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At least 1,639 records · Page 91Linked to original sources
PubMed2006

Measuring and predicting maximal aerobic power in international-level intermittent sport athletes.

AIM: The purpose of this study was to measure actual VO2max during the multi-stage fitness test (MSFT) and to compare this with predicted values obtained using previously established, commonly used methods. We also wanted to determine a new and more accurate regression equation for the prediction of VO2max in intermittent sport athletes. METHODS: Twenty-six, elite, male, intermittent sport athletes performed the MSFT with oxygen uptake (VO2) and heart rate (HR) measured throughout. Paired t-tests were used to compare measured VO2max with predicted VO2max. Linear regression was used to determine the equation for the prediction of VO2max from the total number of shuttles completed. RESULTS: There were no differences between the two methods of predicting VO2max, however, both predicted values (53.6+/-3.9 and 51.3+/-4 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) were significantly lower (9.3% and 13.2%, respectively) than measured VO2max (59.1+/-6.6 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1), P < 0.001). Correlations between measured and predicted VO2max were similar for both prediction methods (r = 0.61, P = 0.013 and r = 0.68 and P = 0.004). We present a new prediction equation [Y (VO2max, mL x kg(-1) x min(-1)) = 0.38 x total number of shuttles completed +25.98] (where R = 0.69; R2 = 0.48; SEE = 4.9 mL x kg(-1) x min(-1); SEE% = 8.3) which provides a more valid method of predicting actual max in intermittent sport athletes. CONCLUSIONS: A new regression equation to predict VO2max in intermittent sport athletes has been established. Whilst some error in predicting VO2max still exists, the new equation will provide coaches and sport-scientists with a more suitable equation with which to predict VO2max in intermittent sport athletes.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Lifestyles and health risks of collegiate athletes.

BACKGROUND: No study has comprehensively assessed the health behaviors of intercollegiate athletes. To determine whether they may be at increased risk for unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, we compared the lifestyle and health risk behaviors of a group of college athletes with those of their nonathletic peers. METHODS: A confidential survey questionnaire addressing preventable lifestyle behaviors was given to 109 intercollegiate athletes and 110 nonathlete controls. RESULTS: Athletes had a significantly (P less than .05) higher proportion of "risky" lifestyle behavior patterns compared with the nonathletes in the following areas: quantity of alcohol consumed; driving while intoxicated with alcohol or other drugs; riding with an intoxicated driver; use of seatbelts; use of helmets when riding a motorcycle or moped; use of contraception; number of sexually transmitted diseases; and number of sexual partners. CONCLUSIONS: College athletes appear to be at higher risk for certain maladaptive lifestyle behaviors. Comprehensive lifestyle assessment and preventive health intervention deserve further study to determine whether they can facilitate the adoption of positive lifestyle behaviors in this high-risk group.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Nontraumatic femur fracture in an oligomenorrheic athlete.

Exercise-associated amenorrhea is the cessation of menses in a woman following onset of training or an increase in training intensity. Its physiologic basis is characterized by consistently low levels of gonadotropin and ovarian hormones, but the underlying cause of this phenomenon is unknown. Although osteopenia has been described in amenorrheic women athletes, it has been primarily a laboratory diagnosis. Several recent studies have described a significantly lower bone mineral density (BMD) in the lumbar spine of amenorrheic athletes. Marcus et al. also reported an increased number of metatarsal and tibial stress fractures in a group of amenorrheic women. We report here the first case of a nontraumatic femur fracture in an amenorrheic athlete. A 32-yr-old white female, with four prior fibular stress fractures, suffered a left femoral shaft fracture during the 13th mile of a half-marathon. The fracture was successfully internally fixed. Biochemical studies showed no metabolic abnormality. Bone mineral density of the lumbar spine, femoral neck, tibia, and fibula were below the mean for both eumenorrheic and amenorrheic female athletes. Exercise-associated amenorrhea is a medical problem that may have serious implications for both competitive and high-intensity recreational female athletes.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Supraventricular reentry tachycardia and athletic fitness].

Paroxysmal supraventricular reciprocating tachycardias (PSRT) which are due to a different type of reentry including the atrioventricular reentry circuit of Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, may disturb the professional career of an athlete. Moreover even severe episodes of preexcited atrial fibrillation of WPW may occur. PSRT in athletes may present various clinical consequences: unimportant symptoms, or severe hemodynamic effects on the athletic performance particularly during sports activity at intrinsic high risk. The athletes are evaluated by clinical protocol which includes Holter monitoring ergometric test, echocardiography study, thyroid check and transesophageal electrophysiologic study at rest and during exercise. The arrhythmological study should be carefully performed in order to exclude an underlying heart disease, to study electrophysiological mechanisms and possible hemodynamic effect sports activity relate of the inducible and clinical tachyarrhythmias. Sometimes, these PSRT may disappear after interruption of athletic activity because of modifications of electrophysiological conditions related to the sports activity.

Electrocardiography, Ambulatory↗
PubMed1991

[The sports heart and its differentiation. Differential diagnosis of pathologic conditions in athletes].

A uniformly enlarged heart with increased performance is known as athlete's heart. The largest hearts are seen among endurance-trained athletes. The ratio mass to volume remains unchanged, both in endurance-trained and power-trained athletes, and a concentric type of hypertrophy is not induced by power training. Echocardiographic changes in the left ventricle are only slight. Such a heart is less common among athletes than is generally supposed. For differentiating between physiological and pathological hypertrophy, the history of sporting activity is of major importance, and can be defined by means of a score. The interruption or cessation of physical training results in regression of dilatation and hypertrophy. In non-competitive athletes cardiac enlargement must be considered pathological until proved otherwise.

Cardiomegaly↗
PubMed1991

Peak oxygen uptake and maximal power output of Olympic wheelchair-dependent athletes.

To extend the existing data base on the cardiovascular capacity of wheelchair-dependent athletes, a maximum wheelchair exercise test was conducted by 48 athletes (8 females and 40 males) on a motor driven treadmill. Athletes were selected on availability from the representatives of eight different disciplines. For 36 subjects maximal external power was calculated on the basis of a separate drag test. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) for the male population was 2.23 l.min-1 (32.9 ml.kg-1.min-1). Subjects were divided into functional categories according to the International Stoke Mandeville Classification, with one nonambulatory, nonparaplegic group classified as "LA." The LA group displayed the highest values while the class IC tetraplegic showed the lowest performance level. Classified over sports disciplines, male track and field representatives showed the highest VO2max (2.86 l.min-1, 44.9 ml.kg-1.min-1) and target shooting athletes the lowest (1.32 l.min-1, 16.3 ml.kg-2.min-1). Maximal power output was on average 81.1 W for the male population and varied from 65.8 W for class II athletes to 92.2 W for class LA. Between sports values ranged from 96.8 W for basketball players to 48.2 W for the archery representative. These data are useful for setting standards for maximally attainable performance levels in relation to sport, functional classification, or sex and underline the capability of the wheelchair-dependent to improve cardiovascular fitness.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Nutrition of the older athlete.

Nutritional needs and dietary goals of the older athlete involve meeting basic physiologic requirements of aging and exercise, promoting weight control, and incorporating guidelines for reducing the risk of chronic disease. Conservative dietary approaches to weight loss in the obese patient and a high-carbohydrate diet for maximum exercise performance are sound approaches, although diets often need to be individualized. Recent dietary recommendations to reduce fat and increase fiber can be applied without risk of compromising nutritional status for most patients. Guidance away from extremes in caloric restriction and in the distribution of calories may help to promote health and the maintenance of exercise activities. Although requirements for certain micronutrients are affected by aging, vitamin and mineral supplements are unlikely to be necessary for healthy adults and should meet basic criteria for safety if they are prescribed. Diet sources of calcium may require attention, although iron requirements are reduced among postmenopausal women when compared with younger athletes. Adequate fluid replacement is essential for athletes of all ages. For the older athlete who is competing in high-intensity endurance exercise, evidence for the usefulness of 4% to 10% carbohydrate-containing sports drinks exists. Little evidence supports the use of ergogenic aids, such as supplements and unusual food products. Resources and personalized guidance from a registered dietitian can be helpful for many older athletes.

Aged↗
PubMed1991

Are high-performance young women athletes doomed to become low-performance old wives? A reconsideration of the increased risk of osteoporosis in amenorrheic women.

Osteoporosis and athletic amenorrhea are now well-established findings in top level women athletes. Specifically trabecular bone appears to be affected. Since these two phenomena seem to occur simultaneously, questions have been raised as to the underlying mechanisms and whether physical exercise, which had been proven to exert a positive beneficial effect under normal conditions, should be held responsible. Although hypo-estrogenic status, body composition, and nutritional deficiency have been offered as possible explanations, none of these can be solely regarded as completely satisfactory. As for athletic amenorrhea itself, low estrogens are probably secondary to other phenomena and may only be related indirectly to osteoporosis. Whether they interfere with nutritional uptake is obscure. Possibly, endogenous opioid peptides are involved as an unnegligible mediator. As an important practical consequence it should be pointed out that osteoporosis in women athletes will be only detected incidentally; a fact which could obstruct timely intervention, though whether therapy is necessary remains open to discussion. The discovery that amenorrheic athletes subject to more severe training have a higher bone density than less engaged amenorrheic colleagues, can only be in favor of physical exercise, even under these conditions.

Aging↗
PubMed1991

[Non-invasive detection of left ventricular diastolic function in variously trained endurance athletes during a marathon run with pulsed Doppler sonography].

UNLABELLED: To evaluate left ventricular (LV) diastolic function in long distance runners LV filling parameters were assessed by Doppler echocardiography during marathon race in 23 male subjects. On the basis of their personal record the athletes were divided into two groups: 12 endurance athletes (END; 218 min over 42 km) aged 34 years (29/37, median and 25%/75%-percentiles) and 11 ultra endurance athletes (ULTRA; 152 min over 42 km) aged 32 years (28/37). At rest 21 healthy untrained subjects (UT) aged 33 years (28/37) served as control group. In long distance runners the values for LV mass and LV mass index were significantly higher in END with 210 (168/253) g rsp. 110 (87/135) g/m2 and in ULTRA with 225 (179/267) g rsp. 118 (93/142) g/m2 as compared to UT with 129 (105/162) g rsp. 68 (57/79) g/m2 (p less than 0.001 each). Doppler-derived mitral flow was characterized by the early passive (E wave) and late (A wave) diastolic inflow. In particular atrial filling fraction (AFF) as the relative atrial contribution to LV filling was measured. At rest and at km 21 we saw a normal filling behaviour (AFF = 27% bzw. 28%) in both groups of long distance runners with an AFF of 27 (26/29)% in END and an AFF of 28 (26/29) in ULTRA. In END AFF rose to 42 (38/47)% at km 42 (p less than 0.001) and remained significantly elevated with 37 (35/42)% until 30 min post marathon (p less than 0.05). Only 60 min post exercise AFF returned to baseline values with an AFF of 28 (25/39)% in END. In contrast at km 42 in ULTRA AFF was significantly lower and at baseline levels with 26 (25/29)% compared to END (p less than 0.001) and did not significantly change in the further course of the post running period. CONCLUSION: Long distance runners show a normal LV filling behaviour at rest despite significant LV hypertrophy. In contrast to top class athletes (ULTRA) there is a shift of LV filling from early (E wave) to late (A wave) diastole in less trained runners (END) during marathon. Thus, the results indicate an impairment of early diastolic LV filling in amateur endurance athletes (END) during extreme physical exercise.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

Depression and chronic fatigue in the high school student and athlete.

By presenting the salient aspects of a case study of a high school student athlete, we have attempted to show how participation in sports can negatively impact on self-concept, self-esteem, physical acceptance, and self-efficacy, thereby contributing to an overall feeling of inadequacy, helplessness, hopelessness, and ultimately leading to depression and chronic fatigue. An early maturer, this student experienced early success in several sports without a great deal of effort and investment, and derived much of his sense of being from the recognition and reinforcement accorded him by significant others, most notably from a father who placed a higher premium on success in athletics than on other equally worthwhile pursuits. When continued success was not forthcoming, and as later-maturing peers caught up to and surpassed his athletic accomplishments, the student sought to protect his sense of self-esteem by rationalizing that his lack of success was due to a physical problem. He became obsessed with the thought that he was gradually losing his athletic identity and he lapsed deeper and deeper into a depressed state. His compulsive overtraining and starvation diet failed to produce his image of the "ideal body" that, of course, was unachievable because of his distorted view of reality. Ultimately, this behavior resulted in hospitalization for treatment of an eating disorder and clinical depression. Even a successful senior football season after his psychiatric care could not filter through his distorted perceptions and he could not cope with the thought of participating in another track and field season and having his performance bested by others whom he had once handily beaten. Thus, once again, he engaged in self-protective behavior and sought verification from sportsmedicine professionals. Diagnosis of Tom's condition was possible only through the collaborative efforts of the athletic trainer, physical therapist, sport psychologist, and family physician. Professionals involved in sportsmedicine must be aware of the critical role that highly valued activities like sports play in the psychosocial development of adolescents. To the adult, these activities may seem trivial, frivolous, and removed from the "real world," but to the adolescent, they are an important source of self-esteem during a critical and volatile period of self-concept edification. During a period of awakening sexuality and heightened awareness of their physical being, activities that emphasize the physical aspect of self gain prominence. Those who derive positive experiences benefit from enhanced feelings of physical self-efficacy and self-esteem.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Depression and chronic fatigue in the college student-athlete.

For the most part, the intercollegiate athlete is a well-adjusted individual who demonstrates considerable vigor and well-being and less depression, anxiety, and fatigue when compared with nonathletic counterparts. The well trained athlete also demonstrates a personality that may be somewhat rigid, is strongly goal oriented, and strives for excellence. It is not unrealistic to expect that when confronted with diminished performance or success, athletes may be compelled to drive themselves harder to succeed. Such behavior typically leads to the phenomenon of overtraining, which can express itself in the form of chronic fatigue and depression. A number of other organic causes of chronic fatigue and depression must be excluded by careful evaluation and appropriate diagnostic testing. Although the evaluation of the athlete who presents with chronic fatigue and depression can be somewhat complex, a diagnostic framework has been outlined that may assist the clinician in the assessment of the athlete who presents with such complaints.

Adult↗
PubMed1991

[Subjective health and career status of former top athletes. A controlled 15-year follow-up study].

36 former Swiss elite athletes, all of them members of the National team in 1973, were re-examined in 1988 at an average age of 42 years, together with a control group of 23 normally active men. In 1988, maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was 68 +/- 5 ml/kg.min in the 18 still active runners, 55 +/- 8 ml/kg.min in the 9 inactive former runners, 45 +/- 6 ml/kg.min in bobsledders, and 44 +/- 6 ml/kg.min in controls. In 1988, the 27 runners had modest but significantly more frequent radiological signs of degenerative hip disease than non-runners, while no influence of long-term physical training on the radiological state of the ankle joint was found. In 1988, runners tended to report themselves healthier; subgroup analyses revealed 1) that this superior self-rated health was confined to those runners still active in 1988 (p less than 0.05) and that VO2max in 1988 was associated with subjective wellbeing (p less than 0.05), and 2) that body fat content was the strongest negative predictor of self-rated health (p = 0.001). 22% of former elite athletes indicated chronic, sports-related complaints but nevertheless rated their health as good as their athletic counterparts free of complaints. 53% of the elite athletes felt that the "benefits" of their own sports career outweighed its "costs", and in two of five of all athletes even "by far". This attitude was neither significantly influenced by the existence of chronic sports-related complaints nor by radiological signs of degenerative hip disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adult↗
PubMed1990

The somatotype of Puerto Rican male athletes at the X Pan American Games: a brief descriptive report.

The purpose of this study was to determine and describe the Health-Carter anthropometric somatotype and other selected anthropometric characteristics of top class Puerto Rican athletes. One hundred and forty seven (147) male athletes, members of the Puerto Rico Olympic Committee delegation to the X Pan American Games were evaluated. The sample represented 84% of the total number of male athletes. Nineteen different sports were represented. The results indicated that gymnasts (18.3 +/- 4.0 years), swimmers (18.5 +/- 2.9 years) and table tennists (19.3 +/- 3.5 years) were the group with the minimum age. The maximal age was demonstrated by shooters (40.2 +/- 7.8 years). The height range was 158.1 +/- 6.3 cm (judoists) to 193.8 +/- 15.2 cm (basketball players). The minimum weight was demonstrated by the group of gymnasts (57.8 +/- 10.3 kg) and the maximal by basketball players (94.2 +/- 18.6 kg). The endomorphy ratings for track and field-jumpers [TF JUMPS] (1.8 +/- 0.6), gymnasts (1.8 +/- 0.4) and rowers (1.9 +/- 0.5) were low. The group with the maximal endomorphy rating was the shooters (5.4 +/- 1.6). The minimum and maximal ratings for mesomorphy was 3.8 +/- 0.8 (TF JUMPS) and 8.9 +/- 1.9 (weight lifters), respectively. The range of the ectomorphy rating was 0.4 +/- 0.6 (weight lifters) to 3.8 +/- 0.9 (TF JUMPS). In conclusion, the results seem to indicate that the somatotypes of the Puerto Rican top class athletes are within the range demonstrated by international top class athletes.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Nutrition and athletic performance.

Energy, CHO and possibly protein needs are higher for athletes than for typical persons. CHO supplementation during and after exercise is important for endurance athletes. A balanced diet, adequate in calories, can meet the vitamin and mineral needs of virtually all athletes. Athletes must be aware of maintaining an optimum hydration status. Intensive nutrition education efforts are needed to combat to combat quackery and fads that are targeted to athletes.

Diet↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Spondylolysis and the sacro-horizontal angle in athletes.

The frequency of spondylolysis and the relationship between spondylolysis and the sacro-horizontal angle in 143 athletes and 30 non-athletes is reported. Athletes had a larger sacro-horizontal angle than non-athletes. The sacro-horizontal angle was larger in athletes with spondylolysis as compared with those without. An increased incidence of spondylolysis with an increased angle was demonstrated. It is suggested that an increased sacro-horizontal angle may predispose to spondylolysis, especially in combination with the high mechanical loads sustained in certain sports.

Adolescent↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Lower lifetime occurrence of breast cancer and cancers of the reproductive system among former college athletes.

The prevalence (lifetime occurrence) rate of cancers of the reproductive system (uterus, ovary, cervix, and vagina) and breast was determined for 5,398 living college alumnae, 2,622 of whom were former college athletes and 2,776 nonathletes, from data on medical and reproductive history, athletic training, and diet. The former athletes had a significantly lower risk of cancer of the breast and reproductive system than did the nonathletes. The relative risk (RR), nonathletes/athletes, for cancers of the reproductive system was 2.53, 95% confidence limits (CL) (1.17, 5.47). The RR for breast cancer was 1.86, 95% CL (1.00, 3.47). The analysis controlled for potential confounding factors, including age, family history of cancer, age at menarche, number of pregnancies, use of oral contraceptives, use of estrogen in the menopausal period, smoking, and leanness. Of the college athletes, 82.4% had been on precollege teams compared with 24.9% of the college nonathletes. We conclude that long-term athletic training lowers the risk of breast cancer and cancers of the reproductive system. The lowered risk may be related to changes in estrogen metabolism associated with increased leanness.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Studies concerning chronic and acute effects of L-carnitine on some biological parameters in elite athletes.

Chronic and acute effects of L-carnitine have been recorded in a group of elite athletes by a prospective double blind placebo controlled trial. Forty top athletes (20 boys, kayak-canoë, 10 weightlifters and 10 girls, rowers) received orall 3 g L-carnitine daily for 3 weeks while 38 top athletes (20 kayak-canoë, 8 weightlifters and 10 rowers) received the same medicine as placebo. Significant changes were registered in the treated group concerning FFA and triglycerides, strength index, VO2max., urinary mucoproteins and in the control group concerning Ld (distal latency). All athletes were under medical supervision and had a controlled training program and food. The effects of a single oral dose (4 g L-carnitine were recorded in a group of 18 top weightlifters under basal conditions and 90' after L-carnitine ingestion. Significant changes in the treated group were registered for the FFA, triglycerides, urinary mucoproteins and distal latency of the right and left median nerve. Based on these data the authors recommend this aminoacid both for chronic and acute effects as a physiological mean for the biological preparation of elite athletes during hard training and competitions.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1987

Adverse effects of anabolic steroids in athletes.

The effects of anabolic steroid use on athletic performance and the adverse effects associated with the use of anabolic steroids are reviewed. Anabolic steroids increase protein synthesis in skeletal muscles and reverse catabolic processes. Because of these properties, some athletes use anabolic steroids in an attempt to improve their athletic performance. However, studies indicate that increases in muscle mass and strength during anabolic steroid administration are observed only in athletes who already are weight-trained and who continue intensive training while maintaining high-protein, high-calorie diets. Adverse effects attributed to anabolic steroid use occur frequently. Serious adverse effects include hepatic and endocrine dysfunction; cardiovascular and behavioral changes also are reported. Some of the adverse effects associated with the use of these agents are irreversible, particularly in women. The use of anabolic steroids to improve athletic performance has become prevalent. However, the reported benefits are tempered by numerous adverse reactions.

Aggression↗