In the past years, there was an increasing development of physical activity tracker (Wearables). For recreational people, testing of these devices under walking or light jogging conditions might be ...sufficient. For (elite) athletes, however, scientific trustworthiness needs to be given for a broad spectrum of velocities or even fast changes in velocities reflecting the demands of the sport. Therefore, the aim was to evaluate the validity of eleven Wearables for monitoring step count, covered distance and energy expenditure (EE) under laboratory conditions with different constant and varying velocities.
Twenty healthy sport students (10 men, 10 women) performed a running protocol consisting of four 5 min stages of different constant velocities (4.3; 7.2; 10.1; 13.0 km·h
), a 5 min period of intermittent velocity, and a 2.4 km outdoor run (10.1 km·h
) while wearing eleven different Wearables (Bodymedia Sensewear, Beurer AS 80, Polar Loop, Garmin Vivofit, Garmin Vivosmart, Garmin Vivoactive, Garmin Forerunner 920XT, Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR, Xaomi MiBand, Withings Pulse O
). Step count, covered distance, and EE were evaluated by comparing each Wearable with a criterion method (Optogait system and manual counting for step count, treadmill for covered distance and indirect calorimetry for EE).
All Wearables, except Bodymedia Sensewear, Polar Loop, and Beurer AS80, revealed good validity (small MAPE, good ICC) for all constant and varying velocities for monitoring step count. For covered distance, all Wearables showed a very low ICC (<0.1) and high MAPE (up to 50%), revealing no good validity. The measurement of EE was acceptable for the Garmin, Fitbit and Withings Wearables (small to moderate MAPE), while Bodymedia Sensewear, Polar Loop, and Beurer AS80 showed a high MAPE up to 56% for all test conditions.
In our study, most Wearables provide an acceptable level of validity for step counts at different constant and intermittent running velocities reflecting sports conditions. However, the covered distance, as well as the EE could not be assessed validly with the investigated Wearables. Consequently, covered distance and EE should not be monitored with the presented Wearables, in sport specific conditions.
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•NIR probe mounted on feed frame of tablet press.•Significant segregation effects toward the process end.•Calibration transfer with local centering and calculated transfer ...sample.•Discussion of Ph. Eur. 2.9.47 with regard to inline measurements.
This paper describes the application and implementation of inline NIR spectroscopy in an industrial tablet press. The content uniformity of a powder was analyzed via a NIR probe mounted on the feed frame. A PLS model with four latent variables (R2=0.97, Q2=0.95) was developed for the Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient (API) and two main excipients (EX1, EX2), according to the mixture DoE. The RMSEP corresponded to the relative errors of 2.7% for API, 1.7% for EX1 and 2.6% for EX2, compared to the nominal formulation. Transfer of the model, from the lab to an inline setup for manufacturing was achieved using local centering. There was a good agreement between the results of inline NIR and drawn tablets analyzed via UV–Vis. Notably, NIR indicated stochastic segregation behavior of the powder toward the end of the process, which was confirmed by the UV–Vis analysis. The outcome of our work was related to the recently published Ph. Eur. chapter 2.9.47 “Demonstration of uniformity of dosage units using large sample sizes”.
Endothelial microparticles (EMP) are complex vesicular structures shed from activated or apoptotic endothelial cells. As endurance exercise affects the endothelium, the objective of the study was to ...examine levels of EMP and angiogenic growth factors following different endurance exercise protocols.
12 subjects performed 3 different endurance exercise protocols: 1. High volume training (HVT; 130 min at 55% peak power output (PPO); 2. 4 × 4 min at 95% PPO; 3. 4 × 30 sec all-out. EMPs were quantified using flow cytometry after staining platelet-poor-plasma. Events positive for Annexin-V and CD31, and negative for CD42b, were classified as EMPs. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), migratory inhibiting factor (MIF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) were determined by ELISA technique. For all these measurements venous blood samples were taken pre, 0', 30', 60' and 180' after each intervention. Furthermore, in vitro experiments were performed to explore the effect of collected sera on target endothelial functions and MP uptake capacities.
VEGF and HGF significantly increased after HIT interventions. All three interventions caused a significant decrease in EMP levels post exercise compared to pre values. The sera taken after exercise increased the uptake of EMP in target endothelial cells compared to sera taken under resting conditions, which was shown to be phosphatidylserin-dependent. Increased EMP uptake was associated with an improved protection of target cells against apoptosis. Sera taken prior and after exercise promoted target endothelial cell migration, which was abrogated after inhibition of VEGF.
Physical exercise leads to decreased EMP levels and promotes a phosphatidylserin-dependent uptake of EMP into target endothelial cells, which is associated with a protection of target cells against apoptosis.
Background and Objectives: This study aimed to compare the calculated running velocity at the anaerobic lactate threshold (cLTAn), determined by a mathematical model for metabolic simulation, with ...two established threshold concepts (onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA; 4 mmol∙L−1) and modified maximal deviation method (mDmax)). Additionally, all threshold concepts were correlated with performance in different endurance running events. Materials and Methods: Ten sub-elite runners performed a 30 s sprint test on a cycle ergometer adjusted to an isokinetic mode set to a cadence of 120 rpm to determine maximal lactate production rate (VLamax), and a graded exercise test on a treadmill to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max). Running velocities at OBLA, mDmax, and cLTAn were then compared with each other, and further correlated with running performance over various distances (3000 m, 5000 m, and 10,000 m). Results: The mean difference in cLTAn was −0.13 ± 0.43 m∙s−1 and −0.32 ± 0.39 m∙s−1 compared to mDmax (p = 0.49) and OBLA (p < 0.01), respectively. cLTAn indicated moderate to good concordance with the established threshold concepts (mDmax: ICC = 0.87, OBLA: ICC = 0.74). In comparison with other threshold concepts, cLTAn exhibited comparable correlations with the assessed running performances (cLTAn: r = 0.61–0.76, mDmax: r = 0.69–0.79, OBLA: r = 0.56–0.69). Conclusion: Our data show that cLTAn can be applied for determining endurance performance during running. Due to the consideration of individual physiological profiles, cLTAn offers a physiologically justified approach to assess an athlete’s endurance performance.
Monitoring of extrusion dynamics with in-line NIR spectroscopy.
Implementation of continuous manufacturing in the pharmaceutical industry requires tight process control. This study focuses on a PAT ...strategy for hot melt extrusion of vegetable calcium stearate (CaSt) as matrix carrier and paracetamol as active pharmaceutical ingredient (API). The extrusion was monitored using in-line near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy. A NIR probe was located in the section between the extrusion screws and the die, using a novel design of the die channel. A chemometric model was developed based on premixes at defined concentrations and was implemented in SIPAT for real time API concentration monitoring. Subsequently, step experiments were performed for different API concentrations, screw speeds and screw designs.
The predicted API concentration was in good agreement with the pre-set concentrations. The transition from one API plateau to another was a smooth curve due to the mixing behaviour of the extruder. The accuracy of the model was confirmed via offline HPLC analysis. The screw design was determined as the main influential factor on content uniformity (CU). Additionally the influence of multiple feeders had a significant impact on CU.
The results demonstrate that in-line NIR measurements is a powerful tool for process development (e.g., mixing characterization), monitoring and further control strategies.
Purpose
The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) vs high-volume training (HVT) on salivary stress markers cortisol (sC), testosterone (sT), ...alpha-amylase (sAA), metabolic and cardiorespiratory response in young athletes.
Methods
Twelve young male cyclists (14 ± 1 years; 57.9 ± 9.4 mL min
−1
kg
−1
peak oxygen uptake) performed one session of HIIT (4 × 4 min intervals at 90–95 % peak power output separated by 3 min of active rest) and one session of HVT (90 min constant load at 60 % peak power output). The levels of sC, sT, their ratio (sT/sC) and sAA were determined before and 0, 30, 60, 180 min after each intervention. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress was characterized by blood lactate, blood pH, respiratory exchange ratio (RER) and heart rate (HR), oxygen uptake (
V
O
2
), ventilation (
V
E
) and ventilatory equivalent (
V
E
/
V
O
2
).
Results
sC increased 30 and 60 min after HIIT. However, 180 min post exercise, sC decreased below baseline levels in both conditions. sT increased 0 and 30 min after HIIT and 0 min after HVT. sAA and sT/sC ratio did not change significantly over time in HIIT nor HVT. Metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress, evidenced by blood lactate, HR,
V
O
2
,
V
E
, and
V
E
/
V
O
2
was higher during HIIT compared to HVT.
Conclusion
The metabolic and cardiorespiratory stress during HIIT was higher compared to HVT, but based on salivary analyses (cortisol, testosterone, alpha-amylase), we conclude no strong acute catabolic effects neither by HIIT nor by HVT.
Background and Objectives: During intense training periods, there is a high need to monitor the external and especially the internal training load in order to fine-tune the training process and to ...avoid overreaching or overtraining. However, data on stress reactions, especially of biomarkers, to high training loads in children and youth are rare. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the training load of youth athletes during a training camp using a multilevel approach. Materials and Methods: Six trained youth male cyclists performed a 7-day preseason training camp. To investigate the internal training load, every morning, minimally invasive “point-of-care testing” (POCT) devices were used to analyze the following biomarkers: creatine kinase (CK), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), albumin (Alb), bilirubin (Bil), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total protein (TP). Additionally, data of training load measures (HR: heart rate, RPE: rating of perceived exertion, sRPE: session-RPE, TRIMP: training impulse, intensity (RPE:HR), and load (sRPE:TRIMP) ratios), self-perception (person’s perceived physical state, questionnaires on muscle soreness, and sleep quality), and measures of the autonomic nervous system (resting heart rate, heart rate variability) were collected. Two days before and after the training camp, subjects performed performance tests (Graded Exercise Test, Wingate Anaerobic Test, Counter Movement Jump). Results: Primarily, the biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb, as well as the self-perception showed moderate to large load-dependent reactions during the 7-day training camp. The biomarkers returned to baseline values two days after the last training session. Power output at lactate threshold showed a small increase, and no changes were found for other performance parameters. Conclusions: The study suggests that a multilevel approach is suitable to quantify the internal training load and that different parameters can be used to control the training process. The biomarkers CK, BUN, and Alb are suitable for objectively quantifying the internal training load. The self-perception provides additional subjective information about the internal training load.
Understanding the behavior of light in granular media is necessary for determining the sample size, shape, and weight when probing using fiber optic setups. This is required for a correct estimate of ...the active pharmaceutical ingredient content in a pharmaceutical blend via near-infrared spectroscopy. Several strategies to describe the behavior of light in granular and turbid media exist. A common approach is the Monte-Carlo simulation of individual photons and their description using mean free path lengths for scattering and absorption. In this work, we chose a complementary method by approximating these parameters via real physical counterparts, i.e., the particle size, shape, and density and the resulting chord lengths. Additionally, the wavelength dependence of refractive indices is incorporated. The obtained results were compared with those obtained in an experimental setup that included the SAM-Spec Felin probe head by Indatech for detecting spatially resolved spectra of samples. Our method facilitates the interpretation of the acquired experimental results by contrasting the optical response, the physical particle attributes, and the simulation results.
To the Editor: A sedentary lifestyle increases the risk for various medical conditions, whereas regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to promote health and reduce the risk of developing ...chronic disorders such as cardiovascular disease and cancer, which are prevalent in industrialized countries.1 The cellular and molecular mechanisms by which PA mediates its beneficial effects are poorly understood. Because a common etiologic factor for many noncommunicable diseases of affluence is persistent sterile inflammation, PA could exert part of its effects by dampening chronic low-grade inflammation.2 The immune system needs to maintain a delicate balance between immune effector mechanisms, which can result in immune-mediated damage, and immunoregulatory mechanisms, which not only promote immune tolerance and dampen inflammation but can also increase the susceptibility to infection. Consistent with the increase in Treg-cell frequency, the level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine TGF-β, which plays an important role in Treg-cell development and function, was elevated in the relVo2peak-high group and neutralization of TGF-β resulted in increased T-cell proliferation (see Fig E5 in this article's Online Repository at www.jacionline.org).7 To validate these findings in an independent cohort, we performed a longitudinal study with athletes of the German Olympic Hockey Team who underwent a time-dense, high-intensity training in preparation for the Olympic Summer Games 2012.
Continuous pharmaceutical manufacturing processes are of increased industrial interest and require uni- and multivariate Process Analytical Technology (PAT) data from different unit operations to be ...aligned and explored within the Quality by Design (QbD) context. Real-time pharmaceutical process verification is accomplished by monitoring univariate (temperature, pressure, etc.) and multivariate (spectra, images, etc.) process parameters and quality attributes, to provide an accurate state estimation of the process, required for advanced control strategies. This paper describes the development and use of such tools for a continuous hot melt extrusion (HME) process, monitored with generic sensors and a near-infrared (NIR) spectrometer in real-time, using SIPAT (Siemens platform to collect, display, and extract process information) and additional components developed as needed. The IT architecture of such a monitoring procedure based on uni- and multivariate sensor systems and their integration in SIPAT is shown. SIPAT aligned spectra from the extrudate (in the die section) with univariate measurements (screw speed, barrel temperatures, material pressure, etc.). A multivariate supervisory quality control strategy was developed for the process to monitor the hot melt extrusion process on the basis of principal component analysis (PCA) of the NIR spectra. Monitoring the first principal component and the time-aligned reference feed rate enables the determination of the residence time in real-time.
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