Editorial: Functional fitness/high intensity functional training for health and performance

Functional fitness training (FFT) is an emerging fitness trend that emphasizes functional, multi-joint movements, including aerobic (e.g., cycling, rowing, running) and strength exercises (e.g., weightlifting and derivatives: squat, snatch, clean and jerk, bench press, deadlift; bodyweight exercises: air squat, push-up, pull-up, muscle-up; plyometrics: box jumps, tuck ups) (Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018). Researchers have shown that FFT may be not only suitable for professional athletes but also for populations with different fitness levels. Indeed, it is suggested that FFT elicits greater muscle recruitment than aerobic exercises alone, thereby improving both endurance and muscular strength and power (Bergeron et al., 2011; Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018; Schlegel, 2020; Sharp et al., 2022). However, FFT units (i.e., workouts) are highly varied daily, and more research is needed to clarify its acute effects and its associated chronic training adaptations (Bergeron et al., 2011; Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018; Schlegel, 2020; Sharp et al., 2022). Therefore, the aim of this Research Topic is to increase the knowledge of the evidence-based effects and adaptations of implementing FFT on health and performance in individuals with different biological conditions

Editorial: Functional fitness/high intensity functional training for health and performance

[EN] Functional fitness training (FFT) is an emerging fitness trend that emphasizes functional, multi-joint movements, including aerobic (e.g., cycling, rowing, running) and strength exercises (e.g., weightlifting and derivatives: squat, snatch, clean and jerk, bench press, deadlift; bodyweight exercises: air squat, push-up, pull-up, muscle-up; plyometrics: box jumps, tuck ups) (Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018). Researchers have shown that FFT may be not only suitable for professional athletes but also for populations with different fitness levels. Indeed, it is suggested that FFT elicits greater muscle recruitment than aerobic exercises alone, thereby improving both endurance and muscular strength and power (Bergeron et al., 2011; Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018; Schlegel, 2020; Sharp et al., 2022). However, FFT units (i.e., workouts) are highly varied daily, and more research is needed to clarify its acute effects and its associated chronic training adaptations (Bergeron et al., 2011; Claudino et al., 2018; Feito et al., 2018; Schlegel, 2020; Sharp et al., 2022). Therefore, the aim of this Research Topic is to increase the knowledge of the evidence-based effects and adaptations of implementing FFT on health and performance in individuals with different biological conditions

Position statement and updated international guideline for safe and effective whole-body electromyostimulation training-the need for common sense in WB-EMS application

Whole-Body Electromyostimulation (WB-EMS) is a training technology that enables simultaneous stimulation of all the main muscle groups with a specific impulse intensity for each electrode. The corresponding time-efficiency and joint-friendliness of WB-EMS may be particularly attractive for people unable or unmotivated to conduct (intense) conventional training protocols. However, due to the enormous metabolic and musculoskeletal impact of WB-EMS, particular attention must be paid to the application of this technology. In the past, several scientific and newspaper articles reported severe adverse effects of WB-EMS. To increase the safety of commercial non-medical WB-EMS application, recommendations "for safe and effective whole-body electromyostimulation" were launched in 2016. However, new developments and trends require an update of these recommendations to incorporate more international expertise with demonstrated experience in the application of WB-EMS. The new version of these consensus-based recommendations has been structured into 1) "general aspects of WB-EMS", 2) "preparation for training", recommendations for the 3) "WB-EMS application" itself and 4) "safety aspects during and after training". Key topics particularly addressed are 1) consistent and close supervision of WB-EMS application, 2) mandatory qualification of WB-EMS trainers, 3) anamnesis and corresponding consideration of contraindications prior to WB-EMS, 4) the participant's proper preparation for the session, 5) careful preparation of the WB-EMS novice, 6) appropriate regeneration periods between WB-EMS sessions and 7) continuous interaction between trainer and participant at a close physical distance. In summary, we are convinced that the present guideline will contribute to greater safety and effectiveness in the area of non-medical commercial WB-EMS application

Inflammation and insulin resistance according to body composition in European adolescents: the HELENA study

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from the publisher via the DOI in this record.Open access journalIntroduction: Inflammation is related to insulin resistance in adults, especially on those individuals with high levels of body composition. Objectives: The aim of this study is to assess the relationship between a set of inflammatory biomarkers and insulin resistance by levels of body composition in a sample of European adolescents. Material and methods: 962 adolescents (442 boys and 520 girls) from 9 European countries met the inclusion criteria of having measurements for the homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) and a set of inflammation-related biomarkers: C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-6), complement factors C3 and C4 and selected cell adhesion molecules. Body mass index (BMI), fat mass index (FMI) and waist circumference (WC) were categorized using tertiles. To assess the associations stratifying by body composition indexes, ANOVA and linear regression models were performed Results: Mean biomarkers’ concentrations differed across BMI, FMI and WC tertiles (p<0.05), by sex. In both sexes, insulin, HOMA, CRP, C3 and C4 were significantly different between categories (p<0.001), always showing the highest mean concentration in the upper category of BMI, FMI and WC. The most consistent finding was an association between insulin resistance and C3 concentrations (p<0.05), in the adolescents in the highest tertile of BMI, FMI and WC, except in the case of FMI in girls. Conclusion: Inflammatory and glucose metabolism markers differed by tertiles of body composition, being usually higher in the highest tertile. C3 complement factor was associated with insulin resistance in adolescents, especially those with high total and abdominal adiposity

Linoleic acid-derived oxylipins and isoprostanes plasma levels are influenced by 1,25-Dihydroxyvitamin D levels in middle-aged sedentary adults: The FIT-AGEING study

Introduction: Vitamin D – concretely its active form 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D) – maintains several physiological processes. Oxylipins are oxidized lipids derived from ω-6 and ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids involved in inflammation. Little is known about the association of 1,25(OH)2D with inflammatory parameters in middle-aged populations – who could be at risk of vitamin D deficiency –. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between 1,25(OH)2D plasma levels with circulating white blood cells, platelets counts and oxylipins levels. Materials and methods: A total of 74 (53 % women) middle-aged (40–65 years old) adults were recruited for this cross-sectional study. 1,25(OH)2D plasma levels were measured using an immunochemiluminometric assay. White blood cells and platelets were analyzed by hemocytometry. ω-6 and ω-3 oxylipins plasma levels were measured using liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry. Simple and multiple linear regression models, and Pearson correlation analyses, were performed to study the association of 1,25(OH)2D levels with WBC and platelets counts, and oxylipins, respectively. Results: 1,25(OH)2D plasma levels were positively related with linoleic acid-derived oxylipins and isoprostanes plasma levels, whereas an inverse relationship with dihomo-γ-linolenic acid/linoleic acid and arachidonic acid/linoleic acid ratios was unveiled. No significant associations were observed for circulating ω-3 oxylipins, white blood cells levels or platelets count. Conclusions: Linoleic acid-derived oxylipins and isoprostanes plasma levels may be influenced by 1,25(OH)2D plasma levels. Further investigations are needed to elucidate the impact of other vitamin D forms upon circulating oxylipins levels

Inflammation in metabolically healthy and metabolically abnormal adolescents: The HELENA study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Inflammation may influence the cardio-metabolic profile which relates with the risk of chronic diseases. This study aimed to assess the inflammatory status by metabolic health (MH)/body mass index (BMI) category and to assess how inflammatory markers can predict the cardio-metabolic profile in European adolescents, considering BMI. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 659 adolescents (295 boys) from a cross-sectional European study were included. Adolescents were classified by metabolic health based on age- and sex-specific cut-off points for glucose, blood pressure, triglycerides, high density cholesterol and BMI. C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL-6), complement factors (C3, C4) and cell adhesion molecules were assessed. RESULTS: Metabolically abnormal (MA) adolescents had higher values of C3 (p < 0.001) and C4 (p = 0.032) compared to those metabolically healthy (MHy). C3 concentrations significantly increased with the deterioration of the metabolic health and BMI (p < 0.001). Adolescents with higher values of CRP had higher probability of being in the overweight/obese-MH group than those allocated in other categories. Finally, high C3 and C4 concentrations increased the probability of having an unfavorable metabolic/BMI status. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic/BMI status and inflammatory biomarkers are associated, being the CRP, C3 and C4 the most related inflammatory markers with this condition. C3 and C4 were associated with the cardio-metabolic health consistently.status: publishe