The aim of this study was to determine whether, after 8 days of water-only fasting, there are changes in the efficiency of the lower urinary tract, the concentration of sex hormones, and the symptoms of prostate diseases in a group of middle-aged men (n = 14). For this purpose, before and after 8 days of water-only fasting (subjects drank ad libitum moderately mineralized water), and the following somatic and blood concentration measurements were made: total prostate specific antigen (PSA-T), free prostate specific antigen (PSA-F), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), luteotropic hormone (LH), prolactin (Pr), total testosterone (T-T), free testosterone (T-F), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), sex hormone globulin binding (SHGB), total cholesterol (Ch-T), β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB). In addition, prostate volume (PV), volume of each testis (TV), total volume of both testes (TTV), maximal urinary flow rate (Qmax), and International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) values were determined. The results showed that after 8 days of water-only fasting, Qmax and IPSS improved but PV and TTV decreased significantly. There was also a decrease in blood levels of PSA-T, FSH, P, T-T, T-F, and DHEA, but SHGB concentration increased significantly. These results indicate that 8 days of water-only fasting improved lower urinary tract functions without negative health effects.

Study aim : The aim of the present study was to determine the effect of 8 days of water-only fasting and physical exercise on somatic variables, lipid profile, insulin resistance and cardiovascular function in middle-aged men. Material and methods : Body weight, body composition, lipid profile, serum concentrations of insulin, glucose, β-hydroxybutyrate (β-HB), heart rate (HR), blood pressure and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were determined in 16 apparently healthy men at rest and after aerobic exercise. This test procedure was also repeated after 8 days of water-only fasting. Results : Fasting intervention resulted in a reduction in body weight and fat mass (p < 0.001). The simultaneous effect of fasting and exercise resulted in significant changes in lipid profile, carbohydrate metabolism and cardiovascular function. Post hoc analyses showed that the reductions in insulin and glucose concentrations as well as the HOMA-IR index were caused by the fasting, and changes in the lipid profile and cardiovascular function were caused by the exercise test. Conclusion : The combined use of fasting and physical effort resulted in an optimal effect on health indicators of the surveyed men.

Ventilatory threshold is one of the ways to measure cardiovasculatory fitness of the body. Therefore, in the present study it was decided to demonstrate which physiological parameters most accurately express the second ventilatory threshold (VAT2) depending on the cardiovasculatory fitness of different groups of athletes and untrained men. The study involved the following athletes: race walkers (n=14), weightlifters (n=16), powerlifters (n=16), runners (n=14), professional soccer players (n=13), amateur soccer players (n=16), martial arts (n=12), and untrained men (n=15). Subjects’ VAT2 and maximal load (ML) were recorded and at these levels were determined the value of achievable maximal power (P), oxygen uptake (VO2), heart rate (HR), the ratio for oxygen uptake and heart rate (VO2/HR) and the rate-pressure produkt (RPP). It was shown that subjects were of similar age but different body mass (BM) and BMI. There were also differences between athlete groups at VAT2 and ML in relation to: P, VO2, VO2/HR (p<0.001) and RPP only at VAT2 (p<0.023). Reached HR values at VAT2 as well as at ML have not differed between the groups. There were also intergroup differences at VAT2 in terms of relative values: %VO2max (p<0.002), %Pmax(p<0.016), %VO2max/%HRmax (p<0.03). Relatively expressed %HRmax and %RPPmax reached at VAT2 did not differ between the two groups. Runners, professional soccer players and race walkers achieved the most favorable indicators of physical performance. It has been demonstrated that VAT2 besides P i %Pmax was best described by VO2, %VO2max and by VO2/HR and %VO2max/%HRmax, as well as by RPP. On the other hand HR and %HRmax, as well as %RPPmax are not useful in this regard. Furthermore it should be recognized that athletes in whose structure of the training occurred running of varying intensity achieved the highest physical fitness.

Background/Objectives: Fasting and physical exertion positively affect body mass and composition. This study aimed to examine the effects of physical changes induced by eight days of water-only fasting and a physical exertion test and their influence on body satisfaction and body image parameters in middle-aged men. Methods: Fifteen participants were assessed for physical (height, body mass, and body composition) and psychological (body satisfaction, evaluation of body parts, and body image determinants) aspects before and after the fasting intervention, both at rest and post-exercise. Correlation and concordance coefficients were calculated for the analyzed variables. Results: It was found that the fasting intervention led to a reduction in body mass and a favorable shift in body composition, while also increasing satisfaction with one’s body and its specific parts. This positively impacted volunteers’ self-assessment of their health status. Selected body image parameters remained at an average level for the male population and did not change following the fasting. Attitudes toward body weight control methods and their perceived effectiveness did not change either. Participants favored reducing food intake and eliminating high-calorie products from their diet, rejecting the use pathological methods typically associated with eating disorders. A few associations between physical and psychological aspects of corporeality were observed, whereas significant correlations between satisfaction with body parts and parameters and a positive body image were confirmed. Conclusions: The above suggest that physical conditions and their changes resulting from fasting and physical exertion lead to a positive influence on body satisfaction and its components but do not alter body image.