Strength Measurements Research Articles

A lossless quantization approach for physical-layer key generation in vehicular ad hoc networks based on received signal strength

Vehicular Ad Hoc Networks (VANETs) provide various benefits and play a crucial role in improving efficiency and ensuring human safety across different applications. However, these advantages also give rise to security challenges and privacy concerns, necessitating a thorough examination of security attacks. Current key generation schemes, particularly those based on the Physical-Layer Model (PLM), face limitations such as low key generation rates and inadequate randomness. This paper introduces an innovative key generation method that utilizes adaptive physical-layer techniques and lossless quantization. The method involves an eight-level quantization process, which enables precise granularity and adaptive selection of quantization thresholds to tailor the computation of Received Signal Strength (RSS) measurements to individual needs. The adaptive approach ensures the retention of information within RSS measurements, resulting in reduced bit disagreement rates and enhanced randomness of the generated keys. Simulated evaluations demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method, showing superior performance in terms of bit generation, entropy, and secrecy rates, while also minimizing the occurrence of unnecessary measurements. This advancement holds significant promise for strengthening the security framework within VANETs.

Effects of Upper Limb Control on the Less-Affected Side on Upper Limb Function, Respiration, Balance, and Activities of Daily Living in Stroke.

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the effects of upper limb control exercises on upper limb function, respiration, balance, and activities of daily living in patients with stroke. Materials and Methods: The 28 patients who met the selection criteria were randomly assigned to two groups of 14 patients each. Subsequently, upper limb control exercises using real-time feedback were applied. The same interventional exercise was applied to both the less-affected and affected limbs of the study participants, who were classified into a less-affected side upper limb control group and an affected side upper limb control exercise group. Interventional exercises, 30 min each, were performed five times weekly for 4 weeks, and follow-up examinations were performed 2 weeks after the end of exercise. Electronic muscle strength measurements and an electronic goniometer were used to evaluate upper limb function. A spirometer was used to measure respiration. Balance ability was evaluated using a force plate pressure distribution measuring system with a sensor that detects the movement of the body center on the ground. Daily life movements were evaluated using the Korean version of the modified Barthel index. Results: When examining the results, the upper limb function on the paralyzed side showed an increase in the electromyographic strength of shoulder joint depression and flexion angle. Improvements were also observed in respiration (forced vital capacity [L] and forced expiratory volume in 1 s [L]), balance (95% confidence ellipse area [mm2] and center of pressure displacement [mm]), and daily life activities, all of which showed statistically significant differences in the time × group interaction effect (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Thus, it was found that the upper limb control exercise on the less-affected side had a significant effect when the exercise was performed together with treatment on the affected side in patients with stroke. It is anticipated that this study will provide basic data for evaluating both the trunk and upper limbs of the less-affected and affected sides.

Measurement of Strength and Fracture Load of Weathered Samples of Polymer Composite Materials

Measurement of Strength and Fracture Load of Weathered Samples of Polymer Composite Materials

Some Properties of a Cementitious Mortar Containing Granulated Rubber Waste and Brick Fillers: An Experimental Study, Mathematical Modeling and Optimization

Abstract The objective of this study is to assess the impact of incorporating rubber tire waste and brick fillers as a substitute for sand in cement mortar samples. The evaluation includes measurements of the bending strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and displacement. The replacement of sand by rubber waste (RW) and brick waste (BW) at 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% for rubber waste and 0%, 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5%, and 10% for brick waste by volume was experimentally conducted. According to the findings, the introduction of rubber waste leads to a significant reduction in the flexural strength, dynamic modulus of elasticity, and displacement. The brick waste can be considered a suitable filler, which minimizes the negative effect of rubber tires and tends to result in suitable mixtures. The optimal values (10.10% for the RW and 10% for the BW) showed good agreement with the experimental results, with differences of 1.85%, -4.73%, and -4.48% for the displacement, flexural strength, and dynamic elastic modulus, respectively.

Thermal protection of steel using various ceramic-like fireproofing coatings systems: Comparative study

A comparative study on three types of fireproofing coatings (namely, cementitious, sodium silicate, and epoxy) was made to determine their effectiveness in protecting steel structures. The effects of these coatings on the external protection of steel were structurally, thermally, and mechanically studied. The prepared cementitious coatings endured the heat until 1200 °C for 1 h showing dimensions stability without deformation nor cracking during firing. Both crushing strength (CS) and bulk density measurements decreased from 69 to 18 kg/cm2 and from 1.62 to 1.00 g/cm3 'respectively' with increasing both perlite and vermiculite percentages. Six of the prepared 48 sodium silicate and epoxy coatings succeeded in bearing heat until 900 °C for 3.5 h sustaining the steel substrates' temperature below 60 °C following the Underwriters Laboratory-94 (UL-94) standard. This protective effect was due to the formation of a hard glassy phase on the steel surface isolating it from the heat by the action of the applied constituents. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) thermograms for these succeeded samples revealed that they gave a high residual weight ranging from 63 to 88% when tested from room temperature up to 900 °C. Performing the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) test revealed that physical blending between both the binder and additives (other coating ingredients’) has occurred. The results concluded that the used ingredients, which have low prices, compared to the imported ones, and are locally available, are recommended for the fire protection of steel.

Association of Fried’s frailty phenotype, but not the clinical frailty scale, with overall survival in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia.

e23222 Background: Frailty is a geriatric syndrome marked by increased vulnerability to stressors. “Fitness,” is utilized to guide treatment in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) where the intensity of initial induction may be high (anthracycline and cytarabine-based), intermediate (venetoclax combinations), or low (single hypomethylating agent or targeting therapy). Fried’s Frailty Phenotype (FP) combines subjective (self-reported exhaustion, weight loss &gt; 5%, activity level) and objective (4-meter walk speed and grip strength) measures to categorize patients into fit, pre-frail, and frail. In prior work, we demonstrated an association of FP with survival for newly diagnosed older adults with AML. Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS) is a purely subjective score that utilizes chart data to stratify the degree of fitness. The incorporation of objective measures into clinical practice is limited due to time constraints, we sought to determine if CFS could similarly identify frailty and risk-stratify older adults with AML. Methods: Eighty-three patients 60 years or older with a new diagnosis of AML were enrolled on an IRB approved study from September, 2018 to May, 2023 at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. FP was performed prior to initiation of therapy. A CFS certified trainee blinded to FP scores retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records to assign a CFS score. CFS was collapsed into variations defined as CFS fit (1-3), pre-frail (4), and frail (5 or greater); CFS Collapse 1 fit (1-2), pre-frail (3-4), and frail (5 or greater), and CFS Collapse 2 fit (1-4) and mild to moderately frail (5-6). Variations were based on the scale’s descriptions and literature. Results: Median patient age was 71 (range 60-91) years. By European LeukemiaNet 2017, 64% of patients had adverse-risk AML. 39% of patients received IC, 52% received HMA/ven, 6% received HMA alone or targeted therapy, and 2% received supportive care. By FP, 18% were fit, 38% were pre-frail, and 45% were frail. FP was significantly associated with OS (p = 0.047): 2-year OS was 57%, 42%, and 21% in fit, pre-frail, and frail. By CFS, 43% were fit, 32% pre-frail, and 24% frail. CSF was not significantly associated with OS (p = 0.495); 2-year OS was 24%, 35%, and 19% for fit, pre-frail, and frail patients, respectively. CSF collapse 1 (p = 0.249) and 2 (p = 0.070) were not significant. Conclusions: FP identified more patients as frail and was associated with a doubling of early mortality and inferior 2-year OS. CFS identified more patients as fit and was not associated with 2-yr OS. The discrepancy emphasizes the importance of objective measurements to capture frailty and the difficulty in determining frailty based on chart reviews in an acutely ill population. Future work to streamline objective measurements in frailty assessments to increase utilization in clinics given its likely importance for accurate risk-stratification.

A Narrative Review of Intermittent Fasting With Exercise

Intermittent fasting is a dietary pattern that encompasses the 5:2 diet, alternate-day fasting, and time-restricted eating. All 3 involve alternating periods of fasting and ad libitum eating. Like other dietary strategies, intermittent fasting typically induces loss of both fat mass and lean mass. Exercise may thus be a useful adjuvant to promote lean mass retention while adding cardiometabolic, cognitive, mental, and emotional health improvements. In this narrative review, we summarize current evidence regarding the combination of intermittent fasting and exercise and its influence on body weight, body composition, cardiometabolic risk, and muscular and cardiorespiratory fitness. A PubMed search was conducted to identify all trials lasting >4 weeks that combined 5:2 diet, alternate-day fasting, or time-restricted eating with any modality exercise and had body weight as an end point. A total of 23 trials (26 publications) were identified. Evidence suggests that combining intermittent fasting with exercise leads to decreased fat mass regardless of weight status. However, evidence is equivocal for the influence on other aspects of weight loss and body composition, fat-free mass, and cardiometabolic risk factors and may be dependent on weight status or exercise doses (ie, frequency, intensity, duration, and modality). Higher-powered trials are needed to determine the efficacy of combining exercise and intermittent fasting for benefits on body weight and cardiometabolic risk. Current evidence suggests that intermittent fasting does not impair adaptation to exercise training, and may improve explosive strength, endurance, and cardiopulmonary measures such as maximal oxygen consumption. In addition, we discuss limitations in the current evidence base and opportunities for continued investigation. Future trials in this area should consider interventions that have increased sample size, longer intervention duration, broadened inclusion criteria, objective measures of diet and exercise adherence, and diversity of sample population.

Humans can infer social preferences from decision speed alone.

Humans are known to be capable of inferring hidden preferences and beliefs of their conspecifics when observing their decisions. While observational learning based on choices has been explored extensively, the question of how response times (RT) impact our learning of others' social preferences has received little attention. Yet, while observing choices alone can inform us about the direction of preference, they reveal little about the strength of this preference. In contrast, RT provides a continuous measure of strength of preference with faster responses indicating stronger preferences and slower responses signaling hesitation or uncertainty. Here, we outline a preregistered orthogonal design to investigate the involvement of both choices and RT in learning and inferring other's social preferences. Participants observed other people's behavior in a social preferences task (Dictator Game), seeing either their choices, RT, both, or no information. By coupling behavioral analyses with computational modeling, we show that RT is predictive of social preferences and that observers were able to infer those preferences even when receiving only RT information. Based on these findings, we propose a novel observational reinforcement learning model that closely matches participants' inferences in all relevant conditions. In contrast to previous literature suggesting that, from a Bayesian perspective, people should be able to learn equally well from choices and RT, we show that observers' behavior substantially deviates from this prediction. Our study elucidates a hitherto unknown sophistication in human observational learning but also identifies important limitations to this ability.

Reliability of Hip Strength Assessment in Young Active People with Hip Dysplasia: An Examination in Student Circus Artists.

Developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) is common in performing artists and other young active individuals and involves abnormalities in bony morphology of the acetabulum and proximal femur that can negatively impact walking biomechanics, muscular strength, quality of life, and sleep. Rehabilitation for hip-related conditions should target known modifiable impairments such as hip muscle strength, though a reliable method of assessment in this population remains unclear. To determine the inter- and intra-rater reliability of hip muscle strength assessments using handheld dynamometry (HHD) in young active circus artists with DDH. Reliability of hip strength in all planes was assessed using HHD in 21 adult performing circus arts students (mean age 21.3 yrs [3.2]; 13 M, 5 F, 3 NB) with symptomatic radiologically and clinically diagnosed hip dysplasia. The reliability of average peak force and absolute peak force were expressed for each position tested. Reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) with standard error of measurement (SEM) and minimal detectable change (MDC) values calculated to improve clinical interpretability. Good to excellent inter-rater reliability resulted for all hip muscle strength testing positions, ICC=0.88 (95%CI 0.70 to 0.95) to ICC=0.97 (0.92 to 0.99), except average peak hip flexion strength, ICC=0.71 (0.28 to 0.88). Absolute peak hip abduction, ICC=0.77 (0.16 to 0.94), and adduction strength, ICC=0.72 (-0.55 to 0.92), demonstrated the lowest intra-rater reliability. Transverse plane strength measures (rotation) produced the lowest SEM and MDC values followed by the frontal plane (abduction/adduction) and sagittal plane (flexion/extension). HHD is an appropriate and reliable method to assess hip muscle strength in circus artists with DDH.

Reliability of Dynamic Shoulder Strength Test Battery Using Multi-Joint Isokinetic Device.

This study aimed to determine the absolute and relative reliability of concentric and eccentric flexion, extension, horizontal abduction, and adduction movements of the shoulder using a functional electromechanical dynamometer (FEMD). Forty-three active male university students (23.51 ± 4.72 years) were examined for concentric and eccentric strength of shoulder flexion, extension, horizontal abduction, and horizontal adduction with an isokinetic test at 0.80 m·s-1. Relative reliability was determined by intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) with 95% confidence intervals. Absolute reliability was quantified by the standard error of measurement (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV). Reliability was very high to extremely high for all movements on concentric and eccentric strength measurements (ICC: 0.76-0.94, SEM: 0.63-6.57%, CV: 9.40-19.63%). The results of this study provide compelling evidence for the absolute and relative reliability of concentric and eccentric flexion, extension, horizontal abduction, and horizontal adduction shoulder isokinetic strength tests in asymptomatic adults. The mean concentric force was the most reliable strength value for all tests.

Accuracy of a portable lower-limb muscle strength measuring device with a training function.

[Purpose] Quadriceps muscle strength is essential for daily living activities. Therefore, we developed a compact and simple lower limb muscle strength measuring device (LocomoScan [LCS]). This study aimed to compare LCS with other instruments to analyze its simplicity, reproducibility, and accuracy. [Participants and Methods] One hundred and four healthy university students (56 males and 48 females) were included in the study. The knee extension force was measured using LCS, and the knee extension torque was measured using other devices (Cybex). In addition, lower leg muscle mass was measured using a body composition meter. The reproducibility of LCS and the correlation between the knee extension torque and lower leg muscle mass were evaluated. [Results] The measurement reproducibility of LCS was significantly higher. The knee extension force confirmed the proportional relative reliability of Cybex with knee extension torque. A relationship between knee extension force and lower limb muscle mass was also observed, indicating that muscle mass cannot be estimated as muscle strength. [Conclusion] The high reproducibility of the knee extension force measurement using LCS demonstrates its potential as a portable alternative instrument for muscle strength measurement in clinical practice. Therefore, LCS device is a simple and effective tool for assessing muscle strength.

Passive Control of Vortices in the Wake of a Bluff Body

Vortices belong to the most important phenomena in fluid dynamics and play an essential role in many engineering applications. They can act detrimentally by harnessing the flow energy and reducing the efficiency of an aerodynamic device, whereas in other cases, their presence can be exploited to achieve targeted flow conditions. The control of the vortex parameters is desirable in both cases. In this paper, we introduce an optimization strategy for the control of vortices in the wake of a bluff body. Flow modelling is based on RANS and DES computations, validated by experimental data. The algorithm for vortex identification and characterization is based on the triple decomposition of motion. It produces a quantitative measure of vortex strength which is used to define the objective function in the optimization procedure. It is shown how the shape of an aerodynamic device can be altered to achieve the desired characteristics of vortices in its wake. The studied case is closely related to flame holders for combustion applications, but the conceptual approach has a general applicability to vortex control.

Recent Update on the Prevalence of Sarcopenia in Koreans: Findings from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

As recognized by the World Health Organization in 2016 with its inclusion in the International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision as M62.84, and by South Korea in 2021 as M62.5, the diagnostic guidelines for sarcopenia vary globally. Despite its prevalence in older populations, data on sarcopenia in Koreans aged 60 and above is scarce, highlighting the need for research on its prevalence in this demographic. Utilizing the 2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey dataset, sarcopenia was assessed among 1,946 individuals aged 60 or older according to the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 criteria, incorporating grip strength and bioelectrical impedance analysis measurements. Statistical analyses were performed to differentiate categorical and continuous variables using logistic regression and Student's t-tests, respectively. The prevalence of sarcopenia was found to increase with age, with the highest prevalence observed in the oldest age group (80 years and older). The overall prevalence of sarcopenia in our study population was 6.8%. Among men, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 5.5% in the 60 or older age group, 9.6% in the 70 or older age group, and 21.5% in the 80 or older age group. Among women, the prevalence of sarcopenia was 7.9%, 10.5%, and 25.9%, respectively. This study highlights the significant burden of sarcopenia in elderly Koreans, particularly among the oldest individuals. These findings call for targeted interventions to manage and prevent sarcopenia, along with further research on its risk factors, consequences, and effective mitigation strategies.

Influence of Programmed Physical Training on the Performance of Table Tennis Athletes

This study aims to explore the influence of a programmed physical training program on enhancing the performance of table tennis athletes at the local table tennis club level. The study utilizes a quantitative research approach with a case study design. Research participants consist of 30 table tennis athletes from one local table tennis club. Data were collected through physical tests covering measurements of muscle strength, agility, and cardiovascular endurance, as well as direct observation of athlete performance during table tennis training sessions. The results of the study indicate a significant improvement in muscle strength, agility, and cardiovascular endurance of athletes after participating in the programmed physical training program. Regression analysis also confirms a positive relationship between the level of participation in the programmed physical training program and athlete performance improvement. The practical implications of this research are that local table tennis clubs can utilize programmed physical training programs as a strategy to enhance their athletes' performance. However, this study has limitations that need to be considered, including the limited generalizability of the results due to being conducted in only one local table tennis club. Therefore, further research with larger samples and diversification of table tennis clubs is needed to confirm these findings more broadly.

Autoregulation Does Not Provide Additional Benefits to a Mixed Session Periodized Resistance Training Program in Trained Men.

Bartolomei, S, Francesco, L, Latini, D, and Hoffman, JR. Autoregulation does not provide additional benefits to a mixed session periodized resistance training program in trained men. J Strength Cond Res 38(9): 1535-1542, 2024-The aim of this investigation was to study how autoregulation impacted training volume, performance, and muscle size on a 10-week mixed session periodized (MSP) resistance training program, characterized by the inclusion of different training foci in each session. Twenty-four resistance trained men were assigned to an autoregulated mixed session periodized (AMSP group; n = 13; age = 26.2 ± 4.9 y; body mass = 82.0 ± 8.7 kg; height = 176.8 ± 6.0 cm) or into an MSP ( n = 11; age = 24.0 ± 2.6; body mass = 81.3 ± 10.5 kg; height = 174.0 ± 5.4 cm) group. Subjects in both groups trained 5 days per week for 10 weeks and performed the same exercises. The difference between the groups consisted in the use of a perceived recovery-based scale to adjust the individual training volume in the AMSP program. Maximal strength (bench press and squat 1 repetition maximum), power (bench press throw and countermovement jump), and muscle architecture (muscle thickness [MT] of biceps brachii, trapezius, vastus lateralis and vastus medialis) were collected before and after the 10-week training period. In addition, training volume and session load were calculated for each training session. A higher total training volume ( p < 0.001) was seen in AMSP program compared with MSP program, but no differences ( p > 0.05) were noted in the average session load. No significant differences between the groups were detected for MT of both upper-body and lower-body muscles ( p's > 0.05) and lean body mass ( p = 0.681). No significant differences between the groups were detected for any strength or power measurements. Results of this study indicate that a perceived recovery-based AMSP training program was not more effective than an MSP training program for increasing muscle size and performance in resistance trained men.

Standardized In-Bed Mobility Protocol to Increase Functional Outcomes in Pediatric Intensive Care Unit: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

AbstractThe primary aim of this study is to determine whether a standardized in-bed mobility protocol involving an in-bed cycle ergometer in critically ill children increases functional outcomes as measured by the Functional Status Scale (FSS) and dynamometer measurements compared with patients participating in standard rehabilitation care. The secondary aim was to compare hospital length of stay (HLOS) between the two groups. This pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted between April 2021 and December 2022. Eligible patients were randomized to the intervention group (up to 30 minutes of daily in-bed cycle ergometer use) or the control group (standardized rehabilitation care). During the study duration, 30 patients were randomized (13 in the control group and 17 in the intervention group). The difference in whole-body muscle strength measurements (enrollment vs. completion of study) was higher in the experimental group (3.68 lbs.) compared with the control group (1.5 lbs.). However, the difference between groups was not statistically significant (p = 0.18). Both the intervention group and the control group showed similar significant improvements in the FSS scores throughout the therapy, with no difference between the two groups. There was a significant positive correlation between exercise time and change in muscle strength (r = 0.75, p = 0.002). No difference in HLOS was detected in the study. Results from this pilot RCT suggest a trend toward benefits from using in-bed cycle ergometers. These devices may be an additional modality for preserving muscle function in critically ill children. Larger multicentric studies are needed for more conclusive evidence.

Relationship between Hand grip strength and Hand function in patients with Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study

BackgroundHands are vital and inevitable organs. It's essential to evaluate hand function post-stroke as it is a major source of impairment. Grip strength gives a guide to hand function as a measure of impairment. The modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST) offers an intriguing alternative method for assessing hand grip strength as compared to using hand-held dynamometers. ObjectivesThe study aimed to investigate the correlation between hand grip strength and hand function in stroke patients. MethodsA cross-sectional research was carried out on a group of 45 stroke patients, ranging in age from 40 to 70 years. The assessment included the measurement of hand grip strength through the Modified Sphygmomanometer Test (MST), as well as the evaluation of hand function using the Box and Block Test (BBT) and the Jebsen Taylor Hand Function Test (JTHFT). Correlation analysis was performed using the Pearson correlation coefficient test. ResultsThe outcomes showed a strong to excellent between MST and BBT (r = 0.909, p = 0.000); and between MST and JTHFT Non Dominant Hand (JTHFTNDH, r = −0.669 and p = 0.000). However, there was a weak correlation between MST and JTHFT Dominant Hand, and this correlation was not statistically significant (r = −0.243 and p = 0.108). ConclusionThe findings indicated a relationship between hand grip strength and hand function among stroke patients. MST holds potential as a convenient, objective and cost-effective alternative in clinical settings for evaluating hand grip strength and predicting hand function.

Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on strength of lower and upper extremities in athletes: an updated systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Coaches and athletes are increasingly interested in understanding athletes' serum vitamin D levels, their impact on strength, physical performance, and athletic outcomes. Previous meta-analyses were reported with limited sample size and no significant overall effect was found. Hence, it is crucial to conduct a thorough and up-to-date systematic examination and meta-analysis to elucidate the potential advantages of supplementing with vitamin D3 in enhancing muscle strength for athletes. We performed a thorough investigation, spanning three databases (PubMed, EBSCO, and Cochrane Library), seeking randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in all languages. These trials delved into the influence of vitamin D3 supplementation on the changes of pre- and post-intervention muscle strength in healthy athletes. Our systematic examination and meta-analysis took into account serum 25(OH)D levels exceeding 30 ng/mL as a marker of adequacy. Ten RCTs, comprising 354 athletes (185 in the vitamin D3 group and 169 in the placebo group), fulfilled the inclusion criteria. During the study, 36 athletes were lost to follow-up, leaving 318 athletes (166 in the vitamin D3 group and 152 in the placebo group) with documented complete results. In comparison with the placebo group, there is a significant increase between the changes of pre- and post-intervention serum 25(OH)D levels among athletes following a period of vitamin D3 supplementation (MD 14.76, 95% CI: 8.74 to 20.77, p < 0.0001). Overall effect of four strength measurements including handgrip, one repetition maximum Bench Press (1-RM BP), vertical jump, and quadriceps contraction was not significantly improved (SMD 0.18, 95% CI: -0.02 to 0.37, p = 0.08), but there was a significant increase in quadriceps contraction (SMD 0.57, 95% CI: 0.04 to 1.11, p = 0.04). This updated meta-analysis indicates the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation for enhancing muscle strength in athletes when analyzing its quantitatively synthesized effects. With limited available studies for the quantitative synthesis, it cannot warrant significant overall enhancements in muscle strength when athletes attain adequate serum 25(OH)D levels through supplementation.

Comparison of Some Physical Characteristics of Young Judoka and Wrestlers

Purpose: This research sought to assess and contrast the physical attributes of adolescent wrestlers and judo practitioners aged 13 to 16, aiming to identify key physical and motor skills that contribute to performance excellence in these sports. Method: A total of 30 athletes were randomly assigned to the wrestling (n=15) and judo (n=15) groups. These athletes train 4 to 6 days a week. In this study, body composition, horizontal jump test, hand grip strength, flamingo balance test, sit and reach test and shuttle run of combat athletes were evaluated. Statistical analysis was conducted utilizing the SPSS 20.0 program. Findings: Based on the results, the average age of the participants was calculated to be (13.7±1.2) for judo and (14.8±1.7) for wrestling, with their respective sports ages being (5.3±1.3) for judo and (5.6±1.2) for wrestling, and their heights being (161.1±10.7) for judo and (169.4±9.4) for wrestling. Although a significant difference was noted in the lean body mass percentage, the results of the horizontal jump, hand grip strength tests, sit and reach test, flamingo balance test and shuttle run showed no significant variance. Conclusion: The lack of a significant difference in the outcomes observed between judo participants and wrestlers in this age category can be attributed to the similarity of these sports disciplines. The follow-up of the process will provide detailed information about the physical characteristics and performances of combative athletes and will provide scientific contribution to the training and development processes of athletes in this age group.

In Vitro Investigation of Vocal Fold Cellular Response to Variations in Hydrogel Porosity and Elasticity.

Tissue regeneration is intricately influenced by the dynamic interplay between the physical attributes of tissue engineering scaffolds and the resulting biological responses. A tunable microporous hydrogel system was engineered using gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) and polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA), with polyethylene glycol (PEG) serving as a porogen. Through systematic variation of PEGDA molecular weights, hydrogels with varying mechanical and architectural properties were obtained. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the impact of substrate mechanics and architecture on the immunological and reparative activities of vocal fold tissues. Mechanical characterization of the hydrogels was performed using tensile strength measurements and rheometry. Their morphological properties were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal microscopy. A series of biological assays were conducted. Cellular morphology, differentiation, and collagen synthesis of human vocal fold fibroblasts (hVFFs) were evaluated using immunostaining. Fibroblast proliferation was studied using the WST-1 assay, and cell migration was investigated via the Boyden chamber assay. Macrophage polarization and secretions were also examined using immunostaining and ELISA. The results revealed that increasing the molecular weight of PEGDA from 700 Da to 10,000 Da resulted in decreased hydrogel stiffness, from 62.6 to 8.8 kPa, and increased pore dimensions from approximately 64.9 to 137.4 μm. Biological evaluations revealed that hydrogels with a higher stiffness promoted fibroblast proliferation and spreading, albeit with an increased propensity for fibrosis, as indicated by a surge in myofibroblast differentiation and collagen synthesis. In contrast, hydrogels with greater molecular weights had a softer matrix with expanded pores, enhancing cellular migration and promoting an M2 macrophage phenotype conducive to tissue healing. The findings show that the hydrogels formulated with a PEGDA molecular weight of 6000 Da are best among the hydrogels considered for vocal fold repair. The microporous hydrogels could be tuned to serve in other tissue engineering applications.