Association between metabolic and inflammatory profile with mental health symptoms in different phases of training periodization in young badminton athletes

• Grant number: 24/07041-9
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate
• Start date: January 01, 2025
• End date: June 30, 2028
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Fabrício Eduardo Rossi
• Grantee: Pedro Victor Felisberto da Silva
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Presidente Prudente. Presidente Prudente , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Introduction: Athletes undergo exhausting training routines, often accompanied by insufficient recovery periods throughout the season can impair the neuroimmunoendocrine system functioning, and maybe induce an increase in the anxiety and depression disorders. Aim: To verify the association between metabolic and inflammatory profiles with mental health symptoms in different phases of training periodization in young badminton athletes. Methods: Thirthy badminton athletes with age over 14 to 21 years old at the date of collection and regular participation in national sports events will be recruited. Athletes will be monitored through periodic assessments in the different phases of training periodization, with four macro-training cycles: General preparatory phase (pre-season); specific preparatory phase (pre-competition); competitive phase (competition) and post- competitive or transition phase. A psychologist will apply the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI) to identify potential mental disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Anxiety and depression symptoms will be assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), respectively. The blood-based biomarkers [glucose, insulin, triacylglycerol, total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and non-HDL] and the inflammatory profile [C-reactive protein (CRP), Tumour necrosis factor ¿ and beta (TNF-¿, TNF-¿), Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), Interleukine-6 (IL-6) and Interleukine-10 (IL-10), cortisol and Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1)] will be analyzed. The VO2max will be measured by the progressive speed test on a treadmill with a gas analyzer and power will be assessed with a linear peak power transducer and vertical jumping test to assess muscle performance. Monitoring of the weekly internal training load will be carried out by multiplying the subjective perception of effort (PSE) by the session time in minutes and the POLAR verity sense will be used to monitor and collect data on the dynamics of the players' heart rate in time real, during training or games. The linear relationship among numerical variables will be expressed as r values using Pearson's correlation (Spearman's rank order, if any), while those significant relationships will be adjusted by potential confounders (sex, type of sport, somatic maturation, mesntrual cycle, self-reported mental health, and socioeconomic level) using linear regression (expressed as non-standardized coefficients [¿] and its 95% confidence intervals [95%CI]). Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Expected results and practical application: The novelty and originally of this project will be to understand the relationship between anxiety/depression symptoms and neuroimmunoendocrine system in athletes, which it will contribute to optimizing the athlete's physical and mental performance in the long term, increasing the chance of competitive success in the modality and preventing the risk of developing future diseases, such as anxiety and depression disorders, as well as the evasion of sports practice.