title: Investigation of glucose and energy metabolism in eumenorrheic female ultra-runners across the menstrual cycle

authors: Dole, Andrew

subjects: blood glucose

abstract: Female athletes, ultra-running, and the utilization of continuous glucose sensors in endurance sports are each individually underrepresented in current literature. When these areas are examined collectively, a substantial gap in knowledge becomes evident. Therefore, the purpose of this PhD study was to collect glucose and energy metabolism data in regularly menstruating female athletes within the complex sporting environment of ultra-running. Initially, a narrative review of the current study methodologies in female performance research was completed. The narrative review aided in the identification of gaps in study design and validation methodologies within female performance research, put forth a suggestive framework for standardizing terminology, and provides a comprehensive list of options for a combined methods approach to menstrual tracking. Subsequently, a randomized, cross-over experimental design was performed with twelve experienced female ultra-runners (age 39 ± 6 y) acting as their own control across menstrual cycle phases during an ultra-marathon simulation. Participants completed a 3-hour fasted outdoor run (FASTED) followed by a one-hour treadmill run (TREAD) where three standardized oral glucose doses were provided, in the mid-follicular (FOL) and mid-luteal phases (LUT). Using a mixed linear model, the menstrual phase was identified as being statistically significant for differences in glucose measurements between CGM and capillary glucose during TREAD (p = 0.02) but not FASTED. Also, the CGM reported glucose levels an average of -0.43 mmol·L-1 (95% CI -0.86, -0.005) and -1.02 mmol·L-1 (95% CI -1.63, -0.42) lower in fasted and fed scenarios respectively when compared to capillary glucose. Median glucose was higher in the LUT (Capillary 0.25-0.29 mmol·L-1, CGM 0.38-0.4 mmol·L-1) both when fasted or supplemented with carbohydrate. Of note, this is the first study to show that glucose is on average higher in the mid-luteal phase as well as observe the avoidance of clinically significant non-diabetic hypoglycemia (< 3.0 mmol·L-1) during 3-hours of fasted running following an 8-hour fast among female ultra-runners. Additionally, higher individual responses of low blood sugar were observed in the follicular phase. Further, there were no significant differences in the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) between the FOL (0.805 ± 0.028) and LUT phases (0.809 ± .035); t (10) -0.401, p = 0.697 during comparable submaximal running intensity (57% ± 7.3% and 57.3% ±7.9% VO2MAX respectively). Post-hoc analysis revealed no significant main effect of RER on glucose levels.

text: Investigation of glucose and energy metabolism in eumenorrheic female ultra-runners across the menstrual cycle Female athletes, ultra-running, and the utilization of continuous glucose sensors in endurance sports are each individually underrepresented in current literature. When these areas are examined collectively, a substantial gap in knowledge becomes evident. Therefore, the purpose of this PhD study was to collect glucose and energy metabolism data in regularly menstruating female athletes within the complex sporting environment of ultra-running. Initially, a narrative review of the current study methodologies in female performance research was completed. The narrative review aided in the identification of gaps in study design and validation methodologies within female performance research, put forth a suggestive framework for standardizing terminology, and provides a comprehensive list of options for a combined methods approach to menstrual tracking. Subsequently, a randomized, cross-over experimental design was performed with twelve experienced female ultra-runners (age 39 ± 6 y) acting as their own control across menstrual cycle phases during an ultra-marathon simulation. Participants completed a 3-hour fasted outdoor run (FASTED) followed by a one-hour treadmill run (TREAD) where three standardized oral glucose doses were provided, in the mid-follicular (FOL) and mid-luteal phases (LUT). Using a mixed linear model, the menstrual phase was identified as being statistically significant for differences in glucose measurements between CGM and capillary glucose during TREAD (p = 0.02) but not FASTED. Also, the CGM reported glucose levels an average of -0.43 mmol·L-1 (95% CI -0.86, -0.005) and -1.02 mmol·L-1 (95% CI -1.63, -0.42) lower in fasted and fed scenarios respectively when compared to capillary glucose. Median glucose was higher in the LUT (Capillary 0.25-0.29 mmol·L-1, CGM 0.38-0.4 mmol·L-1) both when fasted or supplemented with carbohydrate. Of note, this is the first study to show that glucose is on average higher in the mid-luteal phase as well as observe the avoidance of clinically significant non-diabetic hypoglycemia (< 3.0 mmol·L-1) during 3-hours of fasted running following an 8-hour fast among female ultra-runners. Additionally, higher individual responses of low blood sugar were observed in the follicular phase. Further, there were no significant differences in the respiratory exchange ratio (RER) between the FOL (0.805 ± 0.028) and LUT phases (0.809 ± .035); t (10) -0.401, p = 0.697 during comparable submaximal running intensity (57% ± 7.3% and 57.3% ±7.9% VO2MAX respectively). Post-hoc analysis revealed no significant main effect of RER on glucose levels.

year: 2024-12-20

title: Advancing NZ hospital seismic readiness: creating a post-earthquake functionality dashboard

authors: Mayer, Bethany

abstract: Continued functionality of critical infrastructure systems, such as hospitals, shortly after an earthquake is expected. However, experience indicates that there may be some disruption due to damage, outages, or access that vary in size and duration. While damage to structural components can have significant life safety and economic implications, damage to non-structural components or failures of the interconnected and interdependent supporting infrastructure systems can also have a substantial impact on the operability. A functionality dashboard to rapidly identify drops in functional performance is needed. The dashboard must be based on real and possible disruptions, including data from previous disruptive events. The dashboard utilises a functionality database and risk analysis tools to holistically predict a level of post-disaster functionality. Creating a functionality database from past earthquake events provides the necessary information to create a representative event tree of hospital performance. Drops in functionality are governed by fault trees that are created based on the data gathered in the functionality database. These tools provide the engine for a hospital functionality dashboard for estimating hospital functionality to scenario events. Use of the dashboard will help determine critical links between hospital components impacting functionality and provide needed information for improving facility design. It will also be useful for testing the implementation of emergency procedures linking the physical environment with human and organisation requirements.

text: Advancing NZ hospital seismic readiness: creating a post-earthquake functionality dashboard Continued functionality of critical infrastructure systems, such as hospitals, shortly after an earthquake is expected. However, experience indicates that there may be some disruption due to damage, outages, or access that vary in size and duration. While damage to structural components can have significant life safety and economic implications, damage to non-structural components or failures of the interconnected and interdependent supporting infrastructure systems can also have a substantial impact on the operability. A functionality dashboard to rapidly identify drops in functional performance is needed. The dashboard must be based on real and possible disruptions, including data from previous disruptive events. The dashboard utilises a functionality database and risk analysis tools to holistically predict a level of post-disaster functionality. Creating a functionality database from past earthquake events provides the necessary information to create a representative event tree of hospital performance. Drops in functionality are governed by fault trees that are created based on the data gathered in the functionality database. These tools provide the engine for a hospital functionality dashboard for estimating hospital functionality to scenario events. Use of the dashboard will help determine critical links between hospital components impacting functionality and provide needed information for improving facility design. It will also be useful for testing the implementation of emergency procedures linking the physical environment with human and organisation requirements.

year: 2022

title: The use of Māori words in National Science Challenge online discourse

authors: Calude, Andreea S.

abstract: This paper presents data relating to the use of Maori borrowings as they occur in a corpus of scientific discourse on the websites of the eleven National Science Challenges (NSCs) and their associated Twitter feeds.

text: The use of Māori words in National Science Challenge online discourse This paper presents data relating to the use of Maori borrowings as they occur in a corpus of scientific discourse on the websites of the eleven National Science Challenges (NSCs) and their associated Twitter feeds.

year: 2018