Sang-Seok Nam

Hemodynamic, Hematological, and Hormonal Responses to Submaximal Exercise in Normobaric Hypoxia in Pubescent Girls.

PURPOSE The aim of this study was to investigate hemodynamic, hematological, and immunological responses to prolonged submaximal cycle ergometer exercise at a simulated altitude of 3000 m in pubescent girls. METHODS Ten girls, 12.8 ± 1.0 years old, exercised on a cycle ergometer for 60 min at a work rate corresponding to 50% maximal oxygen consumption measured at sea level, under two environmental conditions; sea level (normoxia) and a simulated 3000 m altitude (normobaric hypoxia). RESULTS There were no significant differences in tidal volume, ventilation, oxygen consumption, cardiac output, stroke volume, and heart rate between the two exercise conditions. However, reticulocyte, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and cortisol concentrations increased significantly from pre- to postexercise in the hypoxic environment. Leukocyte and T-cell count increased and B-cell count decreased after exercise under both conditions. There were no significant changes in natural killer cell count. CONCLUSION Our simulated hypoxic environment provided a mild environmental stressor that did not impose a heavy burden on the cardiovascular, hematological, or immunological functions during submaximal exercise in pubescent girls.

The effects of long-term whole-body vibration and aerobic exercise on body composition and bone mineral density in obese middle-aged women

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of whole-body passive vibration exercise and its differences from aerobic exercise on body composition, bone mineral density (BMD) and bone mineral content (BMC). [Methods] Obese middle-aged women (n=33 out of 45) with 34±3% body fat completed the training protocol. They were randomly assigned into diet (n=9; control group), diet plus whole-body vibration exercise (n=13; vibration group), and diet plus aerobic exercise (n=11; aerobic group) groups and we compared their body composition, BMD, and BMC before and after 9 months of training. There were no significant differences in nutrient intake among groups during the training period. [Results] Relative body fat (%) decreased significantly (p < .05) in all three groups and the exercise groups showed a greater reduction in fat mass than the diet only group. BMD in the whole body, lumbar spine, hip and forearm were not significantly different among the three groups. Total body BMC increased significantly in the vibration group throughout the first 6 months of training. [Conclusion] Results suggest that long- term vibration training when used in conjunction with a diet program is as effective as aerobic exercise with a diet program in improving body composition of obese middle-aged women without compromising BMC or BMD. Thus, it can be considered a novel and effective method for reducing body fat.

The Effect of 4 Weeks Fixed and Mixed Intermittent Hypoxic Training (IHT) on Respiratory Metabolic and Acid-base Response of Capillary Blood During Submaximal Bicycle Exercise in Male Elite Taekwondo Players

[Purpose] The purpose of our study was to determine the effectiveness of 4 weeks fixed and mixed intermittent hypoxic training (IHT) and its difference from exercise training at sea-level on exercise load, respiratory metabolic and acid-base response of capillary blood during 80% maximal heart rate (HRmax) bicycle exercise in male elite Taekwondo players. [Methods] Male elite Taekwondo players (n = 25 out of 33) were randomly assigned to training at sea-level (n = 8, control group), training at 16.5%O2 (2000 m) simulated hypoxic condition (n = 9, fixed IHT group), and training at 14.5%O2 (3000 m) up to 2 weeks and 16.5%O2 (2000 m) simulated hypoxic condition (n = 8, mixed IHT group) for 3 weeks. We compared their average exercise load, respiratory metabolic, and acid-base response of the capillary blood during 80% HRmax submaximal bicycle exercise before and after 4 weeks training. [Results] Fixed and mixed IHT groups showed positive improvement in respiratory metabolic and acid-base response of the capillary blood during 80% HRmax submaximal bicycle exercise after 4 weeks training. However, all dependent variables showed no significant difference between fixed IHT and mix IHT. [Conclusion] Results suggested that mixed and fixed IHT is effective in improving respiratory metabolic and acid-base response of capillary blood in male elite Taekwondo players. Thus, IHT could be a novel and effective method for improving exercise performance through respiratory metabolic and acid-base response.

Four-week “living high training low” program enhances 3000-m and 5000-m time trials by improving energy metabolism during submaximal exercise in athletes

[Purpose] This study aimed to determine the effect of a 4-week living high training low (LHTL) versus a living low training low (LLTL) program on energy metabolism during submaximal exercise and 3000-m and 5000-m time trial (TT) in athletes. [Methods] Male athletes (n = 20) were randomly assigned to the LLTL (n = 10, living at 1000 m and training at 700–1330 m) and LHTL (n = 10, living at simulated 3000 m and training at 700–1330 m) groups. We compared energy metabolisms during submaximal exercise on a treadmill and aerobic exercise performance (3000 m and 5000 m TT) before and after 4 weeks of training. [Results] As expected, the LHTL group demonstrated enhanced energy metabolism during submaximal exercise via significant interaction (time × group) in heart rate, oxygen consumption, and carbon dioxide excretion; these variables were significantly decreased in the LHTL group compared with the LLTL group. Additionally, both training groups revealed significantly decreased blood lactate levels during submaximal exercise, 3000 m TT, and 5000 m TT but significant interactions (time × group) in the 3000 m and 5000 m TT. Thus, the LHTL group demonstrated greater improvements in 3000 m and 5000 m TT than the LLTL group via significant interactions. [Conclusion] Our results suggest that 4-week LHTL intervention enhances 3000 m and 5000 m TT by improving energy metabolism during submaximal exercise. The proposed LHTL intervention in this study is a novel and effective method for improving aerobic exercise performance in male athletes.

Development of an anaerobic threshold (HRLT, HRVT) estimation equation using the heart rate threshold (HRT) during the treadmill incremental exercise test

[Purpose] The purpose of this study was to develop a regression model to estimate the heart rate at the lactate threshold (HRLT) and the heart rate at the ventilatory threshold (HRVT) using the heart rate threshold (HRT), and to test the validity of the regression model. [Methods] We performed a graded exercise test with a treadmill in 220 normal individuals (men: 112, women: 108) aged 20–59 years. HRT, HRLT, and HRVT were measured in all subjects. A regression model was developed to estimate HRLT and HRVT using HRT with 70% of the data (men: 79, women: 76) through randomization (7:3), with the Bernoulli trial. The validity of the regression model developed with the remaining 30% of the data (men: 33, women: 32) was also examined. [Results] Based on the regression coefficient, we found that the independent variable HRT was a significant variable in all regression models. The adjusted R2 of the developed regression models averaged about 70%, and the standard error of estimation of the validity test results was 11 bpm, which is similar to that of the developed model. [Conclusion] These results suggest that HRT is a useful parameter for predicting HRLT and HRVT.

Application of “living high-training low” enhances cardiac function and skeletal muscle oxygenation during submaximal exercises in athletes

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to determine the efficiency of the application of living high-training low (LHTL) on cardiac function and skeletal muscle oxygenation during submaximal exercises compared with that of living low-training low (LLTL) in athletes. [Methods] Male middle- and long-distance runners (n = 20) were randomly assigned into the LLTL group (n = 10, living at 1000-m altitude and training at 700-1330-m altitude) and the LHTL group (n = 10, living at simulated 3000-m altitude and training at 700-1330-m altitude). Their cardiac function and skeletal muscle oxygenation during submaximal exercises at sea level before and after training at each environmental condition were evaluated. [Results] There was a significant interaction only in the stroke volume (SV); however, the heart rate (HR), end-diastolic volume (EDV), and end-systolic volume (ESV) showed significant main effects within time; HR and SV significantly increased during training in the LHTL group compared with those in the LLTL group. EDV also significantly increased during training in both groups; however, the LHTL group had a higher increase than the LLTL group. ESV significantly increased during training in the LLTL group. There was no significant difference in the ejection fraction and cardiac output. The skeletal muscle oxygen profiles had no significant differences but improved in the LHTL group compared with those in the LLTL group. [Conclusion] LHTL can yield favorable effects on cardiac function by improving the HR, SV, EDV, and ESV during submaximal exercises compared with LLTL in athletes.

Mid-long term effect of non-ablative high radiofrequency therapy on the rabbit dermal extracellular matrix

This study quantitatively investigated the postoperative effects of radiofrequency (RF) application on the normal dermal extracellular matrix (ECM) of in vivo rabbits. Postoperative effects were evaluated by histology and atomic force microscopy analysis of dermal tissues treated using three RF energy levels (10~30 W) and either a single- or multiple-pass procedure. Progressive changes in the morphology of rabbit dermal ECMs were investigated over a 30-day postoperartive period. All RF-treated groups, except for the low energy group (10 W), displayed more prominent inflammatory responses compared to the control. This inflammatory reaction was more prominent a day after application. Dermal tissues 30 days after RF application exhibited prominent myofibroblast activity associated with ECM contractile activity during wound healing in addition to chronic inflammation. A decrease in the morphology of dermal ECMs after RF application continued until seven days postoperatively. The ECM diameter increased to near baseline at 30 days postoperatively. Low energy and multi-pass applications resulted in greater collagen fibril contraction and recovery at the ultra-structural level at 30 days postoperatively than did a single high energy application.