Effects of Moderate- versus Mixed-Intensity Training on VO2peak in Young Well-Trained Rowers

The effects of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) and a combination of MICT and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on rowing performance and VO2peak were investigated in young athletes. Seventeen well-trained rowers (aged 15 ± 1.3 years) were randomly allocated to an intervention (IG) (n = 10) and control group (CG) (n = 7). During 8 weeks, both groups took part in the regular rowing training (3×/week MICT, 70–90 min, 65–70% of HRpeak + 2×/week resistance training). The IG completed an additional high-intensity interval training twice weekly (2 × 4 × 2 min at ≈95% of HRpeak, 60 s rest). Instead of the HIIT, the CG completed two more MICT sessions (70–90 min, 65–70% of HRpeak). Before and after the intervention, a 2000 m time trial and an exercise test were performed. The IG showed a significant improvement (p = 0.001) regarding the absolute rowing time in the graded exercise test. Furthermore, the intervention group showed a significant increase in relative VO2peak (p = 0.023), a significant increase in absolute VO2peak (p = 0.036), and a significant improvement in the 2000 m time trail (p = 0.003). No significant changes could be detected in the CG. The interaction effects were not significant. A mixed-intensity training, including HIIT, was beneficial on rowing performance and VO2peak in highly trained athletes

Influence of Initial Severity of Depression on the Effectiveness of a Multimodal Therapy on Depressive Score, Heart Rate Variability, and Hemodynamic Parameters.

Depression is a major cause of disability among populations worldwide. Apart from primary symptoms, depressed patients often have a higher cardiovascular risk profile. Multimodal therapy concepts, including exercise, have emerged as promising approaches that not only improve depressive symptoms but also have a positive impact on cardiovascular risk profile. However, controversies have arisen concerning the influence of baseline severity on the effects of therapy concepts for this demographic. This study assessed whether pretreatment severity moderates psychological and physiological treatment outcomes of a multimodal therapy. A total of 16 patients diagnosed with mild depression (MD) and 14 patients diagnosed with severe depression (SD) took part in a 3-month outpatient multimodal treatment therapy. Before and after the treatment, depression score (Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)), peripheral systolic (pSBP) and diastolic (pDBP) blood pressure, central systolic (cSBP) and diastolic (cDBP) blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), heart rate (HR), and parasympathetic parameters of heart rate variability (RMSSD) were assessed. Significant time effects were detected for BDI (-20.0 ± 11.6, p > 0.001, η2 = 0.871), pSBP (-4.7 ± 6.8 mmHg, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.322), pDBP (-3.5 ± 6.9 mmHg, p = 0.01, η2 = 0.209), cSBP (-4.8 ± 6.5 mmHg, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.355), cDBP (-3.6 ± 6.8 mmHg, p = 0.008, η2 = 0.226), PWV (-0.13 ± 0.23 m/s, p = 0.008, η2 = 0.229), HR (4.3 ± 8.8 min-1, p = 0.015, η2 = 0.193), RMSSD (-12.2 ± 23.9 ms, p = 0.017, η2 = 0.251), and and SDNN (10.5 ± 17.8 ms, p = 0.005, η2 = 0.330). Significant time × group interaction could be revealed for BDI (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.543), with patients suffering from SD showing stronger reductions. Pretreatment severity of depression has an impact on the effectiveness of a multimodal therapy regarding psychological but not physiological outcomes

Interval Training in Sports Medicine: Current Thoughts on an Old Idea

In light of the global physical inactivity pandemic, the increasing prevalence of non-committable diseases, and mounting healthcare costs, effective and feasible prevention and treatment approaches are urgently needed [...]

A Game-Based Approach to Lower Blood Pressure? Comparing Acute Hemodynamic Responses to Endurance Exercise and Exergaming: A Randomized Crossover Trial

The present randomized crossover study aimed to determine whether an exergaming session in an innovative, functional fitness game could be an effective exercise approach that elicits favorable blood pressure (BP) responses, such as a typical moderate endurance exercise (ET). Therefore, acute hemodynamic responses after a training session in the ExerCube and an ET on a treadmill were assessed and compared. Twenty-eight healthy recreational active participants (13 women; aged 24.8 ± 3.9 years) completed an exergaming session (EX) and an ET in a randomized and counterbalanced order. Before and throughout the 45 min after the training, the peripheral and central BP were measured. After the ET, there was a moderate decrease in both peripheral systolic (−1.8 mmHg; p = 0.14) and diastolic (−0.8 mmHg; p = 0.003), as well as central diastolic (−1.5 mmHg; p = 0.006) pressure compared to the resting value before the exercise. After the EX, there was a significant decrease in peripheral systolic (−6.3 mmHg; p < 0.001) and diastolic (−4.8 mmHg; p < 0.001), as well as central systolic (−5.8 mmHg; p < 0.001) and diastolic (−5.3 mmHg; p < 0.001) pressure compared to baseline. The interaction effects showed significant differences in peripheral and central systolic BP as well as in peripheral diastolic BP (p = 0.05). The EX seems to be an effective training approach that triggers relevant peripheral and central BP-responses, which are more pronounced than after a typical ET. Therefore, the ExerCube can be a time-efficient training tool to improve cardiovascular health

Gaming Instead of Training? Exergaming Induces High-Intensity Exercise Stimulus and Reduces Cardiovascular Reactivity to Cold Pressor Test

Introduction: The present study assessed if an exercise session in an innovative exergame can modulate hemodynamic reactivity to a cold pressor test (CPT) to a similar extent as a typical moderate endurance training (ET). Furthermore, cardiorespiratory, and affective responses of an exergame session and an ET were compared. Methods: Twenty-seven healthy participants aged 25 ± 4 years (48% female; BMI 23.0 ± 2.1 kg/m2) participated in this cross-sectional study. All participants completed both an ET on a treadmill and training in the ExerCube (ECT). HR and oxygen consumption were recorded during both training sessions. Before and after both exercise sessions, the hemodynamic reactivity to a CPT was determined. Results: During ECT, HR, oxygen consumption, energy expenditure, and the metabolic equivalent of the task were significantly higher than those obtained during ET (p < 0.001). With regard to the CPT, the participants showed significantly lower responses in peripheral systolic (p = 0.004) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.009) as well as central systolic (p = 0.002) and diastolic BP (P = 0.01) after ECT compared to ET. The same was true for pulse wave velocity (p = 0.039). Conclusion: The ECT induced a significantly higher exercise stimulus compared to the ET. At the same time, it attenuated hemodynamic stress reactivity. The ECT presents a relevant training stimulus that modulates cardiovascular reactivity to stress, which has been proven as a predictor for the development of hypertension. Trial Registration: ISRCTN registry, ISRCTN43067716, 14 April 2020, Trial number: 38154

Integrating Regular Exergaming Sessions in the ExerCube into a School Setting Increases Physical Fitness in Elementary School Children: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a school-based exergame intervention on anthropometric parameters and physical fitness. Fifty-eight students (10.4 ± 0.8 years; 48% girls) were randomized into an intervention (IG) and a control (CG) group. Both groups participated in regular physical education classes during the three-month intervention period. The IG additionally received a 20-minute exergame intervention twice per week. At baseline and following the intervention period, body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were assessed. Furthermore, a sprint test (ST), a countermovement jump test (CMJ), and a shuttle run test (SRT) were performed. Due to prescribed quarantine measures, only 34 students (18 IG; 16 CG) were included in the final analysis. A significant group-time interaction was determined in CMJ performance (p &lt; 0.001; η2 = 0.403), with a significant increase (+2.6 ± 2.4 cm; p &lt; 0.001; η2 = 0.315) in the IG and a significant decrease (-2.0 ± 3.1 cm; p = 0.009; η2 = 0.190) in the CG. Furthermore, ST performance significantly improved in the IG (-0.03 ± 0.08 s; p = 0.012; η2 = 0.180) but not in the CG (0.13 ± 0.16 s; p = 0.460; η2 = 0.017), revealing significant interaction effects (p = 0.02; η2 = 0.157). Significant group-time interaction was observed for the SRT (p = 0.046; η2 = 0.122), with a significant increase (+87.8 ± 98.9 m; p = 0.028; η2 = 0.147) in the IG and no changes (-29.4 ± 219.7 m; p = 0.485; η2 = 0.016) in the CG. Concerning BMI (p = 0.157; η2 = 0.063) and WHtR (p = 0.063; η2 = 0.114), no significant interaction effects were detected. School-based exergaming is a suitable tool to influence students' physical fitness positively

Performance and Recovery of Well-Trained Younger and Older Athletes during Different HIIT Protocols

Due to physiological and morphological differences, younger and older athletes may recover differently from training loads. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) protocols are useful for studying the progression of recovery. It was the objective of this study to determine age differences in performance and recovery following different HIIT protocols. Methods: 12 younger (24.5 ± 3.7 years) and 12 older (47.3 ± 8.6 years) well-trained cyclists and triathletes took part in this study. Between the age groups there were no significant differences in relative peak power to fat-free mass, maximal heart rate (HR), training volume, and VO2max-percentiles (%). Participants performed different HIIT protocols consisting of 4 × 30 s Wingate tests with different active rest intervals (1, 3, or 10 min). Peak and average power, lactate, HR, respiratory exchange ratio (RER), subjective rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and recovery (Total Quality Recovery scale, TQR) were assessed. Results: During the different HIIT protocols, metabolic, cardiovascular, and subjective recovery were similar between the two groups. No significant differences were found in average lactate concentration, peak and average power, fatigue (%), %HRmax, RER, RPE, and TQR values between the groups (p > 0.05). Conclusion: The findings of this study indicate that recovery following HIIT does not differ between the two age groups. Furthermore, older and younger participants displayed similar lactate kinetics after the intermittent exercise protocols

The effectiveness of the Wim Hof method on cardiac autonomic function, blood pressure, arterial compliance, and different psychological parameters.

The Wim Hof method (WHM) is a multi-disciplinary approach to physical and mental well-being combining cold exposure, breathing exercises, and meditation. This study evaluated the effects of a 15 days WHM intervention on cardiovascular parameters at rest and during a cold pressor test (CPT), as well as on various psychological parameters. Forty two participants were randomized into an intervention (IG) and a control group. Throughout the 15 days intervention, the IG performed the WHM daily. Before and after the intervention, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), pulse wave velocity (PWV), heart rate (HR), root mean sum of squared distance (RMSSD), and standard deviation of RR-intervals (SDNN) were assessed at rest and during a CPT. Furthermore, perceived stress (PSS), positive affect (PANAS+), negative affect (PANAS-), and subjective vitality (trait (SVSt) and state (SVSs)) was determined. No significant time × group interactions could be detected in HR (p = 0.709); RMSSD (p = 0.820), SDNN (p = 0.186), SBP (p = 0.839), DBP (p = 0.318), PWV (p = 0.983), PANAS+ (p = 0.427), PANAS- (p = 0.614), SVSt (p = 0.760), SVSs (p = 0.366), and PSS (p = 0.364). No significant time × group effects could be detected during the CPT (ΔHR: p = 0.596; ΔSBP: p = 0.366; ΔDBP: p = 0.999; ΔPWV: p = 0.635; perceived pain: p = 0.231). Performing the WHM daily did not exert positive effects on cardiovascular and psychological parameters

Hemodynamic parameters due to acute and after longterm regular exercise

Hintergrund: Neben dem Blutdruck (BD) gewinnen Parameter der arteriellen Gefäßsteifigkeit (AS) hinsichtlich kardiovaskulärer Risikostratifizierung an Bedeutung. Welchen Einfluss körperliche Aktivität auf die AS hat, war Zielstellung der vorliegenden Arbeit. Im ersten Teil wurde der Frage nachgegangen, ob ein Zusammenhang zwischen hämodynamischen Parametern in Ruhe sowie während eines Stresstests und der Ausdauerleistungsfähigkeit besteht. Im zweiten Teil wurde geprüft, ob ein hochintensives Intervalltraining (HIIT) günstige Effekte auf die Hämodynamik sowie das Verhalten bei einer Stressbelastung hat, was bereits für ein Ausdauertraining bestätigt wurde. Der dritte Teil sollte untersuchen, ob schon bei Kindern durch ein längerfristiges moderates Intervalltraining hämodynamische Parameter günstig beeinflusst werden können. Methodik: Bei gesunden Erwachsenen wurden Parameter der AS mittels Mobil-O-Graph (I.E.M.) in Ruhe sowie am Ende eines Cold Pressor Tests (CPT) gemessen. Die Ergebnisse wurden hinsichtlich der bei einer Spiroergometrie ermittelten maximalen Sauerstoffaufnahme (VO2max) bewertet. In einer zweiten Studie erfolgten gleichfalls Messungen in Ruhe sowie während eines CPT. Im Anschluss wurde ein HIIT (6 x 1 Minute mit 98% der ermittelten maximalen Wattleistung, 4 Minuten Intervallpause) durchgeführt. In der Erholungsphase erfolgten Messungen bis zu 60 Minuten sowie danach während eines erneuten CPT. Bei der dritten Untersuchung handelte es sich um eine kontrollierte Interventionsstudie mit 46 Grundschülern. Im Gegensatz zur Kontrollgruppe erhielt die Interventionsklasse (INT) während einer neumonatigen Interventionsphase (IP) (2 x 45 Minuten/Woche) zusätzlich zum regulären Schulsportunterricht (3 x 45 Minuten/Woche) eine Bewegungsintervention mit Intervallbelastungen mittlerer Intensität. Hämodynamische Messungen wurden sowohl vor als auch nach der IP in beiden Gruppen standardisiert registriert und verglichen. Ergebnisse: Die VO2max korrelierte in Ruhe als auch während des CPT negativ mit ausgewählten Parametern der AS. Nach dem HIIT fand sich bis zu 45 Minuten eine im Vergleich zur Ruhemessung vor der Belastung signifikante Senkung des peripheren und zentralen BD. Zugleich waren peripherer und zentraler BD während des CPT nach dem HIIT signifikant niedriger im Vergleich zum CPT vor dem HIIT. In der Interventionsstudie zeigte sich bei der INT nach der IP eine signifikante Abnahme des peripheren und zentralen BD sowie der Pulswellengeschwindigkeit. In der CON wurde hingegen ein Anstieg registriert. Schlussfolgerung: Die körperliche Leistungsfähigkeit steht in einem günstigen Zusammenhang mit hämodynamischen Parametern. Bereits eine einmalige Belastung zeigt einen positiven Einfluss auf die AS, hierbei scheinen gerade Belastungsformen mit Intervallcharakter günstige Effekte zu erzielen und stellen somit eine Alternative oder Ergänzung zum herkömmlichen Ausdauertraining dar. Regelmäßige körperliche Aktivität sollte bereits bei Kindern in der Primärprävention zum Einsatz kommen. Auch hier scheint ein Intervalltraining mit moderater Intensität zweckmäßig.Background: Rising body of literature recommends assessing parameters of arterial stiffness (AS) for cardiovascular risk stratification. Therefore, the goal in the present work was to assess influences of physical activity on AS. The first part of the study investigates the correlation between aerobic capacity and hemodynamic parameters at rest and during a stress test. The second part deals with the question whether a high-intensity interval training (HIIT) exerts beneficial effects on hemodynamics at rest and during stress test as own studies confirmed recently for moderate endurance training. The third part investigates whether a prevention project consisting of moderate interval training has favorable influences on AS already in children. Methods: In healthy volunteers, selected hemodynamic parameters were measured at rest and at the end of a cold pressor test (CPT) using the Mobil-O-Graph (I.E.M.). The results were evaluated due to the subjects' maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) during a cardio pulmonary exercise test. In a second study, hemodynamic measurements were performed at rest and during CPT. Following a HIIT (6 x 1 minute with 98% of previously determined maximum wattage, 4 minutes rest between intervals) parameters were assessed throughout 60 minutes of rest and thereafter during a second CPT. In a controlled intervention, 46 students were randomized into intervention (INT) and control class (CON). Throughout 9 months, INT received additional moderate interval training (2 x 45 minutes per week) on top of the regular physical education classes (3 x 45 minutes per week). Hemodynamic measurements were recorded and compared before and after intervention. Results: There was a negative correlation between VO2max and parameters of AS at rest and during CPT as well. Compared to measurements before exercise, peripheral and central blood pressure (BP) where significantly lower until 45 minutes after HIIT. Both peripheral and central BP were significantly lower during CPT after HIIT as well when compared with CPT before HIIT. In the longitudinal study, peripheral and central BP and pulse wave velocity were lower in INT after intervention when compared with pre-intervention. In contrast, CON displayed an increase in all parameters. Conclusion: The results demonstrate an inverse relation between VO2max and hemodynamic parameters. Furthermore, a single bout of HIIT achieved positive hemodynamic effects and thus may represent an alternative to traditional endurance training. Regular physical activity improves AS and should already be performed regularly in early childhood for primary cardiovascular prevention. An interval training with moderate intensity seems advisable already in this young age

Comparing Post-Exercise Hypotension after Different Sprint Interval Training Protocols in a Matched Sample of Younger and Older Adults

This study assessed the post-exercise hypotension (PEH) effect in a sample of matched young and older adults after different sprint interval training (SIT) protocols. From forty-three participants enrolled in this study, twelve younger (24 &plusmn; 3 years) and 12 older (50 &plusmn; 7 years) participants, matched for the body mass index, systolic blood pressure, and VO2max-percentiles, were selected. The participants completed two SIT protocols consisting of 4 &times; 30 s exercise bouts interspersed by either one (SIT1) or three minutes (SIT3) of active rest. The peripheral systolic (pSBP) and diastolic (pDBP) blood pressure, central systolic (cSBP) and diastolic (cDBP) blood pressure, pulse wave velocity (PWV), and heart rate (HR) were obtained before and at different measurement time points (t5, t15, t30, t45) after the exercise. No significant time &times; group interactions were detected in pSBP (p = 0.242, &eta;&sup2; = 0.060), pDBP (p = 0.379, &eta;&sup2; = 0.046), cSBP (p = 0.091, &eta;&sup2; = 0.861), cDBP (p = 0.625, &eta;&sup2; = 0.033), PWV (p = 0.133, &eta;&sup2; = 0.076), and HR (p = 0.190, &eta;&sup2; = 0.123) after SIT1. For SIT3 no significant time &times; group interactions could be detected for pSBP (p = 0.773, &eta;&sup2; = 0.020), pDBP (p = 0.972, &eta;&sup2; = 0.006), cSBP (p = 0.239, &eta;&sup2; = 0.060), cDBP (p = 0.535, &eta;&sup2; = 0.036), PWV (p = 0.402, &eta;&sup2; = 0.044), and HR (p = 0.933, &eta;&sup2; = 0.009). Matched samples of young and older adults reveal similar PEH effects after HIIT. Accordingly, age does not seem to affect PEH after SIT. These results show that rest interval length and age modulate the PEH effect after SIT