Effects of strength and power training on neuromuscular variables in older adults

The purpose of this study was to compare the neuromuscular adaptations produced by strength-training (ST) and power-training (PT) regimens in older individuals. Participants were balanced by quadriceps cross-sectional area (CSA) and leg-press 1-repetition maximum and randomly assigned to an ST group (n = 14; 63.6 +/- 4.0 yr, 79.7 +/- 17.2 kg, and 163.9 +/- 9.8 cm), a PT group (n = 16; 64.9 +/- 3.9 yr. 63.9 +/- 11.9 kg, and 157.4 +/- 7.7 cm), or a control group (n = 13; 63.0 +/- 4.0 yr, 67.2 +/- 10.8 kg, and 159.8 +/- 6.8 cm). ST and PT were equally effective in increasing (a) maximum dynamic and isometric strength (p < .05), (b) increasing quadriceps muscle CSA (p < .05), and (c) decreasing electrical mechanical delay of the vastus lateralis muscle (p < .05). There were no significant changes in neuromuscular activation after training. The novel finding of the current study is that PT seems to be an attractive alternative to regular ST to maintain and improve muscle mass.

Long-term interdisciplinary therapy reduces endotoxin level and insulin resistance in obese adolescents

Abstract Aim The purpose of the present study was to assess the dietary fat intake, glucose, insulin, Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance HOMA-IR, and endotoxin levels and correlate them with adipokine serum concentrations in obese adolescents who had been admitted to long-term interdisciplinary weight-loss therapy. Design The present study was a longitudinal clinical intervention of interdisciplinary therapy. Adolescents (n = 18, aged 15–19 y) with a body mass index > 95th percentile were admitted and evaluated at baseline and again after 1 year of interdisciplinary therapy. We collected blood samples, and IL-6, adiponectin, and endotoxin concentrations were measured by ELISA. Food intake was measured using 3-day diet records. In addition, we assessed glucose and insulin levels as well as the homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results The most important finding from the present investigation was that the long-term interdisciplinary lifestyle therapy decreased dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels and improved HOMA-IR. We observed positive correlations between dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels, insulin levels, and the HOMA-IR. In addition, endotoxin levels showed positive correlations with IL-6 levels, insulin levels and the HOMA-IR. Interestingly, we observed a negative correlation between serum adiponectin and both dietary fat intake and endotoxin levels. Conclusions The present results indicate an association between dietary fat intake and endotoxin level, which was highly correlated with a decreased pro-inflammatory state and an improvement in HOMA-IR. In addition, this benefits effect may be associated with an increased adiponectin level, which suggests that the interdisciplinary therapy was effective in improving inflammatory pathways.

Re-treatment of previous non-responders and relapsers to interferon plus ribavirin with peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD), ribavirin +/- amantadine in patients with chronic hepatitis C: randomized multicentre clinical trial

Introduction. A large number of patients with chronic hepatitis C have not been cured with interferon-based therapy. Therefore, we evaluated the efficacy of amantadine combined with the standard of care (pegylated interferon plus ribavirin) in patients who had not responded to or had relapsed after 24 weeks of treatment with conventional interferon plus ribavirin. Material and methods. Patients stratified by previous response (i.e., non-response or relapse) were randomized to 48 weeks of open-label treatment with peginterferon alfa-2a (401(D) 180 pg/week plus ribavirin 1,000/1,200 mg/day plus amantadine 200 mg/day (triple therapy), or the standard of care (peginterferon alfa-2a [40KD] plus ribavirin). Results. The primary outcome was sustained virological response (SVR), defined as undetectable hepatitis C virus RNA in serum (< 50 IU/mL) at end of follow-up (week 72). Among patients with a previous non-response, 12/53 (22.6%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 12.3-36.2%) randomized to triple therapy achieved an SVR compared with 16/52 (30.8%; 95% CI 18.7-45.1%) randomized to the standard of care. Among patients with a previous relapse 22/39 (56.4%; 95% CI 39.6-72.2%) randomized to triple therapy achieved an SVR compared with 23/38 (60.5%; 95% CI 43.4-76.0%) randomized to the standard of care. Undetectable HCV RNA (< 50 IU/mL) at week 12 had a high positive predictive value for SVR. A substantial proportion of non-responders and relapsers to conventional interferon plus ribavirin achieve an SVR when re-treated with peginterferon alfa-2a (40KD) plus ribavirin. Conclusion. Amantadine does not enhance SVR rates in previously treated patients with chronic hepatitis C and cannot be recommended in this setting.