Marion Remilly

Off-grid low-tech living is increasingly proposed for arid environments, yet longitudinal field data documenting health, nutrition, and rest–activity organization under real-world conditions remain scarce. Our objective was to describe physiologic, nutritional, psychological, and rest-activity trajectories during 120 d of low-tech off-grid desert living. This was a prospective observational case study of 2 participants (female, 29 y old; male, 39 y old) conducted in Baja California (January–April 2023). Pre-, mid-, and post-mission assessments included bioimpedance body composition, incremental cycle ergometry with gas exchange (VO _{2 max} and ventilatory thresholds), and laboratory panels (eg, hematology, iron status, vitamins, trace elements, and renal and hepatic indices). Mental health was assessed using the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, the Positive and Negative Affect Schedule, and daily mood ratings. Continuous wrist actigraphy quantified sleep-wake timing and nonparametric rest-activity metrics. Analyses were descriptive and within participant. Body mass decreased by ∼2 kg in both participants, primarily through reduced fat mass with preserved lean indices. VO _{2 max} increased over time without evidence of physiologic compromise. No biochemical marker of micronutrient deficiency was identified. Although locally produced foods contributed ∼1% of total energy intake, they provided substantial micronutrient density. Ferritin levels remained within reference intervals despite transient mid-mission fluctuation in the female participant. Rest-activity rhythms remained robust across 120 d, with seasonal adjustment of sleep timing and modest sleep reduction. Anxiety did not increase, and affect balance remained positive. In this descriptive field case, prolonged low-tech off-grid desert living was compatible with maintenance of physical and psychological health. These findings provide ecologically grounded observations relevant to human functioning in resource-limited environments.

Hip injuries are common in contact sports, particularly in high-impact activities. A well-known type of hip trauma is the hip pointer, which is a contusion of the iliac crest caused by a direct blow. Typically, hip pointers involve the lateral aspect of the iliac crest. In this case report, we present an unusual variation of this injury affecting the posterior iliac crest near the posterior superior iliac spine (PSIS). We describe two cases of elite athletes who sustained posterior iliac crest trauma, a condition we propose naming the “posterior hip pointer”. This report highlights the clinical presentation, imaging findings, treatment approach, and implications for sports medicine.

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the impact of a 20-week resistance training program on force–velocity (F-V) parameters using an isokinetic two-point method and comparing one-repetition maximum (1-RM) methods in novice lifters. Methods: Previously untrained individuals completed a supervised, three-session weekly resistance training program involving concentric, eccentric, and isometric phases, repeated every 2 to 4 weeks. Isokinetic dynamometry measured the strength of elbow flexors/extensors at 60°/s and 150°/s, and knee flexors/extensors at 60°/s and 240°/s at Baseline, 3 months, and 5 months. F-V parameters, including maximal theoretical force (F0) and the F-V slope, were calculated. Participants also performed 1-RM tests for the upper and lower limbs. Repeated measures ANOVA with effect size (η² > 0.14 as large) was used to analyze changes in F-V parameters and repeated measures correlation was used to test their association with 1-RM outcomes. Results: Eighteen male participants (22.0 ± 3.4 years) were analyzed. F0 significantly increased for all muscle groups (η² = 0.423 to 0.883) except elbow flexors. F-V slope significantly decreased (steeper) for knee extensors and flexors (η² = 0.348 to 0.695). Knee extensors showed greater F0 gains and steeper F-V slopes than flexors (η² = 0.398 to 0.686). F0 gains were associated with 1-RM changes (r = 0.38 to 0.83), while F-V slope changes correlated only with lower limb 1-RM (r = −0.37 to −0.68). Conclusions: The 20-week resistance training program significantly increased F0 and shifted the F-V profile towards a more “force-oriented” state in knee muscles. These changes correlated with improved 1-RM performance. Future studies should include longer follow-ups and control groups.

Background: As strength sports gain popularity, there is a growing need to explore the impact of sustained strength training on cardiac biventricular structure and function, an area that has received less attention compared to the well-established physiological cardiac adaptation to endurance training. Objective: This study aims to implement a 20-week high-intensity strength training program to enhance maximal muscle strength and evaluate its impact on cardiac biventricular adaptation in healthy, untrained men. Methods: A total of 27 healthy and untrained young men (mean age 22.8, SD 3.2 years) participated in a strength training program designed to increase muscle strength. The training program involved concentric, eccentric, and isometric exercise phases, conducted over a consecutive 20-week time frame with a frequency of 3 weekly training sessions. Participants were evaluated before and after 12 and 20 weeks of training through body composition analysis (bioelectrical impedance), a 12-lead resting electrocardiogram, 3D transthoracic echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and muscle isokinetic dynamometry. The progression of strength training loads was guided by 1-repetition maximum (RM) testing during the training program. Results: Of the initial cohort, 22 participants completed the study protocol. No injuries were reported. The BMI (mean 69.8, SD 10.8 kg/m² vs mean 72, SD 11 kg/m²; P=.72) and the fat mass (mean 15.3%, SD 7.5% vs mean 16.5%, SD 7%; P=.87) remained unchanged after training. The strength training program led to significant gains in 1-RM exercise testing as early as 4 weeks into training for leg extension (mean 69.6, SD 17.7 kg vs mean 96.5, SD 31 kg; P<.001), leg curl (mean 43.2, SD 9.7 kg vs mean 52.8, SD 13.4 kg; P<.001), inclined press (mean 174.1, SD 41.1 kg vs mean 229.2, SD 50.4 kg; P<.001), butterfly (mean 26.3, SD 6.2 kg vs mean 32.5, SD 6.6 kg; P<.001), and curl biceps on desk (mean 22.9, SD 5.2 kg vs mean 29.6, SD 5.2 kg; P<.001). After 20 weeks, the 1-RM leg curl, bench press, pullover, butterfly, leg extension, curl biceps on desk, and inclined press showed significant mean percentage gains of +40%, +41.1%, +50.3%, +63.5%, +80.1%, +105%, and +106%, respectively (P<.001). Additionally, the isokinetic evaluation confirmed increases in maximal strength for the biceps (+9.2 Nm), triceps (+11.6 Nm), quadriceps (+46.8 Nm), and hamstrings (+25.3 Nm). In this paper, only the training and muscular aspects are presented; the cardiac analysis will be addressed separately. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that a short-term high-intensity strength training program was successful in achieving significant gains in muscle strength among previously untrained young men. We intend to use this protocol to gain a better understanding of the impact of high-intensity strength training on cardiac physiological remodeling, thereby providing new insights into the cardiac global response in strength athletes. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04187170; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04187170

BACKGROUND As strength sports gain popularity, there is a growing need to explore the impact of sustained strength training on cardiac biventricular structure and function, an area that has received less attention compared to the well-established physiological cardiac adaptation to endurance training. OBJECTIVE This study aims to implement a 20-week high-intensity strength training program to enhance maximal muscle strength and evaluate its impact on cardiac biventricular adaptation in healthy, untrained men. METHODS A total of 27 healthy and untrained young men (mean age 22.8, SD 3.2 years) participated in a strength training program designed to increase muscle strength. The training program involved concentric, eccentric, and isometric exercise phases, conducted over a consecutive 20-week time frame with a frequency of 3 weekly training sessions. Participants were evaluated before and after 12 and 20 weeks of training through body composition analysis (bioelectrical impedance), a 12-lead resting electrocardiogram, 3D transthoracic echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing, and muscle isokinetic dynamometry. The progression of strength training loads was guided by 1-repetition maximum (RM) testing during the training program. RESULTS Of the initial cohort, 22 participants completed the study protocol. No injuries were reported. The BMI (mean 69.8, SD 10.8 kg/m² vs mean 72, SD 11 kg/m²; P=.72) and the fat mass (mean 15.3%, SD 7.5% vs mean 16.5%, SD 7%; P=.87) remained unchanged after training. The strength training program led to significant gains in 1-RM exercise testing as early as 4 weeks into training for leg extension (mean 69.6, SD 17.7 kg vs mean 96.5, SD 31 kg; P<.001), leg curl (mean 43.2, SD 9.7 kg vs mean 52.8, SD 13.4 kg; P<.001), inclined press (mean 174.1, SD 41.1 kg vs mean 229.2, SD 50.4 kg; P<.001), butterfly (mean 26.3, SD 6.2 kg vs mean 32.5, SD 6.6 kg; P<.001), and curl biceps on desk (mean 22.9, SD 5.2 kg vs mean 29.6, SD 5.2 kg; P<.001). After 20 weeks, the 1-RM leg curl, bench press, pullover, butterfly, leg extension, curl biceps on desk, and inclined press showed significant mean percentage gains of +40%, +41.1%, +50.3%, +63.5%, +80.1%, +105%, and +106%, respectively (P<.001). Additionally, the isokinetic evaluation confirmed increases in maximal strength for the biceps (+9.2 Nm), triceps (+11.6 Nm), quadriceps (+46.8 Nm), and hamstrings (+25.3 Nm). In this paper, only the training and muscular aspects are presented; the cardiac analysis will be addressed separately. CONCLUSIONS This study demonstrated that a short-term high-intensity strength training program was successful in achieving significant gains in muscle strength among previously untrained young men. We intend to use this protocol to gain a better understanding of the impact of high-intensity strength training on cardiac physiological remodeling, thereby providing new insights into the cardiac global response in strength athletes. CLINICALTRIAL ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04187170; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT04187170

Exercise dependence (ED) is common in endurance athletes and can lead to physical and psychological distress with various health effects. We designed a prospective cross-sectional study to investigate the personality traits associated with ED among ultraendurance athletes. A total of 507 participants (41.6 (9.8) years, men: 73.7%) completed (1) a screening questionnaire about sociodemographic data, sporting habits, and healthcare data, (2) the Exercise Dependence Scale-Revised (EDS-R, 21 items scored from 1 (never) to 6 (always), 7 subscales), (3) the Big Five Inventory (BFI), and (4) 2 items of the SCOFF (Sick-Control-One Stone-Fat-Food) questionnaire regarding possible eating disorders. Based on the EDS-R scores, 37 (7.3%) participants were at risk for ED (scores ≥ 5/6 on ≥3 subscales), 366 (72.2%) were nondependent but symptomatic (scores ≥ 3/6 on ≥3 subscales), and 104 (20.5%) were asymptomatic. Participants with ED had a greater training volume and a higher prevalence of possible eating disorders. A higher level of neuroticism was associated with increased EDS-R scores (r = 0.294; p < 0.001), with significantly higher scores in the ED group (F = 14.50, p < 0.001). The association between neuroticism and ED was not moderated by the presence of eating disorders. These findings will help to screen ultraendurance athletes at risk for ED and optimize their care.