Josep A. Tur Marí

TESTOSTERONE AND CORTISOL CHANGES IN PROFESSIONAL BASKETBALL PLAYERS THROUGH A SEASON COMPETITION

Cordova Martínez, A, Seco Calvo, J, Tur Marí, JA, Abecia Inchaurregui, LC, Echevarría Orella, E, and Pons Biescas, A. Testosterone and cortisol changes in professional basketball players through a season competition. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 1102-1108, 2010-We analyze the outcome on testosterone (T) and cortisol (C) responses in 12 professional basketball players during a season of competition. Serum adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), C, total testosterone (TT), and free testosterone (FT) levels were analyzed in October, December, March, and April. A day after the games, blood samples were taken. Serum ACTH levels were maintained at the initial levels during the season. However, basal C significantly changed during the season, with lower levels in December and in April. Basal serum TT levels increased during the season until a maximum in March. No differences were presented in the TT values in December, March, and April. Basal FT presented high levels in October and December, followed by a low level in March, remaining low in April. The T/C increased during the season, attaining a maximum level in December, followed by a significant decrease in March. Free T/C ratio decreased during the season (lower level in March). In conclusion, the players maintained a good anabolic-catabolic balance. In our opinion, to prevent the stress provoked during the season, and control the recovery periods, it is useful to monitor C, T, and the level of training.

Changes in circulating cytokines and markers of muscle damage in elite cyclists during a multi-stage competition

The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in the basal and post‐exercise plasma markers of muscular damage, lipid peroxidation and cytokines in eight male well‐trained semiprofessional cyclists, in response to a three consecutive‐day cycling competition. Serum markers of oxidative and muscular damage – creatine kinase activity, lactate dehydrogenase activity, myoglobin and malondialdehyde (MDA), creatinine and nitrite levels – followed a sawtooth‐type representation throughout the competition. MDA showed an accumulative pattern, evidenced in the post‐race values of the third stage which were significantly higher with respect to the values of the first stage. Cortisol levels were significantly influenced by an interaction between the exercise and the stage factors, with higher values on the 4th day. Plasma cytokine levels were only determined before the first stage and post‐race, after the third stage. The exercise increased TNFα, IL6, IL2 and IFNγ levels, whereas IL1β was unchanged. In conclusion, cyclist stages induced oxidative and cellular muscle damage which is partially recovered to basal values by the next morning. Repetitive stages during the cycling competition accumulated plasma muscular damage and lipid peroxidation markers and pro‐inflammatory cytokines, probably as a result of local inflammatory responses.

Hydration habits before, during and after training and competition days among amateur basketball players

BACKGROUND fluid intake before, during and after exercise is the most important way to replace water lost during exercise and avoid dehydration. AIM to assess fluid intake habits before, during and after exercise in amateur basketball players on both training and competition days. METHODS one hundred and eighty-three amateur basketball players (87 women and 96 men, 19-29 years old) were interviewed. Data was obtained from a drinking habits questionnaire. RESULTS overall, 20.8%, 5.5% and 2.7% of subjects did not drink before, during and after exercise on training days, respectively; 17.5% of subjects did not drink before exercise on competition days. Water was the preferred beverage before, during and after exercise on both training and competition days, with fruit juice being the second most consumed beverage before exercise. All subjects also drank fizzy drinks and other beverages during exercise on competition days. According to the recommendations, good hydration habits were found in 54.6%, 74.2% and 76.5% of subjects before, during and after training days, respectively. CONCLUSIONS most amateur basketball players drink before, during and after exercise on both training and competition days, but not all of them complied with the hydration recommendations.

A Novel Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior Classification and Its Relationship With Physical Fitness in Spanish Older Adults: The PHYSMED Study

BACKGROUND As there is no gold-standard methodology to classify older people in relation to physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB), this paper aimed to propose a classification combining PA and SB. METHODS Within a broader study, 433 subjects, aged 55 years and older (57% females) from Madrid and Majorca, were evaluated for PA and SB by means of validated questionnaires. Physical fitness was analyzed objectively using the EXERNET test battery. Cluster analyses were used to establish behavioral patterns, combining PA and SB. RESULTS Males spent more time doing regular PA but less time walking and working at home than females (P < .001). Comparing the groups (inactive and high sedentary, inactive and low sedentary, active and high sedentary, and active and low sedentary), the worst aerobic endurance (P < .001) and lower body strength (P < .05) were obtained in males from both inactive groups. Agility was highest in the active and low sedentary group (P < .05). No significant differences were observed in females. CONCLUSIONS The proposed classification is valid, as it classifies subjects according to their PA and SB, and outcomes are related to objectively measured fitness. It could facilitate the work of public health authorities, researchers, and physicians.