Moderate-intensity Walking Exercise Research Articles

Moderate intensity walking exercises reduce the body mass index and vascular inflammatory factors in postmenopausal women with obesity: a randomized controlled trial

Postmenopause, the secretion of female hormones changes, causing excessive fat accumulation in the body and leading to chronic inflammation, which increases the incidence of cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Walking is an easily accessible daily exercise and effective non-pharmacological treatment for reducing obesity and the incidence of CVD. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of moderate intensity walking exercises on body composition, vascular inflammatory factors, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in postmenopausal women with obesity. Twenty-six older postmenopausal women with obesity (ages 68–72) were randomly assigned to control (n = 12, BMI 26.06 ± 1.37) or exercise (n = 14, BMI 26.04 ± 1.94) groups. Following a 12-week moderate intensity walking exercise program, we measured the participants’ body composition with an InBody S10 analyzer and assessed blood sera using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. There was a significant clustering by weight (p < 0.01), body mass index (p < 0.01), percentage body fat (p < 0.001), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (p < 0.05), interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (p < 0.05) being significantly decreased in the exercise group. Although VEGF levels did not change significantly, a tendency to increase was observed in participants that exercised. Our results indicate that walking exercise may help prevent CVD in postmenopausal women with obesity by reducing obesity and vascular inflammatory factors.

좌업 생활 노인의 걷기 운동량에 따른 대사증후군과 대사 관련 요인 관계 분석

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of the amount of walking exercise on metabolic syndrome and metabolism-related factors for the elderly with sedentary life using KNHNES data.<BR> Method: The data were obtained from the KNHNES Ⅶ conducted in 2016~2108. The subjects, a total of 4,288 elderly aged 65 years and older, were classified into two groups based on habitual sedentary life time and three groups based on total walking exercise amount. The dta processor for this study was used as a percentage and standard error (SE) or mean (M) of all measured values, used chi-square test, generalized linear model, and logistic regression analysis.<BR> Results: The results of this study are as follows. 1) The body mass index and waist circumference of the sedentary life group were significantly higher than those of tehnormal group (p<.001). 2) The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was significantly higher in the sedentary lief group than in the normal group (p<.001). 3) The difference of metabolism-related factors between the walking exercise amount groups in sedentary life was significantly higher in height, weight, total calorie intake (p<.001), and HDL-C (p<.01). 4) The prevalence of metabolic syndrome in the walking exercise groups was significant (p<.05).<BR> Conclusion: In summary, the findings in this study confirm that people with a sedentary life are more likely to have metabolic syndrome. The amount of high-intensity walking exercise and the amount of moderate-intensity walking exercise in a sedentary life can prevent metabolic syndrome.

Integrated Meditation and Exercise Therapy: A Randomized Controlled Pilot of a Combined Nonpharmacological Intervention Focused on Reducing Disability and Pain in Patients with Chronic Low Back Pain.

This pilot trial examined the effects of a combined intervention of mindfulness meditation followed by aerobic walking exercise compared with a control condition in chronic low back pain patients. We hypothesized that meditation before exercise would reduce disability, pain, and anxiety by increasing mindfulness prior to physical activity compared with an audiobook control group. Thirty-eight adults completed either meditation and exercise treatment (MedExT) (n=18) or an audiobook control condition (n=20). Duquesne University Exercise Physiology Laboratory. A pilot, assessor-blinded, randomized controlled trial. Over a 4-week period, participants in the MedExT group performed 12-17minutes of guided meditation followed by 30minutes of moderate-intensity walking exercise 5days per week. Measures of disability, pain, mindfulness, and anxiety were taken at baseline and postintervention. Pain perception measurements were taken daily. Compared with the control group, we observed larger improvements in disability in the MedExT intervention, although the changes were modest and not statistically significant (mean between-group difference, -1.24; 95% confidence interval [CI], -3.1 to 0.6). For secondary outcome measures, MedExT increased mindfulness (within-group) from pre-intervention to postintervention (P=0.0141). Additionally, mean ratings of low back pain intensity and unpleasantness significantly improved with time for the MedExT group compared with that of the control group, respectively (intensity P=0.0008; unpleasantness P=0.0022). . Overall, 4weeks of MedExT produced suggestive between-group trends for disability, significant between-group differences for measures of pain, and significant within-group increases in mindfulness.

Repeated prolonged moderate-intensity walking exercise does not appear to have harmful effects on inflammatory markers in patients with inflammatory bowel disease

Background and objectives The role of exercise in the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is inconclusive as most research focused on short or low-intensity exercise bouts and subjective outcomes. We assessed the effects of repeated prolonged moderate-intensity exercise on objective inflammatory markers in IBD patients. Methods In this study, IBD patients (IBD walkers, n = 18), and a control group (non-IBD walkers, n = 19), completed a 30, 40 or 50 km walking exercise on four consecutive days. Blood samples were taken at baseline and every day post-exercise to test for the effect of disease on exercise-induced changes in cytokine concentrations. A second control group of IBD patients who did not take part in the exercise, IBD non-walkers (n = 19), was used to test for the effect of exercise on faecal calprotectin. Both IBD groups also completed a clinical disease activity questionnaire. Results Changes in cytokine concentrations were similar for IBD walkers and non-IBD walkers (IL-6 p = .95; IL-8 p = .07; IL-10 p = .40; IL-1β p = .28; TNF-α p = .45), with a temporary significant increase in IL-6 (p < .001) and IL-10 (p = .006) from baseline to post-exercise day 1. Faecal calprotectin was not affected by exercise (p = .48). Clinical disease activity did not change in the IBD walkers with ulcerative colitis (p = .92), but did increase in the IBD walkers with Crohn’s disease (p = .024). Conclusion Repeated prolonged moderate-intensity walking exercise led to similar cytokine responses in participants with or without IBD, and it did not affect faecal calprotectin concentrations, suggesting that IBD patients can safely perform this type of exercise.

Intake Duration of Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract Affects Metabolic Responses during Moderate Intensity Walking Exercise in Adult Males

We examined effects of intake duration of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract on physiological and metabolic responses during moderate intensity walking. Healthy men (n = 16, age: 24 ± 6 years, body mass: 78 ± 16 kg, BMI: 24.7 ± 4.1 kg·m −2, body fat: 15 ± 5%) volunteered. One metabolic equivalent (1-MET: 3.95 ± 0.64 ml·kg−1·min−1) was measured during supine rest. Responses during the 30-min walk (n = 3: 4-MET; n = 13: 5-MET) (speed: 5.7 ± 0.7 km·hr−1) were measured at 7-10, 17-20 and 27-30 min and averaged over the time periods. For intake conditions (7-days and 14-days), two capsules of NZBC extract (600 mg containing 210 mg of anthocyanins) were taken with breakfast (14-day washout). The final two capsules were ingested 2-hr before the morning walk. Intake duration of NZBC extract had no effect on heart rate, minute ventilation, oxygen uptake, and carbon dioxide production. Fat oxidation was enhanced with 7- and 14-day intake by 11 ± 19% and 17 ± 26% (baseline: 0.36 ± 0.12, 7-day: 0.39 ± 0.13, 14-day: 0.41 ± 0.13 g·min−1, p = 0.007). Only 14-day intake lowered RER (baseline: 0.852 ± 0.046, 7-day: 0.843 ± 0.045, 14-day: 0.837 ± 0.037, p = 0.019) and carbohydrate oxidation (baseline: 0.95 ± 0.40, 7-day: 0.91 ± 0.40, 14-day: 0.86 ± 0.33 g·min−1, p = 0.032). Rating of perceived exertion was lower with 7-day and 14-day intake (baseline: 11.0 ± 2.3, 7-day: 10.5 ± 1.8, 14-day: 10.3 ± 2.1, p = 0.002). Longer intake duration (i.e. 14 days) of New Zealand blackcurrant extract seems to enhance fat oxidation more during a 30-min moderate intensity walk than 7 days intake. The intake duration of anthocyanin-rich New Zealand blackcurrant extract may be due to an enhanced bioavailability of anthocyanin-derived metabolites that alter the mechanisms for substrate oxidation during moderate intensity exercise.

The Impact of Protein Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Muscle Damage, Soreness and Fatigue Following Prolonged Walking Exercise in Vital Older Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Background: It is unknown whether protein supplementation can enhance recovery of exercise-induced muscle damage in older adults who have a disturbed muscle protein synthetic response. We assessed whether protein supplementation could attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage and soreness after prolonged moderate-intensity walking exercise in older adults. Methods: In a double-blind, placebo-controlled intervention study, 104 subjects (81% male, ≥65 years) used either a protein (n = 50) or placebo supplement (n = 54) during breakfast and directly after exercise. Within a walking event, study subjects walked 30/40/50 km per day on three consecutive days. Muscle soreness and fatigue were determined with a numeric rating scale, and creatine kinase (CK) concentrations and serum inflammation markers were obtained. Results: Habitual protein intake was comparable between the protein (0.92 ± 0.27 g/kg/d) and placebo group (0.97 ± 0.23 g/kg/d, p = 0.31). At baseline, comparable CK concentrations were found between the protein and the placebo group (110 (IQR: 84–160 U/L) and 115 (IQR: 91–186 U/L), respectively, p = 0.84). Prolonged walking (protein: 32 ± 9 km/d, placebo: 33 ± 6 km/d) resulted in a cumulative increase of CK in both the protein (∆283 (IQR: 182–662 U/L)) and placebo group (∆456 (IQR: 209–885 U/L)) after three days. CK elevations were not significantly different between groups (p = 0.43). Similarly, no differences in inflammation markers, muscle soreness and fatigue were found between groups. Conclusions: Protein supplementation does not attenuate exercise-induced muscle damage, muscle soreness or fatigue in older adults performing prolonged moderate-intensity walking exercise.

The effect of age and training status on oxygen uptake kinetics in women

We examined the effect of age and training status on the oxygen uptake (V˙ O2) kinetics of untrained and recreationally trained women. Young (20–35yr), middle-age (40–55yr) and older (58–71yr) recreationally trained (YTR, n = 10; MTR, n = 12; OTR, n = 9) and untrained (YUT, n = 12; MUT, n = 10; OUT, n = 9) women participated in this crossectional study. Breath-by-breath V˙ O2 and near-infrared-spectroscopy-derived (NIRS) muscle deoxygenation [HHb] were monitored continuously during increasing and constant walking exercises. On-transition V˙ O2 and [HHb] responses to moderate intensity walking were modeled as mono-exponential. The data were normalized for each subject (0%–100 %), and [HHb]/ V˙ O2 ratio was calculated as the average [HHb]/ V˙ O2 during the 20- to 120-s period after the onset of moderate intensity walking exercise. The time constant of V˙ O2 (τ V˙ O2) was longer in OUT(23.8 ± 2.4), MUT(25.4 ± 5.1), YUT(23.1 ± 3.4) than in YTR(16.2 ± 2.0), MTR(16.7 ± 3.9), OTR(16.3 ± 2.8) women (p < 0.05). The [HHb]/ V˙ O2 ratio in OUT (1.31 ± 0.18) was higher than in YTR(1.08 ± 0.05), MTR(1.13 ± 0.09), YUT(1.12 ± 0.09) (p < 0.05). It is concluded that recreationally trained women had faster V˙ O2 kinetics along with better matching of O2 delivery and utilization at the site of gas exchange in the exercising muscles.

Dose-related Effects of Moderate Intensity Walking Exercise on Sensitivity to Pain in Healthy Humans

Dose-related Effects of Moderate Intensity Walking Exercise on Sensitivity to Pain in Healthy Humans

Effects of exercise on inflammation in patients receiving chemotherapy: a nationwide NCORP randomized clinical trial.

Purpose.A growing body of research suggests that inflammation plays a role in many chemotherapy-related toxicities such as fatigue, anxiety, and neuropathy. Regular exercise can change levels of individual cytokines (e.g., reducing IL-6, increasing IL-10); however, it is not known whether exercise during chemotherapy affects relationships between cytokines (i.e., whether cytokine concentrations change collectively vs. independently). This study assessed how 6 weeks of exercise during chemotherapy affected relationships between changes in concentrations of several cytokines.Methods.This is a secondary analysis of a randomized trial studying 6 weeks of moderate-intensity walking and resistance exercise during chemotherapy compared to chemotherapy alone. At pre- and post-intervention, patients provided blood to assess serum concentrations of cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IFN-γ, and receptor sTNFR1. We investigated relationships between cytokines using the correlations between changes in cytokine concentrations from pre- to post-intervention.Results.We obtained complete data from 293 patients (149 randomized to exercise). Exercise strengthened the correlation between concentration changes of IL-10 and IL-6 (r=0.44 in exercisers vs. 0.11 in controls; p=0.001). We observed the same pattern for IL-10:IL-1β and IL-10:sTNFR1. Exercise also induced an anti-inflammatory cytokine profile, per reductions in pro-inflammatory IFNγ (p=0.044) and perhaps IL-1β (p=0.099, trend-level significance).Conclusions.Our hypothesis-generating work suggests that regular exercise during 6 weeks of chemotherapy may cause certain cytokine concentrations to change collectively (not independently). This work enhances our understanding of relationships between cytokines and complements traditional analyses of cytokines in isolation. Future work should test for replication and relationships to patient outcomes.

Experimental effects of acute exercise duration and exercise recovery on mood state

ObjectiveAccumulating evidence suggests that, in addition to various psychosocial parameters, affective responses to exercise play an important role in subserving future exercise behavior. This study comprehensively evaluated whether acute exercise duration and recovery period influenced the relationship between moderate-intensity walking exercise and mood profile. MethodWe employed a randomized controlled cross-over trial. Participants completed two laboratory visits, separated by one-week. One of the visits involved a mood profile assessment with no exercise, while the other visit involved a mood profile assessment after an acute bout of exercise. Participants (N = 352; 22 per group; young [Mage = 21 yrs] healthy adults) were randomized into one of 16 experimental groups: 10, 20, 30, 45 or 60min bout of exercise coupled with either a 5, 15 or 30min recovery period. The exercise bout was of moderate-intensity (40–59% of HRR). Mood profile was assessed from the POMS survey, considering subscales of depression, anger and hostility. ResultsFor all three mood profile parameters, there was no evidence of a group x time interaction effect. However, the main effect for time was statistically significant for each mood parameter. These significant results demonstrate that, generally, exercise had a favorable effect on each of the mood profile, regardless of exercise duration and recovery period. In addition to the significant main effects for time, we also observed a significant main effect for group for the mood parameter hostility. With the exception of the group 13 (60min of exercise with 5min recovery) and the 3 groups that employed a 10-min bout of exercise (groups 1–3), all other experimental groups had a lower (better) hostility score after the exercise visit. ConclusionsGenerally, exercise had a favorable effect on various mood profiles, regardless of exercise duration (between 10 and 60min) and recovery period (between 5 and 30min).

The Experimental Effects of Acute Walking on Cognitive Creativity Performance

To examine the experimental effects of acute moderate-intensity walking exercise on cognitive creativity. Twenty young adults (Mage = 21.3 yrs) completed a within-subject experimental protocol involving three trials on a single laboratory visit. Trials 1 and 2 were control trials involving creativity task performance. Following Trial 2, participants completed a 15-minute acute bout of treadmill walking exercise. After this, participants completed the Trial 3 creativity assessment. For all trials, both convergent (Remote Associates Task) and divergent (Alternative Uses Task) creativity was assessed. There was no statistically significant experimental effect of acute exercise on convergent creativity performance (F=0.48; P=.62; η2=.05). Results were similar for divergent creativity. Our findings do not provide evidence that acute walking enhances cognitive creativity.

Responses of inflammatory cytokines following moderate intensity walking exercise in overweight or obese individuals.

This study investigated the effects of a 4-week moderate intensity walking exercise on the levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), and adiponectin in overweight or obese individuals. Twenty-seven (13 men and 14 women) physically inactive, over-weight or obese (body mass index>25.0 kg/m2) individuals participated in the study. Each participant was randomly assigned to either exercise (EX; n=15) or control (CON; n=12) group. The EX group performed moderate intensity walking exercise on a treadmill for 60 min at 70% of maximal heart rate for 4 weeks (3 days/wk). Overnight fasting blood samples were collected before and after the study period (Pre and Post) to analyze the levels of pro-/anti-inflammatory cytokines such as CRP, TNF-α, and adiponectin. CRP and adiponectin as well as body weight and body composition were not significantly altered following the 4-week exercise intervention. However, there was a significant group×time interaction for TNF-α. The post hoc test revealed that the level of TNF-α significantly decreased only in EX (EX: mean±standard deviation, Pre 55.18±6.57 pg/mL, Post 50.31±6.22, P=0.018 vs. CON: Pre 55.5±5.88, Post 58.19±6.48, P=0.25). EX Post was also significantly lower as compared to CON Post (P=0.0074). Although there was no change in body weight or fat mass, the 4-week aerobic exercise training was long enough to decrease the level of TNF-α, indicating physical activity may improve level of inflammation independently from the change in fat mass. The current study also confirmed previous research suggesting that longer period of exercise training accompanied by weight loss may be required to induce significant changes in CRP and adiponectin.

Exercise During Chemotherapy May Reduce Pain By Strengthening Co-regulatory Couplings In The Cytokine Network

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy is hypothesized to cause pain partly via dysregulation of the inflammatory cytokine network - namely, by weakening the normal co-regulatory couplings between concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Although research suggests that exercise reduces pain in cancer patients by favorably influencing individual markers of inflammation, no studies have examined whether exercise influences the co-regulatory couplings between concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The purposes of this study were to assess how regulation of the inflammatory cytokine network is (1) affected by exercise and (2) related to pain. METHODS: We performed simple network analyses (i.e., correlations matrices) on data from 348 cancer patients enrolled in a randomized trial of chemotherapy plus 6 weeks of moderate-intensity walking and resistance exercise (N = 173) vs. chemotherapy alone (N = 175) in mixed-type, early/mid-stage cancer patients (mean age = 56, 93% female). At pre- and post-intervention, patients (1) provided blood to assess concentrations of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IFNγ, and sTNFR1 via ELISA and (2) reported pain in the last 7 days (0=not present, 10=as bad as you can imagine). RESULTS: Compared to chemotherapy alone, exercise plus chemotherapy strengthened the normal co-regulatory couplings between changes in concentrations of several pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines - specifically, between IL-6 and all other cytokines (p < 0.05) and between IL-10 and all other cytokines (p < 0.05). Among exercise participants, decreased pain was associated with strengthened co-regulatory coupling between changes in concentrations of IL-6 and IL-10 (r = -0.18, p = 0.047). CONCLUSIONS: Exercise strengthened the regulation of the inflammatory cytokine network via strengthened co-regulatory couplings between concentrations of pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. The strength of co-regulatory coupling between IL-6 and IL-10 may mediate the beneficial effects of exercise on pain, considering that IL-6 and IL-10 are known to contribute to the physical conditioning effects of exercise. Our novel methods to analyze cytokine data may complement traditional analytic approaches in the investigation of immune-mediated phenomena beyond this study.

Exercise Training and Functional Connectivity Changes in Mild Cognitive Impairment and Healthy Elders.

Effective interventions are needed to improve brain function in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), an early stage of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The posterior cingulate cortex (PCC)/precuneus is a hub of the default mode network (DMN) and is preferentially vulnerable to disruption of functional connectivity in MCI and AD. We investigated whether 12 weeks of aerobic exercise could enhance functional connectivity of the PCC/precuneus in MCI and healthy elders. Sixteen MCI and 16 healthy elders (age range = 60-88) engaged in a supervised 12-week walking exercise intervention. Functional MRI was acquired at rest; the PCC/precuneus was used as a seed for correlated brain activity maps. A linear mixed effects model revealed a significant interaction in the right parietal lobe: the MCI group showed increased connectivity while the healthy elders showed decreased connectivity. In addition, both groups showed increased connectivity with the left postcentral gyrus. Comparing pre to post intervention changes within each group, the MCI group showed increased connectivity in 10 regions spanning frontal, parietal, temporal and insular lobes, and the cerebellum. Healthy elders did not demonstrate any significant connectivity changes. The observed results show increased functional connectivity of the PCC/precuneus in individuals with MCI after 12 weeks of moderate intensity walking exercise training. The protective effects of exercise training on cognition may be realized through the enhancement of neural recruitment mechanisms, which may possibly increase cognitive reserve. Whether these effects of exercise training may delay further cognitive decline in patients diagnosed with MCI remains to be demonstrated.

Responses of Inflammatory Cytokines Following Moderate Intensity Walking Exercise in Overweight or Obese Individuals

Chronic low‐grade inflammation is associated with physical inactivity as well as overweight and obesity. Levels of pro‐/anti‐inflammatory cytokines are affected as body fat changes. However, the response of these cytokines to short term moderate intensity exercise training is not yet known.PURPOSEThe current study investigated the effects of a 4‐week moderate intensity walking exercise on levels of C‐reactive protein (CRP), TNF‐alpha and adiponectin in overweight or obese individuals.METHODSTwenty seven (13 males and 14 females) physically inactive, overweight or obese (BMI &gt; 25.0 kg/m2) individuals participated in the study. Each participant was randomly assigned to either exercise (EX, N=15) or control (CON, N=12) group. The exercise group performed moderate intensity walking exercise on a treadmill for 60 minutes at 70% of HRmax for 4 weeks (3 days/week), while the control group did not perform any physical activity. Overnight fasting blood samples were collected before and after the study period (PRE and Post) to analyze levels of pro‐/anti‐inflammatory cytokines such as C‐reactive protein (CRP), TNF‐α, and adiponectin. Two‐way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were used for data analysis.RESULTSCRP and adiponectin as well as body weight and body composition were not significantly altered following the 4‐week exercise intervention. However, there was a significant group*time interactions for TNF‐α. The follow‐up simple effects tests revealed that only the exercise group significantly lowered level of TNF‐α (EX : 55.18±2.57pg/mL, Mean±SE, ← 50.31±2.22 P=.0084 vs. CON : 55.50±2.88 ← 58.19±2.48, P=.25). EX Post is also significantly lower as compared to CON Post (P=.032). Values for CRP and Adiponectin were as follows; CRP (EX : 637.8±113.3ng/mL, ← 510.5±114.2 P=.060 vs. CON : 644.2±126.7 ← 654.1±127.7, P=.76) and Adiponectin (EX : 7.1±1.3 ug/mL, ← 7.2±1.3 P=.87 vs. CON : 9.8±1.5 ← 9.9±1.5, P=.83).CONCLUSIONAlthough there was no change in fat mass, 4 weeks of aerobic exercise was long enough to decrease levels of TNF‐α indicating physical activity independent from change in fat mass may affect level of inflammation . Results confirmed previous research that longer period of training accompanied with weight loss is required to induce changes in CRP and adiponectin.

Intensity of treadmill walking exercise on acute mood symptoms in persons with multiple sclerosis

ABSTRACTBackground/Objectives: An acute bout of moderate-intensity treadmill walking exercise has previously been associated with improvements in overall mood disturbance and vigor, without worsening fatigue, among persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).This study examined the effects of light-, moderate-, and high-intensity bouts of treadmill walking exercise on immediate and delayed mood states in MS. Design: This was a within-subjects, randomized, and counter-balanced study. Methods: 23 women and 1 man with MS undertook 20-minute bouts of light-, moderate-, and high-intensity treadmill walking, and seated quiet rest. Participants completed the profile of mood states (POMS) questionnaire before, immediately after, and 45 minutes after each condition. Total mood disturbance (TMD) and six subscales of the POMS were analyzed using 2-way, repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results: There was a significant condition-by-time interaction on TMD scores () and vigor scores (). The moderate-intensity treadmill walking yielded the largest improvements in TMD and vigor immediately post-condition (p < .05). These improvements were no longer significant at 45 minutes post-condition (p > .05). Conclusion: TMD and vigor improved immediately after moderate-intensity walking, but the changes dissipated over time. Fatigue did not worsen after any of the walking conditions. These results indicate that an acute bout of moderate-intensity walking may help with mood management in persons with MS, without worsening fatigue.

Four Weeks of Moderate Intensity Exercise on Levels of Cortisol, Antioxidant, and DNA Damage

PURPOSEThis study investigated the effects of a 4‐week moderate intensity walking exercise on levels of cortisol, antioxidant status, and 8‐OXO‐guanosine in overweight or obese individuals.METHODS27 physically inactive, overweight or obese individuals were randomly assigned to either exercise (N=15) or control (N=12) group. The exercise group performed moderate intensity walking exercise on a treadmill for 60 minutes at 70% of HRmax for 4 weeks (3 days/week). Overnight fasting blood samples were collected before and after the study period to analyze levels of cortisol, antioxidant status, and 8‐OXO‐guanosine. Two‐way repeated measures ANOVA and Tukey post hoc tests were used for data analysis.RESULTSNo significant changes were found in both body weight and body composition among both groups following 4 week intervention. An increase in total antioxidant status (3.99±.15mM, Mean±SE → 4.33±.15, P=0.013) and decreases in levels of cortisol (2523.8±234.3pg/mL → 1890.7±196.2, P=.0016) and 8‐OXO‐guanosine (2078.7±138.8pg/mL → 1783.9±134.8, P=.0104) were found following 4 weeks of moderate intensity exercise; however, no significant difference were found in control group : total antioxidant status (3.99±.17 → 4.10±.17, P=.17), cortisol (2597.0±263.1 → 2482.6±219.3, P=.203), and 8‐OXO‐guanosine (1990.0±155.2 → 2021.4±150.8, P=.72).CONCLUSIONSThe 4‐week moderate intensity exercise resulted in no change in body mass; however, it reduced the level of stress hormone and DNA damage in blood and elevated total antioxidant protection. Results indicate that 4 weeks of moderate intensity exercise may induce positive changes in endocrine system independent from changes in body weight and body composition.

Influence of repeated effort induced by a 6-min walk test on postural response in older sedentary women.

According to the latest recommendations, adults should exercise regularly at moderate intensity to improve aerobic fitness and body composition. However, it is unknown whether aerobic exercise at submaximal intensity has detrimental effects on balance in older sedentary adults. We explored the effects of two 6-min walk tests (6MWTs) on the postural responses in 49 sedentary women between 60 and 76years old. We assumed that an increase in the center of pressure (COP) fluctuations or a loss in the complexity of the COP time series would be a sign of a deleterious effect on balance. We used kinematic stabilometric parameters, recurrence quantification analysis (RQA) and the central tendency measure (CTM). We refer to the measures obtained through RQA and CTM methods by dynamical measures. Repeated-measures analysis of variance showed no significant differences between the three sets of postural kinematic measures (before vs. after the first vs. after the second 6MWT). However, we observed significant differences between the three sets for the CTM measure in the antero-posterior direction (p<0.002), RQA determinism in the medio-lateral (ML) direction (p<0.0001), and RQA entropy in the ML direction (F=5.93; p<0.004).Our results indicate that the effects of moderate-intensity walking exercise on posture are not revealed by classical postural kinematic measures but only by dynamical measures. The loss of complexity in the COP time series observed after both the first and second 6MWTs may indicate presymptomatic deterioration in the postural adaptive capabilities of sedentary older women.

Walking improves sleep in individuals with cancer: a meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.

To evaluate the effectiveness of walking exercise on sleep in people with cancer. Databases searched included China Knowledge Resource Integrated Database, CINAHL®, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, EMBASE, PsycINFO®, PubMed, Wanfang Data, and Web of Science. Nine randomized, controlled trials involving 599 patients were included. Most of the studies used moderate-intensity walking exercise. Overall, walking exercise significantly improved sleep in people with cancer (Hedges' g = –0.52). Moderator analyses showed that walking exercise alone and walking exercise combined with other forms of interventions yielded comparable effects on sleep improvement, and that the effect size did not differ among participants who were at different stages of cancer. The effect sizes for studies involving individuals with breast cancer and for studies including individuals with other types of cancer were similar. Moderate-intensity walking exercise is effective in improving sleep in individuals with cancer. The authors' findings support the inclusion of walking exercise into the multimodal approaches to managing sleep in people with cancer. Healthcare providers must convey the benefits of walking exercise to individuals with cancer who are suffering from sleep problems.

Acute effects of walking, cycling, and yoga exercise on cognition in persons with relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis without impaired cognitive processing speed

Introduction: Cognitive impairment is a highly prevalent, disabling, and poorly managed consequence of multiple sclerosis (MS). Exercise training represents a promising approach for managing cognitive impairment in this population. However, there is limited evidence supporting an optimal exercise stimulus for improving cognition in MS. The current study compared the acute effects of moderate-intensity treadmill walking, moderate-intensity cycle ergometry, and guided yoga with those of quiet rest on executive control in 24 persons with relapsing-remitting MS without impaired cognitive processing speed using a within-subjects, repeated measures design. Method: Participants completed four experimental conditions that consisted of 20 minutes of moderate-intensity treadmill walking exercise, moderate-intensity cycle ergometer exercise, guided yoga, and quiet rest in a randomized, counterbalanced order. Participants underwent a modified-flanker task as a measure of executive control immediately prior to and following each condition. Results: Repeated measures analyses of variance (ANOVAs) indicated general pre-to-post improvements in reaction time, but not accuracy, on the modified-flanker task for all three exercise modalities compared with quiet rest. However, there were additional, selective pre-to-post reductions in the cost of interfering stimuli on reaction time on the modified-flanker task for treadmill walking, F(1, 23) = 4.67, p = .04, ηp2 = .17, but not cycle ergometry, F(1, 23) = 0.12, p = .73, ηp2 < .01, or guided yoga, F(1, 23) = 0.73, p = .40, ηp2 = .03, compared with quiet rest. Conclusions: The present results support treadmill walking as the modality of exercise that might exert the largest beneficial effects on executive control in persons with relapsing-remitting MS without impaired cognitive processing speed. This represents an exciting starting point for delineating the appropriate exercise stimulus (i.e., modality and intensity) for inclusion in a subsequent longitudinal exercise training intervention for improving cognitive performance in this population.