Effects of Resistance Training With or Without Protein Supplementation on Body Composition and Resting Energy Expenditure in Patients 2-7 Years PostRoux-en-Y Gastric Bypass: a Controlled Clinical Trial.

BACKGROUND: Resistance training (RT) and adequate protein intake are recommended as strategies to preserve fat-free mass (FFM) and resting metabolic demand after bariatric surgery. However, the effect of both interventions combined in the late postoperative period is unclear. This study investigated the effects of RT, isolated and combined with protein supplementation, on body composition and resting energy expenditure (REE) in the late postoperative period of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB). METHODS: This controlled trial involved patients who were 2-7 years postRYGB. Participants were partially matched on body mass index (BMI), age, sex, and years after surgery, and divided into four groups, placebo maltodextrin (control [CON]; n = 17), whey protein supplementation (PRO; n = 18), RT combined with placebo (RTP; n = 13), and RT combined with whey protein supplementation (RTP + PRO; n = 15)-considering the participants who completed the protocol. REE was measured by indirect calorimetry and body composition by multifrequency electrical bioimpedance. RESULTS: Participant characteristics (40.3 ± 8.3 years old; average BMI 29.7 ± 5.3 kg/m2; 88.9% females) were similar among groups. The RTP+PRO group showed an increase of 1.46 ± 1.02 kg in FFM and 0.91 ± 0.64 kg in skeletal muscle mass (SMM), which was greater than the equivalent values in the CON group (- 0.24 ± 1.64 kg, p = 0.006 and - 0.08 ± 0.96 kg, p = 0.008, respectively). There was no significant time-by-group interaction for absolute or relative REE. CONCLUSION: Combined RT and adequate protein intake via supplementation can increase FFM and SMM in the late postoperative period without changing REE. These associated strategies were effective in improving muscle-related parameters and potentially in improving the patients' physical function.

The effects of EPA and DHA enriched fish oil on nutritional and immunological markers of treatment naïve breast cancer patients: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effects of eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic (DHA) acids enriched fish oil (FO) on nutritional and immunological parameters of treatment naïve breast cancer patients. METHODS: In a randomized double blind controlled trial, the FO group (FG) patients were supplemented with 2 g/ day of FO concentrate containing 1.8 g of n-3 fatty acids during 30 days. The placebo group (PG) received 2 g/ day of mineral oil. At baseline and after the intervention, plasma levels of n-3 fatty acids, dietary intake, weight, body composition, biochemical and immunological markers were assessed. RESULTS: At the end of the intervention period, no between group differences were observed regarding anthropometric parameters. There was a significant increase in the plasma phospholipid EPA (p = 0.004), DHA (p = 0.007) of the FG patients. In FG patients the percentages of peripheral blood CD4+ T lymphocytes and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels were maintained while in PG patients there was a significant increase in hsCRP (p = 0.024). We also observed a significant reduction in the percentage of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood (p = 0.042) of PG patients. No changes in serum proinflammatory cytokine and prostaglandin E2 levels were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Supplementation of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients with EPA and DHA led to a significant change in the composition of plasma fatty acids, maintained the level of CD4+ T cells and serum levels of hsCRP, suggestive of a beneficial effect on the immune system and less active inflammatory response. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Clinical Trials Registry (REBEC): RBR-2b2hqh. Registered 29 April 2013, retrospectively registered.

Immediate effects of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture on pain, mobility and muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis: a randomised controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the immediate effects of electroacupuncture and manual acupuncture on pain, mobility and muscle strength in patients with knee osteoarthritis. METHODS: Sixty patients with knee osteoarthritis, with a pain intensity of ≥2 on the pain Numerical Rating Scale, were included. The patients were randomised into two groups: manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture. Pain intensity, degree of dysfunction (Timed Up and Go (TUG) test), maximal voluntary isometric contraction and pressure pain threshold were assessed before and after a single session of manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture treatments. RESULTS: Both groups showed a significant reduction in pain intensity (p<0.001) and time to run the TUG test after the acupuncture treatment (p=0.005 for the manual acupuncture group and p=0.002 for the electroacupuncture group). There were no differences between the groups regarding pain intensity (p=0.25), TUG test (p=0.70), maximum voluntary isometric contraction (p=0.43) or pressure pain threshold (p=0.27). CONCLUSIONS: This study found no difference between the immediate effects of a single session of manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture on pain, muscle strength and mobility in patients with knee osteoarthritis. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: RBR-9TCN2X.

Magnesium status and the physical performance of volleyball players: effects of magnesium supplementation.

The aim of this study was to test the hypothesis that magnesium supplementation influences the physical performance of volleyball players, as the efficacy of this approach remains questionable. Twenty-five professional male volleyball players were assigned randomly to experimental (350 mg Mg · d(-1), 4 weeks) and control groups (500 mg maltodextrin · d(-1), 4 weeks) maintaining inter-group homogeneity of urinary magnesium. Erythrocyte, plasma and urinary magnesium levels, plasma creatine kinase activity, lactate production, maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max) and plyometric (squat jump, countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arm swing) and isokinetic (peak torque, potency and total work) performances were evaluated before (T0) and after (T1) supplementation. Levels of erythrocyte and urinary magnesium and creatine kinase activity and VO2 max remained within normal ranges in both groups. Plasma magnesium decreased significantly only within the experimental group. Significant decreases in lactate production and significant increases (of up to 3 cm) in countermovement jump and countermovement jump with arm swing values were detected in the experimental group following magnesium supplementation, but not in the control group at T1. It is concluded that magnesium supplementation improved alactic anaerobic metabolism, even though the players were not magnesium-deficient.

Effects of carrier frequency of interferential current on pressure pain threshold and sensory comfort in humans.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effect of carrier frequency of interferential current (IFC) on pressure pain threshold (PPT) and sensory comfort in healthy subjects. DESIGN: A double-blind randomized trial. SETTING: University research laboratory. PARTICIPANTS: Healthy subjects (N=150). INTERVENTIONS: Application of the IFC for 20 minutes and measures of PPT collected in the regions of the nondominant hand and forearm. MAIN OUTCOMES MEASURES: We measured PPT and comfort at frequencies of 1kHz, 2kHz, 4kHz, 8kHz, and 10kHz. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in PPT in the 1-kHz group when compared with the 8-kHz and 10-kHz groups. There was a greater discomfort in the 1-kHz and 2-kHz groups. CONCLUSIONS: IFC with a carrier frequency of 1kHz promotes a higher hypoalgesic response during and after stimulation than IFC with carrier frequencies of 8kHz and 10kHz. Carrier frequencies of 1kHz and 2kHz are perceived as more uncomfortable than carrier frequencies of 4kHz, 8kHz, and 10kHz.

Peptide glutamine supplementation for tolerance of intermittent exercise in soccer players.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether supplementation of carbohydrate together with peptide glutamine would increase exercise tolerance in soccer players. METHODS: Nine male soccer players (mean age: 18.4 +/- 1.1 years; body mass: 69.2 +/- 4.6 kg; height: 175.5 +/- 7.3 cm; and maximum oxygen consumption of 57.7 +/- 4.8 ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) were evaluated. All of them underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test and followed a protocol that simulated the movements of a soccer game in order to evaluate their tolerance to intermittent exercise. By means of a draw, either carbohydrate with peptide glutamine (CARBOGLUT: 50 g of maltodextrin + 3.5 g of peptide glutamine in 250 ml of water) or carbohydrate alone (CARBO: 50 g of maltodextrin in 250 ml of water) was administered in order to investigate the enhancement of the soccer players' performances. The solution was given thirty minutes before beginning the test, which was performed twice with a one-week interval between tests. RESULTS: A great improvement in the time and distance covered was observed when the athletes consumed the CARBOGLUT mixture. Total distance covered was 12750 +/- 4037m when using CARBO, and 15571 +/- 4184m when using CARBOGLUT (p<0.01); total duration of tolerance was 73 +/- 23 min when using CARBO and 88 +/- 24 min when using CARBOGLUT (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The CARBOGLUT mixture was more efficient in increasing the distance covered and the length of time for which intermittent exercise was tolerated. CARBOGLUT also reduced feelings of fatigue in the players compared with the use of the CARBO mixture alone.

Peptide glutamine supplementation for tolerance of intermittent exercise in soccer players

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether supplementation of carbohydrate together with peptide glutamine would increase exercise tolerance in soccer players. METHODS: Nine male soccer players (mean age: 18.4 ± 1.1 years; body mass: 69.2 ± 4.6 kg; height: 175.5 ± 7.3 cm; and maximum oxygen consumption of 57.7 ± 4.8 ml.kg-1.min-1) were evaluated. All of them underwent a cardiopulmonary exercise test and followed a protocol that simulated the movements of a soccer game in order to evaluate their tolerance to intermittent exercise. By means of a draw, either carbohydrate with peptide glutamine (CARBOGLUT: 50g of maltodextrin + 3.5g of peptide glutamine in 250 ml of water) or carbohydrate alone (CARBO: 50g of maltodextrin in 250 ml of water) was administered in order to investigate the enhancement of the soccer players' performances. The solution was given thirty minutes before beginning the test, which was performed twice with a one-week interval between tests. RESULTS: A great improvement in the time and distance covered was observed when the athletes consumed the CARBOGLUT mixture. Total distance covered was 12750 ± 4037m when using CARBO, and 15571 ± 4184m when using CARBOGLUT (p<0.01); total duration of tolerance was 73 ± 23 min when using CARBO and 88 ± 24 min when using CARBOGLUT (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The CARBOGLUT mixture was more efficient in increasing the distance covered and the length of time for which intermittent exercise was tolerated. CARBOGLUT also reduced feelings of fatigue in the players compared with the use of the CARBO mixture alone.