Despite technological advances in thermal sensory equipment, few core temperature (T) measurement techniques have met the established validity criteria in exercise science. Additionally, there is debate as to what method serves as the most practically viable, yet upholds the proposed measurement accuracy. This study assessed the accuracy of current and novel T measurement techniques in comparison to rectal temperature (T) as a reference standard. Fifteen well-trained subjects (11 male, 4 female) completed 60min of exercise at an intensity equating to the lactate threshold; measured via a discontinuous exercise test. T was significantly elevated from resting values (37.2±0.3°C) at the end of moderate intensity exercise (39.6±0.04°C; P=0.001). Intestinal telemetric pill (T) temperature and temporal artery temperature (T) did not differ significantly from T at rest or during exercise (P>0.05). However, aural canal temperature (T) and thermal imaging temperature (T) were both significantly lower than T (P<0.05). Bland Altman analysis revealed only T was within acceptable limits of agreement (mean bias; 0.04°C), while T, T and T demonstrated mean bias values outside of the acceptable range (>0.27°C). Against T, these results support the use of T over all other techniques as a valid measure of T at rest and during exercise induced hyperthermia. Novel findings illustrate that T (when measured at the inner eye canthus) shows poor agreement to T during rest and exercise, which is similar to other 'surface' measures.

Exercise causes alterations in redox homeostasis (ARH). Measuring ARH in elite athletes may aid in the identification of training tolerance, fatigued states and underperformance. To our knowledge no studies have examined ARH in elite male and female distance runners at sea level. The monitoring of ARH in athletes is hindered by a lack of reliable and repeatable in-the-field testing tools and by the rapid turnaround of results. We examined the effects of various exercise intensities on ARH in healthy (non-overreached) elite male and female endurance athletes using clinical point of care (POC) redox tests, referred to as the free-oxygen-radical-test (FORT; pro-oxidant) and the free-oxygen-radical-defence (FORD; anti-oxidant). Elite male and female endurance athletes (n=22) completed a discontinuous incremental treadmill protocol at submaximal running speeds and a test to exhaustion. Redox measures were analyzed via blood sampling at rest; warm-up; sub-maximal exercise; exhaustion and recovery. FORD was elevated above rest after sub-maximal, and

The results of this study show that when torque factor and sprint duration are optimized, to allow participants to express their highest PPO, there is a clear effect of caffeine on sprinting performance.

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BackgroundAlterations in redox homeostasis (ARH) have been implicated in the pathophysiology of Unexplained Under-Performance Syndrome (UUPS). No studies have investigated alterations in ARH in elite athletes with UUPS.ObjectiveTo investigate concentrations of antioxidant nutrients and enzymes in world-class endurance athletes diagnosed with UUPS.DesignProspective observational case-control study.SettingUUPS was diagnosed by a sports medicine physician and referred to sports science and nutrition science practitioners for an exercise test, blood work, nutritional history, and an interview involving a questionnaire. Control athletes were required, not to have suffered with any fatigue associated training restrictions for the past four years (Olympic cycle); and tested in the competitive season to ensure performing successfully.Patients (or Participants)Elite endurance athletes from Track & Field and Triathlon (n=16, of which 9 were UUPS and 7 were controls). The athletes were competing at national and international standard, including World and European Championship, Commonwealth and Olympic Games medallists.Main Outcome MeasurementsRedox biomarkers (α- and β-carotene, lutein, α- and γ-tocopherol, red blood cell superoxide dismutase, total glutathione, and co-enzyme Q10) were measured at rest.ResultsResting hydroperoxides (FORT) were significantly higher in controls vs. UUPS athletes (1.40±0.12 vs. 1.89±0.20 mmolŸL−1 H2O2; p<0.001, g=2.87). Controls had higher concentrations of total carotenoids (1.49±.052 µmol•L−1 vs. 3.16±1.07 µmol•L−1, p=0.006, g=2.07) and α-tocopherol than UUPS athletes (22.78±8.54 µmol•L−1 vs. 31.71±5.80 µmol•L−1, p=0.039, g=1.19). No between-group differences were identified for RBC GSH, SOD, co-enzyme Q10 and γ-tocopherol.ConclusionsUUPS athletes have lower concentrations of antioxidant nutrients than healthy elite athletes. We speculate that the measurement of antioxidant nutrients and subsequent dietary interventions may reduce the risk of UUPS in elite endurance athletes.