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Slow Recovery of the Right and Left Ventricular Deformation after Conversion from Atrial Fibrillation
Roman Leischik,
Henning Littwitz
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
13-16
Received:
2 January 2014
Published:
20 February 2014
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a possible complication of sport in middle-aged athletes. When sinus rhythm has been restored, at what time is deformation restored too? This question has never been answered. We studied an one 47-year old cyclist and runner with acute lone atrial fibrillation. A day before, he trained hard intervals and felt at the next day an irregular rhythm, training was not possible. He told this would occure 2 times a year , but after the light training the irregular puls will disappear. At the chest-pain unit we performed echocardiography inclusive strain measurements of the right and left ventricle during atrial fibrillation and immediately after the recovery of the sinus rhythm. He recovered to sinus rhythm during the exercise test. Global strain was at the moment of atrial fibrillation – 11.8%, direct after the recovery of the sinus rhythm -17,2%, and -20.5% at the next day, even though the normalized diastolic function directly after conversion from AF. It seems to be that the heterogenity of the deformation need time to recovery after the conversion to the sinus rhythm, even though the diastolic function seems to be normalized. The further endurance training should be continued only after normalization of deformation values.
Abstract: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a possible complication of sport in middle-aged athletes. When sinus rhythm has been restored, at what time is deformation restored too? This question has never been answered. We studied an one 47-year old cyclist and runner with acute lone atrial fibrillation. A day before, he trained hard intervals and felt at the nex...
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The Effect of Vestibular Stimulation on Eye-Hand Coordination and Postural Control in Elite Basketball Players
William W. N. Tsang,
Shirley S. M. Fong,
Yoyo T. Y. Cheng,
Dinisha D. Daswani,
Hiu Yan Lau,
Carina K. Y. Lun,
Shamay S. M. Ng
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
17-22
Received:
9 January 2014
Published:
28 February 2014
Abstract: The game of basketball requires complex eye-hand coordination and exceptional postural control ability. This study compared eye-hand coordination and postural control before and after vestibular stimulation in trained basketball players with healthy, age-matched controls. Fifteen trained basketball players and 17 healthy adults (all male, age range 19-25 years) were recruited. The participants were required to perform a fast finger-pointing task involving a moving visual target in a standing position, before and after whole head-and-body rotation at 150ºs-1 for 30 s seated in a rotational chair. Results show that the trained basketball players had shorter reaction times in eye-hand coordination tasks (a decrease of 23.3% vs an increase of 8.1% of controls, p=0.008) and regained postural control more quickly (mediolateral direction: 0.4% vs 43.3%; p=0.009; anteroposterior direction: 3.9% vs 21.5%, p=0.038) after vestibular stimulation. These data suggest that vestibular stimulation could enhance balance and eye-hand coordination among young basketball players. The findings may provide information for sports training and further research work.
Abstract: The game of basketball requires complex eye-hand coordination and exceptional postural control ability. This study compared eye-hand coordination and postural control before and after vestibular stimulation in trained basketball players with healthy, age-matched controls. Fifteen trained basketball players and 17 healthy adults (all male, age range...
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The Effects of Eccentric Training on Electromyographic Activity and Performance in Soccer Players
Stergios Komsis,
Georgios Komsis,
Ioannis Gissis,
Christos Papadopoulos,
Dimitrios Patikas,
Lida Mademli,
Panagiotis Papadopoulos,
Vassilis Paschalis,
Ioannis S. Vrabas
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
23-29
Received:
6 February 2014
Published:
28 February 2014
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of eccentric training using a multi-joint dynamometer, on the electromyographic activity of rectus femoris, biceps femoris and medial gastrocnemius during counter movement jumps, drop jumps as well as during maximal eccentric actions. Sixteen amateur soccer players was divided into equal sized groups, the control group who participated in their regular training and the training group who performed 16 sessions (in 8 weeks) of eccentric exercise using a multi joint isokinetic dynamometer. The performance of counter movement and drop jumps were evaluated on a force plate. Additionally, maximal isometric, concentric and eccentric force were assessed on the isokinetic dynamometer. After the eccentric training, the electromyographic activity during the concentric phase of counter movement jumps was found to be increased in rectus femoris (p<0.05) and reduced in biceps femoris (p<0.05). During drop jumps, electromyographic activity of the experimental group found to be increased in the pre-activation phase of gastrocnemius (p<0.05). Additionally, during the takeoff phase of the drop jumps smaller angles for hip and ankle joints were observed (p<0.05). Finally, the electromyographic activity during eccentric strength evaluation were found to be elevated in rectus femoris (p<0.05) and decreased in gastrocnemius (p<0.05). The eccentric training which can cause neural adaptations, faster recruitment of motor units as well as changes in the architecture in muscle tendon system may also cause the alterations in electromyographic activity of leg muscles as observed in the present investigation.
Abstract: The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of eccentric training using a multi-joint dynamometer, on the electromyographic activity of rectus femoris, biceps femoris and medial gastrocnemius during counter movement jumps, drop jumps as well as during maximal eccentric actions. Sixteen amateur soccer players was divided into equ...
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Assessment of Patellar Alignment in Different Postures
Hugo Machado Sanchez,
Eliane Gouveia de Morais Sanchez,
Mario Antonio Baraúna,
Roberto Sérgio de Tavares Canto
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
30-34
Received:
18 November 2013
Published:
10 March 2014
Abstract: Introduction: The evaluation of Q angle is a common clinical practice however standardization regarding the best way does not exist. Objective: Compare the value of the Q angle in different static positions and rotations of lower limbs. Methods: Evaluated 56 volunteers, 30 women and 26 men, in the supine andunder static weight-bearing positions with parallel feet and with outward foot rotation. For calculate Q angle used Computerized Biophotogrammetry. Results: Have significant difference between the static weight-bearing position with parallel feet and static weight-bearing with outward foot rotation in the left side for both the sexes (p=0.00) and between the supine position with outward foot rotation and static weight-bearing with parallel feet of the left side (p=0.03), in the feminine sex. Conclusion: it is concluded that there are no differences between different positions and postures to review the Q angle, however we stress the importance of checking the relaxation of the muscles of the lower limbs.
Abstract: Introduction: The evaluation of Q angle is a common clinical practice however standardization regarding the best way does not exist. Objective: Compare the value of the Q angle in different static positions and rotations of lower limbs. Methods: Evaluated 56 volunteers, 30 women and 26 men, in the supine andunder static weight-bearing positions wit...
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The Relative Age Effect in the 2013 FIFA U-17 Soccer World Cup Competition
Ridha Sallaoui,
Karim Chamari,
Moktar Chtara,
Youssef Manai,
Mourad Ghrairi,
Mohcine Belhaouz,
Abdullah Baroon
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
35-40
Received:
12 February 2014
Published:
20 March 2014
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to check the eventual existence of any Relative Age Effect (RAE) in the recent 2013’ FIFA Male Under-17 (U-17) World Cup Football tournament. The data pertaining to the players who participated in to that event were collected from the FIFA website. They included the players’ dates of birth (day, month and year) and position (goalkeeper, defender, midfielder or striker).The distributions of birth months were significantly different with more players born in the early months of the year compared with the later months. For the entire cohort of players, 38.7% were born in the first quarter of the year while only 10.5% were born in the last 3 months in the same year. This relative age effect held for all FIFA-designated teams except for the Nigeria and the Côte d'Ivoire having shown a reverse relative age effect. The results of this investigation show that at the highest level of youth soccer, the RAE still exists and is a strong bias toward inclusion of players born early in the concerned year.
Abstract: Purpose: The purpose of this study was to check the eventual existence of any Relative Age Effect (RAE) in the recent 2013’ FIFA Male Under-17 (U-17) World Cup Football tournament. The data pertaining to the players who participated in to that event were collected from the FIFA website. They included the players’ dates of birth (day, month and year...
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Physiological Performance and Cardiac Function in Female Ironman- Triathletes
Roman Leischik,
Spelsberg N.,
Littwitz H.,
Dworrak B.
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
41-47
Received:
10 March 2014
Published:
30 March 2014
Abstract: Background: Data about physiological performance of female ironman-triathletes are rare. However, some papers reported endurance sport may cause damage of the right or left ventricle even in females. Aim: The goal of this study was to assess prospectively the right/left ventricular function and physiological performance in female ironman-athletes (middle- and long-distance). Methods: 33 female healthy triathletes were examined using spiroergometry and echocardiography. Inclusion criterion was participation in at least one middle distance triathlon. Results: The triathletes achieved the following results: VO2max 52.8 ± 5.7 ml/min/kg, Wmax 264.0 ± 26.1, VAT (aerobic threshold) VO2 38.5 ± 7.9 ml/min/kg, 193.0 ± 48.4 Watt. In respect of echocardiographic readings LVEDD (left ventricular end-diastolic diameter) was 4.4 ± 0.3 cm and the left ventricular muscle mass (LVM) was 145.9 ± 31.3 g (LVM index 85.8 g/m² ± 18.7). Conclusions: The performance date of female triathletes can be used as training goals for leisure female triathletes, when middle or long distances in triathlon competitions should be finished. In respect of echocardiographic parameters a right or left ventricular dysfunction could not be found despite of long times of training and finishing of long distance competitions (5.4 ± 2.8 years triathlon competitions non-elite and 7.6 ± 5.8 years elite athletes).
Abstract: Background: Data about physiological performance of female ironman-triathletes are rare. However, some papers reported endurance sport may cause damage of the right or left ventricle even in females. Aim: The goal of this study was to assess prospectively the right/left ventricular function and physiological performance in female ironman-athletes (...
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Match Participations, Field Position, Length of Team Membership: Their Impact on Team Cohesion
Gioldasis Aristotelis,
Stavrou Nektarios,
Sotiropoulos Aristomenis,
Psychountaki Maria
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, March 2014
Pages:
48-52
Received:
25 March 2014
Accepted:
8 April 2014
Published:
10 April 2014
Abstract: The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between cohesion and its antecedents (match participations, field position and length of team membership). 173 players of Greek amateur leagues participated in the study. They completed the Greek version of the 18-item Group Environment Questionnaire, and also improvised scales for the other variables in the end of the season 2009-2010. The Cronbach alphas of the Group Environment Questionnaire were satisfied for both task and social cohesion. The MANOVA analyses indicated the existence of statistical significant differences on perceptions of cohesion among players with different number of participations, and length of team membership. However, the MANOVA analysis showed that there were not statistical significant differences on perceptions of cohesion among players of different field position. Specifically, players with less participations perceived lower task and social cohesion than players with more participations. Furthermore, players who were members of their team for shorter period perceived lower social cohesion and higher task cohesion than players who were members for longer. Although the no significant results regarding the relationship between cohesion and field position, some trends showed that goalkeepers and attackers perceived the highest cohesion.
Abstract: The aim of the current study was to examine the relationship between cohesion and its antecedents (match participations, field position and length of team membership). 173 players of Greek amateur leagues participated in the study. They completed the Greek version of the 18-item Group Environment Questionnaire, and also improvised scales for the ot...
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