Oxidative stress, inflammation, psychological status, and severity of respiratory infections are negatively affected during the pre-contest period in amateur bodybuilders.

We examined whether off-season (OffS) and pre-contest (PreC) periods affect blood oxidative stress, inflammatory, immunological, and psychological markers in 20 bodybuilders. The athletes recorded their food intake (3-day record), physical activities, mood states (Profile of Mood States, POMS), recovery-stress (Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes, RESTQ-Sport), and upper respiratory symptoms (Wisconsin Upper Respiratory Symptom Survey, WURSS-21), and blood was obtained for biochemical analysis. Almost all athletes were in positive energy balance during OffS, while bodybuilders presented markedly restricted energy intake (∼45%) leading to loss of weight (-9%) and fat mass (-45%) with preservation of fat-free mass in PreC. Protein intake was high during both periods, while lipid and carbohydrate intakes were reduced ∼50% in PreC. Almost all athletes consumed 100% of the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for micronutrients in OffS, while 45% and 75% of the athletes had intakes below the RDA for vitamins A and E in PreC. Oxidative damage to lipids (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, TBARS), protein carbonyls, and the TBARS/total antioxidant capacity ratio increased in PreC (32%, 27%, 60%), as did plasma tumor necrosis factor α (4-fold) and WURSS-21 scores (25%). There were no significant changes in serum catalase, glutathione reductase, and superoxide dismutase activities nor in interleukin 1ß and immunoglobulins. In PreC, POMS showed negative changes in vigor (-20%), fatigue (23%), and total mood disturbance (35%), and RESTQ-Sport showed alterations for general and sport stress (34% and 50%, respectively) and sport recovery (-23%). Thus, PreC negatively affects nutrient intake, which may worsen oxidative stress, inflammation, psychological status, and the severity of respiratory infections in bodybuilders.

Comparison of the acute effects of traditional versus high velocity resistance training on metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychophysiological responses in elderly hypertensive women.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of the present study was to compare the acute effects of traditional resistance training (RT) versus high velocity RT (HVRT) on metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychophysiological responses in elderly hypertensive women. METHODS: Fifteen elderly women (mean age ± standard deviation, 67.1±6.9 years) classified as having hypertension stage 1 or 2 were randomly allocated to complete traditional RT or HVRT; 1 week later, subjects allocated to RT completed the HVRT session and vice-versa. Heart rate, blood pressure, affective response, perceived effort, and blood samples analyzing lactate, nitrate, nitrite, oxidative damage (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances [TBARS]), and 6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) collected before and after training sessions were assessed. Nutritional counseling was provided regarding nutrients that could affect cardiovascular and nitrate/nitrite analysis. RESULTS: Systolic blood pressure was not statistically different (p>0.05) between conditions at the beginning and during 30 minutes after sessions. Diastolic blood pressure, rate pressure product, and heart rate were not statistically different (p>0.05) between conditions at the beginning and during 45 minutes after sessions. Nitric oxide was significantly higher (p<0.0005) for HVRT compared to RT after 30 minutes of exercise. TBARS and TEAC were significantly higher (p<0.05) for HVRT compared with RT only immediately after exercise. There were no differences for psychophysiological variables between protocols. CONCLUSION: The acute cardiovascular and metabolic responses, including oxidative stress, are transient and within normal values. Taken together with the positive affective responses, both HVRT and RT with this intensity and volume seem to be safe for elderly hypertensive women under medication.