Mucosal immunity and upper respiratory tract infections during a 24-week competitive season in young ice hockey players

The aim of this study was to examine upper respiratory tract infections (URTI) and their associations with resting saliva and blood immune and endocrine parameters in ice hockey players. Twenty-seven participants (age 16.5 ± 0.5 years) completed the 24-week study period. The counts/concentrations of immune and endocrine markers were compared between healthy-prone athletes (≤2 episodes of URTI during the study period) and illness-prone athletes (≥3 episodes of URTI) and between the URTI state (when athletes had infections) and the healthy state (the time without URTI). There were no differences in concentration/counts of saliva and blood immune and endocrine parameters between the illness-prone and illness-free athletes. Athletes had significantly lower sIgA, sIgA1 and sIgA2 concentrations (sIgA: 119.88 ± 66.88, 144.10 ± 75.0 µg/ml; sIgA1: 90.2 ± 40.64, 108.44 ± 29.8 U; sIgA2: 67.58 ± 30.1, 80.3 ± 25.61 U, respectively) and significantly higher WBC, neutrophil, monocyte and eosinophil count values and IL-1ra concentration at the time when they had symptoms of URTI than in the period without symptoms of infections. There were no differences in salivary cortisol concentration between the period of URTI symptoms and the period without URTI symptoms. In conclusion, we observed lower concentrations of salivary immunoglobulins and higher levels of blood immune parameters during URTI in athletes, which may confirm the suppression of mucosal immunity and initiation responses to pathogenic infections by innate immunity.     

PPARA intron 1 A/C polymorphism and elite athlete status

Abstract

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) is involved in lipid and carbohydrate metabolism. The aim of this study was to test for a possible association between the PPARA intron 1 A/C polymorphism (rs135539) and the attainment of elite athlete status. In total, 155 Israeli athletes (119 males, 36 females) and 240 healthy controls (170 males, 70 females) participated in the study. The group of athletes consisted of endurance athletes (n=74) and sprinters (n=81). Genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP on DNA from leucocytes. Results showed that genotype distribution and allele frequencies were similar (P=0.65 for genotypes and P=0.48 for allele frequency) for the endurance athletes (allele frequency A/C 0.7/0.3), sprinters (allele frequency A/C 0.66/0.34), and controls (allele frequency A/C 0.71/0.29). Furthermore, no significant differences were observed between the sub-groups of elite endurance athletes (those who had represented Israel in world track-and-field championships or in the Olympic Games) and national-level endurance athletes (P=0.44 for genotypes and P=0.96 for allele frequency), or between elite and national-level sprinters (P=0.57 for genotypes and P=0.40 for allele frequency). In conclusion, we observed no differences in genotype distribution or allele frequencies across PPARA intron 1 A/C polymorphism between endurance athletes, sprinters, and controls. Further research is needed in other ethnic groups to verify these results.     

The AMPD1 C34T mutation is not associated with the status of Israeli athletes

Abstract

The adenosine monophosphate deaminase (AMPD1) gene seems to be an important regulator of skeletal muscle energy metabolism during exercise. A nonsense C34T mutation in the AMPD1 gene results in a premature stop codon, thus stopping protein synthesis. The aim of this study was to determine the AMPD1 C34T mutation frequency distribution among 155 Israeli athletes (endurance athletes, n=74; sprinters, n=81) and 142 healthy controls. Genotyping of the AMPD1 C34T (rs5810761) mutation was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results showed that the genotype subtype did not differ by gender in the athletes (P=0.18) or the controls (P=0.79). The AMPD1 C34T genotype distribution was in line with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium within all groups (P>0.05). The genotype distribution and allele frequencies were similar in the groups of endurance athletes, sprinters, and controls (P=0.455). Similarly, no significant differences were observed between the subgroups of elite endurance athletes and national endurance athletes (P=0.78), or between elite and national sprinters (P=0.46). In conclusion, the AMPD1 C34T mutation is not associated with endurance athletes’ status, at least in the present group of Israeli athletes. This suggests that elite athletic status can be achieved despite a partial deficiency in AMPD1, as marked by the AMPD1 CT genotype.     

Relationships between talent development environments and mental toughness: The role of basic psychological need satisfaction

ABSTRACT

Although the talent development environment and mental toughness are critical for athletes to realise their athletic potential, there is a dearth of literature on whether the talent development environment can enhance mental toughness among those athletes who are identified with athletic potential (i.e., talented athletes). Drawing on self-determination theory (Deci & Ryan, 2000), this research examined the relationships between the talent development environment, basic psychological needs satisfaction and mental toughness. Talented athletes (n = 261) completed a survey measuring key features of the talent development environment, needs satisfaction and mental toughness. The results of structural equation modelling indicated that three environmental factors (i.e., long-term development focus, holistic quality preparation and communication) were positive predictors of needs satisfaction, which then positively predicted mental toughness. The talent development environment may be considered for promoting talented athletes’ mental toughness.     

ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and performance phenotypes in young Chinese male soldiers

Abstract

Alpha-actinin-3 (ACTN3) is absent in 18% of healthy Caucasian individuals owing to homozygosity for a premature stop codon (X) at amino acid 577 (rs1815739). Previous studies have shown a strong association between ACTN3 genotype and human athletic performance. In a study of 452 young Chinese male soldiers, we examined the distribution of ACTN3 genotypes and alleles and analysed the association between ACTN3 genotypes and athletic performance. We found that the frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X genotype (RR 39.8%, RX 43.4%, and XX 16.8%) and R577X allele (R 61.5%, X 38.5%) in young Chinese males were not significantly different from those in Caucasians. We only observed a significant association (P = 0.025) between ACTN3 R577X genotypes and grip strength. Participants with the XX genotype displayed significantly lower handgrip strength than individuals with the RR genotype (P = 0.021), but the difference between XX and RX means (P = 0.258) and that between RR and RX means (P = 0.42) was not significant. We did not observe a strong association between the ACTN3 R577X genotypes and sprint phenotypes or endurance phenotypes. In conclusion, our results indicate that the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism is most strongly associated with grip strength in young Chinese male soldiers.     

Evening electronic device use: The effects on alertness,sleep and next-day physical performance in athletes

The aim of the present study was to investigate the influence of different types of tasks performed with or without an electronic device (tablet) on pre-sleep alertness, subsequent sleep quality and next-day athletic performance. Eight highly trained netball players attended a sleep laboratory for pre-sleep testing, polysomnographic sleep monitoring and next-day physical performance testing on 5 separate occasions (1 familiarisation and 4 experimental sessions). For 2 h prior to bedtime, athletes completed cognitively stimulating tasks (puzzles) or passive tasks (reading) with or without a tablet. Sleepiness tended to be greater after reading compared to completing puzzles without a tablet (d = 0.80), but not with a tablet. Melatonin concentration increased more so after reading compared to completing puzzles on a tablet (P = 0.02). There were no significant differences in sleep quality or quantity or next-day athletic performance between any of the conditions. These data suggest that using a tablet for 2 h prior to sleep does not negatively affect subsequent sleep or next-day performance in athletes.     

#SheBelieves: the use of Instagram to frame the US Women’s Soccer Team during #FIFAWWC

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine of the representation of women athletes during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup. More specifically, we examined how individuals used various event-related hashtags (ie #SheBelieves and #FIFAWWC) on Instagram during the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup to frame identity, and challenge or reinforce gender stereotypes from the bottom-up. A content analysis of athlete photos containing #FIFAWWC (n = 706) and athlete photos containing #SheBelieves (n = 629) revealed that users primarily portrayed women athletes as athletically competent. Specifically, nearly 90% of Instagram posts containing either #FIFAWWC or #SheBelieves portrayed athletes in either athletic action or preparing for athletic action. These findings demonstrate that social media provide an opportunity to challenge gender stereotypes in women’s sports and thereby illustrate that social media users are willing to create their own frames around women athletes.     

ACTN3 R577X genotype and athletic performance in a large cohort of Japanese athletes

Aim: Recent meta-analyses of the literature confirmed the association between the RR+RX genotype of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and elite sprint/power athletic status in Europeans but not in Asians and Africans, while the association between the R577X genotype and elite endurance athlete status is less convincing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and elite athlete status in a large Asian (Japanese) cohort of track and field athletes. Methods: One-thousand fifty-seven Japanese track and field athletes (627 sprint/power athletes and 430 endurance athletes) and 810 Japanese controls were genotyped for the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) by using the TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay. Results: Elite sprint/power athletes had a higher frequency of the RR+RX genotype than the controls (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16–2.18; P?=?.003). A significant linear correlation was found between the RR?+?RX genotype and athlete status (i.e. regional?P?=?.001 for trend) and long-distance runners (regional: 65%, national: 72%, international: 82%; P?=?.030 for trend). Conclusions: The data obtained for this large Asian (Japanese) cohort of track and field athletes served to confirm the association between the RR?+?RX genotype of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and elite sprint/power athlete status and also the association between the ACTN3 RR?+?RX genotype and long-distance running athletic status.     

Goal orientation and well-being in college athletes: The importance of athletic social connectedness

The present study examined the ability of an interpersonal construct called athletic connectedness to mediate the relationship between task and ego goal orientations and well-being. We operationalised athletic social connectedness as a sense of social belonging and sense of connection with teammates. We hypothesised that athletic social connectedness would be positively associated with task goals, negatively associated with ego goals, and would at least partially mediate the relationship between achievement goals and well-being. We administered questionnaires to female (N = 106; mean age = 20.47, SD = 1.12) and male (N = 100; mean age = 20.95, SD = 1.21) NCAA Division III college athletes. We tested our hypothesised model using structural equation modelling, which included testing a measurement model that specified four latent variables and then comparing the estimates generated by our hypothesised model with our data. We also tested three alternative models and found our hypothesised model to fit best. As predicted, there were significant indirect effects of task and ego motivation on well-being through athletic connectedness, demonstrating formal evidence of mediation. The r² coefficient indicated that the model explained 30% of the variance in well-being, a moderate effect size (Cohen, 1988). Discussion focuses on the importance of considering interpersonal constructs as a way to improve our understanding of relationship between task and ego goal orientations to well-being in athletes.     

Sex and Athletic Status as Factors in Reaction Latency and Movement Time

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of sex and athletic status on reaction latencies and movement time. One hundred subjects, categorized into five groups of 20 subjects each—male athletes (MA), female athletes (FA), male nonathletes (MNA), female nonathletes (FNA), and control group (CG)—were tested over a period of five consecutive days. Several different types of incentives were used to ensure that subjects provided the fastest times possible. Two blocks of 25 trials were administered to each subject on each day. A 2 × 2 × 2 × 5 × 2 mixed factorial analysis of variance was used to test for between-subject differences of group (experimental/control), sex, and athletic status and for within-subject differences of days and blocks. The four dependent variables were reaction time (RT) mean, RT consistency, movement time (MT) mean, and MT consistency. Results did not support the classic finding of male superiority over females in RT/MT or athletes' superiority over nonathletes. Evidence of athletic superiority emerged, but for the first day of practice only. As subjects were allowed extended practice over a 5-day test period in which knowledge of results (KR) and other incentives were provided, differences in the experimental groups disappeared. Sex was the predominant factor in consistency, with males being less variable in RT (p = .02) performance than females. There were no sex differences in MT consistency.     

女子举重运动员月经期不同负荷训练对经血量、血清睾酮、血红蛋白影响的研究

研究结果显示,女子举重运动员经血量(MBL)明显低于其他健康女子,也明显低于其他运动项目的运动员。女子举重运动员血清 T明显高于普通健康女子,与其他运动项目运动员无显著差异。在经期中,随运动负荷的增加。MBL呈减少趋势,血清 T和 HB呈递增趋势。由此提示:这些变化可能是运动员长期从事举重训练所产生的一种适应性反应。     

A comparison of the physiological response to simulated altitude exposure and r-HuEpo administration

Concerns have been raised about the morality of using simulated altitude facilities in an attempt to improve athletic performance. One assumption that has been influential in this debate is the belief that altitude houses simply mimic the physiological effects of illegal recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEpo) doping. To test the validity of this assumption, the haematological and physiological responses of 23 well-trained athletes exposed to a simulated altitude of 2650-3000 m for 11-23 nights were contrasted with those of healthy volunteers receiving a low dose (150 IU·kg^-1 per week) of r-HuEpo for 25 days. Serial blood samples were analysed for serum erythropoietin and percent reticulocytes; maximal oxygen uptake ([Vdot]O_2max) was assessed before and after r-HuEpo administration or simulated altitude exposure. The group mean increase in serum erythropoietin (422% for r-HuEpo vs 59% for simulated altitude), percent reticulocytes (89% vs 30%) and [Vdot]O_2max (6.6% vs -2.0%) indicated that simulated altitude did not induce the changes obtained with r-HuEpo administration. Based on the disparity of these responses, we conclude that simulated altitude facilities should not be considered unethical based solely on the tenet that they provide an alternative means of obtaining the benefits sought by illegal r-HuEpo doping.     

The polygenic profile of Russian football players

Abstract

Research concerned with predictors of talent in football has highlighted a number of potentially important and partially inherited measures such as body size, anaerobic power, aerobic capacity, agility, psychological profile, game intelligence and susceptibility to injuries. Genotyping for performance-associated DNA polymorphisms at an early age could be useful in predicting later success in football. The aim of the study was to investigate individually and in combination the association of common gene polymorphisms with football player’s status. A total of 246 Russian football players and 872 controls were genotyped for 8 gene polymorphisms, which were previously reported to be associated with athlete status. Four alleles (ACE D, ACTN3 Arg577, PPARA rs4253778 C and UCP2 55Val) were first identified, showing discrete associations with football player’s status. Next, we determined the total genotype score (TGS, from the accumulated combination of the 4 polymorphisms, with a maximum value of 100 for the theoretically optimal polygenic score) in athletes and controls. The mean TGS was significantly higher in football players (52.0 (17.6) vs. 41.3 (15.5); P < 0.0001) than in controls. These data suggest that the likelihood of becoming a football player depends on the carriage of a high number of “favourable” gene variants.     

Do PON1-Q192R and PON1-L55M polymorphisms modify the effects of hypoxic training on paraoxonase and arylesterase activity?

Background:Low levels of antioxidant paraoxonase 1(PON 1) enzyme activity,PON1-Q192R polymorphism(a glutamine(Q) to arginine(R)substitution at position 192),PON1-L55M polymorphism(a leucine(L) to methionine(M) substitution at position 55),and oxidized low-density lipoprotein(oxLDL) are risk factors for coronary heart disease.Aerobic exercise improves PON1 activity,but the effects of hypoxic exercise are yet unclear.The aim of this study was to determine the effects of hypoxic underwater rugby tr...     

Lack of association between ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism and elite artistic gymnastic performance of Italian gymnasts

Abstract

The angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) polymorphism is the most studied genetic marker in the field of human performance. There is a continuing debate in the literature regarding the possible association of ACE genotypes and elite athletic status. In fact, despite recent studies having identified no significant associations in athletes from mixed sporting disciplines, other researchers suggest that the insertion (I) variant may be associated with elite endurance performance, and the deletion (D) variant can be over-represented among elite sprinters. The purpose of the present study was to determine, for the first time, the association between the ACE genotypes and sprint athlete status among elite Italian gymnasts. To test this hypothesis, we assessed 33 elite Italian gymnasts (17 males, 16 females) and a control group of 53 (31 males, 22 females) unrelated sedentary individuals. DNA was extracted from each participant using a buccal swab and the ACE I/D polymorphism was determined using PCR while different amplified fragments were detected by electrophoresis using agarose gel and ethidium bromide staining. The ACE genotypes and allele frequencies among gymnasts (DD, ID, II=0.39, 0.48, 0.12, respectively; D allele=0.64) were not significantly different from those of Italian sedentary controls (DD, ID, II=0.39, 0.45, 0.15, respectively; D allele=0.62). However, the frequencies of our control group were similar to those observed in a sample of Italian sedentary individuals, and different to those of the general Caucasian population reported by other authors. Furthermore, the frequencies of our control group did not differ from those reported in other association studies involving elite sprint athletes. Our results suggest a lack of association between the ACE I/D polymorphism and elite gymnastics performance in Italians.     

Assessment of vitamin D concentration in non-supplemented professional athletes and healthy adults during the winter months in the UK: implications for skeletal muscle function

Abstract

The current study implemented a two-part design to (1) assess the vitamin D concentration of a large cohort of non-vitamin D supplemented UK-based athletes and 30 age-matched healthy non-athletes and (2) to examine the effects of 5000 IU · day^?1 vitamin D₃ supplementation for 8-weeks on musculoskeletal performance in a placebo controlled trial. Vitamin D concentration was determined as severely deficient if serum 25(OH)D < 12.5 nmol · l^?1, deficient 12.5–30 nmol · l^?1 and inadequate 30–50 nmol · l^?1. We demonstrate that 62% of the athletes (38/61) and 73% of the controls (22/30) exhibited serum total 25(OH)D < 50 nmol · l^?1. Additionally, vitamin D supplementation increased serum total 25(OH)D from baseline (mean ± SD = 29 ± 25 to 103 ± 25 nmol · l^?1, P = 0.0028), whereas the placebo showed no significant change (53 ± 29 to 74 ± 24 nmol · l^?1, P = 0.12). There was a significant increase in 10 m sprint times (P = 0.008) and vertical-jump (P = 0.008) in the vitamin D group whereas the placebo showed no change (P = 0.587 and P = 0.204 respectively). The current data supports previous findings that athletes living at Northerly latitudes (UK = 53° N) exhibit inadequate vitamin D concentrations (<50 nmol · l^?1). Additionally the data suggests that inadequate vitamin D concentration is detrimental to musculoskeletal performance in athletes. Future studies using larger athletic groups are now warranted.     

Former athletes’ lifestyle and self-definition changes after retirement from sports

BackgroundEvery high-level athlete will eventually see his or her sport career come to an end. Most former athletes will experience changes in their self-definition and everyday behaviors as they accept a nonathletic way of life. The present study aimed to identify discrepancies between actual and former athletes regarding athletic identity, physical activity (PA), and nutrition habits.MethodsActual athletes (AA; n = 122), former athletes (FA; n = 230), and nonathletes (NA; n = 74) were asked to complete an online questionnaire on athletic identity, duration and intensity levels of occupational and leisure time PA, and nutritional habits.ResultsFA healthy nutrition score was the lowest of the 3 groups and significantly different from that of AA. Athletic identity and intense and moderate PA during leisure time consistently decreased (p < 0.01) across the 3 groups (AA > FA > NA). No significant difference between FA and NA was found regarding either nutritional habits or type of PA.ConclusionSport retirement may affect FA quality of nutritional habits that tends to decline below the NA level, as well as the amount of time spent practicing physical activities during leisure time. Athletic status does not ensure PA practice during sport postcareer.     

Stress and risk for depression in competitive athletes suffering from back pain – Do age and gender matter?†

Back pain (BP), a prominent problem for competitive athletes, is a primary reason for limitations in athletic performance and daily life restrictions. As studies on the relationship between psychological variables and BP in athletes are scarce, the aim of this study was to investigate stress and depression in competitive athletes with BP. In a cross-sectional design, data of 154 competitive athletes (51% female; M_age?=?18.81 years, SD_age?=?5.05 years) were collected, assessing Performance stress, Socio-emotional stress, Risk for depression and Psychological well-being and the two BP parameters BP Intensity and Disability. Two multiple linear regressions were conducted to predict (1) BP Intensity and (2) Disability from Performance stress, Socio-emotional stress, Risk for depression and Psychological well-being. Multiple linear regressions demonstrated that Performance stress (β?=?.21, p?=?.01) was the only significant predictor of BP Intensity (F_1,142?=?6.68, p?=?.01, R²?=?.05), whilst Risk for depression (β?=?.24, p?=?.01) was the only significant predictor of Disability (F_1,142?=?8.46, p?=?.01, R²?=?.06). Neither gender nor age explained a significant amount of variance in the models. Study results showed that, as in the general population, the variables stress and depression are related to BP in competitive athletes. In particular, BP intensity was found to be associated with stress and BP-related disability was associated with depression, whereas age and gender showed no association with the BP parameters. A longitudinal investigation is warranted to determine the direction of the observed relationships.     

The AGTR2 rs11091046 (A>C) polymorphism and power athletic status in top-level Brazilian athletes

The main purpose of this study was to investigate if the rs11091046 (A>C) polymorphism in AGTR2 gene is associated with athletic status in top-level athletes from Brazil. Since the AGTR2 gene is located on the X chromosome, the case-control association study was done separately for women and men. The female cohort was composed of 205 athletes and 241 non-athletes, and the male cohort was composed of 419 athletes and 490 non-athletes. We did not identify an association between the C-allele and the endurance phenotype. However, power athletes had a higher frequency of the A-allele. In women, A/A genotype was overrepresented in international-level power group compared with non-athletes or international-level endurance athletes (23.2% vs. 16.6% or 8.8%, respectively; p < 0.05). In men, the A-allele frequency observed in power athletes or international-level power athletes was statistically different from that observed in non-athletes (51.6% or 57.8% vs. 40.4%; p < 0.009). Furthermore, men sprinters with the A-allele showed significantly faster personal best times for the 100 m than those with the C-allele (10.56 ± 0.32 s vs. 10.93 ± 0.49 s; p < 0.02). In conclusion, it was found that the AGTR2 A-allele is a candidate genetic marker for top-level power athletes.     

The effect of 14 weeks of vitamin D3 supplementation on antimicrobial peptides and proteins in athletes

Heavy training is associated with increased respiratory infection risk and antimicrobial proteins are important in defence against oral and respiratory tract infections. We examined the effect of 14 weeks of vitamin D₃ supplementation (5000 IU/day) on the resting plasma cathelicidin concentration and the salivary secretion rates of secretory immunoglobulin A (SIgA), cathelicidin, lactoferrin and lysozyme in athletes during a winter training period. Blood and saliva were obtained at the start of the study from 39 healthy men who were randomly allocated to vitamin D₃ supplement or placebo. Blood samples were also collected at the end of the study; saliva samples were collected after 7 and 14 weeks. Plasma total 25(OH)D concentration increased by 130% in the vitamin D₃ group and decreased by 43% in the placebo group (both P = 0.001). The percentage change of plasma cathelicidin concentration in the vitamin D₃ group was higher than in the placebo group (P = 0.025). Only in the vitamin D₃ group, the saliva SIgA and cathelicidin secretion rates increased over time (both P = 0.03). A daily 5000 IU vitamin D₃ supplement has a beneficial effect in up-regulating the expression of SIgA and cathelicidin in athletes during a winter training period, which could improve resistance to respiratory infections.