Search

We investigated if Brazilian Olympic athletes live longer than the general population, and if there are differences between the types of sport. This is a retrospective cohort study with secondary data analysis. Data from Brazilian athletes of both sexes were included, from the 7th edition (1920) to the 25th edition (1992) of the Modern Olympic Games. Details of sex, date of birth, date of death, and sport competed were recorded when available. Comparisons were made between athletes vs. age-matched controls from the general population; and between sport types (strength/power [SP] vs. endurance/mixed [EM]). Brazilian Olympic athletes live approx. 8 years longer than expected for the age matched general population. However, there were no differences in lifespan between SP (68.8 years) vs. EM (68.9 years) athletes (p>0.05). Brazilian Olympic athletes live longer than expected for the general population. However, there are no differences between athletes from different sport types.

Introduction: Introduction: sports nutrition and supplementation (SD) are commonly used by road and mountain runners to achieve their goals and increased performance. However, sometimes sports practice can become an obsession and/or addiction, although the literature on the use of DS and sports addiction (SD) is scarce. Objective: to describe and analyse the relationship between SD use and AD in asphalt and mountain runners in the Canary Islands. Methodology: a cross-sectional observational study in a sample of 613 adult athletes, using a self-administered online questionnaire that assessed SD use and AD, disseminated by federations, sports clubs, race organisers and social networks. Results: 75.7 % of participants reported taking some form of SD and being younger was associated with a higher likelihood of taking SD. On the total SD scale (SAS-15) the mean was 9.19 (SD = 3.24), above the midpoint of the theoretical range (0-15). Among participants taking and not taking DS, there is higher AD in those taking versus those not; and among those taking DS, AD is significantly higher in those taking weight management recoverers and supplements. Conclusions: the sample had indicators of WD and, for the most part, were consuming some form of DS. In addition, there is a significant relationship between the use of DS and WD in road and mountain runners, with the level of WD being a predictor of DS consumption.

Introduction: The use of nutritional supplements (NSs) is a widespread practice in both professional and amateur athletes. Their choice must be based on criteria of safety, legality, and effectiveness. There are several risks that some of these products can trigger, this being a reason for fraud to the consumer. By way of example, the presence of a legal substance in doses higher than its recommendation may cause unwanted side effects; on the other hand, its presence in quantities lower than necessary (effective threshold) may not have the effect expected or announced by the product. Therefore, the objective of this review was to describe the existence of fraud in relation to nutritional labeling and/or to the content of NSs intended for athletes. A narrative review was conducted through PubMed in which 16 studies met the inclusion criteria. The results show that nutritional labeling differs from the actual amounts of ingredients. This type of fraud has been found in protein powder supplements, pre-workout mixtures, creatine, and beverages containing vitamins and minerals, among others. Fraud due to errors in the labeling by omission of substances present in the product or by errors in the analysis or declaration of quantities, is high. This lack of transparency in the actual composition of labels can contribute to sports performance and/or health problems in the athlete. Therefore, an improvement of the legislation on NS is necessary to ensure their safety, effectiveness, and legality.

Introduction: the use of dietary supplements is a widespread strategy performed by high-performance athletes worldwide. However, there is no validated questionnaire to determine the frequency and type of dietary supplements used by elite Spanish athletes., Objective: the purpose of this investigation was to test the validity of a questionnaire designed to assess the prevalence in the use of dietary supplements by elite Spanish athletes., Material and Methods: initially, the questionnaire was designed to obtain information about the utilisation of five types of supplements (stimulants, ergogenic aids, supplements for weight control, supplements for improved recovery and medicines). Then, the validity of the questionnaire contents was evaluated by a group of six experts in dietary supplements who ranked the relevance and clarity of each question by using 1-10-point scales. The final version of the questionnaire was test-retested in a group of 39 elite athletes to verify the reproducibility in the answers reported in the questionnaire., Results: after the evaluation of the group of experts, the questionnaire was completed with 81 questions regarding sociodemographic information and data about motives and frequency and conditions of dietary supplements purchase. The test-retest of the questionnaire showed a high reliability in all the answers obtained in the test-retest., Conclusion: the questionnaire included in this investigation fulfilled the standards for the obtaining of valid and reproducible data regarding the prevalence in the use of dietary supplements by Spanish athletes.

Introduction: today, the practice of physical activity during adolescence brings important physical-health benefits that help develop a future well-being in later life., Objectives: the objective of this comparative study was to evaluate the physical condition, body composition and cardiorespiratory capacity among young athletes and sedentary people of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura (Spain)., Methods: two hundred and twenty-five male subjects, aged between 12 and 18 years, were divided into two groups: 175 athletes, divided into aerobic group (AEG), anaerobic group (ANAEG) and mixed sports group (MG); and 50 sedentary (SG) or control group. Their respiratory capacity (forced expiratory volume [FEV], peak expiratory flow [PEF], vital capacity [VC], maximum voluntary ventilation [MVV]) and body composition were assessed. They also performed the "Forest Service" step test by finding the VO2max. Also, the heart rate (HR) was recorded before the step, the maximum heart rate during the test and the HR in the subsequent recovery, as well as pre and post-test blood pressure., Results: there were significant differences in body composition, blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory capacity in relation to athletes compared to the control group (p < 0.05)., Conclusions: physical activity provides benefits in aspects such as body composition, and cardio-respiratory function.

Background: Many factors can influence an athlete to consume dietary supplements, such as age, sex and sports, among others. Few studies regarding the prevalence and associated factors are available for athletes, especially in developing countries., Objective: The aim of the study was to determine the factors associated with the consumption of dietary supplements among Brazilian athletes., Material and Methods: This is a cross-sectional study involving 182 athletes of both sexes. The athletes answered a questionnaire containing sociodemographic and sports information, current consumption of supplements, consumption of pharmacological substances and information on body image disorder (Body Shape Questionnaire) and muscle dysmorphia (Muscle Appearance Satisfaction Scale). Analyses were performed using Pearson's Chi-squared test, the crude prevalence ratio (PR) and Poisson regression with robust variance., Results: In the bivariate analysis, the male gender, age between 25-29 years, engaging in a remunerated activity, consumption of pharmacological substances, body image disorder, risk of muscle dysmorphia, power modality athletes and lack of medical care were factors associated with supplement intake. After the regression analysis, the consumption of supplements was associated with the male gender (PR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.01; 2.78; p = 0.044), use of pharmacological substances (PR: 1.77; 95 %: 1.37; 2.27; p < 0.001) and the risk of muscle dysmorphia (PR: 1.75; 95% CI: 1.37; 2.23; p < 0.001)., Conclusions: The results of this research clearly demonstrate the importance of professionals working closely with athletes to continuously monitor their use of supplements, since it was an alimentary behavior associated with other risk behavior (pharmacological use) as well as image disorders (muscle dysmorphia).

Introduction: the sleep takes part in diverse biological and physiological functions, associating his restriction, with minor performance in the sport, nevertheless the quantity and quality of sleep is not known in paralympic athletes., Objective: to determine the sleep quality, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness in Chilean paralympic athletes., Methods: descriptive transverse Study, the sample included 33 paralympic athletes (24.2% women), those who were practicing swimming, tennis of table, football 5, powerlifting and tennis chair. The studied variables measured up across two surveys of dream: the Questionnaire of Insomnia and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index., Results: the paralympic athletes sleep were 6.9 } 1.4 hours, 27.7% presents daytime sleepiness, 69.6 % insomnia (Survey of insomnia =7), whereas 78.7 % exhibits a bad sleep quality. The age showed a positive correlation with latency to the sleep (r=0.417 *), the insomnia with latency to the sleep (r=0.462 **), the Pittsburg score was correlated negatively by the sleep duration (r =-0.323) and latency to the sleep is correlated positively by the Pittsburgh score (r=0.603 **)., Conclusion: the chilean paralympic athletes, present a low sleep quality, insomnia and excessive daytime sleepiness, situation that might influence negatively the sports performance., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Nutrition has emerged as a fundamental tool included in the training program of athletes. Body composition seeks different objectives depending on type of sport, position, or time of the season. Furthermore, analysis proteomics allows us to know the structure and function of proteins., Aims: To study, using proteomics, the influence of two different diets on the anthropometric profile in a rugby players group., Methods: It is a prospective and interventionist study. Thirty-two rugby players were included. Two groups were defined, one followed proteic diet (PD) and, the other group subscribed the Mediterranean diet (MD). All participants were evaluated anthropometrically at the beginning and after six months. A blood sample was taken to twenty -two players, half of each group, used for the proteomic analysis., Results: MD highlight more benefit for these athletes. Two groups were defined based on their anthropometric behavior, G1 and G2. The proteomic analysis related significantly some TGF-family mediators with these groups., Conclusions: MD improves the muscular mass without increasing the total body weight, so this data could be determinant to define profiles for athletes. Some TGF-members could be implicated in the adipose tissue and muscular mass balance., (Copyright AULA MEDICA EDICIONES 2014. Published by AULA MEDICA. All rights reserved.)