American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine

Background: Exercise causes a reduction of serum cholesterol, prevents cardiovascular disease and is a contributor to the muscle thickness. Objectives: The research examined the impact of Total Cholesterol (TC), High Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C), Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) levels on muscle thickness at three muscle sites in well trained young adult male athletes. Methods: Nineteen (19) athletes and twenty seven (27) non-athletes who served as controls were selected for the study. Fasting serum lipid concentrations (HDL-C, LDL-C, TC and TG) and muscle thickness at three sites: the chest, abdomen and thigh were determined using ultrasound technology. Results: Results showed that TC and LDL-C levels are significantly higher in the non-athletic group. The HDL-C and TG levels however, were not significantly different between the groups. There was a significant negative correlation (P=0.01) between thickness of the thigh muscle and HDL-C concentration. The TC, LDL-C and TG concentrations had no significant association with the thickness of the muscles at any of the three sites assessed. Conclusions: The thickness of the muscles of the thigh in young non-athletic Jamaican males is associated with HDL-C concentration.

American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2016, 4(1), 20-25. DOI: 10.12691/ajssm-4-1-4
Pub. Date: February 16, 2016

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Chronic Haematological Profile Study in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Athletes

by Nestor Persio Alvim Agricola, João Batista Alves de Souza, Martha Ribeiro Bonilha and Lidia Andreu Guillo

Original Research

This paper will treat about hematological parameters in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athletes, linking their training with some variations of these parameters. The aim of this study was to evaluate the potentialities of this sport modality in what it has to do with promotion and maintenance of human health. Fourteen athletes have participated in this study that consisted in accompanying them during their training for six months, when monthly blood samples were collected and weekly monitoring of heart rate training were done. Variations in hematological parameters have been compared with the intensity of the training performed all this long. Statistical analyzes performed were Student t test for paired samples when data showed a normal distribution, and Wilcoxon test for paired samples, when data didn't show a normal distribution. Results show that erythrocytes and lymphocytes varied in a very similar way to the intensity of training. Hemoglobin, hematocrit, total leukocytes, neutrophils and platelets varied oppositely to training intensity. RDW, monocytes and eosinophils varied randomly, with no relation to the intensity of training. The training stimulates an increase in the production of red blood cells and hemoglobin, however, the kind of intense training and full contact, with frequent injuries, might cause hemolysis, maintaining low concentrations of these parameters. Jiu Jitsu promotes specific effects both in the red data series as in white ones; and it can be recommended for health maintenance, since, despite the detected variations, all parameters remained under the reference values.

American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2016, 4(1), 13-19. DOI: 10.12691/ajssm-4-1-3
Pub. Date: February 02, 2016

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An Empirical Study of Kapalbhati Pranayama on Respiratory Parameters of University Level Girls

by Baljinder Singh Bal

Original Research

The objective of this study is to determine the effects of kapalbhati pranayama on respiratory parameters. The study was conducted on 50 university level girls of Department of Physical Education (T), Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar between the age group of 21-26 years (Mean ± SD: age 22.04 ± 1.63 yrs, height 5.41 ± 0.14 ft, body mass 60.88 ± 3.04 k). The subjects from experimental group were subjected to a 4-week training of kapalbhati pranayama. Student t test for paired samples was utilized to compare the means of the pre-test and the post-test. Significant differences were found in Tidal Volume (VT), Expiratory Reserve Volume (ERV), Vital Capacity (VC) and Inspiratory Capacity (IC) in experimental group and insignificant between-group differences were noted in Inspiratory Reserve Volume (IRV) of university level girls. The result further indicates that no significant changes over that 4- week period were noted in the control group.

American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2016, 4(1), 6-12. DOI: 10.12691/ajssm-4-1-2
Pub. Date: January 24, 2016

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Effect of Achievement Possibility of a Balance Board Test on Physical Functions, ADL, Fall Experience, and Fall Risk in Elderly Females

by Hiroki Sugiura, Shinichi Demura and Yu Uchida

Original Research

To maintain a stable posture on an unstable moving stool is performed by few in daily life. Hence, the achievement of a stable posture on an unstable moving stool may be difficult even for the elderly with high independence in daily activities. The passive dynamic balance ability required for the above movement has close relationships with activities of daily living (ADL) and fall risk. This study aimed to examine differences between the female elderly [possible group (PG), n = 123] who could maintain a stable posture on an unstable stool leaning sharply in the backward and forward directions for 20 s (balance board test) and those could not maintain this posture [impossible group (IG), n = 20] for physical functions, ADL, fall experience, and fall risk. Physical functions included isometric leg strength, balance ability, and walking ability. They were administered the above-stated various tests and surveys on ADL, fall experience, and fall risk. PG showed significantly lower rates of fall experience than those shown by IG. In addition, PG was superior in one-leg standing with eyes open, 10-m walking, and ADL compared with IG, but an insignificant difference was found for leg strength between both groups. In conclusion, the female elderly who cannot perform the present balance board test have more fall experience and are inferior in static balance ability, walking ability, and ADL compared with the elderly who can perform it despite having similar static leg strength.

American Journal of Sports Science and Medicine. 2016, 4(1), 1-5. DOI: 10.12691/ajssm-4-1-1
Pub. Date: January 15, 2016

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