The Validity of Perceptual Recovery Status on Monitoring Recovery During a High-Intensity Back-Squat Session.

Adaptations to resistance training and subsequent performance can be undermined by inadequate interset recovery. Methods typically used to monitor recovery were developed for longitudinal use, making them time-inefficient within singular exercise bouts. If valid, perceptual recovery status (PRS) may be used as an efficient and inexpensive assessment tool to monitor individual recovery. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to assess the validity of PRS on monitoring recovery during a high-intensity back-squat session. METHODS: Ten healthy men participated in the 2-session study (separated by at least 48 h). Session 1 included anthropometrics, PRS familiarization, and a 1-repetition-maximum back squat. Session 2 included a high-intensity protocol (5 sets of 5 repetitions; 5-min interset recovery; 85% of 1-repetition maximum). PRS was obtained before the first set and during the last 30 seconds of each 5-minute recovery; rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was also collected. A linear position transducer collected mean barbell velocity (MBV). Repeated-measures correlations assessed the common intraindividual relationships of PRS scores to intraset MBV and RPE, respectively. RESULTS: A very large, positive correlation appeared between PRS and MBV (r [95% CI] = .778 [.613 to .878]; P < .0001). A large, negative correlation emerged between PRS and RPE (r [95% CI] = -.549 [-.737 to -.282]; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS: Results indicate that PRS can be a means for practitioners to monitor individualized recovery. PRS tracked well with RPE, strengthening its utility in a practitioner-based setting. Findings provide insight into the practicality of PRS for recovery monitoring. It could be used alongside other measures (eg, MBV and countermovement jump) to individually program and maintain performance.

ITRUSST Consensus on Standardised Reporting for Transcranial Ultrasound Stimulation.

As transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) advances as a precise, non-invasive neuromodulatory method, there is a need for consistent reporting standards to enable comparison and reproducibility across studies. To this end, the International Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation Safety and Standards Consortium (ITRUSST) formed a subcommittee of experts across several domains to review and suggest standardised reporting parameters for low intensity TUS, resulting in the guide presented here. The scope of the guide is limited to reporting the ultrasound aspects of a study. The guide and supplementary material provide a simple checklist covering the reporting of: (1) the transducer and drive system, (2) the drive system settings, (3) the free field acoustic parameters, (4) the pulse timing parameters, (5) in situ estimates of exposure parameters in the brain, and (6) intensity parameters. Detailed explanations for each of the parameters, including discussions on assumptions, measurements, and calculations, are also provided.

ITRUSST consensus on standardised reporting for transcranial ultrasound stimulation.

As transcranial ultrasound stimulation (TUS) advances as a precise, non-invasive neuromodulatory method, there is a need for consistent reporting standards to enable comparison and reproducibility across studies. To this end, the International Transcranial Ultrasonic Stimulation Safety and Standards Consortium (ITRUSST) formed a subcommittee of experts across several domains to review and suggest standardised reporting parameters for low intensity TUS, resulting in the guide presented here. The scope of the guide is limited to reporting the ultrasound aspects of a study. The guide and supplementary material provide a simple checklist covering the reporting of: (1) the transducer and drive system, (2) the drive system settings, (3) the free field acoustic parameters, (4) the pulse timing parameters, (5) in situ estimates of exposure parameters in the brain, and (6) intensity parameters. Detailed explanations for each of the parameters, including discussions on assumptions, measurements, and calculations, are also provided.

Impact of 10-Week Evidence-Based Falls Prevention Program on Outcomes Related to Falls Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults.

This quasi-experimental study evaluated the impact of a 10-week evidence-based falls prevention program (Bingocize®) on self-reported fear of falling, general health, physical activity, social isolation, and avoidance behavior, in community-dwelling older adults in Virginia. Participants > 60 years of age (n= 481) attended BingocizeR group sessions twice per week for 10 weeks. The program combined conventional bingo with periodic strength, balance, flexibility exercises, and fall prevention education. Pre and post assessments gauged participants' self-perception of fear of falling, general health, physical activity, social isolation, and avoidance behavior. 481 participants attended at least 80% of the sessions. Following the intervention, paired sample t-tests revealed statistically significant improvements (p <.05) in fear of falling, physical activity, social isolation, avoidance behavior, and yet there was no notable change in self-reported general health. The 10-week BingocizeR program appears to improve physical activity, social isolation, avoidance behavior, and fear of falling. Self-reported general health did not significantly change.

A VO2max Protocol for Young, Apparently Healthy Adults.

The Bruce and Astrand treadmill protocols are commonly utilized when assessing maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max). However, the steep grade implemented in the protocols often leads to localized muscular fatigue, potentially causing participants prematurely to terminate the test prior to reaching their true VO2max. The purpose of this study was to evaluate a Novel VO2max protocol that may be better suited for young, apparently healthy populations. The Novel protocol starts at a higher speed and lower initial grade to limit lower extremity fatigue. Fifteen participants performed the Bruce, Astrand, and Novel protocols with the following maximal values recorded from each: VO2max, maximal ventilation (VEmax), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), heart rate (HR), rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and time to exhaustion (TTE). The Novel protocol displayed substantial agreement with both criterion protocols. Mean absolute percent error (MAPE) was less than 10% indicating that the Novel protocol is a valid measurement for VO2max values. Bland-Altman analysis revealed that the Novel protocol exhibited a low degree of bias, with tight limits of agreement when compared to the Bruce (bias ±95% LOA = 0.824 ± 3.163) and Astrand protocols (-0.153 ± 3.528) for VO2max. A paired samples t-test revealed no significant differences between Novel and criterion protocols for VO2max. Paired samples t-tests revealed that the Novel protocol had significantly lower TTE when compared to the Bruce and Astrand protocols and produced similar VO2max values to that of the Bruce and Astrand. The Novel protocol may be considered a valid and time-efficient protocol.

Cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake does not alter exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this investigation was to determine whether cognitive awareness of carbohydrate beverage consumption affects exercise-induced lymphocyte apoptosis, independent of actual carbohydrate intake. INTRODUCTION: Carbohydrate supplementation during aerobic exercise generally protects against the immunosuppressive effects of exercise. It is not currently known whether carbohydrate consumption or simply the knowledge of carbohydrate consumption also has that effect. METHODS: Endurance trained male and female (N = 10) athletes were randomly assigned to one of two groups based on either a correct or incorrect cognitive awareness of carbohydrate intake. In the incorrect group, the subjects were informed that they were receiving the carbohydrate beverage but actually received the placebo beverage. Participants completed a 60-min ride on a cycle ergometer at 80 percent VO2peak under carbohydrate and placebo supplemented conditions. Venous blood samples were collected at rest and immediately after exercise and were used to determine the plasma glucose concentration, lymphocyte count, and extent of lymphocyte apoptosis. Cognitive awareness, either correct or incorrect, did not have an effect on any of the measured variables. RESULTS: Carbohydrate supplementation during exercise did not have an effect on lymphocyte count or apoptotic index. Independent of drink type, exercise resulted in significant lymphocytosis and lymphocyte apoptosis (apoptotic index at rest = 6.3 ± 3 percent and apoptotic index following exercise = 11.6 ± 3 percent, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Neither carbohydrate nor placebo supplementation altered the typical lymphocyte apoptotic response following exercise. While carbohydrate supplementation generally has an immune-boosting effect during exercise, it appears that this influence does not extend to the mechanisms that govern exercise-induced lymphocyte cell death.