Serum BDNF and Selenium Levels in Elite Athletes Exposed to Blows

Background and Objectives: The study aimed to investigate the combined acute and long-term effects of exposure to blows and exercise on serum BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and selenium levels. Materials and Methods: Serum BDNF and selenium levels were determined in 40 male elite athletes before and after vigorous exercise (training match) with a probability of exposure to blows and in 10 sedentary men subjected to exercise (Astrand running protocol). Results: Serum BDNF levels were found 11.50 ± 3.50 ng/mL before exercise and 14.02 ± 3.15 ng/mL after exercise in the athlete group (p = 0.02), and 12.18 ± 4.55 ng/ mL and 11.74 ± 2.48 ng/ mL before and after exercise in the sedentary group, respectively (p = 0.873). Serum BDNF (pre-exercise, baseline) levels were slightly lower in the athlete group than those in the sedentary group (11.50 ± 3.50 and 12.18 ± 4.55 ng/mL, respectively, p = 0.796). Pre-exercise serum selenium levels in athletes were significantly higher compared to those of sedentary participants (130.53 ± 36.79 and 95.51 ± 20.57 µg/L, respectively, p = 0.011). There was no difference in selenium levels after exercise (124.01 ± 29.96 µg/L) compared to pre-exercise (130.53 ± 36.79 µg/L) in the athlete group (p = 0.386). Similarly, there was no difference in selenium levels after exercise (113.28 ± 25.51 µg/L) compared to pre-exercise (95.51 ± 20.57 µg/L) in the sedentary group (p = 0.251). Conclusions: BDNF results show that even if athletes are exposed to blows, they may be protected from the long-term effects of blows thanks to the protective effect of their non-sedentary lifestyle. Regular exercise may have a protective effect on maintaining serum selenium levels in athletes even exposed to blows chronically

The Effects of Short-Term Intensive Exercise on Levels of Liver Enzymes and Serum Lipids in Kick Boxing Athletes

Objective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the ef­fects of short-term intensive exercise on liver enzymes and serum lipid levels with kick boxing athletes. Methods: 23 voluntary athletes who were between the ages of 15-46 and who engaged in kick–boxing have tak­en place this study. Athletes were made to do 45 minutes of warming-up, breathing, and stretching and 50 minutes of technical and tactical practices and then they were made to do a training match, which is equal to a 2 min­utes 3 circuits (1 minute rest) kick-box match. In venous blood samples which were taken from athletes before and after training, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamine transpeptidase (GGT), enzyme activity and total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides serum levels were analyzed via spectropho­tometric method in Beckman Coulter AU 5800 auto ana­lyzer. Body composition measurements of athletes were made with Tanita TBF 300 brand device, which works with bio-impedance analysis (BIA) system. Results: As a result of our study, statistically increases in serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT enzyme activities and in serum total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were detected following short-term intensive exercise, but no significant difference was observed in TG levels after in­tensive exercise. Conclusion: The blows to the abdomen during kickbox­ing sports competitions result in increased liver enzymes and increased serum lipids may occur to meet energy de­mand of the body during exercise

The Effects of Short-Term Intensive Exercise on Levels of Liver Enzymes and Serum Lipids in Kick Boxing Athletes

Amaç: Bu çalışmada kick boks sporcularında kısa süreli yoğun egzersizin karaciğer enzimleri ve serum lipit dü- zeylerine olan etkisini araştırmak amaçlanmıştır. Yöntemler: Çalışmaya 15-46 yaş arası kick boks sporu ile uğraşan 23 gönüllü sporcu katılmıştır. Sporculara, 40 dakikalık ısınma, açma ve germe hareketleri, 50 dakikalık teknik ve taktik uygulamaları sonrasında 2 dakika süreyle 3 devreden (1 dk. dinlenme) oluşan kick boks müsabaka- sına eşdeğer bir antrenman maçı yaptırıldı. Sporculardan antrenman öncesi ve sonrasında alınan venöz kan ör- neklerinde aspartat aminotransferaz (AST), alanin amino transferaz (ALT), alkalen fosfataz (ALP) ve gama gluta- mil transferaz (GGT) enzim aktiviteleri ve total kolesterol, yüksek dansiteli lipoprotein-kolesterol (HDL-K), düşük dansiteli lipoprotein-kolesterol (LDL-K) ve trigliserit serum düzeyleri Beckman Coulter AU 5800 oto analizöründe spektrofotometrik yöntem ile analiz edildi. Sporcuların vücut kompozisyonu ölçümleri bioimpedans analiz (BİA) sistemi ile çalışan Tanita TBF 300 marka cihaz ile yapıldı. Bulgular: Çalışmamız sonucunda egzersiz sonrasında serum AST, ALT, ALP ve GGT enzim aktivitelerinde ve serum total kolesterol, HDL-K ve LDL- K düzeylerinde is- tatistiksel olarak anlamlı bir artış olduğu, TG seviyelerinde ise anlamlı bir fark oluşmadığı tespit edildi. Sonuç: Sonuç olarak kick boks sporunda antrenman ve müsabakalar esnasında karın bölgesine alınan darbele- rin, karaciğer enzim düzeylerinde yükselmelere neden olduğunu ve egzersize bağlı artan enerji ihtiyacını karşı- lamak için de serum lipit düzeylerinde bir yükselme oldu- ğunu söyleyebilirizObjective: In this study, it was aimed to evaluate the ef- fects of short-term intensive exercise on liver enzymes and serum lipid levels with kick boxing athletes. Methods: 23 voluntary athletes who were between the ages of 15-46 and who engaged in kickboxing have tak- en place this study. Athletes were made to do 45 minutes of warming-up, breathing, and stretching and 50 minutes of technical and tactical practices and then they were made to do a training match, which is equal to a 2 min- utes 3 circuits (1 minute rest) kick-box match. In venous blood samples which were taken from athletes before and after training, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and gamma glutamine transpeptidase (GGT), enzyme activity and total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) and triglycerides serum levels were analyzed via spectropho- tometric method in Beckman Coulter AU 5800 auto ana- lyzer. Body composition measurements of athletes were made with Tanita TBF 300 brand device, which works with bio-impedance analysis (BIA) system. Results: As a result of our study, statistically increases in serum ALT, AST, ALP and GGT enzyme activities and in serum total cholesterol, HDL-C and LDL-C levels were detected following short-term intensive exercise, but no significant difference was observed in TG levels after in- tensive exercise. Conclusion: The blows to the abdomen during kickbox- ing sports competitions result in increased liver enzymes and increased serum lipids may occur to meet energy de- mand of the body during exercise

Does Single or Combined Caffeine and Taurine Supplementation Improve Athletic and Cognitive Performance without Affecting Fatigue Level in Elite Boxers? A Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study

In previous studies, the effect of single or combined intake of caffeine (CAF) and taurine (TAU) on exercise performance was investigated. However, the potential synergistic effect on physical and cognitive performance after fatigue induced by anaerobic exercise is unknown. The effects of single and combination CAF and TAU supplementation on the Wingate test in elite male boxers and to evaluate balance, agility and cognitive performance after fatigue are being investigated for the first time in this study. Twenty elite male boxers 22.14 ± 1.42 years old were divided into four groups in this double-blind, randomized crossover study: CAF (6 mg/kg of caffeine), TAU (3 g single dose of taurine), CAF*TAU (co-ingestion of 3 g single dose of taurine and 6 mg/kg of caffeine) and PLA (300 mg maltodextrin). The findings are as follows: co-ingestion of CAF*TAU, improved peak (W/kg), average (W), minimum (W) power, time to reach (s), and RPE performances compared to the PLA group significantly (p p p < 0.05) compared to the PLA group. In terms of cognitive performance, co-ingestion of CAF*TAU significantly improved the neutral reaction time (ms) compared to the TAU, CAF and PLA groups. As a result, elite male boxers performed better in terms of agility, balance and cognitive function when they consumed a combination of 6 mg/kg CAF and 3 g TAU. It has been determined that the combined use of these supplements is more effective than their single use

Effects of exercise on serum ischemia-modified albumin, brain natriuretic peptide and copeptin levels in boxers and kick boxers

Introduction: boxing and kick boxing are combat sports that can cause severe head, neck, face and hand injuries during fighting. Then, traumatic brain injury (TBI) incidence is high in these sports. Ischemia-modified albumin (IMA), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) and copeptin have diagnostic and prognostic value for cardiac and non-cardiac ischemic events. The purpose of this study is to evaluate exercise-induced variations of serum IMA, BNP and copeptin. Methods: twenty male boxers, twenty-three male kick boxers and twenty-three age-matched male were enrolled in the study. Health assessment data were analysed. Boxers and kick boxers underwent an exercise program including training plus fighting matches. Serum samples were collected in the pre- and post-exercise periods. Serum MA, BNP and copeptin concentrations were measured in these specimens using ELISA reagents. Results: comparative analysis of analytes before and after exercise showed that exercise significantly increased serum IMA, BNP and copeptin levels both in boxers and kick boxers. Conclusion: in conclusion, IMA, BNP and copeptin levels may be candidate biomarkers for exercise-related traumatic brain injuries. The identification of new biomarkers in patients with acute and chronic neurological disorders is of considerable interest to clinicians. Then, further studies should be conducted to evaluate the possible role of IMA, BNP and copeptin in TBI pothophysiology.Scientific Research Projects Unit of Ataturk University [2013/65]This study was supported by Scientific Research Projects Unit of Ataturk University (2013/65). The authors would like to thank Caroline Jane Walker for English language editing of the article