Purpose. Osteoarthritis (OA) remains the most prevalent musculoskeletal disorder globally. Patients with OA and concomitant post-COVID syndrome may exhibit a more severe disease course, characterized by frequent exacerbations and enhanced joint inflammation. This study aimed to improve the effectiveness of rehabilitation in patients with osteoarthritis of large joints who had previously experienced COVID-19 by developing and implementing differentiated methods of combined kinesiotherapy. Materials & Methods. The study cohort included 72 patients (aged 36–62 years) with knee and hip osteoarthritis who had a history of COVID-19 and presented with post-COVID syndrome. Patients were randomly assigned to two groups: the control group (Group I, n=36) received basic therapy combined with standard therapeutic physical activity, while the intervention group (Group II, n=36) underwent a specialized, differentiated combined kinesiotherapy program alongside basic therapy. The comprehensive examination algorithm included clinical assessment, the Lequesne algofunctional index, the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC), the EuroQol-5D-5L (EQ-5D-5L) questionnaire, and the Post-COVID-19 Functional Status (PCFS) scale. Results. Evaluation of the personalized combined kinesiotherapy course revealed functional capacity, quality of life, and post-COVID status improvements in both groups. However, the intervention group demonstrated a highly significant therapeutic advantage across all evaluated parameters (p<0.001). Specifically, pain scores on the WOMAC scale decreased 4.5-fold, joint physical function improved nearly threefold, and the Lequesne index regressed to minimal manifestations (median (Me): 2.0 points). According to the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, patients in the intervention group achieved a complete absence of limitations (Me: 1.0 point) across both everyday functional and psycho-emotional domains. Furthermore, analysis of the PCFS scale revealed that 83.3% of patients in the intervention group achieved a complete recovery of functional status (Grade 0), whereas in the control group, this outcome was observed in only 33.3% of cases (p<0.001). Conclusions. The utilization of a personalized, differentiated course of combined kinesiotherapy within the complex rehabilitation of osteoarthritis patients who have suffered from COVID-19 significantly enhances overall rehabilitation efficacy, systematically mitigates post-COVID functional limitations, and substantially improves their long-term quality of life.
Purpose. Perimenopause is associated with progressive altered autonomic regulation manifesting as sympathetic hyperactivation and impaired parasympathetic modulation, increasing cardiovascular and psychological vulnerability. Heart rate variability (HRV) provides a validated, non-invasive index of cardiac autonomic regulation. Yoga-based interventions incorporating controlled breathing and meditation may favorably modulate sympatho-vagal balance, yet robust randomized controlled trial (RCT) evidence in perimenopausal women specifically examining assessment of selected HRV indices is lacking. Objective: to evaluate the effect of an eight-week structured yoga intervention combining Bhramari pranayama and chakra meditation on HRV time-domain parameters (RMSSD, pNN50, heart rate) and frequency-domain parameters (LF power, HF power, LF/HF ratio) in peri-menopausal women. Materials & Methods. Parallel-group, single-blind RCT. Sixty perimenopausal women (40–55 years) were randomized (1:1) to a yoga intervention group (n=30) or a waitlist-control group (n=30). The yoga group received 60-minute supervised sessions five days/week for eight weeks, incorporating Bhramari pranayama (20 min) and chakra meditation (20 min). Short-term HRV (5 min, supine) was recorded using a validated ECG-based system and analyzed per Task Force (ESC/NASPE 1996) standards. Primary outcomes: RMSSD, pNN50, LF/HF ratio. Secondary outcomes: heart rate, systolic blood pressure, LF power, HF power. Between-group changes were compared by ANCOVA (baseline-adjusted). Effect size: Cohen's d. Results. Fifty-six participants completed the trial (28 per group; retention: 93.3%). Yoga group demonstrated significant post-intervention improvements vs. controls: RMSSD (34.7±7.1 vs. 23.4±6.0 ms; Δ=+12.3 ms, 95%CI: 9.1–14.5, p<0.001, d=1.89); pNN50 (18.6±4.9 vs. 9.1±3.5%; Δ=+10.4%, p<0.001, d=2.50); HF power (+113.8 ms², p<0.001, d=1.74); LF/HF ratio (2.1±0.8 vs. 3.7±1.1; Δ=−1.7, p<0.001, d=1.63); LF power decreased (−93.8 ms², p<0.001); heart rate decreased (74.5±6.4 vs. 82.1±7.8 bpm, p<0.001); systolic BP reduced (119.8±8.7 vs. 128.1±10.0 mmHg, p=0.001). All effect sizes were large (d=1.07–2.50). No adverse events were recorded. Conclusions. Eight weeks of yoga combining Bhramari pranayama and chakra meditation produced large-magnitude improvements across all HRV time-domain and frequency-domain parameters in peri-menopausal women, indicating a clinically meaningful restoration of sympatho-vagal balance. These findings support yoga as an evidence-based, non-pharmacological autonomic intervention in peri-menopausal care.
Purpose. To assess the effectiveness of an individualized psychological training programme as an intervention aimed at supporting recovery and maintaining cognitive performance and preventing psychophysiological exhaustion in basketball players aged 12–14 years during the annual macrocycle. Materials & Methods. The study involved 71 male basketball players aged 12–14 years at the basic training stage, who were divided into control (CG, n=35) and intervention (IG, n=36) groups. During the 52-week macrocycle (624 hours of total workload), a 52-hour (8.3% of the time) program of individualized psychological support was implemented in the IG, which included progressive muscle relaxation, diaphragmatic breathing, cognitive decompression and individual consultations. The CG followed the standard training programme without specialized psychological training. Assessment of verbal memory (Luria's "10-word" test), attention and mental stability (Schulte tables) was carried out under conditions of acute physical fatigue. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics version 26, using Student's t-test (p<0.05). Results. Under conditions of physical fatigue, the IG showed a statistically significant advantage over the CG in terms of immediate (6.48±0.19 vs. 5.95±0.18 words, p<0.05) and delayed recall (8.44±0.11 vs. 7.90±0.17 words, p<0.001), work efficiency according to Schulte tables (39.66 vs. 43.59 s, p<0.001) and mental stability coefficient (0.93 vs. 0.99 arbitrary units, p<0.001). Conclusions. Individualized psychological intervention provides reliable protection of the central nervous system from cognitive dysfunctions against the background of fatigue, increases stress resistance and may optimize psychophysiological adaptation of athletes during the pubertal growth spurt.
Purpose. To investigate the characteristics of changes in the activity of heart rate regulatory systems in normal-weight and overweight adolescents performing various training regimens during bodybuilding training. Material & Methods. 80 adolescents aged 14–15 were examined. Participants in Group A (40 boys) had a baseline body fat percentage (BF%) of 15.1%. Group B comprised 40 overweight participants, with a body fat percentage of 39.8%. There were no statistically significant differences in height between the participants in the study groups. During the 12-week bodybuilding programme, participants in subgroups A1 and B1 followed a low-intensity training regimen (Ra=0.57). Participants in subgroups A2 and B2 followed a high-intensity training regimen (Ra=0.71). The heart rate variability method was used to assess functional reserves and adaptive capacity. Baseline body fat percentage was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis. Results. After 12 weeks of bodybuilding training, the basal activity of heart rate regulatory systems decreased by 10-fold in members of subgroup A2 (LF/HF –58.8%) compared with subgroup A1. At the same time, adolescents in subgroup A1 showed an increase in the central regulatory circuit of the sinus rhythm (VLF +3.2%). In contrast, participants in subgroup A2 exhibited a 6.7% reduction in baseline VLF against a background of increased parasympathetic activity (LF +20.5%). In response to the exercise test, participants in subgroup A1 exhibited a shift in the autonomic balance towards sympathetic regulation (LH/HF +23.1%) accompanied by an increase in VLF (+4.4%). In participants of subgroup B1, an increase in LF/HF (+5.3%) was recorded against a background of increased LF (+7.5%). Meanwhile, in subgroup B2, a shift in the autonomic balance towards parasympathetic regulation (LF/HF –42.1%) was observed. In response to the exercise test, subgroup B1 participants showed not only a shift in autonomic balance towards sympathetic regulation (LF/HF +19.5%), but also an increase in the central regulatory circuit of the sinus rhythm (VLF +12.1%). An increase in vagal influence on the sinus node (LF/HF –9.2%) was observed in the adolescents in subgroup B2 in response to the exercise test. Conclusions. The study results showed that using high-intensity exercise (Ra=0.71) during extended bodybuilding training helped to reduce the heart rate regulatory load in overweight adolescents. Such adaptive and compensatory responses occurred both at rest and after the exercise test. These findings indicate pronounced long-term adaptation accompanied by increased functional reserves and enhanced adaptive capacity. Under a low-intensity training regimen (Ra=0.57), overweight adolescents enhanced the central regulatory circuit of the sinus rhythm during a bodybuilding training programme. At the same time, such changes occur against the background of a shift in autonomic balance towards sympathetic regulation, which, under certain conditions, indicates not only the activation of the body’s compensatory responses to a physical load but also possible manifestations of non-functional overexertion.
Purpose. Accessible resting and functional-test indices are widely used to monitor athletes, yet whether their interrelations are independent of body size and differ by autonomic tone across game sports is unknown. We compared morphofunctional, cardiovascular and autonomic indicators of athletes of five game sports and tested the interrelations of these indicators, including adjustment for body size and stratification by autonomic-regulation type. Materials & Methods. In a cross-sectional design, 206 qualified male athletes of five game sports (water polo, basketball, volleyball, handball, football) underwent anthropometry, spirometry, handgrip dynamometry, resting blood pressure measurement and the Martinet–Kushelevsky functional test (20 squats in 30 s). Classical indices (body mass index, vital index, Pignet, Robinson, Kerdo, Baevsky adaptation potential) and cardiovascular reactivity/recovery indices were computed. Kruskal–Wallis tests with epsilon-squared effect size, Spearman correlations with Benjamini–Hochberg correction, partial correlations adjusted for age and body mass, and separate correlations within sympathico- and parasympathicotonic subgroups (Kerdo sign) were applied; a sensitivity power analysis was performed. Results. Groups differed in most indicators, mostly with large effects. Of 300 pairs, 155 associations were significant (FDR<0.05). Lower resting heart rate related to a stronger heart-rate response, and reactivity to the completeness of recovery; these autonomic–recovery associations persisted after adjustment for age and body mass, whereas anthropometric–respiratory links were partly body-size-mediated. Several associations were more pronounced in parasympathicotonics. Conclusions. Accessible indices carry non-redundant, tone-dependent information about athletes’ functional state, supporting their combined, autonomic-type-stratified interpretation in monitoring.
Purpose. Adolescent girls experience heightened psychological stress affecting academic performance. This study examined the differential effects of traditional yogic practices with and without OM chanting on anxiety, self-confidence, study skills, assertiveness, mindfulness, and academic performance. Materials & Methods. A randomised controlled trial was conducted with 180 adolescent girls aged 14-17 years, who were randomly assigned to yoga with OM chanting (n=60), yoga without OM chanting (n=60), or a control group (n=60). The intervention consisted of 60-minute sessions, five days per week for 12 weeks. Primary outcomes included anxiety (Taylor's Manifest Anxiety Scale), self-confidence (Agnihotri Rekha Self-Confidence Questionnaire), study skills (M Kanchana Study Skills Inventory), assertiveness (Rathus Assertiveness Scale), mindfulness (Mindful Attention Awareness Scale), and academic performance (cumulative grade percentage). Analyses used ANOVA and post-hoc tests. Results. The yoga with OM chanting group demonstrated superior outcomes: anxiety decreased by 42.3% (from 28.4±6.2 to 16.4±4.8) versus 31.7% in yoga without OM chanting (from 28.6±6.4 to 19.5±5.2); self-confidence increased by 38.5% versus 26.8%; mindfulness improved by 44.2% versus 32.1%; and academic performance increased by 18.7% versus 12.4%. Effect sizes for the OM chanting group ranged from medium to large (Cohen's d=0.68-1.24). Conclusions. Traditional yogic practices significantly enhance psychological well-being and academic performance in adolescent girls, with OM chanting providing additional therapeutic benefits. These findings support integration of yoga-based interventions in school settings for adolescent mental health promotion.
Purpose. Ukrainian web-development students face prolonged wartime stressors, yet psychosocial support tailored to this group remains scarce. We examined whether adding brief soft-skills training to group-based psychosocial support produced greater reductions in self-reported post-traumatic stress symptoms than support alone in students screening positive for probable PTSD. Materials & Methods. In a three-arm quasi-experimental study with random allocation (March–September 2024), 181 students scoring ≥33 on the PCL-5 (used as a screening instrument, not for clinical diagnosis) were allocated to monitoring only (Arm A, n=60), twelve weekly online psychosocial support sessions (Arm B, n=59), or support plus four soft-skills modules (Arm C, n=62). The primary outcome was PCL-5 total score change. Results. Of 181 randomised participants, 170 (93.9%) completed both assessments. Mean PCL-5 reductions were 1.1, 12.4 and 14.6 points in Arms A, B and C (both intervention arms p<.001). The advantage of Arm C over Arm B did not reach statistical significance (reliable change p=.23), with the largest differences in the negative-cognition/mood and arousal/reactivity clusters. Reliable change (≥ 10-point reduction) was observed in 5%, 62% and 72% of participants. Conclusions. Adding soft-skills modules to group-based psychosocial support produced a numerically larger, though not statistically significant, additional symptom reduction among future web developers. The intervention is feasible online and may serve as a scalable adjunct within stepped-care models in conflict-affected universities. Findings refer to screening-instrument changes and do not constitute clinical diagnosis or treatment of PTSD.
Purpose. Exam phobia significantly impairs academic performance and mental health among adolescent students. Students with Vata Prakriti constitution may be particularly susceptible to anxiety-related cognitive impairments, given their neurobiologically distinct stress reactivity profile characterised by sympathetic hyperresponsiveness and heightened hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis sensitivity. To evaluate the effects of simplified Kundalini Yoga practices on exam phobia, memory, cognitive function, and academic outcomes among Vata Prakriti pupils preparing for board examinations. Materials & Methods. This parallel-group, assessor-blinded randomized controlled trial enrolled 62 students (aged 15–17 years) with Vata Prakriti constitution preparing for board examinations. Sample size was calculated using G*Power 3.1.9.4 software (two-tailed, α=0.05, power=0.80), yielding a minimum of 23 participants per group; 31 per group were enrolled to account for 15% anticipated attrition. Normality of all outcome variables was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk test prior to selection of parametric or non-parametric analyses. Participants were randomly allocated to yoga intervention (n=31) receiving 12 weeks of simplified Kundalini Yoga practices (60 minutes/day, 5 days/week) or control group (n=31) receiving standard examination preparation. Primary outcome was exam anxiety measured by the Test Anxiety Inventory (TAI). Secondary outcomes included working memory (Digit Span Test), attention (Stroop Test), executive function (Trail Making Test), verbal memory (RAVLT), salivary cortisol, and board examination scores. Results. All 62 enrolled participants (100%) completed the 12-week intervention. The yoga group demonstrated significant reductions in exam anxiety (TAI: −15.0 vs. −3.3 points; p<0.001; Cohen's d=2.29), improvements in working memory (Digit Span Forward: +1.8 vs. +0.4 digits; p<0.001), enhanced selective attention (Stroop interference: −12.5 vs. −2.8 s; p<0.001), improved executive function (Trail Making Test-B: −18.6 vs. −4.2 s; p<0.001), reduced cortisol (−6.3 vs. −1.3 nmol/L; p<0.001), and higher board examination scores (77.2% vs. 70.4%; p=0.009; d=0.68) compared to controls. All cognitive outcomes demonstrated large effect sizes (d=1.71 to 2.76). Conclusions. Simplified Kundalini Yoga practices effectively reduce exam phobia and may enhance cognitive performance among Vata Prakriti students, offering a feasible, evidence-based school-based intervention for examination-related stress management with measurable academic benefits.
Purpose. To study the nature of changes in neurophysiological indicators MUNIX, MUSIX and M-wave amplitude in the affected individual components of the neuromuscular system of military servicemen in the process of readaptation during the period of long-term rehabilitation. Material & Methods. 40 military servicemen were examined who sustained injuries to individual components of the neuromuscular system (upper limbs) as a result of mine-explosive and gunshot wounds. Prior to the study, during 6 (group A) and 12 (group B) months of long-term rehabilitation, “standard” physical therapy protocols were used. The age of the examined participants was 35±9.3 years. Based on the analysis of the baseline results of the studied indicators, the participants were divided into subgroups: A1, A2, B1, and B2. Using the MUNE method, the maximum M-wave index, MUNIX (Motor Unit Number Estimation Index) and MUSIX (Motor Unit Size Index) parameters were recorded. Control was carried out at the beginning of the study and after 10 weeks of using experimental training models No. 1 and No. 2 during the long-term rehabilitation period. Results. The results identified at the beginning of the study indicate that in the control muscle groups, the parameters of the MUNIX indicator exceeded the MUSIX value in military servicemen of subgroups A1 and B1. At the same time, among the participants of subgroups A2 and B2, the baseline parameters of the MUNIX indicator were lower than the MUSIX value. It was found that after 10 weeks of using the experimental training model No. 1, the MUNIX index in the studied groups of muscles demonstrated an increase during the given rehabilitation period. Among military servicemen of subgroup A1 it increased on average by 32.5% (p<0.05), and among representatives of A2 – by 8.8% (p<0.05). Under the conditions of using the experimental training model No. 2, the studied biomarker demonstrated an increase on average by 13.9% (p<0.05) among the examined participants of subgroup B1 and did not change among the participants of subgroup B2. It was studied that after 10 weeks of research aimed at increasing the efficiency of neuromuscular system readaptation processes of the participants, the MUSIX index decreased among military servicemen of subgroup A1 on average by 15.5% (p<0.05). A similar pattern of changes in the studied biomarker was identified in representatives of subgroup B1 (-5.9% (p<0.05). At the same time, among representatives of subgroups A2 and B2, who used completely different load modes and exercise complexes during the rehabilitation period, the MUSIX index in the control muscle groups did not change. Conclusions. It was established that only 50% of the examined military servicemen demonstrated an increase in M-wave amplitude and MUNIX values against the background of a decrease in MUSIX after 10 weeks of using experimental training models, which indicated the effectiveness of the long-term rehabilitation period. The identified pattern of changes in the studied biomarkers (MUNIX, MUSIX) indicates that more pronounced readaptation processes occur in the examined military servicemen with a shorter period of previous rehabilitation when using the experimental training models. The obtained results indicate the necessity of using the MUNIX and MUSIX indicators as informative biomarkers for assessing the readaptation processes of individual components of the neuromuscular system during long-term rehabilitation.
Purpose. The infinite tone phenomenon (ITP), defined as the absence of Korotkoff phase V during blood pressure measurement, is observed more frequently in sports medicine following controlled physical exercise than in general clinical practice. Despite reported prevalence rates of up to 57.5% among athletes, its clinical significance and the need for individual clinical assessment remain debated. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of ITP following submaximal PWC170 testing in adolescent male athletes aged 11–17 years. Materials & Methods. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted using data from routine medical examinations at the Zaporizhzhya Medical and Sports Dispensary (2021–2022). The study included 471 male athletes aged 11–17 years (soccer, swimming, handball) divided into two groups: ITP group (n=249) and non-ITP group (n=222). Physical work capacity was assessed using the PWC170 submaximal test. HR and BP were measured at rest, after each exercise bout, and during recovery. Results. ITP was identified in 249 (52.9%) of 471 pubertal male athletes. Athletes exhibiting ITP demonstrated significantly higher absolute (208.3 [171.6; 236.1] vs. 175.7 [142.9; 220.4] W; p<0.001) and relative (3.0 [2.5; 3.3] vs. 2.7 [2.3; 3.2] W/kg; p=0.002) physical work capacity compared with the non-ITP group. ITP prevalence was significantly higher among athletes aged 18–36 years than in adolescents aged 11–17 years (OR=1.35; 95% CI 1.07–1.71; p=0.013). ITP was significantly more frequent among athletes with higher athletic qualification (1st class – MS: 60.7%) compared with lower qualification (3rd–2nd class: 39.8%) (OR=2.34; 95% CI 1.60–3.42; p<0.001). Conclusions. The dystonic response with ITP following submaximal PWC170 test was identified in 249 (52.9%) of 471 male athletes aged 11–17 years, with significantly higher prevalence among athletes aged 18–36 years, confirming that pubertal age is not a primary factor contributing to ITP occurrence. High physical work capacity in ITP athletes may indicate the absence of overtraining and does not necessitate withdrawal from training. ITP occurrence was associated with higher athletic qualification; the higher prevalence among swimmers was attributable to the greater proportion of highly qualified athletes within this group.
Purpose. The aim of the study was to identify the technical and tactical models of competitive performance of para-armwrestlers with cerebral palsy (CP) and spinal cord injury (SCI), as well as to establish the most informative indicators of physical intelligence (PQ) in these groups of athletes. Materials & Methods. The study involved 16 qualified para-armwrestlers (n=16; age 21–40 years), who were divided into two groups: CP (n=8) and SCI (n=8). The study employed a comparative observational cross-sectional design in accordance with the STROBE recommendations. Competitive activity was assessed using video analysis (320 matches). Physical intelligence (PQ) was operationalized as an integrative ability that reflects sensorimotor regulation, coordination, stabilization, and adaptive implementation of force-related actions. PQ was assessed using five tests: isometric force stability, proprioceptive control accuracy, sensorimotor response speed, strength endurance, and technical efficiency. Statistical analysis was performed using the Mann-Whitney test; the effect size was determined by the r coefficient. Results. Statistically significant differences were found between groups for most PQ components. Athletes with SCI demonstrated better performance in sensorimotor response speed (U=3.0; p=0.003; r=0.74) and strength endurance (U=5.0; p=0.008; r=0.67). Conversely, athletes with cerebral palsy had lower accuracy of proprioceptive control (U=4.0; p=0.005; r=0.71) and stability of isometric effort (U=6.0; p=0.012; r=0.63). No statistically significant differences in technical efficiency were found (U=16.0; p=0.226; r=0.30). Analysis of competitive activity showed different technical and tactical models: stabilizing (protective) in athletes with cerebral palsy and dynamic attacking in athletes with SCI. SCI athletes performed more attacks per match (4.1±0.9 vs. 1.6±0.5), while athletes with cerebral palsy demonstrated higher performance (72% vs. 48%). Conclusions. The findings indicate that in para-arm wrestling, physical intelligence has a specific structure. Athletes with SCI are more dependent on the manifestation of speed-strength components, while for athletes with cerebral palsy, stabilization and proprioceptive control are key. This justifies the need to individualize the training process taking into account functional limitations and confirms the feasibility of using the concept of physical intelligence as an integrative approach in adaptive sports. The obtained data have practical significance for optimizing the training of para-arm wrestlers and can be used in the development of differentiated training programs.
Purpose. This pilot study evaluated the efficacy of transvaginal pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) using the PERFECT protocol on pelvic floor muscle (PFM) strength, endurance, and quality of life (QoL) in peri- and postmenopausal women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). Materials & Methods. Twelve women (mean age 48 ± 4 years) with mild-to-moderate SUI (stage 1-2, ≥3 episodes/week) underwent transvaginal PFMT (2 sessions/week for 12 weeks), progressed from supine-to-standingpositions using the PERFECT scheme (Power via Modified Oxford Scale; Endurance/Repetitions/Fast contractions). Outcomes included PERFECT parameters and ICIQ-SF quality-of-life scores assessed at baseline and at 1, 2, and 3 months. Normality was confirmed (Shapiro-Wilk p>0.05); paired t-tests and repeated-measures ANOVA (α=0.05, SPSS v26) analyzed changes. Results. Significant progressive improvements occurred across all outcomes (repeated-measures ANOVA, all F>19.96, p<0.001, η_p²>0.64). Paired t-tests showed power increased (2.17 to 3.67, all p<0.001), endurance (4.92s to 8.50s, all p≤0.02), slow-twitch reps (5.08 to 8.67, all p<0.001), fast-twitch reps (8.58 to 16, all p<0.001), and ICIQ-SF QoL declined (13.75 to 6.50, all p<0.001). Sphericity held except QoL (Greenhouse-Geisser applied). Conclusions. Transvaginal PFMT via PERFECT protocol significantly enhanced PFM performance and QoL in peri-/postmenopausal SUI with early/progressive gains, supporting its potential use as first-line conservative management. Larger RCTs are warranted to confirm findings.
Purpose. This study aimed to assess the effect of a combination of effleurage with shaking vs. effleurage with tapotement on DOMS. Material and Methods. A randomized controlled trial was conducted on 30 participants, randomly assigned to the effleurage with tapotement massage group (n=10), the effleurage with shaking massage group (n=10), and the control group (n=10). Participants conducted high-intensity circuit training incorporating eccentric contraction movements to induce DOMS. The knee joint flexion ROM was assessed using a goniometer while CK was evaluated with blood serum and determined using the UV kinetic methods. Muscle soreness was assessed using a pain numeric rating scale (NRS). All measurements were conducted 8 hours after the exercise, immediately following treatment, and 24 hours after treatment. The data were analysed using One-way Repeated Measures ANOVA, one-way ANOVA, Friedman and Kruskall-Wallis tests. Results. The study revealed that all three groups initially displayed a rise in creatine kinase levels post-treatment, followed by a decline at 24 hours after treatment. Muscle soreness significantly decreased in both treatment groups immediately and after 24 hours, while the control group experienced a notable increase. Both treatment groups also exhibited a substantial increase in knee joint range of motion, as opposed to the control group, which demonstrated a decrease. Conclusion. The application of both massage combinations showed efficacy in reducing, preventing, and managing DOMS compared to the non-treatment.
The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between boxers' goal of success in sports and their levels of sports anxiety and to determine whether their goal of success in sports and their levels of sports anxiety differ according to demographic variables. The research was conducted within the framework of descriptive and relational screening model methods. The population of the research consists of boxers who participated in the Turkish Individual Boxing Championship held in Bayburt province between June 28, 2025 and July 6, 2025. The research sample consists of n: 370 people selected from this population using simple random sampling method. Data collection tools included the "Personal Information Form," the "Sports Achievement Goal Scale (SAGS)", and the "Sports Anxiety Scale-2 (SAS)." Data were analyzed using the SPSS 27.0 program. The normality of the data distribution was assessed using kurtosis and skewness tests, concluding that the data followed a normal distribution. Furthermore, reliability analysis of the scale sub-dimensions and total scores indicated that both were reliable. Descriptive statistics included frequency, mean, and standard deviation; t-tests and ANOVA were used to examine differences between variables; and Pearson Correlation Test was used to analyze relationships between variables. Tukey test was applied for multiple comparisons. Significance value (p<0.05) was considered in the data analysis. Research findings: According to the t-test results, significant differences were found between the boxers' gender variable and the SAGS total scores and sub-dimensions in favor of male boxers (p<0.05). However, no significant difference was found between the international degree status variable and the scale total scores and sub-dimensions (p>0.05). On the other hand, significant differences were found between the boxers' sport category variable and the SAGS total scores and sub-dimensions in the ANOVA test results (p<0.05). Furthermore, the correlation test results revealed no correlation between the participants' age and sport age variables and the scale sub-dimensions and total scores (p>0.05). In addition, a low-level, negative, and significant correlation was found between the weight class variable and the total scores and sub-dimensions of the SAGS (p<0.05). Moreover, a low-level, positive, and significant correlation was found between the participants' weekly sport activity duration variable and the "somatic" sub-dimension of the SAS (p<0.05). Finally, low, moderate, and high-level positive correlations were found between the scale sub-dimensions and total scores. In conclusion, it can be said that as boxers' sports anxiety levels increase, their achievement goals in sports also increase. The findings indicate that boxers’ achievement goal orientations are important psychological determinants of competitive anxiety levels. These results provide important practical implications for training planning, psychological support practices, and particularly for rehabilitation-oriented interventions aimed at anxiety regulation. Taking achievement goal orientations into account may contribute to reducing injury risk, supporting recovery processes, and promoting long-term athlete health.
Purpose. This article analyzes the structure of the total sample of patients with polystructural injuries of the upper extremities depending on the severity of injuries and the type of reconstructive interventions and evaluates the results of the initial examination according to the indicators of activity of daily life and intensity of pain syndrome with the determination of the most severe clinical group. Materials and methods. The study involved 56 patients with gunshot wounds of the upper extremities after reconstructive interventions. Patients were divided into groups according to the severity of the polystructural injury (I-IV grade). All study participants underwent an initial examination using the DASH questionnaire, the modified Frenchay scale (MFS), and the visual analogue pain scale (VAS). Mathematical statistical methods were used to analyze the structure of the total sample and identify the most severe clinical group. Results. The initial examination of 56 patients after gunshot wounds of the upper extremities in the post-acute period revealed the prevalence of grade IV severity (55%), in terms of distribution by segments, the most common injuries were in the shoulder-elbow segment (37%). Initial condition in the group as a whole (n=56): VAS=7 points, DASH=61.5, MFS=72.5 — pronounced pain syndrome and functional deficit. The Kruskal-Wallis test did not reveal significant differences between groups I, II, combined III-IV for pain, MFS and DASH before treatment (H=1.50; 3.57; 0.80; p>0.05). However, group II (nerve plastic surgery) tends to have the worst results: the highest pain (rank 31.04), the lowest MFS function (rank 26.31), the highest DASH disability (rank 31.38). Such results may be due to neuropathic pain, paresis and sensory deficits, which limit activity more than musculoskeletal defects in grade IV in the post-acute period. When comparing the performance of the four most difficult tasks of the modified Frenchay scale (MFS), statistically significant intergroup differences were found only in the task of “simulating cutting food” (H=6.96; p=0.031), where the worst results (the lowest mean rank 19.46) were recorded in group II (peripheral nerve plastic surgery). Conclusions. Despite the lack of statistical significance, grade II polystructural injury was functionally the most severe according to the visual analogue scale, MFS and DASH scales, and one statistically significant task of the MFS scale. This partially contradicts the expectations that grade IV (muscle/bone defects) would have the worst prognosis, and indicates the key role of the nerve defect (grade II) as a limiting factor in functional recovery.
Purpose. Cognitive decline and dementia are increasing, driven by a lack of movement and physical exercise. Critical aspects of brain cognitive function are influenced by levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The development and proliferation of synapses, which support thinking skills such as memory and learning, which are vital for survival, are influenced by BDNF levels. One non-pharmacological treatment for dementia caused by a sedentary lifestyle is exercise.This study aimed to determine the effect of resistance training and aerobic exercise on BDNF levels in women with a sedentary lifestyle. Material & Methods. Experimental and control groups before and after were used in this experimental study. People were selected through random sampling, and after they were selected, three groups were formed: the treatment group (RT) received a resistance exercise intervention, an aerobic exercise intervention was given to the treatment group (AT), while the control group (CO) did not do any activity, just sitting. This study involved thirty-nine healthy women with a sedentary lifestyle. Women aged 18 to 26 years participated as respondents in this study. Data collection took place over the course of two days, beginning with the collection of information regarding the characteristics of the subjects. Then, before the exercise, the subjects had their blood drawn as pre-test data. After then, the participants were told to warm up. Then, the subjects performed physical exercises according to their group. The exercises performed included resistance and aerobic exercises. After the exercise intervention, blood samples were taken as post-test data. Results. BDNF levels in the resistance training group experienced a significant increase in women with a sedentary lifestyle p<0.05*. Conclusions. Therefore, these experimental test data provide information that acute resistance training can increase BDNF levels. Resistance training can be recommended as an alternative exercise for people with a sedentary lifestyle to improve cognitive function.
Purpose. Young individuals frequently experience anterior knee pain due to chondromalacia patella (CMP), which is frequently caused by muscle imbalances and improper patellar tracking. Enhancing patellofemoral stability requires targeted strengthening of the gluteus medius (GMed) and the vastus medialis oblique (VMO). Rehabilitation programs frequently include both open kinetic chain (OKC) and closed kinetic chain (CKC) exercises; however, there is limited data comparing their effectiveness in improving neuromuscular activation and functional outcomes. This study's objective was to evaluate and contrast the impacts of CKC as well as OKC exercises on the functional performance, pressure pain threshold, and EMG-based activation of VMO and GMed in young individuals with CMP. Material & Methods. 52 participants with a clinically diagnosed case of CMP, aged 20-30, where randomization was not followed, but the participants were equally assigned to two clusters. c cluster CKC (n=26) received a six-week CKC exercise protocol, and cluster OKC (n=26) received an OKC protocol. The interventions lasted 45-50 minutes each session, five days a week, for six weeks. Assessments were conducted before and after the intervention and included surface electromyography (sEMG) of the VMO and GMed, pressure pain threshold via algometry, and functional evaluation using the Kujala Anterior Knee Pain Scale. The data's normality was verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Within-group and between-group differences used independent samples t-tests and paired t-tests for evaluation, respectively, with p<0.05 deemed statistically. Results. Both groups demonstrated significant improvements across all outcome measures (p<0.001). Cluster CKC outperformed cluster OKC. VMO activation rose from 49.27% to 87.85% in cluster CKC and 50.88% to 77.73% in cluster OKC. GMed activation increased from 110.62% to 144.65% in cluster CKC and 111.04% to 128.00% in cluster OKC. An increase in pressure pain threshold was noted, from 2.84 kg up to 5.84 kg, measured under CLUSTER CKC, and from 2.91 kg up to 5.76 kg in CLUSTER OKC. Kujala functional scores increased from 63.73 to 88.65 in cluster CKC, while cluster OKC recorded from 63.72 to 82.84. Between-group comparisons revealed statistically significant differences favouring CKC for VMO activation (p=0.006), GMed activation (p=0.001), and Kujala ratings (p=0.001). cluster CKC also had better clinical outcomes, according to effect size analysis, especially in terms of VMO activation (5.76 vs. 3.11) and pain threshold (6.99 vs. 5.56). Conclusions. In young individuals with CMP, neuromuscular activation, pain tolerance, and functional capacity were all successfully enhanced by CKC and OKC exercises. But the effects of CKC exercises were considerably larger, particularly when it came to improving function and activating important stabilising muscles. These findings indicate that CKC exercises should be prioritised in conservative physiotherapy for CMP to optimise clinical outcomes.
Purpose. To evaluate the effectiveness of experimental training models in promoting the readaptation of functional reserves in military personnel with musculoskeletal limb injuries after completing long-term rehabilitation under standard physical therapy protocols. Material & Methods. The study was conducted during the long-term rehabilitation of military personnel with musculoskeletal limb injuries from mine-blast trauma. A total of 64 individuals were examined. During both inpatient and outpatient 12-month rehabilitation, the study participants followed standard physical therapy protocols. Depending on their nosological profiles, study participants were divided into two groups: individuals with musculoskeletal injuries of the upper limbs (group 1) and of the lower limbs (group 2). These groups were further divided into subgroups based on the characteristics of their adaptive and compensatory responses to acute test loads. Heart rate variability (HRV) analysis was used to assess the baseline functional state of the study participants and to characterize readaptation processes across all stages of the study. HRV parameters were monitored at the beginning of the study and after three months of using the experimental training models aimed at readapting functional reserves. Results. After 12 months of long-term rehabilitation based on standard physical therapy protocols, 50% of the study participants exhibited an increase in central regulation of sinus rhythm at rest. At the same time, they showed the highest baseline tension within the cardiac rhythm regulation system. Furthermore, in response to test loads, 50% of the examined military personnel, regardless of nosology, showed an increase in the central regulatory contour of sinus rhythm accompanied by a simultaneous decrease in sympathetic and parasympathetic tone. Only 12.5% of military personnel with these nosologies, after completing long-term rehabilitation under standard protocols, demonstrated an increase in parasympathetic tone accompanied by a simultaneous reduction in VLF power in response to test load. The baseline tension of the cardiac rhythm regulation system decreased in 75% of participants after using three-month experimental training models for restoring functional reserves. In response to test loads, the autonomic balance of 50% of military personnel with musculoskeletal limb injuries shifted toward parasympathetic regulation, accompanied by a decrease in very low-frequency (VLF) power. Additionally, a weakening of vagal influence on the sinoatrial node was observed in 12.5% of the study participants, irrespective of their nosology, in response to the test load. However, this change did not enhance the central regulatory mechanisms. Conclusions. The majority of study participants with musculoskeletal limb injuries exhibited signs of adaptation failure in their resistance levels and functional reserves after 12 months of rehabilitation under standard protocols. In developing the rehabilitation models, a novel combination of core structural components was implemented, differing by approximately 90% from traditional physical therapy approaches. The findings revealed that after three months of using the experimental training models, 50% of study participants demonstrated increased parasympathetic activity in response to test loads, accompanied by a simultaneous weakening of the central regulatory contour. Such changes in HRV indices in response to the stimulus indicate the effective activation of mechanisms of short-term adaptation. The obtained results revealed one of the key factors underlying the low effectiveness of the neuromuscular system readaptation and functional reserves during long-term rehabilitation of military personnel with such nosologies
Purpose. To study the distinctive characteristics of functional reserve readaptation in elite Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) athletes during long-term rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injuries using various physical therapy protocols. Material & Methods. The study examined 24 elite athletes who sustained musculoskeletal injuries after competitions, predominantly involving the neuromuscular system and limb ligaments. 50 % of the athletes had previously practiced Muay Thai boxing, while the others specialized in Greco-Roman wrestling before MMA. The monitoring of the athletes’ functional reserve readaptation during rehabilitation lasted seven months. The study included four control stages (before injury, and after two, five, and seven months of rehabilitation), each accompanied by a set of test loads designed to evaluate the effectiveness of the readaptation. To assess the adaptive and compensatory responses of the body to the applied loads, a series of blood biomarkers was analyzed, including creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, cortisol, and creatinine. Changes in body composition were tracked using bioimpedance analysis. Results. The most noticeable signs of adaptation failure in elite MMA athletes occurred during the first two months of rehabilitation. Compared to pre-injury data, both groups of athletes showed a decrease in baseline creatine phosphokinase and creatinine levels. This was accompanied by an increase in lactate dehydrogenase activity in their blood serum, marking a significant drop in the body’s functional reserves and overall resistance. During the three-month rehabilitation period, athletes exhibited only partial signs of functional readaptation, despite the implementation of protocols that significantly differed from standard physical therapy approaches. Moreover, a decrease in blood cortisol concentration in response to physical load was detected in both groups, suggesting a low level of resistance and the need for additional energy supply. During the last eight weeks of the seven-month rehabilitation program, exercises replicating 85-90% of MMA technical skills facilitated both the activation and enhancement of functional readaptation. Modifications to the protocols led to an increase in baseline creatinine and creatine phosphokinase levels, along with a decrease in lactate dehydrogenase activity in both groups. Simultaneously, the changes observed in biochemical blood markers in response to the test loads indicated activation of mechanisms supporting short-term adaptation. Conclusions. The findings indicate the limited effectiveness of standard physical therapy protocols in supporting the readaptation of functional reserves among elite MMA athletes during long-term rehabilitation. Despite the high resistance of physiological systems to physical loads recorded before injury, the lack of sufficient muscular activity during the five-month rehabilitation period led to the manifestation of compensatory reactions. Restructuring the rehabilitation protocols with adjusted training loads and exercises simulating 75-80% of combat movements positively influenced the athletes’ recovery. The study results helped to identify and analyze the low effectiveness of functional reserve readaptation observed in many elite MMA athletes during long-term rehabilitation after musculoskeletal injuries.
Purpose. The study is aimed at rapid assessment of cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged individuals and is relevant from the perspective of modern physical culture and sports rehabilitation, as it promotes early intervention, optimization of rehabilitation measures, and prevention of cardiovascular disease progression. The useful model is designed for rapid diagnosis of cardiovascular disease risk in middle-aged individuals based on an integrated assessment of physiological, hemodynamic, metabolic, and psychoemotional indicators in women aged 36–45. The model is intended for use in sports medicine, physical education and sports rehabilitation, as well as in fitness programs to determine initial conditions and predict the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures. Purpose: develop an express assessment of the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in middle-aged individuals in order to identify initial disturbances in the functional state of the cardiovascular system and predict the effectiveness of rehabilitation measures. Material & Methods. The study was conducted at the Women's Health School, with 79 women aged 36-45 participating. The model was constructed using regression analysis based on data obtained from the study of women. It includes only those indicators that have been found to have a statistically significant impact on the risk of cardiovascular disease. Results. To develop a model for rapid diagnosis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in middle-aged women, we used stepwise multiple linear regression. The final model included five indicators that simultaneously had a strong statistical association with CVD risk, represented different areas of functional multistate regulation, and did not show collinearity with each other. To create an interpretive scheme of CVD risk levels based on the constructed regression model, a combined approach was used, which relies on both the actual values of the CVD risk assessment scale and the logic of calculating the regression level. The study used a validated tool that provides a gradation of CVD risk on a point scale: minimal risk – up to 21 points, apparent risk - 22-28 points, detected risk - 29-35 points, maximum risk – 36 points and above. For each risk level, typical predictor values were selected that correspond to the clinically reliable profile of a woman in the second period of mature age. Confirmation of typical average values of body mass index, systolic blood pressure, cervical curvature depth, and anxiety level (SHTlich) for each category allowed us to obtain predicted risk level values that closely match the limits defined in the original scale. Conclusions. The high prevalence of modified risk factors indicates the presence of preclinical conditions and justifies the need for early implementation of preventive and rehabilitative measures. Express assessment of cardiovascular disease risk in the second period of adulthood is an informative and practically accessible method for early detection of initial functional disorders of the cardiovascular system and stratification by cardiovascular risk level. Statistically significant correlations between rapid risk assessment indicators and functional parameters of the cardiovascular system confirm the prognostic value of this approach for assessing the initial functional status of women in the second period of middle age.
