The aim of the present study was to analyse the effect of 12 weeks of training, 7 weeks of detraining and 16 weeks of retraining using a moderate or high intensity training programme on ...cardiovascular risk factors in hypertensive patients.
Thirty-four patients took part in the study. The intensity training was 80-90% of maximum heart rate for the high-intensity training (HIT) group ( n = 15) and at 50-70% of maximum heart rate for the moderate training (MT) group ( n = 19). Blood pressure, body composition, lipid profile, fasting glucose, strength and cardiovascular fitness were analysed.
The first training period did not decrease blood pressure, but the second training period saw significant decreases in blood pressures in HIT group. Moreover, 12 weeks of MT or HIT did not decrease body mass, body mass index or fat mass. However, after 7 weeks of detraining, the inclusion of a second training period using HIT saw decreases in these body composition variables. Both training periods and intensities improved high-density lipoprotein and low-density lipoprotein, but only HIT decreased total cholesterol. In addition, after 7 weeks of detraining, the lipid profile variables returned to baseline values. Additionally, 16 weeks of retraining with HIT or MT decreased blood glucose significantly. Moreover, MT and HIT training programmes in both periods improved cardiorespiratory fitness, but with 7 weeks of detraining, it returned to baseline values.
Our data demonstrated the effectiveness of the inclusion of a MT or HIT programme as adjuvant therapy in hypertensive patients.
Purpose： The aim of this study was to determine if heart rate variability （HRV） during incremental test could be used to estimate ventilatory threshold （VT） in professional basketball players, with ...sufficient precision to be used in their training. Furthermore, the second aim was to analyse the association between HRV and 3 methods of VT determination by gas analysis. Methods： Twenty-four professional basketball players （age： 23.4 ± 4.9 years; height： 195.4 ± 9.8 cm; body mass： 92.2 ± 11.9 kg） performed an incremental running test to exhaustion. First ventilatory threshold （VT1） was determined by ventilatory equivalent （VE） and HRV and second ventilatory threshold （VT2） was determined by 3 methods of gases analysis （V-slope, VE and gas exchange ratio （R）, and HRV）. Pearson＇s coefficient （r） was used to detect differences between data and the strength of each relationship. The mean of absolute differences and Bland-Altman analysis were used to evaluate whether there was agreement. Results： The results showed no significant differences in HR and oxygen consumption （VO2） at VT1 between the 2 methods. Furthermore, no significant differences among the methods of gases analysis and HRV were observed in speed, HR, and VO2 at VT2. Moreover, VTs estimated using HRV and gas methods were significantly correlated. Correlation in HR values was higher between R and HRV （r = 0.96） and VE and HRV （r = 0.96） than V-slope and HRV （r = 0.90）. Conclusion： These findings provide a practical, inexpensive approach for evaluating specific training loads when determining VT2 in basketball players. Therefore, HRV is an alternative method to determine VT2 without the application of expensive technology that limits its use to laboratories.
The aim of a 12-week randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was to assess the effect of daily supplementation with a natural extract of
L. (4 × 500 mg capsules/day; total 2 g per day) ...combined with a moderate-intensity training program (1 h session/3 times a week) on skeletal muscle fitness in adults over 50 years of age. Muscle strength assessed by isokinetic and isometric dynamometry improved significantly in the experimental (
= 23) and the placebo (
= 22) groups, but the magnitude of improvement was higher in the experimental group, with between-group differences in almost all variables, including isokinetic at 60° s
in knee extension, peak torque (
< 0.007); total work per repetition maximum (
< 0.009); isokinetic at 180°s
in knee extension, peak torque (
< 0.002); total work (
< 0.007); total work per repetition maximum (
< 0.005); average power (
< 0.027); isometric in knee extension, peak torque (
< 0.005); and average peak torque (
< 0.002). Similar findings were observed for muscle quality. Changes in quality of life (SF-36) were not found, except for improvements in the role physical (
< 0.023) and role emotional (
< 0.001) domains, likely as a result of the physical training sessions. A nutritional survey did not revealed changes in dietary habits. No adverse events were recorded. In subjects over 50 years of age, moderate-intensity strength training combined with daily supplementation for 12 weeks with a natural extract of
L. improved muscle-related variables and muscle quality. Maintaining muscle health is a key component of healthy aging.
Pelvic floor muscle training is commonly used for urine loss. However, research studies have not determined which training load is the most effective for women with stress urinary incontinence (SUI). ...Moreover, none of the previous reviews or studies have described the total effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training (PFMT) with an objective test such as the pad test. The objectives were to analyze the effectiveness of pelvic floor muscle training in women with SUI and to determine which training load produces the greatest adaptations for decreasing urine loss. The search was conducted in three databases (PubMed, Web of Science and Cochrane), for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that evaluated the effects of PFMT. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: participants were women; were older than 18; had SUI; were treated with PFMT; and the assessments of the effects were measured with a pad test. Finally, 10 articles (293 women) analyzed the pad test in women with SUI who performed PFMT. The meta-analysis showed that PFMT, independent of the protocol used in the study, resulted in decreased urine loss in women suffering from SUI. However, for large effects, the program should last 6-12 weeks, with >3 sessions/week and a length of session <45 min.
This randomized double-blind and controlled single-center clinical trial was designed to evaluate the effect of a 6-week intake of a probiotic product (1 capsule/day) vs. a placebo on an oxidative ...stress model of physical exercise (high intensity and duration) in male cyclists (probiotic group,
= 22; placebo,
= 21). This probiotic included three lyophilized strains (
CECT 7347,
CECT 9104, and
CECT 8361). Study variables were urinary isoprostane, serum malondialdehyde (MDA), serum oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL), urinary 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxiguanosine (8-OHdG), serum protein carbonyl, serum glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and serum superoxide dismutase (SOD). At 6 weeks, as compared with baseline, significant differences in 8-OHdG (Δ mean difference -10.9 (95% CI -14.5 to -7.3);
< 0.001), MDA (Δ mean difference -207.6 (95% CI -349.1 to -66.1;
< 0.05), and Ox-LDL (Δ mean difference -122.5 (95% CI -240 to -4.5);
< 0.05) were found in the probiotic group only. Serum GPx did not increase in the probiotic group, whereas the mean difference was significant in the placebo group (477.8 (95% CI 112.5 to 843.2);
< 0.05). These findings suggest an antioxidant effect of this probiotic on underlying interacting oxidative stress mechanisms and their modulation in healthy subjects. The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03798821).
Seventy-one healthy subjects with sleep disturbances participated in a randomized, double-blind controlled trial in which dietary supplementation with an extract of
(lemon verbena) (
= 33) or placebo ...(
= 38) was administered for 90 days. There were between-group differences in favor of the experimental group in the visual analogue scale (VAS) for sleep quality (6.5 ± 1.6 vs. 5.5 ± 2.1,
= 0.021) as well as in the overall score (5.8 ± 2.4,
= 0.008) and scores for sleep latency (1.6 ± 1.0 vs. 1.9 ± 0.7,
= 0.027) and sleep efficiency (84.5 ± 12.8 vs. 79.8 ± 13.6,
= 0.023) in the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Sleep-related variables (latency, efficiency, wakefulness after sleep onset, awakenings) assessed by actigraphy also showed better scores in the experimental group (
= 0.001). Plasma nocturnal melatonin levels also increased significantly in the experimental group (199.7 ± 135.3 vs. 174.7 ± 115.4 pg/mL,
= 0.048). Changes in anthropometric parameters and physical activity levels were not found. In summary, a dietary supplement of lemon verbena administered for 3 months was associated with a significant improvement in sleep quality as compared with placebo in a population of healthy subjects with sleep problems.
Caffeine ingestion improves athletic performance, but impairs sleep quality. We aimed to analyze the effect of caffeine intake on 800-m running performance, sleep quality (SQ), and nocturnal cardiac ...autonomic activity (CAA) in trained runners.
Fifteen male middle-distance runners participated in the study (aged 23.7 ± 8.2 years). In a randomized and comparative crossover study design, the athletes ingested a placebo (PL) or caffeine supplement (CAF; 6 mg∙kg
) one hour before an 800-m running time-trial test in the evening. During the night, CAA and SQ were assessed using actigraphy and a sleep questionnaire. A second 800-m running test was performed 24 h after the first. Time, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and blood lactate concentration were analyzed for each running test.
No significant differences in CAA and performance variables were found between the two conditions. However, CAF impaired sleep efficiency (
= 0.003), actual wake time (
= 0.001), and the number of awakenings (
= 0.005), as measured by actigraphy. Also, CAF impaired the questionnaire variables of SQ (
= 0.005), calm sleep (
= 0.005), ease of falling asleep (
= 0.003), and feeling refreshed after waking (
= 0.006).
The supplementation with caffeine (6 mg∙kg
) did not improve the 800-m running performance, but did impair the SQ of trained runners.
The efficacy of pomegranate (
) extract (PE) for improving performance and post-exercise recovery in an active population was equivocal in previous studies. In this study, a randomised, ...double-blinded, placebo-controlled, balanced, cross-over trial with two arms was conducted. Eligibility criteria for participants were as follows: male, amateur cyclist, with a training routine of 2 to 4 sessions per week (at least one hour per session). The cyclists (
= 26) were divided into treatment (PE) and placebo (PLA) groups for a period of 15 days. After physical tests, the groups were exchanged after a 14-day washout period. Exercise tests consisted of endurance bouts (square-wave endurance exercise test followed by an incremental exercise test to exhaustion) and an eccentric exercise drill. The objective was to assess the efficacy of PE in performance outcomes and post-exercise muscular recovery and force restoration after a prolonged submaximal effort. Twenty-six participants were included for statistical analysis. There was a statistically significant difference in total time to exhaustion (TTE)(17.66⁻170.94 s,
< 0.02) and the time to reach ventilatory threshold 2 (VT2)(26.98⁻82.55 s,
< 0.001), with greater values for the PE compared to the PLA group. No significant results were obtained for force restoration in the isokinetic unilateral low limb test. PE, after a prolonged submaximal effort, may be effective in improving performance outcomes at maximal effort and might help to restore force in the damaged muscles.
Supplementation with β-alanine is becoming a common practice in high-performance athletes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effects of a one-week high-dose β-alanine loading ...phase employing a sustained-release powder on preserving the time-trial performance capacity of world tour cyclists during overreaching training. Per day, 20 g of sustained-release β-alanine was administered during one week (7 days) of intensive team training camp in a randomised balanced placebo-controlled parallel trial design, with six participants in each β-alanine (BA) or placebo (PLA) group. A 10-min time trial (10′ TT) was carried out to analyse performance and biochemical variables. Anthropometry, paresthesia, and adverse event data were also collected. Power-based relative training load was quantified. Compared to placebo, the BA improved mean power (6.21%, 37.23 W; 95% CI: 3.98–70.48 W, p = 0.046), distance travelled (2.16%, p = 0.046) and total work (4.85%, p = 0.046) without differences in cadence (p = 0.506) or RPE. Lactate (p = 0.036) and anion gap (p = 0.047) were also higher in the BA group, without differences in pH or Bicarbonate. High daily and single doses were well tolerated. One-week high-dose β-alanine loading with a sustained-release powder blend can help attenuate 10′ TT performance losses of world tour cyclists due to intensive training.
The aims of this study were 1) to describe the effects of a 54 km and 111 km ultra-endurance mountain race on the biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation, 2) to compare the effects between the ...two races regarding the biomarkers of muscle damage and inflammation.
Sixteen ultra-endurance amateur runners volunteered to participate in this study. Ten runners completed a 54 km race (Group 1; age: 27.0 ± 5.7; height: 179.5 ± 5.8 cm; and body mass: 77.3 ± 10.7 kg) and six completed a 111 km race (Group 2; age: 30.5 ± 8.0; height: 179.4 ± 5.5 cm; and body mass: 76.2 ± 9.4 kg). Blood samples were taken at five different points during the investigation, 24 h before the race, immediately post-race, and again at 24, 48, and 72 h after the race.
There were increases in leukocyte (Group 1: p ≤ .001, ES = 2.8; Group 2: p = .001, ES = 3.5) and platelet concentrations (Group 1: p ≤ .001, ES = 2.3; Group 2: p = .02, ES = 1.7) post-races. Significant inter-race differences were also observed in leukocyte at 72 h (Group 1: 5.5 ± 0.9, Group 2: 4.2 ± 0.9, p = .012, ES = 1.5). Erythrocytes, hematocrit and hemoglobin concentration decreased after 54 km and 111 km races at 24, 48 and 72 h (p ≤.001, ES = 2.0–3.18). Serum uric acid concentration increased after the 54 km race (pre = 4.9 ± 1.2 – post = 7.3 ± 1.0 8 mg/dl; p ≤ .001, ES = 2.4), and also the 111 km race (pre = 5.3 ± 0.9 – post = 6.7 ± 0.8 mg/dl; p < .008, ES = 2.2). GPT, GOT and LDH had changed by the end of the races (p < .05) and differences between the groups were observed in GOT post-race (p = .008, ES = 1.7) 24 h (p = .004, ES = 1.8), 48 h (p = .007, ES = 1.6), and 72 h (p = .02, ES = 1.4) and also in LDH at 24, 48, 72 h. Serum creatinine decreased post-race in Group 1 (pre = 1.1 ± 0.1 – post = 1.4 ± 0.2 mg/dl; p = .001, ES = 1.5) and Group 2 (pre = 1.2 ± 0.1, post = 1.5 ± 0.2; p = .002, ES = 3.3) along with CK and myoglobin. In addition, values did not return to baseline levels after 72 h in Group 2 for C-reactive protein, myoglobin, and CK. Differences between the races were also observed post-race in Troponin I (Group 1 = 0.06 ± 0.05, 111 km = 0.02 ± 0.01 μg/l, p = .047, ES = 1.1) and C-reactive protein post-race (Group 2 = 2.5 ± 1.6, 111 km = 18.2 ± 6.4 mg/l, p ≤ .001, ES = 4.4) at 24 and 48 h.
The athletes had increased concentrations of markers associated with damage, inflammation, muscle injury and cardiac damage after the races. Furthermore, athletes who completed the greater distance (111 km) had higher concentrations of the markers associated with muscle damage and muscle inflammation which remained changed for a period of 72 h. However, the participants of the ‘shorter race’ showed higher values associated with cardiac damage. Consequently, athletes who take part in these kinds of races should wait at least 72 h before training with high load.
PDF
