Objective: Sports practice alters the homeostasis of athletes. To achieve homeostatic equilibrium, the integrated action of the neuroendocrine and immune systems is necessary. Here we studied the relation between cytokines, hormones and mood states in marathon runners. Methods: A total of 20 male recreational marathon runners (mean age = 35.7 ± 9 years) and 20 male sedentary individuals (mean age = 35.5 ± 7 years) were recruited. We compared the serum levels of growth hormone (GH), cortisol and interleukins 8 and 10 and the amounts of these two cytokines spontaneously produced by peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Blood samples of the sedentary group were collected at rest. Blood from the marathon runners was collected at rest (baseline: 24 h before the race), immediately after a marathon and 72 h after a marathon. Mood state analysis in both groups was performed using the 24-item Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). Results: Our results showed that, at rest, levels of interleukins 8 and 10 in the supernatant of culture cells, the serum concentration of GH, and tension and vigour (evaluated using the BRUMS), were significantly higher in athletes compared to sedentary people. Immediately after the race all serum parameters analysed were statistically higher than baseline values. At 72 h after the marathon, serum levels of hormones and interleukins returned to values at rest, but the concentrations of interleukins in the supernatant of culture cells showed a significant reduction compared to values at rest. Conclusion: The higher serum levels of GH in athletes at rest and the higher production of cytokines in culture without previous stimulus suggest that marathon runners present mechanisms that may be associated with preparing the body to perform prolonged strenuous exercise, such as a marathon.

Objective To investigate the level of anxiety and its relationship with interleukin (IL)-10 (anti inflammatory cytokine that modulates mood swings) in a group of female soccer players. Methods Fifty-two eumenorrheic soccer players were evaluated (age 19.8 AE 4.7 years). The presence of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and phases of the menstrual cycle were determined by a daily symptom report (DSR) kept for 3 consecutive months. The concentration of cytokine IL-10 was determined from urine samples collected at four moments: at the follicular and luteal phases of the menstrual cycle, and before (pre) and after (post) the simulated game, and it was quantified by flow cytometry (Luminex xMAP -EMD Millipore, Billerica, MA, USA). The level of anxiety was determined through the BAI anxiety questionnaire answered by all athletes at the same time of the urine collection. The Student t-test, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Pearson correlation with significance level at 5% were used for data analysis. Results We showed that the prevalence of PMS among female soccer players is similar to that reported in the literature. In addition, we showed that the group with PMS has a higher level of anxiety compared with group without PMS (p ¼ 0.002). Interleukin-10 analysis in players without PMS revealed that there was a significant decrease in the level of this cytokine before the game during the luteal phase when compared with the follicular phase (p < 0.05). The correlation analysis between IL-10 and anxiety showed a negative correlation post-game in the luteal phase in the group without PMS (p ¼ 0.02; r ¼ -0.50) and a positive correlation post-game in the luteal phase in PMS group (p ¼ 0.04; r ¼ 0.36).

Introdução: o biofeedback é descrito como um instrumento que favorece a conscientização e a regulação dos processos fisiológicos do indivíduo; podendo ser utilizado em treinamentos de relaxamento bem como de gestão do estresse. Objetivo: verificar uma possível regulação do processo respiratório através da utilização do biofeedback como ferramenta motivacional. Método: paciente AC; sexo feminino; 73 anos; passou em consulta no Ambulatório de Promoção de Saúde da Medicina do Esporte – UNIFESP. Relatou queixa de dores no corpo; pressão alta; sedentarismo; tendo diagnóstico de fibromialgia e artrose nos ombros. Recebeu orientação dos profissionais de gerenciamento de estresse para a aplicação de técnicas complementares de saúde – exercício de consciência respiratória - além da utilização do biofeedback para monitorar os sinais fisiológicos. Retornou mais 2 vezes ao ambulatório. O aparelho de biofeedback utilizado é da empresa HealthMatch – EMWAVE. O módulo gráfico escolhido foi para iniciantes, utilizando sensor no dedo indicador da mão esquerda.     O protocolo utilizado foi: A) dois minutos como linha de base; sem falar; respirando normalmente; olhos abertos. B) orientação de postura e de consciência respiratória; C) cinco minutos de treinamento; sem falar; respirando normalmente, porém com consciência; olhos abertos.Foi proposto treinamento diário por pelo menos cinco minutos, seguindo as orientações. Resultados: a análise dos sinais emitidos pelo biofeedback mostrou uma melhora no controle do processo respiratório; com aumento da média, por minuto, dos valores associados à modulação simpática-parassimpática nas três consultas realizadas (32%, 39% e 56% respectivamente), quando comparados aos valores associados à atividade simpática; demonstrando comportamento de consciência durante a prática da respiração através da modulação dos batimentos cardíacos. Conclusão: observou-se uma melhora no controle do processo respiratório na paciente estudada após a utilização do biofeedback e da prática do exercício de consciência respiratória; o que sugere eficácia do método como ferramenta terapêutica motivacional.