Walking around the preferred speed: examination of metabolic, perceptual, spatiotemporal and stability parameters.

Walking is the most accessible and common type of physical activity. Exercising at one's self-selected intensity could provide long-term benefits as compared to following prescribed intensities. The aim of this study was to simultaneously examine metabolic, perceptual, spatiotemporal and stability parameters at an absolute 3 km·h-1 speed range around the individual preferred walking speed (PWS). Thirty-four young sedentary adults (18 women) volunteered to walk at seven speeds relative to their PWS in 3-min trials interspaced with 3-min rest intervals. Results indicated a significant main effect of speed on all studied variables. While metabolic, perceptual and spatiotemporal values were sensitive to the smallest change in speed (i.e., 0.5 km·h-1), a significant increase in the rate of carbohydrate oxidation and decrease in %fat oxidation were only observed at speeds above PWS. Results also revealed significantly higher coefficients of variation for stride characteristics at speeds below PWS only. Moreover, analyses of best fit models showed a quadratic relationship between most variables and speed, with the exceptions of metabolic cost of transport, rating of perceived exertion and stride duration that changed exponentially with speed. PWS coincided with optimized mechanical efficiency, fuel oxidation and gait stability. This indicated that walking below PWS decreased both mechanical efficiency and stability of gait, while walking above PWS increased carbohydrate oxidation. Those factors seem to play an important role as determinants of PWS. We suggest that walking at PWS may provide benefits in terms of fat oxidation while optimizing gait stability.

Spinal intradural extramedullary cavernoma: A case report.

INTRODUCTION: Cavernomas are rare vascular lesions that can occur anywhere along the neuraxis. However, they are most commonly found in the cerebral hemispheres. Spinal cavernomas are more uncommon and intradural extramedullary cavernomas are the most uncommon as they constitute only 3 % of spinal cavernomas. PRESENTATION: A 36-year-old female presented to our neurosurgical clinic with a history of back pain radiating to the left side of the chest with left lower extremity paresthesia and ataxia without urinary disturbance. Neurological exam showed left-sided hypoesthesia below the T9 dermatome in addition to increased patellar and Achilles reflexes on the left side. MRI showed a homogeneous intradural extramedullary mass which was hyperintense on T1 and hypointense on T2 and it was surgically resected. Pathological examination confirmed the diagnosis of intradural extramedullary cavernoma. DISCUSSION: Intradural extramedullary cavernomas are extremely rare lesions that arise within the area located between the inner surface of the dura and the pial surface of the spinal cord. Up until 2022 only 40 cases of intradural extramedullary cavernomas were reported in the literature. MRI is the preferred imaging modality and pathology is the golden standard for diagnosis. Surgical resection showed very promising results and it is considered the golden standard for treating this condition. However, surgery should be performed urgently to give an optimal outcome. CONCLUSION: Clinicians should consider this condition in their differential diagnoses when faced with progressive spinal root compression symptoms, sudden onset myelopathy, or progressive subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Anaerobic and aerobic contributions to repeated supramaximal cycling exercises and their adaptation to high-intensity interval training in obese perimenopausal and postmenopausal women.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the anaerobic and aerobic contributions to total energy release during repeated supramaximal cycling exercises (SCE) and their adaptation in response to 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in obese perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. METHODS: Nineteen perimenopausal women and 21 postmenopausal women with an average age of 50.1 years participated in the 6-week HIIT intervention. Before and after the training, the accumulated oxygen deficits (mL·min -1 ) and anaerobic and aerobic contributions (%) were measured in all groups via repeated SCE. RESULTS: The results showed that, before training, the anaerobic contributions to repeated SCE did not differ between the perimenopausal and postmenopausal women for the first three repetitions. However, a higher decrease was reported for postmenopausal women at the fourth and fifth repetitions ( P < 0.01, respectively). After HIIT, anaerobic contributions increased significantly in both groups ( P < 0.01, respectively). Nevertheless, postmenopausal women still had significantly lower anaerobic contributions to repeated SCE compared with perimenopausal women ( P < 0.01, respectively). Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that menopause status was an independent predictor of anaerobic contribution, accounting for 17%, 21%, 15%, 19%, and 22% of variations (ß = 0.28, P = 0.03; ß = 0.29, P = 0.04; ß = 0.18, P = 0.05; ß = 0.22, P = 0.05; and ß = 0.33, P = 0.03 for the first to the fifth repetitions consecutively for perimenopausal vs postmenopausal groups). CONCLUSIONS: A 6-week HIIT intervention increased the anaerobic contributions to energy in response to repeated SCE in obese perimenopausal and postmenopausal women. However, postmenopausal women had lower anaerobic contributions at the fourth and fifth repetitions mainly due to the effects of menopause.

A tale of two stories: COVID-19 and disability. A critical scoping review of the literature on the effects of the pandemic among athletes with disabilities and para-athletes.

The still ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically impacted athletes, and, in particular, para-athletes and athletes with disabilities. However, there is no scholarly appraisal on this topic. Therefore, a critical scoping review of the literature was conducted. We were able to retrieve sixteen relevant studies. The sample size ranged from 4 to 183. Most studies were observational, cross-sectional, and questionnaire-based surveys, two studies were interventional, and two were longitudinal. One study was a technical feasibility study. Almost all studies were conducted as single-country studies, with the exception of one multi-country investigation. Five major topics/themes could be identified: namely, 1) impact of COVID-19-induced confinement on training and lifestyles in athletes with disabilities/para-athletes; 2) impact of COVID-19-induced confinement on mental health in athletes with disabilities/para-athletes; 3) impact of COVID-19-induced confinement on performance outcomes in athletes with disabilities/para-athletes; 4) risk of contracting COVID-19 among athletes with disabilities/para-athletes; and, finally, 5) impact of COVID-19 infection on athletes with disabilities/para-athletes. The scholarly literature assessed was highly heterogeneous, with contrasting findings, and various methodological limitations. Based on our considerations, we recommend that standardized, reliable tools should be utilized and new, specific questionnaires should be created, tested for reliability, and validated. High-quality, multi-center, cross-countries, longitudinal surveys should be conducted to overcome current shortcomings. Involving all relevant actors and stakeholders, including various national and international Paralympic Committees, as a few studies have done, is fundamental: community-led, participatory research can help identify gaps in the current knowledge about sports-related practices among the population of athletes with disabilities during an unprecedented period of measures undertaken that have significantly affected everyday life. Moreover, this could advance the field, by capturing the needs of para-athletes and athletes with disabilities and enabling the design of a truly "disability-inclusive response" to COVID-19 and similar future conditions/situations. Furthermore, follow-up studies on COVID-19-infected para-athletes and athletes with disabilities should be conducted. Evidence of long-term effects of COVID-19 is available only for able-bodied athletes, for whom cardiorespiratory residual alterations and mental health issues a long time after COVID-19 have been described.

Preoperative Physical Activity Level and Exercise Prescription in Adults With Obesity: The Effect on Post-Bariatric Surgery Outcomes.

This systematic review summarizes current evidence on the relation between preoperative physical activity (PA) levels with bariatric surgery (BS) outcomes and on the beneficial role of preoperative exercise/PA program among BS candidates. This systematic review suggests that candidate patients accumulating the preoperative PA level improved several BS outcomes. These improvements were reported mainly for anthropometric and cardiometabolic parameters and physical function. Observed improvements manifested during a distinct period of time in response to a wide variety of exercise programs. Evidence on the preoperative PA level as well as on preoperative exercise implementation on BS outcomes is advocated despite the small number of participants and lack of control. Thus, further studies are required to explore the most effective and suitable form of exercise prescription prior to BS while considering physical and psychological limitations of obese patients.

Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Physical Activity Profile and Glycemic Control Among Qatari Adults With Type 1 Diabetes: Effect of Vaccination Status.

Objective: To investigate the impact of COVID-19, as an influent barrier on physical activity (PA) patterns and glycemic control in Qatari adults with type 1 diabetes (T1D). As the COVID-19 vaccine may have a potential impact on an individual's lifestyle, we also considered this parameter. Methods: Physical activity level, the exercise barriers (BAPAD1), anthropometric characteristics, the method of insulin administration, and the last glycated hemoglobin in % were completed by 102 Qatari adults with T1D. Moreover, all patients were asked whether they had "been vaccinated" or had a "fear of being infected by COVID-19". Results: For the unvaccinated group, weight, BMI and HbA1c (%) were significantly higher than those of vaccinated group (p < 0.01) and engaged in less moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) (p < 0.01) per week and had less time in vigorous PA (VPA) (p < 0.01). A significant association between VPA levels and BMI (ß = -0.36, p = 0.02) and HbA1C (%) (ß = -0.22; p = 0.03) was reported, and "being vaccinated" was significantly associated with MVPA (ß = 0.15; p = 0.021) and VPA (ß = 0.28; p = 0.032). A higher "Fear of being infected by COVID-19" score was negatively correlated with reduced PA profiles (R2 = -0.71 for MVPA; R2 = -0.69 for VPA, p < 0.01, respectively). Conclusion: Practicing VPA during the COVID-19 pandemic confer many health benefits for Qatari individual with T1D. As the "Fear of being affected by COVID-19" appeared as a potential barrier to PA practices this latter e.g. PA, could likely not be achieved without the participants being vaccinated.

Big Data in Cardiology: State-of-Art and Future Prospects.

Cardiological disorders contribute to a significant portion of the global burden of disease. Cardiology can benefit from Big Data, which are generated and released by different sources and channels, like epidemiological surveys, national registries, electronic clinical records, claims-based databases (epidemiological Big Data), wet-lab, and next-generation sequencing (molecular Big Data), smartphones, smartwatches, and other mobile devices, sensors and wearable technologies, imaging techniques (computational Big Data), non-conventional data streams such as social networks, and web queries (digital Big Data), among others. Big Data is increasingly having a more and more relevant role, being highly ubiquitous and pervasive in contemporary society and paving the way for new, unprecedented perspectives in biomedicine, including cardiology. Big Data can be a real paradigm shift that revolutionizes cardiological practice and clinical research. However, some methodological issues should be properly addressed (like recording and association biases) and some ethical issues should be considered (such as privacy). Therefore, further research in the field is warranted.

Rare cutaneous manifestation of COVID-19 infection and Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine with a unique pattern similarity.

In December 2019, a new emerging virus causing mild-to-severe pneumonia was detected in China. The virus was described as a variant of SARS-CoV and was called SARS-CoV-2, then declared a pandemic by the WHO on 11 March 2020. Millions of people contracted the virus and presented with a symptomatology of variable severity, including upper respiratory tract symptoms, systemic symptoms and diarrhea. We herein report a rare skin presentation in a 33-year-old female that occurred both during COVID-19 infection and after receiving the first dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Continuous Blood Glucose Monitoring Increases Vigorous Physical Activity Levels and Is Associated With Reduced Hypoglycemia Avoidance Behavior In Youth With Type 1 Diabetes.

The primary goal of this study was to explore physical activity (PA) levels, hypoglycemia fear scores and hypoglycemia episodes according to insulin administration and blood glucose monitoring methods in youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D). A self-administered questionnaire was completed by 28 children and 33 adolescents with T1D, and their PA was assessed. Hypoglycemia episodes, fear of hypoglycemia scores, insulin therapy (pump vs. injection) and blood glucose monitoring (continuous blood glucose monitors [CGMs] vs. blood glucose meters) methods are reported in the present work. There were no significant differences in the number of hypoglycemic episodes, child hypoglycemia fear survey behavior or total scores, or any components of the PA profile between youth using injections and those using a pump. However, these variables differed significantly when compared according to blood glucose monitoring method (CGMs vs. blood glucose meters): 41.2 vs. 81.8, p<0.01; 1.03 ± 0.05 vs. 2.6 ± 0.63, p<0.01; 1.09 ± 0.43 vs. 2.94 ± 0.22, p<0.01; and 222 ± 18 vs. 49 ± 11, p<0.01 (for total time in vigorous PA in minutes per week), respectively. CGM use correlated significantly with VPA levels (ß=0.6; p=0.04). Higher VPA levels were associated with higher child hypoglycemia fear survey behavior scores (ß=0.52; p=0.04). The latter correlates negatively with the number of episodes of hypoglycemia in the past 12 months in all category groups. The type of insulin injection was not associated with more activity in youth with T1D. In contrast, CGM use may be associated with increased vigorous PA among T1D youth. Those with higher hypoglycemia fear survey behavior scores engaged in more VPA and had fewer hypoglycemia episodes. Although CGM use ensures continuous monitoring of glycemia during exercise, increasing hypoglycemia avoidance behavior is still a necessary part of exercise management strategies in active youth with T1D.

Supramaximal-Exercise Training Improves Heart Rate Variability in Association With Reduced Catecholamine in Obese Adults.

This study investigates the effect of 6 weeks of supramaximal exercise training (SET) on heart rate variability (HRV) and associated factors in sedentary obese (OB) and normal-weight (NW) adults. In this study, 19 OB [22.9 (8.4) years; body mass index (BMI) 33.4 (1.4) kg/m2] and 18 NW [23.2 (4.4) years; BMI 23.3 (1.2) kg/m2] adults completed a 6-week SET intervention. Anthropometric and aerobic indicators as well the homeostasis model assessment index for insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) were assessed at baseline and after SET. The low- and high-frequency [(LF (0.03-0.15 Hz) in ms2 and HF (0.15-0.4 Hz) in ms2)] analysis of HRV as well as adrenaline (A in nmol/l) and noradrenaline (NA in nmol/l) responses were assessed at resting condition and during ventilatory threshold 1 (VT1) of a graded maximal test at baseline and after SET. At baseline, resting HF, LF and the LF/HF ratio were different among groups (P < 0.01, respectively) and were significantly associated with waist-to-hip ratio (ß = -0.26; p = 0.01, ß = -0.12; p = 0.01 and, ß = 0.21; p = 0.01). During exertion at VT1, only LF/HF ratio was associated with NA responses (ß = 0.23; p = 0.01). After SET, the frequency domain marker improved significantly for both groups in comparison to baseline. These improvements are manifested by LF and HF increases and LF/HF ratio decreases in the rest condition (p < 0.01, respectively) and during exertion at VT1 (p < 0.01, respectively). The improvement in LH and HF were associated with VO2max increases (ß = 0.22 p = 0.01 and ß = 0.33; p = 0.01). The decreases observed for the LF/HF ratio are mainly associated to NA decreases observed at rest (ß = 0.31; p = 0.001) and at VT1 (ß = 0.38; p = 0.001). Obese adults have altered HRV, and 6 weeks of SET improves HRV variables at rest and during VT1 exertion. While LF and HF improvement were associated with VO2max increases, the LF/HF ratio was mainly associated with noradrenaline decreases observed at rest and at VT1.

Bariatric Surgery in Adults with Obesity: the Impact on Performance, Metabolism, and Health Indices.

This systematic review summarizes current evidence on the impact of bariatric surgery (BS) on physical performance, metabolic, and health indices in adults with obesity. This systematic review suggests that BS induced significant reductions in body weight, fat mass, and fat-free mass in individuals with obesity. Additionally, BS may improve many physical fitness and health indicators. Observed improvements manifest during a distinct period of time. To date, studies on BS and performance have been small in number, nonrandomized in design, and not controlled regarding gender distribution and/or post-surgery follow-up. Future studies should further investigate concerns associated with understanding of BS outcomes to improve these outcomes with potential benefits for quality of life, disability, mortality, morbidity, and overall BS success.

Vigorous Physical Activity Is Associated With Better Glycated Hemoglobin and Lower Fear of Hypoglycemia Scores in Youth With Type 1 Diabetes: A 2-Year Follow-Up Study.

To correlate glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and fear of hypoglycemia scores with physical activity (PA) levels in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) over a period of 2 years. Twenty-eight children and 33 adolescents with T1D have been assessed for their PA profile. Personal and medical data for the patients were collected at baseline (visit 0: V0), 1 year later (V1), and 2 years later (V2). At baseline, children with T1D engaged in less moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) (p < 0.01) per day than adolescents. These results did not differ across visits. On the contrary, adolescents spent fewer time in vigorous physical activity (VPA) (p < 0.01) than children did (p < 0.01). Fear of hypoglycemia scores correlated significantly with VPA levels (ß = -0.41, p = 0.03; ß = -0.44, p = 0.06; ß = -0.61, p = 0.001). For HbA1c (%), significant correlations were reported with VPA levels (ß = -0.54, p = 0.02; ß = -0.47, p = 0.03; ß = -0.62, p = 0.01) across visits. Body mass index percentile correlated with total screen time (ß = 0.28, p = 0.02; ß = 0.29, p = 0.01; ß = 0.31, p = 0.04) and overall PA levels (ß = -0.52, p = 0.02; ß = -0.42, p = 0.03; ß = -0.42, p = 0.01). Performing more vigorous PA a day is associated with better HbA1c with lower perceived fear of hypoglycemia among youth with T1D. Therefore, dedicating more time in VPA may be an appropriate advice for patients with T1D.

Comparison of performance and health indicators between perimenopausal and postmenopausal obese women: the effect of high-intensity interval training (HIIT).

OBJECTIVE: This study examined the effects of 6 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on performance and health indicators in obese perimenopausal (PERIM) women and similarly aged and older postmenopausal women (POSTM1 and POSTM2, respectively). METHODS: Sixteen PERIM women (average age 49.6 y), 21 POSTM1 women (average age 50.6 y), and 19 POSTM2 women (average age 69.6 y) completed a 6-week HIIT intervention. Anthropometric parameters, mechanical efficiency (ME in %), lipid oxidation (LO in %), and low and high spectral frequencies (LF[ms2] and HF[ms2]) were computed pre- and postintervention. RESULTS: PERIM women showed a significantly higher VO2max preintervention compared to POSTM1 and 2 (P < 0.01). Moreover, HF, LF, and the LF/HF ratio differed significantly in PERIM women preintervention compared to POSTM1 and 2 (P < 0.01, respectively). After 6 weeks, a significant decrease in anthropometric variables was observed for all groups (P < 0.01). The VO2max in mL/kg/min increased for all groups (P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that age contributed significantly to differences in VO2max values between groups preintervention (r = 0.72). This model accounted for 34% (r2 = 0.34) of the variation. On the other hand, menopause status was an independent predictor of LO, accounting for 38% of the variation, as well as of HF (33%), LF (29%), and the LF/HF ratio (24%). After HIIT, no age or menopause effect was detected for these independent variables. CONCLUSIONS: Maximal oxygen consumption, HF, LF, and the LF/HF ratio differ among women according to the menopausal status and age. A 6-week HIIT intervention improved many health and performance parameters and reduced the effects of menopause and age.

Effects of physical training on anthropometrics, physical and physiological capacities in individuals with obesity: A systematic review.

Increasing the amount of physical activity is an important strategy for weight loss. This systematic review summarizes recent findings on the effects of physical training on anthropometric characteristics, physical performances and physiological capacities in individuals with overweight and obesity. A systematic literature search strategy was conducted from inception until June 2019 using four electronic databases that identified 2,708 records. After screening for titles, abstracts and full texts, 116 studies were included in our final analysis. Both aerobic (e.g., endurance training) and anaerobic training (e.g., high-intensity training, resistance training) improved body composition and physical fitness indicators in adults, adolescents and children with obesity (effect size: 0.08 < d < 2.67, trivial to very large). This systematic review suggests that both low- and high-intensity training significantly reduced body weight and fat mass while increasing fat-free mass in individuals with obesity (effect size: 0.04

The Effect of Exercise on Glucoregulatory Hormones: A Countermeasure to Human Aging: Insights from a Comprehensive Review of the Literature.

Hormones are secreted in a circadian rhythm, but also follow larger-scale timetables, such as monthly (hormones of the menstrual cycle), seasonal (i.e., winter, summer), and, ultimately, lifespan-related patterns. Several contexts modulate their secretion, such as genetics, lifestyle, environment, diet, and exercise. They play significant roles in human physiology, influencing growth of muscle, bone, and regulating metabolism. Exercise training alters hormone secretion, depending on the frequency, duration, intensity, and mode of training which has an impact on the magnitude of the secretion. However, there remains ambiguity over the effects of exercise training on certain hormones such as glucoregulatory hormones in aging adults. With advancing age, there are many alterations with the endocrine system, which may ultimately alter human physiology. Some recent studies have reported an anti-aging effect of exercise training on the endocrine system and especially cortisol, growth hormone and insulin. As such, this review examines the effects of endurance, interval, resistance and combined training on hormones (i.e., at rest and after) exercise in older individuals. We summarize the influence of age on glucoregulatory hormones, the influence of exercise training, and where possible, examine masters' athletes' endocrinological profile.

Independent and Combined Effects of Antioxidant Supplementation and Circuit Resistance Training on Selected Adipokines in Postmenopausal Women.

We examined the effects of the independent and combined effects of Zataria Multiflora supplementation and circuit resistance training (CRT) on selected adipokines among postmenopausal women. Forty-eight postmenopausal women were divided into four groups: Exercise (EG, n = 12), Zataria Multiflora (ZMG, n = 12), exercise and Zataria Multiflora (ZMEG, n = 12), and control (CG, n = 12). Participants in experimental groups either performed CRT (3 sessions per week with intensity at 55% of one-repetition maximum) or supplemented with Zataria Multiflora (500 mg every day after breakfast with 100 ml of water), or their combination, for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at pre- and post-intervention for measuring selected adipokines, including visfatin, omentin-1, vaspin, FGF-21, adiponectin, leptin, and ghrelin. Our findings demonstrated that visfatin, vaspin, and leptin levels significantly decreased over the intervention period (all p < 0.05), with these values were lower in EG and ZMEG in comparison to CG at post-intervention (all p < 0.05). Visfatin and vaspin levels were also lower in ZMEG in comparison to EG at post-intervention (both p < 0.05). In contrast, omentin-1, ghrelin, adiponectin, and FGF21 significantly increased in EG and EMG (all p < 0.05) after CRT. These findings suggest that Zataria Multiflora supplementation by itself has little effect on measured adipokines; however, its combination with CRT produced noticeable effects on circulating levels of these adipokines, even more than CRT alone. Consequently, a combination of CRT and Zataria Multiflora supplementation may represent a potentially beneficial non-pharmacologic intervention on some selected adipokines in postmenopausal women.

Mechanical Efficiency at Different Exercise Intensities Among Adolescent Boys With Different Body Fat Levels.

This study investigated the mechanical efficiency (ME) and associated factors in obese, overweight, and normal-weight adolescent boys during incremental cycle exercise test to exhaustion. Forty-five sedentary adolescent boys (13-14 years old) were separated in three groups according to the percentage of fat mass as follows: 15 normal-weight (NW) (body fat: 16.0 ± 1.9%), 15 overweight (OW) (body fat: 24.0 ± 1.6%), and 15 obese (OB) (body fat: 31.0 ± 3.0%). All groups completed an incremental cycle exercise to exhaustion in which energy consumption (E, W), ME (%), lipid oxidation rate (LO, %), plasma epinephrine and norepinephrine concentrations were determined consecutively at rest and at three intensity levels corresponding to 50 and 75% of each participant's maximal heart rate (50%HRmax and 75%HRmax) and peak oxygen consumption ( V ˙ O2peak). During the incremental cycle exercise test, plasma epinephrine, and norepinephrine responses as well as ME determined at 50%HRmax, 75%HRmax, and at VO2peak stages were significantly lower in OB compared to NW and OW individuals (ps < 0.01). Multiple linear regressions showed that body weight (ß = -0.64, p < 0.001), energy consumption (ß = -0.24, p < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (ß = 0.69, p < 0.01) were significant predictors of ME at 50%HRmax. However, at 75%HRmax and V ˙ O2peak, significant predictors of ME were epinephrine (ß = 0.34, ß = 0.49, respectively, ps = 0.01), norepinephrine (ß = 0.26, ß = 0.60, respectively, ps < 0.05) and power output (ß = 0.62, ß = 0.71, respectively, ps < 0.01). These findings suggest that excess in body weight exerts a negative effect on ME at a low intensity by increasing energy consumption for obese and overweight adolescent boys, while at higher intensities (75%HRmax and VO2peak) the lower ME could be better explained by the lower power output and catecholamine responses that were attenuated among obese and overweight adolescent boys.

Progressive circuit resistance training improves inflammatory biomarkers and insulin resistance in obese men.

BACKGROUND: Circuit resistance training (CRT) is a time-efficient exercise modality for improving skeletal muscle and cardiovascular fitness. But the beneficial role of CRT in obese individuals is still not well understood. This study explores the reducing effects of progressive CRT on inflammatory biomarkers and cardiometabolic risk factors in obese young men. METHODS: Thirty obese men (Body mass index (BMI): 30.67 ±â€¯3.06; age: 23 ±â€¯3.2 years) were divided into CRT and control groups. The CRT was performed for eight-weeks (3 times/week, 65-85% of 1 repetition maximum). Fasting blood samples were taken pre and post intervention for analyzing apelin, chemerin, serum amyloid A (SAA), C reactive protein concentrations (CRP), lipid profile, and insulin resistance index. The data were assessed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Body mass, BMI and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were significantly decreased after training intervention (P < .05). Compared to the control group, the plasma concentrations of Chemrin (P = .038), SAA (P = .004), insulin (P < .001), insulin resistance index (P < .001), total cholesterol (P = .033), triglyceride (P < .001), and low-density lipoprotein (P = .039), were significantly mitigated in the CRT group, but high-density lipoprotein plasma levels increased in the CRT group compared to that of the control group (P = .035). There was no significant difference between two groups in apelin and CRP (P > .05). Moreover, insulin resistance was positively correlated with apelin (r = 0.56) and chemerin (r = 0.51). Also, chemerin had a positive correlation with SAA (r = 0.49), and WHR (r = 0.54). CONCLUSION: CRT caused an improvement in inflammation and cardiometabolic risk factors in young obese men, and this improvement was accompanied by decreased insulin resistance.

Ratings of Perceived Exertion Misclassify Intensities for Sedentary Older Adults During Graded Cycling Test: Effect of Supramaximal High-Intensity Interval Training.

The present study aims (1) to evaluate ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) and corresponding intensities during a maximal graded cycling test and (2) to determine the effects of 6 weeks of supramaximal cycling exercise (SCE) intervention on RPE and associated physiological factors in young and older sedentary groups. Two healthy groups of 17 young adults [average (SD) age: 26.2 (2.4) year] and 13 older adults [average (SD) age: 54.5 (2.3) year] completed a 6-week SCE intervention on an ergocycle. Physiological values and RPE were collected across stages corresponding to ventilator thresholds 1 (VT1) and 2 (VT2) of the graded cycling test and 10 min following the end of test and during the six bouts of SCE. The relative intensity for both VT1 and VT2 were also objectively calculated based on the percent of maximal heart rate %HRmax and peak oxygen consumption % V ˙ O2peak. Before SCE intervention, RPE values were significantly higher for the older group compared to younger at VT1 [p < 0.01] and VT2 [p < 0.01], although both groups were working at similar relative intensities (% V ˙ O2). After 6 weeks of SCE, the older group's perceived effort values were normalized to the actual estimated ones and were similar to those observed in younger individuals. The intervention elicited physiological changes at rest and submaximal intensities, while no improvements were noted for both groups in aerobic fitness (i.e., V ˙ O2peak). For both groups, RPE decreases with SCE at 10 min following graded test correlated significantly to V ˙ O2 (r = 0.61, p < 0.01). Our study revealed that the initial over-estimation of the exertion levels found for the older sedentary group at the tested submaximal intensities was no longer present after 6 weeks of SCE training, therefore matching RPE values of the young group and those estimated by %HRmax and % V ˙ O2peak methods. Therefore, combining the RPE method with other commonly used methods of estimating exercise intensity is highly recommended for sedentary older adults to suitably monitor the exercise intensity.