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In recent years Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) gained a lot of interest as an adaptogen, aiding sleep, stress management and presenting health and sports-related benefits. Although clinical effects have been previously reviewed, the specific mechanism of Ashwagandha’s action and its impact on different aspects of physical performance, body composition, as well as medical effects need more thorough analysis. Therefore, this narrative review delves into the available research examining the effects of Ashwagandha supplementation on such qualities as: strength, endurance, power, recovery, muscle mass, body fat, fertility, anxiety, metabolic health and aging, with additional focus on potential mechanisms underlying these effects. Moreover, we propose future perspectives based on the gaps observed in Ashwagandha research up to date.

The prevalence of rapid weight loss (RWL) among martial arts athletes including judo is very high. Many applied RWL strategies could be dangerous to health and even lead to death. Therefore, the International Judo Federation (IJF) introduced changes in the weigh-in rules, changing the official weigh-in for the day before the competition. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the impact of the new IJF rules on hydration status and weight loss strategies among professional judo athletes. Seventeen elite judo athletes participated in the study. Body mass and hydration status, were analyzed before the competition. Moreover, competition result and practice of RWL survey were collected. All subjects reached their weight category limits for the competition. RWL resulted in body mass changes ( p  < 0.001, η p 2  = 0.79) and dehydration among participants (urine osmolality > 700 [mOsmol * kg] −1 and urine specific gravity > 1.020 [g * cm 3 ] −1 ). However, urine osmolality ( p  > 0.05, η p 2  = 0.18), as well as urine specific gravity ( p  > 0.05, η p 2  = 0.16), at subsequent time points of measurement revealed no statistical differences. The prevalence of RWL was 100%, and only 17.6% of the athletes declared that they would compete in a different weight category if the competition would be conducted on the same day of the weigh-in. All judo athletes applied RWL procedures using traditional methods to achieve the required body mass (i.e., increased exercise, reduced fluid, and food intake). Dehydration state was not associated with competitive performance ( p  > 0.05).

Programmed exercise interventions modulating both physical fitness and cognitive functions have become a promising tool to support healthy aging. The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of a 12-week judo training (JEX) on cognitive processing and muscle function among the elderly. Forty participants were divided into two groups: the JEX group and the control group (CTL). Before and after 12-week of JEX, participants performed a battery of physiological and psychological tests. The peripheral level of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) was analyzed. A 12-week JEX intervention led to improved Stroop performance reflected by a shortening of the response time related to Stroop “naming” interference. In addition, the peripheral concentration of BDNF was significantly increased following the JEX compared with the CTL group. In response to JEX, balance and lower limb strength significantly increased. The current results suggest that JEX could have beneficial effects on cognitive functions, denoted by elevated peripheral BDNF, as well as on balance and strength abilities. A combination of positive effects with respect to movement and cognition makes JEX an ideal preventive lifestyle modification for the aging population.

Peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) is one of the most reliable parameters of exercise capacity; however, maximum effort is required to achieve this. Therefore, alternative, and repeatable submaximal parameters, such as running economy (RE), are needed. Thus, we evaluated the suitability of oxygen uptake efficiency (OUE), oxygen uptake efficiency plateau (OUEP) and oxygen uptake efficiency at the ventilatory anaerobic threshold (OUE@VAT) as alternatives for VO2peak and RE. Moreover, we evaluated how these parameters are affected by endurance training and supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids. A total of 26 amateur male runners completed a 12-week endurance program combined with omega-3 fatty acid supplementation or medium-chain triglycerides as a placebo. Before and after the intervention, the participants were subjected to a treadmill test to determine VO2peak, RE, OUE, OUEP and OUE@VAT. Blood was collected at the same timepoints to determine eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) in erythrocytes. OUE correlated moderately or weakly with VO2peak (R2 = 0.338, p = 0.002) and (R2 = 0.226, p = 0.014) before and after the intervention, respectively. There was a weak or no correlation between OUEP, OUE@VAT, VO2peak and RE despite steeper OUE, increased OUEP and OUE@VAT values in all participants. OUE parameters cannot be treated as alternative parameters for VO2peak or RE and did not show changes following supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids in male amateur endurance runners.

Background: This research aimed to identify the most significant predictors of sports level using regression modeling. Methods: This study examined 16 judokas (aged 23 (±2.5)) from four weight categories, with four athletes in each category (66 kg, 73 kg, 81 kg and 90 kg). Each athlete was a member of the Polish National Team, an international master class (IM) or national master class (M). The tests were carried out twice (every two weeks) during the pre-competitive season in the morning, after a 10-min warm-up. The tests were performed according to the following protocol: Explosive Strength Lower Limbs (ExSLL) [W], Strength Endurance Lower Limbs (SELL) [%], Explosive Strength Upper Limbs (ExSUL) [W], Strength Endurance Upper Limbs (SEUL) [%]. The relationships between the dependent variable (ranking score) and the other analyzed variables (predictors) were estimated using the one-factor ridge regression analysis. Results: There were significant intergroup and intragroup differences in the results of explosive strength and strength endurance of the lower and upper limbs. The best predictors were identified using regression modeling: ExSLL, SELL, and SEUL. Conclusions: Increasing the value of these predictors by a unit should significantly affect the scores in the ranking table. Correlation analysis showed that all variables that are strongly correlated with the Polish Judo Association (PJA) ranking table scores may have an effect on the sports performance.

The objective of the present work was to evaluate the effects of different types of particles added to a polymer paste applied onto a textile carrier on the cut resistance of the resulting material. Knitted aramid textile samples were coated in laboratory conditions using a polymer paste that was functionalized with 12 types of reinforcing particles of different chemical compositions and size fractions. Cut resistance was tested in accordance with the standard EN ISO 13997:1999 and the results were subjected to statistical analysis. The effects of additive particles on the microstructure of the polymeric layer were assessed by means of scanning electron microscopy. The type and size of the particles affected the cut resistance of the functionalized knitted fabric. They were also found to change the morphology of the porous structure. Composite coatings containing the smallest additive particles exhibited the best cut resistance properties.

Tournament season can provoke overreaching syndrome in professional tennis players, which may lead to deteriorated performance. Thus, appropriate recovery methods are crucial for athletes in order to sustain high-level performance and avoid injuries. We hypothesized that whole-body cryostimulation could be applied to support the recovery process. To assess the effects of 5 days of whole-body cryostimulation combined with moderate-intensity training on immunologic, hormonal, and hematologic responses; resting metabolic rate; and tennis performance in a posttournament season. Controlled laboratory study. National Olympic Sport Centre. Twelve high-ranking professional tennis players. Participants followed a moderate-intensity training program. A subgroup was treated with the 5-day whole-body cryostimulation (-120°C) applied twice a day. The control subgroup participated in the training only. Main Outcome Measure(s): Pretreatment and posttreatment blood samples were collected and analyzed for tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 6, testosterone, cortisol, and creatine kinase. Resting metabolic rate and performance of a tennis drill were also assessed. Proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor α) decreased and pleiotropic cytokine (interleukin 6) and cortisol increased in the group exposed to cryostimulation. In the same group, greater stroke effectiveness during the tennis drill and faster recovery were observed. Neither the training program nor cryostimulation affected resting metabolic rate. Professional tennis players experienced an intensified inflammatory response after the completed tournament season, which may lead to overreaching. Applying whole-body cryostimulation in conjunction with moderate-intensity training was more effective for the recovery process than the training itself. The 5-day exposure to cryostimulation twice a day ameliorated the cytokine profile, resulting in a decrease in tumor necrosis factor α and an increase in interleukin 6.

Background: On the one hand, hypoxic exposure may result in progressive brain metabolism disturbance, causing subsequent cognitive impairments. On the other hand, it might also enhance neurogenesis and brain vascularization as well as accelerate cerebral blood flow, leading to cognitive function improvement. The aim of this study was to investigate whether progressive stages of normobaric hypoxia (NH) (FIO2 = 13%, FIO2 = 12%, and FIO2 = 11%) differentially affect post-exposure cognitive performance. Methods: Fifteen physically active men (age = 23.1 ± 2.1) participated in the study. The Stroop test (ST) was applied to assess cognitive function. To generate NH conditions, a hypoxic normobaric air generator was used. Results: We observed an executive function impairment (“naming” interference p < 0.05) after NH exposure (FIO2 = 13%). After exposure at FIO2 = 12% and FIO2 = 11%, no changes were observed in the Stroop test. Also, changes in SpO2 during subsequent NH exposure were observed. Conclusions: The current investigation shows that executive functions deteriorate after acute NH exposure and this post-exposure deterioration is not proportional to the normobaric hypoxia stages among young physically active males.

The study aimed to determine whether combining cryostimulation with resistance training would effectively increase muscle strength, and if so, whether this adaptation would be related to changes in circulating levels of exerkines (i.e., mediators of systemic adaptation to exercise). Twenty-five students completed 12 sessions of resistance training, each followed by either cryostimulation (n = 15, 3 min exposure at −110 °C) or passive recovery (n = 10). Prior to and post this intervention, participants performed two eccentric cycling bouts (before and after training). At these points, serum concentrations of muscle damage marker (myoglobin), exerkines (interleukin 6 (IL-6), interleukin 15 (IL-15), irisin, brain-derived neurotrophic factor), hypertrophy-related factors (myostatin, insulin-like growth factor 1), and muscle strength were measured. The applied procedure reduced the physiological burden of the second eccentric cycling bout and myoglobin concentrations only in the group subject to cryostimulation. The same group also exhibited decreased levels of myostatin (from 4.7 ± 1.7 to 3.8 ± 1.8 ng·mL−1, p < 0.05). A significant and large interaction between the group × time was noted in IL-15 concentration (p = 0.01, ηp2=0.27). Training and cryostimulation induced a positive and likely significant improvement of isokinetic muscle strength. Altogether, obtained results support the claim that resistance training combined with cold exposure modified muscle strength through modulation of myostatin and IL-15 concentrations.

There is increasing attention to sprint interval exercise (SIE) training as a time-efficient exercise regime. Recent studies, including our own (Kujach et al., 2018), have shown that acute high-intensity intermittent exercise can improve cognitive function; however, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying the effect still remain unknown. We thus examined the effects of acute SIE on cognitive function by monitoring the peripheral levels of growth and neurotrophic factors as well as blood lactate (LA) as potential mechanisms. Thirty-six young males participated in the current study and were divided into two groups: SIE (n = 20; mean age: 21.0 ± 0.9 years) and resting control (CTR) (n = 16; mean age: 21.7 ± 1.3 years). The SIE session consisted of 5 min of warm-up exercise and six sets of 30 s of all-out cycling exercise followed by 4.5 min of rest on a cycling-ergometer. Blood samples to evaluate the changes of serum concentrations of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and blood LA were obtained at three time points: before, immediately after, and 60 min after each session. A Stroop task (ST) and trail making test (TMT) parts A and B were used to assess cognitive functions. Acute SIE shortened response times for both the ST and TMT A and B. Meanwhile, the peripheral levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF were significantly increased after an acute bout of SIE compared to those in CTR. In response to acute SIE, blood LA levels significantly increased and correlated with increased levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF. Furthermore, cognitive function and BDNF are found to be correlated. The current results suggest that SIE could have beneficial effects on cognitive functions with increased neuroprotective factors along with peripheral LA concentration in humans.