Neuromuscular but Not Technical Performance is Affected by Time-of-Day in Semiprofessional, Female Basketball Players.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether variations in technical and neuromuscular performance occur across different times of the day in basketball players. Methods: Twenty semiprofessional, female basketball players (23 ± 4 years) competing in a second-division national basketball competition completed separate testing batteries in the morning (08:30) and in the afternoon (17:30) in a randomized counterbalanced order. Testing sessions consisted of a free-throw accuracy test to assess technical performance, as well as flexibility (ankle dorsiflexion range-of-motion test), dynamic balance (modified star excursion balance test), vertical jump height (squat jump, countermovement jump with and without arm swing), strength (isometric handgrip), change-of-direction speed (V-cut test), and linear speed (20-m sprint) tests to assess neuromuscular performance. Mechanism variables were also obtained including tympanic temperature, urinary specific gravity, and rating of perceived exertion at each session. Results: Squat jump height (6.7%; p = .001; effect size (ES) = 0.33), countermovement jump height with (4.1%; p = .018; ES = 0.27) and without arm swing (5.9%; p = .007; ES = 0.30), and 20-m sprint time (-1.4%; p = .015; ES = -0.32) were significantly superior in the afternoon compared to morning. Tympanic temperature was significantly higher in the afternoon than morning (1.4%; p < .001; ES = 1.31). In contrast, no significant differences between timepoints were evident for all remaining variables (p > .05; ES = -0.33 to 0.16). Conclusions: Some neuromuscular variables exhibited a time-of-day effect with better jump and sprint performance in the afternoon compared to morning in semiprofessional, female basketball players.

Effect of Ginseng Intake on Muscle Damage Induced by Exercise in Healthy Adults.

One of the most popular herbal supplements in the world is ginseng. Several studies have evaluated the capacity of ginseng as a protective element in the physiological response to exercise. The result produced by the exercise causes an increase in cellular biomarkers of damage in the skeletal muscle, mainly in the pro-inflammatory types. The different types of ginseng are composed of ginsenosides, which are active ingredients that act on the central nervous system and have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as effects on cortisol modulation. The use of ginseng as a nutritional supplement can help muscle regeneration and renewal. The objective of this review is to enrich the knowledge regarding the consumption of ginseng for a specific situation, such as exercise, which would cause an improvement in the tolerance to chronic load stimuli in sport, thus helping the subjects to recover between training sessions. Due to these benefits, it could also be an ideal food supplement for regenerative processes in muscle injuries in which inflammatory markers increase significantly. This review aims to summarise that biological factors can be attenuated after exercise due to the consumption of ginseng in healthy subjects, accelerating and improving muscle regeneration and, therefore, improving the ability to adapt to the stimuli generated by said exercise.

Relationship between Diet Quality and Socioeconomic and Health-Related Factors in Adolescents by Gender.

Adolescence is a key period for consolidating heathy lifestyles and proper eating habits that can last into adulthood. To analyze the diet quality of Spanish adolescents and its association with socioeconomic factors and health behaviors by gender, a cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the DESKcohort project, consisting of a biannual panel survey on health, health behaviors, and associated determinants, collected in secondary education centers. The study population consisted of 7319 students aged 12 to 18 years. Data were collected from October 2019 to March 2020. The dependent variable was diet quality score according to the Spanish adaptation of the Healthy Eating Index (S-HEI). The independent variables included were socioeconomic factors and health behaviors. We conducted linear regression separately by gender. Diet quality score was significantly higher for girls than for boys (68 and 65, respectively, p < 0.001). For both genders, poorer diet quality was associated with a low level of physical activity [-0.9 (95% CI = -1.6:-0.2) in boys, -1.2 (95% CI = -1.9:-0.4) in girls], alcohol use [-2.5 (95% CI = -3.7:-1.3) in boys, -1.0 (95% CI = -1.9:0.0) in girls], poor self-perceived health [-1.1 (95% CI = -2.4:0.2) in boys, -3.5 (95% CI = -4.6:-2.4) in girls], and having attended Intermediate Level Training Cycles [-2.9 (95% CI = -4.3:-1.5) in boys, -1.9 (95% CI = -3.5:-0.3) in girls]. In girls, poorer diet quality also was associated with low mood [-1.1 (95% CI = -1.9:-0.3)]. The variance was 9% in boys and 12% in girls. Our results highlight the need to consider socioeconomic and health-related factors, as well as gender, when conducting interventions to promote healthy eating among adolescents.

Hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory responses to submaximal and maximal exercise in adults with Down syndrome.

Introduction: The genetic disorder causing Down syndrome (DS) affects the cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic parameters. When exercising, sufficient blood flow is necessary for active muscles. Cardiac output (Q) must be proportional to the peripheral requirements. In case the stroke volume (SV) is lower, the heart rate (HR) will increase further in order to maintain an adequate blood flow in the active territories (HR compensatory response). People with DS have a lower HR response to maximal exercise. Nevertheless, the response of the hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory parameters during the submaximal phases of maximal exercise was not well studied. Objective: to evaluate cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic parameters 1) during submaximal and 2) maximal metabolic treadmill test in individuals with and without DS. Methods: fifteen adults with DS (age = 27.33 ± 4.98 years old; n = 12 males/3 females) and 15 adults without disabilities, matched by age and sex, participated in this cross-sectional study. Peak and submaximal cardiorespiratory and hemodynamic parameters were measured during a treadmill test. Linear mixed-effects models were used to analyse interactions between the variables. Post-hoc analyses were employed to assess within and between-group differences. Results: The DS group showed lower peak values for ventilation (VE), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), tidal volume (VT), ventilatory equivalent for O2 (VEqO2), end-tidal partial pressure for O2 (PETO2), O2 uptake (VO2) and CO2 production (all p < 0 .050), Q, SV, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP), and HR (all p < 0 .050). There were group-by-time interactions (all p < 0 .050) for all ventilatory submaximal values. Significant group and time differences were observed for VE; RER; respiratory rate (RR); VEqO2; PETO2; VO2, and VT (all p < 0 .050). There were also group-by-time interactions (all p < 0 .050) and group and time differences for SBP, mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) and HR (all p < 0.010). Conclusion: During submaximal exercise, we verified a compensatory response of HR, and greater VE and VO2 in the individuals with DS. In addition, we were able to observe that the DS group had a reduced SBP and MAP response to submaximal exercise. On the other hand, we found that adults with DS have lower peak hemodynamic and cardiorespiratory values, and a lower cardiac reserve. Further research is warranted to investigate the effects of these results on the general health of adults with DS and the impact of long-term exercise programs on these parameters.

Social Inequalities in Breakfast Consumption among Adolescents in Spain: The DESKcohort Project.

Breakfast has a critical role in energy balance and dietary regulation. Consequently, it is considered an important component of a healthy diet, especially in adolescence, when there are great opportunities to consolidate habits and establish future patterns of healthiness in adulthood. Socioeconomic position (SEP) causes inequalities that are reflected in health behaviors, physical activity, mental health, and diet. Therefore, we conducted a cross-sectional study using data from the 2019-2020 DESKcohort project (Spain) to explore the relationships between breakfast and sociodemographic characteristics, health-related behaviors, and school performance of 7319 adolescents. Our findings showed that the prevalence of skipping breakfast every day was 19.4% in girls and 13.7% in boys and was related to students' SEP. The risk of skipping breakfast was 30% higher in girls from the most disadvantaged SEP, in comparison to those in the most advanced SEP (prevalence ratio (PR) = 1.30; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.11-1.54). Also, boys from the most disadvantaged SEP showed 28% higher risk of skipping breakfast than those in the most advanced SEP (PR = 1.28; 95% CI = 1.04-1.59). In conclusion, future public policies should be adapted considering a SEP and gender perspective to avoid increasing nutritional and health inequalities.

Social Inequalities in Changes in Diet in Adolescents during Confinement Due to COVID-19 in Spain: The DESKcohort Project.

Adolescence is a critical period in the consolidation of healthy lifestyles that can last into adulthood. To analyze changes in food consumption and eating behaviors in high-school adolescents during the first confinement, a cross-sectional study was conducted at the end of confinement in Spain. Changes in the frequency or quantity of consumption of different types of food and food-related behaviors were analyzed. Socioeconomic and health-related variables were also considered. To determine whether dietary changes were related to socioeconomic position (SEP), Poisson regression models with robust variance were estimated. Overall, there were some changes towards a healthier diet such as an increase in fruit consumption (38.9%) and a decrease in the consumption of soft drinks (49.8%), sweets and pastries (39.3%), and convenience foods (49.2%). Some changes, however, were related to less healthy behaviors, such as a more irregular pattern of meal distribution (39.9%) or an increase in snacking between meals (56.4%). Changes towards less healthy eating were also related to students' SEP. The risk of worsening the diet was found to be 21% higher in adolescents from a more disadvantaged SEP. Future public policies could be adapted to avoid increasing nutritional and health inequalities.

Impact of Olive Oil Supplement Intake on Dendritic Cell Maturation after Strenuous Physical Exercise: A Preliminary Study.

Physical exercise is known to have a dose-dependent effect on the immune system and can result in an inflammatory process in athletes that is proportional to the intensity and duration of exertion. This inflammatory process can be measured by cell markers such as dendritic cells (DCs), which, in humans, consist of the myeloid DC (mDCs) and plasmacytoid DC (pDCs) subpopulations. The aim of this study was to measure DC differentiation to determine the possible anti-inflammatory effects, after intense aerobic effort, of the intake of a 25 mL extra-virgin olive oil supplement. Three healthy sports-trained subjects went through resistance exercise loads on two days separated by a week: on one day after active supplement intake and on the other day after placebo supplement intake. The results show that the highest increase (77%) in the percentage of mDCs as a proportion of pDCs was immediately after testing. Independently of the supplement taken, mature mDCs showed a decreasing trend between the test one hour after and 24 h after testing ended. Nevertheless, measured in terms of the coefficient of variation, only the decrease (46%) for extra-virgin olive oil supplementation was statistically significant (95% CI: 30-62%; p = 0.05). In conclusion, an extra-virgin olive oil supplement could reduce the inflammatory impact of intense aerobic effort and improve recovery at 24 h.

Using Mobile Applications to Increase Physical Activity: A Systematic Review.

Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity-major risk factors for the main non-communicable diseases-can be addressed by mobile health applications. Using an evidence-based systematic review design, we analysed studies on mobile applications to foster physical activity to determine whether they met the objective of increasing adults' physical activity. A bibliographic search was conducted in October 2020 using PubMed, Cochrane Library Plus, Biomed Central, Psychology Database, and SpringerLink, retrieving 191 articles. After titles and abstracts were reviewed, 149 articles were excluded, leaving 42 articles for a full-text review, of which 14 met the inclusion criteria. Despite differences in study duration, design, and variables, 13 of the 14 studies reported that applications were effective in increasing physical activity and healthy habits as dietary behaviour. However, further longer-term studies with larger samples are needed to confirm the effectiveness of mobile health applications in increasing physical activity.

Effect of Almond Supplementation on Non-Esterified Fatty Acid Values and Exercise Performance.

Several studies have investigated the effects of fat intake before exercise on subsequent substrate oxidation and exercise performance. While some studies have reported that unsaturated fatty acid supplementation slightly increases fat oxidation, the changes have not been reflected in the maximum oxygen uptake or in other performance and physiological parameters. We selected almonds as a fatty acid (FA) source for acute supplementation and investigated their effect on non-esterified fatty acid (NEFA) values and exercise performance. Five physically active male subjects (age 32.9 ± 12.7 years, height 178.5 ± 3.3 cm, and weight 81.3 ± 9.7 kg) were randomly assigned to take an almond or placebo supplement 2 h before participating in two cycling resistance training sessions separated by an interval of 7-10 days. Their performance was evaluated with a maximal incremental test until exhaustion. Blood samples collected before, during, and after testing were biochemically analysed. The results indicated a NEFA value average increase of 0.09 mg·dL-1 (95% CI: 0.05-0.14; p < 0.001) after active supplement intake and enhanced performance (5389 ± 1795 W vs. placebo 4470 ± 2053 W, p = 0.043) after almond supplementation compared to the placebo. The almond supplementation did not cause gastrointestinal disturbances. Our study suggests that acute almond supplementation 2 h before exercise can improve performance in endurance exercise in trained subjects.

Physiological- and performance-related effects of acute olive oil supplementation at moderate exercise intensity.

BACKGROUND: The consumption of olive oil is associated with a diminished risk of cardiovascular disorders and mortality, but the impact of olive oil supplementation on endurance performance is still unclear. Since the beneficial effects of olive oil are observed at a systemic level, its effectiveness may not be precisely measured through the commonly registered maximal and threshold values of some physiological and performance parameters. In contrast, we suggest evaluating it through variables able to capture the coordinated behaviour of physiological systems. Thus, the aim of the current research was to assess the effect of an acute extra virgin olive oil supplementation on cardiorespiratory coordination (CRC) and performance, compared to palm oil. METHODS: Three separate effort test sessions were carried out separated by 7-day interval. During each session, participants (n = 7) repeated the same progressive and maximal walking test, but under different dietary supplementations in a randomized order: (1) olive oil, (2) palm oil, and (3) placebo. A principal component (PC) analysis of selected cardiovascular and cardiorespiratory variables was carried out to evaluate CRC. Eigenvalues of the first PC (PC1) and the loadings of the cardiorespiratory variables onto PC1 were compared among dietary supplementations. In order to more accurately evaluate CRC, all the tests were divided into 3 equal sections, corresponding to low, moderate, and high exercise intensities, and the aforementioned procedure was repeated for each section in all the tests. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences were observed regarding PC1 eigenvalues among dietary supplementations (χ2 (8,2) = 6.3; p = .04), only at moderate intensity exercise. Specifically, PC1 eigenvalues were higher under olive oil compared to palm oil (2.63 ± 0.51 vs. 2.30 ± 0.28; Z = 2.03; p = .04; d = 0.80) and placebo supplementations (2.63 ± 0.51 vs. 2.38 ± 0.36; Z = 2.20; p = .03; d = 0.57). CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with extra virgin olive oil increased CRC during a progressive walking test at moderate intensity, although did not change performance and other physiological markers. CRC analysis appears as a sensitive tool to investigate the physiological and performance effects of dietary supplementations.

Evolución en los conocimientos sobre alimentación: una intervención educativa en estudiantes universitarios / Developments in food knowledge: an educational intervention in university studentes

To analyze the relationship between the level of knowledge about food, the degree of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi) and nutritional status; an intervention study was performed with pre- and post-intervention evaluation after three educational sessions, designed according to the learning preferences of health science university students. Sixty-five physiotherapy and podology students participated. The mean age was 22.0 years and participants were mostly male 58.5%. The majority were normal weight (63.1%), but many (69.2%) needed to improve their eating habits in order to comply with DiMe recommendations. The statistical relationship found between the level of previous knowledge in nutrition and nutritional status (Pearson's Correlation Coefficient= 0.7; p= 0.049) suggests that nutritional education actions in this group could contribute to improving the quality of the diet, nutritional status and future health of university students. Educational sessions were able to improve the level of knowledge regarding nutrition and food in the majority of students, thus it is possible to consider the intervention as an efficient tool for the transmission of nutritional knowledge in this group.

Con el objetivo de analizar la relación entre el nivel de conocimientos en alimentación, el grado de adherencia a la Dieta Mediterránea (DiMe) y el estado nutricional; se realizó un estudio de intervención con evaluación pre y post intervención; a través de tres sesiones educativas, diseñadas según las preferencias de aprendizaje de estudiantes universitarios de ciencias de la salud. Participaron 65 estudiantes de Fisioterapia y Podología, preferentemente masculinos 58,5% y con una edad media de 22,0 años. La mayoría resultó normo peso (63,1%), pero muchos deben mejorar sus hábitos alimentarios para ajustarse a las recomendaciones de la DiMe (69,2%). La relación estadística encontrada entre el nivel de conocimientos previos en nutrición y el estado nutricional (Coeficiente de Correlación de Pearson= 0,7; p= 0,049), sugiere que las acciones de educación nutricional en este colectivo, podrían contribuir a mejorar la calidad de la dieta y con ella el estado nutricional y la salud futura de los universitarios. Las sesiones educativas consiguieron mejorar el nivel de conocimientos en nutrición y alimentación en la mayoría de estudiantes, por lo que es posible considerarlas como una herramienta eficiente en la trasmisión de conocimientos nutricionales en este colectivo.

[EFFECTS OF VOLUNTARY INTAKE OF FLUIDS (WATER AND SPORTS DRINK) IN AMATEUR MOUNTAIN RUNNERS]. / EFECTOS DE LA INGESTA VOLUNTARIA DE LÍQUIDOS (AGUA Y BEBIDA DEPORTIVA) EN CORREDORES POR MONTAÑA AMATEURS.

INTRODUCTION: 21 K and 1 000 m ascent trail-running races can be dangerous if an appropriate liquid replacement isn't maintained. OBJECTIVES: know trail-runners level of dehydration and assess the differences between ad libitum water (CcA) and sport drink (CcB) hydration after a trail running race. METHODS: 18 subjects, mean age 31.9 (±2.8) and %MG 10.53 (±2.8), completed CcA or CcB. CcA and CcB effects on Weight (P), Fat Mass (MG), Glucose (GL), Lactate (LT), Systolic (TAS) and Diastolic Arterial Tension (TAD), Heart Rate (PPM) and Tympanic Temperature (Tª) were assessed. All measurements were taken at the start (T1) and the finish (T2) of each race. A Friedman ANOVA test was used to calculate the effect of CcA and CcB on each variable. Differences between race time (TC), % bodyweight loss (%PP) and liquid ingestion (LI) were assessed with a Wilcoxon test. All statistical analysis were conducted with SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, Somers, NY, USA). RESULTS: mean %PP was 2.967 (± 0.969) and 2.883 (± 0.730) for CcA and CcB respectively. No significant differences were found between %PP and LI (p > .05) between races. Significant changes were found in P, %MG, GL, L, TAS and PPM between T1 and T2 in CcA condition. While only significant changes in P and PPM were stabilised between T1 and T2 in CcB condition. CONCLUSIONS: neither water or sport drink ingestion avoid trail-runners to reach a dehydrated state. However, dehydration effects seems to be more serious when only water is ingested.

Introducción: las carreras por montaña de 21 km y 1.000 metros de desnivel pueden suponer un riesgo si no se mantiene una adecuada reposición hídrica. Objetivo: conocer los niveles de deshidratación y evaluar las diferencias entre una carrera con ingesta voluntaria de agua (CcA) y bebida deportiva (CcB). Método: 18 sujetos de 31,9 (±2,8) años y %MG 10,53 (±2,8), completaron una CcA o una CcB. Se evaluó el efecto de CcA y CcB sobre cada variable; Peso (P), Masa Grasa (MG), Glucosa (GL), Lactato (LT), Tensión Arterial Sistólica (TAS) y Diastólica (TAD), Pulsaciones por Minuto (PPM) y Temperatura Timpánica (Tª). Estas fueron tomadas al inicio (T1) y al final (T2) de cada prueba. Los efectos se calcularon con la ANOVA Friedman. Las diferencias en las variables tiempo de carrera (TC), % de pérdida de peso (%PP) y líquido ingerido (LI) se evaluaron con la prueba de Wilcoxon. Todos los cálculos se realizaron con el SPSS versión 20.0 (IBM, Somers, NY, USA). Resultado: el % PP fue de 2,967 (± 0,969) y 2,883 (± 0,730), para CcA y CcB. En TC, %PP y LI no hay diferencias (p > .05) entre carreras. Para CcA en función del tiempo, son significativos (p < .05) los cambios en: P, %MG, GL, L, TAS y PPM. Para CcB en función del tiempo, solo son significativos en P y PPM. Conclusiones: ningún líquido consigue evitar que los deportistas se deshidraten. No obstante, los efectos de la deshidratación son mucho más severos ingiriendo solo agua.

Efectos de la ingesta voluntaria de líquidos (agua y bebida deportiva) en corredores por montaña amateurs / Effects of voluntary intake of fluids (water and sports drink) in amateur mountain runners

Introducción: las carreras por montaña de 21 km y 1.000 metros de desnivel pueden suponer un riesgo si no se mantiene una adecuada reposición hídrica. Objetivo: conocer los niveles de deshidratación y evaluar las diferencias entre una carrera con ingesta voluntaria de agua (CcA) y bebida deportiva (CcB). Método: 18 sujetos de 31,9 (±2,8) años y %MG 10,53 (±2,8), completaron una CcA o una CcB. Se evaluó el efecto de CcA y CcB sobre cada variable; Peso (P), Masa Grasa (MG), Glucosa (GL), Lactato (LT), Tensión Arterial Sistólica (TAS) y Diastólica (TAD), Pulsaciones por Minuto (PPM) y Temperatura Timpánica (Tª). Estas fueron tomadas al inicio (T1) y al final (T2) de cada prueba. Los efectos se calcularon con la ANOVA Friedman. Las diferencias en las variables tiempo de carrera (TC), % de pérdida de peso (%PP) y líquido ingerido (LI) se evaluaron con la prueba de Wilcoxon. Todos los cálculos se realizaron con el SPSS versión 20.0 (IBM, Somers, NY, USA). Resultado: el % PP fue de 2,967 (± 0,969) y 2,883 (± 0,730), para CcA y CcB. En TC, %PP y LI no hay diferencias (p > .05) entre carreras. Para CcA en función del tiempo, son significativos (p < .05) los cambios en: P, %MG, GL, L, TAS y PPM. Para CcB en función del tiempo, solo son significativos en P y PPM. Conclusiones: ningún líquido consigue evitar que los deportistas se deshidraten. No obstante, los efectos de la deshidratación son mucho más severos ingiriendo solo agua (AU)

Introduction: 21 K and 1 000 m ascent trail-running races can be dangerous if an appropriate liquid replacement isn’t maintained. Objectives: know trail-runners level of dehydration and assess the differences between ad libitum water (CcA) and sport drink (CcB) hydration after a trail running race. Methods: 18 subjects, mean age 31.9 (±2.8) and %MG 10.53 (±2.8), completed CcA or CcB. CcA and CcB effects on Weight (P), Fat Mass (MG), Glucose (GL), Lactate (LT), Systolic (TAS) and Diastolic Arterial Tension (TAD), Heart Rate (PPM) and Tympanic Temperature (Tª) were assessed. All measurements were taken at the start (T1) and the finish (T2) of each race. A Friedman ANOVA test was used to calculate the effect of CcA and CcB on each variable. Differences between race time (TC), % bodyweight loss (%PP) and liquid ingestion (LI) were assessed with a Wilcoxon test. All statistical analysis were conducted with SPSS version 20.0 (IBM, Somers, NY, USA). Results: mean %PP was 2.967 (± 0.969) and 2.883 (± 0.730) for CcA and CcB respectively. No significant differences were found between %PP and LI (p > .05) between races. Significant changes were found in P, %MG, GL, L, TAS and PPM between T1 and T2 in CcA condition. While only significant changes in P and PPM were stabilised between T1 and T2 in CcB condition. Conclusions: neither water or sport drink ingestion avoid trail-runners to reach a dehydrated state. However, dehydration effects seems to be more serious when only water is ingested (AU)

A prospective analysis of the association between macronutrient intake and renal cell carcinoma in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition.

Previous case-control studies have suggested that a high intake of animal foods and its associated nutrients are associated with an increased risk of renal cell carcinoma, although data from prospective studies are limited. We report here on the relationship between macronutrient intake and renal cell carcinoma incidence among 435,293 participants enrolled in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition. Cox proportional hazard models were used to examine the association of dietary intake of fat, protein, carbohydrate, fiber and cholesterol and risk of renal cell carcinoma adjusted for age, sex, center, height, body mass index, physical activity, education, smoking, menopausal status, alcohol and energy intake. During an average 8.8 years of follow-up, 507 renal cell carcinoma cases occurred. Risk of renal cell carcinoma was not associated with macronutrient intake, including nutrients derived from animal sources. Our results indicate that macronutrient intake is not associated with risk of renal cell carcinoma in this cohort of European men and women.