Yoga and mental health among Brazilian practitioners during COVID-19: An internet-based cross-sectional survey.

This study aimed to describe yoga practice and verify its association with depression, anxiety, and stress during the COVID-19 pandemic among Brazilian practitioners. A cross-sectional anonymous online survey was conducted in all regions of Brazil using a snowball sampling strategy among yoga practitioners. A total of 860 participants (87% female, aged: 19-82 years) completed the survey. Sociodemographic data, lifestyle factors, yoga practice during the pandemic, and the Depression Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21) scores were collected between July 9 and July 15, 2021. Overall, 9.5%, 9.3%, and 5.6% of participants exhibited some traits (mild to severe) of depression, anxiety, and stress, respectively. Hatha yoga (48%) was the most commonly practiced yoga style. In the adjusted analysis, a higher yoga experience (> 5 years) was associated with better anxiety (odds ratio; bootstrap 95% confidence interval: 2.42; 1.32, 4.49) and stress status (1.80; 1.06, 3.00) than beginners (< 1 year). Practitioners who reported higher time and days of yoga practice during the study period were more likely to show normal levels of depression (odds ratio: 2.56-6.49; p â€‹< â€‹0.05), anxiety (odds ratio: 3.68-8.84; p â€‹< â€‹0.05), and stress (odds ratio: 2.15-5.21; p â€‹< â€‹0.05). Moreover, the maintenance of practice frequency during the pandemic was associated with higher odds of normal levels of depression (2.27; 1.39-3.79), anxiety (1.97; 1.25-3.10), and stress (1.97; 1.32-2.96). In conclusion, our findings indicated that a higher level of yoga practice was associated with better mental health levels during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Effect of Different Recoveries During HIIT Sessions on Metabolic and Cardiorespiratory Responses and Sprint Performance in Healthy Men.

ABSTRACT: Germano, MD, Sindorf, MAG, Crisp, AH, Braz, TV, Brigatto, FA, Nunes, AG, Verlengia, R, Moreno, MA, Aoki, MS, and Lopes, CR. Effect of different recoveries during HIIT sessions on metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses and sprint performance in healthy men. J Strength Cond Res 36(1): 121-129, 2022-The purpose of this study was to investigate how the type (passive and active) and duration (short and long) recovery between maximum sprints affect blood lactate concentration, O2 consumed, the time spent at high percentages of V̇o2max, and performance. Subjects were randomly assigned to 4 experimental sessions of high-intensity interval training exercise. Each session was performed with a type and duration of the recovery (short passive recovery-2 minutes, long passive recovery [LPR-8 minutes], short active recovery-2 minutes, and long active recovery [LAR-8 minutes]). There were no significant differences in blood lactate concentration between any of the recoveries during the exercise period (p > 0.05). The LAR presented a significantly lower blood lactate value during the postexercise period compared with LPR (p < 0.01). The LPR showed a higher O2 volume consumed in detriment to the active protocols (p < 0.001). There were no significant differences in time spent at all percentages of V̇o2max between any of the recovery protocols (p > 0.05). The passive recoveries showed a significantly higher effort time compared with the active recoveries (p < 0.001). Different recovery does not affect blood lactate concentration during exercise. All the recoveries permitted reaching and time spent at high percentages of V̇o2max. Therefore, all the recoveries may be efficient to generate disturbances in the cardiorespiratory system.

No additional effects of ursolic acid supplementation associated with combined exercise program on metabolic syndrome of postmenopausal women: A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

BACKGROUND & AIMS: Ursolic acid (UA) supplementation may have therapeutic effects on metabolic syndrome (MetS). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of UA supplementation associated with a combined exercise program on MetS components in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Twenty-six women (61 ± 7 years) were randomized into two groups: UA (n = 13) and placebo (PLA, n = 13). Both groups followed a combined exercise program for 8 weeks (twice a week; ~60 min at moderate intensity) associated with either UA (450 mg/day) or placebo supplementation. Before and post-intervention, waist circumference (primary outcome), resting blood pressure, fasting blood analyses, body composition and physical function (secondary outcomes) were evaluated. RESULTS: Greater changes in the absolute (mean difference: 1.8 kgf, 95% CI 0.3, 3.2) and relative (0.03 kgf/kg, 95% CI 0.01, 0.05) handgrip strength was observed for the UA group compared with PLA. However, no significant effects between groups were observed for waist circumference and other secondary outcomes. Furthermore, remission of MetS (according to the NCEP ATP III criteria) occurred in 38.5% of the participants in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The UA supplementation did not promote additional MetS profile improvement after 8 weeks of free-living intervention. However, our data indicated that UA resulted in a higher response on handgrip strength than did placebo in postmenopausal women, but further long-term studies are needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Brazilian Registry of Clinical Trials (ensaiosclinicos.gov.br): number RBR-276rrt.

Effect of linear and undulating training periodization models on the repeated sprint ability and strength of soccer players

Purpose: The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of linear and undulating strength-power training scheme on the repeated sprint ability (RSA) and lower body strength of soccer players. Method: Twenty soccer players (under-20 category) were split into 2 groups: the linear load (LL, n=10) and the undulating load (UL, n=10). In the commencement and at the end of the 6-week pre-season period, the RSA test (6 x 35m) and the 1RM parallel squat test (1RMsquat) were conducted. The LL and UL performed the same type and number of sessions. The training stimulus in the strength training was different between LL (Weeks 1 and 2 = Muscular Endurance; Weeks 3 and 4 = Strength; Weeks 5 and 6 = Power) and UL (daily load variation in the same week). Results: A improvement in RSAmean and 1RMsquat was detected in LL and in UL. No significant difference was noted between LL vs UL for all variables. Conclusion: Both groups improved maximal muscle strength in parallel back squat and RSA. UL induced a greater gain in RSA.(AU)

Effect of High Intensity Interval and Continuous Swimming Training on Body Mass Adiposity Level and Serum Parameters in High-Fat Diet Fed Rats.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of interval and continuous training on the body mass gain and adiposity levels of rats fed a high-fat diet. Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, standard diet and high-fat diet, and received their respective diets for a period of four weeks without exercise stimuli. After this period, the animals were randomly divided into six groups (n = 8): control standard diet (CS), control high-fat diet (CH), continuous training standard diet (CTS), continuous training high-fat diet (CTH), interval training standard diet (ITS), and interval training high-fat diet (ITH). The interval and continuous training consisted of a swimming exercise performed over eight weeks. CH rats had greater body mass gain, sum of adipose tissues mass, and lower serum high density lipoprotein values than CS. The trained groups showed lower values of feed intake, caloric intake, body mass gain, and adiposity levels compared with the CH group. No significant differences were observed between the trained groups (CTS versus ITS and CTH versus ITH) on body mass gains and adiposity levels. In conclusion, both training methodologies were shown to be effective in controlling body mass gain and adiposity levels in high-fat diet fed rats.

Lack of Association Between ACE Indel Polymorphism and Cardiorespiratory Fitness in Physically Active and Sedentary Young Women.

BACKGROUND: Polymorphisms at the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE), such as the indel [rs1799752] variant in intron 16, have been shown to be associated with aerobic performance of athletes and non-athletes. However, the relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory fitness has not been always demonstrated. OBJECTIVES: The relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory fitness was investigated in a sample of young Caucasian Brazilian women. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This study investigated 117 healthy women (aged 18 to 30 years) who were grouped as physically active (n = 59) or sedentary (n = 58). All subjects performed an incremental exercise test (ramp protocol) on a cycle-ergometer with 20-25 W/min increments. Blood samples were obtained for DNA extraction and to analyze metabolic and hormonal profiles. ACE indel polymorphism was determined by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and fragment size analysis. RESULTS: The physically active group had higher values of peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak), carbon dioxide output (VCO2), ventilation (VE) and power output than the sedentary group (P < 0.05) at the peak of the exercise test. However, heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) did not differ between groups. There was no relationship between ACE indel polymorphism and cardiorespiratory variables during the test in both the physically active and sedentary groups, even when the dominant (DD vs. D1 + 2) and recessive (2 vs. DI + DD) models of inheritance were tested. CONCLUSIONS: These results do not support the concept that the genetic variation at the ACE locus contributes to the cardiorespiratory responses at the peak of exercise test in physically active or sedentary healthy women. This indicates that other factors might mediate these responses, including the physical training level of the women.

Muscle damage of resistance-trained men after two bouts of eccentric bench press exercise.

The present study tested the hypothesis that resistance-trained individuals would also show less muscle damage in the second than in the first eccentric exercise bout (i.e., repeated bout effect) as shown in untrained individuals. This study investigated changes in indirect markers of muscle damage after 2 bouts of free weight eccentric exercise performed by 8 resistance-trained men. The participants (24.4 ± 1.2 years) performed 4 sets of 8 eccentric actions (3 seconds for each repetition) at 70% of eccentric 1 repetition maximum (1RM) load in a bench press exercise with 2 minutes of rest between sets, and repeated the same exercise 2 weeks later. Bench press 1RM, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) assessed by a 6-point Likert scale, serum creatine kinase (CK) activity, and plasma prostaglandin E2 concentration (PGE2) were measured before and 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after the exercise, and the changes were compared between bouts. The changes in the variables were smaller (p ≤ 0.05) after the second than the first bout indicated by a smaller decline in 1RM strength (first bout: -10.2 ± 1.0% vs. second bout: -5.7 ± 1.5%), peak DOMS (3.8 ± 0.4 vs. 1.7 ± 0.5), peak CK (637.3 ± 133.3 vs. 305.4 ± 63.6 IU·L), and peak PGE2 (761.2 ± 171.0 vs. 307.2 ± 48.3 pg·mL). These results show a typical repeated bout effect. Thus, it is concluded that the repeated bout effect occurs in resistance-trained individuals.

Maximum number of repetitions performed by resistance-trained men: effect of maximum load intensity and exercise selection / Número máximo de repetições realizadas por homens treinados em força: efeitos da intensidade máxima de carga e escolha do exercício / El número máximo de repeticiones realizadas por hombres entrenados: efecto de la intensidad de carga máxima y la selección de los ejercicios

The purpose of this study was to compare the number of maximum repetitions (RMs) performed at 80% of one-repetition maximum (1RM) and 80% of one-repetition maximum eccentric (1RMecc) test for the preacher-curl (PC) and the bench-press (BP) exercises. Fifteen resistance-trained men participated in this counterbalanced-crossover study. There was no significant difference in the number of RMs performed at 80%-1RM (PC: 7.0±1.2 RMs and BP: 5.8±1.3 RMs) and 80%-1RMecc (PC: 6.0±1.1 RMs and BP: 5.4±1.1 RMs) for both exercises. No significant difference in the numbers of RMs was detected between the PC (80%-1RM: 7.0±1.2 RMs and 80%-1RMecc: 6.0±1.1 RMs) and BP exercises (80%-1RM: 5.8±1.3 RMs and 80%-1RMecc: 5.4±1.1 RMs) for both intensities. In conclusion, the number of RMs performed by resistance-trained men was not affected by the maximum load intensity based on muscle action and the exercise selection...

O objetivo deste estudo foi comparar o número de repetições máximas (RMs) realizadas com intensidade de 80% dos testes de uma repetição máxima (1RM) e 80% de uma repetição máxima excêntrica (1RMecc) para os exercícios supino-horizontal (SH) e rosca-scott (RS). Quinze homens com experiência em treinamento de força participaram desse estudo randomizado cruzado. Não houve diferença significativa no número de RMs realizadas a 80%-1RM (RS: 7,0±1,2 RMs e SH: 5,8±1,2 RMs) e 80%-1RMecc (RS: 6,0±1,1 RMs e SH: 5,4±1,1 RMs) para ambos os exercícios. Não foi detectada diferença significativa no número de RMs entre o exercício RS (80%-1RM: 7,0±1,2 RMs and 80%-1RMecc: 6,0±1,1 RMs) e SH (80%-1RM: 5,8 ±1,2 RMs and 80%-1RMecc: 5,4±1,1 RMs) para ambas intensidades. Em conclusão, o número de RMs realizados por homens treinados em força não foi afetado pela intensidade máxima da carga baseada na ação muscular e pela seleção de exercícios...

El objetivo de este estudio fue comparar el número de repeticiones máximas (RMS) realizado con una intensidad de 80% de una repetición máxima (1RM) y el 80% de una repetición máxima excéntrica (1RMecc) para el ejercicio supino horizontal (SH) y rosca scott (RS). Quince hombres con experiencia en el entrenamiento de fuerza participaron en este estudio cruzado aleatorio. No hubo diferencia significativa en el número de los RMs realizado a 80% 1RM (RS: 7,0±1,2 RMs e SH: 5,8±1,2 RMs) y 80%-1RMecc (RS: 6,0±1,1 RMs e SH: 5,4±1,1 RMs) para ambos ejercicios. No se detectó diferencia significativa en el número de los RMs entre el ejercicio RS (80%- 1RM: 7,0±1,2 RMs and 80%-1RMecc: 6,0±1,1 RMs) y SH (80%-1RM: 5,8 ±1,2 RMs and 80%-1RMecc: 5,4±1,1 RMs) para ambas intensidades. En conclusión, el número de RMs realizados por hombres entrenados en la fuerza no afectó la intensidad máxima de la carga basada en la acción muscular y la selección de los ejercicios...