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This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to identify the association between genetic polymorphisms and tendon and ligament injuries in adolescent and adult athletes of multiple competition sports. The PubMed, Web of Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, and MEDLINE databases were searched until July 7, 2023. Eligible articles included genetic studies on tendon and ligament injuries and comparisons between injured and non-injured athletes. This review included 31 articles, comprising 1,687 injury cases and 2,227 controls, from a meta-analysis of 12 articles. We identified 144 candidate gene polymorphisms (only single nucleotide polymorphisms were identified). The meta-analyses included vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) rs699947, collagen type I alpha 1 rs1800012, collagen type V alpha 1 rs12722, and matrix metalloproteinase 3 rs679620. The VEGFA rs699947 polymorphism showed a lower risk of injuries in athletes with the C allele ([C vs. A]: OR=0.80, 95% CI: 0.65–0.98, I2= 3.82%, p =0.03). The risk of these injuries were not affected by other polymorphisms. In conclusion, the VEGFA rs699947 polymorphism is associated with the risk of tendon and ligament injuries in athletes. This study provides insights into genetic variations that contribute to our understanding of the risk factors for such injuries in athletes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimicrobial peptides, key players of innate mucosal immunity in the oral cavity, exert antibacterial and bacteriolytic effects. This study aimed to clarify the effects of acute exercise at different intensities and durations on salivary antimicrobial peptide levels. In a randomized crossover trial, 14 young healthy untrained men performed intensity trials [cycling at 35%, 55%, and 75% of maximal oxygen uptake (V̇ o 2max) for 30 min] and duration trials (cycling at 55% V̇ o 2max for 30, 60, and 90 min). Saliva samples were collected at baseline and 0 and 60 min after exercise. In intensity trials, the change in salivary lactoferrin levels from baseline to 0 min after 30 min exercise was greater at 75% V̇ o 2max exercise intensity compared with that at 35% V̇ o 2max. Furthermore, the change in salivary human β-defensin-2 (HBD-2) levels was greater at 75% V̇ o 2max compared with that at 35% and 55% V̇ o 2max. Salivary lysozyme levels increased after exercise, independent of exercise intensity. However, salivary LL-37 levels did not change after exercise at any intensity. In addition, in duration trials, the change in salivary levels of LL-37 and HBD-2 from baseline to 0 min after exercise at 55% V̇ o 2max was greater after 60 and 90 min of exercise compared with that after 30 min of exercise. However, salivary lactoferrin and lysozyme levels increased after exercise, independent of exercise duration. Our findings suggest that secretory responses to acute exercise with exercise intensity and duration differ among salivary antimicrobial peptides. NEW & NOTEWORTHY: We investigated the effects of acute exercise at different intensities and durations on the immune response to salivary antimicrobial peptides in young healthy men. Levels of four salivary antimicrobial peptides increased after exercise dependently or independently of exercise intensity and duration, whereas some salivary antimicrobial peptides did not change after exercise. These findings suggest that the secretory responses to acute exercise with different intensities and durations differ among salivary antimicrobial peptides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Low‐intensity resistance exercise with slow movement and tonic force generation (LRST) effectively improves cognitive inhibitory control (IC) while heightening the subjective perception, which is a barrier to exercise adherence. Compared with concentric (CON) contractions, eccentric (ECC) contractions have greater brain activation related to cognitive functions while decreasing subjective perception. Therefore, we examined whether LRST with a longer duration of ECC contraction (ECC‐LRST) could further enhance exercise‐induced IC improvement while reducing the subjective perception, compared with traditional LRST. Fourteen healthy, young males performed both ECC‐LRST and LRST, with 30% of their one‐repetition maximum. The subjective perceptions of exertion and pain associated with exercise were assessed. IC was evaluated at baseline, immediately post‐exercise, and 15‐min post‐exercise. IC improved immediately after both ECC‐LRST and LRST (both Ps < 0.05). However, the improvement in IC persisted until 15 min post‐exercise for ECC‐LRST compared with baseline (p = 0.031) but not for LRST, which showed a significantly smaller improvement than ECC‐LRST (p = 0.042). A lower perceived pain (p = 0.039) and a trend toward a lower perceived exertion (p = 0.078) were observed during ECC‐LRST than during LRST. ECC‐LRST is an effective resistance exercise protocol for improving IC while reducing the perception of exertion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to assess the effect of a combination of aerobic exercise training (ET) and Chlorella (CH) intake on arterial nitric oxide (NO) production and arterial stiffness in obese rats. Twenty-week-old obese male rats were randomly grouped into four (n = 6): OBESE-SED (sedentary control), OBESE-ET (treadmill 25 m/min, 1 h, 5 d/week), OBESE-CH (0.5% Chlorella powder in normal diet), and OBESE-ET+CH (combination of ET and CH intake) groups. The carotid–femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV), an index of arterial stiffness, was significantly lesser in the OBESE-ET, OBESE-CH, and OBESE-ET+CH groups than in the OBESE-SED group, and in the OBESE-ET+CH group significantly further enhanced these effects compared with the OBESE-ET and OBESE-CH groups. Additionally, arterial nitrate/nitrite (NOx) levels were significantly greater in the OBESE-ET, OBESE-CH, and OBESE-ET+CH groups than in the OBESE-SED group, and the OBESE-ET+CH group compared with the OBESE-ET and OBESE-CH groups. Furthermore, arterial NOx levels were positively correlated with arterial endothelial NO synthase phosphorylation levels (r = 0.489, p < 0.05) and negatively correlated with cfPWV (r = −0.568, p < 0.05). In conclusion, a combination of ET and CH intake may reduce arterial stiffness via an enhancement of the arterial NO signaling pathway in obese rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the effects of white meat, such as chicken, intake combined with resistance training on muscle mass and strength in the elderly women, and whether the underlying mechanism involves changes in the gut microbiota. Ninety‐three volunteers (age 59–79 years) were randomly allocated to sedentary control with placebo (Sed + PL) or chicken meat (Sed + HP) and resistance training with placebo (RT + PL) or chicken meat (RT + HP). Resistance training sessions were performed 3 d/week for 12 weeks using leg extensions and curls. Boiled chicken meat (110 g, containing 22.5 g protein) was ingested 3 d/week for 12 weeks. Maximal muscle strength and whole‐body lean mass increased significantly in the RT + PL group compared to the Sed + HP group, and the RT + HP group showed a significantly greater increase than the Sed + HP and RT + PL groups. Additionally, the gut microbiota composition did not change before or after the interventions in any of the four groups. Moreover, the individual comparison of gut bacteria using false discovery rate‐based statistical analysis showed no alterations before or after the interventions in the four groups. Resistance training combined with chicken meat intake may effective have increased muscle mass and strength without drastically modifying the gut microbiota composition in elderly women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]