Reduced lipoperoxidation in high-performance athletes with mental retardation by a mixed protocol based on exercise and supplementation

Individuals with mental retardation generally present high levels of oxidative stress. Further it is widely accepted that high physical performance may be associated to oxidative damage. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the influence of a mixed protocol based on regular exercise and antioxidant supplementation in lipoperoxidation in athletes with mental retardation. Fifty-five high-performance athletes with mental retardation from Special Olympics volunteered for this study (21.6±1.8 years-old). Fourty were randomly included in experimental group to perform a 6-weeks protocol, including exercise (low-moderate intensity aerobic exercise before breakfast 3 times per week) and supplementation (1g ascorbic acid + 400 UI α-tocopherol 6 times per week). Control group included 15 age, sex, trained and BMI-matched athletes with mental retardation who did not perform the mixed protocol. Written informed consent was obtained. The protocol was approved by an institutional ethic committee. Plasmatic (please first define the abbreviation) MDA were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorimetric detection as described elsewhere, 72-hours before starting the protocol (pre-test) and after its ending (post-test). When compared to baseline MDA levels were decreased significantly after our 6-weeks protocol (0.50±0.12 vs 0.36±0.09 μmol·l-1; p\u3c0.05). No changes were reported in controls. It was concluded that a 6-weeks mixed protocol improved significantly lipoperoxidation in athletes with mental retardation. Further studies on this topic are highly required

Exercise improves endothelial dysfunction in young women with metabolic syndrome

Recent studies have reported that regular exercise reduces pro-inflammatory biomarkers in women with metabolic syndrome. However, to date little information is available on the influence of exercise on endothelial dysfunction, despite its important role during the development of atherosclerotic plaque. Accordingly, this study was designed to determine the influence of exercise on soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM-1) in women with metabolic syndrome. Sixty adult women with metabolic syndrome according to the criteria reported by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III volunteered for this study. Fourty-five were randomly included in experimental group to perform a 12-weeks aerobic training program, 3 days/week, consisting of warm up (10-min), main part (20-35-min [increasing 5 minutes each 3 weeks]) at a work intensity of 60-75% of peak heart rate (increasing 5% each 3 weeks) and cool-down (10-min). Control group included 15 age, sex and BMI-matched women with metabolic syndrome who did not perform any program. Written informed consent was obtained. Further the protocol was approved by an institutional ethic committee. Serum soluble VCAM-1 concentration was measured by ELISA, using a commercially available kit (Parameter, R&D Systems) twice: 72-hours before starting the program (pre-test) and after its ending (post-test). When compared to baseline soluble VCAM-1 concentration was significantly decreased after the 6-week protocol (448.3±26.7 vs 372.2±24.7 ng/ml; p\u3c0.05). No changes were reported in controls. A 12-weeks training program decreased soluble VCAM-1 concentration in women with metabolic syndrome. Further studies on this topic are required

Incidence of hypohidration in athletes and sedentary male adults with intellectual disability

El presente estudio descriptivo de tipo transversal se diseñó para determinar el nivel de hidratación de deportistas con discapacidad intelectual y su comparación con adultos sedentarios con la misma discapacidad. Participaron 22 deportistas federados que realizan el mismo programa de entrenamiento además de 22 adultos sedentarios ajustados en sexo, edad y cociente de inteligencia. Los parámetros ensayados fueron la densidad urinaria determinada mediante refractómetro así como la ingesta diaria de líquido adlibitum. Este protocolo fue aprobado por un Comité de Ética Institucional. Tan solo 6 deportistas (21,6%) presentaron valores de euhidratación frente a 9 (40,9%) de los participantes sedentarios incluidos en el grupo control. Las únicas diferencias significativas respecto a la ingesta de líquidos se estableció precisamente entre deportistas y sedentarios con euhidratación. Se concluye que los deportistas con discapacidad intelectual se encuentran en riesgo de deshidratación que podría explicarse, al menos en parte, por una insuficiente ingesta hídricaThe current study was designed to determine hydration status of well-trained, male athletes with ID. A secondary purpose was to compare these results with hydration status of sedentary young adults with ID. A total of 22 athletes with ID volunteered for this cross-sectional, descriptive study. The control group included 22, age, sex and IQ-matched sedentary adults with ID. Main outcome measurements were urine specific gravity (USG) and daily fluid intake for three consecutive days. With regard to athletes with ID, it was found that 5 participants (21,7%) stayed significantly hypohydrated, 12 athletes (52,2%) appeared hypohydrated and 6 participants (26,1%) stayed euhydrated. In fact, a significantly lower percentage of athletes was euhydrated when compared to sedentary matched adults with ID (26,1vs.40,9%;χ2=5,67;p<001). In conclusion, athletes with ID are at increased risk of dehydration that may be explained, at least in part, given that ad-libitum fluid consumption was insufficien

A previous note regarding the influence of a 6-weeks mixed protocol on plasmatic carbonyl groups in high-performance athletes with mental retardation

It is widely accepted that high physical performance may be associated to oxidative damage. The present study was undertaken to ascertain the influence of a mixed protocol based on regular exercise and antioxidant supplementation in plasmatic carbonyl group content in athletes with mental retardation. Mainly if we take into account individuals with mental retardation generally present high levels of oxidative damage. Fifty-five high-performance athletes with mental retardation from Special Olympics volunteered for this study (21.6±1.8 years-old). Fourty were randomly included in experimental group to perform a 6-weeks protocol including exercise (low-moderate intensity aerobic exercise before breakfast 3 times per week) and supplementation (1g ascorbic acid + 400 UI α-tocopherol 6 times per week). Control group included 15 age, sex, trained and BMI-matched athletes with mental retardation who did not perform the mixed protocol. Written informed consent was obtained. Further the protocol was approved by an institutional ethic committee. Protein oxidation expressed in terms of plasmatic carbonyl group levels were determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with fluorimetric detection as described elsewhere, 72-hours before starting the protocol (pre-test) and after its ending (post-test). When compared to baseline carbonyl group levels were decreased significantly after the 6-weeks protocol (1.98±0.2 vs 1.16 ±0.1; p\u3c0.001). No changes were reported in controls. It was concluded that a 6-weeks mixed protocol reduced carbonyl group levels in athletes with mental retardation. Further studies on this topic are highly required

A Short-Term Resistance Training Circuit Improved Antioxidants in Sedentary Adults with Down Syndrome

Previous studies have found aerobic training improved oxidative damage in people with Down syndrome (DS). However, there is a lack of information regarding the influence of resistance training on redox imbalance in this population. Accordingly, this study was conducted to determine the effect of resistance training (RT) on antioxidant defence system in sedentary adults with DS. Thirty-six male adults with DS were recruited through different community support groups. Eighteen were randomly assigned to perform a circuit RT program with 6 stations, 3 days/week for 12 weeks. Plasma total antioxidant status (TAS), reduced glutathione (GHS), ascorbate, serum alpha-tocopherol, and erythrocyte glutathione reductase activity were assessed. Plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) and carbonyl groups (CG) were assessed as markers of oxidative damage. Muscle strength was also measured. Dynamic torque of knee extensors and flexors as well as maximal handgrip strength was significantly improved after the completion of the training program. Plasma levels of TAS and erythrocyte glutathione reductase (GR) activity were significantly increased. Conversely, MDA and CG levels were significantly reduced. It was concluded RT improved antioxidant defence system and reduced oxidative damage in adults with DS. Further, long-term studies are required to determine whether the increased antioxidant system may improve clinical outcomes of adults with DS

Regular training modulated carbonyl group levels in psychologically stressed rats

The present work was designed to assess the utility of an 8-week swimming training program as a healthy tool to reduce protein oxidation expressed in terms of carbonyl group content in psychological stressed rats. To get this goal, sixty 6-8-weeks-old male albino Wistar rats weighing 145-155 g were used in this experimental study. The animals were randomly divided into three groups: control (lot A; n=20), stressed (lot B; n=20) and stressed & exercised (lot C; n=20). Rats were stressed by placing animals in a 25x7 cm plastic bottle 1 h/day, 5 day/week for 8 weeks. Protein oxidation was assessed as carbonyl group content in liver homogenates by reading the absorbance at 366 nm. The policy statement of the American College of Sports Medicine on Research with Experimental Animals was followed. Protein carbonyl content levels in liver homogenates were significantly decreased in stressed & exercised animals (0.58±0.02 vs 0.86±0.03 nmol/mg; p\u3c0.05) when compared with the stressed rats. Accordingly, the most striking feature of our study was that an 8-week moderate training program reduced oxidative damage induced by psychological stress

Aerobic fitness is a potential crucial factor in protecting paralympic athletes with locomotor impairments from atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk

PurposeTo test the hypothesis that aerobic fitness is inversely related to the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ACVD) in athletes with locomotor impairments deriving from health conditions, such as spinal cord injury (SCI), lower limb amputation, cerebral palsy, poliomyelitis, and other health conditions different from the previous ones.MethodsA total of 68 male athletes who competed in either summer or winter Paralympic games were divided in two health conditions groups (35 with SCI, mean age 37.28.0 years, and 33 with different health conditions, mean age 37.89.9 years) and in four sport type groups (skill, power, intermittent-mixed metabolism-and endurance). They were evaluated through anthropometric and blood pressure measurements, laboratory blood tests, and graded cardiopulmonary maximal arm cranking exercise test, with oxygen uptake peak (VO2peak) measurement. Cardiovascular risk profile was assessed in each athlete.ResultsThe prevalence of ACVD-risk factors in the overall population was 20.6% for hypertension; 47% and 55.9% for high values of total and LDL cholesterol, respectively; 22.1% for reduce glucose tolerance; and 8.8% for obesity. No difference was found between athletes with and without SCI, while the prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in those practicing skill sports (22.7%, p=0.035), which was the sport type group with Paralympic athletes with the lowest VO2peak (22.5 +/- 5.70 ml kg(-1) min(-1)). VO2peak was lower in athletes with SCI than those with different health conditions (28.6 +/- 10.0 vs 33.6 +/- 8.9 ml kg(-1) min(-1)p=0.03), and in those with 3-4 risk factors (19.09 +/- 5.34 ml kg(-1) min(-1)) than those with 2 risk factors (27.1 +/- 5.50 ml kg(-1) min(-1)), 1 risk factor (31.6 +/- 8.55 ml kg(-1) min(-1)), or none (36.4 +/- 8.76 ml kg(-1) min(-1)) (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe present study suggests that having higher VO2peak seems to offer greater protection against ACVD in individuals with a locomotor impairment. Prescribing physical exercise at an intensity similar to that of endurance and intermittent sports should become a fundamental tool to promote health among people with a locomotor impairment.Open access funding provided by Universita degli Studi dell'Aquila within the CRUI-CARE Agreement