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Sotiridis A, Makris A, Koskolou M, Geladas ND. On the mechanisms of stress-induced human spleen contraction: training for a higher blood oxygen-carrying capacity. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024:10.1007/s00421-024-05589-x. [PMID: 39207549 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-024-05589-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Despite its comparatively limited size in humans, spleen has been shown able to expel red-blood cells in the circulation and thus augment blood oxygen-carrying capacity under certain physiologic conditions. In the present state-of-the-art review, the short- and long-term regulation of spleen volume will be discussed. With regards to the physiological mechanism underlying spleen contraction, sympathetic activation stands as the prime contributor to the response. A dose-dependent relationship between specific interventions of apnea, exercise and hypoxia (imposed separately or in combination) and spleen contraction alleges to the trainability of the spleen organ. The trainability of the spleen is further substantiated by virtue of cross-sectional and longitudinal studies reporting robust increases in both organ volume at rest and subsequent spleen contraction. Alternative ways to assess the relationship between hematologic gains and the magnitude of spleen contraction (i.e., the reduction of spleen volume) will be presented herein. In extension of changes in the conventional measures of hemoglobin concentration and hematocrit, assessment of hemoglobin mass and total blood volume using the (safe, low-cost and time-efficient) CO-rebreathing technique could deepen scientific knowledge on the efficiency of human spleen contraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandros Sotiridis
- Section of Sports Medicine and Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece.
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jozef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Anastasios Makris
- Section of Sports Medicine and Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Maria Koskolou
- Section of Sports Medicine and Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
| | - Nickos D Geladas
- Section of Sports Medicine and Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens, Greece
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Bouten J, Declercq L, Boone J, Brocherie F, Bourgois JG. Apnoea as a novel method to improve exercise performance: A current state of the literature. Exp Physiol 2024. [PMID: 39031986 DOI: 10.1113/ep091905] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Acute breath-holding (apnoea) induces a spleen contraction leading to a transient increase in haemoglobin concentration. Additionally, the apnoea-induced hypoxia has been shown to lead to an increase in erythropoietin concentration up to 5 h after acute breath-holding, suggesting long-term haemoglobin enhancement. Given its potential to improve haemoglobin content, an important determinant for oxygen transport, apnoea has been suggested as a novel training method to improve aerobic performance. This review aims to provide an update on the current state of the literature on this topic. Although the apnoea-induced spleen contraction appears to be effective in improving oxygen uptake kinetics, this does not seem to transfer into immediately improved aerobic performance when apnoea is integrated into a warm-up. Furthermore, only long and intense apnoea protocols in individuals who are experienced in breath-holding show increased erythropoietin and reticulocytes. So far, studies on inexperienced individuals have failed to induce acute changes in erythropoietin concentration following apnoea. As such, apnoea training protocols fail to demonstrate longitudinal changes in haemoglobin mass and aerobic performance. The low hypoxic dose, as evidenced by minor oxygen desaturation, is likely insufficient to elicit a strong erythropoietic response. Apnoea therefore does not seem to be useful for improving aerobic performance. However, variations in apnoea, such as hypoventilation training at low lung volume and repeated-sprint training in hypoxia through short end-expiratory breath-holds, have been shown to induce metabolic adaptations and improve several physical qualities. This shows promise for application of dynamic apnoea in order to improve exercise performance. HIGHLIGHTS: What is the topic of this review? Apnoea is considered as an innovative method to improve performance. This review discusses the effectiveness of apnoea (training) on performance. What advances does it highlight? Although the apnoea-induced spleen contraction and the increase in EPO observed in freedivers seem promising to improve haematological variables both acutely and on the long term, they do not improve exercise performance in an athletic population. However, performing repeated sprints on end-expiratory breath-holds seems promising to improve repeated-sprint capacity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janne Bouten
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Laboratory of Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Paris, France
| | - Louise Declercq
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jan Boone
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Franck Brocherie
- Laboratory of Sport, Expertise and Performance (EA 7370), French Institute of Sport (INSEP), Paris, France
| | - Jan G Bourgois
- Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
- Centre of Sports Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
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Bourdas DI, Travlos AK, Souglis A, Stavropoulou G, Zacharakis E, Gofas DC, Bakirtzoglou P. Effects of a Singular Dose of Mangiferin-Quercetin Supplementation on Basketball Performance: A Double-Blind Crossover Study of High-Level Male Players. Nutrients 2024; 16:170. [PMID: 38201999 PMCID: PMC10781150 DOI: 10.3390/nu16010170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2023] [Revised: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
Pre-exercise mangiferin-quercetin may enhance athletic performance. This study investigated the effect of mangiferin-quercetin supplementation on high-level male basketball players during a basketball exercise simulation test (BEST) comprising 24 circuits of 30 s activities with various movement distances. The participants were divided into two groups (EXP = 19 and CON = 19) and given a placebo one hour before the BEST (PRE-condition). The following week, the EXP group received mangiferin-quercetin (84 mg/140 mg), while the CON group received a placebo (POST-condition) before the BEST in a double-blind, cross-over design. The mean heart rate (HR) and circuit and sprint times (CT and ST) during the BEST were measured, along with the capillary blood lactate levels (La-), the subjective rating of muscle soreness (RPMS), and the perceived exertion (RPE) during a resting state prior to and following the BEST. The results showed significant interactions for the mean CT (p = 0.013) and RPE (p = 0.004); a marginal interaction for La- (p = 0.054); and non-significant interactions for the mean HR, mean ST, and RPMS. Moreover, the EXP group had significantly lower values in the POST condition for the mean CT (18.17 ± 2.08 s) and RPE (12.42 ± 1.02) compared to the PRE condition (20.33 ± 1.96 s and 13.47 ± 1.22, respectively) and the POST condition of the CON group (20.31 ± 2.10 s and 13.32 ± 1.16, respectively) (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the potential of pre-game mangiferin-quercetin supplementation to enhance intermittent high-intensity efforts in sports such as basketball.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios I. Bourdas
- Section of Sport Medicine & Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 41 Ethnikis Antistasis, 17237 Daphne, Greece; (D.I.B.); (A.S.); (E.Z.)
| | - Antonios K. Travlos
- Department of Sports Organization and Management, Faculty of Human Movement and Quality of Life Sciences, University of Peloponnese, Efstathiou and Stamatikis Valioti & Plataion Avenue, 23100 Sparta, Greece;
| | - Athanasios Souglis
- Section of Sport Medicine & Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 41 Ethnikis Antistasis, 17237 Daphne, Greece; (D.I.B.); (A.S.); (E.Z.)
| | - Georgia Stavropoulou
- School of Philosophy and Education, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, University Campus, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece;
| | - Emmanouil Zacharakis
- Section of Sport Medicine & Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 41 Ethnikis Antistasis, 17237 Daphne, Greece; (D.I.B.); (A.S.); (E.Z.)
| | - Dimitrios C. Gofas
- Arsakeia-Tositseia Schools, Philekpaideftiki Etaireia, Mitilinis 26, 11256 Athens, Greece;
| | - Panteleimon Bakirtzoglou
- Faculty of Sport Sciences & Physical Education, Metropolitan College, Eleftheriou Venizelou 14, 54624 Thessaloniki, Greece
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Bourdas DI, Geladas ND. Physiological responses during static apnoea efforts in elite and novice breath-hold divers before and after two weeks of dry apnoea training. Respir Physiol Neurobiol 2024; 319:104168. [PMID: 37797907 DOI: 10.1016/j.resp.2023.104168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
This study examined the effect of breath-hold (BH) training on apnoeic performance in novice BH divers (NBH:n = 10) and compared them with data from elite BH divers (EBH:n = 11). Both groups performed 5-maximal BHs (PRE). The NBH group repeated this protocol after two weeks of BH training (POST). The NBH group during BH efforts significantly increased red blood cell concentration (4.56 ± 0.16Mio/μl) by 5.06%, hemoglobin oxygen saturation steady state duration (110.32 ± 29.84 s) by 15.48%, and breath-hold time (BHT:144.19 ± 47.35 s) by 33.77%, primarily due to a 59.70% increase in struggle phase (71.85 ± 30.89 s), in POST. EBH group exhibited longer BHT (283.95 ± 36.93 s) and struggle-phase (150.10 ± 34.69 s) than NBH (POST). Elite divers recorded a higher peak MAP (153.18 ± 12.28 mmHg) compared to novices (PRE:123.70 ± 15.65 mmHg, POST:128.30 ± 19.16 mmHg), suggesting that a higher peak MAP is associated with a better BHT. The concurrent abrupt increase of diaphragmatic activity and MAP, seen only in the EBH group, suggests a potential interaction. Additionally, apnoea training increases red blood cells concentration in repeated apnoea efforts and increases BH stamina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios I Bourdas
- Section of Sport Medicine & Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ethnikis Antistasis 41, 17237 Daphni, Greece.
| | - Nickos D Geladas
- Section of Sport Medicine & Biology of Exercise, School of Physical Education and Sports Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Ethnikis Antistasis 41, 17237 Daphni, Greece
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Bourdas DI. PEA: Five maximum repeated apnea maneuvers prior to middle-distance racing. MethodsX 2021; 8:101490. [PMID: 34754762 PMCID: PMC8563480 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2021.101490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Accepted: 08/12/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022] Open
Abstract
It was hypothesized that executing repeated maximum apnea efforts would improve performance in a subsequent time to exhaustion test. Indeed, in young moderately fit male subjects without former experience in apnea has been shown that five repeated apnea maximal efforts with face immersion in cold water (PEA) have advantageous effect to consecutive performance in a time to exhaustion ride without being further affected by apnea training of two weeks. So, in the current article, we describe, in details, the protocol procedure and the technical steps of the five maximum-repeated apnea maneuvers prior to a middle-distance racing in order to improve performance, from our previous relevant published research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dimitrios I. Bourdas
- Section of Sport Medicine & Biology of Exercise, School Physical Education and Sport Science, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 41 Ethnikis Antistasis, 17237 Daphne, Greece
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