This study investigated whether the addition of eight weeks of inspiratory muscle training (IMT) to a regular preseason soccer training program, including incremental endurance training (IET), would change pulmonary function, lung ventilation, and aerobic performance in young soccer players. Sixteen club-level competitive junior soccer players (mean age 17.63 ± 0.48 years, height 182 ± 0.05 cm, body mass 68.88 ± 4.48 kg) participated in the study. Participants were randomly assigned into two groups: experimental (n = 8) and control (n = 8). Both groups performed regular preseason soccer training, including endurance workouts as IET. In addition to this training, the experimental group performed additional IMT for eigght weeks with a commercially available respiratory muscle trainer (Threshold IMT), with a total of 80 inhalations (twice per day, five days per week). Pre- and post-intervention tests of pulmonary function, maximal inspiratory pressure, and the Cooper test were implemented. Eight weeks of IMT had a positive impact on expiratory muscle strength (p = 0.001); however, there was no significant effect on respiratory function parameters. The results also indicate increased efficiency of the inspiratory muscles, contributing to an improvement in aerobic endurance, measured by VO₂max estimated from running distance in the cardiorespiratory Cooper test (p < 0.005).

Urinary incontinence (UI) is an important social problem that affects more than 50% of postmenopausal women. The number of patients increases from year to year. According to recent data, UI affects women twice as often as men. This condition occurs in about 20-30% of young women, 30-40% in middle...

Sex Differences in Growth and Performance of Track and Field Athletes 11-15 Years: Objective: To evaluate sex differences in functional performances of youth track and field athletes. Methods: Four tests of functional capacity were administered to 309 youth 11-15 years training for track and field at sport schools, 136 boys and 173 girls. Grip strength, standing long jump, 2 kg medicine ball throw and 20 m sprint were measured; height, weight and adiposity were also. Two age groups were compared, 11-13 and 14-15 years. ANCOVA was used to test sex differences by age group in the total sample (disciplines combined) and specific disciplines; age, height and weight were covariates. Results: For the total sample, males in both age groups performed better than females in the four tests but sex differences were greater among 14-15 year olds. Within disciplines, sex differences among sprinters and middle distance and distance runners were greater at 14-15 years. Results varied for general athletics; the magnitude of sex differences was similar for strength in both age groups, greater for the throw at 11-13 years and greater for the jump and sprint at 14-15 years. Conclusion: Although sex differences in performance were apparent among athletes 11-13 years, they were greater among athletes 14-15 years, reflecting to a large extent the male adolescent spurt in body size, muscle mass, strength and power. Sex differences were more established in sprinters and middle distance and distance runners, and more variable in participants in general athletics.

Objective: The study analyzed the relationship between blood lead (BPb) levels and growth status of upper and lower body segments among schoolchildren living in the copper basin of south-western Poland. Materials and methods: Schoolchildren 7–15 years of age (463 males, 436 females) living in the vicinity of copper smelters and refineries were tested for blood lead. Weight, height, symphyseal height (leg, lower segment length), and arm length were measured. Trunk (upper segment including head and neck) length was estimated as height minus symphyseal height. The BMI was calculated using weight/height² (kg m⁻²). Results: Mean blood lead in the total sample was 7.7 ± 3.5 μg dL⁻¹ (2.0–33.9 μg dL⁻¹). Blood lead level was significantly and linearly related to reduced weight, height, trunk, leg, and arm lengths. The estimated reduction in height was 5 mm per 1 μg dL⁻¹ increase in blood lead (5.0 cm per 10 μg dL⁻¹). The reduction occurred in leg length (males, 64%; females 72%) compared to trunk length (males, 36%; females, 28%). Estimated reductions in arm length were 2.0 cm (males) and 2.5 cm (females) per 10 μg dL⁻¹ increase in blood lead. Hence, limb (leg and arm) lengths were markedly reduced. Conclusions: Linear skeletal growth was reduced with increased blood lead, even at levels below that considered for action by US CDC standards. The reduction in height occurred primarily in leg length. Arm length was also reduced, suggesting limb lengths in general were affected by blood lead. Results are consistent with lead-associated interruption of (1) major epiphyseal growth plate chondrocyte hyperplasia, hypertrophy, and interrupted matrix calcification as a primary cause of stunted long bone growth, and reduced stature; and (2) attenuated osteoblast activity (proliferation and migration) as a secondary cause of stunted growth in the study population. Résumé. Objectif: L’étude analyse l’association entre niveaux de plomb dans le sang (PbS) et statut de la croissance des segments supérieurs et inférieurs du corps, chez des écoliers vivant dans le bassin d’extraction du cuivre du sud-ouest de la Pologne. Matériels et méthodes: Des écoliers vivant au voisinage de fonderies de cuivre et de raffineries, âgés de 7 à 15 ans (463 garçons et 436 filles) ont été examinés pour le plomb sanguin. On a également mesuré le poids, la stature, la hauteur symphysaire (segment distal de la jambe) et la longueur du bras. La hauteur du tronc (dont la partie supérieure comprend la tête et le cou) a été estimée par la stature moins la hauteur symphysaire. L’IMC a été calculé par la relation poids/staturë (kg m²). Résultats: Le plomb sanguin atteint pour la totalité de l’échantillon, la valeur moyenne de 7.7 ± 3.5 µg dL^–1 (2.0--33.9 µg dL^–1). Le niveau de plomb sanguin est significativement, directement et linéairement, associé à une réduction du poids et des longueurs de la stature, du tronc, du bras et de la jambe. La réduction de la stature estimée est de 5 mm par accroissement du plomb sanguin de 1 µg dL^–1 (5.0 cm per 10 µg dL^–1). La réduction se note plus fréquemment sur la longueur de la jambe (garçons 64%, filles 72%) que sur celle du tronc (garçons 36%, filles 28%). Les estimations de réduction pour la longueur du bras sont de 2,0 cm (garçons) et 2,5 cm (filles) par augmentation du plomb sanguin de 10 µg dL^–1. Les longueurs de membres sont donc réduites de façon marquée. Conclusion: La croissance squelettique linéaire est réduite en fonction de l’augmentation du plomb dans le sang, même à des niveaux de concentration qui ne sont pas considérés comme nécessitant des mesures protectrices par les standards CDC des Etats-Unis. La réduction de stature prend d’abord place au niveau de la jambe mais la longueur du bras est également réduite, ce qui suggère que les membres en général sont affectés par le plomb sanguin. Les résultats sont cohérents avec l’association de l’interruption par le plomb de (1) la croissance épiphysaire majeure par l’hyperplasie des chondrocytes, l’hypertrophie et l’interruption de la matrice de calcification comme cause initiale de stase de la croissance des os longs et d’une stature réduite ; et (2) d’une activité ostéoblastique atténuée (prolifération et migration), comme cause secondaire de ralentissement de la croissance dans la population étudiée. Zusammenfassung. Ziel: Die Studie analysierte die Beziehung zwischen Bleigehalt des Blutes (BPb) und dem Wachstum der oberen und unteren Körperabschnitte bei Schulkindern, die nahe den Kupferverarbeitungsgebieten im Südwesten Polens leben. Material and Methoden: Schulkinder im Alter von 7--15 Jahren (463 Knaben, 436 Mädchen), die in der Nähe von Kupferschmelzen und Verarbeitungsanlagen leben, wurden auf Bleigehalt im Blut untersucht. Gewicht, Körperhöhe, Symphysenhöhe (Beinlänge, Unterlänge des Körpers) und Armlänge wurden gemessen. Rumpflänge (oberes Körpersegment einschließlich Kopf und Halslänge) wurde über die Differenz aus Körperhöhe minus Symphysenhöhe bestimmt. Der BMI wurde unter Verwendung des Quotienten Gewicht/Körperhöhe² (kg m^–2) berechnet. Ergebnisse: Die mittlere Bleikonzentration im Blut der gesamten Stichprobe betrug 7,7 ± 3,5 μg dL^–1 (2,0–33,9 μg dL^–1). Der Bleigehalt des Blutes war signifikant und linear mit einer Verringerung des Gewichts, der Körperhöhe, der Rumpf-, Bein- und Armlänge korreliert. Die geschätzte Verringerung an Körperhöhe betrug 5 mm pro 1 μg dL^–1 Anstieg der Blutbleikonzentration (5,0 cm per 10 μg dL^–1). Die Verringerung fand in der Beinlänge statt (Knaben 64%; Mädchen 72%) verglichen mit der Rumpflänge (Knaben 36%; Mädchen 28%). Die geschätzte Verkürzung der Armlänge betrug 2,0 cm (Knaben) und 2,5 cm (Mädchen) pro 10 μg dL^–1 Anstieg der Blutbleikonzentration. Aus diesem Grund war die Länge der Gliedmaßen (Bein- und Armlängen) deutlich verkürzt. Zusammenfassung: Lineares Skelettwachstum verringerte sich mit steigender Bleikonzentration im Blut, selbst wenn die Werte nach US CDC Standards noch nicht als bedenklich eingestuft werden. Die Verringerung der Körperhöhe machte sich insbesondere in der Beinlänge bemerkbar. Auch die Armlänge war verringert, was dafür spricht, dass die Länge der Gliedmaßen im Allgemeinen durch die Blutbleikonzentration beeinflusst wird. Die Ergebnisse passen zu der durch Blei verursachten (1) Unterbrechung von Hyperplasie und Hypertrophie der Chondrozyten der großen epiphysären Wachstumsfugen und der unterbrochenen Matrixkalzifikation als einer der wesentlichen Ursachen für Stillstand im Wachstum der langen Röhrenknochen und Kleinwuchs; und (2) der abgeschwächten Osteoblastenaktivität (Proliferation und Migration) als einer sekundären Ursache für den Wachstumsstillstand der untersuchten Population. Resumen. Objetivo: El estudio analizó la relación entre los niveles de plomo en sangre (BPb) y el nivel de crecimiento de los segmentos corporales superior e inferior, en escolares residentes en la cuenca cuprífera del sudoeste de Polonia. Materiales y métodos: Se comprobaron los niveles de plomo en sangre de escolares de entre 7 y 15 años de edad (463 varones y 436 mujeres) residentes en las inmediaciones de los hornos de fundición y de las refinerías de cobre. Se midieron el peso, la estatura, la altura sinfisaria (pierna, longitud del segmento inferior) y la longitud del brazo. La longitud del tronco (segmento superior que incluye la cabeza y el cuello) se estimó como la estatura menos la altura sinfisaria. El IMC se calculó mediante la fórmula peso/estatura² (kg m⁻²). Resultados: El nivel medio de plomo en sangre de la muestra total fue de 7,7±3,5 μg dl^–1 (2,0–33,9 μg dl^–1). El nivel de plomo en sangre estaba significativa y linealmente relacionado con la reducción en el peso, la estatura y las longitudes de tronco, pierna y brazo. La reducción estimada para la estatura fue de 5 mm por cada 1 μg dl^–1 de incremento de plomo en sangre (5,0 cm por cada 10 μg dl^–1). La reducción se observó en la longitud de la pierna (varones, 64%; mujeres, 72%) comparada con la longitud del tronco (varones, 36%; mujeres, 28%). Las reducciones estimadas en la longitud del brazo fueron de 2,0 cm (varones) y 2,5 cm (mujeres) por cada 10 μg dl^–1 de incremento de plomo en sangre. Por lo tanto, las longitudes de las extremidades (pierna y brazo) estaban marcadamente reducidas. Conclusiones: El crecimiento esquelético lineal se reducía conforme aumentaba el plomo en sangre, incluso en niveles que no se consideran activos por los estándares CDC estadounidenses. La reducción en la estatura ocurría sobre todo en la longitud de la pierna. La longitud del brazo también estaba reducida, lo que sugiere que las longitudes de la extremidades se ven afectadas en general por la presencia de plomo en sangre. Los resultados son consistentes con la interrupción asociada al plomo de (1) la hiperplasia e hipertrofia de los condrocitos de la placa de crecimiento de las epífisis mayores, y la interrupción de la calcificación de la matriz ósea, como causa primaria de la ausencia de crecimiento de los huesos largos y de una estatura reducida, y (2) con la atenuación de la actividad osteoblástica (proliferación y migración) como causa secundaria de la ausencia de crecimiento en la población estudiada.

Background: According to the literature, inspiratory muscle fatigue may increase after swimming training (ST). This study aimed to examine the efficacy of 8-week inspiratory muscular training (IMT) in disabled swimmers, combined with standard sports training, on selected parameters of lung ventilation and the function of respiratory muscles. Methods: A total of 16 disabled swimming division athletes from Wroclaw’s ‘Start’ Regional Sports Association qualified for the study. The subjects were randomly divided into two groups (ST and IMT). Both groups participated in swimming training for 8 weeks (8 times a week). The IMT group additionally participated in inspiratory muscle training (8 weeks). In all respondents, a functional lung test and the respiratory muscle strength was measured. Results: After 8 weeks of training, a significant increase in ventilation parameters and respiratory muscle strength was observed only in the IMT group. In ST group 1, a 20% improvement in the strength of inspiratory muscles was achieved. Conclusions: The inclusion of IMT is an important element that complements swimming training, allowing for greater increases in lung ventilation parameters and the strength of respiratory muscles in disabled swimmers.

There are more than 200 different diseases classed as interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). For epidemiological and practical purposes, ILDs are classified into diseases of known and unknown etiology. The aim of this review is to evaluate our current knowledge about the efficacy and safety of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) in patients with ILDs. Other issues, such as ILD pathogenesis, prevalence and comorbidity, are also elaborated in the review. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an important part of comprehensive care for patients with ILDs. In comparison to PR for patients with chronic pulmonary obstructive disease (COPD), the number of clinical studies concerning PR for patients with ILDs is small. The majority of trials have been performed in relatively small groups of patients. The principles of PR in this group of patients are the same as for patients with COPD. Exercise-induced desaturation is frequently observed during PR, which is the main source of complications in patients with ILDs. Major differences between ILD and COPD patients include poorer exercise tolerance and faster development of respiratory failure in patients with ILDs.