Elite Endurance Research Articles

Role of the ACE I/D Polymorphism in Selected Public Health-Associated Sporting Modalities: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The ACE I/D polymorphism has been suggested to be associated with multiple chronic diseases and sports modalities, which has public health implications for global populations and sport performance. This updated review aims to strengthen the association and identify sporting disciplines that are most influenced by the ACE gene polymorphism using a meta-analysis approach. Methods: Published studies on the association between the ACE I/D polymorphism and elite endurance and power were collected until 15 June 2024. The studies on public health-associated sports like running, swimming, and cycling were systematically reviewed following pre-agreed criteria, and a meta-analysis was carried out using different genetic models. Results: A total of 137 studies were identified in the literature search and screened. There was a significant association between elite endurance and the ACE II genotype compared with healthy inactive controls (OR, 1.54; 95%CI, 1.24–1.91) and elite power athletes (OR = 1.56; 95%CI = 1.07–2.28). Specifically, runners and triathletes were associated with the II genotype compared with controls (OR = 1.76; 95%CI = 1.26–2.47; p-value = 0.001 and OR = 2.69; 95%CI = 1.15–6.32, p-value = 0.023, respectively). Additionally, endurance swimmers were associated with the II genotype compared with short-distance, power swimmers (OR = 2.27; 95%CI = 1.49–3.45; p-value < 0.001). Conclusion: The meta-analysis results confirm and strengthen the association between elite endurance and the ACE I/D polymorphism in different sporting modalities, which may have implications for public health and sports participation.

Lack of cardiac remodelling in elite endurance athletes: an unexpected and not so rare finding.

Endurance elite athletes are expected to present a cardiac remodelling, characterized by eccentric hypertrophy (EH), may be associated with higher sportive performances. However, not all can present a cardiac remodelling. The study aimed to identify endurance athletes without cardiac remodelling characterizing their physiologic and clinical features. We studied 309 endurance athletes (cycling, rowing, canoeing, triathlon, athletics, long-distance swimming, cross-country skiing, mid-long distance track, pentathlon, biathlon, long-distance skating and Nordic-combined) examined during period of training, by clinical evaluation, ECG, echocardiogram and exercise-stress test. Sport career achievements (Olympic\World championship medals or national\world records) were recorded. EH was found in most of athletes, (n = 126, 67% of males; n = 85, 68.5% of females). A significant proportion,, exhibited normal geometry (NG) ( n = 59, 31.3% in males; n = 39, 31.4% in females). At stress test, significant differences between EH and NG athletes were found in peak power (317.1 ± 71.2W in NG vs. 342.2 ± 60.6W in EH, p = 0.014 in males and 225.1 ± 38.7W in NG vs. 247.1 ± 37W in EH, p = 0.003 in females), rest heart rate (66.1 ± 13 in NG vs. 58.6 ± 11.6 in EH, p = 0.001 in males and 68 ± 13.2 in NG vs. 59.2 ± 11.2 in EH, p = 0.001 in females) with similar ventricular extrasystoles (p = 0.363 in males and p = 0.492 in females). However, no significant differences in athletic achievements were registered. Our study demonstrates a relatively high prevalence of NG in endurance athletes, in addition to the expected EH. Athletes with NG perform worse in exercise-stress test and exhibit some less advantageous functional heart characteristics. However, the type of heart geometry is not associated with negative clinical findings.

Differentiation of Myocardial Properties in Physiological Athletic Cardiac Remodeling and Mild Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Clinical differentiation between athletes' hearts and those with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) can be challenging. We aimed to explore the role of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) in the differentiation between athletes' hearts and those with mild HCM. We compared 30 competitive endurance elite athletes (7% female, age 41 ± 9 years) and 20 mild phenotypic mutation-positive HCM carriers (15% female, age 51 ± 12 years) with left ventricular wall thickness 13 ± 1 mm. Mechanical dispersion (MD) was assessed by means of STE. Native T1-time and extracellular volume (ECV) were assessed by means of CMR. MD was higher in HCM mutation carriers than in athletes (54 ± 16 ms vs. 40 ± 11 ms, p = 0.001). Athletes had a lower native T1-time (1204 (IQR 1191, 1234) ms vs. 1265 (IQR 1255, 1312) ms, p < 0.001) and lower ECV (22.7 ± 3.2% vs. 25.6 ± 4.1%, p = 0.01). MD > 44 ms optimally discriminated between athletes and HCM mutation carriers (AUC 0.78, 95% CI 0.65-0.91). Among the CMR parameters, the native T1-time had the best discriminatory ability, identifying all HCM mutation carriers (100% sensitivity) with a specificity of 75% (AUC 0.83, 95% CI 0.71-0.96) using a native T1-time > 1230 ms as the cutoff. STE and CMR tissue characterization may be tools that can differentiate athletes' hearts from those with mild HCM.

Evaluation of the Association of VDR rs2228570 Polymorphism with Elite Track and Field Athletes' Competitive Performance.

The present study aimed to examine the vitamin D receptor (VDR), rs2228570 polymorphism, and its effect on elite athletes' performance. A total of 60 elite athletes (31 sprint/power and 29 endurance) and 20 control/ physically inactive, aged 18-35, voluntarily participated in the study. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) score scale was used to determine the performance levels of the athletes' personal best (PB). Whole exome sequencing (WES) was performed by the genomic DNA isolated from the peripheral blood of the participants. Sports type, sex, and competitive performance were chosen as the parameters to compare within and between the groups by linear regression models. The results showed no statistically significant difference between the CC, TC, and TT genotypes within and between the groups (p > 0.05). Additionally, our results underlined that there were no statistically significant differences for the association of rs2228570 polymorphism with PBs within the groups of the (p > 0.05) athletes. The genetic profile in the selected gene was similar in elite endurance, sprint athletes, and in controls, suggesting that rs2228570 polymorphism does not determine competitive performance in the analyzed athlete cohort.

Cardiac Events in World-Class Athletes: An Internet-Based Study.

This study aimed at assessing the prevalence of adverse cardiac events, as identified in the media, in world-class athletes according to their sex and sports discipline. All female and male athletes from 30 individual Olympic sports who ranked in the international yearly top 10 between 2006 and 2018 were included. The name of each of them was associated in a Google search with selected key terms related to heart disease and/or acute cardiac events after their inclusion date. Global and sex-specific adverse cardiac event hazard function λ were calculated for each sport. Global and sex-specific prevalences of cardiac events were calculated, then compared (Fisher's exact test) between all sports. From the 2471 athletes included, 15 cases of cardiac events (prevalence of 0.61%) were reported; 2 sudden cardiac deaths (0.08%) occurred in male athletes. The other events were related to arrhythmic events ( n = 13), mainly supraventricular arrhythmias ( n = 9). All surviving athletes were able to continue their career, mostly after ablation procedure. Male endurance athletes accounted for seven events, among which three events occurred among short-distance triathletes. Events among women were comparatively rare ( n = 4), and all were observed among short-distance triathletes. A relatively unexpected high prevalence of cardiac events in endurance elite athletes was observed as compared with other sports, mainly, in short-distance male and female triathletes. This raises the question of particular cardiovascular constraints in this discipline and underlines the urge of international longitudinal follow-up studies in these kinds of athletes.

Secretion of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP), Heart Reconditioning and Remolding in Elite Endurance Trained Athletes

Aim / Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maximal exercise on the level of cardiac remolding and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) in elite athletes as compared to sedentary healthy subjects and correlation of ANP with the adaptation of athlete’s heart and cardiac remodeling (if any) Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out at the Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, with collaboration of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) Rawalpindi from June 2003 to May 2004. Methodology: A total number of 44 subjects were included in this study. These comprised of 22 elite endurance athletes and 22 healthy sedentary volunteers as controls. All subjects were examined clinically to rule out the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases on the basis of medical history, physical examination, and echocardiography. All the selected subjects were examined on a Toshiba Power Vision 6000 echocardiograph for assessing and measuring their LV end-diastolic internal diameter (LVIDd), Diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSTd), diastolic posterior wall thickness (PWTd). The left ventricular mass was (LVM) was calculated by using the Devereux formula. They were subject to go for ergometer cycle exercise before breakfast. The Blood samples were drawn before and after exercise to assess the level of ANP in their samples. Results: It was found that LVIDd, IVSTd, PWTd, LVM were higher in athletes as compared to their age, sex and BMI matched controls. The ANP levels in athlete’s plasma were also high in post and pre exercise sample as compared to controls. Conclusion: Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure and heart rate are lower in endurance elite athletes than matched sedentary controls. The maximal Exercise increases the level of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) in elite athletes significantly as compared to sedentary healthy controls. There was a Positive correlations between ANP and LVIDd, IVSTd, PWTd, and LVM while there was negative correlation between ANP and heart rate, ANP and Blood pressure. However, none of correlation was found to be statistically significant. Keywords: Athlete’s Heart, ANP, Cardiac remodeling in athletes, Echocardiography of heart

Secretion of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (Anp), Heart Reconditioning and Remolding in Elite Endurance Trained Athletes

Aim / Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of maximal exercise on the level of cardiac remolding and Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) in elite athletes as compared to sedentary healthy subjects and correlation of ANP with the adaptation of athlete’s heart and cardiac remodeling (if any) Place and Duration of Study: The present study was carried out at the Department of Physiology, Army Medical College, with collaboration of Armed Forces Institute of Cardiology (AFIC) Rawalpindi from June 2003 to May 2004. Methodology: A total number of 44 subjects were included in this study. These comprised of 22 elite endurance athletes and 22 healthy sedentary volunteers as controls. All subjects were examined clinically to rule out the cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases on the basis of medical history, physical examination, and echocardiography. All the selected subjects were examined on a Toshiba Power Vision 6000 echocardiograph for assessing and measuring their LV end-diastolic internal diameter (LVIDd), Diastolic interventricular septal thickness (IVSTd), diastolic posterior wall thickness (PWTd). The left ventricular mass was (LVM) was calculated by using the Devereux formula. They were subject to go for ergometer cycle exercise before breakfast. The Blood samples were drawn before and after exercise to assess the level of ANP in their samples. Results: It was found that LVIDd, IVSTd, PWTd, LVM were higher in athletes as compared to their age, sex and BMI matched controls. The ANP levels in athlete’s plasma were also high in post and pre exercise sample as compared to controls. Conclusion: Systolic blood pressure, Diastolic Blood Pressure and heart rate are lower in endurance elite athletes than matched sedentary controls. The maximal Exercise increases the level of Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) in elite athletes significantly as compared to sedentary healthy controls. There was a Positive correlations between ANP and LVIDd, IVSTd, PWTd, and LVM while there was negative correlation between ANP and heart rate, ANP and Blood pressure. However, none of correlation was found to be statistically significant. Keywords: Athlete’s Heart, ANP, Cardiac remodeling in athletes, Echocardiography of heart

Athlete's Heart in Asian Military Males: The CHIEF Heart Study.

Background: Elite athlete's heart is characterized by a greater left ventricular mass indexed by body surface area (LVMI) and diastolic function; however previous studies are mainly conducted in non-Asian athletes compared to sedentary controls.Methods: This study included 1,388 male adults, aged 18–34 years, enrolled in the same unified 6-month physical training program in Taiwan. During the midterm exams of 2020, all trainees completed a 3-km run (endurance) test, and 577 were randomly selected to attend a 2-min push-up (muscular strength) test. Elite athletes were defined as the performance of each exercise falling one standard deviation above the mean (16%). Cardiac structure and function were measured by echocardiography and compared between elite and non-elite athletes. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent predictors of elite athlete status at each exercise modality.Results: As compared to non-elite controls, elite endurance athletes had greater LVMI (84.4 ± 13.6 vs. 80.5 ± 12.9 g/m2, p < 0.001) and lateral mitral E'/A' ratio (2.37 ± 0.73 vs. 2.22 ± 0.76, p < 0.01) with lower late diastolic A' (7.77 ± 2.16 vs. 8.30 ± 3.69 cm/s, p = 0.03). Elite strength athletes had greater LVMI (81.8 ± 11.4 vs. 77.5 ± 12.1, p = 0.004) and lateral mitral E'/A' ratio (2.36 ± 0.70 vs. 2.11 ± 0.71, p < 0.01) with a greater early diastolic E' (19.30 ± 4.06 vs. 18.18 ± 4.05 cm/s, p = 0.02). Greater LVMI and lower heart rate were independent predictors of elite endurance athletes [odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals: 1.03 (1.02, 1.04) and 0.96 (0.95, 0.98), respectively]. Greater LVMI, lateral mitral E'/A' ratio and right ventricular systolic pressure were independent predictors of elite strength athletes [OR: 1.03 (1.01, 1.05), 1.50 (1.06, 2.12), and 1.12 (1.05, 1.19), respectively].Conclusions: Cardiac structural and functional characteristics differ between endurance and strength elite athletes. While greater LVMI predicts elite status in both groups of Asian athletes, consistent with findings from Western elite athletes, greater diastolic function, and right ventricular systolic pressure characterize strength elite athletes, while lower heart rate at rest predicts endurance elite athletic status.

High Endurance Elite Athletes Show Age-dependent Lower Levels of Circulating Complements Compared to Low/Moderate Endurance Elite Athletes

Introduction: Aerobic exercise activates the complement system in the peripheral blood. However, the effect of age and high intensity endurance training on the levels of circulating complements and sassociated inflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers and cellular aging remains unknown. Methods: In this study, serum samples from 79 elite athletes who belong to high (n = 48) and low/moderate (n = 31) endurance sports and two age groups (below 30 years old, n = 53, and above 30 years old, n = 26) were profiled for 14 complements. Linear models were used to assess differences in complements levels between sport and age groups. Spearmann’s correlation was used to assess the relationship among detected complements and proinflammatory cytokines, oxidative stress markers and telomere lengths. Results: High endurance elite athletes exhibited significantly lower levels of circulating C2, C3b/iC3b and adipsin complements than their age-matched low/moderate endurance counterparts. Levels of C2, adipsin and C3b/iC3b were positively correlated with most detected complements, the pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha and IL-22 and the anti-oxidant enzyme catalase. However, they were negatively correlated with telomere length only in younger elite athletes regardless of their sport groups. Furthermore, high endurance elite athletes showed significantly lower concentrations of C3b/iC3b, C4b, C5, C5a, C1q, C3, C4, factor H and properdin in younger athletes compared to their older counterparts. Conclusion: Our novel data suggest that high endurance elite athletes exhibit age-independent lower levels of circulating C2, C3b/iC3b and adipsin, associated with lower inflammatory, oxidative stress and cellular aging, as well as lower levels of 10 other complements in younger athletes compared to older counterparts. Assessing the effect of various levels of endurance sports on complements-based immune response provides a better understanding of exercise physiology and pathophysiology of elite athletes.

Genetic test for the personalization of sport training.

Genetic variants may contribute to confer elite athlete status. However, this does not mean that a person with favourable genetic traits would become a champion because multiple genetic interactions and epigenetic contributions coupled with confounding environmental factors shape the overall phenotype. This opens up a new area in sports genetics with respect to commercial genetic testing. The analysis of genetic polymorphisms linked to sport performance would provide insights into the potential of becoming an elite endurance or power performer. This mini-review aims to highlight genetic interactions that are associated with performance phenotypes and their potentials to be used as markers for talent identification and trainability. (www.actabiomedica.it)

Association of Elite Sports Status with Gene Variants of Peroxisome Proliferator Activated Receptors and Their Transcriptional Coactivator.

Background: Although the scientific literature regarding sports genomics has grown during the last decade, some genes, such as peroxisome proliferator activated receptors (PPARs), have not been fully described in terms of their role in achieving extraordinary sports performance. Therefore, the purpose of this systematic review was to determine which elite sports performance constraints are positively influenced by PPARs and their coactivators. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines were used, with a combination of PPAR and sports keywords. Results: In total, 27 studies that referred to PPARs in elite athletes were included, where the Ala allele in PPARG rs1801282 was associated with strength and power elite athlete status in comparison to subelite athlete status. The C allele in PPARA rs4253778 was associated with soccer, and the G allele PPARA rs4253778 was associated with endurance elite athlete status. Other elite status endurance alleles were the Gly allele in PPARGC1A rs8192678 and the C allele PPARD rs2016520. Conclusions: PPARs can be used for estimating the potential to achieve elite status in human physical performance in strength and power, team, and aerobic sports disciplines. Carrying specific PPAR alleles can provide a partial benefit to achieving elite sports status, but does not preclude achieving elite status if they are absent.

Liver-Metabolizing Genes and Their Relationship to the Performance of Elite Spanish Male Endurance Athletes; a Prospective Transversal Study

BackgroundThe genetic profile that is needed to define an endurance athlete has been studied during recent years. The main objective of this work is to approach for the first time the study of genetic variants in liver-metabolizing genes and their role in endurance performance by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies in elite endurance athletes to the non-athlete population.MethodsGenotypic and allelic frequencies were determined in 123 elite endurance athletes (75 professional road cyclists and 48 endurance elite runners) and 122 male non-athlete subjects (sedentary). Genotyping of cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily D member 6 (CYP2D6 rs3892097), glutathione-S transferase mu isoform 1 (GSTM1), glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP rs1695) and glutathione S-transferase theta (GSTT) genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The combination of the polymorphisms for the “optimal” polygenic profile has been quantified using the genotype score (GS).ResultsStatistical differences were found in the genetic distributions between elite endurance athletes and non-athletes in CYP2D6 (p < 0.001) and GSTT (p = 0.014) genes. The binary logistic regression model showed a favourable OR (odds ratio) of being an elite endurance runner against a professional road cyclist (OR: 2.403, 95% CI: 1.213–4.760 (p = 0.002)) in the polymorphisms studied.ConclusionsGenotypic distribution of liver-metabolizing genes in elite endurance athletes is different to non-athlete subjects, with a favourable gene profile in elite endurance athletes in terms of detoxification capacity.

Analysis of functional variants in mitochondrial DNA of Finnish athletes

BackgroundWe have previously reported on paucity of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroups J and K among Finnish endurance athletes. Here we aimed to further explore differences in mtDNA variants between elite endurance and sprint athletes. For this purpose, we determined the rate of functional variants and the mutational load in mtDNA of Finnish athletes (n = 141) and controls (n = 77) and determined the sequence variation in haplogroups.ResultsThe distribution of rare and common functional variants differed between endurance athletes, sprint athletes and the controls (p = 0.04) so that rare variants occurred at a higher frequency among endurance athletes. Furthermore, the ratio between rare and common functional variants in haplogroups J and K was 0.42 of that in the remaining haplogroups (p = 0.0005). The subjects with haplogroup J and K also showed a higher mean level of nonsynonymous mutational load attributed to common variants than subjects with the other haplogroups. Interestingly, two of the rare variants detected in the sprint athletes were the disease-causing mutations m.3243A > G in MT-TL1 and m.1555A > G in MT-RNR1.ConclusionsWe propose that endurance athletes harbor an excess of rare mtDNA variants that may be beneficial for oxidative phosphorylation, while sprint athletes may tolerate deleterious mtDNA variants that have detrimental effect on oxidative phosphorylation system. Some of the nonsynonymous mutations defining haplogroup J and K may produce an uncoupling effect on oxidative phosphorylation thus favoring sprint rather than endurance performance.

A pilot study comparing the metabolic profiles of elite-level athletes from different sporting disciplines

BackgroundThe outstanding performance of an elite athlete might be associated with changes in their blood metabolic profile. The aims of this study were to compare the blood metabolic profiles between moderate- and high-power and endurance elite athletes and to identify the potential metabolic pathways underlying these differences.MethodsMetabolic profiling of serum samples from 191 elite athletes from different sports disciplines (121 high- and 70 moderate-endurance athletes, including 44 high- and 144 moderate-power athletes), who participated in national or international sports events and tested negative for doping abuse at anti-doping laboratories, was performed using non-targeted metabolomics-based mass spectroscopy combined with ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography. Multivariate analysis was conducted using orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. Differences in metabolic levels between high- and moderate-power and endurance sports were assessed by univariate linear models.ResultsOut of 743 analyzed metabolites, gamma-glutamyl amino acids were significantly reduced in both high-power and high-endurance athletes compared to moderate counterparts, indicating active glutathione cycle. High-endurance athletes exhibited significant increases in the levels of several sex hormone steroids involved in testosterone and progesterone synthesis, but decreases in diacylglycerols and ecosanoids. High-power athletes had increased levels of phospholipids and xanthine metabolites compared to moderate-power counterparts.ConclusionsThis pilot data provides evidence that high-power and high-endurance athletes exhibit a distinct metabolic profile that reflects steroid biosynthesis, fatty acid metabolism, oxidative stress, and energy-related metabolites. Replication studies are warranted to confirm differences in the metabolic profiles associated with athletes’ elite performance in independent data sets, aiming ultimately for deeper understanding of the underlying biochemical processes that could be utilized as biomarkers with potential therapeutic implications.

Mortality and health-related habits in 900 Finnish former elite athletes and their brothers

BackgroundThere is conflicting evidence on the associations between participation in vigorous sports, health habits, familial factors and subsequent mortality. We investigated all-cause mortality and health-related behaviour among former elite athletes...

New approaches to determine fatigue in elite athletes during intensified training: Resting metabolic rate and pacing profile.

BackgroundElite rowers complete a high volume of training across a number of modalities to prepare for competition, including periods of intensified load, which may lead to fatigue and short-term performance decrements. As yet, the influence of substantial fatigue on resting metabolic rate (RMR) and exercise regulation (pacing), and their subsequent utility as monitoring parameters, has not been explicitly investigated in elite endurance athletes.MethodTen National-level rowers completed a four-week period of intensified training. RMR, body composition and energy intake were assessed PRE and POST the four-week period using indirect calorimetry, Dual-Energy X-Ray Densitometry (DXA), and three-day food diary, respectively. On-water rowing performance and pacing strategy was evaluated from 5 km time trials. Wellness was assessed weekly using the Multicomponent Training Distress Scale (MTDS).ResultsSignificant decreases in absolute (mean ± SD of difference, p-value: -466 ± 488 kJ.day-1, p = 0.01) and relative RMR (-8.0 ± 8.1 kJ.kg.FFM-1, p = 0.01) were observed. Significant reductions in body mass (-1.6 ± 1.3 kg, p = 0.003) and fat mass (-2.2 ± 1.2 kg, p = 0.0001) were detected, while energy intake was unchanged. On-water 5 km rowing performance worsened (p < 0.05) and an altered pacing strategy was evident. Fatigue and total mood disturbance significantly increased across the cycle (p < 0.05), and trends were observed for reduced vigour and increased sleep disturbance (p < 0.1).ConclusionFour weeks of heavy training decreased RMR and body composition variables in elite rowers and induced substantial fatigue, likely related to an imbalance between energy intake and output. This study demonstrates that highly experienced athletes do not necessarily select the correct energy intake during periods of intensified training, and this can be assessed by reductions in RMR and body composition. The shortfall in energy availability likely affected recovery from training and altered 5 km time trial pacing strategy, resulting in reduced performance.

Macronutrient Intakes in 553 Dutch Elite and Sub-Elite Endurance, Team, and Strength Athletes: Does Intake Differ between Sport Disciplines?

Web-based 24-h dietary recalls and questionnaires were obtained from 553 Dutch well-trained athletes. The total energy and macronutrient intake was compared between discipline-categories (endurance, team, and strength) within gender, and dietary inadequacy, i.e., too low or high intakes, according to selected recommendations and guidelines, was evaluated by applying a probability approach. On average, 2.83 days per person were reported with a mean energy intake of 2566–2985 kcal and 1997–2457 kcal per day, for men and women, respectively. Between disciplines, small differences in the mean intake of energy and macronutrients were seen for both men and women. Overall, 80% of the athletes met the suggested lower-limit sport nutrition recommendation of 1.2 g·kg−1 of protein per day. The carbohydrate intake of 50%–80% of athletes was between 3 and 5 g·kg−1 bodyweight, irrespective of the category of their discipline. This can be considered as low to moderate, in view of their daily total exercise load (athletes reported on average ~100 min per day). In conclusion, only small differences in the mean energy and macronutrient intake between elite endurance, strength, and team sport athletes, were found. The majority of the athletes were able to meet the generally accepted protein recommendation for athletes, of 1.2 g·kg−1. However, for most athletes, the carbohydrate intake was lower than generally recommended in the existing consensus guidelines on sport nutrition. This suggests that athletes could either optimize their carbohydrate intake, or that average carbohydrate requirements merit a re-evaluation.

Dynamic and Static Exercises Differentially Affect Plasma Cytokine Content in Elite Endurance- and Strength-Trained Athletes and Untrained Volunteers.

Extensive exercise increases the plasma content of IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), and several other cytokines via their augmented transcription in skeletal muscle cells. However, the relative impact of aerobic and resistant training interventions on cytokine production remains poorly defined. In this study, we compared effects of dynamic and static load on cytokine plasma content in elite strength- and endurance-trained athletes vs. healthy untrained volunteers. The plasma cytokine content was measured before, immediately after, and 30 min post-exercise using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pedaling on a bicycle ergometer increased IL-6 and IL-8 content in the plasma of trained athletes by about 4- and 2-fold, respectively. In contrast to dynamic load, weightlifting had negligible impact on these parameters in strength exercise-trained athletes. Unlike IL-6 and IL-8, dynamic exercise had no impact on IL-15 and LIF, whereas static load increases the content of these cytokines by ~50%. Two-fold increment of IL-8 content seen in athletes subjected to dynamic exercise was absent in untrained individuals, whereas the ~50% increase in IL-15 triggered by static load in the plasma of weightlifting athletes was not registered in the control group. Thus, our results show the distinct impact of static and dynamic exercises on cytokine content in the plasma of trained athletes. They also demonstrate that both types of exercises differentially affect cytokine content in plasma of athletes and untrained persons.

Mobility and muscle strength in male former elite endurance and power athletes aged 66-91years.

The aim of this cross-sectional study was to compare mobility and muscle strength in male former elite endurance and power athletes aged 66-91years (n=150; 50 men in both former elite athlete groups and in their control group). Agility, dynamic balance, walking speed, chair stand, self-rated balance confidence (ABC-scale), jumping height, and handgrip strength were assessed. Former elite power athletes had better agility performance time than the controls (age- and body mass index, BMI-adjusted mean difference -3.6s; 95% CI -6.3, -0.8). Adjustment for current leisure time physical activity (LTPA) and prevalence of diseases made this difference non-significant (P=0.214). The subjects in the power sports group jumped higher than the men in the control group (age- and BMI-adjusted mean differences for vertical squat jump, VSJ 4.4cm; 95% CI 2.0, 6.8; for countermovement jump, CMJ 4.0cm; 95% CI 1.7, 6.4). Taking current LTPA and chronic diseases for adjusting process did not improve explorative power of the model. No significant differences between the groups were found in the performances evaluating dynamic balance, walking speed, chair stand, ABC-scale, or handgrip strength. In conclusion, power athletes among the aged former elite sportsmen had greater explosive force production in their lower extremities than the men in the control group.

Activin Receptor 1b (acvr1b) Rs2854464 Distribution Among Brazilian Elite Athletes

Myostatin up-regulation activates transcription factors that inhibit muscle growth. It is possible that common genetic variants on these genes are capable of modulating the activity of myostatin. These could partly explain the individual variation in response to training. In this regard, not only the myostatin gene has been evaluated, but other key genes of myostatin signaling are being investigated. A fine exploration of a previously identified linkage peak for knee strength on chr12q12-14 has shown strong associations between ACVR1B genotypes and knee muscle strength. In caucasians, rs2854464 A/A individuals were approximately 2% stronger than G-allele carriers. Thus far, we have no information regarding this polymorphism in Brazilian athletic populations. PURPOSE: To compare the frequency of the polymorphism rs2854464 between three groups of Brazilians: endurance athletes, strength/power athletes and non-athletes adults. METHODS: A total of 379 Brazilians (men and women) were genotyped (101 endurance elite athletes; 166 strength/power elite athletes and 112 non-athletes). Genotyping was conducted using a pre-designed specific TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay. X2 test and Fisher exact test were used to evaluate differences between groups of athletes and non-athletes in the genotype distribution. RESULTS: The Minor Allele Frequency (MAF) presented in this study (G=0.334) was very similar to the overall value presented by the 1000 genomes (G=0.3684). Meaning that our sample was similar to other samples in different populations. The percentages of each genotype found for each group were: Non-athletes, G/G= 13.39 %, G/A= 40.18 %, A/A = 46.43 %; Endurance athletes, G/G= 12.87 %, G/A= 46.53 %, A/A = 40.59 %; Strength/Power athletes, G/G= 15.06 %, G/A= 48.19 %, A/A = 36.75 %. The distribution of the genotypes was not different between groups. CONCLUSION: The frequencies of genotypes for the polymorphism rs2854464 of ACVR1B gene, a transmembrane receptor involved in the signaling pathway of myostatin were not different among a cohort of athletes and non-athletes. Although only top athletes were included in this analysis, we could not confirm the association between this polymorphism and competitive success. João Paulo L. F. Guilherme is supported by the Fundação de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP 2012/22516-6).