Effects of Different Types of Carbohydrates on Arterial Stiffness: A Comparison of Isomaltulose and Sucrose

Increased arterial stiffness during acute hyperglycemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, but the type of carbohydrate that inhibits it is unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine the efficacy of low-glycemic-index isomaltulose on arterial stiffness during hyperglycemia in middle-aged and older adults. Ten healthy middle-aged and older adult subjects orally ingested a solution containing 25 g of isomaltulose (ISI trial) and sucrose (SSI trial) in a crossover study. In the SSI trial, the brachial–ankle (ba) pulse wave velocity (PWV) increased 30, 60, and 90 min after ingestion compared with that before ingestion (p < 0.01); however, in the ISI trial, the baPWV did not change after ingestion compared with that before ingestion. Blood glucose levels 30 min after intake were lower in the ISI trial than in the SSI trial (p < 0.01). The baPWV and systolic blood pressure were positively correlated 90 min after isomaltulose and sucrose ingestion (r = 0.640, p < 0.05). These results indicate that isomaltulose intake inhibits an acute increase in arterial stiffness. The results of the present study may have significant clinical implications on the implementation of dietary programs for middle-aged and elderly patients.     

Habitual aerobic exercise increases plasma pentraxin 3 levels in middle-aged and elderly women

Chronic inflammation that occurs with aging is one of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Regular exercise may prevent cardiovascular morbidity by decreasing chronic systematic inflammation. Additionally, excess inflammation can be reduced by the anti-inflammatory protein pentraxin 3 (PTX3). Thus, both habitual exercise and PTX3 have an anti-inflammatory effect. However, it is unclear whether regular exercise leads to increased plasma PTX3 concentration. In the present study, we investigated the effects of regular aerobic exercise on plasma PTX3 concentration in middle-aged and elderly women. Twenty-two postmenopausal women (60 ± 6 years) were randomly divided evenly into 2 groups (i.e., exercise intervention and control). Subjects in the exercise group completed 2 months of regular aerobic exercise training (walking and cycling, 30-45 min, 3-5 days·week?1). Before and after the intervention, we evaluated plasma PTX3 concentration, peak oxygen uptake, blood chemistry, and arterial distensibility (carotid arterial compliance and β-stiffness) in all participants. There were no significant differences in baseline parameters between the 2 groups. Plasma PTX3 concentration was significantly increased in the exercise group after the intervention (p < 0.05). High-density lipoprotein cholesterol, peak oxygen uptake, and arterial compliance were also significantly increased (p < 0.05), while β-stiffness was markedly decreased (p < 0.01) after the intervention. On the other hand, there was no change in the parameters tested in the control group. This study demonstrates that regular aerobic exercise increases plasma PTX3 concentration with improvement of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, peak oxygen uptake, and arterial distensibility in postmenopausal women.     

Curcumin ingestion and exercise training improve vascular endothelial function in postmenopausal women

Vascular endothelial function is declines with aging and is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle modification, particularly aerobic exercise and dietary adjustment, has a favorable effect on vascular aging. Curcumin is a major component of turmeric with known anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative effects. We investigated the effects of curcumin ingestion and aerobic exercise training on flow-mediated dilation as an indicator endothelial function in postmenopausal women. A total of 32 postmenopausal women were assigned to 3 groups: control, exercise, and curcumin groups. The curcumin group ingested curcumin orally for 8 weeks. The exercise group underwent moderate aerobic exercise training for 8 weeks. Before and after each intervention, flow-mediated dilation was measured. No difference in baseline flow-mediated dilation or other key dependent variables were detected among the groups. Flow-mediated dilation increased significantly and equally in the curcumin and exercise groups, whereas no changes were observed in the control group. Our results indicated that curcumin ingestion and aerobic exercise training can increase flow-mediated dilation in postmenopausal women, suggesting that both can potentially improve the age-related decline in endothelial function.     

运动训练与心血管压力感受器反射敏感性的关系

目的 通过测量志愿者连续3个月有氧和无氧训练中心血管压力感受器反射敏感性(BRS),了解运动训练对BRS的影响规律,为健康体检人群制定合理科学的训练方案提供帮助.方法 16名男性健康志愿者,随机分为两组,其中有氧与无氧组合训练组(组1)7名,单纯有氧训练组(组2)9名,共进行12周训练.在训练前、训练的第4、8、12周...     

有氧及复合运动对单纯性肥胖青少年身体形态和生化指标影响

评价有氧运动及复合运动方式对改善单纯性肥胖青少年体脂和血液生化指标的影响,为指导肥胖学生科学有效地控制体重提供参考.方法 将43名参加2015年暑期江苏某减肥夏令营的肥胖或超重青少年随机分为有氧运动组(22名)和有氧运动结合核心力量训练的复合运动组(21名),进行为期6周的运动干预.分别在入营后和出营前进行体重、体脂率、体质量指数(BMI)、腰围、臀围、大腿围等形态指标和空腹血糖(GLU)、血清胰岛素(INS)、总胆固醇(TC)、三酰甘油(TG)、高密度脂蛋白(HDL)和低密度脂蛋白(LDL)等血液生化指标测量.结果 经过6周2种运动干预,肥胖青少年的体成分和人体围度指标均下降,与运动前差异均有统计学意义(P值均<0.05).复合运动组BMI、体脂率、腰围、臀围、大腿围、皮褶厚度的改善幅度均比有氧运动组高.6周的运动干预后,血脂、血糖和血清胰岛素的指标均有变化,且两组TC,LDL变化差异均有统计学意义(有氧运动t值分别为2.736,2.091;复合运动t值分别为2.574,2.991,P值均<0.05);复合运动组的血清胰岛素改善幅度比有氧运动组更大,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 有氧运动、复合运动干预均能有效改善肥胖青少年体脂和代谢指标.     

Dietary composition influences short-term endurance training-induced adaptations of substrate partitioning during exercise

The purpose of the current study was to examine the influence of dietary composition on short-term endurance training-induced adaptations of substrate partitioning and time trial exercise performance. Eight untrained males cycled for 90 min at approximately 54% aerobic capacity while being infused with [6,6(2)H]glucose before and after two 10-d experimental phases separated by a 2-week washout period. Time trial performance was measured after the 90-min exercise trials before and after the 2nd experimental phase. During the first 10-d phase, subjects were randomly assigned to consume either a high carbohydrate or high fat diet while remaining inactive (CHO or FAT). During the second 10-d phase, subjects consumed the opposite diet, and both groups performed identical daily supervised endurance training (CHO+T or FAT+T). CHO and CHO+T did not affect exercise metabolism. FAT reduced glucose flux at the end of exercise, while FAT+T substantially increased whole body lipid oxidation during exercise and reduced glucose flux at the end of exercise. Despite these differences in adaptation of substrate use, training resulted in similar improvements in time trial performance for both groups. We conclude that (a) 10-d high fat diets result in substantial increases in whole body lipid oxidation during exercise when combined with daily aerobic training, and (b) diet does not affect short-term training-induced improvements in high-intensity time trial performance.     

有氧联合抗阻运动对中度智力障碍青少年干预效果评价

  目的  探讨有氧联合抗阻运动对中度智力障碍青少年的干预效果,为促进特殊人群健康成长提供参考。  方法  选取佛山市顺德区启智中学29名12~17岁中度智力障碍青少年,使用随机数字表分为干预组(16名)和对照组(13名),干预组进行为期11周的有氧联合抗阻运动,对照组保持原有活动。比较两组受试者干预前后身体成分、肌肉力量、心肺耐力、平衡能力的变化。  结果  干预后干预组骨骼肌(22.90±3.63)kg、肌肉量(39.75±5.57)kg、去脂体重(41.52±6.79)kg、坐式手臂支撑(49.19±35.28)s、站立计时测试(22.13±6.01)s、半仰卧起坐(20.12±6.48)个、握力、2 min踏步运动后即刻心率(91.43±13.44)次/min、闭眼单脚站立与运动前相比显著提高,体脂肪下降(t值分别为2.57, 2.72, 2.07, 2.10, 3.31, 2.92, 2.76, 3.44, 2.86, 2.04, 2.38, -2.92,P值均＜0.05);干预后组间相比,坐式手臂支撑、闭眼单脚站立(右)提高,差异均有统计学意义(P值均＜0.05)。  结论  有氧联合抗阻运动有助于提高中度智力障碍青少年的肌肉力量和耐力、心肺耐力和平衡能力。     

Effect of intermittent blood volume fluctuation of light resistance exercise after ingestion of the high-protein snacks on plasma branched-chain amino acid concentrations in young adults

The study investigated exercise patterns resulting in the more efficient promotion of amino acid utilization. High-protein snacks (HPS; 15 g protein, 18 g sugar) were ingested by 8 young adult subjects 3 h after the basal meal ingestion. Sixty minutes after the HPS ingestion, the subjects performed arm flex/extend exercises for 15 min. The difference between 2 exercise patterns was compared. Pattern 1: High-number long-interval (HL) arm flex/extend (3+3 s) exercise; the HL group performed 9 sets of 15 exercises with a 10 s interval between sets. Pattern 2: Low-number short-interval (LS) arm flex/extend (3+3 s) exercise; the LS group performed 27 sets of 5 exercises with a 3-4 s interval between sets (135 exercises during 15 min, respectively). The plasma branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) concentrations were measured before the HPS ingestion, before the exercise, and 60 and 90 min after the HPS ingestion. The plasma BCAA concentrations increased significantly after the HPS ingestion. In the HL group, BCAA concentration increased consistently during the period and 60 to 90 min after the HPS ingestion. During the same period in the LS group the BCAA concentration stopped increasing. After HPS ingestion, a significantly greater suppressive effect on plasma BCAA concentration was seen in the LS group compared to the HL group. Results confirmed that the intermittent blood volume fluctuation in muscle tissue during the exercise pattern performed by the LS group had an effect on the utilization of nutritional components (BCAA, glucose) from the blood, and showed the possibility that the group where the blood volume in the muscle tissue increased/lowered with higher frequency was a more effective exercise pattern for nutrient utilization.     

Effects of resistance or aerobic exercise training on total and regional body composition in sedentary overweight middle-aged adults

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 10 weeks of aerobic endurance training (AET), resistance exercise training (RET), or a control (CON) condition on absolute and relative fat mass (FM) or fat-free mass (FFM) in the total body (TB) and regions of interest (ROIs) of sedentary overweight middle-aged males and females. Following prescreening, 102 subjects underwent anthropometric measurements, dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, and strength and aerobic exercise testing. Randomized subjects (male RET, n = 16; female RET, n = 19; male AET, n = 16; and female AET, n = 25) completed supervised and periodized exercise programs (AET, 30-50 min cycling at 70%-75% maximal heart rate; RET, 2-4 sets × 8-10 repetitions of 5-7 exercises at 70%-75% 1 repetition maximum) or a nonexercising control condition (male CON, n = 13 and female CON, n = 13). Changes in absolute and relative TB-FM and TB-FFM and ROI-FM and ROI-FFM were determined. At baseline, and although matched for age and body mass index, males had greater strength, aerobic fitness, body mass, absolute and relative TB-FFM and ROI-FFM, but reduced absolute and relative TB-FM and ROI-FM, compared with females (p < 0.05). After training, both female exercise groups showed equivalent or greater relative improvements in strength and aerobic fitness than did the male exercise groups (p < 0.05); however, the male exercise groups increased TB-FFM and reduced TB-FM more than did the female exercise groups (p < 0.05). Male AET altered absolute FM more than male RET altered absolute FFM, thus resulting in a greater enhancement of relative FFM. Despite equivalent or greater responses to RET or AET by female subjects, the corresponding respective increases in FFM or reductions in FM were lower than those in males, indicating that a biased dose-response relationship exists between sexes following 10 weeks of exercise training.     

Effect of Ingestion of Medium-Chain Triglycerides on Substrate Oxidation during Aerobic Exercise Could Depend on Sex Difference in Middle-Aged Sedentary Persons

Fat oxidation (FAO) during aerobic exercise and whole-body FAO via lipid intake are thought to be important for the maintenance of health, such as the prevention of type 2 diabetes and obesity in sedentary persons in their 40s and 50s. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) ingestion has been attracting attention. However, the effects of difference of sex and the composition of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs) are unclear, so we examined the effects of these factors on FAO during aerobic exercise. We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, 3-arm, within-participants crossover trial. FAO during low- to moderate-intensity exercise was compared when octanoate-rich MCTs (C8R), decanoate-rich MCTs (C10R), or carbohydrate (control) was ingested. Three 2-week interventions were separated by two 2-week washout periods. An increase of FAO during exercise after the C8R diet was found in males, but not in females. An increase of carbohydrate oxidation (CAO) and oxygen uptake during exercise after the C10R diet was found in females, but not in males. In a pooled estimate of the effect of MCTs (C8R and C10R) in women and men, FAO increased during exercise. In conclusion, short-term ingestion of MCTs by middle-aged sedentary persons could increase FAO during aerobic exercise compared to carbohydrate ingestion, but the enhancing effect of MCTs on substrate utilization and oxygen uptake might vary, depending on sex and the composition of MCFAs.     

阻抗训练联合有氧运动干预老年高血压患者的疗效评价*

目的 探讨阻抗训练联合有氧运动对老年高血压患者的疗效。方法　将136例60～73岁高血压患者随机分为对照组和观察组,每组各68例,在常规服药治疗的前提下,对照组进行有氧运动干预,观察组实施阻抗训练联合有氧运动干预,两组干预时间均为6个月。干预前后分别测评血压及控制、血脂和生存质量,采用ｔ检验和x2 检验,比较两组血压及控制、血脂和生存质量。结果　干预前,两组年龄、病程、BMI、血压及控制、血脂和生存质量差异均无统计学医院(P0>.05);干预后,观察组TG、TC、SBP和DBP较对照组显著下降(P<0.05),HDL-C,HDL-C/LDL-C显著上升(P<0.05),观察组血压控制的优良率和控制率均较对照组显著提高(P<0.05),而不良率显著降低(P<0.05);与对照组比较,观察组心理功能、社会功能和生存质量总分明显改善(P<0.05);与干预前比较,两组血压、血脂均得到显著控制(P<0.05),心理功能、社会功能和生存质量总分也有显著改善(P<0.05)。结论　在药物治疗基础上,有氧运动、阻抗训练联合有氧运动干预均有助于血压控制,降低血脂和改善生命质量,但阻抗训练联合有氧运动的效果更显著,值得推广应用。     

Caffeine ingestion increases the insulin response to an oral-glucose-tolerance test in obese men before and after weight loss

BACKGROUND: Caffeine ingestion decreases the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) for an oral-glucose-tolerance test (OGTT) and decreases insulin-induced glucose disposal in lean male subjects during a hyperinsulinemic clamp. OBJECTIVE: We examined the effects of caffeine ingestion on insulin and glucose homeostasis in obese men before and after a nutrition and exercise intervention. DESIGN: Nine sedentary, obese [body mass index (in kg/m(2)): 34.0 +/- 1.0] men who had refrained from exercise and caffeine ingestion for 48 h underwent 2 oral-glucose-tolerance tests (OGTTs). The subjects randomly received caffeine (5 mg/kg) or placebo 1 h before each OGTT. After a 12-wk nutrition and exercise intervention, during which time the subjects avoided dietary caffeine, the OGTTs were repeated. RESULTS: The intervention resulted in decreases (P < or = 0.05) in body weight (8.5 +/- 1.5 kg), percentage body fat (2.8 +/- 0.7%), and fasting glucose, insulin, and proinsulin concentrations and increases in the ISI for the placebo OGTT (P < or = 0.05). Caffeine caused a greater (P < or = 0.05) OGTT insulin response and a lower (P < or = 0.05) ISI both before and after weight loss. The proinsulin-insulin ratio indicated that neither weight loss nor caffeine affected the nature of the beta cell secretion of insulin. CONCLUSIONS: A nutrition and exercise intervention improved, whereas caffeine ingestion impaired, insulin-glucose homeostasis in obese men. The results are consistent with previous findings that caffeine ingestion contributes to insulin resistance.     

Metabolic effects of the addition of resistive to aerobic exercise in older men

The metabolic changes associated with the addition of 4 months of resistive exercise to an existing aerobic exercise program (AEX+RT, n = 7) were compared to a maintenance aerobic exercise program (AEX, n = 8) in overweight, older men. The subjects in this study had recently completed a 6-month aerobic exercise program (treadmill walking, 45 min/d, 2 d/wk). The AEX+RT group added 6 exercises on upper- and lower-body pneumatic-resistance machines (2 sets, 15 repetitions each, 2 d/wk) to an aerobic exercise program at > or = 70% heart rate reserve for 30-40 min, 2 d/wk on treadmill, while the AEX group continued the same maintenance treadmill AEX program. There were no baseline differences in body weight, VO2max, or glucose metabolism between groups. The AEX+RT group increased upper- and lower-extremity strength by 28 +/- 4% and 46 +/- 6%, respectively (p < .05), despite a 9% decrease in VO2max (p < .05). VO2max did not change in the AEX group. There was no change in the fasting glucose or insulin levels, or the 3-h glucose responses to an oral glucose load in either group. The insulin responses decreased by 25 +/- 4% in the AEX+RT group (p < .01) but did not change in the AEX group. In conclusion, the addition of resistive exercise training to an existing aerobic exercise program may improve insulin sensitivity in overweight, older men, and thus prevent the development of type 2 diabetes.     

Effects of liquid carbohydrate/essential amino acid ingestion on acute hormonal response during a single bout of resistance exercise in untrained men

OBJECTIVE: The primary objective of this study was to investigate the influence of nutritive interventions on acute hormonal responses to a single bout of resistance exercise in untrained young men. Specifically, the aim was to determine whether the acute hormonal milieu conducive to enhancing skeletal muscle hypertrophic adaptation to resistance training could be created. The potential role of cortisol in inhibiting training-induced muscle growth is of particular interest, as is whether exercise-induced cortisol release can be attenuated by nutritive interventions. METHODS: After a 4-h fast, 32 subjects performed a single bout of resistance exercise ( approximately 60 min), during which they consumed a 6% carbohydrate (CHO) solution, a 6-g essential amino acid (EAA) mixture, a combined CHO+EAA supplement, or a placebo beverage. Blood samples were collected every 15 min throughout the exercise bout, immediately after exercise, and 15 and 30 min after exercise for analysis of total testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, insulin, and glucose. RESULTS: No significant change in glucose or insulin was observed for placebo. CHO and CHO+EAA ingestion resulted in significantly (P < 0.001) increased glucose and insulin concentrations above baseline, whereas EAA resulted in significant postexercise increases (P < 0.05) in insulin only. Placebo exhibited a significant increase in cortisol within 30 min (P < 0.01), with a peak increase of 105% (P < 0.001) immediately after exercise, and cortisol remained 54% above baseline at 30 min after exercise (P < 0.05). Conversely, the treatment groups displayed no significant change in cortisol during the exercise bout, with CHO and CHO+EAA finishing 27% (P < 0.01) and 23% (P < 0.05), respectively, below baseline at 30 min after exercise. No between-group differences in exercise-induced growth hormone or testosterone concentrations after nutritive intervention were present. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that CHO and/or EAA ingestion during a single bout of resistance exercise suppresses the exercise-induced cortisol response, in addition to stimulating insulin release. We conclude that the exercise-induced hormonal profile can be influenced by nutritive interventions toward a profile more favorable for anabolism.     

联合抗阻-有氧运动对老年糖尿病患者骨代谢指标的影响

目的 观察联合运动对老年糖尿病患者骨代谢指标的影响效果。方法 2型糖尿病老年患者随机分为有氧运动组、抗阻运动组、联合运动组、对照组;前6个月分别进行相应的运动干预,后6个月不采取运动干预,对照组整个研究期间不采取运动干预。分别检测干预前及第2、4、6、12个月PINP、β-CTX,干预前及第6、12个月的BMD,干预前及第2、4、6月的FPG、2hPG、HbA1c。结果 运动期间,各运动组PINP出现不同程度的升高,β-CTX、FPG、2hPG、HbA1c降低,联合运动对骨质疏松及血糖的控制效果最为明显;停止运动6个月后,各组的PINP、β-CTX、BMD恢复至干预前,但联合运动对PINP、β-CTX、BMD的维持效果优于单一运动（P均<0.05）。结论 长期坚持运动可作为一种预防老年糖尿病患者骨质疏松症发生的有效手段;联合抗阻-有氧运动更值得推广。     

Effects of L-Citrulline Supplementation and Aerobic Training on Vascular Function in Individuals with Obesity across the Lifespan

Children with obesity are at higher risk for developing cardiometabolic diseases that once were considered health conditions of adults. Obesity is commonly associated with cardiometabolic risk factors such as dyslipidemia, hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and hypertension that contribute to the development of endothelial dysfunction. Endothelial dysfunction, characterized by reduced nitric oxide (NO) production, precedes vascular abnormalities including atherosclerosis and arterial stiffness. Thus, early detection and treatment of cardiometabolic risk factors are necessary to prevent deleterious vascular consequences of obesity at an early age. Non-pharmacological interventions including L-Citrulline (L-Cit) supplementation and aerobic training stimulate endothelial NO mediated vasodilation, leading to improvements in organ perfusion, blood pressure, arterial stiffness, atherosclerosis and metabolic health (glucose control and lipid profile). Few studies suggest that the combination of L-Cit supplementation and exercise training can be an effective strategy to counteract the adverse effects of obesity on vascular function in older adults. Therefore, this review examined the efficacy of L-Cit supplementation and aerobic training interventions on vascular and metabolic parameters in obese individuals.     

Aerobic exercise training increases skeletal muscle protein turnover in healthy adults at rest

The effect of a 4-wk aerobic exercise training program (30-45 min, 3-5 d/wk, >or=65% maximal heart rate) on mixed skeletal muscle protein fractional synthetic rate (FSR), fractional breakdown rate (FBR), and net protein balance (FSR - FBR) (NET) was examined in 8 healthy, previously unfit men and women [21.0+/- 0.4 y, 163.7+/- 4.4 cm, 75.6+/- 5.7 kg, 33.5+/- 4.1% body fat, VO(2 peak) 38.6+/- 2.3 mL/(kg.min)] fed eucaloric diets providing 0.85 g protein/(kg.d) for the 6-wk study. Measurements were made at baseline after 2 wk of diet intervention only, and after 4 wk of aerobic exercise training and diet intervention. Primed continuous infusions of ring-[(2)H(5)]-phenylalanine (2 micromol/kg; 0.05 micromol/(kg.min) and [(15)N]-phenylalanine (2 micromol/kg; 0.05 micromol/(kg.min) were used to assess skeletal muscle protein turnover at rest via the precursor-product method. Endurance training improved cardiovascular fitness, with a significant increase in VO(2 peak) (P<0.01) and a significant decrease in running time on a standard course (P<0.01). There were o significant changes in body mass or composition. There was a significant increase in FSR (0.077+/- 0.007 vs. 0.089+/- 0.006%/h, P<0.05) and decrease in NET (FSR - FBR) (-0.023 +/-0.004 vs. -0.072 +/- 0.012%/h, P < 0.05); FBR tended to increase (0.105+/- 0.014 vs. 0.143+/- 0.018%/h; P=0.06) after training. Findings show that aerobic training for 4 wk increases skeletal muscle protein turnover in previously unfit subjects.     

Effect of creatine supplementation on aerobic performance and anaerobic capacity in elite rowers in the course of endurance training

The effect of oral creatine supplementation on aerobic and anaerobic performance was investigated in 16 elite male rowers during 7-day endurance training. Before and after the daily ingestion of 20 g creatine monohydrate for 5 days (Cr-Group, n=8) or placebo (Pl-Group, n=8), subjects performed two exercise tests on a rowing ergometer: (a) incremental exercise consisting of 3-min stage durations and increased by 50 W until volitional exhaustion; (b) an all-out anaerobic exercise performed against a constant load of 7 W/kg. Heart rate and blood lactate concentrations were determined during exercise and recovery. Maximal power output did not significantly differ after the treatment in either group. The mean individual lactate threshold rose significantly after Cr treatment from 314.3 +/- 5.0 W to 335.6 +/- 7.1 W (p<.01), as compared with 305.0 +/- 6.9 W and 308.9 +/- 5.9 W (ns), before and after placebo ingestion, respectively. During the anaerobic test, the athletes supplemented with creatine were able to continue rowing longer (mean increase, 12.1 +/- 4.5 s; p<.01) than Pl-Group (2.4 +/- 8.2 s; ns). No significant differences were found between groups in blood LA after the all-out exercise. The results indicate that in elite rowers, creatine supplementation improves endurance (expressed by the individual lactate threshold) and anaerobic performance, independent of the effect of intensive endurance training.     

Randomized controlled trial of exercise training for older people (Sendai Silver Center Trial; SSCT): study design and primary outcome

Physical exercise is expected to improve and maintain physical function in older people, thus promoting health and preventing or postponing the onset of disability in later life. The Sendai Silver Center Trial (SSCT) was a randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of exercise training among healthy free-living older people. Sixty-five eligible participants, aged from 60 to 81 years, were randomly allocated to an exercise group or a control group. The subjects in the exercise group were asked to attend training classes at the Sendai Silver Center, a municipal health and welfare facility in the center of Sendai City, at least twice a week for 25 weeks. Each training class, lasting two hours, started with a warm-up session, followed by an endurance session with a bicycle ergometer, and a resistance exercise training session using rubber films, and ended with a cool-down session. The subjects in the control group were asked to attend recreational classes at the Center twice a month. There were no drop-outs or accidents during the intervention. Comparison of maximum oxygen consumption (VO2max) before and after the 25-week intervention revealed a significant increase in the exercise group (2.1 ml/kg/min) but no significant change in the control group. Our result is equivalent to the participants becoming younger in aerobic capacity by five years after six months of exercise training.     

Resting metabolic rate and postprandial thermogenesis in vegetarians and nonvegetarians

Resting metabolic rate (RMR), thermic effect of a meal (TEM), and associated hormonal changes were studied in vegetarians and nonvegetarians. RMR was established by indirect calorimetry in 12 male vegetarians (VEG) and 11 nonvegetarians (NVEG) of similar body fat and aerobic fitness. Subjects ingested a liquid meal and TEM was measured for 180 min postprandially. Plasma concentrations of glucose, insulin and thyroid hormones (T3 and T4) were determined before and after meal ingestion. Absolute RMR was comparable between VEG and NVEG. However, TEM was lower (p less than 0.01) in VEG (55.8 +/- 3.3 kcal/180 min) vs NVEG (76.4 +/- 3.6). Plasma levels of glucose and insulin were similar between the two groups whereas plasma T3 was slightly but nonsignificantly lower in vegetarians. A vegetarian diet may decrease the postprandial thermic response; this does not support the supposition that an elevated TEM is a factor contributing to the lower body weight in vegetarians than in omnivores.