Haematuria, running, bladder stone

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Physical exercise-induced changes and season-associated differences in the pituitary-ovarian function of runners and joggers

The hormonal responses to energetic chronic exercise and to seasonal shift from autumn to spring were evaluated by measuring concentrations of serum FSH, LH, PRL, estradiol (E2), progesterone (P), testosterone (T), and sex hormone-binding globuline (SHBG) during 1 menstrual cycle in the autumn (light training season) and 1 in the spring (hard training season) in 18 endurance runners and 12 age-matched nonrunning women, and in 13 joggers and 11 age-matched nonjogging women. The appearance, growth, and maximal size of the ovarian follicles were monitored by ultrasonography. The high intensity training of the runners was associated with decreased concentrations of FSH on cycle days 7-8 in the autumn, E2 on cycle days 12-13 in the spring and days 22-23 in both seasons, P on cycle days 20-21 in both seasons and days 22-23 in the autumn, and T on cycle days 12-13, 14-15, and 22-23 in the spring. Jogging, however, did not alter the concentrations of these hormones. Using as criteria the presence of 2 or 3 abnormal values of the 3 indicators used for evaluation of folliculogenesis (midfollicular E2 lower than 0.09 nmol/liter, luteal phase P lower than 7 nmol/liter, and peak diameter of the largest ovarian follicle less than 15 mm), seriously disturbed folliculogenesis was found in 50% of the 32 study cycles of the runners and 9% of the 23 cycles of their controls (P less than 0.01). In all four study groups, there was a significant seasonal difference in the concentrations of ovarian hormones, with lowered E2, P, and T levels in the autumn. There were no differences in the serum concentrations of SHBG between the study groups or between the autumn and the spring. High training activity and a dark photoperiod appeared to independently suppress ovarian activity and were not associated with chronic changes in anterior pituitary hormone or SHBG concentrations.

Exercise therapy for anxiety and depression. 1. Does the evidence justify its recommendation?

Despite the ever-increasing importance placed on exercise in our society today, obtaining sufficient evidence to document its therapeutic role in anxiety and depression has proven to be a formidable task for researchers. A number of studies now provide evidence to justify the recommendation of moderate exercise to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression and to improve overall emotional well-being. For anxious or depressed patients, exercise produces a sense of mastery and control, and the positive effects of being successful in an exercise program spill over into other realms of their life.

Serum carotene levels in female long-distance runners

Hypercarotenemia has been associated with anorexia nervosa and hypothalamic amenorrhea. With the emergence of a spectrum of menstrual dysfunction, including anovulation in women runners, the hypothesis of hypothalamic amenorrhea in these patients has been formulated. Other authors have proposed exercise-associated amenorrhea to be distinct from hypothalamic amenorrhea based on endocrine profiles. Using carotene as an index test of hypothalamic amenorrhea, we have studied female long-distance runners (greater than 25 miles/week) and have found no difference in the carotene levels between ovulatory (midfollicular) and anovulatory runners. These data support other evidence that exercise-associated amenorrhea is distinct from hypothalamic amenorrhea.

[Effect of jogging on lipid peroxidation, blood coagulation and anti-aggregation properties of the vascular wall]

In a group of volunteers of different age, engaged in health-improving running for various time, a level of antioxidants and a capacity of vascular wall to synthesize the antiaggregating substances were increased as well as blood coagulation parameters were decreased. These alterations were especially important for men because of the favourable effect of the running on blood rheology and microcirculation as well as on metabolism of cell and tissues.

Intensity of jogging. Relationship with menstrual/reproductive variables

The relationship between intensity of jogging and various menstrual/reproductive factors in women were investigated. Data were collected by questionnaire from 319 women who participated in a running event that included both a 6.2-mile (10 K) run and a 26.2-mile marathon in northeastern Ohio. Findings reaffirmed the notion that scant menstrual flow, skipped menses, and menstrual irregularity are significantly related to the intensity of jogging; age at menarche, infertility, and uterine prolapse were not. Thirty-two percent of the women felt that jogging decreased their menstrual discomfort, and 44% reported better jogging performance right after or between menstrual periods.

Creatine kinase levels after jogging in patients with cardiac disease

Acute muscle injury is a well-documented complication of strenuous exercise, but milder forms of exertion have not been studied in detail. This report describes a patient undergoing cardiac rehabilitation in whom atypical chest pain developed and who was treated for a myocardial infarction only because of an elevated creatine kinase level. Serum creatine kinase levels were determined before and after exercise in 27 patients undergoing cardiac rehabilitation. In 21 patients who jogged less than three miles, creatine kinase levels were not appreciably changed. In six patients who jogged more than three miles, the mean creatine kinase level rose from 41 to 54 mU/ml, an increase of 31 percent. In four of these six patients, creatine kinase levels rose to abnormal levels, but MB creatine kinase levels remained normal, with no clinical evidence of myocardial ischemia. Serum creatine kinase levels should be interpreted with caution in the setting of even modest exercise.

Labile hypertension, jogging, and diet: clues to the etiology of essential hypertension?

A labile hypertensive black man analyzes his own personal history of hypertension. Using the research literature, systematically-applied behavioral risk factors, and his own body's apparent response to risk behavior, he attempts to uncover some useful leads for future biomedical research on essential hypertension. Inferential evidence suggests that the central mechanism underlying the onset of essential hypertension could be a series of allergic, reactive events which impair a blood pressure-regulating hormone synthesized in the brain.

A case of "trigger toe"

"Triggering" of the toes, in which local tendon hypertrophy prevents the smooth movement of the tendon, has been described as a problem more theoretical than real and only three cases have been reported. The authors report a case of partial tethering of the flexor hallucis longus tendon just distal to the medial malleolus in a 28-year-old jogger who had painful triggering of the great toe on plantar flexion of the ankle and great toe. Division of the flexor hallucis longus tendon pulley distal and posterior to the medial malleolus cured the patient.

Hematologic abnormalities simulating anorexia nervosa in an obligatory athlete

Obligatory runners and patients with anorexia nervosa share psychologic characteristics. The intensely atheletic person described in this report demonstrated hematologic abnormalities identical to those previously reported in anorexia nervosa. These findings, as well as nonhematologic features of the case, support the contention that obligatory running and anorexia nervosa represent interrelated disorders.

Relationship of menopausal status and exercise level to HDL-cholesterol in women

The relationship between exercise habits, menopausal status and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C) was studied in 44 long-distance runners, 47 joggers, and 45 relatively inactive females. In each group, some women were post-menopausal (Post-M) and some pre-menopausal (Pre-M). HDL-C level was higher in runners (77.6 mg/dl) and joggers (70.4 mg/dl) than in the inactive group (62.1 mg/dl), but was not different Pre-M vs Post-M. Total cholesterol (TC) and LDL-C were higher in Post-M than in Pre-M subjects, but did not differ among exercise groups. Body weight and % fat were lower in Pre-M vs Post-M groups and were lower in the runners vs inactive subjects. The HDL-C/TC ratio was higher in the runners vs inactive subjects and there was a significant exercise-menopausal interaction indicating a beneficial exercise effect. Adjustment of lipoprotein values for possible confounding variables did not alter these results. Endurance exercise by Post-M females may help prevent adverse lipid and lipoprotein changes which might predispose them to coronary heart disease.

Influence of 12-week jogging on body fat and serum lipids

This study examined the influence of different levels of distance running on percent body fat and serum lipids in untrained male University students (n = 40) with a mean age of 24.1 years. Subjects were assigned randomly to four groups (n = 10) in each group): Group 1 (control), Group 2 (1.6 km joggers), Group 3 (3.2 km joggers) and Group 4 (4.8 km joggers). Subjects in the exercise groups jogged the prescribed distances three times a week for 12 weeks at about 85 percent of maximal heart rate. Percent body fat, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels were estimated before and after the training programme. In comparison with control group, exercise groups showed statistically significant (p less than .05) decrease of body fat values (1.6 km joggers 6%; 3.2 km joggers 5.33%; 3.2 km joggers 11%; 4.8 km joggers 9.42%). However, Newman-Keul's post hoc analysis showed a significant (p less than .05) reduction in serum triglyceride only in 3.2 km joggers. This was attributed to the high pre-training level of serum triglyceride in the group. Cholesterol values showed insignificant changes. It was concluded that moderate physical activities of different intensities have lowering effects on body fat and serum lipids.