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INTRODUCTION: Firefighters operating in hot environments face challenges from protective garments that restrict heat dissipation, resulting in increased core temperature, thermal discomfort, and performance decline. Cooling vests represent a viable solution. The study aim was to compare effectiveness of the same amount of cooling power to the upper body (UB) or whole body (WB) in alleviating thermoregulatory and physiological stress, enhancing cognitive function, and reducing ratings of thermal discomfort and exertion, during 60 min of exercise in a hot environment (40°C, 40% relative humidity) while wearing firefighter turnout gear. METHODS: E ight healthy individuals (27.5 ± 3 y) participated in three conditions with either no cooling (Control) or active cooling with a liquid perfused shirt (UB cooling), or with a liquid perfused shirt and pants (WB cooling). In each trial, subjects performed three sets of 15 min of stepping (20 steps · min-1) and 5 min of rest. RESULTS: Both cooling strategies were beneficial compared to having no cooling at all. Subjects could only complete two exercise bouts during Control, but they completed all three bouts with active cooling. WB cooling provided an advantage over UB cooling for core and skin temperature, and thermal comfort and sensation. The advantage in minimizing the increase in core temperature was only evident during the third exercise bout. DISCUSSION: A ctive cooling is advantageous under these conditions. WB cooling provided some benefits vs UB cooling during heavy intensity exercise; however, it is uncertain whether these benefits would be observed during light-to-moderate exercise, which more likely reflects an actual firefighting scenario. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Skeletal muscle plays an integral role in locomotion, but also as part of the integrative physiological system. Recent progress has identified crosstalk between skeletal muscle and various physiological systems, including the immune system. Both the musculoskeletal and immune systems are impacted by aging. Increased age is associated with decreased muscle mass and function, while the immune system undergoes "inflammaging" and immunosenescence. Exercise is identified as a preventative medicine that can mitigate loss of function for both systems. This review summarizes: (1) the inflammatory pathways active in skeletal muscle; and (2) the inflammatory and skeletal muscle response to unaccustomed exercise in younger and older adults. Compared to younger adults, it appears older individuals have a muted pro‐inflammatory response and elevated anti‐inflammatory response to exercise. This important difference could contribute to decreased regeneration and recovery following unaccustomed exercise in older adults, as well as in chronic disease. The current research provides specific information on the role inflammation plays in altering skeletal muscle form and function, and adaptation to exercise; however, the pursuit of more knowledge in this area will delineate specific interventions that may enhance skeletal muscle recovery and promote resiliency in this tissue particularly with aging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proper nutrition and exercise are effective strategies to improve overall metabolic health in diabetic patients. This study evaluated the effects of Nigella sativa (NS) supplementation during resistance training (RT) on some biochemical variables in type 2 diabetes patients. Forty patients were assigned to groups: RT + NS (RN), NS, RT + placebo (RP), and control (CO). RT was performed and NS was consumed for 8 weeks. Blood samples were collected at rest immediately before and after the 8 week intervention. RT or NS by themselves reduced HOMA-IR, insulin, glucose, TG, TC, LDL, ESR, CRP, AST, ALT and ALP, and increased HDL and HOMA-S. The combination of RT and NS, rather than each intervention alone, had significant effects on reduction of HOMA-IR, insulin, ESR and CRP as well as increases in HDL, HOMA-β/S. RT combined with NS is sometimes a better strategy compared to single interventions for improving diabetes related biomarkers in type 2 diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this research was to identify if three different intensities of resistance exercise would acutely and differentially effect the systemic release of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and myoglobin in older men (≥65 years). A total of 11 older men performed isovolume resistance exercise on six different apparatuses at three different intensities (144 reps at 60%, 120 reps at 72%, and 108 reps at 80% of 1-repetition maximum), with the intensity order randomly allocated, to determine the systemic release of IL-6 and myoglobin in the blood. Blood samples were collected at six time points, including preexercise, immediately postexercise, and 3, 6, 24, and 48 hr postexercise. There were no differences between intensity levels; therefore, data for all conditions were pooled. IL-6 did not show any change from baseline values throughout all time points (p >.05), whereas myoglobin was elevated at 3, 6, and 24 hr postexercise and returned to baseline after 48 hr (p <.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The authors examined the combined effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), creatine (C), and whey protein (P) supplementation during strength training. Methods: Sixty-nine participants (52 men, 17 women; M ± SD age 22.5 ± 2.5 yr) were randomly assigned (double-blind) to 1 of 3 groups: CCP (6 g/d CLA + 9 g/d C + 36 g/d P; n = 22), CP (C + P + placebo oil; n = 25), or P (P + placebo oil; n = 22) during 5 wk of strength training (4-5 sets, 6-12 repetitions, 6 d/wk). Measurements were taken for body composition (air-displacement plethysmography), muscle thickness (ultrasound) of the flexors and extensors of the elbow and knee, 1-repetitionmaximum (1-RM) strength (leg press and bench press), urinary markers of bone resorption (N-telopeptides, NTx), myofibrillar protein catabolism (3-methylhistidine; 3-MH), oxidative stress (8-isoprostanes), and kidney function (microalbumin) before and after training. Results: Contrast analyses indicated that the CCP group had a greater increase in bench-press (16.2% ± 11.3% vs. 9.7% ± 17.0%; p < .05) and legpress (13.1% ± 9.9% vs. 7.7% ± 14.2%; p < .05) strength and lean-tissue mass (2.4% ± 2.8% vs. 1.3% ± 4.1%; p < .05) than the other groups combined. All groups increased muscle thickness over time (p < .05). The relative change in 3-MH (CCP -4.7% ± 70.2%, CP -0.4% ± 81.4%, P 20.3% ± 75.2%) was less in the groups receiving creatine (p < .05), with the difference for NTx also close to significance (p = .055; CCP -3.4% ± 66.6%, CP -3.9% ± 64.9%, P 26.0% ± 63.8%). There were no changes in oxidative stress or kidney function. Conclusion: Combining C, CLA, and P was beneficial for increasing strength and lean-tissue mass during heavy resistance training. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Creatine (Cr) supplementation increases muscle mass, strength, and power. Arginine α-ketoglutarate (A-AKG) is a precursor for nitric oxide production and has the potential to improve blood flow and nutrient delivery (i.e., Cr) to muscles. This study compared a commercial dietary supplement of Cr, A-AKG, glutamine, taurine, branched-chain amino acids, and medium-chain triglycerides with Cr alone or placebo on exercise performance and body composition. Thirty-five men (∼23 yr) were randomized to Cr + A-AKG (0.1 g · kg-1 · d-1 Cr + 0.075 g · kg-1 · d-1 A-AKG, n = 12), Cr (0.1 g · kg-1 · d-1, n = 11), or placebo (1 g · kg-1 · d-1 sucrose, n = 12) for 10 d. Body composition, muscle endurance (bench press), and peak and average power (Wingate tests) were measured before and after supplementation. Bench-press repetitions over 3 sets increased with Cr + A-AKG (30.9 ± 6.6 → 34.9 ± 8.7 reps; p < .01) and Cr (27.6 ± 5.9 → 31.0 ± 7.6 reps; p <.01), with no change for placebo (26.8 ± 5.0 → 27.1 ± 6.3 reps). Peak power significantly increased in Cr + A-AKG (741 ± 112 → 794 ± 92 W; p < .01), with no changes in Cr (722 ± 138 → 730 ± 144 W) and placebo (696 ± 63 → 705 ± 77 W). There were no differences in average power between groups over time. Only the Cr-only group increased total body mass (79.9 ± 13.0→81.1 ± 13.8 kg; p < .01), with no significant changes in lean-tissue or fat mass. These results suggest that Cr alone and in combination with A-AKG improves upper body muscle endurance, and Cr + A-AKG supplementation improves peak power output on repeated Wingate tests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eccentric quasi-isometrics (EQIs) are a novel, low-velocity resistance exercise technique that incorporates a holding isometric contraction to positional fatigue, followed by voluntary resistance of the resulting eccentric muscle action. As females are typically more fatigue resistant than males during isometric and low-velocity dynamic muscle actions, this study explored sex-differences in the muscle fatigue response to an EQI protocol. Twenty-five (n = 12 female) participants completed 4 unilateral EQI elbow flexions. Absolute and relative surface electromyography (sEMG) amplitude (iEMG, LE peak), mean power frequency (MPF), angular impulse (aIMP), and elbow angle were compared across repetitions and between sexes using discrete values and statistical parametric/non-parametric mapping. There were significant and substantial sex and repetition differences in absolute iEMG, MPF, and aIMP, however, males and females had statistically similar absolute aIMP by repetition 4. When expressed relatively, there were no significant sex-differences. Additionally, there were significant between repetition changes in sEMG amplitude and elbow angle with an increasing number of repetitions, largely in the first-two thirds of repetition time. The current study suggests that there are absolute, but not relative sex-differences in EQI induced muscle fatigue, and the effects across repetitions occur predominately in the first two-thirds of repetition time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Activation of back musculature during work tasks leads to fatigue and potential injury. This is especially prevalent in dentists who perform much of their work from a seated position. We examined the use of an ergonomic dental stool with mid-sternum chest support for reducing lower back muscle activation. Electromyography of lower back extensors was assessed from 30 dental students for 20 s during three conditions in random order: (a) sitting upright at 90° of hip flexion on a standard stool, (b) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion on a standard stool, and (c) leaning forward at 80° of hip flexion while sitting on an ergonomic stool. Muscular activity of the back extensors was reduced when using the ergonomic stool compared to the standard stool, by 33-50% (p < 0.01). This suggests a potential musculoskeletal benefit with use of a dental stool with mid-sternum chest support. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]