Clustering of screen time behaviours in adolescents and its association with waist circumference and cardiorespiratory fitness.

OBJECTIVES: To identify the association of clusters of screen time (ST) behaviours with waist circumference (WC) and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) among adolescents. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study of 574 adolescents (53% girls, 13 years), conducted in 2017. METHODS: Waist circumference was measured, a shuttle run was performed to assess CRF, and a questionnaire was applied. Sex, age, socioeconomic status was reported, and daily duration of ST indicators for television viewing, computer use, videogame playing, and cellphone use, in weekdays and weekend days. Latent class analysis was performed to identify typologies of ST behaviours. Mixed-effects linear regressions were used to test the association of ST clusters with WC and CRF. RESULTS: Participants' WC was 66.9±8cm and CRF was 39.5±4mlO2/kg/min. Four clusters were identified: "Low ST" (25%); "High ST" (20%); "Gamers" (17%); and "High cellphone" (39%). No significant associations were found between ST clusters and WC. Maximum oxygen uptake was higher in those in the "Low ST" cluster compared to the other clusters. No significant interactions for sex were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Typologies of ST behaviours do not seem to be related to WC; however, those in the Low ST cluster had higher CRF compared to their peers in the other clusters, suggesting that total ST may be more important for CRF than specific indicators.

Effects of taurine on markers of muscle damage, inflammatory response and physical performance in triathletes.

BACKGROUND: The practice of prolonged exercise with high intensity, as seen in triathlon training, can cause physiological imbalances that might result in muscle fatigue, muscle damage and changes in systemic inflammatory response, thus reduce the athletes' physical performance, therefore, both adequate total caloric and macronutrient intake also the use of a specific ergogenic aid, as taurine supplementation would be an alternative to prevent inflammation and muscle damage. In order to verify the effects of 8 weeks of taurine and chocolate milk supplementation, markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and aerobic capacity were quantified in triathletes. METHODS: A double-blind, crossover, randomized study was conducted with 9 male long-distance triathletes, aged 25-35 years. Supplementation of 3 g of taurine (TAU) or placebo (PLA) associated with 400 mL low fat chocolate milk was performed during an 8-week period. In order to verify the effects of the supplementation protocol markers of muscle damage as lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK), and inflammatory markers tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were quantified, also triathletes' performance was evaluated by exhaust test on a treadmill. RESULTS: It was observed a significant increase in taurine and CK plasma levels after TAU supplementation (P=0.02 and P=0.01, respectively). However, LDH concentrations did not differ significantly after the supplementations performed, and there were no changes in physical performance parameters; anaerobic threshold, perceived exertion, heart rate, and the concentrations of IL-6 and TNF-α. CONCLUSIONS: Taurine supplementation did not provide benefits on performance and muscle damage in triathletes.

Taurine: A Potential Ergogenic Aid for Preventing Muscle Damage and Protein Catabolism and Decreasing Oxidative Stress Produced by Endurance Exercise.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of taurine and chocolate milk supplementation on oxidative stress and protein metabolism markers, and aerobic parameters in triathletes. Methods: A double-blind, crossover study was conducted with 10 male triathletes, aged 30.9 ± 1.3 year, height 1.79 ± 0.01 m and body weight 77.45 ± 2.4 kg. Three grams of taurine and 400 ml of chocolate milk (TAUchoc), or a placebo (chocolate milk) (CHOC) was ingested post exercise for 8 weeks. Oxidative stress marker levels, and 24 h urinary nitrogen, creatinine, and urea excretion were measured before and after 8 weeks of training and supplementation with TAUchoc or CHOC. A maximal incremental running test on a treadmill was performed in order to evaluate aerobic parameters: Vmax, heart rate (HR) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Results: TAUchoc treatment during the 8 weeks resulted in increased taurine plasma levels (PRE 201.32 ± 29.03 µmol/L and POST 234.36 ± 35.51 µmol/L, p = 0.01), decreased malondialdehyde levels (19.4%, p = 0.03) and urinary nitrogen excretion (-33%, p = 0.03), and promoted positive nitrogen balance (p = 0.01). There were no changes in reduced glutathione (TAUchoc PRE 0.72 ± 0.08 mmol/L and POST 0.83 ± 0.08 mmol/L; CHOC PRE 0.69 ± 0.08 mmol/L and POST 0.81 ± 0.06 mmol/L), vitamin E plasma levels (TAUchoc PRE 33.99 ± 2.52 µmol/L and 35.95 ± 2.80 µmol/L and CHOC PRE 31.48 ± 2.12 µmol/L and POST 33.77 ± 3.64 µmol/L), or aerobic parameters, which were obtained in the last phase of the maximal incremental running test (Vmax TAUchoc PRE 13 ± 1.4 km/h and POST 13.22 ± 1.34 km/h; CHOC PRE 13.11 ± 2.34 km/h and POST 13.11 ± 2.72 km/h), the heart rate values were TAUchoc PRE 181.89 ± 24.18 bpm and POST 168.89 ± 46.56 bpm; CHOC PRE 181.56 ± 2.14 bpm and POST 179.78 ± 3.4 bpm, and the RPE were TAUchoc PRE 8.33 ± 2.4 AU and POST 9.1 ± 2.1 AU; CHOC PRE 8.11 ± 4.94 AU and POST 8.78 ± 2.78 AU). Conclusion: Taurine supplementation did not improve aerobic parameters, but was effective in increasing taurine plasma levels and decreasing oxidative stress markers, which suggests that taurine may prevent oxidative stress in triathletes.

Efeito agudo da intensidade do exercício sobre as variáveis cardiorrespiratórias e metabólicas em jovens com excesso de peso / Acute effect of exercise intensity on the cardiorespiratory and metabolic variables in young with excess weight

O objetivo do trabalho foi comparar a resposta aguda das variáveis aeróbias durante o exercício intervalado de alta intensidade (EIAI) e o exercício contínuo moderado (ECONT) realizado por jovens com excesso de peso. Participaram do estudo 12 jovens (11,01 ± 1,82 anos; 69,09 ± 22,50kg; 154,43 ± 15,17; 28,27 ± 4,82kg/m2 ). Na primeira visita foi realizado um teste incremental máximo em cicloergômetro para determinação do consumo de oxigênio pico (VO2pico), potência pico e da frequência cardíaca pico (FCpico).Na segunda e terceira visitas foram realizados os protocolos de EIAI (10 repetições de 60s a 90% da potência pico para 60s de intervalo passivo) e ECONT (18 minutos contínuos a 50% da potência pico), ambos equalizados pelo trabalho total (kJ). Durante o EIAI e o ECONT, a FC e o consumo de oxigênio (VO2) foram continuamente mensurados. A concentração de lactato sanguíneo ([La]) foi determinada imediatamente após o término dos protocolos de exercício. Apesar da equalização do trabalho, os valores de FCpico (182 ± 3,34 vs 164 ± 3,34bpm), percentual do VO2pico (91 ± 2,00 vs. 76 ± 2,00 %), potência pico (105,0 ± 2,86 vs. 58,33 ± 2,86 W) e [La] (3,2 ± 0,12 vs. 1,8 ± 0,12 mmol.L-1 ) foram significantemente maiores no EIAI quando comparados ao ECONT. Concluímos que o EIAI resultou em maior estresse cardiovascular e metabólico comparado ao ECONT, refletido pelos valores de %VO2pico, FC e [La]. Por fim, destacamos a possibilidade do EIAI ser incorporado aos exercícios aeróbios de natureza contínua durante diferentes programas de atividade física praticada pelos jovens....(AU)

The aim of this study was to compare the acute response of aerobic variables during high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) and moderate continuous exercise (MCE) performed by obese adolescents. The study included 12 young (11.01 ± 1.82 years; 69.09 ± 22,50 kg; 154.43 ± 15.17cm; 28.27 ± 4.82 kg/m2 ). At the first visit was done a maximum incremental test on a cycle ergometer to determine the peak power and peak heart rate (HRpeak). At the second and third visits were conducted the EIAI (10 repetitions of 60s to 90% of peak power to 60s passive interval) and ECONT protocols (18 minutes continuously at 50% of peak power), both equalized by work (kJ). During HIIE and MCE, HR and oxygen consumption (VO2) were continuously measured. The blood lactate concentration ([La]) was determined immediately after the end of exercise protocols. Despite the equalization of work, HRpeak values (182 ± 3.34 vs 164 ± 3.34 bpm), percentage of VO2 peak (91 ± 2.00 vs. 2.00 ± 76%), power peak (105.0 ± 2.86 vs. 58.33 ± 2.86 W) and [La] (3.2 ± 1.8 vs. 0.12 ± 0.12 mmol.L-1 ) were significantly higher in HIIE compared to MCE. Concluded that HIIE results in an increase in cardiovascular and metabolic stress when VO2 peak, HR and [La]. Finally, we highlight the possibility to incorporate the HIIE in aerobic exercise continuous during different physical activity programs practiced by obese adolescents....(AU)

Brain mechanisms that underlie the effects of motivational audiovisual stimuli on psychophysiological responses during exercise.

Motivational audiovisual stimuli such as music and video have been widely used in the realm of exercise and sport as a means by which to increase situational motivation and enhance performance. The present study addressed the mechanisms that underlie the effects of motivational stimuli on psychophysiological responses and exercise performance. Twenty-two participants completed fatiguing isometric handgrip-squeezing tasks under two experimental conditions (motivational audiovisual condition and neutral audiovisual condition) and a control condition. Electrical activity in the brain and working muscles was analyzed by use of electroencephalography and electromyography, respectively. Participants were asked to squeeze the dynamometer maximally for 30s. A single-item motivation scale was administered after each squeeze. Results indicated that task performance and situational motivational were superior under the influence of motivational stimuli when compared to the other two conditions (~20% and ~25%, respectively). The motivational stimulus downregulated the predominance of low-frequency waves (theta) in the right frontal regions of the cortex (F8), and upregulated high-frequency waves (beta) in the central areas (C3 and C4). It is suggested that motivational sensory cues serve to readjust electrical activity in the brain; a mechanism by which the detrimental effects of fatigue on the efferent control of working muscles is ameliorated.