Effects of a competitive wrestling season on body composition, endocrine markers, and anaerobic exercise performance in NCAA collegiate wrestlers.

Few data exist examining the body composition, endocrine, and anaerobic exercise performance changes over a competitive wrestling season. Eighteen NCAA wrestlers were tested for endocrine markers, body composition, hydration, grip strength, and power on four occasions: prior to pre-season training (T1); after pre-season training 3 days prior to the first seasonal meet (T2); mid-season one day prior to a meet (T3); and at the end of the season 2-3 days following the last meet (T4). Body mass, percent body fat (BF %), and fat mass were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.05) at T2 and T3 compared to T1 but were not different between T1 and T4. Lean body mass was significantly reduced at T2 only. Urine specific gravity was significantly elevated at T3 compared to T1, T2, and T4. Resting cortisol concentrations did not change but resting testosterone concentrations were significantly reduced at T2, T3, and T4. Maximal grip strength was significantly reduced at T2. Vertical jump peak power was significantly reduced at T2, T3, and T4. Wingate peak power was significantly reduced at T2 and T3. However, Wingate average power and total work did not significantly change. Fatigue rate during the Wingate test was significantly improved at T2, T3, and T4 compared to T1. In conclusion, body mass, BF %, and measures of peak force and power were reduced for most of the competitive wrestling season. Competitive wrestling reduces resting total testosterone concentrations throughout the entire season.

Effect of a proprietary protein supplement on recovery indices following resistance exercise in strength/power athletes.

The effect of 42 g of protein ingested pre- and post-exercise on recovery from an acute resistance exercise session was examined in 15 male strength/power athletes who were randomly divided into a supplement (SUP) or placebo (PL) group. Subjects reported to the Human Performance Laboratory (HPL) on four separate occasions (T1-T4). Maximal strength [one repetition-maximum (1-RM)] testing was performed during T1. During T2 subjects performed four sets of ten repetitions at 80% of their 1-RM in the squat, dead lift and barbell lunge exercises with 90 s of rest between each set. Blood draws occurred at baseline (BL), immediate and 15 min post-exercise to determine testosterone, cortisol and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations. Subjects reported back to the HPL 24 (T3) and 48 h (T4) post-exercise for a BL blood draw and to perform four sets of ten repetitions with 80% of 1-RM for the squat exercise only. No differences in the number of repetitions performed in the squat exercise were seen between the groups at T2. Relative to T2, PL performed significantly (P < 0.05) fewer repetitions than SUP at T3 and T4 (-9.5 +/- 5.5 repetitions vs. -3.3 +/- 3.6 during T3, respectively, and -10.5 +/- 8.2 repetitions vs. -2.3 +/- 2.9 repetitions during T4, respectively). No differences in hormonal measures were seen between the groups. CK concentrations were significantly (P < 0.05) elevated at T3 for both groups, but continued to elevate (P < 0.05) at T4 for PL only. No significant group differences were noted for CK at any time point. Results indicate that a proprietary protein SUP consumed before and after a resistance training session significantly contributes to improvements in exercise recovery 24 and 48 h post-exercise.

Effect of preceding resistance exercise on metabolism during subsequent aerobic session.

The present study was undertaken to evaluate the acute effect of prior resistance training of varying intensities on energy expenditure and substrate utilization during subsequent aerobic exercise. Eleven males and 21 females completed three experimental trials consisting of (1) aerobic exercise only (C), (2) aerobic exercise preceded by a high-intensity resistance training (HI), and (3) aerobic exercise preceded by a low-intensity resistance training (LO). Resistance training produced an equal volume between HI and LO and consisted of six exercises with each performed for three sets of eight repetitions at 90% of 8-RM in HI and three sets of 12 repetitions at 60% of 8-RM in LO. Aerobic exercise was performed on a cycle ergometer at 50% VO(2)peak for 20 min in all trials. Oxygen uptake (VO2), and carbohydrate and fat oxidation were determined throughout each aerobic exercise session. Fat oxidation rate was higher (P < 0.05) in HI than either LO or C in both males and females. VO2 was also higher (P < 0.05) in HI than either LO or C in females. In males, although between-trial differences in VO2 did not reach statistical significance, they were consistent with the trend seen in females. No differences in carbohydrate oxidation rates were observed across the three trials in either gender group. It appears that in training that combines both aerobic and resistance exercises, performing a comparatively higher intensity resistance exercise first would augment fat utilization and energy expenditure during subsequent aerobic exercise.

Effect of protein-supplement timing on strength, power, and body-composition changes in resistance-trained men.

The effect of 10 wk of protein-supplement timing on strength, power, and body composition was examined in 33 resistance-trained men. Participants were randomly assigned to a protein supplement either provided in the morning and evening (n = 13) or provided immediately before and immediately after workouts (n = 13). In addition, 7 participants agreed to serve as a control group and did not use any protein or other nutritional supplement. During each testing session participants were assessed for strength (one-repetition-maximum [1RM] bench press and squat), power (5 repetitions performed at 80% of 1RM in both the bench press and the squat), and body composition. A significant main effect for all 3 groups in strength improvement was seen in 1RM bench press (120.6 +/- 20.5 kg vs. 125.4 +/- 16.7 at Week 0 and Week 10 testing, respectively) and 1RM squat (154.5 +/- 28.4 kg vs. 169.0 +/- 25.5 at Week 0 and Week 10 testing, respectively). However, no significant between-groups interactions were seen in 1RM squat or 1RM bench press. Significant main effects were also seen in both upper and lower body peak and mean power, but no significant differences were seen between groups. No changes in body mass or percent body fat were seen in any of the groups. Results indicate that the time of protein-supplement ingestion in resistance-trained athletes during a 10-wk training program does not provide any added benefit to strength, power, or body-composition changes.

Thermogenic effect of an acute ingestion of a weight loss supplement.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the acute effects of a weight loss supplement on resting oxygen uptake (VO2), respiratory quotient (RQ), caloric expenditure (kcal), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP) in healthy and physically active individuals. METHODS: Ten subjects (5 male, 5 female; 20.2 +/- 1.2 y; 172.2 +/- 8.9 cm; 71.5 +/- 17.2 kg; 17.3 +/- 2.6% body fat) underwent two testing sessions administered in a randomized and double-blind fashion. During each session, subjects reported to the Human Performance Laboratory after at least 3-h post-absorptive state and were provided either 3 capsules of the weight loss supplement (SUP), commercially marketed as Meltdown(R) or 3 capsules of a placebo (P). Subjects then rested in a semi-recumbent position for three hours. VO2 and HR were determined every 5 min during the first 30 min and every 10 min during the next 150 min. BP was determined every 15 min during the first 30 min and every 30 min thereafter. The profile of mood states was assessed every 30 min. RESULTS: Area under the curve analysis revealed a significant 28.9% difference in VO2 between SUP and P for the three hour study period. In addition, a significant difference in energy expenditure was also seen between SUP (1.28 +/- 0.33 kcal.min-1) and P (1.00 +/- 0.32 kcal.min-1). A trend (p = 0.06) towards a greater utilization of stored fat as an energy source was also demonstrated (0.78 +/- 0.23 kcal.min-1 and 0.50 +/- 0.38 kcal.min-1 in P and SUP, respectively). Significant elevations in HR were seen during hours two and three of the study, and significantly higher average systolic BP was observed between SUP (118.0 +/- 7.3 mmHg) and P (111.4 +/- 8.2 mmHg). No significant differences were seen in diastolic blood pressure at any time point. Significant increases in tension and confusion were seen in SUP. CONCLUSION: Results indicate a significant increase in energy expenditure in young, healthy individuals following an acute ingestion of a weight loss supplement. In addition, ingestion of this supplement appears modify mood and elevate HR and systolic BP following ingestion.

Examination of a pre-exercise, high energy supplement on exercise performance.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of a pre-exercise high energy drink on reaction time and anaerobic power in competitive strength/power athletes. In addition, the effect of the pre-exercise drink on subjective feelings of energy, fatigue, alertness and focus was also explored. METHODS: Twelve male strength/power athletes (21.1 +/- 1.3 y; 179.8 +/- 7.1 cm; 88.6 +/- 12.1 kg; 17.6 +/- 3.3% body fat) underwent two testing sessions administered in a randomized and double-blind fashion. During each session, subjects reported to the Human Performance Laboratory and were provided with either 120 ml of a high energy drink (SUP), commercially marketed as Redline Extreme(R) or 120 ml of a placebo (PL) that was similar in taste and appearance but contained no active ingredients. Following consumption of the supplement or placebo subjects rested quietly for 10-minutes prior to completing a survey and commencing exercise. The survey consisted of 4 questions asking each subject to describe their feelings of energy, fatigue, alertness and focus for that moment. Following the completion of the questionnaire subjects performed a 2-minute quickness and reaction test on the Makoto testing device (Makoto USA, Centennial CO) and a 20-second Wingate Anaerobic Power test. Following a 10-minute rest subjects repeated the testing sequence and after a similar rest period a third and final testing sequence was performed. The Makoto testing device consisted of subjects reacting to both a visual and auditory stimulus and striking one out of 30 potential targets on three towers. RESULTS: Significant difference in reaction performance was seen between SUP and PL in both average number of targets struck (55.8 +/- 7.4 versus 51.9 +/- 7.4, respectively) and percent of targets struck (71.9 +/- 10.5% versus 66.8 +/- 10.9%, respectively). No significant differences between trials were seen in any anaerobic power measure. Subjective feelings of energy (3.5 +/- 0.5 versus 3.1 +/- 0.5) and focus (3.8 +/- 0.5 versus 3.3 +/- 0.7) were significantly higher during SUP compared to PL, respectively. In addition, a trend towards an increase in average alertness (p = 0.06) was seen in SUP compared to P. CONCLUSION: Results indicate a significant increase in reaction performance, with no effect on anaerobic power performance. In addition, ingestion of this supplement significantly improves subjective feelings of focus and energy in male strength/power athletes.