Different eccentric-based power training volumes improve glycemic, lipidemic profile and body composition of females in a dose-dependent manner: Associations with muscle fibres composition adaptations.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of different volumes of fast eccentric-based training on body composition and lipidemic-glycemic profiles in females, as well as to explore the relationship between the change in glycemic-lipidemic profiles and the change in muscle fibre composition. Twenty-nine young females were assigned into three groups and performed 10 weeks (2 training sessions per week) of either 3 (LV), 6 (MV) or 9 (HV) sets/session of four fast velocity eccentric-only half-squats against 70% of concentric 1RM, followed by 3 maximum countermovement jumps (CMJ) after each set. Body composition, vastus lateralis fibre-type composition, and resting blood lipidemic and glycemic indices were evaluated 1 week before and after the training intervention. Significant changes in body composition, fasting glucose, HOMA-IR and blood lipids were found after training with MV and HV (p < 0.05; η2: 0.135-0.390). Significant correlations were found between muscle fibres' percentage cross-sectional areas (%CSA) and resting glycemic-lipid values (r:-0.543to 0.730, p < 0.05). Training-induced changes of glycemic-lipid profiles were highly correlated to those of type IIa and IIx %CSAs (r: -0.895 to 0.898, p < 0.05). Partial Correlations revealed a significant impact of the imposed training volumes on these correlations. These results suggest that six but mostly nine sets per training session of the imposed training stimuli are needed for beneficial changes in resting glycemic-lipidemic profiles, changes which are related to the training-induced changes in muscle fibre composition. However, these relationships are dictated by the imposed training volumes.Highlights Power training induces beneficial changes in body composition, glycemic and lipidemic profiles.Greater training volumes are needed for the healthier changes in glycemic-lipidemic profiles.Higher Type I, IIA and lower IIX percentage cross-sectional areas are linked with healthier body composition and glycemic-lipidemic profiles.Individuals experiencing the greatest increase in Type IIa and decrease in Type IIX muscle fibres cross-sectional areas after power training are those with the greatest beneficial changes in body composition, glycemic and lipidemic profiles.

Muscle fiber composition, jumping performance, and rate of force development adaptations induced by different power training volumes in females.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of 3 different eccentric-only power training volumes on muscle fiber type composition and power performance. Twenty-nine females were assigned into 3 groups and performed 10 weeks of either 3 (low volume), 6 (moderate volume), or 9 (high volume) sets/session of 4 fast-velocity eccentric-only half-squats against 70% of concentric 1-repetition maximum (1RM), followed by 3 maximum countermovement jumps (CMJs) after each set. Half-squat 1RM, CMJ height/power, maximum isometric force, rate of force development (RFD) and muscle fiber cross-sectional area (CSA) were increased in all groups (p = 0.001). Low-volume training induced higher increases in CMJ height/power and early RFD, compared with the moderate- and high-volume training programs (p < 0.001). Significant reductions in type IIx muscle fiber percentages and %CSAs were found after moderate- and high-volume training, with concomitant increases in type IIa fibers (p = 0.001). Significant correlations were found between the changes in type IIa and type IIx percentages, fiber CSA, %CSA, and the changes in performance (r: -0.787 to 0.792; p < 0.05). These results suggest that relatively large eccentric power training volumes may result in detrimental neuromuscular adaptations, minimal changes in early RFD, and a reduction of type IIx muscle fiber percentage. Novelty Low but not high volume of power training maintains type IIx muscle fibers. Early rate of force development increases after a low- or moderate-power training volume, but not after a high-power training volume. Training-induced changes in type IIx muscle fiber percentage is related with changes in early rate of force development.

Factors Influencing Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Six Months after the Completion of Chemotherapy.

PURPOSE: To assess breast cancer patients' quality of life six months after the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy, and to investigate factors affecting this. METHODS: The study was conducted in one large hospital located in a major Greek city. A convenience sample of 61 breast cancer outpatients was recruited. A questionnaire, including the SF-36 scale and questions regarding demographic and clinical information, was used to collect data. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 51.52 ± 12.10. The effect of age on the physical role was significant (p = 0.003). Τhe effect of menopausal status on physical role was also found to be significant (p = 0.003); this might be explained by age. Regarding the treatment type, patients who received hormone therapy in addition to surgery and chemotherapy reported a significantly higher quality of life in terms of bodily pain (p = 0.04) and vitality (p = 0.04) than patients who underwent only surgery and chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life is affected by factors such as age, menopausal status, and previous therapy. Health care professionals should be more aware of the factors that influence the quality of life domains (physical role, bodily pain, vitality) within this group of cancer patients in order to meet their needs following acute treatment.

Prevalence, Wellbeing, and Symptoms of Dysmenorrhea among University Nursing Students in Greece.

Dysmenorrhea (pain during menstruation) is one of the most common medical conditions among women of reproductive age. Dysmenorrhea has been studied around the world but not yet in Greece. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence, characteristics, and impact of dysmenorrhea on the wellbeing (exercising, and social and academic functioning) among nursing students in Greece. A cross-sectional study of 637 nursing students was conducted by administering a questionnaire at a university in Athens. The prevalence of dysmenorrhea was 89.2% and the rate of severe intensity was 52.5%. Factors that were associated with severe dysmenorrhea were family history (p = 0.02), early menarche (p = 0.05) and menstruation duration (p = 0.05). Women with moderate and severe pain reported using pain relievers (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), paracetamol etc., p < 0.0005). Finally, activities affected by severe pain were class attendance (p = 0.01), personal studying (p < 0.0005), exercising (p < 0.0005), and socializing (p < 0.0005). Exam attendance (p = 0.27) and clinical placement attendance (p = 0.48) were not affected by severe dysmenorrhea. Dysmenorrhea has a high prevalence among nursing students and seems to affect important aspects of wellbeing and academic performance when the pain intensity is severe. The present findings lay the foundation for further investigation of dysmenorrhea both in the Greek population and cross-culturally.

Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of hepatitis C virus-infected people who inject drugs: a Greek descriptive analysis.

BACKGROUND: It is estimated that 17,000 people who inject drugs (PWID) in Greece have hepatitis C virus (HCV) viremia. The aim of our study was to explore the characteristics of the HCV-infected, direct acting antiviral (DAA)-naïve PWID. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of PWID with HCV infection. We selected data from six liver clinics during the period from 1st May 2014 to 31st May 2017 in order to record the characteristics of infected PWID. RESULTS: We included 800 PWID with HCV infection (78.5% male, mean age 42±10 years) who had not received DAAs before 1st June 2017. One third of the patients had comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and psychological disorders); 70% were smokers, 27% alcohol users, 67% unemployed, 29% married, and 34% had education >12 years; 65% were attending addiction programs; 57% were receiving methadone and 36% buprenorphine. Sporadic or systemic drug use was reported by 37% while 1.4% and 2.9% had HIV and HBV coinfection, respectively. The genotype distribution was 20.5%, 4.6%, 3.3%, 61% and 10% for genotypes 1a, 1b, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. Mean (±SD) liver stiffness was 9±7 kPa and 21% of the patients had cirrhosis. Half of the patients were in the F0-F1 stage of liver disease, defined as stiffness ≤7 kPa. CONCLUSIONS: Our real-life data suggest that HCV genotype 3 remains the predominant genotype among PWID. One third of PWID had comorbidities and one-fifth cirrhosis. Half of PWID had early-stage liver disease and remained without access to DAAs according to the Greek prioritization criteria.

Boceprevir for chronic HCV genotype 1 infection in treatment-experienced patients with severe fibrosis or cirrhosis: The Greek real-life experience.

BACKGROUND: The aim of our study was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of triple therapy using boceprevir (BOC) with pegylated interferon (pIFN)/ribavirin (RBV) in chronic hepatitis C (CHC) genotype 1 (G1) treatment-experienced patients with advanced fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis. METHODS: We report the Greek experience on the first CHC patients who received BOC-based regimen. From September 2011 to June 2012, 26 treatment-experienced CHC patients and G1 with bridging fibrosis or compensated cirrhosis received 48 weeks of BOC+pIFN+RBV antiviral therapy. Data on complete blood counts and HCV RNA levels were obtained prior to therapy, at treatment weeks 4, 8, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 24 weeks after the end of treatment. RESULTS: A full set analysis was performed in 25 of 26 patients. Nine patients (36%) achieved sustained viral response (SVR). Ten patients (40%) stopped the therapy because of futility rules and 3 (12%) due to adverse events. Four patients (16%) developed a virological breakthrough (3 of those presented futility rules as well) and 2 (8%) relapse. All patients who achieved SVR had G 1b, 6 (67%) were non-cirrhotic and 5 (55%) had >1 log decline in baseline HCV RNA levels at week 4 of the treatment. There were no deaths, while two patients were hospitalized due to side effects. CONCLUSION: The triple therapy with BOC+pIFN+RBV in this cohort of real-life treatment-experienced CHC G1 patients and advanced liver disease was safe offering cure in the majority of those who could tolerate and complete treatment under a close monitoring.