Marcello Traina

Quantitative analysis of ventricular late potentials in healthy subjects

Signal averaging is a technique that improves the signal-to-noise ratio. Obscuring random noise, it allows the detection of low-amplitude wave forms in the terminal portion of the QRS complex, also known as ventricular late potentials. A higher incidence of arrhythmic events has been found in patients with abnormal ventricular late potentials after an acute myocardial infarction. Few studies have been conducted in healthy subjects to assess normal values. Sixty-one healthy subjects were enrolled in our study (33 men and 28 women). The results (mean +/- standard deviation) are as follows: duration of the filtered QRS (QRS duration) was 95 +/- 10 ms; duration of the low-amplitude signals in the terminal portion of QRS less than 40 microV (LAS less than 40) was 32 +/- 8 ms; and root-mean-square voltage in the last 40 ms (RMS - 40) was 33 +/- 16 microV. A significant difference was noted in QRS duration between men and women (98 +/- 11 vs 92 +/- 6 ms, p = 0.006); no difference was found in LAS less than 40 (31 +/- 8 vs 34 +/- 8 ms) and in RMS-40 (36 +/- 17 vs 30 +/- 13 microV). QRS duration confidence limits of 95% were less than or equal to 114 ms for the total group, less than or equal to 120 ms for men and less than or equal to 104 ms for women. Normalization of QRS duration for height (normal value less than 66 ms/m) eliminated any difference between men and women.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

PPARα gene variants as predicted performance-enhancing polymorphisms in professional Italian soccer players

Background The PPARα gene encodes the peroxisome proliferator-activator receptor alpha, a central regulator of expression of other genes involved in fatty acid metabolism. The purpose of this study was to determine the prevalence of G allele of the PPARα intron 7 G/C polymorphism (rs4253778) in professional Italian soccer players. Methods Sixty professional soccer players and 30 sedentary volunteers were enrolled in the study. Samples of venous blood were obtained at rest, in the morning, by conventional clinical procedures; blood serum was collected and total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides were measured. An aliquot of anticoagulant-treated blood was used to prepare genomic DNA from whole blood. The G/C polymorphic site in PPARα intron 7 was scanned by using the PCR-RFLP (polymerase chain reaction restriction fragment length polymorphism) protocol with TaqI enzyme. Results We found variations in genotype distribution of PPARα polymorphism between professional soccer players and sedentary volunteers. Particularly, G alleles and the GG genotype were significantly more frequent in soccer players compared with healthy controls (64% versus 48%). No significant correlations were found between lipid profile and genotype background. Conclusion Previous results demonstrated an association of intron 7 G allele as well as the GG genotype in endurance athletes. Our result suggests that this is the case also in professional soccer players.

The influence of the stomatognathic system on explosive strength: A pilot study

[Purpose] Recent findings suggest there is an interesting interaction between the stomatognathic system and the musculoskeletal system. The aim of this study was therefore to examine the influence of the temporomandibular joint on the explosive strength of the lower limbs. [Subjects and Methods] An observational study was carried out. The subjects were 60 male football players who voluntarily participated in the investigation. After a warm-up phase of 10 minutes, each participant performed three Squat Jumps (SJ) with different mandible positions: mouth closed and mouth open. SJ heights were recorded using a Sensor Medica force platform and the FreeMed system. [Results] Sixty participants were enrolled in this study (age: 24 ± 7 yrs; height: 174 ± 4.6 cm; weight 63.7 ± 7.6 kg). The SJ heights with the mouth closed, 38.50 ± 4.0 cm, were shorter than those with the mouth open, 40.4 ± 4.1 cm. Statistical analysis showed there was a statistically significant difference between the performances. [Conclusion] This pilot study highlighted that occlusal factors can influence physical performance and this could have practical applications in sports and exercise science. However, our results have to be confirmed in studies with larger numbers of participants and supported by other investigations.

Long-Term Structural and Functional Myocardial Adaptations in Healthy Living Kidney Donors: A Pilot Study.

Background and Aims Compensatory renal hypertrophy following unilateral nephrectomy (UNX) occurs in the remaining kidney. However, the long-term cardiac adaptive process to UNX remains poorly defined in humans. Our goal was to characterize myocardial structure and function in living kidney donors (LKDs), approximately 12 years after UNX. Methods and Results Cardiac function and structure in 15 Italian LKDs, at least 5 years after UNX (median time from donation = 8.4 years) was investigated and compared to those of age and sex matched U.S. citizens healthy controls (n = 15). Standard and speckle tracking echocardiography (STE) was performed in both LKDs and controls. Plasma angiotensin II, aldosterone, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), N terminus pro B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), cyclic guanylyl monophosphate (cGMP), and amino-terminal peptide of procollagen III (PIIINP) were also collected. Median follow-up was 11.9 years. In LKDs, LV geometry and function by STE were similar to controls, wall thickness and volumes were within normal limits also by CMR. In LKDs, CMR was negative for myocardial fibrosis, but apical rotation and LV torsion obtained by STE were impaired as compared to controls (21.4 ± 7.8 vs 32.7 ± 8.9 degrees, p = 0.04). Serum creatinine and PIIINP levels were increased [1.1 (0.9–1.3) mg/dL, and 5.8 (5.4–7.6)] μg/L, respectively), while urinary cGMP was reduced [270 (250–355) vs 581 (437–698) pmol/mL] in LKDs. No LKD developed cardiovascular or renal events during follow-up. Conclusions Long-term kidney donors have no apparent structural myocardial abnormalities as assessed by contrast enhanced CMR. However, myocardial deformation of the apical segments, as well as apical rotation, and LV torsion are reduced. The concomitant increase in circulating PIIINP level is suggestive of fibrosis. Further studies, focused on US and EU patients are warranted to evaluate whether these early functional modifications will progress to a more compromised cardiac function and structure at a later time.

An innovative way to highlight the power of each polymorphism on the elite athletes phenotype expression

The purpose of this study was to determine the probability of soccer players having the best genetic background that could increase performance, evaluating the polymorphism that are considered Performance Enhancing Polymorphism (PEPs) distributed on five genes: PPARα, PPARGC1A, NRF2, ACE e CKMM. Particularly, we investigated how each polymorphism works directly or through another polymorphism to distinguish elite athletes from non-athletic population. Sixty professional soccer players (age 22.5 ± 2.2) and sixty healthy volunteers (age 21.2± 2.3) were enrolled. Samples of venous blood was used to prepare genomic DNA. The polymorphic sites were scanned using PCR-RFLP protocols with different enzyme. We used a multivariate logistic regression analysis to demonstrate an association between the five PEPs and elite phenotype. We found statistical significance in NRF2 (AG/GG genotype) polymorphism/soccer players association (p < 0.05) as well as a stronger association in ACE polymorphism (p =0.02). Particularly, we noticed that the ACE ID genotype and even more the II genotype are associated with soccer player phenotype. Although the other PEPs had no statistical significance, we proved that some of these may work indirectly, amplifying the effect of another polymorphism; for example, seems that PPARα could acts on NRF2 (GG) enhancing the effect of the latter, notwithstanding it had not shown a statistical significance. In conclusion, to establish if a polymorphism can influence the performance, it is necessary to understand how they act and interact, directly and indirectly, on each other.

Relationship between wingate cycle test and 2000m rowing ergometer performance in youth athletes

During 2000m indoor rowing performances, the estimated aerobic and anaerobic contribution are 65-75% and 25-35%, respectively2. In considering that anaerobic power could be an important predictor of performance1, the aim of this study was to analyse the relationship between the power outputs during a Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) on a cycling ergometer and a 2000m rowing ergometer performance in young rowers. In two separate days, 11 young (14.9±1.1yrs) male rowers performed a 2000m indoor rowing ergometer performance and a 30s WAnT on a cycling ergometer. WAnT peak power (PP) and mean power (MP), and 2000m time indoor rowing performance (t2000) were collected. Moreover, PP and MP were normalized with respect to body mass. Pearson correlation coefficients (r) were used to determine the association between t2000 and absolute and normalized PP and MP values. Absolute PP and MP were 888.1±133.2W and 548.5±74.4W, respectively. The relative picture for normalized values was 13.4±1.5 W·kg-1 and 8.2±0.6 W·kg-1. High associations emerged between t2000 (431.5±19.5s) and absolute PP (r=-0.900, P= 0.05) values, whereas no significant relationship was observed for normalized PP (r=-0.585, P=0.058) and AP (r=-0.561, P=0.072) values. These findings indicate that PP and MP could be considered significant predictors of 2000m rowing ergometer performances, substantiating also the relevance of the anaerobic energy pathways to the 2,000m rowing performance.

Race profiles of rowers during the 2014 Youth Olympic Games

SISMES VIII NATIONAL CONGRESS Rome, 7–9 October 2016

Relationship between Wingate test and vertical jump in young female volleyball players

SISMES VIII NATIONAL CONGRESS Rome, 7–9 October 2016

Influence of occlusal vertical dimension on cervical spine mobility in sports subjects

GIUSEPPE BATTAGLIA1,2, VALERIO GIUSTINO4, ANGELO IOVANE1,2, MARIANNA BELLAFIORE1,2, FRANCESCO MARTINES3, ANTONINO PATTI1,2, MARCELLO TRAINA1,2, GIUSEPPE MESSINA2,4, ANTONIO PALMA1,2 1Department of Psychological, Pedagogical and Educational Sciences, University of Palermo, Italy 2Sport and Exercise Sciences Research Unit, University of Palermo, Italy 3BioNeC Department, ENT Section, University of Palermo 4Posturalab Italy

Analysis of body composition and blood parameters on 20 subjects after 6 months of training with SuperJump

The “Jill Cooper’s aerobic accellerator system” uses high quality rebound, modified to increase the acceleration, create a more accommodating work surface, greater stability and cushioning to protect joints. Thanks to the three forces of acceleration, deceleration, and the force of gravity, for each jump, the one-way valves of the lymphatic pathways open and close pushing the lymph towards the next “closed”. This action allows the lymphatic system to make a full turn faster than usual. We investigate the effects of 6 months of training on 20 subjects (age: 37 ± 19; weight: 74 ± 19 Kg; height:164,5 ± 13,5 cm; BMI: 28,13 ± 6,876 Kg/m2; % body fat: 26 ± 14,7 Kg). Antropometric parameters were detected used a Bioimpedance analyzer (BF 302 Ormon BIA); blood samples were collected by a clinical specialized center to analyze lipid profile (total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides) as well as white and red blood cells (WBC and RBC). All these tests were performed before and after training. At the end of the six months of training all the determinations (body composition and blood tests) was made. The results obtained suggest that this system of fitness training got a great changement both on physical form (increase lean body mass at the expense of fat mass) that in blood parameters (all had a decrease statistical significance). The most relevant data covered the variation of blood parameters and in particular of the lipid profile: HDL, Triglycerides, LDL, total cholesterol. Also as regards the blood cells, the results were detected mainly on the number of basophils, lymphocytes and eusinofili regarding the white cells. The results of this study are still preliminary, but the premises stimulate interesting to perform further investigations in this direction, with a higher number of subjects.