Mariusz Gnoiński's research while affiliated with Cancer Treatment Centre and other places

Background This study aimed to determine the optimal time point, either 30 or 60 minutes, at which muscle reactivity to caffeine administration is highest. Unlike previous studies that focused on the nervous system response, we employed tensiomyography (TMG) to directly assess the effects of caffeine on muscle fibers. Methods TMG measurements were performed on the gastrocnemius medialis muscle of 42 male athletes who regularly consumed caffeine. Participants received a dose of 6 mg/kg body weight and TMG measurements were taken prior to caffeine intake, as well as 30 and 60 minutes afterward. Results Analysis of TMG parameters including time to contraction (Tc), time delay (Td), and maximal displacement (Dm) revealed that muscles exhibited faster contractions and greater stiffness at the 30-minute mark compared to both pre-caffeine intake and the 60-minute time point. Time exerted a significant main effect on Tc (F(2, 246) = 12.09, p < .001, ή2p = 0.09), Td (F(2, 246) = 3.39, p = .035, ή2p = 0.03), and Dm (F(2, 246) = 6.83, p = .001, ή2p = 0.05), while no significant effect of body side was observed. Conclusions The findings indicate that muscle contraction time (Tc) and delay time (Td) are influenced by the time elapsed since caffeine ingestion, with the fastest responses occurring after 30 minutes. Additionally, a systemic effect of caffeine was observed, as there were no discernible differences in measurements between the two sides of the body. TMG proves to be an effective noninvasive method for assessing muscle responses following caffeine administration.

The habitual use of resistance exercises involving concentric and eccentric contractions can increase muscle strength, speed and endurance. However, current knowledge has limited potential to fully understand the application of such resistance training and the muscle changes that occur to differentiate these two types of training. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of concentric contraction (CON) and eccentric contraction (ECC) during an acute bout of resistance training on the hamstring contractile properties. A group of 20 female recreational athletes were divided into two equal groups, CON training and ECC training. The contractile properties of the muscles on both sides of the body were assessed using tensiomyography (TMG): biceps femoris (BF) and semitendinosus (ST). The muscles were assessed twice, before and after 10 maximal repetitions of either concentric or eccentric isotonic contractions. The results indicate a greater change in TMG parameters with ECC training, with p < 0.001 (Td and Tc). An acute bout of resistance training induces changes in the muscle hamstrings contractile properties in both CON and ECC training. Eccentric training causes greater changes than concentric training, shortening contraction time (Td, Tc), increase radial displacement velocity (Vrd) and affecting changes in muscle belly displacement (Dm), so may be more effective in training.

Background The purpose of this study was to identify the biomedical signals of short-track athletes by evaluating the effects of monthly strength training on changes in their neuromuscular profile, strength, and power parameters of the lower limb muscles. Muscle asymmetry, which can cause a risk of injury, was also evaluated. Methods and results This study involved female athletes, age 18.8 ± 2.7 years, with a height of 162 ± 2.4 cm, and weight of 55.9 ± 3.9 kg. Before and after the monthly preparatory period prior to the season, strength measurements were assessed through the Swift SpeedMat platform, and reactivity of the lower limb muscles was assessed with tensiomyography (TMG). The athletes were also tested before and after the recovery training period. In the test after strength training, all average countermovement jump (CMJ) results improved. Flight time showed an increase with a moderate to large effect, using both legs (5.21%). Among the TMG parameters, time contraction (Tc) changed globally with a decrease (-5.20%). Changes in the results of the test after recovery training were most often not significant. Conclusion A monthly period of strength training changes the neuromuscular profile of short-track female athletes, with no significant differences between the right and left lower limbs.

Introduction and purpose Warm-up affects muscles and tendons that can withstand greater external load, and leaves muscle fibers less susceptible to damage. The aim of this study was to assess changes in the neuromuscular profile of the lower limbs, after a 15-minute warm-up. In order to standardize the testing, the warm-up was done on a cycloergometer, according to the Bruce protocol. Material and methods The measurement of muscle properties was performed with tensiomyography (TMG), which assesses the size of the changes in the muscular muscle displacement measured in millimeters (mm), and the duration of displacement measured in milliseconds (ms), in response to a single electric stimulus. Fourteen female students of the physical education faculty, with an average age of 21.3±1.6 years, a body height of 16.9±5.6 cm and a body weight of 58.4±4.0 kg, were enrolled in the TMG examination. A test was performed before and immediately after warm-up, examining the superficial muscles of the lower limbs. Results The results showed a reduction in the muscle response time to stimulation: Td by 0.34 ms, Tc by 1 ms, Ts by 21.69 ms, and Tr by 4.72 ms, while the dislocation of the muscle belly Dm, decreased by 0.27 mm. Conclusions As it turned out after the tests, 15 minutes of moderate effort on the cycloergometer, caused the body to be more ready for exercise, the muscles reacted faster and were better prepared to perform subsequent tasks in the main part. The reactivity of the lower limb muscles to stimuli increased, while the displacement of the muscles decreased, and thus their stiffness increased. Tensiomyography was found as an effective tool to detect the changes in muscles. TMG also allows to evaluate sport programs and give the opportunity to correct them. Through the study, a reference database of TMG parameters was created, concerning the change of the neuromuscular profile of the lower limbs after warming up on the cycloergometer.

Background. The aim of this study was to determine, how parameters of lateral and functional symmetry of lower limb muscles changed after a month of a properly compiled training, aimed at improving the performance of symmetry, measured by tensiomyography (TMG). Material and methods. The study included nine athletes of Polish senior’s representation in short track, with an average age of 18.2±2.9 years, body height of 161±2.8 cm and body weight of 56.8±4.8 kg. With the TMG system, we performed testing and retesting, after a month of the preparatory period for the sport season. TMG system measured lateral and functional symmetries in superficial muscles of the lower limbs. Results. The results show an improvement in the symmetries measured by TMG, as a result of the monthly compensatory training. Lateral symmetries of the left lower limb improved from the average value of 85% to 88%. Functional symmetries improved from 74% to 83% (p=0.003), while in the right leg, they improved from 81% to 84% (p=0.06). Conclusions. The TMG system is an effective tool allowing to detect and indicate the risk of muscles, ligaments, and joints injuries. The TMG study can evaluate sports programs and gives an opportunity to correct them. Using monthly compensating training suggested by the TMG system, we can improve the parameters of lateral and functional symmetry and reduce the risk of injury. IN POLISH - Streszczenie Wstęp. Celem badania było ustalenie, jaka zmiana następuje w parametrach sy metrii bocznych i funkcjonalnych mięśni kończyn dolnych, mierzonych za pomocą ten siomiografii (TMG), po miesięcznym okresie odpowiednio zestawionego szkolenia, nakierowanego na poprawę parametrów symetrii. Materiał i metody. Badaniem TMG objęto dziewięć zawodniczek kadry polski short tracku, o średnim wieku 18,2±2,9 lat, wysokości ciała 161±2,8 cm i masie ciała 56,8±4,8 kg. Wykonano test i retest systemem TMG, po miesięcznym okresie przygotowawczym do sezonu. Za pomocą TMG mierzono symetrie boczne i funkcjonalne mięśni powierzchownych kończyn dolnych. Wyniki. Wyniki badań wykazują poprawę parametrów symetrii mierzonych TMG na skutek miesięcznego szkolenia wyrównawczego. Symetrie boczne poprawiły się z początkowych średnich wartości 85% na 88%. Symetrie funkcjonalne lewej kończyny dolnej z 74% na 83% (p=0,003), natomiast prawej z 81% na 84% (p=0,06). Wnioski. System TMG to skuteczne narzędzie do wykrycia i wskazania zagrożonych kontuzją mięśni, więzadeł czy stawów. Badanie systemem TMG ocenia programy sportowe i daje możliwość ich korekty. Stosując miesięczny trening wyrównawczy zasugerowany przez system TMG, można poprawić parametry symetrii bocznych i funkcjonalnych oraz zmniejszyć ryzyko kontuzji