Differential Health Effects on Inflammatory, Immunological and Stress Parameters in Professional Soccer Players and Sedentary Individuals after Consuming a Synbiotic. A Triple-Blinded, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Pilot Study

The main objective of this research was to carry out an experimental study, triple-blind, on the possible immunophysiological effects of a nutritional supplement (synbiotic, Gasteel Plus®, Heel España S.A.U.), containing a mixture of probiotic strains, such as Bifidobacterium lactis CBP-001010, Lactobacillus rhamnosus CNCM I-4036, and Bifidobacterium longum ES1, as well as the prebiotic fructooligosaccharides, on both professional athletes and sedentary people. The effects on some inflammatory/immune (IL-1β, IL-10, and immunoglobulin A) and stress (epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, serotonin, corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and cortisol) biomarkers were evaluated, determined by flow cytometer and ELISA. The effects on metabolic profile and physical activity, as well as on various parameters that could affect physical and mental health, were also evaluated via the use of accelerometry and validated questionnaires. The participants were professional soccer players in the Second Division B of the Spanish League and sedentary students of the same sex and age range. Both study groups were randomly divided into two groups: a control group—administered with placebo, and an experimental group—administered with the synbiotic. Each participant was evaluated at baseline, as well as after the intervention, which lasted one month. Only in the athlete group did the synbiotic intervention clearly improve objective physical activity and sleep quality, as well as perceived general health, stress, and anxiety levels. Furthermore, the synbiotic induced an immunophysiological bioregulatory effect, depending on the basal situation of each experimental group, particularly in the systemic levels of IL-1β (increased significantly only in the sedentary group), CRH (decreased significantly only in the sedentary group), and dopamine (increased significantly only in the athlete group). There were no significant differences between groups in the levels of immunoglobulin A or in the metabolic profile as a result of the intervention. It is concluded that synbiotic nutritional supplements can improve anxiety, stress, and sleep quality, particularly in sportspeople, which appears to be linked to an improved immuno-neuroendocrine response in which IL-1β, CRH, and dopamine are clearly involved.

The ACE and ACTN3 polymorphisms in female soccer athletes

Objects We investigated the association of ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms with the performance of Chinese elite female soccer athletes for the first time. Material and methods The genotype distributions of ACE I/D and ACTN3 R577X in the athlete group and the control group of Chinese females were evaluated via PCR and compared. VO2max value was tested as per standard protocol. Results Regarding the distribution of ACE polymorphisms, the genotype frequency was indifferent between the athletes (II 40 %, ID 46.7 %, DD 13.3 %) and the controls (II 42 %, ID 48 %, DD 10 %). No difference in the I/D allele frequency was observed between the athlete group and the control group. Regarding the distribution of ACTN3 polymorphisms, the genotype frequency was significantly different between the athletes (XX 0 %, XR 53.3 %, RR 46.7 %) and the controls (XX 16 %, XR 44 %, RR 40 %). The allele frequency was observed no different between the athlete and the control group. The ACE ID and ACTN3 RR genotype combination was associated with higher VO2max values among defenders than among other players. According to VO2max values,The ACE and ACTN3 genotype combinations (II/ID/DD + RR/XR) significantly differed between the athletes and the controls (p < 0.05). Conclusion These results suggested that the Chinese elite female soccer athletes were more likely to harbor the I allele and the R allele and that the combination of ACE II/ID and ACTN3 RR/XR was a synergetic determinant of the athletic performance of females in soccer.

Collegiate athlete brain data for white matter mapping and network neuroscience

We describe a dataset of processed data with associated reproducible preprocessing pipeline collected from two collegiate athlete groups and one non-athlete group. The dataset shares minimally processed diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data, three models of the diffusion signal in the voxel, full-brain tractograms, segmentation of the major white matter tracts as well as structural connectivity matrices. There is currently a paucity of similar datasets openly shared. Furthermore, major challenges are associated with collecting this type of data. The data and derivatives shared here can be used as a reference to study the effects of long-term exposure to collegiate athletics, such as the effects of repetitive head impacts. We use advanced anatomical and dMRI data processing methods publicly available as reproducible web services at brainlife.io.

A Netnography and a Survey on Doping Use among Competitive Doping-untested Strength-sport Athletes

Doping-untested strength-sport athletes (powerlifters, strongmen, armlifters, etc.,) are infamous for their doping use, but their exact doping regimens are not known. The purpose of this study was to provide a reasonable portrait of doping history in this specific athlete group for medical practitioners. Seventy-five athletes were selected by netnography of the social media community around the Finnish doping-untested strength-sport federations on the basis of their activity in doping-related discussions, and the athletes were invited to answer a detailed doping-related anonymous survey. Fifty respondents completed the survey. 100% of the respondents reported use of anabolic androgenic steroids, 66% reported use of stimulants, and 80% use of non-steroidal anabolic substances. The doses of both testosterone products and human growth hormone were notably larger than reported in previous studies of gym users (mostly non-competitive athletes). The subjects reported simultaneous use of an average 5.66 illegal substances, and lifetime use of 16.78 illegal substances. The doses of illicit drugs, as well as polypharmacy, among competitive doping-untested strength-sport athletes are higher than previously reported among recreational gym users, and side effects are likely in this specific population.

Endurance Runners with Intramyocellular Lipid Accumulation and High Insulin Sensitivity Have Enhanced Expression of Genes Related to Lipid Metabolism in Muscle

Context: Endurance-trained athletes have high oxidative capacities, enhanced insulin sensitivities, and high intracellular lipid accumulation in muscle. These characteristics are likely due to altered gene expression levels in muscle. Design and setting: We compared intramyocellular lipid (IMCL), insulin sensitivity, and gene expression levels of the muscle in eight nonobese healthy men (control group) and seven male endurance athletes (athlete group). Their IMCL levels were measured by proton-magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and their insulin sensitivity was evaluated by glucose infusion rate (GIR) during a euglycemic–hyperinsulinemic clamp. Gene expression levels in the vastus lateralis were evaluated by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and microarray analysis. Results: IMCL levels in the tibialis anterior muscle were approximately 2.5 times higher in the athlete group compared to the control group, while the IMCL levels in the soleus muscle and GIR were comparable. In the microarray hierarchical clustering analysis, gene expression patterns were not clearly divided into control and athlete groups. In a gene set enrichment analysis with Gene Ontology gene sets, “RESPONSE TO LIPID” was significantly upregulated in the athlete group compared with the control group. Indeed, qRT-PCR analysis revealed that, compared to the control group, the athlete group had 2–3 times higher expressions of proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator-1 alpha (PGC1A), adiponectin receptors (AdipoRs), and fatty acid transporters including fatty acid transporter-1, plasma membrane-associated fatty acid binding protein, and lipoprotein lipase. Conclusions: Endurance runners with higher IMCL levels have higher expression levels of genes related to lipid metabolism such as PGC1A, AdipoRs, and fatty acid transporters in muscle.

Resiliency as a Mediator in the Relationship Between Aggressiveness and School Achievement – Differences Related to Gender and Levels of Physical Activity

BackgroundTaking part in physical activity has a major positive influence on the development of adolescents. Research shows that physical activity has an impact on cognitive and behavioral functioning. Aggressiveness is a factor negatively correlated with school achievement and resiliency is a protective factor for coping with stressful situations. The purpose of this study is to analyze the mediation effect of resiliency as a dispositional protective factor in the relationship between aggressiveness and school achievement in the context of gender and levels of physical activity. MethodsThe research was carried out on N = 787 adolescents (Mage = 15.95; SD = .29) from the Pomeranian region in Poland. The participants were divided into three subgroups: 1) a non-active group, n = 130 (90 girls); 2) a Physical Education (PE) group, n = 490 (303 girls); and 3) an athlete group, n = 130 (65 girls). The following research tools were used in the study: a socio-demographic survey; a questionnaire about average grades at the end of the school year; the Adolescent Aggressiveness Questionnaire – Emotional Reactivity; and the Resiliency Assessment Scale for Children and Adolescents to evaluate resiliency levels. ResultsAnalyzing the average school grades, resiliency, as well as levels of aggressiveness and its components revealed statistically significant differences in terms of gender and physical activity. Furthermore, the effects of general aggressiveness level and all its components on average school grade, mediated by resiliency, proved insignificant for boys in all three research groups and for girls in the athlete group. However, the analysis showed a mediation effect of resiliency in relation to emotional irritability and average school grade in the group of non-active girls. The mediation analysis revealed significant mediation effects for emotional irritability, opposition, and verbal aggression, as well as for general aggressiveness levels in the group of PE girls. ConclusionsResiliency is a protective factor in the relation between aggressiveness and school achievement, especially in the female PE group. The mechanisms governing boys’ functioning seem different and require further research. Compulsory physical education classes may help build resources that facilitate learning.

Assessment of left ventricular systolic function by non-invasive pressure-strain loop area in young male strength athletes

Background The health of athletes has been recognized as a worldwide public concern with more reported sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). Therefore, early detection of abnormal heart function in athletes can help reduce the risk of exercise. A novel valid non-invasive method to evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) using LV pressure-strain loop (PSL), was used in this paper to explore LV systolic function in young male strength athletes. Methods Thirty-six professional young male strength athletes (the athlete group) and 32 healthy, age-matched young men (the control group) were involved in the study. The LVMW parameters were calculated as the area of PSL by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and peak systolic LV pressure. The differences between two groups of data and the predictive efficacy of MW parameters for LV systolic function were analyzed. Results The athlete group had significantly higher values of global wasted myocardial work (GWW) and peak strain dispersion (PSD) than did the control group (P<0.05). Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive myocardial work (GCW) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were lower in the athlete group than that in the control group, although statistical significance was not reached (P>0.05). Due to the proportion of GWW and GCW, statistically significant reduction was found in global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) in the athlete group. Conventional echocardiography parameters were well correlated with GWW and GWE (P<0.05). The best predictor of LV myocardial contractile performance in the athletes using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was GWE, with the area under ROC (AUC) of 0.733, sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 59.4%. Conclusions Subclinical changes have appeared in the hearts of young male strength athletes after long-term intensive exercise and LVMW parameters by PSL play an important role in the evaluation of athlete’s LV contractile performance.

Assessment of left ventricular systolic function by non-invasive pressure-strain loop area in young male strength athletes

BackgroundThe health of athletes has been recognized as a worldwide public concern with more reported sudden cardiac deaths (SCD). Therefore, early detection of abnormal heart function in athletes can help reduce the risk of exercise. A novel valid non-invasive method to evaluate left ventricular (LV) myocardial work (MW) using LV pressure-strain loop (PSL), was used in this paper to explore LV systolic function in young male strength athletes.Methods 36 professional young male strength athletes (the athlete group) and 32 healthy, age-matched young men (the control group) were involved in the study. The LVMW parameters were calculated as the area of PSL by two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography (2D-STE) and peak systolic LV pressure. The differences between two groups of data and the predictive efficacy of MW parameters for LV systolic function were analyzed.Results The athlete group had significantly higher values of global wasted myocardial work (GWW) and peak strain dispersion (PSD) than did the control group (P＜0.05).Global myocardial work index (GWI), global constructive myocardial work (GCW) and global longitudinal strain (GLS) were lower in the athlete group than that in the control group, although statistical significance was not reached (P＞0.05). Due to the proportion of GWW and GCW, statistically significant reduction was found in global myocardial work efficiency (GWE) in the athlete group. Conventional echocardiography parameters were well correlated with GWW and GWE (P＜0.05). The best predictor of LV myocardial contractile performance in the athletes using receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was GWE, with the area under ROC (AUC) of 0.733, sensitivity of 83.3% and specificity of 59.4%. ConclusionsSubclinical changes have appeared in the hearts of young male strength athletes after long-term intensive exercise and LVMW parameters by PSL play an important role in the evaluation of athlete’s LV contractile performance.

Collegiate athlete brain data for white matter mapping and network neuroscience

We describe a dataset of processed data with associated reproducible preprocessing pipeline collected from two collegiate athlete groups and one non-athlete group. The dataset shares minimally processed diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data, three models of the diffusion signal in the voxel, full-brain tractograms, segmentation of the major white matter tracts as well as structural connectivity matrices. There is currently a paucity of similar datasets openly shared. Furthermore, major challenges are associated with collecting this type of data. The data and derivatives shared here can be used as a reference to study the effects of long-term exposure to collegiate athletics, such as the effects of repetitive head impacts. We use advanced anatomical and dMRI data processing methods publicly available as reproducible web services at brainlife.io.

Does an Accelerated Program Give Equivalent Results in Both Elite Athletes and Nonathletes?

Context: Although many researchers have investigated the functional outcomes of different accelerated rehabilitation programs after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR), the functional results of the same accelerated rehabilitation program following ACLR applied for both elite athletes and nonathletes have not yet been investigated. Objective: To examine the effects of the same accelerated anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation program on pain and functionality of elite athletes and nonathletes. Design: Prospective preintervention–postintervention design. Setting: Physiotherapy department. Participants: Fifteen elite athletes and 15 nonathletes who underwent unilateral ACLR with autologous hamstring tendon graft. Intervention: All participants received the same protocol for 6 weeks (5 sessions in a week). Main Outcome Measures: Primary measurements were pain intensity, which was measured by visual analog scale, range of motion measurement using universal goniometer, and functionality, which was detected by Lysholm score. Secondary measurements were short form-36 and Beck Depression Inventory. Results: Higher Lysholm (P = .001) and Beck Depression Inventory (P = .03) scores were observed in the elite athlete group, and higher pain (P = .001) was observed in the nonathlete group at baseline assessments. Significant improvement detected for pain (P < .05), knee flexion range (P < .05), Lysholm score (P < .05), and Beck Depression Inventory (P < .05) compared with preintervention for both groups. Finally, after comparing the mean change values, the nonathlete group displayed greater decrease in pain level (P = .01) and participants in the elite athlete group further showed a greater decrease in depression level (P = .001). Conclusions: This study found that the same accelerated rehabilitation protocol provides significant improvements for pain, functionality, and depression in both elite athletes and nonathletes after ACLR. Clinicians should consider our results when applying an anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation program for nonathlete groups.