Scientists who study physiology are gathering in Long Beach, California, this week for the 2024 American Physiology Summit—a conference dedicated to sharing discoveries on the cutting-edge of bioscience.

Studies highlighted at the Summit span from racial differences in small artery disease in prostate cancer patients to feeding prebiotics to astronauts. Research to be presented at the meeting includes uncovering where gymnasts are most likely to experience tendon injuries, helping older people stay cool in a heat wave and exploring new evidence that a common pain reliever might be less safe for the heart than previously thought.

Reducing Gymnast Injuries

Tearing the Achilles tendon is a common and painful injury for college gymnasts. New research presented at the Summit surveyed 100 athletes from 78 colleges and found that about 20% had torn their Achilles tendon. The researchers also found that despite these athletes spending significantly more time on training floors they were 23 times more likely to get hurt on a competition floor. Competition floors are often much stiffer than practice floors. Videos of gymnasts landing on softer and harder floors showed that when they land on a stiffer floor, their toes flex further upward, straining the Achilles tendon. By zeroing in what is likely causing these injuries, researchers and gymnasts can now explore ways to minimize the effects of competing on stiffer floors.

Protecting Older Adults in a Heatwave

Older adults are more susceptible to heat-related injuries because their bodies do not respond as quickly to changes in temperature. A research team presenting their findings at the Summit tested out an easy, low-cost method to help older people stay cool during a dry heat wave. Ten adults between the ages of 67 and 84 spent two sessions in a room set to recreate the conditions of the 2018 Los Angeles heat wave. Both times the participants performed short, light bouts of exercise to imitate the strain of daily activities. One time they had no cooling methods to help with the heat, and the other time they had water lightly sprayed on their skin. The researchers found that a simple spray of water on the skin helped keep core temperature lower. The volunteers’ hearts beat slower too. Knowing inexpensive, electricity-free ways to stay cool could help more older adults stay healthy in a heat wave.

Reassessing a Common Pain Killer

Acetaminophen, the active ingredient in pain relievers such as Tylenol, is often recommended by doctors for people with concerns about heart health. New research presented this week at the Summit casts some doubt on that conventional wisdom, at least for extended use. Researchers gave mice the equivalent of 500 milligrams of acetaminophen daily—the typical dose most adults would take. They found that after seven days, the animals’ hearts showed significant changes in proteins associated with a variety of functions, including energy production. Because this is a mouse study, the research may not translate exactly the same to people, but it’s a reason to study more about the effects of this pain reliever on the heart.

See more science presented at the Summit:

• Black Men Have Greater Microvascular Dysfunction than White Men after Prostate Cancer Diagnosis
• Study Reveals How Obesity Could Accelerate Aging in the Brain
• Intermittent Fasting May Help Preserve Intestinal Health as We Age
• Regular Exercise Prevents DNA Damage with Aging
• Heavy Alcohol Use May Increase Type 2 Diabetes Risk in Middle-aged Adults
• Prebiotics Could Help Space Travelers Stay Healthy
• Short On Time? A 15-minute Workout May Help Boost Your Immune System
• Resistant Starch Could Help Combat Leading Cause of End-stage Kidney Failure
• Study Bolsters Evidence that Effects of Puberty Blockers Are Reversible

Visit the Summit Newsroom for more research news.