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Su R, Han C, Chen G, Li H, Liu W, Wang C, Zhang W, Zhang Y, Zhang D, Ma H. Low- and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves the physiological acclimatization of lowlanders on the Tibetan plateau. Eur J Sport Sci 2024; 24:834-845. [PMID: 38874991 DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.12110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2023] [Revised: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates whether exercise as a strategy for improving physical fitness at sea level also offers comparable benefits in the unique context of high altitudes (HA), considering the physiological challenges of hypoxic conditions. Overall, 121 lowlanders who had lived on the Tibetan Plateau for >2 years and were still living at HA during the measurements were randomly classified into four groups. Each individual of the low-intensity (LI), moderate-intensity (MI), and high-intensity (HI) groups performed 20 sessions of aerobic exercise at HA (3680 m) over 4 weeks, while the control group (CG) did not undergo any intervention. Physiological responses before and after the intervention were observed. The LI and MI groups experienced significant improvement in cardiopulmonary fitness (0.27 and 0.35 L/min increases in peak oxygen uptake [V ˙ $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$ O2peak], both p < 0.05) after exercise intervention, while the hematocrit (HCT) remained unchanged (p > 0.05). However, HI exercise was less efficient for cardiopulmonary fitness of lowlanders (0.02 L/min decrease inV ˙ $\dot{\mathrm{V}}$ O2peak, p > 0.05), whereas both the HCT (1.74 %, p < 0.001) and glomerular filtration rate (18.41 mL/min, p < 0.001) increased with HI intervention. Therefore, LI and MI aerobic exercise, rather than HI, can help lowlanders in Tibet become more acclimated to the HA by increasing cardiopulmonary function and counteracting erythrocytosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Su
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- School of Psychological and Cognitive Sciences and Beijing Key Laboratory of Behavior and Mental Health, Peking University, Beijing, China
- Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, People's Government of Qinghai Province/Beijing Normal University, Beijing, Qinghai, China
| | - Chenxiao Han
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Guiquan Chen
- Department of Acupuncture and Rehabilitation, The Affiliated Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China
| | - Hao Li
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Wanying Liu
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Chengzhi Wang
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Wenrui Zhang
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Yuming Zhang
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
| | - Delong Zhang
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Key Laboratory of Brain, Cognition and Education Sciences, Ministry of Education, Beijing, China
- School of Psychology, Center for Studies of Psychological Application, and Guangdong Key Laboratory of Mental Health and Cognitive Science, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Hailin Ma
- Tibet Autonomous Region Key Laboratory of High Altitudes Brain Science and Environmental Acclimation, Tibet University, Lhasa, China
- Academy of Plateau Science and Sustainability, People's Government of Qinghai Province/Beijing Normal University, Beijing, Qinghai, China
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McMahon L, McGrath D, Blake C, Lennon O. Responsiveness of respiratory function in Parkinson's Disease to an integrative exercise programme: A prospective cohort study. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301433. [PMID: 38551984 PMCID: PMC10980210 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301433] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/01/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Respiratory disorders are the most common cause of death in Parkinson's Disease (PD). Conflicting data exist on the aetiology of respiratory dysfunction in PD and few studies examine the effects of exercise-based interventions on respiratory measures. This study was conducted to better understand respiratory dysfunction in PD and to identify measures of dysfunction responsive to an integrative exercise programme. OBJECTIVES The objectives were to compare baseline respiratory measures with matched, published population norms and to examine immediate and longer-term effects of a 12-week integrated exercise programme on these measures. DESIGN Twenty-three people with mild PD (median Hoehn & Yahr = 2) self-selected to participate in this exploratory prospective cohort study. Evaluation of participants occurred at three time points: at baseline; following the 12-week exercise programme and at 4-month follow-up. OUTCOME MEASURES Outcome measures included: Forced Vital Capacity (FVC), Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC ratio, Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF), Inspiratory Muscle Strength (MIP), Expiratory Muscle Strength (MEP), Peak Cough Flow (PCF), and Cardiovascular Fitness measures of estimated VO2 max and 6-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). RESULTS Compared to published norms, participants had impaired cough, reduced respiratory muscle strength, FEV, FVC, PEF and cardiovascular fitness. Post exercise intervention, statistically significant improvements were noted in MEP, cardiovascular fitness, and PEF. However only gains in PEF were maintained at 4-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS Significant respiratory dysfunction exists, even in the early stages of PD. Metrics of respiratory muscle strength, peak expiratory flow and cardiovascular fitness appear responsive to an integrative exercise programme.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura McMahon
- Health Sciences Centre, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Denise McGrath
- Health Sciences Centre, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Catherine Blake
- Health Sciences Centre, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Olive Lennon
- Health Sciences Centre, UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Science, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
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Plini ERG, Melnychuk MC, Andrews R, Boyle R, Whelan R, Spence JS, Chapman SB, Robertson IH, Dockree PM. Greater physical fitness (Vo2Max) in healthy older adults associated with increased integrity of the Locus Coeruleus-Noradrenergic system. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-2556690. [PMID: 36798156 PMCID: PMC9934752 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-2556690/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
Physical activity (PA) is a key component for brain health and Reserve, and it is among the main dementia protective factors. However, the neurobiological mechanisms underpinning Reserve are not fully understood. In this regard, a noradrenergic (NA) theory of cognitive reserve (Robertson, 2013) has proposed that the upregulation of NA system might be a key factor for building reserve and resilience to neurodegeneration because of the neuroprotective role of NA across the brain. PA elicits an enhanced catecholamine response, in particular for NA. By increasing physical commitment, a greater amount of NA is synthetised in response to higher oxygen demand. More physically trained individuals show greater capabilities to carry oxygen resulting in greater Vo2max - a measure of oxygen uptake and physical fitness (PF). In the current study, we hypothesised that greater Vo2 max would be related to greater Locus Coeruleus (LC) MRI signal intensity. As hypothesised, greater Vo2max related to greater LC signal intensity across 41 healthy adults (age range 60-72). As a control procedure, in which these analyses were repeated for the other neuromodulators' seeds (for Serotonin, Dopamine and Acetylcholine), weaker associations emerged. This newly established link between Vo2max and LC-NA system offers further understanding of the neurobiology underpinning Reserve in relationship to PA. While this study supports Robertson's theory proposing the upregulation of the noradrenergic system as a possible key factor building Reserve, it also provide grounds for increasing LC-NA system resilience to neurodegeneration via Vo2max enhancement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuele RG Plini
- Department of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Llyod Building, 42A Pearse St, 8PVX+GJ Dublin, Ireland
| | - Michael C Melnychuk
- Department of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Llyod Building, 42A Pearse St, 8PVX+GJ Dublin, Ireland
| | - Ralph Andrews
- Department of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Llyod Building, 42A Pearse St, 8PVX+GJ Dublin, Ireland
| | - Rory Boyle
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 149, Charlestown MA, USA
| | - Robert Whelan
- Department of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Llyod Building, 42A Pearse St, 8PVX+GJ Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jeffrey S. Spence
- Center for BrainHealth, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Sandra B. Chapman
- Center for BrainHealth, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
| | - Ian H Robertson
- Department of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Llyod Building, 42A Pearse St, 8PVX+GJ Dublin, Ireland
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Building 149, Charlestown MA, USA
- Center for BrainHealth, The University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA
- Department of Psychology, Global Brain Health Institute, Trinity College Dublin, Lloyd Building, 42A Pearse St, 8PVX+GJ Dublin, Ireland
| | - Paul M Dockree
- Department of Psychology, Trinity College Institute of Neuroscience, Trinity College Dublin, Llyod Building, 42A Pearse St, 8PVX+GJ Dublin, Ireland
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