Impact of a short-term nitrate and citrulline co-supplementation on sport performance in elite rowers: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial.

PURPOSE: Citrulline (CIT) and beetroot extract (BR) have separately shown benefits in rowing performance-related outcomes. However, effects of combined supplementation remain to be elucidated. The main purpose of this research was to study the effects of 1 week of daily co-supplementation of 3.5 g BR (500 mg NO3-) plus 6 g CIT on aerobic performance, maximal strength, and high-intensity power and peak stroke in elite male rowers compared to a placebo and to a BR supplementation. METHODS: 20 elite rowers participated in this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover trial completing 1 week of supplementation in each group of study: Placebo group (PLAG); BR group (BRG); and BR + CIT group (BR-CITG). 3 main physical tests were performed: aerobic performance, Wingate test and CMJ jump, and metabolic biomarkers and physiological outcomes were collected. RESULTS: The Wingate all-out test showed no between-condition differences in peak power, mean power, relative power, or fatigue index (P > 0.05), but clearance of lactate was better in BR-CITG (P < 0.05). In the performance test, peak power differed only between PLAG and BR-CITG (P = 0.036), while VO2peak and maximum heart rate remained similar. CMJ jumping test results showed no between-condition differences, and blood samples were consistent (P > 0.200). CONCLUSION: Supplementation with 3.5 g of BR extract plus 6 g of CIT for 7 days improved lactate clearance after Wingate test and peak power in a performance test. No further improvements were found, suggesting longer period of supplementation might be needed to show greater benefits.

Are Supplements Consumed by Middle-Distance Runners Evidence-Based? A Comparative Study between Level of Competition and Sex.

BACKGROUND: Middle-distance running events have special physiological requirements from a training and competition point of view. Therefore, many athletes choose to take sport supplements (SS) for different reasons. To date, few studies have been carried out that review supplementation patterns in middle-distance running. The aim of the present study is to analyze the consumption of SS in these runners with respect to their level of competition, sex and level of scientific evidence. METHODS: In this descriptive cross-sectional study, data was collected from 106 middle-distance runners using a validated questionnaire. RESULTS: Of the total sample, 85.85% responded that they consumed SS; no statistical difference was found regarding the level of competition or sex of the athletes. With respect to the level of competition, differences were observed in the total consumption of SS (p = 0.012), as well as in that of medical supplements (p = 0.005). Differences were observed between sexes in the consumption of medical supplements (p = 0.002) and group C supplements (p = 0.029). CONCLUSIONS: Higher-level athletes consume SS that have greater scientific evidence. On the other hand, although the most commonly consumed SS have evidence for the performance or health of middle-distance runners, runners should improve both their sources of information and their places of purchase.

Creatine Supplementation and Resistance Training in Patients With Breast Cancer (CaRTiC Study): Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Creatine supplementation is an effective ergogenic nutrient for athletes, as well as for people starting a health or fitness program. Resistance training has previously been identified as an important method of increasing muscle mass and strength, especially in people with cancer to avoid sarcopenia. The potential of creatine supplementation for adaptations produced by resistance training in patients with cancer is still unknown. The primary aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of a supervised resistance training program intervention with and without creatine supplementation in patients with breast cancer. METHODS: Is a multicentre, randomized, blind, placebo-controlled study. Patients will be randomly assigned to a control group and 2 experimental groups. The first training resistance group (RG) will perform resistance training, while the second experimental resistance-creatine group will perform the same resistance training as the RG and will also receive a 5 g/d creatine supplementation during the intervention. RG participants will follow the same daily dosing protocol, but in their case, with dextrose/maltodextrin. Resistance training will be a 16-week supervised workout that will consist of a series of resistance exercises (leg press, knee extension, knee bends, chest press, sit-ups, back extensions, pull-ups, and shoulder press) that involve the largest muscle groups, performed 3 times a week on nonconsecutive days. Both the RG and the resistance-creatine group will receive a supplement of soluble protein powder (20 to 30 g) daily. CONCLUSIONS: This intervention will help to better understand the potential of nonpharmacological treatment for improving strength and well-being values in patients with breast cancer with and without creatine supplementation.

Association between Phase Angle and Subjective Perceptions of Health Variables in Cancer Patients.

The phase angle, an increasingly studied healthcare tool, was studied to explore its relationship with psychological factors in cancer patients. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the phase angle (PhA), obtained by the bioimpedance analysis of body composition, and psychological factors measured by questionnaire in cancer patients. The study included 311 patients who underwent bioimpedance testing to determine their PhA value; their psychological profiles were assessed using SF-36, FACIT, QLQ-C30, and GHQ-12 questionnaires. Mixed linear regression models were used to analyze the relationship between PhA and the psychological tests. The results showed a statistical correlation between PhA and the GHQ-12, FACIT, and SF-36 questionnaires, with higher PhA values associated with better results on the questionnaires. In the QLQ-C30 questionnaire, a correlation was observed between PhA and the functioning scales (p < 0.001), except for emotional and cognitive functioning (p = 0.148 and p = 0.544, respectively), but not in most of the symptom scales. The PhA is a useful tool for assessing the subjective health perception of cancer patients, especially with regard to psychological factors. While there is a statistically significant correlation, further research is required before confidently applying it in clinical practice. The current predictive value of this predictor for certain psychological aspects is limited, underscoring the need for additional research.

Barriers to Physical Activity for Women with Physical Disabilities: A Systematic Review.

Physical activity is essential for women with physical disabilities. This review aims to identify the barriers they face in practicing sport. A systematic review was conducted using the PubMed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases in January 2023, with an update in March 2023. The eligibility criteria used for inclusion were as follows. (i) Women with physical disabilities; (ii) women who engage in or want to engage in physical activities and/or sport, both adapted and non-adapted; (iii) identification of women's barriers to such practice; (iv) research articles; and (v) papers written in English and published in peer-reviewed journals. The exclusion were as follows. (i) Women with illness, injury or transient physical activity difficulties; (ii) mention of rehabilitative physical activity; and (iii) results showing no differentiation in barrier types by gender. This review identified different barriers, grouped into eight types according to the differentiating factor, thus showing that disable people's participation in physical activity is directly related to some specific barriers which seem to differ according to their gender. Therefore, the success of participation in physical activities depends not only on the user's concern, but also on an inclusive social environment.

The level of kinesiophobia in breast cancer women undergoing surgical treatment.

Introduction: Lifestyle-associated factors like physical activity (PA) play an important role in cancer prevention and oncology treatment outcomes. The aim of the study is to investigate the level of kinesiophobia (fear of movement) in breast cancer (BC) patients undergoing surgical treatment depending on socio-demographic variables, lifestyle before cancer diagnosis, stage and type of BC and comorbidities. Methods: We interviewed 285 women (132 patients from Greater Poland Cancer Center - age: 55.7 ± 12.4; BMI: 26.7 ± 4.7 and 153 healthy women from control group - age: 49.0 ± 15.7; BMI: 25.7 ± 4.0) using Polish adaptation of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia (TSK). Results: Research results show that women with BC suffer from kinesiophobia (>37 points) signi!cantly. Approximately 3/4 of the surveyed women with BC did not know the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations regarding the weekly dose of PA for healthy people and for people with cancer. Before cancer diagnosis more than a half of women (60%) performed PA in accordance with WHO recommendations. 7% less women performed PA during oncology treatment. Almost a half of patients are not physically active during cancer treatment and 1/5 of the respondents declared that they do not know yet if they will be physically active after oncology treatment. The level of kinesiophobia in BC women with comorbidities was the same as in the group of BC women without comorbidities. However, the highest levels of fear of movement have been observed among women with BC suffering also from osteoporosis, obesity and diabetes. In general, higher levels of kinesiophobia were reported among women in less advanced stages of the disease. There were no differences in the level of kinesiophobia depending on the type of BC (hormonally dependent luminal cancers vs. other types). The level of kinesiophobia did not differ between women who were physically active before BC diagnosis and women who were not. In terms of socio- demographic variables, we found one direct association between the level of kinesiophobia (pain) with age - the greater age, the higher level of pain kinesiophobia. Discussion: Research on fear of movement in female oncology requires further research (including also chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy and hormonal therapy) and in order to effectively eliminate hypokinetic attitudes at every stage of cancer treatment.

The Role of Social Media in Internalizing Body Knowledge-A Cross-Sectional Study among Women with Different Food Preferences.

Virtual spaces, such as social media, give people a platform to exchange their opinions, experiences, and knowledge. Social media's ubiquitous usefulness has led to people relying, in whole or in part, on the information they learn online. As a result, a person's perception of his or her own body and their self-worth has started to be influenced by what other people think of them and by the information found on social media. Modern people's lifestyle, particularly their eating habits and exercise habits, exhibits a similar tendency. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationships occurring between factors related to the use and internalization of body image knowledge contained in social media and the factors shaping self-assessment and self-esteem in women following a vegetarian diet. An authority-validated questionnaire was used to determine the level of use and attitudes of respondents toward social media, e.g., SATAQ and BES. Associations about the potential negative impacts of the knowledge provided by social media on the development of body image and self-esteem were shown. It is interesting to observe that women who practice vegetarianism have less pressure on their appearance. This may be because vegetarianism is a lifestyle that is currently actively promoted online. Education is required on the connection between the use and internalization of social media knowledge and the development of healthy self-esteem and body evaluation.

Association between PhA and Physical Performance Variables in Cancer Patients.

Maintaining the physical performance of cancer patients is increasingly considered due to the growing number of cancer patients and the aggressiveness of the treatments. For this reason, bioimpedance is now being used to record patients' body composition by obtaining the phase angle (PhA). Although there is a direct relationship between PhA, age, sex and disease prognosis, it has not been measured as an analysis of physical performance in oncology patients and is a valid tool in the follow-up of cancer patients. For this purpose, 311 patients were evaluated, and both bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and physical performance measurements were performed. The modification of the results concerning PhA was found to be highly relational, as a variation in one of the variables affected the other. It was concluded that each degree increase in PhA modified -22.57 s [-27.58; -17.53] in 400-m walking test (400 mWT); 13.25 kg [10.13; 16.35] in upper-body strength (UBS); 6.3 [4.95; 7.65] in lower-body strength (LBS); 1.55 mL/kg/min [0.98; 2.12] in VO2peak; 6.53 Watts [3.83; 9.20] in ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1); 10.36 Watts [7.02; 13.64] in ventilatory threshold 2 (VT2). It was also noted that age was a factor that affected the relationship between PhA and 400 mWT; the older the age, the higher the relationship. PhA data has been shown to be highly correlated with physical performance. This is of great importance in clinical practice because a cancer patient's physical performance levels can be assessed during treatment.

Physiological and mental health changes in cancer patients during the COVID-19 state of emergency.

Backgrounds: Due to the COVID-19 pandemic that we are currently facing, many governments across the world have declared a state of emergency and even confinements. This stressful situation, in addition to prolonged stays at home, may imply a radical change in lifestyle behavior and physical activity (PA). The aim of this study is to evaluate the physiological and psychological effects in cancer patients who changed their PA habits during the COVID-19 state of emergency in Spain. Methods: Thirty-three participants were evaluated pre- and post-state of emergency. A series of questionnaires was used to assess cancer-specific quality of life. Results: The most relevant results revealed significantly lower walking time (p < 0.001) and sitting time (p = 0.014). Upper and lower body strength also decreased significantly (p = 0.009 and 0.012, respectively) and oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) (p = 0.023). None of the parameters analysed showed significant differences for psychological aspects (QLQ-C-30 and SF-36) and body composition. Conclusion: Lower physical activity leads to negative physiological adaptation, particularly affecting cardiovascular and strength levels. While it is important to maintain the general population's amount and intensity of exercise, this particularly vulnerable group's physical capacity is vital to their health and well-being.

Relationship of Training Factors and Resilience with Injuries in Ski Mountaineers.

Ski mountaineering is an increasingly popular sport with a relatively high risk of injury. Therefore, several studies have analyzed factors related to the likelihood of injury, including athlete characteristics, training, resilience and equipment. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify factors that may influence injury risk. A 15-minute online survey was sent to various ski mountaineering groups of different ages and levels. Both the Mann-Whitney U test and odds ratio analysis were performed in order to analyze the data. Results from 104 skiers showed that most injuries occurred in the lower extremities, especially in the knee (29.6%). The findings indicated that skiers who had suffered an injury performed in more competitions per year (p = 0.046), more ski mountaineering sessions per week (p = 0.022) and fewer core training sessions per week (0.029), although core training and competition were not statistically significant factors. Likewise, non-injured athletes had fewer pairs of skis (p = 0.019), which were also wider (p = 0.04). However, no difference was found for warm up and resilience between both groups (p = 0.275). In conclusion, it is important to implement preventive measures based on these factors, even if more research is needed.

Polish Adaptation of the Modified Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia for Fatigue (TSK-F) and the Revision of the Tampa Scale in Terms of Pain for Cancer Patients.

The aim of this study was to create a Polish adaptation of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia considering fatigue, and to verify the usefulness of the scale in the context of pain in cancer patients. The study was conducted at the Breast Cancer Unit, operating at the Greater Poland Cancer Centre, and at the Poznan Centre for Specialist Medical Services in Poznan. After considering the exclusion criteria, 100 people qualified for the interviews for the final study: 50 breast cancer patients and 50 healthy respondents (without cancer). Statistical analysis of the CFA score showed that the chi-square test was not significant (χ2 = 10.243, p = 0.332), indicating an acceptable fit of items across scales. The reliability of the internal consistency of the scales was tested by examining the Cronbach's alpha scores for each question/statement. The mean values for this indicator were 0.74 for the pain-related scale and 0.84 for the fatigue-related scale. Construct validity was confirmed for the scales; AVE for the pain-related scale was 0.64 and for the fatigue-related scale was 0.68. The results suggest the validity of examining kinesiophobia in the context of pain- and fatigue-related mobility anxiety among breast cancer patients in Poland, and that the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia can be adapted for different dimensions of the condition. Both versions of the scale demonstrated adequately prepared parametric constructs, and all correlations showed a statistically significant relationship (p < 0.05). The use of the Tampa Scale of Kinesiophobia in oncology patient studies in Poland may ultimately improve rehabilitation programs and enable the development of strategies to assist patients in supporting treatment to reduce movement anxiety.

Effects of Citrulline Supplementation on Different Aerobic Exercise Performance Outcomes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Supplementation with Citrulline (Cit) has been shown to have a positive impact on aerobic exercise performance and related outcomes such as lactate, oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics, and the rate of perceived exertion (RPE), probably due to its relationship to endogenous nitric oxide production. However, current research has shown this to be controversial. The main objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to analyze and assess the effects of Cit supplementation on aerobic exercise performance and related outcomes, as well as to show the most suitable doses and timing of ingestion. A structured literature search was carried out by the PRISMA® (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and PICOS guidelines in the following databases: Pubmed/Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science (WOS). A total of 10 studies were included in the analysis, all of which exclusively compared the effects of Cit supplementation with those of a placebo group on aerobic performance, lactate, VO2, and the RPE. Those articles that used other supplements and measured other outcomes were excluded. The meta-analysis was carried out using Hedges' g random effects model and pooled standardized mean differences (SMD). The results showed no positive effects of Cit supplementation on aerobic performance (pooled SMD = 0.15; 95% CI (-0.02 to 0.32); I2, 0%; p = 0.08), the RPE (pooled SMD = -0.03; 95% CI (-0.43 to 0.38); I2, 49%; p = 0.9), VO2 kinetics (pooled SMD = 0.01; 95% CI (-0.16 to 0.17); I2, 0%; p = 0.94), and lactate (pooled SMD = 0.25; 95% CI (-0.10 to 0.59); I2, 0%; p = 0.16). In conclusion, Cit supplementation did not prove to have any benefits for aerobic exercise performance and related outcomes. Where chronic protocols seemed to show a positive tendency, more studies in the field are needed to better understand the effects.

Effects of Strength Training on Cross-Country Skiing Performance: A Systematic Review.

Traditionally, cross-country skiing has been known for having a strong endurance component; however, strength demands have significantly increased in recent years. Given this importance, several studies have assessed the effects of strength training in cross-country skiing. Therefore, the aim of this systematic review was to analyze the results of those studies. A detailed search of four databases (Pubmed, Scopus, Web of Science and Cochrane Library) was conducted until February 2022, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Ten eligible studies were selected from the 212 records identified, all of them including young well-trained skiers and interventions of 6-12 weeks. Results showed that maximal strength training may improve some important variables: for instance, performance, double-poling economy and maximal strength. However, this type of training failed to change other indicators such as peak oxygen consumption. Concurrent training, which combines endurance and maximal strength training, seems to be effective to improve performance. The mechanisms responsible for the improved economy of double poling might be due to a lower percentage of maximal strength during double poling at a given workload, which could increase performance. Future studies should include longer interventions which analyze a more varied sample.

Analysis of Physical Demands in Four Tug of War World Indoor Championships (2010-2016).

Background: Tug-of-war (TOW) is one of the oldest sports in current existence and is an internationally played activity that includes professional and amateur sport athletes, played according to the rules laid out by the Tug of War International Federation (TWIF). In this type of competition, the two teams of eight members each pull against one another on a rope. The team that pulls the opposing team towards a centerline for a distance of 4 m in two pulls out of three is considered the winning team in an international competition. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous scientific articles have described data during a follow-up period of Championships in TOW. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to analyze the duration of the matches, differentiating between the first (T1) and second pull (T2) of each match. Methods: The pulls were compared in the qualification point phase and the final phase, as well as in each weight category. In addition, any differences between the statistics for each of the four World Championships studied were analyzed. Finally, the total volume of pulls in each weight category was studied, both in the open club competition and in the national team competition. Data were collected from four World Indoor Championships (2010−2016). A total of 1862 matches were registered (3724 pulls), differentiating the first (T1) and second (T2) pull. The data were expressed as means (M) ± standard deviations (SD). Results: (1) The second pull is shorter than the first: T1 < T2, p < 0.001, (Es = 0.452; small effect); (2) T1 and T2 times were longer in the final phase than the qualifying phase: T1 phase2 > T1 phase1, p < 0.05 (ES = 0.469; small effect) and T2 phase2 > T2 phase1, (p < 0.05), (ES = 0.486; small effect); (3) there are statistical differences (p < 0.005) in T1 and T2 at all weights, except for T1 at 500 kg and T2 at 640 kg; (4) the comparison among World Championships does not present significant changes in the duration of the pulls; (5) however, in females, significant differences (p < 0.05) between the 2010 World Championships and the remainder in T1 are observed; (6) the volumes that we should take into account when designing the preparation should be those obtained when 11 teams compete against each other, considering the maximum volume that we could find in the competition. Conclusion: This first aspect of the reality of TOW indoor competitions, specifically the duration of the matches, leads to a better understanding of the demands of the sport and the type of effort required. These ideas may help coaches in the design of training plans, maximizing their specificity and their effectiveness.

Putative Role of MCT1 rs1049434 Polymorphism in High-Intensity Endurance Performance: Concept and Basis to Understand Possible Individualization Stimulus.

Monocarboxylate transporters (MCTs) have been proposed as important mediators of the exchange between lactate (La-) producer and La- recipient (consumer) cells. Previous studies have suggested that the MCT1 A1470T genotype could be related to different physical performance phenotypes. This study followed the guidelines for Strengthening the Reporting of Genetic Association Studies (STREGA) and aimed to evaluate the distribution of the MCT1 polymorphism rs1049434 in endurance-trained athletes compared to the untrained population. Moreover, this study explored the potential influence of the polymorphism alleles phenotypes on high-intensity exercise performance. In a cross-sectional study fashion, a total of 85 triathletes from northern Spain were genotyped for MCT1 rs1049434 and compared to a control group of 107 healthy male participants (1000 Genomes Research Study for Iberian Populations in Spain). All athletes performed a 30 s Wingate all-out test (WAnT) on a cycle ergometer. Peak and mean power (absolute and relative) were measured. After verification of the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, the findings indicated that the MCT1 TT genotype was overrepresented in triathletes in comparison to the genotypic frequency of the general Spanish population. No significant associations were found between any MCT1 genotype and peak or mean power performance in the WAnT. Further studies are required to understand the relationship among MCT1 A1470T polymorphism, endurance-trained athletes, and high-intensity performance.

Relationship of Carbohydrate Intake during a Single-Stage One-Day Ultra-Trail Race with Fatigue Outcomes and Gastrointestinal Problems: A Systematic Review.

Due to the high metabolic and physical demands in single-stage one-day ultra-trail (SOUT) races, athletes should be properly prepared in both physical and nutritional aspects in order to delay fatigue and avoid associated difficulties. However, high carbohydrate (CHO) intake would seem to increase gastrointestinal (GI) problems. The main purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate CHO intake during SOUT events as well as its relationship with fatigue (in terms of internal exercise load, exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD) and post-exercise recovery) and GI problems. A structured search was carried out in accordance with PRISMA guidelines in the following: Web of Science, Cochrane Library and Scopus databases up to 16 March 2021. After conducting the search and applying the inclusion/exclusion criteria, eight articles in total were included in this systematic review, in all of which CHO intake involved gels, energy bars and sports drinks. Two studies associated higher CHO consumption (120 g/h) with an improvement in internal exercise load. Likewise, these studies observed that SOUT runners whose intake was 120 g/h could benefit by limiting the EIMD observed by CK (creatine kinase), LDH (lactate dehydrogenase) and GOT (aspartate aminotransferase), and also improve recovery of high intensity running capacity 24 h after a trail marathon. In six studies, athletes had GI symptoms between 65-82%. In summary, most of the runners did not meet CHO intake standard recommendations for SOUT events (90 g/h), while athletes who consumed more CHO experienced a reduction in internal exercise load, limited EIMD and improvement in post-exercise recovery. Conversely, the GI symptoms were recurrent in SOUT athletes depending on altitude, environmental conditions and running speed. Therefore, a high CHO intake during SOUT events is important to delay fatigue and avoid GI complications, and to ensure high intake, it is necessary to implement intestinal training protocols.

Relationship Between Training Factors and Injuries in Stand-Up Paddleboarding Athletes.

Stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) is an increasingly popular sport but, as in other sports, there is an injury ratio associated with practicing it. In other types of sport, some factors have been linked to the likelihood of suffering an injury, among which stretching, core training and resistance training may be considered the most significant. Therefore, the main aim of this study was to identify the training factors that could influence injuries suffered by participants in international SUP competitions. Ninety-seven questionnaires were collected from paddlers who participated in an international SUP circuit, with epidemiological data being gathered about injuries and different questions related to the training undertaken. A multi-factor ANOVA test was used to identify the factors which influence the state of injury. Results showed that almost 60% of injuries occurred in the arms or in the upper thoracic region, around 65% of which were in tendons or muscles and, in almost half of cases, were related to overuse. Likewise, the results showed that athletes with injury performed fewer resistance training sessions per week (p = 0.028), over fewer months per year (p = 0.001), more weekly training sessions (p = 0.004) and, lastly, a greater volume of weekly training (p = 0.003) than athletes without injury. Moreover, the most important training factors that reduce the likelihood of suffering an injury were taken into account-in. particular, resistance training alone (p = 0.011) or together with CORE training (p = 0.006) or stretching (p = 0.012), and the dominant side of paddling (p = 0.032). In conclusion, resistance training would seem to reduce the likelihood of injury among SUP practitioners, and such benefits could be obtained by resistance training alone or in combination with CORE training or stretching.

Analysis of Tug of War Competition: A Narrative Complete Review.

Tug-of-war (TOW) is an internationally played activity including professional and amateur athletes, defined as early as 4000 years ago (as a rope-less version) in the artwork on Egyptian tomb engravings, and is played as per the rules laid out by TWIF, which has 73 member countries and administrative headquarters in the USA. Typically, two teams of "pullers" participate and apply enormous contra directional forces on the pulling rope. Originally, two types of competition are used: knockout and points. This narrative review describes the scientific state of the art of TOW. To the best of the authors' knowledge, no previous information has been published on this topic. Anthropometric parameters for competitors are near 83.6, lean body mass 69.4, and body fat 16. The VO2MAX is 55.8 mL/kg/min. In terms of relative strength, the dynamic leg power is 4659.8 N. Endurance TOW elicits minimal muscle damage. Injured strains and sprains comprised over half of all injuries: back (42%), shoulder-upper limb (23%) and knee (17%). Pulling movement in TOW contests can be divided into three phases, namely the "drop", "hold" and "drive" phases. The maximal pulling force was 1041.6 ± 123.9 N. The percentage of dynamic pulling force in the static maximal pulling force was 75.5 ± 14.4% and the dynamic ranged from 106.4 to 182.5%. There are two gripping styles: indoor and outdoor. The friction characteristics between surface and shoe in TOW is important in determining a suitable shoe for indoor TOW. A waist belt might be a useful piece of equipment for TOW sport. The EMG technique in TOW entails a high degree of dorsal muscle activity during the pulling. The factor of force vanishing was the coordination among athletes. The force vanishing percentage goes from 8.82 ± 5.59 for two contenders to 19.74 ± 2.22 for eight athletes, 6.4% in the sum of two pullers. However, in the drop phase, for female elite TOW team, only the 0.5% of the pulling force was wasted. Future studies are need in order to understand better this historical sport activity.

The GALNTL6 Gene rs558129 Polymorphism Is Associated With Power Performance.

Díaz, J, Álvarez Herms, J, Castañeda, A, Larruskain, J, Ramírez de la Piscina, X, Borisov, OV, Semenova, EA, Kostryukova, ES, Kulemin, NA, Andryushchenko, ON, Larin, AK, Andryushchenko, LB, Generozov, EV, Ahmetov, II, and Odriozola, A. The GALNTL6 gene rs558129 polymorphism is associated with power performance. J Strength Cond Res 34(11): 3031-3036, 2020-The largest genome-wide association study to date in sports genomics showed that endurance athletes were 1.23 times more likely to possess the C allele of the single nucleotide polymorphism rs558129 of N-acetylgalactosaminyltransferase-like 6 gene (GALNTL6), compared with controls. Nevertheless, no further study has investigated GALNTL6 gene in relation to physical performance. Considering that previous research has shown that the same polymorphism can be associated with both endurance and power phenotypes (ACTN3, ACE, and PPARA), we investigated the association between GALNTL6 rs558129 polymorphism and power performance. According to this objective we conducted 2 global studies regarding 2 different communities of athletes in Spain and Russia. The first study involved 85 Caucasian physically active men from the north of Spain to perform a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT). In the second study we compared allelic frequencies between 173 Russian power athletes (49 strength and 124 speed-strength athletes), 169 endurance athletes, and 201 controls. We found that physically active men with the T allele of GALNTL6 rs558129 had 5.03-6.97% higher power values compared with those with the CC genotype (p < 0.05). Consistent with these findings, we have shown that the T allele was over-represented in power athletes (37.0%) compared with endurance athletes (29.3%; OR = 1.4, p = 0.032) and controls (28.6%; OR = 1.5, p = 0.015). Furthermore, the highest frequency of the T allele was observed in strength athletes (43.9%; odds ratio [OR] = 1.9, p = 0.0067 compared with endurance athletes; OR = 2.0, p = 0.0036 compared with controls). In conclusion, our data suggest that the GALNTL6 rs558129 T allele can be favorable for anaerobic performance and strength athletes. In addition, we propose a new possible functional role of GALNTL6 rs558129, gut microbiome regarding short-chain fatty acid regulation and their anti-inflammatory and resynthesis functions. Nevertheless, further studies are required to understand the mechanisms involved.