Effect of resistive exercise on muscle damage in water and on land

Earthing as a Supportive Therapy for Post-Spinal Surgery Recovery

Background/Objectives: Spinal surgery often results in injury to the paraspinal muscles and postoperative pain, which is associated with an elevated inflammatory response and increased creatine kinase (CK) levels. Earthing, a practice involving direct or indirect contact with the Earth, facilitates the movement of electric charge between the body and the Earth, thereby stabilizing electrical potentials and influencing biochemical and bioelectrical processes. This study aimed to investigate the effects of earthing on postoperative pain and biochemical parameters. Materials and Methods: The study included an earthing group (EG) of 42 patients (18 females) who underwent spinal surgery and were earthed during nighttime postoperative rest. Blood samples were collected to measure serum concentrations of sodium, potassium, urea, glucose, C-reactive protein (CRP), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), calcium, phosphates, CK, iron, ferritin, and transferrin. These parameters were assessed on the day after surgery and the day following earthing. A control group (CG) of 42 patients (25 females) who underwent surgery for lumbar spondylosis did not receive earthing. Results: The median reduction in the EG was significantly greater than in the CG (for CK 45.0 and 20.0 U/L; for ALP 6.0 and 1.0; for transferrin 0.17 and 0.08, respectively). The median CRP difference in the EG was 0.05 mg/dL, significantly lower than in the CG, 17.2 mg/dL. The median reduction in pain intensity in VAS score was greater in the EG-2.0 compared to the CG-1.0, acknowledging a strong analgesic effect of earthing (p < 0.01). Conclusions: Earthing after spinal surgery seems to promote recovery by reducing inflammation and pain, and accelerating general healing, suggesting its potential as a supportive postoperative therapy.

Effects of aquatic and land high-intensity interval trainings on selected bio- and physiological variables among obese adolescents

Background

Obesity among adolescents have become a global public health problem. Exercises can effectively improve the bio-physiological factors of obese adolescents. High-intensive interval training (HIIT) has been applied to obese adolescents. Studies have reported that the Aquatic environment may bring the same or more positive exercise effects as the land environment. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the effects of aquatic and land interventions on selected bio-and physiological variables among obese adolescences.

Methods

Twenty-eight obese adolescents who met the requirements participated in and completed this study. The participants were randomly assigned to Aquatic HIIT group (n=17) or Land HIIT group (n=11) for a four-week exercise intervention, 3 time/week. Each Intervention program was one-hour long, including 20 minutes of warm-up, 30 minutes of HIIT and 10 minutes of stretching and relaxation. Bio- and physiological variables including Anthropometry and body composition, Physical Function and blood pressure, and Lipid metabolism indexes were collected before and after the Aquatic and Land interventions.

Results

After four weeks of exercise interventions, the body mass, BMI, body fat rate, waist circumference, hip circumference and body water content were significantly reduced (p<0.05), and the lean body mass were significantly increased (p<0.05) in both groups. Both group exhibited significant effects in decreasing, systolic blood pressure (p<0.05), diastolic blood pressure (p<0.01), and increasing vital capacity and total energy consumption (p<0.05). The Aquatic HIIT group showed significant effects on reducing Rest heart rate (p<0.05), but no significant changes in Rest heart rate in Land HIIT group (p=0.364). The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in both groups was significantly decreased (p<0.05). Moreover, the Aquatic HIIT group had significant better improvements (p<0.05) in lean body mass, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, vital capacity and total energy consumption than Land HIIT group did.

Conclusions

The results of the present study demonstrated that in a short-term (4 weeks) both Aquatic and Land HIIT interventions may improve the body composition, physical function, blood pressure and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) of overweight and obese adolescents. Furthermore, the Aquatic HIIT may be superior than the Land HIIT in weight control among the obese adolescents.

Short-Term Effects of Land-Based Versus Water-Based Resistance Training Protocols on Post-Exercise Hypotension in Normotensive Men: A Crossover Study

Considering that water immersion may acutely reduce blood pressure (BP) and that exercise may elicit positive post-exercise hypotension (PEH) responses, we aimed to analyze the presence of PEH in normotensive individuals and compare its magnitude between two resistance training sessions performed in aquatic or land environments. Ten physically active men (23.2 ± 3.1 years) performed the two training protocols in a randomized, counterbalanced fashion. BP measurements were performed for 30 min (at 5 min intervals) both prior to (resting) and after each of the protocols. No differences were observed between protocols at baseline (p > 0.05). Only the water-based resistance training protocol resulted in a systolic BP reduction from 10 to 20 min post-exercise (all p < 0.05) compared to baseline. Compared to the land-based session, systolic BP was lower in the water-based protocol from 10 to 25 min post-exercise (all p < 0.05). On the other hand, diastolic BP showed a similar PEH effect between water and land-based protocols for the entire 30 min post-session period (all p < 0.001). Our results suggest that water-based resistance training holds the potential as a nonpharmacological strategy to lower BP levels following exercise.

Land vs. water HIIE effects on muscle oxygenation and physiological parameter responses in postmenopausal women

Muscle oxygenation (MO) status is the dynamic balance between O₂ utilization and O₂ delivery. Low-impact high-intensity interval exercise MO responses in the exercise and recovery stage are still unclear. We compared the differences in MO and physiological parameters between high-intensity interval water-based exercise (WHIIE) and high-intensity interval land bike ergonomic exercise (LBEHIIE) in postmenopausal women. Eleven postmenopausal women completed WHIIE or LBEHIIE in counter-balanced order. Eight sets were performed and each exercise set included high intensity with 80% heart rate reserve (HRR) in 30 s and dynamic recovery with 50% HRR in 90 s. Muscle tissue oxygen saturation index (TSI), total hemoglobin (tHb), oxy-hemoglobin (O₂Hb), and deoxy-hemoglobin (HHb) were recorded. Blood lactate, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were measured at pre and post-exercise. Under similar exercise intensity, RPE in WHIIE was lower than that in LBEHIIE. The heart rate in WHIIE was lower than that in LBEHIIE at 1 and 2 min post-exercise. During the dynamic recovery, TSI, tHb, and O2Hb in water were higher than on land. A negative correlation was found between the change in TSI and lactate concentration (r = − 0.664). WHIIE produced greater muscle oxygenation during dynamic recovery. Muscle TSI% was inversely related to blood lactate concentration during exercise in water.

Response of Muscle Damage Markers to an Accentuated Eccentric Training Protocol: Do Serum and Saliva Measurements Agree?

González-Hernández, JM, Jiménez-Reyes, P, Cerón, JJ, Tvarijonaviciute, A, Llorente-Canterano, FJ, Martínez-Aranda, LM, and García-Ramos, A. Response of muscle damage markers to an accentuated eccentric training protocol: do serum and saliva measurements agree? J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2020-This study aimed (a) to examine the acute and delayed responses of 3 muscle damage biomarkers: creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) to an accentuated eccentric training protocol in serum, and (b) to explore the changes of these biomarkers in saliva and compare them with serum. Sixteen resistance-trained university students (10 men [age = 26.6 ± 4.8 years, full squat one repetition maximum [1RM] = 103.4 ± 14.4 kg] and 6 women [age = 22.7 ± 1.4 years, full squat estimated 1RM = 68.3 ± 10.5 kg]) completed an accentuated eccentric strength training protocol with the full squat exercise consisting of 8 sets of 10 repetitions against the 120% estimated 1RM load with 5 minutes of interset rest. The activity of muscle damage biomarkers (CK, AST, and LDH) was measured in serum and saliva before training (Pre), 24 hours after training (Post24), and 96 hours after training (Post96). In serum, lower values of the 3 muscle damage markers were observed at Pre compared to Post24 and Post96, whereas no significant differences were observed between Post24 and Post96 for any analyte. In saliva, there was a significant increase in men at Post96 compared with Pre in CK. The correlations between the measurements in serum and saliva ranged from trivial to small (r = -0.034 to 0.212). These results suggest that the measurement of muscle damage markers in serum and saliva do not provide the same information in the conditions of our study.

Cherry intake as a dietary strategy in sport and diseases: a review of clinical applicability and mechanisms of action

Cherries are fruits rich in phytochemical compounds, particularly anthocyanins. Thus, consumption of cherries has gained attention in both clinical and sport-related fields for their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Mechanistically, anthocyanins from the intake of cherries may help to attenuate pain and decrease blood concentrations of biomarkers linked to skeletal muscle degradation, which in turn may provide ergogenic effects. In addition, the ability of anthocyanins to balance the redox state represents a conceivable target for rheumatic disorders (e.g. gout and arthritis). Moreover, cherry anthocyanins are emerging as a potential non-pharmacological remedy for cardiometabolic diseases (hypertension and dyslipidemia). Herein, we summarize the effects of cherry intake in sport and diseases, and discuss their purported mechanisms of action to provide insights into practical application.

Does Aerobic Exercise Impair Neuromuscular Function During Water-Based Resistance Exercises?

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to investigate the acute effects of water-based aerobic exercises on the performance of water-based resistance exercises by assessing kinematic parameters during protocols and neuromuscular responses after them.

METHOD

Ten women performed 2 water-based protocols (i.e., resistance and concurrent water-based exercises) on separate days. We evaluated isometric force and electromyographic signal (sEMG) before and after protocols and analyzed kinematic parameters during a water-based resistance exercise.

RESULTS

There was no significant difference between knee extension force production and sEMG from the vastus lateralis during the maximal voluntary contraction performed before and after the protocols. However, sEMG from the rectus femoris presented a significant difference between pretest and posttest measurements in both water-based protocols with greater values in the measurement after the end of the protocol (p = .046). The peak angular velocity of knee extension and mean angular velocity of knee extension and flexion showed similar values among the sets, with no difference between protocols. The peak angular velocity of knee flexion presented greater values in the water-based resistance exercises compared with the water-based concurrent protocol in the last set (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

The main impairment induced by the water-based concurrent exercises was the lower peak angular velocity in the knee flexors compared with water-based resistance exercises alone.

MUSCLE STRENGTH, GH AND IGF-1 IN OLDER WOMEN SUBMITTED TO LAND AND AQUATIC RESISTANCE TRAINING

ABSTRACT Introduction: Aging leads to decline in multiple organ systems associated to hormone alterations and loss of muscle mass and strength. Objective: To evaluate the effects of land and water resistance training on muscle strength, basal serum levels of GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 in elderly women. Methods: Subjects were distributed in three groups: land resistance training (LRT; n=10; age: 66.10±2.77 years), water resistance training (WRT; n=10; age: 67.10±3.54 years) and control (CG; n=10; age: 68.80±5.41 years). Muscle strength was assessed with the 1-RM test in bench press (BP) and leg press (LP) exercises. Serum levels of GH, IGF-1, and IGFBP3 were analyzed by chemiluminescence. Results: Repeated measures ANOVA showed elevated muscle strength in the BP only in LRT (D%=60.2%; p=0.0001) when compared to the CG (D%=46.73%, p=0.0001) and WRT (D%=32.49%, p=0.004). LRT and WRT increased muscle strength in LP (D%LRT=57.14%; p=0.004; D%WRT=42.3%; p=0.033). There was an increase in LRT and WRT in the LP when compared to CG (D%=45.59%, p=0.019; D%=43.97%, p=0.026, respectively). IGF-1 was elevated only in LRT (D%=49.72%, p=0.004) from pre- to post-test and when compared to WRT (D%=56.76%, p=0.002) and CG (D%=74.63%, p=0.0001). IGFBP3 levels showed that only WRT increased (D%=26.79%, p=0.044) from pre- to post-test. The IGF-1/IGFBP3 ratio demonstrated that LRT reached intragroup elevation (D%=52.66%, p=0.002) and when compared to WRT (D%=94.11%, p=0.0001) and CG (D%=73.45%, p=0.0001). There was no significant difference in GH. Conclusion: Land resistance training may provide better anabolic effects in elderly women.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use and endurance during running in male long-distance runners

CONTEXT

The effect of ibuprofen on pain tolerance during exercise is controversial, and its effects on endurance performance have been poorly investigated.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of prophylactic administration of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug ibuprofen on the time until the self-report of fatigue (tlim) in runners with exercise-induced muscle damage.

DESIGN

Randomized controlled clinical trial.

SETTING

Laboratory.

PATIENTS OR OTHER PARTICIPANTS

Twenty healthy male long-distance runners (age = 18.8 ± 0.4 years, maximal oxygen consumption = 55.5 ± 5.9 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1)).

INTERVENTION(S)

Participants were assigned to 2 groups (ibuprofen group = 10, placebo group = 10) to perform tlim trials (speed corresponded to their previously determined secondventilatory thresholds) 48 hours before and 48 hours after the induction of a lower limb muscle-damage protocol (isokinetic dynamometry). One hour before the second tlim trial, the ibuprofen group received 1.2 g ibuprofen, and the placebo group received lactose orally.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S)

Time until self-reported fatigue, heart rate, respiratory quotient, oxygen consumption, and perceived exertion were recorded during each tlim test.

RESULTS

Both groups reported increases in muscle pain in the knee extensors and flexors 48 hours after the muscle-damage protocol. We observed a reduction in the endurance performance of both groups (P < .01) but no difference between groups (P = .55).

CONCLUSIONS

Ibuprofen did not reduce the effect of muscle damage and pain on performance. Prophylactic use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs did not have an ergogenic effect on running performance after exercise-induced muscle damage in male long-distance runners.

Exercise intensity progression for exercises performed on unstable and stable platforms based on ankle muscle activation

Ankle sprains are a common sports injury. The literature focuses on the application of neuromuscular training for the improvement of balance, injury prevention and rehabilitation. However, there is a dearth of knowledge about the appropriate prescription of exercises using unstable platforms and surfaces. The purpose of this study was to devise an ankle rehabilitation or training program with exercise progression based on the extent of muscle activation, employing platforms with different levels of stability and additional resistance. A descriptive study of electromyography (EMG) during ankle exercises was performed with a convenience sample of healthy subjects. Forty-four subjects completed 12 exercises performed in a random order. Exercises were performed unipedally or bipedally with or without elastic tubing as resistance on various unstable (uncontrolled multiaxial and uniaxial movement) and stable surfaces. Surface EMG from the tibialis anterior (TA), peroneus longus (PL) and soleus (SOL) were collected to quantify the amount of muscle activity. Significant differences were found between exercise conditions for PL (p<.001), TA (p=.011), and SOL (p<.001). The greatest EMG activity for all muscles occurred with an upright unipedal stance on a soft stability surface with resistance. The least EMG activity for the TA and SOL were in a seated position and for the PL in an erect bipedal position without resistance. Based on the level of ankle muscle activation, exercises for the ankle should progress from bilateral exercises on exercise balls (lowest intensity), to a unipedal position on a soft surface in combination with elastic tubing (highest intensity) in order to achieve progressively greater ankle muscle activation.

Respostas bioquímicas e físicas ao treinamento realizado dentro e fora da água em atletas de futsal

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar os efeitos do treinamento físico em quadra e do treinamento físico em piscina (hidroginástica) sobre os índices bioquímicos relativos ao dano muscular e a aptidão física de atletas de futsal. Doze jogadores de futsal foram divididos em dois grupos: 1) grupo de treinamento em quadra (GTQ, n = 6) e 2) grupo de treinamento em piscina (GTP, n =6). Foram verificados os índices de capacidades aeróbicas e aneróbicas pelos testes de RAST e Yo-yo intermitent, o dano muscular pela creatina quinase (CK) e lactato desidrogenase (LDH) e os níveis de stress oxidativo pelos níveis de ácido tiobarbitúrico (TBARS) e atividade da catalase (CAT) antes e após 10 sessões de trainamento (p<0,05). Os resultados mostraram que ambos os grupos melhoraram a condição aeróbica após as 10 sessões de treinamento. Mas o GTP apresentou maior atividade da CAT em repouso e menores níveis de CK ao ser comparado com o GTQ na 10ª sessão de treino. Concluiu-se que o treino com hidroginástica parece ser uma alternativa interessante para a melhoria das capacidades físicas e para a proteção muscular durante a preparação física inicial de atletas de futsal.

Ballet dancers cardiorespiratory, oxidative and muscle damage responses to classes and rehearsals

This study aimed to describe and compare ballet dancers' cardiorespiratory responses, muscle damage and oxidative stress levels during a ballet class (practice of isolated ballet exercises performed with barre/hand-rail support and across-the-floor movements to improve technical skills) and rehearsal (practice of ballet choreography involving technical-artistic skills to improve dancers' performance for shows). The 12 advanced female ballet dancers undertook three exercise sessions: maximum effort test, class and rehearsal. Heart rate (HR) and oxygen consumption (VO2) were continuously measured. Lactate was determined before 15 min and after class and rehearsal. Blood was sampled pre, post and 48 h after class and rehearsal for creatine kinase (CK), lipid peroxides (LPO) and glutathione analysis (GSSG/GSH). Class was of lower intensity than rehearsal as shown by VO2, HR and lactate values: VO2 (mL.kg(-1).min(-1)): 14.5±2.1 vs. 19.1±1.7 (p < 0.001); HR (bpm.min(-1)): 145.7±17.9 vs. 174.5±13.8 (p < 0.001); lactate (mmol.L(-1)): 4.2±1.1 vs. 5.5±2.7 (p = 0.049). CK (IU) increased following class and rehearsal, remaining high 48 h after: class (pre = 109.3±48.5; post = 144±60; 48 h = 117.2±64.6); rehearsal (pre = 78.6±52.1; post = 122±70.7; 48 h = 104.9±89.5). LPO (µM) increased from pre-class (1.27±0.19) to post-class (1.41±0.19) and went down after 48 h (1.20±0.22). No LPO time-course changes followed the rehearsal. GSSG/GSH decreased 48 h after class and rehearsal. Greater increases in LPO post-class suggest it promotes CK release by an oxidative membrane-damage mechanism. Physiological increases of LPO and CK in class indicate it prepares the dancers for exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscle damage during rehearsals. Ballet dancers' muscle damage and oxidative stress responses seem not to be dependent on exercise intensity based on VO2 responses.

Creatine-kinase- and exercise-related muscle damage implications for muscle performance and recovery

The appearance of creatine kinase (CK) in blood has been generally considered to be an indirect marker of muscle damage, particularly for diagnosis of medical conditions such as myocardial infarction, muscular dystrophy, and cerebral diseases. However, there is controversy in the literature concerning its validity in reflecting muscle damage as a consequence of level and intensity of physical exercise. Nonmodifiable factors, for example, ethnicity, age, and gender, can also affect enzyme tissue activity and subsequent CK serum levels. The extent of effect suggests that acceptable upper limits of normal CK levels may need to be reset to recognise the impact of these factors. There is a need for standardisation of protocols and stronger guidelines which would facilitate greater scientific integrity. The purpose of this paper is to examine current evidence and opinion relating to the release of CK from skeletal muscle in response to physical activity and examine if elevated concentrations are a health concern.