ABSTRACT
@#Introduction: This study investigated the combined effects of bee pollen and resistance training on aerobic capacity, muscular performance, antioxidant status, and bone metabolism markers among young men. Methods: Forty young men were randomly assigned into four groups: sedentary control (C), bee pollen supplementation (BP), resistance training (RT), and combined bee pollen supplementation and resistance training (BPRT) groups. Bee pollen was consumed by participants in BP and BPRT groups (1500 mg daily for eight weeks). Resistance training was performed thrice per week for eight weeks in RT and BPRT groups. Participants’ anthropometry, aerobic capacity, isokinetic muscular peak torque (strength), and average power were measured. Concentrations of serum total antioxidant status (TAS), serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and serum C-terminal telopeptide of type 1 collagen (1CTP) were determined. Results: After eight weeks of intervention, there was a significant decrease in 1CTP in BP group. In RT group, significant increases were observed in both muscular strength and power. In BPRT group, significant increases in both muscular strength and power, and a significant decrease in 1CTP were observed after 8 weeks. There were no significant changes in aerobic capacity, serum TAS, SOD, and ALP in all the study groups. Conclusion: Resistance training using dumbbells and elastic bands seemed to elicit beneficial effects on muscular strength and power, while bee pollen supplementation alone reduced the level of bone resorption marker. In addition, combining bee pollen with resistance training seemed to offer additive benefit in muscular strength and power.
ABSTRACT
@#Extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) for the treatment of musculoskeletal diseases is a field that is developing rapidly and attracting increasing attention. Studies exploring the effects of shockwave therapy on enthesopathy have resulted in equivocal findings. Therefore, the purpose of this review article is to collectively review and analyze published literature on the effects of shockwave therapy on enthesopathy in human studies. This is a literature review study however, systematic search was performed on Scopus, EBSCOhost (Medline, CINAHL, and Sport Discus), and Google Scholar databases. The search resulted in 112 articles, nine relevant articles that met the inclusion criteria were selected for analysis in this review. Shockwave therapy can be safe and effective to reduce pain, improve functions and activities as it accelerates the entheses healing. The exact mechanisms of shockwave therapy on enthesopathy are still debatable. Further investigation is needed to confirm and validate the findings of previous related studies.
ABSTRACT
Eurycoma longifolia Jack [ElJ] has been shown to elevate serum testosterone and increased muscle strength in humans. This study investigated the effects of Physta a standardized water extract of ElJ [400 mg/day for 6 weeks] on testosterone: epitestosterone [T:E] ratio, liver and renal functions in male recreational athletes. A total of 13 healthy male recreational athletes were recruited in this double blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. The participants were required to consume either 400 mg of ElJ or placebo daily for 6 weeks in the first supplementation regimen. Following a 3 week wash-out period, the participants were requested to consume the other supplement for another 6 weeks. Mid-stream urine samples and blood samples were collected prior to and after 6 weeks of supplementation with either ElJ or placebo. The urine samples were subsequently analyzed for T:E ratio while the blood samples were analyzed for liver and renal functions. T:E ratio was not significantly different following 6 weeks supplementation of either ElJ or placebo compared with their respective baseline values. Similarly, there were no significant changes in both the liver and renal functions tests following the supplementation of ElJ. Supplementation of ElJ i.e. Physta at a dosage of 400 mg/day for 6 weeks did not affect the urinary T:E ratio and hence will not breach any doping policies of the International Olympic Committee for administration of exogenous testosterone or its precursor. In addition, the supplementation of ElJ at this dosage and duration was safe as it did adversely affect the liver and renal functions