Aerobic Training Impacts on Blood Cholesterol of Women with Gestational Diabetes

Gestational diabetes mellitus has been identified as a major complication of pregnancies and has remained a major cause of perinatal morbidity and mortality, as well as maternal morbidity. Lipid abnormalities significantly contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular disease and other morbidities in diabetics. One of the benefits of regular exercise is a reduction in cardiovascular risk factors through the improvement of the lipid profile and reduction of hypertension. This study investigated the effect of aerobic training on the cholesterol level of women with gestational diabetes. Thirty-four (34) women who met the inclusion criteria for this study were randomized into Exercise and Control groups. Exercise group participated in structured exercise programme, 3 sessions a week for 8 weeks with each session lasting a maximum of 60 minutes while the Control group did not participate in any form of structured exercise programme for the period of the study. Data were collected at baseline, at 4th week and at 8th week into the exercise programme. Thirty (30) of the participants completed the study and so only their data were analysed using Repeated Measure ANOVA and Independent t-test. The result showed significant changes in the total cholesterol (F[2, 28]) = 268.316, P = 0.001), of the Exercise group compared to the control. Independent t-test used to compare the lipid profile of the Experimental and Control groups showed significant difference between the means of the 2 groups at week 4 (total cholesterol (t(28) 2.164, P = 0.039, triglyceride [t(28) 3.146 P = 0.004] and week 8 (total cholesterol t(28) 4.596, P = 0.001, triglyceride t(28) 5.534, P = 0.001) but not at baseline (total cholesterol t(28) -901, P = 0.375, triglyceride t(28) 1.612, P = 0.118). It was concluded that structured aerobic exercises may have positive effect on the components of lipid profile in women with gestational diabetes.

Exercise interventions for patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus:A narrative review with practical recommendations

Type 1 diabetes mellitus(T1DM)is a chronic endocrine disease that results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic insulin-producingβcells,which can lead to microvascular(e.g.,retinopathy,neuropathy,and nephropathy)and macrovascular complications(e.g.,coronary arterial disease,peripheral artery disease,stroke,and heart failure)as a consequence of chronic hyperglycemia.Despite the widely available and compelling evidence that regular exercise is an efficient strategy to prevent cardiovascular disease and to improve functional capacity and psychological well-being in people with T1DM,over 60%of individuals with T1DM do not exercise regularly.It is,therefore,crucial to devise approaches to motivate patients with T1DM to exercise,to adhere to a training program,and to inform them of its specific characteristics(e.g.,exercise mode,intensity,volume,and frequency).Moreover,given the metabolic alterations that occur during acute bouts of exercise in T1DM patients,exercise prescription in this population should be carefully analyzed to maximize its benefits and to reduce its potential risks.

Effects of Different Mode Exercise on Depression-like Behaviors and Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Rats with Post-stroke Depression

[Objectives]To explore the effects of high-intensity intermittent training(HIIT)on the degree of depression,neuronal morphology,and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampal dentate gyrus(DG)of ischemic hemisphere in rats with post-stroke depression(PSD),and to investigate the potential mechanisms.[Methods]40 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,sham-operation group(Sham),PSD model group,moderate intensity aerobic training group(MIAT)and HIIT group(n=8 for each group).Except the control and Sham group,all other groups were given the middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)using the intraluminal thread method,and chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS)was applied.After successful modeling,training programs of different intensity were performed in the MIAT and the HIIT group.Rats in the five groups were subjected to behavioral tests(open field test and tail suspension test)before and 28 d after training.Nissl staining was used to observe the morphological changes of neurons in the left hippocampal DG area.The expressions of BDNF protein were detected by western blotting and immunohistochemistry.[Results]After 28 d of training,compared with the other groups,the PSD group's pause time of the central lattice was prolonged;the immobility time increased in tail suspension test;the expression of BDNF decreased in the left hippocampal DG area.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).Neurons of hippocampal DG neurons were loosely arranged;cells were missing.Nissl body was lightly stained and even dissolved;the ethological findings in MIAT and HIIT rats were reversed;the expression of BDNF was elevated.Nissl staining showed that the cells were arranged neatly;the layers were dense,and the Nissl body was deeply stained.The changes in HIIT group were more significant than that in MIAT group(P<0.05).[Conclusions]Compared with the traditional medium-intensity aerobic training,high-intensity interval training can improve the depression-like behavior in rats with post-stroke depression.The potential mechanism might be that HIIT increase the neuroplasticity and expression of BDNF in hippocampal DG area.

Exercise training modulates adipokine dysregulations in metabolic syndrome

Metabolic syndrome(MetS)is a cluster of risk factors for various metabolic diseases,and it is characterized by central obesity,dyslipidemia,hypertension,and insulin resistance.The core component for MetS is adipose tissue,which releases adipokines and influences physical health.Adipokines consist of pro and anti-inflammatory cytokines and contribute to various physiological functions.Generally,a sedentary lifestyle promotes fat accumulation and secretion of pro-inflammatory adipokines.However,regular exercise has been known to exert various beneficial effects on metabolic and cognitive disorders.Although the mechanisms underlying exercise beneficial effects in MetS are not fully understood,changes in energy expenditure,fat accumulation,circulatory level of myokines,and adipokines might be involved.This review article focuses on some of the selected adipokines in MetS,and their responses to exercise training considering possible mechanisms.

T10 Test as an Alternative Method to Assess Critical Speed and its Potential Application to Runners

Exercise intensity is usually prescribed based on a metabolic marker,such as maximum oxygen uptake or maximal lactate steady state.Those markers,however,face some difficulties regarding their practical applicability to the general popula-tion.The critical speed emerges as an alternative parameter to determine aerobic exercise intensities through maximal tests using ergometers or field tests,demanding few resources.We evaluated the fidelity of test to predict critical speed and if this parameter could be used to prescribe intensity in aerobic exercise.One hundred recreational runners performed the T10 test and a conventional critical speed test to define running speeds.Out of them,44 runners proceed continuous and interval races.The critical speed assessed from T10 test was then compared to critical speed measured by three maximal runs in the track field(1200 m,2400 m,and 3600 m).We found a strong correlation(r=0.91)and did not find statistical differences(t=1.8,P=0.90)between critical speed assessed by T10(3.89±0.49 m/s)and field-test(3.85±0.51 m/s).T10 is also better associated with running and interval running speeds than metabolic markers.T10 test can be used as a valid alternative method to assess critical speed and to prescribe runs.