Four weeks of trauma-informed yoga intervention and autonomic tone in female veteran and non-veteran college students

Introduction: Female college students (veteran and non-veteran) are exposed to cumulative stressors and trauma that may lead to an imbalanced autonomic nervous system. Yoga has emerged as an efficacious intervention for psychological and physical trauma; however, the therapeutic dose of intervening yoga is unknown. Additionally, the frequency, duration, and type of yoga needed to achieve a therapeutic dose appear to be population specific when applied to trauma victims. The purpose of the study was to examine whether a short-term trauma-informed yoga intervention altered metrics of autonomic tone as assessed by heart rate variability (HRV) in female veteran and non-veteran college students. Methods: Nine female college students (age: 33 years ± 11, veteran, n = 4, non-veteran, n = 5) engaged in trauma-informed yoga once per week for one-hour over a four-week intervention. Repeated measures ANOVA were performed on the HRV variables lnRMSSD, lnHF, lnLF, and LF:HF. Results: Findings indicated no effect of the intervention on HRV as measured by lnRMSSD (p = .116), lnHF (p = .073), lnLF (p = .316), and LF:HF (p = .131). Further, no acute alterations in HRV were observed following a single session of trauma-informed yoga (p > .05). Conclusion: The findings of the study revealed no significant effect of trauma-informed yoga on HRV following a single session or after a four-week yoga intervention

Implementation of a Dose Response to Wood Smoke PM: A Potential Method to Further Explain CVD in Wildland Firefighters.

The presentation of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and comorbidities in aging and retired wildland firefighters (WLFF) continues to be one of the top health priorities to address by The United States Forest Service. In the past 20 years, experts at multiple meetings and conferences have confronted this growing concern as a formal call to action to investigation the individual components related to working in the wildland fire setting. The inhalation of wood smoke particulate matter (PM) shows evidence of altering homeostasis in WLLF’s in the areas of oxidative stress, inflammation, and arterial stiffness, all of which contribute to the development of (CVD). To date, comprehensive investigation into the dose response of wood smoke PM and subsequent cardiovascular outcomes remains under studied. Emphasis on a wood smoke PM dose response is based on the inclusion of key variables measuring the size, concentration, sources, and inhalation rate of PM. The literature investigating wood smoke PM induced phycological changes is significantly lack in comparison to the reach studying anthropogenic PM and pollution. Recently, published studies in both field experiments and laboratory simulations provide new insight on how the PM dose of acute exposures alters normative cardiovascular function. There is a growing consensus within the scientific community of wood smoke PM inducing oxidative stress, upregulating inflammatory markers, and elevating pulmonary and systemic inflammation. At this time, fluctuations in autonomic nervous system control of heart rate and vascular tone do not warrant the same strength of confidence as the direct influence of wood smoke PM inhalation. Furthermore, the concentrations, volumes, PM size, and ventilation rates are contextual to each individual dose. What is true in one scenario cannot be extrapolated all wood smoke PM exposures and settings. Based on the findings of this academic exercise, we recommend that future scientific investigations in this area implement directed dose-response methodology, in combination with clinically relevant outcome measures, in order to determine the effects from multiple PM smoke exposures on the development of CVD aging and pathology

Nutraceutical and pharmaceutical cocktails did not improve muscle function or reduce histological damage in D2-mdx mice

Progressive muscle injury and weakness are hallmarks of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. We showed previously that quercetin (Q) partially protected dystrophic limb muscles from disease-related injury. As quercetin activates PGC-1α through Sirtuin-1, an NAD+-dependent deacetylase, the depleted NAD+ in dystrophic skeletal muscle may limit quercetin efficacy, hence, supplementation with the NAD+ donor, nicotinamide riboside (NR), may facilitate quercetin efficacy. Lisinopril (Lis) protects skeletal muscle and improves cardiac function in dystrophin-deficient mice, therefore it was included in this study to evaluate the effects of lisinopril used with quercetin and NR. Our purpose was to determine the extent to which Q, NR, and Lis decreased dystrophic injury. We hypothesized that Q, NR or Lis alone would improve muscle function and decrease histological injury and when used in combination would have additive effects. Muscle function of 11-month-old DBA (healthy), D2-mdx (dystrophin-deficient), and D2-mdx mice was assessed following treatment with Q, NR, and/or Lis for 7-months. To mimic typical pharmacology of DMD patients a group was treated with prednisolone (Pred) in combination with Q, NR and Lis. At 11-months of age, dystrophin deficiency decreased specific tension and tetanic force in the soleus and extensor digitorum longus muscles and was not corrected by any treatment. Dystrophic muscle was more sensitive to contraction-induced injury, which was partially offset in the QNRLisPred group, while fatigue was similar between all groups. Treatments did not decrease histological damage. These data suggest treatment with Q, NR, Lis and Pred failed to adequately maintain dystrophic limb muscle function or decrease histological 46 damage

Health and fitness benefits using a heart rate intensity-based group fitness exercise regimen

Inactivity leads to morbidity and mortality, while novel and engaging approaches to fitness improve health outcomes. The current study examined an 8-week commercial group exercise regimen for high intensity interval training (HIIT) in order to examine comprehensive metrics of health and fitness. Aerobic fitness, body composition, resting metabolic rate, blood cholesterol and glucose, in addition to resting blood pressure were quantified in a laboratory setting independent of the training facilities. Exercise training utilized multimodal HIIT-based exercises and work intensity was gauged by real-time heart rate feedback. All participants completed the required two sessions per week. Pre-Post analyses indicate aerobic fitness (Pre VO2max = 36.8 ml•kg-1•min-1; Post VO2max = 40.8 ml•kg-1•min-1), % fat (Pre = 28.1%; Post = 27.0%), resting metabolic rate (Pre = 1557 kcals; Post = 1664 kcals), resting blood pressure (Pre = 128.8/78.1 mmHg; Post = 116.7/75.4 mmHg), and circulating triacylglycerol (Pre = 100.0 mg/dl; Post = 78.7 mg/dl) were significantly altered. This study quantified improvements in aerobic fitness, body composition, resting metabolic rate, resting blood pressure, and triacylglycerol after an 8-week HIIT regimen. The implications of heart rate (HR) monitoring within franchised group exercise with wearable technology serves as an unexplored scientific approach to understand novel exercise prescriptions on health-fitness outcomes. Future research should investigate sociological aspects of program adherence, while biological applications should examine the adaptive stimuli of HIIT training on health and fitness improvements.This work was supported by the Ultimate Fitness Group, LLC dba Orange Theory Fitness

Lifelong quercetin enrichment and cardioprotection in Mdx/Utrn+/− mice

Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) is associated with progressive cardiac pathology, however, the SIRT1/PGC1-α activator quercetin may cardioprotect dystrophic hearts. We tested the extent to which long term 0.2% dietary quercetin enrichment attenuates dystrophic cardiopathology in Mdx/Utrn+/- mice. At 2 months, Mdx/Utrn+/- mice were fed quercetin enriched (Mdx/Utrn+/--Q) or control diet (Mdx/Utrn+/-) for 8 months. Control C57BL/10 (C57) animals were fed a control diet for 10 months. Cardiac function was quantified by MRI at 2 and 10 months. Spontaneous physical activity was quantified during the last week of treatment. At 10 months hearts were excised for histological and biochemical analysis. Quercetin feeding improved various physiologic indices of cardiac function in diseased animals. Mdx/Utrn+/--Q also engaged in more high intensity physical activity than controls. Histological analyses of heart tissues revealed higher expression and co-localization of utrophin and α-sarcoglycan. Lower abundance of fibronectin, cardiac damage (Hematoxylin Eosin-Y), and MMP9 were observed in quercetin fed versus control Mdx/Utrn+/- mice. Quercetin evoked higher protein abundance of PGC-1α, cytochrome-c, ETC complexes I-V, citrate synthase, SOD2, and GPX compared to control-fed Mdx/Utrn+/-. Quercetin decreased abundance of inflammatory markers including NFκB, TGF-β1, and F4/80 compared to Mdx/Utrn+/-, however, P-NFκB, P-IKBα, IKBα, CD64 and COX2 were similar between groups. Dietary quercetin enrichment improves cardiac function in aged Mdx/Utrn+/- mice, increases mitochondrial protein content, and dystrophin glycoprotein complex formation. Histological analyses indicate a marked attenuation in pathological cardiac remodeling and indicate that long term quercetin consumption benefits the dystrophic heart

Effects of Chronotype and Social Jetlag on Blood Biomarkers During WLFF 2-Week Critical Training Period

Chronotype, an individual\u27s natural preference towards activity during certain times of the day, influences the interaction between one\u27s internal circadian rhythms and the external environment. When this is disrupted, it can result in social jet lag (SJL), the misalignment between our sleep/wake schedule on work days and free days. Wildland firefighters grapple with unpredictable and intense demands of their job, making them vulnerable to the challenges posed by SJL. Their duties necessitate abrupt changes in active hours, pushing against their body\u27s inherent circadian preferences. SJL is a behavioral trait that may alter an individual\u27s ability to respond to high stress environments and situations. PURPOSE: To analyze the relationship between chronotype and social jet lag on blood biomarkers during a WLFF 2-week Critical Training period. METHODS: Participants underwent baseline testing which included the Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements were recorded alongside body composition via skinfold measurements. A comprehensive blood draw was conducted to analyze Complete Blood Count. Following baseline assessments, participants entered a 12-day CT period. During this period, daily activity and HR were monitored. Participants maintained a daily training log, sleep log, and completed a Visual Analog Scale for sleep quality and muscle soreness. Upon completion of the CT period, the same measurements as the baseline testing were completed. RESULTS: 25 participants completed the study. Chronotype analysis showed a ME of exercise in lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) with both increasing post-CT in intermediate (INT) and morning-types (MT) (p1h of SJL (pCONCLUSION: This data shows that chronotype and SJL had modest effects on blood biomarkers in response to a 2-week CT period but the magnitude of SJL does influence the increase in muscle damage biomarkers. Strategies to mitigate SJL among WLFFs may be necessary to manage the effects of hard training

Effect of Deer Antler Velvet on Aerobic, Anaerobic and Strength Performance

Deer antler velvet (DAV) supplementation purportedly increases athletic performance; however, little data support this claim. The primary aim of our study is to examine DAV and exercise performance. We randomized 32 men (18–35 y) participating exclusively in resistance training (>4 y) to 10-weeks of randomly assigned, double blind, DAV (1350 mg, 2×/day) or placebo treatments. Primary outcomes included maximal aerobic capacity (VO2max), maximal strength (1RM; bench press and squat) and anaerobic cycling power. Secondary outcomes included comprehensive blood profiles and body composition. We used general linear models to determine changes following treatment. Eighteen participants (n = 9) completed the study with DAV participants showing significant improvements in VO2max (4.30 ±0.45 to 4.72 ±0.60 L/min, P < 0.04). The placebo and DAV groups increased bench press and squat 1RM (both, P < 0.04); yet, when expressed relative to body mass, only the DAV group showed significant bench press (4%) and squat (10%; both, P < 0.02). Neither group improved cycling performance or showed adverse changes in blood chemistries. We did observe a significant reduction in LDL-C (12%) accompanying DAV supplementation and both groups significantly reduced percent body fat (P < 0.05). Our results suggest that DAV may have ergogenic effects in men participating solely in resistance training

Plethysmography measurements of respiratory function in conscious unrestrained mice

Whole body plethysmography (WBP) is used to quantify pulmonary function in conscious, unrestrained mice. We determined currently whether time of day and environmental lighting influence day-to-day reproducibility of pulmonary function, and quantifed the necessary habituation time in the WBP chamber. Two-month-old male C57BL6 and mdx mice (n = 8/group, reverse light cycle), were examined on consecutive days using a calibrated WBP chamber and manufacturer software was used to calculate respiratory measures. Respiratory data stabilized between 5–10 min for all variables. Mice exhibited time of day respiratory differences, performing more forceful and less frequent breaths midday (11:45 a.m. and 3:00 p.m.) compared to 7:30 a.m. WBP performed in darkened conditions elicited more forceful breathing than lit conditions. Day-to-day reproducibility during controlled conditions ranged from r 2 = 0.58 to 0.62 for the functional measures. Findings indicate reproducible respiratory data are obtainable following a 15-min chamber habituation and standardization of time of day and room lighting