University of Primorska

Most research focuses on the relationship of individual movement behaviours, neglecting how different compositions throughout the day associate with cardiometabolic health outcomes.

The aim of this study was to explore the optimal awake movement behaviour composition associated with predicted cardiometabolic health outcomes in youth.

The study included participants (N = 1,310 participants; 11.1 ± 2.5 [range = 7.98-17.1 years]; 55.9% female; 100% European) from the International Children's Accelerometry Database. Accelerometer measured sedentary behaviour (SB), light-(LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) defined the awake movement behaviour composition. Four cardiometabolic health outcomes (lipid profile, blood pressure, glucose metabolism, and body mass) were assessed through nine parameters. These were regressed against the awake movement behaviour composition, adjusting for relevant covariates to estimate the optimal awake movement behaviour composition for each predicted cardiometabolic health outcome (i.e. "Goldilocks Day").

The final models found a significant relationship between the awake movement behaviour composition and cardiometabolic health outcome, excluding lipid profile indicators. For indicators of glucose metabolism, blood pressure and body mass, the Goldilocks Day consisted of less SB (-12 to -39 min), LPA (-8 to -32 min) and more MVPA (+44 to 47 min) when compared to the sample mean.

These findings concur with current guidelines that more MVPA and less SB are better, but the optimal time youth should spend in each behaviour depends on the health outcome of interest. This indicates that one size does not fit all when making recommendations for multiple cardiometabolic health outcomes.

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract plays a critical role in achieving peak athletic performance either during training or in competitions. Despite its significance, the GI tract's role in the training process of athletes is often neglected, resulting in frequent GI symptoms. These disturbances are particularly prevalent in endurance sports, where GI function is commonly compromised, leading to adverse effects on performance. In this review, we examine potential nutritional causes of the GI symptoms and provide possible solutions to mitigate them, aiming to enhance athletes' overall performance and well-being.

PRISMA methodology was used to search through PubMed Database from January 2023 to March 2023. The selected studies were comprised of randomized controlled trials, crossover trials and case studies.

Twenty-nine studies met the inclusion criteria for this systematic review. The studies were categorized into five distinct areas of research on GI symptoms in endurance exercise: gut training protocols, effects of different carbohydrate solutions and mixtures, low FODMAP diet, hydrogel CHO technology, and probiotic supplementation.Gut training protocols seem promising in improving GI symptoms over time. Optimizing carbohydrate intake during exercise according to current recommendations has been associated with lower incidence and severity of GI symptoms as well. The low FODMAP diet also shows potential to reduce GI symptoms, although its restrictive nature could negatively affect athletes in other ways. Hydrogel carbohydrate products, at present, do not demonstrate any benefits over standard carbohydrate products. Probiotic supplementation shows mixed evidence regarding its effectiveness in alleviating and reducing GI symptoms during endurance exercise.

We have acknowledged that the onset of GI symptoms is very complex, and that onset is influenced by a huge variety of factors. It should be emphasized that the elimination of GI symptoms in each athlete must be approached individually and thoughtfully.

This study aimed to investigate the composition of phenolic compounds and glucosinolates in cauliflower and broccoli byproduct purees after fermentation with two selected strains of Lactiplantibacillus (Lp.) plantarum. UHPLC-HRMS (Q-Orbitrap) was used to analyze semi-targeted metabolic differences between non-fermented and Lp. plantarum-fermented byproducts. The fermentation process resulted in a reduction of glycoside phenolic compounds, such as kaempferol glucoside, and a decrease in phenolic acids like caffeic acid, p-coumaric acid, protocatechuic acid, quinic acid, and methyl gallate. Increased levels of deglycosylated or newly formed metabolites such as kaempferol, were observed. Additionally, dihydrocaffeic acid and phloretic acid were identified, likely formed from the conversion of caffeic and p-coumaric acids during fermentation. The percentage of glucosinolates remaining after fermentation averaged 79 %, and differences in the preservation of glucosinolates were observed between the two Lp. plantarum strains used. Overall, the study confirmed the modification of phenolic compounds and the preservation of glucosinolates after fermentation with Lp. plantarum.