Ghost Fat: Altered Female Body Perception After Bariatric Surgery.

Body perception is an individual's ability to recognize their body in attitudinal and/or dimensional aspects. We investigated women's body perceptions before and after bariatric surgery. Participants were 31 women (M age = 36.23, SD = 7.95 years old) with an average pre-operative body mass index of 44.58 (SD = 4.65) kg/m2. We collected anthropometric and body perception measures (attitudinal body image [ABI] and dimensional body image [DBI]) before bariatric surgery and 30, 60, 90, and 120 days after it. There was an average decrease of 21.09% in participants' body weight over the 120 days. Regarding ABI, 51.61% of participants had high body dissatisfaction before surgery, and this proportion of dissatisfied participants decreased to 3.23% 120 days after surgery. We observed no statistically significant differences in DBI perceptions. Fast weight loss caused by bariatric surgery appeared to generate a perception of ghost fat. Somatosensory interventions and/or a longer follow-up are needed to alter this persistent distortion of body dimensions.

Corrigendum: Significant Acute Response of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Following a Session of Extreme Conditioning Program Is Correlated With Volume of Specific Exercise Training in Trained Men.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2018.00823.].

Glutamine supplementation influences the secretory apparatus in the right atrial cardiomyocytes of resistance trained aged rats / A suplementação de glutamina influencia o aparelho secretor dos cardiomiócitos do átrio direito de ratos idosos submetidos a treinamento de resistência / La suplementación de glutamina influye en el aparato secretor de los cardiomiocitos de la aurícula derecha de ratones viejos sometidos a entrenamiento de resistencia

Abstract We investigated the effects of glutamine supplementation on the secretory apparatus of natriuretic peptides in atrial cardiomyocytes of aged rats undergoing resistance training. Two groups of resistance-trained rats were studied: resistance trained, and resistance trained and supplemented with glutamine group. Both groups of rats were trained to climb a 1.1 m vertical ladder with weights tied to their tail. The cardiomyocytes from resistance trained and supplemented rats showed increased density and sectional area of natriuretic peptides granules, higher relative volumes of the mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi complex and nuclear euchromatin, and nuclear pore density compared with resistance trained rats. In conclusion, glutamine supplementation caused hypertrophy of the secretory apparatus in the cardiomyocytes of aged rats undergoing resistance training.

Resumo Foi investigado o efeito da suplementação de glutamina no aparelho secretor de peptídeos natriuréticos dos cardiomiócitos do átrio de ratos idosos submetidos a treinamento de resistencia. Foram estudados dois grupos: grupo de treinamento de resistência e grupo de treinamento de resistência suplementado com glutamina. Os ratos de ambos os grupos escalaram uma escada vertical de 1,1 m com pesos progressivamente maiores atrelados à cauda. Os resultados mostraram que os cardiomiócitos de ratos do grupo treinado e suplementado apresentaram maior densidade e maior área de seção de grânulos de peptideos natriuréticos, maiores volumes relativos de mitocôndrias, retículo endoplasmático, complexo de Golgi e eucromatina nuclear e maior densidade de poros nucleares em comparação com ratos do grupo de treinamento de resistência. Em conclusão, a suplementação com glutamina causou hipertrofia do aparelho secretor dos cardiomiócitos de ratos idosos submetidos ao treinamento de resistência.

Resumen Se investigó la influência de la suplementación de glutamina en el aparato secretor de péptidos natriuréticos de cardiomiocitos auriculares de ratones viejos sometidos a entrenamiento de resistencia. Se formaron dos grupos: grupo de entrenamiento de resistencia y grupo de entrenamiento de resistencia suplementado con glutamina. Los ratones escalaron una escalera vertical de 1,1 m con pesos atados a la cola. Los resultados mostraron que los cardiomiocitos de ratones del grupo de entrenamiento de resistência suplementado presentaron mayor densidad y área de sección de gránulos de péptidos natriuréticos, mayores volúmenes relativos de mitocondrias y de eucromatina nuclear y mayor densidad de poros nucleares en comparación con los ratones del grupo de entrenamiento de resistencia. En conclusión, la suplementación de glutamina causó hipertrofia del aparato secretor en los cardiomiocitos de ratones viejos sometidos al entrenamiento de resistencia.

Significant Acute Response of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Following a Session of Extreme Conditioning Program Is Correlated With Volume of Specific Exercise Training in Trained Men.

Several studies have demonstrated an acute and chronic increase of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in relation to different types of physical exercise. Currently, many individuals seek physical training strategies that present different types of stimulation and volume/intensity. Thus, the extreme conditioning methodology has gained great notoriety in the scientific and non-scientific environment. Knowing that BDNF values increase in an effort-dependent manner, it is necessary to study the effects of this strategy on BDNF levels. This study aimed to evaluate the acute response of BDNF in trained men submitted to an extreme conditioning program (ECP) session. Ten volunteers underwent an acute ECP session using the "as many reps as possible" (WOD-AMRAP) method, including three types of exercise (clean, wall ball and double or single-unders) for 9 min. BDNF was measured in the plasma, being collected baseline and immediately after the session. Total load of the clean exercise was five times greater than wall ball exercise (p < 0.05; 2096.1 ± 387.4 kg vs 415.8 ± 81.03 kg), which influenced little in the total load (p < 0.05, 2511.9 ± 358.52 kg) used. For the total volume, practitioners averaged 1.7 times more repetitions in the wall ball exercise compared to clean (46.2 ± 9 vs 29.5 ± 3.8 repetitions). The volunteers averaged 75.7 ± 12.6 double-unders repetitions, bringing the total volume of training to 151.4 ± 23.7 repetitions. Regarding the BDNF values, there was a significant difference (p = 0.05) between the pre- vs post-moments (11209.85 ± 1270.4 vs 12132.96 ± 1441.93 pg/ml). Effect size for this change as moderate (ES = 0.79). We found a positive correlation between total volume of clean exercise and delta BDNF values (p = 0.049). In conclusion, a single extreme conditioning session, through the practice of the WOD-AMRAP method, is capable of increasing the acute concentrations of plasma BDNF. In practical terms, we may suggest that future studies evaluate the effect of ECP as a strategy in the treatment of disorders associated with central degenerative changes.

Effects of Strength Training and Anabolic Steroid in the Peripheral Nerve and Skeletal Muscle Morphology of Aged Rats.

Thirty male 20-month-old Wistar rats were divided into groups: IC-initial control (n = 6), FC-final control (n = 6), AC-anabolic hormone control (n = 6), ST-strength trained (n = 6) and STA-strength trained with anabolic hormone (n = 6). All groups were submitted to adaptation, familiarization and maximum load carrying test (MLCT). Strength training (6-8×/session with loads of 50%-100% MLCT, 3×/week and pause of 120 s) was performed in ladder climbing (LC) for 15 weeks. The administration of testosterone propionate (TP) was performed 2×/week (10 mg/kg) in animals in the AC and STA groups. After the experimental period, animals were euthanized and the tibial nerve and plantaris muscle removed and prepared for electron transmission and histochemistry. To compare the groups we used one-way ANOVA (post hoc Bonferroni), student's t-tests for pre vs. post (dependent and independent variables) comparisons and significance level set at p ≤ 0.05. The following significant results were found: (a) aging decreased the number of myelinated axon fibers; (b) use of isolated TP increased the diameter of myelinated fibers, along with increased thickness of myelin sheath; (c) ST increased area of myelinated and unmyelinated fibers, together with the myelin sheath. These changes made it possible to increase the area occupied by myelinated fibers keeping their quantity and also reduce the interstitial space; and (d) association of anabolic steroid and ST increased the area of unmyelinated axons and thickness of the myelin sheath. Compared to ST, both strategies have similar results. However, Schwann cells increased significantly only in this strategy.

Aging Induces Changes in the Somatic Nerve and Postsynaptic Component without Any Alterations in Skeletal Muscles Morphology and Capacity to Carry Load of Wistar Rats.

The present study aimed to analyze the morphology of the peripheral nerve, postsynaptic compartment, skeletal muscles and weight-bearing capacity of Wistar rats at specific ages. Twenty rats were divided into groups: 10 months-old (ADULT) and 24 months-old (OLD). After euthanasia, we prepared and analyzed the tibial nerve using transmission electron microscopy and the soleus and plantaris muscles for cytofluorescence and histochemistry. For the comparison of the results between groups we used dependent and independent Student's t-test with level of significance set at p ≤ 0.05. For the tibial nerve, the OLD group presented the following alterations compared to the ADULT group: larger area and diameter of both myelinated fibers and axons, smaller area occupied by myelinated and unmyelinated axons, lower numerical density of myelinated fibers, and fewer myelinated fibers with normal morphology. Both aged soleus and plantaris end-plate showed greater total perimeter, stained perimeter, total area and stained area compared to ADULT group (p < 0.05). Yet, aged soleus end-plate presented greater dispersion than ADULT samples (p < 0.05). For the morphology of soleus and plantaris muscles, density of the interstitial volume was greater in the OLD group (p < 0.05). No statistical difference was found between groups in the weight-bearing tests. The results of the present study demonstrated that the aging process induces changes in the peripheral nerve and postsynaptic compartment without any change in skeletal muscles and ability to carry load in Wistar rats.

Effects of metabolic syndrome on the ultrastructure of the femoral nerve in aging rats.

The aim of the present study was to characterize the morphometry of the femoral nerve in aging rats with metabolic syndrome compared to controls. Systolic blood pressure and fasting plasma glucose were measured, and myelinated and unmyelinated fibers in the femoral nerves were quantitatively assessed under electron microscopy. Aging rats exposed to a regimen of metabolic syndrome developed elevation of plasma glucose concentration, mild hypertension and polyneuropathy characterized by a decrease in myelin fiber area, axon diameter, myelin sheath thickness and myelin fiber loss in the femoral nerve. The histogram of size distribution for myelinated fibers and axons from the aging rats of the control group was bimodal. For aging MS animals, the histogram turned out to be unimodal. The ultrastructure of unmyelinated fibers and of Schwann cells in 18-month-old rats was well preserved. Granules of lipofuscin were seen in unmyelinated fiber axons of 18-month-old rats with MS. The damage percentage of the large myelinated fibers has increased significantly in 18-month-old and 18-month-old (MS) rats in relation to the controls. No significant difference was observed among the groups for the g-ratio. Comparing the three groups, the number of neurotubules and neurofilaments in myelinated fibers of 18-month-old rats with MS was significantly smaller than for the groups of 18-month-old and 14-month-old rats. The overall changes seen in the femoral nerve from aging rats seem minor compared to the changes in the aging rats with MS, suggesting that long-term MS accelerates the progressive modifications in peripheral nerves that develop in old age.

Chronic pain effect on body schema and neuropsychological performance in athletes: a pilot study.

The ability to recognize the body parts blindfolded is called body schema. Chronic pain disrupts cognitive function and could lead to an altered body schema. Commonly competitive athletes have chronic pain, but still train and compete. The goal of this study was to assess the body schema of competitive athletes with chronic pain. Pain was measured with the McGill Pain Questionnaire. To assess the body schema, the Image Marking Procedure was used to assess the capacity of the participants to project their bodies in space. Neuropsychological performance was assessed with the Grooved Pegboard Test. There was no difference in body schema between groups; neuropsychological performance indicated better scores in the athlete group. This study showed that despite chronic pain, the athlete group presented unaltered body schema and better neuropsychological performance, perhaps explained by self-selection.

Esquema corporal e nível de atividade física em adultos jovens universitários / Body schema and level of physical activity in university students young adults

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o esquema corporal, o nivel de atividade física e a associação existente entre estas variáveis. A amostra foi composta por 52 indivíduos com média de idade de 22,98 ± 4,85 anos, sendo 20 homens (23 ± 7,30 anos) e 32 mulheres (22,97 ± 3,19 anos). Os participantes assinaram um termo de consentimento livre e esclarecido e o trabalho foi aprovado pelo comitê de ética da Universidade São Judas Tadeu. As variáveis analisadas foram o esquema corporal, através do Image Marking Procedure (IMP) e o nível de atividade física, através do IPAq. Utilizou-se a estatística descritiva para caracterizar e conhecer a distribuição da amostra. Em seguida, os dados foram comparados utilizando o teste de análise de variância (ANOVA), seguido do teste de Bonferroni como post-hoc. A associação foi verificada com o teste qui-quadrado e o odds ratio. Os homens apresentaram uma maior porcentagem de indivíduos hipoesquemáticos e com esquema corporal adequado e as mulheres uma maior porcentagem de hiperesquematia. Quanto a simetria, somente a altura do trocânter no sexo feminino apresentou diferenças estatísticas (p = 0,02). A inatividade física foi evidente em todos os domínios para a amostra total, porem no domínio 4 verificou-se uma maior porcentagem de indivíduos fisicamente ativos no sexo masculino. O nível de atividade física geral apresentou uma maior porcentagem de indivíduos classificados como fisicamente ativos. Não houve associação entre o esquema corporal e o nível de atividade física. Nota-se que há uma tendência na população de perceberem suas dimensões corporais maiores, ou seja, tendem a hiperesquematia. O fato do esquema corporal está intimamente relacionado com as aferências cinestésicas e proprioceptivas, não foi confirmado nesta amostra ao comparar o nível de atividade física e o esquema corporal.

The objective of this study was to analyze the body scheme, the level of physical activity and the association between these variables. The sample comprised 52 individuals with mean age of 22.98 ± 4.85 years, 20 men (23 ± 7.30 years) and 32 women (22.97 ± 3.19 years). The participants signed an informed consent and the study was approved by the ethics committee of Universidade São Judas Tadeu. The variables analyzed were body image through the Image Marking Procedure (IMP) and the level of physical activity by IPAQ. We used descriptive statistics to characterize and understand the distribution of the sample. Then the data were compared using analysis of variance test (ANOVA) followed by Bonferroni test as post hoc. The association was found with chi-square and odds ratio. Men had a higher percentage of individuals with body scheme and hipoesquemáticos adequate and women a higher percentage of hiperesquematia. The symmetry, only the height of the trochanter in women showed no statistical differences (p = 0.02). Physical inactivity was evident in all areas for the total sample, however in the field 4 there was a higher percentage of physically active males. The level of overall physical activity had a greater percentage of individuals classified as physically active. There was no association between body scheme and physical activity level. Note that there is a trend in the population perceive their body size larger, that is, tend to hiperesquematia. The fact that body image is closely related to kinesthetic and proprioceptive afferents, was not confirmed in this sample to compare the level of physical activity and body scheme.

Rhythmic stabilization versus conventional passive stretching to prevent injuries in indoor soccer athletes: a controlled clinical trial.

OBJECTIVE: Indoor soccer is a sport that exposes the athletes to muscle and joint lesions. The effect of rhythmic stabilization (RS) technique to prevent these kinds of lesions in indoor soccer athletes is largely unknown and its use in athletes is controversial. Nevertheless, empiric evidence suggests that RS might be effective to prevent lesions in indoor soccer athletes. A controlled clinical trial of efficacy was performed to test this hypothesis. METHODS: Athletes were randomly divided into two groups: a RS group (7 athletes) and passive stretching (PS) group (7 athletes). At the beginning and at the end of the experiment (after four months) all athletes were subjected to clinical evaluation. Assessments were performed by subjective pain intensity, clinical evaluation and measurements of the range of maximal lower limb flexion movement. RESULTS: Athletes of both groups had lower limb injuries during the four months. The athletes submitted to RS technique had fewer injuries than those subjected to the PS technique although the difference was not significant. CONCLUSIONS: Although no significant difference was found between RS and PS, a trend suggests RS may be more effective than PS to prevent muscular and ankle joint lesions in indoor soccer athletes, but more research is needed.