The effect of methylphenidate on the dopamine and growth hormone response to exercise in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Purpose: To assess the growth hormone (GH) and Dopamine (DA) response to exercise in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with and without methylphenidate (MP). We hypothesized that the GH and DA response to the exercise with MP would be siginicantly lower.

Methods: Twenty children participated in the study (12 males and 8 females, age range 9-13 years).

IGF1 Genetic Polymorphism and the Association between Vitamin D Status and BMI Percentiles in Children.

Both the IGF1 axis and hypovitaminosis D play a role in childhood obesity, either as a cause or a causality. While some studies suggest an interrelation between vitamin D status, IGF1, and obesity, this mechanism remains obscure. The aim of this study, therefore, was to explore associations between four genetic polymorphisms in the IGF1 axis in hypovitaminosis D-related obesity.

The Genetic Basis of Decathlon Performance: An Exploratory Study.

Remmel, L, Ben-Zaken, S, Meckel, Y, Nemet, D, Eliakim, A, and Jürimäe, J. The genetic basis of decathlon performance: an exploratory study. J Strength Cond Res 37(8): 1660-1666, 2023-Decathlon is a combined track and field competition consisting of 10 different events, most of which are anaerobic-type events.

Reduced exercise-induced growth hormone secretion among children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Purpose: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is typically a chronic, often lifelong condition. Data suggest that ADHD itself and its treatment may be associated with dysregulated growth, including height and BMI. The reason for this association is yet unknown.

The prevalence of IGF-I axis genetic polymorphisms among decathlon athletes.

Objective: Decathlon is a combined track and field competition, consisting of ten, mainly anaerobic events. Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF1) axis plays a pivotal role in athletes' structural and functional muscle adaptation to exercise training, and in their competitive performance. Based on the great demand for speed physiological characteristics among decathlon athletes, the aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of IGF genetic polymorphisms among decathletes, to present an optimal genetic profile for enhancing performance.

Common genetic basis of ALS patients and soccer players may contribute to disease risk.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to determine the prevalence of the ACSL A/G single nucleotide polymorphism among athletes and patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder of motor neurons that leads to paralysis and death usually within 3-5 years from onset. Previous epidemiological studies reported a higher risk of ALS among soccer players.

Genetic characteristics of competitive swimmers: a review.

A successful swimming performance is a multi-factorial accomplishment, resulting from a complex interaction of physical, biomechanical, physiological and psychological factors, all of which are strongly affected by the special medium of water as well as by genetic factors. The nature of competitive swimming is unique, as most of the competitive events last less than four minutes. Yet training regimens have an endurance nature (many hours and many kilometres of swimming every day), which makes it impossible to classify swimming by definitions of aerobic-type or anaerobic-type events, as in track and field sports.

Insulin-like Growth Factor Axis Genetic Score and Sports Excellence.

Ben-Zaken, S, Meckel, Y, Nemet, D, and Eliakim, A. Insulin-like growth factor axis genetic score and sports excellence. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2421-2426, 2021-It has been suggested that IGF1 polymorphisms associated with circulating IGF1 levels may be linked to elite short-distance running performance.

Correlates of Early-Stage Frailty-Sleep, Fitness, Oxidative Stress, and BMI.

Frailty reflects a decreased reserve in multiple systems resulting from cumulative decline. Frailty markers should be identified as early as possible to attenuate the loss of reserve. The aim of this study was to identify potentially modifiable correlates of frailty in relatively healthy older adults.

Sex Differences in Vitamin D Deficiency and Anthropometric Measurements in School-age Children from Rural Areas in Israel.

Background: Vitamin D is essential for skeletal health. Because peak bone mass accrual occurs during childhood and adolescence, vitamin D insufficiency during this period of life could cause adverse health outcomes.

Objectives: To explore the potential sex differences in anthropometric indicators and vitamin D status among primary school-age children.

The combined frequencies of the IL-6 G-174C and IGFBP3 A-202C polymorphisms among swimmers and runners.

Unlabelled: Previous studies have demonstrated that compared to runners, swimmers carry a higher prevalence of the IL-6 -174C polymorphism and lower single nucleotide polymorphism frequencies of the IGF system.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the combined frequency of the IL-6 -174G/C and IGFBP3 -202A/C polymorphisms among track and field athletes and swimmers.

Methods: Track and field athletes were divided into long-distance runners (major event 5000 m-marathon, n = 63) and power athletes (major event 100-200 m sprints and long jump, n = 67).

Genetic Basis for the Dominance of Israeli Long-Distance Runners of Ethiopian Origin.

Ben-Zaken, S, Meckel, Y, Nemet, D, Kassem, E, and Eliakim, A. Genetic basis for the dominance of Israeli long-distance runners of Ethiopian origin. J Strength Cond Res 35(7): 1885-1896, 2021-Israeli long-distance runners of Ethiopian origin have a major influence on the track and field long-distance record table.

High prevalence of the IGF2 rs680 GG polymorphism among top-level sprinters and jumpers.

Unlabelled: Previous studies have shown that the IGF1 polymorphism is associated with greater muscle mass and improved power athletic ability, but very little is known about the IGF2 polymorphism and athletic performance.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency distribution of the IGF2 rs680 polymorphism among Israeli athletes.

Methods: 185 short- (n=72) and long-distance (n=113) runners, 94 short- (n=44) and long-distance (n=50) swimmers, 54 weight lifters and 111 controls participated in the study.

The combined frequency of IGF and myostatin polymorphism among track & field athletes and swimmers.

Objective: The IGF C-1245T (rs35767) and the myostatin (MSTN) Lys(K)-153Arg(R) genetic polymorphism may influence skeletal muscle phenotypes and athletic performance. Carrying the minor IGF T allele and the myostatin rare R allele was associated with higher circulating IGF-I levels, greater muscle mass and improved performance. The aim of the present study was to assess the combined frequency of the IGF 1245T (rs35767) and MSTN 153Arg(R) polymorphism among Israeli track and field athletes (n=111) and swimmers (n=80).

Polymorphism of the IGF-I System and Sports Performance.

The potential use genetic polymorphism, and in particularly polymorphism of hormone genes, as tool to predict athletic performance is currently very challenging. Recent studies suggest that single nucleotide polymorphisms in IGF-I and myostatin may be beneficial for endurance and short distance running, and may even be associated with elite performance. Polymorphism in IGF-I receptor may differentiate between the two edges of the endurance-power athletic performance running spectrum suggesting beneficial effects for endurance and prevent from success in power events.

Genetic Variability Among Power Athletes: The Stronger vs. the Faster.

Ben-Zaken, S, Eliakim, A, Nemet, D, and Meckel, Y. Genetic variability among power athletes: the stronger vs. the faster.

ACTN3 Polymorphism: Comparison Between Elite Swimmers and Runners.

Background: The human gene encodes α-actinin-3, an actin-binding protein with a pivotal role in muscle structure and metabolism. A common genetic single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) at codon 577 of the results in the replacement of an arginine (R) with a stop codon (X). The R allele is a normal functional version of the gene, whereas the X allele contains a sequence change that completely stops production of functional α-actinin-3 protein.

Rhabdomyolysis After Out-of-Water Exercise in an Elite Adolescent Water Polo Player Carrying the IL-6 174C Allele Single-Nucleotide Polymorphism.

We present an adolescent elite water polo player who despite a genetic predisposition to develop exercise-induced severe muscle damage due to carrying the IL-6 174C allele single-nucleotide polymorphism, developed acute rhabdomyolysis only after a vigorous out-of-water training, suggesting that water polo training may be more suitable for genetically predisposed athletes.

Frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among track & field athletes and swimmers.

Unlabelled: The myostatin (MSTN) Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism may influence skeletal muscle phenotypes. Carrying the rare R allele was associated with greater muscle mass.

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to assess the frequency of the MSTN Lys(K)-153Arg(R) polymorphism among Israeli track and field athletes (n=185) and swimmers (n=80).

IGF-I and IGF-I receptor polymorphisms among elite swimmers.

In recent years several genetic polymorphisms related to the GH-IGF-I axis were suggested to promote athletic excellence in endurance and power sports. We studied the presence of the C-1245T SNP (rs35767), a nucleotide substitution in the promoter region of the IGF-I gene, and the presence of the 275124A > C SNP (rs1464430), a common nucleotide substitution in the intron region of the IGF-I receptor (IGF-IR) gene in elite long and short-distance swimmers compared with nonphysically active controls. The rare T/T IGF-I polymorphism was found only in 5.

IGF-I receptor 275124A>C (rs1464430) polymorphism and athletic performance.

Objectives: To examine the prevalence of the Insulin-Like Growth Factor-I receptor (IGF-IR) 275124A>C polymorphism, known to be associated with exercise-related cardiac hypertrophy, among elite endurance and power athletes.

Design: One hundred and fifty-nine athletes (118 men and 41 women, age: 35.9±12.

Genetic profiles and prediction of the success of young athletes' transition from middle- to long-distance runs: an exploratory study.

The aim of the study was to assess whether an aerobic-favoring genetic profile can predict the success of a shift from middle- to long-distance running. Thirteen elite middle-distance runners were divided into successful and nonsuccessful groups in their shift toward long-distance runs. All the runners began their training program at the age of 14-15, and after 6-7 years, changed focus and adjusted their training program to fit longer running distances.

Can IGF-I polymorphism affect power and endurance athletic performance?

Objective: Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) plays a key role in exercise-associated muscle growth and development. The regulatory region of the promoter of the IGF-I gene is labile, but changes in this region were studied mostly in the elderly and in relation to pathological states. C-1245T (rs35767) is a genetic variation in the promoter region of the IGF-I gene.