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Morrone M, Boi A, Meloni M, Martinez G, Ventura L, Pusole M, Ghiani G, Crisafulli A, Bandiera P, Cugusi L, Deriu F, Manca A. Physiological adaptations of active postmenopausal women and matched men to the multi-day Sardinia Selvaggio Blu wild trek: a gender-comparative pilot study. Eur J Appl Physiol 2024; 124:1063-1074. [PMID: 37819614 PMCID: PMC10954930 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05330-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/13/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of wild trekking by examining, in postmenopausal women, the physiological adaptations to an intensive 5-day wild trek and comparing their responses to those displayed by a group of men of comparable age, training status and mountaineering skills. METHODS Six healthy, active postmenopausal women in their sixth decade of life participated in the study. Six men of comparable age and training status were also enrolled for gender-based comparisons. The participants traversed the Selvaggio Blu wild trek (Sardinia, Italy) completing a total of 56 km, for an overall height differential of 14,301 m. During all 5-day trek, subjects were supervised by two alpine guides. Changes in body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and metabolic patterns of energy expenditure were evaluated before and after the intervention. RESULTS Total energy expenditure during the trek was significantly higher (p = 0.03) in women (12.88 ± 3.37 kcal/h/kg) than men (9.27 ± 0.89 kcal/h/kg). Extracellular (ECW) and intracellular water (ICW) increased significantly following the trek only in women (ECW: - 3.8%; p = 0.01; ICW: + 3.4%; p = 0.01). The same applied to fat-free mass (+ 5.6%; p = 0.006), fat mass (- 20.4%; p = 0.006), skeletal muscle mass (+ 9.5%; p = 0.007), and appendicular muscle mass (+ 7.3%; p = 0.002). Peak VO2/kg (+ 9.4%; p = 0.05) and fat oxidation (at 80 W: + 26.96%; p = 0.04; at 100 W: + 40.95%; p = 0.02; at 120 W: + 83.02%; p = 0.01) were found increased only in women, although no concurrent changes in partial pressure of end-tidal CO2 (PETCO2) was observed. CONCLUSIONS In postmenopausal women, a 5-day, intensive and physically/technically demanding outdoor trekking activity led to significant and potentially relevant changes in body composition, energy balance and metabolism that are generally attained following quite longer periods of training.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Morrone
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Anna Boi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Martina Meloni
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Gianluca Martinez
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Lucia Ventura
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Maurizio Pusole
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Giovanna Ghiani
- Sports Physiology Lab, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Antonio Crisafulli
- Sports Physiology Lab, Department of Medical Sciences and Public Health, University of Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Pasquale Bandiera
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Lucia Cugusi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
| | - Franca Deriu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy.
- Unit of Endocrinology, Nutrition, and Metabolic Disorders, AOUSS, Sassari, Italy.
| | - Andrea Manca
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, University of Sassari, Viale S. Pietro 43/B, 07100, Sassari, Italy
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Giovanelli N, Pellegrini B, Bortolan L, Mari L, Schena F, Lazzer S. Do poles really "save the legs" during uphill pole walking at different intensities? Eur J Appl Physiol 2023; 123:2803-2812. [PMID: 37392255 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-023-05254-9] [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: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/10/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE In sky- and trail-running competitions, many athletes use poles. The aims of this study were to investigate whether the use of poles affects the force exerted on the ground at the feet (Ffoot), cardiorespiratory variables and maximal performance during uphill walking. METHODS Fifteen male trail runners completed four testing sessions on different days. On the first two days, they performed two incremental uphill treadmill walking tests to exhaustion with (PWincr) and without poles (Wincr). On the following days, they performed submaximal and maximal tests with (PW80 and PWmax) and without (W80 and Wmax) poles on an outdoor trail course. We measured cardiorespiratory parameters, the rating of perceived exertion, the axial poling force and Ffoot. RESULTS When walking on the treadmill, we found that poles reduced maximum Ffoot (- 2.8 ± 6.4%, p = 0.03) and average Ffoot (- 2.4 ± 3.3%, p = 0.0089). However, when outdoors, we found pole effect only for average Ffoot (p = 0.0051), which was lower when walking with poles (- 2.6 ± 3.9%, p = 0.0306 during submaximal trial and - 5.21 ± 5.51%, p = 0.0096 during maximal trial). We found no effects of poles on cardiorespiratory parameters across all tested conditions. Performance was faster in PWmax than in Wmax (+ 2.5 ± 3.4%, p = 0.025). CONCLUSION The use of poles reduces the foot force both on the treadmill and outdoors at submaximal and maximal intensities. It is, therefore, reasonable to conclude that the use of poles "saves the legs" during uphill without affecting the metabolic cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Giovanelli
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, P.Le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy.
- School of Sport Science, Udine, Italy.
| | - Barbara Pellegrini
- CeRiSM Research Centre "Sport, Mountain, and Health", Rovereto, TN, Italy
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Bortolan
- CeRiSM Research Centre "Sport, Mountain, and Health", Rovereto, TN, Italy
- Department of Engineering for Innovation Medicine, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Lara Mari
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, P.Le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
- School of Sport Science, Udine, Italy
| | - Federico Schena
- Department of Neuroscience, Biomedicine and Movement, University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Stefano Lazzer
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, P.Le Kolbe 4, 33100, Udine, Italy
- School of Sport Science, Udine, Italy
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Blasco Mariño R, Martínez IS, Strapazzon G, Falla M. A Strange Walking Posture. Wilderness Environ Med 2023; 34:402-403. [PMID: 37331859 DOI: 10.1016/j.wem.2023.04.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 03/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Robert Blasco Mariño
- Department of Anesthesiology, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain.
| | - Iñigo Soteras Martínez
- Department of Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, University of Girona, Girona, Spain; Department of Emergency, Cerdanya Hospital, Puigcerdà, Spain; Sistema Emergencies Mèdiques (SEM), Catalonia, Spain
| | - Giacomo Strapazzon
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy
| | - Marika Falla
- Institute of Mountain Emergency Medicine, Eurac Research, Bolzano, Italy; Department of Neurology/Stroke Unit, Hospital of Bolzano (SABES-ASDAA), Bolzano, Italy
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Wang D, Luo Y, Yang J, Zhao Z, Han J. MUSCLE STRENGTH COORDINATION TRAINING FOR ATHLETES IN MOUNTAINEERING SPORTS. REV BRAS MED ESPORTE 2023. [DOI: 10.1590/1517-8692202329012022_0289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
ABSTRACT Introduction Rock climbing is a physical activity that requires excellent physical conditioning. In addition to improving physical fitness and motor coordination, rock climbing requires constant improvements in muscle coordination skill training to enhance its modern tactics. Objective Explore the muscular coordination skill training of rock climbers. Methods A random sample of 8 athletes were assigned to the experiment involving the measurement of athletes’ body composition, serum creatine kinase and blood urea levels, and other biomarkers collected before and after the trial. Results There was a significant negative correlation between dynamic balance and motor coordination ability after training in extreme rock climbing sports. On the second day after the rock climbing exercise, the volunteers’ body weight and fat content significantly reduced, and the concentration of creatine kinase (CK) and blood urea (BU) increased significantly. Conclusion The exploration of extreme sports’ effect on improving athletes’ muscle coordination ability showed that strength and coordination should be enhanced in rock climbing. Level of evidence II; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dong Wang
- Shanxi Medical University, China; Chinese Culture University, China
| | | | | | | | - Jing Han
- Shanxi Medical University, China
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Russo M, Lee J, Hogan N, Sternad D. Mechanical effects of canes on standing posture: beyond perceptual information. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2022; 19:97. [PMID: 36088387 PMCID: PMC9463794 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-022-01067-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Numerous studies showed that postural balance improves through light touch on a stable surface highlighting the importance of haptic information, seemingly downplaying the mechanical contributions of the support. The present study examined the mechanical effects of canes for assisting balance in healthy individuals challenged by standing on a beam.
Methods
Sixteen participants supported themselves with two canes, one in each hand, and applied minimal, preferred, or maximum force onto the canes. They positioned the canes in the frontal plane or in a tripod configuration. Statistical analysis used a linear mixed model to evaluate the effects on the center of pressure and the center of mass.
Results
The canes significantly reduced the variability of the center of pressure and the center of mass to the same level as when standing on the ground. Increasing the exerted force beyond the preferred level yielded no further benefits, although in the preferred force condition, participants exploited the altered mechanics by resting their arms on the canes. The tripod configuration allowed for larger variability of the center of pressure in the task-irrelevant anterior–posterior dimension. High forces had a destabilizing effect on the canes: the displacement of the hand on the cane handle increased with the force.
Conclusions
Given this static instability, these results show that using canes can provide not only mechanical benefits but also challenges. From a control perspective, effort can be reduced by resting the arms on the canes and by channeling noise in the task-irrelevant dimensions. However, larger forces exerted onto the canes can also have destabilizing effects and the instability of the canes needs to be counteracted, possibly by arm and shoulder stiffness. Insights into the variety of mechanical effects is important for the design of canes and the instructions of how to use them.
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Pole Walking Is Faster but Not Cheaper During Steep Uphill Walking. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2022; 17:1037-1043. [PMID: 35316790 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2021-0274] [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: 06/03/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The aim of this study was to compare pole walking (PW) and walking without poles (W) on a steep uphill mountain path (1.3 km, 433 m of elevation gain) at 2 different intensities: a maximal effort that would simulate a vertical kilometer intensity and a lower intensity (80% of maximal) simulating an ultratrail race. METHODS On the first day, we tested the participants in the laboratory to determine their maximal physiological parameters, respiratory compensation point, and gas exchange threshold. Then, they completed 4 uphill tests along a mountain path on 4 separate days, 2 at their maximum effort (PWmax and Wmax, randomized order) and 2 at 80% of the mean vertical velocity maintained during the first 2 trials (PW80 and W80, randomized order). We collected metabolic data, heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and rating of perceived exertion at the end of each trial. We also collected rating of perceived exertion at every 100 m of elevation gain during PW80 and W80. RESULTS Participants completed the maximal effort faster with poles versus without poles (18:51 [03:12] vs 19:19 [03:01] in min:s, P = .013, d = 0.08, small). Twelve of the 15 participants (80%) improved their performance when they used poles. During PW80 and W80, none of the physiological or biomechanical parameters were different. CONCLUSION In the examined condition, athletes should use poles during steep uphill maximal efforts to obtain the best performance. Conversely, during submaximal effort, the use of poles does not provide advantages in uphill PW.
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