Oxidative stress in elite athletes training at moderate altitude and at sea level.

Using a controlled parallel group longitudinal trial design, we investigated the effects of different training interventions on the prooxidant/antioxidant status of elite athletes: living and training at moderate altitude for 3 (Hi-Hi3) and 4 weeks (Hi-Hi), and for 4 weeks too, living high and training high and low (Hi-HiLo) and living and training at sea level (Lo-Lo). From 61 swimmers, 54 completed the study. Nitrites, carbonyls, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were assessed in plasma. Enzymatic antioxidants glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRd), and non-enzymatic antioxidants total glutathione (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were analysed in the erythrocyte fraction. At the end of the intervention, nitrites levels were similar in all altitude groups but higher than in the Lo-Lo controls (P = .02). Hi-HiLo had greater GPx activity than Hi-Hi and Hi-Hi3 during most of the intervention (P ≤ .001). GRd activity was higher in Lo-Lo than in Hi-Hi at the end of the training camp (P ≤ .001). All groups showed increased levels of LPO, except Lo-Lo, and carbonyls at the end of the study (P ≤ .001). Training at altitude for 3 or 4 weeks drives oxidative stress leading to cellular damage mainly by worsening the antioxidant capacities. The GSSG/GSH ratio appears to be related to perceived exertion and fatigue. The stronger antioxidant defence showed by the Hi-HiLo group suggests an inverse relationship between redox alterations and performance. Further studies are required to investigate the role of oxidative stress in acclimatization, performance, and health.

Pruebas de esfuerzo en medicina del deporte. Documento de consenso de la Sociedad Española de Medicina del Deporte (SEMED-FEMEDE) / Stress tests in sports medicine. Consensus document of the Spanish Society of Sports Medicine (SEMED-FEMEDE)

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Altitude Training in Elite Swimmers for Sea Level Performance (Altitude Project).

INTRODUCTION: This controlled, nonrandomized, parallel-groups trial investigated the effects on performance, V˙O2 and hemoglobin mass (tHbmass) of four preparatory in-season training interventions: living and training at moderate altitude for 3 and 4 wk (Hi-Hi3, Hi-Hi), living high and training high and low (Hi-HiLo, 4 wk), and living and training at sea level (SL) (Lo-Lo, 4 wk). METHODS: From 61 elite swimmers, 54 met all inclusion criteria and completed time trials over 50- and 400-m crawl (TT50, TT400), and 100 (sprinters) or 200 m (nonsprinters) at best stroke (TT100/TT200). Maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) and HR were measured with an incremental 4 × 200 m test. Training load was estimated using cumulative training impulse method and session RPE. Initial measures (PRE) were repeated immediately (POST) and once weekly on return to SL (PostW1 to PostW4). tHbmass was measured in duplicate at PRE and once weekly during the camp with CO rebreathing. Effects were analyzed using mixed linear modeling. RESULTS: TT100 or TT200 was worse or unchanged immediately at POST, but improved by approximately 3.5% regardless of living or training at SL or altitude after at least 1 wk of SL recovery. Hi-HiLo achieved greater improvement 2 (5.3%) and 4 wk (6.3%) after the camp. Hi-HiLo also improved more in TT400 and TT50 2 (4.2% and 5.2%, respectively) and 4 wk (4.7% and 5.5%) from return. This performance improvement was not linked linearly to changes in V˙O2max or tHbmass. CONCLUSIONS: A well-implemented 3- or 4-wk training camp may impair performance immediately but clearly improves performance even in elite swimmers after a period of SL recovery. Hi-HiLo for 4 wk improves performance in swimming above and beyond altitude and SL controls through complex mechanisms involving altitude living and SL training effects.

Effect of acute exposure to moderate altitude on muscle power: hypobaric hypoxia vs. normobaric hypoxia.

When ascending to a higher altitude, changes in air density and oxygen levels affect the way in which explosive actions are executed. This study was designed to compare the effects of acute exposure to real or simulated moderate hypoxia on the dynamics of the force-velocity relationship observed in bench press exercise. Twenty-eight combat sports athletes were assigned to two groups and assessed on two separate occasions: G1 (n = 17) in conditions of normoxia (N1) and hypobaric hypoxia (HH) and G2 (n = 11) in conditions of normoxia (N2) and normobaric hypoxia (NH). Individual and complete force-velocity relationships in bench press were determined on each assessment day. For each exercise repetition, we obtained the mean and peak velocity and power shown by the athletes. Maximum power (Pmax) was recorded as the highest P(mean) obtained across the complete force-velocity curve. Our findings indicate a significantly higher absolute load linked to P(max) (∼ 3%) and maximal strength (1 RM) (∼ 6%) in G1 attributable to the climb to altitude (P<0.05). We also observed a stimulating effect of natural hypoxia on P(mean) and P(peak) in the middle-high part of the curve (≥ 60 kg; P<0.01) and a 7.8% mean increase in barbell displacement velocity (P<0.001). No changes in any of the variables examined were observed in G2. According to these data, we can state that acute exposure to natural moderate altitude as opposed to simulated normobaric hypoxia leads to gains in 1 RM, movement velocity and power during the execution of a force-velocity curve in bench press.

Elite swimmers with unilateral shoulder pain demonstrate altered pattern of cervical muscle activation during a functional upper-limb task.

STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional cohort study. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the differences in the level of activation of neck-shoulder muscles between elite swimmers with and without shoulder pain during a functional upper-limb task. BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported altered motor control of the neck-shoulder muscles in patients with chronic neck-shoulder pain. Whether the activation of neck-shoulder muscles is altered among elite swimmers who have shoulder pain is unknown. METHODS: Surface electromyography from the sternocleidomastoid, upper trapezius, and anterior scalene (SCL) muscles was recorded bilaterally in 17 elite swimmers (9 men, 8 women; mean ± SD age, 21 ± 3 years) with unilateral shoulder pain, and 17 age- and sex-matched elite swimmers without pain. Root-mean-square values were calculated and normalized to assess the level of muscular activation 5 seconds before, 120 seconds into, 150 seconds into, and 10 seconds after a functional upper-limb task. RESULTS: The data revealed significant differences between groups for the root-mean-square of both SCL muscles (F = 3.733, P = .016) but not for the sternocleidomastoid and upper trapezius muscles. Swimmers with shoulder pain had higher normalized root-mean-square values in both SCL muscles at 120 seconds (78% on average) and 150 seconds (86% on average) into the task and at 10 seconds after the task (40% on average), as compared with swimmers without shoulder pain (P<.05). CONCLUSION: The elite swimmers with shoulder pain demonstrated greater activation of the SCL muscles during a functional task and a lower ability to relax the SCL muscles after completion of the task than elite swimmers without shoulder pain. The present findings suggest an altered pattern of cervical muscle activation in elite swimmers with shoulder pain during performance of a functional task.

El ascenso a una altura moderada mejora la capacidad de producción de fuerza / Ascent to moderate altitude improves force production

El objeto de este trabajo es analizar el efecto del ascenso súbito a una altura moderada sobre la mecánica muscular en distintos niveles de sobrecarga. Para ello, 5 varones deportistas, participaron en este estudio. Utilizando el ejercicio de sentadilla a 900 con barra libre, los participantes ejecutaron una curva de fuerza-velocidad, a partir de la cual se determinó la potencia máxima con un dinamómetro electrónico. En una jornada diferente se realizó una sesión de entrenamiento de fuerza con el método de 10x10, con elmismoejercicio y con la carga asociada a la potencia máxima.Ambos test se ejecutaron en condiciones de normoxia(N) (690m) y de hipoxia (H) súbita moderada(232Om).La potencia desarrollada, la velocidad de desplazamientode la sobrecarga y la percepción de esfuerzo diferenciadafueron registradas. La potencia máxima alcanzaday la carga a la que se obtuvo fueron significativamentesuperiores en H que en N(9l6,64+/-146,14 vs 823,85+/-118,38W y 110,00+/-12,24104,00+/-11,40Kg respectivamente)(p<0,05). La sesión de fuerza no mostró un efecto significativo de la hipoxia en las variables analizadas, a excepción de la percepción de esfuerzo local, la cual se mostró significativamente reducida en altitud (12,98+/-0,44 vs 11,54+/-0,46 para N e H respectivamente)(p<0,05). Por tanto, sobre la base de los resultados obtenidos y, siendo conscientes de las limitaciones ocasionadas por el tamaño de la muestra empleada, podemos concluir que la exposición a una altura moderada parece mejorar la potencia máxima y la carga a la que se localizaron respecto a la generada a nivel del mar. Tanto la hipoxia, como los cambios en la densidad del aire generados con el ascenso, podrían favorecer el reclutamiento selectivo de fibras de perfil mono-funcional anaeróbico en acciones muscularesde corta duración, justificando éste resultado. La fatigagenerada por la acumulación de repeticiones en lasesión podría enmascarar el efecto "facilitador" de la altura en la aplicación de fuerza a gran velocidad, pudiendo ser necesario en tales casos, acortar el volumen de las series

The aim of this study is to analyze the effect of acute ascent to moderate altitude on muscular mechanisms using different levels of resistance. Five healthy athletes participated in this study. Using back squat 90º flexion with free weights, participants executed a force-velocity curve to determine maximum power. On a different day a strength workout (10xl0) was performed with the same exercise using a maximum power load. Both tests were carried out in normoxia (690m) as well as in hypoxia (2320m). Power, speed and the diferenciated Ratings of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were recorded. Maximum power and the maximum power load, were significantly higher in hypoxia than innormoxia (916.64+/-146.14 vs 823.85+/-118.38 W and 110.00+/-12.24 vs 104.00+/-11.40 Kg respectively) (p<0.05).The variables analyzed in the strength workout didn't show any significant difference between normoxia and hypoxia, with the exception of fue local RPE which was reduced in hypoxic conditions (12.98+/-0.44 vs 11.54+/-0.46)( p<0.05). Therefore, based on fuese results, and taking into consideration the limits of the sample size, we can conclude that exposure to moderate alititude seems to improve maximum power and the maximum power load with respect to sea level. Hypoxia, as well as the changes in air density with ascent to a higher altitude, favour the selective recruitment of anaerobic morfo-functional fibers in short muscular action, justifying this result. The fatigue generated after repetitions in the workout could mask the "facilitator" effect of altitude in the application of strength in high speed movements. In fuese cases it could be necessary to reduce the number of sets