Jeffery S. Staab

Validity of an anthropometric estimate of thigh muscle cross-sectional area

This study examined the validity of an anthropometric estimate of thigh muscle cross-sectional area using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The anthropometric model assumed that a cross section of the thigh could be represented as a circle with concentric circular layers of fat-plus-skin, muscle, and bone tissue. On 18 healthy, active men and women (mean +/- SD age = 23 +/- 5 yr), total thigh circumference (CT) was measured with a fiberglass tape, fat-plus-skin thickness was measured over the quadriceps (SQ) using calipers, and the distance across the medial and lateral femoral epicondyle (dE) was measured with calipers. Direct measurements of each tissue were obtained by planimetry of an MRI image taken at the same site as the circumference and skinfolds. Thigh muscle cross-sectional area (AM) was estimated as follows: [equation: see text] Mean +/- SD AM from MRI and anthropometry were 121.9 +/- 35.1 cm2 and 149.1 +/- 34.1 cm2 (r = 0.96, SEE = 10.1 cm2), respectively. Errors in the anthropometric approximations of AM were due to an overestimate of the total thigh cross-sectional area and an underestimate of fat-plus-skin compartment. Because of the close relationship between MRI and anthropometric estimates of AM, zero-intercept regression was used to produce the following final equation, applicable for use in populations studies of young, healthy, active men and women: [equation: see text]

Metabolic and performance responses to uphill and downhill running in distance runners

Distance running performance is slower on hilly race courses than flat courses even when the start and finish are at the same elevation, resulting in equal amounts of uphill and downhill running. The physiological mechanism limiting performance on these courses is not known. We examined the effects of uphills and downhills with 11 trained male distance runners running three 30 min self-paced competitive races on a treadmill. Race courses consisted of five, 6 min stages. Percent grades were: course A (0, 0, 0, 0, 0), course B (0, +5, 0, -5, 0) and course C (0, -5, 0, +5, 0). Pace, oxygen consumption (VO2), heart rate (HR), blood lactate (LA), and rating of perceived exertion (RPE) did not change significantly (P greater than 0.05) over stages on the control course A. Pace changed inversely with percent grade on courses B and C. The increase in downhill running pace was inadequate to maintain a level VO2 during the race. LA increased on the uphill stages even though running pace decreased. The running paces for courses B and C were slower (P less than 0.05) than course A by 2.8% and 2.4%, respectively. Runners do not maintain constant energy expenditure when racing on hilly courses. Lactate accumulated on uphill stages even though pace decreased. Running pace increased on downhills but not enough to maintain a constant VO2.

Exercise-induced insulin-like growth factor I system concentrations after training in women.

INTRODUCTION This study examined the effects of short-term physical training on the acute hormonal response (i.e., growth hormone, total and free insulin-like growth factor I [IGF-I], and IGF binding proteins [IGFBP]-1, IGFBP-2, and IGFBP-3) to resistance exercise (RE) in women. METHODS Forty-six women (20.3 ± 0.3 yr, mass = 64.1 ± 7.3 kg, height = 165.7 ± 1.0 cm) were randomly assigned to an endurance training (E), resistance training (R), combined training (R + E), or control (C) group for 8wk. Subjects completed a standardized bout of RE (six sets of back squats at 10 repetition maximum) before and after training. Blood samples were obtained at rest (PRE), after the third set, immediately postexercise (POST), and at 15 min and 30 min after exercise. RESULTS Acute RE significantly increased (P < 0.05) serum growth hormone (mean ± SD; change from PRE to POST = +10.9 ± 7.5 μg·L-1), total IGF-I (+66.1 ± 25.4 μg·L-1), IGFBP-1 (+2.5 ± 3.1 μg·L-1), IGFBP-2 (+86.0 ± 86.8 μg·L-1), and IGFBP-3 (+0.69 ± 0.25 mg·L-1) concentrations and decreased free IGF-I concentrations (-0.14 ± 0.21 μg·L-1). After 8 wk of training, total IGF-I concentrations were significantly increased (change in POST concentrations from week 0 to week 8 = +82.5 ± 120.8 μg·L-1), and IGFBP-1 concentrations were significantly decreased (-6.7 ± 13.6 μg·L-1) during exercise in groups that participated in resistance training (R and R + E); no significant changes were seen after E or C. CONCLUSIONS Participation in resistance training increased total IGF-I and reduced IGFBP-1 concentrations during acute RE, indicating exercise mode-specific adaptations in the circulating IGF-I system.

Circulating bioactive and immunoreactive IGF-I remain stable in women, despite physical fitness improvements after 8 weeks of resistance, aerobic, and combined exercise training

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is regulated by a number of IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs) and proteases that influence IGF-I bioactivity. A specific IGF-I kinase receptor activation assay (KIRA) has been developed that determines the ability of IGF-I to activate the IGF-I receptor by quantification of intracellular receptor autophosphorylation on IGF-I binding. KIRA-assessed IGF-I bioactivity has not been utilized within the context of chronic exercise training paradigms. This study measured total and free immunoreactive IGF-I, bioactive IGF-I, and IGFBP-1, -2, and -3 before (Pre), during (Mid), and after (Post) 8 wk of exercise training in young, healthy women, who were randomized into one of four groups: control (n = 10), resistance (n = 18), aerobic (n = 13), and combined (n = 15) exercise training. The training programs were effective in improving physical fitness specific to the exercise mode engaged in: increases were observed for lean mass ( approximately 2%), aerobic fitness (6-7%), and upper (20-24%) and lower (15-48%) body strength (all P values < 0.05). By contrast, no time, group, or interaction effects were observed for the circulating IGF-I system, as immunoreactive total (Pre = 264 +/- 16 microg/l; Mid = 268 +/- 17 microg/l; Post = 271 +/- 17 microg/l), free (Pre = 0.70 +/- 0.1 microg/l; Mid = 0.63 +/- 0.1 microg/l; Post = 0.63 +/- 0.2 microg/l) and bioactive (Pre = 2.35 +/- 0.3 microg/l; Mid = 2.25 +/- 0.3 microg/l; Post = 2.33 +/- 0.3 microg/l) IGF-I were unchanged throughout the study. All IGFBP measures were also unchanged. We conclude that increased lean mass, aerobic fitness, and upper and lower body strength resulting from an 8-wk exercise training programs can occur without concomitant increases in either circulating bioactive or immunoreactive IGF-I, as well as associated IGFBPs. In terms of reflecting positive anabolic neuromuscular outcomes, these data do not support a role for endocrine-derived IGF-I.

Recovery of Endocrine and Inflammatory Mediators Following an Extended Energy Deficit

CONTEXT Due to current operational requirements, elite soldiers deploy quickly after completing arduous training courses. Therefore, it is imperative that endocrine and inflammatory mediators have fully recovered. OBJECTIVE Our objective was to determine whether a short-term (2-6 wk) recovery period was sufficient to restore endocrine and inflammatory homeostasis after sustained energy deficit. DESIGN Before and immediately after the course, serum concentrations of inflammatory and endocrine markers were taken along with anthropometric measures prior to and immediately after the Army Ranger course. In addition, nine soldiers were assessed between 2 and 6 weeks after the course. SETTING This research occurred in a field setting during an intensive 8-week military training course characterized by high-energy expenditure, energy restriction, and sleep deprivation (U.S. Army Ranger School). PARTICIPANTS Twenty-three male soldiers (23.0 ± 2.8 y; 177.6 ± 7.9 cm; 81.0 ± 9.6 kg, 16.8 ± 3.9% body fat) participated in this study. INTERVENTIONS There were no interventions used in this research. OUTCOME MEASURES AND RESULTS Significant changes occurred in circulating total testosterone (-70%), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (-33%), total IGF-1 (-38.7%), free IGF-1 (-41%), IGF binding protein (IGFBP-6; -23.4%), sex-hormone binding globulin (+46%), thyroid stimulating hormone (+85%), IGFBP-1 (+534.4%), IGFBP-2 (+98.3%), IGFBP-3 (+14.7%), IL-4 (+135%), IL-6 (+217%), and IL-8 (+101%). Significant changes in body mass (-8%), bicep (-14%), forearm (-5%), thigh (-7%), and calf (-2%) circumferences, sum of skinfolds (-52%), and percentage body fat (-54%). All anthropometric, inflammatory, and hormonal values, except T3, were restored to baseline levels within 2-6 weeks after the course. CONCLUSIONS Endocrine markers and anthropometric measures were degraded, and inflammatory mediators increased after an extended energy deficit. A short-term recovery of 2-6 weeks was sufficient to restore these mediators.

Effects of acute caloric restriction compared to caloric balance on the temporal response of the IGF-I system.

OBJECTIVE Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a key regulator of metabolism during altered energy states. The IGF-I system components respond to prolonged caloric restriction but it is not clear if this system responds similarly to acute caloric restriction. The purpose of this study was to characterize the IGF-I system response to acute caloric restriction with a secondary purpose of determining if two isocaloric diets with different ratios of carbohydrate to fat alter the IGF-I system under conditions of caloric balance. MATERIALS/METHODS A double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design was used in which 27 subjects underwent three, 48-h experimental treatments: 1) caloric restriction 2) carbohydrate and 3) carbohydrate/fat. Blood was sampled periodically (6 time points total) for IGF-I (total and free), IGFBPs1-4, insulin and glucose. ANOVAs were used with significance set at P<0.05. RESULTS Total IGF-I decreased 7% during CR (P=0.051) and remained stable during CHO and CHO/F. Free IGF-I decreased 43% during CR (P<0.05) and remained stable during CHO and CHO/F. IGFBP-1 increased by 445% during CR (P<0.05) compared to CHO and CHO/F with no changes for IGFBP-2, IGFBP-3 and IGFBP-4. There was no change in glucose or insulin during CR over the course of the study. Insulin and glucose increased (P<0.05) after a meal in both the CHO and CHO/F groups with no difference between these two groups. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that free IGF-I decreases and IGFBP-1 increases during caloric restriction, but they are not altered with diets differing in carbohydrate and fat content. Changes in free IGF-I and IGFBP-1 are sensitive to caloric restriction, and their measurement may be valuable in monitoring the physiological response to refeeding in those consuming suboptimal calories.

Effects of Acute and Chronic Exercise on Disulfide-Linked Growth Hormone Variants

PURPOSE To test the hypothesis that the appearance of disulfide-linked growth hormone (GH) aggregates during and after an acute resistance exercise test (ARET) in men could be influenced by chronic physical training. METHODS Fourteen men (28 +/- 1 yr) underwent two different 8-wk physical training programs designed to improve military performance. Before and after chronic training, subjects performed an ARET (six sets of 10 repetition-maximum squat) and had venous blood drawn pre-, mid-, and post-ARET (0, 15, and 30 min postexercise). To determine whether GH molecules were disulfide-linked, serum samples were chemically reduced via glutathione (GSH). Serum immunoreactive GH (IRGH) and immunofunctional GH (IFGH) concentrations were determined using two specific immunoassays, in nonreduced (-GSH) and reduced (+GSH) states. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. RESULTS No differences were observed in the GH responses of the two training programs; therefore, training group data were combined for analysis. GSH reduction increased the mean GH signal (-GSH: 1.4 +/- 0.3 microg x L(-1) vs +GSH: 1.7 +/- 0.3 microg x L(-1); P < 0.01) only when quantifying IRGH. Post hoc testing indicated that serum contained IRGH disulfide-linked GH aggregates at the mid, 0-, 15-, and 30-min posttime points of the ARET (P < 0.01), whereas GSH reduction did not affect IFGH concentrations. Chronic physical training had no effect on the ARET-induced GH response. CONCLUSION Acute resistance exercise leads to the appearance of disulfide-linked IRGH aggregates, and this response does not appear to be affected by 8 wk of chronic physical training. The physiological significance of increased proportions of disulfide-linked GH aggregates postexercise remains uncertain; however, structural alterations in GH moieties after acute exercise may represent important regulatory steps in mediating GH biological activity at selected target tissues.

Effects of short-term quercetin supplementation on soldier performance.

Abstract Sharp, MA, Hendrickson, NR, Staab, JS, McClung, HL, Nindl, BC, and Michniak-Kohn, BB. Effects of short-term quercetin supplementation on soldier performance. J Strength Cond Res 26(7): S53–S60, 2012—The purpose was to assess the short-term effects of quercetin supplementation on aerobically demanding soldier performance. In a double-blind crossover study, 16 male soldiers performed 3 days of aerobically demanding exercise under 3 conditions: Baseline (B), Placebo (P), and Quercetin (Q). Day 1 was a treadmill V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak test. Days 2 and 3 were identical, consisting of 75 minutes of loaded treadmill marching (LM) and a subsequent cycling time trial (TT) to complete 200 kJ of work. After B condition, the soldiers consumed 2 energy bars, each containing 0 mg (placebo) or 500 mg of quercetin (1,000 mg·d−1) for 8.5 days. Beginning day 6 of supplementation, the soldiers performed the 3 exercise days. There was a significant (p < 0.05) increase in plasma Q after Q supplementation. Repeated measures analyses of variance revealed no differences after P or Q supplementation as compared with B in V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak (B = 48.9 ± 1.1, P = 49.3 ± 1.1, Q = 48.8 ± 1.2 ml·kg−1·min−1) or TT time (B = 18.4 ± 1.0, P = 18.5 ± 1.1, Q = 18.3 ± 1.0 minutes [mean day 1 and day 2]). The respiratory exchange ratio during LM did not differ across treatments (B = 0.87 ± 0.03, P = 0.87 ± 0.03, Q = 0.86 ± 0.04 [mean day 1 and day 2]). Ratings of perceived exertion were not affected by Q supplementation during the V[Combining Dot Above]O2peak test, LM or TT. Supplementation of 1,000 mg·d−1 of quercetin for 8.5 days had no positive effect on aerobically demanding soldier performance. It is possible that a different dosing regimen, a combination of antioxidants or a different form of quercetin supplementation, may be needed to produce an increase in soldier performance.

Muscle sympathetic nerve activity and volume-regulating factors in healthy pregnant and nonpregnant women

Healthy, normotensive human pregnancies are associated with striking increases in both plasma volume and vascular sympathetic nerve activity (SNA). In nonpregnant humans, volume-regulatory factors including plasma osmolality, vasopressin, and the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system have important modulatory effects on control of sympathetic outflow. We hypothesized that pregnancy would be associated with changes in the relationships between SNA (measured as muscle SNA) and volume-regulating factors, including plasma osmolality, plasma renin activity, and arginine vasopressin (AVP). We studied 46 healthy, normotensive young women (23 pregnant and 23 nonpregnant). We measured SNA, arterial pressure, plasma osmolality, plasma renin activity, AVP, and other volume-regulatory factors in resting, semirecumbent posture. Pregnant women had significantly higher resting SNA (38 ± 12 vs. 23 ± 6 bursts/min in nonpregnant women), lower osmolality, and higher plasma renin activity and aldosterone (all P < 0.05). Group mean values for AVP were not different between groups [4.64 ± 2.57 (nonpregnant) vs. 5.17 ± 2.03 (pregnant), P > 0.05]. However, regression analysis detected a significant relationship between individual values for SNA and AVP in pregnant (r = 0.71, P < 0.05) but not nonpregnant women (r = 0.04). No relationships were found for other variables. These data suggest that the link between AVP release and resting SNA becomes stronger in pregnancy, which may contribute importantly to blood pressure regulation in healthy women during pregnancy.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Sympathetic nerve activity and blood volume are both elevated during pregnancy, but blood pressure is usually normal. Here, we identified a relationship between vasopressin and sympathetic nerve activity in pregnant but not nonpregnant women. This may provide mechanistic insights into blood pressure regulation in normal pregnancy and in pregnancy-related hypertension.

Sympathetic neurovascular regulation during pregnancy: A longitudinal case series study

What is the main observation in this case? The main observation of this case report is that during pregnancy there is a progressive sympatho‐excitation in basal conditions and under stress, which is offset by a concurrent reduction in neurovascular transduction. Strong correlations between autonomic nervous system activity and sex hormones (oestrogen and progesterone), vasopressin and aldosterone were found. What insights does it reveal? Our findings suggest that hormonal surges might be associated with central sympathetic activation.