Hydration, Hyperthermia, Glycogen, and Recovery: Crucial Factors in Exercise Performance-A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

A novel tobamo-like mycovirus with filamentous particles replicates in plant cells

Parasitic and symbiotic plant-fungus relationships have existed for millions of years, and phylogenetic analyses of certain virus families indicate transmission between plants and fungi. A group of tobamo-like viruses from various fungi has recently been identified. Tobamo-like viruses are homologous to plant viruses of the Tobamovirus genus in the Virgaviridae family, but it was unknown whether they form typical virus particles and can replicate and exhibit cell-to-cell movement in plants. Here, a novel tobamo-like virus, Nigrospora aurantiaca tobamo-like virus 1 (NaTLV1), obtained from the phytopathogenic fungus Nigrospora aurantiaca, was characterized. Its genome (10,301 nucleotides) comprises four open reading frames (ORFs) and a poly(A) tail. ORF1 encodes a methyltransferase and helicase, and ORF2 encodes RNA-dependent RNA polymerase, which are closely related to proteins of Virgaviridae viruses. ORF3 encodes a putative movement protein, and ORF4 encodes a putative coat protein, which are closely related to proteins of Gammaflexiviridae and Betaflexiviridae viruses. NaTLV1 formed filamentous virus particles and could replicate in Nicotiana benthamiana. However, the cell-to-cell movement of NaTLV1 was not observed in N. benthamiana but could not be ruled out. NaTLV1 underwent horizontal and vertical transmissions via hyphal anastomosis and conidia, respectively. There were no significant differences in phenotype or virulence between NaTLV1-infected (A4) and NaTLV1-free (V1) N. aurantiaca strains. In general, our findings may be useful in elucidating the origination and evolution of tobamo-like viruses, plant virus families (Virgaviridae and Betaflexiviridae), and a fungal virus family (Gammaflexiviridae).IMPORTANCECross-kingdom infections involving plant- and fungal-associated viruses have been directly observed in nature, and some of these viruses share a high degree of genetic similarity. A group of novel tobamo-like viruses with nonsegmented single-stranded RNA genomes was recently isolated from diverse fungal groups. Here, we identified a novel virus, Nigrospora aurantiaca tobamo-like virus 1 (NaTLV1), in the phytopathogenic fungus Nigrospora aurantiaca. NaTLV1 was phylogenetically related to other tobamo-like viruses, plant-associated viruses in the Virgaviridae and Betaflexiviridae families, and fungus-associated viruses in the Gammaflexiviridae family. NaTLV1 formed filamentous virus particles and could replicate in Nicotiana benthamiana, but the cell-to-cell movement of NaTLV1 was not observed. This study provides potential insights into the origins and evolution of mycoviruses originating from plant viruses and indicates that tobamo-like viruses may have adapted to an intracellular lifestyle during evolution. The identification of novel tobamo-like viruses is crucial for understanding fungal and plant virus evolution.

Nutritional Strategies to Improve Post-exercise Recovery and Subsequent Exercise Performance: A Narrative Review

Post-exercise recovery strategies influence the body's ability to restore physiological homeostasis, replenish energy stores, repair muscle damage, and promote desired adaptations, which improve exercise performance. This narrative review examines the impact of nutritional strategies commonly used for enhancing recovery and subsequent exercise performance, particularly when athletes face short recovery periods. Carbohydrate ingestion is essential for glycogen replenishment, especially within the initial hours post-exercise, with its impact dependent on the types, timing, and amount. Protein is essential for accelerating muscle recovery and achieving a positive nitrogen balance, depending on the type and dosage. The co-ingestion of carbohydrates with proteins or fats is explored for its role in maximizing glycogen resynthesis and muscle repair, with evidence supporting the addition of protein to suboptimal carbohydrate intake for enhanced recovery. Moreover, this review addresses the potential benefits of creatine and caffeine co-ingestion for accelerating glycogen synthesis and improving subsequent performance. Hydration strategies, including the use of milk-based beverages and electrolyte solutions, are also discussed, emphasizing their importance in maintaining fluid balance and optimizing recovery. This review also highlights the emerging role of micronutrients such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and sodium bicarbonate in reducing muscle damage and improving acid-base balance. Evidence supports the tailored use of these nutritional strategies, particularly for athletes managing tight competition/training schedules. Future research should focus on refining individualized approaches for recovery and investigating the impact of novel supplements on subsequent performance.

Trends and Missing Links in (De)Hydration Research: A Narrative Review

Despite decades of literature on (de)hydration in healthy individuals, many unanswered questions remain. To outline research and policy priorities, it is fundamental to recognize the literature trends on (de)hydration and identify current research gaps, which herein we aimed to pinpoint. From a representative sample of 180 (de)hydration studies with 4350 individuals, we found that research is mainly limited to small-scale laboratory-based sample sizes, with high variability in demographics (sex, age, and level of competition); to non-ecological (highly simulated and controlled) conditions; and with a focus on recreationally active male adults (e.g., Tier 1, non-athletes). The laboratory-simulated environments are limiting factors underpinning the need to better translate scientific research into field studies. Although, consistently, dehydration is defined as the loss of 2% of body weight, the hydration status is estimated using a very heterogeneous range of parameters. Water is the most researched hydration fluid, followed by alcoholic beverages with added carbohydrates (CHO). The current research still overlooks beverages supplemented with proteins, amino acids (AA), and glycerol. Future research should invest more effort in "real-world" studies with larger and more heterogeneous cohorts, exploring the entire available spectrum of fluids while addressing hydration outcomes more harmoniously.

The Effects of Acute Deep Seawater Supplementation on Muscle Function after Triathlon

(1) Background: Trainers and athletes have always sought to reduce the failure of muscle function during long endurance events. However, nowadays, it is a topic that is generating much debate in the scientific field. Currently, deep-sea water (DSW) intake seems to be a suitable hydration alternative for this type of endurance event. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine whether DSW consumption during a triathlon event could preserve muscle function after exercise. (2) Methods: Nineteen trained male triathletes (age = 39.0 ± 4.25 years; BMI = 23.67 ± 1.81 kg/m2) randomly performed three triathlons, one of them consuming DSW (Totum SPORT 30 AB, Laboratories Quinton International, S.L., Spain), the other consuming isotonic placebo and the last with tap water-hydration. A vertical jump test with countermovement and an isometric muscle strength test were conducted before and after the triathlon test. (3) Results: There was a significant difference between treatment × time during the isometric muscle strength test. Based on the Tukey post hoc analysis, the peak net force decreased statistically in the placebo (p = 0.045) and control conditions (p = 0.026), but not in the experimental condition (p = 0.121). In addition, all of the conditions studied obtained similar results in the countermovement vertical jump after exercise. (4) Conclusions: As a result, consumption of DSW seems to delay the failure of muscle function specifically in isometric exercises but does not improve performance in sports. Thus, DSW does not alter muscle capacity in a negative way; therefore, its consumption may be recommended.

Compositional Aspects of Beverages Designed to Promote Hydration Before, During, and After Exercise: Concepts Revisited

Hypohydration can impair aerobic performance and deteriorate cognitive function during exercise. To minimize hypohydration, athletes are recommended to commence exercise at least euhydrated, ingest fluids containing sodium during long-duration and/or high-intensity exercise to prevent body mass loss over 2% and maintain elevated plasma osmolality, and rapidly restore and retain fluid and electrolyte homeostasis before a second exercise session. To achieve these goals, the compositions of the fluids consumed are key; however, it remains unclear what can be considered an optimal formulation for a hydration beverage in different settings. While carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions such as sports drinks have been extensively explored as a source of carbohydrates to meet fuel demands during intense and long-duration exercise, these formulas might not be ideal in situations where fluid and electrolyte balance is impaired, such as practicing exercise in the heat. Alternately, hypotonic compositions consisting of moderate to high levels of electrolytes (i.e., ≥45 mmol/L), mainly sodium, combined with low amounts of carbohydrates (i.e., <6%) might be useful to accelerate intestinal water absorption, maintain plasma volume and osmolality during exercise, and improve fluid retention during recovery. Future studies should compare hypotonic formulas and sports drinks in different exercise settings, evaluating different levels of sodium and/or other electrolytes, blends of carbohydrates, and novel ingredients for addressing hydration and rehydration before, during, and after exercise.