The Effect of a Hydroxytyrosol-Rich, Olive-Derived Phytocomplex on Aerobic Exercise and Acute Recovery.

There is current scientific interest in naturally sourced phenolic compounds and their potential benefits to health, as well as the effective role polyphenols may provide in an exercise setting. This study investigated the chronic effects of supplementation with a biodynamic and organic olive fruit water phytocomplex (OliPhenolia® [OliP]), rich in hydroxytyrosol (HT), on submaximal and exhaustive exercise performance and respiratory markers of recovery. Twenty-nine recreationally active participants (42 ± 2 yrs; 71.1 ± 2.1 kg; 1.76 ± 0.02 m) consumed 2 × 28 mL∙d−1 of OliP or a taste- and appearance-matched placebo (PL) over 16 consecutive days. Participants completed a demanding, aerobic exercise protocol at ~75% maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) for 65 min 24 h before sub- and maximal performance exercise tests prior to and following the 16-day consumption period. OliP reduced the time constant (τ) (p = 0.005) at the onset of exercise, running economy (p = 0.015) at lactate threshold 1 (LT1), as well as the rating of perceived exertion (p = 0.003) at lactate turnpoint (LT2). Additionally, OliP led to modest improvements in acute recovery based upon a shorter time to achieve 50% of the end of exercise V˙O2 value (p = 0.02). Whilst OliP increased time to exhaustion (+4.1 ± 1.8%), this was not significantly different to PL (p > 0.05). Phenolic compounds present in OliP, including HT and related metabolites, may provide benefits for aerobic exercise and acute recovery in recreationally active individuals. Further research is needed to determine whether dose-response or adjunct use of OliP alongside longer-term training programs can further modulate exercise-associated adaptations in recreationally active individuals, or indeed support athletic performance.

The Impact of a Natural Olive-Derived Phytocomplex (OliPhenolia®) on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress in Healthy Adults.

The role of natural polyphenols in reducing oxidative stress and/or supporting antioxidant mechanisms, particularly relating to exercise, is of high interest. The aim of this study was to investigate OliPhenolia® (OliP), a biodynamic and organic olive fruit water phytocomplex, rich in hydroxytyrosol (HT), for the first time within an exercise domain. HT bioavailability from OliP was assessed in fifteen healthy volunteers in a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled cross-over design (age: 30 ± 2 yrs; body mass: 76.7 ± 3.9 kg; height: 1.77 ± 0.02 m), followed by a separate randomized, double-blinded, cohort trial investigating the short-term impact of OliP consumption (2 × 28 mL∙d−1 of OliP or placebo (PL) for 16-days) on markers of oxidative stress in twenty-nine recreationally active participants (42 ± 2 yrs; 71.1 ± 2.1 kg; 1.76 ± 0.02 m). In response to a single 28 mL OliP bolus, plasma HT peaked at 1 h (38.31 ± 4.76 ng∙mL−1), remaining significantly elevated (p < 0.001) until 4 h. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), reduced glutathione (GSH) and HT were assessed at rest and immediately following exercise (50 min at ~75% V˙O2max then 10 min intermittent efforts) and at 1 and 24 h post-exercise, before and after the 16-day supplementation protocol. Plasma HT under resting conditions was not detected pre-intervention, but increased to 6.3 ± 1.6 ng·mL−1 following OliP only (p < 0.001). OliP demonstrated modest antioxidant effects based on reduced SOD activity post-exercise (p = 0.016) and at 24 h (p ≤ 0.046), and increased GSH immediately post-exercise (p = 0.009) compared with PL. No differences were reported for MDA and CAT activity in response to the exercise protocol between conditions. The phenolic compounds within OliP, including HT, may have specific antioxidant benefits supporting acute exercise recovery. Further research is warranted to explore the impact of OliP following longer-term exercise training, and clinical domains pertinent to reduced oxidative stress.

Heat acclimation improves sweat gland function and lowers sweat sodium concentration in an adult with cystic fibrosis.

We present novel data concerning the time-course of adaptations and potential benefits of heat acclimation for people with cystic fibrosis (pwCF), who are at greater risk of exertional heat illness. A 25-year-old male (genotype: delta-F508 and RH117, forced expiratory volume in 1-second: 77% predicted and baseline sweat [Na+]: 70 mmol·L - 1), who had previously experienced muscle cramping during exercise in ambient heat, underwent 10-sessions of heat acclimation (90-min at 40°C and in 40% relative humidity). Adaptations included; lower resting core temperature (-0.40°C) and heart rate (-6 beats·min-1), plasma volume expansion (+6.0%) and, importantly, increased sweat loss (+370 mL) and sweat gland activity (+12 glands·cm2) with decreased sweat [Na+] (-18 mmol·L - 1). Adaptations were maintained for at least 7-days, with no evidence of cramping during follow-up exercise-heat stress testing. These data suggest pwCF may benefit from heat acclimation to induce sudomotor function improvements, particularly reductions in sweat [Na+], however, further research is required.

Physiological and psychological responses in Fire Instructors to heat exposures.

AIM: Fire Service Instructors (FSI) are exposed to many repeated periods of high environmental temperatures when training firefighters. Such repeated exposures will impose significant strains on the function of instructors. We aimed to measure the effects of a training programme including repeated exposures to heat, termed "Wears" in the fire service, on the physiological, psychological some immunological markers of Fire Service Instructors. METHODS: Six FSI and six physiologically matched controls completed blood and cardiovascular tests pre and post a 4wk heat instruction training block, controls completed the tests only. FSI were given a 7wk period of no heat exposure prior to starting the training. Physiological and perceptual measures were taken pre and post the first and last Wear of the 4wk training protocol. RESULTS: There were acute effects of a Wear on core temperature and physiological strain index, as well as measures of fatigue. The acute exposure to heat during a Wear led to a consistent decrease in CRP (-10% to -40%), increased IL6 concentrations 33-45%) as well as increased RPE and TSS. Over the training programme significantly lower quantities of white cells, particularly neutrophils, leukocytes and monocytes were found in the FSI group. Between the start and the end of the 4 week training programme the FSI showed a significantly greater physiological strain index (PSI) to the Wears, which nearly doubled from 2.5 to 4.7 (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Physiological and psychological measures indicate that FSI may be experiencing symptoms and changes to their health consistent with an overtraining type condition.