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While female long-distance runners are considered to have strong body dissatisfaction and body concerns, body-image research that incorporates detailed anthropometric and body composition parameters is still limited. The present study therefore investigates the physical characteristics and body image of Japanese female long-distance runners and explores the factors that influence their body image. Detailed anthropometric and body composition assessment using a dual-frequency bioelectrical impedance analysis (DFBIA) was conducted on 30 Japanese female university long-distance runners. In addition, a questionnaire that included the Body Satisfaction Scale (BSS) and the Ben-Tovim Walker Body Attitudes Questionnaire (BAQ) was administered. On average, the participants had relatively low body mass index (BMI) and percentage body fat (%BF) (BMI: 18.3 ± 1.6 kg/m2; %BF: 19.7 ± 4.4%), but about 50–60% of them perceived themselves as being fat or having an excessive level of %BF. Their BSS scores were not associated with their measured physique. However, the anthropometric variables of the limbs were associated with the BAQ and its subscales. There was no single source that the majority referred to obtain information on their body, and performance was the only reason for their increased body concern. In order to better understand the factors that influence their body dissatisfaction and the effects of providing accurate information on behaviour modification, further investigation is warranted.

As many as 70% of athletes who practice endurance sports report experiencing gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, such as abdominal pain, intestinal gurgling or splashing (borborygmus), diarrhea or the presence of blood in the stool, that occur during or after intense physical exercise. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of a multi-strain probiotic on the incidence of gastrointestinal symptoms and selected biochemical parameters in the serum of long-distance runners. After a 3-month intervention with a multi-strain probiotic, a high percentage of runners reported subjective improvement in their general health. Moreover, a lower incidence of constipation was observed. In the group of women using the probiotic, a statistically significant (p = 0.035) increase in serum HDL cholesterol concentration and a favorable lower concentration of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides were observed. These changes were not observed in the group of men using the probiotic. Probiotic therapy may reduce the incidence and severity of selected gastrointestinal symptoms in long-distance runners and improve subjectively assessed health condition.

INTRODUCTION: Medial tibial stress syndrome is a pathology associated with sports practice very common in runners. Its treatment through active programs is basic in this population, in which the incorporation of footwear with carbon fiber plates can reduce the time of its resolution. OBJECTIVE: To study the impact on recovery time when using sports shoes with carbon fiber plates during the rehabilitation of long-distance runners with medial tibial stress syndrome. METHODS: Research protocol for a randomized clinical study with long-distance runners with medial tibial stress syndrome diagnosed in the previous two weeks. The participants are randomized into two groups (control group with sports shoes without carbon fiber plate, and intervention group with sports shoes with carbon fiber plate) who perform an active rehabilitation program of stretching and strengthening exercises, and running. The protocol is carried out under the supervision of a multidisciplinary team with weekly follow-up. Recovery time in days is assessed as the primary variable, and secondary variables are the functional capacity measured by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale, and correlation of the degree of severity of medial tibial stress syndrome using the Tauntons et al. classification. EXPECTED RESULTS: A lower recovery time is expected in the intervention group, verified by higher values on the Lower Extremity Functional Scale. Lower degrees of severity of the medial tibial stress syndrome are estimated to offer a shorter recovery time in both groups. CONCLUSION: The incorporation of sports shoes with a carbon fiber sole in the treatment of medial tibial stress syndrome could decrease the recovery time in a protocol that improves adherence and reduces loss of the physical condition in long-distance runners. INTRODUCCIÓN: La Periostitis Tibial es una patología asociada a la práctica deportiva muy habitual en corredores. Su tratamiento a través de programas activos es clave en esta población, en el cual la incorporación de calzado con placas de fibra de carbono puede disminuir el tiempo de su resolución. OBJETIVO: Estudiar el impacto en el tiempo de recuperación al utilizar calzado deportivo con placas de fibra de carbono durante la rehabilitación de corredores de fondo con periostitis tibial. MATERIAL Y MÉTODOS: Protocolo de investigación para un estudio clínico aleatorizado con corredores de fondo diagnosticados de periostitis tibial en las anteriores dos semanas. Los participantes son aleatorizados en dos grupos (grupo control con calzado deportivo sin placa de fibra de carbono, y grupo intervención con calzado deportivo con placa de fibra de carbono) que realizan un programa de rehabilitación activa de ejercicios de estiramiento, fortalecimiento y carrera. El protocolo se realiza bajo supervisión de un equipo multidisciplinar con seguimiento semanal. Se valora como variable primaria el tiempo de recuperación en días, y como variables secundarias la capacidad funcional mediante la Escala Funcional de la Extremidad Inferior y correlación del grado de severidad de la periostitis tibial mediante la clasificación de Tauntons et al. RESULTADOS ESPERADOS: Se espera un tiempo de recuperación inferior en el grupo intervención, constatados por las valoraciones superiores en le Escala Funcional de la Extremidad Inferior. Se estima que los grados menos severos de periostitis tibial ofrezcan un menor tiempo de recuperación en ambos grupos. CONCLUSIÓN: La incorporación del calzado deportivo con suela de fibra de carbono en el tratamiento de la periostitis tibial podría disminuir el tiempo de recuperación de un protocolo que mejora la adherencia y disminuye la pérdida de forma física, en corredores de fondo.

Introduction: The injuries of the patellar tendon are present in the day to day of the long-distance runners and the current evidence does not specify which risk factors can affect more than others in this pathology. Objetive: Observe whether amateur long-distance runners with unilateral patellar tendinopathy have a greater contralateral pelvic drop than control group runners. Methods: 24 runners are recruited, 12 with a unilateral patellar tendinopathy diagnosed by an expert physiotherapist, in addition to meeting the eligibility criteria of the study, and 12 others who meet these criteria and do not present any pathology. Procedure: Data collection is done in three steps, the first is the collection of data and the verification of eligibility criteria, the second is the ultrasound evaluation of the patellar tendon and, finally, the collection of biomechanical data during the race through a three-dimensional capture system (Vicon). Expected results: All the variables studied will be superior in the long-distance runners that present the pathology. Conclusion: In case of obtaining the expected results, the professionals who treat this type of pathology will have specific risk factors to assess and in the future treat to improve the health of the patient. Introducción: Las lesiones del tendón rotuliano están presentes en el día a día de los corredores de fondo y la evidencia actual no precisa que factores de riesgo pueden afectar más que otros en esta patología. Objetivo: Observar si los corredores de fondo amateurs con tendinopatía rotuliana unilateral presentan una caída contralateral de la pelvis mayor que los corredores del grupo control. Método: Se reclutan 24 corredores, 12 que presenten una tendinopatía rotuliana unilateral diagnosticada por un fisioterapeuta experto, además de cumplir los criterios de elegibilidad del estudio, y otros 12 que cumplan estos criterios y no presenten ninguna patología. Procedimiento: La recogida de datos se realiza en tres pasos, el primero es la recogida de datos y la comprobación de los criterios de elegibilidad, el segundo es la evaluación ecográfica del tendón rotuliano y, por último, la recogida de datos biomecánicos durante la carrera a través de un sistema de captura tridimensional (Vicon). Resultados esperados: Todas las variables que se estudian serán superiores en los corredores de fondo que presentan la patología. Conclusión: En caso de obtener los resultados esperados, los profesionales que traten este tipo de patología dispondrán de unos factores de riesgo concretos a valorar y, en un futuro, tratar para mejorar la salud del paciente.

Objective: This systematic review aimed to critically analyze the literature to determine how high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT) affects recreational endurance runners in the short- and long-term. Methods: Electronic databases were searched for literature dating from January 2000 to October 2015. The search was conducted using the key words “high-intensity intermittent training” or “high-intensity interval exercise” or “interval running” or “sprint interval training” and “endurance runners” or “long distance runners”. A systematic approach was used to evaluate the 783 articles identified for initial review. Studies were included if they investigated HIIT in recreational endurance runners. The methodological quality of the studies was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale (for intervention studies) and the modified Downs and Black Quality Index (for cross-sectional studies). Results: Twenty-three studies met the inclusionary criteria for review. The results are presented in 2 parts: cross-sectional (n = 15) and intervention studies (n = 8). In the 15 cross-sectional studies selected, endurance runners performed at least 1 HIIT protocol, and the acute impact on physiological, neuromuscular, metabolic and/or biomechanical variables was assessed. Intervention studies lasted a minimum of 4 weeks, with 10 weeks being the longest intervention period, and included 2 to 4 HIIT sessions per week. Most of these studies combined HIIT sessions with continuous run (CR) sessions; 2 studies' subjects performed HIIT exclusively. Conclusion: HIIT-based running plans (2 to 3 HIIT sessions per week, combining HIIT and CR runs) show athletic performance improvements in endurance runners by improving maximal oxygen uptake and running economy along with muscular and metabolic adaptations. To maximize the adaptations to training, both HIIT and CR must be part of training programs for endurance runners.

[Abstract]: This study compared the ability to predict performance in half-marathon races through physiological variables obtained in a laboratory test and performance variables obtained in the Cooper field test. Twenty-three participants (age: 41.6 7.6 years, weight: 70.4 8.1 kg, and height: 172.5 6.3 cm) underwent body composition assessment and performed a maximum incremental graded exercise laboratory test to evaluate maximum aerobic power and associated cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables. Cooper’s original protocol was performed on an athletic track and the variables recorded were covered distance, rating of perceived exertion, and maximum heart rate. The week following the Cooper test, all participants completed a half-marathon race at the maximum possible speed. The associations between the laboratory and field tests and the final time of the test were used to select the predictive variables included in a stepwise multiple regression analysis, which used the race time in the half marathon as the dependent variable and the laboratory variables or field tests as independent variables. Subsequently, a concordance analysis was carried out between the estimated and actual times through the Bland-Altman procedure. Significant correlations were found between the time in the half marathon and the distance in the Cooper test (r = -0.93; p < 0.001), body weight (r = 0.40; p < 0.04), velocity at ventilatory threshold 1, (r = -0.72; p < 0.0001), speed reached at maximum oxygen consumption (vVO2max), (r = -0.84; p < 0.0001), oxygen consumption at ventilatory threshold 2 (VO2VT2) (r = -0.79; p < 0.0001), and VO2max (r = -0.64; p < 0.05). The distance covered in the Cooper test was the best predictor of time in the half-marathon, and might predicted by the equation: Race time (min) = 201.26 – 0.03433 (Cooper test in m) (R2 = 0.873, SEE: 3.78 min). In the laboratory model, vVO2max, and body weight presented an R2 = 0.77, SEE 5.28 min. predicted by equation: Race time (min) = 156.7177 – 4.7194 (vVO2max) – 0.3435 (Weight). Concordance analysis showed no differences between the times predicted in the models the and actual times. The data indicated a high predictive power of half marathon race time both from the distance in the Cooper test and vVO2max in the laboratory. However, the variable associated with the Cooper test had better predictive ability than the treadmill test variables. Finally, it is important to note that these data may only be extrapolated to recreational male runners.

It still remains controversial whether exercise will help or adversely affect the bone formation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of common long-distance running on the magnitude of change in bone properties as measured by quantitative ultrasound (QUS) and bone biochemical markers. Subjects included 68 long-distance runners and 40 controls. Long-distance runners had been training in the marathon club for at least 6 months, the average period of exercise was 2 years, and running at 48.6±24.9 km per week. Otherwise, controls were people who had not experienced any specific sports before. Bone speed of sound (SOS) was measured by QUS at the distal one third radius and the mid-shaft of the tibia. Serum osteocalcin and urine deoxypyridinolin were measured in all groups. No significant differences were found in tibial and radial SOS between the two groups. Serum osteocalcin was higher in long-distance runners than control (P

Van Hooren, B and Zolotarjova, J. The difference between countermovement and squat jump performances: a review of underlying mechanisms with practical applications. J Strength Cond Res 31(7): 2011-2020, 2017-Two movements that are widely used to monitor athletic performance are the countermovement jump (CMJ) and squat jump (SJ). Countermovement jump performance is almost always better than SJ performance, and the difference in performance is thought to reflect an effective utilization of the stretch-shortening cycle. However, the mechanisms responsible for the performance-enhancing effect of the stretch-shortening cycle are frequently undefined. Uncovering and understanding these mechanisms is essential to make an inference regarding the difference between the jumps. Therefore, we will review the potential mechanisms that explain the better performance in a CMJ as compared with a SJ. It is concluded that the difference in performance may primarily be related to the greater uptake of muscle slack and the buildup of stimulation during the countermovement in a CMJ. Elastic energy may also have a small contribution to an enhanced CMJ performance. Therefore, a larger difference between the jumps is not necessarily a better indicator of high-intensity sports performance. Although a larger difference may reflect the utilization of elastic energy in a small-amplitude CMJ as a result of a well-developed capability to co-activate muscles and quickly build up stimulation, a larger difference may also reflect a poor capability to reduce the degree of muscle slack and build up stimulation in the SJ. Because the capability to reduce the degree of muscle slack and quickly build up stimulation in the SJ may be especially important to high-intensity sports performance, training protocols might concentrate on attaining a smaller difference between the jumps.

OBJECTIVE:: To describe absenteeism and health care utilization (HCU) within 6 weeks after occurrence of running-related injuries (RRIs) among novice runners and to explore differences relating to injury and personal characteristics. DESIGN:: Prospective cohort study. SETTING:: Primary care. PARTICIPANTS:: One thousand six hundred ninety-six novice runners (18-65 years) participating in a 6-week running program (“Start-to-Run”). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:: Injury characteristics were assessed by weekly training logs and personal characteristics by a baseline questionnaire. Data on absenteeism and HCU were collected using questionnaires at 2 and 6 weeks after the RRI occurred. RESULTS:: A total of 185 novice runners (11%) reported an RRI during the 6-week program. Of these injured novice runners, 78% reported absence from sports, whereas only 4% reported absence from work. Fifty-one percent of the injured novice runners visited a health care professional, mostly physical therapists (PTs) rather than physicians. Absenteeism was more common among women than men and was also more common with acute RRIs than gradual-onset RRIs. As regards HCU, both the variety of professionals visited and the number of PT visits were higher among runners with muscle–tendon injuries in the ankle/foot region than among those with other RRIs. CONCLUSIONS:: Among novice runners sustaining an RRI during a 6-week running program, over three quarters reported short-term absence from sports, whereas absence from work was very limited, and over half used professional health care. Both absence and HCU are associated with injury characteristics. CLINICAL RELEVANCE:: In future running promotion programs (eg in Start-to-Run programs), specific attention should be paid to acute injuries and to muscle–tendon injuries in the ankle/foot region.

Background The prevalence of exercise-induced gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms has been reported up to 70%. The pathophysiology largely remains unknown. Aim To review the physiological and pathophysiological changes of the GI-tract during physical exercise and the management of the most common gastrointestinal symptoms. Methods Search of the literature published in the English and Dutch languages using the Pubmed database to review the literature that focused on the relation between splanchnic blood flow (SBF), development of ischaemia, postischaemic endotoxinemia and motility. Results During physical exercise, the increased activity of the sympathetic nervous system (SNS) redistributes blood flow from the splanchnic organs to the working muscles. With prolonged duration and/or intensity, the SBF may be decreased by 80% or more. Most studies point in the direction of increased SNS-activity as central driving force for reduction in SBF. A severely reduced SBF may frequently cause GI ischaemia. GI-ischaemia combined with reduced vagal activity probably triggers changes in GI-motility and GI absorption derangements. GI-symptoms during physical exercise may be prevented by lowering the exercise intensity, preventing dehydration and avoiding the ingestion of hypertonic fluids. Conclusions Literature on the pathophysiology of exercise-induced GI-symptoms is scarce. Increased sympathetic nervous system activity and decreased splanchnic blood flow during physical exercise seems to be the key factor in the pathogenesis of exercise-induced GI-symptoms, and this should be the target for symptom reduction.

Increased heart rate variability (HRV) and high-frequency content of the terminal region of the ventricular activation of signal-averaged ECG (SAECG) have been reported in athletes. The present study investigates HRV and SAECG parameters as predictors of maximal aerobic power (VO2max) in athletes. HRV, SAECG and VO2max were determined in 18 high-performance long-distance (25 ± 6 years; 17 males) runners 24 h after a training session. Clinical visits, ECG and VO2max determination were scheduled for all athletes during thew training period. A group of 18 untrained healthy volunteers matched for age, gender, and body surface area was included as controls. SAECG was acquired in the resting supine position for 15 min and processed to extract average RR interval (Mean-RR) and root mean squared standard deviation (RMSSD) of the difference of two consecutive normal RR intervals. SAECG variables analyzed in the vector magnitude with 40-250 Hz band-pass bi-directional filtering were: total and 40-µV terminal (LAS40) duration of ventricular activation, RMS voltage of total (RMST) and of the 40-ms terminal region of ventricular activation. Linear and multivariate stepwise logistic regressions oriented by inter-group comparisons were adjusted in significant variables in order to predict VO2max, with a P < 0.05 considered to be significant. VO2max correlated significantly (P < 0.05) with RMST (r = 0.77), Mean-RR (r = 0.62), RMSSD (r = 0.47), and LAS40 (r = -0.39). RMST was the independent predictor of VO2max. In athletes, HRV and high-frequency components of the SAECG correlate with VO2max and the high-frequency content of SAECG is an independent predictor of VO2max.