Assessment of autonomic function in high level athletes by pupillometry

Spectral analysis of heart rate variability has become a noninvasive standard method for assessment of autonomic nervous system activity in athletes. The effect of exercise training on autonomic regulation of pupillary light reflex is not known. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pupil autonomic function in athletes. We studied 46 highly trained athletes practicing gymnastics, swimming, long-distance running, soccer, and 51 healthy control subjects, using a portable infrared pupillometry. Five left pupil light response curves were recorded for each subject; the 485 pupillogram records were processed by a computer system. The following pupillometric parameters calculated were significantly higher (P<0.05) in runners than in controls: reflex amplitude (2.1 mm; 95% CI, 1.9-2.3 vs. 1.8 mm; 95% CI, 1.7-1.9), mean percent reflex amplitude of initial diameter (34%; 95% CI, 32-37 vs. 30%, 95% CI, 28-31) and mean time at which pupil redilated 75% of reflex amplitude (2.15 s; 95% CI, 1.99-2.31 vs. 1.86 s; 95% CI, 1.78-1.93). Sex, age, height, weight, body mass index and years of sports practice had no significant influence in the evaluated parameters. The results were consistent with an increased parasympathetic activity and a reduced sympathetic activity of pupillary light reflex in endurance-trained runners, supporting the hypothesis of a generalized "dysautonomy" associated with this type of training.     

Noninvasive assessment of systolic and diastolic left ventricular function in female runners

Nine female runners and 9 matched control subjects were investigatedwith echocardiography and Doppler velocimetry to assess cardiacstructure and systolic and diastolic left ventricular (LV) functionat rest. LV mass was considerably larger in the athletes (171vs 123 g; P <001). Minute distance, the Doppler index cardiacoutput, was similar in runners and controls; the lower heartrate (P<0.01) of the athletes was associated with a higherstroke distance (P<0.05). The latter could be attributedto a larger end-diastolic LV internal diameter (46 vs 43 mm;P<0.05); wall stress and the various indices of systolicLV function were not different between runners and controls.Early diastolic LV function, estimated from the velocity ofLV relaxation and the LV inflow pattern, and late diastolicfunction, assessed by Doppler velocimetry, were similar in runnersand controls. The unchanged ratio of the peak velocities ofLV filling during atrial contraction and early filling (0.49vs 0.44; NS) indicates that LV distensibility is unaltered inthe athletes.In conclusion, the higher left ventricular massof female runners is not associated with changes of systolicand diastolic LV function.     

A risk profile of elite Australian athletes who use illicit drugs

Much of the literature investigating the relationship between sports participation and substance use has focused upon student populations, with little focus being given to athletes who participate at elite levels. Identifying why some athletes may be at a greater risk for substance use can help in the design and implementation of prevention initiatives. Data for the current study was from 1684 self-complete surveys with elite Australian athletes. Eight percent (n = 134) of the sample reported the use of at least one of the six illicit drugs under investigation (ecstasy, cannabis, cocaine, meth/amphetamine, ketamine and GHB) in the past year. Having been offered or having had the opportunity to use illicit drugs in the past year, knowing other athletes who use drugs and identifying as a ‘full-time athlete’ were significant predictors of past-year illicit drug use, while having completed secondary education or a post-school qualification was associated with a lower likelihood of past-year illicit drug use. Athletes are part of a sportsnet that includes family, coaches, support staff and other athletes, and these relationships may encourage the use, supply and demand for drugs. The current findings suggest that relationships with some of those in the sportsnet may play an important role when understanding illicit drug use among elite athletes. As education appears to be associated with a lower likelihood of illicit drug use among this group, initiatives should encourage athletes to engage in off-field pursuits which may also help prepare them for life after sport.     

银质针松解术治疗田径运动员慢性腰臀腿软组织损伤性疼痛的红外热成像临床观察

目的观察银质针针刺疗法对田径：运动员慢性腰臀腿软组织损伤性疼痛的疗效。方法对30例慢性腰臀腿软组织疼痛的患者进行银质针针刺治疗,于治疗前、治疗后即刻、治疗后两个月采用视觉模拟评分法（VAS）对两组患者疼痛程度和红外热成像仪描记出病变区域的温度变化情况并进行评价。结果治疗后患者的疼痛VAS评分和病变区域温度在针刺后即刻、针刺后两月较治疗前均有明显改善（P〈0．01）。结论银质针治疗田径运动员慢性腰臀腿软组织疼痛具有较好的远期疗效。     

Health in older women athletes

Physical activity has been identified as a protective factor against a wide spectrum of diseases, but little is known about the link between older women's health and their professional involvement in sport in the past. The aim of this narrative review is to characterize and summarize the available data concerning the influence of physical activity on morbidity and mortality in former female athletes. Concerning bone health, it seems that physical activity in the past can be protective against osteoporosis in postmenopausal women, but these data come from observational studies only. Also the cardiovascular system appears to benefit in older women from regular sport in the past. This refers mainly to better heart efficiency, and improved endothelial function and metabolic profile. The incidence of different types of neoplasms, especially breast cancer, is also decreased in former athletes. Professional sport, on the other hand, acts negatively on the pelvic floor and is a risk factor for urinary incontinence. The overall effect on mortality is difficult to assess, because of many parameters, such as the sport's intensity, variety of the sport and exposure to extreme danger in some disciplines. Also, caution should be kept in interpretation of the data because of the shortage of well-designed studies.     

四川省残疾人运动员心理素质培养与比赛心理指导研究

目的 研究四川省残疾人运动员心理素质培养与比赛心理指导方法.方法 采用文献调研法、问卷调查法和专家访谈法等.结果 通过调查四川省残疾人运动员的心理素质培养和比赛心理指导现状,分析四川省残疾人运动员的心理活动特点,解析四川省残疾人运动员心理素质培养与比赛心理指导的主要矛盾和问题.结论 四川省残疾人运动员心理存在一定的问题,通过进行针对性的心理训练与指导,对运动员运动成绩的发挥产生积极的影响.     

Indicators of bone formation in weight lifters

Physical activity has been suggested to be one of the determinants of bone turnover and to prevent age-related bone loss. To examine this we measured the serum levels of osteocalcin (bone Gla-protein, BGP), C-terminal procollagen peptide (PICP), serum alkaline phosphatase, bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, and S-calcium as indices of bone formation in 19 actively performing and 15 ex-lifters. All were nationally or internationally ranked male athletes. Their values were compared with those from 38 age- and gendermatched controls. Actively performing weight lifters had 35% higher (P<0.05) serum concentration of osteocalcin than the controls. The ex-lifters did not differ from the agematched controls. Also serum calcium was elevated in active lifters (6%) (P<0.01) but not in ex-lifters. No difference was found for serum-ALP, B-ALP, or PICP in either of the groups. Our study indicates that in addition to an already documented and well-known higher bone mineral density in heavily exercising athletes, they have an indication of higher bone formation as measured by biochemical markers. In athletes who have retired from competitional training, however, the bone formation does not differ from that of more sedentary controls.     

Differences in basal and postexercise osteocalcin levels in athletic and nonathletic humans

Summary The levels of serum osteocalcin, in addition to other parameters, were monitored in athletic (N=9) and nonathletic (N=10) university male students before, immediately after, and 60 min after 30 min of exercise on a running ergometer and at a constant workload of approximately 50% of their maximum capacity; there was adequate replenishment of drinking water. In both groups, the increase in serum parathyroid hormone levels observed immediately after exercise correlated well with a decrease in ionized calcium as well as the total calcium, and also with an increase in serum phosphorus, whereas the concentration of serum albumin remained stable. The response of serum osteocalcin differed between the two groups, in that (1) the concentration before exercise was significantly higher in athletic than in nonathletic students (P<0.001), and (2) the maximum level was evident in the former group 60 min after exercise, whereas it was present in the latter group immediately after exercise. We speculate that athletic subjects have a higher turnover of bone status compared with nonathletic subjects.     

情景线索对运动员内隐攻击性的影响

目的:比较不同情景线索对运动员内隐攻击性的影响。方法:通过向被试呈现不同情景线索材料(积极情景线索、中性情景线索、消极情景线索短片视频),采用内隐联想测验(IAT),比较不同情景线索下实验组与对照组被试的内隐攻击性的影响。结果:含有公益助人信息的积极情景线索能降低个体的内隐攻击性,而含有暴力攻击信息的消极情景线索则能增加个体的内隐攻击性;情景线索对不同群体人的内隐攻击性影响存在差异,对运动员的影响大于普通人群;中性情景线索对不同性别的运动员的内隐攻击性影响差异不显著。结论:情景线索能影响运动员的内隐攻击性。     

Chronic subdural hematoma associated with sylvian arachnoid cyst in juvenile athletes: report of two cases and literature review

The association of chronic subdural hematoma (CSDH) and arachnoid cyst (AC) is uncommon. We reported 2 juvenile athletes with CSDH associated with AC which occurred in their daily sports activities and reviewed the literature. Both of them were treated surgically, with satisfactory outcome. AC is a common predisposing factor in young patients with CSDH. The complication of intracranial bleeding is an indication for surgical management. Though there are still controversies in the treatment of asymptomatic AC, it is the consensus that the patients with AC should avoid violent sports so as to reduce the incidence of intracranial hemorrhage resulted from head injuries.