Author(s): TSUKATSUNE, G., KOJIMA, C., ITO, R., NISHIKAWA, T., NAKAO, K., IWAGUCHI, K., NAKAMURA, S., SHIRAISHI, Y., ITO, H., KAWASAKI, A., UCHIDA, M., FUJIE, S., ISAKA, T., IEMITSU, M., Institution: RITSUMEIKAN UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 2423

INTRODUCTION:
High-intensity training induces oxidative stress and inflammatory responses, and chronic recovery insufficiency is associated with reduced athletic performance (1). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are known as biomarkers reflecting the accumulation of chronic oxidative stress and metabolism-derived biological stress and have been shown to be associated with reduced muscle strength and endurance capacity (2). However, the relationship between AGEs and athletic performance remains unclear in competitive athletes. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between skin AGEs levels and cycling performance indices in competitive cyclists.
METHODS:
A total of 138 Japanese male competitive cyclists (age: 22 ± 3 years; height: 173 ± 6 cm; body mass: 76 ± 8 kg) participated in this study. Skin AGEs were non-invasively assessed by measuring skin autofluorescence at the index finger of the non-dominant hand. Cycling performance indices included a 3,000-m time trial and maximal and mean power output during a 3-minute all-out test using a cycle ergometer. Associations between variables were examined using Pearson’s correlation analysis and age-adjusted linear regression analysis. Additionally, participants were divided into tertiles according to each performance index, and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) was performed to compare skin AGEs levels among groups, with age included as a covariate. When significant effects were detected, Bonferroni post hoc tests were applied. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05.
RESULTS:
Skin AGEs levels were significantly negatively correlated with mean power output per body mass (W/kg) during the 3-minute test (r = −0.256, p = 0.003) and positively correlated with 3,000-m time (r = 0.188, p = 0.029). These associations remained significant after adjusting for age (3-minute mean power: β = −0.248, p = 0.004; 3,000-m time: β = 0.180, p = 0.039). However, no significant relationship between skin AGEs levels and maximal power output during the 3-minute test was observed. Furthermore, tertile analysis showed significantly higher skin AGEs levels in the lowest mean power tertile compared with the highest mean power tertile (p = 0.037), and in the slowest 3,000-m time tertile compared with the fastest tertile (p = 0.010).
CONCLUSION:
These findings indicate that skin AGEs levels are significantly associated with cycling performance indices in competitive cyclists.

REFERENCES:
(1) Powers SK., et al. Physiol Rev. 2008; 88:1243–1276.
(2) Momma H., et al. Eur J Appl Physiol. 2011;111:505–514.