Energy, macronutrient and water intake during a mountain ultramarathon event: The influence of distance.

Adequate dietary strategies are essential for the successful participation in ultra-endurance races. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the energy and water intakes of participants during three different mountain ultra-endurance runs. The study took place at the "Ultra Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana" (Mallorca, Spain), an ultra-endurance mountain event with runners participating either in a 44-km (Marathon, n = 51), a 67-km (Trail, n = 109) or a 112-km (Ultra, n = 53) run competition. Participants in the study answered a questionnaire focused on the nutritional intake within an hour after finishing the competition. Mean energy intake during the competitions was 183 kcal · h¯1, with an average carbohydrate intake of 31 g · h¯1 (52.1% of participants consumed less than 30 g · h¯1). No significant differences between competitions were found in these parameters. However, a higher percentage of energy from lipids in participants in the Trail and the Ultra was found (P = 0.034). Furthermore, significant differences were observed in water intake per hour of competition (P = 0.039), with the lowest value for the intake during the Ultra competition. In conclusion, the majority of the participants in the study present low carbohydrate intakes. However, fluid intake seems to be adequate. Different distances did not significantly influence the participants' nutritional strategies.

Effects of Caffeine Supplementation on Plasma and Blood Mononuclear Cell Interleukin-10 Levels After Exercise.

This study compared the response of interleukin (IL)-10, and also of IL-6 and IL-12 p40, to exercise and caffeine supplementation between plasma and blood mononuclear cells (BMNCs). Participants in the study (n = 28) were randomly allocated in a double-blind fashion to either caffeine (n = 14) or placebo (n = 14) treatments. One hour before completing a 15-km run competition, athletes took 6 mg/kg body mass of caffeine or a placebo. Plasma and BMNCs were purified from blood samples taken before and after competition. Concentrations of interleukins (IL-10, IL-6, and IL-12 p40), cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), caffeine, adrenaline, and cortisol were measured in plasma. IL-10, IL-6, and IL-12 p40 and cAMP levels were also determined in BMNCs. Exercise induced significant increases in IL-6 and IL-10 plasma levels, with higher increases in the caffeine-supplemented group. After 2-hr recovery, these levels returned to almost preexercise values. However, no effect of caffeine on BMNC cytokines was observed. IL-10, IL-6, and IL-12 p40 levels in BMNCs increased mainly at 2 hr postexercise. cAMP levels increased postexercise in plasma and after recovery in BMNCs, but no effects of caffeine were observed. In conclusion, caffeine did not modify cytokine levels in BMNCs in response to exercise. However, higher increases of IL-10 were observed in plasma after exercise in the supplemented participants, which could suppose an enhancement of the anti-inflammatory properties of exercise.

Nutritional Status and Implementation of a Nutritional Education Program in Young Female Artistic Gymnasts.

Adolescent high-performance gymnasts are considered to be at risk for low energy intake. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of implementing a nutritional education program during the sports season on the nutritional status and nutrition knowledge of the female artistic gymnasts from the Technification Center of the Balearic Islands (n = 24; age, 14.1 ± 2.3 years). A quasi-experimental intervention design was applied, which consisted of implementing a nutritional education program of seven sessions given during eight months. Measurements of nutritional intake, nutrition knowledge, and anthropometric parameters, as well as hematological and biochemical blood parameters, were performed. Gymnasts reported low energy and carbohydrate intakes, with significant increases during the study (energy, 28.3 ± 1.4 vs. 32.8 ± 1.4 kcal kg-1, p = 0.015, carbohydrate 3.2 ± 0.2 vs. 3.9 ± 0.2 g kg-1, p = 0.004). The average values for parameters such as hemoglobin, ferritin, lipoprotein, and vitamin C and E levels in the plasma were within normal ranges. Low intakes of most of the food groups were observed during the study, with similar initial and final values. Nutrition knowledge did not change as a result of the study (28.0 ± 1.7 vs. 31.1 ± 1.3, p = 0.185). In conclusion, gymnasts reported low energy intakes. However, blood markers and most of the anthropometrical parameters measured were within normal ranges. The nutrition education program implemented did not produce significant improvements in the dietary habits or nutritional knowledge of gymnasts.

Use of Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs among Participants in a Mountain Ultramarathon Event.

The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the prevalence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) consumption immediately before, during and immediately after three mountain ultra-endurance runs that differed in their course distance. This observational study took place at the Ultra Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana (Mallorca, Spain), an ultra-endurance mountain event with runners participating either in a 112-km (Ultra, n = 58), a 67-km (Trail, n = 118) or a 44-km (Marathon, n = 62) run competition. Participants in the study answered, within an hour after finishing the competition, a questionnaire focused mainly on NSAIDs consumption. Among study participants, 48.3% reported taking NSAIDs at least for one of the time-points considered: before, during and/or immediately after the competition, with more positive responses (having taken medication) found for the Ultra (60.3%) than for the Trail (49.2%) and the Marathon (35.5%). Among consumers, the Ultra participants reported the lowest intake before and the highest during the race, while participants in the Marathon reported similar consumption levels before and during the race. In conclusion, a high prevalence of NSAID consumption was found among athletes participating in an ultra-endurance mountain event. Competition duration seemed to determine both the prevalence and the chronological pattern of NSAID consumption.

Intervención del helicóptero sanitario de Aragón en los accidentes de tráfico antes y durante la pandemia por covid-19 / Intervention of the Aragon medical helicopter in traffic accidents before and during the covid-19 pandemic

Objetivo: Describir la prevalencia y características de los accidentes de tráfico atendidos por helicópteros sanitarios en un periodo de 5 años y durante el año de confinamiento. Método: Estudio descriptivo transversal sobre la actividad asistencial en los accidentes de tráfico de los Helicópteros Sanitarios del 112 Aragón entre el 1 de enero de 2013 y el 31 de diciembre de 2017 y su comparación con 2020, año de la pandemia por COVID-19. Resultados: De los 1.375 pacientes atendidos durante el periodo 2013-2017, 259 fueron por accidentes de tráfico, siendo aproximadamente el 76% hombres y el 24% mujeres. La media de edad fue de 45 años (± 19,15). Un 93,4% de estos avisos fueron primarios y el 21,2% requeridos por otros servicios extrahospitalarios. El tiempo de respuesta fue, en el 49,6% de los casos, de 30 o menos minutos. La patología más frecuente fue la traumatológica, con un 97,6% de pacientes. El 45,9% de accidentes se produjeron en carreteras comarcales o locales. Durante el año 2020, se atendieron 25 casos por accidentes de tráfico, de un total de 274. La mayoría de pacientes atendidos fueron hombres (92%). La edad media fue de 46,7 años (± 15,25). En el 56% de los casos, los pacientes fueron atendidos en un máximo de 30 minutos, siendo la patología más frecuente la traumatológica, con un 96% de casos. La mitad de accidentes se produjeron en carreteras comarcales y locales. Conclusiones: La utilización del helicóptero sanitario en accidentes de tráfico permite auxiliar a sus víctimas en su mayoría antes de 30 minutos. El tiempo medio de respuesta del helicóptero fue significativamente inferior al tiempo por carretera. La pandemia por COVID-19 redujo el porcentaje de las intervenciones en accidentes de tráfico en relación a las totales del helicóptero y aumentó la atención a hombres frente a mujeres. (AU)

Objective: To describe the prevalence and characteristics of traffic accidents attended by medical helicopters. Method: Describe the prevalence and characteristics of traffic accidents attended by medical helicopters in a period of 5 years and during the year of confinement. Results: Out of the 1,376 patients attended during this period, 259 were due to traffic accidents, with approximately 76% men and 24% women. The mean age was 45 years (± 19,15). 93.4% of these transfers were primary and 21.2% requiered by other out-of-hospital services. The response time was, in the 49.6% of the cases, 30 minutes or less. The most frequent pathology was trauma, with 97.6% of patients. 45.9% of accidents occurred on county or local roads. During the year 2020, 25 cases of traffic accidents were attended, out of a total of 274. The majority of patients attended were men (92%). The mean age was 46.7 years (± 15.25). In 56% of the cases, the patients were treated in a maximum of 30 minutes, the most frequent pathology being traumatology, with 96% of cases. Half of the accidents occurred on county and local roads. Conclusion: The use of the sanitary helicopter in traffic accidents allows to assisting their victims in their majority before 30 minutes. Helicopter mean response time was significantly less than road time. The COVID-19 pandemic reduced the percentage of interventions in traffic accidents in relation to the total number of helicopters and increased attention to men compared to women. (AU)