Does Peripheral Lower Body Blood Flow Restriction Training Effect Aerobic Adaptations in Recreationally Active Adults? A Case Series

Introduction: Blood flow restriction (BFR) training is a novel training method that has been shown to promote positive aerobic and anaerobic adaptations under low intensity exercise by inhibiting blood flow to target tissue resulting in hypoxia and metabolic byproduct accumulation. This has been shown to have a direct positive effect on aerobic performance adaptation. The purpose was to explore the effect of BFR training on aerobic performance. Methods: Seven recreationally active adults were randomly assigned to either the BFR group (n=4, BFR) or non-BFR group (n=3, CON). Three testing sessions were conducted throughout the study (Pre-Test, Mid-Test, Post-Test) which consisted of a graded cycle ergometer maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) test using COSMED-K5 indirect calorimetry. Eleven BFR training sessions were performed consisting of 20-min of cycling at 35-45% of heart rate reserve (HRR) with at 60% (BFR) or 5% (CON) arterial occlusion pressure (AOP) on the BFR cuffs. Results: Absolute VO2max, Relative VO2max, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), maximum heart rate (HRmax), and maximum rate of perceived exertion (RPEmax) reported no significant difference between BFR and CON. There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) found in time to reach VO2max and maximum watts (Wmax) reached which declined over the course of the training intervention. Conclusions: Bilateral lower limb aerobic BFR training resulted in no change in VO2max over seven weeks.

High-intensity resistance exercise is not as effective as traditional high-intensity interval exercise for increasing the cardiorespiratory response and energy expenditure in recreationally active subjects

Purpose Traditional high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) highly stimulates the cardiorespiratory system and increases energy expenditure (EE) during exercise. High-intensity resistance exercise (HIRE) has become more popular in recreationally active subjects. The physiological responses to HIRE performed with light or moderate load is currently largely unknown. Here, we examined the effect of the type of interval exercise [HIRE at 40% (HIRE40) and 60% (HIRE60) 1-RM vs. traditional HIIE] on the cardiorespiratory response and EE during and after exercise. Methods Fifteen recreationally active adults randomly completed traditional HIIE on an ergocyle, HIRE40 and HIRE60. The sessions consisted of two sets of ten 30-s intervals (power at 100% VO2max during HIIE; maximal number of repetitions for 10 different free-weight exercises during HIRE40 and HIRE60) separated by 30-s active recovery periods. Gas exchange, heart rate (HR) and EE were assessed during and after exercise. Results VO2mean, VO2peak, HRmean, the time spent above 90% VO2max and HRmax, and aerobic EE were lower in both HIRE sessions compared with HIIE (P < 0.05). Anaerobic glycolytic contribution to total exercise EE was higher in HIRE40 and HIRE60 compared with HIIE (P < 0.001). EE from excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) was similar after the three sessions. Overall, similar cardiorespiratory responses and EE were found in HIRE40 and HIRE60. Conclusions HIRE is not as effective as HIIE for increasing the cardiorespiratory response and EE during exercise, while EPOC remains similar in HIRE and HIIE. These parameters are not substantially different between HIRE40 and HIRE60.

The Impact of Shift Work on Occupational Health Indicators among Professionally Active Adults: A Comparative Study

The analysis of the impact of shift work on occupational health still needs further contributions. Therefore, we developed this research with the purpose of assessing the impact of shift work on occupational health indicators, namely burnout, work-engagement, occupational self-efficacy, and mental health functioning (symptoms of depression and anxiety), by comparing workers who did shift work (44.2% of participants) with workers who did not (55.8% of participants). A total of 695 Portuguese professionally active adults between 18 and 73 years of age (Mage = 37.71; SD = 12.64) participated in this study and completed a survey containing a sociodemographic questionnaire and four occupational health measures: The Burnout Assessment Tool, The Work-Engagement questionnaire (UWES), The Occupational Self-Efficacy Questionnaire, and the BSI-18 for mental health symptoms. Results showed statistically significant differences (p < 0.05) for all indicators, demonstrating that participants who worked shifts presented lower scores of work-engagement and occupational self-efficacy, and higher scores of burnout, depression, and anxiety when compared to participants who did not work shifts. Linear regressions showed that shift work explained significant but low percentages of anxiety symptoms, low work-engagement, depression symptoms, low occupational self-efficacy, and burnout. We concluded that non-standard working hours (by shifts) are detrimental to employee occupational health, by increasing the risk of anxiety and depression levels, and burnout, and by reducing work-engagement (as a well-being indicator) and occupational self-efficacy perceptions.

The Effects of Whole-Body Vibration on Fatigue in Vertical Jump Performance and Isometric Mid-Thigh Pull Measures

The purpose of this study is to determine the effects of coupling WBV and acute muscular fatigue to determine its effects on countermovement vertical jump (CMVJ) performance and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP). Twenty-eight healthy active adults volunteered for five-day study. Testing sessions 2–5 included one of four conditions: No WBV and no fatigue (CON), WBV and fatigue (WBV + FAT), WBV and no fatigue (WBV), and no WBV and fatigue (FAT). WBV was performed using a frequency of 50 Hz and a low amplitude while performing quarter squats for a total of 4 min with a 30 s rest or work ratio. Lower-body fatigue induced using Bosco fatigue protocol. CMVJ and IMTP were performed on force plates. SPSS was used to perform a 2 × 2 Repeated Measures ANOVA. Significant main effects were found for fatigue in CMVJ-height and CMVJ-peak ground reaction force, no significant main effect for WBV, and no significant interactions. Lower-body fatigue decreases vertical jump performance, and WBV did not attenuate the detrimental effects of lower-body fatigue.

Caffeine improves work durability and physical performance in anaerobic exercises among active adults in Tripoli Lebanon

Background People worldwide have a high intake of caffeine. Active adults are among the group of people who have always been interested in caffeine as an ergogenic aid. This study aims at examining the association between caffeine consumption and perceived performance (aerobic and anaerobic exercises) among active people attending different gyms in Tripoli, Lebanon. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted on 206 participants attending seven gyms in Tripoli. Participants were recruited using simple random sampling for a face-to-face individual interview. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data have been coded, entered, and analyzed using SPSS software. Results The prevalence rate of active people practicing both aerobic and anaerobic exercises is 63.6%. More than half of our sample (54.8%) has been working out for a duration of more than 6 months and 84.6% of respondents spend at least 30 min during their workouts. Caffeine consumption was popular in our sample with 92.2% indicating that they use caffeinated products. The findings of this study showed an association between anaerobic exercise and caffeine, perceived as physical performance enhancer and work durability enhancer. Yet no association was found between aerobic exercise and caffeine consumption. Conclusions Perhaps, future research could focus on the safe doses of caffeine that could be given for anaerobic exercises to have an ergogenic effect. This could help us to build scientific guidelines for caffeine’s association with sports performance.

Validity and Reliability of the Thai Version of the International Hip Outcome Tool in Young to Middle-Aged Physically Active Adults With Hip Disorders

Background: The International Hip Outcome Tool (iHOT-33), which is a self-administered questionnaire that contains 33 questions, was developed to evaluate young to middle-aged physically active adults with hip pathology. Purpose: To translate and cross-culturally adapt the iHOT-33 to create a Thai version of the iHOT-33 (TH-iHOT-33) and to determine the validity and reliability of the TH-iHOT-33. Study Design: Cohort study (diagnosis); Level of evidence, 3. Methods: Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of the iHOT-33 were performed according to international guidelines. Patients aged 18 to 60 years with hip disorders who had a score ≥4 on a modified version of the Tegner activity scale completed the TH-iHOT-33 twice, 2 weeks apart. The Thai versions of the HOOS (Hip disability and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score) and EQ-5D-5L (European Quality of Life–5 Dimensions–5 Levels) were also completed at baseline. At 2 weeks, the Global Perceived Effect scale was completed in addition to the TH-iHOT-33. The statistical testing for validity included construct validity and hypotheses testing. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and measurement error were analyzed to determine reliability. Results: The iHOT-33 was successfully translated and cross-culturally adapted to create the TH-iHOT-33. Seventy-two patients with various hip disorders participated in this study. Of the predefined hypotheses used for construct validity, 86% were confirmed. A Cronbach alpha of 0.98 (95% CI, 0.97-0.99) demonstrated excellent internal consistency. Test-retest reliability was high, with an intraclass correlation coefficient of 0.83 (95% CI, 0.73-0.90). The standard error of measurement was 5.1 points. The smallest detectable change was 14.2 points at the individual level and 1.9 points at the group level. The minimal important change was 10.9 points. The TH-iHOT-33 had no observable floor or ceiling effects. Conclusion: The TH-iHOT-33 is a valid and reliable instrument for assessing the functional status and health-related quality of life of young to middle-aged physically active Thai adults with hip disorders.