Wiesław Błach - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Wiesław Błach
Symmetry
Background: Each combat sport carries different risks of injury due to the specifics of the sport... more Background: Each combat sport carries different risks of injury due to the specifics of the sport (including the weight categories and sex) and the fighting techniques used according to different sports regulations. The purpose of this study is to examine injury symmetry in judo. Methods: Injuries recorded in 195 people (93 women, 102 men) suffered during top-level judo tournaments were verified. Using the European Judo Union medical questionnaire, information on injuries was obtained from each injured athlete. Results: Based on the analysis of the results, it can be concluded that injuries are almost evenly distributed on the left and right sides of the body in both men and women. In women, there were 129 injuries to the left side (41.2%), 134 injuries to the right (42.8%), and 50 (16.0%) to the middle part of the body. Conclusions: injuries in judo are evenly distributed and slightly more common on the right side. Injuries occur at a greater rate during defending maneuvers than at...
Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences
Introduction: To assess the level of physical fitness among high-performance athletes, a number o... more Introduction: To assess the level of physical fitness among high-performance athletes, a number of tests are used, including a treadmill, cyclo-ergometer or other mechanical devices integrated with a sensitive power and work measurement system. Such studies, however, involve selected parts of the muscles of the upper or lower limbs, while the specific structure of the task in combat sports requires the work of the muscles with regard to the entire body. For this reason, a field test called Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) has long been used in judo. Performing this test requires the participation of 2 sparring partners (uke) with a body mass similar to the tested competitor. In small groups, this requirement may not always be met. In addition, the uke is required to be highly skilled in the safe technique of falling onto a mat (ukemi) in order to minimise the risk of injury. The aim of the work was to develop and validate a throw test with the use of dummies already available on the...
Medicina, 2020
Background and objective: Spinal pain is a common and growing problem, not only in the general po... more Background and objective: Spinal pain is a common and growing problem, not only in the general population but also among athletes. Lifestyle, occupation, and incorrectly exerted effort have a significant impact on low back pain. To assess the prevalence of low back pain among those practicing Kyokushin karate, we take into account age, body weight, sex, length of karate experience, level of skill, and occupation. Materials and Methods: The study involved 100 people practicing Kyokushin karate, aged 18 to 44. A questionnaire developed for this study and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used. Results: The research showed the prevalence of low back pain among karate practitioners (55%), depending on age (R = −0.24; p = 0.015), body weight (χ2 = 16.7; p = 0.002), occupation (χ2 = 18.4; p = 0.0004), and overall length of karate experience (R = −0.28; p = 0.04). A correlation was also found between sex (χ2 = 22.3; p = 0.001), occupation (χ2 = 51; p = 0.0000), length of experience ...
Archives of Budo, 2015
Background & Study Aim: One of the most important and conscious human activities taken up in orde... more Background & Study Aim: One of the most important and conscious human activities taken up in order to satisfy needs to play or compete is a sport. It is expressed by, inter alia, exercises and games carried out according to certain rules. For persons who practice specific sports not only competition itself is significant. In martial arts, particularly in judo we can observe profound humanistic concepts and a way of perfecting one’s personality by constant studies, which results from training obligations. Taking into consideration the increasing trends of interests in martial arts during the recent years, we decided to diagnose these interests in a group of persons practicing judo. A practical aim was the usage of the research results in planning and organising judo classes. We verified the hypothesis that interests in mobile activity forms of persons practicing judo depend upon their sex and age. Material & methods: Subjects of our research were persons practicing judo (from juniors...
Celem badan bylo oznaczenie reakcji systemu kontroli postawy ciala na obciązenie zawodniczek real... more Celem badan bylo oznaczenie reakcji systemu kontroli postawy ciala na obciązenie zawodniczek realna walką judo w warunkach turnieju. Jednocześnie przeprowadzono przed zawodami test zaklocający kontrole postawy ciala, a jego wyniki skonfrontowano z wynikami uzyskanymi po walkach judo. Ostateczne rezultaty porownano z badaniami prowadzonymi przez innych autorow na sportowcach i osobach nie trenujących. Opisano podstawowe roznice i znaleziono prawidlowości. W zakonczeniu przedstawiono perspektywe dalszych badan w oparciu o niektore wyniki pilotowe.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
The essence of a sports training includes not only developing the skills necessary in a chosen sp... more The essence of a sports training includes not only developing the skills necessary in a chosen sport but also particular care about athlete’s health. This issue should be taken into account especially in case of children and youth engaged in sporting activities. In the paper there are issues connected to the control of physical effort abilities in the sports training of young football players and the assessment of the reaction of the body to physical exercise in city smog conditions (the environment of the city of Kraków) and clean air conditions (the environment of the town of Głuchołazy). This paper shows that, when assessing physical effort, one can consider not nly the results of physical tests but also the reaction of the body to a given physical load. One should remember that physical load depends not only on the methods used and the range of intensity, but also on the environmental conditions, like the quality of the air. Determining the reaction of the body to physical load ...
Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 2020
Background and Study Aim: A high level of special physical fitness is necessary achieving high re... more Background and Study Aim: A high level of special physical fitness is necessary achieving high results in combat sports (martial arts). The purpose of the study is knowledge about effective methods increasing the level of special physical fitness of the junior female practicing sambo. Material and Methods: The participants 17-18 years old female (n = 21) practicing sambo for more than 4 years. The study period had been conducted for 32 weeks. Various methods of level increase of athletes’ functional fitness were used. The group A (n = 11) had used randori (sparring) and throws at a fast pace. The group B had used the functional training and randori. The physical fitness indicators of the female athletes to assess: Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), lactate concentration in the blood, test with execution of 30 ippon-seoi-nage (throw) analysis of competitive results. Results: The female athletes from the group B had showed significant (p<0.05) superiority of SJFT results. The level ...
Authors have presented and discussed the content of the Budo Charter, positioning it in social ph... more Authors have presented and discussed the content of the Budo Charter, positioning it in social phenomenon forming a system of security culture. This is modernized ethics canon and a kind of credo showing today's social mission, which is implemented by the transmission of Japanese martial arts of budo. Triangulated problem analysis was carried out from three perspectives – humanist theory of martial arts, security sciences and anthropology of martial arts. It was concluded that the content contained in the Budo Charter are elements of security culture, which show continuous up-to-date ideals carried since ancient times by the honorable Samurai code bushido and its manual application, which is a collection of martial arts of budo from the Japanese Islands.
Applied Sciences, Apr 23, 2020
To investigate the level of bilateral symmetry or asymmetry between right and left foot center of... more To investigate the level of bilateral symmetry or asymmetry between right and left foot center of pressure (COP) trajectory in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions, this study involved 102 participants (54 females and 48 males). Ground reaction forces were measured using two Kistler force plates during two 45-s quiet standing trials. Comparisons of COP trajectory were performed by correlation and scatter plot analysis. Strong and very strong positive correlations (from 0.6 to 1.0) were observed between right and left foot anteroposterior COP displacement trajectory in 91 participants; 11 individuals presented weak or negative correlations. In the mediolateral direction, moderate and strong negative correlations (from −0.5 to −1.0) were observed in 69 participants, weak negative or weak positive correlations in 30 individuals, and three showed strong positive correlations (0.6 to 1.0). Additional investigation is warranted to compare COP trajectories between asymptotic individuals as assessed herein (to determine normative data) and those with foot or leg symptoms to better understand the causes of COP asymmetry and aid clinicians with the diagnosis of posture-related pathologies.
Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts, 2014
Introduction. Sauna bathing is a good method of eliminating mental and physical fatigue relativel... more Introduction. Sauna bathing is a good method of eliminating mental and physical fatigue relatively quickly as it favorably affects the entire human body. Sauna is recommended not only for relaxation and resting after physical work, but also after injuries of the musculoskeletal system, therefore it is often suggested to athletes as one of the forms of biological regeneration. The aim of this study was to test the knowledge and awareness of judo practitioners concerning the physiological effects of sauna and to compare their knowledge of this issue with the knowledge of their non-training counterparts. Material and methods. 40 male judo practitioners and 40 non-training males participated in the study. In both groups the mean age was 22±4 years. A questionnaire containing questions based on the available literature was used for the study. The questions concerned physiological effects of sauna on all body functions, the ways of using sauna and the duration of sessions. Results. All the surveyed athletes admitted they used sauna as a form of biological regeneration. Among the non-training males 25 respondents reported using sauna. 37 judo practitioners know that sauna bathing is a form of biological regeneration. Among the non-training males only 18 are aware of that fact. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate that the surveyed athletes try to extend their knowledge of sauna bathing as a form of biological regeneration. Their knowledge of this issue is better than the knowledge of their non-training counterparts. There is also a necessity to disseminate the knowledge and educate the non-training individuals about using sauna and learning about body responses to warm and cold stimuli.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The basis for achieving success in sport is technical preparation supported by adequate level of ... more The basis for achieving success in sport is technical preparation supported by adequate level of physical fitness. During judo competitions, athletes use technique to meet tactical objectives aimed to achieve victory. The modification of the rules of combat in judo that has been carried out in recent years has changed the course of competition. It seems to be interesting if there are relations between technical and tactical preparation expressed by means of indices and modification of the course of the fight caused by changes in the rules. The purpose of the paper was to determine the values of technical and tactical preparation of judokas during competition at the elite level. A hundred and twenty bouts during the Olympic Games in London in 2012 as well as 136 bouts fought during the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in 2013 were analyzed. Verification was performed by calculating indicators of technical and tactical preparation. The results show a significant correlation betwe...
Background: Measurements of physical fitness indices obtained in laboratory tests using an ergome... more Background: Measurements of physical fitness indices obtained in laboratory tests using an ergometer or a treadmill are very accurate, but they involve selected groups of muscles and do not reproduce the structure of the sport-specific exercise in judo. For this reason, researchers seek for the tests that use movements similar to the characteristic offensive techniques used during competitions (i.e. throwing). The most commonly recommended is the seoi-nage throwing test, known as SJFT (special judo fitness test).The aim of the study was to develop a new test in which uke is replaced by a dummy, in order to reduce the injury rate and ensure the safety of the participants.Methods: During the 3-week period, competitors from different weight classes performed at the beginning and then after the 2-week period one 1-minute series of continual dummy throws using the o-goshi technique and the seoi-nage technique. Post-exercise physiological responses (heart rate [HR] and blood lactate level...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport with high demands on fitness and coordination skills. Sc... more Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport with high demands on fitness and coordination skills. Scientific research shows that kickboxing fights induce substantial physiological stress. Therefore, it is important to determine the body composition of athletes before competitions and to analyze the skin temperature and skin pH during the fight. Methods: This study aimed to determine the body composition, skin temperature, and skin pH in kickboxers during a fight according to K1 rules. A total of 24 kickboxers (age range: 19 to 28 years) competing in a local K1 kickboxing league participated in the present study. Results: Changes in skin temperature and pH were observed and significant correlations were found between body composition and weight category. Conclusions: Changes in skin temperature and pH were demonstrated after each round of the bout. Level of body fat and muscle tissue significantly correlates with technical-tactical skills of the K1 athletes studied.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Background: Intensive physical activity largely modulates resting concentrations of blood cortiso... more Background: Intensive physical activity largely modulates resting concentrations of blood cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) and their molar ratio, which is defined as the anabolic–catabolic index and expressed as T/C × 102. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the author’s high-intensity training program on T, C, T/C × 102, and selected physical fitness indices in men between 35 and 40 years of age. Methods: The experiment was conducted on a group of 30 healthy men, divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group followed a high-intensity 8-week training program, which included three sessions per week, each of them lasting 1 h and consisting of intensive-interval exercises followed by strength circuit exercises. The controls did not change their previous recreational physical activity. T, C, and T/C × 102 were measured before and after the experiment for all participants. Physical performance was examined using a standardized laboratory exercise tes...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: This research aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sports level using... more Background: This research aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sports level using regression modeling. Methods: This study examined 16 judokas (aged 23 (±2.5)) from four weight categories, with four athletes in each category (66 kg, 73 kg, 81 kg and 90 kg). Each athlete was a member of the Polish National Team, an international master class (IM) or national master class (M). The tests were carried out twice (every two weeks) during the pre-competitive season in the morning, after a 10-min warm-up. The tests were performed according to the following protocol: Explosive Strength Lower Limbs (ExSLL) [W], Strength Endurance Lower Limbs (SELL) [%], Explosive Strength Upper Limbs (ExSUL) [W], Strength Endurance Upper Limbs (SEUL) [%]. The relationships between the dependent variable (ranking score) and the other analyzed variables (predictors) were estimated using the one-factor ridge regression analysis. Results: There were significant intergroup and intragroup difference...
Genes
As BDNF is one of the group of neurotrophins highly influencing the processes happening in the br... more As BDNF is one of the group of neurotrophins highly influencing the processes happening in the brain, such as the processes of learning and personality creation, we decided to look closer at its genetic variations in association with the personality of a group of athletes and their controls. The study group consisted of 305 volunteers: martial arts athletes (n = 153; mean age = 24.06) and healthy non-athletes as controls (n = 152; mean age = 22.23). Thirty-eight percent of the martial arts group achieved the championship level. Both the martial arts and control subjects were examined using the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scales. The results of the NEO-FFI and STAI inventories were given as sten scores. The conversion of the raw score to the sten scale was performed according to Polish norms for adults. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes and then genotyped using a PCR method for the following polymorphisms:...
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Background: The present study assesses the frequency of injury in Europe’s top-level judokas, dur... more Background: The present study assesses the frequency of injury in Europe’s top-level judokas, during top-level competitions, and defines risk factors. Methods: The members of the EJU Medical Commission collected injury data over the period of 2005 to 2020 using the EJU Injury Registration Form at Europe’s top judoka tournaments. Results: Over the 15 years of the study, 128 top-level competitions with 28,297 competitors were included; 699 injuries were registered. Of all competitors, 2.5% needed medical treatment. The knee (17.4%), shoulder (15.7%), and elbow (14.2%) were the most common anatomical locations of injury. Sprains (42.2%) were by far the most frequent injury type, followed by contusions (23.1%). Of all contestants, 0.48% suffered an injury which needed transportation to hospital. There was a statistically significant higher frequency of elbow injuries in female athletes (p < 0.01). Heavy-weight judokas suffered a remarkably low number of elbow injuries, with more knee...
Sustainability
Martial arts tourism is a form of cultural, sports and educational tourism that requires special ... more Martial arts tourism is a form of cultural, sports and educational tourism that requires special recognition; particularly important is knowledge about martial arts. The sources of this practical knowledge are especially high-ranking masters. The scientific problem raised here involves the issue of high-ranking martial arts teachers taking trips for their own studies (to acquire knowledge and skills) and teaching others. Some of the questions addressed include how often the trips occur (single, sporadic, or multiple, regular), what their effects are, and what their meaning is—in the opinion of these experts. The “Martial Arts Tourism” questionnaire was addressed to N = 12 people, masters/teachers of high-rank in martial arts (level 7–10 dan/toan) who live and teach in Europe and the USA, but come from Europe. They are the holders of the highest degrees in Chinese, Japanese and Korean styles. Further questions were asked through direct correspondence. The collected statements were us...
Symmetry
Background: Each combat sport carries different risks of injury due to the specifics of the sport... more Background: Each combat sport carries different risks of injury due to the specifics of the sport (including the weight categories and sex) and the fighting techniques used according to different sports regulations. The purpose of this study is to examine injury symmetry in judo. Methods: Injuries recorded in 195 people (93 women, 102 men) suffered during top-level judo tournaments were verified. Using the European Judo Union medical questionnaire, information on injuries was obtained from each injured athlete. Results: Based on the analysis of the results, it can be concluded that injuries are almost evenly distributed on the left and right sides of the body in both men and women. In women, there were 129 injuries to the left side (41.2%), 134 injuries to the right (42.8%), and 50 (16.0%) to the middle part of the body. Conclusions: injuries in judo are evenly distributed and slightly more common on the right side. Injuries occur at a greater rate during defending maneuvers than at...
Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences
Introduction: To assess the level of physical fitness among high-performance athletes, a number o... more Introduction: To assess the level of physical fitness among high-performance athletes, a number of tests are used, including a treadmill, cyclo-ergometer or other mechanical devices integrated with a sensitive power and work measurement system. Such studies, however, involve selected parts of the muscles of the upper or lower limbs, while the specific structure of the task in combat sports requires the work of the muscles with regard to the entire body. For this reason, a field test called Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT) has long been used in judo. Performing this test requires the participation of 2 sparring partners (uke) with a body mass similar to the tested competitor. In small groups, this requirement may not always be met. In addition, the uke is required to be highly skilled in the safe technique of falling onto a mat (ukemi) in order to minimise the risk of injury. The aim of the work was to develop and validate a throw test with the use of dummies already available on the...
Medicina, 2020
Background and objective: Spinal pain is a common and growing problem, not only in the general po... more Background and objective: Spinal pain is a common and growing problem, not only in the general population but also among athletes. Lifestyle, occupation, and incorrectly exerted effort have a significant impact on low back pain. To assess the prevalence of low back pain among those practicing Kyokushin karate, we take into account age, body weight, sex, length of karate experience, level of skill, and occupation. Materials and Methods: The study involved 100 people practicing Kyokushin karate, aged 18 to 44. A questionnaire developed for this study and the Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used. Results: The research showed the prevalence of low back pain among karate practitioners (55%), depending on age (R = −0.24; p = 0.015), body weight (χ2 = 16.7; p = 0.002), occupation (χ2 = 18.4; p = 0.0004), and overall length of karate experience (R = −0.28; p = 0.04). A correlation was also found between sex (χ2 = 22.3; p = 0.001), occupation (χ2 = 51; p = 0.0000), length of experience ...
Archives of Budo, 2015
Background & Study Aim: One of the most important and conscious human activities taken up in orde... more Background & Study Aim: One of the most important and conscious human activities taken up in order to satisfy needs to play or compete is a sport. It is expressed by, inter alia, exercises and games carried out according to certain rules. For persons who practice specific sports not only competition itself is significant. In martial arts, particularly in judo we can observe profound humanistic concepts and a way of perfecting one’s personality by constant studies, which results from training obligations. Taking into consideration the increasing trends of interests in martial arts during the recent years, we decided to diagnose these interests in a group of persons practicing judo. A practical aim was the usage of the research results in planning and organising judo classes. We verified the hypothesis that interests in mobile activity forms of persons practicing judo depend upon their sex and age. Material & methods: Subjects of our research were persons practicing judo (from juniors...
Celem badan bylo oznaczenie reakcji systemu kontroli postawy ciala na obciązenie zawodniczek real... more Celem badan bylo oznaczenie reakcji systemu kontroli postawy ciala na obciązenie zawodniczek realna walką judo w warunkach turnieju. Jednocześnie przeprowadzono przed zawodami test zaklocający kontrole postawy ciala, a jego wyniki skonfrontowano z wynikami uzyskanymi po walkach judo. Ostateczne rezultaty porownano z badaniami prowadzonymi przez innych autorow na sportowcach i osobach nie trenujących. Opisano podstawowe roznice i znaleziono prawidlowości. W zakonczeniu przedstawiono perspektywe dalszych badan w oparciu o niektore wyniki pilotowe.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
The essence of a sports training includes not only developing the skills necessary in a chosen sp... more The essence of a sports training includes not only developing the skills necessary in a chosen sport but also particular care about athlete’s health. This issue should be taken into account especially in case of children and youth engaged in sporting activities. In the paper there are issues connected to the control of physical effort abilities in the sports training of young football players and the assessment of the reaction of the body to physical exercise in city smog conditions (the environment of the city of Kraków) and clean air conditions (the environment of the town of Głuchołazy). This paper shows that, when assessing physical effort, one can consider not nly the results of physical tests but also the reaction of the body to a given physical load. One should remember that physical load depends not only on the methods used and the range of intensity, but also on the environmental conditions, like the quality of the air. Determining the reaction of the body to physical load ...
Ido Movement for Culture. Journal of Martial Arts Anthropology, 2020
Background and Study Aim: A high level of special physical fitness is necessary achieving high re... more Background and Study Aim: A high level of special physical fitness is necessary achieving high results in combat sports (martial arts). The purpose of the study is knowledge about effective methods increasing the level of special physical fitness of the junior female practicing sambo. Material and Methods: The participants 17-18 years old female (n = 21) practicing sambo for more than 4 years. The study period had been conducted for 32 weeks. Various methods of level increase of athletes’ functional fitness were used. The group A (n = 11) had used randori (sparring) and throws at a fast pace. The group B had used the functional training and randori. The physical fitness indicators of the female athletes to assess: Special Judo Fitness Test (SJFT), lactate concentration in the blood, test with execution of 30 ippon-seoi-nage (throw) analysis of competitive results. Results: The female athletes from the group B had showed significant (p<0.05) superiority of SJFT results. The level ...
Authors have presented and discussed the content of the Budo Charter, positioning it in social ph... more Authors have presented and discussed the content of the Budo Charter, positioning it in social phenomenon forming a system of security culture. This is modernized ethics canon and a kind of credo showing today's social mission, which is implemented by the transmission of Japanese martial arts of budo. Triangulated problem analysis was carried out from three perspectives – humanist theory of martial arts, security sciences and anthropology of martial arts. It was concluded that the content contained in the Budo Charter are elements of security culture, which show continuous up-to-date ideals carried since ancient times by the honorable Samurai code bushido and its manual application, which is a collection of martial arts of budo from the Japanese Islands.
Applied Sciences, Apr 23, 2020
To investigate the level of bilateral symmetry or asymmetry between right and left foot center of... more To investigate the level of bilateral symmetry or asymmetry between right and left foot center of pressure (COP) trajectory in the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions, this study involved 102 participants (54 females and 48 males). Ground reaction forces were measured using two Kistler force plates during two 45-s quiet standing trials. Comparisons of COP trajectory were performed by correlation and scatter plot analysis. Strong and very strong positive correlations (from 0.6 to 1.0) were observed between right and left foot anteroposterior COP displacement trajectory in 91 participants; 11 individuals presented weak or negative correlations. In the mediolateral direction, moderate and strong negative correlations (from −0.5 to −1.0) were observed in 69 participants, weak negative or weak positive correlations in 30 individuals, and three showed strong positive correlations (0.6 to 1.0). Additional investigation is warranted to compare COP trajectories between asymptotic individuals as assessed herein (to determine normative data) and those with foot or leg symptoms to better understand the causes of COP asymmetry and aid clinicians with the diagnosis of posture-related pathologies.
Journal of Combat Sports and Martial Arts, 2014
Introduction. Sauna bathing is a good method of eliminating mental and physical fatigue relativel... more Introduction. Sauna bathing is a good method of eliminating mental and physical fatigue relatively quickly as it favorably affects the entire human body. Sauna is recommended not only for relaxation and resting after physical work, but also after injuries of the musculoskeletal system, therefore it is often suggested to athletes as one of the forms of biological regeneration. The aim of this study was to test the knowledge and awareness of judo practitioners concerning the physiological effects of sauna and to compare their knowledge of this issue with the knowledge of their non-training counterparts. Material and methods. 40 male judo practitioners and 40 non-training males participated in the study. In both groups the mean age was 22±4 years. A questionnaire containing questions based on the available literature was used for the study. The questions concerned physiological effects of sauna on all body functions, the ways of using sauna and the duration of sessions. Results. All the surveyed athletes admitted they used sauna as a form of biological regeneration. Among the non-training males 25 respondents reported using sauna. 37 judo practitioners know that sauna bathing is a form of biological regeneration. Among the non-training males only 18 are aware of that fact. Conclusions. The obtained results indicate that the surveyed athletes try to extend their knowledge of sauna bathing as a form of biological regeneration. Their knowledge of this issue is better than the knowledge of their non-training counterparts. There is also a necessity to disseminate the knowledge and educate the non-training individuals about using sauna and learning about body responses to warm and cold stimuli.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The basis for achieving success in sport is technical preparation supported by adequate level of ... more The basis for achieving success in sport is technical preparation supported by adequate level of physical fitness. During judo competitions, athletes use technique to meet tactical objectives aimed to achieve victory. The modification of the rules of combat in judo that has been carried out in recent years has changed the course of competition. It seems to be interesting if there are relations between technical and tactical preparation expressed by means of indices and modification of the course of the fight caused by changes in the rules. The purpose of the paper was to determine the values of technical and tactical preparation of judokas during competition at the elite level. A hundred and twenty bouts during the Olympic Games in London in 2012 as well as 136 bouts fought during the World Championships in Rio de Janeiro in 2013 were analyzed. Verification was performed by calculating indicators of technical and tactical preparation. The results show a significant correlation betwe...
Background: Measurements of physical fitness indices obtained in laboratory tests using an ergome... more Background: Measurements of physical fitness indices obtained in laboratory tests using an ergometer or a treadmill are very accurate, but they involve selected groups of muscles and do not reproduce the structure of the sport-specific exercise in judo. For this reason, researchers seek for the tests that use movements similar to the characteristic offensive techniques used during competitions (i.e. throwing). The most commonly recommended is the seoi-nage throwing test, known as SJFT (special judo fitness test).The aim of the study was to develop a new test in which uke is replaced by a dummy, in order to reduce the injury rate and ensure the safety of the participants.Methods: During the 3-week period, competitors from different weight classes performed at the beginning and then after the 2-week period one 1-minute series of continual dummy throws using the o-goshi technique and the seoi-nage technique. Post-exercise physiological responses (heart rate [HR] and blood lactate level...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport with high demands on fitness and coordination skills. Sc... more Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport with high demands on fitness and coordination skills. Scientific research shows that kickboxing fights induce substantial physiological stress. Therefore, it is important to determine the body composition of athletes before competitions and to analyze the skin temperature and skin pH during the fight. Methods: This study aimed to determine the body composition, skin temperature, and skin pH in kickboxers during a fight according to K1 rules. A total of 24 kickboxers (age range: 19 to 28 years) competing in a local K1 kickboxing league participated in the present study. Results: Changes in skin temperature and pH were observed and significant correlations were found between body composition and weight category. Conclusions: Changes in skin temperature and pH were demonstrated after each round of the bout. Level of body fat and muscle tissue significantly correlates with technical-tactical skills of the K1 athletes studied.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Background: Intensive physical activity largely modulates resting concentrations of blood cortiso... more Background: Intensive physical activity largely modulates resting concentrations of blood cortisol (C) and testosterone (T) and their molar ratio, which is defined as the anabolic–catabolic index and expressed as T/C × 102. The aim of the study is to evaluate the effect of the author’s high-intensity training program on T, C, T/C × 102, and selected physical fitness indices in men between 35 and 40 years of age. Methods: The experiment was conducted on a group of 30 healthy men, divided into control and experimental groups. The experimental group followed a high-intensity 8-week training program, which included three sessions per week, each of them lasting 1 h and consisting of intensive-interval exercises followed by strength circuit exercises. The controls did not change their previous recreational physical activity. T, C, and T/C × 102 were measured before and after the experiment for all participants. Physical performance was examined using a standardized laboratory exercise tes...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Background: This research aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sports level using... more Background: This research aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sports level using regression modeling. Methods: This study examined 16 judokas (aged 23 (±2.5)) from four weight categories, with four athletes in each category (66 kg, 73 kg, 81 kg and 90 kg). Each athlete was a member of the Polish National Team, an international master class (IM) or national master class (M). The tests were carried out twice (every two weeks) during the pre-competitive season in the morning, after a 10-min warm-up. The tests were performed according to the following protocol: Explosive Strength Lower Limbs (ExSLL) [W], Strength Endurance Lower Limbs (SELL) [%], Explosive Strength Upper Limbs (ExSUL) [W], Strength Endurance Upper Limbs (SEUL) [%]. The relationships between the dependent variable (ranking score) and the other analyzed variables (predictors) were estimated using the one-factor ridge regression analysis. Results: There were significant intergroup and intragroup difference...
Genes
As BDNF is one of the group of neurotrophins highly influencing the processes happening in the br... more As BDNF is one of the group of neurotrophins highly influencing the processes happening in the brain, such as the processes of learning and personality creation, we decided to look closer at its genetic variations in association with the personality of a group of athletes and their controls. The study group consisted of 305 volunteers: martial arts athletes (n = 153; mean age = 24.06) and healthy non-athletes as controls (n = 152; mean age = 22.23). Thirty-eight percent of the martial arts group achieved the championship level. Both the martial arts and control subjects were examined using the NEO Five-Factor Personality Inventory (NEO-FFI) and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) scales. The results of the NEO-FFI and STAI inventories were given as sten scores. The conversion of the raw score to the sten scale was performed according to Polish norms for adults. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood leukocytes and then genotyped using a PCR method for the following polymorphisms:...
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Background: The present study assesses the frequency of injury in Europe’s top-level judokas, dur... more Background: The present study assesses the frequency of injury in Europe’s top-level judokas, during top-level competitions, and defines risk factors. Methods: The members of the EJU Medical Commission collected injury data over the period of 2005 to 2020 using the EJU Injury Registration Form at Europe’s top judoka tournaments. Results: Over the 15 years of the study, 128 top-level competitions with 28,297 competitors were included; 699 injuries were registered. Of all competitors, 2.5% needed medical treatment. The knee (17.4%), shoulder (15.7%), and elbow (14.2%) were the most common anatomical locations of injury. Sprains (42.2%) were by far the most frequent injury type, followed by contusions (23.1%). Of all contestants, 0.48% suffered an injury which needed transportation to hospital. There was a statistically significant higher frequency of elbow injuries in female athletes (p < 0.01). Heavy-weight judokas suffered a remarkably low number of elbow injuries, with more knee...
Sustainability
Martial arts tourism is a form of cultural, sports and educational tourism that requires special ... more Martial arts tourism is a form of cultural, sports and educational tourism that requires special recognition; particularly important is knowledge about martial arts. The sources of this practical knowledge are especially high-ranking masters. The scientific problem raised here involves the issue of high-ranking martial arts teachers taking trips for their own studies (to acquire knowledge and skills) and teaching others. Some of the questions addressed include how often the trips occur (single, sporadic, or multiple, regular), what their effects are, and what their meaning is—in the opinion of these experts. The “Martial Arts Tourism” questionnaire was addressed to N = 12 people, masters/teachers of high-rank in martial arts (level 7–10 dan/toan) who live and teach in Europe and the USA, but come from Europe. They are the holders of the highest degrees in Chinese, Japanese and Korean styles. Further questions were asked through direct correspondence. The collected statements were us...