Steffen Derlien

Comparison of metabolic adaptations between endurance- and sprint-trained athletes after an exhaustive exercise in two different calf muscles using a multi-slice 31P-MR spectroscopic sequence

Measurements of exercise‐induced metabolic changes, such as oxygen consumption, carbon dioxide exhalation or lactate concentration, are important indicators for assessing the current performance level of athletes in training science. With exercise‐limiting metabolic processes occurring in loaded muscles, 31P‐MRS represents a particularly powerful modality to identify and analyze corresponding training‐induced alterations. Against this background, the current study aimed to analyze metabolic adaptations after an exhaustive exercise in two calf muscles (m. soleus – SOL – and m. gastrocnemius medialis – GM) of sprinters and endurance athletes by using localized dynamic 31P‐MRS. In addition, the respiratory parameters VO2 and VCO2, as well as blood lactate concentrations, were monitored simultaneously to assess the effects of local metabolic adjustments in the loaded muscles on global physiological parameters. Besides noting obvious differences between the SOL and the GM muscles, we were also able to identify distinct physiological strategies in dealing with the exhaustive exercise by recruiting two athlete groups with opposing metabolic profiles. Endurance athletes tended to use the aerobic pathway in the metabolism of glucose, whereas sprinters produced a significantly higher peak concentration of lactate. These global findings go along with locally measured differences, especially in the main performer GM, with sprinters revealing a higher degree of acidification at the end of exercise (pH 6.29 ± 0.20 vs. 6.57 ± 0.21). Endurance athletes were able to partially recover their PCr stores during the exhaustive exercise and seemed to distribute their metabolic activity more consistently over both investigated muscles. In contrast, sprinters mainly stressed Type II muscle fibers, which corresponds more to their training orientation preferring the glycolytic energy supply pathway. In conclusion, we were able to analyze the relation between specific local metabolic processes in loaded muscles and typical global adaptation parameters, conventionally used to monitor the training status of athletes, in two cohorts with different sports orientations.

Beeinflussung posturaler Kontrolle durch Kampfsport – eine narrative Literaturrecherche

Hintergrund: Ziel dieses Artikels ist es, eine Ubersicht der Studien aufzuzeigen, die den Einfluss von Kampfsportarten auf die posturale Kontrolle untersuchen. Methode: Durchsucht wurden die wichtigsten Internetdatenbanken. Die Schlagworter „postural control“, „martial arts“ und deren Kombination grenzten die Suche ein. Die Ergebnisse wurden anschliesend gesichtet und bewertet. Ergebnis: In der Auswertung wurden 15 Studien dargestellt. Es konnten Vergleichsstudien und klinische Studien aufgezeigt werden. Der uberwiegende Teil der Studien kann in den Ergebnissen einen positiven Effekt der Kampfsportarten, auch im Vergleich mit anderen Sportarten, nachweisen. Die Recherche erbrachte wesentliche Erkenntnisse uber Verfahrensweisen zur Bestimmung der Gleichgewichtskontrolle.

Comparison of the Therapy Combinations: Laser Therapy with Manual Therapy Compared to Ultrasound with Manual Therapy at Patients with Disorders of the Lumbar Spine or the Shoulder

Aim of the study: Aim of this study is a comparison of a therapy combination of manual therapy with laser or rather ultrasound at patients with chronic discomforts of the lumbar spine or shoulder region. It should be analyzed to what extent this therapy approaches lead to pain reduction. Methods: In the context of a controlled, randomized, prospective, parallel study 2 times 20 patients were examined. 2 weeks before the beginning of the therapy a wash-out phase was performed. The treatment was executed over 2 weeks 3 times a week followed by a follow-up of 4 weeks. Patients with chronic conservative treated disorders of the lumbar spine or shoulder were included. Results: Both combinations of therapy are able to reduce pain of the treated regions. No significant differences between both groups and regions could be proven. Conclusions: The operated treatment combinations are effective regarding pain of the lumbar spine and shoulder region. The therapeutic effects of the thermotherapies are strongly superposed by the manual therapy.