Gender-related cardiac dimension differences between female and male professional soccer players.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to determine if cardiac hypertrophy differs between professional female and male soccer players. METHODS: Twenty-two female and 20 male professional soccer players, and their respective non-athlete controls (22 females and 19 males) were submitted to an echocardiogram. RESULTS: Females had a shorter left ventricular intracavitary diameter and wall thicknesses than males in both groups. However, these differences disappeared when cardiac dimensions were expressed relative to body mass area (P>0.05). Compared to their respective controls, female and male soccer players had a longer (P<0.05) left ventricular end-systolic diameter (female: 1.87±0.16 vs. 1.77±0.15 cm/m2 and male: 1.83±0.21 vs. 1.73±0.16 cm/m2), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (female: 2.86±0.25 vs. 2.74±0.22 cm/m2 and male: 2.81±0.26 vs. 2.55±0.66 cm/m2), left ventricular posterior wall thickness (female: 0.44±0.06 vs. 0.39±0.04 cm/m2 and male: 0.43±0.04 vs. 0.39±0.10 cm/m2), left ventricular septal wall thickness (female: 0.47±0.06 vs. 0.41±0.04 cm/m2 and male: 0.45±0.04 vs. 0.40±0.11 cm/m2), and left ventricular mass index (female: 91.8±22.1 vs. 72.3±10.5 g/m2 and male: 121.7±20.3 vs. 99.8±13.8 g/m2 ). CONCLUSIONS: Part of the gender differences in cardiac dimensions might be attributed to differences in body dimension. Soccer training increases cardiac dimensions even with BSA correction and females seem to have similar left ventricle remodeling compared to males.

Análise das concentrações de creatina quinase e alfa -actina no futebol pré-temporada / Analysis of creatine kinase and alpha-actin concentrations in soccer pre-season

The purpose of the present study was to assess muscle overload through changes in creatine kinase (CK) activity and serum concentration of α-actin in soccer players in response of two months of pre-season physical training. Basic procedures: Ten professional athletes (26 ± 6 years of age) undergoing arduous training were evaluated. Serum CK activity and α-actin serum concentration were determined at the beginning and end of two months of pre-season training. Effort intensity was determined throughout the training sessions by monitoring heart rate (HR). Serum CK activity was determined using the colorimetric method. Plasma α-actin concentration was evaluated using ELISA and confirmed using the Western Blot method. Main Findings: Serum CK activity and α-actin concentration were higher in the post-training period in comparison to the pre-training period (CK: PRE 65.5 ± 4.2 U/L, POST 435.7 ± 70.0 U/L, p=0.0004; α-actin by Western Blot: PRE 42.9 ± 21.6 µg/mL, POST 68.1 ± 19.1 µg/mL, p=0.0004; by ELISA: PRE 70.63 ± 10.4 µg/mL, POST 101.80 ± 17.3 µg/mL, p=0.0125). Conclusions: The significant increases in α-actin concentration and in CK activity of soccer players over the two-month pre-season indicated that an elevated training overload was imposed upon the athletes.(AU)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a sobrecarga muscular através de mudanças na creatina quinase (CK) e concentração sérica de α-actina em jogadores de futebol de resposta de dois meses de treinamento físico de pré-temporada. Procedimentos básicos: Dez atletas profissionais (26 ± 6 anos de idade) que se submeteram aos treinamentos foram avaliados. Atividade de CK e concentração sérica de actina-α foram determinados no início e no fim de dois meses de treinamento de pré-temporada. Intensidade de esforço foi determinada ao longo das sessões de treinamento por meio do monitoramento da freqüência cardíaca (FC). Actividade de CK no soro foi determinada pelo método colorimétrico. Concentração de plasma α-actina foi avaliada utilizando ELISA e confirmado usando o método de Western Blot. Conclusões: a atividade da CK sérica e concentração α-actina foram maiores no período pós-treinamento em comparação com o período pré-treinamento (CK: PRE 65,5 ± 4,2 U/L, 435,7 ± 70,0 POST U/L, p = 0,0004; α-actina por Western Blot: PRE 42,9 ± 21,6 ng/mL, 68,1 ± 19,1 POST mcg/mL, p = 0,0004; por ELISA: PRE 70,63 ± 10,4 ng/mL, POST 101,80 ± 17,3 ng/mL, p = 0,0125). Conclusões: O aumento da atividade da CK e da concentração de actina-α após dois meses de treinamento na pré-temporada de um time de futebol indica uma sobrecarga muscular significativa imposta por este período de treinamento.(AU)

Suplementação com creatina altera a potência no teste de Wingate mas eleva a concentração de creatinina / Creatine supplementation alters power in the Wingate test but increases creatinine concentration

O objetivo deste estudo foi verificar o efeito da suplementação de creatina sobre o desempenho nos testes de Wingate de 10 e 30 segundos além da sua influência na concentração de lactato, ureia, creatinina e massa corporal de indivíduos fisicamente ativos. Para realização da pesquisa foram selecionados nove voluntários, sendo divididos dentro de dois grupos utilizando o procedimento duplo-cego: grupo creatina (n = 4) e grupo placebo (n = 5). A suplementação foi realizada via oral durante 10 dias, sendo que o grupo creatina ingeriu 20g de creatina (4x ao dia) nos primeiros cinco dias, seguida de uma ingesta de 5g/dia até o 10º dia. O grupo placebo recebeu a mesma dosagem, porém de maltodextrina como placebo. O protocolo de teste realizado antes e após o período de suplementação constou de um teste de Wingate adaptado de 10 segundos, seguido de um intervalo de 20 minutos para aplicação de um teste de Wingate de 30 segundos. Foram coletadas amostras de sangue antes e após o período de suplementação para análise de creatinina e ureia, lactato em repouso, 90 segundos após o teste de 10 segundos e 180 segundos após o teste de 30 segundos. A suplementação de creatina promoveu um aumento significativo (p < 0,05) na potência máxima durante o teste de 30 segundos, na potência média no teste de 10 segundos, além da concentração de creatinina. Os resultados sugerem que a suplementação de creatina pode melhorar o desempenho dos indivíduos durante exercício de alta intensidade e curta duração realizado no cicloergômetro, mas produz aumento da concentração de creatinina em repouso.

The aim of this research was to verify the effect of the creatine supplementation on performance in the 10 and 30-second Wingate tests, besides its influence in the creatinine, urea and lactate concentration and body mass of physically active men. This research selected nine volunteers, who were then separated in two groups using the double-blind procedure: creatine group (n=4) and placebo group (n=5).The supplementation was orally administered during ten days. The creatine group ingested 20g of creatine (4 times a day) in the first five days, followed by an ingestion of 5 g/day until the tenth day. The placebo group received the same dosage, but of maltodextrine instead, as placebo. The test protocol performed before and after the supplementation period consisted of an adapted 10-second Wingate test, followed by an interval of 20 minutes for application of the 30-second Wingate test .Blood samples were collected before and after the supplementation period for analysis of creatinine and urea, lactate at rest, 90 seconds after the 10-second test and 180 seconds after the 30-second test. Creatine supplementation promoted significant raise (p<0.05) in maximal power output during the 30-second test, in the mean power output in the 10 second-test, besides the creatinine concentration. The results suggest that creatine supplementation can improve individual performance in high intensity activities and short duration made in cycle ergometer; however, creatine supplementation increases the creatinine concentration at rest.

The cardiac expression of Mas receptor is responsive to different physiological and pathological stimuli.

The Mas protooncogene encodes a G protein-coupled receptor that has been described as a functional receptor for the cardioprotective fragment of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), Angiotensin (Ang)-(1-7). The aim of this current study was to evaluate the responsiveness of Mas expression in hearts during different physiological and pathological conditions in rats. Physical training was considered a physiological condition, while isoproterenol-induced hypertrophy, myocardial infarction and DOCA-salt model of hypertension were used as pathological models of heart injury. The expression of Mas was analyzed by western blotting. Although swim-trained rats presented significant cardiac hypertrophy, our physical training protocol was unable to induce changes in the expression of Mas. On the other hand, cardiac hypertrophy and damage elicited by isoproterenol treatment led to a reduction in Mas expression. Myocardial infarction also significantly decreased the expression of Mas after 21 days of myocardial ischemia. Additionally, Mas expression levels were increased in hearts of DOCA-salt rats. Our present data indicate that Mas expression is responsive to different pathological stimuli, thereby suggesting that Mas receptor is involved in the homeostasis of the heart, as well as in the establishment and progression of cardiac diseases.

Swimming training improves the vasodilator effect of angiotensin-(1-7) in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rat.

INTRODUCTION: endothelial dysfunction plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of hypertension. It is well established that physical training has beneficial effects on the cardiovascular system. We recently reported that angiotensin-(1-7) [Ang-(1-7)] concentration and the Mas receptor expression is increased in the left ventricle of trained spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHR). The vascular effects of Ang-(1-7) in trained animals remain so far unknown. In the present study we investigated the effects of physical training on the vasodilator effect of Ang-(1-7) in the aorta of SHR. METHODOLOGY: normotensive Wistar rats and SHR were subjected to an 8-wk period of 5% overload of body weight swimming training. Changes in isometric tension were recorded on myograph. Western blot was used to investigate Ang-(1-7) receptors expression. RESULTS: in aortas from normotensive rats Ang-(1-7) and ACh induced a concentration-dependent vasodilator effect, which was not modified by the physical training. Vessels from SHR had an impaired vasodilator response to Ang-(1-7) and ACh. The swimming training strongly potentiated the vasodilator effect induced by Ang-(1-7) in SHR, but did not modify the effect of ACh. Interestingly, Mas receptor protein expression was substantially increased by physical training in SHR. In trained SHR, the vasodilator effect of Ang-(1-7) was abrogated by removal of the endothelium and by the selective Ang-(1-7) receptor antagonists A-779 and d-Pro(7)-Ang-(1-7). l-NAME decreased Ang-(1-7) vasodilator response and indomethacin abolished the remaining dilatory response. CONCLUSION: physical training increased Mas receptors expression in SHR aortas, thereby improving the vasodilator effect of Ang-(1-7) through an endothelium-dependent mechanism involving nitric oxide and prostacyclin.

Indicadores antropométricos de obesidade em portadores da síndrome de Down entre 15 e 44 anos / Obesity antropometrics index in individuals with Down syndrome

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a prevalência de sobrepeso e obesidade, a correlação entre o Índice de massa corporal (IMC) e os índices: Razão cintura quadril (RCQ) e Circunferência de cintura (CC) e comparar, entre os gêneros, a relação entre os índices em portadores da síndrome de Down (SD) com idades entre 15 e 44 anos. A amostra foi constituída por 33 portadores da SD residentes nos municípios de Itaperuna - RJ e Bom Jesus do Itabapoana - RJ, de ambos os gêneros, sendo 15 do sexo feminino com idade entre 14 e 38 anos (média ± DP; 23,8 ± 7,4 anos; IMC = 29,67 ± 5,64 kg/m²) e 18 do sexo masculino com idade entre 14 e 44 anos (média ± DP; 26,4 ± 8,4 anos; IMC = 27,68 ± 5,97 kg/m²). As medidas antropométricas de massa corporal, estatura, cintura e quadril, foram utilizadas para obtenção do IMC, da RCQ e da CC. Os níveis de associação foram verificados através do teste de Spearman e de Pearson quando apropriados e apresentaram os coeficientes de correlação mais elevados entre as variáveis IMC e CC nos grupos masculino (r = 0,926; p = 0,000), feminino (r = 0,874; p = 0,000) e também no geral (r = 0,892; p = 0,000). Assim, as associações mais fortes entre os indicadores antropométricos IMC e CC sugerem que estes indicadores integrados são bons preditores da obesidade generalizada e central, também em portadores de SD.

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity, the correlation between body mass index (BMI) and indices: waist hip ratio (WHR) and waist circumference (CC) and to compare between genders, the relationship between the indices in patients of Down syndrome (DS) aged 15 to 44 years. The sample consisted of 33 individuals of DS residents in the cities of Itaperuna - RJ and Bom Jesus Itabapoana - RJ, being 15 females aged between 14 and 38 years (mean ± SD, 23.8 ± 7.4 years, BMI = 29.67 ± 5.64 kg/m²) and 18 males aged between 14 and 44 years (mean ± SD, 26.4 ± 8.4 years, BMI = 27.68 ± 5.97 kg/m²). The anthropometric measures of body mass, height, waist and hip, were used to obtain the BMI, the WHR and WC. The level of association between variables was obtained by Spearman and Pearson tests. The highest correlation coefficients between the variables BMI and WC in male groups (r = 0.926, p = 0.000), female (r = 0.874, p = 0.000) and overall (r = 0.892, p = 0.000). Thus, the strongest associations between BMI and anthropometric indicators suggest that these CC integrated indicators are good predictors of general and central obesity, in patients with DS.

Swim training suppresses tumor growth in mice.

The present study was designed to determine the effects of physical training on the development of cancer induced by the injection of Ehrlich tumor cells in mice. Male Swiss mice were subjected to a swim training protocol (5 days/wk for 6 wk, 1 h at 50% of maximal capacity-trained groups) or remained sedentary in their cages (sedentary groups). The inoculation of Ehrlich tumor cells was performed at the end of the fourth week, and animals were killed after 6 wk of training. Heart and solid tumor weights were recorded, and tumor volumes were calculated. Portions of the tumors were used for the evaluation of macrophages and neutrophil accumulation or fixed in neutral 10% buffered formalin for histological analysis. The tumor volume and weight were, respectively, approximately 270% and 280% greater in sedentary mice than in trained mice. Macrophage infiltration in the tumor tissue was significantly lower in trained mice (0.65 +/- 0.16 vs. 1.78 +/- 0.43 macrophages x 10(3) in the sedentary group). Moreover, neutrophil accumulation in tumors was slightly reduced after exercise training, and the amount of tumor cells was reduced in trained mice. Exercise capacity was substantially increased in trained mice, as determined by a 440% increase in the exercise time at 50% of maximal capacity. In summary, swim training retarded the development of Ehrlich tumors in mice, accompanied by a reduction in macrophage infiltration and neutrophil accumulation. These findings provide conceptual support for clinical observations that controlled physical activities may be a therapeutically important approach to preventing cancer progression and may improve the outcome of cancer treatment.