Sedentary Females Research Articles

Paternal Resistance Exercise Modulates Skeletal Muscle Remodeling Pathways in Fathers and Male Offspring Submitted to a High-Fat Diet.

Although some studies have shown that a high-fat diet (HFD) adversely affects muscle extracellular matrix remodeling, the mechanisms involved in muscle trophism, inflammation, and adipogenesis have not been fully investigated. Thus, we investigated the effects of 8 weeks of paternal resistance training (RT) on gene and protein expression/activity of critical factors involved in muscle inflammation and remodeling of fathers and offspring (offspring exposed to standard chow or HFD). Animals were randomly distributed to constitute sedentary fathers (SF; n = 7; did not perform RT) or trained fathers (TF n = 7; performed RT), with offspring from mating with sedentary females. After birth, 28 male pups were divided into four groups (n = 7 per group): offspring from sedentary father submitted either to control diet (SFO-C) or high-fat diet (SFO-HF) and offspring from trained father submitted to control diet (TFO-C) or high-fat diet (TFO-HF). Our results show that an HFD downregulated collagen mRNA levels and upregulated inflammatory and atrophy pathways and adipogenic transcription factor mRNA levels in offspring gastrocnemius muscle. In contrast, paternal RT increased MMP-2 activity and decreased IL-6 levels in offspring exposed to a control diet. Paternal RT upregulated P70s6k and Ppara mRNA levels and downregulated Atrogin1 mRNA levels, while decreasing NFκ-B, IL-1β, and IL-8 protein levels in offspring exposed to an HFD. Paternal physical training influences key skeletal muscle remodeling pathways and inflammatory profiles relevant for muscle homeostasis maintenance in offspring submitted to different diets.

Gender differences in metabolic rates and thermal comfort in sedentary young males and females at various temperatures

Human metabolic rate is a fundamental and essential aspect of thermal comfort, and gender differences in metabolic rate may underlie gender differences in comfort. This study explores gender differences in physiological and subjective responses to a wide range of cold to hot temperatures. Forty healthy college students (20 females and 20 males) participated in the experiments. Subjects were sedentary, wearing 0.6 clo, staying at 26 °C for 30 min, then exposed to either at cool (14, 16, 18, 20 °C), neutral (24, 26 °C), or warm (28, 30, 32, and 34 °C) temperatures for 90 min. Both subjective questionnaires (thermal sensation, thermal comfort, thermal acceptability) and physiological measurements (metabolic rate, skin temperature, skin blood flow, and skin wettedness) were collected during the exposures. Females tend to have lower metabolic rates than males at all temperatures, although significant differences were only found at 14, 16, and 18 °C. Females tend to be cooler and less comfortable than males at cool temperatures, which could be explained by the lower metabolic rates and lower skin temperatures in females. Males tend to be warmer and less comfortable at warm temperatures, which could be explained by higher metabolic rates and higher skin wettedness in males. No significant gender differences in subjective or physiological responses were found at neutral conditions.

Resistance Or Endurance Training Increases Brain-derived Neurotrophic Factor Concentrations In Middle Age Females

Evidence continues to develop regarding the positive connection between chronic physical activity and brain health. Brain derived neurotropic factor (BDNF) works collaboratively with other growth factors to encourage exercise-induced enhancements in cognitive function, neuronal growth, learning, memory, and overall brain health. However, the optimal stimulus and processes by which BDNF is enhanced has not yet been firmly established. PURPOSE: To compare the effects of 16 weeks aerobic (AT) or resistance training (RT) on mRNA concentrations in monocytes and basal plasma BDNF in sedentary middle-aged females. METHODS: Twenty-six untrained overweight female participants (age: 51.1 ± 4.2 years, weight: 69 ± 5.4 kg and BMI: 27.1 ± 2.1 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to AT, RT, or control (C) groups. Blood samples and body composition were collected at baseline and 48-h after the last training session. Participants in the AT and RT groups exercised three times a week for 16-weeks under the supervision of exercise specialists. RESULTS: There were significant group x time interactions (p < 0.05) for both plasma and mRNA concentrations of BDNF which significantly increased in both AT (plasma: 423 ± 13 pg/ml, p < 0.001; mRNA: 1.9 ± 2.9, p < 0.044) and RT (plasma: 610 ± 22.3 pg/ml, p < 0.001; mRNA: 0.6 ± 0.7, p < 0.039) when compared to C. There was also a significant group x time interaction (p < 0.05) for body fat percentage, which was significantly decreased in both AT (-1.8 ± 0.8 %, p < 0.001) and RT (-1.2 ± 1.5 %, p < 0.043) compared to the control group There were no significant differences between AT- and RT-induced improvements. There was a significant correlation between changes in plasma concentrations of BDNF and monocyte mRNA of BDNF (r = 0.506; p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Sixteen weeks of chronic AT or RT increased basal BDNF monocyte mRNA, a key moderator of brain health, expression and plasma concentrations in sedentary middle-aged females. Future research is important to examine the effects of different exercise intensities, durations, frequencies, and exercise types on plasma BDNF concentrations.

Costly mating delays drive female ornamentation in a capital breeder

Abstract How fecundity might be traded off with mate attraction and other aspects of reproduction in females remains poorly understood. We investigated these allocation trade‐offs using the common glowworm (Lampyris noctiluca), a lampyrid beetle, in which flightless, sedentary females only use resources gathered during the larval stage to attract flying males by glowing. While sexual signaling was not found to have a significant fecundity cost, a delay in successfully attracting a mate greatly increased the risk of reproductive failure, with fecundity losses being more severe in small females. These findings are among the first to show that failure to quickly attract a mate can decrease female fecundity. The results also show how the length of delay before mating can drive the evolution of female sexual ornamentation.

Comparing the reinforcing value of high intensity interval training versus moderate intensity aerobic exercise in sedentary adults

Exercise is a reinforcer for both animals and humans, as they will work progressively harder to gain access for the opportunity to exercise. Exercise activates brain reward pathways similar to drugs of abuse, and the magnitude of the reinforcing value of exercise is a predictor of exercise behavior. The majority of research on exercise reinforcement has studied moderate intensity aerobic exercise (MIAE) or resistance training. There is limited research on the relative reinforcing value (RRV) of high intensity interval training (HIIT), which is often reported to be a preferred form of exercise in comparison to MIAE. Experiment 1 was a pilot study of 20 sedentary females designed to compare the reliability of differences in RRVHIIT vs RRVMIAE over two sessions, assess protocols comparing different volumes of HIIT in comparison to MIAE, and estimate sample sizes needed for a fully powered study to assess which type of exercise protocol was a better substitute for a highly liked sedentary activity. Experiment 2 studied 44 participants to assess whether HIIT or MIAE would be better substitutes for highly liked sedentary activities. Experiment 1 showed that measures of RRVHIIT or RRVMIAE were reliable, and that volume of HIIT did not influence RRVHIIT, even if it was of equal amount or duration to MIAE. Experiment 2 showed that HIIT was a more preferred substitute for sedentary behaviors than MIAE. Predictors of RRVMIAE were liking of MIAE and pleasantness of affect post MIAE. These results suggest inactive people may find interval training to be more reinforcing than MIAE, and may be more likely to adopt and maintain an exercise program involving HIIT rather than MIAE. The next stage of research should be to understand how to sensitize the RRV of exercise to motivate sedentary people to be more active.

Short-Term High-Intensity Interval Exercise Promotes Motor Cortex Plasticity and Executive Function in Sedentary Females.

Previous research has demonstrated that regular exercise modulates motor cortical plasticity and cognitive function, but the influence of short-term high-intensity interval training (HIIT) remains unclear. In the present study, the effect of short-term HIIT on neuroplasticity and executive function was assessed in 32 sedentary females. Half of the participants undertook 2 weeks of HIIT. Paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (ppTMS) was used to measure motor cortical plasticity via short intracortical inhibition (SICI) and intracortical facilitation (ICF). We further adapted the Stroop task using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to evaluate executive function in the participants. The results indicated that, compared with the control group, the HIIT group exhibited decreased ICF. In the Stroop task, the HIIT group displayed greater activation in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and left orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) even though no significant difference in task performance was observed. These findings indicate that short-term HIIT may modulate motor cortical plasticity and executive function at the neural level.

Hand-grip Strength is Correlated with Aerobic Capacity in Healthy Sedentary Young Females

Aerobic capacity, which is the maximum limit of the rate of oxygen consumption, is an important parameter in determining health-related physical fitness. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between grip strength and aerobic capacity in healthy sedentary young females. Forty healthy, young, and sedentary females participated in the study (20.5±1.5 years). Body composition was assessed with the bioelectrical impedance method. The hand-grip strength of the individuals was measured with a hand-grip dynamometer. An indirect graded arm crank ergometer test was used to determine the peak oxygen uptake (VO2 peak). It was found that the grip strength was correlated with height (r=0.51, p=0.001), fat-free mass (r=0.45, p=0.004), and VO2 peak (r=0.36, p=0.023); however, there was no correlation between grip strength and body weight, body mass index, and body fat percentage (p&gt;0.05). VO2 peak was negatively correlated with body fat percentage (r= -0.38, p=0.016) and body mass index (r= -0.30, p=0.045). The results showed that higher muscle strength and fat-free mass are related to higher aerobic capacity. It is considered that increasing muscle strength and fat-free mass as well as decreasing body fat may be an appropriate strategy to increase cardiorespiratory fitness.

Evaluation of the Use of Postural Control Strategies during Dual-Tasks of Hearing-Impaired Athletes

Dual-tasks are often used with postural control. These tasks, which generally target motor skills and cognitive performance, also help to determine the individual’s postural control. The purpose of this study is to determine the changes in performance during the motor task, which includes the cognitive cues of the hearing-impaired athletes. A total of 31 hearing-impaired athletes (male=19, female=12) and 34 hearing-impaired sedentary people (male=18, female=16) were included voluntarily in the study. The FitLight Trainer™ system was used to determine participants’ reaction time levels. The performance time of hearing-impaired male athletes was significantly lower than the hearing-impaired sedentary men in each of the three tests (Random Test: t = 4, 089, p &lt;0.05; Cue Test: t = 3,551, p &lt;0.05; Mixed Cue Test: t = 2, 393, p&lt;0.05). The performance time of hearing-impaired female athletes was statistically significantly lower than that of sedentary hearing-impaired females for all protocols (Random Test: t=2,586, p&lt;0,05; Cue Test: t=2,568, p&lt;0.05; Mixed Cue Test: t=2,899, p&lt;0.05). This study demonstrates that 1) hearing-impaired athletes perform postural control adjustments automatically during the motor task, and they require minimal less cognitive effort than they need to be minimally considered; 2) regular physical activities and training showed a positive development on other systems, especially the proprioceptive system, which controls balance. In future studies, dual-task reaction time values and postural control strategy comparisons should be measured among hearing-impaired athletes and athletes who do not have a hearing disability.

Endurance training alters motor unit activation strategies for the vastus lateralis, yet sex-related differences and relationships with muscle size remain.

To examine the effects of 10weeks of endurance cycling training on mechanomyographic amplitude (MMGRMS)-torque relationships and muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) of the vastus lateralis (VL) for 10 sedentary males (Age ± SD; 20.2 ± 1.9years) and 14 sedentary females (21.9 ± 5.3years). Participants performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVCs) and an isometric ramp up muscle action to 70% MVC of the knee extensors before (PRE) and after training at the same absolute pre-treatment submaximal torque (POSTABS). MMG was recorded from the VL and b terms were calculated from the natural log-transformed MMGRMS-torque relationships for each subject. mCSA was determined with ultrasonography. Cycling decreased MVCs from pre- (168.10 ± 58.49 Nm) to post-training (160.78 ± 58.39 Nm; p = 0.005) without changes in mCSA. The b terms were greater for POSTABS (0.623 ± 0.204) than PRE (0.540 ± 0.226; p = 0.012) and for males (0.717 ± 0.171) than females (0.484 ± 0.168; p = 0.003). mCSA was correlated with the b terms for PRE (p < 0.001, r = 0.674) and POSTABS (p = 0.020, r = 0.471). The decrease in MVC and increase in MMGRMS (b terms) post-training suggests increased motor unit (MU) recruitment to match pre-training torques. The greater acceleration in the b terms by males may reflect sex-related differences in fiber-type area. MMGRMS-torque relationships during a high-intensity contraction provided insight on MU activation strategies following endurance training and between sexes. Furthermore, the findings suggest a relationship between MMGRMS and muscle size.

Combined Aerobic and Resistance Training Lowers Body Fat Percentage in Rural Black South African Women

Background: Obesity is currently one of the most dominating diseases affecting younger adults in South Africa. This is commonly caused by a poor lifestyle, which may lead to an increased risk of non-communicable diseases. Objectives: The aim of the study was to examine if a six-week concurrent resistance and aerobic training program could elicit body composition and cardiorespiratory changes in rural black college women. Methods: Forty sedentary black females (aged 18 - 25 years) were randomly assigned to a combined resistance and aerobic training (COM) group (n = 20) or a control group (n = 20). The COM group participated in four times weekly aerobic and resistance training. Aerobic training consisted of 30 minutes a session (week 1 - 3: cycling for 3 minutes at 60% heart rate reserve (HRR), followed by 2 minutes at 50% HRR; week 4 - 6: 3 minutes at 70% HRR, followed by 2 minutes at 60% HRR). Resistance training consisted of participants training at 50% of their one-repetition maximum (1-RM) for week 1 - 3, doing 3 sets of 15 repetitions; for week 4 - 6 at 60% 1-RM, doing 3 sets of 15 repetitions. Results: Following the intervention, the COM group significantly (P ≤ 0.05) decreased their body fat percentage when compared to the control group (P = 0.006; d = 0.9), while no significant changes were observed in waist-to-hip ratio (P = 0.223) and cardiorespiratory endurance (P = 0.260) in either group. Conclusions: Although body composition (especially waist circumference and body fat percentage) and cardiorespiratory fitness are recommended as the main targets of physical activity programs aimed at preventing CVD in college students, this study demonstrated that a six-week concurrent program improved body fat percentage, and not WHR and cardiorespiratory fitness, in sedentary rural college-aged females. Further, these findings suggest that one method of program design does not fit all populations and that exercise prescription should be targeted and not generalized.

Female calling, life cycle, and microstructures of the parasitic beetle Ripidius quadriceps Abeille de Perrin.

The precopulatory behaviour of the larviform females of Ripidius quadriceps Abeille de Perrin, 1872 is described. The calling posture of virgin females is documented. The cephalic morphology and microstructures are visualised using scanning electron microscopy, in particular the secretory pores in the cuticle of inflatable maxillary palps. An exhaustive overview of relevant publications revealed that the location of secretory pores on the head of females is unique within the order Coleoptera. Compared to other beetles with sedentary calling females, the calling phase of the short-lived and non-feeding female of Ripidius is exceptionally short. For bioassays, various traps using virgin females of Ripidius were tested. It is likely that the sedentary behaviour of the short-lived female combined with a unique morphology and priority for investing in reproduction is compensated for by the actively flying males with remarkably flabellate antennae. The life cycle of this species, including some of the exceptions recorded at the individual level, is discussed. Perspectives for a biological and morphological survey of this rarely collected western Palaearctic species are outlined. In addition, the calling behaviour, secretory sites and location of pheromone glands in females of Coleoptera producing long range pheromones is reviewed.

Effects of Online Bodyweight High-Intensity Interval Training Intervention and Health Education on the Mental Health and Cognition of Sedentary Young Females.

This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of an online high-intensity interval training (HIIT) intervention and health education on the behaviors, mental health, and cognitive function of sedentary young females. A single-blinded, six-week, randomized controlled pilot trial involving 70 sedentary young Chinese females, aged 18–30 years, was conducted. An intervention group (IG) (n = 33) underwent a HIIT intervention and health education, while a waitlist group (WG) (n = 37) only received health education. In pre-, mid-, and post-tests, both groups filled out questionnaires about physical activity, sedentary behavior, and mental health. Cognitive functions were assessed at the pre- and post-tests by computer-administered cognitive tests. A mixed-effect model with repeated measures was used to analyze outcomes of interest. The retention rate of the IG and WG was 100% and 78.38%, respectively. The IG were found to have significantly increased rates of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) (Mdiff = 940.61, p < 0.001, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 576.67, 1304.55) from pre-test to post-test, while the WG demonstrated a more marked reduction in sedentary time (Mdiff = −73.02, p = 0.038, 95% CI: −141.90, −4.14) compared with the IG in the post-test. Moreover, anxiety and stress levels were shown to significantly reduce in the IG over the six-week period (Mdiff = −4.73, p = 0.002, 95% CI: −7.30, −2.15 and Mdiff = −5.09, p = 0.001, 95% CI: −8.29, −1.89, respectively). In addition, we observed a significant improvement in verbal ability (p = 0.008, = 0.19) following the HIIT intervention and effects of the interaction with time on processing speed (p = 0.050, = 0.10) and episodic memory (p = 0.048, = 0.11). Moreover, the IG had better global cognitive performance than the WG in the post-test (Mdiff = 8.28, p = 0.003, 95% CI: 3.06, 13.50). In summary, both an online bodyweight HIIT intervention combined with health education, or health education alone, can effectively improve health-related behaviors, but the behavioral consequences may differ based on the emphasis of different intervention modalities. Furthermore, the “bodyweight HIIT plus health education” modality might be a more promising online intervention strategy to mitigate against negative emotions and improve cognitive function.

Body fatness in sedentary and active students with different body mass index

Abstract Study aim: Numerous data have indicated that body fat stores undergo complicated regulation by genetic and environmental factors, including physical activity. However, the majority of studies did not take into account this aspect of lifestyle in proposed body fat limits. In this context it seems that a more precise and reliable classification of body fat is provided by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), which distinguishes individuals not only with respect to sex but also activity level. Material and methods: A total of 793 students (312 sedentary and 481 active) volunteered to participate in the study. Among sedentary participants 147 were male and 165 female. Among active subjects 206 were male and 275 were female. Active subjects were engaged in different modes of physical activity according to the study program. In all participants body mass index (BMI) was calculated. In participants with BMI 18.5–24.9 and BMI ≥ 25 body fat was determined using four skinfold measurements. Thereafter participants were classified according to the percentage of body fat using ranges for males and females provided by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) (essential fat, athletes, fitness, average and obese fatness). Results: None of the sedentary and active males with BMI 18.5–24.9 had high (obese) fat. In contrast, in sedentary males with BMI ≥ 25 16.4% were obese vs. 1.8% of obese active ones. In sedentary females BMI from 18.5 to 24.9 did not exclude obesity, which was found in 16.9% of participants. In sedentary females with BMI ≥ 25 most of the subjects (97.1%) were obese. In contrast, in active females with BMI ≥ 25 a similar percentage of participants had average and obese fat (53.3% and 46.7, respectively). Discussion: Our study clearly demonstrated that BMI as a simple measure of body composition provides false information concerning true adiposity in physically active male and female students. A similar BMI did not exclude marked differences in the percentage of body fat in sedentary and active students.

The effect of two types of combined training on bio-motor ability adaptations in sedentary females.

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of combined training of high-volume/low intensity vs. low volume/high intensity on different bio-motor adaptations in sedentary women. Thirty sedentary healthy females (mean age, 22.1±3.3 years), were randomly assigned into: control group (CG; N.=10), High-Volume/low-intensity training group (HV; N.=10); or high-intensity/low-volume training group (HI; N.=10). Training protocols were performed for 8 weeks, on three non-consecutive days a week. Post-intervention, there were significant main effects of time and a group by time interaction for all body composition and performance variables (P≤0.001), while no significant differences were found for changes in maximum heart rate. Pairwise comparisons revealed significant decreases in body fat percentage and speed test in HV and HI (P≤0.001) after intervention, while anaerobic power significantly increased in HV and HI (P≤0.001). The rating of perceived exertion (RPE) was significantly superior in HI than HV (P≤0.05). Additionally, there were significant main effects of time and a group by time interaction for all one-repetition maximum tests (P≤0.001). Combined interval training and resistance training were effective for improving bio-motor parameters in sedentary young women. HV training produced less RPE than HI training, which may potentially increase adherence to training protocols post-intervention.

Exercise alters cardiovascular and renal pregnancy adaptations in female rats born small on a high-fat diet.

Intrauterine growth restriction programs adult cardiorenal disease, which may be exacerbated by pregnancy and obesity. Importantly, exercise has positive cardiovascular effects. This study determined if high-fat feeding exacerbates the known adverse cardiorenal adaptations to pregnancy in rats born small and whether endurance exercise can prevent these complications. Uteroplacental insufficiency was induced by bilateral uterine vessel ligation (Restricted) or sham (Control) surgery on embryonic day 18 (E18) in Wistar-Kyoto rats. Female offspring consumed a Chow or high-fat diet (HFD) from weaning and were randomly allocated to either a sedentary (Sedentary) or an exercise protocol at 16 wk; exercised before and during pregnancy (Exercise), or exercised during pregnancy only (PregEx). Systolic blood pressure was measured prepregnancy and rats were mated at 20 wk. During pregnancy, systolic blood pressure (E18) and renal function (E19) were assessed. Sedentary HFD Control females had increased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) compared with Chow. Compared with Control, Sedentary-Restricted females had increased eGFR, which was not influenced by HFD. Renal function was not affected by exercise and prepregnancy blood pressure was not altered. Restricted Chow-fed dams and dams fed a high-fat diet had a greater reduction in systolic blood pressure during late gestation, which was only prevented by Exercise. In summary, high-fat fed females born small are at a greater risk of altered cardiorenal adaptations to pregnancy. Although cardiovascular dysfunction was prevented by Exercise, renal dysfunction was not affected by exercise interventions. This study highlights that modifiable risk factors can have beneficial effects in the mother during pregnancy, which may impact fetal growth and development.

When night never falls: female sexual signalling in a nocturnal insect along a latitudinal gradient

The environment can play an important role in animal communication by affecting signal transmission and detection. Variation in the signalling environment is expected to be especially pronounced in widely distributed species, potentially affecting how their signals are detected. Such environmental variability is presumably relevant for sedentary females of a nocturnal capital breeder, the European common glow-worm (Lampyris noctiluca), which produce green light during the night to attract flying males to mate. Being widely distributed in Europe, glow-worm populations are exposed to both rapidly descending, darker summer nights in the south, and slowly dimming, brighter summer nights further north, with the latter potentially posing challenges to the visibility of the female glow. To test how female signalling is affected by latitude, we sampled glowing females during summer nights along a latitudinal gradient in Finland, Northern Europe, and used a novel apparatus to measure the intensity and peak wavelength (hue/colour) of their glow. Surprisingly, females at higher latitudes, similar to those at lower latitudes, were commonly glowing during the brightest (and hence the shortest) nights of the year. Females also glowed brighter in more northern areas, partly due to their larger body size, whereas the colour of their glow was not associated with latitude. Since females glow even during midsummer, independent of latitude, the increase in glow intensity at higher latitudes presumably serves to maintain signal visibility in brighter signalling conditions. Overall, these findings highlight the influence of environmental conditions on the evolution of sexual signals, especially in the context of species distribution range.Significance statementWhen environmental conditions impact signal transmission and perception, local conditions can have a crucial role in shaping animal communication and signal evolution. To analyse how dark-dependant common glow-worm females cope with variable nocturnal light environments, we used a novel apparatus, presumably not applied to living animals before, to measure female glow intensity at various latitudes along a latitudinal gradient. Interestingly, females did not avoid signalling during the brightest summer nights, but instead, their glow intensity and body size both increased with latitude. These findings suggest that females can ensure visibility to mate-searching males over a range of local conditions. Our study therefore shows how females can adapt to environmental constraints on signal visibility, and how the expression of sexual signals is shaped not only by social interactions but also by the signalling environment.

Effects of Qigong exercise on muscle strengths and oxidative stress/antioxidant responses in young sedentary females: a quasi-experimental study.

Regular exercise is associated with the production of small amounts of oxidative stress which might promote individual antioxidant capacity contributing to favorable training effects potentially interrelated with skeletal muscle strength. Therefore, the present study was aimed at evaluating effects of an 8-week Qigong exercise training on muscle strengths associated with responses of oxidative stress and antioxidants in young sedentary females. A total of 41 sedentary women were allocated to the Qigong exercise group (QG, N=20) or to the control group (CG, N=21). After 8 weeks of Qigong training, back and leg strength was significantly improved compared to baseline and the CG (P<0.05). Plasma oxidative stress levels were reduced and total antioxidant capacity was enhanced in the QG compared to the CG (P<0.05). Correlation analyses revealed that improvements in muscle strength (including both groups) were associated with changes in the levels of oxidative stress (reduction) and antioxidants (elevation). The presented findings indicate that strength training effects seem at least partly to be interrelated with alterations of the oxidant-antioxidant balance generated by the 8-week Qigong training in young sedentary females.

Acute Improvement of Postural Steadiness Through Neuromuscular and Proprioceptive Training in Sedentary Older Females

Background: Poor balance ability will increase falling incidence. This study evaluated an acute improvement of postural steadiness through a neuromuscular and proprioceptive training (NPT) program in sedentary older females. Methods: Forty-eight sedentary females over the age of 65, who came to the Ukrainian center for sports medicine (Kiev) in the winter of 2018, volunteered for participation in this quasi-experimental study. Participants, who were derived from a convenience sample, were assigned at random to the NPT exercise group (n = 24; age = 70.1 ± 4.6; BMI = 22.34 kg/m2) and the seated rest group (n = 24; age = 69.3 ± 6.8; BMI = 22.47 kg/m2). The NPT exercise group held a modified NPT session for one hour and then finished it by cooling down for 5 minutes, while the seated rest group at the same time, stayed in a sitting position. The center of pressure (COP) in the static state in barefoot conditions was recorded with different visual conditions before and after the study from both groups in the two planes using a force platform. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was utilized to compare groups in addition to differences over time. Results: Significant interaction influences were found in the total mean velocity of COP swings (P = 0.004) and the mean velocity of COP swings in the mediolateral plane (P = 0.003) in the NTP exercise group when eyes were closed. Conclusions: A modified NPT program session improves the ability to balance age changes. This program has an acute positive effect on COP velocity swings in sedentary elderly females.

Paternal exercise protects against liver steatosis in the male offspring of mice submitted to high fat diet

Parental lifestyle has been related to alterations in the phenotype of their offspring. Obese sires can induce offspring insulin resistance as well as increase susceptibility to obesity. On the other hand, obese sires submitted to voluntary exercise ameliorate the deleterious metabolic effects on their offspring. However, there are no studies reporting the effect of programmed exercise training of lean sires on offspring metabolism. AimsThis study aimed to investigate the role of swimming training of sires for 6 weeks on the offspring metabolic phenotype. Main methodsMale C57BL/6 mice fed a control diet were divided into sedentary and swimming groups. After the exercise, they were mated with sedentary females, and body weight and molecular parameters of the offspring were subsequently monitored. Key findingsSwimming decreased the gene expression of Fasn and Acaca in the testes and increased the AMPK protein content in the testes and epididymis of the sires. The progeny presented a low weight at P1, which reached a normal level at P60 and at P90 the animals were challenged with HFD for 16 weeks. The male offspring of trained sires presented less body weight gain than the control group. The level of steatosis decreased in the male offspring from trained sires. The gene expression of Prkaa2, Ppar-1α and Cpt-1 was also increased in the liver of male offspring from trained sires. SignificanceTaken together, these findings suggest that paternal exercise training can improve the metabolic profile in the liver of the progeny, thereby ameliorating the effects of obesity.

The Effects of Selective Aerobic Exercise on Cardiovascular Fitness in Debre Markos Preparatory School Sedentary Female Students

The study was conducted to investigate the effect of aerobic exercise on improving cardiovascular fitness of Debre markos preparatory school at Debre Markos town.15 sedentary preparatory school female students were selected as the study subjects and their age range were from 16-18 years. All selected participants were participated in moderate intensity aerobic exercise for 8 consecutive weeks (3 days per week), 60 minutes duration per day.12 minutes run test and step test were used and pre, during and after training test were conducted on cardiovascular fitness variables. The data collected from the study was analyzed quantitatively using descriptive statistics of central tendency of mean and standard deviation and determined the difference between initial and final mean for participants. According to the analyzed data in 12 minutes run test826.86 meter mean difference was recorded and in step test 28.13 minute per bet mean difference was recorded and also in 12 minutes run test 73.33% of participants located under good performance zone and 26.66% of participants located under marginal zone after training. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that moderate aerobic exercise has positive effect on cardiovascular fitness of sedentary female students. Keywords: Aerobic exercise, improving cardiovascular fitness, sedentary females DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/50-03 Publication date: September 30 th 2020