Sex differences in neuromuscular and biological determinants of isometric maximal force.

Aim: Force expression is characterized by an interplay of biological and molecular determinants that are expected to differentiate males and females in terms of maximal performance. These include muscle characteristics (muscle size, fiber type, contractility), neuromuscular regulation (central and peripheral factors of force expression), and individual genetic factors (miRNAs and gene/protein expression). This research aims to comprehensively assess these physiological variables and their role as determinants of maximal force difference between sexes.

Randomised controlled trial combining vitamin E-functionalised chocolate with physical exercise to reduce the risk of protein-energy malnutrition in predementia aged people: study protocol for Choko-Age.

Objective: Protein-energy malnutrition and the subsequent muscle wasting (sarcopenia) are common ageing complications. It is knowing to be also associated with dementia. Our programme will test the cytoprotective functions of vitamin E combined with the cortisol-lowering effect of chocolate polyphenols (PP), in combination with muscle anabolic effect of adequate dietary protein intake and physical exercise to prevent the age-dependent decline of muscle mass and its key underpinning mechanisms including mitochondrial function, and nutrient metabolism in muscle in the elderly.

Concurrent metaboreflex activation increases chronotropic and ventilatory responses to passive leg movement without sex-related differences.

Previous studies in animal models showed that exercise-induced metabolites accumulation may sensitize the mechanoreflex-induced response. The aim of this study was to assess whether the magnitude of the central hemodynamic and ventilatory adjustments evoked by isolated stimulation of the mechanoreceptors in humans are influenced by the prior accumulation of metabolic byproducts in the muscle. 10 males and 10 females performed two exercise bouts consisting of 5-min of intermittent isometric knee-extensions performed 10% above the previously determined critical force.

Aging increases metabolic capacity and reduces work efficiency during handgrip exercise in males.

Maximal oxygen uptake and exercise performance typically decline with age. However, there are indications of preserved vascular function and blood flow regulation during arm exercise. Yet, it is unknown if this potential physiological preservation with age is mirrored in peripheral metabolic capacity and V̇o/W ratio.

Chronic Bedridden Condition Is Reflected by Substantial Changes in Plasma Inflammatory Profile.

Absent or reduced physical activity and spontaneous movement over days, weeks, or even years may lead to problems in almost every major organ/system in the human body. In this study, we investigated whether the dysregulation and alteration of plasma protein inflammatory profiling can stratify chronic bedridden conditions observed in 22 elderly chronic bedridden (CBR) individuals with respect to 11 age-matched active (OLD) controls. By using a combination of immune-assay multiplex techniques, a complex of 27 inflammatory mediators was assessed in the plasma collected from the two groups.

The role of muscle mass in vascular remodeling: insights from a single-leg amputee model.

Purpose: Both muscle mass and physical activity are independent mechanisms that play a role in vascular remodeling, however, the direct impact of muscle mass on the structure and function of the vessels is not clear. The aim of the study was to determine the impact of muscle mass alteration on lower limbs arterial diameter, blood flow, shear rate and arterial stiffness.

Methods: Nine (33 ± 13 yrs) male individuals with a single-leg amputation were recruited.

Brain Structural and Functional Alterations in Multiple Sclerosis-Related Fatigue: A Systematic Review.

Fatigue is one of the most disabling symptoms of multiple sclerosis (MS); it influences patients' quality of life. The etiology of fatigue is complex, and its pathogenesis is still unclear and debated. The objective of this review was to describe potential brain structural and functional dysfunctions underlying fatigue symptoms in patients with MS.

Prior Involvement of Central Motor Drive Does Not Impact Performance and Neuromuscular Fatigue in a Subsequent Endurance Task.

Purpose: This study evaluated whether central motor drive during fatiguing exercise plays a role in determining performance and the development of neuromuscular fatigue during a subsequent endurance task.

Methods: On separate days, 10 males completed three constant-load (80% peak power output), single-leg knee-extension trials to task failure in a randomized fashion. One trial was performed without preexisting quadriceps fatigue (CON), and two trials were performed with preexisting quadriceps fatigue induced either by voluntary (VOL; involving central motor drive) or electrically evoked (EVO; without central motor drive) quadriceps contractions (~20% maximal voluntary contraction (MVC)).

Does Parkinson's disease affect peripheral circulation and vascular function in physically active patients?

Previous studies demonstrated that aging, neurodegeneration, and the level of physical activity are associated with vascular alterations. However, in Parkinson's disease (PD) only cerebral vascular function has been investigated; instead, the contribution of PD on systemic vascular function and skeletal muscle circulation remains a matter of debate. In this study, the hyperemic response during the single passive leg movement test (sPLM), largely nitric oxide dependent, was examined at the level of the common femoral artery with an ultrasound Doppler system to assess systemic vascular function in 10 subjects with PD (PDG), compared with 10 aged-sex and physically active matched healthy elderly (EHG), and 10 physically active young healthy individuals (YHG).

The Eccentric Phase in Unilateral Resistance Training Enhances and Preserves the Contralateral Knee Extensors Strength Gains After Detraining in Women: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

The current randomized controlled study investigated whether or not the inclusion of the eccentric phase in resistance training favors the contralateral strength gains after different unilateral protocols, and whether such gains are retained after detraining. Sixty healthy women were randomly assigned to a unilateral concentric-only (CONC), eccentric-only (ECC), concentric-eccentric (TRAD) volume-equated knee extension training or control group (CON). The participants trained 2 days/week for 8 weeks and then did not train for further 8 weeks.

Long-Term Passive Leg Stretch Improves Systemic Vascular Responsiveness as Much as Single-Leg Exercise Training.

Purpose: The current study compared the local and systemic vascular responsiveness after small muscle mass endurance training or passive stretching training (PST).

Methods: Thirty-six sex-matched healthy participants underwent 8-wk single-leg knee extension (SLKE) (n = 12) training or PST (n = 12), or no intervention (control, n = 12). Before and after the intervention, local and systemic vascular responsiveness was assessed by Doppler ultrasound at the femoral (local effect) and brachial artery (systemic effect) during single passive leg movement and brachial flow-mediated dilation (FMD) test, respectively.

Evidence that Neuromuscular Fatigue Is not a Dogma in Patients with Parkinson's Disease.

Purpose: Given the increased level of fatigue frequently reported by patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), this study investigated the interaction between central and peripheral components of neuromuscular fatigue (NF) in this population compared with healthy peers.

Methods: Changes in maximal voluntary activation (ΔVA, central fatigue) and potentiated twitch force (ΔQtw,pot, peripheral fatigue) pre-post exercise were determined via the interpolated twitch technique in 10 patients with PD and 10 healthy controls (CTRL) matched for age, sex, and physical activity. Pulmonary gas exchange, femoral blood flow, and quadriceps EMG were measured during a fatiguing exercise (85% of peak power output [PPO]).

Altered Vascular Endothelium-Dependent Responsiveness in Frail Elderly Patients Recovering from COVID-19 Pneumonia: Preliminary Evidence.

We evaluated vascular dysfunction with the single passive leg movement test (sPLM) in 22 frail elderly patients at 84 + 31 days after hospitalization for COVID-19 pneumonia, compared to 22 age-, sex- and comorbidity-matched controls (CTRL). At rest, all COVID-19 patients were in stable clinical condition without severe comorbidities. Patients (aged 72 ± 6 years, 73% male) had moderate disability (Barthel index score 77 ± 26), hypoxemia and normocapnia at arterial blood gas analysis and mild pulmonary restriction at spirometry.

Repeated Passive Mobilization to Stimulate Vascular Function in Individuals of Advanced Age Who Are Chronically Bedridden: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Vascular dysfunction and associated disorders are major side effects of chronic bed rest, yet passive mobilization as a potential treatment has only been theorized so far. This study investigated the effects of passive mobilization treatment on vascular function in older, chronically bedridden people.

Method: The study sample was 45 chronically bedridden people of advanced age (mean age: 87 years; 56% female; mean bed rest: 4 years) randomly assigned to a treatment (n = 23) or a control group (CTRL, n = 22).

Electrically induced quadriceps fatigue in the contralateral leg impairs ipsilateral knee extensors performance.

Muscle fatigue induced by voluntary exercise, which requires central motor drive, causes central fatigue that impairs endurance performance of a different, nonfatigued muscle. This study investigated the impact of quadriceps fatigue induced by electrically induced (no central motor drive) contractions on single-leg knee-extension (KE) performance of the subsequently exercising ipsilateral quadriceps. On two separate occasions, eight males completed constant-load (85% of maximal power-output) KE exercise to exhaustion.

The key role of physical activity against the neuromuscular deterioration in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Aim: Decreased muscle strength has been frequently observed in individuals with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, this condition is still poorly examined in physically active patients. This study compared quadriceps (Q) maximal force and the contribution of central and peripheral components of force production during a maximal isometric task between physically active PD and healthy individuals.

Exercise training improves vascular function in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Purpose: Vascular dysfunction has been demonstrated in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD). Exercise is known to positively affect vascular function. Thus, the aim of our study was to investigate exercise-induced effects on vascular function in AD.

Guidelines on exercise testing and prescription for patients at different stages of Parkinson's disease.

Background: Exercise is highly recommended in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Exercise-induced amelioration of motor, non-motor, and drug-induced symptoms are widely known. However, specific guidelines on exercise testing and prescription in PD are lacking.

The Vascular Side of Chronic Bed Rest: When a Therapeutic Approach Becomes Deleterious.

The interplay between chronic constraint and advanced aging on blood flow, shear-rate, vascular function, nitric oxide (NO)-bioavailability, microcirculation, and vascular inflammation factors is still a matter of debate. Ninety-eight individuals (Young, =28, 23±3yrs; Old, =36, 85±7yrs; Bedridden, =34, 88±6yrs) were included in the study. The bedridden group included old individuals chronically confined to bed (3.

Timed synchronization of muscle contraction to heartbeat enhances muscle hyperemia.

Blood flow (BF) to exercising muscles is susceptible to variations of intensity, and duration of skeletal muscle contractions, cardiac cycle, blood velocity, and vessel dilation. During cyclic muscle activity, these elements may change proportionally with or without direct optimal temporal alignment, likely influencing BF to active muscle. Ideally, the pulsed delivery of blood to active muscle timed with the inactive phase of muscle duty-cycle would enhance the peak and average BF.

Bone and skeletal muscle changes in oldest-old women: the role of physical inactivity.

Background: Alterations in bone and muscle parameters related to advanced aging and physical inactivity have never been investigated in oldest-old women.

Aims: To investigate the impact of physical inactivity on bone mineral density (BMD) and body composition at the systemic and regional levels in oldest-old (> 75 years old) women. We hypothesized that, further to aging, alterations in bone and body composition parameters are exacerbated in the locomotor limbs that have experienced physical inactivity.

An Indoor Therapeutic Garden for Behavioral Symptoms in Alzheimer's Disease: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) affect 60-90% of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Objective: To determine if environmental therapy is an effective strategy to reduce BPSD, we tested 163 patients with AD with Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) before and after 6 months of an indoor therapeutic garden (TG) or standard environment.

Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled trial on AD patients with BPSD.