ABSTRACT
The rheumatoid polyarthritis [PR] is a frequent pathology in Tunisia. The most frequent extra articular expression of this disease is in the respiratory tract. To determine the lung functional profile of PR of the Tunisian population by establishing possible relations between ventilatory variables and clinico-biological parameters of PR. It is a cross sectional study which concerned 87 patients [77 women] having a confirmed PR. They benefited from a measure of the lung function by a total physical Pléthysmography and by the technique of double transfer NO-CO. Clinical and biological checkup were realized. Three kinds of pulmonary function defects were found: obstructive ventilatory defect [13%], restrictive defect [7%] and mixed defect [1%]. Ventilatory flows and the lung volumes correlated negatively with the inflammatory syndrome [p<0.05]. Alveolar-capillary diffusion capacity [DLco] was altered in an isolated way or associated with the respiratory functional syndromes [obstructive and restrictive] [6%]. This abnormality had a vascular origin with an isolated fall of the lung capillary volume [Vc], a membrane origin with an isolated fall of the diffusion membrane [DM] or a combined origin with the decline of Vc and DM. This latter case was found at a late stage of PR. 58% of PR patients had a normal pulmonary function. All these functional findings were linked to PR itself [inflammatory and auto-immune origin] or to the lung toxicity due to the treatment by Methotrexate [alveolar and bronchial damage]
ABSTRACT
Trainers and physical fitness coaches' need a useful tool to assess training loads to avoid overtraining. However, perceived scales or questionnaires were required. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to assess whether a short 8-item questionnaire of fatigue could be a useful tool for monitoring changes in perceived training load and strain among elite rugby Sevens [7s] players during preparation for a major competition. Sixteen elite rugby 7s players completed an 8-week training program composed of 6-week intense training [IT] and 2-week reduced training [RT]. They were tested before [T0], after the IT [T1] and after the RT [T2]. The quantification of the perceived training load and strain were performed by the session-RPE [rating of perceived exertion] method and concomitantly the 8-item questionnaire of fatigue was administered. Training load [TL] and strain [TS] and total score of fatigue [TSF from the 8-item questionnaire] increased during IT and decreased during RT. Simultaneously, physical performances decreased during IT and were improved after LT. The changes in TL, TS and TSF correlated significantly over the training period [r=0.63-0.83]. These findings suggest that the short questionnaire of fatigue could be a practical and a sensitive tool for monitoring changes in training load and strain in team-sport athletes. Accordingly, the simultaneous use of the short questionnaire of fatigue along with the session-RPE method for perceived changes in training load and strain during training could provide additional information on the athletes' status, allowing coaches to prevent eventual states of overreaching or overtraining
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of Ramadan fasting on circulating levels of interleukin-12 [IL-12] after a brief maximal exercise. Nine subjects performed a Wingate test on three different occasions: [i] the first week of Ramadan [1WR], [ii] the fourth week of Ramadan [4WR], and [iii] three weeks after Ramadan [AR]. Blood samples were taken before, immediately and 60 min after the exercise. Plasma concentrations of IL-12 were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Variance analysis revealed no significant effect of Ramadan on Ppeak and Pmean during the three testing periods. Considering the effect of Ramadan on plasma concentrations of IL-12, analysis of the variance revealed a significant Ramadan effect [F[2, 16]=66.27 ; P<0.001] as well as a significant time effect [F[2, 16]=120.66; P<0.001]. However, no significant [Ramadan time] of test interaction [F[4, 32]=2.40; P>0.05]. For all measures, IL-12 levels were lower during 1WR and 4WR in comparison with AR [P<0.05]. Considering the exercise effects, IL-12 levels measured immediately after the exercise were significantly higher than those measured before and at 60 minutes after the exercise [P<0.001]. These results suggest that an acute intense exercise-induced IL-12 response is modified by daytime fasting and modifications in sleep schedule during Ramadan
ABSTRACT
To evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body water status markers of rugby players at basal condition and following a simulation of rugby sevens match. Twelve recreational rugby sevens players played three matches: one day before Ramadan [before Ramadan], at the end of the first week of Ramadan [Beg-R] and at the end of Ramadan [End-R]. Before and immediately after each match, body weight was determined and blood samples were taken for the measurement of body water status markers. Total body water was measured with an impedancemeter only before matches. At rest, an increase in hematocrit [+4.4%, P=0.03], hemoglobin [+3.4%, P=0.01] and plasma osmolarity [+2.8%, P<0.001] was noticed at End-R compared to before Ramadan. Total body water measured before Ramadan did not differ significantly from that of Ramadan. After the match, values of hematocrit and plasma osmolarity increased significantly at End-R [+1.4%, P=0.02;+3.1%, P<0.001 respectively] compared to before Ramadan. Although, hemoglobin measured after matches occurring during Ramadan did not differ from those of before Ramadan. In response to matches, the change of percentage of body water status markers did not differ during each period of the investigation. The present results show that Ramadan fasting induces dehydration at basal conditions. Also, rugby sevens match played during Ramadan did not exacerbate the magnitude of responses to matches of blood and body water status markers