Nutritional knowledge, eating habits, factors affecting muscle damage, and antioxidant enzyme levels of Korean wrestlers.

PURPOSE: The aim in this study was to investigate the diet and nutritional knowledge of elite Korean wrestlers and verify the differences in their exercise performance , muscle damage indicators, and antioxidant enzyme levels according to wrestler level. METHODS: A 7-day dietary and nutrition knowledge survey was administered to 30 adult male elite wrestlers (national team: n=11; professional team: n=19). The Wingate test was conducted for 60 seconds to analyze muscle damage indicators and antioxidant levels. Blood and blood lactate concentration analyses were performed four times; the statistical significance level of all data was p<0.05. RESULTS: Significant differences were found in general nutrition knowledge questionnaire (GNKQ) scores (p=0.043), diet (p=0.001), anaerobic performance (p=0.001), muscle damage indicators (p=0.026), antioxidant levels, and blood lactic acid concentrations (30 min after exercise, p=0.007; 90 min after exercise, p=0.038) between the national and the professional groups. CONCLUSION: To the findings confirm the relationship between the differences in diet, nutrition, and motor function for wrestlers of different expertise levels. In a follow-up, a comprehensive study on nutrition knowledge, athlete training , and weight loss is needed that considers a wider scope of subjects and analyzes additional variables.

Physical strength, body composition, and G-test results of air force cadets based on nutrition knowledge differences.

The Gravitational Acceleration Test (G-test) is a demanding, and sophisticated high-intensity physical activity, greatly influenced by individual body composition and physical strength. This study analyzed the general nutrition knowledge questionnaire (GNKQ) responses of Air Force cadets to identify the relationship between nutrition knowledge, body composition, physical activity, physical strength, and gravity-induced loss of consciousness. Based on the G-test results, 105 fourth-year Air Force cadets were divided into two groups: GP (G-test pass group) and GF (G-test fail group). The analysis items were GNKQ responses, body composition, and physical strength analysis, based on which independent sample t-tests , and logistic regression analysis were conducted. Physical activity according to the G-test results was statistically higher in the GP compared to the GF (vigorous activity reps/week, p = 0.017; mins/day, p = 0.011). The GP Group showed a statistically high GNKQ score compared to the GF Group: Overall (p = 0.003), Section 1 (p < 0.001), and Section 2 (p = 0.002). Based on this study, it can be deduced that analyzing the effect G-test through continuous research over the next years and applying them to physical training will have a greater impact on the cadets' increased physical strength and their success on the G-test.

Effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on weight loss of Korean athletes: changes in athletes' physical activity and eating behavior.

PURPOSE: This study aims to examine the physical activity and eating habits of elite athletes to identify changes in their weight and participation levels in competitions pre- and post-COVID-19, and to establish a database of the abovementioned factors for the post-COVID-19 period. METHODS: This study surveyed 913 elite adult athletes from 22 sports. They were divided into two groups: weight loss athletes' group (WLG) and non-weight loss athletes' group (NWLG). In addition to demographic factors, the questionnaire included questions about physical activity, sleep, and eating habits pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic. The survey included 46 questions requiring short subjective answers. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: In the post-COVID-19 pandemic period, physical activity and sitting decreased in athletes of both groups. The difference in the number of meals consumed by both groups varied, and the number of tournaments the athletes participated in decreased for all sports. The success or failure of weight loss is essential for maintaining athletes' performance and health. CONCLUSION: Coaches play an important role in investigating and managing the weight loss regimen of athletes during crisis situations like a pandemic. Additionally, athletes must find the best way to maintain their competencies to the standards set before COVID-19. Adhering to such a regimen will have the greatest impact on their tournament participation in the post-COVID-19 pandemic period.

Gravitational Acceleration Test Results by Lifestyle and Physical Fitness of Air Force Cadets.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to analyze G test results according to the Three-Factor Eating Questionnaire (TFEQ), body composition, and physical fitness of fourth-grade air force cadets. This was done to identify the relationship between the TFEQ, body composition, and G resistance, in order to provide basic data for pilots and air force cadets to strengthen G tolerance.METHODS: From the Republic of Korea Air Force Academy (ROKAFA), 138 fourth-year cadets were assessed using the TFEQ and for body composition and physical fitness. Based on these measurement results, a G test result analysis and a correlation analysis were conducted.RESULT: The TFEQ showed statistically significant differences in several areas when comparing the G test pass group (GP group) to the G test fail group (GF group). Three-km running time was significantly faster in the GP group than in the GF group. Physical activity levels were higher in the GP group compared to the GF group.CONCLUSION: The TFEQ demonstrated utility in predicting whether cadets will pass or fail G-LOC testing. G test success for any cadet will require improvement in continuous eating behavior and physical fitness management. If variables affecting the G test are analyzed and applied to physical education and training through continuous research over the next two to three years, it is expected to have a greater effect on the success of the G test for every cadet.Sung J-Y, Kim I-K, Jeong D-H. Gravitational acceleration test results by lifestyle and physical fitness of air force cadets. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2023; 94(5):384-388.

Functional relationship between the anatomical structures of the calf and athletic ability.

Calf muscle plays an important function in driving the movement of stepping on the ground and moving forward when walking or running. The Achilles tendon has been reported to be closely related to the elasticity of tendons to absorb shock and rebound and convert energy into propulsion. We wanted to determine the effect and correlation of the anatomical structure of the calf region on function. Measurements of anatomical structures were conducted with 51 volunteers using ultrasonography, and exercise capacity tests were conducted to measure anaerobic power, elasticity, and flexibility. The mean power and length of the calf (LoC), muscle thickness (MT), and fascicle angle (FA) of the medial head of gastrocnemius (p < 0.001) showed the strongest positive correlation among the variables of anatomical structures. MT of the Gastrocnemius and LoC Gastrocnemius were also correlated with peak power. In the anatomical structure variables, the FA of the lateral head of gastrocnemius, length and width of the Achilles tendon, and part of the athletic ability, the standing long jump test and sitting trunk flexion test, were not significantly correlated. Based on these results, it can be concluded that the height and degree of development of the calf muscles are structures that affect the exercise of anaerobic power. Hence, it can be used as a predictor of athletic ability. Furthermore, the trainer can predict athletic ability according to the characteristics of the event by first understanding the athlete's physical condition.

The c-Abl inhibitor, radotinib induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells via mitochondrial-dependent pathway.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological cancer resulting from accumulated abnormal plasma cells. Unfortunately, MM remains an incurable disease, as relapse is very common. Therefore, there is urgent need to develop new treatment options for MM. Radotinib is a novel anti-cancer drug, currently approved in South Korea for the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia patients. Its mechanism of action involves inhibition of the tyrosine kinase Bcr-Abl and the platelet-derived growth factor receptor. Generally, the mechanism of inhibition of non-receptor tyrosine kinase c-Abl has played an essential role in the inhibition of cancer progression. However, little is known regarding the effects of the c-Abl inhibitor, radotinib on MM cells. In this study, we analyzed the effect of radotinib on multiple myeloma cells. Interestingly, radotinib caused apoptosis in MM cells including RPMI-8226, MM.1S, and IM-9 cells, even in the absence of c-kit expression in 2 of these lines. Radotinib treatment significantly increased the number Annexin V-positive cells and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potential in MM cells. Additionally, we observed that cytochrome C was localized in the cytosol of radotinib-treated MM cells. Moreover, radotinib decreased the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL, and increased the expression of Bax and Bak in MM cells. Furthermore, radotinib promoted caspase pathway activation by inducing the expression and activity of caspase-3, -7, and -9. Expression of cleaved PARP-1 was also increased by radotinib treatment in various MM cells. In addition, radotinib significantly suppressed MM cell growth in a xenograft animal model using RPMI-8226 cells, and killed ex vivo myeloma cells from patients. In conclusion, radotinib may play an important role as a candidate agent or chemosensitizer for the treatment of MM.

CD45dimCD34+CD38-CD133+ cells have the potential as leukemic stem cells in acute myeloid leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Leukemia stem cells (LSCs) in play an important role in the initiation, relapse, and progression of acute myeloid leukemia (AML), and in the development of chemotherapeutic drug resistance in AML. Studies regarding the detection of LSCs and the development of novel therapies for targeting them are extensive. The identification of LSCs and targeting therapies for them has been continuously under investigation. METHODS: We examined the levels of CD45dimCD34+CD38-CD133+ cells in bone marrow samples from patients with hematological malignancies and healthy controls, using four-color flow cytometry. RESULTS: Interestingly, the CD45dimCD34+CD38-CD133+ cells were highly expressed in the bone marrow of patients with AML compared to that in healthy controls (HC). Moreover, the proportions of CD45dimCD34+CD38-CD133+ cells were also examined in diverse hematological malignancies, including AML, CML, DLBCL, MM, MDS, HL, ALL, and CLL. LSCs were prominently detected in the BMCs isolated from patients with AML and CML, but rarely in BMCs isolated from patients with DLBCL, MM, MDS, ALL, CLL, and HL. Additionally, the high CD45dimCD34+CD38-CD133+ cell counts in AML patients served as a significantly poor risk factor for overall and event free survival. CONCLUSIONS: Therefore, our results suggest that CD45dimCD34+CD38-CD133+ cells in AML might potentially serve as LSCs. In addition, this cell population might represent a novel therapeutic target in AML.

Radotinib inhibits mitosis entry in acute myeloid leukemia cells via suppression of Aurora kinase A expression.

Aurora kinases play critical roles in regulating several processes pivotal for mitosis. Radotinib, which is approved in South Korea as a second-line treatment for chronic myeloid leukemia, inhibits the tyrosine kinase BCR-ABL and platelet-derived growth factor receptor. However, the effects of radotinib on Aurora kinase expression in acute myeloid leukemia are not well studied. Interestingly, the cytotoxicity of acute myeloid leukemia cells was increased by radotinib treatment. Radotinib significantly decreased the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 and cyclin B1, the key regulators of G2/M phase, and inhibited the expression of Aurora kinase A and Aurora kinase B in acute myeloid leukemia cells. In addition, radotinib decreased the expression and binding between p-Aurora kinase A and TPX2, which are required for spindle assembly. Furthermore, it reduced Aurora kinase A and polo-like kinase 1 phosphorylation and suppressed the expression of α-, ß-, and γ-tubulin in acute myeloid leukemia cells. Furthermore, radotinib significantly suppressed the key regulators of G2/M phase including cyclin B1 and Aurora kinase A in a xenograft animal model. Therefore, our results suggest that radotinib can abrogate acute myeloid leukemia cell growth both in vitro and in vivo and may serve as a candidate agent or a chemosensitizer for treating acute myeloid leukemia.

Effect of Spatone Supplement on Endurance Capacity and Inflammatory Cytokines in a Rapid Weight Control Program in University Wrestlers: A Pilot Study.

In this pilot study, we investigated the effect of spatone, a naturally occurring mineral water supplement, on endurance capacity and inflammatory cytokines in wrestlers undergoing a rapid weight control program. Nine amateur university wrestlers participated and were randomly divided into placebo- and spatone-treated groups. The study used a crossover design, including a 4-week washout period. The rapid weight control program was focused on body weight loss, while maintaining their athletic performance (muscular strength and cardiovascular endurance). The initial body weight was 87.19 ± 2.45 kg in the spatone-treated group and 86.60 ± 3.01 kg in the placebo group. After the rapid weight control program, the body weight decreased to 83.56 ± 2.71 kg (4.21% decrease) in the spatone-treated group and 82.95 ± 2.97 kg (4.16% decrease) in the placebo group. However, there were no significant differences in body weight or body composition between placebo- and spatone-treated groups. Endurance capacity improved significantly in terms of VO2max and lactate accumulation after spatone supplement. The interleukin (IL)-10, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and IL-6 concentrations were not altered with spatone treatment or placebo in the rapid weight-loss condition; however, a positive relationship (R = 0.643, P = .023) was observed between the change in IL-6 and VO2max. Thus, our results are consistent with prior studies in that spatone supplementation could protect against iron loss induced by intense training, considering that spatone affects the modulation of inflammatory cytokines and exercise capacity. These preliminary results serve to facilitate the planning for the nutritional application of spatone with their exercise program for wrestlers.