The aim of the presents study is to make a comparison between heart rates measured at real altitude and at the simulated altitude (in hypoxic chamber), before and after the process of acclimatization. Six students (two women and four men) of Faculty of sport in Ljubljana participated in the study. They undergone eighteen day long acclimatization process on 2100 - 5642 m. Heart rates were measured in rest and during the step test before and after the acclimatization, at two locations: high altitude simulation chamber in Ljubljana and real altitude in Elbrus, Kavkaz, both at 2100 m. The results showed that heart rates were not significantly different between real altitude and simulated altitude. Acclimatization process caused a decrease of heart rates in both cases. From that we can conclude that it would be possible to train in hypoxic chamber and therefore shorten the acclimatization time in real very high mountains. Heart rate could be used as an objective parameter of the quality of the acclimatization. This should be proven in the future by research on bigger sample.

The aim of the study was to examine the effects of head-down bed rest on psychological well-being in young healthy subjects. Head-down tilting bed rest (BR) is a well-accepted method by which to simulate an acute stage of human adaptation to the microgravity in space flights and also an important model to study consequences of physical inactivity and sedentarism on human body. The subject participating in the study were ten healthy males aged between 20 and 30 who were exposed to a 35-day strict rest in hospital environment. The participants were asked to complete psychometrical inventories – General Health Questionnaire, Satisfaction with Life Scale, State Anxiety Inventory, Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale and Emotional States Questionnaire – on before and after the BR experiment. There were no significant differences in examined psychological variables between pre and post BR period. Research results do not show any adverse effects of a prolonged physical inactivity on perception of health and psychological well-being of selected group of subjects. The importance of this research was to provide evidence that the provision of favourable habitability countermeasures can prevent deterioration in the psychological state under conditions of physical immobilisation. Our findings applied value in the field of health prevention and rehabilitaion. Research of psychological and cognitive aspects within bed rest studies deserves special attention and consideration in the future. Psychic balance and emotional strength have undoubtedly an important role in reducing the consequences of physical impairment and physiological changes due to prolonged bed rest. 

The chronic effects of physical activity on cognitive functions are scarcely documented. The aim of this experiment was to give inligth on the influence of single bouts of exercise at different intensities on the amplitude and latency of P300 component of cognitive potentials in the offense team of American football players. The subject sample consisted of 11 male athletes – members of the American football team “Dukes” Novi Sad, all engaged in the offense team. The control group was formed of 10 age matched students of the University of Novi Sad who were not engaged in any organized physical activity. In the present study the participants were engaged in single bouts of exercise on a cycle ergometer at different intensities. In American football players the amplitude of P300 wave after exercise intensity achieved at 75% HRmax (Fz 15.34±3.99 mV; Cz 19.00±6.26 mV) was statistically higher (p<0.05) than the amlitude at rest (Fz 11.08±4.65 mV; Cz 13.00±5.16 mV) and after exercise at 60% HRmax (Fz 11.87±4.39 mV; Cz 13.43±3.13 mV). There was a significant decrease in amplitude after exercise at 90% HRmax (Fz 11.96±4.48 mV; Cz 13.82±7.10 mV) to the levels of baseline values obtained at rest. In the control group the amplitude of P300 wave after exercise intensity achieved at 60% (Fz 11.02±4.99 mV; Cz 13.98±2.31 mV) and 75% HRmax (Fz 11.58±3.97 mV; Cz 14.64±1.94 mV) were statisticaly higher (p<0.05) than the amplitude of P300 at rest (Fz 7.99±2.95 mV; Cz 11.56±1.81 mV) and after 90% of maximal puls (Fz 8.76±3.05 mV; Cz 12.63±3.31 mV). There were no differences (p>0.05) between the amplitudes after 60% and 75% of HRmax, as well as between the values obtained at rest and after 90% of HRmax. Short duration exercise corresponding to 75% HRmax facilitated cognitive processing in the CNS in athletes, showing that strenuous exertion on the field improves cognitive capabilities in American football players. 

The objective of the study was to examine long summer vacation (LSV) effect on physical activity (PA) in 68 children from three Slovenian cities. PA was assessed over five consecutive days using accelerometer in 6- to 8-year-old children (N = 68; 35 girls and 33 boys, mean age 7.0 ± 0.8 years). PA was assessed on two occasions, before and after LSV and showed clear Gaussian distribution model. PA dropped after LSV for boys (9.6%, P = 0.004) and girls (9%, P = 0.014). Furthermore, PA intensity changed significantly after LSV. In boys inactivity increased after LSV from 69% to 72.2% (P = 0.009) and in girls from 71.7% to 74.2% (P = 0.031), while light PA decreased from 26.9% to 24% (P = 0.005) in boys and from 24.6% to 22.5% (P = 0.035) in girls. In 27% of boys and in just 13% of girls the amount of physical activity in June also determined the amount of physical activity in September. Furthermore, we found a significant drop in physical activity only in boys (P = 0.002) and girls (P < 0.001) with higher initial (June 2007) values. In conclusion we could state that there is a clear negative effect of long summer vacation on physical activity habits and needs further investigations for clear explanation. 

The influence of intensive Judo training on serum immunoglobulins IgG, IgM, and IgA was studied in 24 Judo fighters. Subjects were assigned to an exercise training group (EXE; n=12) and non-exercise control group (Con; n=12). Subjects in EXE group participated in exercise sessions 4 days a week for 8 wk. Serum samples were collected before, immediately and 1wk after study period. The IgG levels were significantly increased immediately after exercise training (p=0.001) in EXE compared to Con. However, IgM and IgA concentrations showed significant decrease immediately after exercise in EXE (p=0.001). The concentrations of all immunoglobulins had returned to baseline by 1wk of recovery. In conclusion the increased IgG levels are possibly due to isotype switching or a secondary antibody responses that could be considered as enhancement in immune system function. However, chronic suppression of immuniglobulins IgM and IgA may be mediated by hormonal changes associated with exhausting exercise.

Normal aging is characterized by muscular atrophy and a loss of force-generating capacity. The goal of this research was to investigate the age and sport activity type on postural (vastus lateralis) and non postural (biceps femoris) muscles’ contraction time in 170 master athletes (athletic events) and 51 non athletes. We found significant age effect in postural muscle (P = 0.032) and also in non postural muscle (P < 0.001). However, we found sport activity type effect significant just in non postural muscle (P < 0.001). The interaction effect of age * sport was significant in both observed muscles. Sprinters/jumpers deteriorate with age the most in postural muscle, while non athletes in non postural muscle. We could conclude that non postural muscle deteriorate the most without regular sport activity, while postural muscle have enough daily stimuli to be prevented from major deterioration. 

Active experiment for analysis of movement activities dinamographic structure of “Uki Goshi”, one of the main ku-dan system judo techniques has been performed. The hypothesis that there are much more complicated interrelations between kinematical and dynamical structures has been proved. With the means of reacting dummy, the uke counter attack in the specific points of dynamic function development has been modeled. The untenability of classic biodynamic analysis conclusions, where the uke reaction is not modeled was proved. This study has also relation to the creation of individual training process for highly qualified competitors. 

Physical – sport inactivity is often associated with loss of muscle mass, positive energy balance, fat gain, injuries, motor incompetence, and many others negative effects. The goal of this study was to evaluate loss of muscle function and performance as a response to total physical inactivity. Ten healthy male volunteers (age: 23.3 ± 2.2 years; body height: 179 ± 7.1 cm; body mass: 75.2 ± 9.3 kg) were measured before and after 35 days of horizontal bed rest. Energy intake was adapted from the beginning of the bed rest and associated with weekly changes in body mass and fat mass. Peak muscle power and maximal jump height was measured during vertical jump test, performed before and after bed rest. Maximum jumping power and jumping height decreased significantly after bed rest, for 10 W·kg-1 (19.2 %; P<0.001) and 11.2 (22 %; P<0.001), respectively. Inter subjects’ variability of the jumping height results was in the range from 8.6 % to 49.1 % and for jumping height from 6.8 % to 31.3 %. Results of this study confirm that vertical jump test demands vigorous human performance and should be conducted after bed rest studies in special care and considering huge inter subject variability in designing studies. 

Physical inactivity is the second most significant risk factor for chronic non-infectious contagious diseases in developed countries. However, conditions have slightly improved in the past few years; still, only 20 % of the population is being active in a fashion to reduce the probability of cardiovascular complications. Epidemiological research has confirmed that regular physical activity and nutrition containing sufficient quantities of folic acid, vitamins B6 and B12, reduce the level of homocysteine in blood. In our research, we studied the influence of long-lasting inactivity on the level of homocysteine and folic acid levels in blood. Ten male subjects were resting in horizontal position for 35 days in a clinical setting. After 35 days of resting we documented a statistically relevant increase in homocysteine level and decrease of folic acid concentration, despite supervised nutrition. We can conclude that prolonged physical inactivity is an autonomous, independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. 

The aim of the present study was to determine habitual physical activity differences between adult women residing in an urban area and adult women residing in a rural area in Greece. Additionally differences in physical activity of high intensity, moderate intensity physical activity as well as walking were also assessed. Subjects in this study were 198 adult women (41.2 + 8.3 years), 98 of them resided at the city of Arta and 100 resided in villages in the respective prefecture. Physical activity was recorded with the long version of the self administered International Physical Activity Questionnaire (Craig et al., 2003). The dependent variables that were included in data analysis included the total score of physical activity, the score of high intensity physical activity, moderate intensity physical activity and walking. “Place of residence” was the constant factor used in the analysis of data. According to the results of the ANOVA Multiple Analysis of Variance a significant residence effect was reported for the factor area of residence for total physical activity score (F(1,196) = 6,075, p = .05) in favor of women residing in urban districts. Additionally, according to the results of Multiple Analysis of Variance adult women residing in urban districts were significant more active in physical activity related to work (F(1,196) = 14,908, p = .000) and to recreation (F(1,196) = 7,230, p = .008). Women residing in rural areas scored higher in physical activity related to taking care of others and the house (F(1,196) = 83,667, p = .000). No differences were detected in physical activity related to transportation (F(1,196) = 1,127, p = .290). In conclusion women residing in villages in rural districts of Arta Prefecture were more active when compared to adult women residing in the city of Arta only when taking care of others or the house.