The effects of dietary protein on physical performance and body composition in middle age and older people having type II diabetes mellitus: a randomized pilot study.

Purpose: Protein supplementation has been proposed as an effective dietary strategy for maintaining or increasing skeletal muscle mass and improving physical performance in middle-aged and older adults. Diabetes mellitus exacerbates muscle mass loss, leading to many older adults with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) experiencing sarcopenia, and vice versa. Our objective was to assess the impact of increased dietary protein intake on muscle mass, strength, physical performance, and the progression of T2DM in middle-aged and older adults diagnosed with this condition.

Impact of glossopharyngeal insufflation and complete exhalation on breath-hold performance and physiological parameters in elite skin divers.

Purpose: This study examined the physiological responses of ten elite divers to normal breathing (BHn), glossopharyngeal inhalation (BHi), and complete exhalation (BHe) prior to five maximal breath-hold (BH) efforts.

Methods: Breath-hold time (BHT), hemological variables, mean arterial pressure (MAP), other hemodynamic indices, and diaphragmatic activity (DA) were recorded. During BHs, phases were identified as easy-going (EPh: minimal DA), struggling (SPh: increased DA), PhI (MAP transition), PhII (MAP stabilization), and PhIII (steep MAP increase).

Arterial blood pressure regulation during prolonged isometric exercise in artistic gymnastic athletes compared to controls.

Background: The aim of this cross-sectional study was to examine the baroreflex sensitivity alterations in regulating arterial blood pressure during prolonged isometric exercise at different intensities in elite artistic gymnastic athletes compared to non-athletes.

Methods: Fourteen young males participated in the study; 7 international level artistic gymnastics athletes and 7 physically active students inexperienced to isometric or resistance training. On two occasions, both groups performed 3 minutes of isometric handgrip exercise either at 30% or 50% of maximum voluntary contraction (MVC), in a randomized order.

On the mechanisms of stress-induced human spleen contraction: training for a higher blood oxygen-carrying capacity.

Despite its comparatively limited size in humans, spleen has been shown able to expel red-blood cells in the circulation and thus augment blood oxygen-carrying capacity under certain physiologic conditions. In the present state-of-the-art review, the short- and long-term regulation of spleen volume will be discussed. With regards to the physiological mechanism underlying spleen contraction, sympathetic activation stands as the prime contributor to the response.

Habitual Nocturnal Sleep, Napping Behavior, and Recovery Following Training and Competition in Elite Water Polo: Sex-Related Effects.

Purpose: To examine nocturnal sleep patterns, napping behaviors, and subjective wellness responses of elite water polo players within an in-season week and to identify whether sleeping patterns differ between men and women.

Methods: Sleep characteristics of 10 male and 17 female professional water polo players were objectively assessed during 1 week of the in-season period, including 5 training days, 1 match day, and 1 day of rest. Internal load (rating of perceived exertion × duration of training or match) was assessed 30 minutes posttraining or postmatch, and the total quality of recovery was recorded every morning.