The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anthropometric, physiological and physical characteristics with success of elite female taekwondo athletes. Forty subjects were selected from elite female taekwondo athletes who won medals in regional and national championships. Individual information forms were completed. The mean age, height and body mass index of subjects were 17.84±3.67 years, 167.56±6.92 cm and 19.12±2.45 kg/m 2 respectively. All subjects were assessed for height, weight, lengths, girths, body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio and skin-fold thickness. Percentage of body fat was calculated from the sum of 3 site measurements of skin-fold thickness. Aerobic and anaerobic power were also calculated using by cooper and Sargent vertical jump tests respectively and then by placing into the standard recommended equations. Speed, agility, muscular endurance and flexibility were assessed using by 36m sprint, 4×9m shuttle run, push-ups and sit-andreach tests respectively. From all of anthropometric, physiological and physical characteristics, anaerobic and aerobic power, body mass index and fat percentage, speed and agility were significantly related to success and had more importance for taekwondo athletes. Thus, these characteristics have a major effect on taekwondo specially, in championship goals and should be considered in talent identification and training planning of this sport.
Background Variable resistance has been shown to induce greater total work and muscle activation when compared to constant resistance. However, little is known regarding the effects of chronic exposure to variable resistance training in comparison with constant resistance training. The aim of the present study was therefore to examine the effects of chain-loaded variable and constant gravity-dependent resistance training on resting hormonal and neuromuscular adaptations. Methods Young women were randomly assigned to variable resistance training (VRT; n = 12; age, 23.75 ± 3.64 years; and BMI, 26.80 ± 4.21 kg m−2), constant resistance training (CRT; n = 12; age, 23.58 ± 3.84 years; BMI, 25.25 ± 3.84 kg m−2), or control (Con; n = 12; age, 23.50 ± 2.93 years; BMI, 27.12 ± 12 kg m−2) groups. CRT performed 8-week total-body free-weight training three times per week with moderate-to-high intensity (65–80% 1RM; periodized). VRT was the same as CRT but included variable resistance via chains (15% of total load). Resting serum samples were taken before and after the 8-week intervention for GH, IGF-1, cortisol, myostatin, and follistatin analyses. Results Both VRT and CRT groups displayed moderate-to-large significant increases in GH (197.1%; ES = 0.78 vs. 229.9%; ES = 1.55), IGF-1 (82.3%; ES = 1.87 vs. 66%; ES = 1.66), and follistatin (58.8%; ES = 0.80 vs. 49.15%; ES = 0.80) and decreases in cortisol (− 19.9%; ES = − 1.34 vs. − 17.1%; ES = − 1.05) and myostatin (− 26.9%; ES = − 0.78 vs. − 23.2%; ES = − 0.82). Also, VRT and CRT resulted in large significant increases in bench press (30.54%; ES = 1.45 vs. 25.08%; ES = 1.12) and squat (30.63%; ES = 1.28 vs. 24.81%; ES = 1.21) strength, with no differences between groups. Conclusions Implementing chain-loaded VRT into a periodized resistance training program can be an effective alternative to constant loading during free-weight RT among untrained young women.
SummaryStudy aim: The purpose of the present research was to determine the physical and physiological features of international level karate athletes. Material and methods: Eleven male karate athletes who were ranked at the top of their weight categories participated in this study. All of them were evaluated for anthropometric, body composition, somatotype and bio-motor characteristics in detail. Results:The main results (mean ± SD) were height: 181.54 ± 4.71 cm; sitting height: 97.27 ± 3.03 cm; arm span: 185.72 ± 7.28 cm; BMI: 25.02 ± 3.32 kg • m -2 ; Rohrer's index: 137.68 ± 16.72; skelic index: 53.58 ± 1.29; arm span (ape) index: 1.02 ± 0.02; fat mass: 7.51 ± 4.56 kg; fat-free mass: 75.26 ± 10.04 kg; body fat: 8.66 ± 3.65; endomorphy: 2.4 ± 0.85; mesomorphy: 5.2 ± 1.13; ectomorphy: 2.11 ± 0.99; VO 2max : 51.58 ± 3.39 ml • kg -1 • min -1 ; anaerobic power: 45.45 ± 4.39 W • kg -1 ; long jump: 249.7 ± 16.81 cm; upper-body strength: 100.27 ± 15.61 kg (1.21 ± 0.07 kg • kg -1 ); lower-body strength: 155.94 ± 19.49 kg (1.89 ± 0.14 kg • kg -1 ); whole-body strength: 156.97 ± 21.38 kg (1.9 ± 0.13 kg • kg -1 ) and flexibility: 37.63 ± 10.73 cm. Conclusions: A tall stature and long arm span, low body fat, markedly high mesomorphic build, moderately high aerobic power, outstanding anaerobic power, excellent lower-body explosive power, great muscular strength and high flexibility seem to be advantageous features for karate contestants.
The purpose of this study was to examine the anthropometric, physiological and physical traits of elite mountain climbers and relationship of these traits to success in mountain climbing. Thirty-eight elite male Iranian mountain climbers (height of 178.68 ± 5.77 cm, body mass index of 23.4 ± 2.78 kg/m 2 and age of 31.26 ± 6.93 years) were assessed for some anthropometric, physiological and physical variables. So that, height, weight, and also length and circumference of limbs were measured. Percent body fat was determined by 3 sites measurements of skin-folds thickness. Aerobic power was assessed via a 12-minute run, anaerobic power was determined using anaerobic step test, Vertical and horizontal jump performance were evaluated with Sargent jump and standing long jump tests respectively, 40 yard dash was used to assess speed, and muscular endurance of torso and upper body were evaluated using sit-ups and push-ups tests. The sum of scores related to sport achievements was considered as the criterion evaluating success of mountain climbers. Anthropometric traits (only age and percent body fat) showed a poor positive relationship (p<0.05) with success. Whilst there were relatively strong relationship between physiological and physical traits including aerobic power (p<0.01), anaerobic power (p<0.01), vertical jump (p<0.05), lower body strength (p<0.01) and muscular endurance of torso (p<0.05) and upper body (p<0.01) with success of mountain climbers. Results indicate the importance of physiological and physical traits compared to anthropometric traits of mountain climbers and successful climbing depends largely on aforementioned characteristics.
Background Studies examining associations of socio-eco-demographic characteristics with physical activity (PA) participation of older adults have produced inconsistent results. Perceived PA barriers may be a possible explanation for the mixed findings. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the correlation of socio-eco-demographic (SED) characteristics with PA of older adults and the moderation effects of perceived barriers of PA. Methods Three hundred eighty-four older adults (≥ 60 years old) were recruited from public places in six different cities. Questions regarding socio-eco-demographic characteristics, PA, and perceived PA barriers were asked, in-person, by two examiners. Ordinal logistic regression models examined the association of socio-eco-demographic characteristics with subjectively measured PA, and the interactive effects of subscales of perceived PA barriers and socio-eco-demographic variables for PA outcomes. Results Significant main effects for PA outcomes were found for education and living status (P < 0.01) and college-educated individuals and those were living in their private houses reported higher PA. Also, 24 significant interactive effects of perceived PA barriers by socio-eco-demographic factors were found (P < 0.05). Significant moderation effects by all subscales of perceived PA barriers were observed for education and living status. The effect of age for the PA outcomes was moderated by “lack of time”, “fear of injury”, and “lack of skill”. Only “fear of injury” and “lack of time” moderated the effect of gender and marriage for outcome variable, respectively. The effect of employment was moderated by “lack of willpower”, “fear of injury”, “lack of skill” and “lack of resources”. Conclusions Novel evidence revealed that there are moderations by perceived PA barriers for the effect of almost all socio-eco-demographic characteristics. These findings highlight a need to consider older adults’ perspectives and perceptions, when it comes to establish policies for PA participation.
SummaryStudy aim: Growth hormone, cortisol, and lactate play an effective role in regulating and stimulating the muscle building process. The current study aimed to investigate the impact of Panax ginseng supplementation on growth hormone, cortisol, and lactate response to intense resistance exercise in young female non-athletes. Materials and methods: Ten non-athlete girls participated in this double-blind counter-balanced crossover study. They were assigned to two groups: the ginseng group and the placebo group. In two 4-week periods, they received the supplement and the placebo. In the first four weeks, 5 participants received ginseng (100 mg daily) and 5 others received placebo (maltodextrin). At the end of the 4 weeks, blood samples (5 ml) were taken to measure blood levels of the factors. Afterwards, the resistance exercise protocol was implemented, and immediately after that blood samples were taken. In the second four-week period, the five participants who had taken ginseng received placebo, and the five subjects who had received placebo took ginseng. The same tests were administered again. Results:The results showed that except for cortisol in the ginseng group, there were significant pre -to post-exercise changes for all 3 indicators in both groups. No significant difference was observed in pre -to post-exercise changes in the levels of GH (p = 0.71), cortisol (p = 0.34), or lactate (p = 0.90) between groups. Conclusions: 100 mg ginseng consumption daily for 4 weeks does not have an impact on the response of GH, cortisol, or lactate to high-intensity resistance exercise in young female non-athletes.
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