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Oppermann J, Knechtle B, Seffrin A, Vancini RL, de Lira CAB, Hill L, Andrade MS. Sex Difference in Female and Male Ice Swimmers for Different Strokes and Water Categories Over Short and Middle Distances: A Descriptive Study. SPORTS MEDICINE - OPEN 2022; 8:63. [PMID: 35536463 PMCID: PMC9091067 DOI: 10.1186/s40798-022-00451-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Abstract
Background Winter swimming developed from a national tradition into a health-improving sport with international competitions. The difference in performance between women and men was thoroughly examined in various sporting disciplines; however, there is little data on winter swimming events. Therefore, this study aims to compare the sex differences in female and male winter swimmers for a distinct stroke over distances of 25 m and 200 m in ice water, freezing water and cold water in the multiple stages of the Winter Swimming World Cup, hosted by the International Winter Swimming Association (IWSA) since 2016. Methods All data included in this study were obtained from the official results of the Winter Swimming World Cup, published on the “International Winter Swimming Association” (IWSA) website. The Mann–Whitney U test was used to compare race time between sexes in different swimming strokes and categories of water. In contrast, the Kruskal–Wallis H test was used to compare differences between swimming strokes or water categories for the same sex. Results For 25 m and 200 m events of the “IWSA World Cup,” male athletes were faster than female athletes, regardless of stroke and water temperature category. However, the effect size of the difference between the sexes was greater in 25 m than in 200 m for all strokes and water temperatures. Swimming speed for the same-sex differed between the swimming stroke in relation to the water temperature category. Head-up breaststroke was found to be the slowest stroke (p < 0.05). Conclusion In water temperatures between − 2° and + 9 °C, men were faster than women in all stages of the “IWSA World Cup,” regardless of the swimming stroke, but the effect size of the difference between the sexes was greater in shorter than in longer events.
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Knechtle B, Chlíbková D, Papadopoulou S, Mantzorou M, Rosemann T, Nikolaidis PT. Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia in Endurance and Ultra-Endurance Performance-Aspects of Sex, Race Location, Ambient Temperature, Sports Discipline, and Length of Performance: A Narrative Review. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2019; 55:medicina55090537. [PMID: 31455034 PMCID: PMC6780610 DOI: 10.3390/medicina55090537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 08/21/2019] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) is defined as a plasma sodium concentration of <135 mmol/L during or after endurance and ultra-endurance performance and was first described by Timothy Noakes when observed in ultra-marathoners competing in the Comrades Marathon in South Africa in the mid-1980s. It is well-established that a decrease in plasma sodium concentration <135 mmol/L occurs with excessive fluid intake. Clinically, a mild hyponatremia will lead to no or very unspecific symptoms. A pronounced hyponatremia (<120 mmol/L) will lead to central nervous symptoms due to cerebral edema, and respiratory failure can lead to death when plasma sodium concentration reaches values of <110–115 mmol/L. The objective of this narrative review is to present new findings about the aspects of sex, race location, sports discipline, and length of performance. The prevalence of EAH depends on the duration of an endurance performance (i.e., low in marathon running, high to very high in ultra-marathon running), the sports discipline (i.e., rather rare in cycling, more frequent in running and triathlon, and very frequent in swimming), sex (i.e., increased in women with several reported deaths), the ambient temperature (i.e., very high in hot temperatures) and the country where competition takes place (i.e., very common in the USA, very little in Europe, practically never in Africa, Asia, and Oceania). A possible explanation for the increased prevalence of EAH in women could be the so-called Varon–Ayus syndrome with severe hyponatremia, lung and cerebral edema, which was first observed in marathon runners. Regarding the race location, races in Europe seemed to be held under rather moderate conditions whereas races held in the USA were often performed under thermally stressing conditions (i.e., greater heat or greater cold).
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Daniela Chlíbková
- Centre of Sports Activities, Brno University of Technology, 61669 Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Sousana Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, 57001 Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Maria Mantzorou
- Food Science and Nutrition Department, University of the Aegean, 81400 Myrina, Greece
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Pantelis T Nikolaidis
- Exercise Physiology Laboratory, 18450 Nikaia, Greece
- School of Health and Caring Sciences, University of West Attica, 12243 Athens, Greece
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Knechtle B, Chlíbková D, Nikolaidis PT. [Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia in Endurance Performance]. PRAXIS 2019; 108:615-632. [PMID: 31288661 DOI: 10.1024/1661-8157/a003261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
Exercise-Associated Hyponatremia in Endurance Performance Abstract. Exercise-associated hyponatremia is defined as a plasma sodium concentration of <135 mmol/l and was first described by Timothy Noakes at the Comrades Marathon in South Africa in the mid-1980s. A decrease in plasma sodium <135 mmol/l occurs with excessive fluid intake. Risk factors include long to very long endurance performance, extreme climatic conditions, female gender and competitions in the USA. Regarding its prevalence by sport, exercise-associated hyponatraemia tends to occur while swimming and running, but rarely when cycling. While mild exercise-associated hyponatremia does not lead to clinical symptoms, severe hyponatremia due to cerebral edema can lead to neurological deficits and even death. The best prevention of exercise-associated hyponatremia is the reduction of fluid intake during exercise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- 1 Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen
- 2 Institut für Hausarztmedizin, Universität Zürich, Zürich
| | - Daniela Chlíbková
- 3 Centre of Sports Activities, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Tschechien
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Chlíbková D, Žákovská A, Rosemann T, Knechtle B, Bednář J. Body Composition Changes During a 24-h Winter Mountain Running Race Under Extremely Cold Conditions. Front Physiol 2019; 10:585. [PMID: 31139095 PMCID: PMC6527803 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.00585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/26/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: To date, no study has focused on body composition characteristics and on parameters associated with skeletal muscle damage and renal function in runners participating in a 24-h winter race held under extremely cold environmental conditions (average temperature of -14.3°C). Methods: Anthropometric characteristics, plasma urea (PU), plasma creatinine (Pcr), creatine kinase (CK), plasma volume (PV) and total body water (TBW) were assessed pre- and post-race in 20 finishers (14 men and 6 women). Results: In male runners, body mass (BM) (p = 0.003) and body fat (BF) (p = 0.001) decreased [-1.1 kg (-1.4%) and -1.1 kg (-13.4%), respectively]; skeletal muscle mass (SM) and TBW remained stable (p > 0.05). In female runners, BF decreased (p = 0.036) [-1.3 kg (-7.8%)] while BM, SM and TBW remained stable (p > 0.05). The change (Δ) in BM was not related to Δ BF; however, Δ BM was related to Δ SM [r = 0.58, p = 0.007] and Δ TBW (r = 0.59, p = 0.007). Δ SM correlated with Δ TBW (r = 0.51, p = 0.021). Moreover, Δ BF was negatively associated with Δ SM (r = -0.65, p = 0.002). PV (p < 0.001), CK (p < 0.001), Pcr (p = 0.004) and PU (p < 0.001) increased and creatinine clearance (CrCl) decreased (p = 0.002). The decrease in BM was negatively related to the increase in CK (r = -0.71, p < 0.001). Δ Pcr was positively related to Δ PU (r = 0.64, p = 0.002). The decrease in CrCl was negatively associated with the increase in both PU (r = -0.72, p < 0.001) and CK (r = -0.48, p = 0.032). Conclusion: The 24-h running race under extremely cold conditions led to a significant BF decrease, whereas SM and TBW remained stable in both males and females. Nevertheless, the increase in CK, Pcr and PU was related to the damage of SM with transient impaired renal function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Chlíbková
- Centre of Sports Activities, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
| | - Alena Žákovská
- Institute of Experimental Biology, Masaryk University, Brno, Czechia
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Josef Bednář
- Institute of Mathematics, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czechia
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Nikolaidis PT, Veniamakis E, Rosemann T, Knechtle B. Nutrition in Ultra-Endurance: State of the Art. Nutrients 2018; 10:nu10121995. [PMID: 30558350 PMCID: PMC6315825 DOI: 10.3390/nu10121995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2018] [Revised: 12/02/2018] [Accepted: 12/11/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Athletes competing in ultra-endurance sports should manage nutritional issues, especially with regards to energy and fluid balance. An ultra-endurance race, considered a duration of at least 6 h, might induce the energy balance (i.e., energy deficit) in levels that could reach up to ~7000 kcal per day. Such a negative energy balance is a major health and performance concern as it leads to a decrease of both fat and skeletal muscle mass in events such as 24-h swimming, 6-day cycling or 17-day running. Sport anemia caused by heavy exercise and gastrointestinal discomfort, under hot or cold environmental conditions also needs to be considered as a major factor for health and performance in ultra-endurance sports. In addition, fluid losses from sweat can reach up to 2 L/h due to increased metabolic work during prolonged exercise and exercise under hot environments that might result in hypohydration. Athletes are at an increased risk for exercise-associated hyponatremia (EAH) and limb swelling when intake of fluids is greater than the volume lost. Optimal pre-race nutritional strategies should aim to increase fat utilization during exercise, and the consumption of fat-rich foods may be considered during the race, as well as carbohydrates, electrolytes, and fluid. Moreover, to reduce the risk of EAH, fluid intake should include sodium in the amounts of 10–25 mmol to reduce the risk of EAH and should be limited to 300–600 mL per hour of the race.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pantelis T Nikolaidis
- Laboratory of Exercise Testing, Hellenic Air Force Academy, 13671 Dekelia, Greece.
- Exercise Physiology Laboratory, 18450 Nikaia, Greece.
| | - Eleftherios Veniamakis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, Technological Educational Institute, 72300 Sitia, Greece.
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, 8091 Zurich, Switzerland.
- Medbase St. Gallen Am Vadianplatz, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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Papadopoulou SK, Xyla EE, Methenitis S, Feidantsis KG, Kotsis Y, Pagkalos IG, Hassapidou MN. Nutrition strategies before and during ultra-endurance event: A significant gap between science and practice. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2017; 28:881-892. [DOI: 10.1111/sms.13006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 10/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- S. K. Papadopoulou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Technological Institute of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - E. E. Xyla
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Technological Institute of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - S. Methenitis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Technological Institute of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
- Athletics Laboratory; School of Physical Education and Sport Science; National and Kapodistrian University of Athens; Athens Greece
| | - K. G. Feidantsis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Technological Institute of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
- Department of Biology; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - Y. Kotsis
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Faculty of Health Sciences and Education; Harokopio University; Athens Greece
| | - I. G. Pagkalos
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Technological Institute of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
- Department of Electrical & Computer Engineering; Aristotle University of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
| | - M. N. Hassapidou
- Department of Nutrition and Dietetics; Technological Institute of Thessaloniki; Thessaloniki Greece
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Knechtle B, Nikolaidis PT, Rosemann T, Rüst CA. Performance trends in 3000 m open-water age group swimmers from 25 to 89 years competing in the FINA World Championships from 1992 to 2014. Res Sports Med 2016; 25:67-77. [PMID: 27868433 DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2016.1258647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
We investigated trends in participation, performance and sex difference in performance in 3000 m freestyle in age groups swimmers (25-29 to 85-89 years) competing in the Fédération Internationale de Natation World Masters Championships between 1992 and 2014. During this period, participation increased in women and men. Women and men improved race times across years in all age groups. Women were slower in age groups 25-29 to 70-74 years. In age groups 75-79 and 85-89 years, however, race times were similar for both women and men. Sex difference in performance remained unchanged across years. In summary, performance improved across years in all age groups, men were faster than women up to the age group 70-74 years and women were not able to reduce the sex difference in performance to men across years. For athletes and coaches, an increase in participation and a continuous improvement in performance can be expected in these age group athletes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- a Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen , St. Gallen , Switzerland.,b Institute of Primary Care , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Pantelis T Nikolaidis
- c Department of Physical and Cultural Education , Hellenic Army Academy , Athens , Greece
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- b Institute of Primary Care , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Christoph A Rüst
- b Institute of Primary Care , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
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Cutrufello PT, Dixon CB, Zavorsky GS. Hydration assessment among marathoners using urine specific gravity and bioelectrical impedance analysis. Res Sports Med 2016; 24:234-42. [PMID: 27373703 DOI: 10.1080/15438627.2016.1202831] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The present study examined the relationship between urine specific gravity (Usg), body mass (BM) and bioelectrical impedance determined variables [total body water (TBW), per cent TBW and impedance values] before and after a marathon (n = 25 men; 10 women). A significant reduction in BM (pre: 71.2 ± 12.4 kg; post: 69.6 ± 12.0 kg; p < 0.001) and an increase in Usg (pre: 1.009 ± 0.007; post: 1.018 ± 0.009; p < 0.001) was observed post-race. TBW was not significantly decreased (pre: 42.7 ± 8.0 kg; post: 42.4 ± 7.7 kg) while per cent TBW significantly increased post-race (pre: 60.0 ± 3.9%; post: 60.8 ± 3.8%; p < 0.001). Impedance values were significantly greater post-race (pre: 3288 ± 482; post: 3416 ± 492 Ω; p < 0.001). There was no correlation between the change in Usg and the change in BM or any of the bioelectrical impedance determined variables. On average, BM, Usg and impedance values appear to express changes in hydration; however, the observed changes among these variables for a given individual appear to be inconsistent with one another.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paul T Cutrufello
- a Exercise Science and Sport , The University of Scranton , Scranton , PA , USA
| | - Curt B Dixon
- b Health Sciences Dept , Lock Haven University , Lock Haven , PA , USA
| | - Gerald S Zavorsky
- c Department of Health and Sports Sciences , University of Louisville , Louisville , KY , USA
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Diversi T, Franks-Kardum V, Climstein M. The effect of cold water endurance swimming on core temperature in aspiring English Channel swimmers. EXTREME PHYSIOLOGY & MEDICINE 2016; 5:3. [PMID: 26835005 PMCID: PMC4734854 DOI: 10.1186/s13728-016-0044-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
Background The purpose of this study was to determine if cold water swimmers (CWS) developed hypothermia over a 6-h cold water endurance swim and whether body composition, stroke rate (SR) or personal characteristics correlated with core temperature (TC) change. Nine experienced male and female CWS who were aspiring English Channel (EC) swimmers volunteered to participate. Subjects aimed to complete their 6-h EC qualifying swim (water 15–15.8 °C/air 15–25 °C) while researchers intermittently monitored TC and SR. Data obtained included anthropometry (height, mass, segmental body composition), training volume and EC completion. Results Of the nine swimmers who volunteered, all successfully completed their EC qualifying swim. Six CWS had complete data included in analysis. One CWS demonstrated hypothermia (34.8 °C) at 6-h. TC rate of decline was slower in the first 3 h (−0.06 °C/hr) compared to the last 3 h (−0.36 °C/hr) of the swim. Older age was significantly correlated to TC change (r = −0.901, p < 0.05) and SR change (r = −0.915, p < 0.05). Absolute and percentage body fat (BF) were not significantly associated with higher TC. Mean SR over the 6-h swim was 57.8 spm (range 48–73 spm), and a significant (p < 0.05) decline in SR was observed over the 6 h (−9.7 %). A strong, positive correlation was found between SR change between 3 and 6 h and TC over the 6 h (r = 0.840, p < 0.05) and TC from 3–6 h (r = 0.827, p < 0.05). Seven of the nine participants (77.8 %) in this study successfully completed the EC crossing. Successful EC swimmers swam in the pool and open water (OW); however, they swam significantly [t (7) = −2.433, p < 0.05] more kilometres (M = 19.09 km/wk ± 5.55) in OW than unsuccessful (M = 9 km/wk ± 1.41) EC swimmers. There was a significant relationship between EC crossing time and height (r = −0.817, p < 0.05), but no other variables and EC crossing time. Conclusions Cold water endurance swim (CWES) of 6-h duration at 15–16 °C resulted in TC reduction in the majority of swimmers regardless of anthropometry. More research is required to determine why some CWS are able to maintain their TC throughout a CWES. Our results indicate that older swimmers are at greater risk of developing hypothermia, and that SR decline is an indicator of TC decline. Our results also suggest that OW swimming training combined with pool training is important for EC swim success.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tara Diversi
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health and Sport, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD Australia
| | - Vanessa Franks-Kardum
- Nutrition and Dietetics, Institute of Health and Sport, Faculty of Health Sciences, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD Australia
| | - Mike Climstein
- Water Based Research Unit, Bond University, Gold Coast, QLD Australia ; Exercise Health and Performance Faculty Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Lidcombe, Sydney, NSW Australia
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Baur DA, Bach CW, Hyder WJ, Ormsbee MJ. Fluid retention, muscle damage, and altered body composition at the Ultraman triathlon. Eur J Appl Physiol 2015; 116:447-58. [PMID: 26560107 DOI: 10.1007/s00421-015-3291-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2015] [Accepted: 10/29/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE The primary purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of participation in a 3-day multistage ultraendurance triathlon (stage 1 = 10 km swim, 144.8 km bike; stage 2 = 275.4 km bike; stage 3 = 84.4 km run) on body mass and composition, hydration status, hormones, muscle damage, and blood glucose. METHODS Eighteen triathletes (mean ± SD; age 41 ± 7.5 years; height 175 ± 9 cm; weight 73.5 ± 9.8 kg; male n = 14, female n = 4) were assessed before and after each stage of the race. Body mass and composition were measured via bioelectrical impedance, hydration status via urine specific gravity, hormones and muscle damage via venous blood draw, and blood glucose via fingerstick. RESULTS Following the race, significant changes included reductions in body mass (qualified effect size: trivial), fat mass (moderate), and percent body fat (small); increases in percent total body water (moderate) and urine specific gravity (large); and unchanged absolute total body water and fat-free mass. There were also extremely large increases in creatine kinase, C-reactive protein, aldosterone and cortisol combined with reductions in testosterone (small) and the testosterone:cortisol ratio (moderate). There were associations between post-race aldosterone and total body water (r = -0.504) and changes in cortisol and fat-free mass (r = -0.536). Finally, blood glucose increased in a stepwise manner prior to each stage. CONCLUSIONS Participation in Ultraman Florida leads to fluid retention and dramatic alterations in body composition, muscle health, hormones, and metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel A Baur
- Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Florida State University, 1104 Spirit Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Christopher W Bach
- Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Florida State University, 1104 Spirit Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - William J Hyder
- Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Florida State University, 1104 Spirit Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA
| | - Michael J Ormsbee
- Department of Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences, Institute of Sports Sciences and Medicine, Florida State University, 1104 Spirit Way, Tallahassee, FL, 32306, USA. .,Discipline of Biokinetics, Exercise and Leisure Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
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11
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Knechtle B, Rosemann T, Rüst CA. Ice swimming - 'Ice Mile' and '1 km Ice event'. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2015; 7:20. [PMID: 26339489 PMCID: PMC4559290 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-015-0014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 08/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Background Ice swimming for 1 mile and 1 km is a new discipline in open-water swimming since 2009. This study examined female and male performances in swimming 1 mile (‘Ice Mile’) and 1 km (‘1 km Ice event’) in water of 5 °C or colder between 2009 and 2015 with the hypothesis that women would be faster than men. Methods Between 2009 and 2015, 113 men and 38 women completed one ‘Ice Mile’ and 26 men and 13 completed one ‘1 km Ice event’ in water colder than +5 °C following the rules of International Ice Swimming Association (IISA). Differences in performance between women and men were determined. Sex difference (%) was calculated using the equation ([time for women] – [time for men]/[time for men] × 100). For ‘Ice Mile’, a mixed-effects regression model with interaction analyses was used to investigate the influence of sex and environmental conditions on swimming speed. The association between water temperature and swimming speed was assessed using Pearson correlation analyses. Results For ‘Ice Mile’ and ‘1 km Ice event’, the best men were faster than the best women. In ‘Ice Mile’, calendar year, number of attempts, water temperature and wind chill showed no association with swimming speed for both women and men. For both women and men, water temperature was not correlated to swimming speed in both ‘Ice Mile’ and ‘1 km Ice event’. Conclusions In water colder than 5 °C, men were faster than women in ‘Ice Mile’ and ‘1 km Ice event’. Water temperature showed no correlation to swimming speed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, Vadianstrasse 26 9001, St. Gallen, Switzerland ; Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph A Rüst
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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12
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Zingg MA, Knechtle B, Rosemann T, Rüst CA. Performance differences between sexes in 50-mile to 3,100-mile ultramarathons. Open Access J Sports Med 2015; 6:7-21. [PMID: 25653567 PMCID: PMC4309798 DOI: 10.2147/oajsm.s76490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Anecdotal reports have assumed that women would be able to outrun men in long-distance running. The aim of this study was to test this assumption by investigating the changes in performance difference between sexes in the best ultramarathoners in 50-mile, 100-mile, 200-mile, 1,000-mile, and 3,100-mile events held worldwide between 1971 and 2012. The sex differences in running speed for the fastest runners ever were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance with subsequent Tukey–Kramer posthoc analysis. Changes in sex difference in running speed of the annual fastest were analyzed using linear and nonlinear regression analyses, correlation analyses, and mixed-effects regression analyses. The fastest men ever were faster than the fastest women ever in 50-mile (17.5%), 100-mile (17.4%), 200-mile (9.7%), 1,000-mile (20.2%), and 3,100-mile (18.6%) events. For the ten fastest finishers ever, men were faster than women in 50-mile (17.1%±1.9%), 100-mile (19.2%±1.5%), and 1,000-mile (16.7%±1.6%) events. No correlation existed between sex difference and running speed for the fastest ever (r2=0.0039, P=0.91) and the ten fastest ever (r2=0.15, P=0.74) for all distances. For the annual fastest, the sex difference in running speed decreased linearly in 50-mile events from 14.6% to 8.9%, remained unchanged in 100-mile (18.0%±8.4%) and 1,000-mile (13.7%±9.1%) events, and increased in 3,100-mile events from 12.5% to 16.9%. For the annual ten fastest runners, the performance difference between sexes decreased linearly in 50-mile events from 31.6%±3.6% to 8.9%±1.8% and in 100-mile events from 26.0%±4.4% to 24.7%±0.9%. To summarize, the fastest men were ~17%–20% faster than the fastest women for all distances from 50 miles to 3,100 miles. The linear decrease in sex difference for 50-mile and 100-mile events may suggest that women are reducing the sex gap for these distances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias A Zingg
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland ; Gesundheitszentrum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph A Rüst
- Institute of Primary Care, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Women outperform men in ultradistance swimming: the Manhattan Island Marathon Swim from 1983 to 2013. Int J Sports Physiol Perform 2014; 9:913-24. [PMID: 24584647 DOI: 10.1123/ijspp.2013-0375] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Recent studies suggested that women's and men's ultraswim performances may be similar for distances of ≈ 35 km. The current study investigated both the gender difference and the age of peak ultraswim performance between 1983 and 203 at the 46-km Manhattan Island Marathon Swim with water temperatures < 20°C. METHODS Changes in race times and gender difference in 551 male and 237 female finishers were investigated using linear-, nonlinear, and hierarchical multilevel-regression analyses. RESULTS The top 19 race times ever were significantly (P < .0001) lower for women (371 ± 11 min) than for men (424 ± 9 min). Race times of the annual 3 fastest women and men did not differ between genders and remained stable across years. The age of the annual 3 fastest swimmers increased from 28 ± 4 y (1983) to 38 ± 6 y (2013; r² = .06, P = .03) in women and from 23 ± 4 y (1984) to 42 ± 8 y (2013; r² = .19, P < .0001 )in men. CONCLUSION The best women were ≈12 - 14% faster than the men in a 46-km open-water ultradistance race with temperatures < 20°C. The maturity of ultradistance swimmers has changed during the last decades, with the fastest swimmers becoming older across the years.
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Rüst CA, Rosemann T, Lepers R, Knechtle B. Gender difference in cycling speed and age of winning performers in ultra-cycling – the 508-mile “Furnace Creek” from 1983 to 2012. J Sports Sci 2014; 33:198-210. [DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2014.934705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
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Knechtle B, Zingg MA, Rosemann T, Rüst CA. Sex difference in top performers from Ironman to double deca iron ultra-triathlon. Open Access J Sports Med 2014; 5:159-72. [PMID: 25114605 PMCID: PMC4079634 DOI: 10.2147/oajsm.s65977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated changes in performance and sex difference in top performers for ultra-triathlon races held between 1978 and 2013 from Ironman (3.8 km swim, 180 km cycle, and 42 km run) to double deca iron ultra-triathlon distance (76 km swim, 3,600 km cycle, and 844 km run). The fastest men ever were faster than the fastest women ever for split and overall race times, with the exception of the swimming split in the quintuple iron ultra-triathlon (19 km swim, 900 km cycle, and 210.1 km run). Correlation analyses showed an increase in sex difference with increasing length of race distance for swimming (r2=0.67, P=0.023), running (r2=0.77, P=0.009), and overall race time (r2=0.77, P=0.0087), but not for cycling (r2=0.26, P=0.23). For the annual top performers, split and overall race times decreased across years nonlinearly in female and male Ironman triathletes. For longer distances, cycling split times decreased linearly in male triple iron ultra-triathletes, and running split times decreased linearly in male double iron ultra-triathletes but increased linearly in female triple and quintuple iron ultra-triathletes. Overall race times increased nonlinearly in female triple and male quintuple iron ultra-triathletes. The sex difference decreased nonlinearly in swimming, running, and overall race time in Ironman triathletes but increased linearly in cycling and running and nonlinearly in overall race time in triple iron ultra-triathletes. These findings suggest that women reduced the sex difference nonlinearly in shorter ultra-triathlon distances (ie, Ironman), but for longer distances than the Ironman, the sex difference increased or remained unchanged across years. It seems very unlikely that female top performers will ever outrun male top performers in ultratriathlons. The nonlinear change in speed and sex difference in Ironman triathlon suggests that female and male Ironman triathletes have reached their limits in performance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- Gesundheitszentrum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Matthias A Zingg
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph A Rüst
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Rüst CA, Rosemann T, Knechtle B. Performance and sex difference in ultra-triathlon performance from Ironman to Double Deca Iron ultra-triathlon between 1978 and 2013. SPRINGERPLUS 2014; 3:219. [PMID: 24877030 PMCID: PMC4035499 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2014] [Accepted: 04/22/2014] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
It was assumed that women would be able to outperform men in ultra-marathon running. The present study investigated the sex difference in performance for all ultra-triathlon distances from the Ironman distance (i.e. 3.8 km swimming, 180 km cycling and 42 km running) in the ‘Ironman Hawaii’ to the Double Deca Iron ultra-triathlon distance (i.e. 76 km swimming, 3,600 km cycling and 840 km running) between 1978 and 2013. The changes in performance and in the sex difference in performance for the annual three fastest finishers were analysed using linear, non-linear and multi-variate regression analyses from 46,123 athletes (i.e. 9,802 women and 46,123 men). Women accounted for 11.9 ± 5.8% of the total field and their percentage was highest in ‘Ironman Hawaii’ (22.1%) and lowest in Deca Iron ultra-triathlon (6.5%). In ‘Ironman Hawaii’, the sex difference decreased non-linearly in swimming, cycling, running and overall race time. In Double Iron ultra-triathlon, the sex difference increased non-linearly in overall race time. In Triple Iron ultra-triathlon, the sex difference increased non-linearly in cycling and overall race time but linearly in running. For the three fastest finishers ever, the sex difference in performance showed no change with increasing race distance with the exception for the swimming split where the sex difference increased with increasing race distance (r2 = 0.93, P = 0.001). The sex differences for the three fastest finishers ever for swimming, cycling, running and overall race times for all distances from Ironman to Deca Iron ultra-triathlon were 27.0 ± 17.8%, 24.3 ± 9.9%, 24.5 ± 11.0%, and 24.0 ± 6.7%, respectively. To summarize, these findings showed that women reduced the sex difference in the shorter ultra-triathlon distances (i.e. Ironman distance) but extended the sex difference in longer distances (i.e. Double and Triple Iron ultra-triathlon). It seems very unlikely that women will ever outperform men in ultra-triathlons from Ironman to Double Iron ultra-triathlon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph A Rüst
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, Vadianstrasse 26, St. Gallen, 9001 Switzerland
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Chlíbková D, Knechtle B, Rosemann T, Žákovská A, Tomášková I, Shortall M, Tomášková I. Changes in foot volume, body composition, and hydration status in male and female 24-hour ultra-mountain bikers. J Int Soc Sports Nutr 2014; 11:12. [PMID: 24661412 PMCID: PMC3994394 DOI: 10.1186/1550-2783-11-12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2013] [Accepted: 03/20/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The effects of running and cycling on changes in hydration status and body composition during a 24-hour race have been described previously, but data for 24-hour ultra-mountain bikers are missing. The present study investigated changes in foot volume, body composition, and hydration status in male and female 24-hour ultra-mountain bikers. METHODS We compared in 49 (37 men and 12 women) 24-hour ultra-mountain bikers (ultra-MTBers) changes (Δ) in body mass (BM). Fat mass (FM), percent body fat (%BF) and skeletal muscle mass (SM) were estimated using anthropometric methods. Changes in total body water (TBW), extracellular fluid (ECF) and intracellular fluid (ICF) were determined using bioelectrical impedance and changes in foot volume using plethysmography. Haematocrit, plasma [Na+], plasma urea, plasma osmolality, urine urea, urine specific gravity and urine osmolality were measured in a subgroup of 25 ultra-MTBers (16 men and 9 women). RESULTS In male 24-hour ultra-MTBers, BM (P < 0.001), FM (P < 0.001), %BF (P < 0.001) and ECF (P < 0.05) decreased whereas SM and TBW did not change (P > 0.05). A significant correlation was found between post-race BM and post-race FM (r = 0.63, P < 0.001). In female ultra-MTBers, BM (P < 0.05), %BF (P < 0.05) and FM (P < 0.001) decreased, whereas SM, ECF and TBW remained stable (P > 0.05). Absolute ranking in the race was related to Δ%BM (P < 0.001) and Δ%FM in men (P < 0.001) and to Δ%BM (P < 0.05) in women. In male ultra-MTBers, increased post-race plasma urea (P < 0.001) was negatively related to absolute ranking in the race, Δ%BM, post-race FM and Δ%ECF (P < 0.05). Foot volume remained stable in both sexes (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Male and female 24-hour ultra-MTBers experienced a significant loss in BM and FM, whereas SM remained stable. Body weight changes and increases in plasma urea do not reflect a change in body hydration status. No oedema of the lower limbs occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Chlíbková
- Centre of Sports Activities, Brno University of Technology, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Institute of General Practise and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of General Practise and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Alena Žákovská
- Institute of Experimental Biology, Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Ivana Tomášková
- Faculty of Forestry and Wood Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | | | - Iva Tomášková
- SurGal clinic s.r.o., Center for Sports Medicine, Brno, Czech Republic
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Zingg MA, Rüst CA, Rosemann T, Lepers R, Knechtle B. Analysis of sex differences in open-water ultra-distance swimming performances in the FINA World Cup races in 5 km, 10 km and 25 km from 2000 to 2012. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2014; 6:7. [PMID: 24559049 PMCID: PMC3948019 DOI: 10.1186/2052-1847-6-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2013] [Accepted: 02/18/2014] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The present study investigated the changes in swimming speeds and sex differences for elite male and female swimmers competing in 5 km, 10 km and 25 km open-water FINA World Cup races held between 2000 and 2012. METHODS The changes in swimming speeds and sex differences across years were analysed using linear, non-linear, and multi-level regression analyses for the annual fastest and the annual ten fastest competitors. RESULTS For the annual fastest, swimming speed remained stable for men and women in 5 km (5.50 ± 0.21 and 5.08 ± 0.19 km/h, respectively), in 10 km (5.38 ± 0.21 and 5.05 ± 0.26 km/h, respectively) and in 25 km (5.03 ± 0.32 and 4.58 ± 0.27 km/h, respectively). In the annual ten fastest, swimming speed remained constant in 5 km in women (5.02 ± 0.19 km/h) but decreased significantly and linearly in men from 5.42 ± 0.03 km/h to 5.39 ± 0.02 km/h. In 10 km, swimming speed increased significantly and linearly in women from 4.75 ± 0.01 km/h to 5.74 ± 0.01 km/h but remained stable in men at 5.36 ± 0.21 km/h. In 25 km, swimming speed decreased significantly and linearly in women from 4.60 ± 0.06 km/h to 4.44 ± 0.08 km/h but remained unchanged at 4.93 ± 0.34 km/h in men. For the annual fastest, the sex difference in swimming speed remained unchanged in 5 km (7.6 ± 3.0%), 10 km (6.1 ± 2.5%) and 25 km (9.0 ± 3.7%). For the annual ten fastest, the sex difference remained stable in 5 km at 7.6 ± 0.6%, decreased significantly and linearly in 10 km from 7.7 ± 0.7% to 1.2 ± 0.3% and increased significantly and linearly from 4.7 ± 1.4% to 9.6 ± 1.5% in 25 km. CONCLUSIONS To summarize, elite female open-water ultra-distance swimmers improved in 10 km but impaired in 25 km leading to a linear decrease in sex difference in 10 km and a linear increase in sex difference in 25 km. The linear changes in sex differences suggest that women will improve in the near future in 10 km, but not in 25 km.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Alexander Zingg
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Christoph Alexander Rüst
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Romuald Lepers
- INSERM U1093, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, Vadianstrasse 26, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Rüst CA, Lepers R, Rosemann T, Knechtle B. Will women soon outperform men in open-water ultra-distance swimming in the 'Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli'? SPRINGERPLUS 2014; 3:86. [PMID: 24570854 PMCID: PMC3930800 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-3-86] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2013] [Accepted: 02/10/2014] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the change in sex differences across years in ultra-distance swimming performances at the 36-km 'Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli' race held from 1954 to 2013. Changes in swimming performance of 662 men and 228 women over the 59-year period were investigated using linear, non-linear and hierarchical regression analyses. Race times of the annual fastest swimmers decreased linearly for women from 731 min to 391 min (r (2) = 0.60, p < 0.0001) and for men from 600 min to 373 min (r (2) = 0.30, p < 0.0001). Race times of the annual top three swimmers decreased linearly between 1963 and 2013 for women from 736.8 ± 78.4 min to 396.6 ± 4.5 min (r (2) = 0.58, p < 0.0001) and for men from 627.1 ± 34.5 min to 374.1 ± 0.3 min (r (2) = 0.42, p < 0.0001). The sex difference in performance for the annual fastest decreased linearly from 39.2% (1955) to 4.7% (2013) (r (2) = 0.33, p < 0.0001). For the annual three fastest competitors, the sex difference in performance decreased linearly from 38.2 ± 14.0% (1963) to 6.0 ± 1.0% (2013) (r (2) = 0.43, p < 0.0001). In conclusion, ultra-distance swimmers improved their performance at the 'Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli' over the last ~60 years and the fastest women reduced the gap with the fastest men linearly from ~40% to ~5-6%. The linear change in both race times and sex differences may suggest that women will be able to achieve men's performance or even to outperform men in the near future in an open-water ultra-distance swimming event such as the 'Maratona del Golfo Capri-Napoli'.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph Alexander Rüst
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Romuald Lepers
- INSERM U1093, Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Burgundy, Dijon, France
| | - Thomas Rosemann
- Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Knechtle
- Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, Vadianstrasse 26, 9001 St., Gallen, St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Vogt P, Rüst CA, Rosemann T, Lepers R, Knechtle B. Analysis of 10 km swimming performance of elite male and female open-water swimmers. SPRINGERPLUS 2013; 2:603. [PMID: 24324922 PMCID: PMC3853191 DOI: 10.1186/2193-1801-2-603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2013] [Accepted: 11/05/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated trends in performance and sex difference in swimming speed of elite open-water swimmers at FINA 10 km competitions (i.e. World Cup races, European Championships, World Championships and Olympic Games). Swimming speed and sex difference in swimming speed of the fastest and the top ten women and men per event competing at 10 km open-water races between 2008 and 2012 were analysed using single and multi-level regression analyses. A total of 2,591 swimmers (i.e. 1,120 women and 1,471 men) finished 47 races. Swimming speed of the fastest women (1.35 ± 0.9 m/s) and men (1.45 ± 0.10 m/s) showed no changes across years. The mean sex difference in swimming speed for the fastest swimmers was 6.8 ± 2.5%. Swimming speed of the top ten female swimmers per event was 1.34 ± 0.09 m/s and remained stable across the years. The top ten male swimmers per event showed a significant decrease in swimming speed over time, even though swimming speed in the first race (i.e. January 2008, 1.40 ± 0.0 m/s) was slower than the swimming speed in the last race (i.e. October 2012, 1.50 ± 0.0 m/s) (P < 0.05). To summarize, swimming performances remained stable for the fastest elite open-water swimmers at 10 km FINA competitions between 2008 and 2012, while performances of the top ten men tended to decrease. The sex difference in swimming speed in elite ultra-swimmers (~7%) appeared smaller compared to other ultra-distance disciplines such as running. Further studies should examine how body shape and physiology of elite open-water ultra-distance swimmers influence performances.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pascale Vogt
- Facharzt FMH für Allgemeinmedizin, Gesundheitszentrum St. Gallen, Vadianstrasse 26, 9001 St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Rüst CA, Knechtle B, Rosemann T, Lepers R. Women reduced the sex difference in open-water ultra-distance swimming [Formula: see text] La Traversée Internationale du Lac St-Jean, 1955-2012. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 2013; 39:270-3. [PMID: 24476486 DOI: 10.1139/apnm-2013-0222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
In La Traversée Internationale du Lac St-Jean, held between 1955 and 2012 in Canada, the fastest women (r(2) = 0.61, p < 0.0001) and men (r(2) = 0.66, p < 0.0001) improved swimming speed over the years but the sex difference remained unchanged at 8.8% ± 5.6% (r(2) = 0.069, p = 0.065). Annually, for the 3 fastest swimmers, both women (r(2) = 0.53, p < 0.0001) and men (r(2) = 0.71, p < 0.0001) improved swimming speed between 1973 and 2012 and the sex difference decreased (r(2) = 0.29, p = 0.0016) from 14.4% ± 11.0% (1973) to 3.7% ± 1.4% (2012).
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Affiliation(s)
- Christoph A Rüst
- a Institute of General Practice and for Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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Bu SY. Transitional changes in energy intake, skeletal muscle content and nutritional behavior in college students during course-work based nutrition education. Clin Nutr Res 2013; 2:125-34. [PMID: 23908979 PMCID: PMC3728462 DOI: 10.7762/cnr.2013.2.2.125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2013] [Revised: 03/29/2013] [Accepted: 03/30/2013] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether elective course work based nutrition education in university can change students' body composition and eating habits associated with obesity and its related health risk in first-year college students. A total of 38 students agreed and participated in the study. Participants received a series of lecture about obesity, weight management, and concepts of nutrition and food choices for 13 weeks. The students' BMI and body composition, including body fat and muscle contents, were measured. A 24-hour diet recall for two days was performed for food intake analysis, and the questionnaires for dietary behaviors were collected at the beginning and the end of the study. Paired t-test and χ2-test were used for statistical analysis. Data showed that most of the anthropometric parameters including body weight were not significantly changed at the end of the coursework. Interestingly, skeletal muscle contents in both obese (BMI ≥ 23) and lean (18.5 ≤ BMI ≤ 22.9) subjects were significantly increased. Total energy intake was decreased in total subjects after the study. Also, general nutrition behavior of the subjects including enough hydration and utilization of nutrition knowledge were significantly improved during the study period. The total number of responses to doing aerobic exercise was slightly increased after the study, but the average frequency of exercise in each individual was not changed. These results suggest that class-work based nutrition education on a regular basis could be a time and cost effective method for improving body composition and nutritional behavior in general college students.
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Affiliation(s)
- So-Young Bu
- Division of Food Sciences, Kyungil University, Gyeongsan 712-701, Korea
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Fischer G, Knechtle B, Rüst CA, Rosemann T. Male swimmers cross the English Channel faster than female swimmers. Scand J Med Sci Sports 2012; 23:e48-55. [PMID: 23121394 DOI: 10.1111/sms.12008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 08/28/2012] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- G. Fischer
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research; University of Zurich; Zurich; Switzerland
| | | | - C. A. Rüst
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research; University of Zurich; Zurich; Switzerland
| | - T. Rosemann
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research; University of Zurich; Zurich; Switzerland
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Rüst CA, Knechtle B, Knechtle P, Rosemann T, Lepers R. Age of peak performance in elite male and female Ironman triathletes competing in Ironman Switzerland, a qualifier for the Ironman world championship, Ironman Hawaii, from 1995 to 2011. Open Access J Sports Med 2012; 3:175-82. [PMID: 24198600 PMCID: PMC3781912 DOI: 10.2147/oajsm.s37115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The age of peak performance in elite endurance athletes has been investigated for elite marathoners, but not for elite Ironman triathletes. The aim of this study was to analyze the age of peak performance in swimming (3.8 km), cycling (180 km), running (42 km), and overall race time for elite female and male Ironman triathletes competing in Ironman Switzerland, a qualifier for the Ironman world championship, known as the Ironman Hawaii. Methods The age of the annual top ten overall swimmers, cyclists, runners, and annual overall finishers for both male and female elite triathletes and their corresponding split and overall race times at the Ironman Switzerland were analyzed between 1995 and 2011. Results The mean age of the elite Ironman triathletes was 33 ± 3 years for men and 34 ± 4 years for women. For women, the age of peak performance was not significantly different between the three disciplines (P > 0.05), while for men, the best swimmers (29 ± 3 years) were significantly (P < 0.05) younger than the best runners (35 ± 5 years). During the study period, the age of peak performance remained unchanged for men at 31 ± 3 years (P > 0.05), but increased for women from 30 ± 4 years in 1995 to 36 ± 5 years in 2011 (P < 0.01). Conclusion Although both women and men improved their overall race times during the 1995–2011 period, the age of peak performance was similar between women and men in the three disciplines and in overall race time. Future studies need to examine the change in age of peak performance across years in the Ironman Hawaii world championship event.
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Knechtle B, Baumgartner S, Knechtle P, Rüst CA, Rosemann T, Bescós R. Changes in single skinfold thickness in 100 km ultramarathoners. Open Access J Sports Med 2012; 3:147-57. [PMID: 24198597 PMCID: PMC3781909 DOI: 10.2147/oajsm.s37035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Changes in single skinfold thickness and body fat have been investigated in ultraswimmers and ultracyclists, but not in ultrarunners. The present study investigated the changes in single skinfold thickness during a 100 km ultramarathon. Methods Firstly, we investigated associations between prerace preparation and prerace body composition and, secondly, changes in single skinfold thickness during a 100 km ultramarathon in 219 male ultramarathoners. Changes in fat mass and skeletal muscle were estimated using anthropometric methods. Results Kilometers run weekly prerace and running speed during training were negatively associated with all skinfold thicknesses (P < 0.05) except for the front thigh skinfold. During the race, skinfold thickness at the pectoral (−0.1%), suprailiac (−1.8%), and calf (−0.8%) sites decreased (P < 0.05). The subjects lost 1.9 ± 1.4 kg of body mass (P < 0.001), 0.7 ± 1.0 kg of estimated skeletal muscle mass (P < 0.001), and 0.2 ± 1.3 kg of estimated fat mass (P < 0.05). The decrease in body mass was positively related to the decrease in both estimated skeletal muscle mass (r = 0.21, P = 0.0017) and estimated fat mass (r = 0.41, P < 0.0001). Conclusion Firstly, prerace fat mass and prerace skinfold thickness were associated with both volume and speed in running training. Secondly, during the ultramarathon, skinfold thickness decreased at the pectoral, suprailiac, and calf sites, but not at the thigh site. Percent decreases in skinfold thickness for ultrarunners was lower than the percent decreases in skinfold thickness reported for ultraswimmers and ultracyclists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beat Knechtle
- Institute of General Practice and Health Services Research, University of Zurich, Zurich; ; Gesundheitszentrum St Gallen, St Gallen, Switzerland
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