Sanja Mancevska

Bioelectrical Impedance Technology in Sports Anthropometry: Segmental Analysis in Karate Athletes

The modern equipment for evaluation of body composition use computerized technology to determine or estimate body components. Having a moderate amount of each component is important for healthy life. Quantification of fat has been prime focus of attention, but many coaches, sport scientists and sport physicians working with elite athletes recognize that knowledge of the amount and distribution of lean tissue, such as bone and muscle, can be just as important in determining sports performance. Bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) estimates the amount of total body water (TBW), fat free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) measuring the resistance of the body as conductor to a very small alternating electrical current. The investigated group was composed of twenty (20) elite level male karate athletes with the following characteristics (mean ± SD): age = 22.5 ±3.6 years, age span (18 to 27 years); height = 179.95 ± 2.3 cm; body mass = 77.5 ± 9.8 kg. Body composition was diagnosed with the InBody 720, multifrequency (1–1000 kHz) bioelectrical impedance analyzer (BIA). Karate athletes are obliged to maintain their body weight within certain range if they want to stay in optimal weight category. Our results showed that Macedonian karatees have symmetrical and balanced distribution between left and right side of the body. The strongest advantage of BIA methodology and InBody devices, compared to other field methods in sports anthropometry, is the segmental lean mass analysis. Monitoring the segmental analysis could help in following the quality of nutritional and training regime or rehabilitation procedure in athletes.

Electrophysiological and Psychological Parameters of Learning in Medical Students with High Trait Anxiety

The aim of the study was to evaluate the learning process in 30 subjects with high trait anxiety (mean TMAS score = 33.9 ± 6.7) and in 30 subjects with low trait anxiety (mean TMAS score = 7.5 ± 2.9) aged 19 to 22 years, using psycho-physiological and psychological tests. The electroexpectogram (EXG) paradigm and a computerized psychological test of pattern recognition (P-R) were used. The Taylor Manifest Anxiety Scale (TMAS) was used for the evaluation of the levels of trait anxiety. The EXG paradigm is an experimental design which is a modified and an expanded auditory CNV paradigm. Based on a biofeedback design, the occurrence of the S2 tone in the EXG paradigm depends on the amplitude of the CNV potential recorded from Cz. If CNV reaches a predefined threshold level, the S2 tone turns off, which causes an extinction of the CNV potential after several consecutive trials. Electrophysiological parameters of the associative learning were: duration of the acquisition and the extinction of the conditioned response, mean amplitude of the contingent negative variation (CNV) during the blocks of acquisition and the extinction of the conditioned response and the speed of the motor response. Psychological parameters included: number of mistakes, number of trials, and time necessary for the P-R test to be completed, as well as the learning efficiency index. The results of the study suggest that subjects with high trait level show significantly slower and less efficient learning process during more complex cognitive tasks compared to subjects with low levels of trait anxiety.

Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis of Body Composition in Karate Athletes Regarding The Preparatory Period // Analiza telesnog sastava karatista bioelektričnom impedansom pre i posle pripremnog perioda

The aim of the paper was to asses changes in body composition using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) methodology in members of national karate team after teen week preparatory training period. The investigation was carried out on 11 male karate contestants, aged 18 to 28 years mean age (21.82± 3.58). The body composition was analyzed with In Body 720. The BIA outcomes were divided in 3 group of variables: body fluid and body composition variables, obesity diagnose variables and segmental analysis variables. All BIA variables were insignificantly higher at second measuring (p>005). Only Body mass index (BMI=24.1 vs 24.55); mineral (4.69 kg vs 4.77 kg) and osseous (3.85 kg vs 3.92 kg), were significantly higher (p≤0.05) after preparatory period. Body fat mass (BFM=10.34 kg vs 10.75 kg, p=0.329) and body fat percent (BF%= 12.73 vs13.22%) insignificantly increased after preparatory period. The skeletal mass has changed from 40.03kg to 40.55kg (p=0.276). Body composition analysis, changes in weight, BMI and body fluids are essential for weight categories dependent sports such as karate. Positive changes in body components and in body fluids suggest that the training process during the preparatory period did not show negative effects on body components and the hydration of the karate athletes.

CNV potential and motor response in Parkinson’s disease patients

Purpose: Although arterio-venous malformation (AVM) is an embryogenesis disorder, it shows tendency for postnatal enlargement, which implies alternate angiogenesis mechanisms, such as reorganization of minor haemorrhages, ischemic lesions, hormonal factors and traumatic aetiology. The paper presents a case of a patient with enlarging AVM shown by neuroradiologic imaging and extending of clinical features. Method: The evolution of the disease is presented by history data, computerized tomography (CT), CT-angiography, neuropsychological and psychiatric findings. Results: 45-year female patient reports frequent headaches, partial seizures and speech difficulties. A head injury in early childhood was reported. She had learning and memorizing difficulties, but completed high school and found a job. Since then she notices speech problems. At the age of 35 she reports frequent numbness and weakness of her right arm and slurred speech and got retired. At the same time arteriography showed AVM. Symptoms aggravated and new angiography ten years later shows enlarged (>6 cm) temporooccipital AVM, supplied by the a. cerebri media and posterior branches and drained into the sinuses. After introducing antiepileptic drugs, no sudden speech interruptions were observed. AVM embolisation was scheduled by a neurosurgeon. Conclusion: The presented case features and untypical evolution and a need for frequent neuroradiological control.