Resistance training reduces pain indices and improves quality of life and body strength in women with migraine disorders

Purpose The benefits of resistance training (RT) for migraineurs appears to be lacking although beneficial of aerobic training have been shown in previous studies. The aim of the current study, therefore, is to investigate the influence of RT on migraine headache indices, upper and lower-body strength, and quality of life (QOL) in women with migraine disorders. Methods Twenty female migraine patients who were referred by a neurologist were randomly assigned to two groups including RT group (n = 10) and control (CON) group (n = 10). The RT protocol consisted of 8 weeks, 3 sessions per week, 45–60 min per session. Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and pain diary were utilized to measure the subjects’ migraine indices including duration, pain severity, and frequency within 48 h pre- and post-training protocol. Patients in the Control group (CON) have been refrained from regular exercise during this study. The quality of life (QOL) and muscular strength were measured by the Headache Impact Tests (HIT) and one-repetition maximum (1RM) test, respectively, for 48 h pre- and post-training protocol. Results The RT resulted in a significant decrease in the migraine indices (headache intensity, frequency, and duration) (p = 0.02, p = 0.001, p = 0.04, respectivetly). Increased quality of life and chest and leg muscular strength significantly (p = 0.001 for all) were also showed after 8-week RT protocol. However, there were not any significant differences between groups considering, BMI and waist-hip ratio (WHR) after executing RT protocol (p > 0.05). Conclusion Based on the results of the current study that mainly had a positive trend, it could state that RT protocol with special consideration for migraine patients is probably an alternative therapy or augmentative complement to established interventions for migraine treatment

Effects of Endurance and Resistance Training on Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide and Acetylcholine Receptor at Slow and Fast Twitch Skeletal Muscles and Sciatic Nerve in Male Wistar Rats

The aim of this study was to investigate effects of endurance and resistance training (ET and RT) on CGRP and AChRs at slow and fast twitch muscles and sciatic nerve in rats. Twenty-five male rats were randomly assigned into three groups including sedentary (SED), endurance training (ET), and resistance training (RT). Animals of ET exercised for 12 weeks, five times/week, and 60 min/day at 30 m/min. Animals of RT were housed in metal cage with 2 m high wire-mesh tower, with water bottles set at the top. 48 h after the last session of training protocol, animals were anaesthetized. The right sciatic nerves were removed; then, Soleus (SOL) and Tibialis anterior (TA) muscles were excised and immediately snap frozen in liquid nitrogen. All frozen tissues were stored at −80°C. Results showed that, after both ET and RT, CGRP content as well as AChR content of SOL and TA muscles significantly increased. But there was no significant difference among groups at sciatic nerve' CGRP content. In conclusion, data demonstrate that ET and RT lead to changes of CGRP and AChR content of ST and FT muscles. The changes indicate to the importance of neuromuscular activity

Effects of eight-week progressive resistance training on physical fitness and psychological health in adolescent males

Physical fitness and psychosocial health might improve through resistance training programs. However, there has been controversy regarding the efficacy of different exercise programs. Therefore, this study attempted to compare the effect of 8-week resistance training with linear and undulating programming on physical fitness and mental health. Twenty-nine healthy and untrained students (age: 16.06±0.83) were randomly divided into three groups: (1) control (n= 6), (2) linear programmed resistance training (LPRT) (n= 12), and (3) undulating programmed resistance training (UPRT) (n= 11). After two weeks of familiarization, 1RM (one-maximum repetition) values were obtained. Thereafter, experimental groups attended a resistance training program of 3 sessions/week (lasted 60 min each) for 8 weeks. Both groups had a similar plan until the fourth week. Then, intensity increased up to 70% of 1RM on a weekly basis for the LPRT group, and varied on a daily basis for the UPRT group. Upper- and lower-extremities strength and endurance, balance, speed, explosive-power, lean body mass, general mental health (GSQ) and physical self-concept (PSCQ) were measured. Experimental groups produced significant improvements in physical outcomes, in comparison with the control group. There were no improvements in GSQ and PSCQ. There were no statistically significant differences between the two programs. Both linear and undulating programs improved physical fitness of previously sedentary adolescent males to a similar extent. For practical purposes, as long as loads are individually adjusted, the type of program may not be relevant in beginner practitioners. Furthermore, both models were ineffective in producing changes in the psychosocial variables

The study of effect of resistance training on plasma S1P level and gene expression of S1P1,2,3 receptors in male Wistar rat

Aim. The purpose of present study was to study the effect of 8 weeks resistance training on plasma Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) level and gene expression of S1P receptors in skeletal muscles of male Wistar rat. Methods. In this study 24 (8 week-old) male Wistar rats (190-250 gr) were divided randomly to a control (N.=12) and a training (N.=12) group. Resistance ladder was 1 meter height with 2 cm grid ladder. The content of plasma S1P and relative mRNA expression of S1P receptors were determined by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Real-time PCR, respectively. Results. Resistance training increased the content of plasma S1P of exercised group compared to control group (P=0.001). Furthermore, Resistance exercise training increased the gene expression of S1P1 (P=0.001), S1P2 (P=0.000) and S1P3 receptors (P=0.021) in exercised flexor hallucis longus (FHL) compared to control group. In soleus (SOL) muscle, resistance training increased the gene expression of S1P1 (P=0.000), S1P2 (P=0.603) and S1P3 receptors (P=0.009). Conclusion. The key conclusion is that resistance training strongly caused to increase in plasma SIP content and its receptors in skeletal muscles of rat that might indicate to the involvement of S1P signalling in the molecular events controlling adaptations of resistance trained muscles which needs to be elucidated in future studies

Effectiveness of exercise interventions in animal models of multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with an impaired immune system that severely affects the spinal cord and brain, and which is marked by progressive inflammatory demyelination. Patients with MS may benefit from exercise training as a suggested course of treatment. The most commonly used animal models of studies on MS are experimental autoimmune/allergic encephalomyelitis (EAE) models. The present review intends to concisely discuss the interventions using EAE models to understand the effectiveness of exercise as treatment for MS patients and thereby provide clear perspective for future research and MS management. For the present literature review, relevant published articles on EAE animal models that reported the impacts of exercise on MS, were extracted from various databases. Existing literature support the concept that an exercise regimen can reduce the severity of some of the clinical manifestations of EAE, including neurological signs, motor function, pain, and cognitive deficits. Further results demonstrate the mechanisms of EAE suppression with information relating to the immune system, demyelination, regeneration, and exercise in EAE. The role for neurotrophic factors has also been investigated. Analyzing the existing reports, this literature review infers that EAE is a suitable animal model that can help researchers develop further understanding and treatments for MS. Besides, findings from previous animal studies supports the contention that exercise assists in ameliorating MS progression

Resistance Training Enhances Renal Function in Experimental Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion

Acute kidney injury (AKI) resulting from ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) is among the most common complications in hospitalized patients. In recent years, it has been argued that exercise is an approach to attenuate impairments caused by AKI. The purpose of this study was to investigate whether eight weeks of resistance training (RT) has protective effects on IRI. Thirty male Wistar rats (210-230 g) were randomly divided into four groups, including RT+ISC (n=7), RT (n=8), ISC (n=7), and sham (n=8). Animals underwent eight weeks of RT, and 48 hours after the last training session, ischemia (45 min) reperfusion (24 h) was induced. Then animals were sacrificed, and blood and kidney tissue samples were collected to measure creatinine (Cr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), kidney tissue damage score (KTDS), and kidney weight (KW). The results showed that IRI caused a significant increase in Cr, BUN, KTDS, and KW (p-value <0.05), while RT decreased the severity of KTDS, Cr, and BUN remarkably. (p≤0.05). RT, however, did not attenuate KW (p≤0.05). Overall, the findings of our study provide evidence that RT can attenuate IRI-induced AKI considering enhanced biomarkers; However, further research should be conducted to make certain about the protective effects of exercise training, especially RT

The effects of two different intensities of aerobic training protocols on pain and serum neuro-biomarkers in women migraineurs: a randomized controlled trail

Objectives: We have a weak understanding of how aerobic training may influence migraine, and the optimal parameters for exercise regimens as migraine therapy are not clear. The objectives of this study were to assess, first, effects of two different intensities of aerobic exercise on migraine headache indices; second, serum neuro-biomarker in women migraineurs. Methods: A total of 45 non-athlete female migraine patients were selected by a neurologist and randomly divided into three groups: control (CON), moderate-intensity aerobic training (MOD T), and high-intensity aerobic training (HIGH T). Before and after the training protocol, body composition factors, migraine pain indices, VO2max, and serum Adenylate-Cyclase Activating Polypeptide (PACAP) and Substance P (SP) were measured. Exercise training protocol includes two different intensities of aerobic exercise: Moderate (13-15 Borg Scale, 60-80% HRmax) and High (15-17 Borg Scale, 65-95% HRmax). Results: Moderate-intensity aerobic training (MOD T) reduced headache intensity, frequency, and duration in women with migraine (p < 0.001, for all). Also, high-intensity aerobic training (HIGH T) reduced headache intensity, frequency, and duration (p < 0.001, for all). However, for headache intensity and duration, MOD T was effective rather than HIGH T (p < 0.001; p ≤ 0.05, respectively). In addition, neither MOD T nor HIGH T could not alter PACAP and SP contents (p = 0.712; p = 0.249, respectively). Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that either MOD T or HIGH T could modify migraine pain indices but neither MOD T nor HIGH T could not alter the PACAP and SP contents in women with migraine

Regular Exercise Training Enhances Spatial Memory and Regulates Glucocorticoid System in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

Background & objective: Exercise has been shown to improve cognitive function in patients with multiple sclerosis (MS). Experimentally, glucocorticoids (GCs) treatment has been observed to improve cognitive deterioration in an autoimmune model for MS, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We aimed to determine the combined effect of exercise and 4 mg/kg of dexamethasone (Dex) for 4 weeks on spatial memory in EAE. Materials & Methods: Rats with EAE were subjected to the Morris water maze (MWM) for four days and a prop test for one day. The prop test was repeated on day 40 post-induction (dpi). Rats were randomly assigned to one of four groups (10 rats per group): control EAE without treatment; EAE + dexamethasone, (EAE + Dex); EAE + exercise (EAE + Ex); and EAE+Dex+Ex. Rats receiving dexamethasone were administered 4 mg/kg injections daily for two weeks after EAE induction. Exercise training was initiated on a motorized treadmill 2 weeks before EAE induction and continued until 14 dpi. On day 41, animals were dissected and CORT level was assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay corticosterone kit. Results: One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with repeated measures followed by a protected LSD post hoc test indicated that, EAE+Ex group increased body weight (P 0.001) and swimming speed (p>0.002). Conclusion: The protocol selected in this study was an effective treatment for the EAE model to improve spatial memory and regulate corticosterone concentrations