Estimate the prevalence of eating disorders (ED) and their association with a previously suffered concussion among student-athletes at a Power Five conference university.
An observational, ...cross-sectional, and survey-based study was conducted among student-athletes of a Power Five conference university in Lubbock, Texas. Assessments of eating disorders were carried out using the Questionnaire for Eating Disorder Diagnoses (QEDD), which operationalizes ED criteria of the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). Questionnaires were administered via the web-based survey platform Qualtrics. A total of 413 student-athletes were eligible for the study.
Final analysis included data from 158 student-athletes across 11 different sports disciplines. A total of 7 respondents (4.4%, 95% CI: 1.9%, 9.2%) met diagnostic criteria for ED: 6 cases of Eating Disorder Not Otherwise Specified (EDNOS) and 1 case of non-purging bulimia. A majority of cases of EDNOS were observed among student athletes participating in Track & Field (n = 4). Thirty-four respondents (21.5%, 95% CI: 15.5%, 28.9%) reported symptoms of ED but did not meet diagnostic criteria. Binging was the most prevalently reported symptom (n = 22, 65%). Statistical analysis of the incidence of ED and disordered eating among those with (n = 54), and without, a previous concussion demonstrated no significant difference (P = 1 and P = 0.7, respectively; Fisher’s exact test).
An important prevalence of disordered eating behaviors seems to exist among this student-athlete population. However, no significant association with a previous concussion was found. Nonetheless, such results warrant for the implementation of effective screening measures and interventions for ED and associated symptoms considering their potential adverse effects on student-athletes’ long-term physical and mental health.
Texas Tech University.
To determine the desirability and content of a nutrition and healthy living app for Division 3 college athletes at Ithaca College.
We conducted five focus groups with 36 athlete leaders representing ...7 sports teams (i.e., volleyball, softball, football, and men’s and women’s soccer and track) to determine if and what general nutrition and health information college athletes would athletes need in an app to support their performance and health. From focus group responses, a 16 item survey regarding scheduling and type of nutrition and healthy living questions with responses ranging from 1 to 5 (Extremely interested to not interested at all) was sent to and answered by 130 student athletes. A prototype app was designed.
Athletes expressed interest in an app. The themes athletes identified were barriers to healthy eating and living including lack of free time to plan meals, limited dining hall options, and stress of academics in season. From the survey, 75% of athletes were extremely or very interested in the following: individual nutritional goals, meal plan and preparation ideas, and high protein and carbohydrate snacks recipes. About 50% of athletes were interested in sleep tracking and hydration reminders. Most athletes were only moderately to not interested in the following features: promotionals (i.e., deals at restaurants) and personalized minimum calories.
There is a need and desire for easily accessible nutrition and healthy living information and management tools. A prototype will be shown.
None.
It has been recognized that mechanical stresses associated with physical activity (PA) have beneficial effects on increasing bone mineral density (BMD) and improving bone quality in humans and animal ...models. On the other hand, in rodents, high fat diet (HFD) and obesity increase bone marrow adiposity leading to increased production of pro-inflammatory cytokines that activate RANKL-induced bone resorption. In the current study, we investigated whether short-term increased PA via access to voluntary wheel running during early life has persistent effects on HFD-induced bone resorption.
Sixty (60) four-week-old male C57BL6/J mice were divided into two groups; without or with PA, access to voluntary running wheel (7 to 8 km per day) for 4 wks, with ad libitum access to control diet for all animals. After 4 wks with or without PA, mice were further subdivided into control diet or HFD groups for 8 wks, before all animals were switched back to control diet for an additional 4 wks. Mice from the HFD groups were significantly heavier, with more adiposity vs. control group at the 12 wk study time point, and returned to levels of mice with continues control diet at the 16 wk study time point.
Using peripheral quantitative CT (pQCT) and micro-CT scan on tibias ex vivo, we determined that trabecular BMD and bone volume were significantly increased in animals after 4 wks of PA and control diet compared to sedentary animals without access to wheels. Eight weeks of HFD deteriorated bone development in mice, micro-CT showed 9% significant reduction on percentage of bone volume, and pQCT analysis showed 6% significant reduction of trabecular bone density of mice compared with those standard diet mice. Unexpectedly, early life PA exacerbated HFD-induced trabecular bone loss in adult mice. Early life PA accelerated HFD-induced osteoclastogenesis in adult mice. In accordance with these data, signal transduction studies revealed that HFD-induced Ezh2 and NFATc1, and IRF8 expression were amplified in non-adherent hematopoietic cells.
Increased PA in early life is capable of increasing bone mass; however, it alters the HFD-induced bone marrow hematopoietic cell differentiation program to exacerbate bone resorption if PA is halted.
Supported in part by USDA-ARS Project 6026–51,000-010–05S.
Protease supplementation has been reported to decrease inflammation and indices of muscle damage while increasing functional recovery following strenuous resistance exercise compared to a placebo. ...While various mechanisms have been proposed, the effects of protease supplementation on the resistance exercise induced anabolic signaling response has not been reported in the literature. To examine the effects of a protease enzyme blend added to whey protein on post-resistance exercise intramuscular anabolic signaling.
Ten resistance-trained males (24.4 ± 4.1yrs, 1.79 ± 0.86 m, 92.6 ± 10.4 kg) were enrolled in this double-blind, cross-over, placebo controlled study and engaged in three separate bouts of resistance exercise. Each participant completed 4 sets of leg presses and leg extensions for 8–10 repetitions at 75% of their 1-repetition maximum with 90 seconds of rest between each set. Immediately following the resistance exercise protocol, participants consumed either 250 mg of a protease enzyme blend + 26 g of whey protein (PW), 26 g whey alone (W), or non-caloric control (CON) in a counterbalanced fashion. Skeletal muscle microbiopsies were obtained from the vastus lateralis pre-exercise (PRE), 1-hour (1H), and 3-hours (3H) post-exercise. Multiplex signaling assay kits were used to quantify the phosphorylation status of proteins specific to the mTOR (AKT, mTOR, p70S6K) and MAPK (ERK1/2, JNK, p38) signaling pathways using the MAGPIX® (Luminex, Austin, TX, USA). A 2-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to identify differences between treatments over time.
A main effect for time (p < 0.05) revealed phosphorylation of AKT was decreased at 1H (p < 0.001), mTOR was increased at 1H (P = 0.025) and 3H (P = 0.009) post-exercise, while p70S6K remained unchanged (P > 0.05) from PRE. A main effect for time (p < 0.05) was found with increased phosphorylation at 1H for JNK (P = 0.001), and decreased phosphorylation at 3H for ERK 1/2 (P = 0.022) with respect to baseline. Additionally, there were no differences in any mTOR nor MAPK signaling proteins observed between treatments.
These data suggest that acute protease supplementation may not alter mTOR or MAPK signaling in skeletal muscle following acute resistance exercise.
Deerland Enzymes, Kennesaw, GA.
Nitrate, found abundantly in green leafy vegetables, may improve exercise performance by increasing availability and utilization of metabolic fuels that require less oxygen for energy production. ...However, it is not known if the performance effect occurs at the peak exercise intensity. We hypothesize that supplemental nitrate treatment will promote the metabolism of specific fuels (carbohydrates versus fatty acids) during exercise that require less oxygen to produce ATP. Metabolic analysis will quantify if a net change in these fuels are linked to an improvement in exercise performance with nitrate treatment during submaximal exercise conditions.
Adult zebrafish were exposed to sodium nitrate (606.9 mg NaNO3/L water) or control water for 21 days (n = 54). Fish were sampled at three conditions during a graded exercise test: 1) rested, 2) peak speed, and 3) post-exercise. Whole fish tissue was homogenized and analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography Triple Q-ToF mass spectrometry based untargeted metabolomics.
Metabolomics analysis resulted in the detection of 12,135 and 10,604 features in positive and negative ion mode respectively. Preliminary results show succinate levels significantly increased in nitrate-treated rested fish as compared to control rested fish. Likewise, a significant increase in methylmalonate, which serves as a vital intermediate in the catabolism of lipids and protein, was detected in nitrate-treated fish at rest relative to rested controls. Nitrate treatment both at rest and at peak exercise intensity, significantly increased the abundance of various acyl carnitines relative to control fish at the same exercise intensity, and these metabolites function to transfer long-chain fatty acids to mitochondria for β-oxidation, relative to control fish at the same exercise intensity. Work is ongoing to further identify metabolites that significantly changed with nitrate treatment at various exercise intensities.
Our data are consistent with the hypothesis that nitrate treatment may alter lipid and carbohydrate metabolism of zebrafish.
Celia Strickland and G. Kenneth Austin III Endowment, the Oregon Agricultural Experimental Station, and National Institutes of Health.
Oxylipins are bioactive lipid oxidation products that have vital regulatory roles in numerous physiological processes including inflammation. This study determined if 2-weeks blueberry and/or acute ...banana ingestion influenced generation of in n-6 and n-3 PUFA-derived oxylipins during recovery from a 75-km cycling time trial.
Cyclists (n = 59, 38.6 ± 1.5 years of age) were randomized to freeze-dried blueberry or placebo groups, and ingested 26 grams/d (1 cup/d fresh blueberries equivalent) for 2 weeks. Cyclists reported to the lab in an overnight fasted state and engaged in a 75-km cycling time trial (185.5 ± 5.2 min). Cyclists from each group (blueberry, placebo) were further randomized to ingestion of water-only or water with Cavendish bananas (carbohydrate intake, 0.2 g/kg every 15 min) during exercise. Blood samples were collected pre- and post-2- weeks supplementation, and then 0 h-, 1.5 h-, 3 h-, 5 h-, 24 h-, 48 h-post-exercise. Plasma oxylipins and phenolic blueberry and banana metabolites were measured with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer (UPLC–MS/MS) using reference standards.
Significant time × treatment effects (8 time points, 4 groups) were found for 24 blueberry-related and seven banana-related gut-derived metabolites in plasma (fdr P-value < 0.05). Significant and substantial post-exercise increases were measured for 64 of 67 identified plasma oxylipins. Oxylipins were grouped according to relevant fatty acid substrates arachidonic acid (ARA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), α-linolenic acid (ALA), linoleic acid (LA), and enzyme systems cytochrome P450 (CYP), lipoxygenase (LOX). Banana and blueberry ingestion were independently associated with significant post-exercise reductions in pro-inflammatory ARA-CYP HETEs and DiHETrEs (treatment effect, fdr P-value = 0.003). These trial differences were especially apparent within the first three hours of recovery from the 75-km cycling bout.
Prolonged and intensive exercise evoked a transient but robust increase in plasma levels of oxylipins, with a strong attenuation effect of ARA-CYP oxylipins linked to acute carbohydrate intake from bananas and 2-weeks ingestion of blueberries.
Dole Foods, Westlake Village, CA.
This observational, cross-sectional, pilot study was conducted to establish a nutritional profile among experienced climbers, both non-elite and elite, and to evaluate factors that influence time to ...exhaustion while climbing to volitional failure.
Elite (n = 10) and non-elite (n = 5) climbers, aged 18–45 years participated in the following: (1) nutritional analysis - 3-day food record and 24-hour dietary recall were analyzed using Food Processor and compared to government daily recommended intake; (2) climbing trial - after completing a climbing-related questionnaire and measuring anthropometric characteristics and hand grip strength, participants climbed a moderately difficult pre-set indoor route continuously until reaching volitional exhaustion.
The major findings were significant differences for total climbing time between non-elite and elite climbers (t(13) = –2.6, p = 0.02). Additionally, protein intake from 24 hour recall (n = 15, rS = –0.53, p = 0.04) and total % water intake (n = 15, rS = –0.60, p = 0.02) were negatively correlated with climbing time.
These results indicate that a longer climbing time to exhaustion is related to self-reported climbing ability. In contrast, the negative association between protein intake and climbing time, suggest that carbohydrate intake may play a more important role in climbing performance than protein intake. In addition the negative association between total % water and climbing suggest that the more hydrated a person is going into a climb, the longer they can sustain a climb.
This research was supported by Grant Award BUCSR-Y3–010 from the Bastyr University Center for Student Research.
Successful weight loss interventions often require a multipronged approach. The need for interventions that incorporate both physical activity and dietary methodologies is apparent. The present study ...aimed to assess whether there were differential effects on dietary change within the context of a behavioral weight loss intervention that included different doses of physical activity.
Participants (N = 383; Age = 44.7 ± 8.2 years, BMI = 32.4 ± 3.8 kg/m2) were randomized to a reduced calorie diet (DIET, N = 127), diet plus a moderate dose of physical activity (MOD-EX, N = 129), or diet plus a high dose of physical activity (HIGH-EX, N = 127). All groups received weekly in-person intervention sessions for months 1–6, with combined in-person and telephonic sessions for months 7–12. Diet was prescribed at 1200–1800 kcal/day. MOD-EX was prescribed physical activity that progressed to 150 min/wk and HIGH-EX progressed to 250 min/wk. Physical activity, weight, and dietary intake were assessed. Dietary intake was assessed using the DHQII questionnaire.
Retention at 12 months was 86.6% in DIET, 80.6% in MOD-EX, and 83.5% in HIGH-EX. Physical activity at 0 and 12 months was 65.4 ± 73.8 and 88.2 ± 104.3 min/wk in DIET; 68.7 ± 93.8 and 179.1 ± 125.3 min/wk in MOD-EX; and 71.5 ± 84.4 and 228.8 ± 148.3 min/wk in HIGH-EX (Group X Time P < 0.001). Weight decreased at 12 months (DIET: –9.9 ± 8.3 kg, MOD-EX: –10.8 ± 8.2 kg, HIGH-EX: –9.5 ± 7.3 kg) (P < 0.001), with no difference between groups. Energy intake decreased from baseline in all groups (6 mo: –495 ± 25.8 kcal/day, 12 mo: –502 ± 25.0 kcal/day) (P < 0.001). Percent dietary fat intake decreased (6 mo: –5.0 ± 0.4%, 12 mo: –3.8 ± 0.4%) (P < 0.001), whereas there was a non-significant increase in % carbohydrate intake (6 mo: 3.5 ± 0.4%, 12 mo: 3.0 ± 0.5%) and % protein intake (6 mo: 1.3 ± 0.2%, 12 mo: 1.0 ± 0.2%), with no difference between groups.
Weight loss was observed in all the interventions and physical activity did not enhance the weight loss that was observed. Also, the changes in diet that included reducing calories and fat intake were not impacted by the addition of physical activity. These findings have implications for interventions for weight loss in adults with obesity.
National Institutes of Health.
The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of dietary nitrate and anthocyanins on exercise performance in healthy untrained individuals.
In a randomized double-blind crossover study, six ...men (mean age 24.3 y) and 23 women (mean age 24.1 y) were randomly assigned to Treatment A (5.05 g beetroot powder + placebo/d) or Treatment B (5.05 g beetroot powder + 480 mg tart cherry/d) for seven days. Each treatment was followed by a seven-day washout after which subjects switched treatments. At the end of each treatment period, subjects performed a modified Wingate Anaerobic Test on a Monark 928E bike. Data on speed (RPM), power (watts), and heart rate were collected and analyzed using linear mixed models adjusted for baseline subject characteristics, treatment sequence (A-B, B-A), energy (kcal), and sleep (hours).
Average heart rate during the first five seconds of the cycling sprint was significantly lower after treatment A than after treatment B (–1.6 to 2.7 BPM, P < 0.05). Participants pedaled five meters further after treatment B compared to treatment A (P = 0.25). No significant differences were observed between treatments on RPM and blood pressure.
Supplementation with beetroot and tart cherry powder for seven days may improve anaerobic exercise performance by maximizing potential heart rate and energy output in untrained individuals.
The study was sponsored by the School of Allied Health Professions, Loma Linda University.
With the rise in physical inactivity and its related diseases, it is necessary to understand the mechanisms involved in physical activity regulation. Scientists have explored physical activity ...regulation by investigating various physiological mechanisms involving hormones, neurotransmitters, and genetics; however, little is known about the role of metabolism on physical activity level. We hypothesize that protein turnover in specific organs like the muscle is higher in mice previously exhibiting high physical activity levels, as a mechanism to adapt to the increased demand. Therefore, we studied protein fractional synthesis rate (FSR) in tissues of inherently high and low active mice.
In order to study protein FSR of various organs, we assessed 12-week-old male inherently low-active (LA) mice (n = 23, lean body mass: 21.0 ± 1.1 g, C3H/HeJ strain) and high active (HA) mice (n = 20, lean body mass: 22.5 ± 1.3, C57L/J strain). One day before tissue collection, a D2O bolus was administered via intraperitoneal injection, and mice were provided D2O enriched drinking water to enrich the total body water to about 5% D2O. Eleven tissues (kidney, heart, lung, muscle, fat, jejunum, ileum, liver, brain, skin, and bone) were collected and analyzed for enrichment of alanine in the intracellular and protein-bound pool (LC-MS/MS). FSR was calculated as -ln(1-enrichment) as fraction per day. Data are mean ± SE (unpaired t-test: GraphPad Prism 8.2).
We did not find significant differences between protein FSR of HA and LA mice in any measured organ. Example: Protein FSR (fraction/day): muscle (LA: 0.0326±-0.0026, HA: 0.0331 ± 0.0018, P = 0.8673), liver (0.3568 ± 0.0219, 0.3499 ± 0.0217, P = 0.8263), brain (0.0981 ± 0.0056, 0.1041 ± 0.0063, P = 0.4758).
The observed lack of significant differences in high and low-active mice suggests that differences in specific organ tissue protein turnover may not be a mechanism regulating inherent physical activity level. Since protein turnover is representative of the ability to adapt through upregulation and downregulation of metabolic processes, these results show that high-active mice are inherently no more equipped for metabolic regulation than the low active mice.
Sydney and J.L. Huffines Institute for Sports Medicine, Human Performance Student Research Grant and CTRAL Grant.
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