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Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach

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A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Sport and Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2023) | Viewed by 22477

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Bartłomiej Michał Niespodziński

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Guest Editor

Institute of Physical Education, Kazimierz Wielki University, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: proprioception; gymnastics; strength training; electromyography

Prof. Dr. Patrycja Lipińska

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Guest Editor

Institute of Physical Education, Kazimierz Wielki University in Bydgoszcz, 85-064 Bydgoszcz, Poland
Interests: sport performance analysis; sport biomechanics; pacing

Dr. Jan Mieszkowski

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Guest Editor

Department of Gymnastics and Dance, Gdańsk University of Physical Education and Sport, 80-336 Gdańsk, Poland
Interests: sport science; sport performance; biochemistry; sport physiology
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sports training is fundamental in improving athletes’ performance to the point where they can participate in and even win championships. It changes the morphological and physiological aspects of the human body, allowing it to withstand increasing loadings, though it could also result in injuries and other disorders. In the general population, awareness of the beneficial effects of sports and other physical activities in the form of health training is also increasing. These two approaches to physical activity may differ in their goals but use many similar adaptive mechanisms that are yet to be fully explored, described, and explained. Therefore, it is up to professionals in the fields of sports and health training to provide answers to pressing questions.

This Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health welcomes original articles and critical reviews related to the impact of sports and health training among various disciplines and occupations, as well as the effects on overall human wellbeing. Research areas may include (but are not limited to) the following: training effects in aspects of biomechanics, physiology, morphology, psychology, and others; new training methods and their effectiveness; the role of coaches and other members of support staff; injuries and other sport-related risks; determinants of sporting success.

Dr. Bartłomiej Michał Niespodziński
Prof. Dr. Patrycja Lipińska
Dr. Jan Mieszkowski
Guest Editors

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Keywords

physical activity
sports training
health training
performance
injury prevention
public health

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Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

10 pages, 782 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Influence of Fatigue on the Characteristics of Physiological Tremor and Hoffmann Reflex in Young Men

by Joanna Mazur-Różycka, Jan Gajewski, Joanna Orysiak, Dariusz Sitkowski and Krzysztof Buśko

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(4), 3436; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20043436 - 15 Feb 2023

Viewed by 1384

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between changes in physiological tremor after exercise and changes in the traction properties of the stretch reflex indirectly assessed using the Hoffmann reflex test. The research involved 19 young men practicing canoe sprint (age 16.4 ± 0.7 years, body mass 74.4 ± 6.7 kg, body height 182.1 ± 4.3 cm, training experience 4.8 ± 1.6 years). During resting tests, Hoffmann reflex measurements were performed from the soleus muscle, physiological tremor of the lower limb, and the blood lactate concentration was determined. Then, a graded test was carried out on the kayak/canoe ergometer. Immediately after the exercise and in the 10th and 25th minute following the exercise, Hoffmann’s reflex of the soleus muscle was measured. The physiological tremor was measured at 5, 15 and 30 min after exercise. Blood lactate concentrations were determined immediately after physiological tremor. Both the parameters of Hoffmann’s reflex and physiological tremor changed significantly after exercise. There were no significant interrelationships between Hoffmann reflex measurements and physiological tremor in resting and post-exercise conditions. No significant correlation was detected between changes in physiological tremor and changes in Hoffmann reflex parameters. It is to be assumed that there is no connection between a stretch reflex and a physiological tremor. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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11 pages, 1386 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying Paddling Kinematics through Muscle Activation and Whole Body Coordination during Maximal Sprints of Different Durations on a Kayak Ergometer: A Pilot Study

by Y. M. Garnier, P. M. Hilt, C. Sirandre, Y. Ballay, R. Lepers and C. Paizis

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(3), 2430; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20032430 - 30 Jan 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2174

Abstract

Paddling technique and stroke kinematics are important performance factors in flatwater sprint kayaking and entail significant energetic demands and a high strength from the muscles of the trunk and upper limbs. The various distances completed (from 200 m to 1000 m) require the athletes to optimize their pacing strategy, to maximize power output distribution throughout the race. This study aimed to characterize paddling technique and stroke kinematics during two maximal sprints of different duration. Nine nationally-trained participants (2 females, age: 18 ± 3 years; BMI: 22.2 ± 2.0 Kg m⁻¹) performed 40 s and 4 min sprints at maximal intensity on a kayak ergometer. The main findings demonstrated a significantly greater mean stroke power (237 ± 80 W vs. 170 ± 48 W; p < 0.013) and rate (131 ± 8 spm vs. 109 ± 7 spm; p < 0.001) during the 40 s sprint compared to the 4 min sprint. Athletes used an all-out strategy for the 40 s exercise and a parabolic-shape strategy during the 4 min exercise. Despite the different strategies implemented and the higher muscular activation during the 40 s sprint, no change in paddling technique and body coordination occurred during the sprints. The findings of the present study suggest that the athletes constructed a well-defined profile that was not affected by fatigue, despite a decrease in power output during the all-out strategy. In addition, they regulated their paddling kinematics during the longer exercises, with no change in paddling technique and body coordination. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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12 pages, 1406 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of 12-Week Progressive Sandbag Exercise Training on Glycemic Control and Muscle Strength in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Combined with Possible Sarcopenia

by Yu-Hsuan Chien, Chia-Jen Tsai, Dean-Chuan Wang, Pin-Hung Chuang and Hwai-Ting Lin

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(22), 15009; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192215009 - 15 Nov 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5984

Abstract

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at a three-fold increased risk of developing sarcopenia compared to those without diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate whether an intervention involving progressive sandbag exercises is beneficial to patients with T2DM and possible sarcopenia in terms of enhancing muscle strength and controlling blood sugar levels. Forty patients with T2DM and possible sarcopenia (age > 50 years) were recruited and randomly divided into resistance training and control groups. Resistance exercises for the upper and lower extremities were performed using sandbags (0.5 kg at the beginning to 1 kg after 1 month). Patients in the control group were asked to maintain their usual daily lifestyle. After 12 weeks, the training group were significant better than the control group in terms of glycosylated hemoglobin, the five times sit-to-stand test, skeletal muscle mass and calf circumference, and the physiological domain of the World Health Organization Quality of Life Questionnaire. In conclusion, these simple home exercises are beneficial to patients with T2DM combined with possible sarcopenia. This approach can assist patients in controlling their levels of glycosylated hemoglobin as well as improve physical fitness and quality of life. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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14 pages, 1533 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Long-Term Trends in Changes in Physical and Motor Development Observed among Physiotherapy Students from Bydgoszcz in 2011–2020

by Andrzej Lewandowski, Zuzanna Piekorz, Jadwiga Sarwińska and Marcin Siedlaczek

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 14444; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192114444 - 4 Nov 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1621

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of the study is to assess the changes in somatic and motor characteristics in adolescents studying physiotherapy from 2011–2020. It was hypothesized that there was no secular trend of morphological features, its maintenance in endurance, increased sexual dimorphism and the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the observed characteristics. Materials and methods: Young people studying at the Collegium Medicum in Bydgoszcz were examined. Basic somatic features, endurance and coordination were measured. WHR, BMI and dimorphism indices were calculated based on the results from 538 female and 217 male examined students. Results: There was a decrease in body height with an increase in body weight in relation to the values recorded in the years 2001–2010 (BMI: women D = 0.49, Z = 2.9192; men D = 0.93, Z = 3.5746; WHR women D = 0.01, Z = 2.88491; men D = 0.02, Z = 3.5746), an increase in sexual dimorphism and a significant increase in the waist circumference of women (R2 = 0.008, p (F) = 0.0353) year by year by 0.3099 cm (p = 0.035). Conclusions: The obtained results and the comparisons made allow us to assume that some people studying physiotherapy may have problems with meeting the standards that require physical effort. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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10 pages, 1242 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quality of Life in Yoga Practitioners—Research Conducted on a Population of Polish Yogis

by Zuzanna Piekorz, Agnieszka Radzimińska, Andrzej Lewandowski and Roman Ossowski

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(19), 12023; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191912023 - 23 Sep 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1991

Abstract

Background: The aim of the study is to determine the quality of life of a population of healthy adult yoga practitioners and the correlation between the features of yoga practice and the quality of life. Methods: A total of 300 people aged 35–50 years were examined and divided into two groups. The respondent (SG; n = 150) was a yoga practitioner, and the control (CG; n = 150) did not practice yoga. The original questionnaire and the quality-of-life questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) were used. The chi-square test, the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, the Mann–Whitney U test, the ANOVA Kruskal–Wallis test and the linear regression model were used. The significance level was set at p < 0.05. Results: Yoga practitioners are characterised by a significantly greater overall satisfaction with the quality of life (U = 9794.50; p < 0.05), a higher level of health satisfaction (U = 9194.50; p < 0.01) and higher satisfaction with quality life in terms of the results of somatic domains (U = 7579.00; p < 0.001), psychological (U = 8554.00; p < 0.001) and environmental domains (U = 7919.5; p < 0.001). A relationship was observed between the experience of yoga practice and the assessment of the quality of life in terms of physical functioning. Conclusions: The practice of adult yoga positively influences the assessment of their quality of life in the physical, mental and environmental spheres. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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12 pages, 367 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Is Physical Activity an Effective Factor for Modulating Pressure Pain Threshold and Pain Tolerance after Cardiovascular Incidents?

by Katarzyna Leźnicka, Maciej Pawlak, Agnieszka Maciejewska-Skrendo, Jacek Buczny, Anna Wojtkowska, Grzegorz Pawlus, Anna Machoy-Mokrzyńska and Aleksandra Jażdżewska

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(18), 11276; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191811276 - 8 Sep 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1656

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether regular physical activity can alter the pressure pain threshold, pain tolerance, and subjective pain perception in individuals who have experienced a cardiovascular event. The study involved 85 individuals aged 37 to 84 years (M = 65.36) who qualified for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation, which consisted of 24 physical training sessions. The patients were all tested twice: on the first and last day of the outpatient cardiac rehabilitation program. Assessments of the pressure pain threshold and pain tolerance were performed with an algometer. To assess the pain coping strategies, the Pain Coping Strategies Questionnaire (CSQ) and parenting styles were measured retrospectively with subjective survey questions. The main results of the study showed that patients achieved significantly higher pressure pain thresholds after a physical training cycle (ps < 0.05, η² = 0.05–0.14), but found no differences in the pain tolerance (ps > 0.05). A lower preference for the better pain coping strategy explanation (ß = −0.42, p = 0.013) and growing up in a family with a less neglectful atmosphere (ß = −0.35, p = 0.008) were associated with increased pressure pain threshold after physical training. The results suggest that physical activity is an important factor in modulating the pressure pain threshold. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

14 pages, 1136 KiB

Open AccessArticle

CCL2 Gene Expression and Protein Level Changes Observed in Response to Wingate Anaerobic Test in High-Trained Athletes and Non-Trained Controls

by Agnieszka Maciejewska-Skrendo, Maciej Tarnowski, Patrycja Kopytko, Andrzej Kochanowicz, Jan Mieszkowski, Błażej Stankiewicz and Marek Sawczuk

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(16), 9947; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19169947 - 12 Aug 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1921

Abstract

Intensive, acute exercise may bring a large systemic inflammatory response marked by substantial increases in inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. One such chemokines–CCL2–is a key factor involved in inflammatory reaction to exercise. The direct aim of the study was to describe the changes in the CCL2 expression levels after anaerobic exercise in well-trained athletes adapted to long-term training and in non-trained participants. The expression of CCL2 mRNA was evaluated in peripheral blood MNCs and CCL2 protein level was observed in blood plasma. The changes were assessed as the response to an acute, intensive bout of exercise (Wingate Anaerobic Test) in two groups of participants: well-trained soccer players and non-trained individuals. An increase of CCL2 expression inn both mRNA and protein levels was observed. The response was greater in non-trained individuals and elevated levels of CCL2 transcripts persisted for more than 24 h after exercise. Well-trained individuals responded more modestly and the effect was attenuated relatively quickly. This shows muscular adaptation to a continuous training regime in well-trained individuals and better control of immune reactions to muscular injury. In non-training individuals, the induction of the inflammatory response was greater, suggesting presence of more serious myotrauma. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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17 pages, 1180 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Implications of Adipose Tissue Content for Changes in Serum Levels of Exercise-Induced Adipokines: A Quasi-Experimental Study

by Kinga Humińska-Lisowska, Jan Mieszkowski, Andrzej Kochanowicz, Aleksandra Bojarczuk, Bartłomiej Niespodziński, Paulina Brzezińska, Błażej Stankiewicz, Monika Michałowska-Sawczyn, Anna Grzywacz, Miroslav Petr and Paweł Cięszczyk

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(14), 8782; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148782 - 19 Jul 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2465

Abstract

Human adipocytes release multiple adipokines into the bloodstream during physical activity. This affects many organs and might contribute to the induction of inflammation. In this study, we aimed to assess changes in circulating adipokine levels induced by intense aerobic and anaerobic exercise in individuals with different adipose tissue content. In the quasi-experimental study, 48 male volunteers (aged 21.78 ± 1.98 years) were assigned to groups depending on their body fat content (BF): LBF, low body fat (<8% BF, n = 16); MBF, moderate body fat (8–14% BF, n = 19); and HBF, high body fat (>14% BF, n = 13). The volunteers performed maximal aerobic effort (MAE) and maximal anaerobic effort (MAnE) exercises. Blood samples were collected at five timepoints: before exercise, immediately after, 2 h, 6 h, and 24 h after each exercise. The selected cytokines were analyzed: adiponectin, follistatin-like 1, interleukin 6, leptin, oncostatin M, and resistin. While the participants’ MAnE and MAE performance were similar regardless of BF, the cytokine response of the HBF group was different from that of the others. Six hours after exercise, leptin levels in the HBF group increased by 35%. Further, immediately after MAnE, resistin levels in the HBF group also increased, by approximately 55%. The effect of different BF was not apparent for other cytokines. We conclude that the adipokine exercise response is associated with the amount of adipose tissue and is related to exercise type. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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12 pages, 1340 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Elbow Joint Position and Force Senses in Young and Adult Untrained People and Gymnasts

by Bartłomiej Niespodziński, Jan Mieszkowski, Stanisław Sawczyn, Kazimierz Kochanowicz, Adam Szulc, Mariusz Zasada and Andrzej Kochanowicz

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(13), 7592; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19137592 - 21 Jun 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1779

Abstract

Joint position (JPS) and force senses (FS) are the proprioception modalities. While the development of JPS was investigated both in children/adult and athlete/untrained conditions, there is a lack of insight into the development of FS. Overall, 28 gymnasts and 25 untrained controls underwent proprioception testing. They were divided into two groups: 9 to 11-year-old boys (13 gymnasts and 10 non-athletes) and 18 to 25-year-old adults (15 gymnasts and 15 non-athletes). The testing was performed at an isokinetic dynamometer and included elbow JPS and FS (20% and 50% maximal voluntary contraction) tasks. Children had two times higher error in JPS (p < 0.01) and 50% higher errors in FS of both flexor (p < 0.001) and extensor muscles (p < 0.05) in comparison with adults. Only in the 50% maximal voluntary contraction task, gymnasts showed 33% lower error than the controls (p < 0.01). Untrained boys presented 54%, 132%, and 169% higher error for elbow flexor performance than young gymnasts, untrained adults, and adult gymnasts, respectively (p < 0.01). The 9 to 11-year-old participants were characterized by a lower precision of JPS and FS performance in comparison with adults. Gymnastic training can possibly accelerate the development of FS when higher loads are considered. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Sports and Health Training—a Multidimensional Approach)

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