Steven F. Loy

Chronic leptin administration increases insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake and transport

Leptin, the product of the ob gene, has been shown to reduce fat mass, food intake, hyperglycemia, and hyperinsulinemia and to increase whole-body glucose disposal. However, it is unknown if leptin improves insulin action in skeletal muscle. Therefore, the purpose of this investigation was to determine if chronic leptin administration increases insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake and transport. Sixty-nine female Sprague-Dawley rats (240 to 250 g) were randomly assigned to one of three groups: (1) control, (2) pair-fed, and (3) leptin. All animals were subcutaneously implanted with miniosmotic pumps that delivered 0.5 mg leptin/kg/d to the leptin animals and vehicle to the control and pair-fed animals for 14 days. Following this 14-day period, all animals were subjected to hindlimb perfusion to determine the rates of skeletal muscle glucose uptake and 3-O-methyl-D-glucose (3-MG) transport under basal, submaximal (500 microU/mL), and maximal (10,000 microU/mL) insulin concentrations. Chronic leptin treatment significantly increased (P < .05) the rate of glucose uptake across the hindlimb by 27%, 32%, and 47% under basal, submaximal, and maximal insulin, respectively, compared with the control and pair-fed condition. However, when the submaximal rate of glucose uptake was expressed as a percentage of maximal insulin-stimulated glucose uptake, no differences existed among the groups, indicating that leptin treatment does not increase insulin sensitivity. Rates of 3-MG transport in the soleus, plantaris, and white and red portions of the gastrocnemius (WG and RG) were significantly increased (P < .05) in leptin animals under all perfusion conditions. 3-MG transport was not different between control and pair-fed animals. Collectively, these findings suggest that improvements in insulin-stimulated skeletal muscle glucose uptake and transport following chronic leptin treatment result from increased insulin responsiveness.

The effect of traditional Chinese Therapeutic Massage on individuals with neck pain

Abstract Objective: To determine the effect of Traditional Chinese Therapeutic Massage on individuals with neck pain. Design: Randomized controlled clinical trial. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: Thirty-one volunteers with neck pain and loss in range of motion, for longer than one year were recruited from California State University staff and faculty. A total 28 subjects completed the study. Intervention: Traditional Chinese Therapeutic Massage (TCTM) and a home based, self-administrated exercise program. Main outcome measurement: A previously published neck pain questionnaire was used to measure pain intensity and the quality of life. A neck range of motion test was used to assess the changes in neck flexibility. Results: The TCTM group had a significant reduction in the scoring of pain questionnaire (p Conclusion: Traditional Chinese Therapeutic Massage provided significant benefit to those suffering from neck pain. Further studies need to address the combination of the treatments using TCTM and the therapies in mainstream medicine.

Specificity effects of run versus cycle training on ventilatory threshold

SummaryThis study compared the effects of 9 weeks of run (RT) versus cycle (CT) training on ventilatory threshold (Thv) determined during treadmill (TM) and cycle ergometer (CE) graded exercise testing. Sixteen college age men were assigned to a RT or CT group and performed a TM and a CE test before and after training. Both training groups performed similar training protocols which initially consisted of continuous exercise 4 days·week−1 at 75–80% maximum heart rate (fc,max) for 45 min. Training intensity was later increased to 80–85% fcmax and interval training (90–95% fc,max) was incorporated 2 days·week−1 into the continuous training. Both groups showed significantly improved maximal oxygen consumption (n

Injuries and illnesses sustained during the eco‐challenge ultra‐endurance competition

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Effectiveness of a free exercise program in a neighborhood park

nO2max) on both TM and CE tests (P<0.01) with no significant differences between the groups. Significant Thv increases (P<0.05) were found on TM tests for RT (n=8) and CT (n=8) groups [mean (SD); 443 (438) and 373 (568) ml O2·min−1, respectively] with no difference between the groups. Results from the CE tests revealed a significant Thv increase (P<0.01) for the CT group [566 (663) ml O2·min−1] with no change for the RT group. The Thv improvement noted for the RT group was significantly different (P< 0.05) comparing CE with TM tests but not for the CT group. The results indicate that CT and RT improvement in Thv for runners is dependent upon mode of training and testing, and there is an apparent dissociation of n

A Qualitative Study of Latino Grandparents’ Involvement in and Support for Grandchildren’s Leisure Time Physical Activity:

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