Feeding behavior of feedlot-finished crossbred bulls fed palm kernel cake.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of palm kernel cake (PKC) on the feeding behavior of feedlot-finished cattle. Forty uncastrated crossbred bulls with an average age of 24.2 ± 2 months and an average weight of 331.1 ± 36.2 kg were distributed into four treatment groups in a completely randomized design with ten replicates. The treatments consisted of 0, 8, 16, or 24% PKC inclusion in the diet (dry matter basis). Palm kernel cake inclusion influenced feeding time (P < 0.05), which increased linearly. The inclusion of the ingredient also affected (P < 0.05) rumination time (min/day), total chewing time, and the time spent on other activities. The number of cuds ruminated per day showed a linear response to the PKC inclusion levels (P < 0.05). The number of feeding bouts increased linearly (P < 0.05). Dry matter (DM) intake and DM feeding efficiency decreased linearly (P < 0.05). There were no effects of PKC inclusion (P > 0.05) on neutral detergent fiber feeding (NDF) efficiency or DM rumination efficiency. NDF rumination efficiency increased linearly (P < 0.05). Palm kernel cake can be included at levels up to 24% in the total diet of feedlot-finished crossbred bulls, as it does not affect their dry matter intake or feeding behavior.

Intake, digestibility, and growth performance of Girolando bulls supplemented on pasture in Bahia, Brazil.

The objective of this trial was to evaluate intake, digestibility, and growth performance of Girolando bulls submitted to two nutritional planes while grazing on Brachiaria brizantha cv. Marandu pasture. Twenty-two animals, with average initial body weight = 209.1 ± 8.2 kg, were used in this trial. The experimental design was repeated measurements, in a 2 × 3 factorial arrangement, with two nutritional planes (NP1 and NP2) and three seasons of the year, with 11 replicates per treatment. The animals of the NP1 received mineral mixture ad libitum during rainy season 1 (15 February through 5 July 2014), energy protein supplement in the amount of 1 g d kg BW-1 during the dry season (from 6 July through 22 November 2014), and again mineral mixture ad libitum during rainy season 2 (from 23 November 2014 through 9 March 2015). The NP2 animals received 2 g d kg BW-1, 2 g d kg BW-1, and 1 g d kg BW-1 of energy-protein supplement in the respective seasons of the year. Forage intakes were similar between nutritional planes, 6.8 and 7.6 kg DM day-1 and 2.1 and 2.22% BW for NP1 and NP2, respectively. There was no statistical difference (level) between the intakes of neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein (4.1 and 4.3 kg day-1 and 1.2 and 1.3% BW, respectively for nutritional planes 1 and 2). For the other nutrients, NP2 showed greater values. The highest intakes and digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, and non-fiber carbohydrate were in rainy season 2. Performance and feed conversion were similar among NPs. This study showed that lower levels of supplementation could be done in order to reduce feeding costs with no impact on performance.

Heart rate variability, salivary cortisol and competitive state anxiety responses during pre-competition and pre-training moments.

The study aimed to investigate physiological and psychological states prior to competition and prior to training in three different demanding activities. Eighteen canoe athletes, 18 street runners and 18 jiu-jitsu fighters were included in this study (n=54). The Competitive State Anxiety Inventory-2 (CSAI-2), salivary cortisol and heart rate variability (HRV) were measured at two time points (pre-training and pre-competition). Somatic anxiety (F1,42 = 15.29, p = 0.0003), HRV (F1,42 = 23.24, p < 0.0001) and salivary cortisol (F1,42 = 22.96, p < 0.0001) were significantly greater at the pre-competition measurement point than at the pre-training point, but without a main effect of the type of athlete on these variables. A main effect of the type of athlete was found on somatic anxiety (F2,42 = 6.58, p = 0.0033), cognitive anxiety (F2,42 = 10.69, p = 0.0002) and self-confidence (F2,42 = 5.42, p = 0.0080). Correlations between most CSAI-2 and physiological parameters were not significant (p > 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that both emotional indices and psychophysiological indices of stress are higher before competition than before training, with differences between emotional states between these sports. Although correlations between emotional states and psycho-physiological states before competition and before training were largely non-significant, these findings reinforce the importance of psychological monitoring of athletes in association with traditional physiological markers such as cortisol and HRV in sportive training programmes as complementary resources to improve both competition performance and the training routine.

Mini-trampoline enhances cardiovascular responses during a stationary running exergame in adults.

A new class of video game called exergame (EXG) has been used to promote physical activity and cardiovascular fitness, but EXGs are not as efficient as traditional aerobic exercises. However, auxiliary tools, such as the mini trampoline (MT), may enhance the physiological responses obtained by the EXG. The aim of this study was to compare the metabolic and cardiovascular responses of a stationary running EXG with and without an MT. Nineteen healthy males performed a treadmill test for the determination of VO2max and HRmax. In sequence, the VO2, HR, and METs were measured during the Free Run, a Nintendo Wii's stationary running EXG, according to two distinct protocols. One protocol used the traditional EXG (EXG-PT), and the other protocol used an MT during the EXG (MT-PT). The normalized data were analyzed by statistical software SPSS 20.0 using a t-test and ANOVA for repeated measures (p < 0.05). The results supported that stationary running EXG performed on an MT showed an increased intensity, in all variables analyzed, when compared with the traditional EXG. Furthermore, the MT-PT was classified as a vigorous-intensity exercise and EXG-PT as a moderate to vigorous intensity exercise. In conclusion, these findings support that the MT is a feasible auxiliary tool to enhance physiologic responses during a stationary running EXG.