The prevalence of doping in elite sports is relevant for all those involved in sports, particularly for evaluating anti-doping policy measures. Remarkably, few scientific articles have addressed this ...subject so far, and the last review dates back to 1997. As a consequence, the true prevalence of doping in elite sports is unknown. Even though it is virtually impossible to uncover the exact prevalence of a prohibited activity such as doping, various methods are available to uncover parts of this particular problem, which enables the circumvention (to a certain degree) of the issues of truthfulness, definition problems and the limits of pharmacological evidence. This review outlines the various methods that exist and presents the scarce data available in this area. It is concluded that a combination of questionnaires using the Randomised Response Technique and models of biological parameters is able to provide the statistical possibilities to reveal accurate estimates of this often undisclosed practice. Data gathered in this way yield an estimation of 14-39% of current adult elite athletes who intentionally used doping. These period prevalences have been found in specific sub-groups of elite athletes, and the available data suggest that the prevalence of doping is considerably different between sub-groups with varying types of sport, levels and nationalities. The above-mentioned figure of 14-39% is likely to be a more accurate reflection of the prevalence of intentional doping in elite sports than that provided by doping control test results (estimate of doping: 1-2% annually) or questionnaire-based research (estimations between 1 and 70% depending on sport, level and exact definitions of intent and doping). In the future, analytical science may play a more important role in this topic if it may become feasible to detect very low concentrations of prohibited substances in sewage systems downstream of major sporting events. However, it is clear that current doping control test results show a distinct underestimation of true doping prevalence. It does not seem feasible to distil better estimates of the prevalence of doping based on performance indicators or ego documents because of the various existing effects that influence athletic performance. Such information can only be used as extra information to augment the accuracy of prevalence rates that have been found by using other techniques. True doping prevalence studies have been scarce in elite sports so far. With the correct application of the available scientific methods, preferably using harmonised definitions of the terms 'doping' and 'elite sports', more information on this topic may be gathered in a relatively short time. This would assist anti-doping professionals in the future in order to evaluate the effects of possible anti-doping measures, and better anti-doping policies would serve athletes who compete without doping. The existing anti-doping measures seriously impact the lives of elite athletes and their immediate entourage, which imposes a moral burden to evaluate these measures in the best possible way.
Background: Sarcopenia has been attributed to a diminished muscle protein synthetic response to food intake. Differences in digestion and absorption kinetics of dietary protein, its amino acid ...composition, or both have been suggested to modulate postprandial muscle protein accretion.
Objective: The objective was to compare protein digestion and absorption kinetics and subsequent postprandial muscle protein accretion after ingestion of whey, casein, and casein hydrolysate in healthy older adults.
Design: A total of 48 older men aged 74 ± 1 y (mean ± SEM) were randomly assigned to ingest a meal-like amount (20 g) of intrinsically l-1-13Cphenylalanine–labeled whey, casein, or casein hydrolysate. Protein ingestion was combined with continuous intravenous l-ring-2H5phenylalanine infusion to assess in vivo digestion and absorption kinetics of dietary protein. Postprandial mixed muscle protein fractional synthetic rates (FSRs) were calculated from the ingested tracer.
Results: The peak appearance rate of dietary protein–derived phenylalanine in the circulation was greater with whey and casein hydrolysate than with casein (P < 0.05). FSR values were higher after whey (0.15 ± 0.02%/h) than after casein (0.08 ± 0.01%/h; P < 0.01) and casein hydrolysate (0.10 ± 0.01%/h; P < 0.05) ingestion. A strong positive correlation (r = 0.66, P < 0.01) was observed between peak plasma leucine concentrations and postprandial FSR values.
Conclusions: Whey protein stimulates postprandial muscle protein accretion more effectively than do casein and casein hydrolysate in older men. This effect is attributed to a combination of whey’s faster digestion and absorption kinetics and higher leucine content. This trial was registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00557388.
OBJECTIVES: To investigate the relationship between skeletal muscle fiber type‐specific characteristics, circulating hormone concentrations, and skeletal muscle mass and strength in older men.
...DESIGN: Cross‐sectional analyses.
SETTING: University research center.
PARTICIPANTS: Forty‐one community dwelling elderly men (≥65).
MEASUREMENTS: Leg strength (1‐repetition maximum, 1RM) and whole‐body and limb muscle mass were determined, and muscle fiber type composition, cross‐sectional area (CSA), myonuclear content, and satellite cell (SC) content were assessed in skeletal muscle biopsy samples. In addition, blood samples were collected to determine serum testosterone, sex hormone–binding globulin, insulinlike growth factor (IGF)‐1, and IGF binding protein‐3 concentrations.
RESULTS: Muscle mass correlated with muscle strength (0.41 ≤ correlation coefficient (r)≤0.72; P<.01). Muscle fiber CSA, myonuclear content, and SC content were significantly lower in type II than in type I muscle fibers. Myonuclear and SC content were positively correlated with muscle fiber CSA. Furthermore, greater muscle fiber CSA (type I and II) was associated with greater thigh muscle area and muscle strength (0.30 ≤ r ≤ 0.45; P<.05). Testosterone concentration was positively correlated with muscle mass and muscle fiber CSA. Regression analysis showed that SC content, myonuclear content, and testosterone concentration are predictive of muscle fiber CSA. Furthermore, muscle mass and type II muscle fiber CSA are predictive of muscle strength.
CONCLUSION: Skeletal muscle mass and strength in elderly men are positively correlated with muscle fiber type–specific CSA, myonuclear content, and SC content. These findings support the assumption that a decline in SC content plays an important role in age‐related decline in muscle mass and strength.
Both protein and caffeine coingestion with CHO have been suggested to represent effective dietary strategies to further accelerate postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis in athletes.
This study aimed ...to assess the effect of protein or caffeine coingestion on postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis rates when optimal amounts of CHO are ingested.
Fourteen male cyclists were studied on three different test days. Each test day started with a glycogen-depleting exercise session. This was followed by a 6-h recovery period, during which subjects received 1.2 g·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ CHO, the same amount of CHO with 0.3 g·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ of a protein plus leucine mixture (CHO + PRO), or 1.7 mg·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹ caffeine (CHO + CAF). All drinks were enriched with U-¹³C₆-labeled glucose to assess potential differences in the appearance rate of ingested glucose from the gut. Muscle biopsies were collected immediately after cessation of exercise and after 6 h of postexercise recovery.
The plasma insulin response was higher in CHO + PRO compared with CHO and CHO + CAF (P < 0.01). Plasma glucose responses and glucose appearance rates did not differ between experiments. Muscle glycogen synthesis rates averaged 31 ± 4, 34 ± 4, and 31 ± 4 mmol·kg⁻¹ dry weight·h⁻¹ in CHO, CHO + PRO, and CHO + CAF, respectively (P = NS). In accordance, histochemical analyses did not show any differences between net changes in Type I and Type II muscle fiber glycogen content between experiments.
Coingestion of protein or caffeine does not further accelerate postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis when ample amounts of CHO (1.2 g·kg⁻¹·h⁻¹) are ingested.
Background: There has been rapid growth in the technical and physiologic demands made on skaters who perform more and more difficult
jumps, spins, lifts, throws, and free skating movements.
Purpose: ...To investigate the frequency of injuries and overuse syndromes in elite junior skaters.
Study Design: Questionnaire.
Methods: During four consecutive Junior World Figure Skating Championships and the Croatia Cup, we interviewed 236 female and 233
male skaters by questionnaire to determine the frequency of injuries and overuse syndromes.
Results: Fifty-nine of the female skaters (25%) and 65 of the male skaters (27.9%) reported sustaining acute injuries; 101 female
(42.8%) and 106 male (45.5%) skaters reported overuse syndromes. Low back pain was reported by 19 female and 23 male skaters.
The most frequent acute injury was ankle sprain. In singles female skaters, the most frequent overuse injury was stress fracture
(19.8%), followed by jumperâs knee (14.9%). In singles male skaters, jumperâs knee (16.1%) was the most frequent injury, followed
by Osgood-Schlatter disease (14.2%). More than 50% of injuries in young singles figure skaters involved overuse syndromes.
Pairs skaters and ice dance skaters had a higher risk of acute injury than overuse syndrome because of falls from lifts and
throw jumps.
Conclusions: Programs to improve postural alignment, flexibility, and strength, especially during the asynchronous period of bone and
soft tissue development, should be instituted to prevent and reduce overuse syndromes.
Androgenic-anabolic steroids (AAS) are synthetic derivatives of the male hormone testosterone. They can exert strong effects on the human body that may be beneficial for athletic performance. A ...review of the literature revealed that most laboratory studies did not investigate the actual doses of AAS currently abused in the field. Therefore, those studies may not reflect the actual (adverse) effects of steroids. The available scientific literature describes that short-term administration of these drugs by athletes can increase strength and bodyweight. Strength gains of about 5-20% of the initial strength and increments of 2-5 kg bodyweight, that may be attributed to an increase of the lean body mass, have been observed. A reduction of fat mass does not seem to occur. Although AAS administration may affect erythropoiesis and blood haemoglobin concentrations, no effect on endurance performance was observed. Little data about the effects of AAS on metabolic responses during exercise training and recovery are available and, therefore, do not allow firm conclusions. The main untoward effects of short- and long-term AAS abuse that male athletes most often self-report are an increase in sexual drive, the occurrence of acne vulgaris, increased body hair and increment of aggressive behaviour. AAS administration will disturb the regular endogenous production of testosterone and gonadotrophins that may persist for months after drug withdrawal. Cardiovascular risk factors may undergo deleterious alterations, including elevation of blood pressure and depression of serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-, HDL2- and HDL3-cholesterol levels. In echocardiographic studies in male athletes, AAS did not seem to affect cardiac structure and function, although in animal studies these drugs have been observed to exert hazardous effects on heart structure and function. In studies of athletes, AAS were not found to damage the liver. Psyche and behaviour seem to be strongly affected by AAS. Generally, AAS seem to induce increments of aggression and hostility. Mood disturbances (e.g. depression, hypo-mania, psychotic features) are likely to be dose and drug dependent. AAS dependence or withdrawal effects (such as depression) seem to occur only in a small number of AAS users. Dissatisfaction with the body and low self-esteem may lead to the so-called 'reverse anorexia syndrome' that predisposes to the start of AAS use. Many other adverse effects have been associated with AAS misuse, including disturbance of endocrine and immune function, alterations of sebaceous system and skin, changes of haemostatic system and urogenital tract. One has to keep in mind that the scientific data may underestimate the actual untoward effects because of the relatively low doses administered in those studies, since they do not approximate doses used by illicit steroid users. The mechanism of action of AAS may differ between compounds because of variations in the steroid molecule and affinity to androgen receptors. Several pathways of action have been recognised. The enzyme 5-alpha-reductase seems to play an important role by converting AAS into dihydrotestosterone (androstanolone) that acts in the cell nucleus of target organs, such as male accessory glands, skin and prostate. Other mechanisms comprises mediation by the enzyme aromatase that converts AAS in female sex hormones (estradiol and estrone), antagonistic action to estrogens and a competitive antagonism to the glucocorticoid receptors. Furthermore, AAS stimulate erythropoietin synthesis and red cell production as well as bone formation but counteract bone breakdown. The effects on the cardiovascular system are proposed to be mediated by the occurrence of AAS-induced atherosclerosis (due to unfavourable influence on serum lipids and lipoproteins), thrombosis, vasospasm or direct injury to vessel walls, or may be ascribed to a combination of the different mechanisms. AAS-induced increment of muscle tissue can be attributed to hypertrophy and the formation of new muscle fibres, in which key roles are played by satellite cell number and ultrastructure, androgen receptors and myonuclei.
The aim of the present study was to determine whether a single session of resistance exercise improves whole-body insulin sensitivity in healthy men for up to 24 h. Twelve male subjects (23 +/- 1 ...years) were studied over a period of 4 days during which they consumed a standardized diet, providing 0.16 +/- 0.01 MJ.kg(-1).day(-1) containing 15 +/- 0.1 energy% (En%) protein, 29 +/ -0.1 En% fat and 55 +/- 0.3 En% carbohydrate. Insulin sensitivity was determined 24 h before and 24 h after a single resistance exercise session (8 sets of 10 repetitions at 75% of 1 repetition maximum for two leg exercise tasks) using an intravenous insulin tolerance test. Insulin sensitivity index was calculated by the decline in arterial blood glucose concentration following intravenous administration of a single bolus of human insulin (0.075 IU.kg(-1) fat free mass). Basal glucose and insulin concentrations were not changed up to 24 h after the resistance exercise. However, a substantial 13+/-5% improvement in whole-body insulin sensitivity was observed, 24 h after the resistance exercise (P < 0.05). This study shows that even a single session of resistance exercise improves whole-body insulin sensitivity for up to 24 h in healthy men, which is consistent with earlier observations following endurance exercise tasks.
Abstract In surface electromyography (sEMG), the distribution of motor unit potential (MUP) velocities has been shown to reflect the proportion of faster and slower propagating MUPs. This study ...investigated whether the distribution of MUP velocities could distinguish between sprinters and endurance athletes in not-specifically trained muscle (biceps brachii). sEMG results were acquired from 15 sprinters and 18 endurance athletes during short static contractions (3.8 s) at three force levels: unloaded, 10% and 20% of maximum voluntary contraction. The features extracted from the sEMG were: the mean muscle conduction velocity (CV) – estimated using the inter-peak latency and the cross-correlation methods, the within-subject skewness of MUP velocities (expressing the relative proportions of faster and slower propagating MUPs), and the within-subject standard deviation of MUP velocities. Sprinters had a higher CV than endurance athletes using both methods. Sprinters also demonstrated a greater proportion of fast propagating MUPs, as indicated by the skewness. Thus, the distribution of MUP velocities was able to demonstrate physiological differences between sprinters and endurance athletes during short contractions at low forces. The findings can be extrapolated to the motor unit level. Since the investigated muscle was not involved in specific training, the differences seem to reflect inherited properties.
Coingestion of protein and/or free amino acids with carbohydrate has been reported to accelerate postexercise muscle glycogen synthesis due to an increase in the insulin response.
To determine the ...extent to which the combined ingestion of carbohydrate and a casein protein hydrolysate with or without additional free leucine can increase insulin levels during postexercise recovery in endurance-trained athletes. To determine how this affects whole-body plasma glucose disposal during postexercise recovery.
Fourteen male athletes (age: 24.3 +/- 0.8 yr; VO2max: 62.9 +/- 1.4 mL.kg.min) were subjected to three randomized crossover trials in which they performed 2 h of exercise (55% Wmax). Thereafter, subjects were studied for 3.5 h during which they ingested carbohydrate (CHO: 0.8 g.kg.h), carbohydrate and a protein hydrolysate (CHO-PRO: 0.8 and 0.4 g.kg.h, respectively), or carbohydrate, a protein hydrolysate, and free leucine (CHO-PRO-LEU: 0.8, 0.4, and 0.1 g.kg.h, respectively) in a double-blind fashion. Continuous infusions with 6,6-H2 glucose were applied to quantify plasma glucose appearance (Ra) and disappearance rates (Rd).
Plasma insulin responses were 108 +/- 17 and 190 +/- 33% greater in the CHO-PRO and CHO-PRO-LEU trial, respectively, compared with the CHO-trial (P < 0.01). Plasma glucose responses were lower in the CHO-PRO and CHO-PRO-LEU trial compared with the CHO-trial (35 +/- 5 and 42 +/- 11% lower, respectively; P < 0.01). Plasma glucose Ra and Rd were greater in the CHO versus the CHO-PRO and CHO-PRO-LEU trials (P < 0.05). Glucose Rd represented 100 +/- 0.03% of Ra in all trials.
The combined ingestion of a protein hydrolysate and/or free leucine with carbohydrate (0.8 g.kg.h) substantially augments insulin secretion, but does not affect plasma glucose disposal during the first 3.5 h of postexercise recovery in trained athletes.
Little soldiers in their cardboard cells van Breda, Eric; Benders, Jos; Kuipers, Harm
British journal of clinical pharmacology,
03/2014, Letnik:
77, Številka:
3
Journal Article
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