Supplementation of Acqua Lete® (Bicarbonate Calcic Mineral Water) improves hydration status in athletes after short term anaerobic exercise.

BACKGROUND: Experimental studies suggest that mineral waters with high concentrations of calcium and bicarbonate can impact acid-base balance. The purpose of this study was to test the effect on acid-base balance and specific urine gravity, of a bicarbonate calcic mineral water (Acqua Lete®) compared to a minimally mineralized water. METHODS: 88 amateur male athletes underwent two experimental trials with a modified Wingate test: the first was carried out without hydration (Control Test, Test C, n = 88); the second was carried out after one week of controlled hydration (Test with hydration, Test H, n = 88), with 1.5 L/day of a very low mineral content water (Group A, n = 44) or 1.5 L/day of Acqua Lete® (Group B, n = 44). Measure of body temperature, bioimpedance analysis, muscular ultrasound, and urinalysis were taken before (t0), immediately after (t1), 5' (t2), and 30' (t3) after exercise. RESULTS: Hydration results in a decreased core temperature; muscular ultrasound showed increased muscle thickness after exercise related to content of body water. Regarding urinalysis, in test H, we found in both groups after exercise a significant decrease of specific urine gravity with significantly lower levels in Group B. We also found a significant increase of pH in the same Group B. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion all the athletes hydrated with Acqua Lete® showed a positive impact on hydration status after anaerobic exercise with significant decrease of specific urine gravity and a positive effect on pH.

T2-T3 sympathectomy versus sympathicotomy for essential palmar hyperhidrosis: comparison of effects on cardio-respiratory function.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to determine cardio-respiratory changes after endothoracic sympathetic denervation and their correlation with the extent of denervation. METHODS: A total of 45 patients with essential palmar hyperhidrosis were randomized into two groups: the conventional group (CG; 23 patients) and the simplified group (SG; 22 patients). In the CG, excision of T2 and T3 ganglia was performed, whereas in the SG only separation of the sympathetic chain was performed at the same level. Patients underwent respiratory and cardiovascular exercise tests before, at 2 weeks and again at 6 months after the procedure. The postoperative values were then compared with the preoperative values to assess the statistical difference. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients in each group completed the study. In the SG, forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV 1; P < 0.01) and forced vital capacity (FVC; P < 0.01) were significantly reduced at 2 weeks, but returned to similar baseline values 6 months after the procedure. No significant cardiac changes were observed. In the CG, both FEV 1 and FVC were significantly reduced at 2 weeks (P < 0.01) and at 6 months after operation (P < 0.05). A significant reduction in forced expiratory flow between 25 and 75% of vital capacity (P < 0.01) and a relevant increase in airway resistance (P < 0.05) during the entire postoperative course were also observed. Heart rates at rest and at peak exercise were significantly reduced at 2 weeks (P < 0.01) and significantly decreased 6 months after the procedure (P < 0.05). No other changes were registered. The cardio-respiratory alterations remained at a sub-clinical level; all patients completed the exercise test without symptoms. CONCLUSION: Sympathectomy may result in a disturbance of bronchomotor tone and cardiac function. Such changes remained at a sub-clinical level and seemed directly correlated with the extension of denervation.

Changes in skeletal muscle architecture following a cycloergometer test to exhaustion in athletes.

We determined whether a short-term exhaustive dynamic exercise (cycling) for about 18min induces changes in the intramuscular architecture of the quadriceps in trained athletes. Thirty-five male athletes (age 28.8+/-9.8 years; height: 175.4.+/-5.5cm; weight: 74+/-11.5kg; average years spent training: 11.1+/-8.4 years; mean weekly duration of training: 10.4+/-3.20h) underwent an incremental cycloergometer test to exhaustion. Muscle thickness of the right quadriceps femoris (rectus femoris + vastus intermedius), and the angle of pennation of the right vastus lateralis on the quadriceps tendon were determined by high-resolution real time ultrasonography. Quadriceps thickness increased from 32.1+/-3.3mm at rest to 34.9+/-3.0mm after the test (p=0.001). The pennation angles were significantly greater after exercise (12.8+/-2.1 degrees at rest; 14.4+/-2.5 degrees after the test (p=0.001)). There are marked changes in intramuscular architecture of the quadriceps following a bout of cycloergometer exercise to exhaustion, with significant increase of quadriceps thickness and pennation angle. Ultrasonography allows to evaluate the changes of muscle architecture following exercise.