Comparative study of adaptive reserves of servicemen and servicemen-athletes with neuromuscular injuries after the post-acute rehabilitation

Purpose. To determine the level of adaptive reserves in servicemen and servicemen-athletes with injuries of the neuromuscular system at the end of the post-acute rehabilitation phase. Material & Methods. Twenty-two servicemen with identical injuries of the neuromuscular system were examined and divided into two groups. Group A included servicemen who used standard protocols for neuromuscular recovery during the post-acute rehabilitation phase. Group B consisted of servicemen-athletes who used standard protocols and rehabilitation techniques specific to their sports. Special physical exercises and a training regime were used to develop a test task for each study participant. The peculiarities of adaptative and compensatory reactions of servicemen to a physical stimulus were studied based on the results of heart rate variability (HRV), bioimpedansometry, and biochemical blood parameters (creatine phosphokinase, lactate dehydrogenase, testosterone, cortisol). Results. The bioimpedansometry results indicated that only servicemen of group B had body composition indicators that met morphometric norms. The initial HRV results of group A participants showed a high tension of heart rhythm regulation, and the autonomic balance was shifted towards sympathetic regulation. The basal cortisol level reached the upper limit of the norm, and testosterone was at the lower limit. After-exercise results demonstrated the strengthening of the central sinus rhythm regulation circuit. The cortisol concentration significantly decreased in the blood serum of group A servicemen in response to the stimulus, indicating compensatory reactions. The initial HRV spectral analysis parameters in group B subjects balanced the mechanisms of vago-sympathetic tone. In response to a stressful stimulus, the influence of autonomic regulation increased. The results of the biochemical blood tests for participants in group B specified the readaptation of the neuromuscular system and the recovery of the body’s adaptive reserves. Conclusions. The research results confirmed the necessity of finding new mechanisms to improve the rehabilitation of servicemen with neuromuscular system injuries starting from the post-acute rehabilitation phase. The effectiveness of incorporating sports rehabilitation training with modified kinematic characteristics, alongside anaerobic exercise, in the rehabilitation of servicemen was demonstrated.