Effects of bodybuilding supplements on the kidney: A population-based incidence study of biopsy pathology and clinical characteristics among middle eastern men.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of kidney diseases among bodybuilders is unknown. METHODS: Between January 2011 and December 2019, the Iraqi Kurdistan 15 to 39 year old male population averaged 1,100,000 with approximately 56,000 total participants and 25,000 regular participants (those training more than 1 year). Annual age specific incidence rates (ASIR) with (95% confidence intervals) per 100,000 bodybuilders were compared with the general age-matched male population. RESULTS: Fifteen male participants had kidney biopsies. Among regular participants, diagnoses were: focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS), 2; membranous glomerulonephritis (MGN), 2; post-infectious glomeruonephritis (PIGN), 1; tubulointerstitial nephritis (TIN), 1; and nephrocalcinosis, 2. Acute tubular necrosis (ATN) was diagnosed in 5 regular participants and 2 participants training less than 1 year. Among regular participants, anabolic steroid use was self-reported in 26% and veterinary grade vitamin D injections in 2.6%. ASIR for FSGS, MGN, PIGN, and TIN among regular participants was not statistically different than the general population. ASIR of FSGS adjusted for anabolic steroid use was 3.4 (- 1.3 to 8.1), a rate overlapping with FSGS in the general population at 2.0 (1.2 to 2.8). ATN presented as exertional muscle injury with myoglobinuria among new participants. Nevertheless, ASIR for ATN among total participants at 1.4 (0.4 to 2.4) was not significantly different than for the general population at 0.3 (0.1 to 0.5). Nephrocalcinosis was only diagnosed among bodybuilders at a 9-year cumulative rate of one per 314 vitamin D injectors. CONCLUSIONS: Kidney disease rates among bodybuilders were not significantly different than for the general population, except for nephrocalcinosis that was caused by injections of veterinary grade vitamin D compounds.

Reliability of force-velocity parameters obtained from linear and curvilinear regressions for the bench press and squat exercises.

This study aimed to compare the goodness of fit and the reliability of different regression models for fitting the force-velocity relationship (FV) of bench press (BP) and squat (SQ). Additionally, the reliability of the position on FV of the velocity (V1RM) and the force performed with the 1RM (F1RM) was explored. Nine rugby players and 12 judokas participated in this study. The FV of BP and SQ were obtained twice by a protocol performed until the 1RM. Individual FV were fitted by linear (LM), quadratic polynomial (PM), and exponential models (EM). Adjusted coefficients of determination of LM and PM (medians higher than 0.919) were higher than for EM. The reliability was higher for LM in comparison with PM. The reliability of V1RM was not acceptable (CV% = 19 and 18% for BP and SQ). High reliability was observed for F1RM (CV% = 3 and 2% for BP and SQ) and for the ratio between F1RM and the force-axis intercept of FV (CV% = 2 and 4% for BP and SQ). The reliability of the relative values of F1RM around 92 and 87% of F0 for BP and SQ suggests the use of these values for monitoring resistance training programmes.

Differential analysis of the doping behaviour templates in three types of sports.

Conducted researches recognize various risk factors, as well as protective factors against doping behaviour in different sports i.e. sports disciplines or activities. The main goal of this research was to identify the correlation between selected socio-demographic, health-related, and sports-related predictors with doping factors in three different types of sports, which are (1) highly energetic demanding sports (weightlifting), (2) highly technical demanding sports (racquet sports), and (3) highly tactical demanding sports (sailing). The research consisted of three separate studies, each one of them researching one of the sports. The sample of subjects included altogether 293 athletes, senior level competitors (older than 18years of age). In total, the sample comprised three homogenous sub-samples, as follows: athletes in highly energetic demanding sports (weightlifters and power lifters; N=27), athletes in highly technical demanding sports (table tennis, tennis and badminton players; N=188), and athletes in highly tactical demanding sports (sailing; N=78). The first study involved weightlifters where we should point out the existence of high doping behaviour In this study, religiousness was interpreted as the most significant protective factor against doping behaviour, while sports factors are not found to be significantly related to doping. The study involving racquet sport athletes suggests a high risk of doping behaviour among those athletes who observe doping behaviour in their sport. We noticed low levels of athletes' trust in their coaches' and physicians' opinions on doping issues. This is an issue which should be researched in the future, because the underlying cause has not been studied as yet. Briefly, it seems that either the athletes are not convinced of their coaches '/physicians' expertise regarding doping issues, and/or they do not believe in their good intentions. It is particularly important, as the previous research has shown that with the increased trust in coaches and physicians, the chance that an athlete will use doping decreases. As expected, it is characteristic for sailing that it has a low likelihood of potential doping behaviour, although the consumption of dietary supplements is high. Substance abuse in sports spreads beyond those that enhance athletic performance. All of these issues should be studied in more detail in the future and, if appropriately validated, incorporated into anti-doping intervention programs.

Osteoporosis prevention in college women: application of the expanded health belief model.

OBJECTIVE: To examine personal characteristics and expanded health belief model (EHBM) constructs associated with the practice of osteoporosis-protective behaviors among a random sample of nontraditional college women. METHODS: A valid and reliable written mail questionnaire assessing osteoporosis knowledge, EHBM constructs, weight-bearing exercise (EX), and dietary calcium intake (CA) was completed by 273 women. RESULTS: A high proportion of women did not meet current guidelines for EX (50.7%) or CA (67.8%). Exercise self-efficacy and barriers to exercise were the best predictors of overall EX and CA behaviors. CONCLUSION: The EHBM was useful in predicting EX and CA.