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A prevalência de sintomas de asma, broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE), hiperresponsividade brônquica (HRB) e alergia em atletas que praticam modalidades de alto rendimento e longa duração tem aumentado nas últimas décadas e tem sido estudada principalmente em atletas de inverno e nadadores. No entanto, a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia e os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE que ocorre em corredores de longa distância permanecem pouco conhecidos. Objetivos: O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia em corredores de longa distância de elite e investigar os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE nos atletas sem histórico de asma. Casuística e Métodos: Este estudo foi realizado em duas fases: na Fase I, foi avaliada a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia em 201 corredores de longa distância, através da aplicação dos questionários ISAAC e AQUA©. Na Fase II, foram avaliados os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE de 40 corredores que não apresentaram sintomas de asma na Fase I e que foram selecionados aleatoriamente. Nesta fase, os atletas compareceram ao laboratório em três momentos, com intervalo máximo de duas semanas entre cada visita, e foram submetidos às seguintes avaliações 1º) escarro induzido e teste cardiopulmonar máximo, 2º) broncoprovocação por metacolina e, 3º) óxido nítrico no ar exalado (FeNO), metabólitos LTE4 e 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 e teste de hiperventilação eucápnica voluntária (HEV). Resultados: A prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia foi de 6,5% e 60,5%, respectivamente. Ao analisar as questões do AQUA©, observou-se alta frequência de sintomas de BIE (62,3%) e rinite (56,6%). Os sintomas de alergia não foram associados a variáveis como gênero, idade, experiência em corridas de longa distância, volume de treinamento semanal e desempenho em provas de meia maratona e maratona. Verificou-se ainda que a prevalência de BIE foi de 27,5%. Quando comparados os atletas BIE+ e BIE- não foram observadas diferenças nos valores de VEF1 absoluto, nas medidas antropométricas, nas características de treinamento e também no desempenho. Os atletas BIE+ relataram mais sintomas de alergia (p=0,03), se mostraram mais responsivos à metacolina (p=0,01), apresentaram maior porcentagem de eosinófilos no escarro (p=0,03) e níveis mais elevados de FeNO (p < 0,001*) quando comparados aos atletas BIE-. Os níveis urinários de LTE4 e 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 basais e após 60 minutos do teste de HEV foram similares entre os grupos BIE+ e BIE-, no entanto, ao comparar os níveis destes mediadores antes e após o teste de HEV, observou-se uma diminuição nos níveis de LTE4, apenas nos atletas BIE- (p=0,04). Conclusões: Corredores de longa distância apresentam elevada prevalência de sintomas de alergia e BIE e baixa prevalência de sintomas de asma. Além disto, os atletas BIE+ referem mais sintomas de alergia, são mais hiperresponsivos à metacolina, apresentam um padrão inflamatório eosinofílico e elevados níveis de FeNO embora sem diferenças nos níveis basais dos metabólitos do mastócito / An increased prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) has been observed in elite and endurance athletes, especially winter sports athletes and swimmers. However, the occurrence of allergy symptoms and the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the EIB that occurs in long distance runners remains poorly known. Objectives: the aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy in long distance runners and to investigate possible inflammatory mediators involved in the EIB that occurs in those without asthma history. Methods: This cross sectional study was performed in two phases. In Phase I, the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy was assessed in 201 long distance runners using ISAAC and AQUA© questionnaires. In Phase II, 40 athletes were randomly selected among those who did not present asthma history and they performed the following measurements: induced sputum, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, methacholine bronchoprovocation challenge, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), urinary collection to quantify LTE4 and 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 metabolites and eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation test (EVH). Results: The prevalence of asthma and allergy symptoms was 6.5% and 60.5%, respectively. In addition, we observed a high frequency of EIB symptoms (62.3%) and rhinitis (56.6%). Allergy symptoms were not associated with anthropometric characteristics, running experience, weekly training volume and best half-marathon and marathon performance. The prevalence of EIB was 27.5% and no difference in baseline lung function, anthropometric data as well as training and performance characteristics was observed between athletes with (EIB+) and without (EIB-) EIB. EIB+ athletes reported more allergy symptoms (p=0.03) and were more resposive to methacholine (p=0.01) than EIB- athletes. A higher percentage of eosinophils in the induced sputum (p=0.03) and levels of FeNO (p < 0.001*) were observed in EIB+ athletes. However, there was no difference in the urinary levels of LTE4 and 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 either at baseline or after EVH test. Conclusions: Long distance runners have a high prevalence of allergy symptoms and EIB and a low prevalence of asthma symptoms. Moreover, EIB+ athletes report more symptoms of allergy and present airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilic inflammation and increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide, without difference in the baseline levels of mast cell metabolites

<p><strong>Purpose</strong>: Examine if there is a connection between the athletic performance and the financial status in football clubs.</p><p><strong>Theoretical perspectives</strong>: This thesis is based on the theory that the modern football club is like every other company trying to maximize profit. The clubs should therefore use the same business strategies.</p><p><strong>Empirical foundation</strong>: The study is based on 25 observations over five years and five Allsvenska football clubs. The data is a compilation of the key ratios from the annual reports and the league table, years 2004 through 2008 in the clubs. Year 2009’s league table place is also included since tests have been done with one year’s displacement between the financial status and the league table.</p><p><strong>Conclusion</strong>:</p><ul><li>There is no correlation between solidity and the place in the league table in Allsvenska football clubs.</li><li>There is no correlation between net profit and the place in the league table in Allsvenska football clubs.</li><li>There is no correlation between equity and the place in the league table in Allsvenska football clubs.</li></ul>

Purpose: Examine if there is a connection between the athletic performance and the financial status in football clubs. Theoretical perspectives: This thesis is based on the theory that the modern football club is like every other company trying to maximize profit. The clubs should therefore use the same business strategies. Empirical foundation: The study is based on 25 observations over five years and five Allsvenska football clubs. The data is a compilation of the key ratios from the annual reports and the league table, years 2004 through 2008 in the clubs. Year 2009’s league table place is also included since tests have been done with one year’s displacement between the financial status and the league table. Conclusion: There is no correlation between solidity and the place in the league table in Allsvenska football clubs. There is no correlation between net profit and the place in the league table in Allsvenska football clubs. There is no correlation between equity and the place in the league table in Allsvenska football clubs.

A prevalência de sintomas de asma, broncoespasmo induzido pelo exercício (BIE), hiperresponsividade brônquica (HRB) e alergia em atletas que praticam modalidades de alto rendimento e longa duração tem aumentado nas últimas décadas e tem sido estudada principalmente em atletas de inverno e nadadores. No entanto, a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia e os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE que ocorre em corredores de longa distância permanecem pouco conhecidos. Objetivos: O presente estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia em corredores de longa distância de elite e investigar os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE nos atletas sem histórico de asma. Casuística e Métodos: Este estudo foi realizado em duas fases: na Fase I, foi avaliada a prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia em 201 corredores de longa distância, através da aplicação dos questionários ISAAC e AQUA©. Na Fase II, foram avaliados os mecanismos inflamatórios envolvidos no BIE de 40 corredores que não apresentaram sintomas de asma na Fase I e que foram selecionados aleatoriamente. Nesta fase, os atletas compareceram ao laboratório em três momentos, com intervalo máximo de duas semanas entre cada visita, e foram submetidos às seguintes avaliações 1º) escarro induzido e teste cardiopulmonar máximo, 2º) broncoprovocação por metacolina e, 3º) óxido nítrico no ar exalado (FeNO), metabólitos LTE4 e 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 e teste de hiperventilação eucápnica voluntária (HEV). Resultados: A prevalência de sintomas de asma e alergia foi de 6,5% e 60,5%, respectivamente. Ao analisar as questões do AQUA©, observou-se alta frequência de sintomas de BIE (62,3%) e rinite (56,6%). Os sintomas de alergia não foram associados a variáveis como gênero, idade, experiência em corridas de longa distância, volume de treinamento semanal e desempenho em provas de meia maratona e maratona. Verificou-se ainda que a prevalência de BIE foi de 27,5%. Quando comparados os atletas BIE+ e BIE- não foram observadas diferenças nos valores de VEF1 absoluto, nas medidas antropométricas, nas características de treinamento e também no desempenho. Os atletas BIE+ relataram mais sintomas de alergia (p=0,03), se mostraram mais responsivos à metacolina (p=0,01), apresentaram maior porcentagem de eosinófilos no escarro (p=0,03) e níveis mais elevados de FeNO (p < 0,001*) quando comparados aos atletas BIE-. Os níveis urinários de LTE4 e 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 basais e após 60 minutos do teste de HEV foram similares entre os grupos BIE+ e BIE-, no entanto, ao comparar os níveis destes mediadores antes e após o teste de HEV, observou-se uma diminuição nos níveis de LTE4, apenas nos atletas BIE- (p=0,04). Conclusões: Corredores de longa distância apresentam elevada prevalência de sintomas de alergia e BIE e baixa prevalência de sintomas de asma. Além disto, os atletas BIE+ referem mais sintomas de alergia, são mais hiperresponsivos à metacolina, apresentam um padrão inflamatório eosinofílico e elevados níveis de FeNO embora sem diferenças nos níveis basais dos metabólitos do mastócito / An increased prevalence of asthma and allergic symptoms, exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB) and bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) has been observed in elite and endurance athletes, especially winter sports athletes and swimmers. However, the occurrence of allergy symptoms and the inflammatory mechanisms involved in the EIB that occurs in long distance runners remains poorly known. Objectives: the aims of the present study were to assess the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy in long distance runners and to investigate possible inflammatory mediators involved in the EIB that occurs in those without asthma history. Methods: This cross sectional study was performed in two phases. In Phase I, the prevalence of symptoms of asthma and allergy was assessed in 201 long distance runners using ISAAC and AQUA© questionnaires. In Phase II, 40 athletes were randomly selected among those who did not present asthma history and they performed the following measurements: induced sputum, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, methacholine bronchoprovocation challenge, exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), urinary collection to quantify LTE4 and 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 metabolites and eucapnic voluntary hyperventilation test (EVH). Results: The prevalence of asthma and allergy symptoms was 6.5% and 60.5%, respectively. In addition, we observed a high frequency of EIB symptoms (62.3%) and rhinitis (56.6%). Allergy symptoms were not associated with anthropometric characteristics, running experience, weekly training volume and best half-marathon and marathon performance. The prevalence of EIB was 27.5% and no difference in baseline lung function, anthropometric data as well as training and performance characteristics was observed between athletes with (EIB+) and without (EIB-) EIB. EIB+ athletes reported more allergy symptoms (p=0.03) and were more resposive to methacholine (p=0.01) than EIB- athletes. A higher percentage of eosinophils in the induced sputum (p=0.03) and levels of FeNO (p < 0.001*) were observed in EIB+ athletes. However, there was no difference in the urinary levels of LTE4 and 9alfa, 11beta-PGF2 either at baseline or after EVH test. Conclusions: Long distance runners have a high prevalence of allergy symptoms and EIB and a low prevalence of asthma symptoms. Moreover, EIB+ athletes report more symptoms of allergy and present airway hyperresponsiveness, eosinophilic inflammation and increased levels of exhaled nitric oxide, without difference in the baseline levels of mast cell metabolites

Introduction: There have been few well controlled altitude and hypoxic training studies to date. This thesis investigated the effects of altitude and (sham controlled) intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) on exercise capacity, and the associated physiological adaptations. Methods: Chapter 3 investigated how living and training at 2320 m or at sea level affected total haemoglobin mass (tHb) and race performance in highly trained swimmers. Chapter 4 investigated how IHT or normoxic training affected cardiopulmonary variables and the incremental exercise limit of tolerance (T-Lim), in highly trained runners. Chapter 5 investigated how single-legged IHT or normoxic training affected phosphorus-31 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy assessed muscle energetics. Results: In Chapter 3, tHb increased significantly more after altitude (+0.6 ± 0.4 g•kg-1, or +4.4 ± 3.2%) than after sea level (+0.03 ± 0.1 g•kg-1, or +0.3 ± 1.0%), but the changes in swimming performances were not different between groups, and there were no correlations between tHb and performance changes. In Chapter 4, submaximal heart rate in normoxia decreased significantly more after IHT than after normoxic training (-5 ± 5 vs. -1 ± 5 b∙min-1), and submaximal "V" ̇O2 in hypoxia significantly decreased, only after IHT. T-Lim in hypoxia significantly increased post-IHT, but there were no between group differences. In Chapter 5, the phosphocreatine recovery time constant was speeded significantly more in the IHT compared to the normoxic trained leg, when tested in hypoxia (-25 ± 8% vs. -13 ± 6%), but not in normoxia (-16 ± 15% vs. -9 ± 10%). Conclusions: Altitude training likely increases tHb, but this is not necessarily associated with improved athletic performance. IHT may induce other non-haematological adaptations; potentially an enhanced skeletal muscle oxidative capacity, but evidence for exercise capacity gains is lacking. The precise underlying causes for these adaptations require further investigation, as does any translation to athletic performance.

Introduction : Les joueurs de hockey sur glace effectuent des mouvements asymétriques en utilisant la rotation du torse et des hanches lors des passes et des tirs. Les asymétries entre les segments corporels peuvent avoir un impact sur la capacité de sprints répétés, la puissance verticale lors de sauts à contre-bas et les performances sportives générales. La force isométrique de la hanche et le saut à contre-bas sont couramment évalués chez les joueurs de hockey sur glace en raison de leurs relations avec les performances en patinage et l'incidence des blessures à l'aine, respectivement. Objectif : Cette étude vise explorer si les asymétries obtenues lors des évaluations des forces isométriques de la hanche et des sauts à contre-bas sont associées à celles observées lors du patinage. Méthodes : Trente-sept joueurs professionnels de l'hockey sur glace ont effectué des évaluations hebdomadaires de force et de saut de la hanche et ont porté des centrales inertielles pendant les séances sur glace tout au long des saisons pré et compétitives. Les accélérations sont mesurées pour les deux jambes et ont été utilisées pour calculer les asymétries inter-membres, en pourcentage. Résultats : Parmi tous les paramètres mesurés, seule l'asymétrie dans le pic de la force de l’attérissage du saut à contre-bas a dépassé 10% pour toutes les positions (22,1%) et par position (21,3% - 22,6%). Les joueurs de centre et à la défense ont mené à plusieurs relations modérées à grandes entre différentes asymétries lors des évaluations hors-glace (r: -0,67 - 0,38, p <0,01). Toutes les positions ont montré des relations modérées à grandes entre la résistance à la hanche et la charge de patinage sur la glace et la force moyenne par foulée (r: -0,32 - 0,56, p <0,05). Les joueurs de centre ont montré des relations modérées entre le saut à contre-bas et des asymétries sur la glace (r: -0,31 - 0,43, p <0,01). Conclusion Cette étude a révélé qu'il existe des relations significatives entre les asymétries sur- et hors glace dans le hockey professionnel masculin. Les résultats de cette étude fournissent également aux intervenants auprès de cette population des valeurs de référence pour les asymétries sur glace et hors glace. / Introduction Ice-hockey players develop asymmetrical movement patterns by favoring rotation through the torso and hips while passing and shooting. Interlimb asymmetries have been shown to affect repeated sprint ability, vertical and horizontal countermovement jump power, and general athletic performance. Isometric hip strength and the countermovement jump are commonly assessed in ice-hockey players because of their relationships with skating performance and incidence of groin injuries, respectively. Purpose: This study explored whether asymmetries returned during isometric hip strength and countermovement jump assessments relate to those from stride-by-stride analyses. Methods: Thirty-seven professional ice-hockey players performed weekly hip strength and jump assessments and wore inertial momentum units during on-ice sessions throughout the pre- and competitive seasons. Data were either available for both limbs and were utilized to calculate inter-limb asymmetries, or as an asymmetry percentage. Results: Among all parameters measured, only the CMJ peak landing force asymmetry exceeded 10% for all positions (22.1%) and by position (21.3% - 22.6%). Centers and Defense positions returned several moderate to large relationships between fitness assessment asymmetries (r: -0.67 – 0.38, p < 0.01). All positions returned moderate to large relationships between hip strength and on-ice skating load and average force per stride (r: -0.32 – 0.56, p < 0.05). Centers returned moderate countermovement jump and on-ice asymmetries (r: -0.31 – 0.43, p < 0.01). Conclusion: This study revealed that significant relationships exist between on- and off-ice asymmetries in men’s professional ice-hockey. The results from this study also provide practitioners with reference values for on- and off-ice asymmetries.