Sports-Related Genomic Predictors Are Associated with Athlete Status in Chinese Sprint/Power Athletes.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between variant loci significantly associated with sports-related traits in the GWAS Catalog database and sprint/power athlete status, as well as to explore the polygenic profile of elite athletes. Methods: Next-generation sequencing and microarray technology were used to genotype samples from 211 elite athletes who had achieved success in national or international competitions in power-based sports and from 522 non-athletes, who were healthy university students with no history of professional sports training. Variant loci collected from databases were extracted after imputation. Subsequently, 80% of the samples were randomly selected as the training set, and the remaining 20% as the validation set. Results: Association analysis of variant loci was conducted in the training set, and individual Total Genotype Score (TGS) were calculated using genotype dosage and lnOR, followed by the establishment of a logistic model, with predictive performance evaluated in the validation set. Association analysis was performed on 2075 variant loci, and after removing linked loci (r2 > 0.2), 118 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.05) were identified. A logistic model built using 30 Tag SNPs (p ≤ 0.01) showed better performance in the validation set (AUC = 0.707). Conclusions: Our study identified 30 new genetic molecular markers and demonstrated that elite sprint/power athlete status is polygenic.

Genetic markers and predictive model for individual differences in countermovement jump enhancement after resistance training.

This study aims to utilize Genome-Wide Association Analysis (GWAS) to identify genetic markers associated with enhanced power resulting from resistance training. Additionally, we analyze the potential biological effects of these markers and establish a predictive model for training outcomes. 193 Han Chinese adults (age: 20 ± 1 years) underwent resistance training involving squats and bench presses at 70% 1RM, twice weekly, 5 sets × 10 repetitions, for 12 weeks. Whole-genome genotyping was conducted, and participants' countermovement jump (CMJ) height, lower limb muscle strength, and body muscle mass were assessed. CMJ height change was used to assess changes in power and subjected to Genome-Wide Association Analysis (GWAS) against genotypes. Employing Polygenic Score (PGS) calculations and stepwise linear regression, a predictive model for training effects was constructed. The results revealed a significant increase in CMJ height among participants following the resistance training intervention (Δ% = 16.53%, p < 0.01), with individual differences ranging from -35.90% to 125.71%. 38 lead SNPs, including PCTP rs9907859 (p < 1 × 10-8), showed significant associations with the percentage change in CMJ height after training (p < 1 × 10-5). The explanatory power of the predictive model for training outcomes, established using PGS and phenotypic indicators, was 62.6%, comprising 13.0% from PGS and 49.6% from phenotypic indicators. SNPs associated with power resistance training were found to participate in the biological processes of musculoskeletal movement and the Striated muscle contraction pathway. These findings indicate that individual differences in the training effect of CMJ exist after resistance training, partially explained by genetic markers and phenotypic indicators (62.6%).

Genomic predictors of fat mass response to the standardized exercise training.

To explore the genetic architecture underlying exercise-induced fat mass change, we performed a genome-wide association study with a Chinese cohort consisting of 442 physically inactive healthy adults in response to a 12-week exercise training (High-intensity Interval Training or Resistance Training). The inter-individual response showed an exercise-induced fat mass change and ten novel lead SNPs were associated with the response on the level of P<1×10-5. Four of them (rs7187742, rs1467243, rs28629770 and rs10848501) showed a consistent effect direction in the European ancestry. The Polygenic Predictor Score (PPS) derived from ten lead SNPs, sex, baseline body mass and exercise protocols explained 40.3% of the variance in fat mass response, meanwhile importantly the PPS had the greatest contribution. Of note, the subjects whose PPS was lower than -9.301 had the highest response in exercise-induced fat loss. Finally, we highlight a series of pathways and biological processes regarding the fat mass response to exercise, e.g. apelin signaling pathway, insulin secretion pathway and fat cell differentiation biological process.

Genome-wide association study of exercise-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy and the construction of predictive model.

The aim of the current study was to investigate interindividual differences in muscle thickness of the rectus femoris (MTRF) following 12 wk of resistance training (RT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) to explore the genetic architecture underlying skeletal muscle hypertrophy and to construct predictive models. We conducted musculoskeletal ultrasound assessments of the MTRF response in 440 physically inactive adults after the 12-wk exercise period. A genome-wide association study was used to identify variants associated with the MTRF response, separately for RT and HIIT. Using the polygenic predictor score (PPS), we estimated the genetic contribution to exercise-induced hypertrophy. Predictive models for the MTRF response were constructed using random forest (RF), support vector mac (SVM), and generalized linear model (GLM) in 10 cross-validated approaches. MTRF increased significantly after both RT (8.8%, P < 0.05) and HIIT (5.3%, P < 0.05), but with considerable interindividual differences (RT: -13.5 to 38.4%, HIIT: -14.2 to 30.7%). Eleven lead single-nucleotide polymorphisms in RT and eight lead single-nucleotide polymorphisms in HIIT were identified at a significance level of P < 1 × 10-5. The PPS was associated with the MTRF response, explaining 47.2% of the variation in response to RT and 38.3% of the variation in response to HIIT. Notably, the GLM and SVM predictive models exhibited superior performance compared with RF models (P < 0.05), and the GLM demonstrated optimal performance with an area under curve of 0.809 (95% confidence interval: 0.669-0.949). Factors such as PPS, baseline MTRF, and exercise protocol exerted influence on the MTRF response to exercise, with PPS being the primary contributor. The GLM and SVM predictive model, incorporating both genetic and phenotypic factors, emerged as promising tools for predicting exercise-induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The interindividual variability induced muscle hypertrophy by resistance training (RT) or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and the associated genetic architecture remain uncertain. We identified genetic variants that underlie RT- or HIIT-induced muscle hypertrophy and established them as pivotal factors influencing the response regardless of the training type. The genetic-phenotype predictive model developed has the potential to identify nonresponders or individuals with low responsiveness before engaging in exercise training.

A Genotype-Phenotype Model for Predicting Resistance Training Effects on Leg Press Performance.

This study develops a comprehensive genotype-phenotype model for predicting the effects of resistance training on leg press performance. A cohort of physically inactive adults (N=193) underwent 12 weeks of resistance training, and measurements of maximum isokinetic leg press peak force, muscle mass, and thickness were taken before and after the intervention. Whole-genome genotyping was performed, and genome-wide association analysis identified 85 novel SNPs significantly associated with changes in leg press strength after training. A prediction model was constructed using stepwise linear regression, incorporating seven lead SNPs that explained 40.4% of the training effect variance. The polygenic score showed a significant positive correlation with changes in leg press strength. By integrating genomic markers and phenotypic indicators, the comprehensive prediction model explained 75.4% of the variance in the training effect. Additionally, five SNPs were found to potentially impact muscle contraction, metabolism, growth, and development through their association with REACTOME pathways. Individual responses to resistance training varied, with changes in leg press strength ranging from -55.83% to 151.20%. The study highlights the importance of genetic factors in predicting training outcomes and provides insights into the potential biological functions underlying resistance training effects. The comprehensive model offers valuable guidance for personalized fitness programs based on individual genetic profiles and phenotypic characteristics.

Genotype-Phenotype Models Predicting V̇O 2max Response to High-Intensity Interval Training in Physically Inactive Chinese.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to analyze the interindividual differences of the maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O 2max ) response to 12 wk of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and the genotype-phenotype models were constructed to predict the effect of HIIT on V̇O 2max . METHODS: A total of 228 physically inactive adults who completed a 12-wk HIIT were analyzed. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) was conducted to identify genetic variants associated with the V̇O 2max response. Nonresponders, responders, and the highest training responders were defined as the effect sizes (ES) <0.2, ≥0.2, and ≥0.8, respectively. We generated polygenic predictor score (PPS) using lead variants and constructed a predictive model for V̇O 2max response based on a linear stepwise regression analysis. RESULTS: The V̇O 2max increased significantly after HIIT (~14%, P < 0.001), but with interindividual differences (-7.8 to 17.9 mL·kg -1 ·min -1 ). In 27% of participants, the V̇O 2max showed no improvement. We identified one genetic locus near the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor subunit beta 3 gene ( GABRB3 , rs17116985) associated with V̇O 2max response at the genome-wide significance level ( P < 5 × 10 -8 ), and an additional nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at the suggestive significance level ( P < 1 × 10 -5 ). The SNPs rs474377, rs9365605, and rs17116985, respectively, explained 11%, 9%, and 6.2% of variance in V̇O 2max response. The 13 SNPs ( P < 1 × 10 -5 ) were found on chromosome 6 (position: 148209316-148223568). Individuals with a PPS greater than 1.757 had the highest response, and those with a PPS lower than -3.712 were nonresponders. The PPS, baseline V̇O 2max , sex, and body mass explained 56.4% of the variance in the V̇O 2max response; the major predictor was the PPS, which explained 39.4% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: The PPS, baseline V̇O 2max , sex, and body mass could explain the variance in V̇O 2max response. Individuals who had a PPS greater than 1.757 had the highest training response after 12 wk of HIIT. Genetic variants in a region on chromosome 6, especially the sterile alpha motif domain containing 5 gene ( SAMD5 ), which had been explored influencing angiogenesis, might have a potential role in the V̇O 2max response.

Interindividual Variation in Cardiorespiratory Fitness: A Candidate Gene Study in Han Chinese People.

Cardiorespiratory fitness, as assessed through peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), is a powerful health indicator. We aimed to evaluate the influence of several candidate causal genetic variants on VO2peak level in untrained Han Chinese people. A total of 1009 participants (566 women; age [mean ± SD] 40 ± 14 years, VO2peak 29.9 ± 7.1 mL/kg/min) performed a maximal incremental cycling test for VO2peak determination. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral whole blood, and genotyping analysis was performed on 125 gene variants. Using age, sex, and body mass as covariates, and setting a stringent threshold p-value of 0.0004, only one single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), located in the gene encoding angiotensin-converting enzyme (rs4295), was associated with VO2peak (ß = 0.87; p < 2.9 × 10-4). Stepwise multiple regression analysis identified a panel of three SNPs (rs4295 = 1.1%, angiotensin II receptor type 1 rs275652 = 0.6%, and myostatin rs7570532 = 0.5%) that together accounted for 2.2% (p = 0.0007) of the interindividual variance in VO2peak. Participants carrying six 'favorable' alleles had a higher VO2peak (32.3 ± 8.1 mL/kg/min) than those carrying only one favorable allele (24.6 ± 5.2 mL/kg/min, p < 0.0001). In summary, VO2peak at the pre-trained state is partly influenced by several polymorphic variations in candidate genes, but they represent a minor portion of the variance.

Comparison of energy expenditure and substrate metabolism during overground and motorized treadmill running in Chinese middle-aged women.

The purpose of this study was to compare differences of energy expenditure and substrate metabolism between motorized-treadmill and overground running in three different velocities in Chinese middle-aged women. In total, 74 healthy middle-aged women (age, 48 ± 4 years; height, 159.4 ± 4.9 cm; weight, 58.6 ± 6.7 kg; and body-mass index (BMI), 23.1 ± 2.7 kg/m2) volunteered to participate in this study. Bioelectrical-impedance analysis was used to measure body composition. Energy expenditure, carbohydrates (CHO), and fat oxidation were calculated with indirect calorimetry during motorized-treadmill and overground running. Running speed from slow to fast was 7.0, 8.0, and 9.0 km/h. The duration of each velocity was 6 min, separated by 5-15 min rest. There was no significant difference in energy expenditure between overground and treadmill running at the speed of 7 km/h (8.10 ± 1.25 vs. 7.75 ± 1.13 kcal/min, p > 0.05). Energy expenditure of overground running at 8 and 9 km/h was higher than that of treadmill running (9.36 ± 1.40 vs. 8.54 ± 1.21 kcal/min; 10.33 ± 1.55 vs. 9.54 ± 1.36 kcal/min; both p < 0.01). Fat contribution to energy consumption was significantly higher during treadmill running than during overground running (both p < 0.01) at speeds of 8 and 9 km/h. Overground running at high intensity incurred greater energy consumption than treadmill running did. However, results showed greater fat utilization during treadmill running than during overground running at high intensity. It is critical that these differences are taken into account when we prescribe training modes and intensities for middle-aged women.

The Short Tandem Repeat of the DMT1 Gene as a Molecular Marker of Elite Long-Distance Runners.

The DMT1 gene encodes divalent metal transporter 1, a membrane iron transport protein. Divalent metal transporter 1 influences cellular iron availability, which might further affect aerobic exercise capacity. Short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphisms have been used as genetic markers in the literature, yet the STR polymorphisms of the DMT1 gene have not been well studied. In this current study, we explored the polymorphisms of the DMT1 gene in a group of elite long-distance runners and controls, by using the PCR-RFLP (Restriction Fragment Length Polymorphism) and Gene scan technology. We found that the genotype frequency of the homozygous 258 bp STR polymorphism of the DMT1 gene (258 bp/258 bp) was significantly higher in the athlete group than in the controls (χ 2 = 14.01, p = 0.006) so does the allele frequency of the 258 bp STR polymorphism (χ 2 = 12.867, p = 0.008). These data suggested that the STR polymorphism of the DMT1 gene might be correlated with aerobic exercise capacity and the 258 bp homozygous (25 bp/258 bp) could be used as a molecular marker for the talent identification of elite long-distance runners.

Myokine/Adipokine Response to "Aerobic" Exercise: Is It Just a Matter of Exercise Load?

PURPOSE: Exercise health benefits are partly mediated by exertional changes in several myokines/adipokines. This study aimed to compare the acute response of some of these biomarkers to aerobic exercise performed at the intensity corresponding to the maximum fat oxidation rate (FATmax) or the "anaerobic" threshold (AT). METHODS: Following a cross-over, counterbalanced design, 14 healthy untrained men (23 ± 1 years) performed a 45-min exercise bout at their FATmax or AT intensity (been previously determined through incremental exercise tests). The concentration of interleukin (IL)-15, follistatin, myostatin, fibroblast-growth factor (FGF)-21, irisin, resistin, and omentin was measured at baseline and 0, 1, 3, 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise. RESULTS: AT exercise was performed at a higher intensity (85 ± 8 vs. 52 ± 14% of maximal oxygen uptake [VO2 max], p < 0.001) and induced a higher energy expenditure (p < 0.001) than FATmax, whereas a greater fat oxidation was observed in the latter (p < 0.001). A higher peak response of FGF-21 (+90%, p < 0.01) and follistatin (+49%, p < 0.05) was found after AT-exercise, as well as a trend toward a higher peak level of omentin (+13%, p = 0.071) and a greater decrease in resistin (-16%, p = 0.073). CONCLUSION: Increasing exercise load (from FATmax to AT) results in a higher response of FGF-21, follistatin and omentin to aerobic exercise, with the subsequent potential cardiometabolic benefits. No effects were, however, observed on the remainder of biomarkers. Future research should address if manipulating other exercise variables (e.g., type, frequency) can promote a higher myokine/adipokine response.

Exploring the underlying biology of intrinsic cardiorespiratory fitness through integrative analysis of genomic variants and muscle gene expression profiling.

Intrinsic cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is defined as the level of CRF in the sedentary state. There are large individual differences in intrinsic CRF among sedentary adults. The physiology of variability in CRF has received much attention, but little is known about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that impact intrinsic CRF. These issues were explored in the present study by interrogating intrinsic CRF-associated DNA sequence variation and skeletal muscle gene expression data from the HERITAGE Family Study through an integrative bioinformatics guided approach. A combined analytic strategy involving genetic association, pathway enrichment, tissue-specific network structure, cis-regulatory genome effects, and expression quantitative trait loci was used to select and rank genes through a variation-adjusted weighted ranking scheme. Prioritized genes were further interrogated for corroborative evidence from knockout mouse phenotypes and relevant physiological traits from the HERITAGE cohort. The mean intrinsic V̇o2max was 33.1 ml O2·kg-1·min-1 (SD = 8.8) for the sample of 493 sedentary adults. Suggestive evidence was found for gene loci related to cardiovascular physiology (ATE1, CASQ2, NOTO, and SGCG), hematopoiesis (PICALM, SSB, CA9, and CASQ2), skeletal muscle phenotypes (SGCG, DMRT2, ADARB1, and CASQ2), and metabolism (ATE1, PICALM, RAB11FIP5, GBA2, SGCG, PRADC1, ARL6IP5, and CASQ2). Supportive evidence for a role of several of these loci was uncovered via association between DNA variants and muscle gene expression levels with exercise cardiovascular and muscle physiological traits. This initial effort to define the underlying molecular substrates of intrinsic CRF warrants further studies based on appropriate cohorts and study designs, complemented by functional investigations. NEW & NOTEWORTHY Intrinsic cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) is measured in the sedentary state and is highly variable among sedentary adults. The physiology of variability in intrinsic cardiorespiratory fitness has received much attention, but little is known about the genetic and molecular mechanisms that impact intrinsic CRF. These issues were explored computationally in the present study, with further corroborative evidence obtained from analysis of phenotype data from knockout mouse models and human cardiovascular and skeletal muscle measurements.

Myokine Response to High-Intensity Interval vs. Resistance Exercise: An Individual Approach.

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the response to acute exercise of several myokines/hormones involved in metabolic function between two types of training sessions that are growing in popularity for their purported cardiometabolic benefits, high-intensity interval (HIIT) and resistance training (RT). Methods: Seventeen healthy, non-athletic men (23 ± 3 years) participated in this cross-over study. They randomly performed a HIIT [with short (HIIT1) or long (HIIT2) intervals] or a RT session. The concentration of fibroblast-growth factor (FGF) 21, follistatin, ghrelin, interleukin-15, irisin, myostatin, and peptide YY was measured at baseline and 0, 1, 3, 24, 48, and 72 h post-exercise. An individual approach was adopted to determine the rate of responsiveness to each specific cytokine and training mode. Results: A significant condition (session type) by time interaction (p = 0.004) effect was observed for FGF21, with RT eliciting a greater area under the curve (AUC) concentration than HIIT1 (p = 0.02). The AUC for follistatin was significantly greater after HIIT2 compared with RT (p = 0.02). Individual responsiveness to all session types ranged between 19 and 93% depending on the cytokine. However, most subjects (71-100%) responded positively for all cytokines (except for irisin, with only 53% of responders) after 1+ session type. Conclusion: Except for FGF21, our results show no overall differences in the myokine response to HIIT or RT. A considerable individual variability was observed, with some subjects responding to some but not other training session types. Notwithstanding, most responded to at least one training session. Thus, it is mostly the individual response of each subject rather than general recommendations on type of training session (i.e., RT vs. HIIT or HIIT subtypes) that must be taken into consideration for maximizing cardiometabolic benefits in the context of personalized exercise prescription.

Plasma Steroids are Not Associated with Resting and Exercise Blood Pressure.

We investigated the associations between steroid hormones and resting and exercise blood pressure in the sedentary state and in response to an exercise program controlling for sex, body mass, ethnicity, age, oral contraceptives, hormone therapy, smoking and alcohol intake in subjects from the HERITAGE Family Study.: In the sedentary state, 267 men (28% Blacks) and 301 women (37% Blacks) were available, and 241 men and 254 women completed the exercise program. Fourteen steroid hormones and sex hormone-binding globulin concentrations were assayed in a fasted state. Statistical significance was set at a Bonferroni adjusted p<0.0001. After controlling for the various covariates, only testosterone came close to a significant correlation with exercise systolic blood pressure at 50 W (r=-0.21, P=0.0006) in men. No other correlations with resting and exercise blood pressure traits were found at baseline. There were significant changes in blood pressure in response to the exercise program, but none of the correlations with baseline plasma steroids reached statistical significance. Plasma steroids do not correlate with resting and exercise blood pressure in sedentary adults and do not associate with blood pressure changes in response to a 20-week endurance exercise program.

Plasma steroids, body composition, and fat distribution: effects of age, sex, and exercise training.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Plasma steroid hormone levels vary between men and women, but their associations with BMI and adiposity are controversial. Furthermore, little is known about the role of exercise programs on the relationship between steroid hormones and adiposity. This report evaluates these relationships for plasma levels of adrenal, gonadal, and conjugated steroids with body composition and fat distribution in sedentary men and women, aged 17-65 years, and their responses to an exercise program. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In the sedentary state, 270 men (29% Blacks) and 304 women (34% Blacks) from the HERITAGE Family Study were available. Among them, 242 men and 238 women completed a 20-week fully standardized exercise program. Fourteen steroid hormones and SHBG concentrations were assayed in a fasted state and were compared for their associations with adiposity in men and women and in response to the exercise program. Covariates adjusted for in partial correlation analysis were age, ancestry, menopause status (women), and oral contraceptives/hormone replacement treatment status (women) at baseline, as well as baseline value of the trait for the training response. Differences among normal weight, overweight, and obese subjects were also considered. Statistical significance was set at P < 0.0001. RESULTS: Baseline levels of dihydrotesterone (DHT), 17 hydroxy progesterone (OHPROG), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG), and testosterone (TESTO) were negatively associated with fat mass and abdominal fat (P < 0.0001) in men and for SHBG in women (P < 0.0001). TESTO was not correlated with fat-free mass in men or women, but was significantly associated with % fat-free mass in men. No association was detected between baseline steroid hormone levels and changes in adiposity traits in response to 20 weeks of exercise. CONCLUSION: In men, low DHT, OHPROG, SHBG, and TESTO were associated with higher adiposity and abdominal and visceral fat. A similar adiposity profile was observed in women with low SHBG.

Hypoxic Living and Exercise Training Alter Adipose Tissue Leptin/Leptin Receptor in Rats.

Background: Hypobaric hypoxia results in weight loss in obese individuals, and exercise training is advocated for the treatment of obesity and its related metabolic dysfunctions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of hypoxic living and exercise training on obesity and adipose tissue leptin/leptin receptor in dietary-induced obese rats. Methods: One hundred and thirty high-fat diet fed Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned into one of the following groups (n = 10 each): control, sedentary hypoxic living for 1-4 weeks (SH1, SH2, SH3, and SH4), living, and exercise training in normoxic conditions for 1-4 weeks (TN1, TN2, TN3, and TN4), and living and exercise training in hypoxic conditions for 1-4 weeks (TN1, TN2, TN3, and TN4). Epididymal adipose tissue expression levels of leptin and leptin receptor were determined Results: Compared to hypoxic living and living and exercise training in normoxic conditions, living and exercise training in hypoxic conditions for 3-4 weeks resulted in lower Lee index (P < 0.05-0.01), and higher expression of leptin and leptin receptor (P < 0.05-0.01) in adipose tissue. Conclusion: In a rodent model of altitude training, living, and exercise training in hypoxic conditions resulted in greater alterations in obesity and adipose tissue leptin/leptin receptor than hypoxic living alone and living and exercise training in normoxic conditions.

BMI, leisure-time physical activity, and physical fitness in adults in China: results from a series of national surveys, 2000-14.

BACKGROUND: Obesity, physical inactivity, and reduced physical fitness contribute to the rising burden of chronic diseases in China. We investigated these factors in Chinese adults over a 14-year period (2000-14) using data from randomised national surveys. METHODS: We did four national surveys in 2000, 2005, 2010, and 2014 among Chinese adults aged 20-59 years. We used BMI to assess underweight (<18·5 kg/m(2)), overweight (≥23·0 to <27·5 kg/m(2)), and obesity (≥27·5 kg/m(2)). Central obesity was defined as a waist circumference greater than 90 cm in men and greater than 85 cm in women. We assessed leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) by whether or not participants had completed the recommended minimum 150 min of moderate or 75 min of vigorous exercise per week. Indices for assessment of physical fitness were forced vital capacity, resting heart rate, hand grip strength, sit and reach distance, and time standing on one leg. FINDINGS: 151 656 (78%) of 193 440 adults responded to the survey in 2000, 163 386 (84%) in 2005, 154 931 (80%) in 2010, and 146 703 (76%) in 2014. The prevalence of obesity increased from 8·6% in 2000, to 10·3% in 2005, 12·2% in 2010, and 12·9% in 2014 (estimated increase 0·32% per year, 95% CI 0·30-0·33; p<0·0001). The equivalent estimates were 37·4%, 39·2%, 40·7%, and 41·2% for overweight (estimated increase 0·27% per year, 95% CI 0·25-0·30; p<0·0001) and 13·9%, 18·3%, 22·1%, and 24·9% for central obesity (estimated increase 0·78% per year, 0·76-0·80; p<0·0001). The prevalence of overweight, obesity, and central obesity increased with age (all p<0·0001) and was higher in men than in women (all p<0·0001). We noted a simultaneous decrease in the prevalence of underweight (estimated decrease of 0·06% per year, 95% CI 0·04-0·07; p<0·0001). The proportion of adults meeting the minimum LTPA recommendation increased over time (17·2% in 2000, 18·1% in 2005, and 22·8% in 2014), with the estimated prevalence change per year being 0·33% (95% CI 0·24-0·42; p<0·0001) for underweight people, 0·50% (0·47-0·53; p<0·0001) for normal-weight people, 0·37% (0·34-0·40; p<0·0001) for overweight people, and 0·06% (0·00-0·13; p=0·044) for obese people. We noted deteriorations over time in all measures of physical fitness in normal-weight adults (all p<0·0001), apart from resting heart rate (p=0·69). INTERPRETATION: Despite increased participation in LTPA, we noted increases in overweight or obesity and a decrease in physical fitness in Chinese adults. Continued nationwide interventions are needed to promote physical activity and other healthy lifestyle behaviours in China. FUNDING: National Physical Fitness Surveillance Center and Ministry of Science and Technology of the People's Republic of China.

Autonomic function responses to training: Correlation with body composition changes.

AIM: The causal relation between autonomic function and adiposity is an unresolved issue. Thus, we studied whether resting heart rate variability (HRV) changes could be used to predict changes in body composition after 16 weeks of individualized exercise training. METHODS: A total of 117 sedentary overweight/obese adults volunteered to join an intervention group (IN, n=82) or a control group (CON, n=35). The intervention group trained for 30-40 min three times a week with an intensity of 85-100% of individual ventilatory threshold (Thvent). At baseline and after a 16-week training period, resting HRV variables, body composition and peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak) were assessed. RESULTS: Compared with CON, exercise training significantly improved HRV and body composition and increased VO2peak (P<0.05). Significant correlations were observed between changes of HRV variables and body composition indices and VO2peak (P<0.05). Greater individual changes in HRV in response to exercise training were observed for those with greater total and central fat loss. CONCLUSION: Individual aerobic-based exercise training was for improving autonomic function and resting HRV responses to aerobic training is a potential indicator for adaptations to exercise training.

Exceptional longevity and muscle and fitness related genotypes: a functional in vitro analysis and case-control association replication study with SNPs THRH rs7832552, IL6 rs1800795, and ACSL1 rs6552828.

There are several gene variants that are candidates to influence functional capacity in long-lived individuals. As such, their potential association with exceptional longevity (EL, i.e., reaching 100+ years) deserves analysis. Among them are rs7832552 in the thyrotropin-releasing hormone receptor (TRHR) gene, rs1800795 in the interleukin-6 (IL6) gene and rs6552828 in the coenzyme A synthetase long-chain 1 (ACSL1) gene. To gain insight into their functionality (which is yet unknown), here we determined for the first time luciferase gene reporter activity at the muscle tissue level in rs7832552 and rs6552828. We then compared allele/genotype frequencies of the 3 abovementioned variants among centenarians [n = 138, age range 100-111 years (114 women)] and healthy controls [n = 334, 20-50 years (141 women)] of the same ethnic and geographic origin (Spain). We also studied healthy centenarians [n = 79, 100-104 years (40 women)] and controls [n = 316, 27-81 years (156 women)] from Italy, and centenarians [n = 742, 100-116 years (623 women)] and healthy controls [n = 499, 23-59 years (356 women)] from Japan. The THRH rs7832552 T-allele and ACSL1 rs6552828 A-allele up-regulated luciferase activity compared to the C and G-allele, respectively (P = 0.001). Yet we found no significant association of EL with rs7832552, rs1800795 or rs6552828 in any of the 3 cohorts. Further research is needed with larger cohorts of centenarians of different origin as well as with younger old people.

An 8-year longitudinal study of overreaching in 114 elite female Chinese wrestlers.

CONTEXT: Successful training involves structured overload but must avoid the combination of excessive overload and inadequate recovery. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of functional overreaching (FOR), nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR), and overtraining syndrome in elite female wrestlers during their normal training and competition schedules and to explore the utility of blood markers for the early detection of overreaching. Classification of FOR, NFOR, and overtraining syndrome was based on the European Congress of Sports Medicine position statement. DESIGN: Case series. SETTING: China Institute of Sport Science. PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS: Over an 8-year period, 114 wrestlers from the women's Asian wrestling team were monitored to help identify if and when they experienced FOR, NFOR, or overtraining syndrome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): Creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol were measured throughout the period to identify whether wrestlers were outside the reference intervals (constructed from normal recovery data) during periods of overreaching and not overreaching. RESULTS: Among the 114 athletes, there were 13 (3.6%) instances of FOR, 23 (6.4%) instances of NFOR, and 2 (0.6%) instances of overtraining syndrome. The diagnostic sensitivity for FOR was 38%, 15%, 45%, and 18% for creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity for NFOR was 29%, 33%, 26%, and 35% for creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol, respectively. Specificity was 79%, 88%, 90%, and 82% for creatine kinase, hemoglobin, testosterone, and cortisol, respectively. Post hoc analysis showed no mean differences in creatine kinase (F = 0.5, P = .47), hemoglobin (F = 3.8, P = .052), testosterone (F = 0.2, P = .62), or cortisol (F = 0.04, P = .85) between monitoring periods when wrestlers were and were not diagnosed with FOR and NFOR. CONCLUSIONS: Coaches and sports scientists should not use single blood variables as markers of overreaching in elite female wrestlers.