A Survey on Dietary Supplement Consumption in Amateur and Professional Rugby Players.

PURPOSE: the aim of the present study was to analyse the pattern of dietary supplements (DS) consumption on federated rugby players, including the analysis of differences based on the sex and competitive level (professional vs. amateurs). MATERIAL AND METHODS: 144 rugby players (83 male and 61 female), of whom 69 were professionals and 75 amateurs, were recruited for the study. All the participants filled out a specific questionnaire about DS consumption including questions related to the consumption of DS and their effects on sport performance and health status. RESULTS: 65.3% of participants declared consuming at least one DS, with a higher prevalence in males than females (77.1% vs. 49.2%) and in professionals thanin amateur players (79.7% vs. 52.0%). The main reason for consumption was to enhance sport performance (62.3%) with differences only based on sex (74.3% males vs. 43.2% females). The most common purchase sites were the Internet (45.6%) and specialised stores (39.8%). As to the moment of ingestion, professionals did this most frequently during competition and training (56.4% vs. 28.2%), whereas amateur players did so only during competition (20.5% vs. 3.6%). Moreover, professional player intake most frequently in post-exercise (65.5% vs. 35.9%), whereas amateur during pre-exercise (30.8% vs. 5.5%). The DS most consumed included whey protein (44%), caffeine (42%), sports drinks (38%), energy bars (34%) and creatine monohydrate (31%), with a higher prevalence in male and professional players of whey protein and creatine monohydrate. CONCLUSIONS: The main reason for DS consumption is for enhancing sports performance). Professional players more frequently purchase them on the Internet and consume DS during training and competition period and in the post-exercise, whereas amateur players consume during competition and pre-exercise. Related to the main form of DS consumption, it is observed that a moderate consumption of DS could be considered ergogenic, such as whey protein, sport bar and creatine, while an absence of other DS could be considered ergogenic.

The Effect of Dietary Nitrate Supplementation on Isokinetic Torque in Adults: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Dietary nitrate (NO3-) supplementation, which can enhance performance in exercise settings involving repeated high-intensity efforts, has been linked to improved skeletal muscle contractile function. Although muscular strength is an important component of explosive movements and sport-specific skills, few studies have quantified indices of muscular strength following NO3- supplementation, particularly isokinetic assessments at different angular velocities. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine whether dietary NO3- supplementation improves peak torque, as assessed by the gold standard method of isokinetic dynamometry, and if this effect was linked to the angular velocity imposed during the assessment. Dialnet, Directory of Open Access Journals, MEDLINE, PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus were searched for articles using the following search strategy: (nitrate OR beet*) AND (supplement* OR nutr* OR diet*) AND (isokinetic OR strength OR "resistance exercise" OR "resistance training" OR "muscular power"). The meta-analysis of data from 5 studies with 60 participants revealed an overall effect size of -0.01 for the effect of nitrate supplementation on isokinetic peak torque, whereas trivial effect sizes ranging from -0.11 to 0.16 were observed for independent velocity-specific (90°/s, 180°/s, 270°/s, and 360°/s) isokinetic peak torque. Four of the five studies indicated that dietary NO3- supplementation is not likely to influence voluntary knee extensor isokinetic torque across a variety of angular velocities. These results suggest that NO3- supplementation does not influence isokinetic peak torque, but further work is required to elucidate the potential of NO3- supplementation to influence other indices of muscular strength, given the dearth of experimental evidence on this topic.

Prevalencia, consecuencias y antecedentes de miedo, ansiedad y fobia dental / Prevalence, consequences and antecedents of dental fear, anxiety and phobia

En este trabajo de revisión se recogen las definiciones sobre los conceptos de miedo, ansiedad y fobia dental. Se recoge la prevalencia y la incidencia de estos trastornos en distintas poblaciones. Se indican las principales consecuencias en el cuidado y salud bucodental y los problemas dentales más importantes que padecen los pacientes que presentan niveles más altos de miedo, ansiedad y fobia dental. Se revisan tanto en niños como en adultos, los antecedentes de estos trastornos, el modo de adquisición y las variables que influyen en su mantenimiento. Se indican los elementos y componentes del tratamiento dental que más miedo y ansiedad producen en los pacientes