Food consumption, physical activity and aerobic capacity in systemic lupus erythematosus patients with high cardiovascular risk.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic, autoimmune and multisystemic rheumatic disease. Patients with SLE have decreased functional and aerobic capacity, as well as increased prevalence of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), which are the primary causes of morbimortality in this condition. Dietary intake and physical activity are well-known modifiable cardiovascular risk factors. The aim of this study is to describe food consumption, sedentary behavior, physical activity level, and functional and aerobic capacity in a sample of SLE patients with high cardiovascular risk. This was a cross-sectional study in which patients were assessed for (i) Demographic, anthropometric, and disease-related parameters; (ii) Food consumption; (iii) Physical activity level and sedentary behavior; (iv) Functional and aerobic capacity. Patients averaged 41.7 ± 9 years, and most were classified as overweight/obese (87%). Average macronutrient intake was within recommendations; however, fiber (16 ± 9g) and calcium (391 ± 217 mg) intakes were below, and sodium intake (2.9 ± 1.3 mg) was above recommendations. Besides, food consumption assessed by the Nova system showed a predominance of unprocessed foods (43.8 ± 14.0%TEI), although ultraprocessed food intake (20.0 ± 13.9%TEI) was slightly higher than that seen in the Brazilian population. Patients also exhibited high sedentary behavior (8.2 ± 2.2h) and only eighteen participants reached the minimum recommended amount of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Overall, patients had a low functional and aerobic capacity compared to the general population. Data from this study may help design dedicated clinical trials aiming to investigate the effects of lifestyle intervention to mitigate CVD in SLE.

Impact of a 12-wk physical conditioning program on the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets.

BACKGROUND: Flight cadets need to have good physical fitness to cope with the challenges of flying missions. The continuous development of science and technology has led to the constant upgrading of fighter jets and the improvement of their performance, which has resulted in new and higher requirements for the physical fitness of flight personnel. The traditional physical training mode, method, and assessment have been used for many years and do not meet current fitness needs. AIM: To investigate the impact of a 12-wk comprehensive anti-G fitness training program on the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets and to evaluate its effectiveness. METHODS: Fifty-five cadets were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups using a randomized, single-blind design. The control group maintained their existing training regimen, while the experimental group participated in a 12-wk comprehensive training intervention. The training program comprised strength training twice per week, high-intensity interval training three times per week, and supplemental nutritional and psychological support. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), lower limb strength, and hemoglobin levels were measured at baseline, at 6 wk and 12 wk post-intervention. RESULTS: Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences of both VO2max and relative VO2 in both groups across time points (P < 0.05). However, no significant time-group interaction was observed (P > 0.05). Paired t-tests comparing baseline and 12-wk results showed that VO2max and relative VO2 were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.05). This suggests that the training program effectively enhanced the aerobic capacity of the experimental group. Key indicators of aerobic capacity, bilateral lower limb strength and hemoglobin levels, were also significantly different over time and between groups (P < 0.05). No significant differences were noted in heart-rate metrics (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: A 12-wk comprehensive anti-G fitness training program significantly improved the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets, thereby enhancing their overall capacity and laying a physiological foundation for enduring high-G flights.

Relationship between Simulated Fire Suppression Activities and Acute Cardiac and Respiratory Events in Firefighters.

Cardiac deaths account for the largest share of on-duty firefighter deaths. To help ensure duty fitness and minimize injury risk, many fire departments require the passing of an annual physical ability test, consisting of a battery of simulated fire suppression activities (sFSAs). The purpose of the study was to determine the relationship of sFSA performance to acute cardiac and respiratory events (ACREs) and the effect that estimated VO2max has on sFSA performance. The study was retrospective. As part of an annual physical ability test, five timed sFSAs were performed, summed for a composite time, and categorized into three performance levels (fast, moderate, and slow). Estimated VO2max was determined using the Forestry Step Test. A significant (p = 0.023) linear trend was observed with higher sFSA performance times being associated with a higher proportion of firefighters going on to suffer an ACRE. The estimated VO2max was significantly (p < 0.001) higher in the fast group compared to the slow group. There was not a significant (p = 0.70) difference in estimated VO2max between the moderate and slow groups. Estimated VO2max performance and sFSA performance were significantly correlated, with rs(488) = -0.272 and p < 0.001. Poorer sFSA performance was found to be associated with a higher proportion of ACREs. The results suggest that sFSA performance may be a valid indicator of ACRE injury risk and aerobic capacity.

Local variation in stress response of juvenile anadromous brown trout, Salmo trutta.

Habitat fragmentation may cut off anadromous salmonids from parts of their potential native habitat and separate previously connected populations. Understanding the consequences of this is vital for fish management and prioritization of restoration activities. Here, we show that there is a significant difference in the body morphology, physiological stress response, and aspects contributing to aerobic capacity between juvenile anadromous brown trout, Salmo trutta, collected at a downstream site and an upstream site, separated by 2 km and several challenging stream sections, in a small unfragmented stream system in western Sweden. Following a standardized stress test, there were significant differences between fish from the upstream and downstream sites (plasma cortisol concentration, plasma osmolality, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration, and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration). Plasma glucose concentration did not significantly differ between fish from the two sites. Fish from the upstream site had larger spleen mass, although there was no evidence of differences in ventricle mass or proportion of compact ventricular myocardium. These physiological differences indicate local variation in stress response and highlight the importance of considering local trait variation in river management. If a section of the river becomes fragmented or degraded, and there are differences in the juveniles in different parts of the river, the consequence for the population might be larger than the proportional loss of habitat.

The impact of interval training on adiponectin to leptin ratios and on blood pressures in severely obese adolescent girls: A randomized controlled trial.

Interval-training is widely implemented among populations with obesity to decrease metabolic-disorders; however, high-intensity-interval-training (HIIT) has rarely been studied in severely obese adolescent girls. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the effects of 8 weeks of (HIIT) or moderate-intensity interval-training (MIIT), on cardiometabolic risk factors and hormonal-ratios in severely-obese-girls. For this aim, 35 female-adolescents (14.4 ± 1.4 years) were assigned randomly into HIIT (n = 12) and MIIT (n = 12), groups and a control group (CG, n = 11). Both training groups significantly improved (p < 0.05): the body-mass, body-mass-index (BMIp95), body-fat (BF%), waist-circumference (WC), mean-arterial-pressure (MAP), with a slight increase in the HIIT group. However, HIIT induced greater improvements on the maximal oxygen uptake (VO2MAX) and the speed related (24.7 and 11.8%) compared to MIIT. Higher improvements occurred in HIIT group related to leptin and adiponectin concentrations and the A/L ratio at (p < 0.001). In conclusion, the findings indicate that both HIIT and MIIT can positively influence body composition and cardio-respiratory fitness. Given the significant correlation noted between the A/L ratio, BMIp95, BF%, and MAP post-HIIT, this training modality may be considered a more advantageous approach over MIIT for mitigating cardio-metabolic issues in severely obese adolescent girls.

Effects of Sprint Interval Training Surface on Physical Fitness Attributes of Collegiate Female Soccer Players: Identifying Individual Responses to Training on Grass, Sand, and Land Surfaces.

This study aimed to identify the optimal surface for sprint interval training to maximize transfer effects on physical performance measures on the grass pitch. Using a randomized controlled trial design, 40 collegiate female soccer players were equally assigned to three experimental groups performing short sprint interval training (SSIT: 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 5 seconds all-out running, with a 50-second recovery period between each effort and a 3-minute rest interval between sets) on SAND, GRASS, LAND, and a control group. Before and after a 7-week training period, participants underwent a series of field-based tests to evaluate countermovement jump (CMJ), 20-m linear sprint, Illinois change of direction (CoD) speed, Yo-Yo IR1, 2.4 km time trial, and maximal kicking distance (MKD) performance. A two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was conducted on the data, along with Bonferroni post hoc testing. After the intervention, the control group did not show any changes, while the SAND, GRASS and LAND training groups demonstrated improvements (p = 0.001) in their performance as follows: CMJ (effect size [ES] = 1.21, 0.97, 0.64), 20-m linear sprint (ES = -0.81, -0.55, -0.41), Illinois CoD (ES = -0.72, -0.79, -0.41), Yo-Yo IR1 (ES = 1.86, 1.19, 1.12), 2.4 km time trail (ES = -0.82, -0.62, -0.49), and MKD (ES = 0.60, 0.90, 0.72), respectively. Comparative analysis of SAND, GRASS, and LAND revealed that performing SSIT on SAND results in a significantly greater gain in CMJ than LAND (p = 0.041). Analyzing individual responses to training interventions indicated that the training surface had a favorable influence on CMJ (SAND vs. LAND, p = 0.009), but on other variables no statistically significant (p > 0.05) differences were observed. Considering these findings, it is advised that strength and conditioning coaches use the SAND surface as the initial choice for SSIT sessions regarding greater gains (i.e., ES) in performance. This recommendation aims to facilitate more favorable transfer in physical fitness adaptation on a soccer grass pitch. In case of unavailability of SAND surface, GRASS surface would be a suitable alternative to enhance the physical fitness of collegiate female soccer players.

Small-Sided Soccer Games Promote Greater Adaptations on Vertical Jump and Change-of-Direction Deficit and Similar Adaptations in Aerobic Capacity than High-Intensity Interval Training in Females.

The objective of this study was to compare the effectiveness of both small-sided games (SSG) and short interval running-based high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs over an 8-week period in fostering adaptations in aerobic capacity, change-of-direction abilities, and jumping performances of youth female soccer players. The study involved 48 female youth participants under the age of 19, competing at the regional level, who took part in a randomized controlled trial. Participants were assigned to either the SSG group, the HIIT group, or a control group, which involved regular in-field sessions. Assessments were conducted at baseline and after the 8-week training intervention, measuring aerobic capacity using the 30-15 intermittent fitness test (VIFT), change of direction (COD) using the 5-0-5 test, and jumping performance using the countermovement jump test (CMJ). Time 5 group analysis revealed significant interactions in CMJ (p = 0.005; ηp2= 0.213) and VIFT (p < 0.001; ηp2 = 0.433), although no significant interaction were found in COD deficit (p = 0.246; ηp2 = 0.060). Within-group analysis revealed that SSG significantly improved CMJ (p < 0.001), COD deficit (p < 0.001), and VIFT (p < 0.001). HIIT group also significantly improved CMJ (p = 0.029), COD deficit (p = 0.001), and VIFT (p < 0.001). As conclusion, the study revealed that SSG promoted significantly improvements in VIFT, CMJ and COD deficit, being significantly better than control group, while HIIT was only significantly better than control in VIFT. SSG revealed to be effective approach for favoring key physical attributes of female soccer players, being an interesting and recommended training approach to increase the ecology of the training practice, while favoring physical positive adaptations.

Optimizing Short Sprint Interval Training for Young Soccer Players: Unveiling Optimal Rest Distributions to Maximize Physiological Adaptations.

Present study aimed to compare the effects of SSIT intervention with varying rest distributions on hormonal, physiological, and performance adaptations in soccer players. Thirty-six players were randomly divided into three SSIT groups, each performing 4 sets of 6-10 repetitions of 6-second all-out running with rest intervals at ratios of 1:3, 1:6, and 1:9. Prior to and following the 7-week training period, aerobic fitness indices and anaerobic power were evaluated using a graded exercise test with a gas collection system and a lower-body Wingate test, respectively. Also, sport-specific bio-motor abilities were determined by measuring vertical jump, 20-m sprint, and T-test change of direction speed, Yo-Yo IR1 and maximal kicking distance. Hormonal status was also monitored by evaluating testosterone and cortisol levels. Following the 7-week training period, all SSIT interventions resulted in significant enhancements (p < 0.05) in soccer-related performance, physiological parameters, and hormonal adaptations, exhibiting effect sizes that ranged from small to large. Comparative analysis indicated that the 1:9 SSIT results in greater adaptive responses (p < 0.05) in the vertical jump, peak power, testosterone, and cortisol compared to the 1:3 SSIT group. By contrast, the 1:3 SSIT group induced more adaptive responses (p < 0.05) in the mean power output, maximum oxygen consumption (V̇O2max), and Yo-Yo IR1 compared to the 1:9 SSIT group. Hence, for enhancing physical performance, especially vertical jump height, anaerobic peak power, and hormonal adaptations, the 1:9 SSIT ratio is preferable. Conversely, shorter rest intervals (specifically, the 1:3 SSIT ratio) are better suited for eliciting heightened adaptive responses in mean power output, V̇O2max, and Yo-Yo IR1 over the 7-week training period among young male soccer players.

Intrinsic aerobic capacity modulates Alzheimer's disease pathological hallmarks, brain mitochondrial function and proteome during aging.

Low aerobic capacity is strongly associated with all-cause mortality and risk for Alzheimer's disease (AD). Individuals with early dementia and AD have lower aerobic capacity compared to age-matched controls. The mechanism by which aerobic capacity influences AD risk is unknown but is likely mediated by sexual dimorphism and tissue-level differences in mitochondrial energetics. Here, we used rats selectively bred for large differences in intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity. Brain tissue from 18-month and 24-month-old female and male low-capacity runner (LCR) and high-capacity runner (HCR) rats were analyzed for markers of mitochondrial function and AD-associated pathologies. LCR rats, irrespective of sex, exhibited a greater increase in brain amyloid beta (Aß42) and tau hyperphosphorylation (pTauthr181/total tau) with aging. In female LCR rats, brain mitochondrial respiration at states 3, 4, and FCCP-induced uncoupling, when stimulated with pyruvate/malate, was reduced at 18 and 24 months, leading to lower ATP-linked mitochondrial respiration compared to mitochondria from HCR rats. Male LCR rats also showed reduced complex II-stimulated mitochondrial respiration (succinate + rotenone) at 24 months compared to HCR rats. Differences in mitochondrial respiration were associated with tau hyperphosphorylation and Aß42 alterations in both HCR and LCR strains. Proteomic analysis unveiled a distinct difference in the mitochondrial proteome, wherein female LCR rats displayed diminished mitochondrial translation and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) proteins at 18 months compared to female HCR rats. Conversely, male LCR rats exhibited increased OXPHOS protein abundance but reduced tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle proteins compared to male HCR rats. These findings underscore a robust association between intrinsic aerobic exercise capacity, brain mitochondrial function, and AD pathologies during aging.

Evaluation of Nutrition and Performance Parameters in Division 1 Collegiate Athletes.

BACKGROUND: Testing and evaluating athletes is necessary and should include performance, body composition, and nutrition. The purpose of this study was to report assessments of dietary intake, V˙O2max, and body composition in D1 collegiate athletes and examine relationships between these assessments. METHODS: Dietary intake was assessed with 3-day recalls and compared to recommendations, and body composition was assessed via bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) (n = 48). V˙O2max was evaluated using a graded exercise test (GXT) with a verification bout (n = 35). Reliability between "true" V˙O2max and verification was determined. Correlations and regressions were performed. RESULTS: Energy, carbohydrate, and micronutrient intake was lower than recommendations. Mean V˙O2max was 47.3 and 47.4 mL·kg-1·min-1 for GXT and verification, respectively. While correlations were apparent among dietary intake, V˙O2max, and body composition, percent fat-free mass (%FFM) predicted 36% of V˙O2max. CONCLUSIONS: Collegiate athletes are not meeting energy and carbohydrate recommendations and exceed fat recommendations. Vitamin D and magnesium were low in all sports, and iron and calcium were low in females. V˙O2max ranged from 35.6 to 63.0 mL·kg-1·min-1, with females below average and males meeting typical values for their designated sport. Assessing D1 athletes can provide guidance for sports dietitians, coaches, and strength and conditioning specialists to track and monitor nutrition in athletes.

The effects of high-intensity interval training versus moderate-intensity continuous training on athletes' aerobic endurance performance parameters.

OBJECTIVE: To systematically evaluate and meta-analyze the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on athletes of aerobic endurance performance parameters. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Embase, and Cochrane databases were searched. The assessment of quality was conducted employing The Cochrane Risk of Bias Assessment Tool, while heterogeneity examination and subgroup analysis were performed. Moreover, regression and sensitivity analyses were executed. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between the effects of HIIT and MICT on the enhancement of athletes' running economy (RE) (P > 0.05); 1-3 weeks and 4-9 weeks of HIIT were more effective in improving athletes' maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) (P < 0.05), and 10 weeks and above were not significant (P > 0.05); 1-3 weeks of HIIT was more effective in improving athletes' anaerobic threshold (AT) (P < 0.05), and 4-10 weeks was not significant (P > 0.05); 3 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) did not significantly enhance athletes' minute ventilation (VE) (P > 0.05), whereas a duration of 6-10 weeks yielded superior results (P < 0.05); 8 weeks of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) did not significantly enhance athletes' hemoglobin (Hb) level (P > 0.05), whereas a duration of 2-3 weeks yielded superior results (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: (1) HIIT and MICT have similar effects on enhancing athletes' RE. (2) 6-9 weeks' HIIT was more effective in improving athletes' VO2max and VE, and 3 weeks' HIIT was more effective in improving athletes' AT. (3) Within 3 weeks, MICT was more effective in improving the Hb level of athletes. REGISTRATION NUMBER ON PROSPERO: CRD42024499039.

Utilizing Aerobic Capacity Data for EDSS Score Estimation in Multiple Sclerosis: A Machine Learning Approach.

The Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) is the most popular method to assess disease progression and treatment effectiveness in patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). One of the main problems with the EDSS method is that different results can be determined by different physicians for the same patient. In this case, it is necessary to produce autonomous solutions that will increase the reliability of the EDSS, which has a decision-making role. This study proposes a machine learning approach to predict EDSS scores using aerobic capacity data from PwMS. The primary goal is to reduce potential complications resulting from incorrect scoring procedures. Cardiovascular and aerobic capacity parameters of individuals, including aerobic capacity, ventilation, respiratory frequency, heart rate, average oxygen density, load, and energy expenditure, were evaluated. These parameters were given as input to CatBoost, gradient boosting (GBM), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and decision tree (DT) machine learning methods. The most significant EDSS results were determined with the XGBoost algorithm. Mean absolute error, root mean square error, mean square error, mean absolute percent error, and R square values were obtained as 0.26, 0.4, 0.26, 16, and 0.68, respectively. The XGBoost based machine learning technique was shown to be effective in predicting EDSS based on aerobic capacity and cardiovascular data in PwMS.

The Longitudinal Decline in Peak VO2 with Aging in Healthy Individuals is Associated with a Reduction in Peripheral Oxygen Utilization but not in Cardiac Output.

Aging is associated with a significant decline in exercise fitness assessed by maximal exercise oxygen consumption (VO2-max). The specific VO2-max components driving this decline, namely cardiac output (CO) and arteriovenous oxygen difference (A-V) O2, remain unclear. We examined this issue by analyzing data from 99 community-dwelling participants (baseline age 21-96 years; average follow-up 12.6 years) from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging, free of clinical cardiovascular disease. VO2-peak, a surrogate of VO2-max, was used to assess aerobic capacity during upright cycle exercise. Peak exercise left ventricular (LV) volumes, heart rate, and cardiac output were estimated using repeated gated cardiac blood pool scans. The Fick equation was used to calculate (A-V) O2-peak from CO-peak and VO2-peak. In unadjusted models, VO2-peak, (A-V) O2-peak, and CO-peakdeclined longitudinally over time at steady rates with advancing age. In multiple linear regression models adjusting for baseline values and peak workload, however, steeper declines in VO2-peak and (A-V) O2 peak were observed with advanced entry age but not in CO-peak. The association between the declines in VO2-peak and (A-V) O2-peakwas stronger among those >=50 years compared to their younger counterparts but the difference between the two age groups did not reach statistical significance. These findings suggest that age-associated impairment of peripheral oxygen utilization during maximal exercise poses a stronger limitation on peak VO2 than that of CO. Future studies examining interventions targeting the structure and function of peripheral muscles and their vasculature to mitigate age-associated declines in (A-V) O2 are warranted.

Effect of 6-Week Sprint Training on Long-Distance Running Performance in Highly Trained Runners.

PURPOSE: Long-distance running performance has been reported to be associated with sprint performance in highly trained distance runners. Therefore, we hypothesized that sprint training could enhance distance running and sprint performance in long-distance runners. This study examined the effect of 6-week sprint training on long-distance running and sprint performance in highly trained distance runners. METHODS: Nineteen college runners were divided into control (n = 8) and training (n = 11) groups. Participants in the training group performed 12 sprint training sessions in 6 weeks, while those in the control group performed 12 distance training sessions. Before and after the interventions, maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), O2 cost during submaximal running (290 m·min-1 and 310 m·min-1 of running velocity), and time to exhaustion (starting at 290 m·min-1 and increased 10 m·min-1 every minute) were assessed on a treadmill. Additionally, the 100-m and 400-m sprinting times and 3000-m running time were determined on an all-weather track. RESULTS: In the control group, no measurements significantly changed after the intervention. In the training group, the time to exhaustion, 100-m and 400-m sprinting times, and 3000-m running time improved significantly, while V˙O2max and O2 cost did not change. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that 6-week sprint training improved both sprint and long-distance running performance in highly trained distance runners without a change in aerobic capacity. Improvement in the time to exhaustion without a change in V˙O2max suggests that the enhancement of long-distance running performance could be attributable to improved anaerobic capacity.

Short-Term Panax Ginseng Extract Supplementation Reduces Fasting Blood Triacylglycerides and Oxygen Consumption during Sub-Maximal Aerobic Exercise in Male Recreational Athletes.

Ginseng, a popular herbal supplement among athletes, is believed to enhance exercise capacity and performance. This study investigated the short-term effects of Panax ginseng extract (PG) on aerobic capacity, lipid profile, and cytokines. In a 14-day randomized, double-blind trial, male participants took 500 mg of PG daily. Two experiments were conducted: one in 10 km races (n = 31) and another in a laboratory-controlled aerobic capacity test (n = 20). Blood lipid and cytokine profile, ventilation, oxygen consumption, hemodynamic and fatigue parameters, and race time were evaluated. PG supplementation led to reduced total blood lipid levels, particularly in triacylglycerides (10 km races -7.5 mg/dL (95% CI -42 to 28); sub-maximal aerobic test -14.2 mg/dL (95% CI -52 to 23)), while post-exercise blood IL-10 levels were increased (10 km 34.0 pg/mL (95% CI -2.1 to 70.1); sub-maximal aerobic test 4.1 pg/mL (95% CI -2.8 to 11.0)), and oxygen consumption decreased during the sub-maximal aerobic test (VO2: -1.4 mL/min/kg (95% CI -5.8 to -0.6)). No significant differences were noted in race time, hemodynamic, or fatigue parameters. Overall, PG supplementation for 2 weeks showed benefits in blood lipid profile and energy consumption during exercise among recreational athletes. This suggests a potential role for PG in enhancing exercise performance and metabolic health in this population.

Determination of speed and assessment of conditioning in horses submitted to a lactate minimum test-alternative approaches.

The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) is a well-known gold standard method for determining the aerobic capacity of athletic horses. Owing to its high cost and complex execution, there is a search for standardized exercise tests that can predict this value in a single session. One of the methods described for this purpose is the lactate minimum test (LMT), which could be more accurate despite being adequate to predict MLSS. This study aimed to examine the impact of training on the speed corresponding to lactate minimum speed (LMS) and to apply new mathematical methods to evaluate the fitness level of horses based on the curve obtained by the LMT. Ten Arabian horses underwent a 6-week training program based on LMS calculated by second-degree polynomial regression (LMSP). In addition, the LMS was also determined by visual inspection (LMSV), bi-segmented linear regression (LMSBI) and spline regression (LMSS). From the curve obtained during the LMT, it was possible to calculate angles α, ß and ω, as well as the total area under the curve (AUCTOTAL) before (AUCPRELMS) and after (AUCPOSLMS) the LMS. The methods for determining the LMS were evaluated by ANOVA, intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and effect size (ES) by Cohen's d test. The Pearson correlation coefficient (r) between the proposed LMS determination methods and other mathematical methods was also calculated. Despite showing a good correlation (ICC >0.7), the LMS determination methods differed from each other (p < 0.05), albeit without a significant difference resulting from conditioning. There were reductions in α:ß ratio, angle α, and AUCPOSTLMS, with the latter indicating lower lactate accumulation in the incremental phase of LMT after conditioning, in addition to an improvement in the animals' aerobic capacity. Considering that the most common methods for determining the LMS are applicable yet with low sensitivity for conditioning assessment, the approaches proposed herein can aid in analyzing the aerobic capacity of horses subjected to LMT. The mathematical models presented in this paper have the potential to be applied in human lactate-guided training program trials with a comparable study basis.

Multi-Modal Prehabilitation in Thoracic Surgery: From Basic Concepts to Practical Modalities.

Over the last two decades, the invasiveness of thoracic surgery has decreased along with technological advances and better diagnostic tools, whereas the patient's comorbidities and frailty patterns have increased, as well as the number of early cancer stages that could benefit from curative resection. Poor aerobic fitness, nutritional defects, sarcopenia and "toxic" behaviors such as sedentary behavior, smoking and alcohol consumption are modifiable risk factors for major postoperative complications. The process of enhancing patients' physiological reserve in anticipation for surgery is referred to as prehabilitation. Components of prehabilitation programs include optimization of medical treatment, prescription of structured exercise program, correction of nutritional deficits and patient's education to adopt healthier behaviors. All patients may benefit from prehabilitation, which is part of the enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs. Faster functional recovery is expected in low-risk patients, whereas better clinical outcome and shorter hospital stay have been demonstrated in higher risk and physically unfit patients.

Higher Blood Lactate with Prolongation of Underwater Section in Submaximal Front-Crawl Swimming.

The underwater phase (UP) is highly important for overall swimming performance in most swimming events. However, the metabolic effects of the prolonged UP remain unclear. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to compare the blood lactate response to submaximal front-crawl swimming with short and extended UP. Twelve (four females) junior competitive swimmers (aged 15.4 (1.4) years) undertook 200 m front-crawl swim trials in a 25 m pool at a pre-determined "anaerobic threshold" velocity on two occasions using short (<5 m) and extended (12.5 m) UP after each turn. Pacing and total time were ensured to be identical between the trials. Capillary blood lactate response was measured. Testing for 25 m swim time with <5 m and 12.5 m UP was conducted on a separate occasion. When athletes undertook and extended UP after each propulsion from the wall, their post-exercise blood lactate concentration reached 7.9 (2.1) mmol/L, more than two times higher than the response to trial with short UP (p < 0.001). All-out 25 m swimming with <5 m or 12.5 m UP disclosed no difference in locomotion velocity (p > 0.05). In conclusion, extending UP of submaximal front-crawl swimming close to maximally allowed during the races substantially increases blood lactate accumulation, i.e., increases the reliance on anaerobic metabolism. Therefore, extended UP is most likely counterproductive for the performance in long-distance swimming, at least for the athletes with a FINA score of <800. On the other hand, the extension of UP could be an effective strategy to train 'lactate tolerance', lactate shuttling, removal, and recycling.

Difference in badminton-specific endurance evaluated by a newly developed on-court test between competitive levels: A pilot study of female players.

We developed a test to evaluate badminton-specific endurance. The study included 10 female badminton players. Five participants were ranked in Japan's top 100 national rankings (ranked), whereas the others were unranked (unranked). Participants reacted quickly with badminton-specific steps from the base center to the four sensors at each corner of a singles badminton court. On each set, they reacted eight times to randomized instructions at stage-specific intervals (1.2, 1.0, and 0.8 s for stages 1, 2, and 3, respectively), which were performed six times with a rest of 20 s in each stage (8 movements × 6 sets × 3 stages). On a different day, participants ran on a treadmill as a comparative test. Blood lactate concentration (BLa) was measured on each test. In the badminton-specific test, ranked participants had lower BLa (4.2 ± 1.7 mM vs. 6.3 ± 3.1 mM), with medium or large effect sizes. The average reach time to sensors was shorter in ranked participants (1.56 ± 0.03 s vs. 1.62 ± 0.07 s), with medium or large effect sizes. BLa was similar between groups, with trivial or small effect sizes in the running test. These results suggest that the newly developed test can evaluate badminton-specific endurance.