The ACTN3 R577X polymorphism has been associated with an elite athlete status. Several studies have determined that the R allele is connected with power-oriented athletic performance, whereas the nonfunctional XX genotype may give some beneficial effect for endurance performance. The main aim of the study was to determine the possible interaction between the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and an endurance athlete status in a group of Polish rowers in comparison with sedentary individuals.121 male Polish rowers, members of academic sports clubs, and 115 unrelated volunteers were recruited for the study. Genotyping for the R577X variant was performed by PCR-RFLP.The genotype distribution amongst the rowers (52.06% RR, 38.85% RX, 9.09% XX) was significantly different from that amongst sedentary individuals (RR-33.5%; RX- 49.60%; XX-17,35%; P = 0.024). A significant excess of the R allele was noted in the rowers (71.48%, P = 0.008) when comparing with the controls (60.0%).The obtained results show that the ACTN3 X allele and XX genotype are underrepresented in Polish rowers and they are not advantageous for the endurance-type athletes in the studied population. On the contrary, the R allele seems to be useful for a top-level rower. However, additional studies are needed to clarify this problem.
Sports serve people with disabilities as a form of rehabilitation. Sporting activity is a health-promoting behavior choice and a chance to achieve the best possible sports results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the intensity of health behaviors in people practicing wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby and para-rowing. The study encompassed 176 athletes with disabilities, aged 19 to 49 (mean age 34.41 ± 8.56), from all over Poland. Men accounted for 83.5% of the respondents. They all had a significant degree of disability and used wheelchairs in their daily lives. The authors used Juczyński’s Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) and the authors’ own survey questionnaire. Nonparametric tests were used. A greater intensity of health behaviors in general (HBI—point score) and in four categories (correct eating habits—CEH, preventive behaviors—PB, positive mental attitude—PMA, health practices—HP) was observed in rugby and basketball players (compared with para-rowers). Disabled rowers achieved the poorest results. Polish Champions scored better results in preventive behaviors (PB) and weaker results in positive mental attitude (PMA)compared with those practicing amateur sport. Respondents who trained every day and had the longest weekly exercise time (>360 min) achieved the highest results in HBI in general and in all categories compared with those who trained once a week for less than 120 min a week. Respondents with higher education, those in a better financial situation, those who were employed and married, and those who were rural residents displayed a greater intensity of health-related behaviors. People in a more difficult financial situation, who had less education, who were cohabiting, and who lived on only a pension presented more preventive behaviors. There is a need for systemic health education aimed at people with disabilities who practice various sports disciplines.
Athletic ability is influenced by several exogenous and endogenous factors including genetic component. Hundreds of gene variants have been proposed as potential genetic markers associated with fitness-related phenotypes as well as elite-level athletic performance. Among others, variants within the PPARA gene that code for the peroxisome proliferator activated receptor α are of potential interest. The main goal of the present study was to determine PPARA (G/C, rs4253778) genotype distribution among a group of Polish, Lithuanian and Italian international level male gymnasts and to compare our findings with those of previous research on the frequency of the PPARA intron 7 C allele/CC genotype in power/strength-oriented athletes. A total of 464 male subjects (147 gymnasts and 317 controls) from Poland (n = 203), Italy (n = 146) and Lithuania (n = 107) participated in the study. No statistically significant differences were found in any of the analyzed cohorts. However, a significantly higher frequency of the CC genotype of the PPARA rs4253778 polymorphism was observed when all gymnasts were pooled and compared with pooled control using a recessive model of inheritance (OR = 3.33, 95% CI = 1.18-10, p = 0.022). It is important to know that we investigated a relatively small sample of male European gymnasts and our results are limited only to male participants. Thus, it is necessary to validate our results in larger cohorts of athletes of different ethnicities and also in female gymnasts to find out whether there is a gender effect.
The aim of the study was to determine the relationship between the quality of life and health satisfaction with the level of sport performance in individuals practicing wheelchair basketball, wheelchair rugby, rowing and individual sports. The research included 192 athletes with disabilities, aged 19 to 49, from all over Poland. Males accounted for almost 80% of the subjects. The group of respondents included people who practice either competitive (classified) (n=66) (World Champions, Polish Champions) or amateur (unclassified) (n=126) sports. The standardized questionnaire of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-BREF) and a self-designed questionnaire were used. Nonparametric statistics were applied in the analyses of the results. The value of p≤0.05 was assumed to be statistically significant. It was found that amateurs felt greater health satisfaction and assessed their quality of life higher than the Polish Champions (p≤0.05). However, in the environmental domain, it was the Polish Champions who achieved better results (p≤0.05). In the social, physical and psychological domains, higher scores were achieved by amateur athletes as compared to the Polish and World Champions (p≤0.05). Wheelchair basketball athletes were more satisfied with their health and quality of life, as well as other domains (apart from environmental), as compared to wheelchair rugby and rowing athletes (p≤0.05). People aged 25-34, with education above the secondary level, employed, felt best about their quality of life. Improving the quality of life should be an important goal in the rehabilitation and training process of people with disabilities practicing sports.
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