Andrzej Klimek

Background: Energy saving in race walking is an essential element of sports competition. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of increasing velocity in elite race walkers within the range of 8 to 15kmhr-1 on lateral, anterior-posterior, and vertical displacements of the center of mass (CoM), standardized for body height and stride length. Methods: The study involved 10 competitive race walkers of international champion level. They performed walking tests on a treadmill, with velocity increased by 1 kmhr-1 from 8 kmhr-1 to 15 kmhr-1. Movement was recorded using the Vicon system for motion spatial capture. Absolute, momentary lateral CoM_X(t), anterior-posterior CoM_Y(t), and vertical CoM_Z(t) changes in CoM placement in the gait cycle were calculated using a kinematic method and then standardized for body height (H) and stride length (STRL). Results: Increased gait velocity was associated with greater lateral CoM_X(t)std oscillations (by ca. 0.21% for H) and a decrease by 0.91% for STRL. These changes were statistically significantly different for technical and starting speeds, as well as between the lowest experimental speed and threshold/racing speeds. The anterior-posterior CoM_Y(t)std oscillations decreased by ca. 0.45% (H) and 1.79% (STRL), showing significant differences for technical, threshold, and racing speeds, as well as between the lowest experimental speed and technical, threshold, and racing speeds. The vertical component CoM_Z(t)std initially increased by 0.27% (STRL) up to 11 kmhr-1, and then decreased by 0.5% (STRL) to 15kmhr-1, whereas the variable standardized for body height increased by 0.56% (H), demonstrating significant contrasts between the lowest experimental speed and technical, threshold, and racing speeds. Conclusions: The highest decrease in oscillations (by 1.8% STRL) with increasing gait velocity was recorded for the anteriorposterior displacement of CoM standardized for stride length.

This study monitored changes in aerobic capacity in 7–12-year-old youth soccer players over three years, dividing them into two groups: Group 1 (ages 7–10) and Group 2 (ages 10–12). Key variables, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) and the anaerobic threshold (AT), were measured using an incremental treadmill test. The data analysis revealed that training did not significantly influence aerobic capacity, with no strong correlation between training intensity and VO2max, except between ages 7 and 8 (r-Pearson coefficient between −0.52 and 0.66). VO2max differences between groups (Group 1: age 7, 46.2 ± 4.0; age 8, 59.1 ± 4.5; age 9, 63.4 ± 6.8; age 10, 59.5 ± 4.2 ml/kg/min; Group 2: age 10, 53.1 ± 8.5; age 11, 61.5 ± 5.1; age 12, 62.7 ± 5.7 ml/kg/min) appeared to be more related to individual developmental paths and genetics than to training or pubertal stages. There was no significant effect of training on the anaerobic threshold, indicating stability during submaximal efforts across the observed period. However, aerobic capacity improvements were noted, particularly in prolonged exercise duration and increased maximal aerobic speed (MAS), likely due to enhanced running efficiency and motor coordination. MAS for Group 1 increased from 8.7 km/h at age 7 to 9.5 km/h at age 10, while for Group 2, it rose from 8.5 km/h at age 10 to 9.2 km/h at age 12. This suggests significant potential for aerobic development during these early training years.

The aim of the study was to assess the influence of year-long training of race walkers on physiological cost and total energy center of mass (CoM). The assessment performed was based on indicating the differences between the resulting energy cost in a group of elite race walkers walking at technical, threshold, and racing speeds calculated by physiological and biomechanical methods before beginning and after finishing a year-long training cycle. The study involved 12 competitive race walkers who had achieved champion or international champion level. Their aerobic endurance was determined by means of a direct method, applying an incremental exercise test on the treadmill. The gait of the participants was recorded using the 3D Vicon analysis system. Changes in mechanical energy amounted to the value of the total external work of the muscles needed to accelerate and lift the center of mass during a normalized gait cycle. The highest influence on the total external work increase for increasing speeds of gait in both examinations was attributed to the changes in the kinetic energy resulting from the center of mass movement. A statistically significant decrease of the mean value of total external work for racing speed was observed in the second examination (p < 0.001). An approx. 8% decrease (NS) of EE energy cost, standardized by body mass and distance covered, was found between the first and second examinations. The energy cost and total external work were significantly differentiated by the walkers’ gait speeds (p < 0.05–0.001). The energy cost significantly differed from the total external work at p < 0.001.

Professional esport requires players to maintain mental skills at a high level and health-promoting physical condition. The aim of this study was to analyze the levels of physical activity (PA), exercise capacity and physical fitness. The study included 196 male Polish esports players (mean: 20.5±2.4 years), who completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) (n= 187), underwent exercise test using a cycle ergometer (n= 141) and participated in selected tests of physical fitness (n= 175). The average total energy expenditure was 1040 MET-min⋅week-1. The results show that most esports players had low (38%) and moderate (36.4%) levels of PA, and were characterized by an average level of cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2max= 41.92±5.41 mL∙kg-1∙min-1), and the amount of muscle power generated at the level of AeT (90.98±27.19 W), AnT (149.91± 29.91 W) and VO2max (210.29±42.63 W) was lower than published evidence on physically-active men. Physical fitness of the players was assessed as being satisfactory, but more research needed to clearly confirm this.

(1) Background: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of multi-strain probiotic supplementation on the physical capacity and selected health indicators related to the exercise capacity of competitive road cyclists such as body composition, markers of intestinal permeability, pro- and anti-inflammatory markers, and anti-/pro-oxidant potential. (2) Methods: The group comprised 26 competitive road cyclists aged between 18 and 26. The study was a 4-month double-blind, random-assignment, parallel-group, and placebo-controlled trial. The measurements of physical capacity in the exercise tests of the anaerobic Wingate test (the level of total work volume, maximal anaerobic power, average power per revolution, mean time to achieve maximal anaerobic power, and time to maintain maximal anaerobic power) and the aerobic test using a cycle ergometer (maximum oxygen uptake, exercise duration, maximum load power, and maximal heart rate) were repeated after one, three, and four months. (3) Results: The probiotic supplementation resulted in increased levels of the relative magnitude of maximal oxygen uptake (65.28 vs. 69.18), the duration of training until failure (14.35 vs. 15.65), the load on the ergometer (5.11 vs. 5.36), and the degree of decrease in heart rate (193.3 vs. 188.6) together with a feeling of less discomfort during the exercise test (Borg scale) (19.38 vs. 18.43), confirming the beneficial effect of probiotics on the cyclists’ aerobic capacity during exercise. The probiotic supplementation produces no effects on the anaerobic capacity and body composition of the athletes, except for an observed increase in muscle mass. The concentration of zonulin in the stool mass decreased as a result of the probiotic therapy (81.2 vs. 25.21), and α1-atitrypsin was maintained at a similar level during the experiment (0.95 vs. 1.05), indicating a sealing of the intestinal barrier and beneficial changes in the cyclists’ intestinal function. The supplementation resulted in a reduction in the concentrations of: tumor necrosis factor TNF-α after the aerobic (13.88 vs. 9.75) and anaerobic tests (8.54 vs. 6.8), IL-6 before (1.2 vs. 0.86) and after the anaerobic test (1.47 vs. 0.97), IL-10 before the anaerobic test (0.70 vs. 0.44), and the total oxidative status (TOS) of the blood plasma before (663.7 vs. 484.6) and after the anaerobic test (643.1 vs. 435.9). (4) Conclusions: The probiotic supplementation resulted in increased levels of the cyclists’ aerobic capacity and their maintenance of anaerobic capacity and positively affected selected health indicators related to the exercise capacity of competitive road cyclists.

Background: Kickboxing is a combat sport where athletes require constant supervision of a coach. The outbreak of the pandemic caused by SARS-CoV-2 has led to a crisis in many sectors, including sport. Global efforts to limit the spread of the pathogen resulted in temporary lockdowns that limited sporting activity, thus deteriorating athletes’ physical fitness. Methods: The participants included 20 kickboxers competing at the international level. Their physical fitness was evaluated based on the test developed by the International Committee on the Standardization of Physical Fitness Test (ICSPFT) and their body build was assessed using Tanita BC601 body composition monitor and a body height meter. Differences between physical fitness before the COVID-19 outbreak and during the pandemic after re-opening sports facilities were evaluated. Results: Temporary closing of sports clubs has led to the increase in body mass of the participants by 2.65 kg on average and significantly deteriorated physical fitness. Conclusions: Temporary closing of sports clubs and restrictions on physical activity aimed at containing the spread of COVID-19 caused a significant reduction in physical fitness and increased body mass of the participants. This is likely to cause worse performance in the nearest competitions and have a negative impact on the athletes’ health status and immunity to diseases.

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) on anaerobic and aerobic fitness in elite, national boxers. Methods: The study was conducted over a period of 6 weeks. It comprised 30 national championship boxers, divided into 2 groups: the experimental and control. Both groups performed the same boxing training twice a day (morning and afternoon training). In the afternoon, the experimental group performed training under normobaric conditions in a hypoxic chamber (IHT), while the control group undertook exercise in standard normoxic conditions. In both groups, before and after the 6-week programme, basic anthropometric indices as well as anaerobic (Wingate Test) and aerobic (graded test) fitness were assessed. Results: There was a significant increase in anaerobic peak power (988.2 vs. 1011.8 W), mean anaerobic power (741.1 vs. 764.8 W), total work (22.84 vs. 22.39 kJ), and a decrease in fatigue index (20.33 vs. 18.6 W·s⁻¹) as well as time to peak power (5.01 vs. 4.72 s). Such changes were not observed in the control group. In both groups, no significant changes in endurance performance were noted after the training session – peak oxygen uptake did not significantly vary after IHT. Conclusions: Our results have practical application for coaches, as the IHT seems to be effective in improving anaerobic performance among boxers.

The aim of the study was to assess the impact of several methods of mulching degraded forest soil with wood chips on the development of mite (Acari) community, with particular emphasis to oribatid mites (Oribatida), and on the growth of young plantings of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.). Mulching with wood chips should contribute to revitalize soil fauna and restore natural forests on degraded soils. Scots pine seedlings were planted at the post-military training ground. Four experimental treatments were tested: control—uncovered soil (C), mulching with wood chips (W), W + mycorrhiza preparation (WM), and W + forest litter (WL). At the end of the growing season in 2012, 2013 and 2014, the following plant measurements were carried out: length of annual increment of the main stem, stem base diameter, number and lengths of lateral shoots in the annual whorl. The mite calculations included average mite density, dominance index, species richness, oribatid mite diversity, average number of species, and Shannon general species diversity index. The use of mulching with wood chips did not significantly affect the growth characteristics of Scots pine plants, but strongly increased the mite community. After mulching, the total number and species diversity of Acari increased many times, and Oribatida began to dominate among micro-arthropods. The number of Oribatida increased most in W. The largest species diversity was observed in WL. 24 species of Oribatida were found that were used as the bio-indicators of soil succession changes. Tectocepheus velatus clearly dominated in all mulching treatments. Oppiella nova and Scutovertex sculptus were also numerous populations of Oribatida. The study shows that mulching with Scots pine wood chips, especially with the addition of forest litter, significantly enriches soil fauna and is therefore useful in the regeneration process of degenerated forest soils.

The aim of this study was to estimate the water needs of grapevines (Vitis vinifera L.) in the different regions of Poland. The grapevines water requirements, considered as the crop evapotranspiration, were determined using the plant coefficient method. The grapevine plants crop...

The ash-leaved maple (Acer negundo L.) has low habitat requirements, which is why this species is often used in the reclamation or industrial areas. Development of the reclamation plantings depends on the optimal water soil conditions that can be controlled by watering treatments. However, the...