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PHYSIOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT OF MOTORCYCLE RACERS FOR THE EVIDENCE-BASED TRAINING
Views:20Motorcycle racers are subjected to extreme physical and physiological stresses that can affect their performance. This research aimed to investigate physiological factors that may influence performance and to make recommendations for effective training design. Three international-level Hungarian motorcycle racers were studied in laboratory, competition, and race simulation environments. Their mean age was 20.33 years (± 2.3), sport age 15.66 years (± 3.78), body weight 73.9 kg (± 8.7), and height 1.78 m (± 0.1). Resting measurements, load tests, and track tests were performed during the study. To analyze exercise stress in competitive conditions, we used heart rate monitoring and lactate measurements during the final round of the 2024 World Endurance Championships and a track test in Hungary. The laboratory measurements identified three athletes with different fitness statuses, who demonstrated significant individual differences in both cardiovascular and metabolic load during racing. The results showed that the pilot with greater aerobic capacity had a higher relative heart rate and lower lactate levels, whereas the pilot with greater anaerobic capacity showed the opposite. This suggests that energy production processes differ between riders. Aerobic capacity primarily supports recovery and more economical energy production, while anaerobic fitness can provide the performance needed for high-intensity activities. Striking the right balance can be the key to optimizing riders' performance.
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Spinal Deformities and Injuries in Competitive Swimming: A Systematic Review
Views:19Competitive swimming is traditionally considered a low‑impact sport; however, repetitive stroke mechanics, high training volumes, and stroke‑specific lumbar loading patterns may contribute to spinal malalignment, lumbar intervertebral disc degeneration (LDD), and low back pain (LBP). Emerging evidence suggests that these risks may be particularly relevant for adolescent and young adult swimmers who undergo early and intensive training. Our study systematically reviewed the literature on spinal posture, lumbar disc degeneration, and low back pain in competitive swimmers aged 6–25 years, and identified key risk factors and preventive strategies.
A systematic search of Google Scholar, Scopus, and PubMed was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Eligible studies included cross-sectional, case-control, and cohort designs published between 2005 and 2024 that involved competitive swimmers with ≥2–3 years of training and ≥3 weekly sessions. Outcomes of interest were spinal posture abnormalities, MRI-confirmed LDD, and LBP prevalence. Eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Methodological quality was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).
Across studies, swimmers exhibited a higher prevalence of postural deviations—including hyperkyphosis, hyperlordosis, trunk asymmetry, and anterior pelvic tilt—compared with non-athletes. MRI-based studies consistently report elevated rates of LDD among swimmers, particularly at L4–L5 and L5–S1, with degeneration present in up to 68% of elite swimmers, compared with 29–31% of controls. LBP was identified as the second most common musculoskeletal complaint among swimmers, with an increased risk associated with greater training exposure and strokes that involve repetitive lumbar flexion–extension (e.g., butterfly, breaststroke). Contributing factors included early specialization, muscular imbalances, and technical inefficiencies. Methodological limitations included small sample sizes and predominantly cross-sectional designs.
Competitive swimming is associated with increased rates of spinal postural abnormalities, lumbar disc degeneration, and low back pain in youth and young adult athletes. Early screening, core stabilization, stroke technique optimization, and training load management are essential to mitigate spinal stress. Longitudinal research is needed to clarify causal pathways and inform evidence-based prevention strategies.
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RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NIGHT-TIME DYSPNEA EPISODES AND HEART RATE VARIABILITY
Views:982Purpose: We wanted to assess the values of expected night-time and day-time variability of the heart rate, in the presence of dyspnea episodes during night-time, recorded by a Holter monitor.
Objective: Our aim was to investigate whether nocturnal breathing disorders affect the HRV indexes.
Methods: 40 patients participated in our survey. 20 of them experienced episodes of night-time breathing difficulty, and the control group consisted of 20 participants in whose case there were no episodes of night-time breathing difficulty. We were examining the domains of time and frequency of heart rate variability, using day-time and night-time values recorded by a 24-hour Schiller Medilog Holter monitor. We evaluated the distribution of the parameters with a continuous codomain, their typical distribution and expected values on histograms, and summarized them in a table. For the examination of the difference in averages the Two-Sample T- Test was used, where p<0.05.
Results: The vegetative equilibrium ratio and the standard deviation of the R-R intervals showed a significant difference between the apnea patients and the healthy group at night. Examining the severity of apnea, we didn't find significant difference between the two groups in the mean of the time and frequency indices, however, a decrease in the values of the apnea group was observed compared to the control group.
Conclusion: Night differences in the vegetative equilibrium rate and time parameters of the apnea patients and the control group, as well as differences in the HRV index recorded by the change in the severity of the disease, draw attention to the importance of the HRV indicators with HOLTER monitors.
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CHANGES IN SPINAL RANGE OF MOTION AFTER 16 WEEKS TRAINING PROGRAM IN PUBERTAL CHILDREN
Views:537The aim of the present research was to improve the neglect behavior of pubertal children in an intervention program. Within the framework of the program, the main function of the spinal column and the strength and extensibility of the muscles responsible for posture were investigated. The participants included in the study are 7th grade children of the Neumann János Elementary School in Szombathely, Hungary, (nb=7); (ng=10). The Idiag M360 Spinal Mouse was used to investigate the physiological curvatures and main function of the spinal column before and after the program. The device was used to examine the children's spines in standing, bending forward and again in a standing position after the Matthiass test was performed. Pre-intervention (1) and post-intervention (2) data showed significant decreases in all assessed characteristics and similar increases in sacrum to hip ratio (Sac/Hip) (9.83±4.36 - 21.63±4.39); p<0.000. The greatest change was found in the Th11/12 dorsal vertebral body angles (4.50±2.05 - -0.30±0.25); p<0.000. As a result of the postural improvement program, the degree of pelvic tilt and, in parallel, the physiological curvature of lumbar lordosis was reduced to within the age-specific reference values.
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PHYSIOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS AMONG COMPETITIVE ROWERS
Views:595Introduction: Elite rowing athletes participated in anthropometric, psychological and physiological tests.
Aim: This study aimed to investigate the relations between the traits of sport-confidence and competitive orientation, as well as to compare state measures of sport-confidence, self-efficacy and anxiety. Furthermore, this study targeted to examine the associations of these state measures with performance, in our case the 2000m rowing ergometer run time.
Material and methods: Rowers (N=15) were subjected to anthropometric, psychological and physiological tests: max 2000 m on Rowing Ergo-test, Athletic Coping Skills Inventory-28, Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 and Sport Competition Anxiety Test.
Results: CSAI-self-confidence showed a statistically significant difference between genders with boys having a higher score. Overall, SCAT (anxiety) scores were low (normal anxiety) in the sample for the vast majority (12 rowers), only 3 participants showed high anxiety.
Conclusion: The psychological profile does not contribute significantly performance on 2000m Rowing Ergo-test but affects it. Girls completed the distance in a longer period of time, and cognitive anxiety was relatively greater among girls. Additionally, our study pointed out that if the physical parameters are 'inadequate,' then the psychological profile does not contribute to better performance.