In the last years, the use of Dried Blood Spots (DBS) as alternative sampling technique is reaching an increasing interest in the antidoping field. The collection of DBS is performed from small volumes of capillary blood lied on adsorbent support (e.g.cellulose) and let to dry. Compared to the conventional urine or blood collection, this technique presents several advantages as the sampling is less invasive, rapid and does not required specialized personnel to be performed. It also facilitates transport and storage, reducing the costs. Conversely, the reduced sample volume available could represent a limitation and requires the use of highly sensitive instrumentation. This work presents a multi-class screening method for 100 compounds belonging to different groups of the World Anti Doping Agency prohibited list, including anabolic agents, beta-2 agonists, hormone and metabolic modulators, and diuretics, among others. DBS samples for method development were obtained depositing 20 µL of venous blood and letting them to dry on cellulose cards. The whole DBS spot was then punched out and extracted with organic solvents prior to the analysis by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The methodology was validated for qualitative purposes. Different parameters were evaluated. The vast majority of the compounds could be reliably detected at sub-ng/mL level. Satisfactory results were obtained in terms of recovery, precision and robustness. Also, matrix effects were negligible for most compounds, as expected considering the low volume of sample analyzed. As a final validation step, DBS samples collected after administration of boldenone, oxandrolone and tamoxifen to healthy volunteers were analyzed. The method showed good performance and robust results, making it fit-for- purpose for its application in sports drug testing.

The social changes related to gender identity that have been taking place in recent years have a notable and growing impact on sports practice. The incorporation of people with sex reassignment, transsexuals, and intersex (different sexual development) in sports competition raises issues that until now were very rare and relevant but that are currently causing doubts, debate, and controversy. The Spanish Society of Sports Medicine (SEMED), aware that this issue has important repercussions, both on the professional practice of physicians who care for athletes, and on the health of the athletes themselves, understands that it is necessary to deepen the knowledge of the sports practice of people with sex reassignment, transsexuals and intersexuality and considers it appropriate to make an official position on this issue. This work addresses sex reassignment, transsexuality, and intersexuality, shedding light on their definitions, their prevalence, and the differences in sports performance between men and women. He also considers it important to make a reference to the forms of classification in sport, as well as the role of androgens (testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, DHT) in sport. It analyzes the sports participation of people with sex reassignment, transsexuals and intersexuals since the emergence of the Caster Semenya case to end with the positioning of the Spanish Society of Sports Medicine and the recommendation on actions proposed to the sports authorities on addressing the sports participation of people with sex reassignment, transsexuals, and intersex from the perspective of the functional, injury and incentive consequences of women's sports practice.

The sports medical examination is considered a starting point for any athlete before taking up physical or sporting activity. Its main objective is to detect pathologies that could put your life at risk and those that, once corrected, can enhance physical performance. This is why it must be carried out by a multidisciplinary health team with expertise in the area. In this way, it is important to review the scientific evidence and learn directly about the health status of a group of adult and child athletes, their incidence of cardiovascular diseases and the role of nursing in their application. This study evaluated a sample of 7340 athletes aged between 3 and 17 years, composed of 1693 females and 5647 males, who underwent a sports medical examination, according to a registered and previously established protocol in sports clubs in 2 Spanish provinces with the support of nursing staff during the year 2021. Of these, a total of 112 cases of cardiac pathologies were obtained, of which 54% were known to have a cardiac pathology and 64% were unknown. Of this group of unknown cardiac pathologies, 5.9% of the cases required surgical intervention, 21.1% are under review and 73% were discharged. The total number of cases with unknown cardiac pathologies represents 0.70% of the sample. The fundamental role of nursing in the application of this protocol was also determined.

Introduction: Lung diffusion capacity of carbon monoxide (DLCO) provides a measure of gas transfer in the lungs, which increase in relation to exercise and decrease in the presence of lung interstitial disease. The aim of this study is to evaluate the changes in lung diffusion after anaerobic and aerobic exercise in a cycle ergometer. Material and method: The participants were 9 healthy active subjects, including six females and three males (age: 24.3 ± 3.1 years). Lung diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO) was studied under two different protocols: In the first day, DLCO was measured at SL at rest (SL-R), after 30-s maximal exercise (SL-ANA), and after 15-min moderate continuous exercise (SL-AER). In the second day, DLCO was evaluated at rest at SL, and then at HA (4,000 m) at rest (HA-R) and after 30-min of moderate interval exercise (HA-AER). Results: There was an increase in DLCO from rest to after SL-ANA (32.5 ± 6.4 to 40.3 ± 11.6 mL·min-1·mmHg-1, P = 0.027). In the second day, DLCO was evaluated at rest at SL, and then at HA (4,000 m) at rest (HA-R) and after 30-min of moderate interval exercise (HA-AER). During HA exposure, there was no changes in DLCO, either at HA-R, or after HA-AER. Conclusions: Lung diffusion capacity largely increased after 30-s maximal exercise in a cycle ergometer, although the O2 -dependence is small during this type of anaerobic exercise. Thus, exercise intensity may be a key modulator of the changes in lung diffusing capacity in relation to exercise.

Objective: The objective of this study is to determine the prevalence of electrocardiographic abnormalities that could endanger the lives of elite and sub-elite professional athletes based on normal, borderline, and abnormal findings described in international recommendations. Material and method: This retrospective observational study was performed only on men elite football players, men elite baseball players, men elite basketball players, and men sub-elite football players (second division, third division, U-15, U-17, and U-20). Data were collected from pre-competition ECGs performed by team-affiliated physicians in the 2012 – 2019 preseasons of active-roster athletes and sub-elite players. The qualitative characteristics of each ECG were analyzed using the international recommendations for electrocardiographic interpretation in athletes to detect accepted training-related ECG findings and findings classified as borderline and abnormal. Results: A total of 716 ECGs were included. Common training-related ECG changes were found in 63.1%; sinus bradycardia was the most prevalent training-related ECG change (47.2%). The prevalence of borderline ECG readings among all the participants was 3.9%; the most frequent change was right axis deviation. The prevalence of abnormal ECG findings overall was 4.2%. Conclusion: Electrocardiographic changes in athletes are frequently seen; however, a constant review of changes within abnormal or borderline parameters is recommended. It is suggested that further research studies should study the electrocardiographic changes in elite and sub-elite athletes and compare these changes considering the biological sex of the athletes to see if there are any differences.

Anthropometric, mechanical and performance differences have been observed in rowing between rowers from the same club competing in different categories. Maximal aerobic power has been defined as one of the best predictors of rowing performance. The aim was to observe differences between male and female rowers in anthropometric, physiological and aerobic power data. Weight (P), height (T), fat percentage (G), sum of seven folds (S7) and absolute and relative watts (W) (W/kg) of 55 subjects were assessed. Of the 55 subjects, 38 were male (26.95 ±7.0 years) and 17 were female (24.82 ±6.8 years). Cohen’s d was used to calculate the effect size as standardised mean difference. In the results, sample means were obtained for the variables analysed in the different sexes (F: females and M: males). For F: [P: 77.25 (9.41) - T: 1.80 (0.07) - G: 12.77 (3.04) - S7: 72.23 (28.20) - W: 273.6 (52.88) - W/kg: 3.57 (0.67)] and for M: [P: 61.79 (6.85 - T: 1.67 (0.07) - G: 14.44 (2.47)- S7: 103.83 (28.64) - W: 171.35 (29.19) - W/kg: 2.78 (0.43)]. Finally, the results were as follows: P: 1.77 - T: 1.87 - G: 0.57 - S7: 1.11 - W: 2.17 - W/kg: 1.28. Showing significant differences and a large effect size between both sexes in all the variables analysed, except for the fat percentage variable.

Main purpose of sports medicine is reaching the health care of the athlete, not only from the point of view of treatment, but also from the point of view of prevention. The performance of preparticipation medical sports evaluation, one of the main attributions of this specialty, is aimed at the discovery of pathologies, diseases or alterations that may affect health. They might range from situations that can trigger deadly incidents, to those without putting life at risk, can affect the health or performance of the athlete. Adequate implementation of preparticipation medical sports evaluation implies the diagnosis of medical problems that must be analyzed, from other points of view such as the perspective of fitness for sport practice. In addition, the doctor in charge must have a guide for clearance for sports practice. In case of non-authorization, time for non-sports activities must be recommended in order to decrease injury risks. Cardiovascular pathologies are the best-known contraindications in sport practice, treated extensively in the literature. However, there are also contraindications secondary to problems or issues of the rest of apparatus organs and systems of the organism, knowing that the athlete represents an entity in which physical exercise affects all their sets. This document highlights those contraindications already discussed above and analyzes the legal aspects of sports practice contraindications. Medical professionals are responsible for managing the pre-participation medical sports evaluation as well as the documentary aspects that support it.

Introduction: The menstrual cycle (MC) is the second most important biological rhythm, regulated by the hypothalamicpituitary-ovarian axis and all the hormones involved in it. In addition to reproductive functions, it is speculated that changes in hormone production during different phases of the menstrual cycle may influence other physiological systems, which may have an impact on women’s physical performance. In this way, studying the influences of the menstrual cycle on physical exercises gains importance, since little is said about the organization of strategies and intervention for the performance of physical exercises that take into account the possible impacts and changes caused by the MC. Objective: To review the influence of MC in the practice of aerobic and resistance exercises. Material and method: The search for articles was carried out in the databases: PubMed and Google Scholar, from August to September 2021, without restriction on date and type of publication, and all articles in English and Portuguese were considered. The research was based on the phases of the menstrual cycle in eumenorrheic young women, who may or may not be athletes, but without known dysfunctions of the menstrual cycle. Conclusions: Hormonal fluctuations during MC may not significantly and directly affect the cardiorespiratory or musculoskeletal system during physical exercise, as there is the question of the biological individuality of each woman, as well as the relationship with the self-reported symptoms.

It is our contention that Aikido may have sufficient support for its use in complementary therapies in the field of clinical treatment. However, as far as we are aware, no extensive scientific studies highlighting the application of Aikido as a psychosomatic therapy in the field of psychological behavioural disorders has been carried out. Our aim here was to conduct a systematic review of scientific studies associated with the possible psychosomatic benefits of Aikido practice and to examine whether there is any theoretical basis for this psychosomatic health connection. In terms of methodology, a systematic review of published scientific literature on health and Aikido was conducted in adherence with PRISMA guidelines. Three aspects of the application of Aikido were identified, one corresponding to phases more susceptible to psycho-emotional instability such as during the period of adolescence; another aspect related to the treatment of overcoming trauma in subjects with post-traumatic stress disorder and the final aspect related to the improvements as a result of the practical intervention of mindfulness. It is evident from our review, that the treatment of Aikido as a discipline with psychotherapeutic potential requires further expert analysis from a cross-disciplinary and interdisciplinary perspective, which would involve establishing a suitable intervention model in order to attain a deeper understanding of the discipline of Aikido. Moreover, a mastery of the field of psychology and psychiatry is required to understand the internal cognitive processes of the subjects studied.