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1.
Adaptation to a ketogenic diet modulates adaptive and mucosal immune markers in trained male endurance athletes.
Shaw, DM, Merien, F, Braakhuis, A, Keaney, L, Dulson, DK
Scandinavian journal of medicine & science in sports. 2021;(1):140-152
Abstract
This study examined the effect of short-term adaptation to a ketogenic diet (KD) on resting and post-exercise immune markers. Using a randomized, repeated-measures, crossover design, eight trained, male, endurance athletes ingested a 31-day low carbohydrate (CHO), KD (energy intake: 4% CHO; 78% fat) or their habitual diet (HD) (energy intake: 43% CHO; 38% fat). On days 0 and 31, participants ran to exhaustion at 70% VO2max . A high-CHO (2 g·kg-1 ) meal was ingested prior to the pre-HD, post-HD, and pre-KD trials, with CHO (~55 g·h-1 ) ingested during exercise, whereas a low-CHO (<10 g) meal was ingested prior to the post-KD trial, with fat ingested during exercise. Blood and saliva samples were collected at pre-exercise, exhaustion, and 1 hour post-exhaustion. T-cell-related cytokine gene expression within peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and whole-blood inflammatory cytokine production were determined using 24-hour multi-antigen-stimulated whole-blood cultures. Multi-antigen-stimulated PBMC IFN-γ mRNA expression and the IFN-γ/IL-4 mRNA expression ratio were higher at exhaustion in the post-KD compared with pre-KD trial (P = 0.003 and P = 0.004); however, IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression were unaltered (P > 0.05). Multi-antigen-stimulated whole-blood IL-10 production was higher in the post-KD compared with pre-KD trial (P = 0.028), whereas IL-1β, IL-2, IL-8, and IFN-γ production was lower in the post-HD compared with pre-HD trial (P < 0.01). Salivary immunoglobulin A (SIgA) secretion rate was higher in the post-KD compared with pre-KD trial (P < 0.001). In conclusion, short-term adaptation to a KD in endurance athletes may alter the pro- and anti-inflammatory immune cell cytokine response to a multi-antigen in vitro and SIgA secretion rate.
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2.
Effects of cold water immersion on circulating inflammatory markers at the Kona Ironman World Championship.
Bartley, JM, Stearns, RL, Muñoz, CX, Nolan, JK, Radom-Aizik, S, Maresh, CM, Casa, DJ, Zaldivar, FP, Haddad, F, Ganio, M, et al
Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. 2021;(7):719-726
Abstract
Cold water immersion (CWI) purportedly reduces inflammation and improves muscle recovery after exercise, yet its effectiveness in specific contexts (ultraendurance) remains unclear. Thus, our aim was to study hematological profiles, systemic inflammation, and muscle damage responses to a specific post-race CWI (vs. control) during recovery after the Ironman World Championship, a culmination of ∼100 000 athletes competing in global qualifying Ironman events each year. Twenty-nine competitors were randomized into either a CWI or control (CON) group. Physiological parameters and blood samples were taken at pre-race, after intervention (POST), and 24 (+1DAY) and 48 hours (+2DAY) following the race. Muscle damage markers (plasma myoglobin, serum creatine kinase) were elevated at POST, +1DAY, and +2DAY, while inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and IL-10 and total leukocyte counts were increased only at POST. CWI had no effect on these markers. Numbers of the most abundant circulating cell type, neutrophils, were elevated at POST more so in CWI (p < 0.05, vs. CON). Despite that neutrophil counts may be a sensitive marker to detect subtle effects, CWI does not affect recovery markers 24- and 48-hours post-race (vs. CON). Overall, we determined that our short CWI protocol was not sufficient to improve recovery. Novelty: Ironman World Championship event increased circulating muscle damage markers, inflammatory markers, and hematological parameters, including circulating immune cell sub-populations that recover 24-48 hours after the race. 12-min CWI post-ultraendurance event affects the absolute numbers of neutrophils acutely, post-race (vs. CON), but does not impact recovery 24- and 48-hours post-race.
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3.
[The efficiency of branched chain aminoacids (BCAA) in the nutrition of combat sport athletes].
Trushina, EN, Vybornov, VD, Riger, NA, Mustafina, OK, Solntsevа, TN, Timonin, AN, Zilova, IS, Radzhabkadiev, RM
Voprosy pitaniia. 2019;(4):48-56
Abstract
Balanced nutrition of athletes involves the usage of both ordinary products and complexes of functional food ingredients that contribute to improving the performance of athletes, strengthening the immune system. One of the main components of specialized foods that are widely used in sports' nutrition and food supplements are branched chain aminoacids (BCAA): valine, leucine, isoleucine. The aim of the work was to study the effect of the BCAA intake on the parameters of body composition and the immune status of combat sport athletes during the training period. Material and methods. The object of the study was 20 athletes (masters of sports and candidates for masters of sports in combat sports: sambo, judo) at the age of 17-18 years. Athletes were distributed into 2 groups. Athletes of the main group (n=10) for 4 weeks in addition to the main diet were supplemented with BCAA at a dosage of 5 g per day. The athletes of the control group (n=10) received the main diet without BCAA inclusion. Examination of athletes of both groups was carried out at the beginning of the research and after 4 weeks of the observation period. The actual nutrition of athletes and daily energy consumption have been studied, body composition, the quantitative composition of subpopulations of peripheral blood lymphocytes, cytokine profile and hematological parameters have been determined. Results and discussion. As a result of a comprehensive survey of athletes, the positive effect of BCAA intake on the phase angle value (7.35±0.28 vs 6.41±0.32 at the beginning of the study, p<0.05) and muscle mass (25.1±0.8 vs 23.4±0.6 kg, p<0.10) has been demonstrated. In the control group these parameters did not change statistically significantly (7.05±0.25 vs 6.78±0.42 and 24.1±1.7 vs 23.8±1.5 kg). The athletes of the main group showed an increase in erythrocyte hemoglobin content (30.0±0.3 vs 29.0±0.2 pg, p<0.05). The relative content of basophilic leukocytes in athletes of the main group decreased by the end of the observation period - from 0.69±0.05 to 0.54±0.05% (p<0.05), that indicated an increase of immune resistance. The biomarker of the immunotropic effect of BCAA was the suppression of IL-4 production (1.6±0.1 to 1.3±0.1 pg/ml, p<0.05) synthesized by Th2 lymphocytes, with switching response to cellular immunity. Conclusion. The results of this study provide evidence of the effectiveness of BCAA usage in sports' nutrition for maintaining sport performance, immunity, and the adaptive potential of combat sport athletes.
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4.
Chronic probiotic supplementation with or without glutamine does not influence the eHsp72 response to a multi-day ultra-endurance exercise event.
Marshall, H, Chrismas, BCR, Suckling, CA, Roberts, JD, Foster, J, Taylor, L
Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. 2017;(8):876-883
Abstract
Probiotic and glutamine supplementation increases tissue Hsp72, but their influence on extracellular Hsp72 (eHsp72) has not been investigated. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of chronic probiotic supplementation, with or without glutamine, on eHsp72 concentration before and after an ultramarathon. Thirty-two participants were split into 3 independent groups, where they ingested probiotic capsules (PRO; n = 11), probiotic + glutamine powder (PGLn; n = 10), or no supplementation (CON; n = 11), over a 12-week period prior to commencement of the Marathon des Sables (MDS). eHsp72 concentration in the plasma was measured at baseline, 7 days pre-race, 6-8 h post-race, and 7 days post-race. The MDS increased eHsp72 concentrations by 124% (F[1,3] = 22.716, p < 0.001), but there was no difference in the response between groups. Additionally, PRO or PGLn supplementation did not modify pre- or post-MDS eHsp72 concentrations compared with CON (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the MDS caused a substantial increase in eHsp72 concentration, indicating high levels of systemic stress. However, chronic PRO or PGLn supplementation did not affect eHsp72 compared with control pre- or post-MDS. Given the role of eHsp72 in immune activation, the commercially available supplements used in this study are unlikely to influence this cascade.
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5.
The role of vitamin D in health preservation and exertional capacity of athletes.
Stachowicz, M, Lebiedzińska, A
Postepy higieny i medycyny doswiadczalnej (Online). 2016;(0):637-43
Abstract
Sports training causes an increased load on the musculoskeletal, hormonal and immune system, which makes maintaining homeostasis in the organism more difficult. Maintaining metabolic balance in the athlete's body is important due to the necessity to obtain high physical fitness. One factor that facilitates optimization of health and increased endurance is a balanced diet. Proper nutrition enables provision of energy-giving and body-building substances as well as bioelements and vitamins, which influence metabolic processes and play regulatory functions. Vitamin D, also called calciferol, has an impact on maintaining effectiveness of the musculoskeletal system, on mineralization of bones and on increase of mass, strength and endurance of muscles. An association between vitamin D content in the organism and levels of anabolic hormones such as insulin and testosterone has been reported. A sufficient amount of calciferol is also necessary for effective functioning of the nervous system, including keeping balance and determining the reaction time. Maintaining an adequate vitamin D level in the athlete's body is also important due to its role in mobilizing the immune system and preventing infections, to which athletes are particularly prone. The positive impact of vitamin D on physical fitness of athletes shows how important it is to maintain its adequate level in the organism. Numerous studies indicate widespread occurrence of vitamin D deficiency, including among athletes. Climatic conditions and training in halls lead to limited endogenous production of this vitamin, which shows the importance of diet as a source of vitamin D. The aim of the study is to present the role of vitamin D in preservation of health, particularly endurance and physical fitness of athletes, on the basis of currently available scientific literature.
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6.
Protein intake during training sessions has no effect on performance and recovery during a strenuous training camp for elite cyclists.
Hansen, M, Bangsbo, J, Jensen, J, Krause-Jensen, M, Bibby, BM, Sollie, O, Hall, UA, Madsen, K
Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2016;:9
Abstract
BACKGROUND Training camps for top-class endurance athletes place high physiological demands on the body. Focus on optimizing recovery between training sessions is necessary to minimize the risk of injuries and improve adaptations to the training stimuli. Carbohydrate supplementation during sessions is generally accepted as being beneficial to aid performance and recovery, whereas the effect of protein supplementation and timing is less well understood. We studied the effects of protein ingestion during training sessions on performance and recovery of elite cyclists during a strenuous training camp. METHODS In a randomized, double-blinded study, 18 elite cyclists consumed either a whey protein hydrolysate-carbohydrate beverage (PRO-CHO, 14 g protein/h and 69 g CHO/h) or an isocaloric carbohydrate beverage (CHO, 84 g/h) during each training session for six days (25-29 h cycling in total). Diet and training were standardized and supervised. The diet was energy balanced and contained 1.7 g protein/kg/day. A 10-s peak power test and a 5-min all-out performance test were conducted before and after the first training session and repeated at day 6 of the camp. Blood and saliva samples were collected in the morning after overnight fasting during the week and analyzed for biochemical markers of muscle damage, stress, and immune function. RESULTS In both groups, 5-min all-out performance was reduced after the first training session and at day 6 compared to before the first training session, with no difference between groups. Peak power in the sprint test did not change significantly between tests or between groups. In addition, changes in markers for muscle damage, stress, and immune function were not significantly influenced by treatment. CONCLUSIONS Intake of protein combined with carbohydrate during cycling at a training camp for top cyclists did not result in marked performance benefits compared to intake of carbohydrates when a recovery drink containing adequate protein and carbohydrate was ingested immediately after each training session in both groups. These findings suggest that the addition of protein to a carbohydrate supplement consumed during exercise does not improve recovery or performance in elite cyclists despite high demands of daily exhaustive sessions during a one-week training camp.
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7.
[Effects of branched amino acids in endurance sports: a review].
Salinas-García, ME, Martínez-Sanz, JM, Urdampilleta, A, Mielgo-Ayuso, J, Norte Navarro, A, Ortiz-Moncada, R
Nutricion hospitalaria. 2014;(2):577-89
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The report issued by the European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) in 2010 on nutrition and health claims, shows that there is no scientific evidence to support supplementation with branched chain amino acids (BCAAs). The aim of this study is to analyze the effects of consumption of BCAAs in endurance sports. METHODS A literature review on the current state of the effect of consumption of dietary supplements of BCAAs. We conducted a search in the PubMed database and snowball strategy. INCLUSION CRITERIA Spanish / English randomized clinical trial related to the consumption of BCAAs, leucine, valine and isoleucine in endurance sports and its effects on muscle damage, athletic performance, central fatigue, anabolic signals during recovery and immune system response published in any country until May 2014. RESULTS Out of 330 studies identified, 14 met the inclusion criteria. The mean of subjects participating in the study was (11.36±7.43). Only two studies included a group of women. The sports that we found in the studies were: run, cycling, combining cycling and running, Olympic distance triathlon and one study included 2 groups of athletes (Olympic distance triathletes and runners). The effects of BCAAs and muscle damage, athletic performance, central fatigue, anabolic signals during recovery period and immune response were studied at different times: before, during and after training or a combination of these. DISCUSSION It is observed that there is a lesser degree of pain and muscle damage, less perceived exertion and mental fatigue, greater anabolic response in recovery period and improved immune response when supplemented with BCAAs, notwithstanding its decision before or during physical activity does not improve athletic performance. No consensus was found in the dose and timing of the most effective decision, although it is more effective if there is 2-3/1/1g relationship between leucine / isoleucine and valine amino acids.
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8.
Exercise-induced immunodepression in endurance athletes and nutritional intervention with carbohydrate, protein and fat-what is possible, what is not?
Gunzer, W, Konrad, M, Pail, E
Nutrients. 2012;(9):1187-1212
Abstract
Heavily exercising endurance athletes experience extreme physiologic stress, which is associated with temporary immunodepression and higher risk of infection, particularly upper respiratory tract infections (URTI). The aim of this review is to provide a critical up-to-date review of existing evidence on the immunomodulatory potential of selected macronutrients and to evaluate their efficacy. The results of 66 placebo-controlled and/or crossover trials were compared and analysed. Among macronutrients, the most effective approach to maintain immune function in athletes is to consume ≥6% carbohydrate during prolonged exercise. Because inadequate nutrition affects almost all aspects of the immune system, a well-balanced diet is also important. Evidence of beneficial effects from other macronutrients is scarce and results are often inconsistent. Using a single nutrient may not be as effective as a mixture of several nutritional supplements. Due to limited research evidence, with the exception of carbohydrate, no explicit recommendations to reduce post-exercise URTI symptoms with single macronutrients can be derived.
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9.
Cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake does not alter exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis.
Navalta, JW, McFarlin, BK, Lyons, S, Arnett, SW, Schafer, MA
Clinics (Sao Paulo, Brazil). 2011;(2):197-202
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether cognitive awareness of carbohydrate beverage consumption affects exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, independent of actual carbohydrate intake. INTRODUCTION Carbohydrate supplementation during aerobic exercise generally protects against the immunosuppressive effects of exercise. It is not currently known whether carbohydrate consumption or simply the knowledge of carbohydrate consumption also has that effect. METHODS Endurance trained male and female (N = 10) athletes were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on either a correct or incorrect cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake. In the incorrect group, the subjects were informed that they were receiving the carbohydrate beverage but actually received the placebo beverage. Participants completed a 60-min ride on a cycle ergometer at 80% VO₂peak under carbohydrate and placebo supplemented conditions. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after exercise and were used to determine the plasma glucose concentration, lymphocyte count, and extent of lymphocyte apoptosis. Cognitive awareness, either correct or incorrect, did not have an effect on any of the measured variables. RESULTS Carbohydrate supplementation during exercise did not have an effect on lymphocyte count or apoptotic index. Independent of drink type, exercise resulted in significant lymphocytosis and lymphocyte apoptosis (apoptotic index at rest = 6.3 ± 3% and apoptotic index following exercise = 11.6 ± 3%, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION Neither carbohydrate nor placebo supplementation altered the typical lymphocyte apoptotic response following exercise. While carbohydrate supplementation generally has an immune-boosting effect during exercise, it appears that this influence does not extend to the mechanisms that govern exercise-induced lymphocyte cell death.
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10.
Oral administration of the probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 and mucosal immunity in endurance athletes.
Cox, AJ, Pyne, DB, Saunders, PU, Fricker, PA
British journal of sports medicine. 2010;(4):222-6
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ability of a probiotic Lactobacillus fermentum VRI-003 (PCC) to enhance the mucosal immune system of elite athletes. DESIGN AND SETTING A double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover trial was conducted over a 4-month period of winter training. PARTICIPANTS; 20 healthy elite male distance runners. INTERVENTIONS PCC was given at a daily dose of 1.26 x 10(10) as a freeze-dried powder in gelatin capsules. Placebo capsules contained an inert excipient. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Treadmill performance (monthly), mucosal and systemic immunity (monthly), training (daily) and illness (daily) were assessed. Serum cytokine levels, salivary IgA levels and incidence, duration and severity of respiratory tract infections were measured. RESULTS Subjects reported less than half the number of days of respiratory symptoms during PCC treatment (30 days) compared with placebo (72 days, p<0.001). Illness severity was also lower for episodes occurring during the PCC treatment (p = 0.06). There were no significant differences in the mean change in salivary IgA and IgA1 levels, or in interleukin (IL)4 and IL12 levels, between treatments. However, PCC treatment elicited a twofold (p = 0.07) greater change in whole-blood culture interferon gamma (IFNgamma) compared with placebo. No substantial changes in running performance measures were seen over the study period. CONCLUSIONS Prophylactic administration of PCC was associated with a substantial reduction in the number of days and severity of respiratory illness in a cohort of highly trained distance runners. Maintenance of IFNgamma levels may be one mechanism underpinning the positive clinical outcomes.