iron assessment in elite athletes

Asymptomatic iron deficiencis frequently observed in competitive athletes and an impaired iron metabolism may lead to abnormal haemoglobin and myoglobin production limiting endurance capacity. Iron supplementation could improve blood biochemical measures and increases work capacity but the use of iron supplements should be a judicious choice based on a careful hematological evaluation since an unjustified treatment may lead to possible health risks as well as performance decrease. When considering competitive athletes, serum ferritine, commonly used to evaluate iron status, may not be always considered as an e�怆ective marker. Several studies suggested that hepcidin assessment may represent an alternative method to define the real necessity of iron supplementation in specific conditions such as in competitive athletes

Phosphodiesterase Type 5 Inhibitors, Sport and Doping

Phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil, vardenafil, and avanafil) are drugs commonly used to treat erectile dysfunction, pulmonary arterial hypertension, and benign prostatic hyperplasia. PDE5i are not prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) but are alleged to be frequently misused by healthy athletes to improve sporting performance. In vitro and in vivo studies have reported various effects of PDE5i on cardiovascular, muscular, metabolic, and neuroendocrine systems and the potential, therefore, to enhance performance of healthy athletes during training and competition. This suggests well-controlled research studies to examine the ergogenic effects of PDE5i on performance during activities that simulate real sporting situations are warranted to determine if PDE5i should be included on the prohibited WADA list. In the meantime, there is concern that some otherwise healthy athletes will continue to misuse PDE5i to gain an unfair competitive advantage over their competitors

No Risk of Anorexia Nervosa in Young Rhythmic Gymnasts: What are the Practical Implications of what is Already Know?

In aesthetic sports success is strongly influenced by body appearance and eating disorder risks prevail in aesthetic athletes. Previous studies demonstrated that rhythmic gymnasts showed a "lean, almost anorexic-like physique" but no psychological distress. Recently, researchers used body image perception and dissatisfaction to detect gymnast eating disorders. The results showed that elite rhythmic gymnasts are very thin but have a precise estimation of their body image, and this condition leads to hypothesize that they are not at risk for eating disorders development. A correct evaluation of one's own body image is essential in prevention of pathological eating behaviours

Experimental model for the study of the effects of platelet-rich plasma on the early phases of muscle healing

BACKGROUND: There is abundant evidence suggesting that growth factors may play a key role in the healing process, especially in the early stages of inflammation. Despite the reported clinical successes with the use of growth factors there is still a lack of knowledge on the biological mechanism underlying the activity of platelet-rich plasma during the process of muscle healing. The aim of this study was to analyse the early effects of platelet- rich plasma in an easily reproducible animal model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Wistar male adult rats (n =102) were used in this study. The muscle lesion was created with a scalpel in the flexor sublimis muscles. Platelet-rich plasma was applied immediately after surgery. Treated, untreated and contralateral muscles were analysed by morphological evaluation and western blot assay. RESULTS: Leucocyte infiltration was significantly greater in muscles treated with platelet-rich plasma than in both untreated and contralateral muscles. The latter showed greater leucocyte infiltration when compared to the untreated muscles. Platelet-rich plasma treatment also modified the cellular composition of the leucocyte infiltration leading to increased expression of CD3, CD8, CD19 and CD68 and to decreased CD4 antigen expression in both platelet-rich plasma treated and contralateral muscles. Blood vessel density and blood vessel diameters were not statistically significantly different between the three groups analysed. DISCUSSION: The results of this study showed that treatment with platelet-rich plasma magnified the physiological early inflammatory response following a muscle injury, modifying the pattern of cellular recruitment. Local platelet-rich plasma treatment may exert a direct or, more plausibly, indirect systemic effect on healing processes, at least in the earliest inflammatory phase

The role of the WISE Consortium in the European DEDIPAC-KH project

WISE (Wellness, nutrItion, Sport and Exercise prevention) is a research consortium including five Italian research teams (University of Turin, University of Milan, University of Trieste, Universiy of Rome “Foro Italico”, University of Bari), operating within the broader framework of the DEDIPAC-KH joint action (Determinants of Diet and Physical Activity Knowledge Hub). Research actions within the WISE consortium, funded by the Italian Ministry of Higher Education & Research, are in line with the main objective of the DEDIPAC-KH of developing an international and interdisciplinary network of researchers on dietary, physical activity and sedentary behaviours, related determinant research and policy interventions. More specifically, the WISE consortium research aimed to contribute to the following task (1.2.4 - Task Leader: Prof. Alan Donnelly): perform SLRs to identify state-of the art methods for physical activity and sedentary behaviour measurements. The focus of task 1.2.4 was to examine the methodological effectiveness (validity, reliability and sensitivity/responsiveness) of measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviours. The approach taken with this task was to examine the methodological effectiveness of measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviours in two populations; i) child/adolescence and ii) adults. Findings on methodological effectiveness of measures of physical activity and sedentary behaviours constitute the basis for a variety of publication and reports, and conference communications. The DEDIPAC-KH project created an unique opportunity for developing a comprehensive analysis on the determinants of diet and physical activity in Italy, and fostered successful collaboration with leading international groups. The findings of the WISE project created valuable information for the implementation of successful policies in Italy.This work was supported by MIUR

Iron Assessment in Elite Athletes

Asymptomatic iron deficiencis frequently observed in competitive athletes and an impaired iron metabolism may lead to abnormal haemoglobin and myoglobin production limiting endurance capacity. Iron supplementation could improve blood biochemical measures and increases work capacity but the use of iron supplements should be a judicious choice based on a careful hematological evaluation since an unjustified treatment may lead to possible health risks as well as performance decrease. When considering competitive athletes, serum ferritine, commonly used to evaluate iron status, may not be always considered as an e�怆ective marker. Several studies suggested that hepcidin assessment may represent an alternative method to define the real necessity of iron supplementation in specific conditions such as in competitive athletes

Effects of Ketone Bodies on Endurance Exercise

Priorities for every athlete include improving endurance performance, optimizing training, nutrition, and recovery. Nutritional strategies are crucial to support athletes to perform at the highest level, and considering that muscular and hepatic glycogen stores are limited, alternative strategies to maximize fat metabolism have been suggested. A ketogenic diet has been proposed as a possible method of providing metabolic fuel during prolonged periods of exercise. However, clinical trials and empirical experience have produced contrasting results regarding the ergogenic value of a ketogenic diet. For this reason, using ketone esters and/or salts have been proposed to obtain nutritional ketosis without limiting carbohydrate intake. Exogenous ketones should not only represent an alternative metabolic fuel source, sparing carbohydrates, but they also may increase postexercise glycogen replenishment, decrease proteolysis, and act as metabolic modulators and signaling metabolites. While there are some encouraging results showing an increase in endurance performance, contrasting evidence regarding the efficacy of exogenous ketones for endurance performance is present and further studies should be performed to make a definitive statement