The effects of kettlebell training versus resistance training using the own body mass on physical fitness and physiological adaptations in obese adults: a randomized controlled trial.

AIM OF STUDY: This study aimed to explore the effects of different types of resistance training using kettlebells versus the own body mass, in comparison to a passive control, on key physical fitness and physiological parameters in young, obese adults. METHODS: Data from 60 sedentary, obese male college students, aged 17-26, were used for final analyses. Participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group (CG, n = 20, no training), a kettlebell resistance training group (KRTG, n = 20), or a bodyweight resistance training group (BWRTG, n = 20). Selected measures of physical fitness were tested using the 12-minutes run test, the push-up test, the sit-up test, and the sit-and-reach test. Physiological measures included vital capacity, resting and maximum heart rate (HRmax), mean arterial blood pressure, breath holding time, and respiratory rate. Biochemical variables were measured in the morning, in a fasted state, and comprised high and low density lipoprotein, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. The 12-weeks progressive KRTG and BWRTG were specifically tailored using sets, repetitions, and intensity levels. RESULTS: Notable findings include significant body fat reductions in BWRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.53) and KRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.43), and a substantial increase in VO2max for BWRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.32) and KRTG (p < 0.001; d = 1.34) compared to CG. KRTG also showed significant improvements in vital capacity (p < 0.001; d = 1.61) and reductions in resting heart rate (p = 0.024, d = 1.05) and respiratory rate (p = 0.001, d = 1.55), with BWRTG showing similar trends (resting heart rate: p = 0.041, d = 1.35; respiratory rate: p = 0.001, d = 1.98). Both intervention groups significantly improved breath holding time (KRTG: p = 0.001, d = 1.58; BWRTG: p < 0.001, d = 1.98) and reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein levels compared to CG. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that both KRTG and BWRTG are effective in improving body composition and selected fitness and physiological measures. Thus, resistance training using kettlebells or bodyweight training are recommended if the goal is to improve body composition and fitness in obese male adults. TRIAL REGISTRATION: OSF, September, 28th 2023. https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/Z6Y9Gosf.io/2mb98.

Physical Fitness Responses after Sixteen Weeks of Three Fitness Program Trainings in Untrained Subjects.

The remarkable popularity of fitness trends like high intensity functional training (HIFT), choreographed high intensity classes (CHIC) and resistance (RT) trainings raises the question on their effect on cardio-respiratory, lactate removal rate, endurance and body composition responses. The purpose of this study was to assess and compare these effects. Ninety-five participants were randomly assigned into 16 weeks of these trainings, five sessions/week. Anthropometric and fitness tests were carried out before training (PRE), after eight (8W) and sixteen weeks (16W). Body composition measures demonstrated significant decrease in body fat percentage (p<0.001, d=0.17-0.54) for all groups and fat mass (p< 0.001, d= 0.26-0.53) for HIFT and CHIC in 8W,16W and in 16W for RT (p= 0.03, d= 0.14), also significant increase in fat free mass only in HIFT (p< 0.002, d= 0.06-0.21) and RT (p< 0.001, d= 0.17-0.33) in 8W,16W. Cardio-respiratory measures demonstrated significant improvements in maximal aerobic capacity for HIFT (p< 0.001, d= 0.58-1.26) and CHIC (p< 0.001, d= 0.45-1.21) in 8W,16W. Endurance tests demonstrated significant improvements in 8W,16W in aerobic endurance among HIFT (p< 0.001, d= 1.28-3.19) and CHIC (p< 0.001, d= 1.16-1.79), in muscle absolute endurance in three groups (p< 0.002, d= 0.14-1.17)and muscle relative endurance in HIFT (p< 0.02, d= 0.13-0.2)and RT (p= 0.03, d= 0.3) in 16W. We can conclude that HIFT and CHIC are effective for cardio-respiratory and endurance improvement and all three programs are effective in reducing body fat.

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of the Association Between ACTN3 R577X Genotypes and Performance in Endurance Versus Power Athletes and Non-athletes.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported differences in genotype frequency of the ACTN3 R577X polymorphisms (rs1815739; RR, RX and XX) in athletes and non-athletic populations. This systematic review with meta-analysis assessed ACTN3 R577X genotype frequencies in power versus endurance athletes and non-athletes. METHODS: Five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, Science Direct, SPORTDiscus) were searched for research articles published until December 31st, 2022. Studies were included if they reported the frequency of the ACTN3 R577X genotypes in power athletes (e.g., weightlifters) and if they included a comparison with endurance athletes (e.g., long-distance runners) or non-athletic controls. A meta-analysis was then performed using either fixed or random-effects models. Pooled odds ratios (OR) were determined. Heterogeneity was detected using I2 and Cochran's Q tests. Publication bias and sensitivity analysis tests were computed. RESULTS: After screening 476 initial registrations, 25 studies were included in the final analysis (13 different countries; 14,541 participants). In power athletes, the RX genotype was predominant over the two other genotypes: RR versus RX (OR 0.70; 95% CI 0.57-0.85, p = 0.0005), RR versus XX (OR 4.26; 95% CI 3.19-5.69, p < 0.00001), RX versus XX (OR 6.58; 95% CI 5.66-7.67, p < 0.00001). The R allele was higher than the X allele (OR 2.87; 95% CI 2.35-3.50, p < 0.00001) in power athletes. Additionally, the frequency of the RR genotype was higher in power athletes than in non-athletes (OR 1.48; 95% CI 1.25-1.75, p < 0.00001). The RX genotype was similar in both groups (OR 0.84; 95% CI 0.71-1.00, p = 0.06). The XX genotype was lower in power athletes than in controls (OR 0.73; 95% CI 0.64-0.84, p < 0.00001). Furthermore, the R allele frequency was higher in power athletes than in controls (OR 1.28; 95% CI 1.19-1.38, p < 0.00001). Conversely, a higher frequency of X allele was observed in the control group compared to power athletes (OR 0.78; 95% CI 0.73-0.84, p < 0.00001). On the other hand, the frequency of the RR genotype was higher in power athletes than in endurance athletes (OR 1.27; 95% CI 1.09-1.49, p = 0.003). The frequency of the RX genotype was similar in both groups (OR 1.07; 95% CI 0.93-1.24, p = 0.36). In contrast, the frequency of the XX genotype was lower in power athletes than in endurance athletes (OR 0.63; 95% CI 0.52-0.76, p < 0.00001). In addition, the R allele was higher in power athletes than in endurance athletes (OR 1.32; 95% CI 1.11-1.57, p = 0.002). However, the X allele was higher in endurance athletes compared to power athletes (OR 0.76; 95% CI 0.64-0.90, p = 0.002). Finally, the genotypic and allelic frequency of ACTN3 genes were similar in male and female power athletes. CONCLUSIONS: The pattern of the frequencies of the ACTN3 R577X genotypes in power athletes was RX > RR > XX. However, the RR genotype and R allele were overrepresented in power athletes compared to non-athletes and endurance athletes. These data suggest that the RR genotype and R allele, which is associated with a normal expression of α-actinin-3 in fast-twitch muscle fibers, may offer some benefit in improving performance development in muscle strength and power.

Genotypic and Allelic Distribution of the CD36 rs1761667 Polymorphism in High-Level Moroccan Athletes: A Pilot Study.

Previous studies have shown that variations in the CD36 gene may affect phenotypes associated with fat metabolism as the CD36 protein facilitates the transport of fatty acids to the mitochondria for oxidation. However, no previous study has tested whether variations in the CD36 gene are associated with sports performance. We investigated the genotypic and allelic distribution of the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs1761667 in the CD36 gene in elite Moroccan athletes (cyclists and hockey players) in comparison with healthy non-athletes of the same ethnic origin. Forty-three Moroccan elite male athletes (nineteen cyclists and twenty-four field hockey players) belonging to the national teams of their respective sports (athlete group) were compared to twenty-eight healthy, active, male university students (control group). Genotyping of the CD36 rs1761667 (G>A) SNP was performed via polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Sanger sequencing. A chi-square (χ2) test was used to assess the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE) and to compare allele and genotype frequencies in the "athlete" and "control" groups. The genotypic distribution of the CD36 rs1761667 polymorphism was similar in elite athletes (AA: 23.81, AG: 59.52, and GG: 16.67%) and controls (AA: 19.23, AG: 69.23, and GG: 11.54%; χ2 = 0.67, p = 0.71). However, the genotypic distribution of the CD36 rs1761667 polymorphism was different between cyclists (AA: 0.00, AG: 72.22, and GG: 27.78%) and hockey players (AA: 41.67, AG: 50.00, and GG: 8.33%; χ2 = 10.69, p = 0.004). Specifically, the frequency of the AA genotype was significantly lower in cyclists than in hockey players (p = 0.02). In terms of allele frequency, a significant difference was found between cyclists versus field hockey players (χ2 = 7.72, p = 0.005). Additionally, there was a predominance of the recessive model in cyclists over field hockey players (OR: 0.00, 95% CI: 0.00-0.35, p = 0.002). Our study shows a significant difference between cyclists and field hockey players in terms of the genotypic and allelic frequency of the SNP rs1761667 of the CD36 gene. This divergence suggests a probable association between genetic variations in the CD36 gene and the type of sport in elite Moroccan athletes.

Effects of Passive or Active Recovery Regimes Applied During Long-Term Interval Training on Physical Fitness in Healthy Trained and Untrained Individuals: A Systematic Review.

BACKGROUND: Intermittent exercise programs characterized through intensive exercise bouts alternated with passive or active recovery (i.e., interval training), have been proven to enhance measures of cardiorespiratory fitness. However, it is unresolved which recovery type (active or passive) applied during interval training results in larger performance improvements. OBJECTIVES: This systematic review aimed to summarize recent evidence on the effects of passive or active recovery following long-term interval exercise training on measures of physical fitness and physiological adaptations in healthy trained and untrained individuals. The study protocol was registered in the Open Science Framework (OSF) platform ( https://doi.org/10.17605/OSF.IO/9BUEY ). METHODS: We searched nine databases including the grey literature (Academic Search Elite, CINAHL, ERIC, Open Access Theses and Dissertations, Open Dissertations, PsycINFO, PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and SPORTDiscus) from inception until February 2023. Key terms as high-intensity interval training, recovery mode, passive or active recover were used. A systematic review rather than a meta-analysis was performed, as a large number of outcome parameters would have produced substantial heterogeneity. RESULTS: After screening titles, abstracts, and full texts, 24 studies were eligible for inclusion in our final analysis. Thirteen studies examined the effects of interval training interspersed with passive recovery regimes on physical fitness and physiological responses in trained (6 studies) and untrained (7 studies) individuals. Eleven out of 13 studies reported significant improvements in physical fitness (e.g., maximal aerobic velocity (MAV), Yo-Yo running test, jump performance) and physiological parameters (e.g., maximal oxygen uptake [VO2max], lactate threshold, blood pressure) in trained (effect sizes from single studies: 0.13 < Cohen's d < 3.27, small to very large) and untrained individuals (effect sizes: 0.17 < d < 4.19, small to very large) despite the type of interval training or exercise dosage (frequency, intensity, time, type). Two studies were identified that examined the effects of passive recovery applied during interval training in young female basketball (15.1 ± 1.1 years) and male soccer players (14.2 ± 0.5 years). Both studies showed positive effects of passive recovery on VO2max, countermovement jump performance, and the Yo-Yo running test. Eleven studies examined the effects of interval training interspersed with active recovery methods on physical fitness and physiological parameters in trained (6 studies) and untrained individuals (5 studies). Despite the type of interval training or exercise dosage, nine out of eleven studies reported significant increases in measures of physical fitness (e.g., MAV) and physiological parameters (e.g., VO2max, blood pressures) in trained (effect sizes from single studies: 0.13 < d < 1.29, small to very large) and untrained individuals (effect sizes: 0.19 < d < 3.29, small to very large). There was no study available that examined the effects of active recovery on physical fitness and physiological responses in youth. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this systematic review show that interval training interspersed with active or passive recovery regimes have the potential to improve measures of physical fitness and physiology outcomes in trained and untrained adults and trained youth. That is, the applied recovery type seems not to affect the outcomes. Nonetheless, more research is needed on the effects of recovery type on measures of physical fitness and physiological adaptations in youth.

Enhancing cardiometabolic health: unveiling the synergistic effects of high-intensity interval training with spirulina supplementation on selected adipokines, insulin resistance, and anthropometric indices in obese males.

This study investigated the combined effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and spirulina supplementation on adipokine levels, insulin resistance, anthropometric indices, and cardiorespiratory fitness in 44 obese males (aged 25-40 years). The participants were randomly assigned to one of four groups: control (CG), supplement (SG), training (TG), or training plus supplement (TSG). The intervention involved daily administration of either spirulina or a placebo and HIIT three times a week for the training groups. Anthropometric indices, HOMA-IR, VO2peak, and circulating adipokines (asprosin and lipocalin2, omentin-1, irisin, and spexin) were measured before and after the 12-week intervention. Post-intervention analysis indicated differences between the CG and the three interventional groups for body weight, fat-free mass (FFM), percent body fat (%BF), HOMA-IR, and adipokine levels (p < 0.05). TG and SG participants had increased VO2peak (p < 0.05). Spirulina supplementation with HIIT increased VO2peak, omentin-1, irisin, and spexin, while causing decreases in lipocalin-2 and asprosin levels and improvements in body composition (weight, %fat), BMI, and HOMA-IR. Notably, the combination of spirulina and HIIT produced more significant changes in circulating adipokines and cardiometabolic health in obese males compared to either supplementation or HIIT alone (p < 0.05). These findings highlight the synergistic benefits of combining spirulina supplementation with HIIT, showcasing their potential in improving various health parameters and addressing obesity-related concerns in a comprehensive manner.

Acute effects of sodium citrate supplementation on competitive performance and lactate level of elite fitness challenge athletes: A crossover, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Purpose: The performance of sodium citrate has been investigated in high-intensity exercises, but fewer studies have addressed the role of citrate in weight-bearing exercises. Methods: Twenty fitness challenge athletes, aged 24-32 years, volunteered to participate in this crossover, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Initially, ten athletes were given a placebo and asked to complete a fitness challenge (i.e., chin-ups, squat jumps, dips, walking lunges, sit-ups, and burpees-devil press). Another ten athletes were supplemented with sodium citrate 0.5 g/kg body mass supplements 3 h prior to performing the fitness challenges. The same procedures were completed two days later with the supplement and placebo dextrose groups switched in a cross-over design. Athletes and assessors were blinded for the experimental condition (placebo vs. verum). Lactate levels were measured 5 min after exercise. The athletes' performance on each item of the fitness challenge as well as their lactate levels, were compared. Differences between the means of the measured variables were contrasted using a dependent t-test. Results: Supplementing sodium citrate substantially improved athletes' performance in all six fitness challenge items (p < 0.05, 0.69

The Effect of Whole-Body Electromyostimulation Program on Physical Performance and Selected Cardiometabolic Markers in Obese Young Females.

Background and Objectives: Whole-body electromyostimulation is under investigation as a potential aid for obesity-related health problems, supplementing a comprehensive, evidence-based obesity management strategy that includes lifestyle, diet, and exercise. The study investigated the impact of a whole-body electromyostimulation training program on physical performance and cardiometabolic markers in young obese females. Materials and Methods: Twenty-eight obese females, aged over 18 years with BMI over 30 and body fat over 28% and no underlying health conditions or medication, were divided into a whole-body electromyostimulation group (15 participants) and a control group (13 participants). The whole-body electromyostimulation program lasted 12 weeks, with two 20 min sessions weekly, using bipolar, rectangular current. Assessments pre and post intervention included body composition, blood pressure, lipid profile, C-reactive protein levels, maximal oxygen consumption, and jumping and sprint performance. Two-way ANOVA and t-tests were used for analysis. Results: Statistical analysis revealed significant (group × time) interactions for body composition, systolic blood pressure, maximal oxygen consumption, jumping and sprint performance, and plasma levels of lipids and C-reactive protein. Post hoc analyses for the whole-body electromyostimulation group indicated improvements in body composition indices (p < 0.01), systolic blood pressure (p = 0.003), maximal oxygen consumption (p = 0.010), and both jumping and 30 m sprint performance (p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) after the intervention. Furthermore, plasma levels of lipids (p < 0.01) and C-reactive protein (p = 0.002) showed significant improvements following the training program. In contrast, no significant changes were observed for these variables in the control group. Conclusions: A 12-week whole-body electromyostimulation program significantly improved body composition (skeletal muscle mass, body mass index, body fat, and waist circumference), physical performance (maximal oxygen consumption, jumping and sprint performance), and certain cardiometabolic (plasma level of lipids) and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein) in obese young women. Further research is needed to explore the broader effects of whole-body electromyostimulation on physical and cardiometabolic health.

Effects of caffeine supplementation on anaerobic power and muscle activity in youth athletes.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of caffeine ingestion on anaerobic performance and muscle activity in young athletes. In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled study, ten highly trained male post-puberal futsal players aged 15.9 ± 1.2 years conducted two laboratory sessions. Athletes performed the Wingate test 60 min after ingestion of caffeine (CAF, 6 mg/kg body mass) or placebo (PL, dextrose) (blinded administration). Peak power, mean power, and the fatigue index were assessed. During the performance of the Wingate test, electromyographic (EMG) data were recorded from selected lower limbs muscles to determine the root mean square (RMS), mean power frequency (MPF), and median power frequency (MDPF) as frequency domain parameters and wavelet (WT) as time-frequency domain parameters. Caffeine ingestion increased peak (0.80 ± 0.29 W/Kg; p = 0.01; d = 0.42) and mean power (0.39 ± 0.02 W/Kg; p = 0.01; d = 0.26) but did not significantly affect the fatigue index (52.51 ± 9.48%, PL: 49.27 ± 10.39%; p = 0.34). EMG data showed that the MPF and MDPF parameters decreased and the WT increased, but caffeine did not have a significant effect on these changes (p > 0.05). Moreover, caffeine ingestion did not significantly affect RMS changes in the selected muscles (p > 0.05). Here we showed that acute caffeine ingestion improved anaerobic performance without affecting EMG parameters in young male futsal athletes.

Effects of the Type of Exercise Training on Bone Health Parameters in Adolescent Girls: A Systematic Review.

Interventional studies offer strong evidence for exercise's osteogenic impact on bone particularly during growth. With rising osteoporosis rates in older women, enhancing bone strength early in life is crucial. Thus, investigating the osteogenic effects of different types of physical activities in young females is crucial. Despite varied findings, only two systematic reviews tried to explore this topic without examining how different types of exercise may affect bone health in adolescent girls. The first aim of this systematic review was to assess the impact of exercise training on bone health parameters in adolescent girls, and the second aim was to investigate whether the type of exercise training can modulate this effect. A systematic literature search was conducted using common electronic databases from inception - January 2023. Seven studies (355 participants) were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Two studies dealt with resistance training, 3 studies applied plyometric training, 1 study used team sports, and 1 study used dancing. Results indicate that plyometric training increases lumbar spine bone mass in adolescent girls. Well-designed randomized controlled trials with a proper training period (> 12 weeks) are needed to advocate a specific type of training which has the highest osteogenic effect.

Spirulina Supplementation with High-Intensity Interval Training Decreases Adipokines Levels and Cardiovascular Risk Factors in Men with Obesity.

Adiposity, a state characterized by excessive accumulation of body fat, is closely linked to metabolic complications and the secretion of specific adipokines. This study explores the potential of exercise and Spirulina supplementation to mitigate these complications and modulate adipokine release associated with obesity. The primary objective of this investigation was to examine the impact of a 12-week regimen of high-intensity training combined with Spirulina supplementation on adipokine concentrations and lipid profiles in male individuals with obesity (N = 44). The participants were randomly distributed into four groups, each consisting of 11 participants: a control group (CG), a supplement group (SG), a training group (TG), and a training plus supplement group (TSG). The intervention comprised a 12-week treatment involving Spirulina supplementation (6 g capsule daily), a 12-week high-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocol with three sessions per week, or a combined approach. Following the interventions, metabolic parameters, anthropometric measurements, cardiorespiratory indices, and circulating adipokines [CRP, Sema3C, TNF-α, IL-6, MCP1, IL-8] were assessed within 48 h of the before and final training session. Statistical analyses revealed significant differences across all measures among the groups (p < 0.05). Notably, post hoc analyses indicated substantial disparities between the CG and the three interventional groups regarding body weight (p < 0.05). The combined training and supplementation approach led to noteworthy reductions in low-density lipoprotein (LDL), total cholesterol (TC), and triglyceride (TGL) levels (all p < 0.0001), coupled with an elevation in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) levels (p = 0.0001). Furthermore, adipokine levels significantly declined in the three intervention groups relative to the CG (p < 0.05). The findings from this 12-week study demonstrate that Spirulina supplementation in conjunction with high-intensity interval training reduced adipokine levels, improved body weight and BMI, and enhanced lipid profiles. This investigation underscores the potential of Spirulina supplementation and high-intensity interval training as a synergistic strategy to ameliorate obesity-related complications and enhance overall cardiometabolic well-being in obese males.

Association between "cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36)" and adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise training: a systematic review.

Fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) is a transmembrane glycoprotein belonging to the scavenger class B receptor family and is encoded by the cluster of differentiation 36 (CD36) gene. This receptor has a high affinity for fatty acids and is involved in lipid metabolism. An abundance of FAT/CD36 during exercise occurs in mitochondria and solitary muscles. As such, we aimed to systematically review the evidence for the relationship FAT/CD36 and adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise training. Five electronic databases were selected for literature searches until June 2022: PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, science direct, and Google Scholar. We combined the different synonyms and used the operators ("AND", "OR", "NOT"): (CD36 gene) OR (CD36 polymorphism) OR (cluster of differentiation 36) OR (FAT/CD36) OR (fatty acid translocase) OR (platelet glycoprotein IV) OR (platelet glycoprotein IIIb) AND (adipose tissue lipolysis) OR (fatty acids) OR (metabolism lipid) OR (adipocytes) AND (physical effort) OR (endurance exercise) OR (high-intensity training). All published cross-sectional, cohort, case-control, and randomized clinical trials investigating CD36 polymorphisms and adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise in subjects (elite and sub-elite athletes, non-athletes, sedentary individuals and diabetics), and using valid methods to measure FAT/CD36 expression and other biomarkers, were considered for inclusion in this review. We initially identified 476 publications according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, and included 21 studies investigating FAT/CD36 and adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise in our systematic review after examination of titles, abstracts, full texts, and quality assessments using the PEDro scale. There were nine studies with male-only participants, three with female-only participants, and nine studies included both female and male participants. There were 859 participants in the 21 selected studies. Studies were classified as either low quality (n = 3), medium quality (n = 13), and high quality (n = 5). In general, the data suggests an association between FAT/CD36 and adipose tissue lipolysis during exercise training. Improvements in FAT/CD36 were reported during or after exercise in 6 studies, while there were no changes reported in FAT/CD36 in 4 studies. An association between fat oxidation and FAT/CD36 expression during exercise was reported in 7 studies. No agreement was reached in 5 studies on FAT/CD36 content after dietary changes and physical interventions. One study reported that FAT/CD36 protein expression in muscle was higher in women than in men, another reported that training decreased FAT/CD36 protein in insulin-resistant participants, while another study reported no differences in FAT/CD36 in young, trained individuals with type 2 diabetes. Our analysis shows an association between FAT/CD36 expression and exercise. Furthermore, an association between whole-body peak fat oxidation and FAT/CD36 expression during exercise training was demonstrated. Systematic Review Registration: [PROSPERO], identifier [CRD42022342455].

Lower limbs micro-loading acutely attenuates repeated change-of-direction performance in male youth during small-sided soccer games.

BACKGROUND: Soccer players often wear light-weighted wearable resistance (WR) attached to different body parts during the warm-up period with the aim to improve measures of physical fitness. However, the effect of WR on physical performance is unknown. This study evaluated the effects of WR with different micro-loadings on repeated change-of-direction (RCoD) performance while executing small-sided soccer games (SSG). METHODS: Twenty male soccer players aged 16.0 ± 1.5 years (body mass 74.0 ± 7.4 kg, body-height 175.0 ± 10.0 cm) volunteered to participate in this study. Following a within-subject study design, players performed four specific warm-up protocols in randomized order with a rest of 72 h between protocols: (1) WR micro-loadings with 0.1% of body mass (WR0.1); (2) WR micro-loadings with 0.2% of body mass (WR0.2); (3) WR micro-loadings with 0.3% of body mass (WR0.3); (4) no WR (control = CONT). After the warm-up protocols, players performed 2 sets of 20-min SSG. The RCoD was collected at the 8th min of SSG (SSG 1-8 min), the 15th min of SSG1 (SSG1-15 min), and at the 15th min of SSG2 (SSG2-15 min). Outcomes included mean and total RCoD indices (i.e., mean time and total time for each condition). RESULTS: Based on the outcomes of a two-way repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), WR0.1 and WR0.2 were more effective than control in dampening the decrease of RCoD's total time during SSG1-8 min, and SSG2-15 min (small ES: 0.24-0.35; p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed between WR0.3 and control. In addition, WR0.1 and WR0.2 significantly affected the decreases in RCoD's mean best time during SSG1 and SSG2 which was observed in the unloaded condition (CONT) and consequently displayed a lower rate of RCoD performance decrease. CONCLUSION: This study reports that wearing lower extremity WRs with micro-loads of 0.1% or 0.2% of body mass attenuates physical fatigue indicated in attenuated RCoD performance while executing SSG.

Astaxanthin Supplementation Augments the Benefits of CrossFit Workouts on Semaphorin 3C and Other Adipokines in Males with Obesity.

Regular physical activity and the use of nutritional supplements, including antioxidants, are recognized as efficacious approaches for the prevention and mitigation of obesity-related complications. This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of CrossFit training combined with astaxanthin (ASX) supplementation on some plasma adipokines in males with obesity. Sixty-eight males with obesity (BMI: 33.6 ± 1.4 kg·m-2) were randomly assigned into four groups: the control group (CG; n = 11), ASX supplementation group (SG; n = 11), CrossFit group (TG; n = 11), and training plus supplement group (TSG; n = 11). Participants underwent 12 weeks of supplementation with ASX or placebo (20 mg/day capsule daily), CrossFit training, or a combination of both interventions. Plasma levels of semaphorin 3C (SEMA3C), apelin, chemerin, omentin1, visfatin, resistin, adiponectin, leptin, vaspin, and RBP4 were measured 72 h before the first training session and after the last training session. The plasma levels of all measured adipokines were significantly altered in SG, TG, and TSG groups (p < 0.05). The reduction of resistin was significantly higher in TSG than in SG (p < 0.05). The plasma levels of omentin1 were significantly higher in both training groups of TG and TSG than SG (p < 0.05), although such a meaningful difference was not observed between both training groups (p > 0.05). Significant differences were found in the reductions of plasma levels of vaspin, visfatin, apelin, RBP4, chemerin, and SEMA3C between the SG and TSG groups (p < 0.05). The study found that a 12-week intervention using ASX supplementation and CrossFit exercises resulted in significant improvements in several adipokines among male individuals with obesity. Notably, the combined approach of supplementation and training had the most pronounced results. The findings presented in this study indicate that the supplementation of ASX and participation in CrossFit exercise have the potential to be effective therapies in mitigating complications associated with obesity and enhancing metabolic health.

Physical exercise for a healthy pregnancy: the role of placentokines and exerkines.

Complications such as diabetes and preeclampsia can occur during pregnancy. Moderate-intensity exercise can prevent such complications by releasing placentokines and exerkines, such as apelin, adiponectin, leptin, irisin, and chemerin. Exercise and apelin increase thermogenesis and glucose uptake in pregnancy by activating AMPK, PI3K, PGC-1α, AKT1, UCP3, and sarcolipin. Exercise increases apelin levels to reduce preeclampsia symptoms by increasing eNOS, NO, placental growth factor (PlGF), and VEGF and decreasing levels of fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), soluble endoglin (sEng), and oxidative stress. A negative relationship has been reported between plasma leptin and VO2peak/kg and VO2peak in women with gestational diabetes. In active women, decreases in leptin levels reduce the risk of preeclampsia by ~ 40%. Higher adiponectin levels are associated with greater physical activity and lead to increased insulin sensitivity. Increased adiponectin levels in preeclampsia and exercise counteract inflammatory and atherogenic activities while also having vascular protective effects. Exercise increases irisin levels that correlate negatively with fasting glucose, insulin concentration, and glycosylated hemoglobin levels. Irisin augments mRNA expression levels of UCP1 and cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor-like effector A (cidea) to cause browning of adipose tissue, increased thermogenesis, and increased energy consumption. Irisin concentrations in mothers with preeclampsia in the third trimester negatively correlate with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Expression levels of chemerin, IL-6, and TNF-α are increased in gestational diabetes, and the increases in chemerin in late pregnancy positively correlate with the ratio of sFlt-1 to PlGF as a marker of preeclampsia. The effects of physical exercise on placentokines and exerkines in women at various stages of pregnancy remain poorly understood.

Comparative Study of the Long-Term Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Nutritional Practices Among International Elite and Sub-Elite Athletes: A Sample of 1420 Participants from 14 Countries.

BACKGROUND: Although several studies have shown that the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown has had negative impacts on mental health and eating behaviors among the general population and athletes, few studies have examined the long-term effects on elite and sub-elite athletes. The present study aimed to investigate the long-term impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health and eating behaviors in elite versus sub-elite athletes two years into the pandemic. A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted between March and April 2022, involving athletes from 14 countries, using a convenient non-probabilistic and snowball sampling method. A total of 1420 athletes (24.5 ± 7.9 years old, 569 elites, 35% women, and 851 sub-elites, 45% women) completed an online survey-based questionnaire. The questionnaire included a sociodemographic survey, information about the COVID-19 pandemic, the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 Items (DASS-21) for mental health assessment, and the Rapid Eating Assessment for Participants (REAP-S) for assessing eating behavior. RESULTS: The results showed that compared to sub-elite athletes, elite athletes had lower scores on the DASS-21 (p = .001) and its subscales of depression (p = .003), anxiety (p = .007), and stress (p < .001), as well as a lower REAP-S score indicating lower diet quality (p = .013). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, two years into the pandemic, elite athletes were likelier to have better mental health profiles than sub-elite athletes but surprisingly had lower diet quality.

Regular soccer training improves pulmonary diffusion capacity in 6 to 10 year old boys.

BACKGROUND: Soccer is one of the most attractive sports around the globe for children and adolescents, and the benefits of soccer training are often shown. Due to the intermittent character of soccer with random changes between high-intensity activity and low-intensity play, athletes' aerobic (respiratory) capacity is specifically stimulated. However, little is known about the effects of regular soccer practice on pulmonary diffusion capacity (TL) in young players, even though it is the most popular sport in the world. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the effects of 28 weeks of regular soccer training versus a non-activity control period on the TL, the alveolar-capillary membrane diffusion capacity (DM) as well as the capillary blood volume (Vc) in healthy prepubertal boys aged 6 to 10 years. METHODS: For this purpose, boys were randomly assigned to a soccer training group (SG, n = 40) or a control group (CG, n = 40). Pre and post-intervention, all participants performed an all-out graded bicycle ergometer test to measure maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) and maximal aerobic power (MAP). A respiratory maneuver was performed at rest and just at the end of the test to measure the TL for carbon monoxide (TLCO) and nitric oxide (TLNO), DM, as well as Vc. RESULTS: There were no significant baseline between-group differences for any of the assessed parameters (p > 0.05). Significant group-by-time interactions were found for most pulmonary parameters measured at rest (p < 0.05), with effect size (ES) values ranging from small-to-large (0.2 < ES < 4.0), except for VA (p = 0.3, ES = 0.006). Post-hoc tests indicated significant DM (p < 0.05; 0.2 < ES < 4.0), TLNO (p < 0.01; 0.22 < ES < 4.0), TLCO (p < 0,01; 0.24 < ES < 4.0) and Vc (p = 0.01; 0.404 < ES < 0.6) improvements for SG but not CG. Significant group-by-time effects were identified for HRmax and VO2max (p < 0.001; ES = 0.5 and p = 0.005; ES = 0.23 respectively). The post-hoc analyses indicated a significant decrease in HRmax and a significant increase in VO2max in the SG (p < 0.001; ES = 0.5 and p = 0.005, ES = 0.23, respectively) but not in CG. Values for TLCO increased by almost 20%; Vc of 14% DM of 8% and VA of 10% at the end of maximal exercise in SG. Furthermore, the percentage improvement was less notable in the control group (7.5% for TLCO; 2% for Vc; 5% for DM and 4% for VA). CONCLUSION: Regular soccer training significantly improves pulmonary vascular function and increases DM and Vc after exercise in prepubertal boys. The observed adaptations are most likely due to better recruitment of additional pulmonary capillary function. However, the stepwise linear regression analyses indicated that increases in pulmonary vascular function were not related to improvements in VO2max and MAP.

Supplementation with spinach-derived thylakoid augments the benefits of high intensity training on adipokines, insulin resistance and lipid profiles in males with obesity.

Introduction: This study investigated the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity functional training (HIFT) combined with spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation on some selected Adipokines and insulin resistance in males with obesity. Method: Sixty-eight participants (mean age: 27.6 ± 8.4 yrs.; mean height: 168.4 ± 2.6 cm; mean weight: 95.7 ± 3.8 kg, mean BMI: 32.6 ± 2.6 kg/m2) were randomly divided into four groups of 17 per group: Control group (CG), Supplement group (SG), Training group (TG), and Training + supplement group (TSG). Following baseline measurements, the two training groups (TG and TSG) started the 12 weeks of exercise training program (3 sessions per week). A total of 36 sessions lasting up to 60 min were included in the HIFT program using the CrossFit program. The eligible participants received 5 g/day of thylakoid-rich spinach extract or matching placebo as 5 g/day of raw corn starch (one sachet, 30 min before lunch) for 12 weeks. Baseline assessments were obtained 48 hours before the start of the training protocols and 48 hours after the last training session in all groups. Results: There were significant interactions (p<0.001 for all) between exercise and time for adiponectin (ES:0.48), leptin (ES:0.46), resistin (ES:0.3), omentin (ES:0.65), vaspin (ES:0.46), visfatin (ES:0.62), apelin (ES:0.42), RBP4 (ES:0.63), chemrin (0.36) and semaphorin3c (ES: 0.5). Plasma levels of semaphorin3c were significantly correlated (p<0.05) with body weight (r= 0.57), BMI (r= 0.43), FFM (r= -0.612), FAT (r= 0.768), VO2peak (r=-0.53), insulin (r= 0.756), glucose (r= 0.623), and HOMA-IR (r= 0.727). There were also significant group differences in insulin (ES: 0.77), glucose (ES: 0.21), and HOM-IR (ES: 0.44) (p<0.05). Discussion: Our findings indicate that 12 weeks of HIFT supplemented with spinach-derived thylakoid reduced levels of leptin, resistin, vaspin, visfatin, apelin, RBP4, chemrin, semaphorin3c and insulin resistance while increasing adiponectin and omentin levels in men with obesity.