Richard Diego Leite

Effects of resistance training on resistin, leptin, cytokines, and muscle force in elderly post-menopausal women

Abstract It may be that resistance exercise can be used to prevent the degenerative processes and inflammation associated with ageing. Thus, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of resistance training on cytokines, leptin, resistin, and muscle strength in post-menopausal women. Thirty-five sedentary women (mean age 63.18 years, s = 4.8; height 1.64 m, s = 0.07; body mass 57.84 kg, s = 7.70) were recruited. The 16 weeks of periodized resistance training consisted of two weekly sessions of three sets of 6–14 repetition maximum. Maximal strength was tested in bench press, 45° leg press, and arm curl. Plasma tumour necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, interleukin-15, leptin, and resistin were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Maximal strength on all measures was increased after 16 weeks. There were minor or no modifications in tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-15. Interleukin-6 was decreased 48 h after compared with baseline and declined after 16 weeks. Leptin decreased 24 h after compared with baseline and was reduced at baseline and 48 h after compared with pre-training. There was a decrease in resistin after 24 and 48 h compared with baseline and a decline in baseline and immediately after levels compared with pre-training. A possible explanation of the results of the present study is a lower production of pro-inflammatory cytokines by the innate immune system. Periodized resistance training seems to be an important intervention to reduce systemic inflammation in this population.

Effects of ovariectomy and resistance training on lipid content in skeletal muscle, liver, and heart; fat depots; and lipid profile

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of resistance training on skeletal muscle lipid content, liver lipid content, heart lipid content, fat depots, and lipid profile in ovariectomized rats. Wistar adult female rats were divided into 4 groups (n = 10 per group): sedentary (Sed-Intact), sedentary ovariectomized (Sed-Ovx), strength trained (ChronicEx-intact), and strength trained ovariectomized (ChronicEx-Ovx). A 12-week strength-training period was used, during which the animals climbed a 1.1-m vertical ladder with weights attached to their tails. The sessions were performed once every 3 days, with 4-9 climbs and 8-12 dynamic movements per climb. Ovariectomy increased liver lipid content and fat depots, and heart and muscle lipid content. There was an increase in the atherogenic index and a negative change in lipid profile because of the ovariectomy. Resistance training decreased lipid content in the liver, soleus, and tibialis anterior, decreased fat depots (mesenteric and retroperitoneal), and changed the lipid profile, independently of ovarian hormone status. These results indicate the potential benefits of resistance training as an alternative strategy to control the effects of ovariectomy on fat depot, lipid profile, and tissue lipid content.

Effects of linear vs. daily undulatory periodized resistance training on maximal and submaximal strength gains.

Miranda, F, Simão, R, Rhea, M, Bunker, D, Prestes, J, Leite, RD, Miranda, H, de Salles, BF, and Novaes, J. Effects of linear vs. daily undulatory periodized resistance training on maximal and submaximal strength gains. J Strength Cond Res 25(7): 1824-1830, 2011—The objective of this study was to verify the effect of 2 periodized resistance training (RT) methods on the evolution of 1-repetition maximum (1RM) and 8RM loads. Twenty resistance trained men were randomly assigned to 2 training groups: linear periodization (LP) group and daily undulating periodization (DUP) group. The subjects were tested at baseline and after 12 weeks for 1RM and 8RM loads in leg press (LEG) and bench press (BP) exercises. The training program was performed in alternated sessions for upper (session A: chest, shoulder and triceps) and lower body (session B: leg, back and biceps). The 12-week periodized training was applied only in the tested exercises, and in the other exercises, 3 sets of 6-8RM were performed. Both groups exhibited significant increases in 1RM loads on LEG and BP, but no statistically significant difference between groups was observed. The same occurred in 8RM loads on LEG and BP. However, DUP group presented superior effect size (ES) in 1RM and 8RM loads for LEG and BP exercises when compared to the LP group. In conclusion, periodized RT can be an efficient method for increasing the strength and muscular endurance in trained individuals. Although there was no statistically significant difference between periodization models, DUP promoted superior ES gains in muscular maximal and submaximal strength.

Dose-response of 1, 3, and 5 sets of resistance exercise on strength, local muscular endurance, and hypertrophy.

Abstract Radaelli, R, Fleck, SJ, Leite, T, Leite, RD, Pinto, RS, Fernandes, L, and Simão, R. Dose-response of 1, 3, and 5 sets of resistance exercise on strength, local muscular endurance, and hypertrophy. J Strength Cond Res 29(5): 1349–1358, 2015—The studys purpose was to compare the response of performing 1, 3, and 5 sets on measures of performance and muscle hypertrophy. Forty-eight men, with no weight training experience, were randomly assigned to one of the 3 training groups, 1 SET, 3 SETS, 5 SETS, or control group. All training groups performed 3 resistance training sessions per week for 6 months. The 5 repetition maximum (RM) for all training groups increased in the bench press (BP), front lat pull down (LPD), shoulder press (SP), and leg press (LP) (p ⩽ 0.05), with the 5RM increases in the BP and LPD being significantly greater for 5 SETS compared with the other training groups (p ⩽ 0.05). Bench press 20RM in the 3-SET and 5-SET groups significantly increased with the increase being significantly greater than the 1-SET group and the 5-SET group increase being significantly greater than the 3-SET group (p ⩽ 0.05). LP 20RM increased in all training groups (p ⩽ 0.05), with the 5-SETS group showing a significantly greater increase than the 1-SET group (p ⩽ 0.05). The 3-SET and 5-SET groups significantly increased elbow flexor muscle thickness (MT) with the 5-SET increase being significantly greater than the other 2 training groups (p ⩽ 0.05). The 5-SET group significantly increased elbow extensor MT with the increase being significantly greater than the other training groups (p ⩽ 0.05). All training groups decreased percent body fat, increased fat-free mass, and vertical jump ability (p ⩽ 0.05), with no differences between groups. The results demonstrate a dose-response for the number of sets per exercise and a superiority of multiple sets compared with a single set per exercise for strength gains, muscle endurance, and upper arm muscle hypertrophy.

The measurement of lactate threshold in resistance exercise: a comparison of methods.

Resistance incremental tests (IT) make it possible to determine critical metabolic and cardiovascular changes, such as the lactate threshold (LT). Different methods are frequently used to improve the exactness of LT identification. The objective of the study was to identify LT by four different methods (visual inspection, log–log, algorithmic adjustment and QLac) during resistance exercise and to evaluate which methods present more precision. Twelve men performed a maximal IT on the leg press at relative intensities of 10%, 20%, 25%, 30%, 35%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% and 90% of 1RM with 1‐min stages. During the 2‐min interval between stages, capillary blood was collected for blood lactate analysis. LT was detected using each of the four methods. The intensity of LT by visual inspection method was 26·9 (5·2)% of 1RM, adjustment algorithmic method was 27·8 (3·6)% of 1RM, log–log method was 23·3 (3·5)% of 1RM and QLac method was 31·6 (9·8)% of 1RM, with significant difference only between log–log and QLac methods. Bland and Altman analysis shows better concordance for visual inspection versus adjustment algorithmic methods. The visual inspection, algorithmic and log–log methods detected the LT at the same intensity. The mathematical models, specially the algorithmic method, provide more precision.

Effects of resistance training on matrix metalloproteinase‐2 activity and biomechanical and physical properties of bone in ovariectomized and intact rats

The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of resistance training on the activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)‐2 and bone biomechanical properties in ovariectomized and intact rats. Forty‐eight female rats were divided into two distinct groups, ovariectomized (OVX) and intact (Int), which were subdivided into three similar subgroups: sedentary, acute exercise and chronic exercise. Rats performed a resistance training for 12 weeks in which animals climbed a vertical ladder of 1.1 m with weights attached to their tails. Sessions were performed with an interval of 3, 4–9 and 8–12 days scaled dynamic movements of climbing. Biomechanical and physical analyses were performed using a universal testing machine, and MMP‐2 activity analysis by zymography. Bone density (BD), mineral density (MD), maximum load and fracture load was reduced in sedentary and acute exercise OVX groups compared with the sedentary intact group (P<0.05); in contrast, chronically trained groups (OVX and Int) showed a significant increase in BD, MD and fracture load compared with all the other groups. MMP‐2 activity in chronically trained groups also showed a significant increase, while the sedentary OVX group showed a decrease in MMP‐2 activity compared with the intact sedentary group (P<0.05). Our results suggest that the resistance training proposed in our work was efficient in reverting the deleterious effects of ovariectomy on bone tissue, and also produced modeling effects in intact rats. On the other hand, ovariectomy reduced the activity of MMP‐2 and produced deleterious effects on bone tissue, mimicking menopause intrinsically.

Effects of ovariectomy and resistance training on MMP-2 activity in skeletal muscle

Matrix metallopeptidases (MMPs) are crucial to the maintenance of healthy tissue. The aim of this study was to investigate MMP-2 activity in gastrocnemius, soleus, tibialis anterior (TA), and extensor digitorium longus (EDL) muscle after resistance training in ovariectomized rats. Wistar adult female rats were grouped into 7 groups (n = 10 per group): sedentary (Sed-Intact); ovariectomized sedentary (Sed-Ovx); pseudo-ovariectomized sedentary (Sed-Pseudo); acute exercise (AcuteEx-Intact); ovariectomized acute exercise (AcuteEx-Ovx); strength trained (ChronicEx-Intact); and ovariectomized strength trained (ChronicEx-Ovx). A 12-week resistance training period, during which the animals climbed a 1.1-m vertical ladder with weights secured to their tails, was used. The sessions were performed once every 3 days, with 4-9 climbs and 8-12 dynamic movements per climb. The MMP-2 activity was analyzed by zymography. There was higher MMP-2 activity in soleus muscle in the ChronicEx-Intact and ChronicEx-Ovx groups, and lower MMP-2 activity in the AcuteEx-Ovx group, compared with the Sed-Intact group (p < or =0.05). The Sed-Ovx and ChronicEx-Ovx groups presented lower MMP-2 activity than the Sed-Intact group in TA. There was higher MMP-2 activity in AcuteEx-Intact and the AcuteEx-Ovx compared with the Sed-Intact and Sed-Ovx in TA, respectively (p < or = 0.05). In TA and EDL, training increased MMP-2 activity in the Sed-Intact group. No statistically significant alterations were observed for gastrocnemius muscle. Strength training increases MMP-2 activity in soleus, TA, and EDL muscle, which may be important for muscle remodeling. Ovariectomy downregulates MMP-2 in TA and EDL, which may compromise muscle function.

Strength and hypertrophy responses to constant and decreasing rest intervals in trained men using creatine supplementation

BackgroundThe purpose of the current study was to compare strength and hypertrophy responses to resistance training programs that instituted constant rest intervals (CI) and decreasing rest intervals (DI) between sets over the course of eight weeks by trained men who supplemented with creatine monohydrate (CR).MethodsTwenty-two recreationally trained men were randomly assigned to a CI group (n = 11; 22.3 ± 1 years; 77.7 ± 5.4 kg; 180 ± 2.2 cm) or a DI group (n = 11; 22 ± 2.5 years; 75.8 ± 4.9 kg; 178.8 ± 3.4 cm). Subjects in both groups supplemented with CR; the only difference between groups was the rest interval instituted between sets; the CI group used 2 minutes rest intervals between sets and exercises for the entire 8-weeks of training, while the DI group started with a 2 minute rest interval the first two weeks; after which the rest interval between sets was decreased 15 seconds per week (i.e. 2 minutes decreasing to 30 seconds between sets). Pre- and post-intervention maximal strength for the free weight back squat and bench press exercises and isokinetic peak torque were assessed for the knee extensors and flexors. Additionally, muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) of the right thigh and upper arm was measured using magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsBoth groups demonstrated significant increases in back squat and bench press maximal strength, knee extensor and flexor isokinetic peak torque, and upper arm and right thigh CSA from pre- to post-training (p ≤ 0.0001); however, there were no significant differences between groups for any of these variables. The total volume for the bench press and back squat were significantly greater for CI group versus the DI group.ConclusionsWe report that the combination of CR supplementation and resistance training can increase muscular strength, isokinetic peak torque, and muscle CSA, irrespective of the rest interval length between sets. Because the volume of training was greater for the CI group versus the DI group, yet strength gains were similar, the creatine supplementation appeared to bolster adaptations for the DI group, even in the presence of significantly less volume. However, further research is needed with the inclusion of a control group not receiving supplementation combined and resistance training with decreasing rest intervals to further elucidate such hypotheses.

Effects of ovariectomy and resistance training on oxidative stress markers in the rat liver

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the effects of resistance training on oxidative stress markers in the livers of ovariectomized rats. METHOD: Adult Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into the following four groups (n = 8 per group): sham-operated sedentary, ovariectomized sedentary, sham-operated resistance training, and ovariectomized resistance training. During the resistance training period, the animals climbed a 1.1-m vertical ladder with weights attached to their tails; the sessions were conducted 3 times per week, with 4-9 climbs and 8-12 dynamic movements per climb. The oxidative stress was assessed by measuring the levels of reduced glutathione and oxidized glutathione, the enzymatic activity of catalase and superoxide dismutase, lipid peroxidation, vitamin E concentrations, and the gene expression of glutathione peroxidase. RESULTS: The results showed significant reductions in the reduced glutathione/oxidized glutathione ratio (4.11±0.65 nmol/g tec), vitamin E concentration (55.36±11.11 nmol/g), and gene expression of glutathione peroxidase (0.49±0.16 arbitrary units) in the livers of ovariectomized rats compared with the livers of unovariectomized animals (5.71±0.71 nmol/g tec, 100.14±10.99 nmol/g, and 1.09±0.54 arbitrary units, respectively). Moreover, resistance training for 10 weeks was not able to reduce the oxidative stress in the livers of ovariectomized rats and induced negative changes in the hepatic anti-oxidative/oxidative balance. CONCLUSION: Our findings indicate that the resistance training program used in this study was not able to attenuate the hepatic oxidative damage caused by ovariectomy and increased the hepatic oxidative stress.

Does aerobic exercise intensity affect health-related parameters in overweight women?

The aim of this study was to compare the effect of a cycling training programme performed at intensity corresponding to the lowest value of the respiratory quotient (RQ) versus at intensity corresponding to the ventilatory threshold (VT), on body composition and health‐related parameters in overweight women. Thirty‐two sedentary obese women (27–42 years old) were studied in a randomized trial of either RQ (n = 17) or VT (n = 15). RQ and VT training sessions were equalized by time (60 min) and performed in a cycloergometer. Anthropometry, body composition, lipid profile, glucose, basal metabolic rate (BMR) and fitness (maximal oxygen uptake) were evaluated before and after 12 weeks of intervention. Body weight, body mass index, fatness and fitness were improved in both groups (P<0·001). Triglycerides (TG) levels decreased only in response to RQ (P<0·001) and fat‐free mass (FFM) to VT (P = 0·002). No differences were observed between groups. Both exercise intensities seem to be effective for improving health in overweight women. However, low‐intensity compared with the high‐intensity exercise training appears to have additional benefits on TG levels and to maintenance of FFM.