Investigating academic performance and perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses among undergraduate students of physical education at a Brazilian public university.

PURPOSE: To compare the academic performance of undergraduate students in physical education who studied exercise physiology before and after studying human physiology and investigate students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses. METHODS: This study included 311 undergraduate students pursuing a bachelor's degree in physical education. Participants were divided into two groups: those who had previously attended and completed the human physiology course (group 1, n = 212, 68.2%) and those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course (group 2, n = 99, 31.8%). The prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were calculated using a Poisson regression model with a robust variance estimator. The second aim comprised 67 students with bachelor's degrees in physical education who completed an electronic questionnaire about their perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology curriculum. RESULTS: Compared with those who attended human physiology and passed, those who had not previously attended or had attended but failed the human physiology course have a higher PR of 2.37 (95% CI, 1.68-3.34) for failing exercise physiology. Regarding the students' perceptions of human physiology and exercise physiology courses, most students reported that they were challenging (58.2% and 64.2%, respectively), but they also recognized the importance of these courses for professional practice (59.7% and 85.1%, respectively). CONCLUSION: Human physiology should be considered a prerequisite for an undergraduate course leading to a bachelor's degree in physical education. Furthermore, students considered human physiology and exercise physiology courses important yet challenging. Therefore, continuous student assessment is vital for improving the teaching-learning process.

Evaluation of the autonomic nervous system by analysis of heart rate variability in the preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: Premature infants may present with damage to the autonomic nervous system (ANS), which may be related to poorer neurological development. Among the techniques used to evaluate the ANS, heart rate variability (HRV) emerged as a simple, non-invasive, and easy to apply tool. The aim of the present study was to analyze and compare HRV in preterm infants at different times of hospitalization in order to verify the possible environmental relationships or clinical evolution with HRV. METHODS: A longitudinal, prospective, and descriptive study with non-probabilistic sampling composed of 25 collections of preterm infants of HRV at two moments: moment I (within 15 days of birth) and moment II (after 45 days post-birth). The Polar V800 heart rate monitor was used with the Polar H10 cardiac transducer to collect HRV, which was collected in the supine position for 15 min. The HRV data were analyzed by the linear method in frequency domain and time domain and by the nonlinear method using Kubios HRV analysis software, version 3.0.2. RESULTS: There was an increase in HRV values at moment II, these being statistically significant in the SD1, ApEn, and SampEn. Data related to increased sympathetic nervous system activity, parasympathetic nervous system activity, and increased index complexity. CONCLUSIONS: The data demonstrate an increase in HRV values in premature infants at moment II, demonstrating a possible development in the maturation of the ANS during hospitalization. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-3x7gz8 retrospectively registered.

Combinatorial analysis of ACE and ACE2 polymorphisms reveals protection against COVID-19 worsening: A genetic association study in Brazilian patients.

Since angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, ACE2, was identified as the receptor for SARS-CoV-2 and considering the intense physiological interplay between the two angitensinases isoforms, ACE and ACE2, as counter-regulatory axis of the renin-angiotensin system, we proposed the evaluation of polymorphisms in these two key regulators in relation to COVID-19 severity. A genetic association study involving 621 COVID-19 hospitalized patients from Brazil was performed. All subjects had a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 via RT-PCR. Patients were categorized into two groups: the "mild" group (N = 296), composed of individuals hospitalized in ward beds who progressed to cure, and the "severe" group (N = 325), composed of individuals who required hospitalization in an intensive care unit (ICU), or who died. Blood samples were genotyped for ACE I/D polymorphism and ACE2 G8790A polymorphism by real-time PCR via TaqMan assay. The analysis of combined polymorphisms revealed a protective role for genotypic profile II/A_ (ORA = 0,26; p = 0,037) against the worsening of COVID-19 in women. The results indicate a protection profile to COVID-19 progression, in which the II/A_ carriers have almost four times less chance of a severe outcome. It is proposed that a decreased activity of ACE (deleterious effects) in conjunction with an increased ACE2 activity (protective effects), should be the underlying mechanism. The findings are unprecedented once other studies have not explored the genotypic combination analysis for ACE and ACE2 polymorphisms and bring perspectives and expectations for dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic based on definitions of genetically-based risk groups within the context of personalized medicine.

The effects of three different low-volume aerobic training protocols on cardiometabolic parameters of type 2 diabetes patients: A randomized clinical trial.

Objective: To compare the effects of different aerobic training protocols on cardiometabolic variables in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: This study was a parallel clinical trial. Fifty-two men and women with T2DM (>40 years) were randomly allocated into three groups, and 44 (22 males/22 females) were included in the final analysis. Exercise intensity was based on the speed corresponding to the maximum oxygen consumption (v V ˙ O2max). Moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) involved 14 minutes at 70% of v V ˙ O2max; short interval high-intensity interval training (S-HIIT) consisted of 20 bouts of 30 seconds at 100% of V˙O2max with 30 seconds passive recovery; long interval high-intensity training (L-HIIT) consisted of 5 bouts of 2 minutes at 100% of v V ˙ O2max with 2 minutes passive recovery. Training protocols were performed on a motorized treadmill two times per week for eight weeks. Glycated hemoglobin (Hb1Ac), total cholesterol, triglycerides, resting systolic blood pressure (SBP), resting diastolic blood pressure (DBP), resting heart rate (resting HR) and maximum oxygen consumption (V˙O2max) were measured before and after the exercise intervention. The study was registered on the Brazilian clinical trial records (ID: RBR45 4RJGC3). Results: There was a significant difference between groups for changes on V ˙ O2max. Greater increases on V ˙ O2max were achieved for L-HIIT (p = 0.04) and S-HIIT (p = 0.01) in comparison to MICT group, with no significant difference between L-HIIT and S-HIIT (p = 0.9). Regarding comparison within groups, there were significant reductions on HbA1c and triglycerides levels only for L-HIIT (p< 0.05). V ˙ O2max significantly increased for both L-HIIT (MD = 3.2 ± 1.7 ml/kg/min, p< 0.001) and S-HIIT (MD = 3.4 ± 1.7, p< 0.001). There was a significant reduction on resting SBP for L-HIIT group (MD = -12.07 ± 15.3 mmHg, p< 0.01), but not for S-HIIT and MICT. There were no significant changes from pre- to post-training on fasting glycemia, total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, resting HR and resting DBP for any group (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Low-volume HIIT promoted greater improvements in cardiorespiratory capacity in comparison with low-volume MICT, independent of the protocols used. There were no other differences between groups. All protocols improved at least one of the variables analyzed; however, the most evident benefits were after the high-intensity protocols, especially L-HIIT.

Levelling-up rhodolith-bed science to address global-scale conservation challenges.

Global marine conservation remains fractured by an imbalance in research efforts and policy actions, limiting progression towards sustainability. Rhodolith beds represent a prime example, as they have ecological importance on a global scale, provide a wealth of ecosystem functions and services, including biodiversity provision and potential climate change mitigation, but remain disproportionately understudied, compared to other coastal ecosystems (tropical coral reefs, kelp forests, mangroves, seagrasses). Although rhodolith beds have gained some recognition, as important and sensitive habitats at national/regional levels during the last decade, there is still a notable lack of information and, consequently, specific conservation efforts. We argue that the lack of information about these habitats, and the significant ecosystem services they provide, is hindering the development of effective conservation measures and limiting wider marine conservation success. This is becoming a pressing issue, considering the multiple severe pressures and threats these habitats are exposed to (e.g., pollution, fishing activities, climate change), which may lead to an erosion of their ecological function and ecosystem services. By synthesizing the current knowledge, we provide arguments to highlight the importance and urgency of levelling-up research efforts focused on rhodolith beds, combating rhodolith bed degradation and avoiding the loss of associated biodiversity, thus ensuring the sustainability of future conservation programs.

Lack of association of estrogen receptor alpha gene polymorphisms with cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables in young women.

This study examined the association of estrogen receptor alpha gene (ESR1) polymorphisms with cardiorespiratory and metabolic parameters in young women. In total, 354 healthy women were selected for cardiopulmonary exercise testing and short-term heart rate (HR) variability (HRV) evaluation. The HRV analysis was determined by the temporal indices rMSSD (square root of the mean squared differences of successive R-R intervals (RRi) divided by the number of RRi minus one), SDNN (root mean square of differences from mean RRi, divided by the number of RRi) and power spectrum components by low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF) and LF/HF ratio. Blood samples were obtained for serum lipids, estradiol and DNA extraction. ESR1 rs2234693 and rs9340799 polymorphisms were analyzed by PCR and fragment restriction analysis. HR and oxygen uptake (VO(2)) values did not differ between the ESR1 polymorphisms with respect to autonomic modulation. We not find a relationship between ESR1 T-A, T-G, C-A and C-G haplotypes and cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables. Multiple linear regression analysis demonstrated that VO(2), total cholesterol and triglycerides influence HRV (p < 0.05). The results suggest that ESR1 variants have no effect on cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables, while HRV indices are influenced by aerobic capacity and lipids in healthy women.

Acute Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training on Diabetes Mellitus: A Systematic Review.

This study evaluated the scientific evidence on the acute effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on biochemical, cardiovascular, and metabolic parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus. The research took place using two databases (PubMed and Google Scholar) with eligible studies conducted between 2010 and 2020, using the following keywords: (1) high-intensity training/exercise; (2) interval training/exercise; (3) HIIT/exercise; AND "diabetes". Data extraction was then performed on the eligible studies through content analysis using the categories: author and year of publication; sample characteristics; methods and data collected; intervention protocol; and results found. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Fourteen studies were included, evaluating 168 people with diabetes (122/46 type 2/1) and 42 normoglycemic individuals, which evaluated markers such as capillary and fasting blood glucose, 24-h blood glucose profile, postprandial blood glucose, incidence, and prevalence of hyperglycemia, vascular function and pressure response and control of inflammatory markers. Physical exercise was found to have several acute beneficial effects on the health of the diabetic population, such as reduced capillary and postprandial blood glucose, blood glucose profile, and blood pressure. Moreover, HIIT seems to be a safe and effective alternative in glycemic control and associated factors, superior to continuous moderate-intensity training.

HIIE Protocols Promote Better Acute Effects on Blood Glucose and Pressure Control in People with Type 2 Diabetes than Continuous Exercise.

This study compared the acute effects of a session of different high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocols and a session of moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) on blood glucose, blood pressure (BP), and heart rate (HR) in people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2). The trial included 44 participants (age: 55.91 ± 1.25 years; BMI: 28.95 ± 0.67 kg/m2; Hb1Ac: 9.1 ± 2.3%; 76 mmol/mol) randomized into three exercise protocols based on the velocity at which maximum oxygen consumption was obtained (vVO2 max): long HIIE (2 min at 100% vV̇o2peak + 2 min of passive rest); short HIIE (30 s at 100% vV̇o2peak + 30 s of passive rest); or MICE (14 min at 70% vV̇o2peak) on a treadmill. Capillary blood glucose, BP, and HR measurements were taken at rest, during peak exercise, immediately after the end of exercise, and 10 min after exercise. Long and short HIIE protocols reduced capillary blood glucose by 32.14 mg/dL and 31.40 mg/dL, respectively, and reduced systolic BP by 12.43 mmHg and 8.73 mmHg, respectively. No significant changes were observed for MICE. HIIE was found to promote more acute effects than MICE on glycemia and BP in people with DM2.

High-Intensity Interval Training Improves Cardiac Autonomic Function in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Different exercise models have been used in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), like moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) and high intensity interval training (HIIT); however, their effects on autonomic modulation are unknown. The present study aimed to compare the effects of different exercise modes on autonomic modulation in patients with T2D. In total, 44 adults with >5 years of T2D diagnosis were recruited and stratified into three groups: HIIT-30:30 (n = 15, age 59.13 ± 5.57 years) that performed 20 repetitions of 30 s at 100% of VO2peak with passive recovery, HIIT-2:2 (n = 14, age 61.20 ± 2.88) that performed 5 repetitions of 2 min at 100% of VO2peak with passive recovery, and MICT (n = 15, age 58.50 ± 5.26) that performed 14 min of continuous exercise at 70% of VO2peak. All participants underwent anamnesis and evaluation of cardiorespiratory fitness and cardiac autonomic modulation. All protocols were equated by total distance and were performed two times per week for 8 weeks. Group × time interactions were observed for resting heart rate (HRrest) [F(2.82) = 3.641; p = 0.031] and SDNN [F(2.82) = 3.462; p = 0.036]. Only the HIIT-30:30 group significantly reduced SDNN (p = 0.002 and 0.025, respectively). HRrest reduced more in the HIIT-30:30 group compared with the MICT group (p = 0.038). Group × time interactions were also observed for offTAU [F(2.82) = 3.146; p = 0.048] and offTMR [F(2.82) = 4.424; p = 0.015]. The MICT group presented increased values of offTAU compared with the HIIT-30:30 and HIIT-2:2 groups (p = 0.001 and 0.013, respectively), representing a slower HR response after eight weeks of intervention. HIIT, specially HIIT-30:30, represents a promising measure for improving autonomic modulation in patients with T2D.

Influence of third-generation oral contraceptives on the complexity analysis and symbolic dynamics of heart rate variability.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of oral contraceptives (OCs) containing 20 µg ethinylestradiol (EE) and 150 µg gestodene (GEST) on the autonomic modulation of heart rate (HR) in women. METHODS: One-hundred and fifty-five women aged 24 ± 2 years were divided into four groups according to their physical activity and the use or not of an OC: active-OC, active-non-OC (NOC), sedentary-OC, and sedentary-NOC. The heart rate was registered in real time based on the electrocardiogram signal for 15 minutes, in the supine-position. The heart rate variability (HRV) was analysed using Shannon's entropy (SE), conditional entropy (complexity index [CInd] and normalised CInd [NCI]), and symbolic analysis (0V%, 1V%, 2LV%, and 2ULV%). For statistical analysis the Kruskal-Wallis test with Dunn post hoc and the Wilcoxon test (p < 0.05 was considered significant) were applied. RESULTS: Treatment with this COC caused no significant changes in SE, CInd, NCI, or symbolic analysis in either active or sedentary groups. Active groups presented higher values for SE and 2ULV%, and lower values for 0V% when compared to sedentary groups (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: HRV patterns differed depending on life style; the non-linear method applied was highly reliable for identifying these changes. The use of OCs containing 20 µg EE and 150 µg GEST does not influence HR autonomic modulation.

Heart rate variability in the evaluation of the autonomic nervous system of premature infants.

One way to analyze the function of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) is through heart rate variability (HRV). This approach is based on the analysis of the distance between the peaks of two consecutive R waves expressed in electrocardiograms. HRV evaluations have been developed and have become more accessible and reliable through technological advances that enable the data collection in a simpler, non-invasive, and reliable way. However, there is little information in the scientific literature on the implementation of this methodology to assess the ANS of preterm infants. In this article, we survey the barriers, potential uses, and other topics regarding the assessment of the ANS in preterm infants using HRV.

Use of low volume, high effort resistance training to manage blood pressure in hypertensive patients inside a public hospital: a proof of concept study.

Physical exercise has been shown to have an important role in the prevention and treatment of arterial hypertension. However, the general exercise recommendations are time consuming, which might be detrimental to exercise adoption. Based on this, minimal doses of exercise have been suggested as an alternative approach and this report investigates the feasibility and effects of low volume and high effort resistance training for hypertensive patients in a hospital setting. This is a pilot non-randomized prospective study where 15 sedentary hypertensive patients (11 women and 4 men) performed 24 resistance training sessions over 12 weeks at a public hospital. The resistance training sessions consisted of two sets of four exercises, with a rest interval of two minutes between sets. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were measured 10 minutes before and 10 minutes after each training. No injuries or intercurrence were reported during the study. SBP decreased significantly when compared the first and last sessions, when the measures were performed at rest (152 ± 16 mmHg vs. 122 ± 9 mmHg vs, p<0.05), and after (137 ± 13 mmHg vs. 115 ± 5 mmHg, p<0.05) the resistance training session. Similarly, DBP also decreased significantly when the values from the last session were compared with the first session, when measured at rest (83 ± 14 mmHg vs 73 ± 9 mmHg, p<0.05). Low volume and high effort resistance training seems to be a feasible non-pharmacological strategy to help controlling blood pressure in hypertensive patients within a hospital.

High Fasting Glycemia Predicts Impairment of Cardiac Autonomic Control in Adults With Type 2 Diabetes: A Case-Control Study.

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is characterized by a metabolic disorder that elevates blood glucose concentration. Chronic hyperglycemia has been associated with several complications in patients with T2D, one of which is cardiac autonomic dysfunction that can be assessed from heart rate variability (HRV) and heart rate recovery (HRR) response, both associated with many aspects of health and fitness, including severe cardiovascular outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the effects of T2D on cardiac autonomic modulation by means of HRV and HRR measurements. Materials and Methods: This study has an observational with case-control characteristic and involved ninety-three middle-aged adults stratified into two groups (control group - CG, n = 34; diabetes group - DG, n = 59). After signing the free and informed consent form, the patients were submitted to the evaluation protocols, performed biochemical tests to confirm the diagnosis of T2D, collection of R-R intervals for HRV analysis and cardiopulmonary effort test to quantify HRR. Results: At rest, the DG showed a reduction in global HRV (SDNN= 19.31 ± 11.72 vs CG 43.09 ± 12.74, p < 0.0001), lower parasympathetic modulation (RMSSD= 20.49 ± 14.68 vs 52.41 ± 19.50, PNN50 = 4.76 ± 10.53 vs 31.24 ± 19.24, 2VD%= 19.97 ± 10.30 vs 28.81 ± 9.77, p < 0.0001 for both indices) and higher HRrest when compared to CG. After interruption of physical exercise, a slowed heart rate response was observed in the DG when compared to the CG. Finally, a simple linear regression showed that fasting glycemia was able to predict cardiac autonomic involvement in volunteers with T2D. Conclusion: Patients with T2D presented lower parasympathetic modulation at rest and slowed HRR after physical exercise, which may be associated with higher cardiovascular risks. The findings show the glycemic profile as an important predictor of impaired cardiac autonomic modulation.

Risk Factors Associated with Cardiac Autonomic Modulation in Obese Individuals.

Obesity leads to an imbalance in the autonomic nervous system, especially in increased sympathetic modulation and decreased vagal tone, and some anthropometric, metabolic, and lifestyle variables may increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Objective. To analyze the association between cardiovascular autonomic modulation and biochemical and anthropometric markers, food intake, and physical activity level in severely obese individuals. Methodology. The present study is a cutout of a randomized clinical trial "Effect of nutritional intervention and olive oil in severe obesity" (DieTBra Trial), where the baseline data were analyzed. Anthropometric data, biochemical exams, heart rate variability (HRV), accelerometry, and 24 h recall (R24H) of obese patients (body mass index BMI ≥35 kg/m2) were collected. Results. 64 obese patients were analyzed, with a mean age of 39.10 ± 7.74 years (27 to 58 years). By HRV analysis, in the frequency domain, the obese had a higher predominance of sympathetic autonomic modulation (low frequency (LF) 56.44 ± 20.31 nu) and lower parasympathetic modulation (high frequency (HF) 42.52 ± 19.18 nu). A negative association was observed between the variables Homeostasis Evaluation Model (HOMA-IR) and HF (p = 0.049). In the physical activity analysis, there was a negative association between moderate to vigorous physical activity and the sympathetic component (p = 0.043), and for sedentary time (ST), there was a negative association with HF (p = 0.049) and LF/HF (p = 0.036) and a positive association with LF (p = 0.014). For multiple linear regression, waist circumference (WC) and HOMA-IR values were negatively associated with HF (ß = -0.685, p = 0.010; ß = -14.989, p = 0.010; respectively). HOMA-IR (ß = 0.141, p = 0.003) and the percentage of lipids ingested (ß = -0.030, p = 0.043) were negatively associated with LF/HF. Conclusion. Among the cardiovascular risk variables studied, insulin resistance and central adiposity showed the greatest influence on cardiac autonomic modulation of obese, increasing the risk for cardiovascular disease.

Physical Inactivity Is Associated With Increased Levels of Anxiety, Depression, and Stress in Brazilians During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objective: To evaluate the levels of anxiety, depression, and stress associated with the practice of physical exercise (PE) during pandemic by COVID-19. Methods: This study has a cross-sectional characteristic and was carried out between May 12 and 14, 2020. An online questionnaire was applied with questions to assess sociodemographic characteristics and physical exercise during the CoVID-19 pandemic, in addition to depression, anxiety, and stress analysis. The study was approved by the local ethics committee (CAAE: 31521720.8.0000.5082). Results: One thousand one hundred and fifty four answered the questionnaire (69.84% female). During the isolation period, the number of participants who declared not to exercise was 54.16%. Women generaly presented higher levels of anxiety, depression, and stress when compared to men (p < 0.0001 for all domains). The risk of having increased anxiety were 118% higher (OR = 2.183; 95% CI = 1.717-2.775), the risk of depression was 152% higher (OR = 2.525; 95% CI = 1.991-3.205), and the risk of stress symptoms increased 75.1% (OR = 1.751; 95% CI = 1.386-2.213) in the participants who did not perform PE when compared to those who maintain regular PE. Conclusion: People who was not involved with PE during the COVID-19 pandemic had higher anxiety, depression, and stress scores. Based on this, it seems important to advise people to continue PE, following all the recommendations of preventive measures of the pertinent health organizations.

Cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses of two interval training and a continuous training protocol in healthy young men.

High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) can be performed with different effort to rest time-configurations, and this can largely influence training responses. The purpose of the study was to compare the acute physiological responses of two HIIT and one moderate intensity continuous training (MICT) protocol in young men. A randomised cross-over study with 10 men [age, 28.3 ± 5.5years; weight, 77.3 ± 9.3 kg; height, 1.8 ± 0.1 m; peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), 44 ± 11 mL.kg-1.min-1]. Participants performed a cardiorespiratory test on a treadmill to assess VO2peak, velocity associated with VO2peak (vVO2peak), peak heart rate (HRpeak) and perceived exertion (RPE). Then participants performed three protocols equated by distance: Short HIIT (29 bouts of 30s at vVO2peak, interspersed by 30s of passive recovery, 29 min in total), Long HIIT (3 bouts of 4 min at 90% of vVO2peak, interspersed by 3 min of recovery at 60% of vVO2peak, 21 min in total) and MICT (21 min at 70% of vVO2peak). The protocols were performed in a randomised order with ≥48 h between them. VO2, HRpeak and RPE were compared. VO2peak in Long HIIT was significantly higher than Short HIIT and MICT (43 ± 11 vs 32 ± 8 and 37 ± 8 mL.kg-1.min-1, respectively, P < 0.05), as well as peak HR (181 ± 10 vs 168 ± 8 and 167 ± 11, respectively, P < 0.05), and RPE (17 ± 4 vs 14 ± 4 and 15 ± 4, respectively, P < 0.05), with no difference between Short HIIT and MICT. In conclusion, Long HIIT promoted higher acute increases in VO2, HR and RPE than Short HIIT and MICT, suggesting a higher demand on the cardiorespiratory system. Short HIIT and MICT presented similar physiologic and perceptual responses, despite Short HIIT being performed at higher velocities.

Interval Training Improves Depressive Symptoms But Not Anxious Symptoms in Healthy Women.

Background: Despite important advances in the relationship between exercise and mood disorders, especially regarding moderate-intensity continuous training, there is a lack of information about the chronic effects of interval training protocols. We compared the effects of two different interval training protocols [sprint interval training (SIT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT)] on depressive and anxious symptoms in healthy women. Methods: Thirty-six women were randomly allocated to HIIT (n = 18) or SIT (n = 18) groups and performed 24 training sessions over 8 weeks (thrice a week). Levels of state-trait anxiety and depressive symptoms were evaluated using State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and Beck Depression Inventory, respectively, before and after training intervention. Results: Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) did not reveal a significant effect of time (p > 0.05), group intervention (p > 0.05), or time × group interaction (p > 0.05) on state-trait anxiety; however, two-way ANOVA showed a significant effect of time on depressive symptoms (p = 0.025) but not group effect (p = 0.548) or time × group interaction (p = 0.373). Depressive symptoms of the participants in both HIIT and SIT groups were reduced from baseline, (ΔHIIT) -17.5 ± 27.9% and (ΔSIT) -28.6 ± 47.5%, respectively. Conclusion: HIIT and SIT groups similarly improved depressive symptoms but not anxiety levels in healthy and physically active young adult women.

Exponential model for analysis of heart rate responses and autonomic cardiac modulation during different intensities of physical exercise.

The aim of this study was to compare the heart rate (HR) dynamics and variability before and after high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) protocols with workloads based on treadmill workload at which maximal oxygen uptake was achieved ( WL V ˙ O 2 max ) . Ten participants performed cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) to obtain oxygen uptake ( WL V ˙ O 2 max ) . All training protocols were performed on a treadmill, with 0% grade, and had similar total distance. The MICT was composed by 21 min at 70% of WL V ˙ O 2 max . The first HIIT protocol (HIIT-30 : 30) was composed by 29 repetitions of 30 s at 100% of s V ˙ O 2 max and the second HIIT protocol (HIIT-4 : 3) was composed by three repetitions of 4 min at 90% of WL V ˙ O 2 max . Before, during and after each training protocol, HR dynamics and variability (HRV) were analysed by standard kinetics and linear (time and frequency domains). The repeated measures analysis of variance indicated that the HR dynamics, which characterizes the speed of HR during the rest to exercise transition, was statistically (p < 0.05) slower during MICT in comparison to both HIIT protocols. The HRV analysis, which characterizes the cardiac autonomic modulation during the exercise recovery, was statistically higher in HIIT-4 : 3 in comparison to MICT and HIIT-30 : 30 protocols (p < 0.005 and p = 0.012, respectively), suggesting that the HIIT-4 : 3 induced higher sympathetic and lower parasympathetic modulation during exercise in comparison to the other training protocols. In conclusion, HIIT-4 : 3 demonstrated post-exercise sympathetic hyperactivity and a higher HRpeak, while the HIIT-30 : 30 and MICT resulted in better HRV and HR in the exercise-recovery transition. The cardiac autonomic balance increased in HIIT-30 : 30 while HIIT-4 : 3 induced sympathetic hyperactivity and cardiac overload.

Restructuring of the 'Macaronesia' biogeographic unit: A marine multi-taxon biogeographical approach.

The Azores, Madeira, Selvagens, Canary Islands and Cabo Verde are commonly united under the term "Macaronesia". This study investigates the coherency and validity of Macaronesia as a biogeographic unit using six marine groups with very different dispersal abilities: coastal fishes, echinoderms, gastropod molluscs, brachyuran decapod crustaceans, polychaete annelids, and macroalgae. We found no support for the current concept of Macaronesia as a coherent marine biogeographic unit. All marine groups studied suggest the exclusion of Cabo Verde from the remaining Macaronesian archipelagos and thus, Cabo Verde should be given the status of a biogeographic subprovince within the West African Transition province. We propose to redefine the Lusitanian biogeographical province, in which we include four ecoregions: the South European Atlantic Shelf, the Saharan Upwelling, the Azores, and a new ecoregion herein named Webbnesia, which comprises the archipelagos of Madeira, Selvagens and the Canary Islands.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training vs. Sprint Interval Training on Anthropometric Measures and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Healthy Young Women.

Purpose: To compare the effects of 8 weeks of two types of interval training, Sprint Interval Training (SIT) and High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), on anthropometric measures and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy young women. Methods: A randomized clinical trial in which 49 young active women [age, 30.4 ± 6.1 years; body mass index, 24.8 ± 3.1 kg.m-2; peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), 34.9±7.5 mL.kg-1.min-1] were randomly allocated into a SIT or HIIT group. The SIT group performed four bouts of 30 s all-out cycling efforts interspersed with 4 min of recovery (passive or light cycling with no load). The HIIT group performed four bouts of 4-min efforts at 90-95% of peak heart rate (HRpeak) interspersed with 3 min of active recovery at 50-60% of HRpeak. At baseline and after 8 weeks of intervention, waist circumference, skinfolds (triceps, subscapular, suprailiac, abdominal, and thigh), body mass and BMI were measured by standard procedures and cardiorespiratory fitness was assessed by cardiorespiratory graded exertion test on an electromagnetically braked cycle ergometer. Results: The HIIT and SIT groups improved, respectively, 14.5 ± 22.9% (P < 0.001) and 16.9 ± 23.4% (P < 0.001) in VO2peak after intervention, with no significant difference between groups. Sum of skinfolds reduced 15.8 ± 7.9 and 22.2 ± 6.4 from baseline (P < 0.001) for HIIT and SIT groups, respectively, with greater reduction for SIT compared to HIIT (P < 0.05). There were statistically significant decreases in waist circumference (P < 0.001) for the HIIT (-3.1 ± 1.1%) and SIT (-3.3 ± 1.8%) groups, with no significant difference between groups. Only SIT showed significant reductions in body weight and BMI (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Eight weeks of HIIT and SIT resulted in improvements in anthropometric measures and cardiorespiratory fitness, even in the absence of changes in dietary intake. In addition, the SIT protocol induced greater reductions than the HIIT protocol in the sum of skinfolds. Both protocols appear to be time-efficient interventions, since the HIIT and SIT protocols took 33 and 23 min (16 and 2 min of effective training) per session, respectively.