Adiponectin and stress hormone responses to maximal sculling after volume-extended training season in elite rowers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the resting and short-duration exercise-induced hormone responses of male rowers as a result of 6 months of volume-extended training season. Body composition, maximal aerobic capacity, and on-water 2000-m sculling performance were assessed before and after a 24-week training in elite rowers (n = 11; 193.1 +/- 5.2 cm; 91.6 +/- 5.8 kg; maximum oxygen consumption [VO2max], 6.2 +/- 0.5 L x min(-1)). Six rowers were selected (SEL; 192.0 +/- 6.3 cm; 93.5 +/- 7.1 kg; VO2max, 6.4 +/- 0.4 L x min(-1)) and 5 were not selected (N-SEL; 194.8 +/- 4.1 cm; 89.6 +/- 4.0 kg; VO2max, 6.0 +/- 0.5 L x min(-1)) for the national team. Resting adiponectin did not change as a result of prolonged training. Adiponectin did not change after 2000-m rowing at baseline either. No responses were also observed 24 weeks later in SEL rowers, whereas a significant decrease (P < .05) was observed in N-SEL rowers. At the same time, leptin also decreased after the first 30 minutes of recovery in N-SEL rowers. After the training period, immediate postexercise increases in growth hormone and testosterone were significantly higher in the whole group of rowers. No differences in cortisol responses were observed before and after the training period in SEL and N-SEL rowers. In conclusion, it appears that resting adiponectin does not change as a result of prolonged training. Training may modify adiponectin response to an short-duration exercise depending on the performance level of athletes. Decreased postexercise adiponectin and leptin values in rowers with lower performance capacity may be indicative of the inadequate recovery of these athletes.     

Risk factors for lack of recovery of ADL independence after hospital discharge

OBJECTIVE: To determine risk factors for lack of recovery of independent functioning after hospitalization for acute medical illness. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of cohort study of patients receiving home nursing after discharge. SETTING: Evaluations performed in the home after discharge and 1 month later. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 73 adults aged 65 years and older who were independent in activities of daily living (ADLs) before hospitalization and dependent at discharge. MEASUREMENTS: Self-report and objective measures of function, mobility, and cognition. OUTCOME: Return to independence in ADLs 1 month after discharge. RESULTS: Fifty-nine percent of patients did not return to previous ADL independence by 1 month postdischarge. The likelihood for not recovering was 87% (95% CI, 70-100%) if a patient had a Mini-Mental State Examination score (MMSE) < 24 at discharge (P = .015). Among patients with good cognition, 85% (95% CI, 66-100%) of those who used an assistive device indoors before hospitalization did not recover (P = .007). Among patients with good cognition and no previous assistive device use, 73% (95% CI, 47-99%) of those with a Timed "Up and Go" of > or = 40 seconds did not recover (P = .012). The likelihood of recovery was high (76%, 95% CI 56-96%) if a patient had no assistive device prehospital, a good MMSE, and a Timed "Up and Go" of < 20 seconds. CONCLUSION: We hypothesize that a classification strategy using cognition, prehospital mobility, and discharge physical performance will predict patients who are less likely to recover functional independence after hospitalization. If this is validated in future study, it may help clinicians identify patients who are more likely to benefit from additional intervention.