Javier García

Role of Hsp72 and norepinephrine in the moderate exercise-induced stimulation of neutrophils' microbicide capacity

The influence of a single session of moderate exercise (45xa0min at 55% of VO2 max) performed by young sedentary men (23–25xa0years old) on the microbicidal capacity of neutrophils was compared by using both direct (killing of phagocytosed Candida albicans) and indirect (superoxide anion production measured by NBT reduction) techniques. In addition, the role of norepinephrine and heat shock protein (Hsp) 72 in the modulation of microbicide capacity of neutrophils was evaluated during the protocol of exercise and recovery period (24xa0h). No significant changes were found in the superoxide production after exercise. However, immediately after exercise there was an increase in the destruction of C. albicans, which remained higher than basal values 1xa0day later. This behaviour was similar to the changes found in the serum extracellular Hsp72 concentrations (an increase after exercise that remained higher than basal values 24xa0h later). In vitro, the raised physiological concentration of Hsp72 after exercise also increased the microbicide capacity of neutrophils with respect to controls and the values induced by the basal concentration of the protein. This indicates that Hsp72 is participating as a “stress mediator” of the stimulated microbicide activity during moderate exercise. However, norepinephrine is not mediating the increased killing of C. albicans during exercise.

Influence of exercise on the circulating levels and macrophage production of IL-1β and IFNγ affected by metabolic syndrome: an obese Zucker rat experimental animal model

Regular physical activity is recognized as a non-pharmacological treatment of genetic obesity and type-II diabetes, and based on the “anti-inflammatory” effects of exercise, it has been also proposed for improving the “chronic low-grade inflammation” in metabolic syndrome (MS). The aim of the present work was to evaluate the effects of an habitual exercise program (running, 5xa0days/week for 35xa0min at 35xa0cm/s for 14xa0weeks) and of a bout of acute exercise (running, for 35xa0min at 35xa0cm/s) on MS-associated disorders in the pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IFNγ. The study was carried out on obese Zucker rats (fa/fa). The obese rats presented higher circulating concentrations and constitutive macrophage production (in the absence of antigenic stimulus) of IL-1β (but not of IFNγ). But their production of both IL-1β and IFNγ by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated macrophages was lower than that of the control lean rats. Our protocol of exercise training did not modify the circulating concentration and constitutive macrophage release of either IL-1β or IFNγ in the obese rats, but increased the production of both cytokines by LPS-stimulated macrophages. The single bout of acute exercise only increased the release of IL-1β by the LPS-stimulated macrophages from obese rats, in both sedentary and trained animals. The results indicated that: (1) circulating levels and constitutive production of IL-1β by macrophages are deregulated in rats with MS, and (2) IL-1β and IFNγ production by macrophages in response to antigenic stimulus (LPS) is impaired in the obese animals, and this MS-associated disorder is improved by the program of habitual exercise training.

Identifying Basketball Performance Indicators in Regular Season and Playoff Games

The aim of the present study was to identify basketball game performance indicators which best discriminate winners and losers in regular season and playoffs. The sample used was composed by 323 games of ACB Spanish Basketball League from the regular season (n=306) and from the playoffs (n=17). A previous cluster analysis allowed splitting the sample in balanced (equal or below 12 points), unbalanced (between 13 and 28 points) and very unbalanced games (above 28 points). A discriminant analysis was used to identify the performance indicators either in regular season and playoff games. In regular season games, the winning teams dominated in assists, defensive rebounds, successful 2 and 3-point field-goals. However, in playoff games the winning teams’ superiority was only in defensive rebounding. In practical applications, these results may help the coaches to accurately design training programs to reflect the importance of having different offensive set plays and also have specific conditioning programs to prepare for defensive rebounding.

Basketball Game-related statistics discriminating ACB league teams according to game location, game outcome and final score differences

The aim of the study was to identify the basketball performance indicators that best discriminated winning and losing teams according to game location and final score differences. The sample used was composed by 306 games of the ACB basketball league from the 2007-2008 regular season. A cluster of k-means was used to split the sample into 3 groups: balanced (differences between 1 and 12 points); unbalanced (differences between 13 and 28 points) and blowout games (differences above 28 points). The results obtained from the discriminant analysis showed that home teams were discriminated from away teams by assists (SC=.41), successful 2-point field goals (SC=.40) and defensive rebounds (SC=.36) during balanced games when home teams won. Conversely, when visiting teams win, assists (SC=.33) and steals (SC=.42) discriminated home and away teams. In unbalanced games, when home teams win, home and away teams were discriminated by assists (SC=.30). On the other hand when away teams win, home teams were discriminated from away teams by assists (SC=.31) and 3-point field-goals (SC=-.33). These findings may help coaches to prepare and design specific programs focused on game dynamics.

Estudio de las fases de juego a través del análisis del entrenamiento deportivo en categoría minibasket

El objeto de este estudio fue analizar la planificacion de las fases de juego que realiza un entrenador durante el entrenamiento. La muestra la constituyen la totalidad de las tareas de entrenamiento de dos temporadas deportivas (n=846). Las variables de estudio fueron las fases de juego, los medios de entrenamiento y las situaciones de juego. Se analizaron las diferencias en el tratamiento de las variables en las dos temporadas y la relacion entre las variables. Los resultados ponen de manifiesto el predominio de la fase de ataque sobre la de defensa. El tratamiento de los contenidos ofensivos se plantea con la utilizacion de ejercicios y con situaciones de juegos sin oposicion (1x0). Para el trabajo defensivo se opta por los juegos y las situaciones de 1x1.