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Despite some reported benefits, there is a low quality of evidence for resistance training (RT) improving metabolic health of individuals with overweight or obesity. We evaluated the impact of RT on body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and physical performance, lipid–lipoprotein profile, inflammation, and glucose–insulin homeostasis in 51 postmenopausal women versus 29 controls matched for age, obesity, and physical activity. Exercised women were further subdivided for comparison of RT effects into those presenting metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and those with metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO) classified according to Karelis and Rabasa-Lhoret or an approach based on adipose tissue secretory dysfunction using the plasma adiponectin(A)/leptin (L) ratio. Participants followed a 4-month weekly RT program targeting major muscle groups (3 × 10 repetitions at 80% one repetition maximum (1-RM)). Percent fat marginally decreased and lean body mass increased (0.01 < p < 0.05) while CRF and muscular strength improved in all women, after RT (effect size (ES): 0.11–1.21 (trivial to large effects), p ˂ 0.01). Fasting plasma triacylglycerol and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels slightly increased and decreased, respectively, in participants with MHO using the A/L ratio approach (ES: −0.47 to 1.07 (small to large effects), p ˂ 0.05). Circulating interleukin-6 soluble receptor decreased in both groups and soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-1/soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor-2 in women with MUHO only, irrespective of definition (ES: −0.42 to −0.84 (small to large effects), p ˂ 0.05). Glucose–insulin homeostasis was unchanged regardless of group or definition. RT improved physical performance and body composition but had a lesser impact on cardiometabolic risk in women with obesity, irrespective of their metabolic phenotype. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background/objectives In the general population, there is a popular belief that a vegan diet may be associated with a lower exercise performance due to the lack of certain nutrients in vegan individuals. Thus, the purpose of the present study was to examine endurance and muscle strength differences between vegan and omnivore participants. Subjects/methods We studied 56 healthy young lean physically active women (age: 25.6 [plus or minus] 4.1 years; body mass index: 22 [plus or minus] 1.9 kg/m.sup.2). Participants were classified as vegan (n = 28) or omnivore (n = 28) based on their eating habits. All volunteers followed either a vegan or an omnivore diet for at least 2 years. Anthropometric measurements, body composition, estimated maximal oxygen consumption (VO.sub.2 max), a submaximal endurance test (70% of VO.sub.2 max), muscle strength (leg and chest press), and dietary factors were measured. Results Both groups were comparable for physical activity levels, body mass index, percent body fat, lean body mass, and muscle strength. However, vegans had a significantly higher estimated VO.sub.2 max (44.5 [plus or minus] 5.2 vs. 41.6 [plus or minus] 4.6 ml/kg/min; p = 0.03, respectively) and submaximal endurance time to exhaustion (12.2 [plus or minus] 5.7 vs. 8.8 [plus or minus] 3.0 min; p = 0.007, respectively) compared with omnivores. Conclusions The results suggest that a vegan diet does not seem to be detrimental to endurance and muscle strength in healthy young lean women. In fact, our study showed that submaximal endurance might be better in vegans compared with omnivores. Therefore, these findings contradict the popular belief of the general population., Author(s): Guy Hajj Boutros [sup.1] , Marie-Anne Landry-Duval [sup.1] , Mauricio Garzon [sup.1] , Antony D. Karelis [sup.1] Author Affiliations: (1) Department of Exercise Science, Université du Québec à Montréal, [...]

BackgroundIn wheelchair users with a chronic spinal cord injury (WUSCI), prolonged nonactive sitting time and reduced physical activity—typically linked to this mode of mobility—contribute to the development or exacerbation of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, and endocrine-metabolic health complications that are often linked to increased risks of chronic pain or psychological morbidity. Limited evidence suggests that engaging in a walking program with a wearable robotic exoskeleton may be a promising physical activity intervention to counter these detrimental health effects. ObjectiveThis study’s overall goals are as follows: (1) to determine the effects of a 16-week wearable robotic exoskeleton–assisted walking program on organic systems, functional capacities, and multifaceted psychosocial factors and (2) to determine self-reported satisfaction and perspectives with regard to the intervention and the device. MethodsA total of 20 WUSCI, who have had their injuries for more than 18 months, will complete an overground wearable robotic exoskeleton–assisted walking program (34 sessions; 60 min/session) supervised by a physiotherapist over a 16-week period (one to three sessions/week). Data will be collected 1 month prior to the program, at the beginning, and at the end as well as 2 months after completing the program. Assessments will characterize sociodemographic characteristics; anthropometric parameters; sensorimotor impairments; pain; lower extremity range of motion and spasticity; wheelchair abilities; cardiorespiratory fitness; upper extremity strength; bone architecture and mineral density at the femur, tibia, and radius; total and regional body composition; health-related quality of life; and psychological health. Interviews and an online questionnaire will be conducted to measure users’ satisfaction levels and perspectives at the end of the program. Differences across measurement times will be verified using appropriate parametric or nonparametric analyses of variance for repeated measures. ResultsThis study is currently underway with active recruitment in Montréal, Québec, Canada. Results are expected in the spring of 2021. ConclusionsThe results from this study will be essential to guide the development, implementation, and evaluation of future evidence-based wearable robotic exoskeleton–assisted walking programs offered in the community, and to initiate a reflection regarding the use of wearable robotic exoskeletons during initial rehabilitation following a spinal cord injury. Trial RegistrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT03989752; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03989752 International Registered Report Identifier (IRRID)DERR1-10.2196/19251

Physical activity plays an important role for achieving healthy aging by promoting independence and increasing the quality of life. However, current guidelines for physical activity in older adults may be difficult to achieve in an older population. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest that increasing exercise intensity in older adults may be associated with greater reductions in the risk of cardiovascular disease and mortality. Therefore, the idea prescribing high-intensity exercise protocols such as high-intensity interval training and high-intensity resistance training becomes an intriguing strategy for healthy aging. Collectively, the literature review in this viewpoint will briefly focus on summarizing alternative/novel time-efficient approaches in physical activity toward healthy aging. Our goal is to hopefully open a discussion on possibly revising the current physical activity guidelines in older adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to investigate the accuracy of 3 recently released wrist-worn devices (Apple Watch 6, Polar Vantage V and Fitbit Sense) for heart rate and energy expenditure during various activities. The study population consisted of 60 young healthy individuals (30 men and 30 women; age: 24.9 ± 3.0 years, BMI: 23.1 ± 2.7 kg/m2). Heart rate and energy expenditure were measured using the Polar H10 and Metamax 3B, respectively (reference measures) as well as with the 3 wrist-worn devices during 5 different activities (sitting, walking, running, resistance exercises and cycling). The Apple Watch 6 displayed the highest level of accuracy for heart rate measurement with a coefficient of variation (CV) (%) of less than 5% for all 5 activities, whereas the Polar Vantage V and the Fitbit Sense presented various degrees of accuracy (from high to poor accuracy) dependent on the activity (CVs between 2.44-8.80% and 4.14-10.76%, respectively). As for energy expenditure, all 3 devices displayed poor accuracy for all 5 physical activities (CVs between 14.68-24.85% for Apple Watch 6, 16.54-25.78% for Polar Vantage V and 13.44-29.66% for Fitbit Sense). Results of the present study indicate that the Apple Watch 6 was the most accurate for measuring heart rate across all 5 activities, whereas variable levels of accuracy for heart rate measurement for the Polar Vantage V and the Fitbit Sense were observed depending on the activity. As for energy expenditure, all 3 devices showed poor accuracy during all activities. Highlights The Apple Watch 6 was the most accurate for measuring heart rate, whereas the Polar Vantage V and Fitbit Sense showed variable results dependent on the activity The Apple Watch 6, Polar Vantage V and Fitbit Sense showed poor accuracy for energy expenditure during 5 different physical activities Healthcare care professionals, athletes/coaches and the general population may want to proceed with caution on the clinical utility of energy expenditure of these devices during the implementation of an exercise training or nutritional programme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

International Journal of Exercise Science 15(7): 1075-1084, 2022. Introduction: Anxiety is the most prevalent mental illness worldwide. Physical activity and mindfulness both reduce anxiety. The two are highly related; however, the relative association of physical activity and mindfulness on anxiety has yet to be examined. The present study aimed to evaluate the unique variance accounted for by physical activity and mindfulness on anxiety. Methods: Fifty young adults from a student population (M ± SD = 19 ± 0.2 years old; 58% female) reported their physical activity, mindfulness, and anxiety symptoms at the start of the study and reported their change in state anxiety to an acute psychological stress test, Trier Social Stress Test. Results: Mindfulness explained more of the variance associated with anxiety symptoms at baseline, whereas physical activity explained more of the variance associated with change in state anxiety in response to the acute stressor. Females had higher rates of anxiety symptoms than males suggesting that females may benefit more from mindfulness. In contrast, both males and females reacted similarly to an acute stressor suggesting that both genders may benefit from physical activity. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that physical activity and trait mindfulness may have related, but distinct impacts on anxiety levels. These results have important implications for using these lifestyle interventions to support mental health and point to personalizing interventions to help ease the burden of anxiety felt by the individual. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Studies suggest that cognitive training and physical activity can improve age-related deficits in dual-task performances. However, both of these interventions have never been compared in the same study. This article investigates the improvement in dual-task performance in 2 types of exercise training groups and a cognitive training group and explores if there are specific dual-task components that are more sensitive or more likely to improve following each type of training. Methods Seventy-eight healthy inactive participants older than the age of 60 (M = 69.98, SD = 5.56) were randomized to one of three 12-week training programs: aerobic training (AET) = 26, gross motor abilities (GMA) = 27, and cognition (COG) = 25. Before and after the training program, the participants underwent physical fitness tests, and cognitive evaluations involving a computerized cognitive dual task. The AET consisted of high- and low-intensity aerobic training, the GMA of full-body exercises focusing on agility, balance, coordination, and stretching, and the COG of tablet-based exercises focusing on executive functions. Results Repeated-measures analysis of variance on reaction time data revealed a group × time interaction (F (2,75) = 11.91, p <.01) with COG having the greatest improvement, followed by a significant improvement in the GMA group. Secondary analysis revealed the COG to also improve the intraindividual variability in reaction time (F (1,24) = 8.62, p <.01), while the GMA improved the dual-task cost (F (1,26) = 12.74, p <.01). Discussion The results show that physical and cognitive training can help enhance dual-task performance by improving different aspects of the task, suggesting that different mechanisms are in play. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]