Regular Exercise Program Research Articles

The effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on quality of life and functional capacity after chemotherapy in patients with small cell lung cancer.

This study aimed to investigate the effect of pulmonary rehabilitation on quality of life during the survival period in individuals with small cell lung cancer. Thirty-six patients with a diagnosis of small cell lung cancer (SCLC), who completed chemotherapy treatment and were in the survival period, were included in the study. A pulmonary rehabilitation program was applied to individuals at 40-70% of submaximal heart rate, 3days a week for 8weeks. The pulmonary rehabilitation program will consist of warm up, breathing exercises, gait training, aerobic exercises, and cool down exercises. Demographic information, walking distance, and presence of dyspnea were questioned. Inspiration/expiration difference was evaluated. Vital signs were evaluated before each session. Quality of life was assessed with the Cancer-Specific Developed Quality of Life Scale (EORTC-QLQ-C30). Of the patients, 80% (36 people) completed the entire 8-week program. The mean age of the individuals was 51.78 ± 10.23. In the evaluation made at the end of the rehabilitation program, it was observed that the walking distance of the individuals increased significantly. Inspiration of individuals' expiratory difference increased by an average of 2.01 ± 0.40cm. Improvement was found in the sub-parameters of quality of life (p < 0.05). The participants with small cell lung cancer had decreased quality of life due to long-term immobilization, surgery, hospitalization times, side effects of chemotherapy treatment, and other problems. Regular exercise programs can provide an increase in the individual's pulmonary functions. Individual-specific pulmonary rehabilitation programs have important contributions to the quality of life in SCLC on the survival period, and it has shown that this study can guide physiotherapists and physicians working in oncological rehabilitation and pulmonary rehabilitation.

Gene Expression of Neurogenesis Related to Exercise Intensity in a Cerebral Infarction Rat Model.

Regular exercise improves several functions, including cognition, in patients with stroke. However, the effect of regular exercise on neurogenesis related to cognition remains doubtful. We investigated the most effective exercise intensity for functional recovery after stroke using RNA sequencing following regular treadmill exercise. Photothrombotic cerebral infarction was conducted for 10-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 36). A Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed before a regular treadmill exercise program (5 days/week, 4 weeks). Rats were randomly divided into four groups: group A (no exercise); group B (low intensity, maximal velocity 18 m/min); group C (moderate intensity, maximal velocity 24 m/min) and group D (high intensity, maximal velocity 30 m/min). After 4 weeks, another MWM test was performed, and all rats were sacrificed. RNA sequencing was performed with ipsilesional hippocampal tissue. On the day after cerebral infarction, no differences in escape latency and velocity were observed among the groups. At 4 weeks after cerebral infarction, the escape latencies in groups B, C, and D were shorter than in group A. The escape latencies in groups B and C were shorter than in group D. The velocity in groups A, B, and C was faster than in group D. Thirty gene symbols related to neurogenesis were detected (p < 0.05, fold change > 1.0, average normalized read count > four times). In the neurotrophin-signaling pathway, the CHK gene was upregulated, and the NF-κB gene was downregulated in the low-intensity group. The CHK and NF-κB genes were both downregulated in the moderate-intensity group. The Raf and IRAK genes were downregulated in the high-intensity group. Western blot analysis showed that NF-κB expression was lowest in the moderate-intensity group, whereas CHK and Raf were elevated, and IRAK was decreased in the high-intensity group. Moderate-intensity exercise may contribute to neuroplasticity. Variation in the expression of neurotrophins in neurogenesis according to exercise intensity may reveal the mechanism of neuroplasticity. Thus, NF-κB is the key neurotrophin for neurogenesis related to exercise intensity.

TELEREHABILITATION FOR ADOLESCENTS WITH IDIOPATHIC SCOLIOSIS: PAIN, QUALITY OF LIFE, AND DISABILITY DURING COVID-19

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of 3D scoliosis exercise training delivered via telerehabilitation on pain, function, and disability in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis during the COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: Forty-four participants (27 females, 17 males) with scoliosis received a 12-week telerehabilitation program led by an experienced physiotherapist. Pain, function, and disability were assessed before and after the lockdown using standardized questionnaires. Results: No significant changes were observed in pain, function, or disability scores after the program. Conclusion: Telerehabilitation-based 3D scoliosis exercises may help maintain pain, function, and disability levels in adolescents with scoliosis during lockdowns. Regular home exercise programs are recommended when face-to-face therapy is unavailable. Future research should explore simulation-based training to enhance effectiveness.

How Could We Prevent the Threatening of Falls to the Elderly?

Falls among the elderly population can have serious and potentially life-threatening consequences. To prevent such incidents, a multi-faceted approach must be implemented within the healthcare system. Firstly, healthcare providers should conduct routine screenings for fall risk factors, such as muscle weakness and balance issues, during regular check-ups. Additionally, implementing regular exercise programs that focus on improving strength and balance can help reduce the likelihood of falls. Assessing and modifying the home environment to remove potential hazards, such as uneven flooring or inadequate lighting, is also crucial in preventing falls. Furthermore, educating both the elderly individuals and their caregivers about fall prevention strategies is essential. By combining these efforts with proper medication management and regular vision checks, we can effectively decrease the threat of falls among the elderly population and improve their overall quality of life.

Effectiveness of Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Verses Conventional Physiotherapy on Kinesiophobia in Patients with Frozen Shoulder: A Comparative Study

Background: Frozen Shoulder is defined as a clinical syndrome characterized by painful restriction of both active and passive shoulder movements (1) . there is high degree of kinesiophobia among patients having shoulder pain(2). Mindfulness based cognitive therapy (MBCT) may be an effective intervention for the treatment of active depression in a population with chronic pain (3) . The treatment goal of MBCT program, is to find ways of managing the pain and the adverse consequences on mental health and quality of life (4). considering that in patients with frozen shoulder treatment of pain alone was not enough to reduce fear of movement , Hence this study aimed to find the effect of MBCT on pain and kinesiophobia in patients with frozen shoulder. Objective: To find the effect of mindfulness based cognitive therapy on pain and kinesiophobia in patients with frozen shoulder. Methodology: After designing the study Institutional Ethical Approval was taken. Consent was obtained from all the participants. 30 samples were screened based on eligibility criteria, 2 were excluded and 28 were further divided into Group A (experimental group) received MBCT and conventional therapy and Group B (control group) received conventional therapy. Pre-assessment was by Tampa scale for kinesiophobia and VAS scale for pain done at Week 0. The experimental group received the MBCT and regular exercise program for 8 sessions 2 hours per day for 8 weeks. The control group received regular exercise program. Post-assessment was done at week 8. Result: The (INSTAT) was used for comparison of mean of group A and group B. One participant from the experimental group and one from the control group did not complete the study. The comparison of mean post intervention scores for group A and B of TSK Scores was found to be Extremely significant which was calculated using un-paired t test with t value t= 3.922, p value p= &lt;0.0006. Comparison of mean post intervention scores for group A and B of VAS Scores was found to be Not significant which was calculated using un-paired t test with t value t= 0.4583, p value p= 0.6505. Conclusion: The study concludes that MBCT along with conventional physiotherapy is effective in reducing kinesiophobia in patients with frozen shoulder.

Light physical activity improves lower limb perfusion asymmetries in older sedentary adults — an exploratory study

Perfusion asymmetries between lower limbs are common even in healthy young individuals, although their physiological significance is unknown. Even in the absence of vascular disease, ageing is among the determinants that seem to accentuate those differences. While it is known that physical activity affects vascular hemodynamics, its specific impact on perfusion asymmetries in healthy elderly individuals is still unclear. This study aimed to identify vascular asymmetries and their variations after a regular program of light exercise in older individuals with age-related comorbidities in the absence of peripheral vascular disease (PVD). Ten participants, mean age 62.4 ± 5.6 years old, were selected following specific criteria. Participants were mostly sedentary, combining one or more common morbidities for this age group — in particular hypertension, overweight and / or diabetes (T2D). Exclusion criteria were an abnormal Ankle-Brachial Index assessed in a standing position at rest and evidence of compromised mobility. All procedures respected the principles of good clinical practice, being previously submitted and approved by the institutional Ethical Commission. Lower limb perfusion was assessed in both feet (anteromedial region) at two time points — day zero (D0) and thirty days later (D30) — using two optical-based technologies — Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and Polarized Spectroscopy (PSp). These two technologies measure at different depths, with LDF providing deeper tissue readings. During this evaluation period, participants underwent a daily structured program of light exercises based on the FITT principles (F, frequency; I, intensity; T, time and T, type of activity/activity performance) centred in the lower limb perfusion. The group revealed significant asymmetries at D0, where the right foot consistently showed higher values with both technologies correlating positively. At D30, LDF values increased by 57.5% in both feet, meaning that asymmetries disappeared. No significant changes were observed with PSp. Basic cardiovascular functions such as blood pressure and mean arterial pressure were also evaluated, showing significant decreases in systolic pressure and mean arterial pressure. These encouraging results suggest that regular physical activity, even if light in intensity and duration, improves overall hemodynamics and specifically raises perfusion in the lower limbs. These findings should be further explored with the aimof prevention and treatment of PVD. This research was financed by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P. (Portugal), under the [UIDB/04567/2020] and [UIDP/ 04567/2020] programs. This is the full abstract presented at the American Physiology Summit 2024 meeting and is only available in HTML format. There are no additional versions or additional content available for this abstract. Physiology was not involved in the peer review process.

The effect of exercise on sleep habits of children with type 1 diabetic: a randomized clinical trial

BackgroundAdequate sleep and exercise are important components of the human lifestyle. Paying attention to these two factors is very important to improve the condition of children with type 1 diabetes. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on sleep habits in children with type 1 diabetes.Material & methods62 children with type 1 diabetes participated in this clinical trial. They will be divided into the intervention group (31) and the control group (31). Sleep habits were measured using the Children’s Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). All children’s parents completed the CSHQ. The intervention for the experimental group consisted of 8 weeks of regular exercise program. The exercise program was prepared as an educational video and provided to parents. Paired sample t-test and ANCOVA test were used with SPSS 23.Results62 children with an average age of 9.32 ± 2.02 were studied. Fifty-four and eight% of the children were girls and the rest were boys. The analysis of the variance test showed a significant difference (F = 144.72, P ≤ 0.01) between the average score of the sleep habits of the control group (62.45 ± 5.12) and the experimental group (47.06 ± 4.39).ConclusionSleep habits in the experimental group improved after 8 weeks of exercise training using educational videos. Exercise as a non-pharmacological treatment is an effective way to manage diabetes and improve sleep quality in diabetic children.

Effects of Accelerated Rehabilitation Exercise on the Senior Fitness Test (SFT), Isometric Muscle strength, and Blood Profile in Older Adult Women with Degenerative Knee Osteoarthritis

PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the effects of accelerated rehabilitation exercise on physical fitness, lower extremity isometric strength, and blood variables in older adult women diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis.METHODS A total of 29 older adult women diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis residing in G city participated in the study, and 19 participants, excluding dropouts, took part in the experiment. They underwent exercise twice a week for 60 minutes per session over a period of 12 weeks. Pre- and post-experiment, the older adult fitness assessment (SFT), lower extremity isometric strength, and blood variables were measured. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 25.0, and paired sample t-tests were conducted to examine the effects before and after exercise.RESULTS The study results showed significant differences in body mass index (BMI) before and after exercise (p&lt;0.05), and the older adult fitness assessment (SFT) showed significant differences in all items (p&lt;0.01). Lower extremity isometric strength showed significant differences in absolute (Nm) and relative (%BW) values of 20° right flexion muscle (p&lt;0.01). In terms of blood variables, significant differences were observed in creatine and ESR before and after exercise (p&lt;0.01).CONCLUSIONS This study’s results suggest that regular physical activity and rehabilitation exercise programs can positively impact the muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, exercise function, and blood composition of older adult women diagnosed with degenerative osteoarthritis. It is indicated that conducting future research, including periodic exercise programs, could be beneficial in promoting sustained exercise participation.

Physical activity and exercise programs for kidney patients: an Italian survey of nephrology centres

BackgroundData on exercise activities in place, and on the interest for developing them in Nephrology Services in Italy is limited. To address this gap, we carried out this cross-sectional study to investigate the status of physical activity and exercise programs available in Italian Nephrology Centres. Additionally, research priorities on this topic were examined.MethodsWe developed a 14-item electronic survey, which consisted of multiple-choice questions covering exercise training programs, physical assessment, barriers to exercise practice and to exercise programs, exercise and physical activity counselling practices, perceived exercise benefits, literature evidence, and research priorities. Data on the characteristics of the centres were also collected.ResultsSixty-two responses from Italian nephrology centres were collected. Ninety-three percent of the respondents were aware of the scientific evidence supporting the benefits of regular exercise programs for chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients. Additionally, in 75% of centres the nephrologists believed that physical activity counselling should be performed by the nephrologists. However, only 26% of centres provided exercise programs, mainly for dialysis patients, and 63% never or infrequently assessed physical activity in the context of patient management. Eighty-nine percent of centres reported barriers to implementing exercise programs, including lack of funding, institutional disinterest, patient refusal, and negative attitudes of the healthcare personnel. Forty-six research priorities related to exercise in CKD patients were suggested, with the majority focusing on impact of exercise programs and physical activity on cardiovascular, nutritional, and psychosocial outcomes.ConclusionThis survey highlights the limited availability of exercise programs and physical activity evaluation in clinical practice in Italian Nephrology Centres. However, the survey also revealed a strong interest for counselling CKD patients on physical activity and implementing exercise prescriptions and interventions.Graphical

Maximum Strength and Power as Determinants of Match Skating Performance in Elite Youth Ice Hockey Players.

Keiner, M, Kierot, M, Stendahl, M, Brauner, T, and Suchomel, TJ. Maximum strength and power as determinants of match skating performance in elite youth ice hockey players. J Strength Cond Res 38(6): 1090-1094, 2024-Maximum strength has a strong influence on speed-strength performances such as sprints and jumps. Important for sports practice is whether these findings are also reflected in game performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to explore the influence of maximum strength and power performance on linear on-ice skating performance in testing and during game play. A cross-sectional study was conducted, and 24 highly trained male youth ice hockey players participated. Jump performances (countermovement jump [CMJ], drop jumps), maximum strength (1 repetition maximum [1RM] squat and isometric trap bar pull [ITBP]), and on-ice linear sprints (15 m [LS15], 30 m [LS30], flying 15 m [FLY15]) were measured. Match performances (among others: peak skating speed) were collected of 4 regular league games using a local positioning system. Correlation coefficient and explained variance were calculated ( ρ ≤ 0.05). Correlations between maximum strength and jump with on-ice linear sprint performance showed 1-35% explained variance. Correlations between "off ice" test (CMJ, relative 1RM) and game data (peak skating speed) showed 22-30% explained variance, respectively, while ITBP and DJ missed significant level. Between linear sprint and game performance showed 15-59% explained variance. In this study, a clear influence of 1RM in squatting and CMJ performance on on-ice linear sprint as well as in-game peak skating speed was observed. These findings show that strength and jumping performance can be valuable tests within a comprehensive test battery and indicate the relevance of strength and jumping tasks within the regular exercise program to improve in-game skating performance.

The Effect of a Six-Week Home Exercise Program on Pain and Disability in UltrasoundDiagnosed Patients with Subacromial Subdeltoid Impingement Syndrome: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Background &amp; Objectives: There is conflicting evidence regarding the effects of exercise on shoulder impingement syndrome. Exercise therapy is one of the methods used to reduce pain and increase muscle strength in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. There are several exercise therapy programs available in this area. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of exercise therapy on pain and disability in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome. Materials &amp; Methods: This randomized clinical trial was conducted in 25 patients with impingement syndrome from the Dastgheib Yasaei Pain Clinic in Fasa. Patients were randomized to receive medication (n=13) or medication plus exercise therapy (n=12). The Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) and the Verbal Numeric Rating Scale were used to measure disability and pain intensity before and after the intervention. Patient satisfaction was measured using the Likert scale. Independent and paired t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and chi-squared were performed at a significant level of P≤0.05. Analyses were performed with SPSS software (version 25.0). Results: There were no differences between groups in pre-intervention demographics (P&gt;0.05), pain intensity (P=0.16), and ODI scores (0.93). Post-intervention pain and ODI scores were significantly higher in the medication group than in the medication-exercise group (P=0.06, P=0.03, respectively). There was a significant difference in pain and ODI scores at post-intervention compared to pre-intervention in both groups (P&lt;0.001). The difference in pain intensity between pre- and post-intervention in both groups was also statistically significant (P=0.006). There was a significant difference in patient satisfaction between groups (P=0.03). Conclusion: These results suggest that a regular exercise program, along with medication, may be effective in reducing pain and disability in patients with shoulder impingement syndrome.

Trajectory of Walking Function in Late-Stage Older Individuals Managed with a Regular Exercise Program: A 5-Year Longitudinal Tracking with an IoT Gait Analysis System Using Accelerometers

Trajectory of Walking Function in Late-Stage Older Individuals Managed with a Regular Exercise Program: A 5-Year Longitudinal Tracking with an IoT Gait Analysis System Using Accelerometers

THE EFFECTS OF CALISTHENIC EXERCISES ON SLEEP QUALITY, FATIGUE, AND DEPRESSION IN ELDER ADULTS

Purpose: The physical, psychological, even economic and environmental changes emerged with age cause problems in sleep. The lack of exercise habits could increase the incidence of unfavorable sleep disorders with depression and fatigue. The aim of this non-randomized controlled study was to investigate the considerable effects of calisthenic exercises on sleep disorders, depression, and fatigue in elder adults. Methods: The study was conducted at Pamukkale University and Hatay Mustafa Kemal University. Sixty-two individuals participated in the study between May 2018-October 2019. While the Calisthenic Group (n=32) performed calisthenic exercises for 30-45minutes/session and 3days/6weeks, and Control Group (n=30) did not performed. Fatigue, depression, and sleep quality levels were assessed using the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS), Beck Depression Scale (BDI), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), respectively. Results: Statistically significant differences among FSS (p≤0.001), BDI (p=0.022), and PSQI (p=0.006) scores were found in the Calisthenic Group after the intervention, while there were differences only in fatigue (p=0.035) and total sleep quality (p=0.035) for the Control Group. We found that the Calisthenic Group’s PSQI latency, PSQI sleep duration and PSQI total scores decreased in post-treatment. Both fatigue severity (p≤0.001) and depression levels (p≤0.001) were highly correlated with PSQI-subscores, except for sleep duration subscore (FSS p=0.934, BDI p=0.276). Conclusion: Regular calisthenic exercise programs may enable elders to better manage changes in the aging process. Physiotherapists should consider including calisthenic exercises in the rehabilitation programs for its effects on all parameters of sleep, fatigue, mental and emotional status in this population.

Effects of Life Style Modifications (Dietary and Exercise) on Insulin Resistance in Egyptian Men with Impaired Glucose Tolerance

Insulin resistance (IR) is considered one of the most serious chronic conditions. Although IR usually starts silently (euglycemic state), it can seriously lead to impaired glucose tolerance and the development of diabetes mellitus (DM) with other debilitating complications. The current study was conducted for four months to test the application of healthy dietary modification and/or regular programmed exercise on 120 Egyptian male subjects with high blood glucose levels, high insulin levels, and high homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). They were assigned into 4 groups. The first group received no intervention (control). The second group received healthy dietary intervention. The third group received regular exercise program. The fourth group received both healthy dietary intervention and regular exercise program. Along with blood glucose and insulin levels; weight and triglycerides (TG) levels were also assessed. Compared to the control group, the results showed significant reduction (p˂0.05) in both fasting and postprandial blood glucose and insulin levels as represented by HOMA-IR along with significant reduction (p˂0.05) in the other metabolic parameters assessed during the study in both dietary intervention alone and exercise intervention alone groups. The reduction was more significant (p˂0.05) in the group that received both healthy dietary and regular exercise intervention. In conclusion; IR could be avoided if either healthy dietary modification and/or regular programmed exercise are adopted.

BS O04 Can virtual reality exercise games improve compliance with preoperative prescriptive exercise programs in patients awaiting bariatric surgery?

Abstract Background Despite the recognised benefits of increased activity prior to any surgery, non-compliance rate with prescribed exercise regimens is perceived to be higher amongst patients with obesity. Virtual-reality is becoming more recognised as an adjunctive tool within the healthcare setting. In this setting the platform enables exercise games to be played and enjoyed in the comfort of the patient’s own home, either sitting or standing depending on physical disability. The study aims to identify whether VR exercise games could be considered part of the pre-operative exercise program in patients awaiting bariatric surgery and the effects of this technology on compliance. Methods A pilot study using block randomisation, patients with obesity planned for laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) or sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) between December 2020 and December 2023 were recruited to a 6-week pre-operative regular exercise (REG) programme of either regular walking activity (RWA) or exercise using Virtual Reality device (VRX). Patients who later decided not to follow the exercise protocol were included as control (NEG). Patients with epilepsy, uncontrolled arrhythmias, heart failure or those unable to use VR systems were excluded. Pre- and post-trial demographic and progress data and follow up survey using the New Zealand Physical Activity Questionnaire were collected. Results 43 patients were recruited, 46.4kg/m2 mean referral BMI (33.8 – 65.6, SD 6.4) and 84% female. Exercise non-compliance was comparable between RWA and VRX groups (40 vs 43% respectively). 56% of NEG had their operation during short day light season (44% of REG). NEG group reported higher rate of chronic pain, poor motivation, and higher incidents of changes to surgery date (33, 33 and 22% respectively vs. none in REG). While weight loss achieved in REG prior to the operation was higher than in NEG, there was no significant difference in weight loss between the groups at 3 months follow up. Conclusions While the role of prehabilitation exercise prior to major elective surgery is well documented, the search for the ideal approach to achieve this is still ongoing. This pilot study demonstrates the limitations certain chronic conditions in patients with obesity have on the success of a pre-operative exercise programme. While more data is needed, it is important to bear these limitations in mind when recruiting patients to any exercise programme. The compliance rate remains unfavourable despite the use of VR technology.

Automatic processes moderate the association between reflective processes and movement behavior: A cross-sectional study

Dual-process theories postulate that both reflective and automatic processes regulate health behavior. Further research is required to test the basic postulates of dual-process theories. We investigated the direct associations and moderating effect between automatic processes and multiple indicators of reflective processes on various levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior assessed using accelerometry in adults who were not participating in regular physical exercise programs. This cross-sectional study included 257 adults. Each participant completed a computerized test for automatic associations, a set of questions assessing reflective processes, a seven-day assessment using accelerometers to determine their levels of physical activity and sedentary behavior. The results showed a direct relationship between perceived benefits (B = 15.90, p = 0.043), perceived cons (B = −12.81, p = 0.034), decisional intention (B = −0.07, p = 0.049) with light physical activity, and self-efficacy with daily steps (B = 485.71, p = 0.008). There was a positive association between intention strength and daily steps when implicit associations favored physical activity (b = 623.36, LLCI = 79.09, ULCI = 1167.62, p = 0.025); a negative association between self-efficacy and sedentary behavior when implicit associations favored sedentary behavior (b = −25.73, LLCI = −49.77, ULCI = −1.70, p = 0.035); and a positive association between intention strength and sedentary behavior when implicit associations favored physical activity (b = 34.18, LLCI = 8.81, ULCI = 59.56, p = 0.008). These findings underscore the importance of considering the interplay between reflective and automatic processes in shaping movement behavior.

MOTS-c Serum Concentration Positively Correlates with Lower-Body Muscle Strength and Is Not Related to Maximal Oxygen Uptake-A Preliminary Study.

The mitochondrial open reading frame of 12S rRNA-c (MOTS-c) is a mitochondrial-derived peptide that regulates the nuclear genome during stressful conditions such as hypoxia, which is typical of exercise and training. We aim to mainly investigate the relationship between serum MOTS-c concentration and muscle strength parameters measured during the countermovement jump test with oxygen consumption (VO2) measured during the cardiopulmonary exercise test to exhaustion. Physically active healthy volunteers (17 male, three female, median age 30 years), not involved in any regular exercise program or participating in any sports competitions, performed five consecutive countermovement jump tests and cardiopulmonary exercise tests until maximal exhaustion and underwent a body composition assessment by means of bioelectrical impedance analysis, and had serum MOTS-c concentration measured at rest. Serum MOTS-c concentration was positively correlated with the average power and average and maximal force of the jumps, both overall muscle mass and leg muscle mass, but not with body fat percentage. There was no correlation with peak VO2. A higher serum MOTS-c concentration is associated with greater muscle mass, force, and power generated during jumping in healthy individuals but not exercise capacity reflected by peak VO2. More studies are needed to better understand the physiological and clinical values of these findings and why MOTS-c is better associated with measures of muscle strength and not endurance in physically active people.

The Effects of Regular Sport and Nanofibrous Conduit on Peripheral Nerve Repair: An In Vitro and In Vivo Study

In the current research, the effects of a regular sport program was investigated on peripheral nerve regeneration in a rat model. The critical sized peripheral nerve gap was created in a rat model and the nerve injury gap was bridged by an electrospun polycaprolacton/collagen-based neural conduit. After bridging the nerve gap, the animals received a regular exercise three times a week until week 8. Study showed that the regular exercise program significantly augmented the level of sciatic nerve repair as evidenced by histopathological examinations and functional recovery experiments. Gene expression studies showed that rats treated with regular exercise had higher expression levels of BDNF, NGF, and b-FGF genes.

The effect of voluntary exercise on light cycle stress-induced metabolic resistance.

Disruption of circadian genes affects metabolic homeostasis. Regular exercise programs prevent metabolic dysfunction and alter circadian gene expression In this study, we investigated whether exercise affects light stress-induced circadian rhythm derangement and metabolic resistance. A circadian rhythm derangement mouse model was designed by extending the light exposure by two hours (14 L/10 D) for three weeks. Nine-weekold male mice were single-caged and divided into four groups: sedentary groups with or without light stress, and voluntary wheel-trained groups with or without light stress. In addition, differentiated myotubes were cultured in the presence of dexamethasone with or without 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-beta-4-ribofuranoside (AICAR). The comprehensive laboratory animal monitoring system was used to analyze the metabolic changes in mice. Moreover, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to quantify the mRNA expression levels of circadian genes in animal and cell culture models. Three weeks of light stress reduced the running distance and increased the weight of mice. In addition, VO2 consumption and heat production were increased during the night cycle under non-stress conditions but not under stress conditions. PCR analysis revealed that exercise and stress altered the expression levels of circadian genes in the hypothalamus and quadriceps muscles. mRNA expression levels of period circadian regulator 1 were downregulated in the quadriceps muscles of the stressed sedentary group compared to that in muscles of the non-stressed sedentary group. Furthermore, differentiated myotube cells cultured in the presence of dexamethasone, with or without AICAR, showed distinct oscillation patterns at various time points. Our study demonstrates that exercise partially prevents metabolic disruption by regulating the circadian gene expression in skeletal muscles.

Effectiveness of Regular Aerobic Exercise in Improving Vascular Stiffness in Elderly Korean Women.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of aerobic exercise on carotid to femoral pulse wave velocity (cf-PWV), cell adhesion molecules (intracellular adhesion molecules (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecules (VCAM-1), endothelial selectin (E-selectin), and oxidized LDL in elderly women aged 70-85 years, and to identify the effect of and correlation with vascular stiffness. Forty participants were recruited and divided into three groups; vascular stiffness (VSG, n = 14), obesity (OG, n = 14), and normal (NG, n = 12). All groups were given a 16-week intervention of aerobic exercise, and the data collected before and after exercise were analyzed using SPSS Ver. 23.0. Two-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to evaluate between-group and time-dependent interaction effects. One-way ANOVA was used to evaluate between-group variations. In addition, the significance was tested using a post hoc test (Scheffe). The within-group variations by time before and after exercise were examined using a paired t-test, and correlation analysis was performed using Pearson correlation coefficients. Simple regression analysis was performed for variables showing significant differences. The results indicate interaction effects for cf-PWV (p < 0.001), VCAM-1 (p < 0.01), E-selectin (p < 0.05), and oxidized LDL (p < 0.001). The rate of change of cf-PWV was positively correlated with that of VCAM-1 (r = 0.352, p < 0.05) and that of oxidized LDL (r = 0.325, p < 0.05) with statistical significance. To determine the effect of the rate of change of cf-PWV on the rate of change of VCAM-1, the variables were tested, and the coefficient of determination in the regression analysis was 0.124, indicating that 12.4% of the tested variables fit the standard regression line. The variables for the effect of the rate of change of cf-PWV on the rate of change of oxidized LDL were also tested, and the coefficient of determination in the regression analysis was 0.106, indicating that 10.6% of the tested variables fit the standard regression line. Thus, the 16-week regular and consistent aerobic exercise program had significant effects on the cf-PWV, ICAM-1, VCAM-1, E-selectin, and oxidized LDL in elderly Korean women with vascular stiffness, suggesting improvements in vascular stiffness, based on which the intervention is predicted to contribute to the prevention of vascular dysfunction by lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease due to atherosclerosis, as well as having a positive effect in the prevention of impairment of vascular endothelial cells.