To study the occurrence of running-related injuries, a group of 115 volunteers were supervised in a training program. These subjects who had limited or no running experience were asked to keep a diary in which they registered information on the training program and injuries. Ultimately, 63% of the diaries fulfilled the criteria for inclusion into longitudinal analysis. The training program (18-20 months) consisted of three phases, each phase finished with a contest (15 km, 25 km, and a marathon, respectively). The participants were individually supervised by an experienced coach with special attention to physiologic training and injury-preventive aspects. Eighty-five percent (n = 62) of the research population sustained at least one injury during the experiment. They reported in total 174 injuries. The number of injury cases per week increased gradually over the experimental period; however, when expressed per unit of exposure time (i.e., 1000 training hours), it showed a decline. There was a significant correlation between the number of injured volunteers and the distance covered during the training at the start of the training program. The anatomic distribution of the injuries is in agreement with findings in the literature. There was also a possible preference for the localization of injuries to the lower leg and Achilles tendon on the left side of the body.

Introduction Serotonin plays a key role in sexual behavior. In serotonin transporter (SERT) knockout rats (−/−), basal extracellular 5-HT levels are considerably increased, indicating a serotonergic disturbance. Heterozygous SERT(+/−) rats express 50% of SERT in comparison to wild-type rats and may therefore model the s/s phenotype of the human SERT promoter (5-HTTLPR) polymorphism. Aim In the present study, we used both homozygote and heterozygote SERT knockout and wild-type rats (+/+) to study the putative role of the SERT in female sexual behavior. Methods Female rats were brought into estrous by hormonal injections before a paced mating sex test. The effects of the 5-HT1A/5-HT7 receptor agonist (±)-8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino)tetralin hydrobromide (±8-OH-DPAT) (0.03–1 mg/kg s.c.) and the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 (0.1–1–mg/kg i.p.) on sexual behaviors of the females were tested separately and in a selected combination of both in all three genotypes. Main Outcome Measures Proceptive (darting and hopping) and receptive (lordosis) behaviors were quantified. Results Basal proceptive and receptive sexual activities were not different between SERT+/+, +/− and −/− female rats. The dose–effect curve after ±8-OH-DPAT for these activities was clearly shifted to the right in SERT−/− animals compared to other genotypes. WAY-100635 alone had no effect on sexual behavior in any genotype, but was able to antagonize the ±8-OH-DPAT-induced decrease in sexual activities indicating the involvement of the 5-HT1A receptor. Conclusions The absence (−/−) or reduced (+/−) expression of SERT does not affect basal sexual activity in female rats in a paced mating situation. The data indicate a desensitized 5-HT1A receptor in the SERT−/−, but not in the SERT+/− females. Under normal basal conditions, desensitized 5-HT1A receptors apparently do not play a role in female sexual behavior of the SERT−/−. However, upon activation of the 5-HT1A receptor in “normal” females (SERT+/+ and SERT+/−), a hyposexual behavior is induced.

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Reliable standards of maximal power output in middle-aged and physically active men and women are desirable in sports-medical practice. For this purpose maximal cycle ergometer tests were evaluated in 2038 men and 898 women over 40 years of age (46.8 +/- 6.1 years (mean +/- SD) and 47.5 +/- 6.6 years), who volunteered in a sports-medical check-up and all of whom were active in sports for at least three months in the year preceding the screening (4.3 +/- 3.1 hours/week respectively 3.6 +/- 2.5 hours/week). The range of maximal values for power output (Wmax), heart rate (HRmax), systolic blood pressure (SBPmax) and peak plasma lactate concentrations (PPLa) during progressive cycle ergometer testing are presented for males and females who were divided into groups with a 5-years age difference. Wmax varied with sex (male = 1, female = 0), age (year) and height (cm); Wmax = 65.3 x (sex) + 2.0 x (height) -1.9 x (age) - 67.9 (See = 38.2; r = 0.76). The weighing of different factors that influence performance was also studied by multiple regression analysis to provide improved precision in standards used to interpret exercise tests. In both men and women about half of the variation of Wmax could be explained by the independent variables age, body mass, body fat, smoking habits, vital capacity, heart rate, and physical activity parameters. It is concluded that active involvement in endurance sports and/or the use of the bicycle for transport, contributed substantially to cardiovascular fitness in healthy, middle-aged men and women.

Introduction Hypoactive sexual desire disorder (HSDD) is a common problem in women and may have a negative impact on quality of life. A recent clinical study shows an increase in sexual drive of HSDD women after cotreatment of testosterone and vardenafil (phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor). Aim In this study, we investigated the effect of testosterone and vardenafil on sexual activity in female rats. Main Outcome Measures Proceptive (darts and hops), receptive (lordosis), and paced-mating (percentages after exits and contact-return latencies) behaviors were quantified. Methods Ovariectomized female rats, sub-primed with only estradiol and fully primed with estradiol and progesterone, were tested in a paced-mating sex test and sexual behaviors were quantified. The sub-primed rats are thought to model HSDD. The effect of testosterone (100 and 300 µg, subcutaneous [SC]) and vardenafil (10 mg/kg, per os [PO]) alone and testosterone (300 µg, SC) in combination with vardenafil (3 and 10 mg/kg, PO) were tested. We also studied the effects of testosterone (300 µg, SC) + intracerebroventricular (ICV) injections of vardenafil (25 and 50 µg) on sexual activity. Results No effect of testosterone and vardenafil alone was found, but cotreatment of testosterone and vardenafil (PO) caused a significant increase in proceptive and receptive behavior in the sub-primed female rats. Testosterone and vardenafil did not affect fully primed females. ICV administration of vardenafil combined with systemic testosterone, on the other hand, had no effect on sexual activity in both sub-primed and fully primed female rats. Conclusions We conclude that cotreatment of subcutaneous testosterone and oral vardenafil increase sexual activity in sub-primed female rats. Our data supports the human finding that combination treatment of testosterone and vardenafil could be used as a new treatment for women with HSDD.