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.

Infrared Spectroscopy and Morphological Assessments on the Nutritional Value of Prickly Pear Fruit

The prickly pear fruit helps in combating viral based infections.It is used to treat diabetes and declared to possess hypoglycemic effects.There is also record of the usage of the fruit in the olden days as a remedy for diabetes,lipid disorders,inflammation,ulcers,and pharmacologic side effects.The chemical composition and nutritional values of skin,flesh and seed of prickly pear fruit were investigated and discussed on a dry weight situation.The infrared spectra as well as scanning electron microscopy(SEM)techniques were used to identify the functional groups of carbohydrates,amino acids,and protein.The infrared spectral data of all three(skin,flesh,and seeds)species were recorded and assigned to the presence of distinguish peaks that referred to the three different sugars(glucose,fructose and saccharose)and cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbons moieties.On the other hand,the SEM is a powerful tool to investigate the morphological features of the components.SEM assays were examined on the surfaces of skin,flesh and seed branches showing a small particle that tends to form clusters with different shapes compared to each other.The Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX)is an analytical technique used for the elemental analysis or chemical characterization of a sample.The EDX spectral technique of the skin,flesh and seeds were confirmed the presence of different essential and useful elements such as carbon,oxygen,magnesium,calcium,potassium,sulfur,aluminum,silicon,chloride,and phosphorus.

Coaches’ Speech in Regard to Score and Match Phase

The aim of this study was to analyse the rate and content of 10,430 messages,sent by 21 handball coaches in 21 matches,in relation to score and match phase.Three situations were defined as regards score:large victory,tight game,and large defeat;and four phases for match phase:part 1 and 2 of first half,and part 1 and 2 of second half.Message rates were calculated by dividing the number of messages sent at each level of score and match phase by the elapsed time.To calculate the content,messages were coded using Coach Analysis and Intervention System and percentages were calculated according to score and match phase.Chi-square analysis showed statistically significant differences for rate of messages by score(χ^(2)=211.06,df=2,sig<0.001),and match phase(χ^(2)=23.704,df=3;sig<0.001);and for percentage of content by score(χ^(2)=444.011,df=42,sig<0.001)and match phase(χ^(2)=201.706,df=63,sig<0.001).Results can help to establish guidelines to increase the quality of coaches’speech.

Heart Failure Prediction in Athletic Heart Remodeling among Long Distance Runners

Background: Physical activity has a cardinal role in preventing and treating cardiovascular diseases. Understanding the changes that occur to the cardiac muscle in athletes is still doubtful whether it is only an adaptation to exercise or a concealed pathological condition. Most of these changes are well documented in apparently healthy heart and characterized by cardiac enlargement with Brady-arrhythmias specially individuals participating in long distance runners with exercise capacity without signs of cardiovascular disease. Methods: The study searched the subclinical myocardial necrosis by comparing two groups of young marathon runners, both groups were chosen from Al Gizera youth center in January 2018. First group included adults above the age of 18 years and ran for 12 km. and the second was under 18 years and ran for about 8 km. Both groups were volunteered for this study. They are monitored carefully with blood pressure, heart rate and respiratory rate and their blood samples were collected pre- and post-race immediately for assessment of cardiac markers NTproBNP, Galectin-3 and cTnI. Results: All cardiac markers were elevated post exercise compared to that achieved in pre-exercise regardless age of athletes. Also, pre-exercise adult results were higher in galectin-3 and cTnI but not in proBNP while there is no difference in the acute response in both groups. These results revealed micro cardiac necrosis due to long run exercise with possible bad prognosis. Conclusions: It is important to develop risk assessment and prediction methods for screening the young athletes and consider the term athletic heart as a subclinical disorder rather than physiological adaptation.

Aging Effects on Neuromuscular Activity in Karate Practitioners

Aging leads to a general decline in body functions that affects quality of life. Sports practice is recommended as a means to attenuate the impact of the aging process. The aim of this study was to identify and analyze the neuromuscular activity and its patterns on active karate practitioners and assess the effects of the aging process. Two groups of black belt male karate practitioners, one with nine practitioners over 50 years old and the other with 21 practitioners aged between 20-30 years old performed the frontal kick mae-geri. Kinematic and electromyographic data of five muscles were collected from the right leg. Results showed two distinct periods of muscular activation in the mae-geri performance, with similar muscles activity patterns between groups. Nevertheless, some differences were found in the muscles＇ activity onset and offset, in root mean square and in inter-muscle delay and co-contraction periods. Those differences indicated that aging affects the neuromuscular activity in the mae-geri performance of the oldest karate practitioners. Nevertheless, the results showed that lifelong practice of karate can preserve the quality of the neuromuscular activity in older practitioners when they perform a kick, and this could be associated with benefits to balance control.

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.