RESUMO
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: It is not clear whether the regularity of training affects the outcomes of aerobic exercise. This study aimed to compare the effects of regular with irregular training on aerobic fitness, blood markers, and anthropometric characteristics of obese adolescent males. METHODS: Twenty three male students between 16 and 17 years old were randomly assigned into regular exercise (RE) group and performed exercises on specific time and days each week, or irregular exercise (IE) group and performed exercise on randomly selected days each week. The intervention programs consisted of self-paced progressive running program (20 min in week one and 44 min in week 8), three times per week for eight weeks. Anthropometric characteristics, blood lipids, fasting blood glucose, and aerobic capacity were assessed before and after the intervention using a two-way ANOVA. RESULTS: There was a significant interaction of time and condition on total cholesterol (TC) F (1, 21) = 5.427, p = 0.030, η P 2 = 0.205, and high-density lipoprotein to low-density lipoprotein ratio (HDL)/(LDL) F (1, 21) = 5.951, p = 0.024, η P 2 = 0.221), with a greater reduction observed in RE group. LDL decreased only in RE group demonstrating a significant effect of time F (1, 21) = 4.897, p = 0.038, η P 2 = 0.189. Body mass, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference decreased, and VO2peak increased in both groups with no significant difference between groups. There was no significant effect of time or condition on waist to hip ratio (WHR), fasting blood glucose (FBG), triglycerides (TG), HDL, TC/HDL, or TG/HDL (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Although both RE and IE improved VO2peak and some anthropometric measures, changes in TC, LDL, and HDL/LDL were more predominant in response to RE. Therefore, to achieve greater adaptations to aerobic exercise, overweight and obese adolescents should perform exercise regularly.
RESUMO
Environmental enrichment (EE) is defined as a combination of complex inanimate and social stimulation. Physical activity and EE may augment the beneficial effects of each other. This study aimed to assess the effects of running in an enriched environment on neurotrophic factors in adult males. Twelve volunteer adult males (age 26.75 ± 5.34 yrs, body mass 70.72 ± 8.61 kg, height 172.50 ± 5.68 cm, VO2max 56.8 ± 2.93) completed two sessions, each consisted of one hour of running at an intensity of 12-13 on the Borg Scale. One session was completed in a normal environment, while the other was performed in an enriched environment (running track with several obstacles). Participants completed this randomized cross-over study interspersed by two weeks. Ten minutes before and after each session, blood samples were collected from all participants. Serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF were measured by ELISA. There was a statistically significant interaction of condition and exercise on BDNF, F (1, 11) = 43.71, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.799; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 83.58, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.884; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 31.86, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.743. There was also a significant effect of condition on BDNF F (1, 11) = 21.08, p = 0.001, ηP2=0.657; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 32.35, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.746; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 116.29, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.914. In addition, there was a significant effect of Exercise on BDNF F (1, 11) = 52.86, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.828; IGF-1, F (1, 11) = 39.14, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.781; and VEGF, F (1, 11) = 171.21, p < 0.001, ηP2=0.940. One hour of moderate-intensity running in adult males significantly increased serum levels of BDNF, IGF-1, and VEGF. But, exercising in an enriched environment may have a significantly greater effect. Therefore, if enhancing neurotrophic factors are desired outcomes of training sessions, then including obstacles may enhance the likelihood of achieving this goal.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Core-strength is vital for Greco-Roman wrestling, although studies have yet to establish the effectives of core-specific training in this sport. OBJECTIVE: To examine the effect of core-specific strength training on determinants of Greco-Roman wrestling performance in elite junior athletes. METHODS: Twenty state-level, junior, Greco-Roman wrestlers were randomized into a core-specific training group (COR; n= 12) and a control group (CON; n= 8). The COR group undertook a 4-week, core-specific training program concurrently with their typical training program, whilst the CON group completed 4 weeks of typical training only. Both groups completed overhead medicine ball throw (OMBT), Suplexes, bridges and medicine ball chest throw (MBCT) prior to and following the intervention. RESULTS: The COR group demonstrated significantly greater improvement in bridges (p= 0.037; F= 5.046) and OMBT (p< 0.001; F= 26.43) than the CON group, with moderate to large between-group effect sizes (ES = 0.79-2.35). In addition, the effect size calculations were moderate-to-large (0.79-0.87) for Suplex and MBCT, with measures for the COR group greater than the CON group. CONCLUSION: Accordingly, core-specific training programs should be combined with wrestling-specific conditioning programs to improve back and hip extensor performance in junior Greco-Roman wrestlers.