Association between weight loss, change in physical activity, and change in quality of life following a corporately sponsored, online weight loss program.

BACKGROUND: The physiological benefits associated with corporately sponsored weight loss programs are increasingly well documented. However, less is known about how these programs affect employees' quality of life (QoL). The purpose of the present analysis was to examine the association between weight loss, change in physical activity, and change in QoL following a corporately sponsored, online weight loss program. METHODS: We examined the relationship between weight loss, self-reported change in physical activity, and change in several QoL indices in 26,658 participants (79% women) after the initial 10 weeks of the online weight loss program. The trend in changes in each QoL index with increasing weight loss and change in physical activity was examined using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: We observed greater improvements in each QoL index with increasing weight loss (p-for-trend, < 0.001) as well as with progressive increases in physical activity (p-for-trend, < 0.001). The combination of increasing weight loss and increases in physical activity were associated with the greatest improvements in each QoL index (additive effect). The percentage of employees reporting improvements in QoL ("improved" or "very much improved") was 64% for energy, 63% for mood, 33% for sleep, 65% for self-confidence, 68% for indigestion, and 39% for musculoskeletal pain. CONCLUSIONS: Among people, who engage with a commercial weight loss program, greater weight loss during the program was associated with greater improvements in QoL, and increases in physical activity further enhanced the QoL-related benefits.

Impact of a Novel Training Approach on Hemodynamic and Vascular Profiles in Older Adults.

Exercise training beneficially moderates the effects of vascular aging. This study compared the efficacy of Peripheral Remodeling through Intermittent Muscular Exercise (PRIME), a novel training regimen, versus aerobic training on hemodynamic profiles in participants ≥70 years at risk for losing functional independence. Seventy-five participants (52 females, age: 76 ± 5 years) were assessed for hemodynamic and vascular function at baseline, after 4 weeks of either PRIME or aerobic training (Phase 1) and again after a further 8 weeks of aerobic and resistance training (Phase 2). Data were analyzed using 2 × 2 repeated-measures analysis of variance models on the change in each dependent variable. PRIME demonstrated reductions in brachial and aortic mean arterial pressure and diastolic blood pressure (p < .05) from baseline after Phase 1, which were sustained throughout Phase 2. Earlier and greater reductions in blood pressure following PRIME support the proposal that peripheral muscular training could beneficial for older individuals commencing an exercise program.

Combination of resistance and aerobic exercise for six months improves bone mass and physical function in HIV infected individuals: A randomized controlled trial.

To evaluate the effect of combined resistance and aerobic training (RT+AT) on regional bone mineral density (BMD) and physical performance in people living with HIV (PLWH). Forty PLWH (20 men and 20 women) were randomized into RT+AT group (n = 20; age = 38.3 ± 4.9) or non-exercise control group (n = 20; age = 37.9 ± 5.1). The RT+AT group was required to perform a nonlinear periodized resistance training program targeting large muscle groups followed by 20 min aerobic exercise at 65-80% of maximal heart rate. Participants in RT+AT performed three supervised sessions per week for 6-months, whereas participants in the control group were instructed to continue with their current lifestyle habits. The primary outcome was bone mineral density (lumbar spine (L2-L4), femoral neck, and distal 1/3 radius). Secondary outcomes included physical function, anthropometry, inflammatory markers, and growth factors. The RT+AT group demonstrated a significant increase in BMD at follow-up for the Lumbar spine (L2-L4), femoral neck, and 1/3 radius (all, P < .05), and There were no gender differences in the training response between men and women for any of the BMD regions. Similar findings were also observed for lean body mass, IGF1and Adiponectin (P < .001). We observed a decrease in percent body fat, fat mass, IL-6, TNF-α, and myostatin in the RT+AT group (P < .001). Finally, there was a significant increase in handgrip strength and gait speed for both women and men in the RT+AT group (P < .001). A combination of resistance and aerobic training appears to be a feasible and effective means for counteracting bone loss and improving various inflammatory markers, physical function, and growth hormones in PLWH.

Effects of Protein Versus Carbohydrate Supplementation on Markers of Immune Response in Master Triathletes: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objective: This study examines the long-term effects of ingesting hydrolyzed beef protein versus carbohydrate on indirect markers of immunity during 10 weeks of endurance training in master-aged triathletes (n = 16, age 35-60 years). Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to either a hydrolyzed beef protein (PRO, n = 8) or nonprotein isoenergetic carbohydrate (CHO, n = 8) condition, which consisted of ingesting 20 g of each supplement, mixed with water, once a day immediately post workout, or before breakfast on nontraining days. Salivary human neutrophil peptides (HNP1-3) were measured before and after performing an incremental endurance test to volitional exhaustion at both pre and post intervention. Additionally, baseline levels of platelets, neutrophils, eosinophil basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes were determined at pre and post intervention. Results: No significant changes in baseline concentration and secretion rate of salivary HNP1-3 were observed for either treatment. The CHO group showed a nonsignificant decrease in resting HNP1-3 concentrations following the intervention (p = 0.052, effect size d = 0.53). Protein supplementation demonstrated a significant reduction in lymphocyte counts pre to post intervention (mean [SD]: 2.30 [0.57] vs. 1.93 [0.45] 103/mm3, p = 0.046, d = 0.77), along with a moderate but not statistically significant increase (d = 0.75, p = 0.051) of the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio. Conclusions: In master-aged triathletes, postworkout ingestion of only protein, with no carbohydrate, may not be as effective as carbohydrate alone to attenuate negative long-term changes of some salivary and cellular immunological markers. Future studies should consider the co-ingestion of both macronutrients.

Effect of 8 Weeks of Hospital-Based Resistance Training Program on TCD4+ Cell Count and Anthropometric Characteristic of Patients With HIV in Tehran, Iran: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Ghayomzadeh, M, SeyedAlinaghi, S, Shamsi, MM, Rezaei, S, Earnest, CP, Akbarnejad, S, Taj, L, Mohraz, M, Navalta, JW, Ghasemi, P, and Voltarelli, FA. Effect of 8 weeks of hospital-based resistance raining program on TCD4+ cell count and anthropometric characteristic of patients with HIV in Tehran, Iran: A randomized controlled trial. J Strength Cond Res 33(4): 1146-1155, 2019-We examined the effects of an 8-W circuit resistance training (RES) program using elastic bands and body weight on TCD4+ cell counts and anthropometry in patients with HIV. Patients (N = 21) receiving antiretroviral therapy were randomly assigned to resistance training (RES; n = 14) or control (CON; n = 7) groups. RES (3/W) consisted of training with elastic bands and bodyweight training focusing on major muscle groups. CON received standard care. Statistical analyses were performed using general linear models adjusted for age, sex, length of infection, and respective baseline measures. The primary outcome was TCD4+, and secondary outcomes were anthropometry indices. Tertiary assessments explored Pearson correlations surrounding the relationship between changes in anthropometry and TCD4+. We observed significant increases in TCD4+ count accompanying RES training (105.50 cells·mm, 95% confidence interval [CI], 47.42-163.59), whereas CON significantly decreased (-41.01 cells·mm, 95% CI, -126.78 to 44.76). Significant between-group differences were noted (p < 0.02; n = 0.42). We also observed significant reductions in fat mass for RES (1.18 kg, 95% CI = 1.80 to -0.56) vs. increased fat mass for CON (1.21 kg, 95% CI, 0.31 to 2.11). Significant between-group differences were noted (p = 0.001, n = 0.64). Similar effects were noted for lean body mass. No significant changes were observed for body mass. Significant correlations were observed for fat mass (r = -0.699, p = 0.001) and lean mass (r = 0.553, p = 0.017), but not body mass (r = -0.390, p = 0.109) vs. changes in TCD4+. Our results suggest that the RES program used in this study is effective for improving TCD4+ status and body composition in patients with HIV.

Metabolic adaptations to endurance training and nutrition strategies influencing performance.

Endurance performance is the result of optimal training targeting cardiovascular, metabolic, and peripheral muscular adaptations and is coupled to effective nutrition strategies via the use of macronutrient manipulations surrounding training and potential supplementation with ergogenic aids. It is important to note that training and nutrition may differ according to the individual needs of the athlete and can markedly impact the physiological response to training. Herein, we discuss various aspects of endurance training adaptations, nutritional strategies and their contributions to towards performance.

Metabolic and Mechanical Effects of Laddermill Graded Exercise Testing.

Allerton, TD, Earnest, CP, and Johannsen, NM. Metabolic and mechanical effects of laddermill graded exercise testing. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 195-200, 2018-The purpose of this study was to compare the metabolic responses and mechanical impact forces during a maximal graded exercise test (GXT) on a laddermill (LM) vs. a standard treadmill (TM). Twenty college-aged men (n = 10) and women completed a GXT on the TM and LM in random order. During the GXT, expired gases (V[Combining Dot Above]O2 and V[Combining Dot Above]CO2), heart rate, accelerometer data, blood lactate (BLa), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected in the last minute of each stage. Data were analyzed by paired t-tests and presented herein as mean ± SD. Treadmill exercise resulted in a higher V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak than LM exercise (45.6 ± 7.5 vs. 41.2 ± 5.6 ml·kg·min, p < 0.001). Blood lactate threshold was similar (p = 0.2) between LM (62 ± 17% V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak) and TM (68 ± 1% V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak). The average activity level experienced during LM (0.14 ± 0.04 vector magnitude unit [VMU]) exercise was lower (p < 0.0001) vs. TM (0.67 ± 0.01 VMU). Additionally, impact forces were reduced (p < 0.005) from the vertical plane during LM (-0.46 ± 0.12g) compared with TM (-0.81 ± 0.06g) exercise. Our results suggest that the nature of LM exercise does not elicit the same V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak response observed during TM exercise. However, impact forces were reduced and energy expenditure remained higher during LM testing, whereas RPE was similar between modalities. LM exercise may provide an alternative to individuals seeking to incur a negative energy balance, but to whom higher impact forces are detrimental.

Effects of six weeks of resistance-endurance training on microRNA-29 expression in the heart of ovariectomised rats.

INTRODUCTION: Heart disease risk rises with age. However, women's symptoms become more pronounced following the onset of menopause. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of six weeks of combined resistance-endurance (RE) training on microRNA-29 expression in the heart of ovariectomised rats. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty female Wistar rats were divided into three groups: 1) sham (SHAM); 2) ovariectomy (OVX); and 3) OVX with RE training (OVX + RE). The effects of these treatments on cardiac microRNA-29 expression were measured using real-time PCR. Data were analysed using a 2 × 3 ANOVA and Tukey post-hoc comparisons and presented as mean ±SEM. RESULTS: Ovariectomy resulted in a significant down-regulation in the heart microRNA-29 gene expression of OVX (0.265 ±0.031 fold changes), OVX + RE (0.699 ±0.038 fold changes) in animals vs. sham animals (1 ±0 fold changes; all, p < 0.05) following six weeks of treatment. However, microRNA-29 expression in the OVX + RE group was significantly greater than in the OVX group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the six weeks of regular RE training attenuate the reduction in heart muscle microRNA-29 expression observed in ovariectomised rates. If our findings carry over to humans, such an exercise regimen could be beneficial to the cardiovascular disease risk in women during menopause.

Exercise and the cardiovascular system: clinical science and cardiovascular outcomes.

Substantial evidence has established the value of high levels of physical activity, exercise training (ET), and overall cardiorespiratory fitness in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. This article reviews some basics of exercise physiology and the acute and chronic responses of ET, as well as the effect of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness on cardiovascular diseases. This review also surveys data from epidemiological and ET studies in the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary heart disease and heart failure. These data strongly support the routine prescription of ET to all patients and referrals for patients with cardiovascular diseases, especially coronary heart disease and heart failure, to specific cardiac rehabilitation and ET programs.

Effects of protein-carbohydrate supplementation on immunity and resistance training outcomes: a double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial.

PURPOSE: To examine the impact of ingesting hydrolyzed beef protein, whey protein, and carbohydrate on resistance training outcomes, body composition, muscle thickness, blood indices of health and salivary human neutrophil peptides (HNP1-3), as reference of humoral immunity followed an 8-week resistance training program in college athletes. METHODS: Twenty-seven recreationally physically active males and females (n = 9 per treatment) were randomly assigned to one of the three groups: hydrolyzed beef protein, whey protein, or non-protein isoenergetic carbohydrate. Treatment consisted of ingesting 20 g of supplement, mixed with orange juice, once a day immediately post-workout or before breakfast on non-training days. Measurements were performed pre- and post-intervention on total load (kg) lifted at the first and last workout, body composition (via plethysmography) vastus medialis thickness (mm) (via ultrasonography), and blood indices of health. Salivary HNP1-3 were determined before and after performing the first and last workout. RESULTS: Salivary concentration and secretion rates of the HNP1-3 decreased in the beef condition only from pre-first-workout (1.90 ± 0.83 µg/mL; 2.95 ± 2.83 µg/min, respectively) to pre-last-workout (0.92 ± 0.63 µg/mL, p = 0.025, d = 1.03; 0.76 ± 0.74 µg/min, p = 0.049, d = 0.95), and post-last-workout (0.95 ± 0.60 µg/mL, p = 0.032, d = 1.00; 0.59 ± 0.52 µg/min, p = 0.027, d = 1.02). No other significant differences between groups were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation with a carbohydrate-protein beverage may support resistance training outcomes in a comparable way as the ingestion of only carbohydrate. Furthermore, the ingestion of 20 g of hydrolyzed beef protein resulted in a decreased level and secretion rates of the HNP1-3 from baseline with no negative effect on blood indices of health.

Carbohydrates Alone or Mixing With Beef or Whey Protein Promote Similar Training Outcomes in Resistance Training Males: A Double-Blind, Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial.

Beef powder is a new high-quality protein source scarcely researched relative to exercise performance. The present study examined the impact of ingesting hydrolyzed beef protein, whey protein, and carbohydrate on strength performance (1RM), body composition (via plethysmography), limb circumferences and muscular thickness (via ultrasonography), following an 8-week resistance-training program. After being randomly assigned to one of the following groups: Beef, Whey, or Carbohydrate, twenty four recreationally physically active males (n = 8 per treatment) ingested 20 g of supplement, mixed with orange juice, once a day (immediately after workout or before breakfast). Post intervention changes were examined as percent change and 95% CIs. Beef (2.0%, CI, 0.2-2.38%) and Whey (1.4%, CI, 0.2-2.6%) but not Carbohydrate (0.0%, CI, -1.2-1.2%) increased fat-free mass. All groups increased vastus medialis thickness: Beef (11.1%, CI, 6.3-15.9%), Whey (12.1%, CI, 4.0, -20.2%), Carbohydrate (6.3%, CI, 1.9-10.6%). Beef (11.2%, CI, 5.9-16.5%) and Carbohydrate (4.5%, CI, 1.6-7.4%), but not Whey (1.1%, CI, -1.7-4.0%), increased biceps brachialis thickness, while only Beef increased arm (4.8%, CI, 2.3-7.3%) and thigh (11.2%, 95%CI 0.4-5.9%) circumferences. Although the three groups significantly improved 1RM Squat (Beef 21.6%, CI 5.5-37.7%; Whey 14.6%, CI, 5.9-23.3%; Carbohydrate 19.6%, CI, 2.2-37.1%), for the 1RM bench press the improvements were significant for Beef (15.8% CI 7.0-24.7%) and Whey (5.8%, CI, 1.7-9.8%) but not for carbohydrate (11.4%, CI, -0.9-23.6%). Protein-carbohydrate supplementation supports fat-free mass accretion and lower body hypertrophy. Hydrolyzed beef promotes upper body hypertrophy along with similar performance outcomes as observed when supplementing with whey isolate or maltodextrin.

Vitamin D status, body composition, and fitness measures in college-aged students.

Low vitamin D, commonly assessed as serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD), is associated with the development of many age-related chronic diseases. A positive relationship exists between elevated 25OHD and muscle synthesis, strength, power, and decreased body fat in elderly individuals. However, these findings have not been consistently reported in younger healthy populations. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between 25OHD and measures of body size, composition, metabolism, and physical fitness in a young physically active population. Thirty-nine subjects (20 men, 19 women; aged 23 ± 0.7 years) reported 6 times for testing. Blood was collected to determine 25OHD. Primary outcomes included the following: body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (dual x-ray absorptiometry); resting metabolic rate; maximal oxygen uptake (V[Combining Dot Above]O2max); power output (Wingate); and muscular strength (8 repetition maximum for bench press, upright row, and leg extension and flexion exercises). Our analysis included all participants, and subgroup analyses for individuals with suboptimal 25OHD concentration below 35 ng·mL ("low"; n = 20, 25.97 ± 1.97 ng·mL) or equal to and above 35 ng·mL ("high"; n = 19, 44.15 ± 2.17 ng·mL). Twenty subjects in this study had serum levels of 25OHD below 35 ng·mL. There was a significant positive relationship between V[Combining Dot Above]O2max and serum 25OHD and a negative relationship between BMI and serum 25OHD. These data suggest that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent even in a young physically active population in the southern United States and that there was a positive relationship between a measure of cardiovascular fitness and serum 25OHD, and a negative relationship between serum 25OHD and BMI.

Physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, and exercise training in primary and secondary coronary prevention.

Substantial data have established that higher levels of physical activity (PA), participating in exercise training (ET), and higher overall cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) provide considerable protection in the primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). This review surveys data from epidemiological and prospective ET studies supporting the favorable impact of PA, ET, and CRF in primary CHD prevention. Clearly, cardiac rehabilitation and ET (CRET) programs have been underutilized for patients with CHD, particularly considering the effect of CRET on CHD risk factors, including CRF, obesity indices, fat distribution, plasma lipids, inflammation, and psychological distress, as well as overall morbidity and mortality. These data strongly support the routine referral of patients with CHD to CRET programs and that patients should be vigorously encouraged to attend CRET following major CHD events.

Cancer survival through lifestyle change (CASTLE): a pilot study of weight loss.

BACKGROUND: Excess weight is a strong predictor of incident breast cancer (BC) and survivorship. A limited number of studies comparing strategies for promoting successful weight loss in women with remitted BC exist. PURPOSE: CASTLE was a pilot study comparing the effectiveness/feasibility of in-person and telephonic behavioral-based lifestyle weight loss interventions in BC survivors. METHOD: Fifty-two overweight/obese women (BMI = 25-45 kg/m(2)) with remitted BC (stages I-IIIa) who recently completed cancer treatment were assigned to either an in-person group (n = 24) or an individual telephone-based condition (n = 11). Both interventions focused on increasing physical activity and reducing caloric intake. The phase I intervention lasted 6 months. The in-person condition received 16 group-based sessions, and the telephone condition received intervention calls approximately weekly. Phase II lasted 6 months (e.g., months 6-12), and all participants received monthly intervention calls via telephone. RESULTS: Participants were predominately Caucasian (80 %) with a mean age of 52.8 (8.0) years and BMI of 31.9 (5.4) kg/m(2). Mixed models ANOVAs showed significant within group weight loss after 6 months for both the in-person (-3.3 kg ± 4.4, p = 0.002) and the telephonic (-4.0 kg ± 6.0, p = 0.01) conditions with no between group differences. During phase II, the in-person group demonstrated significant weight regain (1.3 kg ± 1.7, p = 0.009). CONCLUSION: Our pilot study findings demonstrated that telephone-based behavioral weight loss programs are effective and feasible in BC survivors and that telephonic programs may have advantages in promoting weight loss maintenance.

Heart rate variability threshold values for early-warning nonfunctional overreaching in elite female wrestlers.

Functional overreaching (FOR) represents intense training followed by a brief reduction in performance and then a rapid recovery (<2 weeks) and performance supercompensation. Nonfunctional overreaching (NFOR) occurs when the reduced performance continues ≥3 weeks. Heart rate variability (HRV) is a promising tool for detecting NFOR. In this study, the authors examined HRV thresholds in 34 elite female wrestlers (mean ± SD: age 23 ± 3 years; height 165.6 ± 6 cm, weight 63 ± 8 kg) for FOR/NFOR during training before 11 major competitions. Supine HRV was analyzed weekly at the same time of day using time and frequency domain methods. The authors observed that the time domain index, square root of the mean of the sum of the squares of differences between adjacent R-to-R intervals (rMSSD, milliseconds), denoting parasympathetic tone, showed those responding normally to training (82.76 ms, 95% confidence interval 77.75-87.78) to be significantly different to those showing a decrease (45.97 ms, 95% confidence interval, 30.79-61.14) or hyper-responsiveness (160.44 ms, 95% confidence interval, 142.02-178.85; all, p < 0.001). Similar results were observed for mixed sympathetic and parasympathetic signal standard deviation of the NN intervals (ms): normal (65.39; 95% confidence interval, 62.49-68.29), decrease (40.07; 95% confidence interval, 29-51.14), and hyperresponse (115.00; 95% confidence interval, 105.46-124.54; all, p < 0.001) and synonymous frequency domain components. An examination of the 95% confidence interval shows a narrow band surrounding a normal response compared with broader bands accompanying adverse responses. Thus, severe perturbations both above and below normal responses lasting >2 weeks indicated an athlete's transition to NFOR and, hence, are useful for assessing possible overreaching/training.

Effects of weight loss and weight loss maintenance on cardiac autonomic function in obesity: a randomized controlled trial.

NOVELTY: Caloric restriction and exercise exert significant improvements in cardiac autonomic function as measured by HRV in overweight and obesity. Aerobic exercise training, within recommended guidelines coupled with weight loss maintenance, retains cardiac autonomic function benefits from weight loss in previously obese individuals.

The effect of different doses of aerobic exercise training on endothelial function in postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure: results from the DREW study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of three different doses of aerobic exercise training (corresponding to approximately 50%, 100% and 150% of the National Institutes of Health consensus guidelines) on endothelial function in sedentary obese postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure. Aerobic exercise training improves endothelial function in individuals with cardiovascular risk; however, it is unknown whether these adaptations occur in a dose-dependent manner. METHODS: Obese postmenopausal women (n=155) with elevated blood pressure (systolic blood pressure between 120 and 159.0 mm Hg) were randomly assigned to one of four groups: 4, 8 or 12 kilocalories per kilogram of energy expenditure per week (kcal/kg/week) or a non-exercise control group for 6 months. Endothelial function was assessed via flow-mediated dilation (FMD) at baseline and post-intervention. RESULTS: After exercise training, there was a similar improvement (1.02-1.5%) in FMD in all three exercise groups (p<0.05) compared with control (-0.5%). Change in FMD after exercise training was significantly correlated with FMD at baseline (r= -0.35, p<0.001). Post hoc analyses found a significant improvement in FMD in exercisers (all exercise groups combined) with endothelial dysfunction (FMD < 5.5%) at baseline (1.8%, 95% CI: 1.17 to 2.38; p<0.001) compared with exercisers with normal endothelial function (FMD ≥ 5.5%) (-1.2%; 95% CI: -1.17 to 0.69; p=0.60). CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise training was associated with improved FMD in postmenopausal women with elevated blood pressure. In addition, exercise training may be more efficacious in improving endothelial function in postmenopausal women with endothelial dysfunction than individuals with normal endothelial function at baseline.

Complementary effects of multivitamin and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation on indices of cardiovascular health in individuals with elevated homocysteine.

Homocysteine (HCY), C-reactive protein (hsCRP), and triglycerides (TG) are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD). While multivitamins (MVit) may reduce HCY and hsCRP, omega-3 fatty acids (N3) reduce TG; yet, they are seldom studied simultaneously. We randomly assigned 100 participants with baseline HCY (> 8.0 umol/L) to the daily ingestion of: (1) placebo, (2) MVit (VitC: 200 mg; VitE: 400 IU; VitB6: 25 mg; Folic Acid: 400 ug; VitB12: 400 ug) + placebo, (3) N3 (2 g N3, 760 mg EPA, 440 mg DHA)+placebo, or (4) MVit + N3 for 12 weeks. At follow-up, we observed significant reductions in HCY (umol/L) for the MVit (- 1.43, 95 %CI, - 2.39, - 0.47) and MVit + N3 groups (- 1.01, 95 %CI, - 1.98, - 0.04) groups, both being significant (p < 0.05) vs. placebo (- 0.57, 95 %CI, - 1.49, 0.35) and N3 (1.11, 95 % CI, 0.07, 2.17). hsCRP (nmol/L) was significantly reduced in the MVit (- 6.00, 95 %CI, - 1.04, - 0.15) and MVit + N3 (- 0.98, 95 %CI, - 1.51, - 0.46) groups, but not vs. placebo (- 0.15, 95 %CI, - 0.74, 0.43) or N3 (- 0.53, 95 %CI, - 1.18, 0.12). Lastly, we observed significant reductions in TG for the N3 (- 0.41, 95 %CI, - 0.69, - 0.13) and MVit + N3 (- 0.71, 95 %CI, - 0.93, - 0.46) groups, both significant vs. placebo (- 0.10, 95 %CI, - 0.36, 0.17) and MVit groups (0.15, 95 %CI, - 12, 0.42). The co-ingestion of MVit + N3 provides synergistic affects on HCY, hsCRP, and plasma TG.

Interindividual Differences in Trainability and Moderators of Cardiorespiratory Fitness, Waist Circumference, and Body Mass Responses: A Large-Scale Individual Participant Data Meta-analysis.

Although many studies have assumed variability reflects variance caused by exercise training, few studies have examined whether interindividual differences in trainability are present following exercise training. The present individual participant data (IPD) meta-analysis sought to: (1) investigate the presence of interindividual differences in trainability for cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), waist circumference, and body mass; and (2) examine the influence of exercise training and potential moderators on the probability that an individual will experience clinically important differences. The IPD meta-analysis combined data from 1879 participants from eight previously published randomized controlled trials. We implemented a Bayesian framework to: (1) test the hypothesis of interindividual differences in trainability by comparing variability in change scores between exercise and control using Bayes factors; and (2) compare posterior predictions of control and exercise across a range of moderators (baseline body mass index (BMI) and exercise duration, intensity, amount, mode, and adherence) to estimate the proportions of participants expected to exceed minimum clinically important differences (MCIDs) for all three outcomes. Bayes factors demonstrated a lack of evidence supporting a high degree of variance attributable to interindividual differences in trainability across all three outcomes. These findings indicate that interindividual variability in observed changes are likely due to measurement error and external behavioural factors, not interindividual differences in trainability. Additionally, we found that a larger proportion of exercise participants were expected to exceed MCIDs compared with controls for all three outcomes. Moderator analyses identified that larger proportions were associated with a range of factors consistent with standard exercise theory and were driven by mean changes. Practitioners should prescribe exercise interventions known to elicit large mean changes to increase the probability that individuals will experience beneficial changes in CRF, waist circumference and body mass.

Patterns of adult stepping cadence in the 2005-2006 NHANES.

OBJECTIVE: Laboratory studies of adult walking behavior have consistently found that a cadence of 100 steps/min is a reasonable threshold for moderate intensity. The purpose of this study was to determine cadence patterns in free-living adults, and in particular, time spent at increasing cadence increments including 100 steps/min and beyond. METHOD: 3744 adults ≥20 years provided at least one valid day (minimally 10/24 h of wear) of minute-by-minute accelerometer-determined step data during the 2005-2006 U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Means for time spent (min/day) and steps/day were calculated for 8 cadence categories including zero and each incremental cadence band thereafter beginning with 1-19 through 100-119, and beyond to 120+steps/min. RESULTS: U.S. adults accumulate ≅4.8 h/day of zero cadence during wearing time, ≅8.7 h between 1 and 59 steps/min, ≅16 min/day at cadences of 60-79 steps/min, ≅8 min at 80-99 steps/min, ≅5 min at 100-119 steps/min, and ≅2 min at 120+steps/min. CONCLUSION: Self-selected walking at 100+steps/min was a rare phenomenon in this large free-living sample of the U.S. population, but study participants did accumulate ≅30 min/day at cadences of 60+steps/min.