Ultramarathon runners and support crew: The influence of pre-race sleep and training profiles on performance in a 217-km mountain race.

The present study evaluates the effects of pre-race sleep and training characteristics among ultra-athletes and support crew, and the influence of these factors on the athlete's performance in a 217-km ultramarathon. A total of 38 ultramarathon runners and 59 support crew members were assessed. The participants answered questionnaires about chronotype, sleep quality, sleepiness, basic demographics, and pre-race training. The clinical trial registration number is RBR-7j6d23v. The results showed that athletes and support crew had a morning-type chronotype and good sleep efficiency; most had poor-quality sleep. The athletes who finished the race had a higher sleep latency than non-finishers (p < 0.001). The quality of sleep may have impacted performance because the athletes with good sleep quality trained one day more per week than those without (p < 0.001), and training frequency was highly correlated with the race time (r = -0.59). These findings are novel, expand the data about sleep, training, and performance in an ultramarathon, and innovate by addressing the support crew.

Quantitative assessment of muscle fatigue during rowing ergometer exercise using wavelet analysis of surface electromyography (sEMG).

In this paper, we present a quantitative assessment of muscle fatigue using surface electromyography (sEMG), a widely recognized method that is conducted through various analytical approaches, including analysis of spectral and time-frequency distributions. Existing research in this field has demonstrated considerable variability in the computational methods used. Although some studies highlight the efficacy of wavelet analysis in dynamic motion, few offer a comprehensive method for determining fatigue and applying it to specific movements. Previous research has focused primarily on discerning differences based on sport type or gender, with a notable absence of studies that presented results for quantifying fatigue during exercise with rowing ergometers. Developing on our previous work, where we introduced a method for determining muscle fatigue through wavelet analysis, considering biomechanical aspects of limb position changes, this current article serves as a continuation. Our study refines the research approach for a selected group, focusing on fatigue determination using the previously established method. The results obtained confirm the effectiveness of DWT analysis in assessing muscle fatigue, as evidenced by the achievement of negative values of the regression coefficients of Median Frequency (MDF) during exercises performed to maximal fatigue. Furthermore, it has been confirmed that the homogeneity of the group and, in the case of the examined group, the results previously achieved or lower limb strength do not have an impact on the results. Finally, we discuss the main limitations of our study and outline the subsequent steps of our investigation, providing valuable information for future investigations in this field.

3D Printing in the Fight Against Covid-19.

Purpose: The paper describes the design concept and findings from technological and initial clinical trials conducted to develop a helmet for non-invasive oxygen therapy using positive pressure, known as hCPAP (Helmet Continuous Positive Airway Pressure). Methods: The study utilized PET-G filament, a recommended material for medical applications, along with the FFF 3D printing technique. Additional technological investigations were performed for the production of fitting components. The authors proposed a parameter identification method for 3D printing, which reduced the time and cost of the study while ensuring high mechanical strength and quality of the manufactured elements. Results: The proposed 3D printing technique facilitated the rapid development of an ad hoc hCPAP device, which was utilized in preclinical testing and treatment of Covid-19 patients, and yielded positive results. Based on the promising outcomes of the preliminary tests, further development of the hCPAP device's current version was pursued. Conclusion: The proposed approach offered a crucial benefit by significantly reducing the time and costs involved in developing customized solutions to aid in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

Relationship between EMG and fNIRS during Dynamic Movements.

In the scientific literature focused on surface electromyography (sEMG) and functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), which have been described together and separately many times, presenting different possible applications, researchers have explored a diverse range of topics related to these advanced physiological measurement techniques. However, the analysis of the two signals and their interrelationships continues to be a focus of study in both static and dynamic movements. The main purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between signals during dynamic movements. To carry out the analysis described, the authors of this research paper chose two sports exercise protocols: the Astrand-Rhyming Step Test and the Astrand Treadmill Test. In this study, oxygen consumption and muscle activity were recorded from the gastrocnemius muscle of the left leg of five female participants. This study found positive correlations between EMG and fNIRS signals in all participants: 0.343-0.788 (median-Pearson) and 0.192-0.832 (median-Spearman). On the treadmill, the signal correlations between the participants with the most active and least active lifestyle achieved the following medians: 0.788 (Pearson)/0.832 (Spearman) and 0.470 (Pearson)/0.406 (Spearman), respectively. The shapes of the changes in the EMG and fNIRS signals during exercise suggest a mutual relationship during dynamic movements. Furthermore, during the treadmill test, a higher correlation was observed between the EMG and NIRS signals in participants with a more active lifestyle. Due to the sample size, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Wavelet analysis of the EMG signal to assess muscle fatigue in the lower extremities during symmetric movement on a rowing ergometer.

PURPOSE: The aim of this publication was to propose a method to determine changes in fatigue in selected muscle groups of the lower extremity during dynamic and cyclical motion performed on a rowing ergometer. The study aimed to use the discrete wavelet transform (DWT) to analyze electromyographic signals (EMG) recorded during diagnostic assessment of muscle and peripheral nerve electrical activity (electroneurography) using an electromyography device (EMG). METHODS: The analysis involved implementing calculations such as mean frequency (MNF) and median frequency (MDF) using the reconstructed EMG signal through DWT. The study examined the efficacy of DWT analysis in assessing muscle fatigue after physical exertion. RESULTS: The study obtained a negative regression coefficient for DWT analysis in all muscles except for the right gastrocnemius (GAS). The results suggest that DWT analysis can be an effective tool for evaluating muscle fatigue after physical exertion. CONCLUSIONS: The use of DWT in the analysis of EMG signals during rowing ergometer exercises has shown promising results in assessing muscle fatigue. However, additional investigations are necessary to confirm and expand these findings. This publication addresses the literature gap on the determination of muscle fatigue considering motion analysis on a rowing ergometer using the discrete wavelet transform. Previous studies have extensively compared and analyzed methods such as the Fourier transform (FFT), short-time Fourier transform (STFT), and wavelet transform (WT) for muscle fatigue analysis. However, no previous work has specifically examined the assessment of muscle fatigue by incorporating DWT analysis with motion analysis on a rowing ergometer.

Sleep and nutritional profile of endurance and ultra-endurance running athletes.

Sleeping and eating before and during an ultramarathon can directly affect an athlete's performance, who may also have their physiological adaptations and recovery process hindered by sleeping problems. Endurance and ultra-endurance athletes may have different sleep and nutrition profiles. Thus, this study aimed to describe the sleep profile (during preparation) and nutritional profile (during competition) of endurance (10-20km) and ultra-endurance (50-100km) running athletes. For this, 16 healthy volunteers answered questionnaires related to sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index), chronotype (morningness-eveningness questionnaire), and sleepiness (excessive daytime sleepiness questionnaire). Immediately after a competition, a form prepared by the research team about nutritional variables and volunteers' food records during the competition was applied. According to test scoring criteria (Pittsburgh sleep quality index >5; sleepiness >10), endurance running athletes showed low sleep quality. In addition, all athletes showed consumption of carbohydrates and lipids below the recommended, but excessive consumption of proteins. A positive association between sleepiness and sodium intake in endurance runners was observed (r=0.862; p=0.027). Sleep efficiency and race time showed a negative correlation only for ultra-endurance athletes (r=-0.834; p=0.039). The data obtained show that endurance athletes presented more sleep pattern alterations, however, endurance and ultra-endurance athletes showed inadequate nutritional consumption during the competition.

Nutritional Strategies of an Athlete with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus During a 217-km Ultramarathon.

Considering the challenges in meeting the high nutritional demand during ultramarathons, the aim of this study was to analyze the nutritional strategies and glycemic response of an athlete with type 1 diabetes (DM1) during participation in a 217-km ultramarathon. A 36-y-old male athlete who was diagnosed with DM1 15 y earlier was studied during participation in the Brazil 135 ultramarathon. Food consumption and blood glucose were recorded during the race, and nutritional intake was calculated after the race. The athlete completed the race in 51 h 18 min. He consumed a total of 15.0 MJ (3593 kcal), 532 g carbohydrate, 166 g protein, 92 g lipid, and 14 L of water during the race. Glycemic values ranged from 3.6 to 18.2 mmol·L-1. Most glycemic values (47%) ranged from 3.9 to 10 mmol·L-1, whereas 5% were <3.9 mmol·L-1, 16% were >10 to 13.9 mmol·L-1, and 32% were >13.9 mmol·L-1. This case report describes the dietary profile of an athlete with DM1 during a 217-km ultramarathon. Although the athlete implemented strategies that differed from those recommended in the literature, food and nutrient intake and the glycemic management strategy adopted allowed him to successfully finish the race. These results suggest that past personal experiences can be considered and that nutritional recommendations for athletes with DM1 should be individualized.

Spoken words activate native and non-native letter-to-sound mappings: Evidence from eye tracking.

Many languages use the same letters to represent different sounds (e.g., the letter P represents /p/ in English but /r/ in Russian). We report two experiments that examine how native language experience impacts the acquisition and processing of words with conflicting letter-to-sound mappings. Experiment 1 revealed that individual differences in nonverbal intelligence predicted word learning and that novel words with conflicting orthography-to-phonology mappings were harder to learn when their spelling was more typical of the native language than less typical (due to increased competition from the native language). Notably, Experiment 2 used eye tracking to reveal, for the first time, that hearing non-native spoken words activates native language orthography and both native and non-native letter-to-sound mappings. These findings evince high interactivity in the language system, illustrate the role of orthography in phonological learning and processing, and demonstrate that experience with written form changes the linguistic mind.

Impact of a nutrition education program on gymnasts perceptions and eating practices

Abstract Aims: To understand how participating in a Nutrition & Health Education program (NHEP) affected the way rhythm gymnasts and their coaches perceive their food practices. Methods: Qualitative study portraying a case study of a NHEP specifically designed for a rhythm gymnastic team. The NHEP was conducted at the training facilities. Fourteen rhythm gymnasts, consisting of the team that represents a city in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, and their two coaches participated in the study. Athletes and coaches were interviewed about their perceptions and food practices before and after a 9-month NHEP designed specifically for them. Recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim. Two categories emerged from the discourses and were analyzed using the content analysis: "beliefs and feeding practices" and "construction of a positive relationship with food". Results: Athletes reported changes in their food practices related to the themes discussed with them in the NHEP, such as daily breakfast intake, higher intake of fruits, vegetables, milk products, and wholegrain foods. Conclusion: The NHEP allowed specific demands of the athletes to be identified and addressed, generating awareness and motivation to positive changes in eating practices.

Effect of the intake of high or low glycemic index high carbohydrate-meals on athletes' sleep quality in pre-game nights.

This study investigated the effect of the intake of high (HGI) or low glycemic index (LGI) high-carbohydrate meals on athletes' sleep. Nine basketball adult male athletes were assessed during a championship and received high-carbohydrate meals (dinner and evening snack) with HGI or LGI. Quantitative and qualitative sleep variables were assessed: sleep latency (LAT), sleep efficiency (EFIC), Wake After Sleep Onset (WASO), sleep time through actigraphy and sleep diary. Dietary intake, satiety, sleepiness, glycemic response, salivary cortisol and melatonin were also assessed. On both days most athletes had LAT and WASO higher than recommendation, and nocturnal sleep time below the recommendations. There was no difference between sleep and hormonal parameters according to GI dietary manipulations; however, correlations were observed between sleep and diet. Daily energy intake had negative correlation with efficiency and nocturnal total sleep time, and a positive correlation with WASO, regardless of the GI nocturnal meals. No differences were observed in salivary cortisol and melatonin according to GI. The results suggest that food intake throughout the day seems to exert more influence on sleep parameters of basketball players than GI manipulation of evening meals on the pre-night game, but further studies are necessary to better understand this complex relationship.

Impact of an Interdisciplinary Food, Nutrition and Health Education Program for adolescent Brazilian volleyball players / Impacto de um Programa Interdisciplinar de Educação Alimentar, Nutricional e em Saúde para jogadoras de voleibol adolescentes

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate the impact of an Interdisciplinary Food, Nutrition and Health Education Program on nutrition knowledge, intention to change eating behavior, and body dissatisfaction of adolescent volleyball players. Methods: The sample consisted of 10 female volleyball players from the juvenile category of the city of Santos, São Paulo, Brazil, who participated in a program with eight monthly meetings (one discussion group followed by six educational activities and one final discussion group for evaluation). Results: Nutrition knowledge, body perception, intention to change eating behavior, eating attitudes and practices were investigated using questionnaires and discussion groups before and after the athletes' participation in ludic activities designed to address nutrition strategies for athletic performance and healthy eating, and how to deal with pressure for results and self-image. Nutrition knowledge improved from 57.0%±9.9 to 63.0%±11.8 (p=0.03) of correct answers. The mean body distortion score did not change (70.0±14.9 versus 76.5±22.4, p=0.235). Six athletes advanced in their intention to change eating behavior. Positive food practices were reported during the program and the identified discourses indicated the intention of changing the daily eating habits in the future. Conclusion: The program had a positive impact on nutrition knowledge and intention of changing eating behavior; however, for other issues, especially involving emotional aspects, further interventions should be planned.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar o impacto de um Programa Interdisciplinar de Educação Alimentar, Nutricional e em Saúde sobre o conhecimento nutricional, a intenção de mudança de comportamento alimentar e a insatisfação corporal de jogadoras de voleibol adolescentes. Métodos: A amostra foi composta por 10 atletas de voleibol, jogadoras da categoria juvenil da cidade de Santos, SP, que participaram do programa composto por oito encontros mensais (um grupo de discussão seguido por seis atividades educacionais e um grupo de discussão final para avaliação). Resultados: Conhecimento nutricional, percepção corporal, intenção de mudança de comportamento alimentar, atitudes e práticas alimentares foram investigadas por questionários e grupo de discussão antes e depois da participação das atletas nas atividades lúdicas, as quais abordaram estratégias nutricionais para desempenho esportivo, alimentação saudável, lidar com pressão por resultados e percepção corporal. O conhecimento nutricional aumentou de 57,0% ±9,9 para 63,0% ±11,8 (p=0,03) de acerto. Não houve diferença no escore de distorção corporal (70,0±14,9 versus 76,5±22,4, p=0,235). Seis atletas avançaram na intenção de mudança de comportamento alimentar. Modificações positivas nas práticas alimentares foram relatadas durante as atividades e os discursos identificados apontam intenções de futuras mudanças nos hábitos alimentares diários. Conclusão: O programa teve impacto positivo em aumentar o conhecimento nutricional e mudança de comportamento alimentar; porém, para outros aspectos, principalmente envolvendo questões emocionais, outras intervenções devem ser planejadas.

Assessment of the diet quality of team sports athletes / Avaliação da qualidade da dieta de atletas de esportes coletivos

Abstract Few studies about food consumption of athletes have assessed the quality of their food choices, and the factors that influence these choices. The aim of this study was to assess the diet of team sports athletes through a revised version of the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-R) in order to identify their nutritional knowledge and the stage of intention to change eating behavior (SICEB) and to identify possible association with demographic and anthropometric variables. Seventy-two athletes (35 men) were evaluated for the following variables: body mass, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF%), nutritional knowledge (questionnaire), food intake (24-hour recall), diet quality (HEI-R) and SICEB (transtheoretical model). For statistical analysis, the Student t test and the Pearson correlation coefficient were used. None of the athletes presented diet classified as "healthy" and 45.7% (men) and 51.4% (women) had "inadequate" diets. Low consumption of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, milk and dairy products was observed. The HEI-R "meats, legumes and eggs" component received the best scores. Pre-contemplation (25.0%) and action (23.6%) stages were the most frequent in the group. The mean percentage of correct answers in the nutritional knowledge questionnaire was 55.7% (men) and 57.3% (women). No association was found between HEI-R and variables age, BMI, BF%, SICEB, nutritional knowledge score and energy intake. This group presents inadequate dietary intake. The lack of association between study variables indicates the need to investigate other factors that influence athlete's feeding behavior.

Resumo Poucos estudos sobre o consumo alimentar de atletas avaliam a qualidade dos alimentos selecionados e os fatores que interferem nessas escolhas. Objetivou-se avaliar a dieta de atletas de esportes coletivos por meio do Índice de Qualidade da Dieta - Revisado (IQD-R), identificar seu conhecimento nutricional, estágio de intenção de mudança de comportamento alimentar (EIMCA) e identificar possíveis associações com variáveis demográficas e de antropometria. Foram avaliadas as seguintes variáveis em 72 atletas (35 homens): massa corporal (MC), estatura, IMC, percentual de gordura (%G), conhecimento nutricional (questionário), consumo alimentar (recordatório de 24-horas), qualidade da dieta (IQD-R) e EIMCA (modelo transteórico). Para a análise estatística empregou-se o teste t de Student e coeficiente de correlação de Pearson. Nenhum atleta apresentou dieta classificada como "saudável" e 45,7% (homens) e 51,4% (mulheres) apresentaram dieta "inadequada". Há baixo consumo de frutas, hortaliças, cereais integrais e leite e derivados. O componente do IQD-R "carnes, leguminosas e ovos" recebeu a melhor pontuação. Os estágios pré-contemplação (25,0%) e ação (23,6%) foram os mais frequentes. O percentual médio de acertos dos atletas no questionário de conhecimentos nutricionais foi 56,5%. Não foi observada associação entre IQD-R e as variáveis: idade, IMC, %G, EIMCA, escore de conhecimento nutricional e consumo energético. O grupo apresenta inadequação do consumo alimentar. A falta de associação entre as variáveis estudadas indica a necessidade de investigação de outros fatores que influenciam o comportamento alimentar de atletas.