Intensive Physical Load Research Articles

Metabolic markers of heart strain in athletes (a review)

Both specific and nonspecific metabolic transformations, occurring in the body of athlete under intensive and prolonged physical loads, have been characterized in the review paper. It has been emphasized that oxidative stress, which belongs to general pathogenic factors of further myocardium pathology formation, and load induced hypoxia, which is later associated with tissue hypoxia of metabolic origin, represent the initial link of subsequent homeostatic balance changes. Changes in the activity of creatine phosphokinase-MB fraction, content of cardiac troponins I and T as well as terminal natriuretic peptides are referred to specific markers of myocardium strain. Wider range of myocardium strain nonspecific markers includes both alterations of lipid metabolism and numerous, oxidative stress mediated, metabolic changes at the level of cellular and subcellular membranes of cardiomyocytes, followed by changes in the activity of membrane-bound enzymes and lysosomal proteinase ejection first into extracellular matrix and then – into circulatory bed as well as erythrocyte membranes and their ATP content that are accompanied by deterioration of blood oxygen transport function. The above mentioned negatively influences myocardial contractility and leads to the development of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Identification of the markers of athlete heart strain allows timely to be corrected by pharmacological means, aimed at normalization of metabolic disorders and prevention of myocardial hypertrophy, which is the major cause of sudden coronary death among athletes.

Metabolic cardioprotectors in sport: the focus on last changes in WADA Prohibited List (review)

At present time, the rational search for a protection of cardiovascular system of athletes and the assessment of such protection efficiency are the very important problems in sports pharmacology and sports cardiology. It is worth noting that athletic training pharmacology, aimed at the stimulation of physical workability in the majority of sports events, can become, together with overloads, the principal reason for a deterioration of health and life’s quality as well as for the sudden death of athletes without a proper cardioprotection. The problem of protection is significantly complicated under modern conditions due to the permanent hardening of anti-doping sanctions (e.g., the recent ban on the use of trimetazidine and meldonium) that essentially limit the possibilities for sports cardiologists. Therefore, the most grounded exit, from the current position, is the use of metabolitotropic medications, in particular, those on the basis of L-carnitine (gamma-butyrobetaine). The wide spectrum of physiologic and biochemical influence of this substance on organism gives possibility to moderately affect the physical and mental workability of athletes even under the conditions of long-term intense physical loads. The complex action of pharmacological agents on the basis of L-carnitine on organism allows one to use it on all stages of the preparation with high efficiency of the cardioprotective and ergogenic effects. Despite the bans of WADA, sports cardiologist possesses a sufficient pool of pharmacological agents that can ensure the protection of myocardium under conditions of training process and competition and can preserve athlete’s health as well as his/her physical workability.

Physiological Changes of Exercise of Thermogenesis, Thyroid Homeostasis and Inflammation

The human body when subjected to heavy loads of physical training suffers numerous modifications to adapt to stress. Various systems are directly and indirectly affected, we can mention the cardio respiratory system as the one that suffers the most modifications when we are facing an intense physical load. Another system that modifies and of which we will explain in this paper is the endocrine system, specifically the thyroid gland who suffers some changes. This paper aims to demonstrate and exemplify the changes in the thyroid gland during physical activity, such as the release of pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines, and the alteration occurred in the release of thyroid hormones. All these changes suffer direct influence on the athlete's performance being a limiting factor for a good performance. Through this paper, we exemplify the changes in the thyroid gland during exercise in order to seek an intervention for these transformations, aiming ultimately a good performance of the athlete.

Effective long term adaptation and metabolic state regulation of ski-racers

Purpose: to scientifically substantiate effective mechanisms of organism’s bio-chemical adaptation of ski-racers in competition period with the help of lipid peroxidation indicators, oxidative modification of proteins and activity of hypothalamus pituitary adrenocortical system. Material: in the research 14 sportsmen of 18-25 years’ age (combined team of university) with different level of sportsmanship participated. Assessment of free radical oxidation, anti-oxidant system, cortisol level was fulfilled with the help of indicators’ quantitative analysis by bio-chemical methods applied to blood serum samples. Results: it was found that in the basis of bio-chemical changes under intensive physical loads is increase of catabolic processes’ speed. Change of organism’s metabolic orientation of ski racers at optimal level results in working muscles’ energy supply improvement, increase of energy systems’ power and sports efficiency. Conclusions: Application of interval trainings at stages of preparation to special significant competitions results in expected adaptation and increase of sports efficiency. We also showed their effective role in ensuring long term reactions, conditioning high sports efficiency.

Peculiar features of men physical condition in planning highly intensive physical loads in winter period

Physical functioning of average and high intensity is an important component of mature men’s health and longevity. For highly intensive physical functioning organism’s physical fitness is required. Human physical condition can change under influence of season factors. Purpose: to determine specific features of men’s physical condition before their highly intensive physical trainings in winter period and test them. Material: 25 men of 35-48 years’ age without chronic diseases were chosen for experiment. All they observe healthy life style. Body mass index, physical condition by methodic of Bayevskie were tested. The research was conducted in the following way: in the morning and in the evening of every day. Physical functioning was tested by methodic IPAQ. Results: we registered confident (p-0.05) distinctions in men’s physical condition before and in the day of their highly intensive physical functioning. We noticed changes in the following: body weight, heart beats rate, adaptation potential of Bayevskiy. The most significant indicator was the marker. For testing of its effectiveness we offered for men to plan highly intensive physical functioning in compliance with this marker during one month. Result was confident (p-0.05) increase of duration and quantity of highly intensive physical trainings, improvement of physical condition by 3.13% in complex test of Bayevskiy. Conclusions: Consideration of men’s physical condition plays important role in planning their highly intensive physical functioning. Increment of Bayevskiy’s adaptation potential by 5.25% can be informative marker in winter period. It is a factor for highly intensive physical functioning planning for definite day.

Changes in blood plasma of professional football players during the continuous training-emulative activity

Any physical activity is accompanied by speed changing of metabolic processes in the organism, peculiar changing of their directivities and accordingly, the emergence of biochemical changes in the muscles that perform work, in the internal organs, as well as in blood system. Aim. To determine the changes that occur in blood plasma of professional footballers during continuous physical activity, 84 professional players were examined. Methods and results. We have determined the direction and peculiarity of the cumulative effect of the impact of physical activity on changes in the blood of sportsmen during continuous period of an educational-training session (ETS). It was established that under the conditions of intensive or continuous physical load a steady prevalence of catabolic processes in the organism wes observed. The given changes, specified by the fact that during ETS sportsmen’s tension of adaptation processes is gradually increasing. Moderate hyper-thrombotonin background in blood of the most sportsmen were observed in the beginning of ETS. Increase of permittivity membrane erythrocytes that reflected sorption capacity growth of the red blood cells was detected in individual sportsmen. Cell membrane structures damage of during intensive or continuous training is of generalized character and takes place almost in all organs and tissues. Also serum AST (Aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (Alanine transaminase) and LDH (Lactate dehydrogenase) activity was studied in footballers during the ETS. Conclusions. The specified level of activity of certain enzymes indicates hypoxic / ischemic state due to the training load during ETS.

Состояние центральной и вегетативной нервной систем человека в восстановительный период после отказа от интенсивной физической нагрузки

The article is devoted to studying the condition of central and autonomic nervous systems in the recovery period after the refusal of intensive physical load. The study involved 25 young men aged 18, 4 ± 0, 3 year. Each of them, it was offered a test with increasing in intensity step-dosed physical load on the cycle ergometer.
 
 "Sports Art 5005" ergometer was used for load testing and the testing itself was conducted under ECG and EEG control. A spectral analysis of ECG and analysis of heart rate variability were conducted. The heart rate, Kerdo index, stroke volume, cardiac output blood flow were calculated. The full EEG spectral power and spectral powers of separate rhythms were evaluated. Blood pressure was measured in the «background» status, at the moment of failure to take the load and after the recovery. The authors evaluated the level of self-feeling and fixed subjective complaints.
 
 It is shown, that at the time of failure of intense load subjects reach of the limit of their physical capacity level, which is reflected in the increasing of sympathetic effects. It´s marked in increase in heart rate and hemodynamic parameters. At time when the motoric program was stopped, the subjects were begun to the recovery. It was accompanied by a significant increase in spectral power of delta waves in the prefrontal and occipital cortex of the left and right hemispheres in the 1st minute of recovery. The appearance of delta waves was due to the increasing of inhibitory processes in the cerebral cortex as a result of fatigue and they have of defensive nature. The recovery process is characterized by significant reorganizations of vegetative regulation mechanisms. It was marked a sharp increase in spectral power of VLF -waves on the third minute of recovery and a reducing of heart rate variability to the 6-th minute of recovery. Thus, the recovery process after intense physical load is characterized by significant reorganizations in condition of central nervous system and autonomic nervous system.

STUDY OF PINOSTROBIN INFLUENCE ON THE BEHAVOUR ACTIVITY AND PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL STATE OFANIMALS AGAINST THE BACKGROUND OF PHYSICAL AND PSYCHO-EMOTIONAL LOADS

A perspective pharmacological approach for correction of functional disorders, connected with physical and psycho-emotional stresses is the application of substances with antioxidant activity including flavonoids. In this research it was studied the influence of pinostrobin in the dose 100mg/kg per os on the behavior state of rats. They modeled an intensive physical load by swimming of animals with the load wich is equal 5% from body mass during 7 days. The behavior state was estimated in the tests «an open field» and «a raised cross-haped labyrinth». The application of pinostrobin prevented for certain the reduction of motive and reference researching activity reduced the level of anxiety and fear of the animals that had intensive physical load, in comparison with the control group animals that had not a pharmacological support

Mechanisms of adaptation to intensive loads of 400 meters’ hurdles runners at stage of initial basic training

Purpose: is study of adaptation mechanisms of 400 meter’ hurdles-runners to intensive physical loads. Material: in the research 13 - 400 meters’ hurdles-runners and 13 - 400 meters’ runners participated. Results: it was found that physiological cost of sportsmen’s special workability has fragmentary character. We presented results of physiological and bio-chemical adaptation mechanisms to dozed work. The received results have no confident distinctions and can not objectively characterize mechanisms of sportsmen’s special workability. We did not detect definite differences in indicators of mechanisms, ensuring sportsmen’s special workability under dozed loads. We found, that level of anaerobic glycolysis is an objective criterion of 400 meter’ hurdles-runners’ special workability. It was shown that for determination of functional potentials for such kind of functioning it is necessary to apply special loads. Conclusions: the received results deepen information about mechanisms of adaptation to specific competition functioning. Correct approaches to processing and analysis of the research’s results permit to more specifically determine sportsmen’s functional potentials in different kinds of competition functioning.

Management of Sports-Related Lumbar Conditions

Although low-back pain is common in the general population, there are unique considerations when athletes present with this complaint. The most common etiologies include degenerative disc disease, lumbar disc herniation, and spondylolysis. Genetic predisposition has recently been identified as a predominant determinant of degenerative disc disease but the intense physical loading and training demands of elite athletes may play a more significant role in athletes than in the general population. The evidence-based literature regarding lumbar disc herniation in athletes suggests that despite having career-ending potential, it would be reasonable for athletes to expect excellent clinical outcomes after both operative and nonoperative management. Spondylolysis, especially common in adolescent athletes, can often be successfully managed conservatively. If necessary, operative management with fusion or direct pars repair, combined with strict postoperative rehabilitation, can lead to successful return to sport.

Nutritional habits among high-performance endurance athletes

Background and objectiveFor athletes, the main purpose of nutrition is to ensure the compensation of increased energy consumption and the need for nutrients in the athlete's body, thereby enabling maximum adaptation to physical loads. The aim of this study was to determine the habits of highly trained endurance athletes depending on sports type, sex and age in order to improve the planning and management of the training of athletes using targeted measures. Materials and methodsIn 2009–2012, the dietary habits of 146 endurance athletes were analyzed. The actual diet of Lithuania endurance athletes was investigated using a 24-h dietary survey method. Data on the athletes’ actual diet were collected for the previous day. ResultsIt was found that 80.8% of endurance athletes used lower-than-recommended amounts of carbohydrates in their diet, and more than 70% of athletes used higher-than-recommended levels of fat, saturated fatty acids, and cholesterol. The diet of female athletes was low in carbohydrates, dietary fiber, protein, omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, iron, manganese, and zinc. Athletes aged 14–18 years tended to consume quantities of protein that were either lower than recommended or excessive. ConclusionsThe diet of highly trained endurance athletes does not fully meet their requirements and in this situation cannot ensure maximum adaptation to very intense and/or long-duration physical loads. The diet of highly trained endurance athletes must be optimized, adjusted and individualized. Particular attention should be focused on female athletes.

Longitudinal follow-up of creatine kinase and markers of renal function in male basketball players

The results from different sports studies regarding changes in parameters of renal function as a consequence of exercise-induced muscular damage are conflicting.Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamics of renal function in association with the phases of the macro cycle and to establish possible relationship between indicators of muscle damage and renal function in basketball players.Methods: Nine professional basketball players were monitored during 12 weeks starting from the first day of pre-season preparations. Blood samples were collected three times: before the pre-season, during the pre-season and during the in-season to determine blood creatine kinase (CK), creatinine and urea concentrations and to estimate glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).Results: The ANOVA test revealed statistically significant changes in CK and eGFR, associated with physical loads in the basketball players. However, the test did not confirm relationships between indicators of renal function and muscle damage during any phase of the macro cycle.Conclusion: Elevated levels of CK induced by sport-specific activities are not associated with changes in renal function despite the use of frequent and intense physical loads in male professional basketball players. Further research is necessary to elucidate regularities in changes of renal function among team sport representatives.

Computational study of blood flow in lower extremities under intense physical load

This work is aimed at computational study of the blood flow in lower extremities under intense physical load. We present a modified 1D cardiovascular system model describing skeletal-muscle pumping and autoregulation effects on the blood flow in lower extremities. Skeletal-muscle pump effect is introduced as an external time-periodical pressure function applied to a group of veins. The period of this function is associated with the two-stride period during running. The computational study reveals the explicit optimal stride frequency providing the maximum blood flow through the lower extremities. It is shown that the optimal stride frequency depends on personal parameters. The model is validated by a comparison to the stride frequencies of a number of top-level athletes, therefore, providing a method to assess the level of physical conditioning.

Einsatz der extrakorporalen Stoßwellentherapie bei therapieresistentem M. Schlatter

Intensive physical load can damage epi-/apophyseal growth. Osgood-Schlatter disease is a well-known and sport-associated overuse injury of the tibial tuberosity apophysis. Long-lasting load-associated pain and a reduced ability to play sports can be the consequence. The aim of this study was to analyse the safety and effectiveness of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT) for recalcitrant Osgood-Schlatter disease. 14 adolescent patients, median age 14 (13.2-14.7) years, suffering from recalcitrant Osgood-Schlatter disease (16 symptomatic knees) were treated with radial extracorporeal shock waves. The nine boys, median age 14 (13.5-15.0) years and the five girls, median age 12 (10.8-15.2) were retrospectively followed up 5.6 (3.4 - 6.7) years later using the disease specific VISA-P-G questionnaire which is validated for jumper's knee. At follow up the median VISA-P-G score was 100 (82.9-100.9). Twelve of 16 knees (75%) reached 100 out of 100 VISA-P-G points. Four patients changed their sports activity due to persisting problems at the distal patellar tendon insertion. Four knees had persisting tibial tuberosity pain when playing sport. Pain induced by activities of daily living (stair climbing) was stated in two cases. No side effects or long-term complications were reported. This pilot study demonstrates that radial ESWT is a safe and promising treatment for adolescent athletes with recalcitrant Osgood-Schlatter disease.

Changes in the Expression of с-fos and NADPH-Diaphorase Activity in Rat Hippocampal Structures Related to Food Deprivation and Realization of Operant Food-Procuring Movements

The expression of early c-fos gene (marker of neuronal activation) and NADPH-diaphorase reactivity (NADPH-dr) was studied in various hypothalamic structures of rats in the norm, in the state of starvation, and after realization of long-lasting (repeated 4 to 12 times per minute for 30 min) motivated stereotyped food-procuring forelimb movements. In rats in the starving state, as compared with the control, the densities (number of units within a 200 × 200 μm 2 test area of a 40-μm-thick slice) of Fos-immunoreactive (Fos-ir) neurons in the parvicellular part of the paraventricular nucleus (Ра), supraoptic (SO), and medial preoptic (МРО) nuclei, anterior hypothalamic region (АН), and lateral hypothalamic nucleus (LH) were significantly greater (Р < 0.05) than in the control. In the dorsomedial (DMD) and ventromedial (VMHD) hypothalamic nuclei, this index did not differ from control values. After the performance of intense unilateral operant movements, higher densities of labeled neurons (as compared with that in control and starving animals) were observed in the PаAP, SO, МРО, and DMD, while smaller densities were observed in the LH and VMH. NADPH-dr neurons (i.e., NO synthase-containing cells) were observed in many hypothalamic nuclei; the maximum density of such NO-generating neurons was found in the Pa, SO, MPO, and DMD. The overwhelming majority of Fos-ir and NADPH-dr neurons in neurons was observed after realization of stereotyped food-procuring movements in the Ра and SO. This specificity of changes in the number of Fos-irand NADPH-dr neurons in the hypothalamic nuclei reflects, perhaps, the involvement of these structures in the control of autonomic functions in the course of realization of operant reflexes and adaptation of the function of the cardiovascular system to the corresponding intense physical and emotional loading.

Sportininkių (rankininkių) valios ugdymo galimybės

Tyrimų nustatytas trenerių požiūris į svarbiausias rankininkių valios savybes ir šių savybių raiškos trejų metų dinamiką. įrodyta, kad rankininkių valios savybės yra tiesiogiai susijusios su fiziniu it techniniu jų pasirengimu. Didesnio meistriškumo žaidėjų valios savybių raiškos lygis buvo statistiškai patikimai aukštesnis.

Neutrophil antiserum response to decrease in proteolytic activity in loaded rat muscle.

The leukocytes that are found in skeletal muscles after intense muscular activity have been shown to infiltrate areas of injury in skeletal muscle tissue. We believe that leukocyte enzymes, which appear in the tissue after the degranulation or destruction of leukocytes, could play a role in tissue enzyme activities. Neutrophil proteinases were investigated. Histological data provided evidence of rat muscular tissue infiltration by leukocytes after intense physical loading. To reduce the influx of leukocytes in rat muscles, a rabbit antiserum against rat peritoneal leukocytes was injected into rats after muscle loading. This resulted in a reduction in muscle cytosol proteolytic activity as compared to control animals (who received saline injections). The levels of proteolytic activities of media conditioned by the soleus muscle isolated from antiserum-treated rats were also reduced. These data provide evidence that the increase in proteolytic activity observed in rat skeletal muscles after physical loading is partially induced by neutrophil proteinases.

Regulatory System State Versus Choices in a Stochastic Environment by Firefighters

Medical Academy, Arkhangelsk, Russia; E-mail: info@asma.ru According to the International Association of Firefighters, firefighters are one of the least healthy professional groups [14]. The adverse factors associated with fire are extreme emotional tension, intense physical load, high temperature and humidity, noise, contact with toxic combustion products, etc. [6]. In addition, firefighters are exposed to professional psychological and emotional stress caused by life-threatening conditions, regular contacts with fire victims, and high responsibility. These extreme factors may cause significant changes in the functional activities of the human body: from activation to extreme stress reactions. The circulatory system can be regarded as an indicator of biosocial adaptation. The adaptive interaction of the circulatory system with cortical processes may be a mechanism of optimization of neuropsychical activity [4]. The goal of this work was to study the adaptation and compensation reactions of regulatory systems during professional activity in firefighters.

Blood concentration of apolipoproteins A-1, B, and E after intensive physical load and during recovery period

The spectrum of apolipoproteins (apoA-1, apoB, and apoE) in rat blood during and after intensive physical excercise was studied by a solid-phase immunoenzymatic method. A 3.5-h swimming with a load comprising 4% of the body weight considerably increased blood concentration of apolipoproteins. Six hours after swimming (the recovery period), the content of apoA-1 returned to the control values, while those of apoB and apoE remained elevated. When administered immediately after swimming, the protein synthesis inhibitors actinomycin D (DNA-dependent RNA synthesis), vinblastin (microtubular synthesis) and Gordox (an inhibitor of serine proteases) significantly reduced serum concentration of apolipoproteins in the recovery period.

Dimensions and estimated mechanical characteristics of the humerus after long-term tennis loading

This study evaluated the effects of long-term unilateral physical activity (tennis) on the playing arm humerus. Total lengths of both humeri, site-specific widths, and the bone mineral contents (BMC) at the proximal, middle, and distal parts of the bones were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Bone mineral apparent density (BMAD), cortical wall thickness (CWT), cross-sectional moment of inertia (CSMI), and section modulus (Z) were approximated from the DXA data for describing the bone's mechanical characteristics more concretely. The study population consisted of 67 healthy, competitive tennis players (17 young men with a mean age [+/- SD] of 25 +/- 5 years, 30 young women with a mean age of 19 +/- 3 years, and 20 older women with a mean age of 43 +/- 5 years) and 57 sedentary controls (16 young men with mean age of 25 +/- 5 years, 25 years, 25 young women with a mean age of 21 +/- 3 years, and 16 older women with mean age of 39 +/- 6 years). All the players had competitive playing histories greater than 4 years. The young male and female players had started their playing careers in childhood (men at the age of 10 +/- 3 years, women 9 +/- 2 years), while the older female players started the training at adulthood (29 +/- 6 years). The playing-to-nonplaying or dominant-to-nondominant arm differences in humeral length ranged from +0.2 to +1.4%, the difference being significant in young male players (+1.4%), young female controls (+1.1%), and older female players (+0.7%). When comparing players' relative side-to-side length differences with those of the controls, no significant differences were found. Significant side-to-side differences in humeral width were observed in all groups except male controls. Compared with the controls, the relative side-to-side width differences were significantly larger at the proximal humerus of the young male players (controls +1.2%, players +3.7%) and the distal humerus of young female players (controls -0.2%, players +1.6%). Compared with the controls, the players' relative side-to-side differences in BMC (range, +7.6 to +25.2%), BMD (+5.8 to +22.5%), BMAD (+5.5 to +20.4%), CWT (+6.9 to +45.2%), CSMI (+7.8 to +26.4%), and Z (+3.0 to +21.7%) were significantly larger in all measured humeral sites except BMAD in the distal humeri of the older female players. These relative side-to-side differences were clearly and significantly larger in the young players (+11.7 to +45.2%) than in the older players (+3.0 to +12.4%). In conclusion, long-term intensive tennis playing, especially if started in childhood or adolescence, clearly increases the humeral BMC, BMD, and CWT but seems to have only a minor effect on the width of this particular bone. In this respect, there seems to be no sex difference. However, along with the increases in mineral mass and density, the changes in bone width are important in increasing the bending stiffness and strength of the humerus. In older players, the relative side-to-side differences are at the same level or only slightly larger than those in their age-matched controls. This suggests that even intense physical loading of a mature bone is only marginally better in increasing the bone mass, bone density, and CWT of the target bone than the normal daily use of the dominant extremity.