To evaluate the effects of prolonged endurance exercise on the thin-walled chambers of the right ventricle (RV) and left atrium (LA), and heart rate (HR) in young (YA) and older (OA) athletes. Seven YA and seven OA (30 ± 5 and 65 ± 6 years; V̇O2max: 61.5 ± 2.2 and 46.8 ± 4.1 mL/min/kg, respectively) were studied before, during, and after a 15-day cycling journey from Copenhagen (CPH) to Palermo (PMO) (~3000 km). Transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) was performed in both groups, and additional stress echocardiography (SE) in OA. Speckle-tracking echocardiography was applied for RV free-wall strain, LA global peak-atrial longitudinal strain (PALS), and contraction strain (PACS). Assessments were made at baseline (CPH), at arrival (PMO), and for OA six months post-intervention (CPH+6). RV size and function were similar between YA and OA at baseline and remained unchanged at rest post-intervention. In OA, SE revealed decreased RV function during exercise at PMO, normalizing at CPH+6. LA size remained unchanged, but OA showed higher baseline filling pressure (E/e'), PACS, and LA stiffness index with lower PALS than YA. Post-intervention, PALS decreased (p < 0.01) while E/e', PACS, and LA stiffness index remained stable. Resting HR increased in OA (p = 0.002) but not in YA. V̇O2max was higher in YA and decreased in OA post-intervention (p = 0.056). Although RV size and resting function were unaffected, RV exercise-induced dysfunction was observed in OA, potentially due to increased LA stiffness. These findings suggest age-related cardiac fatigue and extended recovery time in OA.

The impact of phytochemicals, as green tea catechins, on body composition measures has become a relevant topic as ongoing epidemiological evidence suggests their potential role in weight loss. Although catechins have been shown to modulate fat and energy metabolism, clinical effects of green tea consumption still remain controversial. Given the role played by physical exercise in weight management, it is important to determine whether the association of catechins and exercise is able to improve outcomes over and above the beneficial effects of exercise alone. Considering that scientific findings on this topic are not entirely consistent, aim of the present review was to assess the current scientific literature regarding the interplay between green tea catechins and exercise in overweight and obese populations. In particular, it was evaluated whether the addition of green tea supplementation to exercise training was able to further improve the exercise-induced changes in body composition parameters.

BACKGROUND:Although the prognosis of patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS) is relatively favorable, serious complications may occur. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between blood parameters and the occurrence of in-hospital complications. METHODS:Clinical charts of 51 patients with TTS were retrospectively evaluated, and data regarding blood parameters assessed during the first 24 hours of hospitalization were studied. RESULTS:Levels of hemoglobin less than 13 g/dL in men and 12 g/dL in women (P < 0.01), levels of mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) less than 33 g/dL (P = 0.01), and levels of red blood cell distribution width-coefficient of variation higher than 14.5% (P = 0.01) were significantly associated to the occurrence of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE). Markers, such as, platelets to lymphocytes ratio, lymphocytes to monocytes ratio, neutrophils to lymphocytes ratio, and white blood cell count to mean platelet volume, were unable to differentiate patients with and without complications (P > 0.05). MCHC and estimated glomerular filtration rate were independent predictors of MACE. CONCLUSIONS:Blood parameters may have a role in the stratification risk of patients with TTS. Patients showing low levels of MCHC and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate were more likely to have in-hospital MACE. This should encourage physicians to closely monitor blood parameters in patients with TTS.

AIM & METHODS:Extreme endurance exercise provides a valuable research model for understanding the adaptive metabolic response of older and younger individuals to intense physical activity. Here, we compare a wide range of metabolic and physiologic parameters in two cohorts of seven trained men, age 30 ± 5 years or age 65 ± 6 years, before and after the participants travelled ≈3000 km by bicycle over 15 days.RESULTS:Over the 15-day exercise intervention, participants lost 2-3 kg fat mass with no significant change in body weight. V̇O2 max did not change in younger cyclists, but decreased (p = 0.06) in the older cohort. The resting plasma FFA concentration decreased markedly in both groups, and plasma glucose increased in the younger group. In the older cohort, plasma LDL-cholesterol and plasma triglyceride decreased. In skeletal muscle, fat transporters CD36 and FABPm remained unchanged. The glucose handling proteins GLUT4 and SNAP23 increased in both groups. Mitochondrial ROS production decreased in both groups, and ADP sensitivity increased in skeletal muscle in the older but not in the younger cohort.CONCLUSION:In summary, these data suggest that older but not younger individuals experience a negative adaptive response affecting cardiovascular function in response to extreme endurance exercise, while a positive response to the same exercise intervention is observed in peripheral tissues in younger and older men. The results also suggest that the adaptive thresholds differ in younger and old men, and this difference primarily affects central cardiovascular functions in older men after extreme endurance exercise.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to look for a new, simple, and fast method of assessing and monitoring indoor race performance and to assess the relationship between 20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m indoor rowing performances of youth rowers to evaluate their anaerobic profile. Methods: For three consecutive days, 17 young able-bodied male rowers (15.8 ± 2.0 years), performed three tests (20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m) on a rowing ergometer. Mean power (W20, W60, and W2000) and 2000 m time (t2000) were considered for the analysis. In addition, 14 athletes (15–18 years) performed a 20 s, 60 s, and 2000 m tests and used this as a control group. To define the anaerobic profile of the athletes, W20 and W60 were normalized as percentages of W2000. Associations between variables were determined by means of the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Results: Mean power decreased with increasing test duration (W20 = 525.1 ± 113.7 W; W60 = 476.1 ± 91.0 W; W2000=312.9 ± 56.0 W) and negative correlations emerged between t2000 (418.5 ± 23.1 s) and W20 (r = −0.952, p < 0.0001) and W60 (r = −0.930, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: These findings indicate that W20 and W60 are significant predictors of 2000 m rowing ergometer performances. Furthermore, normalized W20 and W60 can be used to evaluate athletes and as a reference for planning anaerobic training sessions, on a rowing ergometer.

Background:Conflicting results have been described in the scientific literature regarding the relationship between electrocardiographic parameters and complications in patients with Takotsubo syndrome (TTS). Aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is an association between markers of ventricular repolarization and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) during hospitalisation. Methods:A retrospective chart review was conducted on a sample of patients with diagnosis of TTS, based on the fulfilment of the revised Mayo Clinic criteria. MACE included acute heart failure, cardiogenic shock, sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, and death. The following parameters, assessed on the admission electrocardiogram, were analysed: ST-segment elevation, ST-segment depression, T wave inversion, presence of Q waves, QT interval, QT interval corrected for heart rate, QT-dispersion, Tpeak-Tend (Tpe) interval, Tpe dispersion, Tpe/QT ratio, and QTpeak/QT ratio. Results:Patients with MACE, compared to patients without MACE, showed more commonly anterior ST-segment elevation and had significantly higher values of Tpe/QT ratio. Low ejection fraction and Tpe/QT ratio > 0.27 identified a sub-population of patients more likely to have MACE during hospitalisation. Conclusions:Tpe/QT ratio represents a useful electrocardiographic parameter in the acute phase of TTS.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate if the supplementation with Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) juice may affect plasma redox balance and heart rate variability (HRV) parameters following a maximal effort test, in young physically active women.Methods: A randomized, double blind, placebo controlled and crossover study comprising eight women (23.25 ± 2.95 years, 54.13 ± 9.05 kg, 157.75 ± 0.66 cm and BMI of 21.69 ± 0.66 kg/m2) was carried out.A juice containing OFI diluted in water and a Placebo solution were supplied (170 ml; OFI = 50 ml of OFI juice + 120 ml of water; Placebo = 170 ml beverage without Vitamin C and indicaxanthin).Participants consumed the OFI juice or Placebo beverage every day for 3 days, before performing a maximal cycle ergometer test, and for 2 consecutive days after the test.Plasma hydroperoxides and total antioxidant capacity (PAT), Skin Carotenoid Score (SCS) and HRV variables (LF, HF, LF/HF and rMSSD) were recorded at different time points.Results: The OFI group showed significantly lower levels of hydroperoxides compared to the Placebo group in pretest, post-test and 48-h post-test.PAT values of the OFI group significantly increased compared to those of the Placebo group in pre-test and 48-h post-test.SCS did not differ between groups.LF was significantly lower in the OFI group 24-h after the end of the test, whereas rMSSD was significantly higher in the OFI group 48-h post-test.Conclusion: OFI supplementation decreased the oxidative stress induced by intense exercise and improved autonomic balance in physically active women.

Many studies reported various relationships between 2000-m rowing performance and anthropometric as well as metabolic variables, however, little is known about 60-s mean power in elite youth athletes. The aim of this study was to develop different regression models to predict 2000-m rowing indoor performance time (t2000) using anthropometric variables, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and mean power established during a 60-s all-out test (W60) in national elite youth rowers. Fifteen youth male Italian rowers (age: 15.7 ± 2.0 years; body height: 176.0 ± 8.0 cm; body mass: 71.2 ± 10.0 kg) performed an incremental maximal test, a 60-s all-out test and a 2000-m race simulation using a Concept2 rowing ergometer to assess VO2max, W60 and t2000, respectively. The relationships of all variables with t2000 were investigated through Pearson's correlation. Multiple regression analyses were used to verify the best prediction model of 2000-m indoor rowing performance. The reliability of these models was expressed by R2 and the standard error of estimate. The results showed that t2000 was significantly correlated with all the examined variables, except for VO2max/body mass and age, and exhibited the significantly highest relationship with W60 (r = -0.943). The combination of anthropometric, VO2max and W60 variables was found to be the most reliable equation to predict t2000 (R2 = 0.94, SEE = 6.4). W60 measure should be considered when monitoring the rower's capability to perform high-intensity phases, important during the race's fast start and end. Not requiring expensive equipment and long duration, a 60-s all-out test could be considered a valuable tool for predicting 2000-m performance of elite youth rowers.

Relationships between heart rate recovery after exercise (HRR, baseline heart rate variability measures (HRV), and time to perform a 10Km running trial (t10Km) were evaluated in "master" athletes of endurance to assess whether the measured indexes may be useful for monitoring the training status of the athletes. Ten “master” athletes of endurance, aged 40-60 years, were recruited. After baseline measures of HRV, the athletes performed a graded maximal test on treadmill and HRR was measured at 1 and 2 minutes from recovery. Subsequently they performed a 10Km running trial and t10Km was related to HRV and HRR indexes. The time to perform a 10Km running trial was significantly correlated with baseline HRV indexes. No correlation was found between t10Km and HRR. Baseline HRV measures, but not HRR, were significantly correlated with the time of performance on 10km running in “master” athletes. The enhanced parasympathetic function at rest appears to be a condition to a better performance on 10km running. HRV can be simple and useful measurements for monitoring the training stratus of athletes and their physical condition in proximity of a competition.

The consumption of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) has been shown to increase the heart rate variability (HRV), a non-invasive marker of cardiac autonomic control [1], in high-level ath- letes [2]. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sicilian OFI juice supplemen- tation on post-exercise recovery using HRV analysis in young physically active women . This study was a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled and crossover design. Eight women (23.25±2.95 years old, weight of 54.13±9.05 kg, height of 157.75±0.66 cm and BMI of 21.69±0.66 kg/m2) were randomly divided into 2 groups and each group was supplied with either 50 ml OFI, diluted to 170 ml with water, or 170 ml Placebo (PL) containing the same concentration of fruit juice ingredients except for Vitamin C and indicaxanthin. They consumed OFI or PL every day for 3 days before of maximal effort test on cycle ergometer and continued to take it for 2 consecutive days after testing. HRV variables (LF, HF, LF/HF and rMSSD) were recorded pre- and post-test, 24 h and 48 h post-test in both groups using a portable heart rate monitor and analysed with Kubios HRV 2.2 software. The differences were calculated with ANOVA analysis and considered significant with P<0.05. Sympathetic activity (LF) was significantly lower in OFI than PL group 24h post-test. In OFI group, LF was significantly lower 24h post-test than post-test value. In conclusion, OFI supplementation might reduce the metabolic stress induced by intense exercise and improve recovery status in physically active women.

Indoor rowing is relevant for indoor training and testing. Furthermore, international indoor rowing competitions are organized using the Concept2 rowing ergometer, which permits resistance adjustments via a vent damper. To set the damper lever, indoor rowers can vary the drag factor (df) by setting the flywheel cage from 95df to 220df.To evaluate the relationship between 2000-m indoor rowing ergometer performance with different df and the body mass of young rowers.On three separate occasions organized on consecutive days, fifteen youth male rowers (age: 16.1 +/- 1.1yrs; body mass: 72.7 +/- 9.6kg; height: 177.4 +/- 6.4cm) performed maximal 2000-m rowing ergometer performances on a Concept2 (mod.D) with a 110df, 130df, and 150df, respectively. Average times (T-110, T-130 and T-150) and stroke rate (SR110, SR130 and SR150) were measured. Pearson's correlation was applied to examine the relationship between anthropometric characteristics of athletes and their 2000-m performances.Slowest 2000-m rowing ergometer performances resulted in T-110 (435.0 perpendicular to 22.7s), intermediate in T-150 (433.7 perpendicular to 25.2s,) and fastest in T-130 (419.1 +/- 24s) conditions. The highest SR emerged at 110df (SR110 = 35.1 +/- 0.8n.min(-1)), intermediate at 130df (SR130 = 36.7 +/- 0.7n.min(-1)), and lowest at 150 df (SR150 = 32.7 +/- 0.7n.min(-1)). Rowing performances were significantly (P<0.001) correlated to body weight (T-110 : r=0.79; T-130 : r=0.86; and T-150 : r=0.84), and height (T-110 : r=0.78; T-130 : r=0.83; T-150 : r=0.85).The fastest time and highest SR reached during 2000-m indoor rowing performances with a 130df setting could suggest coaches to favour this resistance level, independently from the anthropometric characteristics of youth athletes.

During 2000m indoor rowing performances, the estimated aerobic and anaerobic contribution are 65-75% and 25-35%, respectively2. In considering that anaerobic power could be an important predictor of performance1, the aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the power outputs during a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) on a cycling ergometer and a 2000m rowing ergometer performance in young rowers. In two separate days, 11 young (14.9±1.1yrs) male rowers performed a 2000m indoor rowing ergometer performance and a 30s WAnT on a cycling ergometer. WAnT peak power (PP) and mean power (MP), and 2000m time indoor rowing performance (t2000) were collected. Moreover, PP and MP were normalized with respect to body mass. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the association between t2000 and absolute and normalized PP and MP values. Absolute PP and MP were 888.1±133.2W and 548.5±74.4W, respectively. The relative picture for normalized values was 13.4±1.5 W·kg-1 and 8.2±0.6 W·kg-1. High associations emerged between t2000 (431.5±19.5s) and absolute PP (r=-0.900, P= 0.05) values, whereas no significant relationship was observed for normalized PP (r=-0.585, P=0.058) and AP (r=-0.561, P=0.072) values. These findings indicate that PP and MP could be considered significant predictors of 2000m rowing ergometer performances, substantiating also the relevance of the anaerobic energy pathways to the 2,000m rowing performance.

Benefits of exercise are known for a long time, but mechanisms underlying the exercise mode recommendations for specific chronic cardiovascular diseases remain unclear. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of different circuit training protocols in order to determine which is the best for weight loss and for specific overweight- related disorders. Forty-five female sedentary overweight participants from 20 to 50 years (average 31.8±11.2) were enrolled and assigned to three different groups; each group was compared with a control normal-weight group. Three different circuit protocols were randomly assigned to each overweight group: aerobictone- aerobic (ATA), aerobic-circuit-aerobic (ACA) and mini-trampoline circuit (MTC), while control group performed a classic circuit weight training (CWT). Every group trained three times per week, for 12 weeks. The results show that ATA group reduced body fat and total body mass more than other groups (P<0.001; P=0.007). ACA group reduced total body mass in significant statistical way (P=0.032), as well as body fat (P<0.001) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P=0.013). In MTC group there was a significant reduction in every parameter we analyzed (total body mass, body fat and lipid profile: P<0.001). CWT group has shown a significant loss only in body fat (P<0.001). Every circuit protocol is optimal for reducing body fat and total body mass: however, MTC protocol has shown the best results on lipid profile.

Cerasola, D, Cataldo, A, Bellafiore, M, Traina, M, Palma, A, Bianco, A, and Capranica, L. Race profiles of rowers during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games. J Strength Cond Res 32(7): 2055-2060, 2018-Among the different factors affecting the outcome of elite rowing competitions, pacing strategy plays a relevant role. The purpose of this study was to analyze the race profiles of youth athletes competing at the 2014 Youth Olympic Games over a distance of 1,000 m. According to the competition outcome of sculling and sweep events, 96 youth (17-18 years) rowers (48 male and 48 female) were divided into winner (W), not winner (NW), qualified (Q), and not-qualified (NQ) athletes. The time during the 1,000-m race distance was considered at 0-500 m (T1) and 500-1000 m (T2). The average speed of T1 and T2 were normalized in relation to the average speed of the whole race. In both sexes, W rowers showed higher (p > 0.05) T2 values (100.8 ± 0.9%) with respect to T1 (99.2 ± 0.9%) ones. Female athletes showed a higher (p ≤ 0.05) T1 with respect to T2 in NW, Q, and NQ, whereas male athletes exhibited a higher T1 (p ≤ 0.05) than T2 speed only in NQ. While to be admitted to the final phase of the competition, the rowers tended to favor a positive race strategy (88%); during the final phase, a difference (p = 0.43) emerged for outcome, with the majority of medalists (67%) adopting a negative race strategy. These results suggest that winners have applied a different race strategy compared with the other groups in consequence to a higher efficiency of anaerobic metabolism.

Dear Editor-in-ChiefThe oxidative stress results from a change in the physiological balance between oxidant and anti-oxidant species. This type of stress is a chemical change in the redox state of cells.The increased production of reactive species is related to an excessive metabolic activation, for example, from an intense physical exercise or an excessive caloric intake (1). In physiological con-ditions, muscle fibers are provided with an anti-oxidant system able to keep under control the ex-cessive production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS).Endogenous and exogenous antioxidants are in-volved in countering the damage caused by reac-tive chemical species on muscle skeletal system. High-intensity training is associated with in-creased oxidative stress, because of the muscular effort required and the activation of all the meta-bolic pathways for ATP synthesis. Rowing is very demanding of high power maintained over time, mostly produced from aerobic metabolism (2).The aim of this study was to evaluate the reduc-ing activity in plasma and in erythrocytes in a group of rowers compared to a group of sedenta-ry subjects, and then to evaluate the efficiency of the trans-plasma membrane electron transport (TPMET), also known as PMRS, in the erythro-cytes of rowers as a compensatory mechanism of cellular redox homeostasis. Twenty-six healthy volunteers who did not practice physical activity at a competitive level (control subjects group) (26.6±2.2 yr) and twenty-two professional rowers were recruited (18.6±3.1 yr). Venous blood sam-ples were collected from rowers and control group after overnight fast. After centrifugation at 3000 rpm for 10 min at 4 °C, plasma was separated from red blood cells. The resultant plasma was transferred to micro centrifuge tubes and used at least in part for ferric-reducing activi-ty power (FRAP) assay. Red blood cells, after removal of buffy coat and upper 15% of the packed red blood cells, were washed two times with cold PBS (3). The ferric reducing activity in plasma and erythrocytes (FRAP) assay was per-formed (4). The PMRS activity was evaluated by reduction of 1 mM-ferricyanide (FIC) solution in PBS (pH 7.4) in ferrocyanide (FOC), using 1, 10-phenanthroline as an indicator and measuring ab-sorption at 510 nm. All analyses were performed using GraphPad Prism 5 (GraphPad Software Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). The statistical signific-ance level was set at PThe main finding of this study concern the activi-ty of plasma membrane redox system (PMRS): it has been elevated of 35% in RBCs from rowers than in RBCs from untrained group. The PMRS operated to maintain the ascorbate level in plas-ma, concerning the compensatory/protective mechanism. …

Introduction: In the scientific literature, a number of studies have reported conflicting results regarding the effects of occlusal vertical dimension (OVD) on sports-related skills. The purpose of this study was to increase OVD in sports subjects so as to specifically investigate the influence on cervical spine mobility. In particular, we measured cervical range of motion (ROM) before and after increasing OVD in individuals, either with or without malocclusion, analyzing both sports and sedentary subjects.Materials and methods: Participants were divided into two groups: a sports group (SG) and a control group (CG), each including 18 subjects. The SG was composed of sports subjects (age: 20.11 +/- 3.45 yrs; BMI: 25.39 +/- 2.32 kg/m(2)), whereas the CG consisted of age-matched sedentary subjects (age: 25.78 +/- 2.26 yrs; BMI: 24.88 +/- 2.87 kg/m(2)). Cervical range of motion (ROM) was evaluated, by way of an accelerometer (Moover r, Sensor Medica r), before (pre-test) and after (post-test) increasing OVD.Results: The main finding of this study was that sports subjects showed no significant difference, compared to control subjects, in cervical ROM in response to increased OVD. Moreover, we found that sports and sedentary subjects alike showed no significant change in cervical spine mobility as a result of increased OVD, regardless of whether they were affected by malocclusion (class II) or represented subjects with normocclusion (class I).Conclusion: In accord with several studies reported in the literature, the findings of our study indicate that occlusal splints failed to significantly improve the physical-performance endpoint measured, i. e. cervical ROM, in sports subjects as compared to sedentary individuals. Due to the paucity of studies, characterized by conflicting results, there is as yet no compelling scientific evidence as to whether OVD positively impacts sports performance or not. Accordingly, we suggest that further scientific investigation, regarding the relationship between sports performance and OVD, be conducted in the field of sport and exercise sciences.

MEHDI MIRZAEI-ALAVIJEH1, ALIREZAHIDARNIA1*, GERJO KOK2, SHAMSADDIN NIKNAMI1, MOHAMMAD ESMAIL MOTLAGH3 1Department of Health Education, Faculty of Medical Sciences, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran 2Department of Work and Social Psychology School of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands 3Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran