Iron Deficiency and Anemia in Male and Female Adolescent Athletes Who Engage in Ball Games.

The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) among male adolescent athletes who participate in non-calorie-restricting sports, and to compare the results with female athletes of the same age and sports. Data of the hemoglobin concentration (Hb) and serum ferritin (sFer) levels of male (n = 350) and female (n = 126) basketball and football players, aged 11-18, from two sport medicine centers in Israel were gathered and analyzed. Mild ID was defined as sFer ≤ 30 µg/L, moderate as sFer ≤ 20 µg/L, and severe as sFer ≤ 10 µg/L. IDA was defined as sFer ≤ 20 µg/L and Hb < 13 g/dL for males and sFer ≤ 20 µg/L and Hb < 12 g/dL for females. The prevalence of mild ID was 41.1% and 53.2%, moderate was 17.4% and 27.8%, and severe was 2% and 4.8% in males and females, respectively. The prevalence of IDA was 2.6% in males and 4% in females. Mild and moderate ID was significantly higher among females. In conclusion, non-anemic ID, which is known to be common among female athletes, especially in sports requiring leanness, is also highly prevalent among adolescent males playing ball games. Therefore, screening for hemoglobin and sFer is recommended for young athletes of both genders and in all sports.

The effects of a multi-day cross-country mountain bike race on myocardial function, stress, inflammation and cardiac biomarkers in amateur master athletes.

This study aimed to examine the effects of a multi-day mountain bike race on amateur master athlete cyclists (AMA). AMA (50±5 years) completed 2 stages of a mountain bike race. Six weeks before racing, echocardiography, blood and maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPET) were performed. One hour after completion of each race stage, echocardiography measurements were taken and blood was sampled for stress, inflammatory and cardiac biomarkers. Main outcomes of the CPET were maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) 50.7±6.5 ml/kg/min; maximal power 328±45 Watt and ventilatory threshold of 86%VO2max. Participants completed 95.7km with an elevation of 1650m on the first day, and 92.5km with an elevation of 1410m on the second day, with completion times of 357±42 and 390 ±43 minutes, respectively. After racing, increases in Creatine Phosphokinase and C-reactive protein (3-6 fold) (p<0.001), Troponin I (4-fold) (p<0.001) and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide (NT-Pro BNP) (4-7-fold) (p<0.001) were noted, with a reduction in the myocardial global work index of 17-24% (p<0.001). No correlations were found between Troponin I or NT-Pro BNP and myocardial global work index. Highly aerobically fit AMA participating in demanding endurance events demonstrated elevated stress, inflammatory, muscle damage and cardiac biomarkers. However, these changes did not significantly correlate with altered cardiac function. In addition, consecutive days of demanding prolonged cycling exercise did not have cumulative effects on the measured myocardial parameters.

Rare Cause of Syncope in an Athlete, Matter of Brain and Heart Electricity.

ABSTRACT: A 17-year-old elite triathlete presented with recurrent loss of consciousness events. Implantable loop recorder (ILR) documented sinus node asystoles of up to 21 seconds. She underwent cardiac neuromodulation ablation. After ablation, a generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTCS) occurred, without concomitant asystole on the ILR. Temporal lobe seizures were diagnosed and supported by interictal epileptic activity on electroencephalogram. We assumed that the syncope episodes were ictal asystole (IA) and that the IA terminated the epileptic seizures early after their onset. The cardiac ablation prevented IA, enabling spread of seizure activity and development of GTCS. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of IA treated with cardiac ablation, allowing avoidance of cardiac pacing. This case raises the awareness to epileptic seizures as a cause of asystole in athletes, with an elusive and atypical presentation.

Prediction of the Wingate anaerobic mechanical power outputs from a maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise stress test using machine-learning approach.

The Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) is a short-term maximal intensity cycle ergometer test, which provides anaerobic mechanical power output variables. Despite the physiological significance of the variables extracted from the WAnT, the test is very intense, and generally applies for athletes. Our goal, in this paper, was to develop a new approach to predict the anaerobic mechanical power outputs using maximal incremental cardiopulmonary exercise stress test (CPET). We hypothesized that maximal incremental exercise stress test hold hidden information about the anaerobic components, which can be directly translated into mechanical power outputs. We therefore designed a computational model that included aerobic variables (features), and used a new computational \ predictive algorithm, which enabled the prediction of the anaerobic mechanical power outputs. We analyzed the chosen predicted features using clustering on a network. For peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) outputs, the equations included six features and four features, respectively. The combination of these features produced a prediction model of r = 0.94 and r = 0.9, respectively, on the validation set between the real and predicted PP/MP values (P< 0.001). The newly predictive model allows the accurate prediction of the anaerobic mechanical power outputs at high accuracy. The assessment of additional tests is desired for the development of a robust application for athletes, older individuals, and/or non-healthy populations.

[SLEEP OF ELITE YOUNG ATHLETE AT THE ACADEMY FOR SPORT EXCELLENCE AT THE WINGATE INSTITUTE].

INTRODUCTION: Sleep duration and quality have a critical role in cognitive and athletic performances. A relationship was demonstrated between sleep deprivation, reduced performance and elevated injury risk. The recommended sleep duration for teenagers is at least 9 hours a day but most sleep less. AIM: To estimate sleep duration among elite adolescent athletes at the Academy for Sport Excellence at the Wingate Institute, by quantifying the changes after joining the academy and the relation to school performances and the usage of medical services. METHODS: Data from medical records, including sleep screening questionnaires and a number of the athletes' medical appointments were analyzed. RESULTS: Athletes reported that sleep duration was less than recommended before joining the academy. After joining the academy the average sleep duration decreased (7.37 vs 7.7 hours, P = 0.05) and daytime sleepiness was elevated (13/24 v 11/24 Epworth-Sleepiness-Scale (ESS), P = 0.002). Correlations between changes in sleep duration and changes in school achievements before and after joining the academy were demonstrated (P = 0.027). No correlation was found between sleep duration at the academy and usage of medical services. CONCLUSIONS: Elite adolescent athletes do not sleep enough and are tired during the day. Reduction in sleep duration and elevation in sleepiness were observed with the transition to practice, study and life at the Academy for Sport Excellence. DISCUSSION: In accordance with previous studies, our findings showed elite young athletes are in a state of continuous sleep deprivation that interferes with their school achievements. Further research is needed to evaluate the importance of sleep duration and quality in performance for the health of young athletes.

[HIGH ALTITUDE EXPOSURE IN TRAVELERS WITH PREEXISTING MEDICAL CONDITIONS].

The number of travelers visiting high altitude regions is increasing. High altitude areas have become more accessible in recent years, and reaching areas at altitudes over 3000 meters above sea level has become more common than before. In many circumstances older travelers, who are more likely to have pre-existing chronic diseases and for whom altitude and hypoxic condition might be a risk, reach high altitudes in a fast and tight schedule, therefore having a shorter time for adaptation and acclimatization. Pre-travel consultation, including the discussion of chronic illnesses and medication use, is therefore crucial for the reduction of the risk of acute mountain sickness and preventing the deterioration of their pre-existing medical conditions.

Green tea and vitamin E enhance exercise-induced benefits in body composition, glucose homeostasis, and antioxidant status in elderly men and women.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of green tea plus vitamin E in addition to exercise on body composition and metabolic and antioxidant parameters in healthy elderly individuals. DESIGN: Interventional randomized controlled prospective trial. METHODS: For 12 weeks, 22 elderly men and women (age: 71.1 ± 1.2 years; body mass index: 28.3 ± 0.5 kg/m(2) [mean ± SE]) undertook 30 minutes of moderately intense walking 6 d/wk. They were randomly assigned to ingest either green tea plus vitamin E (GTVE; 3 cups and 400 IU, respectively; n = 11) or placebo (n = 11). Data on anthropometrics, fasting insulin and glucose levels, physical fitness, dietary intake, safety parameters, and biomarkers of oxidation status were recorded and analyzed at the start and end of the study. RESULTS: Though dietary intake was unchanged, improved exercise capacity was followed by a significant reduction in body weight and fasting insulin levels in all participants. Additional consumption of GTVE resulted in a twofold increase in serum vitamin E (from 20.4 to 40.6 µmol/L, p < 0.001) and a decrease of men's and women's waist circumferences (from 100.8 and 95.7 to 96.9 and 85.0 cm, p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively) and fasting glucose levels (from 5.30 to 4.98 mmol/L, p < 0.01). Plasma protein carbonyls dropped (from 0.93 to 0.77 nmol/mg protein, p < 0.05), whereas erythrocyte catalase activities increased (from 26.7 to 29.7 U/g hemoglobin, p < 0.05) in the GTVE group only. Oral peroxidase activities were increased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: A daily dose of GTVE in healthy elderly men and women may improve exercise-induced benefits in body composition and glucose tolerance and may also lower oxidative burden.

[Physical activity and training at high altitude].

In recent years there has been a growing interest in the effects of high altitudes on the human body. High altitudes are being frequented by more and more people for sport and leisure pursuits, and are increasingly being used both as a training environment and for investigating the healthy body in hypoxic conditions. During the ascent from sea level, atmospheric pressure and partial oxygen pressure decrease, humidity and temperature decrease, and radiation is elevated. The altitudes at which physiological changes and clinical symptoms occur are not constant, but variations may usually appear above 2300-2800 meters. There is a wide variability of reactions to low oxygen in the air inhaled. The physiological parameters during both rest and physical activity at high altitudes are different from those at sea level, and the differences are reflected in concomitant changes in attitude and behavior. Research into altitude as a training environment that could improve athletic endurance and performance has grown in the last decade, with the development of a number of new training methods, such as "Living High--Training Low" and "Training High--Living Low". These have contributed to an improvement of performance in a significant number of athletes. This article will demonstrate the impact and possible dangers of physical activity at high altitude, and will present the current knowledge and methods of altitude training. This article reviews the influence of low air and oxygen pressure on athletic performance. Recommendations are presented regarding physical activity at high altitude and nutritional support.