Nordic Walking Improves Cardiometabolic Parameters, Fitness Performance, and Quality of Life in Older Adults With Type 2 Diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of Nordic walking (NW) on cardiometabolic health, physical performance, and well-being in sedentary older adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D). METHODS: Fifteen subjects with T2D (female, 5; male, 10; age, 65 ± 6.2 years [mean ± standard deviation]; body mass index, 27.3 ± 4.9 kg/m2 [mean ± standard deviation]) were enrolled in a 6-month NW training program. The fasting glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin levels, lipid profile (total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressures were measured before and after the intervention. Participants' quality of life (Short-Form Health Survey) and physical fitness (6-minute walking test) were also evaluated. RESULTS: Compared with baseline, NW significantly improved the fasting glucose level (103.5 ± 18.5 vs 168.7 ± 37.7 mg/dL, P = .01), SBP (121.8 ± 12.2 vs 133 ± 14.4 mm Hg, P = .02), physical fitness (759.88 ± 69 vs 615.5 ± 62.6 m, P < .001), and both mental health (54.5 ± 4.4 vs 45.7 ± 5.6, P < .01) and physical health (49.8 ± 4.7 vs 40.3 ± 5.9, P < .01). The levels of glycosylated hemoglobin (6.15% ± 0.8% vs 6.4% ± 1%, P = .46), total cholesterol (162.2 ± 31.2 vs 175.5 ± 28.8 mg/dL, P = .13), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (95.2 ± 24.2 vs 106.3 ± 32.3 mg/dL, P = .43), and triglycerides (135.5 ± 60.8 vs 127.6 ± 57.4 mg/dL, P = 0.26) improved without reaching significance. CONCLUSION: NW training improved the glycemic levels, SBP, physical fitness, and perception of quality of life in older adults with T2D. NW represents a suitable complementary strategy to improve the global health status in this population.

Effects of plyometric training on different 8-week training intensity distributions in well-trained endurance runners.

The aim of this four-armed parallel group randomized-controlled trial was to evaluate if plyometric training could have different effects on running performance and physiological adaptations depending on the training intensity distribution (TID) in an 8-week intervention in endurance athletes. Sixty well-trained male runners (age: 34 ± 6 years, relative ⩒O2peak : 69 ± 3 ml kg-1  min-1 ) were recruited and allocated to a pyramidal (PYR), pyramidal + plyometric training (PYR + PLY), polarized (POL), and polarized + plyometric training (POL + PLY) periodization. The periodization patterns were isolated manipulations of TID, while training load was kept constant. Participants were tested pre- and post-intervention for body mass, velocity at 2 and 4 mmol·L-1 of blood lactate concentration (vBLa2, vBLa4), absolute and relative ⩒O2peak and 5-km running time trial performance, counter movement jump and squat jump. There were significant group × time interactions for vBla4 (p = 0.0235), CMJ (p = 0.0234), SJ (p = 0.0168), and 5-km running time trial performance (p = 0.0035). Specifically, vBla4 and 5-km running time trial performance showed the largest post-intervention improvements in PYR + PLY (2.4% and 1.6%) and POL + PLY (2.1% and 1.8%), respectively. No significant interactions were observed for body mass, absolute and relative ⩒O2peak , peak heart rate, lactate peak and rating of perceived exertion. In conclusion, an 8-week training periodization seems to be effective in improving performance of well-trained endurance runners. Including plyometric training once a week appeared to be more efficacious in maximizing running performance improvements, independently from the TID adopted.

Failure of Digital Device Performance in Monitoring Physical Exercise in a Pilot Study in Sedentary Persons with HIV.

Digital devices have gained popularity in the last 10 years as a tool for exercise prescription, the monitoring of daily physical activity, and nutrition for the management of a health-related parameter. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of the use of digital devices to monitor exercise data in sedentary persons with HIV who exercise following an individualized activity pacing (AP) protocol on cardiorespiratory fitness body composition, blood lipid profile, and psychological parameters. Twenty-four PLWH were enrolled in an 18-week randomized, open-label, pilot AP exercise protocol. All participants were monitored by a Health Band connected to a mobile app that transmitted the data to a server. At week 3, they were randomized either in an experimental group (EG), in which an open device configuration enabled them to receive training data feedback (n = 12), or continued with no data feedback (control group, n = 12). The primary endpoint was improvement from the baseline of 15% of steady-state oxygen consumption (V˙O2) during a 6-min walking test. Technical issues occurred when pairing the health band with the app, which prevented EG participants from regularly receiving data feedback, and with data transmission to the server, which enabled only 40% monitoring of the total training days. Consequently, the study outcomes could not be compared between the two groups, and participants also lost confidence in the study. However, 19 out of 24 participants completed the AP program. Overall, only 6 (32%) improved steady-state V˙O2, with no significant changes at W18 from the baseline. Significant reductions were observed of BMI (p = 0.040), hip circumference (p = 0.027), and total-(p = 0.049) and HDL-cholesterol (p = 0.045). The failure of digital device performance substantially affected study procedures, monitoring, and participants' engagement, and likely limited the potential benefits of the AP exercise program.

Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) as Crucial Mediators of Cell-Cell Interaction in Asthma.

Asthma is the most common chronic respiratory disorder worldwide and accounts for a huge health and economic burden. Its incidence is rapidly increasing but, in parallel, novel personalized approaches have emerged. Indeed, the improved knowledge of cells and molecules mediating asthma pathogenesis has led to the development of targeted therapies that significantly increased our ability to treat asthma patients, especially in severe stages of disease. In such complex scenarios, extracellular vesicles (EVs i.e., anucleated particles transporting nucleic acids, cytokines, and lipids) have gained the spotlight, being considered key sensors and mediators of the mechanisms controlling cell-to-cell interplay. We will herein first revise the existing evidence, mainly by mechanistic studies in vitro and in animal models, that EV content and release is strongly influenced by the specific triggers of asthma. Current studies indicate that EVs are released by potentially all cell subtypes in the asthmatic airways, particularly by bronchial epithelial cells (with different cargoes in the apical and basolateral side) and inflammatory cells. Such studies largely suggest a pro-inflammatory and pro-remodelling role of EVs, whereas a minority of reports indicate protective effects, particularly by mesenchymal cells. The co-existence of several confounding factors-including technical pitfalls and host and environmental confounders-is still a major challenge in human studies. Technical standardization in isolating EVs from different body fluids and careful selection of patients will provide the basis for obtaining reliable results and extend their application as effective biomarkers in asthma.

Tracheal atypical solitary carcinoid in a so called "difficult asthma": a diagnostic challenge.

This report describes the case of a 46-year-old non-smoker housewife. She presented to our attention having a diagnosis of "difficult asthma" from another center in the previous two years. She had no allergies and had not been exposed to an excessive amount of noxious stimuli. Her chronic respiratory symptoms (dyspnea on exertion with wheezing) remained uncontrolled despite maximal anti-asthmatic inhaled therapy. An HRCT scan was performed to further investigate other pulmonary diseases that mimic asthma. It revealed a pedunculated endotracheal lesion with regular borders that obstructed 90% of the tracheal lumen. The lesion was removed via rigid bronchoscopy with laser endobronchial; histological examination revealed the presence of atypical carcinoid. Atypical carcinoids are a rare subtype of neuroendocrine lung tumor that accounts for 2% of all thoracic malignancies. They frequently arise from the central airways and cause obstructive symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, chest pain, or recurrent obstructing pneumonia, which is caused by central airway obstruction. Clinical onset is gradual and characterized by non-specific symptoms, which frequently result in misdiagnosis. As a result, in a young patient with progressive dyspnea, chronic cough, and wheezing that is not responding to anti-asthmatic treatment, second-level investigations are required and may lead to a definite diagnosis, allowing the appropriate course of treatment to begin.

Effects of 16 weeks of pyramidal and polarized training intensity distributions in well-trained endurance runners.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of four different training periodizations, based on two different training intensity distributions during a 16-week training block in well-trained endurance runners. Sixty well-trained male runners were divided into four groups. Each runner completed one of the following 16-week training interventions: a pyramidal periodization (PYR); a polarized periodization (POL); a pyramidal periodization followed by a polarized periodization (PYR â†’ POL); and a polarized periodization followed by a pyramidal periodization (POL â†’ PYR). The PYR and POL groups trained with a pyramidal or polarized distribution for 16 weeks. To allow for the change in periodization for the PYR â†’ POL and POL â†’ PYR groups, the 16-week intervention was split into two 8-week phases, starting with pyramidal or polarized distribution and then switching to the other. The periodization patterns were isolated manipulations of training intensity distribution, while training load was kept constant. Participants were tested pre-, mid- and post-intervention for body mass, velocity at 2 and 4 mmol·L-1 of blood lactate concentration (vBLa2, vBLa4), absolute and relative peak oxygen consumption ( V ˙ O 2 peak ) and 5-km running time trial performance. There were significant group × time interactions for relative V ˙ O 2 peak (p < 0.0001), vBLa2 (p < 0.0001) and vBLa4 (p < 0.0001) and 5-km running time trial performance (p = 0.0001). Specifically, participants in the PYR â†’ POL group showed the largest improvement in all these variables (~3.0% for relative V ˙ O 2 peak , ~1.7% for vBLa2, ~1.5% for vBLa4, ~1.5% for 5-km running time trial performance). No significant interactions were observed for body mass, absolute V ˙ O 2 peak , peak heart rate, lactate peak and rating of perceived exertion. Each intervention effectively improved endurance surrogates and performance in well-trained endurance runners. However, the change from pyramidal to polarized distribution maximized performance improvements, with relative V ˙ O 2 peak representing the only physiological correlate.

Differences in GPS variables according to playing formations and playing positions in U19 male soccer players.

The aims of this study were 1) to investigate Global Positioning System (GPS)-based match physical performance according to players' playing position in three different playing formations (4-4-2, 3-5-2, 4-3-3) and 2) to analyse the differences in match performance between 1st and 2nd half. Twenty-three U19 elite male soccer players (age: 18 ± 1 year, height: 1.80 ± 0.04 m, body mass: 70.65 ± 6.02 kg), categorized as Central Back (CB, n = 5), Full Back (FB, n = 4), Central Midfielders (CM, n = 4), Wingers (W, n = 3), Strikers (S, n = 7), were monitored using 10 Hz GPS during 31 competitive matches. The results showed that FB and W always had the highest very high-speed running distance and number of sprints in all playing formations. Significant decrease in all GPS variables was observed in the 2nd half of the match for all playing positions. Strength coaches should adopt specific training regimes in accordance with players' playing position.

Innate lymphoid cells in isocyanate-induced asthma: role of microRNA-155.

BACKGROUND: Occupational asthma, induced by workplace exposures to low molecular weight agents such as toluene 2,4-diisocyanate (TDI), causes a significant burden to patients and society. Little is known about innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in TDI-induced asthma. A critical regulator of ILC function is microRNA-155, a microRNA associated with asthma. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether TDI exposure modifies the number of ILCs in the lung and whether microRNA-155 contributes to TDI-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness. METHODS: C57BL/6 wild-type and microRNA-155 knockout mice were sensitised and challenged with TDI or vehicle. Intracellular cytokine expression in ILCs and T-cells was evaluated in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid using flow cytometry. Peribronchial eosinophilia and goblet cells were evaluated on lung tissue, and airway hyperresponsiveness was measured using the forced oscillation technique. Putative type 2 ILCs (ILC2) were identified in bronchial biopsies of subjects with TDI-induced occupational asthma using immunohistochemistry. Human bronchial epithelial cells were exposed to TDI or vehicle. RESULTS: TDI-exposed mice had higher numbers of airway goblet cells, BAL eosinophils, CD4+ T-cells and ILCs, with a predominant type 2 response, and tended to have airway hyperresponsiveness. In TDI-exposed microRNA-155 knockout mice, inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness were attenuated. TDI exposure induced IL-33 expression in human bronchial epithelial cells and in murine lungs, which was microRNA-155 dependent in mice. GATA3+CD3- cells, presumably ILC2, were present in bronchial biopsies. CONCLUSION: TDI exposure is associated with increased numbers of ILCs. The proinflammatory microRNA-155 is crucial in a murine model of TDI asthma, suggesting its involvement in the pathogenesis of occupational asthma due to low molecular weight agents.

Origins Space Telescope: predictions for far-IR spectroscopic surveys.

We illustrate the extraordinary potential of the (far-IR) Origins Survey Spectrometer (OSS) on board the Origins Space Telescope (OST) to address a variety of open issues on the co-evolution of galaxies and AGNs. We present predictions for blind surveys, each of 1000 h, with different mapped areas (a shallow survey covering an area of 10 deg2 and a deep survey of 1 deg2) and two different concepts of the OST/OSS: with a 5.9m telescope (Concept 2, our reference configuration) and with a 9.1 m telescope (Concept 1, previous configuration). In 1000 h, surveys with the reference concept will detect from ~ 1.9 × 106 to ~ 8.7 × 106 lines from ~ 4.8 × 105-2.7 × 106 star-forming galaxies and from ~ 1.4 × 104 to ~ 3.8 × 104 lines from ~ 1.3 × 104-3.5 × 104 AGNs. The shallow survey will detect substantially more sources than the deep one; the advantage of the latter in pushing detections to lower luminosities/higher redshifts turns out to be quite limited. The OST/OSS will reach, in the same observing time, line fluxes more than one order of magnitude fainter than the SPICA/SMI and will cover a much broader redshift range. In particular it will detect tens of thousands of galaxies at z ≥ 5, beyond the reach of that instrument. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons lines are potentially bright enough to allow the detection of hundreds of thousands of star-forming galaxies up to z ~ 8.5, i.e. all the way through the re-ionization epoch. The proposed surveys will allow us to explore the galaxy-AGN co-evolution up to z ~ 5.5 - 6 with very good statistics. OST Concept 1 does not offer significant advantages for the scientific goals presented here.

Acute sleep hygiene strategy improves objective sleep latency following a late-evening soccer-specific training session: A randomized controlled trial.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of sleep hygiene (SH) education on sleep quality in soccer players after a late-evening small-sided-game (SSG) training session. Twenty-nine non-professional players were recruited and allocated to either an experimental group (EG, n = 17) that received SH education, or a control group (CG, n = 12). SSG consisted of 3 × 4 min in a 4vs4, with 3 min of recovery and was performed at 8.00 p.m. Sleep quality was monitored via actigraphy and sleep diary entries before (PRE) and two nights after (POST1, POST2) the SSG. Sleep latency (SL) differed between the two groups at POST1 (4.9 ± 5.4 vs. 15.5 ± 16.1 for EG and CG, respectively; p = 0.017, effect size [ES] = 2.0); SL values were lower at POST1 compared to PRE for the EG (-47%; p = 0.021, ES = 0.6). Subjective sleep quality was better in the EG than the CG at POST1 (8.6 ± 1.0 vs. 7.1 ± 2.0 for EG and CG, respectively; p = 0.016, ES = 0.9) with a significant improvement over PRE-values (+11.0%, p = 0.004, ES = 0.8). Although SL and subjective sleep quality did not decrease significantly from POST1 to POST2 values at POST2 no longer differed significantly form baseline and, hence, indicate that observed effects may be short-lasting. No other objective sleep indices were influenced by late-evening training or SH practices implemented by the EG. Soccer players may benefit from acute SH strategies to reduce the time to sleep onset after late-evening training sessions.

The Role of the Molecular Clock in Promoting Skeletal Muscle Growth and Protecting against Sarcopenia.

The circadian clock has a critical role in many physiological functions of skeletal muscle and is essential to fully understand the precise underlying mechanisms involved in these complex interactions. The importance of circadian expression for structure, function and metabolism of skeletal muscle is clear when observing the muscle phenotype in models of molecular clock disruption. Presently, the maintenance of circadian rhythms is emerging as an important new factor in human health, with disruptions linked to ageing, as well as to the development of many chronic diseases, including sarcopenia. Therefore, the aim of this review is to present the latest findings demonstrating how circadian rhythms in skeletal muscle are important for maintenance of the cellular physiology, metabolism and function of skeletal muscle. Moreover, we will present the current knowledge about the tissue-specific functions of the molecular clock in skeletal muscle.

Clinical and Pathologic Factors Predicting Future Asthma in Wheezing Children. A Longitudinal Study.

Wheeze is a common symptom in infants, but not all wheezers develop asthma. Indeed, up to 50% of wheezing children outgrow their symptoms by school age. How to predict if early wheeze will become asthma is still a matter of vivid debate. In this work, we sought to assess the clinical and pathological factors that might predict the future development of asthma in children. Eighty children (mean age 3.8 ± 1 yr) who underwent a clinically indicated bronchoscopy were followed prospectively for a median of 5 years. At baseline, clinical characteristics with a particular focus on wheezing and its presentation (episodic or multitrigger) were collected, and structural and inflammatory changes were quantified in bronchial biopsies. Follow-up data were available for 74 of the 80 children. Children who presented with multitrigger wheeze were more likely to have asthma at follow-up than those with episodic wheeze (P = 0.04) or without wheeze (P < 0.0001). Children with asthma also had lower birth weights (P = 0.02), a lower prevalence of breastfeeding (P = 0.02), and a trend for increased IgE (P = 0.07) at baseline than those with no asthma. Basement membrane thickness and airway eosinophils at baseline were increased in children who developed asthma at follow-up (P = 0.001 and P = 0.026, respectively). Multivariate analysis showed that among all clinical and pathological factors, multitrigger wheezing, basement membrane thickening, and reduced birth weight were predictive of future asthma development. We conclude that multitrigger wheeze and reduced birth weight are clinical predictors of asthma development. Basement membrane thickening in early childhood is closely associated with asthma development, highlighting the importance of airway remodeling in early life as a risk factor for future asthma.

Effects of an 8-Week Body-Weight Neuromuscular Training on Dynamic Balance and Vertical Jump Performances in Elite Junior Skiing Athletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Vitale, JA, La Torre, A, Banfi, G, and Bonato, M. Effects of an 8-week body-weight neuromuscular training on dynamic balance and vertical jump performances in elite junior skiing athletes: a randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 32(4): 911-920, 2018-The aim of the present randomized controlled trial was to evaluate the effects of an 8-week neuromuscular training program focused on core stability, plyometric, and body-weight strengthening exercises on dynamic postural control and vertical jump performance in elite junior skiers. Twenty-four Italian elite junior male skiers were recruited and randomized to either an experimental group (EG), performing neuromuscular warm-up exercises, (EG; n = 12; age 18 ± 1 years; body mass 66 ± 21 kg; height 1.70 ± 0.1 m) or a control group (CG) involved in a standard warm-up (CG; n = 12; age 18 ± 1 years; body mass 62 ± 14 kg; height 1.73 ± 0.1 m). lower quarter Y-Balance Test (YBT), countermovement jump (CMJ), and drop jump (DJ) at baseline (PRE) and at the end (POST) of the experimental procedures were performed. No significant differences between EG and CG were observed at baseline. Results showed that EG achieved positive effects from PRE to POST measures in the anterior, posteromedial, posterolateral directions, and composite score of YBT for both lower limbs, whereas no significant differences were detected for CG. Furthermore, 2-way analysis of variance with Bonferroni's multiple comparisons test did not reveal any significant differences in CMJ and DJ for both EG and CG. The inclusion of an 8-week neuromuscular warm-up program led to positive effects in dynamic balance ability but not in vertical jump performance in elite junior skiers. Neuromuscular training may be an effective intervention to specifically increase lower limb joint awareness and postural control.

A pilot study of brisk walking in sedentary combination antiretroviral treatement (cART)- treated patients: benefit on soluble and cell inflammatory markers.

BACKGROUND: Chronic HIV infection is associated with low-level inflammation and increased risk of chronic diseases and mortality. The objective was to assess the effects of moderate intensity exercise on metabolic and inflammatory markers in HIV-infected treated persons. METHODS: This was a pilot study enrolling cART-treated, sedentary persons with metabolic complications in a 12-week protocol, consisting of three sessions per week of 60 min brisk walking with (strength-walk group) or without (walk group) 30 min circuit-training. Assessments at baseline and week 12 (W12) included body morphometrics and total body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry; lipid and glucose blood profile; plasma level of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6), D-dimer, interleukin-18 (IL-18), soluble CD14, and CD38 and HLA-DR expression on CD4+ and CD8+ T-cells. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients were included and 35 (71%) completed the program: 21 in the walk and 14 in the strength-walk group. At W12, significant improvements were observed of body mass index, waist and hip circumference, and total cholesterol both overall and in the walk group, and of LDL cholesterol in both training groups. In the whole group, significant reductions were observed in hsCRP, IL-6, D-dimer, IL-18, and of CD8+/CD38+/HLA-DR+ cell frequencies. HsCRP and CD8+/CD38+/HLA-DR+ frequency decreased significantly in both training groups when examined separately whereas IL-6 and D-dimer in the walk group only. CONCLUSIONS: Brisk walking, with or without strength exercise, could improve lipid profile and inflammatory markers in chronic HIV infection. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12615001258549, registered 17 November 2015, "retrospectively registered" Web address of trial: http://www.ANZCTR.org.au/ACTRN12615001258549.aspx.

Acute Modification of Cardiac Autonomic Function of High-Intensity Interval Training in Collegiate Male Soccer Players with Different Chronotype: A Cross-Over Study.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate if the time of the day (8.00 a.m. vs 8.00 p.m.) and chronotype could influence autonomic cardiac control in soccer players in relation to an acute session of high-intensity interval training. The morningness-eveningness questionnaire was administered to recruit Morning-type and Evening-type collegiate male soccer players. Therefore, 24 players (12 Morning-types and 12 Evening-types) were randomly assigned, to either morning (n = 12; age 23 ± 3 years; height 1.75 ± 0.07 m; body mass 73 ± 10 kg; weekly training volume 8 2 hours), or evening (n = 12; age 21 ± 3 years; height 1.76 ± 0.05 m; body mass 75 ± 11 kg; weekly training volume 8 ± 3 hours) training. Heart Rate Variability vagal and sympatho/vagal indices were calculated in time, frequency and complexity domains at rest, before, after 12 and 24 hours of high-intensity interval training. Before evening training session, a higher resting heart rate was observed which was determined by a marked parasympathetic withdrawal with a sympathetic predominance. Moreover, Evening-type subjects during morning training session, present a significant higher heart rate that corresponded to significant higher vagal indices with a significant lower parasympathetic tone that returned to the rest values after 24 hours of the cessation of high-intensity interval training exercise. On the contrary, Morning-type subjects did not reveal any significant differences with Evening-Type subjects during evening high-intensity interval training session. Stress response of high-intensity interval training is influenced by both the time of the day and by the chronotype. Understanding the Heart Rate Variability response to high-intensity interval training can be an additional important procedure for evaluating of cardiovascular recovery in soccer players. Moreover, these results suggest that an athlete's chronotype should be taken into account when scheduling a high-intensity interval training exercise.

Mental Fatigue Impairs Second Serve Accuracy in Tennis Players.

Purpose: The aim of this 2-week randomized, counterbalance and crossover study was to investigate the effect of acute mental fatigue (MF) on tennis serve performance and accuracy in tennis players. Methods: Ten male tennis players (18 ± 4 years, 1.80 ± 0.08 m; 71 ± 13 kg) were randomized to either the MF group (N = 5) that underwent an acute MF protocol or to a control (CON) group (N = 5). The MF condition consisted in a 30-min modified Stroop color word task performed before on-court serve speed test. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to assess the perceptions of MF and motivation toward the upcoming technical tests. Results: Reduction over baseline score of Stroop test was noted in accuracy (N < .001), but not in reaction time (N = .968) in the MF group. Increments in perceived workload were detected (N < .001) in MF group compared to CON. No differences for first and second serve speed from deuce and advantage side were observed. Increment of percentage of failed second serves from the deuce side (N = .043) in MF were detected. Conclusions: An acute MF protocol reduced tennis serve accuracy from deuce side in male tennis players. Players should avoid cognitive efforts before training sessions and matches to prevent negative effects of their technical performance.

Short intermittent taekwondo test to assess athlete's physiological and metabolic profile.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of a new Short Intermittent Taekwondo Test (SITT) in 17 black belt athletes. METHODS: Maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max), carbon dioxide production (V̇CO2), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), and blood lactate concentration [La]+ during treadmill cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET) and SITT were compared. SITT started with 10 sec of all-out kicks, alternating legs, and progressively increasing 5 s on each stage until the 4th stage. After the 4th stage the participants performed 25 s of turning kicks (Dolleo chagi), on each stage until the last (10th stage). The passive recovery phase after the 4th and the 7th stage lasted 30 s. RESULTS: V̇O2max and maximal HRmax were not significantly different (P=0.85 vs. P=0.76) between tests, while RER and [La]+ were significantly higher in SITT than in CPET (P=0.002 vs. P=0.001). No difference in RPE (P=0.84) was found. A significant positive correlation between two tests for V̇O2max and HRmax was found. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed that SITT induces physiological responses like CPET suggesting that it can be used to assess aerobic power in national taekwondo athletes, thus helping coaches to select correctly training intensities and monitor athletes' aerobic performance along the training phases.