. Changes in the levels of the relative peak and mean power of upper and lower limb muscles in wrestlers occurred at different periods between the age of 16 and 19. However, it seems that inappropriately chosen training loads may reduce short-term power outputs despite age correct increase in anthropometric parameters. Wrongly applied training did not bring positive effects and could inhibit, for some time, the natural development of power in young wrestlers.

Change in blood gelsolin concentration in response to physical exercise.

Plasma gelsolin (pGSN) produced by muscle is an abundant protein of extracellular fluids capable of severing actin filaments and eliminating actin from the circulation. Additionally, pGSN modulates the cellular effects of some bioactive lipids. In this study we test the hypothesis that hormonal and metabolic adaptations to exercise are associated with changes in gelsolin concentration in blood. Plasma samples were collected from twenty healthy males recruited from untrained (UT, n=10) and endurance trained (ET, n=10) groups that performed 30-60 minutes of exercise on a cycloergometer at a workload corresponding to 70% of VO2max. Gelsolin concentration was determined by quantitative Western blot analysis with an anti-human gelsolin antibody. The gelsolin concentration in UT and ET subjects before starting exercise ranged from 104 to 330 and 163 to 337 µg · ml-1 respectively. After 30 minutes of exercise we observed a significant decrease of plasma gelsolin in the UT group (p<0.05) while the gelsolin concentration in the ET group rose on average from 244 to 271 µg · ml-1. However, this increase did not reach statistical significance. Endurance training might increase the ability of muscle tissue to express plasma gelsolin as part of an adaptive mechanism.

Endurance training selectively increases HDL-bound sphingosine-1-phosphate in the plasma

Sphingosine‐1‐phosphate (S1P) is a bioactive lysosphingolipid that is found in relatively high concentration in human plasma. Erythrocytes, endothelial cells, and activated platelets are the main sources of circulating S1P. The majority of plasma S1P is transported bound to high‐density lipoprotein (HDL) and albumin. In recent years, HDL‐bound S1P attracted much attention due to its cardioprotective and anti‐atherogenic properties. We have previously found that endurance‐trained athletes are characterized by higher plasma S1P concentration compared to untrained individuals. This finding prompted us to examine the effect of endurance training on S1P metabolism in blood. Thirteen healthy, untrained, male subjects completed an 8‐week training program on a rowing ergometer. Three days before the first, and 3 days after the last training session, blood samples were drawn from an antecubital vein. We found that total plasma S1P concentration was increased after the training. Further analysis of different plasma fractions showed that the training selectively elevated HDL‐bound S1P. This effect was associated with activation of sphingosine kinase in erythrocytes and platelets and enhanced S1P release from red blood cells. We postulate that increase in HDL‐bound S1P level is one of the mechanisms underlying beneficial effects of regular physical activity on cardiovascular diseases.

Reference Values of Maximal Oxygen Uptake for Polish Rowers

Abstract The aim of this study was to characterize changes in maximal oxygen uptake over several years and to elaborate current reference values of this index based on determinations carried out in large and representative groups of top Polish rowers. For this study 81 female and 159 male rowers from the sub-junior to senior categories were recruited from the Polish National Team and its direct backup. All the subjects performed an incremental exercise test on a rowing ergometer. During the test maximal oxygen uptake was measured with the BxB method. The calculated reference values for elite Polish junior and U23 rowers allowed to evaluate the athletes’ fitness level against the respective reference group and may aid the coach in controlling the training process. Mean values of VO2max achieved by members of the top Polish rowing crews who over the last five years competed in the Olympic Games or World Championships were also presented. The results of the research on the “trainability” of the maximal oxygen uptake may lead to a conclusion that the growth rate of the index is larger in case of high-level athletes and that the index (in absolute values) increases significantly between the age of 19-22 years (U23 category).

Effects of Rhodiola rosea supplementation on mental performance, physical capacity, and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy men

Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) supplementation on mental and physical performance, as well as hormonal and oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods Twenty-six healthy male students received either R. rosea extract (600 mg/day; RR) or placebo (PL) in a randomized double-blind trial. Prior to supplementation (Term I) and following 4 weeks of supplementation (Term II), the students underwent psychomotor tests for simple and choice reaction time, included in the Vienna Test System. Also, the subjects performed VO2peak test. Blood samples were obtained before and after the test to measure the hormonal profile (cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone), as well as the biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase) and muscle damage (creatine kinase). Results R. rosea ingestion shortened reaction time and total response time. Moreover, a greater relative increase in the number of correct responses was observed in RR group as compared to the PL group. No changes in endurance exercise capacity and hormonal profile were observed after R. rosea ingestion. R. rosea ingestion raised plasma total antioxidant capacity. It did not, however, affect other measured parameters. Conclusion Chronic R. rosea ingestion does not affect physical performance, but can improve the results of some psychomotor tests (simple and choice reaction time) in young, healthy, and physically active men. The improvements in mental performance, however, at least in our study, seem not to be related to changes in cortisol release or antioxidant activity of R. rosea extract. Thus, the specific mechanisms responsible for these effects still need to be elucidated.

Effects of Attentional Focusing Strategies on Muscular Power in Older Women

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of different foci of attention on parameters related to maximum muscular power in older women. Using a counterbalanced within-participant design, 23 physically active young-old women (age 59-69) completed a maximum effort cycle ergometer test following three types of verbal instructions. The external instruction (EXF) was designed to focus attention on moving the pedals as fast as possible, internal instruction (INF) directed attention toward moving the legs as fast as possible, and a control condition (CON) was created in which participants were instructed to perform the task to the best of their abilities. Results indicated that the EXF and CON conditions resulted in greater muscular power compared with the INF condition. Results also indicated that directing attention internally hindered muscular power performance in older women, which is consistent with the predictions of the constrained action hypothesis.

Characteristics of the Respiratory Muscle Strength of Women and Men at Different Training Levels

Abstract Introduction. The objective of the study was to determine the maximal inspiratory mouth pressure (PImax) of highly trained male and female athletes competing in endurance sports and of non-training students of both sexes. Analysis was conducted of the dependence of PImax levels on somatic indices and training experience. The reproducibility of the method for measuring PImax index was determined. Material and methods. The study examined a total of 234 training and non-training individuals (78 women and 156 men). The test subjects were measured for PImax, as well as inspiratory time, active time, passive time and diaphragm relaxation time. A group of 59 women and men (training and non-training) were tested a second time within 5-7 days of the first test to determine the reproducibility of the PImax measurements. Results and conclusion. The measurements were found to be highly reproducible (between the first and second tests no statistically significant differences were found, all spirometric indices included in the study were shown to demonstrate a significant correlation, and total error for all of the analyzed indexes was between 11.1 and 24.3%). Reference ranges for PImax were determined for women and men at different training levels. PImax was shown to have a positive dependence on somatic indices characterizing male and female body mass.

Effects of Endurance Training on Functional Status of the Respiratory Muscles in Healthy Men

Abstract Introduction. The aim of the study was to assess the influence of an 8-week endurance training program on the functional status of the respiratory muscles and breathing efficiency. Material and methods. Thirteen healthy, untrained, male students of Physical Education volunteered to participate in the study. Before and after the subjects completed the training program, they were subjected to anthropometric and spirometric measurements, and performed an incremental stress test. The spirometric measurements included maximal inspiratory pressure (PImax), active time, passive time, and diaphragm relaxation time. Measuring PImax is a simple method of evaluating the strength of the inspiratory muscles. The 8-week training program was performed on a rowing ergometer 3 times per week, using aerobic workloads. Results. The study did not confirm a significant improvement in the measured spirometric parameters following the training program. However, we observed a trend of increase in PImax values by 12 ± 21% of borderline after the training program and a significant correlation (p < 0.05) between the changes in PImax and those in VO2 max. Following the training there was also a significant reduction in the amount of body fat by 1.4 kg and an improvement of work capacity. The response of the respiratory system to exercise was also enhanced, as breathing efficiency improved (tidal volume increased in maximal exercise, while lung ventilation, the ventilatory equivalent for oxygen, and breathing frequency decreased in submaximal exercise). Conclusions. The findings of the study suggest that traditional endurance training which is implemented over a 8 weeks is not a sufficiently strong stimulus to cause a significant increase in the strength of the inspiratory muscles.