Right heart exercise-training-adaptation and remodelling in endurance athletes.

Long-term sports training leads to myocardial adaptations, with remodelling of the heart chambers. However, while myocardial adaptations of the left heart are well described, remodelling of the right heart and its impact on the development of arrhythmias is still debated. To conduct a systematic review on right ventricle (RV) and right atrium (RA) structural and functional changes in athletes who participate in long-term endurance training. Systematic review. A systematic literature search was conducted. All the articles reporting right heart echocardiographic (ECHO) and cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) parameters evaluated in endurance athletes and sedentary subjects were considered eligible. A multivariate analysis was conducted to investigate whether age, sex, body surface area (BSA), intensity of training are associated with RV ECHO, CMR parameters and RA ECHO parameters. A positive association between age and right atrium area (RAA) (P = 0.01) was found. This is a negative association to RV E/A (P = 0.004), and RV end diastolic diameter (RVED) longitudinal (P = 0.01). A positive association between BSA and RVED middle (P = 0.001), as well between BSA and RAA (P = 0.05) was found, along with a negative association with RV E/A (P = 0.002). A positive association between intensity of training and RV end systolic area (RVESA) (P = 0.03), RV end diastolic volume indexed (RVEDVI) (P = 0.01), RV end systolic volume indexed (RVESVI) (P = 0.01) was found, along with a negative association with ejection fraction (EF %) (P = 0.01). Endurance athletes demonstrated an association between RV remodelling and age, BSA and intensity of training.

Do the changes in acid-base status and respiratory gas exchange explain the voluntary termination of a test performed above the maximum lactate steady state? / ¿Pueden los cambios del estado ácido-base e intercambio de gases respiratorios explicar el abandono de una prueba realizada por encima del máximo estado estable de lactato?

Stress tests at a constant load have been a great subject of interest for physiologists to analyze the factors which lead to voluntary termination. Several factors are responsible for voluntary termination in such efforts. The objective of this work was to study if any of the respiratory gas exchange and acid-base status variables could justify fatigue during a constant load test performed above maximum lactate steady state. Twelve amateur road cyclists performed a 30 min test on a road bicycle at an intensity of 5% above maximal lactate steady state (MLSS5%). Gas exchange and acid-base data were analyzed at rest and at 5, 10 and 15 min during the test. A two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures was conducted to test the effect of time and group (An alpha of 0.05 was used as the level of statistical significance for all analyses). The group that did not finished the MLSS5% (N-MLSS5%) started from a more pronounced state of metabolic acidosis than the group that ended the test (Y-MLSS5%) (44,6 versus 41,7 nm/l H+) (F1,9= 9.43, P = .013; η2= 0.51). During the test, the acid-base status was greater in the N-MLSS group than the Y-MLSS group (at 15 min, 44,3 for the Y-MLSS group and 49,2 for the N-MLSS group). Neither of the two groups showed an altered ventilation perfusion ratio, estimated by the VD/VTrelationship, although the behaviour of PET CO2 could suggest this outcome. A change in the breathing pattern (VT/Ti) does not explain the termination of steady exercise in the N-MLSS group. In conclusion the results of this study do not explain the voluntary termination of exercise in a group of cyclists (N-MLSS) that made a steady effort over the maximal lactate steady state. This finding reinforces the hypothesis that fatigue occurs due to an integration of the afferent feedback of various physiological systems

Las pruebas de esfuerzo realizadas a intensidad constante han sido objeto de interés de los fisiólogos, analizando los factores responsables del abandono. El objetivo ha sido estudiar si variables de intercambio respiratorio y del estado ácido-base podrían justificar la fatiga durante un esfuerzo constante realizado a una intensidad superior al máximo estado estable de lactato. Doce ciclistas realizaron una prueba en su bicicleta durante 30 min a una intensidad del 5% por encima del máximo estado estable de lactato (MLSS5%). Se analizaron determinados parámetros de intercambio de gases respiratorios y del estado ácido-base en reposo, a los 5, 10 y 15 min de la prueba. Para determinar el efecto del tiempo y del grupo se realizó un análisis de varianza repetido de dos factores. Para valorar las posibles diferencias estadísticas se consideró un valor de alfa de 0,05. El grupo que no finalizó la prueba MLSS5% (N-MLSS 5%) comenzó con un estado de acidosis metabólica mayor que el grupo que si completó la prueba (Y-LSS5%) (44,6 versus 41,7 nm/l H+) (F1,9= 9,43, p = 0,013; η2= 0,51). Durante la prueba, el estado ácido-base fue mayor en el grupo N-MLSS que en el Y-MLSS (a los 15 min, 44,3 para el grupo Y-MLSS y 49,2 para el grupo N-MLSS). Ninguno de los dos grupos mostró una alteración de la relación ventilación/perfusión (relación VD/VT), aunque el comportamiento de la PET CO2podría sugerirlo. El cambio en el modelo respiratorio (VT/Ti) tampoco explica el abandono del ejercicio estable en el grupo N-MLSS. En conclusión, los resultados de este estudio no explican el abandono del ejercicio en un grupo de ciclistas (N-MLSS) durante el esfuerzo realizado. Este hallazgo refuerza la hipótesis relativa a que la fatiga sucede debido a la integración de la retroalimentación aferente de diversos sistemas fisiológicos

Las preferencias participativas del profesorado de educación física en su actividad profesional / The physical education teachers’ participative preferences in their professional activit

Los entornos colaborativos han sido promocionados como la mejor solución a los problemas que la actividad docente puede presentar independientemente de las preferencias personales de los profesores. El objetivo del estudio es desarrollar una escala de preferencias de interacción social en el entorno laboral para los profesores de educación física, partiendo de la Escala GR de Ruiz et al. (2010), así como evaluar su equivalencia de medida en profesores con diferentes años de experiencia docente y entre hombres y mujeres, utilizando el análisis factorial confirmatorio multigrupo. En este estudio participaron 1413 profesores españoles. La escala final quedó constituida por las 4 cuatro dimensiones originarias: Cooperación, Competición, Individualismo y Afiliación que explicaron un 66.43% de la varianza y presentaron valores elevados de consistencia interna. Por otro lado, los resultados indican una equivalencia factorial estricta. Los profesores con más años de experiencia prefieren escenarios de trabajo más individualistas y cooperativos que aquellos con menor experiencia y los hombres tienen preferencias más individualistas y competitivas, mientras que las mujeres tienen mayor orientación cooperativa

Nowadays the collaborative learning environments have been promoted by the physical education teachers as the best way for decreasing teaching problems independently of teachers’ personal achievements. The aim of the present study was to develop a scale for physical education teachers about social interactions preferences in the workplace environment. Based on the scale GR developed by Ruiz et al. (2010), the multisample confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess the equivalence measure between years of experience and gender. The participants were 1413 Spanish physical education teachers. The final scale was composed of the 4 initial dimensions: cooperation, competition, individualization, and affiliation. The four dimensions accounted for 66.43% of the total variance, and showed high values of internal consistency. Also, the results pointed out a strict factorial invariance. Finally, the results showed that the more experienced teachers prefer individualized and competitive workplace environments than the less experienced ones, and on the other hand, men’s teachers were more individualistic and competitive compared with women’s teachers whom prefer cooperative orientations in the workplace environment

Eficacia en la aplicación de las medidas de formación para los deportistas de alto nivel en el territorio español / Efficiency of the application of academic training policies for spanish top athletes / Eficácia na aplicação de medidas de formação para desportistas de alto rendimento em território espanhol

La formación académica y la planificación son fundamentales para una exitosa inserción laboral de los atletas de élite. El objetivo de este estudio fue detectar el nivel de aplicación de las medidas de formación por los diferentes agentes que participan en el sistema. Al analizar el proceso de información se apreciaron ciertas carencias en el mismo. El cambio de fechas de exámenes con motivo de competiciones/concentraciones oficiales fue el aspecto más demandado por los diferentes deportistas. Dado que el periodo de los 20 a los 30 años es crítico para la formación, sería necesario aportar un servicio de cobertura total para la población de deportistas de Alto Nivel, con el fin de dar un asesoramiento permanente y trazar una línea continua desde la vida deportiva a la vida laboral en los deportistas

Academic training and planning are fundamental in ensuring the integration of elite athletes into the labour market. The main goal of this study was to analyse the extent to which academic measures are applied by the system’s different stakeholders. When the information process was analysed, certain shortcomings were noted. Most calls by athletes were for the dates of exams to be changed due to their coincidence with an official competition, as confirmed by requests to all bodies. The period from 20 to 30 years of age is critical in academic terms and a fully comprehensive service should be ensured for these top athletes in order to provide ongoing guidance

A formação académica e a planificação são fundamentais para uma bem sucedida inserção laboral dos atletas de elite. O objectivo deste estudo foi detectar o nível de aplicação de medidas de formação pelos diferentes agentes desportivos que participam no sistema. Ao analisar o processo de informação foram identificadas algumas carências no mesmo. A mudança das datas dos exames por motivos de competições/concentrações oficiais foi o aspecto mais pedido pelos diferentes desportistas. Dado que o período dos 20 aos 30 anos é crítico para a formação, seria necessário adicionar um serviço de cobertura total para a população de desportistas de Alto Rendimento, com o objectivo de assessorar permanentemente e traçar uma linha contínua desde a vida desportiva à vida laboral dos desportistas

Parámetros bioquímicos a lo largo de tres microciclos de entrenamiento intenso en triatletas de élite / Biochemical parameters along three intense training microcycles in elite triathletes

Algunos investigadores han utilizado la información que suministran determinados parámetros sanguíneos para el control biológico del entrenamiento. Entre estos parámetros los más utilizados como indicadores de sobreentrenamiento son: creatina kinasa (CK), urea (U), cortisol (C), testosterona (T) y relación testosterona/cortisol (T/C). El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar la evolución de CK, U, C,T y T/C a lo largo de 3 microciclos (M) de entrenamiento, comparando los valores tras una sesión de entrenamiento intenso con los obtenidos tras una sesión de recuperación. Seis triatletas masculinos de élite participaron en el estudio y fueron seguidos durante un periodo de entrenamiento de 31 semanas. Se estudiaron los microciclos 8, 22 y 31 (M1, M2 y M3, respectivamente). Se realizaron 7 extracciones sanguíneas en los siguientes momentos: una analítica en octubre en el periodo de descanso, y dos analíticas al final de cada M (tras una sesión de entrenamiento y una de recuperación). En cada M se registraron los datos de entrenamiento así como los de percepción de la carga y recuperación. La CK descendió de forma significativa tras una sesión de recuperación después de haber alcanzado valores significativamente superiores a los de referencia (129,5±80,2 U/l) en el M1 (Entrenamiento: 303,2±141,8 U/l vs. Recuperación: 211,3±65,4 U/l; P < 0,05), en el M2 (Entrenamiento: 316,2±134,1 U/l vs. Recuperación: 238,2±149 U/l; P < 0,05) y M3 (Entrenamiento: 383,3±231,0U/l vs. Recuperación: 209,8±98,2 U/l; P < 0,05). Ni la U ni la T experimentaron variaciones significativas tras una sesión de recuperación, mientras que el C sólo descendió significativamente en M3 (Entrenamiento: 23±2,3 μg/dl vs. Recuperación: 18,9±2,7 μg/dl: P < 0,05). En conclusión, este estudio muestra las variaciones que experimentan varios parámetros sanguíneos a lo largo de tres microciclos de entrenamiento intenso, en los que ninguno de los deportistas experimentó ningún síntoma de sobreentrenamiento (AU)

Some researchers have used the information provided by certain blood parameters for training control. The parameters which are normally used as indicators of overtraining are: creatine kinase (CK), urea (U), cortisol (C), testosterone (T) and the ratio testosterone/cortisol (T/C). The aim of this study was to determine the evolution of CK, U, C, T and T/C along three training microcycles (M), comparing the values obtained after an intense training session with those obtained after a recovery session. Six elite male triathletes participated in the study and they were followed for a period of 31 weeks. The microcycles 8,22 and 31 were studied (M1, M2 and M3, respectively). Seven blood samples were obtained at the following moments: one sample in October in the rest period, and two more at the end of each M (after a training session and a recovery session). The following variables were measured: CK, U, C, T and T/C. Data training and perceived effort were recorded in each M. Creatine kinase decreased significantly after a recovery session after reaching significantly higher values than the reference (129.5±80.2 U/l) in the M1 (Training: 303.2±141.8 U/l vs. Recovery: 211.3±65.4 U/l; P < 0.05), in the M2 (Training: 316.2±134.1 U/l vs. Recovery: 238.2±149 U/l; P < 0.05) and M3 (Training: 383.3±231.0 U/l vs. Recovery: 209.8±98.2U/l; P < 0.05). Neither U or T changed significantly after a recovery session, while C decreased significantly only in M3 (Training: 23±2.3 μg/dl vs. Recovery: 18.9±2.7 μg/dl; P <0.05). In conclusion, this study shows the changes experienced by several blood parameters through three intense training microcycles, in which none of the triathletes experienced any symptoms of overtraining (AU)

Genotype modulators of clinical severity in McArdle disease.

The phenotypic manifestation of McArdle disease varies considerably from one individual to the next. The purpose of this study was to assess the possible association between the clinical severity of the disease, and each of the genotypes PYGM (R50X), ACE (I/D), AMPD1 (Q12X), PPARGC1A (G482S) and ACTN3 (R577X). We also assessed links between clinical disease severity and other potential phenotype modulators such as age or gender. McArdle disease was diagnosed in 99 patients of Spanish origin (60 male, 39 female; age range 8-81 years) by identifying the two mutant alleles of the PYGM gene. Disease severity was assessed using the grading scheme previously reported by Martinuzzi et al. [A. Martinuzzi, E. Sartori, M. Fanin, et al., Phenotype modulators in myophosphorylase deficiency, Ann. Neurol. 53 (2003) 497-502]. Significant correlation was observed (exact two-sided P<0.0001) between the number of D alleles of the ACE gene and the disease severity score. Rank-order correlation coefficients were 0.296 (95% CI: 0.169, 0.423) (Kendall's tau) and 0.345 (95% CI: 0.204, 0.486) (Somer's D). No significant relationships were detected between clinical severity and the remaining genotypes examined. Finally, disease severity was significantly worse in women with the disease. Our findings indicate that both ACE genotype and gender contribute to how McArdle disease manifests in an individual patient. The role of other candidate genes remains to be elucidated.