The MCT1 gene Glu490Asp polymorphism (rs1049434) is associated with endurance athlete status, lower blood lactate accumulation and higher maximum oxygen uptake.

The purpose of this study was to explore the association of the MCT1 gene Glu490Asp polymorphism (rs1049434) with athletic status and performance of endurance athletes. A total of 1,208 Brazilians (318 endurance athletes and 890 non-athletes) and 867 Europeans (315 endurance athletes and 552 non-athletes) were evaluated in a case-control approach. Brazilian participants were classified based on self-declared ethnicity to test whether the polymorphism was different between Caucasians and Afro-descendants. Moreover, 66 Hungarian athletes underwent an incremental test until exhaustion to assess blood lactate levels, while 46 Russian athletes had their maximum oxygen uptake ( V ⋅ O 2 max ) compared between genotypes. In the Brazilian cohort, the major T-allele was more frequent in Caucasian top-level competitors compared to their counterparts of lower competitive level (P = 0.039), and in Afro-descendant athletes compared to non-athletes (P = 0.015). Similarly, the T-allele was more frequent in European athletes (P = 0.029). Meta-analysis of the Brazilian and European cohorts confirmed that the T-allele is over-represented in endurance athletes (OR: 1.48, P = 0.03), especially when Afro-descendant athletes were included in the meta-analysis (OR: 1.58, P = 0.005). Furthermore, carriers of the T/T genotype accumulated less blood lactate in response to intense effort (P < 0.01) and exhibited higher V ⋅ O 2 max (P = 0.04). In conclusion, the Glu490Asp polymorphism was associated with endurance athletic status and performance. Our findings suggest that, although ethnic differences may exist, the presence of the major T-allele (i.e., the Glu-490 allele) favours endurance performance more than the mutant A-allele (i.e., the 490-Asp allele).

Lack of association between the GNB3 rs5443, HIF1A rs11549465 polymorphisms, physiological and functional characteristics.

The aim was to examine the association between the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1A) gene and the guanine nucleotide binding protein beta polypeptide 3 (GNB3) gene polymorphisms and the endurance/power athlete status and relative aerobic capacity. Another goal of this study was to reveal the connection between GNB3, blood pressure (BP), body composition and body mass index (BMI). Two hundred thirty-eight people participated in this study: 148 elite athletes (men = 107, women = 41) and 90 controls (men = 51, women = 39). The athletes were divided into two groups: the power and the endurance athletes. BMI and body fat percentage (fat%) were calculated. Fifty of the athletes underwent an incremental treadmill test to exhaustion; BP was monitored before and after the test. There were differences in the genotype frequencies of HIF1A between the endurance and the control group (ProPro: 64% vs.79%, ProSer: 27% vs.19%, SerSer: 9% vs. 2%; p = .0351); in the allele prevalences among the three groups (Pro: 87% vs. 77% vs. 88%; Ser: 13% vs. 23% vs. 12%; p = .0103) and between the endurance and control group (p = .0049) as well. The GNB3 allele proportions differed in the three groups (C: 74% vs. 61% vs. 71%, T: 26% vs. 39% vs. 29%; p = .0436). There were no connections between the genotypes and the relative aerobic capacity and neither between GNB3 genotypes and BP, BMI and fat%. The connection of GNB3 T allele to the endurance performance still remained contradictable.

Relationship between physical activity, dietary intake and bone parameters in 10-12 years old Hungarian boys and girls.

OBJECTIVES: Physical activity (PA) and adequate macro- and micronutrient intake have favourable influence on the bone status. The aim of this study was to analyse the relationships among PA, anthropometric data, dietary intake and ultrasound bone characteristics in children. METHODS: 10-12 years old Hungarian children (N = 123, 59 girls, 64 boys) provided physical activity, diet, anthropometric and bone data. PA was measured with accelerometer (Actigraph GT3X+). Diet was evaluated with three-day, 24-hour food recall. Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) bone parameters were registered with Sonost3000 bone densitometer. RESULTS: Nutrition and anthropometry did not differ by gender. The values of broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) were significantly higher in boys. Girls spent significantly more time being sedentary, boys had greater light, moderate, vigorous, and moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) levels. The children accumulated more than twice the suggested amount of public health guidelines for MVPA. QUS parameters correlated significantly with vigorous physical activity in boys, and with age, height, weight, fat percentage, and body mass index (BMI) for both genders. There was no significant relationship between nutrition and QUS; however, inadequate vitamin K intake correlated with less favourable bone parameters. Multiple linear regression analysis confirmed the importance of vigorous PA - speed of sound (SOS): ß = 0.358, p = 0.006; BUA: ß = 0.340, p = 0.007; bone quality index (BQI): ß = 0.377, p = 0.002; vitamin K intake - SOS: ß = 0.256, p = 0.025; BUA: ß = 0.235, p = 0.033; BQI: ß = 0.295, p = 0.007; BMI - SOS: ß = 0.207, p = 0.064; BUA: ß = 0.455, p < 0.001; BQI: ß = 0.284, p = 0.008; and age - SOS: ß = 0.450, p < 0.001; BUA: ß = 0.318, p = 0.004; BQI: ß = 0.444, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the characteristics of ultrasound bone parameters among 10-12 years old children mainly depended on the amount of intense PA, adequate vitamin K intake and anthropometric variables related to age.

Reference data for ultrasound bone characteristics in Hungarian children aged 7-19 years.

Backround: Osteoporosis is a common disease and physical activity (PA) has a favourable influence on bone status. AIM: To establish normative data for calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS) bone characteristics in children and to analyse the relationships between PA, anthropometric and bone parameters. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Hungarian children aged 7-19 (n = 2674; 1325 girls, 1349 boys) provided PA, anthropometric and bone data. QUS parameters were registered with Sonost3000 densitometer (speed of sound: SOS, m/s; broadband ultrasound attenuation: BUA, dB/MHz; bone quantity index (BQI = αSOS + ßBUA). Reference centiles of QUS parameters were constructed by LMS method. Multivariate linear regression models were used to analyse the relationships. RESULTS: QUS bone parameters increased with age. There were no gender differences, except in 11- and 19-year-old children, where boys showed higher values. SOS (1497.15 ± 15.72 vs 1494.05 ± 14.81 m/s) and BQI (65.31 ± 16.71 vs 62.26 ± 15.78) were higher in athletic children. The regression model revealed significant relations between SOS and age, relative muscle mass and PA; BUA correlated with gender, morphological age, BMI, relative muscle mass and PA. CONCLUSIONS: Changes in the bone parameters among 7-19-year-old Hungarian children depended on age, anthropometric dimensions and the level of PA. The normative data could be used for monitoring QUS bone parameters in children, leading to more effective interventions for healthy bones.

Assessment of subcutaneous adipose tissue using ultrasound in highly trained junior rowers.

INTRODUCTION: There is a large variety of body fat (BF) measurements, which differ in validity and reliability. The aim of this study was to measure subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) using ultrasound (US) in highly trained junior rowers in a field setting, establish fat patterning profiles, and compare the profiles between male and female athletes. Skinfold thickness (SKF) measurements were also taken and compared to US measurements. METHODS: Sixteen athletes participated. US measurements were taken at eight sites and reported as a sum of SAT (D): DExcl (without embedded structures) and DIncl (including embedded structures). SKF was measured at three sites and reported as a sum of adipose tissue thickness (SUMSKF). RESULTS: Mean SAT thickness (DIncl) was 27.6 ± 12.4 mm for males and 65.5 ± 11.8 mm for females. Females had significantly more embedded structures than males (P = .016). Significant correlations were found (P < .001, r = 0.92) comparing SUMSKF to DIncl and between SKF and US measurements at the thigh site (P < .001, r = 0.86). CONCLUSION: US is a suitable tool to measure BF in the field testing of athletes and enables measurements of SAT with an accuracy and reliability not reached before. The sum of thicknesses (DIncl or DExcl) can be used to represent subcutaneous fat based on accurate measurements of uncompressed SAT thicknesses.

Bone characteristics, anthropometry and lifestyle in late adolescents.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity and adequate calcium intake have favourable influences on the bone status, while body structure and function can be altered with lifestyle changes. The use of portable quantitative ultrasound measurements provides a non-invasive method of evaluating bone characteristics. AIM: To analyze relationships between physical activity, anthropometric variables, milk consumption and bone parameters in late adolescents. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The subjects were 16-18-year-old athletic and non-athletic adolescents (N = 377). Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound parameters were registered with Sonost 3000 bone densitometer. The analysis included speed of sound (SOS, m s-1), broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA, dB MHz-1), bone quantity index (BQI = αSOS + ßBUA). Anthropometry was measured according to the guidelines of International Biological Program (Weiner and Lourie 1969). Body composition was assessed by Parízková's (1961), and Drinkwater & Ross (1980) method. The level of dairy consumption and habitual physical activity were estimated with the use of self-reported questionnaires. Differences between subgroups were tested by Student's t-test and by one-way ANOVA. Correlation patterns of the variables for total sample and subgroups were analyzed (p < 0.05). RESULTS: Athletic and non-athletic subgroups differed, with the athletes having better values: SOS (boys: 1507.00 ± 12.25 vs. 1493.16 ± 11.51; girls: 1501.40 ± 13.87 vs. 1486.68 ± 11.14), BUA (boys: 91.99 ± 11.78 vs. 83.79 ± 14.26; girls: 90.96 ± 8.48 vs. 85.25 ± 12.51), BQI (boys: 77.77 ± 11.29 vs. 66.17 ± 13.28; girls: 73.28 ± 9.31 vs. 63.25 ± 12.39). QUS parameters differed significantly by frequency of milk consumption: SOS (1502.25 ± 16.7 vs. 1495.9 ± 13.48); BUA (90.12 ± 15.9 vs. 85.79 ± 14.56); and BQI (73.29 ± 17.15 vs. 67.24 ± 14.3). CONCLUSIONS: Bone variables differed in athletic and non-athletic 16-18-year-old adolescents. Regular dairy consumption proved beneficial in all osteoid characteristics. Quantitative bone characteristics depend on gender, physical activity and nutrition. Findings have the potential to inform the development of more effective interventions.

Osteocalcin gene polymorphism and bone density in Hungarian athletes.

SUMMARY: Osteoporosis, a public health problem, is mainly determined on the basis of bone mineral density (BMD). The rs1800247 polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene is associated with BMD. The results of one recent Polish study led us to the examination of a possible connection between polymorphism and bone ultrasound parameters in the Hungarian population, including elite athletes. A total of 302 subjects participated in the study. Genotype analysis was carried out via a DNA chip, and anthropometric measurements were taken according to the International Biological Program. Sixty-three (63) of the participants were also measured by ultrasound bone densitometer. The genotype frequencies of osteocalcin polymorphism in the total sample were: 59.9% for hh; 36.1% for Hh; and 3.97% for HH. We separated the 63 subjects by the presence or absence of H allele, and there were no significant differences between the two groups, either in the anthropometric, or in the ultrasound parameters. In grouping the sample by genotypes, no differences were detectable in any of the bone characteristics. Compared to the controls, athletes had significantly higher results in all of the bone ultrasound values. The polymorphism of the osteocalcin gene showed no effect on bone quantity in the examined Hungarian population.

Hormonal Neuroendocrine and Vasoconstrictor Peptide Responses of Ball Game and Cyclic Sport Elite Athletes by Treadmill Test.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to evaluate complex hormonal response in ball game and cyclic sport elite athletes through an incremental treadmill test, since, so far, variables in experimental procedures have often hampered comparisons of data. METHODS: We determined anthropometric data, heart rate, maximal oxygen uptake, workload, plasma levels of lactate, adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, cortisol, angiontensinogen and endothelin in control (n = 6), soccer (n = 8), handball (n = 12), kayaking (n = 9) and triathlon (n = 9) groups based on a Bruce protocol through a maximal exercise type of spiroergometric test. RESULTS: We obtained significant increases for adrenaline, 2.9- and 3.9-fold by comparing the normalized means for soccer players and kayakers and soccer players and triathletes after/before test, respectively. For noradrenaline, we observed an even stronger, three-time significant difference between each type of ball game and cyclic sport activity. CONCLUSIONS: Exercise related adrenaline and noradrenaline changes were more pronounced than dopamine plasma level changes and revealed an opportunity to differentiate cyclic and ball game activities and control group upon these parameters. Normalization of concentration ratios of the monitored compounds by the corresponding maximal oxygen uptake reflected better the differences in the response level of adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine and cortisol.

Increased short-term variability of the QT interval in professional soccer players: possible implications for arrhythmia prediction.

BACKGROUND: Sudden cardiac death in competitive athletes is rare but it is significantly more frequent than in the normal population. The exact cause is seldom established and is mostly attributed to ventricular fibrillation. Myocardial hypertrophy and slow heart rate, both characteristic changes in top athletes in response to physical conditioning, could be associated with increased propensity for ventricular arrhythmias. We investigated conventional ECG parameters and temporal short-term beat-to-beat variability of repolarization (STV(QT)), a presumptive novel parameter for arrhythmia prediction, in professional soccer players. METHODS: Five-minute 12-lead electrocardiograms were recorded from professional soccer players (n = 76, all males, age 22.0±0.61 years) and age-matched healthy volunteers who do not participate in competitive sports (n = 76, all males, age 22.0±0.54 years). The ECGs were digitized and evaluated off-line. The temporal instability of beat-to-beat heart rate and repolarization were characterized by the calculation of short-term variability of the RR and QT intervals. RESULTS: Heart rate was significantly lower in professional soccer players at rest (61±1.2 vs. 72±1.5/min in controls). The QT interval was prolonged in players at rest (419±3.1 vs. 390±3.6 in controls, p<0.001). QTc was significantly longer in players compared to controls calculated with Fridericia and Hodges correction formulas. Importantly, STV(QT) was significantly higher in players both at rest and immediately after the game compared to controls (4.8±0.14 and 4.3±0.14 vs. 3.5±0.10 ms, both p<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: STV(QT) is significantly higher in professional soccer players compared to age-matched controls, however, further studies are needed to relate this finding to increased arrhythmia propensity in this population.