The effects of a 20-week exercise program on blood-circulating biomarkers related to brain health in overweight or obese children:The ActiveBrains project

Background:Emerging research supports the idea that exercise positively affects neurodevelopment.However,the mechanisms linking exercise with brain health are largely unknown.We aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on(a)blood biomarkers selected based on previous evidence(brainderived neurotrophic factor,β-hydroxybutyrate(BHB),cathepsin B(CTSB),kynurenine,fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21),soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(sVCAM-1));and(b)a panel of 92 neurology-related proteins(discovery analysis).We also investigated whether changes in these biomarkers mediate the effects of exercise on brain health(hippocampal structure and function,cognitive performance,and mental health).Methods:We randomized 81 overweight/obese children(10.1±1.1 years,41%girls)into 2 groups:either 20 weeks of aerobic plus resistance exercise or control.Candidate biomarkers were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for kynurenine,FGF21,and CTSB;colorimetry forβ-hydroxybutyrate;and XMap for brain-derived neurotrophic factor and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1.The92 neurology-related proteins were analyzed by an antibody-based proteomic analysis.Results:Our intervention had no significant effect on candidate biomarkers(all p>0.05).In the discovery analysis,a reduction in circulating macrophage scavenger receptor type-I was observed(standardized differences between groups=-0.3,p=0.001).This effect was validated using ELISA methods(standardized difference=-0.3,p=0.01).None of the biomarkers mediated the effects of exercise on brain health.Conclusions:Our study does not support a chronic effect of exercise on candidate biomarkers.We observed that while chronic exercise reduced the levels of macrophage scavenger receptor type-Ⅰ,it did not mediate the effects of exercise on brain health.Future studies should explore the implications of this novel biomarker for overall health.

Cardiometabolic risk through an integrative classification combining physical activity and sedentary behavior in European adolescents:HELENA study

Purpose: This study aims to compare adolescents' cardiometabolic risk score through an integrative classification of physical activity(PA),which involves the combination of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity(MVPA) and sedentary behavior(SB).Methods: A cross-sectional study derived from the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence Cross-Sectional Study database(2006-2008) was conducted in adolescents(n = 548; boys, 47.3%; 14.7 ± 1.2 years) from 10 European cities. MVPA and SB were objectively measured using accelerometry. Adolescents were divided into 4 categories according to MVPA(meeting or not meeting the international recommendations) and the median of SB time(above or below sex-and age-specific median) as follows: High-SB & Inactive, Low-SB & Inactive,High-SB & Active, and Low-SB & Active. A clustered cardiometabolic risk score was computed using the homeostatic model assessment, systolic blood pressure, triglycerides, total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, sum 4 skinfolds, and cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF).Analyses of covariance were performed to discern differences on cardiometabolic risk scores among PA categories and each health component.Results: The cardiometabolic risk score was lower in adolescents meeting the MVPA recommendation and with less time spent in SB in comparison to the high-SB & Inactive group(p < 0.05). However, no difference in cardiometabolic risk score was established between High-SB or Low-SB groups in inactive adolescents. It is important to note that CRF was the only variable that showed a significant modification(higher)when children were compared from the category of physically inactive with "active" but not from high-to low-SB.Conclusion: Being physically active is the most significant and protective outcome in adolescents to reduce cardiometabolic risk. Lower SB does not exhibit a significant and extra beneficial difference.

Mediation role of cardiorespiratory fitness on the association between fatness and cardiometabolic risk in European adolescents: The HELENA study

Purpose:This study was aimed to analyze the mediation role of cardiorespiratory fitness(CRF)on the association between fatness and cardiometabolic risk scores(CMRs)in European adolescents.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in adolescents(n=525;46%boys;14.1±1.1 years old,mean ±SD)from 10 European cities involved in the Healthy Lifestyle in Europe by Nutrition in Adolescence study.CRF was measured by means of the shuttle run test,while fatness measures included body mass index(BMI),waist to height ratio,and fat mass index estimated from skinfold thicknesses.A clustered CMRs was computed by summing the standardized values of homeostasis model assessment,systolic blood pressure,triglycerides,total cholesterol/highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol ratio,and leptin.Results:Linear regression models indicated that CRF acted as an important and partial mediator in the association between fatness and CMRs in 1217-year-old adolescents(for BMI:coefficients of the indirect role b=0.058(95%confidence interval(95%CI):0.023-0.101),Sobel test z=3.11(10.0%mediation);for waist to height ratio:b=4.279(95%CI:2.242-7.059),z=3.86(11.5%mediation);and for fat mass index:b=0.060(95%CI:0.020-0.106),z=2.85(9.4%mediation);all p<0.01).Conclusion:In adolescents,the association between fatness and CMRs could be partially decreased with improvements to fitness levels;therefore,CRF contribution both in the clinical field and public health could be important to consider and promote in adolescents independently of their fatness levels.

Effects of Recreational Soccer on Health Outcomes:A Narrative Review

Soccer is a very popular team sport that involves a variety of physical actions,such as sprints,accelerations,sudden decelera-tions,and jumps,among others.Research has placed recreational soccer in a good position as a strategy to increase physical activity levels and promote health across the lifespan.In this regard,recreational(non-competitive)soccer promotes social interaction and has the potential to increase long-term adherence to physical activity,even in those without prior experience in this sport.In this narrative review,we address the effects of recreational soccer on various health outcomes across the lifespan(i.e.,from childhood to the elderly years)in both sexes.In addition,the beneficial effects of recreational soccer for people with prevalent pathologies,such as hypertension,type II diabetes mellitus,and cancer,are discussed.

Blood Flow-Restricted Training in Older Adults:A Narrative Review

Background Low-intensity resistance training(LI-RT)combined with blood flow restriction(BFR)is an alternative to traditional moderate-high-intensity resistance training to increase strength and muscle mass.However,the evidence about the efficacy of this novel training method to increase strength and muscle mass in healthy and older adults with patholo-gies is limited.Furthermore,the possible risk and adverse effects with BFR training methodology in older adults should be considered.Objectives(1)To summarize the current evidence on training with BFR strategies in older adults aiming to improve strength and to increase muscle mass;and(2)to provide recommendations for resistance and aerobic training with BFR in older adults based on the studies reviewed.Methods Studies that investigated the chronic responses to resistance training or aerobic training with BFR related to strength and muscle mass changes in older adults were identified.Two independent researchers conducted the search in PubMed,Web of Science,and Google Scholar databases from their inception up to November 1,2018.Results Seventeen out of 35 studies,which performed resistance or aerobic training with BFR in older adults focused on strength and muscle mass outcomes,were included in this review.Studies performing resistance and aerobic train-ing with BFR found better improvements in strength and higher increase in muscle mass compared to non-BFR groups that performed the same training protocol.High-intensity resistance training(HI-RT)without BFR provided greater improvements in strength and a similar increase in muscle mass compared to light-intensity resistance training(LI-RT)with BFR.Conclusions Current evidence suggests that LI-RT and/or aerobic training with BFR improves strength and increases muscle mass in older people.Light-intensity training without BFR would normally not obtain such benefits.Therefore,LI-RT and aerobic training with BFR is an alternative to traditional methods to improve strength and by way of an increase in muscle mass,which are important in the elderly who have progressive muscle atrophy and are at higher risk of falls.