Post-marathon Decline in Right Ventricular Radial Motion Component Among Amateur Sportsmen

Moderate physical activity has a positive impact on health, although extreme forms of sport such as marathon running may trigger exercise-induced cardiac fatigue. The explicit distinction between the right ventricular (RV) physiological response to training and maladaptive remodeling has not yet been determined. In this study, we aimed to analyze the impact of running a marathon on RV mechanics in amateur athletes using three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography (ECHO) and the ReVISION method (RV separate wall motion quantification). A group of 34 men with a mean age of 40 ± 8 years who successfully finished a marathon underwent ECHO three times, i.e., 2 weeks before the marathon (stage I), at the marathon finish line (stage II), and 2 weeks after the marathon (stage III). The ECHO findings were then correlated with the concentrations of biomarkers related to myocardial injury and overload and also obtained at the three stages. On finishing the marathon, the amateur athletes were found to have a significant (p < 0.05) increase in end-diastolic (with a median of 51.4 vs. 57.0 ml/m2) and end-systolic (with a median of 24.9 vs. 31.5 ml/m2) RV volumes indexed to body surface area, reduced RV ejection fraction (RVEF) (with a median of 51.0% vs. 46.0%), and a decrease in RV radial shortening [i.e., radial EF (REF)] (with a mean of 23.0 ± 4.5% vs. 19.3 ± 4.2%), with other RV motion components remaining unchanged. The post-competition decrease in REF was more evident in runners with larger total volume of trainings (R2 = 0.4776, p = 0.0002) and higher concentrations of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (r = 0.43, p < 0.05) during the preparation period. The decrease in REF was more prominent in the training of marathoners more than 47 km/week. At stage II, marathoners with a more marked decrease in RVEF and REF had higher galectin-3 (Gal-3) levels (r = −0.48 and r = −0.39, respectively; p < 0.05). Running a marathon significantly altered the RV performance of amateur athletes. Transient impairment in RV systolic function resulted from decreased radial shortening, which appeared in those who trained more extensively. Observed ECHO changes correlated with the concentrations of the profibrotic marker Gal-3.

REVIEW STUDY ON THE EFFICIENCY OF THE USE OF KINESIOLOGICTAPE IN PERFORMANCE ATHLETES

Introduction. In Asia, in the early 1970s, a new concept was developed -kinesiological tape.Physiotherapists use the kinesiological band in both performance or amateur athletes and patients who are in a kinetic recovery program. The exact mechanisms by which the kinesiological band acts on the body have not yet been fully elucidated .Aim. The aim of the study was to identify in the literature the information about the potential positive or negative effects offered by the use of kinesiological tape inperformance athletes that had suffered injuries and also to identify potential prophylactic effects inhealthy athletes.Material and method. The selection of articles was made using the Google Scholar search engine, where 98 studies were found in the databasesof ResearchGate, PubMed, MinervaMedica, Journal of Athletic Training, Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy. Only studies on groups of performance athletes were included.Results. Of the 28 selected articles, 12 studies showed results in which there were increases in performance and improvements in some parameters, in 12 studies it was concluded that there were no beneficial or significant effects, and in 4 articles the results of applying the bands kinesiological and placebo effect had relatively similar positive effects.Conclusions.Kinesiology tapes do not seem to bringmajor benefits in terms of the performance inhealthy athletes. Regarding the potential prophylactic effect of kinesiological bands, several complex and longer studies need tobe performed. But the kinesiological bands could be considered as an adjuvant method in rehabilitation.

Basic Tools and Techniques for Assessing Strength and General Endurance

The desire of more and more segments of the population for self-improvement and self-expression through amateur sports has acquired a global scale. The evaluation and analysis of the amateur athletes’ achievements in the chosen physical activity become of practical importance for most amateur athletes and open up the possibility of developing innovative interventions to stimulate the engagement in physical activity of as much population as possible. For this purpose, we have developed an elementary methodology for monitoring the achieved level of strength and overall endurance of students, designed to monitor and motivate amateur athletes of various types of physical activity. The purpose of this research project was to conduct the targeted analysis of the array of physiological indicators of those engaged in physical activity, and also to justify and test technologies for collecting and interpreting objective indicators of performing elementary physical test exercises and calculating their dependence on objective indicators of the cardiovascular system. Subsequently, we planned to develop a simple methodology for collecting, evaluating, and interpreting test information. We suggest using this technique in the daily training sessions of amateur athletes of various qualifications.

Light pollution and sports lighting in dense urban areas: Early results in a case study of a stadium

The use of municipal football fields by a large number of citizens and amateur athletes on a daily basis during evenings is a popular activity. Usually, the aiming of the pitch lighting, without taking into account the dense urban environment in the surroundings, causes light pollution. Obtrusive lighting in most cases is the rule and not the exception. This situation could be justified in football fields of the professional football leagues so as to address the needs of television broadcasts of the matches for two days per month per field. However, in amateur activities due to the lack of rules and the initial incorrect lighting design, the problem of light pollution is deteriorated. The scope of this research is to identify the main issue and the repercussions of obtrusive lighting in the urban fabric, propose a quick method to quantify light pollution in sport fields using IDA-Criteria for Community-Friendly Outdoor Sports Lighting guidelines and to further set some parameters for a method using more calculating surfaces.

Motivation behind running among older adult runners

Background Recreational running has greatly increased over the last decade, and different research has tried to understand the motivation that leads these amateur athletes to run. However, most research has focused on adult athletes, while the motivation behind older adult athletes has been overlooked. Methods The aim of this research was to analyse the motivational aspects of amateur runners aged over 50 years, and to consider the influence that years of practice, type of participation and some socio-demographical variables have on these older adults’ motivation behind running. 244 older adult amateur athletes in total completed an online survey with the 56 items contained in the motivation of marathoners scales (MOMS), 108 of whom were female (44%), and 136 were male runners (56%). Athletes were asked about their years’ running experience (< 1 year, 1–5 years, 6–10 years, > 10 years), their participation in running events (recreationally, half marathon, marathon, ultramarathon) and age (ranges 50–60, more than 60 years), gender (male, female), family life (whether in a relationship or not), and whether they had children (yes, no). Results The results showed statistical differences in the nine MOMS dimensions in terms of years’ running experience and participation in different running events. Moreover, older adult runners’ gender and age subsequently showed statistical differences with five and six motivational factors respectively, while athletes that did not have children were more likely to run regarding competition and showing recognition. Family life did not show any statistical association with any of the dimensions on the scale in this population, while regression analyses showed that, mainly, years’ running experience and participation were positively predicted, together with most motivational dimensions, while having children was negatively predicted in some of them. Conclusions This study showed that older adult runners’ reasons for participating differ from those obtained in previous studies, especially regarding training experience and participation in events. Therefore, the older adult population should be specifically addressed.

The impact of marathon running on atrial remodeling in male and female amateur athletes assessed by three-dimensional echocardiography

Introduction Endurance athletes have an increased risk of atrial remodeling and atrial arrhythmias. However, data regarding atrial adaptation to physical exercise in non-elite athletes are limited. We aimed to assess exercise-induced alternations in atrial morphology and function in male and female amateur marathon runners, using real-time three-dimensional (3D) echocardiography. Methods The study group consisted of 40 male (39±8 years) and 27 female (40±7 years) amateur athletes. 3D echocardiography was performed 2–3 weeks before (Stage 1) and immediately after (Stage 2) the marathon run. Right (RA) and left atrial (LA) remodeling was assessed by volumetric measures, total ejection fraction (EF) and volume (EV). Speckle tracking was used to determine the temporal evaluation of atrial function by strain analysis. Results The main results are presented in Table 1. At rest, male athletes demonstrated greater RA size and decreased RA contractility, as assessed by EF and atrial strains, in comparison to females. At Stage 1, LA morphology and function did not differ significantly between genders. After the marathon, a remarkable increase in RA maximal volume (RAVmax, 32.9±8.6 vs. 36.4±8.2 ml/m2, p=0.016) and RAEF (49.5±9.7 vs. 57.3±9.2%, p=0.002) was observed only in female athletes (p&lt;0.05 for both interactions sex and stage). Whereas in male runners, LA measures, such as LAVmax (30.7±6.4 vs. 26.8±6.2 ml/m2, p=0.007), LAEF (56.7±4.3 vs. 52.7±5.3%, p=0.037) and LA conduit strain (LAScd, −18.7±8 vs. −13.6±8%, p=0.045), significantly decreased postrace. This observation was absent in females (p&lt;0.05 for all interactions sex and stage). Conclusions In amateur athletes, marathon running promotes biatrial remodelling with significant gender discrepancies. Females are more susceptible to exercise-induced morphological and functional changes of RA, while postrace alternations in males concern principally LA. 3D echocardiography of the atria is a useful indicator of exercise capacity, not only in elite, but also in amateur athletes. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: None.

Kinematic parameters of crawl swimming in swimming athletesfrom images captured with the aid of home artifacts as a support of equipment for filming

Analysis of the underwater movements of a swimmer is of fundamental importance in sports, given that the characterization of the propulsion of swimming takes place in the submerged phase of the movements. Given this finding, this homemade artifact built from materials available on the market, such as PVC pipes and fittings; skateboard wheels and roller skates, and relatively low cost, may or may not positively influence the performance of professional and amateur athletes, to improve sports performance and prevent injuries. The objective of this pilot study, for possible collections for sample calculation, was to verify the effectiveness of a home model of support for the cameras during the capture of images for the analysis of movement, in swimming athletes. The study proposed as a method to couple two Go Pro Hero4 cameras to the homemade artifact, one submerged to capture underwater images and another above water level that served for observation of the aerial phase of the stroke, as well as for better framing during the capture of the real-time images, transmitted to the tablet placed on the artifact, which was conducted by an operator positioned on the edge of the pool and moved parallel to the athlete during the execution of the swim. One female swimming athlete from the city of Campos dos Goytacazes-RJ was selected, who performed a 25-meter crawl test, which consisted of two 25-meter shots, with an active range of five minutes between them.For the analyses, the angulations of the lower limbs (ankle, knee, and hip), hip leveling, and the time of the complete stroke cycle, as well as the time of the respective half-cycles, were taken into account. It is concluded that this home artifact modelof support for biomechanical analysis of swimming was able to present its effectiveness relative to the purpose, with the obtainment of images subject to analysis. However, there is a need for additional studies, as in compliance with the decrees related to social isolation, it was not possible to film underwater a larger number of athletes, as well as their respective analyses.

Influence of Fan Behaviour on the Self-Esteem of Amateur Athletes in Kwara State, Nigeria

Since the inception of organized sports, there have been fans or spectators cheering for their favorite athletes and teams in order to increase their confidence and improve their overall performance. This study examined the influence of fan behaviour on the self-esteem of amateur athletes in Kwara State. The variables investigated are fans’ perception, discrimination, violent reactions, and feelings of disappointment. Descriptive research design of survey method was adopted for the study. The population for the study was amateur athletes from four sports (Football, Basketball, Volleyball, and Handball). Purposive and sample technique was used for the study. The sample for the study consists of 140 amateur athletes in Kwara State. The research instrument for this study was questionnaire developed by the researcher which was used for data collection. Frequency and percentage was used to analyze the demographic data of respondents while the hypotheses were tested using inferential statistic of Chi-square at 0.05 alpha level. The findings of the study revealed that; fans perception of athletes as a failure, discrimination, violent reactions, and feelings of disappointment influenced the self-esteem of amateur athletes. Based on the findings, the study recommends that stakeholders such as media, sports council and relevant agencies of government should conduct enlightenment programmes on management and control of fan behaviour in Kwara State.