Effects of Dietary Fish-oil Supplement and Acute Eccentric Exercise on Inflammatory Markers during Different Phases of Menstrual Cycle

Fish-oil supplementation may play a positive role in inflammation. Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) are important in controlling tumor growth, metastasis, angiogenesis, and inflammation. Several tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) are known to regulate the activity of specific MMPs. PURPOSE: To examine the effects of dietary fish-oil supplementation and acute eccentric exercise on MMP-1, -2, -9, and -10 and TIMP-1, -2, -3, and -4 during two different phases of menstrual cycle. METHODS: As a randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled design, 22 college-aged women (age= 20.86 ± 1.39 years) were randomly assigned to either a fish oil (FOG, N=11) or a placebo group (PG, N=11). Participants in the FOG ingested 6 capsules of fish oil per day (total 6.0g, containing 2.4g eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.8g docosahexaenoic acid), while the PG took 6 capsules of safflower oil per day for 3 weeks. Participants in each group performed an acute bout of eccentric single-leg exercise (10 sets of 10 repetitions with a 3-min rest between sets at an isokinetic speed of 30⁰/second) during the mid-follicular (MF) and mid-luteal (ML) phases. The leg exercised for the MF phase was randomly selected and the opposing leg exercised during the ML phase. Overnight blood samples were collected at baseline, 6-hr post-exercise (6hr-PE), and 24-hr PE during the MF and ML phases. Data were analyzed by a separate 2 x 2 x 3 ANOVA with repeated measures along with an appropriate post-hoc test for any significant interactions (p \u3c 0.05). RESULTS: A significant interaction effect (p=0.005) in MMP-1 indicated that MMP-1 in the FOG (193.71±21.72 pg/mL) was higher than that of the placebo group (120.79±21.72 pg/mL) during the MF phase. Both TIMP-1 and -3 were significantly higher (p=.043 and p=.037, respectively) in the FOG (68674.71±2238.56 and 3827.12±193.67 pg/mL, respectively) than the placebo group (62119.26±2178.86 and 3238.94±186.73 pg/mL, respectively). CONCLUSION: Acute eccentric exercise did not affect MMPs and TIMPs in healthy, young females. MMP-1 was the only proteinase affected by the menstrual cycle and a decrease in MMP-1 during the ML phase might be related to elevated estradiol levels. Elevated TIMP-1 and -3 following the 3-weeks of fish-oil supplementation suggested a potential anti-inflammatory effect of the fish-oil supplementation by inhibiting activation of MMPs. It is recommended that an extended period of fish oil supplementation be implemented to further examine its anti-inflammatory effect on other inflammatory biomarkers in different sample groups including both pre- and post-menopausal women

Omega-3 Supplementation, Menstrual Cycle, and Acute Eccentric Exercise on Plasma Lipid Profiles

Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation and the menstrual cycle may independently influence plasma lipids and lipoproteins following acute exercise. PURPOSE: The current study investigated the effects of dietary fish oil supplement and acute eccentric exercise on plasma lipids and lipoproteins during two different phases of the menstrual cycle [mid-follicular (MF) vs. mid-luteal phase (ML)]. METHODS: As a double-blind, placebo-controlled design, 22 healthy young females (age= 20.86±1.39 years) volunteered. Participants were randomly assigned to either the fish oil (N=11) or the placebo (N=11) group. The fish oil group took a total of 6 capsules of fish oil per day (6g total; each capsule with 2.4 g of eicosapentaenoic acid and 1.8 g of docosahexaenoic acid), while the placebo group took 6 capsules of safflower oil/day (6g total; 2.8 g of lauric acid, 1.1g of myristic acid, 0.4 g of caprylic acid, 0.4 g of oleic acid, and 0.09 mg of linoleic acid) for 3 weeks. Participants in each group performed an acute eccentric single-leg exercise protocol during the MF and ML phases, which consisted of 10 sets of 10 repetitions with a 3-min resting between sets at an isokinetic speed of 30⁰/sec. The leg exercised for the MF phase was randomly selected and the opposing leg exercised during the ML phase. Plasma samples were collected at pre-, 6-hours post-exercise (6-hr PE), and 24-hours post-exercise (24-hr PE)] to analyze total cholesterol (TC), high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C), lipoprotein (a), very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C). Data were analyzed using a multivariate analysis of variance (p \u3c 0.05). If a significant interaction was found, a Tukey’s post-hoc test was performed. RESULTS: Plasma lipids and lipoproteins were not different between the fish oil and placebo groups or before and after the acute eccentric leg exercise. However, HDL-C was significantly higher (p = 0.041) during the ML (61.66 ± 2.44 mg/dL) phase than that of the MF (54.53 ± 2.44 mg/dL) phase. CONCLUSION: Although it didn’t reach a statistical significance, the overall lipid and lipoprotein profile tended to improve following a relatively short-term fish oil supplement in healthy, young women. Acute eccentric exercise may not negatively affect plasma lipids and lipoproteins. Elevated HDL-C during the mid-luteal phase may possibly be associated with increased estradiol levels. It is recommended for future studies that an extended period of fish oil supplement using different dosages and exercise regimen be implemented to examine a long-term benefit of fish oil supplement in a variety of sample groups

Can athletes be tough yet compassionate to themselves? Practical implications for NCAA mental health best practice no. 4

Recent tragic events and data from official NCAA reports suggest student-athletes’ wellbeing is compromised by symptoms of mental health (MH) disorders. Self-compassion (SC) and mental toughness (MT) are two psychological constructs that have been shown effective against stressors associated with sports. The purpose of this study was to investigate SC, MT, and MH in a NCAA environment for the first time and provide practical suggestions for MH best practice No.4. In total, 542 student-athletes participated across Divisions (Mage = 19.84, SD = 1.7). Data were collected through Mental Toughness Index, Self-Compassion Scale, and Mental Health Continuum–Short Form. MT, SC (including mindfulness), and MH were positively correlated. Males scored higher than females on all three scales. No differences were found between divisions. SC partially mediated the MT-MH relationship, but moderation was not significant. Working towards NCAA MH best practice should include training athletes in both MT and SC skills (via mindfulness)

The Effects of Short-Term Detraining and Subsequent Retraining on Body Composition and Muscle Performance in Males Consuming a Whey Protein or Carbohydrate Supplement

An acute bout of resistance exercise (RE) can up-regulate processes that stimulate muscle protein synthesis (MPS). Additionally, nutritional strategies involving carbohydrate (CHO) and whey protein (WP) supplementation can augment MPS. However, resistance training (RT) induced muscle anabolism during the early phases of training can attenuate over time. The use of a short-term cessation of training (detraining; DT) can potentially restore the attenuated muscular anabolic adaptive responses. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to explore the effects of a successive cycle of detraining and retraining (ReT) in humans on body composition and muscle performance. Resistance-trained males (age 20.95 ± 1.23 y; n=20) were recruited and randomized into one of two groups (WP or CHO; 25 grams) in a double-blind fashion. Both groups followed a standardized 4 days per week resistance-training program for 4 weeks, carried out 2 weeks of DT and continued the resistance-training program for another 4 weeks of ReT. Participants were instructed to consume their respective supplement only on workout days during RT, but every day during DT. Research visits were conducted at baseline, 4 weeks (post-RT), 6 weeks (post-2-week-DT), and after 10 weeks (post-ReT). Each visit consisted of body composition assessments and muscular strength and endurance testing using the bench press and angled leg press exercises. Four-day diet records, workout logs, and supplement compliance forms were utilized. Factorial 2x4 (group by time) ANOVAs with repeated measures were conducted using SPSS (version 20.0) with a probability level of ≤ .05. There were no significant group by time interactions for lean or fat mass changes throughout the study (p \u3e .05). However, both groups were able to retain lean mass following 2 weeks of DT. The WP group appeared to have an elevation in lean mass (+1.58kg on average) by the end of ReT in comparison to baseline, even though it was not statistically significant (p \u3e .05). Leg press strength (LPS) increased throughout the study (p=.003), and neither group showed a decrease in LPS following DT. There were no group-by-time interactions or group differences between WP and CHO for bench press strength (BPS), bench press endurance (BPE), leg press endurance (LPE), or any dietary variables (p \u3e .05). Interestingly, the WP group presented a non-significant overall increase in lean mass compared to the CHO group by the end of 10 weeks. LPS and BPS were also elevated and retained respectfully following DT. In summary, a short-term 2 week cycle of DT in resistance trained males maintained both muscle mass and muscular strength, which potentially reinforces the importance of recovery

The effectiveness of fish oil supplementation in attenuating eccentric exercise-induced muscle damage in females during mid-follicular and mid-luteal menstrual phases

Due to the supposed cyto-protective effects of estrogen, females are thought to be less predisposed to EIMD than males, but may be more prone to muscle damage during the low estrogen point in their 28-day cycle (follicular phase) compared to their high estrogen point (luteal phase). Fish oil supplementation has been suggested to be important for cyto-protection due to its anti-oxidant potential for significantly decreasing markers of muscle damage. In a double-blind fashion 22 physically-active females were randomly assigned to ingest either 6 grams of fish oil (n = 11) or a placebo (n = 11) daily for 21 days. Participants underwent an eccentric exercise bout of the knee extensors on two occasions, during the mid-luteal phase (day 21) and mid-follicular phase (day 6) of the 28-day menstrual cycle. Prior to, at 6, and 24 hours post-exercise for each session, participants underwent assessment of DOMS, muscle strength, and had venous blood samples and muscle biopsies obtained. Criterion variables included serum markers of muscle damage, inflammation, and oxidative stress (SOD, myoglobin, TNF-α), skeletal muscle markers of NF-κB signaling, DOMS, and muscle strength. Data was analyzed utilizing a 2 x 2 x 3 repeated measures MANOVA. Further analysis of the main effects for Test was performed by a separate one-way ANOVA. Significant between-group differences were then determined involving the Tukey LSD Post Hoc Test. The alpha level for statistical significance was set at p ≤ .05. DOMS was significantly greater at the 6HRPOST and 24HRPOST time points compared to PRE (p ≤ .05). SOD concentrations were significantly higher at the MF phase compared to the ML phase (p ≤ .05). TNF-α concentrations were significantly higher in the experimental group compared to the placebo group (p < .05), and at the MF phase compared to the ML phase (p < .05). There were no significant differences observed for muscle strength, myoglobin, NF-KB p50 or p65. The results of this study demonstrate that estrogen, but not fish oil supplementation, may exert a cyto-protective effect on the sarcolemma

Effect of Bang® Pre-Workout Master Blaster® combined with four weeks of resistance training on lean body mass, maximal strength, mircoRNA expression, and serum IGF-1 in men: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background The aim of the current study was to determine if 4 weeks of consumption of Bang® Pre-Workout Master Blaster® (BMB; Vital Pharmaceuticals Inc., Weston, FL) combined with resistance training resulted in greater increases in muscle mass and maximal strength compared with resistance training combined with placebo (PLA). Additionally, we aimed to determine if BMB ingestion combined with resistance training preferentially altered resting skeletal muscle expression of microRNAs (miRs) or resting serum insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1). Methods Sixteen recreationally-active men completed the study. The study employed a block-randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, parallel design. Participants completed two testing sessions separated by 4 weeks of resistance exercise combined with daily supplementation of BMB or PLA. At each testing session, hemodynamics, body composition, and muscle and blood samples were obtained followed by strength assessments of the lower- and upper-body via measurement of squat and bench press one-repetition maximum (1-RM), respectively. A separate general linear model was utilized for analysis of each variable to determine the effect of each supplement (between-factor) over time (within-factor) using an a priori probability level of ≤0.05. Results No significant effects were observed for dietary intake, hemodynamics, fat mass, body fat percentage, or serum IGF-1. A greater increase in total body mass (3.19 kg, 95% CI, 1.98 kg, 4.40 kg vs. 0.44 kg, 95% CI, − 0.50 kg, 1.39 kg) and lean body mass (3.15 kg, 95% CI, 1.80 kg, 4.49 kg vs. 0.89 kg, 95% CI, − 0.14 kg, 1.93 kg) was observed for the BMB group compared with PLA (p <  0.01). A significant increase over time was observed for miR-23a (p = 0.02) and miR-23b (p = 0.05) expression. A greater increase in squat 1-RM was observed for the BMB group (23.86 kg, 95% CI, 16.75 kg, 30.97 kg) compared with the PLA group (14.20 kg, 95% CI, 7.04 kg, 21.37 kg, p = 0.04). Conclusions BMB supplementation combined with resistance exercise training for 4 weeks resulted in superior adaptations in maximal strength and LBM compared with resistance training with a placebo. No adverse resting hemodynamic or clinical blood safety markers were observed as a result of BMB supplementation. The superior outcomes associated with BMB supplementation could not be explained by resting serum IGF-1 or the skeletal muscle miRs measured, although resting miR-23a and miR-23b expression both increased as a result of resistance training

Effects of Five Weeks of Resistance Training and Relatively-Dosed Creatine Monohydrate Supplementation on Body Composition and Muscle Strength, and Whole-Body Creatine Metabolism in Resistance-Trained Males

Background: Creatine (Cr) supplementation has been established as an ergogenic aid in most individuals during anaerobic exercise. However, discrepancies exist in the data when using absolute dosing.  Objective: The effects of five weeks of resistance training with relatively-dosed Cr followed by four weeks of resistance training after ceasing supplementation were determined. Methods: Resistance-trained men, 19 (CR = 9, PL = 10), ingested Cr or placebo for five weeks with resistance training. Participants ingested 0.3 g/kg lean body mass/day for one week, 0.075 g/kg lean body mass/day for four weeks, with a four-week wash out. Five muscle samples, six blood samples, and nine urine samples were collected. Separate two-way ANOVAs for each criterion variable were used employing an alpha level of ≤ 0.05. Results: A group x time interaction for increased total body mass for CR Day 1 and 64 (p = 0.03) and total lean mass for CR Day 1 and 64 (p = 0.01). Group x time interactions occurred for Cr supplementation increasing serum Cr at Day 4, 8, and 22 (p = 0.03), urinary Cr at Day 4 (p = 0.01), and total muscle Cr at Day 8 (p < 0.001), 22 (p = 0.003), and 36 (p < 0.001). No significant differences occurred for serum (p = 0.14) or urine (p = 0.15) creatinine. Conclusion: Elevated levels of urinary Cr demonstrate dosing could be reduced.Keywords: Urine, creatinine, resistance training, muscle strength, seru