Ellagic acid enhances muscle endurance by affecting muscle fiber type, mitochondrial biogenesis and function

Ellagic acid (EA) is a natural polyphenolic compound, which shows various effects, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and inhibition of platelet aggregation. In this study, we investigated the effect of EA...

Urolithin A enhances muscle performance in elderly and positively impacts biomarkers linked to cellular health

Background Aging is associated with decline in mitochondrial function and reduced exercise capacity. Urolithin A (UA) is a natural gut metabolite shown to stimulate mitophagy and improve muscle function in aged animals, and induce mitochondrial gene expression in elderly. Purpose Investigate if oral administration of UA improved walking distance (6MWT), muscle fatigue resistance in hand (FDI) and leg (TA) muscles, and had an impact on plasma biomarkers. Method: We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study (NCT03283462) in elderly subjects (65-90 yrs.) supplemented daily with 1000mg UA or placebo for 4 months. 128 subjects were screened and 66 randomized. 6MWT and ATPmax via MRS were assessed at baseline and at 4 months. Muscle fatigue tests and plasma analysis of biomarkers were assessed at baseline, 2 and 4 months. Results UA significantly improved muscle endurance (i.e., change in number of muscle contractions from baseline) in two different muscles (hand: PL 11.6 ±147.5, UA 95.3 ± 115.5; and leg: PL 5.7± 127.1, UA 41.4 ±65.5) compared with placebo at 2-months. Plasma levels of several acylcarnitines, ceramides and C-reactive-protein were decreased by UA at the end-of study. 6MWT distance (PL 42.5 ± 73.3 m, UA 60.8± 67.2 m) and ATPmax increased in both groups from baseline (PL 13.7±31.4%, UA19.4± 56.8%) with UA supplemented group exhibiting greater improvements, although these were not statistically different between groups. Conclusion UA supplementation improved muscle endurance, metabolic and inflammatory plasma biomarkers after 2-months, suggesting that UA can have a positive impact on muscle and cellular health in the elderly.

A pilot study of high-intensity interval training in older adults with treatment naïve chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is the most common leukemia in the USA, affecting predominantly older adults. CLL is characterized by low physical fitness, reduced immunity, and increased risk of secondary malignancies and infections. One approach to improving CLL patients’ physical fitness and immune functions may be participation in a structured exercise program. The aims of this pilot study were to examine physical and immunological changes, and feasibility of a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) combined with muscle endurance-based resistance training on older adults with treatment naïve CLL. We enrolled eighteen participants with CLL aged 64.9 ± 9.1 years and assigned them to groups depending on distance lived from our fitness center. Ten participants (4 M/6F) completed HIIT and six participants (4 M/2F) completed a non-exercising control group (Controls). HIIT consisted of three 30-min treadmill sessions/week plus two concurrent 30-min strength training sessions/week. Physical and immunological outcomes included aerobic capacity, muscle strength and endurance, and natural killer (NK) cell recognition and killing of tumor cells. We confirmed feasibility if > 70% of HIIT participants completed > 75% of prescribed sessions and prescribed minutes, and if > 80% of high-intensity intervals were at a heart rate corresponding to at least 80% of peak aerobic capacity (VO2peak). Results are presented as Hedge’s G effect sizes (g), with 0.2, 0.5 and 0.8 representing small, medium and large effects, respectively. Following HIIT, leg strength (g = 2.52), chest strength (g = 1.15) and seated row strength (g = 3.07) were 35.4%, 56.1% and 39.5% higher than Controls, respectively, while aerobic capacity was 3.8% lower (g = 0.49) than Controls. Similarly, following HIIT, in vitro NK-cell cytolytic activity against the K562 cell line (g = 1.43), OSU-CLL cell line (g = 0.95), and autologous B-cells (g = 1.30) were 20.3%, 3.0% and 14.6% higher than Controls, respectively. Feasibility was achieved, with HIIT completing 5.0 ± 0.2 sessions/week and 99 ± 3.6% of the prescribed minutes/week at heart rates corresponding to 89 ± 2.8% of VO2peak. We demonstrate that 12-weeks of supervised HIIT combined with muscle endurance-based resistance training is feasible, and that high adherence and compliance are associated with large effects on muscle strength and immune function in older adults with treatment naïve CLL.Trial registration: NCT04950452.

Effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on exercise performance: an umbrella review

Background We aimed to perform an umbrella review of meta-analyses examining the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on exercise performance. Methods We systematically searched for meta-analyses that examined the effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on exercise performance. The methodological quality of the included reviews was evaluated using the Assessing the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews 2 (AMSTAR 2) checklist. Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework for downgrading the certainty in evidence was used, which included assessments of risk of bias, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias. Results Eight reviews of moderate and high methodological quality met inclusion criteria. Using the GRADE framework, evidence for the ergogenic effects of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on peak and mean power in the Wingate test and Yo-Yo test performance was classified as being of moderate quality. The evidence for these outcomes did not receive a point on the indirectness GRADE item, as “serious indirectness” was detected. Low-quality evidence was found for the ergogenic effect of sodium bicarbonate supplementation on endurance events lasting ∼45 s to 8 min, muscle endurance, and 2000-m rowing performance. Evidence for these outcomes was classified as low quality, given that risk of bias, indirectness, and publication bias were assessed as “unclear”, “serious”, and “strongly suspected”, respectively. The ergogenic effects ranged from trivial (pooled effect size: 0.09) to large (pooled effect size: 1.26). Still, for most outcomes, sodium bicarbonate elicited comparable ergogenic effects. For example, sodium bicarbonate produced similar effects on performance in endurance events lasting ∼45 s to 8 min, muscle endurance tests, and Yo-Yo test (pooled effect size range: 0.36 to 0.40). No significant differences between the effects of sodium bicarbonate and placebo were found for general mean power, muscle strength, and repeated-sprint ability. Conclusion Based on meta-analyses of moderate to high quality, it can be concluded that sodium bicarbonate supplementation acutely enhances peak anaerobic power, anaerobic capacity, performance in endurance events lasting ∼45 s to 8 min, muscle endurance, 2000-m rowing performance, and high-intensity intermittent running. More research is needed among women to improve the generalizability of findings.

Pengaruh Pemberian Metode Gerakan Sendi Aktif dengan Menggunakan Media Video Bermusik terhadap Ketahanan Otot Pasien Stroke di Ruangan Medicina Interna, Hospital Nasional Guido Valadares, Dili–Timor Leste

AbstrakStroke merupakan masalah kesehatan global umum yang memerlukan penanganan yang komprehensif. Rehabilitasi pasca stroke merupakan bagian terpenting dari perawatan pasien stroke. Intervensi yang diberikan kepada pasien selain terapi medis, latihan sendi juga menjadi pilihan bagi pasien pasca stroke. Untuk mengetahui pengaruh Metode Gerakan Sendi Aktif terhadap Daya Tahan Otot Pasien Stroke Dengan Menggunakan Video Musik di Rumah Sakit Nasional Guido Valadares Dili - Timor Leste. Penelitian ini merupakan penelitian eksperimen semu dengan rancangan Non Equivalent Control Group Design. Teknik pengambilan sampel menggunakan simple random sampling (teknik undian). Sampel penelitian 10 kelompok eksperimen dan 10 kelompok kontrol. Dengan menggunakan uji Wilcoxon Rank diperoleh hasil pre-test post-test kelompok eksperimen P-value = 0,007, kelompok kontrol P-value = 1000. Hasil Paired Sample Statistics P-value = 0,003 berarti ada pengaruh pemberian latihan gerak sendi aktif menggunakan media video bermusik terhadap kekuatan otot pasien stroke. Ada pengaruh pemberian latihan gerak sendi terhadap daya tahan otot pasien stroke. Setelah dilakukan pengujian pada kedua kelompok yaitu kelompok eksperimen dan kelompok kontrol didapatkan bahwa pada kelompok eksperimen terjadi peningkatan hasil daya tahan otot setelah diberikan intervensi latihan gerak sendi aktif, sedangkan pada kelompok kontrol tidak terjadi peningkatan hasil daya tahan otot. Kata kunci : Gerakan Sendi Aktif, Ketahanan Otot, Pasien Stroke Abstract Stroke is a common global health problem that needs comprehensive management. Post-stroke rehabilitation is the most important part of care for stroke patients. Interventions given to patients in addition to medical therapy, joint exercises are also an option for stroke patients after a stroke. To determine the effect of Active Joint Movement Method on Muscle Endurance of Stroke Patients Using Music Videos in Guido Valadares National Hospital, Dili - Timor Leste. The study was a Quasi experimental design with a Non equivalent control group design. The sampling technique used simple random sampling (lottery technique).Sample research 10 of eksperiment group and 10 of control group. By using the Wilcoxon Rank test, the results of the pre-test post-test experimental group P-value = 0.007, control group P-value = 1000. The results of Paired Sample Statistics P-value = 0.003 means that there is an effect of giving active joint movement exercises on the muscle strength of stroke patients. There is an effect of providing joint movement exercises on the muscle endurance of stroke patients. After testing the two groups, the experimental group and the control group, it was found that in the experimental group there was an increase in muscle endurance results after being given active joint movement training interventions, while in the control group there was no increase in muscle endurance Keyword : Active joint movement, Muscle strength, stroke patient