Meiko Asaka

Effects of different modes of exercise on appetite and appetite-regulating hormones

The present study determined the changes in appetite and appetite-regulating gut hormones during and following bouts of both rope skipping exercise (weight-bearing) and bicycle ergometer exercise (non-weight-bearing). After a 12-h fast, 15 young men (mean ± SD, age 24.4 ± 1.7 yrs, maximal oxygen uptake 47.0 ± 6.5 mL/kg/min) participated in three 160 min trials: (1) rope skipping exercise (295 ± 40 kcal, 3 sets × 10 min with 5-min interval, then rested for 120 min); (2) bicycle ergometer exercise (288 ± 36 kcal, 3 sets × 10 min with 5-min interval, then rested for 120 min); (3) control (rested for 160 min). Ratings of perceived hunger and acylated ghrelin were suppressed and total peptide YY (PYY) were increased during and immediately after exercise in both exercise trials, but glucagon liked peptide-1 was not changed. Furthermore, suppressed hunger during rope skipping exercise was greater than that during bicycle ergometer exercise, but there were no differences in acylated ghrelin and total PYY. These results indicate that weight-bearing exercise has a greater exercise-induced appetite suppressive effect compared with non-weight-bearing exercise, and both forms of exercise lowered acylated ghrelin and increased total PYY, but the changes did not differ significantly between exercise modes.

Habitual rowing exercise is associated with high physical fitness without affecting arterial stiffness in older men

Abstract The present study elucidated the effects of habitual rowing exercise on arterial stiffness and plasma levels of the vasoconstrictor endothelin-1 and the vasodilator nitric oxide (NO) in older men. Eleven rowers (68.0 ± 1.6 years) and 11 sedentary control older men (64.9 ± 1.1 years) were studied. Peak oxygen uptake (36.0 ± 1.7 vs. 27.7 ±1.9 ml · kg−1 · min−1), leg press power (1346 ± 99 vs. 1077 ± 68 W), and HDL-cholesterol (75 ± 5 vs. 58 ±3 mg · ml−1) were higher and triglyceride (78 ± 9 vs. 120 ± 14 mg · ml−1) was lower in rowers than in control participants (all P < 0.05). Arterial stiffness indices (carotid β-stiffness and cardio-ankle vascular index) and plasma endothelin-1 and NOx (nitrite + nitrate) levels did not differ between the two groups. These results suggest that habitual rowing exercise in older men is associated with high muscle power and aerobic capacity, and favourable blood lipid profile without affecting arterial stiffness or plasma levels of endotheline-1 and NO.

Rowing: A Favorable Tool to Promote Elderly Health Which Offers Both Aerobic and Resistance Exercise

Aerobic exercise is recommended for the prevention of lifestyle-related diseases, while resistance exercise is recommended for the prevention of osteoporosis and sarcopenia. Both types of exercise are important in helping elderly people to maintain quality of life. Rowing is one of the oldest sports in the world and it offers a combination of both aerobic and resistance exercise. Because rowing is practiced on a seat, less impact is placed upon the knee joints, making it safe for elderly people even if they are categorized as overweight or obese. Elderly rowers have higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and a lower risk of coronary heart diseases compared with age-matched untrained people. The bone mineral density and muscle size in rowers are also greater than in untrained people. After 6-month exercise training in elderly men using a rowing ergometer, CRF and muscle size increased and the risk of lifestyle-related diseases also improved. An indoor rowing ergometer has been developed which offers a safe and easy tool for exercise in elderly people, even those who are wheelchair-bound. Therefore, rowing could offer a beneficial combination of aerobic and resistance exercises for achieving an active life in the elderly population.