Muscular Adaptations and Psychophysiological Responses in Resistance Training Systems.

Purpose: We investigated the effect of drop-set (DS) and rest-pause (RP) systems compared to traditional (TRAD) resistance training on muscular adaptations and psychophysiological responses. Methods: Twenty-seven trained men (age: 23.4 ± 3.4 years; resistance training experience: 5.1 ± 1.7 years) were assigned to experimental groups (DS: n = 9, 3 × 10 repetitions at 75% with 6 additional repetitions at 55% 1RM; RP: n = 9, 3 × 16 repetitions at 75% 1RM; TRAD: n = 9, 4 × 12 repetitions at 70% 1RM) and performed lower-limb training sessions twice a week for 8 weeks. Maximum dynamic strength (1RM) and localized muscular endurance (LME) tests were performed in 45° leg press at baseline and post intervention. Session-RPE was assessed 15 min after the end of each training session. Results: A significant time vs. group interaction was observed for 1RM (p = .012) and LME (p < .0001). Post hoc comparisons revealed that RP elicited greater gains in muscular strength than DS (p = .044) but not TRAD (p = .116); and DS elicited greater LME than RP (p < .001) and TRAD (p = .001). No statistical differences were observed in Session-RPE and training strain between conditions; however, RP promoted higher training monotony (p = .036) than DS and TRAD. Conclusions: The DS and RP systems have a potential role in training programs aiming to promote muscle strength and localized muscular endurance adaptations, respectively. However, RP may promote higher training monotony than DS and TRAD, even though the other psychophysiological responses are similar.

Early Signs of Inflammation With Mild Oxidative Stress in Mixed Martial Arts Athletes After Simulated Combat.

ABSTRACT: Gomes-Santos, JAF, Lambertucci, RH, Vardaris, CV, Passos, MEP, Silva-Junior, EP, Hatanaka, E, Gorjão, R, McAnulty, SR, Souza-Junior, TP, and Barros, MP. Early signs of inflammation with mild oxidative stress in Mixed Martial Arts athletes after simulated combat. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 180-186, 2022-Combat sports involve a combination of strenuous physical activity, usually at the anaerobic threshold, followed by intermittent low-intensity recovery periods for energy re-establishment. Oxidative stress and inflammation are inevitable exercise-related processes that could drastically affect athletic performance and practitioners' health, unless efficiently controlled during and after physical activities. This study aims to measure oxidative stress and inflammation biomarkers in the plasma of 12 top ranked professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMAs) athletes before and after simulated combats under official rules (pre-post study). Our results show that the athletes exhibited mild oxidative imbalances in plasma, evidenced by significant (p < 0.01) higher contents of both reduced (+7.3%) and oxidized glutathione (+28%), uric acid (+21%), and "free" iron (+21%) after combat, whereas variation tendencies (0.05 < p < 0.01) were observed in the antioxidant capacity in plasma (-40%), and SOD (-27%) or GPX (+20%) antioxidant activities in erythrocytes. However, a clear pro-inflammatory state was detected by increases in circulating cytokines IL-6 (+6,020%), IL-1ß (+4,357%), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (+63%), and by an abrupt drop of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 (-98%). A significant correlation was observed between pre-post variations of IL-6 and GSH/GSSG ratio in plasma (p < 0.0001), which reinforces the integration between oxidative stress and inflammation during MMA combats. Considering metabolic and mechanical stresses (imposed by combat techniques, e.g., punches and joint locks), this study indicates pre-existing inflammation, although minor oxidative stress, in MMA professionals after combat.

CYP1A2 Genotype Polymorphism Influences the Effect of Caffeine on Anaerobic Performance in Trained Males.

The purpose was to investigate the effects of CYP1A2 -163C > A polymorphism on the effects of acute caffeine (CAF) supplementation on anaerobic power in trained males. Sixteen trained males (age: 21.6 ± 7.1 years; height: 179.7 ± 5.6 cm; body mass: 72.15 ± 6.8 kg) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo (PLA) controlled crossover design. Participants supplemented with CAF (6 mg/kg of body mass) and an isovolumetric PLA (maltodextrin) in random order and separated by 7 days, before an all-out 30-s anaerobic cycling test to determine peak, average, and minimum power output, and fatigue index. Genomic deoxyribonucleic acid was extracted to identify each participants CYP1A2 genotype. Six participants expressed AA homozygote and 10 expressed C alleles. There was a treatment by genotype interaction for peak power output (p = .041, η2 = .265, observed power = 0.552) with only those expressing AA genotype showing improvement following CAF supplementation compared with PLA (CAF: 693 ± 108 watts vs. PLA: 655 ± 97 watts; p = .039), while no difference between treatments was noted in those expressing C alleles (CAF: 614 ± 92 watts vs. PLA: 659 ± 144 watts; p = .135). There were no other interaction or main effects for average or minimum power output, or fatigue index (p > .05). In conclusion, the ingestion of 6 mg/kg of CAF improved peak power output only in participants with the AA genotype compared with PLA; however, expression of the CYP1A2 did not influence average or minimum power output or fatigue index.

Reduced Dose of Beta-Alanine Is Sufficient to Maintain Performance in Repeated Sprints.

ABSTRACT: Zandona, BA, Ramos, RA, de Oliveira, CdS, McAnulty, SR, Ferreira, LHB, Smolarek, AC, Enes, AAN, Urbinati, KMdSS, Aragon, AA, Schoenfeld, BJ, and de Souza Junior, TP. Reduced Dose of Beta-Alanine Is Sufficient to Maintain Performance in Repeated Sprints. J Strength Cond Res 36(6): 1636-1642, 2022-Beta-alanine (BA) supplementation has been shown to be effective in improving physical performance by increasing carnosine concentration. However, it is still necessary to know the effect of a maintenance dose on performance. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the effects of a maintenance dose of BA supplementation on performance. Forty-four anaerobically trained men with 23.9 ± 3.8 years of age, 176.0 ± 0.05 cm height, 81.2 ± 7.5 kg body mass, and 15.5 ± 2.9% of body fat performed a cycle ergometer test consisting of 4 sprints of 30 s with 4 minutes of active recovery. The study comprised 3 phases: (a) presupplementation, (b) supplementation with 6.4 g·d-1 BA or placebo, and (c) postsupplementation with a maintenance dose of 1.2 g·d-1 of BA or interruption of supplementation. Data were analyzed using generalized estimated equations with a priori 0.05 level of significance. The placebo group and interruption group presented a lower power (7.28 ± 0.66 and 7.71 ± 0.42 W·kg-1 vs. 8.04 ± 0.84 and 9.25 ± 1.18 W·kg-1, respectively; p < 0.05) during the third sprint in postsupplementation, whereas the maintenance group maintained the required power (7.47 ± 1.03 vs. 8.74 ± 1.07 W·kg-1; p > 0.05). The placebo group also presented higher percentage of fatigue (44.5% ± 12.3 and 44.8% ± 7.7 vs. 37.6 ± 7.2%; p = 0.021) and higher subjective perception of exertion (8.92 ± 0.90 vs. 8.00 ± 1.60; p = 0.028). Therefore, the maintenance dose of 1.2 g·d-1 BA was effective in maintaining performance, whereas a reduction in performance was observed after supplementation interruption.

Effect of 12 Weeks of Resistance Training on Motor Coordination and Dynamic Balance of Older Woman.

Resistance training (RT) is considered a viable strategy to enhance the autonomy and functionality of older populations. We randomized 49 older women (64.2 ± 3.8) into one of two groups: an intervention group (IG) (n = 29) that performed regimented RT or a nontraining control group (CG) (n = 20). The RT protocol was carried out three times a week for both the upper and lower limbs over a 12-week study period. A 30-second arm flexion test was used to test upper limb endurance and a 30-second chair stand test was used to analyze lower limb endurance. Dynamic balance was tested by a Y balance test normalized by leg length. A Soda Pop test was employed to analyze coordination. Results showed significant improvements in IG versus CG in both upper limb (19.50 ± 1.52 vs. 11.40 ± 2.87, p = 0.001) and lower limb muscular endurance (14.90 ± 3.10 vs. 26.56 ± 3.17, p = 0.001). Moreover, the training group showed superior improvements in anterior and posterolateral balance compared to CG (63.9% ± 3.1% to 70.2 ± 2.1 and 88.1 ± 3.9 to 94.2 ± 2.7 with p = 0.001, respectively). There were no significant differences in coordination outcomes between groups. In conclusion, we demonstrate that RT is effective in developing muscular endurance and dynamic balance in postmenopausal women, but does not influence muscular coordination in the measures studied. Study registered in the Brazilian Registry Clinical Trials Registry (No. RBR-7MZ2KR).

Effects of Continuous vs Discontinuous Aerobic Training on Cardiac Autonomic Remodeling.

The aim of this study was to examine the cardiac autonomic nervous system differences following either continuous vs. discontinuous exercise in males and females. Forty-seven healthy male and female subjects (M=19, F=28; Age=36.95±13.79) underwent a baseline test for VO2peak and tilt table testing. They were assigned to a one-month control period before returning to repeat the testing and then begin one month of either continuous aerobic treadmill work for 30 min at 70% peak heart rate (N=23) or 3 bouts of 10 min at 70% of peak heart rate with two 10-min break periods in between (N=24). Following exercise, both groups demonstrated a significant improvement in VO2peak (p<0.001). Treatment differences were detected while tilted in continuous as a decreases in the percentage of instances within an hour that the normal sinus interval exceeds 50 ms (p=0.036) and in the high-frequency component (p=0.023). While supine, the discontinuous group saw reduction in heart rate (p=0.004), and an increase in high-frequency (p=0.018). These data suggest that for healthy people either continuous or discontinuous aerobic training is effective in improving measures of fitness; however discontinuous is better able to improve supine indices of vagal activity on heart rate variability.

Immunological Responses to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu High-Intensity Interval Training Session.

The objective of the study was to characterize immunological responses to a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu high-intensity interval training session. Neuromuscular function, blood, and salivary samples were obtained after a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu high-intensity interval training session. Saliva and blood samples were collected at Pre- (before the warm-up) and immediately Post-training. Neuromuscular function was evaluated by lower body muscle testing. The horizontal countermovement jump was performed at Pre (after the warm-up) and immediately Post blood and saliva collection, and approximately 5 minutes Post-training. The horizontal countermovement jump performance did not present any significant changes Post-training, while blood leukocytes, urea, IgA and salivary alpha-amylase showed a significant increase. Salivary alpha-amylase activity increased more than six times immediately Post compared to Pre-training. Saliva volume, secretion rate, and uric acid were not significantly different between Pre and Post condition. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu high-intensity interval training session elicited an increase in the blood cells responsible for antibody production and muscle damage adaptation after exercise. On the other hand, neuromuscular performance was not significantly affected Post-training, suggesting that immunological and performance responses were not necessarily associated.

High doses of sodium bicarbonate increase lactate levels and delay exhaustion in a cycling performance test.

OBJECTIVES: It is well established that ingestion of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) causes metabolic alkalosis. However, there is no consensus in terms of optimal NaHCO3 doses leading to enhanced performance. This study aimed to determine the effects of different NaHCO3 doses on performance and lactate clearance in non-professional cyclists. METHODS: Twenty-one cyclists performed the following three double-blind trials: 1) ingestion of 0.3 g · kg-1 body weight (BW) of placebo; 2) ingestion of 0.1 g · kg-1 BW NaHCO3 plus 0.2 g · kg-1 BW placebo (0.1 BC); and 3) ingestion of 0.3 g · kg-1 BW NaHCO3 (0.3 BC). Performance was evaluated after warm-up on the bike followed by a performance test until exhaustion. Lactate levels were monitored in blood samples before and immediately after performance tests. RESULTS: Lactate levels in the blood were significantly higher after exercise in 0.3 BC and 0.1 BC (15.12 ± 0.92 versus 10.3 ± 1.22 and 13.24 ± 0.87 versus 10.3 ± 1.22 mmol/L; P < 0.05) compared with control. Significant improvements in performance were only identified in 0.3 BC group (76.42 ± 2.14; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The present study found that 0.3 g · kg-1 BW NaHCO3 is effective in improving performance and improving blood lactate levels in cyclists compared with control and 0.1 g · kg-1 BW NaHCO3.

Differential Effects of Continuous Versus Discontinuous Aerobic Training on Blood Pressure and Hemodynamics.

Landram, MJ, Utter, AC, Baldari, C, Guidetti, L, McAnulty, SR, and Collier, SR. Differential effects of continuous versus discontinuous aerobic training on blood pressure and hemodynamics. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 97-104, 2018-The purpose of this study was to compare the hemodynamic, arterial stiffness, and blood flow changes after 4 weeks of either continuous or discontinuous aerobic exercise in adults. Forty-seven subjects between the ages of 18 and 57 were recruited for 1 month of either continuous aerobic treadmill work for 30 minutes at 70% max heart rate or 3 bouts of 10 minutes of exercise at 70% of max heart rate with two 10 minutes break periods in between, totaling 30 minutes of aerobic work. After exercise, both continuous (CON) and discontinuous (DIS) groups demonstrated a significant improvement in maximal oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, CON 35.39 ± 1.99 to 38.19 ± 2.03; DIS 36.18 ± 1.82 to 39.33 ± 1.75), heart rate maximum (CON 183.5 ± 3.11 to 187.17 ± 3.06; DIS 179.06 ± 2.75 to 182 ± 2.61), decreases in systolic blood pressure (CON 119 ± 1.82 to 115.11 ± 1.50; DIS 117.44 ± 1.90 to 112.67 ± 1.66), diastolic blood pressure (CON 72.56 ± 1.65 to 70.56 ± 1.06; DIS 71.56 ± 1.59 to 69.56 ± 1.43), augmentation index (CON 17.17 ± 2.17 to 14.9 ± 1.92; DIS 19.71 ± 2.66 to 13.91 ± 2.46), central pulse wave velocity (CON 8.29 ± 0.32 to 6.92 ± 0.21; DIS 7.85 ± 0.30 to 6.83 ± 0.29), peripheral pulse wave velocity (CON 9.49 ± 0.35 to 7.72 ± 0.38; DIS 9.11 ± 0.37 to 7.58 ± 0.47), and significant increases in average forearm blood flow (CON 4.06 ± 0.12 to 4.34 ± 0.136; DIS 4.26 ± 0.18 to 4.53 ± 0.15), peak forearm blood flow (FBF) after reactive hyperemia (CON 28.45 ± 0.094 to 29.96 ± 0.45; DIS 29.29 ± 0.46 to 30.6 ± 0.38), area under the curve (AUC) of FBF (CON 28.65 ± 1.77 to 30.4 ± 1.08; DIS 30.52 ± 1.9 to 31.67 ± 1.44), and AUC peak FBF after reactive hyperemia (CON 222.3 ± 5.68 to 231.95 ± 4.42; DIS 230.81 ± 6.91 to 237.19 ± 5.39). These data suggest that for healthy people either 4 weeks of continuous or discontinuous aerobic training is effective in improving measures of fitness and vascular health.

Effect of low dose, short-term creatine supplementation on muscle power output in elite youth soccer players.

BACKGROUND: To determine the effects of a low dose, short-term Creatine monohydrate (Cr) supplementation (0.03 g.kg.d-1 during 14 d) on muscle power output in elite youth soccer players. METHODS: Using a two-group matched, double blind, placebo-controlled design, nineteen male soccer players (mean age = 17.0 ± 0.5 years) were randomly assigned to either Cr (N = 9) or placebo (N = 10) group. Before and after supplementation, participants performed a 30s Wingate Anaerobic Test (WAnT) to assess peak power output (PPO), mean power output (MPO), fatigue index (FI), and total work. RESULTS: There were significant increases in both PPO and MPO after the Cr supplementation period (P ≤ 0.05) but not the placebo period. There were also significant increases in total work, but not FI, after the Cr supplementation and placebo periods (P ≤ 0.05). Notably, there were differences in total work between the Cr and placebo groups after (P ≤ 0.05) but not before the 14 d supplementation period. CONCLUSION: There is substantial evidence to indicate that a low-dose, short-term oral Cr supplementation beneficially affected muscle power output in elite youth soccer players.

Effect of exercise-induced dehydration on circulatory markers of oxidative damage and antioxidant capacity.

Dehydration is a common event associated with exercise. However, few studies have examined the effects of dehydration on plasma redox status in humans. Eighty-two athletes were recruited and baseline anthropometrics and blood samples were obtained. Athletes then engaged in a dehydration protocol, training until 3% of preweight body mass was lost. Athletes returned to the lab and had postdehydration blood collected. Athletes then consumed an isotonic drink until pre-exercise body weight was reestablished. Blood was then recollected (1 h post full rehydration (PFR)). Samples were centrifuged and the plasma snap frozen in liquid nitrogen and stored at -80 °C. Lipid and protein oxidative stress was determined by measuring F2-isoprostanes and protein carbonyls (PC), respectively. Antioxidant capacity was determined by the ferric reducing ability of plasma (FRAP) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC) assays. Plasma osmolality was determined using an osmometer. Statistical analysis utilized a 1-way ANOVA with posthoc testing. Values are reported as mean ± SD. Plasma osmolality was significantly elevated immediately postdehydration (p ≤ 0.001) but decreased to baseline at PFR. Plasma TEAC increased immediately postdehydration and at PFR (p ≤ 0.001). FRAP increased immediately postdehydration (p ≤ 0.001) and decreased to below baseline at PFR (p ≤ 0.05). Conversely, F2-isoprostanes declined significantly from baseline to immediately postdehydration and then significantly rose at PFR (p ≤ 0.001), whereas PC declined at PFR (p ≤ 0.01). This study indicates that dehydration and exercise cause a significant increase in plasma osmolality and antioxidant potential immediately postexercise. We propose dehydration significantly elevates antioxidant concentration which suppresses F2-isoprostanes and PC.

Effect of 1 Repetition Maximum, 80% Repetition Maximum, and 50% Repetition Maximum Strength Exercise in Trained Individuals on Variations in Plasma Redox Biomarkers.

Polotow, TG, Souza-Junior, TP, Sampaio, RC, Okuyama, AR, Ganini, D, Vardaris, CV, Alves, RC, McAnulty, SR, and Barros, MP. Effect of 1RM, 80%RM, and 50%RM strength exercise in trained individuals on variations in plasma redox biomarkers. J Strength Cond Res 31(9): 2489-2497, 2017-For decades, scientists have examined the participation of oxygen/nitrogen species in anaerobic-like exercises, especially weightlifting and resistance exercises. The balance between the production of oxyradicals and antioxidant responses during anaerobic-like exercises is essential to assure adaptation to the physiological benefits of strength training and to prevent chronic harmful effects. The aim of this study is to examine the hypothesis that different weight loads (1 repetition maximum (RM), 80%RM, and 50%RM) lifted until exhaustion could impose distinct oxidative insults and elicit diverse antioxidant responses in plasma of young trained subjects. Glucose (+10%), lactate (+65%), urea (+30%), free iron (+65%), reduced/oxidized glutathione (+14 and +23%, respectively), and xanthine oxidase activity (2.2-fold) significantly increased after the 1RM test, whereas plasma antioxidant capacity dropped by 37%. When lower weight loads were applied (80%RM and 50%RM tests), heme-iron (+15 and +20%, respectively) became the prevalent pro-oxidant, although glutathione responses were only detected after 80%RM (+14%). Lactate concentration in plasma continuously increased, by 2.9-fold (80%RM) and 3.6-fold higher (50%RM test). We demonstrated that 1RM tests significantly diminish the antioxidant capacity of plasma because of iron overload, whereas 80%RM tests require higher involvement of glutathione molecules to counteract heme-iron oxidative insult. Mild redox imbalances promoted by heme-iron were found in plasma after 50%RM. Although we did not observe overall changes in muscle damage in young trained subjects, we cannot exclude the need for specific antioxidant supplementation depending on the strength protocols applied, especially for less responsive groups, such as sedentary and elderly populations.

The effects of strength training on cognitive performance in elderly women.

Aging is a degenerative process marked by recognized functional, physiological, and metabolic impairments, such as dynapenia and diminished cognitive capacity. Therefore, the search for innovative strategies to prevent/delay these physiological and cognitive disorders is essential to guarantee the independence and life quality of an elderly population. The aim of this work is to verify the effect of a 12-week resistance exercise program on the general physical aptitude and cognitive capacities of elderly and sedentary women. Twenty-nine women (65.87±5.69 years) were divided into two groups. The control group was composed of eight elderly women who met the same inclusion criteria of the study and the strength training group was composed of 29 elderly women who were subjected to a resistance exercise program defined by 12 upper and lower limb exercises combined in 3×10 repetitions with 1-minute interval between repetitions and two resting minutes between exercises (three times/week). Weight loads were fixed between 60% and 75% of the apparent 1 repetition maximum, which was estimated by the test of 10 maximum repetitions. The direct curl was performed for upper body strength evaluation with 2.3 kg dumbbells for 30 seconds, whereas the chair test was used for lower body evaluation (total sit-stand movements in 30 seconds). The cognitive capacities of subjects were evaluated by "The Montreal Cognitive Assessment" questionnaire. After 12 weeks, the elderly group showed significant increases in the average upper body strength (58%), lower body strength (68%), and cognitive capacity (19%). The present study demonstrated that regular resistance exercises could provide significant gains on the upper and lower body strength concomitant to positive improvements on cognitive capacities of elderly women, bringing enhanced life quality.

Tai Chi and Kung-Fu practice maintains physical performance but not vascular health in young versus old participants.

OBJECTIVES: Kung-Fu and Tai Chi along with other martial arts are gaining popularity but studies examining the benefits of martial arts on physical fitness, vascular health, nutrition, and psychological wellness are limited. Aging is associated with declines in these health components. The objectives of this study were to examine whether Tai Chi and Kung-Fu training would maintain physical fitness, vascular health, and psychological wellness components on older versus younger practitioners. METHODS: Seventeen subjects were recruited and divided into Young (age <40 years, n=9) and Old (age 40 years and above, n=8). Participants reported twice for health screens, vascular and nutrition assessment, and fitness tests. Mean differences were compared between groups for all tests using Student's t-tests. RESULTS: Age, months of practice, systolic blood pressure, and cardiovascular augmentation index were significantly greater in Old versus Young (p=0.001, p=0.007, p=0.049, and p=0.011, respectively). Psychologically, old practitioners experienced greater sleep interference (p=0.035) and overall pain (p=0.036). No other differences existed for any variable. CONCLUSION: Our study indicates that the practice of Tai Chi and Kung-Fu maintains physical fitness in older compared to younger practitioners. However, age associated changes in cardiovascular stiffness, systolic blood pressure, and pain were not prevented.

Validity of Urine Specific Gravity When Compared With Plasma Osmolality as a Measure of Hydration Status in Male and Female NCAA Collegiate Athletes.

Sommerfield, LM, McAnulty, SR, McBride, JM, Zwetsloot, JJ, Austin, MD, Mehlhorn, JD, Calhoun, MC, Young, JO, Haines, TL, and Utter, AC. Validity of urine specific gravity when compared with plasma osmolality as a measure of hydration status in male and female NCAA collegiate athletes. J Strength Cond Res 30(8): 2219-2225, 2016-The purpose of this study was to evaluate the response of urine specific gravity (Usg) and urine osmolality (Uosm) when compared with plasma osmolality (Posm) from euhydration to 3% dehydration and then a 2-hour rehydration period in male and female collegiate athletes. Fifty-six National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) wrestlers (mean ± SEM); height 1.75 ± 0.01 m, age 19.3 ± 0.2 years, and body mass (BM) 78.1 ± 1.8 kg and 26 NCAA women's soccer athletes; height 1.64 ± 0.01 m, age 19.8 ± 0.3 years, and BM 62.2 ± 1.2 kg were evaluated. Hydration status was obtained by measuring changes in Posm, Uosm, Usg, and BM. Male and female subjects dehydrated to achieve an average BM loss of 2.9 ± 0.09% and 1.9 ± 0.03%, respectively. Using the medical diagnostic decision model, the sensitivity of Usg was high in both the hydrated and dehydrated state for males (92%) and females (80%). However, the specificity of Usg was low in both the hydrated and dehydrated states for males (10 and 6%, respectively) and females (29 and 40%, respectively). No significant correlations were found between Usg and Posm during either the hydrated or dehydrated state for males or females. Based on these results, the use of Usg as a field measure of hydration status in male and female collegiate athletes should be used with caution. Considering that athletes deal with hydration status on a regular basis, the reported low specificity of Usg suggests that athletes could be incorrectly classified leading to the unnecessary loss of competition.

Six weeks daily ingestion of whole blueberry powder increases natural killer cell counts and reduces arterial stiffness in sedentary males and females.

Evidence suggests that berries contain bioactive compounds, which reduce certain cancers and hypertension. Our hypothesis was that daily blueberry (BB) consumption would increase natural killer (NK) cells and plasma redox capacity and reduce blood pressure, augmentation index (AIx), central pulse wave velocity, and aortic systolic pressures (ASPs). Twenty-five men and postmenopausal women aged 18 to 50 years were recruited and randomized to BB (n, 13) or placebo groups (n, 12). Participants were provided with BB (equivalent to 250 g berries) or placebo powders each day for 6 weeks. Blood pressure, vascular performance testing, and blood samples were taken at baseline (presupplementation). Participants returned after 6 weeks and repeated all procedures. Presupplementation to postsupplementation comparisons for the main effects of treatment, time, and treatment-time interaction were made using a 2 (treatment) × 2 (times) repeated-measures analysis of variance for all vascular measures, redox status, and NK cell counts. Anthropometric measures were compared using t tests. Body mass, composition, and overall blood pressures were not affected in either group. Overall, AIx and ASPs were decreased in BB (treatment effect, P = .024 and P = .046, respectively). Plasma redox was not affected. Absolute NK cells were increased in BB (time, P = .001 and interaction, P = .012). Subjects (n, 9) with prehypertensive pressures (≥120/80 mm Hg, respectively) were examined as a subset using t tests and exhibited significant reductions in diastolic pressure (P = .038) from presupplementation to postsupplementation in BB. We conclude that BB ingestion for 6 weeks increases NK cells and reduces AIx, ASP, and diastolic pressures in sedentary males and females.

Effect of resveratrol and quercetin supplementation on redox status and inflammation after exercise.

Resveratrol and quercetin function as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories in vitro, but these mechanisms have been minimally examined in combination in exercising humans. The purpose of this investigation was to examine supplementation as a countermeasure against oxidative stress and inflammation in response to exercise. Fourteen athletes were randomly assigned, in a double-blind crossover design, to a resveratrol and quercetin combination (RQ) (120 mg resveratrol and 225 mg quercetin for 6 days and 240 mg resveratrol and 450 mg quercetin on day 7 just prior to exercise) or to placebo (P). There was a 1-week washout between trials. Blood was taken at baseline, pre-exercise, immediately after exercise, and 1 h after exercise. Plasma was analyzed for oxidative stress (F2-isoprostanes and protein carbonyls), antioxidant capacity (ferric-reducing ability of plasma (FRAP), Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), oxygen radical absorptive capacity (ORAC)), and inflammation (cytokine interleukin (IL)-8 and C-reactive protein (CRP)). Statistical design utilized a 2 × 3 ANOVA and Student's t test. Pre-exercise values were not different from baseline for any measure. The postexercise increase in F2-isoprostanes was significantly less (p = 0.039 interaction) with RQ (68%) than with P (137%). Protein carbonyls, FRAP, ORAC, and TEAC significantly increased after exercise but were not affected by treatment. IL-8 and CRP increased significantly immediately after exercise but were not affected by treatment. These data indicate that RQ significantly reduces exercise-induced lipid peroxidation without associated changes in inflammation or plasma antioxidant status.

Does vitamin C and E supplementation impair the favorable adaptations of regular exercise?

The detrimental outcomes associated with unregulated and excessive production of free radicals remains a physiological concern that has implications to health, medicine and performance. Available evidence suggests that physiological adaptations to exercise training can enhance the body's ability to quench free radicals and circumstantial evidence exists to suggest that key vitamins and nutrients may provide additional support to mitigate the untoward effects associated with increased free radical production. However, controversy has risen regarding the potential outcomes associated with vitamins C and E, two popular antioxidant nutrients. Recent evidence has been put forth suggesting that exogenous administration of these antioxidants may be harmful to performance making interpretations regarding the efficacy of antioxidants challenging. The available studies that employed both animal and human models provided conflicting outcomes regarding the efficacy of vitamin C and E supplementation, at least partly due to methodological differences in assessing oxidative stress and training adaptations. Based on the contradictory evidence regarding the effects of higher intakes of vitamin C and/or E on exercise performance and redox homeostasis, a permanent intake of non-physiological dosages of vitamin C and/or E cannot be recommended to healthy, exercising individuals.

The validity of multifrequency bioelectrical impedance measures to detect changes in the hydration status of wrestlers during acute dehydration and rehydration.

The objective of this study was to examine the validity of multifrequency direct segmental bioelectrical impedance analysis (DSM-BIA) measures to detect changes in the hydration status of wrestlers after they underwent 3% acute dehydration and a 2-hour rehydration period. Fifty-six National Collegiate Athletic Association wrestlers: (mean ± SEM); age 19.5 ± 0.2 years, height 1.73 ± 0.01 m, and body mass (BM) 82.5 ± 2.3 kg were tested in euhydrated, dehydrated (-3.5%), and 2-hour rehydration conditions using DSM-BIA to detect the changes in hydration status. The hydration status was quantified by measuring the changes in plasma osmolality (P(osm)), urine osmolality (Uosm), urine specific gravity (U(sg)), BM, and weighted segmental impedance at frequencies of 5, 20, 50, 100, and 500 kHz. Weighted segmental impedance significantly increased after a 3.5% reduction in the body weight for all the 5 frequencies evaluated, but it did not return to baseline at 2-hour rehydration. P(osm) (303 ± 0.6 mOsm·L(-1)), Uosm (617 ± 47 mOsm·L(-1)), and U(sg) (1.017 ± 0.001) all significantly increased at postdehydration and returned to baseline at 2-hour rehydration. Estimations of extracellular water were significantly different throughout the trial, but there were no significant changes in the estimations of the total body water or intracellular water. The results of this study demonstrate the potential use of DSM-BIA as a field measure to assess the hydration status of wrestlers for the purpose of minimal weight certification before the competitive season. When employing DSM-BIA to assess the hydration status, the results indicated that the changes in weighted segmental impedance at the frequencies evaluated (5, 20, 50, 100, and 500 kHz) are sensitive to acute changes in dehydration but lag behind changes in the standard physiological (plasma and urinary) markers of hydration status after a 2-hour rehydration period.