Scott C. Forbes

Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT): Modified Delphi Study.

Background Exercise interventions are often incompletely described in reports of clinical trials, hampering evaluation of results and replication and implementation into practice. Objective The aim of this study was to develop a standardized method for reporting exercise programs in clinical trials: the Consensus on Exercise Reporting Template (CERT). Design and Methods Using the EQUATOR Networks methodological framework, 137 exercise experts were invited to participate in a Delphi consensus study. A list of 41 items was identified from a meta-epidemiologic study of 73 systematic reviews of exercise. For each item, participants indicated agreement on an 11-point rating scale. Consensus for item inclusion was defined a priori as greater than 70% agreement of respondents rating an item 7 or above. Three sequential rounds of anonymous online questionnaires and a Delphi workshop were used. Results There were 57 (response rate=42%), 54 (response rate=95%), and 49 (response rate=91%) respondents to rounds 1 through 3, respectively, from 11 countries and a range of disciplines. In round 1, 2 items were excluded; 24 items reached consensus for inclusion (8 items accepted in original format), and 16 items were revised in response to participant suggestions. Of 14 items in round 2, 3 were excluded, 11 reached consensus for inclusion (4 items accepted in original format), and 7 were reworded. Sixteen items were included in round 3, and all items reached greater than 70% consensus for inclusion. Limitations The views of included Delphi panelists may differ from those of experts who declined participation and may not fully represent the views of all exercise experts. Conclusions The CERT, a 16-item checklist developed by an international panel of exercise experts, is designed to improve the reporting of exercise programs in all evaluative study designs and contains 7 categories: materials, provider, delivery, location, dosage, tailoring, and compliance. The CERT will encourage transparency, improve trial interpretation and replication, and facilitate implementation of effective exercise interventions into practice.

Effect of Nutrients, Dietary Supplements and Vitamins on Cognition: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Background Observational studies have suggested that various nutrients, dietary supplements, and vitamins may delay the onset of age-associated cognitive decline and dementia. We systematically reviewed recent randomized controlled trials investigating the effect of nutritional interventions on cognitive performance in older non-demented adults. Methods We searched MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for articles published between 2003 and 2013. We included randomized trials of ≥ 3 months’ duration that examined the cognitive effects of a nutritional intervention in non-demented adults > 40 years of age. Meta-analyses were done when sufficient trials were available. Results Twenty-four trials met inclusion criteria (six omega-3 fatty acids, seven B vitamins, three vitamin E, eight other interventions). In the meta-analyses, omega-3 fatty acids showed no significant effect on Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) scores (four trials, mean difference 0.06, 95% CI −0.08 – 0.19) or digit span forward (three trials, mean difference −0.02, 95% CI −0.30 – 0.25), while B vitamins showed no significant effect on MMSE scores (three trials, mean difference 0.02, 95% CI −0.22 – 0.25). None of the vitamin E studies reported significant effects on cognitive outcomes. Among the other nutritional interventions, statistically significant differences between the intervention and control groups on at least one cognitive domain were found in single studies of green tea extract, Concord grape juice, chromium picolinate, beta-carotene, two different combinations of multiple vitamins, and a dietary approach developed for the control of hypertension. Conclusions Omega-3 fatty acids, B vitamins, and vitamin E supplementation did not affect cognition in non-demented middle-aged and older adults. Other nutritional interventions require further evaluation before their use can be advocated for the prevention of age-associated cognitive decline and dementia.

Playing vs. Nonplaying Aerobic Training in Tennis: Physiological and Performance Outcomes

This study compared the effects of playing and nonplaying high intensity intermittent training (HIIT) on physiological demands and tennis stroke performance in young tennis players. Eleven competitive male players (13.4 ± 1.3 years) completed both a playing and nonplaying HIIT session of equal distance, in random order. During each HIIT session, heart rate (HR), blood lactate, and ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) were monitored. Before and after each HIIT session, the velocity and accuracy of the serve, and forehand and backhand strokes were evaluated. The results demonstrated that both HIIT sessions achieved an average HR greater than 90% HRmax. The physiological demands (average HR) were greater during the playing session compared to the nonplaying session, despite similar lactate concentrations and a lower RPE. The results also indicate a reduction in shot velocity after both HIIT sessions; however, the playing HIIT session had a more deleterious effect on stroke accuracy. These findings suggest that 1) both HIIT sessions may be sufficient to develop maximal aerobic power, 2) playing HIIT sessions provide a greater physiological demand with a lower RPE, and 3) playing HIIT has a greater deleterious effect on stroke performance, and in particular on the accuracy component of the ground stroke performance, and should be incorporated appropriately into a periodization program in young male tennis players.

Dietary interventions for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in late life

This is the protocol for a review and there is no abstract. The objectives are as follows: In this review we will set out to evaluate the effects of dietary interventions for maintaining cognitive function in cognitively healthy people in mid-life and preventing cognitive decline in late life.

Oral l-Arginine Supplementation in Young Males: Endocrinology, Metabolic, and Physiological Responses at Rest and During Exercise

Athletic endeavors push the limits of human performance and athletes often seek ergogenic aids to gain an edge. A nutritional ergogenic aid is defined as any nutrient capable of enhancing energy utilization, including energy production, control, and efficiency (Silver, J Am Acad Orthop Surg 9:61–70, 2001). A nutritional ergogenic aid sought commonly by athletes is protein (or amino acid) supplementation (Alvares et al., Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 37:115–126, 2012; Campbell et al., J Int Soc Sports Nutr 1:35–38, 2004; Chromiak and Antonio, Nutrition 18:657–661, 2002; Paddon-Jones et al., J Nutr 134:2888S–2894S, 2004; Shao and Hathcock, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 50:376–399, 2008). l-arginine is an amino acid that has been purported to be ergogenic and, as such, has become very popular in the food supplement industry (Alvares et al., Appl Physiol Nutr Metab 37:115–126, 2012; Campbell et al., J Int Soc Sports Nutr 1:35–38, 2004; Paddon-Jones et al., J Nutr 134:2888S–2894S, 2004; Shao and Hathcock, Regul Toxicol Pharmacol 50:376–399, 2008; McConell, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 10:46–51, 2007; Kanaley, Curr Opin Clin Nutr Metab Care 11:50–54, 2008). Recently, Maughan et al. (J Sports Sci 29:S57–66, 2011) noted l-arginine as an emerging and growing trend among athletes.

Sarcopenia – Potential Beneficial Effects of Creatine Supplementation

Sarcopenia, defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass and function, decreases the ability to perform tasks of daily living. Two strategies that may help offset symptoms of sarcopenia include resistance exercise and creatine supplementation. Mechanical stimuli from resistance exercise appear to increase many cellular processes leading toward muscle hypertrophy and strength. The addition of creatine supplementation to resistance exercise may further augment these effects. Furthermore, the strategic and timely intake of creatine alongside resistance-exercise sessions may lead to greater gains in muscle mass and strength.