Dietary Intake of Athletes at the World Masters Athletics Championships as Assessed by Single 24 h Recall.

Proper dietary intake is important for masters athletes because of the physiological changes that occur with aging and the unique nutritional needs when competing at high levels. We evaluated the dietary intake of masters athletes competing at the World Masters Athletics Championships (outdoor games, Tampere, Finland, 2022, and indoor games, Torun, Poland, 2023). A total of 43 athletes (16 females and 27 males, mean age 59.2 ± 10.3 y, height 168 ± 8 cm, and body mass 62.3 ± 10.8 kg) participating in endurance (n = 21), sprint (n = 16), jumping (2), multi-component (e.g., decathlon; n = 3), and throwing (n = 1) events provided 24 h dietary recalls while participating in the games. Carbohydrate intake was below the recommended levels for endurance athletes. Protein intake was below the recommended levels for masters athletes, except for female athletes involved in power events (i.e., sprinters and jumpers). Other nutrient intakes that were below the recommended levels included vitamins D and E, calcium, potassium, vitamin A (except for female endurance athletes), folate (except for female power athletes), vitamin C for female endurance athletes, vitamin K and fiber for males, and zinc for endurance athletes. We conclude that while competing at world championships, many athletes are not consuming the recommended levels of carbohydrates, protein, and micronutrients. Athletes attending these games would benefit from increased nutritional support.

Coping With Discrimination Among African Americans With Type 2 Diabetes: Factor Structure and Associations With Diabetes Control, Mental Distress, and Psychosocial Resources.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes undermines diabetes-related health outcomes among African Americans, who have a disproportionately high incidence of the disease. Experiences of discrimination are common among African Americans and compound diabetes-related stress, exacerbating poor health outcomes. Appropriate use of coping strategies may mitigate the detrimental effect of discrimination on diabetes-related outcomes, but examining associations between coping strategies and health outcomes is needed to inform potential interventions. This study assessed the factor structure of the Coping with Discrimination Scale (CDS) among African American adults with type 2 diabetes and examined associations of CDS subscales with measures of diabetes control, mental distress, and psychosocial resources. Methods: The CDS was administered primarily through churches to African Americans with type 2 diabetes residing in Austin, Texas, and surrounding areas. Data were collected from August 2020 through April 2023. We conducted principal axis factor analysis of the CDS and determined internal consistency for each factor. We computed bivariate and partial correlations between CDS subscales and indicators of diabetes control (hemoglobin A1c, diabetes self-management), mental distress (diabetes distress, perceived stress, depressive symptoms), and psychosocial resources (resilience, social support, self-efficacy). Results: The 284 African American adults (204 women, 80 men) ranged in age from 23 to 86 years (mean [SD] = 62 [11] y). We identified 4 factors: education/advocacy, internalization, strong response, and detachment. Scores were highest for education/advocacy items and lowest for strong response items. Education/advocacy was associated with higher scores on psychosocial resources, whereas detachment was associated with lower scores. Internalization and strong response were associated with higher mental distress. Strong response was associated with higher hemoglobin A1c, and education/advocacy was associated with enhanced diabetes self-management. Conclusion: We suggest health care professionals create culturally tailored interventions that aid individuals in educating others, advocating for themselves, or recognizing situations outside one's control and detaching from responsibility, rather than internalizing experiences of discrimination or engaging in strong responses that upon reflection are detrimental to one's health.

Effectiveness of different recovery postures during high-intensity interval training.

BACKGROUND: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become a very popular mode of exercise practiced by the elite as well as recreationally active adults. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of four recovery postures that are typically used by exercisers on recovery rate and performance in subsequent bouts of HIIT. METHODS: Sixteen young, healthy adults performed four HIIT trials with randomized recovery postures. Each trial consisted of four sets of modified Wingate anaerobic power tests (20-sec duration) on a cycle ergometer (Monark 894E, Vansbro, Sweden) separated by four-minute recovery between each exercise set. Participants adopted one of four recovery postures immediately following each set: standing still with hands on the back of the head (head), standing still with hands resting on knees (knees), slow walking with hands on hips (walking), or supine rest (supine). Differences were assessed by a two-way (posture × set) repeated measures analysis of variance. RESULTS: Peak and mean anaerobic power progressively declined within each set (P<0.05), with no differences between postures. Fatigue rate was significantly slower during supine (59±12%) than knees (63±13%). Heart rate recovery was faster (P<0.001) during supine than the other three standing postures. Pulmonary ventilation was not significantly different between postures. Blood lactate concentrations measured after HIIT were not significantly different between postures. CONCLUSIONS: Supine posture appears to be more advantageous in facilitating recovery when compared to the three standing postures. None of the recovery postures examined was responsible for better performance in subsequent bouts of HIIT.

Hypotensive Effects of Aquatic Exercise Training in Older Adults.

BACKGROUND: Although regular exercise can help reduce blood pressure (BP), older adults often struggle with adhering to land-based exercise due to barriers such as arthritis pain, functional limitations, and fear of falling. Aquatic exercise is a good alternative mode of exercise that may reduce barriers and improve adherence. However, limited evidence is available on the effectiveness of aquatic exercise in reducing BP in older adults with isolated systolic hypertension. This study aimed to determine the effects of an 8-week aquatic exercise program on arterial BP in older adults. METHODS: Twenty-five participants were randomized to a control (n = 12, 81 ±â€…8 years) or aquatic exercise group (n = 13, 83 ±â€…7 years). The exercise group received aquatic cognitive-motor training at a moderate-intensity for 45 minutes per session three times per week for 8 weeks. The non-exercising control group received a 1-hour fall prevention seminar and was asked to maintain their normal physical activity level. RESULTS: Baseline characteristics were not different between the groups. After 8 weeks, the exercise group had reductions in systolic BP (135 ±â€…11 vs. 126 ±â€…13 mm Hg, P < 0.01) and pulse pressure (PP) (68 ±â€…8 vs. 60 ±â€…8 mm Hg, P < 0.01) without significant change in diastolic BP. There were no significant changes in the control group. CONCLUSION: Aquatic cognitive-motor training performed at a moderate-intensity was effective in inducing clinically meaningful reductions in systolic BP and PP in older adults.

Effects of supra high-intensity interval training in police officers.

BACKGROUND: The job environment of a police officer involves unusually high physical and mental stressors paired with hours of prolonged sedentary behavior. The availability of police officers to engage in traditional regularly-scheduled exercises is generally restricted by irregular shift hours. Therefore, supra high-intensity interval training (supra HIIT) may be a viable training option as it elicits physical and mental health benefits and a training session can be completed in less than five minutes. METHODS: Twenty-two police officers (37±8 years) performed 4-minute all-out sessions over 9 weeks. An average of 4±1 supra HIIT workouts was completed per week. RESULTS: Program assessment questions resulted in an overall program satisfaction level of 8.6 on a scale of 10 with very high enjoyment (94%) among the participants. Following the intervention, body fat percentage and fat mass decreased (P=0.003 and 0.028) and muscle mass increased (P=0.002). Arterial stiffness and total cholesterol concentration decreased (P<0.05). Maximal oxygen consumption increased (P=0.010). Wingate anaerobic power and mental and physical health did not change significantly. CONCLUSIONS: A supra HIIT program was highly satisfactory and enjoyable to police officers and was accompanied by a number of favorable effects on body composition, aerobic fitness, and arterial stiffness.

A new and specific automated blood pressure device for exercise stress testing.

Blood pressure (BP) measurement plays a critical role in cardiac stress testing and is most commonly assessed manually. The emphasis of social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic has renewed the interest in and the need for an automated BP device for incremental exercise stress testing. We assessed the accuracy of a new automated blood pressure device specifically manufactured for cardiac stress testing. Thirty-five adults aged 35 ± 16 years were studied during an incremental stress test on the cycle ergometer. Three observers measured BP simultaneously, two listening to Korotkoff sounds using a dual-headed stethoscope and one using headphones to listen to sounds generated by an automated BP device. With increasing workload, systolic BP increased progressively without significant differences in BP readings between any observer compared with the automated monitor at any stage during exercise. Systolic BP obtained with the BP machine was strongly correlated with those obtained by the stethoscope observers (r = 0.96) and the observer with headphones (r = 0.95). Diastolic BP obtained with the BP machine was moderately and significantly associated with those obtained by the stethoscope observers (r = 0.75) and the observer with headphones (r = 0.75). The automated BP monitor specifically made for cardiac stress testing accurately measured both systolic and diastolic blood pressure during exercise.