Investigación Avanzada en Fisiología Integrativa para la Vida (IAFIV)

Vitamin D and its relationship to performance and health during a competitive period in elite women's basketball and volleyball players

Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Vitamin D and its relationship to performance and health during a competitive period in elite women's basketball and volleyball players Miguel Ortega, Alvaro; Calleja González, Julio; Mielgo Ayuso, Juan Vitamin D [25(OH)D] is a key nutrient, although its level is often low in thegeneral population. To investigate the relationship between vitamin D levelsand muscle performance, and to analyze how vitamin D changes during a 16-week competitive season and its relationship to the performance tests performed.Participant characteristics: age 25.1 ± 4.7 years; height 1.8 ± 0.1 m, and body mass73.9 ± 15.4 kg. Vitamin D levels (ng/mL) were at T1 (September): 33.7 ± 14.7(n = 23), and at T2 (January): 26.1 ± 7.3 (n = 23). Over 16 weeks of competition,participants' blood was analyzed to determine their vitamin D levels. Theirathletic abilities were evaluated through various tests: vertical jumps (standingjump and countermovement jump); 20-m sprint without direction changes; andintermittent endurance test; the vitamin D level decreased from T1 to T2 by −22.40% [p < 0.05] but performance improved in all tests performed (SJ: 4.57%; CMJ:6.94%; VO 2max: 4.99% [p < 0.05]; 20 m: −1.83%). There is a relationship betweenvitamin D levels and physical performance in female indoor athletes. The resultssuggest that increased training load may also negatively affect vitamin D levels inelite female indoor athletes.

Triathlon: Ergo Nutrition for Training, Competing, and Recovering

Thu, 01 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Triathlon: Ergo Nutrition for Training, Competing, and Recovering Calleja-González, Julio; Miguel Ortega, Alvaro; Rodríguez Rodrigo, María Azucena; Mielgo Ayuso, Juan; Calleja González, Julio Triathlon is a multi-sport event that combines swimming, cycling and running. The distances vary and the physiological demands are high. Objectives: This review compiles information on nutritional strategies and ergogenic supplements for triathlon training, competition and recovery. It aims to provide an understanding of the specific challenges and needs of the sport to help triathletes and coaches optimise performance through effective training and nutrition plans. Methods: English-language publications were searched using the keywords triathlon, nutrition, recovery and ergogenic aids, alone or in combination, in databases. Results: Maintaining good glycogen levels, consuming enough carbohydrates and staying properly hydrated are key to athletic performance, especially for triathletes. Education regarding nutrition, the role of probiotics and supplements, and diet modification for the enhancement of performance and recovery are pivotal considerations. Conclusions: Triathletes are at risk of RED-S due to negative energy balance and high fibre/plant protein diets, especially women. Optimising muscle glycogen through tailored diet and training, especially pre- and in-race nutrition, including carbohydrate loading and hydration strategies, is critical. Education is needed to improve post-exercise nutrition, while probiotics and certain supplements may aid performance and recovery. Dietary support is important for resistance training to optimise performance and recovery.

Reply to Trexler, E.T. Common Errors in Sports Nutrition Meta-Analyses Lead to Distortion of Pooled Effect Estimates. Comment on “Viribay et al. Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2020, 12, 1300”

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Reply to Trexler, E.T. Common Errors in Sports Nutrition Meta-Analyses Lead to Distortion of Pooled Effect Estimates. Comment on “Viribay et al. Effects of Arginine Supplementation on Athletic Performance Based on Energy Metabolism: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Nutrients 2020, 12, 1300” Viribay, Aitor; Fernández Landa, Julen; Seco Calvo, Jesús; Mielgo Ayuso, Juan Réplica a un artículo

Protocol for a Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Applicability of Isometric Strength Training in Older Adults with Sarcopenia and Dynapenia

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Protocol for a Trial to Assess the Efficacy and Applicability of Isometric Strength Training in Older Adults with Sarcopenia and Dynapenia López, Iker; Mielgo Ayuso, Juan; Fernández López, Juan Ramón; Aznar, Jose M.; Castañeda Babarro, Arkaitz Background: Sarcopenia (loss of muscle mass) and dynapenia (loss of strength) are prevalent in older adults aged 70 years and over. Both have an impact on their functional ability and quality of life, with type II muscle fibres being particularly affected. Although traditional resistance training (TRT) is effective, it presents technical difficulties and an increased risk of injury among this vulnerable population. Isometric strength training (IST) is a potentially safer, more accessible and more effective alternative. Objective: To describe the protocol of a single-arm, pre-post intervention trial designed to evaluate the efficacy and applicability of a 16-week IST programme on muscle strength, skeletal muscle mass, quality of life and applicability (safety, acceptability, perceived difficulty) in 18 older adults aged 70 years and above with a diagnosis of sarcopenia and dynapenia. The influence of genetic and environmental factors on the variability of response to IST will also be explored. Methodology: The participants, who have all been diagnosed with sarcopenia according to EWGSOP2 (European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People 2) criteria, will perform two IST sessions per week for 16 weeks. Each 30-min session will consist of one progressive set (total duration 45 s to 90 s) for each of the eight major muscle groups. This series will include phases at 20% and 40% of individual Maximal Voluntary Isometric Contraction (MVIC), culminating in 100% Maximal Effort (ME), using the CIEX SYSTEM machine with visual feedback. The primary outcome variables will be: change in knee extensor MVIC and change in Appendicular Skeletal Muscle Mass Index (ASMMI). Secondary variables will be measured (other components of sarcopenia, quality of life by EQ-5D-5L, use of Likert scales, posture and physiological variables), and saliva samples will be collected for exploratory genetic analyses. The main statistical analyses will be performed with t-tests for related samples or their non-parametric analogues. Discussion: This protocol details a specific IST intervention and a comprehensive evaluation plan. The results are expected to provide evidence on the feasibility and effects of IST among older adults with sarcopenia and dynapenia. Understanding individual variability in response, including genetic influence, could inform the design of more personalised and effective exercise strategies for this population in the future.