Antioxidants Markers of Professional Soccer Players During the Season and their Relationship with Competitive Performance

The aim of this study was to assess antioxidant markers before and after a mid-season of professional soccer players from the 3rd Spanish Division, and to correlate antioxidant markers with competitive performance. Sixty-five male players (age = 25.3 ± 4.2 yr, body mass = 73.2 ± 6.7 kg, body height = 177.8 ± 5.7 cm) from three soccer clubs from Cádiz (Spain) participated in the study. Body composition, maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), and baseline antioxidant blood markers (Total Antioxidant Status (TAS) and Reduced glutathione/Oxidized glutathione ratio) were assessed in the first week of the championship season (pre-test) and after 18 weeks in the mid-season (post-test). Soccer performance was registered according to the official classification ranking at both the mid-season and at the end of the season; ranking positions for Team A were 2nd and 1st, for Team B were 5th and 5th, while for Team C were 12th and 14th, respectively. Regression analyses showed that TAS and VO2max were able to independently predict (p < 0.05) performance in our participants. Moreover, antioxidant levels showed significant main effects on performance (p < 0.001); where a higher antioxidant capacity was observed in the best performance soccer team, both before and after the mid-season. Notwithstanding, the competitive period compromised the antioxidant status since TAS levels significantly decreased after the 18-week training program and competition compared with baseline values in all soccer teams (p < 0.001). These results suggest the need of monitoring antioxidants in soccer players to prevent excessive oxidative stress and cellular damage which could compromise success in competition, by adjusting the training loads, diet or ergogenic aids, if needed.

The anthropometric, physical, and relative age characteristics of an English Premiership rugby union academy

Long-term athlete development is a primary focus for the England Rugby Football Union (RFU). The purpose of this study was to explore the anthropometric, physical, and relative age characteristics of rugby union academy players based on age group and playing position. Seventy-eight participants were examined for height, body mass, 10 and 20 m sprint, countermovement jump, reactive strength index, aerobic capacity, isometric hip extension, dominant handgrip strength, and birth quartile (BQ) across three age categories (i.e., under-16, under-18, and under-21) and two positions (forwards and backs). ANOVA and Kruskall–Wallis analysis were used to examine differences across each age category and position. TukeyHSD and Dunn’s test with Bonferroni correction was used for further post-hoc analysis. BQ distributions were compared against national norms using chi-square analysis. Results revealed that both older forwards (P=0.005) and backs (P=0.002) had significantly greater body mass, maximal aerobic capacity, and power compared to younger players. However, older forwards had slower 10 m sprint times compared to younger forwards. Moreover, relatively older players were significantly overrepresented across all age groups when compared to relatively younger players. Findings suggest that: (a) players should aim to develop greater parameters of body mass and aerobic capacity; (b) forwards should aim to develop acceleration and strength; (c) backs should aim to develop power and quickness; (d) players need to develop anthropometric and physical qualities and differences are apparent by age and position; and, (e) coaches should consider relative age when recruiting and developing young players. Key words: Talent identification; Talent development; Expertise; Physical development; Physiological profile; Rugby football

Iron deficiency and athletic performance

Introduction Iron metabolism determines the oxygen transport of the blood, thereby affecting the exercise capacity and performance. In patients with heart failure iron deficiency is a major risk factor that predicts and influences patient's quality of life. In athletes diagnosing iron deficiency is also extremely important as it determines sport performance. Purpose Our aim is to study the correlation of iron metabolism parameters with exercise capacity in athletes. Methods Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was performed as part of detailed sports cardiology screening. We studied in athletes the changes of iron metabolism parameters (serum iron, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin) and correlation with the exercise physiology parameters. Results Our measurements were performed on 105 top athletes: swimmers (n=58,55%; male = 29; junior = 30; 20,4±4,6 y), football players (n=47, 45%; junior = 6; 23,2±5,4 y). Laboratory test verified hemoglobin (male = 153,8±9,4; female = 141,2±7,7 g/L; p&lt;0,001) and hematocrit (male = 0,45±0,03; female = 0,42±0,02 L/L; p&lt;0,001) value in a normal range for all. In women, significantly lower ferritin (67,8±76,2 vs. 98,9±48 μg/L; p&lt;0,05) and higher TIBC (78,1±14,3 vs. 66,5±9,3 μmol/L; p&lt;0,001) were observed. Young male athletes had significantly lower serum iron (16,1±6 vs. 21,2±7,5 μmol/L; p&lt;0,05), ferritin (68±42,7 vs. 109,1±45,5 μg/L; p&lt;0,01) and higher TIBC (76,1±11,0 vs. 64,3±7,4 μmol/L; p&lt;0,001) compared to adults. During CPET male athletes had higher maximal aerobic capacity (52.2±4.4 vs. 55.9±5.5 mL/kg/min; p&lt;0.001) and ventilation (115.8±16.1 vs. 153.2±26 L/min; p&lt;0.001) compared to females. Maximal aerobic capacity and ventilation showed positive correlation with ferritin (p&lt;0,0001). The ferritin cut-off value of iron supplementation was &lt;100 μg/L. Iron supplementation was required in almost half of the athletes (n=49, 47%). Conclusion Diagnosing iron deficiency in athletes, complete iron panel containing ferritin is required. According to our results iron status determines performance, therefore iron deficiency screening and iron supplementation is essential. FUNDunding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): - Supported by the ÚNKP-20-3-I New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology from the Source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund - The research was financed by the Thematic Excellence Programme (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020) of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology in Hungary, within the framework of the Therapeutic Development and Bioimaging programmes of the Semmelweis University.

Acute melatonin administration improves exercise tolerance and the metabolic recovery after exhaustive effort

The present study investigated the effects of acute melatonin administration on the biomarkers of energy substrates, GLUT4, and FAT/CD36 of skeletal muscle and its performance in rats subjected to exhaustive swimming exercise at an intensity corresponding to the maximal aerobic capacity (tlim). The incremental test was performed to individually determine the exercise intensity prescription and 48 h after, the animals received melatonin (10 mg·kg−1) or vehicles 30 min prior to tlim. Afterwards, the animals were euthanized 1 or 3 h after the exhaustion for blood and muscles storage. The experiment 1 found that melatonin increased the content of glycogen and GLUT4 in skeletal muscles of the animals that were euthanized 1 (p < 0.05; 22.33% and 41.87%) and 3 h (p < 0.05; 37.62% and 57.87%) after the last procedures. In experiment 2, melatonin enhanced the tlim (p = 0.01; 49.42%), the glycogen content (p < 0.05; 40.03%), GLUT4 and FAT/CD36 in exercised skeletal muscles (F = 26.83 and F = 25.28, p < 0.01). In summary, melatonin increased energy substrate availability prior to exercise, improved the exercise tolerance, and accelerated the recovery of muscle energy substrates after the tlim, possibly through GLUT4 and FAT/CD36.

Objectively Measured Physical Activity in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease: A Cross-Validation Study

Physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) levels in healthy adults are predominately based on self-reporting measures, which generally overestimate PA but underestimate SB. Patients with coronary artery disease (CAD) eligible for cardiac rehabilitation (CR) follow an individualized program; thus, objective assessment of physical performance and regular daily activity is required. This study aimed to compare self-reported and objectively measured PA and SB in patients with CAD prior to out-patient CR. We included 91 patients with CAD and assessed their PA with an accelerometer for 8 days prior to CR, along with the short form of the international physical activity questionnaire. We found that most patients were sedentary (61%, ~8 h/day), and on average performed 63 min/day of moderate-to-vigorous-intensity physical activity (MVPA). Males performed less daily light-intensity physical activity (−5%, p = 0.011) and performed more MVPA (+2%, p = 0.002) compared to females. Maximal aerobic capacity was significantly associated with MVPA (Spearman rho = 0.483, p < 0.001) and MVPA >10 min bouts (Spearman rho = 0.391, p < 0.001). Self-reported measures overestimated MVPA (total MVPA, +108 min/day, p < 0.001; MVPA >10 min bouts, +152 min, p < 0.001) and underestimated SB (−174 min/day, p < 0.001) compared to objective measures. There was no significant correlation between methods in MVPA (Spearman rho = 0.147, p = 0.165)), MVPA >10 min bouts (Spearman rho = −0.059, p = 576), and SB (Spearman rho = 0.139, p = 0.187). Quantitative analysis demonstrated the huge proportional bias for MVPA, MVPA >10 min bouts, and SB. Our findings demonstrate that self-reported physical activity provides inaccurate estimates of MVPA and SB in patients with CAD entering the ambulatory CR. This strongly supports the more objective assessments of daily PA, preferably using an accelerometer.

Omega-3 fatty acid blood levels are inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in HFpEF patients: the Aldo-DHF randomized controlled trial

Objectives To evaluate associations of omega-3 fatty acid (O3-FA) blood levels with cardiometabolic risk markers, functional capacity and cardiac function/morphology in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF). Background O3-FA have been linked to reduced risk for HF and associated phenotypic traits in experimental/clinical studies. Methods This is a cross-sectional analysis of data from the Aldo-DHF-RCT. From 422 patients, the omega-3-index (O3I = EPA + DHA) was analyzed at baseline in n = 404 using the HS-Omega-3-Index® methodology. Patient characteristics were; 67 ± 8 years, 53% female, NYHA II/III (87/13%), ejection fraction ≥ 50%, E/e′ 7.1 ± 1.5; median NT-proBNP 158 ng/L (IQR 82–298). Pearson’s correlation coefficient and multiple linear regression analyses, using sex and age as covariates, were used to describe associations of the O3I with metabolic phenotype, functional capacity, echocardiographic markers for LVDF, and neurohumoral activation at baseline/12 months. Results The O3I was below (< 8%), within (8–11%), and higher (> 11%) than the target range in 374 (93%), 29 (7%), and 1 (0.2%) patients, respectively. Mean O3I was 5.7 ± 1.7%. The O3I was inversely associated with HbA1c (r = − 0.139, p = 0.006), triglycerides-to-HDL-C ratio (r = − 0.12, p = 0.017), triglycerides (r = − 0.117, p = 0.02), non-HDL-C (r = − 0.101, p = 0.044), body-mass-index (r = − 0.149, p = 0.003), waist circumference (r = − 0.121, p = 0.015), waist-to-height ratio (r = − 0.141, p = 0.005), and positively associated with submaximal aerobic capacity (r = 0.113, p = 0.023) and LVEF (r = 0.211, p < 0.001) at baseline. Higher O3I at baseline was predictive of submaximal aerobic capacity (β = 15.614, p < 0,001), maximal aerobic capacity (β = 0.399, p = 0.005) and LVEF (β = 0.698, p = 0.007) at 12 months. Conclusions Higher O3I was associated with a more favorable cardiometabolic risk profile and predictive of higher submaximal/maximal aerobic capacity and lower BMI/truncal adiposity in HFpEF patients. Graphic abstract Omega-3 fatty acid blood levels are inversely associated with cardiometabolic risk factors in HFpEF patients. Higher O3I was associated with a more favorable cardiometabolic risk profile and aerobic capacity (left) but did not correlate with echocardiographic markers for left ventricular diastolic function or neurohumoral activation (right). An O3I-driven intervention trial might be warranted to answer the question whether O3-FA in therapeutic doses (with the target O3I 8–11%) impact on echocardiographic markers for left ventricular diastolic function and neurohumoral activation in patients with HFpEF. This figure contains modified images from Servier Medical Art (https://smart.servier.com) licensed by a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.

The Effectiveness of Footwork Exercises with the HIIT Method in Developing VO2max and Anaerobic Capacity

The purpose of this study was to determine the development of physiological aspects of increasing aerobic and anaerobic performance in students who become badminton athletes through optimizing footwork exercises using the high-intensity interval method (HITT). This research will provide a solution for trainers in combining and optimizing footwork exercises as a technique in badminton combined with the principles of interval training to increase badminton athletes' aerobic and anaerobic capacity. This study used an experimental approach by giving footwork training treatment (HITT) to 30 Padang State University students who became badminton athletes. Researchers saw the effect of the exercise given on aerobic capacity (VO2max) and anaerobic capacity. The statistical analysis results showed that footwork exercise with The HIIT (High High-Intensity Interval Training) method positively affects badminton athletes' maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max) anaerobic capacity. In this concept, footwork training using the HIIT method effectively develops aerobic and anaerobic metabolism in response to energy requirements during total energy production in training maximum.