Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial andAssessment of Fermentation Product of Cordyceps Sinensis (Cs-4) inEnhancing Aerobic Capacity and Respiratory Function ofThe Healthy Elderly Volunteers

Objective:Cordyceps sinensis (CS) is a popular natural Chinese herbal medicine for invigoration, health preservation and reducing fatigue. Its natural substance has been prepared as a fermentation product of a specific strain of Cordyceps sinensis (Cs-4). Our objective was to assess the effect of Cs-4 on the exercise capacity of the healthy elderly people in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Methods:Thirty-seven healthy, elderly Chinese subjects were randomly assigned to receive either Cs-4 (3 g/ day) or identical placebo capsules. Their exercise performance was tested before and after 6 weeks of treatment with a symptom-limited, incremental work rate protocol on a cycle ergometer. Maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max) was measured using a metabolic chart. Anaerobic thresholds (VO26) were identified by two observers using plots of both VCO2 vs VO2 and VE/VO2 vs time. Results: After taking Cs-4 for 6 weeks, VO2max (1 88±0.13 to 2.00±0 14 L/min; P=0.050) and VO2(1.15±0.07 to 1.30±0.09 L/min; P = 0.012) were significantly increased, whereas after placebo application they were unchanged. Conclusion: These findings support the belief held in China that Cs-4 could improve oxygen uptake or aerobic capacity and ventilation function and resistance to fatigue of elderly people in exercise.

Impact of community-based exercise program participation on aerobic capacity in women with and without breast cancer

BACKGROUND Evidence for exercise as an efficacious strategy to improve aerobic capacity of breast cancer survivors(BCS)has come largely from intervention studies conducted in laboratory settings.There is an increasing need to translate to community-type settings,but the efficacy of those interventions using gold standard evaluation is not well-established.AIM To investigate whether similar improvement in aerobic capacity(maximal oxygen consumption[VO2])measured with gold standard testing can be achieved through a community-based setting in BCS.METHODS A peak cardiopulmonary exercise test(VO2peak),6-min walk test(6MWT),and timed up and go test(TUG)were assessed pre-and post-16 wk of progressive intensity aerobic and strength training exercise at a community center.RESULTS The sample consisted of 31 early BCS(<1 year since treatment completion)and 15 controls(CTLs).Both groups significantly improved VO2peak(+1.2 mL/kg/min;P=0.030),6MWT(+35 meters;P<0.001),and TUG(-0.44 s;P<0.01)following training.Both groups improved peak cycling power during the cardiopulmonary exercise test with BCS improving by+10 watts more than the CTLs(P=0.020).Average exercise attendance was 71%(34 of 48 possible days),but compliant days averaged only 60%of total days for aerobic,and<40%for strength in both groups.CONCLUSION Community-based exercise programs can be an effective strategy to improve aerobic capacity and physical function for early-stage BCS but potentially not to the same extent observed in laboratory-based randomized controlled trials.Further research is needed to explore barriers and facilitators of exercise engagement in community-based centers to maximize training benefits for adults with cancer.

What Is the Relation between Aerobic Capacity and Physical Activity Level in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease?

Background:Aerobic capacity(AC)in adults with congenital heart disease(CHD)is often reduced,mainly due to low confidence levels towards physical activity(PA).The main objective of this study was to estimate the association between PA level and AC(measured as peak of oxygen consumption,VO_(2peak))in adults with CHD.Methods:A total of 183 individuals(83 women and 100 men;mean(SD)age 36.9(11.0)years old)from Vall d’Hebron Hospital,Barcelona-Spain in 2019,participated in this cross-sectional study.The AC was assessed by cardiopulmonary exercise testing(CPET)using a treadmill ramp protocol.Considering values of metabolic equivalent of task(MET,MET-min·week-1)obtained by the short International Physical Activity Questionnaire(IPAQ),participants were divided into three categories of PA:health-enhancing PA(HEPA),minimally active,and inactive.Results:Median(SD)PA was 2737.2(2835.7)MET-min·week-1,with 60 participants(32.8%)reporting HEPA,91(49.7%)minimally active,and 32(17.5%)inactivity.Participants demonstrated a mean VO_(2peak) of 28.9(8.8)mL·Kg^(-1)·min^(-1),showing AC values on average 13%lower than expected in a healthy population.Overall,PA and AC were positively associated.Adjusting for sex and age,an increase of 1000 MET-min·week^(-1) was associated with an increase in VO_(2peak) of 0.8 units(95%CI 0.4–1.2;p<0.001).There were no differences in the degree of increase between sexes(p=0.427).Conclusion:These findings suggest that an increase in PA in patients with CHD significantly improves their AC,and hence,could be recommended when the goal is to improve their physical condition.

Impact of a 12-wk physical conditioning program on the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets

BACKGROUND Flight cadets need to have good physical fitness to cope with the challenges of flying missions.The continuous development of science and technology has led to the constant upgrading of fighter jets and the improvement of their performance,which has resulted in new and higher requirements for the physical fitness of flight personnel.The traditional physical training mode,method,and assessment have been used for many years and do not meet current fitness needs.AIM To investigate the impact of a 12-wk comprehensive anti-G fitness training program on the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets and to evaluate its effectiveness.METHODS Fifty-five cadets were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups using a randomized,single-blind design.The control group maintained their existing training regimen,while the experimental group participated in a 12-wk comprehensive training intervention.The training program comprised strength training twice per week,high-intensity interval training three times per week,and supplemental nutritional and psychological support.Maximal oxygen uptake(VO2max),lower limb strength,and hemoglobin levels were measured at baseline,at 6 wk and 12 wk post-intervention.RESULTS Repeated measures analysis of variance revealed significant differences of both VO2max and relative VO2 in both groups across time points(P<0.05).However,no significant time-group interaction was observed(P>0.05).Paired t-tests comparing baseline and 12-wk results showed that VO2max and relative VO2 were significantly higher in the experimental group than the control group(P<0.05).This suggests that the training program effectively enhanced the aerobic capacity of the experimental group.Key indicators of aerobic capacity,bilateral lower limb strength and hemoglobin levels,were also significantly different over time and between groups(P<0.05).No significant differences were noted in heart-rate metrics(P>0.05).CONCLUSION A 12-wk comprehensive anti-G fitness training program significantly improved the aerobic capacity of aviation cadets,thereby enhancing their overall capacity and laying a physiological foundation for enduring high-G flights.

Non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness and cancer incidence:The NIH-AARP diet and health study

Background Non-exercise estimated cardiorespiratory fitness(NEE-CRF)has been shown to be associated with mortality,although its association with cancer incidence is unknown.The study aimed to assess the prospective association between NEE-CRF and cancer incidence in a large cohort of men and women.Methods The National Institutes of Health-American Association of Retired Persons diet and health study is a prospective cohort that included 402,548 participants aged 50–71 years who were free from cancer at baseline(1995–1996)(men(n=238,835)and women(n=163,713))and were followed until December 31,2015.The exposure variable was NEE-CRF expressed in metabolic equivalents.NEE-CRF was estimated using a validated equation of self-reported predictors on demographics and lifestyle behaviors derived from baseline questionnaires.Primary outcomes were total cancer incidence and incidence of prostate,breast,lung,and colorectal cancers.Cox proportional hazards models were analyzed for the association between NEE-CRF and cancer incidence outcomes adjusted for established cancer risk factors.Results During 13.7±3.2 years of follow-up(mean±SD),64,344 men and 31,315 women developed a new cancer.For every 1-metabolic equivalent higher NEE-CRF,the hazard ratios and 95%confidence intervals(95%CIs)were 0.96(95%CI:0.94–0.97)and 0.88(95%CI:0.84–0.92)of total and colorectal cancer incidence among men,and 0.95(95%CI:0.93–0.97)and 0.94(95%CI:0.91–0.97)of total and breast cancer incidence among women,respectively(all p<0.001).NEE-CRF was not associated with incidence of prostate and lung cancers in men or colorectal and lung cancers in women.Conclusion These results suggest that higher CRF levels,as assessed by the applied non-exercise estimated method,may provide preventive benefits against the development of cancer,while low CRF could potentially serve as a modifiable cancer risk factor.Integrating NEE-CRF into screening paradigms and referring low-fit individuals to improve CRF could complement the public health prevention strategy against cancer.

Practical Use of Stairs to Assess Fitness, Prescribe and Perform Physical Activity Training

Aim: Evaluating climbing stairs for prescription and implementation of physical activity regimes. Methods: Healthy females (F, n = 14), and males (M, n = 15) participated. By climbing 100 steps of stairs with 0.173 m height, Heart rate (HR) and oxygen uptake were measured throughout the floors;Blood pressure (BP) was measured at ground and the 5th floors only. Results: Energy increased from 2 to 7.6 was metabolic equivalents (METs = 3.5 ml O2/min.kg) at 17.3 m elevation in 2 min. at the 5th floor, and percent Heart Rate Reserve (%HRR) was 66.17% in F and 48.7% in M, proportional to their aerobic efforts. Average climbing efficiency was 15.8 ± 2.3% (n = 29). Aerobic capacity estimated dividing the highest work rate (17.3 Kg.m/2min.Kg × 0.00239 = 0.0207 Kcal/min.Kg), by fractional effort (F = 0.6617, M = 0.487) and fractional efficiency (0.158), at 5 Kcal/L O2 was 0.040 in F and 0.054 L O2/Kg.min in M. Minimum training intensity reached at the 3rd floor by F. In M the highest %HRR reached was 48.7% at the 5th floor, insufficient for training. Conclusions: Stairs used for submaximal evaluation of aerobic capacity and for target intensity prescription. Training, levels climbed, repetitions per day (if 5, 100 Kcal per day, ascending) and number of days/week are adjusted. Full regime requires up to 7.6 METs, a total of 532 and 140 MET.min/week ascending and descending, respectively. Intensities >7.6 MET, climbing rate should be >8.65 m/min. Limiting ascent to 1 (3.5 METs) or 2 (5.5 METs) floors or only descents (2 - 3 METs) may be used for unfit subjects. This method is useful for those with no access to sophisticated facilities.

Assessment of cardiovascular e ndurance in B haratanatyam d ancers

Background:The nature and duration traditional Bharatanatyam training bring about a wholesome physiological improvement in terms of balance,flexibility,stamina,and respiratory efficiency.Aerobic fitness is essential in sustaining endurance exercise,like a long dance performance,as it keeps the muscle fatigue away for longer.Regular practice improves the aerobic metabolic pathway of dancers,which is characterized by increased oxygen delivery and carbon dioxide removal in the muscles.The current study sought to assess the aerobic fitness and cardiovascular endurance of Bharatanatyam dancers compared to non-dancers.Methods:The study population included 30 females in the age group of 16-25 years,including 15 dancers(Group I)and 15 non-dancers(Groups II).Their VO 2max,or peak oxygen consumption,was assessed using the modified Canadian aerobic fitness test,a sub-maximal step test.The two groups were compared based on demographics,BMI,VO 2max,pre and post-test heart rate.Statistical analysis was performed using Microsoft Excel.All test results were two-tailed,and a probability value(P-value)less than 0.05 was taken to be statistically significant.Results:The analysis revealed that Bharatanatyam dancers had a significantly lower BMI(P-value=0.002),post-test heart rate(P-value=0.01),and difference in the pre and post-test heart rate(P-value=0.019);and higher VO 2max(P-value=0.000)when compared to the control group.There was a significant association between the practice of Bharatanatyam and VO 2max(Fisher exact test;P-value=0.000).Within the Group I(dancers;n=15),there was a significant inverse correlation between BMI and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.546,P-value=0.001),post-test heart rate and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.461,P-value=0.01);and difference in the pre and post-test heart rate and VO 2max(r_(s)=-0.412,P-value=0.02).Finally,there was a mild positive correlation between practice days/week and VO 2max,although not statistically significant(r s=0.3841,P-value=0.157).Conclusion:The overall higher level of aerobic capacity of dancers when compared to non-dancers can be attributed to the way Bharatanatyam training is traditionally designed with graded training protocols and gradually increasing intensities of performance pieces;as well as the individual's initial fitness level and the frequency,intensity and duration of the training.Thus,we conclude that Bharatanatyam has the framework necessary for improving various aspects of the dancer's health.