Influence of cupping treatment on high-intensity anaerobic performance

The use of cupping therapy prior to sports events has increased in popularity, with limited evidence to support its efficacy. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of dry and wet cupping therapy on subsequent Wingate anaerobic test (WAnT) performance. Twelve trained men participated in this repeated measures randomized crossover study (age 24.9 ± 4.8 years; body mass index 27.6 ± 14.3 kg.m-2). Participants were familiarized with the ergometer and the Wingate anaerobic test on three separate occasions. They then randomly performed three experimental Wingate tests separated by 48-72 h after either dry cupping (DRY), wet cupping (WET), or no treatment (CON). Repeated measures ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient were used to analyze data and determine the relationships between WAnT and peak lactate and heart rate (HR). Peak power (PP), mean power (MP), and fatigue index (FI) were similar in all treatments (p=.47-.72). Heart rate (HR) and lactate increased similarly at all time points in all treatments (p<.001 for all comparisons). Post-WAnT peak HR was moderately negatively correlated with PP in all treatments and MP in CON only (p<.05 for all correlations). No other significant correlations were detected. The present findings demonstrate no beneficial effects of wet and dry cupping therapy, and hence do not support its use prior to high-intensity anaerobic sports events

Effects of acute caffeine on muscle damage biomarkers and time to exhaustion after a single session of resistance exercises followed by exhaustive incremental test in long-distance runners

The present study was designed to investigate the acute effect of caffeine on muscle damage biomarkers (creatine kinase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase MB, and myoglobin) measured before, immediately after, and 24 h after a single session of resistance exercises followed by exhaustive incremental test. In addition, the effect of caffeine intake on time to exhaustion during exhaustive incremental test was determined. Fifteen male long-distance runners (30.67 ± 3.40 yrs.) performed two consecutive trials (7 days apart). Athletes were assigned randomly either to ingest caffeine (6 mg/kg) 1 h prior to exercise or placebo using a double-blind crossover design. Each trial consisted of 5 resistance exercises followed by exhaustive incremental test. Blood samples were collected before, immediately, and 24 h after each trial. The independent t test of data showed no significant differences in biomarkers of muscle damage at all time points between trials (p > .05). Using paired sample t test, data revealed that caffeine increased the time to exhaustion (45.78 ± 2.42 min) during exhaustive incremental test compared to the placebo (43.83 ± 2.21 min) (p = .001). In conclusion, 6 mg/kg of caffeine 1 hour prior to resistance exercises followed by exhaustive incremental test had no effect on muscle damage biomarkers in long-distance runners probably due to mechanical stress precisely affected fast twitch fibres rather than slow twitch fibres. However, the increased time to exhaustion due to caffeine consume may attributed to dampened pain sensation

Using artificial intelligence for exercise prescription in personalised health promotion: A critical evaluation of OpenAI’s GPT-4 model

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) applications in healthcare provides new possibilities for personalized health management. AI-based fitness applications are becoming more common, facilitating the opportunity for individualised exercise prescription. However, the use of AI carries the risk of inadequate expert supervision, and the efficacy and validity of such applications have not been thoroughly investigated, particularly in the context of diverse health conditions. The aim of the study was to critically assess the efficacy of exercise prescriptions generated by OpenAI’s Generative Pre-Trained Transformer 4 (GPT-4) model for five example patient profiles with diverse health conditions and fitness goals. Our focus was to assess the model’s ability to generate exercise prescriptions based on a singular, initial interaction, akin to a typical user experience. The evaluation was conducted by leading experts in the field of exercise prescription. Five distinct scenarios were formulated, each representing a hypothetical individual with a specific health condition and fitness objective. Upon receiving details of each individual, the GPT-4 model was tasked with generating a 30-day exercise program. These AI-derived exercise programs were subsequently subjected to a thorough evaluation by experts in exercise prescription. The evaluation encompassed adherence to established principles of frequency, intensity, time, and exercise type; integration of perceived exertion levels; consideration for medication intake and the respective medical condition; and the extent of program individualization tailored to each hypothetical profile. The AI model could create general safety-conscious exercise programs for various scenarios. However, the AI-generated exercise prescriptions lacked precision in addressing individual health conditions and goals, often prioritizing excessive safety over the effectiveness of training. The AI-based approach aimed to ensure patient improvement through gradual increases in training load and intensity, but the model’s potential to fine-tune its recommendations through ongoing interaction was not fully satisfying. AI technologies, in their current state, can serve as supplemental tools in exercise prescription, particularly in enhancing accessibility for individuals unable to access, often costly, professional advice. However, AI technologies are not yet recommended as a substitute for personalized, progressive, and health condition specific prescriptions provided by healthcare and fitness professionals. Further research is needed to explore more interactive use of AI models and integration of real-time physiological feedback

Hypofibrinolysis in diabetes: a therapeutic target for the reduction of cardiovascular risk

An enhanced thrombotic environment and premature atherosclerosis are key factors for the increased cardiovascular risk in diabetes. The occlusive vascular thrombus, formed secondary to interactions between platelets and coagulation proteins, is composed of a skeleton of fibrin fibres with cellular elements embedded in this network. Diabetes is characterised by quantitative and qualitative changes in coagulation proteins, which collectively increase resistance to fibrinolysis, consequently augmenting thrombosis risk. Current long-term therapies to prevent arterial occlusion in diabetes are focussed on anti-platelet agents, a strategy that fails to address the contribution of coagulation proteins to the enhanced thrombotic milieu. Moreover, antiplatelet treatment is associated with bleeding complications, particularly with newer agents and more aggressive combination therapies, questioning the safety of this approach. Therefore, to safely control thrombosis risk in diabetes, an alternative approach is required with the fibrin network representing a credible therapeutic target. In the current review, we address diabetes-specific mechanistic pathways responsible for hypofibrinolysis including the role of clot structure, defects in the fibrinolytic system and increased incorporation of anti-fibrinolytic proteins into the clot. Future anti-thrombotic therapeutic options are discussed with special emphasis on the potential advantages of modulating incorporation of the anti-fibrinolytic proteins into fibrin networks. This latter approach carries theoretical advantages, including specificity for diabetes, ability to target a particular protein with a possible favourable risk of bleeding. The development of alternative treatment strategies to better control residual thrombosis risk in diabetes will help to reduce vascular events, which remain the main cause of mortality in this condition

Training during the COVID-19 lockdown : knowledge, beliefs, and practices of 12,526 athletes from 142 countries and six continents

OBJECTIVE Our objective was to explore the training-related knowledge, beliefs, and practices of athletes and the influence of lockdowns in response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS Athletes (n = 12,526, comprising 13% world class, 21% international, 36% national, 24% state, and 6% recreational) completed an online survey that was available from 17 May to 5 July 2020 and explored their training behaviors (training knowledge, beliefs/attitudes, and practices), including specific questions on their training intensity, frequency, and session duration before and during lockdown (March–June 2020). RESULTS Overall, 85% of athletes wanted to “maintain training,” and 79% disagreed with the statement that it is “okay to not train during lockdown,” with a greater prevalence for both in higher-level athletes. In total, 60% of athletes considered “coaching by correspondence (remote coaching)” to be sufficient (highest amongst world-class athletes). During lockdown, < 40% were able to maintain sport-specific training (e.g., long endurance [39%], interval training [35%], weightlifting [33%], most (83%) training for “general fitness and health maintenance” during lockdown. Athletes trained alone (80%) and focused on bodyweight (65%) and cardiovascular (59%) exercise/training during lockdown. Compared with before lockdown, most athletes reported reduced training frequency (from between five and seven sessions per week to four or fewer), shorter training sessions (from ≥ 60 to < 60 min), and lower sport-specific intensity (~ 38% reduction), irrespective of athlete classification. CONCLUSIONS COVID-19-related lockdowns saw marked reductions in athletic training specificity, intensity, frequency, and duration, with notable within-sample differences (by athlete classification). Higher classification athletes had the strongest desire to “maintain” training and the greatest opposition to “not training” during lockdowns. These higher classification athletes retained training specificity to a greater degree than others, probably because of preferential access to limited training resources. More higher classification athletes considered “coaching by correspondence” as sufficient than did lower classification athletes. These lockdown-mediated changes in training were not conducive to maintenance or progression of athletes’ physical capacities and were also likely detrimental to athletes’ mental health. These data can be used by policy makers, athletes, and their multidisciplinary teams to modulate their practice, with a degree of individualization, in the current and continued pandemic-related scenario. Furthermore, the data may drive training-related educational resources for athletes and their multidisciplinary teams. Such upskilling would provide athletes with evidence to inform their training modifications in response to germane situations (e.g., COVID related, injury, and illness).A specific funding was provided by the National Sports Institute of Malaysia for this study.The National Sports Institute of Malaysia.https://www.springer.com/journal/40279am2023Sports Medicin

COVID-19 lockdown : a global study investigating athletes’ sport classification and sex on training practices

PURPOSE : To investigate differences in athletes’ knowledge, beliefs, and training practices during COVID-19 lockdowns with reference to sport classification and sex. This work extends an initial descriptive evaluation focusing on athlete classification. METHODS : Athletes (12,526; 66% male; 142 countries) completed an online survey (May–July 2020) assessing knowledge, beliefs, and practices toward training. Sports were classified as team sports (45%), endurance (20%), power/technical (10%), combat (9%), aquatic (6%), recreational (4%), racquet (3%), precision (2%), parasports (1%), and others (1%). Further analysis by sex was performed. RESULTS : During lockdown, athletes practiced body-weight-based exercises routinely (67% females and 64% males), ranging from 50% (precision) to 78% (parasports). More sport-specific technical skills were performed in combat, parasports, and precision (∼50%) than other sports (∼35%). Most athletes (range: 50% [parasports] to 75% [endurance]) performed cardiorespiratory training (trivial sex differences). Compared to prelockdown, perceived training intensity was reduced by 29% to 41%, depending on sport (largest decline: ∼38% in team sports, unaffected by sex). Some athletes (range: 7%–49%) maintained their training intensity for strength, endurance, speed, plyometric, change-of-direction, and technical training. Athletes who previously trained ≥5 sessions per week reduced their volume (range: 18%–28%) during lockdown. The proportion of athletes (81%) training ≥60 min/session reduced by 31% to 43% during lockdown. Males and females had comparable moderate levels of training knowledge (56% vs 58%) and beliefs/attitudes (54% vs 56%). CONCLUSIONS : Changes in athletes’ training practices were sport-specific, with few or no sex differences. Team-based sports were generally more susceptible to changes than individual sports. Policy makers should provide athletes with specific training arrangements and educational resources to facilitate remote and/or home-based training during lockdown-type events.https://journals.humankinetics.com/view/journals/ijspp/ijspp-overview.xmlhj2023Sports Medicin

The Effects of Aquatic Exercise Program on Physical Fitness and Physiological Variables and Movement Satisfaction

This study aimed to identify the effects of the swimming course level (3) and aquatic exercise program on selected physical and physiological variables, and Movement satisfaction. The study sample consisted of (12)(students) recreational swimmers from the swimming course level (3). The swimmers were divided into two groups; 1. Control group (n = 6) who received the regular training program of the course, 2. Experimental group (n = 6) received the aquatic exercise program in addition to the regular training. The researchers used the experimental approach. The following tests were performed: the Burpees test and chin ups test to measure their strength endurance. Flexibility was measured through the sit and reach test. 25-mfreestyle swimming test measure speed, 400-mfreestyletest to measure endurance, Margaria- Kalmen test to measure the anaerobic power,1 mile test to estimate the maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max), and Movement satisfaction scale for Allawi (1998).The results of the study indicated that there were statistically significant differences (p=0.05) in post test in favor of the of aquatic exercises program than regular training program in improvement strength endurance, swimming endurance, anaerobic power, VO2max, and motor satisfaction. The researchers recommended using aquatic exercise programs to improve physical and physiological variablesrelated to the swimming performance in students of the physical Education Faculty

Synergistic Beneficial Effects of Resveratrol and Diet on High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity

Introduction: Despite decades of research, obesity and its related medical complications remain a major health concern globally. Therefore, novel therapeutic strategies are needed to combat obesity and its numerous debilitating complications. Resveratrol (RES) has a potential therapeutic effect in obesity and diabetes by improving oxidative metabolism and insulin signaling. Background and Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of RES treatment on weight loss and glucose and fatty acid metabolism. Methods: Obesity was induced in 24 mice by exposure to a high-fat diet (HFD) for 8 weeks. Mice were randomly assigned to one group of either: group 1: control, non-treated low-fat diet (LFD) for 12 weeks (n = 8), group 2: non-treated high-fat diet (HFD) for 12 weeks (n = 8), group 3: RES-treated HFD (HFD + RES) (n = 8), or group 4: RES-treated and switched to LFD (HFD-LFD + RES) (n = 8). HFD + RES mice were first fed an HFD for 8 weeks followed by 4 weeks of RES. The HFD-LFD + RES group was first fed an HFD for 8 weeks and then treated with RES and switched to an LFD for 4 weeks. Results: After 12 weeks, group 2 mice had significantly higher body weights compared to group 1 (23.71 &plusmn; 1.95 vs. 47.83 &plusmn; 2.27; p &lt; 0.05). Group 4 had a significant decrease in body weight and improvement in glucose tolerance compared to mice in group 2 (71.3 &plusmn; 1.17 vs. 46.1 &plusmn; 1.82 and 40.9 &plusmn; 1.75, respectively; p &lt; 0.05). Skeletal muscles expression of SIRT1, SIRT3, and PGC1&alpha; were induced in group 3 and 4 mice compared to group 2 (p &lt; 0.01), with no changes in AMP-activated protein kinase expression levels. Furthermore, combination of RES and diet ameliorated skeletal muscle intermediate lipid accumulation and significantly improved insulin sensitivity and secretion. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest a synergistic beneficial effect of LFD and RES to lower body weight and enhance glucose and fatty acid metabolism

Precooling and warm-up effects on time trial cycling performance during heat stress

The aim of this study was to investigate the separate and combined effects of precooling and warm-up on a subsequent cycling time trial in a hot environment. METHODS: Nine healthy men (mean±SD age=24±5 years; body mass=74.7±4.5 kg; height=171.4±7.7 cm; body fat=12.9±5.2%) completed 3 simulated 16.1-km time trials on a cycle ergometer in a hot environment (~33 °C, 45% relative humidity) after: 1) 20 min of fluid ingestion (10 °C ) followed by 30 min of ice-slurry ingestion (-1 °C ) coupled with ice-vest (PREC), 2) 30 min of ice-slurry ingestion coupled with ice-vest followed by 20 min of warm-up including ice-slurry and ice-vest (COMBO), 3) 30 min of fluid ingestion (10 °C) followed by 20 min of warm-up (WU). RESULTS: At baseline, rectal temperature (T_re ), mean skin temperature ( ₸_sk ), and mean body temperature (₸_b ) were similar among treatments (all P>0.05). After treatment administration and before the start of the time trial, T_re was lower in PREC (36.1±0.3) and COMBO (36.9±0.4) compared to WU (37.6±0.2) (all P0.05). Local sweat rate (SR) was lower in PREC than COMBO and WU for the first 4 km (P 0.05). Performance times were not different among treatments (PREC: 31.96±2.05 min; COMBO: 32.64±2.90 min; WU: 33.09±3.09 min; P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Despite mitigating thermal strain during exercise, precooling alone, or combined with warm-up, did not result in improved performance of a 16.1-km simulated cycling time trial. (Published By University of Alabama Libraries