Radosław Michalski

APPLICATION OF ALLOMETRY FOR DETERMINATION OF STRENGTH PROFILE IN YOUNG FEMALE ATHLETES FROM DIFFERENT SPORTS

The goal of the study was to determine a strength profile in young female athletes practising different sports and to use allometry to evaluate muscular strength with respect to body mass. The study included 42 women who practised taekwondo (n = 10), weightlifting (n = 10), canoeing (n = 14) and speed skating (n = 8). Measurements of maximal muscle torques under static conditions in 10 groups of flexors and extensors of the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and trunk were carried out. The MANCOVA procedure was employed to compare means between the groups. A logarithm of body mass was adopted as a covariate. Relationships between body mass and muscle torques in each muscle group were determined using a procedure of linear regression. The analysis of residuals was employed for the evaluation of maximal muscle torques. Mean values of logarithms of maximal muscle torques were significantly different for the representatives of individual sports and they depended on the logarithm of body mass. It was proposed to use a mean of residuals normalized for individual muscle groups as a synthetic strength index (mean of the strength profile). The women practising canoeing were characterized by the highest strength index. Its lowest values were obtained by weightlifting and taekwondo athletes. Differences in strength profiles in the tested athletes were attributed to the specific nature of their sports. It is suggested to use an allometric relationship scaled by body mass for strength assessment.

Measuring the force of punches and kicks among combat sport athletes using a modified punching bag with an embedded accelerometer

The main aim of the study was to design a new system to measure punching and kicking forces as well as reaction times in combat sport athletes. In addition, the study examined whether there were any intergender differences in the force of punches thrown by boxers and kicking forces delivered by taekwondo athletes. Boxers (male, n = 13; female, n = 7) were examined for the force of single straight punches and taekwondo athletes (male, n = 14; female, n = 14) for force of single Apdolio and Dwit Chagi kicks. The punching bag was equipped with acceleration transducers and gyroscopes embedded in a cylinder covered with a layer to absorb shock as well as a set of colour signal diodes. Value of the punching bags acceleration was used for calculating: strike force; the punching location on the bag; and time of a strike. The relative error of force calculation was 3%; the relative error in acceleration measurement was less than 1%. The force of a straight rear-hand punch was greater than the force of a lead-hand punch among male and female boxers. The force of Apdolio kick delivered with a rear leg was greater compared to a lead leg among female and male taekwondo athletes. Significant gender differences were noticed in the force in both types of kicks. In boxers, intergender differences were reported only for the force of a punch thrown with the rear hand. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the modified punching bag is a good diagnostic tool for combat sports.

Comparison of two boxing training simulators

Summary Study aim: the aim of the study was to compare two methods for measuring punching and kicking force and the reaction time of athletes. Material and methods: both systems were designed to measure and to analyse the mechanical characteristics of punches and strikes delivered by upper and lower limbs to a punching bag. The main difference between both punching bags was the way in which the delivered force was measured. The first method used strain gauges while the second method used accelerometer technology. Both systems consisted of a punching bag with software, attached signal diodes, and either embedded accelerometers or strain gauges. The bags were of different sizes. Acceleration transducers and gyroscopes or strain gauges were placed inside the punching bags, which allowed for measuring dynamics while the bag was struck. The software calculated strike force, the point of force application and its direction, and reaction time. Both systems were tested. Results: the results of the accelerometer-based method show that the mean relative error of force calculation amounts to 3%. The measurement error of acceleration is less than 1%. The mean relative measurement error of the striking surface on the punching bag is 2%. However, the measurement error of force recorded with the strain gauge-based method is less than 1%. The results show that both systems are similar. Conclusions: the punching bag having an embedded accelerometer is equipped with more versatile software, which makes the system a good tool for practical application in combat sport training.

Relationship Between ACTN3 R577X Polymorphism and Physical Abilities in Polish Athletes.

Abstract Orysiak, J, Busko, K, Mazur-Różycka, J, Michalski, R, Gajewski, J, Malczewska-Lenczowska, J, and Sitkowski, D. Relationship between ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and physical abilities in polish athletes. J Strength Cond Res 29(8): 2333–2339, 2015—The purpose of this study was to examine the association between &agr;-actinin 3 (ACTN3) R577X polymorphism and physical abilities of male athletes performing various sports (volleyball, ice hockey, canoeing, swimming). One hundred eighty-five subjects were recruited for the study. The following measurements were taken: height of jump and power output in countermovement jump and spike jump (SPJ) and muscle strength of 10 muscle groups. The R577X polymorphism of ACTN3 was typed using polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism. The results showed that RR genotype carriers develop greater power output in SPJ than RX and XX individuals (44.6 ± 11.1, 42.6 ± 11.0, and 38.4 ± 7.9 W·kg−1 for RR, RX, and XX genotypes, respectively) and height of jump in SPJ (0.537 ± 0.075, 0.523 ± 0.072, and 0.498 ± 0.053 m for RR, RX, and XX genotypes, respectively). Muscle strength did not differ between genotype groups. This suggests that the ACTN3 gene has a greater impact on determining dynamic movements than influencing static muscle strength.

Strength profile in young male athletes from different sports

Summary Study aim: The aim of the present study was to determine a strength profile which characterizes young male athletes from different sports and to use the method of allometry to synthetically evaluate the muscular strength with respect to body mass. Material and methods: The study included 85 men who practiced taekwondo (8 subjects), 20 judoists, 10 weightlifters, 35 canoeists and 12 speed skaters. Measurements of maximal muscle torques in 10 groups of flexors and extensors of the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee and trunk were carried out in a testing station for muscle torque measurements under static conditions. In order to determine the relationships between the body mass and muscle torques in each muscle group, the authors used a procedure of linear regression for the data expressed as logarithms. Hence, the allometric relationship scaled with body mass was obtained. Results: The study demonstrated that the mean values of logarithms of maximal muscle torques are significantly different for the representatives of individual sports and they depend on the logarithm of body mass. The analysis of residuals was employed for the evaluation of maximal muscle torques. The highest strength profiles were observed in athletes who practice judo and the lowest in those who represented weightlifting and taekwondo. Conclusion: The authors propose to use an allometric relationship which takes body mass into consideration during evaluation of strength in individual muscle groups, because the values of muscle torques are not in direct proportion to body mass and their mutual proportions change with an increase in body mass.

The H-reflex modulation in lying and standing positions in young canoeists

Summary Study aim: to evaluate the differences in H-reflex parameters in lying and standing positions in canoeists. Material and methods: twenty seven male canoeists (age 17.2 ± 1.6 year, body mass 73.7 ± 7.6 kg, height 180.9 ± 6.1 cm, training experience 6.5 ± 3.6 years) participated in the study. None of the subjects had any history of neuromuscular disorders. The soleus H-reflex was examined in each subject twice: in lying and standing position. H-reflex was elicited by one-millisecond electrical stimulation of a posterior tibial nerve in the popliteal fossa. A recruitment curve for each subject was obtained by gradually increasing the stimulus intensity. Results: the results obtained in the present study showed statistically significant differences of the variables characterising effects of stimulations performed in lying and standing positions (F4,23 = 8.063; p < 0.001). H/M ratio was 0.50 ± 0.25 and 0.64 ± 0.27 for lying and standing positions, respectively. Our results support previous findings. Conclusions: the lying position is recommended for measurements as more comfortable for subjects and providing a greater level of the elicited H-reflex.

The assessment of muscle strength symmetry in kayakers and canoeists

Summary Study aim: To determine and compare the muscle strength profile and muscle strength symmetry of kayakers and canoeists. Material and methods: A total of 36 male participants participated in the study, including 25 kayakers and 9 canoeists. Measurements of maximum muscle torque were taken under static conditions for 10 muscle groups: flexors and extensors of the elbow, shoulder, knee, hip, and trunk. Muscle torque was allometrically scaled by body mass. To determine the muscle strength profiles of athletes in both disciplines, residual analysis was used. Two methods were utilized to assess and compare the muscle strength symmetry between left and right limbs. The first one is known as intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The second one is an asymmetry coefficient proposed by authors. Results: The study showed that kayakers obtained lower rates of asymmetry indicators than canoeists in most muscle groups. An overall asymmetry coefficient amounted to 0.77 ± 0.20 and 0.99 ± 0.31 (p < 0.05) for kayakers and canoeists, respectively. Moreover, it was observed that the kayakers and canoeists had similar strength profile. The symmetry assessment of maximum muscle torque corresponds to the characteristics of the studied disciplines. Conclusions: The intraclass correlation coefficient is recommended as a measure of strength symmetry for muscle groups comparisons. The asymmetry coefficient is recommended for comparison of individuals.