VALUE OF SPEED CAPABILITIES IN YOUTH SPEED CLIMBING AT HIGH SPORTS LEVEL

Current research on speed climbing at the senior level shows that speed capabilities are a significant factor determining climbing time. The main purpose of our research was to evaluate the level of speed capabilities among young speed climbers and to examine the relationship between the level of speed capabilities and the results achieved during an international competition. The subjects of the research were girls and boys in the following age categories: Female Youth A (age=16.6), Female Youth B (age=14.5 years), Male Youth A (age=16.87 years) and Male Youth B (age=14.8 years). Measurements of somatic features were included: body height, body weight, percentage of fat tissue and BMI. Speed capabilities were measured with Wingate Test. The significance test of differences showed no significant differentiation within climbing times between the groups of girls and the groups of boys. A strong correlation between climbing time and relative peak power was noticed in the Female Youth B group. The correlation between peak power and climbing time was lower in the other groups. Research showed that in speed climbing, as career progresses, it is importance of other factors rather than speed capabilities that may increase. It can be assumed that with an increase in training experience, motor skills become more essential.

Morphological features and the strength-speed fitness of female volleyballers at a high sports level

Introduction: Modern volleyball requires players to present a high level of strength and speed fitness. Efficiency in this discipline is also significantly determined by the level of development of the somatic features, including especially body height and shoulder range. The main aim of the study was to assess the level of development of the most important morpho-functional features characterizing female volleyball players at high sports level against the background of non-training women. Material and methods: 13 female players representing the 1st league volleyball club took part in the research. The control group consisted of 11 women not exercising any form of competitive sport. Measurements of basic somatic features were carried out: body height, body weight and its tissue components. In addition, explosive strength of the lower limbs tests (CMJ) and the Wingate test was performed. On the basis of statistical analysis, the most important somatic features and motor fitness indicators characterizing I-league volleyballers were selected. Results: The greatest differences between volleyball players and non-training women in terms of morphological features was recorded for lean body mass (LBM [kg], Z = 6.63, p <0.01). However, in terms of motor fitness indicators, the largest differences were found in terms of peak power, average power and CMJ [cm] and CMJ power [W/kg]. Calculated, respectively: Z = 2.59, p <0.001; Z = 3.22, p <0.001; Z = 2.75, p <0.001, Z = 2.54, p <0.001). Conclusions: Our research confirmed importance of selected morpho-functional features conducive to high efficiency of Female’s volleyball. Jumping tests (e.g. CMJ) assessing the motor potential of lower limbs of volleyball players have practical value in the context of recruitment, selection and control of female's volleyball training. The Wingate test, as a diagnostic tool, can be used as an adjunct to retinal specific tests.Wstęp: Współczesna siatkówka wymaga od zawodników prezentowania wysokiego poziomu rozwoju możliwości siłowo-szybkościowych. Efektywność w tej dyscyplinie jest także istotnie determinowana poziomem rozwoju podstawowych cechy budowy somatycznej, w tym przede wszystkim wysokością ciała oraz zasięgiem ramion. Głównym celem badań była ocena poziomu rozwoju najistotniejszych cech morfo-funkcjonalnych charakteryzujących siatkarki występujące na drugim poziomie krajowych rozgrywek ligowych na tle kobiet nietrenujących. Materiał i metody: W badaniach wzięło udział 13 zawodniczek reprezentujących I-ligowy klub siatkarski. Grupę kontrolną stanowiło 11 kobiet nietrenujących żadnej formy sportu. Przeprowadzono pomiary podstawowych cech budowy somatycznej: wysokość ciała, masę ciała i jej komponenty tkankowe. Ponadto zmierzono siłę eksplozywną kończyn dolnych (CMJ) oraz przeprowadzono test Wingate. Na podstawie analizy statystycznej wyselekcjonowano najistotniejsze cechy budowy somatycznej i wskaźniki sprawności motorycznej charakteryzujące I-ligowe siatkarki. Wyniki: Największe zróżnicowanie pomiędzy siatkarkami a nietrenującymi w zakresie cech morfologicznych odnotowano dla masy ciała szczupłego (LBM [kg], Z=6,63, p<0,01). Natomiast w zakresie wskaźników wysiłkowych największe różnice stwierdzono w zakresie piku mocy, mocy średniej oraz wyskoku CMJ i mocy względnej wyskoku CMJ. Obliczono odpowiednio: Z=2,59, p<0,001; Z=3,22, p<0,001; Z=2,75, p<0,001, Z=2,54, p<0,001). Wnioski: Badania własne wykazały i potwierdziły wysokie znaczenie wybranych cech morfo-funkcjonalnych sprzyjających wysokiej efektywności gry w siatkówce kobiet. Testy bazujące na skokach (np. CMJ) oceniające potencjał motoryczny kończyn dolnych siatkarek, mają wartość praktyczną w kontekście naboru, selekcji oraz kontroli treningu w siatkówce kobiet. Test Wingate, jako narzędzie diagnostyczne, może być stosowany jako uzupełnienie do prób o charakterze specyficznym w siatkówce

Cardiac myosin activation with omecamtiv mecarbil in systolic heart failure

BACKGROUND The selective cardiac myosin activator omecamtiv mecarbil has been shown to improve cardiac function in patients with heart failure with a reduced ejection fraction. Its effect on cardiovascular outcomes is unknown. METHODS We randomly assigned 8256 patients (inpatients and outpatients) with symptomatic chronic heart failure and an ejection fraction of 35% or less to receive omecamtiv mecarbil (using pharmacokinetic-guided doses of 25 mg, 37.5 mg, or 50 mg twice daily) or placebo, in addition to standard heart-failure therapy. The primary outcome was a composite of a first heart-failure event (hospitalization or urgent visit for heart failure) or death from cardiovascular causes. RESULTS During a median of 21.8 months, a primary-outcome event occurred in 1523 of 4120 patients (37.0%) in the omecamtiv mecarbil group and in 1607 of 4112 patients (39.1%) in the placebo group (hazard ratio, 0.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.86 to 0.99; P = 0.03). A total of 808 patients (19.6%) and 798 patients (19.4%), respectively, died from cardiovascular causes (hazard ratio, 1.01; 95% CI, 0.92 to 1.11). There was no significant difference between groups in the change from baseline on the Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire total symptom score. At week 24, the change from baseline for the median N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide level was 10% lower in the omecamtiv mecarbil group than in the placebo group; the median cardiac troponin I level was 4 ng per liter higher. The frequency of cardiac ischemic and ventricular arrhythmia events was similar in the two groups. CONCLUSIONS Among patients with heart failure and a reduced ejection, those who received omecamtiv mecarbil had a lower incidence of a composite of a heart-failure event or death from cardiovascular causes than those who received placebo. (Funded by Amgen and others; GALACTIC-HF ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT02929329; EudraCT number, 2016 -002299-28.)