Strength and muscle mass development after a resistance-training period at terrestrial and normobaric intermittent hypoxia.

This study investigated the effect of a resistance training (RT) period at terrestrial (HH) and normobaric hypoxia (NH) on both muscle hypertrophy and maximal strength development with respect to the same training in normoxia (N). Thirty-three strength-trained males were assigned to N (FiO2 = 20.9%), HH (2,320 m asl) or NH (FiO2 = 15.9%). The participants completed an 8-week RT program (3 sessions/week) of a full body routine. Muscle thickness of the lower limb and 1RM in back squat were assessed before and after the training program. Blood markers of stress, inflammation (IL-6) and muscle growth (% active mTOR, myostatin and miRNA-206) were measured before and after the first and last session of the program. Findings revealed all groups improved 1RM, though this was most enhanced by RT in NH (p = 0.026). According to the moderate to large excess of the exercise-induced stress response (lactate and Ca2+) in HH and N, results only displayed increases in muscle thickness in these two conditions over NH (ES > 1.22). Compared with the rest of the environmental conditions, small to large increments in % active mTOR were only found in HH, and IL-6, myostatin and miR-206 in NH throughout the training period. In conclusion, the results do not support the expected additional benefit of RT under hypoxia compared to N on muscle growth, although it seems to favour gains in strength. The greater muscle growth achieved in HH over NH confirms the impact of the type of hypoxia on the outcomes.

Effect of the Pronated Pull-Up Grip Width on Performance and Power-Force-Velocity Profile.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of the grip width on the power-force-velocity-profile, the maximal strength, and performance during a repetition to failure test in the pull-up exercise (PU). Method: Fourteen trained males performed an incremental loading and repetitions to failure test with the PU exercise using biacromial and free grip widths. Power-force-velocity relationship, 1RM, and repetitions completed were determined. Results: The mean grip width used by participants was 20.04% higher in the free grip width condition (p < .001). There were similar results in the 1RM (p = .954), repetitions to failure test (p = .117), and power-force-velocity profile (p > .05) in both grip width conditions. A stronger relationship was observed between 1RM and repetitions to failure test during the biacromial (R2 = 0.720; p < .001) with respect to the free grip width (R2 = 0.607; p = .002). Conclusion: Therefore, the choice of a free or a biacromial grip width does not affect the maximal strength, power-force-velocity relationship, nor the repetitions to failure during the PU exercise.

[Effect of a physical activity program on the anthropometric and physical fitness of women over 60 years]. / Incidencia de un programa de actividad física sobre los parámetros antropométricos y la condición física en mujeres mayores de 60 años.

This paper wants to determine the incidence of twelve weeks of physical activity on physical capacity and morphology of women over 60 yrs without disabilities in the district of Iquique, Chile. Before and after the intervention period was determined anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness status of the sample. Anthropometric variables were weight, height and waist and hip circumferences. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip was determined. To evaluate the status of the physical condition was used handgrip dynamometry test, countermovement vertical jump and get in and out. The balance was tested through the test of visual reference monopodal balance and flexibility through the test of trunk flexion (sit and reach test). Results show a positive effect of the intervention program on the performance of every physical test (p < 0.05). Anthropometric parameters showed a reduction in waist-hip ratio (p = 0.029) and waist circumference (p = 0.014), without rest of the variables analyzed showed changes of interest. Among the observed associations, vertical jump test showed a negative correlation with balance test and getting in and out test, both before and after treatment (R = -0.495, R = -0.699 in PREtest and R = -0.373, R = -0.463 at the POSTtest for the CMJ relation and balance and CMJ and Ln S-L test respectively, P < 0.05). In conclusion, a program of physical activity lasting 12 weeks, improves physical capacity (balance, grip strength, leg strength and flexibility) and anthropometric parameters (waist-hip ratio and waist circumference), in healthy women over 60yrs of the district of Iquique, Chile.

[Exposure of phytoestrogens intake through diet in a sample of females]. / Estimación de la ingesta de fitoestrógenos en población femenina.

INTRODUCTION: The phytoestrogens are naturally occurring compounds that are part of many foods of plant origin and could therefore modulate aspects related hormones, such as type of antioxidant reactions, learning about intakes of these compounds in different populations clarify important aspects on their responses on the human body. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the exposure of phytoestrogens through diet, in a sample of women of all ages belonging to the university community (teachers, students and administrative), residents in the province of Granada, Spain. MATERIAL AND METHOD: 52 adult females, aged between 20 and 63 years completed a questionnaire individually Frequency of Food Consumption (FFQ) composed of a total of 144 foods. It weighted the total daily consumption of phytoestrogens standardizing these values referring to the daidzein as substance pattern (mg/day). Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 15.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA), with a level of significance of p < 0.05. RESULTS: The results show that the total intake of phytoestrogens was (0.89 mg/day), and most of phytoestrogens was consumed in the form of lignanos. The total consumption of isoflavones, was 0.12 mg/day, of lignanos was 1.32 mg/day intake coumestrol was not significative. A linear regression analysis determined the equation to calculate intake phytoestrogens took into account 9 food groups (R: 0.918; p < 0.001). DISCUSSION: Average intake of phytoestrogens in Spain, is comparable to intakes reported by similar studies in Germany, England and the United States (< 1 mg/ day). CONCLUSIONS: There were no significant differences in the intake of phytoestrogens, when comparing results by age, educational level, marital status or physical activity. The intake of phytoestrogens (mg/day) can be estimated from the intake (g/day) from 9 food groups.

Diet quality of young people in southern Spain evaluated by a Mediterranean adaptation of the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I).

The aim of this study was to assess whether the recently developed Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) was useful to evaluate the diet quality of a young Mediterranean population. A cross-sectional nutritional survey was carried out in southern Spain (Granada-Andalucia) from 2002 to 2005. Dietary information (24 h recall and FFQ) and socio-demographic and lifestyle data were collected from a representative sample of the population (n 288, 44.1 % females and 55.9 % males) aged 6-18 years (mean 12.88 (sd 2.78) years). DQI-I was designed according to the method of Kim et al. modified by Tur et al. for Mediterranean populations. It focused on four main characteristics of a high-quality diet (variety, adequacy, moderation and overall balance). This young population from southern Spain obtained 56.31 % of the total DQI-I score, indicating a poor-quality diet. A higher score was associated with a longer breakfast and greater physical activity. The DQI-I may require further modification for application in Mediterranean populations, differentiating between olive oil and saturated fats, among other changes. Further research is needed to develop a new diet quality index adapted to the Mediterranean diet.

The use of a fixed value of RPE during a ramp protocol. Comparison with the ventilatory threshold.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of our investigation was to assess the use of a fixed value (12-13) of the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale (6-20) as a valid method for the determination of the workload corresponding to the ventilatory threshold (VT) during a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer. METHODS: Eleven trained cyclists (22 +/- 3 years of age; VO2max: 65.2 +/- 12.4 ml.kg-1.min-1) were selected as subjects. DESIGN: Each of the subjects performed a ramp protocol on a cycle ergometer (starting at 25 W, with increases of 25 W.min-1 until exhaustion). Gas exchange data were analysed continually during the test to detect the ventilatory threshold (VT) of the subjects. In addition values of RPE were obtained from each subject in the last 15 sec of each 2-minute-interval during the tests, and immediately after exhaustion. The RPE threshold (RPET) was defined as a constant value of 12-13. Mean values of VT and RPET were expressed as VO2 (ml.kg-1.min-1), %VO2max, heart rate (bpm) and power output (W), and were compared using a paired "t"-test. RESULTS: No significant difference (p < 0.05) was found between mean values of VT and RPET, when both parameters where expressed either as VO2, %VO2max, heart rate, or power output. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, a fixed value (12-13) of the RPE scale might be used to detect the exercise intensity corresponding to VT. Such parameter may therefore be used for exercise prescription in substitution to more sophisticated methodologies.