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One team of professional volleyball players playing for Punjab police have been analyzed for their body fat measurement using skin fold caliper (15.317 ± (4.854) % body weight) The same group of players were made to under go 20 meter shuttle run / beep test for their VO2 max measurement (44.2893 ± (10.176) ml/kg/ min) under standard conditions and proper method, they have also undergone I minute sit-up (67.67 ± (7.92) repetitions) and I minute push up test (38.59 ± (16.03) repetitions) for abdominal and upper body strength. Agility was measured using 505 agility test (2.765 ± (0.221) seconds) and power using static stand and reach vertical jump difference (1.675 ± (0.3545) feet) their physiological profile and body composition were far low when compared with the other Athlete around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low back pain (LBA) is a universal problem, more common in sedentary subjects, yet not very rare in sportspersons. Common organic causes of LBA in sports persons are intervertebral disc prolapse, facet joint pathology, sacroiliac joint lesions, damage to myofascial structures and metabolic factors. Non-organic causes of LBA are psychosocial, iatrogenic, labels of disability and subsequent prolonged rest, forensic, associated with litigation (Long 1995), behavioural (common in sportspersons), perceived disability with mistaken fear of re-injury (Zusman 1998 and Vlaeyan 1995), and anticipation of pain: pain perceived in anticipation in the trapezius area instead of lumbar area (Main and Watson 1996). Bending and tortional forces along with axial loading are the most damaging movements. Proteoglycan Proteoglycan is hydrophilic and comprises 65% of the disc till the age of 30 and declines to 30% by middle age (Bogduk and Towmey 1987). The even distribution of pleasure thus decreases with age. Spinal stability and low back pain Spinal instability; identifying a specific patho-anatomical cause for LBP is not possible in a majority of cases in sportspersons (Fritz 1998). These patients are often described as having ‘mechanical' LBP, researchers and clinicians suggest that segmental instability of the lumbar spine is a possible mechanism underlying LBP in large number of sports persons. Definitions of segmental instability No one set definition; based on earlier in vitro studies of lumbar spine, the results cited that for segmental instability the following must occur: sagittal-plane translation of one vertebra over the other at least 3 mm on flex/ext radiograph, sagittal-plane rotation of greater than 9° for L1-L5 found that 42% of subjects without LBP had at least one lumbar segment with 3 mm of sagittal-plane translation, and criteria for diagnosing instability increased to 4 mm of translation and 15° for rotation. Physical signs of instability Step deformity or rotation deformity on standing which reduces on lying, transverse band of spasm which reduces on lying, localised muscle twitching while shifting weight from one leg to the other and shaking during bending forward. Instability versus hypermobility Hypermobility can lead to instability (Norris 1999). The problem with instability, the excessive movement may either be a stretch or compress pain, sensitive structures leading to inflammation, excessive range of motion without muscle control but loss of stiffness does not mean the loss of pathological condition of stiff back but the physiological condition of decreased resistance against excessive movement. Stabilising system Panjabi divided the stabilising system into three subsystems: passive, active and neural. Passive subsystem includes vertebral bodies, zygapophyseal joints, and ligaments, injury to the passive system such as intervertebral disk degeneration or disruption of the posterior ligaments of the spine may increase the size of the neutral zone, increasing the demands on the active and neural control subsystems to avoid the development of segmental instability. Active subsystem includes spinal muscles and tendons are important in neutral zone, where passive resistance is minimal. Neural subsystem receives inputs from active and passive subsystems and plays an important role stabilising the spine in anticipation of an applied load. The stabilising muscles of the core have two distinct groups, stabilisers and mobilisers. Stabilisers are deeply placed, aponeurotic, have a slow twitch nature and selectively weaken and lengthen. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Psychological factors, such as fear of pain, fear of movement or (re) injury and pain catastrophising, play a crucial role in the development and progression of Low Back Pain (LBP). Pre-Programmed Reactions (PPR) is a dynamic component of the stretch reflex, which help to counteract perturbations. Little information is known about the impact of psychological variables on PPR in athletes with chronic LBP. Research question: Do psychological factors like fear of pain, fear of movement or (re) injury and pain catastrophising influence the PPR amplitudes of global trunk muscles - Rectus Abdominis (RA) and Erector Spinae (ES), in athletes with chronic LBP. Type of study: Experimental Electromyography Study. Methods: PPR amplitudes of RA and ES of twenty five athletes with chronic LBP for expected and unexpected perturbations were measured using surface electromyography (EMG). Pain intensity, fear of pain, fear of movement or (re) injury and pain catastrophising behaviour of these athletes were measured using relevant questionnaires. Results: Pearson's product moment coefficient was used. The results showed a significant negative correlation (p<0.05) between ES PPR amplitude and pain catastrophising during sudden unexpected perturbations. No significant correlation was obtained for other psychological variables. Conclusion: High pain catastrophising behaviour is correlated with poor modulation of Unexpected PPR amplitudes of ES in athletes with chronic LBP. These changes could result in further pain and re-injury as the function of the global trunk muscles like ES in counteracting excessive perturbations is dampened. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cycling is an endurance sport relying mainly on aerobic capacity to provide fuel during long-duration cycling events. Athletes are constantly searching for new methods to improve this capacity through various nutritional and ergogenic aids.s, Purpose: The aim of the study was to find out the effect of Ashwagandha on the cardiorespiratory endurance capacity, that is, aerobic capacity of elite Indian cyclists., Materials and Methods: Forty elite (elite here refers to the participation of the athlete in at least state-level events) Indian cyclists were chosen randomly and were equally divided into experimental and placebo groups. The experimental group received 500 mg capsules of aqueous roots of Ashwagandha twice daily for eight weeks, whereas the placebo group received starch capsules., Outcome Measures: The baseline treadmill test for the cyclists were performed to measure their aerobic capacity in terms of maximal aerobic capacity (VO(2) max), metabolic equivalent, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), and total time for the athlete to reach his exhaustion stage. After eight weeks of supplementation, the treadmill test was again performed and results were obtained., Results: There was significant improvement in the experimental group in all parameters, whereas the placebo group did not show any change with respect to their baseline parameters. There was significant improvement in the experimental group in all parameters, namely, VO(2) max (t = 5.356; P < 0.001), METS (t = 4.483; P < 0.001), and time for exhaustion on treadmill (t = 4.813; P < 0.001) in comparison to the placebo group which did not show any change with respect to their baseline parameters., Conclusion: Ashwagandha improved the cardiorespiratory endurance of the elite athletes.

Introduction: Several medicinal plants have been described to be beneficial for cardiac ailments in Ayurveda like Ashwagandha and Arjuna. Ashwagandha-categorised as Rasayanas, and described to promote health and longevity and Arjuna primarily for heart ailments. coronary artery disease, heart failure, hypercholesterolemia, anginal pain and can be considered as a useful drug for coronary artery disease, hypertension and ischemic cardiomyopathy., Objective: There are no scientific clinical studies showing effect of both these drugs on exercise performance after regular administration when given as supplements The present study was therefore designed and performed to assess the effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) individually and as a combination on maximum velocity, average absolute and relative Power, balance, maximum oxygen consumption (VO2 max) and blood pressure in humans., Materials and Methods: Forty normal healthy. Subjects (either sex, mean age 20.6 ± 2.5yrs and mean Body Mass Index 21.9 ± 2.2) were recruited after written informed consent was obtained. Institutional Ethics Committee permission was also obtained. Thirty participants were assigned to experimental group of which 10 received standardized root extracts of Withania somnifera, 10 received standardized bark extract of Terminalia arjuna and the rest of the 10 received standardized root extract of Withania somnifera in addition to bark extract of Terminalia arjuna both. Both the drugs were given in the form of capsules (dosage 500mg/day for both the drugs). Ten participants received placebo (capsules filled with flour). All the subjects continued the regimen for 8 weeks. All variables were assessed before and after the course of drug administration, Observations: Our study showed that Withania somnifera increased velocity, power and VO2 max whereas Terminalia arjuna increased VO2 max and lowered resting systolic blood pressure. When given in combination, the improvement was seen in all parameters except balance and diastolic blood pressure., Conclusion: Withania somnifera may therefore be useful for generalized weakness and to improve speed and lower limb muscular strength and neuro-muscular co-ordination. Terminalia arjuna may prove useful to improve cardio-vascular endurance and lowering systolic blood pressure. Both drugs appear to be safe for young adults when given for mentioned dosage and duration.

Background: Numerous exercises are used to strengthen muscles around the shoulder joint including the push-up and the push-up plus. An important consideration is the addition of surface instability in the form of swiss ball for rehabilitation and strength. The justification for the use of the swiss ball is based on its potential for increasing muscular demand required to maintain postural stability and for improving joint proprioception. Evidence for this is lacking in literature., Purpose of the Study: To compare the myoelectric amplitude of shoulder muscles during push-ups on labile and stable surface., Study Design: Same subject experimental study., Materials and Methods: Thirty healthy male subjects in the age group 20-30 years with a mean height of 173.65 cm (+/- SD 2.56) and a mean weight of 69.9 kg (+/-SD 0.2) were taken. Surface electromyogram was recorded from triceps, pectoralis major, serratus anterior and upper trapezius while performing push-up and push-up plus exercises, both on labile and stable surface., Results: Significant increase in muscle activity was observed in pectoralis major and triceps muscle (only during eccentric phase of elbow pushups), while serratus anterior and upper trapezius showed no change in activation level on swiss ball., Conclusion: The addition of a swiss ball is capable of influencing shoulder muscle activity during push-up variations, although the effect is task and muscle dependent.