Exercise training and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin-I in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Aims: The aims of this sub-study of the SMARTEX trial were (1) to evaluate the effects of a 12-week exercise training programme on serum levels of high sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hs-cTnI) in patients with moderate chronic heart failure (CHF), in New York Heart Association class II-III with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) and (2) to explore the associations with left ventricular remodelling, functional capacity and filling pressures measured with N-terminal pro brain natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP).

Methods And Results: In this sub-study, 196 patients were randomly assigned to high intensity interval training (HIIT, n = 70), moderate continuous training (MCT, n = 59) or recommendation of regular exercise (RRE), (n = 67) for 12 weeks. To reveal potential difference between structured intervention and control, HIIT and MCT groups were merged and named supervised exercise training (SET) group.

Exercise and obstructive sleep apnoea: a 24-week follow-up study.

Objective: Report on long-term follow-up results in the apnoea hypopnea index (AHI) and self-reported daytime sleepiness in participants with moderate to severe obstructive sleep apnoea at 12 weeks after completion of a high-intensity exercise training or control intervention.

Methods: Twenty-six participants with obstructive sleep apnoea (body mass index (BMI) 37 (36-39) kg/m, age 52 (49-55) years, apnoea-hypopnoea index 40.5 (31.

Moderate continuous or high intensity interval exercise in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction: Differences between ischemic and non-ischemic etiology.

Background: Exercise for heart failure (HF) with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is recommended by guidelines, but exercise mode and intensities are not differentiated between HF etiologies. We, therefore, investigated the effect of moderate or high intensity exercise on left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) and maximal exercise capacity (peak VO) in patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM).

Methods: The Study of Myocardial Recovery after Exercise Training in Heart Failure (SMARTEX-HF) consecutively enrolled 231 patients with HFrEF (LVEF ≤ 35 %, NYHA II-III) in a 12-weeks supervised exercise program.

No Effect of Calanus Oil on Maximal Oxygen Uptake in Healthy Participants: A Randomized Controlled Study.

We aimed to investigate the long-term effect of daily Calanus oil supplementation on maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in healthy 30- to 50-year-old participants. The study was motivated by preclinical studies reporting increased VO2max and metabolic health with omega-3 rich Calanus oil. In a double-blinded study, 71 participants were randomized to receive 2 g/day of Calanus or placebo supplementation for a total of 6 months.

Blood Volume, Hemoglobin Mass, and Peak Oxygen Uptake in Older Adults: The Generation 100 Study.

To investigate the association between blood volume, hemoglobin mass (Hb), and peak oxygen uptake (VO) in healthy older adults. Fifty fit or unfit participants from the prospective randomized Generation 100 Study ( = 1,566) were included (age- and sex-specific VO above or below average values). Blood, plasma, and erythrocyte volume and Hb were tested using the carbon monoxide rebreathing method within 1 week after VO testing.

Exercise training and high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Aims: Whether an exercise training intervention is associated with reduction in long-term high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T (hs-cTnT) concentration (a biomarker of subclinical myocardial injury) in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) is unknown. The aims were to determine (i) the effect of a 12 week endurance exercise training intervention with different training intensities on hs-cTnT in stable patients with HFrEF (left ventricular ejection fraction ≤ 35%) and (ii) associations between hs-cTnT and peak oxygen uptake (VO ).

Methods And Results: In this sub-study of the SMARTEX-HF trial originally including 261 patients from nine European centres, 213 eligible patients were included after withdrawals and appropriate exclusions [19% women, mean age 61.

Intensity Control During Block-Periodized High-Intensity Training: Heart Rate and Lactate Concentration During Three Annual Seasons in World-Class Cross-Country Skiers.

To describe heart rate (HR) and blood lactate (Bla) responses during high-intensity interval training (HIT) in a long-term block-periodized HIT regimen in world-class cross-country (XC) skiers. Data were collected in 14 world-class female XC skiers (aged 25 ± 5 years; body mass, 60.4 ± 6.

Baseline and Exercise Predictors of V˙O2peak in Systolic Heart Failure Patients: Results from SMARTEX-HF.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate baseline, exercise testing, and exercise training-mediated predictors of change in peak oxygen uptake (V˙O2peak) from baseline to 12-wk follow-up (ΔV˙O2peak) in a post hoc analysis from the SMARTEX Heart Failure trial.

Methods: We studied 215 patients with heart failure with left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) ≤35%, and New York Heart Association (NYHA) classes II-III who were randomized to either supervised high-intensity interval training with exercise target intensity of 90%-95% of peak heart rate (HRpeak) or supervised moderate continuous training (MCT) with target intensity of 60%-70% of HRpeak, or who received a recommendation of regular exercise on their own. Predictors of ΔV˙O2peak were assessed in two models: a logistic regression model comparing highest and lowest tertiles (baseline parameters) and a multivariate linear regression model (test/training/clinical parameters).

The Combined Association of Skeletal Muscle Strength and Physical Activity on Mortality in Older Women: The HUNT2 Study.

Objective: To assess the isolated and combined associations of leg and arm strength with adherence to current physical activity guidelines with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in healthy elderly women.

Patients And Methods: This was a prospective cohort study of 2529 elderly women (72.6±4.

High Intensity Interval Training for Maximizing Health Outcomes.

Regular physical activity and exercise training are important actions to improve cardiorespiratory fitness and maintain health throughout life. There is solid evidence that exercise is an effective preventative strategy against at least 25 medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, stroke, hypertension, colon and breast cancer, and type 2 diabetes. Traditionally, endurance exercise training (ET) to improve health related outcomes has consisted of low- to moderate ET intensity.

Effects of upper-body sprint-interval training on strength and endurance capacities in female cross-country skiers.

This study compared the effects of adding upper-body sprint-intervals or continuous double poling endurance training to the normal training on maximal upper-body strength and endurance capacity in female cross-country skiers. In total, 17 female skiers (age: 18.1±0.

High-intensity interval training improves obstructive sleep apnoea.

Background: Three hours per week of vigorous physical activity is found to be associated with reduced odds of sleep-disordered breathing.

Aim: To investigate whether 12 weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) reduced the apnoea-hypopnea index (AHI) in obese subjects with moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnoea.

Methods: In a prospective randomised controlled exercise study, 30 (body mass index 37±6 kg/m, age 51±9 years) patients with sleep apnoea (AHI 41.

High-Intensity Interval Training in Patients With Heart Failure With Reduced Ejection Fraction.

Background: Small studies have suggested that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) is superior to moderate continuous training (MCT) in reversing cardiac remodeling and increasing aerobic capacity in patients with heart failure with reduced ejection fraction. The present multicenter trial compared 12 weeks of supervised interventions of HIIT, MCT, or a recommendation of regular exercise (RRE).

Methods: Two hundred sixty-one patients with left ventricular ejection fraction ≤35% and New York Heart Association class II to III were randomly assigned to HIIT at 90% to 95% of maximal heart rate, MCT at 60% to 70% of maximal heart rate, or RRE.

Living altitude influences endurance exercise performance change over time at altitude.

For sea level based endurance athletes who compete at low and moderate altitudes, adequate time for acclimatization to altitude can mitigate performance declines. We asked whether it is better for the acclimatizing athlete to live at the specific altitude of competition or at a higher altitude, perhaps for an increased rate of physiological adaptation. After 4 wk of supervised sea level training and testing, 48 collegiate distance runners (32 men, 16 women) were randomly assigned to one of four living altitudes (1,780, 2,085, 2,454, or 2,800 m) where they resided for 4 wk.

Safety of the CO-Rebreathing Method in Patients with Coronary Artery Disease.

Purpose: To address and study the safety concerns with the improved carbon monoxide (CO) rebreathing method for measuring total blood volume in patients with coronary artery disease to implement the use of the methodology in this patient group.

Methods: Eighteen patients with stable coronary artery disease (age 62 ± 7 yr, 24 ± 5 months since diagnosis) were investigated using the improved CO-rebreathing test. Before, during, and up to 2 h after the test, ECG, blood pressure, arterial oxygen saturation, carbon monoxide bound to hemoglobin (HbCO%), and cardiac function were measured.

Upper arm venous compliance and fitness in stable coronary artery disease patients and healthy controls.

Objectives: Arteries have been examined extensively in coronary artery disease (CAD), while less attention has been paid to veins.

Aims: (1) To determine whether venous compliance or venous outflow in the upper arm is reduced in CAD patients compared to healthy age- and fitness-matched controls; and (2) to examine the association between upper arm venous compliance and total blood volume.

Design: Fifteen patients with stable CAD (age 62·1 ± 5·7 years, body mass index 26·5 ± 3·2 kg·m , fat-free mass 59·3 ± 7·6 kg, mean arterial pressure 98·9 ± 8·0 mmHg, VO : 2·92 ± 0·53 l min ) were compared to twelve healthy age- and fitness-matched controls (age 62·2 ± 3·7 years, body mass index 26·2 ± 2·3 kg m , fat-free mass 61·0 ± 9·2 kg, mean arterial pressure 96·5 ± 9·1 mmHg, VO : 3·24 ± 0·48 l min ).

Comparison of Three Popular Exercise Modalities on V˙O2max in Overweight and Obese.

Introduction: In this prospective randomized trial, we examined the effect of three popular exercise training modalities on maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) in overweight and obese individuals. In addition, we examined possible concomitant adaptations in endurance exercise performance (time to exhaustion (TTE)), citrate synthase (CS) activity, venous and arterial function, blood volume, and calculated stroke volume (SV).

Methods: Thirty subjects were recruited (age, 41 ± 9 yr; weight, 91 ± 14 kg; height, 173 ± 8 cm; body mass index, 30 ± 4 kg·m(-2)) and randomized to either 6 wk of 4 × 4-min high-intensity interval training (4HIIT) at 85%-95% of HRmax, 10 × 1-min HIIT (1HIIT) at V˙O2max load, or 45-min moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) at 70% of HRmax.

Acute dietary nitrate supplementation improves arterial endothelial function at high altitude: A double-blinded randomized controlled cross over study.

Introduction: Dietary nitrate (NO) supplementation serves as an exogenous source of nitrite (NO) and nitric oxide (NO) through the NO - NO - NO pathway, and may improve vascular functions during normoxia. The effects of NO supplementation in healthy lowlanders during hypobaric hypoxia are unknown.

Purpose: Determine the effect of acute oral NOsupplementation via beetroot juice (BJ) on endothelial function (flow mediated dilation; FMD) in lowlanders at 3700 m.

Effect of Change in VO2max on Daily Total Energy Expenditure in a Cohort of Norwegian Men: A Randomized Pilot Study.

Objective: To investigate how a change in VO2max induced through 6 weeks of high intensity aerobic interval training affects daily total energy expenditure (TEE), active energy expenditure (AEE) and mitochondrial function in people not previously exposed to structured high intensity aerobic interval training (AIT).

Methods: Thirty healthy males (39±6 yrs) not exposed to structured exercise training were randomized to either 1x4 min AIT (1-AIT), 4x4 min AIT (4-AIT), both at 90-95% maximum heart rate (HRmax) or 47 min of MCT at 70% HRmax. TEE, AEE, number of steps, active time, sedentary time, VO2max and mitochondrial function in m.

How to Be 80 Year Old and Have a VO2max of a 35 Year Old.

Unlabelled: Background. To discuss the cardiovascular and pulmonary physiology and common risk factors of an 80-year-old man with a world record maximal oxygen uptake of 50 mL·kg(-1)·min(-1). Methods.

Long-term Exercise Adherence After High-intensity Interval Training in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Randomized Study.

Background And Purpose: Exercise adherence in general is reported to be problematic after cardiac rehabilitation. Additionally, vigorous exercise is associated with impaired exercise adherence. As high-intensity interval training (HIT) is frequently used as a therapy to patients with coronary artery disease in cardiac rehabilitation, the objective was to assess long-term exercise adherence following an HIT cardiac rehabilitation programme.

Sport-Specific Physiological Adaptations in Highly Trained Endurance Athletes.

Purpose: This study aims to compare maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max), blood volume (BV), hemoglobin mass (Hbmass), and brachial endothelial function, measured as flow-mediated dilatation (FMD), in international-level endurance athletes primarily exercising with the whole body (cross-country skiing), lower body (orienteering), or upper body (flatwater kayak).

Methods: Seventeen cross-country skiers, 15 orienteers, and 11 flatwater kayakers were tested for V˙O2max, BV, Hbmass, and FMD. Additionally, body composition and annual training (type, volume, and intensity of training) were analyzed.

Defining the "dose" of altitude training: how high to live for optimal sea level performance enhancement.

Chronic living at altitudes of ∼2,500 m causes consistent hematological acclimatization in most, but not all, groups of athletes; however, responses of erythropoietin (EPO) and red cell mass to a given altitude show substantial individual variability. We hypothesized that athletes living at higher altitudes would experience greater improvements in sea level performance, secondary to greater hematological acclimatization, compared with athletes living at lower altitudes. After 4 wk of group sea level training and testing, 48 collegiate distance runners (32 men, 16 women) were randomly assigned to one of four living altitudes (1,780, 2,085, 2,454, or 2,800 m).