The biological effects of immersion in water, which are related to the fundamental principles of hydrodynamics, may be beneficial in certain training contexts. The effects and physical properties of water, such as density, hydrostatic pressure and buoyancy are highly useful resources for training, when used as a counterbalance to gravity, resistance, a compressor and a thermal conductor. Not only does the aquatic medium enable a wider range of activities to be used in a context of low joint impact, but it also constitutes a useful tool in relation to sports rehabilitation, since it allows the athlete to return to training earlier or to continue with high-intensity exercise while ensuring both low joint impact and greater comfort for the individual concerned. Moreover, this medium enables the stimulation of metabolic and neuromuscular systems, followed by their corresponding physiological adaptations allowing both to maintain and improve athletic performance. Hydrotherapy can also play a beneficial role in an athlete’s recovery, helping to prevent as well as treat muscle damage and soreness following exercise.
This study investigated the effect of recovery duration on repeated anaerobic performance in elite cyclists. The study followed a cross-over design protocol. Twelve elite male cyclists were randomly assigned to three groups (with recovery duration of 1, 2 and 3 min, respectively). All the subjects performed 4 repeated Wingate tests (4 × 30 s WT) at 48 h intervals for three different recovery periods. No significant interaction was observed between the effects of recovery duration and repetition (p>0.05), whereas there was a significant main effect of repetition on peak power, mean power, and a fatigue index (p<0.05). Peak power decreased significantly in repeated WTs with 1 and with 2 min recovery duration (p<0.05), but it did not change significantly in a repeated WT with 3 min recovery (p>0.05). In contrast, mean power decreased significantly in repeated WTs with 1, 2 and 3 min recovery duration (p<0.05). The fatigue index increased significantly in a repeated WT with 1 min recovery duration (p<0.05), but no significant difference was observed in the fatigue index in repeated WTs with 2 and 3 min recovery (p>0.05). In a 4 × 30 s WT, peak power decreased in cycles with 1 and 2 min recovery duration, but remained unchanged with 3 min recovery duration, whereas mean power decreased in all recovery duration procedures. The WT with 1 min recovery duration caused greater fatigue. Although recovery duration affected both peak power and mean power, the effect on peak power was greater.
Background: The purpose of the present study was to compare the influence of two- and five-minute rest intervals on the number of repetitions per set and total repetitions per exercise for a lower-body workout performed in 2 different sequences.Material/Methods: 12 resistance trained men completed 4 experimental resistance exercise sessions. All sessions consisted of 3 sets with a 10-repetition maximum load for 4 lower-body exercises. Two different exercise sequences (i.e., A or B) were performed with either 2- or 5- minute rest between the sets and the exercises, respectively. The order of exercises for sequence A2 (SEQA2) and sequence A5 (SEQA5) was squat, leg curl, leg extension, and calf raise with 2- and 5-minute rest intervals between the sets and the exercises respectively. Conversely, for sequence B2 (SEQB2) and sequence B5 (SEQB5), the exercises were performed in the opposite order.Results: The results demonstrated a significant decrease from set 1 to set 2 in 3 exercises for SEQA2 and 2 exercises for SEQB2; from set 1 to set 3 in all exercises for SEQA2 and SEQB2, 3 exercises for SEQA5, and 2 exercises for SEQB5; and from set 2 to set 3 in 3 exercises for SEQA2, 2 exercises for SEQB2, and 1 exercise for SEQB5 (p<0.05). In addition, the total number of completed repetitions was significantly different (p<0.05) between sequences for squat (SEQA5 > SEQA2 > SEQB5 > SEQB2), leg curl (SEQA5 = SEQB5 > SEQA2 = SEQB2), leg extension (SEQA5 = SEQB5 = SEQB2 > ASEQA2), and calf raise (SEQB5 > SEQB2 = SEQA5 > SEQA2).Conclusions: The results indicate that during a lower-body workout reductions in the number of repetitions are greater for exercises performed at the end of the sequences, and the influence of the different rest interval lengths may depend on the position of the exercise in a sequence.
Purpose. Massage therapy is one of most commonly applied treatments during athletic training. The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of sports massage therapy on reducing post-exercise quadriceps muscle soreness. Methods. A sample of 29 women aged 24-26 years was divided into an experimental group (n = 15) receiving classic sports massage therapy and a control group (n = 14) given no treatment. An exercise session consisting of five sets of deep squat jumps was administered after which lower limb power as assessed via the vertical jump test. Muscle soreness was assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) and exercise intensity with the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion Scale. Subsequent measurements of lower limb power and muscle soreness were performed 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after the exercise session. Differences between the measurements were assessed by the Friedman and least significant difference tests while between-group comparisons involved the Mann-Whitney U test. Results. The largest decrease in lower limb power was observed between the first measurement after the exercise session and 24 h later (p < 0.01). The smallest decrease in power was observed in the massage group. The highest levels of muscle soreness were noted 24 h post-exercise in the massage group and 48 h post-exercise in the control group. The experimental group showed a decrease in muscle soreness in each subsequent measurement, with the results close to zero on the VAS 96 h postexercise. Conclusions. Massage therapy quickened recovery and improved muscle efficiency post-exercise and may serve as an effective treatment of muscle soreness. The analgesic effect of massage suggests it should be widely applied in sport, physical therapy and rehabilitation.
The aim of this work was to estimate the effectiveness of kinesiotaping (KT) in the reduction of delayed-onset muscle soreness (DOMS) of the quadriceps femoris. 41 young women were examined. In the study, two groups applied kinesiotaping - the first with a relaxing application (Group 1); and the second with a lymphatic one (Group 2). Women from the control group used no treatment to help in the exertion restitution. All of the women performed a vertical jump test and training of their lower limbs (5 series of squat jumps). The research tools were the VAS scale (for the estimation of pain) and the Borg Scale (for a subjective estimation of the intensity of effort). The measurements (the vertical jump test and the intensification of the pain) were repeated 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours after the training where the exertion occurred. In all of the groups, the greatest regress of the vertical jump test was observed between the first and the second measurement - and this difference was statistically essential (p<0.01). The least fall in power was noticed in the women who had received the lymphatic KT application; while the greatest fall in results of vertical jump test was observed in the persons with the KT relaxing application. The greatest level of pain in Groups 1 and 2 was noted during the second measurement, which was 24 hours after the training; whereas in the control group, the greatest pain was observed in the third measurement. It can be concluded that the kinesiotaping has a bearing on the acceleration of the regeneration and increased the efficiency of the examined muscles.
Graduated compression stockings have been used as a mechanical method of deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis for several years. Several studies have demonstrated an increase in mean deep venous velocity, reduced venous pooling, improved venous return, and increase blood lactate clearance in subjects who wore graduated compression stockings during exercise. A possible improvement in venous return during and after exercise may facilitate the clearance of metabolites produced during exercise. Also, studies have suggested that compressive clothing can promote tissue regeneration and consequently positively benefit the muscle function following strenuous exercise. However, the results from the previous studies are controversial. Also, the majority of the studies investigated the effects of compression stockings and there is a lack of studies using different compression garments such as compression shorts, shirts and sleeves. Thus, the purpose of this text is to briefly review the possible effects of compression garments on exercise performance and muscle recovery.
The capacity to recover from intense training, competition and matches is considered an important determinant in soccer performance. At present, there is no consensus on the effect of post-training recovery interventions on subsequent training session. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of active (12 min submaximal running and 8 min of static stretching) and passive recovery (20 min sitting on a bench) interventions performed immediately after a training session on anaerobic performances (CMJ, 20 m sprint and Balsom agility test) and lower limb flexibility 24 h after the training. During two experimental sessions, 31 professional soccer players participated in a randomized fully controlled trial design. The first session was designed to evaluate the player's anaerobic performances and lower limb flexibility (pretest). After baseline measurements, participants performed a standardized soccer training during which heart rate and RPE were recorded to evaluate the training load. At the end of the training unit all players were randomly assigned to the active recovery group and the passive recovery group. A second experimental session was organized to obtain the posttest values. Players performed the same test, administered in the same order than in the first trial. No significant differences between groups were observed in heart rate and RPE. No significant effect due to recovery interventions was found on lower limb flexibility and anaerobic performances except CMJ that posttest value was significantly greater in the active recovery group than in the passive group (p < 0.05).
There is a growing understanding that psychiatric treatment is more than psychotherapy and medication, and that people themselves can be active in preventing and handling mental health problems. This brings non-medical solutions into play. Physical activity (in terms of exercise, sport, and fitness) becomes an important contribution in this particular context. The perceived mental and physical benefits of physical activity (both preventative and therapeutic) for people experiencing mental health problems are well documented. Typically, this kind of research focuses narrowly on “size of effect” or “most successful type of intervention” or “exercise versus other treatment.” Less research has explored the lived experience of physical activity and the meaning and relevance it has for individuals in their everyday lives. This article suggests that sport and exercise can play a valuable role in and contribute to the recovery process for young people with mental health problems. Results from an evaluation study of a developmental project in Denmark shows how physical activity affects a person‟s lived experiences, relationships, and pursuits. The findings is discussed in relation to the concept of recovery, especially focusing on exercise as a form of self-care strategy, as an opportunity to create social relationships, and as a way to become part of a meaningful social activity.
Compared to open surgery, laparoscopic treatment has been shown to have several advantages, including lower levels of postoperative pain, faster recovery, and better cosmetic results. Nevertheless, the advantages of laparoscopy are being debated as possibly not being merely related to biomedical factors.Material and methods. The study consisted of two sub-studies. In the first study, 150 healthy, previously unoperated volunteers, not employed in the health services, were included. Healthy volunteers, from the latter study, were given questionnaires that presented different sizes of post-operative wounds and examined their perception of the severity of the illnesses that were treated by surgery leading to these wounds. In the second study, data was collected from 65 laparoscopic cholecystectomy patients and 35 patients treated by the open approach cholecystectomy. Patients from the second study were examined prior to operation and 1 month after surgery with a questionnaire evaluating their subjective perception of the disease.Results. Subjective perception of the severity of disease (SPSD) was similar between the laparoscopy and the open approach cholecystectomy patients before the operation (respectively, 6.25±1.7 and 6.06±2.2; ns). At the follow-up, a significant decrease of SPSD among laparoscopy patients was observed (post-op score = 3.28±0.8, p<0.05 in paired t-Student test), but not in the open approach patients (6.42±1.7, ns in paired t-Student test). The volunteers perceived that the disease of the laparoscopically treated patients was less serious than the disease of those treated with open surgery.Conclusions. The authors would like to emphasize that the study presents a new approach to the explanation of the so called "laparoscopy phenomenon", i.e. much faster and smoother recovery after relatively larger and more serious surgical procedures. We believe that the benefits observed among the videoscopy patients might be, apart from immunological and pain-related factors, attributed to the psychological influence of cognitive representations of the disease severity on pain, analgetics use, and recovery.
Plasma potassium increases with exercise intensity. Subjects (n=8) were monitored for changes in plasma potassium while exercising at progressively increasing steady-state intensities and for two hours of recovery. Plasma potassium was significantly increased at 100% of VO2peak compared to 20% and 40% (p<0.01). Plasma potassium at 60 and 120 minutes of recovery from exercise was significantly higher than 6 minutes post exercise (p<0.015). These results support the supposition that high-intensity exercise may lead to hyperkalemia, and also indicates that increases in [K+] occur up to two hours after the cessation of exercise, a newly reported phenomenon. Although, high levels of plasma potassium are known to cause cardiac abnormalities and related events, exercise induced changes in normal healthy adults are not currently believed to have clinical implications
Introduction Sleep quality and quantity are factors that affect one's cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). Therefore, this study aims to compare the effects of different sleep quality and quantity on VO2max levels. Material and methods 64 participants were involved in this study, and they were divided into two groups based on their sleep quality and quantity. This division was determined by employing sleep pattern questionnaires. Group 1 was comprised of 32 participants with good sleep quality. Generally, they only slept for 6 hours, however, their sleep quality was very good. On the contrary, group 2 consisted of 32 participants with poor sleep quality, irrespective of the fact that their sleep durations were around 7 hours, which is longer than group 1. All participants went through a series of pretest sessions for one week to determine their average heart rate (HR) before and after sleep. Furthermore, they underwent experimental sessions which required them to participate in the cooper 2.4km test to determine their VO2max levels. Results The results show a significant difference in participants' VO2max levels, with the average in group 1 being higher than in group 2 (F = 5.853) (p = 0.018). This result was obtained from statistical tests using a one-way ANOVA. Conclusions This study indicates that having good quality sleep for 6 hours plays a crucial role in maintaining and increasing CRF.
The effect of time, temperature, the catalyst particle size and the ratio of the catalyst weight to the leaching solution volume (S:L) on the treatment of spent vanadium catalyst components was determined using citric acid solutions at atmospheric pressure. The optimal parameters of catalyst leaching in 10% acid solutions at atmospheric pressure are: T = 323 K, t = 4 h, the particle size of less than 0.160 mm, the S:L ratio below 0.1. Under these conditions it was possible to dissolve about 90% of vanadium and potassium compounds and more than 60% of iron compounds contained in the catalyst. These results fall within the scope of research on a comprehensive method for recovering spent vanadium catalyst components.
In the present work, amine based extractant and its mixture with cationic and solvating extractants were tested for the extraction of HCl from chloride solution containing Al(III). The chloride feed solution resulted from the leaching of spent HDS (hydro-desulfurization) catalysts. For this purpose, amine extractants, such as TOA (trioctyl amine), Alamine 336 (a mixture of tri-octyl/decyl amine), Alamine 308 (tri-isooctyl amine), and TEHA (tri 2-ethylhexyl amine) were used and the extraction and stripping behavior of HCl was compared. The extracted HCl was easily stripped from loaded TEHA phase, when compared with the other tested tertiary amine system. Solvent extraction reaction of HCl by TEHA was determined from the extraction data. Unlike TOA and Alamine 336, adding cationic extractant to TEHA had negligible effect on the extraction and stripping of HCl. In our experimental ranges, no Al was extracted by amines and pure HCl was recovered. MaCabe- Thiele diagrams for the extraction and stripping of HCl by TEHA were constructed.
The aim of the study was to examine whether self-selected walking speed during downhill treadmill walking by older adults would result in muscle injury and changes in physiological responses during level walking. Twenty-six participants (age: 67 ± 4 yrs; height: 1.69 ± 0.09 m; body mass: 74.9 ± 13.1kg) were assigned to level (n = 11, 30 min, 0%) or downhill walking (n=15, 30 min, -10%) at a self-selected walking speed. Self-selected walking speed and exercise intensity were similar for both groups (level: 4.2±0.4 km·hr-1, 42±6% VO2max; downhill: 4.6±0.6 km·hr-1, 44±15% VO2max). After 48-hours, downhill walking had reduced maximal voluntary isometric force of the m. quadriceps femoris (-15%, P<0.001), indicative of muscle injury, but no changes were observed for walking economy, minute ventilation, heart rate and respiratory exchange ratio during level walking. For older adults, downhill walking at a selfselected walking speed causes muscle injury without any detrimental effect on walking economy. Regular downhill walking at a self-selected walking speed by older adults is an eccentric endurance activity that may have the potential to improve cardiovascular fitness and muscle strength.
Optimization of training and minimization of injuries are topical for the physical performance of military personnel. Physical and psycho-emotional load, fatigue, sleep deprivation, and dietary limits can lead to the development of oxidative stress (OS) and injuries in specific military training. This study investigated markers of OS and muscle damage in military cadets after a 10-day-long intensive training course and a one-month-long recovery. The sample included 42 cadets (2 females and 40 males) aged from 22 till 34. Myoglobin, catalase activity (CAT), superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), and total antioxidants capacity (TAC) in plasma were measured. OS was assessed by the glutathione index. The results revealed an increasing level of myoglobin, increasing glutathione index, and no changes in CAT, SOD, and TAC during the intensive training course. After the one-month-long recovery, myoglobin was back to normal, the activity of CAT and TAC was higher than before and after the training course, while SOD did not change after the recovery. The glutathione index decreased after the one-month-long recovery, but it was not reached the initial level before the intensive training. In sum, the observed grade of OS positively affected the capacity of the antioxidative system with some sign of a need for a longer rest.