It may be that resistance exercise can be used to prevent the degenerative processes and inflammation associated with ageing. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of resistance training on cytokines, leptin, resistin, and muscle strength in post-menopausal women. Thirty-five sedentary women (mean age 63.18 years, s = 4.8; height 1.64 m, s = 0.07; body mass 57.84 kg, s = 7.70) were recruited. The 16 weeks of periodized resistance training consisted of two weekly sessions of three sets of 6-14 repetition maximum. Maximal strength was tested in bench press, 45 degrees leg press, and arm curl. Plasma tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-6, interleukin-15, leptin, and resistin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maximal strength on all measures was increased after 16 weeks. There were minor or no modifications in tumour necrosis factor-alpha and interleukin-15. Interleukin-6 was decreased 48 h after compared with baseline and declined after 16 weeks. Leptin decreased 24 h after compared with baseline and was reduced at baseline and 48 h after compared with pre-training. There was a decrease in resistin after 24 and 48 h compared with baseline and a decline in baseline and immediately after levels compared with pre-training. A possible explanation of the results of the present study is a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the innate immune system. Periodized resistance training seems to be an important intervention to reduce systemic inflammation in this population.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of two consecutive extreme conditioning program training sessions (24 h apart) designed to enhance work-capacity that involved both cardiovascular and muscular exercises on cytokines, muscle power, blood lactate and glucose. Nine male members of the extreme conditioning community (age 26.7 ± 6.6 years; body mass 78.8 ± 13.2 kg; body fat 13.5 ± 6.2%; training experience 2.5 ± 1.2 years) completed two experimental protocols (24 h apart): (1) strength and power exercises, (2) gymnastic movements, and (3) metabolic conditioning as follows: 10 min of as many rounds as possible (AMRAP) of 30 double-unders and 15 power snatches (34 kg). The same sequence as repeated on session 2 with the following metabolic conditioning: 12 min AMRAP of: row 250 m and 25 target burpees. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, and osteoprotegerin were measured before, immediately post and 24 h after workout of the day (WOD) 1, immediately post, 24 and 48 h after WOD 2. Peak and mean power were obtained for each repetition (back squat with 50% of 1 repetition maximum) using a linear position transducer measured before, immediately post and 24 h after WOD 1, immediately post and 24 h after WOD 2. Blood lactate and glucose were measured pre and immediately post WOD 1 and 2. Although both sessions of exercise elicited an significant increase in blood lactate (1.20 ± 0.41 to 11.84 ± 1.34 vs. 0.94 ± 0.34 to 9.05 ± 2.56 mmol/l) and glucose concentration (81.59 ± 10.27 to 114.99 ± 12.52 vs. 69.47 ± 6.97 to 89.95 ± 19.26 mg/dL), WOD 1 induced a significantly greater increase than WOD 2 (p ≤ 0.05). The training sessions elicited significant changes (p ≤ 0.05) in IL-6, IL-10 and osteoprotegerin concentration over time. IL-6 displayed an increase immediately after training WOD 1 [197 ± 109%] (p = 0.009) and 2 [99 ± 58%] (p = 0.045). IL-10 displayed an increase immediately after only WOD 1 [44 ± 52%] (p = 0.046), and decreased 24 and 48 h following WOD 2 (~40%; p = 0.018) as compared to pre-exercise values. Osteoprotegerin displayed a decrease 48 h following WOD 2 (~25%; p = 0.018) as compared with pre intervention. In conclusion, two consecutive extreme conditioning training sessions increase pro/anti-inflammatory cytokines with no interference on muscle performance in the recovery period.

ObjectivesTo examine the affective responses during a single bout of a low-volume HIIE in active and insufficiently active men.Materials and methodsFifty-eight men (aged 25.3 ± 3.6 years) volunteered to participate in this study: i) active (n = 29) and ii) insufficiently active (n = 29). Each subject undertook i) initial screening and physical evaluation, ii) maximal exercise test, and iii) a single bout of a low-volume HIIE. The HIIE protocol consisted of 10 x 60s work bouts at 90% of maximal treadmill velocity (MTV) interspersed with 60s of active recovery at 30% of MTV. Affective responses (Feeling Scale, -5/+5), rating of perceived exertion (Borg’s RPE, 6–20), and heart rate (HR) were recorded during the last 10s of each work bout. A two-factor mixed-model repeated measures ANOVA, independent-samples t test, and chi-squared test were used to data analysis.ResultsThere were similar positive affective responses to the first three work bouts between insufficiently active and active men (p > 0.05). However, insufficiently active group displayed lower affective responses over time (work bout 4 to 10) than the active group (p < 0.01). Also, the insufficiently active group displayed lower values of mean, lowest, and highest affective response, as well as lower values of affective response at the highest RPE than the active group (p < 0.001). There were no differences in the RPE and HR between the groups (p > 0.05).ConclusionsInsufficiently active and active men report feelings of pleasure to few work bouts (i.e., 3–4) during low-volume HIIE, while the affective responses become more unpleasant over time for insufficiently active subjects. Investigations on the effects of low-volume HIIE protocols including a fewer number of work bouts on health status and fitness of less active subjects would be interesting, especially in the first training weeks.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on skeletal muscle lipid content, liver lipid content, heart lipid content, fat depots, and lipid profile in ovariectomized rats. Wistar adult female rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10 per group): sedentary (Sed-Intact), sedentary ovariectomized (Sed-Ovx), strength trained (ChronicEx-intact), and strength trained ovariectomized (ChronicEx-Ovx). A 12-week strength-training period was used, during which the animals climbed a 1.1-m vertical ladder with weights attached to their tails. The sessions were performed once every 3 days, with 4-9 climbs and 8-12 dynamic movements per climb. Ovariectomy increased liver lipid content and fat depots, and heart and muscle lipid content. There was an increase in the atherogenic index and a negative change in lipid profile because of the ovariectomy. Resistance training decreased lipid content in the liver, soleus, and tibialis anterior, decreased fat depots (mesenteric and retroperitoneal), and changed the lipid profile, independently of ovarian hormone status. These results indicate the potential benefits of resistance training as an alternative strategy to control the effects of ovariectomy on fat depot, lipid profile, and tissue lipid content.

One of the most important objectives of intervention programs for persons with haemophilia (PWH) is to improve their quality of life. Regular physical activity has been recommended as an adjunct to conventional treatment, with positive results in the prevention of joint problems and bleeding, in addition to the improvement in cardiovascular function, muscle strength, and body composition. The objective of the present review was to present the benefits of aerobic and resistance training programs in PWH, as well to discuss the best exercise dose-response in the different levels of disease severity. We considered randomized controlled trials, study cases and literature reviews from MEDLINE and Highwire databases. After a detailed analysis of the studies involving exercise for PWH, it can be concluded that this intervention elicits some benefits for physical fitness and blood coagulation mechanisms, suggesting the application of physical training as a non pharmacological treatment in association with conventional treatment. Adequate and periodized resistance training considering the disease severity, accompanied by physical education professionals could improve muscle strength, balance and proprioception. In addition, aerobic training could reduce the risks of obesity and several metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Exercise can improve several outcomes of quality in PWH.

The aim of this study was to validate the quantification of internal training load (session rating perceived exertion, sRPE) and the effect of recall timing of sRPE during high-intensity functional training (HIFT) sessions. Thirteen male HIFT practitioners (age 27.2 ± 33 years, height 177.1 ± 4.0 cm, body mass 81.1 ± 9.0 kg) were monitored during two common HIFT training sessions: Fight Gone Bad (FGB) and Fran. The Edwards summated heart-rate-zone method was used as a reference measure of internal training load. The session-RPE rating was obtained using the CR-10 scale modified by Foster. The training load calculated by the Edwards-TRIMP index was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the FGB (77.7 ± 4.9) than the Fran (19.8 ± 8.4) workout. There was a strong correlation (p < 0.05) between the Edwards-TRIMP index and the training load calculated by the sRPE in all time frames (0, 10, 20, and 30 min post-exercise). The RPE and sRPE measured at 30 min post-exercise time frame was significant lower than 0, 10, and 20 min post-exercise for both workouts. The session-RPE method is an easy and valid tool to evaluate internal training load for high intensity functional training practitioners.

There are few studies that have compared different periodization methods for strength and hypertrophy. The aim of this study was to verify the effect of a 12-week strength training program with different periodization models on body composition and strength levels in women ranging from 20 to 35 years of age. Participants had a minimum of 6 months of experience in strength training, and they were divided into two groups: linear periodization (LP, n = 10) and reverse linear periodization (RLP, n = 10). Intensity was increased weekly; LP began with 12-14 maximal repetitions (RM), reaching loads of 4-6RM, and RLP began with 6-4RM and finished with 12-14RM. In all exercises, three sets were accomplished; number of repetitions and rest between sets and exercises were in accordance with weekly prescribed intensity. Training was performed 3 days per week. The evaluations were baseline evaluation (A1), after 4 weeks of training (A2), after 8 weeks (A3), after 12 weeks (A4), and after 1 week of detraining (A5). Fat mass and fat-free mass, maximum strength (bench press, lat pull-down, arm curl, and leg extension) were evaluated. There was an increase in fat-free mass and a decrease in fat mass in A4 compared with A1 only for the LP group. Both the LP and RLP groups presented significant gains in maximum strength levels in all exercises analyzed. However, for LP, the increases were greater when compared with RLP. In practical terms, LP is more effective for strength and hypertrophy as compared with RLP, and 1 week may be an adequate period for application of detraining without causing decreases in the performance of the parameters analyzed.

To determine the most effective periodization model for strength and hypertrophy is an important step for strength and conditioning professionals. The aim of this study was to compare the effects of linear (LP) and daily undulating periodized (DUP) resistance training on body composition and maximal strength levels. Forty men aged 21.5 +/- 8.3 and with a minimum 1-year strength training experience were assigned to an LP (n = 20) or DUP group (n = 20). Subjects were tested for maximal strength in bench press, leg press 45 degrees, and arm curl (1 repetition maximum [RM]) at baseline (T1), after 8 weeks (T2), and after 12 weeks of training (T3). Increases of 18.2 and 25.08% in bench press 1 RM were observed for LP and DUP groups in T3 compared with T1, respectively (p < or = 0.05). In leg press 45 degrees , LP group exhibited an increase of 24.71% and DUP of 40.61% at T3 compared with T1. Additionally, DUP showed an increase of 12.23% at T2 compared with T1 and 25.48% at T3 compared with T2. For the arm curl exercise, LP group increased 14.15% and DUP 23.53% at T3 when compared with T1. An increase of 20% was also found at T2 when compared with T1, for DUP. Although the DUP group increased strength the most in all exercises, no statistical differences were found between groups. In conclusion, undulating periodized strength training induced higher increases in maximal strength than the linear model in strength-trained men. For maximizing strength increases, daily intensity and volume variations were more effective than weekly variations.