Domingo J. Ramos-Campo

Effect of exercise on sleep quality and insomnia in middle-aged women: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

OBJECTIVE We assessed the effects of programmed exercise (PE) on sleep quality and insomnia in middle-aged women (MAW). METHODS Searches were conducted in five databases from inception through December 15, 2016 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating the effects of PE versus a non-exercising control condition on sleep quality, sleep disturbance and/or insomnia in MAW. Interventions had to last at least 8 weeks. Sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and insomnia with the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Random effects models were used for meta-analyses. The effects on outcomes were expressed as mean differences (MDs) and their 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS Five publications reported data from four RCTs on PE effects during 12-16 weeks on sleep quality (n=4 studies reporting PSQI results) and/or insomnia (n=3 studies reporting ISI results), including 660 MAW. Low-moderate levels of exercise significantly lowered the PSQI score (MD=-1.34; 95% CI -2.67, 0.00; p=0.05) compared with controls. In a subgroup analysis, moderate PE (aerobic exercise) had a positive effect on sleep quality (PSQI score MD=-1.85; 95% CI -3.62, -0.07; p=0.04), while low levels of physical activity (yoga) did not have a significant effect (MD-0.46, 95% CI -1.79, 0.88, p=0.50). In three studies (two studies of yoga, one study of aerobic exercise), there was a non-significant reduction in the severity of insomnia measured with the ISI score (MD -1.44, 95% CI -3.28, 0. 44, p=0.13) compared with controls. Heterogeneity of effects among studies was moderate to high. CONCLUSION In middle-aged women, programmed exercise improved sleep quality but had no significant effect on the severity of insomnia.

The efficacy of resistance training in hypoxia to enhance strength and muscle growth: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Recent studies have reported that resistance training in hypoxia (RTH) may augment muscle size and strength development. However, consensus on the effects of RTH via systematic review and meta-analysis is not yet available. This work aimed to systematically review studies which have investigated using RTH versus normoxic resistance training (NRT) to improve muscular size and strength, and to perform a meta-analysis to determine the effect of RTH on these adaptive parameters. Searches were conducted in PubMed, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library from database inception until 17 June 2017 for original articles assessing the effects of RTH on muscle size and strength versus NRT. The effects on outcomes were expressed as standardized mean differences (SMD). Nine studies (158 participants) reported on the effects of RTH versus NRT for muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) (n = 4) or strength (n = 6). RTH significantly increased CSA (SMD = 0.70, 95% confidence intervals (CI) 0.05, 1.35; p = .04) and strength (SMD = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.20, 2.56; p < .00001). However, RTH did not produce significant change in CSA (SMD = 0.24, 95% CI −0.19, 0.68, p = .27) or strength (SMD = 0.20; 95% CI = −0.27, 0.78; p = .23) when compared to NRT. Although RTH improved muscle size and strength, this protocol did not provide significant benefit over resistance training in normoxia. Nevertheless, this paper identified marked differences in methodologies for implementing RTH, and future research using standardized protocols is therefore warranted.

Consumption of Watermelon Juice Enriched in l-Citrulline and Pomegranate Ellagitannins Enhanced Metabolism during Physical Exercise

l-Citrulline is a nonessential amino acid precursor of arginine and indirectly a precursor of nitric oxide (NO), which is a vasodilator and increases mitochondrial respiration. On the other hand, the antioxidant pomegranate ellagitannins are precursors of urolithin A, which has been associated with mitophagy and increased muscle function. To elucidate if a single dose of watermelon enrichment with these compounds could have a positive effect after high-intensity exercise (eight sets of eight repetitions of half-squat exercise), a double-blind randomized crossover in vivo study was performed in healthy male subjects (n = 19). Enrichment juices maintained basal levels of blood markers of muscle damage, such as lactate dehydrogenase and myoglobin, and showed a significant maintenance of force during the exercise and a significant decrease in the rating of perceived exertion and muscle soreness after exercise. A positive effect was observed between l-citrulline and ellagitannins, improving the ergogenic effect of watermelon juice.

Body Composition Features in Different Playing Position of Professional Team Indoor Players: Basketball, Handball and Futsal

El objetivo fue analizar la composicion corporal (CC) y sus diferencias entre demarcaciones en jugadores profesionales de baloncesto, balonmano y futbol sala. Se analizo la CC en 70 jugadores profesionales de equipos divididos en 4 grupos en funcion de su demarcacion: grupo 1, bases, cierres, o centrales/extremos; grupo 2, escoltas/aleros, alas o laterales; grupo 3: ala pivot/pivot, pivot y pivote; y grupo 4: porteros. Existen diferencias significativas entre las diversas demarcaciones en baloncesto en el peso, la talla, las proteinas y minerales y en el peso de brazos, piernas y tronco. En balonmano, existen diferencias significativas entre los centrales /extremos y los pivot en el peso y la masa muscular, y entre los laterales y los porteros en el porcentaje graso. Tambien se encontraron diferencias en el peso entre las diferentes posiciones entre los tres deportes y en el peso de brazos, piernas y tronco entre los grupos 1 y 2, y en el peso del tronco y la talla en el grupo 2. El grupo 3 presenta diferencias significativas entre futbol sala y baloncesto en masa muscular y peso del tronco y entre baloncesto y balonmano en el peso de la pierna izquierda y el peso. En el grupo 4 existen diferencias en el peso, la altura y el peso de tronco y pernas entre futbol sala y balonmano. La CC en los deportes de equipo estudiados depende de la posicion y del deporte practicado, modificandose la CC en funcion de las acciones especificas del juego en cada demarcacion.

Acute Physiological and Performance Responses to High-intensity Resistance Circuit Training in Hypoxic and Normoxic Conditions

Abstract Ramos-Campo, DJ, Rubio-Arias, JÁ, Freitas, TT, Camacho, A, Jiménez-Diaz, JF, and Alcaraz, PE. Acute physiological and performance responses to high-intensity resistance circuit training in hypoxic and normoxic conditions. J Strength Cond Res 31(4): 1040–1047, 2017—The aim of this study was to analyze physical performance and physiological variables during high-intensity resistance circuit training (HRC) with the addition of 2 levels (moderate and high) of systemic hypoxia. Twelve resistance-trained young male subjects participated in the study. After a 6 repetition maximum testing session, participants performed 3 randomized trials of HRC: normoxia (NORM: fraction of inspired oxygen [FiO2] = 0.21; ∼0 m altitude), moderate hypoxia (MH: FiO2 = 0.16; ∼2.100 m altitude), or high hypoxia (HH: FiO2 = 0.13; ∼3.800 m altitude), as controlled by a hypoxic generator. Bench press force, heart rate and heart rate variability, rating of perceived exertion, resting metabolic rate, energy cost, and countermovement jump were assessed in each session. Heart rate variability in HH was significantly lower (standard deviation of all normal NN intervals [intervals between two “normal” beats] = 111.9 vs. 86.7 milliseconds; standard deviation of the difference between consecutive NN intervals = 19.5 vs. 17.0 milliseconds; p ⩽ 0.05) in comparison with NORM. There were significant differences in rating of perceived exertion between NORM and HH (11.6 vs. 13.8 points). Peak and mean force on the bench press were significantly lower (p ⩽ 0.05) in HH when compared with MH (peak: 725 vs. 488 N; mean: 574 vs. 373 N). Energy cost was significantly higher (p ⩽ 0.01) in both hypoxic conditions compared with NORM (NORM: 10.4; MH: 11.7; HH: 13.3 kJ·min−1). There were no differences between conditions in heart rate and countermovement jump variables. These results indicate that hypoxic stimuli during HRC exercise alter physical performance and physiological variables and affect how strenuous the exercise is perceived to be. High-intensity resistance circuit training in hypoxia increases the stress on the performance and physiological responses, and these differences must be taken into account to avoid an excessive overload.

Biochemical, physiological, and performance response of a functional watermelon juice enriched in L-citrulline during a half-marathon race

ABSTRACT Background: Watermelon is a rich natural source of l-citrulline. This non-essential amino acid increases exercise performance. Objective: Evaluate the effect of Fashion watermelon juice enriched in l-citrulline (CWJ) (3.45 g per 500 mL) in physical performance and biochemical markers after a half-marathon race. Design: A randomised, double blind, crossover design where 2 h after drinking 500 mL of CWJ or placebo (PLA, beverage without l-citrulline) amateur male runners performed two half-marathon races. Jump height, heart rate and rating of perceived exertion were evaluated before and after the races. Moreover, muscle soreness and plasma markers of muscle damage and metabolism were evaluated for 72 h after the races. Results: Muscle soreness perception was significantly lower from 24 to 72 h after the race with CWJ beverage. Immediately after the races, runners under CWJ condition showed plasma lactate and glucose concentrations significantly lower and higher lactate dehydrogenase and l-arginine concentration than runners under PLA. A maintenance of jump heights after the races under CWJ supplementation was found, decreasing significantly with PLA. Conclusion: A single Fashion watermelon juice enriched in l-citrulline dose diminished muscle soreness perception from 24 to 72 h after the race and maintained lower concentrations of plasma lactate after an exhausting exercise.

The Effect of Whole-Body Vibration Training on Lean Mass in Postmenopausal Women: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective: The purpose of the present systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate published, randomized controlled trials that investigated the effects of whole-body vibration training (WBVT) on lean mass in postmenopausal women. Methods: The following electronic databases were searched from September to October 2015: PubMed, Web of Science, and Cochrane. Two different authors tabulated, independently, the selected indices in identical predetermined forms. The methodological quality of all randomized trial studies was evaluated according to the modified PEDro scale. In each trial, the effect size of the intervention was calculated by the difference between pre- and postintervention lean mass in WBVT postmenopausal women. For controlled trials, the effect size of the WBVT was also calculated by the difference in lean mass after the WBVT and in control participants. Results: Of the 189 articles found from the database search and all duplicates removed, 5 articles were analyzed. The lean mass of 112 postmenopausal women who performed either WBVT or a control protocol was evaluated. The methodological quality of the trials was high, where the mean score was 8 out of a possible 10 points. No significant improvements in lean mass with WBVT were found in postmenopausal women. In addition, there was no significant difference in lean mass between WBVT and control postmenopausal women. Conclusions: This meta-analysis demonstrated that WBVT alone may not be a sufficient stimulus to increase lean mass in postmenopausal women. Thus, additional complimentary training methods with WBVT are needed to increase muscle size in women with lower hormonal responses.

Heart rate variability to assess ventilatory thresholds in professional basketball players

Purpose The aim of this study was to determine if heart rate variability (HRV) during incremental test could be used to estimate ventilatory threshold (VT) in professional basketball players, with sufficient precision to be used in their training. Furthermore, the second aim was to analyse the association between HRV and 3 methods of VT determination by gas analysis. Methods Twenty-four professional basketball players (age: 23.4 ± 4.9 years; height: 195.4 ± 9.8 cm; body mass: 92.2 ± 11.9 kg) performed an incremental running test to exhaustion. First ventilatory threshold (VT1) was determined by ventilatory equivalent (VE) and HRV and second ventilatory threshold (VT2) was determined by 3 methods of gases analysis (V-slope, VE and gas exchange ratio (R), and HRV). Pearsons coefficient (r) was used to detect differences between data and the strength of each relationship. The mean of absolute differences and Bland–Altman analysis were used to evaluate whether there was agreement. Results The results showed no significant differences in HR and oxygen consumption (VO2) at VT1 between the 2 methods. Furthermore, no significant differences among the methods of gases analysis and HRV were observed in speed, HR, and VO2 at VT2. Moreover, VTs estimated using HRV and gas methods were significantly correlated. Correlation in HR values was higher between R and HRV (r = 0.96) and VE and HRV (r = 0.96) than V-slope and HRV (r = 0.90). Conclusion These findings provide a practical, inexpensive approach for evaluating specific training loads when determining VT2 in basketball players. Therefore, HRV is an alternative method to determine VT2 without the application of expensive technology that limits its use to laboratories.

Amateur endurance triathletes’ performance is improved independently of volume or intensity based training

The aim of the present research was to compare the effects in swimming and running performance, horizontal jump test, autonomic modulation, and body composition of four training weeks with emphasis on volume versus intensity in moderate trained triathletes. Thirty-two amateur triathletes (20 males and 12 females) were randomly divided in three different groups that performed 6 training session per week: Intensity (INT): training focused on performs intensity training Volume (VOL): training focused on performs volume training; and Control (CON): physical active group with no periodized training. Body composition, heart rate variability, horizontal jump test, swimming and 2000 m running test were tested before and after the training period. There were no significant differences between INT and VOL in running test. Furthermore, both INT and VOL training groups improved 50 m (p: 0.046 and 0.042 respectively) and 400 m (p: 0.044 and 0.041 respectively) swimming performance. Moreover, there were no significant differences among groups in any moment in HRV variables. No significant difference was observed for horizontal jump test and body composition between the INT and VOL group at any time. According to the results of the present study, four weeks of training with either high intensity or volume results to similar adaptations in endurance, horizontal jump test and body composition parameters in amateur triathletes.