Exercise Capacity In Athletes Research Articles

Caffeine and Taurine from Energy Drinks—A Review

The purpose of this paper is to review the specialized literature to highlight the effects produced by energy drinks in terms of skin health. To carry out this review, we consulted previous articles with descriptive cross-sectional designs, case series, and individual case reports published between 2000 and 2023. Therefore, while caffeine acute consumption among adults can have beneficial effects, in children, it can cause health problems like overnight breaks, headaches, and dulled cognition since their organs are still developing and their endocrine system is not yet stable. Despite the antioxidant and neuroprotective effects of caffeine from energy drinks, their excessive consumption among adolescents can cause disorders like high systolic blood pressure, agitation, nausea, anxiety, osteoporosis, heart palpitations, poor sleep quality, and stomach ulcers. Among athletes, taurine supplementation has been proven to improve exercise capacity in cold weather conditions. Also, vigilance, attention, and reaction time were all improved by caffeine consumption. Caffeine administration in low doses caused a risk of cardiovascular disease. It was effective in treating migraines in children, but raised systolic blood pressure, and contributed to skin healing in adolescents. On the other side, taurine prevents obesity among children, causes positive effects on oxidative stress and inflammation in adolescents, helps shield the skin from damaging oxidative stress among students, and impacts exercise capacity in athletes. Significant increases in serum levels of uric acid, creatinine, BUN, ALT, and ALP caused by chronic intake of EDs indicated different degrees of injury to the kidneys and liver. Furthermore, the effects on the cardiovascular system could be worse if taurine and caffeine are combined. Caffeine alone does not significantly decrease sleep as much as a taurine/high caffeine ratio. On the other hand, a low ratio does.

Cardiorespiratory coupling is associated with exercise capacity in athletes: A cross-sectional study

PurposeTo determine the association between exercise capacity based on peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) and resting cardiorespiratory coupling (CRC) levels in athletes and non-athletes’ subjects. MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out in 42 apparently healthy male subjects, aged between 20 and 40 years old. The participants were allocated into athletes (n = 21) and non-athletes (n = 21) groups. Resting electrocardiogram and respiratory movement (RESP) were simultaneously acquired during 15 min in supine position and quiet breathing. The beat-to-beat heart period (HP) and RESP series were determined from the recorded signals. Traditional analysis of HP based on frequency domain indexes was performed considering the high-frequency (0.15 – 0.45 Hz) components. To compute the CRC, the linear association between HP and RESP series was determined via squared coherence function and directionality of interaction was investigated through the causal extension of this approach. The exercise capacity was assessed through incremental cardiopulmonary exercise testing in order to determine the VO2peak. ResultsTraditional analysis of HP based on high-frequency index was not correlated with exercise capacity in the athletes (r = −0.1, p = 0.5) and non-athletes (r = −0.1, p = 0.3) cohorts. However, resting CRC values was associated with exercise capacity in athletes (r = 0.4, p = 0.03), but not in the non-athletes group (r = −0.2, p = 0.3). ConclusionThese results suggest that improved resting values of CRC is associated with higher exercise capacity (VO2peak) in endurance athletes. Moreover, frequency domain of HP was not sensitive to identifying this relationship, probably because effects of training on parasympathetic modulation might be affected by respiratory dynamics, and this influence has a directionality (i.e., from RESP to HP).

Deep-learning based prediction of peak oxygen uptake in athletes using 2D echocardiographic videos

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – EU funding. Main funding source(s): Project no. RRF-2.3.1-21-2022-00004 (MILAB) has been implemented with the support provided by the European Union. Introduction Cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET)-derived peak oxygen uptake (VO2/kg) is a well-established parameter of exercise capacity allowing the quantification of athletic performance. Although VO2/kg is mainly influenced by anthropometric and demographic factors, several studies demonstrated strong associations between resting echocardiography-based measures and VO2/kg. Artificial intelligence could incorporate information from both features, thus enabling a more accurate prediction of exercise capacity in athletes. Aim Accordingly, we aimed to implement a deep-learning (DL) model that uses 2D echocardiography (2DE)-based apical 4-chamber view videos on top of the anthropometric features (age, sex, body surface area [BSA]) to predict VO2/kg and then assess the model’s performance in a large cohort of athletes. Methods We retrospectively identified 422 competitive athletes (15.4±7.3 training hours/week) who underwent resting 2DE evaluation and then CPET to determine VO2/kg (52.7 ± 7.7 mL/kg/min). To predict VO2/kg values, we trained a deep neural network that can process both modalities of the inputs (i.e. 2DE videos and anthropometric data such as age, sex and BSA) simultaneously (Figure 1). We applied 5-fold cross-validation and used mean squared error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and R squared (R2) metrics to measure our model’s performance. Then, we compared the results with linear regression that was trained using only the 3 anthropometric factors (age, gender, BSA). Additionally, after finalization of the DL-based model, we prospectively recruited further 25 competitive athletes with both 2DE and CPET performed to validate our model. Results Using 2DE videos, our DL-based model was able to achieve an accurate prediction of VO2/kg with an MSE of 35.27, MAE of 4.62, and an R2 of 0.393. In comparison, the linear regression model using only anthropometric factors had worse predictive performance in all metrics with an MSE of 40.51, MAE of 4.88, and R2 of 0.303. In addition, we compared the predictive performance of the DL-based and the linear regression models by their respective squared error values using the Wilcoxon test. Our DL-based model had a significantly better performance compared to the linear regression model (Wilcoxon p = 0.006). In the prospective dataset, our DL-based model achieved an MSE of 16.69, MAE of 3.42, and an R2 of 0.169, whereas the linear regression model was inferior with an MSE of 25.43, MAE of 4.51, and an R2 of −0.268. The DL-based model showed a significantly better performance (Wilcoxon p<0.001). Conclusions Using our DL-based approach on our large athlete database, we were able to implement and prospectively validate a model that incorporated 2DE videos to predict VO2/kg more accurately compared to using anthropometric factors alone. DL techniques may advance sports medicine by personalized monitorization of training phases and accurate prediction of athletic performance.

Plasma Metabolomics Reveals β-Glucan Improves Muscle Strength and Exercise Capacity in Athletes.

The present study aimed to assess the changes in muscle strength and plasma metabolites in athletes with β-glucan supplementation. A total of 29 athletes who met the inclusion criteria were recruited for this study (ChiCTR2200058091) and were randomly divided into a placebo group (n = 14) and β-glucan group (n = 15). During the trial, the experimental group received β-glucan supplementation (2 g/d β-glucan) for 4 weeks and the control group received an equal dose of placebo supplementation (0 g/d β-glucan), with both groups maintaining their regular diet and exercise habits during the trial. The athletes’ exercise performance, muscle strength, and plasma metabolome changes were analyzed after 4 weeks of β-glucan supplementation. The results showed a significant increase in mean grip strength (kg), right hand grip strength (kg), left triceps strength (kg), and upper limb muscle mass (kg) in the experimental group after the 4-week intervention compared to the preintervention period (p < 0.05). A comparison of the difference between the two groups after the intervention showed that there were significant differences between the control group and the experimental group in mean grip strength (kg) and right-hand grip strength (kg) (p < 0.05). Athletes in the experimental group showed significant improvements in 1 min double rocking jump (pcs), VO2max (ml/kg-min) (p < 0.05). The β-glucan intake increased the creatine-related pathway metabolites in plasma. Overall, these results suggest that 4 weeks of β-glucan supplementation can improve muscle strength in athletes, with the potential to increase aerobic endurance and enhance immune function, possibly by affecting creatine-related pathways.

Iron deficiency and athletic performance

Abstract Introduction Iron metabolism determines the oxygen transport of the blood, thereby affecting the exercise capacity and performance. In patients with heart failure iron deficiency is a major risk factor that predicts and influences patient's quality of life. In athletes diagnosing iron deficiency is also extremely important as it determines sport performance. Purpose Our aim is to study the correlation of iron metabolism parameters with exercise capacity in athletes. Methods Cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) was performed as part of detailed sports cardiology screening. We studied in athletes the changes of iron metabolism parameters (serum iron, transferrin, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), ferritin) and correlation with the exercise physiology parameters. Results Our measurements were performed on 105 top athletes: swimmers (n=58,55%; male = 29; junior = 30; 20,4±4,6 y), football players (n=47, 45%; junior = 6; 23,2±5,4 y). Laboratory test verified hemoglobin (male = 153,8±9,4; female = 141,2±7,7 g/L; p&amp;lt;0,001) and hematocrit (male = 0,45±0,03; female = 0,42±0,02 L/L; p&amp;lt;0,001) value in a normal range for all. In women, significantly lower ferritin (67,8±76,2 vs. 98,9±48 μg/L; p&amp;lt;0,05) and higher TIBC (78,1±14,3 vs. 66,5±9,3 μmol/L; p&amp;lt;0,001) were observed. Young male athletes had significantly lower serum iron (16,1±6 vs. 21,2±7,5 μmol/L; p&amp;lt;0,05), ferritin (68±42,7 vs. 109,1±45,5 μg/L; p&amp;lt;0,01) and higher TIBC (76,1±11,0 vs. 64,3±7,4 μmol/L; p&amp;lt;0,001) compared to adults. During CPET male athletes had higher maximal aerobic capacity (52.2±4.4 vs. 55.9±5.5 mL/kg/min; p&amp;lt;0.001) and ventilation (115.8±16.1 vs. 153.2±26 L/min; p&amp;lt;0.001) compared to females. Maximal aerobic capacity and ventilation showed positive correlation with ferritin (p&amp;lt;0,0001). The ferritin cut-off value of iron supplementation was &amp;lt;100 μg/L. Iron supplementation was required in almost half of the athletes (n=49, 47%). Conclusion Diagnosing iron deficiency in athletes, complete iron panel containing ferritin is required. According to our results iron status determines performance, therefore iron deficiency screening and iron supplementation is essential. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): - Supported by the ÚNKP-20-3-I New National Excellence Program of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology from the Source of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund - The research was financed by the Thematic Excellence Programme (2020-4.1.1.-TKP2020) of the Ministry for Innovation and Technology in Hungary, within the framework of the Therapeutic Development and Bioimaging programmes of the Semmelweis University.

Effect of Sildenafil Citrate on Exercise Capacity in Athletes With Spinal Cord Injury.

Ingestion of sildenafil citrate has performance-enhancing effects at high altitudes above 3800m in able-bodied individuals. It is unknown whether it can improve the performance of athletes with spinal cord injury (SCI) at moderate altitudes (<2200m), relevant to Paralympic competitions. As most men with SCI suffer from erectile dysfunction of neurologic origin and use sildenafil on a regular basis, it seems important to study the impact of sildenafil on exercise capacity. The outcome of this study is also relevant to the antidoping community. Twenty-seven healthy male wheelchair athletes with a motor-complete SCI participated in this prospective double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. The participants performed arm cranking exercise to exhaustion at sea level and moderate altitude (2200m) after ingestion of 50 mg sildenafil citrate or a placebo. Peak power output, peak oxygen uptake, peak heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, oxygen saturation, and lactate concentrations at exhaustion were measured. Friedman analysis showed that peak power output at sea level was significantly higher (P = .004) under placebo treatment (median [minimum; maximum]: 120W [35; 170]) compared with sildenafil (115W [40; 165]). Blood oxygen saturation under sildenafil treatment at sea level (98% [81; 100]) was significantly higher (P = .006) compared with sildenafil treatment at moderate altitude (94% [85; 100]). All other parameters revealed no impact of sildenafil or altitude. In this study, the ingestion of sildenafil citrate in athletes with SCI demonstrated no positive effects on peak arm-cranking-exercise capacity compared with placebo either at sea level or at moderate altitude.

Mechanisms of improved exercise capacity following respiratory muscle training in athletes with cervical spinal cord injury.

Mechanisms of improved exercise capacity following respiratory muscle training in athletes with cervical spinal cord injury.

The Effect of Oligosaccharides in Sports Drink on Exercise Performance and Endurance Time of Athletes

This study aims to investigate the effect of oligosaccharides in sports drink on high-intensity exercise capacity in athletes. In our research, sixteen healthy male students of Institute of Physical Education were randomly divided into Oligosaccharide Replenishment (OR) group (n = 8) and control group (n = 8). Their max oxygen uptake were measured by 2900 cardiorespiratory function meter, then they all participated in a cycling test at the intensity of 80% oxygen consumption max until fatigue. The results showed that blood glucose (mmol/L) in the OR group was higher than that in the control group during exercise, the difference between the two groups was more significant along with time (5.29±1.07-6.46±0.78 and 4.71±0.84-5.36±0.80, p<0.05). 30 min after the exercise, the change of blood lactate in the OR group was higher than that in the control group both during (6.69±1.57-7.39±1.19) and after (6.18±1.28-5.19±1.14) the exercise (p<0.05). Cycling time ((47±12) min) and work load ((174.9±3.6) kJ) in the OR group were significantly higher than those in the control group (p<0.05). From these results, we can see that oligosaccharide-replenishing is good for keeping blood glucose level for a long time in high-intensity exercise and prolong the time of high-intense exercise.

Dietary nitrate supplementation in COPD: An acute, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover trial☆

BackgroundThe acute consumption of dietary nitrate has been shown to improve exercise capacity in athletes, healthy adults and subjects with peripheral vascular disease. Many COPD patients have reduced exercise capacity. We hypothesized that acute nitrate consumption might increase incremental shuttle walk test (ISWT) distance in COPD subjects. MethodsEleven COPD subjects were randomly assigned to consume either a high nitrate or a matched, low nitrate beverage in a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, crossover design. ISWT distance was measured both before and 3 h after the beverage and change was recorded. After a 7-day washout, ISWT distances were re-measured before and 3 h after the alternate beverage and changes were recorded. ResultsWe observed an increase in ISWT distance after consuming the high nitrate juice (25 m) compared with a reduction after the low nitrate juice (14 m) (p < 0.01). This improvement in exercise capacity was associated with significant increases in serum nitrate (p < 0.000005) and nitrite (p < 0.01) levels and a significant lowering of resting blood pressure (<0.05). ConclusionsIn patients with stable COPD, the acute consumption of dietary nitrate increased serum nitrate/nitrite levels and exercise capacity and was associated with a decrease in resting blood pressure. Nitrate consumption might alter exercise capacity in COPD patients.

The impact of elevated blood pressure on exercise capacity in elite athletes

Objectives: Hypertension is one of the most prevalent cardiovascular disorders in athletes. The aims of our study were to assess the impact of elevated blood pressure (BP) on exercise capacity in athletes and evaluate the differences in left ventricular structure and function. Methods: Elite male athletes (n=517, aged 23±5years) underwent Doppler echocardiography with tissue Doppler imaging. Diastolic function was assessed by measuring peak early and late transmitral (E and A) and annular diastolic filling velocities (e′ and a′). Maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing was performed to measure maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), ventilatory anaerobic threshold (VAT) and heart rate reserve (HRR). After BP measurement, they were grouped according to the ESH/ESC guidelines on: optimal (OBP), normal (NBP), high normal BP (HNBP), and hypertensive (HT). Results: We found significantly lower VO2max, VAT and HRR in the groups with HNBP and HT, after the adjustment for the type of sport, body fat content and age. There was an increasing trend in resting HR among groups (p<0.001). Although none of the subjects had impaired diastolic function, the HT group had higher left atrial volume, and lower e′ and e′/a′. Resting systolic BP (p<0.05), HR (p<0.001), HRR (p<0.001) and e′/a′ (p<0.01) independently predicted VO2max. Indexes E/e′ and e′/a′ were associated with resting systolic BP (p<0.05). Conclusion: Even in the absence of structural or functional heart damage, elevated BP in elite athletes, together with the presence of autonomic dysfunction, leads to decrease in exercise capacity. Staging of hypertension according to the BP level, on the one hand, and reflexion of BP on cardiopulmonary capacity, on the other, may be coupled for further risk stratification.

Based on the SPSS Software t+ of Weight Control on Taekwondo Athletes' Body Function Influence Research

Weight control has become the ideal level of Taekwondo athletes participate in the competition the important method. According to the nine elite Taekwondo athletes as the research samples, research mainly by using the method of experiments, the experiments were carried out at six weeks, 1 times a week to sweat ion and the anaerobic capacity test and the four body fat content of the test, t test method for analysis of pre-race weight control on Athletes' body function influence. Results showed that, after a period of six weeks after the athlete's weight control, were highly significant changes in weight control; from the beginning of the third week, athlete's body weight and body fat content began to drop dramatically; through the test showed the percentage of body fat and lean body mass were decreased significantly; the anaerobic exercise capacity in athletes the weight control period was not changed significantly; from the beginning of the third week athletes sweat sodium and calcium ion concentration increased significantly, while carbon dioxide binding force is greatly reduced, until the end of sixth week weight control. By the appropriate increase in relaxation time and increase training of aerobic training proportion, can realize the athletes in weight control process to consume fat goal primarily, can provide excellent athletes to provide beneficial reference for weight control research.

Exercise Capacity in Athletes with Mouthguards

Exercise Capacity in Athletes with Mouthguards

Exercise Capacity in Athletes with Mouthguards

Exercise Capacity in Athletes with Mouthguards

Exercise Capacity in Athletes with Mouthguards

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of wearing a mouthguard on maximal exercise capacity and cardiopulmonary parameters at peak workload, and to assess the athletes' attitudes toward wearing a mouthguard. Thirteen volunteer male athletes (18 to 27 years old) were interviewed before and after delivery of a custom-made laminated mouthguard. A visual analogue scale (VAS, 0 - 100 mm) was used for judgment of interference with breathing, speaking, concentration and athletic performance. In addition, the athletes were subjected to a cardiorespiratory examination on a cycle ergometer with and without mouthguards. Subjectively, the athletes rated the mean interference with performance to be 37 mm VAS at the beginning of the study. Mean scores of impairment decreased to 23 mm VAS (p = 0.081) after wearing the mouthguard for four weeks, and further improved to 12 mm VAS (p < 0.001) after the test on the cycle ergometer. Objectively, the maximum workload during spiroergometry was even slightly elevated during exercise with the mouthguard (330.2 W) compared to exercise without the mouthguard (314.5 W). Peak minute ventilation and oxygen uptake were not different during exercise with and without the mouthguard. The present study demonstrated that a custom-made mouthguard does not significantly affect or reduce maximum exercise performance of athletes.

Left Atrial Geometric and Functional Remodeling in Athletes

The aim of this study was to evaluate left atrial (LA) volume and its changes with the phases of atrial filling, and to examine the effect of exercise capacity on these parameters. Using two-dimensional echocardiography, LA volumes were measured in 30 male endurance runners and 30 age-matched sedentary men (controls). Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) was measured using a metabolic chart during exercise. LA reservoir, pump, and conduit functions, kinetic energy and force were calculated. We found that athletes had higher LA volume and volume index (except the conduit volume), LA passive emptying fraction, and LA total emptying fraction compared to control subjects. We observed positive correlations between: VO2max and LA passive emptying fraction (r=0.49, p<0.05); VO2max and LA active emptying fraction (r=0.54, p<0.05); VO2max and LA kinetic energy (r=0.61, p<0.05); and VO2max and LA force (r=0.57, p<0.05). These findings suggest that atrial function reflects exercise capacity in athletes.

Right ventricular myocardial performance index and exercise capacity in athletes

Right ventricular function is important for exercise capacity in athletes. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of habitual exercise training on right ventricular global function. Fifty-two male athletes (25 runners, 27 wrestlers) and 43 age-matched sedentary male subjects were studied. All subjects in the study underwent an echocardiography examination and cardiopulmonary exercise test. Maximal oxygen consumption, right ventricular cavity diameters, and diastolic parameters were higher in the athletes than in controls. However, the right ventricular myocardial performance index was lower in athletes compared with controls. Therefore, the right ventricular myocardial performance index showed a negative correlation with maximal oxygen consumption (r=-0.61; P<0.001). The right ventricular myocardial performance index may reflect changes in right ventricular function and exercise capacity in athletes.