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The purpose of the present study was to observe the specific adaptations, induced by long-term training, on the physique of rhythmic sports (RSG) and artistic gymnasts (GYM). Two hundred females (N = 200) aged 8-17 years (RSG: n = 60; GYM: n = 60; CONTROL: n = 80) participated in the study. Measurements of height, body mass, sitting height, armspan, skinfold thickness, circumferences, and diameters were obtained. The MANOVA and the Scheffe post hoc test indicated that GYM athletes were shorter in height (p < .01), lower in body mass (p < .01), had lower values in fat content (p < .001), had narrow bi-iliac breadth (p < .001), but presented higher values in the upper limb circumferences (p < .01) as compared to the females of the control and the RSG groups. On the other hand, RSG athletes had leaner upper limbs than nonathletes (p < .01), presented broad shoulders (p < .05), and had a prevalence in the lower limbs against the trunk (p < .05). Significant differences were also observed in circumferences between the right and left legs (p < .05) in RSG elite athletes. Apart from the differences between athletes and non-athletes, these observations suggest that long-term training affects the muscle mass of the upper limbs in GYM gymnasts, due to the dynamic structure of supporting exercises. In addition, the significant differences between left and right legs (thigh and calf circumferences), only in RSG elite gymnasts, point out the unilateral adaptations for the thigh of the raised prevalent working leg and for the calf of the supported leg due to one-sided specific training demands.

Bodybuilders tend to overeat their daily protein needs. The purpose of a high-protein diet is to support post-workout recovery and skeletal muscle growth; however, its exact impact on gut microbiota still remains under investigation. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in selected gut bacteria (Faecalibacterium prausnitzii, Akkermansia muciniphila, Bifidobacterium spp., and Bacteroides spp.) abundance and fecal pH between the group of amateur bodybuilders and more sedentary control group. In total, 26 young healthy men took part in the study, and their daily nutrients intake was measured using a dietary interview. Real-time PCR was used to assess the stool bacteria abundance. Both groups reported fiber intake within the recommended range, but bodybuilders consumed significantly more protein (33.6% ± 6.5% vs. 22% ± 6.3%) and less fat (27.6% ± 18.9% vs. 36.4% ± 10%) than controls. Study results showed no significant differences in terms of selected intestinal bacteria colony forming unit counts. Significantly higher fecal pH in the bodybuilders’ fecal samples was observed in comparison to the control group 6.9 ± 0.7 vs. 6.2 ± 0.7. Gut microbiota composition similarities could be a result of appropriate fiber intake in both groups.

Professional basketball players (n = 76 men and n = 41 women) completed the Perceived Motivational Climate in Sport Questionnaire, an early version of the Multidimensional Sportsmanship Orientations Scale, and a measure of beliefs about the bases for success. The perception of mastery-oriented climate scales were positively associated with the belief that success is due to hard work and to reports of sportsmanship behaviors. The perception of performance-oriented climate scales were positively linked with the beliefs that success is caused by deception and high ability. Most relationships reflected individual differences in perceived motivational climate of athletes within each team.

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