Impact of anthocyanin-rich whole fruit consumption on exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

CONTEXT: Supplementing with fruits high in anthocyanins to reduce exercise-induced oxidative stress and inflammation has produced mixed results. OBJECTIVE: This systematic review and meta-analysis aims to discuss the impact of whole fruits high in anthocyanins, including processing methods and the type and amount of fruit, on inflammation and oxidative stress. DATA SOURCES: PICOS reporting guidelines and a customized coding scheme were used to search 5 databases (SPORTDiscus, Science Direct, Web of Science [BIOSIS], Medline [Pubmed], and the Cochrane Collaboration) with additional cross-referencing selection. DATA EXTRACTION: A random-effects meta-analysis was used to measure effects of the fruit supplements with 3 statistics; the QTotal value based on a χ2 distribution, τ2 value, and I2 value were used to determine homogeneity of variances on 22 studies (out of 807). Outliers were identified using a relative residual value. RESULTS: A small significant negative summary effect across the sum of all inflammatory marker outcomes (P < 0.001) and a moderate negative effect for the sum of all oxidative stress marker outcomes (P = 0.036) were found. Moderator analyses did not reveal significant (P > 0.05) differences between subgrouping variables. CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that consumption of whole fruit high in anthocyanins can be beneficial for reducing inflammation and oxidative stress.

PACER Performance of Children Aged 11-14 With Attention-Deficit Hyperactive Disorder.

PURPOSE: The purposes of this study were to examine the performance on the progressive aerobic cardiovascular endurance run (PACER) test in children with and without attention-deficit hyperactive disorder (ADHD) over the course of a school year, and also to investigate the possible influence of age, sex, school sport participation, and body mass index on results. METHODS: Utilizing a repeated measures design, 892 middle school children aged 11-14 years (mean = 12.25, SD = 0.94) including 55 children with ADHD participated. While controlling for age, sex, sports participation, and body mass index, children were tested on the PACER 3 times during the school year. Procedures specified in the FITNESSGRAM test manual were explicitly followed. Hierarchical linear modeling was applied to analyze the data. RESULTS: Children with ADHD performed 8.6 fewer laps at intercept (baseline), than did healthy children without ADHD (t878 = -6.20, P < .001). However, no significant differences emerged for time (slope). In addition, no significant interactions were found for ADHD with age, sex, sports participation, or body mass index. CONCLUSION: A diagnosis of ADHD, independent of selected predictor variables, explained lower PACER performance.

Effects of erythropoietin on systemic hematocrit and oxygen transport in the splenectomized horse.

To test the hypotheses that erythropoietin (rhuEPO) treatment increases systemic hematocrit, maximal O2 uptake (VO2max, by elevated perfusive and diffusive O2 conductances) and performance five female horses (4-13 years) received 15 IU/kg rhuEPO (erythropoietin) three times per week for three weeks. These horses had been splenectomized over 1 year previously to avoid confounding effects from the mobilization of splenic red blood cell reserves. Each horse performed three maximal exercise tests (one per month) on an inclined (4°) treadmill to the limit of tolerance; two control trials and one following EPO treatment. Measurements of hemoglobin concentration ([Hb] and hematocrit), plasma and blood volume, VO2, cardiac output as well as arterial and mixed venous blood gases were made at rest and during maximal exercise. EPO increased resting [Hb] by 18% from 13.3 ± 0.6 to 15.7 ± 0.8 g/dL (mean ± SD) corresponding to an increased hematocrit from 36 ± 2 to 46 ± 2% concurrent with 23 and 10% reductions in plasma and blood volume, respectively (all P<0.05). EPO elevated VO2max by 20% from 25.7 ± 1.7 to 30.9 ± 3.4 L/min (P<0.05) via a 17% increase in arterial O2 content and 18% greater arteriovenous O2 difference in the face of an unchanged cardiac output. To achieve the greater VO2max after EPO, diffusive O2 conductance increased ∼ 30% (from 580 ± 76 to 752 ± 166 mL O2/mmHg/min, P<0.05) which was substantially greater than the elevation of perfusive O2 conductance. These effects of EPO were associated with an increased exercise performance (total running time: control, 216 ± 72; EPO, 264 ± 48 s, P<0.05). We conclude that EPO substantially increases VO2max and performance in the splenectomized horse via improved perfusive and diffusive O2 transport.

Predictors of Speed Using Off-Ice Measures of College Hockey Players.

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between commonly employed dry-land performance tests and skating speed in male collegiate ice hockey players. Forty male National Collegiate Athletic Association Division I hockey players were tested on the following performance variables: vertical jump (VJ), standing broad jump, 40-yard dash, and maximal back squat (SQT). The subjects also performed 3 skating tests: the 90-ft forward acceleration test, the 90-ft backward acceleration test, and the 50-ft flying top speed test (F50). Pearson correlation coefficients were applied to compare the strength of association between each selected off-ice measure and each on-ice measure. Three multiple regression equations were then used to compare the weighted strengths of association between predictor and criterion variables. Only VJ showed significance in relation to skating speed (p = 0.011). These results suggest that meaningful performance testing in ice hockey players should occur mainly on the ice.

Performance by middle school children with and without asthma on the pacer.

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by airway hyper-reactivity, inflammation, and obstruction. Asthma is also a leading cause of school absenteeism, and thus of concern to physical educators and health professionals. The purpose of this study was to assess aerobic performance by children with and without asthma. All participants were tested on the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER). Of particular interest was children's aerobic performance over an extended time, i.e., 15 months. Participants (Grades 4-8, N=809) were tested on the PACER three times during the school year with two follow-up tests during the succeeding school year. Among the 809 participants were 103 children with mild-moderate asthma. Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) was applied to analyze the data. Notwithstanding their lower scores at baseline (intercept), children with asthma increased their PACER scores at a rate more than double that of their peers without asthma. Although more than one PACER trial may be needed to accurately determine children's aerobic performance, repeated trials may be especially necessary for children with asthma. It was further concluded that the PACER is an effective tool with which to assess aerobic performance by middle school children with well-managed asthma.

Grip strength performances by 5- to 19-year-olds.

Accurate measures of muscular strength can yield insights about children's growth and development. The purpose of this study was to examine grip strength performances by boys and girls ages 5 to 19 years. A Jamar dynamometer was used to measure grip strength by 736 boys and girls ages 5 to 19 years. Multiple regression equations were applied to analyze the data. Overall, age-sex trends were similar to previous reports as boys and girls increased their performances across age levels. After age 12, boys' mean grip strength increased at a faster rate than girls'. However, participants in the present study performed better in the upper age ranges (13-19 yr.) than did boys and girls tested a generation ago. Potential associations between activity choices and grip strength are discussed.

Aerobic performance by children in grades 4 to 8: a repeated-measures study.

Aerobic capacity reflects consumption of O2 by working muscles during vigorous physical activity and is an indicator of cardiovascular health. This study examined change in aerobic performance by children in Grades 4 to 8 (Ages= 9-14) over 14 mo. 105 healthy children in a small, rural, middle-class school participated. All were tested five times on the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run (PACER) at 8- or 9-wk. intervals during the 2004-2005 school year, with follow-up measurements the next September and December. Hierarchical Linear Modeling applied to analyze the data showed that overall improvement in aerobic performance from September to May was statistically significant as children increased their PACER scores from 26 to 49 laps. These gains were lost over the summer but returned to the original slope by the second follow-up measurement. Regardless of age, sex, Body Mass Index, or sports participation, children followed a similar pattern: steady improvement during the school year, loss of those gains over the summer, and return to the original slope the following year.

Myosin heavy chain profiles and body composition are different in old versus young Standardbred mares.

There are limited data on age-related changes in body composition or skeletal muscle in the horse. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate any differences in muscle myosin heavy chain (MHC) and body composition associated with aging. Twenty-three young (4-8 years) and eight old (20+ years) unfit Standardbred mares were evaluated. Rump fat thickness was measured using B-mode ultrasound and per cent body fat (% fat) was calculated. Needle muscle biopsies were obtained from right gluteus medius muscle. MHC composition was determined via sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Three MHC isoforms were subsequently identified as type I, type IIA, and type IIX and quantified using a scanning and densometric system. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) between old and young mares in fat (%) (19.0+/-6.4 vs 20.5+/-5.4), fat mass (kg) (102.3+/-39.9 vs 106.9+/-37.1), or body weight (kg) (529.4+/-34.9 vs 512.7+/-57.7). However, the old mares had significantly (p<0.05) greater lean body mass than the young mares (427.1+/-24.5 vs 405.7+/-37.9). Aged mares had significantly (p<0.05) less type I (7.8+/-2.9% vs 12.1+/-4.4%) and IIA (27.8+/-7.1% vs 36.1+/-9.5%) fibres than the young group but more type IIX (64.6+/-4.7% vs 51.8+/-11.1%). The MHC data are consistent with the age-related changes seen in other species.

Changes in concentrations of neuroendocrine hormones and catecholamines in dogs with myocardial failure induced by rapid ventricular pacing.

OBJECTIVE: To describe neuroendocrine responses that develop in dogs subjected to prolonged periods of ventricular pacing. ANIMALS: 14 adult male hound-type dogs. PROCEDURE: Samples were obtained and neuroendocrine responses measured before (baseline) and after 3 periods of ventricular pacing. A pacemaker was used to induce heart rates of 180, 200, and 220 beats/min (BPM). Each heart rate was maintained for 3 weeks before increasing to the next rate. Atrial natriuretic peptide, antidiuretic hormone, aldosterone, norepinephrine, epinephrine, and dopamine concentrations and plasma renin activity were measured. Severity of left ventricular compromise was estimated. RESULTS: Shortening fraction decreased significantly with increasing heart rates (mean +/- SE, 35.5 +/- 1.4, 25.0 +/- 1.4, 19.5 +/- 1.9, and 12.2 +/- 2.3 for baseline, 180 BPM, 200 BPM, and 220 BPM, respectively). Atrial natriuretic peptide concentrations increased significantly at 180 BPM (44.1 +/- 3.0 pg/mL) and 200 BPM (54.8 +/- 5.5 pg/mL), compared with baseline concentration (36.8 +/- 2.6 pg/mL). Dopamine concentration increased significantly at 200 BPM (70.4 +/- 10.4 pg/mL), compared with baseline concentration (44.2 73 pg/mL). Norepinephrine concentrations increased significantly from baseline concentration (451 +/- 46.2 pg/mL) to 678 +/- 69.8, 856 +/- 99.6, and 1,003 +/- 2676 pg/mL at 180, 200, and 220 BPM, respectively. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Dogs subjected to ventricular pacing for 9 weeks developed neuroendocrine responses similar to those that develop in humans with more chronic heart failure and, except for epinephrine concentrations, similar to those for dogs subjected to ventricular pacing for < 6 weeks.

Age, sex, and body mass index in performance of selected locomotor and fitness tasks by children in grades K-2.

The purpose of this study was to examine the contributions of 3 predictor variables (age, sex, and body mass index) to performance of 7 fundamental movement skills (locomotor; run, gallop, hop, leap, jump, skip, and slide) and 4 fitness tasks (grip strength, step test, sit and reach, and timed sit-ups) by 65 children in Grades K-2 (M=6 yr.). A multiple regression analysis indicated that running, leaping, and skipping improved with age. No sex differences were observed on any of the seven skills. In terms of the four fitness tasks, age was positively associated with timed sit-ups and grip strength and inversely associated with step-test performance. Sex was associated with step-test and sit and reach performance (girls performed better on both). Finally, body mass index was related to increased grip strength and fewer timed sit-ups.