16 research outputs found
Plasma leptin and energy expenditure during prolonged, moderate intensity, treadmill exercise.
The role of omega-3 fatty acids in sports nutrition: an overview
This article examines the impact of omega-3 fatty acids (O3FAs), specifically eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), on athletic performance, recovery, and injury prevention. The literature review suggests that O3FAs may improve muscular endurance, cardiovascular capacity, and reduce muscle inflammation and pain, contributing to post-exercise recovery. In addition, preliminary evidence points to potential benefits in protecting the respiratory system and preventing traumatic brain injury. However, the effectiveness of O3FA supplementation depends on factors such as dose, duration and individual responses. Measurement of the Omega-3 Index may be a useful tool to guide customization of supplementation, with the goal of optimizing the performance and health of athletes. Further studies are needed to establish evidence-based supplementation protocols specifically tailored to athletes’ needs
Sport-related pneumomediastinum in a synchronized swimmer: from diagnosis to return to play
The eSports Medicine: Pre-Participation Screening and Injuries Management—An Update
Recently, electronic sports (eSports) became one of the growing forms of new media due to the wide diffusion of games and online technologies. Even if there is still a debate about the definition and characterization of eSports, eAthletes train heavily, compete in tournaments, must abide by competition, association, and governing body rules, just like all other athletes. Furthermore, as in any other competitive discipline, there can be injuries. Aberrant sitting posture, repetitive movements, screen vision, prolonged playing hours, and a sedentary lifestyle can lead to several medical hazards in musculoskeletal, ophthalmology, neurological, and metabolic systems. Moreover, several cardiovascular changes occur in eAthletes. This paper aims to explore the different injuries that can occur in a professional eAthlete, suggesting how every high-level gamer could benefit from a pre-participation evaluation and a correct injury prevention strategy
Continuous glucose monitoring reveals delayed nocturnal hypoglycemia after intermittent high-intensity exercise in nontrained patients with type 1 Diabetes
Objective: Exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DMT1) patients. The type of exercise is important in determining the propensity to hypoglycemia. We assessed, by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), the glucose profiles during and in the following 20 h after a session of two different types of exercise.
Research Design and Methods: Eight male volunteers with well-controlled DMT1 were studied. They underwent 30 min of both intermittent high-intensity exercise (IHE) and moderate-intensity exercise (MOD) in random order. Expired air was recorded during exercise, while metabolic and hormonal determinations were performed before and for 120 min after exercises. The CGM system and activity monitor were applied for the subsequent 20 h.
Results: Blood glucose level declined during both type of exercise. At 150 min following the start of exercise, plasma glucose content was slightly higher after IHE. No changes were observed in plasma insulin concentration. A significant increase of norepinephrine concentration was noticed during IHE. Between midnight and 6:00 a.m. the glucose levels were significantly lower after IHE than those observed after MOD (area under the curve, 23.3 ± 3 vs. 16 ± 3 mg/dL/420 min [P = 0.04]; mean glycemia at 3 a.m., 225 ± 31 vs. 147 ± 17 mg/dL [P < 0.05]). The number of hypoglycemic episodes after IHE was higher than that observed after MOD (seven vs. two [P < 0.05]).
Conclusions: We demonstrate that (1) CGM is a useful approach in DMT1 patients who undergo an exercise program and (2) IHE is associated with delayed nocturnal hypoglycemia
Heart Rate Recovery And Its Determinants In Young Athletes
Abstract: Heart rate recovery (HRR) is the reduction of heart rate immediately after exercise, and it’s the consequence of vagal reactivation and sympathetic withdrawal that normally occur in this phase. HRR is also considered a valid index of training level and cardiovascular system health. A recent study (Singh, MSSE, 2008) demonstrates an association of attenuated 1-min HRR with higher BMI in a children population, suggesting a possible link between healthy body weight and faster HRR. However, this hypothesis is not supported by data about HRR values in healthy young
athletes. PURPOSE: Our aim was to evaluate HRR in young athletes (age range 10 - 20 yr) and to analyze the relationships between HRR and other parameters, such as age, gender, BMI, heart rate at rest, maximal heart rate and workload achieved, sports practice. We also evaluated the
effect of two different post-exercise protocols on HRR.
METHODS: 1000 persons (606 male, 394 female) gave their informed consent to participate in the study. Each athlete completed a questionnaire and a maximal treadmill test using a ramp protocol. Heart rate was monitored before, during, and after the exercise, until the third minute of the
recovery phase. Athletes were divided into two groups characterised by a different recovery modality (supine position right after exercise vs supine position after measuring blood pressure in standing position).
RESULTS: The plot of HRR values yielded a sigmoidal curve showing a larger recovery between 30 and 90 seconds. An early supine position significantly increased HRR in the first minute (43,0 ±15,6 vs 52,6±16,0 bpm, p<0,001), while no differences were present after the second minute. Mean HRR was faster among male and younger athletes, while HRR and BMI appeared weakly related.
CONCLUSION: Our data are at variance, but complete Singh’s data, confirming the hypothesis that a higher BMI is related to a reduced HRR only when it’s expression of overweight due to excess of fat mass and lower fitness level. Further, HRR values are significantly different depending on the position in the recovery post-exercise. As suggested by the American Heart Association, we recommend placing instantly patients in supine position after treadmill test in order to obtain the maximal heart rate recovery and standardize this parameter
Delayed Nocturnal Hypoglycemia In Type 1 Diabetic Patients: Effect Of Two Different Exercise Modalities
Abstract: Exercise is a cornerstone of diabetes management as it aids in glycemic control in type 1 diabetic patients (DMT1). The type of exercise is important in determining the propensity to experience hypoglycaemia. PURPOSE: To assess, by continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), the glucose variability and the possible hypoglycemic episodes before, during and in the following 24 hours after a session of two different types of exercise. METHODS: Eight healthy, physically active, non-trained, male volunteers with well-controlled DMT1 were studied [age 34±7 yr, body mass index (BMI) 24.0±2.2 kg/m2, HbA1c 7.14±0.6, insulin dosage 0.6±0.2 U/kg/day, VO2max 33.7± 6.1 ml·kg-1·min-1, duration of diabetes 14.3±8yr (mean±SD)]. They underwent to 30 min. of both intermittent high intensity exercise (IHE) and moderate intensity exercise (MOD) in random order. Expired air was recorded during the exercise, while metabolic and hormonal determinations were performed before and for 120 min after exercises. CGM system and activity monitor were
applied for the subsequent 19 hours. RESULTS: Blood glucose declined during both type of exercise. At 150 min following the start of exercise, plasma glucose tended to be higher, although not significantly, after IHE. No changes were observed in plasma insulin concentration. A significant increase of norepinephrine concentration was noticed during IHE respect to MOD (peak values: 1016.3±154 vs 680.0±84.5pg/mL; p<0.05) while no differences were observed in epinephrine levels. During nighttime glucose levels were significantly lower after IHE than those observed after MOD exercise (147±17 vs 225±31mg/dl at 3:00AM, p<0.05). Moreover, the number of hypoglycemic episodes after IHE was significantly higher than that observed after MOD (2 in MOD vs 7 and IHE). CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrate a previously unrecognized phenomenon:
despite slightly higher plasma glucose values in the early post-exercise, IHE is associated with a higher risk of delayed nocturnal hypoglycemia respect to MOD. These data suggest that CGM can be a useful approach in Type 1 diabetic patients who undergo to an exercise program
Energy Expenditure Measure By Portable Accelerometer During A High Altitude Trekking
Abstract: In the last years an ever increasing number of people participate in pleasure or work activities at high altitude. In this framework, the assessment of individual energy expenditure during ascent would be of great interest for adapting physical strain and personalizing food intake
and equipment. However, environmental conditions prevent from obtaining a simple measure of energy expenditure by traditional methods. Recently, accelerometers have been introduced in clinical practice and scientific research, allowing to measure subjects energy expenditure during
daily activities and different physical exercises.
PURPOSE: aim of this study was to measure the total and single stage energy expenditure of healthy adults, during a trekking at high altitude, using an arm accelerometer.
METHODS: fourteen healthy subjects (mean age 29.8±12.3 years, range 22-59 years) wore anAccelerometer SenseWear Pro Armband (Body Media, Inc., USA) during a 7-day trekking from Lukla airport (2851m) to the Pyramid Laboratory (5050 m, Nepal), for a total ascent of 2199 meters, divided into 5 stages. Daily subjects physical activity have been recorded and relative energy expenditure calculated.
RESULTS: total energy expenditure related to physical activity ranged from 5987.4 and 10744.8 kcal (from 89.5 to 141.4 kcal/kg). Per kilogram average energy expenditure for the entire trekking was 116.8±14.8kcal/kg (mean±SD), while the average energy expenditure for each 100 meters of
ascent was 5.15±1.06 kcal/kg. Evaluating single stages, inter-individual per kilogram variability ranged from 16.3±3.7 and 29.2±4.8kcal/kg (from 16.1 to 26.5% of the single stage total energy expenditure).
CONCLUSION: Our study confirms that the portable Accelerometer SenseWear Pro Armband is a useful and practical tool to assess energy expenditure during a trekking at high altitude. However, despite a similar track, we demonstrate a moderate inter-individual variability of measured energy expenditure. This variability could possibly be ascribed to different arm movements during walking and to different body composition
Acceptability and Practicality of a Quick Musculoskeletal Examination into Sports Medicine Pre-Participation Evaluation
Background: Child musculoskeletal (MSK) diseases are common and, even if often benign, sometimes can lead to significant impairment in the future health of children. Italian pre-participation evaluation (PPE), performed by a sports medicine physician, allows for the screening of a wide range of children every year. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the feasibility and the acceptability of pGALS (pediatric Gait, Arms, Legs and Spine) screening, a simple pediatric MSK screening examination, when performed as part of a routine PPE. Methods: Consecutive school-aged children attending a sports medicine screening program were assessed with the addition of pGALS to the routine clinical examination. Practicability (time taken) and patient acceptability (discomfort caused) were recorded. Results: 654 children (326 male, mean age 8.9 years) were evaluated through pGALS. The average time taken was 4.26 min (range 1.9–7.3 min). Acceptability of pGALS was deemed high: time taken was “adequate” (97% of parents) and caused little or no discomfort (94% of children). Abnormal MSK findings were common. Conclusions: pGALS is a practical and acceptable tool to perform in sports medicine PPE, even if performed by a non-expert in MSK medicine. Although common, abnormal MSK findings need to be interpreted in the global clinical context and assessment
Effects of an exercise-based rehabilitation program in patients with minor ischemic non-disabling stroke or transient ischemic attack
BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke and transient ischemic attack (TIA) present global health challenges. While physical activity is strongly recommended for secondary prevention of these clinical conditions, there’s a massive gap between guidelines and the real world. This study aimed to assess the effectiveness, safety, and feasibility of an exercise-based rehabilitation (EBR) program for patients with minor ischemic non-disabling stroke (MINDS) or TIA. METHODS: Consecutive patients from the Neurology Unit of Mirano – Venice, Italy, diagnosed with MINDS or TIA, underwent a structured EBR program. The program comprised 6 weeks of supervised training in a hospital gym and 12 months of territorial gym training. Safety, feasibility, and effectiveness were evaluated through adverse events, drop-out rates, and improvements in body composition, muscular strength, and cardiopulmonary fitness. RESULTS: The sample comprised 32 patients (mean age 66 years, 81,3% male). No adverse events were reported. During the in-hospital phase of the program, there were no dropouts, while 28% of patients ceased training during the territorial phase. After the in-hospital phase, there were significant improvements in body composition, muscular strength, and cardiopulmonary parameters. These benefits persisted at the 12-month territorial gym phase of the EBR program only for patients who continued training. CONCLUSIONS: The structured EBR program demonstrated safety, feasibility, and effectiveness in improving health parameters for MINDS or TIA patients. Such interventions promise to enhance secondary prevention and overall health outcomes in this patient group
