The aim of the present study was to test the hypotheses that exercise is associated with generation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPARγ) ligands in the plasma and that this may activate PPARγ signaling within circulating monocytes, thus providing a mechanism to underpin the exercise-induced antiatherogenic benefits observed in previous studies. A cohort of healthy individuals undertook an 8-wk exercise-training program; samples were obtained before (Pre) and after (Post) standardized submaximal exercise bouts (45 min of cycling at 70% of maximal O(2) uptake, determined at baseline) at weeks 0, 4, and 8. Addition of plasma samples to PPARγ response element (PPRE)-luciferase reporter gene assays showed increased PPARγ activity following standardized exercise bouts (Post/Pre = 1.23 ± 0.10 at week 0, P < 0.05), suggesting that PPARγ ligands were generated during exercise. However, increases in PPARγ/PPRE-luciferase activity in response to the same standardized exercise bout were blunted during the training program (Post/Pre = 1.18 ± 0.14 and 1.10 ± 0.10 at weeks 4 and 8, respectively, P > 0.05 for both), suggesting that the relative intensity of the exercise may affect PPARγ ligand generation. In untrained individuals, specific transient increases in monocyte expression of PPARγ-regulated genes were observed within 1.5-3 h of exercise (1.7 ± 0.4, 2.6 ± 0.4, and 1.4 ± 0.1 fold for CD36, liver X receptor-α, and ATP-binding cassette subfamily A member 1, respectively, P < 0.05), with expression returning to basal levels within 24 h. In contrast, by the end of the exercise program, expression at the protein level of PPARγ target genes had undergone sustained increases that were not associated with an individual exercise bout (e.g., week 8 Pre/week 0 Pre = 2.79 ± 0.61 for CD36, P < 0.05). Exercise is known to upregulate PPARγ-controlled genes to induce beneficial effects in skeletal muscle (e.g., mitochondrial biogenesis and aerobic respiration). We suggest that parallel exercise-induced benefits may occur in monocytes, as monocyte PPARγ activation has been linked to beneficial antidiabetic effects (e.g., exercise-induced upregulation of monocytic PPARγ-controlled genes is associated with reverse cholesterol transport and anti-inflammatory effects). Thus, exercise-triggered monocyte PPARγ activation may constitute an additional rationale for prescribing exercise to type 2 diabetes patients.

Telephone number (44) 75 5132 1637 Co-author email addressesHannah J. Moir, E-mail: h.moir@kingston.ac.uk; Elizabeth Pummell, E-mail: e.pummell@kingston.ac.uk; Allan Knox, E-mail: allan.knox@uws.ac.uk; Chris Easton, E-mail: chris.easton@uws.ac.uk Acknowledgement and disclosure statementThe authors wish to thank all the participants who volunteered their time for this project and in doing so made the completion of this research possible. No financial support was sought. No conflicts of interest are declared. TitleThe health-enhancing efficacy of Zumba ® fitness: An 8 wk randomised controlled study AbstractThe purpose of this study was to gain a holistic understanding of the efficacy of Zumba ® fitness in a community-recruited cohort of overweight and physically inactive women by evaluating i) its physiological effects on cardiovascular risk factors and inflammatory biomarkers and ii) its mental health-enhancing effects on factors of health-related quality of life. Participants were randomly assigned to either engagement in one to two 1 h classes of Zumba ® fitness weekly (intervention group; n = 10) or maintenance of habitual activity (control group; n = 10).Laboratory assessments were conducted pre-(wk 0) and post-intervention (wk 8) with anthropometric, physiological, inflammatory, and health-related quality of life data collected. In the intervention group, maximal oxygen uptake significantly increased (p < 0.05; partial η 2 = 0.56) by 3.1 mL·kg, percent body fat significantly decreased (p < 0.05; partial η 2 = 0.42)by -1.2%, and interleukin-6 and white blood cell count both significantly decreased (p < 0.01) by -0.4 pg·mL -1 (partial η 2 = 0.96) and -2.1 10 9 cell·L -1 (partial η 2 = 0.87), respectively. Large magnitude enhancements were observed in the health-related quality of life factors of physical functioning, general health, energy/fatigue, and emotional well-being. When interpreted in a community-based physical activity and psychosocial health promotion context, our data suggest that Zumba ® fitness is indeed an efficacious health-enhancing activity for adults.

Metabolomic profiling of nine trained ultramarathon runners completing an 80.5 km self-paced treadmill-based time trial was carried out. Plasma samples were obtained from venous whole blood, collected at rest and on completion of the distance (post-80.5 km). The samples were analyzed by using high-resolution mass spectrometry in combination with both hydrophilic interaction (HILIC) and reversed phase (RP) chromatography. The extracted putatively identified features were modeled using Simca P 14.1 software (Umetrics, Umea, Sweden). A large number of amino acids decreased post-80.5 km and fatty acid metabolism was affected with an increase in the formation of medium-chain unsaturated and partially oxidized fatty acids and conjugates of fatty acids with carnitines. A possible explanation for the complex pattern of medium-chain and oxidized fatty acids formed is that the prolonged exercise provoked the proliferation of peroxisomes. The peroxisomes may provide a readily utilizable form of energy through formation of acetyl carnitine and other acyl carnitines for export to mitochondria in the muscles; and secondly may serve to regulate the levels of oxidized metabolites of long-chain fatty acids. This is the first study to provide evidence of the metabolic profile in response to prolonged ultramarathon running using an untargeted approach. The findings provide an insight to the effects of ultramarathon running on the metabolic specificities and alterations that may demonstrate cardio-protective effects.

BackgroundResearch interest in both partnered Latin dance and non-partnered Latin-themed aerobic dance has increased in recent years, likely a result of the gaining popularity of these types of instructor-led group classes among the mainstream dance and fitness audiences; however, the efficacy of these activities for the purposes of health promotion currently remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to simultaneously assess the physiological responses and psychological experiences during salsa dance and Zumba fitness in a community sample of physically inactive women.MethodsTwenty-four participants, aged 22–56 years, visited the laboratory to perform a graded exercise test for determination of maximal oxygen uptake and maximal heart rate. The participants then attended 2 partnered salsa dance and 2 non-partnered Zumba fitness classes each in a counterbalanced order over a 2-week period. The 1-h classes were taught by certified instructors in established venues in the Royal Borough of Kingston and the surrounding communities of London, UK. Physiological data were collected using a wrist-worn ActiGraph wGT3X+ accelerometer with accompanying heart rate monitor and were processed using previously validated dance-specific techniques. Psychological experiences were measured via the Subjective Exercise Experiences Scale.ResultsThere was a significantly higher (p < 0.001) total time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (51.2 ± 3.1 vs. 32.6 ± 5.9 min), total energy expenditure (411 ± 66 vs. 210 ± 46 kcal), and total step count (6773 ± 556 vs. 4108 ± 781 steps) during Zumba fitness when compared to salsa dance. Significant pre- to post-class improvements in positive well-being (p < 0.01, partial η2 = 0.41) and psychological distress (p < 0.001, partial η2 = 0.72) were simultaneously observed for both salsa dance and Zumba fitness.ConclusionThe acute responses to classes of partnered Latin dance and non-partnered Latin-themed aerobic dance suggest that in physically inactive women participation is indeed efficacious in terms of community-based physical activity and psychosocial health promotion.

BackgroundStatic stretching (SS) is a recovery intervention used for the reduction of muscle soreness postexercise. The effects of SS on elite young footballers have received little attention, and therefore the aim of this study was to assess the effects of SS on muscle recovery following competitive soccer matches in elite young footballers.MethodsTen male participants (16±1 years) were recruited from an English Premier League professional soccer academy. Using a controlled crossover design, participants followed one of two recovery interventions (SS or passive recovery (PR)) immediately following completion of competitive soccer matches. Muscle oedema, creatine kinase (CK), countermovement jump with arms (CMJA) performance and perceived muscle soreness were assessed before, immediately after and 48 hours postmatch.ResultsCompetitive soccer matches significantly induced muscle damage, with time intervals of perceived soreness and CK showing significant increases (p<0.05), and CMJA showing significant decreases between prematch, postmatch and 48 hours postmatch for both SS and PR (p<0.05). Comparisons of the absolute effects of SS with PR only revealed significant decreases for CK 48 hours postmatch (p<0.05) as a result of SS intervention.ConclusionThe current study demonstrated competitive soccer matches induced muscle damage, which may have detrimental effects on future performance within 24–48 hours postmatch. Furthermore, there was limited evidence to suggest SS would assist in the reduction of muscle soreness postexercise. Therefore, it can be argued that SS is not a beneficial recovery option for elite youth soccer players.