Knee Dislocation: Comprehensive Rehabilitation Program after Two-Stage Ligament Reconstruction

Knee dislocation is a multi-structure injury that usually requires surgical treatment. One of procedures is two-stage reconstruction that gives possibility to carry out rehabilitation after each of the stages in accordance with the requirements resulting from graft anatomy and biomechanics of the joint. The aim of the study is to analyze possibilities of using created rehabilitation program and to evaluate its effectiveness in a young woman who suffered an accident while practicing sports. The study of peak power shows differences between limbs primarily in maximum strength of the quadriceps muscle. With increasing load, differences in power in knee extension were 32, 17, and 61%. The rate of power development examination on force platform showed similar possibilities of operated and unoperated limb (best 19.5 cm test, 70–74 W/kg/s), however, in each subsequent trial operated limb achieved a worse result, which was not observed in healthy limb. Good results in Lysholm and IKDC 2000 knee assessment questionnaire (in sequence 95 and 81.6 points) 6 months after completed rehabilitation indicate good functional preparation of the joint, which is additionally confirmed by the jump test. Peak power test indicates the need to increase the elements of strength and endurance training in rehabilitation

Changes in Bar Velocity and Muscular Activity During the Bench Press in Relation to the Load Lifted

The purpose of the study was to determine velocity changes in relation to the load lifted along with their muscular activity. Twenty athletes representing different sport disciplines, familiar with the flat bench press took part in the research project. The ANOVA analysis revealed a significantly higher effect on range of mean velocity (F = 128.34; η2 = 1.22 with p = 0.001) and maximal velocity (F = 7 3.31; η 2 = 0 .81 w ith p = 0 .001) t o m easured l oads ( 70÷100% 1-RM) i n a scending p hase. Tukey’s p ost-hoc t ests revealed a statistically significant difference between 70% and 100% 1-RM loads, in mean velocity with p = 0.001 and maximal velocity with p = 0.001. Similarly the results revealed a statistically significant difference between 80% and 100% 1-RM loads in mean velocity (p = 0,012) and maximal velocity (p = 0,021) during the ascending phase. Relationship between velocity and the muscles activity indicates that the anterior deltoid and latissimus dorsi muscles show synergy and a significant relationship for loads 90 and 100% 1-RM. The triceps brachii muscle shows a higher relationship with velocity of the barbell for loads 70% and 80%, then the relationship of the pectoralis major muscle with velocity only for 90% 1-RM

The effects of a 6-week core exercises on swimming performance of national level swimmers

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a 6-week specialized training program aimed at strengthening core muscles to improve the effectiveness of selected elements of a swimming race on a group of Polish swimmers. Sixteen male national level swimmers (21.6 ± 2.2 years) participated in the research. The competitors were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 groups before the data collection process: an experimental (EG, n = 8) and a control (CG, n = 8) group. Both groups of swimmers underwent the same training program in the water environment (volume and intensity), while swimmers from the EG additionally performed specific core muscle training. The task of the swimmers was an individual front crawl swim of 50 m, during which the kinematic parameters of the start jump, turn and swimming techniques were recorded using a video camera system. In both groups, a minor increase in the flight phase was observed at the start (EG = 0.06 m, 1.8%; p = 0.088; CG = 0.08 m, 2.7%; p = 0.013). The time to cover a distance of 5 mafter the turn and the recorded average speed in swimming this distance for the EG statistically significantly improved by 0.1 s (-28.6%; p < 0.001) and 3.56 m�s-1 (23.2%; p = 0.001), respectively. In the EG, a statistically significant improvement in 50m front crawl swimming performance of 0.3 s (-1.2%, p = 0.001) was observed. The results of the research show that the implementation of isolated strengthening of the stabilizing muscles seems to be a valuable addition to the standard training of swimmers

Endocrine Responses to Physical Training and Tribulus Terrestris Supplememtation in Middle-Age Men

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of steroidal saponin supplementation on blood concentration of T, GH and IGF-1. The research involved 14 men between the age of 45 and 60 years. The duration of the experiment was 12 weeks. There were two series of laboratory tests. Independent tests were conducted at the beginning and after 12 weeks of the intervention. A two-way repeated measures ANOVA revealed a statistically significant effect of the intervention on the following variables: T-Ch (&eta;2 = 0.542), HDL-Ch (&eta;2 = 0.522), LDL-Ch (&eta;2 = 0.587), T (&eta;2 = 0.603), IGF-1 (&eta;2 = 0.512) and GH (&eta;2 = 0.621). Thus, FFM significantly increased while TBF and BM decreased in comparison to pre-intervention levels. The analyzed results indicate that treatment or supplementation of individual hormone deficiencies can be a successful form of counteracting the aging process. Nevertheless, the effects of TT supplementation on the concentration of T as well as GH and IGF-1, requires further studies, especially in middle-aged and older subjects, along with different exercise programs. The analyzed results indicate that treatment or supplementation of individual hormone deficiencies can be a major form of counteracting the aging process

An introduction to prediction with the use of artificial neural networks and statistical methods

Podejście statystyczne umożliwia prowadzenie prognoz zdarzeń lub procesów. Wyróżnia się modele regresyjne liniowe i nieliniowe, modele szeregów czasowych oraz modele neuronowe. Predykcja określa przewidywanie przyszłych cech statystycznych zdarzeń losowych, które można zmierzyć. Wyznacza prognozy dla maksymalizacji. Korzyści, jakie wynikają z prognozowania, to: porównywanie, grupowanie, analizowanie zmienności, określania trendów oraz wyznaczania prognoz uzyskanych wyników, z wykorzystaniem optymalnego wektora zmiennych niezależnych predyktorów do wyciągania sukcesywnych wniosków.The statistical approach allows the introduction of predictions of events or processes. Among these are linear and nonlinear regression models, time series models and neural models. Prediction is defined by the anticipation of future statistical characteristics of random events which can be measured, and designates forecasts for maximizing. The benefits which stem from prediction are comparison, grouping, analysis of variation, determinion of trends and setting forecasts of the results obtained with the use of an optimal vector of independent variables predictors for drawing successive conclusions

Effect of power on agility, linear speed and change of direction deficit in female soccer players

Introduction: The aim of the study was to examine relationships between power of the lower limb and agility, speed, and change of direction (COD) deficit in professional female soccer players. Material and methods: Thirty-three elite Polish Extraliga league soccer players (aged 22 ±5 years; body height 166 ± 4 cm; body weight 58 ± 8 kg) performed the following fitness tests: lower limb muscle power (Leg Press, Half Squat, Counter Movement Jump), straight linear speed (SLS 20 m), and COD speed ( Zig-Zag test, COD deficit). Using the median value as a reference, the players were subdivided into two groups (n=17; n=16) according to their LP, HS 60% 1RM, CMJ (High values below median = stronger group and Low = weaker group ). Results: The COD deficit was calculated as the difference between the 20m speed and the Zig-Zag test. The stronger group was better than the weaker group in SLS 20m (p0.05; ES=0.48; 0.34; 0.34) and this affected the COD deficit, which was higher (p<0.05; ES=0.9; 0.73; 0.72). The most important finding was that the stronger group had a higher COD deficit and its improvement (reduction) occurs only if the results of the agility test are improved (through agility training) [Ydeficit All groups=0.10+0.87* 20m - 0.83* Zig-Zag]. Increasing power (HS, LP) lead to the improvement in SLS p<0.05, not to COD abilities. Conclusion: This can be useful for coaches during agility training and to improve COD deficit in soccer players and women in general

Optimizing the load for peak power and peak velocity development during resisted sprinting

Introduction: Resistance towing is perhaps the most specific form of developing strength and power in muscles involved directly during the start, acceleration and at maximum speed. Resisted sprint training may involve towing a sled which provides an overload through the friction between the sled and ground surface or a modern advanced training device which uses drag technology to provide fully controlled resistance during the movement, such as the 1080 Sprint. The main objective of the study was to evaluate the optimal loading for the development of power in the engine assisted drag technology system SPRINT 1080. Material and methods: We evaluated the changes in running velocity and the generated force and power during resisted sprints over 30m with a load of 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 kg. Seven male sprinters with national and international experience participated in the study. Their average age, body mass and body height were 22.2 ± 2.4 years, 77.43 ± 4.63 kg, and 178.6 ± 3.2 cm, respectively. All athletes performed six 30 m sprints with 5 min rest intervals in between. The first sprint was performed without additional resistance, while the remaining 5 were performed in an random order with additional resistance of 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 kg. After receiving a verbal signal, the participant started at will from a semi crouched position. During the resisted sprint trials, the time [s] and the following variables were recorded in peak values: power output [W], generated force [N], and sprinting velocity [m/s]. Results: Our results show that loading with 6 kg decreased sprinting velocity by 9.37% while the generated horizontal power increased by 31,32%. The 6 kg loading on the Sprint 1080device corresponded to 8% body mass, yet as mentioned before the baseline results were not fully free sprinting as the tested athletes reached velocities 0.5-0.6 m/s greater without the harness. Conclusion: Taking into account this fact, our results seem to confirm previous findings, that external loads between 8 and 13% may be optimal for improving power and sprinting speed at the same time

The Impact of Post Activation Potentiation on Achilles Tendon Stiffness, Elasticity and Thickness among Basketball Players

The purpose of this study is to examine and further understand the effects of post activation potentiation on Achilles tendon (AT) thickness, elasticity and stiffness among basketball players. Basketball is one of the world’s most popular and widely viewed sports. One of the main factors which athletes depend on during their performance is elastic energy coming straight from the AT. Contractile activity increases the muscular force and is known in science as post activation potentiation (PAP). Twelve basketball players (aged 21.3 ± 2.1 years) from the first Polish league took part in this study. The PAP session consisted of single repetitions of the squat with loads corresponding to 60%, 70%, 80%, 90% and 100% of 1 repetition maximum (RM). The measurement method for AT thickness was ultrasonography and for the elasticity and stiffness was myotonometry. The measurements were taken before and immediately after PAP training session. Obtained results: AT stiffness increased significantly from the baseline post exercise, while AT thickness and elasticity decreased after the physical effort. The exercise in PAP caused significant changes in stiffness, elasticity and thickness of the AT