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Purpose: The study determined whether the increase in the cross-sectional area (CSA) of psoas major, which is known as a hip-flexion muscle, by resistance training combined with running training improves the performance of long-distance runners. Methods: Subjects were 8 well-trained male long-distance runners. The personal best time in a 5000-m race was 15:10.0 (0:20.5) (mean [SD]). Each subject performed resistance training twice per week with running training for 12 weeks. The authors used 3 resistance training regimens that would train the hip flexor muscles. Training intensity was a maximum of 10 repetitions. The training amount was 3 sets × 10 times during the first 4 weeks followed by 4 sets × 10 times during the last 8 weeks. The authors measured the CSA of psoas major using magnetic resonance imaging and the performance of long-distance runners using a constant velocity running test before (pre) and after (post) the training term. Results: The combination training significantly (P <.01, d = 0.34) increased the CSA of psoas major (pre: 16.2 [1.5] cm2, post: 16.7 [1.4] cm2) and significantly (P <.01, d = 1.41) improved the duration of the constant velocity running test (pre: 500 [108] s, post: 715 [186] s). Moreover, multiple regression analysis showed that the pre to post change in the duration of the constant velocity exercise was significantly correlated with the change in CSA of the psoas major. Conclusion: The authors suggest that resistance training of psoas major with running training is correlated with an improvement in the performance of long-distance runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-distance runners require aerobic capacity as well as sprinting ability for superior performance; however, the factors which determine the sprinting ability of long-distance runners remain undetermined. Therefore, the purpose of our study was to examine the association between thigh muscle size and sprinting ability in national-level male long-distance runners. Nineteen male long-distance runners with 5000 m personal-best times of 13:12.63–14:14.87 participated in this study, and transaxial images of their right thighs were collected using magnetic resonance imaging. The cross-sectional areas of the quadriceps femoris, hamstrings, and adductor muscles were calculated from the transaxial images at 30%, 50%, and 70% of the distance from the greater trochanter to the lower edge of the femur; these areas were normalized by body mass. Sprint times for 100 m and 400 m were recorded on an all-weather track. The results revealed positive correlations between the normalized cross-sectional areas of the quadriceps femoris at 50% and 70% of the thigh length and the 100 m (r = 0.666, p = 0.002 and r = 0.531, p = 0.019, respectively) and 400 m sprint times (r = 0.769, p < 0.001 and r = 0.580, p = 0.009, respectively); hence, the larger the quadriceps, the slower the sprint speed. However, no association was found between the normalized cross-sectional areas of the hamstrings or adductor muscles and sprinting performance. Therefore, running motions which activate the quadriceps femoris much more than the hamstrings and adductor muscles should be avoided by national-level long-distance runners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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AbstractThe pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of renadirsen sodium, a dystrophin exon-skipping phosphorothioate-modified antisense oligonucleotide with 2’-O,4’-C-ethylene-bridged nucleic acid (ENA), after subcutaneous or intravenous administration to cynomolgus monkeys were investigated. The plasma concentration of renadirsen after subcutaneous administration at 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg increased with the dose. The absolute bioavailability at 3 mg/kg after subcutaneous administration was calculated as 88.6%, and the time to reach maximum plasma concentration of renadirsen was within 4 h, indicating the efficient and rapid absorption following subcutaneous administration. The exposure of muscle tissues to renadirsen was found to increase with repeated dosing at 6 mg/kg, and higher exposure was observed in the diaphragm and heart than in the quadriceps femoris and anterior tibialis muscles. Renadirsen achieved more exon 45-skipped dystrophin mRNA in the diaphragm and heart than in the quadriceps femoris and anterior tibialis muscles. Renadirsen also showed a cumulative skipping effect in a repeated-dose study. The findings on exon 45-skipped dystrophin mRNA in these muscle tissues were consistent with the concentration of renadirsen in these tissues. Because it is not feasible to directly evaluate drug concentration and exon skipping in the heart and diaphragm in humans, the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of renadirsen in these tissues in monkeys are crucial for the design and interpretation of clinical settings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the article "Effects of sodium bicarbonate ingestion on effort sense, EMG and ventilatory response during and after supramaximal exercise," by Ryo Yamanaka and colleagues is presented.

Abstract: Chiba, Y, Sato, K, Yoshimoto, T, Ohnuma, H, Yamanaka, R, Takahashi, K, Kobayashi, K, Matsubayashi, T, and Takai, Y. Revamping pace distribution: A case study on elevating the men's 400 m track and field Japanese national record after 32 years. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2024-Many studies have investigated the 400-m sprint, and the optimal pacing strategy is subject to debate. Little information is available regarding the effects of changes in the pacing strategy on running speed and spatiotemporal variables in the official 400-m race. This case study analyzed changes in running speed and spatiotemporal variables of a Japanese elite long sprinter who set a new Japanese national record in the 400-m race by modifying his pace distribution based on the analysis of his previous races and the performances of world-class long sprinters. To revamp his pace distribution, 25 preceding races (ranging from 45.47 to 46.95 seconds) were analyzed, spanning from June 2015 to June 2023. The independent variables were the 50-m split time, average running speed, percentage of the 50-m split time relative to the 400-m record, step length, and step frequency. K.S. broke his own record by modifying the pacing distribution based on the development of his previous race and the world-class long sprinters. The modified pacing strategy increased running speed in the 200- to 300-m section. Step lengths were longer throughout the 400 m, and step frequencies were higher in the last 200 m than before the alteration in the pace distribution. Modifying the pacing strategy from leading to driving may enhance the personal records of long sprinters. This improvement is attributed to the maintenance of longer step lengths over the entire 400-m range and an increase in the step frequency in the last 200 m., (Copyright © 2024 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Abstract: Tanji, F, Ohnuma, H, Ando, R, Yamanaka, R, Ikeda, T, and Suzuki, Y. Longer ground contact time is related to a superior running economy in highly trained distance runners. J Strength Cond Res 38(5): 985-990, 2024-Running economy is a key component of distance running performance and is associated with gait parameters. However, there is no consensus of the link between the running economy (RE), ground contact time, and footstrike patterns. Thus, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between RE, ground contact time, and thigh muscle cross-sectional area (CSA) in highly trained distance runners and to compare these parameters between 2 habitual footstrike patterns (midfoot vs. rearfoot). Seventeen male distance runners ran on a treadmill to measure RE and gait parameters. We collected the CSAs of the right thigh muscle using a magnetic resonance imaging scanner. The RE had a significant negative relationship with distance running performance ( r = -0.50) and ground contact time ( r = -0.51). The ground contact time had a significant negative relationship with the normalized CSAs of the vastus lateralis muscle ( r = -0.60) and hamstrings ( r = -0.54). No significant differences were found in RE, ground contact time, or normalized CSAs of muscles between midfoot ( n = 10) and rearfoot ( n = 7) strikers. These results suggest that large CSAs of knee extensor muscles results in short ground contact time and worse RE. The effects of the footstrike pattern on the RE appear insignificant, and the preferred footstrike pattern can be recommended for running in highly trained runners., (Copyright © 2024 National Strength and Conditioning Association.)

Purpose: Increases in maximal oxygen uptake (V˙O2max) and running economy improve performance in long-distance runners. Nevertheless, long-distance runners require sprinting ability to win, especially in the final phase of competitions. The authors determined the relationships between performance and sprinting ability, as well as other abilities in elite long-distance runners., Methods: The subjects were 12 elite long-distance runners. Mean official seasonal best times in 5000-m (5000 m-SB) and 10,000-m (10,000 m-SB) races within 1 year before or after the examination were 13:58.5 (0:18.7) and 28:37.9 (0:25.2) (mean [SD]), respectively. The authors measured 100-m and 400-m sprint times as the index of sprinting ability. They also measured V˙O2max and running economy (V˙O2 at 300 m·min-1 of running velocity). They used a single correlation analysis to assess relationships between 5000 m-SB or 10,000 m-SB and other elements., Results: There were significant correlations between 5000 m-SB was significantly correlated with 100-m sprint time (13.3 [0.7] s; r = .68, P = .014), 400-m sprint time (56.6 [2.7] s; r = .69, P = .013), and running economy (55.5 [3.9] mL·kg-1·min-1; r = .59, P = .045). There were significant correlations between 10,000 m-SB and 100-m sprint time (r = .72, P = .009) and 400-m sprint time (r = .85, P < .001). However, there was no significant correlation between 5000 m-SB or 10,000 m-SB and V˙O2max (72.0 [3.8] mL·kg-1·min-1)., Conclusions: The authors' data suggest that sprinting ability is an important indicator of performance in elite long-distance runners.

Background: The DMD gene encoding dystrophin is mutated in Duchenne muscular dystrophy, a fatal progressive muscle wasting disease. DMD has also been shown to act as a tumor suppressor gene. Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a mesodermal sarcoma that shares characteristics of skeletal muscle precursors. Products of the DMD gene in RMS have not yet been fully clarified. Here, DMD products were analyzed in CRL-2061 cells established from alveolar RMS., Methods: The 14-kb long DMD cDNA was PCR amplified as 20 separated fragments, as were nine short intron regions. Dystrophin was analyzed by Western blotting using an antibody against the C-terminal region of dystrophin., Results: Sixteen of the 20 DMD cDNA fragments could be amplified from CRL-2061 cells as muscle cDNA. Three fragments included aberrant gene products, including one in which exon 71 was omitted and one each with retention of introns 40 and 58. In one fragment, extending from exon 70 to 79, no normally spliced product was obtained. Rather, six alternatively spliced products were identified, including a new product deleting exon 73, with the most abundant product showing deletion of exon 78. Although dystrophin expression was expected in CRL-2061 cells, western blotting of cell lysates showed no evidence of dystrophin, suggesting that translation of full-length DMD mRNA was inhibited by intron retention that generated a premature stop codon. Intron specific PCR amplification of nine short introns, showed retention of introns 40, 58, and 70, which constituted about 60, 25 and 9%, respectively, of the total PCR amplified products. The most abundant DMD transcript contained two abnormalities, intron 40 retention and exon 78 skipping., Conclusions: Intron-specific PCR amplification showed that DMD transcripts contained high levels of introns 40, 58 and 70. Retention of these introns may have been responsible for the lack of dystrophin expression by CRL-2061 cells, thereby abolishing the tumor suppressor activity of dystrophin.

Inspiratory muscle fatigue (IMF) may limit exercise performance. A few studies have reported that IMF occurs after short-duration swimming exercise, but whether short-duration running can induce IMF remains unclear. Intra-abdominal pressure is increased during running through diaphragmatic activation to stabilize the spine during movements of the upper limbs. This occurs along with the increased inspiratory muscle effort associated with increased respirations during exercise; thus, we hypothesized that short-duration running exercise would induce IMF. To test this hypothesis, we measured maximal inspiratory pressure (MIP) before and after 400- and 800-m track running sessions. Eight female middle-distance (400, 800 m) runners performed a 400- and 800-m running test. Maximal inspiratory pressure was measured before and after each test using a portable autospirometer. The mean MIPs were significantly lower after running than before running; values obtained were 107 ± 25 vs. 97 ± 27 cmH2O (p = 0.01, effect size [ES] = 0.65) and 108 ± 26 vs. 92 ± 27 cmH2O (p = 0.01, ES = 0.74) before vs. after the 400- and 800-m tests, respectively. The mean MIP after the 800-m test was significantly lower than after the 400-m test (p = 0.04, ES = 0.48). There was no correlation between IMF value and running time (r = 0.53 and r = -0.28 for either the 400- and 800-m tests, respectively; p > 0.05). In conclusion, IMF occurs after short-duration running exercise. Coaches could consider prescribing inspiratory muscle training or warm-up in an effort to reduce the inevitable IMF associated with maximal effort running.