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Hormonal changes associated with menopause increase the risk of hypertension. Postexercise hypotension (PEH) is an important tool in the prevention and management of hypertension; however, menopause may alter this response. The aim of this systematic review and meta-analysis [International Prospective Registered of Systematic Review (PROSPERO): CRD42023297557] was to evaluate the effect of exercise modalities (aerobic, AE; resistance, RE; and combined exercise, CE: AE + RE) on PEH in women, according to their menopausal status (premenopausal or postmenopausal). We searched controlled trials in PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, and Science Direct published between 1990 and March 2023. Inclusion criteria were normotensive, pre- and hypertensive, pre- and postmenopausal women who performed an exercise session compared with a control session and reported systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) for at least 30 min after the sessions. Methodological quality was assessed using the PEDro scale. Standardized mean differences (Hedge's g ) and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated, and Q -test and Z -test were conducted to assess differences between moderators. Forty-one trials with 718 women (474 menopausal) were included. Overall, we found with moderate evidence that SBP and DBP decreased significantly after exercise session (SBP: g = -0.69, 95% CI -0.87 to -0.51; DBP: g = -0.31, 95% CI -0.47 to -0.14), with no difference between premenopausal and postmenopausal women. Regarding exercise modalities, RE is more effective than AE and CE in lowering blood pressure (BP) in women regardless of menopausal status. In conclusion, women's menopausal status does not influence the magnitude of PEH, and the best modality to reduce BP in women seems to be RE. NEW & NOTEWORTHY This meta-analysis has demonstrated that a single bout of exercise induces postexercise hypotension (PEH) in women and that the hormonal shift occurring with menopause does not influence the magnitude of PEH. However, we have shown with moderate evidence that the effectiveness of exercise modalities differs between pre- and postmenopausal women. Resistance and combined exercises are the best modalities to induce PEH in premenopausal women, whereas resistance and aerobic exercises are more effective in postmenopausal women.

Purpose: To investigate the relationship between physical fitness and repeated high-intensity effort (RHIE) ability in elite rugby union players, depending on playing position., Method: Thirty-nine players underwent a fitness testing battery composed of a body composition assessment, upper-body strength (1-repetition maximum bench press and 1-repetition maximum bench row), lower-body strength (6-repetition maximum back squat), and power (countermovement jump, countermovement jump with arms, and 20-m sprint), as well as aerobic fitness (Bronco test) and RHIE tests over a 1-week period. Pearson linear correlations were used to quantify relationships between fitness tests and the RHIE performance outcomes (total sprint time [TST] and percentage decrement [%D]). Thereafter, a stepwise multiple regression model was used to verify the influence of physical fitness measures on RHIE ability., Results: TST was strongly to very strongly associated to body fat (BF, r = .82, P < .01), the 20-m sprint (r = .86, P < .01), countermovement jump (r = -.72, P < .01), and Bronco test (r = .90, P < .01). These fitness outcomes were related to %D, with moderate to strong associations (.82 > ∣r∣ > .54, P < .01). By playing position, similar associations were observed in forwards, but RHIE ability was only related to the 20-m sprint in backs (r = .53, P < .05). The RHIE performance model equations were TST = 13.69 + 0.01 × BF + 0.08 × Bronco + 10.20 × 20 m and %D = -14.34 + 0.11 × BF +0.18 × Bronco - 9.92 × 20 m. These models explain 88.8% and 68.2% of the variance, respectively., Conclusion: Body composition, lower-body power, and aerobic fitness were highly related with RHIE ability. However, backs expressed a different profile than forwards, suggesting that further research with larger sample sizes is needed to better understand the fitness determinants of backs' RHIE ability.

Objectives: Mobility is a complex but crucial clinical outcome in older adults. Past observational studies have highlighted that cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), energy cost of walking (ECW), and cognitive switching abilities are associated with mobility performance, making these key determinants of mobility intervention targets to enhance mobility in older adults. The objective of this study was to compare, in the same design, the impact of three training methods - each known to improve either CRF, ECW, or cognitive switching abilities - on mobility in healthy older adults., Methods: Seventy-eight participants (69.28 ± 4.85yo) were randomly assigned to one of three twelve-week interventions: Aerobic Exercise (AE; n = 26), Gross Motor Abilities (GMA; n = 27), or Cognitive (COG; n = 25) training. Each intervention was designed to improve one of the three key determinants of mobility (CRF, ECW, and cognitive switching). Primary outcomes (usual gait speed, and TUG performance) and the three mobility determinants were measured before and after the intervention., Results: Repeated-measures ANOVAs showed a time effect for TUG performance (F (1,75)  = 14.92, p < .001): all groups equally improved after the intervention (Δ TUGpost-pre , in seconds, with 95% CI: AE = -0.44 [-0.81 to -0.08]; GMA = -0.60 [-1.10 to -0.10]; COG = -0.33 [-0.71 to 0.05]). No significant between group differences were observed. CRF was improved in the AE group only (Hedges' G = 0.27, small effect), ECW and cognitive switching improved the most in the GMA (Hedges' G = -0.78, moderate effect) and COG groups (Hedges' G = -1.93, large effect) respectively. Smaller improvements in ECW were observed following AE and COG trainings (Hedges' G: AE = -0.39, COG = -0.36, both small effects) as well as in cognitive switching following AE and GMA training (Hedges' G: AE = -0.42, GMA = -0.21, both small effects)., Discussion: This study provides further support to the notion that multiple interventional approaches (aerobic, gross motor exercise, or cognitive training) can be employed to improve functional mobility in older adults, giving them, and professionals, more options to promote healthy ageing., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction : Many studies have reported that regular physical activity is positively associated with cognitive performance and more selectively with executive functions. However, some studies reported that the association of physical activity on executive performance in younger adults was not as clearly established when compared to studies with older adults. Among the many physiological mechanisms that may influence cognitive functioning, prefrontal (PFC) oxygenation seems to play a major role. The aim of the current study was to assess whether executive function and prefrontal oxygenation are dependent on physical activity levels (active versus inactive) in healthy young males. Methods : Fifty-six healthy young males (22.1 ± 2.4 years) were classified as active (n = 26) or inactive (n = 30) according to the recommendations made by the World Health Organization (WHO) and using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Bilateral PFC oxygenation was assessed using functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) during a computerized Stroop task (which included naming, inhibition, and switching conditions). Accuracy (% of correct responses) and reaction times (ms) were used as behavioural indicators of cognitive performances. Changes in oxygenated (∆HbO 2 ) and deoxygenated (∆HHb) hemoglobin were measured to capture neural changes. Several two-way repeated measures ANOVAs (Physical activity level x Stroop conditions) were performed to test the null hypothesis of an absence of interaction between physical activity level and executive performance in prefrontal oxygenation. Results : The analysis revealed an interaction between physical activity level and Stroop conditions on reaction time ( p = 0.04; ES = 0.7) in which physical activity level had a moderate effect on reaction time in the switching condition ( p = 0.02; ES = 0.8) but not in naming and inhibition conditions. At the neural level, a significant interaction between physical activity level and prefrontal oxygenation was found. Physical activity level had a large effect on ΔHbO 2 in the switching condition in the right PFC ( p = 0.04; ES = 0.8) and left PFC ( p = 0.02; ES = 0.96), but not in other conditions. A large physical activity level effect was also found on ΔHHb in the inhibition condition in the right PFC ( p < 0.01; ES = 0.9), but not in the left PFC or other conditions. Conclusion : The results of this cross-sectional study indicate that active young males performed better in executive tasks than their inactive counterparts and had a larger change in oxygenation in the PFC during these most complex conditions., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Introduction: Hyperthermia during exercise induces central and peripheral fatigue and impairs physical performance. To facilitate heat loss and optimize performance, athletes can hasten body cooling prior (pre-cooling) or during (per-cooling) exercise. However, it is unclear whether per-cooling effect is the same on 'aerobic' and 'anaerobic' types of exercise (duration <75 and >76 seconds, respectively, according to Gastin [Sports Med 2001;31:725-741]) and whether the body area that is cooled makes a difference., Methods: A literature search led to the identification of 1582 potential studies. Included studies had to include physical exercise with sufficient details on the type, duration, intensity, and provide valid performance measures and a cooling intervention administered during exercise with sufficient details on the type and site of application., Results: Forty-five studies were included. Per-cooling provides a performance benefit during 'aerobic' (standardized mean difference (SMD) of 0.60, P < .001) and 'anaerobic' exercises (SMD = 0.27, P < .02). The effects were greater during aerobic compared to anaerobic exercises (P < .01). Internal cooling (cold fluid ingestion such as cold water and ice slurry/menthol beverage) and external cooling (face, neck, and torso) provide the greatest performance benefit for 'aerobic' performance with a moderate to large effect (0.46 < SMD < 1.24). For 'anaerobic' exercises, wearing a whole-body cooling garment is the best way to enhance exercise performance (SMD = 0.39, P < .01)., Conclusion: Per-cooling improves 'aerobic' and 'anaerobic' exercise performance with a greater benefit for 'aerobic' exercise. The magnitude of the effect depends on the type and site of the cooling application., (© 2019 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Physiological and psychological demands during training and competition generate fatigue and reduce an athlete's sport-specific performance capacity. The magnitude of this decrement depends on several characteristics of the exercise stimulus (eg, type, duration, and intensity), as well as on individual characteristics (eg, fitness, profile, and fatigue resistance). As such, the time required to fully recover is proportional to the level of fatigue, and the consequences of exercise-induced fatigue are manifold. Whatever the purpose of the ensuing exercise session (ie, training or competition), it is crucial to understand the importance of optimizing the period between exercise bouts in order to speed up the regenerative processes and facilitate recovery or set the next stimulus at the optimal time point. This implies having a fairly precise understanding of the fatigue mechanisms that contribute to the performance decrement. Failing to respect an athlete's recovery needs may lead to an excessive accumulation of fatigue and potentially "nonfunctional overreaching" or to maladaptive training. Although research in this area recently increased, considerations regarding the specific time frames for different physiological mechanisms in relation to exercise-induced fatigue are still missing. Furthermore, recommendations on the timing and dosing of recovery based on these time frames are limited. Therefore, the aim of this article is to describe time courses of recovery in relation to the exercise type and on different physiological levels. This summary supports coaches, athletes, and scientists in their decision-making process by considering the relationship of exercise type, physiology, and recovery.

Background: Spontaneous walking speed (SWS) is one of the most important indicators of health in older adults. Studies have shown benefits of physical trainings on SWS in older adults but the impact of cognitive training and multidomain interventions remains understudied., Aims: This original study aimed at comparing the impact of aerobic/resistance exercise, computerized cognitive training and the combination of both interventions compared with active control conditions on SWS in healthy older adults., Methods: Ninety community-dwelling older adults were randomly assigned to four different combinations composed of two active interventions: physical aerobic/resistance and cognitive dual-task trainings, and two active control conditions: stretching exercises and computer lessons. The four combinations were the following: (1) aerobic/resistance and cognitive dual task (n = 28), (2) aerobic/resistance and computer lessons (n = 21), (3) stretching exercises and cognitive dual task and (n = 23), (4) stretching exercises and computer lessons (n = 18). Training sessions were held three times/week for three months. SWS for 30 s was assessed before and after the intervention., Results: Repeated-measures ANOVA showed a main effect of time and a significant three-way interaction suggesting differential improvement in SWS according to training combinations. A clinical meaningful improvement in SWS was observed in groups 1-3 (0.08-0.14 m/s; effect sizes: small to moderate) but not in the active control group 4., Discussion: Results of this study suggest that aerobic/resistance exercise and computerized dual-task training are two non-pharmacological interventions by which SWS, a functional vital sign, can be clinically improved in older adults., Conclusion: This original study pointed out different tools to prevent functional decline in older people.

This study compared heart rate recovery (HRR) after incremental maximal exercise performed at the same external power output (P ext ) on dry land ergocycle (DE) vs. immersible ergocycle (IE). Fifteen young healthy participants (30 ± 7 years, 13 men and 2 women) performed incremental maximal exercise tests on DE and on IE. The initial P ext on DE was 25 W and was increased by 25 W/min at a pedalling cadence between 60 and 80 rpm, while during IE immersion at chest level in thermoneutral water (30°C), the initial P ext deployment was at a cadence of 40 rpm which was increased by 10 rpm until 70 rpm and thereafter by 5 rpm until exhaustion. Gas exchange and heart rate (HR) were measured continuously during exercise and recovery for 5 min. Maximal HR (DE: 176 ± 15 vs. IE 169 ± 12 bpm) reached by the subjects in the two conditions did not differ (P > .05). Parasympathetic reactivation parameters (ΔHR from 10 to 300 s) were compared during the DE and IE HR recovery recordings. During the IE recovery, parasympathetic reactivation in the early phase was more predominant (HRR at Δ10-Δ60 s, P < .05), but similar in the late phase (HRR at Δ120-Δ300 s, P > .05) when compared to the DE condition. In conclusion, incremental maximal IE exercise at chest level immersion in thermoneutral water accelerates the early phase parasympathetic reactivation compared to DE in healthy young participants.

We aimed to compare blood pressure (BP) responses following moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE), high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in dry land or HIIE in immersed condition, using 24-hour ambulatory BP monitoring. Forty-two individuals (65 ± 7 years, 52% men) with a baseline BP ≥ 130/85 mm Hg (systolic/diastolic blood pressures [SBP/DBP]) were randomly assigned to perform one of the three following exercises on a stationary cycle: MICE (24 minutes at 50% peak power output) or HIIE in dry land (two sets of 10 minutes with phases of 15 seconds 100% peak power output interspersed by 15 seconds of passive recovery) or HIIE in up-to-the-chest immersed condition. While MICE modified none of the 24-hour average hemodynamic variables, dryland HIIE induced a 24-hour BP decrease (SBP: -3.6 ± 5.7/DBP: -2.8 ± 3.0 mm Hg, P < .05) and, to a much greater extent, immersed HIIE (SBP: -6.8 ± 9.5/DBP: -3.0 ± 4.5 mm Hg, P < .05). The one condition that modified 24-hour pulse-wave velocity was immersed HIIE (-0.21 ± 0.30 m/s, P < .05)., (Copyright © 2016 American Society of Hypertension. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To assess the relationship between exercise intensity, cerebral HbO2 and cognitive performance (Executive and non-Executive) in young adults., Methods: We measured reaction time (RT) and accuracy, during a computerized Stroop task, in 19 young adults (7 males and 12 females). Their mean ± SD age, height, body mass and body mass index (BMI) were 24 ± 4 years, 1.67 ± 0.07 m, 72 ± 14 kg and 25 ± 3 kg m(-2), respectively. Each subject performed the Stroop task at rest and during cycling at exercise of low intensity [40% of peak power output (PPO)], moderate intensity (60% of PPO) and high intensity (85% of PPO). Cerebral oxygenation was monitored during the resting and exercise conditions over the prefrontal cortex (PFC) using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS)., Results: High-intensity exercise slowed RT in both the Naming (p = 0.04) and the Executive condition (p = 0.04). The analysis also revealed that high-intensity exercise was associated with a decreased accuracy when compared to low-intensity exercise (p = 0.021). Neuroimaging results confirm a decrease of cerebral oxygenation during high-intensity exercise in comparison to low- (p = 0.004) and moderate-intensity exercise (p = 0.003). Correlations revealed that a lower cerebral HbO2 in the prefrontal cortex was associated with slower RT in the Executive condition only (p = 0.04, g = -0.72)., Conclusion: Results of the present study suggest that low to moderate exercise intensity does not alter Executive functioning, but that exercise impairs cognitive functions (Executive and non-Executive) when the physical workload becomes heavy. The cerebral HbO2 correlation suggests that a lower availability of HbO2 was associated with slower RT in the Executive condition only.

High blood pressure is a frequent pathology with many cardiovascular complications. As highlighted in guidelines, the therapeutic management of hypertension relies on non-pharmacological measures, which are diet and regular physical activity, but both patients and physicians are reluctant to physical activity prescription. To acquire the conviction that physical activity is beneficial, necessary and possible, we can take into account some fundamental and clinical studies, as well as the feedback of our clinical practice. Physical inactivity is a major risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and hypertension contributes to increase this risk. Conversely, regular practice of physical activity decreases very significantly the risk by up to 60%. The acute blood pressure changes during exercise and post-exercise hypotension differs according to the dynamic component (endurance or aerobic and/or strength exercises), but the repetition of the sessions leads to the chronic hypotensive benefit of physical activity. Moreover, physical activity prescription must take into account the assessment of global cardiovascular risk, the control of the hypertension, and the opportunities and desires of the patient in order to promote good adherence and beneficial lifestyle change., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of exercise intensity, age, and fitness levels on executive and nonexecutive cognitive tasks during exercise. Participants completed a computerized modified-Stroop task (including denomination, inhibition, and switching conditions) while pedaling on a cycle ergometer at 40%, 60%, and 80% of peak power output (PPO). We showed that a bout of moderate-intensity (60% PPO) to high-intensity (80% PPO) exercise was associated with deleterious performance in the executive component of the computerized modified-Stroop task (i.e., switching condition), especially in lower-fit individuals (p < .01). Age did not have an effect on the relationship between acute cardiovascular exercise and cognition. Acute exercise can momentarily impair executive control equivalently in younger and older adults, but individual's fitness level moderates this relation.

The purpose of this study was to characterize the effect of a 2-week overload period immediately followed by a 1-week taper period on different cognitive processes including executive and nonexecutive functions, and related heart rate variability. Eleven male endurance athletes increased their usual training volume by 100% for 2 weeks, and decreased it by 50% for 1 week. A maximal graded test, a constant speed test at 85% of peak treadmill speed, and a Stroop task with the measurement of heart rate variability were performed at each period. All participants were considered as overreached. We found a moderate increase in the overall reaction time to the three conditions of the Stroop task after the overload period (816 ± 83 vs 892 ± 117 ms, P = 0.03) followed by a return to baseline after the taper period (820 ± 119 ms, P = 0.013). We found no association between cognitive performance and cardiac parasympathetic control at baseline, and no association between changes in these measures. Our findings clearly underscore the relevance of cognitive performance in the monitoring of overreaching in endurance athletes. However, contrary to our hypothesis, we did not find any relationship between executive performance and cardiac parasympathetic control., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The effects of physical activity on cognition in older adults have been extensively investigated in the last decade. Different interventions such as aerobic, strength, and gross motor training programs have resulted in improvements in cognitive functions. However, the mechanisms underlying the relationship between physical activity and cognition are still poorly understood. Recently, it was shown that acute bouts of exercise resulted in reduced executive control at higher relative exercise intensities. Considering that aging is characterized by a reduction in potential energy ([Formula: see text] max - energy cost of walking), which leads to higher relative walking intensity for the same absolute speed, it could be argued that any intervention aimed at reducing the relative intensity of the locomotive task would improve executive control while walking. The objective of the present study was to determine the effects of a short-term (8 weeks) high-intensity strength and aerobic training program on executive functions (single and dual task) in a cohort of healthy older adults. Fifty-one participants were included and 47 (age, 70.7 ± 5.6) completed the study which compared the effects of three interventions: lower body strength + aerobic training (LBS-A), upper body strength + aerobic training (UBS-A), and gross motor activities (GMA). Training sessions were held 3 times every week. Both physical fitness (aerobic, neuromuscular, and body composition) and cognitive functions (RNG) during a dual task were assessed before and after the intervention. Even though the LBS-A and UBS-A interventions increased potential energy to a higher level (Effect size: LBS-A-moderate, UBS-A-small, GMA-trivial), all groups showed equivalent improvement in cognitive function, with inhibition being more sensitive to the intervention. These findings suggest that different exercise programs targeting physical fitness and/or gross motor skills may lead to equivalent improvement in cognition in healthy older adults. Such results call for further investigation of the multiple physiological pathways by which physical exercise can impact cognition in older adults.

Background: High-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) is gaining in popularity in fitness centres, even among coronary heart disease (CHD) patients. However, whether HIIE can have deleterious acute effects on the vasculature in CHD has not been studied. We hypothesized that when compared with moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE), a single bout of HIIE could lead to vascular damage and increasing numbers of circulating endothelial and platelet microparticles (EMPs, PMPs) in stable, physically fit CHD patients., Methods: Nineteen male CHD patients (aged 62 ± 11 years) underwent, in random order, a single session of HIIE corresponding to 15-second intervals at 100% of peak power output and 15-second passive recovery intervals, and an isocaloric MICE session. EMPs (CD31+ and/or CD62E+ and CD42b-); PMPs (CD42b+); nitrates and nitrites; prostacycline; and troponin T, cardiac form (cTnT), were measured 10 minutes before exercise and 20 minutes, 24 hours, and 72 hours after both exercise sessions., Results: EMPs, PMPs, nitrates and nitrites, prostacycline, and cTnT remained unchanged after both HIIE and MICE exercise sessions. Initial EMP concentration correlated inversely with EMP concentration 20 minutes post exercise, irrespective of exercise modality (r = 0.78, P < 0.0001)., Conclusions: A single HIIE session with very short exercise and passive recovery periods appears safe and does not induce changes to markers of endothelial function. Future studies are required to determine the safety of a long-term HIIE training program., (Copyright © 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Autonomic dysfunction including sympathetic activation and vagal withdrawal has been reported in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). We tested the hypotheses that high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in CHF patients would enhance vagal modulation and thus decrease arrhythmic events., Methods: Eighteen CHF patients underwent a baseline assessment (CON) and were then randomized to a single session of HIIE and to an isocaloric moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE). We evaluated the HR, HR variability parameters, and arrhythmic events by 24-h Holter ECG recordings after HIIE, MICE, and CON sessions., Results: We found that HR was significantly decreased after HIIE (68 ± 3 bpm, P < 0.01) when compared with CON and MICE values (71.1 ± 2 and 69 ± 3 bpm, respectively). HIIE led to a significant increase in normalized high-frequency power (35.95% ± 2.83% vs 31.56% ± 1.93% and 24.61% ± 2.62% for CON and MICE, respectively, P < 0.01). Both exercise conditions were associated with an increase in very low frequency power comparative to CON. After HIIE, premature ventricular contractions were significantly decreased (531 ± 338 vs 1007 ± 693 and 1671 ± 1604 for CON and MICE, respectively, P < 0.01). An association was found between the changes in premature ventricular contraction and the changes in low-frequency/high-frequency ratio (r = 0.66, P < 0.01) in patients exposed to HIIE., Conclusion: We demonstrate that a single session of HIIE improves autonomic profile of CHF patients, leading to significant reductions of HR and arrhythmic events in a 24-h posttraining period. Cardioprotective effects of HIIE in CHF patients need to be confirmed in a larger study population and on a long-term basis.

Background: The purpose of this study was to compare cardiopulmonary responses, exercise adherence, tolerance, and safety of optimized high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) compared with moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) in patients with heart failure and reduced ejection fraction (HFREF)., Methods: Twenty patients with HFREF (aged 61 ± 9.9 years) were randomly assigned to HIIE corresponding to 2 × 8 minutes of 30-second intervals at 100% of peak power output and 30-second passive recovery intervals and to a 22-minute MICE corresponding to 60% of peak power output. Gas exchange, electrocardiogram, and blood pressure were measured continuously. Cardiac troponin T (cTnT), C-reactive protein (CRP), and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured before, 20 minutes after, and 24 hours after HIIE and MICE., Results: Cardiopulmonary responses did not differ between MICE and HIIE. Higher exercise adherence and efficiency were observed on HIIE with a similar perceived exertion and time spent above 90% of peak oxygen consumption compared with MICE. Neither HIIE nor MICE caused any significant arrhythmias or increased CRP, BNP, or cTnT., Conclusions: Compared with MICE, HIIE demonstrated a higher exercise adherence and was well tolerated in patients with HFREF, while still providing a high-level physiological stimulus and leaving indices of inflammation (CRP), myocardial dysfunction (BNP), and myocardial necrosis (cTnT) unaffected., (Copyright © 2013 Canadian Cardiovascular Society. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Studies on the effects of acute bouts of cardiovascular exercise on cognitive performances show contradictory findings due to methodological differences (e.g., exercise intensity, cognitive function assessed, participants' aerobic fitness level, etc.). The present study assessed the acute effect of exercise intensity on cognition while controlling for key methodological confounds. Thirty-seven participants (M(age)=23. 8 years; SD=2.6) completed a computerized modified-Stroop task (involving denomination, inhibition and switching conditions) while pedalling at 40%, 60% and 80% of their peak power output (PPO). Results showed that in the switching condition of the task, error rates increased as a function of exercise intensity (from 60% to 80% of PPO) in all participants and that lower fit individuals showed increased reaction time variability. This suggests that acute bouts of cardiovascular exercise can momentarily alter executive control and increase performance instability in lower fit individuals., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a 2-week overload period immediately followed by a 1-week taper period on the autonomic control of heart rate during the night or after exercise cessation. Eleven male endurance athletes increased their usual training volume by 100% for 2 weeks (overload) and decreased it by 50% for 1 week (taper). A maximal graded exercise test and a constant-speed test at 85% of peak treadmill speed, both followed by a 10-min passive recovery period, were performed at baseline and after each period. Heart rate variability was also measured during a 4-h period in the night or during estimated slow-wave sleep. All participants were considered to be overreached based on performance and physiological and psychological criteria. We found a decrease in cardiac parasympathetic control during slow-wave sleep (HFnu = 61.3% ± 11.7% vs 50.0% ± 10.1%, p < 0.05) but not during the 4-h period, as well as a faster heart rate recovery following the maximal graded exercise test (τ = 61.8 ± 14.5 s vs 54.7 ± 9.0 s, p < 0.05) but not after the constant-speed test, after the overload period. There was a return to baseline for both measures after the taper period. Other indices of cardiac autonomic control were not altered by the overload period. Care should be taken in selecting the most sensitive heart rate measures in the follow-up of athletes, because cardiac autonomic control is not affected uniformly by overload training.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of a strategy, based on telephone support oriented by accelerometer measurements, on the adherence to physical activity (PA) recommendations in cardiac patients not achieving PA recommendations., Design: Prospective and randomized study., Setting: A cardiac rehabilitation program (CRP) at a clinic., Participants: Stable, noncompliant cardiac (coronary artery disease, heart failure, post-cardiovascular surgery) patients (weekly moderate-intensity PA <150 min) were randomly assigned to an intervention group (n=19) or a control group (n=10)., Interventions: The intervention group wore an accelerometer for 8 weeks. Every 15 days, feedback and support were provided by telephone. The control group wore the accelerometer during the 8th week of the intervention only., Main Outcome Measures: Active energy expenditure (EE) (in kilocalories) and the time spent doing light, moderate, or intense PA (minutes per week)., Results: In the intervention group, the time spent at moderate-intensity PA increased from 95.6±80.7 to 137.2±87.5 min/wk between the 1st and 8th week (P=.002), with 36.8% of the sample achieving the target amount of moderate-intensity PA. During the 8th week, the EE averaged 543.7±144.1 kcal and 266.7±107.4 kcal in the intervention group and control group, respectively (P=.004)., Conclusions: Telephone support based on accelerometer recordings appeared to be an effective strategy to improve adherence to PA in noncompliant patients. This intervention could be implemented after a CRP as an inexpensive, modern, and easy-to-use strategy., (Copyright © 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Postexercise HRR (heart rate recovery) and HRV (heart rate variability) are commonly used to asses non-invasive cardiac autonomic regulation and more particularly reactivation parasympathetic function. Unfortunately, the reliability of postexercise HRR and HRV remains poorly quantified and is still lacking. The aim of this study was to examine absolute and relative reliability of HRR and HRV indices used to assess postexercise cardiac parasympathetic reactivation., Methods: We studied 30 healthy men, who underwent 10-minute heart rate recording after cessation of maximal and submaximal intensity exercises. Each condition of testing was repeated twice within 5 ± 2 days after the first one. Standard indexes of HRR and HRV were computed from heart rate and RR intervals., Results: We found no significant bias between repeated measures. Relative reliability was assessed with the intraclass coefficient correlation (ICC) and absolute reliability with the standard error measurement (SEM) and coefficient of variation (CV). A large range for ICC was observed for both indexes of HRR and HRV (0.12

Purpose: We measured the effects of sauna bathing alone or a 30-minute exercise session followed by sauna bathing on short-term heart rate variability (HRV) in subjects with untreated hypertension., Methods: Ten patients with untreated hypertension (age 59 ± 10 years) were randomly assigned to (1) a control resting session, (2) two 8-minute sauna-only sessions (S), or (3) a 30-minute aerobic exercise session at 75% of maximal heart rate followed by a sauna session (ES). Spectral analysis of HRV was measured with a Polar S810 heart rate monitor at baseline, during the sauna session, and 15 and 120 minutes after the sauna session (T15 and T120). A Fast Fourier Transformation was used to quantify the power spectral density of the low-frequency (LF) and high-frequency (HF) bands., Results: For S and ES conditions, LF (NU, normalized unit) and LF/HF were significantly higher (P < .05 and P < .01) in the first and second sauna sessions, and HF (NU) was significantly lower (P < .05, first sauna). At baseline and T15 for S and ES versus control, LF (NU) and LF/HF were significantly higher (P < .05), and HF (NU) was significantly lower (P < .05), without any effect of the 30-minute exercise session., Conclusions: A single sauna session induced a significant alteration of autonomic cardiovascular control in patients with untreated hypertension, with an increased sympathetic and decreased parasympathetic drive. These alterations were normalized within 15 to 120 minutes after sauna bathing. Additional studies are required to document long-term effects of chronic sauna bathing on autonomic control in patients with hypertension.

Purpose: although the acute physiological responses to continuous exercise have been well documented in CHD patients, no previous study has examined the responses to high-intensity intermittent exercise in these patients. The purpose of this study was to compare the physiological responses to a high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE) protocol versus a moderate-intensity continuous exercise (MICE) protocol of similar energy expenditure in CHD patients., Methods: twenty patients with stable CHD (19 males and 1 female, 62 ± 11 yr) were assigned in random order to a single session of HIIE corresponding to 15-s intervals at 100% of peak power output (PPO) and 15-s passive recovery intervals and, 2 wk later, to an isocaloric MICE corresponding to 70% of PPO., Results: both protocols were equivalent in terms of energy expenditure. The HIIE protocol resulted in lower mean ventilation (P < 0.001) for a small difference in metabolic demand. All participants preferred the HIIE mainly because the perceived exertion measured by the Borg scale was lower (P < 0.05). No elevation of serum concentration of troponin T was found in all participants at baseline and at 20 min and 24 h after the exercise sessions, thus excluding the presence of any exercise-induced myocardial injury in our patients., Conclusions: when considering physiological responses, safety, and perceived exertion, the HIIE protocol seemed to be well tolerated and more efficient in this group of stable CHD patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether cognitive performance was a valid marker of overreaching. 10 well-trained male endurance athletes increased their training load by 100% for 2 weeks. They performed a maximal graded test, a constant speed test, a reaction time task and a computerized version of the Stroop color word-test before and after this overload period. Regarding performance results, five participants were considered as overreached and the five remaining were considered as well-trained. We found no significant differences between groups in performing the Stroop test. Noteworthy, we found a small increase in response time in the more complex condition in overreached athletes (1 188+/-261 to 1 297+/-231 ms, effect size=0.44), while it decreased moderately in the well-trained athletes (1 066+/-175 to 963+/-171 ms, effect size=-0.59). Furthermore, we found an interaction between time and group on initiation time of the reaction time task, since it increased in overreached athletes after the overload period (246+/-24 to 264+/-26 ms, p<0.05), while it remained unchanged in well-trained participants. Participants made very few anticipation errors, whatever the group or the period (error rate <2%).We concluded that an unaccustomed increase in training volume which is accompanied by a decrement in physical performance induces a deterioration of some executive functions., (Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart . New York.)

The aim of this study was to determine the level of agreement between the new Aquatrainer system and the facemask in the assessment of submaximal and maximal cardiopulmonary responses during exercise performed on ergocycle. Twenty-six physically active healthy subjects (mean age: 41 +/- 14 years) performed a submaximal constant work test followed by maximal incremental exercise test on ergocycle, one with cardiopulmonary responses measured using the Cosmed K4b2 facemask, the other using the Cosmed K4b2 Aquatrainer. Using the Aquatrainer, the gas exchange variables at 100 W were significantly lower for VO(2) (1,483 +/- 203 vs. 1,876 +/- 204 ml min(-1), P < 0.0001), VCO(2) (1,442 +/- 263 vs. 1,749 +/- 231 ml min(-1), P < 0.0001), VE (38 +/- 5 vs. 44 +/- 6 l min(-1), P < 0.0001), and VT (1.92 +/- 0.47 vs. 2.18 +/- 0.41 l, P < 0.0001) relative to facemask. The bias +/-95% limits of agreement (LOA) for VO(2) was 393 +/- 507 ml min(-1) for the submaximal constant work test at 100 W and 495 +/- 727 ml min(-1) for VO(2max). At maximal intensity, cardiopulmonary responses measured with the Aquatrainer system were significantly lower for: VO(2) (2,799 +/- 751 vs. 3,294 +/- 821 ml min(-1), P < 0.0001), VCO(2) (3,426 +/- 836 vs. 3,641 +/- 946 ml min(-1), P = 0.012), VE (98 +/- 21 vs. 108 +/- 26 l min(-1), P = 0.0009) relative to facemask. A non-constant measurement error [interaction effect: (facemask or aquatrainer) x power] was noted from 60 to 270 W for VO(2) (ml min(-1)), VCO(2) (ml min(-1)), ventilation (l min(-1)) (P < 0.0001) and VT (l, P = 0.0001). Additional studies are required to detect the main sources of error that could be physical and/or physiological in nature. Due to the significant measurement error, the new Aquatrainer system should be used with extreme caution in filed testing conditions of swimmers.

High intensity interval training has been shown to be more effective than moderate intensity continuous training for improving maximal oxygen uptake (VO(2max)) in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). However, no evidence supports the prescription of one specific protocol of high intensity interval exercise (HIIE) in this population. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute cardiopulmonary responses with four different single bouts of HIIE in order to identify the most optimal one in CHD patients. Nineteen stable CHD patients (17 males, 2 females, 65 +/- 8 years) performed four different bouts of HIIE, all with exercise phases at 100% of maximal aerobic power (MAP), but which varied in interval duration (15 s for mode A and B and 60 s for mode C and D) and type of recovery (0% of MAP for modes A and C and 50% of MAP for modes B and D). A passive recovery phase resulted in a longer time to exhaustion compared to an active recovery phase, irrespective of the duration of the exercise and recovery periods (15 or 60 s, p < 0.05). Time to exhaustion also tended to be higher with mode A relative to mode C (p = 0.06). Despite differences in time to exhaustion between modes, time spent at a high percentage of VO(2max) was similar between HIIE modes except for less time spent above 90 and 95% of VO(2max) for mode C when compared with modes B and D. When considering perceived exertion, patient comfort and time spent above 80% of VO(2max), mode A appeared to be the optimal HIIE session for these coronary patients.

The aim of this study was to examine absolute and relative reliability of fatigue measures calculated from peak torque or total work during 20, 30, 40 and 50 reciprocal maximal concentric contractions performed on an isokinetic dynamometer at 180 degrees x s(-1). Eighteen moderately active men performed 50 reciprocal maximal concentric contractions on three occasions with one 7-10 days recovery between each session. Peak torque and total work were computed for each contraction and subsequently summed to compute cumulated performance after respectively 20, 30, 40 and 50 repetitions. Muscle fatigue was determined after 20, 30, 40 and 50 repetitions by the fatigue index, the percent decrease in performance and the slope. Reliability of average peak torque or average total work was similar and was not affected by the lengthening of the protocol, although a learning effect was evident for knee flexors. Reliability of fatigue measures calculated from peak torque or total work was similar, improved with the lengthening of the protocol and was better for knee extensors. Measuring average peak torque or average total work and the slope during a protocol involving 30 maximal reciprocal concentric contractions appear to represent a better compromise between reliability and physiological interpretability of the data.

Recently, high-intensity aerobic interval training was shown to be more effective than continuous moderate-intensity exercise for improving maximal aerobic capacity and endurance in patients with coronary heart disease. However, patients with exercise-induced ischemia were not included in those studies. We present the acute cardiopulmonary responses of a 67-yr-old man with stable angina pectoris during a 34-min session of high-intensity aerobic interval training. Exercise was well tolerated with neither significant arrhythmia nor elevation of cardiac troponin-T. We observed a complete disappearance of symptoms and signs of myocardial ischemia after 24 mins of exercise. This observation is similar to the warm-up angina phenomenon, an adaptation to myocardial ischemia that remains poorly understood. We conclude that high-intensity aerobic interval training is a promising mode of training for patients with stable coronary heart disease that should also be investigated further in patients with exercise-induced ischemia.

The purpose of this study was to observe the effect of high intermittent exercise training on children's heart rate variability (HRV). Thirty-eight children (age 9.6 +/- 1.2 years) were divided into an intermittent (IT, n = 22) and a control group (CON, n = 16). At baseline and after a 7-week training period, HRV parameters, peak oxygen consumption (VO(2peak)) and maximal aerobic velocity (MAV) were assessed. Training consisted of three 30-min sessions composed by short maximal and supramaximal runs at velocities ranging from 100 up to 190% of MAV. HRV was computed in time and frequency domains. Training resulted in a significant increase in MAV and VO(2peak) in IT (P < 0.05) only without any significant change in HRV parameters for the two groups. Thus, 7 weeks of high intermittent exercise training allows to improve aerobic fitness. However, this modality of training was not sufficient enough to underline a possible effect on the heart rate autonomic regulation in children.

Objective: A meta-analysis was conducted on the effect of overload training on resting HR, submaximal and maximal exercise HR (HR), and heart rate variability (HRV), to determine whether these measures can be used as valid markers of over-reaching., Methods: Six databases were searched using relevant terms and strategies. Criteria for study inclusion were: participants had to be competitive athletes, an increased training load intervention had to be used, and all necessary data to calculate effect sizes had to be available. An arbitrary limit of 2 weeks was chosen to make the distinction between short-term and long-term interventions. Dependent variables were HR and HRV (during supine rest). Standardised mean differences (SMD) in HR or HRV before and after interventions were calculated, and weighted according to the within-group heterogeneity to develop an overall effect., Results: In these competitive athletes, short-term interventions resulted in a moderate increase in both resting HR (SMD = 0.55; p = 0.01) and low frequency/high frequency ratio (SMD = 0.52; p = 0.02), and a moderate decrease in maximal HR (SMD = -0.75; p = 0.01). Long-term interventions resulted in a small decrease in HR during submaximal (SMD = -0.38; p = 0.006) and maximal exercise (SMD = -0.33; p = 0.007), without alteration of resting values., Conclusion: The small to moderate amplitude of these alterations limits their clinical usefulness, as expected differences may fall within the day-to-day variability of these markers. Consequently, correct interpretation of HR or HRV fluctuations during the training process requires the comparison with other signs and symptoms of over-reaching to be meaningful.

Passive postexercise heart rate (HR) recovery is currently used in the assessment of endurance athletes to determine changes in performance or in the clinical setting as a predictor of all-cause mortality. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the reliability of HR recovery. Thirty healthy subjects performed two maximal and two submaximal treadmill exercises, followed by 5 minutes of passive recovery. HR signal was used to compute raw and Delta (exercise - recovery) HR after 1, 2, 3, and 5 minutes of exercise cessation. A mono-exponential function was fitted to the data using the least squares procedure. We found no significant bias between repeated measures. Relative reliability was lower for Delta HR when compared with raw HR (0.43 < ICC < 0.71 vs. 0.68 < ICC < 0.83, respectively). Absolute reliability was relatively constant over time for raw HR (SEM = approximately 8 %), while it decreased exponentially from the 1st (SEM = approximately 20 %) to the 5th minute of recovery (SEM = approximately 8 %) for Delta HR. The reliability of parameter estimates from exponential curve fitting was less consistent, since both ICC (0.43 to 0.88) and SEM (5.7 to 21.4 %) differed from one parameter to the other according to the intensity of exercise. We conclude that passive postexercise HR recovery reliability is heterogeneous. Raw HR is the desired method to describe it.

The aim of this study was to determine if subjects matched for VO2max but with differing aerobic endurance displayed similar heart rate variability (HRV) at rest and heart rate recovery (HRR) after maximal exercise. We hypothesized that the higher the aerobic endurance, the higher the HRV and the faster the HRR. Twenty-eight well trained middle- and long-distance runners (24 men and 4 women) performed a maximal continuous graded exercise test for the determination of maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max), ventilatory threshold (VT), peak treadmill velocity (PTV) and HRR, as well as a test to measure the autonomic regulation of heart rate during supine rest, using HRV analysis. Once both tests were completed, subjects were matched for VO2max and assigned to the low endurance or the high endurance group, depending on the %PTV at which VT occurred (81.9 +/- 2.9 and 88.3 +/- 3.1%PTV for both groups, respectively; P < 0.0001). Contrary to our hypotheses, neither HRV nor HRR parameters were different between groups or associated with aerobic endurance. VO2max (59.0+/-7.3 ml min(-1) kg(-1)) was inversely correlated with ln SDNN (r = -0.44, P < 0.05), ln HF (r = -0.52, P < 0.05), ln LF + HF (r = -0.53, P < 0.05). These results suggest that aerobic endurance is not associated with cardiovascular autonomic control, as measured by HRV and HRR.

Physiological testing of elite athletes requires the correct identification and assessment of sports-specific underlying factors. It is now recognised that performance in long-distance events is determined by maximal oxygen uptake (V(2 max)), energy cost of exercise and the maximal fractional utilisation of V(2 max) in any realised performance or as a corollary a set percentage of V(2 max) that could be endured as long as possible. This later ability is defined as endurance, and more precisely aerobic endurance, since V(2 max) sets the upper limit of aerobic pathway. It should be distinguished from endurance ability or endurance performance, which are synonymous with performance in long-distance events. The present review examines methods available in the literature to assess aerobic endurance. They are numerous and can be classified into two categories, namely direct and indirect methods. Direct methods bring together all indices that allow either a complete or a partial representation of the power-duration relationship, while indirect methods revolve around the determination of the so-called anaerobic threshold (AT). With regard to direct methods, performance in a series of tests provides a more complete and presumably more valid description of the power-duration relationship than performance in a single test, even if both approaches are well correlated with each other. However, the question remains open to determine which systems model should be employed among the several available in the literature, and how to use them in the prescription of training intensities. As for indirect methods, there is quantitative accumulation of data supporting the utilisation of the AT to assess aerobic endurance and to prescribe training intensities. However, it appears that: there is no unique intensity corresponding to the AT, since criteria available in the literature provide inconsistent results; and the non-invasive determination of the AT using ventilatory and heart rate data instead of blood lactate concentration ([La(-)](b)) is not valid. Added to the fact that the AT may not represent the optimal training intensity for elite athletes, it raises doubt on the usefulness of this theory without questioning, however, the usefulness of the whole [La(-)](b)-power curve to assess aerobic endurance and predict performance in long-distance events.

Many physiological markers vary similarly during training and overtraining. This is the case for the blood lactate concentration ([La-]b), since a right shift of the lactate curve is to be expected in both conditions. We examined the possibility of separating the changes in training from those of overtraining by dividing [La-]b by the rating of perceived exertion ([La-]b/RPE) or by converting [La-]b into a percentage of the peak blood lactate concentration ([La-]b,peak). Ten experienced endurance athletes increased their usual amount of training by 100% within 4 weeks. An incremental test and a time trial were performed before (baseline) and after this period of overtraining, and after 2 weeks of recovery (REC). The [La-]b and RPE were measured during the recovery of each stage of the incremental test. We diagnosed overtraining in seven athletes, using both physiological and psychological criteria. We found a decrease in mean [La-]b,peak from baseline to REC [9.64 (SD 1.17), 8.16 (SD 1.31) and 7.69 (SD 1.84) mmol.l-1, for the three tests, respectively; P < 0.05] and a right shift of the lactate curve. Above 90% of maximal aerobic speed (MAS) there was a decrease of mean [La-]b/RPE from baseline to REC [at 100% of MAS of 105.41 (SD 17.48), 84.61 (SD 12.56) and 81.03 (SD 22.64) arbitrary units, in the three tests, respectively; P < 0.05), but no difference in RPE, its variability accounting for less than 25% of the variability of [La-]b/RPE (r = 0.49). Consequently, [La-]b/RPE provides little additional information compared to [La-]b alone. Expressing [La-]b as a %[La-]b,peak resulted in a suppression of the right shift of the lactate curve, suggesting it was primarily the consequence of a decreased production of lactate by the muscle. Since the right shift of the curve induced by optimal training is a result of improved lactate utilization, the main difference between the two conditions is the decrease of [La-]b,peak during overtraining. We propose retaining it as a marker of overtraining for long duration events, and repeating its measurement after a sufficient period of rest to make the distinction with overreaching.

The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of resistance training cessation on strength performance through a meta-analysis. Seven databases were searched from which 103 of 284 potential studies met inclusion criteria. Training status, sex, age, and the duration of training cessation were used as moderators. Standardized mean difference ( SMD) in muscular performance was calculated and weighted by the inverse of variance to calculate an overall effect and its 95% confidence interval ( CI). Results indicated a detrimental effect of resistance training cessation on all components of muscular performance: [submaximal strength; SMD (95% CI) = −0.62 (−0.80 to −0.45), P < 0.01], [maximal force; SMD (95% CI) = −0.46 (−0.54 to −0.37), P < 0.01], [maximal power; SMD (95% CI) = −0.20 (−0.28 to −0.13), P < 0.01]. A dose-response relationship between the amplitude of SMD and the duration of training cessation was identified. The effect of resistance training cessation was found to be larger in older people (> 65 years old). The effect was also larger in inactive people for maximal force and maximal power when compared with recreational athletes. Resistance training cessation decreases all components of muscular strength. The magnitude of the effect differs according to training status, age or the duration of training cessation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A variety of testing procedures are used to assess the effects of particular treatments on the training status of athletes. The present study aims to investigate the reproducibility of selected tests in swimming. Sixteen trained swimmers performed three kinds of test: 1) Constant Distance Test (CDT), 2) Constant Time Test (CTT), and 3) Constant Velocity Test (CVT). The analysis of the reproducibility was based on a test-retest procedure. The test-re- test performances were highly correlated for the three kinds of test (r=0.98, 0.98, and 0.93 for CDT, CIT and CVT, respectively). The mean Coefficient of Variation (CV) was computed between test-retest for each subject and each procedure A repeated measures one-way ANOVA showed that CVT was significantly less reliable (CV=6.46±6.24%) than CDT and CTT (CV=0.56± 0.60% and 0.63±0.54% respectively) (p<0.001). Psychological factors and a lack of familiarity with CVT (not extensively used during training session) could explain its greater variability. Thus, CDT and CIT seem to be the most reliable tests to detect the smallest meaningful change in the training status of swimmers. Post-hoc power calculations of the experimental design showed the sample size would have to increase to 80, 113, and 228 subjects for CWT, CDT and CPT respectively, to reach a power of 80%. The minimal detectable differences have to be calculated to ensure a real effect of a particular treatment on a group of swimmers, according to the kind of test used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]