There is an increasing recognition that vascular disease risk is associated with a greater incidence of cognitive impairment and dementia. Such link is supported by the physiological observation that cerebral metabolism heavily relies on vascular supply of oxygen and energy substrates. Cerebral hypoperfusion which results from vascular dysfunction causes a mismatch between energy demand and supply and is associated with the pathological features of dementia, including the impairments of action potential generation and protein synthesis, glutamatergic excitotoxicity, and the deposition of cerebral amyloid-β proteins. In contrast, habitual aerobic exercise is an established strategy to ameliorate the risk factors for vascular disease and is increasingly recognized in improving cognitive function. Accordingly, the primary purpose of this dissertation study was to investigate whether the exercise-related improvement in cognitive function was attributable to ameliorated vascular function and risk factors for vascular disease. In order to address this as comprehensively as we could, both cross-sectional and interventional studies were conducted. The primary findings from the present study were as follows. In the cross-sectional study, a greater cognitive performance observed in endurance-trained adults was associated with higher levels of cerebral CO2 reactivity and brachial endothelium-dependent vasodilation and lower levels of central arterial stiffness and plasma insulin. In the interventional study, a 3-month aerobic exercise training intervention did not improve cognitive function although central arterial stiffness and brachial endothelium-dependent vasodilation made favorable changes. However, we found that the improvement in memory performance after aerobic exercise training was associated with the reduction in central systolic blood pressure. Taken together, a better cognitive performance observed in endurance-trained adults may not directly be attributable to greater vascular function because there were discrepant changes in cognitive and vascular functions after a 3-month aerobic exercise intervention. The correlation between the changes in memory performance and central systolic blood pressure is interesting but needs further investigation using a larger sample size. The discrepancy in the results between the cross-sectional and interventional studies could be explained by the duration of exercise training and/or the time it takes for the effect of improved vascular function to translate into cognitive function. / text

A growing body of literature suggests that higher levels of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness, as well as an alternative treatment such as low level laser therapy (LLLT), have beneficial effects on cognition, while sedentary lifestyle-induced obesity and vascular risk negatively influence cognition. However, the relationship between cardiorespiratory fitness and vascular risk on cognitive function and the effect of an acute bout of very vigorous aerobic exercise (acute exercise) on cognitive performance has not yet been investigated. Additionally, the effects of combined acute exercise and LLLT treatments on cognitive performance have not yet been characterized. Therefore, the goal of this dissertation was to conduct a series of three research studies ranging from a cross-sectional exploratory study about the association of cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity, and vascular risk on cognitive function, to an experimentally designed study that compared the effects of acute exercise, LLLT, and the combination of these two treatments on cognitive performance in young adults. Study1 examined the relationship among cardiorespiratory fitness (maximal oxygen consumption, VO2max), obesity indices (body mass index, BMI; waist circumstance), and vascular risk (C-reactive protein; CRP). Cognitive function included crystalized intelligence (Kaufman Brief Intelligence Test; KBIT), executive functions of inhibition (Stroop test), switching (Trail making test; TMT), attention (Psychomotor Vigilance Task; PVT), and working memory (Delayed-Match-to-Sample, DMS). Study 2 determined the effect of acute exercise on cognitive performance including executive response inhibition (Stroop test) and response switching (TMT) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF). Study 3 compared the effectiveness of LLLT and acute exercise on cognitive performance, which included attention (PVT) and working memory (DMS). Results demonstrated there was a beneficial effect of physical exercise-induced improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness on vascular risk and cognitive functions particularly in working memory and inhibitory control (Study1). Acute exercise improved performance in inhibitory control and increased the BNDF level compared to the control condition, suggesting the acute exercise-induced the increase in BDNF level may be at least in part of mediating the cognitive performance improvement (Study 2). All three conditions (acute exercise, LLLT, or the combination) improved performance in attention and working memory, as measured by reaction time and response accuracy, when compared to a control group. Specially, the combined group showed a trend of greater improvement in attention and worming memory performance (Study 3). Taken together, the results of this research series suggest that acute exercise and LLLT can improve cognitive performance, which is also mediated by health indices including cardiorespiratory fitness, obesity, and vascular risk. It is anticipated that these findings will make substantive contributions to the empirical literature concerning the beneficial effect of exercise and LLLT on cognitive health in young adults, given the current paucity of research. / text

Objectives: Men who receive androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) for prostate cancer (PCa) are at risk of several adverse effects that can be detrimental to both their physical and mental health. Common adverse effects include weight gain, muscle wasting, cardiovascular morbidity, fatigue and impaired quality of life (QOL). This study tested whether a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program can alleviate some of these symptoms in men receiving ADT. Design: Men with PCa, aged 50-80 years, receiving ADT were recruited to participate in this prospective randomized controlled trial. Subjects were assigned to a usual care group (UCG) or an exercise intervention group (EIG). The EIG completed a 16 week combined aerobic and resistance exercise program. Outcomes measures were assessed at baseline, 16 weeks, and 24 weeks and included: cardio-respiratory fitness; muscle strength and endurance; body composition; and reports of QOL, fatigue, mood, partner relations, and exercise behaviour. Results: Fifteen men were recruited to this study, but two participants in the EIG did not finish the study leaving the EIG with an n = 6 and the UCG with an n = 7. The exercise program did not lead to changes in weight, BMI or body fat. There was a small, close to significant, increase in muscle mass in the EIG over the intervention period (p = 0.052). This is encouraging as it demonstrates that exercise can counteract the catabolic effects of ADT. Interestingly, cardio-respiratory fitness improved over the course of the study for both groups. Muscular fitness, however, improved only for the EIG. There was a significant difference in chest press strength (p = 0.041) and leg press strength was bordering significance (p = 0.058). Unexpectedly, QOL declined for both groups during the intervention (p = 0.029). Participants in both groups also reported increased levels of fatigue from baseline to 24 weeks, although these changes were not significant (p = 0.586). Mood worsened over the study period for both groups from baseline to 16 weeks, but this increase in anxiety and depression was reduced at the follow-up period. These changes, too, were not significant (p = 0.364). Reports of partner relationships trended towards lower scores from baseline to 16 weeks. The men’s report in both groups and the women’s report in the EIG improved at the 24 week mark, but women in the UCG experienced further decline. Surprisingly, participants in both groups reported increases in exercise behaviour from baseline to 24 weeks. This could account for the lack of difference found in many of the measures. The power of this study was 0.22. Conclusion: Although this was a small study, it showed that a combined aerobic and resistance exercise program can have some positive benefits for men with PCa who are receiving ADT. Larger trials are needed to further examine the role of exercise in ameliorating the side effects of ADT, particularly in the areas of mood and partner relationships.

The purpose of this thesis was to examine changes in the expression of translation regulatory proteins following both an acute bout of endurance exercise and chronic muscle contractile activity. In experiment 1, female Sprague-Dawley rats ran for 2 h at 15 m/min followed by an increase in speed of 5 m/min every 5 min until volitional fatigue. Red gastrocnemius muscle was harvested from non-exercised animals (control), immediately following cessation of exercise (0 h) and after 3 hours of recovery (3 h). Compared to control, rpS6 mRNA was elevated (p < .05) at both 0 h (+32%) and 3 h (+47%). Both eIF2Bε (+127%) and mTOR mRNA (+44%) were higher than control at 3 h, while eIF4E decreased (-24%) immediately following exercise (p < .05). Phosphorylation of mTOR (+40%) and S6K1 (+266%) also increased immediately post-exercise (p < .05). In experiment 2, female Sprague-Dawley rats underwent chronic stimulation of the peroneal nerve continuously for 7 days. The red gastrocnemius muscle was removed 24 h following cessation of the stimulation. Chronic muscle stimulation up-regulated (P < .05) mTOR protein (+74%), rpS6 (+31%), and eIF2α (+44%, P < .07), and this was accompanied by an increase in cytochrome C (+31%). Phosphorylation of rpS6 (Ser235/Ser236) was increased (+51%, P < .05), while mTOR (Ser2448) and 4E-BP1 (Thr37/46) did not change. These experiments demonstrate that acute and chronic endurance contractile activity up-regulate the mTOR signalling pathway and mitochondrial content in murine skeletal muscle. This up-regulation of the mTOR pathway may increase translation efficiency and may also represent an important control point in exercise mediated mitochondrial biogenesis. / Thesis (Master, Kinesiology & Health Studies) -- Queen's University, 2012-10-02 13:35:04.072

The incidence of stroke is increasing and is expected to continue to increase with the aging population, escalating rates of obesity and physical inactivity, and the rising prevalence of heart failure. Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability, which includes approximately half of survivors that experience cognitive impairment. It is accepted that aerobic exercise can improve physical health in both healthy and stroke populations. Evidence also suggests aerobic exercise may positively affect cognitive function among healthy adults; however, whether there are similar beneficial effects among stroke survivors remains unclear. The purpose of this thesis was to examine whether a single session of moderate intensity aerobic exercise acutely improves cognitive function, specifically executive function, in comparison to a rest control among people with chronic stroke. Our first objective was to determine whether aerobic exercise alters cortical processing, as measured by P300 amplitude and latency during a modified Eriksen Flanker task. The second objective was to investigate whether aerobic exercise influences behavioral measures of response time and accuracy during a modified Eriksen Flanker task. Finally, the third objective was to examine the time course of effects up to 40 minutes after exercise cessation. In our sample, participants had shorter P300 latency and larger P300 amplitude 20 to 40 minutes after exercise cessation in comparison to rest. There were no significant behavioural changes. These findings suggest that aerobic exercise may enhance, or at least maintain cognitive processing speed and attention 20 to 40 minutes after exercise cessation, which otherwise deteriorated in the rest condition. Although results should be viewed cautiously due to a small sample size, these findings have potential implications for stroke rehabilitation. Our results suggest that aerobic exercise may be able to improve attentional focus during subsequent rehabilitation exercises for up to 40 minutes or more. Future research should examine whether the effects of various exercise doses and whether paired exercise and rehabilitation improves clinical outcomes.

Increasing evidence supports the use of physical activity for modifying brain activity and overall neurological health (Hillman et al, 2008). Specifically, aerobic exercise appears to improve cognitive efficacy with regards to decisional oddball tasks shown through the P300, whose amplitude and latency is augmented (Magnié et al., 2000). Furthermore, the effects of an acute bout of aerobic exercise on cardiovascular function are well established and are sustained following exercise cessation. Based on these findings, we proposed that (1) an acute bout of exercise may modulate movement-related cortical excitability within motor areas and (2) that transient effects would be sustained as long as heart rate (HR) remained elevated. Subjects (n=23) were placed in a soundproof booth and instructed to perform a self-paced unimanual ballistic wrist extension every 3-6 seconds of the right wrist while holding a moveable handle. The motion involved a brisk contraction followed by relaxation and positional reset, collected continuously for approximately 8 minutes. Electroencephalography was used to measure movement-related cortical activity of the Bereitschaftspotential (BP) time-locked to onset of muscle activity associated with movement. The BP is a slow negative self-paced movement related cortical potential that precedes movement by approximately 1500ms. Current work commonly separates the BP into 3 main components early, late, and re-afferent Potentials. The early BP is representative of motor preparation of supplementary motor area (SMA) activity while the late component is representative of motor execution from primary motor cortex (M1). Early and late components are often distinguished by a a characteristic change in slope; where the early BP is a slow negative rise and the late components a steeper negative deflection beginning approximately 500ms prior to movement onset. Broken down further the late component consists of a portion of negative slope before giving rise to a peak approximately 100ms after movement onset known as the motor potential (MP). Following baseline measures, subjects performed 20 minutes of aerobic exercise at a moderate intensity (70% of age-predicted maximum heart rate) on a recumbent cycle ergometer. After the cessation of exercise, BP measures were recorded at two time points: immediately post-exercise (Post) and following a return to iv baseline HR (Post[Rest]) and two additional measures separated by 15 minutes each (Post[Rest2] and Post[Rest3]) which was, on average, 45 minutes after the cessation of exercise. Electromyography (EMG) was employed over the extensor carpi radialis muscle belly to describe muscle burst activity and onset characteristics. Results determined that Early but not Late BP was influenced by aerobic exercise. This early movement related cortical adaptation is indicative of enhanced processing within supplementary motor area. Moreover, this effect was sustained for up to an hour and 15 minutes following exercise cessation. This data is suggestive that aerobic exercise influences on motor related cortical excitability is not driven by an aerobic exercise effect and is more indicative of a delayed neurotransmitter effect.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:32:56Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2003Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T19:03:44Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 barrile_sr_dr_bot_fm.pdf: 340218 bytes, checksum: 6db42e0fd87a6119e02905303bcdaee0 (MD5) / O exercício físico aeróbio tem sido proposto como medida não medicamentosa para o tratamento da hipertensão. Apesar de existirem trabalhos científicos realizados nesta área, pouco se sabe a respeito do acompanhamento de indivíduos hipertensos em campo aberto, em seu dia-a-dia e sobre a resposta a programas oferecidos em clínicas e hospitais. O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar a variação pressórica e bioquímica, em indivíduos hipertensos essenciais, medicados, submetidos a treinamento com exercícios aeróbios acompanhados num programa de atendimento ao paciente hipertenso, na Clínica-escola da Fisioterapia da Universidade do Sagrado Coração, na cidade de Bauru, de 1997 a 2002. Foram incluídos neste estudo 42 indivíduos adultos hipertensos essenciais, de leve a moderado (140mmHg £ PAS £ 179mmHg e/ou 90mmHg £ PAD £ 109mmHg), medicados, sedentários, de 57,9 l 8,18 anos. Foram realizadas, pré e pós-treinamento físico, avaliações antropométricas, análise bioquímica (colesterol total e frações, triglicerídeos, glicose, sódio, potássio, cálcio, creatinina, uréia e ácido úrico) e pressórica em, pelo menos, 3 medidas da pressão arterial em dias diferentes. O protocolo do programa consistiu de sessões em 40 minutos de atividade física de 60 a 85% da freqüência cardíaca máxima, precedido por aquecimento e, posteriormente, alongamento e relaxamento, por, pelo menos, 12 semanas. Realizou-se análise estatística de 42 indivíduos e subgrupos de acordo com a freqüência semanal. Para variáveis paramétricas foi utilizado teste t-student, e, para variáveis não paramétricas foram utilizados Wilcoxon, para amostras dependentes e Mann Whitney, para amostras independentes. A análise estatística foi feita utilizando-se o programa StatView 5 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). Houve diminuição significativa da pressão arterial sistólica... / The aerobic exercise has been proposed as a non-medication treatment for hypertension. Although there are scientific researches done this area, little is known about the follow-up of the free-living hypertensives and the feedback to controlled program offered in clinics and hospitals. The objective of this study was to analyse of the blood pressure and biochemical variations, in hypertension medicated individuals, submitted aerobic exercises in a hypertension program developed at the clinic-school of physiotherapy from Universidade do Sagrado Coração, in the city of Bauru, from 1997 to 2002. Forty-two light-to-moderate-hypertensive (140 mmHg = SBP = 179 mmHg and/or 90 mmHg = DBP = 109 mmHg) and sedentary adults, aged from 57,9l8,18 years old were studied and medicated. Anthropometrics assessment, blood pressure verification at least 3 times a week in different days, biochemical analysis (total cholesterol and fractions, triglyceride, glucose, sodium, potassium, calcium, creatinine, urea and uric acid) were made before and after controlled physical exercises. The protocol of the program consisted of 40-minute sessions of physical activity from 60% to 85% of the maximum Heart Rate (HR), preceded by warming up session and followed by stretching and relaxing sessions, for period of 12 weeks. Statistic analysis was done in 42 individuals and in subgroups according to their weekly attendance. The T-student test was used for parametric variables. Wilcoxon for dependent non-parametric samples, and Mann Whitney for independent samples. The statistical analysis was done using the program Stat View 5 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC). There was a significant decrease in the Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) from 132,47l11,43 to 125,8l8,39 mmHg and Diastolic BP, as well as the glycemia, total cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, and triglyceride of the individuals... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Master of Science / Department of Human Nutrition / Sara K. Rosenkranz / Background: High-fat meals (HFM) have been shown to increase postprandial lipemia (PPL) and inflammation. Acute exercise both pre and post-meal has been shown to attenuate PPL and inflammation. However, studies examining the interaction of HFMs and exercise on PPL and inflammation have used meal and exercise conditions more extreme than typical for average adults. The purpose of this study was to determine if moderate intensity exercise following a "true-to-life" HFM would attenuate PPL and inflammation. Methods: Participants were thirty-nine young adults (18-40 years) with no known metabolic disease. Inclusion criteria consisted of participants meeting physical activity guidelines of ≥ 150 min/week of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity or ≥ 75 min/week of vigorous activity, or < 30 min of planned physical activity per week. Participants were block randomized to EX or CON groups. Participants consumed a HFM of 10 kcal/kgbw. The EX group walked at 60% VO[subscript 2peak] to expend ≈ 5 kcal/kgbw beginning one-hour following the HFM. The CON group remained sedentary during the postprandial period. Blood samples were collected at baseline and 2, and 4hrs postprandially. Results: At baseline, there were no differences between EX and CON groups for any metabolic or inflammatory markers (p>0.05). Postprandial TRG increased ≈ 100% (p<0.001) in both groups, with no differences between groups. HDL concentrations decreased across time in both groups (p<0.001) with no differences between groups (p=0.338). HDL was higher in the EX group at 2hrs (p=0.047), but not 4hrs (p=0.135). IL-6 and TNF-α concentrations did not change over time with no differences between groups (p>0.05). The EX group increased sVCAM-1 from baseline to 4hr (p=0.003), while the CON group did not. Change in TRG was associated with change IL-6, IL-8, IL-10 and TNF-α from baseline to 2hrs when controlling for VO[subscript 2peak] and body fat%. No other associations were seen between change scores for TRG and inflammatory markers. Conclusions: Despite significant increases in PPL following a HFM, moderate intensity exercise in the postprandial period did not mitigate the PPL nor the inflammatory response to the HFM. These results indicate PPL and inflammation following a HFM are not directly related in a young, healthy population with low metabolic risk.

abstract: Background: Stroke is a leading cause of long-term disability in the United States (US). Assisted Cycling Therapy (ACT) incorporates the use of an electric motor to enhance the rotations per minute (rpm). ACT of about 80 rpm, has been associated with improvements in motor, cognitive, and clinical function. The acute effects of ACT on motor and cognitive function of persons with stroke induced deficits have not been investigated. Purpose: To compare the acute effects of ACT, voluntary cycling (VC), and no cycling (NC) on upper and lower extremity motor function and executive function in adults with chronic stroke (age: 60 ± 16 years; months since stroke: 96 ± 85). Methods: Twenty-two participants (gender: female = 6, male = 16; types: ischemic = 12, hemorrhagic = 10; sides: left lesion = 15, right lesion = 7) completed one session of ACT, one session of VC and one session of NC on separate days using a 3 x 3 crossover design. Results: ACT lead to greater improvements in lower and upper extremity function on the paretic and non-paretic side than VC or NC (all p < 0.05), except in the non-paretic lower extremity where ACT and VC produced similar improvement (both p < 0.05). ACT and VC, but not NC, were associated with improvements in inhibition (p < 0.05). A positive relationship between cadence and motor function (P < 0.05) was found. Ratings of perceived exertion shared an inverted-U shaped relationship with measures of processing speed (p < 0.05) and a negative linear relationship with measures of executive function (p < 0.05). Conclusion: ACT appears to benefit paretic and non-paretic motor function globally whereas the benefits of VC are more task specific. Faster cycling cadence was associated with greater improvements in global motor function. ACT and VC seem to carry similar acute benefits in inhibition. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Physical Activity, Nutrition and Wellness 2017

This thesis investigated the cost-effectiveness of a 12-month supervised aerobic walking program with or without a behavioural intervention and an educational pamphlet, compared to an unsupervised/self-directed educational pamphlet intervention, among individuals with moderate osteoarthritis (OA) of the knee. Analyses included an economic evaluation to assess the cost effectiveness of the two walking interventions from both the societal and Canadian provincial/territorial health care payer perspectives. A value of information analysis exploring the potential value of future research was also performed. Results revealed that the unsupervised/self-directed intervention was the most cost-effective approach given that it cost the least to implement and participants had higher quality-adjusted life years (QALYs). Walking, either supervised in a community setting, or unsupervised in a setting such as the home, may be a favourable non-pharmacological option for the management of OA of the knee. The thesis concludes with a policy discussion relating to the funding of non-pharmacological therapies.