The fatigue induced by marathon races was observed in terms of inflammatory and immunological outcomes. Neutrophil survival and activation are essential for inflammation resolution and contributes directly to the pathogenesis of many infectious and inflammatory conditions. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of marathon races on surface molecules related to neutrophil adhesion and extrinsic apoptosis pathway and its association with inflammatory markers. We evaluated 23 trained male runners at the São Paulo International Marathon 2013. The following components were measured: hematological and inflammatory mediators, muscle damage markers, and neutrophil function. The marathon race induced an increased leukocyte and neutrophil counts; creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), CK-MB, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-10, and IL-8 levels. C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-12, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α plasma concentrations were significantly higher 24 h and 72 h after the marathon race. Hemoglobin and hematocrit levels decreased 72 h after the marathon race. We also observed an increased intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression and decreasedTNF receptor-1 (TNFR1) expression immediately after and 24 h after the marathon race. We observed an increased DNA fragmentation and L-selectin and Fas receptor expressions in the recovery period, indicating a possible slow rolling phase and delayed neutrophil activation and apoptosis. Marathon racing affects neutrophils adhesion and survival in the course of inflammation, supporting the “open-window” post-exercise hypothesis.

Journal of Archives in Military Medicine

We evaluated the working number steps (STEPS) of 25 military police officers (MPOs: day shift n = 14 and night shift n = 11) from the Military Police of São Paulo State (PMESP) while patrolling São Paulo city center and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) indicators. The participants' body composition and anthropometric parameters: body mass index (BMI), fat-free mass (FFM), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and clinical and laboratory data: systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure, and fasting plasma levels of glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), insulin, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerol (TG), and C-reactive protein (CRP) were also measured. According to the number of steps taken during the daily 12 h working period, the MPOs were divided into three groups: 600-2,000, 2,001-8,000, and >8,000 steps. On average, each participant took 5169 ± 614 steps per 12 h shift. While MPOs from the night shift walked 25% more than the day shift (6188±1069 vs. 4367±664), this difference was not statistically significant. Notably, the BMI, FFM (13.4%), SMM (14.5%), plasma HDL-cholesterol levels (32.2%), and DBP (19.1%) were significantly higher in group 1 compared to the other two groups. Furthermore, reduced physical activity, age, BMI, and tenure at PMESP were associated with increased MetS indicators. Overall, MPOs performing less than 2,000 steps per shift presented marked changes in body composition and plasma measurements and a higher MetS prevalence (64%) than those who were more physically active.

We determined the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among military police officers (MPOs) from the radio patrol program of the Military Police of Sao Paulo State (PMESP). Towards this goal, we analyzed the following characteristics: shift duty (daytime or nighttime patrol), service length in the PMESP, education level attained, weekly alcohol consumption, smoking, and physical activity of 93 MPOs. The MPO groups were created based on work shift [daytime (n=48) or nighttime (n=45)], and years of MPO experience [≤3 years (n=48) or ≥10 years (n=45)]. The overall prevalence of MetS among the 93 MPOs was 43%. There was a higher prevalence of MetS in the group with ≥ten years (53.3%) than that with ≤three years (33.3%); so, 1,6 times higher. The more prevalent MetS indicators (n=93) included waist circumference (76.3%), hypertension (55.9%), reduced plasma HDL-cholesterol levels (44%), hypertriglyceridemia (32.2%), and hyperglycemia (20.4%). Greater waist circumference, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, higher glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels, and MetS itself were associated with the service length (i.e., ≥ten years). The work shift was not associated with any MetS indicator. Those who were overweight or obese were 2.2. times more likely to develop MetS. Hypertriglyceridemia, the best indicator of the MetS, increased the chance of developing MetS by 16 times. Conclusion: MPOs exhibit a high prevalence of MetS, associated with the years of service and age.

Introdução: A elevada aptidão física é fundamental para o melhor desempenho dos policiais nas atividades laborais e na qualidade do serviço prestado à segurança pública e à sociedade. Objetivo: Analisar o perfil de aptidão física dos policiais militares de ambos os sexos, formandos da Escola Superior de Sargentos da Polícia Militar do Estado de São Paulo (PMESP). Métodos: Estudo observacional, transversal e descritivo, com dados retrospectivos obtidos do Teste de Aptidão Física (TAF) de 1.634 formandos (93,45% homens). Os dados foram classificados segundo sexo e idade. Foram apresentadas estatísticas descritivas. Resultados: As médias apresentadas pelos formandos foram: 42±4,61 repetições abdominais estilo remador; 7,37±0,54 segundos no teste de velocidade em deslocamento; e 2.502±255 metros no teste de Cooper. A média do VO2max entre os formandos foi de 44,4±5,66 ml/kg/min e nas formandas 35,1±4,66 ml/kg/min. A aptidão cardiorrespiratória foi classificada entre boa a excelente para 97,7% dos formandos e 71% das formandas. A força de resistência abdominal localizada mostrou-se entre boa e excelente para 91,6% dos formandos e 51,4% das formandas. Conclusão: Os formandos do Curso de Formação de Sargentos da PMESP apresentaram aptidão física classificada entre boa e excelente. Este resultado indica que o programa de treinamento físico aplicado nas aulas é adequado para manter a condição física esperada.

Introduction: The São Paulo State Military Police officers have a higher mortality rate than the civilian population. The radio patrolling work (RP190) is carried out by pairs of military police officers (MPOs) for 12 hours, using a police vehicle, requiring physical capabilities at any moment. However, whether the activity performed by MPOs during operational work is within the sedentary or the physically active range classification requires investigation. This cross-sectional study measured and compared the number of steps performed by MPOs during night and day shift radio patrolling. Methods: The study participants included 170 MPOs with a median age of 35.0 (IQR: 29.0–43.0) years. All volunteers worked either the day (n=117) or night (n=53) shift and underwent step count analysis during the service shift using a Yamax pedometer (Digi-Walker SW 700, Tokyo, Japan). The data were normalised for pedometer wear time corresponding to the working service period. The MPOs in the radio patrolling programme wore the pedometer for 8.5 hours. Results: The results show that they took an average of 2516 (95% CI 2270 to 2632) and 295.8 (95% CI 278.1 to 313.5) steps during the whole service and per hour of service, respectively. No difference in the number of steps was observed during the day compared with the night shift (2574 (IQR: 1829–3371) vs 2485 (IQR: 1502–2821), p=0.131). However, when normalised for wear time of use, the number of steps was significantly higher in the day compared with the night group (311.7±119.1 vs 260.6±108.6, p=0.009, d=0.44). Conclusions: In conclusion, MPOs working the night shift are less physically active than MPOs working the day shift. Furthermore, MPOs’ activity can be classified into the sedentary range independently of their shifts.