Anorexic Readiness Syndrome in Elite Female Acrobatic Gymnasts-International Study.

Anorexic Readiness Syndrome (ARS) is a concept used in research for the early detection of disordered eating (DE). It is a set of indicators located primarily within the cognitive and behavioral sphere of an individual's functioning. The aim of this study was to examine whether among the elite acrobats there are girls showing a high level of anorexic tendency, and if so, what behaviors and attitudes are the most common. In addition, an attempt to determine what sport-related factors or other non-sport variables may increase the risk of ARS was conducted. The study group was made up of 133 acrobatic gymnasts aged 10-19, representing six countries that participated in the Acro World Cup competition held in Poland. The study procedures included surveys (personal questionnaire and the Eating Attitudes Questionnaire), anthropometric measurements such as weight, height, waist circumference (WC) and determination of the Body Mass Index (BMI), fat percentage (Fat%), and waist to height ratio (WHtR). A high level of ARS was found in 9.8% of acrobats. This group most often declared attitudes and behaviors indicative of anorexic tendencies. A strong relationship with the level of ARS was noted in the following: the use of fasting and diets (p ≤ 0.001; V = 0.54), limiting of fats and carbohydrates (p ≤ 0.001; V = 0.60), feeling angry after eating too much (p ≤ 0.001; V = 0.55), knowing the caloric value of many food products (p ≤ 0.001; V = 0.59), and the desire to improve the appearance of one's body (p ≤ 0.001; V = 0.52). The role played in the acrobatic partnership and the region of residence were considered as the sport-related risk factors. Among non-sport factors, the strongest predictor of ARS was the age of gymnasts (ß = 0.516; p ≤ 0.001).

Postural Control and Psychophysical State Following of Flight Simulator Session in Novice Pilots.

Flight simulators can cause side effects usually called simulator sickness. Scientific research proves that postural instability can be an indicator of the occurrence of simulator sickness symptoms. This study aims to assess changes of postural control and psychophysical state in novice pilots following 2-h exposure to simulator conditions. The postural sway was quantified based on variables describing the displacement of the Center of Pressure (COP) generated in a quiet stance with eyes open (EO) and closed (EC). The psychophysical state was assessed using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ). The research was carried out in a group of 24 novice pilots who performed procedural and emergency flight exercises in the simulator at Instrument Meteorological Conditions. Each subject was examined twice: immediately before the simulator session (pre-exposure test), and just after the session (post-exposure test). The differences in postural stability between pre- and post-exposure to simulator conditions were assessed based on the normalized Romberg quotients, calculated for individual variables. The lower median values of all Romberg quotients confirmed the decreasing difference between the measures with eyes open and with eyes closed in the post-exposure tests. After the flight simulator session in both measurements (EO and EC) the values of the length of sway path (SP), the mean amplitude (MA), the sway area (SA) have changed. The visual contribution to postural sway control was reduced. The median values for all SSQ scores (total, nausea, oculomotor, and disorientation scales) were significantly higher in post-exposure tests. The largest increase was noted in the oculomotor SSQ scores (from 7.6 ± 7.6 to 37.9 ± 26.5). Over 50% of pilots participating in this study expressed symptoms typical of simulator sickness connected with visual induction: fatigue, eyestrain, difficulty focusing and difficulty concentrating. The severity of oculomotor and disorientation symptoms were rated as moderate (total SSQ score of more than 25 and <60). This study concludes that changes noted in the postural control and psychophysical state of the studied pilots after exposure to the flight simulator confirm the occurrence of the simulator sickness symptoms. Although, we did not find significant correlation of postural stability with SSQ scores.

Effect of Aging on the Lower Limb Kinematics in Karate Practitioners: Comparing Athletes and Their Senseis.

With the life expectancy increasing, older adult population has gained the attention of many researchers. Aging is known to lead to a general decline in bodily functions, which affect the quality of life. The aim of this study was to analyze how the aging process affects veteran active karate practitioners, in the kinematic and temporal structure of the frontal kick. Nine black belt karate practitioners over 50 years old and 24 black belt karate practitioners, aged between 20 and 30 years old, all male, performed the frontal kick mae-geri. Results showed that knee is the structure that holds most differences between young and veterans, both for linear and for angular variables during the mae-geri performance. Statistical differences were found in linear velocity for the knee; linear acceleration of the knee, hip, and RASIS; maximum angular velocity for knee and hip; maximum angular acceleration for ankle and hip; and in the range of motion of knee. The temporal variables show differences, between groups, in maximum linear velocity, maximum linear acceleration, and maximum angular acceleration. However, no differences were found between groups for the time before contact in the maximum linear and angular acceleration, which allow us to remark both the effects of the aging process and the effect of training. This study corroborates the ability of older people to achieve benefits from sports practice, achieving higher efficiency than the younger adults in task execution, but using different motor control strategies.