Determination of second lactate threshold using near-infrared spectroscopy in elite cyclists

The use of near-infrared spectroscopy could be an interesting alternative to other invasive or expensive methods to estimate the second lactate threshold. Our objective was to compare the intensities of the muscle oxygen saturation breakpoint obtained with the Humon Hex and the second lactate threshold in elite cyclists. Ninety cyclists performed a maximal graded exercise test. Blood capillary lactate was obtained at the end of steps and muscle oxygenation was continuously monitored. There were no differences (p>0.05) between muscle oxygen oxygenation breakpoint and second lactate threshold neither in power nor in heart rate, nor when these values were relativized as a percentage of maximal aerobic power or maximum heart rate. There were also no differences when men and women were studied separately. Both methods showed a highly correlation in power (r=0.914), percentage of maximal aerobic power (r=0.752), heart rate (r=0.955), and percentage of maximum heart rate (r=0.903). Bland-Altman resulted in a mean difference of 0.05±0.27 W·kg–1, 0.91±4.93%, 0.63±3.25 bpm, and 0.32±1.69% for power, percentage of maximal aerobic power, heart rate and percentage of maximum heart rate respectively. These findings suggest that Humon may be a non-invasive and low-cost alternative to estimate the second lactate threshold intensity in elite cyclists.

Effect of Aerobic-Based Exercise on Psychological Well-Being and Quality of Life Among Older People: A Middle East Study

The aimed to evaluate the effects of low and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise on psychological well-being (PWB) and quality of life (QoL) among older people. Forty-five male Iranian adults aged 65–80 years were selected according to the eligibility criteria and randomly assigned to a low-intensity group (LIG) (40–50% of maximum heart rate), moderate-intensity group (MIG) (60–70% of maximum heart rate) and control group (CG). The exercise protocols consisted of 12 weeks of aerobic exercise (two sessions per week). Psychological well-being and QoL were assessed through the Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale and the World Health Organization QoL Questionnaire. The statistical analysis for psychological well-being indicated that a significant main group (between-group) (F = 11.777, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.359), time (within-group) (F = 58.983, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.584) and interaction effect (group × time) (F = 20.146, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.490) for PWB total score. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the PWB total score in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.003) and CG (p < 0.001). Results for PWB components including self-acceptance, positive relationships with others, autonomy, purposeful life, and environmental mastery revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05). While there was a significant difference between the groups for personal growth component. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the personal growth in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.028) and CG (p < 0.001). Result for QoL indicated significant differences for the main group (F = 13.277, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.387), time (F = 25.533, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.378) and interaction effect (F = 9.992, p < 0.001, ηp2 = 0.332) for QoL total scale. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the QoL total scale in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.003) and CG (p < 0.001). Results for QoL components including Physical health, Social relationships, Health environment revealed no significant differences (p > 0.05), while there was a significant difference between the groups for the Psychological health component. Bonferroni post-hoc tests revealed that the Psychological health in the MIG group was more significant than both LIG (p = 0.009) and CG (p = 0.002). Therefore, aerobic exercise improves PWB and QoL in older adults, moderate-intensity exercise seems to produce higher benefits than low-intensity, demonstrating a positive dose-response relationship.

The Physiological Profile of Male Professional Soccer Players: The Effect of Playing Division

The purpose of this study was to present the physiological profile of male soccer players who compete in the professional (Division [D] 1, 2, 3) and semi-professional (D4) Greek soccer leagues, and to compare their physiological profile according to playing division. Using 1,095 players (age: 25.2 ± 4.7 years), twelve anthropometric and physiological characteristics (age, height, body mass, BMI, VO2max, velocity of VO2max velocity at ventilatory threshold, maximum heart rate, maximum lactate, squat jump, 35 m sprint and sprinting fatigue index) were assessed. Factorial analysis of variance revealed a significantly (p < 0.05) enhanced physiological profile amongst the professional, compared to semi-professional players, for 10 of the 12 characteristics assessed between divisions. Regarding aerobic parameters, velocity at maximum oxygen uptake was the variable which discriminated professional, from semi-professional players most. With reference to anaerobic parameters, the 35m sprint was the variable which differentiated players between divisions (i.e. D1/D2 vs. D3/D4). Overall, findings in this study present the physiological profile of soccer players within the specified Greek soccer divisions, with differences identified between professional, and semi-professional divisions. These findings suggest that advanced physiological profiles may contribute to a player’s progression to higher divisions of Greek professional soccer.

Total Transcriptome Responses to Low and Higher Intensity Aerobic Exercise Interventions in Older Adults

Aerobic exercise is a universally recommended strategy for increasing healthspan, and recent advances in next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics (e.g., RNA-seq/transcriptomics) have made it possible to broadly profile the molecular transducers of exercise. However, most transcriptome studies of exercise have focused on coding genes only, and the transcriptomic response to different exercise interventions has not been characterized by RNA-seq in older adults. Therefore, we performed total RNA-seq (to capture both coding and non-coding gene expression) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells collected from healthy, previously sedentary older adults (males and females, aged 70 ± 1 years). Samples were collected before and after 16 weeks of either low-intensity continuous training (LICT, 50% maximum heart rate, 3 x 30 min/week) or moderate-intensity continuous training plus interval training (MICT+IT, 60-80% maximum heart rate, progressively increased to include IT, 3 x 30 min/week). We found that both interventions modified biological processes (transcriptome modules) related to oxygen transport and reduced inflammatory signaling/immune activation processes (more pronounced with LICT). Interestingly, transcriptome changes unique to LICT subjects included increased expression of genes linked with vascularization and endothelial cell migration, whereas MICT+IT was uniquely associated with a robust increase in antioxidant response gene expression. We also observed numerous changes in long non-coding RNAs and microRNAs that could be linked with these exercise-associated gene expression changes with both interventions. These data provide a first comprehensive look into transcriptomic changes associated with moderate vs. low intensity aerobic exercise in older adults, and they suggest distinct benefits of each exercise strategy.

The Effect of Low and Moderate Exercise on Hyperuricemia: Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Study

BackgroundHyperuricemia (HUA) is a metabolic disease by purine metabolism disorders. It is a risk factor for many chronic diseases, including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Studies have shown that exercise can effectively reduce serum uric acid (SUA), but the optimal exercise dose, intensity, and mode of exercise for improving HUA have not been verified in clinical studies. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effect of different exercise intensities in improving SUA of patients with HUA.Methods and AnalysisA randomized, single-blind, parallel controlled trial will be conducted in this study. 186 HUA patients who meet the inclusion criteria will be randomly divided into a 1:1:1 ratio (1): control group (2), low-intensity exercise group (brisk walking, 57-63% maximum heart rate, 150 min/week, 12 months), and (3) moderate-intensity exercise group (jogging, 64-76% maximum heart rate, 150 min/week, 12 months). The three groups of subjects will receive the same health education and prohibition of high-purine diet during the intervention period. The primary outcomes will be SUA concentration, SUA concentration change (mg/dL), SUA change rate (%), and the proportion of HUA patients. Secondary outcomes will include anthropometric parameters (body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, BMI); physiological indicators (blood pressure, grip, vital capacity, maximum oxygen); biochemical indicators (blood lipid, blood sugar, liver enzyme, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen). Each group of patients will go through an assessment at baseline, 3rd, 6th, and 12th months.DiscussionThis study will evaluate the effect of 12-month low-intensity exercise and moderate-intensity exercise on HUA patients. We hypothesize that both low-intensity and moderate-intensity exercise would improve HUA as compared with no-exercise control, and that moderate-intensity exercise would be more effective than low-intensity exercise in improving HUA. These results can provide a basis for the current physical activity guidelines for HUA’s healthy lifestyle management.Ethics and DisseminationThis study has been approved by the Ethical Review Committee of the Shanghai University of Sport (approval number: 102772020RT005). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants or their guardians. The authors intend to submit the study findings to peer-reviewed journals or academic conferences to be published.Clinical Trial RegistrationChinese Clinical Trial Registry, identifier ChiCTR2100042643.

Blood pressure, heart rate, and rate pressure product behavior during interval and continuous aerobic exercise (Comportamiento de la presión arterial, frecuencia cardíaca y doble producto durante el ejercicio aeróbico a intervalos y continuo)

The purpose of the present study was to compare the blood pressure, heart rate, and rate pressure product behavior during interval and continuous aerobic exercise in physically active women. Eight physically active women with prior indoor cycling experience were recruited for the present study. Participants visited the laboratory for three sessions, the first visit was used for familiarization and the remaining two visits were to perform the experimental protocols in a randomized order: 1) Twenty-one minutes of continuous indoor cycling at 70% of maximum heart rate (CONT), and 2) Twenty-one minutes of interval indoor cycling, alternating one minute at 90% and two minutes at 60% of maximum heart rate (INT). To assess the hemodynamic behavior, blood pressure, heart rate, and rate pressure product were also measuring at 6-minute (During-6), 12-minute (During-12), 18-minute (During-18), and 21-minute (During-21) intervals. Both protocols (continuous and interval) showed significant increases in blood pressure, heart rate, and rate pressure product in three out of four moments (During-6, During-12, and During-21), with the interval protocol showing higher values compared to the continuous protocol. The results of this study have practical implications for both prescription and cardiac rehabilitation and may be used in an athletic and non-athletic population, since a hypotension effect and lower cardiac workload is advantageous to one’s fitness. Resumen. El propósito del presente estudio fue comparar lo comportamiento de la presión arterial, la frecuencia cardíaca y doble producto durante el ejercicio aeróbico continuo y a intervalos en mujeres físicamente activas. Para el presente estudio se reclutaron ocho mujeres físicamente activas con experiencia previa en ciclismo indoor. Los participantes visitaron el laboratorio durante tres sesiones, la primera visita se utilizó para familiarizarse y les das visitas restantes fueron para realizar los protocolos experimentales en un orden aleatorio: 1) Veintiún minutos de ciclismo indoor continuo al 70% de la frecuencia cardíaca máxima (CONT), y 2) Veintiún minutos de ciclismo indoor a intervalos, alternando un minuto al 90% y dos minutos al 60% de la frecuencia cardíaca máxima (INT). Para evaluar el comportamiento de la presión arterial, la frecuencia cardíaca y doble producto también se midieron a los 6 minutos (Durante-6), 12 minutos (Durante-12), 18 minutos (Durante-18) y 21 minutos (durante-21) durante la actividad. Ambos los protocolos (CONT y INT) mostraron aumentos significativos en la presión arterial, la frecuencia cardíaca, y el doble producto en tres de cuatro momentos (Durante-6, Durante-12 y durante-21), con el protocolo INT que muestra los valores más altos en comparación al protocolo CONT. Los resultados de este estudio tienen implicaciones prácticas tanto para la prescripción médica como para la rehabilitación cardíaca y pueden usarse en una población atlética y no atlética, ya que un efecto de hipotensión y una menor carga de trabajo cardíaco son ventajosos para la aptitud física.

Effects of an Eight-Week High-Intensity Interval Training on Aerobic Performance, Lipid Profile, and Hematological Indices in Overweight Adolescents

Background: Research on the effects of interval training on lipid profile and hematological indices is limited. Objectives: Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the effects of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on aerobic performance, body composition, lipid profile, and hematological indices in overweight adolescents. Methods: Thirty overweight boys (13 - 16 years) participated in this study and were randomly divided into three groups, including the control (n = 10), HIIT (n = 10), and MICT (n = 10) groups. HIIT training (4 × 4-minute) was performed with an intensity of 95 - 85% of maximum heart rate, and MICT training (35-minute) was performed with an intensity of 70 - 60% of maximum heart rate, three sessions per week for eight weeks. Beep test and ELISA technique were used to measure aerobic performance, lipid profile, and hematological indices, respectively. The two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine the differences with a confidence interval of 95% (α = 0.05). Results: The results showed that except for the variables of glucose, triglyceride (TG), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), all other variables in the HIIT group had a significant change compared to the pre-test (P < 0.05). Also, the results showed that there was a significant difference between the HIIT and control groups in fat percentage, VO2Max, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), iron, and hemoglobin value (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The results suggest that HIIT training can be as effective as continuous strategy training to reduce the risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in overweight adolescents.

Assessment of Maximal Aerobic Capacity in Ski Mountaineering: A Laboratory-Based Study

This study aims to evaluate the agreement in maximum oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) between a running protocol and a ski mountaineering (SKIMO) protocol. Eighteen (eleven males, seven females) ski mountaineers (age: 25 ± 3 years) participated in the study. V˙O2max, maximum heart rate (HRmax), and maximum blood lactate concentration (BLAmax) were determined in an incremental uphill running test and an incremental SKIMO-equipment-specific test. V˙O2max did not differ between the SKIMO and uphill running protocols (p = 0.927; mean difference –0.07 ± 3.3 mL/min/kg), nor did HRmax (p = 0.587, mean difference –0.7 ± 5.1 bpm). A significant correlation was found between V˙O2max SKIMO and V˙O2max running (p ≤ 0.001; ICC = 0.862 (95% CI: 0.670−0.946)). The coefficient of variation was 4.4% (95% CI: 3.3−6.5). BLAmax was significantly lower for SKIMO compared to running (12.0 ± 14.1%; p = 0.002). This study demonstrates that V˙O2max determined with a traditional uphill running protocol demonstrates good agreement with an equipment-specific SKIMO protocol.

Influence of carriage of genetic variants CYP2D6 * 4 / CYP2D6 * 3 on maximum heart rate when using bisoprolol in patients with acute coronary syndrome

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Introduction Bisoprolol is one of the most effective and frequently prescribed beta-blockers. The widespread use of bisoprolol is due to its high efficiency in the treatment of patients with various cardiological pathologies: arterial hypertension, ischemic heart disease, chronic heart failure. Bisoprolol, like all members of the group of beta-adrenergic blockers, is effective in the treatment of patients with acute myocardial infarction, reducing the risk of complications such as rhythm disturbances and sudden cardiac death. In vitro studies indicate that bisoprolol is a substrate for two isoforms of cytochrome P450 - 3A4 and 2D6. Purpose The purpose of this work was to analyze the effect of CYP2D6 activity on the chronotropic effect of bisoprolol therapy in patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS). Materials and methods The study included patients with ACS who was assigned bisoprolol according to clinical indications. All patients included in the study were Holter monitor on the 10th day of hospitalization - the minimum, mean, maximum heart rate during the day and the maximum heart rate were assessed at the time of exercise was evaluated against the background of the current therapy. All patients included in the study also underwent molecular genetic testing. The detection of polymorphic variants of СYP2D6 (*3/*4) gene was carried out by real-time PCR. Results A total of 93 patients, 58 males and 35 females were included in the study. The average age of patients is 63 years. In the studied population, CYP2D6 * 3 was not detected. The CYP2D6 * 4 mutation occurred with a frequency of 15%, which is comparable to previously published data on the Russian population. The distribution of alleles corresponded to the Hardy-Weinberg law (Chi square, p&gt; 0.05). In order to determine the effect of genetically determined CYP2D6 activity on the effectiveness of bisoprolol therapy in patients with ACS, we identified a group of patients - carriers of the allelic CYP2D6 * 4 variant in homozygous or heterozygous form (AA / AG) (group with a reduced metabolic rate), and a group with the CYP2D6 genotype GG (group with normal and increased metabolic rate). In the correlation analysis, carriage of CYP2D6 * 4 in heterozygous or homozygous form was associated with a lower maximum heart rate during exercise (r-0.21; p &lt;0.05). Maximum heart rate during exercise in carriers of CYP2D6 * 4 was 107 [105; 119], in the comparison group - 114 [108; 120]. The difference was significant with p &lt;0.05 (values are expressed as median [25%; 75%]). Conclusion In this study, for the first time, the role of the influence of allelic variants of the CYP2D6 gene on the achievement of maximum heart rate during exercise was revealed when using bisoprolol in patients with ACS. These data may have promising implications for maximizing the personalization of therapy for patients, including those with ACS.

The effects of different temperatures of post-exercise protein-containing drink on gastric motility and energy intake in healthy young men

The present study examined the effects of different temperatures of protein-containing drink after exercise on subsequent gastric motility and energy intake in healthy young men. Twelve healthy young men completed three, one-day trials in a random order. In all trials, the subjects ran on a treadmill for 30 min at 80% of maximum heart rate. In exercise + cold drink (2 °C) and exercise + hot drink (60 °C) trials, the subjects consumed 300 mL of protein-containing drink (0.34 MJ) at 2 °C or 60 °C over a 5-min period after exercise. In the exercise (i.e., no preload) trial, the subjects sat on a chair for 5 min after exercise. Then, the subjects sat on a chair for 30 min to measure their gastric motility with an ultrasound imaging system in all trials. Thereafter, the subjects consumed a test meal until they felt comfortably full. Energy intake in the exercise + hot drink trial was 14 % and 15 % higher than the exercise (P=0.046, 95% CI: 4.010-482.538) trial and exercise + cold drink (P=0.001, 95% CI: 160.089-517.111) trial, respectively. The frequency of the gastric contractions in the exercise + hot drink trial was higher than the exercise (P=0.023) trial and exercise + cold drink (P=0.007) trial. The total frequency of gastric contractions was positively related to energy intake (r=0.386, P=0.022). These findings demonstrate that consuming protein-containing drink after exercise at 60 °C increases energy intake and that this increase may be related to the modulation of the gastric motility.