RESUMEN
The aim of this systematic review was to investigate how individuals with metabolic diseases respond to combat sports and if they are feasible, safe, and applicable. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed, from inception until 22 January 2021. Studies were included if combat sport exercise sessions were clearly defined and participants had the following types of metabolic disease: type 1 or 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, overweight, and obesity. Eleven studies, involving 472 participants of all age groups with type 1 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, overweight, or obesity were included in this systematic review. No studies involving combat sports and individuals with type 2 diabetes were found. Combat sports showed improved HbA1c levels over time in individuals with type 1 diabetes mellitus, which was not significantly different compared to the control group (p = 0.57). During the follow-up period, glycaemic variability decreased in those actively participating in combat sports. Fat-mass was higher in athletes performing combat sports with metabolic syndrome, compared to athletes without an increased cardiometabolic risk. In overweight/obese adolescents, combat sports showed improved parameters of physical fitness, cardio autonomic control, strength, and body composition compared to control groups. In all studies included in this systematic review, no adverse event associated with combat sports was reported. In conclusion, combat sports are safe and feasible in individuals with diabetes and/or obesity. For individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus, no recommendations can be made, due to the lack of evidence in this cohort. Future studies investigating combat sports and metabolic diseases should aim for a structured exercise regimen and acknowledge the experience of the participants prior to starting an exercise intervention involving combat sports.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: It is unknown how different types of carbohydrates alter the cardio-autonomic system in healthy individuals. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate how heart-rate variability changes to single dose ingestion of glucose, fructose, glucose and fructose, and an artificial sweetener (sucralose). METHODS: In a double-blind randomized crossover placebo-controlled setting, 15 participants received all study-specific substances in liquid form. During each 2-h visit, venous blood glucose was measured in a 5-min interval while heart-rate variability was measured continuously via Holter-electrocardiograph. RESULTS: Ingestion of different types of carbohydrates and sucralose showed significant differences for heart rate (p < 0.001), SDNN (p < 0.008), RMSSD (p < 0.001), pNN50 (p < 0.001) and blood pressure (p < 0.001). Different glucose levels significantly altered parameters of heart-rate variability and blood pressure (all p < 0.001), while the rate of change in blood glucose led to changes in heart rate variability, but not in heart rate (p = 0.25) or blood pressure (p = 0.99). CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of different types of carbohydrates lead to reductions in heart-rate variability compared to a placebo. Blood glucose values above or below 70-90 mg/dL decreased heart rate variability while this was also seen for rapid glucose changes, yet not as pronounced. Healthy individuals should be conscious about carbohydrate intake while maintaining blood glucose levels between 70-90 mg/dL.
