Dietary Intake and Body Composition During Ramadan in Athletes: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis With Meta-Regression.

The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of Ramadan observance on dietary intake and body composition in adult athletes. This was a systematic review and meta-analysis. Data sources used were PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Taylor and Francis.

High-intensity Interval Training Improves Lipocalin-2 and Omentin-1 Levels in Men with Obesity.

We investigated the effects of 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on selected circulating adipokines and other cardiovascular diseases risks factors in men with obesity. Thirty men with obesity (age: 24.96±3.

Effects of Physical Activity on Brain Energy Biomarkers in Alzheimer's Diseases.

The prevalence of dementia has substantially increased worldwide. Currently, there is no cure for dementia or Alzheimer's disease (AD), and care for affected patients is financially and psychologically costly. Of late, more attention has been given to preventive interventions-in particular, physical activity/exercise.

Effects of Ramadan Observance on Dietary Intake and Body Composition of Adolescent Athletes: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

To evaluate the effects of Ramadan observance on dietary intake, body mass and body composition of adolescent athletes (design: systematic review and meta-analysis; data sources: PubMed and Web of Science; eligibility criteria for selecting studies: single-group, pre-post, with or without control-group studies, conducted in athletes aged <19 years, training at least 3 times/week, and published in any language before February 12, 2020). Studies assessing body mass and/or body composition and/or dietary intake were deemed eligible. The methodological quality was assessed using 'QualSyst'.

Differences in dry-bulb temperature do not influence moderate-duration exercise performance in warm environments when vapor pressure is equivalent.

Purpose: Recent studies have determined that ambient humidity plays a more important role in aerobic performance than dry-bulb temperature does in warm environments; however, no studies have kept humidity constant and independently manipulated temperature. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the contribution of dry-bulb temperature, when vapor pressure was matched, on the thermoregulatory, perceptual and performance responses to a 30-min cycling work trial.

Methods: Fourteen trained male cyclists (age: 32 ± 12 year; height: 178 ± 6 cm; mass: 76 ± 9 kg; [Formula: see text]: 59 ± 9 mL kg min; body surface area: 1.

Practical recommendations to improve sleep during Ramadan observance in healthy practitioners of physical activity.

Background: During the month of Ramadan, many Muslims continue to exercise and/or to compete in sporting events. However, the combination of Ramadan observance (RO) and physical activity (PA) is likely to be associated with disrupted sleep-wake patterns.

Objectives: to (i) evaluate the effects of RO on sleep patterns in practitioners of PA and (ii) provide some evidence-based practical recommendations to improve an active individual's sleep patterns during RO.

Predictors Linking Obesity and the Gut Microbiome (the PROMISE Study): Protocol and Recruitment Strategy for a Cross-Sectional Study on Pathways That Affect the Gut Microbiome and Its Impact on Obesity.

Background: The prevalence of obesity has increased substantially over recent decades and is associated with considerable health inequalities. Although the causes of obesity are complex, key drivers include overconsumption of highly palatable, energy-dense, and nutrient-poor foods, which have a profound impact on the composition and function of the gut microbiome. Alterations to the microbiome may play a critical role in obesity by affecting energy extraction from food and subsequent energy metabolism and fat storage.

The Efficacy of Ingesting Water on Thermoregulatory Responses and Running Performance in a Warm-Humid Condition.

The understanding that fluid ingestion attenuates thermoregulatory and circulatory stress during exercise in the heat was based on studies conducted in relatively dry (∼50% RH) environments. It remains undetermined whether similar effects occur during exercise in a warm and more humid environment, where evaporative capacity is reduced. Nine well-trained, unacclimatised male runners were randomly assigned to perform four experimental trials where they ran for 60 min at an intensity of 70% VOmax followed by an incremental exercise test until volitional exhaustion.

Nicotine Supplementation Does Not Influence Performance of a 1h Cycling Time-Trial in Trained Males.

The use of nicotine amongst professional and elite athletes is high, with anecdotal evidence indicating increased prevalence amongst cycling sports. However, previous investigations into its effects on performance have not used high-validity or -reliability protocols nor trained cyclists. Therefore, the present study determined whether nicotine administration proved ergogenic during a ∼1 h self-paced cycling time-trial (TT).

Mechanical Work and Physiological Responses to Simulated Flat Water Slalom Kayaking.

The purpose of this study was to assess the physical work demand in relation to metrics of force and subsequent physiological response to a simulated flatwater slalom competition. Eight New Zealand team members completed a standard incremental step-test to ascertain power:oxygen consumption relationship. This was followed by a simulated race run where breath-by-breath analysis along with force and power data logged at 50 Hz to determine stroke length, impulse, peak force, time to peak force, and rate of peak force per stroke.

Effects of six weeks of resistance-endurance training on microRNA-29 expression in the heart of ovariectomised rats.

Introduction: Heart disease risk rises with age. However, women's symptoms become more pronounced following the onset of menopause. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of six weeks of combined resistance-endurance (RE) training on microRNA-29 expression in the heart of ovariectomised rats.

Shock attenuation, spatio-temporal and physiological parameter comparisons between land treadmill and water treadmill running.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare shock attenuation, spatio-temporal and physiological parameters during water immersed (depth: anterior superior iliac spine) aquatic treadmill (ATM) running and land based treadmill (LTM) running matched for speed.

Methods: Six participants completed 15 min running under 2 conditions (LTM and ATM) in a randomised and balanced order, matched for speed. Synchronised tri-axial accelerometers placed at the distal tibia, lumbar region, and forehead were used to identify running dynamics and measure acceleration on impact and its attenuation.

On exercise thermoregulation in females: interaction of endogenous and exogenous ovarian hormones.

Key Points: One in two female athletes chronically take a combined, monophasic oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Previous thermoregulatory investigations proposed that an endogenous rhythm of the menstrual cycle still occurs with OCP usage. Forthcoming large international sporting events will expose female athletes to hot environments differing in their thermal profile, yet few data exist on how trained women will respond from both a thermoregulatory and performance stand-point.

The effect of chronic soluble keratin supplementation in physically active individuals on body composition, blood parameters and cycling performance.

Background: Keratins are structural, thiol-rich proteins, which comprise 90% of total poultry feather weight. Their favourable amino acid profile suggests the potential for use as a protein source and ergogenic aid for endurance athletes, following treatment to increase digestibility. This study investigated whether 4 weeks of soluble keratin (KER) consumption (0.

Effect of Ramadan fasting on feelings, dietary intake, rating of perceived exertion and repeated high intensity short-term maximal performance.

The present study was designed to investigate the effect of Ramadan fasting on feelings, dietary intake, rating of perceived exertion (RPE) and repeated high-intensity short-term maximal performance. Thirteen physically active men (age: 21.2 ± 2.

Multiday Pomegranate Extract Supplementation Decreases Oxygen Uptake During Submaximal Cycling Exercise, but Cosupplementation With N-acetylcysteine Negates the Effect.

Pomegranate extract (POMx) has been suggested as an ergogenic aid due to its rich concentration of polyphenols, which are proposed to enhance nitric oxide bioavailability, thereby improving the efficiency of oxygen usage and, consequently, endurance exercise performance. Although acute POMx supplementation improves aerobic exercise performance in untrained individuals, trained athletes appear to require chronic supplementation for a similar effect. Furthermore, the combination of POMx with a thiol antioxidant may prove more effective than POMx alone, due to the protective effects of thiols on nitric oxide.

Quantification of brake data acquired with a brake power meter during simulated cross-country mountain bike racing.

There is currently a dearth of information describing cycling performance outside of propulsive and physiological variables. The aim of the present study was to utilise a brake power meter to quantify braking during a multi-lap cross-country mountain bike time trial and to determine how braking affects performance. A significant negative association was determined between lap time and brake power (800.

Validity of a device designed to measure braking power in bicycle disc brakes.

Real-world cycling performance depends not only on exercise capacities, but also on efficiently traversing the bicycle through the terrain. The aim of this study was to determine if it was possible to quantify the braking done by a cyclist in the field. One cyclist performed 408 braking trials (348 on a flat road; 60 on a flat dirt path) over 5 days on a bicycle fitted with brake torque and angular velocity sensors to measure brake power.

The effectiveness of front fork systems at damping accelerations during isolated aspects specific to cross-country mountain biking.

Cross-country mountain bike suspension reportedly enhances comfort and performance through reduced vibration and impact exposure. This study analysed the effectiveness of three different front fork systems at damping accelerations during the crossing of three isolated obstacles (stairs, drop, and root). One participant completed three trials on six separate occasions in a randomised order using rigid, air-sprung, and carbon leaf-sprung forks.

Taurine supplementation has anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effects before and after incremental exercise in heart failure.

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine the anti-atherogenic and anti-inflammatory effect of supplemental taurine prior to and following incremental exercise in patients with heart failure (HF).

Methods: Patients with HF and left ventricle ejection fraction less than 50%, and placed in functional class II or III according to the New York Heart Association classification, were randomly assigned to two groups: (1) taurine supplementation; or (2) placebo. The taurine group received oral taurine (500 mg) 3 times a day for 2 weeks, and performed exercise before and after the supplementation period.

The effect of acute pomegranate extract supplementation on oxygen uptake in highly-trained cyclists during high-intensity exercise in a high altitude environment.

Background: Recent research has indicated that pomegranate extract (POMx) may improve performance during aerobic exercise by enhancing the matching of vascular oxygen (O) provision to muscular requirements. POMx is rich in ellagitannin polyphenols and nitrates (NO), which are both associated with improvements in blood flow and O delivery. Primarily, this study aimed to determine whether POMx improves performance in a cycling time trial to exhaustion at 100%VO (TTE100%) in highly-trained cyclists.

The effects of a systematic increase in relative humidity on thermoregulatory and circulatory responses during prolonged running exercise in the heat.

This study examined the thermoregulatory and circulatory responses, and exercise performance of trained distance runners during exercise in the heat (31°C) at varying relative humidity (RH). In a randomized order, 11 trained male distance runners performed 5 60 min steady-state runs at a speed eliciting 70% of VOmax in RH of 23, 43, 52, 61 and 71%. This was followed immediately with an incremental exercise test to volitional exhaustion.

Sago supplementation for recovery from cycling in a warm-humid environment and its influence on subsequent cycling physiology and performance.

This study determined whether sago porridge ingested immediately after exercise (Exercise 1) in warm-humid conditions (30 ± 1°C, 71 ± 4 % RH; 20 km·h frontal airflow) conferred more rapid recovery, as measured by repeat performance (Exercise 2), compared to a control condition. Eight well-trained, male cyclists/triathletes (34 ± 9 y, VOpeak 70 ± 10 ml·kg·min, peak aerobic power 413 ± 75 W) completed two 15-min time-trials pre-loaded with 15-min warm-up cycling following >24h standardization of training and diet. Mean power output was not different between trials during Exercise 1 (286 ± 67 vs.

Sago supplementation for exercise performed in a thermally stressful environment: Rationale, efficacy and opportunity.

Sago (), a carbohydrate (CHO) based dietary staple of Southeast Asia is easily digestible and quickly absorbed, and thus has potential to be prescribed as an affordable pre-and post-exercise food in this part of the world. Compared to other CHO staples, research into the physiological response to sago ingestion is sparse, and only a few recent studies have investigated its value before, during, and after exercise. The purpose of this review is to describe the published literature pertaining to sago, particularly as a supplement in the peri-exercise period, and suggest further avenues of research, principally in an environment/climate which would be experienced in Southeast Asia i.

Influence of menstrual phase and arid vs. humid heat stress on autonomic and behavioural thermoregulation during exercise in trained but unacclimated women.

Key Points: Despite an attenuated fluctuation in ovarian hormone concentrations in well-trained women, one in two of such women believe their menstrual cycle negatively impacts training and performance. Forthcoming large international events will expose female athletes to hot environments, and studies evaluating aerobic exercise performance in such environments across the menstrual cycle are sparse, with mixed findings. We have identified that autonomic heat loss responses at rest and during fixed-intensity exercise in well-trained women are not affected by menstrual cycle phase, but differ between dry and humid heat.