Changes in Ventilatory Response to Exercise in Trained Athletes: Respiratory Physiological Benefits Beyond Cardiovascular Performance. / Cambios en la respuesta ventilatoria al esfuerzo en deportistas entrenados: efectos beneficiosos sobre la fisiología respiratoria más allá del rendimiento cardiovascular.

INTRODUCTION: The beneficial impact of an 8-month competitive season on the ventilatory profile response to exercise in soccer players has never been evaluated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Ventilatory profile (evaluated by determining individual tidal volume [VT] relative to minute ventilation [VE] inflection points during exercise) and metabolic responses to incremental exercise were evaluated in 2 professional soccer teams before and after an 8-month competitive season. RESULTS: No differences between teams in anthropometric characteristics or in resting cardiopulmonary variables, included oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR), before and during the competitive season were found. At iso-speed, there were overall improvements in carbon dioxide output (VCO2), VE/VO2, VE/VCO2, VE and respiratory frequency (fR) during the season. The VT/VE inflection points 1 and 2 occurred with greater exercise time, HR, VO2, VCO2, VE and VT during the competitive season. CONCLUSIONS: Despite very high baseline performance and a negligible improvement in VO2, an 8-month competitive season improved ventilatory profile response to exercise in elite athletes.

Ventilatory response to exercise of elite soccer players.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the role of ventilatory parameters in maximal exercise performance in elite soccer players. METHODS: From September 2009 to December 2012, 90 elite soccer players underwent evaluation of lung function test and ergospirometry by means of an incremental symptom-limited treadmill test. Results were analyzed according to i) maximal exercise velocity performed (Hi-M: high-performers, >18.65 km/h; Lo-M: low-performers, <18.65 km/h) and ii) usual role in the team. RESULTS: Hi-M showed higher peak minute ventilation (V˙Epeak: 158.3 ± 19.5 vs 148.0 ± 18.54 L/min, p = 0.0203), and forced expiratory volume at first second (5.28 ± 0.50 vs 4.89 ± 0.52 liters, p < 0.001) than Lo-M, independently of playing role. Moreover, a significant correlation between peak oxygen uptake and V˙E (r = 0.57, p < 0.001) was found. CONCLUSIONS: Ventilatory response plays a role in the assessment of exercise capacity in elite soccer players.

The electronic cigarette: potential health benefit or mere business?

Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) have attracted considerable attention as a possible alternative to tobacco cigarettes, but uncertainties about their impact on health and indoor air quality as well as their commercial success without a clear regulatory framework are arousing concern. We have therefore tried to summarize the health-related implications of the use of e-cigarettes in order to help physicians and health professionals provide accurate information on this device. Given the lack of unequivocal scientific data on their toxicity and safety, we conclude that at the moment there is no reason to approve e-cigarettes as a safe alternative to tobacco smoke.

Cambios en la respuesta ventilatoria al esfuerzo en deportistas entrenados: efectos beneficiosos sobre la fisiología respiratoria más allá del rendimiento cardiovascular / Changes in Ventilatory Response to Exercise in Trained Athletes: Respiratory Physiological Benefits Beyond Cardiovascular Performance

Introducción: El efecto beneficioso de una temporada de competición de 8meses sobre el perfil ventilatorio en respuesta al esfuerzo no se ha evaluado en jugadores de fútbol. Material y métodos: Se evaluó el perfil ventilatorio (analizando los puntos de inflexión específicos del cociente entre el volumen corriente [VT] y la ventilación [VE] durante el esfuerzo) y la respuesta metabólica al esfuerzo gradual en 2 equipos de fútbol profesional, antes y después de una temporada de competición de 8 meses. Resultados: No se observaron diferencias entre equipos en las características antropométricas ni en las variables cardiopulmonares en reposo, incluidos el consumo de oxígeno (VO2) y la frecuencia cardíaca (FC). Durante la temporada de competición, a velocidad fija, se observaron mejorías globales en la producción de dióxido de carbono (VCO2), los cocientes VE/VO2 y VE/VCO2, la VE y la frecuencia respiratoria (FR). Los puntos de inflexión 1 y 2 del cociente VT/VE se observaron tras un mayor tiempo de ejercicio y mayores FC, VO2, VCO2, VE y VT durante la temporada de competición. Conclusiones: A pesar del elevado rendimiento inicial y de la escasa mejoría del VO2, la temporada de competición de 8 meses mejoró el perfil ventilatorio en respuesta al esfuerzo de estos deportistas de élite

Introduction: The beneficial impact of an 8-month competitive season on the ventilatory profile response to exercise in soccer players has never been evaluated. Material and methods: Ventilatory profile (evaluated by determining individual tidal volume [VT] relative to minute ventilation [VE] inflection points during exercise) and metabolic responses to incremental exercise were evaluated in 2 professional soccer teams before and after an 8-month competitive season. Results: No differences between teams in anthropometric characteristics or in resting cardiopulmonary variables, included oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR), before and during the competitive season were found. At iso-speed, there were overall improvements in carbon dioxide output (VCO2), VE/VO2, VE/VCO2, VE and respiratory frequency (fR) during the season. The VT/VE inflection points 1 and 2 occurred with greater exercise time, HR, VO2, VCO2, VE and VT during the competitive season. Conclusions: Despite very high baseline performance and a negligible improvement in VO2, an 8-month competitive season improved ventilatory profile response to exercise in elite athletes

Analizan el uso de ventilación no invasiva en las exacerbaciones de la EPOC: [revisión] / Non-invasive ventilation in acute COPD exacerbation: [review]

Introducción: Las exacerbaciones agudas de la enfermedad pulmonar obstructiva crónica son eventos relevantes en la evolución natural de esa entidad. Antecedentes: Existen pruebas sólidas para el uso de la ventilación no invasiva (VNI) para evitar la intubación endotraqueal y para facilitar la extubación de los pacientes con exacerbaciones agudas de la EPOC. Hay menos datos que avalen esta modalidad para las exacerbaciones asmáticas. Resultados y conclusiones: La VNI debería aplicarse bajo un riguroso monitoreo clínico y fisiológico para detectar signos de insuficiencia respiratoria y con disponibilidad inmediata para la intubación. Un equipo entrenado, una cuidadosa selección de los pacientes y una elección adecuada de los instrumentos, pueden optimizar los resultados de la VNI.