Aerobic Interval Training Research Articles

Roller-Ski Aerobic High-Intensity Interval Training Improves the VO2max and Anaerobic Power in Cross-Country Skiers

The purpose of this study was to investigate the 8-week of roller-ski aerobic high-intensity interval training on aerobic and anaerobic power in cross-country skiers. 10 male [age, 18,28±2,1 years; height, 171,26±4,12 cm; weight, 61,39±6,28 kg] and 8 female [age, 16,05±0.3 years; height, 158,3±6,47 cm; weight, 49,34±0.7 kg] junior cross-country skiers completed the study. All skiers performed 2x2-km all-out uphill intervals with roller-skis, 3 times a week, in addition to their traditional training program. Measurements included VO2max, anaerobic power, and also for 2-km time-trial performance. All values were listed as pre-to post-test mean [±SD], significant level, and percentage changes [%]. Pre-to post-testing changes in VO2max, anaerobic power, and also 2-km time-trial performance were significantly higher during all post-test trials in all groups [p<0.005]. As a result, we suggest that the skiers should integrate the roller-ski aerobic high-intensity interval uphill models in their training programs for improving performance.

Development of low-volume, high-intensity, aerobic-type interval training for elderly Japanese men: a feasibility study

BackgroundThe purposes of this study were to identify 1) the feasibility of a novel exercise protocol (elderly Japanese male version of high-intensity interval aerobic training: EJ-HIAT) and 2) its preliminary data (%V̇O2peak, rating of perceived exertion) in comparison with traditional moderate-intensity continuous aerobic training (MICT).ResultsTwenty-one sedentary elderly men, aged 60–69 years, performed two exercise protocols: EJ-HIAT, consisting of 3 sets of 2−3-min cycling at 75−85%V̇O2peak with 1−2-min active rests at 50%V̇O2peak between sets, and MICT, consisting of 40-min cycling at 65%V̇O2peak. The completion rate, defined as the rate of participants who 1) did not demand withdrawal, 2) were not interrupted by the tester, and 3) did not change the workload during either exercise protocol, of EJ-HIAT was similar to that of MICT (EJ-HIAT: 100%, MICT: 95.2%). Maximal perceived exertion ratings assessed by Borg scale were also similar between EJ-HIAT and MICT. However, objectively measured maximal intensity assessed by %V̇O2peak was higher for EJ-HIAT than for MICT (EJ-HIAT: 86.0 ± 5.6%, MICT: 67.1 ± 6.4%).ConclusionThese results suggested that EJ-HIAT has good feasibility and perceived exertion similar to MICT despite having higher objectively measured intensity than MICT. An intervention aimed as identifying the effects of EJ-HIAT on exercise tolerance should be performed in the future.Trial registrationUMIN000021185 (February 26, 2016).

Aerobic interval training reduces vascular resistances during submaximal exercise in obese metabolic syndrome individuals.

The aim of this study was to determine the effects of high-intensity aerobic interval training (AIT) on exercise hemodynamics in metabolic syndrome (MetS) volunteers. Thirty-eight, MetS participants were randomly assigned to a training (TRAIN) or to a non-training control (CONT) group. TRAIN consisted of stationary interval cycling alternating bouts at 70-90% of maximal heart rate during 45minday-1 for 6months. CONT maintained baseline physical activity and no changes in cardiovascular function or MetS factors were detected. In contrast, TRAIN increased cardiorespiratory fitness (14% in VO2PEAK; 95% CI 9-18%) and improved metabolic syndrome (-42% in Z score; 95% CI 83-1%). After TRAIN, the workload that elicited a VO2 of 1500mlmin-1 increased 15% (95% CI 5-25%; P<0.001). After TRAIN when subjects pedaled at an identical submaximal rate of oxygen consumption, cardiac output increased by 8% (95% CI 4-11%; P<0.01) and stroke volume by 10% (95% CI, 6-14%; P<0.005) being above the CONT group values at that time point. TRAIN reduced submaximal exercise heart rate (109±15-106±13beatsmin-1; P<0.05), diastolic blood pressure (83±8-75±8mmHg; P<0.001) and systemic vascular resistances (P<0.01) below CONT values. Double product was reduced only after TRAIN (18.2±3.2-17.4±2.4btmin-1mmHg10-3; P<0.05). The data suggest that intense aerobic interval training improves hemodynamics during submaximal exercise in MetS patients. Specifically, it reduces diastolic blood pressure, systemic vascular resistances, and the double product. The reduction in double product, suggests decreased myocardial oxygen demands which could prevent the occurrence of adverse cardiovascular events during exercise in this population. CLINICALTRIALS. NCT03019796.

Interval training early after heart failure decompensation is safe and improves exercise tolerance and quality of life in selected patients.

Aims To evaluate safety and efficacy of moderate intensity interval exercise training early after heart failure decompensation on exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Methods and results This is a prospective randomized controlled study. We screened 234 consecutive patients admitted with decompensated heart failure; 46 patients (42 men/4 women; 61 ± 12 years of age) were randomized to a moderate intensity aerobic interval training ( n = 24) or to a control group ( n = 22). Patients underwent cardiopulmonary exercise testing, echocardiography and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure questionnaire (MLHFQ) at baseline, after three weeks and after three months. After three weeks, peak-VO2 increased by 17% in the training group ( p = 0.003) with further increase by 10% after three months ( p < 0.001) but did not change significantly in controls. MLHFQ score improved after three weeks, with better results in the training group (from 64.6 ± 15.6 to 30.8 ± 12.9, p < 0.001). After three months, MLHFQ further improved in the exercise training group, but not in controls. Left ventricular ejection fraction was not significantly different between the two groups at baseline and after three months. No serious adverse events related to exercise testing or training were observed. Conclusions Interval exercise training early after an episode of heart failure decompensation is safe and effective in improving exercise tolerance and health-related quality of life in selected patients after achievement of clinical stability. Positive effects remained sustained after three months. Further studies are needed to define role and indications for interval exercise training early after heart failure decompensation.

P3996Prospective study of differential effects of aerobic endurance, interval and resistance training on telomerase activity and telomere length in circulating mononuclear cells

P3996Prospective study of differential effects of aerobic endurance, interval and resistance training on telomerase activity and telomere length in circulating mononuclear cells

Differential Response to Exercise in African Americans with High Levels of Inflammation.

Systemic inflammation, measured by C-reactive protein (CRP), is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and mortality. We investigated whether aerobic exercise training (AEXT) affects African Americans with high inflammation (HI) the same way it does African Americans with low inflammation (LI) in terms of CVD risk factors. 23 African Americans with CRP levels <3 mg/L (LI) and 14 African Americans with CRP ≥3 mg/L (HI) underwent six months of AEXT. Participants were sedentary, non-diabetic, non-smoking, with clinical blood pressure <160/100 mm Hg, were non-hyperlipidemic, had no signs of cardiovascular, renal, or pulmonary disease, and were not on medication. Measures included CD62E+ endothelial microparticles (EMPs), a measure of early stage endothelial dysfunction, as well as lipid and glucose profile, aerobic fitness, body composition, and blood pressure. The LI group improved aerobic fitness by 10%, body mass index by 3%, and plasma triglycerides by 20%, with no change being observed in HI group for these variables. The HI group improved fasting plasma glucose levels by 10%, with no change occurring in the LI group. Both groups improved CD62E+ EMPs by 38% and 59% for the LI and HI group, respectively. A standard AEXT intervention differentially affected CVD risk factors among African Americans with high and low inflammation. This may indicate that, in African Americans with high inflammation, AEXT alone may not be enough to reap the same benefits as their low-inflammation peers in terms of CVD risk modification.

The Combined Intervention with Germinated Vigna radiata and Aerobic Interval Training Protocol Is an Effective Strategy for the Treatment of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and Other Alterations Related to the Metabolic Syndrome in Zucker Rats.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a group of related metabolic alterations that increase the risk of developing non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Several lifestyle interventions based on dietary treatment with functional ingredients and physical activity are being studied as alternative or reinforcement treatments to the pharmacological ones actually in use. In the present experiment, the combined treatment with mung bean (Vigna radiata), a widely used legume with promising nutritional and health benefits that was included in the experimental diet as raw or 4 day-germinated seed flour, and aerobic interval training protocol (65–85% VO2 max) has been tested in lean and obese Zucker rats following a 2 × 2 × 2 (2 phenotypes, 2 dietary interventions, 2 lifestyles) factorial ANOVA (Analysis of Variance) statistical analysis. Germination of V. radiata over a period of four days originated a significant protein hydrolysis leading to the appearance of low molecular weight peptides. The combination of 4 day-germinated V. radiata and aerobic interval training was more efficient compared to raw V. radiata at improving the aerobic capacity and physical performance, hepatic histology and functionality, and plasma lipid parameters as well as reverting the insulin resistance characteristic of the obese Zucker rat model. In conclusion, the joint intervention with legume sprouts and aerobic interval training protocol is an efficient treatment to improve the alterations of glucose and lipid metabolism as well as hepatic histology and functionality related to the development of NAFLD and the MetS.

Multimodal exercise training in multiple sclerosis: A randomized controlled trial in persons with substantial mobility disability

BackgroundMobility disability is a common, debilitating feature of multiple sclerosis (MS). Exercise training has been identified as an approach to improve MS-related mobility disability. However, exercise randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on mobility in MS have generally not selectively targeted those with the onset of irreversible mobility disability. ObjectivesThe current multi-site RCT compared the efficacy of 6-months of supervised, multimodal exercise training with an active control condition for improving mobility, gait, physical fitness, and cognitive outcomes in persons with substantial MS-related mobility disability. Methods83 participants with substantial MS-related mobility disability underwent initial mobility, gait, fitness, and cognitive processing speed assessments and were randomly assigned to 6-months of supervised multimodal (progressive aerobic, resistance, and balance) exercise training (intervention condition) or stretching-and-toning activities (control condition). Participants completed the same outcome assessments halfway through and immediately following the 6-month study period. ResultsThere were statistically significant improvements in six-minute walk performance (F(2158)=3.12, p=0.05, ηp2=0.04), peak power output (F(2150)=8.16, p<0.01, ηp2=0.10), and Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test performance (F(2162)=4.67, p=0.01, ηp2=0.05), but not gait outcomes, for those who underwent the intervention compared with those who underwent the control condition. ConclusionsThis RCT provides novel, preliminary evidence that multimodal exercise training may improve endurance walking performance and cognitive processing speed, perhaps based on improvements in cardiorespiratory capacity, in persons with MS with substantial mobility disability. This is critical for informing the development of multi-site exercise rehabilitation programs in larger samples of persons with MS-related mobility disability.

Regular aerobic exercise reduces endothelin-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in overweight and obese adults.

What is the central question of this study? Does aerobic exercise training reduce endothelin-1 (ET-1)-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in overweight/obese adults? And, if so, does lower ET-1 vasoconstriction underlie the exercise-related enhancement in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in overweight/obese adults? What is the main finding and its importance? Regular aerobic exercise reduces ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in previously sedentary overweight/obese adults, independent of weight loss. Decreased ET-1 vasoconstriction is an important mechanism underlying the aerobic exercise-induced improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilator function in overweight/obese adults. Endothelin-1 (ET-1)-mediated vasoconstrictor tone is elevated in overweight and obese adults, contributing to vasomotor dysfunction and increased cardiovascular disease risk. Although the effects of habitual aerobic exercise on endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in overweight/obese adults have been studied, little is known regarding ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction. Accordingly, the aims of the present study were to determine the following: (i) whether regular aerobic exercise training reduces ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in overweight and obese adults; and, if so, (ii) whether the reduction in ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction contributes to exercise-induced improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilatation in this population. Forearm blood flow (FBF) in response to intra-arterial infusion of selective ETA receptor blockade (BQ-123, 100nmolmin-1 for 60min), acetylcholine [4.0, 8.0 and 16.0μg(100mltissue)-1 min-1 ] in the absence and presence of ETA receptor blockade and sodium nitroprusside [1.0, 2.0 and 4.0μg(100mltissue)-1 min-1 ] were determined before and after a 3month aerobic exercise training intervention in 25 (16 men and nine women) overweight/obese (body mass index 30.1±0.5kgm-2 ) adults. The vasodilator response to BQ-123 was significantly lower (∼25%) and the FBF responses to acetylcholine were ∼35% higher after exercise training. Before the exercise intervention, the co-infusion of acetylcholine plus BQ-123 resulted in a greater vasodilator response than acetylcholine alone; however, after the exercise intervention the FBF response to acetylcholine was not significantly increased by ETA receptor blockade. These results demonstrate that regular aerobic exercise reduces ET-1-mediated vasoconstrictor tone in previously sedentary overweight and obese adults. Moreover, decreased ET-1-mediated vasoconstriction is an important mechanism underlying the aerobic exercise-induced improvement in endothelium-dependent vasodilator function in overweight/obese adults.

Effects of l-arginine supplementation associated with continuous or interval aerobic training on chronic heart failure rats

ObjectiveChronic heart failure (CHF) is related with exercise intolerance and impaired nitric oxide (NO) production, which can lead to several functional capacity alterations. Considering the possible superiority of aerobic interval training compared to continuous training and the capacity of l-arginine to restore the NO pathway, the aim of the present study was to investigate whether these treatments are beneficial to exercise capacity, muscle mass preservation and hemodynamic, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters in CHF rats. MethodsThirty-eight male Wistar rats post 6weeks of myocardial infarction (MI) surgery were randomly assigned into 6 CHF groups: sedentary (SED, n=6); SED+Arg (n=7); ACT (n=8); ACT+Arg (n=5); AIT (n=7); AIT+Arg (n=5). Exercise test capacity (ETC) was performed pre and post 8weeks of intervention. Supplemented rats received Arg (1g/kg) by oral gavage (7×/week). Exercise training was performed on a rat treadmill (5×/week). Hemodynamic variables, tissue collection, congestion, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative parameters were evaluated at the end of protocols. ResultsAll trained groups showed a superior exercise capacity compared to SED groups on the post-intervention test (p<0.0001). Pulmonary congestion was attenuated in AIT and AIT+Arg compared with the SED group (p<0.05). Left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVEDP) was lower in ACT+Arg, AIT, and AIT+Arg groups than SED group (p<0.05). Association of AIT with Arg supplementation was able to improve hemodynamic responses (left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), systolic blood pressure (SBP), +dP/dtmax, and −dP/dtmax (p<0.05), likewise, decrease muscular and renal lipid peroxidation and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and increase interleukin (IL)-10/TNF-α plasmatic levels (p<0.01). Groups that associated aerobic exercise with Arg supplementation (ACT+Arg and AIT+Arg) revealed higher gastrocnemius mass compared to the SED group (p<0.01). ConclusionsBoth aerobic training protocols were capable to improve aerobic capacity, and the association with Arg supplementation was important to attenuate muscle loss. Moreover, interval training associated with Arg supplementation elicits greater improvements in hemodynamic parameters, contributing to reduction in pulmonary congestion, and demonstrated particular responses in the inflammatory profile and in the antioxidant status.

APOE EPSILON 4 STATUS MODIFIES THE EFFECTS OF AEROBIC, RESISTANCE, OR COMBINED TRAINING ON COGNITIVE FUNCTION IN OLDER ADULTS

It has been suggested that the presence of an APOE ε4 allele is associated with a higher risk for Alzheimer's disease. Physical exercise is known to be beneficial for preventing cognitive decline in older adults. The interactive effects of APOE status and physical exercise on cognitive function have not been fully investigated. In the “TOyota Prevention Intervention for Cognitive decline and Sarcopenia (TOPICS)”, we used a randomized controlled trial design to investigate differential effects of exercise modalities on cognitive function among community-dwelling older adults. We examined the relationship between APOE status and differential physical exercise in these intervention programs. A total of 415 subjects aged 65–85 years who met our inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly assigned to one of the following 6-month, twice-per-week programs: (1) aerobic training (AT), (2) resistance training (RT), (3) combined training (CT), or no training (control group). Our primary outcome was memory function (the Logical Memory II delayed recall scores [LM II]). We assessed cognitive function via a battery of neuropsychological tests. The APOE status was classified based on the results of the immunoblot technique using isoelectric focusing. We used a repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) to evaluate the effect of the interventions. For stratified analysis according to the APOE status, we divided the cohort into 2 groups: APOE ε4 carrier and non-carrier. We compared differences in the outcome measures in APOE ε4 stratified patients. Overall, the repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a main effect of time (F(1, 374)=70.57, p<0.001) and indicated an improvement in LM II performance compared with baseline after the intervention. However, we did not find any significant interactions for group × time with respect to the LM II. In APOE ε4 carrier group (n=75), we found a significant group × time interaction for the LM II (F(3, 71)=3.42, p=0.02). The LM II significantly improved in the AT group and the RT group compared with the control group. No significant group interactions with the LM II were observed in the APOE ε4 non-carrier group (n=303). Aerobic or resistance training interventions may improve memory function among community-dwelling older adults with APOE ε4.

Effect of Interval and Continuous Aerobic Training on Basal Serum and Plasma Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor Values in Seniors: A Systematic Review of Intervention Studies.

The purpose of this systematic review was to provide a comprehensive analysis of the available clinical trials analyzing, in seniors, the effect of interval aerobic training (IAT) and continuous aerobic training (CAT) on peripheral brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) concentration. We identified 14 randomized or not-randomized intervention studies published up to January 2017 through a computer-assisted search (PUBMED, Pedro, and Science direct data bases). The five trials considering IAT and the nine considering CAT totalized 988 individuals (age range: 58.1-77 years). The parameters of aerobic training (AT) protocol in terms of frequency and intensity are the primary determinants of the BDNF response to AT. The interpretation of the relationship between AT and BDNF signaling pathway was very challenging when specific health conditions were taken into consideration. This was more particularly true with mild cognitive impairment or depressive symptoms. These findings argue in favor of a generalization of the practice of AT and show that the type of training is not the main determining factor of the increase in BDNF level, which results more from the combination of several factors such as intensity and frequency of sessions, duration of programs, and also some genetic determinant coding for BDNF protein. All these factors have to be carefully addressed in future researches in that field. Thus, further researches are still necessary to better the signaling pathway by which AT contributes to better health outcomes.

Interval and continuous aerobic exercise training similarly increase cardiac function and autonomic modulation in infarcted mice.

The present study aimed to compare the effects of moderate-intensity continuous and high-intensity interval exercise training (ET) on exercise tolerance, cardiac morphometry and function, hemodynamic, and cardiac autonomic modulation in myocardial infarcted mice. Wild-type mice (WT) were divided into four groups: sedentary WT (S); WT myocardium infarction sedentary (IS); WT myocardium infarction underwent to moderate-intensity continuous ET (MICT), and WT myocardium infarction underwent to high-intensity interval ET (MIIT). After 60 days of descending coronary artery ligation, moderate-intensity continuous ET consisted of running at 60% of maximum, while the high-intensity interval training consisted of eight sprints of 4 min at 80% of maximum and a 4-min recovery at 40% of maximum. Both exercises were performed 1 hr a day, 5 days a week, during 8 weeks. Results demonstrated that IS showed elevated exercise tolerance, as well as decreased hemodynamic and heart function, and autonomic control. On the other hand, both programs of ET were equally effective to increase all parameters, without further differences between the groups. In conclusion, the results of the present study showed that myocardial infarction leads to damage in both investigated strains and the two types of physical exercise attenuated the major impairments provoked by myocardial infarction in exercise tolerance, cardiac structure, cardiac function, hemodynamic and cardiac autonomic modulation.

Aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia.

Aerobic exercise training for adults with fibromyalgia.

Exercise individualized by TRIMPi method reduces arterial stiffness in early onset type 2 diabetic patients: A randomized controlled trial with aerobic interval training

BackgroundArterial stiffness (AS) and baroreflex sensitivity (BRS) are subclinical markers of vascular diseases in type 2 diabetes (T2D). We evaluated the effects of aerobic interval training (AIT), with loads prescribed according to individual heart rate and lactate profiling obtained during a baseline treadmill test (TRIMPi method), on AS and BRS in patients with early-onset T2D without cardiovascular complications. Population study and methodsTwenty-two sedentary overweight T2D patients (aged 57±7years) were randomized to 12-weeks open-label of supervised AIT by TRIMPi (n=8) or unsupervised physical activity as per usual care (SOC) (n=11). Following parameters were evaluated (pre- and post-): anthropometrics; six-minute walking test (6MWT); fasting glucose, insulin, HbA1c; Pulse Wave Velocity (PWV) and Augmentation Index (AIxHR75) using radial approach (SphigmoCor System); BRS using Finapress method. ResultsBoth interventions significantly improved distance walked during 6MWT (AIT 52±21m; SOC 39±24m, p<0.001 for both). PWV significantly improved with AIT (p<0.001) whereas did not vary with SOC (p=0.47). Similar trend was observed for AIxHR75. Resulting percent changes from baseline were significantly better for AIT vs SOC, in both PWV (−15.8±2.1 vs +1.50±3.4%, p<0.001) and AIxHR75 (−28.9±3.2% vs +12.7±2.4%, p<0.001). BRS similarly improved in both groups (p<0.001 for both), as well as body weight, HbA1c and blood pressure. ConclusionIn sedentary T2D patients, 12-weeks AIT individualized by TRIMPi method improved AS to a greater extent than usual recommendation on physical activity, whilst exerting comparable effects on exercise capacity, glycemic control and body weight. Further researches are needed to ascertain durability of these effects.

Effect of aerobic interval training on serum IL-10, TNFα, and adipokines levels in women with multiple sclerosis: possible relations with fatigue and quality of life.

Multiple sclerosis is associated with immune system dysfunction and chronic inflammation; however, possible relations between immunologic and metabolic factors and some psychological indexes such as fatigue and quality of life, especially in relation to exercise training, have not yet been investigated. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of aerobic interval training on interleukin-10/tumor necrosis factor ratio and adipokine (leptin and adiponectin) concentrations in women with multiple sclerosis. Furthermore, the relationship between these factors with fatigue and quality of life were assessed. Forty women with multiple sclerosis (Expanded Disability Status Scale ≤3) were randomized into either a non-exercising control or training group. The training group performed 8-weeks of upper and lower limb aerobic interval training. Serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factorα, interleukin-10, leptin, and adiponectin were measured before and after the 8-week intervention. Moreover, antropometric measures and measures for fatigue and quality of life were determined at the onset of and after exercise training. The results revealed that leptin and tumor necrosis factorα levels significantly decreased subsequent to the aerobic interval training. Although blood adiponectin levels considerably increased in the training group, interleukin-10 and interleukin-10/tumor necrosis factorα ratio underwent no substantial change after the exercise training. In addition, the aerobic interval training was associated with improvement in fatigue, quality of life, and maximal oxygen consumption. Our findings suggested that aerobic interval training can be an effective strategy for managing the immune system at least by its significant impact on inflammatory cytokines and adipokines levels in women with multiple sclerosis. Additionally, this positive impact improved fatigue and adipose tissue indicators.

Short-term water-based aerobic training promotes improvements in aerobic conditioning parameters of mature women

Aging is accompanied by a decrease in aerobic capacity. Therefore, physical training has been recommended to soften the effects of advancement age. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of a short-term water-based aerobic training on resting heart rate (HRrest), heart rate corresponding to anaerobic threshold (HRAT), peak heart rate (HRpeak), percentage value of HRAT in relation to HRpeak and test duration (TD) of mature women. Twenty-two women (65.91 ± 4.83 years) were submitted to a five-week water-based interval aerobic training. Aerobic capacity parameters were evaluated through an aquatic incremental test. After training, there was an increase in TD (16%) and HRAT percentage in relation to HRpeak (4.68%), and a reduction of HRrest (9%). It is concluded that a water-based aerobic interval training prescribed through HRAT of only five weeks is able to promote improvements in aerobic capacity of mature women.

Modulation of synaptic plasticity by short-term aerobic exercise in adult mice.

Physiological effects of different types, of continuous and interval aerobic training, have been largely described and studied in the adult man. It was previously indicated that interval training plays an important role in maximizing both peripheral muscle and central cardiorespiratory adaptations, permitting significant functional improvement even in healthy sedentary subjects. Since the outcome of different aerobic training trials on cognitive processes had never been evaluated, we compared, on an experimental mouse model, the effects of four training exercise protocols, named respectively C100, I100, C50 and I50 depending on the volume and on the type of training proposed, continuous or interval method. Therefore, to asses quantitative and qualitative functional changes, we analyzed several physical parameters before and after 6 weeks training in all four groups with respect to the control sedentary animals and we studied synaptic plasticity, by extracellular in vitro recordings, in hippocampal mouse slices, a region involved in learning and memory processes. We found that all four protocols of exercise applied in this study exerted positive effects on both physical and training parameters inducing weight augmentation, strength endurance and aerobic endurance increase, and potentiation of motor coordination. However, the improvement observed failed to induce an enhancement in synaptic plasticity in three out of four exercise protocols and only in the slices from mice trained with the interval 50% volume exercise the long term potentiation (LTP) increased with respect to the sedentary group. These findings suggest that motor activity exerts positive effects on cognitive processes provided that certain principles are respected, such as the training load and the elements of which it is composed, in order to plan the right quantitative and qualitative parameters and the appropriate recovery periods.

Robot-assisted training for heart failure patients - a small pilot study.

The objective of this study was assess robot-assisted gait therapy with the Lokomat® system in heart failure patients. Patients (n = 5) with stable heart failure and a left ventricular ejection fraction of less than 45% completed a four-week aerobic training period with three trainings per week and an integrated dynamic resistance training of the lower limbs. Patients underwent testing of cardiac and inflammatory biomarkers. A cardiopulmonary exercise test, a quality of life score and an evaluation of the muscular strength by measuring the peak quadriceps force was performed. No adverse events occurred. The combined training resulted in an improvement in peak work rate (range: 6% to 36%) and peak quadriceps force (range: 3% to 80%) in all participants. Peak oxygen consumption (range: –3% to + 61%) increased in three, and oxygen pulse (range: –7% to + 44%) in four of five patients. The quality of life assessment indicated better well-being in all participants. NT-ProBNP (+233 to –733 ng/ml) and the inflammatory biomarkers (hsCRP and IL6) decreased in four of five patients (IL 6: +0.5 to –2 mg/l, hsCRP: +0.2 to –6.5 mg/l). Robot-assisted gait therapy with the Lokomat® System is feasible in heart failure patients and was safe in this trial. The combined aerobic and resistance training intervention with augmented feedback resulted in benefits in exercise capacity, muscle strength and quality of life, as well as an improvement of cardiac (NT-ProBNP) and inflammatory (IL6, hsCRP) biomarkers. Results can only be considered as preliminary and need further validation in larger studies. (ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT 02146196)

Does aerobic training alleviate fatigue and improve societal participation in patients with multiple sclerosis? A randomized controlled trial

Background: Evidence supporting the effectiveness of aerobic training, specific for fatigue, in severely fatigued patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) is lacking. Objective: To estimate the effectiveness of aerobic training on MS-related fatigue and societal participation in ambulant patients with severe MS-related fatigue. Methods: Patients (N = 90) with severe MS-related fatigue were allocated to 16-week aerobic training or control intervention. Primary outcomes were perceived fatigue (Checklist Individual Strength (CIS20r) fatigue subscale) and societal participation. An improvement of ⩾8 points on the CIS20r fatigue subscale was considered clinically relevant. Outcomes were assessed by a blinded observer at baseline, 2, 4, 6 and 12 months. Results: Of the 89 patients that started treatment (median Expanded Disability Status Scale (interquartile range), 3.0 (2.0–3.6); mean CIS20r fatigue subscale (standard deviation (SD)), 42.6 (8.0)), 43 received aerobic training and 46 received the control intervention. A significant post-intervention between-group mean difference (MD) on the CIS20r fatigue subscale of 4.708 (95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.003–8.412; p = 0.014) points was found in favour of aerobic training that, however, was not sustained during follow-up. No effect was found on societal participation. Conclusion: Aerobic training in MS patients with severe fatigue does not lead to a clinically meaningful reduction in fatigue or societal participation when compared to a low-intensity control intervention.