Physical exercise affects hematological equilibrium and metabolism. This study evaluated the biochemical and hematological responses of a male world-class athlete in sailing who is ranked among the top athletes on the official ISAF ranking list of windsurfing, class RS:X. The results describe the metabolic adaptations of this athlete in response to exercise in two training situations: the first when the athlete was using the usual training and dietary protocol, and the second following training and nutritional interventions based on a careful analysis of his diet and metabolic changes measured in a simulated competition. The intervention protocol for this study consisted of a 3-month facility-based program using neuromuscular training (NT), aerobic training (AT), and nutritional changes to promote anabolism and correct micronutrient malnutrition. Nutritional and training intervention produced an increase in the plasma availability of branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), aromatic amino acids (AAAs), alanine, glutamate, and glutamine during exercise. Both training and nutritional interventions reduced ammonemia, uricemia, and uremia. In addition, we are able to correct a significant drop in potassium levels during races by correct supplementation. Due to the uniqueness of this experiment, these results may not apply to other windsurfers, but we nonetheless had the opportunity to characterize the metabolic adaptations of this athlete. We also proposed the importance of in-field metabolic analyses to the understanding, support, and training of world-class elite athletes.

In March 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the disease caused by the SARS-CoV2 virus, known as COVID-19, to be a pandemic. The sporting world, too, is suffering from the global effects of this disease, with the postponement or cancellation of competitions, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games. As a proposal for containing the disease, social isolation was declared. Despite the importance of this measure, it was harmful for Olympic athletes, as they had to stay away from their training site and trainers, as well as their interdisciplinary teams. It is therefore important to study this harm caused, in order to minimize it. In general, it is believed that regular physical activity is associated with improved immune system functioning. The lack of training can therefore have significant consequences for the performance and health of the Olympic athlete. From the athlete's point of view, the impaired immune system, due to the reduced frequency of physical exercise, leaves them more vulnerable to contracting or developing infections or other diseases. The risk of harm due to the decreased performance of preventive works is also evident in this population. The reductions in training load and intensity can cause changes in the athlete's body composition and affect various aspects of cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as reducing strength levels and muscle potency. In relation to the athlete's mental health, two aspects are particularly challenging: isolation and uncertainty. Based on the possible harm caused by social isolation, the need is seen for a specific and joint work, in an attempt to minimize it. This work addresses the following topics: (I) context: transmission, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment, discharge criteria, isolation and post-pandemic consequences; (II) harm and proposals: nutritional, physiological, biomechanical and psychological. Level of evidence II; Review Article.

Capillary dried blood spot (DBS) samples facilitate field-based collection without venipuncture. This pilot study aims to evaluate the viability of creatine (Cr) and creatinine (Crt) quantification using fresh capillary serum (Cr S /Crt S ) and DBS samples (Cr DBS /Crt DBS ), using Flow Injection Analysis Mass Spectrometry (FIA – MS). Nine Olympic Athletes provided a capillary blood sample to assess Cr S /Crt S and Cr DBS /Crt DBS quantified by FIA – MS. No difference between Crt S (mean ± SD: 813.6 ± 102.4 μmol/L) and Crt DBS (812.4 ± 108.1 μ mol/L) was observed with acceptable variance [SEM 88.7; CV 10.7%; ICC 0.57 (CI 95% 0.06 – 0.84)] and agreement [very strong (Spearman: r = 0.77; p < 0.01) or strong (Pearson: r = 0.56; p = 0.04); Bland Altman: lower (-193) and upper (+196) limits of agreement]. Cr S (mean ± SD: 691.8 ± 165.2 μ mol/L) was significantly different to Cr DBS (2911 ± 571.4 μ mol/L) with unacceptable variance [SEM 171.6; CV 27%; ICC 0.002 (CI 95% -0.02 – 0.07)] and ‘weak’ agreement [Spearman: r = 0.21, p = 0.47 and Pearson: r = 0.06, p = 0.84; Bland Altman lower (-3367) and upper (-1072) limits of agreement]. Crt quantification is viable using both Crt S and Crt DBS (but not for Cr and Cr S /Cr DBS ), with the DBS tissue handling technique offering several methodological and practice facing advantages. Future work should expand upon the sample size, explore sport/discipline relevant analytes across a full competitive season, including key training, recovery and performance blocks of their periodized performance plan.

Objetivos: Poucos estudos tem dado a devida importância ao estado de hidratação e as alterações hematológicas em menores de 18 anos. O presente estudo investigou estas alterações em menores de 18 anos na prova de 3000 metros para ambos os gêneros. Método: Foram incluídos os seis melhores participantes das Olimpíadas Nacionais do Ensino Médio (menores de 18 anos) no Brasil. Trata-se de um estudo observacional e transversal. Os atletas correram 3.000 metros em uma pista oval de 400 metros. Foi realizado leucograma total e específico, eritrograma e contagem de plaquetas em quatro diferentes tempos (jejum, pré, pós e recuperação). Os cálculos de comparação entre tempos, apresentados, foram adaptados do modelo matemático de variação percentual. Resultados: Quando comparadas as médias em relação a cada tempo, pode-se notar que os eritrócitos, hemoglobina, hematócrito, leucócitos totais e basófilos aumentaram significativamente após a corrida para ambos os gêneros. Além disso, as plaquetas também aumentaram para ambos os gêneros sem significância. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson mostrou importante interação leucócitos-plaquetas. Os homens recuperaram seu estado de hidratação em quase metade do tempo em relação as mulheres. Em relação ao sistema imune e resposta inflamatória, as atletas do  gênero feminino tiveram um aumento relativo de mais que o dobro para leucócitos e não recuperaram estes valores, além de apresentarem um aumento de eosinófilos neste mesmo tempo, enquanto os  atletas do  gênero masculino apresentaram diminuição. As mulheres apresentaram um aumento de quase o dobro para linfócitos, enquanto os homens tiveram este comportamento para os fagócitos. Conclusões: O exercício induz alteração do estado de hidratação e sistema imune, tendo diferenças em relação ao gênero. Quando bem conduzido, gera efeitos antiinflamatórios a longo prazo. Quando não há controle sobre o volume, intensidade e recuperação pode causar imunossupressão e promover a suceptibilidade para infecções. Foi possível observar que os atletas do  gênero masculino tem um menor estresse inflamatório e recuperam o seu estado de hidratação e a resposta inflamatória mais rápido que as meninas após uma corrida de 3000 metros.   Objectives: Few studies have given due importance to the hydration status and hematological alterations in children under 18 years of age. The present study investigated these alterations in children under 18 years old in the 3000 meters test for both genders. Method: The six best participants of Brazil's National High School Olympiads (under 18 years old) were included. This is an observational and cross-sectional study. Athletes ran 3,000 meters on a 400 meters oval track. Total and specific white blood cell count, erythrogram, and platelet count were performed four times (fasting, pre, post, and recovery). The time comparison calculations presented were adapted from the percentage variation mathematical model. Results: When comparing the means for each time, it can be noted that erythrocytes, hemoglobin, hematocrit, total leukocytes, and basophils increased significantly after the race for both genders. Furthermore, platelets also increased for both genders without significance. Pearson's correlation coefficient showed a significant leukocyte-platelet interaction. Men regained their hydration status in almost half the time compared to women. Regarding the immune system and inflammatory response, female athletes had a relative increase of more than double for leukocytes and did not recover these values, in addition to showing an increase in eosinophils simultaneously, while male athletes showed a decrease. Women showed an increase of almost double for lymphocytes, while men showed this behavior for phagocytes. Conclusions: Exercise induces changes in hydration status and immune system, with differences concerning gender. When done well, it generates long-term anti-inflammatory effects. When there is no control over volume, intensity, and recovery, it can cause immunosuppression and increase infection susceptibility. It was observed that male athletes have lower inflammatory stress and recover their hydration status and inflammatory response faster than girls after a 3000 meter run.

PURPOSE:Although maximal cushioning shoes are popular among recreational runners, few studies have assessed the effects of shoe type on running economy, and fewer have observed the influence of footwear condition on females. Therefore, this pilot study aims to investigate the effects of shoe type on running economy in female runners. METHODS: Participants (age: 21) reported to Whittier College's Human Movement Laboratory twice. During the first testing session, participants completed a VO 2MAX test using a CosMed T-150 treadmill and Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPET) to determine baseline values. On the second visit, participants ran two 15-minute bouts at 70% of their VO 2max . Participants wore their own shoes (OS) for one bout, and a maximalist (MAX) lab shoe for the other. The order of footwear conditions was counterbalanced. Paired samples t-tests will assess differences in oxygen consumption, respiratory quotient, and rate of perceived exertion between shoe type (α=0.05). RESULTS: Analysis of preliminary data suggest oxygen consumption does not differ between footwear conditions (MAX: 31.99 ± 3.78 ml/kg/min, OS: 31.48 ± 3.78 ml/kg/min). Additionally, RQ and RPE did not differ between the MAX shoe (RQ: 0.90 ± 0.04; RPE: 12.93 ± 2.76) and OS (RQ: 0.91 ± 0.03; RPE: 12.57 ± 1.91). CONCLUSIONS: Based on preliminary data, shoe type may not affect running economy in female runners. A more complete analysis of the influence of footwear on running economy will occur as the data collection increases to the target sample size. If changes in running economy occur, the results of this study may determine if those changes are due to habituation or perturbation. In addition, this study's data regarding running economy may be beneficial for footwear development and consumer decision-making specifically for female runners.