1. |
- Andersson, Helena M., et al.
(author)
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Differences in the inflammatory plasma cytokine response following two elite female soccer games separated by a 72-h recovery
- 2010
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. - Malden, USA : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0905-7188 .- 1600-0838. ; 20:5, s. 740-747
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We investigated changes in a large battery of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines in elite female soccer players following two 90-min games separated by a 72-h active or passive recovery. Blood samples were taken from 10 players before, within 15-20 min, 21, 45 and 69 h after the first game and within 15-20 min after the second game. The leukocyte count was analyzed, together with several plasma pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines, using a multiplex bead array system. After the first and second game, the total leukocytes and neutrophils increased significantly. Likewise, increases (P<0.05) in pro-inflammatory cytokines [interleukin (IL)-12, tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha), interferon-gamma (INF-gamma), IL-17], chemokines [monocyte chemotactic protein-1 (MCP-1), IL-8 and monokine induced by gamma interferon (MIG)], anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-2R, IL-4, IL-5, IL-7, IL-10, IL-13, INF-alpha) and the mixed cytokine IL-6 were observed. Leukocyte and cytokine levels were normalized within 21 h. Active recovery (low-intensity exercises) did not affect the cytokine responses. A dampened cytokine response was observed after the second game as only IL-12, IL-6, MCP-1, IL-8 and MIG increased (P<0.05). In conclusion, a robust pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine response occurs after the first but not the second soccer game. The implications of the dampened cytokine response in female players after the second game are unknown.
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2. |
- Andersson, Helena M., et al.
(author)
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Elite female soccer players perform more high-intensity running when playing in international games compared with domestic league games
- 2010
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In: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. - Philadelphia, USA : Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. - 1064-8011 .- 1533-4287. ; 24:4, s. 912-919
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The purpose of this study was to compare movement pattern, fatigue development, and heart rate (HR) for top-class elite female players when playing international (INT) vs. domestic league games (DOM). Video-based time-motion analyses and HR recordings were performed on 17 players during INT and DOM. The distances covered in high-intensity running (HIR) and sprinting were longer (p < 0.05) in INT compared with DOM. More (p < 0.05) HIR was covered in INT than DOM during first and second half. Additionally, more (p < 0.05) sprinting occurred in INT compared with DOM in the first half. In both game types, the amount of HIR was reduced by 24-27% (p < 0.05) in the last 15-minute period compared with the first four 15-minute periods of the game. The midfielders covered longer (p < 0.05) distances with HIR in INT than in DOM over the entire game and in the most intense 5-minute period of the games, whereas no differences were observed between the game types for defenders. No difference in the HR response was found between INT and DOM. In conclusion, more HIR and sprinting occur in international compared with domestic games, which may affect the fatigue development for players in physically demanding roles. Thus, our results are important to coaches to prepare players to meet the challenges of international soccer games and show that the ability to perform intense intermittent exercise should be trained regularly in elite female players.
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3. |
- Andersson, Helena M, et al.
(author)
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Elite football on artificial turf versus natural grass : movement patterns, technical standards, and player impressions
- 2008
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In: Journal of Sports Sciences. - : Informa UK Limited. - 0264-0414 .- 1466-447X. ; 26:2, s. 113-22
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The aim of the present study was to examine the movement patterns, ball skills, and the impressions of Swedish elite football players during competitive games on artificial turf and natural grass. Time - motion analyses (36 observations) and technical analyses (16 team observations) were performed and 72 male and 21 female players completed a questionnaire. No differences were observed between artificial turf and natural grass in terms of total distance covered (mean 10.19 km, s = 0.19 vs. 10.33 km, s = 0.23), high-intensity running (1.86 km, s = 0.10 vs. 1.87 km, s = 0.14), number of sprints (21, s = 1 vs. 22, s = 2), standing tackles (10, s = 1 vs. 11, s = 1) or headers per game (8, s = 1 vs. 8, s = 1), whereas there were fewer sliding tackles (P < 0.05) on artificial turf than natural grass (2.1, s = 0.5 vs. 4.3, s = 0.6). There were more short passes (218, s = 14 vs. 167, s = 12) and midfield-to-midfield passes (148, s = 11 vs. 107, s = 8) (both P < 0.05) on artificial turf than natural grass. On a scale of 0-10, where 0 = "better than", 5 = "equal to", and 10 = "worse than", the male players reported a negative overall impression (8.3, s = 0.2), poorer ball control (7.3, s = 0.3), and greater physical effort (7.2, s = 0.2) on artificial turf than natural grass. In conclusion, the running activities and technical standard were similar during games on artificial turf and natural grass. However, fewer sliding tackles and more short passes were performed during games on artificial turf. The observed change in playing style could partly explain the male players' negative impression of artificial turf.
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4. |
- Andersson, Helena M., et al.
(author)
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Plasma antioxidant responses and oxidative stress following a soccer game in elite female players
- 2010
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In: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports. - Malden, USA : Wiley-Blackwell. - 0905-7188 .- 1600-0838. ; 20:4, s. 600-608
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We aimed to investigate markers of oxidative stress and levels of endogenous and dietary antioxidants in 16 elite female soccer players in response to a 90-min game (average intensity 82+/-3% HRpeak). Blood samples were taken before, immediately and 21 h after the game. Plasma-oxidized glutathione, the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH:GSSG) and lipid peroxidation measured by d-ROMs were used as markers of oxidative stress. Plasma endogenous [uric acid, total glutathione (TGSH)] and dietary antioxidants (alpha-tocopherol, ascorbic acid, total carotenoids and polyphenols) were analyzed using liquid chromatography and the Folin-Ciocalteu method. Exercise induced an acute increase (P<0.05) in GSSG, uric acid, TGSH, alpha-tocopherol, and ascorbic acid. In parallel, the GSH:GSSG ratio and polyphenols decreased (P<0.05). GSSG, GSH:GSSG ratio, uric acid, TGSH, and ascorbic acid returned to baseline at 21 h, while polyphenols and alpha-tocopherol remained altered. Total carotenoids increased above baseline only at 21 h (P<0.05). Lipid peroxidation, measured by d-ROMs, remained unchanged throughout the study. Thus, intermittent exercise in well-trained female athletes induces a transient increase in GSSG and a decrease in the GSH:GSSG ratio, which is effectively balanced by the recruitment of both endogenous and dietary antioxidants, resulting in the absence of lipid peroxidation measured by d-ROMs.
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5. |
- Mohr, Magni, et al.
(author)
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Match activities of elite women soccer players at different performance levels
- 2008
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In: Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research. - : Wolters Kluwer. - 1064-8011 .- 1533-4287. ; 22:2, s. 341-349
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We sought to study the physical demands and match performance of women soccer players. Nineteen top-class and 15 high-level players were individually videotaped in competitive matches, and time-motion analysis were performed. The players changed locomotor activity >1,300 times in a game corresponding to every ~4 seconds and covered 9-11 km in total. The top-class players ran 28% longer (P < 0.05) at high intensities than high-level players (1.68 +/- 0.09 and 1.33 +/- 0.10 km, respectively) and sprinted 24% longer (P < 0.05). The top-class group had a decrease (P < 0.05) of 25-57% in high intensity running in the final 15 minutes compared with the first four 15-minutes intervals, whereas the high-level group performed less (P < 0.05) high-intensity running in the last 15 minutes of each half in comparison with the 2 previous 15-minute periods in the respective half. Peak distance covered by high intensity running in a 5-minute interval was 33% longer (P < 0.05) for the top-class players than the high-level players. In the following 5 minutes immediately after the peak interval top-class players covered 17% less (P < 0.05) high-intensity running than the game average. Defenders performed fewer (P < 0.05) intervals of high-intensity running than midfielders and attackers, as well as fewer (P < 0.05) sprints than the attackers. In conclusion, for women soccer players (1) top-class international players perform more intervals of high-intensity running than elite players at a lower level, (2) fatigue develops temporarily during and towards the end of a game, and (3) defenders have lower work rates than midfielders and attackers. The difference in high-intensity running between the 2 levels demonstrates the importance of intense intermittent exercise for match performance in women soccer. Thus, these aspects should be trained intensively in women soccer.
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6. |
- Ahnström, Josefin, et al.
(author)
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Activated protein C cofactor function of protein S: a novel role for a gamma-carboxyglutamic acid residue
- 2011
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In: Blood. - : American Society of Hematology. - 1528-0020 .- 0006-4971. ; 117:24, s. 6685-6693
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Protein S has an important anticoagulant function by acting as a cofactor for activated protein C (APC). We recently reported that the EGF1 domain residue Asp95 is critical for APC cofactor function. In the present study, we examined whether additional interaction sites within the Gla domain of protein S might contribute to its APC cofactor function. We examined 4 residues, composing the previously reported "Face1" (N33S/P35T/E36A/Y39V) variant, as single point substitutions. Of these protein S variants, protein S E36A was found to be almost completely inactive using calibrated automated thrombography. In factor Va inactivation assays, protein S E36A had 89% reduced cofactor activity compared with wild-type protein S and was almost completely inactive in factor VIIIa inactivation; phospholipid binding was, however, normal. Glu36 lies outside the omega-loop that mediates Ca2+-dependent phospholipid binding. Using mass spectrometry, it was nevertheless confirmed that Glu36 is gamma-carboxylated. Our finding that Gla36 is important for APC cofactor function, but not for phospholipid binding, defines a novel function (other than Ca2+ coordination/phospholipid binding) for a Gla residue in vitamin K-dependent proteins. It also suggests that residues within the Gla and EGF1 domains of protein S act cooperatively for its APC cofactor function. (Blood. 2011;117(24):6685-6693)
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7. |
- Andersson, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Active recovery training does not affect the antioxidant response to soccer games in elite female players
- 2010
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In: British Journal of Nutrition. - Cambridge, United Kingdom : Cambridge University Press. - 0007-1145 .- 1475-2662. ; 104:10, s. 1492-1499
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Changes in plasma endogenous and dietary antioxidants and oxidative stress markers were studied following two 90 min elite female soccer games separated by 72 h of either active or passive recovery. The active recovery group (n 8) trained for 1 h at 22 and 46 h after the first game (low-intensity cycling and resistance training), while the passive group rested (n 8). Blood samples were taken before the games; immediately after the games; 21, 45 and 69 h after the first game; and immediately after the second game. The oxidative stress markers and antioxidants were not affected by active recovery. The oxidative stress marker GSSG increased by the same extent after both the games, while the lipid peroxidation marker diacron-reactive oxygen metabolite remained unchanged. The endogenous antioxidants total glutathione and uric acid and ferric reducing/antioxidant power increased immediately after both the games with the same amplitude, while increases in cysteine, cysteine-glycine and total thiols reached significant levels only after the second game. The changes in dietary antioxidants after the first game were either rapid and persistent (tocopherols and ascorbic acid (AA) increased; polyphenols decreased) or delayed (carotenoids). This resulted in high pre-second game levels of tocopherols, AA and carotenoids. Polyphenols returned to baseline at 69 h, and were not affected by the second game. In conclusion, the soccer-associated dietary antioxidant defence, but not the endogenous antioxidant defence, is persistent. Similar acute oxidative stress and endogenous antioxidant responses and dissimilar dietary antioxidant reactions occur during two repeated female soccer games. Finally, the complex antioxidant response to soccer is not affected by active recovery training.
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8. |
- Andersson, Helena, et al.
(author)
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Communication at work : The communicative situation of immigrants at Swedish workplaces
- 2005
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In: The immigrant and the workplace. - Uppsala : FUMS, Institutionen för nordiska språk vid Uppsala universitet. ; , s. 20-
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Book chapter (pop. science, debate, etc.)abstract
- Genom intervjuer och fallstudier kartläggs och analyseras ett antal invandrares kommunikativa arbetsvardag med avseende på såväl muntlig som skriftlig produktion. Syftet med analyserna är att finna kommunikativa faktorer som har en positiv inverkan på invandrares integration på arbetsplatsen och med sina kolleger.
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9. |
- Andersson, Helena, 1966
(author)
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Crosslinking of Polymers. Molecular Structure and Properties of Sol and Network
- 2004
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Doctoral thesis (other academic/artistic)abstract
- Crosslinking is a well-known procedure for improving a variety of features of polymers, particularly the dimension stability at elevated temperatures. Crosslinking implies the formation of a network, the gel, but there is always a certain portion of the material, the sol, that remains non-crosslinked within the network. Both fractions contribute to the properties of the crosslinked polymer, and the relative importance of the respective fraction depends on the type of polymer and the field of application. In this thesis, the significance of the molecular structure and property of a sol was illustrated by investigating the ability of crosslinked silicone elastomers to contaminate nearby structures, while analyses of the molecular structure of crosslinked polyethylene elucidated the behaviour of the network. The silicone study showed that the non-crosslinked fraction of a cured silicone elastomer consists mainly of non-volatile, low molecular weight siloxanes with a potential capacity of causing silicone contamination through migration. Gel-content determinations together with molecular weight determinations of the sol clearly showed that the most effective way to minimise migration is to remove the low molecular weight fraction prior to crosslinking. Thermal analyses demonstrated the pronounced temperature sensitivity of the crosslinking process, something which must be considered, as a too low temperature could lead to unnecessary low gel-contents, whereas an elevated temperature can be used as a tool to increase the final curing level. Analyses of crosslinked polyethylene demonstrated an extensive impact of the molecular weight on the gel-content formed upon crosslinking. Bimodal polyethylene, which always contains a substantial amount of low molecular weight chains, can thereby be prevented from developing high gel-contents upon crosslinking. A polymer network is to a large extent affected by the presence of long chain branches on the polymer chain. The amount and length of the branches influence the network performance mainly by affecting disentanglement of the branches. Coil volume and intramolecular crosslinking are other factors that are governed by the presence of long chain branches.
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