Hypoxic high-intensity interval training in individuals with overweight and obesity.

Combining moderate-intensity exercise training with hypoxic exposure may induce larger improvement in cardiometabolic risk factors and health status compared with normoxic exercise training in obesity. Considering the greater cardiometabolic effects of high-intensity intermittent training (HIIT), we hypothesized that hypoxic high-volume HIIT (H-HIIT) would induce greater improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness and health status despite a lower absolute training workload than normoxic HIIT (N-HIIT) in overweight/obesity. Thirty-one subjects were randomized to an 8-week H-HIIT [10 male and 6 female; age: 51.0 ± 8.3 years; body mass index (BMI): 31.5 ± 4 kg·m-2] or N-HIIT (13 male and 2 female; age: 52.0 ± 7.5 years; BMI: 32.4 ± 4.8 kg·m-2) program (3 sessions/week; cycling at 80% or 100% of maximal workload for H-HIIT and N-HIIT, respectively; target arterial oxygen saturation for H-HIIT 80%, [Formula: see text] ∼0.12, i.e., ∼4,200 meters above sea level). Before and after training, the following evaluations were performed: incremental maximal and submaximal cycling tests, pulse-wave velocity, endothelial function, fasting glucose, insulin, lipid profile, and body composition. Maximal exercise (V̇o2peak: H-HIIT +14.2% ± 8.3% vs. N-HIIT +12.1 ± 8.8%) and submaximal (ventilatory thresholds) capacity and exercise metabolic responses (power output at the crossover point and at maximal fat oxidation rate) increased significantly in both groups, with no significant difference between groups and without other cardiometabolic changes. H-HIIT induced a greater peak ventilatory response (ANOVA group × time interaction F = 7.4, P = 0.016) compared with N-HIIT. In overweight/obesity, the combination of normobaric hypoxia and HIIT was not superior for improving cardiorespiratory fitness improvement compared with HIIT in normoxia, although HIIT in hypoxia was performed at a lower absolute training workload.

High-intensity interval training to promote cerebral oxygenation and affective valence during exercise in individuals with obesity.

Left/right prefrontal cortex (PFC) activation is linked to positive/negative affects, respectively. Besides, larger left PFC oxygenation during exercise relates to higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF). High-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in improving CRF. The influence of training on PFC oxygenation and affects during exercise in individuals with obesity is, however, currently unknown. Twenty participants with obesity (14 males, 48 ± 8 years, body-mass index = 35 ± 6 kg·m-2) were randomised to MICT [50% peak work rate (WRpeak)] or HIIT (1-min bouts 100% WRpeak; 3 sessions/week, 8 weeks). Before/after training, participants completed an incremental ergocycle test. Near-infrared spectroscopy and the Feeling Scale assessed PFC oxygenation and affects during exercise, respectively. Improvements in CRF (e.g., WRpeak: 32 ± 14 vs 20 ± 13 W) were greater after HIIT vs MICT (p < 0.05). Only HIIT induced larger left PFC oxygenation (haemoglobin difference from 7 ± 6 to 10 ± 7 µmol) and enhanced affective valence (from 0.7 ± 2.9 to 2.2 ± 2.0; p < 0.05) at intensities ≥ second ventilatory threshold. Exercise-training induced changes in left PFC oxygenation correlated with changes in CRF [e.g., WRpeak (% predicted), r = 0.46] and post-training affective valence (r = 0.45; p < 0.05). HIIT specifically improved left PFC oxygenation and affects during exercise in individuals with obesity. Implementing HIIT in exercise programmes may therefore have relevant implications for the management of obesity, since greater affective response to exercise is thought to be associated with future commitment to physical activity.

Effects of high intensity interval training on sustained reduction in cardiometabolic risk associated with overweight/obesity. A randomized trial.

Background: Considering the potential greater cardiocirculatory effects of high intensity interval training (HIIT), we hypothesized that a 2-month supervised high volume short interval HIIT would induce greater improvements in CRF and cardiometabolic risk and increase long-term maintenance to physical activity compared to isocaloric moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) in overweight/obesity. Methods: Sixty (19 females) subjects with overweight/obesity were randomized to three training programs (3 times/week for 2 months): MICT (45 min, 50% peak power output-PPO), HIIT (22 × 1-min cycling at 100% PPO/1-min passive recovery) and HIIT-RM (RM: recovery modulation, i.e. subjects adjusted passive recovery duration between 30s and 2 min). After the intervention, participants no longer benefited from supervised physical activity and were instructed to maintain the same exercise modalities on their own. We assessed anthropometrics, body composition, CRF, fat oxidation, lipid profile, glycemic balance, low-grade inflammation, vascular function, spontaneous physical activity and motivation for eating at three time points: baseline (T0), 4 days after the end of the 2-month supervised training program (T2) and 4 months after the end of the training program (T6). Results: HIIT/HIIT-RM induced greater improvement in VO2peak (between +14% and +17%), power output at ventilatory thresholds and at maximal fat oxidation rate (+25%) and waist circumference (-1.53 cm) compared to MICT and tended to decrease insulin resistance. During the four-month follow-up period during which exercise in autonomy was prescribed, HIIT induced a greater preservation of CRF, decreases in total and abdominal fat masses and total cholesterol/HDL. Conclusion: We have shown greater short-term benefits induced by a high volume short interval (1 min) HIIT on cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiometabolic risk over an isocaloric moderate intensity continuous exercise in persons with overweight/obesity. We also showed greater long-term effects (i.e. after 4 months) of this exercise modality on the maintenance of CRF, decreases in total and abdominal fat masses and total cholesterol/HDL.

Selective loss of a LAP1 isoform causes a muscle-specific nuclear envelopathy.

The nuclear envelope (NE) separates the nucleus from the cytoplasm in all eukaryotic cells. A disruption of the NE structure compromises normal gene regulation and leads to severe human disorders collectively classified as nuclear envelopathies and affecting skeletal muscle, heart, brain, skin, and bones. The ubiquitous NE component LAP1B is encoded by TOR1AIP1, and the use of an alternative start codon gives rise to the shorter LAP1C isoform. TOR1AIP1 mutations have been identified in patients with diverging clinical presentations such as muscular dystrophy, progressive dystonia with cerebellar atrophy, and a severe multi-systemic disorder, but the correlation between the mutational effect and the clinical spectrum remains to be determined. Here, we describe a novel TOR1AIP1 patient manifesting childhood-onset muscle weakness and contractures, and we provide clinical, histological, ultrastructural, and genetic data. We demonstrate that the identified TOR1AIP1 frameshift mutation leads to the selective loss of the LAP1B isoform, while the expression of LAP1C was preserved. Through comparative review of all previously reported TOR1AIP1 cases, we delineate a genotype/phenotype correlation and conclude that LAP1B-specific mutations cause a progressive skeletal muscle phenotype, while mutations involving a loss of both LAP1B and LAP1C isoforms induce a syndromic disorder affecting skeletal muscle, brain, eyes, ear, skin, and bones.

Cardiovascular and metabolic responses to passive hypoxic conditioning in overweight and mildly obese individuals.

Although severe intermittent hypoxia (IH) is well known to induce deleterious cardiometabolic consequences, moderate IH may induce positive effects in obese individuals. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of two hypoxic conditioning programs on cardiovascular and metabolic health status of overweight or obese individuals. In this randomized single-blind controlled study, 35 subjects (54 ± 9.3 yr, 31.7 ± 3.5 kg/m2) were randomized into three 8-wk interventions (three 1-h sessions per week): sustained hypoxia (SH), arterial oxygen saturation ([Formula: see text]) = 75%; IH, 5 min [Formula: see text] = 75% - 3 min normoxia; normoxia. Ventilation, heart rate, blood pressure, and tissue oxygenation were measured during the first and last hypoxic conditioning sessions. Vascular function, blood glucose and insulin, lipid profile, nitric oxide metabolites, and oxidative stress were evaluated before and after the interventions. Both SH and IH increased ventilation in hypoxia (+1.8 ± 2.1 and +2.3 ± 3.6 L/min, respectively; P < 0.05) and reduced normoxic diastolic blood pressure (-12 ± 15 and -13 ± 10 mmHg, respectively; P < 0.05), whereas changes in normoxic systolic blood pressure were not significant (+3 ± 9 and -6 ± 13 mmHg, respectively; P > 0.05). IH only reduced heart rate variability (e.g., root-mean-square difference of successive normal R-R intervals in normoxia -21 ± 35%; P < 0.05). Both SH and IH induced no significant change in body mass index, vascular function, blood glucose, insulin and lipid profile, nitric oxide metabolites, or oxidative stress, except for an increase in superoxide dismutase activity following SH. This study indicates that passive hypoxic conditioning in obese individuals induces some positive cardiovascular and respiratory improvements despite no change in anthropometric data and even a reduction in heart rate variability during IH exposure.

Ventilatory support or respiratory muscle training as adjuncts to exercise in obese CPAP-treated patients with obstructive sleep apnoea: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and obesity are interdependent chronic diseases sharing reduced exercise tolerance and high cardiovascular risk. INTERVENTION: A 3-month intervention with innovative training modalities would further improve functional capacity and cardiovascular health than usual cycle exercise training in already continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)-treated obese patients with OSA. METHODS: Fifty three patients (35

Physiological correlates to spontaneous physical activity variability in obese patients with already treated sleep apnea syndrome.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Physical activity is promoted in patients with sleep disorders and obesity. The aim of the present study was to assess physiological factors influencing objectively measured spontaneous physical activity in already treated patients for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) by nocturnal continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty-five patients (age = 53 ± 3 years; body mass index (BMI) = 38 ± 3 kg/m2; compliance with CPAP >4 h/night) were prospectively included. Measurements were 5-day actigraphy with metabolic equivalent of task (METs) assessment, body composition, pulmonary function, quadriceps and respiratory muscle strength, exercise capacity (6-min walking distance and maximal aerobic capacity), as well as sleep parameters (sleepiness, duration, oxygen saturation, and micro-arousals during sleep) and quality of life (SF-36 questionnaire). RESULTS: As expected, the number of steps per day (6879 ± 2511) and mean intensity of physical activity (1.38 ± 0.15 METs) were below the recommendations for obese population. In age-adjusted stepwise regression models, peak oxygen consumption (VO2 peak) and peak dyspnea perception during incremental exercise test were independent predictors of the number of steps per day (r = 0.49, p = 0.001) although VO2 peak and peak minute ventilation were independent predictors of intensity of physical activity (in METs/day; r = 0.49, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In severe obese patients with OSA, exercise capacity, ventilatory requirement, and dyspnea perception were main physiological components of physical activity. These results emphasize the need to consider specific training interventions that increase ability to perform intense physical activity in obese OSA.

Low Cardiorespiratory Fitness is Partially Linked to Ventilatory Factors in Obese Adolescents.

AIM: To examine the role of ventilatory constraint on cardiorespiratory fitness in obese adolescents. METHODS: Thirty obese adolescents performed a maximal incremental cycling exercise and were divided into 2 groups based on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2peak): those presenting low (L; n = 15; VO2peak: 72.9 ± 8.6% predicted) or normal (N; n = 15; VO2peak: 113.6 ± 19.2% predicted) cardiorespiratory fitness. Both were compared with a group of healthy controls (C; n = 20; VO2peak: 103.1 ± 11.2% predicted). Ventilatory responses were explored using the flow volume loop method. RESULTS: Cardiorespiratory fitness (VO2peak, in % predicted) was lower in L compared with C and N and was moderately associated with the percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC) (r = .52; p < .05) in L. At peak exercise, end inspiratory point was lower in L compared with N and C (77.4 ± 8.1, 86.4 ± 7.7, and 89.9 ± 7.6% FVC in L, N, and C, respectively; p < .05), suggesting an increased risk of ventilatory constraint in L, although at peak exercise this difference could be attributed to the lower maximal ventilation in L. CONCLUSION: Forced vital capacity and ventilatory strategy to incremental exercise slightly differed between N and L. These results suggest a modest participation of ventilatory factors to exercise intolerance.

Muscle, prefrontal, and motor cortex oxygenation profiles during prolonged fatiguing exercise.

This study aimed to compare changes in skeletal muscle, prefrontal (PFC), and motor (MC) cortex hemodynamics during prolonged (i.e., 4-h) fatiguing whole-body exercise using multichannel near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Ten subjects completed three successive 80-min cycling bouts at 45 % of their maximal power output. After the 4-h cycling, maximal voluntary contraction force of the leg was decreased by ~25 %. Muscle exhibited reproductive deoxygenation patterns during each of the three bouts, whereas intra-bout cerebral hemodynamics were different throughout the protocol. Results demonstrate that specific responses to fatiguing exercise are found between tissues but also between cortical sites involved in cycling, as shown by concomitant PFC hyperoxygenation and MC deoxygenation in the first 80 min of exercise. Further insights are needed to understand the consequences of these changes regarding the integrative control of motor output while fatigue develops over several hours.

Altitude illness is related to low hypoxic chemoresponse and low oxygenation during sleep.

Altitude illness remains a major cause of mortality. Reduced chemosensitivity, irregular breathing leading to central apnoeas/hypopnoeas, and exaggerated pulmonary vasoconstriction may compromise oxygenation. All factors could enhance susceptibility to acute mountain sickness (AMS). We compared 12 AMS-susceptible individuals with recurrent and severe symptoms (AMS+) with 12 "AMS-nonsusceptible" subjects (AMS-), assessing sleep-breathing disorders in simulated altitude as well as chemoresponsive and pulmonary vasoconstrictive responses to hypoxia. During exposure to simulated altitude, mean blood oxygen saturation during sleep was lower in AMS+ subjects (81.6 ± 2.6 versus 86.0 ± 2.4%, p<0.01), associated with a lower central apnoea/hypopnoea index (18.2 ± 18.1 versus 33.4 ± 24.8 events · h(-1) in AMS+ and AMS- subjects, respectively; p=0.038). A lower hypoxic (isocapnic) chemoresponsiveness was observed in AMS+ subjects (0.40 ± 0.49 versus 0.97 ± 0.46 L · min(-1)·%; p<0.001). This represented the only significant and independent predictive factor for altitude intolerance, despite a higher increase in pulmonary artery systolic pressure in response to hypoxia, a lower lung diffusing capacity and a higher endothelin-1 level at baseline in AMS+ subjects (p<0.05). AMS+ subjects were more hypoxaemic whilst exhibiting fewer respiratory events during sleep owing to lower hypoxic (isocapnic) chemoresponsiveness. In conclusion, the reduction in peripheral hypoxic chemosensitivity appears to be a major causative factor for altitude intolerance.

Cerebral perturbations during exercise in hypoxia.

Reduction of aerobic exercise performance observed under hypoxic conditions is mainly attributed to altered muscle metabolism due to impaired O(2) delivery. It has been recently proposed that hypoxia-induced cerebral perturbations may also contribute to exercise performance limitation. A significant reduction in cerebral oxygenation during whole body exercise has been reported in hypoxia compared with normoxia, while changes in cerebral perfusion may depend on the brain region, the level of arterial oxygenation and hyperventilation induced alterations in arterial CO(2). With the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation, inconsistent changes in cortical excitability have been reported in hypoxia, whereas a greater impairment in maximal voluntary activation following a fatiguing exercise has been suggested when arterial O(2) content is reduced. Electromyographic recordings during exercise showed an accelerated rise in central motor drive in hypoxia, probably to compensate for greater muscle contractile fatigue. This accelerated development of muscle fatigue in moderate hypoxia may be responsible for increased inhibitory afferent signals to the central nervous system leading to impaired central drive. In severe hypoxia (arterial O(2) saturation <70-75%), cerebral hypoxia per se may become an important contributor to impaired performance and reduced motor drive during prolonged exercise. This review examines the effects of acute and chronic reduction in arterial O(2) (and CO(2)) on cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation, neuronal function, and central drive to the muscles. Direct and indirect influences of arterial deoxygenation on central command are separated. Methodological concerns as well as future research avenues are also considered.

Multimodal nutritional rehabilitation improves clinical outcomes of malnourished patients with chronic respiratory failure: a randomised controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: In chronic respiratory failure (CRF), body composition strongly predicts survival. METHODS: A prospective randomised controlled trial was undertaken in malnourished patients with CRF to evaluate the effects of 3 months of home rehabilitation on body functioning and composition. 122 patients with CRF on long-term oxygen therapy and/or non-invasive ventilation (mean (SD) age 66 (10) years, 91 men) were included from eight respiratory units; 62 were assigned to home health education (controls) and 60 to multimodal nutritional rehabilitation combining health education, oral nutritional supplements, exercise and oral testosterone for 90 days. The primary endpoint was exercise tolerance assessed by the 6-min walking test (6MWT). Secondary endpoints were body composition, quality of life after 3 months and 15-month survival. RESULTS: Mean (SD) baseline arterial oxygen tension was 7.7 (1.2) kPa, forced expiratory volume in 1 s 31 (13)% predicted, body mass index (BMI) 21.5 (3.9) kg/m2 and fat-free mass index (FFMI) 15.5 (2.4) kg/m2. The intervention had no significant effect on 6MWT. Improvements (treatment effect) were seen in BMI (+0.56 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.95, p=0.004), FFMI (+0.60 kg/m2, 95% CI 0.15 to 1.05, p=0.01), haemoglobin (+9.1 g/l, 95% CI 2.5 to 15.7, p=0.008), peak workload (+7.2 W, 95% CI 3.7 to 10.6, p<0.001), quadriceps isometric force (+28.3 N, 95% CI 7.2 to 49.3, p=0.009), endurance time (+5.9 min, 95% CI 3.1 to 8.8, p<0.001) and, in women, Chronic Respiratory Questionnaire (+16.5 units, 95% CI 5.3 to 27.7, p=0.006). In a multivariate Cox analysis, only rehabilitation in a per-protocol analysis predicted survival (HR 0.27, 95% CI 0.07 to 0.95, p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS: Multimodal nutritional rehabilitation aimed at improving body composition increased exercise tolerance, quality of life in women and survival in compliant patients, supporting its incorporation in the treatment of malnourished patients with CRF. Clinical Trial number NCT00230984.

A randomized sham-controlled trial on the effect of continuous positive airway pressure treatment on gait control in severe obstructive sleep apnea patients.

To determine the effect of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), the gold standard treatment for obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), on gait control in severe OSAS patients. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, sham-controlled monocentric study in Grenoble Alpes University Hospital, France. Gait parameters were recorded under single and dual-task conditions using a visuo-verbal cognitive task (Stroop test), before and after the 8-week intervention period. Stride-time variability, a marker of gait control, was the primary study endpoint. Changes in the determinants of gait control were the main secondary outcomes. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: (NCT02345694). 24 patients [median (Q1; Q3)]: age: 59.5 (46.3; 66.8) years, 87.5% male, body mass index: 28.2 (24.7; 29.8) kg. m-2, apnea-hypopnea index: 51.6 (35.0; 61.4) events/h were randomized to be treated by effective CPAP (n = 12) or by sham-CPAP (n = 12). A complete case analysis was performed, using a mixed linear regression model. CPAP elicited no significant improvement in stride-time variability compared to sham-CPAP. No difference was found regarding the determinants of gait control. This study is the first RCT to investigate the effects of CPAP on gait control. Eight weeks of CPAP treatment did not improve gait control in severe non-obese OSAS patients. These results substantiate the complex OSAS-neurocognitive function relationship.

What are the barriers to the completion of a home-based rehabilitation programme for patients awaiting surgery for lung cancer: a prospective observational study.

OBJECTIVES: Home-based rehabilitation programmes (H-RPs) could facilitate the implementation of pulmonary rehabilitation prior to resection for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but their feasibility has not been evaluated. The aim of this study was to identify determinants of non-completion of an H-RP and the factors associated with medical events occurring 30 days after hospital discharge. DESIGN: A prospective observational study. INTERVENTION: All patients with confirmed or suspected NSCLC were enrolled in a four-component H-RP prior to surgery: (i) smoking cessation, (ii) nutritional support, (iii) physiotherapy (at least one session/week) and (iv) home cycle-ergometry (at least three times/week). OUTCOMES: The H-RP was defined as 'completed' if the four components were performed before surgery. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients included, 42 underwent surgery (80% men; median age: 69 (IQR 25%-75%; 60-74) years; 64% Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD); 29% type 2 diabetes). Twenty patients (48%) completed 100% of the programme. The median (IQR) duration of the H-RP was 32 (19; 46) days. Multivariate analysis showed polypharmacy (n=24) OR=12.2 (95% CI 2.0 to 74.2), living alone (n=8) (single vs couple) OR=21.5 (95% CI 1.4 to >100) and a long delay before starting the H-RP (n=18) OR=6.24 (95% CI 1.1 to 36.6) were independently associated with a risk of non-completion. In univariate analyses, factors associated with medical events at 30 days were H-RP non-completion, diabetes, polypharmacy, social precariousness and female sex. CONCLUSION: Facing multiple comorbidities, living alone and a long delay before starting the rehabilitation increase the risk of not completing preoperative H-RP. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: NCT03530059.

Effect of acute hypoxia on respiratory muscle fatigue in healthy humans.

BACKGROUND: Greater diaphragm fatigue has been reported after hypoxic versus normoxic exercise, but whether this is due to increased ventilation and therefore work of breathing or reduced blood oxygenation per se remains unclear. Hence, we assessed the effect of different blood oxygenation level on isolated hyperpnoea-induced inspiratory and expiratory muscle fatigue. METHODS: Twelve healthy males performed three 15-min isocapnic hyperpnoea tests (85% of maximum voluntary ventilation with controlled breathing pattern) in normoxic, hypoxic (SpO2 = 80%) and hyperoxic (FiO2 = 0.60) conditions, in a random order. Before, immediately after and 30 min after hyperpnoea, transdiaphragmatic pressure (P(di,tw)) was measured during cervical magnetic stimulation to assess diaphragm contractility, and gastric pressure (P(ga,tw)) was measured during thoracic magnetic stimulation to assess abdominal muscle contractility. Two-way analysis of variance (time x condition) was used to compare hyperpnoea-induced respiratory muscle fatigue between conditions. RESULTS: Hypoxia enhanced hyperpnoea-induced P(di,tw) and P(ga,tw) reductions both immediately after hyperpnoea (P(di,tw) : normoxia -22 +/- 7% vs hypoxia -34 +/- 8% vs hyperoxia -21 +/- 8%; P(ga,tw) : normoxia -17 +/- 7% vs hypoxia -26 +/- 10% vs hyperoxia -16 +/- 11%; all P < 0.05) and after 30 min of recovery (P(di,tw) : normoxia -10 +/- 7% vs hypoxia -16 +/- 8% vs hyperoxia -8 +/- 7%; P(ga,tw) : normoxia -13 +/- 6% vs hypoxia -21 +/- 9% vs hyperoxia -12 +/- 12%; all P < 0.05). No significant difference in (di,tw) or P(ga,tw) reductions was observed between normoxic and hyperoxic conditions. Also, heart rate and blood lactate concentration during hyperpnoea were higher in hypoxia compared to normoxia and hyperoxia. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate that hypoxia exacerbates both diaphragm and abdominal muscle fatigability. These results emphasize the potential role of respiratory muscle fatigue in exercise performance limitation under conditions coupling increased work of breathing and reduced O2 transport as during exercise in altitude or in hypoxemic patients.

Hypoxic Exercise Training to Improve Exercise Capacity in Obese Individuals.

INTRODUCTION: Combining exercise training with hypoxic exposure has been recently proposed as a new therapeutic strategy to improve health status of obese individuals. Whether hypoxic exercise training (HET) provides greater benefits regarding body composition and cardiometabolic parameters than normoxic exercise training (NET) remains, however, unclear. We hypothesized that HET would induce greater improvement in exercise capacity and health status than NET in overweight and obese individuals. METHODS: Twenty-three subjects were randomized into 8-wk HET (11 men and 1 woman; age, 52 ± 12 yr; body mass index, 31.2 ± 2.4 kg·m) or NET (eight men and three women; age, 56 ± 11 yr; body mass index, 31.8 ± 3.2 kg·m) programs (three sessions per week; constant-load cycling at 75% of maximal heart rate; target arterial oxygen saturation for HET 80%, FiO2 ~0.13, i.e., ~3700 m a.s.l.). Before and after the training programs, the following evaluations were performed: incremental maximal and submaximal cycling tests, measurements of pulse-wave velocity, endothelial function, fasting glucose, insulin and lipid profile, blood NO metabolites and oxidative stress, and determination of body composition by magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: Peak oxygen consumption and maximal power output increased significantly after HET only (peak oxygen consumption HET + 10% ± 11% vs NET + 1% ± 10% and maximal power output HET + 11% ± 7% vs NET + 3% ± 10%, P < 0.05). Submaximal exercise responses improved similarly after HET and NET. Except diastolic blood pressure which decreased significantly after both HET and NET, no change in vascular function, metabolic status and body composition was observed after training. Hypoxic exercise training only increased nitrite and reduced superoxide dismutase concentrations. CONCLUSIONS: Combining exercise training and hypoxic exposure may provide some additional benefits to standard NET for obese individual health status.

Comparison of electrical and magnetic stimulations to assess quadriceps muscle function.

This study aimed to 1) compare electrical and magnetic stimulations for quadriceps muscle function assessment, and 2) ascertain whether the ratios of the second twitch elicited by supramaximal electrical and magnetic femoral nerve stimulation at 10 and 100 Hz (T2(10:100)) and the total twitch force elicited by the same types of stimulations (Fpaired(10:100)) are equivalent to the standard low- to high-frequency force ratio associated with submaximal electrical tetanic stimulations (Ftet(10:100)). Quadriceps force and vastus lateralis EMG were recorded at rest (n = 21 subjects), immediately after, and 30 min after a 30-min downhill run (n = 10) when 1) supramaximal electrical nerve stimulation (ENS), 2) magnetic nerve stimulation (MNS) and 3) submaximal electrical muscle stimulation (EMS) were delivered in random order at 1 (single stimulation), 10, and 100 Hz (paired stimulations). Ten- and 100-Hz 500-ms tetani were also evoked with EMS to determine Ftet(10:100). Before exercise, contractile properties with single and paired stimulations were similar for ENS and MNS (all intraclass correlation coefficients k > 0.90), but smaller for EMS (P < 0.001). M-wave characteristics were also similar for ENS and MNS (all k > 0.90). After exercise, changes in all parameters did not differ between methods. With fatigue, the changes in Ftet(10:100) were inconsistently correlated with the changes in T2(10:100) (r(2) = 0.24-0.73, P = 0.002-0.15) but better correlated with the changes in Fpaired(10:100) (immediately after exercise: r(2) = 0.80-0.83, P < 0.001; 30 min after exercise: r(2) = 0.46-0.82, P = 0.001-0.03). We conclude that ENS and MNS provide similar quadriceps muscle function assessment, while Fpaired(10:100) is a better index than T2(10:100) of low- to high-frequency fatigue of the quadriceps in vivo.

During exercise non-invasive ventilation in chronic restrictive respiratory failure.

BACKGROUND: Exercise intolerance limits chronic restrictive respiratory failure (CRF) patients from participating in daily activities. The specific modalities that could improve exercise tolerance in these patients remain to be established. OBJECTIVE: To investigate exercise endurance and associated physiological responses with non-invasive ventilation (NIV) during exercise in restrictive CRF patients. METHODS: Eighteen patients (63+/-11 years, total lung capacity (TLC)=59+/-16% of predicted value) performed maximal exercise in spontaneous breathing conditions (MWLE) and during two constant workload exercise (CWLE) tests at 75% Pmax, with or without NIV in random order. "NIV Responders" were defined by an increase in CWLE duration of more than 50% when using NIV. RESULTS: For the whole group, CWLE duration when using NIV increased from 5.6+/-4.6 to 9.6+/-8.1 min. Increase in CWLE duration correlated with reduction in heart rate and oxygen desaturation, and dyspnea relief during exercise. NIV responders (n=9) showed more severe lung restriction (TLC: 2.6+/-0.7 versus 3.5+/-1.1L; forced vital capacity: 1.0+/-0.16 versus 1.46+/-0.38 L). At the end of MWLE, responders had a lower Vt (0.60+/-0.09 versus 0.89+/-0.34 L), a higher dead-space ratio (0.51+/-0.06 versus 0.38+/-0.12) and lower oxygen pulse (4.5+/-1.2 versus 7.4+/-3.9 ml/beat). CONCLUSION: In severely restrictive patients, NIV during exercise significantly improved exercise duration and tolerance and increased alveolar ventilation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The enrollment of the patients started before July 1, 2005.

Effects of acute salbutamol inhalation on quadriceps force and fatigability.

INTRODUCTION: Oral beta2-agonist administration improves muscle function in persons without asthma. We performed a double-blind, randomized, controlled crossover study to assess whether acute inhaled salbutamol administration improves muscle strength and fatigability in healthy moderately trained subjects. METHODS: Quadriceps muscle strength was measured during maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) and femoral nerve magnetic stimulation (potentiated single twitch, TwQpeak) before and after (i) a maximal incremental cycling test (n = 10) and (ii) 50 maximal isometric one-leg extensions (n = 9). Each exercise test was performed on three occasions, after salbutamol (200 and 800 microg) or placebo inhalation. RESULTS: Before exercise, treatments had no significant effect on MVC [(placebo) 597 +/- 146 N vs (200 microg) 629 +/- 151 N vs (800 microg) 610 +/- 148 N] and TwQpeak [(placebo) 215 +/- 83 N vs (200 microg) 227 +/- 69 N vs (800 microg) 250 +/- 84 N]. Maximal power during cycling and maximal force during leg extensions did not differ between treatments. Treatments had no effect on MVC and TwQpeak reductions at 30 min [MVC: (placebo) -8 +/- 9% vs (200 microg) -9 +/- 7% vs (800 microg) -8 +/- 5%; TwQpeak: (placebo) -29 +/- 13% vs (200 microg) -23 +/- 15% vs (800 microg) -20 +/- 8%] and 60 min [MVC: (placebo) -12 +/- 17% vs (200 microg) -6 +/- 9% vs (800 microg) -8 +/- 8%; TwQpeak: (placebo) -20 +/- 21% vs (200 microg) -19 +/- 23% vs (800 microg) -8 +/- 7%] after cycling. Similarly, reductions in MVC and TwQpeak were not significantly different between treatments at 30 [MVC: (placebo) -11 +/- 9% vs (200 microg) -12 +/- 7% vs (800 microg) -8+/- 16%; TwQpeak: (placebo) -37 +/- 12% vs (200 microg) -33 +/- 20% vs (800 microg) -32 +/- 16%] and 60 min [MVC: (placebo) -10 +/- 11% vs (200microg) -11 +/- 6% vs (800 microg) -8 +/- 20%; TwQpeak: (placebo) -30 +/- 11% vs (200 microg) -28 +/- 24% vs (800 microg) -27 +/- 15%] after leg extensions. Treatments did not modify maximal voluntary activation at any time of the protocol. CONCLUSION: Acute therapeutic or supratherapeutic doses of inhaled salbutamol have no effect on quadriceps strength, fatigue, and recovery in men without asthma.

Disability in adults with arthrogryposis is severe, partly invisible, and varies by genotype.

OBJECTIVE: To understand the disability of adults with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC), a rare disease spectrum characterized by at least 2 joint contractures at birth in different body areas. METHODS: This is a retrospective analysis of data for unselected persons with AMC referred to the French center for adults with AMC from 2010 to 2016. All underwent a pluriprofessional systematic and comprehensive investigation of deficits, activity limitation, and participation restriction according to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health and genetic analysis when indicated. Participants were divided by amyoplasia and other AMC types. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of the 43 participants (27 female) was 33.2 (13.4) years; 28 had amyoplasia and 15 other types of AMC. Beyond joint stiffness, deformities, and muscle weakness, the well-known core symptoms that we quantified and for which first-line treatment involved technical aids, other less visible disorders that could contribute to severe participation restriction were particularly pain and psychological problems including anxiety, fatigue, difficulty in sexual life, altered self-esteem, and feelings of solitude. Severe respiratory disorders were infrequent and were linked to PIEZO2 mutations. Gait disorders were not due to respiratory impairment but to skeletal problems and were always associated with amyoplasia when severe. Functional independence was worse but respiratory and swallowing capacities were better with amyoplasia than other AMC types. CONCLUSION: This study describes disability patterns of a cohort of adults with AMC by genotype. The disability of adults with AMC is influenced by genotype, with important invisible disability.