Mentors for Beginning College Student-Athletes: A Possible Aid for Academic Success

The responsibility of giving scholarship student-athletes a well-rounded start at the collegiate level may be too immense for only coaches and academic advisors to carry out efficiently without additional help. Transferring part of this responsibility to "mentors" who help freshman student-athletes develop basic study habits and time management skills may be one resolution to the "academic vs. athletics" debate. The article discussed the needs of student-athletes and a description of one organization's attempt to give the members of this special population a better foundation early in their academic careers. It considered a mentoring program at Texas A&M in Fall 1990 to pair scholarship athletes with a mentor

Peri-exercise co-ingestion of branched-chain amino acids and carbohydrate in men does not preferentially augment resistance exercise-induced increases in PI3K/Akt-mTOR pathway markers indicative of muscle protein synthesis

The effects of a single bout of resistance exercise (RE) in conjunction with peri-exercise branched chain amino acid (BCAA) and carbohydrate (CHO) ingestion on skeletal muscle signaling markers indicative of muscle protein synthesis (MPS) were determined. It was hypothesized that CHO + BCAA would elicit a more profound effect on these signaling markers compared to CHO. Twenty-seven males were randomly assigned to CHO, CHO + BCAA, or placebo (PLC) groups. Four sets of leg presses and leg extensions were performed at 80% 1RM. Supplements were ingested 30 min and immediately prior to and after RE. Venous blood and muscle biopsy samples were obtained immediately prior to supplement ingestion and 0.5 hr, 2 hr, and 6 hr after RE. Serum insulin and glucose and phosphorylated levels of muscle insulin receptor substrate 1 (IRS1), protein kinase B (Akt), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), p70S6 kinase (p70S6K), and 4E binding protein 1 (4E-BP1) were assessed. Data were analyzed by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. Significant group x time interactions were observed for glucose and insulin (p \u3c 0.05) showing that CHO and CHO + BCAA were significantly greater than PLC. Significant time main effects were observed for IRS1 (p = 0.001), Akt (p = 0.031), mTOR (p = 0.003), and p70S6K (p = 0.001). CHO and CHO + BCAA supplementation significantly increased IRS-1 compared to PLC (p = 0.002). However, peri-exercise co-ingestion of CHO and BCAA did not augment RE-induced increases in skeletal muscle signaling markers indicative of MPS when compared to CHO

Acute effects of ingesting Java Fit™ energy extreme functional coffee on resting energy expenditure and hemodynamic responses in male and female coffee drinkers

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of a functional coffee beverage containing additional caffeine, green tea extracts, niacin and garcinia cambogia to regular coffee to determine the effects on resting energy expenditure (REE) and hemodynamic variables.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Subjects included five male (26 ± 2.1 y, 97.16 ± 10.05 kg, 183.89 ± 6.60 cm) and five female (28.8 ± 5.3 y, 142.2 ± 12.6 lbs) regular coffee drinkers. Subjects fasted for 10 hours and were assessed for 1 hour prior (PRE) and 3 hours following 1.5 cups of coffee ingestion [JavaFit™ Energy Extreme (JF) ~400 mg total caffeine; Folgers (F) ~200 mg total caffeine] in a double-blind, crossover design. REE, resting heart rate (RHR), and systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure was assessed at PRE and 1, 2, and 3-hours post coffee ingestion. Data were analyzed by three-factor repeated measures ANOVA (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>JF trial resulted in a significant main effect for REE (p < 0.01), SBP (p < 0.01), RER (p < 0.01), and VO₂(p < 0.01) compared to F, with no difference between trials on the RHR and DBP variables. A significant interaction for trial and time point (p < 0.05) was observed for the variable REE. The JF trial resulted in a significant overall mean increase in REE of 14.4% (males = 12.1%, females = 17.9%) over the observation period (p < 0.05), while the F trial produced an overall decrease in REE of 5.7%. SBP was significantly higher in the JF trial; however, there was no significant increase from PRE to 3-hours post.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Results from this study suggest that JavaFit™ Energy Extreme coffee is more effective than Folgers regular caffeinated coffee at increasing REE in regular coffee drinkers for up to 3 hours following ingestion without any adverse hemodynamic effects.</p

Effects of Hypohydration on Muscular Performance in Females: An Ongoing Study

Dehydration (~3%) has been shown to negatively affect anaerobic performance. A majority of this research has been conducted using male participants. Like males, females have been shown to underestimate sweat loss, which could lead to insufficient rehydration and thus hypohydration. Additionally, due to differences in thermoregulation, it is possible that females respond to hypohydration differently than males. To date, no research has examined the effects of previous night dehydration on muscular performance in females. PURPOSE: The purpose of this ongoing study was to determine the effects of previous night dehydration on muscular strength, muscular endurance, lower body power, and perceptual measures in resistance trained females. METHODS: Healthy, resistance trained females (n = 7) completed two bouts of resistance exercise, either dehydrated (~3% body weight) (DT) or heat exposed with fluid replacement (HT). Each exercise bout consisted of one rep maximum (1RM) for bench press followed by 5 sets to failure of 75% of 1RM, 1RM for leg press followed by 5 sets to failure of 75% of 1RM, and vertical jump assessment. Participants estimated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) after each exercise. Session RPE (SRPE) was estimated 5 minutes following completion of the protocol and estimations for feelings of recovery (PRS), perceived readiness to exercise (PR), thirst, and sleep quality were estimated prior to workouts. RESULTS: Analysis revealed a bench press 1RM (p = 0.05) and leg press 1RM (p = 0.03) were significantly lower for DT (bench: 95.0 ± 34.0; leg press: 461.4 ± 141.7) compared to HT (bench: 97.9 ± 34.3; leg press: 500.0 ± 141.0). There was no difference in total reps completed for bench press (p = 0.32) or leg press (p = 0.37) for DT (bench press: 31.0 ± 6.7; leg press: 47.9 ± 21.6) compared to HT (bench press: 31.7 ± 5.0; leg press: 49.6 ± 22.8). There was no significant difference (p = 0.15) for vertical jump height (DT: 17.6 ± 2.2, HT: 18.1 ± 2.6). RPE was not significantly different following bench press (p = 0.5) (DT: 7.1 ± 1.1, HT: 7.1 ± 0.9) or leg press (p = 0.41) (DT: 6.7 ± 0.5, HT: 6.9 ± 1.7). SRPE was significantly higher (p = 0.05) for DT (6.6 ± 0.5) vs HT (5.9 ± 0.7). Significant differences for PRS (p = 0.03) (DT: 5.4 ± 2.2, HT: 7.05 ± 1.3) and PR (p = 0.01) (DT: 3.9 ± 0.9, HT: 2.6 ± 0.5) indicate participants expected impaired performance during DT. Feelings of thirst were significantly higher (p = 0.001) for DT (6.5 ± 2.5) vs HT (2.1 ± 2.3). Estimations of sleep quality were significantly lower (p = 0.05) for DT (4.3 ± 3.3) vs HT (7.2 ± 2.1). CONCLUSION: Even though only preliminary data from a presently ongoing study, the current results suggest that previous night dehydration has a negative influence on both performance and perceptual measures in resistance trained females

Effects of Dehydration on Resistance Training: An Ongoing Study

Introduction: Dehydration via hot bath has been shown to impair resistance training performance when performed the same day. The performance decrements in this instance could potentially be due to a combination of the dehydration and residual effects of the heat exposure and not of the dehydration alone. To date, no research has examined the effects of previous night dehydration on resistance training performance. Purpose: The purpose of this ongoing study was to determine the effects of previous night dehydration on performance and perceptual measures during a full-body resistance training protocol. Methods: Healthy, resistance trained males (n = 4) completed two bouts of a full body resistance training protocol (three sets to failure for bench press, lat pull, overhead press, bicep curl, triceps push down, and leg press), dehydrated (~3% body weight) (DT), or heat exposed with fluid replacement (HT). Heart rate (HR) was taken after every set, and participants estimated ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) after each exercise. Session RPE (SRPE) was estimated 5 minutes following completion of the protocol and estimations for feelings of recovery (PRS), perceived readiness to exercise (PR), thirst, and sleep quality. Results: Analysis revealed a significantly less (p = \u3c 0.001) total reps were completed for DT (163.0 ± 4.8) compared to HT (191.3 ± 10.3), though no differences were found for reps per exercise. No significant differences were found for HR (DT vs HT) at any time point. RPE was significantly higher for DT following bicep curl (p = 0.03) (DT: 7.8 ± 0.96, HT: 6.0 ± 0.82) and triceps push down (p = 0.03) (DT: 7.5 ± 0.58, HT: 6.0 ± 0.82). SRPE was significantly higher (p = 0.003) for DT (8.0 ± 0.0) vs HT (6.3 ± 0.5). Significant differences for PRS (p = 0.004) (DT: 5.0 ± 1.4, HT: 7.5 ± 0.58) and PR (p = \u3c 0.001) (DT: 5.0 ± 0.0, HT: 2.5 ± 0.58) indicate participants expected impaired performance during DT. Feelings of thirst were significantly higher (p = 0.001) for DT (7.98 ± 0.94) vs HT (2.73 ± 1.11). No differences were found for estimations of sleep quality (p = 0.59). Conclusion: Even though only preliminary data from a study presently ongoing, the present results suggest that previous night dehydration has a negative influence on both performance and perceptual measures

Effects of Capsaicin and Evodiamine Ingestion on Energy Expenditure and Fat Oxidation at Rest and After Moderately-Intense Exercise in Young Men

Capsaicin and evodiamine are two thermogenic agents each recognized for their ability to stimulate the sympathetic nervous system and are thus found in many dietary supplements. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to observe the effects that capsaicin and evodiamine have on hemodynamics, energy expenditure, and markers of lipid oxidation while at rest and after a single bout of moderate-intensity exercise in young men. In a randomized, cross-over design, 11 men orally ingested 500 mg of capsaicin, evodiamine, or placebo while at rest after 30 minutes of resting energy expenditure assessment using open-circuit spirometry. After an additional 30 minutes of rest after supplement ingestion, resting energy expenditure was assessed again for 30 minutes. After the second resting energy expenditure assessment, treadmill exercise was performed until expending approximately 500 kilocalories (~30 minutes) at 65% peak oxygen consumption. Energy expenditure was assessed for another 30 minutes into the post-exercise period. Heart rate and blood pressure, core temperature, and venous blood samples were obtained 30 minutes before and one hour after supplement ingestion (i.e. immediately pre-exercise), and immediately after and 45 minutes post-exercise. Markers of lipid oxidation (serum glycerol, free fatty acids, serum glucose, epinephrine, and norepinephrine) were determined spectrophotometrically and with ELISA. Two-way analyses of variance (ANOVA) were performed for each dependent variable (p ≤ 0.05). Significant main effects for Time existed for hemodynamics, energy expenditure, serum catecholamines and markers of fat oxidation immediately following exercise (p \u3c 0.05). However, no significant Supplement x Time interactions were noted for any criterion variable (p \u3e 0.05), suggesting no preferential difference between supplements. Neither capsaicin nor evodiamine, at a single dose of 500 mg, are effective at inducing thermogenesis and increasing fat oxidation at rest or during exercise in young men

Ubiquitin Proteasome System Activity is Suppressed by Curcumin Following Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage in Human Skeletal Muscle

PURPOSE: Curcumin is a natural polyphenolic compound with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. In vitro and in vivo animal studies have demonstrated that exposure to curcumin leads to dysregulation of the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS). However, to date, no study has investigated curcumin’s ability to influence UPS activity in a human model. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of curcumin supplementation on markers of UPS activity in the presence of elevations in UPS activity due to exercise-induced muscle damage. METHODS: Twenty-three recreationally active male and female participants between the ages of 18-30 were randomized into a curcumin (CUR; n=11) or placebo (PLA; n=12) group. Both groups were instructed to consume 2 g of their respective supplement and 20 mg of piperine for 11 consecutive days. Following 8 consecutive days of supplementation, participants performed a 45 minute eccentrically-biased muscle damaging treadmill protocol at 60% VO2max. Muscle biopsies and delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) analyses were performed 30 minutes prior and 3, 24, 48, and 72 hours following exercise-induced muscle damage. Skeletal muscle ubiquitin, MAFbx/Atrogin-1, ubiquitin specific peptidase 19 (USP19), and chymotrypsin-like protease concentrations were measured using ELISA. A 3-way repeated measures ANOVA with pairwise comparisons was conducted with significance set at p≤0.05. RESULTS: Both groups had a significant time effect for DOMS (p \u3c .001). Pairwise comparisons indicated DOMS was significantly greater from baseline at all time points except 72 hours following muscle damage. No significant differences were found for USP19 between groups. Regardless of time, a significant main effect for condition was observed for ubiquitin (p=.016) and MAFbx/Atrogin-1 (p=.006) where CUR was significantly lower than PLA. Additionally, a significant main effect for gender was observed for MAFbx/Atrogin-1 (p=.013) where females were greater than males. A significant group x gender interaction was found for chymotrypsin-like protease (p = .049) where males had lower values with curcumin supplementation while females had slightly higher. CONCLUSION: Curcumin supplementation in humans does appear to dysregulate UPS activity in the presence of exercise-induced muscle damage. Specifically, curcumin’s ability to suppress protein ubiquination provides preliminary evidence of curcumin supplementation’s potential therapeutic role in decreasing protein degradation associated with skeletal muscle damage and perhaps other atrophic scenarios

Wnt/β-Catenin and Androgen Receptor Signaling Increase Following High Load Resistance Exercise Without Elevations in Serum/Muscle Testosterone or Androgen Receptor Content

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was 1) to determine the effect of single bouts of volume- and intensity-equated low (LL) and high load (HL) full-body resistance exercise (RE) on AR-DNA binding, serum/muscle testosterone and dihydrotestosterone, muscle androgen receptor (AR), and AR-DNA binding and 2) to determine the effect of RE on sarcoplasmic and nucleoplasmic β-catenin concentrations in order to determine their impact on mediating AR-DNA binding in the absence/presence of serum/muscle androgen and AR protein. METHODS: In a cross-over design, ten resistance-trained males completed volume- and intensity-equated LL and HL full-body RE. Blood and muscle samples were collected at pre-, 3h-, and 24h post-exercise. Separate 2x3 factorial ANOVAs with repeated measures and pairwise comparisons with a Bonferroni adjustment were used to analyze main effects. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in muscle AR, testosterone, dihydrotestosterone, or serum total testosterone in either condition (p \u3e.05). Serum free testosterone was significantly decreased 3h post-exercise and remained significantly less than baseline 24h post-exercise in both conditions (p.05). Moreover, sarcoplasmic β-catenin was significantly greater in HL (p.05). CONCLUSION: Increases in AR-DNA binding in response to HL indicates AR signaling may be load-dependent. Furthermore, despite the lack of increase in serum and muscle androgens or AR content following HL RE, elevations in AR-DNA binding with elevated sarcoplasmic β-catenin suggests β-catenin may be facilitating this response