Characteristics of Energy Supply for Muscular Activity in Young Males from Mountainous and Lowland Regions of Zakarpattia

Abstract

Introduction. In scientific literature, there is limited data on anaerobic performance in individuals of different age groups. Modern studies on human functional capabilities indicate significant differences among representatives of various morphological types. Considering that physical health is viewed not only as the current state of the body but also as its potential capabilities (aerobic and anaerobic performance) [3, 7, 14], it is essential to examine the peculiarities of its manifestation in individuals of different somatotypes. The geographical factor, which causes substantial differences in its expression, must also be taken into account; hence, its influence on physical health should be studied [1, 2, 5, 6], particularly the development levels of anaerobic alactate and lactate energy supply systems for muscular activity. Therefore, for an objective assessment of the indicators determining physical health, it is necessary to identify the degree of variation in these indicators among the population living in the mountainous and lowland areas of Zakarpattia.The purpose is to explore the features of anaerobic alactate and lactate energy supply modes for muscular activity among young males of different somatotypes residing in the mountain and lowland regions of Zakarpattia.Methodology and methods of research. In the study, 236 young males from the postpubertal period of ontogenesis, residing in Zakarpattia's mountainous and lowland regions participated. To obtain objective data on functional capabilities, the study selected young males with no prior experience in sports. All participants were categorized by somatotype using the methods of caliperometry and anthropometry, according to the methodology of J. Carter and B. Heath [6]. All anaerobic tests (WAnT 10, WAnT 30, and PPO) were conducted using the method of cycle ergometry, following the Wingate anaerobic test [2] and the test developed by Shogy A. and Cherebetin G. [20]. Statistical analysis of the research data was carried out using Microsoft Excel 2010 spreadsheets.Results and discussion. After determining the somatotype of young males from the mountainous regions, we found that the largest group of mountain youth was of the endomorph somatotype (33.9%), while the smallest group was of the ectomorph somatotype (4.8%). Among the young males from the lowland areas, the most numerous group was represented by those with the mesomorph somatotype (49.1%), while the smallest group was of the ectomorph somatotype (6.3%).Comparing the results of anaerobic tests in the young males from the mountainous and lowland regions of Zakarpattia, regardless of body composition and somatotype, we observed that the WAnT 10 result was significantly higher in the mountain youth by 11.4%, and the WAnT 30 by 17.3% respectively (p<0.01). For the relative PPO value, no statistically significant differences were found between the young males from the mountainous and lowland regions (p>0.05).It was established that young males of different somatotypes significantly differ in the development of the anaerobic energy supply mode for muscular activity. Among the young males, regardless of the region of residence, those with the mesomorph and mesoectomorph somatotypes showed the highest levels of aerobic performance in terms of relative WAnT 10, WAnT 30, and PPO. These individuals had a morphological type with a predominance of muscle component and a relative deficiency in the fat component.Conclusions. It was established that anaerobic performance in young males of different morphological types from the mountainous and lowland regions of Zakarpattia significantly differs. The data indicate that the power of the anaerobic alactate and lactate energy supply systems is better developed in young men of those somatotypes where the muscle component predominates. The lowest values in anaerobic test results were observed in young endomesomorphs from both lowland and mountainous regions, where the fat component predominates. We associate these low values with the fact that a significant fat component acts as a ballast during physical exertion in hypoxic conditions.