Dry blood spot samples to monitor immune-associated mRNA expression in intervention studies: Impact of Baker's yeast beta glucan.

Monitoring immunological response to physical stressors in a field setting is challenging because existing methods require a laboratory visit and traditional blood collection via venipuncture. The purpose of this study was to determine if our optimized dry blood spot (DBS) methodology yields sufficient total RNA to quantify the effect of Baker's Yeast Beta Glucan supplementation (BYBG; Wellmune; 250 mg/d) on post-exercise mRNA expression. Participants had venous DBS samples collected prior to (PRE), and immediately (POST), 2 (2H), and 4 (4H) hrs after completion of a 90 min run/walk trial in a hot, humid environment. Total RNA extracted from DBS was analyzed using a 574-plex Human Immunology mRNA panel (Nanostring). BYBG supplementation was associated with the increased expression of 12 mRNAs (LTB4R, PML, PRFM1, TNFRSF14, LCK, MYD88, STAT3, CCR1, TNFSF10, LILRB3, MME, and STAT6) and decreased expression of 4 mRNAs (MAP4K1, IKBKG, CD5, and IL4R) across all post-exercise time points. In addition to individually changed mRNA targets, we found eleven immune-response pathways that were significantly enriched by BYBG following exercise (TNF Family signaling, immunometabolism, oxidative stress, toll-like receptor (TLR) signaling, Treg differentiation, autophagy, chemokine signaling, complement system, Th2 differentiation, cytokine signaling, and innate immune). The present approach showed that DBS samples can be used to yield useful information about mRNA biomarkers in an intervention study. We have found that BYBG supplementation induces changes at the mRNA level that support the immune system and reduce susceptibility to opportunistic infection (i.e., upper respiratory tract infection) and facilitate improved physical recovery from exercise. Future studies may look to use DBS sampling for testing other nutritional, health, or medical interventions.

Comparison Between Traditional and Alternated Resistance Exercises on Blood Pressure, Acute Neuromuscular Responses, and Rating of Perceived Exertion in Recreationally Resistance-Trained Men.

ABSTRACT: Corrêa Neto, VG, Silva, DdN, Palma, A, de Oliveira, F, Vingren, JL, Marchetti, PH, da Silva Novaes, J, and Monteiro, ER. Comparison between traditional and alternated resistance exercises on blood pressure, acute neuromuscular responses, and rating of perceived exertion in recreationally resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): e211-e218, 2024-The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effects of traditional and alternated resistance exercises on acute neuromuscular responses (maximum repetition performance, fatigue index, and volume load), rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and blood pressure (BP) in resistance-trained men. Fifteen recreationally resistance-trained men (age: 26.40 ± 4.15 years; height: 173 ± 5 cm, and total body mass: 78.12 ± 13.06 kg) were recruited and performed all 3 experimental conditions in a randomized order: (a) control (CON), (b) traditional (TRT), and (c) alternated (ART). Both conditions (TRT and ART) consisted of 5 sets of bilateral bench press, articulated bench press, back squat, and Smith back squat exercises at 80% 1RM until concentric muscular failure. The total number of repetitions performed across sets in the bench press followed a similar pattern for TRT and ART, with significant reductions between sets 3, 4, and 5 compared with set 1 (p < 0.05). There was a significant difference for set 4 between conditions with a lower number of repetitions performed in the TRT. The volume load was significantly higher for ART when compared with TRT. TRT showed significant reductions in BP after 10-, 40-, and 60-minute postexercise and when compared with CON after 40- and 60-minute postexercise. However, the effect size illustrated large reductions in systolic BP during recovery in both methods. Thus, it is concluded that both methods reduced postexercise BP.

Pedalling Cadence Affects V̇ o2 Kinetics in Severe-Intensity Exercise.

ABSTRACT: Hill, DW and Vingren, JL. Pedalling cadence affects V̇ o2 kinetics in severe-intensity exercise. J Strength Cond Res 37(6): 1211-1217, 2023-The purpose was to investigate the effects of pedalling cadence on V̇ o2 kinetics in severe-intensity cycling exercise. This question is pertinent to exercise testing, where cadence is an important (and often confounding) variable, and to performance, where V̇ o2 kinetics determines the initial reliance upon anaerobic reserves. Eighteen university students performed tests to exhaustion at 241 ± 31 W, using cadences of 60, 80, and 100 rev·min -1 . V̇ o2 data were fitted to a 2-component model (primary phase + slow component). Responses during the 3 tests were compared using a repeated-measures analysis of variance, with significance at p < 0.05. The mean response time of the primary phase of the V̇ o2 response (time to reach 63% of the response) was progressively smaller (response was faster) at higher cadences (37 ± 4 seconds at 60 rev·min -1 , 32 ± 5 seconds at 80 rev·min -1 , 27 ± 4 seconds at 100 rev·min -1 ), and there was a concomitantly faster heart rate response. In addition, the time delay before the slow component was shorter, the amplitude of the primary phase was greater, and the amplitude of the slow component was smaller at the higher cadence. The results suggest that pedalling cadence itself-and not just the higher metabolic demand associated with higher cadences-may be responsible for differences in temporal characteristics (time delays, time constants) of the primary and slow phases of the V̇ o2 response. Exercise scientists must consider, and coaches might apply, the relationship between V̇ o2 kinetics and pedalling cadence during exercise testing.

Acute Physiological and Perceptual Responses to Rest Redistribution With Heavier Loads in Resistance-Trained Men.

ABSTRACT: Chae, S, Hill, DW, Bailey, CA, Moses, SA, McMullen, SM, and Vingren, JL. Acute physiological and perceptual responses to rest redistribution with heavier loads in resistance-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 37(5): 994-1000, 2023-The purpose of this study was to explore the effect of rest redistribution with heavier loads (RR + L) on physiological and perceptual responses in resistance-trained men. Eight men who had back squat (BS) 1 repetition maximum (1RM) to body mass ratio; 1.8 ± 0.2 completed 2 BS exercise sessions in a counterbalanced and a randomized order; RR + L: 4 sets of (2 × 5) repetitions with 90-second interset rest and 30-second intraset rest using 75% BS 1RM and traditional sets (TS): 4 sets of 10 repetitions with 120-second interset rest using 70% BS 1RM. Blood samples were collected before exercise, immediately post exercise, and 5, 15, and 30 minutes post exercise for the analysis of growth hormone (GH), total testosterone (TT), cortisol (C), and blood lactate (BL), whereas rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and heart rate (HR) were measured immediately after each set of the BS exercise. While neither main effect of condition nor interaction existed, there was a significant ( p < 0.05) main effect of time point (and set) for GH, TT, C, BL, RPE, and HR. Volume load was greater for RR + L compared with TS (4,074.9 ± 786.7 kg vs. 3,796.3 ± 714.8 kg). In conclusion, RR + L increases volume load by approximately 7% but does not seem to influence GH ( g = -0.15), TT ( g = -0.09), BL ( g = -0.22), RPE ( g = 0.14), and HR ( g = -0.08) responses. Practitioners may consider using RR + L to increase volume load without increasing acute fatigue responses.

Effects of wearing a cloth face mask on performance, physiological and perceptual responses during a graded treadmill running exercise test.

OBJECTIVES: To (1) determine if wearing a cloth face mask significantly affected exercise performance and associated physiological responses, and (2) describe perceptual measures of effort and participants' experiences while wearing a face mask during a maximal treadmill test. METHODS: Randomised controlled trial of healthy adults aged 18-29 years. Participants completed two (with and without a cloth face mask) maximal cardiopulmonary exercise tests (CPETs) on a treadmill following the Bruce protocol. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, exertion and shortness of breath were measured. Descriptive data and physical activity history were collected pretrial; perceptions of wearing face masks and experiential data were gathered immediately following the masked trial. RESULTS: The final sample included 31 adults (age=23.2±3.1 years; 14 women/17 men). Data indicated that wearing a cloth face mask led to a significant reduction in exercise time (-01:39±01:19 min/sec, p<0.001), maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) (-818±552 mL/min, p<0.001), minute ventilation (-45.2±20.3 L/min), maximal heart rate (-8.4±17.0 beats per minute, p<0.01) and increased dyspnoea (1.7±2.9, p<0.001). Our data also suggest that differences in SpO2 and rating of perceived exertion existed between the different stages of the CPET as participant's exercise intensity increased. No significant differences were found between conditions after the 7-minute recovery period. CONCLUSION: Cloth face masks led to a 14% reduction in exercise time and 29% decrease in VO2max, attributed to perceived discomfort associated with mask-wearing. Compared with no mask, participants reported feeling increasingly short of breath and claustrophobic at higher exercise intensities while wearing a cloth face mask. Coaches, trainers and athletes should consider modifying the frequency, intensity, time and type of exercise when wearing a cloth face mask.

Effect of rest period configurations on systemic inflammatory response in resistance-trained women.

This investigation examined the effect of rest- redistribution (RR) on the circulating cytokine response to resistance exercise in resistance- trained women. Participants (n = 13; 24 ± 4y; 65.0 ± 10.6 kg; 160.5 ± 5.1 cm) completed two sessions of back squats at 70% of 1- repetition maximum: Traditional sets (TS: 4x10, 120-s inter- set rest) and RR (4x 2x5) with 30-s intra- set rest after 5 repetitions and 90-s inter- set rest. Serum creatine kinase (CK), IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, and IL-6/IL-10 were determined before (PRE), immediately- post (IP), and 5, 15, 30, 60 min, 24 h, and 48 h post- exercise. CK increased significantly (p < 0.05) from PRE through 24 h for TS and through 48 h for RR. IL-15 was greater for RR than TS at 48 h. A condition effect was found for IL-10 and IL-6/IL-10 with a lower IL-10 and a greater IL-6/IL-10 for RR. A time effect demonstrated that IL-1ß and IL-10 peaked at IP. IL-8 was increased from 5 min to 60 min and 24 h. IL-6/IL-10 was increased from PRE to 30 min, 60 min, and 24 h. These results suggested that rest period configuration- specific differences exist for the inflammatory response in trained women during intramuscular homoeostatic disruption.

Ischemic Preconditioning Improves Resistance Training Session Performance.

ABSTRACT: da Silva Novaes, J, da Silva Telles, LG, Monteiro, ER, da Silva Araujo, G, Vingren, JL, Silva Panza, P, Reis, VM, Laterza, MC, and Vianna, JM. Ischemic preconditioning improves resistance training session performance. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 2993-2998, 2021-The aim of this study was to investigate the acute effect of ischemic preconditioning (IPC) in a resistance exercise (RE) training session on the number of repetitions performed, total volume, and rating of perceived exertion in recreationally trained and normotensive men. Sixteen recreationally trained and normotensive men completed 3 RE sessions in a counterbalanced and randomized order: (a) IPC protocol using 220 mm Hg followed by RE (IPC), (b) IPC cuff control protocol with 20 mm Hg followed by RE (CUFF), and (c) no IPC (control) followed by RE (CON). RE was performed with 3 sets of each exercise (bench press, leg press, lateral pulldown, hack machine squat, shoulder press, and Smith back squat) until concentric muscular failure, at 80% of one repetition maximum, with 90 seconds of rest between sets and 2 minutes of rest between exercises. Ischemic preconditioning and CUFF consisted of 4 cycles of 5 minutes of occlusion/low pressure alternating with 5 minutes of no occlusion (0 mm Hg) using a pneumatic tourniquet applied around the subaxillary region of the upper arm. For each condition, the number of repetitions completed, total volume of work performed, and rating of perceived exertion were determined. No significant difference was found for rating of perceived exertion between any experimental protocol. Ischemic preconditioning significantly (p < 0.05) increased the number of repetitions across exercises. Consequently, total volume performed (sum of total number of repetitions x load for each exercise) was significantly higher in IPC (46,170 kg) compared with CON (34,069 kg) and CUFF (36,590 kg) across all exercises. This work may have important implications for athletic populations because it demonstrates increase in muscle performance outcomes during a single RE session. Therefore, performing IPC before RE could be an important exercise prescription recommendation to increase maximum repetition performance and total volume of work performed and thus potentially increase desired training adaptations (i.e., strength and hypertrophy).

Alcohol After Resistance Exercise Does Not Affect Muscle Power Recovery.

Levitt, DE, Idemudia, NO, Cregar, CM, Duplanty, AA, Hill, DW, and Vingren, JL. Alcohol after resistance exercise does not affect muscle power recovery. J Strength Cond Res 34(7): 1938-1944, 2020-The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of alcohol consumed after heavy eccentric resistance exercise on measures of muscle power. After familiarization and an initial eccentric exercise bout to control for the "repeated-bout effect," 10 recreationally resistance-trained men completed 2 identical heavy eccentric squat bouts (4 sets of 10 repetitions at 110% of concentric 1-repetition maximum) 1 week apart. Each exercise bout was followed by ingestion of a beverage containing either alcohol (1.09 g ethanol·kg fat-free body mass) or no alcohol (placebo; volume of alcohol replaced with water). Vertical jump (VJ) peak power, VJ peak force, VJ jump height, change-of-direction ability (shuttle run), sprint acceleration (sprint test), and muscle soreness were measured before (PRE), 24 hours after (24H), and 48 hours after (48H) each eccentric exercise bout. Although the exercise bout resulted in significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased VJ peak power at 24H, significantly decreased VJ jump height at 24H, and significantly increased muscle soreness at 24H and 48H, consuming alcohol after the exercise bout did not affect any of the performance outcome measures. When consumed after a non-novel heavy eccentric resistance exercise bout, alcohol did not affect soreness or recovery of muscular power. Practitioners can use this information to advise their athletes with regard to responsible alcohol use after non-novel exercise. Although short-term anaerobic performance does not seem compromised as a result of acute postexercise alcohol ingestion, practitioners and athletes should be aware of potential long-term effects of such alcohol use.

Resistance exercise-induced hormonal response promotes satellite cell proliferation in untrained men but not in women.

The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of resistance exercise (RE)-induced hormonal changes on the satellite cell (SC) myogenic state in response to muscle damage. Untrained men (n = 10, 22 ± 3 yr) and women (n = 9, 21 ± 4 yr) completed 2 sessions of 80 unilateral maximal eccentric knee extensions followed by either an upper body RE protocol (EX) or a 20-min rest (CON). Muscle samples were collected and analyzed for protein content of Pax7, MyoD, myogenin, cyclin D1, and p21 before (PRE), 12 h, and 24 h after the session was completed. Serum testosterone, growth hormone, cortisol, and myoglobin concentrations were analyzed at PRE, post-damage, immediately after (IP), and 15, 30, and 60 min after the session was completed. Testosterone was significantly (P < 0.05) higher immediately after the session in EX vs. CON for men. A significant time × sex × condition interaction was found for MyoD with an increase in EX (men) and CON (women) at 12 h. A significant time × condition interaction was found for Pax7, with a decrease in EX and increase in CON at 24 h. A significant time effect was found for myogenin, p21, and cyclin D1. Myogenin and p21 were increased at 12 and 24 h, and cyclin D1 was increased at 12 h. These results suggest that the acute RE-induced hormonal response can be important for men to promote SC proliferation after muscle damage but had no effect in women. Markers of SC differentiation appeared unaffected by the hormonal response but increased in response to muscle damage.

Using image-based flow cytometry to monitor satellite cells proliferation and differentiation in vitro.

Muscle satellite cells can proliferate and differentiate into myocytes; this biological function has important implications for muscle development, aging, repair, and wasting diseases. Established analytical methods, including western blotting, PCR, and immunohistochemistry, has been used to characterize the stages of satellite cells growth and development but there is currently a lack of methods to simultaneously monitor cell proliferation and identify changes in cell properties (i.e., expression of myogenic regulatory factors) for each individual cell during the progression to become myocytes. Image-based flow cytometry has the capability to simultaneously obtain morphometric data, monitor cell division, and detect expression of multiple proteins of interest. In this article we demonstrate the use of image-based flow cytometry and cell-trace dye to monitor satellite cells proliferation and to identify different stages of satellite cell differentiation.

Resistance Training Is Associated With Higher Bone Mineral Density Among Young Adult Male Distance Runners Independent of Physiological Factors.

Duplanty, AA, Levitt, DE, Hill, DW, McFarlin, BK, DiMarco, NM, and Vingren, JL. Resistance training is associated with higher bone mineral density among young adult male distance runners independent of physiological factors. J Strength Cond Res 32(6): 1594-1600, 2018-Low bone mineral density (BMD) in male distance runners is common and could be modulated by a host of biomarkers involved in the dynamic balance of bone tissue. In contrast, resistance training can increase BMD; however, the efficacy of resistance training in protecting BMD in distance runners has not been elucidated. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between resistance training, testosterone and bone metabolism biomarker concentrations, and BMD in young adult male distance runners. Twenty-five apparently healthy men (23-32 years; mean ± SD: 25.9 ± 2.9 years; 1.77 ± 0.04 m; 75.4 ± 8.5 kg) were categorized into 1 of 3 groups: untrained control participants (CON; n = 8); nonresistance-trained runners (NRT; n = 8); or resistance-trained runners (RT; n = 9). Blood was collected and analyzed for concentrations of free and total testosterone and 14 bone metabolism biomarkers. Bone mineral density was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. At all measured sites, BMD was greater (p ≤ 0.05) for RT compared with NRT and CON. Vitamin D concentration was greater (p ≤ 0.05) in RT and NRT compared with CON. Concentrations of testosterone and remaining bone biomarkers did not differ between groups (p > 0.05). Resistance-trained runners had greater BMD than nonresistance-trained runners and untrained peers. This difference did not seem to be modulated by biomarkers that contribute to bone formation or resorption, indicating that differences in BMD are associated with habitual load-bearing exercise using external resistance. Runners should perform resistance exercise at least once per week because this is associated with greater BMD.

Adding Resistance Training to the Standard of Care for Inpatient Substance Abuse Treatment in Men With Human Immunodeficiency Virus Improves Skeletal Muscle Health Without Altering Cytokine Concentrations.

Vingren, JL, Curtis, JH, Levitt, DE, Duplanty, AA, Lee, EC, McFarlin, BK, and Hill, DW. Adding resistance training to the standard of care for inpatient substance abuse treatment in men with human immunodeficiency virus improves skeletal muscle health without altering cytokine concentrations. J Strength Cond Res 32(1): 76-82, 2018-Substance abuse and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can independently lead to myopathy and related inflammatory alterations; importantly, these effects seem to be additive. Resistance training (RT) can improve muscle health in people living with HIV (PLWH), but the efficacy of this intervention has not been examined for PLWH recovering from substance abuse. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of RT on muscle health markers (mass, strength, and power) and basal circulating biomarkers for men living with HIV undergoing substance abuse treatment. Men living with HIV undergoing 60-day inpatient substance abuse treatment completed either RT (3×/wk) or no exercise training (control) for 6 weeks. Muscle mass, strength, and power, and fasting circulating cytokines (interferon γ, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, and IL-10), vascular cellular adhesion molecule-1, and cortisol were measured before (PRE) and after (POST) the 6-week period. Both groups received the standard of care for HIV and substance abuse treatment determined by the inpatient facility. Muscle mass, strength, and power increased (p ≤ 0.05) from PRE to POST for RT but were unchanged for control. No differences were found for circulating biomarkers. Adding RT to the standard of care for substance abuse treatment improved aspects of muscle health (mass, strength, and power) in men living with HIV. These improvements are associated with a lower risk of a number of health conditions. Therefore, practitioners should consider implementing RT interventions as part of substance abuse treatment programs in this population to help manage long-term health.

Effect of alcohol after muscle-damaging resistance exercise on muscular performance recovery and inflammatory capacity in women.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of acute alcohol consumption on muscular performance recovery, assessed by maximal torque production, and on inflammatory capacity, assessed by lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated cytokine production, following muscle-damaging resistance exercise in women. METHODS: Thirteen recreationally resistance-trained women completed two identical exercise bouts (300 maximal single-leg eccentric leg extensions) followed by alcohol (1.09 g ethanol kg-1 fat-free body mass) or placebo ingestion. Blood was collected before (PRE), and 5 (5 h-POST), 24 (24 h-POST), and 48 (48 h-POST) hours after exercise and analyzed for LPS-stimulated cytokine production (TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, and IL-8 and IL-10). Maximal torque production (concentric, eccentric, isometric) was measured for each leg at PRE, 24 h-POST, and 48 h-POST. RESULTS: Although the exercise bout increased LPS-stimulated production of TNF-α (%change from PRE: 5 h-POST 109%; 24 h-POST 49%; 48 h-POST 40%) and decreased LPS-stimulated production of IL-8 (5 h-POST -40%; 24 h-POST -50%; 48 h-POST: -43%) and IL-10 (5 h-POST: -37%; 24 h-POST -32%; 48 h-POST -31%), consuming alcohol after exercise did not affect this response. Regardless of drink condition, concentric, eccentric, and isometric torque produced by the exercised leg were lower at 24 h-POST (concentric 106 ± 6 Nm, eccentric 144 ± 9 Nm, isometric 128 ± 8 Nm; M ± SE) compared to PRE (concentric 127 ± 7 Nm, eccentric 175 ± 11 Nm, isometric 148 ± 8 Nm). Eccentric torque production was partially recovered and isometric torque production was fully recovered by 48 h-POST. CONCLUSIONS: Alcohol consumed after muscle-damaging resistance exercise does not appear to affect inflammatory capacity or muscular performance recovery in resistance-trained women. Combined with previous findings in men, these results suggest a gender difference regarding effects of alcohol on exercise recovery.

Exertional Hyponatremia and Serum Sodium Change During Ultraendurance Cycling.

INTRODUCTION: Exertional hyponatremia (EH) during prolonged exercise involves all avenues of fluid-electrolyte gain and loss. Although previous research implicates retention of excess fluid, EH may involve either loss, gain, or no change of body mass. Thus, the etiology, predisposing factors, and recommendations for prevention are vague-except for advice to avoid excessive drinking. PURPOSE: This retrospective field study presents case reports of two unacquainted recreational cyclists (LC, 31y and AM, 39 years) who began exercise with normal serum electrolytes but finished a summer 164-km ride (ambient, 34±5°C) with a serum [Na+] of 130 mmol/L. METHODS: To clarify the etiology of EH, their pre- and post-exercise measurements were compared to a control group (CON) of 31 normonatremic cyclists (mean ± SD; 37±6 years; 141±3 mmol Na+/L). RESULTS: Anthropomorphic characteristics, exercise time, and post-exercise ratings of thermal sensation, perceived exertion and muscle cramp were similar for LC, AM and CON. These two hyponatremic cyclists consumed a large and similar volume of fluid (191 and 189 ml/kg), experienced an 11 mmol/L decrease of serum [Na+], reported low thirst sensations; however, LC gained 3.1 kg (+4.3% of body mass) during 8.9 hr of exercise and AM maintained body mass (+0.1kg, +0.1%, 10.6h). In the entire cohort (n = 33), post-event serum [Na+] was strongly correlated with total fluid intake (R2 = 0.45, p < .0001), and correlated moderately with dietary sodium intake (R2=0.28, p = .004) and body mass change (R2 = 0.22, p = .02). Linear regression analyses predicted the threshold of EH onset (<135 mmol Na+/L) as 168 ml fluid/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The wide range of serum [Na+] changes (+6 to -11 mmol/L) led us to recommend an individualized rehydration plan to athletes because the interactions of factors were complex and idiosyncratic.

Effect of Acute Alcohol Ingestion on Resistance Exercise-Induced mTORC1 Signaling in Human Muscle.

Duplanty, AA, Budnar, RG, Luk, HY, Levitt, DE, Hill, DW, McFarlin, BK, Huggett, DB, and Vingren, JL. Effect of acute alcohol ingestion on resistance exercise-induced mTORC1 signaling in human muscle. J Strength Cond Res 31(1): 54-61, 2017-The purpose of this project was to further elucidate the effects postexercise alcohol ingestion. This project had many novel aspects including using a resistance exercise (RE) only exercise design and the inclusion of women. Ten resistance-trained males and 9 resistance-trained females completed 2 identical acute heavy RE trials (6 sets of Smith machine squats) followed by ingestion of either alcohol or placebo. All participants completed both conditions. Before exercise (PRE) and 3 (+3 hours) and 5 (+5 hours) hours postexercise, muscle tissue samples were obtained from the vastus lateralis by biopsies. Muscle samples were analyzed for phosphorylated mTOR, S6K1, and 4E-BP1. For men, there was a significant interaction effect for mTOR and S6K1 phosphorylation. At +3 hours, mTOR and S6K1 phosphorylation was higher for placebo than for alcohol. For women, there was a significant main effect for time. mTOR phosphorylation was higher at +3 hours than at PRE and at +5 hours. There were no significant effects found for 4E-BP1 phosphorylation in men or women. The major findings of this study was that although RE elicited similar mTORC1 signaling both in men and in women, alcohol ingestion seemed to only attenuate RE-induced phosphorylation of the mTORC1 signaling pathway in men. This study provides evidence that alcohol should not be ingested after RE as this ingestion could potentially hamper the desired muscular adaptations to RE by reducing anabolic signaling, at least in men.

Effect of Caffeine on Perceived Soreness and Functionality Following an Endurance Cycling Event.

Caldwell, AR, Tucker, MA, Butts, CL, McDermott, BP, Vingren, JL, Kunces, LJ, Lee, EC, Munoz, CX, Williamson, KH, Armstrong, LE, and Ganio, MS. Effect of caffeine on perceived soreness and functionality following an endurance cycling event. J Strength Cond Res 31(3): 638-643, 2017-Caffeine can reduce muscle pain during exercise; however, the efficacy of caffeine in improving muscle soreness and recovery from a demanding long-duration exercise bout has not been established. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of caffeine intake on ratings of perceived muscle soreness (RPMS) and perceived lower extremity functionality (LEF) following the completion of a 164-km endurance cycling event. Before and after cycling RPMS (1-to-6; 6 = severe soreness) and LEF (0-to-80; 80 = full functionality) were assessed by questionnaires. Subjects ingested 3 mg/kg body mass of caffeine or placebo pills in a randomized, double-blind fashion immediately after the ride and for the next 4 mornings (i.e., ∼800 hours) and 3 afternoons (i.e., ∼1200 hours). Before each ingestion, RPMS and LEF were assessed. Afternoon ratings of LEF were greater with caffeine ingestion the first day postride (65.0 ± 6.1 vs. 72.3 ± 6.7; for placebo and caffeine, respectively; p = 0.04), but at no other time points (p > 0.05). The caffeine group tended to have lower overall RPMS in the afternoon versus placebo (i.e., main effect of group; 1.1 ± 0.2 vs. 0.5 ± 0.2; p = 0.09). Afternoon RPMS for the legs was significantly lower in the caffeine group (main effect of caffeine; 1.3 ± 0.2 vs. 0.5 ± 0.3; p = 0.05). In conclusion, ingesting caffeine improved RPMS for the legs, but not LEF in the days following an endurance cycling event. Athletes may benefit from ingesting caffeine in the days following an arduous exercise bout to relieve feelings of soreness and reduced functionality.

Blood Hemostatic Changes During an Ultraendurance Road Cycling Event in a Hot Environment.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to examine blood hemostatic responses to completing a 164-km road cycling event in a hot environment. METHODS: Thirty-seven subjects (28 men and 9 women; 51.8±9.5 [mean±SD] y) completed the ride in 6.6±1.1 hours. Anthropometrics (height, body mass [taken also during morning of the ride], percent body fat [%]) were collected the day before the ride. Blood samples were collected on the morning of the ride (PRE) and immediately after (IP) the subject completed the ride. Concentrations of platelet, platelet activation, coagulation, and fibrinolytic markers (platelet factor 4, ß-thromboglobulin, von Willebrand factor antigen, thrombin-antithrombin complex, thrombomodulin, and D-Dimer) were measured. Associations between changes from PRE- to IP-ride were examined as a function of event completion time and subject characteristics (demographics and anthropometrics). RESULTS: All blood hemostatic markers increased significantly (P < .001) from PRE to IP. After controlling for PRE values, finishing time was negatively correlated with platelet factor 4 (r = 0.40; P = .017), while percent body fat (%BF) was negatively correlated with thrombin-antithrombin complex (r = -0.35; P = .038) and to thrombomodulin (r = -0.36; P = .036). In addition, male subjects had greater concentrations of thrombin-antithrombin complex (d = 0.63; P < .05) and natural logarithm thrombomodulin (d = 6.42; P < .05) than female subjects. CONCLUSION: Completing the 164-km road cycling event in hot conditions resulted in increased concentrations of platelet, platelet activation, coagulation, and fibrinolytic markers in both men and women. Although platelet activation and coagulation occurred, the fibrinolytic system markers also increased, which appears to balance blood hemostasis and may prevent clot formation during exercise in a hot environment.

The effect of post­resistance exercise alcohol ingestion on lipopolysaccharide­stimulated cytokines.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of post-resistance exercise alcohol ingestion on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated production of IFNγ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10. METHODS: Recreationally resistance-trained men (n = 10, 25 ± 3 year, 177 ± 7 cm, 83.8 ± 15.7 kg, 14.8 ± 8.5% body fat) and women (n = 8, 23 ± 2 year, 161 ± 3 cm, 59.5 ± 6.0 kg, 26.5 ± 3.0% body fat) completed two identical heavy back squat sessions (6 × 10 at 80% 1 repetition maximum) followed by ingestion of either an alcohol (ALC; 1.09 g ethanol · kg fat-free mass(-1)) or water (PLA) drink. Blood samples were collected before exercise (PRE), and at 3 h (3 h), and 5 h (5 h) after exercise, stimulated with LPS, and analyzed for IFNγ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 concentrations. RESULTS: There were no drink conditions by time effects for IFNγ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, or IL-10. Regardless of condition, resistance exercise induce an increase in IFNγ, TNF-α, and IL-1ß at 5 h compared to PRE but a decrease in IL-10 at 3 and 5 h compared to PRE. For ALC, IL-8 was reduced at 5 h compared to PLA. From PRE to 3 h, IL-6 was reduced for ALC but increased for PLA; resistance exercise induced an increase in IL-6 for both conditions at 5 h. CONCLUSIONS: Heavy resistance exercise increased production of IFNγ, TNF-α, IL-1ß, and Il-6 and decreased production of IL-10. Alcohol ingestion after resistance exercise affected aspects of inflammatory capacity (IL-6 and IL-8 production). It appears that some of the effects previously observed for alcohol ingestion alone on the LPS-stimulated cytokine production were overwhelmed by the response to resistance exercise.

Pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine responses to a 164-km road cycle ride in a hot environment.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the circulating cytokine response to a recreational 164-km road cycling event in a high ambient temperature and to determine if this response was affected by self-paced exercise time to completion. METHODS: Thirty-five men and five women were divided into tertiles based on time to complete the cycling event: slowest (SLOW), moderate (MOD), and fastest (FAST) finishers. Plasma samples were obtained 1-2 h before (PRE) and immediately after (IP) the event. A high-sensitivity multiplex assay kit was used to determine the concentration of plasma anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-6, IL-7, IL-8, IL-12, GM-CSF, IFN-γ, and TNF-α). RESULTS: The concentration of plasma IL-10 increased significantly (p < 0.05) in FAST and MOD groups and had no change in the SLOW group in response to a 164-km cycling event in the hot environment. Other cytokine responses were not influenced by the Time to completion. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1ß, IL-2, GM-CSF, and TNF-α decreased; whereas, IL-6 and IL-8 increased from PRE to IP. Additionally, anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-4 and IL-13 decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Completion of a 164-km cycling event induced substantial changes in circulating pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokine concentrations. Time to completion appears to have a greater influence on the systemic IL-10 response than the environmental condition; however, it is possible that a threshold for absolute intensity must be reached for environmental conditions to affect the IL-10 response to exercise. Thus, cyclists from the FAST/MOD groups appear more likely to experience an acute transient immune suppression than cyclists from the SLOW group.