Background/Aim. Previous investigations in many sports indicated that continued exercise, especially in hot environments, can cause high sweat rate and huge water and electrolyte losses, thus impairing the performance of athletes. Most these studies were conducted during training sessions, but rarely during an official competition. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine pre- and post-competition hydration, fluid intake and sweat loss of young elite basketball players during the FIBA Europe U20 Championship. Methods. The study included 96 basketball male players, (19 ± 0.79 years) of eight national teams. Ambient temperature was 30 ± 2oC, humidity 55 ± 4% and the mean playing time in game 18.8 ± 10.5 min. The following parameters related to hydration status were measured: fluid intake, urine output, sweat rate, percent of dehydration, urine parameters (specific gravity, color and osmolarity), body mass and body surface area. Results. We found that the mean fluid intake was 1.79 ± 0.8 L/h, sweat rate 2.7 ± 0.9 L/h, urine output 55 ± 61 mL and the percentage of dehydration 0.99 ± 0.7%. According to urine osmolarity more than 75% of players were dehydrated before the game and the process continued during the game. The difference in body mass (0.9 ± 0.7 kg) before and after the game was statistically significant. There were statistically significant correlations between the sweat rate and fluid intake, urine osmolarity, body mass loss, body surface area and percentage of dehydration. Fluid intake correlated with the percentage of dehydration, body mass loss, urine specific gravity and urine color. The sweat rate, which varied between the teams, was the highest for centers when this parameter was calculated on the effective time in game. Conclusion. Most of the athletes start competition dehydrated, fail to compensate sweat loss during the game and continue to be dehydrated, regardless what kind of drink was used. These results suggest that hydration strategies must be carefully taken into account, not only by the players, but also by the coaches and the team doctors.
Background/Aim. Previous investigations in many sports indicated that continued exercise, especially in hot environments, can cause high sweat rate and huge water and electrolyte losses, thus impairing the performance of athletes. Most these studies were conducted during training sessions, but rarely during an official competition. Therefore, the aim of our study was to determine pre- and post-competition hydration, fluid intake and sweat loss of young elite basketball players during the FIBA Europe U20 Championship. Methods. The study included 96 basketball male players, (19 ? 0.79 years) of eight national teams. Ambient temperature was 30 ? 2?C, humidity 55 ? 4% and the mean playing time in game 18.8 ? 10.5 min. The following parameters related to hydration status were measured: fluid intake, urine output, sweat rate, percent of dehydration, urine parameters (specific gravity, color and osmolarity), body mass and body surface area. Results. We found that the mean fluid intake was 1.79 ? 0.8 L/h, sweat rate 2.7 ? 0.9 L/h, urine output 55 ? 61 mL and the percentage of dehydration 0.99 ? 0.7%. According to urine osmolarity more than 75% of players were dehydrated before the game and the process continued during the game. The difference in body mass (0.9 ? 0.7 kg) before and after the game was statistically significant. There were statistically significant correlations between the sweat rate and fluid intake, urine osmolarity, body mass loss, body surface area and percentage of dehydration. Fluid intake correlated with the percentage of dehydration, body mass loss, urine specific gravity and urine color. The sweat rate, which varied between the teams, was the highest for centers when this parameter was calculated on the effective time in game. Conclusion. Most of the athletes start competition dehydrated, fail to compensate sweat loss during the game and continue to be dehydrated, regardless what kind of drink was used. These results suggest that hydration strategies must be carefully taken into account, not only by the players, but also by the coaches and the team doctors.
Background/Aim. Exertional heat stress is a common problem in military services. Considering the coagulation abnormalities are of major importance in development of severe heat stroke, we wanted to examine changes in hemostatic parameters in soldiers during exertional heat stress test as well as the effects of a 10-day passive or active acclimatization in a climatic chamber. Methods. A total of 40 male soldiers with high aerobic capacity performed exertional heat stress test (EHST) either in cool [20?C, 16?C wet bulb globe temperature (WBGT)], or hot (40?C, 29?C, (WBGT) environment, unacclimatized (U) or after 10 days of passive (P) or active (A) acclimatization. Physiological strain was measured by tympanic temperatures (Tty) and heart rates (HR). Platelet count (PC), antithrombin III (AT), and prothrombin time (PT) were assessed in blood samples collected before and immediately after the EHST. Results. EHST in hot conditions induced physiological heat stress (increase in Tty and HR), with a significant increase in prothrombin time in the groups U and A. Platelet counts were significantly higher after the EHST compared to the basic levels in all the investigated groups, regardless environmental conditions and acclimatization state. Antithrombin levels were not affected by EHST whatsoever. Conclusion. In the trained soldiers, physiological heat stress caused mild changes in some serum parameters of blood clotting such as prothrombin time, while others such as antithrombin levels were not affected. Platelet counts were increased after EHST in all groups. A 10-day passive or active acclimatization in climatic chamber showed no effect on parameters investigated.
Abstract Michalickova, DM, Kostic-Vucicevic, MM, Vukasinovic-Vesic, MD, Stojmenovic, TB, Dikic, NV, Andjelkovic, MS, Djordjevic, BI, Tanaskovic, BP, and Minic, RD. Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10 supplementation modulates mucosal and humoral immunity in elite athletes: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 62–70, 2017—To test the influence of probiotic supplementation on humoral immune response, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial was conducted. Thirty athletes (24 males and 6 females, females: V̇ o 2 max 38.2 ± 4.9 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 , age 23.2 ± 1.4 years; males: V̇ o 2 max 57.5 ± 9.2 ml·kg −1 ·min −1 , age 24.0 ± 2.4 years, mean ± SD ) were randomized either to the probiotic group ( Lactobacillus helveticus Lafti L10, 2 × 10 10 colony-forming units) or to the placebo group. Serum and saliva samples were collected at the baseline and after 14 weeks. Total and specific antibacterial antibody levels of IgM, IgG, and IgA classes were determined for different bacteria in the serum, and in saliva, total and specific antibacterial IgA levels were examined. Total IgM was elevated in both probiotic (18%, 15–20%; mean, 90% confidence interval; p = 0.02) and placebo group (35%, 22–47%; p = 0.02), without observed differences in changes between the groups. No significant changes in IgM levels specific for tested bacteria were found. Total IgG level was constant in both groups. A significant (16%, −2.8 to 35%, p = 0.04) reduction of anti– Enterococcus faecalis IgG was noted in the placebo group, in comparison with the probiotic group. There was a substantial decrease in total IgA level in the placebo group, when measured either in serum (15%, 12–18%, p = 0.04) or in saliva (35%, −1.4 to 53%, p = 0.03). Significantly reduced levels of serum anti–lactic acid bacteria IgA antibodies in the placebo group compared with the probiotic group were detected for Lactobacillus rhamnosus LA68 (24%, 5.8–42%, p = 0.02) and for L. rhamnosus LB64 (15%, 2.7–27%, p = 0.02). Probiotic administration could have beneficial effects on systemic humoral and mucosal immune responses.
Food intolerance implies different health problems caused by certain foods. It is known that 2%−20% humans have this problem. Despite that, the food intolerance stays unrecognised in many cases. Generally, physical activity makes a lot of benefits for people health. On the other hand, very hard training, as in the case of the professional athletes, has bad influence on the immunity, such as increment of gastrointestinal barrier (GI) permeability. There are the studies that show presence of high sensitivity to food intolerance in elite athletes. It is apparently that extreme physical activity is one of the reasons. The aim of this study was to examine the influence of food intolerance on sports performance and health in elite athletes.
Methods
This was an experimental longitudinal study in the duration of 3 months. There were 12 men (mean ± SD; age 25 ± 7 years) and 10 women (age 25 ± 4 years) in the study. The participations were professional athletes, with training more than 10 hours per week. At the beginning of the study the athletes had to fill AQUA (Allergy Questionnaire for Athletes) and GSRS (Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale) questionnaires. After that, they were underwent to food intolerance test from cubital vein blood, medical examination and maximal cardiopulmonary testing. This procedures, including AQUA and GSRS, were done again at the end of the study. The individual elimination diet based on food intolerance test was made for the athletes. All of them were on diet for 3 months.
Results
There wasn't significant change in total GSRS score (p = 0.05) after diet, but syndrome indigestion score was significantly lowered (p = 0.01). The scores of AQUA were significant different at the beginning and at the end of the study (p = 0.0009). The blood analysis showed declining level of the food intolerance for each athlete. There was significant change in body composition of the athletes. Namely, the fat percent (FAT%) was significantly lowered (p = 0.0008) after the elimination diet. There wasn't change in weight of the athletes (p = 0.06). Heart rate (HR) after cardiopulmonary testing was measured for the first 3 minutes. There was significant difference in HR at the second (p = 0.02) and the third (p = 0.006) minute. At the end of the study HR at the second and the third minute was lowered. The flexibility of the athletes, received by sit and reach test, was better after the diet (p = 0.001).
Conclusions
Our data shows that sports performances and health in elite athletes depend on food intolerance in many ways. The elimination diet for 3 months significantly improved health, body composition and faster lowering HR after cardiopulmonary testing.
References
Pasha I, Saeed F, Sultan, MT, Batool R, Aziz M, Ahmed, WWWW. WWWWheat allergy & intolerance; Recent updates and perspectives. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition2016:56(1):13–24. Karsten K, Frank-Christoph M, Christian P. The immunomodulatory effects of physical activity. Current Pharmaceutical Design. 22. 2016: PMID: 27000826. LomerMC. Review article: the aetiology, diagnosis, mechanisms and clinical evidence for food intolerance. Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics 2015:41(3):262–275. Vandenplas Y. Debates in allergy medicine: food intolerance does exist. World Allergy Organ J 2015:8:36. doi: 10.1186/s40413-015-0087-7. Van Wijck K, Lenaerts K, Van Loon LJ, Peters, WH, Buurman WA, DejongCH. Exercise-induced splanchnic hypoperfusion results in gut dysfunction in healthy men. PLoS ONE 2011:6(7):e22366. Volpi N, Maccari F. Serum IgG responses to food antigens in the Italian population evaluated by highly sensitive and specific ELISA test. J Immunoassay Immunochem 2008:30(1):51–69.
Background/Aim. The world population is aging rapidly. It has become a challenge to meet the vital needs of the elderly in big cities. The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of the health status as well as other relevant factors on the perceived quality of life in aged people in Belgrade, Serbia. Method. The survey was conducted in October 2019 on a representative sample of 764 people (39.9% male and 60.1% female) aged between 65 and 79 years (mean ? standard deviation = 72.68 ? 7.11 years) living in Belgrade. In the research, a questionnaire developed on the basis of the World Health Organization (WHO) methodology for age-friendly cities was used, aimed to explore 11 factors important for the elderly. Results. Factor of physical accessibility of community and socioeconomic factors were highly significant [?2 (df = 3, n = 764) = 238.905; p < 0.001 and ?2 (df = 3, n = 764) = 207.571; p < 0.001, respectively] and explained 39.4% and 35% of variance of perceived quality of life, respectively. Social environment explained 24.6% of variance of perceived quality of life [?2 (df = 4, n = 764) = 140.242; p < 0.001]. Health sta-tus had greatest explanatory power regarding perceived quality of life and explained as much as 46.7% of variance [?2 (df = 8, n = 764) = 292.083; p < 0.001]. When the unique impact of health status on quality of life was analyzed, when other variables were controlled, health status explained 21.6% of the variance in addition to the variance explained by physical accessibility, socioeconomic status, and social environment. Conclusion. Although health status has the greatest impact on the perceived quality of life of older people, interventions on other life important domains such as physical accessibility, socioeconomic status, and social environment could have a positive impact on the perceived quality of life where health status alone could not be improved.
Background/Aim. It is well known that continuous engagement in physical activity is important for normal growth and development of children. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), as a measure of functional state of the organism, is largely affected by level of physical activity, but it remains unclear to what extent it can be improved during childhood. The aim of the study was to evaluate dynamics of changes in aerobic capacity, anthropometric and body composition characteristics in active and non-active girls over a period of 3 years. Methods. A total of 48 young girls were included in the study. Girls were divided into 2 groups: training group consisted of 25 girls who played basketball (age 13.84 ? 0.94) and non-training group of 23 girls who were not involved in any organized sports (age 13.83 ? 0.98). Anthropometric and body composition characteristics were measured in order to monitor somatic growth during the study. VO2maxvalues were obtained by performing cardiopulmonary exercise testing on a treadmill. All parameters were measured every 6 months during 3-years period. Results. ANOVA analysis showed a significant time and group interaction effect on VO2max (p < 0.001), body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) and fat percentage (FAT%) (p < 0.01). Also, there was an obvious increase in VO2max within both groups due to growth and development itself (p < 0.001). Conclusion. The main finding of the study was an increase in VO2max due to growth and development. The girls who actively participated in basketball had higher level of aerobic capacity compared to non-active girls. Furthermore, continuous basketball training led to maintaining normal body composition in terms of FAT% and BMI, which altogether may imply that organized physical activity has a positive influence on evaluated characteristics.
Background High incidence of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears among female basketball players requires a proper understanding of the risk factors in order to reduce the number of these severe events. Objective It was hypothesized that athletes involved in professional level of basketball and more than 10 hours of training per week at young age are exposed to greater risk of ACL rupture due to overtraining. Design Non-experimental correlation retrospective study was performed. Setting In order to collect data Serbian female basketball players, from both domestic and European professional teams, were contacted. Patients (or Participants) A total of 108 female basketball players were included in the study (age 26.26±6.8). Interventions (or Assessment of Risk Factors) The questionnaire regarding the involvement in a professional level of basketball and hours/week of training at younger age was administrated to participants. The logistic regression method was used in order to calculate the odds ratio confidence interval (O. R.). Main Outcome Measurements The athletes exposed to high intensity and frequency of training had grater odds of getting ACL rupture. Results 43 out of 108 athletes reported ACL injury at the age of 18.25±3.12. Those involved in professional level of basketball had an odds of ACL injury about 9.25 times greater than those who competed only for their age group (OR 9.2503; p=0.0001). The ones exposed to more than 10 hours of training per week had an odds of ACL injury about 7.54 greater than those with less training hours (O R 7.5374; p=0.0002). Conclusions Playing basketball at a professional level at younger age can lead to overtraining and consequently an increased incidence of ACL ruptures in female basketball players. Accordingly, intensity and frequency of training must be adapted to both chronological and biological age of young athletes in order to prevent this serious injury.