Thoracic Mobilization and Respiratory Muscle Endurance Training Improve Diaphragm Thickness and Respiratory Function in Patients with a History of COVID-19.

Background and Objectives: Common problems in people with COVID-19 include decreased respiratory strength and function. We investigated the effects of thoracic mobilization and respiratory muscle endurance training (TMRT) and lower limb ergometer (LE) training on diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19. Materials and Methods: In total, 30 patients were randomly divided into a TMRT training group and an LE training group. The TMRT group performed thoracic mobilization and respiratory muscle endurance training for 30 min three times a week for 8 weeks. The LE group performed lower limb ergometer training for 30 min three times a week for 8 weeks. The participants' diaphragm thickness was measured via rehabilitative ultrasound image (RUSI) and a respiratory function test was conducted using a MicroQuark spirometer. These parameters were measured before the intervention and 8 weeks after the intervention. Results: There was a significant difference (p < 0.05) between the results obtained before and after training in both groups. Right diaphragm thickness at rest, diaphragm thickness during contraction, and respiratory function were significantly more improved in the TMRT group than in the LE group (p < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, we confirmed the effects of TMRT training on diaphragm thickness and respiratory function in patients with a history of COVID-19.

Effects of Different Types of High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) on Endurance and Strength Parameters in Children and Adolescents.

High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) promises high training effects on aerobic fitness in children, adolescents and adults in a relatively short time. It is therefore well-established in professional training settings. HIIT methods could also be suited to Physical Education (P.E.) lessons and contribute to students' health and fitness. Since HIIT sessions need little time and equipment, they can be efficiently implemented in P.E. However, there are few studies which have examined non-running-based HIIT programs in the school sport setting. We therefore conducted an intervention study including 121 students aged 11-15 attending a secondary school in Baden Württemberg, Germany. The effects of three different forms of HIIT training varying in duration and content (4 × 4 HIIT, 12 × 1 HIIT, CIRCUIT) were analyzed. The training was conducted twice a week over 6 weeks (10-12 sessions). Strength and endurance performances were determined in pre- and posttests prior to and after the intervention. Results verified that all three HIIT programs led to significant improvements in aerobic fitness (p < 0.001; part ŋ2 = 0.549) with no significant interaction between time x group. In contrast to the running-based HIIT sessions, CIRCUIT training also led to significant improvements in all of the measured strength parameters. Retrospectively, students were asked to assess their perception of the training intervention. The HIIT sessions were well-suited to students who considered themselves as "athletic". Less athletic students found it difficult to reach the necessary intensity levels. The evaluation showed that endurance training conducted in P.E. lessons needs a variety of different contents in order to sufficiently motivate students. Students perceiving themselves as "unathletic" may need additional support to reach the required intensities of HIIT. Circuit training sessions using whole-body drills can be efficiently implemented in the P.E. setting and contribute to students' health and fitness.

Three weeks of a home-based "sleep low-train low" intervention improves functional threshold power in trained cyclists: A feasibility study.

BACKGROUND: "Sleep Low-Train Low" is a training-nutrition strategy intended to purposefully reduce muscle glycogen availability around specific exercise sessions, potentially amplifying the training stimulus via augmented cell signalling. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility of a 3-week home-based "sleep low-train low" programme and its effects on cycling performance in trained athletes. METHODS: Fifty-five trained athletes (Functional Threshold Power [FTP]: 258 ± 52W) completed a home-based cycling training program consisting of evening high-intensity training (6 × 5 min at 105% FTP), followed by low-intensity training (1 hr at 75% FTP) the next morning, three times weekly for three consecutive weeks. Participant's daily carbohydrate (CHO) intake (6 g·kg-1·d-1) was matched but timed differently to manipulate CHO availability around exercise: no CHO consumption post- HIT until post-LIT sessions [Sleep Low (SL), n = 28] or CHO consumption evenly distributed throughout the day [Control (CON), n = 27]. Sessions were monitored remotely via power data uploaded to an online training platform, with performance tests conducted pre-, post-intervention. RESULTS: LIT exercise intensity reduced by 3% across week 1, 3 and 2% in week 2 (P < 0.01) with elevated RPE in SL vs. CON (P < 0.01). SL enhanced FTP by +5.5% vs. +1.2% in CON (P < 0.01). Comparable increases in 5-min peak power output (PPO) were observed between groups (P < 0.01) with +2.3% and +2.7% in SL and CON, respectively (P = 0.77). SL 1-min PPO was unchanged (+0.8%) whilst CON improved by +3.9% (P = 0.0144). CONCLUSION: Despite reduced relative training intensity, our data demonstrate short-term "sleep low-train low" intervention improves FTP compared with typically "normal" CHO availability during exercise. Importantly, training was completed unsupervised at home (during the COVID-19 pandemic), thus demonstrating the feasibility of completing a "sleep low-train low" protocol under non-laboratory conditions.

Effects of a 6 Week Low-Dose Combined Resistance and Endurance Training on T Cells and Systemic Inflammation in the Elderly.

With increasing age, the immune system undergoes a remodeling process, affecting the shift of T cell subpopulations and the development of chronic low-grade inflammation. Clinically, this is characterized by increased susceptibility to infections or development of several diseases. Since lifestyle factors can play a significant role in reducing the hallmarks of immune aging and inflammation, we investigated the effect of a 6 week low-dose combined resistance and endurance training program. Forty participants (70.3 ± 5.0 years) were randomly assigned to either a training (TG) or control group (CG) and performed a controlled low-threshold and care-oriented 6-week-long combined resistance and endurance training program. Changes in anthropometrics as well as strength capacity were measured. In subgroups of TG and CG, T cells and their subpopulations (CD4+, CD8+, naïve, central, effector memory, T-EMRA) were analyzed by flow cytometry. The changes of various plasma cytokines, chemokines, growth factors and adipokines were analyzed by luminex assays. The exercise program was followed by an increase in strength capacities. Participants of TG showed an increase of the CD4+/CD8+ T cell ratio over time (p < 0.05). Significant decreases in systemic levels of interleukin (IL-) 6, IL-8, IL-10 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) (p < 0.05) were observed for participants of TG over time. Even short-term and low-threshold training can reduce some of the hallmarks of immune aging in elderly and thus could be beneficial to stimulate immunity. The specific characteristics of the program make it easily accessible to older people, who may benefit in the longer term in terms of their immunocompetence.