Optimal Load and Power Spectrum During Jerk and Back Jerk in Competitive Weightlifters.

Flores, FJ, Sedano, S, and Redondo, JC. Optimal load and power spectrum during jerk and back jerk in competitive weightlifters. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 809-816, 2017-Although the ability to develop high levels of power is considered as a key component of success in many sporting activities, the optimal load (Pmax load) that maximizes power output (Pmax) remains controversial mainly during weightlifting movements. The aim of the present study was to determine Pmax load and optimal power spectrum (OPS) required to elicit Pmax by comparing jerk and back jerk exercises in competitive weightlifters. Thirteen male competitive weightlifters participated in 2 testing sessions. The first session involved performing one repetition maximum (1RM) in the back jerk and jerk and the second session assessed a power test across a spectrum of loads (30-90%) of each subject's 1RM in the predetermined exercises tested. Relative load had a significant effect on peak power, with Pmax load being obtained at 90% of the subjects' 1RM in both exercises assessed. There was no significant difference between the power outputs at 80% of 1RM compared with 90% of 1RM. Furthermore, Pmax load and OPS were the same for jerk and back jerk, whereas peak power in the back jerk demonstrated no significant increases in every load of the power-load curve. We can conclude that it may be advantageous to use loads equivalent to 80-90% of the 1RM in jerk and back jerk in competitive weightlifters when training to maximize power.

P2X7 Nucleotide and EGF Receptors Exert Dual Modulation of the Dual-Specificity Phosphatase 6 (MKP-3) in Granule Neurons and Astrocytes, Contributing to Negative Feedback on ERK Signaling.

Extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) play a central role in the intracellular signaling of P2X7 nucleotide receptors in neurons and glial cells. Fine spatio-temporal tuning of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases is essential to regulate their biological activity. MAP kinase phosphatases (MKPs) are dual specificity protein phosphatases (DUSPs) that dephosphorylate phosphothreonine and phosphotyrosine residues in MAP kinases. This study focuses on how DUSP, DUSP6/MKP3, a phosphatase specific for ERK1/2 is regulated by the P2X7 nucleotide receptor in cerebellar granule neurons and astrocytes. Stimulation with the specific P2X7 agonist, BzATP, or epidermal growth factor (EGF) (positive control for ERK activation) regulates the levels of DUSP6 in a time dependent manner. Both agonists promote a decline in DUSP6 protein, reaching minimal levels after 30 min yet recovering to basal levels after 1 h. The initial loss of protein occurs through proteasomal degradation, as confirmed in experiments with the proteasome inhibitor, MG-132. Studies carried out with Actinomycin D demonstrated that the enhanced transcription of the Dusp6 gene is responsible for recovering the DUSP6 protein levels. Interestingly, ERK1/2 proteins are involved in the biphasic regulation of the protein phosphatase, being required for both the degradation and the recovery phase. We show that direct Ser197 phosphorylation of DUSP6 by ERK1/2 proteins could be part of the mechanism regulating their cytosolic levels, at least in glial cells. Thus, the ERK1/2 activated by P2X7 receptors exerts positive feedback on these kinase's own activity, promoting the degradation of one of their major inactivators in the cytosolic compartment, DUSP6, both in granule neurons and astrocytes. This feedback loop seems to function as a common universal mechanism to regulate ERK signaling in neural and non-neural cells.

Prostaglandin E2 Impairs P2Y2/P2Y4 Receptor Signaling in Cerebellar Astrocytes via EP3 Receptors.

Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) is an important bioactive lipid that accumulates after tissue damage or inflammation due to the rapid expression of cyclooxygenase 2. PGE2 activates specific G-protein coupled EP receptors and it mediates pro- or anti-inflammatory actions depending on the cell-context. Nucleotides can also be released in these situations and they even contribute to PGE2 production. We previously described the selective impairment of P2Y nucleotide signaling by PGE2 in macrophages and fibroblasts, an effect independent of prostaglandin receptors but that involved protein kinase C (PKC) and protein kinase D (PKD) activation. Considering that macrophages and fibroblasts influence inflammatory responses and tissue remodeling, a similar mechanism involving P2Y signaling could occur in astrocytes in response to neuroinflammation and brain repair. We analyzed here the modulation of cellular responses involving P2Y2/P2Y4 receptors by PGE2 in rat cerebellar astrocytes. We demonstrate that PGE2 inhibits intracellular calcium responses elicited by UTP in individual cells and that inhibiting this P2Y signaling impairs the astrocyte migration elicited by this nucleotide. Activation of EP3 receptors by PGE2 not only impairs the calcium responses but also, the extracellular regulated kinases (ERK) and Akt phosphorylation induced by UTP. However, PGE2 requires epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) transactivation in order to dampen P2Y signaling. In addition, these effects of PGE2 also occur in a pro-inflammatory context, as evident in astrocytes stimulated with bacterial lipopolysaccharide (LPS). While we continue to investigate the intracellular mechanisms responsible for the inhibition of UTP responses, the involvement of novel PKC and PKD in cerebellar astrocytes cannot be excluded, kinases that could promote the internalization of P2Y receptors in fibroblasts.

Effects of a 12-week strength training program on experimented fencers' movement time.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of a 12-week strength training program on movement time (MT) on fencers of national level. Twelve male fencers were randomly divided into 2 groups: the control group (CG: N = 6; age, 22.3 ± 8.1 years) and the treatment group (TG: N = 6; age, 24.8 ± 7.2 years). The CG fencers followed the standard physical conditioning program, which was partially modified for the TG. The TG participated in a 12-week strength training program divided into 2 parts: maximal strength training, including weightlifting exercises (2 days a week for 6 weeks) and explosive strength training, with combined weights and plyometric exercises (2 days a week for 6 weeks). Body mass, body fat, muscle mass, jumping ability, maximal strength, reaction time, and MT were measured on 4 separate occasions. The TG demonstrated significant increases (p ≤ 0.05) in maximal strength and jumping ability after 6 weeks of training and in MT after 12 weeks. These improvements remained unaltered during the 4-week detraining period. It may be concluded that a 12-week strength training program can improve maximal and explosive strength, and these increases can be transferred to MT performance. However, fencers need time to transfer the gains.

Concurrent training in elite male runners: the influence of strength versus muscular endurance training on performance outcomes.

Much recent attention has been given to the compatibility of combined aerobic and anaerobic training modalities. However, few of these studies have reported data related to well-trained runners, which is a potential limitation. Therefore, because of the limited evidence available for this population, the main aim was to determine which mode of concurrent strength-endurance training might be the most effective at improving running performance in highly trained runners. Eighteen well-trained male runners (age 23.7 ± 1.2 years) with a maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) more than 65 ml·kg(-1)·min(-1) were randomly assigned into 1 of the 3 groups: Endurance-only Group (n = 6), who continued their usual training, which included general strength training with Thera-band latex-free exercise bands and endurance training; Strength Group (SG; n = 6) who performed combined resistance and plyometric exercises and endurance training; Endurance-SG (ESG; n = 6) who performed endurance-strength training with loads of 40% and endurance training. The study comprised 12 weeks of training in which runners trained 8 times a week (6 endurance and 2 strength sessions) and 5 weeks of detraining. The subjects were tested on 3 different occasions (countermovement jump height, hopping test average height, 1 repetition maximum, running economy (RE), VO2max, maximal heart rate [HRmax], peak velocity (PV), rating of perceived exertion, and 3-km time trial were measured). Findings revealed significant time × group interaction effects for almost all tests (p < 0.05). We can conclude that concurrent training for both SG and ESG groups led to improved maximal strength, RE, and PV with no significant effects on the VO2 kinetics pattern. The SG group also seems to show improvements in 3-km time trial tests.

Thickening of the pulmonary artery wall in acute intramural hematoma of the ascending aorta.

BACKGROUND: The occurrence of pulmonary artery obstruction in the course of acute aortic dissection is an unusual complication. The mechanism implicated is the rupture of the outer layer of the aorta and the subsequent hemorrhage into the adventitia of the pulmonary artery that causes its wall thickening and, at times, produces extrinsic obstruction of the vessel. There are no reports of this complication in acute intramural hematoma. CASE PRESENTATION: An 87-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital in shock after having had severe chest pain followed by syncope. An urgent transesophageal echocardiogram revealed the presence of acute intramural hematoma, no evidence of aortic dissection, severe pericardial effusion with cardiac tamponade, and periaortic hematoma that involved the pulmonary artery generating circumferential wall thickening of its trunk and right branch with no evidence of flow obstruction. Urgent surgery was performed but the patient died in the operating room. The post mortem examination, in the operating room, confirmed that there was an extensive hematoma around the aorta and beneath the adventitial layer of the pulmonary artery, with no evidence of flow obstruction. CONCLUSION: This is the first time that this rare complication is reported in the scenario of acute intramural hematoma and with the transesophageal echocardiogram as the diagnostic tool.

Lesões do músculo-esquelético em estudantes de educação física: esporte, localização e tipo de lesões / Lesions of the skeletal muscle in students of physical education: sports, localization and type of lesion

O objetivo deste trabalho foi investigar a participação de lesões músculo-esquelético em estudantes de Educação Física no Estado do Paraná-Brasil. Foram realizados questionários com 1.649 alunos (778 masculinos e 871 femininos). Encontrou-se lesões em 26,86 por cento dos homens e 32,03 por cento das mulheres. Nossos resultados mostram que o atletismo foi a prática desportiva com o maior número de lesões, em ambos os sexo (28,23 por cento-homens e 36,20 por cento-mulheres). O tipo de lesão mais comum foi a seguinte (27,75 por cento-homens e 20,43 por cento-mulheres). A região anatômica mais afetada foi o tornozelo nos homens (25,36 por cento) e o joelho nas mulheres (25,81 por cento). Os resultados proporcionaram argumentos para que se adotem programas de prevenção de lesões desportivas nos cursos de formação de professores de Educação Física, com a finalidade de discutir o número de lesões