[Exergaming for patients with metabolic syndrome?!] / Exergaming für PatientInnen mit metabolischem Syndrom?!

Due to the tremendous technical progress that has been made in recent years and the increased interest in using new technologies in sports and exercise, the effects of "exergaming" (exercise with video games and the use of an interactive computer-generated virtual reality) on human health have been investigated in numerous research projects. This systematic mini review analyzes the effects of regular exergaming in patients with components of metabolic syndrome. The review indicates that improvements in different variables, e.g., body mass index, body fat, glycemic control and blood lipid/lipoprotein levels, as well as blood pressure, can be achieved through regular exergaming. Future studies should examine whether exergaming can motivate patients with metabolic syndrome to engage in physical activity in the long term. Support from and (initial) supervision by health professionals (sports coaches, physiotherapists) are recommended to increase positive outcomes.

Effects of Cycling and Exergaming on Neurotrophic Factors in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Men - A Preliminary Investigation.

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are at increased risk of developing neurodegenerative diseases. There is growing evidence that repeated exercise-induced transient increases in neurotrophic factors can augment neurogenesis and neuroplasticity. This pilot study compares the effects of 30-min submaximal cycling with those of exergaming (combining exercise and video gaming) at the same duration and same rating of perceived exertion (BORG RPE: 14-15) on serum neurotrophic factors in 8 elderly non-insulin-dependent T2DM patients (71±4 years) (2×2 crossover design). Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Heart rates were almost equal during cycling and exergaming, while lactate values were significantly higher during cycling (cycling versus exergaming: 3.7±1.1 versus 2.5±1.2 mmol/l, p<0.05). BDNF and VEGF levels were increased significantly post-cycling (+20%,+14%, p<0.05). No other significant pre-post changes were evident. This study demonstrates that acute exercise can increase neurotrophic factors (BDNF, VEGF) in elderly T2DM patients, depending on exercise mode.

[Oxidative stress in Masters swimmers following high-intensity (interval) training (HI(I)T)]. / Oxidativer Stress bei Mastersschwimmern nach hochintensivem (Intervall-) Training (HI(I)T).

Increased oxidative stress (OS) can promote diseases in the long term, but it can also trigger cellular adaptations in the short term. The present study aims to analyze whether a 3-month high-intensity (interval) training (HI(I)T) affects OS in 24 Masters swimmers (22-67 years) before (= basal) and after an all-out performance (swimming step-test). Data were analyzed for the entire group and differentiated according to sex and age (under 50 years (U50) and over 50 years (O50)). Prior to the HI(I)T intervention, a significant increase in OS from the basal to the all-out value was observed among the entire group and in the O50-subjects (subgroup analysis). Furthermore, significant increases in basal OS were evident for the entire group post-HI(I)T, but OS was only significantly increased in men in the subgroup analysis. No significant results were observed for women and U50-subjects. The response by Masters swimmers to HI(I)T depends on age and sex.