The Effect of Pre-Exercise Cooling on Performance Characteristics: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Exercising in high environmental temperatures may cause precocious hyperthermia induced fatigue resulting in a decreased athletes’ performance output. This systematic review with meta-analysis investigated the possible effects of pre-exercise cooling on performance output. This study was performed according to the PRISMA guidelines and the PICO-model was used to establish the research question. The Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool was applied to assess the validity of the included studies. Study eligibility was given when the studies compared the effects between any kind of pre-cooling and non-cooling strategies prior to exercise on performance output. Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria for quantitative analysis. Risk of bias was high or unclear but the performance bias was low. The estimated standardized mean difference revealed that external pre-cooling (21 studies) enhanced performance (Hedges’ g = 0.49 [95% CI: 0.33 to 0.64]), with the main effect observed in endurance cycling or running. Internal (7 studies) and mixed-method (5 studies) pre-cooling failed to significantly affect performance parameters. However, the main output parameter, evaluated in these studies, was peak power output. Subgroup analysis for different outcome measures was not possible because meaningful grouping was not plausible. Limitations of this meta-analysis were the high or unclear risk of bias and the comparability of the included studies. Future studies should also determine the effects of different pre-cooling applications on female and untrained participants. Based on the results of this meta-analysis, it can be concluded that there is some evidence in favour of external pre-cooling to avoid precocious hyperthermia induced fatigue in endurance athletes exercising in hot environments.

Beer, wine and lifestyle: a cross-sectional study of the Belgian military population

Background: A reduction in mortality associated with wine drinking compared to beer drinking has been suggested in the past. A recent meta-analysis could not confirm the observed differential effect. Other characteristics not related to specific components of beer and wine must play a role in the relationship between wine and mortality, thereby explaining the differential protective results.Methods: A military population was selected to investigate the lifestyle differences between beer and wine drinkers. A food-frequency questionnaire was used to register alcohol and food consumption, together with questionnaires for health-related and lifestyle characteristics. Three dietary patterns were characterized by the Healthy Eating Index 2010, the Mediterranean Diet Score and a pattern obtained by principal component analysis.Results: In the multivariate analysis, beer consumption decreased with increasing age, military rank, physical activity and dietary pattern scores. Beer consumption increased with total energy intake and with smoking.Conclusion: Wine consumption was associated with a healthier lifestyle compared with beer consumption. Those differences must be taken into account when relating types of alcoholic beverage consumption with health-related outcomes.

Association between Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor Knowledge and Lifestyle

Objective: To relate cardiovascular risk factor knowledge to lifestyle. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, food consumption and lifestyle characteristics were recorded using mailed questionnaires. The dietary pattern was described using the Mediterranean Diet Score (MDS). An open ended questionnaire without predefined choices or answers was used to capture cardiovascular knowledge. Results: Lack of physical activity, smoking and eating too much fat were the 3 most cited potential cardiovascular risk factors, while being overweight, eating too much salt and a low consumption of fruits and vegetables were the least cited risk factors. Age, Body Mass Index, physical activity, smoking, income and dietary habits were not consistently associated with knowledge of risk factors. A low socioeconomic position as measured by the indicator education was associated with a lower knowledge of established and modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. Conclusions: Risk factor knowledge, an essential step in prevention of CVD, is not systematically associated with a healthier lifestyle. The findings of this study confirm that there is a gap between risk factor knowledge and lifestyle.

Nut Consumption Is Associated with a Healthy Dietary Pattern in Military Men

The objective of the research was to determine the relation between nut consumption and dietary patterns described by Healthy Eating Index, Mediterranean Diet Score and principal component analysis. In a cross-sectional study, 1852 military men were contacted by mail. Using food-frequency questionnaires, nut consumption was recorded and stratified in weekly versus less than weekly. Three dietary indices were calculated and stratified in quintiles. For principal component analysis, the healthiest dietary pattern rich in fruits and vegetables was selected as Healthy Dietary Pattern. The highest quintiles of Healthy Eating Index, Mediterranean Diet Score and Healthy Dietary Pattern were systematically associated with the highest weekly consumption of nuts. The highest quintiles were also associated with the lowest intake of saturated fat, i.e. between 10 and 12 energy-percent compared with 17 to 19 energy-percent for the lowest quintiles. The mean daily nut consumption was less than 6 g a day, which is beneath the recommended quantity for cardiovascular protection. Nut consumption was associated with the healthiest dietary pattern, independently of the used method to determine the dietary pattern. Regular nut consumption seems to be a component of a cluster of several healthy behaviors.