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At least 235 records · Page 13Linked to original sources
PubMed2000

Improving athletic performance: is altitude residence or altitude training helpful?

Exercise training studies conducted at different altitudes (1250-5700 m) of varying durations (30 min to 19 wk) are critically reviewed to determine the efficacy of using altitude as a training stimulus to enhance sea level and altitude exercise performance. Four strategies are discussed: a) exercise training while residing at the same altitude; b) exercise training at altitude but residing at sea level; c) exercise training at low altitude but residing at a higher altitude; and d) exercise training under sea level and altitude conditions but only after altitude acclimatization has occurred. Residing at altitude causes a multitude of potentially beneficial physiological, ventilatory, hematological and metabolic changes that theoretically should induce a potentiating effect on endurance exercise performance. While it is accepted that endurance performance is greatly enhanced at altitude, there is less support for the view that altitude training while residing at altitude improves subsequent sea level endurance performance. There is some evidence, though also not universally accepted, that training at altitude but residing at sea level may benefit sea level endurance performance. Most recently, the combination of "living high" (e.g., at 2500 m) to obtain beneficial physiological changes associated with altitude acclimatization and "training low" (e.g., at 1250 m) to allow maintenance of high-intensity training is accumulating scientific and popular support as the most advantageous strategy to improve subsequent sea level exercise performance in well-trained, competitive runners.

Altitude↗
PubMed2002

Hormone plasma levels from pituitary-gonadal axis in performance athletes after the 400 m run.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the concentration changes in hormones from pituitary - gonadal axis, induced by the 400 m run in the well-trained athletes (vice-champions in the Hall and Summer Athletic World Championship in 1999) to the changes observed in the competitors with shorter training period and achieving worse final results. METHODS: This research was conducted on 6 males - members of the Polish Olympic Team, who won vice-championship in the Hall and Summer World Championships 1999 and 6 athletes trained in the academic sport clubs. In the recent investigation, the 400 m run was assumed to be a stimulating impulse for evoking hormonal changes. The blood samples were taken from the elbow vein before the run, immediately after the effort and after the 24-hour rest. In the serum, the luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT) as well as the sex hormones-binding globulin (SHBG) concentrations were determined. RESULTS: During our research, immediately after the 400 m run in group I - the top class sportsmen - the statistically significant increase in both gonadotrophins (LH, FSH) was determined as well as the decrease in the total and free testosterone. In the group II - the athletes with the lower training level - the increase in FSH and the total and free testosterone concentrations was noticed. There were no statistically significant differences in the SHBG concentration. After-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration was observed in both groups. In the master group I, the increase in lactic acid concentration was higher than in group II. In both groups after the 24-hour restitution, the examined parameters, except LH levels in the group I, showed the concentrations similar to those before the effort. Analysis of the time needed to cover the distance of the race showed that the athletes from group I covered the distance of 400 m in the shorter time. CONCLUSIONS: The group of master class athletes, whose average intensive training period was 8 years, had higher VO(2max) and higher after-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration than in the group of sportsmen with the shorter training period (4 years), who had lower VO(2max), worse sport results and lower after-effort increase in the lactic acid concentration, gave different hormonal response (particularly TT, FT concentration) for the same exercise impulse. The difference based on the fact, that after the run in group I the decrease in the total and free testosterone levels and in group II the increase in the same parameters were observed. The observed hormonal changes in the master class athletes induced by the years-long anaerobic training might provide evidence for the reduction of functional reserves in gonads when compared to the group of less trained sportsmen.

Adult↗
PubMed2002

Creatine: little impact on athletic performance, but a risk of adverse effects.

(1) Creatine occurs naturally in the body. Some is derived from dietary sources, but endogenous synthesis covers individual requirements. Creatine deficiency occurs only in subjects with genetic disorders. (2) Oral creatine supplementation at supraphysiological doses seems to slightly improve the performance of some types of muscle exercise, but only those lasting less than 30 seconds; even this small effect is inconsistent. (3) The vague regulatory status of creatine supplements hinders effective monitoring of adverse events. Serious adverse events have been reported in people taking creatine supplements, but it's still unclear whether or not the creatine is responsible. Animal data suggest a link with cancer after long term exposure. (4) The precise composition of creatine supplements is unclear: contamination is possible, and other substances, especially doping agents, are sometimes added. (5) Taking creatine supplements is inadvisable.

Animals↗