Autonomic Cardiac Activity Among Novice Archers During Baseline, Shooting, and Recovery.

Tok, S, Dal, N, Zekioglu, A, Çatikkas, F, Balikçi, I, and Dogan, E. Autonomic cardiac activity among novice archers during baseline, shooting and recovery. J Strength Cond Res 34(9): 2627-2635, 2020-In the present study, we aimed to investigate whether heart rate variability (HRV) of novice archers may vary during baseline, shooting, and recovery periods. In addition, we aimed to explore whether HRV may have different patterns between successful and less successful archers and man and woman archers. The sample consisted of 39 (12 woman) novice archers ranging in age from 21 to 27. Baseline HRV activity was measured in the first stage of the experiment. Then, participants shot 10 arrows, from 18 m to an 80 cm diameter target, whereas their HRV was measured. Lastly, HRV recovery response was measured immediately after shooting. HRV was represented as low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), and LF/HF ratio. When considering the entire sample, repeated measures of analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that only HF power differed among baseline, shooting, and recovery periods [F(2, 76) = 6.90, p = 0.002, ω = 0.15]. When the data partitioned, based on the median split of the shooting scores, repeated measures of ANOVA demonstrated that none of the HRV components differed in the less successful group from baseline to recovery. However, in the successful group, both LF [F(1.47, 30.98) = 4.75, p = 0.024, ω = 0.18] and HF [F(1.54, 32.37) = 6.61, p = 0.007, ω = 0.24] power significantly differed among baseline, shooting, and recovery. No differences were found between man and woman archers in terms of HRV indices. The results of the present study indicated that physical activities requiring the use of perceptual motor skills, in addition to physical qualities, may lead to different HRV responses. Moreover, coaches aiming to develop archers' shooting accuracy may take into account LF power measured during an arrow shooting session.

Flexor Tendon Injuries and Treatment Results of 67 Patients.

Flexor tendon injury is the most commonly seen hand injury. Tendons are the structures which enable the muscles to adhere to the bones and transmit the movement starting from the muscle to the bones. They have significant role in hand movement. As treatment method, surgical repair: (1) Primary repair, (2) Secondary repair; techniques are used. With the scientific studies conducted, flexor tendon morphology, kinematics, biomechanics, biological properties and tendon improvement became quite understandable, good suturing materials were developed and consequently successful studies regarding primary repair results were published. Flexor tendon surgery has reached its current level with the accumulation of knowledge obtained from the increased clinical and experimental studies. This study addresses flexor tendon injuries and surgical treatment methods. We achieved 76.12% full functioning fingers in the results; we obtained following the physical treatment application that started on the 10th day after primary repair that we performed in 67 patients who applied with acute flexor tendon Zone 1-2 and 3 incision. Flexion restriction and contracture developed in 16 patients (23.88%) at various levels. Scar softening and revision surgery for contracture excision was performed in 8 patients (11.94%) with Zone 2 injury due to contracture. Superficial skin infection developed in 21 patients (31.34%) and was treated. Revision surgery was performed in 6 patients with Zone 1 injury due to rupture occurred during rehabilitation.