World-class long- distance running performances are best predicted by volume of easy runs and deliberate practice of short interval and tempo runs

The aim of this novel study was to analyze the effect of deliberate practice (DP) and easy runs completed by elite-standard and world-class long-distance runners on competitive performances during the first 7 years of their sport careers. Eighty-five male runners reported their best times in different running events and the amounts of different DP activities (tempo runs and short and long interval sessions) and 1 non-DP activity (easy continuous runs) after 3, 5 and 7 years of systematic training. Pearson’s correlations were calculated between performances (calculated using the IAAF scoring tables) and the distances run for the different activities (and overall total). Simple and Multiple Linear Regression Analysis calculated how well these activities predicted performance. Pearson’s correlations showed consistently large effects on performance of total distance (r ≥ 0.75, P < 0.001), easy runs (r ≥ 0.68, P < 0.001), tempo runs (r ≥ 0.50, P < 0.001) and short interval training (r ≥ 0.53, P < 0.001). Long interval training was not strongly correlated (r ≥ 0.22). Total distance accounted for significant variance in performance (R2 ≥ 0.57, P < 0.001). Of the training modes, Hierarchical Regression Analysis showed that easy runs and tempo runs were the activities that accounted for significant variance in performance (P < 0.01). Although DP activities, particularly tempo runs and short interval training, are important for improving performance, coaches should note that the non-DP activity of easy running was crucial in better performances, partly because of its contribution to total distance run

Estimation of the aroma potential of Grapes

Wine suffers important chemical transformations since the end of the fermentation process tillthe moment of consumption, whose object is the stabilization and maturation and fining ofwine organoleptic character. Within this context, the goal of the work is to understand thewine ageing process as a result of different enological variables involved in the formation ofsensory active molecules in wine. In particular, we aim to study the potential aromaticcomposition of wine as a function of its aroma precursor content along with the generationand degradation kinetics under the ageing conditions occurring in wine. For this purpose aseries of model solutions supplemented with, either flavor precursors extracted from differentgrape varieties, or with pure aromatic compounds, were submitted to an accelerated ageing(45&ordm;C for 60 days) simulating maturation in the bottle. Volatile compounds derived from grapeflavor precursors were extracted by SPE and determined by GC‐MS after diferent times ofageing. The model wine spiked with the pure aromatic compounds was employed to monitorthe hydrolysis kinetics and compounds stability. On the other hand, in the solution spiked withflavor precursors, major differences in concentration were observed during the first week ofaccelerated ageing. Most compounds exhibited an initial significant increase and furthersteady decrease in their concentrations. Results from this experiment were employed toestablish a mathematical model to determine the number of aromatic compounds present atdifferent moments of the ageing process

Commentaries on viewpoint : physiology and fast marathons

Q2Q1N/

Estimation of the aroma potential of Grapes

Wine suffers important chemical transformations since the end of the fermentation process tillthe moment of consumption, whose object is the stabilization and maturation and fining ofwine organoleptic character. Within this context, the goal of the work is to understand thewine ageing process as a result of different enological variables involved in the formation ofsensory active molecules in wine. In particular, we aim to study the potential aromaticcomposition of wine as a function of its aroma precursor content along with the generationand degradation kinetics under the ageing conditions occurring in wine. For this purpose aseries of model solutions supplemented with, either flavor precursors extracted from differentgrape varieties, or with pure aromatic compounds, were submitted to an accelerated ageing(45ºC for 60 days) simulating maturation in the bottle. Volatile compounds derived from grapeflavor precursors were extracted by SPE and determined by GC‐MS after diferent times ofageing. The model wine spiked with the pure aromatic compounds was employed to monitorthe hydrolysis kinetics and compounds stability. On the other hand, in the solution spiked withflavor precursors, major differences in concentration were observed during the first week ofaccelerated ageing. Most compounds exhibited an initial significant increase and furthersteady decrease in their concentrations. Results from this experiment were employed toestablish a mathematical model to determine the number of aromatic compounds present atdifferent moments of the ageing process.</jats:p

Vitellogenin and zona radiata proteins as biomarkers of endocrine disruption in peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus)

The aim of this study was to test a specific method for the detection of Vitellogenin (Vtg) and Zona Radiata Proteins (Zrp) in plasma from peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) as specific biomarkers for the evaluation of the effects of endocrine disruptors. The method was assayed with different peregrine falcon individuals (including mature and immature birds of both sexes) from a Spanish population being studied in terms of their contamination with organochlorine compounds with endocrine disrupting properties. This study shows that mouse anti bird Vtg monoclonal antibody ND3C3 (Biosense) seems to be the most specific antibody in binding plasmatic lipoproteins in peregrine falcon when compared to other anti Vtg antibodies. Rabbit anti salmon Zrp polyclonal antibodies O146 (Biosense) show cross-reactivity with Zrp in the samples studied. These preliminary results confirm the applicability of both of these diagnostic tools assayed (induction of Vtg and Zrp) in detecting exposure to Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals (EDCs) in this species. The increase of Vtg and Zrp detected in male specimens suggest a potential hazard to EDCs in the peregrine falcon which represents a species still affected by organochlorine compounds, and in particular those with estrogenic activity