Cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol levels are not associated with total testosterone levels in men: a cross-sectional study from NHANES 2013-2014.

BACKGROUND: Testosterone (T) is an anabolic hormone crucial to the structure and function of skeletal muscle. Testosterone is partially synthesized from cholesterol, but little is known about the relationship of cholesterol intake and serum cholesterol with T levels. AIM: To investigate whether cholesterol intake and serum total cholesterol (TC) levels are associated with serum total testosterone (TT) levels in men. METHODS: A cross-sectional study enrolling 1996 men aged 20 to 80 years from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 was carried out. Diet assessment was performed using two 24-h food recalls, and TT levels were measured by liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. Regression analyses were performed to evaluate whether TT was associated with cholesterol intake and serum TC levels. RESULTS: Neither cholesterol intake nor serum TC levels were associated with TT levels in unadjusted and adjusted analyses (adjustment for energy, total fat and alcohol intake, smoking, age, physical activity, family income, marital status, race, educational level, diabetes, hypertension, and body mass index). CONCLUSION: Dietary cholesterol intake and TC levels are not associated with TT levels in men from the USA.

Neutrophil-lymphocyte Ratio and C-Reactive Protein Levels are not Associated with Strength, Muscle Mass, and Functional Capacity in Kidney Transplant Patients.

Chronic inflammation has been associated with components of sarcopenia; however, these associations are unknown in kidney transplant patients (KTPs). The aim of this study was to associate neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and C-reactive protein (CRP) with strength, muscle mass, and functional capacity in KTPs. A cross-sectional study evaluating 108 KTPs was performed. Strength was evaluated by handgrip strength and five-times-sit-to-stand test (5STS), and appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) was estimated by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The ASM index (ASMI) was calculated using the ASM (kg)/height (m2). Functional capacity was assessed by the 4-m gait speed test and short physical performance battery (SPPB). The electrochemiluminescence method was used for analyzing CRP levels, and the cytometric method XN-3000 Sysmex was used for obtaining leukogram values to calculate the NLR. Linear regression analysis was used to assess the association between systemic inflammation and sarcopenia components, adjusting for confounders. NLR and CRP levels were not associated with handgrip strength (ß = - 0.231, p = 0.389; ß = - 0.291, p = 0.577), 5STS (ß = - 0.114, p = 0.288; ß = - 0.202, p = 0.334), ASM (ß = - 0.027, p = 0.813; ß = 0.062, p = 0.788), ASMI (ß = - 0.036, p = 0.242; ß = 0.040, p = 0.505), 4-m gait speed (ß = 0.013, p = 0.082; ß = 0.004, p = 0.769), and SPPB (ß = 0.076, p = 0.170; ß = 0.152, p = 0.157), respectively. In conclusion, NLR and CRP levels were not associated with muscle mass, strength, and functional capacity in KTPs.

Single and Serial Carbohydrate Mouth Rinsing Do Not Improve Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Performance in Soccer Players.

Carbohydrate (CHO) mouth rinsing seems to improve performance in exercises lasting 30-60 min. However, its effects on intermittent exercise are unclear. It is also unknown whether serial CHO mouth rinses can promote additional ergogenic effects when compared with a single mouth rinse. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of single and serial CHO mouth rinses on Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1) performance in soccer players. In a randomized, crossover, double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 12 male (18.9 ± 0.5 years) soccer players performed eight serial mouth rinses under three different conditions: placebo solution only (noncaloric juice), seven placebo mouth rinses plus a single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin), or eight CHO mouth rinses (8-CHO). Following the final mouth rinse, individuals performed the Yo-Yo IR1 test to evaluate the maximal aerobic endurance performance measured via total distance covered. There were no differences in Yo-Yo IR1 performance between sessions (p = .32; single CHO mouth rinse (8% maltodextrin): 1,198 ± 289 m, eight CHO mouth rinses: 1,256 ± 253 m, placebo: 1,086 ± 284 m). In conclusion, single and serial CHO mouth rinsing did not improve performance during the Yo-Yo IR1 for soccer players. These data suggest that CHO mouth rinsing is not an effective ergogenic strategy for intermittent exercise performance irrespective of the number of rinses.

The Effect of Whole Egg Intake on Muscle Mass: Are the Yolk and Its Nutrients Important?

Whole egg may have potential benefits for enhancing muscle mass, independent of its protein content. The yolk comprises ∼40% of the total protein in an egg, as well as containing several nonprotein nutrients that could possess anabolic properties (e.g., microRNAs, vitamins, minerals, lipids, phosphatidic acid and other phospholipids). Therefore, the purpose of this narrative review is to discuss the current evidence as to the possible effects of egg yolk compounds on skeletal muscle accretion beyond those of egg whites alone. The intake of whole egg seems to promote greater myofibrillar protein synthesis than egg white intake in young men. However, limited evidence shows no difference in muscle hypertrophy when comparing the consumption of whole egg versus an isonitrogenous quantity of egg white in young men performing resistance training. Although egg yolk intake seems to promote additional acute increases on myofibrillar protein synthesis, it does not seem to further enhance muscle mass when compared to egg whites when consumed as part of a high-protein dietary patterns, at least in young men. This conclusion is based on very limited evidence and more studies are needed to evaluate the effects of egg yolk (or whole eggs) intake on muscle mass not only in young men, but also in other populations such as women, older adults, and individuals with muscle wasting diseases.

Influence of High- and Low-Frequency Resistance Training on Lean Body Mass and Muscle Strength Gains in Untrained Men.

ABSTRACT: Franco, CMC, Carneiro, MAS, de Sousa, JFR, Gomes, GK, and Orsatti, FL. Influence of high- and low-frequency resistance training on lean body mass and muscle strength gains in untrained men. J Strength Cond Res 35(8): 2089-2094, 2021-The aim of this study was to investigate whether high-frequency resistance training (HFRT) performs better in lean body mass (LBM) and muscle strength gains when compared with low-frequency resistance training (LFRT). Eighteen untrained males (height: 1.76 ± 0.05 m, body mass: 78.3 ± 13.5 kg, and age: 22.1 ± 2.2 years) were randomly allocated into HFRT (n = 9) and LFRT (n = 9). Muscle strength {1 repetition maximum (RM) (bench press [BP] and unilateral leg extension [LE])} and LBM (DXA) were assessed at before and after 8 weeks of training. Both groups performed 7 whole-body resistance exercises, standardized to 10 sets per week, 8-12 maximal repetitions, and 90-120 seconds of rest in a 5-day resistance training routine. The LFRT performed a split-body routine, training each specific muscle group once a week. The HFRT performed a total-body routine, training all muscle groups every session and progressed from a training frequency of once per week to a training frequency of 5 times per week. Lean body mass increased without differences between groups (HFRT = 1.0 kg vs. LFRT = 1.5 kg; p = 0.377). Similarly, 1RM increased without differences between groups (right LE, HFRT = 21.2 kg vs. LFRT = 19.7 kg, p = 0.782; BP, HFRT = 7.1 kg vs. LFRT = 4.5 kg, p = 0.293). These findings suggest that in young untrained men, progressing from a training frequency of once per week to a training frequency of 5 times per week with equated volume produces similar gains in LBM and muscle strength as a constant training frequency of once per week, over an 8-week training period.

Cherry intake as a dietary strategy in sport and diseases: a review of clinical applicability and mechanisms of action.

Cherries are fruits rich in phytochemical compounds, particularly anthocyanins. Thus, consumption of cherries has gained attention in both clinical and sport-related fields for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Mechanistically, anthocyanins from the intake of cherries may help to attenuate pain and decrease blood concentrations of biomarkers linked to skeletal muscle degradation, which in turn may provide ergogenic effects. In addition, the ability of anthocyanins to balance the redox state represents a conceivable target for rheumatic disorders (e.g. gout and arthritis). Moreover, cherry anthocyanins are emerging as a potential non-pharmacological remedy for cardiometabolic diseases (hypertension and dyslipidemia). Herein, we summarize the effects of cherry intake in sport and diseases, and discuss their purported mechanisms of action to provide insights into practical application.

High-Frequency Resistance Training Is Not More Effective Than Low-Frequency Resistance Training in Increasing Muscle Mass and Strength in Well-Trained Men.

Gomes, GK, Franco, CM, Nunes, PRP, and Orsatti, FL. High-frequency resistance training is not more effective than low-frequency resistance training in increasing muscle mass and strength in well-trained men. J Strength Cond Res 33(7S): S130-S139, 2019-We studied the effects of 2 different weekly frequency resistance training (RT) protocols over 8 weeks on muscle strength and muscle hypertrophy in well-trained men. Twenty-three subjects (age: 26.2 ± 4.2 years; RT experience: 6.9 ± 3.1 years) were randomly allocated into the 2 groups: low-frequency resistance training (LFRT, n = 12) or high-frequency resistance training (HFRT, n = 11). The LFRT performed a split-body routine, training each specific muscle group once a week. The HFRT performed a total-body routine, training all muscle groups every session. Both groups performed the same number of sets (10-15 sets) and exercises (1-2 exercise) per week, 8-12 repetitions maximum (70-80% of 1 repetition maximum [1RM]), 5 times per week. Muscle strength (bench press and squat 1RM) and lean tissue mass (dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry) were assessed before and at the end of the study. Results showed that both groups improved (p < 0.001) muscle strength {LFRT and HFRT: bench press = 5.6 kg (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.9-9.4) and 9.7 kg (95% CI: 4.6-14.9) and squat = 8.0 kg (95% CI: 2.7-13.2) and 12.0 kg (95% CI: 5.1-18.1), respectively} and lean tissue mass (p = 0.007) (LFRT and HFRT: total body lean mass = 0.5 kg [95% CI: 0.0-1.1] and 0.8 kg [95% CI: 0.0-1.6], respectively) with no difference between groups (bench press, p = 0.168; squat, p = 0.312, and total body lean mass, p = 0.619). Thus, HFRT and LFRT are similar overload strategies for promoting muscular adaptation in well-trained subjects when the sets and intensity are equated per week.