Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) is hallmarked by inflammatory immune activation, particularly by the induction of a response by monocytes. Classical (CD14++CD16-) are anti-inflammatory mediators under homeostatic conditions, while intermediate (CD14++CD16+) and non-classical (CD14LowCD16++) monocytes promote inflammation following activation. Monocyte activation and functionality is dependent upon receptor expression and ligand production by a variety of cells, including monocytes. Alterations in the expression of surface receptors often have a direct impact upon monocyte function, such as the increased pro-inflammatory cytokine production in response to activation that accompanies elevated CD14 expression or increased chemotaxis that is elicited by increased CCR2 expression. Ligand-receptor interactions also play a significant role in cell fate, including survival, proliferation, and differentiation. Monocytes are capable of differentiating into phagocytic cells known as macrophages in response to specific ligand-receptor interactions. Macrophages play a significant role in the pathogenesis and progression of CVD. Imbalance between pro-inflammatory M1 and anti-inflammatory M2 macrophages can to lead disease development and progression, such as the skewing toward the M1 phenotype that occurs in CVD. Elucidation of these mechanisms will allow for the development of targeted interventions, including pharmacological and non-pharmacological physical interventions, such as physical exercise. Therefore, this dissertation investigates the role of CD14 and CCR2 monocyte subset receptors that impact immune-mediated inflammation following ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) as well as physical activity and cardiorespiratory endurance related differences in the acute exercise response of monocyte signaling, recruitment, and macrophage polarization and their potential role in CVD prevention.

Spinal manipulative therapy (SMT) is a therapeutic procedure employed by various healthcare practitioners for alleviating acute and chronic musculoskeletal complaints. This form of treatment is also delivered to enhance the performance and augment the rehabilitation of athletes. However, despite research findings alleging the strength-modulating effects of SMT alongside numerous professional athletes’ positive anecdotal claims concerning its results, the physiological processes to explain its effects remain largely unexplained. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to investigate the effects of SMT in a college-aged sample population with two experiments. The first study examined the effect of SMT targeting the lumbosacral region on concentric force production of the knee extensors and flexors. A randomized, controlled, single-blind crossover design was utilized with 21 subjects. Isometric and isokinetic peak torques (Nm) were recorded during maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC) or maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) post-treatment of either SMT or a sham manipulation. The second study incorporated the same experimental design with 20 subjects to examine the effects of SMT on central nervous system (CNS) excitability. This was accomplished by assessing postactivation potentiation (PAP), measured with the Hoffmann Reflex (H-reflex). PAP is an enhanced neuromuscular response to prior contractile activity, and the H-reflex is the electromyographic (EMG) recording of submaximal electrical stimulation of the Ia monosynaptic reflex pathway. Subsequent to SMT and/or a plantar flexion MVIC, EMG amplitudes and isometric twitch torque generation of the gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were recorded during tibial nerve stimulations. The results of the first study indicate that SMT did not produce a significant strength-modulating effect during isometric and isokinetic contractions of neither knee extension nor flexion. Similarly, the second study revealed that SMT immediately preceding the MVIC to induce PAP did not significantly increase H-reflex EMG amplitudes of either muscle or the simultaneous isometric twitch torque generation compared to the MVIC only. These data from both investigations suggest that SMT does not enhance strength or PAP. The positive anecdotal claims of athletes who utilize SMT may be due to other factors, such as the clinical efficacy of the treatment in addressing musculoskeletal injuries or a placebo effect.

Made available in DSpace on 2015-07-22T20:49:21Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2009-06-24 / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Associação Fundo de Incentivo à Psicofarmacologia (AFIP) / Centros de Pesquisa, Inovação e Difusão (CEPID) / Durante o processo de envelhecimento ocorrem alterações neuroquímicas, morfológicas e funcionais, como a redução de algumas das características do sono, da quantidade da massa livre de gordura e da taxa metabólica basal. Estes fatores podem estar relacionados uma vez que a diminuição da taxa metabólica basal ocorre em conseqüência da diminuição da massa livre de gordura. O treinamento físico provavelmente pode minimizar tais efeitos e/ou trazer resultados positivos ao padrão do sono, assim como aos parâmetros da composição corporal e ao metabólico. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar os efeitos do treinamento resistido na taxa metabólica basal (TMB), na composição corporal e nos parâmetros do sono, verificando as suas possíveis relações em homens idosos. A amostra foi composta por 37 homens idosos com uma idade entre os 65 e os 75 anos, distribuídos aleatoriamente em dois grupos: o controle (GC) e o resistido (GR). O protocolo incluiu 72 sessões de treinamento resistido progressivo realizado três vezes semanais; e avaliações do metabolismo basal, da composição corporal, do sono (objetiva e subjetiva) e do consumo alimentar. Os resultados demonstraram que a força muscular aumentou em todos os grupos musculares no GR. Nas variáveis morfológicas, somente o GC aumentou a massa gorda e diminuiu a livre de gordura na avaliação final, enquanto que o GR manteve todas as variáveis da composição corporal. A TMB e o consumo energético diário não sofreram alterações em ambos os grupos ao longo das avaliações. Nas variáveis do sono, o GC aumentou o tempo total de sono, os microdespertares e o valor da escala de Pittsburgh, enquanto que o GR reduziu significativamente o percentual do estágio 1 do sono NREM. Houve associação de causa e efeito da massa livre de gordura (kg) e do estágio 1 sobre a TMB com o modelo final de regressão (TMB= 539,81 + 21,99 massa livre de gordura – 26,01 estágio 1), o que explica os 34% da variação da TMB. Em conclusão, os resultados sugeriram que o treinamento resistido, apesar de não alterar as relações entre a TMB, o sono e a composição corporal, foi efetivo para aumentar a força muscular, manter a massa livre de gordura e a TMB, e ainda melhorar a qualidade do sono em idosos saudáveis, refletindo numa qualidade de vida mais ativa para uma longevidade saudável. / During the process of aging, neurochemical, morphological and functional changes occur such as the decline of some characteristics of sleep, the amount of fat free mass and basal metabolic rate. These factors may possibly be related because the decrease in basal metabolic rate is due to the decrease in fat free mass. Physical training can possibly minimize such effects and / or bring positive results to sleep pattern, body composition and metabolism. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of resistance training on basal metabolic rate (BMR), body composition and parameters of sleep and to verify their possible relationship in elderly men. The sample consisted of 37 elderly men age 65 to 75 years randomly assigned into two groups: control (CG) and resisted (RG). The protocol included 72 sessions of progressive resistance training performed three times weekly, the evaluation of basal metabolism, body composition, sleep (objective and subjective) and food consumption. The results showed that muscle strength increased in all muscle groups in the RG. In the morphological variables, only the CG had the fat mass increased and decreased fat free mass in the final evaluation, in the other hand the RG remained with the same variables of body composition. The BMR and daily energy consumption remained unchanged in both groups during the evaluations. As far as sleep variables are concerned, the CG increased total sleep time, arousals and score of the scale of Pittsburgh, while the RG significantly reduced the percentage of stage 1 of NREM sleep. There was a chance association of the fat free mass (kg) and stage 1 for the BMR with the final model of regression (BMR = 539.81 + 21.99 mass free of fat - 26.01 stage 1), explaining 34% change in BMR. In conclusion, the results suggest that resistance training, although not altering the relationships between BMR, the sleep and body composition was effective in increasing muscle strength, keep free of fat mass and BMR and to improve the quality of sleep in healthy elderly, reflecting a quality of life more active for a healthy longevity. / FAPESP: 06/05210-0 / CEPID: 98/14303-3 / TEDE / BV UNIFESP: Teses e dissertações

Background: The ice hockey community is founded on masculine norms and values, and the hockey rink is often described as “the home of men’s ice hockey”. Despite a growing popularity, women’s ice hockey has low priority in comparison to the men’s game. On top of that, the women’s game does not allow body checking, which makes it deviant from what some see as “the real game of ice hockey”. The checking prohibition causes physiological requirements to differ from the men’s game, and since women are underrepresented in ice hockey research, not much is known regarding the physiological- and socio-cultural conditions of women’s ice hockey. The overall aim of this doctoral thesis is to investigate physiological- and socio-cultural conditions important for performance in women’s ice hockey. Methods: This thesis is unique in terms of the interdisciplinary approach between physiology and gender science, and the inclusion of studies based on both qualitative and quantitative research methods. Qualitative thematic interviews with ice hockey coaches from Sweden, Canada, and the United States were used to explore socio-cultural conditions in relation to performance and sport development (Paper I). Relative age effect (RAE) in relation to maturity status was examined through anthropometric measurements and a player questionnaire (Paper II). Physiological field- and laboratory assessments were used to investigate physiological conditions and performance in female competitive ice hockey players from Sweden (Paper III-IV), and players from Canada (Paper IV). Results: The findings from Paper I suggest that coaches need to maintain a holistic approach to coaching to be able to coordinate and optimize the effects based on available conditions. Socio-cultural conditions, such as structural and financial support, are mentioned as important to support opportunities in women’s ice hockey. Furthermore, the results (Paper I) show that female players in Canada and the United States have superior opportunities compared to female players in Sweden. These advantages are mainly attributed to the support provided by the North American education systems. The findings from Paper II suggest that the relative age effect (RAEs) in women’s hockey are also influenced by socio-cultural conditions. Significant RAE (p<.05) was found for Swedish players born in the third quartile (Q3) and for Canadian player born in the second quartile (Q2). Players born in the fourth quartile (Q4) are significantly (p<.05) underrepresentated in both countries. Players tend to be average or late maturers, but no differences can be found by country or position. The findings from Paper III show that field-based assessments are comparable to laboratory assessments with the purpose of predicting skating performance. The Prediction models accounted for 13.6 % to 42 % (laboratory-based models) and 24.4 to 66.3 % (field-based models) of the variance in skating time. Regardless of assessment method, uni-lateral assessments are superior to bi-lateral assessments. The results support the use of field-based assessments in Paper IV. The findings from Paper IV show various physiological profiles for female Swedish and Canadian players. Swedish players had less body fat (p=.007), more lean mass (p=.005), and greater aerobic fitness measured with the20-meter shuttle run beep test (p=<.001). Canadian players had greater maximal isometric leg strength (p=.026), exhibit a greater running acceleration (p=<.001), performed better in single leg standing long jumps (right leg p=.002, left leg p=.030), and showed better anaerobic endurance (p=.029) on- ice. No significant differences can be found between forwards and defenders. Conclusion: The findings of this study show that physiological- and socio-cultural conditions should both be considered in relation to performance in women’s ice hockey. For example, the various physiological profiles are probably an effect of the different socio-cultural conditions in Sweden and Canada. The Canadian profile may be better adapted to performance in ice hockey, but further research is needed to establish a relationship. Since women’s ice hockey often has somewhat limited resources, this knowledge may help optimize the effect of the available resources, and thus improve performance. Improved performance may have a positive long-term effect on the symbolic view of women’s ice hockey. Women can probably further optimize their physical performance in relation to their current conditions. But for permanent changes to occur, power structures in sport must also change. Women themselves have limited opportunities to affect the dominating gender norms and values in ice hockey. / Bakgrund: Ishockeysamhället är grundat på maskulina normer och värderingar, och hockeyrinken beskrivs ofta som "herrishockeyns hem ". Trots en växande popularitet är damishockey lågt prioriterad i jämförelse med herrishockey. Tacklingar är inte tillåtna i damishockey, vilket gör att den skiljer sig från herrishockey som ofta benämns som "riktig ishockey". Tacklingsförbudet innebär att de fysiologiska kraven förändras gentemot om tacklingar skulle vara tillåtna, och det medför att studier gjorda på herrishockey inte är generaliserbara till damishockey. Eftersom kvinnor är underrepresenterade i ishockeyforskning så saknas det kunskap om de fysiologiska såväl som sociokulturella förutsättningarna inom damishockey. Det övergripande syftet med denna doktorsavhandling är att undersöka fysiologiska och sociokulturella förhållanden som är viktiga för prestation i damishockey. Metod: Denna avhandling är unik när det gäller det tvärvetenskapliga tillvägagångssättet mellan fysiologi och genus, samt att den inkluderar studier gjorda med både kvalitativa och kvantitativa metoder. Kvalitativa tematiska intervjuer med ishockeytränare från Sverige, Kanada och USA användes för att utforska sociokulturella förhållanden i förhållande till prestation och idrottsutveckling (Studie I). Relativ ålderseffekt (RAE) i förhållande till mognadsstatus undersöktes genom antropometriska mätningar och en spelarenkät (Studie II). Fysiologiska fält- och laboratorietester användes för att undersöka fysiologiska förhållanden och prestation hos kvinnliga ishockeyspelare från Sverige (Studie III-IV) samt Kanada (Studie IV). Resultat: Resultaten från Studie I visar att tränare måste försöka ha ett helhetsperspektiv för att kunna samordna resurser och optimera effekterna av dessa utifrån sina förutsättningar. Sociokulturella förhållanden, såsom strukturellt och ekonomiskt stöd, nämns som viktiga faktorer för att skapa utvecklingsmöjligheter inom damishockey. Dessutom visar resultaten (Studie I) att kvinnliga ishockeyspelare i Kanada och USA har överlägsna förutsättningar jämfört med kvinnliga ishockeyspelare i Sverige. Dessa fördelar uppkommer främst på grund av det ekonomiska och strukturella stöd som de nordamerikanska utbildningssystemen bidrar med. Resultaten från Studie II föreslår att även relativ ålderseffekt (RAE) i damishockey påverkas av sociokulturella förhållanden. Signifikant RAE (p <.05) hittades för svenska spelare födda i tredje kvartilen (Q3) och för kanadensiska spelare födda i andra kvartilen (Q2). Spelare födda i fjärde kvartilen (Q4) är signifikant (p <0,05) underrepresenterade i båda länderna. Mognadsstatusen på spelarna uppmättes till medel eller sen utifrån tid för första menstruation, men inga skillnader hittades mellan länderna eller mellan positioner. Resultaten från Studie III visar att fälttester är jämförbara med laboratorietester när syftet är att prediktera skridskoåkningsförmåga. Prediktionsmodellerna förklarade 13.6 % to 42 % (laboratoriebaserade modeller) och 24.4 % to 66.3 % (fältbaserade modeller) av variansen i åktid. Oavsett bedömningsmetod visar sig unilaterala tester överlägsna bilaterala tester att prediktera skridskoåkningsförmåga. Resultaten stöder valet av fälttester i Studie IV. Resultaten från Studie IV visar att de svenska och kanadensiska spelarna hade olika fysiologiska profiler. De svenska spelare hade mindre kroppsfett (p = .007), mer fettfri massa (p = .005) och högre aerob kapacitet mätt genom beeptest (p = <.001). De kanadensiska spelare hade högre maximal isometrisk benstyrka (p = .026), bättre löpacceleration (p = <. 001), bättre hoppkapacitet i stående längdhopp på ett ben (höger ben p = .002, vänster ben p = .030) och högre anaerob uthållighet (p = 0,29) på MRSS. Inga signifikanta skillnader hittades mellan forwards och backar. Slutsats: Resultaten från denna avhandling visar att såväl fysiologiska som sociokulturella förhållanden bör beaktas i förhållande till prestation i damishockey. Till exempel är de olika fysiologiska profilerna troligen en effekt av de olika sociokulturella förhållandena i Sverige och Kanada. Den kanadensiska profilen kan vara bättre anpassad till prestation i ishockey men ytterligare forskning behövs för att fastställa om det finns ett verkligt samband. Eftersom damishockeyn ofta har begränsade resurser kan den här kunskapen bidra till att damlag kan nyttja sina resurser på ett mer effektivt sätt och därmed förbättra sin prestation. En förbättrad prestation skulle kunna ha en positiv effekt på damishockeyns symboliska värde, men för att permanenta förändringar ska uppstå måste maktstrukturerna i sporten också förändras. Kvinnorna själva har begränsade möjligheter att påverka den dominerande könsnormen i ishockey.

Purpose: To determine if jumping-performance changes during a peaking phase differed among returners and new players on a female collegiate volleyball team and to determine which variables best explained the variation in performance changes. Methods: Fourteen volleyball players were divided into 2 groups—returners (n = 7) and new players (n = 7)—who completed a 5-wk peaking phase prior to conference championships. Players were tested at baseline before the preseason on measures of the vastus lateralis cross-sectional area using ultrasonography, estimated back-squat 1-repetition maximum, countermovement jump height (JH), and relative peak power on a force platform. Jumping performance, rating of perceived exertion training load, and sets played were recorded weekly during the peaking phase. Results: There were moderate to very large (P < .01, Glass Δ = 1.74) and trivial to very large (P = .07, Δ = 1.09) differences in JH and relative peak power changes in favor of returners over new players, respectively, during the peaking phase. Irrespective of group, 7 of 14 players achieved peak JH 2 wk after the initial overreach. The number of sets played (r = .78, P < .01) and the athlete’s preseason relative 1-repetition maximum (r = .54, P = .05) were the strongest correlates of JH changes during the peaking phase. Conclusions: Returners achieved greater improvements in jumping performance during the peaking phase compared with new players, which may be explained by the returners’ greater relative maximal strength, time spent competing, and training experience. Thus, volleyball and strength coaches should consider these factors when prescribing training during a peaking phase to ensure their players are prepared for important competitions.

No description available.

Abstract available in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Context: The metabolic syndrome, characterized by central obesity with dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperglycemia, identifies people at high risk for type 2 diabetes. Objective: Our objective was to determine how the insulin resistance of the metabolic syndrome is related to muscle fiber composition. Design:Thirty-nine sedentary men and women (including 22 with the metabolic syndrome) had insulin responsiveness quantified using euglycemic clamps and underwent biopsies of the vastus lateralis muscle. Expression of insulin receptors, insulin receptor substrate-1, glucose transporter 4, and ATP synthase were quantified with immunoblots and immunohistochemistry. Participants and Setting: Participants were nondiabetic,metabolic syndrome volunteers and sedentary control subjects studied at an outpatient clinic. Main Outcome Measures: Insulin responsiveness during an insulin clamp and the fiber composition of a muscle biopsy specimen were evaluated. Results: There were fewer type I fibers and more mixed (type IIa) fibers in metabolic syndrome subjects.Insulin responsiveness and maximal oxygen uptake correlated with the proportion of type I fibers.Insulin receptor,insulin receptor substrate-1, and glucose transporter 4 expression were not different in whole muscle but all were significantly less in the type I fibers of metabolic syndrome subjects when adjusted for fiber proportion and fiber size.Fat oxidation and muscle mitochondrial expression were not different in the metabolic syndrome subjects. Conclusion:Lower proportion of type I fibers in metabolic syndrome muscle correlated with the severity of insulin resistance. Even though whole muscle content was normal, key elements of insulin action were consistently less in type I muscle fibers, suggesting their distribution was important in mediating insulin effects

Abstract available in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research

Abstract available in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research