We performed this study to evaluate the chronic effect of training on neutrophil functions in humans. Twenty-six university students (14 males and 12 females) with a mean age of 19.1±0.8 years were divided into the athlete group and the control group based on answers given to a written questionnaire. The capacity of circulating neutrophils to ingest bacteria (phagocytosis) and to produce superoxide (nitroblue tetrazolium reduction) was measured under resting conditions in the absence of training activities. In addition, we measured hematological and serum biochemical parameters. The present analyses revealed that the frequency of subjective symptoms concerning susceptibility to infections (sum of males and females) was higher in the athlete group than in the control group (p<0.05). In the investigation of males, hemoglobin and serum protein levels of the athlete group were lower than that of the control group (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectively). Although total and differential leukocyte counts, and phagocytic activity of neutrophils were not significantly different between the groups, superoxide productivity of neutrophils in the male athlete group was higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). Since significant differences were observed in hemoglobin and serum protein levels in the male athletes, the training is considered to have been intense. An increase was noted in the neutrophil superoxide production along with these changes, but no significant difference was observed in the phagocytic activity. Therefore, there is the possibility of superoxide overproduction, which may lead to tissue damage.
Neutrophils ; Training ; lower case pea ; athlete ; Superoxides

From a point of stress, the competitive sports are totally different from exercises for the health promotion. It would be even harmful especially for middle-distance or long-distance women runner. It brings them paramenia, defatigation and other orthopedic troubles which makes them unable to exercise further more.We have investigated the possibility of the preventive use of Kampo Medicine for those athletes and found that it is useful. The nine women who belong to the Tohoku-Region women team of long-distance relay road race had received Kampo medical treatment for 7 months. Serum CPK and AST were elevated with training exercise. In the cases whose CPK level was above 500 IU/l, most of them suffered from fatigue, leg pain, low back pain, and lower abdominal pain, which is very important for Kampo diagnosis. Because these symptoms unable athletes to exercise as planned, we understand that for the improvement of physical capacity, it is important to prevent those symptoms. For the treatment and prevention of the symptoms, we prescribed Keishibukuryogan, Rikkunshito, and Shimotsuto. We defined preventive medication period as “Mibyou” and continued to use Kampo medicine for 7 months. During the period, they were free from any troubles that would make them unable to exercise. These medicines enabled them to improve their records drastically. This study shows that preventive use of Kampo Medicine is extremely effective for any athletes to maintain their good conditions.
Medicine, Kampo ; athlete ; Exercise ; symptoms <1> ; Human Females

As female athletic participation has increased, the positive effects of exercise on health have become evident. However, with this growth in sports activity, a set of health problems unique to the female athlete has emerged. The female athlete triad and its components can occur in females of all ages in every sport. The Female Athlete Triad poses serious health risks, both short and long term, to the overall well-being of affected individuals. Sustained low energy availability can impair health, causing many medical complications within the skeletal, endocrine, cardiovascular, reproductive, and central nervous systems. With the surge of females participating in athletics within the past 10 to 15 years, it is both conceivable and likely that the prevalence of this syndrome will continue to grow. Therefore, it is imperative that appropriate screening and diagnostic measures are enacted by a multidisciplinary team of health care providers, counselors, teachers, and dieticians in order to provide the proper care to affected athletes. Initial awareness should take place within the educational confines of elementary and high schools. Screening for female athletes exhibiting risk factors for the triad should also take place at the time of sports physicals. If one component of the triad is identified, the clinician should take the time to effectively workup the other. Treatment for each component of the triad includes both pharmacological and nonpharmacological measures, with emphasis placed upon increased energy availability and overall improved nutritional health. Using this all-encompassing type of approach, sports medicine practitioners should feel empowered to continue to promote the lifelong well-being of female athletes in the years to come.
Athletes* ; Central Nervous System ; Counseling ; Female ; Female Athlete Triad Syndrome ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Nutritionists ; Prevalence ; Risk Factors ; Sports ; Sports Medicine

The past three decades have seen a dramatic increase in female participation in athletics. The presentation of female athlete in 2008 Beijing Olympic Game increased up to 42.4% of total competitors. Despite the increased participation in female athletics, sports medicine research focusing on female athletics is still in its early stages. The unique anatomic, physiologic, and biomechanical characteristics of female need special attention. In general, females are shorter in stature, shorter femur, wider pelvis, larger knee valgus, narrower shoulder, and more lax in soft tissue. Females tend to have more fat, less muscle mass, and lower bone mineral density than equally trained males. Female athletes also have a concern about the pregnancy and cyclic hormonal changes with menstruation. The important musculoskeletal conditions for female athlete are scoliosis, shoulder instability and frequent knee problems including anterior cruciate ligament injury. Medically, female athlete triad composed with disordered eating, athletic amenorrhea, and premature osteoporosis is a major problems to evaluate and needs the early management.
Amenorrhea ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Athletes ; Athletic Injuries ; Bone Density ; Eating ; Female ; Female Athlete Triad Syndrome ; Femur ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Menstruation ; Muscles ; Osteoporosis ; Pelvis ; Pregnancy ; Scoliosis ; Shoulder ; Sports ; Sports Medicine

The past three decades have seen a dramatic increase in female participation in athletics. The presentation of female athlete in 2008 Beijing Olympic Game increased up to 42.4% of total competitors. Despite the increased participation in female athletics, sports medicine research focusing on female athletics is still in its early stages. The unique anatomic, physiologic, and biomechanical characteristics of female need special attention. In general, females are shorter in stature, shorter femur, wider pelvis, larger knee valgus, narrower shoulder, and more lax in soft tissue. Females tend to have more fat, less muscle mass, and lower bone mineral density than equally trained males. Female athletes also have a concern about the pregnancy and cyclic hormonal changes with menstruation. The important musculoskeletal conditions for female athlete are scoliosis, shoulder instability and frequent knee problems including anterior cruciate ligament injury. Medically, female athlete triad composed with disordered eating, athletic amenorrhea, and premature osteoporosis is a major problems to evaluate and needs the early management.
Amenorrhea ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; Athletes ; Athletic Injuries ; Bone Density ; Eating ; Female ; Female Athlete Triad Syndrome ; Femur ; Humans ; Knee ; Male ; Menstruation ; Muscles ; Osteoporosis ; Pelvis ; Pregnancy ; Scoliosis ; Shoulder ; Sports ; Sports Medicine