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BACKGROUND: Low muscle mass increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM 2) and prediabetes. Nutrition is an important factor in the study of the relationship between low muscle mass and the development of glucose metabolic disorders.AIM: The present study was conducted to assess the relationship between prediabetes and low muscle mass on the basis of serum creatinine levels, taking into account patient nutrition.MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study included 551 patients aged 18–69 years without DM 2. The glucose level was determined based on fasting glucose and after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Hyperglycemia is assessed according to the classification of the World Health Organization. The MedDietScore questionnaire was used to assess the nutritional factor, which determines the adherence of patients to the Mediterranean diet. In order to assess odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI), a binary logistic regression was performed.RESULTS: The prevalence of prediabetes in the group with the lowest and highest blood creatinine level was 31.9% and 17.5% respectively (p=0.016). As a result of the conducted regression analysis, a statistically significant relationship was found between low creatinine levels and the chances of having prediabetes (crude OR 2,07, 95% CI 1,21; 3,56), which persisted after adjusting for socio-demographic, anthropometric factors, stress level and physical activity as well as muscle strength. After adding the data on MedDietScore to the statistical model, the revealed relationship was lost (p = 0.187).CONCLUSION: Low serum creatinine increases the chances of the presence of prediabet regardless of gender, age, body weight index, the volume of the hips, the ratio of the volume of the waist to growth, as well as physical activity, the level of stress and muscular power. However, the chances of the presence of prediabet do not differ in persons with low creatinine blood depending on the commitment to the Mediterranean diet among the population of those living in the Turkestan region.

Background Barefoot runners have a higher probability of lower leg and foot disorders compared to runners wearing traditional running shoes. However, the site of muscle stress due to barefoot running has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the effects of shod and barefoot running on muscle mechanical properties. Methods A total of 18 healthy male subjects were included in this study and were assigned to either the shod running group or the barefoot running group. While the shod group ran on the treadmill at a speed of 75% heart rate reserve for 45 min with shoes, the barefoot group ran without shoes after warm up session. As an index of muscle stiffness, the shear wave velocity (SWV) of the eleven lower extremity muscles were measured at rest before and after exercise using shear wave elastography. Results The tibialis posterior SWV was increased after running in the shod (3.67 ± 0.41 m/s to 3.90 ± 0.45 m/s) and barefoot (3.70 ± 0.36 m/s to 4.02 ± 0.54 m/s) groups. In contrast, the vastus lateralis SWV was increased only in the shod group (2.62 ± 0.32 m/s to 2.80 ± 0.34 m/s), while the peroneus muscle SWV increased only in the barefoot group (3.24 ± 0.48 m/s to 3.50 ± 0.55 m/s and 2.92 ± 0.5 m/s to 3.11 ± 0.49 m/s for the superficial and deep layers, respectively). Conclusions The shod condition selectively influences changes in the stiffness of the vastus lateralis and peroneus muscles during running but has no effect on the tibialis posterior.

The detection and measurement of fatigue and drowsiness is a challenging job in today’s world. EOG signal analysis is a noninvasive method for evaluating the movement of eyeball in the horizontal and vertical direction. It is a feasible technique in comparison to the other physiological signal based process to determine and quantify the fatigue and drowsiness of the drivers/ operators. For this study data from fourteen participants in three different cue frequency and different time phases of a day has been acquired and three parameters like cornea pace, peak to blink ratio and blink count are evaluated on the basis of the real time signal. Based upon the experimental results, it is concluded that the fatigue and drowsiness increase with muscle stress, sleep deprivation, and the gap between the two sleep cycles.

O repertório escrito para percussão requer, em diversas obras, a exploração sonora de placas metálicas em contato com a água. Para isso, o percussionista forçosamente precisa utilizar uma das mãos como forma de controlar a submersão e emersão do instrumento em água, limitando os meios de execução de toques. Restrições de dimensões/peso do instrumento e de explorações sonoras, stress muscular/risco de lesões e qualidade da performance são alguns dos problemas encontrados nesse sentido. Utilizando como referência pesquisas sobre patentes e marcas registradas, bem como o uso de softwares para o desenvolvimento de projetos em 3D, desenvolvemos o Sistema de Controle por Pedal de Placa Metálicas, mecanismo que permite ao percussionista controlar com os pés a submersão e emersão das placas metálicas em contato com a água, deixando assim as duas mãos 'livres' para a realização das explorações sonoras. Pretende-se assim contribuir para o melhoramento da performance percussiva bem como abrir novos caminhos para a composição e interpretação de obras inéditas para percussão que utilizem a água como fonte sonora e de exploração tímbrica.

Tesis Doctoral inédita leída en la Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Facultad de Medicina, Departamento de Bioquímica. Fecha de Lectura: 17-09-2021, Esta tesis tiene embargado el acceso al texto completo hasta el 17-03-2023, Obesity is characterized by the excessive fat accumulation that develops when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure. Lifestyle changes have increased the prevalence of obesity, which has become a major health problem. In fact, obesity is a well-known risk factor for several chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and the most common type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Therefore, understanding the mechanisms that lead to the development of obesity comorbidities is paramount to decrease their incidence and mortality. One of the signaling pathways that participate in obesity and its adverse consequences is the stress-activated protein kinases (SAPKs) pathway. These proteins include c-Jun NH2-terminal kinases (JNKs) and p38s. While the role of some SAPKs in obesity and its associated pathologies has been studied, the systemic implications of their activation in specific tissues is starting to be addressed. Our main aim in this thesis is to better understand the participation of SAPKs in inter-organ communication in the context of obesity and its associated diseases. Using a conditional mouse model lacking p38α in striated muscle, we observed that muscle p38α deletion protects mice against high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity by increasing energy expenditure. This phenotype is accompanied by an increase in mitochondrial oxidative metabolism in skeletal muscle due to the upregulation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1 alpha (PGC1α). Importantly, lack of p38α results in the hyperactivation of p38γ, which improves glucose and energy homeostasis through an increase in locomotor activity, a process in which interleukin-15 (IL-15) might be involved. This effect decreases the risk of developing diabetes and liver steatosis, therefore linking local and systemic manifestations of muscle p38α deficiency. Apart from obesity, the incidence of HCC is also higher in men, and both obesity and male sex are characterized by reduced levels of the adipokine adiponectin. We found that the decrease in plasma adiponectin in males is responsible for their increased liver cancer risk. Testosterone activates JNK in white adipocytes, which inhibits adiponectin secretion. Since adiponectin protects against HCC development through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and p38α in the liver, JNK-mediated inhibition of adiponectin secretion increases liver cancer cell proliferation. The results from this thesis provide insight into novel roles of stress signaling in skeletal muscle and white adipose tissue, which regulates inter-organ communication in the context of obesity and its comorbidities, opening new research avenues that might be crucial for the prevention and treatment of these diseases

Summary The motor control resolution of any animal behavior is limited to the minimal force step available when activating muscles, which is set by the number and size distribution of motor units (MUs) and muscle-specific force. Birdsong is an excellent model system for understanding acquisition and maintenance of complex fine motor skills, but we know surprisingly little about how the motor pool controlling the syrinx is organized and how MU recruitment drives changes in vocal output. Here we developed an experimental paradigm to measure MU size distribution using spatiotemporal imaging of intracellular calcium concentration in cross-sections of living intact syrinx muscles. We combined these measurements with muscle stress and an in vitro syrinx preparation to determine the control resolution of fundamental frequency (fo), a key vocal parameter, in zebra finches. We show that syringeal muscles have extremely small MUs, with 40%–50% innervating ≤3 and 13%–17% innervating a single muscle fiber. Combined with the lowest specific stress (5 mN/mm2) known to skeletal vertebrate muscle, small force steps by the major fo controlling muscle provide control of 50-mHz to 7.3-Hz steps per MU. We show that the song system has the highest motor control resolution possible in the vertebrate nervous system and suggest this evolved due to strong selection on fine gradation of vocal output. Furthermore, we propose that high-resolution motor control was a key feature contributing to the radiation of songbirds that allowed diversification of song and speciation by vocal space expansion.

Background: International Headache Society (IHS) criteria classify some causative factors that play a role in the occurrence of primary headache, namely; oromandibular dysfunction, psychosocial stress, anxiety, depression, and muscle stress. Resident is a doctor participating in Specialist Doctor and Dentist Specialist (PPDS / PPDGS). High stress level which is a risk factor for the occurrence of primary headache at the resident. Method: The research is an analytic study with cross sectional study design. The purpose of this study is to report the patient distribution and risk factors for primary headache in resident at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang hospital. Result: The relationship of department with the incidence of primary headache in resident at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang 2017, p value of Chi-square result of 0.930 (p> 0,05). The relationship of education level with the incidence of primary headache in resident at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang 2017, p value of Chi-square result of 0.253 (p> 0,05). The relationship between gender and the incidence of primary headache in resident at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang 2017, the result p-value obtained Chi-square of 0.159 (p> 0.05). Drastic relationship with the incidence of primary headache in resident at Dr. Mohammad Hoesin Palembang 2017, the result p-value obtained Chi-square of 0.786 (p>0.05). The correlation between night night shift with incidence of primary headache in resident at Dr Mohammad Hoesin Palembang Hospital in 2017, p-value obtained by Chisquare 0,006 (p

The fastest land animals are of intermediate size. Cheetah, antelope, greyhounds and racehorses have been measured running much faster than reported for elephants or elephant shrews. Can this be attributed to scaling of physical demands and explicit physiological constraints to supply? Here, we describe the scaling of mechanical work demand each stride, and the mechanical power demand each stance. Unlike muscle stress, strain and strain rate, these mechanical demands cannot be circumvented by changing the muscle gearing with minor adaptations in bone geometry or trivial adjustments to limb posture. Constraints to the capacity of muscle to supply work and power impose fundamental limitations to maximum speed. Given an upper limit to muscle work capacity each contraction, maximum speeds in big animals are constrained by the mechanical work demand each step. With an upper limit to instantaneous muscle power production, maximal speeds in small animals are limited by the high power demands during brief stance periods. The high maximum speed of the cheetah may therefore be attributed as much to its size as to its other anatomical and physiological adaptations.

The negligence involved in musculoskeletal disorder (MSD) at construction sites results in high rates of muscle injuries. This paper presents findings identified by the MSD for each part of a worker&rsquo, s body, categorizing the awkward postures of each body part, estimating muscle stresses, and establishing the benchmark using anthropometry and hand force data. MSDs and their corresponding frequencies were identified by administering the Nordic Musculoskeletal Questionnaire (NMQ) survey, which solicits responses regarding construction workers&rsquo, awkward postures. Musculoskeletal stresses were estimated using three-dimensional static strength prediction program (3D SSPP) biomechanical software. The new benchmarks were established for existing preventive measures using the anthropometry and hand force data. Workers suffering from different body muscle pains in awkward postures may be predicted using the compression forces magnitude, strength capability, and body balance. The model was verified by comparing its outputs with the survey analysis results. The study is of value to practitioners because it provided a means to understand the contemporary scenario of MSD and to establish a practical benchmark based on the physical capability of workers. It is relevant to researchers because it digitally predicts MSD and facilitates experimentation with different dimensions, thereby contributing to construction productivity improvement. Test cases validate the prediction method.

Forces generated by heart muscle contraction must be balanced by adhesion to the extracellular matrix (ECM) and to other cells for proper heart function. Decades of data have suggested that cell-ECM adhesions are important for sarcomere assembly. However, the relationship between cell-ECM adhesions and sarcomeres assembling de novo remains untested. Sarcomeres arise from muscle stress fibers (MSFs) that are translocating on the top (dorsal) surface of cultured cardiomyocytes. Using an array of tools to modulate cell-ECM adhesion, we established a strong positive correlation between the extent of cell-ECM adhesion and sarcomere assembly. On the other hand, we found a strong negative correlation between the extent of cell-ECM adhesion and the rate of MSF translocation, a phenomenon also observed in nonmuscle cells. We further find a conserved network architecture that also exists in nonmuscle cells. Taken together, our results show that cell-ECM adhesions mediate coupling between the substrate and MSFs, allowing their maturation into sarcomere-containing myofibrils.

SummaryThe motor control resolution of any animal behavior is limited to the minimal force step available when activating muscles, which is set by the number and size distribution of motor units (MUs) and muscle specific force [1, 2]. Birdsong is an excellent model system for understanding sequence learning of complex fine motor skills [3], but we know surprisingly little how the motor pool controlling the syrinx is organized [4] and how MU recruitment drives changes in vocal output [5]. Here we combine measurements of syringeal muscle innervation ratios with muscle stress and an in vitro syrinx preparation to estimate MU size distribution and the control resolution of fundamental frequency (fo), a key vocal parameter, in zebra finches. We show that syringeal muscles have extremely small MUs, with 50% innervating ≤ 3, and 13 – 17% innervating a single muscle fiber. Combined with the lowest specific stress (5 mN/mm2) known to skeletal vertebrate muscle, small force steps by the major fo controlling muscle provide control of 50 mHz to 4.2 Hz steps per MU. We show that the song system has the highest motor control resolution possible in the vertebrate nervous system and suggest this evolved due to strong selection on fine gradation of vocal output. Furthermore, we propose that high-resolution motor control was a key feature contributing to the radiation of songbirds that allowed diversification of song and speciation by vocal space expansion.

The measurement of fatigue and drowsiness is a challenging job in today’s world. EOG signal analysis is a purely noninvasive method of evaluating the movement of eyeball in the horizontal and vertical direction. It is a feasible and reliable technique in comparison to the other physiological signal based technique to determine and quantify the fatigue and drowsiness of the drivers/operators. For this study, data from ten participants who are physically sound are taken. Three different frequency of visual cue and different time slots of a day has been considered and three parameters like cornea pace, moving window sample entropy and moving window fuzzy entropy are evaluated on the basis of the real time signal. The experimental results show that with the gradual enhancement of cue frequency in afternoon as well as the night shift the complexity of the horizontal data and the complexity of the vertical data increases. The cornea pace is also reduces considerably with the fatigue. The dynamics of cornea pace usually show the speed at which the eye ball follow a certain specific object. It is concluded that the fatigue and drowsiness increase with muscle stress, sleep deprivation, and the gap between the two sleep cycles.

The purpose of this study was to identify one or more performance-based criteria that may be used to generate predictive optimal control simulations of submaximal pedaling. Two-legged pedaling simulations were generated based on minimizing muscle activation, muscle stress, metabolic energy, time derivative of muscle force, and minimizing metabolic energy while pedaling smoothly. The simulations based on minimizing muscle activation and muscle stress most closely matched experimental pedaling data, with the activation criterion better matching experimental muscle activation timing. We conclude that predictive simulations of submaximal pedaling may be generated using a cost function based on minimizing muscle activation.

Maximum voluntary exertion (MVE) tasks quantify trunk strength and maximal muscle electromyography (EMG) activities with both clinical and biomechanical implications. The aims here are to evaluate the performance of an existing trunk musculoskeletal model, estimate maximum muscle stresses and spinal forces, and explore likely differences between males and females in maximum voluntary exertions. We, therefore, measured trunk strength and EMG activities of 19 healthy right-handed subjects (9 females and 10 males) in flexion, extension, lateral and axial directions. MVEs for all subjects were then simulated in a subject-specific trunk musculoskeletal model, and estimated muscle activities were compared with EMGs. Analysis of variance was used to compare measured moments and estimated spinal loads at the L5-S1 level between females and males. MVE moments in both sexes were greatest in extension (means of 236 Nm in males and 190 Nm in females) and least in left axial torque (97 Nm in males and 64 Nm in females). Being much greater in lateral and axial MVEs, coupled moments reached ∼50% of primary moments in average. Females exerted less moments in all directions reaching significance except in flexion. Muscle activity estimations were strongly correlated with measurements in flexion and extension (Pearson’s r = 0.69 and 0.76), but the correlations were very weak in lateral and axial MVEs (Pearson’s r = 0.27 and 0.13). Maximum muscle stress was in average 0.80 ± 0.42 MPa but varied among muscles from 0.40 ± 0.22 MPa in rectus abdominis to 0.99 ± 0.29 MPa in external oblique. To estimate maximum muscle stresses and evaluate validity of a musculoskeletal model, MVEs in all directions with all coupled moments should be considered.

Objective High-intensity intermittent exercise (HIIE) may enhance the antiinflammatory status. The jucara fruit juice (JFJ) has well-established antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. This study investigated the effect of JFJ consumption on the inflammatory response to HIIE in physically active subjects. Methods In a randomized crossover design, 15 men were assigned to drink 250 mL of either JFJ or water (control) 1 h before a cycling HIIE session (seven sets of 60 s at 100% peak power output; 75 s recovery between sets). Blood samples were obtained before and at 0, 30, and 60 min post-HIIE, and the serum was analyzed for interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor–α, and cortisol. Results After HIIE, the IL-6 levels were higher than baseline (percent change) at 30 min (P = 0.041) and 60 min (P = 0.038) for the control, but were unaffected by JFJ. IL-10 was higher in the JFJ group than in the control at 30 min (d = ‒0.63). Tumor necrosis factor–α was lower than baseline at 30 min for the control (d = ‒0.71) and at 60 min for the JFJ group (d = ‒0.60). For control, cortisol increased to higher than the baseline at 30 and 60 min (d = 0.54 and d = 0.76, respectively). For the JFJ group, the cortisol levels were significantly higher than the baseline at 30 min (P = 0.022). Performance during sprints was higher in the JFJ group than in the control (P = 0.002). In the control group, performance was with both IL-6 (semipartial correlation; sr = −0.59, large effect size) and cortisol at 0 h (sr = −0.52, large effect size). Conclusions JFJ intake attenuated the antiinflammatory response to HIIE, possibly resulting from a lower degree of muscle stress.

Introduction: Quality and quantity of sleep dissorder are the commonest problem s that faced by elderly. These problems can increase activity of sympathetic nerve and muscle stress. Javanese traditional music is one of the method to increase the fulfillment of the need of sleep. The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of Javanese traditional music on the fulfillment of the need of sleep in elderly. Method: Design of t his study was a pre experimental design. The population was elderly with sleep disorders in Panti Sosial Tresna Werdha Blitar. The re were 12 respondents which recruited by using purposive sampling who met to the inclusion criteria. The independent variable of this study was the Javanese tradition a l music and the dependent variable was the fulfillment of sleep in elderly. Data were collected by using structured questionnaire and biophysiological measureme nt and the n analyzed by using Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test and Paired t - Test with level of significance α≤0.05. Result: The r esult showed that there was an effect of Javanese traditional music on quality of sleep ( p=0.001 ) , had an effect to increase the duration of sleep ( p =0.00001), beside that it could reduce heart rate (p=0.001) and respiratory rate (p=0.00001). However, Javanese traditional music did not ha d significant effect to reduce sistolic blood pressure (p=0,104) and diastolic blood pressure (p=0339) . Discussion: Conclution: Javanese traditional music ha d significant effect on the fulfillment of the need of sleep in elderly. Further research should measure the effect of Javanese traditional music on the fulfillment of the need of sleep with the rate of melatonin and EEG (Electro Encephalo Graphy).

The objective of this study is to implement a new simplified model of a muscle, based on a 1D element, rod type, used in most common analysis, instead of a 3D mesh of the muscle geometry. The main advantages of this new method for modeling muscles is that several position of a joint, where the muscle is involved, could be analyzed without any added effort to the original meshing of the model. We only need to locate the bones involved in the joint in their new position, and so the muscles will move to their right position. 3D models allow us to study in a more detailed manner the muscle stress maps, deformations, but the main issue we must work on is the need of re-meshing the 3D geometry any time the joint changes in position. With this simplified method, only its insertion points, the section and the length, define the muscle, in the FEA. And none of the changes when the joint changes in position.

Functional loading generates stress and strain within the skeleton. Deducing how the skull stresses and strains has the potential to inform on what feeding and other behavioural loads the skeleton can withstand and the functional consequences of changes to shape. When applied in deep time, mechanical analysis of the skeleton may be used to determine the function of extinct organisms but also higher level questions such as niche partitioning, the evolutionary relationship between form, function and disparity, rates of functional evolution and the influence of constraints on morphological evolution. One method for deducing stress and strain in complex structures is finite element (FE) analysis. FE models have the potential to address questions of the evolution of form and function in vertebrates, but it is important to consider the assumptions and potential errors involved in creating and analysing FE simulations of function and behaviour. Currently lacking is an understanding of phylogenetic variability in various FE model input parameters such as bone material properties, muscle stress and adductor muscle pennation and fibre lengths. How within-species mechanical function relates to across-species function is still largely unknown. However, if the accuracy of an FE model can be estimated, then it is possible to frame appropriate questions to test long-standing functional hypotheses and deduce pattern and process in the relationship between form and function.

The hand pattern (i.e., full-cycle hand path) used during manual wheelchair propulsion is frequently classified as one of four distinct hand pattern types: arc, single loop, double loop or semicircular. Current clinical guidelines recommend the use of the semicircular pattern, which is based on advantageous levels of broad biomechanical metrics implicitly related to the demand placed on the upper extremity (e.g., lower cadence). However, an understanding of the influence of hand pattern on specific measures of upper extremity muscle demand (e.g., muscle power and stress) is needed to help make such recommendations, but these quantities are difficult and impractical to measure experimentally. The purpose of this study was to use musculoskeletal modeling and forward dynamics simulations to investigate the influence of the hand pattern used on specific measures of upper extremity muscle demand. The simulation results suggest that the double loop and semicircular patterns produce the most favorable levels of overall muscle stress and total muscle power. The double loop pattern had the lowest full-cycle and recovery-phase upper extremity demand but required high levels of muscle power during the relatively short contact phase. The semicircular pattern had the second-lowest full-cycle levels of overall muscle stress and total muscle power, and demand was more evenly distributed between the contact and recovery phases. These results suggest that in order to decrease upper extremity demand, manual wheelchair users should consider using either the double loop or semicircular pattern when propelling their wheelchairs at a self-selected speed on level ground.

MYO18B loss-of-function mutations and depletion significantly compromise the structural integrity of striated muscle sarcomeres. The molecular function of the encoded protein, myosin-18B (M18B), within the developing muscle is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that recombinant M18B lacks motor ATPase activity and harbors previously uncharacterized N-terminal actin-binding domains, properties that make M18B an efficient actin cross-linker and molecular brake capable of regulating muscle myosin-2 contractile forces. Spatiotemporal analysis of M18B throughout cardiomyogenesis and myofibrillogenesis reveals that this structural myosin undergoes nuclear-cytoplasmic redistribution during myogenic differentiation, where its incorporation within muscle stress fibers coincides with actin striation onset. Furthermore, this analysis shows that M18B is directly integrated within the muscle myosin thick filament during myofibril maturation. Altogether, our data suggest that M18B has evolved specific biochemical properties that allow it to define and maintain sarcomeric organization from within the thick filament via its dual actin cross-linking and motor modulating capabilities.

The basic intention of this study was to find the discomfort of wearing formal shoes of regular working professionals like engineers who must look formal always. The independent variables are shoes heel height and shoes weight. The dependent variables are EMG signal of lower limb muscle actives and user discomfort questionnaire. This study considered 07 male participants of age group 20–30 in Lamar University campus and its neighborhood. Primarily, this study focused on the two lower limb muscles’ (Tibialis anterior and medial head of the gastrocnemius) activities to find the muscle stress of the participants. For both lower limb muscles, the two-way ANOVA analysis revealed a significant main effect of shoes weight. However, there was no significant main effect of shoes heel height on both muscle activities. The user discomfort survey indicates that low heel low weight shoe caused less fatigue and provided more comfort than the other types of shoes.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in the enzymes creatine kinase (CK), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in saliva before and after an intense exercise consisting of a futsal match. Methods CK, LDH and AST were analyzed in saliva and serum samples of eleven, injury-free, amateur young men before and 30 minutes, 12 hours and 36 hours after a futsal match. Results A significant increase in CK, LDH and AST was observed after the game in serum samples. In saliva, although a high interindividual variability was found with some individuals no showing increases, significant increases in CK and LDH were observed after the game. No significant changes were observed in saliva AST after the game. Conclusions Our study showed for first time that CK and LDH can increase in saliva after an intensive exercise consisting on a futsal match. Results suggest that measurements of CK and LDH in saliva could be potentially used to evaluate possible muscle stress or damage in cases of intensive exercise.

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a lethal genetic disease associated with muscle degeneration and chronic inflammation. Current therapies are limited to corticosteroids which resolve inflammati...

In recent decades, employees who worked in office suffered from bone diseases and muscle stress, mainly due to improper sitting posture. This paper is proposed to develop a novel body equilibrium correction to meet solve such issue. The system consists of four modules. A motion sensor module is placed on the center of the user’s chest to measure the sitting orientation. Moreover, an electromyography (EMG) module is located at the both side of the shoulders to measure the user’s muscle tension as incorrect sitting position over a long period of time tends to increase the pain and tense at the shoulders. Thus, it is reliable to serve as references in accordance to the sitting orientation. Both sensor modules transmit the raw data to a processing module. This module integrates the raw data under a packet and further transmits the data packet to a mobile device. A mobile application is implemented to classify the correctness of sitting position. In case the incorrect position is detected, alert is triggered to user by the vibrator motor and light emitting diodes (LEDs) installed along with the system. The proposed system is able to measure and detect any abnormal sitting positon with average true accuracy of 98% with low-cost implementation.

The study analyzed the effect of an açai (Euterpe oleracea Mart.) functional beverage (AB) on muscle and oxidative stress markers, cardiorespiratory responses, perceived exertion, and time-to-exhaustion during maximal treadmill running. The beverage was developed as an ergogenic aid for athletes and contained 27.6 mg of anthocyanins per dose. Fourteen athletes performed 3 exercise tests: a ramp-incremental maximal exercise test and 2 maximal exercise bouts performed in 2 conditions (AB and without AB (control)) at 90% maximal oxygen uptake.Blood was collected at baseline and after maximal exercise in both conditions to determine biomarkers. AB increased time to exhaustion during short-term high-intensity exercise (mean difference: 69 s, 95% confidence interval = –296 s to 159 s, t = 2.2, p = 0.045), attenuating the metabolic stress induced by exercise (p < 0.05). AB also reduced perceived exertion and enhanced cardiorespiratory responses (p < 0.05). The AB may be a useful and practical ergogenic aid to enhance performance during high-intensity training.

Purpose: Taping techniques that aim to protect and reduce stress on an injured tissue during rehabilitation are common in sport. Called deloading tape, the mechanism of action is hypothesized to involve effects ranging from direct mechanical deloading of the underlying soft tissues to psychological effects on confidence. There is no evidence that deloading tape has direct mechanical effects. This study used an elastographic technique (supersonic shear imaging) to test the hypothesis that deloading tape applied to the skin over the rectus femoris would reduce stress within the taped area of this muscle. Methods: Thirteen healthy volunteers participated in this experiment. Muscle shear elastic modulus was compared between three treatments (no tape, deloading tape, and sham tape) in four conditions: three conditions without muscle contraction at different rectus femoris muscle-tendon unit lengths (moderately stretched, highly stretched, and shortened) and during submaximal isometric leg extension. Results: Although there was no effect of treatment when the muscle was shortened (P = 0.99), the shear elastic modulus was significantly affected by treatment for the three other conditions (all P < 0.002). Muscle shear elastic modulus was significantly less during application of deloading tape than that during both the no tape and sham tape conditions (all P

Purpose The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of serum vitamin D levels with physical activity, obesity, muscle fatigue biomarkers, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in healthy older adults. Methods A total of 85 healthy older subjects aged 64–96 years were recruited in this study. Based on estimated energy expenditure scores, the participants were classified into three groups: inactive (n=25), moderate (n=20), and physically active (n=35). Serum 25(OH)D (25-hydroxy vitamin D) levels, metabolic syndrome parameters, TAC activity, muscle fatigue biomarkers (Ca, creatine kinase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, troponin I, hydroxyproline), physical activity, body fatness, and fatigue score (visual analog scale) were estimated using immunoassay techniques and prevalidated questionnaires, respectively. Results Physical activity was estimated in 64.6% of the participants. Males showed higher physical activity (42.5%) compared to females (26.25%). Compared to participants with lower activity, significant reduction in body mass index, waist circumference, hips, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were observed in moderate and physically active participants. Also, significant increase in the levels of serum 25(OH)D concentrations, calcium, and TAC activity along with reduction in the levels of muscle fatigue biomarkers: creatine kinase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, troponin I, hydroxyproline, and fatigue scores (visual analog scale) were reported in physically active participants compared to those of lower physical activity. In all participants, serum 25(OH)D concentrations correlated positively with Ca, TAC, physical activity scores, and negatively with body mass index, lipid profile, fatigue scores (visual analog scale), and muscle fatigue biomarkers. Stepwise regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D concentrations, physical activity, Ca, TAC, and demographic parameters explained approximately 61.4%–85.8% of reduction in both fatigue scores and muscle fatigue biomarkers with substantial improvement in muscle performance in healthy older adults. Conclusion The data showed that considerable levels of 25(OH)D concentrations, calcium intake, and lower obesity positively correlated with the improvement in the muscle relief and performance of physically active participants. These results demonstrate that 25(OH)D concentrations and calcium might prevent muscle fatigue by regulation of the biosynthesis of creatine kinase, lactic acid dehydrogenase, troponin I, and hydroxyproline via a proposed antifree radical mechanism reported by higher TAC activity. It was suggested that vitamin D status could be reported as a marker of the improvement of muscle performance, especially in healthy older adults with lower physical activity.