Purpose. competitive performance in swimming depends on a number of factors including, among others, the development of relevant muscle groups. The aim of the study was to clarify the relationship between muscle strength and swimming velocity and the role of individual muscle groups in front crawl swimming. Methods. sixteen physical education university students participated in the study. The strength values, defined as torque produced during isometric contractions, of eight upper and lower extremity muscle groups were measured. Data were compared with participants' front crawl swim times in the 25m and 50m distances. Results. correlation analysis demonstrated a relationship between muscle strength and swimming velocity. statistically significant relationships were observed between swimming velocity and the torque values of the elbow flexor and shoulder extensor muscles as well as the sum of upper extremity muscle torque values (p < 0.05). Conclusions. The results indicate the need for a focus on training those muscle groups identified as having a statistically significant relationship with swimming velocity for a given distance, as the sample showed deficiencies in the strength of those muscle groups responsible for generating propulsive force in the front crawl. Additionally, the collected data can serve as a diagnostic tool in evaluating the development of muscle groups critical for swimming performance.

Introduction: The problem of constipation in Poland concerns 13.4% of the healthy population. In the case of patients treated with opioids, this number increases to 70-90%, which constitutes a serious problem that lowers the patients’ quality of life. The aim of the study was to assess the effects of abdominal massage, which successfully reduces constipation in various diseases, on palliative care patients. Material and methods: The research included 18 patients of a palliative care facility (mean age 78.3 ± 10 years), 11 of whom completed the study. The study participants were randomly divided into two groups, i.e. a pilot group (abdominal massage and kinesiotherapy) and a control group (kinesiotherapy). The therapy lasted 8 weeks and blind evaluation was carried out once per week. The study involved evaluating constipation intensity (The Bowel Function Index), the frequency of defecation (medical documentation) and abdomen circumference (anthropometric tape). The collected data were analysed statistically with the use of Statistica software. Results: The observed differences between the studied groups undergoing different therapies in subsequent weeks were not statistically significant. However, in the group in which abdominal massage was implemented, a decrease in the intensity of constipation, an increase in the frequency of defecation and a reduction in abdomen circumference were noted compared to the control group. The patients also indicated additional positive effects of this form of therapy, i.e. an improvement in breathing, easier urination, release of excessive gas and abdominal pain reduction. Conclusions: The collected data led to the conclusion that abdominal massage may result in a decrease in disorders accompanying opioid-induced constipation. Therefore, it is worth considering the implementation of this form of therapy in the case of patients in an advanced stage of cancer. There is also a need for further research in this field which will include a larger number of patients.

This study aims to determine main health-related anthropometric and metabolic parameters in young physically active male students in their first year of study. Sixty one male students from a Polish university of physical education were studied twice–at the beginning of their first and second academic years. Body weight, height, waist circumference, and body composition were measured. Plasma levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), leptin, cortisol, and insulin, as well as insulin resistance (IR) using the homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) were determined. In 64% of the participants body weight and body mass index (BMI) significantly increased during the study. An average students’ weight gain amounted to 1.2 kg. In most of the subjects it resulted from the increase of fat-free mass (r = .886, p < .001). TSH and leptin levels did not change, but a significant increase of cortisol levels and a tendency toward decreased insulin levels and also HOMA-IR values were observed. However, there were no significant correlations identified between the changes in anthropometric and biochemical parameters. The study revealed that body weight gain seen in male students during their first year at the university of physical education was mainly due to the increase in fat-free mass. Apart from anthropometrics, changes in their insulin and cortisol levels were also detected, but further studies are required to evaluate these findings. The documented insufficient energy and carbohydrates consumption in physically active male students proves the need for nutritional education among them.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of long-term running training on muscle strength of men aged 50 and above. The study involved two groups of men aged 50 and above: physically active (E, n = 34) and inactive (NE, n = 20). Body composition was assessed with the electrical bioimpedance method. The isometric maximum voluntary contraction (MVC) was the main measurement. The value of muscle torque achieved by a group of synergists (operating in the given joint) during a short isometric contraction was evaluated. Ten groups of flexor and extensor muscles of the elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, and torso joints were measured. In addition, a 3 s measurement of grip strength of the right (F r ) and left (F l ) hand was taken using a hand dynamometer. The obtained values enabled to calculate the symmetry index (SI). Men who had been running regularly were characterized by a significantly lower strength level ( p < .05). Results in the NE group were determined to a great extent by significantly different body weights ( p < .001) and a significantly higher body fat mass (FAT) content ( p < .001). SI was statistically higher in the reference group ( p < .05). Long-distance run training reduces FAT while maintaining a high level of muscle strength. These studies indirectly confirm the effect of strengthening slow-twitch motor units in men aged 50 (Doherty & Brown 1993; Kanda & Hashizume 1989). In addition, stimulating the body through physical effort helps it also to maintain a high level of strength symmetry, which is a preventive factor in reducing the number of injuries.

Background: This study assesses curved track effects on fatigue symmetry and lower limb muscle activity while taking maximum velocity running kinematics into account. Methods: Polish master class athletes were examined (age 24.6 ± 3.67 years, bm 78.9 ± 6.02 kg, and bh 186.1 ± 6.63 cm). The measurements were made on a 400 m synthetic surface athletics track. The DelSys 16 channel system was employed to measure the activity of the right and left leg muscles. The kinematic variables of the run were obtained using a 3-axis accelerometer built into the recorder. Results: The study revealed curved track effects on asymmetric muscle activity and running kinematics in the first two sections of the run. On the first curve, the symmetry index (SI) was 8.1%, while in on straight, it was 11.5%. Moreover, significantly lower values of the fatigue index b were found for the right limb (F(3.36) = 6.504; p = 0.0152). Conclusions: A reduction of asymmetric muscle activity is linked with compensatory muscle stimulation triggered by the nervous system and with adjusting running kinematics to changing external conditions. Therefore, the main focus further research should be on the optimal interaction between stride length and frequency in relation to the muscle activity corresponding to the track geometry.