Author's Reply to Andreato et al.: Comment on: "Effect of High-Intensity Interval Training on Total, Abdominal and Visceral Fat Mass: A Meta-Analysis"

Effects of the menstrual cycle on EPOC and fat oxidation after low-volume high-intensity interval training

BACKGROUND

Low-volume high-intensity interval training (HIIT) for weight loss has become prevalent in recent years, with increased excess post-exercise oxygen consumption (EPOC) as the mechanism. However, the influence of the menstrual cycle on EPOC and fat oxidation following low-volume HIIT is unclear. This study aimed to investigate the effect of the menstrual cycle on the increase in EPOC and fat oxidation after low-volume HIIT.

METHODS

Twelve eumenorrheic women participated during their early follicular and luteal phases. On each experimental day, they performed low-volume HIIT comprising fifteen repeated 8 s sprint cycling tests with 12 s rests, for 5 min. Expired gas samples were collected before and every 60 min until 180 min post-exercise. EPOC was defined as the increase in oxygen consumption from the resting state, and the total EPOC and fat oxidation were calculated from the total time of each measurement. Blood samples for serum estradiol, progesterone, free fatty acids, blood glucose, lactate, and plasma noradrenaline were collected and assessed before immediately after, and at 180 min post-exercise and were assessed.

RESULTS

Serum estradiol and progesterone were significantly higher in the luteal phase than the follicular phase (P<0.01 for both). No significant differences in total EPOC and fat oxidation were found between the menstrual phases. Serum free fatty acid, blood glucose, lactate, and plasma noradrenaline concentrations were not affected by the menstrual cycle.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the menstrual cycle does not affect the increase in EPOC or fat oxidation after low-volume HIIT.

Eight weeks of core stability training improves landing kinetics for freestyle skiing aerials athletes

Freestyle skiing aerials are characterized by technical elements including strength, flexibility and balance. Core stability in aerials can improve sporting performance.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to analyze the effect of 8 weeks of core stability training on core stability performance in aerials.

METHODS

Participants were randomly assigned to a control group (CG; n = 4male + 5female; age 15.89 ± 1.54 years; height 163.11 ± 6.19 cm; weight 55.33 ± 5.07 Kg) and a training group (TG; n = 4male+5female; age 16.11 ± 2.47 years; height 161.56 ± 5.25 cm; weight 57.56 ± 8.11 Kg). Body shape, the performance of core stability, and landing kinetics were measured after 8 weeks of core stability training. Independent sample t-tests were used to compare baseline values between groups. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) (time × group) was used.

RESULTS

The TG improved body shape, and waist circumference (t = -2.333, p = 0.020). Performance of core stability, squat (t = -4.082, p = 0.004), trunk flexion isometric test (t = -4.150, p = 0.003), trunk lateral bending isometric test (t = -2.668, p = 0.008), trunk rotation isometric test (t = -2.666, p = 0.008), side bridge (t = -2.666, p = 0.008), back hyperextension (t = -4.116, p = 0.003), single foot triple jump (t = -4.184, p = 0.003), and single-leg balance with eyes closed (t = 4.167, p = 0.003). Performance in landing kinetics, End/Phase (t = -4.015, p = 0.004), sagittal axes (t = -4.598, p = 0.002), frontal axis (t = 3.116, p = 0.014), peak power hip changing range (t = 2.666, p = 0.017), peak power knee changing range (t = 2.256, p = 0.049).

CONCLUSION

Core stability training leads to improvements in body shape, the performance of core stability, and landing kinetics. Therefore, these improvements can improve the sporting performance in aerials competitions.

Right Heart Morphology and Its Association With Excessive and Deficient Cardiac Visceral Adipose Tissue

Visceral adipose tissue is an independent risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic coronary disease, arterial hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Right heart morphology often involves the presence of adipose tissue, which can be quantified by non-invasive imaging methods. The last decade brought a wealth of new insights into the function and morphology of adipose tissue, with great emphasis on its role in the pathogenesis of heart disease. Cardiac adipose tissue is involved in thermogenesis, mechanical protection of the heart and energy storage. However, it can also be an endocrine organ that synthesises numerous pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines, the effect of which is accomplished by paracrine and vasocrine mechanisms. Visceral adipose tissue has several compartments that differ in their embryological origin and vascularisation. Deficiency of cardiac adipose tissue, often due to chronic pathological conditions such as oncological diseases or chronic infectious diseases, predicts increased mortality and morbidity. To date, knowledge about the influence of visceral adipose tissue on cardiac morphology is limited, especially the effect on the morphology of the right heart in a state of excess or deficient visceral adipose tissue.