Skeletal muscle gene expression in older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus undergoing calorie-restricted diet and recreational sports training - a randomized clinical trial.

AIMS: This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a 12-week calorie-restricted diet and recreational sports training on gene expressions IL-15, ATROGIN-1 and MURF-1 in skeletal muscle of T2D patients. METHODS: Older adults with T2D (n = 39, 60 ± 6.0 years, BMI 33.5 ± 0.6 kg/m2) were randomly allocated to Diet+Soccer (DS), Diet+Running (DR) or Diet (D). The training sessions were moderate-to-high-intensity and performed 3 × 40 min/week for 12-weeks. Gene expression from vastus lateralis muscle obtained by qRT-PCR, dual-energy X-ray and fasting blood testing measurements were performed before and after 12-weeks. Statistical analysis adopted were two-way ANOVA and Paired t-test for gene expression, and RM-ANOVA test for the remainder variables. RESULTS: Total body weight was reduced in ~4 kg representing body fat mass in all groups after 12-weeks (P < 0.05). HbA1c values decreased in all groups post-intervention. Lipids profile improved in the training groups (P < 0.05) after 12-weeks. ATROGIN-1 and MURF-1 mRNA reduced in the DS (1.084 ± 0.14 vs. 0.754 ± 1.14 and 1.175 ± 0.34 vs. 0.693 ± 0.12, respectively; P < 0.05), while IL-15 mRNA increased in the DR (1.056 ± 0.12 vs. 1.308 ± 0.13; P < 0.05) after 12-weeks intervention. CONCLUSION: Recreational training with a moderate calorie-restricted diet can downregulates the expression of atrophy-associated myokines and increases the expression of anti-inflammatory gene IL-15.

Executive summary: Elite women's football-Performance, recovery, diet, and health.

The present special issue of Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports focuses on performance, recovery, diet, and health in elite women's football. Beside this summary, an editorial, topic reviews, and original articles written by several of the most published authors in football research are presented. It is, for example, highlighted that there is a great gender inequality in football research in favor of men, especially within elite football populations. Therefore, the broad-spectrum content of the special issue with focus on several performance areas in women's football, recovery strategies, nutrition, and psychological factors is highly warranted. Several of the topics examined and data presented are examined for the first on elite women's football, and therefore, we hope that this special issue will contribute to gender balance the research and emphasis on football in both genders.

Nutritional optimization for female elite football players-topical review.

Women's football is an intermittent sport characterized by frequent intense actions throughout the match. The high number of matches with limited recovery time played across a long competitive season underlines the importance of nutritional strategies to meet these large physical demands. In order to maximize sport performance and maintain good health, energy intake must be optimal. However, a considerable proportion of female elite football players does not have sufficient energy intake to match the energy expenditure, resulting in low energy availability that might have detrimental physiologic consequences and impair performance. Carbohydrates appear to be the primary fuel covering the total energy supply during match-play, and female elite football players should aim to consume sufficient carbohydrates to meet the requirements of their training program and to optimize the replenishment of muscle glycogen stores between training bouts and matches. However, several macro- and micronutrients are important for ensuring sufficient energy and nutrients for performance optimization and for overall health status in female elite football players. The inadequacy of macro-and micronutrients in the diet of these athletes may impair performance and training adaptations, and increase the risk of health disorders, compromising the player's professional career. In this topical review, we present knowledge and relevant nutritional recommendations for elite female football players for the benefit of sports nutritionists, dietitians, sports scientists, healthcare specialists, and applied researchers. We focus on dietary intake and cover the most pertinent topics in sports nutrition for the relevant physical demands in female elite football players as follows: energy intake, macronutrient and micronutrient requirements and optimal composition of the everyday diet, nutritional and hydration strategies to optimize performance and recovery, potential ergogenic effects of authorized relevant supplements, and future research considerations.

Physical activity and adipokine levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes: A literature review and practical applications.

We review the effects of acute and long-term physical activity on adipokine levels in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Three electronic databases were searched. Studies made in animal models were excluded, while studies based on participants with and without T2D, and also studies with type 1 diabetes were included. Of the 2,450 citations, 63 trials, including randomised control trials, cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, met our inclusion criteria. Seventy and five percent of studies reported the effects of physical activity on tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα), interleukin 6 (IL-6), adiponectin, visfatin, omentin-1, and leptin levels. There are no robust results due to variations in exercise modality, intensity, duration, and also differences in cohort characteristics in the literature. Only four studies described the effects of an acute session of physical activity on adipokine levels. Overall, physical activity improves diabetes status by regulating adipokine levels. However, long-term aerobic + resistance training combined with dietary modifications is likely to be a more effective strategy for improving adipokines profiles in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Effects of Small-Sided Soccer Games on Physical Fitness, Physiological Responses, and Health Indices in Untrained Individuals and Clinical Populations: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Small-sided soccer games (SSSG) are a specific exercise regime with two small teams playing against each other on a relatively small pitch. There is evidence from original research that SSSG exposure provides performance and health benefits for untrained adults. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this systematic review was to summarize recent evidence on the acute and long-term effects of SSSG on physical fitness, physiological responses, and health indices in healthy untrained individuals and clinical populations. METHODS: This systematic literature search was conducted in four electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus) from inception until June 2019. The following key terms (and synonyms searched for by the MeSH database) were included and combined using the operators "AND", "OR", "NOT": ((soccer OR football) AND ("soccer training" OR "football training" OR "soccer game*" OR "small-sided soccer game*") AND ("physical fitness" OR "physiological adaptation*" OR "physiological response*" OR health OR "body weight" OR "body mass" OR "body fat" OR "bone composition" OR "blood pressure")). The search syntax initially identified 1145 records. After screening for titles, abstracts, and full texts, 41 studies remained that examined the acute (7 studies) and long-term effects (34 studies) of SSSG-based training on physical fitness, physiological responses, and selected alth indices in healthy untrained individuals and clinical populations. RESULTS: No training-related injuries were reported in the 41 acute and long-term SSSG studies. Typically, a single session of SSSG lasted 12-20 min (e.g., 3 × 4 min with 3 min rest or 5 × 4 min with 4 min rest) involving 4-12 players (2 vs. 2 to 6 vs. 6) at an intensity ≥ 80% of HRmax. Following single SSSG session, high cardiovascular and metabolic demands were observed. Specifically, based on the outcomes, the seven acute studies reported average heart rates (HR) ≥ 80% of HRmax (165-175 bpm) and mean blood lactate concentrations exceeding 5 mmol/l (4.5-5.9 mmol/l) after single SSSG sessions. Based on the results of 34 studies (20 with healthy untrained, 10 with unhealthy individuals, and 4 with individuals with obesity), SSSG training lasted between 12 and 16 weeks and was performed 2-3 times per week. SSSG had positive long-term effects on physical fitness (e.g., Yo-Yo IR1 performance), physiological responses including maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) [+ 7 to 16%], and many health-related markers such as blood pressure (reductions in systolic [- 7.5%] and diastolic [- 10.3%] blood pressure), body composition (decreased fat mass [- 2 to - 5%]), and improved indices of bone health (bone mineral density: [+ 5 to 13%]; bone mineral content: [+ 4 to 5%]), and metabolic (LDL-cholesterol [- 15%] as well as cardiac function (left-ventricular internal diastolic diameter [+ 8%], end diastolic volume [+ 21%], left-ventricular mass index [+ 18%], and left-ventricular ejection fraction [+ 8%]). Irrespective of age or sex, these health benefits were observed in both, untrained individuals and clinical populations. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, findings from this systematic review suggest that acute SSSG may elicit high cardiovascular and metabolic demands in untrained healthy adults and clinical populations. Moreover, this type of exercise is safe with positive long-term effects on physical fitness and health indices. Future studies are needed examining the long-term effects on physical fitness and physiological adaptations of different types of SSSG training (e.g., 3 vs. 3; 6 vs. 6) in comparison to continuous or interval training in different cohorts.

Biomarkers of insulin action during single soccer sessions before and after a 12-week training period in type 2 diabetes patients on a caloric-restricted diet.

BACKGROUND: We investigated the biomarkers of insulin action as well as changes in free fatty acids and lactate concentration after an acute soccer session pre and post training with caloric-restricted diet versus diet alone in type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients. METHODS: Fifty-one middle-aged (61.1 ±â€¯6.4 years) T2D patients were randomly allocated to the soccer+diet group (SDG) or the diet group (DG). The control group comprised T2D patients observing a caloric-restricted diet who did not receive soccer training. Over 12 weeks, SDG performed 3 × 40 min per week of soccer training. RESULTS: The first soccer session for SDG induced acute increases in blood lactate (1.4 ±â€¯0.1-6.0 ±â€¯0.7 mmol/l, P < 0.05) and glucagon levels (112.1 ±â€¯6.2-142.9 ±â€¯8.0 pg/ml, P < 0.05), whereas glucose and insulin levels remained unchanged. Moreover, this session showed suppressed insulin levels as well as higher free fatty acids, lactate levels and glucagon/insulin ratio compared to DG (p < 0.05). After 12 weeks, a baseline decrease was observed in glucagon, leptin and lactate levels in SDG and DG (p < 0.05), whereas HOMA-IR, Adipo-IR and glucose levels were lower only in SDG (p < 0.05). At the last soccer training session, the blood lactate response was significantly lower than for the first session (4.0 ±â€¯0.4 vs 6.0 ±â€¯0.7 mmol/l). At 48 h pre intervention, a decrease was observed in leptin levels (p < 0.05), which remained lower post intervention. The positive correlation between leptin and insulin, and the lower levels after training, could be attributed to the improved insulin sensitivity along with the weight loss observed in both groups (~3.4 kg for DG and 3.7 kg for SDG). CONCLUSION: Acute soccer sessions markedly improved insulin action markers in T2D patients, while the cumulative effects enhanced insulin sensitivity and decreased risk factors associated with cardiovascular disease after 12 weeks of intervention better than caloric-restricted diet.

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.

Effects of recreational football on women's fitness and health: adaptations and mechanisms.

The review describes the fitness and health effects of recreational football in women aged 18-65 years. The review documents that 2 × 1 h of recreational football training for 12-16 weeks causes marked improvements in maximal oxygen uptake (5-15%) and myocardial function in women. Moreover, mean arterial blood pressure was shown to decrease by 2-5 mmHg in normotensive women and 6-8 mmHg in hypertensive women. This review also show that short-term (< 4 months) and medium-term (4-16 months) recreational football training has major beneficial impact on metabolic health profile in women, with fat losses of 1-3 kg and improvements in blood lipid profile. Lastly, 2 × 1 h per week of recreational football training for women elevates lower extremity bone mineralisation by 1-5% and whole-body bone mineralization by 1-2% within 4-12-month interventions. These training adaptations are related to the high heart rates, high number of fast runs, and multiple changes of direction and speed occurring during recreational football training for untrained women. In conclusion, regular small-sided football training for women is an intense and versatile type of training that combines elements of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), endurance training and strength training, thereby providing optimal stimuli for cardiovascular, metabolic and musculoskeletal fitness. Recreational football, therefore, seems to be an effective tool for prevention and treatment of lifestyle diseases in young and middle-aged women, including hypertension, type 2 diabetes and osteopenia. Future research should elucidate effects of football training for elderly women, and as treatment and rehabilitation of breast cancer patients and other women patient groups.

Original Research: Effect of sprint and strength training on glucoregulatory hormones: Effect of advanced age.

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of high-intensity sprint and strength training (HISST) on glucoregulatory hormones in young (20 years) and middle-aged (40 years) men. Thirty-six moderately trained men participated as volunteers in this study. After medical examination, eligible subjects were randomly assigned to one of four groups according to their age: a young training group (21.3 ± 1.3 yrs, YT, n = 9), a young control group (21.4 ± 1.7 yrs, YC, n = 9), a middle-aged training group (40.7 ± 1.8 yrs, AT, n = 9), and a middle-aged control group (40.5 ± 1.8 yrs, AC, n = 9). YT and AT participated in HISST for 13 weeks. Before and after HISST, all participants performed the Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT). Blood samples were collected at rest, after warm-up (50% VO2max), immediately post-WAnT, and 10 min post-WAnT. Before HISST, we observed significantly higher (P < 0.05) glucose concentrations in AT (5.86 ± 0.32 mmol.L-1) compared to YT (4.24 ± 0.79 mmol.L-1) at rest, and in response to WAnT (6.56 ± 0.63 mmol.L-1 vs. 5.33 ± 0.81 mmol.L-1). Cortisol levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in AT than in YT in response to WAnT (468 ± 99.50 ng.mL-1 vs. 382 ± 64.34 ng.mL-1). Catecholamine levels measured at rest and in response to WAnT rose in a similar fashion. After HISST, this "age effect" disappeared at rest and in response to exercise in the trained groups (YT and AT). Changes in hormone concentrations with intense training are due to adaptive changes in various tissues, especially in the skeletal muscle and liver in trained subjects. HISST may, at least in part, counteract the negative "age effect" on glucose metabolism.

Plyometric exercise combined with high-intensity interval training improves metabolic abnormalities in young obese females more so than interval training alone.

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) with the effects of 12 weeks of plyometric exercise combined with HIIT (P+HIIT) on anthropometric, biochemical, and physical fitness data in young obese females. Sixty-eight participants (age, 16.6 ± 1.3 y; body mass, 82.8 ± 5.0 kg; body fat, 39.4% ± 3.3%; body mass index z score, 2.9 ± 0.4) were assigned to 1 of 3 groups: HIIT (2 blocks per session of 6-8 bouts of 30-s runs at 100% velocity at peak oxygen uptake, with 30-s active recovery between bouts at 50%velocity at peak oxygen uptake (n = 23)); P+HIIT (2 blocks per session of 3 different 15-s plyometric exercises with 15-s passive recoveries, totaling 2 min for each plyometric exercise + the same HIIT program (n = 26)); or control (no exercise (n = 19)). Anthropometric (body mass, body mass index z score, body fat, lean body mass, and waist circumference), biochemical (plasma glucose, insulin, leptin and adiponectin concentrations, leptin/adiponectin ratio, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR)), physical fitness (peak oxygen uptake, velocity at peak oxygen uptake, squat jump, and countermovement jump performances), and energy intake data were collected. Both training programs improved the anthropometric, biochemical, and physical fitness variables. However, the P+HIIT program induced greater improvements than did the HIIT program in lean body mass (+3.0% ± 1.7%), plasma glucose and leptin concentrations (-11.0% ± 4.7% and -23.8% ± 5.8%, respectively), plasma leptin/adiponectin ratio (-40.9% ± 10.9%), HOMA-IR (-37.3% ± 6.2%), and squat jump performance (22.2% ± 7.5%). Taken together, these findings suggest that adding plyometric exercises to a HIIT program may be more beneficial than HIIT alone in obese female adolescents.

Body dissatisfaction and the wish for different silhouette is associated with higher adiposity and fat intake in female ballet dancers than male.

BACKGROUND: It is known that behavioral disorders and altered food intake are linked to ballet dancers. Thus, the aim of the present study was to investigate the body composition, dietetic profile, self-perceived body image and social desirability in professional ballet dancers. METHODS: This study was conducted from April to October 2010 in athletes screened for nutritional evaluation. Anthropometric, dietary, social desirability and self-perceived body image evaluation were performed to attend the aim of study. RESULTS: We found that ballet dancers are highly trained and eutrophic, although female dancers had higher adiposity and fat intake than male dancers. In addition, it was observed low consumption of calcium, dietary fiber, potassium, magnesium and vitamin A. Moreover, 30% of male ballet dancers have a strong desire for social acceptance. When the body image was evaluated by Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), was reported that 40% of the ballet female dancers have of moderate to severe alteration in body image and 20% of male dancers had slight alteration. Furthermore, the Drawings and Silhouettes Scale showed that 80% of male dancers wish to have a smaller or larger silhouette than the current self-perceived and 60% of the female dancers would like to have a silhouette lower than the self-perceive as current. CONCLUSIONS: Collectively, our results shown that most of the dancers were eutrophic, but female athletes have higher adiposity and present strong desire for a different shape of current. Furthermore, was found increased fat intake in female group; however, deficiencies in consumption of dietary fiber, calcium, potassium, magnesium and vitamin A were found in both gender.

Carbohydrate beverages attenuate bone resorption markers in elite runners.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the effects of carbohydrate (CHO) supplementation on markers of bone turnover in elite runners. DESIGN: Twenty-four male runners were randomly assigned to two groups--a CHO and a control (CON) group--using a double-blind design. The participants were submitted to an overload training program (days 1-8), followed by a high-intensity intermittent running protocol (10×800 m) on day 9. They received a maltodextrin solution (CHO group) or a placebo solution as the CON equivalent, before, during, and after these protocols. RESULTS: After 8 days of intensive training, baseline levels of osteocalcin (OC) decreased in both CHO and CON groups (before: 28.8±3.6 and 26.6±2.4 ng/ml, after: 24.8±3.0 and 21.9±1.6 ng/ml, respectively, p<0.01). On day 9, at 80 min of the recovery period, carboxy-terminal of telopeptide type I collagen (CTX) serum concentration was suppressed in the CHO group (0.3±0.1 ng/ml) vs. 0.6±0.0 ng/ml for the CON group (p<0.01). CHO supplementation was effective in decreasing CTX levels from baseline to recovery (0.5±0.1 ng/mL to 0.3±0.1 ng/mL, p<0.001), while an increase from 0.4±0.0 ng/mL to 0.6±0.0 ng/mL (p<0.001) was observed in the CON group. CONCLUSION: CHO beverage ingestion attenuated the exercise-induced increase in CTX concentration, suggesting that CHO supplementation is a potential strategy to prevent bone damage in athletes.

Carbohydrate supplementation delays DNA damage in elite runners during intensive microcycle training.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of carbohydrate supplementation on free plasma DNA and conventional markers of training and tissue damage in long-distance runners undergoing an overload training program. Twenty-four male runners were randomly assigned to two groups (CHO group and control group). The participants were submitted to an overload training program (days 1-8), followed by a high-intensity intermittent running protocol (10 × 800 m) on day 9. The runners received maltodextrin solution (CHO group) or zero energy placebo solution as the control equivalent before, during, and after this protocol. After 8 days of intensive training, baseline LDH levels remained constant in the CHO group (before: 449.1 ± 18.2, after: 474.3 ± 22.8 U/L) and increased in the control group (from 413.5 ± 23.0 to 501.8 ± 24.1 U/L, p < 0.05). On day 9, LDH concentrations were lower in the CHO group (509.2 ± 23.1 U/L) than in the control group (643.3 ± 32.9 U/L, p < 0.01) post-intermittent running. Carbohydrate ingestion attenuated the increase of free plasma DNA post-intermittent running (48,240.3 ± 5,431.8 alleles/mL) when compared to the control group (73,751.8 ± 11,546.6 alleles/mL, p < 0.01). Leukocyte counts were lower in the CHO group than in the control group post-intermittent running (9.1 ± 0.1 vs. 12.2 ± 0.7 cells/µL; p < 0.01) and at 80 min of recovery (10.6 ± 0.1 vs. 13.9 ± 1.1 cells/µL; p < 0.01). Cortisol levels were positively correlated with free plasma DNA, leukocytes, and LDH (all r > 0.4 and p < 0.001). The results showed that ingestion of a carbohydrate beverage resulted in less DNA damage and attenuated the acute post-exercise inflammation response, providing better recovery during intense training.

Measuring families' perceptions of care across a health care system: preliminary experience with the Family Assessment of Treatment at End of Life Short form (FATE-S).

CONTEXT: Because the Family Evaluation of Treatment at End of Life (FATE) survey was too long for routine use in the Veterans Administration (VA) health care system to measure quality of care, a shorter instrument was developed. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the short version of the FATE survey for use as a nationwide quality measure in the VA health care system. METHODS: Fifty-one VA medical centers, including acute and long-term care, participated in this nationwide telephone survey. Family members of the patients were eligible if the patients died in a participating facility. One family member per patient was selected from medical records using predefined eligibility criteria and invited to participate. The survey consists of 14 items describing key aspects of the patient's care in his or her last month of life, one global rating, and two open-ended questions for additional comments. RESULTS: Interviews were completed with 2827 family members. Overall, the survey showed excellent psychometric characteristics, with good homogeneity (e.g., Cronbach's α=0.84) and strong evidence of discriminant validity. Two survey items have been targeted for quality improvement efforts in multisite collaboratives. CONCLUSION: Surveys of surrogates offer an important source of quality data that can be used to improve the quality of end-of-life care and promote accountability.

Effects of carbohydrate supplementation on competitive runners undergoing overload training followed by a session of intermittent exercise.

This study evaluated the effects of a micro cycle of overload training (1st-8th day) on metabolic and hormonal responses in male runners with or without carbohydrate supplementation and investigated the cumulative effects of this period on a session of intermittent high-intensity running and maximum-performance-test (9th day). The participants were 24 male runners divided into two groups, receiving 61% of their energy intake as CHO (carbohydrate-group) and 54% in the control-group (CON). The testosterone was higher for the CHO than the CON group after the overload training (694.0 +/- 54.6 vs. CON 610.8 +/- 47.9 pmol/l). On the ninth day participants performed 10 x 800 m at mean 3 km velocity. An all-out 1000 m running was performed before and after the 10 x 800 m. Before, during, and after this protocol, the runners received solution containing CHO or the CON equivalent. The performance on 800 m series did not differ in either group between the first and last series of 800 m, but for the all-out 1000 m test the performance decrement was lower for CHO group (5.3 +/- 1.0 vs. 10.6 +/- 1.3%). The cortisol concentrations were lower in the CHO group in relation to CON group (22.4 +/- 0.9 vs. 27.6 +/- 1.4 pmol/l) and the IGF1/IGFBP3 ratio increased 12.7% in the CHO group. During recovery, blood glucose concentrations remained higher in the CHO group in comparison with the CON group. It was concluded that CHO supplementation possibly attenuated the suppression of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis and resulted in less catabolic stress, and thus improved running performance.

Short-term nutritional counseling reduces body mass index, waist circumference, triceps skinfold and triglycerides in women with metabolic syndrome.

BACKGROUND: It is recognized that the growing epidemic of metabolic syndrome is related to dietary and lifestyle changes. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate short-term application of nutritional counseling in women with metabolic syndrome. METHODS: This follow-up study was conducted from September to November 2008 with thirty three women > or =35 years old screened clinically for nutritional counseling. Dietary intake was reported, and biochemical and body composition measures were taken at baseline and after three months of follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 33 women evaluated, 29 patients completed the study. The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obesity was high at 38%, 72.4%, 55.2%, and 75.8%, respectively. At the end of three-months of follow-up, a significant decline in body mass index, waist circumference, triceps skinfold, and triglycerides was observed, as was an increase in calcium and vitamin D intake. The multiple regression analysis showed that changes in body mass index, triceps skinfold, waist circumference and triglyceride levels after nutritional intervention were positively associated with changes in anthropometric (loss of body weight) and biochemical (decrease of TG/HDL-c ratio) parameters. Moreover, waist circumference changes were negatively associated with changes in calcium and vitamin D intake. CONCLUSION: Short-term nutritional counseling improved some factors of metabolic syndrome. Moreover, the increases in calcium and vitamin D consumption can be associated with the improvement in markers of metabolic syndrome.

Effects of acute carbohydrate supplementation during sessions of high-intensity intermittent exercise.

The present study evaluated the acute effects of carbohydrate supplementation on heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), metabolic and hormonal responses during and after sessions of high-intensity intermittent running exercise. Fifteen endurance runners (26 +/- 5 years, 64.5 +/- 4.9 kg) performed two sessions of intermittent exercise under carbohydrate (CHO) and placebo (PLA) ingestion. The sessions consisted of 12 x 800 m separated by intervals of 1 min 30 s at a mean velocity corresponding to the previously performed 3-km time trial. Both the CHO and PLA sessions were concluded within approximately 28 min. Blood glucose was significantly elevated in both sessions (123.9 +/- 13.2 mg dl(-1) on CHO and 147.2 +/- 16.3 mg dl(-1) on PLA) and mean blood lactate was significantly higher in the CHO (11.4 +/- 4.9 mmol l(-1)) than in the PLA condition (8.4 +/- 5.1 mmol l(-1)) (P < 0.05). The metabolic stress induced by the exercise model used was confirmed by the elevated HR (approximately 182 bpm) and RPE (approximately 18 on the 15-point Borg scale) for both conditions. No significant differences in plasma insulin, cortisol or free fatty acids were observed during exercise between the two trials. During the recovery period, free fatty acid and insulin concentrations were significantly lower in the CHO trial. Supplementation with CHO resulted in higher lactate associated with lipolytic suppression, but did not attenuate the cortisol, RPE or HR responses.