Endurance Research Articles

Physical Fitness Determinants of a Military Casualty Evacuation Test.

Casualty evacuation has been identified as a typical and essential single military task which every soldier should be able to perform rapidly during combat. Previous studies suggest that casualty evacuation is typically conducted by dragging and demands e.g., lean body mass and anaerobic performance. Association of physical fitness with casualty evacuation by dragging has been studied widely but previous studies lack comprehensive assessment of all physical fitness determinants. The purpose of the present study was to examine comprehensively how casualty emergency evacuation (CEE) performance associates with physical fitness and body composition. A total of 25 conscripts (20 men, 5 women) volunteered for measurements of height, weight, waist circumference, body composition, 1-min sit-ups and push-ups, grip strength, isometric bench and leg press, standing long jump, 30-s cycle ergometer test, and 12-min run test. Subjects performed a CEE test in which evacuation time (ET), heart rate, blood lactate concentration, and rate of perceived exertion were measured. In the CEE test, subjects wore combat gear (11.7 ± 1.6 kg) and dragged a doll wearing combat gear (80.2 kg) 28 m while crawling (go round two cones, Z-pattern) and 20 m upright (straightforward). Correlations and backward regression analysis were used for statistical analyses. The level of significance was set to P ≤ .05. Evacuation time lasted on average 87 ± 32 s with a peak heart rate of 184 ± 6 bpm, lactate concentration of 9.4 ± 2.7 mmol/l, and RPE of 17 ± 1. Evacuation time correlated inversely and strongly with anaerobic capacity and power (r = -0.72-0.78, P ≤ .001), but not with aerobic fitness. Inverse and strong correlations were observed between ET and maximal strength variables (r = -0.58-0.69, P ≤ .01), whereas muscular endurance and ET revealed non-significant correlations. Evacuation time correlated moderate to strongly with body fat percentage (r = 0.48, P ≤ .05) and inversely with lean body mass (r = -0.74, P ≤ .001) and body height (r = -0.53, P ≤ .01). The backward regression analysis showed that anaerobic capacity (standardized β = -0.52, P ≤ .001), fat percentage (standardized β = 0.40, P ≤ .001), and isometric leg press (standardized β = -0.25, P ≤ .1) together explained the variance of ET significantly (adjusted R2 = 0.84, P ≤ .001). This study examined thoroughly how different physical fitness dimensions and body composition relate to a CEE test performed by a combination of dragging while crawling and in upright position. Casualty emergency evacuation was discovered as a high-intensity military task, which demands most importantly high anaerobic performance, lean body mass, and maximal strength capabilities. Improving these dimensions of physical fitness should be considered highly important as CEE is essential and possibly one of the most demanding military tasks which every soldier should be able to conduct in combat. From operational perspective, it is relevant that soldiers are able to perform CEE during operations; therefore, further research is needed on how acute operational stress changes the nature of CEE and its physical determinants.

Years of endurance exercise training remodel abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue in adults with overweight or obesity.

Abnormalities in the structure and metabolic function of abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (aSAT) underlie many obesity-related health complications. Endurance exercise improves cardiometabolic health in adults with overweight or obesity, but the effects of endurance training on aSAT are unclear. We included male and female participants who were regular exercisers with overweight or obesity who exercised for >2 years, and cross-sectionally compared them with well-matched non-exercisers with overweight or obesity. Here we show aSAT from exercisers has a higher capillary density, lower Col6a abundance and fewer macrophages compared with non-exercisers. This is accompanied by a greater abundance of angiogenic, ribosomal, mitochondrial and lipogenic proteins. The abundance of phosphoproteins involved in protein translation, lipogenesis and direct regulation of transcripts is also greater in aSAT collected from exercisers. Exploratory ex vivo experiments demonstrate greater angiogenic capacity and higher lipid-storage capacity in samples cultured from aSAT collected from exercisers versus non-exercisers. Regular exercise may play a role in remodelling aSAT structure and proteomic profile in ways that may contribute to preserved cardiometabolic health.

The Importance of the Concentration of Selected Cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, TNF-α) and Inflammatory Markers (CRP, NLR, PLR, LMR, SII) in Predicting the Course of Rehabilitation for Patients after COVID-19 Infection.

In the course of COVID-19, there may be an excessive immune response of the body with the release of large amounts of pro-inflammatory cytokines, causing a "cytokine storm", also known as cytokine release syndrome (CRS). The COVID-19 pandemic has shown how important an integrated approach to health care is, with physiotherapy being one of its fundamental aspects. The aim of this study was to analyze the potential relationship between the level of selected cytokines (IL-6, IL-10, IL-12, IL-15, TNF-α) and inflammatory markers (CRP, NLR, PLR, LMR, SII) and the duration of rehabilitation in patients after COVID-19. The examined patients participated in a comprehensive rehabilitation program, which included breathing exercises, aerobic training, and strength and endurance training. Peripheral venous blood samples were also collected from each patient. Factors such as gender, smoking status, IL-10, and the presence of pneumonia during infection were significantly associated with the length of rehabilitation after COVID-19. The course of rehabilitation after COVID-19 may depend on many factors, including smoking, the presence of pneumonia due to infection, and some parameters of inflammation.

The Effectiveness and Validity of Inspiratory Muscle Training in the Training Process of Disabled Swimmers.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of medium-intensity inspiratory muscle training added to standard swimming training on inspiratory muscle strength and aerobic endurance levels and training status in disabled swimming athletes. Methods: This study involved 16 disabled athletes: group I-athletes performing swimming training with 8 weeks inspiratory muscle training-IMT (50% of the maximum inspiratory pressure); group II-athletes performing standard swimming training with 8 weeks inspiratory muscle training (15% MIP). The following tests were performed three times: MIP, MEP, Borg RPE scale and swimming test: T-30 test; 8 × 100 progressive test. Results: There was a significant increase in the MIP and MEP in group I after IMT. There was a significant increase in the distance swam during the T-30 only in group I after IMT. Significant differences were found between the first and third measurements in group I, and the effect was maintained at follow-up. There was also a significant reduction in La concentration in group I after IMT. There was a significant reduction in heart rate at 88% and 93% of the maximum speed in group I after the applied training. Conclusion: Inspiratory muscle training with 50% of the maximum inspiratory pressure load significantly increased the respiratory muscle strength of disabled swimmers. The application of higher-intensity IMT effectively improved the training level and physiological parameters of the swimmers' effort, indicating the need to include this type of training in the standard preparation of disabled swimmers.

Phosphorylation of Piezo1 at a single residue, serine-1612, regulates its mechanosensitivity and invivo mechanotransduction function.

Piezo1 is a mechanically activated cation channel that converts mechanical force into diverse physiological processes. Owing to its large protein size of more than 2,500 amino acids and complex 38-transmembrane helix topology, how Piezo1 is post-translationally modified for regulating its invivo mechanotransduction functions remains largely unexplored. Here, we show that PKA activation potentiates the mechanosensitivity and slows the inactivation kinetics of mouse Piezo1 and identify the major phosphorylation site, serine-1612 (S1612), that also responds to PKC activation and shear stress. Mutating S1612 abolishes PKA and PKC regulation of Piezo1 activities. Primary endothelial cells derived from the Piezo1-S1612A knockin mice lost PKA- and PKC-dependent phosphorylation and functional potentiation of Piezo1. The mutant mice show activity-dependent elevation of blood pressure and compromised exercise endurance, resembling endothelial-specific Piezo1 knockout mice. Taken together, we identify the major PKA and PKC phosphorylation site in Piezo1 and demonstrate its contribution to Piezo1-mediated physiological functions.

Caffeine, but not paracetamol (acetaminophen), enhances muscular endurance, strength, and power.

Caffeine is one of the most popular ergogenic aids consumed by athletes. Caffeine's ergogenic effect has been generally explained by its ability to bind to adenosine receptors, thus modulating pain and reducing perceived exertion. Another pharmacological agent that may improve performance due to its analgesic proprieties is paracetamol. This study aimed to explore the effects of caffeine, paracetamol, and caffeine + paracetamol consumption on muscular endurance, strength, power, anaerobic endurance, and jumping performance. In this randomized, crossover, double-blind study, 29 resistance-trained participants (11 men and 18 women) ingested either a placebo, caffeine (3 mg/kg), paracetamol (1500 mg) or caffeine + paracetamol 45 min before the testing sessions. The testing sessions included performing the bench press exercise with 75% of one-repetition maximum to momentary muscular failure, isokinetic knee extension and flexion at angular velocities of 60°/sec and 180°/sec, Wingate, and countermovement jump (CMJ) tests. Compared to placebo, isolated caffeine ingestion increased the number of repetitions performed in the bench press (p = 0.005; d = 0.42). Compared to placebo, isolated caffeine ingestion and/or caffeine + paracetamol consumption was ergogenic for strength (torque), muscular endurance (total work), or power in the isokinetic assessment, particularly at slower angular velocities (p = 0.027 to 0.002; d = 0.16 to 0.26). No significant differences between the conditions were observed for outcomes related to the Wingate and CMJ tests. This study provided novel evidence into the effectiveness of caffeine, paracetamol, and their combination on exercise performance. We found improvements in muscular endurance, strength, or power only when caffeine was consumed in isolation, or in combination with paracetamol. Isolated paracetamol consumption did not improve performance for any of the analyzed outcomes, thus calling into question its ergogenic potential.

The Importance of Physical Fitness Parameters in Rhythmic Gymnastics: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review presents an overview of physical fitness parameters in rhythmic gymnastics as well as the association of fitness with gymnasts' performance, competitive level, and age. PubMed, Scopus, and Sport Discus databases were searched. Of the 586 records retrieved, 41 studies met the inclusion criteria (n = 1915 participants). The included studies examined flexibility, aerobic capacity, muscle power, muscle endurance, muscle strength, sprint speed, agility, balance, and coordination. Performance was associated with flexibility, aerobic capacity, lower-limb muscle power, agility, muscular endurance, balance, and coordination from a young age. Flexibility, aerobic capacity, and muscle power were, in general, higher in high-level gymnasts than in low-level gymnasts or controls. Older rhythmic gymnasts demonstrated higher scores than the younger ones in flexibility, aerobic capacity, balance, and sport-specific coordination but not in muscle endurance, while some studies reported a decline in muscle power with age. Supplementary physical fitness training improved all physical abilities irrespective of the gymnasts' level. Rhythmic gymnastics training alone improved muscle power, agility, speed, muscular endurance, and balance to a lesser extent than targeted fitness training. Muscular strength, speed, and agility are largely under-researched in rhythmic gymnastics. Emphasis should be given to targeted strength and power training due to the high mechanical loads placed on skeletally immature athletes.

Training volume, intensity, and performance of world-class Chinese rowers prior to the 2019 world championships: A case study

Six world-class Chinese male rowers (age: 28.2 ± 3.2 years; height: 1.93 ± 0.02 m; body mass: 94.7 ± 3.9 kg) participated in the study. The training volume in different modalities and intensities were recorded over 44 weeks. To evaluate rowing performance, rowers completed four 2000 m and 5000 m maximum effort time trials and two incremental step tests. Total training time for the season was 907 h, which consisted of 67.5% of rowing training, 16.9% of strength training, 15.2% of warm-up and flexibility, and 0.4% of non-specific endurance training. The rowing training intensity distribution (TID) was 87.0% performed at low intensity (LIT), 8.4% at moderate intensity (MIT), and 4.6% at high intensity (HIT). There was no significant difference in average weekly rowing training volume (distance) at LIT across four phases (p = 0.12), as well as rowing training at MIT (p = 0.07) and HIT (p = 0.97). The fourth 2000 m time trials performance significantly improved from the first trial (−6.4 s, p = 0.02). The fourth 5000 m time trial performance was significantly improved from the first (−13.4 s, p = 0.02) and second trial (−14.1 s, p = 0.01). The final-step mean power output (W) in the second incremental step test improved significantly (p = 0.04). In the 2018–19 season, China's world-class rowers conducted considerable LIT rowing. The training volume distribution and rowing TID were similar in all phases.

The effect of eight weeks of endurance training and MitoQ supplementation on antioxidant capacity and the expression of sestrin-2 and AMPK in cardiac tissue of aged rats

PurposeThe present study aimed to investigate the effects of endurance training (ET) in combination with MitoQ supplementation on antioxidant indices and the expression of sesterin-2 (SESN2) as an anti-aging factor and AMPK as an energy sensor in aged male Wistar rats. MethodsTwenty-eight aged Wistar rats (410 ± 15 g, 22 ± 1.5 months old) were randomly divided into four groups (n = 7): Control, ET (eight weeks endurance training on the treadmill), MitoQ (250 μ/L in drinking water), and ET + MitoQ. We measured the protein and gene expression of SESN2 and AMPK in the heart tissue by western blotting and real-time PCR, respectively. In addition, antioxidant indices, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, and oxidant malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration in the cardiac tissue and serum were measured. ResultsSESN2 and AMPK protein expression significantly increased in the MitoQ group compared to the control group (P = 0.002, P = 0.0003). MDA content in tissue and serum remained unchanged in all groups (P > 0.05). MitoQ supplementation significantly increased SOD and GPx enzyme activity in serum and cardiac tissue (P = 0.001). ConclusionOverall, ET and MitoQ alone and in combination have anti-aging effects and improve the expression of AMPK and SESN2. Additionally, ET and MitoQ lead to improved antioxidant capacity in aged rats by ameliorating the activity of antioxidant enzymes.

Postoperative physical rehabilitation in the elderly patient after emergency surgery. Influence on functional, cognitive and quality of live recovery: study protocol for a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundThe progressive aging of the population has meant the increase in elderly patients requiring an urgent surgery. Older adults, especially those with frailty, have a higher risk for complications, functional and cognitive decline after urgent surgery. These patients have their functional and physiological reserve reduced which makes them more vulnerable to the effects of being bedridden. The consequences are at multiple levels emphasizing the functional loss or cognitive impairment, longer stays, mortality and institutionalization, delirium, poor quality of life and increased use of resources related to health.We aim to determine whether postoperative physical rehabilitation can prevent functional and cognitive decline and modify the posterior trajectory.Methods/designThis study is a randomized clinical trial, simple blinded, conducted in the Department of Surgery of a tertiary public hospital in Navarra (Hospital Universitario de Navarra), Spain. Patients > = 70 years old undergoing urgent abdominal surgery who meet inclusion criteria will be randomly assigned to the intervention or control group. The intervention will consist of a multicomponent physical training programme, which will include progressive and supervised endurance, resistance and balance training for 4 weeks, twice weekly sessions with a total of 8 sessions, and the group control will receive the usual care. The primary outcome measure is the change in functional (SPPB) and cognitive status (Mini-Mental State Examination) and the change of quality of life (EuroQol-5D-VAS) during the study period. The secondary outcomes are postoperative complications, length of stay, delirium, mortality, use of health resources, functional status (Barthel Index and handgrip strength tests), cost per quality-adjusted life year and mininutritional assessment. The data for both the intervention group and the control group will be obtained at four different times: the initial visit during hospital admission and at months 1, 3 and 6 months after hospital discharge.DiscussionIf our hypothesis is correct, this project could show that individualized and progressive exercise programme provides effective therapy for improving the functional capacity and achieve a better functional, cognitive and quality of life recovery. This measure, without entailing a significant expense for the administration, probably has an important repercussion both in the short- and long-term recovery, improving care and functional parameters and could determine a lower subsequent need for health resources. To verify this, we will carry out a cost-effectiveness study.The clinical impact of this trial can be significant if we help to modify the traditional management of the elderly patients from an illness model to a more person-centred and functionally oriented perspective. Moreover, the prescription of individualized exercise can be routinely included in the clinical practice of these patients.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05290532. Version 1. Registered on March 13, 2022.

Can endurance athletes benefit from vegetarian diets?

The performance of an athlete is the result of a complex interplay of various factors, with diet representing a particularly crucial component. Nutritional profiles of vegetarian diets vary considerably from those of omnivorous diets. In our research, we propose that vegetarian diets may offer advantageous properties for endurance sportsmen. This review examines the distinctions between vegetarian and omnivorous diets and addresses these differences in the context of the nutritional requirements of athletes. The initial focus is on fundamental nutrients, including carbohydrates, proteins, and fats. Subsequently, the emphasis shifts to micronutrients. This analysis also encompasses the challenges and advantages associated with vegetarian diets. The subsequent section concerns the cardiovascular system, which is arguably the most crucial for endurance athletes. It examines the interaction between the cardiovascular system and other physiological factors, including dyslipidaemia, blood pressure and body weight. It also considers the impact of dietary modifications on these parameters and their influence on athletic performance. Finally, the recent research on the effects of a vegetarian diet on the performance of endurance athletes is presented. Despite a lack of conclusive evidence, recent research suggests that vegetarian diets may confer certain benefits, particularly in terms of endurance training. Although there is a paucity of rigorous research in this field, the existing evidence suggests that these dietary regimens may result in overall enhanced health and improved outcomes.

Vascular endothelial function and its response to moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in trained and untrained healthy young men

30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per day is recommended, but the response and adaptation of endothelial function (EF) to this exercise remains controversial. The purpose of this study was to determine the changes in EF in endurance trained and untrained individuals before and after this exercise and to compare the differences between trained and untrained individuals. Twelve endurance-trained male college athletes (trained group) and 12 untrained male college students (untrained group) performed a 30-min run at an intensity of 60% VO2max. Brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) was measured before exercise, 30 min and 60 min after exercise, and the following morning. Resting diameter and maximum diameter showed large time effects (p < 0.001, η2 = 0.533; p < 0.001, η2 = 0.502). Resting diameters at 30 and 60 min after exercise were higher than before exercise in both the untrained and trained groups (p < 0.05), and maximum diameters at 30 min after exercise were higher than before exercise in both the untrained and trained groups (p < 0.01). Resting diameter and maximum diameter also exhibited some group effects (p = 0.055, η2 = 0.157; p = 0.041, η2 = 0.176). Resting diameters and maximum diameters were higher in the trained group than in the untrained group before exercise (p < 0.05). FMD (%) showed no time, group, or time-group interaction effects. 30 min of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise can increase resting and maximal arterial diameters in both trained and untrained young men, but has no effect on FMD. Long-term endurance training has the potential to increase resting and maximal arterial diameters in young men, but not necessarily FMD.

Effect of pulmonary rehabilitation duration on exercise capacity and health-related quality of life in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (PuRe Duration Trial): A randomized controlled equivalence trial.

There is no strong evidence on the optimal duration of pulmonary rehabilitation (PR) programmes. The aim of the study was to determine whether an 8-week PR programme was equivalent to a 12-week PR programme in improving endurance exercise capacity in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Participants with COPD were randomized to either an 8-week (8-wk Group) or 12-week (12-wk Group), twice weekly, supervised PR programme consisting of endurance and strength training and individualized self-management education. Between group comparisons were made at completion of each programme (i.e., week 8 or week 12), for both programmes at week 12, and at 6-12-month follow-up. The primary outcome was endurance exercise capacity measured by the endurance shuttle walk test (ESWT) with the minimally important difference of 186 s set as the equivalence limit. Sixty-six participants [mean (SD); age 69 (7) years, FEV1 48 (17) %predicted] were randomized (33 per group). Between-group comparisons demonstrated that the ESWT time was equivalent for the 12-wk Group compared to the 8-wk Group at programme completion [mean (95% CI)] [71 s (-61 to 203)], week 12 [70 s (-68 to 208)], and 6-12-month follow-up [93 s (-52 to 239)], though superiority of the 12-wk Group could not be ruled out at each time point. Equivalence was shown between 8-and 12-week PR programmes for endurance exercise capacity, but superiority could not be ruled out for the 12-wk Group. Decisions about programme duration may depend on local waitlist times, healthcare budgets and patient preference.

Challenging Sarcopenia: Exploring AdipoRon in Aging Skeletal Muscle as a Healthspan-Extending Shield.

Sarcopenia, characterized by loss of muscle mass, quality, and function, poses significant risks in aging. We previously demonstrated that long-term treatment with AdipoRon (AR), an adiponectin receptor agonist, alleviated myosteatosis and muscle degeneration in middle-aged obese mice. This study aimed to determine if a shorter AR treatment could effectively offset sarcopenia in older mice. Two groups of old mice (20-23 months) were studied, one untreated (O) and one orally-treated with AR (O-AR) at 50 mg/kg/day for three months, compared with control 3-month-old young mice (Y) or 10-month-old young-adult mice (C-10). Results showed that AR remarkably inversed the loss of muscle mass by restoring the sarcopenia index and fiber count, which were greatly diminished with age. Additionally, AR successfully saved muscle quality of O mice by halving the accumulation of tubular aggregates and aberrant mitochondria, through AMPK pathway activation and enhanced autophagy. AR also bolstered muscle function by rescuing mitochondrial activity and improving exercise endurance. Finally, AR markedly curbed muscle fibrosis and mitigated local/systemic inflammation. Thus, a late three-month AR treatment successfully opposed sarcopenia and counteracted various hallmarks of aging, suggesting AR as a promising anti-aging therapy for skeletal muscles, potentially extending healthspan.

Psychological needs, self-efficacy, motivation, and resistance training outcomes in a 16-week barbell training program for adults.

Despite extensive research on the relationship between psychological factors and aerobic training, there remains a gap in understanding these relationships within resistance training (RT), particularly barbell-based RT. This study aimed to examine the associations between basic psychological needs, behavioral regulation, self-efficacy, and a longitudinal barbell-based RT program for adults. Forty-three adults (M age = 45.09 ± 10.72) were recruited from the Competitive Edge resistance training program at a medical fitness center in Northwest Montana. The study followed an 18-week schedule: 8 weeks of training, 1 week of active recovery, and 8 additional weeks of training. The results reveal several significant findings. First, the basic psychological need for competence significantly increased from baseline (M = 5.06) to post-program (M = 5.30), (p = 0.017). Second, the composite score of the BREQ-3 significantly predicting muscular strength improvements in the deadlift (β = 3.64, p = 0.039). Third, both mastery (p = 0.021) and resilience (p = 0.007) self-efficacy subscales increased from baseline to post-program. Fourth, exploratory analyses indicated that the reasons to exercise scale predicted increases in muscular endurance with the weight management (β = 10.016, p = 0.046) and solitude (β = 6.792, p = 0.037) subscales. These findings highlight the importance of psychological factors in predicting strength outcomes and muscular endurance, suggesting that psychological interventions may complement physical training to maximize benefits. This research contributes valuable insights into how psychological factors influence training outcomes, potentially guiding future interventions and program designs to better support strength development and endurance in resistance training contexts.

The combined effects of resistance and endurance training with ursolic acid supplementation on some Alzheimer's disease-related biomarkers in a rat model of type 2 diabetes

BackgroundType 2 diabetes is associated with increased inflammation and a risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD). This study aimed to assess the impact of exercise with ursolic acid (UA) on some protein levels in the brains of aged male Wistar rats with diet-induced Type 2. We investigated the effects of exercise with UA on protein levels in rats with type 2 diabetes. The rats were divided into seven groups and underwent different exercise or UA protocols.ResultsThe results showed that type 2 diabetes led to increased levels of tau, IL-1β, TNF-α, and c-Jun, and decreased levels of IRS2 protein. Endurance training improved tau, Jun, and IRS2 levels. UA reduced increased levels of tau, IL-1β, TNF-α, and c-Jun, and increased IRS2 levels. Combining the supplement with training led to further improvements.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that combining training and UA partially reversed the inflammation in the Type 2 diabetes model. However, further research is needed to understand how UA consumption with or without training protocols can reduce the risk of AD in type 2 diabetes.

Mental Health and Physical Fitness during Adolescence in a Region of Southeastern Spain

Life satisfaction has been identified as a cognitive indicator of subjective well-being as well as self-image, and these become fundamental factors in the development of young people during adolescence. Therefore, the aim of this study is to explore the possible associations between life satisfaction and self-perceived physical fitness in adolescents from a region of southeastern Spain. In addition, the aim is to evaluate the influence in these associations of gender and urban or rural living environment. For this purpose, a cross-sectional study was carried out with 688 secondary school students (12 to 16 years old) in which the “Satisfaction with Life Scale” and the “Visual Analogical Scale of Physical Fitness Perception for Adolescents” were applied. The associations of the scales were analyzed through Spearman’s Rho test and the consistency of the scales through Cronbach’s Alpha. In addition, a linear regression analysis was carried out to evaluate the contributions of the different dimensions of physical fitness to the life satisfaction of the students. Medium, positive and significant correlations were found between the dimensions of physical fitness and life satisfaction. Similarly, the regression model showed that general physical fitness and endurance explained 20% of the variance in life satisfaction. Therefore, educational interventions and policies must take this information into account when designing and developing actions aimed at improving these cognitive factors.

A Network Meta-Analysis of Aerobic, Resistance, Endurance, and High-Intensity Interval Training to Prioritize Exercise for Stable COPD.

While the benefits of exercises for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are well-established, the relative effectiveness of different exercise types for stable COPD remains unclear. This network meta-analysis aims to investigate the comparative effects of aerobic exercise (AE), resistance training (RT), endurance training (ET), and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) in stable COPD. Electronic searches were performed in PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane library to identify relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs) investigating the effects of exercises on 6-minute walk test distance (6MWD), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and forced vital capacity (FVC), and St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) score. Two authors screened the retrieved articles, extracted relevant data, and assessed the risk of bias. Network meta-analysis was conducted using Stata 14.0. This study included a total of 19 studies involving 951 patients with stable COPD. HIIT emerged as the most favorable exercise type for enhancing 6MWD, with a probability of 82.9%. RT exhibited the greatest efficacy in reducing SGRQ scores, with probability of 49.8%. Notably, ET demonstrated superiority in improving FEV1 and FVC, with probabilities of being most effective at 78.1% and 42.0%, respectively. This study suggests that HIIT may be a viable intervention for improving exercise capacity in stable COPD patients, compared to AE, RR, and ET. RT may hold promise for improving quality of life, and ET may demonstrate superiority in improving pulmonary function. However, variation in response likely depends on patient characteristics, program parameters, and delivery context. Future research should explore the synergistic effects of combining RT with ET/HIIT, focusing on patient subgroups, optimal dosing, and settings, as current guidelines indicate this combination may offer the most significant benefits.

The Combined Effects of Endurance and Strength Training on Exercise Tolerance and Quality of Life in Patients with COPD

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) significantly impairs exercise tolerance and quality of life due to respiratory and systemic effects. Exercise training, including endurance and strength modalities, is a cornerstone of pulmonary rehabilitation, yet the combined effects of these training methods remain underexplored. This study aimed to evaluate the combined effects of endurance and strength training on exercise tolerance and quality of life in COPD patients. A randomized controlled trial was conducted involving 100 COPD patients assigned to four groups: Endurance Training, Strength Training, Combined Training, and Control. The interventions were implemented over 12 weeks, with outcomes assessed pre- and post-intervention, including the six-minute walk test (6MWT) for exercise tolerance and the St. George’s Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) for quality of life. Statistical analyses included ANOVA and post-hoc comparisons to determine group differences. The Combined Training group demonstrated the most significant improvement in exercise tolerance, with a mean increase of 72.4 meters in 6MWT distance, compared to 48.7 meters in the Endurance group and 34.2 meters in the Strength group. Quality of life, measured by SGRQ, improved significantly across all intervention groups, with the greatest reduction in total SGRQ scores observed in the Combined Training group (12.6 points), indicating enhanced physical and psychological well-being. Additional improvements in muscle strength and endurance capacity were also most pronounced in the Combined Training group. Combined endurance and strength training provide superior benefits in enhancing exercise tolerance, muscle strength, and quality of life in COPD patients compared to either modality alone. These findings support the integration of multimodal exercise regimens in pulmonary rehabilitation programs to optimize outcomes for COPD patients.

Lifelong physiology of a former marathon world-record holder: the pros and cons of extreme cardiac remodeling.

In a 77-year-old former world-record-holding male marathoner (2:08:33.6), this study sought to investigate the impact of lifelong intensive endurance exercise on cardiac structure, function, and the trajectory of functional capacity (determined by maximal oxygen consumption, V̇o2max) throughout the adult lifespan. As a competitive runner, our athlete (DC) reported performing up to 150-300 miles/wk of moderate-to-vigorous exercise and sustained 10-15 h/wk of endurance exercise after retirement from competition. DC underwent maximal cardiopulmonary exercise testing in 1970 (aged 27 yr), 1991 (aged 49 yr), and 2020 (aged 77 yr) to determine V̇o2max. At his evaluation in 2020, DC also underwent comprehensive cardiac assessments including resting echocardiography, and resting and exercise cardiac magnetic resonance to quantify cardiac structure and function at rest and during peak supine exercise. DC's V̇o2max showed minimal change from 27 yr (69.7 mL/kg/min) to 49 yr (68.1 mL/kg/min), although it eventually declined by 36% by the age of 77 yr (43.6 mL/kg/min). DC's V̇o2max at 77 yr, was equivalent to the 50th percentile for healthy 20- to 29-yr-old males and 2.4 times the requirement for maintaining functional independence. This was partly due to marked ventricular dilatation (left-ventricular end-diastolic volume: 273 mL), which facilitates a large peak supine exercise stroke volume (200 mL) and cardiac output (22.2 L/min). However, at the age of 78 yr, DC developed palpitations and fatigue and was found to be in atrial fibrillation requiring ablation procedures to revert his heart to sinus rhythm. Overall, this life study of a world champion marathon runner exemplifies the substantial benefits and potential side effects of many decades of intense endurance exercise.NEW & NOTEWORTHY This life study of a 77-yr-old former world champion marathon runner exemplifies the impact of lifelong high-volume endurance exercise on functional capacity (V̇o2max equivalent to a 20- to 29-yr-old), partly due to extreme ventricular remodeling that facilitates a large cardiac output during exercise despite reduced maximal heart rate. Although it is possible that this extreme remodeling may contribute to developing atrial fibrillation, the net benefits of extreme exercise throughout this athlete's lifespan favor increased health span and expected longevity.