The functional preference for the upper limb influences the occurrence of bilateral differences in other segments of the human body. The aim of the study is to assess the influence of the applied fighting technique and targeted physical effort on the occurrence of asymmetry in body musculature and isometric strength in bodybuilders and competitors of selected martial arts. Academic athletes practicing judo (J), jiu-jitsu (JJ), and bodybuilding (BB) were examined. The control group (C) consisted of students who do not practice any sports. The assessment of the body structure was conducted through segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis. Moreover, the study took into account the measurements of left- and right-hand grip strength. In judo, the uneven physical exertion of the right and left sides of the body further increases both directional and absolute asymmetry. Bilateral asymmetry of musculature in jiu-jitsu competitors and bodybuilders occurs to a lesser extent. The control group was characterized by cross-asymmetry. So as to avoid the risk of injury of sportsmen, it is important to consistently supervise and correct their body structure, which also includes the symmetrical participation of the active muscle mass in particular segments. The symmetrisation process should be individualized since each particular sportsman has their own side-to-side body morphology.

In team sports, the varied levels of physical demand associated with different field positions are reflected in the morphofunctional features of the players. The aim of this work was to recognize how the playing position in the team depends on the anthropometric profiles and the strength level of professional handball players. Methods: A body mass, stature, lower and upper extremity length, circumferences and skinfolds were measured in the male professional athletes. The body composition was analysed using a bioelectrical impedance method. Additionally, hand grip and back strength were measured. A statistical analysis was carried out using routinely statistic methods and principal component analysis. Results: Pivot players usually have the most athletic figure in terms of size and weight and relatively short legs. The backs are characterized by the android body type and low subcutaneous fat content, and a large mass of body cells. The backs and pivots have the same strength of back and hand grip. Goalkeepers have relatively long upper and lower limbs and high back and hand grip strength. The wingers are usually slender, have medium length limbs, low body fat percentage, significant extracellular mass and the lowest muscle strength. Conclusions: The results of the multivariate analysis were a notable and valuable addition to the study of morphological and strength differences in a group quite homogeneous like a handball team. The principal component analysis allowed for a reduction of the multidimensional structure to three variables describing body massiveness, strength, and the length and height aspect of the body.

Purpose. The aim of the study was to compare the morphological characteristics of experienced futsal players with professional soccer players. Methods. The research sample included 22 university futsal players and 22 professional soccer players. Parameters including body height and mass, skinfold thicknesses of the trunk and extremities, lower limb length, trunk width, humerus and femur bone breadths, and the circumferences of the chest, hips, thighs, and calves were used to calculate various somatic indices. Somatotyping was performed using the Heath-carter method. Differences in the characteristics between the futsal and soccer players were analyzed using Student's t test. Intragroup analysis was also performed on futsal players depending on player position and compared with the arithmetic means and standard deviations of all variables of the entire sample. Results. compared with their soccer-playing peers, the futsal players were shorter, weighed less, had shorter lower limbs, narrower hips, and smaller hip circumference and bone breadth values. In contrast, higher levels of body fat and endomorphy were noted in this group. The proportion of mesomorphs and ectomorphs were similar in both groups. Futsal goalkeepers were differentiated by greater subcutaneous adiposity and body mass. Defenders had the slimmest body shape, with relatively narrower shoulders and hips, smaller bone breadths, and lower levels of adiposity. The body build of wingers was slightly larger. Pivoters were characterized by greater body height and larger values for the characteristics measuring the lateral trunk dimensions. Conclusions. The observed morphological differences between futsal and soccer players were mainly in body height and height-associated characteristics. This indicates that no specialized approach in futsal recruitment is currently used. This points to the need to develop a specialized approach in the player recruitment stage, as the tactical and technical constructs of futsal set the game apart from other indoor soccer games, finding that futsal players share a number of morphological similarities with handball players.

Purpose. The aim of the study was to determine differences in anteroposterior spine curvatures between futsal players, soccer players, and non-training students. The results may contribute to the development of present-day knowledge of posturometry, and its implementation in training can help reduce the risk of body posture disorders in athletes. Methods. The examined group consisted of 48 athletes and 38 non-training college students. body posture parameters were measured with the use of Posturometr-S. The normality of distribution was checked with the Shapiro-Wilk test, and the differences between the groups were measured with ANOVA and the bonferroni post-hoc test. The level of statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results. The analysis of angle values revealed the widest and most similar measurements in the group of futsal players and soccer players. The analysis of variance proved statistically significant differences between the soccer players and futsal players (p = 0.003). The difference between the soccer players and non-training students was statistically significant. The highest angular value was measured in non-training students, followed by futsal players and soccer players. The statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the non-training students and futsal players, as well as non-training students and soccer players (p < 0.001). Conclusions. A complex assessment of athletes' body posture is crucial in injury prevention. Training overloads may often lead to disorders of the organ of locomotion and affect the correct body posture in athletes. This, in turn, may result in pains and injuries.

No abstract

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the static and dynamic distribution of foot pressure on the ground and to investigate the relationships between body mass index (BMI) and mean variables of plantar pressure between soccer players and their non-athlete peers. (2) Methods: The study involved 18 first-division Polish soccer players and 30 non-athlete physiotherapy students. The research experiment was conducted using the FreeMed platform. Basic descriptive statistics were calculated to summarize the variables. Additionally, in the static and dynamic tests, Spearman’s rank correlations between body mass index (BMI) and plantar load were calculated. (3) Results: Statistically significant differences between groups were observed in the loading of the dominant limb. A statistically significant correlation between BMI and loading of both limbs was found in the static test and between BMI and loading of the dominant limb in the dynamic test. (4) Conclusions: The baropodometric mat used in our study helped determine the plantar pressure distribution of soccer players and their non-athlete peers. Correlation analysis revealed that BMI was only associated with the mean plantar pressure of the dominant limb in the control group. Further research on a larger group of athletes is needed to determine how much sporting activity may affect the development to modifications within feet in soccer players.

BackgroundBalance control has been shown to play a fundamental role both in everyday life and many athletic activities. An important component of balance control is the somatosensory information gained from muscle spindles and Golgi tendon organs. The changes in the muscle-tendon unit stiffness could alter the ability to detect and respond promptly to changes of an unstable environment. One of the procedures affecting muscle stiffness is stretching, and contract-relax PNF stretching (CRS) is considered as one of the safest and most effective techniques. So far, there are no studies on the impact of CRS of hip adductor and abductor muscles on body balance. These muscle groups are responsible for maintaining mediolateral balance which is of particular interest, since it is more affected by ageing and disease and since its deterioration has been associated with an increased risk of falling. In light of the above, the aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of a single dose of contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of hip adductors and abductors on mediolateral dynamic balance.MethodsThe study involved 45 healthy individuals (age 19–23 years) assigned to the intervention group (IG) or the control group (CG). Balance testing was carried out before (Pre) and immediately after CRS in the intervention group or after 5-minute rest in the control group (Post). There were performed three repetitions of the CRS targeting the adductor and abductor muscles of the hip.ResultsStatistically significant differences between Pre and Post condition were observed only in the intervention group. The values of all measured variables defining the body’s dynamic balance were significantly lower immediately after the applied CRS, which indicates an improved body balance: Global Index (p = 0.0001), total area of sway (p = 0.0001), external area of sway (p = 0.00004), external time (p = 0.0004) and reaction time (p = 0.0003).ConclusionsA single dose of contract-relax proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation stretching of the hip adductor and abductor muscles improved mediolateral dynamic balance.

Purpose. Menopause in many women is related to worse health conditions, increased diseases incidence and body mass. The purpose of this research was to investigate whether the differentiation of the involutional changes related to the climacteric period depends on women's physical activity and selected aspects of lifestyle. The following aging indices were analyzed: age of menopause, value of blood parameters, disease incidence, BMI. Basic procedures. The research, conducted in the health care units, was based on the survey approved by the Bioethical Com mittee at the Jagiellonian University. The data of 896 women above the age of 40 were used in the research. Basic statistics were calculated and tests of significance of differences and correlation were applied. Main findings. There is no significant relationship between the level of physical activity, the type of work performed and the age of menopause. However, women performing whitecollar work and practicing sports enter menopause last. In smokers the age of menopause lowered. Women using vegetarian diets and women with high BMI values go through menopause later. High BMI values and nicotine addiction are significantly related to the increased level of blood sugar, diabetes incidence and high blood pressure. The cholesterol level is significantly related to the age of the subjects. The percentage of increased cholesterol level is smaller in women practicing sports who have also significantly lower BMI values than those who do not go in for any sports. Conclusions. The analysis of health and aging indices confirms the highest correlation between BMI and the external factors. Moreover, regarding the specificity of hormo nal changes during climacterium, overweight and obese women go through menopause later.