Energy Drinks and Sports Performance, Cardiovascular Risk, and Genetic Associations; Future Prospects

The consumption of energy drinks (e.g., containing caffeine and taurine) has increased over the last decade among adolescents and athletes to enhance their cognitive level and improve intellectual and athletic performance. Numerous studies have shown that drinking moderate doses of such drinks produces beneficial effects, as they considerably boost the sporting performance of elite athletes in various sports, including both endurance and explosive events. However, apart from their ergogenic effects, the regular consumption of energy drinks also increases blood pressure and consequently incites problems such as hypertension, tachycardia, and nervousness, all of which can lead to cardiovascular disorders. A potential positive correlation between genetics and the moderate consumption of energy drinks and athletic performance has recently been reported; notwithstanding, a better understanding of the genetic variants involved in metabolism is a key area for future research to optimize the dose of energy drink consumed and obtain the maximal ergogenic effect in elite sports. The aim of this literature review, therefore, is to present the results of recent studies, classifying them according to the differences in the associations between energy drinks and: (i) Athletic performance; (ii) cardiovascular risk factors while practicing sports; and (iii) genetic associations and future prospects between the consumption of energy drinks and performance.post-print429 K

Prevalence and characteristics of hepatitis C virus infection detected by extended screening of working-age adults in Madrid (Spain).

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Objectivation of an Educational Model in Cranial Osteopathy Based on Experience.

Background and Objectives: The techniques directed to the cranial field in osteopathy are the most questioned due to the lack of scientific evidence. In osteopathic practice, manual palpation is essential and, therefore, measuring reliability is fundamental. The objective of this study is to assess the precision and objectification of an educational model in cranial osteopathy based on experience. Materials and Methods: A reliability study was conducted in a cadaver skull where a strain gauge was placed on the sphenobasilar synchondrosis (SBS) of the base of the skull. Three cranial osteopathic techniques (lateral compression, anteroposterior compression, and compression maneuver of the mastoids) were performed 25 times by osteopaths with different degrees of experience (5–10 years, 1–5 years, 15 years of experience. Data were analyzed to check for inter- and intra-observer reliability using intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Results: Reliability in osteopaths with 5–10 years’ experience (observer 1 and observer 2) performing all three techniques was higher (p 15 years’ experience. Little or no reliability were observed in osteopaths with less experience. Conclusions: The experience of the osteopaths determines the reliability and effectiveness of the cranial techniques, a fundamental part in objectifying these techniques. This model can help implement objective training in cranial osteopathy formationpost-print557 K

Muscle Work and Its Relationship with ACE and ACTN3 Polymorphisms Are Associated with the Improvement of Explosive Strength.

Background: The potential influence of genetics in athletic performance allows the search for genetic profiles associated with muscular work for the orientation of strength training and sports selection. The purpose of the study was to analyze four muscular exercises for effectiveness in improving explosive strength variables, associated to the genetics in Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) and α-actinin-3 (ACTN3) polymorphisms. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was conducted on a sample of 80 subjects allocated into four groups: concentric muscle work (CMW), eccentric muscle work (EMW), concentric-eccentric muscle (C-EMW) work and isometric muscular work (IMW), by block and gender randomization. Vertical jump, long jump, power jump, and speed were measured to study explosive strength. Genotypic frequencies of ACE (rs4646994) and ACTN3 (rs1815739) were obtained by polymerase chain reaction. Results: ACE gen showed significant improvements regarding the DD genotype in the Sargent test (p = 0.003) and sprint velocity test (p = 0.017). In the ACTN3 gene, the RR variable obtained improvement results with regard to RX and XX variables in long jump (p < 0.001), Sargent test (p < 0.001) and power jump (p = 0.004). Conclusions: The selected genes demonstrated an influence on the muscle work and the improvement in explosive strength variables with a decisive role regarding the type of muscle work performed.post-print1010 K

Genetic Profile in Genes Associated with Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Elite Spanish Male Endurance Athletes.

Background: most of the research concerning the influence of genetics on endurance performance has been carried out by investigating target genes separately. However, endurance performance is a complex trait that can stem from the interaction of several genes. The objective of this study was to compare the frequencies of polymorphisms in target genes involving cardiorespiratory functioning in elite endurance athletes vs. non-athlete controls. Methods: genotypic frequencies were determined in 123 elite endurance athletes and in 122 non-athletes. Genotyping of ACE (rs4340), NOS3 (rs2070744 and rs1799983), ADRA2a (rs1800544 and rs553668), ADRB2 (rs1042713 and rs1042714), and BDKRB2 (rs5810761) was performed by polymerase chain reaction. The total genotype score (TGS: from 0 to 100 arbitrary units; a.u.) was calculated from the genotype score in each polymorphism. Results: the mean TGS in non-athletes (47.72 ± 11.29 a.u.) was similar to elite endurance athletes (46.54 ± 11.32 a.u., p = 0.415). The distribution of TGS frequencies were also similar in non-athletes and elite endurance athletes (p = 0.333). There was no TGS cut-off point to discriminate being elite endurance athletes. Conclusions: the genetic profile in the selected genes was similar in elite endurance athletes and in controls, suggesting that the combination of these genes does not determine endurance performance.post-print1294 K

Ocular chemical burns in the workplace: epidemiological characteristics of a Spanish cohort.

Background Epidemiological studies focusing on occupational pathologies can be an important medium through which to bring about change with respect to workplace accidents, both in terms of prevention planning and management as well as the appropriate care following an accident. Ocular chemical burns benefit from urgent attention as, if not treated early and appropriately, the tissue of the eye and its functionality can be seriously compromised. The objective of this study was to collate epidemiological data on workplace ocular chemical burns which could in turn serve to identify key action points in terms of occupational health. Methods Cohort study with 604 cases of chemical burns to the eye occurring in the workplace between 2014 and 2015. Criteria inclusion were diagnosis of chemical burn, patient seen at the medical centre of the mutual society, workplace acquired ophthalmic pathology leading to the issuing of a sickness certificate. No exclusion criteria were defined. Results Ocular chemical burns were the second most common workplace eye injury (12.68%) behind foreign bodies in the eye (43.42%). Men accounted for 68.54% of cases of ocular chemical burns. In around 75% of cases, sickness certification was for less than 7 days, although 6 patients suffered permanent disability. The occupational sector which was most affected particularly the industry service industry. The economic costs with these workplace injuries were extracted. Conclusions Appropriate early medical assistance is essential. The production and distribution of clinical guides for health care workers could optimise first line assistance and mitigate possible training deficiencies.pre-print169 K

Liver-Metabolizing Genes and Their Relationship to the Performance of Elite Spanish Male Endurance Athletes; a Prospective Transversal Study.

Background: The genetic profile that is needed to define an endurance athlete has been studied during recent years. The main objective of this work is to approach for the first time the study of genetic variants in livermetabolizing genes and their role in endurance performance by comparing the allelic and genotypic frequencies in elite endurance athletes to the non-athlete population. Methods: Genotypic and allelic frequencies were determined in 123 elite endurance athletes (75 professional road cyclists and 48 endurance elite runners) and 122 male non-athlete subjects (sedentary). Genotyping of cytochrome P450 family 2 subfamily D member 6 (CYP2D6 rs3892097), glutathione-S transferase mu isoform 1 (GSTM1), glutathione S-transferase pi (GSTP rs1695) and glutathione S-transferase theta (GSTT) genes was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The combination of the polymorphisms for the “optimal” polygenic profile has been quantified using the genotype score (GS). Results: Statistical differences were found in the genetic distributions between elite endurance athletes and nonathletes in CYP2D6 (p < 0.001) and GSTT (p = 0.014) genes. The binary logistic regression model showed a favourable OR (odds ratio) of being an elite endurance runner against a professional road cyclist (OR: 2.403, 95% CI:1.213–4.760 (p = 0.002)) in the polymorphisms studied. Conclusions: Genotypic distribution of liver-metabolizing genes in elite endurance athletes is different to nonathlete subjects, with a favourable gene profile in elite endurance athletes in terms of detoxification capacity.post-print814 K

Women with low quality of life by cervantes-short form scale choose menopausal hormone therapy.

Objectives The aim of the study is to assess whether women who choose to use menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) have lower quality of life (QoL) than those who do not initiate it using Cervantes short form scale (C-SF), and analyze sociodemographic factors associated with lower QoL in women. Study design A cross-sectional descriptive observational study was made in four hundred and eighty women with climacteric symptoms. Results Mean age was 51.1 years. Two hundred and sixty-one women (54.3 %) started MHT. The sample´s global mean in C-SF score was 51.3 ± 13.9. Women who choose to use MHT have higher score in C-SF (lower QoL) than women who reject it (58.7 ± 15.9 vs 46.7 ± 12.8; p 30 BMI) (52.8 ± 13.5 vs 41.0 ± 8.2; p = 0.002); with previous malignancies (56.2 ± 18.2 vs 50.2 ± 13.5; p = 0.020) and without sexual activity (58.0 ± 25.4 vs 50.4 ± 13.1; p = 0.009. No differences were found in C-SF score with respect to tobacco habits or physical activity. In the multivariate analysis, the variable independently associated to lower QoL by C-SF (high score) was to be a woman who want to initiate MHT (p = 0.004). Conclusions Women who choose to use MHT due to menopausal symptoms have lower quality of life measured by C-SF scale. Women with early menopause, with no obesity (<30 BMI), without sexual activity and with previous malignances have lower quality of life measured by C-SF scale. Women with early menopause have more psychic symptoms like nervousness, fatigue and sleep complaints by C-SF scale than women with natural menopause.pre-print726 K

Efficacy and Feasibility of an Osteopathic Intervention for Neurocognitive and Behavioral Symptoms Usually Associated With Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.

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Genotype scores in energy and iron-metabolising genes are higher in elite endurance athletes than in nonathlete controls.

Information about the association of energy and iron-metabolising genes with endurance performance is scarce. The objective of this investigation was to compare the frequencies of polymorphic variations of genes involved in energy generation and iron metabolism in elite endurance athletes versus nonathlete controls. Genotype frequencies in 123 male elite endurance athletes (75 professional road cyclists and 48 elite endurance runners) and 122 male nonathlete participants were compared by assessing 4 genetic polymorphisms: AMPD1 c.34C/T (rs17602729), PPARGC1A c.1444G/A (rs8192678) HFEH63D c.187C/G (rs1799945) and HFEC282Y c.845G/A (rs1800562). A weighted genotype score (w-TGS; from 0 to 100 arbitrary units (a.u.)) was calculated by assigning a corresponding weight to each polymorphism. In the nonathlete population, the mean w-TGS value was lower (39.962 ± 14.654 a.u.) than in the group of elite endurance athletes (53.344 ± 17.053 a.u). The binary logistic regression analysis showed that participants with a w-TGS > 38.975 a.u had an odds ratio of 1.481 (95% confidence interval: 1.244–1.762; p < 0.001) for achieving elite athlete status. The genotypic distribution of polymorphic variations involved in energy generation and iron metabolism was different in elite endurance athletes vs. controls. Thus, an optimal genetic profile in these genes might contribute to physical endurance in athlete status.pre-print458 K