Cortisol, blood pressure, and heart rate responses to food intake were independent of physical fitness levels in women

This research tested the hypothesis that women who had higher levels of physical fitness will have lower hypothalamo–pituitary–adrenal axis (cortisol) and sympatho-adrenal medullary system (blood pressure and heart rate) responses to food intake compared with women who had low levels of physical fitness. Lower fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 27.4 ± 1.0 mL∙kg−1·min−1) and higher fitness (n = 22; maximal oxygen consumption = 41.9 ± 1.6 mL∙kg−1·min−1) women (aged 30–50 years; in the follicular phase of the menstrual cycle) who participated in levels of physical activity that met (lower fitness = 2.7 ± 0.5 h/week) or considerably exceeded (higher fitness = 7.1 ± 1.4 h/week) physical activity guidelines made their own lunch using standardised ingredients at 1200 h. Concentrations of cortisol were measured in blood samples collected every 15 min from 1145–1400 h. Blood pressures and heart rate were also measured every 15 min between 1145 h and 1400 h. The meal consumed by the participants consisted of 20% protein, 61% carbohydrates, and 19% fat. There was a significant overall response to lunch in all of the parameters measured (time effect for all, p < 0.01). The cortisol response to lunch was not significantly different between the groups (time × treatment, p = 0.882). Overall, both groups showed the same pattern of cortisol secretion (treatment p = 0.839). Systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, or heart rate responses (time × treatment, p = 0.726, 0.898, 0.713, and 0.620, respectively) were also similar between higher and lower fitness women. Results suggest that the physiological response to food intake in women is quite resistant to modification by elevated physical fitness levels.

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Effect of short moderate intensity exercise bouts on cardiovascular function and maximal oxygen consumption in sedentary older adults

BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine ◽

10.1136/bmjsem-2019-000672 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. e000672 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Karani Magutah ◽

Kihumbu Thairu ◽

Nilesh Patel

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Older Adults ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Systolic Blood Pressure ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Cardiovascular Function ◽

Moderate Intensity ◽

Group Differences ◽

Moderate Intensity Exercise

AimTo investigate effect of <10 min moderate intensity exercise on cardiovascular function and maximal oxygen consumption (V˙ O2max) among sedentary adults.MethodsWe studied 53 sedentary urbanites aged ≥50 years, randomised into: (1) male (MS) and (2) female (FS) undertaking three short-duration exercise (5–10 min) daily, and (3) male (ML) and (4) female (FL) exercising 30–60 min 3–5 days weekly. Resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), heart rate and V˙ O2max were measured at baseline and 8 weekly for 24 weeks.ResultsAt baseline, 50% MS, 61.5% ML, 53.8% FS and 53.8% FL had SBP ≥120 mm Hg, and 14.3% MS, 53.8% ML, 23.1% FS and 38.5% FL had DBP ≥80 mm Hg. At 24 weeks, where SBP remained ≥120 mm Hg, values decreased from 147±19.2 to 132.3±9.6 mm Hg (50% of MS), from 144±12.3 to 128±7.0 mm Hg (23.1% of ML), from 143.1±9.6 to 128.0±7.0 mm Hg (53.8% of FS) and from 152.3±23.7 to 129±3.7 mm Hg (30.8% of FL). For DBP ≥80 mm Hg, MS and FS percentages maintained, but values decreased from 101±15.6 to 84.5±0.7 mm Hg (MS) and 99.0±3.6 to 87.7±4.9 mm Hg (FS). In ML and FL, percentage with DBP ≥80 mm Hg dropped to 15.4% (86.1±6.5 to 82.5±3.5 mm Hg) and (91.4±5.3 to 83.5±0.71 mm Hg). V˙ O2max increased from 26.1±4.4 to 32.0±6.2 for MS, from 25.8±5.1 to 28.8±5.4 for ML (group differences p=0.02), from 20.2±1.8 to 22.7±2.0 for FS and from 21.2±1.9 to 24.2±2.7 for FL (groups differences p=0.38).ConclusionAccumulated moderate intensity exercise bouts of <10 min confer similar-to-better cardiovascular and V˙ O2max improvements compared with current recommendations among sedentary adults.

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A comparison of physical activity, physical fitness levels, BMI and blood pressure of adults with intellectual disability, who do and do not take part in Special Olympics Ireland programmes: Results from the SOPHIE study

Journal of Intellectual Disabilities ◽

10.1177/1744629516688773 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 22 (2) ◽

pp. 154-170 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Denise Walsh ◽

Sarahjane Belton ◽

Sarah Meegan ◽

Kirsty Bowers ◽

Deidre Corby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Intellectual Disability ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Vigorous Physical Activity ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Report ◽

Special Olympics ◽

The Impact ◽

Fitness Levels

People with an intellectual disability are less physically active, live more sedentary lives, have lower fitness levels and are more likely to be overweight or obese than the general population. No evidence exists on the impact of participation in Special Olympics Ireland (SOI) on physical activity and physical fitness levels. Adults with intellectual disabilities (16–64 years) were recruited from services and SOI clubs. Physical measures included waist circumference, height, weight, blood pressure, heart rate and 6-min walking test. Self-report questionnaires gathered data on physical activity levels. Actigraph (GT3X) accelerometers were used to gain an objective measure of physical activity. SOI participants accumulated more moderate to vigorous physical activity per day, had higher fitness levels and more positive health profile scores than those not taking part in SOI. SOI has the potential to make a positive difference to people’s physical health and subsequently their overall health and well-being.

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Physical training and heart rate and blood pressure variability: a 5-yr randomized trial

AJP Heart and Circulatory Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajpheart.00600.2003 ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 286 (5) ◽

pp. H1821-H1826 ◽

Cited By ~ 34

Author(s):

Arja L. T. Uusitalo ◽

Tomi Laitinen ◽

Sari B. Väisänen ◽

Esko Länsimies ◽

Rainer Rauramaa

Keyword(s):

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Blood Pressure Variability ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Final Analysis ◽

Peak Performance ◽

Autonomic Modulation ◽

The Mean ◽

Time Point

We studied the effect of regular physical activity on cardiac and vascular autonomic modulation during a 5-yr controlled randomized training intervention in a representative sample of older Finnish men. Heart rate variability (HRV) and blood pressure variability (BPV) are markers of cardiac and vascular health, reflecting cardiac and vascular autonomic modulation. One hundred and forty randomly selected 53- to 63-yr-old men were randomized into two identical groups: an intervention (EX) group and a reference (CO) group, of which 89 men remained until the final analysis (EX: n = 47; CO: n = 42). The EX group trained for 30–60 min three to five times a week with an intensity of 40–60% of maximal oxygen consumption. The mean weekly energy expenditure of the training program for the 5-yr training period was 3.80 MJ, and 71% of the EX group exceeded the mean. The EX group had a significantly ( P < 0.01) higher oxygen consumption at ventilatory aerobic threshold (V̇o2VT) than the CO group at the 5-yr time point. V̇o2VT had a tendency to increase in the EX group and decrease in the CO group (interaction P < 0.001) from the baseline to the 5-yr time point. Peak performance did not change. Low-frequency power of R-R interval variability decreased in the EX group ( P < 0.01, by 6%) from the baseline to the 5-yr time point. BPV did not change. In conclusion, low-intensity regular exercise training did not prevent HRV from decreasing or change BPV in 5 yr in older Finnish men.

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Physiological adaptation of anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters on physical activity of elite athletes

Srpski arhiv za celokupno lekarstvo ◽

10.2298/sarh1208431d ◽

2012 ◽

Vol 140 (7-8) ◽

pp. 431-435

Author(s):

Marina Djelic ◽

Slavica Saranovic ◽

Jovan Zlatkovic ◽

Vladimir Ilic ◽

Dragan Radovanovic ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Body Mass ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Maximal Heart Rate ◽

Trained Group ◽

Trained Subjects ◽

Cardiovascular Parameters ◽

Adaptive Changes

Introduction. Specific morphological and functional characteristics of athletes have a significant role in determining athletes? sports results and can be also used to assess the athlete?s individual potential. Objective. The aim of the study was to compare anthropometric characteristics and cardiovascular parameters in trained subjects to those of untrained subjects. Methods. A total number of 25 trained (17.30?0.83 years) and 21 (18.52?1.52 years) untrained male subjects participated in this study. Body weight and height were measured and these values were used to compute body mass index (BMI). The bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) method was used to estimate body fat percentage (%BF). Cardiovascular parameters were monitored in rest (rest heart rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure) during ergospirometric testing (maximal oxygen consumption, maximal heart rate) and in recovery (heart rate in the first and third minute of recovery). Results. Body mass, height and BMI (p<0.01) were significantly higher, although BF% was lower in trained group when compared to untrained, but the difference was not statistically significant. Heart rate in rest and recovery were significantly lower (p<0.05) in trained group when compared to untrained, although maximal oxygen consumption and maximal heart rate were significantly higher in trained group (p<0.01, p<0.05, respectevely). Conclusion. Our results show that in trained subjects, water polo players, regular intense physical activity lead to adaptive changes of anthropometric parameters and adaptive changes on the cardiovascular system.

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Effectiveness of a school-based program focusing on diet and health habits taught through physical exercise

Applied Physiology Nutrition and Metabolism ◽

10.1139/apnm-2017-0348 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 43 (4) ◽

pp. 331-337 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Ana Pablos ◽

Vicente Nebot ◽

Vicente Vañó-Vicent ◽

Diego Ceca ◽

Laura Elvira

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Blood Glucose ◽

Total Cholesterol ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Intervention Group ◽

School Based ◽

The Impact

The global rate of obesity in childhood is becoming an epidemic and many authors have established a significant association between childhood obesity and overweight in adulthood. It is therefore necessary to seek effective strategies to reduce these levels of obesity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of the Healthy Habits Program (HHP). The participants comprised 158 children from the fifth and sixth grades (intervention group, n = 82; control group, n = 76). The HHP is a school-based physical activity program focusing on promoting a healthy lifestyle. It lasted for 8 months, and measurements were taken at the beginning and end of the program. Physiological variables (total cholesterol, triglycerides, blood glucose, blood pressure, and maximal oxygen consumption), anthropometric variables (body mass index (BMI)) and behavioral variables (breakfast, quality of diet, meal frequency, physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep, and perceived health) were evaluated. Repeated-measures ANOVA showed significant improvements (p < 0.05) after the intervention for the intervention group in triglycerides, blood glucose and maximal oxygen consumption. Significant improvements were also observed in breakfast habits and quality of diet. Finally, a significant improvement in prevalence of normal levels was observed for total cholesterol, blood pressure, and BMI. It can therefore be stated that the HHP is an innovative and useful school-based program that can help to improve diet and health in childhood.

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Age-Related Change in Heart Rate Variability at Resting in Thai Professional Athletes

Asian Journal of Sports Medicine ◽

10.5812/asjsm.102409 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (3) ◽

Author(s):

Maninthorn Thabsuwan ◽

Therdtham Chawrai ◽

Chaladol Boonsri ◽

Tepmanas Bupha-Intr

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Heart Rate Variability ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Frequency Domain ◽

Physical Activity Level ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Activity Level ◽

Age Related ◽

Potential Marker

Background: Although regular exercise is beneficially acknowledged in promoting general health status, the cardiovascular risk of sudden cardiac death in highly training athletes has been reported. Unfortunately, the primary key factor in inducing cardiac problems in athletic populations is still questioned. Objectives: In the present study, we aim to determine factors that could affect the relationship between physical activity level and cardiac autonomic function in the Thai population. Methods: Forty participants were recruited and classified into three groups based on their physical activity level and sport profession, including sedentary men, elite handball players, and professional futsal players. In all participants, we measured predicted maximal oxygen consumption, time- and frequency- domain heart rate variability (HRV) variables at rest. Results: Results demonstrated a positive correlation between time-domain HRV and estimated maximal oxygen consumption, but not with frequency-domain HRV, in which athletes aged lower than 25 years old (18 - 25 years old) had a significantly higher in the standard deviation of normal RR intervals (SDNN) and root mean square of the successive differences (RMSSD) than that in age-matched sedentary subjects. Interestingly, athletes aged above 25 years old (25 - 32 years old) had lower SDNN and RMSSD with higher low frequency/high-frequency ratio than those athletes aged under 25. Since all athletes aged above 25 years old were world-class national futsal players, stress due to the competitive level might be another factor influencing cardiac autonomic activity in athletes. Conclusions: In conclusion, the study suggested the importance of age and stress exposure on cardiac autonomic regulation in elite athletes. The observed correlation also reinforced HRV as a potential marker in detecting abnormal changes in cardiac health even in an athletic population.

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Study on Health and Physical Fitness for Office Workers in Hong Kong: Phase I

Asian Journal of Physical Education & Recreation ◽

10.24112/ajper.21177 ◽

1996 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 39-48

Author(s):

Pak Kwong CHUNG

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Health Status ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Phase I ◽

Office Workers ◽

Resting Heart Rate ◽

Lung Capacity ◽

Cardiorespiratory Endurance

LANGUAGE NOTE | Document text in Chinese; abstract in English only.The study consisted of two phases: Phase I was designed to investigate the health status and physical fitness levels of office workers and phase II was conducted to examine the training effects of a circuit training on health and physical fitness of the workers. In phase I, health and stress inventories (Pace of Life Index, General Well-Being Scale, and Bacek Sports Questionnaire), health indices (blood total cholesterol, blood pressure, lung capacity, and resting heart rate), and physical fitness assessment (bicycle ergometer test; skinfold measurement, sit-ups test; grip strength test; and sit and reach test) were conducted to 171 (112 males & 59 females, aged 30-49) office workers from 22 local corporations. From Descriptive Statistics analyses, it was found that the overall health status and stress level of the office workers were at acceptable levels. However, the lung capacity of the workers was in the category of "fair". The total cholesterol level of the male 40-year old group was found higher than the optimal level. Most of the fitness indices of the workers were in categories of "average" or "fair" when comparing with that of the general population of U.S.A. The Correlation analyses shown that the female workers, with higher regular physical activity hours, had fewer incidents of low-back pain and lower resting heart rates. It was also found that the lower the percent body fat, the lower the systolic blood pressure and the better the cardiorespiratory endurance. Similar correlations were found in the male workers: the better the cardiorespiratory endurance, the lower the resting heart rate and systolic blood pressure for the workers. Researchers indicated that workers with higher levels of physical fitness would have higher working ability and productivity, it was suggested that local office workers should give priority to regular physical activity. Activities such as aerobic exercises, calisthenics, stretching, and muscular training should be included in the exercise programmes so that a total fitness can be developed.

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Physical fitness changes induced by thermal aquatic standardized exercise in chronic venous disease patients

Phlebology The Journal of Venous Disease ◽

10.1177/02683555211051962 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 026835552110519

Author(s):

Erica Menegatti ◽

Simona Mandini ◽

Yung-Wei Chi ◽

Gianni Mazzoni ◽

Anselmo Pagani ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Aquatic Environment ◽

Thermal Water ◽

Activity Level ◽

Venous Disease ◽

Exercise Protocol ◽

The Impact

Background Lack of physical activity represents a risk factor for both cardiovascular and chronic venous diseases (CVD), nevertheless a specific exercise protocol for CVD patient is still missing. This investigation was aimed to assess the impact of a standardized exercise protocol in a thermal water environment on physical fitness and quality-of-life (QoL) in CVD patients. Methods Sixteen (16) CVD patients performed 5 standardized exercise sessions in a thermal water pool. Before starting the exercise protocol, the cohort filled International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) to determine their physical activity level. At baseline and at the end of the exercise program, leg volume, QoL, musculoskeletal and cardiovascular physical fitness were assessed by means of water plethysmography, validated questionnaire and functional test, blood pressure and heart rate at rest were also reported. Results All the patients were categorized as physically inactive: average activity time 235.6 (155.2) MET-minutes per week. At the end of the study, a significant leg volume reduction was found (−16%; p < .002). Significant improvement in lower limb strength (p < .0001), endurance (p < .006), rapidity and balance (p < .05) together with decrease in resting heart rate (−1.8%, p < .0001) and systolic blood pressure (−1.1%, p < .04) were reported, significant improvement in bodily pain (p < .0005) and social function (p < .002) QoL items were observed. Conclusions The proposed exercise protocol in thermal aquatic environment demonstrated to be an effective treatment modality improving both cardiovascular and musculoskeletal outcomes and QoL in sedentary CVD patients. Aquatic environment investigations require proper analysis of the various factors involved, in a standardized and reproducible way. The herein report can be a reference for further studies on different health related conditions.

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Is academic performance an indicator for physical fitness?

International Journal on Disability and Human Development ◽

10.1515/ijdhd-2016-0002 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 16 (1) ◽

pp. 33-35 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ronald Chow ◽

Cooper Midroni ◽

Drew Hollenberg ◽

Stuart Cumner

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Middle School ◽

Heart Rate ◽

Academic Performance ◽

Middle School Students ◽

Health Education ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

School Students ◽

Physical And Health Education

Abstract Many studies have investigated whether elevated levels of physical activity and fitness improve academic performance in children, but only a few have examined whether it is physical fitness which varies with academic performance. The purpose of this study was to examine if academic performance is indeed an indicator for physical fitness. For this study, middle school students were recruited for the necessary values and information. The data acquired for academic performance were based off of a public honour roll list distributed within the school community and physical fitness was evaluated via mile-run time, resting, post-active blood pressure and heart rate. There were no differences in proportion across the academic cohorts for any measurements of physical fitness. There was no conclusion such as “students with higher academic performance are less physically fit”; all academic cohorts had relatively similar levels of physical fitness. This may be due to mandatory physical and health education classes, which all students attend; the physical fitness levels are similar due to similar training.

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Physical fitness of paramedic students during vocational training - a follow-up study

Irish Journal of Paramedicine ◽

10.32378/ijp.v3i1.49 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Heikki Paakkonen ◽

Joachim Ring ◽

Jyrki Kettunen

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Muscle Strength ◽

Physical Fitness ◽

Maximal Oxygen Consumption ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Exercise Programme ◽

Home Exercise ◽

One Year

Introduction: Paramedics’ work includes periods of physically light activity, but also involves short periods of relatively intense physical activity. Even during their studies paramedic students’ days involve a lot of sitting, i.e. physically sedentary behaviour. We initiated a programme to motivate paramedic students to be physically active during their studies. In this study we report physical fitness among paramedic students who for one year participated in brief physical activity counselling consisting of both verbal and a written individually tailored exercise programMethods: A total of 40 paramedic students (26 female, 14 male) had participated voluntarily in a physical activity programme alongside their studies. Subjects’ maximal oxygen consumption and muscle strength were measured at baseline and at one-year follow-up. According to the results of the baseline tests all students were given an individual exercise programme, which included aerobic and muscle strength training.Results: Sixty-five percent (26/40) of the students participated in the follow-up examinations. At baseline male students had higher mean maximal oxygen consumption (VO2Max) and, as expected, greater absolute muscle strength than their female counterparts (all p-values <0.05). During the follow-up females had improved their VO2Max on average by 2.4 ml/kg/min. Furthermore, females on average improved the number of squats by 4.2 [95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.01 to 8.33] repetitions, and males improved the number of push-ups (mean improvement 4.8, 95% CI 1.93 to 7.57), and left arm grip strength (mean improvement 4.0 kg, 95% CI 1.39 to 6.53).Conclusions: It seems to be possible to maintain, and even slightly improve paramedic students’ physical fitness with a self-directed, guided, home exercise programme. This approach could enhance prospective paramedics’ willingness to develop the necessary physical qualities long-term throughout their clinical careers.

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