High-Intensity Exercise Training for Improving Reproductive Function in Infertile Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this RCT was to investigate whether a 24-week program of high-intensity exercise was beneficial for improving reproductive function in infertile male patients. METHODS: Infertile men (n = 433) were randomly assigned to exercise (n = 218) and non-exercise (n = 215) groups. The seminal markers of inflammation and oxidative stress, semen quality parameters, sperm DNA fragmentation, and pregnancy rate were measured at baseline, at the end of week 12, at the end of week 24, and at 7 and 30 days during recovery. Exercise programs included a treadmill running protocol, three times a week, at an intensity >70% to 85% of maximal oxygen consumption. RESULTS: The exercise group reported significantly attenuated inflammatory biomarkers (interleukin-6 and tumour necrosis factor-α), oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species and malondialdehyde), and antioxidants (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity) (P < 0.05), and these changes coincided with favorable improvements in semen parameters, sperm DNA integrity, and pregnancy rate (P < 0.05). These findings indicate that our exercise training program was adequate to elicit improvements in markers of male reproductive function in infertile patients. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that a high-intensity exercise program could be recommended as an adjunct lifestyle approach to male factor infertility treatment or used in combination with other therapies.

The effects of 16 weeks of intensive cycling training on seminal oxidants and antioxidants in male road cyclists.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effects of 16 weeks of intensive cycling training on seminal reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in male road cyclists. DESIGN: Repeated measures design. SETTING: The Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Urmia University. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-four healthy nonprofessional male road cyclists (aged 17-26 years) participated in this study. INTERVENTIONS: All subjects participated in 16 weeks of intensive cycling training. The semen samples were collected, respectively, at baseline (T1), immediately (T2), 12 (T3), and 24 (T4) hours after the last training session in week 8; immediately (T5), 12 (T6), and 24 (T7) hours after the last training session in week 16; and 7 (T8) and 30 (T9) days after the last training session in week 16. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total antioxidant capacity and SOD were measured by colorimetric assay. The levels of ROS were measured by a chemiluminescence assay. Malondialdehyde levels were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay. Catalase was measured by monitoring the initial rate of disappearance of hydrogen peroxide (initial concentration 10 mM) at 240 nm. RESULTS: The levels of seminal ROS and MDA increased (P < 0.008) and remained high after 30 days of recovery. The levels of seminal SOD, catalase, and TAC decreased (P < 0.008) and remained low after 30 days of recovery (P < 0.008). CONCLUSIONS: Sixteen weeks of intensive cycling training may have deleterious consequences for spermatozoa and hence may affect sperm healthy parameters in male cyclists.

Correlation between seminal oxidative stress biomarkers and antioxidants with sperm DNA damage in elite athletes and recreationally active men.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the seminal plasma 8-isoprostane, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and levels of sperm DNA fragmentation in elite athletes and recreationally active men. DESIGN: Prospective design was used for this study. SETTING: The study was performed in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Urmia University. PARTICIPANTS: Fifty-six elite athletes and 52 recreationally active men (18-28 years) participated in this study. INTERVENTION: All subjects had a semen sampling at baseline. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Total antioxidant capacity and SOD activity were measured by colorimetric assay. Levels of ROS were measured by a chemiluminescence assay. Malondialdehyde levels were measured by thiobarbituric acid reactive substance assay. Catalase activity was measured by monitoring the initial rate of disappearance of hydrogen peroxide. Concentration of free 8-isoprostane was measured by enzyme immunoassay method. Sperm DNA fragmentation was evaluated with the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated fluorescein dUTP nick end-labeling assay. RESULTS: Recreationally active men have significantly higher levels of body fat, seminal SOD, TAC, and catalase and lower levels of V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, seminal ROS, MDA, and 8-isoprostane and subsequently lower rate of sperm DNA fragmentation when compared with elite athletes (P < 0.001). Significantly negative correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation with body fat, seminal SOD, catalase, and TAC levels (P < 0.001). Significantly positive correlation was observed between sperm DNA fragmentation with V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, seminal 8-isoprostane, ROS, and MDA levels (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Spermatozoa from recreationally active men may be less susceptible to oxidative stress-induced DNA damage and hence infertility.

The Effects of Exercise Training on Recovery of Biochemical and Hematological Outcomes in Patients Surviving COVID-19: A Randomized Controlled Assessor-Blinded Trial.

BACKGROUND: No previous research has investigated the direct effects of exercise interventions on COVID-19 outcomes. The aim is to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of home-based moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), resistance training (RT), and combined aerobic and resistance training (CET) on biochemical and hematologic markers associated with COVID-19 symptoms and severity in COVID-19 survivors. METHODS: A total of 547 male and female COVID-19 survivors were screened, and 296 (aged 20-93 years) were randomly assigned in a 1:1:1:1 ratio to one of four groups: MICT (n = 74), RT (n = 74), CET (n = 74), or non-exercise (NON-EX, n = 74). Blood samples were taken at baseline, at week 4, and week 8 after training. RESULTS: After the intervention, compared with the NON-EX group, all 3 MICT, RT, and CET interventions caused significant improvements in the levels of creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), C-reactive protein (CRP), troponin-I, d-dimer, creatinine, urea, potassium (K), sodium (Na), white blood cell (WBC), neutrophils, lymphocytes, red blood cells (RBC), platelets, hemoglobin, and hematocrit concentrations (P < 0.05). CET was effectively superior to MICT and RT in the improvements in the biochemical and hematological variables studied (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, the present study demonstrates that long-term MICT plus RT interventions have a synergistic effect in accelerating and enhancing the recovery in patients surviving COVID-19. Trial registration IRCT20160605028270N3, 6 September 2020.

Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation attenuates inflammatory markers after eccentric exercise in untrained men.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of ingestion of omega-3 (N-3) fatty acids on the production of interleukin (IL) 6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α, prostaglandin (PG) E2, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine kinase (CK), and myoglobin (Mb) during an eccentric exercise program. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blinded, repeated measures design was used for this study. SETTING: The study was performed in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory of the Urmia University. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-five men, who had not participated in any training program for 60 days before their participation in this study, were recruited. INTERVENTIONS: Plasma levels of PGE2, IL-6, TNF-α, CK, LDH, and Mb were taken before supplementation, pre-exercise, and immediately, 24, and 48 hours after eccentric exercise. Subjects were assigned to one of the experimental (1.8 g/d N-3), placebo, or control groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma levels of PGE2, IL-6, and TNF-α were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays kits. Plasma level of LDH, Mb, and CK were measured using an autoanalyzer, a c-counter, and an automatic blood analyzer, respectively. RESULTS: The experimental group showed less elevation in TNF-α and PGE2 immediately, 24, and 48 hours after exercise, when compared with the other groups. Significantly less elevation was shown in the concentration of IL-6, CK, and Mb for the experimental group at 24 and 48 hours after exercise. The experimental group also demonstrated a significant trend toward reduction in the plasma concentration of LDH immediately, 24, and 48 hours after the exercise program. CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of N-3 can be effective in ameliorating, eccentric exercise-induced, inflammatory markers.

The calciotropic hormone response to omega-3 supple-mentation during long-term weight-bearing exercise training in post menopausal women.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of ingestion of omega-3 (n-3) and aerobic exercise intervention on the calcium regulating hormones in healthy postmenopausal women. To this end, 56 healthy sedentary postmenopausal women with mean age 57.7 ± 3.5 yrs participated in this study. Participants were randomly divided into exercise plus supple-ment (E+S; n = 14), exercise (E; n = 14), supplement (S; n = 14) and control (Con, n = 14) groups. The subjects in E+S and E groups performed aerobic exercise training (walking and jog-ging) up to 65% of exercise HRmax, three times a week for 16 weeks. Subjects in E+S and S groups were asked to consume 1000 mg/d omega-3 for 16 weeks. The blood ionized Calcium (Ca(+2)), Parathyroid hormone (PTH), estrogen and Calcitonin (CT) were measured before and after 16 weeks of exercise training. Results indicated that consuming 1000 mg·day(-1) omega-3 during 16 weeks and or the aerobic exercise, significantly increased CT (p = 0.001) in E+S, E and S groups and significantly decreased PTH (p = 0.001) levels in E+S and E groups, also significantly increased estrogen (p = 0.024) levels in E+S and E groups, but had no significant effects on blood Ca(+2) (p = 0.619) levels. The results of present study demonstrate that omega-3 in combination with regular aerobic exercise training have significant effects on serum CT, estrogen and PTH in non-athletic post-menopausal women, suggesting that participating in moderate intensity weight-bearing exercise and incorporating sources of omega-3 in the diet a possible intervention to help slow the loss of bone that occurs following menopause. Key pointsLong-term weight-bearing exercise was shown to prove positive effects on bone metabolism.Serum calciotropic hormone levels and Ca(+2) can be affected by exercise intensity as well as dura-tion.There is a good relationship between dietary omega-3 (n-3) and bone metabolism in post-menopausal women.Omega-3 in combination with long-term weight-bearing exercise training has significant effects on serum calciotropic hormone levels in non-athlete post-menopausal women.

The effects of ingestion of omega-3 fatty acids on perceived pain and external symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness in untrained men.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of ingestion of omega-3 on perceived pain and external symptoms of delayed onset muscle soreness after eccentric exercise in knee extensors. DESIGN: A randomized, double-blinded, repeated measures design was used for this study. SETTING: The study was performed in the Exercise Physiology Laboratory at the Faculty of Humanities of Urmia University. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-seven men, who had not participated in any training program 60 days before their participation in this study, were recruited. All subjects finished the study. INTERVENTIONS: Knee range of motion (ROM), perceived pain, and thigh circumference of the right leg were taken before, immediately, and after 24 and 48 hours after an eccentric exercise. Subjects were assigned to one of the experimental (1.8 g/d omega-3), placebo (R.P. Scherer), or control groups. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Subjects self-reported the perceived pain level of the lower limbs using the Talag mentally corrected scale. Thigh circumference was measured by using a Gulick anthropometric tape. Knee ROM was determined by using a Jamar goniometer. RESULTS: No differences among treatments were observed for pain and ROM before, immediately, and 24 hours after the exercise. However, observed differences in perceived pain and ROM were obvious at 48 hours postexercise. In the case of thigh circumference, differences were at 24 and 48 hours postexercise, and there was no difference before and immediately after exercise. CONCLUSIONS: Ingestion of omega-3 can be effective in ameliorating delayed onset muscle soreness induced by eccentric exercise.

A randomized controlled study examining the effect of exercise on inflammatory cytokine levels in post-menopausal women.

BACKGROUND: Elevated plasma levels of inflammatory cytokine are associated with body mass index, percent body fat and increased morbidity. Evidence suggests that higher levels of physical activity result in beneficial anti-inflammatory effects compared to a more sedentary lifestyle. Further, reproductive hormones are associated with inflammaotry cytokines. This study examined the effect of a 16-week low-moderate intensity exercise (EX) programme on reproductive hormones and inflammatory cytokines. METHODS: Twenty-eight healthy, sedentary post-menopausal women were randomly assigned to EX (n = 14) or control (Con, n = 14) groups. The EX group completed low-moderate intensity treadmill training 25-30 min/day, up to 55% of HRmax, 3-4 days/week, for 16-weeks. Con maintained current physical activity level. Baseline and week-16 serum samples evaluated interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, estradiol, luteinizing hormone and follicular stimulating hormone. RESULTS: Post-intervention, the EX group showed a significant decrease in interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, estradiol, follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone levels compared to baseline values. No significant changes were observed in Con. Significant correlations were observed between IL-1ß, IL-6, TNF-α, and reproductive hormones, both before and after the exercise intervention. CONCLUSION: Findings suggest that a low-moderate intensity EX programme decreases cytokines in relation to reproductive hormones in post-menopausal women. These findings support the role of EX in reducing inflammatory markers and improved reproductive hormones in post-menopausal women.

The effects of honey supplementation on seminal plasma cytokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidants during 8 weeks of intensive cycling training.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of natural honey supplementation on seminal plasma cytokines, oxidative stress biomarkers, and antioxidants during 8 weeks of intensive cycling training in male road cyclists. Thirty-nine healthy nonprofessional male road cyclists aged 18-28 years participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to exercise + supplement (E + S, n = 20) and exercise (E, n = 19) groups. All subjects participated in 8 weeks of intensive cycling training. Ninety minutes before each training session, subjects in the E + S group supplemented with 70 g of honey, whereas subjects in the E group received 70 g of an artificial sweetener. All subjects had an initial semen sampling at baseline (T(1)). The next 6 semen collections were collected immediately (T(2)) and 12 (T(3)) and 24 hours (T(4)) after the last training session in week 4, as well as immediately (T(5)) and 12 (T(6)) and 24 hours (T(7)) after the last training session in week 8, respectively. In the E group, 8 weeks of intensive cycling training significantly increased seminal interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels (P < .008) and significantly decreased the levels of seminal superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (P < .008). Significantly less elevation in seminal IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, ROS, and MDA levels (P < .008) and significant increases in seminal SOD, catalase, and TAC concentrations were observed after the honey supplementation in the E + S group (P < .008). It may be possible that honey supplementation following long-term intensive cycling training would be effective in attenuating the probable aggravating effects of intensive cycling training on spermatogenesis and fertility capacity in road cyclists.

The effects of omega-3 supplementation on pulmonary function of young wrestlers during intensive training.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of omega-3 supplementation on young wrestler's pulmonary function during intensive wrestling training. Forty healthy young male wrestlers participated in this study. The subjects were randomly divided into experimental (n=10), placebo (n=10), active control (n=10) and inactive control (n=10) groups. Participants in experimental, placebo and active control groups performed wrestling incremental training up to 95% of exercise MHR, three times a week, for 12 weeks. The inactive control group did not participate in any exercise training. Subjects in the experimental group were asked to consume omega-3 (1000 mg/day for 12 weeks), while those in placebo were refused any doses of omega-3. The pulmonary variables were measured at baseline and at the end of 12 weeks of training program. Results indicated that consuming omega-3 during 12 weeks training had a significantly positive effect on pulmonary variables such as FEV1, FVC, VC, MVV, FEF25-75, FIV1 (p=0.001), but no significant changes were observed in FEV1% (p=0.141) and FIV1% (p=0.117). The results of the present study suggest that consuming omega-3 during intensive wrestling training can improve pulmonary function of athletes during and in post-exercise.