Does Anaerobic Speed Reserve Influence Post-Activation Performance Enhancement in Endurance Runners?

We investigated the influence of anaerobic speed reserve (ASR) on post-activation performance enhancement (PAPE). Twenty-two endurance runners and triathletes were evaluated for maximum sprinting speed (MSS) and countermovement jump (CMJ) before (non-fatigued) and after (fatigued) an incremental running test. They were allocated in LASR (low-ASR) and HASR (high-ASR) groups for comparisons between conditions. HASR showed greater CMJ and MSS (both p<0.005) performances, with enhanced CMJ in fatigued condition (p=0.008). Significant correlations were found between ASR, CMJ and MSS in both conditions (p≤0.01) for the entire sample, and between ∆CMJ and ∆MSS (p=0.001) in LASR. Our results show that ASR profile influences PAPE.

Interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein for optimal immunometabolic profiling of the lifestyle-related cardiorenal risk.

OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to identify optimal inflammatory biomarkers involved in cardiorenal risk in response to major lifestyle factors. METHODS: One hundred and twenty-nine adults aged 35-77 years participated voluntarily from 2017 to 2019 (Córdoba, Argentina) in a cross-sectional study to collect sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle data. Blood biomarkers (different cytokines, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 [MCP-1], and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]) were measured using standard methods and then evaluated by principal component analysis and structural equation modeling (SEM) according to Mediterranean diet adherence, physical activity level, and waist circumference, while cardiorenal risk involved blood diastolic pressure, HDL-cholesterol, triacylglycerols, creatinine, and glycosylated hemoglobin. RESULTS: A principal component included TNF-α (tumor necrosis factor-alpha), IL-8 (interleukin-8), IL-6 (interleukin-6), hs-CRP, and MCP-1, with absolute rotated factor loadings >0.10. SEM showed that IL-6 (ß=0.38, 95 % IC=0.08-0.68), hs-CRP (ß=0.33, 95 % IC=0.17-0.48), and TNF-α (ß=0.22, 95 % IC=0.11-0.32) were the mediators that better explained an inflammatory profile positively related to waist circumference (ß=0.77, 95 % IC=0.61-0.94). Moreover, this profile was associated with an increased cardiorenal risk (ß=0.78, 95 % IC=0.61-0.94), which was well-defined by the variable used. CONCLUSIONS: Immune mediators are key elements in profiling the cardiorenal risk associated with lifestyle factors, for which the combination of hs-CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α has emerged as a robust indicator. This work reaffirms the need for biomarker optimization for early diagnosis and risk assessment.

Differential expression patterns of purinergic ectoenzymes and the antioxidative role of IL-6 in hospitalized COVID-19 patient recovery.

Introduction: We have acquired significant knowledge regarding the pathogenesis of severe acute respiratory syndrome caused by coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). However, the underlying mechanisms responsible for disease recovery still need to be fully understood. Methods: To gain insights into critical immune markers involved in COVID-19 etiopathogenesis, we studied the evolution of the immune profile of peripheral blood samples from patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and compared them to subjects with severe acute respiratory illness but negative for SARS-CoV-2 detection (controls). In addition, linear and clustered correlations between different parameters were determined. Results: The data obtained revealed a significant reduction in the frequency of inflammatory monocytes (CD14+CD16+) at hospital discharge vs. admission. Remarkably, nitric oxide (NO) production by the monocyte compartment was significantly reduced at discharge. Furthermore, interleukin (IL)-6 plasma levels were negatively correlated with the frequency of NO+CD14+CD16+ monocytes at hospital admission. However, at the time of hospital release, circulating IL-6 directly correlated with the NO production rate by monocytes. In line with these observations, we found that concomitant with NO diminution, the level of nitrotyrosine (NT) on CD8 T-cells significantly diminished at the time of hospital release. Considering that purinergic signaling constitutes another regulatory system, we analyzed the kinetics of CD39 and CD73 ectoenzyme expression in CD8 T-cells. We found that the frequency of CD39+CD8+ T-cells significantly diminished while the percentage of CD73+ cells increased at hospital discharge. In vitro, IL-6 stimulation of PBMCs from COVID-19 patients diminished the NT levels on CD8 T-cells. A clear differential expression pattern of CD39 and CD73 was observed in the NT+ vs. NT-CD8+ T-cell populations. Discussion: The results suggest that early after infection, IL-6 controls the production of NO, which regulates the levels of NT on CD8 T-cells modifying their effector functions. Intriguingly, in this cytotoxic cell population, the expression of purinergic ectoenzymes is tightly associated with the presence of nitrated surface molecules. Overall, the data obtained contribute to a better understanding of pathogenic mechanisms associated with COVID-19 outcomes.

Long-term effects of different exercise training modes on cytokines and adipokines in individuals with overweight/obesity and cardiometabolic diseases: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression of randomized controlled trials.

The present study aimed to investigate the evidence on the effects of different long-term training interventions (aerobic [AeT], resistance [RT], and combined [COMB]) and spontaneous physical activity (PA) in modifying cytokines and adipokines in individuals with overweight or obesity with or without cardiometabolic diseases while considering potential confounders. Although exercise interventions have become a potentially effective tool for preventing and treating metabolic diseases, the evidence provided by previous systematic reviews is inconclusive since several potential confounders have yet to be addressed. Therefore, we conducted a systematic literature search in Medline, Cochrane, and Embase databases from January 2000 to July 2022 and performed a meta-analysis. Inclusion criteria retrieved 106 full texts comprising 8,642 individuals with a range BMI of 25.1-43.8 kg m-2 . We found that independently of the training mode, exercise had a beneficial effect on diminishing Adiponectin, C-reactive protein (CRP), IL-6, IL-18, IL-20, Leptin, sICAM, and TNF-α levels circulating levels. Furthermore, by subsequent analysis, we detected differential effects of AeT, RT, and COMB, with sex, age, body composition, and trial length acting as moderators. The comparison of training modes revealed a difference favoring COMB over AeT for regulating the increase in CRP with no differences in the remaining biomarkers. Meta-regression analysis revealed an effect of change in maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ) on CRP, IL-6, and TNF-α, while IL-10 was influenced by the change in body fat. The results suggest that all interventions, except PA, are effective in lessening this population's inflammatory status, provided that exercise results in an increase of VO2max .

Change of Direction Performance and its Physical Determinants Among Young Basketball Male Players.

The main aim of the present study was to examine the effects of the age group (U-15, U-17 and U-19) on change of direction (COD) performance and its specific physical determinants among young basketball male players. Thirty-one young male basketball players (13-18 years) volunteered to participate in this study. The sample was divided into 3 age groups (U-15, U-17, U-19). All the evaluations were carried out in the same order in 3 sessions as follows: 1) body composition, self-reported sexual maturation, COD performance, and intermittent endurance capacity; 2) reactive strength index (RSI), 15-m sprint, and repeated sprint ability (RSA) test; 3) vertical and horizontal jumps and lower-limb strength. The results showed significant differences between groups for age, sexual maturation, endurance capacity, horizontal and vertical jump performances, RSI, COD, RSA, and lower-limb strength (p < 0.05). Significant correlations were identified between COD performances and some physical determinants such as jumping ability and RSA performance (-0.43 < r < 0.85; p ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, there are age effects on COD performance and its specific physical determinants among young basketball male players. The associations between COD performance and its determinants should be considered by practitioners when programing athletic talent development for this population.

10 km performance prediction by metabolic and mechanical variables: influence of performance level and post-submaximal running jump potentiation.

We aimed to develop models to explain performance and pacing during a 10-km running trial.Well-trained runners (n = 27, VO2max = 62.3 ± 4.5 mL·kg-1·min-1) divided into High (HPG, T10km = 33.9 ± 1.2 min, n = 9) and Low (LPG, T10km = 37.9 ± 1.2 min, n = 18) performers completed, in different days, the half squat and loaded squat jump (LSJ) exercises (1st day), an incremental test and a submaximal running bout to induce jump potentiation (2nd day), and a 10-km time trial (3rd day). Pacing was significantly different between performance groups (p < 0.05). The inclusion of mechanical and metabolic variables increased the explained variance in performance (LPG, r2adj = 0.87, p < 0.001; HPG, r2adj = 0.99 p < 0.01). Analysis between potentiation and non-potentiation groups revealed significant differences for the speed in the last 400 m (p = 0.02), and in the final RPE (p = 0.03). Performance and pacing can be explained by combining metabolic and mechanical variables and should be controlled by performance level. The relationship between jump potentiation and speed during the last 400 m may suggest that post-activation performance enhancement could be involved in pacing regulation.

Predicting Recreational Runners' Marathon Performance Time During Their Training Preparation.

ABSTRACT: Esteve-Lanao, J, Del Rosso, S, Larumbe-Zabala, E, Cardona, C, Alcocer-Gamboa, A, and Boullosa, DA. Predicting marathon performance time throughout the training preparation in recreational runners. J Strength Cond Res 35(11): 3218-3224, 2021-The objective of this study was to predict marathon performance at different time points along the season using different speeds derived from ventilatory thresholds and running economy (RE). Sixteen recreational runners (8 women and 8 men) completed a 16-week marathon training macrocycle. Aerobic threshold (AeT), anaerobic threshold (AnT), and maximal oxygen uptake were assessed at the beginning of the season, whereas speeds eliciting training zones at AeT and AnT, and RE were evaluated at 5-time points during the season (M1-M5). Analyses of variance and hierarchical regression analyses were conducted. Training improved AeT and AnT speeds at M2 vs. M1 (p = 0.001) and remained significantly higher at M3, M4, and M5 (p = 0.001). There was a significant effect of time (p = 0.003) for RE, being higher at M4 and M5 compared with M1 and M3. Significant correlations were found between marathon performance and speeds at AeT and AnT at every time point (r = 0.81-0.94; p < 0.05). Speed at AnT represented the main influence (65.9 and 71.41%) in the final time prediction at M1 and M2, whereas speed at AeT took its place toward the end of the macrocycle (76.0, 80.4, and 85.0% for M3, M4, and M5, respectively). In conclusion, assessment of speeds at AeT and AnT permits for reasonable performance prediction during the training preparation, therefore avoiding maximal testing while monitoring 2 fundamental training speeds. Future research should verify if these findings are applicable to runners of different levels and other periodization models.

Improvements in Attention and Cardiac Autonomic Modulation After a 2-Weeks Sprint Interval Training Program: A Fidelity Approach.

This study aimed to: (1) investigate the influence of a 2-weeks sprint interval training (SIT) program on aerobic capacity, cardiac autonomic control, and components of attention in young healthy university students; and (2) to ascertain whether training fidelity would influence these adaptations. One hundred and nine participants were divided into an experimental (EG) and control (CG) groups. The EG performed a SIT program that consisted of 6 sessions of 4 × 30 s "all-out" efforts on a cycle ergometer, interspersed with active rests of 4 min. The criterion for fidelity was achieving >90% of estimated maximum heart rate (HR) during sprint bouts. After analyses, the EG was divided into HIGH (n = 26) and LOW (n = 46) fidelity groups. Components of attention were assessed using the Attention Network Test (ANT). Aerobic capacity (VO2max) was estimated while the sum of skinfolds was determined. Autonomic control of HR was assessed by means of HR variability (HRV) and HR complexity at rest and during ANT. Both HIGH and LOW significantly increased aerobic capacity, vagal modulation before and during ANT, and executive control, and decreased body fatness after SIT (p < 0.05). However, only participants from HIGH showed an increase in HR complexity and accuracy in ANT when compared to LOW (p < 0.05). Two weeks of SIT improved executive control, body fatness, aerobic fitness, and autonomic control in university students with better results reported in those individuals who exhibited high fidelity.

Post-activation potentiation (PAP) in endurance sports: A review.

While there is strong support of the usefulness of post-activation potentiation (PAP) phenomenon in power demanding sports, the role that PAP could play in endurance sports has received less attention. The aim of this review is to present evidence for a better understanding of PAP in endurance athletes; and to discuss the physiological basis and methodological aspects necessary for better practices and designing further studies. A search for relevant articles on PAP and endurance trained athletes was carried out using Medline and ISI Web of Knowledge databases. Twenty-two studies were included in the review. The current evidence suggests the possible influence of PAP for performance enhancement after appropriate conditioning activities during warm up. Evaluation of PAP responses during testing, training and competition may be also important for athletes monitoring. There are many unresolved questions about the optimum load parameters for benefiting from PAP in both training and competition; and the role that PAP may exert for optimal performance while interacting with central and peripheral factors associated with muscle fatigue. Further studies should elucidate the association between PAP responses and long-term adaptations in endurance athletes.

Heart rate recovery after aerobic and anaerobic tests: is there an influence of anaerobic speed reserve?

The present study assessed if differences in the metabolic profile, inferred from the anaerobic speed reserve (ASR), would influence the dynamics of heart rate recovery (HRR) after two modes of exercise. Thirty-nine physical education students (14 females and 25 males) volunteered for this study. Participants carried out three separate testing sessions to assess maximal sprinting speed (MSS, 1st session), repeated sprint ability (RSA, 2nd session) and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) using the Université of Montreal Track Test (UMTT, 3rd session). ASR was defined as the difference between MSS and MAS. Heart rate was continuously registered throughout the tests and during the 5-min post-test recovery. To evaluate the influence of ASR on post-exercise, HRR comparisons between ASR-based groups [high ASR vs. low ASR] and sex groups (males vs. females) were performed. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found between high ASR and low ASR groups of the same sex for indices of relative HRR after the RSA and UMTT. In addition, after the RSA test, males from the high ASR group had a significantly slower HRR kinetics compared with the males of the low ASR (P < 0.05) and the females of high ASR (P < 0.05); whereas females of the high ASR groups had a faster HRR kinetics compared with the females of low ASR group (P < 0.05). Our results showed that in males, post-exercise HRR could be related to the ASR, whereas in females, the influence of ASR is less clear.

Can Pacing Be Regulated by Post-Activation Potentiation? Insights from a Self-Paced 30 km Trial in Half-Marathon Runners.

PURPOSE: Given the co-existence of post-activation potentiation (PAP) and fatigue within muscle, it is not known whether PAP could influence performance and pacing during distance running by moderating fatigue. The aim of this study was to assess the influence of PAP on pacing, jumping and other physiological measures during a self-paced 30 km trial. METHODS: Eleven male endurance-trained runners (half-marathon runners) volunteered to participate in this study. Runners participated in a multi-stage 30 km trial. Before the trial started, determination of baseline blood lactate (bLa) and countermovement jump (CMJ) height was performed. The self-paced 30 km trial consisted of 6 × 5 km splits. At the end of each 5 km split (60 s break), data on time to complete the split, CMJ height, Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) and blood lactate were collected while heart rate was continuously monitored. RESULTS: There was a significant decrease in speed (e.g. positive pacing strategy after the 4th split, p<0.05) with a progressive increase in RPE throughout the trial. Compared with baseline, CMJ height was significantly (p<0.05) greater than baseline and was maintained until the end of the trial with an increase after the 5th split, concomitant with a significant reduction in speed and an increase in RPE. Significant correlations were found between ΔCMJ and ΔSPEED (r = 0.77 to 0.87, p<0.05) at different time points as well as between RPE and speed (r = -0.61 to -0.82, p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results indicates that fatigue and potentiation co-exist during long lasting endurance events, and that the observed increase in jump performance towards the end of the trial could be reflecting a greater potentiation potentially perhaps counteracting the effects of fatigue and preventing further reductions in speed.

Stress Markers During a Rally Car Competition.

The aim of the study was to assess the stress responses in drivers during an official rally car race and the influence of fitness and body composition on stress hormones. Fitness and body composition were assessed in 9 rally car drivers with an incremental exercise test for determination of maximum aerobic speed (MAS) and 6-site skinfold method, respectively. Before (pre) and after (post) the first stage of an official rally car race, data were collected for heart rate (HR), blood samples were collected for analysis of hormones (i.e., epinephrine [EPI], norepinephrine [NE], cortisol, and aldosterone) and metabolites (i.e., lactate [LA], glucose, and ammonia). There were significant (p ≤ 0.05) increases in all assessed variables except glucose at postrace. Heart rate increased 93% (p ≤ 0.05) at the end of the race stage, reaching 88.77 ± 4.96% of HRpeak. Also, EPI and NE significantly (p = 0.001) increased by 45 and 65%, respectively, and LA increased by 395% (p < 0.001). Significant correlations between percent body fat (%BF) and postrace EPI (r = 0.95; p < 0.001), and percentage change of EPI (r = 0.83; p = 0.012) were observed. The MAS was not associated to any metabolic or hormonal variable. These results suggest that psycho-physiological stress induced by the race elicited important changes in hormonal and metabolic variables and that %BF could be an important mediator of psycho-physiological stress in rally car drivers. Specific programs, including both strength and aerobic training, and nutritional plans should be implemented for appropriate conditioning of rally car drivers.

Heart Rate and Cardiovascular Responses to Commercial Flights: Relationships with Physical Fitness.

The aim of this study was to examine the influence of physical fitness on cardiac autonomic control in passengers prior to, during and following commercial flights. Twenty-two, physically active men (36.4 ± 6.4 years) undertook assessments of physical fitness followed by recordings of 24-h heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), and blood pressure (BP) on a Control (no flight) and Experimental (flight) day. Recordings were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance for repeated measures with relationships between variables examined via Pearson product-moment correlation coefficients. Compared to the Control day, 24-h HR was significantly greater (>7%) and HRV measures (5-39%) significantly lower on the Experimental day. During the 1-h flight, HR (24%), and BP (6%) were increased while measures of HRV (26-45%) were reduced. Absolute values of HRV during the Experimental day and relative changes in HRV measures (Control-Experimental) were significantly correlated with measures of aerobic fitness (r = 0.43 to 0.51; -0.53 to -0.52) and body composition (r = -0.63 to -0.43; 0.48-0.61). The current results demonstrated that short-term commercial flying significantly altered cardiovascular function including the reduction of parasympathetic modulations. Further, greater physical fitness and lower body fat composition were associated with greater cardiac autonomic control for passengers during flights. Enhanced physical fitness and leaner body composition may enable passengers to cope better with the cardiovascular stress and high allostatic load associated with air travel for enhanced passenger well-being.

Correlates of Heart Rate Measures with Incidental Physical Activity and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Overweight Female Workers.

Previous studies have suggested that physical activity (PA) levels and cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) impact on the autonomic control of heart rate (HR). However, previous studies evaluating PA levels did not discriminate between incidental PA and regular exercise. We hypothesized that incidental PA "per se" would influence cardiac autonomic indices as assessed via HR variability (HRV) and HR recovery (HRR) in non-exercisers. Thus, the objective of this study was to investigate the relationships between objective PA levels, CRF, and cardiac autonomic indices in adult, regular non-exercising female workers. After familiarization with procedures and evaluation of body composition, 21 women completed a submaximal cycling test and evaluation of HRR on four different days. Resting (2-min seated and standing) and ambulatory (4-h) HRV were also recorded. Levels of PA were assessed by accelerometry over five consecutive days (i.e., Wednesday to Sunday). Maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) was measured as an index of CRF. As reliability was low to moderate for most HR measures, relationships between these and PA and CRF were examined using the 4-day average measures. Significant correlations were identified between post-exercise HRR in the first min with various PA indices (daily moderate PA, daily vigorous PA, and the sum of vigorous and very vigorous daily PA). Additionally, VO2max was significantly correlated to HRV but not to HRR. The current results indicated that CRF was influential in enhancing HRV while incidental or non-exercise based PA was associated with greater autonomic reactivation in adult overweight women. Therefore, both CRF and non-exercise based PA contribute significant but diverse effects on cardiac health. The use of 4-day averages instead of single measures for evaluation of autonomic control of HR may provide a better indication of regular cardiac autonomic function that remains to be refined.