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Background: Previous data have demonstrated that Tour de France riders maintain total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) between 3.5 and 5.5 times the basal metabolic rate (×BMR). In contrast, TDEE for healthy male septuagenarians has been reported to average 1.3 to 2.0 ×BMR. Purpose: Measure the TDEE and water efflux during ultraendurance work in an older population during the cross-continent cycling Race Across America. Methods: A 4-man septuagenarian team (70 [1.6] y, 72.0 [5.1] kg) received an oral dose of doubly labeled water prior to completing the Race Across America (4817 km, 51,816 m of climbing) for TDEE calculation. Nude body weight measures were coupled with collected urine samples. Results: The race was completed in approximately 6.5 days (official time: 6 d, 13 h, and 13 min) with an average speed of 30.6 (0.7) km·h−1 (age-group course record). Body weight remained unchanged (prerace: 70.4 [5.8] kg, postrace: 70.0 [5.3] kg). TDEE was calculated over 3 race segments. TDEE varied between individual riders and segments throughout the continuous event (24.7 [4.2] MJ·24 h−1, 5900 [1015] kcals·24 h−1, 3.4 [0.5] ×BMR). Water efflux averaged 10.2 (0.8) L·24 h−1 resulting in a total turnover of 45.3 (3.9) L amounting to 1.5 (0.2) times initial total body water during the race. Conclusions: Highly active septuagenarians maintain body weight prerace to postrace, suggesting near energy balance when TDEE approaches 4 ×BMR. These values exceed twice those of previously observed healthy but less active septuagenarian men and are comparable to professional riders during portions of the Tour de France. Advanced age and high metabolic output are not mutually exclusive.

Wildland firefighters (WLFFs) perform in adverse environments making rapid adjustments to dietary needs. The National Mobile Food Services (NMFS) contract details WLFF dietary provisions on wildfire incidents. OBJECTIVE Determine the nutrient content of food and drink provided to and consumed by WLFFs under the NMFS contract. METHODS Individual (n = 122) dietary provisions and consumption was recorded during 1 workday. Nutritional analysis of items provided was compared with consumption and the recommended dietary allowance (RDA). RESULTS WLFFs consumed significantly (P

Introduction The purpose of this study was to evaluate heat stress occurring in wildfire management activities with variable environmental conditions. Methods Direct observation and real-time wireless physiological monitoring allowed for weather and physiological metrics, including heart rate, core temperature (Tc), skin temperature, and physiological strain index (PSI), of male (n=193) and female (n=28) wildland firefighters (WLFFs) to be recorded during wildfire management activities. Accelerometry data were used to categorize intensity level of activity. Results Ambient temperature and relative humidity values were used to compute the heat index (HI; n=3891 h) and divided into quartiles (Q1: 13.3–25.1°C; Q2: 25.2–26.4°C; Q3: 26.5–28.9°C; Q4: 29.0–49.1°C). Activity levels remained relatively constant across all HI quartiles. The percentage of time spent performing moderate/vigorous activities was lowest during the hotter Q4 (Q1: 3%; Q2: 2%; Q3: 2%; Q4: 1%). Heart rate, Tc, PSI, and skin temperature associations with HI varied by resource type. Sixty-one percent of WLFFs (n=134) experienced a Tc ≥38.0°C, and 50% of WLFFs (n=111) experienced a PSI ≥6.0. Conclusions Heat stress was prevalent as WLFFs performed job tasks of varying intensities in all ambient conditions. Spontaneous bouts of arduous labor, duration of work shifts, and other occupation characteristics present the possibility for substantial durations of hyperthermia, although no heat-related injuries occurred in this study. Despite chronic exposure to rugged sloped terrain, load carriage, and environmental conditions, self-regulation and individual attention to managing work:rest appears to be the primary management strategy in mitigating excessive accumulation of body heat in this occupation.

Cold environmental temperatures during exercise and recovery alter the acute response to cellular signaling and training adaptations. Approximately 3 wk is required for cold temperature acclimation to occur. To determine the impact of cold environmental temperature on training adaptations, fitness measurements, and aerobic performance, two groups of 12 untrained male subjects completed 1 h of cycling in 16 temperature acclimation sessions in either a 7°C or 20°C environmental temperature. Fitness assessments before and after acclimation occurred at standard room temperature. Muscle biopsies were taken from the vastus lateralis muscle before and after training to assess molecular markers related to mitochondrial development. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α ( PGC-1α) mRNA was higher in 7°C than in 20°C in response to acute exercise before training ( P = 0.012) but not after training ( P = 0.813). PGC-1α mRNA was lower after training ( P < 0.001). BNIP3 was lower after training in the 7°C than in the 20°C group ( P = 0.017) but not before training ( P = 0.549). No other differences occurred between temperature groups in VEGF, ERRα, NRF1, NRF2, TFAM, PINK1, Parkin, or BNIP3L mRNAs ( P > 0.05). PGC-1α protein and mtDNA were not different before training, after training, or between temperatures ( P > 0.05). Cycling power increased during the daily training ( P < 0.001) but was not different between temperatures ( P = 0.169). V̇o2peak increased with training ( P < 0.001) but was not different between temperature groups ( P = 0.460). These data indicate that a 3-wk period of acclimation/training in cold environmental temperatures alters PGC-1α gene expression acutely but this difference is not manifested in a greater increase in V̇o2peak and is dissipated as acclimation takes place. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This study examines the adaptive response of cellular signaling during exercise in cold environmental temperatures. We demonstrate that peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ coactivator 1α mRNA is different between cold and room temperature environments before training but after training this difference no longer exists. This initial difference in transcriptional response between temperatures does not lead to differences in performance measures or increases in protein or mitochondria.

Purpose Research has elucidated the impact of post-exercise carbohydrate nutrition and environmental conditions on muscle glycogen re-synthesis. However, research has minimally considered the implications of glycogen recovery in females and has mostly focused on commercial sport nutrition products. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of varied mixed macronutrient feedings on glycogen recovery and subsequent exercise performance in both sexes. Methods Males (n = 8) and females (n = 8) participated in a crossover study. Subjects completed a 90-min cycling glycogen depletion trial, then rested for 4 h. Two carbohydrate feedings (1.6 g kg−1) of either sport supplements or potato-based products were delivered at 0 and 2 h post-exercise. Muscle biopsies (glycogen) and blood samples (glucose, insulin) were collected during the recovery. Afterwards, subjects completed a 20 km cycling time trial. Results There was no difference between sexes or trials for glycogen recovery rates (male: 7.9 ± 2.7, female: 8.2 ± 2.7, potato-based: 8.0 ± 2.5, sport supplement: 8.1 ± 3.1 mM kg wet wt−1 h−1, p > 0.05). Time trial performance was not different between diets (38.3 ± 4.4 and 37.8 ± 3.9 min for potato and sport supplement, respectively, p > 0.05). Conclusions These results indicate that food items, such as potato-based products, can be as effective as commercially marketed sports supplements when developing glycogen recovery oriented menus and that absolute carbohydrate dose feedings (g kg−1) can be effectively applied to both males and females.

Determine serum lipid and general health/fitness alterations following a 5-month wildfire suppression season.We recruited 100 wildland firefighters (WLFFs) to a 5-month pre- to post-season observational study. Nude body mass, blood pressure (BP), grip strength, and steptest heart rate (HR) were recorded. Blood samples were collected for lipid panel analysis (total cholesterol, high density lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoproteins-cholesterol, very low density lipoproteinscholesterol, triglycerides, triglyceride:HDL-cholesterol ratio). Two-tailed dependent t tests determined statistical significance (P 0.05).There were pre- to post-season changes in nude body mass (+2 ± 4%, P = 0.001), systolic BP (-2 ± 10%, P = 0.01), step-test HR (-5 ± 10%, P 0.001), and all serum lipids (total cholesterol: +5 ± 14%, P = 0.02, HDL-cholesterol: = 1 ± 17%, P = 0.04, low density lipoproteins-cholesterol: +8 ± 22%, P = 0.02, very low density lipoproteins-cholesterol: +31 ± 49%, P 0.001, triglycerides: +30 ± 49%, P 0.001, triglyceride:HDL-cholesterol ratio: +37 ± 58%, P 0.001). Pre- to post-season diastolic BP (P = 0.12) and grip strength (P = 0.60) remained stable.WLFFs demonstrate maladaptive serum lipids and body mass alterations despite subtle aerobic fitness improvements.

Background: The physiological effects of hypoxia may be influenced by how hypoxia is achieved. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of recovery in hypobaric hypoxia (HH),...

Slivka, Dustin, Charles Dumke, Walter Hailes, and Brent Ruby. Impact of hypoxic exercise recovery on skeletal muscle glycogen and gene expression. High Alt Med Biol 00:000–000, 2021. Background: Th...

A reduced mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) copy number, the ratio of mitochondrial DNA to genomic DNA (mtDNA:gDNA), has been linked with dysfunctional mitochondria. Exercise can acutely induce mtDNA damage manifested as a reduced copy number. However, the influence of a paired (exercise and temperature) intervention on regional mtDNA (MINor Arc and MAJor Arc) are unknown. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine the acute effects of exercise in cold (7 °C), room temperature (20 °C), and hot (33 °C) ambient temperatures, on regional mitochondrial copy number (MINcn and MAJcn). Thirty-four participants (24.4 ± 5.1 yrs, 87.1 ± 22.1 kg, 22.3 ± 8.5 %BF, and 3.20 ± 0.59 L·min−1 VO2peak) cycled for 1 h (261.1 ± 22.1 W) in either 7 °C, 20 °C, or 33 °C ambient conditions. Muscle biopsy samples were collected from the vastus lateralis to determine mtDNA regional copy numbers via RT-qPCR. mtDNA is sensitive to the stressors of exercise post-exercise (MIN fold change, −1.50 ± 0.11, MAJ fold change, −1.70 ± 0.12) and 4-h post-exercise (MIN fold change, −0.82 ± 0.13, MAJ fold change, −1.54 ± 0.11). The MAJ Arc seems to be more sensitive to heat, showing a temperature-trend (p = 0.056) for a reduced regional copy number ratio after exercise in the heat (fold change −2.81 ± 0.11, p = 0.019). These results expand upon our current knowledge of the influence of temperature and exercise on the acute remodeling of regional mtDNA.

Hypobaria and hypoxia exert independent effects on oxidative stress during exercise, while combined effectson the post-exercise recovery period remain unclear.Accordingly, this study examined the recovery period during lab-simulated hypoxic and hypobaric conditions following exercise-induced oxidative stress. Participants (n=13) performed 60-minutes of cycling (70% watts max) in a normobaric normoxic environment followed by a four-hour recovery under three conditions; 1000m normobaric normoxia (NN, 675mmHg), 4400m normobaric hypoxia (NH, 675mmHg), or 4400m hypobaric hypoxia (HH, 440mmHg). Blood samples collected at Pre, Post, 2-Hours (2-HR), and 4-Hours (4-HR) post-exercise were analyzed fora potential increase in biochemical modifications of proteins(protein carbonyls, PC; 3-nitrotyrosines, 3NT) lipids (lipid hydroperoxides, LOOH; 8-isoprostanes, 8-ISO), and antioxidant capacity (FRAP, TEAC). Gene transcripts (EPAS, HMOX1, SOD2, NFE2L2) were quantified by qRT-PCR from muscle biopsies taken Pre and Post exercise. Hypoxia and hypobaria had no effect throughout recovery. Post-exercise TEAC (p=0.041), FRAP (p=0.013), and 8-ISO (p=0.044) increased, while PC (p=0.002) and 3-NT (p=0.032) were decreased. LOOH was lower in Post (p=0.018) NH trial samples. Exercise-dependent increases occurred in NFE2L2 (p=0.003), HMXO1 (p0.001), SOD2 (p=0.046), and EPAS (p=0.038). Exercise recovery under conditions of NH and HH did not impact blood oxidative stress or redox-sensitive gene transcripts.

Adaptive Training Protocols (ATP) is a collection of algorithms and software to apply principals of intelligent tutoring to physical fitness training. To obtain norming data for ATP, we examined exercise performance from 34 participants under an adaptive workout regimen lasting 13 weeks. The goal of the regimen was to train to pass the performance criteria of the US Marine Corps Initial Strength Test (IST; a 1.5-mile run, sits-ups, pull-ups, and push-ups). The weekly regimen comprised an IST, an interval workout, and a maximum workout. Adaptation was accomplished via two algorithms: maximum-day reps were double those accomplished on the prior IST and maximum-day and interval-day runs were performed at specified rates of perceived exertion. Starting capabilities for run, sit-ups, and push-ups negatively correlated with progression rates; participants who exhibited lower performance at the start of the study made steeper gains in performance. Individual logistic curve fitting found decelerating, inflecting, and accelerating progression profiles. Participants showed considerable variation in their profiles both across individuals in each exercise and within individuals across exercises. Progression profiles can be used to forecast the performance that a person can attain in a given timeframe under a given training regimen. This knowledge can be used to adapt the workout to provide more time to reach a goal if needed or to focus on exercises that are in jeopardy of not achieving the goal in time. ATP will help the Marine Corps plan for when intended recruits may be physically ready to ship out to boot camp.

PGC-1a has been termed the master regulator of mitochondrial biogenesis. The exercise-induced rise in PGC-1a transcription is blunted when acute exercise takes place in the heat. However, it is unknown if this alteration has functional implications after heat acclimation and exercise training. To determine the impact of 3 weeks of aerobic exercise training in the heat (33 °C) compared to training in room temperature (20 °C) on thermoregulation, PGC-1a mRNA response, and aerobic power. Twenty-one untrained college aged males (age, 24 ± 4 years; height, 178 ± 6 cm) were randomly assigned to 3 weeks of aerobic exercise training in either 33 °C (n = 12) or 20 °C (n = 11) environmental temperatures. The 20 °C training group increased 20 °C $${{\dot{\text{V}}}}$$ O2peak from 3.21 ± 0.77 to 3.66 ± 0.78 L·min−1 (p 0.05). This research indicates that exercise in the heat may limit the effectiveness of aerobic exercise at increasing aerobic power. Furthermore, this study demonstrates that heat induced blunting of the normal exercise induced PGC-1a response is eliminated after 3 weeks of heat acclimation.

INTRODUCTION Wildfire suppression is characterized by high total energy expenditure and water turnover rates. Hydration position stands outline hourly fluid intake rates. However, dose interval remains ambiguous. We aimed to determine the effects of microdosing and bolus-dosing water and microdosing and bolus-dosing carbohydrate-electrolyte solutions on fluid balance, heat stress (physiologic strain index [PSI]), and carbohydrate oxidation during extended thermal exercise. METHODS In a repeated-measures cross-over design, subjects completed four 120-min treadmill trials (1.3 m·s-1, 5% grade, 33°C, 30% relative humidity) wearing a US Forest Service wildland firefighter uniform and a 15-kg pack. Fluid delivery approximated losses calculated from a pre-experiment familiarization trial, providing 22 doses·h-1 or 1 dose·h-1 (46±11, 1005±245 mL·dose-1). Body weight (pre- and postexercise) and urine volume (pre-, during, and postexercise) were recorded. Heart rate, rectal temperature, skin temperature, and steady-state expired air samples were recorded throughout exercise. Statistical significance (P 0.05) and cumulative urine output (n=11, 677±440 mL, P>0.05) were not different across trials. The micro-dosed carbohydrate-electrolyte trial sweat rate was lower than that of the bolus-dosed carbohydrate-electrolyte, bolus-dosed water, and microdosed water trials (n=11, 0.8±0.2, 0.9±0.2, 0.9±0.2, 0.9±0.2 L·h-1, respectively; P

We have previously reported negative energy balance and health benefits during an Alaska backcountry expeditionary hunting (ABEH) immersion in two males. The purpose of our present study was to increase the number of participants, include females, and evaluate macronutrient intake and serum lipids. Four men (age: 46 ± 6 year, BMI: 26 ± 1 kg/m2) and three women (age: 46 ± 11 year, BMI: 25 ± 3 kg/m2) were recruited. Doubly labeled water methodology and dietary recall were utilized to assess energy expenditure and energy intake, respectively. Data were collected during pre‐ and post‐ABEH visits. Body composition was measured using dual‐energy x‐ray absorptiometry and the cross‐sectional area of skeletal muscle in the upper leg (XT), and intrahepatic lipid (IHL) was determined using magnetic resonance imaging and/or spectroscopy (MRI/MRS). Blood parameters were measured by LabCorp. Paired T‐tests were used for statistical analysis. Data are reported as mean ± SD and considered significant at p, The majority of the scientific literature on exercise training has focused on standardized concepts. We assert that movement constancy of the hunter gatherer lifestyle may offer protection against metabolic abnormalities but has been largely understudied. In the context of unscripted negative energy balance, muscle preservation, and rapid improvements in metabolic biomarkers were demonstrated in both healthy females and males during an Alaskan backcountry hunting expedition.

Heat acclimation lowers physiological strain when exercising in the heat, and may be enhanced by promoting dehydration during acclimation. The purpose was to compare fluid intake during heat acclimation by promoting dehydration (DEH=0.5 mL kg−1 15 min−1, ~2.4% dehydration per acclimation session) compared to euhydration (EUH=2.0 mL kg−1 15 min−1, ~1.4% dehydration per acclimation session) following four heat acclimation bouts on thermal strain, and exercise performance. Thirteen males completed 90 min heat stress tests (HST) at 50% VO2max (40 °C, 30%RH) before and after three 90 min heat acclimation trials, involving consecutive bouts with 4-fold less fluid (DEH) or EUH. DEH and EUH trials were separated by 48 h and assigned in a random crossover design separated by a 5 week washout. Wildland firefighter (WLFF) Nomex: shirt, pants, and a cotton T-shirt baselayer were worn. Peak core temperature (Tc) from the HST significantly decreased following both DEH (39.5 ± 0.1–39.0 ± 0.1 °C: P In conclusion, short-term heat acclimation (~360 min) attenuates heat stress, and improves exercise capacity in the heat, and was not impaired nor improved by promoting DEH during acclimation.

The objective of this study was to document characteristics of hiking during wildland firefighter (WLFF) training and wildfire suppression. For the first time, the overall physical demands during wildland firefighting were evaluated in the field using global positioning systems coupled with wireless physiological monitoring and load carriage prediction models.Male (n=116) and female (n=15) interagency hotshot crew and type II WLFFs on wildfires volunteered for this direct observation study. Participants' heart rate, internal temperature, speed, and elevation gain were monitored throughout training and during wildfire suppression. The Pandolf and Santee equations were used to predict metabolic rate to estimate oxygen consumption of uphill and downhill hiking.Equipment weight varied by crew type (type II: 24±9 kg and interagency hotshot crew: 28±6 kg; P0.05). Grade of terrain was steepest during training hikes, and ingress hikes were statistically different from egress and training hikes (ingress: 4±9%, shift: 4±9%, egress: 1±8%, training hikes: 10±9%; P0.01). Estimated oxygen consumption was highest during ingress hikes and was significantly different from all other hike types on fire assignments (ingress: 22±12, shift: 19±12, egress: 19±12 mL·kgThe greatest metabolic demand during wildfire assignments occurred during ingress hikes. On average, this was close to the estimated metabolic demand of the job qualification arduous pack test. However, greater metabolic demand occurred for periods during both shift (on the job) and training hikes. These data quantify the demands associated with actual wildland performance of WLFFs and can help define future work capacity testing and training procedures.

Introduction Wildland firefighters (WLFF) work long hours in extreme environments, resulting in high daily total energy expenditure. Increasing work-shift eating episodes and/or providing rations that promote convenient eating has shown augmented self-selected work output, as has regular carbohydrate (CHO) consumption. It remains unclear how current WLFF feeding strategies compare to more frequent nutrient delivery. Our aim was to determine WLFFs' self-selected field total energy intake (TEI), composition, and feeding patterns during wildland fire suppression shifts. Methods WLFF were deployed to fire incidents across the United States throughout the 2018 fire season. Preshift food inventories collected at basecamp provided item-specific nutrient content (kilocalories, CHO, fat, protein). Work shift consumption (TEI, feeding frequency, episodic composition) was monitored in real time by field researchers on fireline via observational data capture using mobile tablets. Shift work output was also quantified via actigraph accelerometry. Results Eighty-six WLFF (27.5±6.4 y; 16 female, 70 male) worked 14.0±1.1 h shifts, with a TEI of 6.3±2.5 MJ (1494±592 kcal) (51±10, 37±9, 13±4% for CHO, fat, and protein, respectively). WLFF averaged 4.3±1.6 eating episodes (1.4±1.3 MJ [345±306 kcal] and 44±38 g CHO·episode-1). WLFF who consumed >20 kcal·kg-1 averaged less sedentary activity than those consuming Conclusions Not including fire camp meals (breakfast, dinner), the present work-shift TEI approximates 33% of previously determined WLFF total energy expenditure and demonstrates that current WLFF consumption patterns may not deliver adequate nutrients for occupational demands.

This study aimed to determine the physiological and thermoregulatory responses of individuals exercising in the heat (US military red flag conditions, wet-bulb globe temperature 31.5-32.2ºC) while consuming varied volumes of ambient temperature water and ice slurry.Participants (N = 12) walked on a treadmill for 3 hours at approximately 40% peak aerobic capacity in a hot environment while consuming ambient temperature (35.5°C) water (W), ice slurry (0°C, two-thirds shaved ice and one-third water) at a ratio of 2 g·kg(-1) body mass every 10 minutes (FS), and reduced volume ice slurry as described at a rate of 1 g·kg(-1) body mass every 10 minutes (HS). Trials were completed at least 14 days apart, in a randomized, repeated measures design.Percent body weight loss was higher during the HS trial (1.8 ± 0.01%) compared with FS (0.5 ± 0.01%; P.001) and W (0.6 ± 0.01%; P.001). Mean rectal temperature at 3 hours was lower during FS (37.8 ± 0.7°C) compared with HS (38.1 ± 0.8°C) and W (38.2 ± 0.8°C) (P = .04 vs HS, and P = .005 vs W, main effect for trial). No differences were found in rectal temperature between HS and W. Heart rate was lower at the end of the third hour during FS (141 ± 10 beats/min) compared with HS (157 ± 19 beats/min) and W (154 ± 18 beats/min) (P = .001 and P = .007, respectively, time × trial interaction). There were no differences in heart rate between HS and W.The temperature of consumed fluids may be as important as the volume for the management of thermoregulation and other physiological responses for extended work in hot environments.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate pre- and postseason measures of body composition, skeletal muscle, and blood parameters/liver lipid in wildland firefighters (WLFF) over the fire season. Methods: Alaskan WLFF (N = 27) crews were evaluated pre- and postwildfire season, which included 63 ± 10 operational days. Body composition, thigh muscle area, and liver lipid were quantified using dual-energy radiograph absorptiometry and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Blood metabolic and lipid panels were also collected and analyzed. Results: Total body, fat, and visceral fat mass increased from pre- to postseason (P

The purported healthy aspects of subsistence foods have led to the popularity of the Paleo diet. There has been very little focus, surprisingly, on health benefits derived from the nomadic nature of humans during the Paleolithic era. The purpose of our study was to examine total energy expenditure (TEE), total energy intake (TEI), body composition, blood lipids, and intrahepatic lipid in humans during a 12‐day Alaskan backcountry expeditionary hunting (ABEH) immersion. Four healthy men (age: 42 ± 3 year, BMI: 27 ± 1 kg/m2) were recruited for the study. TEE was measured using the doubly labeled water method and a food diary was utilized to assess TEI. Body composition was measured using dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA); cross‐sectional area of the thigh (XT) and intrahepatic lipid (IHL) were measured using molecular imaging. Blood samples were collected for the measurement of blood lipids. DXA, XT, IHL, and blood data were collected pre‐ and immediately post‐ABEH. Results were analyzed using paired t‐tests and considered significant at P

Exercise and oxidative stress research continues to grow as a physiological subdiscipline. The influence of high altitude on exercise and oxidative stress is among the recent topics of intense study in this area. Early findings indicate that exercise at high altitude has an independent influence on free radical generation and the resultant oxidative stress. This review provides a detailed summary of oxidative stress biochemistry as gleaned mainly from studies of humans exercising at high altitude. Understanding of the human response to exercise at altitude is largely derived from field-based research at altitudes above 3000 m in addition to laboratory studies which employ normobaric hypoxia. The implications of oxidative stress incurred during high altitude exercise appear to be a transient increase in oxidative damage followed by redox-sensitive adaptations in multiple tissues. These outcomes are consistent for lowland natives, high altitude acclimated sojourners and highland natives, although the latter group exhibits a more robust adaptive response. To date there is no evidence that altitude-induced oxidative stress is deleterious to normal training or recovery scenarios. Limited evidence suggests that deleterious outcomes related to oxidative stress are limited to instances where individuals are exposed to extreme elevations for extended durations. However, confirmation of this tentative conclusion requires further investigation. More applicably, altitude-induced hypoxia may have an independent influence on redox-sensitive adaptive responses to exercise and exercise recovery. If correct, these findings may hold important implications for athletes, mountaineers, and soldiers working at high altitude. These points are raised within the confines of published research on the topic of oxidative stress during exercise at altitude.

A variety of dietary choices are marketed to enhance glycogen recovery after physical activity. Past research informs recommendations regarding the timing, dose, and nutrient compositions to facilitate glycogen recovery. This study examined the effects of isoenergetic sport supplements (SS) vs. fast food (FF) on glycogen recovery and exercise performance. Eleven males completed two experimental trials in a randomized, counterbalanced order. Each trial included a 90-min glycogen depletion ride followed by a 4-hr recovery period. Absolute amounts of macronutrients (1.54 ± 0.27 g·kg-1 carbohydrate, 0.24 ± 0.04 g·kg fat-1, and 0.18 ± 0.03g·kg protein-1) as either SS or FF were provided at 0 and 2 hr. Muscle biopsies were collected from the vastus lateralis at 0 and 4 hr post exercise. Blood samples were analyzed at 0, 30, 60, 120, 150, 180, and 240 min post exercise for insulin and glucose, with blood lipids analyzed at 0 and 240 min. A 20k time-trial (TT) was completed following the final muscle biopsy. There were no differences in the blood glucose and insulin responses. Similarly, rates of glycogen recovery were not different across the diets (6.9 ± 1.7 and 7.9 ± 2.4 mmol·kg wet weight- 1·hr-1 for SS and FF, respectively). There was also no difference across the diets for TT performance (34.1 ± 1.8 and 34.3 ± 1.7 min for SS and FF, respectively. These data indicate that short-term food options to initiate glycogen resynthesis can include dietary options not typically marketed as sports nutrition products such as fast food menu items.

Altitude exposure and exercise elicit oxidative stress in blood; however, exercise recovery at 5000 m attenuates oxidative stress. The purpose was to determine the altitude threshold at which blood oxidative stress is blunted during exercise recovery. Twelve males 18-28 years performed four-cycle ergometry bouts (60 min, 70% VO2max, at 975 m). In a randomised counterbalanced crossover design, participants recovered 6 h at 0, 1667, 3333 and 5000 m in a normobaric hypoxia chamber (recovery altitudes were simulated by using a computerised system in an environmental chamber by lowering the partial pressure of oxygen to match that of the respective altitude). Oxygen saturation was monitored throughout exercise recovery. Blood samples obtained pre-, post-, 1 h post- and 5 h post-exercise were assayed for ferric-reducing antioxidant plasma, Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, uric acid, lipid hydroperoxides and protein carbonyls. Muscle biopsies obtained pre and 6 h were analysed by real-time polymerase chain reaction to quantify expression of hemeoxgenase 1, superoxide dismutase 2 and nuclear factor (euthyroid-derived 2)-like factor. Pulse oximetry data were similar during exercise, but decreased for the three highest recovery elevations (0 m = 0%, 1667 m = -3%; 3333 m = -7%; 5000 m = -17%). A time-dependent oxidative stress occurred following exercise for all variables, but the two highest recovery altitudes partially attenuated the lipid hydroperoxide response (0 m = +135%, 1667 m = +251%, 3333 m = +99%; 5000 m = +108%). Data may indicate an altitude threshold between 1667 and 3333 m, above which the oxidative stress response is blunted during exercise recovery.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of pneumatic compression pants on postexercise glycogen resynthesis. Active male subjects (n = 10) completed 2 trials consisting of a 90-minute glycogen depleting ride, followed by 4 hours of recovery with either a pneumatic compression device (PCD) or passive recovery (PR) in a random counterbalanced order. A carbohydrate beverage (1.8 g·kg bodyweight) was provided at 0 and 2 hours after exercise. Muscle biopsies (vastus lateralis) were obtained immediately and 4 hours after exercise for glycogen analyses. Blood samples were collected throughout recovery to measure glucose and insulin. Eight fingerstick blood samples for lactate were collected in the last 20 minutes of the exercise period and during the initial portion of the recovery period. Heart rate was monitored throughout the trial. During the PCD trial, subjects recovered using a commercially available recovery device (NormaTec PCD) operational at 0-60 and 120-180 minutes into recovery period. The same PCD was worn during the PR trial but was not turned on to create pulsatile pressures. There was no difference in muscle glycogen resynthesis during the recovery period (6.9 ± 0.8 and 6.9 ± 0.5 mmol·kg wet wt·h for the PR and PCD trials, respectively). Blood glucose, insulin, and lactate concentrations changed with respect to time but were not different between trials (p > 0.05). The use of PCD did not alter the rate of muscle glycogen resynthesis, blood lactate, or blood glucose and insulin concentrations associated with a postexercise oral glucose load.

The purpose of this study was to examine the pattern of urinary protein excretion induced by 3 consecutive days of wildland firefighting. Eighteen male active-duty military personnel served as the participants. All testing on the 3 consecutive days was conducted at a Northwestern USA fire camp. All participants consumed military-based foods containing 2620-2864 kcal/day. The work activity was evaluated with an accelerometer in association with body weight and hydration markers over the experimental period. Urinary samples were collected pre and post workshift on days 1 and 3 to assess glomerular and tubular protein excretion (total protein, albumin, β2-microglobulin, N-acetyl-β-d-glucosaminidase and creatinine). The urinary levels of glomerular and tubular protein were not significantly different. The main findings of the present study indicate that similar alterations of urinary protein composition can be observed over consecutive days of wildland firefighting, which appears to be dependent on intensity rather than total work output.

Hiking with a pack is the highest-intensity task that wildland firefighters (WLFFs) perform during sustained activities related to wildland fire suppression. Firefighters perform this and other tasks together as a crew; this provides a unique model to evaluate select physical and physiological changes in members of working crews over a fire season during extended operations. The objective of this study was to evaluate changes in peak aerobic fitness (VO2peak), sustainable aerobic fitness at the ventilatory threshold (VO2vt) and body composition over a 5-month wildland fire season. WLFFs from four crews (55 males, 10 females) participated in a maximal graded exercise treadmill test and body composition evaluation pre- and post season. VO2peak values and variance did not change across the fire season (pre=3.96±0.65, post=3.96±0.69Lmin−1, not significant). VO2vt average decreased slightly while variance decreased greatly within each crew (pre=37.5±7.0, post=35.4±2.3mLkg−1 min−1, P

Our aim was to examine the effect of a synthetic material undergarment on heat stress during exercise in a hot environment. Ten active males completed two trials of intermittent (50min walking, 10min sitting) treadmill walking over 3h in 35°C and 30% relative humidity. Subjects wore wildland firefighter flame-resistant meta-aramid blend pants and shirt with either a 100% cotton (C) or flame-retardant modacrylic undergarment (S), while carrying a 16-kg pack, helmet and leather gloves. Exercise was followed by a 30-min rest period without pack, helmet, gloves, and outerwear shirt. Rectal temperature and physiological strain were greater in S than C (P=0.04). No significant differences were found for heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, energy expenditure or skin temperature between C and S. Skin blood flow increased significantly in S following the second hour of exercise, resulting in a time×trial interaction (P=0.001). No significant differences for skin blood flow were found post exercise. Sweat rate and percent dehydration were not different between C and S. These data indicate that, of the two undergarments investigated, the synthetic undergarment negatively affected physiological factors that have been shown to indicate an increased risk of heat-related injuries.