Genomic scan for maximal oxygen uptake and its response to training in the HERITAGE Family Study.

This study aimed to identify human genomic regions that are linked to maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2 max)) in sedentary individuals or to the responsiveness of VO(2 max) to a standardized endurance training program. The results of a genomic scan based on 289 polymorphic markers covering all 22 pairs of autosomes performed on the Caucasian families of the HERITAGE Family Study are presented. The mean spacing of the markers was 11 cM, and a total of 99 families and 415 pairs of siblings were available for the study. VO(2 max) in the sedentary state was adjusted for the effects of age, sex, body mass, fat mass, and fat-free mass, whereas the VO(2 max) response was adjusted for age and baseline level of the phenotype. Two analytic strategies were used: a single-point linkage procedure using all available pairs of siblings (SIBPAL) and a multipoint variance components approach using all the family data (SEGPATH). Results indicate that linkages at P values of 0.01 and better are observed with markers on 4q, 8q, 11p, and 14q for VO(2 max) before training and with markers on 1p, 2p, 4q, 6p, and 11p for the change in VO(2 max) in response to a 20-wk standardized endurance training program. These chromosomal regions harbor many genes that may qualify as candidate genes for these quantitative traits. They should be investigated in this and other cohorts.     

Influence of physical activity and dietary restraint on resting energy expenditure in young nonobese females

An understanding of the physiological and behavioral determinants of resting energy requirements is important to nutritional considerations in females. We examined the influence of endurance training and self-reported dietary restraint on resting metabolic rate and fasting plasma hormones in 44 nonobese females characterized for body composition, maximal aerobic power (VO2 max), and daily energy intake. To examine the association of metabolic rate and dietary restraint with hormonal status, fasting plasma levels of insulin, glucose, and thyroid hormones (total and free fractions of thyroxine and triiodothyronine) were determined. In univariate analysis, resting metabolic rate (kcal.min-1) was positively related to VO2 max (L.min-1) (r = 0.54; p less than 0.01). This relationship, however, was partially dependent on body size, since fat-free mass was also related to resting metabolic rate (r = 0.42; p less than 0.01) and VO2 max (L.min-1) (r = 0.75; p less than 0.01). After controlling for fat-free weight using partial correlation analysis, the relation between RMR and VO2 max was weaker but controlling for fat-free weight using partial correlation analysis, the relation between RMR and VO2 max was weaker but still significant (partial r = 0.38; p less than 0.05). On the other hand, high levels of dietary restraint were associated with higher levels of body fat (r = 0.31; p less than 0.05) and a lower resting metabolic rate (r = -0.29; p = 0.07). These associations persisted after control for differences in fat-free mass. Total energy intake as well as total and free levels of triiodothyronine were not related to resting metabolic rate or level of dietary restraint.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Lipogenesis and lipoprotein lipase in human adipose tissue: reproducibility of measurements and relationships with fat cell size

Lipogenesis from glucose and lipoprotein lipase activity were investigated in humans. The reliability of measurements was quantified and correlations with fat cell weight were assessed. Twenty-four subjects (7 women, 17 men) were studied twice within a 2-week period, along with 17 additional male subjects who were studied once and used only in the correlation analyses. All subjects were not regularly involved in an exercise-training program and were between 18 and 30 years of age. Following an overnight fast, adipose tissue specimens were obtained by suprailiac biopsy and fat cells were collagenase isolated. Mean fat cell weight was obtained from 400 to 500 cell diameter determinations per subject. Basal and insulin-stimulated fat cell lipogenesis from glucose were determined using D-[U-14C]glucose and were reported in nanomoles of glucose per hour per 10(6) cells. Adipose tissue heparin-releasable lipoprotein lipase activity was also determined and expressed in micromoles of free fatty acids per hour per gram of tissue and per 10(6) cells. Fat cell weight, basal and insulin-stimulated lipogenesis and lipoprotein lipase activity per gram showed high reliability of measurement, interclass and intraclass coefficients being 0.83 and over. Lipoprotein lipase activity per 10(6) cells showed a somewhat lower degree of reliability, interclass and intraclass coefficients being, respectively, 0.69 and 0.81. On the other hand, fat cell weight was positively correlated with lipoprotein lipase activity (r = 0.80), while no significant correlation was observed between basal lipogenesis and fat cell weight. Moreover, basal lipogenesis presented no significant correlation with lipoprotein lipase activity.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Endurance training and glucose conversion into triglycerides in human fat cells

To study the influence of endurance training on glucose conversion into fat cell triglycerides, 24 (13 women, 11 men) inactive subjects (25.0 +/- 3.8 yr of age) took part in a 20-wk ergocycle training program 4 days and increasing to 5 days/wk, 40-45 min/day, starting at 60% and increasing to 85% of the heart rate reserve. Several body fatness indicators were measured before and after the training program: seven skinfold thicknesses, percent fat, and mean fat cell weight. Fat cell basal and maximal insulin-stimulated glucose conversion into triglycerides were also determined using [14C]glucose. Body fatness indicators decreased significantly after training only in male subjects (P less than 0.05). Basal and maximal insulin-stimulated glucose conversion into triglycerides increased significantly with training (P less than 0.05): pretest values (nanomoles glucose per hour per 10(6) cells) being 24.9 +/- 2.1 and 28.7 +/- 2.5, while post-test values were 30.1 +/- 3.2 and 33.0 +/- 3.4 for basal and insulin-stimulated values, respectively. However, this lipogenic increase was only observed in male subjects (P less than 0.01). Changes in body fatness indicators induced by training were negatively correlated with changes induced in fat cell glucose conversion into triglycerides (-0.24 less than or equal to r less than or equal to -0.45). These results demonstrate that endurance training increases fat cell glucose conversion into triglycerides and suggest that adipose tissue metabolism is part of the adaptive response to training. Moreover, it appears that adipose tissue response to aerobic training is more efficient in males than in females.     

Relation Between BglII Polymorphism in 3β-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Gene and Adipose Tissue Distribution in Humans

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between a restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) at the 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase locus and adipose tissue distribution pheno-types. A total of 132 unrelated individuals from the Quebec Family Study were followed prospectively for an average period of 11.3 years. The BglII polymorphism in exon 4 of the 3β-HSD gene was detected by PCR. Body mass, body fat, and regional fat distribution indicators were adjusted for age and age² within each gender. Associations were assessed in unrelated adults with ANOVA across three genotypes. No association was found for the indicators of body mass, body fat, and regional distribution of adipose tissue measured in 1992. In women, the changes (difference between data collected in 1992 and at entry) in the sum of six skinfolds (p=0.04), abdominal skinfold (p=0.01), and abdominal skinfold adjusted (p=0.03) for the sum of six skinfolds at entry were related to the BglII polymorphism at the 3β-HSD locus. These relations were not found in men, but they gained less body mass and body fat over the 11.3-year period. This suggests that sequence variation at the 3β-HSD locus or in neighboring genes on chromosome 1 may contribute to individual differences in body fat content and adipose tissue distribution in adult women, particularly in abdominal adipose tissue deposition as they grow older and gain body fat.     

Effects of short-period exercise training and orlistat therapy on body composition and maximal power production capacity in obese patients

We examined the effects of weight loss induced by diet-orlistat (DO) and diet-orlistat combined with exercise (DOE) on maximal work rate production (Wmax) capacity in obese patients. Total of 24 obese patients were involved in this study. Twelve of them were subjected to DO therapy only and the remaining 12 patients participated in a regular aerobic exercise-training program in addition to DO therapy (DOE). Each patient performed two incremental ramp exercise tests up to exhaustion using an electromagnetically-braked cycle ergometer: one at the onset and one at the end of the 4th week. DOE therapy caused a significant decrease in total body weight: 101.5+/-17.4 kg (basal) vs 96.3+/-17.3 kg (4 wk) associated with a significant decrease in body fat mass: 45.0+/-10.5 kg (basal) vs 40.9+/-9.8 kg (4 wk). DO therapy also resulted in a significant decrease of total body weight 94.9+/-14.9 kg (basal) vs 91.6+/-13.5 kg (4 wk) associated with small but significant decreases in body fat mass: 37.7+/-5.6 kg (basal) to 36.0+/-6.2 kg (4 wk). Weight reduction achieved during DO therapy was not associated with increased Wmax capacity: 106+/-32 W (basal) vs 106+/-33 W (4 wk), while DOE therapy resulted in a markedly increased Wmax capacity: 109+/-39 W (basal) vs 138+/-30 W (4 wk). DO therapy combined with aerobic exercise training resulted in a significant reduction of fat mass tissue and markedly improved the aerobic fitness and Wmax capacities of obese patients. Considering this improvement within such a short period, physicians should consider applying an aerobic exercise-training program to sedentary obese patients for improving their physical fitness and thereby reduce the negative outcomes of obesity.     

Training and detraining effects of the resistance vs. endurance program on body composition, body size, and physical performance in young men

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes in the body composition, body size, muscle strength, and VO2max after 24 weeks of resistance or endurance training and detraining in young men. Thirty healthy college-aged men (20.4 ± 1.36 years) participated in the study. Subjects were assigned to resistance training group (RTG, n = 10), endurance training group (ETG, n = 10), and control group (CG, n = 10). The training program consisted of running or weight-resistance exercise for 3 sessions per week under supervision. VO2max, upper and lower body strength (UBS, LBS), body fat, lean body mass, and body circumference were measured at baseline and after training and detraining. After the training period, the exercise groups demonstrated significant increases in VO2max and LBS (p < 0.05). The UBS, lean mass (LM), and body size of arm and calf were significantly greater in the RTG than in the other 2 groups (p<0.05). In addition, the strength and LM of the RTG were still greater than the baseline values after 24 weeks of detraining (p < 0.05). The conclusions of this study are (a) that endurance or resistance training alone led to training-specific improvements in physical performance, body composition, and body size of the arms for the young men examined and (b) that the RTG maintained the gains in strength and LM for more prolonged periods after training ceased than the endurance training group.     

Familial resemblance in maximal heart rate, blood lactate and aerobic power

There are considerable interindividual differences in maximal oxygen uptake per kilogram of body weight (VO2 max/kg), maximal heart rate (max HR) and maximal blood lactate (max blood La) measured during a progressive exercise test. The aim of the study was to quantify the familial relationships for these variables. Parents and children of 38 families of French-Canadian descent were submitted to a modified Balke treadmill test. VO2 max/kg and max HR were the highest values reached during the test for 1 min. Max blood La was obtained from a blood sample taken 2 min after the test. The effects of age and sex were significant for max blood La and VO2 max/kg in each generation. Scores were thus adjusted through multiple regression procedures (age + sex + age X sex + age2), yielding residuals which were submitted to further analysis. Intraclass correlations (ri) were significant in pairs of sibs for max blood La and max HR, i.e. 0.28 (p less than 0.01) and 0.43 (p less than 0.05), respectively. For VO2 max/kg, pairs of spouses and sibs were about similarly correlated (ri = 0.20 and 0.15; p less than 0.05). Data suggested that children were more related to their mother than to their father for VO2 max/kg, VO2 max/kg of fat-free weight, and particularly for max HR. It was concluded that familial resemblance and heritability estimates for maximal aerobic power, max HR and max blood La were quite low and generally nonsignificant. Correlations between biological sibs were, however, consistently significant for max HR and max blood La. The suggestion of a maternal effect in maximal aerobic power should be further investigated.     

The relationship between maximal oxygen uptake and glucose tolerance/insulin response ratio in normal young men.

Maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max.), glucose tolerance (K-value), and insulin response (IRI-area) were studied in seventeen young, non-obese, non-diabetic males. The ratio between K-value and IRI-area correlated significantly with VO2 max. (r = 0.70, p less than 0.01) also when differences in body fat mass were eliminated by partial correlation analysis (r = 0.56, p less than 0.05). Subjects with a high VO2 max. thus maintained a given glucose tolerance with a lower insulin response than did subjects in whom VO2 max. was low.     

The common rs9939609 gene variant of the fat mass- and obesity-associated gene FTO is related to fat cell lipolysis

We investigated the rs9939609 single nucleotide polymorphism of the FTO gene in relation to fat cell function and adipose tissue gene expression in 306 healthy women with a wide range in body mass index (18-53 kg/m(2)). Subcutaneous adipose tissue biopsies were taken for fat cell metabolism studies and in a subgroup (n = 90) for gene expression analyses. In homozygous carriers of the T-allele, the in vitro basal (spontaneous) adipocyte glycerol release was increased by 22% (P = 0.007) and the in vivo plasma glycerol level was increased by approximately 30% (P = 0.037) compared with carriers of the A allele. In contrast, there were no genotype effects on catecholamine-stimulated lipolysis or basal or insulin-induced lipogenesis. We found no difference between genotypes for adipose tissue mRNA levels of FTO, hormone-sensitive lipase, adipose triglyceride lipase, perilipin, or CGI-58. Finally, the adipose tissue level of FTO mRNA was increased in obesity (P = 0.002), was similar in subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue, was higher in fat cells than in fat tissue (P = 0.0007), and was induced at an early stage in the differentiation process (P = 0.004). These data suggest a role of the FTO gene in fat cell lipolysis, which may be important in explaining why the gene is implicated in body weight regulation.     

Cardiac structure and function in monozygotic twin pairs discordant for physical fitness.

Cross-sectional studies in athletes and untrained subjects suggest that exercise training induces adaptations in cardiac structure and function. However, the role of genetic variation on the results has largely been ignored in these studies. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of long-term volitionally increased physical activity on electrocardiographic and echocardiographic parameters in male monozygotic twin pairs discordant for physical activity and fitness. On the basis of the mailed questionnaires, a telephone interview, and the inclusion criteria, 12 pairs of young adult male monozygotic twins were recruited from a Finnish twin cohort. All subjects completed a maximal oxygen uptake (.VO2 (max)) test and electrocardiography and echocardiography studies. Nine pairs had at least 9% difference in .VO2(max) and were selected for further analysis and for a second echocardiography study. Twins were divided into the more (MAG) and less active group (LAG), according to their VO2(max). On average, MAG had 18% higher VO2(max) compared with LAG. In electrocardiography, MAG had 29% (P = 0.02) higher Cornell voltage and 37% (P = 0.01) higher right-side hypertrophy index. In echocardiography, no significant differences were observed between the groups, and left ventricular mass index was only 7% (P = 0.16) higher in MAG. These results show that the volitionally increased physical activity that has led to an 18% increase in cardiorespiratory fitness induces greater changes in electro- than echocardiographic parameters. Electrocardiographic changes were suggestive of left ventricular hypertrophy, and echocardiography showed a similar but statistically nonsignificant trend.     

Muscle respiratory capacity and VO2 max in identically trained young and old rats

Old rats have a decreased hindlimb muscle respiratory capacity and whole-body maximal O2 consumption (VO2 max). The decline in spontaneous physical activity in old rats might contribute to these age-related changes. The magnitude of the age-related decline is not uniform in all skeletal muscle respiratory enzymes, and the decrease in palmitate oxidation is particularly great. This study was designed to determine if young and old rats subjected to the same exercise-training protocol would attain similar values for VO2 max and several markers of muscle respiratory capacity. Four- and 18-mo-old Fischer 344 rats underwent an identical 6-mo program of treadmill running. After training, both age groups had increased VO2 max above sedentary age-matched controls. However, the old trained rats had a lower VO2 max than identically trained young rats. In contrast to VO2 max, the two trained groups attained similar values for gastrocnemius citrate synthase, cytochrome oxidase, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase, palmitate oxidation, and total carnitine concentration. Thus, when the young and old rats performed an identical exercise protocol within the capacity of the old animals, differences in skeletal muscle respiratory capacity were eliminated. The dissimilarity in VO2 max between the identically trained groups was apparently caused by age-related differences in factors other than muscle respiratory capacity.     

Effect of prolonged training period on plasma adiponectin in elite male rowers.

Adiponectin is secreted by adipocytes and has been implicated in the regulation of energy homeostasis. Vigorous training program represents a physical stress condition in which heavy changes in energy expenditure might increase adiponectin concentration in athletes. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate if there are changes in fasting adiponectin concentration during preparatory period in elite male rowers. Twelve rowers (mean and SD; age: 20.8+/-3.0 years; height: 192.9+/-4.7 cm; body mass: 91.9+/-5.3 kg; body fat percentage: 11.9+/-1.4%) were tested seven times over a 24-week training season. In addition to adiponectin, leptin, insulin, growth hormone, and glucose values were evaluated. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO (2 max)) and aerobic power (Pa (max)) were determined before and after the training period. Training was mainly organized as low-intensity prolonged training. Significant increases in VO (2 max) (by 3.2+/-1.8%; from 6.2+/-0.5 to 6.4+/-0.4 l/min), VO (2 max/kg) (by 2.2+/-2.0%; from 67.9+/-3.0 to 69.4+/-3.0 ml/min/kg) and Pa (max) (by 4.6+/-6.3%; from 444.6+/-39.1 to 465.8+/-25.0 W) were observed after the 24-week period. All measured body compositional values were similar to pretraining values after the training period. Fasting adiponectin did not change during the preparatory period. Likewise, leptin, insulin, growth hormone, and glucose values were not significantly changed after the training period. Adiponectin concentration was significantly correlated (all p<0.05) with body mass (r=-0.40), body fat mass (r=-0.33), body fat free mass (r=0.38), and leptin (r=-0.31) values. In conclusion, fasting adiponectin does not change throughout the prolonged training period in elite male rowers despite substantial changes in training volume. Further studies are needed to clarify possible mechanisms by which adiponectin might influence energy homeostasis during heavy training in elite athletes.     

Effects of basketball training on maximal oxygen uptake, muscle strength, and joint mobility in young basketball players

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of prolonged basketball skills training on maximal aerobic power, isokinetic strength, joint mobility, and body fat percentage, in young basketball players, and controls of the same age. Twenty basketball players and 18 control boys participated in the study. Basketball players participated both in their school's physical education program and in a children's basketball team training program. Controls participated only in their school's physical education program. All subjects were tested every 6 months (18 months total, 11(1/2), 12, 12(1/2), 13 years old) for VO(2)max, peak torque values of the quadriceps and hamstrings at 180 and 300 degrees x s(-1) and range of motion of the knee and hip joints. Body fat percentage was assessed at the beginning and the end of the experimental period. Results showed that the basketball group had lower heart rate values in all ages and higher VO(2) values in the initial test compared with the control in submaximal intensity. The VO(2)max was altered in both groups on the final test, when compared to the initial test. However, the basketball group had a higher VO(2)max on each of the 6-month follow-up measurements, compared to the control group (p < 0.001). At the end of the 18-month follow-up period no significant differences were observed in isokinetic strength and joint mobility of the lower limbs between the 2 groups. On the contrary, the boys of the trained group had significantly lower percentage body fat values, compared to controls. In conclusion, regular basketball training increased aerobic power and decreased body fat percentage of prepubescent boys, while it did not affect muscle strength and joint mobility of the lower limbs. The major implication suggested by the findings of the present study is that, in order to improve the basic physical components, specific training procedures should be incorporated during the basketball training sessions. It is recommended that all children should be involved in some type of cardiovascular and resistance training program.     

Plasma FFA responses to prolonged walking in untrained men and women

Gender differences in plasma FFA responses to 90 min of treadmill walking at 35% VO2max were investigated in six men and six women following an overnight fast. The subjects represented average values for maximal oxygen uptake and body fat percentage for age and gender. Mean plasma FFA concentration at 45 and 90 min of exercise were significantly (P less than 0.05) higher for women (0.82 mmol X 1(-1), 0.88 mmol X 1(-1)) than men (0.42 mmol X 1(-1), 0.59 mmol X 1(-1)). Lower R values for women throughout the exercise period indicated a greater percentage fat in total metabolism than for men while the FFA/glycerol results supported greater lipolytic activity for women. The uniformity of percent fat in metabolism for women from rest to exercise showed that FFA release from adipose tissue increased rapidly with the onset of exercise which was not the case for men. Comparison of metabolic data as well as a statistical analysis (ANCOVA) controlling for the influence of VO2max and percentage body fat on FFA plasma concentration suggested that gender differences in FFA responses to prolonged submaximal exercise can be expected to occur in untrained subjects.     

Different effects of IGF-I on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle

The effect of insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) on insulin-stimulated glucose uptake was studied in adipose and muscle tissues of hypophysectomized female rats. IGF-I was given as a subcutaneous infusion via osmotic minipumps for 6 or 20 days. All hypophysectomized rats received L-thyroxine and cortisol replacement therapy. IGF-I treatment increased body weight gain but had no effect on serum glucose or free fatty acid levels. Serum insulin and C-peptide concentrations decreased. Basal and insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into lipids was reduced in adipose tissue segments and isolated adipocytes from the IGF-I-treated rats. In contrast, insulin treatment of hypophysectomized rats for 7 days increased basal and insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into lipids in isolated adipocytes. Pretreatment of isolated adipocytes in vitro with IGF-I increased basal and insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into lipids. These results indicate that the effect of IGF-I on lipogenesis in adipose tissue is not direct but via decreased serum insulin levels, which reduce the capacity of adipocytes to metabolize glucose. Isoproterenol-stimulated lipolysis, but not basal lipolysis, was enhanced in adipocytes from IGF-I-treated animals. In the soleus muscle, the glycogen content and insulin-stimulated glucose incorporation into glycogen were increased in IGF-I-treated rats. In summary, IGF-I has opposite effects on glucose uptake in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle, findings which at least partly explain previous reports of reduced body fat mass, increased body cell mass, and increased insulin responsiveness after IGF-I treatment.     

Soft tissue body composition differences in monozygotic twins discordant for spinal cord injury.

To determine the effect of paralysis on body composition, eight pairs of male monozygotic twins, one twin in each pair with paraplegia, were studied by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Significant loss of total body lean tissue mass was found in the paralyzed twins compared with their able-bodied co-twins: 47.5 +/- 6. 7 vs. 60.1 +/- 7.8 (SD) kg (P < 0.005). Regionally, arm lean tissue mass was not different between the twin pairs, whereas trunk and leg lean tissue masses were significantly lower in the paralyzed twins: -3.0 +/- 3.3 kg (P < 0.05) and -10.1 +/- 4.0 kg (P < 0.0005), respectively. Bone mineral content of the total body and legs was significantly related to lean tissue mass in the able-bodied twins (R = 0.88 and 0.98, respectively) but not in the paralyzed twins. However, the intrapair difference scores for bone and lean tissue mass were significantly related (R = 0.80 and 0.81, respectively). The paralyzed twins had significantly more total body fat mass and percent fat per unit body mass index than the able-bodied twins: 4.8 kg (P < 0.05) and 7 +/- 2% (P < 0.01). In the paralyzed twins, total body lean tissue was significantly lost (mostly from the trunk and legs), independent of age, at a rate of 3.9 +/- 0.2 kg per 5-yr period of paralysis (R = 0.87, P < 0.005). Extreme disuse from paralysis appears to contribute to a parallel loss of bone with loss of lean tissue in the legs. The continuous lean tissue loss may represent a form of sarcopenia that is progressive and accelerated compared with that in ambulatory individuals.     

The effect of 8 week pilates exercise on body composition in obese women

The objective of this study was to explore the effects of 8-weeks modern pilates mat and ball exercise program on body mass, waist circumference and waist to hip ratio on sedentary obese women total of 58 health sedentary obese women volunteered to participate in this study. They were divided randomly into 1 of 2 groups: pilates training group (PTG; N = 34) and control group (CG; N = 27). A pilates training program was applied to the subjects one hour per day four days per week during 8 weeks. The subjects in the control group did not participate in the training and participated only in the pre and post test measurements. BMI, waist circumference, Waist-hip ratio, 4-site skinfold thickness (Biceps, Triceps, Supscapula and Iliac), fat percentage, resting metabolic rate, Lean body mass and flexibility were assessed before and after the pilates training program. The SPSS statistical program (version 16.0) was used for data analysis. Analyses of covariance (ANCOVAs) were run on each of the dependent variables. For all analyses, the criterion for significance was set at an alpha level of p < 0.05. 8 weeks of pilates training program has been found to be effective on weight, Body mass index, Lean body mass, waist-hip ratio, biceps, triceps, fat percentage, basal metabolic rate, and flexibility in PTG (p < 0.05). The control group showed no significant differences in the same measures post-intervention. As a result there was a positive effect of Modern Pilates mat and ball exercises of reducing obesity, body composition parameters and flexibility at sedentary obese women.     

In a hypergravity environment neonatal survival is adversely affected by alterations in dam tissue metabolism rather than reduced food intake.

Exposure of rat dams to hypergravity during pregnancy is associated with increased pup mortality, reduced food intake, and decreased rates of glucose oxidation and lipogenesis in mammary tissue. We hypothesized that increased pup mortality is due to changes in maternal metabolism and not to reduced food intake of dams. Effects of hypergravity on rate of glucose oxidation and lipogenesis in mammary, liver, and adipose tissue were measured in rat dams centrifuged at 2.0 G [hypergravity (HG)], kept at 1.0 G (control), or fed to match the intake of HG rats (pair fed) from gestation day 11 (G11) until G21 or postpartum day 3 (P3). Body weight, percent body fat, metabolizable energy, and nitrogen balance were significantly less in HG dams compared with controls (P<0.05); however, these factors were not different between HG and pair-fed dams. By P3, 100% of control and pair-fed pups survived, while only 49% of HG pups survived. At G21, rates of glucose oxidation and lipogenesis in mammary and adipose tissue were less in HG than in control and pair-fed dams (P<0.1 and P<0.05). In liver, at G21, the rate of lipogenesis was greater in HG than control and pair-fed dams (P<0.01); at P3, lipogenesis was greater in control than HG and pair-fed dams (P<0.05). Gene expression of ATP citrate lyase, acetyl-CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase increased in liver from pregnancy to lactation in control and pair-fed dams but not HG dams. Thus reduced food intake and body mass due to hypergravity exposure cannot explain the dramatic decrease in HG pup survival.