Spinal Cord Injury Impairs Cardiovascular Capacity in Elite Wheelchair Rugby Athletes

Neuromuscular Fatigue after Small-Sided Games in Wheelchair Basketball Players with and without Spinal Cord Injury

Purpose: The aim was to analyze the differences between wheelchair basketball players with Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) and without Spinal Cord injury (Non-SCI) in psycho-physiological response and neuromuscular fatigue in a series of small-sided games (SSG). Methods: Thirteen high-level wheelchair basketball male players (age 28.8 ± 9.2 years, body mass 75.9 ± 11.3 kg) participated in four versus four SSG once a week for five consecutive weeks. Absolute and relative heart rate (HR) during SSG and muscular and respiratory perceived exertion (RPEmus and RPEres), tympanic temperature, and acceleration capacity were recorded at the end of each SSG. Results: No significant differences were observed between SCI and non-SCI players in relative HR variables in SSG series. However, the SCI group had a lower absolute HR (mean HR and peak HR) (p < .05 or p < .01, ES = 0.73-1.39) and higher perceived muscular load (RPEmusTL) (p < .01, ES = 0.75-0.82) during SSG. Regarding the evolution of the physiological response, no differences were observed between the four bouts in the SCI group. However, the Non-SCI group showed an increase in the absolute and relative variables of HR and RPEres and RPEmus (p < .05 or p < .01, ES = 0.45-1.06). On the contrary, only the SCI group showed a loss of acceleration capacity between the four series (p < .05, ES = 0.28-0.35). Conclusion: The results of this study show that there are differences between SCI and non-SCI wheelchair basketball players in their physiological response and acceleration capacity during SSG tasks.

Adaptive Sports in Spinal Cord Injury: a Systematic Review

Purpose of Review

Recent Findings

Summary

Physiological Considerations to Support Podium Performance in Para-Athletes

The twenty-first century has seen an increase in para-sport participation and the number of research publications on para-sport and the para-athlete. Unfortunately, the majority of publications are case reports/case series or study single impairment types in isolation. Indeed, an overview of how each International Paralympic Committee classifiable impairment type impact athlete physiology, health, and performance has not been forthcoming in the literature. This can make it challenging for practitioners to appropriately support para-athletes and implement evidence-based research in their daily practice. Moreover, the lack of a cohesive publication that reviews all classifiable impairment types through a physiological lens can make it challenging for researchers new to the field to gain an understanding of unique physiological challenges facing para-athletes and to appreciate the nuances of how various impairment types differentially impact para-athlete physiology. As such, the purpose of this review is to (1) summarize how International Paralympic Committee classifiable impairments alter the normal physiological responses to exercise; (2) provide an overview of "quick win" physiological interventions targeted toward specific para-athlete populations; (3) discuss unique practical considerations for the para-sport practitioner; (4) discuss research gaps and highlight areas for future research and innovation, and (5) provide suggestions for knowledge translation and knowledge sharing strategies to advance the field of para-sport research and its application by para-sport practitioners.

[Inhibitory effect of miR-429 on expressions of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 proteins to improve the permeability of blood spinal cord barrier in vitro]

OBJECTIVE

To explore the feasibility and mechanism of inhibiting miR-429 to improve the permeability of the blood spinal cord barrier (BSCB) in vitro, and provide a new gene therapy target for enhancing the spinal cord microenvironment.

METHODS

First, the immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cell line (hCMEC/D3) was transfected with the anti-miR-429 antagonist (antagomiR-429) and its negative control (antagomiR-429-NC), respectively. The miR-429 expression of hCMEC/D3 cells was observed by fluorescence microscopy and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR to verify the transfection efficiency of antagomiR-429. Then the effect of miR-429 on BSCB permeability was observed in vitro. The experiment was divided into 4 groups. The blank control group (group A) was constructed of normal hCMEC/D3 cells and Ha-sc cells to prepare the BSCB model, the hypoxia-induced group (group B), the hypoxia-induced+antagomiR-429-NC group (group C), and the hypoxia-induced+antagomiR-429 group (group D) were constructed of normal, antagomiR-429-NC transfected, and antagomiR-429 transfected hCMEC/D3 cells and Ha-sc cells to prepare the BSCB models and hypoxia treatment for 12 hours. The permeability of BSCB in vitro was measured by horseradish peroxidase (HRP) permeability. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence staining were used to observe the expressions of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5.

RESULTS

The antagomiR-429 and antagomiR-429-NC were successfully transfected into hCMEC/D3 cells under a fluorescence microscope, and the transfection efficiency was about 90%. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the relative expression of miR-429 in antagomiR-429 group was 0.109±0.013, which was significantly lower than that of antagomiR-429-NC group (0.956±0.004, P<0.05). HRP permeability measurement, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR, and Western blot results showed that the HRP permeability of groups B and C were significantly higher than those of groups A and D ( P<0.05), and the relative expressions of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 proteins and mRNAs were significantly lower in groups B and C than in groups A and D ( P<0.05) and in group D than in group A ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference between groups B and C ( P>0.05). Immunofluorescence staining showed that the immunofluorescence of ZO-1, Occudin, and Claudin-5 at the cell membrane boundary in group D were stronger than those in groups B and C, but not as strong as that in group A.

CONCLUSION

Inhibition of miR-429 expression can promote the expressions of ZO-1, Occludin, and Claudin-5 proteins in microvascular endothelial cells, thereby improving the increased permeability of BSCB due to hypoxia.