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Bioinformatics training programs have been developed independently around the world based on the perceived needs of the local and global academic communities. The field of bioinformatics is complicated by the need to train audiences from diverse backgrounds in a variety of topics to various levels of competencies. While there have been several attempts to develop standardised approaches to provide bioinformatics training globally, the challenges encountered in resource limited settings hinder the adaptation of these global approaches. H3ABioNet, a Pan-African Bioinformatics Network with 27 nodes in 16 African countries, has realised that there is no single simple solution to this challenge and has rather, over the years, evolved and adapted training approaches to create a sustainable training environment, with several components that allow for the successful dissemination of bioinformatics knowledge to diverse audiences. This has been achieved through the implementation of a combination of training modalities and sharing of high quality training material and experiences. The results highlight the success of implementing this multi-pronged approach to training, to reach audiences from different backgrounds and provide training in a variety of different areas of expertise. While face-to-face training was initially required and successful, the mixed-model teaching approach allowed for an increased reach, providing training in advanced analysis topics to reach large audiences across the continent with minimal teaching resources. The transition to hackathons provided an environment to allow the progression of skills, once basic skills had been developed, together with the development of real-world solutions to bioinformatics problems. Ensuring our training materials are FAIR, and through synergistic collaborations with global training partners, the reach of our training materials extends beyond H3ABioNet. Coupled with the opportunity to develop additional career building soft skills, such as scientific communication, H3ABioNet has created a flexible, sustainable and high quality bioinformatics training environment that has successfully been implemented to train several highly skilled African bioinformaticians on the continent.

Introduction: Volume and intensity are major variables governing exercise training-mediated beneficial effects in both athletes and patients. Although polarized endurance training optimizes and maximizes physiological gains in highly trained individuals, its cardiometabolic protective-effects have not been established. The purpose of the present single site, randomized-controlled trial was to compare the effects of 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and polarized volume training (POL) programs on cardiometabolic risk factors in young overweight and obese women.Materials and Methods: A total of 64 overweight/obese young women (age 23.3 ± 3.8 years, body mass index 33.8 ± 3.8 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to four groups: control group (CTRL), polarized volume training group, moderate-intensity endurance training group, and HIIT group. The cardiorespiratory capacity, glycemic and lipid profiles, whole-body substrate utilization, and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention.Results: After the intervention, VO2peak and power output at VO2peak increased in all exercised-groups (time effect: p < 0.0001). Power output at VT1 was increased only in the POL group compared to the CTRL group (p = 0.019). Relative fold changes in fasting plasma glucose concentrations decreased only in POL group (p = 0.002). Training induced a significant increase in relative fat oxidation in all the groups (time effect: p < 0.001). Relative fat oxidation increased only in the POL group compared to the CTRL group (training effect: p = 0.032).Conclusion: Twelve-weeks of polarized volume training showed overall superior effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, basal glycemic control, and substrate oxidation in comparison to MICT and HIIT training modalities. These data suggest that polarized volume training is an effective non-pharmacological treatment strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors in young overweight and obese women. The trial is registered at ISRCTN, number ISRCTN34421723.

Introduction: Volume and intensity are major variables governing exercise training-mediated beneficial effects in both athletes and patients. Although polarized endurance training optimizes and maximizes physiological gains in highly trained individuals, its cardiometabolic protective-effects have not been established. The purpose of the present single site, randomized-controlled trial was to compare the effects of 12-weeks of high-intensity interval training (HIIT), moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT), and polarized volume training (POL) programs on cardiometabolic risk factors in young overweight and obese women. Materials and Methods: A total of 64 overweight/obese young women (age 23.3 ± 3.8 years, body mass index 33.8 ± 3.8 kg/m2) were randomly assigned to four groups: control group (CTRL), polarized volume training group, moderate-intensity endurance training group, and HIIT group. The cardiorespiratory capacity, glycemic and lipid profiles, whole-body substrate utilization, and body composition were assessed before and after the intervention. Results: After the intervention, VO2peak and power output at VO2peak increased in all exercised-groups (time effect: p < 0.0001). Power output at VT1 was increased only in the POL group compared to the CTRL group (p = 0.019). Relative fold changes in fasting plasma glucose concentrations decreased only in POL group (p = 0.002). Training induced a significant increase in relative fat oxidation in all the groups (time effect: p < 0.001). Relative fat oxidation increased only in the POL group compared to the CTRL group (training effect: p = 0.032). Conclusion: Twelve-weeks of polarized volume training showed overall superior effects on cardiorespiratory fitness, basal glycemic control, and substrate oxidation in comparison to MICT and HIIT training modalities. These data suggest that polarized volume training is an effective non-pharmacological treatment strategy for reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors in young overweight and obese women. The trial is registered at ISRCTN, number ISRCTN34421723. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]