The Effect of L-citrulline and Watermelon Juice on Anaerobic and Aerobic Exercise Performance

1Gadomski, S., 1Cutrufello, P., 2Zavorsky G., & 1Demkosky, C., 1University of Scranton, Scranton, PA, 2University of Louisville, Louisville, KY Citrulline has been proposed as an ergogenic aid because of its role in both ammonia detoxification and nitric oxide production. Watermelon juice has garnered recent media attention due to its citrulline concentration, yet no study has examined watermelon juice and exercise performance. Purpose: Determine the effects of a practical, single, pre-exercise dose of L-citrulline or watermelon juice on maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), time to exhaustion (TE), the total maximum number of repetitions completed over 5 sets (REPS), and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD). Methods: A randomized within-subjects study design was used to examine the effects of L-citrulline and watermelon juice supplementation among twenty-two college-aged subjects (11 females; 11 males). Each subject participated in three trials where supplementation included either an 8% sucrose drink containing a 6g dose of L-citrulline, 24 oz. of watermelon juice (̴1.3 g citrulline), or an 8% sucrose placebo drink. Supplementation was administered 1 or 2 h prior to exercise testing in order to investigate a timing effect. VO2max was assessed using an incremental treadmill protocol while the total number of repetitions completed over 5 sets (30 sec rest) was determined at 80% repetition maximum on a machine bench press. FMD was examined prior to supplementation and immediately before exercise testing using ultrasound. Results: Supplementation failed to have an effect on VO2max, TTE, REPS, or FMD. There was also no interaction observed relative to gender or supplement timing (p \u3e 0.05). Conclusion: A single dose of L-citrulline or watermelon juice as a pre-exercise supplement appears to be ineffective in improving aerobic or anaerobic exercise performance. Research funded by an internal research grant from The University of Scranton (840690

Pre-pregnancy predictors of hypertension in pregnancy among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in north Queensland, Australia; a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND Compared to other Australian women, Indigenous women are frequently at greater risk for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. We examined pre-pregnancy factors that may predict hypertension in pregnancy in a cohort of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women in north Queensland. METHODS Data on a cohort of 1009 Indigenous women of childbearing age (15–44 years) who participated in a 1998–2000 health screening program in north Queensland were combined with 1998–2008 Queensland hospitalisations data using probabilistic data linkage. Data on the women in the cohort who were hospitalised for birth (n = 220) were further combined with Queensland perinatal data which identified those diagnosed with hypertension in pregnancy. RESULTS Of 220 women who gave birth, 22 had hypertension in the pregnancy after their health check. The mean age of women with and without hypertension was similar (23.7 years and 23.9 years respectively) however Aboriginal women were more affected compared to Torres Strait Islanders. Pre-pregnancy adiposity and elevated blood pressure at the health screening program were predictors of a pregnancy affected by hypertension. After adjusting for age and ethnicity, each 1 cm increase in waist circumference showed a 4% increased risk for hypertension in pregnancy (PR 1.04; 95% CI; 1.02-1.06); each 1 point increase in BMI showed a 9% adjusted increase in risk (1.09; 1.04-1.14). For each 1 mmHg increase in baseline systolic blood pressure there was an age and ethnicity adjusted 6% increase in risk and each 1 mmHg increase in diastolic blood pressure showed a 7% increase in risk (1.06; 1.03-1.09 and 1.07; 1.03-1.11 respectively). Among those free of diabetes at baseline, the presence of the metabolic syndrome (International Diabetes Federation criteria) predicted over a three-fold increase in age-ethnicity-adjusted risk (3.5; 1.50-8.17). CONCLUSIONS Pre-pregnancy adiposity and features of the metabolic syndrome among these young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women track strongly to increased risk of hypertension in pregnancy with associated risks to the health of babies.Sandra K Campbell, John Lynch, Adrian Esterman and Robyn McDermot

Short term non-invasive ventilation post-surgery improves arterial blood-gases in obese subjects compared to supplemental oxygen delivery - a randomized controlled trial

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>In the immediate postoperative period, obese patients are more likely to exhibit hypoxaemia due to atelectasis and impaired respiratory mechanics, changes which can be attenuated by non-invasive ventilation (NIV). The aim of the study was to evaluate the duration of any effects of early initiation of short term pressure support NIV vs. traditional oxygen delivery via venturi mask in obese patients during their stay in the PACU.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>After ethics committee approval and informed consent, we prospectively studied 60 obese patients (BMI 30-45) undergoing minor peripheral surgery. Half were randomly assigned to receive short term NIV during their PACU stay, while the others received routine treatment (supplemental oxygen via venturi mask). Premedication, general anaesthesia and respiratory settings were standardized. We measured arterial oxygen saturation by pulse oximetry and blood gas analysis on air breathing. Inspiratory and expiratory lung function was measured preoperatively (baseline) and at 10 min, 1 h, 2 h, 6 h and 24 h after extubation, with the patient supine, in a 30 degrees head-up position. The two groups were compared using repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA) and t-test analysis. Statistical significance was considered to be P < 0.05.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>There were no differences at the first assessment. During the PACU stay, pulmonary function in the NIV group was significantly better than in the controls (p < 0.0001). Blood gases and the alveolar to arterial oxygen partial pressure difference were also better (p < 0.03), but with the addition that overall improvements are of questionable clinical relevance. These effects persisted for at least 24 hours after surgery (p < 0.05).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Early initiation of short term NIV during in the PACU promotes more rapid recovery of postoperative lung function and oxygenation in the obese. The effect lasted 24 hours after discontinuation of NIV. Patient selection is necessary in order to establish clinically relevant improvements.</p> <p>Trial Registration#</p> <p>DRKS00000751; <url>http://www.germanctr.de</url></p

Sexual Activity the Night Before Exercise Does Not Affect Various Measures of Physical Exercise Performance.

IntroductionThe idea that sexual activity can affect athletic performance has been a matter of conjecture for the past several decades.AimTo provide preliminary data on whether sexual activity the evening before several physical exercise performance tests affects performance the next day.MethodsEight participants (mean age, 28 ± 5 years) underwent several physical exercise performance tests on 3 different mornings, under 3 conditions: (i) no sexual intercourse the night before the tests (control), (ii) sexual intercourse the night before the tests, and (iii) yoga the night before the tests (randomized, single-blinded).Main outcome measuresPhysical work capacity, lower body muscular power (standing vertical jump), upper body strength (handgrip strength), reaction time, and upper body musculoskeletal endurance (number of push-ups completed).ResultsAll participants experienced orgasm through intercourse. The more pleasurable the orgasm, the lower the systolic blood pressure (SBP) on the day after intercourse (Spearman's rho&nbsp;= -0.86; P&nbsp;= .007). For every 2% increase in the total orgasm score, SBP decreased by 1 mmHg. Intercourse lasted 13 minutes; mean heart rate (HR) and caloric expenditure ranged from 88 to 145 beats/minute and from 53 to 190 kcal, respectively. There were no significant differences in the physical working capacity that elicited an HR of 170 beats/minute, number of push-ups completed, vertical jump height, grip strength, or reaction time across the 3 conditions.ConclusionOrgasm through sexual activity on the night before physical exercise may reduce SBP; however, we were unable to demonstrate a statistically significant difference in physical exercise performance in any of the 3 conditions. Zavorsky GS, Vouyoukas E, Pfaus JG. Sexual Activity the Night Before Exercise Does Not Affect Various Measures of Physical Exercise Performance. Sex Med 2019;7:235-240

Exercise capacity of children with pediatric lung disease

Background: Pulmonary function of children with cystic fibrosis (CF) and bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is similar at rest even though the mechanisms of injury differ. We sought to compare the peak exercise responses in children with BPD versus CF while controlling for pulmonary impairment, nutritional status, gender, age, height, and predicted forced expired volume in 1 second (~73% of predicted). Methods: Nine BPD children and 9 CF children underwent spirometry and a progressive exercise test to maximum on a cycle ergometer. Results: There was no difference between groups in body mass percentile (CF:97 ± 13%, BPD: 98 ± 11%), peak power output (Wpeak) (CF:67 ± 19 W, BPD:73 ± 28 W), % predicted Wpeak (CF:83 ± 28%, BPD:88 ± 15%), peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak, CF: 38 ± 7 ml/kg/min, BPD: 39 ±6 ml/kg/min), or % predicted VO2peak (CF:99 ± 16 %, BPD:96 ± 27%). Conclusions: Children with mild pulmonary impairments are able to achieve a near normal peak power output and a normal VO2peak. Neither the aetiology nor the developmental onset of the process appears to be important influences on VO2peak or Wpeak