Abstract
Competitive Offshore Ocean Sailing is a highly demanding activity in which subjects are exposed to psychophysical stressors for a long time. To better define the physiological adaptations, we investigated the stress response of subjects exposed to 3-days long ocean navigation with disruption of circadian rhythms. 6 male subjects were involved in the study and provided urine and saliva samples before setting sail, during a single day of inshore sailing, during 3-days long ocean navigation, and at the arrival, to measure oxidative stress, cortisol, nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and metabolic response. Motion Sickness questionnaires were also administered during the navigation. The crew suffered a mean weight loss of 1.58 kg. After the long navigation, a significant increase in ROS production and decrease in total antioxidant capacity and uric acid levels were observed. Lipid peroxidation, NO metabolites, ketones, creatinine, and neopterin levels were also increased. Furthermore, a significant increase in cortisol levels was measured. Finally, we found a correlation between motion sickness questionnaires with the increase of NOx, and no correlation with cortisol levels. Physical and psychological stress response derived from offshore sailing resulted in increased oxidative stress, nitric oxide metabolites, and cortisol levels, unbalanced redox status, transient renal function impairment, and ketosis. A direct correlation between motion sickness symptoms evaluated through questionnaires and NOx levels was also found.
Highlights
Competitive Offshore Ocean Sailing is a highly demanding activity in which subjects are exposed to psychophysical stressors for a long time
Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) production rate in saliva significantly (p < 0.01) increased at Post Offshore Ocean Sailing (OOS) (0.27 ± 0.07 vs 0.54 ± 0.16 μmol min−1, dCohen = 0.74; 95% CI 1.171–4.326; Fig. 2A) with a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in antioxidant capacity (TAC 2.50 ± 0.19 vs 2.21 ± 0.16 mM, dCohen = 1.65; 95% CI 2.961–0.341; Fig. 2B)
A significant increase in lipid peroxidation during OOS (8-isoprostane 228.40 ± 63.1 vs 378.68 ± 103.69 pg mg−1 creatinine; dCohen = 1.75, 95% CI 0.42–3.081) and at Post OOS (8-isoprostane 427.70 ± 134.98 pg mg−1 creatinine, dCohen = 1.89, 95% CI 0.53–3.253; Fig. 2D) was measured; besides nitric oxide (NO) metabolites significantly increased during OOS (NOx 331.8 ± 102.2 vs 504.5 ± 94.85 μM; dCohen = 1.75, 95% CI 0.422–3.085) and at Post (NOx 331.8 ± 102.2 vs 623.0 ± 68.24 μM; dCohen = 3.35, 95% CI 1.656–5.218) (Fig. 2E)
Summary
Competitive Offshore Ocean Sailing is a highly demanding activity in which subjects are exposed to psychophysical stressors for a long time. Physical and psychological stress response derived from offshore sailing resulted in increased oxidative stress, nitric oxide metabolites, and cortisol levels, unbalanced redox status, transient renal function impairment, and ketosis. Abbreviations 8-iso-PGF2α 8-Isoprostane EPR Electron paramagnetic resonance GERD Gastroesophageal reflux disease GSRS Global Sickness Rating Scale MSQ Motion Sickness Questionnaire NO Nitric oxide NOx (NO2 + N O3) Nitric oxide metabolites OOS Offshore ocean sailing OxS Oxidative stress ROS Reactive oxygen species SWH Significant wave height TAC Total antioxidant capacity TWA True wind angle. Offshore Ocean Sailing (OOS) could represent a relaxing leisure activity, but in case of competitions and regattas it is considered one of the most extreme endurance sports, exposing the crew to long-lasting, physically and psychologically demanding efforts[1]. A large percentage of people experience seasickness, with higher work-related risks and detrimental effects on the performance of sailors and seafarers[14,16]
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