Joseph K. Pellegrino

Nutritional supplementation, performance, and oxidative stress in college soccer players.

Arent, SM, Pellegrino, JK, Williams, CA, DiFabio, DA, and Greenwood, JC. Nutritional supplementation, performance, and oxidative stress in college soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 24(4): 1117-1124, 2010-The purpose of this study was to examine changes in performance and metabolic parameters in collegiate soccer players during preseason preparation and to determine the impact of a nutraceutical blend proposed to reduce oxidative stress. Male Division I college soccer players (n = 22) performed a progressive maximal treadmill test at the beginning and end of preseason to assess changes in &OV0312;o2max, velocity at lactate threshold (VLT), time-to-exhaustion, lipid hydroperoxide (LPO), 8-isoprostane, and creatine kinase (CK) response. After baseline testing, athletes were randomly assigned to receive the nutraceutical blend (EXP; n = 12) or an isocaloric equivalent (CON; n = 10) for 20 days of preseason training. Δ&OV0312;o2max (2.1 ± 3.3 ml·kg−1·min−1, p = 0.007), ΔVLT (0.8 ± 1.4 km·h−1, p = 0.045), and Δtime-to-exhaustion (39.4 ± 77.4 seconds, p = 0.033) were improved across groups, but a significant effect of supplementation on performance was not seen. Changes in resting levels of CK from the beginning to end of preseason were significantly lower (p = 0.044) in EXP (64.8 ± 188.4 U·L−1) than in CON (292.8 ± 304.8 U·L−1). Additionally, EXP demonstrated a significant decrease in the magnitude of the 8-isoprostane response at Trial 2 compared with Trial 1 (effect size [ES] = −0.74), whereas CON had an increased response (ES = 0.20). A similar pattern was seen for LPO (p = 0.067). Preseason training in male college soccer players resulted in significant improvements in &OV0312;o2max, VLT, and time-to-exhaustion. Supplementing with a proprietary antioxidant and nutraceutical blend may enhance some of these effects as indicated by magnitude of the responses. However, it appears that the most notable effects of supplementation were seen for reduced CK and oxidative stress, at least with short-term supplementation.

The Effects of a Combined Resistance Training and Endurance Exercise Program in Inactive College Female Subjects: Does Order Matter?

Abstract Davitt, PM, Pellegrino, JK, Schanzer, JR, Tjionas, H, and Arent, SM. The effects of a combined resistance training and endurance exercise program in inactive college female subjects: Does order matter? J Strength Cond Res 28(7): 1937–1945, 2014—Although both endurance (E) and resistance (R) exercise improve various health and fitness variables, there is still debate regarding the optimal ordering of these modes of exercise within a concurrent bout. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of performing E before R (E-R) or R before E (R-E) on strength, V[Combining Dot Above]O2max, and body composition over the course of an 8-week exercise program. Inactive college female subjects (N = 23; 19.8 ± 0.22 years; 61.0 ± 2.5 kg) were randomly assigned to either an E-R (n = 13) or an R-E (n = 10) group. Subjects trained 4 d·wk−1 over the 8-week study. The E portion consisted of 30 minutes of aerobic exercise at 70–80% heart rate reserve (HRR). The R portion used a 3-way split routine with subjects performing 3 sets of 8–12 repetitions for 5–6 different exercises using a load equal to 90–100% 10 repetition maximum. There were 2 days of testing before and after 8 weeks of training to determine performance and body composition. There were significant improvements in chest press (p < 0.001), leg press (p < 0.001), V[Combining Dot Above]O2max (p < 0.001), and lean body mass (LBM) (p = 0.005) across both groups. Weight significantly increased (p = 0.038), but percent body fat did not change (p = 0.46). There were no differences as a function of group (p > 0.267). There were significant improvements in performance and LBM over an 8-week concurrent training program in inactive college female subjects, regardless of the order in which R and E were performed. It seems that fitness markers improve similarly regardless of the order of R or E in a 4 d·wk−1 program in inactive female subjects. Therefore, the order of these modalities for beginning exercisers should be based on personal preference and to facilitate adherence.

Effect of Plyometrics on the Energy Cost of Running and MHC and Titin Isoforms.

UNLABELLED Several training strategies such as plyometrics have been shown to improve running economy; however, its physiological basis remains elusive. PURPOSE To examine the effect of plyometric training on the energy cost of running (ECR, J · kg(-1) · min(-1)), titin, and myosin heavy chain (MHC) isoforms. METHODS Subjects were randomly assigned to a 6-wk plyometric treatment (P; n = 11) or control group (C; n = 11). Preintervention and postintervention outcomes included body composition, vertical jump, sit-and-reach, maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), speed at onset of blood lactate, 3-km time trial performance, ECR, and a vastus lateralis muscle biopsy for protein analysis. RESULTS Plyometric intervention resulted in improved time trial (P, 2.6% faster, P = 0.04; C, 1.6%, P = 0.17). VO2max improved in the P group (5.2%, P = 0.03), whereas the C group increased by 3.1% (P = 0.20). The ECR decreased in the P group as the result of 6 wk of plyometric training (P = 0.02 for stage 3), whereas it increased in the C group (P = 0.02 for stage 3). The ECR correlated strongly with performance at stages 2, 3, and 4 (r > 0.8, P < 0.001) independent of group. There was no significant main effect of group, time, or interaction on any of the protein isoforms analyzed. A negative correlation was found between the ECR at stage 7 and MHC IIa (r = -0.96, P < 0.001), and the ECR at stage 6 with titin isoform 1 (T1)/T2 ratio (r = -0.69, P = 0.007) independent of group. CONCLUSION Six weeks of plyometric training improved running performance and the ECR despite no measurable changes in MHC and titin isoforms. However, higher MHC IIa and lower T1/T2 isoform ratios correlated to lower ECR.

The Combined Effects of Exercise, Diet, and a Multi-Ingredient Dietary Supplement on Body Composition and Adipokine Changes in Overweight Adults

ABSTRACT Background: Very few weight and fat loss supplements undergo finished-product research to examine efficacy. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of an 8-week diet and exercise program on body composition, hip and waist girth, and adipokines and evaluate whether a dietary supplement containing raspberry ketone, capsaicin, caffeine, garlic, and Citrus aurantium enhanced outcomes. Methods: Overweight men and women completed this randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study. Participants consumed 4 capsules/d of supplement (EXP; n = 18) or placebo (PLA; n = 18). Participants underwent 8 weeks of daily supplementation, calorie restriction (500 kcal < RMR [resting metabolic rate] × 1.2), and supervised progressive exercise training 3 times a week. Body composition, girth, and adipokines were assessed at baseline and postintervention (T1 and T2). Results: Significant decreases in weight (−2.6 ± 0.57 kg, p < 0.001), fat mass (−1.8 ± 0.20 kg; p < 0.001), and percentage body fat (−3.7% ± 0.29%, p < 0.001) and a significant increase in lean body mass (LBM; 1.5 ± 0.26 kg; p < 0.001) were seen from T1 to T2 in both groups. For men, only those in the EXP group increased LBM from T1 to T2 (1.3 ± 0.38 kg; p < 0.05). Hip girth was also reduced, with the women in the EXP group (−10.7 ± 2.15 cm, p < 0.001) having a greater reduction. There was a time by group interaction, with significant decreases in leptin (p < 0.001) and significant increases in adiponectin (p < 0.05) in the EXP group. Conclusions: Significant improvements in adipokines and leptin support the utility of exercise, diet, and fat loss for impacting inflammatory biomarkers. The improvement in adiponectin with EXP may suggest a unique health mechanism.

The Effects of Exercise Dose on Stereotypical Behavior in Children with Autism.

Introduction Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurological disorder in children characterized by restrictive, repetitive patterns of behavior that place an added burden on everyday functions. Aerobic exercise has the propensity to reduce stereotypic behaviors in children with ASD. This study sought to quantify the acute effect of exercise and to assess the influence of duration and intensity on the frequency of stereotypic behaviors in children with ASD. Methods Participants in this study (N = 7, Mage = 13.0 ± 1.4 yr, Mheight = 1.64 ± 0.01 m, and Mweight = 60.1 ± 13.7 kg) underwent five separate days of treatments, including a control condition (C), a low-intensity 10-min condition (10L), a high-intensity 10-min condition (10H), a low-intensity 20-min condition (20L), and a high-intensity 20-min condition (20H) in which intensity was quantified using HR as well as RPE. Before and 60 min after exercise, the frequency of stereotypic behaviors was recorded. Results Results indicated a reduction in behaviors in response to exercise compared with the C trial throughout all conditions except 20H. Interestingly, the most exhaustive exercise session led to increased stereotypic behaviors at all postexercise periods compared with the other exercise trials (P < 0.10). The 10L condition showed the greatest reduction at 60 min postexercise compared with the 20H or the control trials response (P < 0.05). Examining the behavioral responses to exercise using effect sizes indicated the 10L condition showed the greatest reduction in frequency throughout all four time points (ESrange = −0.87 to −1.03) compared with baseline. Conclusion Although it appears high-intensity aerobic exercise may exacerbate stereotypic behaviors in children with ASD, low- to moderate-intensity exercise produces significant and large reductions in these behaviors. This provides an easily administered and cost-effective way to positively impact these individuals.

The Effects of Caffeine on Arousal, Response Time, Accuracy, and Performance in Division I Collegiate Fencers.

Abstract Doyle, TP, Lutz, RS, Pellegrino, JK, Sanders, DJ, and Arent, SM. The effects of caffeine on arousal, response time, accuracy, and performance in Division I collegiate fencers. J Strength Cond Res 30(11): 3228–3235, 2016—Caffeine has displayed ergogenic effects on aerobic performance. However, sports requiring precision and quick reaction may also be impacted by central nervous system arousal because of caffeine consumption. The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of caffeine on arousal, response time (RT), and accuracy during a simulated fencing practice. Using a randomized, within-subjects, placebo-controlled, double-blind design, Division I male and female college fencers (N = 13; 69.1 ± 3.5 kg) were administered caffeine doses of 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, or 7.5 mg·kg−1 during separate testing days. Performance was assessed via RT and accuracy to a 4-choice reaction task. A total of 25 trials were performed each day using a random 2- to 8-s delay between trials. Arousal was assessed using the activation-deactivation adjective check list. Results of repeated-measures multivariate analysis of variance revealed a significant dose effect (p = 0.02) on performance. Follow-up analyses indicated this was due to a significant effect for RT (p = 0.03), with the dose-response curve exhibiting a quadratic relationship. Response time was significantly faster (p < 0.01) for the 1.5, 3.0, and 6.0 mg·kg−1 conditions than for the placebo condition. Results also indicated a significant dose effect for composite RT + accuracy performance (p < 0.01). The dose-response curve was again quadratic, with performance beginning to deteriorate at 7.5 mg·kg−1. Energetic arousal, tiredness, tension, and calmness all significantly changed as a function of caffeine dose (p ⩽ 0.05). Based on these results, caffeine improves RT and overall performance in fencers, particularly as doses increase up to 4.5–6.0 mg·kg−1. Above this level, performance begins to deteriorate, consistent with an “inverted-U” model of arousal and performance.