The effect of post-lunch napping on mood,reaction time,and antioxidant defense during repeated sprint exercice

To compare the effects of two nap opportunities (20 and 90 min) to countermeasure the transient naturally occurring increased sleepiness and decreased performances during the post-lunch dip (PLD). Fourteen highly trained judokas completed in a counterbalanced and randomized order three test sessions (control (No-nap), 20- (N20) and 90-min (N90) nap opportunities). Test sessions consisted of the running-based anaerobic sprint test (RAST), simple and multiple-choice reaction times (MCRT) and the Epworth sleepiness scale (ESS). From the RAST, the maximum (P_max), mean (P_mean) and minimum (P_min) powers were calculated. Blood samples were taken before and after the RAST to measure the effect of pre-exercise napping on energetic and muscle damage biomarkers and antioxidant defense. N20 increased P_max and P_mean compared to No-nap (p < 0.001, d = 0.59; d = 0.66) and N90 (p < 0.001, d = 0.98; d = 0.72), respectively. Besides, plasma lactate and creatinine increased only when the exercise was performed after N20. Both N20 (p < 0.001, d = 1.18) and N90 (p < 0.01, d = 0.78) enhanced post-exercise superoxide dismutase activity compared to No-nap. However, only N20 enhanced post-exercise glutathione peroxidase activity (p < 0.001, d = 1.01) compared to pre-nap. Further, MCRT performance was higher after N20 compared to No-nap and N90 (p < 0.001, d = 1.15; d = 0.81, respectively). Subjective sleepiness was lower after N20 compared to No-nap (p < 0.05, d = 0.92) and N90 (p < 0.01, d = 0.89). The opportunity to nap for 20 min in the PLD enhanced RAST, MCRT performances, and antioxidant defense, and decreased sleepiness. However, the opportunity of 90 min nap was associated with decreased repeated sprint performances and increased sleepiness, probably because of the sleep inertia.     

Regulation of lipoprotein lipase gene expression by insulin and troglitazone in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) adipocyte cells in culture

Adipose tissue plays a central role regulating the balance between deposition and mobilization of lipid reserves. Lipoprotein lipase (LPL) is a key enzyme controlling lipid accumulation in mammals and fish. In the present study, we have examined the expression of LPL in rainbow trout cultured adipocytes and we have investigated the effect of troglitazone, a member of thiazolidinediones (TZDs), and insulin on its expression. LPL gene expression increased from day 1 until day 12 of culture, and the level was maintained up to day 21. The addition of insulin at 10 nM and 1.7 μM increased significantly LPL gene expression in undifferentiated cells (days 7 to 12 maintained in growth medium). Nevertheless, treatment of day 7 cells incubated in growth medium with troglitazone (5 μM) or troglitazone plus insulin (1 μM each), tended to enhance LPL expression. In addition, LPL mRNA levels increased significantly in the presence of 1 μM and 5 μM of troglitazone (days 7 to 12) when the cells were induced to differentiate by addition of differentiation medium. Although troglitazone alone (1 μM) did not stimulate lipid accumulation in the cells neither in growth nor in differentiation medium, the simultaneous presence of troglitazone (1 μM) and insulin (1 μM) increased significantly the content of triglycerides in adipocyte cells maintained in growth medium (days 7 to 12). These results indicate that insulin and troglitazone regulate LPL gene expression during adipocyte differentiation and suggest that both factors may have combined effects in the modulation of adipogenesis.     

Existence of serotonin and neuropeptides-immunoreactive endocrine cells in the small and large intestines of the mole-rats (Spalax leucodon)

The present study was conducted to clarify the regional distribution and relative frequency of endocrine cells secreting serotonin, substance P (SP), cholecystokinin-8 (CCK-8), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) and neurotensin in the small and large intestine of the mole-rats (Spalax leucodon), by specific immunohistochemical methods. In the small and large intestine of mole-rats (Spalax leucodon), serotonin, SP and VIP were identified with various frequencies, but CCK-8 and neurotensin were not observed. Most of the IR cells in the small and large intestine were located in the intestinal crypt and epithelium however, they were more frequency in the intestinal crypt. Serotonin-IR cells were detected throughout the whole intestinal tract, predominantly in the duodenum and colon. SP-IR cells were demonstrated throughout the whole intestinal tract except for the ileum and rectum with highest frequencies in the cecum. VIP-IR cells were found in all parts of the small intestine except for the large intestine.In conclusion, the general distribution patterns and relative frequency of intestinal endocrine cells of the mole-rats (Spalax leucodon) was similar to those of some rodent species. However, some species-dependent unique distributions and frequencies characteristics of endocrine cells were also observed in the present study.     

The effect of training at the same time of day and tapering period on the diurnal variation of short exercise performances

The purpose of this investigation was to assess the effects of training and tapering at the same time of the day on the diurnal variations of short exercise performances. Thirty-one physically active men underwent 12 weeks of lower-extremity resistance training and 2 weeks of tapering. These subjects were matched and randomly assigned to a morning training group (MTG, training times 0700-0800 hours, n = 10), an evening training group (ETG, training times 1700-1800 hours, n = 11), and a control group (CG, completed all tests but did not train, n = 10). Muscular strength and power testing was conducted before (T0) and after 12 weeks of training (T1) and after 2 weeks of tapering (T2) in the morning (0700-0800 hours) and in the evening (1700-1800 hours). All morning and evening tests were performed in separate sessions (minimum interval = 36 hours) in a randomized design. In T0, the oral temperature and performances during the Wingate, vertical jump (squat jump and countermovement jump), and maximal voluntary contraction tests were higher in the evening than in the morning for all the groups. In T1, these diurnal variations were blunted in the MTG and persisted in the ETG and CG. In T2, the 2 weeks of tapering resulted in further time of day-specific adaptations and increases in short-term maximal performances. However, there was no significant difference in the relative increase between the MTG and the ETG after both training and tapering. From a practical point of view, if the time of competition is known, training and tapering sessions before a major competition must be conducted at the same time of the day at which one's critical performance is programmed. Moreover, if the time of the competition is not known, a tapering phase after resistance training program could be performed at any time of the day with the same benefit.     

The effect of strength training at the same time of the day on the diurnal fluctuations of muscular anaerobic performances

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of training at the same time of the day on the diurnal variations of anaerobic performances to provide some recommendations to adjust training hours with the time of the day of competitive events. Thirty participants underwent 8 weeks of lower-extremity progressive resistance training performed 3 times per week designed to promote muscular strength and power. These subjects were randomly assigned to a morning training group (MTG, 07:00-08:00 hours, n = 10), an evening training group (ETG, 17:00-18:00 hours, n = 10), and a control group (CG, completed all tests but did not train, n = 10). Performance in the squat jump, the countermovement jump, the Wingate and 1 repetition maximum (1RM) during leg extension, leg curl, and squat tests was recorded just before and 2 weeks after an 8-week course of regular training. For all the subjects, the morning and evening tests were scheduled at the same time of the day as for the morning and evening training sessions. Before training, the results indicated a significant increase in performance from morning to evening tests (ca. 2.84-17.55% for all tests) for all groups. After training, the diurnal variations in anaerobic performances were blunted in the MTG. In fact, there was no significant difference in muscular power or strength between morning and evening tests. However, these intradaily variations in anaerobic performances persisted in the ETG and CG. From a practical point of view, adaptation to strength training is greater at the time of the day at which training was scheduled than at other times.     

Applying digital technology to promote active and healthy confinement lifestyle during pandemics in the elderly

Although recognized as effective measures to curb the spread of the COVID19 outbreak, social distancing and home confinement have generated a mental health burden with older adults who are considered to be more vulnerable to psychosocial strains. To date, the application of digital technologies in response to COVID-19 pandemic has been narrowed to public-health needs related to containment and mitigation. However, information and communications technology (ICT)-based initiatives directed toward prediction and prevention of psychosocial support are still limited. Given the power of digital health solutions to allow easy and accurate characterization and intervention for health and disease, as well as to flatten the COVID19 incidence curves in many countries, our ECLB-COVID19 consortium is highlighting the importance of providing innovative ICT-based solutions (ICT-COVID-Companion) to improve elderly physical and mental health, thereby preventing/dampening psychosocial strain during pandemics. Based on innovative approaches (e.g., emotional/social computing, open social platform, interactive coaching, gamification, fitness-tracker, internet of things) and smart digital solutions (smartwatch/smartphone), smart companions must provide safe personalised physical, mental and psychosocial health surveillance. Additionally, by delivering personalised multi-dimension crisis-oriented health recommendations, such innovative crisis-oriented solutions would help (i) facilitate a user’s adherence to active and healthy confinement lifestyle (AHCL), (ii) achieve a rapid psychosocial recovery in case of depression issues and (iii) enhance preparedness for eventual future pandemics.     

Calcaneal quantitative ultrasound measurements in young male and female professional dancers

The aim of this study was to assess the bone status of dancers using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Twenty-four male and 26 female dancers (aged 19-36 years) and 100 age- and sex-matched nonathletic controls were included in this study. QUS parameters (broadband ultrasound attenuation [BUA], speed of sound [SOS], quantitative ultrasound index [QUI], and estimated heel bone mineral density [eBMD]) were obtained for both heels in all subjects using a gel-coupled QUS device. Two-way analysis of variance, including the factors of dancing status and gender, revealed significant differences in all QUS parameters between the dancers and the controls (p < 0.001 for all), without a significant interaction with gender status. For each heel (right versus left), the mean QUI, BUA, SOS, and eBMD values of the male and female dancers were 22.0% vs. 20.9% and 16.6% vs. 16.0%; 21.6% vs. 24.1% and 13.2% vs. 14.3%; 2.3% vs. 2.0% and 1.7% vs. 1.7%; and 25.0% vs. 23.9% and 19.0% vs. 18.6% higher than those of the male and female controls, respectively. Analysis of covariance still revealed significant differences between the dancers and the controls after controlling for the influence of body mass index (p < 0.001). Furthermore, the finding that significant bilateral differences in BUA did exist in the controls but not in the dancers demonstrated site-specific effects of exercise on bone, indicating that it is the dance that improved bone properties. Calcaneal QUS, with a strong discriminative ability between those involved in professional dance and normally active individuals, emerges as an attractive technology for exploring the benefits of exercise on bone, which might be a challenge for those in the conditioning field, who need to identify those who need intervention in terms of bone status and promote participation in high-impact physical activity, such as dance, to enhance bone quality.