Comparison of a sports-hydration drink containing high amylose starch with usual hydration practice in Australian rules footballers during intense summer training

Revisiting the Concepts of Prebiotic and Prebiotic Effect in Light of Scientific and Regulatory Progress-A Consensus Paper From the Global Prebiotic Association

The term prebiotic has been used for almost 3 decades and has undergone numerous updates over the years. The scientific literature reveals that despite continuous efforts to establish a globally unified definition to guide jurisdictional regulations and product innovations, ambiguity continues to surround the terms prebiotic and prebiotic effect, leading to products that lack in full regulatory adherence being marketed worldwide. Thus, to reflect the current state of scientific research and knowledge and for the continuous advancement of the category, an update to the current prebiotic definition is warranted. This update includes removing the term selectivity, considering additional locations of action besides the gut, highlighting prebiotic performance benefits such as cognitive and athletic, and providing a clear standalone definition for prebiotic effect. The Global Prebiotic Association (GPA) is a leading information and industry hub committed to raising awareness about prebiotics, their emerging and well-established health benefits, and prebiotic product integrity and efficacy. In this position paper, GPA builds on previous prebiotic definitions to propose the following expanded definition for prebiotic: "a compound or ingredient that is utilized by the microbiota producing a health or performance benefit." In addition to prebiotic, GPA also defines prebiotic effect as "a health or performance benefit that arises from alteration of the composition and/or activity of the microbiota, as a direct or indirect result of the utilization of a specific and well-defined compound or ingredient by microorganisms." With these 2 definitions, GPA aims to paint a clearer picture for the term prebiotic, and by incorporating an industry point of view, these updated definitions may be used alongside current scientific and regulatory perspectives to move the category forward.

Development and applications of enzymatic modified starch with high water solubility providing a continuous supply of glucose

Amylopectin clusters (APCs) are produced by cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (EC 2.4.1.19). Their solubility rate in aqueous solution was found to be 16.7 %. The weight-average molecular weight of APCs is ∼105 Da, as determined by multiangle laser light scattering analysis. Side chain length analysis indicated that the relative proportions of side chains with a degree of polymerization in the ranges of 2-8 and 25-50 decreased and increased, respectively, during preparation of APCs. In the exercise experiment, the blood glucose level of rats was higher in the APC-treated group than in the groups treated with commercial carbohydrate supplement (CCD) and glucose. In the forced swimming test, the swimming time in the APC and CCD groups increased by 22.6 % and 31.1 %, respectively, compared with the glucose administration group. The insulin levels were also similar between the APC and CCD groups. However, the glycogen levels in the liver and muscles of mice were significantly higher in the APC group than control group. These results suggest that APCs could potentially enhance endurance when added to sports drinks.

Universal Training Precautions: A Review of Evidence and Recommendations for Prevention of Exercise-Related Injury, Illness, and Death in Warfighters and Athletes

Facing pressure to train for victory, warfighters and athletes encounter numerous health risks that are directly related to their regular physical training. The concept of universal training precautions (UTPs) signifies universal processes designed to prevent unnecessary bodily harm, including injury, illness, and death, during physical training programs. Although no formal guidelines exist for collectively implementing a defined set of UTPs to address a broad scope of exercise-related health risks, recommendations and guidelines have been published relating to preventing sudden death during high school sports and collegiate conditioning sessions. A long list of critical topics must be considered as UTPs, including physical fitness factors, transition-period accommodation, hydration, environmental factors and acclimatization, appropriate recovery, use of medications and dietary supplements, and importantly, leadership. In this article, we outline in detail, with corresponding Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy ratings, what should be considered universal recommendations to minimize the risk of warfighters and athletes coming to harm when participating in group physical activities.

The effects of fluid absorption and plasma volume changes in athletes following consumption of various beverages

BACKGROUND

To verify the hydration effects of oral rehydration solution (ORS) on athletes by comparing the degrees of fluid absorption and plasma volume changes following beverage consumption, including ORS.

METHODS

Thirty-one participants visited the testing laboratory 4 times at 1-week intervals to consume 1 L of beverage (e.g., water, ORS, and two sports drinks [SpD]) for 30 min on each visit. The urine output was measured 4 times at 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, and 4 h after beverage consumption. A blood sample was collected 3 times at 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h after beverage consumption. Body weight was measured once in 4 h after beverage consumption.

RESULTS

Body weight change was smaller for ORS than for water, SpD1, and SpD2 (p < 0.05). Cumulative urine output in 4 h was lower for ORS, SpD1, and SpD2 than for water (p < 0.05), and it was lower for ORS than for SpD2 (p < 0.05). BHI in 4 h was higher for ORS, SpD1, and SpD2 than for water (p < 0.05), and it was higher for ORS than for SpD2 (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in PVC for different beverages at all test times, i.e.., 1 h, 2 h, and 3 h.

CONCLUSIONS

We evaluated the hydration effects of the consumption of beverages, such as water, SpD, and ORS in athletes. ORS and SpD were more effective than water. A comparison between ORS and SpD showed that the result could vary depending on the type of SpD.

Tolerability and SCFA production after resistant starch supplementation in humans: a systematic review of randomized controlled studies

BACKGROUND

Resistant starches (RSs) have been advocated as a dietary supplement to address microbiota dysbiosis. They are postulated to act through the production of SCFAs. Their clinical tolerability and effect on SCFA production has not been systematically evaluated.

OBJECTIVES

We conducted a systematic review of RS supplementation as an intervention in adults (healthy individuals and persons with medical conditions) participating in randomized controlled trials. The primary outcome was tolerability of RS supplementation, the secondary outcome was SCFA production.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Central Register were searched. Articles were screened, and data extracted, independently and in duplicate.

RESULTS

A total of 39 trials met eligibility criteria, including a total of 2263 patients. Twenty-seven (69%) studies evaluated the impact of RS supplementation in healthy subjects whereas 12 (31%) studies included individuals with an underlying medical condition (e.g., obesity, prediabetes). Type 2 RS was most frequently investigated (29 studies). Of 12 studies performed in subjects with health conditions, 11 reported on tolerability. All studies showed that RS supplementation was tolerated; 9 of these studies used type 2 RS with doses of 20-40 g/d for >4 wk. Of 27 studies performed in healthy subjects, 20 reported on tolerability. In 14 studies, RS supplementation was tolerated, and the majority used type 2 RS with a dose between 20 and 40 g/d. Twenty-one (78%) studies reporting SCFAs used type 2 RS with a dose of 20-40 g/d for 1-4 wk. In 16 of 23 studies (70%), SCFA production was increased, in 7 studies there was no change in SCFA concentration before and after RS supplementation, and in 1 study SCFA concentration decreased.

CONCLUSIONS

Available evidence suggests that RS supplementation is tolerated in both healthy subjects and in those with an underlying medical condition. In addition, SCFA production was increased in most of the studies.

Contribution of Dietary Composition on Water Turnover Rates in Active and Sedentary Men

Body water turnover is a marker of hydration status for measuring total fluid gains and losses over a 24-h period. It can be particularly useful in predicting (and hence, managing) fluid loss in individuals to prevent potential physical, physiological and cognitive declines associated with hypohydration. There is currently limited research investigating the interrelationship of fluid balance, dietary intake and activity level when considering body water turnover. Therefore, this study investigates whether dietary composition and energy expenditure influences body water turnover. In our methodology, thirty-eight males (19 sedentary and 19 physically active) had their total body water and water turnover measured via the isotopic tracer deuterium oxide. Simultaneous tracking of dietary intake (food and fluid) is carried out via dietary recall, and energy expenditure is estimated via accelerometery. Our results show that active participants display a higher energy expenditure, water intake, carbohydrate intake and fibre intake; however, there is no difference in sodium or alcohol intake between the two groups. Relative water turnover in the active group is significantly greater than the sedentary group (Mean Difference (MD) [95% CI] = 17.55 g·kg^-1·day^-1 [10.90, 24.19]; p = < 0.001; g[95% CI] = 1.70 [0.98, 2.48]). A penalised linear regression provides evidence that the fibre intake (p = 0.033), water intake (p = 0.008), and activity level (p = 0.063) predict participants' relative body water turnover (R²= 0.585). In conclusion, water turnover is faster in individuals undertaking regular exercise than in their sedentary counterparts, and is, in part, explained by the intake of water from fluid and high-moisture content foods. The nutrient analysis of the participant diets indicates that increased dietary fibre intake is also positively associated with water turnover rates. The water loss between groups also contributes to the differences observed in water turnover; this is partly related to differences in sweat output during increased energy expenditure from physical activity.

Does the Minerals Content and Osmolarity of the Fluids Taken during Exercise by Female Field Hockey Players Influence on the Indicators of Water-Electrolyte and Acid-Basic Balance?

Although it is recognized that dehydration and acidification of the body may reduce the exercise capacity, it remains unclear whether the qualitative and quantitative shares of certain ions in the drinks used by players during the same exertion may affect the indicators of their water–electrolyte and acid–base balance. This question was the main purpose of the publication. The research was carried out on female field hockey players (n = 14) throughout three specialized training sessions, during which the players received randomly assigned fluids of different osmolarity and minerals contents. The water–electrolyte and acid–base balance of the players was assessed on the basis of biochemical blood and urine indicators immediately before and after each training session. There were statistically significant differences in the values of all examined indicators for changes before and after exercise, while the differences between the consumed drinks with different osmolarities were found for plasma osmolality, and concentrations of sodium and potassium ions and aldosterone. Therefore, it can be assumed that the degree of mineralization of the consumed water did not have a very significant impact on the indicators of water–electrolyte and acid–base balance in blood and urine.

Effect of Simulated Matches on Post-Exercise Biochemical Parameters in Women's Indoor and Beach Handball

This study assesses the status of hydration and the acid-base balance in female handball players in the Polish Second League before and after simulated matches in both indoor (hall) and beach (outdoor) conditions. The values of biochemical indicators useful for describing water-electrolyte management, such as osmolality, hematocrit, aldosterone, sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride and magnesium, were determined in the players’ fingertip capillary blood. Furthermore, the blood parameters of the acid-base balance were analysed, including pH, standard base excess, lactate and bicarbonate ion concentration. Additionally, the pH and specific gravity of the players’ urine were determined. The level of significance was set at p < 0.05. It was found that both indoor and beach simulated matches caused post-exercise changes in the biochemical profiles of the players’ blood and urine in terms of water-electrolyte and acid-base balance. Interestingly, the location of a simulated match (indoors vs. beach) had a statistically significant effect on only two of the parameters measured post-exercise: concentration of calcium ions (lower indoors) and urine pH (lower on the beach). A single simulated game, regardless of its location, directly affected the acid-base balance and, to a smaller extent, the water-electrolyte balance, depending mostly on the time spent physically active during the match.