Physical exercise-related manifestations of long COVID: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: This study aims to systematically assess physical exercise-related symptoms of post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 infection (PASC or long COVID) in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors. Methods: Eight databases were systematically searched on March 03, 2024. Original studies that compared physical exercise-related parameters measured by exercise testing between COVID-19 survivors who recovered from SARS-CoV-2 infection over 3 months and non-COVID-19 controls were included. A random-effects model was utilized to determine the mean differences (MDs) or standardized MDs in the meta-analysis. Results: A total of 40 studies with 6241 COVID-19 survivors were included. The 6-min walk test, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), and anaerobic threshold were impaired in COVID-19 survivors 3 months post-infection compared with non-COVID-19 controls in exercise testing, while VO2 were comparable between the two groups at rest. In contrast, no differences were observed in SpO2, heart rate, blood pressure, fatigue, and dyspnea between COVID-19 survivors and non-COVID-19 controls in exercise testing. Conclusion: The findings suggest an underestimation of the manifestations of PASC. COVID-19 survivors also harbor physical exercise-related symptoms of PASC that can be determined by the exercise testing and are distinct from those observed at rest. Exercise testing should be included while evaluating the symptoms of PASC in COVID-19 survivors.

Effects of increasing light versus moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on cardiometabolic health in Chinese adults with obesity.

Increasing daily physical activity (PA) is a practical way to decrease the risk of cardiometabolic diseases, while the studies on exercise intensity remain limited. The purpose of the present study was to compare the effects of increasing light PA (LPA) or moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) for 12 weeks on cardiometabolic markers in Chinese adults with obesity. Fifty-three adults were randomly assigned to the 1) control group, 2) LPA group, and 3) MVPA group in free-living settings. The intervention effects on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, and cardiometabolic biomarkers were analysed using a generalized estimated equation model adjusted for baseline values and potential confounders. Compared with the control group, the MVPA group showed improvements in body composition, lipids, C-peptide, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), interleukin-8, leptin, and E-selectin. A favourable change in triglycerides and E-selectin were observed in the LPA group when compared to the control group. Lastly, improvements in waist circumference, C-reactive protein, and MCP-1 were observed in the MVPA group when compared to those in the LPA group. Although increasing both LPA and MVPA improved certain cardiometabolic biomarkers, the latter may have more benefits. These findings imply that MVPA may reduce cardiometabolic disease risk more effectively than LPA, especially in Chinese adults with obesity.

Physical fitness, physical activity and adiposity: associations with risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cognitive function across adolescence.

BACKGROUND: The cross-sectional associations between physical activity, physical fitness and adiposity with risk factors for cardiometabolic disease (particularly novel ones such as inflammatory cytokines) and cognitive function across the period of adolescence are not well understood. Additionally, novel physical activity metrics that summarise activity volume and intensity in a continuous manner have not been investigated in this context. Therefore, this study investigated the cross-sectional associations between physical activity, physical fitness and adiposity with risk factors for cardiometabolic disease and cognitive function. These associations were compared between younger and older adolescents. METHODS: Seventy younger (11-12y, 35 girls) and 43 older (14-15y, 27 girls) adolescents volunteered to take part in the study. Physical fitness (multi-stage fitness test, MSFT) and adiposity (waist circumference) were determined, followed 7d later by resting blood pressure, a fasted blood sample (glucose, plasma insulin, IL6, IL10, IL15 and IL-1ß concentrations) and a cognitive function test battery. Habitual physical activity was monitored via hip-worn accelerometers over this 7-d period and the average acceleration (activity volume), and intensity gradient (intensity distribution of activity) were determined. RESULTS: Average acceleration and intensity gradient were negatively associated with mean arterial blood pressure (ß = -0.75 mmHg, p = 0.021; ß = -10 mmHg, p = 0.006, respectively), and waist circumference was positively associated with IL-6 concentration (ß = 0.03%, p = 0.026), with stronger associations observed in older adolescents. Higher physical fitness (MSFT distance) was positively associated with anti-inflammatory IL-15 concentration (ß = 0.03%, p = 0.038) and faster response times on the incongruent Stroop task (ß = -1.43 ms, p = 0.025), the one-item level of the Sternberg paradigm (ß = -0.66 ms, p = 0.026) and the simple (ß = 0.43 ms, p = 0.032) and complex (ß = -2.43 ms, p = 0.020) levels of the visual search test, but these were not moderated by age group. CONCLUSIONS: The present study highlights the important role of physical activity (both the volume and intensity distribution) and physical fitness for cardio-metabolic health. Furthermore, the present study highlights the importance of physical fitness for a variety of cognitive function domains in adolescents, irrespective of age.

Agreement and equivalence of estimated physical activity behaviours, using ENMO- and counts-based processing methods, for wrist-worn accelerometers in adolescents.

The present study examined the agreement and equivalence between two physical activity processing methods. Data were obtained from 161 Hong-Kong adolescents (74 girls, age: 12.6 ± 1.7y). Participants wore an Actigraph GT3XBT on their non-dominant wrist for 7d. Time spent sedentary, and in light-(LPA), moderate-(MPA), vigorous-(VPA), and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) were calculated using different processing methods (proprietary counts and Euclidean Norm Minus One (ENMO)). Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used to examine absolute agreement (ICC2) and consistency (ICC3), and equivalence was assessed using pairwise equivalence tests. Using ENMO, sedentary time and VPA were higher, whereas all other behaviours were lower (compared to counts processing). Agreement ranged from poor (ICC2:0.42(Sedentary)) to moderate (ICC2:0.86(LPA)) and consistency ranged from moderate (ICC3:0.71(sedentary)) to good (ICC3:0.91(LPA)). Methods were not considered equivalent (all p > 0.05). Due to differences in the wear-time validation of processing methods, a sensitivity analyses (sub-sample with the same valid wear time for both methods (n = 56)), resulted in minimal change. Lack of agreement and equivalence between ENMO and counts processing methods suggests that the processing method significantly affects youth physical activity estimates.

Effects of different solutions consumed during exercise on cognitive function of male college soccer players.

Background/Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of three solutions, i.e. carbohydrate-electrolyte-solution (CES), carbohydrate-electrolyte-protein-solution (CEPS), and placebo (PLA), on cognitive function of college soccer players. METHODS: Sixteen male college soccer players completed three main trials in a randomized cross-over study design. In each main trial, participants completed 90 min Loughborough Intermittent Shuttle Test (LIST) protocol and consumed one of three solutions. The cognitive function tests were performed; blood glucose and lactate concentrations, and several subjective measurements were also recorded in each trial. RESULTS: Compared with pre-exercise level, the accuracy of Rapid Visual Information Processing test (RVIPT) and the response time in Visual Search Test (VST, complex level) after LIST improved in CES and CEPS trials, but not in PLA trial. However, the accuracy of VST (complex level) decreased in both CES and CEPS trials, compared with PLA trial. CEPS consumption improved accuracy in VST (simple level), compared with CES consumption. Blood glucose concentrations were well maintained in CEPS trial, but not in CES and PLA trials. CONCLUSION: It seems that both CES and CEPS consumption show certain benefits on some aspects of cognitive function in male college soccer players in Hong Kong. However, these effects may be specific to the cognitive domain tested.

Effect of pre-exercise ingestion of α-lactalbumin on subsequent endurance exercise performance and mood states.

This study investigated the effect of pre-exercise α-lactalbumin ingestion on subsequent endurance exercise performance, muscle pain and mood states. In a two-stage cross-over counterbalance design, eleven male endurance runners (age: 31 (se 2) years, height: 169·5 (se 4·4) cm, weight: 63·6 (se 5·1) kg, V̇O2max: 58·8 (se 6·3) ml/kg per min) consumed two solutions (carbohydrate+α-lactalbumin, CA; carbohydrate+whey protein isolate, CW) 2 h before a self-paced 21-km run. Creatine kinase, IL-6, muscle pain, pressure pain threshold (PPT) and mood states were assessed 2 h before exercise, immediately before exercise (Pre-ex0) and immediately after exercise (Post-ex0). No difference was found in 21-km running performance between two trials (CA v. CW: 115·85 (se 5·20) v. 118·85 (se 5·51) min, P=0·48). Compared with CW, CA led to higher PPT at Pre-ex0 (41·77 (se 2·27) v. 35·56 (se 2·10) N/cm2, P<0·01) and Post-ex0 (38·76 (se 3·23) v. 35·30 (se 3·55) N/cm2, P=0·047). Compared with CW, CA reduced the feeling of fatigue at Post-ex0 (P<0·01); CA also reduced salivary cortisol levels at Post-ex0 (0·72 (se 0·07) v. 0·83 (se 0·13) ng/ml, P<0·01). In conclusion, the ingestion of α-lactalbumin did not improve the 21-km time-trial performance. However, compared with the pre-exercise ingestion of whey protein, that of α-lactalbumin led to superior results during similar levels of endurance exercise: it elevated PPT and reduced the feeling of fatigue and the cortisol levels.

Post-exercise appetite was affected by fructose content but not glycemic index of pre-exercise meals.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether both glycemic index (GI) and breakfast fructose content affect appetite during the postprandial period and recovery period after 1 hr of brisk walking. Ten healthy young men (age: 21.7 ± 1.5 y, body mass index: 20.9 ± 1.1 kg∙m(-2), VO2max: 53.7 ± 3.7 mL∙kg(-1)∙min(-1)) completed 1 hr of brisk walking at 46% VO2max 2 hr after eating one of three isocaloric breakfasts: a low-GI breakfast not including fructose content (LGI), a low-GI breakfast including fructose beverage (LGIF) and a high-GI breakfast (HGI). All breakfasts provided 1.0 g∙kg(-1) body weight carbohydrates, and the calculated GI values for the three breakfasts were 41, 39, and 72, respectively. In the LGIF and HGI trials, approximately 25% of participants' energy was derived from either fructose or glucose beverage. Appetite scores were measured every 30 min during the 2-hr postprandial period and 1-hr recovery period. During the postprandial period, the incremental areas under the blood response curve values of glucose and insulin were higher in the HGI trial, compared with those in the LGI and LGIF trials. At 30 and 60 min during the recovery period, the appetite scores were lower in the LGIF trial than those in the LGI and HGI trials. No differences were observed between the LGI and HGI trials. Breakfast fructose content, rather than GI, seems to affect appetite during the recovery period after 1 hr of brisk walking.

Effects of protein addition to carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions on postexercise rehydration.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to examine the effects of the addition of whey or casein protein, the two major proteins in milk, to carbohydrate-electrolyte (CE) solutions on postexercise rehydration. METHODS: Ten young men aged 20.7 ± 1.4 years with an average VO2max of 60.7 mL/kg/min ran for 60 minutes at 65% VO2max on three occasions followed by 4 hours' recovery. During recovery, the participants consumed either CE solution with 66 g/L carbohydrate (CHO), or CE plus whey protein solution (CW trial, 44 g/L CHO, 22 g/L whey), or CE plus casein protein solution (CC trial, 44 g/L CHO, 22 g/L casein); the solutions were matched for energy and electrolyte content. RESULTS: The participants lost 2.36 ± 0.32% of their pre-exercise body weight after the exercise. Total urine output after recovery was greater in the CE and CC trials than CW trial (CE vs. CW vs. CC: 1184 ± 378 mL vs. 1005 ± 214 mL vs. 1256 ± 413 mL; p < 0.05). Fluid retention after ingestion of CW solution was greater than CE and CC solutions (CE vs. CW vs. CC: 46.9 ± 16.5% vs. 54.9 ± 9.2% vs. 45.8 ± 17.3%; p < 0.05). Lower urine specific gravity and urine osmolality were observed by the end of recovery in the CE trial compared with CW trial (p < 0.05). No difference was found in the changes in plasma volume in all trials. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that during the 4 hours' recovery after a 60-minute run, the CW solution was more effective for rehydration compared with the CE or CC solution.

Effect of beverage flavor on body hydration in Hong Kong Chinese children exercising in a hot environment.

The purpose of the current study was to examine the effect of flavor on voluntary drinking and thermoregulatory responses in Chinese boys and girls exercising intermittently in a hot environment. Fourteen boys and girls (9 to 11 years old) performed four 3-hour intermittent exercise sessions (20-min walking sessions at 50% VO2peak followed by a 25-minute rest period) in a hot and humid environment (~30 °C ambient temperature and ~70% relative humidity). The participants consumed 1 of 4 beverages ad libitum in a randomized sequence by using a Latin-square principle: unflavored water (W), orange-flavored water (OF), lemon-flavored water (LF), and grape-flavored water (GF). No differences were observed in the total fluid intake (W vs. OF vs. LF vs. GF: Boys, 441 ± 114 vs. 493 ± 106 vs. 387 ± 83 vs. 568 ± 146 ml; Girls, 613 ± 131 vs. 923 ± 204 vs. 825 ± 157 vs. 790 ± 166 ml), urine and sweat output, and physiological perceptual variables among trials and between sexes. The results suggested that Chinese children can maintain body fluid balance while exercising moderately in a hot and humid environment by ad libitum drinking. The flavor of the beverages had no impact on the voluntary drinking and the state of hydration in the current study.

CircPRDM5 inhibits the proliferation, migration, invasion, and glucose metabolism of gastric cancer cells by reducing GCNT4 expression in a miR-485-3p-dependent manner.

Circular RNA (circRNA) plays a key part in the pathological process of gastric cancer (GC). The study is organized to analyze the function of circPRDM5 in GC cell tumor properties. Expression levels of circPRDM5, miR-485-3p, glucosaminyl (N-acetyl) transferase 4 (GCNT4), ki67, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and hexokinase 2 (HK2) were analyzed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), Western blotting or immunohistochemistry assay. Cell proliferation was assessed by cell colony formation assay and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay. Cell migration and invasion were investigated by transwell assay. Glycolysis was evaluated by the Seahorse XF Glycolysis Stress Test Kit. Dual-luciferase reporter assay and RNA pull-down assay were performed to identify the associations among circPRDM5, miR-485-3p, and GCNT4. Xenograft mouse model assay was conducted to determine the effects of circPRDM5 on tumor formation in vivo. CircPRDM5 and GCNT4 expression were downregulated, while miR-485-3p expression was upregulated in GC tissues and cells when compared with paracancerous tissues or human gastric epithelial cells. CircPRDM5 overexpression inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and glucose metabolism of GC cells; however, circPRDM5 depletion had the opposite effects. CircPRDM5 repressed tumor properties of GC cells in vivo. MiR-485-3p restoration relieved circPRDM5-induced effects in GC cells. GCNT4 overexpression remitted the promoting effects of miR-485-3p mimics on GC cell malignancy. CircPRDM5 acted as a sponge for miR-485-3p, and GCNT4 was identified as a target gene of miR-485-3p. Moreover, circPRDM5 regulated GCNT4 expression by interacting with miR-485-3p.CircPRDM5 acted as a miR-485-3p sponge to inhibit GC progression by increasing GCNT4 expression, proving a potential target for GC therapy.

Effect of the glycemic index of pre-exercise snack bars on substrate utilization during subsequent exercise.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of the glycemic index (GI) of pre-exercise snack bars on substrate utilization during subsequent moderate intensity exercise. METHODS: Fourteen male participants (Age: 27 ± 5 yr; BMI: 22.5 ± 2.7 kg m(-2); [Formula: see text]: 48.7 ± 6.1 mL kg(-1 )min(-1)) completed two trials in a randomized and counterbalanced crossover design. Two iso-caloric snack bars with different GI values (20, LGI versus 68, HGI) were provided to the participants. Ninety minutes later, all participants completed 45 minutes of ergometer cycling at 65% [Formula: see text]. Substrate utilization was measured using indirect calorimetry. RESULTS: During exercise, higher fat oxidation and lower carbohydrate (CHO) oxidation were observed in the LGI trial (LGI versus HGI: CHO, 87.3 ± 20.1 versus 99.2 ± 19.0 g, p < 0.05; Fat, 15.0 ± 5.8 versus 9.7 ± 7.0 g, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with an iso-caloric HGI snack bar, pre-exercise LGI snack bar consumption may facilitate a shift of substrate utilization from CHO to fat during subsequent moderate intensity exercise.

Association of Sedentary Lifestyle with Risk of Acute and Post-Acute COVID-19 Sequelae: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

BACKGROUND: Evidence suggests that coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) survivors could experience COVID-19 sequelae. Although various risk factors for COVID-19 sequelae have been identified, little is known about whether a sedentary lifestyle is an independent risk factor. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, 4850 participants self-reported their COVID-19 sequelae symptoms between June and August 2022. A sedentary lifestyle included physical inactivity (<150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity) and prolonged sedentary behavior (≥10 h/day) before the fifth COVID-19 wave was recorded. Logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the relationships between sedentary lifestyle and risk of acute and post-acute (lasting ≥2 months) COVID-19 sequelae. RESULTS: A total of 1443 COVID-19 survivors and 2962 non-COVID-19 controls were included. Of the COVID-19 survivors, >80% and >40% self-reported acute and post-acute COVID-19 sequelae, respectively. In the post-acute phase, COVID-19 survivors who were physically inactive had a 37% lower risk of insomnia, whereas those with prolonged sedentary behavior had 25%, 67%, and 117% higher risks of at least one symptom, dizziness, and "pins and needles" sensation, respectively. For the acute phase, prolonged sedentary behavior was associated with a higher risk of fatigue, "brain fog," dyspnea, muscle pain, joint pain, dizziness, and "pins and needles" sensation. Notably, sedentary behavior, rather than physical inactivity, was correlated with a higher risk of severe post-COVID-19 sequelae in both acute and post-acute phases. CONCLUSIONS: Prolonged sedentary behavior was independently associated with a higher risk of both acute and post-acute COVID-19 sequelae, whereas physical inactivity played contradictory roles in COVID-19 sequelae.

Substrate utilization during brisk walking is affected by glycemic index and fructose content of a pre-exercise meal.

The purpose of the present study was to investigate whether both glycemic index (GI) and fructose content of a pre-exercise meal would affect substrate utilization during subsequent brisk walking. Ten healthy young males completed 60 min of 46% [Formula: see text] brisk walking 2 h after they consumed one of three breakfasts: a low-GI meal without fructose (LGI), a low-GI meal including fructose (LGIF), and a high-GI meal without fructose (HGI). The calculated GI values for the three meals were 41, 39, and 72, respectively. Substrate utilization was measured using indirect respiratory calorimetry method. During the postprandial period, the incremental area under the blood response curve values of glucose and insulin were higher in the HGI trial, compared with those in the LGI and LGIF trials (HGI vs. LGI and LGIF: Glucose 223.6 ± 19.1 vs. 70.2 ± 7.4 and 114.1 ± 16.4 mmol min L(-1); Insulin 4257 ± 932 vs. 920 ± 319 and 1487 ± 348 mU min L(-1)). During exercise, substrate preference was distinct based on different pre-exercise carbohydrate meals. Higher fat and lower carbohydrate oxidation was observed in the LGI trial, whereas both the HGI and LGIF trials were characterized by higher carbohydrate and lower fat oxidation (LGI vs. LGIF and HGI: Carbohydrate 59.3 ± 2.4 vs. 69.8 ± 3.9 and 72.7 ± 3.9 g; Fat 22.7 ± 2.0 vs. 18.5 ± 1.7 and 17.6 ± 1.3 g; P < 0.05). In conclusion, the presence of fructose in a LGI breakfast resulted in similar substrate utilization during subsequent brisk walking with that induced by a HGI breakfast. It appears that both the GI and fructose content in a breakfast individually affect substrate utilization during subsequent moderate intensity exercise.

Associations of Sedentary Patterns with Cardiometabolic Biomarkers in Physically Active Young Males.

PURPOSE: Sitting time (ST) is a serious global health issue and positively associated with cardiometabolic disease. The present study investigated associations between objectively measured ST, sedentary patterns, and cardiometabolic biomarkers in physically active young males. METHODS: Cross-sectional analysis was completed in 94 males 18-35 yr of age. Total ST, prolonged sedentary bouts (≥30 min with no interruption), and sedentary breaks (transitions from sitting/lying to standing/stepping) were assessed using activPAL. Lipids, insulin, C-peptide, C-reactive protein (CRP), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule 1, E-selectin, P-selectin, leptin, resistin, and adiponectin were measured using assay kits. The expression of specific proteins related to endothelial dysfunction was determined using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Associations between total ST, prolonged sedentary bouts, and sedentary breaks with cardiometabolic biomarkers and total ST and levels of gene expression were assessed using generalized linear models. RESULTS: Total ST was significantly associated with triglycerides (B = 1.814), insulin (B = 2.117), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (B = 0.071), and E-selectin (B = 2.052). Leptin (B = 0.086), E-selectin (B = 1.623), and P-selectin (B = 2.519) were significantly associated with prolonged sedentary bouts, whereas leptin (B = -0.017) and CRP (B = -0.016) were associated with sedentary breaks. After adjustment for moderate to vigorous physical activity, the associations between triglycerides (B = 2.048) and total ST, and between CRP (B = -0.016) and sedentary breaks, remained significant. E-selectin mRNA levels (B = 0.0002) were positively associated with ST with or without adjustment for moderate to vigorous physical activity. CONCLUSIONS: Total ST and prolonged sedentary bouts were positively associated with several cardiometabolic biomarkers, with interruptions in ST potentially contributing to reduced cardiometabolic risk in physically active young male adults.

Effects of 8-week core training on core endurance and running economy.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 8-week core training on core endurance and running economy in college athletes. Twenty-one male college athletes were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group (CON) (n = 10) and a core training group (CT) (n = 11). Both groups maintained their regular training, whereas CT attended 3 extra core training sessions per week for 8 weeks. The participants were assessed before and after the training program using sensory organization test (SOT), sport-specific endurance plank test (SEPT) and 4-stage treadmill incremental running test (TIRT). Compared with the pre-test, significant improvements were observed in post-test SOT (78.8 ± 4.8 vs. 85.3 ± 4.8, p = 0.012) and SEPT (193.5 ± 71.9 s vs. 241.5 ± 98.9 s, p = 0.001) performances only in CT. In the TIRT, the post-test heart rate values were lower than the pre-test values in CT in the first 3 stages. In stage 4, the post-test oxygen consumption (VO2) was lower than that in pre-test in CT (VO2: 52.4 ± 3.5 vs. 50.0 ± 2.9 ml/kg/min, p = 0.019). These results reveal that 8-week core training may improve static balance, core endurance, and running economy in college athletes.

A randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial on the efficacy of ivermectin against intestinal nematode infections in China.

To assess the efficacy of ivermectin against intestinal nematode infections, a randomized, double-blind, multicenter clinical trial was carried out in a total of 816 human individuals infected with different nematodes from three counties in China. The subjects were randomly assigned into experimental and control groups and orally given a single dose of 0.1, 0.2, 0.2 and 0.2mg/kg ivermectin against Ascaris lumbricoides, hookworm, Trichuris trichiura and Enterobius vermicularis, respectively. Parallel control groups to each of the ivermectin groups were given a single oral dose of 6.7 mg/kg albendazole. The cure rates with ivermectin and albendazole were 100% (102/102) and 99.0% (101/102) for Ascaris, and 66.7% (68/102) and 67.7% (69/102) for Trichuris, respectively, with no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two treatments. The parasitological cure rates of albendazole were 69.6% (71/102) for hookworm and 94.1% (96/102) for Enterobius, which were significantly higher than ivermectin (33.3% and 52.9%, respectively, P<0.0001). The expulsion of worm in the feces reached its peak 1-2 days after ivermectin treatment. The study showed that ivermectin, with few side effects, could be used as an additional treatment tool for intestinal nematodes, especially for the treatment of Ascaris and Trichuris infections in China.

Effects of whey protein in carbohydrate-electrolyte drinks on post-exercise rehydration.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of different amounts of whey protein in carbohydrate-electrolyte (CE) drinks on post-exercise rehydration. Ten males completed 5 trials in a randomised cross-over design. A 4-h recovery was applied after a 60-min run at 65% VO2peak in each trial. During recovery, the participants ingested a high-carbohydrate CE drink (CE-H), a low-carbohydrate CE drink (CE-L), a high-whey-protein (33 g·L-1) CE drink (CW-H), a medium-whey-protein (22 g·L-1) CE drink (CW-M) or a low-whey-protein (15 g·L-1) CE drink (CW-L) in a volume equivalent to 150% of their body mass (BM) loss. The drinks were provided in six equal boluses and consumed by the participants within 150 min in each trial. After exercise, a BM loss of 2.15% ± 0.05% was achieved. Urine production was less in the CW-M and CW-H trials during recovery, which induced a greater fluid retention in the CW-M (51.0% ± 5.7%) and CW-H (55.4% ± 3.8%) trials than in any other trial (p < .05). The plasma albumin content was higher in the CW-H trial than in the CE-H and CE-L trials at 2 h (p < .05) and 3 h (p < .01) during recovery. The aldosterone concentration was lower in the CE-H trial than in the CW-M and CW-H trials after recovery (p < .05). It is concluded that the rehydration was improved when whey protein was co-ingested with CE drinks during a 4-h recovery after a 60-min run. However, this additive effect was only observed when whey protein concentration was at least 22 g·L-1 in the current study.

Predicting Athletes' Pre-Exercise Fluid Intake: A Theoretical Integration Approach.

Pre-exercise fluid intake is an important healthy behavior for maintaining athletes’ sports performances and health. However, athletes’ behavioral adherence to fluid intake and its underlying psychological mechanisms have not been investigated. This prospective study aimed to use a health psychology model that integrates the self-determination theory and the theory of planned behavior for understanding pre-exercise fluid intake among athletes. Participants (n = 179) were athletes from college sport teams who completed surveys at two time points. Baseline (Time 1) assessment comprised psychological variables of the integrated model (i.e., autonomous and controlled motivation, attitude, subjective norm, perceived behavioral control, and intention) and fluid intake (i.e., behavior) was measured prospectively at one month (Time 2). Path analysis showed that the positive association between autonomous motivation and intention was mediated by subjective norm and perceived behavioral control. Controlled motivation positively predicted the subjective norm. Intentions positively predicted pre-exercise fluid intake behavior. Overall, the pattern of results was generally consistent with the integrated model, and it was suggested that athletes’ pre-exercise fluid intake behaviors were associated with the motivational and social cognitive factors of the model. The research findings could be informative for coaches and sport scientists to promote athletes’ pre-exercise fluid intake behaviors.

Post-Exercise Appetite and Ad Libitum Energy Intake in Response to High-Intensity Interval Training versus Moderate- or Vigorous-Intensity Continuous Training among Physically Inactive Middle-Aged Adults.

High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is considered a time-efficient exercise strategy for weight management. However, data regarding the acute appetite and energy intake responses to HIIT versus continuous training remain inconclusive. This study investigated the ad libitum energy intake and appetite responses to a single session of HIIT versus moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and vigorous-intensity continuous training (VICT). Using a randomized crossover design, 11 middle-aged physically inactive men (45.7 ± 7.4 years, 23.5 ± 2.1 kg m-2) participated in three treadmill trials at 7-day intervals. HIIT comprised 10 1-min periods at 100% VO2max interspersed with 1-min periods of active recovery. MICT comprised a 40-min session at 65% VO2max, while VICT comprised a 20-min session at 80% VO2max. After each trial, the participants consumed an ad libitum buffet meal for which the energy intake was recorded. The participants' perceived appetite was assessed before and after exercise sessions using the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). No significant differences in post-exercise ad libitum energy intake were observed between trials (HIIT: 645 ± 262.9 kcal; MICT: 614.7 ± 271.2 kcal; VICT: 623.1 ± 249.0 kcal, p > 0.05). Although the perceived appetite responses exhibited a significant main effect of time (p < 0.01), no group differences were observed (p > 0.05). In summary, these findings suggest that the interval or continuous nature of exercise has no significant effect on appetite responses in physically inactive middle-aged adults, at least during the short-term post-exercise period.

Expression of the gene coading for PGC-1α in peripheral blood leukocytes and related gene variants in patients with Parkinson's disease.

INTRODUCTION: Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-γ coactivator-1α (PGC-1α) plays an important role in Parkinson's disease (PD). The aim of the study was to evaluate PGC-1α gene expression in the peripheral blood of PD patients. We also investigated PGC-1α-related gene variants and identified whether they are associated with PGC-1α gene expression. METHODS: 259 PD patients and 253 healthy controls were included in this study. PPARGC1A (the gene encoding PGC-1α) expression levels were tested using real-time PCR. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the PGC-1α-related genes (PPARGC1A, PPARG and SIRT1) were genotyped by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). RESULTS: PPARGC1A levels were significantly decreased in PD patients (P = 0.000) and negatively correlated with the patients' H&Y stage (r = -0.212, P = 0.039) and UPDRS-III score (r = -0.208, P = 0.044), after correcting, these correlations disappeared. The genotype frequencies of PGC-1α-related gene variants were not associated with the risk of PD. PPARGC1A rs2970870 variant was associated with the NMS score (P = 0.026), SIRT1 rs7895833 variant was associated with HAMA score (P = 0.029). PPARG rs4684847 variant was associated with MMSE score (P = 0.031). PPARG rs1801282, rs4684847, rs3856806 variants were associated with MoCA score. After correcting, only the association between PPARG rs4684847 and MoCA score remained significant (FDR = 0.048). PGC-1α-related gene variants had no effect on PGC-1α gene expression. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of PGC-1α may not be due to its related gene variants. PGC-1α could become a candidate blood-based biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring disease progression.