Advancing athletic assessment by integrating conventional methods with cutting-edge biomedical technologies for comprehensive performance, wellness, and longevity insights.

In modern athlete assessment, the integration of conventional biochemical and ergophysiologic monitoring with innovative methods like telomere analysis, genotyping/phenotypic profiling, and metabolomics has the potential to offer a comprehensive understanding of athletes' performance and potential longevity. Telomeres provide insights into cellular functioning, aging, and adaptation and elucidate the effects of training on cellular health. Genotype/phenotype analysis explores genetic variations associated with athletic performance, injury predisposition, and recovery needs, enabling personalization of training plans and interventions. Metabolomics especially focusing on low-molecular weight metabolites, reveal metabolic pathways and responses to exercise. Biochemical tests assess key biomarkers related to energy metabolism, inflammation, and recovery. Essential elements depict the micronutrient status of the individual, which is critical for optimal performance. Echocardiography provides detailed monitoring of cardiac structure and function, while burnout testing evaluates psychological stress, fatigue, and readiness for optimal performance. By integrating this scientific testing battery, a multidimensional understanding of athlete health status can be achieved, leading to personalized interventions in training, nutrition, supplementation, injury prevention, and mental wellness support. This scientifically rigorous approach hereby presented holds significant potential for improving athletic performance and longevity through evidence-based, individualized interventions, contributing to advances in the field of sports performance optimization.

Studying microRNAs in osteoarthritis: Critical overview of different analytical approaches.

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA species with the ability to post-transcriptionally control the expression of multiple genes, that have gained substantial interest because of their expression alterations that accompanies aging and possible age-related pathologies. Given the constant rise in the number of patients suffering from age-related diseases -due to the increase of the aging population in the western world- the exploration of the role of specific microRNAs in the etiopathology of these diseases is expected to have great impact. Degenerative arthritis or osteoarthritis is of the most common age-related diseases and possible the one with the most limited therapeutic options. In this review therefore, we highlight recent advances considering the implication of microRNAs in processes known to contribute to the development of this disease. We also critically present the analytical approaches adopted so far, in an attempt to facilitate the acknowledgment of the necessary experimental tactic that will lead to the establishment of microRNAs as biomarkers and/or therapeutic agents for this age-related pathology.