The relationship between inflammation, dyslipidemia and physical exercise: from the epidemiological to molecular approach

Dyslipidemia and inflammation are frequently found in some diseases, such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and cancer cachexia. Recent literature has identified that lipids have a pivotal role in the activation of inflammatory pathways, increasing the production of inflammatory cytokines, mainly tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin 6 and 1β. On the other hand, cytokines can promote disruption of lipid metabolism, in special cholesterol reverse transport, which is linked to development of atherosclerosis. With this in mind, acute and chronic exercise trainings have been pointed as important tools to counteract both dyslipidemia symptoms and systemic inflammation. Moreover, physical activity has been recommended in the prevention/treatment of the above mentioned outcomes by important health organizations around the world, mainly because it costs less and generates fewer side effects than isolated medicine. Despite the well-documented capacity of acute and chronic exercise training to counteract sustained disease-related immunometabolism, we have chosen to take a look from a current perspective in molecular pathways and in the field of epidemiology. The aim of the present review was therefore to discuss the results of dyslipidemia and inflammatory conditions with acute and chronic exercise training, which underlies the field of molecular pathways and epidemiology. The mechanisms underlying the response to the treatment are considered.

Impact of functional training on cardiac autonomic modulation, cardiopulmonary parameters and quality of life in healthy women

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamentode Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Effect of community-based physical exercise interventions carried out in primary helath care on plasma inflammatory biomarkers and cardiorespiratory fitness

Pós-graduação em Ciências da Motricidade - IBRC

Effects of an isostretching training protocol to increase the musculoarticular flexibility and other physiological aspetcs on the quality of life

Purpose: To apply the technique of Isostretching in a group of people over age 50 years and compare the flexibility of the posterior muscular chain before and after treatment, observing whether there was improvement in quality of life after the end of the sessions. Method: Eleven healthy and sedentary people from 51 to 74 years old participated in the study, which was conducted in Brazil. To evaluate the flexibility we applied the SF-36 questionnaire and test flexion of the spine before and after the study. Eight domains were accessed with the scores ranging form zero to one hundred. Results And Discussion:The technique was effective to gain flexibility of the posterior muscle group, which results in better quality of life for the participants. The results show that the domains related to physical health obtained the highest scores (“functional capacity”, “limitation in physical aspects” and “pain”). These aspects are strongly emphasised in a physical therapy treatment.

Efficiency and costless of a long-term physical exercise program to nom-medicated hypertensive males

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

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.

Endurance exercise training increases APPL1 expression and improves insulin signaling in the hepatic tissue of diet-induced obese mice, independently of weight loss

Hepatic insulin resistance is the major contributor to fasting hyperglycemia in type 2 diabetes. The protein kinase Akt plays a central role in the suppression of gluconeogenesis involving forkhead box O1 (Foxo1) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma co-activator 1 alpha (PGC-1a), and in the control of glycogen synthesis involving the glycogen synthase kinase beta (GSK3 beta) in the liver. It has been demonstrated that endosomal adaptor protein APPL1 interacts with Akt and blocks the association of Akt with its endogenous inhibitor, tribbles-related protein 3 (TRB3), improving the action of insulin in the liver. Here, we demonstrated that chronic exercise increased the basal levels and insulin-induced Akt serine phosphorylation in the liver of diet-induced obese mice. Endurance training was able to increase APPL1 expression and the interaction between APPL1 and Akt. Conversely, training reduced both TRB3 expression and TRB3 and Akt association. The positive effects of exercise on insulin action are reinforced by our findings that showed that trained mice presented an increase in Foxo1 phosphorylation and Foxo1/PGC-1a association, which was accompanied by a reduction in gluconeogenic gene expressions (PEPCK and G6Pase). Finally, exercised animals demonstrated increased at basal and insulin-induced GSK3 beta phosphorylation levels and glycogen content at 24?h after the last session of exercise. Our findings demonstrate that exercise increases insulin action, at least in part, through the enhancement of APPL1 and the reduction of TRB3 expression in the liver of obese mice, independently of weight loss. J. Cell. Physiol. 227: 29172926, 2012. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Alternatives exist: analysis of scientific literature in two Brazilian journals about the pedagogical work of Physical Education

Considering that the process of teacher training in universities takes into account the confrontation of knowledge produced by the scientific methods, the current study intended to identify what are the main contributions of the Brazilian scientific production of Physical Education teaching. Therefore, an exploratory study was done from the articles published on the subject in the two main periodicals of the area. The data analyzes allowed us to verify the relevancy of the knowledge produced and to suggest alternatives to its inclusion in the docent training programs.

Exercise training in juvenile dermatomyositis

Objective. To investigate the effects of a supervised exercise training program on health parameters, physical capacity, and health-related quality of life in patients with mild and chronic juvenile dermatomyositis (DM). Methods. This was a prospective longitudinal study following 10 children with mild and chronic juvenile DM (disease duration >1 year). The exercise program consisted of twice-a-week aerobic and resistance training. At baseline and after the 12-week intervention, we assessed muscle strength and function, aerobic conditioning, body composition, juvenile DM scores, and health-related quality of life. Results. Child self-report and parent proxy-report Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory scores were improved after the intervention (-40.3%; P = 0.001 and -48.2%; P = 0.049, respectively). Importantly, after exercise, the Disease Activity Score was reduced (-26.9%; P = 0.026) and the Childhood Muscle Assessment Scale was improved (+2.5%; P = 0.009), whereas the Manual Muscle Test presented a trend toward statistical significance (+2.2%; P = 0.081). The peak oxygen consumption and time-to-exhaustion were increased by 13.3% (P = 0.001) and 18.2% (P = 0.003), respectively, whereas resting heart rate was decreased by 14.7% (P = 0.006), indicating important cardiovascular adaptations to the exercise program. Upper and lower extremity muscle strength and muscle function were also significantly improved after the exercise training (P < 0.05). Both the whole-body and the lumbar spine bone mineral apparent density were significantly increased after training (1.44%; P = 0.044 and 2.85%; P = 0.008, respectively). Conclusion. We showed for the first time that a 12-week supervised exercise program is safe and can improve muscle strength and function, aerobic conditioning, bone mass, disease activity, and health-related quality of life in patients with active and nonactive mild and chronic juvenile DM with near normal physical function and quality of life.

Effects of a combined aerobic and strength training program in youth patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Cure rates of youth with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia (ALL) have increased in the past decades, but survivor's quality of life and physical fitness has become a growing concern. Although previous reports showed that resistance training is feasible and effective, we hypothesized that a more intense exercise program would also be feasible, but more beneficial than low- to moderate-intensity training programs. We aimed to examine the effects of an exercise program combining high-intensity resistance exercises and moderate-intensity aerobic exercises in young patients undergoing treatment for ALL. A quasi-experimental study was conducted. The patients (n = 6; 5-16 years of age) underwent a 12-week intra-hospital training program involving high-intensity strength exercises and aerobic exercise at 70% of the peak oxygen consumption. At baseline and after 12 weeks, we assessed sub-maximal strength (10 repetition-maximum), quality of life and possible adverse effects. A significant improvement was observed in the sub maximal strength for bench press (71%), lat pull down (50%), leg press (73%) and leg extension (64%) as a result of the training (p < 0.01). The parents' evaluations of their children's quality of life revealed an improvement in fatigue and general quality of life, but the children's self-reported quality of life was not changed. No adverse effects occurred. A 12-week in-hospital training program including high-intensity resistance exercises promotes marked strength improvements in patients during the maintenance phase of the treatment for Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia without side-effects. Parents' evaluations of their children revealed an improvement in the quality of life.

Different protocols of physical exercise produce different effects on synaptic and structural proteins in motor areas of the rat brain

The plastic brain responses generated by the training with acrobatic exercise (AE) and with treadmill exercise (TE) may be different. We evaluated the protein expression of synapsin I (SYS), synaptophysin (SYP), microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) and neurofilaments (NF) by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting in the motor cortex, striatum and cerebellum of rats subjected to TE and AE. Young adult male Wistar rats were divided into 3 groups: sedentary (Sed) (n=15), TE (n=20) and AE (n=20). The rats were trained 3 days/week for 4 weeks on a treadmill at 0.6 km/h, 40 min/day (TE), or moved through a circuit of obstacles 5 times/day (AE). The rats from the TE group exhibited a significant increase of SYS and SYP in the motor cortex, of NF68, SYS and SYP in the striatum, and of MAP2, NF and SYS in the cerebellum, whereas NF was decreased in the motor cortex and the molecular layer of the cerebellar cortex. On the other hand, the rats from the AE group showed a significant increase of MAP2 and SYP in the motor cortex, of all four proteins in the striatum, and of SYS in the cerebellum. In conclusion, AE induced changes in the expression of synaptic and structural proteins mainly in the motor cortex and striatum, which may underlie part of the learning of complex motor tasks. TE, on the other hand, promoted more robust changes of structural proteins in all three regions, especially in the cerebellum, which is involved in learned and automatic tasks. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Health and fitness benefits of a resistance training intervention performed in the workplace

Zavanela, PM, Crewther, BT, Lodo, L, Florindo, AA, Miyabara, EH, and Aoki, MS. Health and fitness benefits of a resistance training intervention performed in the workplace. J Strength Cond Res 26(3): 811-817, 2012-This study examined the effects of a workplace-based resistance training intervention on different health-, fitness-, and work-related measures in untrained men (bus drivers). The subjects were recruited from a bus company and divided into a training (n = 48) and control (n = 48) groups after initial prescreening. The training group performed a 24-week resistance training program, whereas the control group maintained their normal daily activities. Each group was assessed for body composition, blood pressure (BP), pain incidence, muscular endurance, and flexibility before and after the 24-week period. Work absenteeism was also recorded during this period and after a 12-week follow-up phase. In general, no body composition changes were identified in either group. In the training group, a significant reduction in BP and pain incidence, along with improvements in muscle endurance and flexibility were seen after 24 weeks (p < 0.05). There were no changes in these parameters in the control group, and the between-group differences were all significant (p < 0.05). A reduction in worker absenteeism rate was also noted in the training (vs. control) group during both the interventional and follow-up periods (p < 0.05). In conclusion, it was found that a periodized resistance training intervention performed within the workplace improved different aspects of health and fitness in untrained men, thereby potentially providing other work-related benefits. Thus, both employers and employees may benefit from the setup, promotion, and support of a work-based physical activity program involving resistance training.

Effects of acute physical exercise on executive functions: a comparison between aerobic and strength exercise

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of acute aerobic and strength exercises on selected executive functions. A counterbalanced, crossover, randomized trial was performed. Forty-two healthy women were randomly submitted to three different conditions: (1) aerobic exercise, (2) strength exercise, and (3) control condition. Before and after each condition, executive functions were measured by the Stroop Test and the Trail Making Test. Following the aerobic and strength sessions, the time to complete the Stroop "non-color word" and "color word" condition was lower when compared with that of the control session. The performance in the Trail Making Test was unchanged. In conclusion, both acute aerobic and strength exercises improve the executive functions. Nevertheless, this positive effect seems to be task and executive function dependent.

Effects of a combined strengthening, stretching and functional training program versus usual-care on gait biomechanics and foot function for diabetic neuropathy: a randomized controlled trial

Background: Polyneuropathy is a complication of diabetes mellitus that has been very challenging for clinicians. It results in high public health costs and has a huge impact on patients' quality of life. Preventive interventions are still the most important approach to avoid plantar ulceration and amputation, which is the most devastating endpoint of the disease. Some therapeutic interventions improve gait quality, confidence, and quality of life; however, there is no evidence yet of an effective physical therapy treatment for recovering musculoskeletal function and foot rollover during gait that could potentially redistribute plantar pressure and reduce the risk of ulcer formation. Methods/Design: A randomised, controlled trial, with blind assessment, was designed to study the effect of a physiotherapy intervention on foot rollover during gait, range of motion, muscle strength and function of the foot and ankle, and balance confidence. The main outcome is plantar pressure during foot rollover, and the secondary outcomes are kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait, neuropathy signs and symptoms, foot and ankle range of motion and function, muscle strength, and balance confidence. The intervention is carried out for 12 weeks, twice a week, for 40-60 min each session. The follow-up period is 24 weeks from the baseline condition. Discussion: Herein, we present a more comprehensive and specific physiotherapy approach for foot and ankle function, by choosing simple tasks, focusing on recovering range of motion, strength, and functionality of the joints most impaired by diabetic polyneuropathy. In addition, this intervention aims to transfer these peripheral gains to the functional and more complex task of foot rollover during gait, in order to reduce risk of ulceration. If it shows any benefit, this protocol can be used in clinical practice and can be indicated as complementary treatment for this disease.

Effects of Diets Supplemented with Branched-Chain Amino Acids on the Performance and Fatigue Mechanisms of Rats Submitted to Prolonged Physical Exercise

This study aimed to determine the effects of diets chronically supplemented with branched-chain amino acids (BCAA) on the fatigue mechanisms of trained rats. Thirty-six adult Wistar rats were trained for six weeks. The training protocol consisted of bouts of swimming exercise (one hour a day, five times a week, for six weeks). The animals received a control diet (C) (n = 12), a diet supplemented with 3.57% BCAA (S1) (n = 12), or a diet supplemented with 4.76% BCAA (S2) (n = 12). On the last day of the training protocol, half the animals in each group were sacrificed after one hour of swimming (1H), and the other half after a swimming exhaustion test (EX). Swimming time until exhaustion was increased by 37% in group S1 and reduced by 43% in group S2 compared to group C. Results indicate that the S1 diet had a beneficial effect on performance by sparing glycogen in the soleus muscle (p < 0.05) and by inducing a lower concentration of plasma ammonia, whereas the S2 diet had a negative effect on performance due to hyperammonemia (p < 0.05). The hypothalamic concentration of serotonin was not significantly different between the 1H and EX conditions. In conclusion, chronic BCAA supplementation led to increased performance in rats subjected to a swimming test to exhaustion. However, this is a dose-dependent effect, since chronic ingestion of elevated quantities of BCAA led to a reduction in performance.