Caffeine and Ovariectomy Debilitate Bone Health in Rats on Calcium-deficient Diet.

This study investigated the effects of ovariectomy and caffeine intake on bone health in rats on calcium-deficient diet. Forty adults female Wistar rats were divided into 4 groups in a 2x2 factorial design: Ovary (OVX/SHAM) and Caffeine (placebo/caffeine). The animals were housed in individual cages for 8 weeks, receiving 18-20g of AIN-93M diet per day, containing 50% of the daily recommended intake of calcium. The rats underwent ovariectomy (OVX) or laparotomy (SHAM) surgery. Caffeine groups received 6mg of caffeine/kg/day. After euthanasia, the tibia and femur were dissected to determine the calcium content and bone fracture strength, respectively. Blood sample was collected to determine serum Ostase. 24-hour urine was analyzed for excreted calcium and NTx. Reduced bone fracture strength and calcium content were observed in OVX and Caffeine groups. When observed separately, OVX group showed increased urinary NTx and lower bone weight, blood ostase, and urinary calcium. Caffeine groups showed elevated urinary calcium. There was a positive correlation between bone fracture strength and calcium content. NTx correlated negatively with bone calcium, fracture strength and thickness. In conclusion, both OVX and caffeine intake debilitate bone health in rats on calcium-deficient diet.

Effects of Horizontal and Incline Bench Press on Neuromuscular Adaptations in Untrained Young Men.

The aim of the current study was to investigate the effects of horizontal and incline bench press as well as the combination of both exercises on neuromuscular adaptation in untrained young men. Forty-seven untrained men were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: 1) a horizontal bench press group (n= 15), 2) an incline bench press group (n= 15), and 3) a combination (horizontal + incline) group (n= 17). Training was conducted once a week for eight weeks, with equalized number of sets among groups. Muscle thickness, isometric strength and electromyography (EMG) amplitude of the pectoralis major were measured one week before and after the training period. There was no difference between groups for the change in horizontal bench press isometric strength (~ 10 kg increase, p=0.776) or incline bench press isometric strength (~ 11 kg increase, p=0.333). Changes in muscle thickness differed only in one of the three sites. The changes in the second intercostal space of the pectoralis major was greatest in the incline pressure group compared with the horizontal [mean difference (95% CI) of 0.62 (0.23, 1.0) cm, p=0.003] and combination groups [mean difference (95% CI) of 0.50 (0.14, 0.86) cm, p=0.008]. The change in EMG amplitude following training differed between groups in only one out of the four sites. The present results indicate that strength and conditioning professionals might consider that horizontal and incline bench press exercises, or a combination of both exercises can render similar change in general strength.

Influência do sexo e tipo de competição sobre parâmetros do rally no voleibol / Influence of gender and type of competition on rally parameters in volleyball / Influence of gender and type of competition on rally parameters in volleyball

O objetivo deste estudo foi investigar se o sexo e o tipo de competição impactam sobre os parâmetros do rally em jogos de voleibol. Investigaram-se 17 jogos de competições escolares e recreacionais, que foram gravados em filmadora digital e analisados em ecrã de notebook de 14'. Avaliaram-se o tempo de duração do rally e seus intervalos, densidade do set, além de quantificar e caracterizar os complexos e as ações nos rallies. Os resultados do presente estudo mostraram que o padrão dos rallies no voleibol em competições de equipes recreacionais foi semelhante aos de equipes escolares em treinamento. Porém, nos jogos recreacionais, o tempo de rally, o número de ações e o percentual de densidade do set foram maiores que em competições com equipes escolares em treinamento. Por outro lado, o tempo de intervalo entre rallies foi menor. Quanto ao fator sexo não se verificaram alterações na maioria dos parâmetros analisados. No entanto, observou-se uma frequência reduzida de complexo com três toques, que pode ser justificada pelo padrão de jogo do voleibol feminino. Também se identificou alto índice de saques errados ­ comparados aos aces ­ que resultaram na pontuação da equipe adversária, tanto em relação aos sexos quanto aos tipos de competições. Além disso, observou-se que 82,1% dos rallies ocorreram em até 11" com predominância do complexo I, o tempo médio de rally foi de 7"7 e o tempo de intervalo 2,3 vezes maior que o de sua duração, demonstrando ser suficiente para a recuperação energética do esforço despendido. Portanto, o presente estudo conclui que o sexo e as competições escolares e recreacionais pouco interferem no padrão do rally realizado durante o jogo de voleibol....(AU)

The objective of this study was to investigate if the gender and the type of competition impact on the parameters of the rally in volleyball games. Investigated 17 games of school and recreational competitions, which were recorded in digital camcorder, being analyzed in 14' notebook screen. It evaluated the duration of the rally and its intervals, set density, in addition to quantify and characterize the complexes and actions in the rallies. The results of the present study showed that the standard of volleyball rallies in recreational team competitions was similar to that of training school teams, however, in recreational games, rally time, number of actions and % density of the set were higher that in competitions with school teams in training, however, the interval time between rallies was smaller. The gender factor did not show alteration in most of the analyzed parameters, however, observed a reduced frequency of complex with three touches, which can be justified by the female game volleyball standard. It also identified a high rate of misplaced looting, generating a point for the opposing team compared to aces for both the genres and for the types of competitions. Additionally, it was observed that 82.1% of the rallies occurred in up to 11" with a predominance of the I complex, the average rally time was 7"7 and the interval time 2.3 times longer than its duration, proving to be sufficient for the energy recovery of the effort expended. It is concluded that the genre and the school and recreational competitions little interfere in the pattern of the rally realized during the game of volleyball....(AU)

Dieta hiperlipídica e ácido linoleico conjugado: efeitos nos lipídios séricos, peso e composição corporal de camundongos Apo E(-/-) exercitados / High-fat diet and conjugated linoleic acid: effects on serun lipids, weight and body composition of exercised Apo E(-/-) mice

Estratégias têm sido utilizadas para a prevenção de doenças cardiovasculares e aumento de peso. Sendo assim, muito tem sido especulado sobre alimentos funcionais e seus efeitos benéficos para a saúde humana e, em especial do Ácido Linoleico Conjugado (CLA). O objetivo foi avaliar os efeitos da dieta hiperlipídica e do CLA sobre os lipídios séricos, peso e composição corporal de camundongos Apolipoproteina E(-/-) (Apo E) exercitados. Camundongos knockout para Apo E foram alocados em quatro grupos/dieta: Normal (n=5), Hiperlipídica (n=6), Normal+CLA (n=5) e Hiperlipídica+CLA (n=6). Todos os grupos foram submetidos a um protocolo de corrida em esteira. Determinou-se o colesterol total, LDL-c e HDL-c no sangue, o peso e a composição corporal. Utilizou-se ANOVA e Tukey ao nível de significância de 5%. A dieta hiperlipídica elevou o colesterol total (Hiperlipídica=920,2±392,3 e Normal=382,3±207,9), LDL-c (Hiperlipídica=893,9±402,9 e Normal=339,9±204,8) e o peso corporal (Hiperlipídica=25,83±1,90 e Normal=339,9±204,8). O CLA reduziu a gordura (CLA=4,24±1,82 e Sem CLA=6,28±2,77) e elevou a proteína (CLA=23,02±1,04 e Sem CLA=21,45±1,04) na carcaça. Concluiu-se que a dieta hiperlipídica aumenta colesterol total e LDL-c e, o consumo de CLA diminui o gordura e aumenta a proteína na carcaça de camundongos Apo E(-/-) exercitados.

Strategies have been used for prevention of cardiovascular disease and weight gain. So much has been talked about functional foods and their beneficial effects on human health and, in particular conjugated linoleic acid. Evaluate the effects of high-fat diet and CLA on serum lipids, weight and body composition in Apolipoprotein E (-/-) mice (Apo E) exercised. Knockout mice ApoE were divided into four groups/diet: Normal (n=5), High-fat (n = 6), Normal+CLA (n=5) and High-fat+CLA (n=6). All groups underwent a protocol of treadmill running. Total cholesterol, LDL-c and HDL-c in the serum, weight and body composition were measured ANOVA followed by Tukey test were used (P<0.05). The high-fat diet elevated total cholesterol (High-fat=920,2± 392,3 and Normal=382,3±207,9), LDL-c (High fat=893,9±402,9 and Normal=339,9±204,8) and body weight (High-fat=25,83±1,90 and Normal= 339,9±204,8). The CLA reduced fat (CLA=4,24±1,82 and Without CLA=6,28±2,77) and increased the protein (CLA=23,02±1,04 and Without CLA=21,45±1,04) in the carcass. We conclude that the High-fat diet increases total cholesterol and LDL-C, and the consumption of the CLA reduces fat and increases the protein in the body composition of exercised ApoE(-/-) mice.

Efeitos da suplementação de creatina e do treinamento de potência sobre a performance e a massa corporal magra de ratos / Effects of creatine supplementation and power training on performance and lean body mass of rats

INTRODUÇÃO: A creatina é um dos suplementos mais usados por atletas para incrementar a síntese protéica e aumentar a massa e força muscular. OBJETIVO: Investigou-se os efeitos da suplementação de creatina associada a um programa de treinamento de potência (saltos verticais) sobre a performance e a composição da massa corporal magra de ratos Wistar. MÉTODOS: Ratos Wistar adultos foram distribuídos em quatro grupos: SSC (sedentário sem creatina); SC (sedentário com creatina); ESC (exercício sem creatina) e EC (exercício com creatina). Os animais receberam água e ração ad libitum. Os grupos SC e EC ingeriam dose de creatina diariamente, adotando o procedimento de carga (0,430g/kg p.c. por 7 dias) e manutenção (0,070g/kg p.c. por 6 semanas). Os grupos EC e ESC foram submetidos a um regime progressivo de saltos verticais (5x10 saltos com 1 min de intervalo) em tanque com água, 5 dias/semana, durante 7 semanas. A performance foi avaliada pelo tempo de execução das 5 séries de 10 saltos verticais e a composição da massa corporal magra (músculos e ossos) foi avaliada pelas porções: água, proteína e gordura. RESULTADOS: A performance não foi afetada pela ingestão de creatina (p > 0,05). Os animais suplementados tiveram o percentual de proteína elevado e o de gordura reduzido (p < 0,05), independente do treinamento. Os animais exercitados exibiram maior percentual de proteína, e menor de gordura, além de menor ganho de peso corporal, comparados com os sedentários, independente da suplementação (p < 0,05). Não houve diferença para o percentual de água e consumo alimentar (p > 0,05). CONCLUSÃO: A suplementação de creatina não afetou a performance dos animais, mas alterou a massa corporal magra. A suplementação de creatina e o programa de treinamento de potência, de forma independente, elevaram o percentual de proteína dos músculos e ossos e reduziram o percentual de gordura, sem alterar o percentual de água.

INTRODUCTION: Creatine is one of the supplements most used by athletes in order to increase protein synthesis and consequently muscle mass and strength. OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the effects of creatine intake on the performance and lean body mass of Wistar rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats were allocated into one of the four groups: sedentary without creatine (S); Sedentary with creatine (SC); exercise without creatine (E); and exercise with creatine (EC) and received water and chow ad libitum. Those animals in SC and EC groups ingested creatine daily (0.430 g/kg body weight for 7 days and 0.070 g/kg body weight for the following 6 weeks). Animals from E and EC groups underwent a progressive vertical jump regimen (5 x 10 jumps with 1 min. resting interval) in a tank filled with water at 30 ± 1ºC, 5 days/wk for 7 weeks. Performance was assessed by taking the time to perform 5 x 10 vertical jumps. The contents of water, fat and protein of the rat's muscles and bones were measured. RESULTS: The performance was not affected by creatine intake (P > 0.05). Animals supplemented with creatine had an increased percentage of protein and a reduced percentage of fat (P < 0.05), regardless the exercise training. Exercised animals exhibited a higher percentage of protein and a lower percentage of fat and gained less body weight when compared to sedentary animals (P < 0.05), regardless the creatine supplementation. There was no difference between groups for water content and food intake (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Creatine supplementation did not affect performance of the animals. Nevertheless, it altered the lean body mass. Creatine supplementation as well as the power training program, independently, raised the protein percentage of the muscles and bones and reduced the fat percentage, with no alteration in the water percentage.