Nordic Walking Rather Than High Intensity Interval Training Reduced Myostatin Concentration More Effectively in Elderly Subjects and the Range of This Drop Was Modified by Metabolites of Vitamin D

The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent self-isolation exacerbated the problem of insufficient amounts of physical activity and its consequences. At the same time, this revealed the advantage of vitamin D. Thus, there was a need to verify the effects of those forms of training that can be performed independently. In this study, we examined the effects of Nordic walking (NW) and high intensity interval training (HIIT) with regard to the impact of the metabolite vitamin D. We assigned 32 overweight adults (age = 61 ± 12 years) to one of two training groups: NW = 18 and HIIT = 14. Body composition assessment and blood sample collection were conducted before starting the training programs and a day after their completion. NW training induced a significant decrease in myostatin (p = 0.05) concentration; however, the range was dependent on the baseline concentrations of vitamin D metabolites. This drop was accompanied by a significant negative correlation with the decorin concentration. Unexpectedly, NW caused a decrement in both forms of osteocalcin: undercarboxylated (Glu-OC) and carboxylated-type (Gla-OC). The scope of Glu-OC changes was dependent on a baseline concentration of 25(OH)D2 (r = −0.60, p = 0.01). In contrast, the HIIT protocol did not induce any changes. Overall results revealed that NW diminished the myostatin concentration and that this effect is more pronounced among adults with a sufficient concentration of vitamin D metabolites

Omega-3 fatty acid supplementation affects tryptophan metabolism during a 12-week endurance training in amateur runners: a randomized controlled trial

Abstract The effects of long-term omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) supplementation during endurance training on tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and mental state of healthy individuals have not been evaluated so far. Concentrations of plasma Trp, its metabolites and IL-6 were assessed in 26 male runners before and after a 12-week training program combined with supplementation of n-3 PUFAs (O-3 + TRAIN group) or medium chain triglycerides (MCTs; TRAIN group). After the 12-week program participants' mood before and after stress induction was also assessed. The effects of the same supplementation protocol were evaluated also in 14 inactive subjects (O-3 + SEDEN group). Concentrations of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and picolinic acid (PA) significantly increased only in the O-3 + TRAIN group (p = 0.01; $${\eta }_{p}^{2}$$ η p 2 = 0.22 and p = 0.01; $${\eta }_{p }^{2}$$ η p 2 = 0.26). Favorable, but not statistically significant changes in the concentrations of kynurenic acid (KYNA) (p = 0.06; $${\eta }_{p }^{2}$$ η p 2 = 0.14), xanthurenic acid (XA) (p = 0.07; $${\eta }_{p }^{2}$$ η p 2 = 0.13) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) (p = 0.06; $${\eta }_{p }^{2}$$ η p 2 = 0.15) and in the ratio of neurotoxic to neuroprotective metabolites were seen also only in the O-3 + TRAIN group. No changes in mood and IL-6 concentrations were observed in either group. Supplementation with n-3 PUFAs during endurance training has beneficial effects on Trp's neuroprotective metabolites. Trial registry: This study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov with identifier NCT05520437 (14/07/2021 first trial registration and 2018/31/N/NZ7/02962 second trial registration)

Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation affects tryptophan metabolism during a 12-week endurance training in amateur runners – a randomized controlled trial

The effects of long-term omega-3 fatty acid (n-3 PUFAs) supplementation during endurance training on tryptophan (Trp) metabolism and mental state of healthy individuals have not been evaluated so far. Concentrations of plasma Trp, its metabolites and IL-6 were assessed in 26 male runners before and after a 12-week training combined with supplementation of n-3 PUFAs (O-3 + TRAIN group) or medium chain triglycerides (MCTs; TRAIN group). Mood and stress tests were also performed. The effects of the same supplementation protocol were evaluated also in 14 inactive subjects (O-3 + SEDEN group). Concentrations of 3-hydroxykynurenine (3-HK) and picolinic acid (PA) significantly increased only in the O-3 + TRAIN group (p = 0.01; η_p^2 = 0.22 and p = 0.01; η_(p )^2= 0.26). Favorable, but not statistically significant changes in the kynurenic acid (KYNA) (p = 0.06; η_(p )^2= 0.14), xanthurenic acid (XA) (p = 0.07; η_(p )^2= 0.13) and 3-hydroxyanthranilic acid (3-HAA) (p = 0.06; η_(p )^2= 0.15) and ratio of neurotoxic to neuroprotective metabolites was seen also only in the O-3 + TRAIN group. No changes in results of mental state tests and IL-6 concentrations were observed in either group. Supplementation with n-3 PUFAs during endurance training has beneficial effects on Trp's neuroprotective metabolites.<br/

Vitamin D Supplementation and Nordic Walking Training Decreases Serum Homocysteine and Ferritin in Elderly Women

The aim of the study was to verify if coupling 12 weeks of vitamin D supplementation and Nordic walking training favoured lowering the homocysteine (Hcy) level. Ninety-four elderly women were divided into three groups: Nordic walking (NW), supplemented (SG) and control (CG). The NW and SG groups received a weekly dose of 28,000 IU of vitamin D3. A blood analysis was performed at baseline, 1h after the first training session and at the end of the experiment. The amino acid profile (methionine and cysteine) and homocysteine concentration were determined. Additionally, the concentration of myokine was assessed. The first session of NW training reduced serum homocysteine, particularly among women with baseline homocysteine above 10 &micro;mol&middot;L&minus;1: 12.37 &plusmn; 2.75 vs. 10.95 &plusmn; 3.94 &micro;mol&middot;L&minus;1 (p = 0.05). These changes were accompanied by shifts in the cysteine (p = 0.09) and methionine (p = 0.01) concentration, regardless of the Hcy concentration. Twelve weeks of training significantly decreased the homocysteine (9.91 &plusmn; 2.78, vs. 8.90 &plusmn; 3.14 &micro;mol&middot;L&minus;1, p = 0.05) and ferritin (94.23 &plusmn; 62.49 vs. 73.15 &plusmn; 47.04 ng&middot;mL&minus;1, p = 0.05) concentrations in whole NW group. Also, in the NW group, ferritin correlated with the glucose level (r = 0.51, p = 0.00). No changes in the myokine levels were observed after the intervention. Only the brain-derived neurotrophic factor dropped in the NW (42.74 &plusmn; 19.92 vs. 31.93 &plusmn; 15.91 ng&middot;mL&minus;1, p = 0.01) and SG (37.75 &plusmn; 8.08 vs. 16.94 &plusmn; 12.78 ng&middot;mL&minus;1, p = 0.00) groups. This study presents a parallel decrease of homocysteine and ferritin in response to regular training supported by vitamin D supplementation

Nordic Walking training in BungyPump form improves cognitive functions and physical performance and induces changes in amino acids and kynurenine profiles in older adults

IntroductionAlthough impacts of physical activity on cognitive functions have been intensively investigated, they are still far from being completely understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 12 weeks of the Nordic Walking training with BungyPump resistance poles (NW-RSA) on the amino acid and kynurenine profiles as well as selected myokine/exerkine concentrations, which may modify the interface between physical and cognitive functions.MethodsA group of 32 older adults participated in the study. Before and after the intervention, body composition, cognitive functions, and physical performance were assessed. Blood samples were taken before and 1 h after the first and last sessions of the NW-RSA training, to determine circulating levels of exercise-induced proteins, i.e., brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), irisin, kynurenine (KYN), metabolites, and amino acids.ResultsThe NW-RSA training induced a significant improvement in cognitive functions and physical performance as well as a reduction in fat mass (p = 0.05). Changes were accompanied by a decline in resting serum BDNF (p = 0.02) and a slight reduction in irisin concentration (p = 0.08). Still, changes in irisin concentration immediately after the NW-RSA intervention depended on shifts in kynurenine—irisin dropped as kynurenine increased. The kynurenine-to-tryptophan and phenylalanine-to-tyrosine ratios decreased significantly, suggesting their possible involvement in the amelioration of cognitive functions. No changes of glucose homeostasis or lipid profile were found. Shifts in the concentrations of selected amino acids might have covered the increased energy demand in response to the NW-RSA training and contributed to an improvement of physical performance.ConclusionRegular Nordic Walking training with additional resistance (BungyPump) improved cognitive functions and physical performance. These positive effects were associated with a reduced BDNF concentration and kynurenine-to-tryptophan ratio as well as changes in the amino acid profile