Association between Yoga Participation and Arterial Stiffness: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BACKGROUND: Yoga may help adults of all fitness levels increase their physical activity and decrease their cardiovascular disease risk. AIM: To determine if arterial stiffness is lower (beneficial) in yoga versus non-yoga participants. METHOD: This cross-sectional study included 202 yoga (48.4 + 14.1 years, 81% female) and 181 (42.8 + 14.1 years, 44% female) non-yoga participants. The primary outcome was carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). The two groups were compared using analysis of covariance with adjustments for demographic (age and sex), hemodynamic (mean arterial pressure and heart rate), lifestyle (physical activity levels, sedentary behaviour, smoking status and perceived stress score) and cardiometabolic (waist-to-hip ratio, total cholesterol and fasting glucose) factors. RESULTS: Following adjustments, cfPWV was significantly lower in yoga compared to non-yoga participants with a mean difference: -0.28 m.s-1, (95% CI = -0.55 to 0.08). CONCLUSION: At a population level, yoga participation may assist with decreasing the risk of cardiovascular disease in adults.

Physical activity has a stronger correlation with arterial stiffness than strength, balance, or BMI in an older population.

Background: Arterial stiffness is associated with an array of debilitating health conditions. While exercise typically has beneficial effects on both arterial stiffness and overall health, more research is needed to understand the associations of different types of fitness indices with arterial stiffness. Aim: To investigate the relationship between balance, strength, cardiovascular fitness and physical activity with arterial stiffness (as measured by pulse wave velocity (PWV)) in older adults. Method: Eighty retirement-village residents (24 males, 56 females, age: 78.2 ± 6.4 years, weight: 69.4 ± 12.5 kg, height: 162.9 ± 8.5 cm) completed the Yale Physical Activity Survey, PWV measurement, 30-s sit-to-stand leg strength test, hand grip strength assessment, 4-stage balance test, and a 6-min walk fitness test. The number of exiting risk factors (smoking, previous heart incidents, previous stroke(s), having hypertension, or taking anti-hypertension medication) were tallied. Pearson's correlations were used to assess the relationship between PWV and health and fitness parameters. Results were interpreted using qualitative inference. Results: The number of risk factors (r = 0.57, p < 0.001), age (r = 0.51, p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (r = 0.50, p = 0.001) had strong, harmful associations with PWV. Total physical activity minutes/week (r = -0.31 p = 0.01), total energy expenditure Kcal/week (r = -0.30, p = 0.01), and the 6-min walk test (r = -0.29, p = 0.01) had a moderate, beneficial association with PWV, while sit-to-stand (r = -0.27, p = 0.02) and balance (r = -0.27, p = 0.01) had a weak, beneficial association with PWV. Hand grip strength (r = 0.02, p = 0.94) and body mass index (r = -0.04, p = 0.75) had no significant associations with PWV. Discussion: All measured fitness indices had beneficial associations with PWV. However, having more risk factors, increased age, and higher systolic blood pressure had significant (harmful) associations with PWV in our older population. Conclusion: Controlling cardiovascular risk factors, especially high systolic blood pressure, is likely to have the largest beneficial effect on PWV. Improving general physical activity, including walking capacity, may prove beneficial in improving PWV in an older population.

Physical Activity, Mental Health and Wellbeing during the First COVID-19 Containment in New Zealand: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Strategies implemented worldwide to contain COVID-19 outbreaks varied in severity across different countries, and established a new normal for work and school life (i.e., from home) for many people, reducing opportunities for physical activity. Positive relationships of physical activity with both mental and physical health are well recognised, and therefore the aim was to ascertain how New Zealand's lockdown restrictions impacted physical activity, mental health and wellbeing. Participants (n = 4007; mean ± SD: age 46.5 ± 14.7 years, 72% female, 80.7% New Zealand European) completed (10-26 April 2020) an online amalgamated survey (Qualtrics): International Physical Activity Questionnaire: Short Form; Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-9; World Health Organisation-Five Well-Being Index; Stages of Change Scale. Positive dose-response relationships between physical activity levels and wellbeing scores were demonstrated for estimates that were unadjusted (moderate activity OR 3.79, CI 2.88-4.92; high activity OR 8.04, CI 6.07-10.7) and adjusted (confounding variables: age, gender, socioeconomic status, time sitting and co-morbidities) (moderate activity 1.57, CI 1.11-2.52; high activity 2.85, CI 1.97-4.14). The study results support previous research demonstrating beneficial effects of regular physical activity on mental health and wellbeing. Governments may use these results to promote meeting physical activity guidelines in order to protect mental health and wellbeing during the ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and future pandemics.

The Effect of Sleep Quality and Quantity on Athlete's Health and Perceived Training Quality.

University athletes are unique because they not only have to cope with the normal psycho-physiological stress of training and playing sport, but they also need to accommodate the stress associated with their academic studies along with considerable stress from their social environment. The ability to manage and adapt to stress ultimately helps improve athletic performance, but when stress becomes too much for the athlete, it can result in maladaptation's including sleep disruption which is associated with performance loss, negative mood changes, and even injury or illness. This research aimed to determine if sleep quantity and quality were associated with maladaptation in university athletes. We examined subjective measures of sleep duration and sleep quality along with measures of mood state, energy levels, academic stress, training quality and quantity, and frequency of illness and injury in 82 young (18-23 years) elite athletes over a 1 year period in 2020. Results indicate sleep duration and quality decreased in the first few weeks of the academic year which coincided with increased training, academic and social stress. Regression analysis indicated increased levels of perceived mood (1.3, 1.1-1.5, Odds Ratio and 95% confidence limits), sleep quality (2.9, 2.5-3.3), energy levels (1.2, 1.0-1.4), training quality (1.3, 1.1-1.5), and improved academic stress (1.1, 1.0-1.3) were associated with ≥8 h sleep. Athletes that slept ≥8 h or had higher sleep quality levels were less likely to suffer injury/illness (0.8, 0.7-0.9, and 0.6, 0.5-0.7 for sleep duration and quality, respectively). In conclusion, university athletes who maintain good sleep habits (sleep duration ≥8 h/night and high sleep quality scores) are less likely to suffer problems associated with elevated stress levels. Educating athletes, coaches, and trainers of the signs and symptoms of excessive stress (including sleep deprivation) may help reduce maladaptation and improve athlete's outcomes.

Association between Hamstring Flexibility and Sprint Speed after 8 Weeks of Yoga in Male Rugby Players.

BACKGROUND: A Yoga-asana-based intervention has demonstrated its ability to improve flexibility of individuals, but has not been explored in rugby players. We hypothesized that a structured yoga intervention may have an effect on flexibility and sprint performance in male rugby union players. METHODS: It was a controlled trial research design and players were assigned using random sampling to one of the two groups; a yoga group (n = 16) that practised yoga for 1 h 2 times a week for 8 weeks in addition to their normal rugby training and a control group (n = 15) with regular rugby training but no yoga intervention. Yoga intervention included 32 yoga postures to address both the upper and lower extremities of the body. Data were collected during preseason and mid-season on hamstring flexibility (sit and reach test), and sprint performance (measured at 5, 10, and 30 m). RESULTS: One hundred and twenty participants were screened and thirty-one players volunteered for the study. Interactions between groups and differences between pre- and post-intervention scores were analyzed using analysis of variance using SPSS (version 24.0). Significance was set at an alpha level of P = 0.05. The yoga group showed a small nonsignificant decrease (-1.2% ± 21.4%, P = 0.05) in hamstring flexibility compared to the control group which demonstrated a large significant decrease (-14.8% ± 23.7%) (mean % change ± 95% confidence interval [CI], P < 0.05). The yoga group also showed minor nonsignificant improvements in sprint times -3.2% ± 10.4%, -0.7% ± 9.0% for the 5 and 10 m sprints, respectively, (mean % change ± 95% CI) compared to controls -0.4% ± 10.2%, 0.4% ± 7.9%. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that completing a structured yoga intervention alongside normal rugby training during the rugby season, yoga helped rugby players maintain their hamstring flexibility but did little to improve sprint performance during the season.

Inter-operator Reliability for Measuring Pulse Wave Velocity and Augmentation Index.

Background: Arterial stiffness is a reversible precursor to hypertension. However, research is needed to determine the minimum amount of training required before acceptable arterial stiffness measurements are collected by novice operators. Objective: To compare novice vs. experienced operator measurements over a 2-week training period to assess when expert-like measures are achieved by the novice operator. Method: Forty-one participants (18 males, 23 females, age: 46.6 ± 14.9 years; BMI: 25.2 ± 3.8; systolic blood pressure: 122.8 ± 14.7 mmHg) received alternating novice and experienced operator arterial stiffness assessments. Measurements included: pulse wave velocity (PWV; using the automatic-capture time-periods of 5-, 10-, and 20-s) and augmentation index (AIx75) measurements using the SphygmoCor XCEL System v1 (AtCor Medical Pty Ltd., Sydney, Australia). Data were chronologically arranged into quintiles. Results: The intraclass correlation coefficient for PWV substantially improved from quintile 1 (r < 0.8) to quintile 2 and beyond (typically r > 0.8) while AIx75 improved consistently (r = 0.7 in quintile 1 and r = 0.97 in quintile 5). The coefficient of variation was lowest in quintile 4 (PWV: 4.7-6% across the three measurement time-periods; and 15% for AIx75) but increased in quintile 5 (PWV: 6.2-10.5%; and 25% for AIx75). All measurements demonstrated acceptable to excellent reliability after quintile 2. Conclusion: To achieve expert-like PWV measurements in this study, the novice operator underwent a familiarization session including guided practice measurements on 5 different people, for 10-15 min per person on two occasions (~2.5 h). The novice operator then required ≥14 practice measurements, with accuracy continuing to improve up to 30 participants. At least 30 training measurements are recommended for novices to take acceptable AIx75 measurements after a familiarization training.

Monitoring Training Loads and Perceived Stress in Young Elite University Athletes.

With increased professionalism in sport there has been a greater interest in the scientific approach to training and recovery of athletes. Applying appropriate training loads along with adequate recovery, is essential in gaining maximal adaptation in athletes, while minimizing harm such as overreaching, overtraining, injury and illness. Although appropriate physical stress is essential, stress for many athletes may come from areas other than training. Stress from may arise from social or environmental pressure, and for many athletes who combine elite athletic training with university study, academic workloads create significant stress which adds to the constant pressure to perform athletically. This research aimed to determine if subjective stressors were associated with counterproductive training adaptations in university athletes. Moreover, it aimed to elucidate if, and when, such stressors are most harmful (i.e., certain times of the academic year or sports training season). We monitored subjective (mood state, energy levels, academic stress, sleep quality/quantity, muscle soreness, training load) and objective (injury and illness) markers in 182 young (18-22 years) elite athletes over a 4-year period using a commercially available software package. Athletes combined full-time university study with elite sport and training obligations. Results suggest athletes were relatively un-stressed with high levels of energy at the beginning of each university semester, however, energy levels deteriorated along with sleep parameters toward the examination periods of the year. A logistical regression indicated decreased levels of perceived mood (0.89, 0.85-0.94, Odds Ratio and 95% confidence limits), sleep duration (0.94, 0.91-0.97) and increased academic stress (0.91, 0.88-0.94) and energy levels (1.07, 1.01-1.14) were able to predict injury in these athletes. Examination periods coincided with the highest stress levels and increased likelihood of illness. Additionally, a sudden and high increase in training workload during the preseason was associated with an elevated incidence of injury and illness (r = 0.63). In conclusion, young elite athletes undertaking full-time university study alongside their training and competition loads were vulnerable to increased levels of stress at certain periods of the year (pre-season and examination time). Monitoring and understanding these stressors may assist coaches and support staff in managing overall stress in these athletes.

Validity and Reliability of the Hexoskin Wearable Biometric Vest During Maximal Aerobic Power Testing in Elite Cyclists.

Elliot, CA, Hamlin, MJ, and Lizamore, CA. Validity and reliability of the Hexoskin wearable biometric vest during maximal aerobic power testing in elite cyclists. J Strength Cond Res 33(5): 1437-1444, 2019-The purpose of this study was to investigate the validity and reliability of the Hexoskin vest for measuring respiration and heart rate (HR) in elite cyclists during a progressive test to exhaustion. Ten male elite cyclists (age 18-52 yrs, height 179.3 ± 6.0 cm, body mass 73.2 ± 9.1 kg, V[Combining Dot Above]O2max 60.7 ± 7.8 ml·kg·min, mean ± SD) conducted a maximal aerobic cycle ergometer test using a ramped protocol (starting at 100 W with 25 W increments each min to failure) during 2 separate occasions over a 3-4-day period. Compared with the criterion measure (MetaMax 3B) the Hexoskin vest showed mainly small typical errors (1.3-6.2%) for HR and breathing frequency (f), but larger typical errors (9.5-19.6%) for minute ventilation (V[Combining Dot Above]E) during the progressive test to exhaustion. The typical error indicating the reliability of the Hexoskin vest at moderate-intensity exercise between tests was small for HR (2.6-2.9%) and f (2.5-3.2%) but slightly larger for V[Combining Dot Above]E (5.3-7.9%). We conclude that the Hexoskin vest is sufficiently valid and reliable for measurements of HR and f in elite athletes during high-intensity cycling but the calculated V[Combining Dot Above]E value by the Hexoskin vest produced during such exercise should be used with caution because of the lower validity and reliability of this variable.

Perceived treadmill function is correlated with enjoyment of use in trained runners: A user-centred approach.

Physical inactivity, a primary cause of most chronic diseases, has been associated with low levels of physical activity enjoyment. Physical activity enjoyment can be impacted by an individual's experience with exercise equipment. The purpose of this study was to adopt a user-centred approach to determine the relationship between physical activity enjoyment and functionality and usability of four treadmills. A running protocol was completed by 57 trained runners (41 male) on four treadmills. Runners reported enjoyment levels as well as their perceptions about treadmill running surface, controls, safety and stability, physical interaction, learnability of data console and aesthetic appeal. Repeated measures ANOVAs showed significant differences between the treadmills for each variable. Multiple regression analysis reported aesthetic appeal significantly predicted enjoyment of use. Results suggest that adopting a user-centred approach to compare exercise equipment usability and features can correlate with enjoyment and further impact on physical activity adherence.

Hypoxic Repeat Sprint Training Improves Rugby Player's Repeated Sprint but Not Endurance Performance.

This study aims to investigate the performance changes in 19 well-trained male rugby players after repeat-sprint training (six sessions of four sets of 5 × 5 s sprints with 25 s and 5 min of active recovery between reps and sets, respectively) in either normobaric hypoxia (HYP; n = 9; FIO2 = 14.5%) or normobaric normoxia (NORM; n = 10; FIO2 = 20.9%). Three weeks after the intervention, 2 additional repeat-sprint training sessions in hypoxia (FIO2 = 14.5%) was investigated in both groups to gauge the efficacy of using "top-up" sessions for previously hypoxic-trained subjects and whether a small hypoxic dose would be beneficial for the previously normoxic-trained group. Repeated sprint (8 × 20 m) and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 (YYIR1) performances were tested twice at baseline (Pre 1 and Pre 2) and weekly after (Post 1-3) the initial intervention (intervention 1) and again weekly after the second "top-up" intervention (Post 4-5). After each training set, heart rate, oxygen saturation, and rate of perceived exertion were recorded. Compared to baseline (mean of Pre 1 and Pre 2), both the hypoxic and normoxic groups similarly lowered fatigue over the 8 sprints 1 week after the intervention (Post 1: -1.8 ± 1.6%, -1.5 ± 1.4%, mean change ± 90% CI in HYP and NORM groups, respectively). However, from Post 2 onwards, only the hypoxic group maintained the performance improvement compared to baseline (Post 2: -2.1 ± 1.8%, Post 3: -2.3 ± 1.7%, Post 4: -1.9 ± 1.8%, and Post 5: -1.2 ± 1.7%). Compared to the normoxic group, the hypoxic group was likely to have substantially less fatigue at Post 3-5 (-2.0 ± 2.4%, -2.2 ± 2.4%, -1.6 ± 2.4% Post 3, Post 4, Post 5, respectively). YYIR1 performances improved throughout the recovery period in both groups (13-37% compared to baseline) with unclear differences found between groups. The addition of two sessions of "top-up" training after intervention 1, had little effect on either group. Repeat-sprint training in hypoxia for six sessions increases repeat sprint ability but not YYIR1 performance in well-trained rugby players.

Undergraduate physical activity and depressive symptoms: a national study.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of college students' physical activity and gender on depressive and suicidal symptoms. METHOD: The National College Health Assessment survey was administered to college students nationwide. Data were analyzed with 4x2 ANOVAs and Games-Howell post hoc tests when appropriate. RESULTS: More frequent physical activity related to less frequent depressive symptoms and consideration of suicide, but not with attempted suicide. Males reported depressive symptoms less frequently than did females. CONCLUSION: Depression research has implications for an increasingly sedentary college population. Institutions should provide increased access and knowledge pertaining to emotional health and psychological benefits through physical activity.