3 Different types of strength training in older women.

The objective of the present study was to evaluate and compare the neuromuscular, morphological and functional adaptations of older women subjected to 3 different types of strength training. 58, healthy women (67 ± 5 year) were randomized to experimental (EG, n=41) and control groups (CG, n=17) during the first 6 weeks when the EG group performed traditional resistance exercise for the lower extremity. Afterwards, EG was divided into three specific strength training groups; a traditional group (TG, n=14), a power group (PG, n=13) that performed the concentric phase of contraction at high speed and a rapid strength group (RG, n=14) that performed a lateral box jump exercise emphasizing the stretch-shortening-cycle (SSC). Subjects trained 2 days per week through the entire 12 weeks. Following 6 weeks of generalized strength training, significant improvements occurred in EG for knee extension one-repetition (1RM) maximum strength (+19%), knee extensor muscle thickness (MT, +15%), maximal muscle activation (+44% average) and onset latency ( -31% average) for vastus lateralis (VL), vastus medialis (VM) and rectus femoris (RF) compared to CG (p<0.05). Following 6 more weeks of specific strength training, the 1RM increased significantly and similarly between groups (average of +21%), as did muscle thickness of the VL (+25%), and activation of VL (+44%) and VM (+26%). The onset latency of RF (TG=285 ± 109 ms, PG=252 ± 76 ms, RG=203 ± 43 ms), reaction time (TG=366 ± 99 ms, PG=274 ± 76 ms, RG=201 ± 41 ms), 30-s chair stand (TG=18 ± 3, PG=18 ± 1, RG=21 ± 2) and counter movement jump (TG=8 ± 2 cm, PG=10 ± 3 cm, RG=13 ± 2 cm) was significantly improved only in RG (p<0.05). At the end of training, the rate of force development (RFD) over 150 ms (TG=2.3 ± 9.8 N·s(-1), PG=3.3 ± 3.2 N·s(-1), RG=3.8 ± 6.8 N·s(-1), CG=2.3 ± 7.0 N·s(-1)) was significantly greater in RG and PG than in TG and CG (p<0.05). In conclusion, rapid strength training is more effective for the development of rapid force production of muscle than other specific types of strength training and by consequence, better develops the functional capabilities of older women.

Applicability of real-time PCR methodology in the neonatal detection of Turner syndrome.

Turner syndrome (TS) is the complete or partial loss of the second sex chromosome, occurring in 1:5 000 girls. Early recognition allows appropriate therapy for short stature and puberty. Neonatal diagnosis of TS permits detection of associated malformations, minimizing sequels. Aiming to develop a molecular method for the diagnosis of TS we employed blood samples stored on filter paper. We evaluated 78 female controls, 25 TS girls with 45,X karyotype, and 32 TS patients with other karyotypes. After DNA extraction, samples were submitted to real-time PCR, using primers and probes directed to the study gene ARSE and to the control gene GAPDH. A ROC curve established the ARSE:GAPDH ratio with a cutoff value of 0.7. Low ARSE:GAPDH ratio of <0.7 was present in 100% of 45,X TS patients. This cutoff value presented a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100% in detecting 45,X TS patients with a positive predictive value of 100% and a negative predictive value of 100%. The same cutoff value was able to identify only 56% of TS with other karyotypes, in which we observed a mean (SD) ARSE:GAPDH ratio=0.66 (0.2); and the interquartile range=0.4-0.8. Determination of ARSE:GAPDH ratio is a fast, sensitive, and specific method, with viable cost and feasible automation, which makes it potentially applicable in neonatal screening programs for the diagnosis of Turner syndrome 45,X.

Physiological effects of concurrent training in elderly men.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of concurrent strength and endurance training on neuromuscular and hormonal parameters in elderly men. 23 healthy men (65±4 years) were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 groups: concurrent (CG, n=8), strength (SG, n=8) or endurance group (EG, n=7). The programs consisted, of strength training, endurance training on a cycle ergometer or a combination of both in the same session 3 times per week over a duration of 12 weeks. Subjects were evaluated on parameters related to muscle strength, muscle activation and serum hormones. There were significant increases in lower-body strength in all groups (P<0.05), with higher increases in SG (67%) than CG (41%) and both were higher than EG (25%) (p<0.01). Only SG and CG increased upper-body strength (p<0.01), with no significant difference between the 2 groups. Furthermore, there were significant decreases in free testosterone in EG after training. Significant increases in isometric strength and maximal muscle activation (p<0.05) as well as decreases in the submaximal muscle activation to the same load, were only seen in SG (p<0.05). The present results suggest that the interference effect observed due to concurrent strength and endurance training could be related to impairment of neural adaptations.

Effects of Chronic Physical Activity on Glomerular Filtration Rate, Creatinine, and the Markers of Anemia of Kidney Transplantation Patients.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of anemia in kidney transplantation patients (KTPs) is very common and seems to be associated with the reduction in both renal function and physical exercise tolerance. The purpose of the present study was to compare biochemical markers of anemia and renal function of physically active and sedentary KTPs. METHOD: Serum hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and serum creatinine (used to derive estimated glomerular filtration rate [eGFR]) were obtained from the medical records of 18 KTPs assisted at the Center for Prevention of Kidney Diseases of the Federal University of Maranhao Hospital. The physically active transplant patients (group 1) included 7 men and 2 women, aged 49 ± 14 years who participated for at least 6 months on a supervised physical exercise program (SPEP) (2 to 3 times a week, 90-minute sessions) and the sedentary counterparts (group 2) of 2 men and 7 women, aged 37 ± 15 years. RESULTS: Group 1 presented higher values of Hb (14.2 ± 2.6 vs 10.7 ± 0.6 g/dL; P = .003), Hct (41.6% ± 7.0% vs 32.3% ± 1.4%; P = .004), and eGFR (64.4 ± 19.4 vs 39.3 ± 19.7 mL/min/1.73 m2; P = .015) when compared with group 2. There was a positive and significant correlation between Hb and eGFR (r = 0.528; P = .024), and between Hct and eGFR (r = .509; P = .031). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that regular physical activity seems to improve the biochemical markers of anemia and also the renal function of KTPs, and these patients should be advised to participate in SPEP.