A randomized controlled trial to establish the impact of aquatic exercise training on functional capacity, balance, and perceptions of fatigue in female patients with multiple sclerosis

Objective: To assess the effects of 8-weeks aquatic exercise training on functional capacity, balance, and perceptions of fatigue in women with multiple sclerosis (MS). Design: A randomized controlled design. Setting: Referral center of a multiple sclerosis society. Participants: Women (age:36.4 ±8.2; BMI:24.5 ±1.9) diagnosed with RR-type (relapsing-remitting) MS. After undergoing baseline testing, participants were allocated to either an intervention (aquatic training programme) or a control group. Interventions: The intervention consisted of an 8-week aquatic training programme (3 supervised training sessions per week; session duration; 45-60 min; 50-75% heart rate reserve). Main measures: Six-minute walk test (6-MWT); balance (Berg Balance Scale; BBS), and perceptions of fatigue (Modified Fatigue Impact Scale; MFIS), at baseline and after an 8 week intervention. Differences over time between the experimental and control groups were assessed by a 2x2 (group by time) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: 32 women (age:36.4 ±8.2; BMI:24.5 ±1.9) completed the 8-week aquatic training intervention (experimental group, n=17; controls, n = 15). All outcome measures improved in the experimental group; 6-MWT performance (451±58 m to 503±57 m; P<0.001); BBS (pre-test mean, 53.59±1.70; post-test mean, 55.18±1.18; P<0.001), and in the MFIS (pre-test mean, 43.1±14.6, post-test mean, 32.8 ±5.9;P<0.01). A significant group-by-time interaction was evident between the experimental and controls groups for 6-MWT:P<0.001, ηp²=0.551; BBS:P<0.001, ηp²=0.423; and MFIS: P<0.001, ηp²=0.679. Conclusions: Aquatic exercise training improves functional capacity, balance, and perceptions of fatigue in women with MS

The Reliability and Validity of A Submaximal Warm-Up Test for Monitoring Training Status in Professional Soccer Players.

This is a non-final version of an article published in final form in Rabbani, A., Kargarfard, M., & Twist, C. (2018). The Reliability and Validity of A Submaximal Warm-Up Test for Monitoring Training Status in Professional Soccer Players. Journal of Strength Conditioning Research, 32(2), 326-333. DOI: 10.1519/JSC.0000000000002335Two studies were conducted to assess the reliability and validity of a submaximal warm-up test (SWT) in professional soccer players. For the reliability study, 12 male players performed SWT over three trials, with one week between trials. For the validity study, 14 players of the same team performed SWT and 30-15 Intermittent Fitness Test (30-15IFT) 7 days apart. Week-to-week reliability in selected heart rate (HR) responses [exercise HR (HRex), HR recovery (HRR) expressed as the number of beats recovered within 1 min (HRR60s) and expressed as the mean HR during 1 min (HRpost1)], were determined using intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) and typical error of measurement expressed as coefficient of variation (CV). The relationships between HR measures derived from SWT and the maximal speed reached at the 30-15IFT (VIFT) were used to assess validity. The range for ICC and CV values were 0.83 to 0.95 and 1.4 to 7.0% in all HR measures, respectively, with the HRex as the most reliable HR measure of SWT. Inverse large (r = -0.50, 90% confidence limits, CL (-0.78; -0.06)) and very large (r = -0.76, CL, -0.90; -0.45) relationships were observed between HRex and HRpost1 with VIFT in relative (expressed as the % of maximal HR) measures, respectively. SWT is a reliable and valid submaximal test to monitor high-intensity intermittent running fitness in professional soccer players. In addition, the test’s short duration (5-min) and simplicity mean that it can be used regularly to assess training status in high-level soccer players

Intensive resistance exercise and circadian salivary testosterone concentrations among young male recreational lifters

Strength and morphological adaptations to resistance exercise are mediated in part by anabolic hormones such as testosterone, yet the time course of variability in circadian hormone concentrations is not well characterized. This study, investigated how the circadian rhythm of salivary testosterone is altered by resistance exercise in young men. Twenty healthy young male recreational lifters (age, 18.0 ± 1.3 years) with 2 years of experience in weightlifting were recruited. A randomized controlled trial was conducted, and subjects were randomly assigned to either the resistance exercise group (n = 10), who completed a series of resistance exercise (3 times a week, in the afternoon, 6-7 repetitions, at 85% of 1 repetition maximum for 3 weeks), or a control group (n = 10), who did not exercise during the 3 weeks. Before and after the study, an unstimulated saliva sample (2 ml) was taken every 2 hours for a maximum of 16 hours during each day. A significant decrease was observed in the resistance exercise (44.2%, p = 0.001) and control group (46.1%, p = 0.001) for salivary testosterone at each time point compared with baseline (p = 0.001). There was also no significant difference between the exercise and resting conditions in both groups for salivary testosterone (p > 0.05), except a significantly higher increase by 38.4% vs. -0.02% (p = 0.001), at 1730 hours during exercise sessions in the resistance exercise group compared with the control group. Resistance exercise has no noteworthy effect on circadian secretion of salivary testosterone throughout the 16 waking hours. These results indicate that athletes can undertake resistance exercise in either the morning or afternoon with the knowledge that a similar testosterone response can be expected regardless of the time of day

Internal training load and fitness profile between adult team versus junior team soccer players

The aim of the present study was to compare the fitness profiles and internal training loads between senior team and academy team soccer players during an in-season phase. Twenty two professional soccer players from the senior team (n=12; 28.3 2.0 years) and under 19 (U19) team (n=10; 18.00.4 years) of the same club participated in the present study. High intensity running performance, acceleration, maximal sprint, and change of direction (COD) ability were all tested during the mid-season break of a competitive season. Session rating of perceived exertion (sRPE) reflecting the internal training load during the entire first half of the season was being documented daily. Senior players showed small to moderate superiority in COD (1.8%, 90% confidence intervals [CI, -3.2; 7.1], ES: 0.24 [-0.44; 0.92]), maximal sprint (2.3%, [0.0; 4.7], ES: 0.81 [0.00; 1.63]) and acceleration (3%, [0.2; 5.8], ES: 0.96 [0.06; 1.85]). The U19 showed small better highintensity intermittent running fitness (2.5%, [-1.2; 6.3], ES: 0.39 [-0.20; 0.97]). When analyzing internal training loads (from M-3 to M+3), the U19 showed small to very large higher sRPE values for all days (range; 8.2%; 229.3%, [-8.1; 328.3], ES range; 0.25; 2.70, [-0.26; 3.3]), except for match days (M), on which unclear trivial difference was observed (-1.5%, [-9.6; 7.5], ES -0.09 [-0.65; 0.46]). Our results showed that senior players and youth players had different fitness profiles and internal training loads during the first half of a competitive season; this should be taken into consideration when designing specific and individualized recovery and training sessions

EFFECTS OF COMBINED PLYOMETRIC AND SPEED TRAINING ON CHANGE OF DIRECTION, LINEAR SPEED, AND REPEATED SPRINT ABILITY IN YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS: A PILOT STUDY

It has been well established that plyometric and speed training have positive impacts on fitness parameters in soccer players. The aim of this study was to compare short-term effects of a combined plyometric and speed training implemented on the same or separate days of a week on change of direction (COD), linear speed (LS), and repeated sprint ability (RSA) in young soccer players. Twenty-four male players from the same U19 soccer team were distributed into one control group (CG; n=7, soccer training only) and two experimental groups performing plyometric and speed exercises on the same (CDG; n=8) or separate days (CWG; n=9) during a 6-week preparation period. Very likely moderate within-group COD improvements were observed in the CDG (ES -0.94 [-1.47 to -0.41]) and CWG (ES -0.97 [-1.52 to -0.42]) groups. Possibly small within-group RSA improvements were also observed in the CWG (ES -0.24[-0.64 to 0.16]) and CDG (ES -0.31 [-0.79 to 0.17]) groups. CWG and CDG groups showed possibly small (ES -0.28 [-0.62 to 0.06]) and very likely moderate (ES -0.80 [-1.28 to -0.32]) within-group LS improvements following the intervention, respectively. In between group analysis, a likely moderate (ES 0.71 [0.03 to 1.39]) greater LS improvement was observed in the CDG group than in the CWG group. It is suggested to supplement normal soccer training with combined plyometric and speed exercises to improve COD, LS, and RSA performance and to implement these exercises in the same session to improve LS with a greater effect

Strength-training and biological rhythm of male sex hormone among judoists

Testosterone is a steroid hormone that is secreted by the testes with a diurnal rhythm and has a strong anti-catabolic (anabolic) effect on muscles. There is a strong relationship (r > 0.9) between concentrations of testosterone in the saliva and blood. The main purpose of the current study is to investigate the effect of strength-training on levels of salivary testosterone in male judoists. In a cross-sectional investigation, a population of 18 fit young male judoists (aged 17.0 ± 1.2 year, body mass 72 ± 3 kg, height 175 ± 3 cm, means ± SD), with at least 1.5 years of experience in judo classes was examined in Isfahan, Iran, in December, 2012. The period of testing consisted of two days of “rest” and two days of “exercise”. Subjects were randomly divided into two conditions that performed either the “rest” or “exercise” days during the first week, with the opposite type of day in the second week. The training regimen consisted of three repetitions of nine tasks, with 1 min of rest between each of the three sets, performed on alternate days for 8 weeks. Unstimulated saliva was collected (1–2 ml) every 2 h from 06:00 till 22:00 h. ANOVA with repeated measures was used to assess differences between the rest and exercise days. Strength-training sessions caused a significant decrease in testosterone levels immediately after exercise (p  0.05). It is concluded that strength-training does not significantly affect the normal biological rhythm of salivary testosterone during the waking period in male judoists

The effect of eight weeks of high-intensity interval training and moderate-intensity continuous training on some factors causing oxidative stress in the cardiomyocytes of mice with type II diabetes

Background and aims: Diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among diabetic patients. This study aimed to compare and investigate the effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on oxidative stress as one of the key links in the development of DCM in mice with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: Forty male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to four groups of equal number (Control, T2DM, T2DM+HIIT, and T2DM+MICT). After the induction of T2DM, HIIT and MICT programs were conducted 5 days a week for 8 weeks. At the end of the experimental period, blood and heart samples were collected for subsequent measurements. Results: T2DM significantly up-regulated the levels of advanced glycation end products (AGEs, P=0.001) and the expression of 15-lipoxygenase (15-LOX, P=0.001) and 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (4-HNE, P=0.001) compared to controlled mice. After 8 weeks of training, HIIT and MICT programs increased the levels of insulin (P<0.001) while reducing the levels of fasting blood glucose (P<0.001, P=0.024, respectively). On the other hand, it was found that HIIT and MICT programs significantly decreased the levels of AGEs (P<0.001), expression of 15-LOX (P=0.006, P=0.019, respectively), and 4-HNE (P=0.008 and P=0.035, respectively). Conclusion: Our findings revealed that exercise training, particularly MICT, will be highly helpful in the prevention of DCM through the improvement of glucose metabolism and reduction of 15-LOX expression

The effects of gradual vs. rapid weight loss on serum concentrations of myokines and body composition in overweight and obese females

Research has shown the modulations of Follistatin (FST) and Myostatin (MST) following weight loss. We evaluated the effects of gradual weight loss (GWL) and rapid weight loss (RWL) on serum MST, FST, and body composition in overweight and obese females. Thirty-six overweight and obese females successfully completed the study interventions: GWL (  = 18) or RWL (  = 18). Serum MST and FST concentrations, as well as anthropometric measurements, were collected at baseline and at the conclusion of each weight loss intervention. MST concentration significantly (  < .05) decreased in the GWL; while FST concentration, body fat percentage and skeletal muscle mass significantly declined in both conditions. The loss in skeletal muscle mass was significantly greater in RWL relative to GWL. GWL was more effective than RWL in preserving skeletal muscle mass in overweight and obese females. Moreover, GWL leads to declines in MST concentrations

The application of a feasible exercise training program in the office setting

Background: Previous research support the claim that people who work in offices and sit for a long time are particularly prone to musculoskeletal disorders. Objective: The main objective of this paper is to introduce an exercise training program designed to decrease muscle stiffness and pain that can be performed in the office setting. Methods: Forty healthy office workers (age: 28±5.3 years old; body mass: 87.2±10.2 kg; height: 1.79±0.15 m) apart from suffering from any sub-clinical symptoms of muscle and joint stiffness, and who had at least two years of experience in office work were chosen and randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). The experimental group performed the exercise training program three times a week for 11 weeks. The Cornell Musculoskeletal Discomfort Questionnaire was used to measure the pain levels in the neck, shoulders, and lower back areas. The Borg CR-10 Scale was used to measure their perceived exertion when doing the exercises, and a goniometer was used to measure the changes in range of motion (ROM) of the neck, hips, knees, and shoulders. Results: The overall results indicated that the exercise program could significantly (p < 0.05) reduce the neck, shoulders, and lower back pains of the participants in the exercise group while those in the control group showed no improvement in those pains. There were significant (p < 0.05) increases in the ROM of the hips, the neck, both knees and shoulders in the exercise group. Participants showed significant (p = 0.011) decreases in perceived exertion scores after the exercises. Conclusions: The exercise training program designed in this study not only can effectively reduce neck, shoulders, and lower back pains, but also can improve the ROM or flexibility of the office workers

Match Fatigue Time-Course Assessment Over Four Days: Usefulness of the Hooper Index and Heart Rate Variability in Professional Soccer Players

The aims of the present study were to (a) examine recovery time-course and (b) analyze the usefulness of the Hooper-Index (wellness index) and resting heart rate variability (HRV) in professional soccer players during an in-season phase. The Hooper-Index and resting HRV were collected on matchday and on the four following days in three consecutive in-season weeks in nine players (25.2 ± 4.3-years). The usefulness of monitoring variables was assessed by (a) comparing noise (typical error, TE) to the smallest worthwhile change (SWC) (TE/SWC) and (b) comparing match-related changes (i.e., signal) to TE (i.e., signal-to-noise ratio). Between-days standardized differences in the changes of Hooper-Index and HRV were compared to the SWC using magnitude-based inferences. The magnitudes of TE were small and moderate for the Hooper-Index and HRV, respectively. The Hooper-Index showed to be more useful than HRV for monitoring match-induced fatigue as having a lower TE/SWC (3.1 versus 4.4) and a higher signal-to-noise ratio (5.5 versus 1.5). Small-to-very large [range of effect sizes, 0.48; 2.43, confidence limits (0.22; 2.91)] and moderate-to-large [-1.71; -0.61 (-2.44; -0.03)] detrimental changes in Hooper-Index and HRV, respectively, were observed on the days following matchday. While group analyses showed a similar pattern for recovery time-course, more individual players responded, similarly when tracked using the Hooper -Index compared to when they were tracked using HRV. An inverse moderate within-individual relationship was observed between changes in the Hooper index and HRV [r = -0.41, (-0.60, 0.18)]. The Hooper index is an easy-to-use, no-cost, and non-invasive monitoring tool and seems promising for tracking match-induced fatigue during in the season in professional soccer