Ewa Jówko

Creatine and β-hydroxy-β-methylbutyrate (HMB) additively increase lean body mass and muscle strength during a weight-training program

We investigated whether creatine (CR) and beta-hydroxy-beta-methylbutyrate (HMB) act by similar or different mechanisms to increase lean body mass (LBM) and strength in humans undergoing progressive resistance-exercise training. In this double-blind, 3-wk study, subjects (n = 40) were randomized to placebo (PL; n = 10), CR (20.0 g of CR/d for 7 d followed by 10.0 g of CR/d for 14 d; n = 11), HMB (3.0 g of HMB/d; n = 9), or CR-and-HMB (CR/HMB; n = 10) treatment groups. Over 3 wk, all subjects gained LBM, which was assessed by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The CR, HMB and CR/HMB groups gained 0.92, 0.39, and 1.54 kg of LBM, respectively, over the placebo group, with a significant effect with CR supplementation (main effect P = 0.05) and a trend with HMB supplementation (main effect P = 0.08). These effects were additive because there was no interaction between CR and HMB (CR x HMB main effect P = 0.73). Across all exercises, HMB, CR, and CR/HMB supplementation caused accumulative strength increases of 37.5, 39.1, and 51.9 kg, respectively, above the placebo group. The exercise-induced rise in serum creatine phosphokinase was markedly suppressed with HMB supplementation (main effect P = 0.01). However, CR supplementation antagonized the HMB effects on serum creatine phosphokinase (CR x HMB interactive effect P = 0.04). Urine urea nitrogen and plasma urea were not affected by CR supplementation, but both decreased with HMB supplementation (HMB effect P < 0.05), suggesting a nitrogen-sparing effect. In summary, CR and HMB can increase LBM and strength, and the effects are additive. Although not definitive, these results suggest that CR and HMB act by different mechanisms.

Green tea extract supplementation gives protection against exercise-induced oxidative damage in healthy men.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a long-term (4-week) green tea extract (GTE) supplementation in combination with strength training on selected blood markers of oxidative stress and muscular damage after a short-term exercise in previously untrained men. We hypothesized that GTE supplementation would elevate antioxidant potential and attenuate exercise-induced oxidative stress and muscular damage. Thirty-five male students were exposed to 4 weeks of strength training and received (in a randomized, double-blind design) GTE (n = 17; 640 mg polyphenols/d) or placebo (P; n = 18). Before (term I) and after 4 weeks of strength training and supplementation (term II), students performed a short-term muscular endurance test. Blood samples were collected at rest, 5 minutes after the muscular endurance test, and after 24 hours of recovery. Supplementation with GTE enhanced plasma total polyphenols at rest and 5 minutes after the muscular endurance test. Supplementation also contributed to the rise of resting total antioxidant status in plasma. Throughout the experiment (terms I and II), a reduction in plasma lipid hydroxyperoxides was observed 24 hours after the muscular endurance test. Four weeks of strength training resulted in an increase in plasma lipid hydroxyperoxides at rest, but only in the P group. In term I, the muscular endurance test induced an increase in activity of creatine kinase in plasma after 24 hours of recovery in both the P and GTE groups. In term II, plasma creatine kinase activity after 24 hours of recovery was elevated only in the P group. In conclusion, in previously untrained men, dietary supplementation with GTE (in combination with strength training) enhances the antioxidant defense system in plasma at rest and, in turn, may give protection against oxidative damage induced by both short-term muscular endurance test and long-term strength training.

SOD2 gene polymorphism and response of oxidative stress parameters in young wrestlers to a three-month training

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of Val 16Ala polymorphism in SOD2 gene on oxidative stress parameters and lipid profile of the blood during a three-month wrestling training. The study included 53 Polish young wrestlers. Blood samples were collected at the beginning of the programme and following three months of the training. The list of analysed parameters included erythrocyte and serum activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), whole blood glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, total glutathione (tGSH) level, concentration of lipid hydroperoxides (LHs), total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and creatine kinase (CK) activity in the serum, as well as lipid profile parameters: triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high-density (HDL-C), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Three-month training resulted in a decrease in CK activity, an increase in serum SOD activity, as well as in unfavourable changes in serum lipid profile: an increase in TC, LDL-C, and TG, and a decrease in HDL-C. Aside from CK activity, all these changes seemed to be associated with presence of Val allele. Prior to the training programme, subjects with Ala/Ala genotype presented with lower levels of LHs, lower whole blood GPx activity, and lower serum concentrations of TC than the individuals with Ala/Val genotype. Both prior to and after three-month training, higher levels of tGSH were observed in Val/Val genotype as compared to Ala/Val genotype carriers. Moreover, multiple regression analysis demonstrated that SOD2 genotype was a significant predictor of pre-training whole blood GPx activity and erythrocyte SOD activity (Val/Val > Ala/Val > Ala/Ala). Altogether, these findings suggest that Val 16Ala polymorphism in SOD2 gene contributes to individual variability in oxidative stress status and lipid profile of the blood in young wrestlers, and may modulate biochemical response to training.

Selected Coordination Motor Abilities of Students of the University of Physical Education During Survival Training

Abstract Introduction. Taking up emergency actions when fighting various types of natural disasters requires appropriate psychophysical preparation. Thanks to the development of technique, coordination motor abilities have gained greater importance than physical strength and endurance in such activities. The purpose of the present work was to assess the impact of 36 hours of survival activities and sleep deprivation on selected coordination motor abilities in students of the University of Physical Education. Material and methods. The study involved 12 male students of the University of Physical Education in Warsaw, specialising in “Physical Education in Uniformed Services”. The age of the participants was 21.0 ± 0.74 years, their body height was 179.5 ± 5.6 cm, and their body mass was 74.6 ± 8.0 kg. The assessment was performed based on the following coordination motor ability tests: a test measuring the differentiation of the use of forearm muscle strength, a running motor adjustment test, and a measurement of divided attention. A test involving shooting from a pneumatic gun and a measurement of the maximal force of the forearm were also carried out. Tests and trials were conducted before training (P1), after 24 hours of training (P2), after completing the training - that is after 36 hours of training (P3), and after 12 hours of rest (P4). During the training, the participants completed 12 km on foot, paddled for approximately 6 hours, rowed kayaks for about 4 hours, and performed survival tasks. Results. The analysis of the results of the study of maximal force and the ability to differentiate forearm muscle strength showed that the forearm muscle strength remained at the same level during the entire training. The ability to differentiate forearm muscle strength deteriorated after night training. There were no statistically significant differences in the results of the running motor adjustment tests and in shooting performance between individual measurements. Conclusions. Participation in long-term survival training with very low intensity, combined with sleep deprivation, caused a temporary deterioration in the ability to differentiate forearm muscle strength. This may indicate that people involved in rescue operations during which the psychophysical load is small will be able to perform tasks correctly for a long time.

Effects of Rhodiola rosea supplementation on mental performance, physical capacity, and oxidative stress biomarkers in healthy men

Purpose The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of chronic Rhodiola rosea (R. rosea) supplementation on mental and physical performance, as well as hormonal and oxidative stress biomarkers. Methods Twenty-six healthy male students received either R. rosea extract (600 mg/day; RR) or placebo (PL) in a randomized double-blind trial. Prior to supplementation (Term I) and following 4 weeks of supplementation (Term II), the students underwent psychomotor tests for simple and choice reaction time, included in the Vienna Test System. Also, the subjects performed VO2peak test. Blood samples were obtained before and after the test to measure the hormonal profile (cortisol, testosterone, and growth hormone), as well as the biomarkers of oxidative stress (lipid hydroperoxides, total antioxidant capacity, and superoxide dismutase) and muscle damage (creatine kinase). Results R. rosea ingestion shortened reaction time and total response time. Moreover, a greater relative increase in the number of correct responses was observed in RR group as compared to the PL group. No changes in endurance exercise capacity and hormonal profile were observed after R. rosea ingestion. R. rosea ingestion raised plasma total antioxidant capacity. It did not, however, affect other measured parameters. Conclusion Chronic R. rosea ingestion does not affect physical performance, but can improve the results of some psychomotor tests (simple and choice reaction time) in young, healthy, and physically active men. The improvements in mental performance, however, at least in our study, seem not to be related to changes in cortisol release or antioxidant activity of R. rosea extract. Thus, the specific mechanisms responsible for these effects still need to be elucidated.

THE EFFECTS OF SWIMMING AND DRY-LAND RESISTANCE TRAINING PROGRAMME ON NON-SWIMMERS

Abstract Introduction. The aim of the study was to estimate the influence of combined swimming and dry-land resistance training on swimming force, swimming performance and strength in non-swimmers. Material and methods. Thirty male non-swimmers took part in the research. They were randomly assigned to one of the two groups: experimental (n=17) and control (n=13). The experimental group took part in combined swimming and dry-land resistance training. The control group took part in swimming training only. The swimming and dry-land resistance training programme lasted twelve weeks (48 training sessions of swimming and 36 sessions of dry-land resistance training). Average training volume and intensity were the same for all swimmers throughout the study protocol. The training programme included dominant aerobic work in front crawl. Results. Dry-land resistance training applied in the experimental group significantly improved the upper body strength. In spite of the theory that dry-land strength training is probably not specific enough to improve the sprint swim performance, the experimental group tended to demonstrate greater improvement in sprint performance. The imitation of the underwater phase of shoulder work during front crawl provided by the ergometer can be a useful training method in non-swimmers.

Hormonal and Metabolic Response in Middle-Aged Women to Moderate Physical Effort During Aerobics

Charmas, M, Opaszowski, BH, Charmas, R, Różańska, D, Jówko, E, Sadowski, J, and Dorofeyeva, L. Hormonal and metabolic response in middle-aged women to moderate physical effort during aerobics. J Strength Cond Res 23(3): 954-961, 2009-The aim of this study is to estimate the metabolic and hormone response in middle-aged women to acute physical aerobic exercise accompanied by music, the so-called “aerobics.” The experiment (single 60-minute aerobics session) included 11 women aged between 30 and 50. The following variables were determined in blood samples collected from the participants four times (in fasting state [I], before exercise [II], after exercise [III], and after 12 hours of rest [IV]): concentration of lactic acid, glucose, free fatty acids, leptin, insulin, growth hormone, testosterone, and cortisol. Furthermore, the measurements included body mass before and after the exercise, and body temperature was taken in the auditory canal and on the forehead. The heart rate was registered during the exercise on a continuous basis. In all cases, the heart rate did not reach its maximum level, and on average, it amounted to approximately 70% of the maximum pulse rate. Therefore, this effort can be considered as submaximal. In all cases, we observed loss of body mass (from 0.2 to 0.7 kg) (p > 0.02) increase in the temperature measured on forehead. Significantly, accompanied by nonsignificant increase in the temperature measured on the tympanic membrane was registered. Single loading gives rise to change in hormone and metabolic profiles. Furthermore, a decrease in blood concentration of glucose before and after aerobics (p > 0.001) could be observed, and if the determination taken at measurement IV of glucose in blood is taken into consideration, then the value taken in measurement I is significantly the highest in relation to other measurements. Concentration of free fatty acids were increased (p > 0.002) after exercise and remained on the same level until the following day. The levels of insulin were significantly decreased, but growth hormone levels were increased. The exercise had no impact on testosterone concentration, whereas average blood concentration of leptin in the successive measurements showed a decreasing trend, although these changes are not statistically significant. Our observations provide the possibly full view of the physiologic reaction to the applied program of complex physical exercise accompanied by music, supporting the exercises rhythm. The research program presented requires further investigation, e.g., what is the recommended frequency of the exercises applied on a weekly basis, and when should the intensity of the same increase.

Low-Level Laser Therapy and the Recovery of Muscle Function After a Single Session of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation: A Crossover Trial

Abstract Introduction. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is applied in muscle atrophy and in muscle strength and endurance training in athletes. Muscle soreness and temporary reduction in muscle strength may occur as adverse effects. Laser therapy has been used as a method of counteracting delayed onset muscle soreness following volitional exercise, but not following electrical stimulation. The aim of the study was to determine whether low-level laser therapy applied prior to electrical stimulation accelerates the recovery of muscle strength and decreases the duration and intensity of muscle soreness at rest after intensive isometric neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps femoris muscle. Material and methods. A randomised crossover trial was carried out on 24 healthy, recreationally active men aged 22-24 years. Low-level laser therapy or sham laser therapy was applied prior to a single session of neuromuscular electrical stimulation of the quadriceps femoris muscle with typical technical and training-related parameters. Irradiations were performed immediately prior to and shortly after electrical stimulation as well as 24, 48, 72, and 96 hours after this procedure. Muscle soreness was examined using the VAS scale in the same time periods. Quadriceps moments of force were recorded with the use of a Biodex 4 Pro device during maximum voluntary static contraction and during electrical stimulation that triggered a tetanic contraction of the quadriceps femoris muscle reaching the level of maximum tolerance. Results. No significant differences were noted in the severity of quadriceps soreness and in the magnitude of the decrease in the moments of force of maximum voluntary contractions after stimulation preceded by laser therapy and that preceded by sham irradiations. Conclusions. In the group studied, laser therapy applied before single electrical stimulation with typical parameters did not bring about a faster recovery of muscle strength or a more rapid decrease in soreness than sham laser therapy used prior to electrical stimulation. Further research on larger groups of subjects with the application of various procedures as well as research on training programmes is needed.

Effects of a 36-h Survival Training with Sleep Deprivation on Oxidative Stress and Muscle Damage Biomarkers in Young Healthy Men

The aim of this study was to analyze changes in oxidative stress and muscle damage markers during a 36-h survival training combined with sleep deprivation. The study included 23 male students of physical education (specialty: Physical Education for Uniformed Services), randomly divided into the survival or control group. The students in the survival group completed a 36-h survival training with moderate to low physical activity, without the possibility to sleep. The students in the control group performed only physical activity included in daily routines and had a normal sleep pattern. No significant changes in measured parameters were seen in the control group throughout the study period. In the survival group, plasma lipid hydroperoxides (LHs) and creatine kinase (CK) activity increased at 24 h and remained elevated up to 36 h (main effects for LHs: time, p = 0.006 and group × time, p = 0.00008; main effects for CK: time, p = 0.000001, group, p = 0.005, and group × time, p = 0.000001). A 12-h recovery was sufficient to normalize both LHs and CK to the pre-training level; in fact, the post-recovery LHs and CK levels were even lower than at baseline. Residual total antioxidant capacity (TAC) of plasma (without the major constituents: uric acid and albumin) was elevated at both 24 h and 36 h of survival training, but not following a 12-h recovery (main effects: group, p = 0.001 and group × time, p = 0.04). In turn, the activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx) in whole blood and superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocytes decreased between 24 h and 36 h of survival training (main group effect for GPx, p = 0.038 and SOD, p = 0.045). In conclusion, these findings imply that a 36-h survival training with sleep deprivation impairs enzymatic antioxidant defense, increases lipid peroxidation, and induces muscle damage. Our findings also indicate that at least in the case of young physically active men, a 12-h recovery after the 36-h period of physical activity with sleep deprivation may be sufficient for the normalization of oxidative and muscle damage markers and restoration of blood prooxidant-antioxidant homeostasis.

SOD2 gene polymorphism may modulate biochemical responses to a 12-week swimming training

Abstract The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of SOD2 Val16Ala polymorphism on blood biochemical response to chronic swimming training. Healthy men (students of physical education) participated in a swimming training program (ST group) or served as a control group (CON group). The swimming training program lasted 12 weeks (1.5 h per day; 4 days per week). Fasting blood samples were obtained prior to (pre) and after (post) a 12‐week study period, to measure the biomarkers of oxidative stress, muscle damage and lipid profile. No significant changes in the study parameters were documented in CON group after a 12‐week study period, either overall or among carriers of specific SOD2 Val16Ala genotypes. In ST group, post‐training decrease in serum lipid hydroperoxides (p < 0.05) and creatine kinase activity (p < 0.05) was associated with Ala/Ala genotype of SOD2 Val16Ala polymorphism. In turn, the increase in serum activity of superoxide dismutase (p < 0.05) was associated with Val carriers, and Val/Val genotype additionally predisposed to the post‐training increase in total glutathione level in whole blood (p < 0.05). Moreover, in ST group, a 12‐week swimming training program induced an increase in serum concentration of total cholesterol (p < 0.05), which resulted from an increase in both high density (p < 0.05) and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (p < 0.05). The change in high density lipoprotein cholesterol level was irrespective of the genotype. Also, a tendency to post‐training increase in both total and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was observed in all three genotypes, although these changes were significant solely in Ala/Val genotype carriers (p < 0.05). In conclusion, 12‐week swimming training induces changes in oxidative stress and muscle damage parameters, as well as in lipid profile. These changes seem to be associated with the presence of SOD2 Val16Ala polymorphism. Presence of Ala allele, especially as homozygote, is associated with some beneficial post‐training changes, such as a decrease in lipid peroxidation and less pronounced muscle damage. In turn, the influence of SOD2 Val16Ala polymorphism on the changes in lipid profile in response to chronic swimming training should be verified in further study. Graphical abstract No caption available. HighlightsChronic swimming training induces changes in oxidative stress and lipid profile.The changes are related to the presence of SOD2 Val16Ala polymorphism.Ala/Ala genotype is associated with a decrease in lipid peroxidation and muscle damage.