A paradigm for identifying ability in competition: The association between anthropometry, training and equipment with race times in male long-distance inline skaters - the ‘Inline One Eleven’

Purpose. The association between anthropometric and training characteristics on an athlete’s performance has been investigated in swimmers, cyclists and runners, but not in inline skaters. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between anthropometry, pre race preparation and equipment in the finishers of the longest inline race in Europe, the ‘Inline One eleven’ over 111 km in Switzerland. Basic procedures. We investigated the association of anthropometry, training, and equipment variables with race times in 84 male ultraendurance inline skaters using bi- and multivariate analysis. Main findings. In the multivariate analysis, percent body fat, duration per training unit, and personal best time in the ‘Inline One eleven’ was related to the race time for all finishers. Out of the 84 finishers, 58 had already finished an ‘Inline One eleven’ while 26 participated for the first time. Speed in training and the kind of skates worn were related to race times of the 26 inexperienced finishers. The inexperienced finishers skating with custom made skates were significantly faster with 229.1 (12.7) min compared to inexperienced finishers using ordinary skates finishing within 290.8 (35.4) min ( p < 0.001). For experienced inliners, body mass, the sum of skin-folds and percent body fat correlated to race time. Conclusions. We assume that inexperienced athletes in ultra-endurance skating need time to gain the experience necessary in choosing the correct equipment and doing the training in order to successfully finish a long-distance inline race. Experienced inliners can only improve race performance in an ultra-endurance inline race such as the ‘Inline One eleven’ through a reduction of their body fat

What influences race performance in male open-water ultra-endurance swimmers: anthropometry or training?

We investigated the relationship between selected variables of anthropometry and training with race performance during a 26.4 km open-water ultra-endurance swim at 23 °C in male master ultra-swimmers. Basic procedures. Fifteen non-professional male open-water ultra-endurance swimmers who were (mean ± SD) 40.0 (8.2) years of age with 83.7 (10.3) kg body mass, 1.80 (0.08) m body height and a BMI of 25.5 (2.5) kg/m2 finished the race within the time limit. Body mass, percent body fat, thickness of 7 skin folds, body height, length of arm, and length of leg were measured prior to race. The number of years as active swimmer, average weekly training volume in hours and kilometres and average speed in training were recorded. The variables were then correlated to total race time. Main findings. Study participants had mean finish times of 551 (100) min and an average speed of 3.0 (0.5) km/h. Speed in swimming during training was the only variable related to total race time (r = –0.66, p = 0.0037) whereas none of the other investigated variables showed an association. Conclusions. We conclude that anthropometry was not related to race performance in these male ultra-endurance swimmers whereas speed in training showed a moderate association with total race time

The Relationship between Anthropometry and Split Performance in Recreational Male Ironman Triathletes

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relation between anthropometric variables and total race time including split times in 184 recreational male Ironman triathletes. Methods: Body mass, body height, body mass index, lengths and circumferences of limbs, thicknesses of skin-folds, sum of skin-fold thicknesses, and percent body fat were related to total race time including split times using correlation analysis and effect size. Results: A large effect size (r>0.37) was found for the association between body mass index and time in the run split and between both the sum of skin-folds and percent body fat with total race time. A medium effect size (r=0.24-0.36) was observed in the association between body mass and both the split time in running and total race time, between body mass index and total race time, between both the circumferences of upper arm and thigh with split time in the run and between both the sum of skin-folds and percent body fat with split times in swimming, cycling and running. Conclusions: The results of this study showed that lower body mass, lower body mass index and lower body fat were associated with both a faster Ironman race and a faster run split; lower circumferences of upper arm and thigh were also related with a faster run split

Nutrition in ultra-endurance racing - aspects of energy balance, fluid balance and exercise-associated hyponatremia

Ultra-endurance athletes try to extend their limits in performance. In ultra-endurance races, athletes face limits in nutrition regarding both energy intake and fluid metabolism. The purpose of this review is to focus on the decrease in body mass, aspects of energy and fluid balance, and exercise-associated hyponatremia in ultra-endurance performance. An ultra-endurance performance lasting 24 hours or longer may lead to an energy deficit of approximately 7,000 kcal per day. This energy deficit may result in a decrease of body mass, including a decrease in both fat mass and skeletal muscle mass. The energy deficit cannot be completely compensated by increasing energy intake. Adequate fluid intake is required during an ultra-endurance performance to prevent dehydration. In case of fluid overload, both exercise-associated hyponatremia and swelling of limbs may occur. Limited fluid intake of approximately 300-400 ml per hour may prevent both exercise-associated hyponatremia and swelling of limbs. In summary, in ultra-endurance performances, an energy deficit seems to be unavoidable, and athletes are at risk to develop both exercise-associated hyponatremia and limb swelling in case of fluid overload

Is Body Fat a Predictor of Race Time in Female Long-Distance Inline Skaters?

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate predictor variables of race time in female ultra-endurance inliners in the longest inline race in Europe. Methods: We investigated the association between anthropometric and training characteristics and race time for 16 female ultraendurance inline skaters, at the longest inline marathon in Europe, the ‘Inline One-eleven’ over 111 km in Switzerland, using bi- and multivariate analysis. Results: The mean (SD) race time was 289.7 (54.6) min. The bivariate analysis showed that body height (r=0.61), length of leg (r=0.61), number of weekly inline skating training sessions (r=-0.51)and duration of each training unit (r=0.61) were significantly correlated with race time. Stepwise multiple regressions revealed that body height, duration of each training unit, and age were the best variables to predict race time. Conclusion: Race time in ultra-endurance inline races such as the ‘Inline One-eleven’ over 111 km might be predicted by the following equation (r2 = 0.65): Race time (min) = -691.62 + 521.71 (body height, m) + 0.58 (duration of each training unit, min) + 1.78 (age, yrs) for female ultra-endurance inline skaters

The influence of arginine supplementation on performance and metabolism in athletes

Objective: The aim of this review was to investigate the effects of supplementation with arginine, mainly in combination with aspartate and/or other potentially ergogenic amino acids, on metabolism of substrates, endocrine parameters and performance in endurance and resistance athletes. Data sources: The database PUBMED was consulted, using the following keywords "arginine", "aspartate", "performance" and "metabolism". The references in these articles were scanned for further relevant publications. Study section: Studies with oral or intravenous administration of arginine and/or aspartate alone or in combination with other amino acids were selected. Data extraction: Studies with at least six subjects and utilising a placebo-controlled design were analysed. Data synthesis: Seven studies with the combination of arginine aspartate and evaluation of the effect on performance in athletes were found and evaluated. In addition, further studies with arginine and combination with other amino acids were found and analysed in the same manner. Conclusions: No effect on selected parameters of metabolism or the endocrine system have been shown after oral or intravenous arginine, arginine aspartate or other combinations with arginine and aspartate. Neither were there any ergogenic effects in trained athletes after oral or intravenous arginine use, either alone or in combination with aspartate and/or other potentially ergogenic amino acids

Swimming in ice cold water

Introduction: We investigated two athletes swimming in 4°C for 23min (1.3km, swimmer 1) and 42min (2.2km, swimmer 2), respectively. Materials and methods: Pre swim, percent body fat was determined; post swim, core temperature was measured. Results: The core temperature of swimmer 2 was: 37.0°C immediately before the start, 32°C 20min after getting out of the water, and 35.5°C 80min after finishing the swim. Conclusion: We assume that the higher skin-fold thickness and body fat of swimmer 2 enabled him to perform longer. In addition to this, mental power and experience in cold water swimming must be considered. In any athlete aiming at swimming in water of less than 5°C, body core temperature and heart rate should be continuously monitored in order to detect a body core temperature below 32°C and arrhythmia to pull the athlete out of the water before life-threatening circumstances occu

Do ultra-runners in a 24-h run really dehydrate?

Background: Loss of body mass during a 24-h run was considered to be a result of dehydration. Aims: We intended to quantify the decrease in body mass as a loss in fat mass or skeletal muscle mass and to quantify the change in hydration status. Methods: Body mass, fat mass, skeletal muscle mass, haematocrit, plasma sodium and urinary specific gravity were measured in 15 ultra-marathoners in a 24-h run. Results: Body mass decreased by 2.2kg (p=0.0009) and fat mass decreased by 0.5kg (p=0.0084). The decrease in body mass correlated to the decrease in fat mass (r=0.72, p=0.0024). Urinary specific gravity increased from 1.012 to 1.022g/mL (p=0.0005). Conclusions: The decrease in body mass and the increase in urinary specific gravity indicate dehydration. The decrease in body mass was correlated to the decrease in fat mass and therefore not only due to dehydratio

Predictor variables for half marathon race time in recreational female runners

Anthropometric and training variables were related to half-marathon race time in recreational female runners. Skin-fold thicknesses at various upper body locations were related to training intensity. High running speed in training appears to be important for fast half-marathon race times and may reduce upper body skin-fold thicknesses in recreational female half marathoners

Autoimmune hepatitis in monozygotic twins - a case report

OBJECTIVE Autoimmune hepatitis is a chronic liver disease caused by a dysfunctional immune system. It is widely believed that autoimmune hepatitis accumulates in families. We found that autoimmune hepatitis does accumulate in monozygotic twins. CASE REPORT We present middle-aged monozygotic female twins developing autoimmune hepatitis consecutively within two years. Both twins had developed Graves' disease and were treated with carbimazole before the onset of autoimmune hepatitis. Both were cigarette smokers. The twins were treated with budesonide and azathioprine, which normalised liver parameters. CONCLUSIONS This case report supports the hypothesis that a genetic factor might be of great importance in the aetiology of autoimmune hepatitis