PurposeThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) supplementation on mental and physical performance, as well as hormonal and oxidative stress biomarkers.MethodsTwenty-six healthy male students received either R. rosea extract (600 mg/day; RR) or placebo (PL) in a randomized double-blind trial. Prior to supplementation (Term I) and following 4 weeks of supplementation (Term II), the students underwent psychomotor tests for simple and choice reaction time, included in the Vienna Test System. Also, the subjects performed VO2peak test. Blood samples were obtained before and after the test to measure the hormonal profile (cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone), as well as the biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase) and muscle damage (creatine kinase).ResultsR. rosea ingestion shortened reaction time and total response time. Moreover, a greater relative increase in the number of correct responses was observed in RR group as compared to the PL group. No changes in endurance exercise capacity and hormonal profile were observed after R. rosea ingestion. R. rosea ingestion raised plasma total antioxidant capacity. It did not, however, affect other measured parameters.ConclusionChronic R. rosea ingestion does not affect physical performance, but can improve the results of some psychomotor tests (simple and choice reaction time) in young, healthy, and physically active men. The improvements in mental performance, however, at least in our study, seem not to be related to changes in cortisol release or antioxidant activity of R. rosea extract. Thus, the specific mechanisms responsible for these effects still need to be elucidated.

Background The aim of the study was to identify selected success factors of elite Olympic taekwondo competitors in the context of medals that they have or have not won during Polish Senior Championships (PSCs). Material/Methods: Sixty-four elite male taekwondo competitors took part in the study. The competitors were divided into two groups on the basis of their achievements: PSC medallists and non-medallists. Factors determining sports success were modelled with the use of a general linear model (GLM). The procedure lasted until the minimum of the quality criterion, i.e., the Akaike information criterion (AIC), was reached. Results: Successful competitors (medallists) demonstrated significantly better technique, conditioning and flexibility parameters. Technical skills (e.g., strikes and side and roundhouse kicks), speed, dynamic strength and endurance were the factors that contributed to the achievement of excellent results in taekwondo. Conclusions: The research results revealed groups of success factors in taekwondo at a national level. Variables concerning kicks exerted the greatest influence on point scores (360° dollyo chagi montong-41% and dollyo chagi-31%).

Gierczuk, D, Bujak, Z, Cieśliński, I, Lyakh, V, and Sadowski, J. Response time and effectiveness in elite Greco-Roman wrestlers under simulated fight conditions. J Strength Cond Res 32(12): 3442–3449, 2018—The purpose of the study was to determine changes in response time and its correlations with tactical and technical actions performed by Greco-Roman wrestlers in a fight. Twenty wrestlers aged 19–25 (21.4 JOURNAL/jscr/04.03/00124278-201812000-00017/inline-formula1/v/2023-08-19T002809Z/r/image-tiff 1.8) years were divided into 2 groups, i.e., finalists of Polish Senior Championships (winners of 1st and 2nd places) and wrestlers who won 3rd–6th places in those competitions. The subjects from 1 group were individually paired with the wrestlers from the other group according to the same weight class. Response time before a fight and during the intervals between the 3 rounds was assessed. Batak Lite (test IV) was used in the study. The Polar M400 watch was used to register heart rate. Response time changed during a fight. The finalists showed significantly quicker reaction and performed a higher number of technical and tactical actions. The differences grew in the course of a fight, and the largest ones were observed during the third round. The strongest correlations were noted between response time and the number of technical and tactical actions performed during the third round (r = 0.77, p < 0.001). Response time is a significant determinant of wrestlers' results, which can be observed at submaximal intensity of the effort (176–195 b·min−1) during a fight.

Introduction. The aim of the study was to identify selected success factors of elite Olympic taekwondo competitors in the context of medals that they have or have not won during Polish Junior Championships (PJCs). Material and methods. Sixty-three elite male taekwondo competitors took part in the study. The competitors were divided into two groups on the basis of their achievements: PJC medallists and non-medallists. Factors determining sports success were modelled with the use of a general linear model (GLM). The procedure lasted until the minimum of the quality criterion, i.e., the Akaike information criterion (AIC), was reached. Results. Successful competitors (medallists) demonstrated significantly better conditioning, technique, coordination and structural parameters. Dynamic strength, general endurance, technical skills (e.g., roundhouse kicks), complex reactions and low adiposity levels were the factors that contributed to the achievement of excellent results in taekwondo. Conclusions. The research results revealed groups of success factors in taekwondo at a national level. Variables concerning coordination factors (complex reaction-16%) and technical factors (360°dollyo chagi montong-8.8%) exerted the greatest influence on point scores.

The purpose of the study was to determine the changes in simple reaction time and to define correlations between simple reaction time and technical and tactical actions performed by elite Greco-Roman wrestlers during a match. Twenty Greco-Roman wrestlers (M age = 19.5 years, SD = 1.8) from the Wrestling Sports Centre in Radom participated in the study. Simple reaction time (including reaction time and movement time) before a match and after the first, the second, and the third round was analyzed. The wrestlers' reaction time and movement time changed in the course of performance. Wrestlers with higher sports achievements demonstrated a smaller decrement in simple reaction time and performed more technical and tactical actions during a match. The strongest correlations were observed between both reaction time and movement time and the number of technical and tactical actions performed during the last round. Quick reaction was a significant factor in determining the match outcome, which is revealed at submaximal intensity of the effort during a match.