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A double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial on the effect of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera dunal.) root extract in improving cardiorespiratory endurance and recovery in healthy athletic adults.
Tiwari, S, Gupta, SK, Pathak, AK
Journal of ethnopharmacology. 2021;:113929
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Ashwagandha is a reputed herb in traditional Ayurveda, used for various ailments and improving general well-being. Improved cardiorespiratory endurance can aid in attaining better physiological, metabolic, and functional abilities in humans. According to Ayurveda, Ashwagandha has such potential to improve human health. AIM OF THE STUDY This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract in enhancing cardiorespiratory endurance in healthy athletic adults. MATERIALS AND METHODS Fifty healthy athletic adults were selected randomly and equally allocated to Ashwagandha and placebo groups. The Ashwagandha group received 300 mg of Ashwagandha root extract capsules, twice daily, for 8-weeks. Cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed by measuring the maximum aerobic capacity (VO2 max). Estimation of stress management was done through Total Quality Recovery Scores (TQR), Recovery-Stress Questionnaire for Athletes (RESTQ), and Daily Analysis of Life Demands for Athletes (DALDA) questionnaires along with the antioxidant level measurement. RESULTS At the end of the study, a statistically significant improvement in VO2 max outcome was observed in the Ashwagandha group when compared to the placebo group (P = 0.0074). The subjects in the Ashwagandha group also displayed a statistically significant increase at the end of the study when compared to the baseline (P < 0.0001). Significantly improved TQR scores were observed in the Ashwagandha group members compared to their placebo counterparts (P < 0.0001). DALDA questionnaire analysis in the Ashwagandha group was found statistically significant (P < 0.0001) compared to the placebo group. RESTQ assessment also yielded better outcomes, especially for fatigue recovery (P < 0.0001), lack of energy (P < 0.0001), and fitness analysis (P < 0.0001). The enhanced antioxidant level was significant (P < 0.0001) in the Ashwagandha group. CONCLUSION The present findings suggest that Ashwagandha root extract can successfully enhance cardiorespiratory endurance and improve the quality of life in healthy athletic adults. No adverse events were reported by any of the subjects in this study.
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Assessing the utility of cardiorespiratory fitness, visceral fat, and liver fat in predicting changes in insulin sensitivity beyond simple changes in body weight after exercise training in adolescents.
Kuk, JL, Lee, S
Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. 2021;(1):55-62
Abstract
To examine the utility of changes in cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition in response to exercise training in adolescents with obesity beyond simple measures of body weight change. This is a secondary analysis of our previously published randomized trials of aerobic, resistance, and combined training. We included 104 adolescents (body mass index (BMI) ≥85th percentile) who had complete baseline and post-intervention data for CRF, regional body fat, insulin sensitivity, and oral glucose tolerance. Associations between changes in body composition and CRF with cardiometabolic variables were examined adjusted for age, sex, Tanner stage, race, exercise group, and weight loss. At baseline, CRF, visceral fat and liver fat were correlated with insulin sensitivity with and without adjustment for BMI percentile. Training-associated changes in CRF, visceral fat, and liver fat were also correlated with insulin sensitivity changes, but not independent of body weight change. After accounting for body weight change, none of the body composition or CRF were associated with changes in insulin sensitivity, glucose tolerance, systolic blood pressure, or high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Although CRF and body composition were strong independent correlates of insulin sensitivity at baseline, changes in CRF and visceral fat were not associated with changes in insulin sensitivity after accounting for body weight change. Clinicaltrials.gov registration nos.: NCT00739180, NCT01323088, NCT01938950. Novelty With exercise training, changes in body weight, CRF, visceral fat, and liver fat were correlated with changes in insulin sensitivity. Changes in body composition or CRF generally did not remain significant correlates of changes in insulin sensitivity after adjusting for body weight changes.
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Individual cardiovascular responsiveness to work-matched exercise within the moderate- and severe-intensity domains.
Maturana, FM, Schellhorn, P, Erz, G, Burgstahler, C, Widmann, M, Munz, B, Soares, RN, Murias, JM, Thiel, A, Nieß, AM
European journal of applied physiology. 2021;(7):2039-2059
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Abstract
PURPOSE We investigated the cardiovascular individual response to 6 weeks (3×/week) of work-matched within the severe-intensity domain (high-intensity interval training, HIIT) or moderate-intensity domain (moderate-intensity continuous training, MICT). In addition, we analyzed the cardiovascular factors at baseline underlying the response variability. METHODS 42 healthy sedentary participants were randomly assigned to HIIT or MICT. We applied the region of practical equivalence-method for identifying the levels of responders to the maximal oxygen uptake (V̇O2max) response. For investigating the influence of cardiovascular markers, we trained a Bayesian machine learning model on cardiovascular markers. RESULTS Despite that HIIT and MICT induced significant increases in V̇O2max, HIIT had greater improvements than MICT (p < 0.001). Greater variability was observed in MICT, with approximately 50% classified as "non-responder" and "undecided". 20 "responders", one "undecided" and no "non-responders" were observed in HIIT. The variability in the ∆V̇O2max was associated with initial cardiorespiratory fitness, arterial stiffness, and left-ventricular (LV) mass and LV end-diastolic diameter in HIIT; whereas, microvascular responsiveness and right-ventricular (RV) excursion velocity showed a significant association in MICT. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the critical influence of exercise-intensity domains and biological variability on the individual V̇O2max response. The incidence of "non-responders" in MICT was one third of the group; whereas, no "non-responders" were observed in HIIT. The incidence of "responders" was 11 out of 21 participants in MICT, and 20 out of 21 participants in HIIT. The response in HIIT showed associations with baseline fitness, arterial stiffness, and LV-morphology; whereas, it was associated with RV systolic function in MICT.
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Asthma and high-intensity interval training have no effect on clustered cardiometabolic risk or arterial stiffness in adolescents.
McNarry, MA, Lester, L, Ellins, EA, Halcox, JP, Davies, G, Winn, CON, Mackintosh, KA
European journal of applied physiology. 2021;(7):1967-1978
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PURPOSE Cardiometabolic risk, including arterial stiffness, is increasing in youth. Those with asthma are suggested to be particularly at risk of cardiovascular disease. Efficient and effective strategies are required to prevent the atherosclerotic process in youth. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 6 months high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on cardiometabolic risk in youth with and without asthma. METHODS 65 adolescents (31 mild asthma; 34 non-asthma) were recruited, 32 (16 asthma) of whom were randomly allocated to receive HIIT three times per week for 6 months. At baseline, mid-intervention, post-intervention and at a 3-month follow-up, anthropometric, metabolic and vascular determinants of cardiometabolic risk were assessed. Following principal component analysis (PCA), linear mixed models were used to assess the influence of asthma, HIIT and their interaction. RESULTS Seven factors were identified which explained 88% of the common variance shared among the parameters. Those with asthma demonstrated lower arterial stiffness factor scores mid-intervention (P = 0.047) and lower cholesterol factor scores post-intervention (P = 0.022) but there was no effect of the intervention, or interaction effects, on any PCA-identified factor, at any time-point. HIIT was associated with a lower low-density lipoprotein and diastolic blood pressure at mid-intervention. DISCUSSION Neither arterial stiffness nor clustered cardiometabolic risk are influenced by HIIT in adolescents with or without asthma, despite important changes in blood lipid and pressure profiles. Blood pressure, augmentation and pulse wave velocity should be considered physiologically distinct constructs and as potential markers of cardiovascular health.
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The Effects of Sodium Phosphate Supplementation on the Cardiorespiratory System and Gross Efficiency during Exercise under Hypoxia in Male Cyclists: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study.
Płoszczyca, K, Gajda, R, Czuba, M
Nutrients. 2021;(10)
Abstract
The main aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of six days of tri-sodium phosphate (SP) supplementation on the cardiorespiratory system and gross efficiency (GE) during exercise under hypoxia in cyclists. Twenty trained male cyclists received SP (50 mg·kg-1 of fat-free mass/day) or placebo for six days in a randomized, cross-over study, with a three-week washout period between supplementation phases. Before and after each supplementation phase, the subjects performed an incremental exercise test to exhaustion under normobaric hypoxia (FiO2 = 16%, ~2500 m). It was observed that short-term SP supplementation led to a decrease in heart rate, an increase in stroke volume, and an improvement in oxygen pulse (VO2/HR) during low and moderate-intensity exercise under hypoxia. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the serum inorganic phosphate level by 8.7% (p < 0.05). No significant changes were observed in serum calcium levels. GE at a given workload did not change significantly after SP supplementation. These results indicated that SP promotes improvements in the efficiency of the cardiorespiratory system during exercise in a hypoxic environment. Thus, SP supplementation may be beneficial for endurance exercise in hypoxia.
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White matter plasticity in healthy older adults: The effects of aerobic exercise.
Mendez Colmenares, A, Voss, MW, Fanning, J, Salerno, EA, Gothe, NP, Thomas, ML, McAuley, E, Kramer, AF, Burzynska, AZ
NeuroImage. 2021;:118305
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White matter deterioration is associated with cognitive impairment in healthy aging and Alzheimer's disease. It is critical to identify interventions that can slow down white matter deterioration. So far, clinical trials have failed to demonstrate the benefits of aerobic exercise on the adult white matter using diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Here, we report the effects of a 6-month aerobic walking and dance interventions (clinical trial NCT01472744) on white matter integrity in healthy older adults (n = 180, 60-79 years) measured by changes in the ratio of calibrated T1- to T2-weighted images (T1w/T2w). Specifically, the aerobic walking and social dance interventions resulted in positive changes in the T1w/T2w signal in late-myelinating regions, as compared to widespread decreases in the T1w/T2w signal in the active control. Notably, in the aerobic walking group, positive change in the T1w/T2w signal correlated with improved episodic memory performance. Lastly, intervention-induced increases in cardiorespiratory fitness did not correlate with change in the T1w/T2w signal. Together, our findings suggest that white matter regions that are vulnerable to aging retain some degree of plasticity that can be induced by aerobic exercise training. In addition, we provided evidence that the T1w/T2w signal may be a useful and broadly accessible measure for studying short-term within-person plasticity and deterioration in the adult human white matter.
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Low-Frequency HIIT Improves Body Composition and Aerobic Capacity in Overweight Men.
Chin, EC, Yu, AP, Lai, CW, Fong, DY, Chan, DK, Wong, SH, Sun, F, Ngai, HH, Yung, PSH, Siu, PM
Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2020;(1):56-66
Abstract
BACKGROUND The relationship between the frequency of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and the resultant adaptations is largely unclear. PURPOSE This study compared the effects of different frequencies of HIIT with those of moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) on body composition in overweight or obese adults. METHODS Fifty-six overweight or obese (body mass index = 26.4 ± 2.9) men between 18 and 30 yr old (age = 22.8 ± 3.1 yr) were randomly assigned to the following groups: no-intervention control (CON; n = 14), MICT performed thrice weekly (MICT×3/wk; n = 9), HIIT performed thrice weekly (HIIT×3/wk; n = 14), HIIT performed twice weekly (HIIT×2/wk; n = 10), and HIIT performed once weekly (HIIT×1/wk; n = 9). Each HIIT session consisted of 12 × 1-min bouts at 90% heart rate reserve, interspersed with 11 × 1-min bouts at 70% heart rate reserve. Aerobic capacity, body composition, resting heart rate, vascular function, insulin resistance, and biomarkers of metabolic syndrome risk factor were examined at baseline, after 4 wk, and after 8 wk of intervention. RESULTS Aerobic capacity and percent fat-free mass significantly increased in all exercise groups compared with those in the CON group (CON vs all exercise groups, P < 0.05), whereas body fat mass and systolic blood pressure significantly decreased after 8 wk of intervention in all exercise groups compared with those in the CON group (CON vs all exercise groups, P < 0.05). Body fat mass significantly decreased after 4 wk in all HIIT groups compared with those in the CON group (CON vs all HIIT groups, P < 0.05) but not in the MICT×3/wk group. CONCLUSION These novel results demonstrated that performing HIIT once weekly, even with a lower weekly volume of exercise, improved cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and blood pressure in overweight/obese adults. Low-frequency HIIT might be a feasible and effective strategy for the prescription of an initial exercise program for inactive, overweight, or obese young men.
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Effects of functional training and 2 interdisciplinary interventions on maximal oxygen uptake and weight loss of women with obesity: a randomized clinical trial.
La Scala Teixeira, CV, Caranti, DA, Oyama, LM, Padovani, RDC, Cuesta, MGS, Moraes, ADS, Cerrone, LA, Affonso, LHL, Gil, SDS, Dos Santos, RVT, et al
Applied physiology, nutrition, and metabolism = Physiologie appliquee, nutrition et metabolisme. 2020;(7):777-783
Abstract
Our aim was to analyze and compare functional training, interdisciplinary therapy, and interdisciplinary education on cardiorespiratory fitness (CF) and anthropometric characteristics of women with obesity. Forty-four women (age = 39.7 ± 5.9 years, body mass index (BMI) = 35.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2) completed 30 weeks of intervention randomly assigned to 3 groups: functional training (FT) (n = 14), interdisciplinary therapy (IT) (n = 19), and interdisciplinary education (IE) (n = 11). The FT group participated in the training program (3/week), the IT group received the same training intervention plus nutrition (1/week) and psychology advice (1/week) and physical therapy (1/week). The IE group participated in interdisciplinary lectures on topics related to health promotion (1/month). CF (ergospirometry), anthropometry, and body composition (electrical bioimpedance) were measured pre-intervention (Pre) and post-intervention (Post). CF increased (p ≤ 0.05) significantly (Pre vs. Post) in the FT (7.5%) and IT (10.8%) groups, but not in the IE group (1.8%). Body mass (BM), BMI, relative fat mass, and waist circumference significantly (p ≤ 0.05) decreased (Pre vs. Post) in IT (-4.4%, -4.4%, -2.3%, and -5.1%, respectively). The IE group showed a significant decrease in BM (-3.7%), BMI (-3.7%), and waist circumference (-3.5%), whereas the FT group promoted significant decrease in waist circumference (-3.4%). In conclusion, functional training increased CF but only interdisciplinary interventions improved the anthropometric profile of women with obesity. Novelty Interdisciplinary therapy provided more comprehensive adaptations in women with obesity, including morphological variables and CF. Functional training increased CF but reduced only abdominal obesity. Interdisciplinary education provided benefits on morphological variables, but it does not increase CF.
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Nonexercise Equations for Determining Change in Cardiorespiratory Fitness.
DE Lannoy, L, Ross, R
Medicine and science in sports and exercise. 2020;(7):1525-1531
Abstract
PURPOSE This study aimed to determine whether change in estimated cardiorespiratory fitness (eCRF) is associated with change in measured cardiorespiratory fitness (mCRF) independent of exercise amount and intensity over 24 wk. METHODS Participants were 163 sedentary adults with abdominal obesity (mean ± SD waist circumference, 109.9 ± 11.5 cm) randomly assigned to (i) no-exercise control (n = 42); (ii) low-amount, low-intensity exercise (LALI; n = 39); (iii) high-amount, low-intensity exercise (HALI; n = 51); and (iv) high-amount, high-intensity exercise (HAHI; n = 31). mCRF was measured using a maximal treadmill test at baseline, 8, 16, and 24 wk. eCRF was calculated using a published nonexercise equation with the following variables: sex, age, waist circumference, resting heart rate, and self-selected physical activity. RESULTS Participants attended 115 of 120 exercise sessions prescribed (96.0% ± 4.0% adherence). eCRF change from baseline to 8, 16, and 24 wk was not different from mCRF change for control, LALI, or HALI (P = 0.03). In HAHI, eCRF change was significantly greater than mCRF change at all time points (P < 0.001). Further analysis revealed that change in eCRF systematically overestimated and underestimated small and large changes in mCRF, respectively, in all groups (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS eCRF change was associated with mCRF change at 24 wk independent of exercise amount but not intensity. Systematic variation between eCRF and mCRF highlights a possible limitation when using eCRF to follow change in mCRF, specifically that eCRF does not capture the individual variability of the mCRF response.
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Effects of protein supplementation on aerobic training-induced gains in cardiopulmonary fitness, muscle mass, and functional performance in chronic stroke: A randomized controlled pilot study.
Cheng, YH, Wei, L, Chan, WP, Hsu, CY, Huang, SW, Wang, H, Lin, YN
Clinical nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland). 2020;(9):2743-2750
Abstract
BACKGROUND & AIMS The beneficial effects of protein supplementation on aerobic exercise-induced gains in patients with stroke are currently unknown. This study evaluated the feasibility and potential value of protein supplementation with aerobic exercise among stroke survivors. METHODS This double-blinded randomized controlled pilot study included 20 ambulatory persons with chronic (>6 months) stroke randomly assigned to either the protein (PRO) or carbohydrate (CHO) group. All participants received three 40-min cycling ergometric training sessions a week for 8 weeks. Training intensity at 60%-80% heart rate reserve was determined using cardiopulmonary exercise pretests. Immediately before and after each session, the PRO group received a 20-g protein-rich supplement, and the CHO group received a 20-g calorie-matched carbohydrate-rich supplement. Outcomes included changes in body composition, cardiopulmonary capacity, and clinical functional performance. RESULTS Those completing the protocol (n = 18) received 18-24 cycling training sessions, achieving target training intensity without major adverse effects. Of the two groups, the PRO group tended to obtain greater aerobic capacity (effect size [ES]>0.5 in every cardiopulmonary index), greater improvements in functional performance (0.25 < ES < 1.00 in various clinical tests), and greater total lean mass versus total fat mass (ES = 0.52). CONCLUSIONS Protein supplementation with aerobic exercise training tends to improve body composition, cardiopulmonary fitness, and function among persons with stroke. This study protocol is feasible, and future trials with larger sample sizes could confirm these results. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03244527.