Search

PURPOSE Squats are among the basic exercises that have become an integral part of exercise programs. It is commonly used by athletes in many sports. Its potential is shown in the development of strength, power, and overall sports performance. The aim of the study was to verify inconsistent views on deep squats, technical design, and related health risks. METHODS For the purposes of the review, the terms "squat, knee, biomechanics, deep, patellofemoral, back squat, performance, arthritis, health, injury, risk" were used. RESULTS It turns out that the technique of performing a deep squat has its strict principles, which must be respected and which have a significant impact on the benefits and risks. From loading, the lower position represents an increase in compressive and shear forces on the patellofemoral joint, however, this is a natural state that is not risky. Health hazards cannot be based on analytical-mathematical models, which are insufficient in this aspect. Extreme long-term exposure carries the risk of permanent consequences in the form of osteoarthritis. For prophylaxis or convalescence, it is possible to use effective aids like sleeves, kinesio taping, bandage or "knee savers". CONCLUSIONS With optimal technique and sensible exercise selection, there is no greater risk in healthy individuals without degenerative anatomical changes. In order to assess the effects of the squat forces on the ankle, knee, hip, spine, it is necessary to consider the technique and also individual anatomical differences.

Objective Documented cases of actinomycosis in archaeological skeletons are very rare, especially from Central Europe. Our contribution will help facilitate the differential diagnosis of this disease for other paleopathologists. Material This paper describes a pathological finding of the skeleton of a 40-year-old male from a burial ground in Sady-Spitalky (Czech Republic) dated to the 10th-12th century. Methods The affected skeleton was evaluated as a probable case of actinomycosis on the basis of a detailed macroscopic, X-ray and histological examination. The osteolytic foci examined were compared with similar changes caused by tuberculosis, syphilis and mycoses. Results The character and location of the defect on the mandible is indicative of organ actinomycosis and is also reflected by the lytic lesion observed on a lumbar vertebra. Conclusions The described case can be considered one of the very rare paleopathological findings of possible actinomycosis in humans in Central Europe. Significance Good evidence of bone actinomycosis findings may be beneficial for further paleopathological and epidemiological studies, especially for research focused on the diachronic development of actinomycosis in Europe. In doing so, all available factors, such as hygiene habits, nutrition, social structure and overall health of the population that could be causally related to its origin, course and treatment, can be taken into account. Limitations The mandible of the studied individual was damaged, especially in the area affected by the lesion, so the paleopathological analysis was difficult to perform. Suggestion for the future research In future, actinomycosis in this skeleton may be confirmed by bio-molecular analysis.

The book maps the ways to the analysis of the genome of Gregor Johann Mendel, a project which was carried out to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of this important scientist. It describes the exhumation of his remains from the Augustinian tomb at the Central Cemetery in Brno and the scientific examination that followed, as well as the search for traces of Mendel’s DNA on his personal belongings kept in the Augustinian Abbey in Old Brno. The individual chapters, that is, the ways of research, introduce the reader to the initial impulses leading to the archaeological research on the tomb and the subsequent analysis of Mendel’s genome. They describe the process of identifying the remains found in the grave with the person of Abbot Mendel, the anthropological research on his skeletal remains, as well as the process of isolation and analysis of the DNA of this historical figure. Rich photographic documentation chronicles the exciting work of the scientific team. Thanks to their efforts, the book reveals surprising findings and new, important details about the founder of genetics.

During the reconstruction of the cellars of a house in Staňkova Street in Brno (Czech Republic), the human skeletal remains of 12 individuals stored in a common grave pit were discovered. By its arrangement, this grave corresponded to mass burials during war conflicts, epidemics or famines. Using the radiocarbon method, the skeletons were dated to the early nineteenth century, when the Napoleonic Wars took place in Central Europe. A detailed analysis of the osteological collection revealed that young men aged from 20 to 30 years, with an average body height of 167.6 cm, were buried in the grave. On one of the skeletons, a comminuted fracture of the humerus was recorded, probably caused by a gunshot wound; on another, there were visible traces of a surgical procedure — amputation. From the results of the examination, it is possible to assume that these were soldiers who had died in a temporary field hospital. The hypothesis was confirmed by the analysis of dental calculus, in which traces of sulphur and nitrogen were found, which are components of gunpowder. Degenerative changes in the spine and bones of the lower limbs also indicate a huge physical strain when carrying heavy weapons during long marches in heavy military footwear. Genetic determination of the mitochondrial DNA haplogroups revealed three different haplogroups that occur with different frequencies in different parts of Europe. So it is probable that victims of the Battle of the Three Emperors, which took place in nearby Austerlitz (Slavkov u Brna) on 2 December 1805, were buried in the mass grave under study.

Souvenirs are one of the symbols of destination. The method of sale and the range available to tourist are also of significant interest. Tourists take souvenirs home as memories of their trip. The ...

Zoos are one of the most visited tourist attractions worldwide - we should perceive them, therefore, not only as places where animals are kept, but also as places frequented by large numbers of people. This is why we talk of zoo tourism. However, there are different definitions of a zoo. This wide range of possible approaches to what actually the zoo is poses a major methodological problem for the research analysis as well as for the zoo management and related legislation. Zoos are historically and socially determined. We can talk not only about the evolution of zoos but also about the co-evolution of zoos alongside many types of zoos. Nowadays, there is no doubt that there is a large number of modern and naturalistic zoos oriented on conservation, but there are also many zoos designed as popular animal-based attractions where animals live in unsuitable conditions. The principal aim of this article is to introduce and discuss problematic approaches to what zoos are and to suggest a use of a wider zoo definition.

The main goal of the paper is an evaluation of the dynamics of golf course (hereafter GC[s]) construction in the Czech Republic (hereafter CR) after 1990 and an assessment of the impacts and the consequences of the GCs on the landscape. The construction of the GCs was evaluated from the point of view of the physical-geography with regards to human geography aspects with a focus on an assessment in relation to climatic, soil, hydrological parameters, land use and financial aspects. The paper is to present the localisation and the geographical description of the GCs and their assessment in the different regions of the CR. An original database was created for the purpose of the localisation and complex evaluation of all the GCs in the CR. The analysis was carried out on 114 GCs in the CR. These GCs covered a surface area of ca. 5106 ha, i.e., 0.06% of the total area of the CR in 2016. A significant share of the GCs was built on agricultural land with high quality (more than 34%), which is clearly a negative phenomenon. The reason for the construction of a large number of GCs on some high-yielding soils can be seen: a) in the low land price, b) in the low rent, c) in the negative results of entrepreneurial income (or in the surplus) of agricultural production up to the accession of the Czech Republic to the EU and d) the distance from large cities (location in regions) and spa town with rich clients. By 2004, the majority of the GCs had been built in the CR already. From the point of view land use, a total of 51% of the GCs area was registered as agricultural land in the Cadastre Land Register. Of the agricultural land, the largest share (35%) was registered as arable land and approximately one third of the GCs occupied permanent grassland. On the contrary, the other area, which should form the majority of GCs, because its areas are registered for sport activities, only accounted for 37% of the golf resorts’ area in the CR. The GCs were also built on areas affected by human activity (mines, landfills, fly ash). The area of the GCs in the reclaimed territory was approximately 942 ha, i.e., more than 18% of the total GCs area. The reclamation of such territories by the construction of GCs is one of the variants of the use of such territories. Having assessed the climatic characteristics, it was determined that 20 out of the total of 114 GCs were endangered by potential drought. The theoretical and actual water demand for the irrigation of 9 selected GCs in drought-affected areas has been compared. It can be stated that all the selected GCs manage the irrigation water very well, the actual consumption is in line with the theoretical need. The observed difference in water between the calculated theoretical and realised irrigation of the GCs in mm/m2 of irrigated area, ranges from -10.8 mm to + 9.7 mm in 1 month for an individual GC. The study by model “runoff curve numbers” (CN) showed a positive impact of the grassland in the areas of GCs with regards to the direct runoff. The hydrological impact of grassing the arable land is positive, since it contributes to the retention and accumulation of water in the catchment area.

CrossFit is one of the fastest growing sports. Its growing popularity also applies to its competition form. This pilot study aims to analyse strength, endurance performance and their relationship to the resulting ranking in the CrossFit Open. Furthermore, the forms of training of elite Czech crossfitters are described in more detail. The research sample consisted of the 20 best Czechs (average height, age, and bodyweight of 180cm, 28.5 years and 90.7 kg respectively) according to the CrossFit Open ranking. The questionnaire was used to collect information regarding the training regime and their current performance parameters. Descriptive statistics include the correlation between individual performances and overall ranking. Crossfitters had very good strength parameters in exercises with external load and also with their bodyweight (average values: clean and jerk 141.5 kg, snatch 113.9 kg, back squat 184.1 kg, strict press 87.2 kg, deadlift 217.9 kg, strict handstand push-ups 21.5 reps., pull-ups 20.6 reps.). The Olympic weightlifting performance (snatch and clean and jerk) was the strongest predictor for placing (-.606 resp. -.625, α=.01). The weekly training time was 800-900 minutes and contained mostly combined training units with a total of 9.2. Given the interesting results achieved in this pilot study, more detailed and validated studies are needed. The support of the Specific research project of FIM UHK for the year 2020 is gratefully acknowledged.

This chapter underlines the key role of a city centre in urban space gastronomy. It offers a four-step perspective, ranging from urban to local. First, the example of Saint Petersburg (Russia) shows that gastronomy reflects the major phases of urban growth. Here, eating establishments are used as a proxy for the city centre. Second, the example of Warsaw’s Środmieście district in Poland indicates the constant growth in catering services in this central borough since 1994. Using density analysis, it shows gastronomy hotspots in the centre of the city. Next, the case of Krakow (Poland) focuses on the centre of a historical tourist city, where there has been both quantitative growth in the number of eating establishments and a change in their distribution. The last examples offer a local perspective, specifically they concern the district of Żoliborz in Warsaw, Poland, and the neighbourhood of Podskali in Prague, the Czech Republic, which are near the city centre.

Working with ancient DNA is challenging and requires an authentication step. We analyzed eleven badly preserved samples from the Nitra culture with the influence of Unětice culture dated to the 4000 BP Bronze Age. We present estimated mitochondrial haplogroups of four samples based on Sanger sequencing of HVR1 and a part of HVR2. Sanger sequencing has strong limitations in haplogroup prediction, especially when working with ancient DNA. However, Sanger sequencing in this study is featured as a control step to provide us with quality results of mitochondrial DNA and as a screening of present haplogroups. DNA quality estimation is further supported by sample concentration and fragment analysis. The presence of mitochondrial DNA is confirmed by PCR. However, the Sanger sequencing of mitochondrial DNA can confirm its presence in good quality for further sequencing. Therefore, only suitable samples were selected for further high-throughput sequencing of the whole mitogenome.

The medium-sized historical towns in Czechia have at their disposal a preserved cultural heritage which constitutes important potential for tourism. Apart from some exceptions, these towns are rarely a destination of tourists, but rather of the visitors who come to visit them in connection with a targeted stay destination. They also choose them as an alternative to optional excursions, just from the destination of their stay (also from the place of their permanent residence). Based on the intensification indicators calculated from publicly accessible data, this study answers the question of what the position of tourism in the selected towns (Czech royal towns with the population size between 10,000 and 30,000 inhabitants) is. Based on the strategic documents, it analyses what strategies were chosen by the selected royal towns for their development. It also analyses whether the topic of tourism that can undoubtedly without doubts rely on its historical potential, declared by legislative protection of cultural heritage, is represented and what its importance is.

Second home tourism has major economic, environmental and social impacts on the localities in question. The aim of the presented study is to find out how second home tourism influences the social environment of a municipality, and whether and how it contributes to the creation of social capital and the knowledge transfer. It ensues from the use of relational data that links appear in the localities primarily on the neighbourly basis. In some cases, the contacts are also used in the place of permanent residence. As a result, the social networks and the knowledge that appear among the participants also have an impact outside a locality in question. The connection to permanent residents of a municipality is rather weak. One can see here an obvious link primarily to major actors or permanent residents living near second-home owners. When establishing contacts, this points out the importance of geographical proximity rather than the often accentuated role of the relationship “second-home owner versus permanent resident”.

Working with mitochondrial DNA from highly degraded samples is challenging. We present a whole mitogenome Illumina-based sequencing method suitable for highly degraded samples. The method makes use of double-stranded library preparation with hybridization-based target enrichment. The aim of the study was to implement a new user-friendly method for analysing many ancient DNA samples at low cost. The method combines the Swift 2S™ Turbo library preparation kit and xGen® panel for mitogenome enrichment. Swift allows to use low input of aDNA and own adapters and primers, handles inhibitors well, and has only two purification steps. xGen is straightforward to use and is able to leverage already pooled libraries. Given the ancient DNA is more challenging to work with, the protocol was developed with several improvements, especially multiplying DNA input in case of low concentration DNA extractions followed by AMPure® beads size selection and real-time pre-capture PCR monitoring in order to avoid cycle-optimization step. Nine out of eleven analysed samples successfully retrieved mitogenomes. Hence, our method provides an effective analysis of whole mtDNA, and has proven to be fast, cost-effective, straightforward, with utilisation in population-wide research of burial sites.

This paper aims to analyze selected socio-economic aspects of golf courses (GC[s]) in the Czech Republic (CR). The analysis strives to determine what aspects affect the development and dynamics of the golf market. The analysis revealed that the construction and development of the GCs are related to the socio-economic type of territory. Most GCs are built in the developed areas (65), followed by a stabilized area (44), while only three GCs lie in peripheral areas. The GCs differ in the variety of services provided to the players. Based on the cluster analysis, the GCs fall into three various groups, where the first cluster comprises standard playgrounds, whereas the third cluster includes rather luxurious properties, which is also reflected in the quality and variety of the services provided. The subsequent economic analysis unfolded that the costs exceeded revenues for approximately 60 % of the analyzed GCs resulting in a negative economic result. The loss per hectare (ha) is up to -0.5 million CZK, and for those GCs that are profitable, these gains are only in the tens of thousands CZK. Moreover, the equity of GCs ranges from thousands (at least 1) through hundreds of thousands to millions of CZK (maximum 1.5-2.5). It seems that the motives of the holdings of the GCs are of a different character, i.e., not only financially, but also of a specific nature (owner prestige, depositing money into the assets, other uses of the acquired property and pursuing a sporting interest as a hobby). Although the paper focuses on the Czech GCs, the results could be generalized as the CR golf market is similar to other countries (i.e., saturated, stagnating membership base, low operating profitability, sustainability issues). The conclusions are beneficial not only for GCs owners or managers but also for researches concerned with socio-economic aspects of GC’s construction, development, sustainability, and management.

Fyzioterapie ma dnes klicovou ulohu v multidisciplinarnim managementu funkcnich poruch hybnosti (FPH). Přes rostouci pocet praci, ktere svědci pro jeji ucinnost, zatim chybi doporuceni založena na důkazech, jake techniky by měla zahrnovat. V tomto přispěvku uvadime obecne postupy i specificke techniky fyzioterapie, ktere se v lecbě pacientů s FPH osvědcily na zakladě dosavadnich studii a zkusenosti přednich pracovisť. Fyzioterapie se zaměřuje na praci s abnormalni pozornosti a abnormalnimi hybnými vzorci prostřednictvim edukace, přeucovani hybných vzorců a samostatnou praci pacienta na režimových a dalsich lecebných strategiich.

The great potential of scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) is in detection of unusual chemical elements included in ancient human dental calculus to verify hypotheses about life and burial habits of historic populations and individuals. Elemental spectra were performed from archeological samples of three chosen individuals from different time periods. The unusual presence of magnesium, aluminum, and silicon in the first sample could confirm the hypothesis of high degree of dental abrasion caused by particles from grinding stones in flour. In the second sample, presence of copper could confirm that bronze jewelery could lie near the buried body. The elemental composition of the third sample with the presence of lead and copper confirms the origin of individual to Napoleonic Wars because the damage to his teeth could be explained by the systematic utilization of the teeth for the opening of paper cartridges (a charge with a dose of gunpowder and a bullet), which were used during the 18th and the 19th century AD. All these results contribute to the reconstruction of life (first and third individual) and burial (second individual) habits of historic populations and individuals.

Urban tourism has become a significant phenomenon of tourism over the last decade. the importance of urban tourism has grown mainly due to the development of transport and information technologies. rapid advancement of low cost airlines and reduction of administrative barriers owing to the expansion of the schengen area caused not only the development of a number of urban destinations, including Prague, but also the growth of new source markets. this paper compares the development of urban tourism in Prague with the situation in Vienna and Budapest in the last decade. the aim of the paper is to describe the main trends of tourism development and the geographic distribution of tourism in Prague in comparison with culturally and historically similar cities - Vienna and Budapest. the analysis shows high load of tourism in Prague and its strong concentration in the old city. this causes congestion in the city centre and an extrusion of residential functions by the functions of tourism. As a result, a tourism ghetto has been formed in the centre of Prague and the urban society has been increasingly dualized.

Although the second home tourism is considered to be an element of the lifestyle of a predominantly urban population, it has a strong influence on rural life. Thus, research on the relations within both urban and rural communities that share the transforming space seems crucial for future rural development. This article focuses on second home owners and users as significant agents in the transformation of the Czech countryside. Available statistical data indicates a high number of second homes with an uneven location pattern in the landscape. Primary data, based on our own field surveys, in-depth interviews and observations, show the significant social impact of second home tourism on the local social environment. The models of conflicts, coexistence and cooperation are investigated in selected peripheral areas in Czechia. Our own contribution to the research is in the specific focus on community development in municipalities with a significant tourist and recreational function. The major aim is to demonstrate and discuss linkages between second home owners and users and territorial identity with the use of empirical data. Our crucial findings contradict statements about conflicts in relations between the local population and incomers from cities. Especially long-term cottage users are no longer considered as outside invaders in rural areas, which used to cause social conflicts. The differences between second homes and primary residences seem to be more blurred than in the past. The conclusion outlines the possible future directions of research with focus on social capital, multiple dwelling and semi-migration concepts.

Ve studii byly sledovany dvě skupiny experimentalni (řizene skupinove cviceni a individualni cviceni, edukace v oblasti zdraveho životniho stylu) a skupina kontrolni (pouze edukace v oblasti zdraveho životniho stylu). Vsechny skupiny absolvovaly v ramci edukace přednasky zaměřene na pohybovou aktivitu, zdravou výživu a dusevni zdravi. Anamnesticke udaje, udaje o stravovacich zvyklostech, udaje subjektivniho hodnoceni vlastniho zdravi a dalsich vybraných ukazatelů kvality života byly zjisťovany pomoci dotazniků. Pro posouzeni vlivu edukace a pohybove aktivity na oblast psychiky byly použity otazky orientovane na vyjadřeni pozitivnich nebo negativnich pocitů. U otazek vyjadřujicich pozitivni/negativni pocit ci pozitivni/negativni stanovisko bylo hodnoceno zvýseni/sniženi frekvence výskytu pozitivnich/negativnich pocitů. Po edukaci a desetiměsicni intervenci pohybovou aktivitou doslo u skupiny 1 (skupinova pohybova aktivita) k významnemu pozitivnimu posunu v oblasti hodnoceni vlastniho zdravi a v oblasti zapojeni do spolecenskeho života. Celkove skore u pozitivně orientovaných otazek bylo významne u obou experimentalnich skupin (skupina 1 p

The paper discusses the ‘Regional Brand’ initiative as the regional quality certification with potential to build links with viable rural tourism products. This branding system is explained in the context of a multi-functional paradigm in the development of viable rural economies. A questionnaire survey of certified producers conducted for the first part of the research within this paper revealed mainly a strong awareness of the regional branding system, however, with underused further potential. In the second phase of the research, a qualitative study was conducted in the model region of Vysocina, Czechia, and the results of semi-structured interviews with entrepreneurs in culinary tourism about their involvement in the creation of tourist packages and their cooperation with regional brands were analyzed. The conclusion stresses the need for a significantly more effective interconnecting body at the regional level with the capability of creating fertile links between rural tourism and regional p...

Cilem prvni casti prezentovane studie bylo zhodnoceni vlivu dlouhodobých pohybových aktivit o relativně nizkem objemu a intenzitě na antropometricke, fyziologicke a biochemicke ukazatele cvicicich seniorek. Sledovany byly dvě skupiny experimentalni, provadějici desetiměsicni řizene skupinove, resp. individualni cviceni, a skupina kontrolni. Vsechny skupiny absolvovaly přednasky zaměřene na pohybovou aktivitu, zdravou výživu a dusevni zdravi. Skupinove a individualni desetiměsicni pohybove programy byly sestaveny se shodnou frekvenci cvicebnich lekci, se shodným casovým objemem a se středni intenzitou zatiženi. Anamnesticke udaje a udaje o urovni habitualni a rekreacni pohybove aktivity byly zjisťovany pomoci dotazniků. Hodnoty antropometrických a fyziologických ukazatelů byly měřeny v mistě cviceni. Hodnoty biochemických ukazatelů byly zjisťovany při vysetřeni u praktických lekařů. Cvicebni program dokoncilo 85 % seniorek. Sledovane desetiměsicni pohybove programy zlepsily hladiny větsiny sledovaných antropometrických, fyziologických a biochemických ukazatelů. Po absolvovani desetiměsicnich pohybových programů jsme zjistili významne sniženi tělesne hmotnosti u obou experimentalnich skupin (p

The article presents a comparative study of the evolution, present state, location, regulation, trends and perspectives of second home tourism and its research in Czechia and Sweden as examples, respectively, of a Central- European, post-communist and a Nordic country. The results are based on long-term research on second housing at Charles University in Prague and Umeå University in Sweden. A broad range of literature, along with extensive personal experience, proves that second housing processes and factors influencing the ownership and location have much in common, regardless of differing historical, socio-economic and political backgrounds. Such processes are related to specific lifestyle and leisure practices in combination with activities in nature as well as stages in the urbanization process. Social and subjective factors prevailed the political (and economic) terms. The Nordic countries exhibit comparable absolute and relative data on second homes, similar schemes of recreational commuting and trends concerning the transformation of second homes into permanent dwellings, or the dissolution of differences between the utilization of both types of homes. Other common features can be found in commercialization and internationalization in recent decades. Changes in second housing should be explored in light of demographic changes in terms of owners and users, tax policies and the development of recreational municipalities. Generally, the trends reflect the changes in mobility with the shift of tourism society toward leisure society.

The paper begins with giving basic information on second housing - individual short-term recreation of population in Czechia - aimed at its structure and distribution. A short characteristic of the history of the research into and of the basic development of structure of the second homes is given. This structure was roughly completed prior to the 1990s. The empirical part deals with field and inquiry research into regional differentiation of this phenomenon in model regions of the whole Czechia and results into a tentative typology of fields of second housing and into more general conclusions on the main trends and perspectives.

The article aims to define the role of second housing on the Czech territory with regards to the current settlement structure and its history. The emergence of second houses that came to existence through functional conversion of formerly permanently inhabited houses can serve as one of indicators for delimitation of peripheral regions. Such peripheral regions, however, have specific characteristics as the use of these regions varies greatly during the year and even during one week.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the intake (by various routes of exposure) of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) by children living in a Czech city, and its effect on excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP) in summer and winter periods. Methods: Four groups of children (3–6 years old) were chosen: (1) two groups from a kindergarten situated in the city center with a higher traffic density (“polluted” area); (2) two groups from a kindergarten situated in a green zone of the same city (“non-polluted” area). Food consumption was recorded in all children and PAH intake from foodstuffs was estimated. Ambient air samples were collected from the playground and inside the kindergartens. Soil samples were collected too. Morning and evening urine samples were collected during sampling days. Results: In both seasons, the mean outdoor total PAH concentration (sum of 12 individual PAH) in the “polluted” area was approximately three-times higher than that in the “non-polluted” area. Indoor concentration in the “polluted” area was more than six-times higher than that in the “non-polluted” area in summer, and almost three-times higher in winter. The same trend was observed for pyrene and for the sum of carcinogenic PAH. The contribution to the total pyrene absorbed dose from food consumption was much more important than that from inhalation and from ingestion of soil dust. Significantly higher urinary concentrations of 1-OHP (evening samples) were found in children from the “polluted” kindergarten in both seasons. The number of significant relationships between 1-OHP and pyrene absorbed dose was weak. Conclusions: Food seems to be the main source of total pyrene and total PAH intake in small children, even under relatively higher air PAH exposure in the city. Estimated pyrene ingestion from soil had a negligible contribution to the total pyrene absorbed dose. Urinary 1-OHP seems to be an uncertain (non-sensitive) marker of the environmental inhalation exposure to pyrene (PAH) if the pollution of air by pyrene (PAH) is not excessive and the pyrene (PAH) dose by this route is much less than by ingestion. Usefulness of the urinary 1-OHP as an indicator of overall environmental exposure to PAH needs further investigation.

1 Objectives of this study were (1) to compare concentra tions of individual polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) in air of polluted and nonpolluted area of Czech Republic during winter and summer periods and (2) to verify if urinary 1-hydroxypyrene (1-OHP), as sup posed practical biological marker, permits the assess ment of spacial and temporal variations in environmental PAH exposure. 2 The study population consisted of three groups: (1) a group of 22 physical exercise students who regularly train outside, from the university situated in a polluted town, spending 14 days in winter and 14 days in summer in 'non-polluted' mountains; (2) a control group of 22 residents from the town and (3) a control group of 18 residents from the mountains. 3 The total PAH concentrations (sum of 13 individual PAH) were 19.3 and 104.6 ng/m3 in town and in mountains, respectively, during summer and 86.6 and 261 ng/m3 during winter. 4 Median 1-OHP levels ranged between 0.03 and 0.13 μmol/mol creatinine for controls and between 0.04 and 0.12 μmol/mol creatinine for students. No relationship was found between pyrene levels in air and group means of urinary 1-OHP. Our results show that other factors (probably PAH in food) contribute in masking air pollution influence on urinary 1-OHP levels in subjects non-occupationally exposed to PAH.