Bone health status, muscular performance, aerobic and anaerobic capacities of Malaysian young male state level weightlifting, cycling and squash athletes

This study was carried out to determine the differences in bone health status, muscular performance, aerobic and anaerobic capacities of Malaysian young male state level weightlifting, cycling and squash athletes. Forty four participants (mean age: 17.1 ± 1.6 years old) were divided into sedentary control, weightlifting, cycling and squash groups with 11 participant for each group. Participants’ tibial and radial bone speed of sound (SOS) of dominant and non-dominant arms and legs were measured. In addition, participants’ isokinetic muscular strength and power, hand grip strength, back and leg strength, estimated maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), and Wingate anaerobic capacities were determined. One way ANOVA was performed for statistical analysis. The present study found that weightlifting, cycling and squash athletes exhibited significantly greater tibial and radial bone SOS (p<0.01) compared to the sedentary control group. Bone SOS of the arm was highest in weightlifting athletes. Meanwhile, bone SOS of the leg was highest in cycling athletes. Weightlifting athletes showed significantly higher values of isokinetic knee extension, shoulder extension and shoulder flexion peak torque (strength) and average power (p<0.05) than cycling and squash athletes. Weightlifting athletes also showed significantly greater hand grip strength (p< 0.001), as well as back and leg strength (p< 0.001) compared to cycling and squash athletes. Cycling and squash athletes showed significantly higher aerobic capacity, i.e. estimated VO2max (p<0.001) compared to weightlifting and squash athletes. Weightlifting athletes exhibited significantly greater peak power (p< 0.05) than cycling and squash athletes. Besides, cycling athletes showed significantly higher anaerobic capacity and power (p< 0.001), and significantly lower fatigue index (p< 0.05) than weightlifting and squash athletes. Weightlifting and cycling athletes showed significantly shorter time to reach peak power (p< 0.01) than squash athletes. The present study findings implying that bone health status and physiological profiles of the athletes are dependent on sport events they were involved in. It is hoped that the results of the present study can be applied and help to facilitate the development of specific training programmes for achieving optimal performance of weightlifting, cycling and squash athletes, as well as promoting healthy lifestyle by engaging in sports like weightlifting, cycling and squash sports

Effects Of Combined L-Carnitine Supplementation and Moderate-Intensity Exercise on Body Composition, Metabolic And Oxidative Stress Markers, Bone Parameters and Muscular Performance in Overweight and Obese Individuals

The effects of 12 weeks of combined L-carnitine supplementation and moderateintensity exercise on body composition, metabolic and oxidative stress markers, bone parameters and muscular performance in overweight and obese individuals were determined. Sixty-eight participants aged 29.03 ± 6.02 years old were divided into control (C), L-carnitine supplement (S), exercise (E), combined L-carnitine and exercise (SE) groups. Participants in supplement groups consumed 1 tablet of 1000mg L-carnitine daily. Participants in exercise groups performed 30 minutes of brisk walking (50% HRmax) and continued with 10 to 20 minutes of interval training per session, 3 times per week. Mean energy intake was higher than their mean energy expenditure. The percentages of carbohydrate, protein and fat intakes were significantly higher than recommended nutrient intake (RNI) values. After 12 weeks of intervention, there were significant reduction (p< 0.05) in body weight, body mass index, fat percentage, fat mass, and increase (p< 0.05) in fat free mass (FFM) in S, E and SE groups. Regarding metabolic markers, waist to hip ratio, blood glucose, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and total cholesterol, SE group expressed the highest reduction (p< 0.05) compared to C group. All groups showed enhancement (p< 0.05) in both radial and tibial speed of sound of dominant and non-dominant arms and legs within the groups except for C group. There were significant greater (p< 0.05) extension and flexion peak torque and average power in both legs and arms at 60o.s-1 and 300o.s-1 in S, E and SE groups compared to C group and SE group was expressed the greatest value. In comparison with C groups, all groups showed greater values of serum ALP (p< 0.05) and total calcium (p < 0.05), but significantly lower value of serum 1CTP (p< 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) values significantly reduced in all groups (p< 0.05) except for C group. Meanwhile for antioxidant markers, serum catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), all groups displayed greater increment (p< 0.05) compared to C group, and SE group demonstrated the highest increment. In terms of interleukin-6, S and SE groups also showed higher decrement (p< 0.05), meanwhile E group showed higher increment compared to C group, and the greatest decrement (p< 0.05) was observed in SE group. The toxicity test explained that L-carnitine supplement are safe to be consumed in 12 weeks. Generally, combinations of L-carnitine supplement with brisk walking and interval exercise for 12 weeks elicit beneficial effects to improve overall parameters in overweight and obese individuals