Exercise-Induced Cardiac Fatigue in Recreational Ultramarathon Runners at Moderate Altitude: Insights From Myocardial Deformation Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Controversy exists on the actual occurrence of exercise-induced cardiac fatigue (EICF) with ultraendurance exercise, as well as on whether factors such as age or training status might predispose to this condition. The present study aimed to assess the occurrence of EICF among recreational ultramarathon runners, as well as to determine potential predictive factors. METHODS: Nineteen male recreational runners (42 ± 12yrs) participated in a 55-km trial race at moderate altitude (1,800-2,500 m). Participants were evaluated before and after the race using Doppler echocardiography and myocardial deformation analysis. EICF was determined as a reduction >5% of either left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS) or right ventricular free wall strain (RVFWS). Demographical (age, body mass index), training (training experience, volume and intensity), competition (finishing time, relative intensity) and biochemical variables (blood lactate, creatine kinase [CK] and CK-MB) were assessed as predictors of EICF. RESULTS: A significant reduction in LVGLS (20.1 ± 2.1% at baseline vs. 18.8 ± 2.4% at post-race, p = 0.026), but not in RVFWS (27.4 ± 7.0 vs. 24.6 ± 5.3%, p = 0.187), was observed after the race. EICF was present in 47 and 71% of the participants attending to the decrease in LVGLS and RVFWS, respectively. No associations were found between any of the analyzed variables and EICF except for age, which was associated with the magnitude of decrement of RVFWS (r = 0.58, p = 0.030). CONCLUSIONS: Ultramarathon running at moderate altitude seems to induce EICF in a considerable proportion of recreational athletes.

Effects of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation on strength and body composition in trained and competitive athletes: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this meta-analysis was to examine the evidence for the effectiveness of beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate supplementation interventions on modification in strength and body composition in trained and competitive athletes. DESIGN: Systematic review and meta-analysis. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using three databases: MEDLINE, EBSCO and Web of Science. The analysis was restricted to randomized controlled trials that examined the effect of HMB supplementation interventions on modification in bench and leg press strength, body mass, fat-free mass and fat mass. Effect sizes (ES) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using a fixed effect meta-analysis due to low value of the heterogeneity. The Egger test was used to determine the presence of publication bias, and the Q and I2 statistics were used to assess heterogeneity among studies. Significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: Six studies were selected for meta-analysis, as they fulfilled the inclusion criteria (n=193 participants). HMB supplementation interventions present a trivial non-significant ES in all variables studied (bench press ES=0.00, leg press ES=0.09, body mass ES=-0.01, fat-free mass ES=0.16, and fat mass ES=-0.20; all cases p>0.05, and null heterogeneity I2=0.0% p>0.05). These results remained constant even analyzing by subgroups (HMB doses, duration of intervention, training level and diet co-intervention). CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis found no effect of HMB supplementation on strength and body composition in trained and competitive athletes.

EFFECTS OF TRAINING AND DETRAINING ON GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN, GLYCAEMIA AND LIPID PROFILE IN TYPE-II DIABETICS.

OBJECTIVE: the aim of the present study was to determine the effect of training and the consequences of detraining, comparing an aerobic training (AT) protocol with a resistance training (RT) in people with type-II Diabetes Mellitus (DMII). METHODS: a total of 30 individuals participated in the study, with ages ranging from 45 to 50 years, all diagnosed with DMII and not currently receiving pharmacological treatment. Participants were divided at random into an AT group (65% of their maximum aerobic capacity) and a RT group (1 x 2 x 3 protocol at 65% of 1RM). Measurements were taken of weight, body mass index, total cholesterol, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglycerides, glycaemia in a fasted state and glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) at the beginning and at the end of the 6-week training period, and after a further 6 weeks of detraining. RESULTS: the results show that both physical training protocols are capable of inducing significant modifications in lipid profile, glycaemia in a fasted state and levels of HbA1C; however, after stopping the training programme only the RT group maintained the benefits of the reduction in LDL-C, HbA1C and the increase in HDL-C. CONCLUSIONS: resistance exercise in individuals with DMII has an important influence on health and their effects could be maintained even if the training program is interrupted short-term.

Objetivo: el propósito del presente estudio fue determinar el efecto del entrenamiento y las consecuencias del desentrenamiento comparando un protocolo de entrenamiento aeróbico (E-Aer) y otro de sobrecarga (E-Sob). Métodos: participaron 30 personas entre 45-50 años de edad con diagnóstico de diabetes mellitus tipo II (DMII) sin tratamiento farmacológico. Fueron aleatorizados a un grupo de E-Aer (65% de su esfuerzo máximo) o a un grupo de E-Sob (protocolo 1 x 2 x 3 al 65% de 1RM). Se midió el peso, el índice de masa corporal, el colesterol total, HDL-C, LDL-C, triglicéridos, glucemia en ayuno y la hemoglobina glucosilada (HbA1C) al inicio, al finalizar las seis semanas de entrenamiento y tras seis semanas de desentrenamiento. Resultados: los resultados indican que ambos protocolos de entrenamiento físico son capaces de inducir modificaciones significativas en el perfil lipídico, la glicemia en ayuno y los niveles de HbA1C; sin embargo, solo el grupo E-Sob demostró mantener los beneficios logrados tras haber interrumpido el programa de entrenamiento en la reducción del LDL-C, HbA1C y en el incremento del HDL-C. Conclusiones: el ejercicio de sobrecarga en personas con DMII influye de manera importante en la salud, efecto que podría mantenerse incluso si se llega a interrumpir a corto plazo el programa de entrenamiento.

Influencia de las clases de educación física sobre el nivel de actividad física medido a través de una aplicación móvil en adolescentes / Influence of physical education classes on the level of physical activity measured through a mobile application in adolescents

La literatura científica ha demostrado a través de diversos métodos (cuestionarios y acelerómetros, principalmente) que las clases de educación física (EF) influyen positivamente en el logro de las recomendaciones de actividad física (AF) en la población escolar. Sin embargo, el uso de nuevas tecnologías como los teléfonos móviles o smartphone, parecen ser una interesante herramienta de bajo costo que también podrían ayudar a determinar el nivel de AF. Por tanto, el objetivo del presente estudio fue describir como influye la clase de EF en el número de pasos diarios en escolares que utilizaron una aplicación móvil “RuntasticPedometer” para monitorear dicha variable. La muestra estuvo compuesta por 50 estudiantes (edad media de 14.1 +/-1.6 años) pertenecientes al Instituto de Educación Secundaria “Melchor de Macanaz” de la localidad de Hellín (Albacete, España). Tras analizar los datos, se observaron diferencias significativas (p<0.05) durante los días en que los escolares realizaron la clase de EF y los que no (9.950 vs. 8.023 pasos/día,respectivamente). Además, la variación entre los días con y sin EF también fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre niños y niñas (2.644 vs. 1.579 pasos/día, respetivamente).Finalmente, se podría concluir que las clases de EF parecen influir positivamente en el aumento del número de pasos en escolares, lo que elevaría las posibilidades de que estos niños y niñas logren los parámetros mínimos de AF recomendada por las diversas organizaciones de salud. Por otro lado, cabe señalar que el uso de nuevas tecnologías de uso masivo como los smartphone, podrían ser una interesante herramienta a validar orientadas al monitoreo de la AF.

The scientific literature has demonstrated through various methods (questionnaires and accelerometers, mainly), the classes of physical education (PE) positively influence the achievement of the recommendations of physical activity (PA) in the school population. However, the use of new technologies such as mobile phones or smartphone, appear to be an interesting inexpensive tool that could also help determine the level of AF. Therefore, the objective of this study was to describe as PE class influences in the daily number of steps in school who used a mobile application "Runtastic Pedometer" to monitor the variable. The sample consisted of 50 students (mean age 14.1 +/- 1.6 years) belonging to the Institute of Secondary Education "MelchorMacanaz" from the Hellín (Albacete, Spain). After analyzing the data, significant differences (p <0.05) were observed during the days when the school made PE class and those without (8,023 vs. 9,950 steps / day, respectively). Moreover, the variations between days with and without EF were also statistically different between boys and girls (2,644 vs. 1,579 steps/day,respectively). Finally, one could conclude that PE classes seem positively influence the increase in the number of steps in school raising the chances that these children achieve the minimum standards recommended HF various health organizations. On the other hand, it notes that the use of new technologies in widespread use as the smartphone could be an interesting tool to validate oriented monitoring AF.

Where are supercentenarians located? A worldwide demographic study.

The world population is continuously aging, and centenarians may be considered to be the most successfully aged individuals. Among people who reach extreme longevity (EL; i.e., >95 years), supercentenarians (SCs; aged ≥110 years) represent a subgroup of great scientific interest. Unfortunately, data on the worldwide distribution of SCs remain scarce. Therefore, this study was designed to investigate this issue. Current available data indicate that Japan is the country with the highest number of currently alive SCs. Interestingly, Puerto Rico would show the highest prevalence of SCs among people who reach EL (approximately one SC per 10,000 inhabitants aged ≥95 years), although data on this country must be intrepreted with caution owing to potential methodological limitations, mainly related to its small population. Our findings highlight the need to investigate in greater detail the genetic and lifestyle background of SCs, with the ultimate goal of unraveling new potential mechanisms underlying human EL.