Effect Of Combined Aerobic And Resistance Training On HPA Axis Reactivity In HIV+ Women Undergoing Treatment For Substance Abuse

Substance abuse and infection with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are chronic stressors that affect hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis function. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of combined aerobic and resistance training on HPA axis reactivity in women with HIV undergoing treatment for substance abuse. Sixteen women (mean ± SD; 41 ± 9 years, 164 ± 6 cm, 78.1 ± 17.1 kg, 36 ± 10 % body fat) infected with HIV and enrolled in an intensive 60-day in-patient substance addiction/abuse treatment program were recruited shortly after admission to the treatment facility. Participants were assigned to one of two groups using randomization: (1) supervised combined aerobic and resistance exercise sessions 3 times per week (EX) for six weeks or (2) no exercise training (Control) for six weeks. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the 6-week period participants completed a 10-min public speaking task (Trier Social Stress Test). Saliva samples were obtained before (baseline), immediately after, and every 10 min for 50 min after the task. Saliva samples were analyzed for cortisol. HPA axis reactivity was determined as the difference between the highest values after the test minus the baseline value. HPA axis reactivity did not differ between groups at PRE (EX: 1.9 ± 2.0 nmol•L-1; Control: 1.1 ± 2.7 nmol•L-1) or POST (EX: 1.7 ± 2.1 nmol•L-1; Control: 0.0 ± 1.3 nmol•L-1). Similarly no differences were found between PRE and POST although the reactivity for the Control group appeared to be reduced at POST. HIV+ women in early recovery from substance abuse appear to display blunted HPA axis reactivity. A combined aerobic and resistance training intervention did not affect this reactivity; although, the exercise intervention might have prevented a further decline in reactivity

Functional Movement Screentm Scores in Collegiate Track and Field Athletes in Relation to Injury Risk and Performance

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between Functional Movement Screentm (FMS) scores, injury rate, and performance in collegiate track and field athletes. Methods: Forty seven male (n=17) and female (n=30) competitive track and field athletes at an NCAA Division I university volunteered for this study. As part of their regular team assessment, the athletes were evaluated on three separate occasions using the FMS tool: in August, one week prior to the start of university organized practice for the fall (T1); in December, one week prior to the end of the fall academic semester (T2); and in March, the week following the conclusion of the indoor competition season (T3). The FMS consists of the performance of seven fundamental movement patterns that are evaluated and scored by a trained professional. For each time point, athletes were divided into two categories based on total FMS score (≤14 and ≥15). Throughout the competitive season, injuries were tracked and categorized as either mild (no loss of practice or competition time) or moderate/severe (loss of practice or competition time). As part of an ongoing injury prevention program, athletes performed generalized corrective exercises for 15 min 2-3 times per week. The performance in the last event of the season (conference meet) was also recorded. Results: Average FMS scores significantly (p\u3c0.05) decreased across the three time points (Mean ± SD, T1: 15.5 ± 2.2, T2: 14.9 ± 1.8, T3: 14.7 ± 1.6) despite that generalized corrective exercises were performed. Analyses of results found no association between FMS scores and likelihood to sustain a moderate/severe injury. Athletes with a score of ≤14 on the FMS at T1 were 3.1 times more likely not to place in the top 8 at the conference meet. 53% of the athletes who had a score of ≥15 at T1 placed in the top 8 at the meet while only 27% of athletes with a score of ≤14 at T1 placed in the top 8 at the meet. Conclusion: FMS scores ≤14 indicate reduced performance ability but not increased likelihood of injury in track and field athletes

Leukocyte Subset Changes in Response to a 164-km Road Cycle Ride in a Hot Environment

International Journal of Exercise Science 9(1): 34-46, 2016. The purpose of this observational study was to determine the circulating leukocyte subset response to completing the 2013 Hotter’N Hell Hundred recreational 164-km road cycle event in a hot and humid environmental condition. Twenty-eight men and four women were included in this study. Whole blood samples were obtained 1-2 hours before (PRE) and immediately after (POST) the event. Electronic sizing/sorting and cytometry were used to determine complete blood counts (CBC) including neutrophil, monocyte, and lymphocyte subsets. The concentration of circulating total leukocytes (103·µL-1) increased 134% from PRE to POST with the greatest increase in neutrophils (319%, p\u3c0.0001). Circulating monocytes (including macrophages) increased 24% (p=0.004) and circulating lymphocytes including B and T cells increased 53% (p\u3c0.0001). No association was observed between rolling time or relative intensity and leukocyte subset. Completing the Hotter n’ Hell Hundred (HHH), a 100 mile recreational cycling race in extreme (hot and humid) environmental conditions, induces a substantial increase in total leukocytes in circulation. The contribution of increases in specific immune cell subsets is not equal, with neutrophils increasing to greater than 4-fold starting values from PRE to POST race. It is likely that exercise in stressful environmental conditions affects the complement of circulating immune cells, although activational state and characterization of specific leukocyte subsets remains unclear. The observed increase in circulating cell sub-populations suggests that the circulating immune surveillance system may be acutely affected by exercise in hot and humid conditions

Influence of Race on the Female Athlete Triad

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Effects of Long Distance Cycling in a Hot Ambient Temperature on White Blood Cell Count

Ultra-endurance events under extreme heat conditions have become popular. Prolonged exercise imposes a transient physiological stress on the immune system; this stress is augmented when exercising in hot ambient temperature conditions. To date, no field study has investigated the immune response to ultra-endurance cycling under extreme heat conditions. To determine the effect of completing a 164km cycling event in a hot ambient temperature on white blood cell count. Thirty-nine experienced cyclists (36 men and 3 women; 49.4 ± 8.6 yr, 83.0 ± 15.0 kg, 176.2 ± 7.3 cm, 19.9 ± 6.6% body fat) participating in the August 2013 Hotter’N Hell Hundred ride held in Wichita Falls, TX, were recruited. Blood samples were collected within 2 hours of the start (PRE; ~0500-0700h) and immediately after completion (POST) of the event. During the event there was minimal cloud cover and the wet bulb globe temperature was 31.4 ± 3.8 ̊C with a maximum of 36.1 ̊C. Samples were analyzed for complete blood count with partial differential. To examine the effect of (a) duration of heat exposure and (b) change in plasma volume, participants were grouped and compared based on finishing time (fastest and slowest 25th percentile) as well as on plasma volume (PV) change (\u3e10, 1-10, and \u3c0%). Total white blood cell (PRE: 5.54 ± 0.23; POST; 12.12 ± 0.46 x 109 L-1), lymphocyte (PRE: 2.47 ± 0.1; POST: 3.52 ± 0.22 x 109 L-1), mid-size range cells (MID) (PRE: 1.27 ± 0.08; POST: 1.49 ± 0.1 x 109 L-1), and granulocyte (PRE: 1.81 ± 0.11; POST: 7.11 ± 0.41 x 109 L-1) increased significantly (p \u3c 0.05) from PRE to POST. This change resulted in a significant decrease in %lymphocytes (PRE: 44.63 ± 1.19; POST: 29.45 ± 1.62%) and %MID (PRE: 23.41 ± 0.79; POST: 12.89 ± 0.86%) and a significant increase in %granulocytes (PRE: 31.96 ± 1.02; POST: 57.66 ± 1.99%) in circulation. No differences were observed for leukocyte subsets between the fastest and slowest 25th percentile finishers or among groups based on PV change. Prolonged cycling (164km) in a hot environment induced changes in abundance of the major circulating immune cell populations; these changes were independent of exercise duration/intensity or PV change

The Effect of Post-exercise Ethanol Consumption on the Acute Hormonal Response to Heavy Resistance Exercise in Women

The purpose of this study was to examine the hormonal response to acute ethanol ingestion following a bout of heavy resistance exercise in women. Eight resistance trained women completed two identical acute heavy resistance exercise tasks (AHRET). From 10-20 minutes post-AHRET, participants consumed either a grain ethanol or a placebo beverage. Blood was collected before (PRE) and immediately after the AHRET (IP) and then every 20 minutes for five hours. Blood collected after beverage ingestion was pooled into 3 batches (phases: 20-40 minutes, 60-120 minutes, and 140-300 minutes post-exercise) and analyzed for serum total testosterone (TT), free testosterone (FT), insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), human growth hormone (GH), cortisol (COR), and estradiol (E2) concentrations. Circulating concentrations of TT were significantly greater at P20-40 than at PRE, P60-120, and P140-300. Circulating concentrations of FT were significantly greater at P20-40 than at all other times. Circulating concentrations of GH were significantly greater at IP than at PRE, P60-120, and P140-300. Circulating concentrations of COR were significantly greater at P20-40 than at all other times. Additionally, COR concentrations at P140-300 were significantly lower than at all other times. Circulating concentrations of IGF-1 were significantly greater at P20-40 than at P60-120 and P140-300. Circulating concentrations of E2 were significantly greater at P20-40 than at all other times. In summary, the present study demonstrated an acute modulation of the neuroendocrine milieu following a heavy resistance exercise bout in women. Ethanol ingestion appeared to have no significant effect on the characteristics of acute hormonal augmentation in TT, FT, GH, COR, IGF-1, or E2

The acute hormonal response to free weight and machine weight resistance exercise

Shaner, AA, Vingren, JL, Hatfield, DL, Budnar Jr, RG, Duplanty, AA, and Hill, DW. The acute hormonal response to free weight and machine weight resistance exercise. J Strength Cond Res 28(4): 1032-1040, 2014-Resistance exercise can acutely increase the concentrations of circulating neuroendocrine factors, but the effect of mode on this response is not established. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of resistance exercise selection on the acute hormonal response using similar lower-body multijoint movement free weight and machine weight exercises. Ten resistance trained men (25 ± 3 years, 179 ± 7 cm, 84.2 ± 10.5 kg) completed 6 sets of 10 repetitions of squat or leg press at the same relative intensity separated by 1 week. Blood samples were collected before (PRE), immediately after (IP), and 15 (P15) and 30 minutes (P30) after exercise, and analyzed for testosterone (T), growth hormone (GH), and cortisol (C) concentrations. Exercise increased (p ≤ 0.05) T and GH at IP, but the concentrations at IP were greater for the squat (T: 31.4 ± 10.3 nmol·L-1; GH: 9.5 ± 7.3 mg·L-1) than for the leg press (T: 26.9 ± 7.8 nmol·L-1; GH: 2.8 ± 3.2 mg·L-1). At P15 and P30, GH was greater for the squat (P15: 12.3 ± 8.9 μg·L-1; P30: 12.0 ± 8.9 μg·L-1) than for the leg press (P15: 4.8 ± 3.4 μg·L-1; P30: 5.4 ± 4.1 μg·L-1). C was increased after exercise and was greater for the squat than for the leg press. Although total work (external load and body mass moved) was greater for the squat than for the leg press, rating of perceived exertion did not differ between the modes. Free weight exercises seem to induce greater hormonal responses to resistance exercise than machine weight exercises using similar lower-body multijoint movements and primary movers. © 2014 National Strength and Conditioning Association