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

Somatotype variables related to strength and power output in male basketball players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between somatotype, muscular strength, power output measured in maximal cycle ergometer exercise bouts, and maximal power output and height of rise of the body mass centre (jump height) measured in akimbo counter movement jump (ACMJ), counter movement jump (CMJ) and spike jump (SPJ), in male basketball players. Methods: Thirteen male basketball players (second division, age 19.4±0.8 years, body height 192.9±5.6 cm, body mass 88.8±8.6 kg, training experience 9.3±0.8 years) participated in the study. Somatotype was determined using the Heath-Carter method. Maximal joint torques were measured under static conditions. Power output was measured in 2 maximal cycle ergometer exercise bouts, 10 s each, with increasing external loads equal to 7.5 and 10.0% of the body weight (BW). All jump trials (ACMJ, CMJ and SPJ) were performed on a force plate. Results: The mean somatotype of basketball players amounted to: 2.8-4.2-3.2. Sum of the joint torques for left and right lower extremities (0.613), trunk (0.631) and all six measured muscle groups (0.647) were significantly correlated (p<0.05) with mesomorphy and ectomorphy. Conclusion: It can be assumed that basketball players’ anthropometric characteristics can influence their level of performance but it is not a decisive factor

Changes of muscle torque after sprint and endurance training performed on the cycle ergometer

The aim of this work was the specification of the influence of the sprint and endurance training performed on the cycle ergometer on changes of muscle torque. Forty three students of the Academy of Physical Education in Warsaw took part in the study. They were divided into 4 groups and performing the cycle ergometer training consisting of 5 intermittent efforts (2 min break): S10 group- the sprint training (maximal efforts performed with the 10% body weight load); S5 group- the sprint training (maximal efforts conducted with 5% body weight load); W80 group – endurance training (the effort power equal 250 W, single – 3 min effort equal 45 kJ, the pedalling rate – 80 rpm, load 31,0 N appended on the cycle ergometer scale); W45 group – endurance training (the effort power equal 250 W, single – 3 min effort equal 45 kJ, the pedalling rate 45 rpm, load 55.0 N appended on the cycle ergometer scale). The four - week sprint training conducted on the cycle ergometer elicited the increase of the torque of the hip extensors and flexors in S10 and S5 group; extensors of the knee joint in S5 group and plantar flexors in S10 group. The four week endurance training carried out on the cycle ergometer caused the increase of the torque of hip extensors in groups W80 and W45, extensors of the knee joint and plantar flexors in group W45 as well the lowering of the torque of hip flexors in W80 and W45 group and the knee joint flexors in all groups. The significant increase of the sum of the 5 examined muscle groups torque was observed after the sprint training only. Some significant differences between the sprint and endurance training considered hip flexors and the sum of 5 examined muscle groups torque. The endurance training elicited the significant decrease of an hip flexors-to-extensors index value in groups W80 and W45 and of the knee joint in group W45

Accelerometer profile of motion of the pelvic girdle in butterfly swimming

Purpose: The aim of the study was to develop a method to measure and analyse kinematics of movement of the pelvic girdle in butterfly swimming in order to support training of technical skills. Methods: A device for recording triaxial accelerations and triaxial rotational angular velocities was mounted on the dorsal part of the pelvic girdle of athlete. The measurements were performed in ten elite butterfly swimmers (age: 23.1 ± 3.7 years, body height: 187.6 ± 4.3 cm, body mass 83.4 ± 6.33 kg). The task of the athlete was to swim one length of short course pool at maximal intensity. Individual mean graphical and numerical profiles of the kinematics of the movement of the pelvic girdle was computed, within the average cycle based on five consecutive cycles. Results: Statistical analysis of numerical individual parameters of profiles of the athletes studied revealed statistically significant differences between the swimmers. Statistically significant correlations were also found between personal best times in 50 m swimming (r = –0.76, p < 0.05) and 100 m swimming (r = –0.76, p < 0.05) and duration of the part of the cycle connected with the decline in velocity from maximum translational motion velocity obtained during propulsion with the upper and lower limbs to minimum value of the velocity obtained before the beginning of propulsion only with the lower limbs. Conclusion: The proposed measurement method, presentation and analysis of the profile of the pelvic girdle motion in butterfly swimming represents a good tool for fast and effective qualitative and quantitative biomechanical evaluation of movement technique components

Contamination of cereal by microscopic fungi and their metabolites cotected in Wielkopolska region

Patogeniczne i toksynotwórcze gatunki grzybów mikroskopowych powodują co roku na całym świecie znaczne straty ekonomiczne. W związku z powyższym konieczne jest kontrolowanie poziomu zanieczyszczenia ziarna zbóż tymi mikroorganizmami oraz ich toksycznymi metabolitami określanymi jako mikotoksyny. W ramach niniejszej pracy przebadano po 15 prób ziarna pięciu gatunków zbóż: takich jak: pszenżyto, pszenica, jęczmień, żyto i owies. Próby pobierano bezpośrednio po zbiorze z magazynów rolników indywidualnych na terenie Wielkopolski w 2007 roku. Oznaczono w nich stężenie ergosterolu (ERG), sumę mikotoksyn z grupy trichotecenów za pomocą chromatografii gazowej sprzężonej ze spektrometrem masowym i chromatografii cieczowej oraz liczbę JTK (jednostek tworzących kolonie) klasyczną metodą zalewową. Stwierdzono, iż pośród analizowanych gatunków zbóż owies i żyto charakteryzowały się najwyższym stężeniem ERG. Natomiast najniższe stężenie tego metabolitu oznaczono w ziarnie pszenicy. Stężenie sumy toksyn wynoszące 0,081 mg/kg było najwyższe w próbach ziarna owsa, a najniższe wynoszące 0,018 mg/kg w próbach ziarna pszenicy. W przypadku jednostek tworzących kolonie, ziarno owsa charakteryzowało się najwyższą liczbą JTK (3,16log jtk/g), natomiast ziarno pszenicy najniższą (l,26log jtk/g). Na podstawie przeprowadzonej analizy statystycznej zaobserwowano wysoce istotną korelacje między stężeniem ERG, a stężeniem sumy toksyn. W żadnej z przebadanych prób nie stwierdzono przekroczenia dopuszczalnego przez UE stężenia mikotoksyn w zbożach nieprzetworzonych.Microscopic fungi are major pathogenic microorganisms affecting quality of cereal products. Their toxic secondary metabolites, called mycotoxins, may have a significant effect on the quality of grain, milling products and as a result also the final product such as baked goods. In view of the fact that the problem of occurrence of microscopic fungi and their toxic metabolites is of considerable importance both in Poland and worldwide it was decided to conducted studies presented in this work. The aim of these investigations was to determine the concentration of ergosterol (HPLC), level of CFU and mycotoxins from the group of trichothecenes (GC/MS) in 15 samples form each five cereal grain (triticale, wheat, barley, rye and oat), collected from Wielkopolska region individual farms in 2007. The highest concentration of ERG was found in oat and rye samples, the lowest was in wheat samples. Content of total toxins was 0,081 mg/kg in oat, but the lowest 0,018 mg/kg in wheat samples. Count of CFU was the highest na oat samples (3,16 log cfu/g), for wheat CFU was 1,26 log cfu/g. Based on the conducted analysis of correlations between concentrations of ERG, total toxins and CFU level for all tested objects positive significant correlations were found between all characteristics. Higher correlation coefficients were found for the dependence of ERG concentration on total toxins, in relation to the correlation of CFU on total toxins

The biomechanical characteristics of elite deaf and hearing female soccer players: comparative analysis

The aim of this study was to examine the differences in body composition, strength and power of lower limbs, height of jump measured for the akimbo counter movement jumps, counter movement jump and spike jumps between deaf and hearing elite female soccer players. Methods: Twenty deaf (age: 23.7 ± 5.0 years, hearing loss: 96 ± 13.9 dB) and 25 hearing (age: 20.3 ± 3.8 years) participated in the study. Their WHR and BMI were calculated. Body fat was measured using the BIA method. The maximal power and height of jump were measured by force plate. Biodex dynamometer was used to evaluate isokinetic isometric strength of the hamstrings and quadriceps. Results: Significant differences between hearing and deaf soccer players in anthropometric values were for the waist and calf circumferences and the WHR index ( p < 0.01, effect size 0.24–0.79). Statistically significant differences were observed for flexion of the lower limb in the knee joint for the relative joint torque and relative power obtained for the angular velocity of 300 degˑs–1 for both lower limbs (p < 0.01, effect size 0.19–0.48) and for 180 degˑs–1 during flexion of the left limb (p = 0.02, effect size 0.13). The hearing female football players developed significantly greater MVC in all the cases. Statistically significant differences between deaf and hearing athletes were found for spike jump for maximal power (1828.6 ± 509.4 W and 2215.2 ± 464.5 W, respectively; p = 0.02, effect size 0.14). Conclusions: Hearing impairment does not limit the opportunities for development of physical fitness in the population of deaf women

Somatotype : variables related to muscle torque and power output in female volleyball players

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between somatotype, muscle torque, maximal power output and height of rise of the body mass centre measured in akimbo counter movement jump (ACMJ), counter movement jump (CMJ) and spike jump (SPJ), and power output measured in maximal cycle ergometer exercise bouts in female volleyball players. Fourteen players participated in the study. Somatotype was determined using the Heath–Carter method. Maximal muscle torque was measured under static conditions. Power output was measured in 5 maximal cycle ergometer exercise bouts, 10 s each, at increasing external loads equal to 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, 10.0 and 12.5% of body weight (BW). All jump trials (ACMJ, SPJ and CMJ) were performed on a force plate. The mean somatotype of volleyball players was: 4.9-3.5-2.5. The value of the sum of muscle torque of the left upper extremities was significantly correlated only with mesomorphic component. Mesomorphic and ectomorphic components correlated significantly with values of maximal power measured during ACMJ and CMJ. Power output measured in maximal cycle ergometer exercise bouts at increasing external loads equal to 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% of BW was significantly correlated with endomorphy, mesomorphy and ectomorphy