The influence of prolonged aerobic exercise on cardiac, muscular, and renal biomarkers in trained individuals with obesity.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of prolonged aerobic exercise on cardiac, muscular and renal inflammatory markers in a group of trained obese men.

Methods: Seventeen men (aged 40 ± 6 years; body mass index [BMI] 31.3 ± 2.

Women Upward-Sex Differences in Uphill Performance in Speed Climbing, Ski Mountaineering, Trail Running, Cross-Country Skiing, and Cycling.

Introduction: Women have generally lower body size and lean- to fat-mass ratio, lower maximal anaerobic power due to a lower muscle mass, and fewer fast-twitch fibers, although they can show higher resistance to fatigue or greater metabolic flexibility than men. These factors are well known and explain the sex differences in endurance sports such as distance running (10%-12%). Several of these factors-particularly the differences in body composition and skeletal-muscle characteristics-may directly impact vertical displacement and uphill performance.

Effects of 24-week Polarized Training vs. Threshold Training in Obese Male Adults.

The combination of high volume of moderate-intensity continuous training with a low volume of high-intensity interval training improved body composition and physical capacities in individuals with obesity. However, polarized training (POL) has never been used in adult men with obesity. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate changes in body composition and physical capacities induced by a 24-week POL or threshold (THR) program in obese male adults.

Do poles really "save the legs" during uphill pole walking at different intensities?

Purpose: In sky- and trail-running competitions, many athletes use poles. The aims of this study were to investigate whether the use of poles affects the force exerted on the ground at the feet (Ffoot), cardiorespiratory variables and maximal performance during uphill walking.

Methods: Fifteen male trail runners completed four testing sessions on different days.

Improvement of adiponectin in relation to physical performance and body composition in young obese males subjected to twenty-four weeks of training programs.

Obesity and related metabolic diseases represent a worldwide health problem. The main factor predisposing to obesity is an unhealthy lifestyle including the lack of physical activity. A pivotal role in the etio-pathogenesis of obesity is carried out by adipose tissue, an endocrine organ secreting several adipokines involved in numerous metabolic and inflammatory processes.

Pole Walking Is Faster but Not Cheaper During Steep Uphill Walking.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to compare pole walking (PW) and walking without poles (W) on a steep uphill mountain path (1.3 km, 433 m of elevation gain) at 2 different intensities: a maximal effort that would simulate a vertical kilometer intensity and a lower intensity (80% of maximal) simulating an ultratrail race.

Methods: On the first day, we tested the participants in the laboratory to determine their maximal physiological parameters, respiratory compensation point, and gas exchange threshold.

Energetics and Mechanics of Steep Treadmill Versus Overground Pole Walking: A Pilot Study.

Purpose: To compare energetics and spatiotemporal parameters of steep uphill pole walking on a treadmill and overground.

Methods: First, the authors evaluated 6 male trail runners during an incremental graded test on a treadmill. Then, they performed a maximal overground test with poles and an overground test at 80% (OG80) of vertical velocity of maximal overground test with poles on an uphill mountain path (length = 1.

Running power: lab based . portable devices measurements and its relationship with aerobic power.

In recent years, different companies have developed devices that estimate "running power". The main objective of this paper is to evaluate the effect of running speed on aerobic and running powers measured using force plates and by different devices. The second objective is to evaluate the relationship between aerobic power and running powers measured using force plates and by different devices.

Peripheral Alterations Affect the Loss in Force after a Treadmill Downhill Run.

Downhill running has an important effect on performance in trail running competitions, but it is less studied than uphill running. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cardiorespiratory response during 15 min of downhill running (DR) and to evaluate the neuromuscular consequences in a group of trail runners. Before and after a 15-min DR trial (slope: -25%) at ~60% of maximal oxygen consumption (V̇Omax), we evaluated maximal voluntary contraction torque (MVCt) and muscle contractility in a group of seventeen trail running athletes.

Physical capacities and leisure activities are related with cognitive functions in older adults.

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between physical activity habits, physical performance and cognitive capacity in older adults' population of Italy and Slovenia.

Methods: Anthropometric characteristics and body composition bioelectrical impedance analysis were evaluated in 892 older adults (60-80 y). Aerobic capacity was measured using the 2-km walk test and handgrip and flexibility tests were performed.

Effects of NMES pulse width and intensity on muscle mechanical output and oxygen extraction in able-bodied and paraplegic individuals.

Purpose: Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation (NMES) is commonly used in neuromuscular rehabilitation protocols, and its parameters selection substantially affects the characteristics of muscle activation. Here, we investigated the effects of short pulse width (200 µs) and higher intensity (short-high) NMES or long pulse width (1000 µs) and lower intensity (long-low) NMES on muscle mechanical output and fractional oxygen extraction. Muscle contractions were elicited with 100 Hz stimulation frequency, and the initial torque output was matched by adjusting stimulation intensity.

Muscle damage and inflammatory status biomarkers after a 3-stage trail running race.

Background: Participants in ultramarathon and multi-stage races are continuously increasing. A detailed knowledge of the time-course of the restoration in muscular, cardiac, and inflammatory biomarkers after a multi-stage race may help the design of training schedules focused to avoid adverse outcomes of repetitive high-intensity endurance exercise and athlete exhaustion. Thus, the aim of the study was to evaluate blood parameters and serum biomarkers associated to muscle damage and inflammation in athletes participating in a 3-stage competition.

Defining Off-road Running: A Position Statement from the Ultra Sports Science Foundation.

Off-road running continues to grow in popularity, with differing event categories existing, and terminologies are often used interchangeably and without precision. Trail running, mountain running, skyrunning, fell running, orienteering, obstacle course racing and cross-country running all take place predominantly in off-road terrain. Ultramarathon running refers to any running event over marathon distance conducted in any terrain and surface.

A new field test to estimate the aerobic and anaerobic thresholds and maximum parameters.

Evaluation of cardiorespiratory parameters is important in athletic population in order to monitor the training status and define training intensities. The aim of this study was to validate an easy-to-perform running test called RABIT (Running Advisor Billat Training) for detecting aerobic (AerT) and anaerobic (AnT) threshold and maximum parameters. Fifteen trained runners completed a graded (GRAD) and RABIT test (four self-selected pace steps: (i) 10 minutes at free warm-up pace, (ii) 5 minutes at medium pace, (iii) 3 minutes at hard pace, (iv) 10 minutes at easy pace).

Changes in Skeletal Muscle Oxidative Capacity After a Trail Running Race.

Purpose: to evaluate the effects of a trail-running race on muscle oxidative function by measuring pulmonary gas exchange variables and muscle fractional O extraction.

Methods: Eighteen athletes were evaluated before (PRE) and after (POST) a trail running competition of 32-km or 50-km with 2000 m or 3500 m of elevation gain, respectively. During the week before the race, runners performed an incremental uphill running test and an incremental exercise by utilizing a one-leg knee-extension (KE) ergometer.

Do poles save energy during steep uphill walking?

Purpose: In trail running and in uphill races many athletes use poles. However, there are few data about pole walking on steep uphill. The aim of this study was to compare the energy expenditure during uphill walking with (PW) and without (W) poles at different slopes.

Short-Term Effects of Rolling Massage on Energy Cost of Running and Power of the Lower Limbs.

Purpose: Self-myofascial release (SMFR) is a type of self-massage that is becoming popular among athletes. However, SMFR's effects on running performance have not yet been investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SMFR on the cost of running (Cr).

Changes in cardiac and muscle biomarkers following an uphill-only marathon.

The aim of the study was to evaluate changes in cardiac troponin I levels (cTnI) and the main biomarkers of skeletal muscle damage after an uphill-only marathon, along with its relationship with athletes' physiological parameters. Twenty-two runners participated in the "Supermaratona dell'Etna" (43 km, 0-2850 m AMSL). Before and immediately after the race, body mass and hydration status were measured together with blood sampling.

The metabolic costs of walking and running up a 30-degree incline: implications for vertical kilometer foot races.

Purpose: Vertical kilometer (VK) races, in which runners gain 1000 m of elevation in <5000 m of distance, are becoming popular. However, few studies on steep uphill running (>25°) exist. Previously, we determined that ~30° is the optimal angle for uphill running, costing the least amount of metabolic energy for a specific vertical velocity.

Effects of hydrogen rich water on prolonged intermittent exercise.

Background: Recent studies showed a positive effect of hydrogen rich water (HRW) intake on acid-base homeostasis at rest. We investigated 2-weeks of HRW intake on repeated sprint performance and acid-base status during prolonged intermittent cycling exercise.

Methods: In a cross over single-blind protocol, 8 trained male cyclists (age [mean±SD] 41±7 years, body mass 72.

Effects of strength, explosive and plyometric training on energy cost of running in ultra-endurance athletes.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of a 12-week home-based strength, explosive and plyometric (SEP) training on the cost of running (Cr) in well-trained ultra-marathoners and to assess the main mechanical parameters affecting changes in Cr. Twenty-five male runners (38.2 ± 7.

Loss of expression of Plag1 in malignant transformation from pleomorphic adenoma to carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma.

PLAG1 (pleomorphic adenoma gene 1) is frequently activated in pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma (CXPA) arises in PA, and PLAG1 expression is believed to be maintained from PA to CXPA, as it can contribute to the carcinogenesis process. To evaluate if PLAG1 is a good marker of malignant transformation from PA to CXPA as well as to evaluate if PLAG1 expression is associated with progression and histopathologic subtype of CXPA.