Three km Track Time Trial Performance Changes after HIIT in Competitive Cross-Country Skiers

Background: Limited research surrounding sex differences in fatigue and performance after high intensity interval training (HIIT) exists in the field setting. While lab-based protocols provide a controlled environment, physiological mechanisms of fatigue and performance response in competitive athletes are best measured by time-trial (TT). Few studies, however, have investigated fatigue in TT performance while controlling for the menstrual cycle (MC). Objective: The study investigated the influence of sex and MC phase on 3km track TT performance after a HIIT session in Competitive Cross Country (XC) skiers. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed and athletes over the age of 16 years (30F, 9M), were recruited from across Canada and completed 3 days of testing/training: a 3km track TT on Day 1 and Day 3; and a HIIT session (4-8x, 800m) on Day 2. MC phase was verified by ovulation testing and salivary hormone samples; athletes were classified as either “Low Hormone” or “High Hormone” for analysis. Results: An overall improvement in performance from pre- to post-HIIT TTs occurred (p<0.01). No significant differences in TT performance after HIIT were observed between sexes (p=0.16) or MC phase (p=0.26). Conclusion: These results indicate that competitive XC skiers will likely experience an improvement in TT performance after a bout of HIIT. Coaches and athletes should plan their workouts prior to testing accordingly to maximize TT performance. These results also suggest that no special adjustments need to be considered for differences in performance after HIIT between sexes and MC phase, although further studies with a greater sample size and repeated testing are warranted

Feminae: an international multi-site innovative project for female athletes.

Sufficient high-quality studies in sport science using women as participants are lacking, meaning that our knowledge and understanding of female athletes in relation to their ovarian hormone profiles is limited. Consortia can be used to pool talent, expertise, and data, thus accelerating our learning on a given topic and reducing research waste through collaboration. To this end, we have assembled an international multi-site team, described herein, to investigate the effects of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptive pill phase on aspects of exercise physiology and sports performance in female athletes. We intend to produce an adequately powered, high-quality dataset which can be used to inform the practices of female athletes. Our approach will also employ research transparency – through the inclusion of a process evaluation - and reproducibility – through a standardised study protocol

The IOC consensus statement: Beyond the female athlete triad-Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S)

Protecting the health of the athlete is a goal of the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The IOC convened an expert panel to update the 2005 IOC Consensus Statement on the Female Athlete Triad. This Consensus Statement replaces the previous and provides guidelines to guide risk assessment, treatment and return-to-play decisions. The IOC expert working group introduces a broader, more comprehensive term for the condition previously known as ‘Female Athlete Triad’. The term ‘Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport’ (RED-S), points to the complexity involved and the fact that male athletes are also affected. The syndrome of RED-S refers to impaired physiological function including, but not limited to, metabolic rate, menstrual function, bone health, immunity, protein synthesis, cardiovascular health caused by relative energy deficiency. The cause of this syndrome is energy deficiency relative to the balance between dietary energy intake and energy expenditure required for health and activities of daily living, growth and sporting activities. Psychological consequences can either precede RED-S or be the result of RED-S. The clinical phenomenon is not a ‘triad’ of the three entities of energy availability, menstrual function and bone health, but rather a syndrome that affects many aspects of physiological function, health and athletic performance. This Consensus Statement also recommends practical clinical models for the management of affected athletes. The ‘Sport Risk Assessment and Return to Play Model’ categorises the syndrome into three groups and translates these classifications into clinical recommendations

Effects of the menstrual cycle and oral contraceptives on athletic performance

There have been few well-controlled studies to date on the influence of different phases of the menstrual cycle on athletic performance, and information is even more sparse on potential effects of oral contraceptive agents (OCAs) on performance. Many of the earlier studies failed to accurately document the phase of the cycle, or used a variety of different oral contraceptives with higher dosages of estrogens and progestins than those in current usage. Thus, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the endogenous hormonal variations of a normal menstrual cycle and the administration of a low-dose triphasic oral contraceptive agent (OCA)on selected measures of athletic performance in a group of elite female athletes. Nineteen eumenorrheic women were studied during the midfollicular (day 5.7 ± 0.5; mean + SE) and midluteal (day 23.3 ± 0.9) phases of a normal menstrual cycle. Cycle phases were confirmed by plasma estradiol and progesterone assays. Following the two menstrual cycle tests, subjects were randomly assigned in a double blind fashion to either a placebo group (n=7, age=28.3 + 1.6 yr, height=168.6 ± 2.0 cm, weight=60.0 ± 3.5 kg) or an OCA group (n=7, age=27.1 ± 1.6 yr, height=168.5 ± 1.9 cm, weight=60.2 ± 1.7 kg). A third test was carried out during the midcycle (day 14.4 ± 0.54) of the second cycle of the placebo/OCA administration. . . . [more text]Education, Faculty ofCurriculum and Pedagogy (EDCP), Department ofGraduat

Menstrual cycle, contraception, and performance

Physiologie menstruelle normale : action des hormones sexuelles, oestrogènes, progestérone. Cycle menstruel et performance sportive de l'athlète féminine : variables cardiovasculaires, respiratoires, régulation thermique, métabolisme énergétique. Effet de la prise de contraceptifs oraux (la pilule contraceptive et ses différents dosages)

Exercise and Crohn’s disease: Speculations on potential benefits

Crohn’s disease (CD) is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease that affects nearly one million people in the United States and Canada. While current pharmaceutical treatments are effective in controlling symptoms, patients continue to experience a reduced quality of life (QOL). Based on preliminary studies, QOL in CD patients may be improved by engaging in physical activity. Exercise may decrease CD activity and reduce psychological stress. Current research also suggests that low-intensity exercise does not exacerbate gastrointestinal symptoms and does not lead to flare-ups. Furthermore, exercise appears to reduce CD symptoms and improve QOL. In summary, physical activity may be beneficial to certain patient groups, but more studies are needed before broad recommendations can be made

Disadvantages of online support groups for people with arthritis, fibromyalgia and breast cancer disproved

INTRODUCTION: People in stressful circumstances, such as serious health conditions, often turn to support groups. With the increase in the availability and popularity of internet, the possibility has arisen to join support groups online. Various authors have raised attention for potential disadvantages of these groups, such as the lack of control of the quality of the information, criticism on health care services, delay of responses to questions, expression of negative emotions, reinforcement of negative emotions and negative remarks to other participants. However, data are scarce. PURPOSE: To explore to what extent potential disadvantages actually occur in online support groups. In addition, we examined characteristics of participants of online support groups, the topics that are discussed and the self-help mechanisms that are used. METHODS: A content analysis was performed on a random sample of 1500 messages from publicly available online support groups for patients with arthritis, fibromyalgia and breast cancer. The text of each posting was content coded by two raters. The levels of inter-rater reliability were acceptable (Cohen’s kappa ranged from .66 to 1.00). Postings that contained medical information were evaluated by an oncologist (WMS) and by a rheumatologist in training (CEIL). RESULTS: The online support groups were mainly used by female patients (91%). In total 42% of the postings contained “off topic” remarks. Frequently discussed health related topics were “restrictions in daily life” (26%) and “regular medication” (19%). The most common types of self-help mechanisms used in online support groups were sharing of personal experiences (51%), provision of information (44%) and empathy and support (30%). Only in a minor proportion of the postings, potential disadvantages were present. Most postings containing medical information were classified as conventional (79%). According to the medical specialists none of the postings contained information that was potentially dangerous to others. Only in 2% of postings health care services were criticized. The names of health care professionals were not found in any of the postings. Posted questions usually received an adequate response within a reasonable period of time. The expressions of negative emotions were limited (10%) and were seldom reinforced by other participants. Also negative remarks directed at other participants were not frequently found (1%). CONCLUSIONS: The various disadvantages of online support groups that were mentioned in literature could not be confirmed. Therefore, this study suggests that online support groups are a viable option for support