Nº de abstracts = 21

Modificado em 23 Fevereiro de 2012

Determinants of sports, cycling, walking and overall leisure-time physical activity among postmenopausal women in Germany.

Steindorf K, Chang-Claude J, Flesch-Janys D, Schmidt ME.: Public Health Nutrition, 2010, 13(11):1905-14. 1Unit of Environmental Epidemiology, German Cancer Research Centre, Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum, Im Neuenheimer Feld 280, 69120 Heidelberg, Germany.

OBJECTIVE: Convincing evidence exists for a beneficial effect of physical activity (PA) on health and well-being for elderly women. Nevertheless, many women in Germany are insufficiently physically active. Activity promotion programmes should target women in particular need. Thus, we examined subject-related determinants of PA for postmenopausal women in Germany. DESIGN: Associations of sociodemographic, anthropometric, lifestyle and health-related factors with activity since the age of 50 years were assessed with multiple linear and logistic regression models, regarding overall leisure-time PA (LPA) in metabolic equivalent hours per week, engagement in sports (ever v. never), cycling (yes v. no) and walking (=3·5 v. <3·5 h/week). SETTING: All controls from a population-based case-control study carried out in 2002-2005 in Germany (MARIE study). SUBJECTS: A total of 6569 postmenopausal women. RESULTS: We found significant associations of overall LPA, sports, cycling and walking in postmenopausal years with several characteristics, among others: obese v. normal BMI (adjusted OR: ORsports = 0·73; ORcycling = 0·60; ORwalking = 0·63), tall v. short (ORsports = 1·49), worker v. medium employee (ORsports = 0·47), working full time v. unemployed/retired (ORsports = 0·80; ORwalking = 0·56), current v. non-smoker (ORsports = 0·62; ORcycling = 0·62; ORwalking = 0·82), non-German nationality (ORsports = 0·58; ORcycling = 0·41). Parity seemed more relevant than marital status for sports or cycling activity. Further, CVD, hypertension and diabetes were significantly associated with lower activity (ORsports = 0·77, 0·79 and 0·80; ORcycling = 0·80, 0·75 and 0·85, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest potential target groups for promoting sports, cycling or walking activity. Postmenopausal women with chronic diseases may need to be stronger encouraged by their physicians to engage in adequate PA for the management of their diseases.

Physiological and nutritional aspects of post-exercise recovery: specific recommendations for female athletes. Hausswirth C, Le Meur Y.: Sports Medicine, 2011,10 - 41(10): 861-862.Gender-based differences in the physiological response to exercise have been studied extensively for the last four decades, and yet the study of post-exercise, gender-specific recovery has only been developing in more recent years. This review of the literature aims to present the current state of knowledge in this field, focusing on some of the most pertinent aspects of physiological recovery in female athletes and how metabolic, thermoregulatory, or inflammation and repair processes may differ from those observed in male athletes. Scientific investigations on the effect of gender on substrate utilization during exercise have yielded conflicting results. Factors contributing to the lack of agreement between studies include differences in subject dietary or training status, exercise intensity or duration, as well as the variations in ovarian hormone concentrations between different menstrual cycle phases in female subjects, as all are known to affect substrate metabolism during sub-maximal exercise. If greater fatty acid mobilization occurs in females during prolonged exercise compared with males, the inverse is observed during the recovery phase. This could explain why, despite mobilizing lipids to a greater extent than males during exercise, females lose less fat mass than their male counterparts over the course of a physical training programme. Where nutritional strategies are concerned, no difference appears between males and females in their capacity to replenish glycogen stores; optimal timing for carbohydrate intake does not differ between genders, and athletes must consume carbohydrates as soon as possible after exercise in order to maximize glycogen store repletion. While lipid intake should be limited in the immediate post-exercise period in order to favour carbohydrate and protein intake, in the scope of the athlete's general diet, lipid intake should be maintained at an adequate level (30%). This is particularly important for females specializing in long-duration events. With protein balance, it has been shown that a negative nitrogen balance is more often observed in female athletes than in male athletes. It is therefore especially important to ensure that this remains the case during periods of caloric restriction, especially when working with female athletes showing a tendency to limit their caloric intake on a daily basis. In the post-exercise period, females display lower thermolytic capacities than males. Therefore, the use of cooling recovery methods following exercise, such as cold water immersion or the use of a cooling vest, appear particularly beneficial for female athletes. In addition, a greater decrease in arterial blood pressure is observed after exercise in females than in males. Given that the return to homeostasis after a brief intense exercise appears linked to maintaining good venous return, it is conceivable that female athletes would find a greater advantage to active recovery modes than males. This article reviews some of the major gender differences in the metabolic, inflammatory and thermoregulatory response to exercise and its subsequent recovery. Particular attention is given to the identification of which recovery strategies may be the most pertinent to the design of training programmes for athletic females, in order to optimize the physiological adaptations sought for improving performance and maintaining health.

Acute effects of moderate intensity aerobic exercise on affective withdrawal symptoms and cravings among women smokers. Williams DM, Dunsiger S, Whiteley JA, Ussher MH, Ciccolo JT, Jennings EG.: Addictive behaviors, 20011,08 - 6(8):894-7.A growing number of laboratory studies have shown that acute bouts of aerobic exercise favorably impact affect and cravings among smokers. However, randomized trials have generally shown exercise to have no favorable effect on smoking cessation or withdrawal symptoms during quit attempts. The purpose of the present study was to explore this apparent contradiction by assessing acute changes in affect and cravings immediately prior to and following each exercise and contact control session during an eight-week smoking cessation trial. Sixty previously low-active, healthy, female smokers were randomized to an eight-week program consisting of brief baseline smoking cessation counseling and the nicotine patch plus either three sessions/week of moderate intensity aerobic exercise or contact control. Findings revealed a favorable impact of exercise on acute changes in positive activated affect (i.e., energy), negative deactivated affect (i.e., tiredness), and cigarette cravings relative to contact control. However, effects dissipated from session to session. Results suggest that aerobic exercise has potential as a smoking cessation treatment, but that it must be engaged in frequently and consistently over time in order to derive benefits. Thus, it is not surprising that previous randomized controlled trials-in which adherence to exercise programs has generally been poor-have been unsuccessful in showing effects of aerobic exercise on smoking cessation outcomes.

Effects of weight loss on serum vitamin D in postmenopausal women.

Mason C, Xiao L, Imayama I, Duggan CR, Bain C, Foster-Schubert KE, Kong A, Campbell KL, Wang CY, Neuhouser ML, Li L, W Jeffery R, Robien K, Alfano CM, Blackburn GL, McTiernan A.:2011, 94(1):95-103. BACKGROUND: Low concentrations of circulating vitamin D are common with obesity and may represent a potential mechanism explaining the elevated risk of certain cancers and cardiovascular outcomes observed in individuals who are overweight or obese. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of 12 mo of weight loss through caloric restriction, exercise intervention, or both on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations. DESIGN: Overweight and obese postmenopausal women (n = 439) were randomly assigned to 1 of 4 groups: 1) diet modification (n = 118), 2) exercise (n = 117), 3) diet + exercise (n = 117), or 4) control (n = 87). The diet intervention was a group-based reduced-calorie program with a 10% weight-loss goal. The exercise intervention consisted of 45 min of moderate-to-vigorous intensity aerobic activity daily for 5 d/wk. Serum 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by using a competitive chemiluminescent immunoassay at baseline and 12 mo. RESULTS: No significant change in serum 25(OH)D was found between the intervention and control groups. Women who lost <5%, 5-9.9%, 10-14.9%, or =15% of baseline weight had mean increases in 25(OH)D of 2.1, 2.7, 3.3, and 7.7 ng/mL, respectively (P for trend = 0.002). Baseline vitamin D status did not modify the effect of the interventions on weight loss or body-composition changes at the 12-mo follow-up. CONCLUSION: A greater degree of weight loss, achieved through either a reduced-calorie diet or increased exercise, is associated with increased circulating 25(OH)D concentrations. This trial is registered at clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00470119.

Menopause: Highlighting the Effects of Resistance Training - Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(11): 761-767.

Beneficial effects of recreational football on the cardiovascular risk profile in untrained premenopausal women.

P. Krustrup, P. R. Hansen, M. B. Randers, L. Nybo, D. Martone, L. J. Andersen,

L. T. Bune, A. Junge, J. Bangsbo: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 2010, 20 Suppl 1:40-9. Department of Exercise and Sport Sciences, Section of Human Physiology, Copenhagen Muscle Research Centre, Section of Human Physiology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen, Denmark.

The present study examined the cardiovascular health effects of 16 weeks of recreational football training in untrained premenopausal women in comparison with continuous running training. Fifty healthy women were matched and randomized to a football (FG, n=25) or a running (RG, n=25) group and compared with a control group with no physical training (CO, n=15). Training was performed for 1 h twice a week. After 16 weeks, systolic and diastolic blood pressure was reduced (P<0.05) in FG (7+/-2 and 4+/-1 mmHg) and systolic blood pressure was lowered (P<0.05) in RG (6+/-2 mmHg). After 16 weeks, resting heart rate was lowered (P<0.05) by 5+/-1 bpm both in FG and RG, and maximal oxygen uptake was elevated (P<0.05) by 15% in FG and by 10% in RG (5.0+/-0.7 and 3.6+/-0.6 mL/min/kg, respectively). Total fat mass decreased (P<0.05) by 1.4+/-0.3 kg in FG and by 1.1+/-0.3 kg in RG. After 16 weeks, pulse pressure wave augmentation index (-0.9+/-2.5 vs 4.2+/-2.4%), skeletal muscle capillarization (2.44+/-0.15 vs 2.07+/-0.05 cap/fib) and low-density lipoprotein/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio were improved (P<0.05) in FG, but not altered in RG. No changes were observed in CO. In conclusion, regular recreational football training has significant favorable effects on the cardiovascular risk profile in untrained premenopausal women and is at the least as efficient as continuous running.

Sports and leisure-time physical activity in pregnancy and birth weight: a population-based study.

Hegaard HK, Petersson K, Hedegaard M, Ottesen B, Dykes AK, Henriksen TB, Damm P.: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, 2010, 20(1):e96-102. The Unit of Caring Sciences, Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Lund University, Lund, Sweden.

We examined the association between sports and other leisure-time physical activities during pregnancy and birth weight of babies born after 37 completed weeks of gestation. All Danish-speaking pregnant women attending routine antenatal care at the Department of Obstetrics, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark, from August 1989 to September 1991 were invited to participate in the study. A total of 4458 healthy women who delivered after 37 completed gestational weeks participated in this study. The associations between sports (0, 1-2, 3+ h/week) or leisure-time physical activity (sedentary, light, and moderate to heavy) and birth weight were examined by linear and logistic regression and adjusted for potential confounding factors such as smoking, parity, schooling, pre-pregnancy body mass index and gestational age. The results showed that pregnant women who practiced sports or were moderate to heavy leisure-time physical active during the early second or the early third trimester gave birth to infants with a similar birth weight as inactive women. The proportion of newborns with a low (/=4500 g) was also unchanged. In conclusion, in this large population-based study, we found no association between sports and leisure-time physical activity and low-birth weight, high-birth weight, or average-birth weight.

Plasma triglyceride concentrations are rapidly reduced following individual bouts of endurance exercise in women.

Henderson GC, Krauss RM, Fattor JA, Faghihnia N, Luke-Zeitoun M, Brooks GA.: European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2010, 109(4):721-30. Exercise Physiology Laboratory, Department of Integrative Biology, University of California, 5101 Valley Life Sciences Building, Berkeley, CA 94720-3140, USA.

It is known that chronic endurance training leads to improvements in the lipoprotein profile, but less is known about changes that occur during postexercise recovery acutely. We analyzed triglyceride (TG), cholesterol classes and apolipoproteins in samples collected before, during and after individual moderate- and hard-intensity exercise sessions in men and women that were isoenergetic between intensities. Young healthy men (n = 9) and young healthy women (n = 9) were studied under three different conditions with diet unchanged between trials: (1) before, during and 3 h after 90 min of exercise at 45% VO(2)peak (E45); (2) before, during and 3 h after 60 min of exercise at 65% VO(2)peak (E65), and (3) in a time-matched sedentary control trial (C). At baseline, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was higher in women than men (P < 0.05). In men and in women, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL-C, apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I), apolipoprotein B (apoB), and LDL peak particle size were unaltered by exercise either during exertion or after 3 h of recovery. In women, but not in men, average plasma TG was significantly reduced below C at 3 h postexercise by approximately 15% in E45 and 25% in E65 (P < 0.05) with no significant difference between exercise intensities. In summary, plasma TG concentration rapidly declines following exercise in women, but not in men. These results demonstrate an important mechanism by which each individual exercise session may incrementally reduce the risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in women.

Effect of menstrual cycle phase on sprinting performance.

Tsampoukos A, Peckham EA, James R, Nevill ME.: European Journal of Applied Physiology, 2010, 109(4):659-67. School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU, UK.

This study examined the effects of menstrual cycle phase (MCP) upon sprinting and recovery as well as upon metabolic responses to such exercise. Eight females performed a repeated 30-s sprint on a non-motorised treadmill interspersed with a 2-min rest in three phases of the MCP, follicular (low 17beta-estradiol and progesterone), just prior to ovulation (midcycle trial, highest 17beta-estradiol concentration and low progesterone) and in the luteal phase (high 17beta-estradiol and high progesterone). MCP was verified later by radioimmunoassay of 17beta-estradiol and progesterone. Peak power output (PPO) and mean power output (MPO) were unaltered (P > 0.05) due to MCP [PPO for sprint 1: 463 (18) W vs. 443 (15) W vs. 449 (18) W; PPO for sprint 2: 395 (17) W vs. 359 (16) W vs. 397 (17) W; MPO for sprint 1: 302 (15) W vs. 298 (13) W vs. 298 (14) W; MPO for sprint 2: 252 (10) W vs. 248 (10) W vs. 259 (12) W for follicular, midcycle and luteal trial, mean (SEM), respectively]. Similarly, percentage recovery of PPO and MPO (the PPO or MPO during sprint 2 expressed as a percentage of the PPO or MPO during sprint 1) was also unchanged (P > 0.05). Blood lactate, blood pH and plasma ammonia after sprinting and estimated plasma volume were also unaltered by MCP (P > 0.05). These findings suggest that hormonal fluctuations due to MCP do not interfere with maximal intensity whole body sprinting and the metabolic responses to such exercise.

Impact of walking on adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase activity and expression in pre- and postmenopausal women.

Tessier S, Riesco E, Lacaille M, Pérusse F, Weisnagel J, Doré J, Mauriège P.: Obesity Facts, 2010, 3(3):191-9 Language: eng Country: Switzerland Division of Kinesiology, Laval University, Québec City, QC, Canada.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine regional variation in adipose tissue lipoprotein lipase (AT-LPL) activity and expression in pre-and postmenopausal women, before and after training, once differences in chronological age or obesity degree are taken into account. METHODS: Sixteen late pre- and 14 early postmenopausal (49 +/- 2 vs. 52 +/- 2 years; p < 0.001) moderately obese women (body mass index 29-35 kg/m(2)) were subjected to a 16-week walking program (3 sessions/week of 45 min at 60% heart rate reserve). Abdominal and femoral AT-LPL activity and expression, fasting lipid-lipoprotein profile, body composition, and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) were measured before and after our intervention. Statistical analyses were performed using covariance analysis for age differences. RESULTS: AT-LPL activity and expression, lipid-lipoprotein metabolism, body fatness, and CRF were similar at baseline, irrespective of the group considered. Slight reductions in plasma cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, fat mass and waist girth reductions, CRF increases as well as femoral AT-LPL activity and expression decreases after our intervention were comparable, regardless of menopausal status (0.0001 < p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Lipid storage is decreased in the femoral depot after walking, regardless of menopausal status. Reduction in AT-LPL activity or expression does not lead to a more deleterious lipid-lipoprotein profile, despite the modest decrease noted in HDL cholesterol concentrations.

Circuit weight training vs jogging in metabolic risk factors of overweight/obese women.

Fett CA, Fett WC, Marchini JS.: Arquivos Brasileiros de Cardiologia, 2009, 93(5):519-25. Laboratório de Aptidão Física e Metabolismo, Faculdade de Educação Física, Universidade Federal de Mato Grosso, Cuiabá, MT.

Background: Resisted and aerobic exercises are recommended to reduce weight and improve health, but which exercise modality offers the best Results is still unclear. Objective: The aims of this study were to compare circuit weight training (CWT) with jogging (JOGG) on multiple cardiovascular disease (CVD), metabolic risk factors and fitness of overweight and obese women (body composition, lipid profile, uric acid, glucose, metabolic equivalent (MET), heart rate, blood pressure, flexibility, resting energy expenditure (REE) and nitrogen balance (NB)). Methods: Fifty women were randomly divided in two groups, but only 26 finished it: CWT (n=14; 36+/-12 years old; body mass index, BMI=32+/-7 kg/m(2)) and JOGG (n=12; 37+/-9; BMI=29+/-2). The first month of training consisted of 60 min x 03 days/week and the second month of training consisted of 04 days/week for both protocols and a dietary reeducation. Results: Both groups reduced total body mass, fat body mass, BMI, plasma uric acid and increase in MET (p<0.05); there was no change in lean body mass, REE and resting heart rate. CWT reduced total cholesterol, plasma triglycerides, NB and increased flexibility; JOGG reduced waist/hip ratio, glucose, systolic blood pressure, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and increased the total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio (p<0.05). Conclusion: Both protocols improved CVD and metabolic risk factors. The CWT presented favorable changes regarding lipid profile and flexibility; JOGG on glucose, waist/hip ratio and blood pressure. These Results suggest that resisted exercise combined with aerobics should be considered for obese people. Nevertheless, regarding some basal differences between the groups , it was not possible to conclude that changes were due to exercise type or intra-group variability.

Folic acid supplementation improves vascular function in amenorrheic runners.

Hoch AZ, Lynch SL, Jurva JW, Schimke JE, Gutterman DD.: Clinical Journal of sport Medicine, 2010, 20(3):205-10. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53226, USA.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine if folic acid supplementation improves endothelial vascular function (brachial artery flow-mediated dilation; FMD) in amenorrheic runners. Design: Prospective cross-sectional study. Setting: Academic medical center in the Midwest. Participants: Ten amenorrheic and 10 eumenorrheic women runners from the community volunteered for this study. InterventionS: Each participant was treated with folic acid (10 mg/d) for 4 weeks. Main Outcome Measures: Brachial artery FMD was measured before and after folic acid supplementation with standard techniques. Results: The brachial artery FMD response to reactive hyperemia improved after folic acid supplementation in amenorrheic women (3.0% +/- 2.3% vs. 7.7% +/- 4.5%; P = 0.02). In the eumenorrheic control group, there was no change in brachial artery FMD (6.7% +/- 2.0% vs. 5.9% +/- 2.6%; P = 0.52). Conclusions: This study demonstrates that brachial artery FMD, an indicator of vascular endothelial function, improves in amenorrheic female runners after short-term supplementation with folic acid.

An examination of psychosocial correlates of eating disorders among female collegiate athletes.

Petrie TA, Greenleaf C, Reel JJ, Carter JE.: Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2009, 80(3):621-32. Department of Psychology, University of North Texas, Denton, TX 76203, USA.

With female collegiate athletes, we examined the relationship of eating pathology to body image concerns, weight pressures, sociocultural internalization, and mood state. Multivariate analyses revealed that the symptomatic and eating disorder groups were similar on seven of eight weight pressures, three of four mood states, on internalization, and on five of six body image measures; in all instances, these two groups reported more pathological scores than the asymptomatic athletes. Except for pressures from coaches, the psychosocial variables differentiated the groups, correctly classifying 79% of the cases. These findings suggest that athletes symptomatic of eating disorders report similarly high levels of disturbance across a wide range of psychosocial risk factors, and both groups warrant prevention and treatment efforts.

The adolescent female athlete: current concepts and conundrums.

Greydanus DE, Omar H, Pratt HD.: Pediatric Clinics of North America, 2010-06 57(3):697-718. Department of Pediatrics & Human Development, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-1284, USA.

The adolescent female athlete has become a common part of the sports environment at all levels from childhood play to professional adult sports. This article considers various issues common to this athlete to help clinicians care for their patients. Basic sports physiology is reviewed and then specific conditions are considered, including iron deficiency anemia, stress urinary incontinence, breast issues (ie, pain, asymmetry, galactorrhea, injury), the female athlete triad (ie, menstrual dysfunction, abnormal eating patterns, and osteopenia or osteoporosis), and injuries. Clinical conundrums are considered including the difficulty in caring for a dedicated athlete whose intense love of her sport may lead to menstrual and bone loss complications. The knowledgeable clinician in the twenty-first century can be of considerable help to the female athlete who is at and beyond puberty.

Elite female soccer players perform more high-intensity running when playing in international games compared with domestic league games.

Andersson HA, Randers MB, Heiner-Møller A, Krustrup P, Mohr M.: Journal of Strength and Conditioning research / National Strength & Conditioning Association, 2010-04 24(4):912-9. School of Health and Medical Sciences, Orebro University, Orebro, Sweden.

The purpose of this study was to compare movement pattern, fatigue development, and heart rate (HR) for top-class elite female players when playing international (INT) vs. domestic league games (DOM). Video-based time-motion analyses and HR recordings were performed on 17 players during INT and DOM. The distances covered in high-intensity running (HIR) and sprinting were longer (p < 0.05) in INT compared with DOM. More (p < 0.05) HIR was covered in INT than DOM during first and second half. Additionally, more (p < 0.05) sprinting occurred in INT compared with DOM in the first half. In both game types, the amount of HIR was reduced by 24-27% (p < 0.05) in the last 15-minute period compared with the first four 15-minute periods of the game. The midfielders covered longer (p < 0.05) distances with HIR in INT than in DOM over the entire game and in the most intense 5-minute period of the games, whereas no differences were observed between the game types for defenders. No difference in the HR response was found between INT and DOM. In conclusion, more HIR and sprinting occur in international compared with domestic games, which may affect the fatigue development for players in physically demanding roles. Thus, our results are important to coaches to prepare players to meet the challenges of international soccer games and show that the ability to perform intense intermittent exercise should be trained regularly in elite female players.

Pelvic pain in endometriosis: painkillers or sport to alleviate symptoms?

Koppan A, Hamori J, Vranics I, Garai J, Kriszbacher I, Bodis J, Rebek-Nagy G, Koppan M.: Acta Physiologica Hungarica, 2010, 97(2):234-9. Institute of Nursing and Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary.

To assess potential individual factors influencing quality of life and pain scores of patients suffering from histologically confirmed endometriosis. Study using a questionnaire among patients of reproductive age undergoing laparoscopy with a presumed diagnosis of endometriosis. Details of fertility, previous treatments and quality of life, sexual activity, as well as linear pain scores for several symptoms, were recorded. Details of intraoperative findings were also collected and only those data were used where endometriosis was intraoperatively and histologically proven. A questionnaire before surgery gathered information from women on the following groups of variables: age, marital status, education, reproductive and medical history including previous pregnancies and parity, knowledge of accompanying pelvic disorders, regular sport activity, as well as general quality of life estimates including self-image. Pelvic pain was scored using a visual analogue scale. Data were statistically evaluated. Eighty-one patients complaining about persistent pelvic pain were later intraoperatively and histologically proven to have endometriosis. Thirty-one of them (38.2%) reported regular sport as part of their daily life schedule while 50 of them (61.8%) performed no physical activity at all. Fourteen patients among regular exercisers and 33 patients among those without physical activity reported the effectiveness of painkillers for pelvic pain, corresponding to 45.1% and 66% of these subgroups, respectively (difference statistically significant, p<0.05). Based on our results, we can conclude, that taking painkillers might be less effective among endometriosis patients performing regular daily sport activities, and, thus it might impose them to an unnecessary burden of possible side-effects.

Physical activity and risk of stroke in women.

Sattelmair JR, Kurth T, Buring JE, Lee IM.: Stroke; a Journal of cerebral circulation, 201006 41(6):1243-50. MBBS, ScD, Brigham and Women's Hospital, 900 Commonwealth Avenue East, Boston, MA 02215, USA.

Background and Purpose: Physical activity has generally been inversely related to the risk of developing stroke, but details regarding the amount and kinds of activity required are unclear as are associations for specific stroke subtypes. Methods: Eligible subjects were 39 315 healthy US women, > or =45 years of age, from the Women's Health Study. Women reported physical activity at baseline (1992 to 1995) and at 36, 72, 96, 125, and 149 months' follow-up. During an average follow-up of 11.9 years, 579 women developed incident stroke (473 ischemic, 102 hemorrhagic, and 4 of unknown type). Proportional hazards models related physical activity, updated over time, to the risk of incident stroke. Results: The multivariable relative risks associated with or =1500 kcal/week of leisure-time physical activity were 1.00 (referent), 1.11 (95% CI, 0.87 to 1.41), 0.86 (95% CI, 0.67 to 1.10), and 0.83 (95% CI, 0.63 to 1.08), respectively (P trend=0.06). Similar results were observed for ischemic stroke, whereas no associations were observed for hemorrhagic stroke. Vigorous physical activity was not related to stroke risk (P trend=0.50); however, walking time and walking pace were inversely related, either significantly or with borderline significance, to total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke risks (P trend between 0.002 and 0.07). Conclusions : This study shows a tendency for leisure-time physical activity to be associated with lower stroke risk in women. In particular, walking was generally associated with lower risks of total, ischemic, and hemorrhagic stroke.

Vaginal water pressure injury

Kosola S, Rouhe H, Molander P.: Duodecim; lääketieteellinen aikakauskirja, 2010 126(2):181-2 HUS, Jorvin sairaala, kirurgian klinikka, PL 800, 00029 HUS.

Vaginal laceration is rare following a water sport accident. Several cases have been reported in water-skiers and personal watercraft passengers. If a patient presents with vaginal bleeding after such an accident, careful examination under general anesthesia is recommended to detect deep trauma. We present a case of vaginal laceration from a water slide in a middle-aged healthy woman.

Iron status in female athletes participating in team ball-sports.

Ahmadi A, Enayatizadeh N, Akbarzadeh M, Asadi S, Tabatabaee SH.: Pakistan Journal of biological Sciences: PJBS, 20100115 13(2):93-6. Department of Nutrition, School of Health and Nutrition, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Iran.

Iron deficiency anemia is the most prevalent micronutrient deficiency in the world, affecting 20-50% of the world's population. It is estimated that 10 and 20% of male and female athletes are iron deficient, respectively. Iron deficiency has deleterious effects on the physical performance of athletes. It decreases aerobic capacity, increases heart rate and elongates the recovery time after exercise. In this cross-sectional study, 42 semi-professional female athletes who had been playing in basketball, volleyball and handball super league teams served as subjects. Data on socioeconomic and fertility status as well as the type of sport were obtained through a questionnaire. Nutritional data were gathered with a 3 day dietary recall. Total intake of calorie, iron, zinc, folate, vitamin C and B12 were also analyzed. In addition, ferritin and TIBC were measured and a CBC test was done for each subject. The results showed that the mean total calorie intake of women was 2049.79 +/- 735.12 kcal, where their iron intake was 22.33 +/- 9.24 mg day(-1). There was a significant difference between the iron intake of basketball and volleyball players (p = 0.036). Of our subjects, 33.33% had low ferritin levels (< 30 ng mL(-1)) and it was lowest in handball players. Higher than normal ferritin levels were seen in 12.5% of the subjects. We saw a significant difference in ferritin levels of basketball and handball players (p = 0.047). We conclude that the intake of calorie and iron is low in female athletes and therefore, their hematological indices such as ferritin level are below standard values.

Is swimming during pregnancy a safe exercise?

Juhl M, Kogevinas M, Andersen PK, Andersen AM, Olsen J.: Epidemiology (Cambridge, Mass.),

201003 21(2):253-8 Language: eng Country: United States National Institute of Public Health, University of Southern Denmark, DK-1399 Copenhagen K, Denmark.

Background: Exercise in pregnancy is recommended in many countries, and swimming is considered by many to be an ideal activity for pregnant women. Disinfection by-products in swimming pool water may, however, be associated with adverse effects on various reproductive outcomes. We examined the association between swimming in pregnancy and preterm and postterm birth, fetal growth measures, small-for-gestational-age, and congenital malformations. Methods: We used self-reported exercise data (swimming, bicycling, or no exercise) that were prospectively collected twice during pregnancy for 74,486 singleton pregnancies. Recruitment to The Danish National Birth Cohort took place 1996-2002. Using Cox, linear and logistic regression analyses, depending on the outcome, we compared swimmers with physically inactive pregnant women; to separate a possible swimming effect from an effect of exercise, bicyclists were included as an additional comparison group. Results: Risk estimates were similar for swimmers and bicyclists, including those who swam throughout pregnancy and those who swam more than 1.5 hours per week. Compared with nonexercisers, women who swam in early/mid-pregnancy had a slightly reduced risk of giving birth preterm (hazard ratio = 0.80 [95% confidence interval = 0.72-0.88]) or giving birth to a child with congenital malformations (odds ratio = 0.89 [0.80-0.98]). Conclusions : These data do not indicate that swimming in pool water is associated with adverse reproductive outcomes.

Modificado em 17 de Junho de 2010

Menstrual function in female high school cross-country athletes.

Austin TM, Reinking MF, Hayes AM.: International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health

2009, 21(4):555-65. Saint Louis University, Doisy College of Health Sciences, Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training, 3437 Caroline Street, St Louis, MO 63104, USA.

Menstrual function in adolescent athletes has received limited investigation. Objective: In a sample of female high school cross-country (XC) athletes, the Purposes of the investigation were to (1) describe menstrual function (history and inseason), (2) describe the relationship between menstrual function and variables including body mass index (BMI), high school year, current year of running, total years running, training distance, racing pace, additional organized sport participation other than XC, and participation in XC practices and races, (3) determine the relationship between menstrual function and self-reported interfering exercise related leg pain (ERLP), and (4) determine the relationship between menstrual function history and menstrual function during a XC season. Study Group: 62 female high school XC athletes. Methods: A prospective cohort design was used. Athletes were asked to complete an initial questionnaire querying several variables including menstrual function and ERLP history. At the end of the XC season, athletes were asked to complete a postseason questionnaire regarding menstrual function and ERLP during the XC season. Results: Of the athletes, 25.8% (16/62) reported abnormal menstrual function history and 34.9% reported abnormal menstrual function inseason. Abnormal menstrual function history was a risk for previous interfering ERLP (RR = 3.00, CI: 1.09, 8.29), and abnormal menstrual function history was a risk for abnormal menstrual function inseason (RR = 4.11, CI: 1.75, 9.62). Conclusions: Abnormal menstrual function was present in this sample of athletes and was a risk for previous interfering ERLP and future episodes of abnormal menstrual function.