Acute effects of moderate-intensity cycling exercise on endothelial function in young healthy men: An investigation using the reactive hyperemia index.

BACKGROUND: Endothelial cells play an important role in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined the effects of transient aerobic exercise on peripheral endothelial function. METHODS: Twenty-seven healthy male college students were selected as subjects and randomly divided into two groups: 13 in the control group and 14 in the exercise group. The subjects in the exercise group had a 15-minute supine rest, followed by 30 minutes of cycling exercise at moderate intensity, while measuring the reactive hyperemia index (RHI), an indicator of endothelial function, before and after exercise. The subjects in the control group had a 40-minute rest, during which RHI was measured with the same timing as in the exercise group. RESULTS: Two-factor analysis of variance revealed a statistically significant interaction effect. In the exercise group, RHI increased significantly after exercise. However, no significant change was observed in the control group. When RHI before exercise was compared between the two groups, no significant difference was found. However, RHI after exercise was significantly higher in the exercise group. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise may have a favorable impact on peripheral endothelial function.

Effects of exercise intervention on arterial stiffness in middle-aged and older females: evaluation by measuring brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity and cardio-ankle vascular index.

[Purpose] Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) and cardio-ankle vascular index (CAVI) are simple, accurate, and reproducible indices of arterial stiffness. However, only a few studies have evaluated the influence of exercise-training baPWV and CAVI on arterial stiffness. Thus, this study aimed to examine the influence of aerobic-training baPWV and CAVI on arterial stiffness. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 20 middle-aged females (age, 60.1 ± 1.6 years) who were sedentary non-smokers. The participants underwent an exercise intervention, including a 50-min session of moderate-intensity exercises two or three times a week for 12 weeks. Blood pressure (BP), baPWV, and CAVI were measured before and after exercise. Blood nitrite/nitrate (NOx) was also measured as an index of vascular endothelial function. [Results] BaPWV significantly decreased after exercise, whereas CAVI and blood NOx did not change significantly after exercise. A significant correlation was observed between the decrease in baPWV and systolic BP after exercise. In addition, the participants with higher systolic BP before exercise showed a greater decrease in baPWV after exercise. [Conclusion] These results suggest that BP has a significant role in decreasing arterial stiffness after exercise. Further studies are required to elucidate the similarities and differences between baPWV and CAVI to use them more effectively as assessment parameters for arterial stiffness.

The relationship between arterial stiffness and the lifestyle habits of female athletes after retiring from competitive sports: a prospective study.

This study investigated the relationship between changes in arterial stiffness and the lifestyle habits of endurance athletes after retiring from competition. The subjects were 10 female university endurance athletes. We used formPWV/ABI® as an index for arterial stiffness and measured brachial-ankle pulse-wave velocity (baPWV) directly before subjects retired (0Y) and at 2 years after retirement (2Y). Furthermore, to investigate the relationship between arterial stiffness and lifestyle habits 2 years later, Lifecorder ® PLUS was used to measure physical activity levels, hours of sleep were surveyed using a questionnaire, and a food intake survey was conducted using Excel Eiyoukun Food Frequency Questionnaire Based on Food Group, FFQg Ver. 3.5. We found that baPWV increased significantly from 0Y to 2Y (P<0·05). Furthermore, negative correlations were observed between 2Y baPWV and step count as the physical activity index (r = -0·653, P<0·05) and moderate physical activity (r = -0·663, P<0·05). With regard to lifestyle habits that affected the amount of increase in baPWV from 0Y to 2Y (ΔbaPWV), negative correlations were noted between the step count (r = -0·690, P<0·05) and total physical activity (r = -0·657, P<0·05). However, no significant correlations were observed between 2Y baPWV and ΔbaPWV with food intake or hours of sleep. The results of this study suggested that physical activity was a lifestyle habit that inhibited an increase in arterial stiffness after retirement from competition and that having a high step count or engaging in physical activity for long periods of time in particular was useful in this regard.

Intra- and inter-rater reliability of isometric shoulder extensor and internal rotator strength measurements performed using a hand-held dynamometer.

[Purpose] The purpose of the present study was to establish the intra- and inter-rater reliability of measurement of extensor strength in the maximum shoulder abducted position and internal rotator strength in the 90° abducted and the 90° external rotated position using a hand-held dynamometer. [Subjects and Methods] Twelve healthy volunteers (12 male; mean ± SD: age 19.0 ± 1.1 years) participated in the study. The examiners were two students who had nonclinical experience with a hand-held dynamometer measurement. The examiners and participants were blinded to measurement results by the recorder. Participants in the prone position were instructed to hold the contraction against the ground reaction force, and peak isometric force was recorded using the hand-held dynamometer on the floor. Reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients. [Results] The intra- and inter-rater reliability data were found to be "almost perfect". [Conclusion] This study investigated intra- and inter-rater reliability and reveald high reliability. Thus, the measurement method used in the present study can evaluate muscle strength by a simple measurement technique.

Same-session and between-day intra-rater reliability of hand-held dynamometer measurements of isometric shoulder extensor strength.

[Purpose] The purpose of present study was to establish the same-session and between-day intra-rater reliability of measurements of extensor strength in the maximum abducted position (MABP) using hand-held dynamometer (HHD). [Subjects] Thirteen healthy volunteers (10 male, 3 female; mean ± SD: age 19.8 ± 0.8 y) participated in the study. [Methods] Participants in the prone position with maximum abduction of shoulder were instructed to hold the contraction against the ground reaction force, and peak isometric force was recorded using the HHD on the floor. Participants performed maximum isometric contractions lasting 3 s, with 3 trials in one session. Between-day measurements were performed in 2 sessions separated by a 1-week interval. Intra-rater reliability was determined using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC). Systematic errors were assessed using Bland-Altman analysis for between-day data. [Results] ICC values for same-session data and between-day data were found to be "almost perfect". Systematic errors not existed and only random error existed. [Conclusion] The measurement method used in this study can easily control for experimental conditions and allow precise measurement because the lack of stabilization and the impact of tester strength are removed. Thus, extensor strength in MABP measurement is beneficial for muscle strength assessment.

Influence of detraining on temporal changes in arterial stiffness in endurance athletes: a prospective study.

[Purpose] We examined the effects of detraining on temporal changes in arterial stiffness in endurance athletes. [Subjects] Eighteen female university athletes requiring high endurance exercise capabilities were classified into 2 groups: 10 retired players (detraining group) and 8 active players (training group). [Methods] Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity, an index of arterial stiffness, was measured a total of 6 times: immediately before retirement of the detraining group and at 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after retirement. [Results] Brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity was measured in the training group at the same 6 points to allow comparison with the detraining group. The brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in the detraining group increased significantly at 3 and 12 months as compared with that at 0 months and showed a significant increase at 12 months compared with that at 1 month. Moreover, the brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity in the detraining group was significantly higher at 3, 6, and 12 months than in the training group. [Conclusion] These results revealed that detraining may result in increased arterial stiffness from 3 months onward in endurance athletes.

Residual salivary secretion ability may be a useful marker for differential diagnosis in autoimmune diseases.

BACKGROUND: We have elucidated decreased resting salivary flow in approximately 60% of patients with autoimmune diseases not complicated by Sjögren syndrome (SjS). In this study, salivary stimulation tests using capsaicin were performed to examine residual salivary secretion ability in patients with autoimmune diseases. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fifty-eight patients were divided into three groups: patients with primary or secondary SjS (SjS group), patients with systemic sclerosis not complicated by SjS (SSc group), and patients with other autoimmune diseases (non-SjS/non-SSc group). Simple filter paper and filter paper containing capsaicin were used to evaluate salivary flow rates. RESULTS: Resting salivary flow rates were significantly lower in the SjS and SSc groups than in the non-SjS/non-SSc group but did not differ significantly between the SjS and SSc groups. Capsaicin-stimulated salivary flow rates were significantly lower in the SjS and SSc groups than in the non-SjS/non-SSc group, but not significantly different between the SjS and SSc groups. In the non-SjS/non-SSc group, salivary flow rates increased after capsaicin stimulation to the threshold level for determination of salivary gland dysfunction, whereas no improvement was observed in the SjS and SSc groups. CONCLUSION: Residual salivary secretion ability may be a useful marker for differential diagnosis in autoimmune diseases.

Hyposalivation in autoimmune diseases.

We have investigated the prevalence of dry mouth among patients with autoimmune diseases other than Sjögren's syndrome. One hundred and forty-four patients, excluding patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome, were enrolled in this study. The volume of saliva secreted was measured with the screening technique for estimation of salivary flow, which uses a filter paper for diagnosing dry mouth. Disturbed salivary secretion was observed in 84 (58.3 %) of the 144 patients. In the case of patients free of Sjögren's syndrome, the prevalence of disturbed salivary secretion differed significantly among the disease groups (P < 0.05), with the prevalence being over 50 % in all disease groups other than the rheumatoid arthritis group and the highest in the systemic sclerosis group. There was significant positive correlation between the number of colored spots and oral visual analog scale score (r = 0.45, P < 0.0001). Autoimmune diseases can be accompanied by salivary gland dysfunction, regardless of the presence/absence of complication by Sjögren's syndrome. In the present study, the screening technique for estimation of salivary flow, which uses a filter paper for diagnosing dry mouth, was shown to be a useful means of detecting salivary gland dysfunction.