Zbigniew Szygula

• MD, PhD
• Professor at University of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland

Maximal physical effort induces a disturbance in the body’s energy homeostasis and causes oxidative stress. The aim of the study was to determine whether prooxidant–antioxidant balance disturbances and the secretion of adipokines regulating metabolism, induced by maximal intensity exercise, are dependent on body composition in young, healthy, non-o...

Purpose Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a central nervous system disease marked by multifocal damage over time, leading to symptoms such as spasticity and balance disorders, which increase fall risk and reduce patient independence. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) is used in MS rehabilitation, but its effect on balance without subsequent kinesiotherapy rema...

b>Objective: In this study, the gap was addressed in effective rehabilitation methodologies for preventing sepsis sequelae utilising a novel, two-way, diagnostically-monitored personalised rehabilitation model implemented to enhance quality of life (QoL) among sepsis survivors. Methods: Of 66 sepsis survivors post-hospital discharge, and those who...

Background: Lower limb edema associated with venous disorders is an increasingly common problem in pregnant women. The study aimed to assess the use of compression class 1 (ccl1=18-21 mmHg) in lower limb edema and CVD prevention in pregnant and postpartum women. Methods: 51 pregnant women (second trimester) were randomly recruited into either a...

Physical training in heat or hypoxia can improve physical performance. The purpose of this parallel group study was to investigate the concurrent effect of training performed simultaneously in heat (31 °C) and hypoxia (FIO2 = 14.4%) on anaerobic capacity in young men. For the study, 80 non-trained men were recruited and divided into 5 groups (16 pa...

Background The increasing popularity of hypoxic training as a training method to improve physical performance indicates the need to study the effects of this type of intervention on blood morphological and rheological indices, since the adaptive changes that follow such training mainly affect blood indices. In this study, the effects of a 4 weeks o...

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-exercise whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on muscle damage indicators following eccentric treadmill exercise in young women. Methods: Twenty-seven participants underwent two 1-h downhill treadmill runs, replicating 60% of their maximal oxygen uptake, with a 4-week intermission for...

Background: Series of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) among healthy and physically active individuals can potentially reduce inflammatory response, although exact mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: The impact of whole-body cryotherapy on inflammation modulators among 28 young males, categorized as non-training (NTR, N = 10), non-training with WBC (NT...

Introduction: The aging process of society is progressing worldwide. It is associated with an increased incidence of old-age diseases accompanied by oxidative stress. Glutathione plays a significant antioxidant role in maintaining physiological prooxidative-antioxidant balance.

This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate the effects of intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) on anaerobic performance in young, untrained men. Young men (n = 48) were randomly divided into two training groups and a control group. The training groups performed the same submaximal interval training (three times a week for 4 weeks) in normoxia (200...

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a global problem. The effect of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on metabolism in humans is postulated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of WBC on asprosin concentrations, glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women with T2DM. Changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin...

Delays in the diagnosis and management of sepsis are associated with higher mortality. Moreover, routine blood tests performed just before hospital discharge are still insufficient for sepsis survivors. In this report, for the first time, dramatic hematological changes found in the blood of a sepsis survivor are described. The pictorial information...

Resting metabolic rate (RMR) is the largest component of total energy expenditure and increasing it can be of great importance in reducing excess body fatness. Whole Body Vibration (WBV) can affect energy expenditure during single session of WBV, but the effects of repeated WBV on resting metabolic rate have not been reported. The purpose of this s...

Appropriate nutritional preparation for a high-mountain expedition can contribute to the prevention of nutritional deficiencies affecting the deterioration of health and performance. The aim of the study was to analyze the dietary habits, supplementation and nutritional value of diets of high mountain climbers. The study group consisted of 28 men (...

Featured Application The effects of IHT reported in this study have great practical applications for coaches. Short IHT can be useful in sports, where the goal of training is to increase maximal power output or power output at second ventilatory threshold. Abstract The aim of study was to evaluate the effects of interval training performed in hypo...

The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases with age, especially in women. The role of microRNAs (miRs) in the regulation of metabolism is postulated. The aim of the study is to identify miRs that may be markers of MetS and to assess changes in miRs expression as a result of 10 and 20 whole-body cryotherapy treatments (WBC; 3 min, −120 °C)...

Fournier's gangrene (FG) is a rare form of necrotizing soft tissue infection characterized by an acute, aggressive, and rapidly progressive course. In this case report, we describe advanced therapy combining critical care, surgery, pharmacotherapy, extended biochemical/cellular blood diagnostics, and post-discharge hyperbaric oxygen therapy rehabil...

Background Body temperature fluctuations induced by acute exercise bouts may influence the intestinal barrier with related effects on epithelial permeability, immune responses, and release of metabolites produced by the gut microbiota. This study evaluated the effects of post-exercise sauna bathing in young men undergoing endurance training on gut...

Simple Summary Whole-body vibration induces a number of physiological responses and is used both in physical training, and in the treatment of patients with various diseases. Whole-body vibration increases blood flow, skin temperature, bone density, muscle strength and affects the functions of the nervous system. The effect of whole-body vibration...

Whole-body cryostimulation (W-BC) is commonly used following exercise to accelerate recovery or as a form of therapy to prevent and cure sports injuries. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a series of 24 W-BC sessions on morphological and rheological blood indicators in physically active men. Eighteen physically active men participated i...

Purpose The aim of the study was to evaluate distinct performance indicators and energy system contributions in 3 different, new sport-specific finger flexor muscle exercise tests. Methods The tests included the maximal strength test, the all-out test (30 s) as well as the continuous and intermittent muscle endurance test at an intensity equaling...

Purpose: Sauna bathing is recommended to improve the sports training process, yet empirical evidence confirming its effectiveness is still inconclusive. We examined the effects of post-exercise sauna bathing on hematological adaptations and exercise capacity in healthy men. Methods: Thirteen physical education students participated in randomized...

Objective Excess visceral adipose tissue is associated with insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders, including deregulation of adipokine secretion, which may be corrected by aerobic exercise training. Asprosin is a novel adipokine responsible for the regulation of appetite and the release of glucose from the liver, and its levels are patho...

Aging causes oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and a reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide. The study aim was to determine whether, as a result of repeated whole-body exposure to cryogenic temperature (3 min −130 °C), there is an increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) concentration in senior subjects (59 ± 6 years), a...

Background: Body temperature fluctuations induced by acute exercise bouts may also influence the intestinal barrier with related effects on epithelial permeability, immune responses, and release of metabolites produced by the gut microbiota.To evaluate the combined influence of 4-weeks exercise training and post-exercise sauna treatments on gut bac...

The relative importance of key performance factors is poorly studied in high-level climbers. This study aimed to (1) determine the role of forearm muscle strength and endurance in high-level rock climbing, (2) and provide suitable dynamometric test parameters for muscle endurance assessment in high-level climbers. Six higher elite (redpoint Fr.9a)...

Background Adaptation, including changes in blood properties, to whole-body cryostimulation may depend on many factors, including body mass. Aim This study investigates whether hematological parameters change similarly in a group of people with obesity and a group of men with normal body weight after 10 and 20 cryostimulation treatments. Methods...

There seems to be a general consensus among researchers that acute aerobic exercise (exercise hereafter) improves mood, but the neural mechanisms which drive these effects are far from being clear. The current study investigated the cortical connectivity patterns that underlie changes in mood after exercise. Twenty male adults underwent three diffe...

Background: The activity of antioxidant enzymes and sirtuins (Sirt) decreases along with age, which is counteracted by aerobic training. Sirtuins increase antioxidant defence. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) increases total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in young men. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of 24 WBC treatments on the blood concentr...

Abdominal obesity predominates in menopausal women (MW) and contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). It is associated with increased mortality related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and fatty liver disease. The effects of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on body composition and the blood concentration of irisin, interleukin-6 (...

The chapter is about thermoregulation and regulation of water balance in master athletes.

The benefits of altitude/hypoxic training for sea level performance are still under debate. This study examined the effects of low altitude training supported by normobaric hypoxia on hematological status and endurance performance predictors in elite female cyclists. Twenty-two female cyclists trained for 3 weeks at low altitude (<1100 m) and 2 wee...

Pressure contribute-to_the_egress of cells from bone mirrow? Acta physiol. pol., 1981, 32 (6): 729-J36. Pressure was measured in the femoial me-dullary cavity of rabbits whose femorat musciós ńró-subjected 6 ei;-ctrostimulation. After electrostimulation the pressure in the "ńedńil;y;;-vity increased fivefold. _. In Eroups of experimental animals th...

Physical effort in different ambient temperatures.

Endocrine dysfunction often occurs in metabolic syndrome (MetS), resulting in hyperglycemia and atherogenic blood lipid profile disorders. Asprosin is a newly discovered glucose-regulating hormone. The study aim was to determine whether the application of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) affects asprosin and selected adipocytokines as well as insulin r...

Introduction: This project addresses the important problem of sepsis sequelae resulting in frequent hospital readmissions and higher mortality rate in the post-discharge period. However, neither specific diagnostic methods nor standards for rehabilitation of sepsis patients have been introduced yet. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiv...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of exposure to 30 daily whole body cryostimulation (WBC) on lipid metabolic parameters and serum HSP-70 concentration. The study involved 45 volunteers, homogeneous in terms of diet and daily physical activity. Blood samples were collected before and after the 10th, the 20th, and the 30th session an...

Objective: The new adipokine, which is asprosin, affects glucose release from the liver to the blood, and thus, influences exercise metabolism. This is the first study assessing whether single anaerobic exercise affects asprosin secretion in women and men. Methods: 10 men and 10 women (aged 21.64 ± 1.22 and 22.64 ± 1.49, respectively) performed a s...

Background: In a previous randomized controlled trial it has been demonstrated that arm compression sleeves worn immediately after breast cancer surgery, including axillary lymph node removal in addition to physical therapy are able to reduce the occurrence of early postoperative swelling and of arm lymphedema up to 1 year and to improve quality o...

Objective: Physical exercise changes redox balance in the blood. The study aim is to determine gender-related differences in enzymatic antioxidant defense [superoxide dismutase, catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] during the initial period following anaerobic exercise and 24 h after its completion. Methods: Young, non-training partici...

Aim of the study: The aim of our research was to examine the influence of single whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) on chosen immune system indicators including the heat shock protein HSP-70. Material and methods: The study was carried out among ten young and healthy men (mean age 22.4 ±1.65, with a body mass index of 22.91 ±2.39 kg/m2). The particip...

Objective: Endurance runners may experience “sports anemia” resulting from intravascular hemolysis. In addition, aging has negative impact on hematopoiesis and rheological properties of blood, and erythrocyte membranes in older people are more vulnerable to oxidative damage, which together can lead to anemia. Whole-body cryostimulation (WBCST) is i...

A prior session of moderate intensity continuous exercise (MCE) benefits performance during tasks requiring conflict resolution but the specific cognitive process that underlies this improvement remains unknown. Many studies postulate that MCE increases inhibition, but ERP evidence is ambiguous due to significant differences across past procedures....

Objectives: The aim of the study is to evaluate the intensity of the effort and energy expenditure in the course of performing selected classical massage techniques and to assess the workload of a massage therapist during a work shift. Material and methods: Thirteen massage therapists (age: 21.9±1.9 years old, body mass index: 24.5±2.8 kg×m<sup>...

Interrelationships between physiological changes (Δ) in erythropoietin (EPO), plasma volume (PV), haemoglobin concentration ([Hb]), and total haemoglobin mass (tHb-mass) were examined in cyclists who trained in different altitudes. Regardless of differences in pattern of changes observed in three training locations, ΔEPO was correlated positively w...

Introduction. Studies have demonstrated an important role of muscle strength and endurance in climbing. However, little research has explored the speed parameters of the muscles of climbers. This study aimed to evaluate biomechanical indices of the functional status of the upper limbs in climbers. Material and methods. Group G1 (n = 3) were athlete...

Background: After breast cancer surgery patients are at higher risk of lymphedema development and decreasing physical activity (PA), as well as decreasing health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of the study was to compare the level of PA and HRQOL in women after breast cancer surgery using light arm compression with women not using compre...

Erythrocytes have high elasticity and the ability to build blood aggregates, they can pass through the smallest capillaries, thus ensuring the transport of oxygen and carbon dioxide in all areas of the vascular system. A decrease in the deformability of erythrocytes may result in reduced blood flow and thereby the cause of many diseases. The increa...

Antropomotoryka (Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences), 2017, vol.27, no.3 (79), 31-39. Aim. The aim of the study was to compare the main indicators characterizing body build, including the strength and endurance potential of elite mountain and rock climbers. Methods: The study was comprised of high-class male athletes, performing rock and...

Background: Oxidative stress could be result of an increase in ATP resynthesis during exercise. The aim of the study was to compare prooxidant-antioxidant balance (PAB) disturbances induced by exercise at maximal intensity in young men with differing body compositions. Methods: Thirty-nine subjects were selected from 1,549 volunteers aged 18-30,...

Objectives: Comparison of redox balance changes in the blood of women and men as a result of submaximal eccentric (ECC) and concentric (CONC) efforts. Methods: 10 women and 10 men performed three 45-minute submaximal treadmill runs at constant velocities (downhill run – ECC, uphill run – CONC and level run). Prior to the 45-minute exercises, after...

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of xanthine oxidase (XO) in the blood of men and women during the first hour following a single anaerobic exercise (AN-EX), and after 24 hours of recovery, and to determine whether the changes in XO activity in the blood after AN-EX are dependent on anaerobic performance. Methods: Ten me...

Objectives: The aim of this study was to test the hypotheses: (1) there is a negative correlation between protein and lipid oxidative damage following maximal-intensity exercise, and oxygen uptake and work intensity (%VO2max) at the respiratory compensation point (RCP) in women and men; (2) nitro-oxidative stress following maximal-intensity exercis...

The purpose of this study was to investigate physiological responses to climbing with different hold types. Eight elite climbers (red-point achievements 8a – 9a, French grades) performed two climbing tests to failure which were steady in pace and uniform in wall inclination, distances between holds and hold deepness. Only the hold contact surface i...

Objective: The aim of the article was to assess risk factors and to analyze methods applied in the prevention and treatment of lower limb edema in pregnant women with a particular focus on compression therapy and exercise. Materials and methods: Fifty-four women during the early 24-hour period following delivery were assigned to two groups-eithe...

Objectives: This study examined the effects of 6-week Nordic walking (NW) workout with individually customized intensity, on the body composition, and oxidative stress biomarkers for women > 55 years of age. Material and methods: Sixteen sedentary women (age 58.1±2.02 years old, body mass index (BMI) 26.74±2.72 kg/m2) worked out the NW 3 times/w...

Lower-limb oedemas can be the result of abnormalities in the structure and functioning of the lymphatic system, injuries or inflammation, or can be related to cancer and its treatment; however, they are more often one of the basic symptoms accompanying women in the third trimester of pregnancy due to vein insufficiency. The purpose of this overview...

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate walking economy and physiological responses at two walking speeds in males with similar absolute body mass but different body composition. Methods: The study involved 22 young men with a similar absolute body mass, BMI, aerobic performance, calf and thigh circumference. The participants differed in bo...

The aim of the study was to compare morphological and rheological properties of blood of long distance runners and untrained men. The study was carried out on 20 healthy males of age about 60 years old: 10 long distance runners and 10 untrained men. There was no difference between compared groups in age, body height and body weight. Venous blood fo...

Whole body cryotherapy (WBC) is a treatment often used by athletes as part of biological renewal. Despite the large interest in this form therapy there is still a lack of information on the effects of WBC on the concentration of fatty acids in erythrocyte membranes. Our study aimed at comparing the fatty acids (FA) composition of erythrocyte membra...

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) in anaerobic power recovery after eccentric exercise. The study was carried out on 10 healthy men. The participants performed two 60-min downhill runs with a constant intensity. Peak anaerobic power (PP) and mean power (MP) were measured before and five times after eccent...

Purpose: One of the new products which can be used to increase physical activity and energy expenditure is the Torqway vehicle, powered by the upper limbs. The aim of this study was to 1) assess the usefulness and repeatability of the Torqway vehicle for physical exercise, 2) compare energy expenditure and physiological responses during walking on...

Frydrych-Szymonik Aleksandra, Augustyn Gabriela, Szyguła Zbigniew. Znaczenie snu i sposoby poprawy jego jakości u sportowców = Impact of sleep and methods to improve its quality in the context of sporting activities. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. 2016;6(5):157-176. eISSN 2391-8306. DOI http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.51416 http://ojs.uk...

A Study Abstract Purpose: We examine physical activity levels of Polish and Turkish students to determine cross-cultural and gender differences in exercise habits. Methods: Our study assessed 50 students from Adnan Menderes University in Aydin, Turkey and 50 students from the University of Physical Education in Krakow, Poland. Physical activity was...

The aim of our study was to compare the indicators of starting speed, anaerobic endurance and power in women as well as men, and to investigate whether the values of these indicators differ in women during the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle. The studied group included 16 men and 16 women. The subjects performed the 20-second ma...

Athletes and nonathletes frequently consume too little water or fluids, affecting exercise performance as well as overall health. This book comprehensively reviews the aspects relating to body fluid balance, rehydration, and physical exercise. It provides background on body water balance and turnover, topics related to

Regular endurance-type physical exercise exerts a positive effect on the capacity and endurance of the body and the activity of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). In contrast, the exercise loads used in professional sports for extended periods of time may lead to significant functional impairment of all tissues and organs, including ANS. The study...

Purpose The aim of this study was to compare changes in total oxidative status (TOS), total antioxidative capacity (TAC) and the concentration of VitA, VitE, VitC, uric acid (UA), reduced (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) in blood within 24 hours following anaerobic exercise (AnEx) among men and women. Methods 10 women and 10 men performed a 2...

Objective The aim of the paper was to evaluate the physiological response during running in athletes with similar body mass but different body composition. Material and methods Thirty-three recreational athletes composed three study groups: control, increased body fat (HBF) and increased lean body mass (HLBM). The HBF and HLBM groups were similar...

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of eccentric exercise on anaerobic power, starting speed and anaerobic endurance. The participants performed the maximum cycling sprint test (MCST) prior to eccentric exercise (ECC), 10 minutes after, as well as one hour, 24 hours, 48 hours, and one week after ECC. The peak and mean power, time to a...

One of the main themes of the 7th European Hypoxia Symposium 2014 in Berchtesgaden, Germany) was „Contraindications for Exposure to Hypoxia". In this paper, we summarize the statements and recommendations for high altitude sojourns with pre-existing medical conditions. Exposure to altitude is increasingly common even amongst elderly people. Therefo...

Purpose: The aim of the study was to determine whether creatine malate (CML) supplementation results in similar ergogenic effect in sprinters and long-distance runners. The other goal was to compare changes in body composition, physical performance and hormone levels after six-week training in athletes, divided into subgroups supplemented with cre...

Oxidative stress may be caused by an increased rate of ATP resynthesis during physical exercise. The aim of this study was to compare changes in the prooxidant-antioxidant state of blood plasma between men and women after maximal-intensity exercise, and to assess the relationship between these changes and the value of the maximal oxygen uptake (VO(...

Recent evidence suggests that not only body fat but high lean body mass (LBM) adversely affects aerobic performance and may reduce aerobic endurance performance as well. However, the influence of body composition on anaerobic performance remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the effects of increased body mass and body composition on cy...

Background: Combined physical therapy (CPT) is the treatment of choice for patients with lymphedema. Intensive stage CPT (I-CPT) results in a substantial reduction of the size of lymphedema, while the second stage CPT (M-CPT) maintains the achieved result for many years. Aim: The article analyses the outcome M-CPT for 5 years in patients with ly...

Objective: To determine changes in lipid metabolism in young females during single and repeated bath sessions in Finnish sauna. Methods: Nine healthy non-smoking females (20-22 years) were exposed to seven 30-minute sauna baths every two days, in the morning, in temperature 91°C and humidity 15,6%. The first session was scheduled for follicular pha...

One of the main themes of the 7 th European Hypox-ia Symposium (http://www.hypoxiasymposium.org; September 19-21st. 2014, Berchtesgaden, Germany) was "Contraindications for exposure to Hypoxia" [1]. Participants from 10 countries engaged in an animated discussion with the speakers that presented data on various aspects of high altitude sojourns wit...

One of the main themes of the 7th European Hypoxia Symposium 2014 in Berchtesgaden, Germany was „Contraindications for Exposure to Hypoxia“. In this paper, we summarize the statements and recommendations for high-altitude sojourns with pre-existing medical conditions. Exposure to altitude is increasingly common even amongst elderly people. Therefor...

Objectives: The aim of the study was to evaluate effects of Finnish sauna bathing on lipid profile in healthy, young men. Material and methods: Sixteen male subjects (20-23 years) were subjected to 10 sauna bathing sessions in a Finnish sauna every 1 or 2 days. The mean sauna temperature was 90±2°C, while humidity was 5-16%. Each session consist...