Calculating lactate anaerobic thresholds in sports involving different endurance preparation

AbstractThe aim of this study was to establish the degree of similarity of exercise intensity values at the anaerobic threshold (AT) provided by five methods of lactate curve analysis, i.e., LTAT, LTloglog, 1 mmol AT, 4 mmol AT, and D-max. The pattern of similarities and differences was sought in athletes with varying levels of experience and sports skills, representing two disciplines with different prevailing types of power output during competition: on-road cycling (aerobic metabolism) and ice-hockey (anaerobic metabolism).All groups of athletes tested [Group 1: on-road cyclists (n = 19) at international sporting level (participants of the Olympic Games and World Championships); Group 2: on-road cyclists (n = 20) at national sporting level; Group 3: ice-hockey players (n = 24) at international sporting level (Polish National Team); and Group 4: ice-hockey players (n = 22) at international sporting level (Polish National Team U-20)] performed an incremental exercise.The greatest power values at the anaerobic threshold (PAT) were provided by the LTAT (221.93 ± 34.5 W) and 4 mmol AT (226.38 ± 32.33 W) methods, whereas the lowest were provided by the LTloglog (190.71 ± 25.92 W) method. The PAT produced by the LTloglog method was statistically significantly lower (p ≤ 0.001) than the values provided by LTAT, 4 mmol AT, and Dmax. The PAT levels were found to be statistically significantly different for power values determined using the 4 mmol AT and those produced by the 1 mmol AT (p ≤ 0.001) and D-max (p ≤ 0.01) methods. As shown by the analyses, PAT values vary in the international-level on-road cyclists depending on the method of lactate curve analysis applied

Hip abductors and thigh muscles strength ratios and their relation to electromyography amplitude during split squat and walking lunge exercises

Background: The hip abductors (HAB), quadriceps (Q) and hamstrings (H) reciprocal strength ratios are predictors of electromyography (EMG) amplitude during load carrying walking at moderate intensity. Therefore, these strength ratios might predict also the EMG during the exercises as walking lunge (WL) or split squat (SSq) at submaximal intensity. Objective: To determine whether the EMG amplitude of vastus mediali (VM), vastus laterali (VL), biceps femoris (BF) and gluteus medius (Gmed) is associated with muscle strength ratio during SSqs and WLs. To determine whether the EMG amplitude differs between individuals with HAB/H ratio above and below one and between individuals with H/Q or HAB/Q ratio above and below 0.5 during SSqs and WLs. Methods: 17 resistance-trained men (age 29.6 ± 4.6 years) with at least 3 years of strength training performed in cross-sectional design 5 s maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) on an isokinetic dynamometer for knee extension, knee flexion, and hip abduction. The MVIC was used to normalize the EMG signal and estimate the individual strength ratios. Than participants performed WL and SSq for a 5 repetition maximum, to find out muscle activity at submaximal intensity of exercise. Results: The H/Q ratio was associated by Kendall’s tau (τ) with VM (τ = .33) and BF (τ = -.71) amplitude, HAB/Q ratio was associated with BF (τ = -.43) and Gmed (τ = .38) amplitude, as well as HAB/H was associated with VM (τ = -.41) and Gmed (τ = .74) amplitude. ANOVA results showed significant differences between SSq and WL (F(4, 79) = 10, p \u3c .001, ηp2 = .34) in Gmed amplitude, where WL resulted in higher Gmed amplitude compared to SSq. Other significant differences were found between H/Q groups (F(4, 29) = 3, p = .04, ηp2 = .28) in VM and Gmed amplitude, where group with H/Q \u3e 0.5 showed higher VMO amplitude and lower Gmed amplitude. Furthermore, significant difference was found for HAB/H groups (F(4, 29) = 4, p = .02, ηp2 = .34) in VM amplitude, where group with HAB/H \u3c 1 showed higher VM amplitude. Conclusions: The ratios of HAB, H and Q are able to predict Gmed, VM and BF activity during WL and SSq. WL resulted in higher activity level of Gmed than SSq, because WL includes the impact forces as part of lunge movement. WL should be used in resistance-training programme, if the strengthening of Gmed or VM is the aim

Wyłaniające się odmiany kapitalizmu w Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej: przegląd badań

The article contains a review of the most representative theoretical and empirical studies on the emerging varieties/models of capitalism in Central Eastern Europe (CEE). A critical appraisal was made of standard and non-standard approaches found in the subject literature. Specific features of the institutional structure existing in the CEE countries have been indicated which make it difficult to apply the theoretical framework used in the developed capitalist countries. Possible directions of further research on the models of capitalism emerging in CEE have also been delineated together with some proposals of modification and extension of the theoretical and methodological framework of this research

Wyłaniające się odmiany kapitalizmu w Europie Środkowo-Wschodniej: przegląd badań

The article contains a review of the most representative theoretical and empirical studies on the emerging varieties/models of capitalism in Central Eastern Europe (CEE). A critical appraisal was made of standard and non-standard approaches found in the subject literature. Specific features of the institutional structure existing in the CEE countries have been indicated which make it difficult to apply the theoretical framework used in the developed capitalist countries. Possible directions of further research on the models of capitalism emerging in CEE have also been delineated together with some proposals of modification and extension of the theoretical and methodological framework of this research

Wyłaniające się modele kapitalizmu w Polsce i krajach Europy Środkowo-Wschodniej na tle Europy Zachodniej

This article presents the results of the study which aims to enrich the empirical picture and to better understand the nature of capitalism emerging in Poland and other new EU member states from Central and Eastern Europe (CEE11). Our main research goal is to assess the degree of similarity of Poland and other CEE11 countries toward each of the four models of capitalism in Western Europe distinguished by Bruno Amable. Each of these models is represented by an “ideal-typical” western European country. At the average level for the whole analyzed group, the CEE11 countries show the greatest similarity to the Mediterranean model of capitalism, represented by Spain/Italy. At the same time, these countries also exhibit quite high institutional proximity to the continental model of capitalism, represented by Germany

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 (η2 = 0.542), HDL-Ch (η2 = 0.522), LDL-Ch (η2 = 0.587), T (η2 = 0.603), IGF-1 (η2 = 0.512) and GH (η2 = 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

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

Predicting Competitive Swimming Performance

The aim of this study was to present the results of analyses conducted by means of complementary analytic tools in order to verify their efficacy and the hypothesis that Kohonen’s neural models may be applied in the classification process of swimmers. A group of 40 swimmers, aged 23 ±5 years took part in this research. For the purpose of verification of usefulness of Kohonen’s neural models, statistical analyses were carried out on the basis of results of the independent variables (physiological and physical profiles, specific tests in the water). In predicting the value of variables measured with the so called strong scale regression models, numerous variables were used. The construction of such models required strict determination of the endogenous variable (Y – results for swim distances of 200 m crawl), as well as the proper choice of variables in explaining the study’s phenomenon. The optimum choice of explanatory variables for the Kohonen’s networks was made on the grounds of regression analysis. During statistical analysis of the gathered material neural networks were used: Kohonen’s feature maps (data mining analysis). The obtained model has the form of a topological map, where certain areas can be separated, and the map constructed in this way can be used in the assessment of candidates for sports training