Brent C. Ruby

Role of hope in academic and sport achievement.

Hope is the sum of goal thoughts as tapped by pathways and agency. Pathways reflect the perceived capability to produce goal routes; agency reflects the perception that one can initiate action along these pathways. Using trait and state hope scales, studies explored hope in college student athletes. In Study 1, male and female athletes were higher in trait hope than nonathletes; moreover, hope significantly predicted semester grade averages beyond cumulative grade point average and overall self-worth. In Study 2, with female cross-country athletes, trait hope predicted athletic outcomes; further, weekly state hope tended to predict athletic outcomes beyond dispositional hope, training, and self-esteem, confidence, and mood. In Study 3, with female track athletes, dispositional hope significantly predicted athletic outcomes beyond variance related to athletic abilities and affectivity; moreover, athletes had higher hope than nonathletes.

Validity and reliability of combining three methods to determine ventilatory threshold.

PURPOSEnThis research was undertaken to validate a combination of methodologies to determine ventilatory threshold (VT).nnnMETHODSnThree methods were used individually and then combined to determine VT as follows: 1) ventilatory equivalencies, 2) excess CO2 production, and 3) a modified V-slope method. Three groups of participants-endurance athletes (N = 132), healthy, aerobically active adults (N = 31), and healthy, sedentary/low-active adults (N = 22)-were independently evaluated for VT and compared with the criterion standard lactate threshold (LT) defined as the first rise in blood lactate with increasing intensity of exercise.nnnRESULTSnVT and LT were significantly correlated using the combined VT method within each study group (r = 0.98, 0.97, and 0.95, respectively; P < 0.001). Mean VO2 values at VT and LT were not significantly different between the three groups (P > 0.20). The combined method improved the determination rate of VT and reduced the standard deviation of the LT - VT difference by 80-170% over the individual methods. During test-retest procedures VO2lt and VO2vt determined by the combined method met criteria demonstrating further reliability.nnnCONCLUSIONnThe combined method to determine VT is valid and reliable across a wide fitness range in healthy individuals and improves the determination rate and accuracy of VT determination over the use of single methods.

Effects of estradiol on substrate turnover during exercise in amenorrheic females.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the effects of transdermal estradiol (E2) replacement on substrate utilization during exercise. Amenorrheic females (N = 6) performed three exercise trials following 72 h of placebo (C 72) and 72 and 144 h of medicated transdermal estradiol (E2) treatment (E2 72 and E2 144). Exercise involved 90 min of treadmill running at 65% VO2max followed by timed exercise to exhaustion at 85% VO2max. Resting blood samples were obtained for glucose, insulin, free fatty acids (FFA), and E2. Exercise blood samples were obtained for E2, lactate, epinephrine, and norepinephrine. Rates of appearance and disposal were calculated for glucose and glycerol using a primed, continuous infusion of [6,6-2H] glucose and [2H5] glycerol. Medicated transdermal placement increased E2 significantly at rest, before exercise (35.03 +/- 12.3, 69.5 +/- 20.1, and 73.1 +/- 31.6 pg.mL-1 for the C 72, E2 72, and E2 144 trials, respectively, P < 0.05). Resting FFA increased significantly following E2 treatment (0.28 +/- 0.16, 0.41 +/- 0.27, and 0.40 +/- 0.21 mmol.L-1 for the C 72, E2 72, and E2 144 trials, respectively, P < 0.05). Glucose Ra was significantly decreased during exercise as a result of E2 replacement (21.9 +/- 7.7, 18.9 +/- 6.2, and 18.9 +/- 5.6 mumol.kg-1.min-1 for the C 72, E2 72, and E2 144 trials, respectively, P < 0.05). Average glucose Rd also decreased during exercise as a result of E2 replacement (21.3 +/- 7.8, 18.5 +/- 6.4, and 18.6 +/- 5.8 mumol.kg-1.min-1 for the C 72, E2 72, and E2 144 trials, respectively, P < 0.05). However, the estimated relative contribution of plasma glucose and muscle glycogen to total carbohydrate oxidation was similar among the trials. Epinephrine values were significantly lower late in exercise during the E2 72 and E2 144 trials, compared with the C 72 trial (P < 0.05). These results indicate that elevated E2 levels can alter glucose metabolism at rest and during moderate intensity exercise as a result of decreased gluconeogenesis, epinephrine secretion, and/or glucose transport.

Gender Differences in Substrate Utilisation During Exercise

SummaryThe selection and utilisation of metabolic substrates during endurance exercise are regulated by a complex array of effectors. These factors include, but are not limited to, endurance training and cardiorespiratory fitness, exercise intensity and duration, muscle morphology and histology, hormonal factors and diet. Although the effects of these factors on substrate utilisation patterns are well understood, the variation in substrate utilisation during endurance exercise between males and females is not. Because of the extreme heterogeneity in exercise protocols and individuals studied, the differences in substrate utilisation between males and females remain somewhat inconclusive. Regardless of heterogeneity, if the results from studies are interpreted collectively, an apparent gender difference in the selection and metabolism of substrates can be seen in sedentary individuals. However, this difference between genders diminishes as the level of cardiorespiratory fitness is increased to that of highly trained individuals.During rest and lower intensity exercise, the preferential metabolism of lipid occurs with a concomitant sparing of muscle glycogen. However, as the intensity of exercise is increased, the relative contribution of carbohydrate also increases. The exercise intensity at which the shift from lipid to carbohydrate is determined and regulated by the previously mentioned factors. Because the intensity and duration of exercise play a predominant role, the variation in exercise protocols poses a methodological concern when interpreting previous research.When attempting to compare the metabolism of substrates during endurance exercise, appropriate selection and interpretation of measurement techniques are necessary. Measurement techniques include the nonprotein respiratory exchange ratio, muscle and fat biopsies and the measurement of various blood metabolites, such as free fatty acids and glycerol. Similarly, in vitro analysis of lipolytic activity has also been demonstrated in males and females in response to varying levels of female gonadotrophic hormones.When comparing the substrate utilisation patterns between males and females, the area of hormonal regulation has received less attention. Often the catecholamine response to endurance exercise is measured; however, the gonadotrophic hormones, particularly those of the female, have received less attention when comparing genders. Indeed, the regulatory nature of the female gonadotrophic hormones has been demonstrated. Collectively, the effects of elevated estrogen, as in the luteal phase of menstruation, appear to promote lipolytic activity. Estrogen-mediated lipolytic activation occurs by apparently altering the sensitivity to lipoprotein lipase and by increasing the levels of human growth hormone (somatropin), an activator of lipolysis. Similarly, lipolytic activity appears to decrease under situations of lower estrogen levels (i.e. during the follicular phase of menstruation and in males). In addition, other cellular mechanisms which may influence substrate utilisation include the response of the insulin receptor to varying levels of female gonadotrophic hormones. Insulin binding capacity is decreased in response to elevated levels of estrogen.Parallel to the regulatory effects of the female gonadotrophic levels is the menstrual status of endurance-trained females. When females progressively increase training volume, menstrual dysfunction becomes increasingly apparent. Thus, those females classified as endurance trained may vary in menstrual function from eumenorrhoeic to oligomenorrhoeic to ultimately amenorrhoeic. Since menstrual dysfunction may accompany endurance training, the circulating levels of female gonadotrophic hormones diminish to abnormally low levels. In response to subnormal levels of gonadotrophic hormones, the metabolism of energy substrates will probably change.Additional areas that may influence substrate utilisation include muscle morphology and histology. However, differences in the metabolic selection of substrates between genders do not appear to be appreciably affected by these variables. In terms of fibre type distribution, muscle morphology is similar between males and females. Although males have a tendency to retain greater muscle fibre diameter, the overall fibre type distribution is comparable between similarly trained males and females. Males reportedly have slightly higher succinate dehydrogenase enzyme activity regardless of training status. However, malate dehydrogenase activity is similar between genders. Therefore, it appears that muscle enzyme activity is more affected by training status than by gender. Furthermore, when matched for cardiorespiratory fitness level, males and females show few appreciable differences.When considering whether there are differences between males and females in terms of the selection and utilisation of metabolic substrates during exercise, numerous factors are involved: research methodology, training status, muscle morphology and histology, particularly endocrine function.

The addition of fenugreek extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum) to glucose feeding increases muscle glycogen resynthesis after exercise

Summary.The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of ingesting an oral supplement containing 4-Hydroxyisoleucine (4-OH-Ile, isolated from fenugreek seeds [Trigonella foenum-graecum]) with a glucose beverage on rates of post-exercise muscle glycogen resynthesis in trained male cyclists. Following an overnight fast (12u2009hr), subjects completed a 90-minute glycogen depletion ride after which a muscle biopsy was obtained from the vastus lateralis. Immediately and 2 hours after the muscle biopsy, subjects ingested either an oral dose of dextrose (Glu) (1.8u2009g·kg BW−1) or 4-OH-Ile supplement (Glu+4-OH-Ile, including 2.0u2009mg·kg−1 4-OH-Ile with the same oral dose of dextrose) with a second muscle biopsy 4 hours after exercise. Post exercise muscle glycogen concentration was similar for both trials. Overall, there was a significant increase in glucose and insulin concentrations from time 0 throughout the majority of the 4-hour recovery period, with no significant differences between the two trials at any time point. Although muscle glycogen concentration significantly increased from immediately post exercise to 4u2009hr of recovery for both trials, the net rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis was 63% greater during Glu+4-OH-Ile (10.6±3.3 vs. 6.5±2.6u2009g·kg wet wt.−1·hr.−1 for the Glu+4-OH-Ile and Glu trials, respectively). These data demonstrate that when the fenugreek extract supplement (4-OH-Ile) is added to a high oral dose of dextrose, rates of post-exercise glycogen resynthesis are enhanced above dextrose alone.

Glycogen resynthesis and exercise performance with the addition of fenugreek extract (4-hydroxyisoleucine) to post-exercise carbohydrate feeding

Summary.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of adding fenugreek extract (FG) to post-exercise carbohydrate feeding on glycogen resynthesis and subsequent exercise performance in normoglycemic male endurance athletes. A muscle biopsy sample was obtained from the vastus lateralis from subjects prior to exercise for 5u2009h at 50% of peak cycling power (52.1 ± 3.3% of VO2 peak). A second muscle biopsy sample was obtained immediately after exercise. Immediately after and 2u2009h after the second biopsy subjects ingested either an oral dose of dextrose (GLU) (1.8u2009g · kgu2009BW−1) or GLU with FG containing 1.99 ± 0.20u2009mg · kg−1 4-hydroxyisoleucine (GLU + FG) in a randomized, cross-over, double blind design. At 4u2009h post-exercise a third biopsy was taken and subjects received a standardised meal along with FG or a placebo capsule. At 15u2009h post-exercise subjects underwent their final muscle biopsy before completing a simulated 40u2009km cycling time trial. There was no difference in muscle glycogen at any time between GLU and GLU + FG. Additionally, 40u2009km time trial performance was similar for average power output (221 ± 28 vs. 213 ± 16 watts) and for time to completion (69.7 ± 3.7 vs. 70.5 ± 2.2u2009min) for the GLU and GLU + FG, respectively. Despite earlier data to the contrary, the present results do not support an effect of fenugreek supplementation on glycogen resynthesis, even though this may have been the result of differences in experimental protocol.

Substrate oxidation during incremental arm and leg exercise in men and women matched for ventilatory threshold

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the variations in substrate utilization between men and women matched for ventilatory threshold (T vent) during incremental arm cranking and leg cycling exercise at 70, 85, 100 and 115% of the mode-specific T vent. Recreationally active men (n = 12) and women (n = 10) with similar values for percentage of peak oxygen consumption at T vent participated in the study. Ventilatory equivalence, excess CO2 and modified V-slope methods were used concurrently to determine T vent. The participants performed 5 min of exercise at each of 70, 85, 100 and 115% T vent during both arm cranking and leg cycling exercise. The females were tested during the early follicular phase for all trials. A two-way mixed-design analysis of variance was performed to test for differences between the sexes. When carbohydrate and fat oxidation were expressed relative to total fat-free mass, carbohydrate oxidation during arm cranking and leg cycling was significantly higher in men than women at each percentage of T vent. In contrast, women showed significantly higher fat oxidation across intensities during both arm cranking and leg cycling. Our results suggest that when substrate utilization is expressed relative to total fat-free mass, women appear to maintain a higher rate of fat and lower rate of carbohydrate oxidation than men during both incremental arm cranking and leg cycling exercise relative to T vent.