Fat Oxidation Rates in Professional Soccer Players.

PURPOSE: Large interindividual variation exists in maximal fat oxidation (MFO) rates and the exercise intensity at which it occurs (FATMAX). However, there are no data describing the shape of the fat oxidation curve or if individual differences exist when tested on separate occasions. Furthermore, there are limited data on fat metabolism in professional team sport athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to test-retest the concavity (shape) and intercept (height) of fat oxidation curves within a group of professional soccer players. METHOD: On two occasions, 16 professional male soccer players completed a graded exercise test in a fasted state (≥5 h). Rates of fat oxidation were determined using indirect calorimetry. Maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) was measured to calculate FATMAX (%V˙O2max). The shape of the fat oxidation curves were modeled on an individual basis using third-degree polynomial. Test-by-test differences, in the shape and vertical shift of the fat oxidation curves, were established to assess within-individual variability. RESULTS: Average absolute MFO was 0.69 ± 0.15 g·min (range, 0.45-0.99 g·min). On a group level, no significant differences were found in MFO between the two tests. No differences were found (P > 0.05) in the shape of the fat oxidation curves in 13 of 16 players (test 1 vs test 2). There were also no differences (P > 0.05) in the vertical shift of the fat oxidation curves in 10 players. CONCLUSIONS: In general, the shape of the fat oxidation curve does not change within an individual; however, the vertical shift is more susceptible to change, which may be due to training status and body composition. Understanding a player's metabolism may be of value to practitioners working within sport, with regard to personalizing nutrition strategies.

The cerebrospinal fluid lactate is decreased in early stages of multiple sclerosis.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate if the concentration of lactate can provide additional information for pathologies that need examination of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in their diagnostic controls or protocols. METHODS: A prospective study carried out in the year 2001 at the University Hospital of Bellvitge (Barcelona), on 92 samples of CSF from patients who needed this examination. The concentration of lactate, glucose, and the cell count was determined. One year later, the diagnosis revealed from the previous analyzed samples were sorted into groups according to the diagnosis. RESULTS: In the group with multiple sclerosis (MS) (n = 30), there was a significant decrease in lactate concentration (1.52 +/- 0.19 mmol/L) compared to the control group (1.89 +/- 0.11 mmol/L) (p < 0.001). The glucose concentration remained within the normal range and the cell count was < 4 cell/microL even in the relapses. CONCLUSIONS: In the early stages of MS, the lactate concentration in CSF is decreased and this could be related to alterations in sensitivity observed in those patients. Further studies are needed to evaluate if this lactate concentration is a prognostic indicator of the disease.

El diario reflexivo como actividad formativa-reflexiva en el marco de las Prácticas Externas del grado de Nutrición Humana y Dietética / The reflective learning journal as a formative and reflexive activity in the frame of the Practicum of Nutrition and Dietetics Degree

Introducción. Los diarios escritos se utilizan cada vez más como forma de desarrollar un aprendizaje profesional relevante y de calidad. El objetivo de este trabajo es el desarrollo de un diario reflexivo guiado (DRG) como actividad formativa-reflexiva en la asignatura de Prácticas Externas del grado de Nutrición Humana y Dietética (NHD). Material y métodos. Se ha diseñado un DRG tomando como base las estrategias previas conocidas para la formación práctica-reflexiva en el ámbito universitario, estudios previos sobre niveles de reflexión, el perfil de competencias del titulado en NHD y la experiencia del profesorado en la temática de nutrición práctica y reflexión. El DRG se ha aplicado a los estudiantes en Prácticas Externas de NHD de la Universidad de Barcelona. Resultados. El DRG es un documento estructurado en seis niveles de reflexión, donde en cada uno hay una serie de preguntas a las que el alumno debe ir respondiendo, y cada nivel da un grado de reflexión más elevado. El DRG guía las reflexiones a través de preguntas, pautas y sugerencias programadas para profundizar en el aprendizaje del alumno durante las Prácticas Externas y, al mismo tiempo, dar respuesta a diferentes competencias de la asignatura. Conclusiones. Los DRG son una de las mejores maneras de desarrollar y consolidar el aprendizaje de cara a la futura práctica profesional. Este trabajo puede servir de guía en la ayuda a la reflexión en el Prácticum de ciencias de la salud (AU)

Introduction. Reflexive journals have been used as a way to develop relevant and quality professional learning. The objective of this work is the development of a guided reflexive learning journal (GRLJ) as a formative-reflexive activity in the Practicum of the Human Nutrition and Dietetics Degree (HNDD). Material and methods. The DRG has been designed based on: previous known strategies used in practical-reflexive training in a university environment, previous studies on levels of reflection, competences of the HNDD and, the own experience of professors. The DRG has been applied to students from NHD of the University of Barcelona during their Practicum. Results. The GRLJ is a document structured in six levels of reflection where in each of them there are a series of questions to which the student must respond. Each level gives a higher degree of reflection. The GRLJ guides the reflections through questions, guidelines and suggestions programmed to deepen the student's learning during the Practicum and at the same time to respond to different competences of the subject. Conclusions. GRLJs are one of the best ways to develop and consolidate learning in the face of future professional practice. This work can serve as a guide in assisting reflection in Practicums of health sciences (AU)