THE EFFECT OF 8-WEEK PLIOMETRIC EXERCISES ON SOME PHYSIOLOGICAL PARAMETERS OF MALE BASKETBALLERS AGED 10 – 14 YEARS

The aim of this study is to review the effect of 8-week plyometric exercises on vertical jump, flexibility, hand grasping force, sit-up, push-up, balance and sprint performances of male basketball players aged 10-14. The study includes 38 basketball players aged 10-14. Basketball players are divided into two groups as experimental group (n=19) and control group (n=19). Experimental group underwent plyometric exercises three days a week for eight weeks along with their regular basketball exercises. Control group only continued their regular basketball exercises. A week before the study and also after the study, vertical jump, flexibility, hand grasping force, sit-up, push-up, balance and 30 m sprint run test measurements have been taken from both groups. For data analysis, Paired Samples T test and Independent Samples T test were used. As a result, among the pretest and posttest measurements, it is seen that regarding vertical jump, flexibility, hand grasping force, sit-up, push-up and balance test, there is significance (p<0.05) in favor of experimental group. When the pretest and posttest of experimental group are compared, statistical significance is seen (p<0.05) in terms of vertical jump, flexibility, hand grasping force, sit-up, push-up and balance measurements. No statistical significance is seen (p>0.05) between the pretest and posttest values of the control group in terms of vertical jump, flexibility, hand grasping force, sit-up, push-up, balance and 30 m sprint. It can be reckoned that 8 weeks of plyometric exercises applied to male basketball players aged 10-14 have positive effects on vertical jump, flexibility, hand grasping force, sit-up, push-up and balance performances.  Article visualizations

Reviewing the Effect of 10 Days of Intense Exercise Period on Certain Blood Parameters of Tennis Players

This study aims to observe the possible negative effects that might occur on bio-chemistry and hemogram values of tennis players during the intense competition period by comparing the blood values of pre-competition period with 10 days of intense exercise. Blood samples were obtained from tennis team players who do not have any specific health problems and who study in university and regularly exercise. Mean age of the athletes are 22,40 ± 3,20 years and mean height is 179,83 ± 7,57 cm. This study is performed with 14 volunteer tennis players. Blood samples are obtained during the first day of the intense exercise program after the exercise, last day of the exercises and also right after the exercises. As per the obtained data, descriptive statistics are run (mean and standard deviation) and in order to compare the values of before and after the 10 days of intense exercise, Wilcoxon two related sample test was used. As per the results of the blood tests from before and after the exercise period, it is seen that values such as AST, ALT, MCH, MCHC and CK showed statistical significance (P<0.05). The athletes who prepared for the competitions with these values showed positive increases in bio-chemistry and hemogram values

Controversy and Consensus on Indications for Sperm DNA Fragmentation Testing in Male Infertility: A Global Survey, Current Guidelines, and Expert Recommendations

Purpose: Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) testing was recently added to the sixth edition of the World Health Organization laboratory manual for the examination and processing of human semen. Many conditions and risk factors have been associated with elevated SDF; therefore, it is important to identify the population of infertile men who might benefit from this test. The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to indications for SDF testing, compare the relevant professional society guideline recommendations, and provide expert recommendations. Materials and Methods: Clinicians managing male infertility were invited to take part in a global online survey on SDF clinical practices. This was conducted following the CHERRIES checklist criteria. The responses were compared to professional society guideline recommendations related to SDF and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations on indications for SDF testing were then formulated, and the Delphi method was used to reach consensus. Results: The survey was completed by 436 experts from 55 countries. Almost 75% of respondents test for SDF in all or some men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, 39% order it routinely in the work-up of recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL), and 62.2% investigate SDF in smokers. While 47% of reproductive urologists test SDF to support the decision for varicocele repair surgery when conventional semen parameters are normal, significantly fewer general urologists (23%; p=0.008) do the same. Nearly 70% would assess SDF before assisted reproductive technologies (ART), either always or for certain conditions. Recurrent ART failure is a common indication for SDF testing. Very few society recommendations were found regarding SDF testing. Conclusions: This article presents the largest global survey on the indications for SDF testing in infertile men, and demonstrates diverse practices. Furthermore, it highlights the paucity of professional society guideline recommendations. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians

Controversy and consensus on the management of elevated sperm DNA fragmentation in male infertility: A global survey, current guidelines, and expert recommendations

Purpose Sperm DNA fragmentation (SDF) has been associated with male infertility and poor outcomes of assisted reproductive technology (ART). The purpose of this study was to investigate global practices related to the management of elevated SDF in infertile men, summarize the relevant professional society recommendations, and provide expert recommendations for managing this condition. Materials and Methods An online global survey on clinical practices related to SDF was disseminated to reproductive clinicians, according to the CHERRIES checklist criteria. Management protocols for various conditions associated with SDF were captured and compared to the relevant recommendations in professional society guidelines and the appropriate available evidence. Expert recommendations and consensus on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF were then formulated and adapted using the Delphi method. Results A total of 436 experts from 55 different countries submitted responses. As an initial approach, 79.1% of reproductive experts recommend lifestyle modifications for infertile men with elevated SDF, and 76.9% prescribe empiric antioxidants. Regarding antioxidant duration, 39.3% recommend 4–6 months and 38.1% recommend 3 months. For men with unexplained or idiopathic infertility, and couples experiencing recurrent miscarriages associated with elevated SDF, most respondents refer to ART 6 months after failure of conservative and empiric medical management. Infertile men with clinical varicocele, normal conventional semen parameters, and elevated SDF are offered varicocele repair immediately after diagnosis by 31.4%, and after failure of antioxidants and conservative measures by 40.9%. Sperm selection techniques and testicular sperm extraction are also management options for couples undergoing ART. For most questions, heterogenous practices were demonstrated. Conclusions This paper presents the results of a large global survey on the management of infertile men with elevated SDF and reveals a lack of consensus among clinicians. Furthermore, it demonstrates the scarcity of professional society guidelines in this regard and attempts to highlight the relevant evidence. Expert recommendations are proposed to help guide clinicians

IS TESTICULAR MICROLITHIASIS A REALLY INNOCENT CONDITION? ITS EFFECTS ON ONCOLOGICAL OUTCOMES OF GERM CELL TESTICULAR CANCER: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

OBJECTIVES: Although it is a well known condition that presence of testicular microlithiasis (TM) with the co-occurrence of specific risk factors such as history of previous germ cell testicular cancer (GCTC), infertility, undescended testes or atrophic testes have high risks for GCTC development,TM is still a controversial topic. Its effects on oncological outcomes have still not been investigated in detail. In this study, we aimed to evaluate whether the presence of TM has an effect on GCTC prognosis and oncological outcomes

Is dialysis adequacy a useful predictor for sexual function in males and females with end-stage renal disease?

Introduction: The development of sexual dysfunction (SD) in dialysis patients is multifactorial. We aimed to evaluate whether adequate dialysis had an effect on the development of SD in male and female patients undergoing dialysis due to end stage renal disease. Anxiety, depression, health-related quality of life and the other risk factors related to dialysis were also evaluated in terms of SD

RETROGRADE INTRARENAL SURGERY OR PERCUTANEOUS NEPHROLITHOTOMY: WHICH ONE IS MORE EFFECTIVE FOR 1-2 CM RENAL STONES IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS?

INTRODUCTION: Urinary stone disease is less common in pediatric age group and it has an increasing incidence. In this study, our hypothesis is to evaluate if one of the techniques, PNL or RIRS is superior than the other in terms of stone free status (SFR), fluoroscopy time (FT), operation time (OT), complication rate (CR), JJ stent insertion rate, and hospitalization duration (HD) in children

Effects of testicular dysgenesis syndrome components on testicular germ cell tumor prognosis and oncological outcomes

Purpose: To evaluate whether components of Testicular Dysgenesis Syndrome (TDS) affect testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) prognosis and oncological outcomes. According to the hypothesis called TDS; undescended testis, hypospadias, testicular cancer and spermatogenic disorders share the same risk factors and have a combined fetal origin. Materials and Methods:We retrospectively evaluated the stages and oncological outcomes of 69 patients who underwent radical orchiectomy between January 2010 and December 2014 due to TGCT in our department. The presence of undescended testis, hypospadias and semen parameters disorders were recorded according to anamnesis of patients. Results: Among 69 patients with TGCT, only 16 (23.1 %) had TDS. Significantly higher rate of TDS (36.1 % vs. 9.1 %) was observed at the advanced stages of TGCT(p=0.008). In the TDS group, the rates of local recurrence (50 % vs. 11.3%, p<0.001), distant metastasis (93.6% vs. 3.8%, p<0.001) and cancer-spesific mortality (87.5% vs. 3.8%, p<0.001) were found significantly higher than those without TDS. The predicted time for recurrence-free survival (13.70 +/- 5.13 vs. 100.96 +/- 2.83 months, p<0.001) metastasis-free survival (13.12 +/- 4.21 vs. 102.79 +/- 2.21 months, p <0.001) and cancer-specific survival (13.68 +/- 5.38 vs. 102.80 +/- 2.19 months, p<0.001) were also statistically lower in this group. Conclusions: According to our preliminary results, there is an apparent relationship between TDS and tumor prognosis. Even if the components of TDS alone did not contain poor prognostic features for TGCT, the presence of TDS was found as the most important independent predictive factor for oncological outcomes in both seminomas and nonseminomas as well as all patients with TGCT