Lozovina et al., 2009; Tan et al., 2009), in studies which developed and validated sport-specific tests (Mujika et al., 2006; Platanou, 2005), investigations which Vandetanib cancer focused on the intensity of the game (V. Lozovina, et al., 2003), or sport tactics and related statistics of the water polo game (Platanou, 2004). However, most of the studies mentioned so far sampled adult athletes (e.g. senior-age water polo players), while position specifics were mostly analyzed among three or four playing positions (i.e. goalkeepers were frequently not included in the analysis, and/or drivers and wings were observed as a single group �C field players). As far as we are aware both problems are understandable. Water polo is not one of the most popular sports in the world (like football or basketball for example) and it is therefore hard to find an appropriate sample of subjects (i.

e. adequate number of adequately trained athletes). This is chiefly the case with goalkeepers (one or two in each team). The second problem (e.g. studies not sampling young athletes) is also a logical consequence of the available number of subjects. Most particularly, if the study of adolescent athletes is intended then, due to the process of biological maturation, the subjects have to be near the end of puberty and homogenous in age (one or two years�� age difference at the most) and/or biological age must be controlled in the analysis (Faigenbaum, et al., 2009; Gurd and Klentrou, 2003; Latt, et al., 2009; Nindl et al., 1995). Since diversity in age is not a factor which can influence anthropometric status and/or motor achievements in adulthood (i.

e. senior-age athletes), it is logically more convenient to study adult athletes. The overall status of athletes in most sports can be observed during general and specific fitness tests. While general fitness tests (i.e. general motor and/or endurance capacities) are important indices of overall fitness status and allow a comparison of athletes from different sports (Frenkl et al., 2001), specific fitness tests allow a more precise insight into sport-specific capacities and therefore provide a basis for comparing athletes in the same sport (Bampouras and Marrin, 2009; Holloway et al., 2008; Hughes et al., 2003; Sattler et al., 2011).

However, Drug_discovery there is a clear lack of studies dealing with specific physical fitness profiles in water polo and, in particular, we found no study which has investigated this problem among high-quality junior water polo players. The aim of this study was to investigate the status and differences between five playing positions (Goalkeepers, Centers, Drivers, Wings and Points) in anthropometric measures and some specific physical fitness variables in high-level junior (17 to 18 years of age) water polo players. Material and Methods Participants The sample of subjects consisted of a total of 110 high-level water polo junior players.

Concerning the concentration of blood lactate, our judokas achieved values of 12 �� 2.5 mmol �� l?1 in the laboratory test. Thomas et al. (1989) recorded a mean 15.2 mmol �� l?1 of lactate in Canadian judokas in a similar test. When we conducted the tests on the tatami (field test), the value obtained was 15.6 �� 2.8 mmol �� l?1. Previous studies have reported values ranging from inhibitor Alisertib 6.4 to 17.9 mmol �� l?1 (Sikorski et al., 1987; Sanchis et al., 1991; Drigo et al., 1995; Heinisch, 1997; Serrano et al., 2001; Franchini et al., 2003; Sbriccoli et al., 2007; Braudry and Roux, 2009; Franchini et al., 2009b). Unfortunately, different testing procedures with different protocols (judo-specific circuit training exercises, special judo fitness test) have yielded a wide variety of results.

Nevertheless, when the field test was a real competition or a practice combat the results increased to a higher range: 9 to 20 mmol �� l?1 (Sanchis et al., 1991; Drigo et al., 1995; Serrano et al., 2001; Sbriccoli et al., 2007). The field test used in this study (Santos) was designed to mimic real competition conditions, and all of our subjects achieved values within this range. This fact reaffirms the idea that the Santos test is an adequate tool to improve judokas�� performance in competition. Besides, maximum blood lactate reached 15.6 �� 2.8 mmol �� l?1 in our field test. This value is significantly higher than the one obtained in the laboratory test. This is possible because of the greater muscular involvement required in the field test. Judo combat recruits more muscle fibers (whole body) than running on a treadmill (legs).

Therefore, a higher lactate acid production should be expected. Regarding the IAT, male judokas undergoing laboratory tests (Gorostiaga, 1988) manifest it at 4 mmol �� l?1 of lactate concentration, and at a running speed of 9�C13 km �� h?1 (depending on the physical condition of the athlete). Our male judokas reached their IAT at 174.2 �� 9.4 beats �� min?1, which is equivalent to 87 �� 3.6 % of HRmax, a lactate concentration of 4.0 �� 0.2 mmol �� l?1, and a running speed of 11�C15 km �� h?1. In another group of judokas (7 males and 1 female), Bonitch et al. (2005) found IAT values of 174 �� 9 beats �� min?1, which are very similar to our results. In our field test, all judokas manifested their IAT between 12 and 15 repetitions, at a heart rate of 173.

2 �� 4.3 beats �� min?1, which is equivalent to 86 �� 2.5 % of HRmax, and a lactate concentration of 4.0 �� 0.2 mmol �� l?1. Therefore, no significant differences were observed between the values obtained in the laboratory and in the field test. In a previous study (Santos Carfilzomib et al., 2010), a different group of high-level male judokas reached their IAT in the laboratory test at 170.3 beats �� min?1 (85.9% of HRmax), and in the field test between 11 and 15 repetitions and at a heart rate of 169.7 beats �� min?1 (85.

A hepatofugal flow can be changed to a hepatopetal splenic venous flow via the splenorenal shunt and the hepatopetal portal-mesenteric venous flow is retained after this procedure. This hemodynamic change results in a marked reduction in selleck the hepatofugal portosystemic shunt flow and a mild increase in the portal venous pressure (5, 6, 16). The distance between the junction of the inferior mesenteric vein and the first branch of the collateral veins on the splenic vein is important when considering SPDPS. A sufficient distance is required for coil embolization. This procedure is anatomically indicated in patients with splenorenal shunts who present with enough distance although the location of the inflow vein must be taken into account.

If the inflow vein (usually the posterior, short, and/or coronary vein) is at least a few centimeters distal from the superior and inferior mesenteric veins, SPDPS can be performed because the splenic vein can be obliterated without impeding the mesenteric venous blood flow. We think that for SPDPS a distance of 4 or 5 cm is necessary for the selective embolization of the splenic vein with metallic coils. Kashida et al. (1) reported three patients in whom embolization of the proximal part of the splenic vein resulted in a disconnection of the mesenteric-portal blood flow from the systemic circulation while preserving the shunt. In these patients SPDPS achieved the immediate and permanent clearing of encephalopathy and in the course of 10�C30-month follow-up there was no evidence of ascites or esophageal varices.

The pre- and postprocedure difference in the portal pressure was 18 mmHg in a patient with a closed shunt and 3 mmHg in another with a preserved shunt. In both of our patients there was enough distance to allow disconnecting the mesenteric-portal blood flow from the systemic circulation while preserving the shunt, therefore we decided to perform SPDPS. Hepatic function is another important factor for evaluating the eligibility of patients to undergo SPDPS. If the procedure is performed in patients with very small liver vascular beds, the slightly increase in the portal pressure and portal blood volume overload can lead to the retention of ascites and worsening of gastroesophageal varices. Even if the portal flow is increased in patients with poor hepatic function, hepatic encephalopathy may not improve because ammonia is not metabolized.

Therefore, this procedure is appropriate only in patients with slightly compromised hepatic function. Mezawa et al. (16) reported a patient with impaired liver function and Child-Pugh class C disease in whom Batimastat SPDPS was successful and elicited no postoperative liver damage. It is currently unknown whether SPDPS is safe and effective in patients with severe liver dysfunction. Shunt occlusion with metallic coils (15) and by selective embolization of the splenic vein has been attempted (16).