DETERMINATION OF THE ACTIVITY OF REFLEXOGENIC ZONES OF THE BODY DURING THE PERFORMANCE OF STATIC EXERCISE OF HATHA YOGA (DHANURASANA)

By measuring the electrical conductivity of different meridians of the human body data can be obtained to demonstrate the meridian energies. Such non-invasive methods are used to stimulate acupuncture points on the meridians. There is a need to confirm the effectiveness of mechanisms of acupuncture for the human body using scientific methods. Measuring the electrical conductivity of different meridians provides indicators for interpretation. The aim of our study is to establish the possibility of using the method of studying the effect of exercise on the body by means of acupuncture diagnostics according to J.Nakatani’s method on the example of static exercise, which is performed similarly to Dhanurasana (outside the bow in Hatha Yoga). Ten female students were examined. Measurements were taken before the exercise, during and after the exercise after 6 minutes. The results of the research showed significant changes in the indicators of electrical activity in the representative points of the meridians of the body. An increase in electrical activity in the meridians of the human body, which are responsible for the functions of the respiratory, cardiovascular systems, kidneys and adrenal glands, gallbladder, small and large intestines, spleen, pancreas, liver and bladder, and its decrease in the meridian of the stomach. The method of acupuncture diagnostics chosen allows determining the electrical activity of the meridians of the human body during static exercise. It is possible to offer use of this technique of research of influence of physical exercises on a human body along with other generally accepted scientific methods.

GABAA receptor activation modulates the muscle sympathetic nerve activity responses at the onset of static exercise in humans

Exercise is a well-known sympathoexcitatory stimulus. However, muscle sympathetic nerve activity (MSNA) can decrease during the onset of muscle contraction. Yet, the underlying mechanisms and neurotransmitters involved in the sympathetic responses at the onset of exercise remain unknown. Herein, we tested the hypothesis that GABAA receptors may contribute to the MSNA responses at the onset of static handgrip in humans. Thirteen young, healthy individuals (4 females) performed 30 s of ischemic static handgrip at 30% of maximum volitional contraction before and following oral administration of either placebo or diazepam (10 mg), a benzodiazepine that enhances GABAA activity. MSNA (microneurography), beat-to-beat blood pressure (finger photopletysmography), heart rate (electrocardiogram) and stroke volume (ModelFlow) were continuously measured. Cardiac output (CO = stroke volume x heart rate) and total vascular conductance (TVC = CO / mean blood pressure) were subsequently calculated. At rest, MSNA was reduced while hemodynamic variables were unchanged after diazepam administration. Before diazepam, static handgrip elicited a significant decrease in MSNA burst frequency (∆-7±2 bursts/min, P<0.01 vs. baseline) and MSNA burst incidence (∆-16±2 bursts/100 heart beats, P<0.01 vs. baseline); however, these responses were attenuated following diazepam administration (∆-1±2 bursts/min and ∆-7±2 bursts/100 heart beats, respectively; P<0.01 vs. before diazepam). Diazepam did not affect the increases in heart rate, blood pressure, CO and TVC at the exercise onset. Importantly, the placebo had no effect on any variable at rest or exercise onset. These findings suggest that GABAA receptor activation modulates the MSNA responses at the onset of static exercise in young, healthy humans.

Force Production and Coordination from Older Women in Water Fitness Exercises

The aim of this study was to compare bilateral propulsive forces and coordination while exercising at static and dynamic conditions in the water. A total of 27 older women (age: 65.1 ± 6.7 years old) performed the following exercises: (i) horizontal upper-limbs adduction (HA; static condition) and (ii) rocking horse (RH; dynamic condition) through an incremental protocol with music cadences from 105 up to 150 b·min−1. The duration of each trial was set at 30 second (sec). Propulsive peak force (in Newton, N) of dominant (PFD) and nondominant (PFND) upper limbs was retrieved using hand sensors coupled to a differential pressure system. Significant differences in force production were found between static and dynamic exercises at higher cadences (120, 135, and 150 b·min−1). The static condition elicited higher bilateral propulsive forces and a more symmetric pattern. The in-water static exercise with bilateral action from the upper limbs proved to be the most appropriate strategy for older women to work strength and to reduce asymmetries.

Women and strength training

Strength training does not constitute women’s favourite physical activity. It is demonstrated in the survey conducted by Budzyńska at the University of Szczecin in 2013 among students of the Pedagogical Faculty. Only 1% of the surveyed students showed interest in strength training. The vision of a bodybuilding silhouette discourages women from taking up strength training. It is displayed in the survey conducted by Zaustowska in 2001 among junior high school students. Out of 78 respondents, 71 stated that they did not like the muscular figure. These fears are unfounded since a woman’s body is not disposed to achieve a bodybuilding figure. It depends on the structural, morphological and biochemical properties of one’s body. Some women who practice bodybuilding rely on strength training additionally supporting the growth of muscle mass with nutrients. This paper presents the advantages of applying strength training in everyday physical activity. These include fat reduction and a slim figure. Furthermore, the result of strength training is a relative increase in muscle mass and strength development. Another benefit of this form of activity is the strengthening of the structures which stabilize joints and bones thus reducing the risk of injury. The duration of static exercise depends on the applied load. Due to the short duration of static effort and relatively high strength commitment, energy for working muscles comes from anaerobic changes. ATP, phosphocreatine and a small amount of glycogen which are hydrolyzed. During the static exercise blood pressure and heart rate are increased. These changes are dependent on the size of the strength developed to oppose resistance. A heavy load used during the static exercise often causes reflex respiratory arrest, a dangerous phenomenon resulting in fainting during the exercise.

Central aortic hemodynamics following acute lower and upper-body exercise in a cold environment among patients with coronary artery disease

Exercise is beneficial to cardiovascular health, evidenced by reduced post-exercise central aortic blood pressure (BP) and wave reflection. We assessed if post-exercise central hemodynamics are modified due to an altered thermal state related to exercise in the cold in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). CAD patients (n = 11) performed moderate-intensity lower-body exercise (walking at 65–70% of HRmax) and rested in neutral (+ 22 °C) and cold (− 15 °C) conditions. In another protocol, CAD patients (n = 15) performed static (five 1.5 min work cycles, 10–30% of maximal voluntary contraction) and dynamic (three 5 min workloads, 56–80% of HRmax) upper-body exercise at the same temperatures. Both datasets consisted of four 30-min exposures administered in random order. Central aortic BP and augmentation index (AI) were noninvasively assessed via pulse wave analyses prior to and 25 min after these interventions. Lower-body dynamic exercise decreased post-exercise central systolic BP (6–10 mmHg, p < 0.001) and AI (1–6%, p < 0.001) both after cold and neutral and conditions. Dynamic upper-body exercise lowered central systolic BP (2–4 mmHg, p < 0.001) after exposure to both temperatures. In contrast, static upper-body exercise increased central systolic BP after exposure to cold (7 ± 6 mmHg, p < 0.001). Acute dynamic lower and upper-body exercise mainly lowers post-exercise central BP in CAD patients irrespective of the environmental temperature. In contrast, central systolic BP was elevated after static exercise in cold. CAD patients likely benefit from year-round dynamic exercise, but hemodynamic responses following static exercise in a cold environment should be examined further.Clinical trials.gov: NCT02855905 04/08/2016.

Determination of the functional state of the body using non-traditional research methods when performing the static exercise: "Prone press ups, static top position" (Cobra)

<p><strong>The aim</strong> of the work was to determine the electrical activity of the skin when performing a static exercise "Prone press ups, static top position (Cobra) ".</p><p><strong>Material and methods</strong>. Investigation of the effect of the selected static exercise was performed using the method of determining the electrical conductivity of representative points of the human body. Ten female students of 18-20 years who perfectly mastered the technique of performing the exercise were surveyed. The measurements were performed during, after and after 6 minutes.</p><p><strong>Results.</strong> Significant changes in indicators of electrical activity in representative points of the human body were revealed. Selected static exercise has a significant impact on the functional state of the person: according to Chinese folk medicine, stimulates the body points corresponding to the acupuncture meridians according to the classification of Chinese medicine cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune systems, colon and submucosa, mucosa spleen, small intestine.</p><p><strong>Conclusions</strong>. During the study of the effect of static exercise, it was found that the increase of electrical activity of the human body points, which, according to the literature, are responsible for the functions of the respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic and immune systems, the large intestine. This exercise also causes a decrease in electrical activity at representative points of the liver, stomach, and inhibits the activity of the small intestine, spleen, and pancreas. It is possible to propose the use of methods for determining the activity of human body points for the study of the influence of static exercises on the human body, along with other generally accepted scientific methods.</p>

Microvascular blood flow changes of the abductor pollicis brevi muscle during sustained static exercise

ABSTRACTA practical assessment of the health of the palm muscle, abductor pollicis brevis (APB), is important for diagnosis of different conditions. Here we have developed a protocol and a probe to utilize diffuse correlation spectroscopy (DCS) to characterize microvascular blood flow changes in the APB during and after sustained isometric exercise, during and after thumb abduction at at 55% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC). Blood flow in the APB decreased during exercise in the subjects (n=13) with high MVC (n=7) and stayed constant in the ones with low MVC (n=6) suggesting that the mechanical occlusion due to increased intramuscular pressure exceeded the vasodilation elicited by the higher demand. Blood flow changes during exercise negatively correlated with the absolute force applied by each subject. Muscular blood flow increased after exercise compared to the values reached during exercise. In conclusion, DCS allows the study of the response of a small muscle to static exercise.