Haemodynamic parameters in postmenopausal women - beneficial effect of moderate continuous exercise training.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVE: Physical effort plays a positive role in reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the cardiovascular status in postmenopausal women after several years of regular amateur training. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 55 generally healthy females aged 50-70 years, of whom 38 were members of a senior exercise group and 17 comprised a control group, were enrolled in the study. Parameters of blood flow, vascular resistance, myocardial contractility and thoracic fluid content were measured in a 10-minute supine resting test by impedance cardiography. Thereafter, central blood pressure, augmentation index and pulse wave velocity were measured by applanation tonometry. RESULTS: Exercising women have a better outcome than the control group, when evaluated both with impedance cardiography and with applanation tonometry. They have a lower heart rate - HR (65.1 vs 71.5; p = 0.033), higher blood flow (stroke index - SI, 58.6 vs 50.3; p = 0.040), better myocardial contractility (acceleration index - ACI, 108.8 vs 88.1; p = 0.027), higher preload (thoracic fluid content index - TFCI, 20.5 vs 18.1; p = 0.002), lower afterload (systemic vascular resistance index - SVRI, 1972.9 vs 2110.5; p = 0.026), lower central systolic blood pressure - cBPsys (119.0 vs 129.5; p = 0.037), lower augmentation pressure - AP (10.3 vs 15.0; p = 0.044) and lower pulse wave velocity - PWV (7.4 vs 8.4; p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Regular moderate continuous aerobic exercise training has a beneficial impact on the cardiovascular system in postmenopausal women.

[Stochastic resonance method in physiotherapy - a review of the literature].

Non-linearity is an important feature of many human body structures that may result from deterministic properties of the body and noise. Noise is defined as accidental or irregular fluctuations or disturbances that are not part of the signal. Stochastic resonance (SR), the term originally used in a very specific context, is now widely used to describe any phenomenon in which the presence of noise in a nonlinear system is better for the quality of the output signal than its absence. The conducted research for the needs of physiotherapy consists in assessing the impact of the platform generating forced mechanical vibrations with specific parameters in selected disease entities, sports disciplines, as well as prevention. The aim of the work is to discuss the stochastic resonance method and to analyze the results of the most important works discussing the use and effectiveness of therapeutic impact on the human body. The use of the stochastic resonance method enforces mechanical vibrations, which are characterized by the variability of rhythm, amplitude and direction of vibrations, which enforces postural adjustment regulated by the CNS and response to stimuli that disturb the body's balance. The analysis of the effectiveness of therapeutic impact in the field of body balance disorders, reeducation of locomotion in people with partial spinal cord injury, motor motility and changes in hormonal concentrations was carried out. Stochastic resonance therapy can reduce or eliminate dysfunction in many disease entities, however, further studies are needed to assess the effectiveness of the therapy.

Methods for acquiring data on terrain geomorphology, course geometry and kinematics of competitors' runs in alpine skiing: a historical review.

PURPOSE: This paper aims at the description and comparison of methods of topographic analysis of racing courses at all disciplines of alpine skiing sports for the purposes of obtaining: terrain geomorphology (snowless and with snow), course geometry, and competitors' runs. METHODS: The review presents specific methods and instruments according to the order of their historical appearance as follows: (1) azimuth method with the use of a compass, tape and goniometer instruments; (2) optical method with geodetic theodolite, laser and photocells; (3) triangulation method with the aid of a tape and goniometer; (4) image method with the use of video cameras; (5) differential global positioning system and carrier phase global positioning system methods. RESULTS: Described methods were used at homologation procedure, at training sessions, during competitions of local level and during International Ski Federation World Championships or World Cups. Some methods were used together. CONCLUSIONS: In order to provide detailed data on course setting and skiers' running it is recommended to analyse course geometry and kinematics data of competitors' running for all important competitions.