Infections ORL,immunodépression et stress liés à la pratique des activités physiques et sportives

Objectives – Understand the pathophysiology of upper respiratory tract infections (URTI), the most common ailment of elite athletes.Actualities – URTI likely develop as a consequence of local or systemic immunosuppression. Such a lowered protection may result both from training and from the stress associated to competitive sports. This literature review summarises the physiology of the immune system associated to the upper respiratory tract, then presents evidence supporting the impact of stress and training respectively on the immune system.Perspective – Better knowledge of the impact of high-level sport on the immune system may allow to adapt training and competition in order to avoid or limit the immunosuppression leading to an increased susceptibility to infections.     

Variabilité de la fréquence cardiaque en fonction de l'intensité de la pratique physique chez la femme ménopausée

Aim. – Study was to asses the heart rate variability related to the physical practice intensity in post menopausal women.Method. – Time domain measurement of heart rate variability has been realised from the electrocardiogram at rest and during exercice in 3 groups of 6 women : untrained, active and trained. At rest, no significant difference betwen groups appears. But, in the standing position, RR interval and the dispersion around RR interval decrease in trained group only. During submaximal exercise, this dispersion is more elevated in active and trained groups.Conclusion. – Physical practice induces a higher response of sinus node to vagal modulation during standing position and submaximal exercise.     

Effets de la pratique de la gymnastique d’entretien chez des seniors sur la condition physique,la fonction cognitive et la prise médicamenteuse

Objective. – The aim of the study was to investigate the effects of regular gymnastic activity practice on fitness, cognitive function and medication in healthy elderly women.Method. – Twenty-four women were separated into 2 groups, a sedentary group and a gymnastic group. In order to be included in the gymnastic group, women needed to have participated for at least 2 consecutive years in gymnastic sessions for a minimum of 10 months per year. Subjects were on average aged 60.3 ± 1.4 years. All the women filled in clinical and physical activities questionnaires. Then the following tests were taken: Martinet, 6 min walking test, 3 static balance tests and a memory test.Results. – Walking speed (P < 0.01) and distance of walking (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the gymnastic group in comparison with the sedentary women and the consumption of medicine was significantly lower in active compared with sedentary women (P < 0.05). So, regular gymnastic practice reduces the consumption of medicine and could preserve autonomy by maintening an optimal walking speed, thus decreasing the risk of falls.     

L’activité physique et sportive régulière : un déterminant des résultats scolaires au collège

ObjectiveTo measure the long-term effects of an extracurricular sports practice on the academic performances in college, according to whether this practice is regular, irregular, or absent.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study, which has included all of the pupils entering the first year of secondary school (sixth grade) in the Vosges department (East France) during the school year 2001–2002 and followed during four years. Data were collected every six months by self-reported questionnaires.ResultsOne thousand four hundred and eleven pupils were present at each of the data collection sessions and completed all the questionnaires, representing 54.4% girls, initially aged 12.7 ± 0.6 years (average ± S.D.). On the whole, 13.8% never practised sport except physical education, 44.7% always practised an extracurricular sport and 41.5% did some from time to time. The reported school results are higher among regular athletes (P < 0.001). It is the regularity more than the number of hours per week, which explains this difference.ConclusionPractice of a physical activity by adolescents would deserve being largely encouraged, taking into account its beneficial effects not only on health, but also on academic performances. Parents and teachers, as well as health professionals, should be strongly informed.