Nutritional behavior while ski-mountaineering: An analysis from the Swiss Alps

The aim of this study was to analyze nutritional habits of well-trained alpinists during a standard ski mountaineering tour. Therefore a sample of eighteen male ski mountaineers (25 ± 5.8 years, 73.2 ± 6.1 kg, 180.2 ± 6.8 cm) were questioned after absolving a typical ski mountaineering tour e.g. Finsterarhorn 4274 meter (Cantone Bern); Gross Ruchen 3183 meter (Cantone Glarus); L'aiguille de la Tsa 3668 meter (Cantone Wallis). It was detected, that nutritional habits differed widely. From bread to meat and chocolate a broad range of nutritionals were consumed. Interestingly, despite the physiological demands special sports nutrition such as gels or special sport bars were not widely used. Lots of alpinists also consumed fruits or dried fruits such as apples or dried apricots. Interestingly, only one person paid special attention to salt intake. Fluid intake seemed with an average of 1.39 ± 0.68 liter per tour relatively low. This was probably also due to the aim of reducing backpack weight allowing to faster reach the peak while increasing security. Due to the low fluid intake Alpinists are encouraged to be well hydrated when starting and to drink sufficiently after finishing tours, especially when tours of several days are absolved a fast rehydration improves recovering and reduces risks of accidents in further tours in the following days

Analysis of speed strategies during World Orienteering Championships

The aim of this study was to analyse if better orienteers run more constant yielding to suggest the better the place, the more constant the pace. In principle, this premise is supported from a biological point of view of the aerobe-anaerobic threshold concept, which is well elucidated in long distance running and implies that a constant pace slightly below the threshold leads to maximal performance through regularly use of cardiopulmonary and musculoskeletal system. To test this assumption race times of orienteers from the world championships at the Swedish Westcoast in Strömstad / Tanum were analysed concerning their steadiness of speed during the final course of middle and long-distance races. Interestingly statistical analyses mainly support the premise of relevance of steadiness in running. In woman, for long/middle distance a coefficient of determination between time and steadiness (calculated as standard deviation of all percentage deviations of individual split times and best time) of R2 = 0.254 respectively of R2 = 0.825 was detected. In men, for long/middle distance of R2 = 0.176 respectively of R2 = 0.472. Although, the method does not allow to strictly distinguish between cognitive and biological factors, it is implied that world class orienteers or more general orienteers get best results if running as constant as possible probably slightly below anaerobic threshold

Strength training in seniors: The knowledge of positive aspects of eccentric training in elderly is sparse

Eccentric (lengthening) resistance training respectively muscle work requires a lower share of cardiac activity in comparison to concentric (shortening) muscle work. Especially in seniors suffering from cardiovascular diseases (still the most common cause of death in industrialized countries) this kind of activity is predisposed due to its possibility of high stimulation of musculoskeletal system only partly (20-25%) stimulating cardiovascular system. Comprehension of positive aspects was addressed for a sample of people doing regular work out while having access to concentric and eccentric training stations. 38 females (57 ± 15.7 years / 163.3 ± 19.4 cm / 63.6 ± 10.4 kg) and 36 males (57.6 ± 16.9 years / 177.4 ± 6.9 cm / 80.6 ± 8.7 kg) visiting at least once a week a fitness mall with access to eccentric and concentric training stations were asked concerning cardiovascular diseases, their corresponding risk factors and their own experience with eccentric muscle training. Differences in the perception of eccentric muscle training compared to concentric training were reported by 18 women and 24 men, however reported Rates of perceived Exertion measured by BORG-Scale (6-20) did not significantly differ. A positive Bias that especially persons with cardiovascular illnesses respectively risk factors preferred this kind of activity was not detectable and knowledge of positive aspects of eccentric training was sparse. General practitioners are encouraged to inform patients of the existence of positive aspects of eccentric muscle training and to motivate patients to absolve their training respectively

How Is CYP17A1 Activity Altered in Autism? A Pilot Study to Identify Potential Pharmacological Targets.

Background: Increasing evidence exists that higher levels of androgens can be found in individuals with autism. Evidence yields to a susceptible role of Cytochrome P450 17A1 (CYP17A1) with its catalyzation of the two distinct types of substrate oxidation by a hydroxylase activity (17-alpha hydroxylase) and C17/20 lyase activity. However, to what extent steps are altered in affected children with autism versus healthy controls remains to be elucidated. Methods: Urine samples from 48 boys with autism (BMI 19.1 ± 0.6 kg/m2, age 14.2 ± 0.5 years) and a matched cohort of 48 healthy boys (BMI 18.6 ± 0.3 kg/m2, 14.3 ± 0.5 years) as well as 16 girls with autism (BMI 17.5 ± 0.7 kg/m2, age 13.8 ± 1.0 years) and a matched cohort of 16 healthy girls (BMI 17.2 ± 0.8 kg/m2, age 13.2 ± 0.8 years) were analyzed for steroid hormone metabolites by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results: The activity of 17-alpha Hydroxylase increased by almost 50%, whereas activity of 17/20 Lyase activity increased by around 150% in affected children with autism. Furthermore, the concentration of Cortisol was higher as compared to the average increase of the three metabolites TH-Corticosterone, 5α-TH-Corticosterone and TH-11β-DH-Corticosterone, indicating, in addition, a stimulation by the CRH-ACTH system despite a higher enzymatic activity. Discussion: As it was shown that oxidative stress increases the 17/20-lyase activity via p38α, a link between higher steroid hormone levels and oxidative stress can be established. However, as glucocorticoid as well as androgen metabolites showed higher values in subjects affected with autism as compared to healthy controls, the data indicate, despite higher CYP17A1 activity, the presence of increased substrate availability in line with the Cholesterol theory of autism

Noten als Prädiktoren des Berufserfolgs ehemaliger Gymnasiastinnen und Gymnasiasten

Im Rahmen dieser Untersuchung wurde der Zusammenhang zwischen gymnasialen Noten und unterschiedlichen Zielvariablen des Berufserfolges untersucht. Noten weisen insbesondere in den verfügbaren Metaanalysen des angloamerikanischen Raumes einen statistisch signifikanten, jedoch nicht als hoch einzustufenden Zusammenhang mit dem Berufserfolg auf. Für den deutschen Sprachraum blieb diese Fragestellung weitgehend unbeantwortet. Anhand des um-fangreichen Datenmaterials des Kölner Gymnasiastenpanels (KGP), einer als hochselektiv zu taxierenden Stichprobe von ehemaligen Gymnasiasten, wurden die Noten des 10. Schuljahres (1969) bezüglich ihrer prognostischen Validität für den Berufserfolg operationalisiert in Form des Berufsprestiges, des Einkommens und der Arbeitszufriedenheit mit 30, 43 und 56 Lebens-jahren analysiert. Dabei konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Note ein guter Prädiktor für das Berufsprestige, nicht aber so sehr für das Einkommen darstellt. Im Gegensatz zur Intelligenz, welche einen komparativen Vorteil bei der Prädiktion des Einkommens aufweist. Die Arbeits-zufriedenheit scheint eine eigene Dimension darzustellen, welche mit zunehmendem Berufs-prestige eher abzunehmen scheint

The more sleep – the better the physical state? An analysis from running

Studies focusing on effects of sleep on physical performance respectively running are sparse. In the younger past knowledge evoked that sleep debt has many effects on dietary intake and predisposes adiposity or diabetes. It is suggested that the current obesity epidemic is also caused by sleep dept which influences endocrine homeostasis (Leptin, Ghrelin, Neuropeptide Y, galanin, orexin, and insulin homeostasis) and affects eating behavior in consequence. Especially glucose homeostasis is strongly coupled with endurance capacity respectively running performance. Sleep debt goes in with a dysregulation of the Melatonin system affecting ACTH-Cortisol Homeostasis while having effects on running performance. Running has positive effects on sleep quality but the counter mechanism that good sleep improves running performance is only partly elucidated. However, sufficient sleep is of highest importance for improving personal best times and hard training days are only possible with adequate sleep. When looking forward newest findings indicate that hard training days go in with a reduced sleep efficiency underlying the complex mechanism remaining to be elucidated

Effects of a 6-week additional work on performance capacity: Hints for a parasympathic overtraining?

Introduction. Maximum performance can only be achieved with an optimal balance of training and recovery. Already 15 years ago Jeukendrup & Hesselink (1994) mentioned that hints can be derived from lactate curves concerning a potential overreaching. In this small study we show the effects of a six-week standard infantry military training on performance capacity in young elite orienteers. The potentially induced overreaching and the ingoing alterations of heart rate patterns and lactate answers shall be analysed. Material & Methods. Five young elite orienteers (22.6 ± 0.52 years / 178.4 ± 7.6 cm / 66.4 ± 3.4 kg) completed an exhaustive treadmill test, first at one and a half year before, second at half a year before and third immediately after completing a six-week period of a session of a hard infantry military training. Results. After the six-week additional military training measurements of heart rate decreased at speed 10.8 km/h from 142.6 ± 11.6 to 129.2 ± 11.9 (p = .0192); at speed 12.6 km/h from 153.4 ± 11.4 to 141.2 ± 12.6 (p = .0192); at speed 14.4 km/h from 166.4 ± 10 to 155.4 ± 12.2 (p = .02); at speed 16.2 km/h from 177.4 ± 6.9 to 168.4 ± 6.5 (p = .0244); at speed 18 km/h from 186.2 ± 5.8 to 181.4 ± 3.6 (p = .0313) compared to the measurement half a year earlier. Discussion. We strongly believe that these lower average heart rates for submaximal speed stages cannot be assessed as positive in terms of performance but might be in accordance with a parasympathetic overreaching respectively parasympathetic stimulation. The increased parasympathetic tone probably required a correspondingly stronger sympathetic stimulus for activation, which, however, could not act as efficiently as after normal training conditions as athletes were not rested well yielding to a shift of the heart rate/performance curve in line with findings of Jeukendrup & Hesselink (1994) of lactate curve in cyclists already 15 years ago

Has Being Lost While High-Altitude Mountaineering Become Less Frequent? A Retrospective Analysis from the Swiss Alps

Background: High-altitude mountaineering is becoming more popular. Despite technical developments such as global positioning systems, mountaineers still lose their way. This study aimed to analyze characteristics of alpinists that lost their way while high-altitude mountaineering in Switzerland. Material and Methods: Data from the central registry of the Swiss Alpine Club between 2009 and 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Changes in the number of cases and severity of injuries over time were examined using simple linear regression models. Descriptive analyses were performed for age, time of emergency occurrence, and factors associated with being lost. The Mann–Whitney U test assessed between-sex comparisons. Results: Of the 4596 emergency cases during the observation period, 275 cases (5.9%) were due to being lost (76.4% male). A mean of 22.9 ± 9.6 cases per year was detected. The number of cases did not change significantly over time. Similarly, this was the case for the NACA-Score (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics Score) with the majority of mountaineers remaining uninjured (77.8%). The median age was 42 (35–54) years for the full sample and 45 (35–56) years and 40 (33–48) years for males and females, respectively. Fog or weather changes, exhaustion, and inadequate tour planning (time and darkness) were frequently documented by rescuers as perceived reasons for being lost. Regarding the time of emergency occurrence, three peaks were detected, around 10 am, 5 pm, and 8 pm. Conclusions: Our findings show that the number of emergencies due to being lost was stable during the 12-year period. Furthermore, we presented factors that might be associated with losing one’s way during mountaineering. These results may form an important basis for future studies determining risk factors for being lost and the prevention of such emergencies

Bergtouren als Präventivmittel von kardiovaskulären Erkrankungen?

INTRODUCTION People in Western countries are gaining more and more weight, which is mainly due to a lack of physical activity predisposing to cardiovascular illnesses. Mountaineering, in particular multi-pitch climbing, seems to have protective effects on the metabolic and cardiovascular systems because it is a low-intensity activity lasting several hours, which leads to continuous physical stimulation. METHODS Eight climbers in four two-person rope teams with a good leisure sports level and regular climbing activity completed a multi-pitch climbing route (Pfriendler 2501 metres above sea level Via Fritz/Steingletscher/Sustenpass Canton of Bern/Switzerland) with a total of seven pitches with difficulties between 4b and 5c(+) (French Scale). Climbers were monitored with heart rate gear during the whole climbing activity, which allowed us to analyse heart rates after climbing. RESULTS During a single climbing pitch, heart rate values increased from 86 ± 18 to 135 ± 4 beats per minute on average. The average heart rate was 126 ± 2 beats per minute, which is 67 % of the maximum heart rate on average. The whole tour lasted 5 h 55 min with an average heart rate of 108 ± 9 beats per minute being measured, yielding an average of 56 ± 5 % of the maximum heart rate. DISCUSSION The results point out the low intensity of multi-pitch mountaineering and imply a stimulation of fat metabolism, which highlights the potential of mountaineering for preventing metabolic diseases