Increase In VO2max Research Articles

The Effect of Cardiac Rehabilitation Exercise Training on Cardiopulmonary Function in Ischemic Cardiomyopathy With Reduced Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect and safety of cardiac rehabilitation (CR) exercise in ischemic cardiomyopathy and to compare the results between patients with preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and reduced LVEF.MethodsPatients with ischemic cardiomyopathy with LVEF <50% were included as subjects. The patients were classified into the preserved LVEF (pLVEF; LVEF 41%–49%) group and the reduced LVEF (rLVEF; LVEF ≤40%) group. Patients underwent hourly aerobic exercise training sessions with an intensity of 60%–85% of heart rate reserve, three times a week for 6 weeks. Graded exercise test and transthoracic echocardiogram were performed in all study patients before and after completion of the CR exercise program.ResultsAfter completion of the CR exercise program, both groups (pLVEF, n=30; rLVEF, n=18) showed significant increases in LVEF and VO2max. In the pLVEF group, LVEF and VO2max increased from 45.1%±4.8% to 52.5%±9.6% (p<0.001) and from 24.1±6.3 to 28.1±8.8 mL/kg/min (p=0.002), respectively. In the rLVEF group, LVEF and VO2max increased from 29.7%±7.7% to 37.6%±10.3% (p<0.001) and from 17.6±4.7 to 21.2±5.1 mL/kg/min (p<0.001), respectively. Both groups completed their exercise program safely.ConclusionIn both groups, patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy who completed a 6-week supervised CR exercise program demonstrated remarkable improvements in cardiopulmonary function. This result implies that neither of the two groups showed higher efficacy in comparison to each other, but we can conclude that CR exercise in the rLVEF group was as effective and safe as that in the pLVEF group.

Assessment of periodization training in soccer

Football is a situation sport , which means the athletes are part of many dependents variables, such as field, climate conditionings, teammates, presence of ball and more. Aspects that significantly affecting the training in this sport are: conditional aspect, psychological and technical-tactical. In power words, Soccer is a sport about situation and therefore imposes high demands for technical skills and physical specifications that have to be continually stressed in training. Several key components affect the performance of athletes during the race. The thesis developed is the concept of periodization, that is the division of athlete's preparation in particular periods of time with well-defined objectives, it means the division of training season in specific periods in order to clearly defined goals. The research is made by two part, the first one is carried out with the data on 16 male athletes aged between 18 and 34 years of a football team to 11 enrolled in the championship of Campania region, with the use of physical tests for the evaluation of Resistance, Speed, Acceleration, measurement of body circumferences, height and weight. Periodization is a proposal for a Tudor Bompa and constitutes a methodological approach aimed at achieving the objectives of training required for competitive levels predetermined. The second one is characterized by High Intensity Intermittent Training (HIIT), such important in soccer as many team sports, characterized by phases of high oxygen consumption alternate by recovery series. The study is conducted on a sample of 20 male Soccer players of 16.8 ± 1 years old members of a Sub-18 team of Italian National League “Beretti”. The athletes were divided into two groups according to their results of aerobic power detected by the Cooper test carried out at the beginning of the preparatory period: a group working with an higher internal load (90% HR), and another group performing the same, but holding a lower one (80% HR.). That division was made in such a way as to obtain the desired adaptations and improvements in both groups, because having different characteristics, and in such a manner as to not create high overloads that, producing lactate they would prevent the adaptations and improvements sought. This study shows us how the intermittent training leads to a significant increase in VO2 max . The research takes into account the different phases of training annually monitored for a period of 4 months using 4 measurements of physical tests. The data collected will have to demonstrate an improvement in the ability of conditional force in order to reach the peak performance of the variables under consideration within the period. The data collected were subjected to a statistical study that showed improvements in physical performance of the different athletes thanks to the use of Periodization method integrated to High Intensity Intermittent Training. Significant, according to the method of periodization, the gradual increase of the applied load which allows the central nervous system (CNS) to adapt and achieve improvements. The aim of this study was to compare effects and improvements of an HIIT in two groups of Youth Soccer Players with different fitness characteristics, monitoring the Maximum Oxygen Consumption (VO2 max ) as parameter of internal load.

Skeletal Muscle CAP Expression Increases after Dietary Restriction and Aerobic Training in Women with a History of Gestational Diabetes.

The purpose is to determine the effects of 6 months caloric restriction and aerobic training (3x/wk) (CR+AEX) on c-CBL associated protein (CAP) gene expression in women with a history of GDM. CAP is involved in cell signaling and protein ubiquitination, and is linked to the development of insulin resistance. Obese (BMI=32 ± 1 kg/m2, % fat=46 ± 2, X ± SEM), sedentary (VO2 max=21.2 ± 1.2 ml/kg/min), women aged 52 ± 2 years participated in 6 months D+WL (n=10) with body composition, fitness (VO2 max), and glucose tolerance testing. Insulin sensitivity was assessed during the last 30 min of 2-hour hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamps (40 mU.m-2.min-1) pre and post interventions. Vastus lateralis skeletal muscle biopsies (n=7) were conducted and CAP, GLUT4 and glycogen synthase (GS) gene expression measured by RT-PCR. No change in FFM by DXA was observed, but body weight decreased 8% with losses of total body fat mass (P<0.05) and a 10% increase in VO2 max (P<0.01). Glucose and insulin areas under the curve by OGTT decreased (P<0.05). Glucose utilization during the clamp increased 27% (23.1 ± 3.8 vs. 29.4 ± 3.6 umol.kg.min-1, P<0.05). Vastus lateralis skeletal muscle CAP expression increased 21% (P<0.05) but GLUT4 did not. Results suggest that changes in CAP could be involved in the improvement in glucose metabolism with caloric restriction and aerobic training in women with a history of gestational diabetes.

Intrinsic motivation in two exercise interventions: Associations with fitness and body composition.

To examine the motivational process through which increases in aerobic capacity and decreases in total body fat are achieved during high-intensity intermittent training (HIT) and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) interventions. Eighty-seven physically inactive adults (65% women, age = 42 ± 12, BMI = 27.67 ± 4.99 kg/m²) took part in a 10-week randomized intervention testing group-based HIT, operationalized as repeated sprints of 15-60 s interspersed with periods of recovery cycling ≤ 25 min/session, 3 sessions/wk⁻¹, or MICT, operationalized as cycling at constant workload of ∼65% maximum aerobic capacity (VO2max, 30-45 min/session⁻¹, 5 sessions/wk⁻¹. Assessments of VO2max and total body fat were made pre- and postintervention. Motivation variables were assessed midintervention and class attendance was monitored throughout. Path analysis was employed, controlling for treatment arm and baseline values of VO2max and total body fat. The 2 groups differed in adherence only, favoring HIT. Baseline VO2max predicted intrinsic motivation midintervention. Intrinsic motivation predicted program adherence, which in turn predicted increases in VO2max and decreases in total body fat by the end of the study. Intrinsic motivation in HIT and MICT is positively linked to adherence to these programs, which can facilitate improvements in fitness and body composition.

Visual Impairment does not Limit Training Effects in Development of Aerobic and Anaerobic Capacity in Tandem Cyclists.

The study aimed to investigate the differences in the effects of 7-month training on aerobic and anaerobic capacity in tandem cycling athletes with and without visual impairment. In this study, Polish elite (n=13) and sub-elite (n=13) visually impaired (VI) (n=13; 40.8 ±12.8 years) and properly sighted (PS) (n=13; 36.7 ±12.2 years) tandem-cycling athletes participated voluntarily in 7-month routine training. The following pre-/post-training measurements were conducted on separate days: maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) was estimated with age correction using the Physical Working Capacity test on a bicycle ergometer according to the Astrand-Ryhming method. Maximal power output (Pmax) was evaluated using the Quebec test on a bicycle ergometer. At baseline, VO2max (47.8 ±14.1 vs 42.0 ±8.3 ml/kg/min, respectively) and Pmax (11.5 ±1.5 vs 11.5 ±1.0 W/kg) did not differ significantly between PS and VI cyclists. However, differences in aerobic capacity were considered as clinically significant. Two-way ANOVA revealed that after 7 month training, there were statistically significant increases in VO2max (p=0.003) and Pmax (p=0.009) among VI (VO2max, +9.1%; Pmax, +6.3%) and PS (VO2max, +9.1%; Pmax, +11.7%) cyclists, however, no time × visual impairment interaction effect was found (VO2max, p=0.467; Pmax, p=0.364). After training, VO2max (p=0.03), but not Pmax (p=0.13), was significantly greater in elite compared to sub-elite tandem cyclists. VI and PS tandem cyclists showed similar rates of improvement in VO2max and Pmax after 7-month training. VO2max was a significant determinant of success in tandem cycling. This is one of the first studies providing reference values for aerobic and anaerobic capacity in visually impaired cyclists.

A re-analysis of the 1968 Saltin etal. "Bedrest" paper.

In 1968, Saltin et al. published a landmark paper describing the alterations in VO2max resulting from two sequential interventions--20 days of bed rest and almost 8 weeks of training. They concluded that bed rest reduced VO2max through reductions in maximal cardiac output, while training enhanced VO2max by an equal combination of increased maximal cardiac output and increased arterio-venous [O2] difference (A-V Δ [O2]). At the time, A-V Δ [O2] was taken as an index of peripheral (skeletal muscle) adaptation. A key interpretive element that was not featured was consideration of how alterations in cardiac output affect the O2 extraction process secondary to changes in red cell transit time through the muscle microcirculation, even in the absence of adaptive changes in the skeletal muscles per se. For the 2015 Saltin Symposium, it was therefore thought appropriate to re-examine the 1968 O2 transport data and re-evaluate the roles central cardiovascular and peripheral muscle changes after bed rest and training allowing for their interaction. The analysis supports the conclusion that bed rest reduced VO2max mainly through reduction in cardiac output, but after training, it is proposed that the 1968 conclusions should be modified: the majority of the increase in VO2max from the control state can be attributed to an improvement in diffusive unloading of O2 from the muscle microcirculation, with a much smaller role for enhanced blood flow.

Two-year longitudinal health-related fitness, anthropometry and body composition status amongst adolescents in Tlokwe Municipality: The PAHL Study.

AimTo evaluate a two-year longitudinal development of health-related fitness, anthropometry and body composition status amongst adolescents in Tlokwe Municipality, Potchefstroom, South Africa.SettingA total of 283 high-school learners (111 boys and 172 girls) of ages 14 and 15 years who were part of the ongoing Physical Activity and Health Longitudinal Study (PAHLS) participated in the study. For the purpose of the present study, data collected for 2011 and 2012 for anthropometric, body composition and health-related physical fitness were used.ResultsBody mass index (BMI) classification of boys and girls for 2011 and 2012 showed that 24.3% of them were underweight compared with 21% in 2012. In 2011, 50% of boys and girls had normal body weight compared with 52% in 2012, whilst 25.5% of the total group of participants were overweight compared with 27% in 2012. Both boys and girls showed significant increases of 5.9% in body fat (BF) and 3.2 kg in body weight over two years’ measurements, respectively. Regarding health-related fitness (i.e BAH), boys showed an increase of 14.8 seconds whilst girls gained 9.6 seconds. Significant decreases were found for sit-ups in both boys and girls. A significant VO2max increase of 2.9 mL/kg/min. was found in boys over the time period. A non-significant decrease of −0.5 mL/kg/min. was observed in girls. Regression coefficients showed that changes in BMI were inversely associated with those in health-related physical fitness. The changes in percentage BF were negatively associated with standing broad jump (SBJ), bent arm hang (BAH) and VO2 max in both boys and girls. A low significant positive association was found between changes in waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) and SBJ in both genders, whilst inverse low associations were found between WHtR and BAH in girls and for VO2max in both genders.ConclusionChanges in BMI, %BF and WHtR were negatively associated with strength and running performances in the participating children. The relative increase in overweight, especially in girls, negatively affected their endurance running and static strength performances. The health implications of the observed findings are discussed and recommendations offered for physical activity intervention in school physical education (PE) programmes.

The effects of acute garlic supplementation on the fibrinolytic and vasoreactive response to exercise.

BackgroundThe purpose of this project was to examine the effects of acute garlic supplementation on fibrinolysis and vasoreactivity both at rest and following maximal exercise.MethodsEighteen healthy trained males (20.9 ± 2.2 years, 178 ± 7.7 cm, 75.5 ± 9.6 kg, VO2max = 59.8 ± 6.7 ml • kg−1 • min−1) performed a graded treadmill test to volitional exhaustion. Blood samples were taken at rest, within two minutes post-exercise, and one hour post-exercise. Eleven of the subjects also had a brachial vasoreactivity test performed immediately after the blood sample to assess flow-mediated dilation (FMD) of the brachial artery. Participants were randomly assigned to ingest either 900 mg of powdered garlic or a placebo three hours before the exercise session. The supplement was distributed in a double-blind, crossover fashion. Participants repeated the protocol with the other treatment after a 14-day washout period. Paired t-tests were used to compare VO2max between the two trials. A two-factor (treatment and time) repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to assess changes in FMD, tPA activity, tPA antigen, and PAI-1 activity. A priori statistical significance was set at P <0.05.ResultsVO2max was greater for the garlic treatment trial vs. placebo (Placebo = 59.8 ± 6.7 ml • kg−1 • min−1; Garlic = 61.4 ± 6.6 ml • kg−1 • min−1). There was no main effect for treatment and no treatment x time interaction for FMD or any fibrinolytic variables examined.ConclusionAcute garlic supplementation does not alter vasoreactivity, fibrinolytic potential or the fibrinolytic response to exercise in young healthy trained males. Acute garlic supplementation does, however, cause a small but statistically significant increase in VO2max. It remains unclear if this increase in VO2max is of functional importance.

Heart rate reduction and exercise performance in recent onset heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: arguments for beta-blocker hypo-response

Objective Beta blockers reduce all-cause mortality and readmissions in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), which may be explained by their eff ect on heart rate (HR). This study assessed the impact of HR reduction with beta blockers on exercise capacity in recent onset HFrEF.Methods and results Fifty consecutive patients with recent onset HFrEF (< 30 days) performed a standardized exercise protocol with respiratory gas analysis at baseline as well as after 6 and 12 months. Patients participated in a quality of care programme aiming to achieve guidelinerecommended target doses for beta-blocker therapy. At baseline, 6 and 12 months, 36%, 70% and 62% of patients, respectively, had a resting HR < 70 bpm. Beta-blocker dose after 12 months was comparable in patients with resting HR < 70 versus ≥ 70 bpm (P value = 0.631). However, with similar dose uptitration, the former versus the latter had a signifi cantly larger HR reduction (17 ± 22 versus 4 ± 15 bpm; P value = 0.027). Peak oxygen consumption (VO2max) was signifi cantly higher when resting HR was < 70 versus ≥ 70 bpm (17.5 ± 5.5 versus 14.4 ± 3.3 mL/min/kg, respectively; P value = 0.038). Similar results were observed after 6 months. Patients in whom resting HR decreased at follow-up compared to baseline had a 2.0 ± 3.2 mL/min/kg increase in VO2max compared to a 1.2 ± 7.7 mL/min/kg increase in patients who did not demonstrate a lower resting HR (P value = 0.033).Conclusions In recent onset HFrEF, exercise performance was better when resting HR was controlled < 70 bpm with beta-blocker therapy. However, despite aggressive dose uptitration, many patients did not achieve this target as they had little HR reduction with beta-blocker therapy.

G.P.96 - High intensity training in patients with facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy

Facioscapulohumeral muscular dystrophy (FSHD) causes an asymmetric degeneration of the muscles, primarily affecting the face, shoulders, upper arms and calves. Once, patients with FSHD were advised against exercising, but studies have shown that aerobic exercise of moderate intensity is a safe and beneficial treatment. This study aims to evaluate the safety and efficacy of high intensity training (HIT) in patients with FSHD. In this ongoing study, FSHDpatients with low levels of daily aerobic physical activity are randomized to either a supervised HIT-program for 8 weeks followed by 8 weeks of optional training (n = 7; age 26–67 years, 4 males, BMI 22–31 kg m, mean FSHD score 6.3 [1:11]) or to 8 weeks with no intervention followed by 8 weeks of unsupervised HIT (n = 6; age 30–59 years, 5 males, BMI 20–36 kg m, mean FSHD score 7.25 [5–11]). Age-, sexand BMI-matched healthy controls (n = 6; age 27–64 years, 5 males, BMI 22–26 kg m) are enrolled to supervised HIT followed by 8 weeks of optional training. The HIT consists of 2 × 5 min of interval training on a cycle-ergometer, performed 3 times weekly with one supervised session or all unsupervised. Preliminary data from participants who have completed the study period show an increase in VO2max by a mean of 9.5% in FSHD (n = 5, supervised and unsupervised) and 3.1% in the healthy controls (n = 4) after HIT. VO2max did not change during the 8 weeks without intervention in patients with FSHD (n = 2). Patients with FSHD all favoured HIT over training of moderate intensity and continued HIT, maintaining a mean VO2max by 10.9% above baseline. During the study period, the daily numbers of steps taken, as monitored by a pedometer and plasma-CK-levels, were unchanged. Overall the data suggest that HIT is a safe training method, which improves VO2max in patients with FSHD, and the high motivation seen during the period of optional training indicates that HIT could be a good alternative to other training regimes for patients with FSHD.

Echinacea-Based Dietary Supplement Does Not Increase Maximal Aerobic Capacity in Endurance-Trained Men and Women

ABSTRACTPurpose: To determine if an echinacea-based dietary supplement (EBS) provided at two different doses (a regular dose (RD), 8,000 mg/day, vs. a double dose (DD), 16,000 mg/day) would increase erythropoietin (EPO) and other blood markers involved in improving aerobic capacity and maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) in endurance-trained men. Secondly, to determine if any sex differences exist between male and female endurance-trained athletes. Methods: Forty-five endurance athletes completed three visits during a 35-day intervention. Participants were randomized into placebo (PLA; n = 8 men, n = 7 women), RD of EBS (n = 7 men, n = 8 women), or DD of EBS (n = 15 men) for the 35-day intervention period. At baseline, weight, body composition, and VO2max were measured. Blood was drawn to measure EPO, ferritin, red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and hematocrit. At the mid-intervention visit, blood was collected. At the post-intervention visit, all measurements from the baseline visit were obtained once again. Results: There was a significant increase in VO2max for endurance-trained men in PLA (increase of 2.8 ± 1.5 ml kg−1 min−1, p = .01) and RD of EBS (increase of 2.6 ± 1.8 ml kg−1 min−1, p = .04), but not in DD of EBS (p = .96). Importantly, there was no difference in the change in VO2max between PLA and RD of EBS. For endurance-trained women, VO2max did not change in either treatment (PLA: −0.7 ± 1.7 ml kg−1 min−1, p = .31; RD of EBS: −0.2 ± 2.4 ml kg−1 min−1, p = .80). There were no significant changes in any blood parameter across visits for any treatment group. Conclusions: This EBS should not be recommended as a means to improve performance in endurance athletes.

262 Role of an adapted physical activities professional at a paediatric CF centre

Physical activity and medical rehabilitation are strongly encouraged to decrease dyspnoea on exertion (DoE), increase VO2 max and improve quality of life. Objective To evaluate sports practices and obstacles to practicing them, introduce and adapt such practices and improve exercise tolerance by individual guidance. Methods An adapted physical activities professional (pAPA) was integrated into the CF team, working with children (C) from age 6. Individual sessions held at a gymnasium (with cyclo-ergometers, heart-rate settings, saturometers), included interviews on physical and sport activities, reinforcement of knowledge of breathing practices, treadmill training or stationary cycling and individual guidance. Two years later, a questionnaire (Q) evaluated overall C and parental (P) satisfaction (visual scale 0 to 10) and benefits (14 items). Results Seventy-two of 107 C participated, with at least 3 sessions for 29%. Q was filled out by 82% (42/51) and the study is ongoing. Mean C and P satisfaction scores were 8.1±1.52 and 8.9±1.29. For C, benefits concerned DoE (66%), decreased fatigue (25%), better hydration (28%). Benefits cited by P for their C were a reduction in DoE (46%), improved well-being (39%), greater attention to hydration (23%). In addition, 85% of C reported following the advice of the pAPA during sport activities; enrolment in sports clubs increased from 56 to 64%. Conclusion The pAPA became a partner in the multidisciplinary team and a key interlocutor for both C and P with a beneficial role due to his/her training curriculum and pedagogy. We will expand this role on “sports and nutrition” with the dietitian. Funded by Vaincre La Mucoviscidose.

Effects of small-sided exercises on body composition and maximal oxygen uptake in adolescents

The regular practice of physical activity contributes to weight control and improves maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), socialization and quality of life. To determine the effect of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity on body composition and VO2max in a group of overweight school-age males. We studied fifty-five overweight males aged 15.6 ± 0.7 years. Participants were divided in two groups (experimental and control groups). The intervention in the experimental group was the practice of small-sided games during 60 minutes, two days per week and during 11 weeks. At baseline and the end of the intervention, body composition was measured using bioimpedance and VO2max was calculated using the Course Navette test. A 7% reduction in the percentage of body fat and a 9% increase in VO2max were observed in the experimental group (p < 0.01). No changes were recorded in the control group. Eleven weeks of small-sided exercises performed twice per week increased VO2max and reduced fat mass in overweight adolescents.

The effects of high intensity interval training in women with rheumatic disease: a pilot study.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA) are inflammatory diseases which involve increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). High intensity interval training (HIIT) is known to be effective in improving cardiovascular health. The aim of this study was to investigate whether 10 weeks of HIIT at 85-95% of HRmax would improve important risk factors of CVD in rheumatic patients, and if these patients would tolerate exercise intensities above today's recommendations. Seven women with RA and eleven with adult-JIA, 20-50 years, were recruited to this cross-over study. Participants performed HIIT, consisting of 4 × 4 min intervals at 85-95% of HRmax twice a week for 10 weeks on spinning bikes. Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max), heart rate recovery, blood pressure, body composition, and blood variables were measured before and after the exercise and control period. Disease activity was determined and questionnaire data were collected. HIIT resulted in 12.2% increase in VO2max and 2.9% improvement in heart rate recovery (p < 0.05). BMI, body fat, and waist circumference decreased 1.2, 1.0, and 1.6%, respectively, whereas muscle mass increased 0.6% (p < 0.05). A trend toward decreased CRP was detected after HIIT (p = 0.08). No changes were detected in disease activity or pain. Despite rigorous high intensity exercise, no increase was detected in disease activity or pain, indicating that HIIT was well tolerated by these patients. Furthermore, HIIT had positive effects on several CVD risk factors. In light of this pilot study, HIIT seems like a promising non-pharmacological treatment strategy for patients with RA and adult-JIA.

Training improves oxidative capacity, but not function, in spinal muscular atrophy type III.

In this study we investigated the effect of 12 weeks of cycle ergometer training in patients with spinal muscular atrophy type III (SMA III), a hereditary motor neuron disease with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. Six SMA III patients and 9 healthy subjects completed a 12-week training program, performing 42 30-minute sessions exercising at 65-70% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max ). VO2max , muscle strength, functional tests, and self-reported activities of daily living were assessed before and after the training. Training induced a 27 ± 3% increase in VO2max (17 ± 2 to 21 ± 2 ml/kg/min, P < 0.001) in patients. However, fatigue was a major complaint and caused 1 patient to drop out, increased the need for sleep in 3 patients, and led to training modifications in 2 patients. Cycle exercise improves VO2max in SMA III without causing muscle damage, but it also induces significant fatigue. This warrants study into alternative training methods to improve exercise capacity in SMA III patients.

Heterogeneous responses of personalised high intensity interval training on type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease risk in young healthy adults.

Hypertension, decreased glucose tolerance, adverse lipid profiles and low physical activity levels are associated with increased type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. High intensity interval training (HIIT), a low volume, reduced time, high intensity programme, may be a useful alternative to current government guidelines which specify a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week. We describe a personalised programme of high intensity exercise which provides significant improvements in CVD risk markers. Healthy volunteers undertook 6 weeks of HIIT. T2DM and CVD risk predictors including glucose tolerance, VO2max, blood pressure (BP), and lipids were measured before and after HIIT. HIIT training was associated with beneficial changes in a range of predictors of blood flow and cardiovascular risk. There was a heterogeneous response to HIIT, with some subjects responding with favourable changes and others being non-responders to HIIT. In responders, HIIT was associated with a statistically significant (p = 0.023) increase in VO2max, from 45.4 (38.4,52.5) to 56.9 (51.2,65.7) (median (interquartile range)(ml/min/kg)). In responders HIIT resulted in a decrease in systolic BP from 127 (126,129) to 116 (106,122) (mmHg) with p = 0.026 and a decrease is diastolic blood pressure from 72 (69,74) to 57 (56,66) with p = 0.026. There was also some evidence of a beneficial change in blood lipid and glucose concentrations with HIIT. In conclusion, personalised HIIT has potential as an intervention to improve blood flow and cardiovascular health.

Impact of Basketball Training on Aerobic Capacity, Strength and Flexibility in Young Girls Over Time

Physical fitness is a state that permits the individual to carry out daily activities without excessive fatigue. The three basic components of fitness are aerobic capacity, muscular strength, and flexibility. Developing these abilities in puberty is essential for adequate maturation of an individual. PURPOSE: To assess the influence of basketball training on aerobic capacity (VO2max), strength (S) and flexibility (F) in young girls during two-year follow-up. METHODS: Girls were divided into research group (RG) consisted of 23 young athletes (age 13,86±0,89; years of playing basketball 3.652±1.668) and control group (CG) of 21 non-athletes girls (age 13,90±0,74). Height, weight, body mass index (BMI), VO2max (cardiopulmonary exercise test on treadmill), hand grip (dynamometry) and flexibility (sit and reach) were measured for both groups.. All measurements were performed four times (every six months). A comparison of continuous variables was performed by mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA, with group (RG vs. CG) as the between-subject factor, and time (onset vs. end of the observational period) as within-subject factors. RESULTS: An obvious increase in VO2max and S was recorded as a result of basketball training. Numerically significant difference was obtained considering F. The results are shown in Table 1:Table: No title available.Data are presented as mean ± SD. A p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. CONCLUSION: Continuous basketball training is associated with favorable changes in VO2max in addition to growth and development of young girls. Furthermore, this type of physical activity has beneficial influence on strength and flexibility, which are altogether important for adequate maturation of girls.

Increased VO2max Does Not Influence Nitric Oxide Availability or the Response to a Nitrate Dose

Dietary nitrate (NIT) supplementation increases nitric oxide (NO) metabolites and may improve exercise performance. However, NIT supplementation seems to be less efficacious in highly trained athletes. Despite this, no study has directly investigated the effects of a change in aerobic capacity (VO2max) on baseline plasma NO metabolites or the response to a NIT dose within the same cohort. PURPOSE: To determine whether an increase in VO2max influences plasma nitrate (NO3-), nitrite (NO2-) or the plasma NO2- response to an acute NIT dose. METHODS: Twenty seven untrained males were assessed for baseline measures of plasma NO3- and NO2- and for determination of VO2max. In a separate trial, the change in plasma NO2- following ingestion of two NIT gels (∼8.1 mmol NIT) was measured. Participants were subsequently assigned to either 3-weeks sprint interval training (SIT; n=19) three times per week or a control condition (CON; n=8). SIT consisted of 4-6 repeated 15 s all out sprints on a cycle ergometer, interspersed with 4 min active recovery. The CON group were asked to maintain their normal lifestyle throughout the 3-weeks training. Participants then repeated the same experimental trials as at baseline. Differences between groups, time point and their interaction were established by two-way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: VO2max, plasma NO3- and NO2- were not different between groups at baseline (SIT: VO2max 41 ± 7 ml·kg·min-1, NO2- 182 ± 65 nM, NO3- 30 ± 16 μM; CON: VO2max 45 ± 8 ml·kg·min-1, NO2-, 170 ± 32 nM, NO3-, 41 ± 22 μM; all P>0.15) and plasma NO2- increased to the same extent following NIT (SIT: ΔNO2- 224 ± 143 nM; CON: ΔNO2- = 182 ± 146 nM; both P<0.01). Following SIT, VO2max increased by 5.4% (P=0.03) but did not change in CON (P=0.74). There were no changes in plasma NO3- and NO2- within or between groups (SIT: NO2-, 192 ± 61 nM, NO3-, 37 ± 22 μM; CON: NO2-, 200 ± 75 nM, NO3-, 45 ± 29 μM; all P>0.15). Ingestion of NIT increased plasma NO2- post-training, however, the change was not different from pre-training (SIT: ΔNO2-, 225 ± 196 nM; CON: ΔNO2-, 167 ± 102 nM; both P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A moderate improvement in aerobic fitness following 3-weeks SIT did not alter baseline levels of plasma NO3- or NO2-, or the response to a NIT dose. Therefore, training status per se, may not be the primary factor underlying the lack of response to NIT in highly trained cohorts.

Impact of baseline PR interval on cardiac resynchronization therapy outcomes in patients with narrow QRS complexes: an analysis of the ReThinQ Trial.

Heart failure (HF) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality, and ventricular dyssynchrony is an important contributor. The ReThinQ trial reported no improvement with cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in HF patients with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) <35%, narrow QRS (<130 ms), New York Heart Association (NYHA) class III, and echocardiographically detected dyssynchrony, in spite of echocardiographic optimization. We investigated whether a subset of narrow QRS patients might derive benefit from CRT, based on baseline PR interval. We retrospectivelyanalyzed the 87 patients from ReThinQ who were randomized to CRT. Patients were divided into two groups: baseline PR interval <180 ms and baseline PR interval ≥180 ms. The primary outcome was change in VO2 max at 6 months; secondary outcomes were change in LVEF, 6-min walk distance, and change in NYHA class. Forty-six patients had PR < 180 ms and 41 had PR ≥ 180 ms. The baseline characteristics were similar in the two groups. As compared to patients with a short PR interval, at 6 months, only patients with PR ≥ 180 ms showed a statistically significant increase in VO2 max from 12.2 to 13.6 mL/kg min (P = 0.045). Similarly, LVEF was significantly improved only in the long PR group (0.26 to 0.28, P = 0.038). A greater percentage of patients in the long PR group showed improvement by at least one NYHA class (59 vs. 35%, P = 0.033). A longer baseline PR interval may allow more efficacious delivery of CRT by allowing programming of physiologic AV delays. A short baseline PR interval may contribute to LV under-filling and CRT non-response.

Relative VO2 max correlates with lipoprotein subfractions in response to four different exercise modalities

Exercise variably increases high density lipoprotein, HDL, cholesterol; little information is available for effects on density distributions that may better reflect HDL functionality. 45 normolipidemic, untrained subjects completed one of four exercise modalities that progressively increased energy expenditure over a 8wk period without diet change. From wk 8‐12 exercise intensity was constant and created a 500 kcal/wk expenditure for each modality. Density distributions were determined by imaging fluorescently stained plasma lipoproteins follow isopycnic separation before and at the end of the 12 wk training period. Body fat was determined by DEXA and averaged 40.2% at week 0 and 38.4% at week 12 (p&lt;0.05); relative VO2 max mL O2/min/kg body weight increased 13% from 30.0 to 33.9 over this same time interval (p &lt; 0.05). Total lipoprotein area under the curve did not change with exercise. No lipoprotein subfraction was found to be associated with relative VO2 max in untrained individuals. At week 12, regardless of exercise group, relative VO2 max was negatively correlated (p&lt;0.05) with HDL3b, low‐density lipoprotein subfraction 2, LDL2, and LDL3. These findings show that increasing VO2 max, independent of exercise modality and diet modification, can have positive impact on lipoprotein profiles in the absence of changes in plasma cholesterol or HDL‐C.