Resistance Training Physical Activity Research Articles

Sedentary behaviour and physical activity following multimodal exercise-based cardiac rehabilitation in patients with coronary artery disease

Abstract Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Public grant(s) – National budget only. Main funding source(s): Slovenian Research Agency Background Despite high levels of sedentary behaviour (SB) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD), there is still limited evidence on the efficacy of multimodal exercise interventions combined with physical activity (PA) counselling on SB and PA in cardiac rehabilitation (CR). Such combined modalities in CR may provide additional benefits for PA and SB, although this remains to be investigated. Purpose The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of multimodal exercise training combined with brief PA counselling on PA and SB according to sedentary status of patients with CAD. Methods We randomised 79 patients with CAD to low-load (LL) resistance training (RT) + aerobic training (AT) (30%-40% of one repetition maximum [1-RM]), high load RT+AT (70%-80% of 1-RM) and AT alone. The study was completed by 57 patients, with [mean (SD)] age = 61 (8) years, height = 171.8 (8.5) cm, weight = 85.12 (15.59) kg and left ventricular ejection fraction = 53 % (45,60) [median (first, third quartile)]. During the study, each patient received an hour of PA counselling and written PA brochure. Step count, daily SB, light intensity PA (LIPA) and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) were measured at baseline and post-training using triaxial accelerometer. Following baseline measurement, we stratified patients to quartiles based on their levels of SB: most sedentary, sedentary, less sedentary, least sedentary. Results Upon enrolment to CR patients have surpassed daily PA recommendation (+21 min, p < 0.001). All measures of PA and SB remained unchanged following training intervention (all p > 0.388). Patients classified as the most sedentary have decreased SB (-52 min/day, p = 0.001) and increased LIPA (+27 min/day, p = 0.009), while the least sedentary patients increased SB (+69 min/day, p = 0.006) and decreased LIPA (-25 min/day, p = 0.038) following the intervention. The improvement in PA was greater in the most sedentary patients (SB: +27%, p = 0.002; LIPA: +24%, p = 0.004) and in sedentary patients (SB: +24%, p = 0.009) compared to the least sedentary patients. After the training intervention, LIPA was improved more in less sedentary patients compared to the least sedentary patients (+19 %, p = 0.031). Two-way analysis of variance has demonstrated non-significant effect of time x training modality interaction on all PA and SB variables (p = 0.285-0.819). Conclusions The addition of RT and brief PA counselling to standard CR showed limited effects on post-training improvement in SB and MVPA. Individually tailored PA behavioural counselling based on patients’ sedentary status along with regular PA monitoring during CR should be implemented to enhance the effects of combined RT and AT in patients with CAD.

HIIT and Resistance Training Effects on Learning-related Outcomes in Underserved School Children

Research has demonstrated associations between differing modalities of physical activity (PA) and behavioral and learning outcomes; however, little evidence exists in real world settings. To evaluate the effects of embedding high intensity interval training (HITT) and resistance training (RT) into physical education (PE) curriculum on PA, academic performance, and behavior in youth attending urban schools. Forty boys and 30 girls; ages 8-10 yrs. enrolled in an expanded public school supplemental learning program were assigned into one of three conditions using a pragmatic trial design: standard PE curriculum (n = 23), HITT (n = 25), and RT (n = 22). PA was measured using accelerometers; math achievement scores were conducted at baseline and post-intervention using the Math Knowledge Assessment (MKA); behavior was assessed using the Abbreviated Conners Rating Scale (ACRS) daily. Participation in HITT resulted in 1.86 additional vigorous PA minutes (p=0.04) and 0.76 additional very vigorous PA minutes (P=0.02) per session, but was not associated with increased moderate PA minutes compared to the control group. RT PA outcomes did not differ from regular PE. Participating in HIIT, but not RT, was associated with a 1.82-point improvement in math test scores compared to those in the same grade in the standard PE group (p=0.02). No group assignment was associated with behavioral ratings. Embedding HITT within PE has potential for improving vigorous PA levels and may affect learning outcomes in urban youth. This is consistent with prior studies which show how short bouts of intense exercise can improve cognitive outcomes.

The Mediterranean diet and physical activity: A cross‐sectional analysis of the Maintain Your Brain randomised controlled trial

AbstractBackgroundDementia has no pharmacological cure. Therefore, lifestyle interventions targeting modifiable risk factors to reduce cognitive decline are of interest. This study examines the cross‐sectional relationships between two potentially protective behaviours: Mediterranean diet (MediDiet) adherence and physical activity (PA).MethodParticipants were recruited from the Sax Institute’s 45 and Up Study into the Maintain Your Brain trial. MediDiet adherence was assessed using the validated Mediterranean Diet and Culinary Index (MediCul) tool. The 50‐item tool consists of 17 sub‐categories focusing on key aspects of the MediDiet. Leisure time PA was assessed by a standard questionnaire and intensity was quantified using the BORG Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale, modified for strength and aerobic activities. Associations between the MediDiet and PA were investigated using hierarchical linear regression and analysis of covariance.Result6236 participants [55‐77 years; mean (SD)=65.0 (5.8)] completed baseline assessments and were included. Mean (SD) MediCul score was 53.2 (13.0)/100), indicating low adherence to the MediDiet. Only 5% of participants achieved a score consistent with better cognitive outcomes in The PREDIMED study. Almost one‐half of participants (48.4%) met aerobic PA (150 min/week) but less than one‐quarter (24.2%) met resistance training (RT) recommendations (2 days/week). Unadjusted MediCul score explained a small but significant amount of the variance for light (1.0%) and moderate‐vigorous (MV) (3.1%) PA, both p<0.001. For light PA, the final model, including MediCul, age, sex, BMI, CAGE (alcohol use) score and diabetes explained 2.8% of the variance. For MV PA, the final model including MediCul, age, sex, BMI, CAGE, depression, diabetes and education explained 10.9% of the variance. A 10‐point higher MediCul score was associated with an additional 3.3 seconds of light PA/wk and additional 7.5 seconds of MV aerobic PA/wk (both p<0.001). Additionally, MediCul score was significantly higher in participants engaging in 2+days/wk of RT compared to 1 or fewer days/wk (56.6/100 vs. 52.2/100, respectively; p<0.001).ConclusionBoth aerobic and RT PA are significantly but weakly associated with better diet, but the clinical meaningfulness, as well as any causal nature, of these relationships requires further exploration. The outcomes of the MYB trial will contribute substantively to this question.

Rationale and study protocol for the ‘eCoFit’ randomized controlled trial: Integrating smartphone technology, social support and the outdoor physical environment to improve health-related fitness among adults at risk of, or diagnosed with, Type 2 Diabetes

IntroductionThe prevalence and risk of Type 2 Diabetes (T2D) has dramatically increased over the past decade. Physical activity (PA) has significant benefits for the treatment and prevention of T2D. The aim of this study is to develop, implement and evaluate a community-based PA intervention to improve aerobic and muscular fitness among adults at risk of, or diagnosed with T2D. Research design and methodsThe eCoFit pilot intervention will be evaluated using a randomized controlled trial (RCT) design. The 20-week (Phases 1 and 2) multi-component intervention was guided by Social Cognitive Theory, Health Action Process Approach Model, and Cognitive Behavior Therapy strategies. Phase 1 (Weeks 1–10) includes: i) 5 group face-to-face sessions consisting of outdoor training and cognitive mentoring; and ii) the use of the eCoFit smartphone application with a description of where and how to use the outdoor environment to be more physically active. Phase 2 (Weeks 11–20) includes the use of the eCoFit smartphone application only. Assessments are to be conducted at baseline, 10-weeks (primary end-point) and 20-weeks (secondary end-point) post-baseline. Primary outcomes are cardio-respiratory fitness and muscular fitness (lower body). Secondary outcomes include physical, behavioral, mental health and quality of life, and social–cognitive outcomes. DiscussioneCoFit is an innovative, multi-component intervention, which integrates smartphone technology, social support and the outdoor physical environment to promote aerobic and resistance training PA among adults at risk of, or diagnosed with T2D. The findings will be used to guide future interventions and to develop and implement effective community-based prevention programs. Trial registrationAustralian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry No: ACTRN12615000990527.

Variants of the Ankyrin Repeat Domain 6 Gene (ANKRD6) and Muscle and Physical Activity Phenotypes Among European-Derived American Adults

Ankyrin repeat domain 6 (ANKRD6) is a ubiquitous protein that associates with early development in mammals and is highly expressed in the brain, spinal cord, and heart of humans. We examined the role of 8 ANKRD6 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on muscle performance and habitual physical activity (PA). Single-nucleotide polymorphisms were 545 T>A (rs9362667), 485 M>L (rs61736690), 233 T>M (rs2273238), 128 I>L (rs3748085), 631 P>L (rs61739327), 122 Q>E (rs16881983), 197805 G>A (rs9344950), and 710 L>X (NOVEL). This study consisted of 922 healthy, untrained, European-derived American men (n = 376, 23.6 ± 0.3 years, 25.0 ± 0.2 kg·m(-2)) and women (n = 546, 23.2 ± 0.2 years, 24.0 ± 0.2 kg·m(-2)). Muscle strength (maximum voluntary contraction [MVC] and 1 repetition maximum [1RM]) and size (cross-sectional area [CSA]) were assessed before and after 12 weeks of unilateral resistance training (RT). A subsample (n = 536, 23.4 ± 0.2 years, 24.6 ± 0.2 kg·m(-2)) completed the Paffenbarger Physical Activity Questionnaire. Associations among ANKRD6 genotypes and muscle phenotypes were tested with repeated measure analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and PA phenotypes with multivariate ANCOVA, with age and body mass index as covariates. ANKRD6 122 Q>E was associated with increased baseline biceps CSA. ANKRD6 545 A>T and ANKRD6 710 L>X were associated with increased 1RM and MVC in response to RT, respectively. ANKRD6 631 P>L was associated with increased biceps CSA response to RT and time spent in moderate-intensity PA among the total sample and women. ANKRD6 genetic variants were associated with the muscle size and strength response to RT and habitual PA levels. Further research is needed to validate our results and explore mechanisms for the associations we observed.