The influence of motor ability rehabilitation on temporal-spatial parameters of gait in Huntington's disease patients on the basis of a three-dimensional motion analysis system: An experimental trial.

OBJECTIVE: There is no existing standard, evidence-based, scientific model for motor ability improvement in Huntington's Disease (HD) patients aimed at maintaining independent gait for as long as possible, or performing activities of daily living, the effectiveness of which would be supported by the results of studies using objective research tools. Under these circumstances, the aim of this study was to analyze the influence of motor ability rehabilitation on the spatial-temporal parameters of gait in HD patients. DESIGN: It was an experimental trial. The studied group consisted of 30 patients (17 women and 13 men) with HD. In hospital conditions, the patients participated in the 3-week motor ability l rehabilitation programme tailored to individual needs. The study group was tested using the Vicon 250 three-dimensional gait analysis system before and after the physical exercise programme. RESULTS: Walking speed after therapy increased for the left lower limb from 1.06 (SD 0.24) [m/s] to 1.21 (SD 0.23) [m/s], and for the right lower limb from 1.07 (SD 0.25) [m/s] to 1.20 (SD 0.25) [m/s]. The cycle length increased after the applied therapy for the left lower limb from 1.17 (SD 0.20) [m] to 1.23 (SD 0.19) [m]. CONCLUSION: The three-week motor ability rehabilitation programme positively influences spatial-temporal gait parameters in HD patients.

Changes in chosen immune system indicators and the level of HSP-70 after single whole-body cryostimulation in healthy men.

AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of our research was to examine the influence of single whole-body cryostimulation (WBC) on chosen immune system indicators including the heat shock protein HSP-70. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study was carried out among ten young and healthy men (mean age 22.4 ±1.65, with a body mass index of 22.91 ±2.39 kg/m2). The participants were subjected to single whole-body cryostimulation (at -130°C temperatures) in a special cryogenic chamber for 3 minutes. Blood samples were collected three times: before cryostimulation, 30 minutes and 24 hours after WBC. Immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG, IgM), interleukins (IL-6, IL-10, IL-1ß) and the heat shock protein (HSP-70) were determined in the blood serum. RESULTS: As a result of a single exposure to cryogenic temperatures, a significant increase in the level of IL-6 was observed 30 minutes after the WBC (p < 0.05) and a decrease in the level of HSP-70 24 hours after the treatment (p < 0.05). There were no significant changes in the level of interleukins (IL-10, IL-1ß) or immunoglobulins 30 minutes after a single WBC treatment or 24 hours later. CONCLUSIONS: Detailed analysis of the issue shows that a single application of whole-body cryostimulation causes a small, modulating effect on the IL-6 level. Single whole-body cryostimulation treatment has also a slight silencing effect on the HSP-70 level in healthy, young men. Reduction in the concentration of HSP-70 24 hours after WBC may indicate lack of the damaging impact on the spatial structure of the protein due to cryogenic temperatures.

Effects of kinesio taping on anaerobic power recovery after eccentric exercise.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of kinesio taping (KT) in anaerobic power recovery after eccentric exercise. The study was carried out on 10 healthy men. The participants performed two 60-min downhill runs with a constant intensity. Peak anaerobic power (PP) and mean power (MP) were measured before and five times after eccentric exercise. Anaerobic power was evaluated with the Maximal Cycling Sprint Test. After the downhill run, passive recovery (PR) and KT (lymphatic application) were applied in random order. A significant decrease in PP and MP was observed at least for 24 h after PR, compared to baseline. After the KT application 24 h after eccentric exercises, anaerobic power was already similar to the baseline measurement. The application of KT significantly improved anaerobic power recovery time after eccentric exercise compared to the period of passive rest immediately prior to testing.

Influence of increased body mass and body composition on cycling anaerobic power.

Recent evidence suggests that not only body fat (BF) but high lean body mass (HLBM) adversely affects aerobic performance and may reduce aerobic endurance performance as well. However, the influence of body composition on anaerobic performance remains controversial. This study aimed to examine the effects of increased body mass (BM) and body composition on cycling anaerobic power. Peak power (PP) and mean power (MP) measurements were conducted in 2 groups of men with similar total BM but different body compositions resulting from (a) high level of BF [HBF group] or (b) high level of lean body mass [HLBM group] and in a control group. Peak power and MP were calculated in absolute values, relative to BM and lean body mass (LBM), and using allometric scaling. Absolute PP and MP were significantly higher in the HLBM group compared with the control and HBF groups. However, PP and MP relative to BM and using allometric scaling were similar in the HLBM and control groups, yet significantly higher than in the HBF group. There were no significant differences between groups in PP and MP when presented relative to LBM. Therefore, it seems that it is not BM but rather body composition that affects PP. Increased BM, resulting from increased LBM, does not adversely affect cycling anaerobic power, but a BM increase resulting from an increase in BF may adversely affect PP. Therefore, coaches and athletes should avoid excess BF to maximize cycling anaerobic power.

The effects of physiotherapy with PNF concept on gait and balance of patients with Huntington's disease - pilot study.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative, progressive disorder of the central nervous system which causes significant gait and balance disturbances. This is a pilot study which aims to determine the effects of a physiotherapy programme with use of Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) on gait and balance in HD patients. MATERIAL AND METHODS: 30 HD patients aged 21-60 with genetically confirmed diagnosis participated in the study. Participants followed a 3-week-long PNF-based physiotherapy programme. Gait and balance were evaluated twice in each participant: first at baseline and then after the course of physiotherapy. The following methods were used for gait disturbances: Tinetti Gait Assessment Tool, Up and Go Test, Timed Walking Tests for 10m and 20m (TWT10m, TWT20m). Balance was assessed with use of Berg Balance Scale, Pastor Test and Functional Reach Test. RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in all measures of balance and gait. CONCLUSION: PNF-based physiotherapy is effective and safe in HD patients.

Effect of body composition on respiratory compensation point during an incremental test.

Body mass (BM) and composition are considered to be significant determinants of aerobic endurance. The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of BM and its composition makeup on endurance performance. Thirty-nine men were divided into 3 groups of significantly different BM and mass composition: a control group, a group with high body fat (HBF), and a group with high lean body mass (HLBM). Participants in the HBF and HLBM groups had similar BM, which was significantly greater than observed in the control group. All participants performed an incremental treadmill test to volitional failure. Endurance performance was assessed on the basis of respiratory compensation point (RCP). The HBF and HLBM groups exceeded RCP at a much lower work intensity, expressed as %HRmax and %VO2max, compared with the control group. When considered relative to BM and lean body mass, oxygen consumption values at RCP were significantly less in the HBF and HLBM groups compared with the control group. Increased BM, regardless of its composition, substantially reduced aerobic endurance performance. Therefore, athletes and coaches should pay attention to not only the percentage of body fat but also to the amount of lean body mass because any gain may adversely affect aerobic endurance performance.

Pre-exercise cryotherapy reduces myoglobin and creatine kinase levels after eccentric muscle stress in young women.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of pre-exercise whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on muscle damage indicators following eccentric treadmill exercise in young women. Methods: Twenty-seven participants underwent two 1-h downhill treadmill runs, replicating 60% of their maximal oxygen uptake, with a 4-week intermission for recovery and treatment application. In this intermission, one group underwent 20 sessions of WBC, delivered five times a week at -120°C for 3 min each, while the comparison group received no such treatment. Markers of muscle injury-serum myoglobin concentration, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase activity and also uric acid, and cell-free DNA concentration-were measured before and after downhill runs. Results: The study observed a notable reduction in post-exercise myoglobin and CK levels in the WBC group after the second running session. Discussion: The results suggest that WBC can have a protective effects against muscle damage resulting from eccentric exercise.

Intermittent hypoxia training does not change erythrocyte aggregation indicators in young, healthy men.

Background: The increasing popularity of hypoxic training as a training method to improve physical performance indicates the need to study the effects of this type of intervention on blood morphological and rheological indices, since the adaptive changes that follow such training mainly affect blood indices. In this study, the effects of a 4 weeks of intermittent hypoxic training on blood morphological and rheological indicators in physically active men were assessed. Methods: Forty-eight young, physically active men, participated in the study. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: two training groups and a control group without intervention (CTRL). Each group consisted of 16 participants. Training groups performed interval training (three times per week, 4 weeks, 12 workouts) under different conditions: in hypoxia (IHT; fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) = 14.4%) or in normoxia (NT; FiO2 = 20.9%). The control group performed only two workouts 4 weeks apart. Blood was taken during the first and last training session at rest, and 3 minutes after training. Results: After the last training session, there was a significant increase in mean corpuscular volume and a decrease in mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration measured at rest only in the IHT group. There was also a significant decrease in resting aggregation amplitude for the IHT and CTRL groups. There was no difference in change of post-exercise plasma volume between first and last training session. Conclusion: The applied intermittent interval training in conditions of normoxia and hypoxia had no significant impact on resting aggregation parameters. This suggest that training under hypoxic conditions does not cause adverse rheological changes.

The Effect of Physical Activity and Repeated Whole-Body Cryotherapy on the Expression of Modulators of the Inflammatory Response in Mononuclear Blood Cells among Young Men.

Background: Series of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) among healthy and physically active individuals can potentially reduce inflammatory response, although exact mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: The impact of whole-body cryotherapy on inflammation modulators among 28 young males, categorized as non-training (NTR, N = 10), non-training with WBC (NTR-WBC, N = 10), and training with WBC (TR-WBC, N = 8), is investigated in this study. Over a period of eight weeks, NTR-WBC and TR-WBC subjects underwent 24 WBC treatments (-130 °C for 3 min, three times a week), examining changes in mRNA expressions of IL-1A, IL-6, IL-10, IFN-G, SIRT1, SIRT3, SOD2, GSS, and ICAM-1. Results: The received data indicate an acute inflammatory response to initial WBC (increased IL-1A, IL-6, and SIRT), with a greater effect in NTR-WBC. Subsequent sessions showed enhanced expressions of antioxidative genes in both WBC groups, particularly non-trained, suggesting improved oxidative stress adaptation. A notable decrease in ICAM-1 mRNA post-24 WBC treatments in NTR-WBC signifies a potential systemic anti-inflammatory effect. Conclusions: The findings of the study suggest that the combination of regular physical activity with WBC administered three times per week can potentially modulate inflammatory and antioxidant responses. This modulation is evidenced by changes in the expression of genes related to these processes.

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Alters Circulating MicroRNA Profile in Postmenopausal Women.

The incidence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) increases with age, especially in women. The role of microRNAs (miRs) in the regulation of metabolism is postulated. The aim of the study is to identify miRs that may be markers of MetS and to assess changes in miRs expression as a result of 10 and 20 whole-body cryotherapy treatments (WBC; 3 min, -120 °C) in postmenopausal women with MetS (M-60, BMI 30.56 ± 5.38 kg/m2), compared to healthy postmenopausal (H-60, BMI 25.57 ± 2.46 kg/m2) and healthy young women (H-20, BMI 22.90 ± 3.19 kg/m2). In a fasting state, before 1 WBC and after 10 WBCs, as well as 20 WBCs, the expression of miR-15a-5p, miR-21-5p, miR-23a-3p, miR-146a-5p, miR-197-3p, miR-223-3p, fasting blood glucose (FBG) and blood lipid profile were determined. miR-15a-5p and miR-21-5p were down-regulated in M-60, while miR-23a-3p and miR-197-3p were up-regulated, and miR-223-3p down-regulated in M-60 and H-60, compared to H-20. Significant positive correlations between up-regulated (mostly for miR-23-3p and miR-197-3p) and significant negative correlations between down-regulated (mostly for miR-15a-5p) miRs and markers of body composition as well as metabolic disorders were observed. After 20 WBCs, miR-15a-5p expression was up-regulated in all groups. In H-60, down-regulation of miR-197-3p expression occurred after 10 WBCs and 20 WBCs. Following 10 WBCs, FBG decreased in all groups, which intensified in M-60 post-20 WBCs. In our research, it has been shown that miR-23a-3p and miR-197-3p are accurate markers of MetS and MetS risk factors, while miR-15a-5p and miR-23a-3p are precise markers of body composition disorders. WBC is an effective treatment for up-regulating miR-15a-5p and lowering glucose levels in young and postmenopausal women and down-regulating miR-197-3p expression in postmenopausal women. It may be an adjunctive effective treatment method in MetS and hyperglycemia.

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Improves Asprosin Secretion and Insulin Sensitivity in Postmenopausal Women-Perspectives in the Management of Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) is a global problem. The effect of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on metabolism in humans is postulated. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of WBC on asprosin concentrations, glucose homeostasis and insulin resistance in postmenopausal women with T2DM. Changes in fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, asprosin, insulin-resistance indices (HOMA-IR, Quicki), the triglyceride-glucose index (TyG) and C-reactive protein (CRP) were determined. Determination was carried out after 30 WBCs (3 min, -120 °C), applied in six series of five treatments, with 2-day breaks in postmenopausal women with T2DM and the results were compared to changes in postmenopausal women without T2DM (CON). Blood was collected before 1 WBC (T0), after 30 WBCs (T1) and 2 weeks after their completion (T2). In the T2DM group, there was a significant decrease in FBG and HbA1c in T1 and T2, as well as a significant decrease in insulin, HOMA-IR and CRP, and an increase in the Quicki index in T2. In the CON group, the concentration of asprosin at T2 was significantly lower than at T0. There was a significantly positive correlation between asprosin and FBG and HOMA-IR, and a trend towards a decrease of asprosin concentration in T2 in postmenopausal women with T2DM.

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Increases the Activity of Nitric Oxide Synthase in Older Men.

Aging causes oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction and a reduction in the bioavailability of nitric oxide. The study aim was to determine whether, as a result of repeated whole-body exposure to cryogenic temperature (3 min -130 °C), there is an increase of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) concentration in senior subjects (59 ± 6 years), and if this effect is stronger in athletes. In 10 long-distance runners (RUN) and 10 untraining (UTR) men, 24 whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) procedures were performed. Prior to WBC, after 12th and 24th treatments and 7 days later, the concentration of iNOS, asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NTR), homocysteine (HCY), C-reactive protein (CRP) and interleukins such as: IL-6, IL-1ß, IL-10 were measured. In the RUN and UTR groups, after 24 WBC, iNOS concentration was found to be comparable and significantly higher (F = 5.95, p < 0.01) (large clinical effect size) compared to before 1st WBC and after 12th WBC sessions. There were no changes in the concentration of the remaining markers as a result of WBC (p > 0.05). As a result of applying 24 WBC treatments, using the every-other-day model, iNOS concentration increased in the group of older men, regardless of their physical activity level. Along with this increase, there were no changes in nitro-oxidative stress or inflammation marker levels.

Nordic Walking at Maximal Fat Oxidation Intensity Decreases Circulating Asprosin and Visceral Obesity in Women With Metabolic Disorders.

OBJECTIVE: Excess visceral adipose tissue is associated with insulin resistance and other metabolic disorders, including deregulation of adipokine secretion, which may be corrected by aerobic exercise training. Asprosin is a novel adipokine responsible for the regulation of appetite and the release of glucose from the liver, and its levels are pathologically elevated in obesity. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effects of 8-week Nordic walking (NW) training at maximal fat oxidation intensity (FAT max ) on changes in body mass, as well as those in insulin resistance and asprosin levels among young women with visceral obesity and metabolic disorders. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was completed by 14 women (30.14 ± 3.63 years) representing low levels of physical activity, visceral obesity (waist circumference 105.50 ± 14.87 cm, BMI 33.85 ± 5.48 kg/m2) and with metabolic disorders, who for 8 weeks (three times a week, 60 min), participated in NW training at the FAT max intensity (61.92 ± 6.71% HR max , 42.33 ± 8.69% VO2max) controlled on the basis of heart rate (114.21 ± 14.10 bpm). RESULTS: After 4 and 8 weeks of NW training, a significant decrease in the concentration of asprosin, waist and hip circumference (HC), waist-to-height ratio and body adiposity index (BAI) (p < 0.05, large effect size) were found. CONCLUSION: The 8-week NW training at an FAT max intensity decreases the concentration of asprosin in the blood as well as visceral obesity in young women with metabolic disorders.

Climbing-Specific Exercise Tests: Energy System Contributions and Relationships With Sport Performance.

PURPOSE: The aim of the study was to evaluate distinct performance indicators and energy system contributions in 3 different, new sport-specific finger flexor muscle exercise tests. METHODS: The tests included the maximal strength test, the all-out test (30 s) as well as the continuous and intermittent muscle endurance test at an intensity equaling 60% of maximal force, which were performed until target force could not be maintained. Gas exchange and blood lactate were measured in 13 experienced climbers during, as well as pre and post the test. The energy contribution (anaerobic alactic, anaerobic lactic, and aerobic) was determined for each test. RESULTS: The contribution of aerobic metabolism was highest during the intermittent test (59.9 ± 12.0%). During continuous exercise, this was 28.1 ± 15.6%, and in the all-out test, this was 19.4 ± 8.1%. The contribution of anaerobic alactic energy was 27.2 ± 10.0% (intermittent), 54.2 ± 18.3% (continuous), and 62.4 ± 11.3% (all-out), while anaerobic lactic contribution equaled 12.9 ± 6.4, 17.7 ± 8.9, and 18.2 ± 9.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The combined analysis of performance predictors and metabolic profiles of the climbing test battery indicated that not only maximal grip force, but also all-out isometric contractions are equally decisive physical performance indices of climbing performance. Maximal grip force reflects maximal anaerobic power, while all-out average force and force time integral of constant isometric contraction at 60% of maximal force are functional measures of anaerobic capacity. Aerobic energy demand for the intermittent exercise is dominated aerobic re-phosphorylation of high-energy phosphates. The force-time integral from the intermittent test was not decisive for climbing performance.

Muscle strength and endurance in high-level rock climbers.

The relative importance of key performance factors is poorly studied in high-level climbers. This study aimed to (1) determine the role of forearm muscle strength and endurance in high-level rock climbing, (2) and provide suitable dynamometric test parameters for muscle endurance assessment in high-level climbers. Six higher elite (redpoint Fr.9a) and eight elite/advanced (redpoint Fr.8a+) climbers performed one finger flexor maximal strength test and three finger endurance tests: a 30 s all-out test and a continuous and intermittent test at 60% of maximal voluntary contraction. Higher elite climbers had higher (p < 0.05) maximal strength, all-out test average force and continuous test force-time integral (all relative to body mass) than the elite/advanced climbers. These parameters correlated significantly (p < 0.05) with climbing performance, which has not been observed so far for continuous test scores. Unlike in previous research, intermittent test force-time integral neither distinguished climbing ability groups nor correlated significantly with climbing performance. Nevertheless, regression models comprising of intermittent and maximal strength test scores more strongly determined climbing performance than models including continuous or all-out test scores. Intermittent muscle endurance is among the performance factors in difficult rock climbing but appears to be less important than maintaining high forces during sustained muscle contractions.

The Immunomodulary Effects of Systematic Exercise in Older Adults and People with Parkinson's Disease.

We sought to investigate whether regular balance training of moderate intensity (BT) has an effect on changes in selected cytokines, neurotrophic factors, CD200 and fractalkine in healthy older adults and participants with Parkinson's disease (PD). Sixty-two subjects were divided into groups depending on experimental intervention: (1) group of people with PD participating in BT (PDBT), (2) group of healthy older people participating in BT (HBT), (3,4) control groups including healthy individuals (HNT) and people with PD (PDNT). Blood samples were collected twice: before and after 12 weeks of balance exercise (PDBT, HBT), or 12 weeks apart (PDNT, HNT). The study revealed significant increase of interleukin10 (PDBT, p = 0.026; HBT, p = 0.011), ß-nerve growth factor (HBT, p = 0.002; PDBT, p = 0.016), transforming growth factor-ß1 (PDBT, p = 0.018; HBT, p < 0.004), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (PDBT, p = 0.011; HBT, p < 0.001) and fractalkine (PDBT, p = 0.045; HBT, p < 0.003) concentration only in training groups. In PDBT, we have found a significant decrease of tumor necrosis factor alpha. No training effect on concentration of interleukin6, insulin-like growth factor 1 and CD200 was observed in both training and control groups. Regular training can modulate level of inflammatory markers and induce neuroprotective mechanism to reduce the inflammatory response.

Whole-Body Cryotherapy Is an Effective Method of Reducing Abdominal Obesity in Menopausal Women with Metabolic Syndrome.

Abdominal obesity predominates in menopausal women (MW) and contributes to the development of metabolic syndrome (MetS). It is associated with increased mortality related to cardiovascular disease, diabetes and fatty liver disease. The effects of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) on body composition and the blood concentration of irisin, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and C-reactive proteins (CRP) in MW with MetS and in healthy women (HW), were assessed. The study included 19 women with MetS (61.53 ± 3.99 y, BMI 30.09 ± 4.98 kg/m2) and 18 HW (60.28 ± 3.63 y, BMI 25.50 ± 2.37 kg/m2) who were subjected to 20 WBC treatments at -130 °C for 3 min daily. In both groups, body mass (BM), BMI, abdominal circumference, triceps skinfold, total fat mass and percentage of leg fat significantly decreased after 20 WBC sessions. Additionally, the percentage of total, trunk and android fat in the MetS group were significantly decreased after 20 WBC applications. Waist circumference (WC) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) significantly decreased in both groups, and in the HW group, hip circumference and abdominal skinfold also significantly decreased after 10 WBC and 20 WBC treatments. In both groups, the concentration of plasma irisin significantly increased after 1 WBC and 10 WBC exposures, while the concentration of IL-6 significantly increased only in MetS group after 10 WBC and 20 WBC, and were significantly higher than in HW. CRP concentrations were significantly higher in the MetS group than in HW before 1 WBC, after 1 WBC and 10 WBC sessions, but not after 20. In the MetS group, there were significant negative correlations between the change in irisin level and the changes in WC and BM, and between the level of irisin and the change in percentage of total fat, and significant negative correlations between the change in IL-6 level and changes in WC, waist-to-hip ratio and WHtR. Whole-body cryotherapy, assuming the application of 20 treatments in the series, reduces abdominal obesity in menopausal women indirectly through the secretion of irisin and IL-6, and can be used as adjunctive therapy in the treatment of metabolic syndrome. Our conclusion is limited to menopausal women with low-moderate physical activity for whom its level as well as diet were not changed during the treatment.

The Effect of Repeated Whole-Body Cryotherapy on Sirt1 and Sirt3 Concentrations and Oxidative Status in Older and Young Men Performing Different Levels of Physical Activity.

BACKGROUND: The activity of antioxidant enzymes and sirtuins (Sirt) decreases along with age, which is counteracted by aerobic training. Sirtuins increase antioxidant defence. Whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) increases total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in young men. The aim of our study was to assess the impact of 24 WBC treatments on the blood concentration of selected sirtuins and the level of antioxidant defence as well as oxidative stress index of training and non-training men depending on age. METHODS: The study involved 40 males. In each group, there were 10 non-training older and young men (60 NTR and 20 NTR), and 10 older and young long-distance runners (60 TR, 20 TR). During an 8-week period, participants underwent 24 WBC treatments (3 min -130 °C), which were performed three times a week (Monday, Wednesday, Friday). The concentrations of Sirt1, Sirt3, TAC, total oxidative status and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in the blood were determined before 1 WBC and after 1 WBC, 12 WBC and 24 WBC. RESULTS: After 1 WBC, the activity of GPx and the concentration of Sirt1 and TAC in 60 TR and TAC in 60 NTR increased. After 12 WBC, the level of Sirt1 in 20 NTR and SOD in 20 TR increased. After 24 WBC, the level of Sirt1 increased in 60 TR and in 20 NTR, Sirt3 in 60 TR and SOD in 20 TR. CONCLUSIONS: Cryogenic temperatures increase blood levels of Sirt1 and Sirt3 and systemic antioxidant defence in men, but the effect is dependent on age, level of performed physical activity and the number of applied treatments.

Decreased Blood Asprosin in Hyperglycemic Menopausal Women as a Result of Whole-Body Cryotherapy Regardless of Metabolic Syndrome.

Endocrine dysfunction often occurs in metabolic syndrome (MetS), resulting in hyperglycemia and atherogenic blood lipid profile disorders. Asprosin is a newly discovered glucose-regulating hormone. The study aim was to determine whether the application of whole-body cryotherapy (WBC) affects asprosin and selected adipocytokines as well as insulin resistance in menopausal women with metabolic disorders. A total of 37 menopausal women were exposed to 20 WBC (-130 °C, 3 min). Blood glucose, asprosin, irisin, leptin, adiponectin, and insulin were measured before and after 20 WBC treatments, after which a homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) were calculated. The results were analyzed in the MetS group compared to the controls (CON) without MetS, and in the hyperglycemic (HG) group compared to the normoglycemic group (NG). After 20 WBC, a significant reduction (p < 0.05) in asprosin concentration was found in the MetS, HG, and CON groups, and a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in glucose concentration was noted in the HG group. Changes in asprosin concentration positively correlated with changes in glucose concentration. Asprosin concentration before WBC correlated positively with metabolic disorder risk factor levels, and the change in asprosin concentration after 20 WBC correlated negatively with metabolic disorder risk factor levels: fasting glucose, AIP, and the leptin/adiponectin index. Research indicates the possibility of using WBC in supporting metabolic disorders, type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and insulin resistance.

Systematic Balance Exercises Influence Cortical Activation and Serum BDNF Levels in Older Adults.

: We sought to investigate whether systematic balance training modulates brain area activity responsible for postural control and influence brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) mRNA protein expression. Seventy-four older adults were randomly divided into three groups (mean age 65.34 ± 3.79 years, 30 females): Classic balance exercises (CBT), virtual reality balance exercises (VBT), and control (CON). Neuroimaging studies were performed at inclusion and after completion of the training or 12 weeks later (CON). Blood samples were obtained to measure BDNF expression. The study revealed significant interaction of sessions and groups: In the motor imagery (MI) condition for supplementary motor area (SMA) activity (Fat peak = 5.25, p < 0.05); in the action observation (AO) condition for left and right supramarginal gyrus/posterior insula (left: Fat peak = 6.48, p < 0.05; right: Fat peak = 6.92, p < 0.05); in the action observation together with motor imagery (AOMI) condition for the middle occipital gyrus (laterally)/area V5 (left: Fat peak = 6.26, p < 0.05; right: Fat peak = 8.37, p < 0.05), and in the cerebellum-inferior semilunar lobule/tonsil (Fat peak = 5.47, p < 0.05). After the training serum BDNF level has increased in CBT (p < 0.001) and in CBT compared to CON (p < 0.05). Systematic balance training may reverse the age-related cortical over-activations and appear to be a factor mediating neuroplasticity in older adults.