[Final blood lactate concentration after incremental test and aerobic performance].

The aim of the study was to check the hypothesis that elite endurance athletes (junior and national team) show the decreased final blood lactate concentration after incremental test till exhaustion with increased aerobic performance level. 20 physical active men and 45 elite middle and long distance endurance athletes (speed skaters, triathletes, cross country skiers) participated in the study. Significant negative correlations (r = -0.59--0.87) were found between final blood lactate concentration after incremental test till exhaustion and aerobic performance (anaerobic threshold (AT)) for athletes groups and not for physically active subjects. Moreover the less final blood lactate concentration and more VO2 at AT have elite speed skates, the higher volume of type I muscle fibers in working muscle they have (r = -0.84 and r = 0.7, accordingly).

[Association of the mitochondrial transcription factor (TFAM) gene polymorphism with physical performance of athletes].

The aim of the study was to investigate allelic distribution of the mitochondrial transcription factor gene (TFAM) Ser12Thr polymorphism in athletes (n = 1537) and controls (n = 1113), and to find interrelation between genotypes and aerobic capacity in rowers (n = 90). Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Aerobic capacity (maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) and maximal power production capacity (Wmax)) was determined using an incremental test to exhaustion by rower ergometer. The frequency of TFAM 12Thr allele was significantly higher in endurance-oriented athletes (n = 588) than in controls (14.0% vs. 9.1%; p <0.0001), and increased with the growth of skills. Furthermore, TFAM 12Thr allele was associated with high values of aerobic performance (when Wmax and VO2max were measured). Thus, TFAM gene Ser12Thr polymorphism is associated with physical performance of athletes.

[Dry immersion effects on the mechanisms of metabolic-reflex regulation of hemodynamics during muscular work].

Effects of 4-d dry immersion on metabolic-reflex regulation of hemodynamics were evaluated during local static work (30% of maximum voluntary effort) of the talocrural extensors. One group of immersed test-subjects received low-frequency electrostimulation of leg muscles to offset the immersion effect on EMG of working muscles. Metabolic-reflex regulation was evaluated through comparison of cardiovascular responses to physical tests with and w/o post-exercise vascular occlusion. Immersion vaguely increased heart rate and reduced systolic arterial pressure in resting subjects; however, it did not have a distinct effect on arterial pressure and HR during muscular work or metabolic-reflex potentiation of hemodynamic shifts.

[Ergoreflex: the essence and mechanisms].

Physical loading raises the sympathetic nervous activity which results in increased minute volume, constriction of peripheral vessels, and elevated blood pressure. These reactions are an outcome of two mechanisms: 1) the central command from cerebral structures that trigger voluntary movements to activate the vasomotor center and 2) the reflexes initiated by mechanic and metabolic changes in a working muscle. The second mechanism of the sympathetic system activation was termed ergoreflex. Ergoreflex controls hemodynamics primarily through activation of mechanosensitive afferents to first of all inhibit the tonic vagal effects on the heart manifested by a leap of heart rate during loading. Activation of chemosensitive afferents comes with some delay in pace with metabolites accumulation in muscles and leads to growth of the efferent sympathetic activity and rise of blood pressure. The metabolic reflex effect is particularly high in the event of muscle fatigue. This review deals with the mechanisms underlying the ergoreflex and their adaptation to hypodynamia, physical loading, and also some pathologies.

[The analysis of PPARGC1B gene polymorphism in athletes].

The aim of the study was to investigate allelic distribution of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1beta gene (PPARGC1B; Ala203Pro polymorphism) in athletes (n = = 1535) and controls (n = 1113), and to find interrelation between genotypes and aerobic performance of athletes. Genotyping was performed by restriction of the fragment length polymorphism. Aerobic capacity was determined using incremental test to exhaustion by rower ergometer. The frequency of PPARGC1B 203Pro allele was significantly higher in endurance-oriented athletes (n = 582; 7.2 %, p = 0.007), athletes with acyclic activity (n = 488; 8.1%, p = 0.0005), and power-oriented athletes (n = 372; 7.1%, p = 0.026) than in controls (4.9%), and it increased with the growth of skills (p = 0.046). Furthermore, we found that PPARGCIB 203Pro allele was associated with higher values of aerobic performance (when oxygen pulse and maximal power production capacity were measured). Thus, the PPARGC1B gene Ala203Pro polymorphism is associated with physical performance of athletes.

[The influence of calcineurin gene polymorphism on morphofunctional characteristics of cardiovascular system of athletes].

The aim of the study was to investigate allelic distribution of calcineurin gene (CNB; 5I/5D polymorphism) in athletes of cyclic sports (n = 673) and controls (n = 1073), and to find interrelation between genotypes and risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and physical performance of athletes. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism. Echocardiography was performed by ultrasound scanner Aloka-3500. Physiological parameters were evaluated by spiroergometry using MetaMax 3B Gas Analyzer. The frequency of CNB D allele was significantly lo- wer in athletes than in controls (5.5 vs. 8.8 %; p = 0.0005), and decreased with the growth of skills. We found that CNB D allele was associated with increased left ventricular mass index and low values of physical performance (when maximal power production capacity and maximal oxygen consumption were measured). Thus, CNB gene 5I/5D polymorphism is associated with the risk of left ventricular hypertrophy and physical performance of athletes.

[Association of regulatory genes polymorphisms with aerobic and anaerobic performance of athletes].

The aim of study was to investigate an allelic distribution of PPARA (G/C polymorphism), PPARG (Pro/Ala), PPARD (+294T/C) and PGCIA (Gly482Ser) genes in rowers (n=205) and controls (n=659), and to find correlation between genotypes and physiological parameters. Genotyping was performed by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. Physiological parameters were evaluated by PM 3 Rower Ergometer and MetaMax 3B Gas Analyzer. The frequencies ofPPARA G (90.1% vs. 83.6%) and PPARG Ala (23.1% vs. 16.2%) alleles in elite athletes, and of PPARD C (19.1% vs. 10.5%) and PGC1A Gly (75.4% vs. 66.5%) alleles in sub-elite athletes were significantly higher than in controls. Moreover, PPARA G (when oxygen pulse was measured) and PGC 1A Gly (when maximal aerobic power and anaerobic threshold (%) of VO2max were measured) alleles were associated with high values of aerobic performance. Thus, PPARA G, PPARG Ala, PPARD C and PGCIA Gly alleles can be considered as genetic markers associated with enhanced physical performance.