Małgorzata Słowińska-Lisowska

Background/Objectives: Body water, including its distribution between the intracellular (ICW) and extracellular (ECW) compartments, plays an important role in skeletal muscle physiology. The aim of this study was to assess whether body water distribution indices, namely ECW/ICW and ECW/TBW, differ according to age and sex, and whether they are associated with skeletal muscle index (SMI) after adjustment for BMI, age, and sex. Methods: The study included 188 healthy individuals: 71 older women (71.6 ± 6.4 years), 37 older men (72.7 ± 4.7 years), 40 female students (22.5 ± 0.9 years), and 40 male students (22.8 ± 1.8 years). Body composition was assessed using a Tanita MC-780 bioimpedance analyser. The ECW/ICW and ECW/TBW ratios were calculated. Nonparametric analyses, Kendall’s rank correlations, and linear regression models adjusted for BMI, age, and sex were used. Results: Older adults had significantly higher ECW/ICW and ECW/TBW values than younger participants, and women had higher values than men within the same age groups. Both indices correlated positively with age and BMI, and negatively with SMI. In multivariate models, ECW/TBW remained negatively associated with SMI after adjustment. BMI and male sex correlated positively with SMI, whereas age was not a significant predictor. Conclusions: Body water distribution indices (ECW/ICW, ECW/TBW) reflect age- and sex-related differences in water distribution and correlate with SMI independently of BMI, age, and sex. They may serve as complementary markers of skeletal muscle ageing.

Background/Objectives: Psychological distress is common among university students and often co-occurs with unhealthy lifestyle patterns. However, most studies examine physical activity (PA) and dietary intake (DI) in isolation, overlooking how these behaviors interact under stress. This study aimed to identify and compare integrated PA and DI behavior patterns among students with low vs. high psychological distress. Methods: A cross-sectional case–control design was used with 209 students (aged 19–21). Questionnaires included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Questionnaire of Eating Behavior (QEB), and Depression Anxiety Stress Scales-21 items (DASS-21). Behavioral patterns were assessed using a cophylogenetic approach (tanglegrams, cophenetic statistics), and predictive behaviors were analyzed using stepwise logistic regression. Results: Permutational Multivariate Analysis of Variance (PERMANOVA) revealed significant group differences in PA–DI structure (F = 3.91, R² = 0.0185, p = 0.001). Tanglegram and PACo analyses showed tighter PA–DI alignment in high-distress individuals, suggesting more rigid, compensatory behavior profiles. Logistic regression identified vigorous PA (OR = 1.80, 95% CI: 1.33–2.50, p < 0.001) and fast food intake (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.05–1.98, p = 0.026) as significant distress indicators. Sweets intake showed a non-significant trend (OR = 1.33, p = 0.064). Conclusions: Students with higher psychological distress exhibit complex lifestyle co-patterns combining risk (e.g., fast food) and compensatory behaviors (e.g., vigorous PA). Health promotion should address PA and DI jointly, and screening for distress should be integrated into student wellness programs.

The main objective of this study was to explore the dietary behaviors of parents and their adult children, focusing on patterns, potential intrinsic and extrinsic predictors of body mass, and determinants of becoming overweight. Non-probability, cross-sectional sampling was used to select participants from a university student population. Young adults (19–21 years of age, n = 144) and their parents were examined. The data of those family pairs with complete sets of results were used. Dietary patterns and physical activity were assessed with questionnaires (QEB and IPAQ), and body height, weight measurements, and body mass indexes were calculated. A cophylogenetic approach with tanglegrams and heatmaps was used to study patterns, while predictors of body mass index were identified using multiple linear regression, stepwise logistic regression, and mediation analysis procedures. Cophenetic statistics confirmed significant incongruence between fathers and sons, confirmed by Baker’s Gamma correlation (r_BG = 0.23, p = 0.021), and mothers and daughters (r_BG = 0.26, p = 0.030). The relationships between the dietary patterns of the fathers and daughters, as well as mothers and sons, were of medium strength (r_BG = 0.33, p = 0.032, r_BG = 0.43, p = 0.031; respectively). Most of the patterns were mixed. Fast food, fried meals, alcoholic drinks, energy drinks, and sweetened beverages were associated significantly with being overweight. Significant intrinsic predictors of excessive weight in young adults were sex (b = 2.31, p < 0.001), PA (b = −0.02, p < 0.001), and eating fermented milk and curd cheese (b = −0.55, p = 0.024), while extrinsic (parental) predictors included eating fast food and fried meals (b = −0.44, p = 0.049). Both physical activity and dietary behaviors independently determined the sons’ overweight status (b = −1.25, p = 0.008; b = −0.04, p < 0.001; respectively); while only PA did in daughters (b = −0.04, p < 0.001). No mediating effects of physical activity were observed. Adult children and parental dietary patterns were divergent, reflecting the influence of multiple factors on a child’s dietary habits. However, this divergence is moderated by sex. Reciprocal interactions between dietary intake—particularly positive dyads such as fruits and vegetables, fermented milk, and curd cheese—and physical activity significantly impacted children’s body mass index (BMI). The study of dietary patterns in conjunction with physical activity (both as independent determinants), particularly in relation to the link between overweight/obese children and overweight/obese parents, presents a separate challenge.

The aim of this review was to determine whether male football players meet dietary recommendations according to a UEFA expert group statement and to identify priority areas for dietetic intervention, including training periodization and field position. A database search of PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO and Scopus was performed. To be included within the final review, articles were required to provide a dietary intake assessment of professional and semi-professional football players. A total of 17 studies met the full eligibility criteria. Several studies showed insufficient energy and carbohydrate intake compared to the recommendations. A majority of athletes consume adequate protein and fat intakes compared to the recommendations. In addition, several studies showed the insufficient intake of vitamins and minerals. This systematic review showed that football players do not meet the nutritional recommendations according to the UEFA expert group statement. Future research should be focused on how to apply nutritional recommendations specific for athletes in accordance with training periodization and positions on the field.

Exposure to intense physical exercise increases reactive oxygen and nitrogen species production. The process can be modulated by dipeptide bioavailability with antioxidant scavenger properties. The effects of dipeptide intake in combination with physical exercise on the oxi-antioxidant response were examined in a randomized and placebo-controlled trial. Blood samples were collected from 20 males aged 21.2 ± 1.8 years before and after 14-day intake of chicken breast extract (4 g/day), which is a good source of bioactive dipeptides. A significant increase in the NO/H₂O₂ ratio was observed in the 1st and 30th minute after intense incremental exercise in dipeptides compared to the placebo group. Total antioxidant and thiol redox status were significantly higher in the dipeptide group both before and after exercise; η² ≥ 0.64 showed a large effect of dipeptides on antioxidant and glutathione status. The level of 8-isoprostanes, markers of oxidative damage, did not change under the influence of dipeptides. By contrast, reduced C-reactive protein levels were found during the post-exercise period in the dipeptide group, which indicates the anti-inflammatory properties of dipeptides. High pre-exercise dipeptide intake enhances antioxidant status and thus reduces the oxi-inflammatory response to intense exercise. Therefore, the application of dipeptides seems to have favourable potential for modulating oxidative stress and inflammation in physically active individuals following a strenuous exercise schedule.

Vitamin D affects both innate and adaptive immunity. Most of the effects of vitamin D on innate immunity are anti-inflammatory. In monocytes/macrophages, vitamin D suppresses the production of the inflammatory cytokines TNF-alpha, IL-1beta, IL-6, and IL-8. Therefore, the aim of our study was to investigate the relationship between 25(OH)D concentration and selected cytokines—IL-6, TNF-α, and IL-1β, which are hemogram parameters for professional football players. We enrolled 41 Polish premier league soccer players. The mean age, career duration, and VO_2max were, respectively: 22.7 ± 5.3 years, 14.7 ± 4.5 years, and 55.8 ± 4.0 mL/kg/min. Serum levels of 25(OH)D were measured by electrochemiluminescence (ECLIA) using the Elecsys system (Roche, Switzerland). Serum levels of IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α were measured by ELISA (R&D Systems, Minneapolis). Blood count with smear was measured on a Sysmex XT-4000i analyzer (Sysmex Corporation, Japan). Our study showed decreased serum 25(OH)D levels in 78% of the professional players. We found a significant negative correlation between 25(OH)D levels and TNF-α and LYMPH (%). The results also demonstrated a statistically significant positive correlation between vitamin D levels and NEUTH (%), NEUTH (tys/µL), and EOS (tys/µL). Based on the results of our study, we concluded that football players from Poland are not protected against vitamin D insufficiency in winter months. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency may be associated with an increased pro-inflammatory risk in well-trained athletes.

A well-balanced diet is one of the main factors that may play a supportive role in enhancing acute training stimuli in optimal training adaptation. The aim of the present study was to examine the energy and macro- and micronutrient intake including and excluding supplements among top-level Polish football players during one week of the general preparatory period. In addition, the study looked at whether athletes consume carbohydrates in recommended amounts, depending on the completed training sessions. A total of 26 professional football players were included in the study. The preseason dietary intake was assessed using a 7-day estimated food record. The energy value of the diet and the amounts of the dietary ingredients were assessed using the software Dieta 6.0. The average consumption of energy, vitamin B₂, vitamin C, vitamin E, folate, and calcium was lower than recommendations, and average intake of sodium and potassium was higher than the norm in the diets of the athletes. The results of this study do not confirm the justification for adding protein preparations to diets of the studied players. Furthermore, football players dietary carbohydrate intake was relatively low in comparison to requirements based on training loads. Based on our results we conclude that further work is necessary to reinforce education about nutritional habits and adjust nutritional strategies to individual needs to enhance athletic performance.

The active form of vitamin D (calcitriol) exerts its biological effects by binding to nuclear vitamin D receptors (VDRs), which are found in most human extraskeletal cells, including skeletal muscles. Vitamin D deficiency may cause deficits in strength, and lead to fatty degeneration of type II muscle fibers, which has been found to negatively correlate with physical performance. Vitamin D supplementation has been shown to improve vitamin D status and can positively affect skeletal muscles. The purpose of this study is to summarize the current evidence of the relationship between vitamin D, skeletal muscle function and physical performance in athletes. Additionally, we will discuss the effect of vitamin D supplementation on athletic performance in players. Further studies are necessary to fully characterize the underlying mechanisms of calcitriol action in the human skeletal muscle tissue, and to understand how these actions impact the athletic performance in athletes.

Carnosine is a dipeptide formed from the amino acids β-alanine and histidine and found in large amounts in the brain and muscle, especially fast twitch muscle. Carnosine has an antioxidant role and accounts for about 10% of the muscle's ability to buffer the H+ ions produced by high intensity exercise. Due to the interesting role of carnosine, the aim of the study was observe the effects of carnosine intake on pro-antioxidant status in highly trained athletes exposed to intense exercise.Fourteen male athletes from the Polish national kayak and canoe teams participated in placebo-controlled and cross-over study. The athletes were supplemented with 4 g/d carnosine for 14 days. Blood samples were collected before and 30 min, 24 h and 48 h after 2000 m exercise trial. In blood, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), nitric oxide (NO), markers of RO/NS activity 8-isoprostanes and 3-nitrotyrosine, total (GSHt) and oxidised glutathione (GSSG), antioxidant status (APO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined. There were not observed statistically significant differences in exercise-induced changes in H2O2 and NO concentrations and SOD activity after carnosine intake. However, carnosine prevented an increase in 8-isoprostanes, 3-nitrotyrosine and GSSG concentrations as well as elevated redox status (GSHt-2GSSG)/GSSG at post-exercise period.Although, oral supplementation with 4 g carnosine did not affect RO/NS generation, it significantly attenuated exercise-induced glutathione loss, reduced oxidation/nitration markers concentration and SOD activity. These results suggest that carnosine could provide antioxidative protection for highly trained athletes.