Morphological characteristics of the patellar tendon in runners, cyclists, triathletes, and physically active individuals.

The objective of the study was to compare measurements of length, thickness, and cross-section area (CSA) of the patellar tendon (PT) among cyclists, runners, triathletes, and physically active individuals (control group). Forty healthy individuals (10 cyclists, 10 runners, 10 triathletes, and 10 physically active individuals) aged between 18 and 45 years (30.3 ± 8.6 years) participated in the study. PT was measured by a B-mode ultrasound system. To measure the length and thickness (in 5, 10, 15, and 20 mm of the PT length) the probe was positioned parallel to the tendon and to measure the CSA the probe was positioned perpendicularly in 25, 50, and 75% of the PT length. PT length data were analyzed using a one-way ANOVA to compare between groups and PT CSA and thickness were analyzed using a two-way ANOVA (group vs. position) to compare the variables among the groups with the post-hoc Tukey test. All statistical analyses were performed considering p < 0.05. We observed a significant difference, where cyclists had smaller PT thickness (regardless of the location measured) compared to the group of triathletes (p = 0.001) and the physically active group (p = 0.043). All other variables (length, thickness, and CSA) and interactions (local and position) were not significant. We concluded that regardless of the position where PT thickness is measured, cyclists have smaller PT thickness compared to triathletes and physically active individuals but similar when compared to runners. And no differences in the length and CSA of the PT between groups.

A comparison of dietary acid load between team, endurance, and strength sports

ABSTRACT Purpose: Since the dietary acid load (PRAL) may affect the acid-base balance of the body, there is an increasing interest in its role in sports performance. Typical nutritional requirements of different sports, associated with its physiological demands, might be reflected in the acid load of their diet. Thus, the purpose of this study is to compare the dietary acid load between team, endurance, and strength athletes and to determine the associations between PRAL and hydration status. Methods: Fifty-one healthy recreational male athletes (age: 18-39 yrs) from team, endurance, and strength sports participated in the study. A 3-day food diary was recorded and dietary PRAL values (mEq/day) were calculated. Urine pH and specific gravity were measured. One-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc analysis and Pearson correlation coefficient (r) were used for data analysis. Results: PRAL in endurance athletes (25.34 mEq/day) was lower compared to team and strength athletes (46.12 and 46.47 mEq/day, respectively) (p= 0.023). Percentage of high PRAL diet (≥15 (mEq/day)) was highest in team sports (89.5%), followed by strength (83.3%) and endurance sports (60%). PRAL was not associated with hydration status. Conclusion: Typical nutritional requirements of sport disciplines are reflected in the PRAL, thus PRAL should be considered when preparing nutritional strategies to improve performance.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Dado que la carga ácida de la dieta (PRAL) puede afectar el equilibrio ácido-base del cuerpo, existe un interés creciente en su papel en el rendimiento deportivo. Los requerimientos nutricionales típicos de diferentes deportes, asociados con sus demandas fisiológicas, pueden reflejarse en la carga ácida de su dieta. Por lo tanto, el propósito de este estudio fue comparar la carga ácida de la dieta entre atletas de equipo, de resistencia y de fuerza, y determinar las asociaciones entre PRAL y el estado de hidratación. Métodos: Participaron en el estudio 51 atletas masculinos sanos (edad: 18-39 años) de deportes de equipo, de resistencia y de fuerza. Se registró un diario de alimentación de 3 días y se calcularon los valores de PRAL dietético (mEq/día). Se midieron el pH y la gravedad específica de la orina. Para el análisis de datos se utilizó ANOVA de una vía con análisis post-hoc de Bonferroni y coeficiente de correlación de Pearson (r). Resultados: PRAL en los atletas de resistencia (25,34 mEq/día) fue menor en comparación con los atletas de equipo y de fuerza (46,12 y 46,47 mEq/día, respectivamente) (p= 0,023). El porcentaje de dieta alta en PRAL (≥15 mEq/día) fue más alto en los deportes de equipo (89,5%), seguido de los deportes de fuerza (83,3%) y de resistencia (60%). PRAL no se asoció con el estado de hidratación. Conclusión: Los requerimientos nutricionales típicos de las disciplinas deportivas se reflejan en el PRAL, por lo que se debe considerar el PRAL al preparar estrategias nutricionales para mejorar el rendimiento.

Determinación de la intensidad relativa a partir de la FCmax, VO2max y velocidad en deportes de resistencia / Determination of relative intensity from the hrmax, vo2max and speed in endurance sports / Determinação da intensidade relativa a partir da fcmax, vo2max e velocidade em esportes de resistência

Objetivo: determinar la intensidad relativa de los umbrales ventilatorios (VT1 y VT2) a partir de los indicadores de la frecuencia cardíaca máxima (FCmax), el consumo máximo de oxígeno (VO2max) y la velocidad aeróbica máxima (VAM) en jóvenes deportistas en función de su especialidad deportiva y grupo de edad. Método: muestra compuesta por 400 deportistas de ambos sexos, del Centro de Tecnificación de Cheste (Valencia), clasificados en 3 grupos de edad: <12-13, 14-16 y 17-20 años, de especialidades deportivas de resistencia: atletismo (n=134), natación (n=135) y triatlón (n=131) respectivamente. Los datos se obtuvieron de un test ergoespirométrico incremental en rampa, siguiendo el protocolo de Wasserman. Resultados: los resultados derivados del Análisis de Varianza (ANOVA), indican que, para el caso de las especialidades deportivas, como para los grupos de edad, se han encontrado diferencias significativas (p<0,05) en todas las variables medidas. Conclusión: establecer las intensidades relativas, permite planificar el entrenamiento con las velocidades adecuadas y, por tanto, con un carácter del esfuerzo correcto, no erróneo.

Objective: To determine the relative intensity of the ventilatory threshold (VT1 and VT2) from the indicators of maximum heart rate (HRmax), maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and maximum aerobic speed (VAM), in young athletes based on their sports specialty and age group. Method: The sample is composed of 400 athletes of both sexes from the Sports Technification Centre in Cheste (Valencia) classified into 3 age groups: <12-13, 14-16 and 17-20 years, from endurance sports disciplines: athletics (n = 134), swimming (n = 135), and triathlon (n = 131). The data were obtained from an incremental ergospirometry test on a ramp, following the Wasserman protocol. Result: The results derived from the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) indicate that, in the case of sports disciplines, as for age groups, significant differences (p <0.05) have been found in all the measured variables. Conclusion: Establishing the relative intensities allows planning the training with the appropriate speeds and, therefore, with a character of the correct effort, not erroneous.

Objetivo: determinar a intensidade relativa dos umbrais ventilatórios (VT1 y VT2) a partir dos indicadores de frequência cardíaca máxima (FCmax), o consumo máximo de oxigênio (VO2max) e a velocidade aeróbica máxima (VAM) em jovens esportistas em função de sua especialidade esportiva e grupo de idade. Método: amostra composta por 400 esportistas de ambos os sexos do Centro de Tecnificação de Cheste (Valencia), classificados em 3 grupos de idade: <12-13, 14-16 e 17-20 anos, de especialidades esportivas de resistência: atletismo (n=134), natação (n=135) y triátlon (n=131) respetivamente. Os dados se obtiveram de um teste ergoespirométrico incremental em rampa, conforme o protocolo de Wasserman. Resultados: os resultados derivados da Análise de Varianza (ANOVA) indicam que para o caso das especialidades esportivas como para os grupos de idade se têm evidenciado diferenças significativas (p<0,05) em todas as variáveis medidas. Conclusão: estabelecer as intensidades relativas permite planificar o treinamento com velocidades adequadas e, por tanto, com um caráter de esforço correto não errôneo.