In this work we have developed three ordinary differential equation models of biological systems: body mass change in response to exercise, immune system response to a general inflammatory stimulus, and the immune system response in atherosclerosis. The purpose of developing such computational tools is to test hypotheses about the underlying biological processes that drive system outcomes as well as possible real medical interventions. Therefore, we focus our analysis on understanding key interactions between model parameters and outcomes to deepen our understanding of these complex processes as a means to developing effective treatments in obesity, sarcopenia, and inflammatory diseases. We develop a model of the dynamics of muscle hypertrophy in response to resistance exercise and have shown that the parameters controlling response vary between male and female group means in an elderly population. We further explore this individual variability by fitting to data from a clinical obesity study. We then apply logistic regression and classification tree methods to the analysis of between- and within-group differences in underlying physiology that lead to different long-term body composition outcomes following a diet or exercise program. Finally, we explore dieting strategies using optimal control methods. Next, we extend an existing model of inflammation to include different macrophage phenotypes. Complications with this phenotype switch can result in the accumulation of too many of either type and lead to chronic wounds or disease. With this model we are able to reproduce the expected timing of sequential influx of immune cells and mediators in a general inflammatory setting. We then calibrate this base model for the sequential response of immune cells with peritoneal cavity data from mice. Next, we develop a model for plaque formation in atherosclerosis by adapting the current inflammation model to capture the progression of macrophages to inflammatory foam cells in response to cholesterol consumption. The purpose of this work is ultimately to explore points of intervention that can lead to homeostasis.

Highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved the prognosis of HIV-infected individuals. Unfortunately it has also been associated with impaired functional capacity and development of metabolic perturbations which increases health risk. This study tested the hypothesis that a combined cardiorespiratory and resistance exercise training (CARET) intervention may result in significant health benefits in HIV-infected individuals receiving HAART. Thirty-seven HIV-infected men and women, predominantly of lower socioeconomic status (SES), were recruited and randomly assigned to: 1) a group of moderate-intensity CARET for three months or 2) a control group receiving no exercise intervention for three months. At baseline and following the intervention, physical characteristics (body weight, body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure), physical fitness variables (estimated VO2max and one repetition maximum for upper and lower body), metabolic variables (fasting glucose and serum lipids), immune functioning (CD4+ T Cell count, CD4/CD8 ratio, and HIV RNA viral load), and quality of life (SF-36 Health Survey) were measured. Exercise participants evidenced increases in estimated VO2max (21%, p < 0.01), upper body strength (15%, p < 0.05), and lower body strength (22%, p < 0.05), while showing reductions in waist circumference (-2%, p < 0.05), and fasting glucose (-16%, p < 0.05). While the control group showed a significant decrease in CD4+ T cell count (-16%, p < 0.05) from baseline, the exercise group maintained a more stable count following training (-3%, p = 0.39). Finally, the exercise participants showed self-reported improvements in physical (11%, p < 0.03) and mental (10%, p < 0.02) quality of life. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that a three-month supervised and moderate intensity CARET program performed three times a week, can result in significant improvements in physical characteristics, physical fitness, metabolic variables, and physical and mental quality of life. Furthermore, the same intervention resulted in more favorable immunological responses following training in HIV-infected individuals of lower SES. Key words: Highly active antiretroviral therapy, HIV, combined aerobic and resistance exercise training, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, and immune functioning.

Previous research has shown that chronic exercise positively impacts body image in women. Research defining the modality that yields the best results following an acute session of exercise has yet to be determined. This research attempted to show the psychological benefits that exercise could have on female body image after only one bout of exercise. PURPOSE: The purpose of the current study was to examine the effects of three different modalities of acute exercise on state body image in women. This study aimed to determine which modality, if any, is more effective in increasing state body image. METHODS: Twenty-five female participants (20.2 ± 2.2 years; 23.6 ± 4.0 BMI, 25.5 ± 6.0 body fat percent) attended laboratory sessions on six different occasions; the initial informed consent, risk stratification, and descriptive data session, the familiarization session, the three exercise sessions, and the control session. During the familiarization session, each participant was acquainted with each exercise modality. The aerobic (AE) session consisted of a five-minute warm-up, 30 minutes of treadmill exercise, and a five-minute cool-down. The interval circuit (IC) session involved a five-minute warm-up, two circuits containing five bodyweight exercises each, and five minutes of cool-down stretching. The resistance (RE) session included a five-minute warm-up, three sets of eight repetitions of the bench press, bent-over row, overhead press, squat, deadlift, and lunge exercises, and five-minutes of cool-down stretching. The control session included 40 minutes of quiet reading. Ratings of perceived exertion and heart rate were monitored and recorded during each trial. State body image, positive mood, and negative mood were measured immediately before and after each experimental session. RESULTS: Following the AE and RE sessions, state body image significantly improved from pre- to post-session (AE: 5.2 ± 1.2 to 5.7 ± 1.0; RE: 5.4 ± 1.4 to 5.9 ± 1.2; p < 0.05). Only the RE post-session state body image (5.4 ± 1.4) was significantly different from the CO post-session state body image (5.4 ± 1.1; p < 0.05). The AE and RE sessions significantly increased positive mood and decreased negative mood from pre- to post-session (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Participation in the aerobic and resistance sessions significantly improved body image from pre- to post-exercise. Resistance exercise was the only research modality that yielded significantly higher post-exercise state body image as compared to the control session. Thus, a single resistance exercise session may help individuals to improve their state body image.

The thesis aimed to analyse the acute neuromuscular (NM) response during and following maximum strength and power training methods. The primary aim of study one was to establish the reliability of biomechanical and surface electromyographic (sEMG) measurements during barbell squat exercise. This would enable the subsequent studies to precisely assess muscle activity and mechanical power during barbell resistance exercise sessions. Nine male well-trained subjects performed squat exercise on three separate trial days. Each trial comprised one set of squat at 50, 75 and 100% of 3RM load. Synchronous recordings of knee joint kinematics from a flexible electrogoniometer, barbell displacement from a single linear position transducer and quadriceps sEMG amplitude were made. The mean maximum knee angle during squat was recorded at each load, and the overall inter-trial coefficient of variation (CV) was 5.5%. Mean concentric repetition power was processed from displacement data and derived into force and velocity values. The overall inter-trial CV for mean power was found to be 8.4%. The raw sEMG signal was processed into root mean square (RMS) amplitude and normalised to values taken from pre-trial knee extension maximum voluntary contractions (MVC). RMS amplitude was processed for the whole concentric phase and a 200 ms time interval at a knee angle of 70°, which matched the knee angle used during MVC. Inter-trial CV for RMS amplitude from the concentric phase and 70° knee angle were 7.2% and 16.4% respectively. There were no differences in RMS amplitude, maximum knee angle or mean power across trial days. It was concluded there was acceptable reliability for all three measurements (CV < 10%), if RMS amplitude was processed from the concentric phase. Based upon the measurement reliability, the analysis system was considered suitable for monitoring power and sEMG during barbell exercise. The second study aimed to establish the reliability of muscle fibre conduction velocity (MFCV) measurements during barbell squat. This was of interest, as MFCV may provide useful information of NM recruitment and fatigue processes during resistance exercise. The study was also used as a preliminary investigation of MFCV response, in comparison to RMS amplitude, to increasing fatigue and load during squat exercise. Nine well-trained male subjects performed a series of exercises on two separate trial days. Each trial comprised isometric knee extensions at 50, 75 and 100% of MVC force, followed by barbell squats at 50, 75 and 100% of 3RM, and then a maximal bout of squat jumps at 50% 3RM load, performed until failure. sEMG measurements were recorded from a four-electrode array, secured upon the vastus lateralis. Normalised RMS amplitude was processed as above, and MFCV was processed from the inter-electrode distance and time delay between two double differentiated and correlated signals, using bespoke software. The overall value of MFCV during squat was 5.8 m.s-1. The inter-trial CV for MFCV was 9.6% during squat and 12.1% during squat jump. Based upon acceptable reliability of 10%, MFCV measurements from barbell squats were considered reliable. As expected, MFCV significantly increased with each knee extension force level (4.7 ± 1.4, 5.6 ± 1.5 and 6.2 ± 1.8 m.s-1) (p<0.01), along with RMS amplitude (p<0.0001). No differences in MFCV were found between squat loads, whilst RMS amplitude significantly increased with load (p<0.0001). Power (1920 ± 143 versus 1407 ± 254 W) and MFCV (5.7 ± 1.4 versus 4.6 ± 1.0 m.s-1) significant decreased (p<0.001) from the start to the end of the squat jump trial, with RMS amplitude unchanged. Therefore, MFCV altered with increasing fatigue, but not load, during dynamic squat exercise. It was concluded that MFCV provides useful and reliable data for acute fatigue investigations of barbell resistance exercise, in addition to sEMG amplitude measures. The following three investigations compared NM responses during and following maximum strength and power type resistance exercise sessions with different exercises, loads and movement speeds. The sessions were designed to represent elite athlete training practices, to help inform the optimisation of resistance exercise programmes. The first of these studies aimed to compare NM response to a typical maximum strength session performed with barbell squat or deadlift exercise. The purpose was to assess if technical differences between the exercises, influenced the acute NM response. Nine elite trained weightlifters performed the trial sessions of five sets of five repetitions on separate days. Normalised RMS amplitude, MFCV and power was continually measured during exercise repetitions, using the methods established above. NM function was assessed pre- and post- sessions using MVC force, central activation ratio (CAR) from superimposed stimulation during MVC, and jump performance (CMJ). The exercises were performed with subjectively matched load levels, corresponding to active muscle RPE = 17 (Borg scale), and also with controlled lifting speed. However, the squat load was lowered and raised upon the lifter’s back, whilst deadlift load was grasped in the hands, raised from the floor and then dropped. Repetition mean power was unchanged within and across sets of both sessions. Repetition RMS amplitude significantly increased (p<0.001) within sets of squat and deadlift, whilst a significant interaction between sessions and set (p<0.001) demonstrated RMS increased more during squat. Furthermore, a significant reduction in repetition MFCV was found within sets of squat (p = 0.034), but not deadlift. This suggests that motor unit activation increased during both exercises, as a response to the task of maintaining power during repetitions of whole body lifting. However, acute fatigue within squat sets led to additional increased activation as a NM compensation strategy. No pre- versus post- session differences were found for MVC, CAR or CMJ; suggesting minimal change in NM function occurred following five sets of maximum strength type resistance exercise, in well-trained subjects. The primary aim of the second study was to compare NM response and 24-hour recovery following barbell exercise maximum strength and power type sessions. The purpose was to specifically establish the degree and nature of NM response, as previous findings were unclear and barbell exercise sessions of this type have not been compared. 10 elite sprint athletes performed sessions comprising squat, split squat and push press, with four sets x repetitions per exercise. The maximum strength session exercises involved loads corresponding to active muscle RPE = 17 (Borg scale) and metronome controlled movements. The power session exercises used 30% of the maximum strength barbell load, performed as fast as possible. Repetition sEMG and power was monitored throughout each session, as above. NM function was assessed, pre-, post- and 24-hour post- each session, using the same tests as above. However, evoked peak twitch force (Pt) was also included to the pre- and post- assessments. Overall, the maximum strength session involved greater total work (p = 0.008), but lower mean power during exercise repetitions (p<0.001) in comparison to the power session. MVC and Pt force values both significantly decreased (p<0.05) pre- versus post- both sessions. However, MVC reduced more following maximum strength session (p<0.01). CAR and CMJ were unchanged post-both sessions and no differences were found between pre and 24-hour post session NM tests. The decreased Pt but not CAR findings, suggest peripheral fatigue explains the reduced force generation capacity following maximum strength and power sessions, contrary to previous resistance exercise session findings. Up to 24-hours may be required to recover force generation capacity following this volume of resistance exercise.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether 3 days of dietary nitrate supplementation has positive effects on exercise performance and energy metabolism at rest and during strenuous knee exercise, and exercise recovery. The experimental protocol was a double blind, placebo-controlled, two-period, and within-subjects design. Fourteen healthy nonsmoking males (22.71 ± 0.72yr, 72.93 ± 2.35kg, and 47.67 ± 1.56 ml/kg/min VO2max) participated in the study. Two supplements (nitrate lozenge; NO-L or placebo; PLA) were orally administrated randomly at 48 and 24 hours before each trial day and again 40 minutes before each exercise trial. Total work, peak torque, and respiratory gases were automatically collected during repeated knee extensions/flexions (isokinetic concentric contractions with dominant leg; 4 sets of 28 repetitions at 180°/sec with 30 sec rest intervals) and recovery (6 contractions of 1 repetition maximum with 120 vii sec between contractions). For these results, peak torque, rate of fatigue, work efficiency, and rate of recovery were calculated. Blood specimens were collected at rest before and after the treatment, post exercise, and end of recovery to track the changes in blood glucose and lactate concentrations. There was a significant inverse correlation for total work during knee extension exercise and oxygen consumption (PLA: r = -.560 and NO-L: r = -.546; p < .01, respectively). During the exercise, RER was significantly higher for PLA compared with NO-L (PLA: 1.42 ± 0.02 vs. NO-L: 1.38 ± 0.02: p = .03). Work within each set and total work performed were higher for NO-L, but these differences were not significant. However, NO-L enhanced exercise efficiency by 3.3% when compared with PLA (PLA: 2497.5 ± 134.56 ft-lb/L/min vs. NO-L: 2578.7 ± 132.24 ftlb/L/min; p = .05). Extensor peak torque recovery rate slope was not significant, but meaningfully faster for NO-L (PLA: 2.39 ± 0.52% vs. NO-L: 3.06 ± 0.54%; p = .09) and significant interaction effect (p = .02) was found during recovery contractions, especially from contractions 2 to 3 (p = .03). It is also worth noting that differences in time to peak torque during knee extension exercise for NO-L and PLA approached significances (PLA: 0.213 ± 0.01 sec vs. NO-L: 0.200 ± 0.01 sec; p = .08). The results suggest that 3 days of dietary nitrate supplementation improves rate of exercise recovery and enhances work efficiency during vigorous resistance exercise. / text

Aerobic exercise interventions involving individuals with type 1 diabetes have had little positive effect on blood glucose control as reflected by hemoglobin A1c. The few existing interventions involving resistance exercise, either alone or combined with aerobic exercise, while small in sample size, have had better outcomes. The purpose of this research program was to examine the changes in blood glucose levels during activity and for 24 hours post-exercise (as measured by continuous glucose monitoring) when resistance exercise is performed, either on its own or combined with aerobic exercise, as compared to aerobic exercise alone or no exercise. Twelve physically active individuals with type 1 diabetes performed 5 separate exercise sessions in random order separated by at least five days: 1) no exercise/control; 2) aerobic exercise (45 minutes of treadmill running at 60% VO2peak); 3) resistance exercise (45 minutes of weight lifting – 3 sets of 8 repetitions of 7 different exercises); 4) aerobic then resistance exercise (2 and 3 combined with the aerobic exercise first); 5) resistance then aerobic exercise (2 and 3 combined with the resistance exercise first). We found that resistance exercise was associated with a lower risk of hypoglycemia during exercise, less carbohydrate intake during exercise, less post-exercise hyperglycemia and more frequent (but less severe) nocturnal hypoglycemia than aerobic exercise. When aerobic and resistance exercise were combined, performing resistance exercise prior to aerobic exercise (rather than the reverse) resulted in attenuated declines in blood glucose during aerobic exercise, accompanied by a lower need for carbohydrate supplementation during exercise and a trend towards milder post-exercise nocturnal hypoglycemia.

Mechanical unloading has deleterious effects on the musculoskeletal system and results in significant reductions in bone density, mass, and strength, which do not fully recover even years after returning to weightbearing. For example, the rate of bone loss in microgravity is 10-fold more rapid than the rate of loss seen in elderly Caucasian females, the population group most predisposed to osteoporosis. This raises concern with individuals who are exposed to multiple bed rest periods or crewmembers who make repeated missions. Exercise offers a way to reduce or reverse these effects. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) densitometry and bone mineral density (BMD) alone are generally insufficient for capturing the complex changes in bone mass, structure, and integrity and not an accurate predictor of fracture risk. Therefore, it is essential to measure the mechanical properties of bone tissue directly using animal models. The hindlimb unloaded (HU) rat model is a well-established ground-based analog for studying bone response to disuse and effects of spaceflight. The current study is one of the very few that has measured longitudinally densitometric and mechanical properties of bone after repeated simulated microgravity and long-term recovery at multiple anatomic sites in skeletally mature rats. The specific aims were to characterize 1) loss and recovery dynamics of bone following a period of unloading, 2) bone response after a second exposure to 28 days of HU, following an initial 28 days of HU and a recovery period equal to twice the duration of initial exposure, and 3) effects of resistance exercise during recovery period following an initial HU exposure and its effects on a subsequent exposure. In general, our data showed that bone response to unloading and recovery is site-specific. More specifically, we found that: 1) the rat proximal tibia metaphysis modeled the loss and discordant recovery dynamics as seen in the International Space Station (ISS) crewmembers proximal femur better than the rat femoral neck; 2) the initial exposure to HU has minimal effect on the subsequent HU exposure, and detrimental effects of the second HU exposure were milder than the initial due to reduced mechanosensitivity of the bone; 3) exercise significantly enhanced recovery following the initial HU exposure, and losses during the second exposure were not affected by exercise in most cases.

O protocolo de treinamento de força (TF) 3x15:88s (sériesxrepetições:pausa entre as séries) é usualmente recomendado para hipertensos. Durante a execução dos protocolos de TF a pressão arterial (PA) se eleva expressivamente, o que pode gerar um risco de eventos cardiovasculares indesejados ao hipertenso. A manipulação da densidade de treinamento pode ser uma forma de amenizar esses picos de PA sem alterar o volume ou a intensidade do protocolo de TF. Objetivo: Comparar o efeito agudo da execução de dois protocolos de TF equalizados em densidade sobre as respostas cardiovasculares em hipertensos medicados. Materiais e Métodos: 12 hipertensos essenciais (48±8 anos) executaram dois protocolos de TF equalizados em densidade em dias diferentes e de forma aleatória: A)- 3x15:88s e B)- 9x5:22s com a intensidade de 50%1RM, em dois diferentes exercícios, extensão bilateral de joelhos (EBJ) e flexão unilateral de cotovelo (FUC). Os dois protocolos continham o mesmo número de repetições (45rep) e a mesma duração total de pausa (176s). A PA e frequência cardíaca (FC) foram constantemente monitoradas. Também foi medida a concentração de lactato, a percepção subjetiva de esforço (PSE) e a de recuperação (PSR). Resultados: A ANOVA de dois fatores (protocolo e tempo) revelou maiores deltas de PA sistólica (PAS) no protocolo 3x15:88s tanto no EBJ (+84±39 vs +67±20 mmHg) quanto no FUC (+46±25 vs +37±18 mmHg). Já a PA diastólica (+58±37 vs +39±13 mmHg) também foi maior no protocolo 3x15:88s, mas apenas no EBJ. O protocolo 3x15:88s apresentou maior PSE no EBJ e maior concentração de lactato no FUC. Além disso, os dois protocolos de TF geraram o mesmo estresse cardiovascular médio demonstrado pelo cálculo da área sob a curva de PA a cada batimento cardíaco. Conclusão: O protocolo 9x5:22s foi mais eficaz em reduzir o pico de PA do que o protocolo com característica aos recomendados aos hipertensos. Assim, a aplicação desse protocolo reduz o risco de eventos cardiovasculares indesejados / resistance exercise (RE) protocol composed of 3x15:88s (setsxreps:rest) is usually recommended for hypertensive individuals. During the execution of RE protocols, the blood pressure (BP) rises significantly, which can generate a high risk of cardiovascular events. Manipulation of the work:rest ratio may be a strategy to decrease BP peaks without altering the total work provided by the RE protocol. Objective: To compare the acute effect of two RE protocols equated by work : rest ratio on cardiovascular responses in medicated hypertensive volunteers. Materials and Methods: 12 subjects (48±8 y) performed two RE protocols equated by work:rest ratio on different days and in random order: A)- 3x15:88s and B)- 9x5:22s with the intensity of 50%1RM in two different exercises, bilateral knee extension (BKE) and unilateral elbow flexion (UEF). The two RE protocols contained the same number of reps (45 reps) and the same total rest duration (176s). Blood pressure and heart rate (HR) were continuously monitored. Blood lactate concentration, rate of perceived exertion (RPE) and rate of perceived recovery (RPR) were also measured. Results: The two-way ANOVA (protocol and time) revealed higher systolic BP delta (SBP) in the 3x15:88s protocol in both BKE (+84±39 vs. +67±20 mmHg) and UEF (+46±25 vs. +37±18 mmHg) exercises. The diastolic BP (DBP) was higher in the 3x15:88s protocol only in the BKE (+58±37 vs 39±13 mmHg). In addition, the 3x15:88s protocol showed higher RPE in the BKE and higher lactate concentration in the UEF. Furthermore, the two protocols generate the same mean cardiovascular stress demonstrate by the blood pressure area under the curve. Conclusion: The protocol 9x5:22s was more effective in reducing the peak of BP than a protocol with the characteristics recommended to hypertensive patients (3x15:88s). Thus, the application of this protocol reduces the risk of cardiovascular events

Introdução. A prática regular do exercício de força (EF) está associada a adaptações metabólicas, neuromusculares e cardiovasculares que repercutem de maneira positiva sobre a saúde e qualidade de vida de seus praticantes. No entanto, Indivíduos sedentários apresentam comprometimentos agudos na função endotelial após EF de alta intensidade. Objetivo. Avaliar a função endotelial de indivíduos sedentários de meia idade em resposta a diferentes intensidades do EF. Métodos. 11 indivíduos sedentários (40,1±3,9 anos; 27,3±1,4 kg/m2) realizaram EF em três condições experimentais: extensão de joelhos a 50% de 1RM (MI), 80% de 1RM (AI) e repouso na condição controle (CON). Foi realizada avaliação da vasodilatação mediada pelo fluxo (FMD) antes, 30 minutos após e 60 minutos após os protocolos. A quantificação das concentrações de NO2 e NO3 (NOx), endotelina-1 (ET-1) e TBARS foram realizadas antes, imediatamente após e 60 minutos após os protocolos. A pressão arterial foi mensurada antes e após os protocolos Resultados. A FMD aumentou significativamente 30 minutos após o exercício na condição MI (12,5± 4,10 para 17,2±3,9 %; p=0,01) bem como os níveis de NOx (6,8± 3,3 vs. 12,6± 4,2μM; p= 0,007). A concentração de ET-1 aumentou imediatamente após na condição AI (20,02±2,2 vs. 25,4± 2,1pg/ml; p= 0,004). A elevação da pressão arterial não diferiu entre as condições MI e AI. As concentrações de TBARS não se alteraram ao longo dos protocolos. Conclusão. O EF de moderada intensidade aumenta a FMD e os níveis NOx após uma sessão aguda de exercício em indivíduos sedentários de meia idade, estes resultados sugerem que menores intensidades do EF são mais seguras ao iniciar um programa de exercícios. / Regular resistance exercise (RE) is associated with metabolic, neuromuscular and cardiovascular adaptation that results in improvement of quality of life and health. However, sedentary subjects have been showing an acute impairment on endothelial function after high intensity resistance exercise. The aim of this study was to evaluate the endothelial function in sedentary middle age men after RE in different intensities. Methods. Eleven middle age sedentary men (40,1±3,9 years; 27,3±1,4 kg/m2) performed RE in three different conditions: knee extension at 50% of one 1RM (MI), at 80% of 1RM (HI) and rest in the control group (CON). Flow mediated dilation (FMD) was assessed before, 30 and 60 minutes of exercise. Venus plasma concentration of ET-1 NOx and TBARS were measured before, immediately after and 60 minutes after exercise. Blood pressure was evaluated before and after exercise. Results. There was a significant improvement in FMD 30 minutes after exercise in the MI condition (12,5± 4,10 vs 17,2±3,9%; p= 0,016; p=0,01). The plasma NOx concentration was significant higher immediately after MI (6,8± 3,3 vs. 12,6± 4,2μM; p= 0,007). There was a significant improvement in the plasma ET-1 concentration immediately after HI (20,02±2,2 vs. 25,4± 2,1pg/ml; p= 0,004). There was no significant difference in the BP between the experimental conditions (MI vs HI) and TBARS throughout the experimental conditions. Conclusions. Resistance exercise performed in moderate intensity improve endothelial function in sedentary middle aged men, there results suggest that lower intensities of RE could be safe for this population in the beginning of the exercise programs.

O objetivo da presente tese foi investigar os efeitos da ordem das modalidades de treino de força e aeróbico nas adaptações neuromusculares e cardiorrespiratórias ao treinamento concorrente em idosos. Vinte seis homens idosos saudáveis (64,7 ± 4,1 anos) foram distribuídos em 2 grupos de treino concorrente: treino de força executado antes do treino aeróbico (GFA, n=13), e treino aeróbico executado antes do treino de força (GAF, n = 13). Os indivíduos treinaram 12 semanas, 3 vezes por semana executando os dois tipos de treinamento na mesma sessão. A espessura muscular (EM) de membros superiores (músculos do quadríceps) e inferiores (flexores do cotovelo) foram mensuradas com a técnica de ultrasonografia. Foram avaliados a força de membros superiores (flexores do cotovelo) e inferiores (extensores do joelho) com o teste de uma repetição máxima (1RM), o pico de torque isométrico (PTiso) dos extensores e flexores do joelho, e a taxa de produção de força (TPF) dos extensores do joelho em um dinamômetro isocinético. Além disso, a tensão específica foi avaliada através do quociente entre os valores de 1RM/2 e o somatório dos valores de EM do quadríceps. A atividade neuromuscular máxima e a economia neuromuscular (valores root mean square obtidos a 50% do PTiso normalizados pela atividade neuromuscular máxima) dos músculos vasto lateral (VL) e reto femoral (RF) foram avaliadas com eletromiografia (EMG) de superfície. O consumo de oxigênio de pico (VO2pico), a potência máxima (Wmáx), os limiares ventilatórios absolutos (LV1 e LV2) e relativos (LV1% e LV2%) e as potências nos limiares (WLV1 e WLV2) foram avaliadas em um teste incremental em ciclo ergômetro. Ambos os grupos aumentaram os valores de 1RM e a tensão específica de membros inferiores (P<0,001), mas os aumentos foram maiores no grupo GFA do que em GAF [(35,1 ± 12,8 vs. 21,9 ± 10,6%, respectivamente, P<0,01) e (27,5 ± 12,7 vs. 15,2 ± 10,3%, respectivamente P<0,02)]. Ambos os grupos aumentaram os valores de 1RM de membros superiores (P<0,001), o PTiso dos flexores e extensores do joelho (P<0,001), TPF dos extensores do joelho (P<0,05), a EM dos extensores do joelho e flexores do cotovelo (P<0,001), a atividade neuromuscular máxima do VL e RF (P<0,01 a 0,05) e a economia neuromuscular do VL (P<0,001), sem diferenças entre os grupos. A economia neuromuscular do RF melhorou somente em GFA (P<0,01) e esse aumento foi maior (P<0,05) que em GAF. Houve aumento no VO2pico (P<0,001), na Wmáx, (P<0,001) e na WLV2 (P<0,001) em GAF e GFA, sem diferenças entre os grupos. Somente o grupo GFA aumentou a WLV1 (P<0,05). Não houve modificações nos valores de LV1, LV2, LV1% e LV2% nos grupos. A execução do treinamento concorrente com o treino de força realizado antes do treino aeróbico resulta em maiores ganhos na força máxima e economia neuromuscular dos membros inferiores, bem como resulta em maiores ganhos na potência do primeiro limiar ventilatório. / The aim of this study was investigate the effects of different intra-session exercise orders in the neuromuscular and cardiorespiratory adaptations induced by concurrent training in elderly. Twenty-six healthy elderly men (64.7 ± 4.1 years), were placed into two concurrent training groups: strength prior to (GFA, n=13) or after (GAF, n=13) endurance training. Subjects trained strength and endurance training during 12 weeks, three times per week performing both exercise types in the same training session. Upper and lower body muscle thickness (MT) were determined by ultrasonography. Upper (elbow flexors) and lower body (knee extensors) one maximum repetition test (1RM), lower-body isometric peak torque (PTiso) and rate of force development (RFD) of knee extensors were evaluated as strength parameters. In addition, the specific tension was evaluated by the quotient between knee extensors 1RM/2 and the quadríceps femoris MT. Lower-body maximal electromyographic activity and the neuromuscular economy (root mean square values at 50% of pre training PTiso normalized by maxima neuromuscular activity) of vastus lateralis (VL) and rectus femoris (RF) muscles were determined by surface electromyography. The peak oxygen uptake (VO2peak), maximum aerobic workload (Wmáx), absolute (VT1 and VT2) and relative (VT1% and VT2%) ventilatory thresholds, as well as workloads at VT1 and VT2 (WVT1 and WVT2) were evaluated during a maximal incremental test on a cycle ergometer. Both GFA and GAF increased the lower-body 1RM and specific tension, but the increases observed in the GFA were greater than GAF [(35.1 ± 12.8 vs. 21.9 ± 10.6%, respectively, P<0.01) and (27.5 ± 12.7 vs. 15.2 ± 10.3%, respectively, P<0.02)]. In addition, GFA and GAF increased upper-body 1RM, PTiso of knee extensors and flexors (P<0.001), RFD of knee extensors (P<0.05), MT of elbow flexors and knee extensors (P<0.001), maximal neuromuscular activity of VL and RF (P<0.01 to 0.05), and, neuromuscular economy of VL (P<0.001), with no differences between groups. The neuromuscular economy of RF was improved only in GFA (P<0.01) and this increase was greater that GAF (P<0.05). There were increases in the VO2peak (P<0.001), Wmáx (P<0.001) and WVT2 (P<0.001), with no difference between GFA and GAF. Only GFA increased the WVT1 (P<0.05). There were no modifications after training in the VT1, VT2, VT1%, and VT2%. Performing strength prior to endurance exercise during concurrent training resulted in greater maximal strength gains and neuromuscular economy of lower-body, as well as greater changes in the in the power at first ventilatory threshold.