Search

Military operations subject soldiers to intense stress, which can adversely affect both their emotional regulation and physical balance. This study examines the effectiveness of Reich’s vegetotherapy (VGT), an alternative non-pharmacological intervention, in improving these critical areas among military personnel. A total of 29 soldiers, with an average age of 30, were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (EG; 15 soldiers) or a control group (CG; 14 soldiers). Over a period of 6 weeks, the EG participated in twice-weekly VGT sessions, while the CG received no intervention. The intervention group showed a significant reduction in anxiety levels, with scores improving from the beginning to the end of the test ( p = .001) and a significant time × group interaction ( p = .003). The EG experienced a greater improvement (-68%) compared to the CG (−9%) ( p = .036). In the open-eyes postural balance test, the EG showed a significant improvement ( p = .029), with a time × group interaction effect ( p = .04), although no significant difference was found between the groups ( p > .05). The EG improved more (−36%) compared to the CG (24%). In addition, anger levels significantly improved post-intervention ( p = .001), with a significant time × group interaction ( p = .001). These findings suggest that Reich’s VGT may serve as an effective method for mitigating stress-related impairments in military personnel. Further research with larger sample sizes is necessary to validate these results and explore its broader applications.

Background: Drop height has previously been used as an effective programming parameter in plyometric jump training. Less is known about the usage of maximal rebound jump height from a distinct drop height as a parameter for individualized plyometric jump training. Hence, the aim of this study was to contrast the effects of two different drop jump (DJ) training modalities using either the individualized maximal rebound height (MRHT) or a standard (SDHT) drop height on selected measures of physical fitness in young volleyball players. Methods: Thirty male young volleyball players aged 14 to 16 years were randomly assigned to an MRHT (n = 15) or an SDHT (n = 15) group. The MRHT group performed DJ exercises using a drop height according to the individual's maximal rebound jump height from 30 cm, 40 cm, and 50 cm drop heights. The SDHT group performed DJs following a standardized drop height (30 cm) across the 8-week intervention period. The overall training volume was similar between MRHT and SDHT with one to three sets of 8 to 10 repetitions of DJ exercises per session. Before and after training, jump height and the reactive strength index (RSI) were taken as dependent variables from 30, 40, and 50 cm drop heights. In addition, dynamic balance (Y-balance test) as well as linear sprint and change-of-direction (CoD) speed were assessed. Results: Significant group × time interactions were found for jump height, balance, RSI, and linear sprint (p < 0.001; d = 0.12–3.42) but not CoD speed. Post hoc tests showed significant jump height improvements in favor of the MRHT group for drop heights from 30 cm (Δ20.4%, p < 0.001, d = 3.69), 40 cm (Δ20.3%, p < 0.001, d = 2.90), and 50 cm (Δ18.3%, p < 0.001, d = 3.37) and RSI50 (Δ30.14%, p < 0.001, d = 2.29). MRHT but not SDHT resulted in significant 5 m (Δ9.2%, p < 0.001, d = 1.32) and 20 m (Δ7.4%, p < 0.01, d = 2.30) linear sprint speed improvements. Conclusions: The findings demonstrate that MRHT but not SDHT improved DJ height, RSI, and linear sprint speed. Due to the importance of vertical jumps and short accelerations for overall competitive performance in volleyball, our results suggest that young male players should perform MRHT as part of plyometric jump training if the goal is to improve acceleration, reactive strength, and vertical jump performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess the effect of beetroot juice supplementation (BEET) on neuromuscular fatigue etiology during simulated soccer match play. In a randomized, double-blind, crossover design, 13 soccer players completed the Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST). Players received either BEET (2×150 mL; ∼8 mmol/L nitrate) or placebo (PLA) for 7 days (6 days prior to the experimental session and on the day of trial, 2 h before LIST). Neuromuscular assessments were performed at baseline, 45 min (half time: HT), and 90 min (full time: FT) following LIST. Maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and twitch responses, delivered through electrical femoral nerve stimulation, were used to assess peripheral (quadriceps resting twitch force Qtw,pot) and central fatigue (voluntary activation, VA). Compared with baseline, MVC Qtw,pot and VA values decreased in PLA and BEET conditions at HT and FT (P < 0.05). Compared with PLA, the decrease in MVC and Qtw,pot was significantly attenuated with BEET at HT and FT (P < 0.001). Likewise, BEET attenuated the decrease in VA at HT (P < 0.001, d = 1.3) and FT (P < 0.001, d = 1.5) compared with the PLA condition. Chronic beetroot juice supplementation attenuates neuromuscular fatigue development during simulated soccer matches, and this is due to both central and peripheral factors. Consequently, chronic beetroot may optimize physical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Exercise induced bronchospasm (EIB) commonly occurs during exercise. The comparative effects of different sports on airway responsiveness among prepubertal boys remain to be determined., Objectives: To assess differences in post exercise spirometry between footballers, judokas and a control group in prepubertal boys., Patients and Methods: A total of ninety six prepubertal boys were studied. Bronchial hyper responsiveness (BHR) to exercise challenge test was defined by a diagnosis of baseline spirometry, followed by an incremental exercise test. To date, the best test to confirm EIB may simply be standard pulmonary function testing before and after high-intensity exercise. A 10% or greater post-challenge fall in forced expiratory volume in FEV1 is used as a diagnostic criterion., Results: There was no significant difference in baseline spirometry between all groups (P > 0.05). The post exercise spirometry test revealed the presence of EIB in 16 of 32 (50%) footballers against 9 out of 32 (28.12%) in both judokas and control subjects at 5 min after the exercise. Also, there was a significantly higher decrease (P < 0.05) in mean FEV1 at 5 minuts in footballers (-9.60 ± 6.18) compared to judokas (-5.41 ± 5.85)., Conclusions: The footballers have more BHR than judokas, especially at 5min after the exercise. This may be due to prolonged hyperventilation, atopy and increased exposure to inhaled allergens and pollutants during training and competition.