The potential of a targeted unilateral compound training program to reduce lower limb strength asymmetry and increase performance: a proof-of-concept in basketball.

Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of training methodologies aimed at mitigating asymmetries in lower limb strength and explosiveness among basketball players. Methods: Thirty male university basketball athletes were enrolled in this research. Initial assessments were made regarding their physical attributes, strength, and explosiveness. Subsequently, the participants were randomly allocated into two groups: an experimental group (EG, n = 15) and a control group (CG, n = 15). Over 10 weeks, the EG engaged in a unilateral compound training regimen, incorporating resistance training exercises such as split squats, Bulgarian split squats, box step-ups, and single-leg calf raises (non-dominant leg: three sets of six repetitions; dominant leg: one set of six repetitions) and plyometric drills including lunge jumps, single-leg hops with back foot raise, single-leg lateral jumps, and single-leg continuous hopping (non-dominant leg: three sets of 12 repetitions; dominant leg: one set of 12 repetitions). The CG continued with their standard training routine. Assessments of limb asymmetry and athletic performance were conducted before and after the intervention to evaluate changes. Results: 1) Body morphology assessments showed limb length and circumference discrepancies of less than 3 cm. The initial average asymmetry percentages in the single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) for jump height, power, and impulse were 15.56%, 12.4%, and 4.48%, respectively. 2) Post-intervention, the EG demonstrated a significant reduction in the asymmetry percentages of SLCMJ height and power (p < 0.01), along with improvements in the isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) test metrics (p < 0.05). 3) The EG also showed marked enhancements in the double-leg countermovement jump (CMJ) and standing long jump (SLJ) outcomes compared to the CG (p < 0.01), as well as in squat performance (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The 10-week unilateral compound training program effectively reduced the asymmetry in lower limb strength and explosiveness among elite male university basketball players, contributing to increased maximal strength and explosiveness.

Effect of unilateral training and bilateral training on physical performance: A meta-analysis.

Background: In Unilateral (UNI) exercises are more effective than bilateral (BI) exercises in improving athletic performance is debatable. Objectives: this meta-analysis investigated the effects of UNI and BI exercises on different effect indicators of jump ability, sprint ability, maximal force, change of direction ability, and balance ability. Data Sources: PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of science, CNKI, Proquest, Wan Fang Data. Study Eligibility Criteria: To be eligible for inclusion in the meta-analysis, the study had to be: 1) athletes; 2) UNI training and BI training; 3) the intervention period had to be more than 6 weeks and the intervention frequency had to be more than 2 times/week; 4) the outcome indicators were jumping ability, sprinting ability, maximum strength, and change of direction and balance. Study Appraisal and Synthesis Method: We used the random-effects model for meta-analyses. Effect sizes (standardized mean difference), calculated from measures of horizontally oriented performance, were represented by the standardized mean difference and presented alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: A total of 28 papers met the inclusion criteria, and Meta-analysis showed that UNI training was more effective than BI training in improving jumping ability (ES = 0.61.0.23 to 0.09; Z = 3.12, p = 0.002 < 0.01), sprinting ability (ES = -0.02, -0.03 to -0.01; Z = 2.73, p = 0.006 < 0.01), maximum strength (ES = 8.95,2.30 to 15.61; Z = 2.64, p = 0.008 > 0.05), change of direction ability (ES = -0.03, -0.06 to 0.00; Z = 1.90, p = 0.06 > 0.01) and balance ability (ES = 1.41,-0.62 to 3.44; Z = 1.36, p = 0.17 > 0.01). The results of the analysis of moderating variables showed that intervention period, intervention frequency and intervention types all had different indicators of effect on exercise performance. Conclusion: UNI training has a more significant effect on jumping and strength quality for unilateral power patterns, and BI training has a more significant effect on jumping and strength quality for bilateral power patterns.

Meta-analysis of the intermittent time of post-activation potentiation enhancement on sprint ability.

INTRODUCTION: In sports, 10 m, 30 m and 40m events are used to test the athlete's acceleration ability, which depends on the coordination of physiological and neural function and can be greatly improved through scientific training. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION: This study conducted a systematic meta-analysis on the intermittent time of post-activation potentiation enhancement (PAPE) and the outcome measure was the sprint ability in 10 m and 30 m events. Data Sources : Web of Science, PubMed, ProQuest, Embase, Science Direct, Google Scholar, WanFang Data and CNKI. Study eligibility criteria : to qualify for inclusion in meta-analysis, the study must be: 1) healthy people (athletes, students); 2) randomized controlled trials; 3) Barbell squat was used to induce PAPE; 4) intervention period of at least 6 weeks; and 5) an outcome indicator of sprinting ability. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS: We used the inverse-variance random-effects model for meta-analyses. Effect sizes (standardized mean difference), calculated from measures of horizontally orientated performance, were represented by the standardized mean difference and presented alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI). A total of 9 studies including 141 participants, met the inclusion criteria. The sprint ability in 10 meters (ES=-0.03, P<0.0001) and 30 meters events (ES=-0.03, P=0.004) could be significantly improved when the intermittent time of PAPE was 4-8 min. When the intensity of the squat load was 85%1RM~100%1RM, compared with the intermittent time of 0-3min, 9-12min, and more than 13min, the sprint ability in 10 meters (ES=-0.04, P<0.0001) and 30 meters events (ES=-0.08, P=0.0001) was incredibly enhanced if the intermittent time was 4-8 minutes. Compared with college students, the sprint ability in 10-meter (ES=-0.03, P<0.0001) and 30-meter (ES=-0.04, P=0.001) events was significantly improved in athletes when the intermittent time of PAPE was 4-8 minutes. Compared with non-ball games, the sprint ability in 10 meters (ES=-0.04, P<0.0001) and 30 meters (ES=-0.09, P=0.0002) in ball games was significantly improved when the intermittent time of PAPE was 4-8 minutes. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis indicated that when squats were used as the induction and the load intensity was 85% 1RM~100% 1RM, the sprint ability in 10-meter and 30-meter events could be significantly improved if the intermittent time was 4-8min. According to the analysis on different population, compared with college students and non-ball games, the 10-meter and 30-meter the sprint ability were significantly improved in athletes and ball games when the intermittent time was 4-8 minutes. Therefore, future research should focus on developing a reasonable combination of load stimulation and intermittent time according to the sprint ability to better induce PAPE.

Flywheel eccentric overload exercises versus barbell half squats for basketball players: Which is better for induction of post-activation performance enhancement?

OBJECTIVE: This study compared the post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE) effects of a flywheel eccentric overload (FEOL) exercise and barbell half squats (BHS) on countermovement jump (CMJ) and 30 m sprint performance. METHODS: Twelve male collegiate competitive basketball players were enrolled in this study and they implemented two training protocols: barbell half squat (BHS) and flywheel eccentric overload (FEOL) training. The BHS protocol included three intensities of load: low (40% 1RM), medium (60% 1RM), and high (80% 1RM), with each intensity consisting of 5 sets of 3 repetitions. The FEOL protocol included three inertia intensities: low (0. 015 kg∙m2), medium (0.035 kg∙m2), and high (0.075 kg∙m2), with each intensity consisting of 3 sets of 6 repetitions. The measurement time points were before training (baseline) and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after training. A two-stage (stage-I and stage-II) randomized crossover design was used to determine the acute effects of both protocols on CMJ and sprint performance. RESULTS: At each training intensity, the jump height, jump peak power output (PPO), jump impulse and 30m sprint speed at 3, 6, 9, and 12 minutes after BHS and FEOL training did not change significantly compared to the baseline. A 2-way ANOVA analysis indicated significant main effects of rest intervals on jump height, jump PPO, and jump impulse, as well as 30m sprint speed. The interaction of the Time × protocol showed a significant effect on jump height between BHS and FEOL groups at high intensity in stage-I (F = 3.809, p = 0.016, df = 4) and stage-II (F = 3.044, p = 0.037, df = 4). And in high training intensity, the jump height at 3 (7.78 ± 9.90% increase, ES = 0.561), 6 (8.96 ± 12.15% increase, ES = 0.579), and 9 min (8.78 ± 11.23% increase, ES = 0.608) were enhanced in I-FEOL group compared with I-BHS group (F = 3.044, p = 0.037, df = 4). In stage-II, the impulse and sprint speed of the FEOL group were significantly higher than those of the BHS group at 6, 9, and 12 min under low (FEOL = 0.015kg∙m2, BHS = 40%1RM), medium(FEOL = 0.035kg∙m2, BHS = 60%1RM), and high (FEOL = 0.075kg∙m2, BHS = 80%1RM) intensities. Furthermore, the sprint speed of the two training protocols did not change at different time points. The interaction of Time × training intensity showed lower sprint speeds in the II-BHS group at a high intensity (BHS = 80%1RM) compared to low (BHS = 40%1RM) and medium (BHS = 60%1RM) training intensities, especially at 9 min and 12 min rest intervals. CONCLUSION: Although barbell half squat training and flywheel eccentric overload training did not provide a significant PAPE effect on explosive power (CMJ and sprint) in male basketball players, FEOL training showed a better potential effect on enhanced CMJ jump performance at the high training intensity.

Astragalus polysaccharide attenuates overexercise-induce myocardial injury via activating AMPK signaling pathway to suppress inflammation and oxidative stress.

Excessive exercise leads to myocardial injury or even sudden exercise death. For the vast sports population, appropriate physiological state is a necessary condition for exercise. The present study aims to investigate the cardioprotective effects and potent mechanism of astragalus polysaccharide (APS) treatment against the exercise-induced myocardial injury via in vitro cell-based assay and in vivo model rat. Efficacies of APS incubation on the inflammatory response and oxidative stress induced by LPS were both explored in H9c2 cells by using CCK-8 and western blotting method, respectively. Normal SD rats were randomly divided into saline-treated overexercise rat group, and APS-treated overexercise rat groups with three doses. Then long-term swimming training load cycle (8 week) were performed on these rats. Finally, the changes on body weight, myocardial morphological and injury indicators, as well as the inflammation-related proteins in overexercise-induced model rats were all assessed. Three concentrations of APS all significantly increased cell viability, and decreased the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes in LPS-treated H9c2 cells. Moreover, chronic treatment of APS at all three doses also could obviously decreased myocardial injury-related indicators. Furthermore, the histopathologic examination exhibited that the APS successfully attenuated the changes of myocardial tissues, reduced the lipid accumulation and the protein levels of IL-1ß, TNF-α and NF-κB. Furthermore, the APS could activate the AMPK signaling pathway, enhance the autophagy and suppress the production of ROS. On conclusions, APS exerted the protective efficacies on overexercise-induced myocardial injury by activating the AMPK signaling pathway to increase autophagy and suppress the inflammation response, oxidative stress, apoptosis of myocardial cells.

Effects of sprint interval training on maximal oxygen uptake in athletes: a meta-analysis.

INTRODUCTION: To explore the effects of sprint interval training on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in athletes, and whether exercise mode, number of sprints, sprint duration, and interval duration would positively impact on athletes' VO2max, so as to improve the reference of exercise prescriptions. METHODS: A comprehensive search of the literature was conducted using the key words "sprint interval training" and "maximal oxygen uptake" on databases, including both Chinese and English articles published from the establishment of the database to January 2021. The articles were selected by two independent reviewers. The quality of the included studies was evaluated in compliance with the risk-of-bias assessment tool for randomized controlled trials recommended in the Cochrane Handbook. RESULTS: After screening and exclusion, 12 studies were included in the metaanalysis. VO2max in the sprint training group was significantly increased by 2.23 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.99-3.48; p = 0.987). Subgroup analysis was conducted on exercise type, number of sprints, sprint duration, interval duration, and training period, the results of which showed that VO2max of sprinting-based group was increased by 2.43 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.41-4.45; p = 0.987); VO2max of sprint duration group 2.27 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.83-3.71; p = 0.96); VO2max of interval duration < 3 min group 2.39 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.74-4.03; p = 0.92); VO2max of 8-12 sprints group 2.57 ml/kg/min (95% CI 0.75-4.38; p = 0.96); VO2max of SIT for 3-4 weeks group 2.78 ml/kg/min (95% CI 1.00-4.57; p = 0.96). The funnel plot and Egger's test did not suggest publication bias. CONCLUSIONS: (1) SIT can significantly enhance VO2max in athletes. (2) The training program of 3-week sprinting-based SIT with 8-12, 20-30s sprints and intervals less than 3 min between each sprint is the most significant in improving VO2max in athletes.

Rational design and evaluation of GLP-1 derivative for treating hyperglycemia combined with overexercise-induced myocardial injury.

AIMS: To design and evaluate the anti-hyperglycemia and overexercise-induced myocardial injury efficacies of a novel long-acting glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)-based therapeutic peptide in rodent animals. MAIN METHODS: Here, we designed and prepared a new pro-drug, termed RYHSB-1, which was connected by a mutated GLP-1(A8G) and an albumin binding peptide via a protease-cleavable linker. Moreover, isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) was applied to detect its binding affinity for HSA. GLP-1 release assay was conducted in mouse serum in vitro and quantified using LC-MS/MS method. Modified intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), chronic efficacies study in rodent animals with overexercise-induced myocardial injury were subjected to evaluate the druggability of RYHSB-1. RESULTS: RYHSB-1 with purity over 99% was prepared and ITC measurement demonstrated high binding affinity for HSA with KD of 0.06 µM. Protease cleavage assay demonstrated slowly controlled-release of transient GLP-1 from RYHSB-1 under the hydrolysis catalyzed by thrombin in vitro. Moreover, IPGTT showed clearly dose-dependent glucose-lowering efficacies of RYHSB-1 within 0.1-0.9 mg/kg. The prolonged anti-diabetic efficacy of RYHSB-1 was further assessed via multiple IPGTTs and hypoglycemic duration test. Furthermore, long-term administration of RYHSB-1 in diabetic mice achieved promising efficacies on hyperglycemia and overexercise-induced myocardial injury. SIGNIFICANCE: RYHSB-1 holds outstanding pharmaceutical potential as an anti- overexercise-induced myocardial injury drug. The strategy of albumin-conjugation also could be applied to other active peptides develop long effecting therapeutic drugs.

Dietary cucurbitacin E reduces high-strength altitude training induced oxidative stress, inflammation and immunosuppression.

Professional athletes conduct high-intensitive hypoxic training often accompanied by the increase of many inflammatory-related cytokines and immunosuppression. Cucurbitacin E (CucE), as a triterpenoid isolated from Cucurbitaceae plants, exert potential anti-cancer and anti-inflammatory. However, it is unknown whether that the CucE could be used as dietary supplement for athletes to improve inflammatory response and immunosuppression. In this study, we established the simulative hypoxic training rat and monkey models and evaluated the effects of CucE on immune- and inflammation-related factors. Obvious improvement on pro-inflammatory factors and pro-lymphocyte proliferation activities were showed in CucE treated rats compared with the control. Further supplement of CucE in professional meals for cynomolgus monkeys with 4-weeks high-intensitive hypoxic training also exert effects on altitude-induced oxidative stress, inflammation and immunologic function. Furtherly, we explored the underlying mechanism of CucE in human Jurkat T cells and results showed that CucE may exhibit immunosuppressive effect by attenuating critical cytokine expression through down-regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, CucE is expected to be a potential dietary supplement for athletes to ameliorate the inflammation and immunosuppression caused by high-intensitive exercise.

Semaglutide attenuates excessive exercise-induced myocardial injury through inhibiting oxidative stress and inflammation in rats.

AIMS: To investigate the protective effects and mechanism of semaglutide on exercise-induced myocardial injury. MAIN METHODS: Effects of semaglutide on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced oxidative stress injuries and inflammatory response were assessed in H9c2 cell via MTT assay and Western blot. Quiet control group, over training group and three doses of semaglutide treated overtraining groups were subjected to the swimming training with increasing load for consecutive 10 weeks. Immediately after the last training, the body weight, myocardial morphological changes, injury markers and inflammatory response related proteins of the model rats were analyzed. KEY FINDINGS: Semaglutide at three concentrations in LPS treated H9c2 cells significantly increased the survival rate and inhibited the apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Moreover, semaglutide activated AMPK pathway, improve autophagy and inhibited reactive oxygen species production in LPS treated H9C2 cells. In vivo results further revealed that chronic treatment of semaglutide induced significant increase in myocardial injury markers. The pathological histology analysis results showed that semaglutide ameliorated myocardial morphological changes, reduced area of lipid accumulation and significantly decreased the expression levels of NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-1ß. SIGNIFICANCE: Semaglutide exert the protective effects on exercise-induced cardiomyopathy by activating AMPK pathway, increasing autophagy, reducing the production of ROS and inflammation-related proteins.

Intravenous ilaprazole is more potent than oral ilaprazole against gastric lesions in rats.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Ilaprazole is a novel proton pump inhibitor that has been marketed as an oral therapy for acid-related diseases in China and Korea. This study aimed to compare the gastroprotective effects of intravenous and enteral ilaprazole in rat models. METHODS: The rats were divided into 7-8 groups receiving vehicle, esomeprazole, and different doses of intravenous and enteral ilaprazole. The rats were then exposed to indomethacin (30 mg/kg, i.g.), or water-immersion stress and gastric lesions were examined. The effects of different treatments on histamine (10 µmol/kg/h)-induced acid secretion were also observed. RESULTS: Intravenous ilaprazole exhibited high antiulcer activity in a dose-dependent manner. Ilaprazole at a dose of 3 mg/kg decreased ulcer number and index to the same extent as 20 mg/kg esomeprazole. Moreover, the potency of intravenous ilaprazole is superior to that of intragastric ilaprazole. In anesthetized rats, the inhibitory effect of intravenous ilaprazole on histamine-induced acid secretion is faster and longer-lasting than that of intraduodenal ilaprazole. CONCLUSION: Intravenous ilaprazole is more potent than oral ilaprazole against indomethacin- or stress-induced gastric lesions, with faster and longer inhibition of acid secretion.

Population pharmacokinetics of blonanserin in Chinese healthy volunteers and the effect of the food intake.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to better understand blonanserin population pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics in Chinese healthy subjects. METHODS: Data from two studies with 50 subjects were analyzed to investigate the population PK characteristics of blonanserin at single dose (4, 8, and 12 mg) under fasting, multidose (4 mg bid or 8 mg qd for 7 days) and under food intake condition (single dose, 8 mg). Blonanserin plasma concentrations were detected using the high performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS). A nonlinear mixed-effects model was developed to describe the blonanserin concentration-time profiles. RESULTS: A two compartment model with first-order absorption was built to describe the time-course of blonanserin. The population-predicted system apparent clearance (CL/F), volume of apparent distribution in center (V(1)/F), and the first-order absorption rate constant (Ka) of blonanserin under fasting was 1230 L/h, 9500 L, and 3.02 h(-1), respectively. Food intake decreased Ka of blonanserin to 0.78 h(-1). The relative bioavailability between fasting and food intake estimated by the final model was 55%. No clinically significant safety issues were identified. CONCLUSION: This is the first study assessing the PK profile of blonanserin with population PKs method. The results can be used for simulation in further clinical trial and optimize individual dosage regimens using a Bayesian methodology in patients.

[Safety and efficacy of QianlieanSuppository for chronic prostatitis of damp-heat and blood-stasis syndrome: a randomized, single-blind, parallel controlled, multi-centered phase III clinical trial].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Qianliean Suppository in the treatment of chronic prostatitis of damp-heat and blood-stasis syndrome. METHODS: We conducted a randomized, single-blind, parallel-controlled, multi-centered clinical trial among 467 subjects, who were assigned to a trial group (n = 349) and a control group (n = 118), the former treated with Qianliean Suppository anally one pill per night for 28 days and the latter given Yejuhua Suppository in the same way. The efficacy was evaluated by the TCM syndrome, NIH-CPSI, main clinical symptoms and WBC count in EPS. RESULTS: After the treatment, the total rates of recovery, excellence and effectiveness for the TCM syndrome were 4.4%, 58.0% and 90.7% respectively in the trial group, significantly higher than 0.9%, 33.1% and 70.4% in the control group (P < 0.025). Remarkable decreases were observed in the NIH-CPSI total score and the scores on pain and discomfort, voiding symptoms and quality of life in the former group compared with the latter (P < 0.025). The trial group also showed a marked alleviation of such main chronic prostatitis symptoms as urgent micturition and perineal pain and discomfort (P < 0.05), as well as an obvious improvement (55.2%) of the WBC count in EPS as compared with 32.4% in the control group (P < 0.05). No serious adverse events occurred in either of the two groups (0.56% [2/349 ] vs 0.83% [1/118]). CONCLUSIONS: Qianliean Suppository is safe and effective for the treatment of chronic prostatitis of damp-heat and blood-stasis syndrome.