Low-grade systemic inflammation and leptin levels were improved by arm cranking exercise in adults with chronic spinal cord injury.

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the effect of arm cranking exercise on improving plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines and adipokines in untrained adults with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Longitudinal study. SETTING: Community-based supervised intervention. PARTICIPANTS: Men (N=17) with complete SCI at or below T5 volunteered for this study. Participants were randomly allocated to the intervention (n=9) or control group (n=8) using a concealed method. INTERVENTION: A 12-week arm cranking exercise program of 3 sessions per week consisted of warm-up (10-15min), arm crank (20-30min; increasing 2min and 30s every 3wk) at a moderate work intensity of 50% to 65% of heart rate reserve (starting at 50% and increasing 5% every 3wk), and cool-down (5-10min). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 were determined. Furthermore, physical fitness (maximum oxygen consumption [V˙O2max]) and body composition (anthropometric index, waist circumference, and body mass index) were also assessed. RESULTS: Plasma levels of leptin, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and interleukin-6 were significantly decreased after the completion of the training program. Similarly, the anthropometric index and waist circumference were diminished too. A moderate correlation was found between leptin and the anthropometric index. Finally, V˙O2max was significantly increased, suggesting an improvement of physical fitness in the intervention group. No changes were found in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Arm cranking exercise improved low-grade systemic inflammation by decreasing plasma levels of inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, it also reduced plasma leptin levels. Long-term, well-conducted studies are still required to determine whether these changes may improve clinical outcomes of adults with chronic SCI.

Resistance circuit training reduced inflammatory cytokines in a cohort of male adults with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that muscle strength plays a key role on functional tasks of daily living and employability in individuals with Down syndrome (DS). Recent studies have also reported resistance training may improve chronic inflammation in other clinical situations. This is the first study conducted to determine the effect of resistance circuit training on low-grade systemic inflammation in adults with DS. MATERIAL/METHODS: A total of 40 young male adults with DS were recruited for the trial through different community support groups for people with intellectual disabilities and their families. They had medical approval for physical activity participation. Twenty-four were randomly assigned to perform resistance circuit training with 6 stations, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Exercise intensity was based on function of the 8RM assessments. The control group included 16 age-, sex-, and BMI-matched adults with Down syndrome. Plasma levels of leptin, adiponectin, and TNF-a were assessed by commercial ELISA kits. C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed by nephelometry. Body composition was also determined, measuring fat-free mass percentage and waist circumference (WC). This protocol was approved by our Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: Plasma levels of leptin, TNF-a, and IL-6 were significantly decreased after the completion of the training program, as were fat-free mass and WC. No sports-related injuries or withdrawals from the program were reported during the entire study period. No changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance circuit training improved low-grade systemic inflammation in male sedentary adults with DS.

A 6-week training program increased muscle antioxidant system in elderly diabetic fatty rats.

BACKGROUND: It is widely accepted that oxidative stress is associated with the physiopathology of type 2 diabetes mellitus. In fact, it has been pointed out as a therapeutic target in T2DM. Fortunately, several papers have reported that long-term training programs improved the antioxidant system in young and adult diabetic rats. Accordingly, this study was designed to assess the influence of a shorter training program in elderly diabetic fatty rats. MATERIAL/METHODS: Study subjects were 24 male homozygous Zucker diabetic fatty rats (Gmi, fa/fa) aged 18 weeks with an average weight of 370-450 g. After a 2-week period of environmental adaptation, animals were randomly distributed into the Exercised Group (n=12) that performed a 6-week swimming training protocol and the Sedentary Group (n=12). Animals were sacrificed under anesthesia 24 h after the last exercise session. Serum metabolic profile was determined. Total antioxidant status (TAS), MnSOD expression, glutathione status and ROS generation were assayed in gastrocnemius muscle. RESULTS: When compared with controls, exercised rats significantly improved their metabolic profile. Total antioxidant status (0.19±0.002 vs. 0.13±0.002 µg/mg protein; p<0.001) and MnSOD expression (8471±90 vs. 6258±102 U/µg protein; p=0.003) were also increased in exercised rats. CONCLUSIONS: A 6-week swimming training program improved the antioxidant system in elderly fatty diabetic rats. Fortunately, this improvement was enough to reduce oxidative damage, expressed as protein oxidation. A major finding of this study was that our training protocol lasted just 6 weeks, in contrast to longer protocols previously published.

[Influence of regular exercise on erythrocyte catalase activity in adolescents with Down syndrome]. / Influencia del ejercicio físico moderado en la actividad catalasa eritrocitaria de adolescentes con síndrome de Down.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Individuals with Down syndrome have been generally described as having high levels of oxidative stress. In order to improve their redox metabolism, the present study was undertaken to ascertain the influence of regular exercise in erythrocyte catalase activity in this population. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: 31 male adolescents with Down syndrome--mean age (standard deviation): 16.1 (1.1) years--performed a 12-week training program with 3 days/week, consisting of warm up (15 min), followed by a main part (20-35 min) at a work intensity of 60-75% of peak heart rate (HRmax = 194.5 - [0.56 age]) and by a cool-down period (10 min). 7 adolescents with trisomy 21 age, sex and body mass index-matched were used as controls. Beutler's method was used to determine catalase activity in the supernatant of erythrocyte hemolysates. RESULTS: When compared to baseline values, catalase activity was not increased significantly--1,607.0 (231) U/gHb vs 1,663.2 (280) U/gHb; (p = 0.151)- after a 12-week training program. No significant differences were found in controls. CONCLUSIONS: Regular exercise did not increase significantly catalase activity. Further studies are required in order to highlight potential benefits of regular exercise in redox metabolism of Down syndrome individuals.

[A 12-week physical activity program increases glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase activity in Down syndrome adolescents]. / Incremento de la glucosa-6-fosfato-deshidrogenasa eritrocitaria en jóvenes con sindrome de Down tras un programa de actividad física de 12 semanas.

In recent years it has been claimed that trisomic cells are more sensitive to oxidative stress since there is an imbalance in the hydrogen peroxide metabolism. We designed the present study to assess the activity level of antioxidant enzyme glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PDH) of erythrocytes in 31 male adolescents with Down syndrome (mean age 16.3 +/- 1.1) after performing a 12 week aerobic training program. First of all, a significant increase of 14.9% in the catalytic activity of G6PDH was observed in male adolescents with Down syndrome when compared with age, sex and body mass-matched controls without trisomy. After 12-wk program its activity increased significantly compared to baseline value in Down syndrome individuals. Our data are consistent with previous evidence of the existence of higher oxidative stress in adolescents with Down syndrome when compared to the general population. We may also conclude that G6PDH activity was significantly increased after a 12 week exercise program.

[Diet and exercise influence on the proteomic profile of an athlete population]. / Influencia de la dieta y el ejercicio en el perfil proteómico de una poblacion deportista.

INTRODUCTION: Nutrition has emerged as a fundamental tool included in the training program of athletes. Body composition seeks different objectives depending on type of sport, position, or time of the season. Furthermore, analysis proteomics allows us to know the structure and function of proteins. AIMS: To study, using proteomics, the influence of two different diets on the anthropometric profile in a rugby players group. METHODS: It is a prospective and interventionist study. Thirty-two rugby players were included. Two groups were defined, one followed proteic diet (PD) and, the other group subscribed the Mediterranean diet (MD). All participants were evaluated anthropometrically at the beginning and after six months. A blood sample was taken to twenty -two players, half of each group, used for the proteomic analysis. RESULTS: MD highlight more benefit for these athletes. Two groups were defined based on their anthropometric behavior, G1 and G2. The proteomic analysis related significantly some TGF-family mediators with these groups. CONCLUSIONS: MD improves the muscular mass without increasing the total body weight, so this data could be determinant to define profiles for athletes. Some TGF-members could be implicated in the adipose tissue and muscular mass balance.

Introducción: La nutrición se ha erigido como una herramienta fundamental incluida en el programa de entrenamiento de los deportistas. La composición corporal persigue diferentes objetivos según el deporte, la posición o momento de la temporada. Por otro lado, la proteómica permite analizar la estructura y función de las proteínas. Objetivos: Estudiar, utilizando la proteómica, la influencia de dos dietas diferentes sobre el perfil antropométrico en un grupo de jugadores de rugby. Metodos: Es un estudio prospectivo y de intervención. Treinta y dos jugadores de rugby fueron incluidos en el estudio. Se definieron dos grupos arbitrariamente, unos siguieron la dieta proteica (DP) y otros la dieta mediterránea (DM). A todos se les realizó una valoración antropométrica al inicio y tras seis meses de seguimiento. A 22 de estos pacientes, la mitad de cada grupo, se les tomo una muestra de sangre que se utilizó para el análisis proteómico. Resultados: La DM se destaca más beneficiosa para estos deportistas. Se definieron dos grupos en función de su comportamiento antropométrico, G1 and G2. En el análisis proteómico estos se relacionaron significativamente con varios mediadores de la familia TGF-. Conclusiones: La DM promociona el incremento de masa muscular sin incremento del peso total, ello podría ser determinante a la hora de definir los perfiles de los deportistas. Miembros de la familia TGF-podrían estar implicados en el balance de tejido adiposo y masa muscular.

Maternal fat mass may predict overweight/obesity in non-instituzionalized women with intellectual disability.

INTRODUCTION: Previous studies have found a significant correlation between parents and offspring regarding overweight and obesity in general population at early life stages. However this issue has received no attention in people with intellectual disability (ID). Therefore, the present study was designed to find out potential correlations in overweight/obesity between young adult women with ID living in the family and their parents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: In the present observational cross-sectional study, a total of thirty-four women with Down syndrome (n=34;22.6±2.1 years; 29.6±3.3 km/m2) were recruited through different community support groups for people with intellectual disabilities. Furthermore, biological mothers (n=34;59.6±4.9 years; 28.5±3.2 km/m2) and fathers (n=34; 61.5±5.3 years; 26.2±2.7 km/m2) volunteered for this study. They all underwent an anthropometric assessment to determine body mass index (BMI). This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: In the studied population, a total of 26 (76.5%) women with ID were overweight/obese. Furthermore, there were 22 (66.6%) overweight/obese mothers and 16(53.3%) fathers. Results also showed significant correlations between participants BMI and their father (r = 0.327; p = 0.0116) and mother BMI (r = 0.412; p < 0.001). Lastly, overweight/obese women presented a stronger correlation with overweight/obese mothers (odds ratio 4.3; 95%CI 2.9-7.3) than fathers (odds ratio 3.1; 95%CI 1.6-4.4). CONCLUSION: Parental overweight/obesity, especially maternal one, was strongly associated to overweight/obesity in young adult women with DS. Accordingly, there is an urgent necessity of incorporating parents in the intervention programs designed to the prevention and treatment of overweight and obesity in people with ID.

Fundamento y objetivo: Recientes estudios han encontrado en la población general una correlación entre la incidencia de sobrepeso/obesidad de padres e hijos, especialmente a edades tempranas. Sin embargo, este asunto no ha recibido atención en el caso de hijos adultos con discapacidad intelectual no institucionalizados. El presente estudio pretende determinar una posible correlación entre el sobrepeso/obesidad de padres respecto a sus hijas adultas con discapacidad intelectual que viven en el domicilio. Material y método: Se diseñó un estudio de tipo transversal observacional en el que participaron 34 mujeres adultas con síndrome de Down (22.6±2.1años; 29.6±3.3km/m2). Asimismo 34 madres (59.6±4.9años; 28.5±3.2km/m2) y 34 padres (61.5±5.3años; 26.2±2.7 km/m2) biológicos participaron voluntariamente. Todos los participante se sometieron a un estudio cinenatropométrico en el que se obtuvo el índice de masa corporal (IMC). Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Resultados: El 76.5% de las mujeres con discapacidad intelectual estudiadas presentaba sobrepeso/obesidad. En cuanto a los progenitores, el 66.6% de las madres y el 53.3 de los padres también presentó sobrepeso/obesidad. El IMC de las participantes se correlacionó significativamente con el de sus madres (r=0.412;p.

Mejoras del porcentaje y distribución abdominal de masa grasa en mujeres con discapacidad intelectual tras entrenamiento aeróbico de 10 semanas / A short training program reduced fat mass and abdominal distribution in obese women with intellectual disability

En la actualidad se acepta que la obesidad es un grave problema de salud pública. La situación es aún más preocupante entre las personas con discapacidad intelectual, especialmente entre las mujeres. Afortunadamente recientes estudios sugieren la utilidad del ejercicio como estrategia frente a la obesidad. Sin embargo, la mayoría de estos estudios utilizan grupos mixtos (hombres y mujeres) o varones, siendo escasa la información sobre un grupo homogéneo de mujeres. Por consiguiente nos planteamos como hipótesis que un programa de entrenamiento de 10 semanas podría reducir el porcentaje de masa grasa y la distribución abdominal en mujeres obesas con síndrome de Down. En nuestro estudio participaron 20 mujeres adultas (18-30 años) con un cociente intelectual de 50-69 según la escala Stanford-Binet y diagnóstico citogenético de trisomía 21. Todas presentaban obesidad definida como IMC>30 kg/m2. Once de las participantes se asignaron aleatoriamente al grupo experimental y desarrollaron un programa de entrenamiento de 10 semanas de tipo aeróbico con 3 sesiones/semana. El porcentaje de masa grasa se determinó mediante impedanciometría bioeléctrica (Tanita TBF521). Para obtener el índice cintura/cadera se midieron las circunferencias de la cintura y la cadera utilizando una cinta antropométrica. Nuestro protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Nuestros resultados confirman que el ejercicio aeróbico redujo significativamente el porcentaje de masa grasa, el índice cintura/cadera y el perímetro de la cintura (p<0,05). Por el contrario no se observaron cambios en el grupo control. Concluimos que un programa de entrenamiento de 10 semanas consiguió mejorar la composición corporal de mujeres obesas con síndrome de Down. Futuros estudios longitudinales bien conducidos y controlados son necesarios para conocer el impacto de esta mejora en el manejo clínico de este grupo.

Recent studies have reported obesity prevalence in people with intellectual disability is even higher than in the general population what may finally lead to impair their health status and increase healthcare costs. Fortunately several studies have reported regular exercise may improve body composition in obese people with and without intellectual disability. To the best of our knowledge this is the first study conducted exclusively in female participants with intellectual disability, in an attempt to keep our sample homogeneous. To date, many studies focused on the influence of regular exercise in people with intellectual disability have recruited mixed (males and females) groups in order to increase their sample size to strengthen research designs. Therefore, we assessed the influence of a 10-week aerobic training program on fat mass percentage and indices of obesity in women with Down syndrome. To get this goal, twenty obese young women with Down syndrome volunteered for this study. Eleven were randomly assigned to perform a 10-week aerobic training program, 3 sessions/week, consisting of warming-up followed by a main part in a treadmill (30-40 min) at a work intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate and a cooling-down period. Control group included 9 age, sex and BMI matched women with Down syndrome. Fat mass percentage and fat distribution were measured. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. When compared to baseline, fat mass percentage, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio were significantly reduced after training. Conversely, no changes were reported in controls. It was concluded a 10-week training program reduced fat mass in obese adult women with Down syndrome.

Influence of 12-week exercise training on fat mass percentage in adolescents with Down syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Current findings suggest that more attention needs to be given to the increase in body mass achieved by disabled populations, especially by individuals with mental retardation, to minimize long-term negative health consequences. Accordingly, it would be of interest to design adequate strategies based on physical activities that may be easily performed to ensure adherence as a healthy lifestyle choice for these populations. MATERIAL/METHODS: To attain this goal, 22 male adolescents with Down's syndrome (mean age: 16.2 +/- 1.0 years) underwent a 12-week physical exercise intervention consisting of three sessions of one hour per week in both water and on land for 12 weeks. Fat mass percentage was calculated from anthropometric measurements according to the Durnin-Womersley equation. A paired t test was performed to evaluate possible differences in antropometrical characteristics between before and after the physical exercise intervention. RESULTS: According to the body mass index, it was observed that 31.8% of the studied individuals presented overweight and 27.3% of them were obese before starting our experiment. The mean value of the percentage of fat mass was reduced significantly, from 31.8 +/- 3.7% to 26 +/- 2.3%, at the end of the study (p = 0.021). CONCLUSIONS: We may conclude that the adolescents with Down's syndrome were able to reduce their fat mass percentage significantly when performing a 12-week training program, which could have important impact on the comorbidity associated with obesity and on the quality of life of this population.

La morfología femenina como método de valoración de la estética corporal em estudiantes universitarias de Andalucia (España) / Na aesthetic analysis by means of assessment of female morphology in university students from Andalusia (Spain)

El presente trabajo pretende conocer y analizar la morfoestética corporal real e ideal de la mujer joven universitaria de Andalucía (España). Para ello diseñamos un estudio en el que participarán 400 jóvenes, 50 porcada una de las universidades de las 8 provincias andaluzas, a las que se hará un examen antropométrico paradeterminar su índice de masa corporal así como el porcentaje de masa grasa. Asimismo cada participantecumplimentará un cuestionario diseñado por nuestro propio equipo con 20 ítems referentes a la morfoestética. El valor medio del IMC de las encuestadas fue de 21.45 ± 1.68 Kg/m2 con un porcentaje de masa grasa del 25.13 ± 2.46 % lo que en conjunto muestra una clara tendencia a la delgadez. Igualmente convendría destacarse que el 77% de las jóvenes universitarias afirmó encontrarse satisfecha con su imagen corporal y que tan solo el 11% considero que si adelgazara se sentiría más feliz. En cualquier caso es interesante que la práctica deejercicio físico sea el método preferido mayoritariamente para perder peso.De todo esto se deduce, además dela coherencia en las respuestas, que las jóvenes estudiantes universitarias andaluzas son conscientes de sufigura corporal y se sienten mayoritariamente a gusto con su cuerpo que encaja en un prototipo muy similar almarcado por la sociedad actual.

In the present study the actual and desired morpho-aesthetic aspects of young female university students from Andalusia (Spain) were assessed and analyzed. To reach this goal, 400 young female students from 8 Universities of Andalusia enrolled the study. Initially they all underwent a kineanthropometric assessment to determine their Body Mass Index as well as their fat mass percentage. They filled out an anonymous questionnaire that included 20 items referred to morpho-aesthetics aspects. The mean value of BMI was 21.45 ± 1.68 Kg/m2 and the fat mass percentage of the group was 25.13 ± 2.46 % of total body mass. In addition, 77% of participants accept their body image whereas only 11% of them expressed that they would be happier if they lose weight. In any case it should be mentioned that physical activity was considered the best strategy to loseweight. Finally, we concluded that young female university students from Andalucia accept their body imagebecause, among other reasons, it is very similar to the morphological type valued by our society.