Changes in Cytokines Concentration Following Long-Distance Running: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Long-distance running is an exhausting effort for the whole organism. Prolonged aerobic exercise induces changes in inflammatory markers. However, predicting muscle damage in response has limitations in terms of selecting biomarkers used to measure inflammatory status. The present study conducts a systematic review and meta-analysis of articles focusing in ultra-marathon, marathon, and half-marathon and levels of cytokines. The search was conducted in PubMed, Web of Science, and Scopus databases, resulting in the inclusion of 76 articles. IL-6 was highlighted, evaluated in 62 studies and show increase in the standard mean difference (SMD): half-marathon (SMD -1.36; IC 95%: -1.82, -0.89, Ch2:0.58; tau2:0.00; p < 0.0001), marathon (SMD -6.81; IC 95%: -9.26, -4.37; Ch2:481.37 tau2:11.88; p < 0.0001) and ultra-marathon (SMD -8.00 IC 95%: -10.47, -5.53; Ch2:328.40; tau2:14.19; p < 0.0001). In contrast meta-regression analysis did not show relationship to the running distance (p = 0.864). The meta-analysis evidenced increase in the concentration of IL-1ra (p < 0.0001), IL-1B (p < 0.0001), IL-8 (p < 0.0001), IL-10 (p < 0.0001) and TNF-α (p < 0.0001). Reduction in IL-2 (p < 0.0001) and INF-y (p < 0.03) and no change in the IL-4 (p < 0.56). The number of studies evaluating the effect of adipokines was limited, however Leptin and Resistin were recurrent. The effects of an acute bout of prolonged aerobic exercise will protect against chronic systemic inflammation. The time to return to baseline values showed a substantial and dose-dependent relationship with run volume. The concentration of IL-6 was robustly studied and the marathon running was the most explored. Network of endocrine interactions in which circulating factors, released in extreme exercises, interplay through inter-organ crosstalk and physiologic changes were expressed. The running volume variability was able to modulate compounds that play a fundamental role in the maintenance of homeostasis and cell signaling.

Ultramarathon Evaluation above 180 km in relation to Peak Age and Performance.

Background: Ultramarathons with distances over 180 km might lead to different results regarding participation, performance, and age compared to shorter runs of 50 and 100 km. Objective: To evaluate ultramarathons with distances above 180 km in relation to runners' peak age and performance. Method: s. Verification of the quantity of competitions in runs over 180 km by continents in the period 2000 to 2020 and evaluation of the individual results of 13,300 athletes after 2010. Results: Europe stood out with the largest number of organized events, followed by Asia and North America. The age peak performance (PP) in men and women averaged 45 years old with relationship between sex × years (F = 3.612, p < 0.001; η2 = 0.003). Men accounted for more than 80% of the runners and showed a reduction in PP from 2015 onwards (p < 0.001). Competitions between 180 and 240 km were the most frequent, particularly after 2016, surpassing the number of marathons over 360 km (p < 0.001). Men and women showed higher velocity in distances (p < 0.001) from 180 to 240 km when compared to 241 to 300 k m, 301 to 360 km, and >360 km courses. Conclusions: The decade between 2010 and 2020 showed an increase in the number of Ultramarathon running events. Europe had the highest number. Women had low participation. Performance progression fell, a fact associated with an increase in the number of participants and not specifically related to a decline in athletic performance over the years.

School physical activity and mental health in school-aged Brazilian adolescents: a systematic review / Atividade física e saúde mental em adolescentes brasileiros escolarizados: uma revisão sistemática

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to identify evidence regarding associations between School Physical Activity (PA) and Mental Health (MH) in Brazilian school-aged adolescents. This is a systematic review study. Studies were selected in Portuguese and English and identified by a systematic search in six electronic databases: PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus / Ebsco, ScIELO, ERIC, and LILACS, which comprised publications until 2019. Inclusion criteria were: studies with cohort, descriptive, cross-sectional or qualitative design; performed with children and adolescents; studies that analyzed the relationship between PA and MH; studies that investigated adolescents who practiced PA in schools; studies carried out in Brazil; and studies that reached minimum of 60% of methodological quality criteria according to STROBE. Physical education, as curricular activity in basic education, has protective effect on MH in the school setting. In addition, more than 300 min/week of PA was positively associated with MH; while associations between PA and excessive TV time; social isolation; and body weight dissatisfaction were negatively associated. School PA is positively associated with MH as it promotes physical and psychological well-being, impacting on the reduction of insomnia rates, attenuating loneliness and improving physical appearance.

RESUMO Objetivou-se identificar a evidência quanto às associações entre atividade física (AF) e saúde mental (SM) em adolescentes escolarizados brasileiros. Trata-se de um estudo de Revisão Sistemática. Os estudos foram selecionados em português e inglês e identificados por meio de uma busca sistemática em seis bases de dados eletrônicas: PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus/Ebsco, ScIELO, ERIC, e LILACS, que compreendeu publicações até o final de 2019. Os critérios de inclusão foram: estudos com um desenho de coorte, descritivo de caráter exploratório, transversal, ou qualitativos; realizados com crianças e adolescentes; estudos que analisaram a relação entre AF e SM; estudos que investigaram adolescentes que praticavam AF nas escolas; estudos realizados no Brasil e os que obtiveram a pontuação mínima estabelecida de 60% conforme os critérios da qualidade metodológica do instrumento STROBE. A Educação Física oferecida no currículo da educação básica tem um efeito protetor sobre a SM no ambiente escolar. Além disso, mais de 300 min/semana de AF foi associado positivamente com a SM. Algumas associações foram negativas entre a AF e a SM, tais como: tempo excessivo de TV; isolamento social; insatisfação com o peso corporal. A AF escolar está associada positivamente à SM por promover bem-estar físico e psicológico, impactando na redução dos índices de problema de insônia, atenuando a solidão e melhorando a aparência física.