Heat preparedness and exertional heat illness in Paralympic athletes: A Tokyo 2020 survey.

Paralympic athletes may be at increased risk for exertional heat illness (EHI) due to reduced thermoregulatory ability as a consequence of their impairment. This study investigated the occurrence of heat-stress related symptoms and EHI, and the use of heat mitigation strategies in Paralympic athletes, both in relation to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games and previous events. Paralympic athletes competing in Tokyo 2020 were invited to complete an online survey five weeks prior to the Paralympics and up to eight weeks after the Games. 107 athletes (30 [24-38] years, 52% female, 20 nationalities, 21 sports) completed the survey. 57% of respondents had previously experienced heat-stress related symptoms, while 9% had been medically diagnosed with EHI. In Tokyo, 21% experienced at least one heat-stress related symptom, while none reported an EHI. The most common symptom and EHI were, respectively, dizziness and dehydration. In preparation for Tokyo, 58% of respondents used a heat acclimation strategy, most commonly heat acclimatization, which was more than in preparation for previous events (45%; P = 0.007). Cooling strategies were used by 77% of athletes in Tokyo, compared to 66% during past events (P = 0.18). Cold towels and packs were used most commonly. Respondents reported no medically-diagnosed EHIs during the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games, despite the hot and humid conditions in the first seven days of competition. Heat acclimation and cooling strategies were used by the majority of athletes, with heat acclimation being adopted more often than for previous competitions.

Renal and Endocrine Responses to Arm Exercise in Persons with Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

The aim of this study was to assess renal functions and endocrine responses to arm exercise in persons with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) under euhydrated conditions (free drinking of water), and to determine the physiological effects of exercise on renal function in these subjects. Eleven CSCI individuals (spinal lesions between C6 and C8, American Spinal Injury Association impairment scale A) and nine able-bodied (AB) persons rested for 30 min before performing 30 min arm-crank ergometer exercises at 50% of their maximum oxygen consumption, followed by 60-min of rest/recovery. Urine and blood samples were collected before and immediately after the exercise and recovery period. The CSCI patients showed no increase in plasma adrenaline and plasma renin activity compared with the AB controls, but showed similar changes in plasma aldosterone and the plasma antidiuretic hormone in response to the exercise. Creatinine clearance, osmolal clearance, free water clearance, and the fractional excretion of Na+ did not change during exercise in both groups of subjects, however free water clearance in the CSCI group was higher than in the AB group throughout the study. These findings suggested that activated plasma aldosterone without an increase in adrenaline or renin activity during exercise in CSCI individuals may reflect an adaptation to the disturbance of the sympathetic nervous system to compensate for renal function. As a result, no adverse effects of exercise on renal function in CSCI patients were observed.

The prevalence of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and ulnar nerve dislocation in recreational wheelchair marathon athletes.

BACKGROUND: Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow is an entrapment neuropathy, while ulnar nerve dislocation might also be involved in its incidence and severity. Wheelchair marathon athletes may be at an increased risk for Ulnar Neuropathy. However, there is a paucity of research into the prevalence of Ulnar Neuropathy and ulnar nerve dislocation in this population. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and ulnar nerve dislocation in wheelchair marathon athletes. PARTICIPANTS: Wheelchair marathon athletes (N = 38) who participated in the 2017, 2018, and 2019 Oita International Wheelchair Marathon. 2 athletes participated only one time, 36 athletes repeatedly. Data from athletes`latest assessment were used. METHODS: The day before the race, questionnaires, physical examinations, and ultrasonography were conducted to screen for Ulnar Neuropathy in both upper limbs. Ulnar nerve dislocation was confirmed by physical examination and ultrasonography. RESULTS: 11 (29%) athletes were diagnosed with Ulnar Neuropathy. There were no significant differences in age, height, weight, Body Mass Index, or history of primary illness between athletes with and without Ulnar Neuropathy. In the group without Ulnar Neuropathy, 44% of athletes reported to have been engaging in other wheelchair sports, compared to 9% in the group with Ulnar Neuropathy (p = 0.037). Ulnar nerve dislocation was diagnosed in 15 (39%) athletes by ultrasonography. Out of the 14 elbows of 11 athletes diagnosed with Ulnar Neuropathy, 9 (64%) elbows had ulnar nerve dislocation. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of Ulnar Neuropathy in wheelchair marathon athletes was higher than previously reported in able-bodied, non-athlete individuals and lower than in non-athletes with lower limb dysfunction. Therefore, while wheelchair sports may provide some protection against Ulnar Neuropathy, this study further supports the importance of screening for Ulnar Neuropathy, as well as for ulnar nerve dislocation as a potential risk factor for the development of Ulnar Neuropathy.

Changes in oxidized LDL during a half marathon in athletes with spinal cord injuries.

INTRODUCTION: We reported previously that exercise significantly increases plasma adrenaline and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) in healthy subjects but not in persons with spinal cord injury (SCI). Since oxLDL and adrenaline levels are associated with oxidant/antioxidant balance, and exercise training elicits production of reactive oxygen species, we elucidated the effects of exercise on adrenaline, oxidant/antioxidant balance and oxLDL in individuals with SCI. CASE PRESENTATION: Eight subjects with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) and nine subjects with lower lesion of SCI (lower SCI (LSCI)) participated in a wheelchair half marathon race, and blood samples were collected before (pre), immediately after (post) and 1 h after the race (post 1 h). The blood samples were used to determine adrenaline, derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs) and biological antioxidant potential (BAP), both as markers for oxidant/antioxidant balance. DISCUSSION: Pre-serum oxLDL levels were 147.2±8.1 and 97.0±10.4 U l-1 (mean±s.e.m.) in LCSI and CSCI subjects, respectively, and remained stable throughout the study. Adrenaline levels were higher in LSCI athletes than in CSCI athletes, especially post half marathon. Serum d-ROMs level did not change between pre and post in both groups. The mean BAP was significantly higher in LSCI than in CSCI subjects (2574±94.6 vs 2118±94.6 µmol l-1) at post, whereas the oxidative stress index (d-ROMs/BAP) was similar in the two groups throughout the study. In conclusion, exercise did not increase the d-ROMs or d-ROMs/BAP ratio in CSCI and LSCI subjects. The lack of increase in the plasma oxLDL level in SCI subjects was not due to the lack of response of adrenaline to exercise.