LEFT-VENTRICULAR MAXIMAL SYSTOLIC ELASTANCE CALCULATED BY A COMBINATION OF M-MODE ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY AND STANDARD MANOMETRY

1. A method for obtaining the end-systolic left ventricular (LV) pressure-diameter and stress-diameter relationships in man was critically analyzed.2. Pressure-diameter and stress-diameter relationships were determined throughout the cardiac cycle by combining standard LV manometry with M-mode echocardiography. Nine adult patients with heart disease and without heart failure were studied during intracardiac catheterization under three different conditions of arterial pressure, i.e., basal (B) condition (mean +/- SD systolic pressure, 102 +/- 10 mmHg) and two stable states of arterial hypertension (H(I), 121 +/- 12 mmHg; H(II), 147 +/- 17 mmHg) induced by venous infusion of phenylephrine after parasympathetic autonomic blockade with 0.04 mg/kg atropine.3. Significant reflex heart rate variation with arterial hypertension was observed (B, 115 +/- 20 bpm; H(I), 103 +/- 14 bpm; H(II), 101 +/- 13 bpm) in spite of the parasympathetic blockade with atropine. The linear end-systolic pressure-diameter and stress-diameter relationships ranged from 53.0 to 160.0 mmHg/cm and from 97.0 to 195.0 g/cm3, respectively.4. The end-systolic LV pressure-diameter and stress-diameter relationship lines presented high and variable slopes. The slopes, which are indicators of myocardial contractility, are susceptible to modifications by small deviations in the measurement of the ventricular diameter or by delay in the pressure curve recording.

Differential distribution of functional alpha(1)-adrenergic receptor subtypes along the rat tail artery

The rat tail artery has been used for the study of vasoconstriction mediated by alpha(1A)-adrenoceptors (ARs). However, rings from proximal segments of the tail artery (within the initial 4 cm, PRTA) were at least 3- fold more sensitive to methoxamine and phenylephrine (n = 6 - 12; p < 0.05) than rings from distal parts (between the sixth and 10th cm, DRTA). Interestingly, the imidazolines N-[ 5-( 4,5- dihydro- 1H- imidazol-2-yl)-2-hydroxy-5,6,7,8- tetrahydronaphthalen- 1- yl] methanesulfonamide hydrobromide (A-61603) and oxymetazoline, which activate selectively alpha(1A)- ARs, were equipotent in PRTA and DRTA (n = 4 - 12), whereas buspirone, which activates selectively alpha(1D)-AR, was approximate to 70-fold more potent in PRTA than in DRTA (n = 8; p < 0.05). The selective alpha(1D)-AR antagonist 8-[2-[4-(methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl] ethyl]-8-azaspiro[4.5] decane-7,9-dione dihydrochloride (BMY- 7378) was approximate to 70- fold more potent against the contractions induced by phenylephrine in PRTA (pK(B) of approximate to 8.45; n = 6) than in DRTA (pK B of approximate to 6.58; n = 6), although the antagonism was complex in PRTA. 5-Methylurapidil, a selective alpha(1A)-antagonist, was equipotent in PRTA and DRTA (pK(B) of approximate to 8.4), but the Schild slope in DRTA was 0.73 +/- 0.05 ( n = 5). The noncompetitive alpha(1B)-antagonist conotoxin rho-TIA reduced the maximal contraction induced by phenylephrine in DRTA, but not in PRTA. These results indicate a predominant role for alpha(1A)-ARs in the contractions of both PRTA and DRTA but with significant coparticipations of alpha(1D)-ARs in PRTA and alpha(1B)-ARs in DRTA. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that mRNA encoding alpha(1A)- and alpha(1B)-ARs are similarly distributed in PRTA and DRTA, whereas mRNA for alpha(1D)-ARs is twice more abundant in PRTA. Therefore, alpha(1)-ARs subtypes are differentially distributed along the tail artery. It is important to consider the segment from which the tissue preparation is taken to avoid misinterpretations on receptor mechanisms and drug selectivities. antagonism was complex in PRTA. 5- Methylurapidil, a selective alpha(1A)-antagonist, was equipotent in PRTA and DRTA (pK(B) of approximate to 8.4), but the Schild slope in DRTA was 0.73 +/- 0.05 ( n = 5). The noncompetitive alpha(1B)-antagonist conotoxin rho-TIA reduced the maximal contraction induced by phenylephrine in DRTA, but not in PRTA. These results indicate a predominant role for alpha(1A)-ARs in the contractions of both PRTA and DRTA but with significant coparticipations of alpha(1D)-ARs in PRTA and alpha(1B)-ARs in DRTA. Semiquantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction revealed that mRNA encoding alpha(1A)- and alpha(1B)- ARs are similarly distributed in PRTA and DRTA, whereas mRNA for alpha(1D)-ARs is twice more abundant in PRTA. Therefore, alpha(1)-ARs subtypes are differentially distributed along the tail artery. It is important to consider the segment from which the tissue preparation is taken to avoid misinterpretations on receptor mechanisms and drug selectivities.

Maximal lactate steady state in running mice: Effect of exercise training

1. Maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) corresponds to the highest blood lactate concentration (MLSSc) and workload (MLSSw) that can be maintained over time without continual blood lactate accumulation and is considered an important marker of endurance exercise capacity. The present study was undertaken to determine MLSSw and MLSSc in running mice. In addition, we provide an exercise training protocol for mice based on MLSSw.2. Maximal lactate steady state was determined by blood sampling during multiple sessions of constant-load exercise varying from 9 to 21 m/min in adult male C57BL/6J mice. The constant-load test lasted at least 21 min. The blood lactate concentration was analysed at rest and then at 7 min intervals during exercise.3. The MLSSw was found to be 15.1 +/- 0.7 m/min and corresponded to 60 +/- 2% of maximal speed achieved during the incremental exercise testing. Intra- and interobserver variability of MLSSc showed reproducible findings. Exercise training was performed at MLSSw over a period of 8 weeks for 1 h/day and 5 days/week. Exercise training led to resting bradycardia (21%) and increased running performance (28%). of interest, the MLSSw of trained mice was significantly higher than that in sedentary littermates (19.0 +/- 0.5 vs 14.2 +/- 0.5 m/min; P = 0.05), whereas MLSSc remained unchanged (3.0 mmol/L).4. Altogether, we provide a valid and reliable protocol to improve endurance exercise capacity in mice performed at highest workload with predominant aerobic metabolism based on MLSS assessment.

Effects of high intensity running to fatigue on isokinetic muscular strength in endurance athletes

The objective of this study was to examine the effects of high intensity exhaustive running exercise on the muscular torque capacity of the knee extensors for two types of contraction (concentric and eccentric) at different angular velocities (60 and 180 degrees/s) in well-trained runners. Eleven male runners specialized in middle and long-distance running volunteered to participate in this study. Initially each subject performed, on different days, two familiarization sessions on an isokinetic dynamometer and an incremental treadmill test to volitional exhaustion to determine the velocity associated with the onset of blood lactate accumulation (OBLA). The subjects then returned to the laboratory on two occasions, separated by at least seven days, to perform maximal isokinetic knee contractions at each of the velocities under eccentric (Ecc) and concentric (Con) conditions. Conducted randomly, one test was performed after a standardized warm-up period of 5 min at 50% VO2 max. The other test was performed 15 min after continuous running at OBLA until volitional exhaustion. Following this high intensity exercise there was a significant reduction of Con at 60 degrees/s and a significant reduction of Ecc at both velocities. Percent strength losses after running exercise were significantly different between contraction types only at 180 degrees/s. We can conclude that the reduction in isokinetic peak torque of the knee extensors after a session of high intensity exhaustive running exercise at OBLA depends on the contraction type and angular velocity.

Effect of the chronological age and sexual maturation on the time to exhaustion at maximal aerobic speed

The purposes of this study were: a) to verify the effect of chronological age and sexual maturation on the time to exhaustion at VO(2)max (t(lim)) and; b) to examine the reproducibility of t(lim) in boys aged 10-15 years. Forty boys, divided into 4 groups, in accordance to the chronological age (G10-12 and G13-15) and sexual maturation (P1-P3 and P4-P5 levels for pubic hair), performed the following tests: 1) incremental test for determination of VO(2)max and; 2) all-out exercise bout performed at VO(2)max to determine the t(lim). There was no difference of t(lim) (sec) between G10-12 and G13-15 (181.5 +/- 96.3 vs. 199 105.5). While the two measures of t(lim) were moderately related (r = 0.78), t(lim) from the second test (226.6 +/- 96.1 s) was higher than that of the first (191.3 +/- 79.2 s). We can conclude that the t(lim) is not influenced by chronological age and sexual maturation. Besides, t(lim) presents a lower reproducibility in children and adolescents.

Effect of ion reduction of sodium, calcium and potassium on spontaneous contraction of the esophagus of Pomacea lineata SPIX, 1827 (Mollusca-Gastropoda-Prosobranchia)

The invertebrate's musculature still presents many elusive points, especially in molluscs that generally present smooth and cracked fibers with peculiar characteristics. It was found that the molluscs reactions to the ion variation in the bathing are not very clear, mainly in view of the isolated reduction or equivalent of the ions. Suspended in bath, the isolated esophagus of the P. lineata exhibited spontaneous activity. This rhythmic activity was sensitive to the ion variation of the perfusion liquid, evidenced by alterations in the spontaneous contractions. The equivalent reduction of the ion reduced the spontaneous activity, evidenced by the amplitude reduction of the response, besides maintaning an organ contraction, primarily in the reductions below 50%. When the isolated reductions of the Na, Ca or K ion were performed, occurred interference in the spontaneous contractions of the organs, principally in amplitude of the response and maintenance of the contracture in reductions of 50 and 25% of the ion.

The Lactate Minimum Test protocol provides valid measures of cycle ergometer VO2 peak

Aim. The aim of the present study was to investigate the validity of the Lactate Minimum Test (LMT) for the determination of peak VO2 on a cycle ergometer and to determine the submaximal oxygen uptake (VO2) and pulmonary ventilation (VE) responses in an incremental exercise test when it is preceded by high intensity exercise (i.e., during a LMT).Methods. Ten trained male athletes (triathletes and cyclists) performed 2 exercise tests in random order on an electromagnetic cycle ergometer: 1) Control Test (CT): an incremental test with an initial work rate of 100 W, and with 25 W increments at 3-min intervals, until voluntary exhaustion; 2) LMT: an incremental test identical to the CT, except that it was preceded by 2 supramaximal bouts of 30-sec (similar to120% VO(2)peak) with a 30-sec rest to induce lactic acidosis. This test started 8 min after the induction of acidosis.Results. There was no significant difference in peak VO2 (65.6+/-7.4 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); 63.8+/-7.5 ml.kg(-1).min(-1) to CT and LMT, respectively). However, the maximal power output (POmax) reached was significantly higher in CT (300.6+/-15.7 W) than in the LMT (283.2+/-16.0 W).VO2 and VE were significantly increased at initial power outputs in LMT.Conclusion. Although the LMT alters the submaximal physiological responses during the incremental phase (greater initial metabolic cost), this protocol is valid to evaluate peak VO2, although the POmax reached is also reduced.

Effects of aerobic endurance training status and specificity on oxygen uptake kinetics during maximal exercise

The main purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of exercise mode, training status and specificity on the oxygen uptake ((V)over dot O-2) kinetics during maximal exercise performed in treadmill running and cycle ergometry. Seven runners (R), nine cyclists (C), nine triathletes (T) and eleven untrained subjects (U), performed the following tests on different days on a motorized treadmill and on a cycle ergometer: (1) incremental tests in order to determine the maximal oxygen uptake ((V)over dot O-2max) and the intensity associated with the achievement of (V)over dot O-2max (I(V)over dot O-2max); and (2) constant work-rate running and cycling exercises to exhaustion at I(V)over dot O-2max to determine the effective time constant of the (V)over dot O-2 response (tau(V)over dot O-2). Values for (V)over dotO(2max) obtained on the treadmill and cycle ergometer [R=68.8 (6.3) and 62.0 (5.0); C=60.5 (8.0) and 67.6 (7.6); T=64.5 (4.8) and 61.0 (4.1); U=43.5 (7.0) and 36.7 (5.6); respectively] were higher for the group with specific training in the modality. The U group showed the lowest values for VO2max, regardless of exercise mode. Differences in tau(V)over dot O-2 (seconds) were found only for the U group in relation to the trained groups [R=31.6 (10.5) and 40.9 (13.6); C=28.5 (5.8) and 32.7 (5.7); T=32.5 (5.6) and 40.7 (7.5); U=52.7 (8.5) and 62.2 (15.3); for the treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively]; no effects of exercise mode were found in any of the groups. It is concluded that tauVO(2) during the exercise performed at I(V)over dot O-2max is dependent on the training status, but not dependent on the exercise mode and specificity of training. Moreover, the transfer of the training effects on tau(V)over dotO(2) between both exercise modes may be higher compared with (V)over dot O-2max.

Voluntary intake of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum) under rotational grazing by lactating cows

The study was conducted at Nucleo de Pesquisas Zootecnicas Nordeste of the Instituto de Zootecnia, Ribeirao Preto, SP, in a rotational grazing area of Tanzania grass (Panicum maximum), to estimate the dry matter intake by lactanting cows. The estimation of dry matter intake was calculated from the feces production estimated using extrusa Chromium-mordent and the in vitro digestibility of diet. The three treatments were crossbreed cows fed 3 kg.day(-1) of concentrate, crossbred cows without concentrate suplementation and pure Gir cows also without concentrate supplementation. The milk production was 11.98, 6.53 and 5.46 kg per cow per day, the grass intake was 8.26 +/- 5.66, 11.01 +/- 5.37 and 9.55 +/- 2.31 kg of dry matter per day or 2.15%, 2.37% and 2.34% of live weight for the three experimental groups respectively. The milk production was higher (P<0.01) for cows fed with concentrate. No difference was found for dry matter intake.

Exercise mode affects the time to achieve VO2max without influencing maximal exercise time at the intensity associated with VO2max in triathletes

The objective of this study was to analyze, in triathletes, the possible influence of the exercise mode (running x cycling) on time to exhaustion (TTE) and oxygen uptake (VO2) response during exercise performed at the intensity associated with the achievement of maximal oxygen uptake (IVO2max). Eleven male triathletes (21.8 +/- 3.8 yr) performed the following tests on different days on a motorized treadmill and on a cycle ergometer: 1) incremental tests in order to determine VO2max and IVO2max and, 2) constant work rate tests to exhaustion at IVO2max to determine TTE and to describe VO2 response (time to achieve VO2max-TAVO(2max) and time maintained at VO2max-TMVO2max). No differences were found in VO2max, TTE and TMVO2max obtained on the treadmill tests (63.7 +/- 4.7 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); 324.6 +/- 109.1 s; 178.9 +/- 93.6 s) and cycle ergometer tests (61.4 +/- 4.5 ml.kg(-1).min(-1); 390.4 +/- 114.4 s; 213.5 +/- 102.4 s). However, TAVO(2max) was influenced by exercise mode (145.7 +/- 25.3 vs. 176.8 +/- 20.1 s; in treadmill and cycle ergometer, respectively; p = 0.006). It is concluded that exercise modality affects the TAVO(2max) without influencing TTE and TMVO2max during exercise at IVO2max in triathletes.

Maximal lactate steady state concentration independent of pedal cadence in active individuals

The maximal lactate steady state (MLSS) is defined as the highest blood lactate concentration that can be maintained over time without a continual blood lactate accumulation. The objective of the present study was to analyze the effects of pedal cadence (50 vs. 100 rev min(-1)) on MLSS and the exercise workload at MLSS (MLSSworkload) during cycling. Nine recreationally active males (20.9 +/- 2.9 years, 73.9 +/- 6.5 kg, 1.79 +/- 0.09 m) performed an incremental maximal load test (50 and 100 rev min(-1)) to determine anaerobic threshold (AT) and peak workload (PW), and between two and four constant submaximal load tests (50 and 100 rev min(-1)) on a mechanically braked cycle ergometer to determine MLSSworkload and MLSS. MLSSworkload was defined as the highest workload at which blood lactate concentration did not increase by more than 1 mM between minutes 10 and 30 of the constant workload. The maximal lactate steady state intensity (MLSSintensity) was defined as the ratio between MLSSworkload and PW. MLSSworkload (186.1 +/- 21.2 W vs. 148.2 +/- 15.5 W) and MLSSintensity (70.5 +/- 5.7% vs. 61.4 +/- 5.1%) were significantly higher during cycling at 50 rev min(-1) than at 100 rev min(-1), respectively. However, there was no significant difference in MLSS between 50 rev min(-1) (4.8 +/- 1.6 mM) and 100 rev min(-1) (4.7 +/- 0.8 mM). We conclude that MLSSworkload and MLSSintensity are dependent on pedal cadence (50 vs. 100 rev min(-1)) in recreationally active individuals. However, this study showed that MLSS is not influenced by the different pedal cadences analyzed.

INFLUENCE of HIP EXTERNAL ROTATION on HIP ADDUCTOR and RECTUS FEMORIS MYOELECTRIC ACTIVITY DURING A DYNAMIC PARALLEL SQUAT

Pereira, GR, Leporace, G, Chagas, DV, Furtado, LFL, Praxedes, J, and Batista, LA. Influence of hip external rotation on hip adductor and rectus femoris myoelectric activity during a dynamic parallel squat. J Strength Cond Res 24(10): 27492754, 2010-This study sought to compare the myoelectric activity of the hip adductors (HAs) and rectus femoris (RF) when the hip was in a neutral position or externally rotated by 30 degrees or 50 degrees (H0, H30, and H50, respectively) during a parallel squat. Ten healthy subjects performed 10 repetitions of squats in each of the 3 hip positions and the myoelectric activities of the HAs and RF were recorded. The signal was then divided into categories representing concentric (C) and eccentric (E) contractions in the following ranges of motion: 0-30 degrees (C1 and E1), 30-60 degrees (C2 and E2), and 60-90 degrees (C3 and E3) of knee flexion. From those signals, an root mean square (RMS) value for each range of motion in each hip position was obtained. All values were normalized to those obtained during maximum voluntary isometric contraction. We found that HAs showed a significant increase in myoelectric activity during C3 and E3 in the H30 and H50 positions, as compared with H0. Meanwhile, RF activity did not significantly differ between hip positions. Both muscles showed higher activation during 60-90 degrees (C3 and E3) of knee flexion, as compared with 0-30 degrees (C1 and E1) and 30-60 degrees (C2 and E2). The results suggest that if the aim is to increase HA activity despite the low percentage of muscle activation, squats should be performed with 30 degrees of external rotation and at least 90 degrees of knee flexion.

Dissociated time course recovery between rate of force development and peak torque after eccentric exercise

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)