Jakub Grzegorz Adamczyk

Mitochondrial DNA variation is associated with elite athletic status in the Polish population

There is mounting evidence that genetic factors located in mitochondrial and nuclear genomes influence sport performance. Certain mitochondrial haplogroups and polymorphisms were associated with the status of elite athlete, especially in endurance performance. The aim of our study was to assess whether selected mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA variants are associated with elite athlete performance in a group of 395 elite Polish athletes (213 endurance athletes and 182 power athletes) and 413 sedentary controls. Our major finding was that the mtDNA haplogroup H and HV cluster influence endurance performance at the Olympic/World Class level of performance (P = 0.018 and P = 0.0185, respectively). We showed that two polymorphisms located in the mtDNA control region were associated with achieving the elite performance level either in the total athletes group as compared with controls (m.16362C, 3.8% vs 9.2%, respectively, P = 0.0025, odds ratio = 0.39, 95% confidence interval: 0.21–0.72), or in the endurance athletes as compared with controls (m.16080G, 2.35% vs 0%, respectively, P = 0.004). Our results indicate that mtDNA variability affects the endurance capacity rather than the power one. We also propose that mtDNA haplogroups and subhaplogroups, as well as individual mtDNA polymorphisms favoring endurance performance, could be population‐specific, reflecting complex cross‐talk between nuclear and mitochondrial genomes.

The use of thermal imaging to assess the effectiveness of ice massage and cold-water immersion as methods for supporting post-exercise recovery.

Cold water immersion (CWI) and ice massage (IM) are commonly used treatments to prevent the delay onset of muscle soreness (DOMS); however, little is known on their relative benefits and effectiveness to lower tissue temperature. This study was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of IM and CMI on tissue temperature and potential benefit to preventing DOMS. The research encompassed 36 subjects divided into three groups of twelve depending on the form of recovery: ice massage (IM), cold-water immersion (CWI), or passive recovery (PAS). All the participants were asked to jump as high as possible from a full squat for one minute. Thermal imaging was conducted at rest, immediately following the exercise, immediately after the trial, following the recovery treatment, and after 30min of rest. Their pain levels were assessed using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). After applying the selected method for supporting recovery, the LA level decreased by 4.25mmol/L in the IM group, and by 4.96mmol/L in the CWI group (IM vs. CWI p>0.05). The 2.75mmol/L decrease in lactate concentration in the PAS group was significantly lower than in the other groups (IM vs. PAS p<0.05/ CWI vs. PAS p<0.01). In both groups, Tsk after 30min was significantly lower (ΔTsk~0.5°C) than at rest (p<0.05). In turn, Tsk in the PAS group returned to the resting values (p>0.05). Seventy-two hours after the exercise, a clear decrease in discomfort was observed in the IM and CWI groups compared to the PAS group. The two applied treatments have proven to be effective both in utilizing lactate and preventing DOMS. Depending on training requirements, we recommend the use of IM when athletes experience localized muscle fatigue. One the other hand, CWI is recommended in situations of global or generalized muscle injury or fatigue.

Using thermal imaging to assess the effect of classical massage on selected physiological parameters of upper limbs

Summary Study aim: the aim of this study was to assess the relationship between classical sport massage of the hand and the forearm and the surface temperature of upper limb muscles, and between hand grip strength and the range of motion in the radiocarpal joint. Material and methods: study participants comprised 35 women not engaging in competitive sport, aged 19–23 years. Thermal images were taken with a Flir A325 camera. Hand grip strength was measured using an analogue dynamometer. The range of motion in the radiocarpal joint was measured using a goniometer. All tests and measurements were performed twice: directly before and after the massage of the hand and the forearm (of the right limb). Classical massage was applied on the dorsal and palmar surfaces of the hand and on the anterior and posterior surfaces of the forearm. Results: after the massage, the temperature of the right limb increased significantly, as did the temperature of the posterior surface of the left limb. However, no change in temperature was observed on the anterior surfaces of the left forearm and the left arm. A significant increase in the range of motion in the right radiocarpal joint (in all planes) was observed. No significant differences in hand grip strength measured with a dynamometer were found before and after the massage. Conclusions: while classical sport massage increases muscle temperature, it does not improve effort capacity, and therefore it is not a sufficient means of preparing an athlete for physical effort. The massage increased the range of motion in the massaged limb, which mostly indicates the relaxing effect of the treatment.

Evaluation of effectiveness of kinesiology taping as an adjunct to rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Preliminary report.

BACKGROUND. Kinesiology Taping (KT) is being increasingly more often used in musculoskeletal rehabilitation. The aim of the study was to assess the effect of Kinesiology Taping on rehabilitation outcomes in patients following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The study enrolled 26 patients (16 women and 10 men) aged between 20 and 41 years. The patients were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental group (Group 1), which received Kinesiology Taping, and a control group (Group 2), which followed the same rehabilitation protocol except for KT. Students t test with a minimum significance level at p<0.05 was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS. All participants demonstrated a significant improvement in the range of knee flexion and extension in the affected limb as soon as the end of the first week of rehabilitation (p˂0.001). This tendency persisted in the following weeks until Day 28. Thigh measurements revealed a faster increase in thigh circumference in Group 1. Significant swelling reduction was found among patients from the experimental group at all consecutive measurements. The greatest difference (p<0.001) was noted at the beginning of the rehabilitation. After 28 days of rehabilitation, pain intensity and pain frequency had significantly decreased in all patients (p<0.001). Patients from the control group used analgesics significantly more often. CONCLUSIONS. 1. The use of KT contributed to a faster improvement of the range of knee motion, reduction of oedema and greater improvement in thigh circumference. 2. A similar reduction in pain intensity was observed in all patients. However, pain significantly less often forced patients from the experimental group to use analgesics or reduced their activity.

The Estimation of the RAST Test Usefulness in Monitoring the Anaerobic Capacity of Sprinters in Athletics

The Estimation of the RAST Test Usefulness in Monitoring the Anaerobic Capacity of Sprinters in Athletics Introduction. In athletic high-speed-forced competitions one of basic monitored parameters of the preparation is the level of the anaerobic capacity. The aim of the work was the qualification of the usefulness of the RAST (Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test) in the estimation of the anaerobic capacity of athletes of sprint athletic competitions. Material and methods. 37 athletes (12 Female and 25 Male) specializing in sprint racing (100 m, 100 m hurdles, 110 m hurdles, 200 m) and the prolonged sprint (400 m and 400 m hurdles) partook in the research. The anaerobic capacity was evaluated by means of the RAST test and the Wingate test. Results. In the RAST test competitors obtained significantly higher values of the maximum power (p<0.001) and the average power (p<0.001), with relation to the Wingate test. Among women such dependences were not ascertained. The fundamentally lower (p<0.001) fatigue index in the RAST test characterized in turn both groups, which can testify about the better adaptation to the run effort. For both tests one ascertained significant dependence between the average power and the maximum power. Moreover, the significant dependence between the fatigue index (FI) and the average and maximum power in the Wingate test was shown. For the RAST test such dependence appeared among FI, and the maximum power. Conclusions. The RAST test gave statistically comparable results only in the case of the average and maximum power among women. The smaller physical load for competitors and decidedly easier organization of the research causes that the RAST test can be used for regular monitoring of the anaerobic capacity level of competitors of athletic run competitions.

Genetic variants associated with physical and mental characteristics of the elite athletes in the Polish population

The aim of the study was to assess whether selected genetic variants are associated with elite athlete performance in a group of 413 elite athletes and 451 sedentary controls. Polymorphisms in ACE, ACTN3, AGT, NRF‐2, PGC1A, PPARG, and TFAM implicated in physical performance traits were analyzed. Additionally, polymorphisms in CHRNB3 and FAAH coding for proteins modulating activity of brains emotion centers were included. The results of univariate analyses indicated that the elite athletic performance is associated with four polymorphisms: ACE (rs4341, P = 0.0095), NRF‐2 (rs12594956, P = 0.011), TFAM (rs2306604, P = 0.049), and FAAH (rs324420, P = 0.0041). The multivariate analysis adjusted for age and gender confirmed this association. The higher number of ACE D alleles (P = 0.0021) and the presence of NRF‐2 rs12594956 A allele (P = 0.0067) are positive predictors, whereas TFAM rs2306604 GG genotype (P = 0.031) and FAAH rs324420 AA genotype (P = 0.0084) negatively affect the elite athletic performance. The CHRNB3 variant (rs4950, G allele) is significantly more frequent in the endurance athletes compared with the power ones (P = 0.025). Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of rs4950 G allele contributes to endurance performance (P = 0.0047). Our results suggest that genetic inheritance of psychological traits should be taken into consideration while trying to decipher a genetic profile of top athletic performance.

Skin temperature response to unilateral training measured with infrared thermography

This study aimed to identify the skin temperature (Tsk) behavior to understand the acute cross-effect after unilateral training of lower-limbs. Seventeen healthy young men (weight, 75.2±5.5 kg; height, 1.8±0.1 m; age, 22.5±1.6 years) were divided into two groups: high-trained (n=8) and low-trained (n=9). All participants performed: (a) one-repetition maximum (1RM) testing protocol on the leg press, (b) a unilateral training protocol (4×10 repetitions at 70% of 1RM for leg press and 4×10 repetitions at 50% of 1RM for knee extension). Pre- and posttraining thermal images were recorded. The main results showed that independent of the limb (exercised vs. nonexercised), differences between low- and high-trained were observed for all regions of interest (ROI) except for the anterior knee: posttraining, 30-min and 60-min posttraining in nonexercised limb. The increase of contralateral Tsk was more than 50% on the ROIs corresponding to the exercises muscles 30-min post-training in low-trained but was not so high in high-trained (P<0.05). Low-trained subjects incremented more the Tsk than high-trained in both legs after exercise. In conclusion, we observed an acute contralateral Tsk effect to unilateral training on the Tsk of the nonexercised limb, reliant on the training level of the subject.

The effect of sport massage on the mental disposition in kickboxing and judo competitors, reducing their body mass prior to competitions

to competition. The goal of the study was to establish the relationships between sport massage procedures and mental disposition of the athletes being prepared for the competition. Material and methods. The sample included 16 females and 32 males – kickboxers and judokas. The study used Spielberger State Trait Anxiety questionnaire and a tailored questionnaire. The differences between variables were studied using Wilcoxon signed rank test. The minimal significance level was set at p<0.05. Results. Among the competitors qualified for the study, 48% reduced their body mass (Body Mass Reduction – BMR) before each start. They most often started reducing their body mass 10 days before the start by a doing a more intense physical exercise (on average 9.55 days and 9.5 days prior to the start for the female and male subjects respectively) and exercised wearing special clothes triggering sweat glands to release perspiration (8.14 days and 6.56 days for the female and male subjects respectively). Most of competitors (94% of the females and 72%of the males ) experienced negative consequences of BMR. The most frequently mentioned side effect was worsening of general feeling (70% of females and 86% of males). Besides, over a half (56%) of the female competitors complained of a decrease in endurance. The obtained results indicate that among the body mass reducing competitors the level of anxiety significantly increases before the start in competition. The differences, however, were only significant in the control group (p=0.021 in the females and p=0.002 in the males). This indicates a favourable effect of massage on the mental state in the competitors being prepared for the competition. Conclusions. A large group of athletes reducing their body mass obtain results below their expectations. Therefore, they should be subjected to physician’s, physiotherapist’s or sport psychologist’s care. The massage resulted in low levels of anxiety in the athletes before competitions. Physical disposition is of key importance in start preparation of combat athletes, thus the studies on the application of physiotherapeutic approaches among these athletes should be continued

The physical fitness and the safety falling skills of karatekas

The physical fitness in karate, similarly to all martial arts and combat sports is extremely important, because the high level of such motor features as power, speed or endurance can improve the effectiveness of performed techniques and lead to enlargement of chances of the high result in sport [1]. Equally important as power, endurance or speed, is the skill of the maintenance of the equilibrium. Therefore a lot of time on trainings is spent on the improvement of throws and takedowns. During the fight the single action lasts approx. 3-5 seconds because all happens very quickly. In case of the take-down by the opponent there is no time then for thinking how to arrange the body not to get the contusion. Such reaction should be performed automatically [2]. The learning of throws in the karate one starts already in the beginning of the training. Starting with rollings backward and forward, one learns back throw or side throw. The knowledge of those throws is very important, because in most cases during kumite fights in just such manner the competitor falls after the take-dawn by the opponent. Doing throw on the right side of the body the person exercising should perform the leftward strike with the right hand and leg. Then maximally lower the centre of gravity of the body on the left leg so that the body collides with the basis after the fall from the least height possible. The right buttock should touch the floor by the nearest heel of the left foot. In the moment of rolling on the right side, the right hand should energetically hit the floor for the purpose of the assurance. The arrangement of the hand should be analogous to the case of backward throw [3]. Perfecting above-techniques of throws and take-downs one can protect himself from traumata both during karate fights as well as in everyday life in great extent. Karate can be classified as the art of the self-defence. This is not the art of aggression and only the answer to the aggression of the opponent. The foundation of Father of karate – Gichin Funakoshi – was the defence against the aggressor by means of definite blocks and attacks both manual and of foot. Simultaneously one ought to ascertain that the self-defence needs not mean the fight with the opponent, but also the skill of managing threatening situations eg. the fall [4]. Going out from these premises for the aim of the work one put the answer whether there exists the dependence between the special fitness of karate competitors, and skills of falling and the susceptibility to bodily injuries.

Structural analysis of shooting performance in elite basketball players during FIBA EuroBasket 2015

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to conduct an analysis of the shooting structure in terms of the execution manner of the shots delivered during FIBA EuroBasket 2015 according to the footwork (one- or two-count stop, etc.), handwork (one-hand overhead, layup, floater, etc.). Additionally, the second purpose of the study was the performance comparison of the eight best teams (Places 1–8) and the eight worst teams (Places 17–24) taking part in the event. The analysis covered 9024 shots in all matches (n = 110) played by the teams from places 1–8 (n = 70) and the teams that were eliminated first (n = 40). The study used categorised observation. The results were analysed with the ANOVA (post hoc Tukey’s test) and a multiple ridge regression. The regression analysis and reference values for the manner of performing a shot in relation to the points scored during EuroBasket 2015 revealed that the number of successful two-point shots (F = 35.51, p = 0.001) was the most important predictor of the points scored by the eight best teams. On the other hand, the most important predictor for the points scored by the weakest group of teams was the number of successful three-point shots (F = 21.82, p = 0.001).