A Short-Term Resistance Training Circuit Improved Antioxidants in Sedentary Adults with Down Syndrome.

Previous studies have found aerobic training improved oxidative damage in people with Down syndrome (DS). However, there is a lack of information regarding the influence of resistance training on redox imbalance in this population. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the effect of resistance training (RT) on antioxidant defence system in sedentary adults with DS. Thirty-six male adults with DS were recruited through different community support groups. Eighteen were randomly assigned to perform a circuit RT program with 6 stations, 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced glutathione (GHS), ascorbate, serum α-tocopherol, and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity were assessed. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl groups (CG) were assessed as markers of oxidative damage. Muscle strength was also measured. Dynamic torque of knee extensors and flexors as well as maximal handgrip strength was significantly improved after the completion of the training program. Plasma levels of TAS and erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) activity were significantly increased. Conversely, MDA and CG levels were significantly reduced. It was concluded RT improved antioxidant defence system and reduced oxidative damage in adults with DS. Further, long-term studies are required to determine whether the increased antioxidant system may improve clinical outcomes of adults with DS.

Salivary testosterone and immunoglobulin A were increased by resistance training in adults with Down syndrome.

This study was designed to assess the influence of resistance training on salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA) levels and hormone profile in sedentary adults with Down syndrome (DS). A total of 40 male adults with DS were recruited for the trial through different community support groups for people with intellectual disabilities. All participants had medical approval for participation in physical activity. Twenty-four adults were randomly assigned to perform resistance training in a circuit with six stations, 3 days per week for 12 weeks. Training intensity was based on functioning in the eight-repetition maximum (8RM) test for each exercise. The control group included 16 age-, gender-, and BMI-matched adults with DS. Salivary IgA, testosterone, and cortisol levels were measured by ELISA. Work task performance was assessed using the repetitive weighted-box-stacking test. Resistance training significantly increased salivary IgA concentration (P=0.0120; d=0.94) and testosterone levels (P=0.0088; d=1.57) in the exercising group. Furthermore, it also improved work task performance. No changes were seen in the controls who had not exercised. In conclusion, a short-term resistance training protocol improved mucosal immunity response as well as salivary testosterone levels in sedentary adults with DS.

Home-based treadmill training improved seminal quality in adults with type 2 diabetes.

OBJECTIVE: This was the first study conducted to determine the influence of home-based treadmill training on seminal quality in adults with type 2 diabetes. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty sedentary adults with type 2 diabetes volunteered for the current study. Thirty were randomly allocated to the intervention group and performed a a 14-week, home-based, treadmill training program, 3 sessions per week, consisting of a warm-up (10-15min), 40min treadmill exercise at a work intensity of 55-70% of peak heart rate (increasing by 2.5% each two weeks) measured during a maximal treadmill test, and cooling-down (5-10min). The control group included 30, age and BMI matched adults with type 2 diabetes who did not take part in any training program. Seminal quality analysis included semen volume, sperm concentration, motility and normal morphologic features. Furthermore, total antioxidant status (TAS) as well as glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity were assessed in seminal plasma. This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. RESULTS: The home-based treadmill training significantly increased sperm concentration as well as percentages of total sperm motility and normal spermatozoa. Furthermore, TAS and GPX activity were increased after the completion of the training program. No significant changes in any of the measured variables were found in the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Home-based treadmill training improved seminal quality in adults with type 2 diabetes. A secondary finding was that seminal antioxidant defense system was significantly increased after being exercised.

Ecuación predictora de masa grasa corporal en deportistas con lesión medular crónica: estudio piloto / Predictive equation of body fat percentage in athletes with chronic spinal cord injury: a pilot study

La determinación del porcentaje de masa grasa en pacientes con lesión medular crónica (LMC) resulta de interés por la alta morbimortalidad cardiovascular que presenta este grupo. En el caso de deportistas, además, permitiría optimizar su rendimiento deportivo. Por consiguiente, el presente estudio se planteó como primer objetivo comparar diferentes métodos de estudio del porcentaje de masa grasa de deportistas con LMC. Y como objetivo secundario, identificar alguna ecuación que permita predecir los niveles de masa grasa de manera más económica, sencilla, rápida y no invasiva. Se diseño un estudio observacional y transversal en el que participaron voluntariamente 8 deportistas varones con LMC a nivel o por debajo de T5 que compiten a nivel nacional. El porcentaje de masa grasa corporal de los participantes se determinó mediante tres metodologías: densitometría (DEXA), antropometría convencional (Ecuación de Siri) e impedancia bioeléctrica (BIA). Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. El porcentaje de masa grasa presentado por jugadores de baloncesto en silla de ruedas tras someterse al método de referencia (DEXA) fue del 28,76±9,16%. El análisis de concordancia de Bland-Altman entre métodos sugiere que tanto la antropometría convencional como la BIA subestiman el porcentaje de masa grasa de deportistas con LMC. la ecuación de predicción obtenida fue: Masa Grasa (%)= 1,9197 (pliegue tríceps (mm)) + 6,5063. Tanto las técnicas antropométricas convencionales como la propia BIA subestiman la masa grasa en deportistas con LMC. Asimismo se ha identificado una ecuación de regresión para la predicción del porcentaje de masa grasa de bajo coste y aplicable en cualquier entorno.

The assessment of fat mass (FM) is of great interest for people with chronic spinal cord injury (SCI) given that morbidity and mortality from cardiovascular disease are greater and occur earlier in this group. Furthermore, it may play a key role improving physical performance in athletes with SCI. For the reasons already mentioned, the current study was designed to compare different methods for assessing FM in athletes with SCI. A secondary objective was to identify a predictive equation for FM in this group that is easily reproducible elsewhere. A total of 8 male athletes with complete SCI at or below the 5th thoracic level (T5) competing in a national league volunteered for this study. The percentage of FM was assessed by three different methods: conventional anthropometry (Siri equation), bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and densitometry (DEXA). This research was conducted in full accordance with ethical principles, including the World Medical Association Declaration of Helsinki (version, 2002). Furthermore, the present protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Mean percentage of FM assessed by DXA was 28.76±9.16%. Moreover, Bland-Altman plots suggested conventional anthropometry and BIA underestimated fat mass percentage in this group. Lastly, a predictive equation for fat mass was established as follows: FM (%)=1.9197 (triceps skinfold thickness (mm))+6.5063. It was concluded that both conventional anthropometry and BIA underestimated fat mass in athletes with chronic SCI. Furthermore, a predictive equation of fat mass was recommended for this group due to its low cost and wide availability in any clinical setting.

Exercise reduced inflammation: but for how long after training?

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have reported that obese people with trisomy 21 suffer from low-grade systemic inflammation. A recent study has found that aerobic training reduced inflammation in obese women with Down syndrome. To the best of our knowledge, the study reported in this paper is the first to determine for how long these effects were maintained after completion of the programme. METHODS: Twenty premenopausal obese women (18-30 years old) with Down syndrome volunteered for this study. Eleven were randomly assigned to the intervention group and performed a 10-week aerobic training programme, 3 sessions per week, consisting of warming-up followed by treadmill exercise (30-40 min) at a work intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate and a cooling-down period. The control group included 9, age, sex and BMI matched women with Down syndrome that did not perform any training programme. Fat mass percentage and distribution were measured. Plasma level of IL-6 and high-sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were monitored. Time-course changes for these outcomes were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. Further, they were re-evaluated at 1, 3 and 6 months after completion of the programme. RESULTS: Three months after completion of the programme, plasma levels of IL-6 and hs-CRP were significantly increased. Up to 6 months later, both fat mass percentage and waist circumference (WC) were significantly increased. Furthermore, physical fitness was also impaired in the intervention group. No changes were observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: A 3-month detraining period significantly impaired chronic inflammation in obese women with DS.

Aerobic training improved low-grade inflammation in obese women with intellectual disability.

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a major health problem in people with intellectual disabilities. It is also widely accepted that low-grade systemic inflammation associated to obesity plays a key role in the pathogenic mechanism of several disorders. Fortunately, physical activity has shown to improve inflammation in people with metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes. Accordingly, we assessed the influence of aerobic training on pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in women with Down syndrome. METHODS: To achieve this outcome, 20 premenopausal obese young women with Down syndrome volunteered for this study. Eleven were randomly assigned to the intervention group and performed a 10-week aerobic training programme, three sessions per week, consisting of a warm-up then a 30- to 40-min treadmill exercise at a work intensity of 55-65% of peak heart rate followed by a cooling-down period. The control group included nine age-, sex- and body mass index-matched women with Down syndrome. Fat mass percentage and fat distribution were measured. Plasmatic levels of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6 and fibrinogen were assessed by commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. C-reactive protein (CRP) was assessed by nephelometry. RESULTS: Plasmatic levels of TNF-α (11.7 ± 1.6 vs. 9.2 ± 1.3 pg/ml; P = 0.022), IL-6 (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 6.1 ± 0.9 pg/ml; P = 0.014) and high sensitive CRP (0.62 ± 0.11 vs. 0.53 ± 0.09 mg/dl; P = 0.009) were significantly reduced in the intervention group. Further, significant correlations between plasmatic and anthropometric parameters were found. CONCLUSION: A 10-week training programme reduced pro-inflammatory cytokines and acute phase proteins in obese young women with Down syndrome. Long-term, well-conducted studies are still required to determine whether correction of this low-grade inflammation improves clinical outcomes of women with trisomy 21.

Correlaciones entre marcadores de grasa abdominal obtenidos por densitometría y técnicas antropométricas convencionales en mujeres postmenopausicas con síndrome metabólico / Correlations between markers of abdominal fat obtained by dxa and anthropometric conventional techniques in postmenopausal women with metabolic syndrome

El presente estudio pretende identificar correlaciones estadísticamente significativas entre parámetros de masa grasa abdominal obtenidos por densitometría (DXA) y otros de tipo cineantropométrico (índices de distribución de masa grasa) y bioquímico (perfil lipídico) en mujeres postmenopausicas con síndrome metabólico. Se diseño un estudio de cohortes histórico que incluyó a un total de 1326 mujeres post-menopausicas con edad > 45 años que se habían sometido rutinariamente a DXA para conocer su densidad mineral ósea entre Enero de 2006 y Enero de 2011. Se utilizó un DXA tipo Lunar DPX-L para determinar la masa grasa abdominal en las regiones de interés L1-L4 y L3-L4. Además del DXA, se obtuvo de cada participante la correspondiente anamnesis, bioquímica, tensión arterial e índices de distribución de masa grasa mediante técnicas antropométricas convencionales. Se utilizó la clasificación NCEP-ATP-III para el diagnóstico de síndrome metabólico. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. La mayor fuerza de asociación se estableció entre el porcentaje de masa grasa L1-L4 obtenido por DXA y el perímetro de la cintura (r= 0,77; p= 0,0016) además de con colesterol-HDL (r= -0,58; p= 0,0290). Finalmente se concluye que el perímetro de la cintura y los niveles de colesterol-HDL podrían recomendarse como predictores del comportamiento de la masa grasa abdominal de regiones de interés L1-L4 y L3-L4 obtenidas por DXA en mujeres postmenopausicas con síndrome metabólico.

The current study was conducted to identify potential correlations between abdominal fat mass obtained by DXA and several parameters obtained by anthropometric conventional techniques as well as lipid profile in postmenopausal women with MS. This historical cohort study included a total of 1326 postmenopausal women aged > 45 years old who had routinely undergone DXA to measure their bone mineral density between January 2006 and January 2011. The regions of interest envisaged in our study by using DXA were the lumbar regions L1-L4 and L4-L5. At the same time, they underwent a complete medical examination including personal medical history assessment, biochemical blood analysis, blood pressure measurements and anthropometrical evaluation. Metabolic syndrome was diagnosed attending to the criteria established by National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III (NECP-ATP-III). This protocol was approved by an Institutional Ethics Committee. Several significant correlations were found between DXA and indices of body fat distribution as well as lipid profile. The strongest correlations were found between fat mass L1-L4 and waist circumference (r= 0.77; p= 0.0016) and levels of HDL-cholesterol (r= -0.58; p= 0.0290). It was concluded that waist circumference and HDL-cholesterol may be recommended to predict fat mass in regions of interest L1-L4 and L3-L4 in postmenopausal women with MS.

Aerobic training at moderate intensity reduced protein oxidation in adolescents with Down syndrome.

Individuals with Down syndrome have been generally described as having high levels of oxidative stress, which have been associated to an increased morbidity. Fortunately, recent studies have reported that aerobic training may upregulate antioxidant defence system both in general population and individuals with trisomy 21. Accordingly, the present study was conducted to ascertain the effectiveness of aerobic training in reducing protein oxidation. To achieve this goal, 31 adolescents with Down syndrome performed a 12-week training program on a treadmill with 3 days/week, consisting of warm-up (15 min), main part (20-35 min) at a work intensity of 60-75% of peak heart rate (HR(max) =194.5-[0.56 age]) and cool-down (10 min). A control group included seven age-, sex- and BMI-matched adolescents with trisomy 21 that did not perform any training program. Plasma carbonyl content was determined by means of a slightly modified Levine method. Pre- and post-training carbonyl contents were 1.98 ± 0.2 [95% confidence intervals (95% CI): 1.94-2.02] nmol/mg protein and 1.16 ± 0.1 (95% CI: 1.14-1.18) nmol/mg protein, respectively. When compared with baseline values, it was decreased significantly (1.98 ± 0.2 vs 1.16 ± 0.1; P<0.001). It was concluded that 12-week exercise program significantly reduced protein oxidation in adolescents with Down syndrome. Further long-term follow-up studies are required to determine whether correction of this oxidant imbalance improves clinical outcomes of individuals with trisomy 21.

8-weeks training program attenuates mitochondrial oxidative stress in the liver of emotionally stressed rats.

In recent years it has been shown that emotional stress induced by immobilization may change the balance between pro-oxidant and antioxidant factors inducing oxidative damage. On the other hand, contradictory views exist concerning the role of physical activity on redox metabolism. Consequently, the present work was designed to assess the influence of an 8-week moderate swimming training program in emotionally stressed rats. Sixty 1-month-old male albino Wistar rats weighing 125-135 g were used in this experimental study. They were divided into three groups, as Control (lot A; n=20), Stressed (lot B; n=20) and Stressed & Exercised (lot C; n=20). Rats were stressed by placing the animals in a 25 x 7 cm plastic bottle 1 h/day, 5 days a week for 8 weeks. Protein carbonyl content values in liver homogenates were significantly increased in stressed animals (0.58+/-0.02 vs 0.86+/-0.03; p=0.018) which clearly indicated that emotional stress was associated with oxidative stress. Ultrastructural alterations, predominantly mitochondrial swelling and the decrease of cristae number observed by electron microscopy represented direct evidence of membrane injury. The most striking feature of our study was that we also found differences between stressed rats and stressed rats that performed our 8 week training program. Consequently our results highlight the potential benefit of a moderate training program to reduce oxidative damage induced by emotional stress since it attenuated protein oxidation and mitochondrial alterations.