An online home-based exercise program improves autonomic dysfunction in breast cancer survivors.

Introduction: Exercise interventions for breast cancer survivors have proved their potential to improve clinical, physical, and psychosocial outcomes. However, limited studies have explored exercise effects on autonomic dysfunction and the measurement of exercise tolerance and progression through daily heart rate variability (HRV). Purpose: To analyze the effects of a 16-wk exercise intervention on the autonomic modulation of breast cancer survivors, as well as to examine the evolution of daily measured HRV and its interaction with exercise sessions in this population. Methods: A total of 29 patients who had undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy were randomly assigned to the exercise group or to the control group. The exercise intervention was delivered remotely through online meetings and consisted of supervised training resistance and cardiovascular exercise 3 times per week. During the intervention all patients measured their HRV daily obtaining the napierian logarithm of the root mean square of successive differences between normal heartbeats (lnrMSSD) and the napierian logarithm of the standard deviation of the interbeat interval of normal sinus beats (lnSDNN) values at four moments: day 0 (the morning of the training sessions), 24, 48, and 72 h after exercise. Results: The results revealed a significant interaction between group and months during the intervention period for lnrMSSD and lnSDNN (p < 0.001). Additionally, there were significant differences in lnSDNN recovery time between months (p < 0.05), while differences in lnrMSSD become apparent only 24 h after exercise (p = 0.019). The control group experienced a significant decrease in both variables monthly (p < 0.05) while exercise group experienced a significant increment (p < 0.05). Conclusion: HRV is daily affected by exercise training sessions in cancer patients. Although results strongly support the role of exercise as a post-chemotherapy and radiotherapy rehabilitation strategy for breast cancer survivors to improve autonomic imbalance, further research is necessary to validate these initial findings.

Exploring autonomic modulation: day-to-day recovery after exercise sessions in breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: The current study aimed to analyze the changes in heart rate variability (HRV) 24h, 48h and 72h after exercise sessions in breast cancer survivors. Methods: Sixteen survivors who had undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy were included. Participants trained resistance and cardiovascular components 3 times per week. The intervention was supervised and delivered online for 4 weeks. In this period, patients measured their HRV daily obtaining the lnrMSSD and lnSDNN values of: day 0 (the morning of the training sessions), 24h, 48h and 72h after exercise. Results: Significant changes in lnrMSSD (p=0.015) and lnSDNN (p=0.031) during recovery times and lnSDNN during the weeks were found (p=0.015). The most prominent differences were identified between the baseline measurement taken on day 0 and 24h after exercise (p=0.007 and p=0.048, respectively) and between measurements obtained 24h and 48h after the training session (p=0.019 and p=0.026, respectively). Conclusion: Our study suggests that patients may decrease their lnrMSSD and lnSDNN values 24h after exercise and they were close to recover 48h after the sessions. In this regard, HRV may be an useful tool to monitor their recovery and exercise tolerance.

High-intensity exercise prescription guided by heart rate variability in breast cancer patients: a study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is a chronic disease with a large growth in its treatments, prognosis, improvements, side effects and rehabilitation therapies research. These advances have also highlighted the need to use physical exercise as a countermeasure to reduce the cardiotoxicity of pharmacological treatments, increase patients' strength and quality of life and improve body composition, physical condition and mental health. However, new investigations show the need for a closed exercise individualisation to produce higher physiological, physical and psychological benefits in remote exercise programs. To this end, the present study will use, in a novel way in this population, heart rate variability (HRV) as a measure for prescribing high-intensity training. Thus, the primary objective of this randomised clinical trial is to analyse the effects of a high-intensity exercise program daily guided by HRV, a preplanned moderate to high-intensity exercise intervention and a usual care group, in breast cancer patients after chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. METHODS: For this purpose, a 16-week intervention will be carried out with 90 breast cancer patients distributed in 3 groups (a control group, a moderate to high-intensity preplanned exercise group and a high-intensity exercise group guided by HRV). Both physical exercise interventions will be developed remotely and supervised including strength and cardiovascular exercises. Physiological variables, such as cardiotoxicity, biomarkers, lipid profile, glucose, heart rate and blood pressure; physical measures like cardiorespiratory capacity, strength, flexibility, agility, balance and body composition; and psychosocial variables, as health-related quality of life, fatigue, functionality, self-esteem, movement fear, physical exercise level, anxiety and depression will be measure before, after the intervention and 3 and 6 months follow up. DISCUSSION: Personalized high-intensity exercise could be a promising exercise intervention in contrast to moderate-intensity or usual care in breast cancer patients to reach higher clinical, physical and mental effects. In addition, the novelty of controlling HRV measures daily may reflect exercise effects and patients' adaptation in the preplanned exercise group and a new opportunity to adjust intensity. Moreover, findings may support the effectiveness and security of physical exercise remotely supervised, although with high-intensity exercise, to reach cardiotoxicity improvements and increase physical and psychosocial variables after breast cancer treatments. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov nº NCT05040867 ( https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/record/NCT05040867 ).

Physical Inactivity Levels of European Adolescents in 2002, 2005, 2013, and 2017.

Sport and Physical Activity (PA) Special Eurobarometer surveys may inform of the physical inactivity (PIA) levels in the European Union (EU). This study aimed to analyse the PIA levels of EU adolescents (15-17 years) in four time points, according to gender. The data were from 2002, 2005, 20013, and 2017 Special Eurobarometers. Adolescents were categorised as "Inactive" when performing less than 60 min/day of moderate to vigorous PA on average. A χ2 test was used to compare the levels of PIA between survey years. PIA levels between gender were analysed using a Z-score test for two population proportions. PIA levels ranged from 67.2% for boys (59.4% to 71.5%;) to 76.8% for girls (76.0% to 83.4) across the time points. Adjusted standardised residuals revealed a decrease in the observed levels versus the expected for 2005 (whole sample: -4.2; boys: -3.3) and an increase for 2013 (whole sample: +2.9; boys: +2.5). Boys presented lower PIA levels than girls in all years (p ≤ 0.003), but descriptively, the difference progressively decreased (from 18.4% to 11.8%). No significant reductions in PIA levels were observed between 2002 and 2017, and girls reported consistently higher levels of PIA than boys.

No impact of combining multi-ingredient supplementation with exercise on body composition and physical performance, in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Protein-based multi-ingredient (MTN) supplements have been suggested as a safe and effective way of enhancing exercise outcomes. However, their effectiveness remains controversial when compared to isocaloric and single-nutrient supplements. This review aims to systematically summarise the current knowledge of multi-ingredient supplementation to optimise body composition and physical performance in middle-aged and older adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus from June to October 2021. Every publication identified from the outset to October 2021 was considered. The main inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies conducted in adults (≥45 years old), following resistance- or endurance-based training programmes for a period of 6 weeks or longer, combined with MTN supplementation and a calorie equivalent comparator (COMP) supplement (e.g., carbohydrates). Continuous data on body composition [fat-free mass (FFM) or lean body mass], strength, and functional capacity as markers of physical performance were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Initially, 3329 publications were identified. Data from nine RCTs were ultimately included, involving 476 participants. The overall quality of the included studies was high, demonstrating a low risk of bias. Compared to COMP, no significant further benefits of ingesting MTN were identified for FFM (kg) (g = 0.044, 95 % CI -0.14 to 0.22), upper-body strength (kg) (g = 0.046, 95 % CI -0.24 to 0.33), lower-body strength, leg press exercise (kg) (g = 0.025, 95 % CI -0.26 to 0.31), leg extension exercise (kg) (g = 0.106, 95 % CI -0.15 to 0.36) and functional capacity (time in seconds) (g = 0.079, 95 % CI -0.12 to 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: No additional benefits of ingesting MTN vs. COMP to maximise exercise-induced outcomes on body composition and physical performance in healthy physically active middle-aged and older adults have been identified.

Hemodynamic Response During Different Set Configurations of a Moderate-load Resistance Exercise.

We aimed to determine the cardiovascular responses to two different set configuration resistance-exercise protocols during a knee extension composed of 40 repetitions with a 15RM load and a total resting time of 360 seconds. Twenty-four healthy sport science students randomly performed two sessions: (a) a long set configuration (LSC: 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 2 min rest between sets), and (b) a short set configuration (SSC: 8 sets of 5 repetitions with 51 s rest between sets). Before and during exercise, peak and mean values of heart rate, blood pressure, rate pressure product, and pulse pressure were obtained. Results showed that both protocols increased the overall peak and mean blood pressure values (p<0.001). However, LSC entailed a higher peak blood pressure response at the last set (p=0.041) and an increase throughout the first 30 repetitions (p≤0.007), whereas SSC kept steady after the first 20 repetitions. Additionally, LSC caused higher overall peak and mean heart rate and rate pressure product values (p≤0.003). Summarily, although both protocols raised blood pressure, SSC reduced the extent of the pressure and chronotropic response during resistance exercise.

Analysis of Successful Behaviors Leading to Groundwork Scoring Skills in Elite Judo Athletes.

The present study aimed (1) to propose an approach of observational analysis of the preceding standing judo (tachi-waza (TW)) context to a groundwork (ne-waza (NW)) grappling score (NWGS), and (2) to analyze the outcomes of applying such a model in high-level judoists. We conducted an observational analysis of 176 NW scoring actions of 794 combats observed in Baku's World Judo Championships of 2018. Women scored more NWGS, performing more corporal controls but less segmental controls compared with the men. Moreover, NWGS were scored predominately during the second and third minutes of combat, independently of the sex or the weight category. Most NWGS occurred after an asymmetrical lateral structure, without showing associations with a particular type of NWGS. The movement structure of the attacking action during TW leading to an NWGS was predominantly techniques without turn, followed closely by techniques with turn, and barely performed after supine position techniques. Data showed that NWGS occurred more frequently after a failed TW attack (68.6%) than after a scored TW attack (31.4%). The TW attacker achieved NWGS with a higher frequency (62%) than the TW defender (38%), who mainly took advantage of a failed TW attack (98.5% vs. 1.5%, after failed vs. scored TW, respectively). The grip configurations most frequently employed during TW were dorsal-sleeve and flap-sleeve; overall, frontal grips were predominant over dorsal grips. However, no specific TW grip was related to success or grip progression before an NWGS. Our results will help judo coaches understand the influence of these factors on judo performance and optimize the planning and execution of technical-tactical content.

Cluster vs. traditional training programmes: changes in the force-velocity relationship.

This randomised controlled study examined the force-velocity relationship changes (force and velocity axis intercepts, slope and estimated maximum power) in response to 5-week training programmes differing in the set configuration. For each session, the traditional group performed 4 sets of 8 repetitions with 5 min of rest between sets and exercises, while the cluster group completed 16 sets of 2 repetitions with 1 min of rest between sets and 5 min between exercises. Both programmes were performed with the 10-repetition maximum load, including bench press, parallel squat, lat pull-down and leg curl exercises. Individual force-velocity profiles were obtained for bench press and squat using a linear velocity transducer before and after the intervention, along with lactate and mechanical performance during the intervention. Results showed in bench press similar changes of the force-velocity profile after both protocols (no shift of the slope and higher force and velocity axis intercept values). For the squat, significant changes in the slope (P = 0.001) and the velocity intercept (P = 0.002) towards a velocity profile were observed after cluster but not after traditional training. These results suggest that set configuration may modulate changes of force-velocity relationship, especially for squat.

Can Exercise Reduce the Autonomic Dysfunction of Patients With Cancer and Its Survivors? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Cancer therapies have increased patient survival rates, but side effects such as cardiotoxicity and neurotoxicity can lead to autonomic nervous and cardiovascular system dysfunction. This would result in a decrease in parasympathetic activity and the enhancement of sympathetic activity. Heart rate variability (HRV), which reflects autonomic modulation, is a valuable physiological tool since it correlates with cancer-related fatigue, stress, depression, and mortality in patients with cancer. Objective: This study aimed to analyze the effects of exercise programs on the autonomic modulation, measured by the HRV of patients with cancer and its survivors. Methods: The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed, and the quality of the articles was assessed with the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. The meta-analysis statistic procedure was performed by using RevMan software version 5.3. Results: From the 252 articles found, six studies were included in the review involving 272 participants aged 30-75 years. Exercise programs had a mean length of 10.4 ± 4.6 weeks, a frequency of 3 ± 1.4 days/week, and a mean duration of 78 ± 23.9 min. In time-domain HRV measures, exercise may increase in the SD of normal-to-normal intervals [p < 0.00001, with a mean difference (MD) of 12.79 ms from 9.03 to 16.55] and a decreased root mean square of successive R-R interval differences (p = 0.002, with an MD of 13.08 ms from 4.90 to 21.27) in comparison with control groups (CG). The frequency-domain data reveal that the exercise group (EG) improve significantly more than the CGs in low frequency [absolute power: p < 0.0001, with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.97 from 0.61 to 1.34; relative power: p = 0.04, with an MD = -7.70 from -15.4 to -0.36], high-frequency [absolute power: p = 0.001, with a SMD of 1.49 from 0.32 to 2.66; relative power: p = 0.04, with an MD of 8.00 normalized units (n.u.) from 0.20 to 15.80], and low-to-high frequency ratio (p = 0.007 with an MD of -0.32 from -0.55 to -0.09). Conclusion: Exercise programs could lead to positive effects on the autonomic modulation of patients with cancer and its survivors. More beneficial changes may occur with resistance and endurance workouts. However, due to the low number of interventions performed, further research is needed to substantiate the findings and to provide additional insights regarding the exercise intensity required to increase the autonomic modulation of the patient.

Effects of high-intensity training on the quality of life of cancer patients and survivors: a systematic review with meta-analysis.

Cancer and associated medical treatments affect patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL) by decreasing functional dimensions of physical, social, cognitive, and emotional well-being, while increasing short and late-term symptoms. Exercise, however, is demonstrated to be a useful therapy to improve cancer patients' and survivors' HRQoL, yet the effectiveness of high-intensity training (HIT) exercise is uncertain. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to analyse the effects of HIT on HRQoL dimensions in cancer patients and survivors as well as evaluate the optimal prescription of HIT. The search followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines (PRISMA) and examined Web of Science and PubMed (Medline) databases. Data were analysed utilizing Review Manager Software. Twenty-two articles were included in the systematic review and 17 in the meta-analysis. Results showed HIT improved global quality of life, physical functioning, role functioning, social functioning, cognitive functioning, fatigue, pain, dyspnea, and insomnia, compared to an inactive control group, yet no differences were found between HIT and low to moderate-intensity exercise interventions. Particular improvements in HRQoL were observed during cancer treatment and with a training duration of more than eight weeks, a frequency of 2 days/week, and a volume of at least 120 min/week, including 15 min or more of HIT. Our findings whilst encouraging, highlight the infancy of the extant evidence base for the role of HIT in the HRQoL of cancer patients and survivors.

Comparative analysis of reported physical activity from leisure centres' members versus the general population in Spain.

OBJECTIVES: (1) To describe the physical activity (PA) levels of the members of a Spanish leisure centre operator according to age and gender; (2) to describe the differences in the three PA levels between the members of a Spanish leisure centre operator and the general Spanish population considering the PA Eurobarometer data according to their gender and age and (3) to explore the intensity origin of the PA either in Spanish members of leisure centres or the Spanish population considering their gender. DESIGN: Descriptive epidemiology study. PARTICIPANTS: Data from 16 Spanish leisure centres (n=3627) and from the 2017 Eurobarometer 472 for Spain (n=1002) were used for this research. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOMES MEASURES: The PA levels were analysed with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version, and respondents were grouped into physical inactivity (PIA), moderate-PA and high-PA. Moreover, gender (men or women) and age (18-29 years; 30-44 years; 45-59 years; 60-69 years; ≥70 years) were considered. Total metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week, as well as total MET-min/week for walking intensity, moderate intensity and vigorous intensity were recorded. RESULTS: Leisure centres showed a lower prevalence of PIA and a higher prevalence of high-PA than the general population (p<0.05). Women displayed a higher prevalence of PIA and lower prevalence of high-PA than men (p<0.05). The prevalence of PIA increases with age while the prevalence of high-PA decreases. CONCLUSION: Leisure centres engage most of their members in regular PA, including women and older adults, and these members also perform a higher number of MET in vigorous PA, than the general population.

Set Configuration in Strength Training Programs Modulates the Cross Education Phenomenon.

ABSTRACT: Fariñas, J, Mayo, X, Giraldez-García, MA, Carballeira, E, Fernandez-Del-Olmo, M, Rial-Vazquez, J, Kingsley, JD, and Iglesias-Soler, E. Set configuration in strength training programs modulates the cross education phenomenon. J Strength Cond Res 35(9): 2414-2420, 2021-This study aimed to compare the strength gains in the nontrained arm after 2 independent unilateral training programs differing in the set configuration. Thirty-five subjects were randomly assigned to 3 groups: traditional training (TT; n = 12), cluster training (CT; n = 11), or control (CON; n = 12). The experimental groups performed a 5-week training program of a unilateral biceps curl exercise with the dominant limb using the 10 repetition maximum (10RM) load. Traditional training performed 5 sets of 6 repetitions and 135 seconds of rest between sets. Cluster training completed 30 repetitions with 18.5 seconds of rest between each repetition. Anthropometry (ANT), muscle thickness (MT), 1RM, the number of repetitions with 10RM (n10RM), and isometric maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were measured before and after the intervention. Regarding the nontrained arm, TT improved 1RM (7.3%, p < 0.001). No changes were observed in CT. Regarding the trained arm, TT improved 1RM (9.1%, p < 0.001), n10RM (p = 0.005), and MVC (p = 0.011), whereas CT only showed a trend for improvement of 1RM (3.4%, p = 0.052). These results suggest that when total volume and repetition-to-rest ratio are equated, a more fatiguing set configuration causes a higher effect on the non-trained limb.

Inter-individual variability in the load-velocity relationship is detected by multilevel mixed regression models.

The main aim of this study was to explore the variability in the load-velocity relationship through the use of multilevel mixed regression models. The relationship between relative load (% of one repetition maximum: %1RM) and velocity was obtained in a sample of high-level judokas and rugby players (8 women and 13 men) for the bench press (BP) and parallel squat (SQ). The load-velocity relationship for the squat was obtained for the external load (barbell load) and for the system mass (barbell plus body mass). The data were fitted by different multilevel mixed regression models. Including the sex factor in the models improved the goodness of fit for the BP but not for the squat exercises. All the models detected significant inter-individual variability in both intercepts and slopes (p < 0.05 in all the cases). A decrease of 0.15, 0.10 and 0.16 m/s of velocity for each 10% of increment in the relative load were estimated for BP and squat considering the external load and the system mass, respectively. The multilevel mixed regression models detected significant inter-individual variability in the slope and intercept of the load-velocity relationship what entails differences in the velocity associated with a fixed percentage (%) of the one-repetition maximum load.

High-intensity exercise to improve cardiorespiratory fitness in cancer patients and survivors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Improving cardiorespiratory fitness (CRFit) in cancer patients is crucial to increase survivorship, promote health, and improve quality of life. High-intensity training (HIT) has the potential to increase CRFit, perhaps better than other exercise modalities, but the extant evidence has yet to be fully explored. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the effects of HIT on CRFit in cancer patients and survivors and to identify the optimal characteristics of the interventions (eg, cancer type, intervention timing, exercise modality, intervention's duration, and the number of minutes of high-intensity exercise in each session). The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. A total of 31 articles (2515 participants) were included in the systematic review and 25 in the meta-analyses. CRFit significantly improved with HIT in comparison with a control group (P < .00001, SMD = 0.44 and a 95% confidence interval from 0.25 to 0.64). The results obtained in the sub-analysis were statistically significant except the comparison with the active group CRFit (P = .13). The results showed that higher effects could be achieved in: patients starting to exercise before treatment, interventions longer than eight weeks, programs including exclusively cardiovascular training and with a high-intensity part of session duration of at least 20 minutes.

Load-velocity Profiles Change after Training Programs with Different Set Configurations.

This study explored the changes in load-velocity relationship of bench press and parallel squat exercises following two programs differing in the set configuration. A randomized controlled trial was carried out in a sample of 39 physically active individuals. Participants were assigned to rest redistribution set configuration, traditional set configuration, or control groups. Over 5 weeks, the experimental groups completed 10 sessions with the 10 repetitions maximum load of both exercises. Rest redistribution sets consisted in 16 sets of 2 repetitions with 60 s of rest between sets, and 5 min between exercises, whereas traditional sets entailed 4 sets of 8 repetitions with 5 min of rest between sets and exercises. The load-velocity relationships of both exercises were obtained before and after the training period. For bench press, an increase of the velocity axis intercept, and a decrease of the slope at post-test were observed in both rest redistribution (p<0.001, G=1.264; p<0.001; G=0.997) and traditional set (p=0.01, G=0.654; p=0.001; G=0.593) groups. For squat, the slope decreased (p<0.001; G=0.588) and the velocity axis intercept increased (p<0.001; G=0.727) only in the rest redistribution group. These results show that rest redistribution sets were particularly efficient for inducing changes in the load-velocity relationship.

Effects of Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplementation across a Five-Day Resistance and Endurance Training Microcycle in Middle-Aged Adults.

Preworkout multi-ingredient admixtures are used to maximise exercise performance. The present double-blind, cross-over study compared the acute effects of ingesting a preworkout multi-ingredient (PREW) admixture vs. carbohydrate (CHO) over a week (microcycle) comprising three resistance training (RT) workouts alternated with two 30-min low-intensity endurance sessions (END) on RT volume (kg lifted) and END substrate oxidation. Additionally, postworkout decreases of muscle function and subjective responses were analysed. Following a baseline assessment, fourteen recreationally trained, middle-aged adults (seven females, 48.8 ± 4.7 years old) completed two identical microcycles separated by a two-week washout period while receiving either PREW or CHO (15 min prior to workout). The RT volume, per session (SVOL) and for the entire week (WVOL), was calculated. Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) during 30-min cycling corresponding to their individually determined maximal fat oxidation was measured using expired gasses and indirect calorimetry. Assessments of performance and tensiomyography were conducted within 20 min after each RT. Higher (p = 0.001) SVOL and WVOL along with a larger proportion of FAO (p = 0.05) during the second END workout were determined under the PREW treatment. No other statistically significant differences were observed between conditions. Compared to CHO, a preworkout multi-ingredient appears to increase resistance volume and favour fat oxidation during low-intensity endurance exercises.

Foresight for the Fitness Sector: Results from a European Delphi Study and Its Relevance in the Time of COVID-19.

The fitness sector is an essential player in the promotion of physical activity and healthy behaviour in Europe. However, the sector is confronted with numerous socio-demographic trends that will shape its ability to be financially successful and contribute to public health. The sector must understand current drivers of change and the skills its workforce needs to navigate them. As such, using the results of a 2019 Delphi Survey of over 50 fitness experts from 26 countries, we aim to define the drivers of change facing the sector and identify the skills needed by the fitness workforce to navigate these changes. We find that several technological, social, health and economic trends affect the sector. As a result, so-called soft skills such as communication or customer service, along with digital technology skills, are becoming increasingly important. There is also growing recognition that fitness professionals need to be trained to work with a number of special populations. Furthermore, we argue that many of the trends identified here-such as the increasing use of technology or the focus on individual customer needs-have been accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. We conclude by arguing that well-developed, pan-European qualifications are needed to address these common issues.

Resistance Training Safety during and after the SARS-Cov-2 Outbreak: Practical Recommendations.

In December of 2019, there was an outbreak of a severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by the coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2 or COVID-19) in China. The virus rapidly spread into the whole world causing an unprecedented pandemic and forcing governments to impose a global quarantine, entering an extreme unknown situation. The organizational consequences of quarantine/isolation are absence of organized training and competition, lack of communication among athletes and coaches, inability to move freely, lack of adequate sunlight exposure, and inappropriate training conditions. The reduction of mobility imposed to contain the advance of the SARS-Cov-2 pandemic can negatively affect the physical condition and health of individuals leading to muscle atrophy, progressive loss of muscle strength, and reductions in neuromuscular and mechanical capacities. Resistance training (RT) might be an effective tool to counteract these adverse consequences. RT is considered an essential part of an exercise program due to its numerous health and athletic benefits. However, in the face of the SARS-Cov-2 outbreak, many people might be concerned with safety issues regarding its practice, especially in indoor exercise facilities, such as gyms and fitness centers. These concerns might be associated with RT impact in the immune system, respiratory changes, and contamination due to equipment sharing and agglomeration. In this current opinion article, we provide insights to address these issues to facilitate the return of RT practices under the new logistical and health challenges. We understand that RT can be adapted to allow its performance with measures adopted to control coronavirus outbreak such that the benefits would largely overcome the potential risks. The article provides some practical information to help on its implementation.

A short set configuration attenuates the cardiac parasympathetic withdrawal after a whole-body resistance training session.

PURPOSE: We aimed to analyse the acute effects of set configuration on cardiac parasympathetic modulation and blood pressure (BP) after a whole-body resistance training (RT) session. METHODS: Thirty-two participants (23 men and 9 women) performed one control (CON) and two RT sessions differing in the set configuration but with the same intensity (15RM load), volume (200 repetitions) and total resting time (360 s between sets for each exercise and 3 min between exercises): a long set configuration (LSC: 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 2 resting minutes) and a short set configuration session (SSC, 8 sets of 5 repetitions with 51 resting seconds). Heart rate variability, baroreflex sensitivity, the low frequency of systolic blood pressure oscillations (LFSBP), BP and lactatemia were evaluated before and after the sessions and mechanical performance was evaluated during exercise. RESULTS: LSC induced greater reductions on cardiac parasympathetic modulation versus SSC after the session and the CON (p < 0.001 to p = 0.024). However, no LFSBP and BP significant changes were observed. Furthermore, LSC caused a higher lactate production (p < 0.001) and velocity loss (p ≤ 0.001) in comparison with SSC. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that SSC attenuates the reduction of cardiac parasympathetic modulation after a whole-body RT, improving the mechanical performance and decreasing the glycolytic involvement, without alterations regarding vascular tone and BP.

Reliability of force-velocity parameters obtained from linear and curvilinear regressions for the bench press and squat exercises.

This study aimed to compare the goodness of fit and the reliability of different regression models for fitting the force-velocity relationship (FV) of bench press (BP) and squat (SQ). Additionally, the reliability of the position on FV of the velocity (V1RM) and the force performed with the 1RM (F1RM) was explored. Nine rugby players and 12 judokas participated in this study. The FV of BP and SQ were obtained twice by a protocol performed until the 1RM. Individual FV were fitted by linear (LM), quadratic polynomial (PM), and exponential models (EM). Adjusted coefficients of determination of LM and PM (medians higher than 0.919) were higher than for EM. The reliability was higher for LM in comparison with PM. The reliability of V1RM was not acceptable (CV% = 19 and 18% for BP and SQ). High reliability was observed for F1RM (CV% = 3 and 2% for BP and SQ) and for the ratio between F1RM and the force-axis intercept of FV (CV% = 2 and 4% for BP and SQ). The reliability of the relative values of F1RM around 92 and 87% of F0 for BP and SQ suggests the use of these values for monitoring resistance training programmes.