Katarzyna Leźnicka

The Use of Thermal Imaging in the Evaluation of the Symmetry of Muscle Activity in Various Types of Exercises (Symmetrical and Asymmetrical).

Abstract In order to achieve higher efficiency of training and thus better athletic performance, new research and diagnostic methods are constantly being developed, particularly those that are non-invasive. One such a method is thermography, suitable for quantitative and therefore objective evaluation of variables, such as changes in the temperature of the skin covering working muscles. The aim of this study was to use a thermal imaging infrared camera to evaluate temperature changes of symmetric body surfaces over symmetrically working muscles of male scullers after exercising on a two-oared rowing ergometer and compare these to asymmetrically working muscles of handball players after an endurance training session containing elements of an actual game. In the scullers, the mean temperature of body surfaces was always lower post than pre exercise, with no significant differences in an average temperature drop between the opposite sides, indicating that the work of the muscles involved in the physical exertion on the rowing ergometer was symmetrical. In contrast, in the handball players, skin temperatures in symmetric areas over the asymmetrically working muscles showed statistically significant differences between sides, which was associated with the functional asymmetry of training. This study indicates that thermal imaging may be useful for coaches in the evaluation of technical preparations in sports in which equal involvement of symmetric muscles is a condition of success, e.g. in scullers.

Does the MTHFR A1298C Polymorphism Modulate the Cardiorespiratory Response to Training

Abstract The 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene (MTHFR) A1298C polymorphic variant is a candidate to explain the individual differences in trainability and response to exercise training. Therefore, the aim of the study was to verify whether the A1298C polymorphism influenced the aerobic and anaerobic performance as well as body and mass composition in young Polish women following low-high impact aerobic exercise training. Two hundred and one women aged 21 ± 1 years (range 19–24) were included in the study. All of them completed a 12-week exercise training program and were measured for selected somatic features, aerobic capacity and cardiorespiratory fitness indices as well as peak anaerobic power and anaerobic capacity, before and after the intervention. A mixed 2 x 2 ANOVA for 20 dependent variables grouped in three categories was conducted. No significant interaction of the genotype with training for body mass and body composition variables was observed. Although, there were three significant genotype x training interactions for maximal oxygen uptake variables, regardless of body mass i.e.: for VO2max (p < 0.05), HRmax (p < 0.0001) and HRAT/HRmax (p < 0.0001). Significantly greater improvement in VO2max was gained by the CC+AC group compared to the AA genotype group. The present results support the hypothesis that individual differences in trainability are at least in part determined by the genetic component and MTHFR A1298C seems to be one of the many polymorphisms involved.

Pain perception and cardiovascular system response among athletes playing contact sports

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to determine whether the contact sports change the perception of pain as assessed by the cold pressor test (CPT), and if the test induces the same reaction of the cardiovascular system in contact athletes and non-athletes. The study involved 321 healthy men; 140 contact athletes and 181 students of the University of Szczecin (control). Pain threshold and pain tolerance were evaluated using CPT. Cardiovascular measurements were made during CPT. The contact athletes showed a much higher tolerance to pain than the control group (median time 120 vs. 94 s, respectively, p = 0.0002). The thresholds of pain in both groups did not differ significantly between the groups. Systolic blood pressure measured before and during the test in all three measurements was statistically significantly higher in athletes compared with the control group. Heart rate and diastolic blood pressure did not differ significantly between the studied groups.

Sensitivity to pain and strategies of coping with stress in combat athletes

Material/Methods: The study was conducted on 273 healthy men. The test group consisted of 203 athletes; the control group consisted of 70 students from the Faculty of Physical Culture, University of Szczecin. The test of the threshold and pain tolerance was performed using an algometer manufactured by Quirumed Company. To assess strategies of coping with stress, the Inventory Measuring Coping Skills – Mini-Cope was used.

Catechol-oxide-methyltransferase (COMT rs4680:G>A) gene polymorphism does not affect analgesics’ demand after elective hip replacement

Pain in patients with hip osteoarthritis appears long before surgery, and requires effective management as it affects patient comfort and daily activities. Therefore, the search for factors influencing response rate to analgesics is mandatory. In recent years, increasing attention has been paid to genetic factors underlying pain threshold and treatment efficacy. Polymorphic gene of catechol-oxide-methyltransferase (COMT) is a candidate gene associated with pain pathology and treatment response. The aim of the study was to evaluate association between the COMT rs4680:G>A polymorphism and demand for analgesics in patients subjected to elective hip replacement. The study included 196 patients after hip replacement surgery. Opioid demand was recorded and analgesic efficacy was scored using a four-level verbal pain intensity scale. COMT rs4680:G>A polymorphism was analysed by PCR-RFLP method. The studied COMT genotypes did not influence opioid administration in the studied patients from the day of surgery till day 6 afterwards. The distribution of the COMT rs4680:G>A in the studied subjects was as follows: GA—52.04%, AA—23.98% and GG—23.98%. It can be concluded that the COMT rs4680:G>A polymorphism is not associated with opioid demand in patients after elective hip replacement.