Applicability of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool in Elite Volleyball Athletes: A Cross-Sectional Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The ease of administration of the Cumberland Ankle Instability Tool (CAIT) could represent a methodology for periodically evaluating athletes, preventing ankle instability injuries. This study aimed to achieve three objectives: (a) to evaluate the applicability of the CAIT scale in volleyball; (b) to explore whether ankle instability presents a greater risk in lower-level volleyball categories and whether elite athletes demonstrate an ability to mitigate this risk; and (c) to identify potential predictors of ankle instability. METHODS: Eighty female volleyball players participated in this cross-sectional observational study. The CAIT was administered to evaluate the athletes belonging to some teams in Series A, B, and C. RESULTS: The Spearman's ranks correlation coefficient showed significant correlations between CAIT items. Additionally, the Cronbach's α showed a high internal consistency. Our results showed a significant difference between athletes who reported pain and those who did not (p < 0.001). The multiple linear regression model analysis showed that pain was a predictor of ankle instability (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the CAIT can be used to evaluate ankle stability in volleyball players. This scale could represent a valuable tool for implementing specific intervention programs to prevent ankle injuries in athletes.

Preliminary Assessment of the Acute Effects of Far Infrared-Emitting Garments: What Are the Possible Implications for Recovery and Performance?

Technical clothing has recently been brought into the spotlight as one of the most promising tools to improve sports performance and to enhance sports recovery. Among technical clothing items, garments engineered to emit far infrared (FIR) spectrum frequencies have come to the fore as a treatment for pain, muscle fatigue, and tissue healing due to their potential antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties, with applications not only during recovery phases but also in the active phases of exercise. These garments, composed of fibers mixed with noble metals and/or bioceramics that respond to body infrared frequencies by returning an FIR emission backwards, are thought to improve muscle oxygenation and therefore recovery. In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover study, ten male trail running athletes wore a whole-body-covering suit marketed as Accapì-FIR (Bruno Chiaruttini S.r.l., Rezzato, BS, Italy), while a total body suit with the same polyester fiber without metal components was used as control for the intervention. Parameters such as weight, height, bioimpedance parameters (BIVA), lactate from capillary sampling, salivary cortisol, and average temperatures of different body areas were obtained before and after a twelve-minute incremental work run protocol on a treadmill whilst wearing the two kinds of garment. Using the intervention suit, compared to control, statistically significant reductions in BIVA parameters such as body resistance (-6.7%) and reactance (-5.4%) were observed before and after exercise while a greater, but not significant, weight reduction was observed with the intervention suit. Decrease in resistance could be the result of a different distribution of fluids and ions due to FIR influence on capillary and superficial circulation, leading ultimately to more efficient management of body heat and promoting recovery and supercompensation. Further studies on larger samples will be necessary to confirm and clarify these results.

Moderate intensity active recovery improves performance in a second wingate test in cyclists.

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of active (AR) vs. passive recovery (PR) between two Wingate Anaerobic Tests (WAnT) on power output, blood lactate (BLa) and oxygen consumption (VO2) in a second WAnT. Methods: Twelve well-trained cyclists underwent three experimental sessions. In the first session, they completed an incremental test for maximum oxygen consumption (V O2max) and lactate threshold determination. In the second and third sessions, cyclists completed, in random order, two WAnT tests separated by 30-min recovery intervals, during which they performed an AR at 70% of the V O2 at lactate threshold (V O2LT) or a PR. The cardiorespiratory, metabolic, and mechanical responses in the two recovery conditions were compared. Results: No differences were found in the VO2-on kinetics between WAnT tests (p > 0.05). As expected, blood lactate kinetics showed a greater clearance (from the 7th to the 31st min, p < 0.001) during AR; however, no differences were found in peak BLa between conditions (p > 0.05). Mean and peak power, and total work were significantly higher in the second WAnT after AR (p < 0.001), while the power decline was also lower in this condition (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The submaximal active recovery strategy used in the present study can induce an improvement in mechanical power and total work during a second WAnT. This suggests that AR of submaximal intensity can induce a post-activation performance enhancement when used during the recovery phase between maximal anaerobic efforts.

An Integrated Approach to Skeletal Muscle Health in Aging.

A decline in muscle mass and function represents one of the most problematic changes associated with aging, and has dramatic effects on autonomy and quality of life. Several factors contribute to the inexorable process of sarcopenia, such as mitochondrial and autophagy dysfunction, and the lack of regeneration capacity of satellite cells. The physiologic decline in muscle mass and in motoneuron functionality associated with aging is exacerbated by the sedentary lifestyle that accompanies elderly people. Regular physical activity is beneficial to most people, but the elderly need well-designed and carefully administered training programs that improve muscle mass and, consequently, both functional ability and quality of life. Aging also causes alteration in the gut microbiota composition associated with sarcopenia, and some advances in research have elucidated that interventions via the gut microbiota-muscle axis have the potential to ameliorate the sarcopenic phenotype. Several mechanisms are involved in vitamin D muscle atrophy protection, as demonstrated by the decreased muscular function related to vitamin D deficiency. Malnutrition, chronic inflammation, vitamin deficiencies, and an imbalance in the muscle-gut axis are just a few of the factors that can lead to sarcopenia. Supplementing the diet with antioxidants, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, probiotics, prebiotics, proteins, kefir, and short-chain fatty acids could be potential nutritional therapies against sarcopenia. Finally, a personalized integrated strategy to counteract sarcopenia and maintain the health of skeletal muscles is suggested in this review.

Use of Streptococcus salivarius K12 in supporting the mucosal immune function of active young subjects: A randomised double-blind study.

Introduction: Upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) are the most common illnesses affecting athletes, causing absences from training and competition. Salivary immunoglobulin A (sIgA) is the main immune factor in saliva, and a consistent association between low concentrations of sIgA and an increased incidence of URTIs has been reported. The oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been suggested to have the potential to improve oral diseases and mucosal barrier function. However, the effects of this probiotic on active young subjects performing a high-intensity training (HIT) program have not been investigated. Methods: Active young students were randomised into a treated group (S. salivarius K12) and a control (placebo) group and asked to take the product daily for 30 days. After this period, participants performed a graded exercise test and five HIT sessions, all within 3 days. They were also asked to complete the Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey daily to monitor URTI's presence. Before and after the 30 days, and at 0h, 24h and 72h after the last training session, saliva samples were collected to quantify sIgA level, secretion rate, and flow. The effect of S. salivarius K12 intake on these parameters was tested using an ANOVA for repeated measures. Results: Twenty (M = 14, F = 6) young subjects (23.5 ± 2.3 years old) participated in the study. The total accumulated training load (sRPE) in the supplementation period was similar in the two groups (treated: 4345 ± 3441 AU; control: 4969 ± 4165 AU; p > 0.05). Considering both sIgA level and secretion rate, significant time (F(4,15) = 3.38; p = 0.037; F(4,15) = 6.00; p = 0.004) and time×group interactions (F(4,15) = 2.49; p = 0.049; F(4,15) = 5.01; p = 0.009) were reported, with the treated group showing higher sIgA levels at 72h post-exercise and increased secretion rate both at 0h and 72h. The number of URTI episodes was similar in the treated and control groups (χ² = 1.83; p > 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that relatively short-term S. salivarius K12 supplementation increased sIgA level and secretion in healthy subjects performing a demanding exercise-training programme composed of HIT sessions.

Modulation of the Circulating Extracellular Vesicles in Response to Different Exercise Regimens and Study of Their Inflammatory Effects.

Exercise-released extracellular vesicles (EVs) are emerging as a novel class of exerkines that promotes systemic beneficial effects. However, slight differences in the applied exercise protocols in terms of mode, intensity and duration, as well as the need for standardized protocols for EV isolation, make the comparison of the studies in the literature extremely difficult. This work aims to investigate the EV amount and EV-associated miRNAs released in circulation in response to different physical exercise regimens. Healthy individuals were subjected to different exercise protocols: acute aerobic exercise (AAE) and training (AT), acute maximal aerobic exercise (AMAE) and altitude aerobic training (AAT). We found a tendency for total EVs to increase in the sedentary condition compared to trained participants following AAE. Moreover, the cytofluorimetric analysis showed an increase in CD81+/SGCA+/CD45- EVs in response to AAE. Although a single bout of moderate/maximal exercise did not impact the total EV number, EV-miRNA levels were affected as a result. In detail, EV-associated miR-206, miR-133b and miR-146a were upregulated following AAE, and this trend appeared intensity-dependent. Finally, THP-1 macrophage treatment with exercise-derived EVs induced an increase of the mRNAs encoding for IL-1ß, IL-6 and CD163 using baseline and immediately post-exercise EVs. Still, 1 h post-exercise EVs failed to stimulate a pro-inflammatory program. In conclusion, the reported data provide a better understanding of the release of circulating EVs and their role as mediators of the inflammatory processes associated with exercise.

Movement and health beyond care, MoviS: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial on nutrition and exercise educational programs for breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer (BC) is the most common invasive cancer in women, and exercise can significantly improve the outcomes of BC survivors. MoviS (Movement and Health Beyond Care) is a randomized controlled trial aimed to evaluate the potential health benefits of exercise and proper nutritional habits. This study aims to assess the efficacy of aerobic exercise training in improving quality of life (QoL) and health-related factors in high-risk BC. METHODS: One hundred seventy-two BC survivor women, aged 30-70 years, non-metastatic, stage 0-III, non-physically active, 6-12 months post-surgery, and post chemo- or radiotherapy, will be recruited in this study. Women will be randomly allocated to the intervention arm (lifestyle recommendations and MoviS Training) or control arm (lifestyle recommendations). The MoviS training consists of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise training (2 days/week of supervised and 1 day/week of unsupervised exercise) with a progressive increase in exercise intensity (40-70% of heart rate reserve) and duration (20-60 min). Both arms will receive counseling on healthy lifestyle habits (nutrition and exercise) based on the World Cancer Research Fund International (WCRF) 2018 guidelines. The primary outcome is the improvement of the QoL. The secondary outcomes are improvement of health-related parameters such as Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity level, flexibility, muscular fitness, fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness (estimated maximal oxygen uptake), echocardiographic parameters, heart rate variability (average of the standard deviations of all 5 min normal to normal intervals (ASDNN/5 min) and 24 h very low and low frequency), and metabolic, endocrine, and inflammatory serum biomarkers (glycemia, insulin resistance, progesterone, testosterone, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein). DISCUSSION: This trial aims to evaluate if supervised exercise may improve QoL and health-related factors of BC survivors with a high risk of recurrence. Findings from this project could provide knowledge improvement in the field of exercise oncology through the participation of a multidisciplinary team that will provide a coordinated program of cancer care to improve healthcare quality, improve prognosis, increase survival times and QoL, and reduce the risk of BC recurrence. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov  NCT04818359 . Retrospectively registered on March 26, 2021.

Relationship between Muscle-Tendon Stiffness and Drop Jump Performance in Young Male Basketball Players during Developmental Stages.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between stiffness and drop jump performance in athletes in various stages of development has yet to be fully investigated. The first aim of this study was to investigate the association between the stiffness of the patellar and quadriceps tendon (PT, QT), gastrocnemius-Achilles tendon unit (GAT), and rectus femoris (RF) using drop jump (DJ) performance in young basketball players. The second aim was to investigate possible variations in the stiffness levels of those tissues in different developmental stages. METHODS: The stiffness levels of the GAT, PT, QT, and RF were measured in both limbs in 73 male basketball players aged 12 to 18 years. The reactive strength index (RSI), contact time (CT) and jump height (JH) during 30 and 40 cm DJs were also measured. RESULTS: Pearson correlation coefficients showed a significant association between DJ performance and PT, QT, GAT, and RF dynamic stiffness. Moreover, the youngest subjects were found to have lower stiffness values than the older ones. CONCLUSIONS: Tissue stiffness can affect athletic performance by modifying the stretch-shortening cycle in young basketball players. Stiffness of muscles and tendons increases during the maturation process. Further investigations could shed light on the effect of training on the stiffness of muscles and tendons.

Interventions on Gut Microbiota for Healthy Aging.

In recent years, the improvement in health and social conditions has led to an increase in the average lifespan. Since aging is the most important risk factor for the majority of chronic human diseases, the development of therapies and intervention to stop, lessen or even reverse various age-related morbidities is an important target to ameliorate the quality of life of the elderly. The gut microbiota, that is, the complex ecosystem of microorganisms living in the gastrointestinal tract, plays an important role, not yet fully understood, in maintaining the host's health and homeostasis, influencing metabolic, oxidative and cognitive status; for this reason, it is also named "the forgotten endocrine organ" or "the second brain". On the other hand, the gut microbiota diversity and richness are affected by unmodifiable factors, such as aging and sex, and modifiable ones, such as diet, pharmacological therapies and lifestyle. In this review, we discuss the changes, mostly disadvantageous, for human health, induced by aging, in microbiota composition and the effects of dietary intervention, of supplementation with probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, psychobiotics and antioxidants and of physical exercise. The development of an integrated strategy to implement microbiota health will help in the goal of healthy aging.

Nine weeks of high-intensity indoor cycling training induced changes in the microbiota composition in non-athlete healthy male college students.

BACKGROUND: The gut microbiota constitutes a dynamic microbial system constantly challenged by environmental conditions, including physical exercise. Limited human studies suggest that exercise could play a beneficial role for gut health, increasing microbial diversity, even if the effects of exercise on gut microbial microorganisms depends on its intensity and duration. This study aimed to investigate the effects of nine weeks of high-intensity interval exercise on gut microbiota composition in healthy young adults. METHODS: The gut microbiota composition of seventeen healthy male college students was analysed before and after nine weeks of high-intensity interval cycling training by 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing. PERMANOVA for repeated measures was used to test pre-post differences in the relative abundance of all taxonomic levels, and correlations between variations in microbial composition and physical and dietary features were also assessed. RESULTS: Physical exercise induced changes in microbiota composition, at all taxonomic levels analysed (phyla: F [1, 32]=3.97, p=0.029; classes: F [1, 32]=3.39, p=0.033, orders: F [1, 32]=3.17, p=0.044, families: F [1, 32]=1.54, p=0.037, genera: F [1, 32]=1.46, p=0.015, species: F [1, 32]=1.38, p=0.007). Conversely, no differences were found between pre and post-training conditions for microbial community richness (Chao1: V=105, p=0.06) or diversity (Shannon index: V=62, p=0.52; Simpson index: V=59, p=0.43). Changes in the relative abundance of eighteen genera were correlated to changes of twenty environmental factors grouped in physical features, sport-related features, and dietary features. CONCLUSIONS: Nine weeks of high-intensity exercise induced modifications in gut microbiota composition in healthy male college students, shifting the gut microbial population towards a healthier microbiome with benefit to human health in general.

Treatment of Achilles Tendinopathy in Recreational Runners with Peritendinous Hyaluronic Acid Injections: A Viscoelastometric, Functional, and Biochemical Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND: Achilles tendinopathy (AT) affects ca. 10 million recreational runners in Europe; the practice of hyaluronic acid (HA) infiltration is being increasingly adopted. The aim of this pilot study was to monitor the effects of a three-local time-spaced injections regimen of HA in the treatment of AT in middle-aged runners combining for the first time viscoelastometric, biochemical, and functional methodologies with routine clinical examinations. METHODS: Eight male runners (Age 49.3 ± 3.9), diagnosed for unilateral AT, were given three ultrasound (US) guided peritendinous HA injections at the baseline (T0) and every fifteenth day with a follow-up on the forty-fifth day (T1, T2, and T3). At all-time points patients were assessed for viscoelastic tone and stiffness, maximal voluntary isometric contraction (MVIC), and pain level (Likert scale 0-5). The peritendinous effusions of the injured tendon were collected at T0 and T2 to quantify the volume variations and the IL-1ß and MMP-3 levels. RESULTS: At T0 MVIC and pain score were significantly lower and higher, respectively, in injured tendons. The volume, IL-1ß and MMP-3 levels decreased in the course of treatment and the clinical endpoints ameliorated over time. Tone, stiffness, and functional performance also varied significantly at T2 and T3, as compared to T0. CONCLUSIONS: The sequential peritendinous injections of HA were effective in the amelioration of the clinical symptoms, as well as of the functional and viscoelastic state associated with AT. The determination of the viscoelastometric state may help to precisely evaluate the healing process in AT patients.

Dietary Habits and Psychological States during COVID-19 Home Isolation in Italian College Students: The Role of Physical Exercise.

Social isolation has adverse effects on mental health, physical exercise, and dietary habits. This longitudinal observational study aimed to investigate the effects of mood states and exercise on nutritional choices, on 176 college students (92 males, 84 females; 23 ± 4 years old) during the COVID-19 lockdown. During 21 days, nutrition and exercise were daily monitored, and the mood states assessed. A factor analysis was used to reduce the number of nutritional variables collected. The relationships between exercise, mood and nutrition were investigated using a multivariate general linear model and a mediation model. Seven factors were found, reflecting different nutritional choices. Exercise was positively associated with fruit, vegetables and fish consumption (p = 0.004). Depression and quality of life were, directly and inversely, associated with cereals, legumes (p = 0.005; p = 0.004) and low-fat meat intake (p = 0.040; p = 0.004). Exercise mediated the effect of mood states on fruit, vegetables and fish consumption, respectively, accounting for 4.2% and 1.8% of the total variance. Poorer mood states possibly led to unhealthy dietary habits, which can themselves be linked to negative mood levels. Exercise led to healthier nutritional choices, and mediating the effects of mood states, it might represent a key measure in uncommon situations, such as home-confinement.

Descriptive Kinematic Analysis of the Potentially Tragic Accident at the 2020 Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix Using Low-Cost Instruments: A Brief Report.

BACKGROUND: During the first Austrian MotoGP Grand Prix of 2020, following a serious accident involving the riders J. Zarco and F. Morbidelli, Morbidelli's riderless bike cartwheeled across turn 3, narrowly missing V. Rossi and M. Viñales by just a few centimeters. As is the case with ordinary traffic accidents, analyzing the dynamics of motorcycle racing accidents can help improve safety; however, to date, the literature lacks studies that analyze the causes and severity of such accidents. Hence, the purpose of this study was to analyze the main causes that led to the accident at the 2020 Austrian MotoGp Grand Prix, to quantify the speeds and distances of the bikes and riders involved, and to hypothesize several alternative scenarios using a low-cost method. METHOD: Kinovea and Google Earth Pro software were used to identify markers along the racetrack and to measure the distances and calculate the time it took the motorcycles to cover those distances. The analyses were carried out on three 30-fps (frames per second) videos. RESULTS: Zarco's average speed as he was overtaking Morbidelli on the straightaway before turn 2 was 302 ± 1.8 km/h, higher than that of Rins and Rossi (299.7 ± 1.7 and 296 ± 1.7 km/h, respectively). The speed of Zarco and Rossi's bikes 44.5 m before the crash was the same (267 ± 7.9 km/h). Immediately after overtaking Morbidelli, Zarco moved 2.92 m towards the center of the racetrack from point A to B, crossing Morbidelli's trajectory and triggering the accident. Morbidelli's riderless bike flew across turn 3 at a speed of about 76 km/h, missing V. Rossi by just 20 cm. The consequences could have been catastrophic if Rossi had not braked just 0.42 s before encountering Morbidelli's bike in turn 3. CONCLUSION: Through a low-cost quali-quantitative analysis, the present study helps us to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the accident and its main causes. Furthermore, in light of our findings regarding the dynamics and severity of the accident and the particular layout of the Red Bull Ring circuit, racers should be aware that overtaking at the end of turn 2, following the same trajectory as the riders involved in the crash, could be very risky.

High-intensity Interval Training Promotes the Shift to a Health-Supporting Dietary Pattern in Young Adults.

A healthy lifestyle is based on a correct diet and regular exercise. Little is known about the effect of different types of exercise on dietary preferences. To address the question of whether high-intensity interval training (HIIT) could modulate spontaneous food choices, an experimental study was carried out on 32 young, healthy normal-weight subjects. The spontaneous diet of each subject has been monitored over nine weeks of indoor-cycling training, divided into three mesocycles with an incremental pattern: total energy intake, macronutrients and micronutrients have been analysed. A two-way mixed model has been used to assess differences in dietary variables; a principal factor analysis has been performed to identify sample subgroups. An increased energy intake (+17.8% at T3; p < 0.01) has been observed, although macronutrients' proportions did not vary over time, without differences between sexes. An increase of free fat mass was found in the last mesocycle (+3.8%), without an augmentation of body weight, when, despite the increased training load, a stabilization of energy intake occurred. Three different subgroups characterized by different dietary modifications could be identified among participants that showed a common trend towards a healthier diet. Nine weeks of HIIT promoted a spontaneous modulation of food choices and regulation of dietary intake in young normal-weight subjects aged 21-24. Importantly, this life-period is critical to lay the foundation of correct lifestyles to prevent metabolic diseases and secure a healthy future with advancing age.

Which are the Nutritional Supplements Used by Beach-Volleyball Athletes? A Cross-Sectional Study at the Italian National Championship.

Beach volleyball is an intermittent team sport played under high temperature and humidity. Given that some nutritional supplements can enhance sports performance, this study aimed to evaluate the quantity and the heterogeneity of the nutritional supplementation practices of amateur (n = 69) and professional (n = 19) beach volley athletes competing in the Italian National Championship; an online form was used to collect data about the supplementation habits. The latent class analysis was used to find sub-groups characterised by different habits regarding supplements consumption. The most frequently used supplements (more than once a week) are vitamins B and C (39.2% of athletes), protein (46.8%), and caffeine (36.9%). The latent class analysis revealed three different sub-groups of athletes: the first class (56.7%) included athletes who were used to take very few supplements, the second class (17.0%) was characterised by higher consumption of supplements and the third class (26.2%) was in the middle between the others two. Groups were characterised not only by the quantity but also by the category of supplements used. Our results highlighted a high heterogeneity in supplementation habits. A pragmatic approach to supplements and sports foods is needed in the face of the evidence that some products can usefully contribute to enhancing performance.

Effects of a commercially available branched-chain amino acid-alanine-carbohydrate-based sports supplement on perceived exertion and performance in high intensity endurance cycling tests.

BACKGROUND: Sports nutritional supplements containing branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) have been widely reported to improve psychological and biological aspects connected to central fatigue and performance in endurance exercise, although the topic is still open to debate. The aim of the present study was to determine whether the intake of a commercially available BCAA-based supplement, taken according to the manufacturer's recommendations, could affect the rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and performance indexes at the beginning (1d) and end of a 9-week (9w) scheduled high intensity interval training program, with an experimental approach integrating the determination of psychometric, performance, metabolic and blood biochemical parameters. METHODS: This was a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study. Thirty-two untrained, healthy young adults (20 males and 12 female) were enrolled. A high-intensity endurance cycling (HIEC) test was used to induce fatigue in the participants: HIEC consisted in ten 90 s sprints interspersed by ten 3 min recovery phases and followed by a final step time to exhaustion was used. In parallel with RPE, haematological values (creatine kinase, alanine, BCAA, tryptophan, ammonia and glucose levels), and performance indexes (maximal oxygen consumption - VO2max, power associated with lactate thresholds - WLT1, WLT2 and time to exhaustion - TTE) were assessed. All subject took the supplement (13.2 g of carbohydrates; 3.2 g of BCAA and 1.6 g of L-alanine per dose) or placebo before each test and training session. Dietary habits and training load were monitored during the entire training period. RESULTS: The administration of the supplement (SU) at 1d reduced RPE by 9% during the recovery phase, as compared to the placebo (PL); at 9w the RPE scores were reduced by 13 and 21% during the sprint and recovery phase, respectively; at 9w, prolonged supplement intake also improved TTE and TRIMP. SU intake invariably promoted a rapid increase (within 1 h) of BCAA serum blood levels and prevented the post-HIEC tryptophan: BCAA ratio increase found in the PL group, at both 1d and 9w. There was no difference in dietary habits between groups and those habits did not change over time; no difference in glycemia was found between SU and PL. VO2max, WLT1 and WLT2 values improved over time, but were unaffected by supplement intake. CONCLUSIONS: On the whole, these results suggest that i) the intake of the BCAA-based commercially available supplement used in this study reduces RPE as a likely consequence of an improvement in the serum tryptophan: BCAA ratio; ii) over time, reduced RPE allows subjects to sustain higher workloads, leading to increased TRIMP and TTE.

Mutual Interactions among Exercise, Sport Supplements and Microbiota.

The adult gut microbiota contains trillions of microorganisms of thousands of different species. Only one third of gut microbiota are common to most people; the rest are specific and contribute to enhancing genetic variation. Gut microorganisms significantly affect host nutrition, metabolic function, immune system, and redox levels, and may be modulated by several environmental conditions, including physical activity and exercise. Microbiota also act like an endocrine organ and is sensitive to the homeostatic and physiological changes associated with training; in turn, exercise has been demonstrated to increase microbiota diversity, consequently improving the metabolic profile and immunological responses. On the other side, adaptation to exercise might be influenced by the individual gut microbiota that regulates the energetic balance and participates to the control of inflammatory, redox, and hydration status. Intense endurance exercise causes physiological and biochemical demands, and requires adequate measures to counteract oxidative stress, intestinal permeability, electrolyte imbalance, glycogen depletion, frequent upper respiratory tract infections, systemic inflammation and immune responses. Microbiota could be an important tool to improve overall general health, performance, and energy availability while controlling inflammation and redox levels in endurance athletes. The relationship among gut microbiota, general health, training adaptation and performance, along with a focus on sport supplements which are known to exert some influence on the microbiota, will be discussed.

Muscle and Systemic Molecular Responses to a Single Flywheel Based Iso-Inertial Training Session in Resistance-Trained Men.

Growing evidence points to the effectiveness of flywheel (FW) based iso-inertial resistance training in improving physical performance capacities. However, molecular adaptations induced by FW exercises are largely unknown. Eight resistance-trained men performed 5 sets of 10 maximal squats on a FW device. Muscle biopsies (fine needle aspiration technique) and blood samples were collected before (t0), and 2 h (t1) after FW exercise. Blood samples were additionally drawn after 24 h (t2) and 48 h (t3). Paired samples t-tests revealed significant increases, at t1, of mRNA expression of the genes involved in inflammation, in both muscle (MCP-1, TNF-α, IL-6) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells (IkB-α, MCP-1). Circulating extracellular vesicles (EVs) and EV-encapsulated miRNA levels (miR-206, miR-146a) significantly increased at t1 as well. Conversely, muscle mRNA level of genes associated with muscle growth/remodeling (IGF-1Ea, cyclin D1, myogenin) decreased at t1. One-way repeated measure ANOVAs, with Bonferroni corrected post-hoc pairwise comparisons, revealed significant increases in plasma concentrations of IL-6 (t1; t2; t3) and muscle creatine kinase (t1; t2), while IGF-1 significantly increased at t2 only. Our findings show that, even in experienced resistance trained individuals, a single FW training session modifies local and systemic markers involved in late structural remodeling and functional adaptation of skeletal muscle.

Muscle and Bone Health in Postmenopausal Women: Role of Protein and Vitamin D Supplementation Combined with Exercise Training.

Menopause is an age-dependent physiological condition associated with a natural decline in oestrogen levels, which causes a progressive decrease of muscle mass and strength and bone density. Sarcopenia and osteoporosis often coexist in elderly people, with a prevalence of the latter in elderly women. The profound interaction between muscle and bone induces a negative resonance between the two tissues affected by these disorders worsening the quality of life in the postmenopausal period. It has been estimated that at least 1 in 3 women over age 50 will experience osteoporotic fractures, often requiring hospitalisation and long-term care, causing a large financial burden to health insurance systems. Hormonal replacement therapy is effective in osteoporosis prevention, but concerns have been raised with regard to its safety. On the whole, the increase in life expectancy for postmenopausal women along with the need to improve their quality of life makes it necessary to develop specific and safe therapeutic strategies, alternative to hormonal replacement therapy, targeting both sarcopenia and osteoporosis progression. This review will examine the rationale and the effects of dietary protein, vitamin D and calcium supplementation combined with a specifically-designed exercise training prescription as a strategy to counteract these postmenopausal-associated disorders.

Post-Activation Potentiation Increases Recruitment of Fast Twitch Fibers: A Potential Practical Application in Runners.

To determine the relationship between fatigue and post-activation potentiation, we examined the effects of sub-maximal continuous running on neuromuscular function tests, as well as on the squat jump and counter movement jump in endurance athletes. The height of the squat jump and counter movement jump and the estimate of the fast twitch fiber recruiting capabilities were assessed in seven male middle distance runners before and after 40 min of continuous running at an intensity corresponding to the individual lactate threshold. The same test was then repeated after three weeks of specific aerobic training. Since the three variables were strongly correlated, only the estimate of the fast twitch fiber was considered for the results. The subjects showed a significant improvement in the fast twitch fiber recruitment percentage after the 40 min run. Our data show that submaximal physical exercise determined a change in fast twitch muscle fiber recruitment patterns observed when subjects performed vertical jumps; however, this recruitment capacity was proportional to the subjects' individual fast twitch muscle fiber profiles measured before the 40 min run. The results of the jump tests did not change significantly after the three-week training period. These results suggest that pre-fatigue methods, through sub-maximal exercises, could be used to take advantage of explosive capacity in middle-distance runners.