Sleep "ON", sleep better! Positive effects of levodopa on sleep behaviour in people with Parkinson's disease.

People with Parkinson's disease experience reduced sleep quality compared with their peers. Levodopa may have a direct effect on sleep macrostructure or may improve sleep by enhancing nocturnal motor performance. Therefore, it is important to understand the acute effects of withdrawing levodopa on sleep measures in Parkinson's disease. The purpose of this study was to compare the estimated objective and subjective sleep measures of people with Parkinson's disease sleeping under (ON-night) versus without (OFF-night) the effects of the last daily dopaminergic medication before going to bed. A total of 23 people with Parkinson's disease were instructed to wear an actigraphy device for 4 consecutive nights to objectively measure the sleep behaviour. Subjective sleep measure was assessed each morning using a Likert scale. Participants slept for 3 nights on ON-night and 1 night on OFF-night. They were instructed not to take their last dose of levodopa before going to bed in OFF-night. Sleeping in ON- versus OFF-night increased total sleep time (7.8%, p = 0.032) and sleep efficiency (3.7%, p = 0.019), and decreased duration and number of wakes after sleep onset (22.3%, p = 0.050; and 29.2%, p = 0.013, respectively). However, subjective sleep analysis indicated no significant differences between the two conditions. From a clinical point of view, our results suggest that sleeping on ON-night resulted in an improvement in estimated objective sleep measures compared with sleeping on OFF-night. From a methodological point of view, our findings emphasize the importance of relying on objective sleep measurements to accurately assess OFF-night sleep behaviour in people with Parkinson's disease.

Effects of combined exercise training with sleep education in older adults with obstructive sleep apnea: protocol for a randomized clinical trial.

Background: Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is a common disorder that affects approximately 1 billion people worldwide. Advanced age is a significant risk factor. Various treatment options have been explored to reduce the severity of OSA symptoms and physical exercise has emerged as a potential alternative therapy. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of a combined exercise program with sleep education on sleep quality and on the severity of OSA in older adults. Methods: This is a randomized clinical trial with two parallel groups that will involve individuals of both genders aged between 60 and 79 years who have an apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) of more than 15 events per hour and who have not received or are currently undergoing treatment for OSA. Older adults who have engaged in regular exercise in the last six months and individuals with contraindications to exercise will be excluded. The study will assess outcomes related to OSA, including AHI, oxygen desaturation index, minimum and mean oxyhemoglobin saturation, sleep efficiency, sleep latency, and the type of respiratory events. Additionally, sleep quality-related outcomes, daytime sleepiness, physical activity, physical fitness, aerobic capacity, cognitive status, anthropometric measures, and health-related quality of life will be analyzed. Participants will be randomized to two groups: a combined exercise group (involving both resistance and aerobic training) with sleep education, and a control group that will receive only educational recommendations for managing OSA. The intervention will last 12 weeks and will consist of three sessions per week, totaling 36 exercise sessions. Sample size calculation indicates a minimum number of 36 participants. Discussion: If the hypothesis is confirmed, this clinical trial will indicate an effective non-pharmacological intervention for treating OSA in older adults. This intervention could be used as an adjunct to existing approaches designed to improve OSA management. Clinical trail registration: Brazil Clinical Trials Registry (ReBEC), identifier RBR-9hk6pgz.

Cardiac autonomic nervous activity during different sleep stages in individuals with spinal cord injury: The influence of physical training.

OBJECTIVE: The present study assessed the influence of physical training on cardiac autonomic activity in individuals with spinal cord injury (SCI) during different sleep stages. METHODS: Twenty-six volunteers were allocated into three groups: 9 sedentary individuals without SCI (control, CON); 8 sedentary tetraplegic individuals with chronic SCI (SED-SCI); 9 physically trained tetraplegic individuals with chronic SCI (TR-SCI). All participants underwent nocturnal polysomnography to monitor sleep stages: wakefulness, non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep (N1, N2, and N3 stages), and REM sleep. The electrocardiography data obtained during this exam were extracted to analyze the heart rate variability (HRV). RESULTS: Sleep stages influenced HRV in the time [RR interval and root mean square of successive RR interval differences (RMSSD)] and frequency [low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) powers and LF-to-HF ratio] domains (P < 0.05). SED-SCI individuals showed unchanged HRV compared to CON (P > 0.05). When comparing the TR-SCI and SED-SCI groups, no significant differences in HRV were reported in the time domain (P > 0.05). However, in the frequency domain, more accentuated HF power was observed in TR-SCI than in SED-SCI individuals during the N2 and N3 stages and REM sleep (P < 0.05). Moreover, TR-SCI had higher HF power than CON during the N3 stage (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: TR-SCI individuals have greater HF power, indicative of parasympathetic modulation, than sedentary (injured or not injured) individuals during different sleep stages. Therefore, enhanced parasympathetic activity induced by physical training may improve cardiac autonomic modulation during sleep in individuals with chronic SCI.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type delta (PTPRD) gene in an animal model of restless legs syndrome.

The pathophysiology of the restless legs syndrome (RLS) is related to dopaminergic dysfunction, reduced iron and variations in gene expression, such as the protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type delta gene (PTPRD). Animal models could be key to achieving a mechanistic understanding of RLS and to facilitate efficient platforms for evaluating new therapeutics. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the expression of PTPRD, of genes and proteins associated with RLS, the sleep patterns and the cardiovascular parameters in an animal model of RLS (spontaneously hypertensive rat [SHR]). Rats were divided into two groups: (i) Wistar-Kyoto and (ii) SHR. Cardiovascular parameters were assessed by tail plethysmography. Polysomnography was used to analyse the sleep pattern (24 h). For the PTPRD analyses, quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) and indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) techniques were used. To evaluate the tyrosine hydroxylase enzyme, dopamine transporter (DAT) and type 2 dopaminergic receptor, qPCR and Western Blotting techniques were used. For the quantification of iron, ferritin and transferrin, the ELISA method was used. SHRs had higher blood pressure, alterations in sleep pattern, lower expression of protein content of PTPRD, lower expression of DAT, and lower serum concentrations of ferritin. These data suggest that the behavioural, physiological, and molecular changes observed in SHRs provide a useful animal model of RLS, reinforcing the importance of this strain as an animal model of this sleep disorder.

Sleep and nutritional profile of endurance and ultra-endurance running athletes.

Sleeping and eating before and during an ultramarathon can directly affect an athlete's performance, who may also have their physiological adaptations and recovery process hindered by sleeping problems. Endurance and ultra-endurance athletes may have different sleep and nutrition profiles. Thus, this study aimed to describe the sleep profile (during preparation) and nutritional profile (during competition) of endurance (10-20km) and ultra-endurance (50-100km) running athletes. For this, 16 healthy volunteers answered questionnaires related to sleep quality (Pittsburgh sleep quality index), chronotype (morningness-eveningness questionnaire), and sleepiness (excessive daytime sleepiness questionnaire). Immediately after a competition, a form prepared by the research team about nutritional variables and volunteers' food records during the competition was applied. According to test scoring criteria (Pittsburgh sleep quality index >5; sleepiness >10), endurance running athletes showed low sleep quality. In addition, all athletes showed consumption of carbohydrates and lipids below the recommended, but excessive consumption of proteins. A positive association between sleepiness and sodium intake in endurance runners was observed (r=0.862; p=0.027). Sleep efficiency and race time showed a negative correlation only for ultra-endurance athletes (r=-0.834; p=0.039). The data obtained show that endurance athletes presented more sleep pattern alterations, however, endurance and ultra-endurance athletes showed inadequate nutritional consumption during the competition.

Changes in lifestyle during the COVID-19 lockdown in Brazil: Impact on sleep quality.

This study examined the influence of lifestyle changes made during the COVID -19 lockdown on sleep quality in a Brazilian population. We conducted an online cross-sectional study with 589 Brazilians that completed an online questionnaire about sociodemographic variables (age/status/cohabitation/education), general habits (exercise/work), and sleep quality (Mini Sleep Questionnaire). Poisson regression (log-linear) was used to examine sleep quality risk factors. 41.93% of the population reported impaired sleep quality during lockdown. Increased alcohol consumption, worsened diet quality, and use of bed for work during lockdown were risk factors for worsening sleep quality. Increased or beginning physical activity during lockdown was protective against poor sleep quality, as was male sex. Our results suggest that habit change during COVID -19 affected sleep quality in a general Brazilian population. However, it is important to be aware of whether these positive/negative habits acquired during the interdiction persist after the pandemic.

Total Testosterone and Cortisol During Wheelchair Rugby Training in Athletes With Cervical Spinal Cord Injury.

CONTEXT: Hormonal assessment in the sport context is important to monitor the physiological adaptations of athletes. However, Paralympic athletes, especially with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI), may have different hormonal responses than nondisabled athletes. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the blood concentrations of total testosterone (TT) and cortisol (C) during acute (one training session) and chronic (1 and 2 month) training of athletes with CSCI in wheelchair rugby (WCR). DESIGN: Longitudinal and observational study. METHODS: Eight high-performance athletes with CSCI (31 [3.9] y; 75.6 [15.8] kg; 22.9 [4.2] kg/m2 body mass index; 6.2 [2] y of experience in sport) were evaluated at 3 different intervals (evaluations 1, 2, and 3 [E1, E2, and E3]) over 2 months of training. TT and C blood were evaluated before (pre) and after (post) the training sessions at each training moment, as well as the training load through the ratings of perceived exertion. RESULTS: Athletes with CSCI had low TT concentrations. In acute training sessions, at E3, C decreases after the training session, unlike the TT/C ratio, which increased after the session. Regarding hormonal changes during chronic training at the end of the training period, unlike C, which increased. The training load (arbitrary units) decreased in E3 when compared with the other evaluation moments. CONCLUSION: It was concluded that in chronic training, TT concentrations decreased, while C increased at the end of the 2 months of training. These results may indicate that training volume was high throughout training and that a reduction in training volume could benefit athletes. On the other hand, in the acute training session with reduced training load, a decrease in C was observed after the training session. This indicates that athletes may be well recovered in this training session. Therefore, we suggest acute and long-term hormonal assessment for athletes with CSCI as a strategy to monitor anabolic/catabolic hormonal status during WCR training.

Nutritional Strategies of an Athlete with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus During a 217-km Ultramarathon.

Considering the challenges in meeting the high nutritional demand during ultramarathons, the aim of this study was to analyze the nutritional strategies and glycemic response of an athlete with type 1 diabetes (DM1) during participation in a 217-km ultramarathon. A 36-y-old male athlete who was diagnosed with DM1 15 y earlier was studied during participation in the Brazil 135 ultramarathon. Food consumption and blood glucose were recorded during the race, and nutritional intake was calculated after the race. The athlete completed the race in 51 h 18 min. He consumed a total of 15.0 MJ (3593 kcal), 532 g carbohydrate, 166 g protein, 92 g lipid, and 14 L of water during the race. Glycemic values ranged from 3.6 to 18.2 mmol·L-1. Most glycemic values (47%) ranged from 3.9 to 10 mmol·L-1, whereas 5% were <3.9 mmol·L-1, 16% were >10 to 13.9 mmol·L-1, and 32% were >13.9 mmol·L-1. This case report describes the dietary profile of an athlete with DM1 during a 217-km ultramarathon. Although the athlete implemented strategies that differed from those recommended in the literature, food and nutrient intake and the glycemic management strategy adopted allowed him to successfully finish the race. These results suggest that past personal experiences can be considered and that nutritional recommendations for athletes with DM1 should be individualized.

Training load, stress, recovery, mood, and motivation of athletes with spinal cord injury in wheelchair rugby during a competitive preseason

Abstract Aim: This study aims to characterize the stress, recovery, mood, and motivation together with the training load of athletes with cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) during a period of resumption of wheelchair rugby (WCR) training. Additionally, it aims to compare the psychological and load training aspects during a competitive preseason and determine the correlations between training load, mood, stress, and recovery. Methods: We evaluated variables such as mood (Brazilian Mood Scale, BRAMS), stress and recovery (Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes, RESTQ-Sport 76) and training load (Subjective Perception of Effort - SPE) of eight high-performance athletes of wheelchair rugby with CSCIs at three different times (E1 = returning from vacation, E2 = half of the preseason, and E3 = after 2 months of training) for 2 months at a monthly interval. We also evaluated motivation (Sport Motivation Scale) at E1 and E3. Results: Results indicated few changes during the competitive preseason in terms of stress, recovery, and mood. However, the training load decreased toward the end of this period. Furthermore, we found that physical complaints positively correlated with depression when resuming training. In the middle of the competitive preseason period, we also noted positive correlations between conflict/pressure and fatigue and between fatigue and energy loss. At the end of this period, the SPE and arbitrary units correlated positively with conflict/pressure. Conclusion: We found few changes during the competitive preseason in terms of stress, recovery, and mood but not motivation, which did not change during this period. On the other hand, the training load decreased at the end of the competitive preseason. Furthermore, we observed correlations between training load and psychological aspects at different times.

Iron deficiency in pregnancy: Influence on sleep, behavior, and molecular markers of adult male offspring.

Iron restriction during pregnancy can lead to iron deficiency and changes in the dopaminergic system in the adulthood of offspring, and restless legs syndrome (RLS) is closely related to these changes. Objectives: Analyze whether iron restriction during pregnancy would cause changes in the behavior, sleep, and dopaminergic system of the male offspring. In addition, we aimed to assess whether exercise would be able to modulate these variables. The pregnant rats (Wistar) were divided into four groups with different concentrations of iron in the diet: standard (St), supplementation (Su), restriction since weaning (R1), and restriction only during pregnancy (R2). After birth, the offspring were assigned to their respective groups according to the dams diet (St, Su, R1, and R2) and distributed into sedentary (SD) and exercised (EX) (for 8 weeks of training), reaching eight groups of offspring (O): OSt SD, OSt EX, OSu SD, OSu EX, OR1 SD, OR1 EX, OR2 SD, and OR2 EX. Sleep, behavior, and analysis of key genes of dopaminergic system (D2, DAT) were performed after 8 weeks. The results for trained offspring that the mother received supplementation diet were the most expressive, with increased freezing and the OR1 SD group showed an increase in DAT protein content. These changes may have been due to the association between the dams diet during pregnancy and the practice of exercise by the offspring. The different concentrations of iron during pregnancy caused changes in the offspring, however, they were not associated with fetal programming in the context of RLS.

Influence of swimming on sleep and quality of life of people with visual impairments / Influencia de la práctica de natación en el sueño y en la calidad de vida de personas con discapacidad visual / Influência da prática de natação no sono e na qualidade de vida de pessoas com deficiência visual

ABSTRACT Introduction: Physical exercise can bring important benefits in the areas of physical and psychological health and behavioral aspects. However, there have been few studies that link physical exercise and sleep in people with disabilities. Objective: This study aims to analyze the benefits promoted by swimming in the health and quality of sleep of visually impaired people of different levels of physical fitness. Methods: Thirty male volunteers, visually impaired, aged 16-60 years, took part in the study. The volunteers were divided into three groups: irregularly active (G1), swimming twice a week (G2), and swimming five times a week (G3). Questionnaires related to sleep pattern (Pittsburgh), sleepiness (Epworth), chronotype (Horne and Östberg) and quality of life (SF-36) were applied. Results: The main results showed that G3 presented better quality of sleep, as well as more effective sleep, compared to the other two groups. In addition, G1 showed poorer scores for quality of life compared to G3 in the domains general health, vitality, and social aspect. Conclusion: We suggest that more frequent physical activity (swimming) has a positive effect on quality of sleep and quality of life of people with visual impairments. Level of evidence III, case control study .

RESUMEN Introducción: La práctica del ejercicio físico puede traer beneficios importantes en el ámbito físico, psicológico y comportamental. Sin embargo, la literatura es escasa al relacionar ejercicio físico y sueño en las personas con discapacidad. Objetivo: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar los beneficios que la natación promueve en la salud y en la calidad del sueño de discapacitados visuales con diferentes niveles de aptitud física. Métodos: Participaron en la investigación 30 voluntarios del sexo masculino, discapacitados visuales, con edad entre 16 y 60 años, divididos en tres grupos, a saber, irregularmente activos (G1), practicantes de natación 2 veces por semana (G2) y practicantes de natación 5 veces por semana (G3). Fueron aplicados los cuestionarios relacionados con el patrón de sueño (Pittsburgh), somnolencia (Epworth), cronotipo (Horne y Östberg) y calidad de vida (SF-36). Resultados: Los principales resultados mostraron que G3 presentó mejor calidad de sueño, bien como mayor eficiencia del sueño con relación a los otros dos grupos. Además, G1 demostró peores puntajes para calidad de vida con relación a G3 en los dominios estado general de salud, vitalidad y aspecto social. Conclusión: De esa forma, podemos sugerir que la frecuencia mayor en la práctica de actividad física (natación) actuó positivamente sobre la calidad del sueño y la calidad de vida de las personas con discapacidad visual. Nivel de evidencia III; Estudio de caso control .

RESUMO Introdução: A prática do exercício físico pode trazer benefícios importantes no âmbito físico, psicológico e comportamental. No entanto, a literatura é escassa ao relacionar exercício físico e sono nas pessoas com deficiência. Objetivo: Este estudo teve como objetivo analisar os benefícios que a natação promove na saúde e na qualidade do sono de deficientes visuais com diferentes níveis de aptidão física. Métodos: Participaram da pesquisa 30 voluntários do sexo masculino, deficientes visuais, com idade entre 16 e 60 anos distribuídos em três grupos, a saber, irregularmente ativos (G1), praticantes de natação 2 vezes por semana (G2); e praticantes de natação 5 vezes na semana (G3). Foram aplicados os questionários relacionados ao padrão de sono (Pittsburgh), sonolência (Epworth), cronotipo (Horne e Östberg) e qualidade de vida (SF-36). Resultados: Os principais resultados mostraram que o G3 apresentou melhor qualidade de sono, bem como maior eficiência do sono com relação aos outros dois grupos. Além disso, o G1 demonstrou piores escores para qualidade de vida com relação ao G3 nos domínios estado geral de saúde, vitalidade e aspecto social. Conclusão: Dessa forma, podemos sugerir que a frequência maior na prática da atividade física (natação) atuou positivamente sobre a qualidade do sono e a qualidade de vida de pessoas com deficiência visual. Nível de evidência III, Estudo de caso controle .

Identifying electronic-sport athletes' sleep-wake cycle characteristics.

Organized electronic-sport competitions (e-Sport) is related to several health problems, including sleep disorders. The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of the sleep-wake cycle of League of Legends (LoL) athletes during their pre-training, training, pre-competition, and competition routines. Twenty male elite LoL players completed the questionnaires related to sleep pattern (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index), sleepiness (Epworth Sleepiness Scale), and chronotype (Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire), and they wore an actigraph for 7 days. Pre-training and pre-competition assessments were carried out by questionnaires (n = 20) and training and competition assessments by actigraph (n = 16). The chronotype that most Eathletes presented was a moderately evening type. They presented a poor sleep quality and were borderline for excessive daytime sleepiness. Sleep onset and offset times were significantly prolonged during the competition condition (t = 2.11, p < .05; t = 2.51, p < .05). Correlations showed a relationship between PSQI and Sleepiness in the pre-training and pre-competition conditions (r = 0.50, p = .02) and chronotype with sleep onset (r = 0.61, p = .01), total sleep time (r = 0.55, p = .02), and time awake (r = 0.49, p = .04) in the competition condition. Linear regression analysis indicated associations between the PSQI and sleepiness (25%; p = .02) during pre-training and pre-competition. During the competition there were associations between chronotype and sleep onset (37%; p = .01), chronotype and time awake (24%; p = .04), and chronotype and TST (30%; p = .02). In general, the findings support the conclusion that LoL athletes presented an altered sleep pattern during their training routines.

Low-Dose Coconut Oil Supplementation Induces Hypothalamic Inflammation, Behavioral Dysfunction, and Metabolic Damage in Healthy Mice.

SCOPE: Coconut oil (CO) diets remain controversial due to the possible association with metabolic disorder and obesity. This study investigates the metabolic effects of a low amount of CO supplementation. METHODS AND RESULTS: Swiss male mice are assigned to be supplemented orally during 8 weeks with 300 µL of water for the control group (CV), 100 or 300 µL of CO (CO100 and CO300) and 100 or 300 µL of soybean oil (SO; SO100 and SO300). CO led to anxious behavior, increase in body weight gain, and adiposity. In the hypothalamus, CO and SO increase cytokines expression and pJNK, pNFKB, and TLR4 levels. Nevertheless, the adipose tissue presented increases macrophage infiltration, TNF-α and IL-6 after CO and SO consumption. IL-1B and CCL2 expression, pJNK and pNFKB levels increase only in CO300. In the hepatic tissue, CO increases TNF-α and chemokines expression. Neuronal cell line (mHypoA-2/29) exposed to serum from CO and SO mice shows increased NFKB migration to the nucleus, TNF-α, and NFKBia expression, but are prevented by inhibitor of TLR4 (TAK-242). CONCLUSIONS: These results show that a low-dose CO changes the behavioral pattern, induces inflammatory pathway activation, TLR4 expression in healthy mice, and stimulates the pro-inflammatory response through a TLR4-mediated mechanism.

Sleep of Wheelchair Rugby Athletes: Training, Rest and Competition.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sleep-wake cycle of wheelchair rugby athletes during the pre-season compared to in-season. Wheelchair Rugby athletes wore an actigraph monitor during two respective 10-day periods: 1) pre-season and 2) in-season, each of which comprised three training days, three rest days, and four competition days, respectively. In addition, the players completed questionnaires regarding sleepiness, subjective quality of sleep, and chronotype, as well as the use of the sleep diary along with the actigraph measurements (20 days). The wheelchair rugby athletes had poor subjective sleep quality in both stages observed by sleep efficiency below 85% (ES 0.31) and high score in the Pittsburgh questionnaire (effect size-ES 0.55), the actigraphy results presented an increase of sleep latency (ES 0.47), and wake after sleep onset (ES 0.42). When comparing the athlete's routine, the competition days, demonstrated a reduction in the total time of sleep and the sleep efficiency, in addition to an increase in wakefulness after sleep onset when compared with the training and rest periods. As a result, the wheelchair rugby players did not describe a pattern of sleep-wake cycle during different training phases, as well as poor sleep quality.

Cross-cultural adaptation of the Brazilian version of the Athlete Sleep Behavior Questionnaire.

INTRODUCTION: Considering the specificity of the sporting context and the influence of sleep on athletic performance, the "athlete sleep behavior questionnare" (ASBQ) was developed to evaluate sleep behavior in English-speaking athletes. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to perform a cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the ASBQ in Brazilian athletes. METHODS: The cross-cultural adaptation was processed by procedures of translation and back-translation. Content validity was performed by 9 experts, calculating the coefficient of content validity for the equivalence of the individual items (Cvci) and the total global score (Cvct), in addition we conducted a pilot study using the translated version of the questionnaire. The next phase of the study included 52 athletes completing the translated ASBQ. The reliability of the questionnaire was assessed by the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of measurement (SEM) and by Cronbach's alpha (α). RESULTS: The ASBQ passed the process of cross-cultural adaptation, obtaining the Brazilian Version of the ASBQ (ASBQ-BR), and with acceptable values of Cvci (0.89-1.00) and Cvct (0.96). Additionally, the ASBQ-BR showed acceptable values of reliability (ICC=0.857; Cronbach's α=0.78) and a SEM of 3.05 AU. CONCLUSION: The ASBQ was translated to a newly developed ASBQ-BR, resulting in acceptable values for content validity and reliability. The ASBQ-BR provides a valuable tool for monitoring sleep behaviors in Brazilian athletes.

Differences in iron intake during pregnancy influence in trainability response of male rat offspring.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate if different concentrations of iron in diets during pregnancy would interfere in the aerobic and anaerobic performance of the offspring, observed during 8-week swimming training and measured by lactate minimum test. METHODS: Pregnant rats were divided into four groups with different dietary iron concentrations: standard (40mg/kg), supplementation (100mg/kg), restriction since weaning, and restriction only during pregnancy (4mg/kg). After birth, the offspring were assigned to their respective groups (Standard Offspring, Supplementation Offspring, Restriction Offspring or Restriction Offspring 2). The lactate minimum test was performed at three time points: before starting exercise training, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of exercise training. RESULTS: The Restriction Offspring Group had a significant reduction in the concentration of lactate minimum and in swimming time to exhaustion, after 4 and 8 weeks of training as compared to before training. Therefore, the results showed the Restriction Offspring Group was not able to maintain regularity during training in lactate minimum tests. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested the Restriction Offspring Group showed a marked decrease in its performance parameters, which may have occurred due to iron restriction.

Impact of Covid-19 on the restless legs syndrome.

The COVID-19 pandemic is strongly impacting global health and mental health, and has caused routine changes in much of the world. All of these changes can have physical and mental consequences for the population. Metabolic changes, mood disorders and their pharmacotherapy, such as the use of antidepressants can increase the chances of developing sleep disorders, such as Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS). As a way to avoid immunosuppression and the greater risk of contamination of COVID-19, it is recommended to perform exercise in light or moderate intensity. This is the first paper to reflect a possible impact of social distancing on RLS, and how it can affect the incidence of mood disorders and metabolic changes in this syndrome, as well as the quality of life of the population. We suggest that regular exercise at light or moderate intensity during home confinement may be effective strategies to minimize the changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Sleep and COVID-19: considerations about immunity, pathophysiology, and treatment.

The fear and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, threats to survival are one of the main problems of everyday life; however, mental health care must also be considered a priority. During social isolation also called self-quarantine, the restricted mobility and social contact, concern about financial resources and availability of supplies, fear of infection, questions about the duration of self-quarantine, cause anxiety, depression, stress, insomnia and reduced the quality and quantity of sleep, that may present a greater risk to the health of the general population. Sleep disorders are increasingly becoming a major health issue in modern society, and are influenced by retinal stimulation by electronic devices, as well extended and/or night shift-work, which may aggravate the systemic and lung inflammation during viral infections. Sleep disorders can induce pro-inflammatory states and be harmful during the COVID-19 pandemic. The possible interactions between many drugs used to treat COVID-19, and those used to treat sleep disorders are unknown, mostly due to the lack of a standard protocol to treat these patients. Insufficient sleep or irregular sleep-wake cycles may impair health, immune system, induce pro-inflammation state, and may lead to increased vulnerability to viral infections, involving inflammatory and oxidative/antioxidant imbalance. In this sense, obstructive sleep apnea has been associated with recognized COVID-19 risk comorbidities and considered a risk factor for COVID-19. During the COVID-19 pandemic, health care cannot stop, and telemedicine has presented itself as an alternative method of delivering services. When a face-to-face visit is mandatory, or in locations with minimal community transmission where sleep centers have resumed activities, it is important that the sleep center facilities are properly prepared to receive the patients during the COVID-19 pandemic, and follow all relevant safety rules. In this work we gathered a group of researchers, specialists in aspects related to chronobiology, sleep, sleep disorders, and the immune system. Thus, we conducted a narrative review in order to address the relationship between COVID-19 and sleep, as well as its immunological aspects and strategies that may be applied in order to mitigate the harmful effects on health that affects everyone during the pandemic.

Taste sensitivity throughout age and the relationship with the sleep quality.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present study was to evaluate taste sensitivity and sleep pattern throughout age. METHODS: Thirty-five male adults aged (25.05±0.71 years), and twenty- four older adults (68.92 ± 6.43 years) were selected and submitted to sleep evaluation (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Epworth Sleepiness Scale), as well as taste sensitivity. Taste sensitivity was evaluated using three dilutions and the different concentrations were presented for the four basic flavors (salty, sweet, bitter and sour). These samples were encoded with three digits and randomly presented to the participants in 50 mL plastic cups. RESULTS: In both groups, sleep quality was poor (PSQI >5). Older adults presented a negative effect to identify sweet and salty taste and, in this population, sleep time was associated with sweet taste perception. DISCUSSION: We may suggest that aging may cause changes in taste sensitivity, as well as total sleep time was observed to be a significant predictor of sweet taste. Sleep may play an important role in taste sensitivity, although the mechanisms are still unknown. Thus, the results of this research may contribute to the emergence of new studies that seek to better understand this relationship of sleep quality as taste sensitivity.

Differences in iron intake during pregnancy influence in trainability response of male rat offspring / Diferenças na ingestão de ferro durante a gravidez influenciam na resposta à treinabilidade da prole de ratos machos

ABSTRACT Objective: To evaluate if different concentrations of iron in diets during pregnancy would interfere in the aerobic and anaerobic performance of the offspring, observed during 8-week swimming training and measured by lactate minimum test. Methods: Pregnant rats were divided into four groups with different dietary iron concentrations: standard (40mg/kg), supplementation (100mg/kg), restriction since weaning, and restriction only during pregnancy (4mg/kg). After birth, the offspring were assigned to their respective groups (Standard Offspring, Supplementation Offspring, Restriction Offspring or Restriction Offspring 2). The lactate minimum test was performed at three time points: before starting exercise training, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of exercise training. Results: The Restriction Offspring Group had a significant reduction in the concentration of lactate minimum and in swimming time to exhaustion, after 4 and 8 weeks of training as compared to before training. Therefore, the results showed the Restriction Offspring Group was not able to maintain regularity during training in lactate minimum tests. Conclusion: Our results suggested the Restriction Offspring Group showed a marked decrease in its performance parameters, which may have occurred due to iron restriction.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar parâmetros aeróbios e anaeróbios da prole de ratas alimentadas com diferentes dietas de ferro durante a prenhez, por meio do teste de lactato mínimo. Métodos: As ratas prenhes foram divididas em quatro grupos com diferentes concentrações de ferro na dieta: padrão (40mg/kg), suplementação (100mg/kg), restrição desde o desmame e restrição apenas durante a gravidez (4mg/kg). Após o nascimento, os filhotes foram designados para seus respectivos grupos (Prole Padrão, Prole Suplementação, Prole Restrição ou Prole Restrição 2). O teste de lactato mínimo foi realizado em três momentos: antes de iniciar o treinamento físico, após 4 semanas e após 8 semanas de treinamento físico. Resultados: O Grupo Prole Restrição apresentou redução significativa na concentração do lactato mínimo e no tempo de natação até a exaustão, após 4 e 8 semanas de treinamento em relação ao período antes do início do treinamento. Assim, o Grupo Prole Restrição não foi capaz de manter regularidade durante o treinamento nos testes de lactato mínimo. Conclusão: Os resultados sugerem que o Grupo Prole Restrição apresentou diminuição acentuada nos parâmetros de desempenho, o que pode ter ocorrido devido à restrição de ferro.