Some athletes who undertake strenuous training programs for a prolonged period of time develop the overtraining syndrome. The pathophysiology of the condition is unknown. Hypothalamic-pituitary function was studied by determining the hormonal responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in five asymptomatic male marathon runners during a 4-month period in which they ran 42-, 56-, and 92-km races and in four overtrained male athletes. The response of the asymptomatic runners was not different when tested 1 month before and within 48 h after the 42- and 92-km races. All four overtrained athletes presented with impaired training and racing times, apathy, and a heavy-legged feeling and were tested when overtrained and again after 4 weeks of rest. The plasma cortisol, ACTH, GH, and PRL responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia in the four overtrained athletes were lower than their responses after the rest and lower than the responses of the asymptomatic runners. In both groups, the LH, TSH, and PRL responses to LHRH and TRH were normal. The impaired hormonal responses to insulin-induced hypoglycemia, with recovery after 4 weeks of rest, indicate hypothalamic dysfunction and may be a diagnostic marker of the overtraining syndrome.

The purpose of this study was to determine the sweat rate and sweat electrolyte composition in female international level soccer players. Thirteen soccer players performed two 90 min soccer-specific training sessions (T1 and T2) on separate days. Hydration status was determined prior to each session and sweat loss, sweat rate and sweat composition (Na (+), K (+), Mg (++) and Ca (+)) were determined from patches worn during training. The mean sweat rate during T1 and T2 was 0.50+/-0.20 and 0.43+/-0.18 L.h (-1) respectively (P>0.05). The mean sweat electrolyte composition during T1 and T2 was: [Na (+)]: 43.9+/-15.0 and 46.2+/-7.9 mmol.L (-1); [K (+)]: 6.1+/-1.1 and 5.2+/-1.1 mmol.L (-1); [Mg (++)]: 0.1+/-0.0 and 0.1+/-0.0 mmol.L (-1); [Ca (+)]: 1.2+/-0.5 and 0.7+/-0.1 mmol.L (-1), respectively. When data from T1 and T2 were combined, there were no relationships between sweat rate and sweat concentration of any electrolyte. In conclusion, the sweat rate and sweat electrolyte losses in this cohort of international female soccer players, during soccer-specific training in cool conditions, were small. Electrolyte losses of this magnitude are unlikely to require special consideration in terms of optimising player hydration.

Kinetic studies on gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-stimulated luteinizing hormone (LH) release were undertaken using rat and chicken pituitary cell cultures. In response to continuous GnRH stimulation, a biphasic pattern of LH release was demonstrated.The two phases showed different susceptibility to the voltage-gated Ca*+ channel blockers D600 and nifedipine. The first (transient) phase of LH release was unaffected by the Ca*+ channel blockers whereas the second (sustained) phase was inhibited by both drugs. These results indicate that the initial phase of LH release is independent of Ca*+ entry through voltage-gated Ca2+ channels and may depend on mobilisation of intracellular Ca2+ or entry of extracellular Ca*+ through another mechanism.

The authors conclude by arguing that academic libraries, and libraries in general, should include folklore collections in an "effort to create a collection that helps to preserve local traditions and culture, and to introduce other cultures into a community" (Lonergan & McHone-Chase, 2010, p. 52). Children's Collections in Libraries Whether in a school, public, or academic library, children's collections provide valuable insight to history and culture. Folklore has a foundation in cultural studies; therefore, research of other studies on children's collections is essential. One study is by Karen Nelson Hoyle (2008), a professor and curator at the University of Minnesota University Libraries; she provides an overview of the Children's Literature Research Collections (CLRC) at the University of Minnesota (p. 45). The CRLC "acquires materials, encourages research, and supports exhibits and conferences for professor outreach" (Hoyle, 2008, p. 45). The two main collections are the Kerlan and Hess Collections; additionally, the CLRC hold books related to the history of children's literature, books nominated for the Hans Christian Anderson, and