The Disturbing Effect of Neuromuscular Fatigue on Postural Control Is Accentuated in the Premenstrual Phase in Female Athletes

Does Phase of the Menstrual Cycle Affect Balance and Postural Control?

The aim of the study is to examine the effects of menstrual cycle phases (MCP) on balance and postural control. The study was carried out with 63 volunteer women. Digital ovulation kits and, a Menstrual Cycle Regularity Questionnaire (MCRQ) to detect menstrual cycle regularity and duration, Premenstrual Syndrome Questionnaire (PMSQ) to question the presence of premenstrual syndrome, Menstruation Attitude Questionnaire (MAQ) to assess menstrual attitudes, International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF) to question physical activity level was used. Balance and postural oscillation were evaluated with Balance Master balance and performance test device and Tekscan MatScan™ Pressure Mat System, respectively. All evaluations were repeated twice, in the preovulatory period and the postovulatory period. When the evaluations of the preovulatory period and the postovulatory period were compared, there was %3 increase in the percent weight-bearing of the non-dominant extremity (p = 0.01) and %2.5 decrease in the percent weight-bearing of the dominant limb in the postovulatory period (p = 0.01). %8 increase in functional reach distances was detected in the postovulatory period (p < 0.01). It was determined that there was %7.4 decrease in the oscillation rate of the center of gravity in the static stance with eyes open and %9 decrease in the static stance with eyes closed in the postovulatory period (p = 0.35, p = 0.18, respectively). It has been determined that the balance and postural control of young women are negatively affected in the preovulatory period and the function improved from the preovulatory period to the postovulatory period.

Intrinsic Risk Factors for Ankle Sprain Differ Between Male and Female Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background

Ankle sprains remain prevalent across most team sports. However, despite divergent ankle sprain injury rates in male and female athletes, little is known about potential sex-specific risk factors for ankle sprain.

Objective

To systematically investigate the sex-specific risk factors for ankle sprain.

Methods

Combinations of the key terms were entered into PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library databases, and prospective studies reporting ankle sprain risk factors in males or females were included for meta-analysis.

Results

Sixteen studies were eligible for inclusion, for a total of 3636 athletes (735 female) and 576 ankle sprains (117 female). Out of 21 prognostic factors, previous ankle sprain injury (odds ratio = 2.74, P < .001), higher body mass index (SMD = 0.50, P < 0.001), higher weight (SMD = 0.24, P = 0.02), lower isometric hip abduction strength (SMD = − 0.52, P < 0.0001) and lower dynamic balance performance (SMD = − 0.48 to − 0.22, P < 0.001–0.04) were identified as risk factors in male athletes. In female athletes, out of 18 factors eligible for meta-analysis, only lower concentric dorsiflexion strength was identified as a risk factor (SMD = − 0.48, P = 0.005).

Conclusion

This meta-analysis provides novel evidence for different risk factor profiles for ankle sprain injuries between female and male athletes. Further studies, particularly in female athletes, are needed to strengthen the evidence.

Central and Peripheral Fatigue in Physical Exercise Explained: A Narrative Review

The study of the origin and implications of fatigue in exercise has been widely investigated, but not completely understood given the complex multifactorial mechanisms involved. Then, it is essential to understand the fatigue mechanism to help trainers and physicians to prescribe an adequate training load. The present narrative review aims to analyze the multifactorial factors of fatigue in physical exercise. To reach this aim, a consensus and critical review were performed using both primary sources, such as scientific articles, and secondary ones, such as bibliographic indexes, web pages, and databases. The main search engines were PubMed, SciELO, and Google Scholar. Central and peripheral fatigue are two unison constructs part of the Integrative Governor theory, in which both psychological and physiological drives and requirements are underpinned by homeostatic principles. The relative activity of each one is regulated by dynamic negative feedback activity, as the fundamental general operational controller. Fatigue is conditioned by factors such as gender, affecting men and women differently. Sleep deprivation or psychological disturbances caused, for example, by stress, can affect neural activation patterns, realigning them and slowing down simple mental operations in the context of fatigue. Then, fatigue can have different origins not only related with physiological factors. Therefore, all these prisms must be considered for future approaches from sport and clinical perspectives.

Antifatigue Effect of Panax Notoginseng Leaves Fermented With Microorganisms: In-vitro and In-vivo Evaluation

Fatigue is a common physiological phenomenon caused by many complicated factors. Excessive fatigue will lead to a series of uncomfortable reactions and damage body health. Panax notoginseng leaves (PNL) is a new resource food that good for soothing nerves, nourishing the heart, and strengthening the spleen. Microbial fermentation could increase the content of bio-ingredients and produce new active ingredients. However, the effect of fermented P. notoginseng leaves (FPNL) on antifatigue and the molecular mechanisms remain to be elucidated. Thus, in this study, we evaluated the antifatigue effect of co-fermented P. notoginseng leaves by Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis in-vitro and in-vivo, and its mechanism was further elucidated. The results showed that FPNL exhibited higher saponins, organic phenolic acids content, and antioxidant activity than PNL. FPNL improved ISO-induced H9c2 myocardial cell damage by alleviating apoptosis (modulating Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression) and reducing antioxidant activity in-vitro. Moreover, in-vivo experiment showed that FPNL significantly prolonged the weight-loading swimming time of mice. After gavaged FPNL, the levels of liver glycogen (LG) and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity were increased in mice. In contrast, the levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate acid, and malondialdehyde (MDA) were decreased. In summary, our results indicated that FPNL showed a good antifatigue effect in-vivo and in-vitro.