Effects of qigong Training on Muscle Strengths, Flexibility, Cardiopulmonary Fitness, and Antioxidant/Oxidant Responses in Sedentary Middle-Aged and Elderly Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Women: A Quasi-Experimental Design, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Qigong exercise training has been suggested to elicit beneficial effects on physical functioning, reduction of oxidative stress, and improved antioxidant capacity in women. However, regular exercise training may support the development of antioxidant defense mechanisms and beneficially modulate oxidant/antioxidant responses. Objective: To evaluate the effects of an 8-week qigong exercise training on exercise performance and oxidative stress responses in sedentary middle-aged and elderly women suffering from type 2 diabetic mellitus (T2DM). Method/design: Quasi-experimental design, placebo-controlled study. Setting: The Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Thailand. Participants: Thirty-six sedentary middle-aged and elderly women with T2DM. Intervention: Participants were allocated to qigong exercise (n = 20) or to the control group (CG, n = 20). Primary outcome measures: Muscle strengths, flexibility, VO2 max predicted, and walking intensity derived from the 6-minute walk test. Secondary outcome measures: Fasting plasma glucose, antioxidant/oxidant stress parameters, and body composition. Results: Leg strength and trunk flexibility were improved after qigong training and changes were significantly different compared with the CG (all p < 0.05). VO2 max predicted, 6-min walking distance, and walking intensity were all increased (p < 0.05), and oxidative stress markers were diminished after qigong training (p < 0.05). The antioxidant/oxidant balance was improved after qigong training (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The presented findings indicate that 8 weeks of qigong training significantly improved leg strength and trunk flexibility in middle-aged and elderly women with T2DM, partly associated with a more favorable antioxidant/oxidant balance. These effects may beneficially impact on health in this specific population. Clinical Trial Number: TCTR20221003001.

Effects of Qigong Exercise on Physical and Cognitive Performance in Young Sedentary Females: A Quasi-Experimental Design, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Qigong exercise represents one type of traditional Chinese exercise that might positively affect physical and psychological functioning, slow down disease development and improve quality of life. However, study findings are somewhat conflicting and mechanisms contributing to expected beneficial effects are rather poorly known. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effects of qigong exercise training for 8 weeks on selected physical, cognitive, and biochemical outcomes in young sedentary females. Method/Design: Quasi-experimental design, placebo-controlled study. Setting: The study was performed at the Department of Physical Therapy, Faculty of Allied Health Science, Burapha University, Bangsean, Chonburi province, Thailand. Participants: Participants were 41 females with sedentary lifestyles. Interventions: 41 sedentary females were allocated to qigong exercise (QG, n = 20) or to the control group (CG, n = 21). Primary Outcome Measures: VO2 max predicted from step testing, aspects of cognitive functions (e.g., digit span forward, DSF, and digit span backward, DSB, task), hematological and biochemical parameters, and body composition were assessed in both groups before and after the 8-week training period. Results: Physical performance (estimated VO2 max) significantly increased after qigong training compared to the CG (P < .001). Working memory (DSB) increased after intervention only within the QG (P = .009) but changes did not reach significance between the groups. Changes in neutrophils (potential mediators of inflammation) tended to be improved in the QG in comparison to the CG (P = .075). Body composition remained unchanged. Conclusion: These findings indicate that 8 weeks of qigong training increased aerobic capacity and tended to improve working memory in otherwise sedentary young females. Neutrophils tended to decrease within the QG. Thus, it was speculated that enhanced oxygen supply to the brain and the decrease of neutrophils adhering to cortical capillaries might have contributed to improved cognitive function.

Gait Improvement in Chronic Stroke Survivors by Using an Innovative Gait Training Machine: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Chronic stroke leads to the impairment of lower limb function and gait performance. After in-hospital rehabilitation, most individuals lack continuous gait training because of the limited number of physical therapists. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a newly invented gait training machine (I-Walk) on lower limb function and gait performance in chronic stroke individuals. Thirty community-dwelling chronic stroke individuals were allocated to the I-Walk machine group (n = 15) or the overground gait training (control) group (n = 15). Both groups received 30 min of upper limb and hand movement and sit-to-stand training. After that, the I-Walk group received 30 min of I-Walk training, while the control followed a 30-minute overground training program. All the individuals were trained 3 days/week for 8 weeks. The primary outcome of the motor recovery of lower limb impairment was measured using the Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA). The secondary outcomes for gait performance were the 6-minute walk test (6 MWT), the 10-meter walk test (10 MWT), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG). The two-way mixed-model ANOVA with the Bonferroni test was used to compare means within and between groups. The post-intervention motor and sensory subscales of the FMA significantly increased compared to the baseline in both groups. Moreover, the 6 MWT and 10 MWT values also improved in both groups. In addition, the mean difference of TUG in the I-Walk was higher than the control. The efficiency of I-Walk training was comparable to overground training and might be applied for chronic stroke gait training in the community.

Effects of Qigong exercise on muscle strengths and oxidative stress/antioxidant responses in young sedentary females: a quasi-experimental study.

Regular exercise is associated with the production of small amounts of oxidative stress which might promote individual antioxidant capacity contributing to favorable training effects potentially interrelated with skeletal muscle strength. Therefore, the present study was aimed at evaluating effects of an 8-week Qigong exercise training on muscle strengths associated with responses of oxidative stress and antioxidants in young sedentary females. A total of 41 sedentary women were allocated to the Qigong exercise group (QG, N=20) or to the control group (CG, N=21). After 8 weeks of Qigong training, back and leg strength was significantly improved compared to baseline and the CG (P<0.05). Plasma oxidative stress levels were reduced and total antioxidant capacity was enhanced in the QG compared to the CG (P<0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that improvements in muscle strength (including both groups) were associated with changes in the levels of oxidative stress (reduction) and antioxidants (elevation). The presented findings indicate that strength training effects seem at least partly to be interrelated with alterations of the oxidant-antioxidant balance generated by the 8-week Qigong training in young sedentary females.

Physiological Factors Associated With Declining Repeated Sprint Performance in Hypoxia.

Gatterer, H, Menz, V, Untersteiner, C, Klarod, K, and Burtscher, M. Physiological factors associated with declining repeated sprint performance in hypoxia. J Strength Cond Res 33(1): 211-216, 2019-Performance loss in hypoxia might not only be caused by reduced oxygen availability, but might also be influenced by other factors, as for example, oxidative stress, perceived exertion, or breathing patterns. This study aimed to investigate the influence of these factors on running performance during hypoxic and normoxic shuttle-run sprinting. Eight male amateur soccer players performed shuttle-run sprints in hypoxia (FiO2 ∼14.8%) and normoxia (random order). Each session comprized 3 sets of 5 × 10 seconds back and forth sprints (4.5 m), with recovery times between repetitions and sets of 20 seconds and 5 minutes, respectively. Sprinting distance, acceleration patterns, heart rate (HR) and breathing frequency were measured during each session (Zephyr-PSM Training System). Redox state and lactate concentration ([La]) were determined before and after each session, whereas rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was assessed after the sprint sessions. Overall distance covered was similar during hypoxia and normoxia sprinting (Δ -8.3 ± 14.3 m, 95% CI -20.2 to 3.6, p > 0.05). During the third set, distance tended to be reduced in hypoxia compared with normoxia (169 ± 6 m, 95% CI 164-174 vs. 175 ± 4 m, 95% CI 171-178, p = 0.070). Differences in breathing frequency during sprinting in hypoxia and normoxia were associated with individual reductions in sprinting distance (r = -0.792, p = 0.019). Despite a somewhat lower running distance during the third set and similar [La], RPE, HR, and redox responses, the preserved overall running distance indicates that the training stimulus might be enhanced in hypoxia compared with normoxia. Alteration of the respiratory patterns during repeated sprinting in hypoxia might be one factor, besides others, responsible for a potential performance loss. It could be hypothesized that respiratory pattern adaptations are involved in potential performance improvements after hypoxia repeated sprint training.

Different training responses to eccentric endurance exercise at low and moderate altitudes in pre-diabetic men: a pilot study.

This pilot study aimed (a) to evaluate the effects of eccentric exercise training at low and moderate altitudes on physical fitness in pre-diabetic men and (b) to establish whether or not oxidative stress levels and antioxidant status were associated with performance improvements. In this crossover trial, five pre-diabetic men conducted nine downhill walking sessions (3 days/week, 3 consecutive weeks) at low altitude (from 1360 to 850 m) and one year later at moderate altitude (from 2447 to 2000 m). Exercise testing and the determination of parameters of oxidative stress and antioxidant capacity were performed pre- and post-training. The biological antioxidant activity of plasma (BAP) increased after eccentric training at moderate altitude (p < 0.001), whereas diacron reactive oxygen metabolites (dROMs) remained unchanged. Also, the BAP/dROMs ratio increased only after training at moderate-altitude training (p = 0.009). Maximum power output improved after training at low altitude and the changes were significantly related to baseline BAP/dROMs ratio (r = 0.90). No decrease was seen for fasting plasma glucose. Eccentric exercise training in pre-diabetic men improved performance only when performed at low altitude and this improvement was positively related to the baseline BAP/dROMs ratio. In contrast, 3 weeks of eccentric exercise training increased BAP levels and the BAP/dROMs ratio only at moderate altitude without improving the performance. Thus, one might speculate that the BAP/dROMs ratio has to increase before performance improvements occur at moderate altitude.

Effect of Qigong exercise on cognitive function, blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy middle-aged subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate effects of Qigong exercise on cognitive function, blood pressure and cardiorespiratory fitness in healthy middle-aged subjects. METHODS: Study part 1 examined the effects of Qigong exercise in 12 subjects (5 males, 7 females, aged 52.2±7.1years) who performed Qigong for 8 weeks (60min sessions, 3 times/week). Study part 2 evaluated the detraining effects 12 weeks after cessation of Qigong. Cognitive function (Digit Span Forward and Backward Test, Trail Making Tests part A and B), blood pressure, and exercise performance were determined at baseline, immediately after the training programme, and after the detraining period. RESULTS: Qigong exercise showed a significant improvement of Trail Making Tests part A (p=0.04), systolic blood pressure (p=0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p=0.005), mean arterial pressure (p<0.001), and maximal workload (p=0.032). Twelve weeks after cessation, Trail Making Tests part A, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and maximal workload had returned to baseline (p=0.050, 0.007, 0.001, 0.001, and 0.017, compared to after the training, respectively). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that Qigong exercise effectively improved attention, brain processing speed, blood pressure and maximal workload. However, these improvements disappeared 12 weeks after cessation of Qigong. Consequently, performing Qigong regularly is important to maintain related health effects.

Effects of short-term antioxidant supplementation on oxidative stress and exercise performance in the heat and the cold.

The effects of short-term as well as long-term antioxidant supplementation on exercise performance in the heat or the cold are unknown. Based on our recent studies we hypothesized that short-term supplementation with alpha-ketoglutaric acid (α-KG) and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) would decrease oxidative stress but without significant impairment of maximal exercise performance in the heat or the cold. During a 5-week period young and welltrained participants performed 5 incremental treadmill tests to exhaustion under different temperature conditions (normal: 20°C, cold: +7°C, heat: +33°C) and with different nutritional supplements (placebo or α-KG and 5-HMF) prior to the tests applying a randomized cross over design. The first test was performed under normal temperature, the second and fourth under cold and the third and fifth test under heat conditions. Reactive oxygen metabolites and the biological antioxidant activity in serum were determined (Free Carpe Diem, Diacron International) before the first and after each exercise test. We demonstrated that reactive oxygen metabolites and maximal exercise performance remained unchanged in the cold as well in the heat with and without short-term antioxidant supplementation. Thus, short bouts of intense exercise in the heat or the cold seem not to produce significant oxidative stress in well-trained subjects and therefore pre-treatment with antioxidants may not have beneficial effects. However, future studies will focus on potentially favorable effects in sedentary or diseased subjects and/or on effects of more prolonged antioxidant supplementation when performing endurance exercise for a long duration under extreme temperature conditions.

Effects of a 12-day maximal shuttle-run shock microcycle in hypoxia on soccer specific performance and oxidative stress.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of a maximal shuttle-run shock microcycle in hypoxia on repeated sprint ability (RSA, 6 × 40-m (6 × 20 m back and forth, 20" rest in between)), Yo-Yo-intermittent-recovery (YYIR) test performance, and redox-status. Fourteen soccer players (age: 23.9 ± 2.1 years), randomly assigned to hypoxia (∼ 3300 m) or normoxia training, performed 8 maximal shuttle-run training sessions within 12 days. YYIR test performance and RSA fatigue-slope improved independently of the hypoxia stimulus (p < 0.05). Training reduced the oxidative stress level (-7.9%, p < 0.05), and the reduction was associated with performance improvements (r = 0.761, ΔRSA; r = -0.575, ΔYYIR, p < 0.05).

Serum antioxidant levels and nutritional status in early and advanced stage lung cancer patients.

OBJECTIVE: Malnutrition frequently occurs in lung cancer patients. We aimed to determine nutritional status and antioxidant and mineral levels in Thai patients with lung cancer. METHODS: A prospective study with matched case-control was conducted. Nutritional status was assessed by body mass index (BMI) and subjective global assessment (SGA). Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status was used to assess the performance. The serum antioxidant and mineral levels were determined. RESULTS: Forty-nine patients with a mean age of 58.8 (range, 35-82) who were first diagnosed with lung cancer were enrolled. They were compared with 60 healthy controls, and levels of retinol, α-tocopherol, ß-carotene, lycopene, ß-cryptoxanthin, selenium, and zinc were lower (P < 0.05). However, peroxidase activity was higher (P = 0.002) in patients. Selenium levels were higher in early stage compared to advanced stage patients (P = 0.041). Overweight patients had higher selenium levels (0.04 mg/L) than normal BMI patients (ß = 0.04, P = 0.035). Patients with SGA class C had lower selenium levels (0.03 mg/L) than those with class A (ß = -0.03, P = 0.035). The poorer ECOG performance patients had significantly lower ß-carotene (ß = -0.192, P = 0.003) and selenium (ß = -0.031, P = 0.011) levels compared with those with good ECOG performance status. CONCLUSIONS: Significantly lower levels of antioxidants and selenium were found in lung cancer patients compared to healthy controls. Levels of some antioxidants and minerals differed among categories of BMI, SGA categories, or ECOG performance status. These findings may be helpful for further studies, such as the effect of nutritional supplementation on clinical outcomes.