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Notes: The effects of subcutaneous injections of human erythropoietin (rhEpo) on the circulatory response to submaximal and maximal exercise were studied in healthy male subjects (n=15). Hemoglobin concentration [Hb] increased from 152 g · l−1 to 169 g · l−1 and in parallel maximal aerobic power (Vo2max) increased from 4.52 to 4.88 l · min−1. There were no significant changes in heart rate, ventilation and blood lactate concentration during the exhausting run. Compared with infusion of red blood cells, there was no significant difference in the increase in Vo2max per gram increase in [Hb]. Systolic blood pressure at 200 W increased from before rhEpo treatment to afterwards. It was concluded that slow (rhEpo treatment) and acute (red blood cell reinfusion) increase of [Hb] resulted in similar increase in Vo2max.

Notes: The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the Epo isoforms in blood, induced by short-term and intermittent hypoxia, are different from those at normoxia at sea level and if this could be an impediment to the use of a direct Epo doping test based upon the electric charge of the Epo isoforms. Ten healthy subjects, 9 men and 1 woman, participated in the study. Median age was 22 years (range 20–32). Normobaric hypoxia was administered differently in 3 sub-groups; two groups with 12 h hypoxia and 12 h normoxia up to 10 days: IM 2000 and IM 2700 living in 16.2% and 14.9% O2, corresponding to 2000 and 2700 m above sea level, respectively, and training in normoxia. The third group, C 2700, lived in hypoxia, 14.9% O2 corresponding to 2700 m, continuously for 48 h. The mean serum Epo level increased from 10.9 IUL−1 (range 8.8–12.5) to 23.5 IUL−1 (15.6–29.1) after 2 days followed by 19.7 IUL−1 (16.1–24.1) after 10 days exposure for intermittent hypoxia. The highest values 39.5 IUL−1 (31.5–50) were obtained for the group exposed for continuous hypoxia for 48 h. The median electrophoretic mobility of the serum Epo isoforms was above the cut-off limit of 670 AMU, previously estimated for discrimination between recombinant and endogenous Epo, in all samples taken before and after exposure to hypoxia. The highest values, mean 730 mAMU (range 703–750) were obtained after 10 days of intermittent hypoxia. Conclusion: If the method had been used as a doping test, no false positive results would have been registered for the 15 serum samples from the 10 individuals exposed for hypoxia. Thus, the results indicate that the basic principle for direct detection of recombinant Epo doping, based upon the change in electric charge on Epo, can be used also on individuals having lived in a hypoxic milieu.

Notes: The ordinary doping control urine samples of 36 anonymous participants (cross-country skiers, biathlon athletes, and curling athletes) of the 1998 Nagano Olympic Games were analyzed for erythropoietin and erythropoietin isoforms. The urine erythropoietin concentration (IU/l) was determined with a competitive radioimmunoassay method and the isoforms were studied by electrophoresis and given as milli albumin mobility units (mAMU). Erythropoietin was detectable in 23 out of 36 specimens (64%). The biathlon and curling athletes had similar urine concentration of erythropoietin. The group of 16 cross-country skiers had significantly (P 〈 0.05) increased urine concentration of erythropoietin as compared to curling athletes and four of them had urine erythropoietin concentrations between 3.6 and 5.1 IU/l. The electrophoretic mobility of erythropoietin was determined in all eight samples with urine concentration of erythropoietin of more than 2 (range 2.1–5.1) IU/l. No single urine specimen with a median erythropoietin electrophoretic mobility below the cut-off level of 670 mAMU (indicative of doping with recombinant erythropoietin) was registered. Erythropoietin in urine was detected in 71% and the isoforms of Epo characterized in 29% of the anonymous Olympic endurance athletes. The urine concentration of erythropoietin in the biathlon and curling athletes were similar to those of non-athletes. The group of cross-country skiers had higher levels of erythropoietin in urine. These higher levels of urine erythropoietin in cross-country skiers are partly due to more concentrated urine specimens.

Notes: Fifteen healthy males, aged 20–30 years, participated in a double-blind cross-over study on the effect of the beta-2 stimulator salbutamol on erythropoietin concentration and hemoglobin concentration. The treatment period comprised inhalation of salbutamol, 0.8 mg four times daily for 2 weeks. Serum-erythropoietin was essentially unaltered after treatment with salbutamol, 9.5±4.94 IU  ·  l−1 (mean±SD), as compared to both control situation, 9.2±4.50 IU  ·  l−1(mean±SD), and placebo treatment (9.7±4.07 IU  ·  l−1) (mean±SD). The same pattern, no significant changes between control situation and treatment with salbutamol or placebo, also applied to hemoglobin concentration. In conclusion, it is not possible to increase erythropoietin concentration and thereby erytropoiesis by inhalation of high doses of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) approved beta-2 stimulator salbutamol for 2 weeks in healthy young males.

Notes: The aims of this study were to investigate (a) the use of nutritional supplements (NS) (vitamins, minerals, Omega 3, antioxidants, ginseng, amino acids, Creatine and energy supplements) in elite athletes of different international ranking (b) why athletes are using NS, and (c) who recommends the elite athletes to use NS.The total population of elite athletes in Norwegian National Teams (n = 1620, 960 males and 660 females aged 15–39 years) and randomly selected (n = 1681) (916 males and 765 females) controls from the general population, were given a questionnaire including questions about use of nutritional supplements (NS), and from whom athletes had received information about nutrition and recommendations to use NS. The response rate was 76% for male and 92% for female athletes and 75% and 81% for male and female controls, respectively. A similar percentage of female athletes (54%) and controls (52%) reported use of one or more NS, but more male athletes (51%) than male controls (32%) used NS (P 〈 0.001). However, independent of gender, more athletes as compared to controls used minerals (males 26% vs. 8%; females 42% vs. 20%), amino acids (males 12% vs. 4%; females 3% vs. 0), and Creatine (males 12% vs. 2%; females 3% vs. 0). A lower percentage of NS users were observed in the best female athletes (52%) as compared to female athletes with less experience of international competition (73%) (P 〈 0.01). In male athletes, NS use was independent of international ranking (49%−53%). The coach was the main advisor for use of NS for both male (58%) and female athletes (52%). For male and female athletes, the main reason for using NS was that they felt it was needed in addition to their daily intake (56% and 67%, respectively). Forty one percent of the male and 37% of the female athletes using NS felt they were well informed about nutrition in general and NS. However, 8% of the NS users did not know whether the NS they used was doping classified or not. In conclusion: we found that a similar percentage of female elite athletes and controls, but a higher percentage of male elite athletes than controls, reported the use of NS. There was a lower percentage of NS use among the top female athletes, but not the top male athletes as compared to the less successful elite athletes. The coach was the main advisor for NS use both for male and female elite athletes.

Notes: The aims were to examine the percentage of female elite athletes and controls reporting sexual harassment and abuse (SHAB), and whether a higher percentage of female athletes with eating disorders (ED) had experienced SHAB. A questionnaire was administered to the total population of female elite athletes (n = 660) and controls (n = 780) aged 15–39 years. Sexual harassment and abuse were measured through 11 questions, ranging from light to severe SHAB. In addition, questions about dietary-, menstrual- and training-history and the Eating Disorder Inventory were included. The response rate was 88% for athletes and 71% for controls. Athletes (n = 121) and controls (n = 81) classified as “at risk” for ED and non-ED controls participated in a clinical interview. A higher percentage of controls compared with athletes reported experiences of SHAB in general (59% vs. 51%, P 〈 0.001). A lower percentage of athletes had experienced SHAB inside sports than outside sport (28% vs. 39%, P 〈 0.001). A higher percentage of ED athletes than non-ED athletes had experienced SHAB (66% vs. 48%, P 〈 0.01), both inside sport and outside sport. In spite of the fact that a higher percentage of controls compared with athletes had experienced SHAB, it is necessary to formulate clear guidelines, set up educational workshops and implement intervention programs for both ED and SHAB in sport.

Notes: The purpose of this study was to determine resting serum erythropoietin concentrations (S-[epo]) in endurance-trained sea-level residents 2 week after arrival at moderate altitude as well as after descent to sea level, and in endurance- and strength-trained residents at moderate altitude. S-[epo] concentrations were determined in 2 groups of non-altitude-acclimatized endurance-trained athletes normally living at sea level (group UAET, 20 men and 7 women, and group UACCS, 14 men and 6 women); and 2 groups of altitude-acclimatized athletes, all long-term residents at 1900 m above sea level (strength-trained judo athletes, group AST 10 men and 11 women, and endurance-trained athletes, group AET, 10 men and 10 women). Hematocrit (Hct) but not S-[ep] was significantly higher in pup AET than group AST Resting S-[epo] in group UAET was determined l,2,7, and 14 d after arrival from sea level to 1900 m above sea level. The Hct increased significantly from day 1 to day 7 in the women of group UAET. The Hct of the males in group UAET did not change significantly throughout the 2 weeks at altitude. The women in group UAET showed a significant decrease in S-[epo] from day 1 to day 7, The S-[epo] in the men of group UAET did not change from day 1 to day 2, but decreased significantly from day 2 to day 14. Resting S-[epo] in group UACCS was obtained before and at the end of the 2-week training period at high-altitude and after high-altitude training. Only the UACCS men had, in comparison with sea-level S-[epo], similar S-[epo] after 2 weeks of high-altitude training and significantly lower S-[epo] 2 d, but not 9 or 19 d after descent to sea level. These data indicate similar resting S-[epo] levels in acclimatized endurance- and strength-trained athletes, although the former group had higher Hct than the latter. In non-altitude-acclimatized endurance athletes, S-[epo] increased the ht days at altitude and thereafter decreased to similar S-[epo] as at sea level after 2 weeks of altitude training. After descent to sea level, S-[epo] decreased transiently but returned to the pre-altitude level after 9 d

Notes: Effects on erythropoiesis and blood pressure as well as physical performance and mental effects were studied in 15 healthy subjects during intermittent exposure to normobaric hypoxia corresponding to either 2000 m (6 persons) or 2700 m (9 persons) above sea level; another group (5 persons) also served as controls at normoxia. The concept “live hightrain low” was used for 10 d consecutively and the exposure to hypoxia was 12 h/d. Blood pO2 and oxygen saturation were significantly decreased during the 10 d at hypoxia. [Hb] and Hct decreased significantly after 2 d in hypoxia and then returned to pre-study levels. Erythropoietin was significantly elevated in both hypoxia groups during the initial 3–5 d. Reticulocytes were significantly increased during 7 d of hypoxia. Submaximal and maximal oxygen uptake, blood pressure at rest and during exercise and the profile of mood states (POMS test) did not change during the study. In conclusion, intermittent normobaric hypoxia for 10 d resulted in a significant stimulation of erythropoiesis. Staying at normobaric hypoxia may serve as a complement to an ordinary altitude level sojourn.

Notes: This article contains a summary discussion of human health effects linked to indoor air pollution (UP) in homes and other non-industrial environments. Rather than discussing the health effects of the many different pollutants which can be found in indoor air, the approach has been to group broad categories of adverse health effects in separate chapters, and describe the relevant indoor exposures which may give rise to these health effects.The following groups of effects have been comdered: effects on the respiratory system; allergy and other effects on the immune system; cancer and effects on reproduction: effects on the skin and mucous membranes in the eyes, nose and throat; sensory effects and other effects on the nervous system; effects on the cardiovascular system; systemic effects on the liver, kidney and gastro-intestinal system. For each of these groups, effects associated with IAP the principal agents and sources, evidence linking IAP to the effects, susceptible groups, the public health relevance, methods for assessment, and major research needs are briefly discussed.For some groups of effects, clear relationships with exposure to IAP have been reported in the world literature. Among these are respiratory disease (particularly among children), allergy (particularly to house dust mites) and mucous membrane irritation (particularly due to formaldehyde). Large numbers of people have been, and are still being affected.Many chemicals encountered in indoor air are known or suspected to cause sensory irritation or stimulation. These, in turn, may give rise to a sense of discomfort and other symptums cummonly reported in so-called “sick” buildings. Camplex mixtures of organic chemicals in indoor air also have the potential to invoke subtle effects on the central and peripheral nervous system, leading to changes in behaviour and performance.An increased risk of developing lung cancer has been linked to exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) and to radon decay products. Lung cancer is a very serious disease with a high fatality rate; however, the number of people affected is much lower than the number of people contracting resparatory disease or alhgies, or experiencing irritative effects due to exposure to indoor pollution.The effects of IAP on reproduction, cardiovascular disease and on other systems and organs have not been well documented to date. To a certain extent, this may mean that no serious effects occur, but there has been little by way of research to clearly document the absence of these tvpes of effects.

Notes: Abstract The amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in indoor air, usually called TVOC (total volatile organic compounds), has been measured using different definitions and techniques which yield different results. This report recommends a definition of TVOC referring to a specified range of VOCs and it proposes a method for the measurement of this TVOC entity. Within the specified range, the measured concentrations of identified VOCs (including 64 target compounds) are summed up, concentrations of non-identified compounds in toluene equivalents are added and, together with the identified VOCs, they give the TVOC value.The report reviews the TVOC concept with respect to its usefulness for exposure assessment and control and for the prediction of health or comfort effects. Although the report concludes that at present it is not possible to use TVOC as an effect predictor, it affirms the usefulness of TVOC for characterizing indoor pollution and for improving source control as required from the points of view of health, comfort, energy efficiency and sustainability.