Influence of fish oil supplementation and strength training on some functional aspects of immune cells in healthy elderly women.

Immune function changes with ageing and is influenced by physical activity (strength training, ST) and diet (fish oil, FO). The present study investigated the effect of FO and ST on the immune system of elderly women. Forty-five women (64 (sd 1.4) years) were assigned to ST for 90 d (ST; n 15), ST plus 2 g/d FO for 90 d (ST90; n 15) or 2 g/d FO for 60 d followed by ST plus FO for 90 d (ST150; n 15). Training was performed three times per week, for 12 weeks. A number of innate (zymosan phagocytosis, lysosomal volume, superoxide anion, peroxide of hydrogen) and adaptive (cluster of differentiation 4 (CD4), CD8, TNF-α, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 produced by lymphocytes) immune parameters were assessed before supplementation (base), before (pre-) and after (post-) training. ST induced no immune changes. FO supplementation caused increased phagocytosis (48 %), lysosomal volume (100 %) and the production of superoxide anion (32 %) and H2O2(70 %) in the ST90. Additional FO supplementation (ST150) caused no additive influence on the immune system, as ST150 and ST90 did not differ, but caused greater changes when compared to the ST (P< 0·05). FO increased CD4+ and CD8+ lymphocytes in the ST150, which remained unchanged when training was introduced. The combination of ST and FO reduced TNF-α in the ST150 from base to post-test. FO supplementation (ST150, base-pre) when combined with exercise (ST150, pre-post) increased IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-6 and IL-10 production. The immune parameters improved in response to FO supplementation; however, ST alone did not enhance the immune system.

Work bout handling of a search dog reduces handgrip strength and increases firefighters' risk of falls.

OBJECTIVES: Firefighters work with dogs as support for their search activities for victims. Firefighters who handle dogs supposedly have higher acute muscle pain, more stumbling, and fatigue. This study aimed to verify the influence of a mantrailing dog on the firefighter's psychophysiological and muscular responses and the number of imbalances in a simulated activity of searching for people. METHODS: The sample consisted of 10 canine operators characterized by mass (92.57 ± 9.66 kg), height (1.78 ± 0.06 m), age (37.8 ± 2.1 yr), and length of service (9.5 ± 4.6 yr), who performed a search activity under 2 experimental conditions (dog condition and control condition). The simulated search activity consisted of a predefined hike of 2.5 km between the beginning of a search and the place where the sham victim was hidden. Cardiometabolic variables, pain level, and muscular performance were measured pre and postactivity (time factor). The number of imbalances suffered during hiking was also quantified. RESULTS: ANOVA data indicated interactions (condition × time) related to handgrip strength (P < 0.05). Handgrip strength was reduced in the postsearch activity with the dog, and it increased the control when compared to the preactivity (-12.3% versus +9.2%). Also, the level of pain and discomfort in the neck, trunk, and hip regions was higher with dogs (P < 0.05). Under the dog and control conditions, there were 25 and 05 imbalances, respectively, during the hike. There were no significant differences between the experimental conditions for vertical jump performance and cardiovascular responses either with dog or control. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study highlight that a mantrailing dog with the firefighter increased the number of slips, trips, sudden changes in direction, and loss of body balance, accompanied by a reduction in handgrip strength, and increased acute pain in the neck, trunk, and hip. These findings may contribute to support strategies for mitigating injuries and optimizing the performance of canine operators in the fire department and other units cinotechnic.

Impact of different personal protective clothing for firefighters in mountain areas.

BACKGROUND: Mountain hiking is an unpredictable activity for firefighters during the search, rescue, and firefighting. Could the quality of the uniform worn by firefighters affect psychophysiological variables? OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to monitor the responses of perceived exertion (RPE), musculoskeletal pain (MP), and heart rate variability (HRV) responses in firefighters using different uniforms on a 5 km mountain walking activity. The feeling of comfort, safety, and ergonomic adjustment of the two types of uniforms also was verified. METHODS: Sixteen firefighters were divided into two groups: 4thRUPM"B2" (33% polyester and 67% cotton) vs. GOLD (50% polyamide and 50% cotton). The GOLD group wore a prototype that had not yet been operationally tested. RESULTS: The independent t-test showed that the groups had similar results in RPE at post-march (Omni-Walk/Run = 3.5±0.9 vs. 2.9±0.6 AU). ANOVA Two-way (2x group and 2x time) was used to verify differences in body mass (BM), MP, and HRV. There was a main effect of time (pre- vs. post-march; p < 0.05) for BM, MP, heart rate (HR), mean RR, RMSSD, pNN50, and HF, regardless of group (4thRUPM"B2" vs. GOLD). Rainwater increased post-march BM (92.2±9.8 kg vs. 93.5±9.9 kg). MP (28.9±2.9 vs. 33.2±7.7 AU), HR (71.6±14.2 vs. 99.0±26.3 bpm), RMSSD (74.8±53.7 vs. 126.5±74.4 ms) and HF (48.5±20.2 vs. 60.0±16.7 nu) also increased post-march. The mean RR (875.2±153.3 vs. 673.9±155.3 ms) and pNN50 (33.1±18.6 vs. 46.3±23.9%) reduced post-march. There was a subjective preference for GOLD. CONCLUSION: Different uniforms do not compromise psychophysiological variables during the mountain hike but differentiate ergonomic subjectivity.