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Background Making quick decisions and reducing the amount of errors at the beginning of a competition are crucial to the success in team sports and individual events. Phosphatidylserine (PS) has been shown to reduce stress and increase performance in runners, cyclists and golfers. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over pilot study was performed to evaluate the effect of PS supplementation on cognitive function prior to and following an acute bout of resistance training in 18 males aged 18-30.

Background The Curves fitness program involves a 30-minute circuit training program. Women interested in losing weight can also follow a weight management program. The most recent version of the weight management program involves cycling between periods of moderate calorie restriction (1,200 – 1,500 kcals/d) followed by periods of higher caloric intake (2,200 kcals/d) in an attempt to prevent long term reductions in resting energy expenditure (REE). The purpose of this preliminary study was to examine the efficacy of this exercise and diet cycling program approach on weight loss, fat loss, and REE.

Effects of high carbohydrate or high protein energy-restricted diets combined with resistanceexercise on weight loss and markers of health in women with serum triglyceride levels above or below median values Jonathan M Oliver, Julie Y Kresta, Mike Byrd, Claire Canon, Michelle Mardock, Sunday Simbo, Peter Jung, Brittanie Lockard, Deepesh Khanna, Majid Koozehchian, Chris Rasmussen, Chad Kerksick, Richard Kreider

Background The Curves fitness program involves a 30-minute circuit resistance-training program performed 3 days/week and an optional weight management program. While initial studies have shown this program to be highly effective (Nutri Metab 6/1/23, 2009), the long-term success rates of women participating in this program remains to be examined. This study examined the long-term efficacy of women participating in the Curves program from 6 months to 8 years on weight loss and maintenance.

25 women (34±7 yrs, 89±19 kg; 43±5% body fat) were assigned to a high carbohydrate (HC, n=13) or high protein (HP, n=12) diet group. Subjects consumed 1,200 kcals/d for 1-wk and 1,500 kcals/d for 3...

Objective To determine the safety and efficacy of altering the ratio of carbohydrate and protein in low-energy diets in conjunction with a popular exercise program in obese women. Design Matched, prospective clinical intervention study to assess efficacy of varying ratios of carbohydrate and protein intake in conjunction with a regular exercise program. Participants One-hundred sixty one sedentary, obese, pre-menopausal women (38.5 ± 8.5 yrs, 164.2 ± 6.7 cm, 94.2 ± 18.8 kg, 34.9 ± 6.4 kg·m-2, 43.8 ± 4.2%) participated in this study. Participants were weight stable and not participating in additional weight loss programs. Methods Participants were assigned to either a no exercise + no diet control (CON), a no diet + exercise group (ND), or one of four diet + exercise groups (presented as kcals; % carbohydrate: protein: fat): 1) a high energy, high carbohydrate, low protein diet (HED) [2,600; 55:15:30%], 2) a very low carbohydrate, high protein diet (VLCHP) [1,200 kcals; 63:7:30%], 3) a low carbohydrate, moderate protein diet (LCMP) [1,200 kcals; 50:20:30%] and 4) a high carbohydrate, low protein diet (HCLP) [1,200 kcals; 55:15:30%]. Participants in exercise groups (all but CON) performed a pneumatic resistance-based, circuit training program under supervision three times per week. Measurements Anthropometric, body composition, resting energy expenditure (REE), fasting blood samples and muscular fitness assessments were examined at baseline and weeks 2, 10 and 14. Results All groups except CON experienced significant reductions (P < 0.05 – 0.001) in waist circumference over 14 weeks. VLCHP, LCHP and LPHC participants experienced similar but significant (P < 0.05 – 0.001) reductions in body mass when compared to other groups. Delta responses indicated that fat loss after 14 weeks was significantly greatest in VLCHP (95% CI: -5.2, -3.2 kg), LCMP (-4.0, -1.9 kg) and HCLP (-3.8, -2.1 kg) when compared to other groups. Subsequent reductions in % body fat were significantly greater in VLCHP, LCMP and HCLP participants. Initial dieting decreased (P < 0.05) relative REE similarly in all groups. All exercise groups significantly (P < 0.05) improved in muscular fitness, but these improvements were not different among groups. Favorable but non-significant mean changes occurred in lipid panels, glucose and HOMA-IR. Leptin levels decreased (P < 0.05) in all groups, except for CON, after two weeks of dieting and remained lower throughout the 14 week program. Exercise participation resulted in significant improvements in quality of life and body image. Conclusion Exercise alone (ND) appears to have minimal impact on measured outcomes with positive outcomes apparent when exercise is combined with a hypoenergetic diet. Greater improvements in waist circumference and body composition occurred when carbohydrate is replaced in the diet with protein. Weight loss in all diet groups (VLCHP, LCMP and HCLP) was primarily fat and stimulated improvements in markers of cardiovascular disease risk, body composition, energy expenditure and psychosocial parameters.

An 8-week, split-body, linear periodized resistance training program was completed by college-aged (CA: 18-22 years; n = 24) and middle-aged (MA: 35-50 years; n = 25) men to determine early-phase adaptations in body composition and upper- and lower-body strength. Participants completed 2 upper-body and 2 lower-body resistance training workouts each week. During weeks 1-4, subjects completed 3-6 sets at a 10-repetition maximum (RM) intensity and increased to 8RM for weeks 5-8. The 1RM strength levels were determined on the bench press and leg press, and 30-second Wingate tests were assessed at baseline and after 8 weeks of resistance training. Body composition was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). For selected data, delta values (post - pre values) were calculated and reported as mean +/- SEM. No changes (p > 0.05) were reported for peak and average Wingate power. Bench press (CA, 3.2 +/- 1.9 kg; MA, 6.2 +/- 3.3 kg; p < 0.001) and leg press (CA, 25.0 +/- 4.4 kg; MA, 18.2 +/- 13.3 kg; p < 0.001) 1RM significantly increased in both groups over time. Lean mass significantly increased over time in both groups (CA, 0.9 +/- 2.4 kg; MA, 1.1 +/- 1.9 kg; p < 0.001). Significant group x time effects were seen for fat mass changes (CA, 0.5 +/- 1.3 kg; MA, -0.5 +/- 1.1 kg; p = 0.01) and % body fat changes (CA, 0.4 +/- 1.4%; MA, -0.7 +/- 1.1%; p = 0.01). These results indicate that performing a split-body, linearly periodized resistance training program for 8 weeks significantly increases bench press 1RM, leg press 1RM, and DXA lean mass in CA and MA men. Furthermore, MA men lost significantly more fat mass and significantly decreased % body fat compared with CA men. A split-body, linearly periodized resistance training program may be used as an effective program to increase strength and lean mass in both young and MA populations.

848 sedentary, obese women (47±11 yrs, 92±18 kg, 163±7 cm, 45±4% body fat) were medically screened prior to participation in an exercise and weight loss program. Medical data and fasting blood samp...

693 sedentary women (47±12 yrs, 163±7 cm; 92±17 kg; 45±4% body fat) were assigned to a control group (C), an exercise group (E); or, a high carbohydrate or a high protein diet group for 10-weeks. D...

633 sedentary women (47±11 yrs, 163±7 cm; 92±18kg; 45±4 body fat) were assigned to a control group (C), an exercise group (E); or, a high carbohydrate or a high protein diet group for 10-weeks. Die...

Proper training, maintaining a positive energy balance, adhering to proper nutrient timing, and obtaining adequate rest and recovery form the foundation for optimal performance. Therefore, this chapter begins with a description of factors associated with optimal performance of the strength/power athlete. Section two focuses on preexercise nutrition and how it can prepare the athlete for action and enhance the training response whereas section three addresses the nutritional importance in delaying fatigue. The next section addresses the importance of postexercise nutrition and how it can aid in recovery and prepare the athlete for subsequent exercise sessions, and the final section provides training and nutritional recommendations that serve as the foundation for a successful strength/power athlete.

Students in many undergraduate mathematics courses tend not to readily and appropriately use theorems as tools for making arguments and solving problems (Schoenfeld, 1989; Hazzan & Leron, 1996). Students' reluctance to use theorems as tools is a problem that is not only cognitive in nature (that is, the difficulty is in how students conceptualize particular mathematical ideas), but also social in nature (that is, the nature of class discussion, the interpretation of tasks and ideas, etc.). In this chapter we highlight results from a classroom-based research program in differential equations that has resulted in some positive progress on the problem of students' reluctance to use theorems as tools for reasoning and solving problems. The main result of the analysis of student learning and use of the uniqueness theorem for first order differential equations is the delineation of four interrelated cognitive and social factors that help account for why students actually made progress in using the uniqueness theorem as a tool for making arguments and solving problems (Rasmussen, 2004). The intention is that readers might, after understanding the details of this particular case, find the four factors useful more generally as an orienting framework for thinking about ways in which they can promote their students' use of theorems as tools for reasoning in other content areas. Thus, even if one does not regularly teach differential equations, this chapter intends to offer useful information for those who want their students to develop and use formal mathematics with understanding.

The chapters in this volume convey insights from mathematics education research that have direct implications for anyone interested in improving teaching and learning in undergraduate mathematics. This synthesis of research on learning and teaching mathematics provides relevant information for any mathematics department or any individual faculty member who is working to improve introductory proof courses, the longitudinal coherence of precalculus through differential equations, students' mathematical thinking and problem solving abilities, and students' understanding of fundamental ideas such as variable, and rate of change. Other chapters include information about programs that have been successful in supporting students' continued study of mathematics. The authors provide many examples and ideas to help the reader infuse the knowledge from mathematics education research into mathematics teaching practice.

A growing number of postsecondary mathematics educators are exploring teaching strategies other than lecture (Holton, 2001). The motivations for such change include personal dissatisfaction with student learning, students' poor retention of knowledge, student dissatisfaction with their undergraduate experiences in science, mathematics, and engineering (National Science Foundation, 1996; Seymour & Hewitt, 1997), as well as efforts to rethink core courses such as calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. As postsecondary educators make changes to their practice they often struggle with many of the same issues that K–12 mathematics teachers encounter as they attempt to change their practice. In this chapter we address one of these issues, namely the role of teacher lecture (or telling) and strategies that teachers can use to balance student discovery and teacher telling. Navigating a new terrain of teaching practice is particularly tricky for any teacher, elementary or university, who may never have experienced as a learner an approach to teaching other than lecture and demonstration. For example, some teachers believe that changes in practice must be dramatic and involve a total abandonment of lecture (where the teacher has all the responsibility for developing the mathematics) to a form of practice that leaves students to discover all ideas and techniques for solving problems. These are two ends of a continuum from all student discovery to all teacher telling. How, why, and when a teacher positions him or herself along this continuum is a source of tension for teachers.

Endurance athletes often seek nutritional strategies inclusive of dietary supplements to maximize their performance. Effective supplement routines, however, are only beneficial when built on a sound training diet, training regimen, and an appreciation of dietary needs relative to their training schema. While traditional dietary interventions are based on the glycemic index of carbohydrate, coupled with the addition of protein quality and quantity, recent innovations have introduced the potential utility of long chain glucose polymers and dietary nitrates, such as beetroot juice. Consideration is also given to the utility of supplement strategies aimed at attenuating immune responses accompanying training and competition. A key to implementing successful supplementation routines is the appreciation that athletes should be considered on an individual basis and training volume and intensity must be taken into account.

Background Athletes use ergogenic aids in an attempt to increase training-adaptations, which serves to enhance their performance during competition. Creatine monohydrate is one of the most studied ergogenic aids. Although many studies have reported the efficacy and effectiveness of creatine monohydrate supplement manufacturers continually introduce newer forms of creatine into the marketplace. The newer forms of creatine purport to be more effective than creatine monohydrate alone. However, there is little evidence to support most manufacturers’ claims.

Background Consumption of tart cherry juice has been reported to increase subsequent resistance exercise performance by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress that cause secondary muscle damage following initial bouts of resistance exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if consumption of a powdered form of tart cherries derived from tart cherry skins (CherryPURE Freeze Dried Tart Cherry Powder) prior to and following intense resistance exercise increases subsequent performance while attenuating markers of inflammation and oxidative stress.

Purpose Methoxyisoflavone (M), 20-hydroxyecdysone (E), and sulfo-polysaccharide (CSP3) have been marketed to athletes as dietary supplements that can increase strength and muscle mass during resistance-training. However, little is known about their potential ergogenic value. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these supplements affect training adaptations and/or markers of muscle anabolism/catabolism in resistance-trained athletes. Methods Forty-five resistance-trained males (20.5 ± 3 yrs; 179 ± 7 cm, 84 ± 16 kg, 17.3 ± 9% body fat) were matched according to FFM and randomly assigned to ingest in a double blind manner supplements containing either a placebo (P); 800 mg/day of M; 200 mg of E; or, 1,000 mg/day of CSP3 for 8-weeks during training. At 0, 4, and 8-weeks, subjects donated fasting blood samples and completed comprehensive muscular strength, muscular endurance, anaerobic capacity, and body composition analysis. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA. Results No significant differences (p > 0.05) were observed in training adaptations among groups in the variables FFM, percent body fat, bench press 1 RM, leg press 1 RM or sprint peak power. Anabolic/catabolic analysis revealed no significant differences among groups in active testosterone (AT), free testosterone (FT), cortisol, the AT to cortisol ratio, urea nitrogen, creatinine, the blood urea nitrogen to creatinine ratio. In addition, no significant differences were seen from pre to post supplementation and/or training in AT, FT, or cortisol. Conclusion Results indicate that M, E, and CSP3 supplementation do not affect body composition or training adaptations nor do they influence the anabolic/catabolic hormone status or general markers of catabolism in resistance-trained males.

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of whey protein supplementation on body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and anaerobic capacity during 10 weeks of resistance training. Thirty-six resistance-trained males (31.0 +/- 8.0 years, 179.1 +/- 8.0 cm, 84.0 +/- 12.9 kg, 17.8 +/- 6.6%) followed a 4 days-per-week split body part resistance training program for 10 weeks. Three groups of supplements were randomly assigned, prior to the beginning of the exercise program, in a double-blind manner to all subjects: 48 g per day (g.d(-1)) carbohydrate placebo (P), 40 g.d(-1) of whey protein + 8 g.d(-1) of casein (WC), or 40 g.d(-1) of whey protein + 3 g.d(-1) branched-chain amino acids + 5 g.d(-1) L-glutamine (WBG). At 0, 5, and 10 weeks, subjects were tested for fasting blood samples, body mass, body composition using dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), 1 repetition maximum (1RM) bench and leg press, 80% 1RM maximal repetitions to fatigue for bench press and leg press, and 30-second Wingate anaerobic capacity tests. No changes (p > 0.05) were noted in all groups for energy intake, training volume, blood parameters, and anaerobic capacity. WC experienced the greatest increases in DEXA lean mass (P = 0.0 +/- 0.9; WC = 1.9 +/- 0.6; WBG = -0.1 +/- 0.3 kg, p < 0.05) and DEXA fat-free mass (P = 0.1 +/- 1.0; WC = 1.8 +/- 0.6; WBG = -0.1 +/- 0.2 kg, p < 0.05). Significant increases in 1RM bench press and leg press were observed in all groups after 10 weeks. In this study, the combination of whey and casein protein promoted the greatest increases in fat-free mass after 10 weeks of heavy resistance training. Athletes, coaches, and nutritionists can use these findings to increase fat-free mass and to improve body composition during resistance training.

140 overweight post-menopausal women were randomly assigned to an exercise & normal diet group (E) or a high carbohydrate (HC) or high protein (HP) diet with exercise group. Diets consisted of 1,20...

Background Consumption of tart cherry juice has been reported to effectively reduce inflammation, muscle damage, and muscle soreness following bouts of exercise. The purpose of this study was to determine if consumption of a powdered form of tart cherries derived from tart cherry skins prior to and following intense endurance exercise promotes similar positive results as seen with tart cherry juice consumption.

Purpose This study investigated the effects of Coleus Forskohlii (CF) on body composition, and determined the safety and efficacy of supplementation. Methods In a double blind and randomized manner, 23 females supplemented their diet with ForsLean™ (250 mg of 10% CF extract, (n = 7) or a placebo [P] (n = 12) two times per day for 12-wks. Body composition (DEXA), body weight, and psychometric instruments were obtained at 0, 4, 8 & 12 weeks of supplementation. Fasting blood samples and dietary records (4-d) were obtained at 0 and 12-wks. Side effects were recorded on a weekly basis. Data were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA and are presented as mean changes from baseline for the CF and placebo groups, respectively. Results No significant differences were observed in caloric or macronutrient intake. CF tended to mitigate gains in body mass (-0.7 ± 1.8, 1.0 ± 2.5 kg, p = 0.10) and scanned mass (-0.2 ± 1.3, 1.7 ± 2.9 kg, p = 0.08) with no significant differences in fat mass (-0.2 ± 0.7, 1.1 ± 2.3 kg, p = 0.16), fat free mass (-0.1 ± 1.3, 0.6 ± 1.2 kg, p = 0.21), or body fat (-0.2 ± 1.0, 0.4 ± 1.4%, p = 0.40). Subjects in the CF group tended to report less fatigue (p = 0.07), hunger (p = 0.02), and fullness (p = 0.04). No clinically significant interactions were seen in metabolic markers, blood lipids, muscle and liver enzymes, electrolytes, red cells, white cells, hormones (insulin, TSH, T3, and T4), heart rate, blood pressure, or weekly reports of side effects. Conclusion Results suggest that CF does not appear to promote weight loss but may help mitigate weight gain in overweight females with apparently no clinically significant side effects.

This study examined whether supplementing the diet with a commercial supplement containing zinc magnesium aspartate (ZMA) during training affects zinc and magnesium status, anabolic and catabolic hormone profiles, and/or training adaptations. Forty-two resistance trained males (27 ± 9 yrs; 178 ± 8 cm, 85 ± 15 kg, 18.6 ± 6% body fat) were matched according to fat free mass and randomly assigned to ingest in a double blind manner either a dextrose placebo (P) or ZMA 30–60 minutes prior to going to sleep during 8-weeks of standardized resistance-training. Subjects completed testing sessions at 0, 4, and 8 weeks that included body composition assessment as determined by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, 1-RM and muscular endurance tests on the bench and leg press, a Wingate anaerobic power test, and blood analysis to assess anabolic/catabolic status as well as markers of health. Data were analyzed using repeated measures ANOVA. Results indicated that ZMA supplementation non-significantly increased serum zinc levels by 11 – 17% (p = 0.12). However, no significant differences were observed between groups in anabolic or catabolic hormone status, body composition, 1-RM bench press and leg press, upper or lower body muscular endurance, or cycling anaerobic capacity. Results indicate that ZMA supplementation during training does not appear to enhance training adaptations in resistance trained populations.

Oral D-ribose supplementation has been reported to increase adenine nucle-otide synthesis and exercise capacity in certain clinical populations. Theoretically, increasing adenine nucleotide availability may enhance high intensity exercise capacity. This study evaluated the potential ergogenic value of D-ribose supplementation on repetitive high-intensity exercise capacity in 19 trained males. Subjects were familiarized to the testing protocol and performed two practice-testing trials before pre-supplementation testing. Each test involved warming up for 5 min on a cycle ergometer and then performing two 30-s Wingate anaerobic sprint tests on a computerized cycle ergometer separated by 3 min of rest recovery. In the pre- and post-supplementation trials, blood samples were obtained at rest, immediately following the first and second sprints, and following 5 min of recovery from exercise. Subjects were then matched according to body mass and anaerobic capacity and assigned to ingest, in a randomized and double blind manner, capsules containing either 5 g of a dextrose placebo (P) or D-ribose (R) twice daily (10 g/d) for 5 d. Subjects then performed post-supplementation tests on the 6th day. Data were analyzed by ANOVA for repeated measures. Results revealed a significant interaction (p = .04) in total work output. Post hoc analysis revealed that work significantly declined (–18 ± 51 J) during the second post-supplementation sprint in the P group while being maintained in the R group (–0.0 ± 31 J). No significant interactions were observed in peak power, average power, torque, fatigue index, lactate, ammonia, glucose, or uric acid. Results indicate that oral ribose supplementation (10 g/d for 5 d) does not affect anaerobic exercise capacity or metabolic markers in trained subjects as evaluated in this study.

The central purpose of this chapter is to demonstrate that by coordinating sociological and psychological perspectives we can explain how changes in beliefs might be initiated and fostered in mathematics classrooms. In particular, we examine: 1) the coordination of students’ beliefs about mathematical activity and classroom social norms and 2) the coordination of specifically mathematical beliefs and classroom sociomathematical norms. Examples from a university level differential equations class are used for purposes of clarification and illustration.