Comparison of Aerobic Training Methods on V02 Max, Body Composition and Anaerobic Power.

Recent research has utilized intensity as a primary means to define training methods for improving aerobic capacity (VO2 max). Alternative ways of classifying training techniques must be examined to elucidate optimal practices for aerobic capacity enhancement. PURPOSE: To investigate the potential impact of various aerobic training methods on V02, body composition and anaerobic power. METHODS: Thirty-four healthy male & female subjects (18-30yrs) participated in an equated volume supervised running workout for six weeks utilizing two alternate training methods. Group one (N = 17, 21 ± 3 yr) participated in Interval Training Distance (ITD) and group two (N = 17, 21 ± 3 yr) participated in Long Slow Distance (LSD). All subjects participated in a familiarity session (FAM), a Pre-Test (T1) and a Post-Test (T2) . Each testing session consisted of a V02 Max, a 30 second Wingate and body composition assessment. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Significance was set at p \u3c 0.05 and adopted throughout. RESULTS: The ITD and LSD groups experienced significant increases (p \u3c 0 .001) in VO2 max, with 9.05% (4.19 ± 4.15 ml/kg/min) and 3.18% (1.39 ± 3.67 ml/kg/min) increases respectively. A significant interaction (p \u3c 0.05) in VO2 max occurred between groups, as the ITD group displayed a 302% greater increase when compared to the LSD group. Body fat percentage significantly decreased (p \u3c 0.01) in the ITD (1.08 ± 1.90%) and LSD (1.55 ± 3.21%) groups, while a significant reduction (p \u3c 0.05) in total body weight was also observed. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that the ITD training method has a greater impact on aerobic capacity than LSD training method. However, both ITD and LSD training methods had a significant impact on aerobic capacity, body weight, and body composition

The Effects of an Energy Increasing Supplement on Markers of V02 max, Body Composition, and Anaerobic Power

Research suggests that energy increasing supplement ingestion prior to prolonged aerobic exercise (\u3e60minutes) can improve aerobic capacity (VO2 Max). Energy increasing supplements affect on reduced aerobic training periods (\u3c60\u3eminutes) lack definitive empirical evidence. PURPOSE: To investigate the potential impact of an energy increasing supplement on aerobic training, body composition and anaerobic power. METHODS: Thirty-three healthy male and female subjects (18-30yrs) participated in an equated volume supervised running workout for six weeks utilizing long slow distance. Group one (N = 17, 21 ± 3 yr) participated in long slow distance training as a Placebo group void of any dietary instructions or interventions. Group two (N = 16, 21 ± 3 yr) participated in long slow distance training and was provided with a GU Energy Gel packet and 8 oz. of water fifteen minutes prior to the workout. All subjects participated in a familiarity session (FAM), a Pre-Test (T1) and a Post-Test (T2). Each testing session consisted of a V02 Max, a 30 second Wingate and body composition assessment. Data were analyzed by a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures. Significance was set at p \u3c 0.05 and adopted throughout. RESULTS: The GU and Placebo groups experienced significant increases (p \u3c 0.001), in VO2 max, with 9.71% (4.06 ± 2.68 ml/kg/min) and 2.81% (1.26 ± 2.25 ml/kg/min) increases respectively. A significant interaction (p \u3c 0.005) in VO2 max occurred between groups, as the GU group displayed a 322% greater increase when compared to the Placebo group. Body fat percentage significantly decreased (p \u3c 0.05) in the GU (0.76 ± 2.47%) and Placebo (1.55 ± 3.21%) groups without a significant reduction in total body weight at a p \u3c 0.05 significant level. No change was observed in Wingate peak or mean power (p \u3c 0.05). CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest GU Energy Gel supplementation has a more profound impact on aerobic capacity when compared to a Placebo under identical training protocols. However, both GU Energy Gel and Placebo supplementation had a significant effect on aerobic capacity and body fat percentage

The Impact of Differing Types of Physical Activity on Weight Loss, Strength, VO2 max, and the Various Metabolic Hormones.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this investigate the impact of differing types of physical activity on weight loss, strength, VO2 max, and various metabolic hormones. METHODS: Eleven sedentary and overweight male/females participated in this study and were randomly assigned to one of two exercise groups: aerobic training (A) (N = 4, 40 ± 8.7 yrs 165 ± 8.3cm, 89 ± 16 kg), or aerobic training plus resistance training (ART) (N = 7, 43 ± 10 yrs, 171 ± 8.7 cm, 91 ± 12 kg). Training protocols for the two exercise groups consisted of 30 min of aerobic exercise five days per week at 60-70% of heart rate max and 30 minutes of aerobic exercise three days per week at 60-70% of heart rate max plus two days of moderate intensity resistance exercise per week for the (A) and (ART) groups, respectively. Baseline testing consisted of weight, hip, and waist measurements, and body composition analysis using bioelectrical impedance. Participants donated approximately 20 ml of fasting blood for the analysis of clinical chemistry profiles, WBC counts, and the hormones insulin, leptin, and cortisol. Following these assessments, VO2 max, upper-body strength, and lower-body strength was established using standard procedures. All baseline assessments were repeated at 4 and 8 weeks of the study. Statistical analyses utilized a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures for all criterion variables (p\u3c0.05). RESULTS: A significant (p \u3c 0.05) increase in upper and lower body strength was observed in both A and ART groups, however there was no significant difference between groups. A significant group x time interaction (p \u3c 0.05) was observed for body weight (ART: -1.5 ± 0.3 lbs; A: 3 ± 0.5 lbs). No significant (p \u3e 0.05) main effects for group or time were observed for the criterion variables body fat, VO2 max, and the hormones insulin, leptin, and cortisol. Furthermore, neither protocol had a significant impact on body fat or VO2 max. CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that aerobic exercise coupled with resistance training for 8 weeks yielded greater results in weight loss than aerobic training alone. No marked changes were noted on the affects of any type of exercise regiment on body composition, VO2 max, or the hormones leptin, insulin, and cortisol over the 8-week study

The Effects of a Proprietary Fenugreek Extract on Strength & Body Composition

Fenugreek extract has been marketed in dozens of dietary products as having performance enhancing potential for resistance trained athletes. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential performance enhancing effects of a proprietary fenugreek extract in conjunction with a controlled resistance training program. METHODS: Thirty resistance trained male subjects were matched according to fat free mass and randomly assigned to ingest in a double-blind manner capsules containing 500mg of a placebo or fenugreek (Trigonella Foenun greacum) once per day for 8-weeks (Active: N = 17, 21 ± 2.8 yrs, 178 ± 5.8 cm, 85 ± 9.6 kg, 18.8 ± 4.8 BF%; Placebo: N = 13, 21 ± 3 yrs, 180 ± 6.4 cm, 84 ± 15 kg, 18.3 ± 6.8 BF%). Subjects were instructed to participate in a periodized 4-day per week resistance-training program split into two upper and two lower extremity workouts per week for a total of 8-weeks. Body composition was analyzed using hydrodensiometry and strength tests involved performing a one repetition max (1RM) on the isotonic bench press and leg press. Statistical analyses utilized a two-way ANOVA with repeated measures for all criterion variables (p \u3c 0.05). RESULTS: A significant (p \u3c 0.05) group x time interaction for body composition was observed indicating the Active (-1.8 ± 0.5 BF%) group decreased body fat percentage in comparison to Placebo (-0.05 ± 0.3 BF%) over the 8-week investigation period. In addition, there was a significant (p \u3c 0.05) main effect for time over the eight week period in lean muscle mass (Active: 2.4 ± 0.1 kg; Placebo: 1.0 ± 0.1 kg). No significant effects for group or time were observed for upper or lower body strength (p \u3e 0.05). CONCLUSION: In addition to a controlled resistance training program fenugreek had a significant impact on body composition in comparison to placebo. This study was funded by Indus Biotech

Constraints on 3- and 4-loop β\beta-functions in a general four-dimensional Quantum Field Theory

The $\beta$-functions of marginal couplings are known to be closely related to the $A$-function through Osborn's equation, derived using the local renormalization group. It is possible to derive strong constraints on the $\beta$-functions by parametrizing the terms in Osborn's equation as polynomials in the couplings, then eliminating unknown $\tilde{A}$ and $T_{IJ}$ coefficients. In this paper we extend this program to completely general gauge theories with arbitrarily many Abelian and non-Abelian factors. We detail the computational strategy used to extract consistency conditions on $\beta$-functions, and discuss our automation of the procedure. Finally, we implement the procedure up to 4-, 3-, and 2-loops for the gauge, Yukawa and quartic couplings respectively, corresponding to the present forefront of general $\beta$-function computations. We find an extensive collection of highly non-trivial constraints, and argue that they constitute an useful supplement to traditional perturbative computations; as a corollary, we present the complete 3-loop gauge $\beta$-function of a general QFT in the $\bar{\text{MS}}$ scheme, including kinetic mixing.Comment: 63 pages, 11 figures. Version 2 includes 2 ancillary files that should have been uploaded in the first place. Version 3 corrects typos and provides slight clarifications in some place

Implementing telephone triage in general practice: a process evaluation of a cluster randomised controlled trial

Background: Telephone triage represents one strategy to manage demand for face-to-face GP appointments in primary care. However, limited evidence exists of the challenges GP practices face in implementing telephone triage. We conducted a qualitative process evaluation alongside a UK-based cluster randomised trial (ESTEEM) which compared the impact of GP-led and nurse-led telephone triage with usual care on primary care workload, cost, patient experience, and safety for patients requesting a same-day GP consultation. The aim of the process study was to provide insights into the observed effects of the ESTEEM trial from the perspectives of staff and patients, and to specify the circumstances under which triage is likely to be successfully implemented. Here we report perspectives of staff. Methods: The intervention comprised implementation of either GP-led or nurse-led telephone triage for a period of 2-3 months. A qualitative evaluation was conducted using staff interviews recruited from eight general practices (4 GP triage, 4 Nurse triage) in the UK, implementing triage as part of the ESTEEM trial. Qualitative interviews were undertaken with 44 staff members in GP triage and nurse triage practices (16 GPs, 8 nurses, 7 practice managers, 13 administrative staff). Results: Staff reported diverse experiences and perceptions regarding the implementation of telephone triage, its effects on workload, and on the benefits of triage. Such diversity were explained by the different ways triage was organised, the staffing models used to support triage, how the introduction of triage was communicated across practice staff, and by how staff roles were reconfigured as a result of implementing triage. Conclusion: The findings from the process evaluation offer insight into the range of ways GP practices participating in ESTEEM implemented telephone triage, and the circumstances under which telephone triage can be successfully implemented beyond the context of a clinical trial. Staff experiences and perceptions of telephone triage are shaped by the way practices communicate with staff, prepare for and sustain the changes required to implement triage effectively, as well as by existing practice culture, and staff and patient behaviour arising in response to the changes made. Trial registration: Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN20687662. Registered 28 May 2009

An investigation into the analysis of ecdysones and other steroid hormones

As an aid to the analysis of ecdysones (arthropod moulting hormones), an investigation has been carried out to find an efficient and sensitive method for determining them by chromatography. A series of fluorocarbonsilanes were synthesized and tested as electron capturing derivatives for gas chromatography. Flophemesyl* (*pentafluorophenyldimethylsilyl) derivatives of mammalian steroids were volatile and sensitive to detection. The derivatives produced characteristic mass spectra with a greater proportion of the ion current carried by hydrocarbon fragments than with other siloxy derivatives making flophemesyl derivatives more suitable for structural determinations. A series of flophemesyl reagents were developed for selectively protecting hydroxyl groups in different steric environments. New methods of synthesis of some of these reagents and analytical techniques for their identification were established. In their mass spectra, unusual rearrangements were found to occur between the fluorine atoms of the pentafluorophenyl ring and the methyl groups bonded to silicon, giving hydrofluorocarbon tropylium-type ions. Flophemesyl derivatives, although useful for mammalian steroids did not give volatile derivatives of ecdysones. The introduction of the pentafluorophenyl ring into steroids as pentafluorophenylhydrazones or pentafluorophenylboronic esters was attempted. The hydrazones, as ketone derivatives, had poor GC characteristics and limited stability when exposed to light or the atmosphere. The pentafluorophenylboronic esters were susceptible to disproportionationin the presence of traces of water or other strong nucleophiles. Boron can be selectively detected with a nitrogen thermionic detector. Boronic esters of model steroids were detected at lower levels than with the FID, but the estimated sensitivity for ecdysones was insufficient for trace level analysis. As ecdysone TMS ethers fragment to produce mass spectra containing a few ions of relatively high intensity, the possibility of using the mass spectrometer as a gas chromatographic detector was investigated. The ecdysone derivatives could only be chromatographed at high temperatures as low carrier gas flow rates had to be used to meet the vacuum requirements of the mass spectrometer. An excessive column background made quantification difficult at trace levels. Optimum GC-MS conditions for steroid analysis were established. The model steroids 28,30-dihydroxy-5a-cholestane and 28,3$,lUa-tri- hydroxy-50-cholest-7-en-6-one were prepared by published procedures; 5a-cholest-7-en-6-one and 14a-hydroxy-5o-cholest-7~en-6-one were synthesised for the first time in good overall yield. In an investigation of the formation of ecdysone THS ethers and the formation of heptafluorobutyrate esters by an exchange reaction with the TMS ethers, it was discovered that the ecdysone nucleus contains the features necessary for electron capture without the need for the formation of halogenated derivatives. The electrophore was identified as the unsaturated ketone, the C-14 oxy substituent with a smaller contribution from the more remote 28,30-oxy substituents. The rate of formation of the TMS ethers of ecdysterone hydroxyl groups with trimethylsilylimidazole was found to be 2,3,22,25>20>>1*U The degree of TMS ether formation in ecdysone and ecdysterone was confirmed by mass spectrometry of the derivatives and also by selective silylation of model steroids. Ecdysones in biological samples were determined as their TMS ethers after a preliminary extraction, solvent partition and TLC separation from impurities. The method has been applied to determine the daily changes in ecdysone content in the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. A brief survey of high pressure liquid chromatography illustrated the potential of this technique for the detection and separation of ecdysones

Gauge coupling beta functions to four-loop order in the Standard Model

We compute the beta functions of the three Standard Model gauge couplings to four-loop order in the modified minimal subtraction scheme. At this order a proper definition of $\gamma_5$ in $D=4-2\epsilon$ space-time dimensions is required; however, in our calculation we determine the $\gamma_5$-dependent terms by exploiting relations with beta function coefficients at lower loop orders.Comment: 6 pages, 2 figure

The NICE alcohol misuse standard – evaluating its impact

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to explore factors affecting implementing the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) quality standard on alcohol misuse (QS11) and barriers and facilitators to its implementation.Design/methodology/approachQualitative interview study analysed using directed and conventional content analyses. Participants were 38 individuals with experience of commissioning, delivering or using alcohol healthcare services in Southwark, Lambeth and Lewisham.FindingsQS11 implementation ranged from no implementation to full implementation across the 13 statements. Implementation quality was also reported to vary widely across different settings. The analyses also uncovered numerous barriers and facilitators to implementing each statement. Overarching barriers to implementation included: inherent differences between specialist vs generalist settings; poor communication between healthcare settings; generic barriers to implementation; and poor governance structures and leadership.Research limitations/implicationsQS11 was created to summarise alcohol-related NICE guidance. The aim was to simplify guidance and enhance local implementation. However, in practice the standard requires complex actions by professionals. There was considerable variation in local alcohol commissioning models, which was associated with variation in implementation. These models warrant further evaluation to identify best practice.Originality/valueLittle evidence exists on the implementing quality standards, as distinct from clinical practice guidelines. The authors present direct evidence on quality standard implementation, identify implementation shortcomings and make recommendations for future research and practice