A Single Bout of High-Intensity Cardiovascular Exercise Does Not Enhance Motor Performance and Learning of a Visuomotor Force Modulation Task, but Triggers Ipsilateral Task-Related EEG Activity

Acute cardiovascular exercise (aCE) seems to be a promising strategy to improve motor performance and learning. However, results are heterogeneous, and the related neurophysiological mechanisms are not well understood. Oscillatory brain activitiy, such as task-related power (TRPow) in the alpha and beta frequencies, are known neural signatures of motor activity. Here, we tested the effects of aCE on motor performance and learning, along with corresponding modulations in EEG TRPow over the sensorimotor cortex. Forty-five right-handed participants (aged 18–34 years) practiced a visuomotor force-matching (FM) task after either high-intensity (HEG), low-intensity (LEG), or no exercise (control group, CG). Motor performance was assessed immediately, 15 min, 30 min, and 24 h after aCE/control. EEG was measured during the FM task. Results of frequentist and Bayesian statistics revealed that high- and low-intensity aCE had no effect at the behavioral level, adding to the previous mixed results. Interestingly, EEG analyses showed an effect of aCE on the ipsilateral sensorimotor cortex, with a stronger decrease in β-TRPow 15 min after exercise in both groups compared to the CG. Overall, aCE applied before motor practice increased ipsilateral sensorimotor activity, while motor learning was not affected; it remains to be seen whether aCE might affect motor learning in the long run.

The Effects of Acute Cardiovascular Exercise on Memory and Its Associations With Exercise-Induced Increases in Neurotrophic Factors

Due to increasing life expectancy, low-cost interventions to counteract age-related memory impairment have gained popularity. Physical activity has been shown to positively affect memory and hippocampal plasticity in rodents and humans. These effects have been proposed to be mediated by the release of neurotrophic factors. However, studies examining the effects of a single cardiovascular exercise session on human memory have yielded conflicting results. Moreover, it remains unclear whether exercise-induced memory enhancements are related to changes in peripheral neurotrophic factor concentrations. The present study tested whether one bout of cardiovascular exercise during an early phase of memory consolidation, compared to one bout of stretching and toning, positively affected memory. Furthermore, it was analyzed whether exercise-induced changes in the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were related to memory enhancement after a single bout of physical exercise. Fifty healthy participants (20–40 years) were randomly assigned to either a cycling group (BIKE) or a stretching and toning group (STRETCH). Participants performed an implicit vocabulary learning task which was immediately followed by physical exercise. Memory for the learned vocabulary was tested 1–2 weeks later. To measure exercise-induced changes in serum neurotrophic factor levels, blood samples were collected at rest (baseline) and immediately after the exercise session. Results did not show a significant difference in memory between the BIKE group and the STRETCH group. However, in the BIKE group, a larger increase in BDNF and VEGF levels was observed than in the STRETCH group. Moreover, the increase in BDNF and memory performance tended to be positively related in the BIKE group. We speculate that the correlation between exercise-increased BDNF levels and memory in the cycling group may indicate an involvement of BDNF in mediating memory processes after acute cardiovascular exercise.

MTBalance

Mountain Biking (MTB) is an increasingly popular outdoors activity which offers a unqiue connection to nature along with the health benefits of cardiovascular exercise. Yet, complex MTB technique is an entry barrier that often prevent novices from enjoying the sport. Developing interactive systems, which can support developing MTB proficiency can augment the outdoor experience and make the sport available to a larger group of users. To that end, we designed, implemented and evaluate MTBalance - a system which provides body posture feedback for beginner mountain bikers. Based on inertial tracking, MTBalance informs the user about how to correct their posture to improve MTB performance. We conducted a study in which we compared different feedback modalities for MTBalance. We observed that the system increased perceived balance awareness. Our work provides insights for designing body awareness systems for outdoor sports.

Perbedaan Tekanan Darah Sebelum dan Sesudah Exercise Intradialysis Pada Pasien Hemodialisis di Unit Hemodialisis Rumah Sakit Panti Rahayu Gunung Kidul

ABSTRACT Background:Hemodialysis defines as a process of cleaning the blood from waste substances through a filtering process outside the body. Patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis often experience complications including hypotension. Several references state an alternative intervention to prevent complications of hypotension in hemodialysis patients with an Intradialytic exercise. Intradialytic exercise is a planned and gradual form of exercise that includes various stages of flexibility exercise, strengthening exercise and cardiovascular exercise performed during hemodialysis. Intradialytic exercise is aimed to improve the work of the heart, respiration and improve hemodialysis regulation for the better. Objective:This study was aimed to determine the difference in blood pressure before and after intradialytic exercise in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods:This research design used a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with control design. The samples were 38 respondents who taken by total sampling at the Hemodialysis Unit of Panti Rahayu Hospital. The samples were divided into the intervention group who undertook intradialytic exercise for 4 weeks, each respondent experiences twice a week, while the control group who did routine hemodialysis and independent exercise. Results:The results showed that the distribution of the characteristics of the respondents was 51-54 years old (18.41%) the sex was mostly male (63.2%) Most of them (55.3%) underwent hemodialysis for less than 2 years. Statistically, it was known that there was no significant difference in blood pressure before and after intradialytic exercise inside patient’s body of the control and intervention groups. There was no significant difference in blood pressure between the intervention group compared to the control group, but there was a dynamic difference in blood pressure in patients who did intradialytic exercise. Conclusion:There was dynamics of differences in blood pressure in patients undergoing intradialytic exercise, it is recommended that hemodialysis nurses at Panti Rahayu Hospital take care patients during hemodialysis so that these interventions are routinely carried out.

Perbedaan Tekanan Darah Sebelum dan Sesudah Exercise Intradialysis Pada Pasien Hemodialisis di Unit Hemodialisis Rumah Sakit Panti Rahayu Gunung Kidul

ABSTRACT Background: Hemodialysis defines as a process of cleaning the blood from waste substances through a filtering process outside the body. Patients with chronic renal failure undergoing hemodialysis often experience complications including hypotension. Several references state an alternative intervention to prevent complications of hypotension in hemodialysis patients with an Intradialytic exercise. Intradialytic exercise is a planned and gradual form of exercise that includes various stages of flexibility exercise, strengthening exercise and cardiovascular exercise performed during hemodialysis. Intradialytic exercise is aimed to improve the work of the heart, respiration and improve hemodialysis regulation for the better. Objective: This study was aimed to determine the difference in blood pressure before and after intradialytic exercise in patients undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This research design used a quasi-experimental design with pre-test and post-test with control design. The samples were 38 respondents who taken by total sampling at the Hemodialysis Unit of Panti Rahayu Hospital. The samples were divided into the intervention group who undertook intradialytic exercise for 4 weeks, each respondent experiences twice a week, while the control group who did routine hemodialysis and independent exercise. Results: The results showed that the distribution of the characteristics of the respondents was 51-54 years old (18.41%) the sex was mostly male (63.2%) Most of them (55.3%) underwent hemodialysis for less than 2 years. Statistically, it was known that there was no significant difference in blood pressure before and after intradialytic exercise inside patient’s body of the control and intervention groups. There was no significant difference in blood pressure between the intervention group compared to the control group, but there was a dynamic difference in blood pressure in patients who did intradialytic exercise. Conclusion: There was dynamics of differences in blood pressure in patients undergoing intradialytic exercise, it is recommended that hemodialysis nurses at Panti Rahayu Hospital take care patients during hemodialysis so that these interventions are routinely carried out.

Personality Traits, Achievement Motivation, and Self-Regulation in Physically Active and Sedentary Young Adults

Previous research has established a link between exercise and executive functions. However, how personality, motivation, and self-regulation can influence this association have been little investigated. Studies investigating in these aspects have shown that physically active individuals are more extrovert, conscientious and open to new experiences than sedentary individuals. Those who are sedentary tend to show more neuroticism and less self-regulation. In this chapter, the literature exploring these aspects is reviewed. In addition, a study to examine the impact of these factors in physically active and sedentary young adults is presented. The Big Five Inventory, the Intrinsic Motivation Inventory, the Achievement Motivation scales, and the Adult Temperament Questionnaire were administered to evaluate personality, motivation, and self-regulation. The results revealed that active participants significantly differed from sedentary participants in terms of personality showing higher emotional stability, extraversion, and openness to experiences, in addition to greater inhibitory control (self-regulation). Associations between better control of emotions and impulses and cognitive control were also explored, finding a significant correlation between them. Some guidance is included to help health providers to design physical activity programs to promote cardiovascular exercise in populations with high levels of inactivity.

Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Women Following Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy – a Prospective, Randomised, Controlled Interventional Study

Background Women have a markedly increased lifetime risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality following hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Arterial stiffness is regarded as a target parameter for reducing cardiovascular risk and can be modified by lifestyle changes. Methods In a prospective, randomised, controlled interventional study, starting 6 weeks postpartum, the effect of nutritional intervention combined with an intensive 6-month cardiovascular exercise programme on arterial stiffness was investigated by means of pulse wave velocity (PWV) in 38 women with severe hypertensive disorder of pregnancy (preeclampsia with or without pre-existing hypertension and/or HELLP syndrome). A reference group was formed with postpartum women without pregnancy complications or known cardiovascular risk and the arterial stiffness was studied by means of PWV at the time of delivery. The PWV was measured in the intervention and control groups within a week after delivery and after 32 weeks (6 weeks + 6 months). A feasibility analysis was performed in addition. Results 29 of 38 women with severe hypertensive disorder of pregnancy and 38 postpartum women in the reference group were included in the analysis (intervention group n = 14; control group n = 15; reference group n = 38). Adherence to a) the nutritional counselling and b) the intensive cardiovascular exercise programme was 73% and 79% respectively. A clinically significant difference (d = 0.65) in pulse wave velocity between the intervention and control groups was found after 6 months (6.36 ± 0.76 vs. 7.33 ± 2.25 m/s; group × time: p = 0.632). The PWV of the intervention group corresponded to that of the reference group at the end of the study (6.36 ± 0.76 m/s vs. 6.5 ± 0.70; d = 0.19), while the results in the control group differed markedly from this (7.33 ± 2.25 m/s; d = 0.56). Conclusion The study documents the feasibility of lifestyle intervention with physical exercise after delivery (starting 6 weeks postpartum). The intervention showed a significant clinical effect by reducing arterial stiffness to the level of the reference group. Before this intervention can be included in the standard of care and prevention, follow-up studies must confirm these results and the medium-term effects on cardiovascular risk.

The Role of Aerobic Exercise in Erectile Dysfunction: A Review of Randomized Controlled Trials

PURPOSE:This study aimed to determine the role or applicability of aerobic exercise in erectile dysfunction.METHODS:This narrative review was conducted by searching terms such as ‘impotence,’ ‘erectile dysfunction,’ ‘erection dysfunction,’ ‘sexual dysfunction,’ ‘aerobic exercise,’ ‘aerobic training,’ ‘cardiovascular exercise,’ ‘cardiovascular training,’ ‘human,’ ‘randomized controlled trials,’ and ‘randomized clinical trials’ in the titles or abstracts in PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, Wiley Online Library, and Science Direct databases.RESULTS: Nine articles met the inclusion criteria. Aerobic exercise of light (low)-vigorous (high) intensity was found to be effective in erectile dysfunction in seven articles.CONCLUSIONS: In case of mild-moderate erectile dysfunction accompanied by high blood pressure, obesity, physical inactivity, metabolic syndrome, acute myocardial infarction, and ischemic heart disease, it is suggested that following an aerobic exercise program has potential advantages. Further clinical research is required to compare nonlinear aerobic exercise with linear aerobic exercise in the population with erectile dysfunction.