Prognostic Value of Routine Biomarkers in the Early Stage of COVID-19.

Various biomarkers like certain complete blood cell count parameters and the derived ratios including neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio are commonly used to evaluate disease severity. Our study aimed to establish if baseline levels of complete blood cell count-derived biomarkers and CRP, measured before any treatment which can interfere with their values, could serve as a predictor of development of pneumonia and the need for hospitalization requiring oxygen therapy. We retrospectively analyzed the laboratory data of 200 consecutive patients without comorbidities, who denied usage of medications prior to blood analysis and visited a COVID-19 ambulance between October and December 2021. Multivariate regression analysis extracted older age, elevated CRP and lower eosinophil count as significant independent predictors of pneumonia (p = 0.003, p = 0.000, p = 0.046, respectively). Independent predictors of hospitalization were higher CRP (p = 0.000) and lower platelet count (p = 0.005). There was no significant difference in the neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios between examined groups. Individual biomarkers such as platelet and eosinophil count might be better in predicting the severity of COVID-19 than the neutrophil-lymphocyte and platelet-lymphocyte ratios.

Personality Dimensions of Serbian Lifeguards.

According to the World Health Organization's (WHO) global drowning report (2017), drowning is the third leading cause of unintentional injury death worldwide. Drowning can occur anywhere there is water: oceans, seas, lakes, pools, bathtubs, rivers or water collection on the side of the road, etc. In many countries, there are drowning prevention programs for children and adults. The two most commonly used strategiesagainst drowning are the presence of lifeguards in public places and the use of protected areas that could prevent most of the drownings. The main aim of the present study is to examine the individual differences in a Big Five plus Two (BF+2) personality traits in lifeguards and non-lifeguards (including students). The subsample of lifeguards represented 122 male respondents who were, at the time of the survey, licensed as lifeguards (60.9%) or were in training for lifeguards-candidates (39.1%). The subsample of students represented 138 male respondents who were studying at the University of Novi Sad. The results indicate that lifeguards in comparison to students are more extraverted, open to experience, and conscientious, less neurotic, and aggressive. Both positive and negative valence are higher in student subsample. All of the above traits are desirable traits for people working as lifeguards.

Professional Female Athletes Are at a Heightened Risk of Iron-Deficient Erythropoiesis Compared With Nonathletes.

This study primarily aimed to quantify and compare iron status in professional female athletes and nonathletes. Furthermore, this study also aimed to identify differences in iron status according to sporting discipline and explore the relationship between ferritin concentration and weekly training volume in professional athletes. A total of 152 participants were included in this study, including 85 athletes who were members of senior teams (handball, n = 24; volleyball, n = 36; soccer, n = 19; and judo, n = 6) involved at the highest level of competition and 67 nonathletes. A significantly greater proportion (p = .05) of athletes (27%) demonstrated iron-deficient erythropoiesis (IDE) compared with nonathletes (13%). There were nonsignificant differences (p > .05) in the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID; 49% vs. 46%) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA; 2% vs. 4%) between athletes and nonathletes. Similarly, the prevalence of ID, IDE, and IDA was not significantly different between sports (p > .05). Furthermore, training volume was negatively correlated with ferritin concentration in athletes (r: -.464, moderate, p < .001). Professional female athletes are at a heightened risk of IDE compared with nonathletes; therefore, they should be periodically screened for ID to reduce the deleterious effects on training and performance. The similar prevalence of ID, IDE, and IDA found across athletes competing in different sports suggests that overlaps exist between handball, volleyball, soccer, and judo athletes regarding risk of disturbance in iron metabolism.

Prevalence of the palmaris longus and its impact on grip strength in elite gymnasts and non-athletes / Prevalencia del músculo palmar largo y el impacto en la fuerza de agarre en gimnastas de elite y no atletas

In elite athletes, the palmaris longus (PL) presence has a potential contribution to hand strength, smaller reaction time, better shooting speed and power. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of PL in elite competitive artistic gymnasts and its impact on grip strength compared to a control group of moderately active non-athletes. This prospective study included 370 subjects divided in two groups (170 elite artistic gymnasts and 200 moderately active non-athletes, students of medicine). The study consisted of two clinical sets of examination: a search for the clinical presence of PL was initially conducted followed by the assessment of maximal grip strength. Standard and six additional tests were performed to confirm PL tendon absence. Maximal grip strength was measured bilaterally with an electronic hand dynamometer. Bilateral absence was more common than unilateral, predominately noted on left side in both study groups. Unilateral PL absence was correlated to decreased grip strength in students, while the opposite was found in gymnasts. The mean value of grip strength in some age groups was higher on the side where the PL was absent. The results of our study show that the presence of the PL doesn`t affect the hand grip strength in gymnasts. Due to the low incidence of unilateral PL absence, further large-sampled research is warranted to assess PL contribution to hand grip strength and to other hand functions that could be of significant importance for athletes and non-athletes.

La presencia del músculo palmar largo (MPL) en atletas de élite tiene el potencial de aportar mayor fuerza a la mano, un tiempo de reacción menor, mejor velocidad de tiro y potencia. El objetivo de este estudio fue investigar la prevalencia de MPL en las gimnastas artísticas competitivas de élite y su impacto en la fuerza de agarre en comparación con un grupo control de no atletas moderadamente activos. El estudio incluyó 370 sujetos divididos en dos grupos (170 gimnastas artísticas de élite y 200 no atletas moderadamente activos, estudiantes de medicina). El estudio consistió en dos series clínicas de examen: inicialmente se realizó una búsqueda de la presencia clínica de MPL, seguido de la evaluación de la fuerza máxima de agarre. Se realizaron pruebas estándar y seis pruebas adicionales para confirmar la ausencia del tendón del MPL. La máxima fuerza de agarre se midió bilateralmente con un dinamómetro de mano electrónico. La ausencia bilateral fue más común que unilateral, predominantemente observada en el lado izquierdo en ambos grupos de estudio. La ausencia unilateral de MPL se correlacionó con una menor fuerza de agarre en los estudiantes, mientras que en gimnastas se encontró lo contrario. El valor medio de la fuerza de agarre en algunos grupos de edad fue mayor en el lado donde el MPL estaba ausente. Los resultados de nuestro estudio muestran que la presencia de MPL no afecta la fuerza de agarre de la mano en gimnastas. Debido a la baja incidencia de ausencia unilateral de MPL, se justifica una investigación adicional de gran tamaño para evaluar la contribución de MPL a la fuerza de agarre de la mano y otras funciones de la mano que podrían ser de gran importancia para los atletas y no atletas.

ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONAL CAPACITY OF ELITE ROWERS AND HANDBALL PLAYERS.

INTRODUCTION: Anthropometric and anaerobic profile of elite athletes are fundamental for the assessment of their respective performance. The present study was designed to evaluate the anthro- pornetric parameters, body composition and anaerobic characteristics of elite male handball players and rowers, and to compare them in relation to specific sport demands. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study group consisted of 41 elite national level athletes: 20 handball players (aged 23.7±3.72) and 21 rowers (aged 19.7±2.84). Anthropometric characteristics (body mass, body height, skinfold thickness, body circumferences), and body fat mass were evaluated, and Wingate anaerobic test for anaerobic power assessment Iwas applied. RESULTS: The significant differences were noted in chest-upper arm, waist and hip circumferences, and supraspinal and calf skinfolds between the two investigated groups. Rowers showed higher values of fat body mass (13.2±3.76 vs. 10.7±3.76%), but lower body mass index (22.0±1,92 vs. 25.7?2.31 kg/in12) compared to handball players. When analyzing the Wingate test parameters, significantly higher values of absolute anaerobic power (786±127 vs. 691±140 W), absolute explosive power in the handball players compared to the rowers were recorded ( 18±26.3 vs. 105±27.8 W/s), whi le rowers achieved higher relative anaerobic capacity (192±3 1.2 vs. 177±E20.8 J/ kg). CONCLUSION: Specific body composition and anthropometri- cal assessment as a part of morphological analysis should complement physiological profile of elite athletes. The analysis of the anaerobic performance shows that the handball players have greater alactic anaerobic and explosive power component, compared to the rowers in whom the anaerobic endurance and specific training have the greatest effect on the consumption of dominant metabolic substrate during the race.

[Application of modified Wingate anaerobic test in maximal power measurement].

INTRODUCTION: Wingate anaerobic test is an all-out test, which gives information about maximal anaerobic power. The aim of the study was to show characteristics of standard and modified versions of Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), and to determine and explain the differences in observed parameters due to the measurement protocol applied. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The testing was conducted on 30 male non sportsmen, who performed usual everyday activities. The following parameters were measured: peak power or anaerobic power, mean power as a mean value of power during the whole test and explosive power or acceleration. Modified versions were performed with 5 s or 10 s delay of maximal cycling activity, during which the person was slowly pedaling. RESULTS: The average values of parameters Peak power and Explosive power in our participants were 622.20 +/- 134.57 W and 89.26 +/- 28.57 W/s, respectively. In modification 1 Peak Power and Explosive Power were 680.25 +/- 133.43 W and 100.60 +/- 12.77 W/s, and in modification 2 they were 685.95 +/- 135.68 W and 100.30 +/- 10.09 W/s. Significant differences were found in both parameters between the standard and modified versions, but there was no significant difference between two modified versions. The mean power parameter was not considered in the discussion, because of the fact that modified versions were shortened, and it was not a valid measurement for this parameter. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The difference between standard and modified versions can be explained by the difference between test and retest probes, and also because of modification of protocol which can partially influence the results of testing.

Motivation and motoric tests in sports.

Motivation in sport performance has been an interesting topic for many investigators during the past decade. This area can be considered from different viewpoints: motivation for participation in sport activity, achievement motivation, competitiveness etc. Motivation plays an important role in all out tests, as well as in sport activities and at all levels of competition. Motivation climate, or positive social environment may influence and modulate motivation of individuals involved in sports. Experience has shown that conventional encouragement and feedback during the test may affect its outcome. According to Wingate research team recommendations, verbal encouragement, as a motivation factor, was given to all examined subjects during Wingate anaerobic test, which is considered the most reliable test for assessing anaerobic capacity. The investigated group consisted of 30 young men--medical students, who were not actively involved in any programmed sport activity. The investigated group included second-year students of the Faculty of Medicine in Novi Sad chosen by random sampling. The Wingate anaerobic test was performed in all subjects, and changes of parameters when test was performed with verbal encouragement, were recorded The results show statistically significant increase of Wingate test parameters when conducted with verbal encouragement: anaerobic power (622/669 W); relative anaerobic power (7.70/8.27 W/kg); slope of the power (95.5/114 W/s); relative slope of the power (1.18/1.40 W/s/kg); anaerobic capacity (12.7/13.2 kJ) and relative anaerobic capacity (158/164 J/kg).

[Event-related potentials following exercise bouts of different intensity].

INTRODUCTION: A number of articles on physical activity analyze the effects of acute bouts of physical exercise on the whole body. These experiments mainly include questionnaires and measurements of reaction time. The use of event-related potentials in laboratories for functional diagnostics is only of recent date. The aim of this experiment was to give insights into the impact of physical activity of different intensity on the amplitude and latency of P300 cognitive potentials. MATERIAL AND METHODS: After recording cognitive event-related potentials in 17 young (21.6+/-1.07 yrs) healthy adults (at Fz and Cz), the participants underwent a controlled bicycle ergometer exercise. Each exercise lasted 10 minutes, with successive increase in the intensity to 60%, 75% and 90% of the maximum pulse rate and maintaining this level of intensity for six minutes. Immediately after each bout of exercise, event-related potentials were recorded. RESULTS: The amplitude of the P300 wave, following exercise intensity at 75% of the maximum pulse (Pmax) (Fz 15.00+/-4.57, Cz 18.63+/-8.83 mV ) was statistically higher (p<0.05) than the amplitude of the P300 at rest (Fz 11.21+/-4.15 mV; (Cz 13.40+/-8.04 mV), at 60% (Fz 11.86+/-5.11 mV; Cz 14.54+/-8.06 mV) and at 90% of maximum pulse (Fz 13.26+/-4.73 mV; Cz 14.91+/-8.91 mV). There were no statistically significant differences (p>0.05) between amplitudes at 60% of Pmax and values obtained at rest and at 90% of Pmax. Also, no statistically significant differences were recorded (p>0.05) among the latencies of P300 recorded at rest (Fz 323.57+/-3.24 ms; Cz 323.57+/-13.24 ms) and at 60% of Pmax (Fz 321.14+/-22.38 ms; Cz 321.86+/-22.88 ms), at 75% of Pmax (Fz 321.50+/-16.67 ms; Cz 322.50+/-14.60 ms) and at 90% of Pmax (Fz 326.29+/-7.85 ms; Cz 325.43+/-7.63 ms). DISCUSSSION AND CONCLUSION: Physical activity has a positive impact on cognitive functions. At intermediate intensities, the amplitude of P300 increases, but at submaximal intensities it decreases to values obtained at rest. However, the latency of P300 did not show a statistically significant change after different intensities of exercise.