Skeletal muscle and performance adaptations to high-intensity training in elite male soccer players: speed endurance runs versus small-sided game training.

PURPOSE: To examine the skeletal muscle and performance responses across two different exercise training modalities which are highly applied in soccer training. METHODS: Using an RCT design, 39 well-trained male soccer players were randomized into either a speed endurance training (SET; n = 21) or a small-sided game group (SSG; n = 18). Over 4 weeks, thrice weekly, SET performed 6-10 × 30-s all-out runs with 3-min recovery, while SSG completed 2 × 7-9-min small-sided games with 2-min recovery. Muscle biopsies were obtained from m. vastus lateralis pre and post intervention and were subsequently analysed for metabolic enzyme activity and muscle protein expression. Moreover, the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery level 2 test (Yo-Yo IR2) was performed. RESULTS: Muscle CS maximal activity increased (P < 0.05) by 18% in SET only, demonstrating larger (P < 0.05) improvement than SSG, while HAD activity increased (P < 0.05) by 24% in both groups. Na(+)-K(+) ATPase α1 subunit protein expression increased (P < 0.05) in SET and SSG (19 and 37%, respectively), while MCT4 protein expression rose (P < 0.05) by 30 and 61% in SET and SSG, respectively. SOD2 protein expression increased (P < 0.05) by 28 and 37% in SET and SSG, respectively, while GLUT-4 protein expression increased (P < 0.05) by 40% in SSG only. Finally, SET displayed 39% greater improvement (P < 0.05) in Yo-Yo IR2 performance than SSG. CONCLUSION: Speed endurance training improved muscle oxidative capacity and exercise performance more pronouncedly than small-sided game training, but comparable responses were in muscle ion transporters and antioxidative capacity in well-trained male soccer players

Astrophysical magnetic fields and nonlinear dynamo theory

The current understanding of astrophysical magnetic fields is reviewed, focusing on their generation and maintenance by turbulence. In the astrophysical context this generation is usually explained by a self-excited dynamo, which involves flows that can amplify a weak 'seed' magnetic field exponentially fast. Particular emphasis is placed on the nonlinear saturation of the dynamo. Analytic and numerical results are discussed both for small scale dynamos, which are completely isotropic, and for large scale dynamos, where some form of parity breaking is crucial. Central to the discussion of large scale dynamos is the so-called alpha effect which explains the generation of a mean field if the turbulence lacks mirror symmetry, i.e. if the flow has kinetic helicity. Large scale dynamos produce small scale helical fields as a waste product that quench the large scale dynamo and hence the alpha effect. With this in mind, the microscopic theory of the alpha effect is revisited in full detail and recent results for the loss of helical magnetic fields are reviewed.Comment: 285 pages, 72 figures, accepted by Phys. Re

Determination of body composition in overweight and obese lactating women. Validation of bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy against dual energy X-ray absorptiometry.

Introduktion: Graviditet, fetma, åldrande och vissa sjukdomar är exempel på tillstånd som påverkar kroppen, dess konstitution och sammansättning. Enklare metoder som uppskattar kroppssammansättning behövs för att komplettera mer avancerade traditionella metoder för att bättre kunna kartlägga hälsostatus utan att göra avkall på riktighet och precision. Syfte: Att validera resultat av kroppssammansättning från bioelektrisk impedansspektroskopi (BIS) mot resultat från studiens referensmetod, röntgenabsorption (DXA), hos överviktiga och obesa ammande kvinnor efter förlossning. Metod: Designen i LEVA-studien (Livsstil för Effektiv Viktminskning under Amning) bestod av både intervention och longitudinell uppföljning vilket gav möjlighet till validering av absoluta värden (riktighet) och förmågan att upptäcka förändringar (precision). BIS prövades mot DXA statistiskt där skillnaden i medeldifferens analyserades med parat t-test. Bland-Altman diagram kompletterade analysen för att undersöka spridningen och eventuella systematiska skillnader mellan BIS och DXA. Pearsons korrelationskoefficient mätte samvariationen mellan metoderna. Resultat: Absoluta mätningar av variablerna fettfri massa (FFM) och fettmassa (FM) visade en statistisk signifikant skillnad mellan BIS och DXA (p < 0,001). Analys av förändringar över tid visade ingen signifikant skillnad i FFM och FM mellan BIS och DXA (p > 0,05). Analys av total muskelmassa gav ingen signifikant skillnad mellan BIS och DXA, varken vid absoluta värden eller vid förändring (p > 0,05). Slutsats: Vid absoluta mätningar på gruppnivå kan BIS inte helt korrekt analysera kroppssammansättningen hos kvinnor (BMI 25-35) postpartum jämfört med resultat från DXA. Däremot påvisade BIS förändringar likvärdigt med DXA vid mätning av samma variabler över tid. Total muskelmassa beräknad från BIS skiljde sig på gruppnivå inte statistiskt från DXA, varken för absoluta värden eller vid förändring.Introduction: Pregnancy, obesity, aging and certain diseases are examples of conditions that affect the body, its constitution and composition. Simpler methods to estimate body composition are needed to complement more advanced traditional methods to better identify the health status without sacrificing accuracy and precision. Objective: To validate the results of body composition from bioelectrical impedance spectroscopy (BIS) against results from the study reference method, dual energy X-ray absorption (DXA), in overweight and obese lactating women after childbirth. Method: The design of the LEVA-study (Lifestyle for Effective Weight loss during lactation) consisted both intervention and longitudinal follow-up, which gave the opportunity to validate the absolute values (accuracy) and the ability to detect changes (precision). The mean difference between methods was tested statistically by paired t-test. Bland-Altman plots used to examine the degree of agreement between BIS and DXA, but also distribution and any systematic differences. Association between methods was measured by using Pearson´s correlation coefficient. Results: Between BIS and DXA, absolute measurements of the variables fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001). Analysis of changes over time showed no significant difference between BIS and DXA in the same variables (p > 0.05). Analysis of total muscle mass gave no significant difference between BIS and DXA, either in absolute values or in change (p > 0.05). Conclusion: At group level, BIS may not be completely accurate to estimate body composition in women (BMI 25-35) postpartum at absolute measurements if compared with results from DXA. However, BIS demonstrated changes equivalent to DXA when measuring the same variables over time. On group level, total body skeletal muscle mass (TBSMM) calculated from BIS did not statistically differed from DXA, either absolute values or change

Eniga militära insatser? : Politisk enighet vid beslut om svenska internationella militära insatser 1999-2017

Sweden has a long tradition of participation in different kinds of peacekeeping missions. During the Cold War, Sweden’s troop contributions were exclusively focused on UN operations, but in the early 1990s Sweden’s official troop contribution policy changed from an “only under the UN flag” position to one of “only under UN Security Council mandate”. It is fair to say that Sweden’s foreign policy has undergone fundamental changes and the country has been contributing military forces to both EU and NATO missions for quite some time. Swedish foreign policy debate has largely been characterized by a sense of political unity or consensus. Despite this, there have been occasions when the political parties have been in disagreement. There are studies that confirm that the level of conflict in the foreign policy debate has increased over time. Political and ideological disagreements do exist and the political landscape has changed during the last 10 years. These changes should also have an impact on foreign policy decisions. The aim of this study is to investigate the political decision making process regarding Swedish military international missions. It will examine the political unity in the decisions concerning eight different cases; Kosovo (1999-2010), Congo (2003) , Liberia (2003-2006), Afghanistan (2004-2014), Chad (2007), Somalia (2009-2017), Libya (2011) and Mali (2015 à).  The focus for the study will be the political unity regarding the decision process within Parliament and, more specifically, the work of the combined Foreign affairs and Defence committee, and the debates in Parliament. The empirical analysis reveals that the rate of political controversy has increased. However, there is still a great sense of unity and broad agreement among the political parties on the main question regarding troop contributions.  In many cases any conflict and debate concern side issues such as timings, personnel and finance. The two main parties, the Social Democrats and the Moderate Party, are generally in agreement. They also conduct negotiations before a proposition becomes official, which leads to less conflict in the subsequent debate. The study also reveals a higher level of opposition from the Left party and from the Sweden Democrats. Some of their opposition can have ideological explanations. The Left party is mainly critical about participation in NATO missions.