Erica J. Roelofs

Muscle characteristics and body composition of NCAA division I football players

Abstract Melvin, MN, Smith-Ryan, AE, Wingfield, HL, Ryan, ED, Trexler, ET, and Roelofs, EJ. Muscle characteristics and body composition of NCAA Division I football players. J Strength Cond Res 28(12): 3320–3329, 2014—The purpose of this study was to examine muscle characteristics of the vastus lateralis (VL) and body composition of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I football players. Sixty-nine Division I football players (mean ± SD; age: 20.0 ± 1.1 years; height: 186.2 ± 7.0 cm; body mass: 106.3 ± 21.1 kg; %fat: 17.8 ± 4.6%) were stratified by player position, race, year, and starter status. A panoramic scan of the VL was performed using a GE Logiq-e B-mode ultrasound. Muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) and echo intensity (EI) were determined using Image-J software from the VL scan. Body composition measures were determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA). For mCSA, defensive linemen (DL: 46.7 ± 4.2 cm2) had significantly greater CSA (p ⩽ 0.05) than wide receivers (WR), linebackers (LB), defensive backs (DB), punters/kickers (PK), and running backs (RB). There were no significant differences for EI (p > 0.05) between positions. Offensive linemen and DL had significantly greater %fat than WR, LB, DB, PK, and RB (p ⩽ 0.05); greater lean mass than all other positions (p ⩽ 0.05); and more fat mass than quarterbacks, WR, LB, DB, PK, and RB (p ⩽ 0.05). There were no muscle or body composition differences for race, year, or starter status. Because no differences between positions were observed for EI measures, it may indicate that competitive athletes have increased muscle quality regardless of body composition differences. Ultrasound and DXA measures may be useful to identify muscle characteristics and imbalances if a player gains or loses weight, suffers an injury, or declines in performance.

Muscle size, quality, and body composition: characteristics of division I cross-country runners.

Abstract Roelofs, EJ, Smith-Ryan, AE, Melvin, MN, Wingfield, HL, Trexler, ET, and Walker, N. Muscle size, quality, and body composition: Characteristics of Division I cross-country runners. J Strength Cond Res 29(2): 290–296, 2015—The primary purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA), echo intensity (EI), and body composition of Division I cross-country runners. The secondary purpose was to examine differences in these variables in athletes stratified based on stress-fracture (SFx) history. Thirty-six athletes were stratified based on sex and SFx history. A panoramic scan vastus lateralis was performed using a GE Logiq-e B-mode ultrasound. Echo intensity and mCSA were determined from the scan using a grayscale imaging software (ImageJ). Body composition measures were determined using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. For females, mCSA was significantly correlated with left leg lean mass (LM; R = 0.54) and EI (R = −0.57). Lean mass was significantly correlated with bone mineral density (BMD; R = 0.58) and bone mineral content (BMC; R = 0.56), whereas BMC was also correlated with leg LM (R = 0.72). For males, mCSA was significantly correlated with leg LM (R = 0.66), BMD (R = 0.50), and BMC (R = 0.54). Leg LM was significantly correlated with BMD (R = 0.53) and BMC (R = 0.77). Personal best times for males were significantly correlated with fat mass (R = 0.489) and %fat (R = 0.556) for the 10- and 5-km races, respectively. Female and male athletes with a history of SFx were not significantly different across any variables when compared with athletes with no history. These correlations suggest that more muscle mass may associate with higher BMD and BMC for stronger bone structure. Modifications in training strategies to include heavy resistance training and plyometrics may be advantageous for preventing risk factors associated with SFx reoccurrence.

Evaluation of Muscle Quality Reliability and Racial Differences in Body Composition of Overweight Individuals

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability of ultrasound measures of muscle cross-sectional area (mCSA) and echo intensity (EI) in overweight subjects. A secondary purpose was to evaluate racial differences in EI, mCSA and body composition. In 33 overweight subjects, mCSA and EI were determined from a panoramic ultrasound scan of the vastus lateralis. Body composition was determined using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). Reliability of mCSA and EI was calculated from the intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC), standard error of the measurement (SEM) and minimal difference (MD). The ICC, SEM and MD for mCSA and EI were 0.87, 2.12, 5.89 and 0.74, 4.58, 12.69, respectively. There were no significant racial differences in body composition (p > 0.05); however, EI was significantly lower for black subjects (p = 0.018). These results suggest ultrasound measures of mCSA and EI are reliable in overweight subjects, and EI may provide additional muscle composition evaluations, beyond DXA measures.

Effects of pomegranate extract on blood flow and running time to exhaustion.

Recent research has shown that dietary nitrate has favorable effects on blood flow and exercise performance. The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study was to investigate the acute effects of pomegranate extract on blood flow, vessel diameter, and exercise performance in active individuals. Nineteen men and women (mean ± SD: age, 22.2 ± 2.2 years; height, 174.8 ± 10.7 cm; body mass, 71.9 ± 13.5 kg) were randomly assigned to a placebo (PL) or pomegranate extract (PE) group. Participants performed a maximal oxygen consumption treadmill test to determine peak velocity (PV). Participants returned after 24-48 h and ingested either PL or PE. Brachial artery blood flow was assessed using ultrasound at baseline and 30 min post-ingestion (30minPI). Three treadmill runs to exhaustion were performed at 90%, 100%, and 110% PV. Blood flow was assessed immediately after each exercise bout and 30 min postexercise (30minPEx). After a 7-10 day washout, participants repeated the same procedures, ingesting the opposite supplement. Separate repeated measures ANOVAs were performed for blood flow, vessel diameter, and time to exhaustion (TTE). Blood flow was significantly augmented (p = 0.033) 30minPI with PE in comparison with PL. Vessel diameter was significantly larger (p = 0.036) 30minPEx with PE. Ingestion of PE was found to significantly augment TTE at 90% (p = 0.009) and 100% PV (p = 0.027). Acute ingestion of PE 30 min before exercise may enhance vessel diameter and blood flow and delay fatigue during exercise. Results of the current study indicate that PE is ergogenic for intermittent running, eliciting beneficial effects on blood flow.

The acute effect of exercise modality and nutrition manipulations on post-exercise resting energy expenditure and respiratory exchange ratio in women: a randomized trial

Background The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of exercise modality and pre-exercise carbohydrate (CHO) or protein (PRO) ingestion on post-exercise resting energy expenditure (REE) and respiratory exchange ratio (RER) in women. Methods Twenty recreationally active women (mean ± SD; age 24.6 ± 3.9 years; height 164.4 ± 6.6 cm; weight 62.7 ± 6.6 kg) participated in this randomized, crossover, double-blind study. Each participant completed six exercise sessions, consisting of three exercise modalities: aerobic endurance exercise (AEE), high-intensity interval running (HIIT), and high-intensity resistance training (HIRT); and two acute nutritional interventions: CHO and PRO. Salivary samples were collected before each exercise session to determine estradiol-β-17 and before and after to quantify cortisol. Post-exercise REE and RER were analyzed via indirect calorimetry at the following: baseline, immediately post (IP), 30 minutes (30 min) post, and 60 minutes (60 min) post exercise. A mixed effects linear regression model, controlling for estradiol, was used to compare mean longitudinal changes in REE and RER. Results On average, HIIT produced a greater REE than AEE and HIRT (p < 0.001) post exercise. Effects of AEE and HIRT were not significantly different for post-exercise REE (p = 0.1331). On average, HIIT produced lower RER compared to either AEE or HIRT after 30 min (p < 0.001 and p = 0.0169, respectively) and compared to AEE after 60 min (p = 0.0020). On average, pre-exercise PRO ingestion increased post-exercise REE (p = 0.0076) and decreased post-exercise RER (p < 0.0001) compared to pre-exercise CHO ingestion. Conclusion HIIT resulted in the largest increase in REE and largest reduction in RER. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40798-015-0010-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Body Composition, Muscle Quality and Scoliosis in Female Collegiate Gymnasts: A Pilot Study

Research has demonstrated an elevated prevalence of body weight concerns and scoliosis among female gymnasts. The purpose of the current pilot study was to evaluate the utility of ultrasonography and dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) as practical imaging modalities to measure body composition and spinal curvature variables that may correlate with performance in female collegiate gymnasts (n=15). DXA was used to evaluate body composition and lateral spinal curvature, utilizing a modified Ferguson method. Echo intensity (EI) and cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vastus lateralis were determined from a panoramic cross-sectional ultrasound image. For returning athletes (n=9), performance scores from the previous season were averaged to quantify performance. The average performance score was correlated with lean mass of the arms (R=0.714; P=0.03) and right leg (R=0.680; P=0.04). Performance was not correlated with total mass, fat mass or body fat percentage (P>0.10). Scoliosis was identified in 3 of 15 scans (20%). Echo intensity and CSA of the vastus lateralis were inversely correlated with each other (R=-0.637, P=0.01), but not with other measures of body composition or performance. Results suggest that limb LBM may be a determinant of gymnastics performance, and DXA may provide important health and performance-related information for female collegiate gymnasts.

Effects of pomegranate extract on blood flow and vessel diameter after high-intensity exercise in young, healthy adults

Abstract The effects of pomegranate extract (PE) supplementation were evaluated on high-intensity exercise performance, blood flow, vessel diameter, oxygen saturation (SPO2), heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP). In a randomized, crossover design, nineteen recreationally resistance-trained participants were randomly assigned to PE (1000 mg) or placebo (PL), which were consumed 30 min prior to a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test and repetitions to fatigue (RTF) on bench and leg press. The RSA consisted of ten six-second sprints on a friction-loaded cycle ergometer with 30 s recovery. Brachial artery blood flow and vessel diameter were assessed by ultrasound. Blood flow, vessel diameter, SPO2, HR, and BP were assessed at baseline, 30 min post ingestion, immediately post exercise (IPost), and 30 min post exercise (30minPost). With PE, blood flow significantly increased IPost RSA (mean difference = 18.49 mL min−1; P < .05), and IPost and 30minPost RTF (P < .05) according to confidence intervals (CI). Vessel diameter increased significantly 30minPost RSA according to CI and resulted in a significant interaction IPost and 30minPost RTF (P < .05). With PE, according to CI, average and peak power output increased significantly in sprint 5 of the RSA (P < .05). There was no significant difference between PE and PL for bench (P = .25) or leg press (P = .15) repetitions. Acute PE supplementation enhanced vessel diameter and blood flow, suggesting possible exercise performance enhancement from increased delivery of substrates and oxygen. The acute timing and capsule form of PE may be advantageous to athletic populations due to ergogenic effects, taste, and convenience.

Effects of Coffee and Caffeine Anhydrous Intake During Creatine Loading

Abstract Trexler, ET, Smith-Ryan, AE, Roelofs, EJ, Hirsch, KR, Persky, AM, and Mock, MG. Effects of coffee and caffeine anhydrous intake during creatine loading. J Strength Cond Res 30(5): 1438–1446, 2016—The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of 5 days of creatine (CRE) loading alone or in combination with caffeine anhydrous (CAF) or coffee (COF) on upper-body and lower-body strength and sprint performance. Physically active males (n = 54; mean ± SD; age = 20.1 ± 2.1 years; weight = 78.8 ± 8.8 kg) completed baseline testing, consisting of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) and repetitions to fatigue with 80% 1RM for bench press and leg press, followed by a repeated sprint test of five, 10-second sprints separated by 60-second rest on a cycle ergometer to determine peak power (PP) and total power (TP). At least 72 hours later, subjects were randomly assigned to supplement with CRE (5 g of CRE monohydrate, 4 times per day; n = 14), CRE + CAF (CRE +300 mg·d−1 of CAF; n = 13), CRE + COF (CRE +8.9 g of COF, yielding 303 mg of CAF; n = 13), or placebo (PLA; n = 14) for 5 days. Serum creatinine (CRN) was measured before and after supplementation, and on day 6, participants repeated pretesting procedures. Strength measures were improved in all groups (p ⩽ 0.05), with no significant time × treatment interactions. No significant interaction or main effects were observed for PP. For TP, a time × sprint interaction was observed (p ⩽ 0.05), with no significant interactions among treatment groups. A time × treatment interaction was observed for serum CRN values (p ⩽ 0.05) that showed increases in all groups except PLA. Four subjects reported mild gastrointestinal discomfort with CRE + CAF, with no side effects reported in other groups. These findings suggest that neither CRE alone nor in combination with CAF or COF significantly affected performance compared with PLA.

Body Composition and Muscle Characteristics of Division I Track and Field Athletes.

Abstract Hirsch, KR, Smith-Ryan, AE, Trexler, ET, and Roelofs, EJ. Body composition and muscle characteristics of division I track and field athletes. J Strength Cond Res 30(5): 1231–1238, 2016—The purpose of this study was to evaluate event-specific body composition and muscle characteristics of track and field athletes and to assess body composition changes after 1 year. Sixty collegiate track and field athletes (mean ± SD; age = 19.2 ± 1.4 years, height = 174.6 ± 9.0 cm, and weight = 71.5 ± 12.5 kg) were stratified into 6 event groups. Total and regional body composition measurements were assessed using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. A panoramic scan of the vastus lateralis was taken with B-mode ultrasound to determine muscle cross-sectional area and echo intensity (EI). Body composition measurements were repeated a year later in a subset of returning athletes (n = 33). Throwers had significantly more absolute fat mass (FM; 21.6 ± 11.0 kg), total body mass (89.7 ± 17.4 kg), percent fat (23.6 ± 7.8), and trunk fat (9.4 ± 5.8 kg) than all other event groups (p ⩽ 0.05). Throwers had the most absolute lean mass (LM; 64.2 ± 11.7 kg; p > 0.05), but relative to body mass had relatively less LM (0.72 ± 0.08 kg; p ⩽ 0.05). Despite high FM, throwers had lower EI (63.4 ± 5.2 a.u). After 1 year, relative armLM increased slightly in all event groups (p ⩽ 0.05). Evaluation of muscle characteristics in addition to total and regional body composition may be valuable for improving performance, injury prevention, and assessing health risks. With appropriate training, track and field athletes may be able to minimize losses in LM and gains in FM between seasons.

Cordyceps militaris Improves Tolerance to High-Intensity Exercise After Acute and Chronic Supplementation

ABSTRACT To determine the effects of a mushroom blend containing Cordyceps militaris on high-intensity exercise after 1 and 3 weeks of supplementation. Twenty-eight individuals (Mean ± standard deviation [SD]; Age = 22.7 ± 4.1 yrs; Height = 175.4 ± 8.7 cm; Weight = 71.6 ± 12.0 kg) participated in this randomized, repeated measures, double-blind, placebo-controlled design. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), time to exhaustion (TTE), and ventilatory threshold (VT) were measured during a maximal graded exercise test on a cycle ergometer. Relative peak power output (RPP), average power output (AvgP), and percent drop (%drop) were recorded during a 3 minute maximal cycle test with resistance at 4.5% body weight. Subjects consumed 4 g·d−1 mushroom blend (MR) or maltodextrin (PL) for 1 week. Ten volunteers supplemented for an additional 2 weeks. Exercise tests were separated by at least 48 hours and repeated following supplementation periods. One week of supplementation elicited no significant time × treatment interaction for VO2max (p = 0.364), VT (p = 0.514), TTE (p = 0.540), RPP (p = 0.134), AvgP (p = 0.398), or %drop (p = 0.823). After 3 weeks, VO2max significantly improved (p = 0.042) in MR (+4.8 ml·kg−1·min−1), but not PL (+0.9 ml·kg−1·min−1). Analysis of 95% confidence intervals revealed significant improvements in TTE after 1- (+28.1 s) and 3 weeks (+69.8 s) in MR, but not PL, with additional improvements in VO2max (+4.8 ml·kg−1·min−1) and VT (+0.7 l·min−1) after 3 weeks. Acute supplementation with a Cordyceps militaris containing mushroom blend may improve tolerance to high-intensity exercise; greater benefits may be elicited with consistent chronic supplementation.