Explore the vast range of titles available.

The gut microbiome influences physiological responses to exercise by modulating inflammatory markers and metabolite production. Athletes typically exhibit greater microbial diversity, which may be associated with improved performance, but the mechanisms linking different exercise modalities to the gut microbiome are not fully understood. In this study, blood and stool samples were collected from endurance athletes, strength athletes, and non-athletic controls performing two maximal exercise tests (the anaerobic Wingate test and the aerobic Bruce Treadmill Test) to integrate serum biomarker data with gut bacterial metagenomic profiles. While most biochemical markers showed similar post-exercise trends across groups, SPARC (secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine) and adiponectin levels showed modality-specific responses. Strength-trained participants showed unique microbiome-biomarker associations after the Wingate test. In addition, baseline enrichment of certain bacterial taxa, including Clostridium phoceensis and Catenibacterium spp ., correlated with reduced Bruce Treadmill test response in strength-trained individuals. These findings, while requiring further validation, indicate the complex interplay between exercise type, training background, and the gut microbiome, and suggest that specific microbial species may help shape recovery and adaptation.

The influence of human gut microbiota on health and disease is now commonly appreciated. Therefore, it is not surprising that microbiome research has found interest in the sports community, hoping to improve health and optimize performance. Comparative studies found new species or pathways that were more enriched in elites than sedentary controls. In addition, sport-specific and performance-level-specific microbiome features have been identified. However, the results remain inconclusive and indicate the need for further assessment. In this case-control study, we tested two athletic populations (i.e. strength athletes, endurance athletes) and a non-athletic, but physically active, control group across two acute exercise bouts, separated by a 2-week period, that measured explosive and high intensity fitness level (repeated 30-s all-out Wingate test (WT)) and cardiorespiratory fitness level (Bruce Treadmill Test). While we did not identify any group differences in alpha and beta diversity or significant differential abundance of microbiome components at baseline, one-third of the species identified were unique to each group. Longitudinal sample (pre- and post-exercise) analysis revealed an abundance of Alistipes communis in the strength group during the WT and 88 species with notable between-group differences during the Bruce Test. SparCC recognized Bifidobacterium longum and Bifidobacterium adolescentis , short-chain fatty acid producers with probiotic properties, species strongly associated with VO 2 max. Ultimately, we identified several taxa with different baseline abundances and longitudinal changes when comparing individuals based on their VO 2 max, average power, and maximal power parameters. Our results confirmed that the health status of individuals are consistent with assumptions about microbiome health. Furthermore, our findings indicate that microbiome features are associated with better performance previously identified in elite athletes.

Background and study aim It is well known that professional physical training may be one of the factors modifying s circulating serum level of growth hormone, testosterone and cortisol. However, the effect of high-intensity upper and lower body Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) on the serum hormone levels in association to vitamin D status still remains unspecified. The aim of the current study was to verify hypotheses that a longstanding background in elite gymnastics training induces adaptive changes in hormonal homeostasis during upper- and lower-body WAnT, and that these changes are modulated by muscle group engagement and vitamin D status. Materials and methods Fifteen elite male artistic gymnasts (21.3 ± 3.4 years-old) and 14 physically active men (the control group, 20.2 ± 1.1) voluntarily participated in this study. Blood was collected using venipuncture procedures (antecubital vein) in tree timepoints: before, immediately and 60 min after WAnT. Hormone measurements consisted of levels of free human growth hormone (hGH), testosterone and cortisol in blood serum. Measurement was made using chemiluminescence method. Vitamin D active metabolites, 25-hydroxyvitamin D 2 [25(OH)D 2 ] and 25-hydroxyvitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3 ], as a proportion of the total serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], were analysed using the commercially available Total 25OH Vitamin D ELISA kits. Results Significantly higher performance during upper-body WAnT were observed in professional gymnasts’ groups, for mean power normalized to body mass. Furthermore, gymnasts showed higher serum concentration for hGH, and testosterone immediately after upper-body WAnT. An inverse relationship was observed in cortisol, whose concentration changes were greater in the control group. Additionally, in control group, baseline vitamin D positively correlated with cortisol changes post lower-body WAnT but negatively with testosterone changes immediately after lower-body WAnT. Conclusions Gymnastic training affects anaerobic performance and hormonal status by altering the serum concentrations of hGH, cortisol, and testosterone in response to anaerobic exercise. Moreover, hormonal status is associated with vitamin D concentration, and shows its significant regulating properties in post exercises response.

The aim was to compare the effect of upper and lower body high-intensity exercise on chosen genes expression in athletes and non-athletes. Fourteen elite male artistic gymnasts (EAG) aged 20.6 ± 3.3 years and 14 physically active men (PAM) aged 19.9 ± 1.0 years performed lower and upper body 30 s Wingate Tests. Blood samples were collected before, 5 and 30 minutes after each effort to assess gene expression via PCR. Significantly higher mechanical parameters after lower body exercise was observed in both groups, for relative power (8.7 ± 1.2 W/kg in gymnasts, 7.2 ± 1.2 W/kg in controls, p = 0.01) and mean power (6.7 ± 0.7 W/kg in gymnasts, 5.4 ± 0.8 W/kg in controls, p = 0.01). No differences in lower versus upper body gene expression were detected for all tested genes as well as between gymnasts and physical active man. For IL-6 m-RNA time-dependent effect was observed. Because of no significant differences in expression of genes associated with cellular stress response the similar adaptive effect to exercise may be obtained so by lower and upper body exercise.

Recent studies indicate a protective role of vitamin D supplementation against sports performance-induced dysregulation of body homeostasis. However, the effects of a single high dose of vitamin D on changes in bone formation and resorption markers due to ultramarathon running have yet to be explored. This study aimed to analyze the effect of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on serum levels of bone turnover markers after a mountain ultramarathon run. In this clinical trial (reg. number NCT03417700), 35 semiprofessional male ultramarathon runners were assigned into two groups: supplemented group, administered a single high dose of vitamin D (cholecalciferol, 150,000 IU) in vegetable oil 24 h before the start of the run (  = 16), and placebo group (  = 19), administered placebo solution 24 h before the start of the run. Blood samples were collected for analysis at three timepoints: 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Serum 25(OH)D level significantly increased (  ≤ 0.05.) after the ultramarathon in both groups. The increase was more pronounced in the supplemented population, especially 24 h after the run (147.01% vs 84.71%). According to post-hoc and other analyses, the levels of N-terminal propeptides of type I collagen, a PINP marker, were increased immediately after the run. The increase was significantly higher in the supplemented group than in the control group. CTX, PTH, sclerostin, and procalcitonin levels were significantly higher 24 h after the run in the control group. The observed attenuation of post-exercise bone resorption and enhancement of bone formation suggest that vitamin D supplementation may modulate bone metabolism in response to extreme physical exertion, potentially through effects on calcium - PTH homeostasis.

Researchers have studied the effects of exercise on serum methyl-arginine and vitamin D metabolites; however, the effects of exercise combined with antioxidants are not well documented. Since oxidative stress affects the metabolism of vitamin D and methyl-arginine, we hypothesised that the antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) might modulate exercise-induced changes. A group of twenty-eight healthy men participated in this study and were divided into two groups: an experimental group and a control group. The exercise test was performed until exhaustion, with gradually increasing intensity, before and after the 21-day CoQ10 supplementation. Blood samples were collected before, immediately after, and 3 and 24 h after exercise. CoQ10, vitamin D metabolites, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), symmetric dimethylarginine, methylarginine, dimethylamine, arginine, citrulline, and ornithine were analysed in serum samples. CoQ10 supplementation caused a 2.76-fold increase in the concentration of serum CoQ10. Conversely, the 25(OH)D3 concentration increased after exercise only in the placebo group. ADMA increased after exercise before supplementation, but a decrease was observed in the CoQ10 supplementation group 24 h after exercise. In conclusion, our data indicate that CoQ10 supplementation modifies the effects of exercise on vitamin D and methyl-arginine metabolism, suggesting its beneficial effects. These findings contribute to the understanding of how antioxidants like CoQ10 can modulate biochemical responses to exercise, potentially offering new insights for enhancing athletic performance and recovery.

Background To date, no longitudinal studies of quarterly changes have been conducted on the differences in the development of motor coordination between boys and girls in relation to changes in their tennis skills level. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the development of motor coordination of 10–12-year-old tennis players over the course of 1 year, in the light of changes in tennis skills preparation. Methods One-hundred eighty male and female tennis players aged 10, 11, or 12 years old participated in the study. Each age group comprised 30 boys and 30 girls. To investigate their motor coordination development, a battery of general tests (simple reaction, complex reaction, Spalding test, spider test, hexagon jumping, Starosta’s test, hand–eye test, balance, plate tapping, jump rope) and specific tennis skills tests (wall game and 100-tennis ball tests) were performed 4 times quarterly over 1 year. Differences between sexes and the time points were assessed. The rate of development evaluation was based on beta coefficient of linear regression. Results Boys generally performed better in tennis skills tests than girls. The boys performed better also in one motor coordination test (Spalding test) among 10-year-olds, in two additional tests (spider and plate tapping tests) among 11-year-olds, and another three more tests (simple reaction, complex reaction and Starosta’s tests) among 12-year-olds. Jump rope test among 10-year-olds and hexagon jump test among 12-year-olds were the only tests where girls performed better than boys. On the other hand, girls showed higher rate of development in balance and complex reaction tests than boys. Conclusions We conclude that motor coordination and tennis skills development over 1 year is age-, sex-, and task-dependent, with the 10–12-year-old male tennis players performing better in tennis skills and overall motor coordination than females.

Purpose/introduction To compare serum levels of bone turnover markers in athletes and non-athletes, and to evaluate the relationship between serum levels of vitamin D metabolites and exercise-induced changes in biomarker levels. Methods Sixteen elite male artistic gymnasts (EG; 21.4 ± 0.8 years-old) and 16 physically active men (the control group, PAM; 20.9 ± 1.2 years-old) performed lower and upper body 30-s Wingate anaerobic tests (LBWT and UBWT, respectively). For biomarker analysis, blood samples were collected before, and 5 and 30 min after exercise. Samples for vitamin D levels were collected before exercise. N-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) was analysed as a marker of bone formation. C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) was analysed as a marker of bone resorption. Results UBWT fitness readings were better in the EG group than in the PAM group, with no difference in LBWT readings between the groups. UBWT mean power was 8.8% higher in subjects with 25(OH)D 3 levels over 22.50 ng/ml and in those with 24,25(OH) 2 D 3 levels over 1.27 ng/ml. Serum CTX levels increased after both tests in the PAM group, with no change in the EG group. PINP levels did not change in either group; however, in PAM subjects with 25(OH)D 3 levels above the median, they were higher than those in EG subjects. Conclusion Vitamin D metabolites affect the anaerobic performance and bone turnover markers at rest and after exercise. Further, adaptation to physical activity modulates the effect of anaerobic exercise on bone metabolism markers.

Changes of circulating free plasma DNA (cfDNA) are associated with different types of tissue injury, including those induced by intensive aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Observed changes are dependent from induced inflammation, and thus it may be a potential marker for athletic overtraining. We aimed to identify the response of cfDNA to different types of exercise, with association to exercise intensity as a potential marker of exercise load. Fifty volunteers (25 athletes and 25 physically active men) were assigned to the study and performed maximal aerobic (Bruce test) and anaerobic (Wingate Anaerobic Test) test. Blood samples for cfDNA analysis were collected at four time-points: before, 2–5 min after, 30 min after and 60 min after each type of maximal physical activity. The two-way ANOVA revealed a significant effect of group factor on serum cfDNA concentrations (32.15% higher concentration of cfDNA in the athletes). In turn the results of the post hoc test for the interaction of the repeated measures factor and the group showed that while the concentration of cfDNA decreased by 40.10% in the period from 30 min to 60 min after exercise in the control group, the concentration of cfDNA in the group of athletes remained at a similar level. Our analysis presents different responses depending on the intensity and duration of exercise. Our observations imply that formation of cfDNA is associated with response to physical activity but only during maximal effort.

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of gymnastics expertise of children and adolescents and young adults on the postural control with and without the use of visual information and during dynamic postural task. The study comprised a total of 105 males, including 48 athletes practicing gymnastics and 57 non-gymnasts. Both groups were divided into three age categories: 8-10, 12-14 and 18-24 years old. Participants’ postural control was measured on force platform in bipedal static (eyes open/close) and dynamic with visual feedback condition. ANOVA test (group vs age) with repeated measurements (visual control) was used to distinguish effect of gymnastic training in three age groups. Results show that in analysis of the center of pressure surface area, all gymnast had significantly better (p=0.013) static postural control in regardless visual control (group effect), although, there were no differences in each individual age groups (group vs age; p=0.556). Furthermore, the youngest groups had significantly higher values than two other groups, indicating worse performance. Dynamic task with visual feedback showed that the youngest non-gymnasts needed much more time to complete the task in compare to all other groups of gymnasts or non-gymnasts. The results showed that gymnastic training has influence in postural control of young and adults, but unspecific static and visual feedback condition does not fully reflect adult gymnast’s capabilities. However, systematic participation in gymnastics training during the early-school period could increase the ability to coordinate and regulate body posture. Namen raziskave je bil ugotoviti vpliv telovadbe otrok in mladostnikov na nadzor telesne drže z in brez uporabe vidnih informacij pri dinamičnih nalogah drže. V študijo je bilo vključenih 105 moških, od tega jih je 48 telovadilo in 57 jih ni. Obe skupini sta bili razdeljeni v tri skupine in sicer 8-10, 12-14 in 18-24 let. Nadzor drže telesa smo merili s pritiskovno dvo delno ploščo in sicer pri vzdrževanju položaja drže (z in brez vida) in dinamičnim spreminjanjem položaja z vidno povratno informacijo. Test ANOVA (skupina in starost) s ponovljenimi meritvami (vidna kontrola) je bil uporabljen za razlikovanje vpliva učinkov telovadbe v treh starostnih skupinah. Rezultati so pokazali, da je skupina telovadcev v vseh starostnih skupinah  boljša pri vzdrževanju položaja drže (p=0,013) ne glede na uporabo vida, medtem ko ni bilo razlik med skupinami po starosti (p=0.565). Nadalje najmlajša skupina ima bistveno slabše rezultate kot drugi dve skupini. Pri dinamičnem vzdrževanje položaja z vidom so najslabše rezultate dosegli najmlajši netelovadci, ki so potrebovali največ časa za izpolnitev naloge. Rezultati so pokazali, da telovadba ima vpliv na izboljšan nadzor vzdrževanja položaja telesa, telovadeči niso povsem uspeli pokazati svojih zmožnosti pri posebnih neobičajnih držah in vidni povratni informaciji. Načrtno sodelovanje pri telovadbi v času šolske dobe poveča sposobnost za skladni nadzor položaja telesa.