Energy balance and dietary habits in America's Cup sailors.

This research, which was conducted with crew members of an America's Cup team, had the following objectives: (a) to assess energy expenditure and intake during training; (b) to evaluate the sailors' diet, and (c) to identify any dietary flaws to determine the appropriate intake of nutrients, correct possible dietary mistakes, and improve their food habits. Energy expenditure was estimated on 15 sailors using direct measurements (oxygen consumption) and a 3-day activity questionnaire. Oxygen consumption was measured on sailors during both on-water America's Cup sailing training and dry-land fitness training. Composition of the diet was estimated using a 3-day food record. Average daily energy expenditure of the sailors ranged from 14.95 to 24.4 MJ, depending on body mass and boat role, with the highest values found in grinders and mastmen. Daily energy intake ranged from 15.7 to 23.3 MJ (from +6% to - 18% of energy expenditure). The contributions of carbohydrate, protein, and fat to total energy intake were 43%, 18%, and 39% respectively, values that are not in accord with the recommended guidelines for athletes. Our results show the importance of assessing energy balance and food habits for America's Cup sailors performing different roles. The practical outcome of this study was that the sailors were given dietary advice and prescribed a Mediterranean diet, explained in specific nutrition lectures

Physiological Characteristics of America’s Cup Sailors.

The aim of this study was to assess the physiological profile of America's Cup grinders and mastmen, by measuring energy expenditure during sailing and assessing their aerobic and anaerobic fitness. The study focused on estimating the energy used during grinding activity, by measuring oxygen uptake (VO2) during sail setting in real sailing conditions. In the laboratory, using an arm-cranking ergometer, we measured VO2peak during an incremental maximal exercise test and total energy expended during the effort and recovery phases of an all-out test that simulated grinding activity, in six grinders and mastmen and ten sailors of the same crew. Total energy used during grinding corresponded to 45% (s = 9) and 51% (s = 5) of that used in the all-out test (234 kJ, s = 21.7) for tacks and gybes, respectively. In both grinding activity and the all-out test, VO2 increased during and after the effort. The "VO2 top value" was 53% (s = 8.6), 68% (s = 5.5), and 78% (s = 3. 1) of VO2peak (4.7 1 center dot min(-1), s = 0.43) in tacks, gybes, and the all-out test, respectively. Puring fast sequences of grinding activity, the "VO2 top value" reached 65% (s = 7. 1) VO2peak in tacks and 91% (s = 3.3) VO2peak in gybes. Our results suggest that grinders and mastmen are characterized by a high anaerobic capacity but their performance can be improved by powering aerobic fitness, to increase this energy contribution to all-out efforts and to guarantee fast recovery when grinding activity is repeated with short rest intervals

Upper limb aerobic training improves aerobic fitness and all-out performance of America's Cup grinders

This research on “America’s Cup” grinders investigated the effects of a specific eight-week long-arm cranking ergometer (ACE) training on upper body (UB) aerobic fitness (ventilatory threshold – Tvent, respiratory compensation point- RCP, – oxygen uptake peak – V_ O2peak) and high intensity working capacity. The training consisted of sessions carried out for 20–30 mins, three times per week, at an intensity between the UB-Tvent and UB-RCP, and replaced part of a typical lower limb aerobic training whilst maintaining the usual weekly schedule of callisthenics, resistance training and sailing. Seven sailors, including four grinders and three mastmen (age 30 ± 5.5 years, height 1.9 ± 0.04 m, body mass 102 ± 3.6 kg), were evaluated through both an ACE cardiopulmonary maximal exercise test (CPET) and an ACE all-out up to exhaustion exercise test, before and after the ACE training. UB aerobic fitness improved significantly: UB-V_ O2peak increased from 4.29 ± 0.442 to 4.52 ± 0.522 l·min−1 (6.4 ± 3.66%), V_ O2 at UB-Tvent from 2.42 ± 0.282 to 2.97 ± 0.328 l·min−1 (22.8 ± 5.09%) and V_ O2 at UB-RCP from 3.25 ± 0.402 to 3.75 ± 0.352 l·min−1 (16.1 ± 10.83%). Peak power at the ACE CPET increased from 351 ± 27.5 to 387 ± 33.5 W (10.5 ± 6.93%). The all-out test total mechanical work increased from 28.9 ± 2.35 to 40.1 ± 3.76 kJ (72.1 ± 4.67%). In conclusion, a high intensity aerobic ACE training can be effective in improving grinding performance by increasing UB aerobic fitness and all-out working capacity

Pre-participation health evaluation in adolescent athletes competing at youth olympic games. proposal for a tailored protocol

Objective To promote sports participation in young people, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ìintroduced the Youth Olympic Games (YOG) in 2007. In 2009, the IOC Consensus Statement was published, which highlighted the value of periodic health evaluation in elite athletes. The objective of this study was to assess the efficacy of a comprehensive protocol for illness and injury detection, tailored for adolescent athletes participating in Summer or Winter YOG. Methods Between 2010 and 2014, a total of 247 unique adolescent elite Italian athletes (53% females), mean age 16±1,0 years, competing in 22 summer or 15 winter sport disciplines, were evaluated through a tailored pre-participation health evaluation protocol, at the Sports Medicine and Science Institute of the Italian Olympic Committee. Results In 30 of the 247 athletes (12%), the preparticipation evaluation led to the final diagnosis of pathological conditions warranting treatment and/ or surveillance, including cardiovascular in 11 (4.5%), pulmonary in 11 (4.5%), endocrine in five (2.0%), infectious, neurological and psychiatric disorders in one each (0.4%). Based on National and InternationaGuidelines and Recommendations, none of the athleteswas considered at high risk for acute events and all were judged eligible to compete at the YOG. Athletes with abnormal conditions were required to undergo a periodicfollow-up. Conclusions The Youth Pre-Participation Health Evaluation proved to be effective in identifying a wide range of disorders, allowing prompt treatment, appropriate surveillance and avoidance of potential longterm consequences, in a significant proportion (12%) of adolescent Italian Olympic athletes

Cardiovascular diseases in paralympic athletes

Background. Sport participation (SP) of individuals with impairments has recently grown exponentially. Scarce scientific data, however, exist regarding cardiovascular (CV) risk associated with competitive SP. Objective. Assessing prevalence of CV abnormalities and the risk for SP in Paralympic athletes (PA). Methods. PA (n=267; 76% males), aged 35±9, engaged in 18 sport disciplines, with spectrum of lesions including: spinal cord injury (paraplegia and spina bifida) (n = 116); amputation, poliomyelitis, cerebral palsy and other neuromuscular and/or skeletal disorders (Les autres) or visual impairment (n = 151) entered the study. CV evaluation included history, PE, 12-lead and exercise-ECG, echocardiography. Of them, 105 participated in ≥2 consecutive Games, and had evaluations available over a 6±4 year follow-up. Results. Structural CV abnormalities were identified in 33 athletes (12%), including arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies in 3, aortic root dilatation in 3, valvular diseases in 7 (mitral valve prolapse in 4, bicuspid aortic valve in 3) and systemic hypertension in 11 (4%). In addition, ventricular (polymorphic, couplets or NSVT) or supraventricular tachyarrhythmias (atrial flutter, paroxysmal atrial fibrillation or SVT) were identified in 9 others. Over 6-year follow-up, 6 of 105 athletes (6%) developed CV diseases, including dilated cardiomyopathy in 1 and systemic hypertension in 5. Conclusions. PA present an unexpected high prevalence of CV abnormalities (12%), including a not trivial proportion of diseases at risk for sudden death (2%), such as arrhythmogenic cardiomyopathies and dilated aortic root. This observation suggests that tailored recommendations for preparticipation screening and safe SP in this special athletic population are timely and appropriate

Are olympic athletes free from cardiovascular diseases. systematic investigation in 2352 participants from athens 2004 to sochi 2014

CONTEXT: Olympic athletes represent model of success in our society, by enduring strenuous conditioning programmes and achieving astonishing performances. They also raise scientific and clinical interest, with regard to medical care and prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) abnormalities. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to assess the prevalence and type of CV abnormalities in this selected athlete's cohort. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: 2352 Olympic athletes, mean age 25±6, 64% men, competing in 31 summer or 15 winter sports, were examined with history, physical examination, 12-lead and exercise ECG and echocardiography. Additional testing (cardiac MRI, CT scan) or electrophysiological assessments were selectively performed when indicated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and type of CV findings, abnormalities and diseases found in Olympic athletes over 10 years. RESULTS: A subset of 92 athletes (3.9%) showed abnormal CV findings. Structural abnormalities included inherited cardiomyopathies (n=4), coronary artery disease (n=1), perimyocarditis (n=4), myocardial bridges (n=2), valvular and congenital diseases (n=45) and systemic hypertension (n=10). Primary electrical diseases included atrial fibrillation (n=2), supraventricular reciprocating tachycardia (n=14), complex ventricular tachyarrhythmias (non-sustained ventricular tachycardia, n=7; bidirectional ventricular tachycardia, n=1) or major conduction disorders (Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW), n=1; Long QT syndrome (LQTS), n=2). CONCLUSIONS: Our study revealed an unexpected prevalence of CV abnormalities among Olympic athletes, including a small, but not negligible proportion of pathological conditions at risk. This observation suggests that Olympic athletes, despite the absence of symptoms or astonishing performances, are not immune from CV disorders and might be exposed to unforeseen high-risk during sport activity

SCIRES-IT Volume 3, Issue 2 (2013)

SCIRES-IT, e-ISSN 2239-4303, provides a forum for the exchange and sharing of know-how in the areas of Digitalization and Multimedia Technologies and Information & Communication Technology (ICT) in support of Cultural and environmental Heritage (CH) documentation, preservation and fruition. It publishes comprehensive reviews on specific fields, regular research papers and short communications in a timely fashion

The epidemiology of proximal femur fractures during covid-19 emergency in italy: A multicentric study

Background and aim: After the first Italian case of Covid-19, the Government imposed the complete closure of all areas involved by the spread of the virus to contain transmissions. There was a massive reorganization of Hospitals, a stop of all elective activities and a convertion of many hospitals in "Covid Centers''. AITOG (Associazione Italiana Traumatologia e Ortopedia Geriatrica) conducted a retrospective study on all proximal femur fractures surgeries that occurred in this period, to find out whether the pandemic and the correlated lockdown somehow changed the incidence of these events. Methods: 10 Italian orthopedic centers were involved in the study. Considering the geographic location, three groups were created (North, Centre and South). The considered period is the Italian "Phase 1" (February 23rd - May 3rd 2020). Results: the cohort is composed of 412 patients, 116 male and 296 female (mean age 81.1 ± 9.1 years). The same period of 2019 has been used as control group, with 558 patients, 156 male and 402 female (mean age 84.2 ± 8.0 years). In 2020 we counted 323 (78.4%) fractures occurred at home, 61 (14.8%) in retirement houses and 28 (6.8%) in different locations. We mainly treated fractures with intramedullary nails (n.237 57.5%). Among all patients we had 46 (11.1%) Covid-19 positive. The mortality rate within 30 days was of 51 patients (12.4%); 23 of these died because of complications related to Covid-19 while 31 of these were in treatment with anticoagulant/antiaggregant. Conclusions: AITOG analysis demonstrates a decrease in surgical interventions for proximal femur fractures from 2019 to 2020, a reduction in patients mean age and an increase in trauma occurred in domestic environment. We also registered a consistent difference between the North, Center and South of the Country