Diego Trevisan Brunelli

Combined Training Reduces Subclinical Inflammation in Obese Middle-Age Men

PURPOSE We investigated the effects of 24 wk of combined training on proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory markers associated with obesity in obese middle-age men. METHODS Thirty obese men (48.73 ± 1.04 yr; body mass index, 31.00 ± 0.29 kg·m) underwent 24 wk of combined training [CT (N = 17), aerobic (50%-85% of V˙O2peak) and resistance (6-10 maximum repetition [RM]) training)] three times per week, 60 min per session, or a control group (N = 13). Anthropometric measures, maximal strength for leg press and bench press, peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) and serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (CRP), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-10, IL-15, resistin, leptin, and adiponectin were determined before (M1) and after 8 (M2), 16 (M3), and 24 (M4) wk of the experimental design. RESULTS Significant increases were observed in the maximal strength for bench press and leg press, V˙O2peak, and serum concentrations of adiponectin and IL-15 for CT. Concomitantly, significant decreases were observed in percentage body fat and serum concentrations of CRP, resistin, and leptin for CT after the experimental period. CONCLUSION Twenty-four weeks of moderate- to high-intensity CT reduced markers of subclinical inflammation associated with obesity and improved insulin resistance and functional capabilities of obese middle-age men, regardless of dietary intervention and weight loss.

Immune parameters, symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections, and training-load indicators in volleyball athletes

Background The control of immunological alterations becomes important during in-season training, as a result of increased incidence of infectious diseases, and may assist in avoiding interruptions to training due to illness. Objective The aim of the present study was to evaluate 28 weeks of chronic immune modulations in female volleyball athletes. Methods The sample was composed of twelve athletes aged 19.47 ± 2.49 years, height 1.78 ± 0.08 cm, and body mass 66.77 ± 7.8 kg. Leukocytes, individual immune cell count, interleukin (IL)-2, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α plasma cytokines were measured during the competitive period. Results Results revealed that immune variables were correlated with symptoms of upper respiratory tract infections and training-load indicators, indicating a possible marker of immune status. There was a statistically significant increase in total leukocytes, neutrophils, and monocyte count, a decrease in lymphocytes, and an increase in upper respiratory tract infection symptoms, with no change in IL-2, IL-6, and TNF-α. Correlations between subjective levels of tiredness, total leukocyte count, and neutrophils with upper respiratory tract infection symptoms were observed. Conclusion In conclusion, these correlations can represent important tools to access the immune status of an athlete during long training periods, preventing a possible immunosuppressive status.

Effects of 12 weeks of combined training without caloric restriction on inflammatory markers in overweight girls

ABSTRACT The objective of the present study was to investigate the effects of combined training without caloric restriction on inflammatory markers in overweight girls. Thirty-three girls (13–17 years) were assigned into overweight training (n = 17) or overweight control (n = 16) groups. Additionally, a normal-weight group (n = 15) was used as control for the baseline values. The combined training programme consisted of six resistance exercises (three sets of 6–10 repetitions at 60–70% 1 RM) followed by 30 min of aerobic exercise (walking/running) at 50–80% VO2peak, performed in the same 60 min session, 3 days/weeks, for 12 weeks. Body composition, dietary intake, aerobic fitness (VO2peak), muscular strength (1 RM), glycaemia, insulinemia, lipid profile and inflammatory markers (C-reactive protein, interleukin-6, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, interleukin-10, leptin, resistin and adiponectin) were measured before and after intervention. There was a significant decrease in body fat (P < 0.01) and increase in fat-free mass (P < 0.01), VO2peak (P < 0.01), 1 RM for leg press (P < 0.01) and bench press (P < 0.01) in the overweight training group. Concomitantly, this group presented significant decreases in serum concentrations of C-reactive protein (P < 0.05) and leptin (P < 0.05), as well as in insulin resistance (P < 0.05) after the experimental period. In conclusion, 12 weeks of combined training without caloric restriction reduced inflammatory markers associated with obesity in overweight girls.

Immune responses to an upper body tri‐set resistance training session

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the acute immune responses to an upper body tri‐set resistance training (RT) session in RT trained individuals. Eighteen young trained men (22·0 ± 1·8 years) were randomly assigned to an exercise group (EG; n = 9) or control group (CG; n = 9). The EG completed an acute tri‐set RT protocol using two combinations of three exercises for the same muscle group with six to eight repetitions at 75% of one repetition maximum (1RM) for each exercise. Blood samples were collected before (Pre), and 15 min (Post) and 24 h (P24h) after the acute RT protocol to determine basal and acute total leucocytes and leucocyte subsets counting, interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), tumour necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) and cortisol. There were significant increases in total leucocytes, monocytes and neutrophils at Post as compared with Pre (P<0·05). Additionally, total leucocytes and monocytes were reduced even at P24h when compared to Pre (P<0·05). There were no significant changes in plasma concentrations of TNF‐α, IL‐6 and cortisol throughout the measured moments. As compared to CG, EG demonstrated very large effect sizes for total leucocytes, neutrophils and monocytes 15 min postprotocol and a reduction (trivial and small effect sizes) P24h. These results suggest that the tri‐set RT session did not exacerbate the acute inflammatory response and might be a good option for variations in RT methods for trained individuals.

Combined training, FNDC5/irisin levels and metabolic markers in obese men: A randomised controlled trial

Abstract The effects of training on FNDC5/irisin and its association with fitness and metabolic marker improvements induced by training have been poorly investigated in humans. Thus, the present study assessed the effects of combined training (CT) on FNDC5/irisin levels, metabolic markers and fitness adaptations in obese men. Middle-age obese men (age 49.13 ± 5.75, body mass index (BMI) 30.86 ± 1.63) were randomly distributed in the CT group (n = 12) and control group (CG n = 10). The CT consisted of strength followed by aerobic training, 3 times/week, for 24 weeks. Body composition, physical fitness, plasma FNDC5/irisin, biochemical markers and metabolic scores/index were evaluated. CT maintained FNDC5/irisin levels (µg/mL) (pre: 4.15 ± 0.32, post: 4.21 ± 0.32; p = .96) and improved body composition, metabolic and physical fitness markers. In the CG, decreased FNDC5/irisin (µg/mL) (pre: 4.36 ± 0.23, post: 3.57 ± 0.94; p = .01) and reduced strength (supine exercise/kg) (pre: 71 ± 14.7, post: 60.1 ± 14.05; p < .01) were observed, along with a trend to increase HOMA-IR (pre: 2.63 ± 1.11, post: 3.14 ± 1.27; p = .07) and other indicators of metabolic deterioration. An inverse correlation was found between the change (Δ%) in levels of FNDC5/irisin and Δ% glucose, Δ% total cholesterol, Δ% triglycerides and Δ% waist circumference, in addition to a positive relation with Δ% muscle strength. In conclusion, CT maintained FNDC5/irisin levels and provided metabolic and fitness benefits. The correlation between FNDC5/irisin changes and metabolic parameters, as well as the FNDC5/irisin reduction associated with fitness and metabolic worsening in the CG, suggests a relationship between FNDC5/irisin and a healthy metabolic status in humans.

Metabolomics Approach in the Investigation of Metabolic Changes in Obese Men after 24 Weeks of Combined Training

Obesity is associated with comorbidities related to metabolic disorders due to excess of adipose tissue. Physical exercise has a major role in the prevention of obesity. Combined training (CT), in particular, has been shown to improve markers of health. In this study, we used 1H NMR-based metabolomics to investigate changes in the metabolism of obese men after 24 weeks of CT. Twenty-two obese (body mass index 31 ± 1.4 kg/m2), middle-aged men (48.2 ± 6.1 years) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG, n = 11) or CT group (n = 11). The CT was performed three times a week (resistance and aerobic training) for 24 weeks. Blood samples were collected before and after experimental period. There was an improvement in body composition and physical fitness indices after CT training. Multivariate PCA and PLS-DA models showed a distinct separation between groups. Twenty metabolites with importance for projection (VIP) >1.0 were identified, and four were classified as best discriminators (tyrosine, 2-oxoisocaproate, histidine, pyruvate). Some metabolites were correlated with strength, VO2 peak, fat and lean body mass, waist circumference, and insulin. In conclusion, 24 weeks of CT was effective for functional improvements and metabolic changes in obese middle-aged men.

Monitoring of immunological parameters in adolescent basketball athletes during and after a sports season

Abstract The objective of the present study was to monitor the immunological and hormonal responses and the occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms in adolescent basketball athletes during the different stages of a sports season. Anthropometric measures, biochemical analyses (interleukin-6, interleukin-10, tumour necrosis factor-alpha, C-reactive protein, testosterone and cortisol), neuromuscular evaluations (standing vertical jumping ability, agility and estimated VO2max) and leukocyte counts were performed at four moments: 72 h before the season (−72 h); before the season (Pre-season); after six weeks, at the end of the preparatory period (Preparatory); and after 20 weeks, at the end of the competitive period (Competitive). Also, the occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms was collected weekly during all stages of the season. There were significant increases in monocytes, cortisol, tumour necrosis factor-alpha and C-reactive protein at the Competitive moment as compared to the Pre-season. In addition, interleukin-10 decreased at the Competitive moment as compared to the Pre-season. Occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms demonstrated increases (38%) during the competitive period as compared to the preparatory. These results suggest that periods of training and competition could increase the occurrence of upper respiratory symptoms in adolescent athletes and this may be due to the unwanted effects of an inflammatory process in response to the excessive stress of training and competition.

Immune responses, upper respiratory illness symptoms, and load changes in young athletes during the preparatory period of the training periodization

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to investigate the immunological responses and the association between variation in exercise load and self-reported occurrence of upper respiratory illness (URI) symptoms in young basketball athletes. MATERIALS AND METHODS The sample was composed of twelve young male athletes aged 12.7 ± 0.6 years, with a height of 170 ± 10 cm, body mass of 57.6 ± 12.6 kg, and fat-free mass of 18.7 ± 5.9%. Daily training and occurrences of URI symptoms were recorded. Blood samples were collected at baseline (M1) and after 8 weeks (M2) of the preparatory period of periodization training to measure total and differential leukocyte counts, serum interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α). RESULTS There was a significant decrease in monocytes at M2 compared to M1 (P = 0.004). There were no significant alterations in total leukocytes (P = 0.07), neutrophils (P = 0.07), or lymphocytes (P = 0.09). No significant changes in plasma concentrations of TNF-α (P = 0.30) or IL-6 (P = 0.90) were found. The weekly load from week 6 was higher when compared with weeks 1, 2, 4, and 8 (P < 0.05), and week 8 was the lowest when compared with week 5 (P < 0.05). Self-reported URI incidences were highest at weeks 1 and 2. CONCLUSION Variations in weekly training load during the preparatory period were not correlated with changes in self-reported occurrence of URI incidences, suggesting that young athletes may have an attenuated response to exercise-induced perturbations to the immune system.

Concurrent Training with Blood Flow Restriction does not Decrease Inflammatory Markers

The aging process is associated with several changes in the elderly such as the decrease in cardiorespiratory fitness, strength and muscle mass, in addition to chronic low-grade inflammation. Concurrent training with blood flow restriction can be an interesting alternative to improve functional capacity with low mechanical stress in the elderly. The purpose of this study was to compare the inflammatory effects in older individuals submitted to two different protocols of concurrent training. Twenty-two healthy older adults (63.7±3.8 years; 69.8±8.9 kg; 1.6±0.1 m) performed 12 weeks of concurrent training (CT) or concurrent training with blood flow restriction (CTBFR) and the effects on inflammatory markers were analyzed. We found inflammatory behavior for the CTBFR group with a significant difference in serum concentration of C-reactive protein between pre- and post-moment (0.96±0.37 to 1.71±1.45, p=0.049), with no difference between groups, and a time effect in interleukin-6 (pre=0.86±0.43; post=1.02±0.46, p=0.016). We conclude that the CTBFR showed a pro-inflammatory profile after the period of intervention whereas the CT showed the opposite.

Acute Hematological and Inflammatory Responses to High-intensity Exercise Tests: Impact of Duration and Mode of Exercise

The purpose of this study was to investigate the hematological and inflammatory responses to 4 maximal high-intensity protocols, considering energy expenditure in each test. 9 healthy volunteers performed 4 high-intensity exercise tests of short [Wingate (WANT); Repeated-sprints (RSA)] and long durations [Continuous VO2 test (VCONT); intermittent VO2 test (VINT)] in a cycle-ergometer, until exhaustion. Hematological parameters and IL-6, IL-10 and creatine kinase (CK) levels were determined before (PRE), POST, 30 min, 1, 2, 12 and 24 h after the end of the protocols. Additionally, energy expenditure was determined. Leucocytes, erythrocytes and lymphocytes increased at POST and returned to PRE values at 30 min for all protocols. Lymphocytes had a second decreased at 2 h and granulocytes increased at 2 h when compared to PRE. Both variables returned to PRE values between 12-24 h into recovery. The magnitude of response for IL-6 was greater in VINT and for IL-10 in VCONT. There was no association of energy expenditure within each exercise protocol with the pattern of IL-6, IL-10 and CK responses to the exercise protocols. The present finding support that similar responses after continuous or intermittent acute protocols are observed when exercises are performed to volitional failure, regardless of the duration and mode of exercise.