Effect of functional resistance training on the structure and function of the heart and liver in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver.

The current study is of the quasi-experimental type, with a pre-and post-test design, and subjects were randomly assigned to one of two groups: control (n = 8) and experimental (test) (n = 8). Based on the patient's self-report and using daily diet control tables, the patient's diet planning percentage of energy supply was managed and controlled for 3 days. The protocol for functional resistance training for these circular exercises, including the squat, lunge, bear crawl, rock press, jumping jack, and back fly lunge, was performed three times per week without specialized apparatus. Ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) were measured before and after functional resistance training, using echocardiography. Liver Stiffness and steatosis were measured using FibroScan, and the liver function was determined using biochemical assays. The average age of patients in the control group and the test group were 46.02 ± 5.4 and 48.6 ± 2.51, respectively. Pre-test and post-test of the body mass index were 32.06 ± 5.06 and 30.02 ± 3.97, and for the body fat percentage were 33.65 ± 6.09 and 25.41 ± 4.99. In non-alcoholic fatty liver patients, due to functional resistance training, EF (p-value = 0.003) and FS (p-value = 0.03) significantly increased, and C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) (p-value = 0.001), steatosis (p-value = 0.04), and stiffness (p-value = 0.01) decreased. According to the results and without considering clinical trials, functional resistance training affects the structure and function of the heart and Liver in NAFLD patients.

Treadmill Exercise Improves Stereotypical Behaviors in Autistic Rats: Treadmill Exercise Improves ASD.

Background: Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is identified by developmental deficits that lead to repetitive/stereotypic patterns of behavior and impaired social interactions. Studies have been indicated that exercise can decrease stereotypic behaviors in animal models of ASD. This research was designed to discover the effects of different models of forced exercise on stereotypical behaviors in a rat model of ASD induced by thimerosal (THIM). Materials and Methods: Fifty-six male Wistar rats were divided into eight groups. The rats were received saline (1 ml/kg) or THIM (300 µg Hg/kg) by four intramuscular injections on 7, 9, 11, and 15 postnatal days. The rats were also treated by several protocols of treadmill exercise, including non-sedentary, sedentary, protocol 1, protocol 2, and a combination of protocols 1 and 2. Results: Our study showed that THIM decreased the grooming time compared to the control group. Moreover, protocol 2 exercise significantly decreased grooming time in stranger zone 2 compared to the THIM group. Conclusions: Our results showed that stereotypical behaviors exaggerated by THIM and moderate exercise could improve ASD-associated behaviors in the THIM-treated rats. Hence, moderate exercise may be a useful protocol for the treatment of ASD.

Effects of Treadmill Exercise on Social Behavior in Rats Exposed to Thimerosal with Respect to the Hippocampal Level of GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B.

Thimerosal (THIM) kills brain neurons via induction of apoptosis and necrosis and induces the pathological features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in rats. THIM also affects the function of glutamatergic receptors. On the other hand, exercise induces both improvement and impairment effects on memory, depending on intensity, type, and duration. Treadmill exercise can also alter the expression of glutamatergic receptors. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of THIM and three protocols of treadmill exercise on social interaction memory and hippocampal expression of GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B in rats. THIM was injected intramuscularly at the dose of 300 µg/kg. The three-chamber apparatus was used to evaluate social interaction memory, and western blotting was used to assess protein expression. The results showed that THIM impaired social memory. Exercise 1 impaired social affiliation in controls. Social memory was impaired in all exercise groups of controls. Exercise 1 + 2 impaired social affiliation in THIM rats. Social memory was impaired in all groups of THIM rats. Exercises 2 and 1 + 2 decreased the expression of GluN1, and exercise 1 increased the expression of GluN2A and GluN2B in controls. THIM increased the expression of GluN2B, while exercise 1 reversed this effect. All exercise protocols increased the expression of GluN2A, and exercises 2 and 1 + 2 increased the expression of GluN1 in THIM rats. In conclusion, both THIM and exercise impaired social memory. Of note, the results did not show a separate and influential role for glutamatergic subunits in modulating memory processes following THIM injection or exercise.

Exercise training and probiotic supplementation effects on skeletal muscle apoptosis prevention in type-Ι diabetic rats.

AIMS: Hyperglycemia occurring in the diabetic condition can cause apoptosis via the mitochondrial pathway with higher pro-apoptotic protein expression. Probiotics are viable microorganisms that have anti-diabetic and antioxidant effects. Also, exercise may affect the signaling pathways of skeletal muscle apoptosis. This study examined the aerobic exercise training and probiotic supplementation effects on some apoptotic indices of the soleus muscle in diabetic rats-induced by streptozotocin. MAIN METHODS: We examined 32 male Wistar rats (weight: 250-270 g; age: eight weeks old) and divided them into four groups: control, control + probiotics, aerobic training (AT), and AT + probiotics (ATS). The rats in the training groups aerobically exercised using a treadmill five days per week for five weeks. We evaluated the gene expression of Bax, Bcl2, and p53 using the RT-PCR. We also used a one-way ANOVA for statistical analysis and set the significance level at P ≤ 0.05. KEY FINDINGS: The results showed that the fasting blood sugar was significantly higher in the control and control + probiotics groups (P = 0.008). Moreover, the AT + probiotics group showed lower expression of p53 (P = 0.005), Bax (P = 0.001) and the Bax/Bcl2 ratio (P = 0.001). Conversely, Bcl2 expression was higher after aerobic training and receiving probiotics (P = 0.002). However, the groups revealed no significant difference regarding muscle weight (P = 0.053) and the muscle weight/final body weight ratio of the rats (P = 0.26). SIGNIFICANCE: It appears that aerobic exercise training with the use of probiotics prevents apoptosis in the muscle with the down-regulation of blood glucose.

The Effects of Acute and Chronic Aerobic Activity on the Signaling Pathway of the Inflammasome NLRP3 Complex in Young Men.

Background and Objectives: The results of the studies show that the intensity and volume of aerobic exercise activity produce different responses of the immune system. This study aims to show how the signaling pathway of the inflammatory NLRP3 complex is influenced by the acute and chronic effects of moderate and high-intensity aerobic exercises in young men. Materials and Methods: Accordingly, 60 healthy (BMI = 23.56 ± 2.67) young (24.4 ± 0.4) students volunteered to participate in the study that was randomly divided into two experimental (n = 20) groups and one control (n = 20) group. The training protocol started with two intensity levels of 50% for a moderate group and 70% of maximum heart rate for high group for 30 min and then continued until reaching 70% (moderate group) and 90% (high group) of the maximum heart rate, respectively. Using Real Time-PCR method, the expression of NLRP3 gene and ELISA- were measured by IL-1ß, IL-18. Results: The results showed that acute aerobic exercise with moderate intensity had no significant effect on the expression of NLRP3 gene and serum levels of IL-1ß and IL-18 cytokines (p > 0.05) when acute exercise, with high intensity, begins an initiation of the activity of the inflammatory complex with elevated serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-18, and NLRP3 gene expression (p < 0.05). In addition, chronic exercise with moderate intensity significantly reduced the expression of NLRP3 gene and serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-18 cytokines (p < 0.05). In the case of chronic exercise with high intensity, a significant increase in expression of gene, NLRP3 and serum levels of IL-1ß, IL-18 cytokines were observed (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Generally, it can be concluded that chronic exercise with moderate intensity is effective in decreasing the expression of the inflammasome and inflammation.

Aerobic training and l-arginine supplementation promotes rat heart and hindleg muscles arteriogenesis after myocardial infarction

Arteriogenesis is a main defense mechanism to prevent heart and local tissues dysfunction in occlusive artery disease. TGF-β and angiostatin have a pivotal role in arteriogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that aerobic training and l-arginine supplementation promotes cardiac and skeletal muscles arteriogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) parallel to upregulation of TGF-β and downregulation of angiostatin. For this purpose, 4 weeks after LAD occlusion, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into five groups: (1) sham surgery without MI (sham, n = 10), (2) control-MI (Con-MI, n = 10), (3) l-arginine-MI (La-MI, n = 10), (4) exercise training-MI (Ex-MI, n = 10), and (5) exercise and l-arginine-MI (Ex + La-MI). Exercise training groups running on a treadmill for 10 weeks with moderate intensity. Rats in the l-arginine-treated groups drank water containing 4 % l-arginine. Arteriolar density with different diameters (11-25, 26-50, 51-75, and 76-150 μm), TGF-β, and angiostatin gene expression were measured in cardiac (area at risk) and skeletal (soleus and gastrocnemius) muscles. Smaller arterioles decreased in cardiac after MI. Aerobic training and l-arginine increased the number of cardiac arterioles with 11-25 and 26-50 μm diameters parallel to TGF-β overexpression. In gastrocnemius muscle, the number of arterioles/mm2 was only increased in the 11 to 25 μm in response to training with and without l-arginine parallel to angiostatin downregulation. Soleus arteriolar density with different size was not different between experimental groups. Results showed that 10 weeks aerobic exercise training and l-arginine supplementation promotes arteriogenesis of heart and gastrocnemius muscles parallel to overexpression of TGF-β and downregulation of angiostatin in MI rats (AU)

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Aerobic training and l-arginine supplementation promotes rat heart and hindleg muscles arteriogenesis after myocardial infarction.

Arteriogenesis is a main defense mechanism to prevent heart and local tissues dysfunction in occlusive artery disease. TGF-ß and angiostatin have a pivotal role in arteriogenesis. We tested the hypothesis that aerobic training and l-arginine supplementation promotes cardiac and skeletal muscles arteriogenesis after myocardial infarction (MI) parallel to upregulation of TGF-ß and downregulation of angiostatin. For this purpose, 4 weeks after LAD occlusion, 50 male Wistar rats were randomly distributed into five groups: (1) sham surgery without MI (sham, n = 10), (2) control-MI (Con-MI, n = 10), (3) l-arginine-MI (La-MI, n = 10), (4) exercise training-MI (Ex-MI, n = 10), and (5) exercise and l-arginine-MI (Ex + La-MI). Exercise training groups running on a treadmill for 10 weeks with moderate intensity. Rats in the l-arginine-treated groups drank water containing 4 % l-arginine. Arteriolar density with different diameters (11-25, 26-50, 51-75, and 76-150 µm), TGF-ß, and angiostatin gene expression were measured in cardiac (area at risk) and skeletal (soleus and gastrocnemius) muscles. Smaller arterioles decreased in cardiac after MI. Aerobic training and l-arginine increased the number of cardiac arterioles with 11-25 and 26-50 µm diameters parallel to TGF-ß overexpression. In gastrocnemius muscle, the number of arterioles/mm(2) was only increased in the 11 to 25 µm in response to training with and without l-arginine parallel to angiostatin downregulation. Soleus arteriolar density with different size was not different between experimental groups. Results showed that 10 weeks aerobic exercise training and l-arginine supplementation promotes arteriogenesis of heart and gastrocnemius muscles parallel to overexpression of TGF-ß and downregulation of angiostatin in MI rats.

Effects of creatine monohydrate supplementation on exercise-induced apoptosis in athletes: A randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study.

BACKGROUND: Creatine monohydrate (CrM) has been shown to be beneficial to health due to its antioxidant potential. Strenuous exercise is associated with oxidative stress, which could lead to apoptosis. We investigated the ability of CrM in amelioration of apoptosis induced by incremental aerobic exercise (AE) to exhaustion in young athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In a placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, parallel study, 31 young athletes (age 19.52 ± 2.75 years, body mass 79.24 ± 16.13 kg, height 1.73 ± 6.49 m, body fat 16.37% ± 5.92%) were randomly assigned to CrM (4 × 5 g/day, n = 15) or placebo (PL: 4 × 5 g/day of maltodextrine powder; n = 16) to investigate the effect of 7 days CrM on serum p53 and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) concentration after acute incremental AE test to exhaustion. Subjects performed AE before (test 1) and after 7 days of supplementation (test 2). RESULTS: Before supplementation, AE to exhaustion induced a significant increase in serum p53 and IGF-1 concentrations at both CrM and PL groups (P < 0.05). After supplementation, serum p53 concentrations were significantly lower in CrM than PL at post-AE (P < 0.05). There were no differences in IGF-1 concentrations between CrM and PL groups at post-AE (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that supplementation with CrM prevents apoptosis, as measured by decreases in p53 concentration, induced by AE to exhaustion in young athletes. However, CrM had no effect on IGF-1 concentration after AE to exhaustion in young athletes.

Surface Electromyography Assessments of the Vastus medialis and Rectus femoris Muscles and Creatine Kinase after Eccentric Contraction Following Glutamine Supplementation.

PURPOSE: L-glutamine is the most abundant amino acid found in human muscle and plays an important role in protein synthesis and can reduce the levels of inflammation biomarkers and creatine kinase (CK) after training sessions. Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) develops after intense exercise and is associated with an inflammatory response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of glutamine supplementation on surface electromyography activity of the vastus medialis muscle (VMM) and rectus femoris muscle (RFM) and levels of creatine kinase after an eccentric contraction. METHODS: SEVENTEEN HEALTHY MEN (AGE: 22.35±2.27yr; body mass: 69.91± 9.78kg; height: 177.08±4.32cm) were randomly assigned to experimental (n=9) and control groups (n=8) in a double-blind manner. In both groups, subjects were given L-glutamine supplementation (0.1g.kg(-1)) or placebo three times a week for 4 weeks. Median frequency (MDF) and mean power frequency (MPF) for VMM and RFM muscles and also CK measurements were performed before, 24h and 48 h after a resistance training session. The resistance training included 6 sets of eccentric leg extensions to exhaustion with 75% of 1RM. RESULTS: There was no significant difference between groups for MDF or MPF in VMM and RFM. The difference of CK level between the groups was also not significant. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that glutamine supplementation has no positive effect on muscle injury markers after a resistance training session.

Swimming improves the emotional memory deficit by scopolamine via mu opioid receptors.

AIMS: The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of swimming exercise on elevated plus-maze (EPM)-associated memory deficit induced by intra-CA1 injection of scopolamine (a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist used to model Alzheimer's disease in rodents) in male mice. In addition, involvement of the mu opioid receptors in this phenomenon was investigated. MAIN METHODS: Bilateral guide cannulae were implanted to allow intra-CA1 microinjections. KEY FINDINGS: Data showed that mice with 10 and 20 days of swimming, only acquired the emotional memory, while 30 days of swimming exercise improved it. On the other hand, pretest intra-CA1 injection of scopolamine at the doses of 2 and 3 but not 1 µg/mouse reduced the emotional memory. Our results demonstrated that 20 days of swimming by itself and without any drug injection restored the emotional memory deficit induced by intra-CA1 injection of scopolamine, only at the dose of 2 but not 3 µg/mouse. Moreover, once daily injection of the subthreshold doses of morphine (2.5 and 5 mg/kg, i.p.) during the last 7 days of the 20 day-swimming intervention, improved the emotional memory deficit induced by scopolamine (3 µg/mouse) and this effect could be blocked by the subthreshold doses of naloxone (0.2 and 0.4 mg/kg). It was noted that all previous interventions did not alter the anxiety-like behaviors. SIGNIFICANCE: Swimming improved the emotional memory by itself and restored the emotional memory deficit induced by the intra-CA1 injection of scopolamine. Mu opioid receptor-dependent mechanism(s) is(are) suggested to play a role in this phenomenon.

Effect of L-glutamine supplementation on electromyographic activity of the quadriceps muscle injured by eccentric exercise.

OBJECTIVE(S): The purpose of the present study was to examine the effects of L-glutamine on electromyographic (EMG) activity of the quadriceps muscle injured by eccentric exercise (EE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Seventeen healthy men (age: 22.35±2.27 yr; body mass: 69.91±9.78 kg; height: 177.08±4.32 cm) were randomly and double-blind study with subjects assigned to either an L-glutamine supplementation (n=9) or placebo (n=8) group. The subjects in two groups were asked to take three times during a week for 4 weeks. Each subject was screened for dietary habits before inclusion into the study. Participants performed 6 set to exhaustion eccentric leg extensions at 75% of 1RM and rest intervals were 3 min among sets. Pain Assessment Scale (PAS), EMG activity and range of motion (ROM) measurements were taken before exercise protocol and 24 and 48 hr afterwards. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between groups in perceived muscle soreness (SOR), ROM and EMG activity (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results indicate that L-glutamine supplementation has no significant effect on muscle injury markers in between groups, although glutamine supplementation attenuated delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) effects in sup group.

Effect of Short-term Exercise on Appetite, Energy Intake and Energy-regulating Hormones.

UNLABELLED: Objective(s) : The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of short-term aerobic exercise on energy intake, appetite and energy-regulating hormones in free-living men and women. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen (eight men, eight women) sedentary young normal weight subjects participated in two experimental conditions with two days apart: five days control with no exercise, and five days exercise (55% MHRR for 45 min/day). Subjects recorded dietary intake using a food diary and self-weighed intake during each five days. Appetite questionnaire (visual analogue scale) was completed each morning in the fasted state. Blood samples were taken in the morning on the 6th day in fasting status after control and exercise conditions. RESULTS: No significant changes were found in absolute energy intake, appetite rate and level of acylated ghrelin and leptin between conditions in both sexes. In women, insulin concentration decreased significantly after exercise. Relative energy intake was significantly lower after exercise in men. On average, women compensated for about 23% of the exercise-induced energy deficit but men did not (-10%). CONCLUSION: Our findings show that low-intensity exercise for five consecutive days cannot create a negative energy balance in women. It seems that women are more resistant to exercise-induced energy deficit.

Effects of short-term lifestyle activity modification on adiponectin mRNA expression and plasma concentrations.

Adiponectin mRNA and plasma concentrations were reduced in obesity. Exercise training may reduce the adipose tissue (AT), although it is not well known, whether exercise - induced change in AT, increases adiponectin mRNA expression and plasma concentrations or not. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of short-term lifestyle activity modification (LAM) on adiponectin mRNA and plasma concentrations. Sixteen obese and overweight middle-aged men (age, 35-50 years) with type 2 diabetes participated in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to LAM group (n=8) or control group (n=8). The subjects in LAM group walked two miles in 30 min on a treadmill on 4 days per week for 12 weeks according to the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and American College of Sports Medicine. The results showed that body mass, body mass index, central visceral adipose tissue and subcutaneous adipose tissue volume and hip and thigh subcutaneous adipose tissue (hip and thigh SAT) volume were decreased in the LAM group compared to the control group (P<0.05). Adiponectin mRNA in abdominal and gluteal subcutaneous AT were increased significantly in the LAM group compared to the control group (P<0.05), while plasma adiponectin concentrations, hs-CRP and insulin resistance did not change significantly. In conclusion, adiponectin mRNA levels increase after 12 weeks of LAM; however, plasma adiponectin levels were not affected by this protocol in obese and overweight middle-aged men with type 2 diabetes.

Effect of combination exercise training on metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

CONTEXT: Studies have shown that physical activity or exercise training may decrease the metabolic syndrome. AIM: The aim of the present study is to clarify the effect of combination exercise training on metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer. SETTING AND DESIGN: Twenty nine postmenopausal women (58.27 +/- 6.31 years) with breast cancer were divided into two groups randomly as experimental group (n=14) and control group (n=15). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects of experimental group were performed 15 weeks combination exercise training including walking (2 sessions per week) and resistance training (2 sessions per week that was different from walking days). Before and after 15 weeks, fasting insulin and glucose, insulin resistance, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and triglyceride (TG) were calculated. Also, Vo2peak, rest heart rate (RHR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured in two groups. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Mean values of two groups in pre and post test were compared by independent and paired t-test for all measurements (P ≤ 0.05). RESULTS: Significant differences were observed for VO2peak, RHR, BW, BMI, WHR, SBP, fasting insulin and glucose, HDL-C and TG between experimental and control groups after 15 weeks (P< 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Combination exercise training can improve metabolic syndrome parameters in postmenopausal women with breast cancer.

High-intensity endurance training improves adiponectin mRNA and plasma concentrations.

Adiponectin is an anti-inflammatory protein that reduced in obesity. Exercise training may reduce the adipose tissue (AT), although it is not well known whether exercise-induced change in AT, increases the adiponectin mRNA expression and plasma concentrations or not; therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the adiponectin mRNA and plasma concentrations in middle-aged men after 12 weeks high-intensity exercise training and after a week detraining. Sixteen sedentary overweight and obese middle-aged men (age 41.18 ± 6.1 years; ± SD) volunteered to participate in this study. The subjects were randomly assigned to training group (n = 8) or control group (n = 8). The training group performed endurance training 4 days a week for 12 weeks at an intensity corresponding to 75-80% individual maximum oxygen consumption for 45 min. After 12 weeks of training, subjects underwent a week of detraining. The results showed that the BMI as well as central and peripheral AT volume were decreased in the training group compared to the control group (P < 0.05). After 12 weeks, the training group resulted in a significant increase (P < 0.05) in the adiponectin gene expression in abdominal and gluteal subcutaneous AT when compared with the control group. The results showed that plasma adiponectin concentrations increased and insulin resistance decreased after training compared to the control group (P < 0.05). After a week of detraining, the variables were not changed significantly in the training group. In conclusion, high-intensity endurance training caused an increase adiponectin mRNA in obese middle-aged men.

The effect of ramadan fasting on biochemical and performance parameters in collegiate wrestlers.

OBJECTIVES: This study was designed to evaluate the effect of Ramadan fasting on body composition, aerobic and anaerobic power, strength, plasma lipids profile and serum glucose among collegiate wrestlers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Fourteen male collegiate wrestlers (age, 20.12±2.5 yrs) volunteered as subjects for the study. Subjects were tested one week before the beginning of Ramadan, the last two days of Ramadan and the last two days of the 4th week after the end of Ramadan. The paired sample t-test was used to assess the differences in pre and post-performance tests and repeated measures ANOVA and Bonferroni post hoc test to determine differences between three blood samplings. RESULTS: The results showed that except for anaerobic power and strength, body weight, body fat percentage and aerobic power at 4th week of Ramadan were significantly lower than pre-Ramadan values (P=0.05). Total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein levels decreased after Ramadan compared to pre-Ramadan (P= 0.011, P=0.001), however, a month after Ramadan, it reached to higher levels compared to pre-Ramadan period, which were not statistically significant. Similarly, significant decrease and increase were consequently observed in glucose and high density lipoprotein (P=0.001, P=0.045). Triacylglycerol and VLDL increased at the end of Ramadan compared to the period of time before Ramadan, and after Ramadan, it reached the lower levels compared to concentrations before Ramadan (P=0.133, P=0.133). CONCLUSION: This study also indicated that Ramadan fasting appears to have significant effect on body composition, aerobic power and lipid profile.

Lipocalin-2: Response to a Progressive Treadmill Protocol in Obese and Normal-weight Men.

PURPOSE: Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2), a newer adipocyte-secreted acute phase protein, was recently reported to be correlated with potential effects on obesity and inflammation. The reaction of this protein to progressive exercise has not been evaluated yet. This study was designed to compare the serum Lcn2 and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels after participating in an acute bout of treadmill protocol in obese and normal-weight men. METHODS: NINE OBESE (AGED: 43.2±4.6 yrs and body mass index (BMI): 31.4±1.6 kg/m(2)) and 9 normal-weight (aged: 42.9±4.4 yrs and BMI: 23.03±1.7 kg/m(2); mean ± SD) sedentary men selected randomly from volunteers performed a single bout of exercise according to the treadmill Bruce protocol. RESULTS: Before the exercise, Lcn2 level was higher in obese than normal-weight individuals (P<0.05). A significant increase in Lcn2, hs-CRP, white blood cells (WBC) and insulin resistance index was observed after the exercise in both groups (P<0.05). The level of Lcn2, hs-CRP and WBC increase was more significant in obese individuals than normal-weight subjects after the exercise (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It seems that the levels of Lcn2 and other inflammatory markers elevated in obese and normal-weight men after participating in an exhaustive progressive exercise. These changes in obese men were considerable.

Physiological profile of elite Iranian junior freestyle wrestlers.

The purpose of the present investigation was to describe the physiological profile of elite Iranian junior freestyle wrestlers. Seventy elite wrestlers (age 19.8 +/- 0.9 years) who were invited to the national training camps, based on their top 10 national ranking, participated in this study. The physiological profile included body weight, flexibility (sit and reach test), maximal oxygen consumption (Bruce protocol), maximal anaerobic power of the legs (Wingate test), muscular endurance and strength (bench press, squat, pull-ups, push-ups, grip strength, and bent-knee sit-up test), speed (40-m sprint), agility (4 x 9-m shuttle run), and body composition (7-site skinfold). The major results (mean +/- SD) are as follows: body weight (kg): 77.5 +/- 19.8; flexibility (cm): 38.2 +/- 3.94; maximal oxygen consumption (ml kg(-1) min(-1)): 50.5 +/- 4.7; maximal anaerobic power of the legs (W): 455.5 +/- 87.6; 1-repetition maximum bench press (weight lifted kg body weight(-1)): 1.4 +/- 0.15; 1-repetition maximum squat (weight lifted kg body weight): 1.7 +/- 0.2; push-ups (n): 66.9 +/- 7.6; pull-ups (n): 31.6 +/- 9.7; grip strength (force in kg body weight kg(-1)) 1.02 +/- 0.11; bent-knee sit-ups (n): 66.5 +/- 8; speed (s): 5.07 +/- 0.17; agility (s): 8.7 +/- 0.25; and body fat (%): 10.6 +/- 3.8. The present study provides baseline physiological data that have been used in the prescription of individual training programs for these athletes. This information is also available to the coaches and can contribute to the general strategy employed by a wrestler and for a specific match.