THE RELATIONS BETWEEN BODY COMPOSITION AND SPECIFIC FITNESS ABILITIES OF MEMBERS OF THE SPECIAL BRIGADE OF THE SERBIAN ARMED FORCES

The research was carried out on a sample consisting of the members of the Special Brigade of the Serbian Armed Forces, members of the 63rd Parachute Battalion. A total of 100 participants took part in the study, of an average age of  30±0,5 yrs. The subject matter of this paper are their body composition and specific fitness abilities. The aim of the paper was to determine the correlation between body composition and specific fitness abilities, as well as to determine the cross-correlation between the parameters of body composition and specific fitness abilities. A canonical correlation analysis was used to determine the connection between the set of predictor variables and the criterion variable. Based on the obtained results it could be concluded that there is a significant correlation (p= .010) between body composition and fitness abilities. It can be concluded that the excess of fat tissue (BF%, BFkg, index visceral BF) and BMI have a negative effect on fitness, while a greater amount of muscle mass (MM% and MMkg) has a positive influence on fitness. The results indicate that participants who do not have as many layers of fat have better values for repetitive power of the abdominal muscles, and that the percentage of muscle mass has a positive effect on the repetitive power of the pectoral muscles, muscles of the arms and abdomen

Assessment of gait in patients with fibromyalgia during motor and cognitive dual task walking: a cross-sectional study

Background: The aim of the study was to assess gait pattern of patients diagnosed with fibromyalgia (FM) while performing demanding motor and/or cognitive dual tasks while walking. Further, idea was to explore possible correlations of dual task gait pattern alterations to patients’ functional status and presence or absence of clinical symptoms associated with FM. Methods: Twenty-four female FM patients and 24 healthy female subjects performed a basic walking task, a dual motor, a dual mental (cognitive) and a combined, dual motor and cognitive task simultaneously. Quantitative spatial (stride length) and temporal (cycle time, swing time and double support time) gait parameters were measured using GAITRite walkway system and their variability was assessed. Patients underwent clinical examination including assessment of functional status, pain and fatigue level, psychiatric and cognitive manifestations. Results: The motor, cognitive and combined dual tasks affect gait performance in FM patients. Difference in tasks between FM and healthy subjects was found as double support time prolongation. Comparison of tasks showing that cycle time in FM was longer than controls and stride length was shorter in patients for all conditions, while no changes were found in any of the gait parameters variability. Further, mental/cognitive dual tasks had a larger effect than motor tasks. Correlations were also found between depression and functional status of the patients and the gait parameters. Conclusions: Gait is affected in FM patients while dual task walking. No changes in stride-to-stride variability point that patients preserve stability in complex walking situations. Analysis of gait may provide additional information for the FM identification based on presence of clinical features and cognitive status. Correlation of dual task gait alterations with occurrence of clinical symptoms and influence of cognitive changes on gait pattern could additionally define FM subgroups

SYSTEMATIZATION OF PREVIOUS RESEARCH ON EXERCISES ON THE HIGH BAR

The research was conducted with the aim to classify and systematize all the available studies that deal with exercises on the high bar. This research covered a total of 41 papers, spanning a period from 1990 to 2013. In terms of Code of points it includes as many as 144 elements that are performed and which should be performed at competitions. Of this number, only 18 elements were investigated (based on the collected papers), or 12.5%. This points to the fact that the research on exercises on the high bar, although conducted for a long period of time, is still in the beginning stages. Research of first (long hang swings and turns) and fifth (dismounts) specific requirements dominates. To a smaller extent, research on second (flight elements) specific requirements is represented, and the least attention is devoted to third and fourth requirements.

SYSTEMATIZATION OF PREVIOUS RESEARCHES OF EXERCISES ON PARALLEL BARS

Abstract. Parallel bars is one of the six apparatus of men's artistic gymnastics all- around, based on the great variety of elements performed on this apparatus, as well as of the performing styles and ways of their training. The aim of this paper is to analyze previous studies on parallel bars exercises, and the systematization of research papers related to parallel bars exercises. In code of points (COP) for judging, as many as 168 elements are shown (FIG, 2015) which are performed and which must be performed at competitions on parallel bars. In previous studies there are only 22 elements (13.5%) and they were mainly related to the analysis of the performance techniques of the above mentioned elements. There are no studies dealing with the methodical process of achieving the ideal execution of an element. This only points to the fact that the studies on parallel bars exercises, although conducted over a long period of time, are still in their infancy. Considering the great perspective of elements and the possibility of their upgrade, it is necessary to start with the stuides of elements which are performed through support on the upper arms.Key words: artistic gymnastics, parallel bars, systematization

THE OPTIMAL KINEMATIC MODEL OF THE PERFORMANCE OF THE CLEAR HIP CIRCLE TO HANDSTAND ON THE UNEVEN BARS – A CASE STUDY

The aim of this research was to define the optimal kinematic parameters of performance of the Clear hip circle to handstand on uneven bars (KOVT). The optimal kinematic model defined in this case study represents an example of the successful performance of the Clear hip circle to handstand on the uneven bars. The exercise was performed at the 39th and 40th World Cup in Artistic gymnastics in Maribor (SLO). The kinematic parameters were specified by the APAS 3-D video system (Ariel Dynamics Inc., San Diego, CA), using 16 anthropometric reference points and 8 body segments (Foot, Ankle, Knee joint, Hip joint, Wrist, Elbow joint, Shoulder joint and Head), in which one of the points represents the center of gravity of the body. The female gymnasts (N=15), mean age 17.5 yrs, who performed one Clear hip circle on the uneven bars performed two KOVTs in their gymnastics routine, while the rest performed one KOVT on the uneven bars, mean age 17.5. The main method in this research was kinematic, and the additional one was statistical. Optimizing the technique of successful performance of the KOVT is important for detecting different styles of the technique that occur in female gymnasts

Comparison of antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of extracts obtained from Salvia glutinosa L. and Salvia officinalis L.

Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities as well as total phenols and flavonoids contents of Salvia glutinosa L. (glutinous sage) and Salvia officinalis L. (sage) extracts were studied. Methanol and aqueous ethanol (70% v/v) were used for extraction of bioactive compounds, both in the presence and the absence of ultrasound, from herb and the spent plant material remaining after the essential oil hydrodistillation. The ratio of plant material to extracting solvent was 1:10 g/ml. Antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of the extracts were found to depend on the type of plant material and the extraction conditions. The plant materials from which essential oil had been recovered were proven to be valuable raw materials for making various herbal preparations

EXPLOSIVE POWER IN GYMNASTS: IS THERE ANY SCIENTIFIC BASIS FOR GENDER DIFFERENCES?

Abstract. The purpose of this study was to examine potential differences in vertical jump performance between male and female highly trained gymnasts, and to determine the relationship between parameters of the vertical jump performance and skill difficulty on the floor exercise. Forty-six highly trained gymnasts, comprising 15 female (Mean±SD; age: 21.08±1.83 y, height: 159.37±4.87 cm, mass: 50.88±5.41 kg) and 33 male (Mean±SD; age: 21.5±1.79 years, height: 170.67±4.66 cm, mass: 67.08±6.26 kg) consented to participate in study. Results showed statistically significant differences between male and female gymnasts (P 0.05) were shown between instantaneous powers. Correlation coefficients for CMJ variables were calculated for both groups. Statistically significant positive correlations were found only between D score values and jump height in male gymnasts (0.53) and relative jump power (0.39). Among female gymnasts, statistically significant, but negative correlations between E scores and jump height (-0.64) and with relative power (- 0.65), and between F scores and jump height (-0.52) were found.Key words: artistic gymnastics, vertical jump, floor exercise

OPTIMIZATION OF EFFICIENCY OF WORM GEAR REDUCER BY USING TAGUCHI-GREY METHOD

In this paper the efficiency and output power are considered, as the most important characteristics of the worm gear reducer, and their optimization was performed. As the influencing factors, the viscosity of the lubricant, the input number of revolutions and the current intensity on the control unit, were taken into account. Experimental tests were performed on the basis of the L27 Taguchi orthogonal matrix. Due to multiple output issues, the Grey method was applied. Based on the Grey relational grade using the ANOVA analysis, the optimal combination of factors is A3B2C3 ie. Grey relational grade is the highest for the number of revolutions 2000 min-1, the viscosity of the lubricant 460 mm2/s and current intensity of 0.2 A. Also, Grey relational grade was most influenced by the current intensity on the control unit with 72.1%

Antioxidant activity, the content of total phenols and flavonoids in the ethanol extracts of Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson dried by the use of different techniques

In this study, we have examined the yield of extracted substances obtained by means of extraction using 70 % ethanol (v/v), the content of total phenols and flavonoids, as well as the antioxidant activity of the extracts obtained from the samples of the herbs dried by means of different techniques. Wild mint Mentha longifolia (L.) Hudson was dried naturally in a laboratory oven at a temperature of 45 °C and in an absorptive low temperature condensation oven at 35°C. The highest yield of extracts was obtained from the naturally dried herbs and the lowest from the herbs dried in the low temperature condensation drying oven. The content of total phenols and flavonoids was determined by spectrophotometric methods with an FC reagent and by the complexation reaction with aluminium-chloride, respectively. The extract of the naturally dried herbs had the highest overall content of phenols (113.8±2.0 mg of gallic acid/g of the dry extract) and flavonoids (106.7±0.3 mg of rutin/g of the dry extract). The highest antioxidant activity determined by the FRAP and DPPH assay was determined in the extracts obtained from naturally dried herbs (2.76±0.15 mmol Fe2+/mg of the dry extract and EC50=0.022±0.001 mg/ml), while the lowest was obtained from the extracts of herbs dried in the laboratory oven (1.13±0.11 mmol Fe2+/mg of the dry extract and EC50=0.033±0.001 mg/ml). The HPLC-DAD analysis result show that the greatest content of phenolic compounds show extract obtained from naturally dried plant material. The dominant phenolic component in the all extracts is Kaempferol 3-O-glucoside. The content of all phenolic compound strongly depend on the drying conditions

CHARACTERIZATION OF THE GOLD MERCAPTOTRIAZOLE COMPLEX USING THE TANDEM QUADRUPOLE MASS SPECTROMETRY (TQD)

This work is aimed to characterize the gold complexes using the electron spray ionization (ESI), and atmospheric solids analysis probe (ASAP), tandem quadrupole mass spectrometer (TQD). It is demonstrated here that the use of the ASAP is more suitable than the ESI for a rapid analysis of the gold coatings in the solid and liquid state. The mass spectra indicate that mercaptotriazole and glycine can coordinate with the gold ion and to build complexes such as [Au-2MT-Gly] and [Au-2MT-2Gly]