Medication management of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) has consisted of monotherapy with either clomipramine (CMI) or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as fluvoxamine, paroxetine, or sertraline. Frequently, OCD patients receiving monotherapy experience low treatment response rates and problematic side effects that may result in discontinuation or noncompliance. This open-label case series presents 7 patients (6 male, 1 female) ages 9 to 23 years with OCD who were effectively treated with combination of CMI plus an SSRI. Treatment effects persisted through 5 to 22 months of follow-up from onset of combination therapy. The drug combination was effective in the 2 patients with OCD and no mood/anxiety comorbidity. Side effects appeared in 5 of 7 patients; cardiovascular side effects were the most common adverse effects. Two patients had prolongation of QTc intervals and 2 developed tachycardia while taking CMI and SSRI combinations. Other risks might include serotonin syndrome, manic switch, insomnia, and possibly headaches, EPS, and sexual dysfunction. Recommendations are made to monitor electrocardiograms, CMI blood concentrations, and vital signs in all cases because SSRIs can increase the blood levels of CMI and/or its active metabolite, desmethylclomipramine (DCMI). CMI could also potentially increase SSRI absorption and/or protein binding. The use of CMI and SSRI combination therapy was found to be more effective compared with their monotherapy in all 7 cases.
Soccer is a very demanding field sport characterized by multidimensional performance features. PURPOSE: This study compared somatometric and performance characteristics of the women's Greek Super League (SL) and the National (N) team players. METHODS: Eighteen female soccer players participated in this study. Nine of them (age: 22.6 ±4.9 yrs; soccer experience: 7.7 ± 1.3 yrs) were members of the national (N) team and nine were members of the Super League (SL) team (age: 21.9 ± 2.4 yrs; soccer experience: 10.0 ± 4.4 yrs). Anthropometric and functional measurements were performed after completing the preparation period for the National Women's Championship. Student T-test was used for statistics and data are presented as mean ± SD. RESULTS: No differences in the age or soccer experience were found between the two teams. Body mass index (SL: 22.3±1.2 vs N: 22.3±2.4) and body fat percentage (%) (SL: 15.1±2.6 vs N: 14.9±4.2) did not differ between the teams (p>0.05). Resting heart rate was not different between two groups (89.0±14.5 bpm vs 76.1±20.0 bpm; p>0.05). However, peak heart rate (180.1±16.9 bpm vs 151.2±34.0; p<0.05) and estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO 2 max: 44.17±3.29 ml/kg/min vs 38.94±2.49 ml/kg/min; p<0.05) achieved during the 20 m shuttle run test were significantly higher in the N team players compared to the SL players. Agility T-Test (SL: 11.1±0.5 sec vs N: 11.0±0.2 sec), hand grip strength of the dominant (SL: 31.2±5.0 Kg vs N: 29.2±1.9 Kg) and the non-dominant hand (SL: 29.1±1.6 Kg vs N: 25.3±5.2 Kg), counter-movement jump (SL: 23.8±2.0 cm vs N: 24.0±2.1 cm), and squat jump (SL: 22.5±2.6 cm vs N: 24.0±2.0 cm) showed no significant differences between the two teams (p>0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study compared physical performance characteristics of soccer players of two elite women's soccer teams, revealing that aerobic capacity may be a distinguishing variable between those high-level teams and a potential criterion parameter for player selection in those teams.
Adequate caloric and carbohydrate intakes are necessary for positive adaptations to exercise training, yet there is limited research examining dietary intake in relation to strength and power in female athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine 1) whether there were significant changes in weekly total caloric and macronutrient consumption, strength, and power, and 2) whether total caloric and macronutrient consumption significantly and positively contributed to changes in strength and power across a controlled eight-week, off-season resistance training program. Eleven collegiate-level female volleyball players were examined on macronutrient consumption, strength, and power at two-week intervals using three-day food logs, 3-repetition maximum bench press and back squat, and vertical jump, respectively. Five assessments were conducted on each subject. Alpha level was set at r < 0.05. Paired samples t-tests showed improvements in body mass index, lean body mass, percent body fat, and lower body strength and power following eight weeks of training (r < .05) despite no significant changes in total calories or macronutrients. Results of a weighted regression analysis indicated that both total caloric consumption and carbohydrate intake influenced lower body power after training (r < .05). However, nutrient intake did not impact strength or power at any of the two-week intervals. We believe these findings are related to the neuromuscular adaptations that occur early in training. A longer resistance training program resulting in gains in muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) may be necessary to further examine the contribution of calories and macronutrients to performance-related variables.
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