Exercise-related Changes Research Articles

Exercise-related changes in knee articular structures detected using magnetic resonance imaging T1ρ and T2 mapping

This review summarizes the current literature around sex-based differences in adaptations to diet and exercise in older adults. This review is timely as there is continued debate around the necessity of sex-based interventions across the lifespan. Evidence shows that exercise does not appear to confer many sex-based differences in adaptation to either muscle strengthening, or cardiovascular types of exercise, especially when these changes are reported in relative (percentage) terms.There appear to be some differences in response to dietary exposures between sexes. However, the extent of sex differences is still largely unclear due to many studies not reporting or analysing data by sex. Implications for clinical practice are that there is currently insufficient evidence for exercise-related changes in muscle strengthening or cardiovascular outcomes being significantly affected by sex in older adults. There are some sex-based differences in response to dietary factors, however, the mechanisms remain unclear. At present, individualized lifestyle prescriptions taking into consideration health conditions, risk factors, client history and goals appear to be logical over a blanket sex-based approach.

Reducing recurrence and mortality is crucial for breast cancer survivors. We investigated the effects of a 12-week resistance training (RT) vs high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program on myokines, cytokines secreted by skeletal muscle cells at rest in response to muscle contraction, and cancer cell inhibition. Twenty-eight survivors of breast cancer (age 55.5 ± 8.8 yr, body mass index 27.9 ± 5.1 kg/m2, time since diagnosis 31 ± 12.3 months) were randomly allocated to a 12-week supervised moderate to high intensity RT (n = 14) or HIIT (n = 14) program 3 days per week. Resting blood was collected before and post exercise program (at least 48 hours before the first and after the last exercise session) to measure serum levels of myokines (decorin, interleukin 6 [IL-6], secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine [SPARC], and oncostatin M [OSM]) and triple negative MDA-MB-231 cell growth in vitro, using real time cellular analysis to determine growth rate. Exercise attendance was 85% for RT and 81% for HIIT. Serum levels of SPARC for RT and OSM for HIIT significantly (p < 0.05) increased (11 to 15%) after 12 weeks, with no significant differences between groups. MDA-MB-231 cell growth was significantly (p < 0.05) reduced for both RT and HIIT by 22% and 25%, respectively, with no significant difference between groups. Reductions in MDA-MB-231 cell growth in HIIT were associated with improvements in lean and fat mass. A program of RT or HIIT can increase levels of myokines (an effect considered beneficial given their potential cancer-suppressive effects) and inhibit growth of MDA-MB-231 cells in survivors of breast cancer. In addition, development of the anti-tumor environment may be mediated by exercise-related changes in muscle strength and body composition.

Introduction: Anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS) have been known to enhance muscle development, yet they have also been associated with detrimental cardiovascular changes in both the heart and blood vessels. Objectives: This study aimed to identify electrocardiographic changes in individuals consuming anabolic steroids in relation to body image enhancement. Material and method: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional study among individuals using AAS for body image improvement and engaging in amateur gym training. Electrocardiographic changes were assessed according to international criteria for electrocardiogram interpretation in amateur athletes. Two experts independently analyzed the electrocardiograms, along with collecting data such as duration of consumption, age, and gender. Results: Twelve-lead electrocardiograms were obtained from 23 participants, with 95.4% being male and 4.6% female, recruited through snowball sampling. Exercise-related changes, deemed expected per international criteria for electrocardiogram interpretation in amateur athletes, were observed, alongside findings considered borderline. However, abnormal changes were identified in 7 individuals, including anterior T-wave inversion (4.35%), complete left bundle branch block (4.35%), prolonged QT interval (4.35%), left posterior block (4.35%), and nonspecific ST-segment depression with left ventricular hypertrophy (4.35%). Conclusions: Several electrocardiographic abnormalities were identified, which could pose serious implications, with over 50% of participants exhibiting borderline changes associated with anabolic steroid use. Further longitudinal and associative studies are warranted to comprehend their impact on the cardiovascular system. Developing public policies involving increased state control of these substances and promoting supervision by healthcare professionals is imperative.

Muscle skeletal striated cells secrete a wide range of proteins called myokines or "exerkines", which in turn perform autocrine, paracrine, or endocrine functions. For being able to act in the communication between skeletal muscle, adipose tissue, and mainly the brain, exerkines play a prominent role and potential influence on health promotion. Furthermore, we detected in the literature that one of these potential therapeutic substances derived from muscle contraction is a molecule derived from glycolytic metabolism that in the past was largely marginalized, the lactate. Currently, studies are dedicated to examining the target structures for exerkines that may contribute to the maintenance and restoration of mental health. Thus, lactate appears to be recognized as a critical mediator of exercise-related changes and their health benefits, particularly in their role in communication and coordination between organs. It is inferred that the BDNF expression mechanism can be induced by lactate, which in turn derives from the activation of SIRT pathways 1 and 2 and activates the PGC1-α cascade. The behavior of lactate concentration is intensity-dependent, directly related to the type of fast-twitch fibers (type IIb) and the recruitment of these fibers would potentiate the responses in the brain. In this sense, high-intensity exercise would establish itself as an important strategy to be considered. Despite this understanding, there is still much to be done. However, lactate appears to be a highly promising exerkine for future research initiatives and a potential biomarker to reduce illness and promote mental health.

Clinical value and mechanistic analysis of HIIT on modulating risk and symptoms of depression: A systematic review

Objectives. Sedentary lifestyle increasingly observed in the population contributes to the incremental incidence of obesity, cardiovascular diseases, mental disorders, type 2 diabetes, hyper-tension, dyslipidemia, and others. Physical inactivity together with an imbalance in caloric intake and expenditure leads to a loss of muscle mass, reduced insulin sensitivity, and accumulation of the visceral fat. Organokines (adipokines, myokines, hepatokines, etc.) serve in the organism for inter-organ communication. However, human studies focused on the exercise-related changes in plasma levels of certain myokines have produced contradictory results. In the present study, we verified a hypothesis that myokine irisin, which is expected to increase in response to physical activity, induces brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) production and by this way mediates the beneficial effect of exercise on several brain functions. Subjects and Methods. Women (n=27) and men (n=10) aged 44.5±12.0 years, who were sedentary and overweight/obese (men ≥25%, women ≥28% body fat), participated in the study. The effect of an 8-week intensive lifestyle intervention (150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week, diet modification, and reduction of caloric intake) on the selected organokines (irisin, BDNF) in the context of an expected improvement in cardiometabolic status was examined. Results. The 8-week lifestyle intervention resulted in a significant (p<0.05) reduction in body mass index, body fat, blood pressure, insulin resistance, lipid and liver parameters, and irisin levels (p<0.001). However, BDNF increase in the whole group did not reach statistical significance. After the improvement of cardiometabolic parameters, a significant decrease in irisin and increase in BDNF levels were also observed in the subgroup with unsatisfactory (≤5%) body weight reduction. Neither relationship between irisin and BDNF levels, nor effect of age or sex on their levels was observed. Conclusions. We cannot confirm the hypothesis that exercise-induced irisin may increase the BDNF levels, whereas, the organokine levels in the periphery may not completely reflect the processes in the brain compartments. The observed decrease in irisin levels after 8-week intensive lifestyle intervention program, which was in contrary to its supposed mechanisms of action and dynamics, suggests the presence of several yet undiscovered impacts on the secretion of irisin.

In response to a mechanical stimulus, tendons have a slower tissue renewal rate compared with muscles. This could, over time, lead to a higher mechanical demand (experienced strain) for the tendon, especially when a high strain magnitude exercise is repeated without sufficient recovery. The current study investigated the adaptive responses of the human triceps surae (TS) muscle-tendon unit (MTU) and extracellular matrix turnover-related biomarkers to repetitive high tendon strain cyclic loading. Eleven young adult males performed a progressive resistance exercise over 12 consecutive days, consisting of high Achilles tendon (AT) strain cyclic loading (90% MVC) with one leg once a day (LegT1) and the alternate leg three times a day (LegT3). Exercise-related changes in TS MTU mechanical properties and serum concentrations of extracellular matrix turnover-related biomarkers were analysed over the intervention period. Both legs demonstrated similar increases in maximal AT force (∼10%) over the 12day period of exercise. A ∼20% increase in maximal AT strain was found for LegT3 (P<0.05) after 8 consecutive exercise days, along with a corresponding decrease in AT stiffness. These effects were maintained even after a 48 h rest period. The AT mechanical properties for LegT1 were unaltered. Biomarker analysis revealed no sign of inflammation but there was altered collagen turnover and a delay in collagen type I synthesis. Accordingly, we suggest that tendon is vulnerable to frequent high magnitude cyclic mechanical loading as accumulation of micro-damage can potentially exceed the rate of biological repair, leading to increased maximal tendon strain.

Increased training loads in both human and equine athletes are generally implemented to improve their physical performance. These loads are tolerated only within appropriate training periodization with regard to recovery time. Otherwise, training overload causes failure in the systemic adaptation, which at first leads to overreaching, and progressively to overtraining syndrome (OTS). Exercise endocrinology, and anabolic/catabolic balance as an indicator of athlete performance status and OTS has continued to attract attention. In human medicine, changes in testosterone and cortisol levels, as well as the testosterone to cortisol ratio (T/C; anabolic index), are suggested to be sensitive stress markers. However, there is a lack of research investigating these parameters for use in equine sports medicine. The aim of the study was to investigate the differences in testosterone, cortisol, and T/C in response to a single training session in two types of equine sports: endurance and race, together with serum amyloid A (SAA), the main acute phase response indicator of physical effort, and the overall health status in horses. Two groups of horses were enrolled in the study: endurance (n = 12) and racehorses (n = 32) of different fitness level. Blood samples were obtained before and after the exercise. On average, T increased 2.5 times after the race training in experienced racehorses and dropped in endurance horses regardless the fitness level (p < 0.05). In endurance horses, a decrease in T/C occurred after training in inexperienced horses (p < 0.05). In racehorses, a T/C decrease occurred in the inexperienced group (p < 0.05) and an increase in the experienced (p < 0.01). In conclusion, T/C ratio was found to be a potentially reliable indicator of fitness status especially in racing horses. These findings provide insight into the physiological response of the horses to different types of exercise and the potential use of hormone levels as markers of performance and adaptation.

Associations between cardiorespiratory fitness, monocyte polarization, and exercise-related changes in mnemonic discrimination performance in older adults

ASSESSMENT OF RIGHT VENTRICULAR PULMONARY ARTERIAL (RV-PA) UNCOUPLING DURING EXERCISE IN PULMONARY ARTERIAL HYPERTENSION

ABSTRACTBackgroundRegular, especially sustained exercise plays an important role in the prevention and treatment of multiple chronic diseases. Some of the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms behind the adaptive response to physical activity are still unclear, but recent findings suggest a possible role of epigenetic mechanisms, especially miRNAs, in the progression and management of exercise-related changes. Due to the combination of the analysis of epigenetic biomarkers (miRNAs), the intake of food and supplements, and genetic dispositions, a “fitness score” was evaluated to assess the individual response to nutrition, exercise, and metabolic influence.MethodsIn response to a 12-week sports intervention, we analyzed genetic and epigenetic biomarkers in capillary blood from 61 sedentary, healthy participants (66.1% females, 33.9% males, mean age 33 years), including Line-1 methylation, three SNPs, and ten miRNAs using HRM and qPCR analysis. These biomarkers were also analyzed in a healthy, age- and sex-matched control group (n, 20) without intervention. Food frequency intake, including dietary supplement intake, and general health questionnaires were surveyed under the supervision of trained staff.ResultsExercise training decreased the expression of miR-20a-5p, −22-5p, and −505-3p (p < 0.02) and improved the “fitness score,” which estimates eight different lifestyle factors to assess, nutrition, inflammation, cardiovascular fitness, injury risk, regeneration, muscle and hydration status, as well as stress level. In addition, we were able to determine correlations between individual miRNAs, miR-20a-5p, −22-5p, and −101-3p (p < 0.04), and the genetic predisposition for endurance and/or strength and obesity risk (ACE, ACTN3, and FTO), as well as between miRNAs and the body composition (p < 0.05). MiR-19b-3p and −101-3p correlated with the intake of B vitamins. Further, miR-19b-3p correlated with magnesium and miR-378a-3p with iron intake (p < 0.05).ConclusionsIn summary, our results indicate that a combined analysis of several biomarkers (miRNAs) can provide information about an individual’s training adaptions/fitness, body composition, nutritional needs, and possible recovery. In contrast to most studies using muscle biopsies, we were able to show that these biomarkers can also be measured using a minimally invasive method.

We compared central and peripheral arterial stiffness response patterns between persons with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) of different age groups at rest and following a cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET). Fifteen young adults with and without IDD, and 15 middle-aged adults without IDD performed a CPET. Central and peripheral arterial stiffness were measured at rest and following CPET using estimates of carotid-femoral (cfPWV), carotid-radial (crPWV), and carotid-ankle (cdPWV) pulse wave velocity derived from piezoelectric mechano-transducers. cfPWV remained unchanged following CPET in adults with and without IDD but increased in middle-aged adults (d=0.85; 95% CI: 0.27-1.42m·s-1, p=0.005), whereas cdPWV was similarly reduced (d= -0.77; 95% CI: -1.06 to -0.48m·s-1, p<0.001) in all groups. crPWV remained unchanged in all groups. These results were independent of exercise-related changes in mean arterial pressure. Overall group differences suggested that persons with IDD (d = -1.78; 95% CI: -3.20 to -0.37m·s-1, p=0.009) and without IDD (d = -1.84; 95% CI: -3.26 to -0.43m·s-1, p=0.007) had lower cfPWV than middle-aged adults. We found no evidence of early vascular aging and diminished vascular reserve following CPET in adults with IDD.

COMbined Exercise Trial (COMET) to improve cognition in older adults: Rationale and methods

PurposeThis study aimed to investigate the influence of different exercise training modalities on heart rate variability (HRV) in sedentary middle-aged adults; and to study whether changes in health-related outcomes (i.e., body composition and cardiometabolic risk) are associated with those hypothetical HRV changes in sedentary middle-aged adults.MethodsA total of 66 middle-aged adults (53.6 ± 4.4 years old; 50% women) were enrolled in the FIT-AGEING study. We conducted a 12-week randomized controlled trial. The participants were randomly assigned to 4 groups: (a) a control group (no exercise); (b) a physical activity recommendation from the World Health Organization group (PAR); (c) a high-intensity interval training group (HIIT); and (d) a high-intensity interval training group adding whole-body electromyostimulation (HIIT + EMS).ResultsAll exercise training modalities induced changes in HRV parameters (all P ≤ 0.001) without statistical differences between them (all P > 0.05). We found associations between changes in body composition and cardiometabolic risk and exercise-related changes in HRV.ConclusionOur results suggest that different exercise interventions (i.e., PAR, HIIT and HIIT + EMS) induced an enhancement of HRV in sedentary middle-aged adults. Our findings support the notion that exercise-related changes in HRV are associated with changes in body composition and cardiometabolic risk after the intervention programClinical trial registryNCT03334357 (ClinicalTrials.gov). November 7, 2017 retrospectively registered.

BackgroundAs it becomes increasing clear that managing Crohn’s disease (CD) requires more than medical treatment alone, further research to identify second-line approaches for managing CD and its symptoms such as physical activity (PA) are necessary to address this public health concern.MethodsWe conducted a scoping review of descriptive, cross-sectional, and experimental studies to synthesize evidence regarding PA rates, determinants, health consequences, and interventions specifically in adults with CD. Adhering to the Preferred Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines, published literature was searched to identify articles that examined PA or exercise in adults with CD.ResultsTwenty-eight articles met inclusion criteria: 13 included a cross-sectional design, 4 a case–control design, 2 cohort designs, and 9 intervention designs. Adults with CD appear to be similar to somewhat less physically active than the general population, though self-report and objective rates of PA vary widely by geographical location. PA may be associated with the reduced risk of future active disease in adults with CD in clinical remission, as well as improve health-related quality of life, fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness, and depression. Preliminary findings from interventional studies demonstrate that moderate-intensity PA is feasible, safe, and may have beneficial effects on disease activity.ConclusionsOverall, the benefits that can be accrued from regular PA are quite diverse; however, a substantially larger body of evidence is needed to provide firmer conclusions on the health benefits of PA that might underlie exercise-related changes in function and disease activity in adults with CD.

AimAfamin is a liver-produced glycoprotein, a potential early marker of metabolic syndrome. Here we investigated regulation of afamin in a course of the metabolic disease development and in response to 3-month exercise intervention.MethodsWe measured whole-body insulin sensitivity (euglycemic hyperinsulinemic clamp), glucose tolerance, abdominal adiposity, hepatic lipid content (magnetic resonance imaging/spectroscopy), habitual physical activity (accelerometers) and serum afamin (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) in 71 middle-aged men with obesity, prediabetes and newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. Effects of 3-month exercise were investigated in 22 overweight-to-obese middle-aged individuals (16M/6F).ResultsPrediabetes and type 2 diabetes, but not obesity, were associated with increased serum afamin (p<0.001). Afamin correlated positively with hepatic lipids, fatty liver index and liver damage markers; with parameters of adiposity (waist circumference, %body fat, adipocyte diameter) and insulin resistance (fasting insulin, C-peptide, HOMA-IR; p<0.001 all). Moreover, afamin negatively correlated with whole-body insulin sensitivity (M-value/Insulin, p<0.001). Hepatic lipids and fasting insulinemia were the most important predictors of serum afamin, explaining >63% of its variability. Exercise-related changes in afamin were paralleled by reciprocal changes in insulinemia, insulin resistance and visceral adiposity. No significant change in hepatic lipid content was observed.ConclusionsSubjects with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes had the highest serum afamin levels. Afamin was more tightly related to hepatic lipid accumulation, liver damage and insulin resistance than to obesity.

Placebos, that are administered with deception, can reduce stress and increase relaxation. The present study investigated an open-label placebo (OLP) to improve the effects of Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) training. A total of 160 psychology students were randomly assigned to a 14-day PMR course with or without daily OLP treatment. The placebo was administered along with an explanation of placebo effects and the verbal suggestion that the OLP activates the body’s natural relaxation response. The relaxation instructions for home practice were delivered via a smartphone app, which was also used for the evaluation of the exercises. The participants of the OLP group completed more PMR exercises (M = 9.75) than the group without a placebo (M = 8.15). The two groups did not differ in reported exercise-related changes in relaxation level. On average, the OLP group rated the effects of the placebo as very low and was characterized by a higher drop-out rate compared to the group without OLP. Some participants experienced the OLP as negative. In conclusion, factors that influence the acceptance of OLP treatment require further investigation.

BackgroundThere remains no effective intervention capable of reversing most cases of dementia. Current research is focused on prevention by addressing risk factors that are shared between cardiovascular disease and dementia (e.g., hypertension) before the cognitive, functional, and behavioural symptoms of dementia manifest. A promising preventive treatment is exercise. This study describes the methods of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that assesses the effects of aerobic exercise and behavioural support interventions in older adults at increased risk of dementia due to genetic and/or cardiovascular risk factors. The specific aims are to determine the effect of aerobic exercise on cognitive performance, explore the biological mechanisms that influence cognitive performance after exercise training, and determine if changes in cerebrovascular physiology and function persist 1 year after a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention followed by a 1-year behavioural support programme (at 18 months).MethodsWe will recruit 264 participants (aged 50–80 years) at elevated risk of dementia. Participants will be randomly allocated into one of four treatment arms: (1) aerobic exercise and health behaviour support, (2) aerobic exercise and no health behaviour support, (3) stretching-toning and health behaviour support, and (4) stretching-toning and no health behaviour support. The aerobic exercise intervention will consist of three supervised walking/jogging sessions per week for 6 months, whereas the stretching-toning control intervention will consist of three supervised stretching-toning sessions per week also for 6 months. Following the exercise interventions, participants will receive either 1 year of ongoing telephone behavioural support or no telephone support. The primary aim is to determine the independent effect of aerobic exercise on a cognitive composite score in participants allocated to this intervention compared to participants allocated to the stretching-toning group. The secondary aims are to examine the effects of aerobic exercise on a number of secondary outcomes and determine whether aerobic exercise-related changes persist after a 1-year behavioural support programme (at 18 months).DiscussionThis study will address knowledge gaps regarding the underlying mechanisms of the pro-cognitive effects of exercise by examining the potential mediating factors, including cerebrovascular/physiological, neuroimaging, sleep, and genetic factors that will provide novel biologic evidence on how aerobic exercise can prevent declines in cognition with ageing.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03035851. Registered on 30 January 2017

The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and FOXOs transcription factors play a pivotal role in cellular clearance and minimizing the accumulation of Aβ in neurodegeneration (ND). In African Americans (AAs) with mild cognitive impairment (MCI), the role of components of UPS and FOXOs; and whether they are amenable to exercise effects is unknown. We hypothesized that exercise can enhance cellular clearance systems during aging and ND by increasing expressions of FBXO32 and FOXO1. To test this hypothesis, we used TaqMan gene expression analysis in peripheral blood (PB) to investigate the component of UPS and FOXOs; and provide mechanistic insight at baseline, during exercise, and in both genders. At baseline, levels of FBXO32 were higher in women than in men. In our attempt to discern gender-specific exercise-related changes, we observed that levels of FBXO32 increased in men but not in women. Similarly, levels of FOXO1 increased in men only. These data suggest that a graded dose of FBXO32 and FOXO1 may be beneficial when PB cells carrying FBXO32 and FOXO1 summon into the brain in response to Alzheimer’s disease (AD) perturbation (docking station PB cells). Our observation is consistent with emerging studies that exercise allows the trafficking of blood factors. Given the significance of FBXO32 and FOXO1 to ND and associated muscle integrity, our findings may explain, at least in part, the benefits of exercise on memory, associated gait, and balance perturbation acknowledged to herald the emergence of MCI.