Krachaidum (KD, Kaempferia parviflora Wall. Ex. Baker), a native plant of Southeast Asia, is traditionally used to enhance male sexual function. However, only few scientific data in support of this anecdote have been reported. The present study investigated the effects offeeding three different extracts of KD (alcohol, hexane, and water extracts) for 3-5 weeks on the reproductive organs, the aphrodisiac activity, fertility, sperm motility, and blood flow to the testis of male rats. Sexual performances (mount latency, mount frequency, ejaculatory latency, postejaculatory latency) and sperm motility were assessed by a video camera and computer-assisted sperm analysis respectively, while blood flow to the testis was measured by a directional pulsed Doppler flowmeter. The results showed that all extracts of KD had virtually no effect on the reproductive organ weights even after 5 weeks. However, administration of the alcohol extract at a dose of 70 mg/kg body weight (BW)/day for 4 weeks significantly decreased mount and ejaculatory latencies when compared with the control. By contrast, hexane and water extracts had no influence on any sexual behavior parameters. All types of extracts of KD had no effect on fertility or sperm motility. On the other hand, alcohol extract produced a significant increase in blood flow to the testis without affecting the heart rate and mean arterial blood pressure. In a separate study, an acute effect of alcohol extract of KD on blood flow to the testis was investigated. Intravenous injection of KD at doses of 10, 20, and 40 mg/kg BW caused dose-dependent increases in blood flow to the testis. The results indicate that alcohol extract of KD had an aphrodisiac activity probably via a marked increase in blood flow to the testis.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of Kaempferia parviflora extract (KD) and exercise training on reproductive function in male rats. Sexually mature males were assigned to four groups: control, KD70 (received 70 mg kg(-1) day(-1) for 4 weeks), Ex (exercise training for 4 weeks), Ex + KD70 (exercise training with KD 70 mg kg(-1) day(-1)). At the end of treatment regimes, sexual behaviours including mount latency (ML), mount frequency (MF), ejaculation latency (EL), post-ejaculation latency (PEL), number of mount within 30 min (MF(30)) and number of ejaculation (NEL) were assessed by a video camera, and fertility was tested by natural mating. Results showed that KD had no effect on the weights of reproductive organs, liver, kidneys and levator ani muscle. On the other hand, the weights of epididymis, seminal vesicles, prostate gland and levator ani muscle were significantly increased in the Ex and Ex+KD70 groups. ML and EL were shortened in all treatment groups, but PEL was decreased only in KP70 group. Only Ex and Ex + KD70 groups exhibited lower MF and higher NEL whilst MF(30) were not changed in all groups. None of the treatments altered male fertility. It is concluded that KD enhanced sexual motivation whereas exercise training promoted both sexual motivation and performance.

No abstract

The purpose of this research is to compare the effects of passive recovery and delayed cold water immersion one and three hours after high-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) on exercise performance and muscle soreness on the subse- quent day. Eleven male basketball players participated in the study. They followed the recovery methods after high-in- tensity intermittent exercise, including 15 minutes cold water (15 o C) immersion one hour (CWI1) and three hours (CWI3) after HIIE and passive recovery (CON) in a randomized order on a weekly basis. The protocol for HIIE included progres- sive speed 20-metre shuttle sprint interrupted with repetitive jumping in order to induce fatigue. Twenty-four hours after HIIE, a 20-metre shuttle sprint and maximal vertical jump test were conducted to evaluate the effect of each recovery method. Maximal vertical jump height after one and three hours did not differ significantly compared to pre- test values. However, the maximal vertical jump height in the control group was significantly lower than their pre-test value. Also, 24 hours after HIIE, perceived muscle soreness in CWI1 and CWI3 groups was significantly lower than that of the control group. The total distance of the shuttle run did not differ depending on the recovery method used. Cold water immersions one and three hours after HIIE affected maximal vertical jump height and athletes’ perception of pain. However, there were no significant differences in exercise performance between the cold water immersion at one and three hours after HIIE, which might be due to similar physiological responses during both immersion trials.

Background and aims Several recommendations exist regarding the role of physiotherapy programs (PTPs) in COVID-19 patients. However, none of the studies examines the frequency of bedside PTPs during admission. Thus, this study aimed to compare the different bedside PTPs frequencies on the survival rate, length of hospitalization (LoH), referrals to the intensive care unit (ICU), and in-hospital complications. The safety of patients and the physiotherapist was also investigated. Methods Fifty-two COVID-19 patients were equally assigned into two groups matched on gender and age (1:1 ratio). Experimental group one received 1-2 times of PTPs during hospitalization, and experimental group two received daily PTPs until hospital discharge. The primary outcomes were the survival rate, LoH, referrals to ICU, and in-hospital complications. The secondary outcomes were the adverse events for patients and the number of physiotherapists who contracted with COVID-19. Results Most participants were classified as having mild to moderate COVID-19 with a mean age of 45 years. There were no differences between groups in all primary outcome measures (all p > 0.05). The overall survival rate was 98%. One participant from the Ex-G2 group was referred to the ICU. Two Ex-G1 and four Ex-G2 participants had complications. There were no immediate serious adverse events found after PTPs for both groups. None of the physiotherapists tested positive for COVID-19. Conclusion In COVID-19 patients with mild to moderate conditions, one to two bedside PTPs were enough to achieve the same results as patients who received daily PTPs. PTPs were safe for COVID-19 patients, and physiotherapists.