A Comparison of Leg Muscle Oxygenation, Cardiorespiratory Responses, and Blood Lactate between Walking and Running at the Same Speed.

It is not known whether different gait modes, or movement patterns, at the same speed elicit differences in muscle oxygen oxygenation, expressed as muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2). Thus, the aim of this study was to compare the oxygenation of two leg muscles (vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius medialis), as well as the heart rate, respiratory gases, and blood lactate between two gait modes (walking and running) of the same speed and duration. Ten men walked and ran for 30 min each at 7 km/h in a random, counterbalanced order. SmO2, heart rate, and respiratory gases were monitored continuously. Blood lactate was measured at rest, at the end of each exercise, and after 15 min of recovery. Data were analyzed by two-way (gait mode × time) or three-way (gait mode × muscle × time) ANOVA, as applicable. Heart rate and oxygen consumption were higher when running compared to walking. SmO2 was lower during exercise compared to rest and recovery, in gastrocnemius medialis compared to vastus lateralis, and in running compared to walking. Blood lactate increased during exercise but did not differ between gait modes. In conclusion, running caused higher deoxygenation in leg muscles (accompanied by higher whole-body oxygen uptake and heart rate) than walking at the same speed (one that was comfortable for both gait modes), thus pointing to a higher internal load despite equal external load. Thus, preferring running over walking at the same speed causes higher local muscle deoxygenation, which may be beneficial in inducing favorable training adaptations.

Blood Lactate and Maximal Lactate Accumulation Rate at Three Sprint Swimming Distances in Highly Trained and Elite Swimmers.

We examined the blood lactate response, in terms of the maximal post-exercise concentration (Lamax), time to reach Lamax, and maximal lactate accumulation rate (VLamax), to swimming sprints of 25, 35, and 50 m. A total of 14 highly trained and elite swimmers (8 male and 6 female), aged 14-32, completed the 3 sprints in their specialization stroke with 30 min of passive rest in between. The blood lactate was measured right before and continually (every minute) after each sprint to detect the Lamax. The VLamax, a potential index of anaerobic lactic power, was calculated. The blood lactate concentration, swimming speed, and VLamax differed between the sprints (p < 0.001). The Lamax was highest after 50 m (13.8 ± 2.6 mmol·L-1, mean ± SD throughout), while the swimming speed and VLamax were highest at 25 m (2.16 ± 0.25 m·s-1 and 0.75 ± 0.18 mmol·L-1·s-1). The lactate peaked approximately 2 min after all the sprints. The VLamax in each sprint correlated positively with the speed and with each other. In conclusion, the correlation of the swimming speed with the VLamax suggests that the VLamax is an index of anaerobic lactic power and that it is possible to improve performance by augmenting the VLamax through appropriate training. To accurately measure the Lamax and, hence, the VLamax, we recommend starting blood sampling one minute after exercise.

The Addition of High-Load Resistance Exercises to a High-Intensity Functional Training Program Elicits Further Improvements in Body Composition and Strength: A Randomized Trial.

The current study aimed to examine the effects of adding specific high-load resistance exercises to a high-intensity functional training (HIFT) program on healthy adults' physical fitness and body composition. Twenty recreationally active volunteers (30 ± 4 y, 12 females, 8 males) were randomly assigned to either a HIFT-control (HIFT-C, n = 10) or HIFT-power (HIFT-P, n = 10) group and trained three times per week for eight weeks. The HIFT-C protocol included four rounds of an 8-exercise circuit (30:15 s work: rest, 2 min rest after the second round). The exercises used were clean-and-press, box jump, TRX chest press, wall ball throws, burpees, repeated 10 m sprints, sumo squat-and-upright row, and abdominal crunches. The HIFT-P-group replaced TRX chest press with bench press and squat-and-upright row with squat, both at an intensity of 80% 1 RM. Before and after the intervention, participants underwent an evaluation of body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness, vertical jump, 1 RM bench press, and the maximum number of abdominal crunches in 1 min. In both groups, cardiorespiratory fitness, squat jump, countermovement jump, bench press 1 RM, and percent body fat improved significantly after the intervention (p < 0.050), while a trend towards significant time x group interaction was found for bench press 1 RM (p = 0.076), indicating a superiority of HIFT-P over HIFT-C. Muscle mass significantly increased by 3.3% in the HIFT-P group, while abdominal muscle endurance improved by 16.2% in the HIFT-C group (p < 0.050). Short-term HIFT resulted in improvements in whole-body cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular fitness and reduction of body fat. The addition of high-load resistance exercises was well tolerated and resulted in increased muscle mass and upper body maximal strength. HIFT-P programs can be suitable for individuals seeking to enhance muscle mass and physical fitness in a short time.

Higher and lower caffeine consumers: exercise performance and biological responses during a simulated soccer-game protocol following caffeine ingestion.

PURPOSE: Research on whether caffeine habituation reduces its ergogenicity is scarce and conflicting. The purpose of the present study was to examine the influence of habitual caffeine consumption on exercise performance and biological responses during a simulated soccer-game protocol following acute caffeine ingestion. METHODS: Twenty professional male soccer players were categorized as higher (n = 9) or lower caffeine consumers (n = 11) after answering a validated questionnaire. Participants performed a simulated treadmill soccer-game protocol on treadmill following either caffeine (6 mg kg-1) or placebo ingestion, during which several variables were evaluated. RESULTS: Time to exhaustion, countermovement jump height, mean arterial pressure, heart rate, plasma glucose, and lactate were higher (P ≤ 0.001), while rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was lower (P = 0.002), following caffeine compared to placebo ingestion, with no differences between groups (P > 0.05). Plasma non-esterified fatty acids exhibited a higher response to caffeine in the higher vs lower caffeine consumers. Reaction time, plasma glycerol and epinephrine, carbohydrate and fat oxidation, and energy expenditure were not affected by caffeine (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Caffeine ingestion largely improved cardiovascular and neuromuscular performance, while reducing RPE, in both higher and lower caffeine consuming athletes during prolonged intermitted exercise to exhaustion.

Bout duration in high-intensity interval exercise modifies hematologic, metabolic and antioxidant responses.

Objective: This study compared hematologic, metabolic and antioxidant responses between three high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) trials of different bout duration and a continuous exercise trial (CON), all with equal average intensity, total work, and duration. Methods: Eleven healthy young males performed four trials involving 20 min of cycling, either continuously (49% of power at VO2max, PPO), or intermittently with 48 10-s bouts (HIIE10), 16 30-s bouts (HIIE30) or 8 60-s bouts (HIIE60) at 100% PPO, with a 1:1.5 work-to-recovery ratio at 15% PPO. Venous blood was obtained before, immediately after, and 1 h post-exercise to evaluate hematologic, metabolic and antioxidant responses. Blood lactate concentration was measured in capillary blood during exercise, while urine lactate was measured before and 1 h post-exercise. Results: Post-exercise leukocyte count (mean ± SD; 9.7 ± 2.8 k µL-1), uric acid concentration (0.35 ± 0.10 mmol L-1), glucose concentration (6.56 ± 1.44 mmol L-1), and plasma volume change (-13.5 ± 4.4%) were greater in HIIE60 compared to all other trials (p < 0.05). One-hour post-exercise, lymphocytes decreased below pre-exercise values in all HIIE trials, and uric acid increased in the HIIE60 trial (p < 0.05). Urine lactate concentration 1 h post-exercise increased compared to pre-exercise only in HIIE60 (19-fold, p < 0.001), and this was related with the higher blood lactate concentration during exercise in that trial. Conclusions: These findings highlight the importance of bout duration, given that shorter bouts of HIIE (30 s or 10 s) induce lower blood cell perturbations, metabolic stress, and antioxidant responses compared to the commonly used 1-min bouts, despite equal total work, duration, and work-to-recovery ratio.

Physiological, perceptual and affective responses to high-intensity interval training using two work-matched programs with different bout duration in obese males.

Objectives: This study compared physiological, perceptual, and affective responses to high-intensity interval training (HIIT) between two work-matched programs with different bout durations in obese males. Methods: Sixteen low-to-moderately active obese men completed an eight-week cycling program of supervised HIIT (3 days/week) using either short bouts [48 × 10 s at 100% of peak power output (PPO) with 15 s of recovery (HIIT10)] or long bouts [8 × 60 s at 100% PPO with 90 s of recovery (HIIT60)]. Workload was progressively adjusted, to maintain high intensity (100% PPO), throughout training. Blood lactate (BLa), heart rate (HR), ratings of perceived exertion (RPE), and feeling scale ratings (pleasure/displeasure) were measured in each HIIT session. Results: Average HR decreased in the last 2 weeks of training in both groups by 2.2 ± 1.8% of peak HR (p < 0.001). Training resulted in a reduction in BLa during exercise by 28 ± 19% (p < 0.001) from the 10th min onward only in HIIT10. Similarly, during the last weeks of training, RPE decreased (by 1.0 ± 1.1 units, p < 0.05) and feeling scale ratings were improved only in HIIT10, while RPE remained unchanged and feeling scale ratings deteriorated in HIIT60 (from 3.0 ± 1.1 to 2.1 ± 0.9 units, p < 0.001). No differences in post-exercise enjoyment were found. Conclusion: Both HIIT formats induced similar HR adaptations, but improvement of BLa, perceptual and affective responses occurred only when bout duration was shorter. Our findings suggest that, in low-to-moderately active obese men, HIIT may be more effective in improving metabolic, perceptual, and affective responses when shorter, rather than longer, bouts of exercise are used.

Effect of the Reduction in Training Volume during the COVID-19 Era on Performance in 100-m and 400-m Freestyle Events in Greek Swimming Championships.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a profound impact on almost all social activities, including sport participation. Swimming training was greatly reduced during the 2019−2020 and 2020−2021 seasons (by four and two months, respectively), which caused athletes and coaches to worry about performance in championships. The present study investigated the impact of COVID-19 lockdowns on the results of Greek swimming championships in the categories of 13 to 18 years of age during 2020 and 2021. Forty-one coaches were interviewed about the training process (satisfaction, duration of the training season, and daily training swimming distance), and the performance of swimmers in national championships over seven seasons (2014−2021) was analyzed. The duration of the training season and the daily swimming distance, as reported by the coaches, were lower during the 2019−2020 and 2020−2021 seasons, compared to the previous five seasons (p < 0.001). The number of swimmers who achieved qualifying times for the national championships during the COVID-19 era were similar to those in previous years. Comparisons of the times in the 100-m and 400-m freestyle events, in both genders, from 2015 through 2021, showed no significant differences except for the 400-m event in males, in which a lower performance was detected in 2021 compared to 2015 (by 2.7%, p = 0.001). In conclusion, two or four months of detraining during the COVID-19 era had a negative impact on the coaches' evaluation of the training process, but there was no effect on the number of young swimmers who qualified for the national championships and a negligible effect on swimming performance in 100-m and 400-m freestyle events.

Exercise to Lower Postprandial Lipemia: Why, When, What and How.

We review recent findings on the ability of exercise to lower postprandial lipemia (PPL). Specifically, we answer why exercise is important in lowering PPL, when it is most effective to exercise to achieve this, what the preferred exercise is and how exercise reduces PPL. Most findings confirm the power of exercise to lower PPL, which is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Exercise is most effective when performed on the day preceding a high- or moderate-fat meal. This effect lasts up to approximately two days; therefore, one should exercise frequently to maintain this benefit. However, the time of exercise relative to a meal is not that important in real-life conditions, since one consumes several meals during the day; thus, an exercise bout will inevitably exert its lowering effect on PPL in one or more of the subsequent meals. Although moderate-intensity continuous exercise, high-intensity intermittent exercise, resistance exercise and accumulation of short bouts of exercise throughout the day are all effective in lowering PPL, submaximal, high-volume interval exercise seems to be superior, provided it is tolerable. Finally, exercise reduces PPL by both lowering the rate of appearance and increasing the clearance of triacylglycerol-rich lipoproteins from the circulation.

Attenuated Metabolic and Cardiorespiratory Responses to Isoenergetic High-Intensity Interval Exercise of Short Versus Long Bouts.

PURPOSE: To compare the metabolic, cardiorespiratory and perceptual responses to three isoenergetic high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocols of different bout duration and an isoenergetic continuous exercise protocol. METHODS: Eleven healthy males (age, 28 ± 6 yr) performed four 20-min cycling trials of equal mean power output 1 wk apart. Participants cycled either continuously (CON) or intermittently with 10 s (HIIE10), 30 s (HIIE30), or 60 s (HIIE60) bouts at intensities corresponding to 49% (CON) or 100% of power at peak oxygen uptake (V̇O2peak). Recovery intervals during the HIIE trials were 15, 45, and 90 s, respectively. RESULTS: Average V̇O2 was similar in the HIIE trials (2.29 ± 0.42, 2.20 ± 0.43, and 2.12 ± 0.45 L·min-1, for HIIE10, HIIE30, and HIIE60, respectively), whereas in CON (2.02 ± 0.38 L·min-1), it was lower than HIIE10 (P = 0.002) and HIIE30 (P = 0.043). Average pulmonary ventilation (VE) was higher in HIIE60 compared with HIIE10, HIIE30, and CON (75.8 ± 21.8 L·min-1 vs 64.1 ± 14.5 L·min-1, 64.1 ± 16.2 L·min-1, and 54.0 ± 12.5 L·min-1, respectively, P < 0.001). The peak values and oscillations of V̇O2 and VE in HIIE60 were higher compared with all other trials (P < 0.001). Blood lactate concentration was higher in HIIE60 compared with HIIE10, HIIE30, and CON from the fifth minute onward, reaching 12.5 ± 3.5, 7.2 ± 2.1, 7.9 ± 2.9, and 4.9 ± 1.6 mmol·L-1, respectively, at the end of exercise (P < 0.001). RPE was higher and affective responses were lower in HIIE60 compared with all other trials toward the end of exercise (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These findings highlight the importance of bout duration in HIIE, since shorter bouts resulted in attenuated metabolic and cardiorespiratory responses, lower RPE and feelings of displeasure compared with a longer bout, despite equal total work, duration, and work-to-recovery ratio. These results may have implications for the prescription of HIIE in various populations.

Effect of Supplementation with Olive Leaf Extract Enriched with Oleuropein on the Metabolome and Redox Status of Athletes' Blood and Urine-A Metabolomic Approach.

Oleuropein (OE) is a secoiridoid glycoside occurring mostly in the Oleaceae family and presenting several pharmacological properties, including hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties. Based on these, several dietary supplements containing olive leaf extracts enriched with OE are commercially available in many countries. The current study aimed to examine the effect of supplementation with such an extract on the serum and urine metabolome of young healthy male athletes. For this purpose, applying a randomized, balanced, double-blind study, nine young, healthy males (physical education students) received either a commercially prepared extract or placebo for one week, followed by a two-week washout period; then, they were subsequently dosed with the alternate scheme (crossover design). Urine and serum samples were analyzed using UHPLC-HRMS, followed by evaluation with several multivariate methods of data analysis. The data were interpreted using a multilevel metabolomic approach (multilevel-sPLSDA) as it was found to be the most efficient approach for the study design. Metabolic pathway analysis of the most affected metabolites revealed that tryptophan and acylcarnitine's biochemistries were most influenced. Furthermore, several metabolites connected to indole metabolism were detected, which may indicate enhanced serotonin turnover. Phenylethylamine and related metabolites, as well as estrone, were connected to enhanced performance. In addition, possible changes to the lipidemic profile and the blood and urine redox statuses were investigated.

Low-Volume Sprint Interval Swimming Is Sufficient to Increase Blood Metabolic Biomarkers in Master Swimmers.

Purpose: Sprint interval exercise is a time-efficient way of inducing beneficial adaptations. However, little is known about its minimal effective volume, especially in swimming. The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the effects of two sprint interval swimming sets of different low volumes on blood biomarkers. Method: Twenty-one master swimmers [11 females aged 38.5 (8.5) years, 10 males aged 42.7 (5.7) years] completed two freestyle swimming sets of 4 × 50 m and 4 × 25 m at maximal intensity and a work-to-rest ratio of 1:1, on different days, in random and counterbalanced order. Blood samples were taken before, immediately after and one hour after exercise for determination of a number of biochemical parameters. Results: Swimming speed was higher in the 4 × 25-m set. Lactate, glucose, insulin, glucagon, cortisol, and reduced glutathione increased immediately post-exercise, while uric acid increased 1 h post-exercise (p < .05). All aforementioned biomarkers, excluding glucagon, increased more with the 4 × 50-m set, compared to the 4 × 25-m set (p < .05). Session rating of perceived exertion was higher after the 4 × 50-m set (p = .011). Conclusion: Both sprint interval swimming sets elicited increases in blood biomarkers in master swimmers. The set of higher volume elicited greater increases in most of the biochemical markers studied but also in subjective load. Thus, although the set of higher volume was more efficient in perturbing blood biomarkers, even the very low-volume set induced metabolic stress that may trigger adaptive mechanisms.

High-Intensity Functional Training Improves Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Neuromuscular Performance Without Inflammation or Muscle Damage.

ABSTRACT: Posnakidis, G, Aphamis, G, Giannaki, CD, Mougios, V, Aristotelous, P, Samoutis, G, and Bogdanis, GC. High-intensity functional training improves cardiorespiratory fitness and neuromuscular performance without inflammation or muscle damage. J Strength Cond Res 36(3): 615-623, 2022-We examined the effects of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) on cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular performance, as well as on inflammatory and muscle damage markers. Thirteen physically active healthy volunteers (aged 28.3 ± 3.8 years, 5 men and 8 women) underwent 8 weeks of a group HIFT program performed 3 times per week. Each session consisted of 4 rounds of a 9-exercise circuit (30-second exercise and 15-second recovery). During the first and last weeks of training, venous blood was sampled daily to monitor changes in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine kinase (CK). After 8 weeks of HIFT, body fat decreased by 0.64 ± 1.01 kg (p = 0.041), maximal oxygen uptake improved by 1.9 ± 2.2 ml·kg-1·min-1 (p = 0.009), countermovement jump by 2.6 ± 1.5 cm (p = 0.001), bench press 1-repetition maximum (1RM) by 4.5 ± 3.8 kg (p = 0.001), maximum number of bench press repetitions at 65% 1RM by 4 ± 5 repetitions (p = 0.03), and abdominal muscle endurance by 6 ± 4 repetitions (p < 0.001). In both week 1 and week 8 of training, CK increased mildly in the morning after the first session of the week (main effect for day, p = 0.008), whereas no significant changes were observed in CRP (p = 0.31). During week 8, CK on all days was ∼32% lower compared with week 1 (160 vs. 235 U·L-1; main effect of week 1 vs. week 8, p = 0.027), whereas CRP remained unchanged (p = 0.225). This HIFT program was effective in improving cardiorespiratory and neuromuscular physical fitness without causing significant inflammation or muscle damage in physically active subjects.

Relevance of a Sprint Interval Swim Training Set to the 100-Meter Freestyle Event Based on Blood Lactate and Kinematic Variables.

Sprint interval training (SIT) sets are commonly used by coaches in the training routine of swimmers competing in short-distance events; however, data regarding their relevance to competitive events are scarce. The aim of this study was to examine whether performance variables differed or correlated between a 4 × 50-m maximal swimming set (with a work-to-rest ratio of 1:4) and the 100-m freestyle event. Eleven male and 16 female competitive swimmers aged 16.1 ± 1.1 years participated in the study. All swimmers trained at least six times a week and had training experience of more than 4 years. They completed the two freestyle tests on different days, in random and counterbalanced order. In each test, speed, blood lactate, stroke rate (SR), and stroke index (SI) were measured. Speed, blood lactate, and SR were higher at the 4 × 50 m compared to the 100 m and were positively correlated between tests (p < 0.001). The SI did not differ significantly, but was positively correlated between tests. Males were faster and had a higher SI than females, but genders did not differ in lactate. Since performance variables were better in the SIT set and correlated with those in the 100-m bout, we suggest that the 4 × 50-m set can be used to improve performance in the 100-m freestyle event. Moreover, this set can help coaches identify which swimmers will swim fastest in the event.

Effects of Periodic Religious Fasting for Decades on Nutrient Intakes and the Blood Biochemical Profile.

The aim of the present study was to examine differences and correlations in nutrient intakes and serum parameters related to nutrient intake (lipid profile, vitamins, and trace elements) in 200 lifelong Christian Orthodox Church (COC) fasters with periodic abstinence from certain foods (predominantly of animal origin) for approximately half of the year and 200 non-fasting controls, all of whom did not take dietary supplements. Nutrient intakes were assessed through three-day dietary recalls. Blood samples were drawn for the analysis of potential biomarkers of nutrient intake. Fasters had lower energy intake, due to lower fat and protein intake, compared to non-fasters (p < 0.05). Fasters also had lower intakes of vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, B12, D, folate, pantothenate, sodium, calcium, zinc, and phosphorus. Most participants (in both groups) did not meet the recommended dietary allowances of most vitamins and elements. Most serum biochemical parameters did not reflect the differences in nutrient intakes between groups, and none exhibited a correlation coefficient above 0.5 with nutrient intakes. Our findings suggest that COC fasting is associated with reduced intake of many nutrients, although this does not seem to have an impact on the blood biochemical profile.

Effects of Two Workload-Matched High-Intensity Interval Training Protocols on Regional Body Composition and Fat Oxidation in Obese Men.

The effects of two high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols on regional body composition and fat oxidation in men with obesity were compared using a parallel randomized design. Sixteen inactive males (age, 38.9 ± 7.3 years; body fat, 31.8 ± 3.9%; peak oxygen uptake, VO2peak, 30.9 ± 4.1 mL/kg/min; all mean ± SD) were randomly assigned to either HIIT10 (48 × 10 s bouts at 100% of peak power [Wpeak] with 15 s of recovery) or HIIT60 group (8 × 60 s bouts at 100% Wpeak with 90 s of recovery), and subsequently completed eight weeks of training, while maintaining the same diet. Analyses of variance (ANOVA) showed only a main effect of time (p < 0.01) and no group or interaction effects (p > 0.05) in the examined parameters. Total and trunk fat mass decreased by 1.81 kg (90%CI: -2.63 to -0.99 kg; p = 0.002) and 1.45 kg (90%CI: -1.95 to -0.94 kg; p < 0.001), respectively, while leg lean mass increased by 0.86 kg (90%CI: 0.63 to 1.08 kg; p < 0.001), following both HIIT protocols. HIIT increased peak fat oxidation (PFO) (from 0.20 ± 0.05 to 0.33 ± 0.08 g/min, p = 0.001), as well as fat oxidation over a wide range of submaximal exercise intensities, and shifted PFO to higher intensity (from 33.6 ± 4.6 to 37.6 ± 6.7% VO2peak, p = 0.039). HIIT, irrespective of protocol, improved VO2peak by 20.0 ± 7.2% (p < 0.001), while blood lactate at various submaximal intensities decreased by 20.6% (p = 0.001). In conclusion, both HIIT protocols were equally effective in improving regional body composition and fat oxidation during exercise in obese men.

Vitamin D status, vitamin D intake, and sunlight exposure in adults adhering or not to periodic religious fasting for decades.

We investigated whether periodic abstinence from foods of animal origin and a conservative lifestyle, with reduced sunlight exposure, affect vitamin D status. In a cross-sectional design, we measured the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and assessed dietary vitamin D intake and sunlight exposure in 200 adults adhering to religious fasting for decades and in 200 non-fasters, with no differences between groups in bone mineral density. Fasters showed lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration than non-fasters in winter and spring. Vitamin D intake and some indices of sunlight exposure (including two related to winter and spring) were lower in fasters, and 378 of the 400 participants exhibited vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency. In conclusion, individuals following a religious lifestyle had lower vitamin D intake, sunlight exposure and, at times, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration than controls, although these differences did not impact bone health.

Therapeutic Benefits of Short-Arm Human Centrifugation in Multiple Sclerosis-A New Approach.

Short-arm human centrifugation (SAHC) is proposed as a robust countermeasure to treat deconditioning and prevent progressive disability in a case of secondary progressive multiple sclerosis. Based on long-term physiological knowledge derived from space medicine and missions, artificial gravity training seems to be a promising physical rehabilitation approach toward the prevention of musculoskeletal decrement due to confinement and inactivity. So, the present study proposes a novel infrastructure based on SAHC to investigate the hypothesis that artificial gravity ameliorates the degree of disability. The patient was submitted to a 4-week training programme including three weekly sessions of 30 min of intermittent centrifugation at 1.5-2 g. During sessions, cardiovascular, muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) and electroencephalographic (EEG) responses were monitored, whereas neurological and physical performance tests were carried out before and after the intervention. Cardiovascular parameters improved in a way reminiscent of adaptations to aerobic exercise. SmO2 decreased during sessions concomitant with increased g load, and, as training progressed, SmO2 of the suffering limb dropped, both effects suggesting increased oxygen use, similar to that seen during hard exercise. EEG showed increased slow and decreased fast brain waves, with brain reorganization/plasticity evidenced through functional connectivity alterations. Multiple-sclerosis-related disability and balance capacity also improved. Overall, this study provides novel evidence supporting SAHC as a promising therapeutic strategy in multiple sclerosis, based on mechanical loading, thereby setting the basis for future randomized controlled trials.