Elite Athlete Status Research Articles

P784 Cardiac remodelling in elite rowers - insights from novel echocardiographic techniques

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements No financial support Background Chronic exercise training leads to cardiac remodelling; the so-called Athlete’s Heart. Previous studies are often limited by a cross-sectional design whilst longitudinal training studies are often constrained to the assessment of non-athletes. Echocardiography provides comprehensive assessment of mechanics and may give additional insight into short-term changes in training volume in the elite athlete. Purpose To examine the impact of a short-term (9 months) increase in training volume on cardiac structure and mechanics in elite international competing rowers. Methods As part of the work-up to the 2012 Olympic Games, twenty-seven elite rowers (26.4 ± 3.7 years, 19 male) underwent baseline echocardiography prior to and post (9-months) a planned increase in training volume. Conventional echocardiographic indices including mechanics of all cardiac chambers were assessed. Results In response to increased training volume, there was a significant increase in left ventricular (LV) size (IVSd 9.2 ± 1.2 to 9.7 ± 1.1 mm, p = 0.001; PWd 8.3 ± 1.3 to 8.7 ± 1.4 mm, p = 0.013), LVIDd (56.5 ± 4.6 to 57.9 ± 4.2 mm, p = 0.001), and LVMi (90.2 ± 17.8 to 100.8 ± 17.1 g/m2, p = 0.000), see table. There was a significant increase in LV twist (9.2 ± 4.5 to 11.2 ± 4.7 °, p = 0.04; basal rotation -4.4 ± 3.1 to -4.5 ± 3.4 °, p = 0.84; apical rotation 5.8 ± 3.4 to 7.1 ± 3.7 °, p = 0.011), see figure, however, there were no changes in any other conventional indices of function or any other cardiac mechanics. There was a significant increase in left atrial (LA) volume (58.8 ± 15.2 to 65.3 ± 17.6 mm, p = 0.01) whilst no changes were observed in right heart structure. Conclusion An increase in exercise training volume in elite rowers across 9-months induced mild balanced structural remodelling of the LV and LA with a concomitant increase in LV twist. Contradictory to findings in non-athletes, there was no increase in right ventricular or atrial structure or function which may be representative of the elite athlete status and possibly already at threshold for physiological adaptation. Abstract P784 Figure.

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.

Can Genetic Testing Identify Talent for Sport?

Elite athlete status is a partially heritable trait, as are many of the underpinning physiological, anthropometrical, and psychological traits that contribute to elite performance. In recent years, our understanding of the specific genetic variants that contribute to these traits has grown, such that there is considerable interest in attempting to utilise genetic information as a tool to predict future elite athlete status. In this review, we explore the extent of the genetic influence on the making of a sporting champion and we describe issues which, at present, hamper the utility of genetic testing in identifying future elite performers. We build on this by exploring what further knowledge is required to enhance this process, including a reflection on the potential learnings from the use of genetics as a disease prediction tool. Finally, we discuss ways in which genetic information may hold utility within elite sport in the future, including guiding nutritional and training recommendations, and assisting in the prevention of injury. Whilst genetic testing has the potential to assist in the identification of future talented performers, genetic tests should be combined with other tools to obtain an accurate identification of those athletes predisposed to succeed in sport. The use of total genotype scores, composed of a high number of performance-enhancing polymorphisms, will likely be one of the best strategies in the utilisation of genetic information to identify talent in sport.

Effect of Probiotics Supplementations on Health Status of Athletes.

Athletes are prone to several health complications, including upper respiratory tract infections, allergies, and gastrointestinal discomforts during practice and after the performance due to the intense exercise, travel, insufficient rest and restricted food consumption. Probiotics are well known as complementary therapeutic and health supplements for several diseases and disorders. Studies suggest that the intervention of probiotics improved the health status of elite athletes, but the results are not consistent in all the studies. The beneficial effect of probiotic supplementation profoundly relies on species or strain, dose, duration, form, and host physiology. The manuscript summarizes the effect of probiotic supplementation on health status of athletes. The literature was collected from PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar using the search term “probiotic and athletes”. As per the literature survey, probiotic supplementation improved the intestinal permeability, immune system, intestinal microbiota, inflammatory system, reduced the severity and incidence of respiratory tract infections, and duration of gastrointestinal symptoms. Several studies were conducted on Lactobacillus species and the outcomes were found to be species- or strain-specific. More studies are required to know the detailed mechanism behind the beneficial effect of probiotic intervention in athletes. Further studies are desired on formulation and optimization of probiotic supplements to develop generalized and personalized sports supplements to boost the overall health and enactment of elite athletes.

A Genome-Wide Association Study of Sprint Performance in Elite Youth Football Players

Pickering, C, Suraci, B, Semenova, EA, Boulygina, EA, Kostryukova, ES, Kulemin, NA, Borisov, OV, Khabibova, SA, Larin, AK, Pavlenko, AV, Lyubaeva, EV, Popov, DV, Lysenko, EA, Vepkhvadze, TF, Lednev, EM, Leońska-Duniec, A, Pająk, B, Chycki, J, Moska, W, Lulińska-Kuklik, E, Dornowski, M, Maszczyk, A, Bradley, B, Kana-ah, A, Cięszczyk, P, Generozov, EV, and Ahmetov, II. A genome-wide association study of sprint performance in elite youth football players. J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2344-2351, 2019-Sprint speed is an important component of football performance, with teams often placing a high value on sprint and acceleration ability. The aim of this study was to undertake the first genome-wide association study to identify genetic variants associated with sprint test performance in elite youth football players and to further validate the obtained results in additional studies. Using micro-array data (600 K-1.14 M single nucleotide polymorphisms [SNPs]) of 1,206 subjects, we identified 12 SNPs with suggestive significance after passing replication criteria. The polymorphism rs55743914 located in the PTPRK gene was found as the most significant for 5-m sprint test (p = 7.7 × 10). Seven of the discovered SNPs were also associated with sprint test performance in a cohort of 126 Polish women, and 4 were associated with power athlete status in a cohort of 399 elite Russian athletes. Six SNPs were associated with muscle fiber type in a cohort of 96 Russian subjects. We also examined genotype distributions and possible associations for 16 SNPs previously linked with sprint performance. Four SNPs (AGT rs699, HSD17B14 rs7247312, IGF2 rs680, and IL6 rs1800795) were associated with sprint test performance in this cohort. In addition, the G alleles of 2 SNPs in ADRB2 (rs1042713 & rs1042714) were significantly over-represented in these players compared with British and European controls. These results suggest that there is a genetic influence on sprint test performance in footballers, and identifies some of the genetic variants that help explain this influence.

Association of ACE gene polymorphism with cardiovascular determinants of trained and untrained Iranian men

BackgroundThe insertion (I) rather than deletion (D) of human angiotensin converting enzyme gene (ACE) is associated with lower circulating ACE activity and with endurance performance among Caucasians. The frequency of the ACE gene I/D allele in Iranian sample seems to be more similar to the Caucasians. To assess the possible relationship between I/D polymorphism of ACE gene with athletic status and selected cardiovascular indices and VO2max in an Iranian population, DNA samples were obtained from 57 trained and untrained men, with soccer as their main training modality. Genotyping for ACE I/D polymorphism was performed using polymerase chain reaction. VO2max was determined by an incremental test to volitional exhaustion on a motorized treadmill.ResultsI/D genotype was neither associated with elite athlete status nor with VO2max, resting heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure. There was no interaction effect of training statue x ACE genotype for each of the examined indices.ConclusionsACE gene variation was not a determinant of cardiovascular function and VO2max in either trained or untrained Iranian participating in soccer. The absence of an association between either I/D genotype and elite Iranian athlete status and better cardiovascular function also suggests that the ACE gene does not contribute significantly to the phenomenal success of Iranian soccer players.

Association of serotoninergic pathway gene variants with elite athletic status in the Polish population

ABSTRACTGenetic factors are known to influence sport performance. The aim of the present study was to assess genetic variants in genes coding for proteins potentially modulating activity of brain emotion centres in a group of 621 elite athletes (212 endurance, 183 power and 226 combat athletes) and 672 sedentary controls. Ten statistically significant variants were identified in genes encoding elements of serotoninergic, catecholaminergic and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal systems in different sport groups. Of those the rs860573 variant in the FEV gene coding for transcription factor exclusively expressed in neurons of the central serotonin system is the only one whose frequency significantly differentiates all the groups of athletes studied, regardless of discipline, from the controls (p = 0.000026). Our results support the hypothesis that genetic variants potentially affecting mental processes and emotions, particularly in the serotonergic pathway, also influence the predispositions to athletic performance.

The Associations of Early Sport Specialization and Training Volume with Injury Rates in NCAA Division I Athletes

Objectives: Sixty million United States youth ages 6-18 participate in organized athletics, with large increases in both sport participation and specialization in the past two decades. This study seeks to determine whether early specialization in a single sport and high training volume is associated with an increased risk of injury and surgery in NCAA Division I athletes. A secondary aim is to assess whether sport specialization and high training volume is associated with elite athletic status (i.e. being recruited and/or receiving athletic scholarships). Methods: All NCAA Division I athletes at a single institution were sent a voluntary survey by email. Athletes were surveyed regarding demographics, scholarship status, reasons for sport specialization, age of specialization, training volume, and injury/surgical history. A total of 232 out of 652 athletes completed some portion of the survey. 30 surveys were excluded due to incomplete or incorrect survey completion, leaving 202 surveys available for analysis. Injuries were defined as those which precluded sport participation for > 1 week. Early sport specialization was defined as narrowing participation to one primary sport prior to age 14. High training volume was defined as greater than 28 hours per week during pre-high school years. Exclusion criteria included incomplete surveys and individuals less than age 18. Chi-square, Fisher’s Exact, and Mann-Whitney U tests were performed to establish significant differences. Results: Individuals who specialized in their varsity sport prior to age 14 were more likely to report a history of injury (86.9 vs. 74.0%, X = 4.7, p = .03), multiple injuries (64.6 vs. 49.4%, X = 4.2, p = .04), multiple college injuries (17.2 vs. 6.5%, X = 4.5, p = .03), total injuries (2 vs. 1, U = 3035, p = .02), and total time out for injury (15.2 vs. 7.0 weeks, U = 3150, p = .05). Early specializers were more likely to be recruited (92.9 vs. 83.1%, X = 4.1, p = .04) and receive a scholarship in their varsity sport (82.8 vs. 67.5%, X = 5.6, p =.02). Full scholarship athletes were more likely to report multiple surgical injuries (11.7 vs. 3.5%, X = 5.0, p =.03). Those with a scholarships greater than 50% were more likely to report a surgical injury (34.1 vs. 18.3%, X = 6.5, p = .01). Individuals who trained for greater than 28 hours per week in their varsity sport prior to high school were more likely to report multiple injuries (90.0 vs. 56.7%, X = 4.3, p = .04) multiple college injuries (40.0% vs. 14.0%, p = .05), a surgical injury (60.0 vs. 21.7%, p = .01), multiple surgical injuries (30.0 vs. 4.5%, p = .02), and greater total time out for injury (36.5 vs. 11.0 weeks, U = 424, p = .02). Individuals with a pre-high school training volume greater than 28 hours/week in their varsity sport were not more likely to be recruited (90.0 vs. 89.8%, p = 1.0) or receive a scholarship (80.0 vs. 74.5%, p = 1.0). Those in non-contact varsity sports were more likely to report multiple college injuries than those in limited and full contact sports, respectively (20.4 vs. 6.4 vs. 8.8%, X = 7.0, p = .03). Those in individual sports were more likely to report a college injury (55.3 vs. 38.9%, X = 5.1, p = .02) and multiple college injuries (25.0 vs. 7.1%, X = 12.7, p &lt .001). Conclusion: NCAA Division I athletes who specialized in their varsity sport prior to age 14 were more likely to be recruited and receive an athletic scholarship. However, these individuals, as well as those with high training volume prior to high school, had increased rates of injury and injuries requiring surgery.

Oxidative stress in elite athletes training at moderate altitude and at sea level

Using a controlled parallel group longitudinal trial design, we investigated the effects of different training interventions on the prooxidant/antioxidant status of elite athletes: living and training at moderate altitude for 3 (Hi-Hi3) and 4 weeks (Hi-Hi), and for 4 weeks too, living high and training high and low (Hi-HiLo) and living and training at sea level (Lo-Lo). From 61 swimmers, 54 completed the study. Nitrites, carbonyls, and lipid peroxidation (LPO) levels were assessed in plasma. Enzymatic antioxidants glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and glutathione reductase (GRd), and non-enzymatic antioxidants total glutathione (GST), reduced glutathione (GSH) and oxidized glutathione (GSSG) were analysed in the erythrocyte fraction. At the end of the intervention, nitrites levels were similar in all altitude groups but higher than in the Lo-Lo controls (P = .02). Hi-HiLo had greater GPx activity than Hi-Hi and Hi-Hi3 during most of the intervention (P ≤ .001). GRd activity was higher in Lo-Lo than in Hi-Hi at the end of the training camp (P ≤ .001). All groups showed increased levels of LPO, except Lo-Lo, and carbonyls at the end of the study (P ≤ .001). Training at altitude for 3 or 4 weeks drives oxidative stress leading to cellular damage mainly by worsening the antioxidant capacities. The GSSG/GSH ratio appears to be related to perceived exertion and fatigue. The stronger antioxidant defence showed by the Hi-HiLo group suggests an inverse relationship between redox alterations and performance. Further studies are required to investigate the role of oxidative stress in acclimatization, performance, and health.

COL5A1 gene variants previously associated with reduced soft tissue injury risk are associated with elite athlete status in rugby

BackgroundTwo common single nucleotide polymorphisms within the COL5A1 gene (SNPs; rs12722 C/T and rs3196378 C/A) have previously been associated with tendon and ligament pathologies. Given the high incidence of tendon and ligament injuries in elite rugby athletes, we hypothesised that both SNPs would be associated with career success.ResultsIn 1105 participants (RugbyGene project), comprising 460 elite rugby union (RU), 88 elite rugby league athletes and 565 non-athlete controls, DNA was collected and genotyped for the COL5A1 rs12722 and rs3196378 variants using real-time PCR. For rs12722, the injury-protective CC genotype and C allele were more common in all athletes (21% and 47%, respectively) and RU athletes (22% and 48%) than in controls (16% and 41%, P ≤ 0.01). For rs3196378, the CC genotype and C allele were overrepresented in all athletes (23% and 48%) and RU athletes (24% and 49%) compared with controls (16% and 41%, P ≤ 0.02). The CC genotype in particular was overrepresented in the back and centres (24%) compared with controls, with more than twice the odds (OR = 2.25, P = 0.006) of possessing the injury-protective CC genotype. Furthermore, when considering both SNPs simultaneously, the CC–CC SNP-SNP combination and C–C inferred allele combination were higher in all the athlete groups (≥18% and ≥43%) compared with controls (13% and 40%; P = 0.01). However, no genotype differences were identified for either SNP when RU playing positions were compared directly with each other.ConclusionIt appears that the C alleles, CC genotypes and resulting combinations of both rs12722 and rs3196378 are beneficial for rugby athletes to achieve elite status and carriage of these variants may impart an inherited resistance against soft tissue injury, despite exposure to the high-risk environment of elite rugby. These data have implications for the management of inter-individual differences in injury risk amongst elite athletes.

Association of mitochondrial DNA haplogroups with elite athletic status in Iranian population

Increasing evidences suggest that certain variations in the control region of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) are associated with physical performance levels of individuals. The aim of the present study was to assess whether mitochondrial haplogroups are associated with elite athlete status in Iranian population. The mtDNA haplogroups of 100 Iranian athletes and 100 healthy, non-athletic individuals were genotyped. Significant differences were observed for haplogroups U and J, which were under- and over-represented in the elite athletes group. The results show that mtDNA haplogroups and their related phenotypic expression correlate with the physical performance.

25(OH)D Status of Elite Athletes with Spinal Cord Injury Relative to Lifestyle Factors.

Background: Due to the potential negative impact of low Vitamin D status on performance-related factors and the higher risk of low Vitamin D status in Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) population, research is warranted to determine whether elite athletes with SCI have sufficient 25(OH)D levels. The purposes of this study were to examine: (1) the seasonal proportion of vitamin D insufficiency among elite athletes with SCI; and (2) to determine whether lifestyle factors, SCI lesion level, and muscle performance/function are related to vitamin D status in athletes with SCI. Methods: Thirty-nine members of the Canadian Wheelchair Sports Association, and the US Olympic Committee Paralympic program from outdoor and indoor sports were recruited for this study. Dietary and lifestyle factors, and serum 25(OH)D concentrations were assessed during the autumn (October) and winter (February/March). An independent t-test was used to assess differences in 25(OH)D status among seasons, and indoor and outdoor sports in the autumn and winter, respectively. Results: Mean ± SD serum 25(OH)D concentration was 69.6 ± 19.7 nmol/L (range from 30 to 107.3 nmol/L) and 67.4 ± 25.5 nmol/L (range from 20 to 117.3 nmol/L)in the autumn and winter, respectively. In the autumn, 15.4% of participants were considered vitamin D deficient (25(OH)D < 50 nmol/L) whereas 51.3% had 25(OH)D concentrations that would be considered insufficient (<80 nmol/L). In the winter, 15.4% were deficient while 41% of all participants were considered vitamin D insufficient. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of elite athletes with SCI have insufficient (41%–51%) and deficient (15.4%) 25(OH)D status in the autumn and winter. Furthermore, a seasonal decline in vitamin D status was not observed in the current study.

Prospects of Molecular Genetics in Sports Medicine

During the last two decades, sports medicine is increased and experienced a stage of rapid development, especially in such areas as the study of strength, endurance, sports injuries and psychology. Study of ongoing changes when performing exercises at the cellular and molecular levels led to the development of new areas in the sports science as known as genetic medicine that deals with the genetic basis of athletic phenotype. Around 66 % of the variance in athlete status is explained by genetic factors, the remaining variance is due to other factors such as training, nutrition, equipment, motivation, sleeping and epigenetics. Over the last two decades, at least 155 genetic markers (located in almost all chromosomes and mtDNA) were associated with elite athlete status (93 genetic markers with endurance and 62 markers with power/force). The number of identified genetic markers associated with sports activity, grew at a rate exponentially: in 1997 – 5 genes; in 2000 – 24 genes; in 2004 – 101 genes. During the last 19 years, found that at least 120 of genetic markers associated with elite athlete status (77 genetic markers related to endurance and 43 genetic marker settings capacity/power). Of the polymorphisms associated with sports endurance, the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) and alpha actinin-3 (ACTN3) polymorphisms have been the most frequently studied, and meta-analyses have confirmed the associations. ACTN3 is absent in approximately 18% of European population, 25-29% of Japanese population and overall about 1.5 billion people in all countries. Therefore, to date, available genetic tests based on small sample sizes and the selected analytical methodology can lead to erroneous associations and to reassess the size of the effect, and of course, the use of such limited data does not allow us to predict athletic ability with high accuracy.

Genetic polymorphisms in alpha-actinin 3 and ­adrenoceptor beta genes in Austrian elite athletes and healthy controls

Background: During the last years many studies were conducted to investigate the contribution of various genetic variants to endurance and sprint/power performance of elite athletes. Data on team sport athletes are missing to a large extent. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the frequency of selected polymorphisms on elite athlete status in Austrian team sport (handball, soccer), endurance and power athletes as well as in healthy control subjects. Methods: Genotype and allele frequencies of ACTN3 R577X (rs1815739), ADRB1 Ser49Gly (rs1801252), ADRB2 Arg16Gly (rs1042713), ADRB2 Gln27Glu (rs1042714) and the ADRB3 Trp64Arg (rs4994) polymorphisms were determined in 56 Austrian sprint/power athletes, 86 endurance athletes, 143 team sport athletes and 216 healthy non-athletic controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from saliva and genotyping was performed by real time polymerase chain reaction using a standard protocol. Results: Handball and soccer players had a higher frequency of the ACTN3 RR genotype and a lower frequency of RX + XX genotypes than the control group. Furthermore, the frequency of athletes being homozygous for the ADRB1 Ser49Ser genotype was significantly higher in team sport athletes in comparison to those competing in power/sprint sports. We did not detect any other differences in genotype distributions between the study groups. Conclusion: This study provides some evidence that the ACTN3 R577X and the ADRB1 Ser49Gly polymorphisms are associated with team sport performance. Larger prospective studies focusing on the genetic influence of performance development are required for confirmation of these findings.

Genes and Athletic Performance: An Update.

Humans vary in their ability to achieve success in sports, and this variability mostly depends on genetic factors. The main goal of this work was to review the current progress in the understanding of genetic determinism of athlete status and to describe some novel and important DNA polymorphisms that may underlie differences in the potential to be an elite athlete. In the past 19 years, at least 155 genetic markers (located within almost all chromosomes and mtDNA) were found to be linked to elite athlete status (93 endurance-related genetic markers and 62 power/strength-related genetic markers). Importantly, 41 markers were identified within the last 2 years by performing genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of African-American, Jamaican, Japanese, and Russian athletes, indicating that GWASs represent a promising and productive way to study sports-related phenotypes. Of note, 31 genetic markers have shown positive associations with athlete status in at least 2 studies and 12 of them in 3 or more studies. Conversely, the significance of 29 markers was not replicated in at least 1 study, raising the possibility that several findings might be false-positive. Future research, including multicentre GWASs and whole-genome sequencing in large cohorts of athletes with further validation and replication, will substantially contribute to the discovery of large numbers of the causal genetic variants (mutations and DNA polymorphisms) that would partly explain the heritability of athlete status and related phenotypes.

Prevalence of Dietary Supplement Use by Athletes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

BackgroundDietary supplements (DSs) are commercially available products consumed as an addition to the usual diet and are frequently ingested by athletes.ObjectiveOur objective was to examine the prevalence of DS use by athletes.Data SourcesPubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, OVID Healthstar, and Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health were searched for original research articles published up to August 2014. Search terms included specific sports, specific DSs, and other terms.Study SelectionStudies were selected if they were written in English, involved athletes, and provided a quantitative assessment of the proportion of athletes using specific DSs.Summary MeasurePercent of athletes using specific DSs.Synthesis of DataMethodological quality of studies was assessed by three reviewers using an 8-point scale that included evaluations for sampling methods, sampling frame, sample size, measurement tools, bias, response rate, statistical presentation, and description of the participant sample. Where there were at least two investigations, meta-analysis was performed to obtain summary (pooled) prevalence estimates (SPEs) on (1) DS use prevalence by sport and sex, (2) DS use prevalence by elite versus non-elite athletic status, and (3) specific DS prevalence for all athletic groups combined. Meta-analyses included evaluations of homogeneity and publication bias.ResultsA total of 159 unique studies met the review criteria. Methodological quality was generally low with an average ± standard deviation of 43 ± 16 % of available rating points. There was low homogeneity for SPEs when compiled by sport, athletic status, and/or specific DSs. Contributing to the lack of homogeneity were differences in studies’ objectives and types of assessments used (e.g., dietary surveys, interviews, questionnaires). Despite these limitations, the data generally indicated that elite athletes used DSs much more than their non-elite counterparts. For most DSs, use prevalence was similar for men and women except that a larger proportion of women used iron while a larger proportion of men used vitamin E, protein, and creatine. No consistent change in use over time was observed because even the earliest investigations showed relatively high use prevalence.ConclusionIt was difficult to generalize regarding DS use by athletes because of the lack of homogeneity among studies. Nonetheless, the data suggested that elite athletes used dietary supplements far more than their non-elite counterparts; use was similar for men and women with a few exceptions; use appeared to change little over time; and a larger proportion of athletes used DSs compared with the general US population. Improvements in study methodology should be considered in future studies especially (1) defining DSs for participants; (2) querying for very specific DSs; (3) using a variety of reporting timeframes (e.g., daily, 2–6 times/week, 1 time/week and <1 time/week); (4) reporting the sampling frame, number of individuals solicited, and number responding; (5) reporting characteristics of volunteers (and non-volunteers, if available); and (6) using similar methods on several occasions to examine possible temporal trends among athletes.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s40279-015-0387-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Gene polymorphisms determining physical performance in Ukrainian power-oriented events of track and field athletics

Summary Research background and hypothesis. Modern research on the molecular genetics of physical activity shows that increased physical performance is determined by a set of specific genes. However, the systematic genetic studies of high performance athletes for selection and training purposes do not exist to our knowledge and there are no studies for specific sports, which could have made the specialization choices easier . Research aim was to analyse important genetic variations that may underlie differences in the potential to be an elite athlete of power-oriented events of track and field athletics . Research methods. In total, DNA of 73 athletes involved in power-oriented events of track and field athletics and 283 persons not involved in sports (sedentary control) were examined. In this paper, we consider ten candidate-genes and carry out statistical analysis to determine their most favourable polymorphism for power-oriented events of track and field athletics. Using the polymerase chain reaction method І/D (АСЕ), R577X (ACTN3), Т -786 →С (eNOS), Pro/ Ala (PPARG), G/C (PPARA), Pro 582 →Ser (HIF-1α), Ala203Pro (PPARGC1B), C-1306T (MMP2), Ser422Gly (ELN), Tag1A (DRD2) genes polymorphisms were detected in athletes of different abilities. Research results. The significance of differences between group of power-oriented events of track and field athlet ics and the control group on the distribution of allele NO-synthase gene polymorphism and distribution of genotype of metalloproteinase 2 gene polymorphism was found. The frequency of T allele Т -786 →С polymorphism eNOS prevails in the group of athletes by 11.5% (p = 0.02). The frequency of T/T genotype C-1306T (MMP2) is 11.8% (p = 0.003) higher than in the control group. The athletes specializing in different events are characterized by genetic heterogeneity. Favourable alleles for high athletic performance in power-oriented events of athletics were established. Discussion and conclusions. Sports genetics can be used to design better selection and training processes in order to allow athletes to achieve their full potential. Our study provides evidence for the association between gene polymorphisms and elite power athlete status. However, athletes belonging to the same group of sports differ in the distribution of genotypes and allele of gene that associate with elite performance. Only after detection of favourable genotype combination for the particular sport potential of genetic testing in sport will be increased.

ACTN3 R577X genotype and athletic performance in a large cohort of Japanese athletes

Aim: Recent meta-analyses of the literature confirmed the association between the RR+RX genotype of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and elite sprint/power athletic status in Europeans but not in Asians and Africans, while the association between the R577X genotype and elite endurance athlete status is less convincing. The aim of the present study was to investigate the association between the ACTN3 R577X genotype and elite athlete status in a large Asian (Japanese) cohort of track and field athletes. Methods: One-thousand fifty-seven Japanese track and field athletes (627 sprint/power athletes and 430 endurance athletes) and 810 Japanese controls were genotyped for the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism (rs1815739) by using the TaqMan® SNP Genotyping Assay. Results: Elite sprint/power athletes had a higher frequency of the RR+RX genotype than the controls (OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.16–2.18; P = .003). A significant linear correlation was found between the RR + RX genotype and athlete status (i.e. regional < national < international) in sprint/power athletes (regional: 71%, national: 81%, international: 84%; P = .001 for trend) and long-distance runners (regional: 65%, national: 72%, international: 82%; P = .030 for trend). Conclusions: The data obtained for this large Asian (Japanese) cohort of track and field athletes served to confirm the association between the RR + RX genotype of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphism and elite sprint/power athlete status and also the association between the ACTN3 RR + RX genotype and long-distance running athletic status.

Elite sport: reification, instrumentalization and dignity

Elite sport is both worshipped disparaged. It is adored because athletes embody an ethical act of courage, self-sacrifice and fair play; it is criticized for too many scandals that plague and discredit it. Too often, athletes seem trapped in and crushed by a system much bigger than they are, a system that also compels them to do wrong, in a way that seems to instrumentalize them. But what is the real status of elite athletes? Does the system treat them with dignity in a manner that allows them to accept freely and voluntarily the end purpose of the record to be beaten that demands enormous sacrifices? This article considers how an analysis of the concept of human dignity can help us better understand the place of the athlete in this complex reality of elite sport.

Results of voluntary cardiovascular examination of elite athletes in Denmark: Proposal for Nordic collaboration.

We investigated the cardiovascular status of elite athletes in Denmark, the extent of abnormal cardiac findings--both training related and pathologic--and how participating in cardiac examination was perceived by the athletes. A standardized protocol of questionnaires, physical examination, resting electrocardiogram, and 2D echocardiography was used. In total 1347 elite athletes were invited; 516 athletes (38%) from 30 different sports participated. Results were stored in a web-based database for future research and long-term follow-up. Cardiac pathology was infrequent; eight athletes (1.6%) received a cardiac diagnosis; one athlete (0.2%) diagnosed with long QT syndrome was advised against competition level sports. In total, 60 athletes (11.6%) were referred for additional testing. The athletes presented a very low level of psychological stress before and a slight decrease immediately after the examination as measured by the REST-Q 76 Sport questionnaire. Athletes needing further examinations did not present a higher level of stress after the initial examination compared with athletes with normal test results. Overall, very few athletes were diagnosed with a cardiac condition that increased risk of sudden cardiac death. Less than half of the invited athletes volunteered, but participation was not perceived stressful by the enrolled athletes, not even when additional testing was needed.