Moderate- and high-intensity resistance exercise programs had equally beneficial effects on cognitive functioning.

Even though the subjective perceptions of some symptoms of alcohol intoxication were less intense after the combined ingestion of the alcohol plus energy drink, these effects were not detected in objective measures of motor coordination and visual reaction time, as well as on the breath alcohol concentration.

There has long been discussion regarding the positive effects of physical exercise on brain activity. However, physical exercise has only recently begun to receive the attention of the scientific community, with major interest in its effects on the cognitive functions, spatial learning and memory, as a non-drug method of maintaining brain health and treating neurodegenerative and/or psychiatric conditions. In humans, several studies have shown the beneficial effects of aerobic and resistance exercises in adult and geriatric populations. More recently, studies employing animal models have attempted to elucidate the mechanisms underlying neuroplasticity related to physical exercise-induced spatial learning and memory improvement, even under neurodegenerative conditions. In an attempt to clarify these issues, the present review aims to discuss the role of physical exercise in the improvement of spatial learning and memory and the cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in neuroplasticity.

Study Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between food intake and sleep patterns in healthy individuals. Methods: Fifty-two healthy volunteers (27 women and 25 men) were recruited to participate in the study. Volunteers underwent sleep evaluation through nocturnal polysomnography and completed a 3-day food diary to evaluate food intake. Results S C I E N T I F I C I N V E S T I G A T I O N SO besity is becoming a worldwide epidemic. 1 The etiology of this disease is multifactorial; among the causes are changes in food intake, 2 life style, environment, 2,3 and genetics, 4,5 in addition to physiological 6 and psychological 7 infl uences and, more recently, alterations in sleep patterns. [8][9][10][11] Sleep curtailment has become common due to the demands and opportunities of modern society.12 Recent studies show that alterations in sleep time can infl uence various aspects associated with the nutritional and metabolic balance of the body, such as the control of body mass, 9,11 food intake, 10,13 glycemic levels, 14,15 and the levels of cholesterol and triacylglycerol. 16 Although some studies show that short duration sleep changes the food intake pattern and may cause obesity, 9-11 few studies have analyzed whether the opposite casual sequence also occurs; that is, if food intake promotes alterations in the sleep pattern. Indeed, studies that have examined this matter are controversial and use different methodologies. Some studies indicate an impairment of sleep quality when there is an excessive carbohydrate intake. 17,18 Driver et al.,19 however, comparing the effect of an evening meal on nocturnal sleep in seven healthy men, did not fi nd any effect. Therefore, this study proposes to analyze the correlation between habitual food intake and sleep patterns in healthy individuals. METHODS SampleFifty-two healthy volunteers (27 women and 25 men) between 19 and 45 years old took part in this study. The participants were young adults and were non-obese. They were sedentary and not taking medication. They were all nonsmokers and spent regular times in bed at night (7.5-8.5 h). The subjects did not suffer from sleep disturbances (apnea and hypopnea index [AHI] < 5, and periodic leg movements [PLM] during sleep were < 5, as assessed bRIEF SUMMARY Current Knowledge/Study Rationale: Few studies have analyzed if food intake promotes alterations in the sleep pattern. Therefore, the objective of this study was to analyze the correlation between habitual food intake and sleep patterns in healthy individuals. Study Impact: This study demonstrated that a higher food intake close to the sleeping period is associated with negative aspects of sleep patterns in healthy individuals, especially in women. However, this is an area poorly explored in the literature, and more studies are necessary to elucidate the real infl uence of food intake upon sleep.

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The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of two different high-intensity interval training (HIT) programs on selected aerobic physiological indices and 1500 and 5000 m running performance in well-trained runners. The following tests were completed (n=17): (i) incremental treadmill test to determine maximal oxygen uptake (VO2 max), running velocity associated with VO2 max (vVO2 max), and the velocity corresponding to 3.5 mmol/L of blood lactate concentration (vOBLA); (ii) submaximal constant-intensity test to determine running economy (RE); and (iii) 1500 and 5000 m time trials on a 400 m track. Runners were then randomized into 95% vVO2 max or 100% vVO2 max groups, and undertook a 4 week training program consisting of 2 HIT sessions (performed at 95% or 100% vVO2 max, respectively) and 4 submaximal run sessions per week. Runners were retested on all parameters at the completion of the training program. The VO2 max values were not different after training for both groups. There was a significant increase in post-training vVO2 max, RE, and 1500 m running performance in the 100% vVO2 max group. The vOBLA and 5000 m running performance were significantly higher after the training period for both groups. We conclude that vOBLA and 5000 m running performance can be significantly improved in well-trained runners using a 4 week training program consisting of 2 HIT sessions (performed at 95% or 100% vVO2 max) and 4 submaximal run sessions per week. However, the improvement in vVO2 max, RE, and 1500 m running performance seems to be dependent on the HIT program at 100% vVO2 max.

The prevention of obesity and health concerns related to body fat is a major challenge worldwide. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of a medically supervised, multidisciplinary approach, on reduction in the prevalence of obesity related comorbidities, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance in a sample of obese adolescents. A total of 97 postpuberty obese adolescents were enrolled in this study. Body composition, neuropeptides, and adipokines were analysed. The metabolic syndrome was defined by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). The abdominal ultrasonography was performed to measure visceral, subcutaneous fat and hepatic steatosis. All measures were performed at baseline and after one year of therapy. The multidisciplinary management promoted the control of obesity reducing body fat mass. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome, asthma, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), binge eating, and hyperleptinemia was reduced. An improvement in the inflammatory profile was demonstrated by an increase in anti-inflammatory adiponectin and reduction in proinflammatory adipokines, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, interleukin-6 concentrations, and in the Lep/Adipo ratio. Moreover, a reduction in the AgRP and an increase in the alfa-MSH were noted. The multidisciplinary approach not only reduced obesity but also is efficacious in cardiovascular risk factors, inflammatory profile, and neuroendocrine regulation of energy balance.

This work evaluated the importance of sleep on mood and cognition after 24 h of exposure to hypoxia. Ten males, aged 23-30 years, were placed in a normobaric chamber simulating an altitude of 4,500 m. Sleep assessments were conducted from 22:00-6:00; all mood and cognitive assessments were performed 20 min after awakening. The assessments were conducted in normoxic conditions and after 24 h of hypoxia. Sleep was reevaluated 14 h after the start of exposure to hypoxic conditions, and mood state and cognitive functions were reevaluated 24 h after the start of exposure to hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia reduced total sleep time, sleep efficiency, slow-wave sleep, and rapid eye movement. Depressive mood, anger, and fatigue increased under hypoxic conditions. Vigor, attention, visual and working memory, concentration, executive functions, inhibitory control, and speed of mental processing worsened. Changes in sleep patterns can modulate mood and cognition after 24 h.