Sławomir Kujawski

Cognitive tests used in examining effects of physical training in elderly people

Introduction. Cognitive tests are a valuable, sensitive and useful tool for examining the effectiveness of physical training. Purpose. To show which studies are sensitive in examining cognitive changes induced by physical training. We explored meta-analysis with healthy participants and patients with MCI. Materials and methods. Analysis of meta-analysis in the EBSCO database using keywords: meta-analysis, cognitive tests, physical training, elderly. Results. 4 meta-analysis have 10 researches in common; however, diverse of inclusion and exclusion criteria led to inability in obtaining reliable results. Discussion and conclusion. Some cognitive tests seems to be more sensitive in examining results of physical training. Diversity of research methodology induces much difficulties in comparing of studies.

A Review on Neural Factors Correlated with Resistance Training

Neural factors correlated with resistance training seems to be still not understood well. In our article we write about mechanisms of DOMS and prevention to it, the impact of the muscle damage. Resistance training causes changes in the premotor cortex, is correlated with the skill learning and is not neutral to the peripheral nervous system, however, whole mechanism is still unknown. We will write about important factors correlated with resistance training that have neural background already investigated.

Do Changes in Hemodynamic Parameters Depend Upon Length of Sleep Deprivation? Comparison Between Subjects With Normal Blood Pressure, Prehypertension, and Hypertension

The main objective of the study was to analyze the impact of sleep deprivation upon hemodynamic and autonomic parameters in subjects with normal blood pressure (BP) compared to prehypertension and hypertension at 24, 28, and 32 h of total sleep deprivation (TSD). Thirty volunteers, healthy men with current medical tests indicating the absence of disease took part in the study. After physical examination (basic neurological, clinical examination, echocardiography and doppler ultrasound of the renal arteries, evaluation of the autonomic nervous system) subjects were divided into three groups: I – normotensive, II – pre-hypertensive, III – hypertensive (age: 31.2 ± 2.1 vs. 33.5 ± 2.7 vs. 36.8 ± 2.7 years, p > 0.05; BMI: 25.2 ± 0.8 vs. 29.0 ± 1.5 vs. 26.4 ± 1.0 kg/m2, p > 0.05). Hemodynamic and autonomic parameters were automatically measured at rest and in a tilted position with a Task Force Monitor. The Task Force Monitor consists of electrocardiography, impedance cardiography, oscillometric, and continuous BP measurement. Mixed models with random effects was applied in order to analyze the parameters’ dependence on the time and the group of patients. One-way ANOVA or Kruskal–Wallis test were used to detect differences between normotensive, pre-hypertensive and hypertensive groups in each time point. In the pre-hypertensive group 28-h TSD resulted in increased vagal outflow [changes in high frequency heart rate (HR) variability, p = 0.0189], as evidenced by decreased HR (p = 0.0293). Moreover after 24-h TSD and 28-h TSD we observed changes in BP parameters. In hypertensive group, the most important changes in hemodynamic parameters: systolic blood pressure (sBP, p = 0.0031), diastolic blood pressure (dBP, p = 0.0136), cardiac output (CO, p = 0.0439) and changes in HR (p = 0.0063) after tilt test were observed after 32-h TSD. In conclusion, our results show that changes in hemodynamic parameters during sleep deprivation depend on the baseline BP and duration of TSD. What is important, both groups reported a decrease of sBP and dBP during the TSD (pre-hypertensive group after 24, 28-h TSD; hypertensive group after 32-h TSD. In our opinion, this is the first study which considers three homogenous groups in terms of gender: only men, during different points of acute TSD: 24, 28, and 32 h of TSD in laboratory condition.

Effects of 3-months sitting callisthenic balance and resistance exercise on aerobic capacity, aortic stiffness and body composition in healthy older participants. Randomized Controlled Trial

Background: Arterial stiffness (AS) is a reduction in the ability of large arteries to readily accommodate the increase in blood ejected from the heart during systole related with aging. Physical exercise is associated with AS reduction. However, it remains controversial as to which modality and intensity (resistance vs aerobic, high vs low) would be the most effective. The aim of these studies is to examine the effects of 3‐months sitting callisthenic balance (SCB) and resistance exercise (RET) on aerobic capacity, aortic stiffness and body composition in older participants. Material and methods: Aortic pulse wave velocity (PWVao), return time (RT), diastolic reflection area (DRA) and blood pressure (BP) level changes were measured with Arteriograph. Aerobic capacity was examined with 6‐min walk test (6‐MWT) and spiroergometry (VO2max). Body composition was analyzed by Bioelectric Impedance Analysis using Tanita. Results: Significant improvements of BP, PWVao, RT and DRA were observed in the SCB group (p=0.018, p=0.017 and p=0.012, respectively). % of fat mass improved in RET and SCB group (p=0.003, p=0.012, respectively). Visceral fat significantly improved in SCB group (p=0.03). Conclusions: Despite no significant changes in indicators of aerobic capacity (VO2max and 6MWT result) in both groups, significant improvement in all measures of AS, except SBPao were observed in the SCB group, while no AS improvement in the RET group was noted. There were some differences in pattern of body compositions improvement between two groups. HIGHLIGHTSArterial stiffness is related with agingPhysical exercise is associated with arterial stiffness reductionControversies remain about which modality and intensity would be the most effectiveArterial stiffness improvement was observed in sitting callisthenic balance groupNo improvement of arterial stiffness in the resistance exercise group was noted

Effects of Hyperbaric Exposure on the Cardiovascular System. Role of the Autonomous Nervous System

Abstract Introduction Among experienced divers, dive adaptation is seen as a modified pattern of physiological changes. This is reflected, inter alia, in the change in cardiovascular responses, therefore there is need to examine the role of the autonomic nervous system in cardiovascular response modulation after hyperbaric exposure. Material and methods Ten experienced divers took part in the study. The effects of hyperbaric exposure at 30 and 60 meters and interaction (depth x time) were measured. Changes in HR, RRI, CI and HRV values have been taken into analysis. Results Hyperbaric exposure at 30 meters significantly affected HFnu-RRI elevation and decrease of LFnu-RRI (F = 42.92, p <0.00001), without significant affecting the HR, RRI and CI. Exposure to hyperbaric 60 m increased HR and CI (F = 7.64, p = 0.01 and F = 4.89, p = 0.04 respectively) and RRI (F = 7.69, p = 0.01), without significant impact on other variables. The influence of interaction (depth x time) was significant in all measured variables. Conclusions The results indicate that hyperbaric exposure at 60 meters affected HR, RRI, CI parameters, that were not significantly affected by hyperbaric exposure at 30 meters. On the other hand, the exposure at 30 meters showed a significant effect on the LFnu and HFnu HRV, which were not significantly affected by the exposure at 60 meters. Significant effect of time and depth interaction in each of the analyzed variables was observed.

The Effects of Hyperbaric Exposure on Immediate and Delayed Changes in Core Temperature and Its Circadian Fluctuations

Abstract Changes observed in the core body temperature of divers are the result of a multifaceted response from the body to the change of the external environment. In response to repeated activities, there may be a chronic, physiological adaptation of the body’s response system. This is observed in the physiology of experienced divers while diving. The purpose of this study is to determine the immediate and delayed effects of hyperbaric exposure on core temperature, as well as its circadian changes in a group of three experienced divers. During compression at 30 and 60 meters, deep body temperature values tended to increase. Subsequently, deep body temperature values showed a tendency to decrease during decompression. All differences in core temperature values obtained by the group of divers at individual time points in this study were not statistically significant.

The effect of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on the nervous system. Systematic review

Abstract Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) is found among the interests of researchers who seek new methods of treatment of diseases of the nervous system. An increase of the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood within the appropriate range leads to numerous changes in the cells of the brain tissue. In this paper we analyse the results of selected articles describing HBOT used on pathologies of the nervous system such as stroke, autism, multiple sclerosis and cerebral palsy as well as in the course of research on animal models. The results are promising, although some studies struggled with numerous methodological problems and differences in the applied protocols, which resulted in conflicting results in individual interventions. In consequence, the need for further studies in randomised control trials and determination of the protocol by an international group of researchers dedicated to the use of HBOT was emphasised.

Applications of the H-reflex in kinesiology: a systematic review

Summary Study aim: discussion of applications of H-reflex in kinesiology. Material and methods: used keywords H-reflex, Hoffmann reflex, kinesiology, EMG, biomechanics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine to search EBSCO database. Used subsequent results to analyse clinical trials and to review articles. Results: in many studies, authors describe the role of examining H-reflex in biomechanics, orthopaedics, rehabilitation, and sports medicine. Conclusions: the H-reflex seems to be useful for examining progress in orthopaedic and physiotherapy treatment, as well as for analysing aspects of biomechanics. However, it seems that the H-reflex has limitations as a tool for examining training progress in strength athletes, and is not the most efficient in endurance athletes.