Single High-Dose Vitamin D Supplementation as an Approach for Reducing Ultramarathon-Induced Inflammation: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Purpose: A growing number of studies indicate the importance of vitamin D supplementation for sports performance. However, the effects of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on ultramarathon-induced inflammation have not been investigated. We here analyzed the effect of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on the inflammatory marker levels in ultramarathon runners after an ultramarathon run (maximal run 240 km). Methods: In the study, 35 runners (amateurs) were assigned into two groups: single high-dose vitamin D supplementation group, administered vitamin D (150,000 IU) in vegetable oil 24 h before the start of the run (n = 16); and placebo group (n = 19). Blood was collected for analysis 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels were significantly increased after the ultramarathon in both groups. The increase was greater in the vitamin D group than in the control group. Based on post-hoc and other analyses, the increase in interleukin 6 and 10, and resistin levels immediately after the run was significantly higher in runners in the control group than that in those in the supplementation group. Leptin, oncostatin M, and metalloproteinase tissue inhibitor levels were significantly decreased in both groups after the run, regardless of the supplementation. Conclusions: Ultramarathon significantly increases the serum 25(OH)D levels. Attenuation of changes in interleukin levels upon vitamin D supplementation confirmed that vitamin D has anti-inflammatory effect on exercise-induced inflammation.

Direct Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation on Ultramarathon-Induced Changes in Kynurenine Metabolism

In humans, most free tryptophan is degraded via kynurenine pathways into kynurenines. Kynurenines modulate the immune system, central nervous system, and skeletal muscle bioenergetics. Consequently, kynurenine pathway metabolites (KPMs) have been studied in the context of exercise. However, the effect of vitamin D supplementation on exercise-induced changes in KPMs has not been investigated. Here, we analyzed the effect of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on KPMs and tryptophan levels in runners after an ultramarathon. In the study, 35 amateur runners were assigned into two groups: vitamin D supplementation group, administered 150,000 IU vitamin D in vegetable oil 24 h before the run (n = 16); and control (placebo) group (n = 19). Blood was collected for analysis 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Kynurenic, xanthurenic, quinolinic, and picolinic acids levels were significantly increased after the run in the control group, but the effect was blunted by vitamin D supplementation. Conversely, the decrease in serum tryptophan, tyrosine, and phenylalanine levels immediately after the run was more pronounced in the supplemented group than in the control. The 3-hydroxy-l-kynurenine levels were significantly increased in both groups after the run. We conclude that vitamin D supplementation affects ultramarathon-induced changes in tryptophan metabolism.

Effect of Single High-Dose Vitamin D3 Supplementation on Post-Ultra Mountain Running Heart Damage and Iron Metabolism Changes: A Double-Blind Randomized Controlled Trial

Exercise-induced inflammation can influence iron metabolism. Conversely, the effects of vitamin D3, which possesses anti-inflammatory properties, on ultramarathon-induced heart damage and changes in iron metabolism have not been investigated. Thirty-five healthy long-distance semi-amateur runners were divided into two groups: one group received 150,000 IU of vitamin D3 24 h prior to a race (n = 16), while the other group received a placebo (n = 19). Serum iron, hepcidin (HPC), ferritin (FER), erythroferrone (ERFE), erythropoietin (EPO), neopterin (NPT), and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) levels were assessed. A considerable effect of ultramarathon running on all examined biochemical markers was observed, with a significant rise in serum levels of ERFE, EPO, HPC, NPT, and cTnT detected immediately post-race, irrespective of the group factor. Vitamin D3 supplementation showed a notable interaction with the UM, specifically in EPO and cTnT, with no other additional changes in the other analysed markers. In addition to the correlation between baseline FER and post-run ERFE, HPC was modified by vitamin D. The ultramarathon significantly influenced the EPO/ERFE/HPC axis; however, a single substantial dose of vitamin D3 had an effect only on EPO, which was associated with the lower heart damage marker cTnT after the run.

Acute inflammatory response following lower-and upper-body Wingate anaerobic test in elite gymnasts in relation to iron status

Introduction: Artistic gymnastics is one of the most demanding sports disciplines, with the athletes demonstrating extremely high levels of explosive power and strength. Currently, knowledge of the effect of gymnastic training adaptation on exercise-induced inflammatory response is limited. The study aimed to evaluate inflammatory response following lower- and upper-body high-intensity exercise in relation to the iron status in gymnasts and non-athletes. Methods: Fourteen elite male artistic gymnasts (EAG, 20.6 ± 3.3 years old) and 14 physically active men (PAM, 19.9 ± 1.0 years old) participated in the study. Venous blood samples were taken before and 5 min and 60 min after two variants of Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT), upper-body and lower-body WAnT. Basal iron metabolism (serum iron and ferritin) and acute responses of selected inflammatory response markers [interleukin (IL) 6, IL-10, and tumour necrosis factor α] were analysed. Results: EAG performed significantly better during upper-body WAnT than PAM regarding relative mean and peak power. The increase in IL-6 levels after upper-body WAnT was higher in EAG than in PAM; the opposite was observed after lower-body WAnT. IL-10 levels were higher in EAG than in PAM, and tumour necrosis factor α levels were higher in PAM than those in EAG only after lower-body WAnT. The changes in IL-10 correlated with baseline serum iron and ferritin in PAM. Discussion: Overall, gymnastic training is associated with the attenuation of iron-dependent post-exercise anti-inflammatory cytokine secretion.

Vitamin D Supplementation Influences Ultramarathon-Induced Changes in Serum Amino Acid Levels, Tryptophan/Branched-Chain Amino Acid Ratio, and Arginine/Asymmetric Dimethylarginine Ratio

Exercise affects serum levels of amino acids and their metabolites, with important metabolic consequences. Since vitamin D impacts skeletal muscle protein degradation, we hypothesised that it would also impact exercise-induced changes in serum amino acid levels and the serum levels of arginine metabolites, influencing the body's ability to synthesise NO. Accordingly, we analysed the effect of a single high-dose vitamin D supplementation on the serum levels of various amino acids in ultramarathon runners. Thirty-five male amateur runners were assigned to the supplemented group, administered 150,000 IU vitamin D in vegetable oil 24 h before the run (n = 16), or the control (placebo) group (n = 19). Blood was sampled 24 h before, immediately after, and 24 h after the run. Changes in the serum levels of some amino acids were distinct in the two groups. The asymmetric dimethyl arginine levels were significantly decreased immediately after the run and increased 24 h later and were not affected by the supplementation. The symmetric dimethyl arginine levels were increased after the run in both groups but were lower in the supplemented group than in the placebo group 24 h after the run. The dimethylamine levels increased significantly in the supplemented group as compared to the placebo group. In conclusion, vitamin D impacts exercise-induced changes in serum amino acids and methylated arginine metabolites.

One-year developmental changes in motor coordination and tennis skills in 10-12-year-old male and female tennis players

BACKGROUND

To date, no longitudinal studies of quarterly changes have been conducted on the differences in the development of motor coordination between boys and girls in relation to changes in their tennis skills level. Therefore, the aim of the study was to assess the development of motor coordination of 10-12-year-old tennis players over the course of 1 year, in the light of changes in tennis skills preparation.

METHODS

One-hundred eighty male and female tennis players aged 10, 11, or 12 years old participated in the study. Each age group comprised 30 boys and 30 girls. To investigate their motor coordination development, a battery of general tests (simple reaction, complex reaction, Spalding test, spider test, hexagon jumping, Starosta's test, hand-eye test, balance, plate tapping, jump rope) and specific tennis skills tests (wall game and 100-tennis ball tests) were performed 4 times quarterly over 1 year. Differences between sexes and the time points were assessed. The rate of development evaluation was based on beta coefficient of linear regression.

RESULTS

Boys generally performed better in tennis skills tests than girls. The boys performed better also in one motor coordination test (Spalding test) among 10-year-olds, in two additional tests (spider and plate tapping tests) among 11-year-olds, and another three more tests (simple reaction, complex reaction and Starosta's tests) among 12-year-olds. Jump rope test among 10-year-olds and hexagon jump test among 12-year-olds were the only tests where girls performed better than boys. On the other hand, girls showed higher rate of development in balance and complex reaction tests than boys.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that motor coordination and tennis skills development over 1 year is age-, sex-, and task-dependent, with the 10-12-year-old male tennis players performing better in tennis skills and overall motor coordination than females.

Joint position and force senses in young female tennis players and untrained adolescents

The aim of the study was to determine the differences between tennis players and untrained peers in the development of upper limb proprioception in 10-15-year-olds. A group of 67 girls (12.75 ± 1.46 years old), including 33 tennis players and 34 age-matched untrained controls, was divided into three age groups: A1, 10-11-years-old; A2, 12-13-years-old; and A3, 14-15-years-old. Joint position sense (JPS) and force sense (FS) were assessed by reproducing memorized target angle or torque value of three joints: glenohumeral, elbow, and radiocarpal. The JPS error for the elbow joint in group A1 was 71% and 80% higher (p < 0.01) than that in groups A2 and A3, respectively, and the performance of all tennis players was 27.5% (p = 0.01) better than that of untrained controls. For FS, proprioception of only the more demanding task tested (reproduction of 50% maximal voluntary contraction) and specific function (elbow and radiocarpal extension, and glenohumeral internal rotation) showed development with age. The error values for elbow extension (A1, A2) and the glenohumeral joint (A3) of tennis players were lower than those of age-matched controls. We conclude that the development of FS in the upper limb varied and was related to the specific functions and joints. The 10-13-year-old tennis players showed elbow extensor FS performance at the level of the older participants, while the 14-15-year-old tennis players were characterized with superior FS internal rotation performance in the glenohumeral joint.