Commentary: Key Aspects of Multimodal Prehabilitation in Surgical Patients With Cancer. A Practical Approach to Integrating Resistance Exercise Programmes.

Surgical prehabilitation aims to optimise patients' physiological reserves to better withstand the stress of surgery, reduce the risk of postoperative complications, and promote a faster and optimal recovery. The purpose of this commentary is to outline the key aspects of prehabilitation before surgery for cancer which seem to impact its effectiveness and wider implementation. Particular attention is paid to the role and integration of resistance training programmes as a key component of multimodal prehabilitation for patients with cancer. We firstly analyse some of the barriers currently hindering the implementation of prehabilitation programmes in the National Health Service (United Kingdom). Later, we describe essential aspects of resistance training design, such as exercise modality and order execution, volume and intensity, rest periods between sets or exercises, and workout frequency. Furthermore, we propose a methodology to use the perception of effort to control patients' progression during a prehabilitation programme.

Effects of protein-carbohydrate vs. carbohydrate alone supplementation on immune inflammation markers in endurance athletes: a randomized controlled trial.

PURPOSE: The impact of ingesting carbohydrates alone or combined with proteins to support exercise immune adaptation in endurance athletes is scarcely investigated. The present study compares the effect of ingesting a combined protein-carbohydrate supplement vs. a carbohydrate-only supplement post-workout on immune inflammation markers following a 10 week periodized endurance training program in well-trained athletes. METHODS: Twenty-five men completed the study after being randomly assigned to one of the following intervention groups: combined protein-carbohydrate (PRO-CHO n = 12, 31 ± 9 years, [Formula: see text]O2peak 61.0 ± 5.6 ml.kg-1.min-1) or non-protein isoenergetic carbohydrate (CHO, n = 13, 33 ± 8 years, [Formula: see text]O2peak 60.6 ± 6.9 ml.kg-1.min-1). Treatment consisted of ingesting 24 g of assigned supplement, mixed with 250 ml of orange juice, once a day for 10 weeks immediately post-workout (or before breakfast on non-training days). Measurements were conducted pre- and post-intervention on total leukocytes, leukocyte subsets (i.e., neutrophils, eosinophils, basophils, monocytes, and lymphocytes), and platelets. The inflammatory status was assessed by the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), the platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), and the systemic-immune inflammation index (SII). RESULTS: Post-intervention, significant increases were observed for CHO group only for the three inflammatory markers: NLR (p = 0.050, d = 0.58), PLR (p = 0.041, d = 0.60), and SII (p = 0.004, d = 0.81) but not for PRO-CHO (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Ingesting a post-workout protein-carbohydrate combined beverage promoted a more favourable immune status than carbohydrate-only ingestion by attenuating cellular inflammation over a 10 week training period in endurance male athletes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered in ClinicalTrials.gov with the following ID: NCT02954367. The study was registered by 3 November 2016.

No impact of combining multi-ingredient supplementation with exercise on body composition and physical performance, in healthy middle-aged and older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Protein-based multi-ingredient (MTN) supplements have been suggested as a safe and effective way of enhancing exercise outcomes. However, their effectiveness remains controversial when compared to isocaloric and single-nutrient supplements. This review aims to systematically summarise the current knowledge of multi-ingredient supplementation to optimise body composition and physical performance in middle-aged and older adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A systematic review with meta-analysis was performed according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The search of the literature was conducted using PubMed, EBSCOhost, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and SPORTDiscus from June to October 2021. Every publication identified from the outset to October 2021 was considered. The main inclusion criteria comprised randomized controlled trial (RCT) studies conducted in adults (≥45 years old), following resistance- or endurance-based training programmes for a period of 6 weeks or longer, combined with MTN supplementation and a calorie equivalent comparator (COMP) supplement (e.g., carbohydrates). Continuous data on body composition [fat-free mass (FFM) or lean body mass], strength, and functional capacity as markers of physical performance were pooled using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Initially, 3329 publications were identified. Data from nine RCTs were ultimately included, involving 476 participants. The overall quality of the included studies was high, demonstrating a low risk of bias. Compared to COMP, no significant further benefits of ingesting MTN were identified for FFM (kg) (g = 0.044, 95 % CI -0.14 to 0.22), upper-body strength (kg) (g = 0.046, 95 % CI -0.24 to 0.33), lower-body strength, leg press exercise (kg) (g = 0.025, 95 % CI -0.26 to 0.31), leg extension exercise (kg) (g = 0.106, 95 % CI -0.15 to 0.36) and functional capacity (time in seconds) (g = 0.079, 95 % CI -0.12 to 0.27). CONCLUSIONS: No additional benefits of ingesting MTN vs. COMP to maximise exercise-induced outcomes on body composition and physical performance in healthy physically active middle-aged and older adults have been identified.

Physiological effects of microcurrent and its application for maximising acute responses and chronic adaptations to exercise.

Microcurrent is a non-invasive and safe electrotherapy applied through a series of sub-sensory electrical currents (less than 1 mA), which are of a similar magnitude to the currents generated endogenously by the human body. This review focuses on examining the physiological mechanisms mediating the effects of microcurrent when combined with different exercise modalities (e.g. endurance and strength) in healthy physically active individuals. The reviewed literature suggests the following candidate mechanisms could be involved in enhancing the effects of exercise when combined with microcurrent: (i) increased adenosine triphosphate resynthesis, (ii) maintenance of intercellular calcium homeostasis that in turn optimises exercise-induced structural and morphological adaptations, (iii) eliciting a hormone-like effect, which increases catecholamine secretion that in turn enhances exercise-induced lipolysis and (iv) enhanced muscle protein synthesis. In healthy individuals, despite a lack of standardisation on how microcurrent is combined with exercise (e.g. whether the microcurrent is pulsed or continuous), there is evidence concerning its effects in promoting body fat reduction, skeletal muscle remodelling and growth as well as attenuating delayed-onset muscle soreness. The greatest hindrance to understanding the combined effects of microcurrent and exercise is the variability of the implemented protocols, which adds further challenges to identifying the mechanisms, optimal patterns of current(s) and methodology of application. Future studies should standardise microcurrent protocols by accurately describing the used current [e.g. intensity (µA), frequency (Hz), application time (minutes) and treatment duration (e.g. weeks)] for specific exercise outcomes, e.g. strength and power, endurance, and gaining muscle mass or reducing body fat.

Estimation of peak vertical velocity and relative load changes by subjective measures in weightlifting movements.

To investigate the ability of the OMNI-RES (0-10) scale to estimate velocity and loading changes during sets to failure in the hang power clean (HPC) exercise. Eleven recreationally resistance-trained males (28.5 ± 3.5 years) with an average one-repetition maximum (1RM) value of 1.1 ± 0.07 kg body mass-1 in HPC, were assessed on five separate days with 48 hours of rest between sessions. After determining the 1RM value, participants performed four sets to self-determined failure with the following relative loading ranges: 60% < 70%, 70 < 80%, 80 < 90% and > 90%. The peak vertical velocity (PVV), and Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) were measured for every repetition of each set. The RPE expressed after the first repetition (RPE-1) and when the highest value of PVV was achieved during the set (RPE-max) were similar and significantly lower than the RPE associated with a 5% (RPE-5%) and 10% (RPE-10%) drop in PVV. In addition, the RPE produced at failure was similar to RPE-5% only for the heaviest range (≥ 90%). Furthermore, RPE-1 was useful to distinguish loading zones between the four assessed ranges (60 < 70%, vs. 70 < 80%, vs. 80 < 90%, vs. ≥ 90%). The RPE seems to be useful to identify PVV changes (maximal, 5% and 10% drop) during continuous sets to self-determined failure and to distinguish 10% loading zone increments, from 60 to 100% of 1RM in the HPC exercise.

Effects of Combining a Ketogenic Diet with Resistance Training on Body Composition, Strength, and Mechanical Power in Trained Individuals: A Narrative Review.

Ketogenic diets (KD) have gained popularity in recent years among strength-trained individuals. The present review summarizes current evidence-with a particular focus on randomized controlled trials-on the effects of KD on body composition and muscle performance (strength and power output) in strength-trained individuals. Although long-term studies (>12 weeks) are lacking, growing evidence supports the effectiveness of an ad libitum and energy-balanced KD for reducing total body and fat mass, at least in the short term. However, no or negligible benefits on body composition have been observed when comparing hypocaloric KD with conventional diets resulting in the same energy deficit. Moreover, some studies suggest that KD might impair resistance training-induced muscle hypertrophy, sometimes with concomitant decrements in muscle performance, at least when expressed in absolute units and not relative to total body mass (e.g., one-repetition maximum). KD might therefore be a beneficial strategy for promoting fat loss, although it might not be a recommendable option to gain muscle mass and strength/power. More research is needed on the adoption of strategies for avoiding the potentially detrimental effect of KD on muscle mass and strength/power (e.g., increasing protein intake, reintroduction of carbohydrates before competition). In summary, evidence is as yet scarce to support a major beneficial effect of KD on body composition or performance in strength-trained individuals. Furthermore, the long-term effectiveness and safety of this type of diet remains to be determined.

Impact of Low Volume Velocity-Controlled vs. Repetition to Failure Resistance Training Session on Measures of Explosive Performance in a Team of Adolescents Basketball Players.

This study examined the short-term effects (post 6 h and 24 h) of two equated (70% of 1 repetition maximum (1-RM)) low volume resistance exercise protocols: (i) velocity-controlled (VC) and (ii) repetition to failure (RTF) on upper and lower body performance in competitive adolescent male basketball players. Following a randomized, counterbalanced design, ten participants (age: 16 ± 0.5 years) completed either VC or RTF separated by 72 h. VC consisted of 4 sets of 5 explosive repetitions (≥90% of the maximum velocity). RTF involved 2 sets of 10-RM (with no velocity control). Measurements of 20-m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ) and medicine ball toss (MBT) were collected before (baseline), post 6 h and 24 h after either VC or RTF. Increases of CMJ post 6 h (VC, +6.7%; RTF, +2.4%) and MBT post 24 h (VC, +4.6%; RTF, +4.2%) were observed after both VC and RTF. Only VC potentiated CMJ after 24 h (+2.0 ± 2.3%). No other changes or differences between protocols were observed. Performing a low volume exercise protocol, either VC or RTF, induced similar potentiation effects on the vertical jump (post 6 h) and medicine ball toss (post 24 h) in adolescent basketball players. Only the VC protocol was still effective to potentiate CMJ performance after 24 h.

Velocity Change Estimation by Subjective Measures Over a Wide-Load Spectrum in Squat and Bench Press.

ABSTRACT: Chapman, M, Larumbe-Zabala, E, Triplett, NT, and Naclerio, F. Velocity change estimation by subjective measures over a wide-load spectrum in squat and bench press. J Strength Cond Res 35(2S): S51-S56, 2021-This study compared whether the perception of effort measured on a repetition-by-repetition basis during continuous sets to failure is different between squat (SQ) and bench press (BP). After determining the one repetition maximum (1RM) value in both SQ and BP, 18 subjects (28.2 ± 5 years, 50% women) performed 7 sets to failure per exercise, separated by 24-48 hours, alternating SQ and BP, using the following relative load ranges: 30 < 40%, 40 < 50%, 50 < 60%, 60% < 70%, 70 < 80%, 80 < 90%, and >90%. The mean accelerative velocity (MAV) and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) using the OMNI-RES (0-10) scale were measured for every repetition of each set. The ability of the OMNI-RES (0-10) scale to identify velocity changes during continuous sets to volitional failure and to distinguish loading zones divided into 10% slots, from 30 to 100% of 1RM was confirmed for both SQ and BP. The RPE values measured at (a) the first repetition; (b) the repetition where MAV peaks; (c) the repetition where MAV drops by ≤10% compared the maximum and (d) the last repetition, showed no differences (p > 0.05, d < 0.2) between exercises. In conclusion, the same RPE scores can be applied to both exercises, for either estimating the relative load or monitoring changes in MAV during continuous sets to failure.

Injury Prevention Programs Based on Flywheel vs. Body Weight Resistance in Recreational Athletes.

ABSTRACT: Monajati, A, Larumbe-Zabala, E, Sampson, MG, and Naclerio, F. Injury prevention programs based on flywheel vs. body weight resistance in recreational athletes. J Strength Cond Res 35(2S): S188-S196, 2021-This study compares the effect of an isoinertial flywheel technology vs. a traditional gravity-dependent exercise protocol on modifiable factors associated with the incidence of hamstring strain (HAM) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Furthermore, the effect on repeated sprint ability was also considered. Eighteen recreationally trained volleyball players completed one of the following 6-week protocols: (a) flywheel (FY) included 3 exercises using a YoYo isoinertial-squat machine and 3 exercises with a Versa-Pulley isoinertial device, and (b) gravity-dependent (GT) involved 6 similar exercises with no external resistance (participants' body weight). Both programs consisted in 2 sessions·wk-1 performing 2 sets of 8 repetitions with 2 minutes of rest. Outcomes included a 10-second tuck jump assessment (TJA), landing knee valgus score, hamstring and quadriceps concentric and eccentric isokinetic 60°·s-1 peak torque, optimal peak torque localization, conventional and functional hamstring-to-quadriceps ratio, and 30-m repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA) test. FY improved TJA (-2, interquartile range [IQR] = -3 to -1) and valgus (-1, IQR = -1 to 0) scores, hamstring eccentric (20.37, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 9.27-31.47 N·m) and concentric (17.87, 95% CI = 0.40-35.34 N·m) peak torque, as well as the RSSA (-0.28, 95% CI = -0.45 to -0.10 seconds), whereas GT only improved hamstring eccentric peak torque (21.41, 95% CI = 9.00-33.82 N·m). A 6-week protocol using flywheel technology seems to elicit better positive adaptations to protect athletes from HAM and ACL injuries and to enhance RSSA performance compared to exercising with no external resistance other than athletes' body weight.

Impact of Two High-Volume Set Configuration Workouts on Resistance Training Outcomes in Recreationally Trained Men.

ABSTRACT: Karsten, DB, Fu, Y, Larumbe-Zabala, DE, Seijo, DM, and Naclerio, DF. Impact of two high-volume set configuration workouts on resistance training outcomes in recreationally trained men. J Strength Cond Res 35(2S): S136-S143, 2021-This study compared the effects of 2 weekly equalized by volume, loading zone and frequency resistance training designs using repetition to failure (RTF) or not to failure (NTF), on body composition, strength, and mechanical power. Based on individual baseline maximal strength, 18 recreationally resistance-trained men were pair-matched and consequently randomly assigned to an RTF (n = 9) or an NTF (n = 9) protocol. Subjects trained for 6 weeks using 2 different routines performed once per week (2 workouts per week). The RTF protocol comprised 4 sets of 10 repetitions per exercise with 2-minute rest and the NTF involved 8 sets of 5 repetitions per exercise with 1-minute rest. Subjects were tested pre- and post-intervention for maximal strength, upper- and lower-body power, fat-free mass, limb circumferences, and muscle thickness. Compared to baseline, both groups improved (p < 0.01) the maximal loads lifted in the bench press (RTF +9.44 ± 3.00 kg; NTF +7.22 ± 4.41 kg) and the squat (RTF +9.44 ± 4.64 kg; NTF +11.1 ± 10.33 kg) exercises, but only the NTF group increased (p < 0.05) upper-body power (+15.73 ± 12.59 W). Conversely, only the RTF group showed significant (p < 0.05) increase of the elbow flexors (+3.44 ± 5.11 mm) and vastus medialis (+3.28 ± 2.32 mm) thickness, whereas both groups enhanced anterior deltoid thickness (RTF +1.84 ± 1.68 mm, p < 0.05; NTF +2.76 ± 2.63 mm, p < 0.01). Although both training strategies improved strength, the RTF group elicited superior hypertrophic outcomes, whereas the NTF protocol resulted in more favorable improvements for upper-body power.

Effects of Beef Protein Supplementation in Male Elite Triathletes: A Randomized, Controlled, Double-Blind, Cross-Over Study.

OBJECTIVE: Beef protein extracts are growing in popularity in recent years due to their purported anabolic effects as well as to their potential benefits on hematological variables. The present randomized, controlled, double-blind, cross-over study aimed to analyze the effects of beef protein supplementation on a group of male elite triathletes (Spanish National Team). METHODS: Six elite triathletes (age, 21 ± 3 years; VO2max, 71.5 ± 3.0 ml·kg·min-1) were randomly assigned to consume daily either 25 g of a beef supplement (BEEF) or an isoenergetic carbohydrates (CHO) supplement for 8 weeks, with both conditions being separated by a 5-week washout period. Outcomes, including blood analyses and anthropometrical measurements, were assessed before and after each 8-week intervention. RESULTS: No effects of supplement condition were observed on body mass nor on skinfold thicknesses, but BEEF induced significant and large benefits over CHO in the thigh cross-sectional area (3.02%, 95%CI = 1.33 to 4.71%; p = 0.028, d = 1.22). Contrary to CHO, BEEF presented a significant increase in vastus lateralis muscle thickness (p = 0.046), but differences between conditions were not significant (p = 0.173, d = 0.87). Although a significantly more favorable testosterone-to-cortisol ratio (TCR) was observed for BEEF over CHO (37%, 95% CI = 5 to 68%; p = 0.028, d = 1.29), no significant differences were found for the hematological variables (i.e., iron, ferritin, red blood cell count, hemoglobin or hematocrit). CONCLUSION: Beef protein supplementation seems to facilitate a more favorable anabolic environment (i.e., increased TCR and muscle mass) in male elite triathletes, with no impact on hematological variables.

Effects of adding post-workout microcurrent in males cross country athletes.

Post-exercise microcurrent based treatments have shown to optimise exercise-induced adaptations in athletes. We compared the effects of endurance training in combination with either, a microcurrent or a sham treatment, on endurance performance. Additionally, changes in body composition, post-exercise lactate kinetics and perceived delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) were determined. Eighteen males (32.8 ± 6.3 years) completed an 8-week endurance training programme involving 5 to 6 workouts per week wearing a microcurrent (MIC, n=9) or a sham (SH, n=9) device for 3-h post-workout or in the morning during non-training days. Measurements were conducted at pre- and post-intervention. Compared to baseline, both groups increased (P < 0.01) maximal aerobic speed (MIC, pre = 17.6 ± 1.3 to post=18.3 ± 1.0; SH, pre=17.8 ± 1.5 to post = 18.3 ± 1.3 km.h-1) with no changes in V˙O2peak. No interaction effect per group and time was observed (P=0.193). Although both groups increased (P < 0.05) trunk lean mass (MIC, pre=23.2 ± 2.7 to post=24.2 ± 2.0; SH, pre=23.4 ± 1.7 to post=24.3 ± 1.6 kg) only MIC decreased (pre=4.8 ± 1.5 to post=4.5 ± 1.5, p=0.029) lower body fat. At post-intervention, no main differences between groups were observed for lactate kinetics over the 5 min recovery period. Only MIC decreased (P<0.05) DOMS at 24-h and 48-h, showing a significant average lower DOMS score over 72-h after the completion of the exercise-induced muscle soreness protocol. In conclusion, a 3-h daily application of microcurrent over an 8-week endurance training programme produced no further benefits on performance in endurance-trained males. Nonetheless, the post-workout microcurrent application promoted more desirable changes in body composition and attenuated the perception of DOMS over 72-h post-exercise.

Effects of Multi-Ingredient Preworkout Supplementation across a Five-Day Resistance and Endurance Training Microcycle in Middle-Aged Adults.

Preworkout multi-ingredient admixtures are used to maximise exercise performance. The present double-blind, cross-over study compared the acute effects of ingesting a preworkout multi-ingredient (PREW) admixture vs. carbohydrate (CHO) over a week (microcycle) comprising three resistance training (RT) workouts alternated with two 30-min low-intensity endurance sessions (END) on RT volume (kg lifted) and END substrate oxidation. Additionally, postworkout decreases of muscle function and subjective responses were analysed. Following a baseline assessment, fourteen recreationally trained, middle-aged adults (seven females, 48.8 ± 4.7 years old) completed two identical microcycles separated by a two-week washout period while receiving either PREW or CHO (15 min prior to workout). The RT volume, per session (SVOL) and for the entire week (WVOL), was calculated. Fatty acid oxidation (FAO) during 30-min cycling corresponding to their individually determined maximal fat oxidation was measured using expired gasses and indirect calorimetry. Assessments of performance and tensiomyography were conducted within 20 min after each RT. Higher (p = 0.001) SVOL and WVOL along with a larger proportion of FAO (p = 0.05) during the second END workout were determined under the PREW treatment. No other statistically significant differences were observed between conditions. Compared to CHO, a preworkout multi-ingredient appears to increase resistance volume and favour fat oxidation during low-intensity endurance exercises.

Chronic flavanol-rich cocoa powder supplementation reduces body fat mass in endurance athletes by modifying the follistatin/myostatin ratio and leptin levels.

Flavanols-rich cocoa has positive effects on lipid metabolism and might enhance the performance of athletes through an improvement in their body composition. To test this hypothesis a placebo-controlled intervention study in training endurance athletes who received 5 g of cocoa daily (425 mg of flavanols) for 10 weeks was performed. Dietary intake, body composition, exercise performance and plasma levels of follistatin, myostatin and leptin were measured. Cocoa intake significantly reduced body fat percentage (p = 0.020), specifically in the trunk (p = 0.022), visceral area (p = 0.034) and lower limbs (p = 0.004). The reduction in body fat mass was accompanied by an increase in plasma follistatin and a decrease in leptin, while myostatin levels remained unchanged. The intake of cocoa reduced the percentage of body fat of athletes, without any impact on athletes' performance. The change in fat body composition did not improve athletes' performance.

Concurrent and Construct Validation of a New Scale for Rating Perceived Exertion during Elastic Resistance Training in The Elderly.

The purpose of the study was to examine the concurrent and construct validity of a new perceptual scale to control the exercise intensity using elastic bands (Resistance Intensity Scale for Exercise; RISE) in the elderly. Twenty-six participants underwent two sessions consisting of 4 exercises. The participants performed three sets of 15 repetitions per exercise of either low, medium, or high intensity. The criterion variables were heart rate and applied force (mean and peak). Following the final repetition of each set, active muscle (AM) and overall body (OB) ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were collected from RISE and the OMNI-Resistance Exercise Scale of perceived exertion with elastic bands (OMNI-RES EB). Construct validity was established by correlating the perceptual score obtained from both scales, RISE and OMNI-RES EB. Significant (p ≤ 0.05) and positive linear relationships between both scales were found (RPE-AM R2 = 0.90; RPE-OB R2 = 0.77). Significant differences in heart rate, applied force, and RISE scores were observed between the sets of the three intensities. For all 4 analyzed exercises, high-intensity sets elicited higher heart rate, applied force, and perceptual scores compared with the medium- and low-intensity sets. Furthermore, the medium-intensity sets produced higher perceptual, physiologic, and performance responses than the low-intensity sets. Intersession reliability was 0.88 for heart rate, 0.94 and 0.95 for applied force, 0.88 for the RPE-AM, and 0.80 for the RPE-OB. Conclusion: The RISE scale can be considered a valid method for assessing the perceived exertion during resistance exercises performed with elastic bands in the elderly.

Effects of a Multi-ingredient Beverage on Recovery of Contractile Properties, Performance, and Muscle Soreness After Hard Resistance Training Sessions.

Naclerio, F, Larumbe-Zabala, E, Cooper, K, and Seijo, M. Effects of a multi-ingredient beverage on recovery of contractile properties, performance, and muscle soreness after hard resistance training sessions. J Strength Cond Res 34(7): 1884-1893, 2020-Carbohydrate-protein-based supplements have been proposed for maximizing postexercise recovery. This study compared the effects of postworkout supplementation ingesting a multi-ingredient (MTN) vs. carbohydrate alone (CHO) on the recovery of muscle function and perceived of delayed onset of muscle soreness (DOMS) after hard resistance workouts. In a double-blinded, crossover design, 10 resistance trained men (26.9 ± 7.4 years) performed 2 identical 5-day intervention periods while ingesting either MTN or CHO. The subjects performed one workout per day during the first 3 days. Thereafter, they were assessed 1, 24, and 48 hours after the completion of the third workout session. Primary outcome was tensiomyography (muscle displacement [Dm], contraction time [Tc], and contraction velocity [Vc]) of the vastus medialis (VM) and biceps femoris long head (BFLH). Secondary outcomes were performance and DOMS. At 24 hours, both conditions decreased (p < 0.05) Dm (MTN -1.71 ± 1.8, CHO -1.58 ± 1.46 mm) and Vc (MTN -0.03 ± 0.03, CHO 0.03 ± 0.04 m·s) in the VM. At 48 hours, all tensiomyography variables were recovered under the MTN while remained depressed (p < 0.01) in CHO (VM, Dm 1.61 ± 1.60, Vc -0.04 ± 0.04 m·s; BFLH, Dm 1.54 ± 1.52, Vc -0.02 ± 0.02 m·s). Vertical jump performance decreased in CHO, but not in MTN. Although both conditions decreased upper-body strength and power at 1 hour, values returned to baseline in 24 hours for MTM while needed 48 hours in CHO. DOMS similarly increased at both 24 and 48 hours in both conditions. Compared with the ingestion of only carbohydrates, postworkout multi-ingredient supplementation seems to hasten recovery of muscular contractile properties and performance without attenuating DOMS after hard resistance workouts.

Correction to: Effectiveness of combining microcurrent with resistance training in trained males.

The original version of this article unfortunately contained a mistake.

Effectiveness of combining microcurrent with resistance training in trained males.

INTRODUCTION: Microcurrent has been used to promote tissue healing after injury or to hasten muscle remodeling post exercise. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of resistance training in combination with either, microcurrent or sham treatment, on-body composition and muscular architecture. Additionally, changes in performance and perceived delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) were determined. METHODS: Eighteen males (25.7 ± 7.6 years) completed an 8-week resistance training program involving 3 workouts per week (24 total sessions) wearing a microcurrent (MIC, n = 9) or a sham (SH, n = 9) device for 3-h post-workout or in the morning during non-training days. Measurements were conducted at pre and post intervention. RESULTS: Compared to baseline, both groups increased (p < 0.05) muscle thickness of the elbow flexors (MIC + 2.9 ± 1.4 mm; SH + 3.0 ± 2.4 mm), triceps brachialis (MIC + 4.3 ± 2.8 mm; SH + 2.7 ± 2.6 mm), vastus medialis (MIC + 1.5 ± 1.5 mm; SH + 0.9 ± 0.8 mm) and vastus lateralis (MIC + 6.8 ± 8.0 mm; SH + 3.2 ± 1.8 mm). Although both groups increased (p < 0.01) the pennation angle of vastus lateralis (MIC + 2.90° ± 0.95°; SH + 1.90° ± 1.35°, p < 0.01), the change measured in MIC was higher (p = 0.045) than that observed in SH. Furthermore, only MIC enlarged (p < 0.01) the pennation angle of brachialis (MIC + 1.93 ± 1.51). Both groups improved (p < 0.05) bench press strength and power but only MIC enhanced (p < 0.01) vertical jump height. At post intervention, only MIC decreased (p < 0.05) DOMS at 12-h, 24-h, and 48-h after performing an exercise-induced muscle soreness protocol. CONCLUSION: A 3-h daily use of microcurrent maximized muscular architectural changes and attenuated DOMS with no added significant benefits on body composition and performance.

Surface Electromyography Analysis of Three Squat Exercises.

The aim of this study was to perform an electromyography comparison of three commonly used lower limb injury prevention exercises: a single-leg squat on a bench (SLSB), a double-leg squat (DLS) and a double-leg squat on a BOSU® balance trainer (DLSB). After determining the maximum isometric voluntary contraction of the hamstring and quadriceps, eight female athletes performed 3 repetitions of each exercise, while electromyography activity of the biceps femoris (BF), semitendinosus (ST), vastus lateralis (VL) and vastus medialis (VM) was monitored. Comparisons between exercises revealed higher activation in BF (descending phase: p = 0.016, d = 1.36; ascending phase: p = 0.046, d = 1.11), ST (descending phase: p = 0.04, d = 1.87; ascending phase: p = 0.04, d = 1.87), VL (ascending phase: p = 0.04, d = 1.17) and VM (descending phase: p = 0.05, d = 1.11; ascending phase: p = 0.021, d = 1.133) muscles for the SLSB compared to the DLSQ. Furthermore, higher muscular activation of the ST (ascending phase: p = 0.01, d = 1.51; descending phase: p = 0.09, d = 0.96) and VM (ascending phase: p = 0.065, d = 1.03; descending phase: p = 0.062, d = 1.05) during the SLSB with respect to the DLSB was observed. In conclusion, the SLSB elicits higher neuromuscular activation in both hamstring and quadriceps muscles compared to the other two analysed exercises. Additionally, the higher muscle activation of both medial muscles (ST and VM) during the SLSB suggests that single leg squatting exercises may enhance lower limb medial to lateral balance, and improve knee stability in the frontal plane.

Physical activity and quality of life in people living with HIV.

As life expectancy in people living with HIV (PWH) has increased, the focus of management has shifted to preventing and treating chronic illnesses. Regular physical activity (PA) has been shown to reduce the impact of HIV on both physical and mental health. Our objectives were to assess the PA levels of PWH compared to HIV negative controls; investigate factors associated with PA; and determine the effect of PA levels on quality of life and mental well-being. We recruited 110 PWH and 110 HIV negative controls in this cross-sectional, single-centre study. Physical activity, quality of life and mental well-being were assessed using the rapid assessment of physical activity tool, EQ-5D-5L Questionnaire, and the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Score. Binary logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used to identify factors associated with PA levels and mental well-being scores respectively. PWH were less likely to meet the WHO-recommended PA requirements compared to controls (50.0% vs. 64.5%; p = 0.041) and had significantly lower mental wellbeing and quality of life scores. Additionally, in PWH higher PA levels were associated with improved self-rated quality of life scores (p = 0.027). Our results suggest that targeted exercise programmes could have a beneficial effect on health status in PWH.