Physical determinants of Division 1 Collegiate basketball, Women’s National Basketball League and Women’s National Basketball Association athletes: with reference to lower body sidedness

In female basketball the assumed components of success include power, agility, and the proficiency at executing movements using each limb. However, the importance of these attributes in discriminating between playing levels in female basketball have yet to be determined. The purpose of this study was to compare lower body power, change of direction (COD) speed, agility, and lower-body sidedness between basketball athletes participating in Division 1 Collegiate basketball (United States), Women\u27s National Basketball League (WNBL) (Australia), and Women\u27s National Basketball Association (WNBA) (United States). Fifteen female athletes from each league (N = 45) completed a double and single leg counter-movement jump, static jump, drop jump, 5-0-5 COD Test, and an offensive and defensive Agility Test. One-way analysis of variance with post-hoc comparisons, were conducted to compare differences in physical characteristics (height, body mass, age) and performance outcomes (jump, COD, agility assessments) between playing levels. Separate dependent t-tests were performed to compare lower body sidedness (left vs. right lower-limbs) during the single-leg CMJ jumps (vertical jump height) and 5-0-5 COD test for each limb within each playing level. WNBA athletes displayed significantly greater lower body power (P = 0.01 - 0.03) compared to WNBL athletes, significantly faster COD speed (P = 0.02 - 0.03), and offensive and defensive agility performance (P = 0.02 - 0.03) compared to WNBL and Collegiate athletes. WNBL athletes also produced faster defensive agility performance compared to Collegiate athletes (P = 0.02). Further, WNBA and WNBL athletes exhibited reduced lower body sidedness compared to Collegiate athletes. These findings indicate the importance of lower body power, agility, and reduced lower body imbalances to execute more proficient on court movements, required to compete at higher playing levels. Copyright (C) 2017 by the National Strength & Conditioning Association

The creatine kinase system and pleiotropic effects of creatine

The pleiotropic effects of creatine (Cr) are based mostly on the functions of the enzyme creatine kinase (CK) and its high-energy product phosphocreatine (PCr). Multidisciplinary studies have established molecular, cellular, organ and somatic functions of the CK/PCr system, in particular for cells and tissues with high and intermittent energy fluctuations. These studies include tissue-specific expression and subcellular localization of CK isoforms, high-resolution molecular structures and structure–function relationships, transgenic CK abrogation and reverse genetic approaches. Three energy-related physiological principles emerge, namely that the CK/PCr systems functions as (a) an immediately available temporal energy buffer, (b) a spatial energy buffer or intracellular energy transport system (the CK/PCr energy shuttle or circuit) and (c) a metabolic regulator. The CK/PCr energy shuttle connects sites of ATP production (glycolysis and mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation) with subcellular sites of ATP utilization (ATPases). Thus, diffusion limitations of ADP and ATP are overcome by PCr/Cr shuttling, as most clearly seen in polar cells such as spermatozoa, retina photoreceptor cells and sensory hair bundles of the inner ear. The CK/PCr system relies on the close exchange of substrates and products between CK isoforms and ATP-generating or -consuming processes. Mitochondrial CK in the mitochondrial outer compartment, for example, is tightly coupled to ATP export via adenine nucleotide transporter or carrier (ANT) and thus ATP-synthesis and respiratory chain activity, releasing PCr into the cytosol. This coupling also reduces formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and inhibits mitochondrial permeability transition, an early event in apoptosis. Cr itself may also act as a direct and/or indirect anti-oxidant, while PCr can interact with and protect cellular membranes. Collectively, these factors may well explain the beneficial effects of Cr supplementation. The stimulating effects of Cr for muscle and bone growth and maintenance, and especially in neuroprotection, are now recognized and the first clinical studies are underway. Novel socio-economically relevant applications of Cr supplementation are emerging, e.g. for senior people, intensive care units and dialysis patients, who are notoriously Cr-depleted. Also, Cr will likely be beneficial for the healthy development of premature infants, who after separation from the placenta depend on external Cr. Cr supplementation of pregnant and lactating women, as well as of babies and infants are likely to be of benefit for child development. Last but not least, Cr harbours a global ecological potential as an additive for animal feed, replacing meat- and fish meal for animal (poultry and swine) and fish aqua farming. This may help to alleviate human starvation and at the same time prevent over-fishing of oceans

ISSN exercise & sport nutrition review: research & recommendations

Sports nutrition is a constantly evolving field with hundreds of research papers published annually. For this reason, keeping up to date with the literature is often difficult. This paper is a five year update of the sports nutrition review article published as the lead paper to launch the JISSN in 2004 and presents a well-referenced overview of the current state of the science related to how to optimize training and athletic performance through nutrition. More specifically, this paper provides an overview of: 1.) The definitional category of ergogenic aids and dietary supplements; 2.) How dietary supplements are legally regulated; 3.) How to evaluate the scientific merit of nutritional supplements; 4.) General nutritional strategies to optimize performance and enhance recovery; and, 5.) An overview of our current understanding of the ergogenic value of nutrition and dietary supplementation in regards to weight gain, weight loss, and performance enhancement. Our hope is that ISSN members and individuals interested in sports nutrition find this review useful in their daily practice and consultation with their clients

Microbial shifts in the aging mouse gut

YesBackground: The changes that occur in the microbiome of aging individuals are unclear, especially in light of the imperfect correlation of frailty with age. Studies in older human subjects have reported subtle effects, but these results may be confounded by other variables that often change with age such as diet and place of residence. To test these associations in a more controlled model system, we examined the relationship between age, frailty, and the gut microbiome of female C57BL/6 J mice. Results: The frailty index, which is based on the evaluation of 31 clinical signs of deterioration in mice, showed a near-perfect correlation with age. We observed a statistically significant relationship between age and the taxonomic composition of the corresponding microbiome. Consistent with previous human studies, the Rikenellaceae family, which includes the Alistipes genus, was the most significantly overrepresented taxon within middle-aged and older mice. The functional profile of the mouse gut microbiome also varied with host age and frailty. Bacterial-encoded functions that were underrepresented in older mice included cobalamin (B12) and biotin (B7) biosynthesis, and bacterial SOS genes associated with DNA repair. Conversely, creatine degradation, associated with muscle wasting, was overrepresented within the gut microbiomes of the older mice, as were bacterial-encoded β-glucuronidases, which can influence drug-induced epithelial cell toxicity. Older mice also showed an overabundance of monosaccharide utilization genes relative to di-, oligo-, and polysaccharide utilization genes, which may have a substantial impact on gut homeostasis. Conclusion: We have identified taxonomic and functional patterns that correlate with age and frailty in the mouse microbiome. Differences in functions related to host nutrition and drug pharmacology vary in an age-dependent manner, suggesting that the availability and timing of essential functions may differ significantly with age and frailty. Future work with larger cohorts of mice will aim to separate the effects of age and frailty, and other factors.This work was supported by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) through an Emerging Team Grant to RGB, CIHR Operating Grants to Langille et al. Microbiome 2014, 2:50 Page 10 of 12 http://www.microbiomejournal.com/content/2/1/50 SEH (MOP 126018) and RAR (MOP 93718), and a CIHR Fellowship to MGIL. Infrastructure was supported by the Canada Foundation for Innovation through a grant to RGB. RGB also acknowledges the support of the Canada Research Chairs program

A higher effort-based paradigm in physical activity and exercise for public health: making the case for a greater emphasis on resistance training

It is well known that physical activity and exercise is associated with a lower risk of a range of morbidities and all-cause mortality. Further, it appears that risk reductions are greater when physical activity and/or exercise is performed at a higher intensity of effort. Why this may be the case is perhaps explained by the accumulating evidence linking physical fitness and performance outcomes (e.g. cardiorespiratory fitness, strength, and muscle mass) also to morbidity and mortality risk. Current guidelines about the performance of moderate/vigorous physical activity using aerobic exercise modes focuses upon the accumulation of a minimum volume of physical activity and/or exercise, and have thus far produced disappointing outcomes. As such there has been increased interest in the use of higher effort physical activity and exercise as being potentially more efficacious. Though there is currently debate as to the effectiveness of public health prescription based around higher effort physical activity and exercise, most discussion around this has focused upon modes considered to be traditionally ‘aerobic’ (e.g. running, cycling, rowing, swimming etc.). A mode customarily performed to a relatively high intensity of effort that we believe has been overlooked is resistance training. Current guidelines do include recommendations to engage in ‘muscle strengthening activities’ though there has been very little emphasis upon these modes in either research or public health effort. As such the purpose of this debate article is to discuss the emerging higher effort paradigm in physical activity and exercise for public health and to make a case for why there should be a greater emphasis placed upon resistance training as a mode in this paradigm shift

Associations between vigorous exercise and moderate activity patterns with disease prevalence in Central Queensland

Dalbo, VJ ORCiD: 0000-0002-5944-7558; Humphries, B ORCiD: 0000-0003-0153-3629Introduction: In order to gain health benefits, Australian adults are encouraged to accumulate 30 min of physical activity, at moderate or greater intensity, on most days of the week. Sufficient physical activity has been interpreted in various ways. For example, the ACSM has endorsed the recommendation that all healthy adults should undertake a minimum of 30 min of moderate intensity exercise on at least 5 days of the week or 20 min of vigorous activity on at least 3 days of the week. This study investigated associations between self-reported physical activity patterns and selected diseases in randomly selected adults living in Central Queensland, Australia. Methods: 1289 participants (male = 635, female 654) provided responses to a direct-dial, land-based telephone survey that was conducted using a computer-assisted telephone-interview survey in October–November 2010. Participants were asked to answer questions including age, gender, stature, mass, and health status along with the Active Australia Physical Activity questions. The strength of association between variables was determined using odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Results: 42% of respondents reported that they undertook sufficient physical activity (defined as the completion of 150 min or more of moderate and vigorous activity in the past week, where the time of vigorous activity was doubled) and 23% reported greater than 60 min of vigorous activity. Sufficient physical activity was associated with decreased prevalence of overweight and obesity (OR: 0.59, 0.46–0.75), diabetes (OR: 0.65, 0.44–0.96), arthritis (OR: 0.73, 0.56–0.96), bone disease (OR: 0.62, 0.39–0.97), and depression and anxiety (OR: 0.48, 0.34–0.68). Undertaking 60 min or more vigorous activity was associated with decreased prevalence of overweight and obesity (OR: 0.61, 0.46–0.80), diabetes (OR: 0.48, 0.28–0.83), heart disease (OR: 0.43, 0.25–0.74), abnormal blood pressure (OR: 0.61, 0.45–0.82), elevated cholesterol (OR: 0.58, 0.41–0.82), arthritis (OR: 0.52, 0.37–0.74), bone disease (OR: 0.49, 0.26–0.91), back pain (OR: 0.74, 0.56–0.98), and depression and anxiety (OR: 0.27, 0.16–0.45). Conclusions: Sufficient physical activity was associated with reduced risk of obesity, depression and anxiety, and selected diseases. Nevertheless, more frequent and stronger associations were evident with health outcomes when respondents accumulated 60 min or more of vigorous exercise. Therefore, vigorous activity patterns might provide additional information when assessing the risk of various hypokinetic diseases and researchers using the Active Australia Physical Activity questions should consider refining the definition of sufficient physical activity to include the accumulation of 60 min of vigorous exercise

Chronic kidney disease and cardiovascular disease in Australia: A comparative cost analysis

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is the most expensive disease group in Australia, accounting for 11% of total healthcare expenditure. However, according to an Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIWH) report produced in 2011, CVD-related hospitalization rates, which account for nearly half of CVD-related cost, have fallen over the past decade. In contrast, the number of patients being treated for chronic kidney disease (CKD) has increased. Therefore, the aim of this study was to predict the overall cost per-patient cost associated with CKD and CVD. Methods: Data published by the Australia and New Zealand Dialysis and Transplant Registry (ANZDATA) and the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) were used to compare CKD and CVD costs. Renal replacement therapy (RRT) costs were also examined as they are the primary contributor to CKD expenditure. Disease prevalence and cost predictions were made using a linear regression model. Results: CKD and RRT prevalence, per-patient expenditure, and overall expenditure are increasing more quickly than CVD. By 2020, the prevalence of RRT patients is estimated to increase by 29% (2012: 20,428, 95% CI: 14,215–26,640; 2020: 26,346, 95% CI: 15,950–36,742) compared to a 7% increase in CVD prevalence (2012: 3.5 M, 95% CI: 3.3M–3.8 M; 2020: 3.8 M, 95% CI: 3.4M–4.2 M). In this regard, CKD- and RRT-related expenditures are both estimated to increase by 41% (CKD: 2012: $1.5B, 95$1.2B–$1.9B; 2020:$2.2B, 95% CI: $1.6B–$2.8B) (RRT: 2012: $1.3B, 95$925M–$1.7B; 2020:$1.9B, 95% CI: $1.2B–$2.5B) compared to a 14% increase in CVD-related expenditure (2012: $6.9B, 95$6.7B–$7.1B; 2020:$7.8B, 95% CI: $7.4B–$8.2B). Furthermore, the average annual RRT patient cost is estimated to increase by 23% (2012: $68,027, 95$41,572–$94,483; 2020:$83,806, 95% CI: $39,573–$128,075) compared to an 8% increase in average annual CVD patient cost (2012: $1,956, 95$1,854–$2,058; 2020:$2,112, 95% CI: $1,938–$2,286). Discussion: The substantial healthcare costs associated with CVD are due to the large number of patients who suffer from this category of disease. When examined on a per-patient basis, CKD produces a considerably higher financial burden on Australia's healthcare system. Given the high per-patient cost and increasing prevalence of CKD, research focusing on novel prevention and/or therapeutic interventions is warranted. Individualized interventions, such as supervised exercise training, might be a cost-effective means of therapy for CKD patients