Half-marathon Race Research Articles

The Potential Benefits of Acute Aronia Juice Supplementation on Physical Activity Induced Alterations of the Serum Protein Profiles in Recreational Runners: A Pilot Study.

Intensive physical activity (PA) can lead to proteinuria and, consequently, serum protein profiles in athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of acute aronia juice consumption before a simulated half-marathon race on serum protein profiles in recreational runners. The pilot study was designed as a single-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study, with 10 male participants who consumed aronia juice (containing 1.3 g polyphenols) or placebo before the race. The blood levels of total proteins, albumin, the non-albumin fractions gamma, beta, alpha2 and alpha1, as well as renal function parameters, were determined before and 15 min, 1 h and 24 h after the race. The significant changes in urea, creatinine and uric acid levels were noticed at selected time points in both groups. In the placebo group, a significant decrease in total proteins (p < 0.05) was observed 24 h after the race, along with an increase in gamma fraction abundance (p < 0.05). In addition, urea and uric acid levels returned to baseline only in the aronia group 24 h after the race. Thus, according to the results obtained, acute aronia juice supplementation before intensive PA could influence the transient change in renal function and PA-induced protein loss in recreational runners.

Stability of Running Stride Biomechanical Parameters during Half-Marathon Race

This study explores the stability of biomechanical parameters of the running stride of male trained athletes during a half-marathon competition. Using a field-based descriptive design, eight male athletes from a local training group were monitored throughout an official half-marathon race under identical conditions, assessing biomechanical parameters including ground contact time (GCT), leg spring stiffness (LSS), vertical oscillation (VO), and stride length (SL) recorded via the Stryd Summit Power Meter. A repeated measures analysis of variance (RM ANOVA) was conducted to detect significant changes in biomechanical parameters as the race progressed. Results demonstrated minimal changes in all parameters, with no significant differences observed for GCT (F = 0.96, p = 0.38), VO (F = 0.23, p = 0.87), and SL (F = 1.07, p = 0.35), and a small (η2 = 0.004) yet statistically significant difference in LSS (F = 5.52, p = 0.03) between the first and second segments, indicating that athletes were able to maintain stable biomechanical parameters throughout the race. The conclusion highlights the need for personalized training programs tailored to the unique biomechanical adaptations and demands of endurance running.

Increase in Serum Interleukin-1 Receptor Antagonist (IL-1ra) Levels after Wheelchair Half Marathon Race in Male Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury.

Exercise increases the serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6), which in turn stimulates the production of various inflammatory cytokine antagonists, such as interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra). Individuals with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) are at high risk of inflammatory conditions. This study compared the effects of wheelchair half marathon on the immune system of male athletes with CSCI and those with thoracic/lumber spinal cord injury (SCI). Neutrophil count, IL-1ra, IL-6, and various endocrine parameters were measured before, immediately and 1 h after the race in five CSCI and six SCI who completed the wheelchair marathon race. The percentage of neutrophils was significantly higher in CSCI immediately and 1 h after the race, compared with the baseline, and significantly higher in SCI at 1 h after the race. IL-6 was significantly higher immediately and 1 h after the race in SCI, whereas no such changes were noted in IL-6 in CSCI. IL-1ra was significantly higher at 1 h after the race in both SCI and CSCI. The race was associated with an increase in IL-1ra in both CSCI and SCI. These findings suggest wheelchair half marathon race increases IL-1ra even under stable IL-6 status in male CSCI individuals, and that such post-race increase in IL-1ra is probably mediated through circulatory neutrophils.

Prediction of Half-Marathon Power Target using the 9/3-Minute Running Critical Power Test

Running power output allows for controlling variables that have been previously overlooked by relying solely on speed, such as surface, gradient and weight. The ability to measure this external load variable now enables the analysis of concepts that have predominantly been studied in cycling, such as the Critical Power (CP), in the context of running. This study aims to predict the CP target at which trained athletes run a half-marathon and determine whether races of this distance can serve as a valid alternative to update the CP record. A group of nine trained athletes performed the 9/3-minute Stryd CP test and participated in a half-marathon race in two separate testing sessions conducted in the field. The average power during a half-marathon race is a valid alternative method for determining the CP in trained athletes, as evidenced by the agreement (95% CI: -0.11 to 0.37 W/kg) and trivial systematic bias (0.13 W/kg) between methods. The linear regression model half-marathon power = 0.97 + 0.75·CP (W/kg) showed low standard error of estimate (0.29 W/kg) and significant large association between methods (r = 0.88; p = 0.002). Coaches and athletes should be aware that the CP target for a half-marathon race is 97.3% of the CP determined by the 9/3-minute Stryd CP test.

Prediction of Half-Marathon Power Target using the 9/3-Minute Running Critical Power Test.

Running power output allows for controlling variables that have been previously overlooked by relying solely on speed, such as surface, gradient and weight. The ability to measure this external load variable now enables the analysis of concepts that have predominantly been studied in cycling, such as the Critical Power (CP), in the context of running. This study aims to predict the CP target at which trained athletes run a half-marathon and determine whether races of this distance can serve as a valid alternative to update the CP record. A group of nine trained athletes performed the 9/3-minute Stryd CP test and participated in a half-marathon race in two separate testing sessions conducted in the field. The average power during a half-marathon race is a valid alternative method for determining the CP in trained athletes, as evidenced by the agreement (95% CI: -0.11 to 0.37 W/kg) and trivial systematic bias (0.13 W/kg) between methods. The linear regression model half-marathon power = 0.97 + 0.75·CP (W/kg) showed low standard error of estimate (0.29 W/kg) and significant large association between methods (r = 0.88; p = 0.002). Coaches and athletes should be aware that the CP target for a half-marathon race is 97.3% of the CP determined by the 9/3-minute Stryd CP test.

Determining the effect and magnitude of advanced footwear technology on female distance running performance

There is limited work, to date, in which the potential performance-enhancing effects of Advanced Footwear Technology (AFT) in the female elite athlete has been considered. This study aimed to retrospectively explore publicly available race data for a marathon, half-marathon, and 10-km elite events to analyse the effect of AFT, along with athlete and event characteristics, to determine the effect on female running performance. Race performance times for the top 20 female athletes within the world were extracted from 1990 to 2020 (n = 1722), along with athlete and event characteristics from 2010 to 2020 (n = 660). Data for race shoes were available for 655 of the 660 performances. The changes in grouped mean performance times over the years that AFT had been adopted were compared with the grouped mean of the corresponding number of years immediately prior show marathon, half-marathon, and 10-km performance times were 1.7, 1.72, and 1.75% (p < 0.001, pη2 > 0.220) faster during the AFT period. Repeated performance analysis comparing the improvement in race times between the control group and athletes who adopted AFT showed athletes who adopted AFT improved significantly more over the marathon (2.64%, p < 0.001) and half-marathon (1.67%, p < 0.002). Advanced Footwear Technology correlated (r > 0.50) with improvements in the marathon and half-marathon, but not the 10-km. Based on multiple regression modelling, it can be suggested that wearing AFT improves marathon race time by 78 s (0.93%), and half-marathon race time by 28 s (0.71%). Based on these results, we observe a small but meaningful performance-enhancing effect of AFT within elite female athletes.

Effects of supplementation with virgin olive oil on hormonal status in half-marathon trained and untrained runners

Several studies have investigated the effects of exercise on hormonal status. Several studies have reported that exercise induce alterations in hormone concentrations. This study focuses on the effects associated to the intake of virgin olive oil, rich in monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) on hormonal status in half-marathon athletes. The contents of tocopherols, phenolic compounds, Pigment, flavonoids, 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical test and activity of the oil on hydrogen peroxide were determined. The consequence of the consumption of virgin olive oil on hormonal status was studied in healthy male athletes of ages between 19–22 years. The participants were separated into three groups of ten subjects each and reserved under distinct regimes for 10 weeks as follows: Group 1 untrained runners receiving 20 ml of olive oil, Group 2 half-marathon runner performing training routines, 5 days a week while receiving 20 ml of olive oil, Group 3 half-marathon runners performing training routines, 5 days a week unsupplemented with virgin olive oil. Blood samples were taken: one day before endurance training programme, after a 10- week endurance training programme, at the end of the training period, two days before the half-marathon race, and 24 hours after the half-marathon race. Plasma was analyzed for testosterone (T), luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), cortisol (C) and insulin. The results of this study showed that virgin olive oil of Blanquette variety is characterized by high content of tocopherols, phenolic compounds (25.2 ± 0.07 mg/Kg, 485, 46 ± 1.35 mg/Kg), pigments with 79.34.± 0.92 ppm of Total carotenoids, and a high percentage inhibition of the 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical and a percentage of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) inhibition was observed (76.03 ± 0.43% and 86.45±0. 28%, respectively). The consumption of this oil was associated with statistically significant increase of Testosterone in supplemented groups compared with runner of non-supplemented group and sedentary controls. Luteinizing hormone (LH) concentration decreased in runners not supplemented with virgin olive oil compared to group 2 runners and sedentary controls. After a 10-week running training program (before half-marathon race) and immediately after a half-marathon race, cortisol only significantly increased (p&lt;0.001) in runners of group 3; it then demonstrated a tendency toward declining 24 hours after a marathon race. This study found that virgin olive oil supplementation can improve hormonal status in half-marathon athletes. Key words: olive oil, monounsaturated fatty acid, tocopherols, exercise, half-marathon

Analysis of IGHA1 and other salivary proteins post half marathon in female participants.

High-intensity exercise (HIE), such as that in marathons and triathlons, suppresses transient local and systemic immunity. Serum and salivary immunoglobulin heavy constant alpha 1 (IGHA1) are major markers of immunosuppression by HIE. Although much is known about the systemic immunosuppressive response, little is known about its local response in the oral cavity, lungs, bronchial tubes, and skin. The oral cavity allows bacteria or viruses to enter the body. Saliva covers the epidermis of the oral cavity and plays an important role in the local stress response by preventing infection. In this study, we examined the properties of saliva secreted during the local stress response for half-marathon (HM) induced IGHA1 protein expression using quantitative proteomics. The Exercise Group (ExG) (19 healthy female university students) participated in a HM race. The Non-Exercise Group (NExG) (16 healthy female university students) did not participate in the ExG. The ExG saliva samples were collected 1 h pre and 2 h and 4 h post-HM. The NExG saliva samples were collected at the same time intervals. The saliva volume, protein concentration, and relative IGHA1 expression were analyzed. In addition, 1 h pre and 2 h post- HM saliva samples were analyzed by iTRAQ. The identified factors in iTRAQ were analyzed for the ExG and the NExG using western blotting. We identified kallikrein 1 (KLK1), immunoglobulin kappa chain (IgK), and cystatin S (CST4) as suppression factors, as well as IGHA1, which has been reported to be an immunological stress marker. IGHA1 (p = 0.003), KLK1 (p = 0.011), IGK (p = 0.002), and CST4 (p = 0.003) were suppressed 2 h post-HM compared with their levels pre HM, and IGHA1 (p < 0.001), KLK1 (p = 0.004), and CST4 (p = 0.006) were suppressed 4 h post-HM. There was also a positive correlation between IGHA1, IGK, and CST4 levels at 2 and 4 h post-HM. In addition, KLK1 and IGK levels at 2 h post-HM were positively correlated. Our study demonstrated that the salivary proteome is regulated, and antimicrobial proteins are suppressed post-HM. These results suggest that oral immunity was transiently suppressed post-HM. The positive correlation of each protein at 2 and 4 h post-HM suggests that the suppressed state was similarly regulated up to 4 h after a HM. The proteins identified in this study may have applications as stress markers for recreational runners and individuals who perform moderate to HIE on a regular basis.

Racing Experiences of Recreational Distance Runners following Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets (Part B)-Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2).

The potential running or endurance performance difference based on following different general types of diets, such as omnivorous, vegetarian, or vegan, remains questionable. Several underlying modifiable factors of long-distance running performance, especially runner training behaviors and experience, diminish the clarity of results when analyzing dietary subgroups. Based on the cross-sectional design (survey), the NURMI Study Step 2 aimed to investigate a plethora of training behaviors among recreational long-distance running athletes and the relationship of general diet types with best time race performance. The statistical analysis was based on Chi-squared and Wilcoxon tests. The final sample (n = 245) included fit recreational long-distance runners following an omnivorous diet (n = 109), a vegetarian diet (n = 45), or a vegan diet (n = 91). Significant differences were found between the dietary subgroups in body mass index (p = 0.001), sex (p = 0.004), marital status (p = 0.029), and running-related motivations for well-being (p < 0.05) but not in age (p = 0.054). No significant difference was found for best time half-marathon, marathon, and/or ultra-marathon race performance based on diet type (p > 0.05). Whether the vegan diet is associated with enhanced endurance performance remains unclear. Although, the present results are suggestive that 100% plant-based (vegan) nutrition is compatible with distance running performance at the least.

Predictors of half-marathon performance in male recreational athletes.

Few research has been conducted on predictors of recreational runners' performance, especially in half-marathon running. The purpose of our study was (a) to investigate the relationship of half-marathon race time with training, anthropometry and physiological characteristics, and (b) to develop a formula to predict half-marathon race time in male recreational runners. Recreational runners (n=134, age 44.2±8.7 years; half-marathon race time 104.6±16.2 min) underwent a physical fitness battery consisting of anthropometric and physiological tests. The participants were classified into five performance groups (fast, 73-92 min; above average, 93-99 min; average 100-107 min; below average, 108-117 min; slow group, 118-160 min). A prediction equation was developed in an experimental group (EXP, n=67), validated in a control group (CON, n=67) and prediction bias was estimated with 95 % confidence intervals (CI). Performance groups differed in half-marathon race time, training days, training distance, age, weight, (body mass index) BMI, body fat (BF) and maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) (p≤0.001, η2≥0.132), where faster groups had better scores than the slower groups. Half-marathon race time correlated with physiological, anthropometric and training characteristics, with the faster the runner, the better the score in these characteristics (e.g., VO2max, r=0.59; BMI, r=-0.55; weekly running distance, r=-0.53, p<0.001). Race time in EXP might be calculated (R2=0.63, standard error of the estimate=9.9) using the equation 'Race time (min)=80.056+2.498×BMI-0.594×VO2max-0.191×weekly training distance in km'. Validating this formula in CON, no bias was shown (difference between observed and predicted value 2.3±12.8 min, 95 % CI -0.9, 5.4, p=0.153). Half-marathon race time was related to and could be predicted by BMI, VO2max and weekly running distance. Based on these relationships, a prediction formula for race time was developed providing a practical tool for recreational runners and professionals working with them.

Is there stability in the performance of elite half-marathoners?

The purpose of this study was to investigate the performance stability of elite half-marathoners of both sexes. The study was composed of 24 elite athletes (12 female and 12 male), ranked among the Senior World TOP20 half-marathoners, who completed a half-marathon race for at least three consecutive years. Tracking was tested using autocorrelations and Kappa Cohen. Autocorrelation revealed a significant association, but a decrease in correlation among the years in both sexes. The overall weighted kappa showed lower stability in performance for both sexes (K ​= ​0.191 and K ​= ​−0.245) than for males. These findings suggest that both female and male elite half-marathoners showed low stability in performance during three events. Besides that, athletes with a better performance tended to present the highest performance stability. It is recommended that coaches track the developmental trajectories of the athletes to comprised the changes in performance across the years, as to provide environmental characteristics that can influence performance.

Different dehydration levels and their impact on blood ammonia, cognitive-motor performance, and muscle damage in acclimated runners.

Prolonged exercise in the heat can promote dehydration, which could impair ammonia metabolism, cognitive-motor performance, and muscle damage. However, exercise heat acclimation induces physiological adaptations that improve performance, metabolism, and cellular protection. This study aimed to evaluate different dehydration levels and their impact on blood ammonia, cognitive-motor performance, and muscle damage after a race in the heat in acclimated runners. Sixteen male amateur endurance runners performed a half marathon race. After the race, the runners were divided into two groups according to their percentage body mass change (Δ% BM): Δ% BM less than 3% (G1%; N.=8) and Δ% BM greater than or equal to 3% (G3%; N.=8). Hydration status, biochemical parameters, and cognitive-motor performance were assessed before and after the race. Blood ammonia concentrations were increased in both G1% (before: 46±26 µmol/L; after: 118±22 µmol/L) and G3% (before: 41±15 µmol/L; after: 108±15 µmol/L) groups. There was an early increase in all markers of muscle damage (creatine kinase [CK], lactate dehydrogenase [LDH], aspartate aminotransferase [AST], and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) in both groups, but only LDH was greater in the G3% group than in the G1% group. Cognitive-motor performance did not differ between groups. Dehydration up to ~4% BM loss does not affect blood ammonia concentrations and cognitive-motor performance in acclimated runners. The results also suggest that exercising in the heat induces the early appearance of several markers of muscle damage in acclimated runners regardless of hydration status.

Anterior knee pain in runners after a half-marathon race

BackgroundAnterior knee pain has been associated with sports activity, especially long-distance running and endurance sports. It is important to determine the incidence of anterior knee pain (AKP) in runners after a half-marathon race and identify possible risk factors associated. MethodsCross-sectional study where runners from a half marathon race were randomly invited to participate. Participants were recruited at the race kit pickup site the day before the race. Eligible participants completed a survey regarding demographic information, running experience and training details. An orthopedic surgeon performed a physical examination and recorded the medical history. At the finish line, the participants were evaluated again for possible new injuries. ResultsA total of 205 runners were included in the study, with a 98.5% follow-up rate (n = 203). 24% of runners had an injury at the end of the race (n = 49). Anterior knee pain was the most frequent injury (n = 12), followed by iliotibial band syndrome (n = 10), muscle cramps (n = 7) and hamstring tears (n = 4). Anterior knee pain had a statistically significant association with insufficient stretching of the hamstrings (p = 0.048) and finishing the race in more than 2 h (p = 0.014). ConclusionsAnterior knee pain was the most frequent new injury in the half-marathon runners after the competition. Spending more than 2 h to finish the race and stretching the hamstrings by less than 70° in the supine position were risk factors for anterior knee pain.

Dietary Polyphenol and Methylsulfonylmethane Supplementation Improves Immune, DAMP Signaling, and Inflammatory Responses During Recovery From All-Out Running Efforts.

Nutritional ingredients with defined mechanisms of action can be useful in the recovery of the body from the physical demands of a habitual training plan. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with optimized curcumin, pomegranate ellagitannins, and MSM (R + MSM) on immune-associated mRNA during early recovery (i.e., up to 8 h post-exercise) following all-out running efforts (5-km, 10-km, and 21.1-km). Subjects (N = 14) were randomized to either a supplement (R + MSM) or a control group using an open label design. The study was completed over a period of 31-day prior to a scheduled half-marathon race. Venous blood samples were collected into PAXgene tubes at baseline, subsequent samples were collected at 2, 4, and 8 h after each running effort. A 574-plex mRNA Immunology Array (NanoString) was measured for each sample and ROSALIND® Advanced Analysis Software was used to examined changes in 31 annotated immune response pathways and specific mRNA changes. The greatest change in immune pathways occurred at 2 h (GSS > 3) followed by 4 h (GSS 2–3) and 8 h (GSS 1–2). R + MSM was associated with an increase in innate immunity (CAMP, LTF, TIRAP, CR1, IL1R1, CXCR1, PDCDILG2, and GNLY) and a blunted/smaller increase in damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP) signaling/inflammation (TLR4, TLR5, S100A8, S100A9, and IFP35). We also found changes in immune-associated mRNA that have not been previously linked to exercise recovery (SOCS1, SOCS2, MME, CECAM6, MX1, IL-1R2, KLRD1, KLRK1, and LAMP3). Collectively these results demonstrate that supplementation with a combination of optimized curcumin, pomegranate ellagitannins, and methylsulfonylmethane resulted in changes that may improve biological recovery from all-out running efforts.

Extreme Leukocytosis in a Man after a Half Marathon Race

Leukocytosis is most often defined as an elevated white blood cell count greater than 11.0 × 109 per L in adults, and is a relatively common finding. Normal adult levels of leucocytes is 4.5 to 11.0 × 109 per L. It is of importance for clinicians to be able to distinguish nonmalignant from malignant conditions, and to differentiate between the most common non-malignant causes of leukocytosis. Extreme leukocytosis can be seen in a broad spectrum of clinical conditions in the human body under stress. It is most commonly found in patients suffering from leukemia or severe bacterial infections, but can also be seen in people after hard exercise [1-7]. The present clinical case describes a young healthy man, suffering from extreme leukocytosis after a syncope during a half marathon.

Effect of Half-Marathon Running on Arterial Stiffness and Blood Biomarkers in High-Level and Recreational Male Athletes.

There is no clear understanding about the effect of intensive physical load on arterial stiffness and related biomarkers. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of half-marathon running on arterial stiffness and blood biomarkers during post-competitive recovery period in competitive and recreational male athletes. Eleven high-level long-distance runners (27.1 ± 4.8 yrs) and seven recreational athletes (34.3 ± 6.1 yrs), who participated in a half-marathon run were examined. Blood biomarkers and arterial stiffness (SphygmoCor 7.1) were measured at baseline and at 18 to 22 hours after the competition. There were no statistically significant changes between the groups in augmentation index (AIx, AIx@75) or pulse wave velocities at carotid-femoral segment (cfPWV) during recovery period. Between-group comparison did not reveal significant differences in blood pressure and arterial stiffness values at baseline and during recovery period. The change of cfPWV (difference between cfPWV at baseline and cfPWV during post-competitive recovery period) was significantly dependent on race time and sports level of the athlete (high-level or recreational). A significant increase was found in hsCRP, creatine kinase and LDH activity during the post-race period in both groups. No significant changes were found in oxidative stress markers in the groups after the race except for higher diene conjugates level in recreational athletes in comparison with the high-level group during recovery period. Our study results showed that half-marathon competition did not cause any significant changes in arterial stiffness parameters during the recovery period. However, the change in cfPWV was independently associated with half-marathon race time and the athlete's level of training revealing a mild increase of arterial stiffness in high-level athletes and athletes with a faster race time.

Potential nutrition contributions to exercise-associated muscle cramping in four recreational half-marathoners: A case series

Objectives: Nutrition-related practices and outcomes vary dramatically between athletes, and traditional beliefs regarding the role of electrolytes and hydration in exercise-associated muscle cramping (EAMC) may be hindering meaningful prevention strategies. The aim of this study was to characterize the role of carbohydrate (CHO), energy, and exertion level, in conjunction with electrolyte and hydration status to assess the role of these possible predictors of EAMC.&#x0D; Methods: A case study series approach was used to capture pre-race and on-course food and beverage intake, pre and post-race body weight, relative perceived exertion (RPE), and history of EAMC for four recreational runners prior to and during a half-marathon race.&#x0D; Results: CHO intake, energy intake, and hydration status varied among the runners with one occurrence of EAMC. Reported pre-race CHO intake for all but one runner fell below 5 g/kg/day. Weight loss during the race was between 1.23-3.03%. Two of the four runners reported a prior history of EAMC, one of which experienced EAMC during the race. The two runners with a prior history of EAMC, also reported the lowest 3-day energy and CHO intakes. The one runner who encountered an EAMC did not experience the greatest net race sodium loss. However, this runner did have the greatest race weight loss, the greatest race sweat loss, the longest duration of activity, the lowest RPE, and suboptimal energy and CHO intakes.&#x0D; Conclusions: The observed case of EAMC does not appear to be entirely inconsistent with the traditional dehydration/ electrolyte loss theory. However, the in-depth characterization of each runner illustrates the complex interaction of potential predictors and also generates questions regarding the potential contribution of suboptimal energy and CHO intakes.

Validity of a Sham Dry Needling Technique on a Healthy Population

BackgroundVarious methods of sham procedures have been used in controlled trials evaluating dry needling efficacy although few have performed validation studies of the sham procedure.Hypothesis/PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine the validity of a sham dry needling technique on healthy, active subjects.Study DesignValidation studyMethodsRunners capable of completing a half-marathon or marathon race and were randomized to receive true (using an introducer and needle) or sham (using an introducer and fixed, blunted needle) dry needling. Blinded subjects were asked to identify if they received sham or true dry needling following the procedure. Proportions of those who correctly identified their needling were also examined on the basis of past experience of receiving dry needling.ResultsFifty-three participants were included in this study, with 25 receiving the true dry needling procedure and 28 receiving the sham. Of those who had received dry needling in the past (n = 16), 11 (68.8%) correctly identified their respective groups. For those who had not previously received dry needling (n = 37), 13 (35.1%) accurately identified their group. Most importantly, 94.1% of dry needling-naïve participants were unable to identify they received the sham procedure (p < 0.001).ConclusionsThis study shows that a fixed needle in an introducer tube is a simple, inexpensive, effective sham procedure in patients who have never received dry needling before. This technique may be useful for randomized controlled trials in the future.Levels of Evidence2

Ultrasound evaluation of the patellar tendon and Achilles tendon and its association with future pain in distance runners

ABSTRACT Objectives: To examine whether asymptomatic ultrasonographic abnormalities in the Achilles and patellar tendons in runners are associated with an increased risk of pain development. Methods: This is a longitudinal, prospective cohort study with 139 runners recruited at a half and full marathon race. Ultrasound examination of the Achilles and patellar tendons was performed bilaterally the day prior to the race. Self-reported injury data were collected at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months. 104 (74.8%) runners were included in the data analysis. Results: Ultrasonographic tendon abnormalities were found in 24.1% of the Achilles and in 23.1% of the patellar tendons prior to the race. Runners with tendon abnormality were 2–3 times more likely to develop pain within 12 months than those without (relative risk = 3.14, p = 0.010 for Achilles; relative risk = 2.52, p = 0.008 for patellar tendon). After adjusting for gender, age, years of running, average miles per week of running over a year, and pre-race pain, runners with ultrasound abnormality were about 3 times (hazard ratio = 2.89, p = 0.039 for Achilles; hazard ratio = 2.73, p = 0.030 for patellar tendon) more likely to develop pain after the race. Tendon delamination was most strongly associated with pain in both the Achilles (relative risk = 6.00; p = 0.001) and patellar tendons (relative risk = 3.81; p = 0.001). Conclusions: Structural changes in asymptomatic tendons were found in almost 25% of runners. Presence of structural changes was associated with increased development of Achilles and patellar tendon pain within one year.

Increased serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor following wheelchair half marathon race in individuals with spinal cord injury

Objective: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has beneficial effects on metabolism as well as the peripheral and central nervous systems. The aim of this study was to assess the response of serum BDNF concentration ([BDNF]s) to wheelchair half marathon race in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI). Design: Prospective observational study. Setting: The 34th Oita International Wheelchair Marathon Race in Japan. Participants: Nine cervical SCIs (CSCI) and 8 thoracic and lumber SCIs (LSCI) male athletes. Interventions: Wheelchair half-Marathon Race. Outcome measures: [BDNF]s, plasma concentrations of adrenaline ([Ad]p), noradrenaline ([Nor]p), and cortisol ([Cor]p), hematocrit, and platelet count were measured the day before, immediately after, and an hour after the race. Results: [BDNF]s increased significantly immediately after the race in both groups (CSCI; P = 0.0055, LSCI; P = 0.0312) but returned to the baseline levels at one hour after the race. However, [BDNF]s immediately and one hour after the race were significantly higher in LSCI than in CSCI (immediately after the race; P = 0.0037, 1 h after the race; P = 0.0206). Hematocrit and platelet count remained unchanged throughout the study. In LSCI, [Ad]p, [Nor]p and [Cor]p increased significantly immediately after and one hour after the race, compared with the baseline values (P < 0.05). On the other hand, these variables remained unchanged throughout the study in the CSCI. Conclusions: [BDNF]s increased significantly from the baseline in both LCSI and CSCI but was higher in LSCI than in CSCI immediately after and one hour after the race.