PHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF SKIN COVER AS ADAPTATION IN RESPONSE TO VARIOUS FACTORS

Aim. The article deals with the study of lower limb skin elasticity, acoustic anisotropy, and structure in response to its prolonged stretching in people with inborn limb shortening and highly-skilled Greco-Roman wrestlers. Materials and methods. The study involved people with inborn limb shortening aged 7–35 years (1st group), highly skilled Greco-Roman wrestlers (2nd group), and their peers not engaged in the sport (3rd group). We assessed the elasticity and thickness of shin skin during distraction and after treatment. The effect of leg position on the acoustic anisotropy of the skin was studied by using the ASA acoustic analyser. Skin structure was studied non-invasively by using medical ultrasound. Results. We established age-related dependency of skin elasticity in the affected shin: before distraction, this parameter achieved its maximum of 2.1 % in the first group in participants aged 12–14 years. After treatment maximum values were revealed in participants aged 7–8 years. Distraction resulted in the expected decrease in elasticity. In the group of teenagers, elasticity decreased by 11.1 times by the 45th day of distraction and was equal 0.02 ± 0.01 %. In adults, distraction was equal 0.10 ± 0.06 % by the 60th day. The approximation of this parameter for shin skin depending on age is described by a polynomial equation and, after equalizing the length of the lower limbs, by a linear equation. According to medical ultrasound data, skin thickness in the lengthened shin increased significantly at all stages of treatment. The increase in skin thickness was registered in wrestlers compared to non-athletes. Conclusion. Mechanical impact (distraction) and physical stress (regular sports activity) provoke the structural and functional adaptation of lower limb skin. Position change results in the transformation of acoustic anisotropy.