Are anti-gravity treadmills reliable to explore exercise energy metabolism at low degrees of alleviation in normal-weight male individuals?

BACKGROUND: Exploring the independent effect of mechanical discharge in response to weight loss (WL) seems necessary but remains highly challenging from a methodological point. Anti-gravity treadmills could be relevant to simulate a mechanical WL by body weight support (BWS), but their reliability remains unclear to properly explore exercise energy metabolism, especially at low degrees of alleviations. OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of an anti-gravity treadmill to generate BWS, and the reproducibility of cardiometabolic responses to an exercise performed at low degrees of BWS on this device. METHODS: Observed BWS of 18 normal-weight males was obtained twice at seven degrees of target BWS (i.e., 0, 3, 6, 9, 12, 15, 18%) using a digital scale inside the anti-gravity treadmill, and was compared to the expected BWS. Then, 15 of them performed 5-min bout of low-intensity walking exercise at these degrees of BWS in a randomized order, separated by 4-min rest. The exercise was identically repeated on three occasions separated by a minimum of 3 days. Energy metabolism and heart rate (HR) were measured throughout the exercise by indirect calorimetry and a HR monitor, respectively. RESULTS: The observed BWS were significantly different from the expected BWS (p< 0.001), and there was a high inter- and intra-individual variability in BWS generated by the anti-gravity treadmill. Results showed an overall good reliability of VO2 (intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) values ranging from 0.67 to 0.85) and HR (ICC > 0.8) in response to exercise. An effect of the degree of BWS was observed for VO2 (p< 0.001), illustrating reduced values at 15% and 18% of BWS compared to 0, 3, and 6%. CONCLUSIONS: Such device might not be adapted to simulate low degrees of WL in normal-weight males, particularly when it comes to the exploration of energy metabolism.

A reproducible, self-reported, field-based tool for monitoring ovarian hormone status and body weight variations in female athletes: the Answ'Her questionnaire.

BACKGROUND: Intra-individual factors like ovarian hormone profiles and body weight variations may influence sports practice and performance in female athletes and need to be characterized. The "Answ'Her" questionnaire was designed to develop a relevant and reproducible field-based tool to assess self-reported ovarian hormone status (natural menstrual cycle and hormonal contraceptive use) and body weight variations practices among female athletes. METHODS: French females with a regular sports practice responded (once: N.=210; twice: N.=86; thrice: N.=66) to this 73-item questionnaire reporting their ovarian hormone status, associated symptoms, perceived influence on sports practice, and body weight variations. Reproducibility was evaluated, then a descriptive cross-sectional analysis was conducted on athletes. RESULTS: Reproducibility was verified with 92% of Lin's correlation concordance coefficients above 0.7 and 100% of weighted agreements above 70%. Ultimately 185 female athletes (23.0±4.8 years) were included in the cross-sectional analysis. Whether they used hormonal contraceptive (46.5%) or not (53.5%), most of the athletes perceived a negative impact of their ovarian hormone status on sports practice (78.7%) and performance (84.7%). Overall, 77.3% of the athletes had experienced body weight variations that were significantly associated with an interruption of menses (>3 months) and menses irregularity over the last three years. CONCLUSIONS: The Answ'Her questionnaire is a simple and effective reproducible field-based tool for the self-reported characterisation of female athlete ovarian hormone status and body weight variations. It could be used for a unique and simple overview of the athlete situation but also in a longitudinal design to assess the athlete's evolution and/or effectiveness of implanted training strategies.

Individual variability and consistency of post-exercise energy and macronutrient intake, appetite sensations, and food reward in healthy adults.

Limited evidence is available about the variability of appetitive responses within individuals after an acute bout of exercise. The present study aimed to assess the consistency and individual variability of post-exercise appetitive responses in healthy individuals. Twenty participants (10 females, 23.9 ± 4.1 years, 22.5 ± 2.0 kg m-2) joined the laboratory to perform four sessions separated by a minimum of 5 days: i) a control session with a rest period before and an ad libitum lunch (REST), and ii) three identical exercise sessions (EX) with a 30-min moderate-intensity (60-70% of predicted maximal heart rate) walking bout ending 25 min before the ad libitum lunch. Subjective appetite sensations were assessed before and after the meal at regular intervals, and satiety quotients were calculated. Food reward was assessed by the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire before and after lunch. For each EX session, the difference with the REST session was calculated (Δ = EX - REST). Energy and macronutrient intake were consistent in response to exercise (all intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) > 0.8) while results showed that post-exercise subjective appetite sensations and satiety quotients varied across the three EX sessions (almost all ICC < 0.7). Food reward was overall consistent in response to exercise before the test meal but not after. When considering the changes (Δ), the results showed no or poor consistency for most of the appetitive outcomes. To conclude, energy and macronutrient intake, as well as pre-meal food reward, are consistent after exercise in healthy individuals, while subjective appetite sensations are not stable within individuals across the sessions. Regarding the variations from REST to EX sessions, the results suggest that the individual changes observed are only random day-to-day variations.

Relying on the French territorial offer of thermal spa therapies to build a care pathway for long COVID-19 patients.

BACKGROUND: Work on long COVID-19 has mainly focused on clinical care in hospitals. Thermal spa therapies represent a therapeutic offer outside of health care institutions that are nationally or even internationally attractive. Unlike local care (hospital care, general medicine, para-medical care), their integration in the care pathways of long COVID-19 patients seems little studied. The aim of this article is to determine what place french thermal spa therapies can take in the care pathway of long COVID-19 patients. METHODS: Based on the case of France, we carry out a geographic mapping analysis of the potential care pathways for long COVID-19 patients by cross-referencing, over the period 2020-2022, the available official data on COVID-19 contamination, hospitalisations in intensive care units and the national offer of spa treatments. This first analysis allows us, by using the method for evaluating the attractiveness of an area defined by David Huff, to evaluate the accessibility of each French department to thermal spas. RESULTS: Using dynamic geographical mapping, this study describes two essential criteria for the integration of the thermal spa therapies offer in the care pathways of long COVID-19 patients (attractiveness of spa areas and accessibility to thermal spas) and three fundamental elements for the success of these pathways (continuity of the care pathways; clinical collaborations; adaptation of the financing modalities to each patient). Using a spatial attractiveness method, we make this type of geographical analysis more dynamic by showing the extent to which a thermal spa is accessible to long COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSION: Based on the example of the French spa offer, this study makes it possible to place the care pathways of long COVID-19 patients in a wider area (at least national), rather than limiting them to clinical and local management in a hospital setting. The identification and operationalization of two geographical criteria for integrating a type of treatment such as a spa cure into a care pathway contributes to a finer conceptualization of the construction of healthcare pathways.

Postprandial energy metabolism is modulated in response to a low-intensity walking exercise in fasted healthy individuals.

Postprandial metabolism is a relevant indicator of overall metabolic health, which can be influenced by a single bout of exercise before food consumption. The present study examined the effects of an acute, fasted, low-intensity exercise on postprandial metabolism and appetite sensations. We hypothesized that exercise would induce an increase in postprandial fat oxidation, associated with better satiety responses. Twenty-two healthy adults (16 females) attended the laboratory twice separated by a minimum of 3 days to perform 2 conditions: (1) a control condition and (2) an exercise condition (EX) with a 30-minute low-intensity walking exercise performed before the breakfast (500-kcal fixed meal). Subjective appetite sensations were assessed before and up to 60 minutes after the meal in regular intervals. Energy expenditure and substrate oxidation were measured until 2 hours after the meal. Energy expenditure and carbohydrate oxidation were higher in the EX condition (condition effect: P < .01). There was no effect of exercise on appetite sensations and overall fat oxidation, but a higher increase in relative and absolute fat oxidation was observed from 15- to 45-minutes postmeal in EX compared with control (time × condition interaction effect: P < .05). In the EX condition only, postprandial satiety was associated positively with postprandial fat oxidation and negatively with carbohydrate oxidation. To conclude, a fasted low-intensity exercise induced an enhancement of postprandial metabolic flexibility through the modulation of fat oxidation. Substrate oxidation appeared to be related to satiety only after exercise, suggesting a specific regulation of appetite induced by exercise.

Weight regain, body composition, and metabolic responses to weight loss in weight cycling athletes: A systematic review and meta-analyses.

Depending on the nature of their sports, athletes may be engaged in successive weight loss (WL) and regain, conducing to "weight cycling." The aims of this paper were to systematically (and meta-analytically when possible) analyze the post-WL recovery of (i) body weight and (ii) fat mass; fat-free mass; and performance and metabolic responses in weight cycling athletes (18-55 years old, body mass index < 30 kg.m-2 ). MEDLINE, Embase, and SPORTDiscus databases were explored. The quality and risk of bias of the 74 included studies were assessed using the quality assessment tool for quantitative studies. Thirty-two studies were eligible for meta-analyses. Whatever the type of sports or methods used to lose weight, post-WL body weight does not seem affected compared with pre-WL. While similar results are observed for fat-free mass, strength sports athletes (also having longer WL and regain periods) do not seem to fully recover their initial fat mass (ES: -0.39, 95% CI: [-0.77; -0.00], p = 0.048, I2  = 0.0%). Although the methods used by athletes to achieve WL might prevent them from a potential post-WL fat overshooting, further studies are needed to better understand WL episodes consequences on athletes' performance as well as short- and long-term physical, metabolic, and mental health.

Changes in Sedentary Time and Implicit Preference for Sedentary Behaviors in Response to a One-Month Educational Intervention in Primary School Children: Results from the Globe Trotter Pilot Cluster-Randomized Study.

School-based multi-component educational interventions have been encouraged to improve children's movement behaviors. The present study evaluates the effect of the Globe Trotter Initiative on physical activity (PA) level, sedentary time, physical fitness and activity preferences in primary school children. A total of 361 children (9−10 years) participated in this cluster-randomized trial. Nine schools were randomized as control (CON, 121 children) or Globe Trotter schools (GT, 240 children). Physical fitness, body composition, anthropometric characteristics, PA level, sedentary behaviors, physical self-perception, and activity preferences were evaluated at baseline (T0) and after the one-month intervention (T1). Grip strength performance and overall completion time of the obstacle course show a significant time effect (p < 0.001) in both groups (no group effect). PA level and physical self-perception did not significantly show time nor group effects. The sedentary behavior score displays a significant "time × group" interaction effect (p = 0.04) with a significant reduction between T0 and T1 in the GT group only (p < 0.001). The explicit liking for sedentary activities shows a significant "time × group" interaction (p = 0.02) with a significant decrease between T0 and T1 in the GT group only (p < 0.001). The explicit wanting for sedentary activities show a significant "time × group" interaction (p = 0.02) with a significant decrease between T0 and T1 in the GT group only (p < 0.001). The short-term, multi-component, behavioral, educational GT intervention had beneficial effects on primary-school-aged children's sedentary time and implicit preference for physical over sedentary activities.

Is dieting a risk for higher weight gain in normal-weight individual? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

While there is an increasing prevalence of dieting in the overall population, weight loss (WL) practices could be a risk factor for weight gain (WG) in normal-weight (NW) individuals. The aim of the present work was to systematically review all the studies implicating diet restriction and body weight (BW) evolution in NW people. The literature search was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42021281442) and was performed in three databases from April 2021 to June 2022 for articles involving healthy NW adults. From a total of 1487 records initially identified, eighteen were selected in the systematic review. Of the eight dieting interventional studies, only one found a higher BW after weight recovery, but 75 % of them highlighted metabolic adaptations in response to WL favouring weight regain and persisting during/after BW recovery. Eight of the ten observational studies showed a relationship between dieting and major later WG, while the meta-analysis of observational studies results indicated that 'dieters' have a higher BW than 'non-dieters'. However, considering the high methodological heterogeneity and the publication bias of the studies, this result should be taken with caution. Moreover, the term 'diet' was poorly described, and we observed a large heterogeneity of the methods used to assess dieting status. Present results suggest that dieting could be a major risk factor for WG in the long term in NW individuals. There is, however, a real need for prospective randomised controlled studies, specifically assessing the relationship between WL induced by diet and subsequent weight in this population.

Dietary- but not exercise-induced acute iso-energetic deficit result in short-term appetitive compensatory responses in adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Producing negative energy balance rests on the creation of energy deficits that have been shown, depending on their modality, to induce potential appetitive compensatory responses. The aim of this study was to compare energy intake (EI), appetite feelings, and the hedonic responses to equivalent acute energy deficits induced by exercise versus energy restriction in adolescents with obesity. METHODS: In a within-participants design, seventeen adolescents with obesity (12-16 years, Tanner stage 3-5, 9 males) randomly completed three conditions: i) control (CON); ii) deficit induced by diet only (Def-EI); and iii) deficit induced by exercise only (Def-EX). Lunch was calibrated to generate a 400-kcal deficit in Def-EI and remained similar in CON and Def-EX. A 400-kcal deficit was created through a cycling bout set at 65% VO2peak in Def-EX. Ad libitum EI, macronutrient intake and relative EI (REI) were assessed at dinner, subjective appetite sensations taken at regular intervals, and food reward measured before dinner. RESULTS: Food intake at dinner was greater in Def-EI (1112 ± 265 kcal) compared to CON (983 ± 277 kcal; p = 0.005) and Def-EX (1009 ± 281 kcal; p = 0.025). Absolute protein and lipid intake were significantly higher in Def-EI (52.4 ± 9.5 g and 36.8 ± 8.9 g respectively) compared with both CON (44.9 ± 12.6 g; p = 0.001 and 33.8 ± 10.1 g; p = 0.002 respectively) and Def-EX (47.3 ± 11.8 g, p = 0.018, 35.4 ± 10.1 g, p = 0.036 respectively). Area under the curve (AUC) for hunger, desire to eat and prospective food consumption were significantly higher in Def-EI compared with both CON (p = 0.0001) and Def-EX (p = 0.0001). AUC for fullness was significantly lower on Def-EI compared with CON and Def-EX (p = 0.0001). Implicit wanting for sweet food was significantly lower on Def-EX (p = 0.031), relative to CON. CONCLUSION: Appetitive compensatory responses that are observed after iso-caloric energy restriction in adolescents with obesity are absent with acute exercise, which could contribute to optimize our impact on short-term energy balance.

Lightest weight-class athletes are at higher risk of weight regain: results from the French-Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire.

CONTEXT: Rapid weight loss (RWL) is a common precompetitive strategy used by athletes in weight-class sports and carries with it an increased risk to future cardiometabolic health. The Rapid Weight Loss Questionnaire (RWLQ) is a self-reported tool designed to identify and characterize such weight loss practices. OBJECTIVES: After developing a reliable and reproducible French version of the RWLQ (RWLQ-FR), the present study aims to analyse RWL patterns among French weight-class athletes and to point out potential relationships between such practices and risk of subsequent weight gain. METHODS: A test-retest analysis was performed in 54 athletes to test the questionnaire reproducibility before applying it in a cohort of 168 weight-cycling athletes (23.78 ± 9.25 y, 67.6 ± 12.6 kg, 81 males and 87 females, n = 24 strength sports and n = 144 various combat sports). RESULTS: The test-retest showed good agreement of the RWLQ-FR (Rho = 0.794, [0.696-0.893]). Athletes reported losing an average of 4.1 ± 2.9% of their initial weight in 13.1 ± 9.6 days, with the main methods used being an increase in exercise, training in rubber or plastic suits, and gradual dieting. The average weight recovery in a week was 3.5 ± 2.8% and results showed that the athletes with the lower inter-season weight (weight outside of the training and competition season) regained the more weight (p = 0.025). The average RWLQ-FR score was 31.9 ± 17.3 and athletes who began to lose weight earlier in their competitive carrier had the higher scores (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The present study demonstrates relationships between the pattern of RWL practices and potential increased risk of subsequent weight gain in weight-cycling athletes, and the need to better understand the long-term health-related risks.

Systematic Review of COVID-19-Related Physical Activity-Based Rehabilitations: Benefits to Be Confirmed by More Robust Methodological Approaches.

The first emergency was to receive and treat COVID-19 patients in their acute phase; today, there is a clear need to propose appropriate post-acute rehabilitation programs. The aim of this research was to systematically review the effects of physical activity programs in the recovery of post-COVID-19 patients. The literature search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines, was registered in the PROSPERO database (CRD42022289219), and was conducted between August and December 2021. A total of 35 studies out of the 1528 initially identified were finally included in the analysis. The systematic review clearly showed the health benefits of rehabilitation including physical activity in post-COVID-19 recovery, regardless of exercise modalities. These positive results were even observed using minor muscle re-mobilization for severe cases (i.e., postural changes, few steps-2 times/day) or using low volumes of exercise for mild-to-moderate cases (i.e., 120 min/week). A total of 97% of the 29 studies that performed statistical analyses demonstrated a significant increase in at least one parameter of functional capacity, and 96% of the 26 studies that statistically investigated the effects on the quality of life, mental health, and general state reported improvements. Yet, most of the studies were retrospective, uncontrolled, and enrolled aged people with comorbidities presented in severe forms of COVID-19. Physical activity programs, in addition to their high heterogeneity, remained poorly described in 83% of the studies and were part of a multidisciplinary program for 89% of the studies. Despite promising results, there is today a real need for prospective well-designed studies specifically assessing the effects of physical activity. In addition, it might appear relevant to propose standardized programs further considering the main characteristics of patients such as age, comorbidities, or the severity of COVID-19.

Effect of acute dietary- versus combined dietary and exercise-induced energy deficits on subsequent energy intake, appetite and food reward in adolescents with obesity.

BACKGROUND: Acute dietary-induced energy deficits have been shown to favor compensatory appetitive responses. The aim of this study was to compare energy intake (EI), appetite sensations and the hedonic responses to equivalent energy deficits induced by dietary restriction alone and combined with exercise in adolescents with obesity. METHODS: In a within-subjects design, seventeen adolescents with obesity (12-16 years, Tanner stage 3-5, 6 males) randomly completed three 14 h conditions: (i) control (CON); (ii) deficit induced by diet only (Def-EI) and; (iii) deficit induced by combined diet and physical exercise (Def-mixed). Breakfast and lunch were calibrated to generate a 500 kcal deficit in Def-EI and 250 kcal deficit in Def-mixed. A 250 kcal deficit was created through a cycling exercise set at 65% VO2peak in Def-mixed. Ad libitum EI, macronutrients and relative EI (REI) were assessed at dinner, subjective appetite sensations taken at regular intervals, and food reward measured before dinner. RESULTS: EI at dinner was significantly lower in Def-EI compared to CON (p = 0.014; Effect size (ES): -0.59 [-1.07; -0.12]), with no difference between Def-mixed and both CON and Def-EI. Total REI was lower in both deficit conditions compared with CON (Def-mixed: p < 0.001; ES: -3.80 [-4.27; -3.32], Def-EI: p < 0.001; ES: -4.90 [-5.37; -4.42] respectively), indicating incomplete compensation for the energy deficits. Absolute protein ingestion at dinner was lower in Def-EI than Def-mixed (p = 0.037; ES: -0.50 [-0.98; -0.03]) and absolute lipid ingestion was lower in Def-EI than in CON (p = 0.033; ES: -0.51 [-0.99; -0.04]). A higher proportion of protein and a lower proportion of carbohydrates was observed in Def-mixed than in Def-EI (p = 0.078; ES: -0.42 [-0.90; 0.04] and p = 0.067; ES: 0.44 [-0.03; 0.92] respectively). Total area under the curve for appetite sensations were similar between conditions. Explicit liking for sweet relative to savoury food was lower in Def-mixed compared to CON (p = 0.027; ES: -0.53 [-1.01; -0.06]) with no difference in food reward between Def-EI and CON. CONCLUSION: Neither of the two acute isoenergetic deficits led to subsequent appetitive compensation, with the dietary deficit even inducing a lower ad libitum EI at the subsequent dinner. Further studies are needed to better understand the appetitive response to dietary and exercise energy balance manipulations in this population.

Adverse Collateral Effects of COVID-19 Public Health Restrictions on Physical Fitness and Cognitive Performance in Primary School Children.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether the COVID-19-related confinement and social restrictions affected the levels of physical fitness and academic achievement in primary school French children. A total of 206 primary school children (106 before confinements and 100 after restrictions) completed a test battery evaluating their anthropometric characteristics, body compositions, activity preferences, cognitive performances and physical fitness. The performance of the Standing Long Jump was better at T0 (169.9 ± 142.5 cm) compared to T1 (135.2 ± 31.4 cm) (p = 0.0367), and the Medicine Ball Throw performance declined from T0 to T1 (297.3 ± 81.1 cm vs. 249 ± 52 cm; p < 0.0001). Motor skills (26.9 ± 6.2 s vs. 30.9 ± 5.4 s; p < 0.0001), the shuttle-run test (stages completed), Maximal Aerobic Speed, and the estimated VO2max were lower at T1 compared to T0 (p < 0.0001). Executive functioning was found to be greater at T0 compared to T1 (p < 0.0001). Explicit liking or wanting for sedentary or physical activities did not change between T0 and T1. Both overall physical fitness and cognitive performance drastically declined among primary school French children with the COVID-19-related public health restrictions, which reinforces the need to urgently develop preventive strategies in anticipation of further mitigation measures.