An overlooked relationship in recovery from substance use disorders: Associations between body mass index and negative emotional states.

Recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) is multifactorial. Being overweight could negatively impact physiological and psychological health-related parameters. Using model selection, we examined associations between body mass index (BMI) and negative emotional states (NES; e.g., stress, anxiety, depression) in 54 men with SUD and under treatment in five different therapeutic recovery centers. We found that BMI was positively associated with stress (p < .001), anxiety (p < .001), and depression (p = .002). Therefore, our findings suggest that decreasing the accumulation of body fat might contribute to improving mental health in individuals with SUD during recovery.

COVID-19 pandemic and explicit processes towards physical activity in Brazilian older adults with hypertension.

This study investigated the initial three-month impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the explicit processes towards physical activity (PA). In addition, we explored whether potential changes in explicit processes are associated with changes in PA and sedentary behavior (SB). Seventeen older adults (aged 65.7 ± 3.8 years; 76.5% women) with hypertension were included in this longitudinal study performed in Natal, Brazil. Explicit processes (explicit attitude [perceived benefits and cons perceived], social norms, social modeling, self-efficacy, intention and motivation) were evaluated through self-reported questionnaire before (January to March 2020) and during (June 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, PA and SB were measured by accelerometry during seven days. Generalized linear and mixed models were used for data analysis. There was a decrease in the explicit attitudes (ß = - 4.8, p = 0.001) and moderate-vigorous PA (ß = - 4.8, p = 0.035) during the COVID-19. Changes in the explicit attitudes were associated with the changes in the moderate-vigorous PA (ß = - 1.6, 95% CI - 2.9, - 0.3, p = 0.034). No significant changes were found in the additional explicit process measures, time spent doing light PA and SB, and step count. Our findings may suggest that the COVID-19 pandemic has negatively impacted the explicit attitudes related to PA and contributed to decrease the time spent in the moderate-vigorous PA in older adults with hypertension.

Associations of objectively measured movement behavior and cardiorespiratory fitness with mental health and quality of life in older adults with hypertension: an exploratory analysis during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objectives: Herein, we explored the associations of pre-pandemic COVID-19 physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) with mental health and quality of life in older adults with hypertension.Method: Objectively measured PA and SB, perceived stress, depression symptoms, and quality of life were assessed before and during the pandemic in seventeen older adults with hypertension. CRF was assessed before the pandemic by cardiopulmonary exercise testing. Longitudinal and cross-sectional associations were analyzed using the mixed linear model.Results: Pre-pandemic light PA (positive association) and SB (negative association) were associated with quality of life during the pandemic. Higher pre-pandemic CRF was associated with less negative changes in perceived stress, depression symptoms, and quality of life during the pandemic.Conclusion: Our preliminary findings suggest that a healthier pre-pandemic movement behavior (more PA, less SB) and better CRF can mitigate the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health and quality of life in older adults with hypertension.

Initial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and sedentary behavior in hypertensive older adults: An accelerometer-based analysis.

BACKGROUND: This study reports the accelerometer-based physical activity (PA) and sedentary behavior (SB) before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in hypertensive older adults. METHODS: Thirty-five hypertensive older adults were included in this observational study. Accelerometer-based PA and SB measures were assessed before (January to March 2020) and during (June 2020) the COVID-19 pandemic. Linear mixed models were used to assess within-group changes in PA and SB measures, adjusted by accelerometer wear time. RESULTS: Before COVID-19 pandemic participants presented: 5809 steps/day (SE = 366), 303.1 min/day (SE = 11.9) of light PA, 15.5 min/day (SE = 2.2) of moderate-vigorous PA, and 653.0 min/day (SE = 12.6) of SB. During COVID-19 pandemic there was a decrease in steps/day (ß = -886 steps/day, SE = 361, p = 0.018), in moderate-vigorous PA (ß = -2.8 min/day, SE = 2.4, p = 0.018), and a trend in light PA (ß = -26.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.053). In addition, SB increased during the COVID-19 pandemic (ß = 29.6 min/day, SE = 13.4, p = 0.032). The magnitude of changes was greater on the weekend, mainly for steps/day (ß = -1739 steps/day, SE = 424, p < 0.001) and the SB pattern (more time spent in bouts of ≥10 and 30 min, less breaks/day and breaks/h). CONCLUSIONS: The COVID-19 pandemic may elicit unhealthy changes in movement behavior in hypertensive older adults. Lower PA, higher and more prolonged SB on the weekend are the main features of the behavioral changes.

Combined and Isolated Effects of Acute Exercise and Brain Stimulation on Executive Function in Healthy Young Adults.

Abstract: Acute cognitive enhancement has been sought by healthy young individuals to improve academic and professional performance. Among several methods, physical exercise interventions and transcranial direct current brain stimulation (tDCS) have shown promise in impacting executive functions. Here, we observed a set of new findings about the causal effect of acute aerobic exercise and tDCS across three facets of executive function: Inhibition (as measured by a flanker task) was selectively impacted by acute aerobic exercise but not tDCS, whereas working memory (as measured by an n-back task) was impacted by both acute aerobic exercise and tDCS, with effects emerging on distinct processing components for each manipulation. Sustained attention (as measured by the Mackworth clock task), on the other hand, was not impacted by acute aerobic exercise or tDCS. Interestingly, no effects of combining acute aerobic exercise and tDCS emerged. We argue that understanding the unique and combined contributions of these cognitive enhancement techniques can not only contribute to a deeper mechanistic explanation in healthy individuals but also inform future research with clinical and aging populations.

Modulating Applied Task Performance via Transcranial Electrical Stimulation.

Basic and applied research are increasingly adopting transcranial electrical stimulation (tES) for modulating perceptual, cognitive, affective, and motor processes. Industry and defense applications of tES hold potential for accelerating training and knowledge acquisition and sustaining work-related performance in the face of fatigue, workload, and stress. This mini-review article describes the promises and perils of tES, and reviews research testing its influence on two broad applied areas: sustaining and dividing attention, and operating in virtual environments. Also included is a discussion of challenges related to viable mechanistic explanations for tES effectiveness, attempts at replication and consideration of null results, and the potential importance of individual differences in predicting tES influences on human performance. Finally, future research directions are proposed to address these challenges and help develop a fuller understanding of tES viability for enhancing real-world performance.

Physical Exercise for Individuals with Hypertension: It Is Time to Emphasize its Benefits on the Brain and Cognition.

Hypertension affects more than 40% of adults worldwide and is associated with stroke, myocardial infarction, heart failure, and other cardiovascular diseases. It has also been shown to cause severe functional and structural damage to the brain, leading to cognitive impairment and dementia. Furthermore, it is believed that these cognitive impairments affect the mental ability to maintain productivity at work, ultimately causing social and economic problems. Because hypertension is a chronic condition that requires clinical treatment, strategies with fewer side effects and less-invasive procedures are needed. Physical exercise (PE) has proven to be an efficient and complementary tool for hypertension management, and its peripheral benefits have been widely supported by related studies. However, few studies have specifically examined the potential positive effects of PE on the brain in hypertensive individuals. This narrative review discusses the pathophysiological mechanisms that hypertension promotes in the brain, and suggests PE as an important tool to prevent and reduce cognitive damage caused by hypertension. We also provide PE recommendations for hypertensive individuals, as well as suggestions for promoting PE as a method for increasing cognitive abilities in the brain, particularly for hypertensive individuals.

Caffeine and Placebo Improved Maximal Exercise Performance Despite Unchanged Motor Cortex Activation and Greater Prefrontal Cortex Deoxygenation.

Caffeine (CAF) is an ergogenic aid used to improve exercise performance. Independent studies have suggested that caffeine may have the ability to increase corticospinal excitability, thereby decreasing the motor cortex activation required to generate a similar motor output. However, CAF has also been suggested to induce a prefrontal cortex (PFC) deoxygenation. Others have suggested that placebo (PLA) may trigger comparable effects to CAF, as independent studies found PLA effects on motor performance, corticospinal excitability, and PFC oxygenation. Thus, we investigated if CAF and CAF-perceived PLA may improve motor performance, despite the likely unchanged MC activation and greater PFC deoxygenation. Nine participants (26.4 ± 4.8 years old, VO2MAX of 42.2 ± 4.6 mL kg-1 min-1) performed three maximal incremental tests (MITs) in control (no supplementation) and ∼60 min after CAF and PLA ingestion. PFC oxygenation (near-infrared spectroscopy at Fp1 position), MC activation (EEG at Cz position) and vastus lateralis and rectus femoris muscle activity (EMG) were measured throughout the tests. Compared to control, CAF and PLA increased rectus femoris muscle EMG (P = 0.030; F = 2.88; d = 0.84) at 100% of the MIT, and enhanced the peak power output (P = 0.006; F = 12.97; d = 1.8) and time to exhaustion (P = 0.007; F = 12.97; d = 1.8). In contrast, CAF and PLA did not change MC activation, but increased the PFC deoxygenation as indicated by the lower O2Hb (P = 0.001; F = 4.68; d = 1.08) and THb concentrations (P = 0.01; F = 1.96; d = 0.7) at 80 and 100% the MIT duration. These results showed that CAF and CAF-perceived PLA had the ability to improve motor performance, despite unchanged MC activation and greater PFC deoxygenation. The effectiveness of CAF as ergogenic aid to improve MIT performance was challenged.

Can Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Modulate Psychophysiological Response in Sedentary Men during Vigorous Aerobic Exercise?

This study evaluated whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) could change physiological and psychological responses during vigorous exercise with a constant load. 13 sedentary males (23.0±4.2 years; 25.6±4.2 kg/m²) took part in this randomized, crossed-over, sham-controlled, and double-blinded study. Participants underwent 2 sessions with anodal or sham tDCS (2 mA, 20 min) applied before exercise over the left temporal cortex targeting the left insular cortex. The exercise was performed at vigorous intensity (%HRmax 81.68±6.37) for 30 min. Heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and affective responses (pleasure/displeasure) were recorded at every 5 min. Additionally, heart rate variability (HRV) was measured before, immediately after and 60 min after the end of exercise. A 2-way repeated measure ANOVA showed that tDCS improved HRV neither at rest nor after exercise (p>0.15). Similarly, HR, RPE, and affective responses were not enhanced by tDCS during vigorous exercise (p>0.23). The findings of this study suggest that tCDS does not modulate either HRV at rest nor HR, RPE and affective responses during exercise. Transcranial direct current stimulation's efficiency might depend on the participants' levels of physical fitness and parameters of stimulation (e. g., duration, intensity, and arrangement of electrodes).

Slow Down and Enjoy: The Effects of Cycling Cadence on Pleasure.

Pleasure plays a key role in exercise behavior. However, the influence of cycling cadence needs to be elucidated. Here, we verified the effects of cycling cadence on affect, perceived exertion (ratings of perceived exertion), and physiological responses. In three sessions, 15 men performed a maximal cycling incremental test followed by two 30-min constant workload (50% of peak power) bouts at 60 and 100 r/min. The pleasure was higher when participants cycled at 60 r/min, whereas ratings of perceived exertion, heart rate, and oxygen uptake were lower ( p < .05). Additionally, the rate of decrease in pleasure and increase in ratings of perceived exertion was less steep at 60 r/min ( p < .01). Cycling at 60 r/min is more pleasant, and the perceived effort and physiological demand are lower than at 100 r/min.

Brain activity and perceived exertion during cycling exercise: an fMRI study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Currently, the equipment and techniques available to assess brain function during dynamic exercise are limited, which has restricted our knowledge of how the brain regulates exercise. This study assessed the brain areas activated during cycling by making use of a novel cycle ergometer, constructed to measure functional MRI (fMRI) brain images during dynamic exercise. Furthermore, we compared brain activation at different levels of ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) generated during the exercise. METHODS: Seven healthy adults performed cycling exercise in a novel MRI compatible cycle ergometer while undergoing brain  fMRI. Participants completed a cycling block protocol comprising six trials of 2 min cycling with 16-s intervals between trials. Participants reported their RPE every minute through an audio link. The MRI cycling ergometer transferred the torque generated on the ergometer through a cardan system to a cycling ergometer positioned outside the MRI room. For data analysis, the effects of cycling as opposed to rest periods were examined after motion correction. RESULTS: The multiparticipant analysis revealed in particular the activation of the cerebellar vermis and precentral and postcentral gyrus when periods of cycling versus rest were compared. Single participant analysis in four participants revealed that activation of the posterior cingulate gyrus and precuneus occurred in cycling blocks perceived as 'hard' compared with exercise blocks that were less demanding. CONCLUSIONS: The present study offers a new approach to assess brain activation during dynamic cycling exercise, and suggests that specific brain areas could be involved in the sensations generating the rating of perceived exertion.

Prefrontal cortex transcranial direct current stimulation associated with aerobic exercise change aspects of appetite sensation in overweight adults.

This study investigated whether transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) isolated or combined with aerobic exercise influenced the desire to eat, hunger, and satiety in overweight subjects. Nine volunteers underwent anodal or sham tDCS (2 mA; 20 min) over DLPFC and isocaloric exercise bouts (70%VO(2)R; ~200 kcal). The appetite sensations were evaluated by visual analogue scales at four moments: I - Baseline; II - After tDCS; III - Post-Exercise and IV - 30-min Post-Exercise. The tDCS on left DLPFC decreased the desire to eat at baseline (tDCS -26% vs. -14% Sham). The tDCS associated with exercise had greater suppressing effect in desire to eat compared to either tDCS or exercise alone (tDCS -39% vs. -27% Sham). Moreover, the tDCS associated with exercise decreased hunger (tDCS -48% vs. 36% Sham) and increased satiety (tDCS 28% vs. 7% Sham) immediately after exercise. The post-exercise 30-min recovery elicited an overall increase in appetite. However the increase in desire to eat and hunger after recovery was lower after tDCS (29% and 13%, respectively) compared to sham stimulation (77% and 113%, respectively). These findings in overweight subjects indicate that the combination of tDCS over DLPFC and aerobic exercise induced greater decrease in appetite sensations compared to anodal tDCS or exercise alone.

Electromyographic activity and rate of muscle fatigue of the quadriceps femoris during cycling exercise in the severe domain.

This study compared the activation pattern and the fatigue rate among the superficial muscles of the quadriceps femoris (QF) during severe cycling exercise. Peak oxygen consumption (VO(2)peak) and maximal accumulated oxygen Deficit (MAOD) were established by 10 well-trained male cyclists (27.5 ± 4.1 years, 71.0 ± 10.3 kg, 173.4 ± 6.6 cm, mean VO(2)peak 56.7 ± 4.4 ml·kg·min(-1), mean MAOD 5.7 ± 1.1 L). Muscle activity (electromyographic [EMG] signals) was obtained during the supramaximal constant workload test (MAOD) and expressed by root mean square (RMS) and median frequency (MF slope). The RMS of the QF, vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) muscles were significantly higher than at the beginning after 75% of exercise duration, whereas for the rectus femoris (RF), this was observed after 50% of exercise duration (p ≤ 0.05). The slope of the MF was significantly higher in the RF, followed by the VL and VM (-3.13 ± 0.52 vs. -2.61 ± 0.62 vs. -1.81 ±0.56, respectively; p < 0.05). We conclude that RF may play an important role in limiting performance during severe cycling exercise.

Determinação do máximo déficit acumulado de oxigênio: efeito da duração dos testes submáximos para predição da demanda de oxigênio / Determination of the maximum accumulated oxygen deficit: effects of the submaximal tests duration for prediction of oxygen demand

O objetivo do presente estudo foi verificar a influência de diferentes tempos de análise dos testes submáximos para determinação do máximo déficit acumulado de oxigênio (MAOD), adotando diferentes janelas de tempo 4-6min, 6-8min e 8-10min. Participaram do estudo 10 ciclistas com idade média de 27,5 ± 4,1 anos, massa corporal 74,4 ± 12,7kg e tempo médio de prática de 9,8 ± 4,7 anos. Os atletas realizaram um teste de esforço progressivo para determinação do consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico) e quatro testes retangulares submáximos (60, 70, 80 e 90 por cento VO2pico) com 10min de duração para estimar os valores da demanda de O2 (DEO2). Os valores médios de VO2 obtidos nas cargas para o tempo 4-6min, 6-8min e 8 a 10min foram aplicados em uma regressão linear entre a intensidade e o consumo de O2 para cada janela de tempo. Os sujeitos realizaram ainda um teste retangular supramáximo (110 por cento VO2pico) para a quantificação do MAOD. Não foi constatada nenhuma diferença significativa no VO2 entre os diferentes períodos de tempo dos testes submáximos (P > 0,05). Da mesma forma, nenhuma diferença significativa foi constatada no DEAO2 e MAOD nos diferentes períodos de análise (P > 0,05). Verificou-se ainda que os valores de MAOD obtidos nos três intervalos de tempo apresentaram boa concordância e forte correlação. Dessa forma, os dados sugerem que os testes submáximos utilizados para gerar os valores do MAOD podem ser reduzidos ao menos nesse tipo de amostra e com a utilização de ciclossimulador.

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different assessment time periods of submaximal tests on the determination of the maximal accumulated oxygen deficit (MAOD), through the adoption of different time slots of 4 to 6, 6 to 8 and 8 to 10 min. Ten cyclists with mean age of 27.5 ± 4.1 years, body mass 74.4 ± 12.7 kg and time experience of 9.8 ± 4.7 years participated in this study. The athletes underwent an incremental exercise test to determine the peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), and four submaximal constant work-load test sessions (60, 70, 80 and 90 percent VO2peak) of 10 min in order to estimate the O2 demand (DEO2). The mean VO2 values obtained on each constant work-load for the 4 to 6, 6 to 8 and 8 to 10 min time-periods intervals were used to perform a linear regression between the intensity and O2 consumption for each time-period. In addition, the subjects performed one supramaximal rectangular test (110 percent VO2peak) for the quantification of MAOD. There was no significant difference in VO2 between the different time-periods for all submaximal tests (P> 0.05). Similarly, no significant difference was found in DEAO2 and MAOD (P> 0.05). Furthermore, the values of MAOD for the three time-periods intervals showed good agreement and strong correlation. Thus, the data suggest that the submaximal tests used to estimate the values of MAOD can be reduced, at least in this type of sample, and with the use of a cycle simulator.