Post-exercise recovery of biological, clinical and metabolic variables after different temperatures and durations of cold water immersion: a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Cold water immersion (CWI) is a commonly used recuperative strategy. However there is a lack of standardization of protocols considering the duration and temperature of application of the technique and the stress model. Therefore it is important to study the issue of dose response in a specific stress model. Thus the objective was to analyze and compare the effects of CWI during intense post-exercise recovery using different durations and temperatures of immersion. METHODS: One hundred and five male individuals were divided into five groups: one control group (CG) and four recovery groups (G1: 5' at 9±1 °C; G2: 5' at 14±1 °C; G3: 15' at 9±1 °C; G4: 15' at 14±1 °C). The volunteers were submitted to an exhaustion protocol that consisted of a jump program and the Wingate Test. Immediately after the exhaustion protocol, the volunteers were directed to a tank with water and ice, where they were immersed for the recovery procedure, during which blood samples were collected for later lactate and creatine kinase (CK) analysis. Variables were collected prior to the exercise and 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after its completion. RESULTS: For the CK concentration, 15 minutes at 14 °C was the best intervention option, considering the values at 72 hours after exercise, while for the moment of peak lactate an advantage was observed for immersion for 5 minutes at 14 °C. Regarding the perception of recovery, CWI for 5 minutes at 14 °C performed better long-term, from the time of the intervention to 96 hours post-exercise. For pain, no form of immersion responded better than the CG at the immediately post-intervention moment. CONCLUSIONS: There were no differences in behavior between the CWI intervention groups for the outcomes studied.

Temporal sequence of recovery-related events following maximal exercise assessed by heart rate variability and blood lactate concentration.

PURPOSE: To analyse the temporal sequence of recovery events related to autonomic nervous system and metabolic processes following maximal exercise, applying linear and nonlinear indices of heart rate variability (HRV) and blood lactate concentration. METHODS: On the following day of the maximum oxygen consumption test, 20 participants firstly lay down for 20 min for resting data collection and then underwent the constant velocity exhaustive test, which consisted in running at 100% of maximal velocity reached on the previous day until exhaustion. Immediately after the end of exercise, the participants kept a supine position for 120 min recovering passively. Prior to exercise and at every 10 min during the recovery time, blood samples were collected to determine lactate concentration, and heart rate variability analysis (time and frequency domain indices and recurrence plot variables) was performed. Friedman's test, complemented with Dunn's multiple comparison test, was used to compare recovery moments and baseline values. RESULTS: From 70 min, no significant differences were detected between lactate concentration and baseline. HRV indices were considered recovered at different timings: at 60 min for SD2; at 70 min for SDNN and LF; at 80 min for RMSSD, HF and SD1 and at 90 min for recurrence plot variables. CONCLUSIONS: During passive recovery after maximal exercise, restoration processes seem to comply an order, considering analysed HRV indices and lactate removal: at first, lactate concentration reaches normal values, allowing sympathovagal reorganization, and then, parasympathetic function is able to complete its reestablishment followed by system complexity recovering.

Resistance training reduces systolic blood pressure in metabolic syndrome: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

AIM: To evaluate the effects of resistance training on metabolic syndrome risk factors through comparison with a control group. DESIGN: Meta-analysis comparing resistance training interventions with control groups. Two independent reviewers selected the studies and assessed their quality and data. The pooled mean differences between resistance training and the control group were calculated using a fixed-effects model. DATA SOURCES: The MEDLINE, PEDro, EMBASE, SPORTDiscus and The Cochrane Library databases were searched from their earliest records to 10 January 2015. ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR SELECTING STUDIES: Randomised controlled trials that compared the effect of resistance training on metabolic syndrome risk factors with a control group were included. All types of resistance training, irrespective of intensity, frequency or duration, were eligible. RESULTS: Only systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced, by 4.08 mm Hg (95% CI 1.33 to 6.82; p<0.01), following resistance training. The pooled effect showed a reduction of 0.04 mmol/L (95% CI -0.12, 0.21; p>0.05) for fasting plasma glucose, 0.00 (95% CI -0.05, 0.04; p>0.05) for high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, 0.03 (95% CI -0.14, 0.20; p>0.05) for triglycerides, 1.39 mm Hg (95% CI -0.19, 2.98; p=0.08) for diastolic blood pressure and 1.09 cm (95% CI -0.12, 2.30; p=0.08) for waist circumference. Inconsistency (I2) for all meta-analysis was 0%. CONCLUSIONS: Resistance training may help reduce systolic blood pressure levels, stroke mortality and mortality from heart disease in people with metabolic syndrome. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: CRD42015016538.

Strength gain through eccentric isotonic training without changes in clinical signs or blood markers.

BACKGROUND: Localized exercises are widely used in rehabilitation processes. The predominant options are exercises with an emphasis on either concentric or eccentric contractions. Eccentric exercises promote greater strength gains compared to classical concentric stimuli, but can cause muscle damage. The aim of present study was to compare strength training composed of 10 sessions with progressive loads between groups with a predominance of concentric versus eccentric contraction through an analysis of isotonic strength, pressure pain threshold, creatine kinase, tumor necrosis factor-alpha and cortisol. METHODS: One hundred twenty male subjects were divided into four groups: C1 and E1--single session of maximum strength with emphasis on concentric and eccentric contraction, respectively; C10 and E10--10 sessions with progressive loads from 80% to maximum strength with emphasis on concentric and eccentric contraction, respectively. RESULTS: Isotonic strength increased by 10% in E10 following the ten training sessions. C1 and E1 exhibited a lower pressure pain threshold 48 hours after the sessions in comparison to C10 and E10, respectively. Creatine kinase was increased in C1 in comparison to baseline, with significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in comparison to E1 at 48 and 96 hours as well as C10 at 48, 72 and 96 hours. No significant differences were found in TNF-α or cortisol among the groups or evaluation times. CONCLUSION: Eccentric contraction training promotes functional adaptation. Moreover, both concentric and eccentric contraction training have a protective effect on the muscle in relation to a single session of maximum strength exercise. TRIAL REGISTRATION: RBR-75scwh.

[Work-related musculoskeletal complaints by women in a social rehabilitation center]. / Queixas osteomusculares relacionadas ao trabalho relatadas por mulheres de centro de ressocialização.

Considering work-related complaints as a public health problem, the current study aimed to analyze the frequency of musculoskeletal complaints and the association between their occurrence and severity and anthropometric and work variables. The sample included 146 women from a social rehabilitation center who answered a validated questionnaire with anthropometric data and history of work-related musculoskeletal complaints. The Goodman test was used to analyze the association between and within variables. We observed a high rate of complaints after beginning work activity (94.19%). Subjects that required sick leave showed higher mean age and weight. The most severe complaints related to back pain. Sick leave was more common among women who had worked longer. The study concluded that there was a high frequency of work-related complaints and an association between: higher weight and height values and severity; higher age and sick leave; more serious complaints and back pain; and longer time on the job and need for sick leave.